| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09096695B2 |
Method for producing an aqueous emulsion
Disclosed is a method for producing an aqueous emulsion containing a fluorine-containing copolymer comprising, as copolymerizable monomers, (A) at least one of a perfluoroalkylalkyl acrylate and a corresponding methacrylate represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1CmH2mOCOCR═CH2, wherein R is hydrogen or methyl group, n is 4, 5, or 6, and m is 1, 2, 3, or 4; (B) benzyl acrylate or benzyl methacrylate; (C) a fluorine-free polymerizable monomer other than benzyl acrylate and benzyl methacrylate; and (D) a crosslinkable group-containing polymerizable monomer; the copolymer being produced by previously subjecting 10 to 80 wt. % of the total weight of component (A) and 0 to 60 wt. % of the total weight of component (B) to a first polymerization reaction using an emulsion polymerization method; and then subjecting the remaining components to a second polymerization reaction using an emulsion polymerization method; wherein an emulsifier is used in the emulsion polymerization reaction in an amount of 21 to 150 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the total weight of polymerizable monomers (A) and (B) used in the first polymerization reaction. |
| US09096694B1 |
Monomer/diluent recovery
The disclosure includes a polymerization process and an olefin polymerization system. A polymerization product is produced, a vapor phase is recovered from the polymerization product, the vapor phase is fractionated in a first column to yield a fraction stream, and the fraction stream is fractionated in a second column. A first stream of the second column, which comprises a diluent, can be recycled to a first polymerization reactor. A second stream of the second column, which comprises olefin monomer, diluent, and hydrogen, can be recycled to a second polymerization reactor. Comonomer may be recycled from the first column to the first polymerization reactor, the second polymerization reactor, or both. |
| US09096693B2 |
Method for obtaining inulin from plants
The invention describes a method for obtaining inulin which comprises: a) finely comminuting inulin-containing plant material, wherein particle sizes of the plant material are generated which are smaller than the size of the inulin-containing plant cells, b) suspending the finely comminuted plant material in a liquid, wherein inulin is released from the plant material and suspended in particulate form in the liquid, c) separating off plant particles from the liquid, wherein the inulin which is suspended in particulate form remains in the liquid, d) separating off the inulin which is suspended in particulate form from the liquid. The method is suitable in particular for obtaining inulin from artichoke roots. |
| US09096691B2 |
Cellulose ester optical films
Regioselectively substituted cellulose esters having a plurality of aryl-acyl substituents and a plurality of alkyl-acyl substituents are disclosed along with methods for making the same. Such cellulose esters may be suitable for use in optical films, such as optical films having certain Nz values, −A optical films, and/or +C optical films. Optical films prepared employing such cellulose esters have a variety of commercial applications, such as, for example, as compensation films in liquid crystal displays and/or waveplates in creating circular polarized light used in 3-D technology. |
| US09096688B2 |
Method for producing a collagen membrane and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a method of producing a collagen membrane that has particular mechanical properties. In particular, the present invention relates to a method A of producing a collagen membrane comprising the steps of (i) isolating a collagen-containing tissue and incubating same in an ethanol solution; (ii) incubating the collagen-containing tissue from step (i) in a first solution comprising an inorganic salt and an anionic surfactant in order to denature non-collagenous proteins contained therein; (iii) incubating the collagen-containing tissue produced in step (ii) in a second solution comprising an inorganic acid until the collagen in said material is denatured; and (iv) incubating the collagen-containing tissue produced in step (iii) in a third solution comprising an inorganic acid with simultaneous mechanical stimulation for sufficient time to enable the collagen bundles in said collagen-containing tissue to align; wherein the mechanical stimulation comprises applying tension cyclically to the collagen-containing tissue. |
| US09096684B2 |
Peptidomimetic macrocycles
The present invention provides peptidomimetic macrocycles capable of modulating growth hormone levels and methods of using such macrocycles for the treatment of disease. |
| US09096680B2 |
mTOR ligands and polynucleotides encoding mTOR ligands
The invention relates to kinase ligands and polyligands. In particular, the invention relates to ligands, homopolyligands, and heteropolyligands that modulate mTOR activity. The ligands and polyligands are utilized as research tools or as therapeutics. The invention includes linkage of the ligands and polyligands to a cellular localization signal, epitope tag and/or a reporter. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the ligands and polyligands. |
| US09096676B2 |
Antibodies to MASP-2
The invention relates to antibodies to MASP-2 and functional equivalents thereof. In particular, the invention relates to MASP-2 antibodies capable of inhibiting the function of MASP-2. The invention furthermore discloses MASP-2 epitopes, wherein antibodies recognizing said epitopes are in particularly useful for inhibiting MASP-2 activity. The invention also relates to methods of producing said antibodies, methods of inhibiting MASP-2 activity as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the MASP-2 antibodies. |
| US09096672B2 |
Antibodies directed to the deletion mutants of epidermal growth factor receptor and uses thereof
The present invention relates to novel antibodies, particularly antibodies directed against deletion mutants of epidermal growth factor receptor and particularly to the type III deletion mutant, EGFRvIII. The invention also relates to human monoclonal antibodies directed against deletion mutants of epidermal growth factor receptor and particularly to EGFRvIII. Diagnostic and therapeutic formulations of such antibodies, and immunoconjugates thereof, are also provided. |
| US09096670B2 |
Antibodies of the ED-B domain of fibronectin, their construction and uses
According to the present invention there is provided a specific binding member which is specific for and binds directly to the ED-B oncofoetal domain of fibronectin (FN). The invention also provides materials and methods for the production of such binding members. |
| US09096668B2 |
Methods for making antibody molecules having specificity for human IL-6
The invention relates to antibody molecules having specificity for antigenic determinants of IL-6, therapeutic uses of the antibody molecules and methods for producing said antibody molecules. |
| US09096665B2 |
Antibodies against monocyte chemotactic proteins
The invention provides antibodies that bind to a plurality of β-chemokines, particularly monocyte chemotactic proteins MCP-1, MCP-2 and MCP-3. The invention also provides cells producing the antibodies, and methods of making and using the same. |
| US09096663B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating conditions related to ephrin signaling with cupredoxins and mutants thereof
The present invention relates to compositions and methods of use of cupredoxins, and variants, derivatives and structural equivalents of cupredoxins that interfere with the ephrin signaling system in mammalian cells. Specifically, the invention relates to compositions and methods that use cupredoxins, such as azurin, rusticyanin and plastocyanin, and variants, derivatives and structural equivalents thereof, to treat cancer in mammals. The invention specifically includes mutants with altered Eph binding constants and selectivities. |
| US09096661B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies for CSPG4 for the diagnosis and treatment of basal breast carcinoma
It is disclosed herein that condroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), also known as high molecular weight melanoma associated antigen, is overexpressed on basal breast carcinoma cells (BBC), specifically triple negative basal breast carcinoma cells (TNBC). Methods for detecting basal breast cancer in a subject are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed for inhibiting the growth of a basal breast cancer cell. These methods include contacting the basal breast cancer cell with an effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds CSPG4. Additional treatment methods, and the use of antibody panels, are also described herein. |
| US09096644B2 |
Antigen-Norovirus P-domain monomers and dimers, antigen Norovirus P-particle molecules, and methods for their making and use
A substituted Norovirus capsid protein monomer, having only the P-domain, includes a foreign antigen inserted into one or more of three surface loops present on each P-domain monomer by molecular cloning. The antigen-P-domain monomer can assemble spontaneously into an octahedral, antigen-Norovirus P-particle, composed of 24 copies of the monomer. Each substituted P-domain monomer can contain one to three copies of the foreign antigen, for a total of 24-72 antigen copies on each antigen-P-particle. The antigen-P-particle is useful in methods for diagnosing, immunizing and treating individuals infected with a foreign virus and as a carrier for development of vaccines against many infectious and non-infectious diseases. The substituted monomer can be readily produced in E. coli and yeast, are highly stable and tolerate a wide range of physio-chemical conditions. The P-particle-VP8 chimeras may also serve as a dual vaccine, for example, against both rotavirus and norovirus. |
| US09096641B2 |
Imidazolyl progesterone antagonists
Described herein are imidazolyl compounds which either act as pure antiprogestins and methods of using such pure antagonists for gynecological indications and breast cancer. |
| US09096640B2 |
17-hydroxy-17-pentafluoroethyl-estra-4,9(10)-diene-11-methylene oxyalkylene aryl derivatives, process for preparation thereof, and use thereof for treatment of diseases
The invention relates to 17-hydroxy-17-pentafluoroethylestra-4,9(10)-diene-11-methyleneoxyalkylenearyl derivative of the formula I with progesterone-antagonising action and to processes for preparation thereof, to use thereof for treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders and to the use thereof for production of medicaments for treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders, especially of fibroids of the uterus (myomas, uterine leiomyomas), endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeds, meningiomas, hormone-dependent breast cancers and complaints associated with the menopause, or for fertility control and emergency contraception. |
| US09096634B2 |
Substituted purine and 7-deazapurine compounds
The present invention relates to substituted purine and 7-deazapurine compounds. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and methods of treating disorders in which DOT1-mediated protein methylation plays a part, such as cancer and neurological disorders, by administering these compounds and pharmaceutical compositions to subjects in need thereof. |
| US09096633B2 |
Stable needle-shaped crystals of natamycin
Stable needle shaped crystals of natamycin having a mean length of between 0.1 and 20 μm. |
| US09096628B2 |
Substituted porphyrins
Substituted metalloporphyrin compounds are described, along with pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof in protecting cells from oxidant-induced toxicity and pathological conditions such as inflammatory lung disease, neurodegenerative conditions, radiation injury, cancer, diabetes, cardiac conditions and sickle cell disease. Mn(III) porphyrins bearing oxygen atoms within side chains are particularly described. |
| US09096627B2 |
Hydroxamic acid derivatives
The present invention is directed to a method of alleviating, relieving, altering, remedying, ameliorating, improving or affecting a neoplastic disease or an immune disease, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein P, Z, and m are defined herein above. |
| US09096626B2 |
Monophosphorus ligands and their use in cross-coupling reactions
Phosphine ligands of the formula Ia, IB and mixtures thereof. |
| US09096624B2 |
Amino pyrimidine anticancer compounds
Compounds of Formula 1, as shown below and defined herein: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, synthesis, intermediates, formulations, and methods of disease treatment therewith, including cancers mediated at least in part by FAK. |
| US09096616B2 |
Process for preparing a porous metal-organic framework composed of zinc methylimidazolate
Described is a process for preparing a porous metal-organic framework comprising at least one at least bidentate organic compound coordinated to at least one metal ion, where the at least one metal ion is a zinc ion and the at least one at least bidentate organic compound is based on 2-methylimidazole, which comprises the steps (a) addition of a first water-based solution comprising zinc ions to a second water-based solution comprising 2-methylimidazole, with a suspension being formed after addition of the second solution; (b) addition of a third solution comprising a strong base to the suspension formed in step (a). |
| US09096615B2 |
Bridged bicyclic amino thiazine dioxide compounds as inhibitors of beta-secretase and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of beta-secretase enzyme (BACE) activity. The compounds have a general Formula I: wherein variables A4, A5, A6, A8, R1, R2, R3, R7 and n of Formula I, independently, are defined herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and corresponding uses of the compounds and compositions for treatment of disorders and/or conditions related to A-beta plaque formation and deposition, resulting from the biological activity of BACE. Such BACE mediated disorders include, for example, Alzheimer's Disease, cognitive deficits, cognitive impairments, schizophrenia and other central nervous system conditions. The invention further provides compounds of Formula II and sub-formula embodiments thereof, compounds of Formula III, intermediates and processes and methods useful for the preparation of compounds of Formulas I-III, and sub-Formulas thereof. |
| US09096610B2 |
Method for the production of ceftobiprole medocaril
The present invention relates to a method for the production of organic compounds, in particular sodium (6R,7R)-7-[(Z)-2-(5-amino-[1,2,4]thiadiazol-3-yl)-2-hydroxyimino-acetylamino]-8-oxo-3-[(E)-(R)-1′-(5-methyl-2-oxo-[1,3]-dioxol-4-ylmethoxycarbonyl)-2-oxo-[1,3′]bipyrrolidinyl-3-ylidenemethyl]-5-thia-1-aza-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylate (ceftobiprole medocaril), and compounds of the general formula (1) and of the general formula (2), the compounds themselves and intermediates in the production according to the invention. |
| US09096603B2 |
1-heterocyclyl-1,5-dihydro-pyrazolo[3,4-D] pyrimidin-4-one derivatives and their use as PDE9A modulators
The invention relates to novel 1,6-disubstituted pyrazolopyrimidinones, wherein i.) the nitrogen atom of the pyrazolo-group that is next to the pyrimidino-group is attached to a non-aromatic, organic heterocycle having at least one ring hetero atom selected from O, N and S and ii.) to the C-atom between the two nitrogen atoms of the pyrimidinone-ring a second substituent is bound via an optionally substituted methylene-bridge. According to one aspect of the invention the new compounds are for the manufacture of medicaments, in particular medicaments for the treatment of conditions concerning deficits in perception, concentration, learning or memory. The new compounds are also for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. |
| US09096602B2 |
Substituted pyrrolo[2,3-B]pyrazines as ATR kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to pyrrolopyrazines compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of this invention; methods of treating of various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of this invention; processes for preparing the compounds of this invention; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of this invention; and methods of using the compounds in in vitro applications, such as the study of kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new kinase inhibitors.The compounds of this invention have formula I: wherein the variables are as defined herein. |
| US09096597B2 |
Antiviral drugs for treatment of Arenavirus infection
Compounds, methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating viral infections, by administering certain compounds in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed. Methods for preparing the compounds and methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are also disclosed. In particular, the treatment and prophylaxis of viral infections such as caused by the Arenavirus family such as Lassa fever, Argentine hemorrhagic fever, Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, and Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever. |
| US09096591B2 |
Tetracyclic compounds
This disclosure relates to new tetracyclic compounds that may be used to modulate a histamine receptor in an individual. The compounds in one embodiment are tetracyclic [4,3-b]indoles. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds are also provided, as are methods of using the compounds in a variety of therapeutic applications, including the treatment of a cognitive disorder, psychotic disorder, neurotransmitter-mediated disorder and/or a neuronal disorder. |
| US09096589B2 |
Heteroaromatic phenylimidazole derivatives as PDE10A enzyme inhibitors
This invention is directed to compounds, which are PDE10A enzyme inhibitors. The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also provides processes for the preparation of the compounds of formula I. The present invention further provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a neurodegenerative disorder comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I. The present invention also provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a drug addiction comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I. The present invention further provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a psychiatric disorder comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I. |
| US09096588B2 |
Pyrazolo pyridine derivatives as NADPH oxidase inhibitors
The present invention is related to pyrazolo pyridine derivatives of Formula (I), pharmaceutical composition thereof and to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders or conditions related to Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH Oxidase). |
| US09096586B2 |
Therapeutic compounds
Compounds of formula I′: or salts thereof are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I′, processes for preparing compounds of formula I′, intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I′ and therapeutic methods for treating the proliferation of the HIV virus, treating AIDS or delaying the onset of AIDS or ARC symptoms in a mammal are also provided. |
| US09096583B2 |
Substituted 1,2,5-oxadiazole compounds and their use as herbicides II
The present invention relates to substituted 1,2,5-oxadiazole compounds of the formula (I) and the N-oxides and salts thereof and to compositions comprising the same. The invention also relates to the use of the 1,2,5-oxadiazole compounds or of the compositions comprising such compounds for controlling unwanted vegetation. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods of applying such compounds. |
| US09096582B2 |
Gamma secretase modulators
Disclosed herein are compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each of the substituents is given the definition as set forth in the specification and claims. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of Formula (I) and use of the compounds in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. |
| US09096580B2 |
Benzofuran derivatives for the treatment of hepatitis C
The disclosure provides compounds of formula I, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV. |
| US09096578B2 |
Dibenzol[f,h]quinoxaline compound, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
A novel compound which can be used as a material for a light-emitting element is provided. Specifically, a novel compound is provided which can be suitably used as a material for a light-emitting element where a phosphorescent compound enabling high emission efficiency of the light-emitting element is used as a light-emitting substance. In addition, a novel compound is provided which can be easily synthesized and inexpensively manufactured as well as having the above-described characteristics. A compound is provided in which at least one dibenzothiophenyl group or dibenzofuranyl group is directly bonded to a dibenzo[f,h]quinoxaline skeleton. |
| US09096577B2 |
Process for preparing 4-amino-5-biphenyl-4-yl-2-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-pentanoic acid compound
The invention provides processes for preparing intermediates useful for preparing compounds of the formula: or a tautomer or salt thereof, where R1-R5, a, b, X and P2, are as defined in the specification. |
| US09096571B2 |
Picolinamide and pyrimidine-4-carboxamide compounds, process for preparing and pharmaceutical composition comprising the same
Provided are picolinamide and pyrimidine-4-carboxamide compounds, a method for preparing the same, a pharmaceutical composition containing the same, and a medical use using the compound as an agent for preventing, regulating, and treating diseases related to regulation of glucocorticoids by using selective inhibitory activity of the compound for an 11β-HSD1 enzyme. The picolinamide and pyrimidine-4-carboxamide compounds of the present invention are selective inhibitors of human-derived 11β-HSD1 enzymes, and are useful in an agent for preventing, regulating, and treating diseases related to glucocorticoid regulation in which human-derived 11β-HSD1 enzymes are involved, for example, metabolic syndromes such as, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, diabetes later complications, latent autoimmune diabetes adult (LADA), insulin tolerance syndromes, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), damaged glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, etc. |
| US09096560B2 |
5-heterocyclylalkyl-3-hydroxy-2-phenylcyclopent-2-enones as herbicides
Compounds of formula (I), wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as herbicides. |
| US09096554B2 |
Drugs for inhibiting p38 and uses thereof
The present invention relates to compounds with a benzoxadiazolyl amine structure which are capable of inhibiting the activation or the biological activity of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the use thereof in the treatment of a disease that can be alleviated by means of inhibiting the activation or the biological activity of said p38 MAPK, for example, an inflammatory disease or a disease presenting with pain. |
| US09096552B2 |
Process for the preparation of condensation products of melamine
The invention relates to a process for the purification of a melamine condensation product, comprising the steps of a) making a diluted slurry of a reaction product mixture comprising the melamine condensation product in a solution of a base in water with a pH of at least 9, b) keeping the diluted slurry for a period of at least 1 hour, c) concentrating the diluted slurry, thereby obtaining a concentrated slurry and an eluent, and d) washing the concentrated slurry by diluting the concentrated slurry with aqueous liquid and repeating step c, wherein the washing is performed by counterflow washing wherein eluents of downstream concentration steps are used to wash the slurry in upstream concentration steps. |
| US09096542B2 |
Kinase inhibitors and their uses
The present disclosure provides compounds that inhibit protein kinases, such as JAK, Axl, or Syk kinases, compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds to inhibit protein kinase and treat and/or prevent diseases associated with inappropriate kinase activity. |
| US09096538B2 |
Pharmaceutical comprising PPAR agonist
An object of the present invention is to provide an agent for promoting proliferation of a meibomian gland epithelial cell and a corneal epithelial cell, as well as provide an agent for treating an ocular disease such as meibomian gland dysfunction or evaporative dry eye.There are provided an agent for promoting proliferation of a meibomian gland epithelial cell or a corneal epithelial cell, containing a PPARα or δ agonist as an active ingredient, as well as an agent for treating an ocular disease such as meibomian gland dysfunction or evaporative dry eye, containing a PPARα or δ agonist as an active ingredient. |
| US09096532B2 |
Pyrazole inhibitors of COX-2 and sEH
The present invention provides compounds and compositions, e.g., a series of compounds wherein a 1,5-biarylpyrazole group is conjugated to a urea group by a non-cleavable covalent chain, that are useful as dual COX-2/sEH inhibitors. The compounds disclosed herein have activity associated with the arachidonate cascade. The activity of these compounds was demonstrated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced model of pain in the rat. The compounds of the present invention demonstrated superior anti-allodynic activity as compared to the same dose of celecoxib, i.e., a COX-2 inhibitor, also as compared to the same dose of t-AUCB, i.e., a sEH inhibitor, and also as compared to the co-administered same dose of both celecoxib and t-AUCB. The dual inhibitors of the present invention demonstrate enhanced in vivo anti-allodynic activity in a nociceptive behavioral assay. In addition, the compounds of the present invention also demonstrated to have potent anti-angiogenic effects toward endothelial cells (HUVEC) and inhibit angiogenesis in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. The dual inhibitors of the present invention also demonstrate anti-angiogenic effect to slow breast tumor growth in vivo. |
| US09096529B2 |
Metal complex compound and organic light emitting diode device including the same
Disclosed is a metal complex compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, and an organic light emitting diode device including the same. In Chemical Formula 1, M, R1 to R8, A1 to A6, and y are the same as defined in the detailed description. |
| US09096528B2 |
2-aminonicotinic acid ester derivative and bactericide containing same as active ingredient
The present invention provides a bactericide containing a 2-aminonicotinic acid ester derivative as an active ingredient.The active ingredient is represented by the following formula [I]: (wherein, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 alkyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 alkyl group, R1 and R2 may be combined together to form an alkylene chain, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 alkyl group, R4 represents a hydrogen atom, a cyano group or a C1-C4 alkyl group, R5 and R6 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group, a C1-C4 alkylthio group, a C1-C4 alkylsulfinyl group, a C1-C4 alkylsulfonyl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, a C1-C4 haloalkyl group, a C1-C4 haloalkoxy group or a C1-C4 haloalkylthio group, A and B independently represent a methine (CH) group or a nitrogen atom). |
| US09096519B2 |
Process for the synthesis of ketones from internal alkenes
The present invention is directed to methods for oxidizing internal olefins to ketones. In various embodiments, each method comprising contacting an organic substrate, having an initial internal olefin, with a mixture of (a) a biscationic palladium salt; and (b) an oxidizing agent; dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system to form a reaction mixture, said solvent system comprising at least one C2-6 carbon nitrile and optionally at least one secondary alkyl amide, said method conducted under conditions sufficient to convert at least 50 mol % of the initial internal olefin to a ketone, said ketone positioned on a carbon of the initial internal olefin. The transformation occurs at room temperature and shows wide substrate scope. Applications to the oxidation of seed oil derivatives and a bioactive natural product are described. |
| US09096518B2 |
Substituted hydroxamic acids and uses thereof
This invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, G, m, n, p and q have values as described in the specification, useful as inhibitors of HDAC6. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of proliferative, inflammatory, infectious, neurological or cardiovascular diseases or disorders. |
| US09096509B2 |
Process for producing phenol
In a process for producing phenol, a mixture of cyclohexylbenzene with from 10 to 90 wt % of a solvent is contacted with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst and under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide. The catalyst comprises a cyclic imide having an imide group of formula (I): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group. At least a portion of the oxygen is dissolved in the mixture and the liquid phase molar ratio of cyclohexylbenzene to oxygen dissolved in the mixture is less than or equal to 20,000:1. |
| US09096505B2 |
Anti-cancer compositions and methods
Anti-cancer compositions and methods are described including one or more isothiocyanates and/or isoselenocyanates. Methods of treating a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject having a condition characterized by Akt dysregulation. Administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject detectably increases apoptosis and/or decreases proliferation of cancer cells, particularly cancer cells characterized by Akt dysregulation. |
| US09096500B2 |
Acyl sulfonamide compounds
The invention relates to sulfonamide derivatives, to their use in medicine, to compositions containing them, to processes for their preparation and to intermediates used in such processes. More particularly the invention relates to a new sulfonamide Nav1.7 inhibitors of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X, Ar1, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the description. Nav 1.7 inhibitors are potentially useful in the treatment of a wide range of disorders, particularly pain. |
| US09096499B2 |
Compounds for treatment of cell proliferative diseases
The present invention concerns compounds and their use to treat cell proliferative diseases such as cancer. Compounds of the present invention display significant potency as kinase inhibitors, cause the downregulation of c-myc, and inhibit the growth and survival of cancerous cell lines. |
| US09096496B2 |
Neprilysin inhibitors
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where R1-R5 and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds. |
| US09096493B2 |
Preparation method of high-purity L-carnitine
The present invention relate to a preparation method of high-purity L-carnitine which belongs to an important technique of quality control in different steps of chiral medicine production. The method comprises the following steps of: monitoring the content of the L-isomer impurity in chiral material S-epichlorohydrin by gas chromatography and chiral column and controlling the content of the L-isomer impurity in chiral raw material in the definite range; monitoring and controlling the specific optical rotation of the chiral intermediate L-3-chloro-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-propanaminium in the definite ranges using a polarimeter; monitoring the content of the R-isomer in the intermediate L-3-cyano-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-propanaminium using derivation agent (+)α-methyl-6-methoxy-2-naphthaleneaceyl chloride by HPLC and controlling the content of the isomer in the intermediate in the definite range; and measuring the final product L-carnitine using derivation agent (+)α-methyl-6-methoxy-2-naphthaleneaceyl chloride by HPLC. This method gives the high-purity L-carnitine in which the content of L-isomer may be more than 97% and that of R-isomer less than 2%. |
| US09096487B2 |
Alkylation method using ionic liquid as catalyst
Disclosed is an alkylation process using ionic liquid as catalyst, which process comprises separating halogenated hydrocarbons-rich fraction from the alkylation product by distillation and/or adsorption and reintroducing the separated fraction into the reaction system during the alkylation reaction, wherein the ionic liquid catalyst used in the alkylation reaction has a cation derived from hydrohalide of alkyl amine, hydrohalide of imidazole or hydrohalide of pyridine and an anion derived from one or more metallic compounds. The inventive process effectively utilizes the halogenated hydrocarbons in the alkylation product, prolongs the life of the ionic liquid catalyst, and reduces the halogen content in the alkylate oil. |
| US09096483B2 |
Catalytic isomerization of hexanes using ionic liquids
Processes for the disproportionation and isomerization of a hydrocarbon feed using a liquid catalyst comprising an ionic liquid and a carbocation promoter are described. The ionic liquid is unsupported, and the reactions occur at temperatures below the decomposition temperature of the ionic liquid, typically below about 250° C. The process includes isomerizing a hydrocarbon feed comprising normal C6 alkane or branched C6 alkane by contacting the hydrocarbon feed with a liquid catalyst in a reaction zone to form a product mixture. Isomerization reaction mixtures are also described. |
| US09096473B2 |
Coated carbonaceous particles particularly useful as electrode materials in electrical storage cells, and method of making the same
A process for the production of coated carbonaceous particles including: providing a carbon-residue-forming material; providing particles of a carbonaceous material; mixing the carbon-residue-forming material and the particles of a carbonaceous material at an elevated temperature; depositing a coating of the carbon-residue-forming material onto the surface of the particles; and stabilizing the coated particles by subjecting the particles to an oxidation reaction. These coated carbonaceous particles are particularly useful in the manufacture of electrodes in electrical storage cells, particularly in rechargeable electrical storage cells. |
| US09096466B2 |
Particulate flow enhancing additives and associated methods
Compositions that may improve the flow properties of dry particulate cementitious and non-cementitious materials, and methods of synthesis and use, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods may comprise providing a flow enhancing additive comprising a flow inducing chemical, a solid adsorbent particulate material, ethylene glycol, and water; providing a cementitious material, a non-cementitious material, or a mixture of cementitious and non-cementitious material; and blending the flow enhancing additive with the cementitious material, the non-cementitious material, or the mixture of cementitious and non-cementitious material. |
| US09096463B2 |
Glass substrate
A glass substrate chemically strengthened, includes a primary surface that has a compressive stress layer formed in an uppermost surface layer thereof. The compressive stress layer is configured to enhance strength of the glass substrate due to a compressive stress generated in the compressive stress layer. The compressive layer consists of a layer of a potassium ion concentration equal to or less than 5000 parts per million (ppm). |
| US09096454B2 |
Manufacturing method for sheet glass and manufacturing method for glass substrate
A method of manufacturing a sheet glass includes: a re-draw process forming a sheet glass by, heating and softening a glass preform manufactured by float method, and extending the glass preform to a desirable plate thickness. An extension direction in which the glass preform is extended by the re-draw process is 90 degrees with respect to a direction in which molten glass is fed in the float method. |
| US09096452B2 |
Methods and systems for destabilizing foam in equipment downstream of a submerged combustion melter
Methods and systems for de-stabilizing foam produced in submerged combustion melters. A molten mass of glass and bubbles is flowed into an apparatus downstream of a submerged combustion melter. The downstream apparatus includes a floor, a roof and a wall connecting the floor and roof, but is devoid of submerged combustion burners and other components that would increase turbulence of the molten mass. The molten mass has foam on at least a portion of a top surface of the molten mass. Certain methods include imposing a de-stabilizing force directly to the foam or to the molten mass and foam, where the de-stabilizing force may be a vibratory force, an acoustic wave force, a particulate-based force, or a non-particulate-based mechanical force. Systems for carrying out the methods are described. |
| US09096451B2 |
Apparatus and method for removal of ions
An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including a capacitive electrode stack. The capacitive electrode stack has a first electrode that includes a first current collector, a second electrode, and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the first and second electrodes. The apparatus has a connector to connect the current collector inside the housing with an electrical source outside the housing, and the connector includes a closing off portion to close an opening in the housing and to form a boundary for the water in the housing. |
| US09096450B2 |
Apparatus and method for treating aqueous solutions and contaminants therein
The present disclosure is generally directed to devices and methods of treating aqueous solutions to help remove or otherwise reduce levels, concentrations or amounts of one or more contaminants. The present disclosure relates to a system and apparatus which is adapted to receive components including at least one counterelectrode (e.g. cathode) and at least one photoelectrode (e.g. anode) provided or arranged around at least one UV light source, and/or receive, contain and/or circulate fluid or aqueous solution. |
| US09096444B2 |
Low pressure drop remediation bed for water based coolant loops
A water-based remediation bed includes a container providing a fluid cavity. Organic, inorganic and biological remediation media are arranged in the cavity and are configured to permit a water-based fluid within the cavity to simultaneously flow through the media. |
| US09096433B2 |
Hydrogen storage tank with metal hydrides
A tank for storing hydrogen through absorption into a material, the tank having a longitudinal axis and including an outer enclosure and an inner structure having a longitudinal axis, including a plurality of stages and a heat exchange system within the inner structure, each stage including a lower bottom, an upper bottom, longitudinal partition walls, and transverse partition walls. The partition walls form with the lower and upper bottoms compartments for receiving the hydrogen storage material. The upper bottom and/or the upper bottom and the transverse partition walls or longitudinal partition walls are made as a single piece. |
| US09096429B2 |
Nanoelectronic structure and method of producing such
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices comprising semiconductor nanoelements. In particular the invention relates to devices having a volume element having a larger diameter than the nanoelement arranged in epitaxial connection to the nanoelement. The volume element is being doped in order to provide a high charge carrier injection into the nanoelement and a low access resistance in an electrical connection. The nanoelement may be upstanding from a semiconductor substrate. A concentric layer of low resistivity material forms on the volume element forms a contact. |
| US09096420B2 |
Methods and apparatus for MEMS devices with increased sensitivity
Methods and apparatus for forming MEMS devices. An apparatus includes at least a portion of a semiconductor substrate having a first thickness and patterned to form a moveable mass; a moving sense electrode forming the first plate of a first capacitance; at least one anchor patterned from the semiconductor substrate and having a portion that forms the second plate of the first capacitance and spaced by a first gap from the first plate; a layer of semiconductor material of a second thickness patterned to form a first electrode forming a first plate of a second capacitance and further patterned to form a second electrode overlying the at least one anchor and forming a second plate spaced by a second gap that is less than the first gap; wherein a total capacitance is formed that is the sum of the first capacitance and the second capacitance. Methods are disclosed. |
| US09096418B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer and method of manufacturing the same
An ultrasonic transducer and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The ultrasonic transducer includes a first electrode layer which is disposed to cover a conductive substrate and an inner wall and a top of a via hole penetrating a membrane and has a top surface at a same height as a top surface of the membrane; a second electrode layer which is disposed on a bottom surface of the conductive substrate to be spaced apart from the first electrode layer; and a top electrode which is disposed on the top surface of the membrane and which contacts the top surface of the first electrode layer. |
| US09096412B2 |
Fire service elevator
A fire service elevator has an elevator cage, which includes a cage roof, wherein the cage roof has a seal in which at least one drain is arranged. The drain is so arranged in the seal that extinguishing water collecting on the cage roof in the case of a fire flows away from the cage roof substantially only via the drain. |
| US09096410B2 |
Multi-car elevator control device
A multi-car elevator control device for controlling an operation in such a manner that a rear car can stop away from a periphery of a fire floor. The multi-car elevator control device includes a running-enabled section calculator for calculating, as a running-enabled section, a range of a floor in which a stop can be carried out to open a door without a collision with a front car which stops, a fire floor information acquiring part for acquiring fire floor information, an in-fire stop prohibition section calculator for calculating, based on the fire floor information, an in-fire stop prohibition section for prohibiting the stop of the car, and a running permission deciding part for deciding a running permission of an elevator by referring to the running-enabled section and the in-fire stop prohibition section. |
| US09096409B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus body, a conveyance unit which is movably supported by the apparatus body toward an outside of the apparatus body, and includes a sheet conveying path, a conveying guide which forms the sheet conveying path, and is rotatably supported on the conveyance unit wherein in a state that the conveyance unit moves to the outside, the conveying guide can be held in an opening position where the sheet conveying path is opened, and an interlock portion which causes a closure of the conveying guide held in the opening position through interlocking with an operation of mounting the conveyance unit in the apparatus body. |
| US09096408B2 |
Clam shell bag dispenser
