最新美国发明专利第2021-06-22期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US11041189B2	Genetic markers for discrimination and detection of a virus causing red sea bream iridovirus disease which is an infectious aquatic organism disease, and method of discriminating and detecting the virus using the same Genetic markers are described for discriminating or detecting viruses causing infectious aquatic organism diseases, and a method of discriminating and detecting the viruses using the same is disclosed, in which the method includes selecting and amplifying a DNA nucleotide sequence encoding a gene specific for viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) or infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), which is a virus causing red sea bream iridovirus disease, or Koi herpesvirus (KHV); hybridizing a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) that specifically recognizes the amplification product; controlling the temperature of the hybridization product to obtain a temperature-dependent melting curve; and discriminating the viral type or detecting whether or not fish are infected with the viral type by analyzing the obtained melting curve to determine a melting temperature.
US11041185B2	Modular parallel/serial dual microfluidic chip A system for testing a treatment agent for a biologic material includes an input for receiving a biologic sample. A plurality of micro-pumps pump a portion of the biologic sample from the first reservoir into a connected module. A first module includes a first plurality of testing pathways for testing a first portion of the biologic sample. A first module connector removeably connects the first module to the distributor module. A second module includes a second plurality of testing pathways for testing a second portion of the biologic sample. The selected pathway applies at least one dosage level of a treatment agent to the second portion of the biologic sample. A second module connector removeably connects the second module to the distributor module, wherein treatment agent and the plurality of dosage levels tested by the system may be selected by selecting the second module associated with the second module connector.
US11041184B2	Mycobacteriophages capable of delivering auto-luminescent elements and uses thereof A mycobacteriophage capable of delivering an auto-luminescent element includes luxCDABE genes for auto-luminescence of a host bacterium. The auto-luminescent element is located on a transposon, and can be randomly inserted into the host genome with the transposon. The mycobacteriophage can be used for rapid detection of a live host bacterium in a sample and detection of sensitivity of the host bacterium to a drug or drug combination.
US11041166B2	Late blight resistance genes and methods of use Compositions and methods and for enhancing the resistance of plants to a plant disease caused by a Phytophthora species are provided. The compositions comprise nucleic acid molecules encoding resistance (R) gene products and variants thereof and plants, seeds, and plant cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The methods for enhancing the resistance of a plant to a plant disease caused by a Phytophthora species comprise introducing a nucleic acid molecule encoding an R gene product into a plant cell. Additionally provided are methods for using the plants in agriculture to limit plant disease.
US11041165B2	Identification of a Xanthomonas euvesicatoria resistance gene from pepper (Capsicum annuum) and method for generating plants with resistance The present invention relates to the identification of the xcv-1 gene, which is responsible for a recessive resistance to Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, by genetic mapping-based cloning from Capsicum annuum. In addition, the invention relates to methods for generating plants resistant to an abiotic or biotic factor, in particular to Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, and the plants themselves, in particular tomato plants.
US11041163B2	Production of in vivo N-deglycosylated recombinant proteins by co-expression with endo H Plants have emerged as an alternative expression system and are increasingly being used byindustry and academia for producing target proteins. However, the ability of plants to glycosylate proteins can be a significant limitation for those proteins, which do not require N-glycosylation. For example, Plasmodium falciparum proteins, or A chain of human factor XIII do not carry N-linked glycans, or the protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracisis not a glycoprotein; however, these proteins contain potential N-linked glycosylation sites that can be aberrantly glycosylated during expression in yeast, mammalian, or plant systems, potentially leading to reduced functionality and immunogenicity because of incorrect/altered folding and/or masking of epitopes. To overcome this problem we have recently developed a strategy of enzymatic deglycosylation of proteins in vivo by co-expressing with bacterial PNGase F (Peptide: N-glycosidase F) using transient expression in plants (WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/170678), which allowed production of malaria vaccine candidate Pfs48/45, which can provide a high transmission blocking (TB) activity (Mamedov et al., 2012). In addition, other deglycosylated antigens induced significantly higher levels of toxin-neutralizing antibody responses in mice than compared with glycosylated forms (Mamedov et al, manuscript has been submitted). Although a PNGase F treatment (in vivodeglycosylation) removes the oligosaccharide intact, but causes amino acid change in the deglycosylated protein due to deamidation of the asparagine (N) in the NxS/T site (sequence) into an aspartate (D). In this study, a strategy was developed for production of target proteins in plants in non-N-glycosylated form, but with no amino acid change in the NxS/T site of the resulting deglycosylated proteins, which can provide production of non-N-glycosylated recombinant proteins in plants or other eukaryotic system with a native-like fold. Thus, materials and methods for in vivo de-glycosylation of recombinant N-glycosylated proteins by co-expression with Endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (Endo H) in plants, using a transient expression system are described in this invention. A method of expressing active Endo Hin plants is also provided.
US11041162B2	Microorganisms engineered to use unconventional sources of nitrogen Disclosed are genetically engineered organisms, such as yeast and bacteria, that have the ability to metabolize atypical nitrogen sources, such as melamine and cyanamide. Fermentation methods using the genetically engineered organisms are also described. The methods of the invention are robust processes for the industrial bioproduction of a variety of compounds, including commodities, fine chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
US11041159B2	Nucleic acids and vectors for regulated target gene expression in methanotrophic bacteria The present disclosure provides nucleic acids and vectors for use with methanotrophic bacteria. Related host cells and methods for using such nucleic acids and vectors for expressing polypeptides or other genetic manipulation of methanotrophic bacteria are also provided.
