Document Document Title
US09187632B2 Non-spherical resin particles, manufacturing method thereof, and use thereof
Disclosed are non-spherical resin particles that allow for improvement of light diffusion, light reflection, and other related properties, and a manufacturing method thereof. The particles have a circular outline when viewed from a direction in which a maximum projected area is produced and a non-circular outline when viewed from a direction in which a minimum projected area is produced, The particles comprise first and second, different resin components (1) and (2), with the second resin component (2) residing locally near the surface of the non-spherical resin particles. The method of manufacturing non-spherical resin particles involves either allowing particles of a resin to absorb a vinyl-based polymerizable monomer contained in an aqueous emulsion followed by polymerization of the absorbed monomer or dissolving a resin in a vinyl-based polymerizable monomer followed by polymerization of the obtained solution in an aqueous medium.
US09187629B2 Thiobis phenolic antioxidant/polyethylene glycol blends
Thiobis phenolic antioxidants are efficiently dry or melt blended with a tree-resistant, crosslinkable polyethylene by first forming a blend, preferably a dry blend, of the antioxidant with a polyalkylene glycol (PAG), and then mixing the blend with the polyethylene. The incorporation of thiobis phenolic antioxidant and PAG blend into polyethylene provides the PE with high oxidative induction time (OIT) which is a measure of the oxidative stability of the PE.
US09187625B2 Method of preparing high refractive nanoparticles, nanoparticles prepared by the method, and photonic crystal device using the nanoparticles
A method of preparing high refractive index nanoparticles includes adding a polymer stabilizer to a solvent, and forming high refractive index nanoparticles by adding high refractive index nanoparticle materials to the solvent and stirring the same. The high refractive index nanoparticle materials may have a refractive index equal to or greater than 1.8, and sizes of the high refractive index nanoparticles may be determined by adjusting a content of the polymer stabilizer to control an amount of the polymer stabilizer adsorbed to surfaces of the high refractive index nanoparticles.
US09187621B2 Reflector for light-emitting devices
Polymer compositions are described that are well suited for producing reflectors for light-emitting devices, such as light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the polymer composition contains a polymer resin and a stabilizer comprising a phosphonate compound and/or a phosphate compound and optionally a white pigment. The polymer resin may comprise, for instance, a poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate). The phosphate stabilizer has been found to significantly improve the stability of the polymer composition without interfering with the ability of the composition to bond to other polymer materials, such as silicone resins. Silicone resins, for instance, are typically used as an encapsulant for light-emitting diode assemblies.
US09187619B2 Derivatives of sulphosuccinic acid as a dispersing agent in aqueous binder-free pigment preparations
The invention relates to aqueous binder-free pigment preparations containing (A) 1.0 to 75.0 wt. % of at least one organic or inorganic white or colored pigment or a mixture of different organic and inorganic white or colored pigments, (B) 0.01 to 8.0 wt. % of at least one compound of formula (I), R being a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon group with 6 to 18 carbon atoms; n is a whole number from 0 to 10; A is an oxygen atom or a bi-functional group of formula (II), B is a hydrogen atom or a group of formula (III), bonding thereof occurring by means of the valency characterized by *, X and Y are selected from sulphonic acid groups in acidic form or their sodium, potassium and ammonium salt, and hydrogen atoms, where if X represents a sulphonic acid group or its salt then Y is a hydrogen atom, and vice versa if X represents a hydrogen atom then Y is a sulphonic acid group or its salt, and M represents a hydrogen atom or a sodium, potassium or ammonium ion, and if B is a functional group of formula (III), n stands for 0 and M stands for a sodium atom, (C) 0.01 to 12.0 wt. % of a non-ionic surfactant, and (G) is water.
US09187616B2 Resin compositions
Compositions comprising unsaturated resin and catalyst comprising transition metal, such as a complex of ligands and transition metals. The compositions may further comprise filler or rheology modifiers.
US09187615B2 Vinyl chloride resin composition
The present invention provides a vinyl chloride resin composition having an improved resistance to warm-water bleaching. The vinyl chloride resin composition according to the present invention is characterized by comprising, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a vinyl chloride-based resin, 0.01 to 10 parts by mass of (a) a zinc-modified hydrotalcite and 0.01 to 10 parts by mass of (b) an acrylic processing aid having a weight-average molecular weight of 200,000 to 7,000,000. The above-described (a) zinc-modified hydrotalcite is preferably a compound represented by the following Formula (I): Mgx1Znx2Al2(OH)2(x1+x2)+4.CO3.mH2O  (I) (wherein, x1 and x2 each represent a number satisfying the conditions of the following equations; and m represents a real number: 0.1≦x2/x1<10, 2≦x1+x2<20).
US09187612B2 Ground expanded graphite agglomerates, methods of making, and applications of the same
The present disclosure relates to ground expanded graphite agglomerate compositions, methods for making such agglomerates, their use as conductive additive, and conductive composites including such ground expanded graphite agglomerates. The disclosure also pertains to methods for making such composites and the use of such composites in preparing thermally conductive materials. The agglomerates may be characterized by a certain softness allowing the agglomerates to dissolve, e.g., through shear forces applied during compounding, thereby leading to an improved feedability and a highly homogenous distribution of the expanded graphite material in the composite matrix.
US09187607B2 Flame-retarded foamable styrene-based resin compositions
In a flame-retarded foamable styrene-based resin composition comprising a bromine-containing flame retardant, the flame retardant is a mixture of (a) an organic bromine-containing compound having a 2,3-dibromopropyl group or an organic bromine-containing compound having a bromine content of greater than 60 wt% in which all bromine atoms are attached to a benzene ring, and (b) an organic bromine compound having a 2,3-dibromo-2-alkylpropyl group. The composition comprises this mixture in amount from 0.5 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the styrene-based resin. The composition exhibits high flame retardant and heat stabilizing effects yet allowing recycling.
US09187606B2 Process for manufacturing composite materials
The invention relates to a prepreg comprising a structural layer of conductive fibers comprising thermosetting resin in the interstices, and a first outer layer of resin comprising thermosetting resin, and comprising a population of conductive free filaments located at the interface between the structural layer and the outer resin layer which, when cured under elevated temperature, produces a cured composite material comprising a cured structural layer of packed conductive fibers and a first outer layer of cured resin, the outer layer of cured resin, comprising a proportion of the population of conductive free filaments dispersed therein, and to a process for manufacturing prepregs wherein the electrically conductive fibers pass a fiber disrupting means to cause a proportion of the fibers on an external face of the sheet to become free filaments.
US09187604B1 Hyperbranched poly(ether-ketones) via an A3 + B2 polymerization method
The present invention includes novel ether-ketone hyperbranched polymers that are prepared from polymerizing trimesic acid and bifunctional phenylether-based liquid or low-melting monomers, which melt at or below polymerization temperature. The resulting copolymer has repeating units of the formula: wherein m is the degree of polymerization; n has a value of 0-5; the ratio x:y corresponds to the molar ratio of trimesic acid and arylether monomer and may range from 1.0:1.0 to 1.0:1.5 (i.e. x=1, y=1.0, 1.1, 1.2 . . . 1.5); and the substitution pattern of the arylether segment may be para or meta. The endgroups may be carboxylic acid (—CO2H), oxyphenyl (—OPh), or mixture of both moieties, depending on the reaction ratio x:y used. The total number of endgroups is typically defined by m+1.
US09187601B2 Water-processable silicone-containing prepolymers and uses thereof
The invention provide a class of water-processable polymerizable prepolymers which comprises (1) siloxane-containing monomeric units derived at least one siloxane containing monomer having one hydrophilic group or chain and/or polysiloxane-containing crosslinking units derived from at least one hydrophilized polysiloxane or chain-extended polysiloxane crosslinker; (2) hydrophilic monomeric units derived from one or more hydrophilic vinylic monomers; and (3) from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of polymerizable units each having a pendant or terminal, ethylenically-unsaturated group and free of any polysiloxane segment. The prepolymer comprises from about 20% to about 50% by weight of silicone relative to the total weight of the prepolymer and has a high water solubility or dispersibility of at least about 5% by weight in water and suitable for making silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
US09187594B2 Nano-fibrous microspheres and methods for making the same
Nano-fibrous microspheres and methods for forming them are disclosed herein. In one embodiment the microsphere includes a plurality of nano-fibers aggregated together in a spherical shape; and a plurality of pores formed between at least some of the plurality of nano-fibers. The nano-fibers are formed of star-shaped polymers.
US09187586B2 Propylene polymer with improved processability in thermoforming
The present invention concerns a propylene polymer comprising at least two propylene polymer fractions of different melt flow index and a minor amount of at least one comonomer, said propylene polymer being further characterized by specific ranges for melt flow index, xylene solubles content and recovery compliance. Said propylene polymer is particularly suited for thermoforming. The present invention further concerns a process for producing said propylene polymer as well as its use in thermoforming.
US09187583B2 Catalysts
A racemic complex of formula (I), wherein M is zirconium or hafnium; each X is a sigma ligand; L is a divalent bridge selected from —R′2C—, —R′2C—CR′2, —R′2Si—, —R′2Si—SiR′2—, —R′2Ge—, wherein each R′ is independently a hydrogen atom, C1-20-hydrocarbyl, tri(C1-20-alkyl)silyl, C6-20-aryl, C7-20-arylalkyl or C7-20-alkylaryl; R2 and R2′ are each independently a C1-20 hydrocarbyl radical optionally containing one or more heteroatoms from groups 14-16; R5′ is a C1-20 hydrocarbyl group optionally containing one or more heteroatoms from groups 14-16 and optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms.
US09187579B2 Particle-shaped water absorbing agent and method for producing the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a particle-shaped water absorbing agent having a remarkably improved surface color and excellent water-absorbing properties (better water absorption capacity, and lower water soluble content and residual monomer content) at the same time. In order to attain the object, a particle-shaped water absorbing agent according to the present invention is a particle-shaped water absorbing agent whose main component is a polyacrylic acid and/or a salt thereof, the particle-shaped water absorbing agent having a surface color of Hunter b value in a range of −5 to 10, and having a cross-linking absorption property index (CPI) in a range of 1 to 100, the CPI defined by the following two equations: GEX=(GVs+17)/Ln (water soluble content);  Equation 1: CPI=(GEX/residual monomer content)×100  Equation 3: where GVs is gel volume in saline, Ln (water soluble content) is a logarithm natural of water soluble content.
US09187575B2 Isolation of glucan particles and uses thereof
The present invention relates to the isolation of novel glucan particles but also to mannoprotein from natural sources such as yeast cell walls, novel isolation methods, and the use of products thereof.
US09187571B2 Nano-deaggregated cellulose
Disclosed are methods and systems for treating cellulose to make it more accessible for enzymatic or chemical modification. The invention includes treating cellulose with an alkali in an alcohol/water co-solvent system. The treatment decrystallizes or deaggregates the cellulosic material. The methods and systems increase the efficiency of enzymatic or chemical modifications of cellulose for use as biofuels or cellulose derivatives.
US09187566B2 Mig-7 as a specific anticancer target
Aspects of the present invention provide novel Mig-7 encoding nucleic acids and Mig-7 polypeptides, recombinant DNA expression systems and host cells containing same, as well as methods of inhibiting expression of the subject nucleic acid molecules, inhibiting production of the encoded proteins or polypeptides, inhibiting metastasis of a carcinoma cell in a subject (including in humans), inhibiting migration/invasion of and mimicking of normal cells by carcinoma cells in a subject, detecting the presence of a cancer cell (e.g., a migrating/invading cancer cell or carcinoma cell mimic, and tumor neovascularization) in a sample of a subject's tissue or body fluids, and inhibiting the migration/invasion of or endothelial cell mimicking by a placental cell into the blood stream or vessels of a female mammal. Particular aspects relate to novel anti-Mig-7 antibodies, diagnostic and/or prognostic methods, and therapeutic methods comprising use of the inventive nucleic acids, polypeptides and antibodies or derivatives thereof.
US09187562B1 Methods for treating anaemia
The invention relates to human targets of interest (TOI), anti-TOI ligands, kits compositions and method.
US09187559B2 Multiple-variable dose regimen for treating idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease
Multiple-variable dose methods for treating TNFα-related disorders, including Crohn's disease and psoriasis, comprising administering TNFα inhibitors, including TNFα antibodies, are described. Multiple-variable dose methods include administration of a TNF-inhibitor in an induction or loading phase followed by administration of the agent in a maintenance or treatment phase, wherein the TNF-inhibitor is administered in a higher dosage during the induction phase.
US09187558B2 Anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies and methods of use thereof
An isolated monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof is disclosed. The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment is characterized by: (a) having a specific binding affinity to epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) having a specific binding affinity to cancer cells expressing EpCAM said cancer cells being selected from the group consisting of oral cancer cells, nasopharyngeal cancer cells (NPC), colorectal cancer cells, and ovarian cancer cells; and (c) having no binding affinity to human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and normal nasal mucosal epithelia (NNM). Also disclosed is an isolated monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof that has a specific binding affinity to an epitope within the sequence of KPEGALQNNDGLYDPDCDE (SEQ ID NO: 63) located within the EGF-like domain II of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). Methods of using the same are also disclosed.
US09187556B2 SEMA5B peptides and vaccines including the same
As discussed in detail herein, isolated epitope peptides derived from SEMA5B bind to an HLA antigen and induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and thus are suitable for use in the context of cancer immunotherapy, more particularly cancer vaccines. The inventive peptides encompass both the above mentioned amino acid sequences and modified versions thereof, in which one, two, or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, inserted or added, provided such modified versions retain the requisite HLA binding and/or CTL inducibility of the original sequences. Further provided are polynucleotides encoding any of the aforementioned peptides as well pharmaceutical agents or compositions that include any of the aforementioned peptides or polynucleotides. The peptides, polynucleotides, pharmaceutical agents or compositions of this invention find particular utility in the treatment and/or prevention of cancers and tumors, including, for example, esophageal cancer, NSCLC, RCC and SCLC.
US09187552B2 Method for preparing antibodies having improved properties
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for the production of Fc-containing polypeptides having improved properties and comprising mutations at positions 243 and 264 of the Fc region.
US09187549B2 Reduction of the content of protein contaminants in compositions comprising a vitamin K-dependent protein of interest
The present invention relates to Vitamin K-dependent protein compositions having a very low, or negligible, content of protein contaminants. The present invention also relates to method applicable in the preparation of such Vitamin K-dependent protein compositions. Such methods may either be used alone or in sequential combination with the purpose of reducing the relative content of protein contaminants. The present invention is particularly relevant in the preparation of compositions of coagulation factors selected from Factor X polypeptides (FX/FXa), Factor IX polypeptides (FIX/FIXa), Factor VII polypeptides (FVII/FVIIa), and the anticoagulant Protein C, in particular Factor VII polypeptides.
US09187548B2 Antibodies that immunospecifically bind to B lymphocyte stimulator protein
The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for detecting or diagnosing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B Lymphocyte Stimulator expression or inappropriate function of B Lymphocyte Stimulator comprising antibodies or fragments or variants thereof or related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B Lymphocyte Stimulator expression or inappropriate B Lymphocyte Stimulator function comprising administering to an animal an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments or variants thereof or related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator.
US09187541B2 Anti-microbial peptides and methods of use thereof
The present disclosure provides antimicrobial peptides, and compositions comprising same. The present disclosure further provides methods of inhibiting microbial growth.
US09187540B2 Methods of using E2F2 for the treatment of hypertension
The present invention features compositions and methods of treating or preventing hypertension or a cardiac indication. In particular embodiments, the invention provides E2F2 as a new therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension or a cardiac indication, and methods of increasing the expression and/or activity of E2F2.
US09187537B2 Recombinant silk protein derived from sea anemones, method for manufacturing same, and composition for manufacturing silk fibers including same
There are provided a recombinant silk protein derived from sea anemones, a method for producing the same, and a composition for preparing a silk fiber including same. The recombinant silk protein derived from sea anemones has sequence features similar to genetic information of a silk protein derived from spiders and silkworms. Also, a large amount of recombinant silk protein derived from sea anemones may be produced from a transformant and it has good physical properties such as strength and elasticity. Therefore, the recombinant silk protein derived from sea anemones can be usefully applied in various industrial fields in which natural silk protein can be applied, and it is expected to create new industrial fields based on its distinctive mechanical properties.
US09187528B2 Inhibitors of Nox1
The present invention relates to inhibitors of Nox1-dependent reactive oxygen species production and their use in the treatment of disorders associated with reactive oxygen species, such as hypertension and cancer.
US09187526B2 Peptide based inhibition of caPCNA interaction in cancer
Peptides derived from cancer specific isoform of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (caPCNA, also known as csPCNA) or from nmPCNA-interacting proteins interfere with intracellular protein-protein interaction, thereby causing a reduction in the proliferative potential of cancer. These peptides serve as therapeutic compositions to reduce the proliferation of cancer cells and also augment existing chemotherapeutic methods.
US09187523B2 Substrate peptide sequences for plague plasminogen activator and uses thereof
The present invention is directed to peptide sequences that were identified from combinatorial libraries and could serve as substrates of plague plasminogen activator (Pla). Another aspect of the present invention is drawn to peptides derived from the substrates for Pla as a result of chemical modifications leading to specific inactivation of the proteolytic activity of Pla. Additionally, the present invention is directed to the use of the substrates identified herein in the detection of bacteria expressing omptin family of proteases which includes Y. pestis. Furthermore, the present invention is also directed to the use of the inhibitors identified herein in the prevention and treatment of infection caused by these bacteria.
US09187517B2 Methods of promoting cardiac repair using growth factors fused to heparin binding sequences
The present invention is directed to proteins in which a heparin binding peptide is fused to a growth factor that promotes cell growth and survival. The compound thus formed is bound to the surface of cells which are then administered to damaged tissue. The growth factor is thereby maintained at the site of administration where it promotes repair.
US09187516B2 Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of a gene from the Ebola virus
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of a gene from the Ebola virus.
US09187514B2 Synthetic intermediate of 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-4-thio-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine, synthetic intermediate of thionucleoside, and method for producing the same
A compound represented by a formula [1D] as shown below (wherein R1A, R1B, R2A, R2B, R3A and R3B represent a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group, and the like) is useful as an intermediate for producing a thionucleoside, and the production method of the present invention is useful as a method for producing a thionucleoside.
US09187513B2 N-substituted mannosamine derivatives, process for their preparation and their use
A compound of the formula (1) wherein R1 is a group removable by hydrogenolysis, and wherein R2 is OH or R2 is —NHR3 wherein R3 is a group removable by hydrogenolysis. The compound can be made from fructose by a Heyns-rearrangement. The compound can be used then to make free D-mannosamine or its salts, D-mannosamine building blocks and mannosamine containing oligo- or polysaccharides, N-acetyl-D-mannosamine and its hydrates and solvates, neuraminic acid derivatives, and viral neuraminidase inhibitors.
US09187509B2 Calmangafodipir, a new chemical entity, and other mixed metal complexes, methods of preparation, compositions, and methods of treatment
A mixed metal complex of a compound of Formula I, or a salt thereof, wherein the mixed metals comprise a Group III-XII transition metal and a Group II metal: wherein X, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined herein, is produced in a one step crystallization from a solution of the Group III-XII transition metal, the Group II metal, and a compound of Formula I. Methods for treatment of a pathological condition in a patient, for example, a pathological condition caused by the presence of oxygen-derived free radicals, comprise administering the mixed metal complex to the patient.
US09187502B2 Silica particles and method for producing the same
The present invention provides silica particles including primary particles, the primary particles having an average particle diameter in a range of from about 100 nm to about 500 nm, a particle size distribution index in a range of from about 1.40 to about 1.80, and an average roundness in a range of from about 0.5 to about 0.85, and about 95% or more, by number of particles, of the primary particles satisfying following Formula (1) with respect to a roundness (R) and a particle diameter (D) (nm): R=α×D/1000+β  Formula (1) (−2.5≦α≦−0.9, 0.8≦β≦1.2).
US09187501B2 Nitric oxide-releasing nanorods and their methods of use
In one aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein is directed to NO-releasing functionalized nanorods having a desirable aspect ratio. The nanorods are also capable of releasing a desirable amount of NO (nitric oxide). In another aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein is directed to a composition comprising the NO-releasing nanorods. In another aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein is directed to methods of preparing NO-releasing nanorods having a specified aspect ratio. In another aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein is directed to a method of combating infection comprising administering to a subject a composition comprising NO-releasing nanorods, wherein the nanorods have a specified aspect ratio and NO-release profile.
US09187495B2 Compounds and methods for treating bacterial infections
Compounds of formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and uses of the compounds of formula (I) for treating bacterial infections are disclosed.
US09187492B2 Pyripyropene derivative having ACAT2 inhibiting activity and stable to metabolizing enzymes
A compound effective in prevention and treatment of arteriosclerosis with a mechanism different from that of statin drugs has the following formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or hydrate thereof: wherein R1 is an aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic acyloxy group, or a group of the formula —O—CH(R7)—R8 where R7 is a lower alkoxy group and R8 is an aryl group, and R2 is carboxyl, a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, or an arylmethylcarbamoyl group, or a —CH2-acyloxy group and R3 is an aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic acyloxy group, provided that at least one of R4 and R3 is a group other than acetoxy, or R2 and R3 taken together form a group of the formula —O—CH(R5)—O— where R5 is an aryl group.
US09187491B2 Gambogenic acid derivatives, preparation method and application thereof
Gambogenic acid derivatives having a structure shown as Formula (I) or (II), salts, preparation method and application thereof in the treatment of tumor. Compared with gambogenic acid, the gambogenic acid derivatives exhibit more potent anti-tumor activities.
US09187488B2 Process for preparing chiral dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors
A process for the preparation of pyrazolopyrolidines of structural formula I: and W is or P, wherein in P is an amine protecting group. These compounds are useful in the synthesis of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Also provided are useful intermediates obtained from the process.
US09187487B2 Azaindole derivatives as tyrosine kinase inhibitors
The present disclosure provides compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts that are tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in particular BLK, BMX, EGFR, HER2, HER4, ITK, JAK3, TEC, Btk, and TXK and are therefore useful for the treatment of diseases treatable by inhibition of tyrosine kinases such as cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, and the like. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and processes for preparing such compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
US09187486B2 Bicyclic pyridazine compounds as Pim inhibitors
The invention relates to bicyclic compounds of formulas I and I′, and salts thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to inhibitors or modulators of Pim-1 and/or Pim-2, and/or Pim-3 protein kinase activity or enzyme function. In still further embodiments, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds disclosed herein, and their use in the prevention and treatment of Pim kinase related conditions and diseases, preferably cancer.
US09187485B2 Methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer and related hyperproliferative disorders
The present invention relates to methods of treating a disease related to cell hyper-proliferation via administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having a general tripartite structure A-B-C. In the tripartite structure A, B, and C are identical or non-identical structures, for example, but not limited to, heterocyclic, phenyl or benzyl ring structures with or without substitutions and are described in detail herein. The methods may utilize particular compounds, for example, having a piperidinyl, a pyrrolinyl or pyridinyl A ring, a thiazole B ring, and a phenyl C ring which may be further substituted independently.
US09187483B2 Modulators of 5-HT receptors and methods of use thereof
The present application relates to aryl- and heteroaryl-fused decahydropyrroloazepine, octahydrooxepinopyrrole, octahydropyrrolothiazepine dioxide, decahydrocyclohepta[c]pyrrole, and octahydrocyclohepta[c]pyrrole derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, A, Y1, Y2, and Y3 are as defined in the specification. The present application also relates to compositions comprising such compounds, processes for making such compounds, and methods of treating disease conditions using such compounds and compositions, and methods for identifying such compounds.
US09187481B2 (2S)-2-[[4-[(1R)-1-[(2,4-diaminopteridin-6-yl)methyl]but-3-ynyl]benzoyl]amin]pentanedioic acid for the treatment of inflammatory disorders
The present invention relates to diastereomers of 10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin, compositions comprising optically pure diastereomers of 10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin, in particular the two (R,S) diastereomers about the C10 position, specifically, diastereomers (2S)-2-[[4-[(1S)-1-[(2,4-diaminopteridin-6-yl)methyl]but-3-ynyl]benzoyl]amino]pentanedioic acid and/or (2S)-2-[[4-[(1R)-1-[(2,4-diaminopteridin-6-yl)methyl]but-3-ynyl]benzoyl]amino]pentanedioic acid. Methods of preparation of these diastereomers, compositions containing them, and their use for the treatment of conditions related to inflammatory disorders and cancer are also disclosed.
US09187480B2 Peripherally restricted diphenyl purine derivatives
The invention provides compounds capable of acting as antagonists at cannabanoid receptors according to the following formula: Such compounds may be used to treat conditions for which the cannabinoid receptor system has been implicated, such as obesity, liver disease, diabetes, pain, and inflammation.
US09187474B2 Raf inhibitor compounds
This invention provides compounds of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I); and use of a compound of Formula (I) for treating specified cancers.
US09187473B2 Substituted 5-(pyrazin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazolo [3, 4-b] pyridine and pyrazolo [3, 4-b] pyridine derivatives as protein kinase inhibitors
Substituted 5-(pyrazin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine, 5-(pyrazin-2-yl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine and pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives according to formula I, II and VII, and methods for making same, which are inhibitors of constitutively activated Tyrosine Kinase-Like (TKL), CMGC protein kinases family members and can be useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Down's Syndrome, Huntington's disease, other neurodegenerative and central nervous system disorders, cancer, metabolic disorders and inflammatory diseases. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds and methods of inhibiting wild type and/or mutated protein kinase activities of these families and the treatment of disorders associated therewith using compounds and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds.
US09187471B2 Pyrido [4,3-b] indole and pyrido [3,4-b] indole derivatives and methods of use
This disclosure is directed to tetracyclic pyrido[4,3-b]indole and pyrido[3,4-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.
US09187466B2 Bisaryl-bonded aryltriazolones and use thereof
The present invention relates to bisaryl-linked 5-aryl-1,2,4-triazolone derivatives according to the following formula: wherein Ar1, Ar2, R1, R2, L1, L2, Q and n are defined herein. The invention further related to the process of making the bisaryl-linked 5-aryl-1,2,4-triazolone derivatives.
US09187461B2 Cathepsin C inhibitors
Disclosed are 4-amino-2-butenamides of Formula (I) having pharmacological activity, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and methods for the treatment of diseases mediated by the cathepsin C enzyme such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
US09187451B2 Muscarinic M1 receptor agonists
This invention relates to compounds that are agonists of the muscarinic M1 receptor and which are useful in the treatment of muscarinic M1 receptor mediated diseases. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and the therapeutic uses of the compounds. Compounds provided are of formula I, where n is 1 or 2; p is 0, 1 or 2; q is 0, 1 or 2; and R1-R6 are as defined herein.
US09187450B2 Substituted pyridine compound
The present invention provides a substituted pyridine compound or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof which has excellent CETP inhibition activity and is useful as a medicament. The present invention provides a compound represented by a general formula (I), wherein R1 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, OH, optionally substituted alkoxy, alkylsulfonyl, optionally substituted amino, carboxy, optionally substituted carbonyl, CN, halogeno, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted aromatic heterocyclyl, optionally substituted saturated heterocyclyl, optionally substituted saturated heterocyclyloxy or optionally substituted saturated heterocyclylcarbonyl, etc., and the like.
US09187448B2 Flavonoid compounds
The present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods for treatment of conditions related to mitochondrial function. In various aspects, the present invention comprises administering one or more epicatechin derivatives in an amount effective to stimulate mitochondrial function in cells. The compounds, compositions, and methods described herein provide for reducing infarct size in the heart following permanent ischemia or ischemia/reperfusion event or method for delaying, attenuating or preventing adverse cardiac remodeling, and can assist in prevention of impaired mitochondria biogenesis and thus prevention of the consequences of impaired mitochondrial biogenesis in various diseases and conditions, as well as provide for the active therapy of mitochondrial depletion that may have already occurred.
US09187446B2 Antibacterial agents: sidechainfluorinated myxopyronin derivatives
The invention provides compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and G are as described in the specification, as well as compositions comprising a compound of formula I, methods of making such compounds, and methods of using such compounds, e.g., as inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase and as antibacterial agents.
US09187444B2 Process for converting bio-oil
Disclosed is a process for converting bio-oil, wherein the process includes the steps, where a feedstock including bio-oil selected from bio-oils, any fractions of bio-oils and any combinations thereof is subjected to azeotropic distillation with at least one alcohol to yield a liquid component, and subjecting the liquid component to alcoholysis whereby converted bio-oil is obtained. The invention also relates to the use of converted bio-oil, obtainable by the process, as heating oil, as starting material in processes for producing fuels, fuel components, fine chemicals, chemical building-blocks, and solvents.
US09187439B2 Tricyclic compounds useful as neurogenic and neuroprotective agents
The invention disclosed herein is direct to compounds of Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are useful in treating neurodegenerative diseases and promoting the generation or survival of neurons in the mammalian brain. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention disclosed herein is also directed to a method of promoting the generation or survival of neurons in a patient in need thereof in neurodegenerative and related diseases.
US09187435B2 Bridged Spiro[2.4]heptane ester derivatives
The invention relates to a method for preparing linear polymers having an amide end or having a star architecture comprising an amide core, by means of a ring opening using lactide and glycolide monomers or a lactide monomer ring in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the method includes the steps of: (i) reacting the excess monomer(s) with an initiator in a solvent, said initiator being selected from among an amine and an amino alcohol, given that the initiator has at least one primary or secondary amine function; (ii) adding a catalyst, said catalyst being a non-nucleophilic base and including at least one neutral sp2 nitrogen atom; and (iii) neutralizing the reaction mixture. Said novel method is particularly advantageous in that it can be easily monitored and enables better modulation of the polymers, and thus of the properties thereof, than the methods of the prior art. The invention also relates to novel polymers that are obtainable by means of said method.
US09187433B2 Formation of N-protected 3,6-bis-(4-aminobutyl) -2, 5-diketopiperazine through a cyclic α-N-protected active amino ester intermediate
A method for the synthesis of N-protected 3,6-aminoalkyl-2,5-diketopiperazines is provided. The method includes obtaining a cyclic α-N protected active amino ester and adding it to a mixture of an amine catalyst in an organic solvent.
US09187431B2 Substituted phenyl(oxy/thio)alkanol derivatives
The present invention relates to novel substituted phenyl(oxy/thio)alkanol derivatives, to processes for preparing these compounds, to compositions comprising these compounds and to their use as biologically active compounds, in particular for controlling harmful microorganisms in crop protection and in the protection of materials and as plant growth regulators.
US09187430B2 Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor
Disclosed are a phthalic hydrazide (phthalazine ketone) compound, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. As a DNA repair enzyme poly (ADP-ribozyme) polymerase inhibitor, the compound and the pharmaceutical composition can effectively treat diseases involving PARP enzymatic activity, including cancer, neural degenerative diseases, inflammation and the like.
US09187429B2 Phenyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives
The invention provides novel compounds having the general formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, A and n are as described herein, compositions including the compounds and methods of using the compounds.
US09187426B2 Organic compounds
The present invention provides heterocyclic derivatives that modulate the activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase. Methods of using such derivatives to modulate the activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives are also encompassed.
US09187413B2 Peripherally restricted FAAH inhibitors
Peripherally restricted inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are provided. The compounds can suppress FAAH activity and increases anandamide levels outside the central nervous system (CNS). Despite their relative inability to access brain and spinal cord, the compounds attenuate behavioral responses indicative of persistent pain in rodent models of inflammation and peripheral nerve injury, and suppresses noxious stimulus-evoked neuronal activation in spinal cord regions implicated in nociceptive processing. CBi receptor blockade prevents these effects. Accordingly, the invention also provides methods, and pharmaceutical compositions for treating conditions in which the inhibition of peripheral FAAH would be of benefit. The compounds of the invention are according to the formula (I): in which R1 is a polar group. In some embodiments, R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and the physiologically hydro lysable esters thereof. R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl; each R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen and substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl and n is an integer from 0 to 4; each R5 is independently selected from the group consisting of halo and substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl and m is an integer from 0 to 3; and R6 is substituted or unsubstituted cyclohexyl; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US09187412B2 Process for preparing 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexanone
The present invention refers to the preparation of 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexanone (isophorone nitrile, abbreviation IPN) using a calcium alkoxide, particularly calcium ethoxide, as catalyst.
US09187410B2 Process for isolating tigecycline and tigecycline made therefrom
The present invention provides a process for isolating tigecycline which process comprises the step of spray drying a solution of tigecycline in a solvent. Preferably the solvent is water or an organic solvent. In another aspect, there is provided tigecycline obtainable by spray drying, particularly in amorphous form. In particular, the invention provides tigecycline obtainable by spray drying according to the process of the invention.
US09187408B2 Process for the preparation of protected L-alanine derivatives
The present invention is directed to a novel process for the preparation of protected L-alanine derivatives, useful as intermediates in the synthesis of compounds useful as mu/delta opioid modulators.