A clamshell dispenser for film bags includes a planar base shaped to fit beneath a bag roll. Side travel limiters are attached to the base. A retaining bracket is hingedly mounted adjacent a front edge of the base to prevent the roll from moving outwardly from the dispenser when the bracket is latched. The bracket opens for introduction of the roll. An upward facing snagging hook engages either a chisel cut or a perforation in bags from the roll. A downward facing snagging hook may be attached to the retaining bracket. An adapter for a bin includes first and second bag dispensers mounted to a fixture. The fixture is shaped to fit within the bin. First and second axles are orthogonally attached to the fixture. The axles mount first and second positioning wheels that are located to slidably engage first and second integral channels in vertical sides of the bin. |
| US09096407B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet processing apparatus configured to form a recessed portion at a portion at which a staple is driven into a sheet bundle from a sheet forming a surface of a side into which at least the staple is driven such that a sheet bundle to be discharged next on a sheet bundle stacking unit is stacked on a sheet bundle previously stacked on the sheet bundle stacking unit without catching on a staple of the previously stacked sheet bundle, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus. |
| US09096406B2 |
Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus with the same
A sheet conveying device (30) includes a plurality of first conveyance rollers (31) and a plurality of second conveyance rollers (32). The sheet conveying device (30) includes stiffening rollers (34). The stiffening rollers (34) are disposed coaxially with at least one conveyance rollers (32) among the first and second conveyance rollers (31) and (32), and have diameters larger than diameters of the conveyance rollers (32). The stiffening rollers (34) includes first stiffening rollers (34a), which apply conveying forces to a sheet (P), and second stiffening rollers (34b), which apply smaller conveying forces to the sheet (P) than the conveying forces to the sheet (P) in the first stiffening rollers (34a). |
| US09096402B2 |
Sheet material supplying device
A sheet material supplying device includes a tension detection device that detects tensions at both end portions of the unprocessed sheet material in a widthwise direction of the sheet material; an engaging roller that engages the sheet material at a location that is upstream of the processing section in a path of the sheet material that is drawn out; a supporting mechanism that supports both end portions of the engaging roller and that is displaceably supported with respect to the frame such that an axis of the engaging roller is tiltable in a direction that crosses a sheet surface of the sheet material with which the engaging roller engages; an actuator that is connected to the supporting mechanism and that displaces the supporting mechanism; and a drive control device that controls driving of the actuator on the basis of the tensions detected by the tension detection device. |
| US09096393B2 |
Conveying of pre-forms with individual ejection ability
An apparatus for conveying of plastics material pre-forms, with a plurality of holding devices which engage in apertures of the plastics material pre-forms and hold them, wherein these holding devices are movable along a pre-set conveying path, with a movement mechanism which has the effect that, in addition to the movement along the conveying path, the holding devices are also movable in a direction at a right angle to this conveying path. The apparatus has at least one detection device which is suitable for detecting a defective state of a plastics material pre-form held by a holding device, and at least one first removal apparatus arranged downstream along the conveying path of the at least one detection device and which—in reaction to a signal of the detection device—permits individual removal of a defective pre-form from the holding device. |
| US09096391B2 |
Article dispenser apparatus
An article dispenser accumulates and dispenses a required correct number of articles from a supply of loose articles to complete a work operation. The articles are picked one at a time from the supply of articles and deposited on a pivotal chute for collection in a ladle at an outlet of the chute. When the correct number of articles are deposited in the chute, the chute pivots from a first article accumulation position to a second position allowing removal of the articles from the ladle. |
| US09096390B2 |
Apparatus and method for inspecting and processing pellet-shaped articles
A conveyer apparatus for inspecting and processing pellet-shaped articles, each of the pellet-shaped articles including a first side and a second side, the conveyer apparatus comprising: a conveyer including a plurality of carrier links to convey a plurality of pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined conveyer path; a first inspection unit including at least one camera to inspect the first side and/or the second side of each of the pellet-shaped articles and determine an orientation of each of the pellet-shaped articles on the conveyer; a processing unit including at least two processing devices, each on an opposite side of the conveyer to process the first side and the second side of each of the pellet-shaped articles; and a second inspection unit including at least one camera on each side of the conveyer to inspect the first side and/or the second side of the pellet-shaped articles after processing. |
| US09096385B2 |
Agricultural conveyor with carriage roller attachment
In an agricultural conveyor, an auger housing is formed of modular tube sections and an inline drive assembly for driving rotation of the auger member relative to the auger housing which is connected in series between the modular tube sections. The auger housing is supported on an adjustable carriage frame for transport. The auger housing is supported on a portion of the carriage frame by a roller assembly having rollers engaging diametrically opposed top and bottom sides of the auger housing for rolling movement along the auger housing. The connection between at least one adjacent pair of modular tube sections is arranged to allow the roller assembly to roll across the connection along the length of the assembled auger housing. |
| US09096384B2 |
Tire testing machine conveyor
A plurality of conveyors including a center conveyor are appropriately disposed without any gap or step and any interference between driving units. The center conveyor includes a pair of left and right belt driving pulleys that are provided at the front and rear sides in the conveying direction so as to stretch loop-shaped conveyor belts therebetween and are provided at both sides in the width direction, a pair of first left and right pulleys that is connected to each other through a connection shaft disposed on rotation axes of the belt driving pulleys at both outer sides in the width direction, a pair of left and right second pulleys that is provided below the first pulleys at both outer sides in the width direction so as to stretch loop-shaped pulley belts between the first and second pulleys and includes a common rotation axis, a driving shaft that is disposed on rotation axes of the second pulleys and is connected to the pair of second left and right pulleys, and a motor that is connected to an end of the driving shaft. |
| US09096383B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for improved conveyor system
Systems, methods, and apparatuses relating to improved conveying systems, and in particular to providing locomotion preferably using a surface mounted drive mechanism for driving a drive chain are provided. Generally, the conveying system of the present invention is designed to adapt to most manufacturing needs, for example, from furniture manufacturing and finishing to marine and automotive engines. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a conveying system, comprising: at least one load carrying unit having a tow pin assembly, the tow pin assembly further comprising a tow pin configured to link to and delink from a conveyor tow chain, and the tow pin configured to engage and disengage from the conveyor tow chain; a conveyor track configured to house the conveyor tow chain; and a drive assembly configured to receive the tow chain and to provide locomotion to the conveyor tow chain, and further comprising at least one tensioner for tensioning the conveyor tow chain. |
| US09096378B2 |
Connecting device for a trough pan of extraction devices, trough pan and attachment therefor
A connecting device for connecting an attachment to a side member of a trough pan of an extracting device is provided. The connecting device includes first fittings on a side member and counter fittings on the attachment, which are detachably connectable to the first fittings. At least one retaining piece prevents detachment of fitting and counter fitting. The first fitting tapers upward in a trapeze-shaped manner and the counter fitting tapers upward in a trapeze-shaped manner, so that by a vertical movement, the first fitting and the counter fitting are able to be fitted into each other or to be detached from each other, and the first fitting and counter fitting are provided with locking strips and/or grooves which interlock in a locking state. |
| US09096377B2 |
Race track conveyor and packaging facility
A race track conveyor having at least two conveyor belts. Each conveyor belt includes a separate drive allowing each conveyor belt to independently transport a group of products from a first end to a second end of the race track conveyor. Each conveyor belt may include two belts, each belt being driven by the respective drive of the conveyor belt. The present race track conveyor may include three conveyor belts. The present race track conveyor may be configured to process different formats when loading and unloading product onto the race track conveyor allowing the race track conveyor to move product machines that have different work cycles. |
| US09096372B2 |
Container for adhesive tape
An improved container and container system for adhesive tape reduces the part count necessary for protecting various widths of adhesive tape and provides adhesive tape container elements of low cost. The adhesive tape containers are comprised of two halves with circular side walls and outer walls intended to surround a portion, or all, of the roll of tape (i.e. regular or irregular tape patterns and tape widths), and inner wall segments intended to engage the inside of a core of a roll of tape holding the ensemble together. |
| US09096369B2 |
Portable food or beverage and condiment kit
A food and condiment kit comprising a container with a top, a bottom, and an interior. A tray coupled to the top of the container includes at least one opening to receive a cup with a first end facing the bottom of the container. A ring with an interior edge and a plurality of clasps disposed around the interior edge is coupled to the first end of the cup. A cutting mechanism coupled to the ring protrudes towards the first end of the cup. A lining covers the open end of the cup sealing the contents of the cup from the contents of the container until the cup is rotated around the cutting mechanism to cut the lining and thereby release the contents therein. |
| US09096368B2 |
Medical device packaging and methods for preparing and packaging medical devices
Medical device packaging, medical device packaging assemblies, and methods for preparing and packaging medical devices. An example medical device packaging assembly may include a packaging pouch including a front pouch portion and a back pouch portion. The front pouch portion may include a first sheet of material having a plurality of layers. The back pouch portion may include a second sheet of material having a plurality of layers. A medical device may be disposed in the pouch. At least one of the plurality of layers of first sheet of material and the plurality of layers of second sheet of material may include a moisture scavenging layer. In addition, at least one of the plurality of layers of first sheet of material and the plurality of layers of second sheet of material includes an oxygen scavenging layer. |
| US09096367B2 |
Product having bioresorbable carrier materials and packaging
The present invention relates to a product containing bioabsorbable carrier materials especially for tissue regeneration and to a packaging, and also to processes for the production of the product. |
| US09096363B2 |
Load carrying platform
A transportable load carrying platform comprising a base to support a load during transportation. One or a plurality of support frames are positioned towards one or two ends of base and are configured to pivot between three positions. In a first position, the end frames extends upwardly from the base, in a second position the end frames extend outwardly and downwardly from the base and in a third position the end frames are substantially flat and parallel to the base to reduce the overall height of the platform. Pivot means allow the support frames to pivot relative to the base between the various positions. Suitable load transfer means are provided to effectively transfer any applied loading forces from the support frames to the base. |
| US09096362B2 |
Dispenser for pasty compounds
A dispenser for pasty compounds includes a tubular compound housing having a feeding plunger and a head piece which is guided in a spring-mounted manner on an upper tube piece and has a metering chamber with which there is associated an inlet valve. In order to provide a dispenser of this kind that has improved performance and a simplified construction, it is proposed that a spring element is composed of two U legs which roll down between parallel annular walls of the head piece and the compound housing. |
| US09096360B2 |
Merchandise container with integrated hang tab
A merchandise storage container includes an integrated hang tab. The hang tab is connected to the outer end panel that defines a portion of the lid of the container so that the hang tab may be use to help open the container when the user has removed the container from a display hook. The hang tab can be formed from only a single layer of material. A locking tab latches into a slot defined between an inner end panel and a rear wall of the container. The hang tab includes spaced legs disposed on either side of the locking tab. This configuration of the hang tab evenly distributes the hanging forces on either side of the locking tab. |
| US09096358B2 |
Cup lid for beverages with foam
A lid for a beverage cup includes an annular mounting portion to removably, sealingly, engage the open lip of a round beverage cup; a raised annular ridge inset from the mounting portion extending from a first end to a second end; a central portion spanning the annulus and including an aroma aperture at the center; a dispensing portion spanning between the annular ridge first end and second end including a front flat portion, a sloped dispensing aperture surface, and a dispensing aperture disposed on the sloped surface, the dispensing aperture comprising a triangle with rounded corners having a base proximate and parallel to the intersection edge and an apex proximate the upper edge; and, the raised annular ridge and dispensing portion defining a continuous containment surrounding the central portion. |
| US09096355B2 |
Flame arresting and dispensing cap for gel and liquid fuels for ventless fireplaces
A container-mounted dispensing structure for dispensing gel or liquid fuel into a fuel-containment reservoir of a ventless fireplace. The dispensing structure having an upstream member and a downstream member which are connected to each other. The upstream member defining a plurality of flame-restricting apertures through which fuel exits the container. The downstream member having a substantially larger dispensing aperture. The number of flame-restricting apertures and their size being selected to prevent flame ingress into the container and to allow sufficient flow into a manifold to facilitate single-stream, splash-free flow of fuel from the dispensing aperture into the reservoir. |
| US09096354B2 |
Aircraft vision system, and associated vision method
The system according to the invention comprises a display and a synthetic image dynamic generating assembly. It includes a management assembly for the graphic interface of the display, capable of controlling the dynamic display, on a first region of the display, of a synthetic image and able to maintain, in certain movement configurations of the aircraft, a second region of the display delimited by the edge substantially with no synthetic surface representation of the terrain. The management assembly includes means for dynamically delimiting the edge of the first region. The delimiting means are configured to dynamically compute the position of the edge as a function of a determined visibility distance (DV), taken relative to the aircraft. |
| US09096352B2 |
Enhanced dispensing and dosaging techniques for fluid containers
In various embodiments, the invention provides enhanced structures, devices, and techniques that allow fluids and liquid products, such as cosmetics, to dispense in a more even, smoother, and more predictable manner from fluid containers. In one embodiment, a plug is inserted into the nozzle of a squeeze tube. The plug has embossments on its surface that form longitudinal openings for the tube's fluid contents to dispense in a controlled fashion. In one embodiment, a plug is positioned within at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle of a fluid container. The plug includes a tip and a base having at least one longitudinal opening structured to create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository to the dispensing orifice on at least a portion of an outside surface of the plug upon application of a threshold fluid pressure. |
| US09096350B2 |
Debris receptacle removably secured to edge of work surface
A debris receptacle is removably attachable to an edge or lip of a work surface. A debris receiving volume defined by a bottom surface and a rear panel is disposed between lower clamp arms that extend under a work surface and are biased toward upper clamp arms that extend over the work surface. Springs disposed within concentric columns that are coupled to the lower and upper clamp arms provide a biasing force, which urges the lower clamp arms toward the upper clamp arms to removably secure the debris receptacle to the edge of the work surface. The debris receptacle is thus mounted to receive debris swept from the work surface through a gap defined between the rear panel and the edge of the work surface. |
| US09096348B2 |
Item stabilizer
An item stabilizer configured to prevent lateral movement of an item (such as a product-supporting pallet) in a transport container. The item stabilizer includes a first item side engager, a second item side engager, and a connector attached to each of the item side engagers such that an item can be positioned on the connector between the item side engagers. The item stabilizer is configured to prevent movement of the item by engaging opposite sides of the item while the weight of the item and any products thereon or therein rest on the connector, thereby preventing the connector and the item side engagers themselves from moving laterally. Each item side engager respectively extends between one side of the item and one of the side walls of the transport container to limit the lateral movement of the item. Multiple item stabilizers can work together to hold an item in place. |
| US09096347B2 |
Stand-up Package
A stand-up package is formed to include an interior region for containing a product. The package is configured to be in an upright, standing position. |
| US09096346B2 |
Flexible package structure with a press-and-pull opening feature
An opening feature for a flexible laminate membrane having a metal foil layer sandwiched between first and second structures is formed by a first score line through a thickness of the first structure but not breaching the metal foil layer, and a second score line through a thickness of the second structure but not breaching the metal foil layer, the first and second score lines together encompassing a removable panel portion of the flexible membrane. A press-and-pull tab constituting part of the removable panel portion is arranged to be pressed downward to cause the metal foil layer to break in the region of the tab, and then to be grasped and pulled upward to cause the metal foil layer to break all around a periphery of the removable panel portion to enable the removable panel portion to be completely removed from the flexible membrane. |
| US09096343B2 |
Display ready container
A container knockdown assembly capable of opening into an erected container assembly. The knockdown includes an unopened outer sleeve having first and second outer side panels opposing and substantially parallel to one another when in the knockdown form, and an unopened inner sleeve having first and second inner side panels opposing and substantially parallel to one another when in the knockdown form. The inner sleeve is secured within the outer sleeve in a positional relationship of the assembled container. A cutout is formed in a section of one of the outer corners of the outer sleeve to expose at least a portion of a corner of the inner corner. A container formed from such a knockdown is also provided. |
| US09096338B2 |
Film fitting system
A film fitting system which fits a tubular film on a fitting target including a fitting device which fits, at a predefined fitting position, the tubular film on the fitting target which is transported; and a transporting device which receives the fitting target at a predefined supplying position, wherein the transporting device includes a mount which is moved in a state where the fitting target is placed thereon; a positioning member which is moved in a linked manner with the mount and which positions the fitting target with respect to the mount by contacting a part of the fitting target; and a moving device which moves the positioning member to a reference position, and a retracted position where the positioning member is separated from the fitting target at least at the fitting position. |
| US09096337B2 |
Gluing unit for applying adhesive to a succession of opening devices for gluing to sealed packages of food products pourable into a tube of packaging material
A gluing unit for applying adhesive to a succession of opening devices to be fitted to respective sealed packages of food products pourable into a tube of packaging material, the unit having a conveyor for feeding the opening devices along a path, and an adhesive dispenser located along the path, interacting with each opening device to apply adhesive to a portion of the opening device, and movable in a plane parallel to the path as well as crosswise to the plane. |
| US09096336B2 |
Device and method for packaging bulk material
A device for packaging bulk material such as milk powder is disclosed. The device includes a dispensing unit for dispensing the bulk material into a package, an apparatus for supplying the bulk material to the dispensing unit and an apparatus for emitting a gas, such as CO2 or a gas mixture of nitrogen and CO2, during the packaging. The device is further provided with an apparatus for emitting a gas for driving oxygen out of the package before dispensing of the bulk material. A method for packaging a bulk material is also disclosed. |
| US09096335B2 |
Fast dissolving pharmaceutical composition
The subject invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an open matrix network carrying a pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein the open matrix network comprises levan. |
| US09096334B2 |
Apparatus and method for capping and sealing pharmaceutical vials
An apparatus and a method for capping and sealing a vial with a cap assembly including a deformable annular seal, e.g., a ferrule, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base for holding the vial, a pressure applying platen, plural sealing rollers and associated electronic circuitry and motors. The platen is arranged to be moved relative to the base, whereupon it engages and applies a force to the cap assembly. The load cell measures the force applied and provides a signal indicative thereof to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry determines when a desired amount of force has been applied to control the operation of the rollers, whereupon the rollers apply a force to the annular seal to permanently crimp the annular seal on the vial. |
| US09096331B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting an aircraft structure during repair
Systems and methods for jacking an aircraft structure using beams coupled to seat tracks attached to a floor beam grid structure. Mechanical load distribution plates can have offset lift pin location to allow a certain percentage of the load to be applied to specific seat tracks. Different quantities of seat tracks can be utilized per requirements. Attachment rails that interface with the seat tracks use the same hardware that is used to fasten aircraft seats to the seat tracks. This helps handle the load and prevent damage to the seat tracks. The jacking apparatus also includes load swivels and a hanger link to prevent any side or twisting loads from being applied. |
| US09096329B2 |
Method and device for displaying the performance of an aircraft when climbing and/or descending
A method and device for displaying the performance of an aircraft when climbing and/or descending. The device includes devices for data capture, calculation and generating images for a display screen. The calculation device is configured to calculate a maximum slope that the aircraft can adopt depending on current data received from a data capture device. A display device presents images of the maximum slope superimposed with altitudes of a projected flight plan. |
| US09096327B2 |
Aircraft health assessment system
According to one embodiment, a system for assessing health of an aircraft includes a receiver, a flight spectrum analyzer, and a health assessment analyzer. The receiver receives, from an aircraft, a plurality of measurements associated with two or more flight parameters. The plurality of measurements includes measurements spanning at least one period of time. The flight spectrum analyzer determines, based on a comparison of the plurality of measurements to a plurality of flight spectrum definitions, an amount of time the aircraft spent in each flight spectrum of a plurality of flight spectrums during the at least one period of time. The health assessment analyzer assesses a change in health of the aircraft over the at least one period of time based on the determination of the amount of time the aircraft spent in each flight spectrum and a plurality of spectrum health profiles. |
| US09096323B1 |
Window contamination sensor for optical detection systems
A system for detecting contamination of a window of an optical system includes a polarizing beamsplitter, a quarter waveplate, a photodetector, and a processor. The polarizing beamsplitter is configured to receive a laser beam having a first polarization and reflect the laser beam having the first polarization to the window. The photodetector is configured to sense a magnitude of reflections of the laser beam from the window having a second polarization, wherein the polarizing beamsplitter passes the reflections of the laser beam from the window having the second polarization to the photodetector. The processor is configured to determine a contamination level of the window based upon the magnitude of the reflections of the laser beam from the window. |
| US09096320B2 |
Cabin pressure thrust recovery outflow valve with single door
A single valve door thrust recovery outflow valve is provided that does not rely on a relatively large and expensive actuator to move it, and does not create unwanted drag during aircraft cruise operations. The valve includes a valve frame, a valve door, and an aerodynamic flap. The valve door is rotationally coupled to the valve frame, is adapted to receive a drive torque, and is configured, upon receipt of the drive torque, to rotate between a closed position, a full-open position, and a plurality of partial-open positions between the closed position and the full-open position. The aerodynamic flap is coupled to the valve door. When the valve door is in the closed position and in numerous partial-open positions, the aerodynamic flap makes the thrust recovery outflow valve aerodynamically clean. |
| US09096316B2 |
Optimized core for a structural assembly
The present application relates a core member for a core-stiffened structural assembly. The core member includes a plurality of cell members oriented a direction to provide a tailored stiffness in a certain direction. The core member can further include one or more planar members that can aid in shear transfer between cell members. The cell members can be made from bonding a plurality of corrugated layers together. The core-stiffened structure can be a rotor blade for an aircraft. In such an embodiment, the torsional stiffness of the rotor blade can be tailored in at least one of the chordwise and spanwise directions to provide tailor a torsional stiffness at any give location in the rotor blade. |
| US09096313B2 |
High frequency pulsed microjet actuation
An actuator configured to rapidly vary the throat geometry of a microjet nozzle. Varying the throat geometry rapidly changes the characteristics of the microjet produced by the microjet nozzle. The inventive device is capable of producing pulsed flow. In some embodiments it is also capable of producing rapidly variable flow in order to provide active control. |
| US09096311B2 |
Method for adjusting the doors of a landing gear bay, and associated door
The aim of the invention is to allow the set of doors to be adjusted without increasing the number of landing gear retraction/extension maneuvers, by incorporating a specific entrance in the fairing (2) of the landing gear bay (4) that provides access to the different accessories (14, 17a, 17b) used to adjust the doors (21-25). The method of the invention consists in: providing a removable bodywork element (5) which is inserted into the fairing (2) of a landing gear bay, surrounded by a stiffening structure (7) and of sufficient dimension such that the adjustment levers (14, 17a, 17b) can be reached from the outside; accessing the inside of the bay (4) by retracting the removable bodywork element (5); and using the levers (14, 17a, 17b) to adjust the different doors (21 to 25) in a flush aerodynamic position, as well as the clearances between said doors. In one embodiment of the invention, one door (25) comprises a central bodywork portion (5) and a peripheral portion (7) including stiffening means (70). The peripheral portion (7) is surrounded by a seal (30) that bears on the other doors (21-24) via the stiffening means (70) and the central portion (5) is coupled to the peripheral portion (7) by removable separation means (6). |
| US09096310B2 |
Four-bar vehicle controller providing up to three independent or combined axes of control and improved cockpit and control input ergonomics
The present invention pertains to a four-bar vehicle controller providing up to three independent or combined axes of control inputted via a yoke, steering wheel or other hand operated input means attached to an aft end of a control input shaft rotatably mounted to and extending rearwardly from an upper bar member of a four-bar assembly. The assembly is configurable to provide an operator a familiar steering experience and to improve cockpit ergonomics and control inputs. A forward end of the control input shaft is configurable to impart yaw control input or steering control input, or both, to one or more rotation transmission means coupled with yaw control linkage or steering control linkage, or both. The vehicle controller is configurable to control a vehicle equipped to operate in, or a simulator equipped to simulate operation in, one or more transportation modes, such as flight, ground-based, or water-based transportation modes. |
| US09096307B2 |
Process and device for automatically optimizing on the ground the aerodynamic configuration of an aircraft
A process and a device for automatically optimizing on the ground the aerodynamic configuration of an aircraft.The device (1) includes means (7, 8, 10) for determining and applying to the spoilers (6) a command providing the aircraft with an optimum aerodynamic configuration. |
| US09096303B2 |
Airplane sidewall attachment device
A system for attaching an aircraft wall panel to an airframe member includes a top support bracket having a mating member, a lower support bracket having a mating pin, and an aircraft wall panel having a first stabilizing attachment and a first securing attachment. The first stabilizing and securing attachments are arranged on a rear surface of the aircraft wall panel. The first stabilizing attachment is configured to connect to the mating member of the top support bracket and retain the aircraft wall panel in proximity to the airframe member. The first securing attachment is configured to connect to the mating pin of the lower support bracket to (a) engage the lower support bracket and facilitate horizontal and vertical adjustments of the aircraft wall panel in relation to the airframe member, and (b) lock a position of the first securing attachment relative to the lower support bracket. |
| US09096301B1 |
Drag plate for controlled descent of balloon
A balloon is provided having a balloon envelope, a payload positioned beneath the balloon envelope, and a drag plate positioned beneath the balloon envelope and attached to the payload, and a control system configured to initiate a process to cause the balloon envelope to no longer provide lift to the payload, wherein the drag plate serves to slow the descent of the payload to the earth. |
| US09096294B1 |
Trolley-payload inter-ship transfer system
The present invention is particularly efficacious when practiced as a system for transferring payloads between sideways-adjacent vessels at sea. As typically embodied, an inventive inter-locational transfer system includes: a trolley; a set of parallel cable-rails upon and along which the trolley is rollable; a pair of pulling cables, respectively connected to the two sideways-adjacent ships, for exerting pulling forces on the trolley in opposite directions along the cable-rails; at least four hoisting cables, separately and distantly attached at the bottom of the trolley and at peripheral points of the payload, for suspending a rectangular payload (e.g., ISO container with contents) from the trolley; a first computer control capability; for controlling the impelling and restraining of the trolley by the respective pulling cables; and, a second computer control capability, for controlling the lengthening and shortening of the respective hoisting cables in a coordinated manner to reduce or minimize payload pendulation. |
| US09096289B2 |
Snowmobile
A snowmobile has an engine mounted with an exhaust port facing forwardly. A steering post extends substantially along a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and over a top of the engine. An exhaust outlet is coupled to exhaust port and projects vertically upwardly to a position higher than the engine, and projecting rearwardly between the steering post and frame members. The rider position is re-defined relative to the snowmobile center of gravity. |
| US09096287B2 |
Apparatus and method for routing bicycle control cables
The present invention relates to a bicycle in which at least a portion of a control cable is routed internally. In particular, a bicycle according to the invention comprises a frame, the frame including a head tube; a fork assembly carried by the frame; and a cable guide positioned at least partially within the head tube and connected to the fork assembly, the cable guide adapted for receiving the portion of the control cable. The invention extends to a method of routing the control cables through a bicycle frame to minimize aerodynamic losses that are caused by control cables. More particularly, the method includes the steps of providing a bicycle frame comprising a head tube, providing a fork steerer including a groove formed in the fork steerer at least partially within the head tube, and positioning a portion of the cable within the groove. |
| US09096284B2 |
Snowmobile traction device
A traction enhancement device for a snowmobile including a plurality of traction studs extending from a stud plate. The device configured for mounting to a snowmobile track by a central mounting stud extending through the track and the stud plate. The device provides for a plurality of traction studs to be mounted to the track with only a single hole in the track. A method of mounting a fraction enhancement device to a snowmobile track that provides a plurality of traction studs with only a single hole through the track. |
| US09096283B2 |
Magnet robot crawler
A magnetic robot includes a chassis and at least one track assembly associated with the chassis. The track assembly has a linear series of non-circulating magnet modules displaceably mounted with respect to the chassis. A driven track circulates about the magnet modules and travels on guide portions of the magnet modules. |
| US09096282B2 |
Rig with drawworks and hoisting device
A rig includes a base structure in contact with an operating surface and configured to support the rig on the operating surface. A transportation system is operatively coupled to the base structure and is configured to position the rig over an extraction point. A raised platform is connected to the base structure by a plurality of support beams. A hoisting device is connected to the raised platform. A drawworks is supported on the base structure and is operatively connected to the hoisting device. |
| US09096280B2 |
Cab hold down system
A system and apparatus to fasten a cab and riser to a heavy machine is described herein. A riser may include a frame that has therein a plurality of pivot pins. The pivot pins may have clamping elements coupled thereto. The respective distal ends of the clamping elements may be coupled to activation screws. When force is applied to a respective activation screw, a respective clamping element may rotate around a respective pivot pin to become clampingly engaged with a receiving structure on the heavy machine. |
| US09096279B2 |
Air-guiding device for a vehicle
A rear region of a vehicle has an air-guiding device (10) with a mounting element (11) for the air-guiding device on the vehicle, and with at least one air-guiding element (13) that is shiftable between a retracted inoperative position and an extended operating position. A gap (14) is formed between the air-guiding element (13) and the mounting element (11) when the air guiding device (10) is in the extended operating position. However, the gap (14) can be closed via a closure device (15). The closure device (15) has a multi-layered, flexible sheetlike structure (16) with at least one front outer, flexible layer (17) and a rear outer, flexible layer (18). In the extended operating position, the front outer layer (17) can be stretched with the aid of a stiff clamping element (19) and the rear outer layer (19) can be stretched with the aid of a flexible clamping element (20). |
| US09096275B2 |
Vehicle body structure
A vehicle body includes: left and right floor frames for supporting a floor panel; left and right side-frames extending from the vicinities of ends of the left and right floor frames in the front-rear direction so as to be separated in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body from the left and right floor frames; and a subframe provided below the left and right side-frames. Left and right bulkheads and left and right collar sections of a hollow shape, which are provided to the left and right bulkheads, are provided within the left and right floor frames. The subframe has left and right subframe end sections extending toward end sections of the left and right floor frames. The left and right subframe end sections are connected to the left and right collar sections by left and right connection members so as to be able to swing vertically. |
| US09096274B2 |
Front structure for vehicle
A front structure for a vehicle includes a cowl panel which has at least a front wall and a bottom wall and which opens toward a top of the vehicle, a dash panel which has an upper end portion which is joined to the front wall of the cowl panel in an overlapping relationship in a vehicle length direction, and a patch which has a lower end side which is joined to the dash panel and an upper end side which is joined to the bottom wall of the cowl panel to form a closed cross-section in conjunction with the dash panel and the bottom wall. |
| US09096273B2 |
Apparatus for reinforcing a supporting subframe
The invention relates to an apparatus for reinforcing a supporting subframe for motor vehicles which is comprised of two longitudinal beams (30) and at least one crossbeam (32, 34), with the links (14, 16, 20, 22) of wheel suspensions on both sides being articulated to the longitudinal beams (30) via radially protruding, fixed mounts (36, 38) by rubber-metal sleeve bearings, and with the longitudinal beams (30) including at least in one region of articulation of a link (14) a longitudinally extending portion (30b) and a transversely extending portion (30c) which define in particular an approximately 90° curvature. According to the invention, the mounts (36, 38) are configured as two brackets, with one of which being supported on the longitudinally extending portion (30b) of the longitudinal beams (30) and the other one of which being supported on the transversely extending portion (30c). |
| US09096270B2 |
Pillar structure for vehicle
A pillar structure for a vehicle includes: a glass to form a vehicle compartment; a pillar to support a roof panel; and a pillar outer cover disposed at an outer side of the pillar. A flow passage is provided between the pillar and the pillar outer cover. The flow passage includes an inlet port, an air-water separator, an air outlet port, and a discharge port. The air outlet port is disposed at a position with a pressure lower than a pressure in a vicinity of the inlet port during running of the vehicle. |
| US09096269B2 |
Structure for passenger vehicle interior, and manufacturing method therefor
A structure for a passenger vehicle interior is a structure for constituting the vehicle interior of a passenger vehicle, is formed in a monocoque structure in which the entire structure from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle interior is integrally formed by a fiber-reinforced resin, has a bowl-shaped structure part which is provided at least on the front side among the front side and the rear side of the structure and which opens toward the rear side, and has a side-wall part formed as a vertical wall that is continuous with the bowl-shaped structure part and extends in a front-rear direction of the structure, at each of both side parts of the structure, and a manufacturing method therefor. |
| US09096267B2 |
Efficient data flow algorithms for autonomous lane changing, passing and overtaking behaviors
A system and method for providing lane changing maneuvers in an autonomously driven vehicle. The vehicle includes a navigation controller that provides a planned route for the vehicle to follow and a vehicle controller that receives route information from the navigation controller and provides steering, braking and throttle control for the vehicle to follow the route. Either the navigation controller or the vehicle controller may initiate a lane change maneuver to cause the vehicle to be steered from a travel lane to an adjacent lane. In response to the lane change requirement, the navigation controller provides a route segment to the vehicle controller and a lane-change zone so that the vehicle controller can steer the vehicle to the adjacent lane while in the lane-change zone. |