US11041156B2	Mobilizing leukemia cells A method for mobilizing leukemia cells which are α4 integrin positive to the peripheral blood of a human subject, the method comprising administering to the human subject an effective amount of an antisense compound to α4 integrin. The cells may be mobilized from bone marrow. The antisense compound is: 5′-MeCMeUG AGT MeCTG TTT MeUMeCMeC AMeUMeU MeCMeU-3′ wherein, (a) each of the 19 internucleotide linkages of the oligonucleotide is an O,O-linked phosphorothioate diester; (b) the nucleotides at the positions 1 to 3 from the 5′ end are 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) modified ribonucleosides; (c) the nucleotides at the positions 4 to 12 from the 5′ end are 2′-deoxyribonucleosides; (d) the nucleotides at the positions 13 to 20 from the 5′ end are 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) modified ribonucleosides; and (e) all cytosines are 5-methylcytosines (MeC), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US11041154B2	CRISPR fluorescent guide RNA (fgRNA) to understanding gRNAs expressed from pol II promotors Provided herein are tools for understanding and engineering dynamics of synthetic genetic circuits which utilize CRISPR components. More particularly, methods, systems, and compositions for directing Cas9 activity using a fluorescent guide RNA (fgR-NA) which fluoresces in the presence of small molecules (e.g., DFHBI-IT) are described and illustrated in the present provisional application.
US11041153B2	P-ethoxy nucleic acids for STAT3 inhibition Provided herein are improved delivery systems for oligonucleotides, said delivery system comprising a liposome that comprises neutral phospholipids and a P-ethoxy oligonucleotide, which targets a STAT3-encoding polynucleotide. Methods of treating patients with said delivery systems are also provided.
US11041151B2	RNA array compositions and methods Described herein are RNA arrays, and compositions and methods for generating RNA arrays, particularly high density RNA arrays. The disclosed methods for generating RNA arrays utilize template DNA arrays and RNA polymerase to generate RNA arrays. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods use an RNA polymerase and modified ribonucleosides to generate modified RNA arrays for various applications, e.g. RNA arrays having higher nuclease resistance, more conformationally stable RNA arrays, and higher binding affinity RNA aptamer arrays. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods are used to generate RNA bead arrays.
US11041147B2	Bacteriophage strain capable of producing a lytic infection in the Escherichia coli ST131-025B:H4 clone The present invention relates to a bacteriophage strain capable of producing a lytic infection in the Escherichia coli ST131-025b:H4 clone. The burden of ST131-025b:H4 Escherichia coli clonal complex in human community and hospital-acquired infections is increasing worldwide, going along with a worrying and growing resistance to betalactams and fluoroquinolones. Bacteriophage LM33_P1 infects exclusively (100% specificity) 025b E. coli strains with 70% coverage on the two major antibiotic resistant pandemic clonal complexes ST131-025b:H4 and ST69-025b. The inventors evaluated the in vivo activity of bacteriophage LM33_P1 using three different extraintestinal virulence murine models and showed that it infects bacteria in several organs. In particular, the invention relates to a bacteriophage capable of producing a lytic infection in the Escherichia coli ST131-025b:H4 clone comprising a polypeptide corresponding to the bacteriophage tail fiber protein and responsible for the attachment of the bacteriophage to the Escherichia coli ST131-025b:H4 clone.
US11041144B2	Cell culture method The present invention is directed towards methods for producing cell and tissue compositions suitable for therapeutic applications to a mammal in need of a therapeutic cell or tissue treatment. In particular, the invention is directed towards a method of culturing cells for use in therapy, which method comprises (i) culturing a sample of cells in a first cell culture medium and (ii) prior to harvesting cells for use in therapy culturing the cells in a second cell culture medium.
US11041142B2	Method and device suitable for growing algae Disclosed are methods and devices suitable for growing algae.
US11041140B2	Cell culture device A cell culture device (10) of the cultivation of cells. The cell culture device (10) includes a plurality of trays (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), each tray (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) having a cell growth surface (20) and at least one wall (22, 24) extending upwardly from the cell growth surface (20). The at least one wall (22, 24) is configured to receive an additional tray thereon. A ratio of the number of the plurality of trays (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) per a height dimension of the plurality of trays (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) is greater than or equal to about 1 tray per 12 mm.
US11041138B2	Functionalized siloxane polymers and compositions comprising same A composition including a siloxane polymer. A method of treating and/or cleaning a situs using the same.
US11041134B2	Alkylated anisole-containing lubricating oil base stocks and processes for preparing the same Compounds having the formula (F-I) below are provided herein: wherein R1 and R2 at each occurrence are independently a C1-C5000 alkyl group; R3 at each occurrence is independently hydrogen or a C1-C5000 alkyl group; R4 is a C1-C50 alkyl group or an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group; R5 at each occurrence is independently hydrogen or a C1-C30 alkyl group; n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and m+n is 5. Processes for preparing compounds of formula (F-I) as well as base stock and lubricant compositions containing compounds of formula (F-I) are also provided.
US11041130B2	Two-stage hydrotreating process employing mercaptanization and hydrodesulfurization A two-step process for treating a sulfur-containing refinery feedstock that includes olefin and diolefin constituents by reacting the feedstock with hydrogen sulfide over a catalyst to produce the corresponding mercaptans and/or thiophenes, which are then desulfurized in a second reactor containing hydrodesulfurization catalysts, thereby avoiding the need for prior selective hydrogenation of the olefin and diolefin constituents.