US09187407B2 Method to produce N-acyl amino acid surfactants using N-acyl amino acid surfactants or the corresponding anhydrides as catalysts
A process of producing N-acyl amino acid based surfactants of Formula I, wherein, R is selected from C6 to C22 alkyl group, R1 is selected from H, C1 to C4 alkyl, R2 is selected from all groups on α carbon of natural amino acids, R3 is selected from COOX, CH2—SO3X, X is selected from Li+, Na+ or K+. The process comprising steps of: A) preparing fatty acid chlorides by halogenating fatty acids with either phosgene or thionyl chloride in the presence of catalytic amount of same or other N-acyl amino acid surfactant of Formula I or anhydrides of same surfactant; and B) reacting fatty acid chloride of step (A) with an amino acid in the presence of a base.
US09187396B2 Compositions and methods for the treatment of glomerulonephritis
The invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of glomerulonephritis. In one embodiment, the invention provides a compound of formula (I) R-L-CO—X  (I) (wherein R is a C10-24 unsaturated hydrocarbon group optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms or groups of heteroatoms selected from S, O, N, SO, SO2, said hydrocarbon group comprising at least 4 non-conjugated double bonds; L is a linking group forming a bridge of 1 to 5 atoms between the R group and the carbonyl CO; and X is an electron withdrawing group) or a salt thereof for use in the treatment of glomerulonephritis.
US09187395B2 Method for preparing acrolein from glycerol
The disclosure concerns a method for preparing acrolein from glycerol, according to which a dehydration of the glycerol is carried out in the presence of a catalyst MWOA, wherein MWO represents a mixture of simple oxides and/or mixed oxides of tungsten and at least one metal M selected among zirconium, silicon, titanium, aluminium and yttrium, and A represents one or several Lewis base(s), one said Lewis base being of the formula B(R1)p(R2)q(R3)r, wherein B is an element selected among C, S, P, O, N and halides, R1, R2 and R3 represent, independently of each other, H, a C1-C6 alkyl group, O, OH or OR wherein R represents a C1-C6 alkyl group, and the sum of p, q and r varies from 0 to 4.
US09187394B2 Method for synthesizing 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatriene-1,8-dialdehyde
Provided in the present invention is a method for synthesizing 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatriene-1,8-dialdehyde. The synthesis method comprises the following steps: (1) adding acetaldehyde diethyl acetal and ethyl-(1-propenyl)-ether under the effect of a catalyst to produce 1,1,3-triethoxy-2-methyl-butane; (2) pyrolysis synthesizing 1,1,3-triethoxy-2-methyl-butane under the catalytic effects of isoquinoline and p-Toluenesulfonic acid to produce 1-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-butadiene; (3) dissolving 1-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-butadiene in anhydrous ethanol solvent for synthesis with a phase transfer catalyst, cetyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide, and a chlorinating agent, trichloroisocyanuric acid, to generate 4,4-diethoxy-3-methyl-1-chloro-butene; (4) combining 4,4-diethoxy-3-methyl-1-chloro-butene with a triphenylphosphine salt to produce a phosphonium salt; and (5) condensing the phosphonium salt under the effects of hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with sodium carbonate solution to generate 1,1,8,8-tetramethyl-2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatriene; then hydrolyzing under acidic conditions to synthesize 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatriene-1,8-dialdehyde. The present invention has a simple process route, is easy to operate, and has mild conditions, great yield, and great industrial value.
US09187393B2 Process for the preparation of dimethyl ether
Process for the preparation of dimethyl ether comprising the steps of: a) providing a methanol containing feed stock; b) introducing the feed stock into a reaction zone within a gas cooled dimethyl ether reactor and passing the feed stock through the reaction zone; c) introducing a cooling gas stream into a cooling space within the gas cooled dimethyl ether reactor; d) reacting the feed stock in the reaction zone in presence of a catalyst being active in the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether to obtain a reactor effluent comprising dimethyl ether.
US09187392B2 Production of propylene glycol monoalkyl ether
The invention is a process for producing a propylene glycol monoalkyl ether which comprises first reacting propylene oxide and an alcohol in the presence of an alkali or alkaline earth metal alkoxide catalyst to produce an alkoxylation mixture comprising propylene glycol monoalkyl ether; distilling the alkoxylation mixture to produce a first overhead stream comprising propylene oxide and alcohol and a first bottoms stream comprising propylene glycol monoalkyl ether; and then distilling the first bottoms stream to produce purified propylene glycol monoalkyl ether as a second overhead stream. The reaction and/or one or more of the distillation steps occur in the presence of an alkali metal borohydride. The process produces propylene glycol monoalkyl ether with low UV absorbance and reduced carbonyl impurities.
US09187390B2 Lignin conversion process
This specification discloses a complete method to manufacture polyester articles from freshly harvested ligno-cellulosic biomass. The process steps include pretreating the biomass and the converting the lignin to one of several possible organic steams by deoxygenating and dehydrogenating the lignin in the presence of a Raney Nickel catalyst, separating the organics, and then processing the organics into polyester feedstocks and converting those feedstocks to polyester.
US09187383B2 Component separations in polymerization
A process for component separation in a polymer production system, comprising separating a polymerization product stream into a gas stream and a polymer stream, wherein the gas stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, distilling the gas stream into a light hydrocarbon stream, wherein the light hydrocarbon stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, contacting the light hydrocarbon stream with an absorption solvent system, wherein at least a portion of the unreacted ethylene from the light hydrocarbon stream is absorbed by the absorption solvent system, and recovering a waste gas stream from the absorption solvent system, wherein the waste gas stream comprises ethane, hydrogen, or combinations thereof.
US09187380B2 Phosphorus zinc manganese fertilizer
A starter fertilizer product combining manganese with P and Zn creates a previously unknown synergy in early plant growth and plant health.
US09187375B2 Dielectric ceramic composition and multilayer ceramic capacitor containing the same
A dielectric ceramic composition may include a base powder represented by (1−a)[(1−x)BaTiO3−xBi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3]+a[(1−y)BaTiO3−yBi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3](wherein x, y, and a satisfy 0≦x≦0.05, 0.05≦y≦0.5, a≧0, and 0.01−x≦a≦1−y) and formed by mixing a first powder represented by [(1−x)BaTiO3−xBi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3] with a second powder represented by [(1−y)BaTiO3−yBi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3]. Each of the first powder and the second powder contains a first main component represented by BaTiO3 and a second main component represented by Bi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3, but at different ratios.
US09187374B2 Ceramics paste and laminated body
A NOx sensor 100 is produced by forming a stack with a ceramics paste including ceramic particles, a resin, a solvent, and one or more additives selected from additives of a first group having a first structure containing one or more selected from ether structures, urethane structures, hydroxy group-containing structures, ester structures, and acrylic structures and additives of a second group having any one or more structures of the additives of the first group and a second structure containing one or more selected from imidazoline structures, ethylenediamine structures, and amine structures. The ceramics paste contains any one of the additives of the first group and the second group and thus has an appropriate affinity for a cutting edge at the time of cutting a laminated body before the firing of the NOx sensor 100.
US09187371B2 Supplementary cementitious material and method for disposing of electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD)
The present invention contemplates a cementitious additive that contains electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) and a precursor as a replacement for up to about 30% of the cement in concrete. The additive includes about 50% by weight EAFD and about 50 wgt. % of precursor. The precursor includes about 55 wgt. % silica, about 10 to 20 wgt. % lime, about 2 to 5 wgt. % soda, about 5 to 15 wgt. % potash, about 2 to 6 wgt. % alumina and about 1 to 3 wgt. % magnesia. The method also contemplates the step of homogenizing the electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) and precursor to produce engineered dust (ED) and then replacing up to 30% of the cement with a mixture referred to as ED i.e. homogenized EAFD and precursor.
US09187370B2 Method of making particulate material
The invention relates to a method of making a particulate material comprising; providing mineral wool base material in a form having size at least 80% not more than 40 mm, subjecting the mineral wool base material to sintering by use of a pulse combustor and thereby forming a particulate material in the form of particles having size at least 80% not more than 20 mm. An apparatus for carrying out the method comprises means for size reduction of coherent mineral wool substrate and a reaction chamber in communication with a pulse combustor.
US09187369B2 Process and installation for production of clinker and electricity, and process for modification of a production installation of clinker
A process and an installation for production of clinker and electricity, and a process for modifying a production installation of clinker are presented.
US09187364B2 Method of glass edge coating
A method of glass edge coating includes supplying a coating material to a jetting dispenser. Droplets are jetted from a nozzle of the jetting dispenser. Beads of coating material are deposited on a perimeter edge of the glass article by arranging for the droplets to drop on the perimeter edge after falling through a standoff distance between the nozzle and the perimeter edge, whereafter each bead flows in a plurality of directions on the perimeter edge, thereby forming a coating on the perimeter edge. During the jetting, a relative motion is effected between the nozzle and the perimeter edge such that the beads are deposited at a plurality of locations along the perimeter edge.
US09187361B2 Method of manufacturing S-glass fibers in a direct melt operation and products formed there from
A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a refractory-lined glass meter, products made there from and batch compositions suited for use in the method are disclosed. The glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 64-75 weight percent SiO2, 16-24 weight percent Al2O3, 8-12 weight percent MgO and 0.25-3 weight percent R2O, where R2O equals the sum of Li2O and Na2O, has a fiberizing temperature less than about 2650° F., and a ΔT of at least 80° F. By using oxide-based refractory-lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers produced using a platinum-lined melting furnace. High strength composite articles including the high strength glass fibers are also disclosed.
US09187359B2 Method of evaluating silica powder, vitreous silica crucible, and method of manufacturing vitreous silica crucible
The present invention provides a method of evaluating silica powder which, enables precise prediction of easiness of crystallization of a vitreous silica crucible. According to the present invention, provided is a method of evaluating silica powder including a sample preparation process for preparing a vitrified sample by fusing silica powder at a fusing temperature of 1700 to 1900 deg. C., followed by cooling; a sample heat treatment process for retaining the sample for 30 minutes or more at a temperature of 1400 to 1750 deg. C., followed by cooling; and a sample evaluation process for evaluating a state of opacification of the sample after the sample heat treatment process.
US09187356B2 Burner holder for a burner of a melting vat
Burner holder for a burner of a melting vat, comprising a holding section for fastening the burner and a mounting section for fastening the holder to a melting vat or a vat element which is assigned to the melting vat, wherein the holding section (13) is connected via at least one parallel crank mechanism (8) to the mounting section (14) and can be moved via said at least one parallel crank mechanism (8) relative to the mounting section (14).
US09187352B2 Preparation method of weakly basic, ionized, mineralization and healthy drinking water
Disclosed is a preparation method of weakly basic, ionized, mineralized and healthy drinking water including purifying the tap water by precipitation, filtration and other conventional methods to obtain clean water; and getting the said clean water through reverse osmosis (RO) membrane to obtain RO pure water; heating the said RO pure water to 35-100 degrees celsius by magnetic oscillation or by heating, and then making the RO pure water through weak alkaline, ionized, and mineralization composition, and then filtering the RO pure water by coconut carbon cartridge and PP cotton filter element in turn. The water prepared by the method of the present invention is beneficial to the health of human body and suitable for long-term consumption.
US09187349B2 Modular electrochemical systems and methods
An electrochemical separation system may be modular and may include at least a first modular unit and a second modular unit. Each modular unit may include a cell stack and a frame. The frame may include a manifold system. A flow distribution system in the frame may enhance current efficiency. Spacers positioned between modular units may also enhance current efficiency of the system.
US09187348B2 Electrode for capacitive deionization device and capacitive deionization device having the electrode
Disclosed herein is an electrode for capacitive deionization device including an active material, a waterborne polyurethane, and a conducting agent. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing the electrode and a capacitive deionization device employing the electrode. The waterborne polyurethane is a product of reaction of a polyurethane prepolymer prepared by reacting a polyol, a diisocyanate-based compound, and a dispersing agent, with a neutralizing agent and a chain extending agent.
US09187344B2 Water treatment device and methods of use
A water treatment device and methods of treating water such as cooling tower water, agricultural water, water used in the production of oil and/or gas, swimming pool water, and hot tub or spa water, are described. The water treatment device utilizes ultraviolet radiation, a magnetic field, and ozone fortified air to treat the water, typically resulting in reduced microbial contamination and reduced alkalinity in cooling tower water. Cooling tower water may consequently be run at higher cycles of concentration while reducing or eliminating deposition of minerals on cooling tower components. Swimming pool water and hot tub water treated with the water treatment device typically requires less chlorine, and chlorine levels are typically more stable than without the device.
US09187340B2 Sulfide oxidation process for production of molybdenum oxides from molybdenite
A looping method for production of MoO2, the method including reacting molybdenite feed with a substantially stoichiometric mixture comprising MoO3 and oxygen in a first furnace to produce MoO2 and SO2, removing a first portion of the MoO2 from the first furnace, transferring a second portion of the MoO2 from the first furnace to a second furnace, reoxidizing of the transferred portion of the MoO2 in the second furnace to MoO3; and looping the MoO3 from the second furnace to the first furnace for use as an oxidizing agent.
US09187339B2 Organic solvent dispersion containing flaky titanium oxide, method for production of the dispersion, titanium oxide film using the dispersion, and method for production of the titanium oxide film
Disclosed is an organic dispersion comprising a flaky titanium oxide particle having a high crystallinity and high light permeability contained in an organic solvent. The dispersion can be prepared by a method comprising preparing an aqueous dispersion of a flaky titanium oxide particle containing an organic cation, centrifuging the aqueous dispersion to produce a precipitate, and adding the precipitate to an organic solvent, or a method comprising lyophilizing the aqueous dispersion to produce a lyophilized material and mixing the lyophilized material to an organic solvent. When the organic dispersion is used, it becomes possible to form a film comprising a monolayer of a titanium oxide nanosheet densely arranged therein by such a simple manner that the dispersion is coated on a base material and drying the dispersion. The film thus produced has a photocatalytic activity and a super-hydrophilic property.
US09187337B2 Method of increasing the stability of a Bayer process liquor
Methods, and related products and compositions, of increasing the stability of a Bayer process liquor are described. A method of increasing the stability of a Bayer process liquor includes contacting the Bayer process liquor with a ppm quantity of a low molecular weight dextran. Also described are methods, and related products and compositions, for controlling the precipitation of aluminum-containing compounds from a Bayer process liquor.
US09187321B2 Reactor
A reactor includes a reaction part and a removal part. The reaction part is configured to generate at least two products as a result of a reaction of an unreacted material. The removal part is configured to selectively occlude at least one product from the at least two products so as to separate and remove the at least one product. The removal part includes an absorbent and a cooling unit. The absorbent releases heat at time of the selective occlusion of the at least one product. The cooling unit is configured to remove the heat released by the absorbent.
US09187319B2 Substrate etching method and substrate processing device
A substrate etching method and a substrate processing device, the substrate etching method includes: S1: placing a substrate to be processed into a reaction chamber; S2: supplying etching gas into the reaction chamber; S3: turning on an excitation power supply to generate plasma in the reaction chamber; S4: turning on a bias power supply to apply bias power to the substrate; S5: turning off the bias power supply, and meanwhile, starting to supply deposition gas into the reaction chamber; S6: stopping supply of the deposition gas into the reaction chamber, and meanwhile, turning on the bias power supply; S7: repeating steps S5-S6, until the etching process is completed. In the whole etching process, the etching operation is always performed, and the deposition operation is performed sometimes. Therefore, during the deposition operation, the plasma in the reaction chamber can etch away at least a part of deposited polymers formed by the deposition operation on a sidewall of an etched section, so that the sidewall of the etched section of the substrate is smooth.
US09187318B2 Laser micro/nano processing system and method
A laser micro/nano processing system (100, 200, 300, 400) comprises: a laser light source used to provide a first laser beam having a first wavelength and a second laser beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, with the pulse width of the first laser beam being in the range from a nanosecond to a femtosecond; an optical focusing assembly used to focus the first laser beam and the second laser beam to the same focal point; and a micro mobile platform (21) controlled by a computer. Also disclosed are a method for micro/nano-processing photosensitive materials with a laser and a method for fabricating a device with a micro/nano structure using laser two-photon direct writing technology. In the system and methods, spatial and temporal overlapping of two laser beams is utilized, so as to obtain a micro/nano structure with a processing resolution higher than that of a single laser beam, using an average power lower than that of a single laser beam.
US09187317B2 MEMS integrated pressure sensor and microphone devices and methods of forming same
A method embodiment for forming a micro-electromechanical (MEMS) device includes providing a MEMS wafer, wherein a portion of the MEMS wafer is patterned to provide a first membrane for a microphone device and a second membrane for a pressure sensor device. A carrier wafer is bonded to the MEMS wafer, and the carrier wafer is etched to expose the first membrane for the microphone device to an ambient environment. A MEMS substrate is patterned and portions of a first sacrificial layer are removed of the MEMS wafer to form a MEMS structure. A cap wafer is bonded to a side of the MEMS wafer opposing the carrier wafer to form a first sealed cavity including the MEMS structure. A second sealed cavity and a cavity exposed to an ambient environment on opposing sides of the second membrane for the pressure sensor device are formed.
US09187316B2 Ultrasonic sensor microarray and method of manufacturing same
A sensor assembly including one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) microarray modules which are provided with a number of individual transducers. The transducers include silicon device and backing layers joined by a fused benzocyclobutene (BCB) layer which defines the transducer air gap, and which are arranged to simulate or orient individual transducers in a hyperbolic paraboloid geometry. The transducers/sensor are arranged in a matrix and are activatable to emit and receive reflected beam signals at a frequency of between about 100 to 170 kHz.
US09187315B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: simultaneously forming first and second well regions on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the second well region becomes a fixed electrode; simultaneously forming a first gate insulating film on the first well region and a fixed electrode protective film on the second well region; simultaneously forming a floating gate electrode on the first gate insulating film and a sacrificial film on the fixed electrode protective film; simultaneously forming a second gate insulating film on the floating gate electrode and a movable electrode protective film on the sacrificial film; simultaneously forming a gate electrode on the second gate insulating film and a movable electrode on the movable electrode protective film; removing the sacrificial film to form a void by; and vacuum-sealing the void to form a vacuum chamber.
US09187310B2 Wafer-level packaging of a MEMS integrated device and related manufacturing process
A wafer-level package for a MEMS integrated device, envisages: a first body integrating a micromechanical structure; a second body having an active region integrating an electronic circuit, coupled to the micromechanical structure; and a third body defining a covering structure for the first body. The second body defines a base portion of the package and has an inner surface coupled to which is the first body, and an outer surface provided on which are electrical contacts towards the electronic circuit; a routing layer has an inner surface set in contact with the outer surface of the second body and an outer surface that carries electrical contact elements towards the external environment. The third body defines a covering portion for covering the package and is directly coupled to the second body for closing a housing space for the first body.
US09187307B2 Fuel surge arrestor
A fuel surge arrestor can include a funnel shaped to fit within a fuel fill receptacle of a craft. The funnel can have a nozzle opening for accepting a fuel fill nozzle. A vent can be located at a top opening of the funnel. The vent can include a plurality of baffles that enable airflow within the vent while deterring heavy vapors and liquids from exiting the vent during a fuel surge.
US09187301B2 Self-propel accessory
A self-propel accessory provides an easily attachable optional drive function for a platform device. The platform device is supported by a device frame including a wheel at a rear end and a post at a front end. The self-propel accessory includes an accessory frame attachable to the device frame via a bracket, a driving wheel connected to the accessory frame, a motor operatively coupled with the driving wheel, and a handle connected to the accessory frame. The accessory frame is pivotable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, and a weight of the platform device biases the accessory frame toward the disengaged position.
US09187300B2 Article storage facility
An article storage facility includes an elevating scaffold capable of ascending/descending in a movement space across a withdrawal height that is set on an upper side and a plurality of working heights that are set in intermediate locations in the movement space in the vertical direction. A plurality of support bodies that support the elevating scaffold are provided in the vertical direction so as to respectively correspond to the plurality of working heights, and at least a support body other than the lowermost support body of the plurality of support bodies is configured to be movable to an acting position at which the support body protrudes toward the movement space so as to support the elevating scaffold and a withdrawal position at which the support body retracts toward the article storage shelf so as not to come into contact with the elevating scaffold moving up and down.
US09187299B2 Jack structure
A jack structure includes a cylinder, an air chamber piston rod disposed therein, an ejection piston rod disposed around the air chamber piston rod, a position-limiting component on top of the external cylinder, and a fastening component on top of the cylinder. The air chamber piston rod has a top with an air chamber piston, an internal portion with a first air chamber, and a sidewall with a gas passage in communication with the first air chamber. The ejection piston rod has an air chamber sealing cover, position-limiting portion, and ejection hydraulic piston. The air chamber sealing cover, ejection piston rod, air chamber piston rod, and air chamber piston together define a second air chamber communicating with the first air chamber. The ejection hydraulic piston, ejection piston rod, air chamber sealing cover, air chamber piston rod, and cylinder together define a hydraulic chamber communicating with the liquid passage.
US09187297B2 Hydraulic driving apparatus for working machine
Provided is an apparatus to lower a load, comprising a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic actuator having first and second ports, a manipulation device, a hydraulic circuit including meter-in and meter-out flow passages for the first and second ports respectively and a regeneration flow passage with a check valve, a control valve, a meter-out flow controller adjusting a meter-out flow rate according to the manipulation device, a back pressure valve, and a non-regeneration operation relief valve whose set pressure is not less than a sum of a minimum set pressure of the back pressure valve, an inlet-outlet pressure difference of the meter-out flow controller when the meter-out flow rate is maximum and a discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pump is maximum, and an actuator pressure difference for driving the hydraulic actuator with no load, and not less than a maximum set pressure of the back pressure valve.
US09187294B2 Hybrid construction machine and method for controlling the same
Provided is a hybrid construction machine together with a method for controlling that construction machine in a manner ensuring the operability of its combined operations regardless of fluctuations in the load on its work machine.The hybrid construction machine has: a swing structure; a work machine attached to the swing structure; an engine mounted on the swing structure; a first electric motor driven by the engine, the motor being capable of generating power; a hydraulic pump driven by the engine and the first electric motor; a second electric motor for driving the swing structure; and a plurality of electric storage devices, wherein the hybrid construction machine further includes a first control unit which, in a combined operation involving the work machine and the swing structure, drives and controls the second electric motor by use of the electric power supplied from at least one electric storage device selected from the storage devices and from another electric storage device offering a higher output level and a lower stored energy level per unit weight than the selected at least one electric storage device, and drives and controls the hydraulic pump by use of the engine.
US09187293B2 Lifting device, system, and method
A lifting device comprises three or more links hingedly joined end-to-end such that the lifting device is able to hingedly move in a first direction from a linear arrangement to a bent arrangement but is not able to hingedly move from the linear arrangement to a bent arrangement in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US09187292B2 Support frame with damping elements for mounting an elevator cage
A support frame has at one or more lower cage corners a respective support, at which at least one damping element is arranged. The support has a U-shaped cross-section and can be inserted into a beam with C-shaped cross-section. The elevator cage is mounted on the damping elements, which can keep oscillations and vibrations away from the elevator cage. Near the inserted support, a device can be provided for raising the elevator cage if the support or at least one damping element has to be replaced.
US09187290B2 Cordset assembly
A cordset assembly having a charge controller interruption device and a cord reel. The charge control interruption device may have a housing and at least one cord. The cord reel may have first and second reel portions. The cord may be wound around the housing between the first and second reel portions to facilitate storage.
US09187289B1 Apparatus for lifting and supporting an item for holding windable material
Apparatus for lifting and supporting a spool of windable material above a floor includes a pair of supports wherein each support includes a floor-engaging base and an elongated telescoping post assembly joined to the base so as to extend vertically upwardly therefrom. A lift assembly is connected to the post assembly and is releasably securable at alternative locations therealong, and the telecoping post assembly can be altered in length so that by positioning each of the supports adjacent a corresponding end of the barrel of the spool, arranging the lift assemblies of the stands in cooperating relationship with the barrel of the spool so that when lifted by the stands, the weight of the spool rests upon the lift assemblies, and then lengthening the post assembly, the spool is lifted from the floor by way of the lift assemblies.
US09187288B2 Method for stabilizing strip during winding
A method is disclosed for winding a composite strip onto a spool having a hub in which the strip includes a plurality of laterally spaced apart lengthwise extending rib portions upstanding from the base portion. The method comprises the steps of feeding the strip towards the hub of the spool; driving the fed strip through a roller set so as to plastically deform the strip to give it a curved base portion; and winding the deformed strip onto the hub to form spooled strip, the winding creating tension in the strip. The plastic deformation of the strip through the roller set substantially reduces the tension in the strip that would otherwise occur.
US09187286B2 Folding device
This folding device 1 comprises: a folding blade mechanism operation control mechanism 16 for operating a folding blade mechanism 13C provided in a folding cylinder 13; and a paper edge holding mechanism operation control mechanism 15 for operating a paper edge holding mechanism 13B provided in the folding cylinder 13, the folding blade mechanism operation control mechanism 16 and the paper edge holding mechanism operation control mechanism 15 being provided capable of activation based on a predetermined activating signal.
US09187284B2 Sheet discharge device and image forming apparatus
A sheet discharge device includes a sheet discharge portion configured to discharge a sheet, a destaticizing brush coming into contact with the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge portion and destaticizing the sheet, and a guide member turning by being pushed by the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge portion and guiding the sheet to a stacking portion on which the discharged sheet is to be stacked. The guide member includes a guide portion guiding the discharged sheet to the stacking portion and a recede portion provided at a position facing the destaticizing brush and accepting the destaticizing brush deformed by being pushed by the sheet.
US09187283B2 Conveyor device and image recording apparatus
A conveyor device may include first and second conveyor units, and a movable member. The first conveyor unit includes a first roller that contacts an upper surface of a sheet and a second roller that contacts a lower surface of the sheet. The second conveyor unit includes a third roller that contacts the lower surface of the sheet and a fourth roller that contacts the upper surface of the sheet. The first and second rollers and the third and fourth rollers nip and convey the sheet along a conveyance path. When the movable member is located in a first position, the first roller contacts the second roller and the third roller contacts the fourth roller. When the movable member moves to the second position, the first roller is moved away from the second roller and the third roller is moved away from the fourth roller.
US09187277B2 Post-processing apparatus and image forming system
A post-processing apparatus includes a suspension member that suspends a center-folded booklet by being inserted into the booklet along a fold of the booklet, a pair of clamp members that are disposed so as to face outer surfaces of the booklet suspended by the suspension member and that clamp the booklet by moving closer to each other, and a post-processing mechanism that performs a post-processing operation on the booklet clamped by the clamp members. The suspension member includes an upwardly tapering portion whose thickness between opposing sheets of the booklet, into which the suspension member has been inserted, gradually decreases upward, and the suspension member supports an inner surface of the booklet with the upwardly tapering portion.
US09187275B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a main body including the image forming unit and having an opening open in a horizontal direction, a sheet supply tray including a contact portion, a retaining mechanism disposed at the main body, a feed roller disposed at the main body, a pivotable member disposed at the main body and including a contact portion, and a clutch mechanism. The pivotable member is configured to, when the sheet supply tray is attached to the main body, pivot from a first position to a second position by the contact portion of the pivotable member receiving a force having the vertical direction from the contact portion of the sheet supply tray. The clutch mechanism is configured to allow or cut-off transmission of a driving force to the feed roller in response to the sheet supply tray relative to the main body.
US09187274B2 Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking plate configured to stack sheets, a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets by contacting the sheets stacked on the stacking plate, an elevating unit configured to elevate the stacking plate by a drive transmitted from a drive unit, a drive transmission unit configured to transmit the drive from the drive unit to drive the sheet feeding unit, and a clutch mechanism configured to cause the drive transmission unit to transmit the drive from the drive unit to the sheet feeding unit after the elevating unit urges the sheets stacked on the stacking plate toward the sheet feeding unit by elevating the stacking plate.
US09187273B2 Corrugated paperboard sheet feeding apparatus
The corrugated paperboard sheet feeding apparatus comprises: a sheet feeding table; a front guide for regulating a front end of a corrugated paperboard sheet; a back guide for regulating a rear end of the corrugated paperboard sheet; and a guide element for separating the corrugated paperboard sheets so as to form a plurality of separate groups, wherein the guide element includes: a first guide element formed in the front guide to have a first separation guide surface; and a second guide element formed in the back guide to have a cutout portion, and a second separation guide surface, and wherein the cutout portion of the second guide element is formed in such a manner that an amount of concavity thereof is greater than an amount of protrusion of the lower edge of the first separation guide surface of the first guide element.
US09187270B2 Apparatus for transporting a quantity of lost circulation material and methods of making and using same
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for transporting quantities of lost circulation material. The system includes at least one pump, at least one intake assembly, at least one exhaust assembly, and can also include at least one intake member operably connected to the intake assembly, and at least one exhaust member operably connected to the exhaust assembly.
US09187266B2 Method and apparatus in a pneumatic material conveying system
Method for handling outlet air in a pneumatic waste-conveying system, in which the outlet air is at least partly the conveying air to be used in waste conveying. The outlet air is blown from the outward blowing pipe (1) into a chamber (24) comprising at least one output aperture (22) and one second aperture (16, 17), in which second aperture a suction effect is achieved with the blowing of the outlet air such that additional air is brought into the body of outlet air in the chamber via the at least one second aperture (16, 17) as a consequence of the suction effect achieved with the outlet air, and that the outlet air and the additional air mix with each other at least partly in the chamber (24) before the output aperture (22) from which the mixture of outlet air and additional air is conducted away. The invention also relates to an apparatus.
US09187257B2 V-slat reciprocating slat conveyors
Movable conveyor slats (12) have side parts (42, 44) which rest on top parts (32) of bearings (30). The bearings (30) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (16, 18) which extend outwardly and slope upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (10). The movable slats (12) have web (48, 50) and lower flange portions (52, 54) which with the side parts (42, 44) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (16, 18) and the bearings (30) are received within the channels (56, 58).
US09187249B2 Telescopic conveyor belt
Telescopic conveyor belt, with a base conveyor section, a telescopic conveyor section on the base conveyor section and which can be extended and retracted telescopically, in and counter to a direction of extension, an endlessly circulating conveyor belt forming a conveyor surface and which, with its carrying run, is led along an upper surface of the base conveyor section and of the telescopic conveyor section, a base guide trough closed on the underside and arranged between the conveyor belt and the base conveyor section, has a carrying area for accommodating the conveyor belt and has raised guide areas following on laterally from the carrying area, and a telescopic guide trough closed on the underside and arranged between the conveyor belt and the telescopic conveyor section and has a carrying area for accommodating the conveyor belt and has raised guide areas following on laterally from the carrying area.
US09187247B2 Valve devices, systems, and methods for controlling the distribution of materials
The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to valve devices, systems, and methods for controlling the distribution of materials to multiple locations. The improved valve devices, materials distribution systems, and materials distribution methods disclosed herein are particularly suitable for use in applications where the materials being distributed are, for example but not limited to, non-gaseous fluid materials (e.g., raw liquids, solutions, slurries, colloids, suspensions, and the like) and solid materials having some level of tackiness, moisture content, or like property. The valves, systems, and methods disclosed herein can be operated without having to stop the flow of materials therethrough in order to change the position of the valve from one outlet to another. Further, the valves and systems disclosed herein have few directional changes, therefore there are few, if any, points within the system where the material can get stuck and/or lodged.
US09187245B2 Transferring containers in storage system
A storage system having first and second storage sections, each configured for storing containers arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground. A group of transportation devices is configured for moving in a horizontal direction along corresponding pairs of rails arranged at multiple horizontal levels in a passage between the first storage section and the second storage section so as to have access to the containers arranged in both the first and second storage sections. Each transportation device movable along a corresponding pair of rails is configured to include a container access mechanism movable up and down with respect to the corresponding pair of rails so as to handle one or more containers stored in a row above and below the corresponding pair of rails.
US09187242B1 Automated trash truck having a front loading conveyor and method of use
A truck for collecting trash from a trash container includes a body having a front, a main hopper, and a trash-receiving station disposed in front of the main hopper. A pick up arm assembly is connected to the front, so that the pick up arm assembly can selectively pick up the trash container and dump the trash into the trash-receiving station. A main conveyor moves the trash from the trash-receiving station to the main hopper. The pick up arm assembly can be easily removed from the front of the truck, and can be pivoted outward for maintenance purposes.
US09187240B2 Disposable processing bag with alignment feature
The present invention is an alignment device for a bag containing one or more ports. The alignment device is attached to either the one or more ports or to the bag adjacent the one or more ports. The plate has an indicator or a unique outer edge shape that is designed to fit into a corresponding unique opening in a holder to ensure proper alignment of the bag and its port(s) in the holder. The plate is has a series of holes equal to and in alignment with the one or more ports of the bag and the port(s) extend through the holes of the plate.
US09187236B2 Aerosol system for repairing a patched portion of a surface
A texturing system for applying a desired texture pattern on a patched portion of a surface. The texturing system comprises texture material, a dispensing system for dispensing the texture material, and a selecting system. The texture material comprises a carrier, a binder, a filler, and a change material. The texture material changes from a wet form to a solidified form when exposed to air. The change material changes appearance when the texture material changes from the wet form to the solidified form. The selecting system is supported by the dispensing system such that texture material dispensed from the dispensing system is dispensed through an outlet opening in the desired texture pattern. The dispensing system is used to deposit the texture material onto the patched portion of the surface in the desired texture pattern.