| US09096266B2 |
Driver assisting system for optimizing curve traversal
To perform appropriate travel control of a vehicle without applying an uncomfortable feeling to a driver, an ideal travel locus, that is a travel locus that becomes a target when travel control of the vehicle is performed, is set, plural guide target points which guide the vehicle when the travel control is performed are set on the ideal travel locus, and when the vehicle is guided to the guide target points, the vehicle is guided by making a degree of influence when the vehicle is guided at the plural guide target points different from each other. With the configuration, in a portion having a low degree of importance on the ideal travel locus, when the vehicle is guided by reducing the degree of influence of the guide target points, since the vehicle is guided in a state that a compelling force is small, the vehicle can be guided without applying an uncomfortable feeling to the driver. Further, in a portion having a high degree of importance on the ideal travel locus, when the vehicle is guided by increasing the degree of influence of the guide target points, since the vehicle is guided by a large compelling force, appropriate travel control of the vehicle can be performed. |
| US09096262B2 |
Hands-on-off steering wheel detection for motor vehicle
In a method for detecting contact between a driver's hands and the steering wheel (12) of a vehicle, an actuator (14) for selectively applying a steering force and sensors (22) for measuring the instantaneous steering force and/or the steering angle being associated with the steering wheel (12), the actuator (14) impresses (32) a test force pulse pattern on the steering wheel (12). The steering force sensor and/or the steering angle sensor (22) measure(s) the reaction of the steering wheel movement to the test pulse pattern, and the reaction of the steering wheel movement is used to decide whether or not at least one of the driver's hands is in contact with the steering wheel (12). |
| US09096261B2 |
Adjustable ride height, vehicle, system and kit
Disclosed herein is a steering linkage system that includes a steering tie bar extending between a first spindle and a second spindle of the vehicle. The system includes a joint that is adaptable for movement in a direction that the steering tie bar extends. The system further includes a first steering link attached to and extending between a first steering location that is on or connected directly to a pitman arm of the vehicle and a second steering location that is on or connected directly to the steering tie bar by way of the joint such that the joint is movable in the direction that the steering tie bar extends. The system includes a second steering link attached to and extending between a third steering location that is on or connected directly to a middle of the first steering link that is located between the first and second steering locations, and a fourth steering location that is on or connected directly to the steering tie bar. Further disclosed is a vehicle having the steering linkage system, and a kit for providing the steering linkage system to a vehicle. |
| US09096260B1 |
Impact absorbing steering apparatus
A structure is achieved in which two portions in the axial direction of a cable 38 for electric equipment by an energy-absorbing member 35 on an inner column 9a side and a cable support bracket 52 on an outer column 10a side, such that the cable 38 can be suppressed from becoming a resistance to forward displacement of a steering wheel during a secondary collision. The energy-absorbing member 35 has a support plate section 46, part of which displaces in the downward direction during a secondary collision. Part of the middle section of two portions of the cable 38 in the axial direction is supported by the support plate section 46. During a secondary collision, the middle section of the cable 38 displaces and is bent in the downward direction as the support plate section 46 deforms. As a result, the cable 38 is suppressed from tightening in the axial direction during a secondary collision. |
| US09096254B2 |
Vehicle steering control apparatus
A steering control apparatus of a vehicle includes a steering unit having an input shaft, a turning unit having an output shaft, a clutch for connecting or disconnecting between the input shaft and the output shaft, and a control unit for controlling the turning unit based on an output from the steering unit. The control unit controls the rotation of the output shaft such that when the input shaft rotates, the clutch is caused to run idle. The clutch may be configured such that the clutch runs idle when the rotating speed of the output shaft is greater than or equal to the rotating speed of the input shaft and such that the clutch is connected when the rotating speed of the output shaft is less than that of the input shaft. |
| US09096253B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus
The control apparatus calculates the first assist component on the basis of the steering torque. The control apparatus calculates the turning angle command value from the steering torque and the first assist component on the basis of the ideal model, executes turning angle feedback control for matching the actual turning angle with the turning angle command value, and calculates the second assist component. The control apparatus adds the second assist component to the first assist component to calculate the assist command value. When the deviation between the actual turning angle and the turning angle command value is out of the allowable range, the control apparatus changes the ideal model to remove the second assist component from the assist command value and enhance convergence of the turning angle feedback control system. |
| US09096251B2 |
Handtruck with footkick tilt device
A handtruck has an elongated frame, with wheels mounted adjacent to the bottom of frame and forming a wheelbase. A load-bearing member, such as a base plate, is attached to the frame. A footkick is provided and is attached to the frame, the footkick extending rearwardly relative to the wheels, preferably with a part engageable by a person's foot. The footkick provides a lever for facilitating rotation of the frame about the wheelbase. |
| US09096249B2 |
Load carrier with mode changer
A multi-mode load carrier is convertible to assume a storage mode, a cart mode, and a hand-truck mode. The load carrier includes a rolling base and a base pusher having a handgrip. |
| US09096239B2 |
Railroad freight car loading or unloading
A rail-road intermodal freight system. In an embodiment, a plurality of L-cars are provided. In an embodiment, each L-car may be configured for support at its forward end on a preceding L-car, and at a rear base on a set of flanged rail wheels. In implementing the system, a freight yard is provided with rail components which are switchable to enable decoupling and a turn-in-place operation, wherein each care is lifted from the preceding L-car in the train, and the neck portion of the L-car lowered to the ground. When in the lowered position, downwardly extending legs on the over-the-road trailer enable an over-the-road tractor to attach the over-the-road trailer in conventional fashion, for removal of the over-the-road tailer from the L-car. Loading of an over-the-road trailer on the L-car takes place via a reverse process, wherein the trailer is backed up on to the L-car. |
| US09096238B2 |
Open top hopper railcar with biased door seal and enlarged contoured end door
A railroad open top hopper car comprises a pair of spaced trucks a railcar body, the body comprising a pair of side structures railcar, wherein each including (i) a top chord extending the side structure length, (ii) a plurality of upper side stakes extending from the top chord, (iii) an intermediate side chord extending the side structure length and below the top chord and coupled to the upper side stakes, (iv) a plurality of lower side stakes extending from the intermediate side chord, and (v) a side sill extending the length and below the intermediate side chord and coupled to the lower side stakes. The body forms discharge chutes forming pockets for the body with a plurality of intermediate doors and end doors, wherein the end doors are larger than the intermediate doors. Each door may include a biased door seal. |
| US09096235B2 |
Universal multimodal transportation system and associated infrastructure
Disclosed is a transportation system with integrated infrastructure. In one embodiment, this infrastructure takes the form of a hollow elevated load bearing guideway structure designed to support the weight of traveling vehicles. The structure supports a backbone beam, or rail, that has multiple functions. These functions may include vehicle control, security, and energy delivery. The structure is bimodal meaning vehicles can have wheels like cars or steel rimmed wheels like a train or any combination thereof. |
| US09096234B2 |
Method and system for in-vehicle function control
A method and a system for in-vehicle function control are disclosed herein. In an example of the method, an in-vehicle controller recognizes that a predetermined driver is operating a vehicle. The in-vehicle controller receives data from at least one vehicle system, the data being indicative of a driving behavior of the predetermined driver. The in-vehicle controller compares the data with any of i) positive metrics or ii) negative metrics to categorize the driving behavior. In response to the categorized driving behavior, a signal is provided. In response to the signal, access is granted to any of (i) an infotainment function or (ii) an increased number or range associated with an infotainment function, if the categorized driving behavior is associated with a predetermined number of the positive metrics. |
| US09096232B2 |
Vehicle condition estimating device
There is provided a vehicle condition estimating device which enables the estimations of the longitudinal position of a vehicle centroid, loads exerted on front and rear wheel axles and cornering powers even during the running of a vehicle without detecting directly the loads exerted on front and rear wheel axles. The inventive device is characterized by estimating a centroid position in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle based on a vehicle weight value, a stability factor value, a relation between a front wheel axle load and a front wheel cornering power and a relation between a rear wheel axle load and a rear wheel cornering power. |
| US09096231B2 |
Rollback prevention system for mobile machine
A rollback prevention system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having an engine and a transmission. The rollback prevention system may have an input device configured to receive an input indicative of a desired travel direction of the mobile machine, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an actual travel direction of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the input device, the sensor, the engine, and the transmission. The controller may be configured to make a determination that the actual travel direction of the mobile machine is opposite the desired travel direction based on the signal, and determine a load on the transmission. The controller may also be configured to selectively increase a torque output of the transmission based on the determination only when the load on the transmission is less than a threshold value. |
| US09096230B2 |
Hystat drive system having coasting functionality
A drive system for a machine is disclosed. The drive system may have an engine, a pump driven by the engine to pressurize fluid, a motor connected to the pump via an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and a traction device driven by the motor. The drive system may also have an operator input device movable from a neutral position through a range to a maximum displaced position to affect a speed of the engine, and a controller in communication with the input device and at least one of the pump and motor. The controller may be configured to gradually adjust a displacement of the at least one of the pump and motor to slow the traction device over a period of time after the operator input device is returned to the neutral position. |
| US09096228B2 |
Method and system for accelerated object recognition and/or accelerated object attribute recognition and use of said method
A method for accelerated object detection or for accelerated object attribute detection, wherein a first information item is acquired by a vehicle-to-X communication device, and describes at least one object or at least one object attribute in an evaluated data form. A second information item is acquired by at least one individual sensor or by a sensor group, and describes the at least one object or the at least one object attribute in sensor raw data form, and an object detection algorithm and/or an object attribute detection algorithm is applied to sensor raw data of the second information item. The method is defined in that a threshold value of the object detection algorithm or of the object attribute detection algorithm for detecting the at least one object or at least one object attribute described by the first information item is reduced in the sensor raw data of the second information item. |
| US09096225B2 |
Control method and system for limiting maximum speed of engine and motor of hybrid vehicle
A control method and system for limiting a maximum speed of an engine and a motor of a hybrid vehicle that includes an engine clutch configured to control power transmission between the engine and the motor. The control method includes determining whether speed of the engine exceeds a predetermined maximum engine speed, determining whether speed of the motor exceeds a predetermined maximum motor speed, limiting the speed of the engine based on a predetermined engine torque profile when the speed of the engine exceeds the predetermined maximum engine speed, and limiting the speed of the motor based on a predetermined motor torque profile when the speed of the engine exceeds the predetermined maximum engine speed. |
| US09096220B2 |
Method and system for changing running mode when battery discharge of hybrid vehicle is limited
A method and system for changing a running mode when a battery discharge of a hybrid vehicle is limited include detecting each state of the drive motor and the battery, determining whether a need for a change to a running mode in which an operation of the engine is requested when the drive motor operates and the battery discharge is limited. A starting motor is operated first with an available power of the battery when the change to the running mode is requested. The engine is controlled so that the starting motor may perform a charging operation, for synchronization of an engine clutch, and for driving the drive motor with available power of the battery when the engine has been started by the starting motor. |
| US09096214B2 |
Gear shifting control device for hybrid vehicle
The gear shifting control device comprises a speed change operation completion detecting portion, a rotation difference judging portion for judging whether or not the absolute difference between the engine rotation speed and the input rotation speed exceeds a predetermined value and a clutch torque—operating amount correcting portion which replaces the clutch torque corresponding to the clutch actuator operating amount corresponding to the target clutch torque with a presumed clutch torque. Thus the correction accuracy for the clutch actuator operating amount can be improved by learning a speed change state by extracting a suitable state for learning. |
| US09096211B2 |
Control system having powertrain lock
A powertrain control system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The powertrain control system may have an engine, and a continuously variable transmission operatively coupled to the engine. The powertrain control system may also have an operator input device configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired speed of the engine, a feature selector usable by an operator to select activation of a powertrain control feature, and a controller in communication with the engine, the continuously variable transmission, the operator input device, and the feature selector. The controller may be configured to make a determination that the operator has selected activation of the powertrain control feature via the feature selector, lock a speed of the engine based on the determination and the signal, and lock a torque output of the continuously variable transmission based on the determination and the locked speed of the engine. |
| US09096210B2 |
Coordination of fuel cutoff for fault detection and hybrid operation
A monitoring module selectively generates a request to at least one of: transition from providing rich fueling an engine to operating the engine in a fuel cutoff (FCO) state; and transition from operating the engine in the FCO state to providing rich fueling to the engine. In response to a response to the request, the monitoring module: selectively controls fueling to the engine to perform the at least one of the transitions; and selectively determines whether a fault is present in a component based on a response to the at least one of the transitions. A hybrid control module controls an electric motor of the hybrid vehicle and that selectively generates the response. |
| US09096207B2 |
Hybrid vehicle powertrain cooling system
Some exemplary embodiments include a hybrid vehicle cooling system comprising a closed loop coolant flowpath including a valve operable to direct coolant flow to an internal combustion engine or to an internal combustion engine bypass, a thermostat operable to direct coolant flow from the internal combustion engine or the internal combustion engine bypass to a radiator or a radiator bypass, a plurality of hybrid powertrain components positioned in parallel to receive coolant flow from the radiator or the radiator bypass, a mechanically driven coolant pump operable to pump coolant through the closed loop coolant flowpath, and an electrically driven coolant pump operable to pump coolant through the closed loop coolant flowpath. Additional exemplary embodiments include methods of operation and/or control of hybrid vehicle cooling systems. |
| US09096203B2 |
Brake master cylinder
Disclosed is a brake master cylinder configured to sense a variation in magnetic flux in accordance with operation of a piston installed with a magnet, and thus to control activation of brake lamps. The brake master cylinder includes a cylinder body connected to a booster, first and second pistons to reciprocate in the cylinder body, a Hall sensor installed at an outside of the cylinder body, to sense operation of the pistons, for control of activation of brake lamps, a coupling shaft formed at an end of the second piston facing the first piston, and a magnet ring assembly installed at the coupling shaft such that the magnet ring assembly faces the Hall sensor. The magnet ring assembly includes a bushing centrally formed with a fitting hole to receive the coupling shaft, and a ring-shaped magnet fitted around the bushing, to exert magnetic force on the Hall sensor. |
| US09096202B2 |
Hydraulic antilock brake device
A hydraulic antilock brake device, comprises an oil tank filled with hydraulic oil, a pump electric motor group, a one-way valve, a piloted overflow valve, a manual two-position three-way valve, an adjustable throttling valve, an adjustable throttle valve, a high pressure oil inlet tube, and an oil return tube. the high pressure oil inlet tube and the oil return tube are communicated with a hydraulic controlled negative feedback two-position four-way valve, which is communicated with a brake cylinder connected with a friction sheet. Fast valve holes are provided at two ends of an inner chamber of said hydraulic controlled negative feedback two-position four-way valve, and fast valves are located in the fast valve holes. Two ends of an inner chamber of said braking cylinder are provided with feed-back grooves communicated with the fast valve holes by oil passage. The hydraulic antilock brake device can ensure the driving safety. |
| US09096201B2 |
Yaw rate forecasting
A yaw-rate forecasting system for a vehicle. The system includes a yaw rate sensor and an electronic control unit. The yaw rate sensor is configured to detect a yaw rate of the vehicle and to generate a signal indicative of the detected yaw rate. The electronic control unit is coupled to the yaw rate sensor, and is configured to receive the signal indicative of the yaw rate of the vehicle from the yaw rate sensor, forecast a future yaw rate, determine a stability of the vehicle using the forecasted yaw rate, and to generate a signal to control actuation of a vehicle brake. |
| US09096191B2 |
Belt tensioner for a safety belt system
The invention relates a belt tensioner (10) for a seat belt system comprising a tensioner tube (42) for receiving and guiding a pressurizing element (44) as well as a separate generator housing (46) for receiving a gas generator (48), wherein a coupling element (50) tightly connecting the generator housing (46) to the tensioner tube (42) is provided. |
| US09096190B2 |
Belt strap for a safety belt system
A webbing includes, in the longitudinal direction, an expansion region having a first webbing width and a connection region having a second webbing width. The second webbing width is thinner than the first webbing width. In a state of use the webbing is folded up into a winding width, which is thinner than the second webbing width. The second webbing width is an integral multiple of the winding width. |
| US09096185B2 |
Grommet
A grommet includes a resin inner assembled to a grommet main body composed of a rubber or elastomer, a seal lip provided in the grommet main body to press against an outer surface of a body panel, and an engagement tab provided in the resin inner to engage with a periphery of a through-hole in the body panel. A base portion of the seal lip projects from a resin inner holder of the grommet main body: An inclined portion projects outward from the base portion. The inclined portion has a seal projection. A plurality of deformation prevention ribs are provided in a circumferential direction with intervals therebetween to connect the front end side of the inclined portion and the resin inner holder. |
| US09096181B2 |
Electro-optic system configured to reduce a perceived color change
An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (hab) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the high transmittance state and a second hue (hab′) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the low transmittance state, wherein a change in the first and second hues (Δhab) for both first and second primaries is less than approximately 31 degrees. |
| US09096179B2 |
Deployable vehicle cargo hitch cargo carrier
A cargo carrier assembly attachable to a vehicle cargo hitch is provided that deploys therefrom and supports cargo items from the rear of the vehicle during transport. The assembly comprises a T-shaped member slidably engaged to a trailer hitch receiver. The T-shaped member comprises a crossbar with a first and second support member end. The support member ends comprises a bar member support sleeve below a slat member support sleeve, wherein a pair of bar members or slat members can be extended from the sleeves and secured under different cargo items. The extended slats engage tubular sleeve members affixed to the base of cargo items, while the bar members are adapted to support larger cargo items or a cargo tray thereon. Magnetic pins engage the slats to maintain their deployed position, while threaded hand fasteners secure the bar members when deployed. A hinged cover plate shrouds the assembly during non-use. |
| US09096169B2 |
DC-DC converter and vehicular lamp
A DC-DC converter includes a plurality of converter portions, each of which includes a switching circuit portion and a control circuit portion, the switching circuit portion being configured to obtain an output voltage by stepping up or stepping down an input voltage with a switching converter circuit including a switch element, a wound element, and a rectifier element, and the control circuit portion being configured to control the output voltage by controlling the switch element of the switching circuit portion. The plurality of converter portions are arranged on a single circuit board such that the switching circuit portion of each of the converter portions is not adjacent to the control circuit portion of each of a rest of the converter portions. |
| US09096164B2 |
Vehicular lamp
Provided is a vehicular lamp that includes a lamp body, an exterior lens configured to define a lamp chamber between the lamp body and the exterior lens, and a vibration device fixed to a component of the vehicular lamp and configured to be vibrated by receiving an electric signal to cause the component to generate a sound. The vibration device includes a housing fixed to the component of the lamp, an electric circuit provided in the housing, a vibration body vibrated when the electric signal is input to the electric circuit, and a device connector to which an external connector is connected to input the electric signal to the electric circuit. In particular, the device connector is integrally provided in the housing. |
| US09096163B2 |
Light source unit having a metallic substrate with a heat dissipation part, and vehicular lamp having the light source unit
A light source unit is provided with a housing, a substrate, and light-emitting devices. The light-emitting devices are mounted on a mounting part of the substrate. A heat dissipation part extends from an outer edge of the mounting part in a direction opposite to a light emitting direction of the light-emitting devices. The mounting part is held on a bottom part of the housing. A peripheral groove part extends in the direction opposite to the light emitting direction along an outer edge of the bottom part. The heat dissipation part is accommodated in the peripheral groove part. |
| US09096159B2 |
Tie-down apparatus
In one example, a tie-down apparatus can include a tie-down device and a housing adapted to receive the tie-down device. The tie-down apparatus can be transitionable between a stowed state and a deployed state. In the stowed state, the tie-down device can be stored entirely within the housing. The stowed state can be convenient for storing the tie-down device when not in use. In the deployed state, certain metal portions of the tie down device can be concealed within the housing while other portions of the tie-down device (e.g. attachment mechanisms) are deployed through openings in the housing. The deployed state can be convenient for securing cargo without damaging (e.g. scratching or denting) the cargo. |
| US09096158B2 |
Ventilated padding for a vehicle seat
A vehicle seat with a seat part and a backrest having a simple design of a cushion that provides a passive aeration or a passive climate seat while maintaining a visually appealing top side or front side, respectively. |
| US09096154B2 |
Reclining apparatus of headrest for rear seat in vehicle
The present invention relates to a reclining apparatus for a head rest of a rear seat that includes: a reclining motor operably coupled to an integral lead screw; a carrier thread fastened to the integral lead screw; and a link module configured to transmit operation force from the carrier to a head rest module, wherein the head rest module angle is adjusted in a forward/rearward direction by the operation force from the carrier and the link module. |
| US09096153B2 |
Vehicle seat with function of absorbing volatile substances
A vehicle seat with a function of absorbing volatile substances in an interior of a vehicle with the seat is disclosed. The vehicle seat comprises a seat frame structure, a cushioned padding member supported on the seat frame structure, and a volatile substances-absorbing member provided on a surface of the cushioned padding member which faces the seat frame structure. |
| US09096149B2 |
Electric cigar lighter, universal power socket and accessory plug
A cigar lighter has a heating element and a movable knob biased by a spring. The heating element has a first electrical terminal in contact with a first contact element disposed around the perimeter of the heating element and a second centrally located terminal in contact with a centrally disposed fastener. A bimetal element is in contact with the second terminal of the heating element and has two engaging clips. A movable contact moves with the knob and has a first position wherein it does not engage the clips and the heating element is unenergized and a second position wherein it engages the clips to energize the heating element. |
| US09096146B2 |
Vehicle seat
A seat for a vehicle is configured such that an occupant can be seated in either a lower position or in an upper position. The seat includes a base member for accommodating an occupant in the lower position and a seat back, positioned to extend generally upwards from the region of the base member. The seat back is configured to accommodate an occupant's back. A selectively deployable perch member is also provided. In a first condition, the perch member is configured as an extension of the seat back for when the occupant is seated in the lower position. In a second condition, the perch member is configured as an additional base member for supporting an occupant in the upper position. |
| US09096145B2 |
Electrified monorail conveyor system
An apparatus comprises a portion of conductor bar, a plurality of carriers, and at least one variable frequency driver. The portion of conductor bar forms a portion of track for the carriers. The plurality of carriers are operable to engage the at least a portion of the conductor bar, wherein the plurality of carriers are able to advance along the track. The at least one variable frequency driver is configured to drive at least two of the plurality of carriers along the track. |
| US09096140B2 |
Management of the recharging of a set of batteries
Method for managing the recharging of at least one battery, characterized in that it comprises a transmission of a desired charge level (Ci) for a battery (i) at a given instant (Ti) such that the recharging enables the battery (i) to reach a charge level (C(i)) greater than or equal to the desired charge level (Ci) at the given instant. |
| US09096137B2 |
Method for charging an electric vehicle including a battery
An electric vehicle comprising a battery charges the battery through an electric vehicle power supply device, and transmits to a user terminal device a first charging information notification message, which includes information on a current charging status of the battery. The electric vehicle detects an interruption to the charging of the battery on the basis of the current charging status of the battery, and checks the cause for the interruption to the charging of the battery. When the interruption to the charging of the battery is detected, the electric vehicle transmits to the user terminal device a second charging information notification message, comprising information on battery charging status that indicates the interruption to the charging of the battery and charging error information that indicates the cause of the interruption to the charging of the battery. |
| US09096136B2 |
System for facilitating the electrical recharging of a vehicle
System for facilitating the electrical recharging of a vehicle, characterized in that it includes a sealed module. The sealed module is characterized in that it includes a processor that controls the connection and disconnection with an internal communication network of the vehicle. It is also characterized in that any alteration in the electrical charge of the battery of the electric vehicle is captured by the sealed module. |
| US09096134B2 |
Enhanced HV pre-charge heater diagnostic detection system for liquid cooled HV battery packs
A system and method for determining whether a resistor in a battery circuit on an electric vehicle cannot be used as a resistive heater for heating a cooling fluid for cooling the vehicle battery, but can used as a pre-charge resistor for starting the vehicle. A temperature sensor is provided proximate the resistor within the cooling fluid. The method turns on the resistor before turning on a coolant pump and samples the temperature at sample intervals over a predetermined period of time. The method then calculates an integral or differential of the sampled temperatures and compares that value with a calibrated threshold. If the temperature value is not greater than the threshold, meaning that the temperature indicates no cooling fluid is present, the algorithm disables the resistor for heating purposes, but maintains operation of the resistor for pre-charge purposes. |
| US09096128B2 |
Creating a sensory experience in a vehicle
Systems and methods directed to creating a sensory experience in a vehicle are described herein. Data may be received from one or more sources. Device data may be generated based at least in part on the received data. One or more output components associated with the vehicle may be identified. The device data may be transmitted to one or more output components for output to a user of the vehicle. |
| US09096127B2 |
Drive control system for work vehicle
A drive control system for a work vehicle is provided with a power transmission device that drives front wheels and rear wheels, a request determination unit, and a drive mode control unit. The power transmission device has a drive mode switching mechanism that performs drive mode switching between a four-wheel drive mode in which drive power is transmitted to front wheels and rear wheels and a two-wheel drive mode in which drive power is transmitted to only the rear wheels. The request determination unit determines a necessity for an increase in drive power on a contact area of the work vehicle, and outputs an increase request based on the determination result. The drive mode control unit outputs a drive mode switching request for switching to the four-wheel drive mode to the drive mode switching mechanism, in response to output of the increase request. |
| US09096124B2 |
Fuel cap apparatus for use with fuel venting systems
Fuel cap apparatus for use with fuel venting systems are described. An example fuel cap apparatus includes a body having a central cavity and a flange. A membrane is coupled to the body to form a passageway therethrough and coated with a material to substantially prevent the flow of liquid and permit the flow of gas through the passageway. |
| US09096122B2 |
Fuel cutoff valve
A fuel cutoff valve is equipped with a casing main body having a valve chamber that forms a connection hole that is an opening to the valve chamber side on an upper wall, a cover that forms a pipe which forms a pipe passage, and a float housed inside the valve chamber. The cover is equipped with a pipe extended part which is provided extending inside the linking chamber from the pipe in a tube shape facing the connection hole and on an substantially straight line, the pipe extended part has an extended passage 45 connected to the pipe passage, the extended passage has an inflow port that opens to the linking chamber, and the inflow port is provided on the side opposite the pipe with the connection hole as the center. |
| US09096119B2 |
Vehicle drive system and use of an electromechanical converter
The invention relates to a vehicle drive system, comprising an electromechanical converter, in particular an electric variable transmission. The converter is provided with a primary shaft having a rotor mounted thereon, a secondary shaft having an interrotor mounted thereon and a stator, fixedly mounted to a housing of the electromechanical converter. Viewed from the primary shaft in radial direction, the rotor, the interrotor and the stator are arranged concentrically relative to each other. Further, the primary shaft is arranged for being driven by an output shaft of an engine and the secondary shaft is arranged for driving an input shaft of a transmission unit. |
| US09096117B2 |
Body structure of hybrid vehicle
A body structure of a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle is driven using power of an engine and electric power supplied from a battery module. The body structure includes a propeller shaft disposed in a lower side of a floor panel in a vertical direction of the vehicle so as to extend in a fore-aft direction of the vehicle and configured to transmit the power of the engine and the electric power to at least a rear wheel; and an integrated battery pack below the floor panel so as to cover the propeller shaft. The integrated battery pack has at least the battery module. The battery pack includes a recess to house the propeller shaft. |
| US09096115B2 |
System and method for energy recovery
An energy transfer system includes a power transfer mechanism, a first system, and a second system. The first system includes a first pump-motor operatively connecting the first system to the power transfer mechanism and a regenerative system operatively connected to the first pump-motor. The second system is operatively connected to the power transfer mechanism. Power is transferred between systems by the power transfer mechanism. A method of energy transfer is also provided. |
| US09096113B2 |
Gasket string, in particular for sealing a door jamb against a vehicle door
A gasket string, in particular for sealing a door jamb against a vehicle door, has a fixing portion, preferably comprising a first elastomeric material, which together with a further portion, which optionally comprises a second elastomeric material softer than the first elastomeric material, forms a tubular seal, the tube wall of which has openings arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the string. The openings are arranged such that in the installed position the openings are concealed by a circumferentially formed angled portion of the tube wall of the gasket string. |
| US09096110B1 |
Solid axle steering and suspension systems
Disclosed herein is a system of steering and suspension linkages for a beam-type solid axle arrangement, the steering system designed to operate in conjunction with the suspension system without bumpsteer throughout suspension travel. Accurate steering throughout suspension travel is satisfied with mechanical linkages that include a unique flexible joint-mounted bellcrank. The suspension system comprises two pairs of links, each pair occupying opposite sides of a solid axle, this opposed configuration offering the axle centering capability of without the packaging constraints of a triangulated 4-link suspension system, thereby facilitating its installation on production-based front solid axle vehicles. |
| US09096109B2 |
Unitized hydraulic suspension system
A unitized hydraulic suspension system for a tandem front and back two-axle group comprises two pivoting arms, each for supporting one of the two axles, arranged on opposite sides of a common rigid hanger. Each arm is attached to one end of a respective cylinder the other end of which cylinder is attached to the common hanger. The unitized hydraulic suspension simplifies the use of hydraulic suspension in dual laning heavy haul applications by the provision of a slide assembly in which unitized hydraulic suspensions are slidably mounted so as to be extendible or retractable in relation to one another. |
| US09096101B2 |
Run flat tire and system
An improved run flat tire and system for use with a two-piece or multi-piece wheel and tire to provide for continued operation of vehicles after tire deflation. Certain aspects of the invention include a plurality of arcuate sections releasably aligned and secured to each other for positioning around a wheel, wherein extended lip portions of each arcuate section extend laterally from the inner base portion of each arcuate section to limit lateral movement of the run flat device relative to the wheel. |
| US09096097B2 |
Wheel assembly
A wheel assembly is provided which includes a wheel, an axle, and an axle-engaging wheel hub for mounting the wheel to the axle. A wheel assembly is provided which includes a wheel, an axle, and a wheel hub which is adapted for use with a fastener for mounting the wheel to the axle. A wheel assembly is provided which includes a wheel that is adapted to receive either an axle-engaging wheel hub or a wheel hub which is adapted for use with a fastener for mounting the wheel to the axle depending upon the preference of the assembler. Wheeled containers and methods of assembly thereof are also provided for use with such wheel assemblies. |
| US09096093B2 |
Camera-equipped stylus pen cap
A stylus pen cap has at least one camera disposed at least partially therein. The pen cap can further include a light source (such as an infrared light source) that directs light outwardly of the pen cap to the stylus. The pen cap can further include an electrical connector that operably couples to the camera(s) and conveys captured-image data to an outboard device of choice. The pen cap can include a pocket clip that comprises the electronic connector. The pocket clip can include a flexible joint (such as but not limited to a universal joint) to thereby permit the camera(s) to be oriented and aimed as desired even while electrically connected to an outboard device. |
| US09096092B2 |
Method of and apparatus for personalising a series of portable objects
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of and apparatus for graphically marking a series of portable objects, such as a card, each portable object being graphically marked on a respective zone by a respective marking device, wherein the marking devices are configured to perform the same marking operation simultaneously on a plurality of portable objects. |
| US09096087B2 |
Detection of an event signal and a heartbeat signal provided along a signal path
An image forming system includes a substrate transport unit, an image forming module, an event sensing module, a heartbeat generation module, a signal detection module, and a repositioning module. The substrate transport unit may transport substrate including at least one splice along a transport path. The image forming module may form an image on the substrate. The event sensing module may detect an event and provide an event signal along a signal path in response to the event. The heartbeat generation module may provide a heartbeat signal different than the event signal along the signal path. The signal detection module may determine a presence of the event signal and an absence of the heartbeat signal. The repositioning module may move the image forming module from a first position to a second position in response to a determination of the presence of the event signal. |
| US09096084B1 |
Printer for sheet and web printing
A printing system includes a printing station having a rotatable print member and a set of marking subsystems. In a sheet-printing mode, a media sheet is transported to the printing station where the print member is rotated to transport the sheet past the marking subsystems to form a printed image. The printed sheet is then transported to an output sheet receptacle. In a web-printing mode the print member is configured to rotate freely and a web of media is transported around the print member past the marking subsystems to form a printed image. A tensioning system is used to control the motion of the web of media. |
| US09096081B2 |
Image recording device and image recording method