US11041123B1	Systems and methods for recycling waste plastics, including waste polystyrene Systems and methods for recycling waste plastics are provided, including a system for recovering styrene monomer from waste polystyrene. The system includes a mixing, heating and compacting apparatus to receive a supply of waste polystyrene and to output a densified polystyrene containing melt; a pyrolysis reactor configured to receive the densified polystyrene containing melt and a supply of recycled oligomers, pyrolyze the densified polystyrene containing melt and the recycled oligomers, and output a hydrocarbon gas stream and a solids residue stream; a quenching apparatus configured to receive the hydrocarbon gas stream output from the pyrolysis reactor and condense out oligomers for routing upstream to the pyrolysis reactor to be combined as the supply of recycled oligomers with the densified polystyrene containing melt, and to discharge an altered hydrocarbon gas stream for further processing; and a condenser configured to receive the altered hydrocarbon gas stream from the quenching apparatus and condense out styrene to form a styrene monomer oil product.
US11041116B2	Encapsulation and controlled delivery of strong mineral acids A polymer-encapsulated mineral acid solution and a method for forming the polymer-encapsulated mineral acid solution. Introducing a strong mineral acid solution to a monomer solution occurs such that a primary emulsion that is a water-in-oil type emulsion forms. Introducing the primary emulsion to a second aqueous solution forms a secondary emulsion that is a water-in-oil-in-water type double emulsion. The monomer in the secondary emulsion is cured such a polymerized shell forms that encapsulates the strong mineral acid solution and forms the capsule. The strong mineral acid solution has up to 30 wt. % strong mineral acid. A method of stimulating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation using the polymer-encapsulated mineral acid solution includes introducing a capsule suspension into a fissure in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation to be stimulated through a face in a well bore. The capsule is maintained within the fissure until the polymer shell degrades.
US11041114B2	Methods and treatment fluids for microfracture creation and microproppant delivery in subterranean formations Systems, methods, and compositions for creating microfractures within subterranean formations and delivering microproppant particles into microfractures within subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include: providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a surfactant, and a plurality of microproppant particles having a mean particle diameter of about 100 microns or less; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to initiate the formation of at least one microfracture within the subterranean formation; and allowing at least a portion of the microproppant particles to enter the at least one microfracture within the subterranean formation.
US11041103B2	Silicone-free thermal gel The present disclosure provides a silicone free gel that is useful in transferring heat from heat generating electronic devices, such as computer chips, to heat dissipating structures, such as heat spreaders and heat sinks. The thermal interface material includes a polyether polyol, a cross-linker, a coupling agent, an antioxidant, a catalyst, and at least one thermally conductive filler.
US11041102B2	Alumina sintered body, abrasive grain, and grinding wheel An alumina sintered body including an inner layer in which alumina crystal grains contained have an average aspect ratio of 1.0 to 2.0 and an outer layer which covers at least a part of the inner layer from outside and in which alumina crystal grains contained have an average aspect ratio of more than 2.0, the alumina sintered body being free from silicon except unavoidable impurities.
US11041101B2	Condensation-curable electrically conductive silicone adhesive composition A condensation-curable electrically conductive silicone adhesive composition, methods of making and using same, and manufactured articles and devices comprising or prepared from the same.
US11041095B2	Desulfurized tall oil and derivatives thereof A process for reducing or removing at least 90% of sulfur in a tall oil composition, e.g., to a level of 15 ppm or less is disclosed. The process employs at least a first desulfurization and a second desulfurization treatment in parallel or in series. The first treatment comprises adsorptive desulfurization, wherein the adsorbent material comprises silica adsorbent having an average pore size between 50-200 Å, BET surface area of at least 300 m2/g, pore volume of 1.20 to 3.00 cc/g, and a silanol [Si—OH] level of 0.5 to 5 unit/nm2. The second desulfurization treatment is selected from adsorptive treatment, heat treatment, distillation, extraction, oxidation, reduction, hydrogenation, and sulfur scavenging for a reduced sulfur content.
US11041094B2	Solvent-free shellac coating composition A shellac coating composition for producing a shellac coating on a substrate comprises a fatty acid component, shellac and little or no volatile carrier liquid. Because the fatty acid inhibits the polymerization of the shellac when molten, the composition can be converted into a liquid state for coating purposes by simple heating, thereby eliminating the need for the volatile carrier liquid.
US11041083B2	Formulation of an organic functional material The present invention relates to formulations containing at least one organic functional material and at least a first organic solvent, wherein said first organic solvent is an alkyl benzoate solvent, as well as to electronic devices prepared by using these formulations.
US11041078B2	Photosensitive compositions containing silver ion a-oxy carboxylate-oxime complexes A photosensitive reducible silver ion-containing composition can be used to provide electrically-conductive silver metal in thin films or patterns. This composition comprises: a) a non-hydroxylic-solvent soluble silver complex represented by the following formula (I): (Ag+)a(L)b(P)c (I) wherein L represents an α-oxy carboxylate; P represents an oxime compound; a is 1 or 2; b is 1 or 2; and c is 1, 2, 3, or 4, provided that when a is 1, b is 1, and when a is 2, b is 2; b) a photosensitizer that can either reduce the reducible silver ion or oxidize the α-oxy carboxylate; and c) a solvent medium comprising at least one non-hydroxylic solvent. Electrically-conductive silver can be provided by photochemical conversion of the reducible silver ions in the complex.