US09187235B2 System for feeding tickets from two ticket containers
A system for feeding tickets (6) from two ticket containers (1, 2) to a ticket-encoding device, particularly for a ticket-encoding device within a parking-meter post (13) in combination with a vehicle barrier, comprises a receptacle (3) for two ticket containers (1, 2) that are mounted adjacent to each other, whereby a component (4, 4′) is assigned to each ticket container (1, 2) that, viewed toward the longitudinal axes (14, 15) of the ticket containers (1, 2) is mounted at one end of the ticket containers (1, 2) and includes a slot (5) provided with rollers, guide plates, or brushes through which the tickets (6) are fed. A securing plate (7), mounted above the ticket containers (1, 2), has two slots (8, 9) arranged in parallel for receiving the tickets.
US09187232B2 Insulating container and latching mechanism
According to an aspect of the invention, a latching mechanism/device is provided, as well as a method of maintaining a closed position between opposing first and second portions of a container. The latching mechanism includes a latch attached to the first portion and a latch keeper integrally molded to the second portion. The latch keeper includes an elongated keeper slot and a recessed pocket formed in the keeper slot, such that when at least a portion of the latch is received within the recessed pocket, the container is closed and/or sealed.
US09187228B2 Package integrity indicating closure
A resealable closure for a container or package in which package integrity is indicated by a structure which breaks and/or produces an audible sound when the resealable closure is opened for a first time. The package integrity feature, in one form includes at least one strip or frangible structure that is initially affixed to two portions which comprise the resealable closure so that upon opening the resealable closure for a first time, at least one of the strips breaks. The strips may include a weakened portion such as a narrowing. Integrity of the package is indicated by an intact strip viewable upon opening the resealable closure and conversely, a broken or non-intact strip would indicate that the resealable closure has been previously opened. Package integrity may also be shown by a movable second panel or movable die cut tab portions.
US09187227B2 Blister package with tiered rows of products
A display package includes a container that defines a first row between a base panel and a first top panel and a second row between the base panel and the second top panel. A first article set is disposed within the first row. A backing card is coupled to the container to define an interior volume including the first and second rows. A flap of the backing card extends into the interior volume at a predetermined angle. A top edge of the flap is positioned between the base panel and the second top panel. A second article set is disposed within the second row and is secured between the top edge and the second top panel. The second article set is positioned higher than the first article set, such that sides of the second article set are visible over the first set of articles.
US09187226B2 Pouch pack having a pressure outlet
A pouch pack having a pressure outlet and a main body which is formed of two opposedly facing sheets with a sealing region thermally fused in a hermetic manner by a heating pressure mold designed for thermally pressing a target sealing region and defines a storage space inside thereof. The pressure outlet is integrally formed on the sealing region of the main body and opens under pressure to discharge a content kept within the storage space. As a cavity is formed in a part of the heating pressure mold, only a corresponding region of the cavity experiences a reduced heating temperature and reduced pressure while the sealing region is being thermally fused, so that the pressure outlet and the sealing region can be formed at the same time to therefore substantially reduce the amount of time required for the manufacturing process, with the pressure outlet being open precisely under pressure.
US09187217B2 Cap for container provided with guarantee seal
The object of the present invention is a cap provided with a guarantee seal. The guarantee seal consists of guarantee portions comprising an engagement portion and a connecting portion. The seal further comprises bridges for connecting adjacent guarantee portions to one another and a safety portion that makes the engagement portion integral with the handling portion. The safety portion is structurally suitable for keeping the engagement portion constrained in the broken seal configuration, for preventing the forming of dangerous spikes.
US09187215B2 Vertical action reclosable fastener and reclosable bag having same
Reclosable fastener includes a first track including a first engagement profile having a first hook portion opening in a first direction along a reference axis substantially perpendicular to a burst direction of the fastener and a second track including a second engagement profile having a second hook portion opening in a second direction opposite the first direction along the reference axis and configured to engage the first hook portion in a closed configuration. The first and second hook portions are configured to engage each other when the first and second tracks are urged toward each other along the reference axis, and the first and second hook portions are configured to disengage each other when the first and second tracks are urged away from each other along the reference axis. A reclosable bag having a reclosable fastener and a slider for a reclosable fastener are also provided.
US09187214B2 Bag arrangement
A bag arrangement for conversion to a flag or vice versa, the arrangement comprising: a bag incorporating a volume for holding goods; and a pole to be provided with the bag and attached or attachable thereto to convert the bag into a flag having a flag pole extending therefrom.
US09187212B2 Polymer having polycyclic groups and coating compositions thereof
A polymer and coating composition containing the polymer are provided that are useful in coating applications such as, for example, food or beverage packaging containers. The polymer preferably includes a backbone having one or more polycyclic groups. In one embodiment, the polymer is a polyester and, more preferably, a polyester-urethane polymer. In one embodiment, the one or more polycyclic groups is a tricyclic or higher group.
US09187209B1 Tamper evident container having tear tab and hinged lid
A container having a lid includes a cavity defined by a bottom wall and a first plurality of upstanding sidewalls. A first flange is formed integrally with the first plurality of upstanding sidewalls at their respective uppermost ends and extends outwardly with respect to the cavity. A second plurality of upstanding sidewalls is mounted about the outer periphery of the first flange. A second flange is formed integrally with the second plurality of upstanding sidewalls at their respective uppermost ends and extends outwardly with respect to the cavity. The second flange has a tear tab adapted to be gripped by a user. The tear tab is corner-mounted in a first embodiment and is formed on a leading end of the second flange in a second embodiment. In both embodiments, the tear tab is bordered by perforation lines and clear cut lines and is easily seen if it has been torn.
US09187203B2 Polyester resin container and molding process thereof
The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to develop a polyester resin container that can be retort-processed at a temperature in the range of above 120° C. to about 130° C. The object of this invention is to provide a polyester resin container, which is capable of improving the productivity and quality of retort foods, and a molding process thereof. The process of this invention is a double blow molding process, which comprises a primary blow molding step in which a preform is biaxially drawn and blow molded into a primary intermediate product, a thermally shrink-molding step in which the primary intermediate product is heated and forcibly shrink-molded into a secondary intermediate product, and a secondary blow molding step for blow molding the secondary intermediate product into a container, wherein a mold temperature higher than 210° C. is used in the secondary blow molding step.
US09187201B2 Apparatus and method for the treatment of containers with recognition of fittings
An apparatus for the treatment of containers may include at least one conveying device, which conveys the containers along a pre-set conveying path, and at least one treatment device, which treats the container in a pre-determined manner. The apparatus may include at least one size part which is capable of being arranged in an exchangeable manner on a carrier. A first transmitter device, which at least intermittently emits a signal which is characteristic of the first transmitter device, is arranged on the size part, and the apparatus has at least one first receiver device for receiving the first signal. The apparatus may further include a second signal communication device, which emits or receives a second characteristic signal, wherein the receiver device is designed in such a way that it determines from the signals emitted whether the size part is in a predetermined position with respect to the apparatus.
US09187199B2 Unit for the application of opening devices on packages of food products pourable into a tube of packaging material
A unit for applying opening devices on packages of pourable food products, comprises a first conveying device to feed the opening devices along a first path, a second conveying device to feed the packages along a second path, a third conveying device movable about a first axis to displace the opening devices along a third path from a withdrawal station to an application station of the opening devices, a gripping member for gripping an opening device, and a supporting plate to support the gripping member; wherein the supporting plate is coupled to the third conveying device; the gripping member is displaceable, at the application station in a defined plane by a first direction transversal to the first axis and to the second path, and by the first axis.
US09187195B2 Process for making perforations in a plastic film material
A process for making perforations in a plastic film material to be used in a package for products prone to decay, in which the surface area of the perforations made in a defined surface area of the plastic film material must have a predetermined value, which process has the following steps: A. making of one perforation or a number of perforations in the defined surface area of the plastic film material, B. measuring the surface area of the perforation or of the number of perforations made in step A, C. calculating the difference between the predetermined perforation value minus the surface area of all perforations present in the defined surface area, D. if the difference is smaller than a first predetermined reference value, stopping the making of perforations in the defined surface area of the plastic film material, or if the difference is larger than the first predetermined reference value repeating the steps A to C until the difference is at most equal to the first predetermined reference value.
US09187193B2 Method and apparatus for dispensing an amount of film relative to girth
A method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of pre-stretched film based upon load girth. An amount of pre-stretched film to be dispensed for at least a portion of a relative revolution between a film dispenser and a load is determined based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum film use may be obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched film that is between approximately 100% and approximately 130% of load girth. Once the amount of film to be dispensed per relative revolution is determined, a ratio of final pre-stretch surface speed to relative revolutions (i.e., number of pre-stretch roller revolutions/relative rotation) can be set. Thus, for the at least a portion of a revolution of the rotating ring and dispenser, a predetermined amount of film is dispensed and wrapped around the load.
US09187190B1 Concentric split flow filter
A concentric split flow filter may be configured to remove odor and/or bacteria from pumped air used to collect urine and fecal waste products. For instance, filter may be designed to effectively fill the volume that was previously considered wasted surrounding the transport tube of a waste management system. The concentric split flow filter may be configured to split the air flow, with substantially half of the air flow to be treated traveling through a first bed of filter media and substantially the other half of the air flow to be treated traveling through the second bed of filter media. This split flow design reduces the air velocity by 50%. In this way, the pressure drop of filter may be reduced by as much as a factor of 4 as compare to the conventional design.
US09187187B2 Method of calculating dynamic pressure at the level of an aircraft surface
The invention is aimed at a method simulating the aerodynamic flow around an aircraft, so as to detect the aerodynamic loads exerted on a predetermined surface of the aircraft. The method includes a phase of determining a value denoted QA of global dynamic pressure at the level of the predetermined surface of the aircraft. The method includes steps of carrying out simulations of aerodynamic flow around the predetermined surface of the aircraft for given environmental conditions, on the basis of a mesh produced around the shape of the aircraft, determining a local dynamic pressure qA around the predetermined surface of the aircraft, and then calculating the global dynamic pressure QA.
US09187183B2 Combined rescue beacon and flight recorder device for an aircraft and aircraft provided with such a device
A combined rescue beacon and flight recorder device for an airplane is ejectable, buoyant and/or provided with flotation devices. The combined rescue beacon and flight recorder device comprises a frame provided with at least one outer side surface having a solar panel. The combined rescue beacon and flight recorder device is configured to be placed in a housing created in an airfoil element of the aircraft.
US09187180B2 Thermal pneumatic deicing system for an aircraft RAM air heat exchanger
A thermal pneumatic deicing system for deicing a RAM air heat exchanger includes an environmental control system (ECS) including a RAM air heat exchanger and an outlet, an electronics housing including a plurality of electronic components, and a duct fluidically connecting the RAM air heat exchanger and the electronics housing. The duct includes a valve. A controller is operatively connected to the valve. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively fluidically connect the RAM air heat exchanger and the electronics housing to facilitate deicing of the heat exchanger.
US09187175B1 Flying-wing and VTOL flying-wing aircraft
This invention presents a VTOL aircraft with two or more Flying-Wings (FWs), where each FW is equipped with multiple Transverse-Radial propellers capable of producing lift force and thrust force on the stationary or non-stationary aircraft. The aircraft is capable of exchanging payloads horizontally as well as vertically with a stationary or a moving object. In particular, this invention illustrates how this aircraft can “walk” on the building wall to adjust and anchor its position in order to rescue people from a high-rise-building window horizontally.
US09187167B2 Method for joining two fuselage sections by creating a transverse butt joint as well as transverse butt joint connection
The invention relates to a method of connecting two fuselage sections (1, 2, 21, 22) formed by a fiber-reinforced plastics material, in particular wound fuselage sections (1, 2, 21, 22) for aircraft fuselage cells, having a multiplicity of stringers (10, 11, 35, 36) arranged with a uniform distribution at a distance from and parallel to one another on the inner side of an outer skin (3, 4, 25, 26), with the formation of a transverse joint (5, 30). In order to be able in particular to join together wound CFRP fuselage sections so that simple tolerance compensation is made possible in a continuous, industrial production process, the method according to the invention comprises the following steps: aligning a first and a second fuselage section (1, 2, 21, 22) with respect to one another, heating and adapting at least one transverse butt strap (9, 23), formed by a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, in such a way that tolerance compensation between differing cross-sectional geometries of the first and second fuselage sections (1, 2, 21, 22) is made possible, or heating at least one end region (27) of a second fuselage section (2, 22) formed by a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, and joining together the two fuselage sections (1, 2, 21, 22).
US09187165B2 Systems and methods for attitude control of tethered aerostats
A control system for a tethered aerostat is provided, where up to two rotational and at least one translational degree of freedom are controlled to setpoints through the variation of tether lengths by an actuator system. The term tether includes a single tether, a tether group or a sub section of tether controlled by an individual actuator. Accurate rotational and translational control is essential for the successful operation of an aerostat under several applications, including surveillance, weather monitoring, and power generation. For a given use case, the controller can be constructed and arranged to manage the tradeoff between several key performance characteristics, such as transient performance, steady-state pointing accuracy, tether tension regulation, and power generation.
US09187159B2 Life saving wristband (variants) and gas-generator (variants)
The invention refers to sea rescue, in particular, to an individual wearable buoyant apparatuses that may be used on beaches, in emergency situations, and on vessels as an individual lifesaver for self-rescue in water, affordable and easy to use for everyone. The rescue wristband consists of elastic inflatable buoyant camera, tightly rolled and compactly packed into a pocket running along the wristband perimeter. System for filling in the chamber is designed as gas generator device emitted the required volume of carbonic gas as result of chemical reaction chemical components safe for human, startup of filling system initiates by hand compression or by excessive pressure of definite depth. If the chamber is filled in with gas, it expands from the pocket and forms C-shape form and can be designed in various versions.
US09187155B2 Vessel provided with a gangway supported by a 2-DOF hinged upright column, in particular a cardan
A vessel with bridging means includes an upright column, a gangway, a first hinge connection for hingedly connecting the gangway to the column, coupling means at or near a free end of the gangway for coupling the gangway to an offshore construction, and one or more gangway support organs. The column is supported by and connected to the vessel by means of a second hinge connection designed to allow the vessel to rotate relative to the column in a first rotation direction around an x-axis and in a second rotation direction around an y-axis, wherein the x- and y-axes extend substantially horizontal and orthogonal relative to each other. Positioning means are provided which comprise force actuators between the vessel and the column for swiveling the column around the second hinge connection relative to the vessel around said x- and y-axis.
US09187154B2 RFID tag reading systems and methods for aquatic timed events
A system and method for determining the passing of a participant of an aquatic event by a water-based timing point including an RFID tag associated with the participant, an aquatic based RFID tag reading point having one or more aquatic tag reading assemblies placed in the water, each aquatic tag reading assembly having one or more RFID tag readers mounted thereon at a position above the surface of the water on an aquatic tag reader mounting assembly, the aquatic tag reader mounting assembly having a portion below the surface of the water and including at least one float system and at least one stabilization system.
US09187150B2 Bicycle component control device
A bicycle component control device includes a bracket, a hydraulic brake unit and either a mechanical shifting unit or electric control unit. The bracket has a gripping portion. The hydraulic brake unit is operatively mounted on the bracket and configured to operate a hydraulic brake device. The mechanical shifting unit or the electric control unit is operatively mounted on the bracket and configured to operate a bicycle device.
US09187148B2 Drive system for a pedaled vehicle
A pedaled vehicle includes a frame having a crank for receiving a power input from a rider, a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame, and a drive system. The drive system includes a first sprocket operatively coupled to the crank, a second sprocket operatively coupled to the wheel, and a power transmitting element operatively coupled to the first and second sprockets for transmitting the power input from the rider at the crank to the wheel for moving the pedaled vehicle. The power transmitting element forms a closed-loop configuration and is arranged relative to the frame such that the power transmitting element is configured to be assembled to the vehicle or replaced on the vehicle without having to break the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element.
US09187144B2 Folding scooter
A vehicle configured for conversion between expanded and folded arrangements, includes a front frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel assembly having a rear wheel carrier and a rear wheel coupled with the rear wheel carrier. A central frame assembly extends between the front frame assembly and the rear wheel assembly. A forward hinge coupling enables relative pivoting of the front frame assembly and the central frame assembly about a front frame pivot axis extending at an acute angle relative to a rear vertical transverse plane and at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane orthogonal to both a rear vertical longitudinal plane and the rear vertical transverse plane. A rearward hinge coupling enables relative pivoting of the central frame assembly and the rear wheel assembly.
US09187142B2 Cantilever bike rack
Bikes typically include a seat that has a seat member that extends along a bottom portion of the seat. A rack for such a bike includes a bracket, a platform, a clamp, and a hand operated quick connector. The bracket includes a platform side for connection to the platform. The bracket also includes a clamp side that has the clamp configured for providing a clamped connection to the seat member. The hand operated quick connector is located on the platform side and/or on the clamp side.
US09187139B2 Truck front end attachment mount
An attachment mount for the front end of a truck, which can fit trucks with full-width or tapering chassis. The attachment mount may include a front member for supporting a front-end truck attachment, and a distribution member, The distribution member may be attached to the vehicle chassis and to the front member, so that the attachment mount spreads stresses originating from downwardly-directed forces exerted on the front member by the attachment, to the front portion of the vehicle chassis.
US09187135B1 Vehicle body structure
A vehicle body structure includes a pillar structure, a roof rail structure, a reinforcement member, and a reinforcement bracket. The pillar structure has a box section defining a pillar cavity. The roof rail structure has a box section defining a roof rail cavity in communication with the pillar cavity. The reinforcement member is positioned in and extends through the pillar cavity and the roof rail cavity. The reinforcement bracket has a first attachment portion attached to the pillar structure at a first location, a second attachment portion attached to the pillar structure at a second location opposite the first location, and a body portion extending across the pillar cavity between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion, the body portion being attached to the reinforcement member.
US09187132B2 Surrounding structure of door holding mechanism
To increase joint strength of a reinforcement member around a door holding mechanism as well as rigidity around the door holding mechanism, a surrounding structure of a door holding mechanism includes: an outer panel forming a pillar together with an inner panel; a sliding door opening and closing by sliding forward and rearward in a location rearward of the pillar; a door holding mechanism holding a rear end portion of the sliding door in a door closing condition; and a pillar forming area of the outer panel having a substantially crank-shaped form in a cross section, wherein the door holding mechanism is attached to a front face of an intermediate portion of the pillar forming area arranged along the vehicle width direction, a pillar reinforcement is arranged between the outer panel and the inner panel, the pillar reinforcement includes front and rear portions, the front portion is overlapped with a rear face of the intermediate portion of the pillar forming area, the rear portion extending rearward from a lateral end, in the vehicle width direction, of the front portion, the rear portion has a substantially crank-shaped form in a middle part thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof, the pillar forming area and the pillar reinforcement form a closed section, and a rear end of the pillar reinforcement is joined to the outer panel.
US09187131B2 Localized energy dissipation structures for vehicles
An impact protection structure for a vehicle impacting a blunt-object barrier includes a support structure of the vehicle, an energy absorbing rail coupled to the support structure, and a localized energy dissipation structure. The energy absorbing rail extends an energy absorbing rail length and includes a plurality of lumens. The localized energy dissipation structure extends a localized energy dissipation structure length less than the energy absorbing rail length.
US09187130B2 Vehicle body lateral structure
A vehicle body lateral section contains an upper stiffener, which extends upward from a rear wheel housing and overlaps a bottom end of a pillar inner. The upper stiffener is provided with an extension that continues to the pillar inner. The vehicle body lateral section has: a first closed-cross-section section formed from the rear wheel housing and the upper stiffener; and a second closed-cross-section section formed from the pillar inner and a pillar stiffener.
US09187127B2 Twelve-cornered strengthening member, assemblies including a twelve-cornered strengthening member, and methods of manufacturing and joining the same
A strengthening member for an automotive vehicle comprises a twelve-cornered cross section including sides and corners creating internal angles and external angles. To facilitate a connection between the strengthening member and the automotive component, one of the strengthening member and the automotive component may transition from the twelve-cornered cross section at a first end of the strengthening member to a four-cornered cross section at a second end of the strengthening member. An automotive assembly may include a strengthening member connected to an automotive component via a separate bridge connection member.
US09187126B2 Lock device
A lock device includes a receiver having an outer peripheral surface that is attached to a side surface of a gear (rotating body) and rotates together with the gear (rotating body) and a solenoid pin whose tip is able to be in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the receiver upon reception of the solenoid pin on the outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface of the receiver includes a groove (recess) wider than the tip of the solenoid pin and projections projecting from the groove (recess). The solenoid pin has a tapered face at the tip. The height of the tapered face is at least at a level at which the tapered face is in contact with a corner of the projection with the tip being in contact with the groove (recess).
US09187124B2 Steering input apparatus for trailer backup assist system
A trailer backup steering input apparatus provides a trailer steering information signal to a trailer backup assist control module of a vehicle through a signal interface thereof. The trailer steering information signal is configured for enabling the trailer backup assist control module to generate electrical steering commands for a steering system of the vehicle as a function of the trailer steering information signal. The trailer backup steering input apparatus is self-contained and physically detachable/detached form the vehicle. Advantageously, such a trailer backup steering input apparatus saves space, allows for greater flexibility with interior styling of the vehicle, and allows all drivers regardless of stature the ability to have the trailer backup steering input apparatus easily accessible while utilizing the trailer backup assist functionality of the vehicle.
US09187123B2 Dual lane multi-axle transport vehicle
A dual lane, multi-axle transport vehicle for moving heavy loads includes a forward module mounted on a plurality of axles and a rearward module mounted on a plurality of axles. The forward module is mechanically connected to the rearward module for providing a dual lane transport body. The forward module and the rearward module of the transport body each have a single central spine wherein the axles of both the forward module and the rearward module are each attached to the corresponding single central spine. The axles of both the forward module and the rearward module have an axle spacing of at least six feet. A hydraulic suspension is provided for dynamically stabilizing the axles for reducing axle yaw. An axle steering system having a plurality of steering rods controls the position of the axles of both the forward module and the rearward module.
US09187119B2 Wheel speed velocity variation scaling system
A control system for a power steering system is provided. The control system includes a scaling module for calculating a scale factor based on a wheel frequency. The control system also includes a command module that evaluates a wheel disturbance based on a wheel speed and that determines a wheel disturbance cancel amount based on the wheel speed. The command module generates an assist command to the power steering system based on the wheel disturbance cancel amount and the scale factor.
US09187118B2 Method and apparatus for automobile accident reduction using localized dynamic swarming
A method, system, and apparatus to detect when one or more moving vehicles are close to a first vehicle, and to take necessary actions to maintain a minimum distance between vehicles in a dynamic environment by automatic navigation. A computer method and apparatus for automobile accident reduction by maintaining a minimum distance with respect to all nearby vehicles on the road. In addition, methods to synchronously move a group of vehicles on a highway through a swarming action where each vehicle keeps a region immediately around it free of other vehicles while maintaining the speed of the vehicle immediately in front or nearby is also disclosed.
US09187116B2 Steering apparatus
A steering apparatus includes: a column pipe; an outer column having an embracing main body portion that allows the column pipe to freely move in a front-rear direction and fixes the column pipe; and clamping portions that extend and contract the embracing main body portion in a diametric direction; a fixing bracket having a fixing side portion that holds widthwise opposite sides of the outer column in a sandwiching manner; a stopper bracket having an telescopic slot secured to the column pipe and an impact absorbing slot and having a collapse portion, the telescopic slot and the impact absorbing slot being contiguously formed along an axial direction; and a clamper having a bolt shaft inserted through the clamping portions, the fixing side portion, and the stopper bracket and collapsing the collapse portion.
US09187112B2 Shopping cart child safety restraint device
A shopping cart child safety lock system that comprises a seat platform connected to a vertical support post having a yoke adjustably connected to the vertical support post for adjustable movement up and down to lock across an infant's thighs and which can be released for the child to be removed from the cart.
US09187106B2 Folding chassis for manually driven carrier vehicles capable of traversing obstacles
Disclosed is a folding chassis of manually driven carrier vehicles, for example, hand trucks, carts, and strollers, capable of moving over uneven, soft or spongy surfaces and surmounting obstacles. The chassis includes a frame having a reference plane and an arm having a first axis and a second axis, said arm being attached rotatable around the first axis to said frame and configured for attaching rotatable, around the second axis, a wheel arrangement having a diameter at least equal to a half of a width of said frame. Said arm is configured to pivot between at least a first and a second positions of said wheel arrangement, wherein, in the first position, said wheel arrangement is generally perpendicular to said reference plane and wherein, in the second position, said wheel arrangement is adjacent and parallel to said reference plane.
US09187104B2 Online learning using information fusion for equipment predictive maintenance in railway operations
An aspect of an online learning system includes collecting data, via a computer processing device, from a plurality of data sources including multiple disparate detectors, the data including at least one of historical alarm data, failures, maintenance records, and environment observations. The data is stored in tables each corresponding to a subject of measurement. The online learning system also includes identifying common fields shared across the tables, merging at least a portion of the data across the tables having the common fields, and creating an integrated data model based on results of the merging.
US09187101B2 Cabin for accommodating passengers and/or goods
A cabin for accommodating at least one of passengers and goods, including an opening and a holder fastened to the cabin for holding a glazing unit in the opening. The cabin includes at least two connection members that each include a first fastening part connected to the glazing unit and a second fastening part connected to the cabin. The glazing unit is secured in the region of the opening when the glazing unit has detached from the holder. The glazing unit can, for example, be pressed out of the holder as a result of persons carried in the cabin violently pushing or striking the inner side of the glazing unit. However, the connection member prevents these persons from falling downwards out of the cabin. The glazing unit is also prevented from falling. As a result, safety of the passengers and/or goods in the cabin is ensured.
US09187100B2 Hybrid power train flexible control integration
A system includes a hybrid power train having an internal combustion engine and an electrical torque provider that combine to provide a total machine torque. The system includes a controller that functionally executes operations to control the hybrid power train. The controller interprets a total machine torque target value and determines a torque contribution for each of the internal combustion engine and the electrical torque provider in response. The controller interprets a supplemental torque contribution value, and controls the internal combustion engine and the electrical torque provider in response to the torque contributions and the supplemental torque contribution value. The supplemental torque contribution value is applied as a limiting value, a target value, or a prescribed ratio for one or both of the torque contributions.
US09187098B2 System and method for controlling a PTO accessory
A system and method for controlling movement of a vehicle body is disclosed. The system and method determines conditions operator input, vehicle speed, and a selected gear. PTO engagement, hydraulic valve displacement, and engine speed commands are determined in response to the conditions.
US09187096B2 Rolling and regular garage shifts in new rear wheel drive powerflows
A system for controlling a transmission of a vehicle includes an engine control module that generates a command, while the vehicle is rolling in either a forward or reverse direction, to change a transmission of the vehicle from a reverse drive gear to a forward drive gear. The transmission includes a first clutch, a second clutch, a third clutch, and a fourth clutch. A transmission control module, in response to the command, maintains a first clutch in an engaged state, releases a second clutch and a fourth clutch, with the first clutch in the engaged state and the second clutch and the fourth clutch released, applies a third clutch with a synchronizer to engage the third clutch, and, after the third clutch is engaged, reapplies the fourth clutch to engage the fourth clutch.
US09187093B1 Systems and methods of cruise droop control
A method of selectively adjusting one or more cruise droop settings based on past and present road loads includes receiving a cruise control operating mode initiation for a vehicle; receiving vehicle operation data; determining a current road load for the vehicle based on the vehicle operation data, wherein the current road load provides an indication of a load on the vehicle; maintaining a history of determined road loads while the vehicle is in the cruise control operating mode; and selectively adjusting a cruise control droop characteristic based on the current road load and the history of determined road loads.
US09187087B2 Control of powersplit transmission for an electric vehicle
A method for controlling a powersplit transmission includes connecting an engine to the transmission, provided an engine torque request is present; connecting a motor to the transmission, provided an engine torque request is absent and the engine is on; and disconnecting the engine and motor from the transmission, provided the engine is off, and using a traction motor to produce wheel torque.
US09187081B2 Regenerative braking and torque converter control
A method for controlling vehicle regenerative braking includes decreasing regenerative braking, provided a converter clutch is locked, such that regenerative braking torque reaches zero before a converter clutch opens due to vehicle speed reaching a reference speed; decreasing regenerative braking, provided the converter clutch is scheduled to open, such that regenerative braking torque reaches zero before the converter clutch opens due to vehicle speed reaching the reference speed; and braking the vehicle using wheel brakes.
US09187079B2 Retarding system for an electric drive machine
A retarding system for an electric drive machine is provided. The retarding system includes an electrical retarding system and a hydraulic braking system. A single pedal controls both the electrical retarding system and the hydraulic braking system. The pedal includes a first range of travel that provides input to the electrical retarding system and a second range of travel that additionally controls the hydraulic braking system. The pedal further includes different levels of travel resistance in each of the two ranges of travel that correspond to providing inputs to the electrical retarding system and the hydraulic braking system.
US09187078B2 Vehicle having a recuperation system
A vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission having multiple gears and a transmission input shaft, and a recuperation system for recovering electrical energy, the recuperation system being configured for changing a speed value of the internal combustion engine during a gear change from an actual gear into a setpoint gear to a speed value of the transmission input shaft in the setpoint gear.
US09187074B2 Method for monitoring a wheel of a rail vehicle
A method for monitoring a wheel mounted on a bogie of a rail vehicle. The method includes detecting a deformation of a brake for braking the wheel in a wheel circumferential direction of the wheel and checking the plausibility of the detected deformation based on a comparison with a target alignment.
US09187073B2 Negative pressure forming device for brake of vehicle
A brake vacuum pressure forming device for a motor vehicle may include a vacuum chamber supplying a vacuum pressure boosting a break operating force, an electric supercharger connected to the vacuum chamber to supply vacuum pressure thereto, a first vacuum pressure supply path connecting the electric supercharger and the vacuum chamber, and a vacuum pressure control valve mounted on the first vacuum pressure supply path and opening and closing the first vacuum pressure supply path.
US09187072B2 Shaft sealing apparatus, pump apparatus and brake hydraulic pressure control device using same
A shaft sealing device comprising: a first member; a second member provided with a through-hole through which the first member passes; a sealing member configured to seal a gap between the through-hole and the first member; a rotation restricting part restricting relative rotation between the first and second members; and an axial displacement restricting part restricting the axial displacement of the sealing member. The rotation restricting part includes a first contact portion provided on the first member, a second contact portion provided on the sealing member and an inclined surface included on the first contact portion. The axial displacement restricting part includes a stopper surface. When the sealing member rotates in one direction relative to the second member by being dragged by the first member, the sealing member contacts the stopper surface to restrict the axial displacement of the sealing member.
US09187071B2 Disc brake having a conversion cartridge provided with an anti-matting device
Disc brake with a floating calliper and controlled brake piston, a movement conversion cartridge (200) comprising a rear part which is supported against the base of the receptacle in the calliper and a control shaft (220) which passes through the base. The cartridge (200) is retained in place by a cage (490) which is locked resiliently on the wall of the receptacle. The piston (270) comprises longitudinal ribs (274) which are placed in longitudinal grooves provided in the receptacle, with interposition of an anti-deformation device (400) interposed between the branches (274) of the piston (270) and the grooves of the receptacle of the calliper, and comprising a ring (410) which supports lugs (420) distributed according to the branches (274) and having cylindrical tongues which are curved according to the form of the cross section of the branches, and thus ensure the locking in rotation of the conversion piston (270), whilst permitting its movement of translation.
US09187070B2 System and method for maintaining operational states of vehicle remote actuators during failure conditions
A system and method for maintaining operational states of vehicle remote actuators during failure conditions is described. The system controller determines if the actuator controller is operating properly by monitoring an enable line and initiates a safe mode of operation if the actuator is not operating properly.
US09187066B2 Electrically driven set and release hand brake for rail cars
An apparatus for a hand brake includes a gear assembly, an electric motor coupled to the gear assembly, one or more sensors configured to sense at least one of the released and set states, a controller coupled to the electric motor and to the one or more sensors, the controller is configured to operate the electric motor in accordance with a predetermined logic algorithm so as to move the chain between the released and set states, and a device being movable between a first position wherein the device engages only the hand wheel and wherein the hand wheel is used to move the chain between the released and set states and a second position wherein the device engages both the hand wheel and a gear in the gear assembly and wherein the electric motor is operable to move the chain between the released and set states.
US09187060B1 Vehicle monitoring system
A system for monitoring an interior of a vehicle, comprising an identification device adapted to be carried by an individual, a vehicular unit adapted for mounting within the vehicle, and a controller adapted for remote wireless communication with the unit. The unit will activate a camera and a microphone when a person is detected within the vehicle. The unit will search for the identification device and, if the identification device is not detected, the unit will activate an alarm. If the identification device is detected, the unit will compare an access code from the identification device with authorized access codes. If the access code is not found within the authorized access codes, the unit will activate an alarm. The controller is operable to display images, broadcast sounds, and display the alarm status from the unit to a user in possession of the controller.
US09187058B2 Airbag device
An airbag device includes: an airbag; an inflator; a gas discharge state switching member; and a tether belt which is one example of a connecting member. The gas discharge state switching member is switched over from a gas discharge state to a gas non-discharge state by being pulled into the inside of the airbag. The tether belt connects the gas discharge state switching member and a portion of an inner peripheral portion of the airbag to each other. An arranged position of the gas discharge state switching member, a position where the tether belt is connected to the inner peripheral portion of the airbag, and a passing line of the tether belt are disposed at portions which avoid a portion of the airbag which comes into contact with an occupant in a regular posture state when the airbag receives the occupant.