An image recording device includes a support member, a recording head, a conveyor unit, a surface modifying apparatus and a movement mechanism. The conveyor unit intermittently conveys a recording medium toward a support member along a conveyance path, and intermittently passes the recording medium through a processing position disposed on an upstream side of the supporting member with respect to the conveyance path. The surface modifying apparatus, during a passage time in which the recording medium passes through the processing position, executes surface modification processing on the recording medium passing through the processing position, and emits heat along with execution of the surface modification process. The movement mechanism places the recording medium passing through the processing position near the surface modifying apparatus during the processing time, and separates the recording medium and the surface modifying apparatus when the passage time ends. |
| US09096079B2 |
Dryer impinging heating liquid onto moistened medium
A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium, the moistening liquid having a moistening-liquid boiling point. A liquid-supply system provides a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid to a temperature greater than the moistening-liquid boiling point. A liquid-delivery system impinges the warmed heating liquid onto a surface of the moistened medium. Heat is thus transferred from the heating liquid to the moistening liquid, vaporizing the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium. |
| US09096078B2 |
Process and apparatus for printing assembled absorbent articles with custom graphics
The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for printing graphics on absorbent articles. Printing systems according to the present disclosure may include a carrier apparatus that transports individual absorbent articles past a printing station, which prints a custom graphic on the absorbent articles. The carrier apparatus may include a hook member connected with an endless belt. The printing system may also include a pressing apparatus positioned adjacent the endless belt. During operation, an absorbent article may be positioned on a hook member, and the endless belt conveys the absorbent article in the machine direction past the printing station. As the absorbent article advances toward the printing station, the pressing apparatus compresses and flattens the absorbent article against the hook member to help provide a relatively flat, smooth surface on the absorbent article to be printed. The printing station then prints a graphic on the advancing article. |
| US09096076B2 |
Printing system
When a printing conveyance speed at a printing unit is changed, if a length of a printing paper sheet in the conveyance direction thereof is smaller than an inter-unit conveyance distance, which is set in advance, between the printing unit and a post-processing unit, only a printing suspending operation at the printing unit is performed, and a post-processing suspending operation at the post-processing unit is not performed. On the other hand, if the length of the printing paper sheet in the conveyance direction thereof is equal to or greater than the inter-unit conveyance distance, both the printing suspending operation at the printing unit and the post-processing suspending operation at the post-processing unit are performed. In this manner, the post-processing suspending operation is omitted depending on the length of the printing paper sheet in the conveyance direction thereof. |
| US09096072B1 |
Thermal printer and method for checking disconnection
Generally, in accordance with embodiments, a thermal printer comprises heating elements, a storage section, a drive circuit and a controller. A plurality of heating elements are linearly arranged. The storage section stores a one-line amount of image data. The drive circuit energizes each heating element according to the one-line amount of image data. An acquisition section acquires an A/D value corresponding to the voltage applied to each heating element every time each heating element is energized. The controller outputs a one-line amount of empty data to the storage section to acquire a first A/D value with the acquisition section, reduces, based on the first A/D value, noises of a second A/D value which is acquired by energizing each heating element and checks the disconnection of each heating element based on the noise-reduced second A/D value. |
| US09096066B2 |
Liquid ejection device
A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head, a cleaning member, and a waste liquid tank. The liquid ejection head has a nozzle face on which a nozzle is formed. The cleaning member has a concave space therein and is configured to be attached to the nozzle face such that the concave space is arranged between the cleaning member and the nozzle face. The waste liquid tank is configured to collect cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning member. The cleaning member further includes a first channel configured to supply the cleaning liquid toward the nozzle face and a second channel configured to discharge the cleaning liquid from the concave space. |
| US09096061B2 |
Droplet discharge head, and image-forming apparatus
A droplet discharge head includes a plurality of pressure chambers which communicate with a plurality of nozzles which discharge droplets, respectively; at least one common supply passage which supplies liquid to the pressure chambers; at least one common return passage which communicates with the pressure chambers and to which a part of the liquid in the pressure chambers is returned; and a plurality of energy-generating elements which generate pressure in the pressure chambers, wherein the droplet discharge head circulates liquid supplied from the common supply passage to the pressure chambers to the common return passage and discharges droplets from the nozzles when pressure is generated in the pressure chambers by the energy-generating elements, and the common supply passage and the common return passage are arranged on the same side with respect to the pressure chambers. |
| US09096050B2 |
Wafer scale epitaxial graphene transfer
A method for transfer of a two-dimensional material includes forming a spreading layer of a two-dimensional material on a substrate, the spreading layer having a monolayer. A stressor layer is formed on the spreading layer, and the stressor layer is configured to apply stress to a closest monolayer of the spreading layer. The closest monolayer is exfoliated by mechanically splitting the spreading layer wherein the closest monolayer remains on the stressor layer. |
| US09096037B2 |
Low distortion interlayer
The present invention is in the field of multiple layer glass panels comprising a polymer sheet having desirable surface properties, and more specifically, the present invention is in the field of multiple layer glass panels comprising poly(vinyl butyral) having a finished surface of relatively low waviness and high roughness disposed in contact with poly(ethylene terephthalate) and/or other poly(vinyl butyral) type layers. |
| US09096028B2 |
Article of footwear formed from two preforms and method and mold for manufacturing same
A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion. |
| US09096026B2 |
Adhesive dispensing profile enhancement
A first method is provided that comprises the steps of: measuring a first surface disposed on a first substrate, measuring a second surface disposed on a second substrate, calculating a variable gap between the first surface and the second surface, depositing a variable amount of adhesive on the first surface of the first substrate based at least in part on the calculation of the variable gap, and placing the second substrate over the first substrate, wherein the adhesive is disposed between the first surface of the first substrate and the second surface of the second substrate. |
| US09096016B2 |
Multi-functional manufacturing tool
Aspects relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for a manufacturing tool. The manufacturing tool is comprised of a vacuum tool and an ultrasonic welder as a unified manufacturing tool. The manufacturing tool may be used to pick and position a manufacturing part that is then welded with the associated ultrasonic welder. |
| US09096015B2 |
Method for creating an overlap by sheet welding
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming overlaps by welding a main sheet 2 and an additional sheet 5. The welding takes place by heating the contact area, which is made of a thermoplastic material, to a melting temperature, and it is based on performing differentiated heating on each of the outer surfaces 4,7 of the sheets 2,5. |
| US09096014B2 |
Oriented polymeric sheets exhibiting dichroism and articles containing the same
Provided is an oriented polymeric sheet comprising a photochromic-dichroic material, wherein the sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. Also provided is a multilayer composite comprising at least a support layer; and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric sheet having two opposing surfaces and comprising a photochromic-dichroic material. The sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. At least one surface of the sheet is connected to at least a portion of the support layer. The present invention also relates to an optical element comprising the multilayer composite. Related methods also are disclosed. |
| US09096013B2 |
Apparatus for forming slant, linear easy-to-tear portions on long plastic film
An apparatus for forming slant, linear easy-to-tear portions on a long plastic film, comprising a roll on which the long plastic film passes, pluralities of pattern rolls each partially having a slant, linear stamp on a rolling surface, a shaft to which pluralities of the pattern rolls are fixed, and a first mechanism for moving the shaft in a direction to the roll. Pressure rolls pushing the pattern rolls via rolls fixed to the shaft. A second moving mechanism for moving the pressure rolls in a direction to the pattern rolls, whereby with the pressure rolls pushing the pattern rolls by the second moving mechanism, the stamp of the pattern rolls are pressed onto the elastic film by the first moving mechanism, so that the slant, linear easy-to-tear portions with recesses formed by the pattern projections of the stamp are provided partially and periodically on the plastic film. |
| US09096011B2 |
Blow molding valve for a blow molding valve block
A blow molding valve (400) is provided. The blow molding valve (400) is adapted to be positioned within a blow molding valve block (401) including a control pressure chamber (408), a process gas chamber (450), and a piston bore (413). The blow molding valve (400) includes a control piston (402) movable within the control pressure chamber (408) and a portion of the piston bore (413), the control piston (402) being in fluid communication with a control pressure supply. A diaphragm (405) is provided and positioned between the process gas chamber (450) and the control piston (402) such that the diaphragm provides a fluid tight barrier between the process gas chamber (450) and the control piston (402). |
| US09096010B2 |
Injection molding method and apparatus
A thermoplastic injection molding system and method of use is described for molding parts from heated plastics and other organic resins. The machine uses heat sources located along the barrel to heat the source material while an auger screw transports the source material in the barrel. This transport step does not shear the source material, nor does it use friction to produce the heat necessary to melt the source material. The material becomes substantially liquid or melted during the heating process, and the melted material is forced, by the auger screw, into a chamber whereupon a plunger, situated concentrically with the auger screw, injects the material from the chamber into a mold. Sensors located along the barrel and in the chamber ensure consistency between mold cycles. The controller dynamically adjusts the injection molding process to achieve more consistent and reliable molded parts. |
| US09096008B2 |
Mold clamping device and injection molding machine
A mold clamping device includes a fixed platen on which a fixed mold is disposed, a movable platen on which a movable mold that defines a cavity along with the fixed mold is disposed, a tie bar configured to resist a mold clamping force that is generated between the fixed platen and the movable platen, and a half nut opening and closing device configured to grip the tie bar, thereby locking the movable platen and the tie bar, in which the half nut opening and closing device includes half nuts configured to grip the tie bars, an actuator which is disposed on the movable platen and configured to move the half nuts back and forth with respect to the tie bars, and a clevis configured to connect the actuator to the half nuts so as to allow the actuator to swing with respect to the gripping member. |
| US09096003B2 |
Laminated synthetic resin bottle, injection molding device, and process for molding a laminated preform
A problem to be solved by this invention is to control the above-described problem of delamination in the laminated and biaxially drawn, blow molded bottle. A major means of this invention to solve this problem is a biaxially drawn, blow molded bottle characterized in that vertical connecting zones having no intermediate layer and having substrate layers welded directly with each other are formed in parallel in a circumferential direction and in a plural number along an axial direction of the bottle and are disposed on both right and left sides of each intermediate layer segment to be formed in this height range, and that horizontal connecting zones having no intermediate layer and having substrate layers welded directly with each other are also formed in parallel in an axial direction and in a plural number along a circumferential direction of the bottle and are disposed on both upper and lower sides of each intermediate layer segment to be formed, thus allowing the intermediate layer to be segmentalized in the circumferential and axial directions by both the vertical and horizontal connecting zones. |
| US09096001B2 |
Clinching during molding process
The integration of two separate manufacturing processes involving joining two pieces of metal using a clinching or Tog-L-Loc™ type of connection, while also injecting a molten material around the two pieces of metal to create the desired part. A process for creating the desired part made of both plastic and metal includes the steps of providing a first metal component, a second metal component, inserting the first metal component into a mold, and inserting the second metal component into the mold. At least one connection point is used for connecting the first metal component to the second metal component while the metal components are located in the mold. Molten material, such as a thermoplastic, is injected into the mold around the first metal component and the second metal component, forming the desired part using the first metal component, the second metal component, and the hardened molten material. |
| US09095990B2 |
Method for wrapping a non-porous substrate object with a wood veneer
There is described a method for at least partially covering selected surfaces of a non-porous substrate with a flexible veneer, the method comprising the steps of maintaining a humid environment during the covering of said substrate with the veneer, applying a preheated adhesive to one or both of the substrate and the veneer, progressively shaping the veneer to the selected surfaces of the substrate through the application of pressure biasing the veneer against the selected surfaces and curing the assembly of the veneer and the substrate. |
| US09095989B2 |
Rip fence with lockng mechanisms
A table saw includes a movable rip fence and a base including an upper cutting surface through which a blade extends. The rip fence includes front and rear clamping mechanisms connected to front and rear ends of a casing respectively. The front clamping mechanism includes a frame, a lever pivotably secured to the frame to be pivotal between a locked position and a released position, the lever having an internal cam member, a clamping member pivotably secured to the lever, the clamping member having a hook at an open end, a spring biased shaft, and a C-clip for retaining an inner end of the shaft in the frame. A pivotal movement of both the lever and the clamping member causes the cam member to push the shaft inward until the shaft is pushed outward to urge against the cam member in the locked position. |
| US09095988B2 |
Wire handling for vehicle glazing panel cut out
A dispensing system for dispensing cutting wire to be used in a glazing panel cut out procedure has a mounting device with a docking station for docking a wire store device. The wire store device mounts on the docking station in order to dispense the wire. The mounting device can have a rotary means operable to pay out cutting wire from the system. The rotary means is controllable to adjust the applied torque required to operate the rotary means. |
| US09095984B2 |
Force control robot
To realize a force control robot including a force sensor having a high sensitivity and a high rigidity, an end effector (1) including finger modules (100) for gripping a part is coupled to a robotic arm (3) through the intermediation of a force sensor (2), and the force sensor (2) detects an external force applied to the finger modules (100) based on displacement of the end effector (1) that occurs with a rotation center (C) on a longitudinal axis (Z) of the robotic arm (3) as a fulcrum, to thereby correct an operation of the robotic arm (3). An end effector housing (109) supports motors (105) for driving the finger modules (100) at a position on the robotic arm side with respect to the rotation center (C) of the force sensor (2). Accordingly, the rigidity of the sensor can be increased. |
| US09095979B2 |
Control device and control method for robot and the robot
A control method for suppressing vibration of a robot arm including a plurality of coupled links and driving units configured to drive the links includes calculating a first arm speed from at least one of acceleration and an angular velocity detected in a damping position for suppressing vibration, calculating a third arm speed according to the detected first arm speed and a second arm speed in the damping position calculated on the basis of a driving amount of the driving units, and subjecting the driving units to correction control on the basis of the calculated third arm speed. |
| US09095974B2 |
Material carousel
A material carousel for manufacturing and/or assembly operations is provided. The carousel includes a hub fabricated from a low friction material wherein the hub has a polygonal shape. The carousel also includes a plurality of equally spaced arms which are press fit into the hub. Each arm is adapted to hold cable and/or harness assemblies or includes a bin for holding materials used for production operations. In addition, the carousel includes a support column that extends through the hub, wherein the hub is adapted to rotate about the support column. An adjustable support column is also provided for supporting the hub on the support column. Further, the carousel includes a peg mechanism for stopping rotation of the hub after a predetermined rotation angle. |
| US09095973B2 |
Bicycle service kits
One bicycle service kit includes: a main body; at least one slot formed at an upper end of the main body; and at least one cable positioned in the slot, the cable including a head portion held within an interior of the main body, the head portion having a dimension larger than a width of the slot, the cable including a free end configured to be attached to a bicycle tool. Another kit includes: a circular main body defining an open interior; a shelf formed in the open interior of the main body, the shelf defining a plurality of slots; at least one cable positioned in at least one of the slots, the cable including a free end configured to be attached to a bicycle tool; and a front cover coupled to close the open interior of the main body. |
| US09095972B2 |
Railcar maintenance creeper
A creeper is provided wherein the creeper has a main frame having a front, a rear, a first side, and an opposing second side. The main frame also includes wheels attached at the front and rear of the main frame, a handle attached at the rear of the main frame, and a rotatable platform. Pressure is applied to the handle thereby lifting the main frame onto railway tracks positioned under a railcar so that personnel can obtain access under the railcar and perform maintenance and work to the underside of the railcar. |
| US09095971B1 |
Handle gripping system having inner ridges and channels
A gripping system for a handle features a handle with a handle exterior surface. The system features a flexible gripping wrap with a plurality of outwardly protruding ridges and a plurality of inwardly protruding channels located on a wrap bottom surface. The gripping wrap features a first linear bulge located on a wrap second edge and a second linear bulge located on a wrap fourth edge. For attachment, the first linear bulge is inserted into a first pocket of a linear binding component and the second linear bulge is inserted into a second pocket of the linear binding component. The gripping wrap is located on, and flexibly covers at least a portion of the handle exterior surface. |
| US09095970B2 |
Multipurpose tool configured to facilitate access to individual tool members
A multipurpose tool is provided that is configured to provide ready access to individual tool members. In this regard, the tool may facilitate the identification and selection of a respective tool member and the subsequent unfolding of the tool member. The tool is also provided that has a structurally secure guard for one or more of the tool members, such as a knife blade. |
| US09095969B1 |
Fifth wheel release handle yanker
A method for releasing a trailer from a tractor is disclosed. A fifth wheel yanker moves a fifth wheel release handle in the sequence needed to operate the release handle in the sequence used by, for example, the Yost brand of fifth wheel Jost fifth wheel safety catch release mechanisms. A yanker hook on a yanker shaft is hooked to a release handle of the fifth wheel, then twisted counterclockwise to press a yanker lever against the tractor frame to move the release handle upward and leftward onto a fifth wheel shelf. The yanker is then pulled outward, releasing a trailer from the fifth wheel. Reaching deep under the trailer is avoided, and biomechanical strain is reduced. |
| US09095966B2 |
Torque tire arbor
A torque tire arbor contains a body, and the body includes a driving post and a digital seat. The digital seat covers and connects with the driving post, the driving post has a connecting segment defined on a first end thereof so as to couple with a wrench and has a working segment formed on a second end thereof so as to join with a socket. The body also includes a torque sensing unit for sensing a torque value and a pressure sensing unit for detecting a tire pressure value, the digital seat includes a display unit electrically connected with the torque sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit so as to display the torque value and the tire pressure value. |
| US09095965B2 |
Disposable torque limiting device with tooth belt counter
A torque limiting driver with a toothed belt driven use indicator, having a body with a shaft and tool at one end and a counter or indicator at the other end, is disclosed. The indicator is driven by a drive shaft gear and a toothed belt corresponding to movement of the tool. The indicator provides at least one visual cue which corresponds to a predetermined amount of use. Alignment of the at least one visual cue with a sight or mark may be used to estimate or determine usage. |
| US09095963B2 |
Auxiliary tool for timing gear
An auxiliary tool for timing gear for use with a wrench to mount or dismount a timing gear is disclosed to include a support member having a stop rod at its one end, a movable device slidably mounted in the support member and providing a stem at its one end for working with the stop rod to engage into peripheral notches of the timing gear at two opposite sides during application, and a handle pivotally coupled to the support member and defining therein a longitudinally extending limit slot for accommodating one end of the movable device to limit pivoting movement between the support member and the handle within a predetermined range. |
| US09095962B2 |
Hexagonal wrench
A hexagonal wrench includes a driving member and an actuating member. The driving member includes a hexagonal driving section for driving a bolt having a hexagonal socket. The driving member further includes a pivotal section pivotably connected with the actuating member, allowing relative pivotal movement between the driving member and the actuating member during operation. An area of the driving member is smaller than an area of the driving section to provide enhanced structural strength, preventing deformation and damage of the hexagonal wrench while providing reliable connection between the driving member and the actuating member. |
| US09095953B2 |
Apparatus for polishing rear surface of substrate, system for polishing rear surface of substrate, method for polishing rear surface of substrate and recording medium having program for polishing rear surface of substrate
Provided are a rear substrate surface polishing device polishing a rear surface of a substrate, a rear substrate surface polishing system including the rear substrate surface polishing device, a rear substrate surface polishing method used in the rear substrate surface polishing device, and a storage medium for storing a program implemented with the rear substrate surface polishing method. In particular, the rear surface of the substrate is polished by a substrate polishing unit in accordance with information acquired from a prior process performed prior to the polishing process of the rear surface of the substrate at the substrate polishing unit. Further, the substrate polishing unit polishes the substrate with a polishing area determined on the basis of information acquired from a prior process. Furthermore, the polishing is performed by using any one or all of a plurality of substrate polishing units determined on the basis of information acquired from a prior process. |
| US09095951B2 |
Common ground for electronic lapping guides
Embodiments described herein generally relate to connecting Electronic Lapping Guides (ELG) to a lapping controller such that the number of wire bonds from the controller to a row of read heads is minimized. When lapping the air bearing surface of the read heads, the electrical resistances of the ELGs are monitored to adjust the lapping process and set the stripe height for read sensors in the read heads. Once the resistance corresponds to the desired stripe height, the lapping process is stopped. To measure the resistance, each ELG may be electrically coupled to the same substrate—i.e., share the same common ground. The lapping controller applies a voltage potential across the ELGs using a wire bonded to a pad in the respective read head and one or more connections to the grounded substrate. This configuration avoids having to bond two wires onto each read head. |
| US09095948B2 |
Thermoplastic material
Use of a thermoplastic material for blocking an optical substrate (100) in a machining position, wherein the thermoplastic material is formulated from a composition comprising a shellac and a plasticizer where the shellac and the plasticizer are chosen so as to have the softening point of the thermoplastic material greater than or equal to 60° C. and smaller than or equal to 85° C. |
| US09095943B2 |
Apparatus for assembling camera modules
An apparatus for assembling camera modules to flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs) includes a number of trays, a surface mounting device used in surface mount technology (SMT) for PCBs, and a hot pressing device. Workpieces, each of which includes a flexible PCB (FPCB) and a lens module positioned on the FPCB, are received in the trays. Each tray is sent to the surface mounting device. The surface mounting device loads and pastes a stiffener onto a FBCB, opposite to a lens module. The hot pressing device hot presses each stiffener to the respective workpiece, which is received in each tray sent from the surface mounting device, to fixedly secure the stiffener to the respective workpiece to form a camera module. |
| US09095942B2 |
Wicking and coupling element(s) facilitating evaporative cooling of component(s)
Cooling apparatus and methods are provided for facilitating cooling of electronic components of an electronic system. The cooling apparatus includes a housing at least partially surrounding and forming a compartment about the components, and an immersion-cooling fluid is disposed within the compartment. At least one component of the electronic system is at least partially non-immersed within the fluid in the compartment. A wicking film element is physically coupled to a main surface of the at least one component and partially disposed within the fluid within the compartment. A coupling element physically couples the wicking film element to the main surface of the at least one component without the coupling element overlying the main surface of the component(s). As an enhancement, the wicking film element wraps over the component to physically couple to two opposite main sides of the component. |
| US09095940B2 |
Harvesting apparatus for magnet recycling
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for recycling magnetic material. One of the systems includes a system for harvesting a waste magnet from an end-of-life product, the system comprising a positioning mechanism that defines a recess to receive and locate the end-of-life product relative to the positioning mechanism, the end-of-life product including the waste magnet, a separating station to substantially separate a portion of the end-of-life product containing the waste magnet from the remainder of the end-of-life product when the positioning mechanism moves the respective end-of-life product through the separating station, and a transport station that receives the portion of the end-of-life product containing the waste magnet from the positioning mechanism when the positioning mechanism moves the respective end-of-life product to the transport station. |
| US09095937B2 |
Filler metal with flux for brazing and soldering and method of making and using same
A wire (10) for use in a brazing or soldering operation has an elongated body (12) of a metallic material. The elongated body (12) has an outer surface (18). A channel (14) is formed along a length of the body. The channel (14) has an opening (A1). A flux solution (22) is deposited within the channel (14) and along the length of the body. The flux solution (22) covers a portion of the outer surface (18). A portion of the flux solution (22) is exposed through the opening (A1) in the channel (14). |
| US09095930B2 |
Weld defect detection systems and methods for laser hybrid welding
Laser hybrid welding systems adapted to identify and/or fix a weld defect occurring during a laser hybrid welding process are provided. Embodiments of the laser hybrid welding system may include one or more devices that provide feedback to a controller regarding one or more weld parameters. One embodiment of the laser hybrid welding system includes sensors that are adapted to measure the weld voltage and/or amperage during the welding process and transmit the acquired data to the controller for processing. Another embodiment of the laser hybrid welding system includes a lead camera and a lag camera that film an area directly in front of the weld location and directly behind the weld location. |
| US09095924B2 |
Welded construction and resistance welding method
A welded construction according to the present invention has a first metallic member, on one surface of which a projecting portion is formed and on the other surface of which a depressed portion corresponding to the projecting portion is formed, and a second metallic member are welded together at a welded portion which includes a summit portion of the projecting portion; wherein, on at least one of the first metallic member and the second metallic member, on its opposite surface to its surface that faces the other one of the metallic members, a recessed portion is formed that is recessed from its peripheral region towards a region which corresponds to the welded portion. |
| US09095922B1 |
Tack weld purging system
A purging system and method for providing an inert gas to a welding site. This comprises a reduction connector adapted to be connected to a source of inert gas having an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the outlet port is connected to a cylindrical outlet bore within the reduction connector. There is a gas lens comprised of a solid cylinder of metal mesh disposed in the cylindrical outlet bore. Also provided is a cylindrical nozzle mounted to the reduction connector, the cylindrical nozzle being adapted to funnel the inert gas to the welding site. |
| US09095921B2 |
Real time inductance monitoring in welding and cutting power supply
A system and method is provided for monitoring and displaying real time information regarding the inductance of the welding circuit, such that a user can monitor the performance of a power supply to determine if the system inductance is adversely affecting the operation of the power supply. |
| US09095920B2 |
Preheat module, preheat zone and preheat section using the same
The present invention provides a preheat module, which comprises a heating chamber, a blower and a platform; the heating chamber comprises a heating device and a first inlet; the blower comprises a second inlet and a first outlet, and the second inlet is connected to the heating chamber; the platform comprises a third inlet and a second outlet, and the third inlet is connected to the first outlet; the first inlet and the second outlet are set in a same plane. An advantage of the present invention is that it can reduce the energy consumption also can satisfy the requirement of conserving electrical power and protecting the environment. |
| US09095917B2 |
Die head retaining mechanism
A die head retaining mechanism for installing or removing a die head in a power drive for thread cutting operations is described. The mechanism comprises a cam and follower arrangement with a face gear having at least one locking jaw disposed in a slot provided on the face of the face gear oriented away from the housing. The mechanism also comprises a drive ring having a collection of cam profiles to control the movement of the locking jaws. The mechanism also comprises at least one compression spring disposed in corresponding groove(s) on the face gear. The compression spring is typically preloaded to keep the locking jaws in a locked position. The mechanism also comprises a bearing provided between the housing and the face gear. The bearing is locked in place by a retaining ring. A locking plate, spring washers, and screws are used to secure the assembly of the die head retaining mechanism on the power drive. |
| US09095914B2 |
Precision wire saw including surface modified diamond
A wire having a surface and diamond particles bonded to said surface by a bond matrix, wherein each diamond particle has surface roughness of about 0.60 to about 0.80 and a sphericity of about 0.25 to about 0.50. |
| US09095912B2 |
Adjustable drill guide for wooden model cars
A tool drills holes into different sized wooden blocks so that the holes are precisely positioned while providing a means to position the tool to match an existing line or slot on the wooden block. The tool includes two identical pieces that, when assembled, adjusts to accommodate variable sized model car blocks, provides a view port to look through the tool for positioning, and contains perfectly aligned drill guide holes on either end and in the middle of the assembly to guide a drill bit that drills the required holes needed to accurately place axles and eyelets into the model car. The tool is adjustable to accommodate different sized blocks. The holes can be angled to create wheel camber when axles inserted. |
| US09095909B2 |
Cutting tool and an insert holder for a cutting tool
A cutting tool has an indexable insert, a holder with a holder member and an arrangement for securing the insert to the holder. An upstanding holder wall and a conical insert clearance surface are designed so as to enable securing of the insert to the holder in a finite number of fixed relative positions. A curved portion of the upstanding holder wall supports the conical clearance surface laterally in each fixed relative position of the holder and the insert. A tight abutment of the conical clearance surface on said curved portion is provided to dirt from penetrating therebetween. |
| US09095907B2 |
Drapery tube incorporating batteries within the drapery tube, with a stop for facilitating the loading and unloading of the batteries
A motorized window covering is presented having an elongated hollow rod. A battery tube is positioned within the hollow rod. The battery tube has a hollow interior with an elongated spring therein and a stop positioned adjacent an open end of the battery tube. An end cap closes the open end of the battery tube. A plurality of batteries are inserted in end-to-end alignment into the hollow interior of the battery tube. As each battery is inserted, the stop deflects thereby allowing the battery past the stop. Once each battery passes the stop, the stop moves into a stop position thereby holding the battery within the battery tube. To remove each of the plurality of batteries, the stop is deflected and the spring forces the battery out of the hollow interior of the battery tube. The battery tube is electrically connected to a motor that when activated rotates the rod thereby operating the window covering. |
| US09095906B2 |
Workpiece produced from an elongated blank or intermediate product and method for the production thereof
A method for producing a workpiece from an elongated blank or intermediate product. The workpiece geometry is formed in a first method step, for example by forging the blank or intermediate product, a centering region for subsequent machining of the workpiece between centers being introduced in two oppositely situated sides of the workpiece with reference to the longitudinal axis thereof, and at least one of the centering regions having a desired deformation face. The workpiece is calibrated in a second method step, the desired deformation face being adapted in such a manner that the distance between the contact faces of the centering regions for the machining between centers being adjusted to a predetermined desired measurement. The invention also includes a corresponding workpiece with centering regions, at least one of which has at least one desired deformation face. |
| US09095901B2 |
FePt-based sputtering target
An FePt-based sputtering target has a structure in which an FePt-based alloy phase, a C phase containing unavoidable impurities, and a metal oxide phase containing unavoidable impurities are mutually dispersed, the FePt-based alloy phase containing Pt in an amount of 40 at % or more and 60 at % or less with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, wherein C is contained in an amount of more than 0 vol % and 20 vol % or less based on the total amount of the target, the metal oxide is contained in an amount of 10 vol % or more and less than 40 vol % based on the total amount of the target, and the total content of C and the metal oxide is 20 vol % or more and 40 vol % or less based on the total amount of the target. |
| US09095900B2 |
Generative production method and powder therefor
The invention relates to a generative production method for producing a component by selectively melting and/or sintering a powder several times consecutively by introducing an amount of heat by means of beam energy, such that the powder particles melt and/or sinter in layers, wherein the powder particles (1) are made of a first material (2) and the powder particles are surrounded by a second material (3) partially or over the entire surface thereof, wherein the second material has a lower melting point than the first material and/or lowers the melting point of the first material when mixed with the first material. The invention further relates to a corresponding powder and to a prototype produced from said powder. |
| US09095899B2 |
Method of manufacture of particles with controlled dimensions
A process for the preparation of particles with controlled dimensions comprising the steps of: (i) providing a laminar substrate having a patterned surface comprising a micro-relief repeat pattern comprising one or more discrete cells, each cell consisting of a floor portion and walls having a height (HW); (ii) depositing organic or inorganic material onto the patterned surface and into the cells to provide a thickness (T) of the deposited material wherein T≦HW (iii) stripping the deposited organic or inorganic material from the surface of the substrate; and (iv) collecting the particles formed from said organic or inorganic material; and a composition obtainable from said process comprising a plurality of particles (P), wherein the number (n) of particles in said composition is at least 10, wherein said particles (P) are platelets exhibiting a planar geometry which is circular or which is made up of a number (x) of planar (y)-sided polygon(s), wherein x is from 1 to 20 and y is at least 3 wherein if x is greater than 1 then said planar (y)-sided polygons are fused along one or more sides thereof, wherein the width (WP) of the platelets (P) at their widest point is no more than about 250 μm and the thickness of the platelets (P) is in the range of 10 nm to 50 nm. |
| US09095897B2 |
Cast-steel pouring apparatus
A cast-steel pouring apparatus including a furnace body having a furnace main body that includes a fire-retardant lining material demarcating a retainer chamber for retaining molten steel therein, and a steel-outing trough unit that protrudes from the furnace main-body toward an outside and with a trough length equal to ⅔ or less of an inside diameter of a top-face opening in the retainer chamber; a first pivot shaft having a first axial line oriented along a lateral direction such that the furnace body can pivot on the first pivot shaft in a longitudinal direction; a first pivot driving source for causing the furnace body to pivot about the first axial line of the first pivot shaft which serves as the pivotal center in the longitudinal direction, thereby causing the molten steel to discharge from the steel-outing trough unit of the furnace body, which has pivoted with respect to a sprue of casting mold. |
| US09095894B2 |
Single crystal casting apparatus
A casting arrangement for the single crystal casting of a component in which a common feed for molten metal is provided with a filtration arrangement that incorporates an annular filter. Outlets in a housing surrounding the filter direct the filtered molten metal on to a seed crystal and into a spiral grain selector. |
| US09095893B2 |
Methods for casting titanium and titanium aluminide alloys
The disclosure relates generally to mold compositions and methods of molding and the articles so molded. More specifically, the disclosure relates to mold compositions and methods for casting titanium-containing articles, and the titanium-containing articles so molded. |
| US09095891B2 |
Method of eliminating the heat affected zone in a welded crankshaft
A method of manufacturing a crankshaft comprising providing two parts, each part comprising two webs, a portion of a crank journal and a portion of a main journal, welding the two portions of the crank journal together, heating the crank journal, inserting a shim between the webs, and upset forging to reduce the length of the crank journal to form a forged segment. Alternatively, the portions of the main journal may be welded, heated, shimmed, and forged to form a forged segment. The crankshaft may be lengthened by adding additional parts or forged segments using the same steps. A production line for carrying out this method when producing a crankshaft with n number of crank journals, where n is an even integer. |