US11041076B2	Highly durable antifogging coating film and coating composition The present invention pertains to a coating film, and more particularly, to an antifogging coating film having excellent antifogging properties, ability to retain antifogging properties, and water resistance. The coating film according to the present invention contains a metal oxide (A) and a hydrophilic compound (B), wherein the elemental concentration ratio (C1s/M), which is between the element C and a metal element and which is obtained from a metal (M) spectrum derived from the metal oxide and a C1s spectrum in an elemental analysis of the surface using XPS, is within the range of 0.2-10. The relative elemental concentration of the element C obtained from a C1s spectrum derived from carbon-oxygen bonds and/or carbon-nitrogen bonds in elemental analysis of the surface using XPS may be within the range of 5-50 atomic %. The metal oxide may be colloidal silica. The coating film according to the present invention can be particularly preferably used as an antifogging coating film and a coating film for automotive exterior parts.
US11041075B2	Self-healing composition, self-healing film, and device including the self-healing film A self-healing composition including, urethane (meth)acrylate having two (meth)acrylate groups, six or more urethane groups, and a substituted or unsubstituted polyhedral silsesquioxane.
US11041074B2	Method for the production of granules comprising surface-reacted calcium carbonate The present invention relates to a method for the production of granules comprising surface-reacted calcium carbonate, as well as to the granules obtained thereby and their use.
US11041070B2	Polymer compositions for shrink-wrap films Polymer compositions comprising styrene butadiene block-copolymers (SBC) can be used for shrink-wrap films, a stiff star-shaped SBC block copolymer A having two short branches of a single copolymer block (B/S)Ai and two long branches of the structure St-[(B/S)A]n-(B/S)Ai or [(B/S)A]n-(B/S)Ai are used in said polymer composition, and the production of shrink-wrap films and of multilayer films is described.
US11041067B1	Aqueous ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer dispersion and oxygen barrier multilayer film coated with said dispersion An aqueous dispersion of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers suitable to be used as lacquer to realize a thin coating both for flexible or rigid substrates, characterized by excellent oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier performances especially under high humidity conditions. The dispersion comprises a first ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer in the form of capsules with an ethylene content comprised between 24 and 38 mol % and a second ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer with an ethylene content lower than 15 mol %.
US11041061B2	Polytetrafluoroethylene composition The invention provides a polytetrafluoroethylene composition having high flowability. The polytetrafluoroethylene composition contains a particulate polytetrafluoroethylene having fibrillability and a particulate synthetic amorphous silica. The particulate polytetrafluoroethylene is a polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder or a polytetrafluoroethylene molding powder. The particulate synthetic amorphous silica is obtained by a dry process and has an average primary particle size smaller than 200 nm. The particulate synthetic amorphous silica is attached to the surface of the particulate polytetrafluoroethylene.
US11041060B2	Inorganic material composite The invention relates to a ceramic particulate and polymer composite having enhanced viscoelastic and rheological properties.
US11041058B2	Resin structure having a liquid layer on the surface thereof A resin structure comprising a resin formed body (1) and a liquid layer (3) formed on a surface of the resin formed body (1), the liquid layer (3) having liquid protrusions (3a) that are locally protruded on the surface thereof. The structure exhibits improved properties on the surface of the resin formed body (1), such as improved sliding property and non-adhesiveness to various substances maintaining stability as a result of forming the liquid layer (3).
US11041056B2	Transparent, thermoformable, biaxially oriented polyester film, process for production thereof and use thereof The present invention relates to a transparent, biaxially oriented, thermoformable polyester film including at least 85% by weight of a copolyester whose dicarboxylic acid components derive to an extent of 85 to 94 mol % from terephthalic acid-based units and to an extent of 6 to 15 mol % from isophthalic acid-based units. The inventive films exhibit a surface elasticity modulus in the range from 4500 to 6400 N/mm2; a sum total of the strengths (σ5) in longitudinal direction and in transverse direction in the range from 170 to 220 MPa; a density of less than 1390 kg/m3; a haze of less than 2.0%; a clarity of at least 85%; a gloss of at least 120 and a thickness in the range from 50 to 300 μm. The invention further relates to processes for producing such films, and to the use thereof.
US11041055B2	Light transmittance control film and composition for the light transmittance control film Provided are a composition for a light transmittance control film, and a light transmittance control film. According to the inventive concept, the light transmittance control film includes a matrix part including a copolymer and a polymer chain which is grafted to the copolymer; and a dispersed part including a polymer derived from a first monomer, and are provided in the matrix part, wherein the polymer chain is derived from the first monomer, first light transmittance is shown while external force is applied, and second light transmittance which is greater than the first light transmittance may be shown after the external force is removed.
US11041052B2	Biodegradable hydrogel having cyclic benzylidene acetal structure A biodegradable hydrogel having an acetal structure whose hydrolysis rate under different pH environments in the living body can be accurately controlled. The hydrogel is obtained by crosslinking a polyalkylene glycol derivative having a cyclic benzylidene acetal structure represented by formula (1) shown below with a crosslinking agent: where R1 and R6; R2, R3, R4 and R5; s; t; s+t; P1; Z1 and Z2; W1 and X1 are as defined herein.
US11041050B2	Cationic mucic acid polymer-based delivery systems The present disclosure is directed to nanoparticle delivery systems for delivering biological agents, pharmaceutical compositions of comprising these nanoparticles, and methods of using these compositions. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide nanoparticles comprising polymers comprising alternating charged and uncharged segments comprising one or more of the following structural units of Formula (I) Formula (III): wherein A is an uncharged segment comprising polyalkylene glycol; and B is a cationically charged segment comprising at least one polyhydroxy linkage.