US09187056B1 Airbag apparatus
Disclosed is an airbag apparatus of which the deployment pressure is adjusted. To this end, according to the airbag apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a tether coupled to an airbag pulls a vent cover while being tightened by expansive force of the airbag so as to form a communicating hole, which is in communication with a vent hole, between the airbag and the vent cover, and allow the vent hole to be opened.
US09187055B1 Vehicle airbag
A vehicle airbag includes an airbag main body and an auxiliary airbag portion. A tether is located in the airbag main body. The rear end of the tether is connected to the boundary area between the airbag main body and the auxiliary airbag portion or to a part in the vicinity of the boundary area. The front end of the tether is connected either to a side wall portion closer to the auxiliary airbag portion or to the front wall portion of the airbag main body. The part of the front end of the tether that is connected to the front wall portion is farther from a side wall portion farther from the auxiliary airbag portion than the area in the front wall portion of the airbag main body onto which the part connected to the rear end of the tether is projected forward.
US09187054B2 Cross member for a motor vehicle
A cross member for arrangement on a bumper system for a motor vehicle includes a single-piece open profile part made of uniform material and having a U-shaped cross section to define a first opening. The profile part has a curvature directed in a travel direction of the motor vehicle and includes a center zone having a second opening which is configured to point backwards in the travel direction, and end zones which have each an attachment area for a crash box and in which the first opening is configured to point forwards in the travel direction.
US09187050B2 Harness routing structure for electric vehicle
A harness routing structure for an electric vehicle is provided with a floor panel, a below-floor component, an above-floor component and a harness. The floor panel partitions a cabin space and a below-floor space. The floor panel has a harness through-hole. The below-floor component is disposed below the floor panel. The above-floor component is disposed above the floor panel and further toward a front of the vehicle than the below-floor component. The harness electrically connects the below-floor component and the above-floor component. The harness runs through the through-hole. The harness through-hole is located, with respect to a vehicle-lengthwise direction of the floor panel, in an intermediate position between a below-floor harness connection position of the below-floor component to a first end of the harness and an above-floor harness connection position of the above-floor component to a second end of the harness.
US09187049B2 Saddled vehicle
The vehicle has a first clamp unit which fixes a harness for a wheel speed sensor above an outer tube on the side on which a wheel speed sensor. The vehicle has a second clamp unit which bundles the harness and a brake hose at substantially the same height as that of the first clamp unit above an outer tube on the side on which a caliper is provided. The second clamp unit includes a harness second cramp for fixing the harness and also a harness third cramp which changes the orientation direction of the harness so as to be oriented along the brake hose. The harness and the brake hose form a swing part which is curved in the horizontal direction between the second clamp unit and a bottom bridge.
US09187047B2 Retention dock
A retention dock device may include a body and one or more clamping assemblies, each clamping assembly operable by an actuator and having a cleat with an enlarged head portion configured to clamp the body of the device to a slotted crossbar of a vehicle rack.
US09187043B2 Pullout mechanism for a drawer device, drawer device comprising a pullout mechanism and vehicle comprising a drawer device
A pullout mechanism for a drawer device includes a first and second guide surfaces, each extending from a first end to a second end, and first and second wheels which run on the respective first and second guide surfaces. The wheels are connected together in a rotationally fixed manner by a shaft mounted to the drawer device. The guide surfaces are provided for attachment to or formation on a frame, such as a frame of an interior trim part of a vehicle. Alternatively, the wheels can be connected to the frame and the guide surfaces to the drawer device. The pullout mechanism further includes first and second pulling devices such as cables, each of which at least partially encircles the first and second wheels, respectively, and is fastened in a pre-stressed manner to the two ends of the respective first and second guide surfaces.
US09187041B2 Running board mechanism for vehicle
A running board assembly for a vehicle may include a stationary board fixed to a vehicle body, a movable board separately coupled to the stationary board and selectively movable up and down with respect to the stationary board, a stopper pin selectively coupling the movable board and the stationary board to stop a vertical motion of the movable board to a predetermined position, and a stopper pin-manipulation unit included in the movable board and connected to the stopper pin, wherein when the movable board may be subjected to a load, the stopper pin-manipulation unit decouples magnetically the stopper pin from the stationary board, and wherein when the movable board may be not subjected to the load, the stopper pin-manipulation unit maintains a state of the stopper pin being coupled to the stationary board.
US09187039B2 Door mirror support structure
A door mirror support structure is provided in which an inner base being die-molded and having a door mirror support portion is mounted on a support plate provided on a door, wherein the inner base has a plurality of frames including at least a pair of vertical frames, a pair of horizontal frames that project outward from lower ends of the vertical frames, a pair of extending frames that have inner ends connected to outer ends of the horizontal frames, extend outward and have outer ends connected to each other, and a linking frame that links the inner ends of the pair of extending frames so as to form the door mirror support portion in cooperation with the extending frames, and the inner base is formed so that spaces are created between the frames.
US09187038B2 Dashboard including rules to display data
According to one example of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for displaying a dashboard display in a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a vehicle data bus interface for communicating with vehicle subsystems of a vehicle management system, a rules store for storing a set of dashboard display rules, and a dashboard display module. The dashboard display module is arranged to obtain a dashboard display definition, to determine whether the dashboard display definition is in compliance with the dashboard display rules; to obtain, where it is so determined, data from one or more of the vehicle subsystems in accordance with the dashboard display definition, and to display the obtained data in accordance with the dashboard display definition.
US09187035B2 Vehicle warning sound emitting apparatus
A vehicle warning sound emitting apparatus includes a warning sound emitting component and a controller. The warning sound emitting component selectively emits a warning sound that is audible outside of the vehicle. The controller controls the warning sound emitting component to emit the warning sound during a prescribed period that an engine sound is being emitted from an engine of the vehicle such that the engine sound and the warning sound are audible at a location outside the vehicle during the prescribed period when the controller is controlling the warning sound emitting component to switch between emitting the warning sound and refraining from emitting the warning sound based on a vehicle traveling condition.
US09187031B1 Tail light assembly for a vehicle
A tail light assembly includes a lighting assembly and a control board. The lighting assembly includes a base plate and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The control board is electrically connected to each of the LEDs. The control board receives an activation signal from a device. In response, the control board sequentially sends an illumination signal to LEDs of each of a plurality of groups of LEDs to thereby sequentially illuminate the groups of LEDs. The control board also selectively and sequentially sends a termination signal to LEDs of the various groups of LED, in alternating relationship to sending the illumination signal. The sequential illumination and turning off of the plurality of LEDs simulates motion of waves propagating across the base plate.
US09187030B1 Auxiliary trailer lighting and control device
An auxiliary trailer lighting and control device that includes an ergonomically configured pistol grip distributor box disposed in direct circuit with a trailer lighting system, whereby traffic signals may be manually communicated directly to the trailer lighting system, and thus relayed to other traffic, when the extant primary lighting circuit in the trailer is malfunctioning or if the particular towing automobile lacks a trailer lighting interconnect.
US09187029B2 System and method for controlling exterior vehicle lights on motorways
An exterior light control system is provided for controlling exterior lights of a vehicle. The system includes an imaging system configured to image a forward external scene and to generate image data corresponding to the acquired images; and a controller configured to receive and analyze the image data and for generating an exterior light control signal that is used to control the exterior lights in response to analysis of the image data and in response to a selected mode of operation. When in the motorway mode, if the controller detects headlamps of one or more oncoming vehicle, the controller generates an exterior light control signal for reducing the brightness of the exterior lights, determines a relative location within the acquired images of a headlamp closest to a central feature of the acquired images, and selects a delay that varies dynamically in response to the relative location of the headlamp.
US09187027B2 Vehicle headlight
A vehicle headlight includes: a first illuminator that illuminates a predetermined region ahead of a vehicle with a first light distribution pattern having a cutoff line at an upper end; a second illuminator that illuminates, with a second light distribution pattern, a region near the vehicle on a lower side of the cutoff line of the first light distribution pattern and further toward an outer side in a width direction than a side end of the first light distribution pattern; a target detector that detects a target adjacent to a driving lane ahead of the vehicle with a possibility of movement; and an illumination controller that performs illumination with the second illuminator over a predetermined time after the target has been detected and then terminates the illumination by the second illuminator.
US09187019B2 Thigh support for customer accommodation seat
A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. A seat base includes a first thigh support and a second thigh support. A self-locking cam system is operably coupled with the first thigh support and the second thigh support, including a torque tube. A plurality of cams are disposed along the torque tube and are operably coupled with a plurality of spring guides. The self-locking cam system is configured to move the first thigh support and the second thigh support from a lowered position to a raised position.
US09187005B2 System and method for charging batteries of vehicles and returning charge from batteries to utility companies
A monitoring module monitors a charge level of a battery in a vehicle. A network interface module transmits a first set of charging parameters for charging the battery to a utility company and receives a reply and a charge return request from the utility company for returning charge from the battery to the utility company. The first set of charging parameters includes the charge level of the battery and a first time of the day for charging the battery. The reply includes a second time of the day for charging the battery. A control module generates a first signal based on the reply and the first set of charging parameters, and a second signal based on the charge return request and charge return parameters. A charging module charges the battery based on the first signal. A charge retrieval module returns the charge based on the second signal.
US09187003B1 Systems and methods for charging receptacle lock
Methods and apparatus are provided for a charging receptacle lock. The method includes receiving a speed of the vehicle, and receiving sensor data indicating a position of a door covering a receptacle associated with the charging system of the vehicle. The receptacle adapted to receive a connecting device of an external power supply. The method includes outputting one or more control signals to move a lock pin associated with the receptacle between a first, extended position and a second, refracted position based on the speed of the vehicle and the position of the door.
US09187002B2 Connector
A connector main body of a connector accommodates a contact unit, a power cut-off unit that has an electric conductor unit, and open and close a power feeding path between an electrically driven vehicle and an electric power apparatus by bringing into contact or opening electric conductor unit, and an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality that occurs on power feeding path, or receives an abnormality signal from outside, an abnormality transmission unit that, when abnormality detection unit detects abnormality or receives abnormality signal, mechanically opens electric conductor unit, and a handle that mechanically brings into contact or opens electric conductor unit in a state in which abnormality detection unit does not detect abnormality and does not receive abnormality signal. Abnormality detection unit detects at least one of a short-circuit current and an overload current that occur on power feeding path as abnormality.
US09187001B2 Electromagnetic braking device
An electric generator includes a wheel coupled to an axle of a vehicle which includes battery. A rotator is fixedly mounted to the wheel and includes a series of magnets positioned so that the north pole of one magnet abuts the south pole of an adjacent magnet. A stator is rotatably mounted to the axle, and includes a mass positioned off-center from the axle for biasing the stator toward a position that is generally stationary relative to the vehicle. The stator further includes a plurality of electric coils for generating electric current when the rotator is moved relative to the stator and the magnetic field of each magnet passes through the plurality of electric coils, the coils being electrically coupled to each other and to the battery of the vehicle to transmit electric current generated from the plurality of coils to the battery.
US09186992B2 Walking assistance moving vehicle
A walking assistance moving vehicle includes a walking assistance moving vehicle main body with a pair of drive wheels, a drive wheel rotational speed sensor, a turning sensor, and a controller. The drive wheel rotational speed sensor senses drive wheel rotational speed of each of the drive wheels. The turning sensor directly senses at least one of a first lateral acceleration and a first turning angular velocity. The controller indirectly acquires at least one of a second lateral acceleration and a second turning angular velocity based on the drive wheel rotational speed sensed by the drive wheel rotational speed sensor. The controller performs a first control to decelerate or stop drive of the drive wheels based on a comparison of the first turning angular velocity and the second turning angular velocity or a comparison of the first lateral acceleration and the second lateral acceleration.
US09186988B2 Control system for a motor vehicle having an electronic control unit by which the drive torque of a drive unit can be variably distributed, as required, on at least two axles
A control system and method are provided for a motor vehicle having an electronic control unit, by which the drive torque of a drive unit can be variably distributed, as required, to at least two axles. A drive-oriented control can be specified for the purpose of a primarily single-axle drive. By way of a comparison unit, preferably on the basis of a circle of forces, a driving-dynamic desired parameter demanded particularly on a basis of the driver's intention is compared with a driving-dynamic potential parameter. A change from the drive-oriented control to a driving-dynamics-oriented control for the purpose of a primarily multi-axle drive takes place only when a defined threshold value, for example, 70%, is exceeded relative to the driving-dynamic potential parameter, for example, a limit range of the circle of forces.
US09186982B2 Fuel tank pressure-relief vent to prevent ejection of fuel during refill
A fuel tank having an interior space defined by a wall, a fill tube to admit fuel into the interior space, and a vent to discharge air and vapor from the interior space as the fuel is admitted. The vent includes a vent tube extending through the wall and downward into the interior space, and having a non-circular opening. In this manner ejection of fuel from the fill tube can be prevented reliably under a wide range of refueling conditions, and without imparting excessive length to the vent tube.
US09186977B2 Drive system including a transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle
A drive system including a transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The system includes a gear set having first, second, third and fourth elements. The second element connects with an output shaft of the transmission and a first output shaft of an internal combustion engine connects with the third element for driving the third element. An electric motor having an output shaft connecting with the first element drives the first element in response to an electrical signal. An electric motor-generator unit has an output shaft which connects with the fourth element for driving the fourth element in response to an electrical signal. A second output shaft of the engine also connects with the fourth element through the unit for driving the fourth element. The resulting system has a plurality of different operating modes including a reverse gear or operating mode powered electrically and by the internal combustion engine.
US09186974B2 Drive train
A drive train of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, an electric motor and a coupling device. The coupling device includes a first coupling unit allocated to the internal combustion engine and a second coupling unit allocated to the electric motor. By way of the coupling device, the internal combustion engine and/or the electric motor can be connected for drive purposes with a common drive shaft to drive at least one wheel of the motor vehicle. The first coupling unit and the second coupling unit are separate components which can be coupled together automatically by a clutch depending on a difference between a rotation speed of the internal combustion engine and a rotation speed of the electric motor.
US09186970B1 Truck bed extension cover
The truck bed extension cover includes two cover members that operate independent of one another, and which are both affixed to a hinge member. The hinge member is specially adapted to attach itself to a rear surface of a truck bed toolbox such that the two cover members extend over the remaining portion of a truck bed in order to provide coverage thereon. The two cover members are generally parallel with one another, and rotate with respect to the hinge member in order to raise and lower with respect to a tailgate of said truck bed. The two cover members are further defined with a driver side cover member and a passenger side cover member. Both of the cover members include lock handles and a lift cylinder to aid in manipulation of the respective cover member.
US09186966B2 Drive system for a movable roof part of a roof module of a motor vehicle
A drive system including a support bar to which the roof part is fastened, wherein the support bar during operation of the drive system is displaced between a closed position of the roof part and an open position of the roof part. For the displacement of the support bar between the closed position and the open position, a front guide carriage, a rear tilting mechanism as well as a control carriage mechanically controlling the guide carriage and the tilting mechanism are provided.The guide carriage and the control carriage are geometrically designed such that the guide carriage and the control carriage are able to be positioned and displaced inside the guide rail overlapping one another in parallel in the transverse direction of the vehicle.
US09186963B2 Method for reducing glare from light sources through windscreens with intensity control film
A method of reducing glare may include sensing a first light source with a second vehicle, and sensing a second light source with a first vehicle and oscillating a first light source ICF between a substantially opaque state and a substantially clear state on a first schedule. A second windscreen ICF may be oscillating between the substantially opaque state and the substantially clear state on a second schedule different from the first schedule. A position of the light source may be sensed and an eye position of the occupant estimated. An intersecting region of the selectively-darkenable ICF, which is located substantially along a line from the position of the light source to the eye position, is calculated. The intersecting region of the ICF is darkened, such that a reduced amount of light from the light source passes through the intersecting region.
US09186961B2 Sunshade holding structure
A sunshade holding structure comprises a flexible frame, a sunshade cloth and at least one positioning member. The flexible frame has at least one notch on the circumference thereof. The sunshade cloth covers the flexible frame to form a sunshade. The positioning member has two flanges extended towards the sunshade, a latch groove formed between the flanges to latch on the notch of the flexible frame, and a housing compartment opposite to the latch groove to hold a magnetic element. The positioning member is latched on one side of the notch of the flexible frame and turned to align with the circumference of the flexible frame so that the positioning member can be held securely on the flexible frame. Moreover, the magnetic element of the positioning member also attracts the inner side of a vehicle window frame to form secure positioning. Installation and disassembly also can be done quickly.
US09186957B2 Electric component arrangement structure of vehicle
An electric component (electric-power convertor) and a pair of air-conditioning ducts are arranged side by side in a vehicle width direction. In case in which a rear end portion of the electric component is located in back of an outlet of the air-conditioning duct, the electric component is formed in a notch shape such that a duct-side edge portion thereof extends obliquely rearward and in a specified direction, in the vehicle width direction, away from the air-conditioning duct. Accordingly, it can be properly prevented that a conditioning air toward a passenger seated in a rear seat is blocked with the electric component arranged between a seat cushion of a front seat and a floor panel and receives any improper influence of heat emitted by the electric component, or the electric component receives any damage from the conditioning air.
US09186949B2 Methods and apparatus for suspension adjustment
A shock absorber includes a gas spring cylinder containing a piston moveable between an extended position and a compressed position within the gas spring cylinder. A mechanical actuator is arranged whereby a bleed port is automatically closed when the gas spring is compressed to a predetermined position corresponding to a desired sag setting. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to a predetermined sag setting whereby the gas spring is partially compressed. In another embodiment, a proper sag setting is determined through the use of a processor and sensor that in one instance measure a position of shock absorber components to dictate a proper sag setting and in another instance calculate a pressure corresponding to a preferred sag setting.
US09186948B2 Systems and methods for damper having an insert
Apparatus are provided for a jounce bumper system for use with a damper. The jounce bumper system includes a first mount and a jounce bumper having a first end coupled to the first mount and a second end. The jounce bumper system includes a flexible striker cap spaced apart from the second end of the jounce bumper in a first position. The flexible striker cap includes a first surface in contact with the second end in a second position and defines a cavity opposite the first surface. The jounce bumper system further includes an insert received within the cavity.
US09186947B2 Axle fixation for a sprung vehicle axle
The invention relates to an axle fixation, an axle plate (5), and an axle link (2) for a sprung vehicle axle. The components of the axle fixation are a preferably tubular axle body (1), an axle link (2) which crosses the upper face and lower face of the axle body, the axle plate (5) which is arranged in the crossing region between the axle body (1) and the axle link (2), and traction elements for pulling the axle body (1) and the axle link (2) against each other, thereby deforming the axle plate (5). The axle plate (5)—is provided with two contact points (A, B) on the first side of the axle plate for supporting against the axle link (2), said contact points being mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction of the axle link (2), —has at least one deformation region (10) between the two contact points (A, B), and—is provided with a jaw (14) on the second side of the axle plate, said jaw comprising a jaw base (15) and two jaw units (11, 12) with inner surfaces (11A, 12A) which face each other and which are oriented towards the front and back face of the axle body (1), respectively. The aim of the invention is to obtain an axle fixation or an axle plate (5) with few degrees of freedom in the composite system consisting of the axle body, the axle link, and the axle plate arranged therebetween. This is achieved in that the contact points (A, B) of the axle plate (5) are designed as support regions (21, 22) which form a flat “V”, preferably forming an angle from 170° to 177.5°.
US09186943B2 Suspension arm for automobile
An L-shape vehicular suspension arm includes a unitary body forged from an aluminum alloy. The unitary body includes a web and ribs. The web is substantially planar, and the ribs extend from surfaces of the web at peripheral edges of the web. In cross-section, at least one part of the unitary body has a U-shape, an H-shape, or an inverted U-shape, such that dimensions of the unitary body satisfy expression (1) or (2): 0.05≦(H−Hr)/Hr≦0.25  (1) 4≦(H−Hr)/Hr≦19  (2) where H is a total height of the unitary body, and Hr is a height from a center of the web to a lowermost point of the unitary body.
US09186941B1 Weight distribution system round bar storage bracket system
A Storage Bracket System for storing Weight Distribution System Round Bar is provided. The Storage Bracket System comprises two Round Bar Storage Brackets installed in conveniently reachable locations on either side of a trailer frame and angled such that when Weight Distribution System Round Bars are slid into the Round Bar Storage Brackets, they are held in place for storage when not in use.
US09186940B2 Recommended tire selection system
A recommended tire selection system 100 comprises a driving condition obtaining unit 101 that obtains a driving condition of a vehicle on which the recommended tire is loaded, a retread necessity obtaining unit 103 that obtains the retread necessity to replace the tread; a performance decision unit 105 that decides a rolling resistance and a wear resistance of the recommended tire based on the obtained driving condition, and decides a casing durability based on the obtained retread necessity; and a selection unit 107 that selects a recommended tire that is a combination of a tread and a casing, fulfilling the decided rolling resistance, wear resistance, and casing durability.
US09186937B2 Pneumatic tire
On the surface of a tread portion (1), one central main groove (2) extends in a tire circumferential direction (C) at a pattern center, and a pair of outer main grooves (4a, 4b) extend in the tire circumferential direction (C) each at a position between the central main groove (2) and a respective one of two tread ends (3a, 3b). The central main groove (2) and the outer main grooves (4a, 4b) define central land portions (5a, 5b), and the outer main grooves (4a, 4b) and the tread ends (3a, 3b) define outer land portions (6a, 6b). Among the central land portions (5a, 5b) and the outer land portions (6a, 6b), first circumferential narrow grooves (7a, 7b) are provided only in the central land portions (5a, 5b), extend in the tire circumferential direction (C), have a narrower opening width and a shallower depth than those of the central main groove (2), and have a first groove wall (8) on the side of the outer main groove (4a, 4b) and a second groove wall (9) on the side of the central main groove (2) such that an intersection angle (θ1) between a tread surface (10) and the first groove wall (8) is larger than an intersection angle (θ2) between the tread surface (10) and the second groove wall (9).
US09186934B2 Wheel and tire assembly
A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel and an airless tire configured to present some performance characteristics of a pneumatic tire. The wheel includes a pair of radially outermost axially spaced rim portions, each rim portion including a transversely flat outer surface extending at least partially around the circumference of the wheel. The tire is mounted on the wheel such that the tire engages the outer surfaces of the rim portions of the wheel. A central portion of the tire is configured to flex inwardly between the rim portions of the wheel in response to ground engaging pressure, thus minimizing ground penetration and soil disturbance during use.
US09186929B1 Ergonomic and collapsible writing instrument
A collapsible writing instrument including a first plate pair consisting of lateral and oppositely lateral plates having upper and lower ends; a first hinge interconnecting the lateral and oppositely plates' lower ends; a second plate pair consisting of an upper lateral plate and lower lateral plate having proximal and distal ends; second hinge interconnecting the lateral plate's upper end and the lower lateral plate's proximal end; a third hinge interconnecting the upper and lower lateral plates' distal ends; a third plate pair consisting of an upper oppositely lateral plate and a lower oppositely lateral plate having proximal and distal ends; a fourth hinge interconnecting the oppositely lateral plate's upper end and the lower oppositely lateral plate's proximal end; a fifth hinge interconnecting the upper and lower lateral plates' distal ends; and a pen cartridge attached to the upper lateral and upper oppositely lateral plates' proximal ends.
US09186927B1 Greeting card with spring loaded slide track activated audio
An interactive greeting card having a multi-panel greeting card body, a sound module and a molded track contained between two or more panels of the multi-panel greeting card body, and a moveable object which is attached to the molded track through an opening in one or more of the greeting card panels. The moveable object is operative to move from one end of the molded track to the opposite end of the molded track whereby playback of a pre-recorded digital audio file is initiated. The interactive greeting card may additionally contain a small motor which causes movement of a second moveable object and an object launcher which is operative to launch an object along the track and into the air. Other special effects may be included such as lights, additional sounds or movement, or any other special effects which can be incorporated into a greeting card.
US09186922B2 Recording apparatus and image processing method
A recording apparatus includes a recording head for performing recording on a recording medium by applying a recording material to the recording medium, a measurement unit configured to read a patch recorded on the recording medium by the recording head and to optically measure a density of the patch, an acquisition unit configured to acquire information on an optical characteristic of the measurement unit and a reference optical characteristic, and a determination unit configured to determine an amount by which the recording material is to be applied from the recording head, based on the density measured by the measurement unit and the information acquired by the acquisition unit.
US09186917B2 Inkjet recording apparatus
An image forming apparatus may include a mechanism for forming a corrugated shape in a sheet to be conveyed. The mechanism may include various components include one or more pressing portions, one or more ribs, one or more discharge rollers, a switching mechanism and the like. In one arrangement, ribs and pressing portions configured to create the corrugated shape may be disposed at various locations upstream or downstream of the platen, recording portion and/or nozzles thereof. In one example, pressing portions may be disposed both upstream and downstream of the nozzles of the recording portion to maintain a corrugated shape in the conveyed sheet. Various other configurations may be used.
US09186916B1 Drying device, image forming apparatus, and computer readable medium storing program
A drying device includes: a drying unit in which a plurality of laser light sources are arranged two-dimensionally and that dries ink placed on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets from an ejecting unit by irradiating the ink with laser light; a measuring unit that measures a temperature characteristic, in a conveying direction of the recording medium, of the ink placed on the recording medium; a generation unit that generates, based on the temperature characteristic, a laser light irradiation profile with which the ink temperature will be raised by irradiation with laser light to become higher than or equal to a flex temperature at which the ink temperature starts to flex and then kept in a range being higher than or equal to the flex temperature and lower than a boiling temperature or the ink; and a control unit that controls the drying unit using the irradiation profile.
US09186915B2 Drying device and image forming apparatus
A drying device includes: a drying unit including: a heating space having a heating unit; a drying space that has a conveyance path of a recording medium and in which the recording medium is dried by radiation heat produced by the heating unit; and a partition member that separates the heating space and the drying space from each other in such a manner that gas can move between the heating space and the drying space; a first supply unit that supplies gas to the drying unit in a direction that is opposite to a conveying direction of the recording medium; and a second supply unit that supplies gas to the drying unit in a direction from the heating unit to the partition member.
US09186914B2 Ink jet recording apparatus
Disclosed is an ink jet recording apparatus that prints an image onto a recording medium using an ink which is composed of an aqueous ink vehicle containing latex as a binder resin. The ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage on which a recording head for discharging ink droplets onto the recording medium is mounted and that moves relative to the recording medium, in which an infrared heater that is disposed opposite to the recording medium and heats the recording medium is mounted on the carriage, and the infrared heater is disposed to be distant from the recording head in a moving direction (X direction) of the recording medium.
US09186911B2 Ink jet recording method, photocurable ink jet ink composition, and ink jet recording device
The ink jet recording method includes discharging liquid droplets of a photocurable ink composition including a solvent, a polymerizable compound, and a photopolymerization initiator from a head to a recording medium to land the liquid droplets, thereby forming an image; evaporating the solvent included in the photocurable ink composition constituting the image; and irradiating the image after the second step with light, wherein when the irradiation is initiated in the third step, the content of the polymerizable compound included in the photocurable ink composition constituting the image after the second step is from 20 to 90% by mass, based on the total mass of the ink composition.
US09186910B2 Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus that recognizes a location of a substrate, which is a printing target, and performs printing. The printing apparatus includes: a stage to which the substrate is mounted; a location recognition unit recognizing a location of the substrate mounted to the stage; and a printing unit disposed in an upper portion of the stage and coating a printing solution on the substrate, and the location recognition unit includes a plurality of alignment marks formed in the substrate and a camera photographing the alignment marks. The plurality of alignment marks are disposed to be rotationally symmetrical to each other with reference to the center of the substrate for the locations of the alignment marks to be the same even though the substrate is rotated by a predetermined angle with reference to the center of the substrate.
US09186904B2 Printer
A printer includes a frame that includes a frame back part, an arm that includes a rotation shaft and is supported by the frame to rotate around the rotation shaft relative to the frame, a platen roller that is rotatably supported by the frame or the arm, a print head that is disposed between the frame back part and the platen roller and performs printing on a recording sheet placed between the platen roller and the print head, and a first bias spring that is disposed between the frame back part and the print head and biases the print head toward the platen roller relative to the frame back part.
US09186897B2 Recording head
A recording head includes: a recording element substrate having a recording element and a logic circuit cofigured to control driving of the recording element; and an electric wiring member cofigured to provide a wiring layer that has a first group of a plurality of terminals, a second group of a plurality of terminals, and a plurality of signal lines configured to connect the first group of terminals to the second group of terminals; wherein the plurality of signal lines includes a plurality of logic signal lines including a logic power source line, a logic ground line, and at least first and second logic signal lines, and wherein, on the wiring layer, a line pattern connected to one of the logic power source line and the logic ground line is disposed along the first and second logic signal lines.
US09186893B2 Inkjet nozzle device configured for venting gas bubbles
An inkjet nozzle device configured for venting a gas bubble during droplet ejection. The inkjet nozzle device includes: a firing chamber for containing ink, the firing chamber having a floor and a roof defining a nozzle aperture having a perimeter; and a heater element bonded to the floor of the firing chamber. The device is configured to satisfy the relationships A=swept volume/area of heater element=8 to 14 microns; and B=firing chamber volume/swept volume=2 to 6. The swept volume is defined as the volume of a shape defined by a projection from the perimeter of the nozzle aperture to the floor of the firing chamber, and includes a volume contained within the nozzle aperture.
US09186889B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus may be configured to enter a first state where electric power is supplied from a power supply and a second state where no electric power is supplied from the power supply. A capacitor may be connected to the power supply, and may be charged by the power supply in the first state. A controller may be connected to the capacitor, and may operate with electric power supplied from the capacitor in the second state. The controller may operate with electric power supplied from the power supply in the first state. The controller may cause the image forming apparatus to enter the first state upon detecting that the image forming apparatus is in a predetermined state. The controller may acquire the related information and may cause the image forming apparatus to enter the second state.
US09186886B2 Method of forming ink ejection adjustment pattern, ink ejection adjustment method for inkjet head and inkjet printer
An ejection adjustment pattern forming method of forming an ejection adjustment pattern on a print medium with an inkjet head, which has a plurality of nozzles, with moving the inkjet head in a predetermined scanning direction. The method forms a plurality of thickness measurement patterns respectively on a plurality of pattern forming areas defined on the print medium by causing the plurality of nozzles of the inkjet head to eject ink drops, and forms a plurality of judging patterns respectively on the plurality of pattern forming areas. The ejection conditions of the plurality of nozzles, when the plurality of thickness measurement patterns are formed, are the same among the plurality of pattern forming areas. Further, the ejection conditions of the plurality of nozzles when the first judging pattern is formed and when the second judging pattern is formed are the same among the plurality of pattern forming areas.
US09186885B2 Alignment of printheads in printing systems
Systems and methods are provided for aligning printheads of a printing system. One embodiment is a system for aligning printheads of a printing system. The system includes a first sensor configured to detect lateral positions of an upstream printhead relative to sections of a web of print media traveling through the printing system, and a second sensor configured to detect lateral positions of a downstream printhead relative to the sections of the web. The downstream printhead is placed after the upstream printhead in the direction of travel of the web. The system also includes a controller configured to align the downstream printhead with the sections of the web based on the lateral positions of the upstream printhead and the lateral positions of the downstream printhead.
US09186884B2 Control apparatus and method for a digital printing system
Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods for a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM). Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM.
US09186883B2 Liquid container
A liquid container capable of containing a liquid has a flow passage that is formed in the liquid container and through which the liquid flows, and a filter 166 provided in the middle of the flow passage. The filter 166 inclines in a direction with respect to the horizontal direction.
US09186881B2 Thermally isolated liquid supply for web moistening
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a manifold including an air tube disposed about a water tube. The system also includes multiple nozzles coupled to the manifold, where each nozzle is coupled to the air tube and the water tube.
US09186873B2 Multilayered structure and method for producing the same
Disclosed is a multilayered structure that includes no less than 8 resin-layers, the resin-layer including a layer A constituted with a resin composition containing a gas barrier resin, and a layer B constituted with a resin composition containing a thermoplastic resin, at least one of the resin compositions included in the layer A and the layer B that are adjacent with each other containing a metal salt, the content of the metal salt being no less than 1 ppm and no greater than 10,000 ppm in terms of metal element equivalent, and an interlayer adhesive force between the layer A and the layer B being no less than 450 g/15 mm. The layer A and the layer B may be alternately laminated. Moreover, the average thickness of single layer of at least one selected from the layer A and the layer B is preferably no less than 0.01 μm and no greater than 10 μm.
US09186867B2 Assembly including a reinforced composite part with a pre-formed rivet receiving button
A composite part defining a button shaped protrusion and including fibers reinforcing a resin matrix throughout the part. The fibers may be in the form of a woven mat or in the form of loose fibers that are deposited in a mold. Methods of making the composite part with a woven mat or loose fibers being provided in the button shaped recess that defines a void in the fiber reinforced composite part at a predetermined location where a self-piercing rivet is to be inserted.