| US09095886B2 |
Mill control system and method for control of metal strip rolling
Mill control system and method for metal strip rolling controlled in response to a sequence of controller scans are provided. A sensor suite is coupled to sense a plurality of parameters regarding the strip rolling. A model responsive to the sensed parameters is configured to estimate per scan at least one matrix based on the sensed parameters and indicative of state conditions of the strip rolling. A controller includes an inner control loop configured to effect a control law to generate a control vector per scan. The inner control loop may be configured to have dynamic characteristics, which remain substantially the same for each scan of the controller. The dynamic characteristics of the inner control loop are effective to determine a pointwise online control solution based on the matrix indicative of the state conditions of the strip rolling, without having to compute a Riccati control solution per scan. |
| US09095881B2 |
Portable classifier screen shaker assembly
A sifting screen shaker assembly defined by a generally vertical hollow frame includes a pivotally supported yoke at its base provided with a foot pedal at its apex to articulate a pair of vertical links that are confined in their motion by the convolutions of shaped apertures, with the ends of the links articulating a screen assembly supported within a hinged tray above a collection receptacle in which the sifted particulates passed by the screen assembly are collected while additional particulates are added. The particulates accumulated in the screen assembly are then periodically discarded by articulating the tray around its hinge. |
| US09095880B2 |
Oscillator
An oscillator includes a piezoelectric vibrator (10), a vibrating member (20) which is larger than the piezoelectric vibrator (10) when seen in a plan view and restrains one surface of the piezoelectric vibrator (10), a vibrating member (25) which is larger than the piezoelectric vibrator (10) when seen in a plan view and restrains the other surface of the piezoelectric vibrator (10), an elastic member (30) which supports an edge of the surface of the vibrating member (20), which restrains the piezoelectric vibrator (10), and supports an edge of the surface of the vibrating member (25), which restrains the piezoelectric vibrator (10), and a supporting member (35) which is located around the elastic member (30) and supports the elastic member (30). |
| US09095879B2 |
Probe for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes including backing members, a first connector bonded between the backing members and including electrodes spaced from each other in an arrangement direction, a ground connector bonded between the backing members to be spaced from the first connector, and a piezoelectric member electrically connected to the electrodes and the ground connector. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed. The piezoelectric member is joined to the first connector and the ground connector or to first and second connectors and the ground connector via first and second electrode layers instead of using a complicated and laborious soldering operation, thereby enabling easy connection between the piezoelectric member and the connectors while preventing deterioration in performance caused by defective connection therebetween and deterioration in performance of the piezoelectric member caused by heat during manufacture. |
| US09095877B2 |
Coating method utilizing multilayer masking tape
A masking tape for use in applications where a coating material is applied to a surface for defining a sharp edge of the portion of the surface that is coated. A masking tape may include a reinforcing strip releasably attached to the non-adhesive side of conventional masking tape comprising a substrate with an adhesive layer on one side. The reinforcing strip extends longitudinally along the length of the substrate with one edge substantially aligned with, and preferably flush with, one longitudinal edge of the substrate and acts as a separate means to cut through a coating or film more efficiently than the masking tape alone, while subsequently leaving the masking tape in place until the preferred time of removal. |
| US09095876B2 |
Immobilized carbon nanotubes on various surfaces
In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of immobilizing carbon nanotubes on a surface, wherein the method comprises: (1) mixing carbon nanotubes with a superacid to form a carbon nanotube solution; and (2) exposing the carbon nanotube solution to the surface. The exposing results in the immobilization of the carbon nanotubes on the surface. In some embodiments, the method occurs without the utilization of carbon nanotube wrapping molecules. Other embodiments of the present invention pertain to systems that comprise immobilized carbon nanotubes on a surface, as developed by the aforementioned methods. |
| US09095873B2 |
Method for making cover for shaft of electronic thermometer probe
A cover for a shaft of an electronic thermometer probe. The cover includes a tubular body having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end. The body defines a cavity sized and shaped to slidably receive the shaft of the electronic thermometer probe. At least a portion of the tubular body is formed from a nanotube composite material including a polymer matrix material and a carbon nanotube filler material. |
| US09095869B2 |
Atomic layer deposition with plasma source
The invention relates to method including operating a plasma atomic layer deposition reactor configured to deposit material in a reaction chamber on at least one substrate by sequential self-saturating surface reactions, and allowing gas from an inactive gas source to flow into a widening radical in-feed part opening towards the reaction chamber substantially during a whole deposition cycle. The invention also relates to a corresponding apparatus. |
| US09095866B2 |
Method and apparatus for application of mortar
An apparatus for applying mortar is provided. The apparatus includes a support sled and a mixer positioned on the support sled. The mixer combines a received dry powder mortar and a liquid, and a pump positioned on the support sled and adapted to pump the mixed mortar and liquid. The apparatus further includes a spray head positioned on the support sled and adapted to receive the pumped mortar and liquid mixture and spray the mixture. |
| US09095865B2 |
Mobile coating system for elastomeric materials
A mobile coating system for coating an electrical insulator. The system includes an elongate shipping container that is transportable to a worksite, and a plurality of stations located within the shipping container. The stations include a loading station for loading an insulator to be coated, a coating station that includes a robotically controlled applicator for applying an elastomeric coating to the insulator, a curing station located after the coating station for curing the elastomeric coating, and an unloading station for unloading the coated insulator. The system also includes an endless loop conveyor for conveying the insulator through the plurality of stations. The endless loop conveyor has an elongated circular path. |
| US09095862B2 |
Shower and speaker assembly
A shower assembly and system. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a speaker with a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet, the speaker outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device. |
| US09095860B2 |
Shower with waterway switch controlled by electronic touch
A shower with electronic touch control of waterway switch, has a fixing seat, a power generation mechanism, an effluent unit and a control unit. The fixing seat has a main waterway connecting to the water source and at least two branch waterways, and each the branch waterway is connected to the main waterway through a magnetic valve. The power generation mechanism is fixed in the fixing seat. The effluent unit is fixed to the fixing seat and has effluent functions corresponding to each of the branch waterways. The control unit comprises a circuit board fixed in the fixing seat and a touch panel fixed outside the fixing seat, and the circuit is connected to the power generation mechanism, and the circuit board is connected to the touch panel, and the circuit board is connected to the three magnetic valves with signals to control the magnetic valves with the control signals. |
| US09095859B2 |
Multi-nozzle shuttle for a sprinkler head
A sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body having an inlet bore at one end, and a coupling element at an opposite end adapted to connect the sprinkler body to a water deflector plate. A multi-nozzle shuttle supports at least two nozzles and is attached to the sprinkler body axially between the inlet bore and the coupling element for swinging pivotal movement between two nozzle-installed positions. The multi-nozzle shuttle may also be provided with a shut-off surface portion for shutting off flow through the sprinkler body when the multi-nozzle shuttle is moved to a shut-off position. The shuttle may be moved manually or by a power actuator. |
| US09095856B2 |
Separator fluid collector and method
A collection apparatus for a separator. The collection apparatus including a housing at least partially encircling a flow separation passage and defining a chamber and a cutout, the chamber being in fluid communication with the flow separation passage to receive a separated flow therefrom, and the cutout extending outward from the chamber to at least partially deflect the separated flow. |
| US09095837B2 |
Renewable resource-based metal oxide-containing materials and applications of the same
Metal nanocomposites and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The nanocomposites have metal nanoparticles dispersed in a matrix carrier and can be produced by: treating a matrix material having a functional group with a quaternary amine compound to form a function site; treating the matrix material with a metal salt such that a metal ion of the metal salt is chelated with the functional site; treating the matrix material with an alkali; and microwaving the matrix material to form the metal nanocomposites. |
| US09095836B2 |
Multiphase catalytic tower-type impinging-stream reactor
A multiphase catalytic tower-shaped impinging-stream reactor in the form of a tower, the upper part of which is a plate or packed tower 4 and the lower part of which is a multiphase catalytic impinging-stream reaction kettle 2; the upper part and the lower part are separated by a flow channel plate 14 which has a plurality of round holes serving as flow channels 62; at the top of the reaction kettle 2 exists an upper ejector 3 and at the bottom of the reaction kettle 2 exists a lower ejector 8; near to the side wall of the reaction kettle 2 stands a baffle plate 5, which separates a static liquid zone within the reaction kettle 2 is disclosed. |
| US09095835B2 |
Method for processing hydrocarbon fuels using microwave energy
A method of operating a hydrocarbon material processing system includes feeding a hydrocarbon feedstock from a hydrocarbon feedstock source into a reaction tube positioned within an opening of a waveguide, feeding a process gas from a process gas source into the reaction tube, receiving microwaves in the waveguide from a microwave generator, energy from the waveguide in the reaction tube to cause the feedstock and process gas to react and form into a product stream comprising a fuel product. The method also includes periodically delivering a cleaning gas into the reaction tube, without stopping the propagation of the energy and without pausing the feeding of the hydrocarbon feedstock and the process gas into the reaction tube. |
| US09095831B2 |
Fluid bed reactor with staged baffles
The invention relates to a process of alkylating aromatic hydrocarbons, and more particularly a process of making paraxylene by alkylation of benzene and/or toluene with methanol and/or dimethyl ether, and to an apparatus for carrying out said process, the improvement comprising staged injection of one of the reactants, with the stages separated by structured packing so as to minimize at least one of gas phase back-mixing, by-pass phenomena, and gas bubble size. |
| US09095829B2 |
Plasma fired feed nozzle
An apparatus includes a tuyere chamber, a plasma torch configured to produce a superheated gas and to direct the superheated gas into the tuyere chamber in an axial direction, and a shroud gas inlet assembly configured to direct a shroud gas into the tuyere chamber wherein one part of the shroud gas is injected coaxially with the super heated gas and a second part of the shroud gas is injected as a swirl shielding the tuyere walls. |
| US09095825B2 |
Fluid injection system
Fluid injection system for dispensing a solution into a fluid flow in a flow line, the fluid injection system including a storage tank having product to be dispensed therein; an inlet connection diverting fluid from the flow line into the tank; an outlet connection returning a mixture of fluid/product back into the flow line; a metering gauge in fluid communication with the inlet connection measuring water flowing into the tank; and a tank head connected to the storage tank and having multiple ports for connection to the inlet connection depending on whether the product to be dispensed is in liquid dry form. The inlet connection includes an inlet probe having an opening defined by an arc at a downstream side. The outlet connection includes an outlet probe having an opening having an angled cut facing downstream, such that a pressure differential is created between the inlet and outlet probes. |
| US09095824B2 |
Vinylidene fluoride resin porous film and manufacturing method therefor
A porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin, having two major surfaces, including a dense layer which governs filtration performance on one major surface side and a sparse layer which contributes to reinforcement on the other opposite major surface side, and having an asymmetrical gradient network texture including pore sizes which increase continuously from the one major surface to the other opposite major surface, wherein the dense layer includes a 7 μm-thick portion contiguous to the one major surface showing a porosity A1 of at least 50%, and the one major surface shows a pore size of at most 0.30 μm. The vinylidene-fluoride-resin porous membrane is useful as a porous membrane for separation and particularly exhibits good water-permeation-rate retentivity even in continuous filtration of cloudy water. |
| US09095820B2 |
Filtration system having fluid couplings
The invention relates to a filtration system that includes one or more flat filter, capillary tube filter, or wound filter modules having a single or double permeate drain on the edge side and fluid couplings for connecting the filter modules to a fluid distributor or additional filter modules. The fluid couplings include at least one passage each for permeate fluid, raw fluid, and concentrate fluid. |
| US09095817B2 |
Device for the treatment of biological fluid
The invention relates to a device (1) for the treatment of a biological fluid, comprising at least three chambers, wherein a first chamber (3), which is provided for receiving the biological fluid, and a second chamber (7), which is provided for receiving a gas, are separated from each other by at least one gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane (9), said membrane (9) being used to transfer gas molecules between the first and second chambers (3, 7), and wherein the first chamber (3) and a third chamber (13) are separated from each other by at least one liquid-permeable membrane (15) which is used to transfer one or more components between the first and third chambers (3, 13). The second chamber (7) is delimited or enclosed by the at least one gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane (9) and is located inside the first chamber (3) or is substantially enclosed by the first chamber (3) such that the biological fluid surrounds the second chamber (7). Similarly, the third chamber (13) is delimited or enclosed by the at least one liquid-permeable membrane (15) and is located inside the first chamber (3) or is substantially enclosed by the first chamber (3) such that the biological fluid surrounds the third chamber (13). |
| US09095809B2 |
Selectivation of adsorbents for gas separation
Systems and methods are provided for improving separation of gas phase streams using an adsorbent, such as 8-member ring zeolite adsorbents or DDR type zeolite adsorbents. Suitable gas phase streams can include at least one hydrocarbon, such as methane or a hydrocarbon containing at least one saturated carbon-carbon bond, and at least one additional component, such as CO2 or N2. The selectivity of the adsorbent is improved by selectivating the adsorbent with one or more barrier compounds. The presence of the barrier compounds is believed to alter the relative ability of potential adsorbates to enter into and/or move within the pores of the adsorbent. |
| US09095796B2 |
Connecting element for multilayer media, filter element, and method for connecting laminar media
A connecting element (1) for connecting at least two end portions (2A, 3A) of a flat filter medium (2, 3) has at least three legs (1A, 1B, 1C), one end portion (2A, 2B) each being introducible between two legs (1A, 1B, 1C). Under the influence of heat it is possible to connect the material of the legs with the material of the filter medium (2). The connecting element (1) can be used in a filter element (4) and in particular in a filtering device (5), for example an operating fluid filter for a motor vehicle. The object of a method for connecting at least two end portions (2A, 3A) of a flat filter medium (2, 3) is that the end portions (2A, 3A) are introduced between two legs (1A, 1B, 1C) each of a corresponding connecting element (1) and that through heating the material of the legs is connected with the material of the filter medium (1). |
| US09095788B2 |
Microwave-enhanced process and system to treat frac water
Described is an improved method and system for remediating Frac water and other emulsions created during hydraulic fracturing. The system can include a first collection unit adapted to store contaminated Frac water, at least one pumping unit adapted to pump a portion of the contaminated Frac water, and a second collection unit for storing remediated Frac water. The system can further include a microwave separation technology (“MST”) unit, an ultra-violet light remediation (“UVLR”) unit, and a chemical additive unit adapted to reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The MST unit can work alone, or in combination with the UVLR unit, the chemical additive unit, or both, to further reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The system can be deployed at an onsite drilling facility or at a centralized offsite location. By reusing remediated Frac water, entities can realize significant cost savings and better environmental compliance. |
| US09095782B2 |
Portable apparatus and method for producing a simulated flame effect
A special effect device for producing a simulated flame effect includes a plurality of discharge nozzles, a source of compressed air, a source of pressurized water, and a control device for supplying the compressed air and the compressed water to the discharge nozzles for proportioning the compressed air and water such that each discharge nozzles creates a plume of water vapor, consisting of micron sized water droplets. A plurality of light sources configured to deliver a mixture of colored lighting, is disposed in proximity to the plume and directed thereto, such that the light mixing and reflecting from the plume creates a simulated flame effect. |
| US09095778B2 |
Party chat system, program for party chat system and information recording medium
Facilitating reconstruction of a party after a game over to avoid wasted time required for gathering members of a party. Moreover, a user may quickly reconstruct (gather) a party to improve the real thrill of an on-line game. Accordingly, an on-line game system allows a user of the game to select and display resurrection points of other characters included within the party. Since resurrection points of other characters included within the party can be selected and restored, wasted time required for gathering with each other around one location for the purpose of reconstructing a party can be avoided. Thus, it is possible to quickly gather the party. |
| US09095777B2 |
Information processing device, method for controlling information processing device, program, and information storage medium
Direction obtaining means (72) obtains pressing-force information relating to pressing forces applied respectively to the plurality of depression units. In a case where a first depression unit and a second depression unit are pressed, the direction obtaining means (72) obtains a direction between a first basic direction and a second basic direction based on pressing forces applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit. The direction obtained by the direction obtaining means (72) in a case where the first depression unit and the second depression unit are pressed changes based on the pressing forces applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit. Processing executing means (74) executes processing based on the direction obtained by the direction obtaining means (72). |
| US09095774B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium having program stored therein, apparatus, system, and method, for performing game processing
A storage medium has stored therein a game program that in game processing, controls a correlation between a player object and a non-player object through a virtual surface that is set on the basis of a marker for generating a superimposed image by combining a real world image and a virtual world image. The game program causes a computer of an apparatus, which includes a display device for providing the superimposed image to a user and an imaging section for taking an image of the marker, to operate as predetermined means. |
| US09095772B2 |
Online gaming
Technologies and implementations for providing and online gaming experience are generally disclosed. |
| US09095770B2 |
Launching toy game
A skills game includes a game set with a deck of cards, various-shaped building blocks, a projectile launcher, projectiles, and target pieces. Players take turns selecting a card, building structures, launching projectiles, and knocking down targets. |
| US09095764B2 |
Skateboard and skateboard truck
Devices and methods for lowering the center of gravity of a skateboard, while maintaining the structural integrity of the deck are described herein. In some embodiments, a skateboard includes a deck, a pair of trucks, and a set of bearings and wheels. The deck can include a cutout configured to receive a portion of the truck. The trucks are configured to couple to a bottom surface of the deck and include a portion disposed within the opening of the deck. |
| US09095761B2 |
Golf system user interface
Techniques are described to furnish location-based functionality to golf-related electronic devices. In one or more embodiments, the distances associated with features of a hole of a golf course such as sand traps, water hazards and other hazards, trees, tree lines, waste areas, out of bounds areas, man-made hazards, and so on may be selectively labeled based on the relative positions of the device, the features, and a point within the hole of the golf course such as the pin or other point within the green. |
| US09095760B2 |
User device position indication for security and distributed race challenges
A mobile computing device includes a processor configured to receive position information from a position sensor and a display controlled by the processor. The device also includes a storage medium accessible to the processor and bearing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive user input to challenge a friend's mobile device to an exercise, upload the challenge to a server, and receive a signal from the server indicating the challenge is accepted. The instructions cause the processor to upload to the server position information at a predetermined start time and receive from the server map information presenting a position of the mobile device and a position of the friend's mobile device. Further, the instructions cause the processor to receive updates of the map information including updates of the position of the mobile device and the position of the friend's mobile device periodically during the exercise. |
| US09095759B2 |
Golf club head with alignment markings
A golf club putter having an alignment pattern is disclosed herein. The alignment pattern has first and second long lines that approach each other as they extend from an aft region of the putter to a front region of the putter and, when the putter is properly aligned with a golf ball, create an optical illusion of convergence of said lines at or near a center of the golf ball without actually intersecting. |
| US09095756B2 |
Sports training system with drill tower
A system and method for sports training utilizing a drill tower apparatus. The drill tower is collapsible and light weight. The tower can be stood on an end to form a tower structure, or may be placed on its side for use in numerous training drills. The tower can be used as an obstacle or as a stand for holding a ball or other sports-related object. The towers may also feature a weighted ring for holding the towers in place during drills. The towers are collapsible and easily transportable, by folding the towers into a collapsed position and placing the towers into a portable bag with multiple weight rings. |
| US09095755B1 |
Basketball training device
A basketball training device for use with a basketball goal including a backboard having a horizontally disposed rim secured thereto. The training device includes a horizontally disposed circular support positioned below the rim which is either secured to the backboard or the rim. A horizontally disposed mounting structure is selectively horizontally rotatably mounted on the circular support. A vertically disposed simulated basketball player is secured to the mounting structure which extends downwardly therefrom. The simulated basketball player has a pair of arms secured thereto which may be moved upwardly or downwardly. |
| US09095751B2 |
Golf club putter
A golf club putter includes a clubhead body sufficiently weighted to define a center of gravity of the golf club, which center of gravity may be adjusted for left and right handed golfers. The putter includes a graphite or fiberglass composite shaft, elongated along a central axis continuously tapering radially inwardly, from: a larger outside diameter adjacent a tip end attached to the clubhead body, to: a smaller outside diameter adjacent a grip end. Preferably, the composite shaft is reverse tapered. The reverse tapered shaft comprises longitudinally oriented graphite or fiberglass fibers in an arrangement that enables shaft torsional distorting forces imposed at the grip end during putting to be imparted to the clubhead and a golf ball thereby. |
| US09095750B2 |
Racket
The present invention relates to a racket for ball games having a frame comprising a head portion for receiving a stringing and a handle portion for gripping the racket, wherein the frame comprises at least one transparent or translucent portion formed from a transparent or translucent material, said transparent or translucent portion being integrally bonded to the remaining frame. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a racket is described. |
| US09095749B2 |
Golf ball compositions
Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix and discrete particles of thermoplastic polymer dispersed within the matrix. |
| US09095747B2 |
Golf ball composition and golf ball
The invention provides a golf ball composition containing an ionomer resin composition of: (A) one or more ionomer selected from the group consisting of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer and/or an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester random copolymer, and a metal ion neutralization product of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer and/or a metal ion neutralization product of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester random copolymer; (B) a polyethylene; and (C) an organic peroxide. |
| US09095746B2 |
Golf balls having dual-layered cores with metal-containing centers and thermoset outer cores
Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity and a surrounding outer core layer having a relatively low specific gravity. The core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The outer core layer preferably is formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control. |
| US09095744B2 |
Medical exercise device
Disclosed is an intra-vaginal device of a new and innovative design that in combination with kegel exercises or performing ones daily routine strengthens the muscles of the pelvic floor. The device employs a combination of unique shape, materials as well as carefully engineered deflection, frictional, testing and clean-ability characteristics with particular attention to a sexually neutral appearance, comfort during insertion and exercise as well as positive physical feedback to encourage prolonged and frequent use. Benefits of the device include improvement or prevention of urinary leakage and prolapse, increases in sexual intensity, to keep the uterus, bladder or rectum in place as a pessary as well as relief for women suffering from moderate prolapse. As a dilator to aid women who suffer from vaginismus. With its multiple features and benefits, the device is a vital tool in a woman's quest for a complete and balanced wellness regimen. |
| US09095741B1 |
Exercise methods and apparatus
An elliptical motion exercise apparatus may provide a novel linkage assembly suitable for linking circular motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. Left and right cranks may be rotatably mounted on a frame. A force receiving member may be movably connected between a handle bar rocker and left and right crank assemblies in such a manner that the force receiving member moves through paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable. |
| US09095736B2 |
Corrosion monitoring in a fire sprinkler system
A fire sprinkler system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fire sprinkler system further includes structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor for sensing a pressure in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems, including fire sprinkler systems, are also disclosed. |
| US09095731B2 |
Anti-microbial composition
Anti-microbial compositions including an anti-microbial polymer containing silicon-containing quaternary ammonium groups, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), at least one short chain alcohol, optional fragrance, and water are provided. The anti-microbial compositions may be used to disinfect both porous and non-porous surfaces. Exemplary compositions may include 0.1-10 wt % of the anti-microbial polymer containing silicon-containing quaternary ammonium groups, 0.1-10 wt % polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), 1.0-20 wt % isopropyl alcohol, optional fragrance, and water. |
| US09095730B2 |
Associative thickeners based on methacrylate
Provided is a process for the preparation of methacrylate-based polymers soluble in aqueous medium, which can be used, in particular, as associative and non-associative thickeners. |
| US09095729B2 |
Wireless power harvesting and transmission with heterogeneous signals
The present invention is a wireless power system which includes components which can be recharged by harvesting wireless power, wireless power transmitters for transmitting the power, and devices which are powered from the components. Features such as temperature monitoring, tiered network protocols including both data and power communication, and power management strategies related to both charging and non-charging operations, are used to improve performance of the wireless network. Rechargeable batteries which are configured to be recharged using wireless power have unique components specifically tailored for recharging operations rather than for providing power to a device. A wireless power supply for powering implanted devices benefits from an external patient controller which contains features for adjusting both power transmission and harvesting provided by other components of the wireless power network. |
| US09095725B2 |
Flexible antenna on flexible substrate with adhesive back
A medical device may be configured to transmit energy from a position outside of a subject's body to a position inside the subject's body. The device may include a flexible substrate having a thickness of between 5 and 100 micrometers and a flexible antenna comprising between 10 and 15 windings on a first surface of the flexible substrate, the antenna having a transmission frequency of between 6.4 to 8.3 MHz, and wherein the antenna is configured to transmit energy to a penetration depth of at least 1 cm into the subject's body. The device may also include an adhesive disposed on at least one surface of the flexible substrate for adhering to skin of the subject. |
| US09095722B2 |
Micro-miniature implantable coated device
An implantable micro-miniature device is disclosed. The device comprises a thin hermetic insulating coating and at least one thin polymer or metal secondary coating over the hermetic insulating layer in order to protect the insulating layer from the erosive action of body fluids or the like. In one embodiment the insulating layer is ion beam assisted deposited (IBAD) alumina and the secondary coating is a parylene polymer. The device may be a small electronic device such as a silicon integrated circuit chip. The thickness of the insulating layer may be ten microns or less and the thickness of the secondary layer may be between about 0.1 and about 15 microns. |
| US09095720B2 |
Capture verification and pacing adjustments for use with multisite left ventricular pacing
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to, or are for use with, an implantable system including a lead having multiple electrodes implantable in a patient's left ventricular (LV) chamber. In accordance with an embodiment, the patient's LV chamber is paced at first and second sites within the LV chamber using a programmed LV1-LV2 delay, wherein the LV1-LV2 delay is a programmed delay between when first and second pacing pulses are to be delivered respectively at the first and second sites within the LV chamber. Evoked responses to the first and second pacing pulses are monitored for, and one or more LV pacing parameter is/are adjusted and/or one or more backup pulse is/are delivered based on results of the monitoring. |
| US09095717B2 |
Methods and systems for analyzing valve related timing and monitoring heart failure
A method and system are provided to analyze valve related timing and monitor heart failure. The method and system comprise collecting cardiac signals associated with an atrial chamber of interest; collecting dynamic impedance (DI) data along an atria-function focused (AFF) vector to form a DI data set, the DI data set including information corresponding to a mechanical function (MF) of a valve associated with the atrial chamber of interest; identifying, from the cardiac signals, an intra-atrial conduction timing (IACT) associated with the atrial chamber of interest; estimating an MF landmark at which the mechanical function of the valve occurs based on the DI data set; analyzing a timing delay between the MF landmark and the IACT; and adjusting a therapy, based on the timing delay, to encourage atrial contribution to ventricular filling. |
| US09095710B2 |
Multi-electrode integration in a visual prosthesis
The present invention is a visual prosthesis for stimulating visual neurons to create the perception of light. The visual prosthesis electrically stimulating the retina with implanted electrodes exhibits interaction between electrodes stimulated closely together in both space and time. The visual prosthesis of the present invention includes means for determining a minimum distance at which spatiotemporal interactions occur, determining a minimum time at which spatiotemporal interactions occur, and avoiding stimulation of electrodes within the minimum distance during the minimum time. The minimum are ideally established for each individual patient. Alternatively, approximate minimums have been established by the applicants at 2 mm and 1.8 milliseconds. |
| US09095708B2 |
Transitioning operating modes in a medical prosthesis
The present disclosure describes systems and methods to transition a hearing prosthesis between different stimulation strategies. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided and includes operating a hearing prosthesis in accordance with a first parameter, receiving an instruction to operate the hearing prosthesis in accordance with a second parameter, and in response to the receiving, transitioning to operate the hearing prosthesis in accordance with the second parameter by operating the hearing prosthesis in accordance with at least one intermediate parameter. In accordance with another embodiment, the method includes transitioning to operate the hearing prosthesis in accordance with a third operation strategy characterized by alternating between periods of (i) operating in accordance with the first operation strategy, and (ii) operating in accordance with the second operation strategy, and increasing an amount of time in which the hearing prosthesis is operating in accordance with the second operation strategy. |
| US09095705B2 |
Scanning systems for particle cancer therapy
A particle beam to treat malignant tissue is delivered to a patient by a gantry. The gantry includes a plurality of small magnets sequentially arranged along a beam tube to transfer the particle beam with strong focusing and a small dispersion function, whereby a beam size is very small, allowing for the small magnet size. Magnets arranged along the beam tube uses combined function magnets where the magnetic field is a combination of a bending dipole field with a focusing or defocusing quadrupole field. A triplet set of combined function magnets defines the beam size at the patient. A scanning system of magnets arranged along the beam tube after the bending system delivers the particle beam in a direction normal to the patient, to minimize healthy skin and tissue exposure to the particle beam. |
| US09095704B2 |
Ultraviolet light applicator system and method
A method of mitigating the effect of bodily pathogens including providing a light applicator including a housing, a power supply, and at least one light source wherein the light source is configured to emit light in the ultraviolet range when energized by the power supply, and directing the applicator toward a bodily orifice so as to directly irradiate the orifice for a period of time. |
| US09095700B2 |
Lead positioning and fixation system
A therapy assembly configured for at least partial insertion in a living body. A plurality of fixation structures are disposed radially around the therapy delivery element proximate the electrodes. The fixation structures include wires having a diameter in a range between about 0.004 inches and about 0.020 inches. The wires have a first end attached to the therapy delivery element and a second end attached to a sliding member configured to slide along the therapy delivery element. The fixation structures are configured to collapse inward to a collapsed configuration when inserted into a lumen of an introducer and to deploy to a deployed configuration when the introducer is retracted. A fitting is located at proximal end of the introducer that releasably locks the therapy delivery element to the introducer, such that torque applied to the fitting is substantially transmitted to the distal end of the therapy assembly. |
| US09095699B2 |
System for nerve sensing and stimulation employing multi-electrode array
A nerve stimulation system includes a pulse generator and implantable lead. The pulse generator includes a sensing module and a pace circuit. The lead has an electrode array near the distal end and a connector at the proximal end for connection to the pulse generator. Conductors in the lead electrically connect the electrode array with the sensing module and pace circuit. The electrode array includes a first pair of small electrodes and a large electrode close to each other. The small electrodes and large electrode are physically separated from each other by insulative spaces extending generally transversely to a longitudinal axis of the lead. When the conductors are in electrical communication with the sensing module and pace circuit, the first pair of small electrodes are in electrical communication with both the sensing module and the pace circuit and the large electrode is in electrical communication with the pace circuit only. |
| US09095691B2 |
UV stable transdermal therapeutic plaster with a UV absorbing self-adhesive layer separated from the drug matrix
The invention relates to a UV stable transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) consisting of a back layer, at least one matrix containing an active substance and optionally, a withdrawal film and an UV-radiation absorber. An adhesive layer containing said UV-radiation absorber is arranged between the back layer and the matrix containing an active substance which is distant as much as possible from a surface, a separation layer is arranged between the adhesive layer containing said UV-radiation absorber and the matrix containing an active substance, which is as remote as possible from the surface which is impermeable to the active substance and UV-radiation absorber. The inventive transdermal therapeutic system exhibits a high stability and is devoid of inconveniences of existing TTS containing a light-sensitive substance. |
| US09095690B2 |
Cannula for dispensing fluid products, particularly for vaginal and rectal applications
A cannula (1) for dispensing fluid products, particularly for vaginal and rectal applications, comprises: a tubular body (2) for containing a fluid product (P), having a first extremity (2a), at which a dispenser opening (3) is formed, and a second open extremity (2b), opposed to the first extremity (2a). A cover cap (4) is fitted onto the tubular body (2) to close the dispenser opening (3).A closing body (5) associated with the tubular body (2) closes the second extremity (2b). The closing body comprises a first element (6) and a second element (7) made in a single body piece and joined along tearable connection means (8, 9, 10). The second element (7) removable by tearing off the first element (6) to act as a anti-tampering seal. The first element (6) is a cylinder partially insertable through the second extremity (2b) to function as a sliding piston inside the tubular body (2) once the second element (7) has been torn off. The cover cap is converted to a push rod for moving the piston by removing longitudinal sections of the cover cap, and then folding over the remaining sections to reduce the cross-section of the push rod. |
| US09095686B2 |
Device for the controlled translational displacement of an elongate element