US11041048B2	Polyhemiaminal and polyhexahydrotriazine materials from 1,4 conjugate addition reactions Polyhemiaminal (PHA) and polyhexahydrotriazine (PHT) materials are modified by 1,4 conjugate addition chemical reactions to produce a variety of molecular architectures comprising pendant groups and bridging segments. The materials are formed by a method that includes heating a mixture comprising solvent(s), paraformaldehyde, aromatic amine groups, aliphatic amine Michael donors, and Michael acceptors, such as acrylates. The reaction mixtures may be used to prepare polymer pre-impregnated materials and composites containing PHT matrix resin.
US11041046B2	Method for poly(phenylene ether) manufacture and associated poly(phenylene ether) A method of making a poly(phenylene ether) comprises: in an exotherm period, continuous addition of oxygen and a monohydric phenol to a non-polar solvent and a polymerization catalyst comprising a metal salt, an amine, and a quaternary ammonium salt in a vessel, to form a polymerization mixture, wherein the oxygen and monohydric phenol are added in a mole ratio of 0.5:1 to 1.2:1; and cessation of the continuous addition of the monohydric phenol; and in a build period, continuation of oxygen addition until there is no further increase in viscosity of the polymerization mixture. A poly(phenylene ether) having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.5 to 2.0 deciliters per gram, measured in chloroform using an Ubbelohde capillary glass viscometer at 25° C., a polydispersity of 1 to 10, and a unimodal molecular weight distribution, is made by the method.
US11041045B2	Resin composition, prepreg, laminate and multilayer printed wiring board Provided are a resin composition having especially good compatibility and having dielectric properties (low dielectric constant and low dielectric dissipation factor) in a high frequency range, high adhesion to conductor, excellent heat resistance, high glass transition temperature, low thermal expansion coefficient and high flame retardancy, and a prepreg, a laminate and a multilayer printed wiring board using the resin composition. Specifically, the resin composition contains (A) a polyphenylene ether derivative having an N-substituted maleimide structure-containing group and a structural unit represented by the following general formula (I) in one molecule, (B) at least one thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, cyanate resins and maleimide compounds, and (C) a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer: wherein R1 each independently represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom, and x represents an integer of 0 to 4.
US11041039B2	Softening thermoplastic polyurethanes using ionomer technology In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a novel approach to the addition of plasticizers for softening TPUs, i.e., lowering the durometer and the melt viscosity. This approach involves incorporating bonded sulfonate groups with quaternary ammonium counterions into the TPU. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the softening of TPU is achieved by incorporating an ionic diol, such as N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid (BES), coupled with various bulky alkyl ammonium cations, during the chain extension step of the TPU synthesis. It is believed that that steric hindrance of the bulky quaternary ammonium groups weakens the dipole-dipole interactions of the sulfonate groups and/or lowers the crystallinity of the hard block, thereby creating additional free volume that softens the polymer and lowers the melt viscosity.
US11041037B2	Ultra violet assisted photo initiated free radical polymerization A method of producing a polymerized product through an inverse emulsion polymerization reaction. The current method includes introducing an ultraviolet (UV) light sensitive initiator into an inverse emulsion monomer formulation comprising monomers and irradiating the monomer formulation with an UV light source. A polymerized product is formed from polymerization of the monomers in the presence of the irradiated UV light sensitive initiator.
US11041035B2	Process to produce long-chain branched polyolefins using dienes The present disclosure provides methods for producing an olefin polymer including: i) contacting alpha-olefin with a first catalyst system comprising a first non-metallocene catalyst, a first activator, and a reversible chain transfer agent to form a first polymer; ii) contacting the first polymer with a coupling agent in the presence of a catalyst, an activator; and iii) obtaining a second polymer. The present disclosure further provides polymers having a g′vis value from about 0.4 to about 0.8 and a vinyl unsaturation content of 0.8 or greater vinyls/1000 carbons, and preferably low gel content.
US11041031B2	Non-coordinating anion type activators containing cation having branched alkyl groups The present disclosure provides borate or aluminate activators comprising cations having branched alkyl groups, catalyst systems comprising, and methods for polymerizing olefins using such activators. Specifically, the present disclosure provides activator compounds represented by Formula: [R1R2R3EH]d+[Mk+Qn]d−, wherein: E is nitrogen or phosphorous; d is 1, 2 or 3; k is 1, 2, or 3; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; n−k=d; each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently C1-C40 branched or linear alkyl or C5-C50-aryl, wherein each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently unsubstituted or substituted with at least one of halide, C5-C50 aryl, C6-C35 arylalkyl, C6-C35 alkylaryl and, in the case of the C5-C50-aryl, C1-C50 alkyl; wherein R1, R2, and R3 together comprise 15 or more carbon atoms; M is an element selected from group 13 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; and each Q is independently a hydride, bridged or unbridged dialkylamido, halide, alkoxide, aryloxide, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, substituted halocarbyl, or halosubstituted-hydrocarbyl radical, provided that at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a branched alkyl.