US09186864B2 Composite materials
Light weight composites with high flexural strength comprise epoxy foam sandwiched between two layers of facing material have high strength and low weight and can be used to replace steel structures. The facing layer may be fibrous material especially glass or carbon fibers, the facing material is preferably embedded into the epoxy matrix. Alternatively they may be matching box structures or concentric metal tubes. The sandwich structures may be prepared by laying up the fiber; coating and/or impregnating the layer with epoxy resin, laying a layer of heat activatable foamable epoxy material, providing a further layer of the fibrous material optionally coated and/or impregnated with epoxy resin on the foamable material and heating to foam and cure the epoxy materials. Alternatively they may be formed by extrusion of the foamable material between the surface layers.
US09186861B2 Sheet processing device and image forming system
In a sheet processing device, a sheet feeder feeds a sheet fed thereinto, by switching to any one of a first direction same as a feed-in direction of a sheet and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A second sheet processor is arranged in the second direction and performs a process including a center-folding process on the sheet. A first sheet processor is arranged in the first direction and performs a process other than the center-folding process on the sheet.
US09186860B2 Vaporizer kit for tobacco, medications, and the like
A knockdownable, odorless, and smokeless vaporizer kit that vaporizes materials to inhale without igniting the materials so as to reduce harmful effects of burning the materials by eliminating inhalation of combustion by-products of the materials by preventing ignition and combustion of the materials. The kit includes an enclosure and a heat source. The enclosure contains the materials. The heat source heats the enclosure to vaporize the materials contained within the enclosure without igniting the materials so as to reduce the harmful effects of burning the materials by eliminating inhalation of combustion by-products of the materials by preventing ignition and combustion of the materials.
US09186851B2 Processing of polymer matrix composites
Systems and methods for the reduction of volatile component content from shaped prepregs and prepreg layups and the layups and composites formed therefrom are disclosed. One or more shaped prepregs or prepreg layups are placed within an enclosure and a flow of a non-condensing gas is introduced adjacent at least one surface of the shaped prepregs or prepreg layups, accelerating the rate and/or the completeness of removal of volatile components from the shaped prepregs or prepreg layups. The shaped prepregs or prepreg layups may be further subjected to heat, vacuum, and external pressure to facilitate removal of the volatile components. Shaped prepregs and prepreg layups with volatiles reduced in this manner may be further consolidated with heat, external pressure and/or vacuum. Beneficially, reduced matrix bleed and reduced fiber movement may be achieved during processing, reducing manufacturing time and improving part quality.
US09186849B2 Composite part manufacturing compensation system and method
A method and system for assisting in the manufacture of composite parts such as those used for various high-strength assemblies such as aircraft wings, vertical stabilizers, racing car shells, boat hulls, and other parts which are required to have a very high strength to weight ratio. The system uses laser technology to measure the resultant surfaces of a first manufactured composite part. A computer system analyzes and compares the as-built dimensions with the required production specifications. Supplemental composite filler plies are designed including shape and dimensions. These plies are nested together into a single composite sheet and manufactured to minimize wasted material. The plies are then cut out and applied to the first part guided by a laser projection system for locating the plies on the part. The part is then re-cured. The final assembly is then re-measured for compliance with production dimensions.
US09186847B2 Method and device for producing a three-dimensional object
A method for producing a three-dimensional object by selective solidification of a build material includes irradiating a surface of a mask with at least one radiation source. The mask is disposed at a distance from a build plane and an optical imaging system is used to produce a reproduction of the mask on the build plane.
US09186846B1 Methods for composite filament threading in three dimensional printing
Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an conduit nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to applying the filament from the conduit nozzle.
US09186844B2 Method for forming an edge protection element on a glass article
The disclosure is directed to methods of forming edge protection on glass and in particular on glass that has been chemically strengthened by ion exchange. In one embodiment an edge protection or bumper is placed about the glass's edge(s) in a manner such that it does not cover the face(s) of the glass, and the bumper and glass are such that a cavity is formed between the glass edge(s) and the bumper. An adhesive is injected into the cavity, the air in the cavity is vented, and the adhesive is cured to firmly attach the bumper to the glass edge(s). In another embodiment a mold is placed about the glass edge(s), and the mold and glass edge(s) are such that a cavity is formed between the glass edge(s) and the mold. A polymer-forming fluid is injected into the cavity and then cured. The mold is then removed.
US09186841B2 Blow mould
A blow mold (1) provided with a locking system to lock each half-mold (2) to the respective half-mold holder (3), allowing simpler and quicker replacement of the lateral half-impressions (4) of the mold (1). The blow mold (1) provides that the lateral half-impression (4) of each half-mold (2) is fixed in a cavity of the corresponding mold holder (3) by means of actuating at least one quick coupling device (5, 5′). Said quick coupling device (5, 5′) comprises a force multiplier mechanism (22, 22′) configured so as to actuate a respective locking element (29, 29′) from an unlocking position, in which the half-mold (2) or a part thereof may be extracted from the mold holder (3), to a locking position, in which half-mold (2) and mold holder (3) are integrally locked to each other, or vice versa.
US09186835B2 Process for producing exfoliated and/or dispersed polymer composites and/or nanocomposites via solid-state/melt extrusion (SSME)
A method for solid-state/melt extrusion, as can be accomplished using a unitary extruder apparatus comprising a solid-state shearing zone and a melt-state extrusion zone.
US09186832B2 Heat dissipating assembly and mold having the same
A heat dissipating assembly of a mold includes an angular pin, a heat pipe, and a liquid passage passing through the angular pin. The angular pin defines a receiving chamber therein. The liquid passage passes through a lower portion of the receiving chamber of the angular pin. The heat pipe includes a condensing section, an evaporation section, and a connecting section interconnecting the condensing section and the evaporation section. The evaporation section is embedded in an upper portion of the receiving chamber opposite to the lower portion. The condensing section is located in the lower portion of the receiving chamber. A mold having the heat dissipating assembly is also provided.
US09186831B2 Method and device for producing of a form part
The invention relates to a method for producing of a form part, especially of a plane thin-walled fiber composite part, in a mold (1), comprising the steps: a) Providing of the mold (1), wherein the mold (1) comprises a cavity (2) with a nominal form volume (V) for inserting of a reactive mixture, wherein the cavity (2) is delimited by at least one cavity wall section (3) which is elastically deformable during the inserting of the reactive mixture and wherein the modulus of compressibility (K) of the cavity (2) is between 2,000 bar and 10,000 bar; b) Inserting of the reactive mixture into the cavity (2), wherein the reactive mixture is inserted with such a pressure into the cavity (2) so that the cavity volume is increased during the insertion of the reactive mixture due to elastic deformation of the at least one cavity wall section (3) above the nominal form volume (V); c) Letting solidify of the reactive mixture in the cavity (2); d) Demolding of the finished form part from the mold (1). Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for the execution of the method.
US09186829B2 Lacrosse head pocket and related method of manufacture
A lacrosse head pocket and a related method of manufacture are provided. The pocket can be a molded pocket including individual molded strings, combined strings, shooting strings and support rails extending around a perimeter of the pocket. Certain pocket elements can include transition parts to smoothly transition components having different cross sections. The pocket can include a pre-formed ball channel and hole units having broadsides for connection to a head or other component. The pocket can be attached to a pocket frame, and optionally constructed from a mesh or other synthetic material that is tensioned with the pocket frame. A mold and related molding method are also provided.
US09186828B2 Methods for forming elongated antennas with plastic support structures for electronic devices
Electronic devices may be provided with antenna structures. The antenna structures may include an antenna support structure covered with patterned antenna traces. An antenna support structure may be mounted in an electronic device so that a surface of the antenna support structure that is covered with patterned antenna traces lies flush with a planar surface of the electronic device housing. A display cover layer or other planar structure may be attached to the surface of the antenna support structure and the planar surface of the housing adhesive. Injection molding and extrusion techniques may be used in forming a support structure with elongated parallel cavities. An injection molding tool may have a mold core supported by a support structure at one end, supporting engagement features at the ends of mating mold core structures, or support pins. Molded interconnect devices may be soldered to laser direct structuring components to form antennas.
US09186822B2 Mold for foam molding and foam molding method
A mold 20B for foam molding which allows efficient production of the foam molded product with accurately finished outer surface, and easy release of the molded product from the mold in the foam molding method is formed of an upper mold portion 21B and a lower mold portion 22B. The gas feed means 23 formed of the valve box 25, the valve element 26 and the like is attached to an opening formed in the bottom surface of the lower mold portion 22B. The recess portions 51 are formed in each part of the opposite side surfaces 50a and 50c of the cavity 50. The protruding portions 52 are formed on the lower surface of the upper mold portion 21B so as to be fit to the corresponding recess portion 51. Upon completion of curing, the upper mold portion is separated to open the mold, air is supplied into the valve box 25 such that air is fed to a space between the molded product 31B and the bottom surface of the lower mold portion 22B to push up the molded product 31B so as to be released from the mold. The empty spaces formed by extraction of the protruding portions 52, 52 allow insertion of the tool and finger thereinto to take the molded product 31B from the mold.
US09186815B2 Corner saw
A cutting apparatus for cutting corner pieces formed of stone or other materials for use as building faces or for cutting flat pieces is disclosed herein. The cutting apparatus includes a frame with a first and a second conveyor operatively attached to the frame. The first and the second conveyors are configured to carry a workpiece from a first end of the frame to the second end of the frame. The first conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to a ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus. The second conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus, wherein the second conveyor is positioned perpendicularly to the first conveyor so as to form a V-shaped channel therewith. The cutting apparatus further includes a first cutting blade operatively attached to the frame and positioned generally parallel to the first conveyor and a second cutting blade operatively attached to the frame and positioned generally parallel to the second conveyor.
US09186811B2 Moistening system for presses
The invention relates to a moistening system (1) for presses (100) for compressing material cakes (200) mixed with binding agents, preferably continuously operating presses (100), in particular for producing composite panels, preferably engineered wood boards, comprising a first moistening agent application device. The first moistening agent application device (3) comprises a first application roll (7), which can be set from above against the material cake (200) conveyed by a conveyor unit (300) of the press, at least one first dosing roll (9), which can be set against the first application roll (7), and a first moistening agent bath (11). The at least one first dosing roll (9) is immersed in the first moistening agent bath (11) for taking up moistening agent and comprises at least one wiper roll (13), which can be set against each first dosing roll (9) and by means of which the amount of moistening agent taken up by each first dosing roll (9) can be adjusted.
US09186810B1 Bracket assembly and retaining device for collapsible stand
A bracket assembly is provided with a shell, a pivotal first curved member on one end of a recessed shell bottom, a pivotal second curved member on the other end of the shell bottom, a link including a slot, a first pin driven through the first curved member and the slot to fasten the first curved member and the link together, and a third hole at an other end, a cylindrical first actuation member, a cylindrical second actuation member, a second pin for fastening the first actuation member and the link together; a biasing member biased between the first stop member and the first actuation member; and a knob at a cap. A retaining device is also provided so that the sliding tube can slide in a transverse channel of retaining device, thereby adjusting length of the sliding tube.
US09186809B2 Anti-kick rip fence safety guide
An anti-kickback rip fence for use with a worktable of a cutting machine, such as table saw. Also discloses is an anti-kick rip fence guide for attachment to a rip fence. Both the anti-kick rip fence and the anti-kick rip fence guide provide a removeable rip guide that provides additional space between the rip fence and the saw blade, there by reducing the kickback incidents.
US09186808B2 Power tool with continuously-variable transmission traction drive
A screw-fastening tool having a continuously-variable transmission traction drive includes a continuously-variable transmission, a thrust cam mechanism of the continuously-variable transmission and a clutch plate of a fastening torque setting mechanism arranged in series between an electric motor and a spindle. A traction grease having a high traction coefficient is used as a lubricant for a traction drive. A grease reservoir or felt members in sliding contact with oppressing parts are disposed in a transmission case.
US09186807B2 Device for forming a pattern in a sheet material
A device for forming a pattern in a sheet of material is provided. The device includes a base having a detent portion and a locating portion that provides a first position, a platform moveably coupled to the base, and a punch supported by the platform and configured to move between a reset position and a depressed position. The platform includes a detent element configured to engage the detent portion when the platform is proximate the first position and a locating element configured to provide fine location of the platform in the first position relative to the base by engaging the locating portion. The punch forms a pattern in a sheet of material when the punch moves from the reset position to the depressed position and a sheet of material is present proximate the depressed position.
US09186804B2 Cutting tool and method of operating same
A cutting tool and method of operating cutting tool. The tool includes a support having a first side and a second side. The tool further includes a handle coupled to at least one of the first side and the second side. The handle includes a blade, wherein the handle is configured to move the blade between a first position and a second position. An alignment guide is coupled to the support. The alignment guide includes a channel configured to receive the blade positioned in the second position.
US09186799B2 Compact direct drive spindle
A substrate transport apparatus including a frame, at least one arm link rotatably connected to the frame and a shaftless drive section. The shaftless drive section including stacked drive motors for rotating the at least one arm link relative to the frame through a shaftless interface, each of the stacked drive motors including a stator having stator coils disposed on a fixed post fixed relative to the frame and a rotor substantially peripherally surrounding the stator such that the rotor is connected to a respective one of the at least one arm link for rotating the one of the at least one arm link relative to the frame causing an extension or retraction of the one of the at least one arm link, where the stacked drive motors are disposed in the at least one arm link so that part of each stator is within a common arm link.
US09186798B2 Moving fixture and related moving apparatus
A moving fixture capable of adjusting suction is disclosed in the present invention. The moving fixture includes a sucking component, a first supporting component, a second supporting component, a resilient component and a handle. A first end of the first supporting component is disposed on the sucking component. The second supporting component is movably disposed on a second end of the first supporting component opposite to the first end, and the second supporting component can move from the second end to the first end relative to the first supporting component. The resilient component is disposed between the first supporting component and the second supporting component. The handle is disposed on an end of the second supporting component opposite to the first supporting component.
US09186796B2 Master input device and master-slave manipulator
A master input device operates a slave manipulator which includes joints corresponding to a plurality of degrees of freedom. The device includes an operating unit and detection units of two or more systems. The operating unit is capable of being changed in position and orientation by an operator's operation. The operating unit is provided command values of a position and orientation of the slave manipulator as the position and orientation thereof change. The detection units individually detect different physical quantities related to the operating unit in order to detect the position and orientation of the operating unit.
US09186795B1 Programming and execution of force-based tasks with torque-controlled robot arms
A robotic device may receive task information defining (i) a nominal trajectory for an end-effector coupled to a manipulator of the robotic device, and (ii) forces to be exerted by the end-effector along the nominal trajectory; determining, based on the task information, a modified trajectory that is offset from the nominal trajectory; determining, based on the modified trajectory and the forces, torques to be applied to the manipulator over time; causing the torques to be applied to the manipulator so as to cause the end-effector to follow the modified trajectory and substantially exert the forces along the modified trajectory; receiving force feedback information from a sensor coupled to the robotic device indicating respective forces being experienced by the end-effector at respective points along the modified trajectory; and adjusting the torques to be applied to the manipulator based on the force feedback information.
US09186794B2 Robot controller having function to simplify teaching operation and improve motion performance of robot
A robot controller capable of easily speeding up the motion of a robot by learning, without using a special device and teaching know-how. The robot controller has a storing part which stores a reference motion pattern of the robot; an inputting part which designates at least one of a working start region where a motion of the robot based on the reference motion pattern is initiated and a working end region where the motion of the robot is terminated; an automatic generating part which automatically generates a plurality of motion patterns of the robot based on the reference motion pattern and divided regions formed by dividing a working region at a predetermined resolution; and a learning control part which learns a motion speed-up ratio for speeding up the motion by changing a velocity or acceleration in relation to each of the automatically generated motion patterns.
US09186785B2 Bearing adjuster
A bearing adjuster is comprised of a grip, an adjusting member, a fixing member and three movable members. The adjusting member is disposed on a protrusion of the grip. The fixing member is disposed on the adjusting member. The movable members are disposed on the fixing member correspondingly. A threaded rod of the grip is screwed in a threaded hole of a positioning protrusion of the fixing member. A sliding block of each movable member and positioning guide blocks of the sliding block are disposed in one of sliding grooves of the fixing member and positioning guide grooves of the sliding groove respectively. A guide protrusion of the movable member is disposed in one of corresponding grooves of the adjusting member. Thus, the bearing adjuster is able to adjust its' diameter to coordinate with different sizes of the bearings.
US09186779B2 Self-adjustable wrench
The disclosure is directed to a self-adjusting wrench, comprising a movable jaw member, a fixed jaw member a biasing member and a handle, wherein the movable jaw member, the fixed jaw member and the handle engage to self-adjust and lock the gap between the movable jaw and the fixed jaw upon applying pressure to the jaws using the handle.
US09186777B2 Assembly fixture for a workpiece
An assembly fixture having a base with an upper surface. A plurality of blocks, each having a quick release clamp detachably secured to it, are positioned on the base so that the clamps engage the workpiece components when in their clamped position. The blocks are then fixedly secured to the base but the clamps may be easily removed and reattached when desired.
US09186776B2 Positioning block for positioning object on work bench
A positioning block for positioning an object on a work bench includes a body having a positioning hole defined therethrough and a first bolt extends through the positioning hole. A support portion is formed on one side of the body and has a horizontal surface and an upright surface. A flange extends from the body and the board is pressed on the flange. The horizontal surface is parallel to the bottom face of the body. An angle is defined between the horizontal surface and the upright surface.
US09186768B2 Aircraft skin surface planing
A contoured surface planing apparatus for removing proud-standing material from a contoured surface without damaging the surface. The apparatus may include a tool comprising a motor-driven rotary cutter supported by a main body for rotation about a cutter axis, and orientation contact points spaced around the cutter and defining an orientation contact plane disposed parallel to the cutter axis.
US09186762B2 Turbine extension nut support tool
A nut support tool for assembly and disassembly of a nut on a vertically extending bolt assembly located on a casing. The bolt assembly including a lower nut engaged on a lower end of a threaded shaft. The nut support tool includes a vertical span assembly having an upper support member located at an upper end thereof for engagement on an upper end of the bolt assembly, whereby the nut support tool is supported from the bolt assembly upper end with the vertical span structure extending parallel to the bolt assembly. An arm assembly extends from a lower end of the vertical span assembly and includes a lower guide pin for engagement with an access opening formed in a lower surface of the lower nut. The arm assembly is configured to support the lower nut, and to swivel relative to the casing.
US09186761B1 Multi-socket wrench
The multi-socket wrench includes a housing, first and second head portions extending from the housing, a plurality of main shafts having an exposed end extending through the second head portion, and a socket removably attached to each exposed end of each of the main shafts for engaging lug nuts on tire. A gearbox is disposed within the housing. The gearbox includes a drive assembly that is connected to the main shafts by a chain. The drive assembly drives the main shafts to rotate in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. The drive assembly is configured to provide two different levels of torque to drive the main shafts to simultaneously tighten or untighten the lug nuts of a car tire.
US09186756B2 Repair method and repair structure for honeycomb sandwich structural body
A repair method includes the steps of: (A) forming a repair cavity 14 by removing a honeycomb core 11 including a damaged portion with a front-side skin 12; (B) inserting, into the repair cavity 14, a repair honeycomb core 21 whose end surface 30 on a side to which a repair patch 22 is bonded is subjected to flattening treatment; (C) disposing the repair patch on the flattened end surface 30 of the repair honeycomb core 21 via a film-like adhesive 24; and (D) bonding the repair honeycomb core 21 to an existing portion of the honeycomb sandwich structural body 10 and to the repair patch 22, and curing the repair patch 22 under a reduced-pressure atmosphere associated with heating.
US09186753B2 Back-shielded welding method and welded structure using the same
A back-shielded welding method according to the present invention includes communicating a front surface-side and a back surface-side of two welding base materials (2, 3) with each other in the welding base materials (2, 3) that abut against each other; forming notched portions (21, 22) in abutting edge portions (15, 16) of two welding base materials (2, 3) in such a manner that a slit-shaped gas supply opening (17) is formed to extend along a forming direction of a welding bead; forming the gas supply opening (17) with the notched portions (21, 22) by abutting the abutting edge portions (15, 16) of the welding base materials (2, 3) against each other and temporarily fixing the abutting edge portions (15, 16); and forming the welding bead while supplying an inert gas via the gas supply opening (17), and blocking the gas supply opening (17) by the welding bead.
US09186749B2 Laser processing apparatus
A laser processing apparatus including a laser beam branching mechanism provided between a laser oscillator and a focusing unit. The laser beam branching mechanism includes a spread angle adjusting unit for adjusting the spread angle of a laser beam and a branching unit for branching the laser beam into a plurality of laser beams. The branching unit includes a half-wave plate, a first polarization beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P polarized light and S polarized light, a first mirror for reflecting the P polarized light, a second mirror for reflecting the S polarized light, and a second polarization beam splitter for leading the P polarized light reflected by the first mirror and the S polarized light reflected by the second mirror to different optical paths extending in the same direction.
US09186748B2 Method for repairing and improving structural integrity of storage tanks
In some implementations of ignition-free welding in at least one fastener is attached to a container that resides within a hazardous environment. The fasteners are then used to secure a fill zone to the container. The chamber then receives a sealing material for the purpose of sealing a leak without having to remove the hazardous material.
US09186744B2 Welding device
A method to determine welding conditions includes relational expressions or tables about various parameters for setting welding conditions. The method can determine and display the recommended values for the welding conditions which are suitable for the information about the object to be welded and the information about the welding method set by the operator. The welding conditions include a welding current, a welding voltage, a wire feed speed, a welding speed, and a leg length. Furthermore, if the operator changes the recommended value for a welding condition to a new value, the method can determine new recommended values for the other welding conditions compatible with the new value and display the new recommended values.
US09186742B2 Microwave brazing process and assemblies and materials therefor
A brazing process and assembly utilizing microwave radiation and a plasma generator that is heated by microwave radiation and generates a localized plasma capable of selectively heating and melting a braze alloy. The plasma generator contains a microwave-susceptible material that is susceptible to heating by microwave radiation, and a plasma-generating material capable of volatilizing and generating the plasma when the plasma generator is subjected to heating and microwave radiation. The brazing process includes applying a braze material to a surface of a substrate, positioning the plasma generator in proximity to the braze material, and then subjecting the plasma generator to microwave radiation to volatilize the plasma-generating material and generate a plasma that melts the braze alloy within the braze material.
US09186739B2 Method for creating an inner thread as well as a combination of a thread cutter and a body having a cutout
A method for creating an inner thread in an opening of a body, using a thread cutter, including the following steps: a) the thread cutter having an axial lengthwise cutout adjacent to which there are blades that project radially outwards and that have cutting edges, is inserted into the opening, whereby several cutting edges arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction are provided on the lengthwise cutout, which are offset with respect to each other in the circumferential direction, and which are pushed into the groove when the thread cutter is being inserted, b) the cutting tool is rotated by a maximum of 360° in order to create the entire inner thread in at least one projection next to the groove, whereby the cutting edges penetrate into the projection one after the other as the thread cutter turns, and c) the thread cutter is moved axially out of the opening.
US09186735B2 Pivoting blade retainer
A reciprocating saw having a clamping arrangement with a clamp support base, a first locking member and a release lever. The clamp support base defines a first blade slot that is configured to receive a saw blade therein. The first locking member is movable between a disengaged position, which does not inhibit withdrawal of the saw blade from the first blade slot, and an engaged position that inhibits withdrawal of the saw blade from the first blade slot. The release lever is pivotally coupled to the clamp support base and coordinates movement of the first locking member.
US09186734B2 Height adjustment mechanism of table saw
A height adjustment mechanism of a table saw is provided with a support including a concave seat, two first sleeves spaced from both ends of the seat respectively, a guiding hole, and two parallel brackets spaced from the guiding hole; a drive rod rotatably extended through the brackets; a first bevel gear mounted to an open end of the drive rod; first and second guide uprights fastened in the first sleeves respectively; a threaded guide rod inserted through the guiding hole; a second bevel gear at a bottom end of the guide rod to mesh with the first bevel gear; a motor including a threaded guide hole secured to the guide rod, two second sleeves with the first and second guide uprights sliding through respectively; and two support elements each including a concave base member, a sliding rail on the base member, and a fastening member.
US09186733B2 Cutting insert with evolutive wedge or clearance angle and toolholder using such a cutting insert
A circular cutting insert includes a top surface having a top edge portion, a side surface having a clearance surface and a clearance edge portion. A cutting edge is formed between the clearance edge portion and the top edge portion. The clearance edge portion and the top edge portion form a wedge angle. The wedge angle varies as a function of circumferential position about a central axis of the insert relative to a point on the cutting edge.
US09186732B2 Cutting insert with grooved surface defining plural support surfaces
A cutting insert includes a first mounting surface, a second mounting surface located on an opposite side of the insert from the first mounting surface, and a first side surface disposed between the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface. The insert further includes a first groove extending substantially diagonally across the first side surface and dividing the first side surface into discrete, separated, triangular first and second first side support surfaces. The first and second first side support surfaces are each bounded along first and second edges thereof by rake surfaces forming non-zero angles with the first and second side support surfaces and along third edges thereof by the groove.
US09186731B2 Apparatus for removing plugs
An apparatus to remove plugs. In a first embodiment, the apparatus is configured to remove a plug from a hole saw, and in a second embodiment, the apparatus is configured to remove a plug from a hole. The first apparatus includes a pivotable support frame for retaining and stabilizing a cleaning structure. The cleaning structure is arranged to fit within the cylinder of a hole saw and cause engagement with the plug until the plug is split sufficiently to cause its removal from the hole saw. The second apparatus includes a tube and a retractable plug engagement rod retainable in the tube. The tube and plug engagement rod are secured together when the plug engagement rod is extended from the tube. The end of the plug engagement rod is configured to enable its insertion into a plug. The second apparatus is withdrawn, extracting the plug in the process.
US09186727B2 Metal particle
A metal particle which is a non-nucleated, spherical porous material having continuous open pores, and which is formed from dendritic crystals which have grown uniformly outward from the center without requiring a nucleating agent. The metal particle is unlikely to suffer bonding or aggregation of the metal particles and exhibits excellent dispersibility. When the metal particle is used in a conductive composition, such as a conductive paste, a cured product having satisfactory conduction properties can be obtained at a relatively low temperature, making it possible to easily control the specific gravity or resistance.
US09186726B2 Methods of forming a metallic or ceramic article having a novel composition of functionally graded material and articles containing the same
There is disclosed a method of making a metallic or ceramic component, such as a cutting or forming tool, from at least two distinct powder precursors. In one embodiment, the method comprising forming a first mixture comprised of a plurality of coated particles, such as Tough-Coated Hard Powder (TCHP) composite particles created by encapsulating extremely hard core particles with very tough binder and structural materials, and at least one support powder, such as a carbide, typically WC—Co. The mixture is formed into a green body and sintered to form a functionally graded or multicomponent article. Non-limiting examples of the articles made from the disclosed methods are also disclosed and include drills, mills, cutting tools, forming tools, wires dies and mechanical components.
US09186725B2 Carriage to transport a ladle and to transfer molten metal into equipment for pouring and transportation line for transporting molten metal
The present invention provides a carriage to transport a ladle and to transfer molten metal into equipment for pouring (hereafter, transfer carriage) whereby the investment cost can be reduced by having the equipment made compact, and the temperature of the molten metal can be maintained high, and the cycle time can be reduced, because the time to transport the molten metal can be less. Further, the present invention provides a transportation line for transporting the molten metal. This line requires a smaller space for its installation. The transfer carriage of the present invention comprises a transportation means that runs along the rails for transporting a ladle; a shifting means disposed on the transportation means, which shifting means moves in the direction that is perpendicular to the rails for transporting a ladle; a lifting mechanism attached to a pillar set upright on the shifting means, a tilting means disposed at a lifting member of the lifting mechanism; and a ladle-holding member that is supported by the tilting means at the axis of the tilting means, which member is tilted by the tilting means, and which can hold or release a receiving ladle, wherein the carriage transfers the molten metal in the receiving ladle into the ladle for pouring.
US09186724B2 Electroslag and electrogas repair of superalloy components
Superalloy component castings, such as turbine blades and vanes, are fabricated or repaired by an electroslag or electrogas welding process that at least partially replicates the crystal structure of the original cast substrate in a cast-in-place substrate extension. The process re-melts the base substrate surface and grows it with new molten filler material. As the base substrate and the filler material solidify, the newly formed “re-cast” component has a directionally solidified uniaxial substrate extension portion that at least in part replicates the crystalline structure of the base substrate. The “re-cast” component can be fabricated with a unified single crystal structure, including the extension portion. In other applications, a substrate extension can replicate a directionally solidified uniaxial crystal structure of an original base substrate casting. Polycrystalline substrate base structures can be re-cast with a substrate extension that replicates base substrate crystals that are most parallel to the uniaxial casting direction.
US09186722B2 Tilt type gravity molding device
Provided is a tilt type gravity molding device which requires no riser, prevents increase in length of a sprue runner, suppresses occurrence of clogging of a molten metal, and facilitates temperature control of the molten metal. The tilt type gravity molding device includes: a mold having defined therein a product forming space for forming a molded product, and configured to receive a molten metal from a pouring gate; a ladle including: a storing section capable of storing the molten metal therein; and a plate-like opening/closing body abutting on the mold, and having an injection port capable of being aligned with the pouring gate; and a gas supplying section for supply gas into the product forming space. The ladle is slidably mounted to the mold, and is slidable between an opening state in which the injection port is aligned with the pouring gate, and a closing state in which the plate-like opening/closing body closes the pouring gate.
US09186715B2 Mandrel for bending rectangular duct body
A mandrel for bending a rectangular duct body is provided. A round part and a shaft pin hole are formed at the front end of the mandrel, connection pieces and rollers are formed at the front end of the mandrel, protruded parts for supporting the bent part of the rectangular duct body and depressed parts in which depression parts will be formed are formed on both sides of the rollers, and oil grooves are formed in the sides of the rollers. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that workability and productivity can be improved because frictional force between the rollers and between the inside of the rectangular duct body and the rollers is reduced when performing a bending work because grease within the oil grooves formed in the rollers performs a lubrication action.
US09186714B1 Process for making a stamped tubular form with integral bracket and products made by the process
The provided process creates a stamped tubular form with integral bracket by feeding a metal strip with a first thickness into a stamping tool containing a plurality of stations. Material is removed from the metal strip, leaving behind a tubular blank with an integral bracket. The tubular blank is formed by a forming station into a U-shaped form containing walls. The walls are closed in a closure station into a tubular shape wherein the edges of the walls are abutted and compressed, forming a tubular form which increases the metal thickness. This invention includes products formed by this process.
US09186712B1 Gun barrel manufacturing methods
A method of forming a gun barrel includes machining a gun barrel to a desired wall thickness, spraying the gun barrel with a bonding coating to form a bonding layer, cold gas-dynamic spraying the gun barrel with a titanium powder to form an outer layer, contouring the outer layer, applying a ceramic top coating to the contoured outer layer of the gun barrel, sealing the gun barrel with a liquid metal sealer. Another method of manufacturing a gun barrel includes preparing a mandrel sized substantially equal to a bore of a gun barrel, spraying the mandrel with a first coating, spraying the mandrel with a second amorphous metal coating, cold gas-dynamic spraying the mandrel with a third titanium powder coating, removing the mandrel, and sealing the third coating with a liquid metal sealer.
US09186711B2 Rolling line and relative method
A rolling line for the production of flat product includes a casting machine to continuously case a thin slab, a temperature maintenance and homogenization unit, a rolling unit a forming stand or roughing stand connected to the exit of the casting machine to reduce the thickness of the slab. The forming stand or roughing stand is configured to perform an adaptive reduction of the thickness of the cast slab smaller than or equal to about 65% at least as a function of the thickness, width and type of material of the finished flat product. The rolling unit is configured to perform a reduction of the reduction of the thin slab coming from the temperature maintenance and homogenization unit to a thickness comprised between about 1.2 mm and about 20 mm by three or fewer double rolling passes through the double rolling stand.
US09186709B2 Active electroadhesive cleaning
An active electroadhesive cleaning device or system includes electrode(s) that produce electroadhesive forces from an input voltage to adhere dust or other foreign objects against an interactive surface, from which the foreign objects are removed when the forces are controllably altered. User inputs control the input voltage and/or designate the size of foreign objects to be cleaned. An active power source provides the input voltage, and the interactive surface can be a continuous track across one or more rollers to move the device across a dirty foreign surface. Electrodes can be arranged in an interdigitated pattern having differing pitches that can be actuated selectively to clean foreign objects of different sizes. Sensors can detect the amount of foreign particles adhered to the interactive surface, and reversed polarity pulses can help repel items away from the interactive surface in a timely and controlled manner.
US09186708B2 Industrial cleaning system
Industrial cleaning plant having at least one cleaning chamber and a transport device that can be driven, rotated or pivoted. The transport device has a lifting device with a gripping tool for the items to be cleaned, with which a transport lift is produced into the chamber. The chamber can be closed with a cover, which forms one unit with a lifting arm of the lifting device. The cover is held moveably in a guide in an aperture along the shaft of the lifting arm. In closed position of the cover, an up-or-down movement of the gripping tool in the cleaning chamber can be controlled with the lifting arm which also has an entrainment mechanism forming a stop for the cover in upward movement of the lifting arm for opening the chamber.