A device for controlled translational displacement of an elongated element that terminates in a frontal functional end, in particular an instrument/tool that is designed to be brought to an internal site in a patient, more particularly an exploratory instrument/surgical tool placed in a catheter or in an operating channel or working channel of a flexible endoscope, whereby the device includes a linear actuator that acts at the rear end of the elongated element that is located opposite its frontal functional end. The device that is characterized in that the actuator includes of a direct-drive electromagnetic linear motor with a shaft that moves in translation relative to a stator and that drives the elongated element, whereby the shaft can also be coupled to a rotary motor. |
| US09095684B2 |
Bidirectional introducer catheter
A bidirectional introducer includes a dilator having a distal end portion that includes at first section having a distal first section end, a second softer section having a proximal second section end and a distal second section end and a third reinforced section having a proximal third section end, wherein a) the distal first section end is coupled to the proximal second section end and the distal second section end is coupled to the proximal third section end and b) i) at least a portion of the first section is characterized by a first rigidity and at least a portion of the second softer section is characterized by a second rigidity that is lower than the first rigidity, and ii) at least a portion of the third reinforced section is characterized by a third rigidity that is higher than both the first rigidity and the second rigidity. |
| US09095682B2 |
Control handles for catheters
A plunger-type control handle for controlling the deflection of a distal tip of a catheter. The control handle includes a spool driven by a gear, the spool being connected to the proximal end of at least one pull wire. For bi-directional deflection, a second proximal end of a pull wire is connected to the spool such that when one of the proximal ends is collected by the spool, the other of the proximal ends is released in an equal amount. The gear is operatively coupled to the plunger and engages a gear rack disposed on the control handle housing, such that when there is relative movement between the housing and the plunger, the gear and spool are rotated. In one embodiment, a switching mechanism is provided that reverses the rotation direction of the gear and spool, thereby providing full stroke resolution of the plunger in each of the bi-directional directions. |
| US09095681B2 |
Catheter system
A catheter system including a housing and a first drive mechanism supported by the housing configured to impart movement to a first catheter device is provided. The first drive mechanism is moveable between an engaged position in which the first drive mechanism engages the first catheter device and a disengaged position in which the first drive mechanism does not engage the first catheter device. The catheter system includes a second drive mechanism supported by the housing configured to impart movement to a second catheter device. The second drive mechanism is moveable between an engaged position in which the second drive mechanism engages the second catheter device and a disengaged position in which the second drive mechanism does not engage the second catheter device. The catheter system includes a manual control configured to allow a user to manually move the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism between the engaged and disengaged positions. The first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism are also configured to be moved between the engaged and disengaged positions by an electronic actuator responsive to a user's activation of a control. The first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism are configured to be moved between the respective engaged and disengaged positions synchronized with each other. |
| US09095679B2 |
Catheter assembly
A catheter assembly includes a tubular insertion portion; a support portion that is connected to a proximal end side of the insertion portion and has therein a flow passage communicating with an inside of the insertion portion; a valve body that is disposed in the flow passage and includes: a blocking membrane configured to inhibit a flow of fluid, and an opening/closing part configured such that the blocking membrane is at least partially openable and closeable via the opening/closing part; and an insertion member which is arranged proximal of the blocking membrane and is insertable into the opening/closing part by moving in a distal direction. The opening/closing part is formed as a single slit penetrating the blocking membrane, the slit having a distal end opening and a proximal end opening, and a length of the distal end opening being smaller than a length of the proximal end opening. |
| US09095678B2 |
Regulation of delivery of multiple anesthetic agents to a patient from an anesthetic breathing apparatus
In a method and system of regulating multiple anesthetic agents in a breathing circuit of an anesthetic breathing apparatus is disclosed, a primary anesthetic agent added to the breathing circuit is regulated to a set desired value of the amount of the primary anesthetic agent, and a secondary anesthetic agent in the breathing circuit is regulated to an amount of said secondary anesthetic agent that it is equal to or less than a defined threshold level, e.g. of the concentration, of the secondary anesthetic agent. |
| US09095675B2 |
Filter
A filter to be used in the expiratory branch of a ventilator, includes a housing arranged with an inlet passage and an outlet passage, a main filter element, a pre-filter member arranged before the main filter element as seen in the flow direction and an air permeable, material capable of collecting medicament droplets in the air stream through the main filter element. |
| US09095674B2 |
Nose clip
A nose clip includes an outer support member adapted to contact an outside surface of a nose. A bridge connected at a first end to the outer support member; and an inner support member connected to a second end of the bridge and adapted to be inserted into the nostril and to contact an inner surface of the nostril. When inserted, tension generated between the outer support member and the inner support member causes lateral movement of a surface within the nostril and opens a nasal airway. Additionally, the inner support can be curved to create an outward movement of the lateral wall of the nose. This in turn enables improved breathing. |
| US09095672B2 |
Device for securing a breathing tube
A device for securing a tube in position includes a strip of material and first, second, and third attachment members. The strip of material defines a first surface and a second, opposed surface. The strip of material further includes first and second end portions, and an intermediate portion. The first and second attachment members are disposed on the first surface of the strip of material and positioned adjacent the respective first and second end portions. The third attachment member is disposed on the second surface of the strip of material and is positioned adjacent the intermediate portion. The strip of material is configured to wrap around a tube with the first, second, and third attachment members releasably engaging a strap member to secure the tube in position. |
| US09095671B2 |
Self-sensing dispensing device
A self-sensing dispensing device comprising: power supply means, a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture through which liquid is to be dispensed by activation of the actuator, electronic control means operable to control said actuator, liquid supply means for connecting with a liquid reservoir to supply liquid to said liquid dispensing element, valving means for allowing or blocking liquid to flow from said reservoir to said liquid dispensing element, wherein said actuator is operable to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causing said actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein said electronic control means is operable to control said valving means and said actuator based on the reception of said command signal. |
| US09095670B2 |
Inhalation device and method of dispensing medicament
An inhaler, including a base having at least one air-tight, foil-sealed cavity containing medicament is disclosed. An actuator is engagable with a separating element attached to the foil, the actuator having an energized position in which it is biased towards an unloaded position so as to cause the separating element and attached foil to be moved away from the cavity. A latch has a first position, in which it latches the actuator in said energized position, wherein the latch is at least partly arranged in a flow path such that an inhalation flow through the flow path affects the latch to move from the first position to the second position. A method of dispensing a medicament from a sealed cavity inside an inhaler is also disclosed. |
| US09095667B2 |
Syringe cap
The invention relates to a syringe cap (1) for a medical syringe (28), having two cap parts (2, 3) displaceable toward each other, wherein a motion of the cap parts (2, 3) toward each other takes place when the syringe cap (1) is first removed from the syringe (28). In order to disclose a syringe cap for a medical syringe, wherein a first use can be advantageously determined and handling is simple, according to the invention an indicator element is displaced into a display setting and the display element (6) can be removed from the syringe (28) together with the cap parts (2, 3) of the syringe cap (1). |
| US09095664B2 |
Method and system for providing priming and restitution liquids for an extracorporeal blood treatment
A blood treatment system is primed with a replacement liquid that flows directly into the access line of the blood circuit. The replacement liquid may be replacement fluid or blood stored in the replacement bag or the pre-blood pump (PBP) bag. These replacement liquids from the replacement and PBP bags are also used during blood treatment. These replacement liquids are blood or a replacement fluid and, particularly, have electrolyte levels the same as or similar to the electrolyte levels in the vascular blood of the patient. |
| US09095663B2 |
Biological fluid filtration unit provided with an offset inlet and/or outlet member
A filtration unit intended to allow the selective elimination of target substances from a fluid such as flood or a blood component, has an outer envelope formed from two flexible sheets joined together over their periphery along a bond line so as to define an inner volume, the envelope containing a filtering medium which delimits, on both sides of the bond line, an inlet compartment of the fluid to be filtered and an outlet compartment of the filtrate, each of the compartments being provided with an element—respectively an inlet and outlet element—for bringing the compartment into communication with the outside, the elements being connected between the sheets and comprising a flow channel that passes through the bond line, the unit being characterized in that at least one channel is offset relative to the bond line towards the compartment with which the channel is in communication. |
| US09095662B2 |
Blood storage bag system and depletion devices with oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion capabilities
A blood storage system. The system has a collection bag for red blood cells; an oxygen/carbon dioxide depletion device; a storage bag for red blood cells; and tubing connecting the collection bag to the depletion device and the depletion device to the storage bag. The depletion device includes a receptacle of a solid material having an inlet and an outlet adapted to receiving and expelling a flushing gas; a plurality of hollow fibers or gas-permeable films extending within the receptacle from an entrance to an exit thereof. The hollow fibers or gas-permeable films are adapted to receiving and conveying red blood cells. |
| US09095660B2 |
Disposable double point injection needle and an insulin injection system comprising a disposable double point injection needle
A disposable double pointed injection needle has a needle hub to which a thin needle cannula is permanently fastened and which needle hub can be mounted on to a syringe comprising a dose setting and injection mechanism and a cartridge containing a liquid medicine to be injected subcutaneously into a human body. The needle hub is provided with a safety shield guided on the needle hub. The safety shield is urged in a direction away from the needle hub by a spring located between the needle hub and the safety shield. After injection the shield is moved away from the needle hub by the spring and locked in an irreversible position where the safety shield covers the needle cannula and prevents accidental needle stick injuries. |
| US09095658B2 |
Medicament delivery device
A medicament delivery device includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, in turn comprising a distal housing part, and a medicament container holder, adapted to receive a medicament container; a dose setting drum for setting a dose when rotated in a first direction and for delivering a dose when rotated in a second direction, and a drive drum sleeve selectively operably connectable to a piston plunger for delivering a dose. |
| US09095655B2 |
Apparatus for peritoneal dialysis
This invention relates to a device for peritoneal dialysis with a means for the regular discharge and reuptake of dialysate, which comprises a conduit with a catheter, wherein a measurement bag is present, in which dialysate can be introduced, wherein first means are provided, with which the static pressure in the conduit between catheter and measurement bag can be determined, and second means are provided, by means of which the dialysate volume flow can be introduced into the measurement bag for a certain period. In accordance with the invention, third means are present, by means of which the volume of the dialysate introduced into the measurement bag can be determined, and furthermore fourth means are present, by which the catheter resistance substantially can be calculated from the values determined by the first to third means. |
| US09095653B2 |
Method for the timed dosage of medicaments
The invention relates to a method for the controlled dosage of a medicament as a function of time by means of a method for the determination of a corresponding dosage profile and corresponding control of a dosage instrument. |
| US09095646B2 |
Devices and methods for transnasal dilation and irrigation of the sinuses
A medical device, and a system and packaged kit containing the medical device for the treatment of a sinus opening is described. The medical device comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft system having an inflation lumen and an irrigation lumen the proximal and. The shaft system has a proximal shaft section and a distal shaft section. An inflatable balloon is attached to the distal shaft section in a position that is proximal to said distal end. The irrigation tip is distal to the balloon on the distal shaft section and has a tip opening and one or more radially facing openings. A method for treating a sinus opening includes inserting a system that includes the medical device, a sinus guide catheter and a sinus guide element into a patient's anatomy, dilating the sinus opening and irrigating a target in the nasal anatomy. |
| US09095644B2 |
Fluid collector
A fluid collector has a container, a T-tube, a first screw unit and a second screw unit. The T-tube is connected to the container and has a main pipe and a branch pipe. The first screw unit is mounted in an outlet end of the main pipe. The second screw unit is mounted in a connecting end of the branch pipe, which is connected to the main pipe. The branch pipe has a detecting opening far from the connecting end and connects to a detecting device. By changing the length of the first and second screw units, different detecting values of the pressure are adjusted according to containers with different capacities. Moreover, with the flowing resistance resulting from the first and second screw units, different pressure variations are performed when liquid or air passes through the T-tube. Therefore, massive hemorrhage is clearly identified to keep the patient safe. |
| US09095642B2 |
Implant for releasing an active substance into a vessel through which a body medium flows
An implant for releasing an active substance into a vessel through which a body medium flows. The implant release an active substance into a vessel through which a body medium flows downstream from the location of the implant. A base of a biodegradable material is a carrier of the active substance to be released. The body medium flows past the implant and the active substance is release. The implant is configured so that the active substance does not contact a vessel wall at the location of implant. |
| US09095638B2 |
System and method for temperature control in a temperature processing machine for food product containers
A control system for controlling a machine for the temperature processing of containers for food products, having a movement element for moving containers to be processed on a movement path along which at least one temperature-processing zone is defined, the temperature-processing zone being divided into sub-zones each having a respective injection assembly for injecting processing fluid on the containers and a respective adjusting assembly for setting the temperature of the injected processing fluid. The control system is provided with a control unit coupled to the adjusting assemblies of the sub-zones for regulating the temperature of the processing fluid by performing a prediction of the output temperature of the containers located on the movement path based on a current operating condition of the machine and a past thermal trend for the containers, and controlling the adjusting assemblies based on the predicted output temperature. |
| US09095636B2 |
Catalytic substrates and methods for creating catalytic coatings for indoor air quality applications
A catalytic device for removal of airborne volatile compounds from air includes a substrate and an electrodeposited catalytic coating. The substrate has a surface. The electrodeposited catalytic coating is on the surface of the substrate. The electrodeposited catalytic coating includes a catalyst that is capable of interacting with airborne volatile compounds. The electrodeposited catalytic coating has a multimodal porosity distribution. |
| US09095632B2 |
Methods for cleaning and tenderizing animal meat with shock waves
This invention includes methods for cleaning and tenderizing animal meat with shock waves by submerging animal meat in a volume of fluid in a treatment tank including a shock wave applicator with a focal volume in the volume of fluid, and applying a pressure shock wave pulses to the animal meat from the shock wave applicator in sufficient amounts to eliminate biological contaminants and/or tenderize the animal meat. |
| US09095631B2 |
Tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds for use in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
The invention relates to a new class of compounds with high affinity and selectivity towards P-glycoprotein. The invention also relates to the utilization of such compounds in the in vivo diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and as medicaments for use in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease involving P-glycoprotein. |
| US09095628B2 |
Pro-drug form (P2PDOX) of the highly potent 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin conjugated to antibodies for targeted therapy of cancer
Disclosed are methods, compositions and uses of conjugates of prodrug forms of 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin (P2PDox) with antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof (ADCs), with targetable construct peptides or with other targeting molecules that are capable of delivering the P2PDox to a targeted cell, tissue or pathogen. Once delivered to the target cell, the ADC or peptide conjugate is internalized, a highly toxic 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin (2-PDox) is released intracellularly. The P2PDox-peptide or ADC conjugates are of use to treat a wide variety of diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune disease or infectious disease. |
| US09095626B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies to dendritic cells
Isolated human monoclonal antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof which specifically bind to dendritic cells are disclosed. Also disclosed are bispecifics, immunotoxins and antigen conjugates which include the antibodies or antibody portions. The human antibodies can be produced in a non-human transgenic animal, e.g., a transgenic mouse, capable of producing multiple isotypes of human monoclonal antibodies by undergoing V-D-J recombination and isotype switching. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the human antibodies, non-human transgenic animals and hybridomas which produce the human antibodies, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the human antibodies. |
| US09095618B2 |
Conjugates of a polymer, a bisphosphonate and an anti-angiogenesis agent and uses thereof in the treatment and monitoring of bone related diseases
Conjugates of polymers or copolymers having attached thereto an anti-angiogenesis agent and a bisphosphonate bone targeting agent, and processes of preparing same, are disclosed.Pharmaceutical compositions containing these conjugates and uses thereof in the treatment of bone related disorders are also disclosed. |
| US09095615B2 |
Tamper resistant dosage forms
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical dosage forms, for example to a tamper resistant dosage form including an opioid analgesic, and processes of manufacture, uses, and methods of treatment thereof. |
| US09095614B2 |
Tamper resistant dosage forms
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical dosage forms, for example to a tamper resistant dosage form including an opioid analgesic, and processes of manufacture, uses, and methods of treatment thereof. |
| US09095613B2 |
Photosensitizer-metal nanoparticle charge complex and composition containing the complex for photodynamic therapy or diagnosis
Provided are a photosensitizer-metal nanoparticle charge complex and a composition for photodynamic therapy or diagnosis containing the same. The complex includes a metal nanoparticle, a photosensitizer charged with a first charge, and a linker bound to the metal nanoparticle and charged with a second charge having an opposite polarity to the first charge. During circulation in blood, the photosensitizer-metal nanoparticle charge complex is maintained in a complex type, and thus duration of a side effect of photosensitivity can be reduced. In a tumor tissue, the complex is specifically accumulated, but in a normal tissue, it is difficult for the complex to penetrate. Thus, the complex can selectively destroy the tumor tissue. Moreover, selective fluorescence in the tumor tissue can provide further improvement in accuracy of diagnosing a tumor using the complex. |
| US09095612B2 |
Halogenated compounds for photodynamic therapy
Halo-organic heterocyclic compounds are described, in which at least two halogen atoms are bound to a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic terminal moiety of the compound, with at least one of such halogen atoms being iodine or bromine. Also described are polymethine dyes based on these heterocyclic compounds, and dendrimeric compounds and conjugates of such polymethine dyes. The polymethine dyes are characterized by enhanced properties, e.g., brightness, photostability, sensitivity and/or selective affinity that make them useful to target cancer cells, pathogenic microorganisms, and/or other biological materials, in applications such as photodynamic therapy, photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT), cancer treatment, selective removal or attachment of biological materials, antimicrobial coating materials, and other diagnostic, theranostic, spectrum shifting, deposition/growth, and analytic applications. |
| US09095610B2 |
Uniform field magnetization and targeting of therapeutic formulations
Systems and methods for magnetic targeting of therapeutic particles are provided. Therapeutic particles comprise one or more magnetic or magnetizable materials and at least one therapeutic agent. Therapeutic particles are specifically targeted using uniform magnetic fields capable of magnetizing magnetizable materials, and can be targeted to particular locations in the body, or can be targeted for capture, containment, and removal. Also provided are bioresorbable nanoparticles prepared without the use of organic solvents, and methods for therapeutically using such bioresorbable nanoparticles. |
| US09095608B2 |
Immunostimulatory regimen comprising administering type 1 interferon and agonistic anti-CD40 antibody
A synergistic adjuvant is provided comprising synergistically effective amounts of at least one type 1 interferon and at least one CD40 agonist, wherein these moieties may be in the same or separate compositions. In addition, fusion proteins and DNA conjugates which contain a type 1 interferon/CD40 agonist/antigen combination are provided. The use of these compositions, protein and DNA conjugates as immune adjuvants for treatment of various chronic diseases such as HIV infection and for enhancing the efficacy of vaccines (prophylactic and therapeutic) is also provided. |
| US09095606B1 |
Molecular and herbal combinations for treating psoriasis
A treatment regimen for psoriasis includes administering to a patient diagnosed with psoriasis periodic doses of a combination including Sheng Di Huang, Da Huang and Jin Yin Hua, or a combination of the above with Mu Dan Pi, Di Gu Pi, Xian He Cao and Chun Gen Pi. |
| US09095605B2 |
Composition for preventing virus infection comprising poly-gamma-glutamic acid
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting or preventing viral infection, which comprises an effective dose of poly-gamma-glutamic acid (γ-PGA), and more particularly, to a pharmaceutical composition, a functional food, and a feedstuff additive capable of inhibiting viral infection and preventing viral diseases, which comprise poly-gamma-glutamic acid having an infection-inhibiting effect against viruses, such as an influenza virus, inducing respiratory infection or systemic infection, as an effective ingredient.The composition containing poly-gamma-glutamic acid as an effective ingredient according to the present invention, is effective for use as an animal feedstuff additive or a pharmaceutical agent for preventing influenza virus infection and various viral diseases as well as a pharmaceutical composition and a functional food to promote human health. |
| US09095598B2 |
Stilbenoid derivatives and their uses
The present invention generally provides stilbenoid derivatives and methods for using stilbenoid derivatives to modulate the activity of cannabinoid receptors or scavenge reactive nitrogen species. |
| US09095595B2 |
Composition comprising parasite eggs and methods for isolation and storage of parasite eggs
The invention relates to a composition for storage and development of eggs from helminthic parasites, where the composition further comprises a liquid carrier having a pH value of below 7 at a temperature of from 10C to ambient temperature. The liquid carrier can be sulphuric acid, H2SO4 with a pH in the range of from 0 to 2, and antibiotics can be added. The invention further relates to a method for treating, ameliorating, prophylactic or curative, an autoimmune or allergic disease in an individual, animal or man, using eggs being separated from the composition. The present invention also relates to methods for isolation, embryonation and preservation of eggs of helminthic parasite, and to a method for producing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a helminthic parasite preparation. The helminthic parasite eggs may be from the pig whipworm; Trichuris suis ova (TSO). |
| US09095591B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of glaucoma
The present invention relates to a compound which is an antagonist of CXCR3 or an inhibitor of the CXCR3 receptor expression for the treatment of glaucoma. |
| US09095589B2 |
Chirally pure isomers of itraconazole for use as angiogenesis inhibitors
Described herein are methods of inhibiting angiogenesis, and treating and preventing disorders associated with angiogenesis by administering anti-angiogenesis compounds to a subject. |
| US09095587B2 |
Methods and compositions for improved nerve conduction velocity
The present invention provides methods and compositions for the effective treatment of impaired nerve signal conduction. Compositions including selective AT2 receptor antagonists as active agents and methods of use in relation to improving nerve signal conduction or reversing impaired nerve signal conduction are described. |
| US09095586B2 |
System for obfuscating identity
Compositions, apparatus, systems, kits, and methods for obfuscating the nucleic acid and/or protein content of an environment. |
| US09095583B2 |
RORgammaT inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds according to Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. Such compounds can be used in the treatment of RORgammaT-mediated diseases or condition. |
| US09095582B2 |
Substituted aryloxazoles and their use
The present application relates to novel substituted aryloxazole derivatives, to processes for their preparation, to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, preferably for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. |
| US09095581B2 |
Combinations of MEK inhibitors and Raf kinase inhibitors and uses thereof
This invention concerns combinations of inhibitors of MEK, Raf protein kinases, and other kinases including VEGFR1-3 and PDGFR-β. This invention also concerns pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds described herein and methods of use of the compounds and compositions described herein, including the use in the treatment and/or prevention of cancer and other hyperproliferative disorders. |
| US09095578B2 |
Adenylyl cyclases as novel targets for the treatment of infection by eukaryotic pathogens
The present invention relates to a method of preventing or treating a disease caused by infection by a eukaryotic pathogen, wherein the method comprises administering an effective amount of a modulator of a eukaryotic pathogen's adenylyl cyclase. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions useful for preventing or treating a disease, with the compositions containing a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of a eukaryotic pathogen's adenylyl cyclase. The invention also provides screening methods for identifying selective modulators of a eukaryotic pathogen's adenylyl cyclase that do not substantially modulate an adenylyl cyclase of the subject. The invention also provides methods for culturing eukaryotic pathogens and methods for inducing the pathogenic state in vitro. |
| US09095574B2 |
Methods of treating psoriasis using allantoin
Embodiments herein provide formulations and methods for treatment of inflammatory skin diseases using allantoin in an amount from about 0.5% to about 15.0% by weight. Inflammatory skin diseases treated by embodiments herein include, without limitation, cutaneous porphyria, sclerodema, epidermolysis bulosa, psoriasis, decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, sickle cell ulcers, ulcers caused by burns, eczema, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiform, contact dermatitis, arthritis, gout, lupus erythematosus, acne, alopecia, carcinomas, psoriasis, rosacea, miliaria, skin infections, post-operative care of incisions, post-operative skin care following any variety of plastic surgery operations, skin care following radiation treatment, care of dry, cracked or aged skin and skin lines as well as other conditions affecting the skin and having an inflammatory component, symptoms thereof, or a combination thereof. Symptoms treated may include pain, inflammation, redness, itching, scarring, skin thickening, milia, or a combination thereof. |
| US09095572B2 |
Pro-neurogenic compounds
This technology relates generally to compounds and methods for stimulating neurogenesis (e.g., post-natal neurogenesis, including post-natal hippocampal and hypothalamic neurogenesis) and/or protecting neuronal cell from cell death. Various compounds are disclosed herein. In vivo activity tests suggest that these compounds may have therapeutic benefits in neuropsychiatric and/or neurodegenerative diseases such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, normal aging, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, spinocerebellar ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, stroke, radiation therapy, chronic stress, abuse of a neuro-active drug, retinal degeneration, spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injury, physiological weight loss associated with various conditions, as well as cognitive decline associated with normal aging, chemotherapy, and the like. |
| US09095571B2 |
Pro-neurogenic compounds
This invention relates generally to stimulating neurogenesis (e.g., post-natal neurogenesis, e.g., post-natal hippocampal neurogenesis) and protecting from neuron cell death. |
| US09095569B2 |
Methods of generating and using procollagen
A method of promoting wound healing, treating fibrosis and/or promoting angiogenesis is provided. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a procollagen, thereby promoting wound healing, treating fibrosis and/or promoting angiogenesis in the subject. |
| US09095566B1 |
Eyelash and eyelid margin infections
The present invention relates to compositions comprising silver nanoparticles for treating eyelash and eyelid margin infections and to methods of treating eyelash and eyelid margin infections, including infections by fungi, mites (e.g., Demodex folliculorum) and lice (e.g., Pediculus humanus capitis). We describe exemplary compositions, which may be formulated as a mascara for enhancing the appearance of the eyes, and their use in treatment of such infections. |
| US09095559B2 |
Methods of therapeutic monitoring of nitrogen scavenging drugs
The present disclosure provides methods for evaluating daily ammonia exposure based on a single fasting ammonia blood level measurement, as well as methods that utilize this technique to adjust the dosage of a nitrogen scavenging drug, determine whether to administer a nitrogen scavenging drug, and treat nitrogen retention disorders. |
| US09095558B2 |
Anti-adhesive barrier membrane using alginate and hyaluronic acid for biomedical applications
A non-synthetic, hydrophilic, biodegradable, biocompatible polysaccharide based non-toxic anti-adhesion hydrogel barrier is disclosed herein. The barrier of the present invention is formed by constructing a unique interpenetrating, crosslinked network with a unique porosity. Furthermore, the barrier of the present invention is comprised of tunable biopolymers for controllable mechanical robustness and degradation. The barrier of the present invention effectively reduces unwanted adhesions using non-synthetic components. |
| US09095554B2 |
Breeding, production, processing and use of specialty cannabis
The invention provides compositions and methods for the breeding, production, processing and use of specialty cannabis. |
| US09095549B2 |
Diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer
The invention relates to a method of diagnosis of colorectal cancer in a diagnostic sample of a valid body tissue taken from a human subject, which comprises detecting an increased concentration of a protein in the diagnostic sample, compared with a control, normal human sample, the protein being: transforming growth factor-beta induced protein IG-H3 (SwissProt Acc. No. Q15582); suppressor of G2 allele of SKP1 homolog (isoform 2) (SwissProt Acc. No. Q9Y2Z0-2); hypothetical protein (part of URG4) (SwissProt Acc. No. Q9NWR7); calponin-2 (SwissProt Acc. No. Q99439); heat shock protein HSP90-beta (SwissProt Acc. No. P08238); phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (SwissProt Acc. No. P18669); serpin C1 protein (SwissProt Acc. No. P01008); or haptoglobin precursor (SwissProt Acc. No. P00738); or a decreased concentration of a protein in the diagnostic sample, compared with a control, normal human sample, the protein being serotransferrin (SwissProt Acc. No. P02787); 26S proteasome subunit p40.5 (Swiss Prot Acc. No. Q9UNM7); aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (SwissProt Acc. No. O60218); fructosamine-3-kinase (SwissProt Acc. No. Q9H479); peripherin (SwissProt Acc. No. P41219); alpha-2-macroglobulin (SwissProt Acc. No. P01023); serpin C1 protein (SwissProt Acc. No. P01008); or apolipoprotein A IV (SwissProt Acc. No. P06727). The same proteins can be used for prognosis by detecting changes in their concentration in the course of treatment for colorectal cancer. |
| US09095544B2 |
Otic composition for companion animals
The invention relates to a composition containing cetrimide suitable for cleaning inflamed or non-inflamed ears of animals, preferably of companion animals such as dogs and cats. The composition further comprises one or more carriers, such as for example wetting agents and humectants. |
| US09095542B2 |
Modified sodium-montmorillonite, preparation method and uses thereof
Provided are a modified Na-montmorillonite and a preparation method thereof, wherein the content of Na+ in the modified sodium-montmorillonite, calculated as Na2O, is not less than 2.0%. The modified Na-montmorillonite has more reasonable microstructure, higher performance, and better quality. Also provided are a method for preparing a modified nanometered Na-montmorillonite from the modified Na-montmorillonite, and the modified nanometered Na-montmorillonite obtained by the method. Also provided are uses and a pharmaceutical composition of the modified Na-montmorillonite or modified nanometered Na-montmorillonite. |
| US09095535B2 |
GABA release-regulating agent in cerebellum
A GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) release-inhibiting agent in the cerebellum and a composition for treating pathological symptoms caused by over-release of GABA in the cerebellum, each comprising a Bestrophin 1 (Best1) channel inhibitor as an active ingredient; a GABA release-promoting agent in the cerebellum and a composition for treating pathological symptoms caused by the deficit of GABA in the cerebellum, each comprising a Best1 channel activator as an active ingredient; and a method for screening a GABA release-regulating agent in the cerebellum, which uses Best1 channel as target, are provided. |
| US09095534B2 |
Intermittent dosing of nitric oxide gas
A method and corresponding device are described for combating microbes and infections by delivering intermittent high doses of nitric oxide to a mammal for a period of time and which cycles between high and low concentration of nitric oxide gas. The high concentration of nitric oxide is preferably delivered intermittently for brief periods of time that are interspersed with periods of time with either no nitric oxide delivery or lower concentrations of nitric oxide. The method is advantageous because at higher concentration, nitric oxide gas overwhelms the defense mechanism of pathogens that use the mammalian body to replenish their thiol defense system. A lower dose or concentration of nitric oxide gas delivered in between the bursts of high concentration nitric oxide maintains nitrosative stress pressure on the pathogens and also reduces the risk of toxicity of nitric oxide gas. |
| US09095533B2 |
Antigen-presenting complex-binding compositions and uses thereof
A composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen is disclosed. |
| US09095528B2 |
Cosmetic composition comprising at least two volatile linear alkanes and at least one nonprotein cationic polymer
Composition containing, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, two or more volatile linear alkanes, and one or more nonprotein cationic polymers, with a volatile linear alkanes/polymer(s) ratio by weight of greater than or equal to 1.2. Use in the treatment of keratinous substances, preferably keratinous fibres, such as the hair. |
| US09095523B2 |
High frequency application of botulinum toxin therapy
The present invention relates to methods for treating diseases and disorders by administering a composition containing the neurotoxic component of a Clostridium botulinum toxin complex, wherein the composition is devoid of any other protein of the Clostridium botulinum toxin complex and wherein the composition is administered at short intervals and/or in high doses. |
| US09095518B2 |
Methods for fixing hair and skin
Compositions, kits, and methods for repairing bonds, for example, disulfide bonds, in hair or on the skin are disclosed. The compositions provide improved conditioning benefit for dry hair or moisturize the skin. The compositions also provide a long lasting moisturized feel and smooth feel to the skin or hair, without feeling greasy. The compositions contain one or more compounds that covalently bind at least two thiol groups in the hair or on the skin. Use of the binding compositions prevents reversion of the repaired bonds to their free thiol state, for at least one week or one month, or more, after a single application of the composition. Improved methods of styling hair, for example permanent hair waving, hair curling, hair coloring or highlighting, and hair straightening, are also provided. |
| US09095516B2 |
Process to form an orally disintegrating tablet for human use
The present invention pertains to a process for the preparation of an orally disintegrating tablet for administration to a human subject, the tablet containing a medicinal substance to treat a disorder of the human subject, comprising the steps of providing a fluid formulation comprising the medicinal substance, providing a solid element having formed therein at least one cavity, cooling the solid element to a temperature below a freezing temperature of the formulation, filling the cavity with the fluid formulation, solidifying the formulation while present in the cavity by extracting heat from the formulation through a cavity wall by conduction, to form a solid pellet comprising the medicinal substance without actively shaping the entire surface of the pellet, taking the pellet out of the cavity, and drying the pellet in a vacuum to obtain the tablet. The invention also pertains to the tablet itself and a package comprising such a tablet. |
| US09095514B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition
The present invention relates to a parenteral pharmaceutical composition comprising therapeutically effective amounts of N-(2-pyrazine)carbonyl-L-phenylalanine-L-leucine boronic acid or its salts or its derivatives and tromethamine wherein the composition is stable. |
| US09095508B2 |
Composite material, in particular a dental filling material, ultrasonic curing of dental filing materials, and a population of zirconia particles
Example embodiments relate to a composite material exhibiting a low or even negligible volumetric shrinkage upon curing, or even a small expansion (e.g. up to 0.5%), in particular composite materials in the form of dental filling materials. Example embodiments also relate to a method of controlling volumetric shrinkage of a composite material upon curing, and to a method of reconstructing a tooth. Example embodiments also relate to ultrasonic curing of dental filling materials. Example embodiments further relate to a population of zirconia particles and methods for preparing such zirconia particles (e.g. zirconia in the tetragonal phase or zirconia in the cubic phase). The martensitic transformation of the filler ingredients is, e.g., triggered by application of ultrasound or by a chemical trigger. |
| US09095506B2 |
Biodegradable alpha-2 agonist polymeric implants and therapeutic uses thereof