US11041030B2	Devolatilization processes In at least one embodiment, a process of forming a polymer includes supplying a feed having one or more olefin monomers and a solvent; contacting the feed with a catalyst to form a reaction mixture; treating the reaction mixture in a first separator to form a first polymer-rich mixture; introducing the first polymer-rich mixture into a second separator; introducing a volatile component and/or inert component into the first separator, the second separator and/or a line between the first separator and the second separator; treating the first polymer-rich mixture to form a second polymer-rich mixture; and devolatilizing the second polymer-rich mixture to obtain the polymer.
US11041029B2	Aluminum alkyls with pendant olefins for polyolefin reactions This invention relates to organoaluminum compounds, organoaluminum activator systems, preferably supported, to polymerization catalyst systems containing these activator systems and to polymerization processes utilizing the same. In particular, this invention relates to catalyst systems comprising a support, an organoaluminum compound and a metallocene.
US11041022B2	Humanized antibodies against c-Kit The invention provides antibodies specifically binding to c-Kit and methods of using such antibodies in stem cell replacement and treatment of cancer.
US11041020B2	Methods for the treatment of active Psoriatic Arthritis The present invention relates to compositions and methods utilizing anti-TNF antibodies having a heavy chain (HC) comprising SEQ ID NO:36 and a light chain (LC) comprising SEQ ID NO:37 for use in the safe and effective treatment of active Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).
US11041019B2	Anti human annexin A1 antibody The present invention relates to an isolated specific binding molecule which binds human Anx-A1 and comprises the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) VLCDR1, VLCDR2, VLCDR3, VHCDR1, VHCDR2 and VHCDR3, wherein each of said CDRs has an amino acid sequence as follows: VLCDR1 has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 36 or 37; VLCDR2 has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2; VLCDR3 has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3; VHCDR1 has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4; VHCDR2 has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5; and VHCDR3 has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6; or, for each sequence, an amino acid sequence with at least 85% sequence identity thereto. The specific binding molecule disclosed is therapeutically useful and in particular may be used in therapy for T-cell mediated diseases, including autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and OCD-related diseases, such as anxiety disorders.
US11041013B2	Methods of preparation and composition of peptide constructs useful for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis The invention is related to peptide constructs, i.e., polypeptides obtained by linking together two or more peptides based on or derived from different molecules, which are useful in the treatment or prevention of autoimmune diseases, specifically rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compositions containing same, methods for producing same and methods for using same; wherein the peptide constructs have the formula P1-x-P2 where P1 is a peptide associated with autoimmune disease, allergy, asthma, host-versus-graft rejection, myocarditis, diabetes, and immune-mediated disease, which binds to an antigen receptor on a set or subset of T cells; P2 is a peptide which will cause a Th2 directed immune response by the set or subset of T cells to which the peptide P1 is attached or which will bind to a T cell receptor which will cause the set or subset of T cells to which the peptide P1 is attached to initiate, but not complete, an immune response causing the set or subset of T cells to undergo anergy and apoptosis; and x is a direct bond or linker for covalently bonding P1 and P2.
US11041011B2	Human alpha fetoprotein-specific murine T cell receptors and uses thereof T cell receptors that specifically recognize hAFP158 and methods of their use are provided.
US11041008B2	Heterodimers of IL-15 and IL-15R alpha to increase thymic output and to treat lymphopenia The present invention provides method for promoting the maturation and export of T cells from thymic tissue by contacting the thymic tissue with supraphysiological levels of interleukin (IL)-15. The present invention also provides methods for preventing, alleviating, reducing, and/or inhibiting lymphopenia or peripheral depletion of lymphocytes in a patient in need thereof by administering to the patient IL-15.
US11041003B2	Crystal structure of Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A in complex with fibrinogen derived peptide and uses thereof The present invention discloses crystal structure of Staphylococcus aureus Clumping factor A (ClfA) in complex with fibrinogen (Fg) derived peptide. Also, the present invention also discloses the use of this structure in the design of ClfA targeted vaccines and therapeutic agents (including monoclonal antibodies). In addition, the present invention discloses isolated and purified engineered Staphylococcus clumping factor A protein (ClfA) with a stabilized, closed conformation and immunogenic compositions thereof including methods of treating a Staphylococcus infection in an individual.
US11040995B2	Catalyst comprising a metallocene complex and co-catalyst The invention relates to a metallocene complex according to formula I or II wherein M is a metal selected from lanthanides or transition metals from group 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic System of the Elements, Q is an anionic ligand to M, k is the number of Q groups and equals the valence of M minus 2, R is a divalent bridging group, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently chosen from the group consisting of hydrogen (H); a halogen atom; a silyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group; and R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently chosen from the group consisting of hydrogen (H); a halogen atom; a silyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group; or two adjacent radicals R5 and R6, R6 and R7, and R7 and R8 are connected with each other in a hydrocarbon ring system. The invention also relates to a catalyst comprising the metallocene complex, to a process for making polyolefins and to the use of the polyolefins for making articles.
US11040992B2	Light-emitting compound A compound of formula (I): wherein M is a transition metal; x is at least 1; z is 0 or a positive integer; L1 is a ligand selected from one of ligands (II-A), (II-B); L2 is a ligand selected from another of ligands of formulae (II-A), (II-B) and (II-C); and L3 is a ligand other than a ligand of formulae (II-A), (II-B) or (II-C): (II-A) (II-B) (II-C) in which each of R1-R6 is substituent and Ar1-Ar3 are each an unsubstituted or substituted aryl or heteroaryl group. The compound of formula (I) may be used as a phosphorescent light-emitting material of an organic light-emitting device.