US09186706B2 Sorting device and method of operating the sorting device
A sorting device comprises a support member for supporting and transporting an article. The support member is drivable in a conveying direction. The sorting device also comprises a loading station at which at least an article can be loaded to the support member, and an unloading station at which at least an article can be removed from the support member. The unloading station is provided with a plurality of receivers for receiving an article that is removed from the support member. The receivers are arranged transversely with respect to the conveying direction and disposed such that they are below the support member when the support member is at the unloading station. Furthermore, the sorting device comprises a controller for directing an article that is supported and transported by the support member to a selected one of the receivers.
US09186705B2 Plant for selection of crates for vegetable products according to their degree of cleanliness
Plant for the selection of crates, in particular for vegetable products, comprising: transferring means, preferably a continuous conveyor suitable for suitable for transferring said crates in an orderly, continuous and sequential manner, a station for measuring the degree of cleanliness of said crates, comprising measurement and control means suitable to detect the cleanliness degree of said crates, and arranged in an intermediate position in the path of said transferring means. Loading means are provided suitable to reassemble said crates in respective stacks based on their degree of cleanliness measured on each of them, wherein said loading means are arranged downstream of said measuring station and wherein said transfer means supply said loading means, without intermediate stations or processes. In addition, the plant includes a station for aligning the crates on said transfer means in a position stacked upstream of said measuring station. The measuring station is suitable to measure the degree of cleanliness of crates with collapsible walls when said crates are closed.
US09186704B2 Method and device for sorting identification objects
A method and a device for sorting identification objects is described, wherein identification objects are fed in a defined sequence, one after the other, to a first transfer position and inspected for defects. Identification objects identified as defect-free are transferred in the first transfer position by a first transfer arrangement to a transfer buffer, and identification objects identified as defective are transported away by a first transport arrangement. The defect-free identification objects are then fed to a first magazine, which is then transported to a second transfer position by a second transport arrangement. The first magazine is then aligned in a first position with a first buffer of a rotatable sorting arrangement, and the defect-free identification objects following the defective identification objects are transported by the first transport arrangement to the second transfer position and transferred by a second transfer arrangement to the first buffer.
US09186703B2 Locking twist pin screen panel retainer
A locking twist pin screen panel retainer system utilizes a plurality of twist pins, each with a mushroom-shaped screen panel engaging head. Each one of the locking twist pins is positionable in a deformable receiver which is attachable to a support tube or bottom rail of a vibrating separatory machine. Insertion of the individual twist pins each into a cooperating one of the retainers, and the subsequent rotation of each twist pin through 90°, both secures the pin in the cooperating receiver and also secures the receiver in place on the underlying support tube or rail of the vibrating separatory machine. Removal of the pins and their receivers, if necessary, is accomplished by a further rotation of each pin through another 90°.
US09186702B2 Controlling vibrations from multiple vibrator motors in a mobile communications device
A mobile device that includes a motion sensor, multiple vibrators, and a motor speed determinator module. The motion sensor senses and records vibrations of the mobile device while the multiple vibrators are simultaneously running. The sensed vibrations are transmitted to the motor speed determinator module, which transfers the sensed vibrations into the frequency domain. The vibrations caused by each of the multiple vibrators are represented by peaks in the frequency representation. In one embodiment, the motor speed determinator module drives each vibrator such that the rotational speed and phase of each vibrator are equal or essentially equal. This is represented in the spectral representation of the frequency domain as the overlapping of each peak into a single peak.
US09186700B2 Process and apparatus for ultraviolet nano-imprint lithography
A process and an apparatus for performing a UV nano-imprint lithography are provided. The process uses a polymer pad which allows a uniform application of pressure to a patterned template and an easy removal of a residual resin layer. The apparatus includes a tilt and decentering corrector which allows an accurate alignment of layers during the nano-imprint lithography process.
US09186698B1 Making imprinted multi-layer structure
A method of making an imprinted multi-layer structure includes providing a support and locating a first curable layer including a first material on or over the support. A second curable layer including a second material different from the first material is located on or over the first curable layer. The first curable layer and the second curable layer are imprinted in a single step with an imprinting stamp having a structure with a depth greater than the thickness of the second curable layer. The first curable layer and the second curable layer are cured in a single step to form a first cured layer and a second cured layer. The imprinting stamp is removed to form an imprinted multi-layer structure with a depth greater than the thickness of the second cured layer.
US09186692B2 Particle supplying apparatus, method of controlling particle supplying apparatus, and method of acquiring speed determining information
In an absorbent sheet manufacturing apparatus, a storage part stores speed determining information including relationships between conveying speed of a first sheet member and rotational speed of a supply cylinder and corresponding respectively to target particle densities. A control part determines the rotational speed of the supply cylinder on the basis of a target particle density, the conveying speed and the speed determining information. Even if various changes are made to the conveying speed of the first sheet member, the amount of particles supplied can be accurately controlled such that the density of particles on the first sheet member matches the target particle density. Even if various changes are made to the target particle density, the amount of particles supplied can be accurately controlled in consideration of the conveying speed such that the density of particles matches the target particle density.
US09186691B2 Bicycle misting system
Various embodiments provide a bicycle misting system or apparatus. Example embodiments include a manual (e.g., trigger-activated) or automated (e.g., valve-activated) system that is self-contained, small, and light-weight. Various embodiments improve safety, allow convenient interchangeability of the fluid reservoir, and enable easy installation on a bicycle with or without a mounting system on the bicycle itself. Embodiments also allow the rider to select a variety of spray types, stream, spray, or mist depending on the intended use or amount of fluid desired for each release. The various embodiments provide for an improved cooling fluid delivery system of design simplicity, ease of use, and interchangeability that allows a cyclist an evaporative cooling concept safely, efficiently and conveniently, while riding in conditions of elevated or extreme temperatures.
US09186690B2 Ergonomic hand-operable fluid-dispensing device
A hand-operable system for ejecting a fluid composition into an eye, the system including: (1) a container having a container opening and containing the fluid composition; (2) a double-acting pump mechanism securely disposed over the container opening; and (3) an actuator that is disposed over, and extends radially outward from, the pump mechanism, for actuating the pump mechanism by applying a force thereon, wherein the pump mechanism includes a passage for the fluid composition, and the passage is positively sealed off when the application of the force is discontinued.
US09186685B2 Multiple arm apparatus and methods for separation of particles
The invention provides apparatus for separation of particles and methods for using the apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes three arms extending radially from a central reservoir, each arm being associated with a separation electrode. At least one on the arms includes a separation medium. Using a sequence of driving and mobility-changing voltages, target particles can be separated from closely related particles within a sample. For example, single point mutations can be resolved from a sample containing predominantly wild type nucleic acids.
US09186683B2 Apparatus for comminuting fibrous materials
The present disclosure relates to a comminution apparatus including a rotational reducing unit that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The rotational reducing unit includes a plurality of material reducing components that are mounted to a carrier. The material reducing components are rotated by the carrier in a first direction about the axis of rotation. The comminution apparatus also includes a screen at least partially surrounding the rotational reducing unit. The screen defines a plurality of sizing slots that have slot lengths and slot widths. The slots are elongated along the slot lengths such that the slot lengths are longer than the slot widths.
US09186682B2 Mulching apparatus
A system is disclosed for mulching material including a floor stand configured to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in a position to receive material to be mulched, and a hopper having an end for receiving material to be mulched and an opposite end configured to be connected to an intake of the mulching device. A floor stand is disclosed which is operable to secure a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device in an upright position. A floor stand may include a securing device pivotably engaged thereto, wherein the securing device is operable to removably engage and permit pivotable selective positioning of a hand-manipulatable blower/vacuum mulching device.
US09186678B2 Shredder auto feed system with paper stack separation mechanism
The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. A paper feed mechanism feeds paper that is separated from the stack by a stack separation mechanism to the cutter elements. The feed and separation mechanisms can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the stack separation mechanism moves in an alternating manner between retracted and extended positions to disengage and engage and insert the stack to separate (with its edge) paper therefrom to feed to the feed mechanism for shredding. The paper stack separation mechanism can move in an non-undulating manner relative to the stack. A device for stripping stapled pages, a pivotable support plate, and pressure plate can also be used, as well as a number of sensors.
US09186676B2 Test reagent container
A test reagent container including a discharge port, formed by depressing a projecting part formed on a container bottom part, through which content can be easily and reliably discharged. The test reagent container includes: a bottom part; a peripheral wall raised approximately perpendicularly from a periphery of the bottom part; and a storage part defined by the bottom part and peripheral wall. A projecting part is formed on the bottom part in a projecting manner toward outside the container. A proximal end of the projecting part is formed in a bendable manner relative to the bottom part, and an easily breakable part is formed on a periphery of the projecting part except for the proximal end of the projecting part. The easily breakable part is broken when the projecting part is depressed from outside the container to be pushed into the inside of the container to form a discharge port.
US09186674B2 Polycarbonate microfluidic articles
Microfluidic devices, and methods for their use are described. The microfluidic devices include articles formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising a poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate comprising soft block ester units, derived from monomers comprising an alpha, omega C6-20 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof, a dihydroxyaromatic compound, and a carbonate source.
US09186668B1 Microfluidic devices, systems, and methods for quantifying particles using centrifugal force
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward microfluidic systems, apparatus, and methods for measuring a quantity of cells in a fluid. Examples include a differential white blood cell measurement using a centrifugal microfluidic system. A method may include introducing a fluid sample containing a quantity of cells into a microfluidic channel defined in part by a substrate. The quantity of cells may be transported toward a detection region defined in part by the substrate, wherein the detection region contains a density media, and wherein the density media has a density lower than a density of the cells and higher than a density of the fluid sample. The substrate may be spun such that at least a portion of the quantity of cells are transported through the density media. Signals may be detected from label moieties affixed to the cells.
US09186667B2 Discharge device and liquid dispensing device, and method for dispensing liquid
The discharge device includes a nozzle unit, a storage unit for supplying a pressure transmission medium under regulated pressure to the nozzle unit side, a pressurization unit for supplying a pressurized gas under regulated pressure to the storage unit side, a pump mechanism, a branch unit for communicating the nozzle unit, the storage unit, and the pump mechanism with each other, a discharge valve for establishing or blocking communication between the branch unit and the nozzle unit, and a supply valve for establishing or blocking communication between the branch unit and the storage unit. In a state of the discharge valve being closed and the supply valve being opened, the pressurized gas under pressure regulated by the pressurization unit is supplied to the storage unit side and the pressure transmission medium in liquid phase under pressure regulated by the storage unit is supplied to the supply valve side.
US09186659B2 Controlled growth of MTT zeolite by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis
This invention relates a process for preparing MTT zeolites which process includes the preparation of a sol-gel from an aluminate solution, mixing a structure directing agent with the sol-gel to form a structure directing mixture, mixing a silica with the structure directing mixture to form a reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture in a microwave reactor to form an initial zeolite, and removing the structure directing agent to form the MTT zeolite. The invention also relates to MTT zeolites produced by the process, including ZSM-23 zeolites, as well as zeolite membranes, coating and catalysts.
US09186658B2 Hydrocracking catalyst and method for producing a hydrocarbon oil
The hydrocracking catalyst of the present invention is a hydrocracking catalyst comprising a catalyst support comprising a zeolite and an amorphous composite metal oxide having solid acidity, and at least one active metal supported by the catalyst support and selected from noble metals of Group 8 to Group 10 in the periodic table, wherein the hydrocracking catalyst contains a carbonaceous substance comprising a carbon atom, and the content of the carbonaceous substance in the hydrocracking catalyst is 0.05 to 1% by mass in terms of the carbon atom.
US09186653B2 Highly stable platinum alloy catalyst for methanol electrooxidation
A catalyst for use in at the anode of direct methanol fuel cells is made from nanoparticles having a core-shell structure. The core is an alloy of platinum and gold. The core is surrounded by a first shell of ruthenium and a second shell containing a ternary alloy of platinum, gold, and ruthenium. The catalyst can be made by a reverse-micelle method or by a single-phase scalable method. The catalyst is highly stable under conditions of use and resists dissolution of ruthenium or platinum.
US09186650B2 Adsorbent having utility for CO2 capture from gas mixtures
A carbon pyrolyzate adsorbent is described that is selective for carbon dioxide in contact with gas mixtures including carbon dioxide and methane. The adsorbent has a carbon dioxide adsorbent capacity at 1 bar pressure of greater than 50 cm3 carbon dioxide per gram of adsorbent at 273K, a methane adsorption capacity at 1 bar pressure of less than 35 cm3 methane per gram of adsorbent at 21° C., and a bulk density of greater than 0.55 gram per cubic centimeter of volume. Such adsorbent can be utilized, for example, for biogas upgrading, natural gas purification, coal bed methane purification, and refining operations.
US09186649B2 Adsorption of volatile organic compounds derived from organic matter
An article for adsorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from organic matter comprising adsorbing the VOCs onto palladium doped ZSM-5, optionally at ambient temperature. The organic matter can be perishable organic goods such as food, including fruit and/or vegetables, horticultural produce, including plants and/or cut flowers, or refuse. The palladium doped ZSM-5 has a Si:Al ratio of less than or equal to 100:1 and preferably has a palladium content of from 0.1 wt % to 10.0 wt % based on the total weight of the doped ZSM-5.
US09186638B2 Microfluidic structure
Pressure-operable microfluidic structure for the bubble-free combining of two liquid volumes with a fluid chamber that has a feed opening, as well as an inlet and outlet channel emerging into the fluid chamber, wherein the fluid chamber has a cross section that broadens out relative to the inlet channel in the direction of flow from the inlet to the outlet channel and is designed, thanks to the broadened cross section, to broaden a first liquid volume that is essentially pressure-driven and conducted through the inlet channel and through the fluid chamber to a cross section at least approximately corresponding to the full cross section of the fluid chamber, while the fluid chamber has a holding position and is configured so that a second liquid volume, placed in the fluid chamber through the feed opening, can be held in the region of the holding position and the second liquid volume when the first liquid volume is moved through by pressure can be taken up by the latter and delivered as a combined liquid volume through the fluid chamber and into the outlet channel.
US09186635B2 Vacuum mixing device for bone cement and method for mixing bone cement in said device
The application relates to a vacuum mixing device (1) for bone cement, where the monomer is pressed into a mixing container (2) due to the surrounding vacuum and a gas volume present in the monomer container (10).
US09186630B2 Perforated membranes
The present invention relates to a membrane comprising at least one molecular monolayer composed of low-molecular aromatics and cross-linked in the lateral direction, wherein the membrane has a thickness in the range from 1 to 200 nm and a perforation in the form of openings having a diameter in the range from 0.1 nm to 1 μm, to a method for the production thereof, and to a use thereof.
US09186626B2 Separation of CO2 and H2S using supported amines
Methods are provided for removing CO2 and/or H2S from a gas phase stream, such as a refinery flue gas stream, a coal-fired or petroleum-burning power plant, or a natural gas stream. A gas phase stream containing CO2 and/or H2S can be contacted under effective conditions with an aqueous slurry of supported amine particles. The CO2 and/or H2S can react with the supported amines to form bicarbonates, carbonates, carbamates, sulfide salts, or other species. Because the amine is part of, bonded to, or otherwise supported on a particulate substrate, the reaction product from the amine reaction can also remain bound to the particle. After reacting supported amines with CO2 and/or H2S captured from a gas stream, the supported amines particles can be separated from the aqueous slurry environment for regeneration of the supported amine and release of the CO2 and/or H2S.
US09186624B2 Methods of producing and providing purified gas using an electrochemical cell
In accordance with one embodiment, a method of producing hydrogen gas meeting a predetermined threshold of purity may include transferring a quantity of a hydrogen gas mixture through an electrochemical hydrogen pump, wherein the electrochemical hydrogen pump includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane located between the anode and the cathode; separating a quantity of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas mixture by transferring the hydrogen gas from the anode, through the electrolyte membrane, to the cathode; collecting the hydrogen gas from the cathode, wherein the collected hydrogen gas at least meets the predetermined threshold of purity; and producing a certificate that the collected hydrogen gas has a purity that is at least substantially equal to the predetermined threshold of purity.
US09186623B2 Recycled purge air dryer system and method of use
Heat generated by the first stage compressor while it is running (either loaded or unloaded in the recycled purge air dryer system is recaptured by a stream of dried, cool system air drawn off of the outlet of a online drying tower in an air compressor system via a purge heat exchanger placed after the first stage compressor. The dried, hot air is used help regenerate the offline tower. This regenerating, pressurized, and heated purge air is then cooled in its passage across or through the desiccant in the regenerating tower. It then reenters the main airflow at the outlet of the first stage air compressor as wet cool pressurized purge air. This process is completely closed loop within the system, achieving zero air loss, and avoiding dew point spikes, increasing the efficiency of the air compressor system.
US09186622B1 Device for separation of oxygen and nitrogen
A method of separating oxygen from nitrogen involves delivering air to a first side of a membrane comprising a polymer support and a layer of zeolite nanosheet particles with thickness of 2 nm to 10 nm and mean diameter of 5 nm to 5000 nm. The delivered air provides a pressure differential between opposite sides of the membrane, thus causing oxygen in the hollow core to diffuse through the polymer support and the zeolite nanosheet layer to the second side of the membrane. The preferential diffusion of oxygen (compared to diffusion of nitrogen) through the membrane produces nitrogen-enriched air on the first side of the membrane and oxygen-enriched air on the second side of the membrane.
US09186619B2 CO2 recovery unit and method therefor
A CO2 recovery unit 10A according to a first embodiment has a CO2 absorber that removes CO2 in flue gas by bringing the flue gas containing CO2 into contact with a CO2 absorbent 12, and a regenerator 15 that diffuses CO2 in a rich solution 14 having absorbed CO2 in the CO2 absorber. The CO2 recovery unit 10A includes a first compressor 29-1 to a fourth compressor 29-4 that compress CO2 gas 16 discharged from the regenerator 15, a dehydrating column 33 that reduces moisture in the CO2 gas 16 by bringing the CO2 gas 16 into contact with a dehydrating agent 32, a combustion removal unit 41 that removes the dehydrating agent 32 mixed in the CO2 gas 16 in the dehydrating column 33, and a heat exchanger 42 that performs heat exchange between the CO2 gas 16 discharged from the third compressor 29-3 and the CO2 gas 16 discharged from the dehydrating column 33.
US09186617B2 Non-aqueous amine scrubbing for removal of carbon dioxide
A method is described for separating CO2 and/or H2S from a mixed gas stream by contacting the gas stream with a non-aqueous, liquid absorbent medium of a primary and/or secondary aliphatic amine, preferably in a non-aqueous, polar, aprotic solvent under conditions sufficient for sorption of at least some of the CO2. The solution containing the absorbed CO2 can then be treated to desorb the acid gas. The method is usually operated as a continuous cyclic sorption-desorption process, with the sorption being carried out in a sorption zone where a circulating stream of the liquid absorbent contacts the gas stream to form a CO2-rich sorbed solution, which is then cycled to a regeneration zone for desorption of the CO2 (advantageously at <100° C.). Upon CO2 release, the regenerated lean solution can be recycled to the sorption tower. CO2:(primary+secondary amine) adsorption molar ratios >0.5:1 (approaching 1:1) may be achieved.
US09186614B1 Apparatus for hydrogen production using off-gases from GTL processes
An apparatus for producing hydrogen from an off-gas originating from a gas to liquid (GTL) process is provided. The apparatus includes a cryogenic distillation column, a first CO shift reactor, a second CO shift reactor, an SMR, and a first and second PSA. The cryogenic distillation column is configured to receive an off-gas and separate it into a light ends and a heavy ends. The first CO shift reactor is configured to receive the light ends and, in the presence of steam, produce additional hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The SMR is configured to receive the heavy ends and convert hydrocarbons within the heavy ends to hydrogen and CO, with the resulting stream then being treated in the second CO shift reactor to produce additional hydrogen and CO2. The hydrogen is then captured using the first and second PSAs.
US09186613B2 Sorbent devices and methods of using them
Certain aspects and examples are directed to sorbent devices and methods of using them. In certain embodiments, a sorbent device comprising a body comprising a sampling inlet, a sampling outlet and a cavity between the inlet and the outlet, the cavity comprising a serial arrangement of at least four different sorbent materials is described. In some embodiments, the sorbent materials are arranged from a material with a weakest sorbent strength to a material with a strongest sorbent strength with the weakest sorbent strength material adjacent to the sampling inlet.
US09186609B2 Filter clog sensing system and method for compensating in response to blower speed changes
A sensing system and method for use with a gas filter in a gas conduit attached to a gas blower, having a motor for producing a first gas flow blower speed, discards readings taken when the blower is off or during blower startup and shutdown, and recalculates a clog threshold in response to changes in the fan speed of a multi-speed blower.
US09186600B2 Device for bringing about a phase contact between a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, in particular a heat and mass transfer column
The invention relates to a device (column) for bringing about a phase contact between a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, in particular a material exchange column, comprising: a shell, which extends along a longitudinal axis and bounds a shell space, at least a first circular tray, arranged in the shell space, for taking up the liquid phase, which extends crosswise to the longitudinal axis, whereby the at least one first tray has through openings for passage of a gaseous phase, so that the gaseous phase can come into phase contact with the liquid phase that is located on the at least one first tray. According to the invention, a large number of sealing weirs projecting from the first tray along the longitudinal axis are provided, which extend in each case along a radial direction of the at least one first tray, so that the first tray is divided into a corresponding plurality of sectors. In addition, the invention relates to an apparatus comprising such a device and a floatable carrier.
US09186599B2 Process for isolating tetrahydrofuran
A process which isolates tetrahydrofuran from a stream of tetrahydrofuran, alkanol and high boilers, by: (a) separating off a first stream of tetrahydrofuran and alkanol as azeotrope in a first distillation stage; (b) feeding part of the first stream into a reactor for esterifying maleic anhydride, giving a second stream of tetrahydrofuran and monoalkyl maleate; (c) separating the second stream into a third stream of monoalkyl maleate and a fourth stream of tetrahydrofuran in a second distillation stage; (d) feeding the fourth stream of tetrahydrofuran from the second distillation stage and the part of the first stream from (a) which is not fed to the reactor into a third distillation stage to obtain a product stream of tetrahydrofuran and a sixth stream of tetrahydrofuran and alkanol; (e) recirculating the sixth stream from the third distillation stage into the first distillation stage or the reactor in (b).
US09186598B2 Pressurized vapor cycle liquid distillation
A novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.
US09186594B2 Illuminated balloon
In respect of a balloon (10) having an illumination device (20), including a light emitting member, which is mounted onto the wall inside the balloon cavity, at least one sheet (22, 24) of flexible material is connected to the illumination device inside the balloon cavity to serve as a parachute for the illumination device (20) in the event of rupture of the wall of the balloon when in an inflated condition. In embodiments where the illumination device is provided with a projection (12) and is mounted to the wall of the balloon by an attachment element, such as elastic band (18), engaging said projection from outside the balloon, the or each sheet of flexible material (22, 24) serving as the parachute may be connected to the illumination device (20) and to the balloon wall by location over the projection (12) and engagement by the same attachment member.
US09186587B2 Distribution of electronic game elements
A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for using electronic advertising resources as mechanisms to enable individuals to participate in electronic games alone or in conjunction with other players.
US09186585B2 Multi-platform gaming systems and methods
A multi-media interactive play system has a number of play elements situated in a variety of play environments or play media. The play elements are linked to a common record of participant performance, progress, character attributes, etc. The participant's performance in the play elements determines the play elements to which the participant may proceed as well as the play parameters of the play element in which the participant is currently involved. The play elements are thus interlinked to define a sequence or path network along which the participant advances. By advancing through the play elements the participant carries out a plot, story, theme, etc. that attaches a significance to the successful completion of a given play element or elements. Also disclosed in a variety of play elements suitable for use in the system, an example of a plot or theme that may be carried out by the system, and a send/receive radio frequency network that may be used to track play participants in a play center.
US09186574B2 Amusement machine including a crane game in combination with a win every time game and a game of chance
Coin operated amusement device including a crane game, a game of chance, and a simulated slot machine in combination. A player deposits coins, and is able to play three games. One game is a traditional crane game. A second game requires a player to press a button to stop moving, flashing lights on an area to win a prize. The second game is located on the corners of the cabinet and above the marquee on the top of the crane game machine cabinet. In a third game, the player plays a slot machine game located on the marquee of the crane machine and pulls a one-arm bandit handle to start the game. If the player wins the slot machine game, the prize is tickets that can be redeemed via an online website/store. Games are played in any order and combination and the prizes adjusted by the operator.
US09186573B2 Handheld multi-stage puzzle-solving game device
Disclosed is a multiple-stage puzzle-solving game device comprising a plurality of puzzles imprinted thereon, a plurality of dials, each of which comprising a plurality of indicia imprinted thereon, each indicium representing a probable segment of a solution to a puzzle, and an unsealable sealed reward container comprising a game reward disposed therewithin, and a plurality of dial receptacles disposed on the exterior thereof, each dial receptacle adapted to receive a dial that is pre-assigned thereto. In order to win the game reward, the dials must be rotated to indicate the correct sequential combination of solutions to all puzzles, one puzzle at a time, at which point, reward container is unsealed thereby providing access to the game reward.
US09186572B2 Geographic origin of a music game
A board game is provided that relates to identifying music and associating the music with the geographic region. The board game comprises one or more map game pieces that show geographic regions of the world. The board game also has an audio storage medium that is configured to store a plurality of music tracks from various geographic regions depicted on the map game pieces, wherein the geographic regions comprise continents, subregions of continents and countries around the world. The board game further comprises a legend game piece that provides a list of the names of the continents, subregions of continents and countries shown on the map game pieces. An instruction manual is also provided for the board game. The instruction manual comprises an answer key that lists the association of the plurality of music tracks on the audio storage medium with the various continents, subregions of continents and countries.
US09186571B2 In-line roller skate
An in-line roller skate has a boot for accommodating a person's foot, a frame connected to the boot, and at least two wheels connected to the frame at a mutual distance in the skating direction for rideable support of the boot. The frame has a first frame portion and a second frame portion, wherein at least one wheel is connected to each frame portion and wherein the first frame portion and the second frame portion are mutually movable between a riding position and a braking position.
US09186570B1 Skateboard
A skateboard, comprising a platform, a rear truck coupled to the platform, and a pair of front casters being coupled to the platform. The skateboard front casters are frictionally coupled with an elastomeric band, thereby frictionally keeping the front casters in alignment.
US09186565B2 Physical training apparatus
Physical training systems that may promote effective technique and strength training for various sports, as well as general strength and fitness training. Apparatus may require a user to push and lift in a coordinated manner to effectively overcome inertia and rolling resistance. The training apparatus may include a cylindrical core portion and compliant outer portion located on an outer surface of the core portion. In use, the training apparatus may rotate around a center axis of the core portion when a sufficient force, exceeding a resistance level, is received by the training apparatus (e.g., as a result of a user exercising proper technique in applying force to the training apparatus). The resistance level may be a result of a configurable amount of ballast contained within the apparatus.
US09186564B2 Method of training and evaluating a hitter using a weighted ball
The invention is for a method of training and evaluating a hitter using a weighted ball where the hitter hits the weighted ball with a bat and where the weighted ball wraps around the bat and thereby the ball absorbs some of the energy from the batter and whereafter striking the weighted ball the ball leaves the bat in a substantially horizontal plane if it is hit correctly and where the weighted ball donuts substantially vertical to the ground if hit incorrectly or lifts up if hit too low or dives downward if hit to high or donuts horizontally if hit in an inside out manner with the bat.
US09186559B1 Systems and methods for producing a ball
A sports ball having a high-performance cover formed from a plurality of embossed panels. The panels embossed at 2-3 mm from the edges of each of the panels. High tension stitching applied at the embossed regions for formulating a high performance soccer ball.
US09186557B2 Golf ball having an aerodynamic coating including micro surface roughness
A golf ball kit having an abrasive material adapted for imparting enhanced micro surface roughness to an exterior surface of a golf ball. The enhanced micro surface roughening affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness. The kit includes an instruction device having a plurality of correlations between at least one performance parameter and micro surface roughness for at least a first golf ball.
US09186556B2 Golf ball core with soft outer transition volume and negative hardness gradient
A golf ball includes a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface, and is formed from a substantially homogenous composition. The ball further includes an outer cover layer. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm, has about 8 to 20 percent trans-polybutadiene isomer, and has a negative hardness gradient of up to 15 Shore C. The core has an overall negative hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C and has a gradient quotient, GQ, defined by the equation: G + T 10 × COR ≤ 7 where G is the overall negative hardness gradient in Shore C, T is the percent of trans-polybutadiene isomer at the core outer surface, and COR is the coefficient of restitution measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s.
US09186552B1 Multiuse treadmill apparatus
A multiuse treadmill apparatus including a treadmill, a support structure comprising a right pole and a left pole, a pair of handles, a control panel, a display screen, a plurality of controls, a pair of support frames, a pair of top support bars, and a pair of bottom support bars. A plurality of hooks are continuously disposed. Each of the plurality of hooks has an apex perpendicularly disposed towards the back side of the treadmill. The plurality of hooks are configured to engage a plurality of resistance bands. A pair of weight sensors comprising a right weight sensor and a left weight sensor are centrally disposed within the right deck and the left deck, respectively. The right weight sensor and the left weight sensor are configured to turn the motor off when a minimum weight is downwardly applied to the right deck and the left deck, respectively.
US09186541B1 Elliptical trainer
An elliptical trainer comprises a base, a rotational mechanism, a left and a right coupling mechanism, and a rising device. The rotational mechanism is arranged on the base. The left and right coupling mechanisms are arranged at a side of the rotational mechanism, respectively. One end of the left and right coupling mechanism couples to the rotational mechanism, and the other couples to a pedal making a moving path. The rising device comprises a frame, two guiders, at least a ladder component, and a driving assembly. The driving assembly comprises a motor, a screw, a tube, a linkage component, and a cable. The tube has internal thread to engage with the screw. The linkage component couples with the tube, and the cable couples with the linkage component and the ladder component.
US09186540B2 Self-adjusting skewer clamp for a bicycle trainer
A self-adjusting bolt action skewer clamp for a bicycle trainer includes a hollow, outer support member and an inner engagement member located inside the support member. The support member has a helical slot with a pocket at one end. The inner engagement member is attached to a handle via a carrier contained within a passage defined by the inner engagement member, and the handle can slide within the helical slot such that the inner engagement member will extend past the support member as the handle is rotated around the helical slot. Once it reaches the pocket, the handle will remain locked in place. The clamp tightens onto a rear axle of the bicycle. The spring allows the bicycle trainer to accommodate bicycles of various sizes without adjustment.
US09186538B1 Exercise sled and backpack combination
An exercise apparatus for wearing about an upper portion of a user's body and for securing weights having a centrally-located hole extending therethrough to the body. The apparatus generally includes a frame backpack and an exercise sled to which one or more weights may be attached. The exercise sled is removably mounted to the frame backpack to operate in a first mode of operation and may be used separately from the frame backpack in a second mode of operation. In certain embodiments, the apparatus may include a connection strap for connecting the exercise sled to the frame backpack in the second mode of operation such that a user may pull the exercise sled while wearing the frame backpack.
US09186537B2 Incremental weight and selector
An exercise apparatus comprises an incremental weight system. The incremental weight system comprises an incremental weight and an incremental weight selector. The incremental weight selector is liftable by a weight lift and has a lever movable between a lowered position and a raised position to actuate the selector between an engaged position engaging the incremental weight such that the incremental weight is liftable with a first weight by the weight lift and a disengaged position disengaged from the incremental weight such that the first weight is liftable independent of the incremental weight.
US09186535B2 System and method for adjusting length of a cord
A device for adjusting a length of a cord is disclosed. The device may include a body portion having a channel defined by first and second opposed walls shaped to receive a cord. Each of the first wall and the second wall may include at least one notch shaped to receive the cord in a direction provided at an angle to the channel.
US09186533B2 Fire protection systems having reduced corrosion
A fire protection system comprising at least one sprinkler, a source of pressurized water, a piping network connecting at least one sprinkler to the source of pressurized water, and a nitrogen generator coupled to the sprinkler system. The nitrogen generator may be a nitrogen membrane system or a nitrogen pressure swing adsorption system. The present systems and methods reduce or nearly eliminate corrosion that typically affects conventional fire protection systems, such as caused by oxygen and microbial systems, which can deteriorate or compromise function. Initial, repeated, or continuous displacement of oxygen with nitrogen in the fire protection system significantly reduces or eliminates corrosion.
US09186524B2 Method and apparatus for localized X-ray radiation treatment
The present invention pertains to a system for electronic brachytherapy wherein a layer of target material can produce reflection and transmission X-rays when struck by electrons from a cathode. An alternative system can have a fixed-size containment structure around a miniature X-ray source, with X-ray attenuating coolant fluid between the source and containment structure. A balloon can be around the fixed-size containment structure and can be inflated with an X-ray inert gas.