Biocompatible intraocular implants include an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a polymer associated with the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist to facilitate release of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist into an eye for an extended period of time. The alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. The implants can be placed in an eye to treat one or more ocular conditions, such as an ocular vasculopathy or glaucoma, including reduction of an elevated intraocular pressure. |
| US09095503B2 |
System and method for biphasic transdermal iontophreotic delivery of therapeutic agents
Various embodiments provide methods and systems for the biphasic iontophoretic transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents. An embodiment of a method for such delivery comprises positioning at least one electrode assembly in electrical communication with a patient's skin. The assembly includes a solution comprising a therapeutic agent which passively diffuses into the skin. A dose of agent is delivered from the assembly into the skin during a first period using a first current having a characteristic e.g., polarity and magnitude, to repel the agent out of the assembly. During a second period, a second current having a characteristic to attract the agent is used to retain the agent in the assembly such that delivery of agent into skin is minimized. A dose of agent may be delivered on demand by an input from the patient. Embodiments may be used for delivery of agents which cause adverse effects from unwanted passive diffusion. |
| US09095501B2 |
Soother
A soother comprising a teat and a shield is constructed by co-molding the teat and the shield and over-molding the teat material on the shield material. As a result a secure bond is formed and a simple and easily cleanable soother is provided. |
| US09095495B2 |
Device and system for determining, preparing and administering therapeutically effective doses
The present invention relates to a system and method for dispensing a therapeutically effective amount of dosage containing a medicament including an instrument for inputting data from a user, analyzing the inputted data to determine an appropriate amount of medicament to be administered to the user, and a dispenser for sizing and dispensing a therapeutically effective amount of the medicament. The medicament may be in the form of a continuous roll of oral thin film including the medicament. |
| US09095493B2 |
Apparatus having a fluid drainage system
A representative spa apparatus includes a basin having a drainage opening. The drainage opening is located at the lowest point of the basin so that water can be drained. The spa apparatus further includes a basin structure that houses the basin, a chair that is attached to the basin structure and a fluid drainage system that includes a drainage element and an external control element. The drainage element is coupled to the drainage opening and the external control element controls the drainage element to open and shut the drainage opening. The external control element is attached to the basin structure remote from the basin. |
| US09095492B2 |
Exercise device and system
A bilateral upper limb exercise device (10) for exercising a user's arms comprising a central mounting structure (12) that is mountable to a fixed surface or structure (15), left and right limb supports (14a, 14b) for supporting the forearm and/or hand of a respective arm of the user, and a pair of articulated linkage arms (22a, 22b) that are pivotably coupled to opposite sides of the central mounting structure (12) and which are arranged to support a respective limb support (14a, 14b) for movement in at least two degrees of freedom in a two-dimensional (2D) movement plane. A mirroring mechanism is also operatively coupled to the articulated linkage arms (22a, 22b) such that movement of the opposing limb support relative to a central line of symmetry of the device. |
| US09095491B2 |
Muscle treatment device
Muscle treatment devices and methods are described for applying pressure to and facilitating the stretch of muscles in a body. The muscle treatment device preferably includes an elongate shaft, an intermediate member engaged to the shaft, and at least one muscle treatment member engaged to both the shaft and intermediate member such that in use, the at least one muscle treatment member is prevented from rotating around the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In a method if using the device to facilitating the stretch of muscles in a body, a patient preferably shortens the muscle being treated, applies angular pressure to the muscle by contacting skin tissue such that it directly affects and/or pins the underlying targeted muscular structure of the muscle with the outer surface of the at least one muscle treatment member, and then lengthens the muscle. |
| US09095487B2 |
Cap panel shelf
A casket may include a casket shell, at least one casket cap pivotally mounted on the casket shell, a cap panel inserted in a cavity formed by a bottom surface of the at least one casket cap, a plurality of puffing members attached to the edges of the cap panel, and a cap panel shelf mounted on the bottom surface of the casket cap. The cap panel shelf may be mounted on the casket cap by using wooden dowels. The cap panel shelf may be mounted on the casket cap by using mounting brackets positioned in between a puffing member on the bottom edge of the cap panel and the cap panel. A hinged support may be fastened to the bottom surface of the cap panel shelf to retain the cap panel shelf at a desired position. |
| US09095484B1 |
Wheelchair leg guard
A wheelchair leg guard that has a leg rest portion, a foot rest portion that extends from the leg rest portion, and a foot rest strap that extends from a first end to a second end. The first end of the foot rest strap is attached or coupled to the foot rest portion proximate a first end of the foot rest portion and the second end the foot rest strap is attached or coupled to the foot rest portion proximate a second end of the foot rest portion. A portion of the foot rest strap is releasably secured to a portion of the foot rest portion via interaction of a securing element attached or coupled to the foot rest portion and the foot rest strap. Side guards extend between and are attached or coupled to both the foot rest portion and the leg rest portion. |
| US09095482B2 |
Lift system
Embodiments of the invention comprise a self-supporting platform style lift system operating from a transport position to a lifting position for assisting in egress and ingress from a vehicle. In a lifting position, a platform member extends from a rotating frame capable of axial rotation about a vehicle frame. A ground frame, lifting frame, and platform frame system allow the platform member to be raised and lowered to the vehicle. The point at which the platform frame and lifting frame make contact with the ground provides support for applied loads on the platform member, thereby reducing stress and strain on the frame of a vehicle. In a transport position, the platform member extends parallel with the face of the vehicle. |
| US09095481B2 |
Pad, in particular for use in the nursing care and hospital sector
A pad, in particular for use in the nursing care and hospital sector, has an elastic spacer textile, which is surrounded by an elastic foam body, a separating layer being arranged between the foam body and the spacer textile. The pad can be produced with any desired outer contour by foaming the foam body onto the spacer textile, an uncontrolled penetration of the foam body into the spacer textile and an undesired increase in the compression hardness connected therewith being avoided by the separating layer. The pad is accordingly very comfortable to sit and/or lie on. |
| US09095479B2 |
Disposable absorbent product with coated element and related methods
A disposable absorbent product includes a topsheet defining an interior face of the disposable absorbent product configured to face a wearer thereof during use. A backsheet overlays the topsheet, with the backsheet defining an exterior face of the disposable absorbent product configured to face away from the wearer during use. An absorbent core is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet for storing fluid secreted by the wearer of the disposable absorbent product. The absorbent core includes at least one absorbent structure and a wrapping element that envelops the at least one absorbent structure. The wrapping element has a main substrate layer and an adhesive coating layer thereon that is substantially adhered to the substrate layer and which defines an impermeable film layer on the substrate. |
| US09095474B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing absorbent article and method for manufacturing absorbent article
An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article includes a guide member that guides an elastic member fed on a web configuring a component of the absorbent article and being conveyed in a continuous state. The guide member includes: an arm member having a tip portion that is a feeding position of the elastic member to the web, and a base portion separated from the tip portion; a first driving member that swings the arm member about the base portion of the arm member as a rotational axis; and a second driving member that performs a back and forth movement of the arm member and the first driving member in a first direction in which the tip portion is close to a contact point where the elastic member is in contact with the web, and a second direction in which the tip portion is separated from the contact point. |
| US09095473B2 |
Process for manufacturing a package of folded absorbent articles, and package made thereby
A process for manufacturing a package of folded absorbent articles is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of absorbent cores, and embossing at least one fold line into each core, each fold line defining a fold region. The process further includes folding each core along the fold region of each fold line to create a plurality of folded absorbent garments, and placing the plurality of folded absorbent garments into a container. In particular embodiments, each core can include two transversely opposed absorbent ears. The process can include folding each core along the fold region of each fold line to move each ear closer to a longitudinal centerline of the core to create a plurality of folded absorbent garments. A package of folded absorbent articles is also disclosed. |
| US09095472B2 |
Disposable absorbent pants with advantageous stretch and manufacturability features, and methods for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a disposable absorbent pant includes conveying a first nonwoven web along a machine direction, applying an opposing pair of pre-strained elastic members, laminating a second nonwoven web, cutting the first elasticized multilayer web along two cutting paths, laminating a third nonwoven web, affixing central chassis structures, and cutting the second elasticized multilayer web. |
| US09095471B2 |
Pre-emptive fluid shifts to treat obstructive sleep apnea
A method of treating obstructive sleep apnea comprising reducing an effective amount of extracellular fluid of a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. |
| US09095461B2 |
Aorta and branch vessel stent grafts and method
An endoluminal vascular repair system includes an aorta stent graft having a fenestration with a first reinforcement around the fenestration. The fenestration aligns with a branch vessel when deployed. A branch vessel stent graft has a flaring portion at a proximal end of the branch vessel prosthesis that has a second reinforcement around its circumference to engage the reinforcement around the fenestration, and a tubular portion. When deployed, the flaring portion retains the proximal end within the aorta stent graft, and the tubular portion extends through the fenestration and into the branch vessel. |
| US09095460B2 |
Procedures for vascular occlusion
A method of reducing blood flow within an aneurysm includes: injecting a contrast agent into a blood vessel including an aneurysm; deploying an occlusion device across the aneurysm; producing an image of the aneurysm including the contrast agent; and withdrawing the delivery device from the vessel after observing that the aneurysm has been obstructed by a desired amount. The image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Observing that the aneurysm has been obstructed may include determining a degree of obstruction, for example by comparing an area or volume of the contrast agent in a first image and a second image. The desired amount may be a certain degree of obstruction, identification of a shape indicative of stasis such as a flat surface, an approximate hemisphere, a mushroom, or a crescent. If the occlusion device does not achieve the desired amount, a second occluding device may be deployed. |
| US09095459B2 |
Stent with drug coat layer including a gradual stepwise decrease portion
A stent able to minimize occurrences of strain and stress concentration in a drug coat layer upon expansive deformation of the stent in a radial direction to avoid the possibility of the drug separating from the stent, includes a stent body and a drug coating layer coated on the outside surface of the stent body so that the thickness of the drug coating layer gradually decreases toward a bent portion of the stent. |
| US09095452B2 |
Disassembly tool
A disassembly tool for disassembly of a first component of a prosthesis to a second component of the prosthesis for use in joint arthroplasty. The tool includes a first member having a radial portion operably associated with the first component and adapted to exert a radial force on the first component. A second member operably associated with the second component is also included and the second member has a second member longitudinal axis. A drive mechanism is coupled to the second member, such that as the drive mechanism is activated, the second member exerts a force against the second component in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Such exertion of force against the second member further causes the second member to move relative to the first member along the second member longitudinal axis. |
| US09095451B2 |
Intervertebral disc and insertion methods therefor
A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space. |
| US09095446B2 |
Expandable interbody fusion device
An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer. |
| US09095445B2 |
Vertebral interbody spacer
An interbody spacer includes an elongated body with a maximum width between opposite side walls and a maximum height between upper and lower bearing surfaces. The interbody spacer also includes a leading end nose connecting the side walls to facilitate insertion of the interbody spacer into a disc space between vertebrae in an insertion orientation, from which the interbody device is then rotated to position the upper and lower bearing surfaces in contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae. The leading end nose forms a blunt convex nose between the upper and lower bearing surfaces to maximize the bearing surface area available to contact the adjacent endplates. |
| US09095442B2 |
Method and apparatus for the treatment of the intervertebral disc annulus
The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place. |
| US09095441B2 |
Prothesis for the replacement of a posterior element of a vertebra
Prosthetic replacement for a posterior element of a vertebra comprising portions that replace the natural lamina and the four natural facets. The prosthetic replacement may also include portions that replace one or more of the natural spinous process and the two natural transverse processes. If desired, the prosthesis replacement may also replace the natural pedicles. A method for replacing a posterior element of a vertebra is also provided. |
| US09095440B2 |
Intramedullary arthrodesis nail and method of use
A device is provided including a distal nail portion and a proximal nail portion that can be connected to each other to attain a rigid configuration. The device is placed internally within the medullary cavities of at least two bones forming a joint to accomplish arthrodesis of the joint. The device is placed intramedullarily to minimize incision size, excessive bone resection and post-operative tendon damage and tenderness. Additionally, a method for using the device is provided that includes placing and affixing the distal nail in a bone of a joint, placing the proximal nail in another bone of a joint, connecting the distal nail to the proximal nail, doing the desired geometrical adjustments, affixing the proximal nail to the distal nail by tightening the connection and affixing the proximal nail to the other bone of the joint to attain a rigid configuration. |
| US09095437B2 |
Adjustable orthopedic implant and method for treating an orthopedic condition in a subject
An orthopedic implant is described including at least one adjustment mechanism configured for securing to at least one orthopedic structure of a subject, and at least one motor operatively connected to the at least one adjustment mechanism, wherein the at least one motor is configured to move the at least one adjustment mechanism in at least three degrees of freedom. |
| US09095436B2 |
Adjustable orthopedic implant and method for treating an orthopedic condition in a subject
An orthopedic implant is described including at least one adjustment mechanism configured for securing to at least one orthopedic structure of a subject, and at least one motor operatively connected to the at least one adjustment mechanism, wherein the at least one motor is configured to move the at least one adjustment mechanism in at least three degrees of freedom. |
| US09095432B2 |
Collapsible prosthetic valve having an internal cover
A prosthetic valve is provided for implantation in a stenosed aortic valve. The prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible frame configured for advancement through a patient's vasculature using a catheterization technique. A collapsible valvular structure is sewn to the frame for permitting blood to flow in only one direction. An internal cover extends along an internal surface of the frame. The internal cover forms a tubular sleeve positioned between a lower extremity of the frame and the valvular structure. The internal cover prevents the passage of blood through spaces between bars of the frame. An upper end of the internal cover is sutured to the valvular structure. The internal cover is preferably made of pericardium. |
| US09095431B2 |
Invasive cardiac valve
An invasive cardiac valve comprises a tubular stent (1) and a valve (2). One end of the tubular stent (1) is of a frusto-conical structure, the other end is wide open, and the diameter of the open end is greater than the diameter of the frusto-conical end. The valve (2) is attached to the frusto-conical end of the tubular stent (1); and a delivery and retrieval hole (4) of the cardiac valve is provided at the top of the open end of the tubular stent (1). Because the diameter of the open end is greater than the diameter of the frusto-conical end, the cardiac valve can be effectively fixed in a position of aortic annulus to prevent the cardiac valve displacement caused by the impact of the blood flow. Because the valve (2) is attached to the frusto-conical end of the tubular stent (1), the valve (2) can totally avoid the left and right coronary ostia and does not affect the haemodynamics of the coronary artery. Because a delivery and retrieval hole (4) of the cardiac valve is provided at the top of the open end of the tubular stent (1), the cardiac valve can be retrieved and reset at any time by handle control if it is found to be placed in an improper position during the release process. |
| US09095429B2 |
Heart valve prosthesis
A medical device in cardiac surgery for replacement of the diseased native heart valves in humans increases thromboresistance of heart valve prosthesis. A heart valve prosthesis comprising an annular housing with the inner surface defining the blood flow I through the valve prosthesis and leaflets mounted within the annular housing with the possibility to pivot around the reference axis between an open position which allows the passage of the direct blood flow I, and a closed position which restricts the blood backflow II. Each leaflet has an upstream surface facing the direct blood surface I, a downstream surface facing the blood backflow II, a coaptation surface, and a side surface. |
| US09095425B2 |
Modular intraocular lens injector
An injector for inserting an intraocular lens into an eye, comprising a main body (10) and a plunger (50). A guide element (30) is connected to the distal end of the plunger to laterally guide the plunger during movement along a longitudinal axis (L). The distal end of the guide element has a structure for fastening a plunger needle to the guide element. A radial guide pin (40) is in aligned radial bores of the guide element and plunger and extends into a longitudinal slot (17) of the main body to prevent twisting and to secure the guide element to the plunger. A retaining element (24) interacts with a running surface on the perimeter of the plunger, the running surface having a variable radial distance from the longitudinal axis so as to cause an axial resistance force which depends on the axial position of the plunger. |
| US09095421B2 |
Multi-leaflet coupling for branch vessel connection
A prosthesis includes a tubular body of a graft material, a plurality of stents coupled to the tubular body, and a coupling. The coupling has a plurality of overlapping leaflets successively coupled to the tubular body around an opening formed in the graft material. The leaflets in a non-deployed configuration lay flush with the graft material of the tubular body and partially cover the opening, and the leaflets in a deployed configuration extend radially outward from the graft material of the tubular body. Delivery and deployment of a branch vessel prosthesis through the opening causes the leaflets to transform from the non-deployed configuration to the deployed configuration, and causes a diameter or width of a passageway defined by the leaflets to increase. Leaflet material properties, as well as size, shape, and sewing patterns on adjacent leaflets may be varied in order to vary the flexibility and/or orientation of the coupling. |
| US09095415B2 |
Method and apparatus for patterned plasma-mediated laser trephination of the lens capsule and three dimensional phaco-segmentation
System and method for making incisions in eye tissue at different depths. The system and method focuses light, possibly in a pattern, at various focal points which are at various depths within the eye issue. A segmented lens can be used to create multiple focal points simultaneously. Optimal incisions can be achieved by sequentially or simultaneously focusing lights at different depths, creating an expanded column of plasma, and creating a beam with an elongated waist. |
| US09095406B2 |
Shape memory controller
An apparatus for selectively opening and closing a body lumen within a patient's body is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate member and a shape memory element. The elongate member is configured to at least partially surround the body lumen and defines a lumen. The shape memory element is disposed of adjacent to the lumen defined by the elongate member. Further, the shape memory element is adapted to change its configuration based on a change in temperature. These changes in the configuration of the shape memory element causes the apparatus to selectively move between a first configuration and a second configuration. |
| US09095404B2 |
Intraocular drug delivery device and associated methods
Devices, systems, and methods for delivery of an active agent into the eye of a subject can include an ocular active agent delivery device (40) having an active agent reservoir (44) disposed in an annular body (42), the annular body (42) being configured to fit inside of a lens capsule and at least partially encircling a line of sight of an intraocular lens within the lens capsule. |
| US09095403B2 |
Dental ceramic coloring liquids
A coloring liquid especially for shading pre-sintered ceramic dental restorations, utilizes a combination of metal salt, solvent and acid to achieve natural tooth coloring of standard dental shades. By adjusting the respective ingredients, different shades can be provided and color penetration can be sufficient to preserve aesthetics in the sintered restoration even when some of the ceramic material is removed. |
| US09095402B2 |
Absorbent device for teeth cleaning and oral surgery
Disclosed is an endotracheal tube having an absorbent device attached so that the absorbent device is able to absorb and block any procedure produced debris. The absorbent device has strings that are attached to a device around an endotracheal tube so that the absorbent device is properly dislodged at the end of the procedure. |
| US09095399B2 |
Dental package, and method of making the package
The present invention is related to a device for providing a dental material. The device has first and second compartments formed between sheet-like layers, and first and second dispensing outlets for the first and second compartments, respectively. For use, the device can be positioned with the compartments overlapping each other and with the dispensing outlets located side by side. The invention may provide a rather inexpensive device which may help a user in a convenient preparation of a dental material. |
| US09095397B2 |
Arrangement for insertion of implants
The invention relates to an arrangement for insertion of an implant, in particular of a dental implant, which has an external thread and can be screwed into a bone by means of a tool, wherein the implant has a receiving opening with an at least partially conical inner face. A pin of an attachment part, which can be connected to the implant after the latter's insertion, can be fitted into the receiving opening. The arrangement is to be further developed such that the insertion of the implant can be performed in a simple and yet functionally reliable manner. For this purpose, it is proposed that a screwing-in tool has a pin with a conical outer face, which pin engages in the receiving opening of the implant, and that the conical outer face is designed corresponding to the conical inner face of the implant, and bears at least partially thereon, such that at least a predetermined part of the torque necessary for screwing in the implant can be transmitted via the self-inhibiting cone connection of the screwing-in tool with the implant. |
| US09095395B2 |
Surgical K-wire and surgical screw system
The present invention relates to a surgical K-wire for guiding a bone screw comprising a longitudinal channel, which said K-wire comprises a proximal and a distal end, wherein a closure element for closing-off the distal end outlet opening of the longitudinal channel of the bone screw is arranged or formed at the distal end.Furthermore, an improved surgical screw system is proposed comprising a bone screw and such a surgical K-wire. |
| US09095394B2 |
Cement delivering device and method
A delivery system includes a reservoir for storing pressurized fluid and a piston rod passing through the reservoir and having an end portion with a dimension larger than the piston rod. A sleeve is configured to engage the end portion of the piston rod such that when the piston rod is advanced, the end portion seals an opening in the sleeve. The sleeve and the end portion function as a piston for extracting fluid from a delivery chamber. When the piston rod is retracted, the sleeve engages a portion of the end portion to permit the reservoir to communicate with the delivery chamber through the opening. Methods of use are disclosed. |
| US09095389B2 |
Bone fixation apparatus and method
A bone fixation apparatus comprises an extramedullary component, an intramedullary component, and a fastener configured and dimensioned to interconnect the extramedullary component and the intramedullary component. The fastener has a head portion and a shank portion. The head portion is configured and dimensioned to be received in the extramedullary component. The shank portion is configured and dimensioned to be received in the intramedullary component. The fastener has a first longitudinal axis extending through both the head portion and the shank portion. The extramedullary component has a second longitudinal axis. The extramedullary component also includes an elongated surface defining an opening through which the shank portion of the fastener passes when the shank portion is received in the intramedullary component. The opening has a V shape. The V shape is oriented transverse to the first longitudinal axis and to the second longitudinal axis. |
| US09095388B2 |
Bone plate assembly with plates that ratchet together
A bone plate assembly is disclosed which includes at least one plate segment having at least one aperture extending therethrough for receiving a head portion of a bone screw, and a structure supported by the plate segment and intersecting the aperture for retaining the head portion of the bone screw with respect to the plate segment. |
| US09095385B2 |
Adjustable spinal implant insertion instrument
An instrument for inserting a spinal implant into an intervertebral space is disclosed. The instrument includes an elongated body having inner and outer shafts configured to longitudinally translate with respect to each other, a holding tip which is configured to articulate with respect to the elongated body in response to the longitudinal translation of the inner and outer shafts, and a driveshaft assembly configured to cooperate with the articulation of the holding tip and secure a spinal implant to the instrument. A spinal implant and a system for inserting a spinal implant into an intervertebral space including an insertion instrument and a spinal implant are also disclosed. |
| US09095381B2 |
Revisable anterior cervical plating system
An improved anterior cervical plating system and methods of cervical fusion using such a system are provided. The cervical plating system includes an interlocking mechanism that integrated into each of the plates such that any two plates may cooperatively engage through the interlocking mechanism such that a new cervical plate can be interconnected with a pre-existing plate during revision surgery without removal of the pre-existing plate. |
| US09095379B2 |
Constrained motion bone screw assembly
A bone screw assembly includes an anchor portion and a head portion, such as a rod-receiving portion, movably mounted to the anchor portion to allow for controlled angulation between the anchor portion and the head portion. The anchor portion is pivotable in one or more selected directions about an axis relative to the head portion. A restriction member, which may be a rod seat, prevents the anchor portion from pivoting in one or more different directions about another axis relative to the head portion and/or a spinal fixation element received in the head portion. The restriction member may be inserted in the head portion to control direction that the anchor portion pivots relative to the head portion. The restriction member may also serve as a compression member and/or rod seat for seating a spinal rod coupled to the bone screw assembly. |
| US09095378B2 |
Spinal stabilization system
A spinal stabilization system includes a connecting rod and a bone screw. The connecting rod includes an elongate rounded section, a pair of elongate rail portions, and a pair of neck portions connecting the elongate rounded section with the respective pair of elongate rail portions. Each elongate rail portion extends radially outward from the elongate rounded section and is diametrically opposed to the other elongate rail portion. The bone screw includes a head portion defining a slot, a shank extending longitudinally from the head portion, and a set screw configured to secure the connecting rod in the slot. The slot includes a leading end portion configured to receive one of the pair of elongate rail portions and a trailing end portion configured to engage the set screw, wherein the connecting rod is pivotable about the elongate rounded section in the slot. |
| US09095372B2 |
System and method for improved gas recirculation in surgical trocars with pneumatic sealing
Systems for insufflation and recirculation of insufflation fluid in a surgical procedure include a control unit having a fluid pump, a supply conduit, a return fluid conduit and a pressure-controlled valve. The pressure-controlled valve is in fluid communication with an insufflation gas supply, the supply conduit and the return conduit and is adapted and configured to respond to pressure control signals to adjust position and thereby system flow parameters, to reduce entrainment of air from the surrounding environment, and to increase the concentration of insufflation gas in an operative space, and/or to reduce an overpressure condition in the operative space. |
| US09095369B1 |
Hemostasis and transection of tissue
A cautery assembly may include aninsulation ring and a monopolar cautery wire. A cautery assembly may include a monopolar cautery wire and an electrical conductor. |
| US09095365B2 |
Handling device for a micro-invasive surgical instrument
A handling device for a micro-invasive surgical instrument includes a gripping device to manually hold and guide the handling device, a shaft coupling to detachably mechanically couple the handling device with a proximal end of a shaft, a rod coupling that can slide inside the handling device for detachable mechanical coupling with a proximal end of a transmission rod that can be slid inside a shaft coupled with the shaft coupling, and an orientation device to rotate a proximal end of a transmission rod, which has been inserted into the handling device, into a predetermined orientation or into one of several predetermined orientations. |
| US09095358B2 |
Electrosurgery irrigation primer systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for priming or purging an electrosurgical fluid irrigation system. The electrosurgical system can include a high frequency power supply, a fluid delivery system, a handheld device having one or more electrodes, and one or more connectors for connecting the handheld device to the fluid delivery system and the RF generator. The electrosurgical system may be configured to deliver RF current and irrigation fluid until a threshold current level is detected, which is indicative of a continuous flow of fluid at the electrode and purging completion. The systems and methods of purging an electrosurgical system may further include dynamically controlling an RF output and fluid delivery system in accordance with varied parameters of detected threshold current levels. |
| US09095357B2 |
Method and apparatus for dermatological treatment and tissue reshaping
The present invention provides improved methods and apparatus for skin treatment and tissue remodeling. The apparatus includes an array of needles that penetrate the skin and serve as electrodes to deliver radio frequency current or other electrical or optical energy into the tissue being treated, causing thermal damage in controlled patterns. The damaged regions promote beneficial results such as uniform skin tightening by stimulation of wound healing and collagen growth. |
| US09095352B2 |
Bone positioning device and method
A method for positioning a bone cutting guide on a tibia may begin with coupling a bone cut positioning apparatus with a tibia. The method may also include adjusting the positioning apparatus in a varus/valgus orientation to shine a light emitted by a light emitter approximately along a midline of an anterior surface of the tibia, swinging a pivoting arm about a pivot joint to direct the emitted light along a medial surface of the tibia, adjusting the positioning apparatus in an anterior/posterior orientation to shine the light approximately along a midline of the medial surface, contacting a stylus with a proximal end of the tibia to select a cutting depth for a bone cut to be made on the tibia, and attaching the bone cutting guide to the tibia in a position determined by the positioning apparatus. |
| US09095349B2 |
Systems and methods for determining the likelihood of endocardial barotrauma in tissue during ablation
A method and system for determining a likelihood of barotrauma occurring in tissue during formation of a lesion therein is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to acquire at least one value of at least one component of a complex impedance between an electrode and the tissue. The ECU is configured to calculate an index responsive to the at least one value of the at least one complex impedance component. The index is indicative of a likelihood of barotrauma occurring in the tissue. The method comprises acquiring at least one value of at least one component of a complex impedance between an electrode and the tissue. The method comprises calculating an index responsive to the at least one value of the at least one complex impedance component. The calculated index is indicative of a likelihood of barotrauma occurring in the tissue. |
| US09095348B2 |
Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation
An apparatus and method for use in performing ablation or coagulation of organs and other tissue includes a metallized fabric electrode array which is substantially absorbent and/or permeable to moisture and gases such as steam and conformable to the body cavity. Following placement of the ablation device into contact with the tissue to be ablated, an RF generator is used to deliver RF energy to the conductive regions and to thereby induce current flow from the electrodes to tissue to be ablated. As the current heats the tissue, moisture (such as steam or liquid) leaves the tissue causing the tissue to dehydrate. Suction may be applied to facilitate moisture removal. The moisture permeability and/or absorbency of the electrode carrying member allows the moisture to leave the ablation site so as to prevent the moisture from providing a path of conductivity for the current. |
| US09095347B2 |
Electrically conductive/insulative over shoe for tissue fusion
An over shoe for use with electrosurgical instruments having a pair of juxtaposed jaw members pivotably associated with one another, at least one of which includes an electrically conductive surface disposed thereon which is in electrical engagement with an electrosurgical energy source. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the over shoe includes a tissue contacting wall configured and dimensioned to selectively and substantially overlie the electrically conductive surface of the electrosurgical instrument. The tissue contacting wall is fabricated from a non-conductive material and includes a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. In another embodiment, the tissue contacting wall is electrically conductive and is configured for selective engagement atop on of the jaw members. |
| US09095342B2 |
Braid ball embolic device features
Embolic implants and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The implants may be used for occluding blood flow at endovascular sites. One use is in intracranial aneurysm emolization/occlusion and another in parent vessel occlusion (PVO) or sacrifice. Various features provide for improved use (e.g., regarding delivery, recapture, visualization and/or occlusion) and manufacturability. |
| US09095341B2 |
Medical device comprising an artificial contractile structure
A medical device including artificial contractile structures generally devised to be used in the medical field. Such structures may be advantageously used to assist the functioning of an organ. The medical device includes an artificial contractile structure having at least two contractile elements (100) adapted to contract an organ, in such way that each of the contractile elements (100) can be in a resting or in an activated position, independently of the position of each other, the activated position being defined with the contractile element (100) constricting the organ and the resting position being defined with the contractile element (100) not constricting the organ, and at least one actuator designed to activate the contractile structure. Each contractile element (100) is connected to an adjacent contractile element (100), while remaining flexible one with respect to the other. |
| US09095338B2 |
Surgical staple insertion device
A staple inserter (12) for use with a surgical staple (10) during a surgical procedure, the surgical staple (10) including a middle section (14) and two side sections (16) that cantilever away from the middle section (14), the surgical staple (10) being selectively movable between a relaxed configuration and an opened configuration, the staple inserter (12) comprising a staple holder assembly (20) that is rotatable in a first direction relative to the surgical staple (10) to selectively engage and retain the surgical staple (10). The staple holder assembly (20) includes (i) a first engagement member (32) that is rotatable in the first direction relative to the surgical staple (10) to selectively engage and retain the surgical staple (10), and (ii) a second engagement member (32) that is rotatable in the first direction relative to the surgical staple (10) to selectively engage and retain the surgical staple (10). |
| US09095337B2 |
Methods and apparatus for delivering staples to a target issue
A device for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue includes a pilot member and a staple push rod. In some embodiments, the pilot member has a distal end and at least a pair of prongs extending from the distal end. The prongs are configured to form pilot holes when the distal end of the pilot member is pressed against the target tissue. The staple push rod is disposed within at least a portion of the pilot member and slidable relative thereto. The staple push rod includes at least a pair of stakes. Each stake is dimensioned to engage a surface of a staple to apply pushing forces thereto. Each stake is positioned relative to a prong along an inner surface of the pilot member so that the stakes advance into the pilot holes when the stakes are moved in a distal direction. Methods for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue are also disclosed |
| US09095336B2 |
Knotless suture device
A knotted suture device is disclosed. The device may have a surgical needle attached to one or both ends of the suture. The device has a plurality of loops formed by knots. An anchor member is attached to the device. The device when used in a surgical procedure can be secured without the need to tie a knot. |
| US09095333B2 |
Systems and methods of discriminating between argon and helium gases for enhanced safety of medical devices
Systems and methods for discriminating between various gases, e.g., argon and helium, for enhanced safety of medical devices are provided. The present disclosure may take the form of a dedicated-use embodiment where a specific gas, helium for example, is expected, and an enabling or “Go” signal is issued when that gas is detected, or an inhibitory or “No-Go” signal when a gas is present that is not identified as helium. Alternately, a control line or input command can be used to select between helium and argon as the expected gas and then issue the appropriate “Go/No-Go” signal, depending on which gas is identified. |
| US09095332B2 |
Method and apparatus for attaching an elongated object to bone
A method for attaching an elongated object to bone, the method comprising: forming a hole in the bone; positioning a loop of the elongated object in the hole; advancing a surgical wire into the bone so that the surgical wire is directed toward a location within the interior of the loop; and severing the surgical wire intermediate its length so as to create a distal portion and a remainder portion and, if the distal portion of the surgical wire does not extend through the loop, further advancing the distal portion of the surgical wire so that it extends through the loop. |