US11040990B2	Compounds containing Si atoms for optically active devices The present invention relates to novel compounds, particularly to compounds comprising a photoactive unit, said novel compounds being particularly suitable for compositions and ophthalmic devices as well as to compositions and ophthalmic devices comprising such compounds.
US11040988B2	Method for producing an organic electronic component, and organic electronic component A method for producing an organic electronic component and an organic electronic component are disclosed. In an embodiment the component comprises at least one organic electronic layer having a matrix, wherein the matrix contains a metal complex as a dopant, wherein the metal complex comprises at least one metal atom M and at least one ligand L bonded to the metal atom M.
US11040987B2	Penam derivatives for treating bacterial infections Novel iron chelating group conjugated penam derivatives described herein show antibacterial activity, and could be used as antibacterial agents or beta-lactamase inhibitors (BLIs) which are of value for application in combination with other antibacterial agents.
US11040986B2	Crystalline forms of cabotegravir sodium The present invention relates to crystalline forms of cabotegravir sodium and to methods for their preparation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one of said crystalline forms of cabotegravir sodium, preferably in a predetermined and/or effective amount, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be used as a medicament, in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of viral infections such as HIV infections.
US11040979B2	Substituted pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyridazines for treating disorders related to KIT and PDGFR Compounds and compositions useful for treating disorders related to KIT and PDGFR are described herein.
US11040975B2	Carbocyclic nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors The present invention is directed carbocyclic nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors compounds of Formula I and their use in the inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase, the prophylaxis of infection by HIV, the treatment of infection by HIV, and the prophylaxis, treatment, and delay in the onset or progression of AIDS and/or ARC.
US11040970B2	VMAT2 inhibitor compounds and compositions thereof Provided is a compound selected from compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof: (I) wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein. Such compounds are inhibitors of the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and have utility for treating, for example, neurological and psychiatric diseases and disorders. Also disclosed are compositions containing such compounds in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, as well as methods relating to their use in subjects in need thereof.
US11040957B2	Heteroaromatic compounds useful for the treatment of proliferative diseases The present invention provides novel compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, and compositions thereof. Also provided are methods and kits involving the compounds or compositions for treating or preventing proliferative diseases (e.g., cancers (e.g., leukemia, melanoma, multiple myeloma), benign neoplasms, angiogenesis, inflammatory diseases, autoinflammatory diseases, and autoimmune diseases) in a subject. Treatment of a subject with a proliferative disease using a compound or composition of the invention may inhibit the aberrant activity of a kinase, such as a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) (e.g., cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7)), and therefore, induce cellular apoptosis and/or inhibit transcription in the subject.
US11040952B2	Phthalazinone compound, method for preparation thereof, pharmaceutical composition thereof, and use thereof Provided are a phthalazinone compound, method for preparation thereof, pharmaceutical composition thereof, and a use thereof; the structure of said phthalazinone compound is as represented by formula I; the compound of said formula I is targeted to a viral nucleocapsid; it can inhibit the replication of a virus by means of interference of the viral nucleocapsid, has a potent activity for inhibiting HBV DNA replication and a good liver targeting, can stably exist and enrich in the liver, and is a new and effective anti-HBV inhibitor.
US11040946B2	Bromonaphthalimide compounds and phosphorescent liquid formulation thereof The present invention provides a large scale paintable formulation of bromonapthalimide derivative compounds of formula (I) that shows phosphorescence in liquid state at 25-30° C. as well as their use as an indicator of temperature change in a visually enabled temperature measuring device.
US11040943B2	Psychotropic agents and uses thereof Novel amisulpride derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are disclosed. The amisulpride derivative disclosed herein or a pharmaceutical composition thereof may have better membrane permeability compared to amisulpride. The amisulpride derivative disclosed herein or a pharmaceutical composition thereof may be used for antagonizing dopamine and/or serotonin (e.g., 5-HT2a) and/or α2 receptor in a subject, either individually or in combination with other CNS active agents. The amisulpride derivative disclosed herein or a pharmaceutical composition thereof may be used for treating one or more conditions responsive to modulation of dopamine and/or serotonin (e.g., 5-HT2a) and/or α2 receptor in a subject, either individually or in combination with other CNS active agents. The amisulpride derivative disclosed herein or a pharmaceutical composition thereof may be used for treating one or more disorders associated with an abnormality in levels of dopamine and/or serotonin in the brain, either individually or in combination with other CNS active agents.
US11040941B2	Alkanethioic acid derivative and perfume composition containing the same An alkanethioic acid derivative capable of imparting a characteristic aroma or flavor to fragrances and cosmetics, and foods and beverages; and a perfume composition comprising the alkanethioic acid derivative as an active ingredient. S-alkyl 5-[(1-alkoxy)ethoxy]alkanethioate represented by formula (1), and a perfume composition comprising the S-alkyl 5-[(1-alkoxy)ethoxy]alkanethioate represented by formula (1) as an active ingredient. In the formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, R2 represents an alkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and R3 represents a methyl group or an ethyl group.
US11040939B1	N-transfer reagent and method for preparing the same and its application Provided are a novel N-transfer reagent and a method for preparing the same and its application. The N-transfer reagent is represented by the following Formula (I): The various novel N-transfer reagents of the present invention can be quickly prepared by employing different nitrobenzene precursors. The N-transfer reagents can directly convert a variety of amino compounds into diazo compounds under mild conditions. Particularly, the N-transfer reagents can facilitate the synthesis of the diazo compounds. The application of synthesizing diazo compounds of the present invention can greatly decrease the difficulty in operation, increase the safety during experiments, reduce the cost of production and the environmental pollution, and enhance the industrial value of diazo compounds.