US09186523B1 Glaucoma vision implant—an artificial vision prosthesis and monoconal (vertical) theory of color vision—emphasizing physics
An apparatus and method of placing a glaucoma vision implant, including a vision restoring prosthesis; enclosing the vision restoring prosthesis with, a transparent casing, the vision restoring prosthesis including a photoreceptor component and a nano-fiber optic bundle component. The photoreceptor component is wirelessly powered and includes a microelectronic artificial vision array that carries micro photodiodes and has a shape of an intraocular cataract lens. The microelectronic artificial vision array is implanted behind a pupil of an eye. The nano-fiber optic bundle component abuts a lateral geniculate nucleus and may include the micro photodiodes and/or electrodes that abut by negotiating insertion of the nano-fiber optic bundle component into an optic nerve and an optic tract to reach the lateral geniculate nucleus. The lateral geniculate nucleus is stimulated to process vision by the nano-fiber optic bundle component.
US09186521B2 Windowing for identifying shock outcome
A system for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac assistance is disclosed that includes one or more capacitors for delivering a defibrillating shock to a patient; one or more electronic ports for receiving signals from sensors for obtaining indications of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for the patient; and a patient treatment module executable on one or more computer processors using code stored in non-transitory media and to provide a determination of a likelihood of success from delivering a future defibrillating shock to the person with the one or more capacitors, using (a) a mathematical transform from a time domain to a frequency domain applied to the indication of the ECG, and (b) a tapered window for identifying the portion of the indications of the ECG on which the transform is performed.
US09186520B2 Automatic on-off charger for an implantable medical device
An external charger for an implantable medical device is disclosed which can automatically detect an implant and generate a charging field. The technique uses circuitry typically present in an external charger, such as control circuitry, a Load Shift Keying (LSK) demodulator, and a coupling detector. An algorithm in the control circuitry periodically issues charging fields of short duration in a standby mode. If the coupling detector detects the presence of a conductive material, the algorithm issues a listening window during which a charging field is generated. If an LSK reply signal is received at the LSK demodulator, the external charger can charge the implant in a normal fashion. If a movement signature is detected at the LSK demodulator indicative of a predetermined user movement of the external charger, a charging field is issued for a set timing period, to at least partially charge the IPG battery to restore LSK communications.
US09186516B2 System for stimulating the heart via storage of multi-waveforms in a cardiac stimulation device
A rules engine acquires sensor data from sensors applied to the heart and determines whether an electrical waveform should be applied to the heart and, if so, the type of electrical waveform. A multi-phase cardiac stimulus generator generates waveforms in response to the rules engine from waveform data stored in a memory. The electrical waveform is applied to one or more electrodes implanted in or on the heart.
US09186510B2 Systems and methods for enhancing or affecting neural stimulation efficiency and/or efficacy
Systems and methods for enhancing or affecting neural stimulation efficiency and/or efficacy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and/or method may apply electromagnetic stimulation to a patient's nervous system over a first time domain according to a first set of stimulation parameters, and over a second time domain according to a second set of stimulation parameters. The first and second time domains may be sequential, simultaneous, or nested. Stimulation parameters may vary in accordance with one or more types of duty cycle, amplitude, pulse repetition frequency, pulse width, spatiotemporal, and/or polarity variations. Stimulation may be applied at subthreshold, threshold, and/or suprathreshold levels in one or more periodic, aperiodic (e.g., chaotic), and/or pseudo-random manners. In some embodiments stimulation may comprise a burst pattern having an interburst frequency corresponding to an intrinsic brainwave frequency, and regular and/or varying intraburst stimulation parameters. Stimulation signals providing reduced power consumption with at least adequate symptomatic relief may be applied prior to moderate or significant power source depletion.
US09186509B2 Electrical stimulation therapy for lower urinary tract dysfunction and sexual reflex dysfunction
Electrical stimulation therapy may be delivered to a patient to selectively and independently address different conditions of a pelvic floor disorder of the patient. The conditions of a pelvic floor disorder may include, for example, a lower urinary tract dysfunction (e.g., urinary or fecal incontinence) and sexual dysfunction (e.g., an impaired sexual reflex response to a sexual stimulus). In some examples, a system is configured to selectively deliver a first electrical stimulation therapy that is configured to elicit an inhibitory physiological response from the patient related to voiding, a second electrical stimulation therapy that is configured to improve a sexual reflex response of the patient to a sexual stimulus, and a third electrical stimulation therapy that is configured to both elicit the inhibitory physiological response from the patient related to voiding and increase a sexual response of the patient to a sexual stimulus.
US09186503B2 Adaptive airway treatment of dorsal displacement disorders in horses
A method of using an airway treatment system for treating a dorsal displacement disorder in a horse includes detecting an elevated activity level of the horse using one or more treatment sensors, generating a treatment signal based on the detected elevated activity level, using a pacemaker processor, to strengthen one or more muscles involved in displacing a laryngeal anatomical structure relative to an airway of the horse, and using one or more stimulation electrodes, configured to interface with tissue of the horse, to deliver the treatment signal to the tissue of the horse to maintain an unobstructed airway.
US09186500B2 Connector for a medical device having a rigid sleeve and a flexible seal with complimentary surface profiles
A connector for a multipolar lead has a cavity that contains a stack of alternating annular electrical contact elements and annular isolation elements. The isolation elements comprise an annular rigid sleeve and an annular flexible seal disposed against an annular face in an interior region of the rigid sleeve. The flexible seal extends axially from one lateral side of the rigid sleeve to the other in the interior region of the rigid sleeve. The sleeve and the seal include are immobilized relatively to each other in the axial direction by use of mating surface profiles respectively defined on an inner annular side of the sleeve and on an outer annular side of the flexible seal.
US09186499B2 Grounding of a shield within an implantable medical lead
Grounding of a shield that is located in an implantable medical lead may be done in many ways. The ground pathway may couple to the shield at a point that is outside of a header of an implantable medical device to which the implantable medical lead is attached. The ground pathway may couple to the shield at a point that is within the header of the implantable medical device. The ground pathway may terminate at the metal can of the implantable medical device. As another option, the ground pathway may terminate at a ground plate that is mounted to the header. The ground pathway may be direct current coupled from the shield to the can or ground plate. Alternatively, the ground pathway may include one or more capacitive couplings that provide a pathway for induced radio frequency current.
US09186498B2 Pacing leads with a structured coating
An implantable medical device includes a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen and at least one lead wire extending through the lumen. The lead wire has an outer surface and a polymeric coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the lead wire. The coating includes a first structure having a first end proximate the outer surface of the lead wire and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is movable relative to the first end and relative to the lead wire.
US09186494B2 Medical connector
A soft grip medical connector comprises a housing with an upstream end, a downstream end and a lumen extending through a central portion thereof. A flexible member comprises a valve portion integrally formed with a sleeve portion. The valve portion is positioned within a section of the housing and is configured to control a flow of fluid through the housing lumen. The sleeve is inverted to envelope at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing. In some embodiments the gripping portion is integrally formed with the valve portion. In some embodiments, the connector is also generally configured to create a positive pressure in a catheter lumen upon removal of a syringe or other medical device from the upstream end of the connector. Methods of making a medical fluid connector generally comprise forming a valve member with a sleeve extending there from, and assembling the valve, sleeve and housing.
US09186490B2 Skin treatment device
A skin treatment device includes a handle and a tip, having a skin applying surface, detachably coupled to the handle. A fluid delivery structure is formed at skin applying surface and has an aperture and a vacuum entry port. A fluid detouring path is defined between the aperture and the vacuum entry port for prolonging a traveling path of fluid from the aperture and the vacuum entry port. An abrading structure, an electrode structure, and a micro-needling structure are selectively provided at the skin applying surface with the fluid delivery structure to provide multiple functions of the tip.
US09186486B2 Medical devices
Medical systems and methods including balloons having nanotubes are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical system includes an elongated shaft, and an expandable balloon carried by the shaft and including nanotubes. The medical system is capable of cooling the balloon to less than about 37° C. In some embodiments, a method includes providing a medical device having an elongated shaft, and an expandable balloon carried by the elongated shaft and including nanotubes; and cooling the balloon to less than about 37° C.
US09186485B2 Nested balloon catheter for localized drug delivery
A balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent to tissue is described including an outer balloon having a wall with an opening therethrough and an inner surface, an inner balloon disposed in the outer balloon, enclosing an inflation chamber and having an outer surface defining a space between the outer surface of the inner balloon and the inner surface of the outer balloon, a catheter having a first lumen in fluid communication with the space between the inner balloon and the outer balloon for supplying the agent thereto, and a second lumen through which fluid is supplied to the inflation chamber for inflating the inner balloon to urge the agent out of the opening in the outer balloon, wherein the outer balloon and/or the inner balloon comprise at least one protrusion for directing the agent formed by an inner balloon wall and/or the outer balloon wall.
US09186484B2 Guidewire insertion methods and devices
Various methods and devices for inserting a guidewire into the body are provided. In one embodiment, a guidewire insertion device is provided and includes and outer sheath having an outer surface and an inner lumen extending therethrough, and a dilator having an inner lumen extending therethrough and having a length greater than a length of the outer sheath. A guidewire can be configured to extend through the inner lumen of the dilator such that the guidewire is removably and replaceably disposable within the dilator and coupled thereto. A locking mechanism can be effective to selectively configure the guidewire between a locked position in which the guidewire is stationary relative to the dilator and an unlocked position in which the guidewire is movable relative to the dilator.
US09186480B2 Apparatus for making a catheter
The present invention concerns a catheter for medical purposes, such as for insertion into a body opening for draining fluids, wherein the catheter comprises a flexible tube having a distal end region wherein the tube is provided with at least one draining opening, characterized in that the peripheral edge on the outside of the tube is provided with a curvature for creating a smooth transition between the exterior surface of the tube and the substantially radially oriented cut constituting the opening side and wherein said curvature is a rounded edge with a curvature radius between 0.2-0.6 mm. The invention further concerns a method of making such catheter and an apparatus for performing this method.
US09186479B1 Methods and systems for gathering human biological signals and controlling a bed device
Introduced are methods and systems for an adjustable bed device configured to: gather biological signals associated with multiple users, such as heart rate, breathing rate, or temperature; analyze the gathered human biological signals; and heat or cool a bed based on the analysis.
US09186477B2 Humidity controller
A breathing assistance apparatus adapted to deliver humidified gases at a desired level of humidity to a patient including a humidifier and a heated conduit is disclosed. The humidifier includes a controller which controls the humidifier, or the humidifier and the heated conduit to deliver the gases to the patient at the required humidity or temperature, without the requirement for sensors in the gases stream. The controller uses information already available to the controller, without the requirement for additional information to be provided by sensors in the gases stream. This means the need for sensors in the gases stream is dispensed with. A significant benefit is achieved as sensors are not required in the conduit and thus the apparatus is simple and less bulky.
US09186471B2 Fluid material-dispensing device
A fluid dispenser device having a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, that is mounted on a fluid reservoir and that is actuated by a dispenser head that includes a spray orifice. The device further having a visual indicator that is movable between an indicating position and a non-indicating position, the visual indicator being moved into their non-indicating position at the start of each actuation of the dispenser member, and being moved from the non-indicating position towards the indicating position by the fluid, while it is being dispensed.
US09186466B2 Passively activated safety needle assemblies and methods of use
Described are passively activated safety needle assemblies and methods for use. The assemblies comprise an elongate hollow outer shield, an elongate hub slidably engaged within the outer shield and biased to move proximally with respect to the outer shield. A locking ring in the hub has a ring element that cooperates with an activation element on the outer shield rotate the locking ring and disable the assembly.
US09186460B2 Assembly of a drug delivery device
An assembly of a drug delivery device comprises a body (10) having a distal end (11) and a proximal end (12), a drive assembly (4) arranged substantially within the body (10) to facilitate dispense of a medicinal product and a button member (5) arranged at the proximal end (12) of the body (10) and adapted to act upon the drive assembly (4). The drive assembly (4) has an initial pre-ready state, a transient state and a ready state; in the pre-ready and transient states the button member (5) is twistable with respect to the body (10) to act upon the drive assembly (4) and wherein in the ready state the button member (5) is axially moveable but not substantially twistable with respect to the body (10) to act upon the drive assembly (4) to dispense a dose of the medicinal product.
US09186459B2 Auto-injector for epinephrine injection
A reloadable auto injector for epinephrine injection is provided. A syringe driver applies a force to the syringe to move the syringe together with plunger rod tube, plunger rod and plunger rod driver from the first position to the second position. In the second position, the locking member is unlocked and releases the plunger rod to thereby activate the plunger rod driver to advance the plunger rod in the syringe for delivering of medicament. A reload handle is connected to the syringe assembly so that user operation of the reload handle retracts the syringe to the first position and simultaneously reload the syringe driver to thereby ready the auto injector for delivering a further dose of medicament.
US09186455B2 Port access device
A venous access device is generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to port access device having a protective clip. The port access device includes a needle hub having a needle extending therefrom and a catheter hub having a catheter tube extending therefrom with the needle positioned inside the tube in a ready to use position. A tip protector is positioned inside a clip housing, which is positioned in between the catheter hub and the needle hub.
US09186451B2 Method as well as apparatuses for retrograde filling of at least one calcium line of an extracorporeal blood circuit
The present invention relates to a method for priming a line for adding a medical solution, the line branching off a return line of an extracorporeal blood circuit, in particular a calcium line, a control device for controlling or regulating the method according to the present invention and a blood or plasma treatment apparatus with at least the control device according to the present invention. It further relates to a digital storage medium, a computer program product as well as a computer program.
US09186450B2 Method and apparatus for priming an extracorporeal blood circuit
A method and apparatus for priming an extracorporeal blood circuit, in which the patient end of an arterial line (79) is connected to a first discharge port (61), and the patient end of a venous line (87) is connected to a second discharge port (62). The two discharge ports are connected to a used dialysate line which connects a dialyzer (33) to a drain. The arterial and venous lines are filled with a priming fluid, while the air contained in the arterial and venous lines is evacuated partly through the first discharge port and partly through the second discharge port. Two check valves (65, 66) prevent flow from the used dialysate line towards the two discharge ports. The invention reduces the risk of errors on the part of an operator readying the priming configuration, as well as the risk of contamination of the extracorporeal circuit during the priming phase.
US09186446B2 Instructional medical treatment system
The present invention discloses an appliance for administering medical treatment to a person, as well as methods of using the appliance. In various embodiments, the appliance may be comprised of a medical device, an electronic processor, an electronic display (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD)), an audio output device (such as a piezoelectric speaker/microphone), electronic controls for controlling the operation of the electronic processor, and an electronic input receptacle (such as a DVD drive or USB port) adapted to receive and electronically access an electronic storage device (such as a DVD or flash memory device). The electronic processor or electronic storage device or both have information related to use and operation of the medical device digitally stored therein, so that the user of the appliance has ready access to instructional materials. Thus, the appliance includes an internal system for instructing the user in the use of the medical device.
US09186441B2 Surface treating agent, filtering material for filter, and blood treatment filter
A surface treating agent includes a copolymer including: a monomer (A) having a hydrophilic functional group of formula (1) or (2) below, a monomer (B) having a basic functional group, and a monomer (C) having a reactive functional group as monomer components, wherein the copolymer has a molar ratio of the monomer (A)/the monomer (B)/and the monomer (C) being between 70/15/15 and 98/1/1. (wherein each of R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n represents an integer of 2 to 4, and each of R3 and R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms).
US09186432B2 High strength suture coated with collagen
A high strength surgical suture formed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) yarns, the suture being coated with native or denatured collagen. The braided jacket surrounds a core formed of twisted yarns of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The suture has exceptional strength, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle.
US09186431B2 Apparatuses, methods, and compositions for the treatment and prophylaxis of chronic wounds
According to an illustrative embodiment a method to promote healing of a wound is provided comprising contacting the wound with a biologically active composition comprising a lipoic acid derivative and gelatin. In another embodiment a topical composition is provided, which can be formulated as a homogenous mixture, such as a spray, mist, aerosol, lotion, cream, solution, oil, gel, ointment, paste, emulsion or suspension or applied on a carrier material, such as a bandage, gauze, foam, sponge, hydrogel, hydrocolloid, hydrofiber, occlusive dressing, adhesive composition or scaffold. Methods for producing such a topical composition and carrier material with the topical composition applied thereto are also disclosed.
US09186428B2 Sterilization and decontamination of an enclosed environment
A method of sterilization, decontamination and/or sanitation of an enclosed environment, the method comprising the steps of measuring the temperature of an enclosed environment to be treated; calculating the relative humidity required to provide a desired partial pressure at the measured temperature, the actual desired partial pressure required being based on a predetermined optimum partial pressure at a base temperature corresponding to an optimum operating temperature for that environment; introducing a predetermined quantity of water to the environment to provide the calculated relative humidity for the measured temperature; discharging ozone into the humidified environment; maintaining the ozone level at a concentration that will achieve the required degree of decontamination, sterilization and/or sanitation of the humid environment; and reducing the ozone level to an acceptable safe exposure level.
US09186425B2 Methods for tumor diagnosis and therapy
The present invention discloses a method for the enzyme-mediated, site-specific, in-vivo precipitation of a water soluble molecule in an animal. The enzyme is either unique to tumor cells, or is produced within a specific site (e.g., tumor) at concentrations that are higher than that in normal tissues. Alternatively, the enzyme is conjugated to a targeting moiety such as an antibody or a receptor-binding molecule.
US09186421B2 Establishment of rhesus monkey model of autoimmunity type 1 diabetes
Use of low dose streptozocin in the preparation of an animal model for screening drugs for treatment of antoimmune type 1 diabetes is disclosed, in which streptozocin is administrated intravenously at a dose of 15-30 mg/kg per time for 5 days and administrated again on the 7th day and 14th day after last time of offering drug. A method for preparing rhesus monkey model of autoimmune type 1 diabetes and autoimmune type 1 diabetes animal model obtained are also disclosed.
US09186420B2 Immunomodulating gene therapy
The present invention relates, in general, to Pompe disease and, in particular, to a methods of treating Pompe disease and to compounds/constructs suitable for use in such methods.
US09186416B2 Immunoconjugates, compositions for making them, and methods of making and use
An immunoconjugate in which a phosphate-prodrugged DNA minor groove binding agent of formula (I), where X is a nucleophilically displaceable leaving group, is conjugated to an antibody or an antigen binding fragment of an antibody, and compounds that can be used for making such immunoconjugates, and uses of such immunoconjugates.
US09186410B2 Derivatized hyperbranched polyglycerols
Herein are provided derivatized hyperbranched polyglycerols (“dHPGs”). The dHPG comprises a core comprising a hyperbranched polyglycerol derivatized with C1C20 alkyl chains and a shell comprising at least one hydrophilic substituent bound to hydroxyl groups of the core, wherein the hyperbranched polyglycerol comprises from about 1 to about 200 moles of the at least one hydrophilic substituent. The dHPGs are for use as agents for the delivery of a drug or other biologically active moiety to the urinary tract, the digestive tract, the airways, the vaginal cavity and cervix and the peritoneal cavity to treat indications such as cancer, which may be useful in the treatment of or the manufacture of a medicament, in the preparation, of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer, as a pre-treatment or co-treatment to improve drug uptake in a tissue. Furthermore, there are provided methods of making dHPGs.
US09186404B2 Brain, spinal and nerve injury treatment
A treatment for brain, spinal and nerve injury comprising use of a substance P receptor antagonist optionally in combination with a magnesium compound. There is also provided a formulation for use in this treatment comprising a substance P receptor antagonist and a magnesium compound.
US09186403B2 Compositions including triciribine and trastuzumab and methods of use thereof
This application relates to combination therapies including triciribine and related compounds and trastuzumab or a salt thereof and compositions with reduced toxicity for the treatment and prevention of tumors, cancer, and other disorders associated with abnormal cell proliferation.
US09186402B2 Method for preparing largazole analogs and uses thereof
Analogs of largazole are described herein. Methods of treating cancer and blood disorders using largazole and largazole analogs and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are additionally described herein. Methods for preparing largazole analogs are likewise described.
US09186396B2 PEGylated mutated Clostridium botulinum toxin
The invention relates to a modified botulinum toxin comprising a natural heavy chain and a modified light chain, characterized in that the modification of the light chain resides in that it comprises (i) an extension of the chain on its N-terminus which has the structure -(C)n-(tag)m-(X)l- in the direction from the N- to the C-terminal end, wherein C represents a cysteine residue, tag represents any tag and X represents the residue of any naturally occurring amino acid, n represents an integer from 1 to 50, m represents 0 or 1, and l represents 0 or an integer from 1 to 50, and in that (ii) at least one of the cysteine residues in the extension of the chain is coupled to at least one chain of PEG.
US09186393B2 Methods and compositions for reducing blood glucose
A method of reducing blood glucose in a subject has been developed. In preferred embodiments, the method involves administering to the subject a specific activator of endogenous mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK3), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK4), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), mitogen-activated kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2), or a combination thereof, in an effective amount to reduce blood glucose in a subject. In other embodiments, the method involves administering to the subject a specific activator to increase X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) phosphorylation on Thr48 and Ser61 in an effective amount to reduce blood glucose in the subject. Methods of identifying agents for reducing blood glucose in a subject are also provided.
US09186392B2 Combination therapy
The present invention relates to methods for treating and/or preventing metabolic diseases comprising the combined administration of a GLP-1 receptor agonist and a DPP-4 inhibitor.
US09186391B2 Cyclic peptide inhibitors of lysine-specific demethylase 1
Provided herein are cyclic peptide inhibitors of lysine-specific demethylase 1. These cyclic peptides have the potential to treat cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders.
US09186389B2 Nanoparticles containing pH-responsive peptide
The present invention provides a nanoparticle and cell delivery agent, capable of releasing a target substance in a weakly acidic pH environment. Specifically, the present invention provides a nanoparticle comprising a peptide and a particle-forming component, the particle-forming component forming a liposome or a micelle, the peptide having a sequence with 2 to 8 units starting with His (histidine) and ending with an acidic amino acid, wherein each of the units may be identical or different.
US09186382B2 Placental tissue grafts produced by chemical dehydration/freeze-drying and methods for making and using the same
Described herein are placental tissue grafts produced by chemical dehydration followed by freeze-drying the placental tissue to produce the tissue graft. The tissue grafts retain their biological properties preferably at the same level as the placental tissues before they are processed. The placental tissue grafts have numerous medical applications. Methods for making the tissue graft compositions are also described herein.
US09186381B2 Medicament for liver regeneration and for treatment of liver failure
The present invention relates to the use of a compound which inhibits the activity of MKK4 as a medicament for the treatment of a patient suffering from an impaired liver function, to the use of a compound as a medicament for the treatment of liver failure, including acute/fulminant or chronic liver failure and/or for increasing the regeneration of liver tissue in a patient.
US09186373B2 SiRNA against Cbl-b and optionally IL-2 and IL-12 for use in the treatment of cancer
The invention relates to a method for the immune activation of NK cells by the reduction or inhibition of the Cbl-b function in said cells. This stimulates the congenital immune system and thus permits the therapy of appropriate diseases.
US09186372B2 Split dose administration
The present disclosure provides, inter alia, formulation compositions comprising modified nucleic acid molecules which may encode a protein, a protein precursor, or a partially or fully processed form of the protein or a protein precursor. The formulation composition may further include a modified nucleic acid molecule and a delivery agent. The present invention further provides nucleic acids useful for encoding polypeptides capable of modulating a cell's function and/or activity.
US09186370B2 Methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer
Some embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and compositions for treating cancer. More embodiments include methods and compositions for modulating the activity of the Hedgehog pathway.
US09186368B2 Process for producing a particulate composition comprising an hydrous crystalline 2-O-α-D-glucosyl-L-ascorbic acid
The invention provides a process for enabling the production of a particulate composition containing anhydrous crystalline ascorbic acid 2-glucoside that does not significantly cake even when the production yield of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside does not reach 35% by weight. The process for producing a particulate composition containing anhydrous crystalline ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, which comprises allowing a CGTase to act on a solution containing either liquefied starch or dextrin and L-ascorbic acid and then allowing a glucoamylase to act on the resulting solution to obtain a solution with an ascorbic acid 2-glucoside production yield of at least 27%, purifying the obtained solution to increase the ascorbic acid 2-glucoside content to a level of over 86% by weight, precipitating anhydrous crystalline ascorbic acid 2-glucoside by a controlled cooling method or pseudo-controlled cooling method, collecting the precipitated anhydrous crystalline ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, and ageing and drying the collected anhydrous crystalline ascorbic acid 2-glucoside.
US09186364B2 Formulations of deoxycholic acid and salts thereof
The present application is directed to an aqueous pharmaceutical formulation comprising less than about 5% w/v sodium deoxycholate maintained at a pH sufficient to substantially inhibit precipitation of the sodium deoxycholate. Also disclosed herein, are methods for inhibiting precipitation of sodium deoxycholate in an aqueous solution comprising less than about 5% w/v of sodium deoxycholate, said method comprising maintaining pH of the solution of from at least about 8.0 to about 8.5.
US09186361B2 Compounds and compositions for the treatment of parasitic diseases
The present invention provides compounds of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, or stereoisomer, thereof, wherein the variables are as defined herein. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds for treating, preventing, inhibiting, ameliorating, or eradicating the pathology and/or symptomology of a disease caused by a parasite, such as Leishmaniasis, Human African Trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease.
US09186360B2 Treatment of respiratory disorders using TRPA1 antagonists
The present patent application relates to treatment of a respiratory disorder using TRPA1 antagonists. Particularly, the present patent application relates to treatment of a respiratory disorder using a TRPA1 antagonist, wherein the TRPA1 antagonist is administered by inhalation route to a subject in need thereof.
US09186358B2 Combination therapy for treating or preventing an inflammatory skin disorder
Methods and compositions for improved treatment and prevention of an inflammatory skin disorder or a sign and/or symptom associated with the skin disorder are described. The methods involve topical application to the skin a combination of a therapeutically effective amount of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, such as brimonidine, and a therapeutically effective amount of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, such as diclofenac.
US09186356B2 Methods for treating frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitinated inclusions (FTLD-U)
Methods for rescuing learning, memory and/or motor function deficits associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitinated inclusions (FTLD-U) are disclosed. The method comprises: a) administering to an animal having FTLD-U a therapeutically effective amount of an autophagy inducer; b) causing a decrease in the amount of ubiquitinated TDP-43 aggregation forms in the brain of the animal; and c) causing an improvement of the learning, memory capacities and/or motor function of the animal.
US09186353B2 Treatment of osteoarthritis pain
This invention discloses a method of treatment of osteoarthritis pain by administration of a histamine H3 receptor antagonist, described herein, a salt thereof, or a composition comprising such compound or salt.
US09186352B2 Chemical compositions for enhancing transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents
The present application discloses chemical compositions and methods for enhancing the transdermal permeation of therapeutic agents through skin. The chemical compositions and methods of the invention can include combinations of a first fatty acid having about 14 or more carbon atoms and a second fatty acid having about 10 or less carbon atoms. These compositions are useful for the delivery of therapeutic agents, in particular hard to deliver drugs such as those that have fused rings, including ondansetron, and large drugs such as peptides. The compositions of the invention can be formulated as transdermal gels, lotions, creams, transdermal patches, sprays or mists.
US09186348B2 Oral compositions for skin benefits
Oral compositions containing a combination of antioxidants consisting of a water soluble vitamin, a water insoluble vitamin, a tea extract and gallic acid are used to maintain a beneficial amount of such antioxidants in a consumers bloodstream for maintenance and protection of healthy skin. The unique combination of ingredients provides a decrease in oxidative stress when exposed to UVB radiation, thereby promoting healthy skin.
US09186347B1 Hydroxamates as therapeutic agents
The present invention is directed to certain hydroxamate derivatives that are useful in the treatment of hepatitis C. These compounds are also inhibitors of histone deacetylase and are therefore useful in the treatment of diseases associated with histone deacetylase activity. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for preparing these compounds are also disclosed.
US09186345B2 Method of treating skin diseases
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, such as galantamine or donepezil, have been found to be useful in the topical treatment of skin diseases and skin problems.
US09186344B2 Glycogen or polysaccharide storage disease treatment method
A method for treating glycogen storage disease by administering an effective amount of a composition that includes ketogenic odd carbon fatty acids that ameliorate the symptoms of these diseases.
US09186335B2 Hot melt TTS for administering rotigotine
The invention relates to a transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) which contains a rotigotine-containing adhesive layer and is characterized by the fact that the adhesive layer contains a hot-meltable contact adhesive. The invention also relates to the use of rotigotine for producing the adhesive layer of a TTS in a hot melt method, and a method for producing such a TTS.
US09186331B2 Artemisinin with berberine compositions and methods of making
An all-natural herbal composition and methods of preparing the same are provided. The novel Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) consists of artemisinin and its derivatives and berberine, the two active substances mixed with various selected excipient compounds to form a single pill, tablet or capsule for treatment and prevention of malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, dysentery, Lyme disease, babesiosis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, Helicobacter Pylori, and colitis, in adults and children. A tablet or pill for children is formulated to be chewable.
US09186329B2 Method of treating malignant solid tumors
This invention is directed to methods of treating solid tumor cancers, particularly refractory cancers by administration of a drug capable of inhibiting mTOR and/or inhibiting an efflux pump and/or inhibiting HIF-1α and VEGF, the drug in particular being selected from the group consisting of sirolimus, everolimus, zotarolimus, tacrolimus, iolimus A9, deforolimus, AP23572, tacrolimus, temsirolimus, pimecrolimus, novolimus, 40-O-(3-hydroxypropyl), 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin and 40-O-tetrazolylrapamycin, the drug being administered along with a chemotherapeutic agent and/or radiation therapy.
US09186323B2 High concentration factor VII polypeptide formulations comprising an aromatic preservative and an antioxidant
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising: (i) at least 10 mg/mL of a Factor VII polypeptide; (ii) a buffering agent suitable for keeping pH in the range of from about 5.0 to about 9.0; (iii) at least one aromatic preservative in a concentration of at least 0.1 mg/mL; and (iv) at least one antioxidant in a concentration of at least 0.1 mg/mL; the composition optionally comprising further components, with the proviso that such further components are not Factor VII polypeptide stabilizing agents selected from (a) metal-containing agents, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of first transition series metals of oxidation state +II, except zinc; and (b) stabilizing agents comprising a —C(═N—Z1-R1)-NH—Z2-R2 motif.
US09186321B2 Oral spray formulations and methods for administration of sildenafil
The present disclosure is directed to chemically-stable and pharmaceutically acceptable sildenafil oral spray formulations for the treatment of diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and/or SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, wherein the oral spray formulation has a pH of about 1.5 to less than 3.0. The present disclosure is also directed to methods for treating diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and/or SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.
US09186320B2 Controlled release delivery system for nasal application of neurotransmitters
This invention relates to a galenical gel formulation for nasal administration of neurotransmitters/neuromodulators such as dopamine, serotonin or pregnenolone and progesterone. The special lipophilic or partly lipophilic system of the invention leads to high bioavailability of the active ingredient in plasma and brain caused by sustained serum levels and/or direct or partly direct transport from nose to the brain.
US09186319B2 Topical compositions to treat circulatory disorders
The invention relates to transdermal compositions including nifedipine, pentoxifylline, ketamine hydrochloride, gabapentin, lidocaine, and prilocaine that may be used to treat conditions such as circulatory disorders and peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, methods of the invention are directed to treating conditions such as circulatory disorders, peripheral neuropathy, wound healing, blood flow issues, or the like, comprising the steps of transdermal or topical administration of the compositions.
US09186318B2 Quinolyl-containing hydroxamic acid compound and preparation method thereof, and pharmaceutical composition containing this compound and use thereof
Provided in the present invention is a quinolyl-containing hydroxamic acid compound as shown in formula (I), at the same time also disclosed is the preparation method of the compound and the use thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the quinolyl-containing hydroxamic acid compound. Such compounds are inhibitors of protein kinases and/or histone deacetylases, and can be used in the treatment of diseases caused by the abnormal activity of protein kinases and/or histone deacetylases, for example, tumors, etc.
US09186317B2 Active nanoparticles and method of using
Active multifunctional nanoparticles provide significant enhancement of the efficacy of model therapeutic and gene agents due to increased diffusion and penetration through mucus and biological barriers under the influence of a magnetic field.
US09186316B2 Stephanotis jasminoides extracts and methods of use
Methods of using extracts of Stephanotis jasminoides to impart anti-aging benefits to skin and/or improve skin conditions resulting from aging or damaged skin.
US09186315B2 Methods for disguising dermatological blemishes
Methods for disguising dermatological blemishes are provided. The method includes providing a package containing at least a viscous silicone material and a catalyst. The silicone material or the catalyst is preferably tinted with a cosmetic pigment. The package may also include one or more dispensers, such as double-barrel syringes. The syringes hold the viscous silicone material and the catalyst, separately. The package may also have mixing tips through which the silicone material and the catalyst may be dispensed, whereupon the silicone material and the catalyst are mixed and applied to a user's skin for curing. The method includes applying the silicone mixture on a dermatological area of interest, applying one of the at least one skin texturing pad to the silicone mixture before the silicone mixture cures to create texture to the silicone material, and allowing the silicone material to cure on a skin surface of the human user.
US09186314B2 Compositions and methods for sealing the surface of keratinous substrates
The present disclosure relates to a composition comprising: (a) at least one polyacid; (b) at least one amino compound chosen from alkyl monoamines, alkoxylated polyamines, alkoxylated monoamines, polyamines and mixtures thereof; and (c) cosmetically acceptable carrier. The present disclosure also relates to a method of sealing the surface of a keratinous substrate using such compositions, including inhibiting loss of hair color. The compositions of the present disclosure may further comprise an auxiliary ingredient.