| US09095331B2 |
Adjustable anchor systems and methods
An adjustable anchor system provides for securing tissue to bone and includes an anchor with a collapsible suture loop affixed thereto and a tissue suture connected to the collapsible suture loop. After the tissue suture is loaded into the tissue and the anchor implanted into the bone the collapsible loop is collapsed to tension the tissue suture. |
| US09095328B2 |
Endoscopes having multiple lumens for tissue acquisition and removal and related methods of use
Embodiments of the invention include an endoscope including multiple lumens for tissue acquisition and removal and related methods of use. |
| US09095326B2 |
Biopsy system with vacuum control module
A biopsy system includes a biopsy device having a translating cutter for severing tissue samples and a vacuum control module. The vacuum control module is separate from the biopsy device. The vacuum control module includes a vacuum pump and vacuum canister, and is portable by a single hand. The vacuum canister and the vacuum control module have complimentary ports that are configured to couple upon insertion of the vacuum canister into the vacuum control module. The complimentary ports provide fluid communication between a vacuum pump in the vacuum control module and a reservoir in the vacuum canister. The biopsy device may be placed in fluid communication with the vacuum pump via the canister without the user having to separately connect any tubes with the canister or pump. |
| US09095323B2 |
Holder removably mountable on associated device
A holder serves as a removable accessory to a stimulator unit chassis or cabinet, or other device. It can function as an integral part of the device that closely fits over the top of the device, to provide a support for a hand-held tool associated with the device, e.g., a bipolar probe with widely spaced electrodes. The holder, which may be constructed to be of one piece, is configured to be easily removed from the device to facilitate cleaning of the holder and/or to facilitate packing of the stimulator unit (or other device) for shipping purposes, e.g., in case of device repairs, etc. In other embodiments, the holder may associate a tray or box for storing a variety of items with a host device on which the holder is mounted. |
| US09095322B2 |
Speculum with hinged portion
A speculum is provided herein which includes first and second arms, connected by a hinge, each having a channel formed thereon adapted to the shape of an eyelid. First and second elements are respectively located on the first and second arms configured to cooperatively retain the first and second arms in select rotational positions. A slot is defined in the second arm to partially separate first and second portions of the second arm with the first portion being displaceable away from the second portion. The second element is located on the first portion. Advantageously, with this arrangement, the first portion acts as a spring-loaded hinge which applies not only biasing force to the second element for retention, but also permits the second element to be separable from the first element. The subject invention provides a mechanical feature beyond the inherent memory of the material for operation of the speculum. |
| US09095320B2 |
Cryo-induced renal neuromodulation devices and methods
A method for cryo-induced renal neuromodulation includes applying cryoenergy to neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or to vascular structures that contact, feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In one embodiment, cryoenergy is applied via a distal energy-delivering section of a flexible catheter. The distal section may include a plurality of microtubes for transporting a cryogen to the distal tip. The energy-delivering section contacts and extracts heat from the wall of the renal artery. In one embodiment, the distal energy-delivering section is radially expandable. The renal nerve is cooled to a degree such that nerve function is disrupted. |
| US09095318B2 |
Device and method for determining a rheological property of mucus
Device and method for determining a rheological property, such as viscosity or threadability, of mucus include a housing having a circumferential surface defining an opening for receiving a quantity of the mucus, a probe extending within the housing and having a tip for contacting at least a portion of the quantity of mucus, a displacement mechanism for displacing the tip of the probe with respect to the housing, and a measurement unit for measuring a displacement of the tip of the probe. The device and method are especially suitable for determining the rheological property of mammal cervical mucus for determining female fertility. |
| US09095304B2 |
Portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
A portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an ultrasonic probe, and a main body including a display unit provided on a front surface of the main body. An input device is provided at a rear surface of the main body to receive user command information from a user, which allows the user to operate the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a hand that is gripping the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The apparatus may be used by moving the ultrasonic probe in contact with a surface of an object, sending ultrasonic signals from the object surface, receiving reflected ultrasonic signals from the object, and converting the ultrasonic signals into electrical signals. |
| US09095302B2 |
Method to generate magnetic resonance exposures
In a method described for generating magnetic resonance exposures in which diffusion-coded raw data are acquired with of a diffusion gradient measurement sequence having a number of partial diffusion gradient sequences, at least one diffusion coding gradient pulse is emitted in each partial data set, and raw data of a k-space region are acquired during a first echo after a defined first echo time the k-space regions in total covering a complete k-space. Raw data of an established navigator k-space region are acquired during a second echo after a second echo time the navigator k-space region being identical for different partial diffusion gradient sequences. Reference raw data are acquired by a reference measurement sequence with multiple partial reference sequences. |
| US09095291B2 |
Spectroscopic sensors
Disclosed herein are sensors that include: (a) a circuit board that includes an electronic processor; (b) a plurality of radiation sources, each source being attached to the circuit board; and (c) a spectral detector attached to the circuit board, the spectral detector being configured to analyze radiation derived from one or more of the plurality of radiation sources. During use, the sensors are configured to be worn on a portion of a body of a subject. The electronic processor is configured to cause two or more of the plurality of radiation sources to direct incident radiation to the subject, to cause the spectral detector to analyze radiation from the subject, and to determine one or more properties of the subject based on the radiation from the subject. Methods of making and using these sensors are also disclosed. |
| US09095283B1 |
Radiation control and minimization system and method using collimation/filtering
A radiation control system and method are provided in which radiation delivered to a patient and/or the operator of the equipment is minimized. The radiation control system may be used in a large variety of applications including applications in which radiation source is used to inspect an object, such as, for example, medical imaging, diagnosis and therapy, in manufacturing operation using radiation, in airports scanning systems, in different security setups, and in nuclear reactors automation and process control. The radiation control system and method may also be used with 3D imaging. |
| US09095277B2 |
Delivery catheter with forward-looking ultrasound imaging
A catheter based medical device is provided for a percutaneous surgical procedure that provides forward-looking visualization and delivery of a medical device. The catheter includes a carriage at its distal end and an ultrasonic transducer is supported by the carriage. A conduit that has its proximal end disposed within the catheter and the conduit passes through the sidewall of the catheter proximate to the distal end of the catheter so that the distal end of the conduit is disposed on an exterior of the sidewall of the catheter. A medical device is deliverable through the lumen of the conduit and the ultrasonic transducer provides visualization of the medical device distally of the transducer. |
| US09095275B2 |
Contact sensors and methods for making same
Disclosed herein are novel contact sensors. The contact sensors disclosed herein include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use. In one particular aspect, the sensor can be used to properly balance the knee ligaments in a total knee replacement surgery. |
| US09095273B2 |
Systems and methods for automated dynamic contrast enhancement imaging
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for automating the acquisition and analysis of contrast enhancement images. Model-free discrimination methods are provided in which discrimination between well-perfused pixels (e.g. normal tissue) and perfusion-deficient pixels (e.g. ablation lesions) is automated based on histogram shape. For example, in selected embodiments, discrimination is made based on pixels corresponding to abnormal perfusion (e.g. ablation lesions) and normal perfusion (e.g. normal tissue) form distinctive lobes separated by a minimum formed due to the presence of border pixels. Segmentation of cumulative dynamic contrast enhancement maps by thresholds identified on such histograms is employed to separate abnormally-perfused tissue from the normally-perfused tissue without any user interactions, freeing the user from the necessity to analyze and interpret original dynamic contrast enhancement images or maps derived from them. The histogram properties can also be used for automatic termination of the image acquisition and analysis processes. |
| US09095272B2 |
Vessel-dependent flip angle modulation in TOF MR angiography
In a method to excite a magnetization in the generation of MR angiography images with the TOF technique, a slice plane is determined in which the magnetization for the generation of the MR angiography images should be excited, a position of a vessel in the slice plane is determined, and the magnetization is excited in the slice plane such that the magnetization in the vessel has a flip angle gradient in the direction of the vessel. |
| US09095270B2 |
Detection, measurement, and imaging of cells such as cancer and other biologic substances using targeted nanoparticles and magnetic properties thereof
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for detecting, measuring, or locating cells or substances present in even very low concentrations in vivo in subjects, using targeted magnetic nanoparticles and special magnetic systems. The magnetic systems can comprise magnetizing subsystems and sensors subsystems, including as examples SQUID sensors and atomic magnetometers. The magnetic systems can detect, measure, or location particles bound by antibodies to cells or substances of predetermined types. Example magnetic systems are capable of detecting sub-nanogram amounts of these nanoparticles. |
| US09095269B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and program
An image processing device includes a normal light image acquisition section that acquires a normal light image that includes an object image and includes information within a wavelength band of white light, a special light image acquisition section that acquires a special light image that includes an object image and includes information within a specific wavelength band, a correction section that performs a correction process on the special light image, and a blending section that performs a blending process that blends the normal light image and a corrected special light image that is the special light image corrected by the correction section. The blending section blends a component G of the normal light image and a component G of the corrected special light image, and blends a component B of the normal light image and a component B of the corrected special light image. |
| US09095266B1 |
Method for treating a patient
A signal processing method and system combines multi-scale decomposition, such as wavelet, pre-processing together with a compression technique, such as an auto-associative artificial neural network, operating in the multi-scale decomposition domain for signal denoising and extraction. All compressions are performed in the decomposed domain. A reverse decomposition such as an inverse discrete wavelet transform is performed on the combined outputs from all the compression modules to recover a clean signal back in the time domain. A low-cost, non-drug, non-invasive, on-demand therapy braincap system and method are pharmaceutically non-intrusive to the body for the purpose of disease diagnosis, treatment therapy, and direct mind control of external devices and systems. It is based on recognizing abnormal brainwave signatures and intervenes at the earliest moment, using magnetic and/or electric stimulations to reset the brainwaves back to normality. The feedback system is self-regulatory and the treatment stops when the brainwaves return to normal. |
| US09095265B2 |
Cardiac waveform template creation, maintenance and use
The present disclosure describes methods, devices, and systems for generating, adjusting, and using cardiac waveform morphology templates. The morphology templates include target regions associated with features of cardiac waveforms. The target regions may be adjusted based on relationships between the target regions and features of detected cardiac waveforms associated with the target regions. The templates may be used to analyze cardiac waveforms to classify or monitor various waveform morphologies. Templates may be created or eliminated, for instance, based on a frequency of use. According to one approach, template creation involves providing target regions defined by one or more characteristics. The target regions are adjusted based on detected cardiac waveform features having similar characteristics. A template may be created using the target regions adjusted by this process. |
| US09095261B2 |
System for guiding capsule medical device
A system for guiding a capsule medical device comprising a magnet from a state in which surface tension of a liquid surface acts on the capsule medical device, the system having: a magnetic guidance device that generates: a reciprocally rotating magnetic field to the magnet at a predetermined frequency around a horizontal axis parallel to the liquid surface; and a guidance magnetic field to the magnet; and a control device that controls the magnetic guidance device to: in a first step, generate the reciprocally rotating magnetic field to the magnet to rotate the capsule medical device to eliminate the effect of the surface tension on the capsule medical device, and in a second step after the first step, generate the guidance magnetic field to the magnet in a direction away from the liquid surface to move the capsule medical device away from the liquid surface. |
| US09095260B2 |
Measurement apparatus, measurement method, program and information processing apparatus
A measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure including a plurality of transparent electrodes provided on a surface of a display, an acquisition part acquiring an imaging signal obtained by imaging the surface of the display from an inside of the display, a configuring part configuring electrode pair candidates from the plurality of transparent electrodes based on the imaging signal acquired in a state that a subject touches the surface of the display, an electrocardiographic waveform signal measurement part measuring electrocardiographic waveform signals of the subject using respective electrode pair candidates configured, and a determination part determining a measurement electrode pair from the electrode pair candidates based on the electrocardiographic waveform signals measured using respective electrode pair candidates. This measurement apparatus is applicable to, for example, performing a personal authentication process of the subject based on the electrocardiographic waveform signal. |
| US09095259B2 |
Method and system for high resolution nutated slice reconstruction using quarter detector offset
A method and system are provided for generating high resolution CT images. The NSR# method improves on the AMPR method, by increasing the in-plane image resolution of CT scanners, in the helical scanning mode. The provided method uses the quarter detector offset and interleaving of complementary data to achieve in plane image resolution that is similar to the high resolution axial scanning mode utilizing quarter detector offset and interleaving. The method includes several ways of choosing the data to be interleaved, like NSR# with two planes, NSR# with 3 planes, NSR# with multiple planes. The interleaved data are used to create high resolution tilted slices. The NSR# method optimizes the untilting filter to create a mix of high and low resolution tilted slices to achieve the desired in-plane image resolution-image artifact balance required for the imaging task. In one embodiment in the untilting process one may use only high resolution tilted slices, for maximum resolution benefit. In another embodiment one may mix high resolution tilted slices with standard resolution tilted slices resulting from data that did not go through interleaving. This creates unfilled slices of higher resolution than the standard and with lower artifacts. In another embodiment for scans with pitch lower than ⅔ one may reduce the collimation to reduce the dose to the patient. |
| US09095252B2 |
Image integration based registration and navigation for endoscopic surgery
A real-time tracking of surgical tools relative to a pre-operative surgical plan and intra-operative images involves an image-based registration and tool tracking registration. The image-based registration implements an integration of a plurality of images of an anatomical region of a body including a pre-operative scan image (31) (e.g., a 3D CT/MRI image), an intra-operative fluoroscopic image (42) (e.g., an 2D X-ray image) and an intra- operative endoscopic image (23) (e.g., an 2D arthroscopic image). The tool tracking registration implements a representation within the pre-operative scan image (31) and/or the intra-operative fluoroscopic image (42) of a tracking of one or more surgical tools within the intra-operative endoscopic image (23). |
| US09095249B2 |
Dishwasher tray
The dishwasher tray has a base module including a bottom wall and perimeter walls. The bottom wall has a grid on which table utensils are placed and a drag element intended to be engaged by a dragging member of a dishwasher when the base module is introduced in the dishwasher. The perimeter walls also have grids. The dishwasher tray further includes at least one side lid intended to be detachably mounted on at least one of the perimeter walls covering one grid of the perimeter wall. Optionally, the side lid comprises protrusions that snap fit in complementary cavities provided in the perimeter wall. Optionally the side lid is colored or marked according to a color or mark code identifying the content of the dishwasher tray and/or the grids of all the perimeter walls can be covered with corresponding side lids when the tray is used for storage of table utensils. |
| US09095248B2 |
Alarm unit for dishwashing systems
A method for monitoring a level of a sanitation agent in a dishwashing system having a sanitation agent supply vessel includes the step of providing a supply tube having a first portion and a second portion that are unconnected to one another. The first and second portions are linked with a pipe. An optical sensor is situated adjacent the pipe, and a reference reading, a fault check reading, and a fault confirmation reading is sequentially taken with the optical sensor. The method further includes the step of imposing a warning signal by a controller when both: (1) a magnitude of the difference between the reference reading and the fault check reading exceeds a threshold; and (2) a magnitude of the difference between the reference reading and the fault confirmation reading exceeds the threshold. |
| US09095243B2 |
Wipes dispenser with anti-roping and anti-fallback features
A wipes dispenser includes a container having an interior holding a plurality of wipes. A grip orifice provides communication between the interior and the exterior of the container, and the grip orifice serves to prevent wipes from falling back into the interior. The dispenser also includes a rip fence, and a lead end of a lead wipe of the plurality of wet wipes within the container extends through the grip orifice and then through the rip fence such that pulling on the lead end to pull the lead wipe against the rip fence causes the remainder of the lead wipe to be removed from the container and become disassociated with the remaining wipes of the plurality of wipes. As the lead end is pulled against the rip fence, the following wipe of the plurality of wipes is pulled through the grip orifice to provide its lead end outside of the interior of the container, and the grip orifice prevents this lead end of the following wipe from falling back into the interior of the container. |
| US09095240B2 |
Towel with arm channels
A towel has a linear top edge of a first arm cover affixed to a base sheet at an angle with respect to the top lengthwise edge of the base sheet. A bottom, arced edge of the first arm cover is affixed to the base sheet forming a first arm channel having a first shoulder central of the base sheet and having a first wrist opening proximal to a first edge of the base sheet. A linear top edge of a second arm cover is affixed to the base sheet at an angle with respect to the top lengthwise edge of the base sheet. A bottom, arced edge of the second arm cover is affixed to the base sheet forming a second arm channel that has a second shoulder opening central to the base sheet and a second wrist opening proximal to a second edge of the base sheet. |
| US09095239B2 |
Drain insert
A pop-up drain plug insert comprising: a base formed for secure placement within a drain bowl in a sink which includes a bottom having a solid center and a plurality of apertures, a side emanating upwardly from the perimeter of the bottom, a flange emanating outwardly from the side, a gasket operatively associated with the side and the flange and a wall emanating upwardly near the center of the bottom to form a cup, the wall being substantially parallel to the side; a stopper formed for secure placement within the base which includes a top, a stem having a spring mechanism which permits the extension and retraction of the stem emanating downwardly from the top, a gasket surrounding the stem and being operatively associated with the top, wherein the stem being operatively associated with the cup in order to raise and lower the stopper from the base in order to permit or restrict the flow of liquids through the base. |
| US09095238B2 |
Container for a food mixer
A base for a food mixer includes a container body having a bottom wall. A blade unit is mounted in the container body and includes a blade unit body and a coupling member. A seat made of metal is mounted to an outer side of the bottom wall of the container body. The seat includes an underside having a first recess. A weight is mounted to the underside of the seat. A cushioning pad is sandwiched between the weight and the seat. The coupling member extends beyond the underside of the seat or an underside of the weight. The coupling member connects with a shaft of a power unit. |
| US09095237B2 |
Cutting board
A cutting board having a removable resilient band is provided. The cutting board includes a planar body defining a top surface, a parallel bottom surface and a uniform width peripheral side. The cutting board also includes a removable resilient band that is configured to engage the periphery of the body. The removable band has a width complementary to the width of the body and defines footings that each has a width greater than the width of the body. The periphery of the body may have a continuous groove and the removable band may have a continuous tongue that fits the groove. |
| US09095232B2 |
Fitted ruffle
A fitted ruffle includes a fitted sheet and a ruffle attached to the fitted sheet. The fitted sheet covers a cushion, box springs or mattress, generally conforms thereto, and maintains the sheet and ruffle in relatively fixed position as so covered. |
| US09095231B2 |
Pillow
A pillow includes an upper surface having a raised edge proximate the upper and lower edges of the upper surface and at least one cut out through one of the raised edges. The pillow includes a recessed surface in the upper surface for supporting the back surface of the user's neck and cranium and the sides of the user's head. The pillow includes at least one internal armature that is flexible and bendable such that the pillow can be manipulated into a selected configuration with manual force. The pillow can be configured from a substantially flat configuration and into a substantially “U” shape where left and right edges are in front of the user's face. In the “U” shaped configuration, the user can roll from side to side while the pillow remains in direct contact and rolls uniformly with the user's head maintaining support for both the neck and head and thereby provide a more comfortable rest or sleep. |
| US09095230B2 |
Segmented quilted blanket and corresponding mock duvet cover bed covering system
A mock duvet bed-covering system (1900) includes a blanket (1800) segmented into a plurality of portions and a coversheet (1810). The blanket (1800) includes a foot skirt flap (1804), a right side flap (1802), and a left side flap (1803) that each extend from a cover portion (1801) and are configured to drape over edges of a mattress (1880) or other bedding. The coversheet (1810) includes one or more pockets. A portion (1801) of the blanket (1800) opposite the foot skirt flap (1804) is tucked into a pocket (1811) at the head end of the coversheet (1810). The mock duvet bed-covering system (1900) resembles a traditional comforter and duvet, but is more durable and can be changed in far less time than traditional comforters, making the system well suited for use in hotels, inns, and the like. |
| US09095222B2 |
Bedside storage caddy
A bedside storage caddy includes a flexible panel attached to a rigid backplate, as well as a first flexible strap and a second flexible strap from which the flexible panel is suspended. Positioned on the flexible panel are a plurality of guide rings and a plurality of pockets. The plurality of pockets, formed from a base, a pocket wall, an interior lip, an upper lip, and an opening, allowing the bedside storage caddy to hold personal items, such as cell phones and glasses. The interior lip and the upper lip prevent these items from accidently slipping out of the pocket. The first flexible strap and the second flexible strap each have a plurality of eyelets and a stud, positioned on opposite ends of a strap body. The stud engages with an arbitrary eyelet, allowing the straps to be secured around the railing of a hospital bed. |
| US09095218B1 |
Bottom plate structure of a chair
A bottom plate structure of a chair has a bottom plate, a back rack and a seat frame. The bottom plate has an elastic support device, a slanting device and an adjusting device. The elastic support device has at least one resilient sheet mounted in the bottom plate, an adjusting component mounted in the bottom plate, and a supporting base connected to the adjusting component. The slanting device has a pivoting component connected to the back rack, a transmission seat mounted in the bottom plate, and two fastening members connected to the bottom plate. The pivoting component has two pivoting arms. The transmission seat has a pulling component connected to the transmission seat. The adjusting device is mounted between the bottom plate and the seat frame, and has a back pivoting component and a front adjusting component mounted on the seat frame and the bottom plate. |
| US09095215B1 |
Custom controlled seating surface technologies
A system of controlling various actuators associated with human support surfaces is disclosed. Such a system is made up of a support surface, a controller, and an actuator. The system may optionally include batteries, a means of charging the batteries, and a graphical user interface as well as a communication link between the graphical user interface and the support surfaces. The actuators are capable of altering contour and/or firmness, of a support surface, they may be vibrational or heating/cooling in nature, and they may also alter the overall relative position of a support surface to another support surface, and/or to the ground plane. |
| US09095214B2 |
Door closure mechanism for refrigerator or other appliance
A door closure device includes a pivot pin adapted to engage an associated appliance hinge, and a channel rotatably connected to the pivot pin and adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A cam is non-rotatably engaged with the pivot pin. The cam comprises a lobed edge including a closing portion. A spring rod is slidably engaged with the channel, and a cam follower is operably engaged with the spring rod. A spring is engaged between the spring rod and the channel and biases the cam follower into engagement with the lobed edge of the cam. The follower moves along the lobed edge of the cam when the channel is rotated relative to the cam and the spring induces a door-closing torque on the channel when the follower is engaged with the closing portion of the cam lobed edge. |
| US09095213B2 |
Sliding device
A movable rail body is fastened to a movable body and has a first space. Movable rail bearings are disposed in the first space at diagonally facing corners of the movable rail body. A stationary rail body is fastened to a stationary support and has a second space. Stationary rail bearings are disposed in the second space at diagonally facing corners of the stationary rail body. A slider has an upper end in rolling contact with the movable rail bearings, and a lower end in rolling contact with the stationary rail bearings. An angle between a center line parallel to the movable body and a connection line connecting centers of the movable rail bearings ranges from 40 degrees to 50 degrees. An angle between the center line and a connection line connecting centers of the stationary rail bearings ranges from 130 degrees to 140 degrees. |
| US09095212B2 |
Storage case
A storage case includes a frame, a top plate, and a drawer. The top plate covers an open upper side of the frame. The drawer is movable through an open front side of the frame. A bottom plate of the frame includes grooved rails and guide walls. The grooved rails are formed at left and right sides of the bottom plate. The guide walls are formed at left and right sides of the inner surface of the bottom plate so that the left and right side plates of the drawer are slidable along the guide walls. The drawer includes guide projections formed at rear left and right sides of the bottom plate. The guide projections are fitted to the grooved rails so that the guide projections are movable along the grooved rails. |
| US09095210B1 |
Rotating transport cart
An apparatus for supporting a plurality of objects includes a frame and a drum rotatably attached to the frame so that the drum is rotatable about a horizontal axis. The drum has two ends. The drum includes a plurality of bays, each bay configured to receive one or more objects through an opening in an end of the drum, each bay comprising at least one support element positioned to prevent the one or more objects received within the respective bay from falling out of the respective bay as the drum rotates about the horizontal axis. A method of using a cart for supporting a plurality of objects includes inserting a first object into a first compartment at a first position; rotating the drum about a horizontal axis to move a second compartment to the first position; and inserting a second object into the second compartment. |
| US09095208B1 |
Tabletop system
A tabletop system having a metal frame with at least one horizontally oriented transverse member and a rim member defining a general shape of a tabletop. At least one fiber mesh layer, fabric felt and at least one layer of adhesive binder is affixed to the underside of spaced apart decorative elements. Vertical rim elements envelope the perimeter providing the outer surface of the tabletop. The metal frame has at least one C-channel with retention tabs defining an opening into a base cavity. The base cavity and opening are filled with adhesive binder material and cured before placing the frame assembly into the binder layer of the decorative elements where the rim of the frame member is smaller than the perimeter of the vertical element which is then interposed with a mesh strip and binder. The retention tabs mechanically secure the tabletop to the frame system. |
| US09095205B2 |
Orthodontic toothbrush
An orthodontic toothbrush comprising a handle, an attached head, and a plurality of bristles. The bristles define at least one well having the shorter length bristles at the center or bottom of the well and relatively longer length bristles bordering the wells. The wells are preferably spaced at the average distance between orthodontic braces. A plurality of bristles off the longitudinal plane of the toothbrush head are angled or slanted toward the toothbrush head median longitudinal plane, while another plurality of bristles are perpendicular to the toothbrush head plane. The well accommodates an orthodontic bracket or brace wherein the shortest bristles in the well clean the archwire and face of the orthodontic bracket and the relatively longer bristles clean under the wings of the bracket, the sides and rear of brackets and the teeth. |
| US09095204B2 |
Leisure equipment with a hanging assembly
An approach is provided a leisure equipment with a hanging assembly that comprises a processing module and a hanging module. The processing module comprises a slide rail and a slider. The slider is moved along the slide rail, connects to the hanging module to drive the hanging module moving, swing or swaying along the slide rail, and is able to self rotation. The leisure equipment is able to be used adaptively indoor or outdoor to comfort peoples' mind and body, and feel the natural rhyme simultaneously. For handicapped people which it provides assistants of exercise or movement of a specific portion of body which is useful to loosen up muscles and release the mind. |
| US09095197B2 |
Appliance holder
A holder for a hair appliance with heatable elements that is comprised of a stand with two pockets. The heated portion of the appliance is inserted into the two pockets, each pocket receiving a heatable element of the appliance. The pockets are made of heat resistant material. The use of the dual-pockets keeps the heating elements of the appliance separated, which assists in cooling and helps extend the life of the appliance. The base includes a counterweight to balance the holder. |
| US09095195B2 |
Contact lens case with lens loading surface
Provided is a contact lens case of a novel structure that will effectively supplement the sterilization effect which was insufficient in the past with non-heating type disinfectant methods such as the MPS method and hydrogen peroxide method, making it possible to realize an effective sterilization process on soft contact lenses. In a storage solution with a sterilizing action, a slanted loading member is provided, wherein a convex spherical lens loading surface is formed from an antimicrobial material and a contact lens is held in a slanted state such that a geometric center of the contact lens loaded on the lens loading surface is located at a position separated from a top of the lens loading surface. |
| US09095194B2 |
Protective case for an electronic device
A protective case for accommodating at least one electronic device is provided. The case comprises internal features including an articulating support member to allow the selective orientation and positioning of the electrical device in one of at least three user-selected positions and also allows for the nesting of the electronic device in either the closed or open position. |
| US09095187B2 |
Article of footwear incorporating a knitted component
An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure. |
| US09095186B2 |
Article of footwear incorporating braided tensile strands
A branched braid member has a central braid portion and one or more tensile strands or small braids at either end of the central braid portion. The branched braid member may be incorporated into a shoe upper. |
| US09095184B2 |
Step-counting shoe
A step-counting shoe comprises a power generation device, a pedometer device, and a display device. When the step-counting shoe is applied with a force, the power generation device produces electrical energy by electromagnetic induction or piezoelectric effect without external power supply, so as to generate power for the pedometer device and the display device automatically during the user walking. Additionally, the present invention provides a variety of types of power generation devices, so a suitable power generation device can be adopted depending on the power demand, thickness of step-counting shoe, and/or costs. |
| US09095182B1 |
Anti-chafing chin strap accessory
A strap cover as a tubular sleeve formed of a laminated bilayer material having an elastomeric inner layer and a non-abrasive outer layer. The laminated bilayer material is affixed along opposite edges to form the laminated bilayer material into a tubular sleeve having a longitudinal seam formed by the affixed opposite edges. |
| US09095176B2 |
Seamless underwear
A stretchable seamless underwear is operable to be donned by a wearer and includes a seamless knitted fabric receptacle. The receptacle includes integrally knitted front and back panels that each present opposite side margins, with each side margin of the front panel being seamlessly joined to a corresponding side margin of the back panel so that the panels cooperatively form a passage through the receptacle. The receptacle is knitted with a high-stretch yarn. |
| US09095173B2 |
Smoking article and method
A smoking article provides one or more sheets of material that can be rolled and packaged, at least one sheet including cellulose. In one embodiment, cellulose and tobacco sheet material are separately rolled layers that can optionally be wrapped around a form casing (or pre-rolled inside) and then packaged. In another embodiment, the sheet is a laminated sheet of tobacco and cellulose layers that can be optionally wrapped around (or pre-rolled inside) a form casing. These sheets can be filled with custom tobacco to make one or more new cigars for an end user. In another embodiment, a complete cigar filled with tobacco material can be disassembled by an end user to produce tobacco and cellulose sheets, enabling the end user to form two new cigars using his or her own custom tobacco. |
| US09095169B1 |
Hand operable juicer
A hand operable juicer having a handle extending from beneath a juice receptacle is described. The handle has a drive link end that couples with a drive mechanism to rotate a drive shaft that extends up through a drive shaft conduit and couples with a pulping crown. Gear and crank type drive mechanisms are described. In some embodiments of the invention, the drive mechanism is configured to provide a rotational advantage, whereby a certain degree of rotation of the handle around the pulping crown rotational axis produces a higher degree of rotation of the pulping crown. The hand operable juicer described is easy to operate and easy to clean. |
| US09095168B2 |
Acidified milk beverage powder and method for producing the same
The present invention relates to an acidified milk beverage powder and method for producing such an acidified milk beverage powder. More specifically, the present invention provides a powdered composition which can be added to water with minimal mixing to produce an acidified fruit beverage containing milk and having a smooth texture. Said powder comprising: i) 20-40 wt % fruit juice powder; ii) 50-70 wt % granular sugar; iii) 1-2 wt % organic acid granules; iv) 4-10 wt % milk powder; and v) 3-4 wt % carboxymethylcellulose powder composed of particles, wherein said particles have a diameter of 0.5 mm or less, preferably of 0.1 mm or less. The present invention also provides a process for producing said powder for the preparation of an acidified milk beverage, comprising steps of: dry blending granular sugar with carboxymethylcellulose powder, and mixing a milk powder, a fruit juice powder and granular organic acid into the blend. |
| US09095167B2 |
Supercooling system for supercooling a stored liquid
A supercooling system includes a cooling apparatus and a supercooling apparatus. The cooling apparatus includes a storing unit storing an object, a cooling unit, and a main control unit controlling the cooling unit to maintain the temperature in the storing unit at a temperature below the maximum ice crystal formation zone of the liquid. The supercooling apparatus includes an independent storage room having a storing space, a temperature sensing unit sensing the temperature of the independent storage room, a temperature control unit mounted in the independent storage room and controlling the internal temperature and a sub-control unit controlling the temperature control unit based on the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit to store the liquid in a supercooled state. |
| US09095159B2 |
Composition containing bacterium capable of producing propionic acid bacterium, and use thereof
The invention provides a composition that enhances the proliferation activity of propionic acid bacteria in the rumen of ruminants to allow the propionic acid bacteria to sufficiently exhibit their metabolic function in the rumen for the prevention and treatment of rumen acidosis in ruminants. The invention also provides use of the composition. Viable propionic acid bacteria and a lactic acid bacteria culture are orally administered to a ruminant to dramatically (rapidly) promote the proliferation of the propionic acid bacteria in the ruminant rumen, and to thereby increase the volatile fatty acid concentration in the rumen for the prevention and/or treatment of rumen acidosis in the ruminant. |
| US09095153B2 |
Method of preparing green milk powder
The invention relates to a method for processing and preparing a green milk powder, comprising the following steps: a. pretreatment: cutting a plant from the position 2-5 cm away from the ground when the tender plant grows to 25-45 cm, washing by tap water to remove soil and impurities on the surface thereof, washing by fresh water after ozone bacteria-killing at room temperature, washing by deionized water, and crushing the tender plant; b. filtering: juicing the obtained crushed tender plant, filtering and taking juice; c. mixing: evenly mixing the juice with raw milk proportionally to prepare into homogenized liquid; d. concentrating: evaporating and concentrating the obtained homogenized liquid by an evaporator to prepare concentrated solution; and e. drying: drying the concentrated solution to prepare into green milk powder. The invention has simple process flow and the processing procedure does not damage thermo-sensitive substances such as vitamin C, chlorophyll, SOD and the like in tender plant. |