US09186302B2 Biomaterial compositions
Biomaterial compositions comprising organosilicon monomers (such as silorane monomers) and chemical curing systems or dual chemical/light curing systems, in conjunction with optional tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecanes (“TOSUs”) and/or fillers. The present invention is directed to biomaterial compositions, as well as methods for manufacturing the same, and methods of using the compositions. The biomaterial composition comprises one or more organosilicon monomers (such as a silorane) and a chemical curing system or dual chemicaVlight curing system for polymerizing the 10 monomer(s). The compositions may include one or more tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecanes “TOSUs”) and/or fillers. Accelerators (such as photoacids), photosensitizers, and/or electron donors may also be included in the composition as appropriate.
US09186301B2 Medicine dispensing apparatus
A tablet dispensing apparatus that allows easy cleaning of the inner surfaces of temporary storage structures. A simultaneous driving mechanism and a plurality of open-close mechanisms of a plurality of temporary storage structure are coupled to each other by a plurality of coupling structures. The coupling structures are each configured to release the coupling when the entire temporary storage structure or a portion, which includes the open-close mechanism, of the temporary storage structure is drawn out of a housing, and to establish the coupling when the entire temporary storage structure or the portion, which includes the open-close mechanism, of the temporary storage structure is pushed into the housing.
US09186294B1 Back scratcher mounting system
A back scratching device is disclosed including a frame body and a back scratching pad. The frame body is operable to be removeably mounted to a wall surface and includes a base having a first end and a second end, a first flex mechanism attached to the first end of the base, the first flex mechanism operable to be flexed outward from the first end of the base from a resting position to a wall clearing position, and a second flex mechanism attached to the second end of the base, the second flex mechanism operable to be flexed outward from the second end of the base from a resting position to a wall clearing position. The first and second flex mechanisms are each operable to move from the wall clearing position to a clutching position for mounting the frame body to the wall surface. The back scratching pad is attached to the base of the frame body and includes an abrasive contact surface.
US09186293B2 Vision measurement and training system and method of operation thereof
A binocular viewer, a method of measuring and training vision that uses a binocular viewer and a vision measurement and training system that employs a computer to control the binocular viewer. In one embodiment, the binocular viewer has left and right display elements and comprises: (1) a variable focal depth optical subsystem located in an optical path between the display elements and a user when the user uses the binocular viewer and (2) a control input coupled to the left and right display elements and the variable focal depth optical subsystem and configured to receive control signals operable to place images on the left and right display elements and vary a focal depth of the variable focal depth optical subsystem. In another embodiment, the binocular viewer lacks the variable focal depth optical subsystem, but the images include at least one feature unique to one of the left and right display elements.
US09186292B2 Human joint rehabilitation apparatus
A human joint rehabilitation apparatus, the apparatus includes a movable platform configured to support a portion of a patient's body including the joint, and a motorized mechanical energy source configured to move at least a portion of the platform to apply motion to the joint, wherein the patient dynamically controls the motorized mechanical energy source to operate the motion of the joint.
US09186291B2 Patient positioning support structure with trunk translator
A patient support structure includes a pair of independently height-adjustable supports, each connected to a patient support. The supports may be independently raised, lowered, rolled or tilted about a longitudinal axis, laterally shifted and angled upwardly or downwardly. Position sensors are provided to sense all of the foregoing movements. The sensors communicate data to a computer for coordinated adjustment and maintenance of the inboard ends of the patient supports in an approximated position during such movements. A longitudinal translator provides for compensation in the length of the structure when the supports are angled upwardly or downwardly. A patient trunk translator provides coordinated translational movement of the patient's upper body along the respective patient support in a caudad or cephalad direction as the patient supports are angled upwardly or downwardly for maintaining proper spinal biomechanics and avoiding undue spinal traction or compression.
US09186285B2 Folded incontinence article
The invention relates to an absorbent incontinence article of the open type having attached diaper wings, wherein the rear diaper wings have closure elements in the edge region, and to the folding of the diaper wings at high production speeds without impairing the functionality of the closure elements and simultaneously the user-friendly arrangement of the closure elements in the folded absorbent incontinence article. The invention also relates to a method for producing the absorbent incontinence article.
US09186284B1 Holder
A holder for sanitary napkins may have a front panel and a rear panel connected via left and right side panels, and a top flap joined to the rear panel and attachable to an outside surface of the front panel, when the holder is in a closed position. One or two compartments are provided on an inner surface of the front panel, with additional compartments optionally on an inner surface of the rear panel. Each compartment may have a folding cover flap, and with each compartment adapted to hold a sanitary napkin. A center folder may be provided with additional compartments.
US09186281B2 Web joint apparatus and web joint method
A web joint apparatus is configured to join a pair of webs for absorbent article folded in the cross direction CD with reference to a folding line. The web joint apparatus includes: an ultrasonic horn configured to join the paired waistline portions; an anvil facing the ultrasonic horn and configured to pinch the intermediate web between the anvil and the ultrasonic horn; and a crotch hold bar configured to hold the intermediate web while stretching the intermediate web in a direction in which the crotch portions get away from the waistline portions, when the intermediate web are joined by the ultrasonic horn and the anvil.
US09186276B2 Travel sleep mask apparatus to support the head of a user
A support mask apparatus secured to a head of a user and a supporting structure to enhance sleep quality by supporting the head in a stationary and neutral position is provided. The support mask includes an opaque protective member placed over eyes of the user, an elastic strap with a first end coupled to a left edge of the protective member and a second end coupled to a right edge of the protective member, the elastic strap able to be secured around the head of the user, a flexible cord with a first end coupled to the left edge of the protective member and a second end coupled to the right edge of the protective member, and an adjustment mechanism operably connected to the flexible cord. The adjustment mechanism enables the user to securely fasten the flexible cord around the supporting structure.
US09186275B2 Ophthalmic marking device
An ophthalmic marker having a U-shaped yoke (33) at one end of a cranked axle (42) is disclosed. The axle (42) is rotatable mounted with a co-axial cylindrical handle (31). The other end of the axle extends beyond the handle and is bifurcated. A plumb bob (38) having a sphere (40) and a stem (39) is pivotally mounted on the bifurcated end of the axle (42). The yoke (33) has three marker points (34-36) the upper two (35, 36) of which are maintained in a horizontal plane by a gravitational force urging the plumb bob (38) into a vertical plane notwithstanding the handle (31) not being held exactly horizontal. A method of eye marking and marker making are also disclosed.
US09186267B2 Wing bifurcation reconstruction device
An intraluminal device may be used at a bifurcation to anchor in an afferent vessel, allow perfusion to efferent vessels, and act as scaffolding to inhibit herniation of objects out of a neck of a bifurcation aneurysm. An intraluminal device may include a first side; a second side opposite the first side across a longitudinal axis of the intraluminal device; a proximal section configured to anchor in an afferent vessel; a distal section comprising a first wing and a second wing wherein, in an expanded state, the first wing extends from the first side to the second side and the second wing extends from the second side, through an opening of the first wing, and to the first side.
US09186263B2 Implant inserter
An apparatus for inserting an implant between vertebrae includes a body having a through bore, a central shaft movable within the through bore, the central shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The apparatus includes a pair of distractor arms having proximal portions and distal portions, the proximal portions pivotally coupled to the body and distal portions for engagement between the vertebrae. Tracking slots are formed in and extend through surfaces of and along a longitudinal axes of the distractor arms and an attachment tip is operably connected to the central shaft, the attachment tip is configured to grip the implant. The apparatus includes a single guide member projecting outward from the attachment tip and the attachment tip is removably connectable to the central shaft in multiple configurations.
US09186259B2 Expandable trials
Systems and methods for distracting an intervertebral disc space are provided. The systems use a staged, bilaterally expandable trial. The systems and methods of distracting an intervertebral space are provided in a manner that addresses the problem of subsidence. The method includes inserting the trial into the intervertebral space in a collapsed state and, once inserted, the trial is then used for distracting the intervertebral space using an expansion that includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes expanding the trial laterally toward the peripheral zones of the top vertebral plate and the bottom vertebral plate, and the second stage includes expanding the trial vertically to distract the intervertebral space.
US09186256B2 Wrist implants and methods
Wrists implants and methods are disclosed. A wrist implant can advantageously allow motion with respect to a reconstructed wrist to more closely resemble natural motion. For example, in one aspect, motion can include movement in more than one direction to allow for flexion/extension, rotational, and translational movement. The wrist implant can include a radial implant component and/or a carpal implant component with a bearing component or member disposed therebetween. The radial implant can have a radial articulation surface having at least one variable radius of curvature and/or a tray having a variable width.
US09186253B2 Cartilage mosaic compositions and methods
Compositions comprising a cartilage sheet comprising a plurality of interconnected cartilage tiles and a biocompatible carrier are provided. Methods of manufacturing cartilage compositions comprising a cartilage sheet comprising a plurality of interconnected cartilage tiles are also provided.
US09186242B2 Hydrophilicity alteration system and method
A system/method allowing hydrophilicity alteration of a polymeric material (PM) is disclosed. The PM hydrophilicity alteration changes the PM characteristics by decreasing the PM refractive index, increasing the PM electrical conductivity, and increasing the PM weight. The system/method incorporates a laser radiation source that generates tightly focused laser pulses within a three-dimensional portion of the PM to affect these changes in PM properties. The system/method may be applied to the formation of customized intraocular lenses comprising material (PLM) wherein the lens created using the system/method is surgically positioned within the eye of the patient. The implanted lens refractive index may then be optionally altered in situ with laser pulses to change the optical properties of the implanted lens and thus achieve optimal corrected patient vision. This system/method permits numerous in situ modifications of an implanted lens as the patient's vision changes with age.
US09186240B2 Fiber reinforced composite stents
Polymeric composite stents reinforced with fibers for implantation into a bodily lumen are disclosed.
US09186238B2 Aortic great vessel protection
A vessel protector system includes an outer sheath, an inner tube disposed within the outer sheath and moveable in a longitudinal direction relative to the outer sheath and at least one protector coupled to the inner tube, each of the at least one protector having a body formed from a filtering material and extending between a leading end and trailing end coupled to the inner tube, the body having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A snare is coupled to the leading end of the body at one end, and having a second end passing through the interior of the outer sheath, whereby the exertion of a pulling force on the second end of the snare contracts the at least one protector.
US09186236B2 Reinforcement device with dissolvable layer and its use
A reinforcement device for reinforcing tissues having one or more structural deficiencies includes a longitudinally-extending reinforcing layer for treating the structural deficiency, a plurality of spiked naps distributed across the reinforcing layer and projecting therefrom for adhering to the tissue, and a dissolvable matrix layer covering at least a portion of the reinforcing layer and a portion of the plurality of spiked naps. The matrix layer increases the time before the spiked naps substantially adhere to the tissue, thereby allowing the practitioner additional time to position the reinforcement device.
US09186222B2 Manually guided articulated arm
An articulated arm for applying a laser beam to a treatment zone has an arm section and a horizontal pivot joint. A spring arrangement acts on the pivot joint and has a cam disk and a pressure member following the cam disk contour as the arm section pivots. The arm section has, relative to a vertical direction, positive and negative pivot angle ranges. In the positive range the spring arrangement relieves the pivot joint from weight forces. When a resting angle in the negative range is reached the articulated arm rests in a support device. A total moment resulting from a weight force moment of the articulated arm and a restoring moment of the spring arrangement acts on the articulated arm about the pivot joint; cam disk contour and spring pretension are matched such that for the resting angle the total moment is oriented toward the support device.
US09186220B2 Surgical system and methods for mimicked motion
The present invention generally provides methods and devices for controlling movement of an end effector, and in particular for causing mimicked motion between an input tool and an end effector during a surgical procedure. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical system is provided having a master assembly with an input tool and a slave assembly with an end effector. The master assembly and the slave assembly can be coupled together by a mechanical assembly that is configured to mechanically transfer mimicked, rather than mirrored, motion from the input tool to the end effector. A floating frame is also provided and can be utilized with the surgical system. The floating frame can have a counterbalance that allows the surgical system to “float” above a patient and provide a weightless feel to movement of the surgical system. The floating frame can provides additional degrees of freedom for movement of the surgical system.
US09186215B2 Microwave coaptive surgical sealing tool
A coaptive surgical sealing tool may be similar to an ordinary hemostat with long (50, 60, 70 or 80 mm) thin jaws for sliding into the liver parenchyma, without tearing the larger blood vessels. The jaws are spring loaded and are designed for uniform compression, and to avoid closing too quickly. The jaws are capable of sealing a 50, 60, 70 or 80 mm sealing length, in a single bite, although it can also seal shorter lengths as well. The tool can be used with existing ablative therapy microwave generators. The tool may be provided with irrigation and/or suction.
US09186211B2 Methods and apparatuses for remodeling tissue of or adjacent to a body passage
Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable member may be coupled to the catheter shaft. A plurality of flexible electrode assemblies may be coupled to the expandable member. A control unit may be coupled to the electrode assemblies. The control unit may be configured to energize the electrode assemblies for approximately 10 seconds to less than approximately 1 minute.
US09186207B2 Distal viewing window of a medical catheter
The disclosure describes an elongated housing, e.g., a catheter, configured to be inserted into a lumen of a patient to diagnose or treat a patient. The elongated housing includes a scope channel that accepts a cystoscope and a viewing window at the distal end of the elongated housing. The user may use the cystoscope to view tissue adjacent to the viewing window. The viewing window may take up at least 10 percent of the length of the elongated housing to allow the user to identify a large area of tissue in the lumen without moving the elongated housing with respect to the tissue. Once the user identifies the target tissue, the user may position the elongated housing graduations on the viewing window and the proximal end of the elongated housing. An ablation needle electrode may be extended into the target tissue to deliver ablation therapy to the target tissue.
US09186206B2 Electrosurgical instrument
An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. Each jaw member has a jaw housing and an electrosurgical seal plate. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. The first jaw member includes an elongated channel defined in its respective jaw housing and extends along a length thereof. A drive assembly operably couples to the first jaw member via a drive rod that is engageable with the elongated channel to move the first jaw member from the open configuration to the clamping configuration and to provide a closure force between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the clamping configuration.
US09186203B2 Method for exchanging end effectors In Vivo
A laparoscopic surgical method comprises obtaining a first instrument comprising an elongate shaft with a distal end and a proximal end connected to a first handle. The distal end of the first instrument is passed through a percutaneous incision. A surgical end effector is obtained having a distal end with operable jaws and a proximal end selectively attachable to and detachable from the distal end of the first instrument. A second instrument is obtained comprising a distal end and a proximal end connected to a second handle. The surgical end effector is loaded ex vivo on the distal end of the second instrument. The distal end of the second instrument with the loaded surgical end effector is passed through a second incision spaced from the percutaneous incision. The proximal end of the surgical end effector is attached in vivo to the distal end of the first instrument. Tissue is manipulated by actuating the handle of the first instrument to operate the jaws of the surgical end effector.
US09186199B2 High frequency surgery apparatus and method of operating same
The invention concerns a high frequency surgery apparatus for cutting and/or coagulating biological tissue and methods of operating same. The high frequency surgery apparatus includes at least one high frequency generator which in operation forms a high frequency circuit with the tissue to be treated, with the production of an arc, and at least one measuring and calculating device which is connected for signal transmission to the high frequency circuit and which is adapted in operation to ascertain both a DC voltage in the high frequency circuit and also the amplitudes of at least one even and at least one odd harmonic of a fundamental frequency of the high frequency generator and to form a first tissue parameter representative of the kind of tissue to be treated from the relationship of the sum of the amplitudes of the even and the odd harmonics to the DC voltage and to output a tissue signal dependent on the first tissue parameter for subsequent processing.
US09186198B2 Ultrasound apparatuses for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods
Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues.
US09186197B2 Nerve and soft tissue ablation device for treating pain
Ablation kits useful for destroying nerve and soft tissue via a minimally invasive procedure to alleviate pain are provided. The device comprises a probe having an exterior and an interior. The exterior comprises a tip and the interior defines a passage having a filament and insulation disposed therein. The filament has an opening configured to release a pressurized material into the interior of the probe so as to cool the tip to a selected temperature to ablate nerve and/or soft tissue. A bone piercing instrument is provided that is configured to pierce bone so as to allow entry of the probe into the bone. Methods for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue utilizing the ablation devices are also provided.
US09186191B2 Rod coupling assembly and methods for bone fixation
A coupling device for securing an elongate member to the spine is provided. The coupling device comprises a compressible inner member that secures an anchor member therein when the inner member is axially shifted within an outer member. Structures are provided to prevent disassembly of the anchor and coupling device prior to locking of the elongate member.
US09186184B2 Spinal fixation system and method
A spinal fixation system is provided that, in one form, comprises a pedicle screw assembly having a coupling device with an elongate member for guiding a fixation element, such as a spinal rod, into the coupling device and a lock device for fixing the spinal rod to the coupling device. The pedicle screw assembly may be passed through a small incision and connected to a vertebral bone. By connecting a second pedicle screw assembly to a second vertebral bone, the elongate members of the pedicle screw assemblies provide guideposts for directing the spinal rod subcutaneously between the pedicle screw assemblies and into the coupling devices thereof.
US09186179B2 Revolving lock for external fixation clamps
A clamp assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw cooperatively positioned to receive the fixation element. A gate is displaceable relative to the first jaw and moveable between an open condition where the gate and the first jaw form an opening of a first size allowing introduction of the fixation element between the first and second jaws and a locking condition where the opening formed by the gate and the first jaw has a second size that prevents removal of the fixation element out from between the first and second jaws.
US09186175B2 Surgical access assembly and method of using same
A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath and obturator are configured to be delivered to an area of interest within the brain. Either the outer sheath or the obturator may be configured to operate with a navigational system to track the location of either within the brain. Once positioned at a desired location, the obturator is removed, leaving a distal end of the outer sheath adjacent an area of interest, and creating a working corridor. Interventional devices may be introduced to the area of interest, as well as a variety of treatments. A subsequent treatment process may also be employed.
US09186173B2 Optical obturator system
An optical obturator system is described. The optical obturator system includes a transparent window member provided on a distal tip portion of the obturator shaft, thus permitting the surgeon to visualize the tissue of the patient (e.g., via an imaging system positioned near the window member). One or more major portions of the optical obturator system may be formed of a biocompatible material, such as but not limited to stainless steel. Accordingly, the optical obturator system may be reusable for a relatively large number of surgical procedures.
US09186168B2 Medical instrument and method of cutting a tissue using the medical instrument
A medical instrument having an elongate frame with proximal and distal ends spaced in a lengthwise direction along a central axis. A working assembly at a distal region of the frame has a U-shaped portion defined by first and second legs meeting at a base. The U-shaped portion defines a cutting space. The working assembly further has a cutting assembly with a sharp edge in the cutting space. The working assembly and elongate frame are configured so that a tissue entryway is defined through which a tissue can be advanced to be moved into the cutting space and against the sharp edge. The medical instrument further has a first assembly configured to be operated to vary a configuration of the entryway.
US09186166B2 Tissue shavers
Various arthroscopic shavers are provided that minimize contact between bodily fluid and the shaver hand piece. Arthroscopic shavers generally include a cutting assembly mated to a hand piece. In one embodiment, the shaver includes a hub that connects the cutting assembly with the hand piece and has an exit port configured to transport cut tissue and fluid from the device. In another embodiment, the shaver includes a hub configured to retrofit existing shaver hand pieces having interior lumens for removing cut tissue and fluid. The hub further includes an exit port that diverts fluid away from the hand piece.
US09186165B2 Latch mechanism for surgical instruments
A surgical instrument includes a pair of jaw members moveable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. A drive bar is translatable between a distal and a proximal position for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. A lever is moveable between an initial position and an actuated position for translating the drive bar between the distal and proximal positions. A sleeve disposed about the drive bar includes an annular track having a substantially radial segment(s) and a substantially longitudinal segment(s). A collar interdisposed between the sleeve and the drive bar includes a stop member(s) extending radially outwardly therefrom. The stop member(s) is engaged within the track and is translatable from a first position, wherein the stop member is positioned within the longitudinal segment, to a second position, wherein the stop member is engaged within the radial segment, to lock the lever in the actuated position.
US09186162B2 Devices and methods for performing knee arthroplasty
Methods and devices for performing knee arthroplasty including but not limited to bicruciate retaining knee arthroplasty are provided. Methods and devices for preparing a proximal tibia for a tibial implant are also provided. These methods and devices, in at least some embodiments and uses, facilitate decreasing the complexity of knee arthroplasty procedures such as bicruciate retaining procedures while maintaining, if not improving on, the safety, accuracy and/or effectiveness of such procedures.
US09186158B2 Reciprocating rasps for use in an orthopaedic surgical procedure
Reciprocating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such reciprocating rasps are also disclosed. Some of the methods include inserting a guide pin into the glenoid of the patient, advancing a reciprocating surgical rasp over the guide pin, reciprocating the surgical rasp so as to abrade bone tissue to form a cavity shaped to receive the glenoid component, and implanting the glenoid component in the cavity.
US09186157B2 High speed surgical cutting instrument
A surgical cutting instrument including an outer tube having a bearing sleeve disposed within a lumen thereof, along with an inner wire assembly extending through the outer tube and the bearing sleeve. A cutting tip is connected to the inner wire assembly distal the outer tube. Conversely, a coupling chuck is connected to a proximal section of the inner wire assembly, with a housing maintaining the outer tube and the coupling chuck. When mounted to a motor, the inner wire assembly is rotated to effectuate a surgical cutting procedure at the cutting tip, with the bearing sleeve supporting the inner wire assembly relative to the outer tube during rotation.
US09186154B2 Patient-specific instruments for total ankle arthroplasty
Patient-specific instruments for preparing bones for receipt of orthopedic prostheses, such as the distal tibia and the talus in a total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) procedure. A tibial guide and a talar guide are manufactured based on patient-specific anatomical data obtained using imaging technology, and each guide includes a surface conforming to selected anatomical surfaces or regions of the tibia or talus, respectively. Each guide includes at least one cut referencing surface, such as a cut slot, to guide a resection, and may also include a guide aperture sized to guide a reaming tool for reaming the distal tibia or talus. The guides may also include pin holes positioned within a periphery defined by the cut referencing surfaces such that, when the resections are made and the resected tibial bone portion or talus bone portion is removed, the guide and its associated pins are removed along with the resected bone portion.
US09186150B2 Apparatus and method for treating bleeding arising from left atrial appendage
Bleeding arising from the left atrial appendage (LAA) can have fatal consequences because it can result in cardiac tamponade. The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for treating and preventing bleeding arising from the LAA, at the pre-hemorrhage and post-hemorrhage stages. In particular, catheters having inflatable catheter balloons are advanced into the LAA and the inflatable catheter balloons are inflated in and around the LAA in a manner that occludes the LAA ostium and the LAA cavity. Additionally, electromagnetic coils are present within the inflatable catheter balloons to create electromagnetic forces that help to further occlude the LAA ostium firmly. When the catheter balloons are inflated, these electromagnetic coils also expand. Alternatively, the LAA ostium can be occluded using electromagnetic coils present in an inflated endocardial catheter balloon and electromagnetic coils present in an inflated epicardial catheter balloon deployed around the circumference of the LAA ostium epicardially.
US09186147B2 Device for producing anastomoses and coagulation electrode
A device for producing anastomoses between first and second hollow organs, each having inner and outer surfaces. The device comprises a sleeve with an electrode arrangement, over which the first hollow organ is placed such that its inner surface comes to lie on a outermost surface of the sleeve, and an outer electrode arrangement, which can be brought into electrical contact with the opposing electrode arrangement carrying the second hollow organ, which is pushed over the first hollow organ. The outer electrode arrangement comprises a plurality of lamellae, configured and arranged such that, in a closed state, the lamellae form a through aperture and the inner edges of the lamellae lie against the second hollow organ and, in an open state, a gap is formed between the lamellae through which the hollow organs connected to one another can be guided outwardly out of the through aperture.
US09186146B2 System and method for mechanical closure of wounds
Devices for treating wounds and methods of treating wounds are described. In use, the devices allow both mechanical force and negative pressure therapy.
US09186145B2 Device and method to facilitate safe, adhesion-free surgical closures
Surgical devices and methods are provided for preventing the formation of post-operative adhesions. In one device, an envelope of bioabsorbable material defines at least one opening, and a layer of bioabsorbable adhesion-preventing material is disposed on an exterior surface of the envelope. A rigid or semi-rigid barrier member is at least partially disposed in a space inside the envelope, without adhering to the envelope such that the barrier member can be pulled out of the envelope through the opening. In another device, a rigid or semi-rigid barrier member is removably attached to a layer of bioabsorbable adhesion-preventing material by a controlled adhesive. In another device, a rigid or semi-rigid bioabsorbable barrier member, such as compressed cellulose, is attached to a layer of bioabsorbable adhesion-preventing material. The envelope of bioabsorbable material may include cellulose or oxidized regenerated cellulose. The adhesion-preventing material may include chemically modified sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose.
US09186143B2 Robotically-controlled shaft based rotary drive systems for surgical instruments
A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.
US09186139B2 Surgical device
A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw between a first position, in which the first and second jaws are aligned within a plane, and a second position, in which the second jaw is in non-parallel correspondence to the plane. The surgical device may include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and/or stapling element, disposed within the first law, and a second driver configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The first and second jaws may include a camming arrangement that is configured to move the second jaw between the first and second positions. The camming arrangement may include a channel disposed along at least a portion of one or both of the first and second jaws, and a ball bearing disposed within the channel.
US09186137B2 Cartridge shipping aid
A cartridge shipping aid is provided to retain staples within staple pockets of a staple cartridge during shipment. The cartridge shipping aid includes a base and a longitudinal rib extending perpendicularly from an underside of the base and indiscernible into a knife slot formed in a staple cartridge. One or more perpendicular keys are formed along a lower edge of the longitudinally extending rib for engagement with an underside surface of the staple cartridge. The cartridge shipping aid may additionally include sidewalls projecting perpendicularly from outer edges of the base. Projections are formed on one end of the base for engagement with associate detents formed on the staple cartridge. Grasping structure is formed adjacent one end of the base and longitudinal rib.
US09186136B2 Surgical clip applier
A surgical clip applier is provided including a housing; at least one handle pivotably connected to the housing; a channel assembly extending distally from the housing; a plurality of clips loaded in the clip carrier; a drive channel translatably supported in the housing and the channel assembly, the drive channel being translated upon actuation of the at least one handle; and a counter mechanism supported in the housing, the counter mechanism including indicia visible through the housing, wherein the indicia corresponds to a quantity of clips loaded in the clip applier, wherein the indicia decrements upon each firing of the clip applier resulting in a reduction in the quantity of clips remaining of the plurality of clips.
US09186134B2 Suture and retainer assembly and SULU
A suturing system for receiving and retaining a suture is disclosed and includes a suture, at least one retainer, and at least one needle. Each needle is able to receive and removably retain the suture within a groove located in a tapered end. The retainer has a body that defines an aperture therethrough. The shape of the aperture is formed by a central passageway, and a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending radially outward from the central passageway. The central passageway is sized to allow passage of the needle therethrough. Each slot defines a tortured path section that permits passage of the suture in a first direction and inhibits passage of the suture in a second direction.
US09186132B2 Lateral access system and method of use
A surgical access device including a frame, first and second supports, and first and second retractor blades releasably coupled with the first and second supports, respectively. The frame has first and second arms. The first support is releasably coupled with the first and second arms. The second support is slidably mounted on the first and second arms. The second support is movable between a first position with the retractor blades in close cooperative position and a spaced apart position with respect to the first support. The first and second retractor blades each have a distal end portion configured and adapted to engage a vertebral body. In one method of use, the retractor is inserted through an incision in first orientation with the blades in close approximation and rotated approximately 90°, before spreading the retractor blades to retract tissue.
US09186130B2 Endoluminal system for gastrointestinal treatment
Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.
US09186129B2 Expandable device for tissue collection from an aerodigestive body lumen
A device for obtaining tissue from the aerodigestive tract is provided. The device may have internal and external folds and a tissue collection surface for collecting a tissue sample from a body lumen, such as the nose or throat. The present invention is also directed to methods of collecting a tissue sample using the devices, described herein.
US09186128B2 Needle biopsy device
A device for needle biopsy is provided. The device includes a handle member having proximal and distal portions. A proximal handle member is disposed to the proximal portion of the handle member and a distal handle member is disposed to the distal portion of the handle member. A sheath lumen is disposed within the handle member and extends from the distal portion of the handle member. A needle housing member is partially disposed to the proximal portion of the handle member and a needle is disposed within the sheath lumen. A plurality of protrusions are disposed upon the needle.
US09186126B2 Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic device
An ultrasonic probe (102) which has high propagation efficiency of ultrasound and can obtain a high resolution ultrasonic diagnostic image. The ultrasonic probe (102) includes an ultrasonic transducer including: a piezoelectric body (208) which generates ultrasound; and a first matching layer (101) which is disposed in a predetermined direction as seen from the piezoelectric body (208) and is for performing acoustic matching between the piezoelectric body (208) and a subject. The first matching layer (101) includes a plurality of matching regions (101a, 101b, 101c) which have a uniform thickness in the predetermined direction, are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, and include at least two matching regions having frequency characteristics of ultrasound transmittance that are different from each other.
US09186124B2 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, ultrasonic image processing apparatus, and ultrasonic image processing method
A peripheral region is detected by using original image data acquired by ultrasound scan. Blend processing is executed in the peripheral region such that a rate of a smoothed image increases and a rate of an original image decreases as a distance from a blood flow region increases.
US09186123B1 Ultrasound scanners with anisotropic heat distributors for ultrasound probe
Ultrasound scanners with anisotropic heat distributors and associated methods of operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an ultrasound scanner can include a housing having a surface enclosing an internal cavity, an electronic component in the internal cavity of the housing, and a heat distributor between the surface of the housing and the electronic component. The heat distributor is in thermal communication with both the electronic component and the surface of the housing. The heat distributor includes a laminated structure having a conductive layer and a insulative layer stacked one on the other.
US09186121B2 Detector module
A detector module is provided, where a side of a signal adapter circuit board opposite to an X-ray source has an analog signal output terminal, at least one A/D chip is installed on an A/D conversion circuit board, and the signal adapter circuit board and the A/D conversion circuit board are connected through non-removable flexible connection with a data line. The data line is connected with the analog signal output terminal and an input terminal of the at least one A/D chip, and is adapted to transmit an analog signal. Therefore, the number of A/D conversion circuit boards in a direction of a channel of a scan chamber is increased, and a signal adapter circuit board along a direction of the channel of the scan chamber may be set to have a maximum width when detector modules are arranged closely, which is beneficial for reducing wiring density of signal wires.
US09186120B2 Inductive rotating transmission devices with ripple compensation for computer tomographs
A method for compensation of input voltage fluctuations in an inductive rotating coupler is disclosed. This coupler includes a power generator that feeds an alternating-current voltage into a resonance circuit including a resonance capacitor and an inductive rotating transmission device. The power generator is fed with an input direct-current voltage that may fluctuate, for example, owing to residual ripple. A control unit determines this input direct-current voltage and calculates there from an optimum operating frequency for the power generator, so that the output voltage at the load remains constant.
US09186119B2 Radiation image capturing system, radiation detecting apparatus, image capturing base and radiation image capturing method
A radiation image capturing system includes a first image capturing apparatus for capturing a radiation image of a subject, a second image capturing apparatus for capturing a radiation image of the subject, the second image capturing apparatus having a specification different from that of the first image capturing apparatus, an image correcting device for correcting the radiation image of the subject which is captured by the second image capturing apparatus such that the radiation image of the subject which is captured by the second image capturing apparatus has the same magnification as that of the radiation image of the subject which is captured by the first image capturing apparatus, and a display unit for displaying the corrected radiation image. The radiation images captured by the image capturing apparatus of different specifications are corrected to have the same magnification.
US09186112B2 Tissue oximetry probe geometry for robust calibration and self-correction
A sensor head for a compact oximeter sensor device includes light sources and light detectors. A compact oximeter sensor device implementation is entirely self-contained, without any need to connect, via wires or wirelessly, to a separate system unit. The sources and detectors are arranged in a circular arrangement having various source-detector pair distances that allow for robust calibration and self-correction in a compact probe. Other source-detector arrangements are also possible.
US09186109B2 Methods and systems for qualifying physiological values based on metrics
A physiological monitoring system may process a physiological signal such a photoplethysmograph signal from a subject. The system may determine physiological information, such as a physiological rate, from the physiological signal. The system may use search techniques and qualification techniques to determine one or more initialization parameters. The initialization parameters may be used to calculate and qualify a physiological rate. The system may use signal conditioning to reduce noise in the physiological signal and to improve the determination of physiological information. The system may use qualification techniques to confirm determined physiological parameters. The system may also use autocorrelation techniques, cross-correlation techniques, fast start techniques, and/or reference waveforms when processing the physiological signal.
US09186107B2 Methods for assessing risk of bone fracture
The invention generally relates to methods for assessing risk of bone fracture. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve a) conducting an assay to determine a characteristic of keratinized tissue obtained from a mammal, b) analyzing at least one bone-fracture risk factor associated with the mammal, and c) correlating results from steps (a) and (b), thereby assessing the risk of bone fracture of a bone of the mammal.