US11040938B2	Continuous flow process for the synthesis of phenylhydrazine salts and substituted phenylhydrazine salts The present invention provided a continuous flow process for the synthesis of phenylhydrazine salts and substituted phenylhydrazine salts. Diazotization, reduction, acidic hydrolysis and salifying with acids are innovatively integrated together. Using acidic liquids of aniline or substituted aniline, diazotization reagents, reductants and acids as raw materials, phenylhydrazine derivative salts is obtained through the synthesis process, which is a three-step continuous tandem reaction including diazotization, reduction, acidic hydrolysis and salifying. The described synthesis process is a kind of integrated solutions, which is carried out in an integrated reactor. The feed inlets of the integrated reactor are continuously filled with raw materials. In the integrated reactor, diazotization, reduction, acidic hydrolysis and salifying are carried out continuously and orderly, and phenylhydrazine salts or substituted phenylhydrazine salts is obtained in the outlet of the integrated reactor without interruption. The total reaction time is no more than 20 min.
US11040936B2	Organometallic complex, powder intended for animal feed and preparation methods thereof The invention relates to an organometallic complex of the amino acid/metal type. The complex is a crystalline pluri-metal complex that can be obtained in the form of a homogeneous powder that can be used to optimise animal feed. More specifically, the invention relates to an organometallic complex that is characterised in that it is formed by at least one amino acid or amino acid derivative with at least two different metals. The invention also relates to a powder comprising the organometallic complex of the invention, as well as to methods for preparing such a powder.
US11040935B2	Small molecule AMPK activators Described herein are compounds that disrupt the interaction between Fbxo48 and phosphorylated-AMPK.
US11040934B2	Preparation of 2,5,6-trihydroxy-3-hexenoic acid and 2,5-dihydroxy-3-pentenoic acid and esters thereof from C6 and C5 sugars Preparation of 2,5,6-trihydroxy-3-hexenoic acid and 2,5-dihydroxy-3-pentenoic acid and esters thereof from C6 and C5 sugars in the presence of a Lewis Acid material, wherein the yield of the 2,5,6-trihydroxy-3-hexenoic acid or 2,5-dihydroxy-3-pentenoic acid or esters thereof exceeds 15%. The process including the steps of contacting a saccharide composition including one or more C6 and/or C5 saccharide units with a Lewis Acid material; and recovering 2,5,6-trihydroxy-3-hexenoic acid and/or 2,5-dihydroxy-3-pentenoic acid or the esters thereof.
US11040931B2	Method for producing tetrafluoromethane Fluorine gas is introduced to a raw material liquid containing a reaction inducer and a fluorinated hydrocarbon represented by CpHqClrFs (in the formula, p is an integer of 3 to 18, q is an integer of 0 to 3, r is an integer of 0 to 9, and s is an integer of 5 to 30) and having no carbon-carbon unsaturated bond to give tetrafluoromethane. The reaction inducer is a halogen-containing carbon compound liquid at room temperature and pressure and is reacted with fluorine gas to induce a reaction of forming tetrafluoromethane from the fluorinated hydrocarbon and the fluorine gas. The reaction inducer is contained at a content of more than 0% by mass and not more than 10% by mass when the total content of the fluorinated hydrocarbon and the reaction inducer contained in the raw material liquid is 100% by mass.
US11040930B2	Method of recovering paraxylene in a crystallization zone A method of recovering paraxylene in a crystallization zone. The crystallization zone includes at least two crystallization stages and two reslurry stages. The method provides for lower throughput through the crystallization zone, resulting in lower capital costs, reduced electricity in operating separation equipment, as well as reduced refrigeration duty.
US11040923B2	Explosive composition for use in telescopically expanding non-lethal training ammunition An explosive composition for use in telescopically expanding non-lethal training ammunition comprises tetrazene and paraffin wax. The explosive composition can be used as a primer and/or as a source of energetic material in a telescopically expanding non-lethal training cartridge; it can be used to propel a projectile from a telescopically expanding non-lethal training cartridge; and/or it can be used to expand telescopically a non-lethal training cartridge within a host gun.
US11040914B2	CeO2-stabilized ZrO2 ceramics for dental applications The present invention is directed to a porous pre-densified CeO2-stabilized ZrO2 ceramic having a density of 50.0 to 95.0%, relative to the theoretical density of zirconia, and an open porosity of 5 to 50% as well as to a densified CeO2-stabilized ZrO2 ceramic having a density of 97.0 to 100.0%, relative to the theoretical density of zirconia, and wherein the grains of the ceramic have an average grain size of 50 to 1000 nm, methods for the preparation of the pre-densified and densified ceramics and their use for the manufacture of dental restorations.
US11040908B2	Glass fiber production method Provided is a method for producing glass fiber, capable of stably performing the spinning of glass fibers without mixing of red crystals in glass fibers. When glass fibers are formed by discharging, from a nozzle tip, a molten glass obtained by melting glass raw materials mixed so as to give a glass composition including, when melted, in relation to the total amount thereof, SiO2 in a range from 57.0 to 62.0% by mass, Al2O3 in a range from 15.0 to 20.0% by mass, MgO in a range from 7.5 to 12.0% by mass, and CaO in a range from 9.0 to 16.5% by mass, and having a total content of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO and CaO of 98.0% by mass or more, the glass composition includes B2O3, Li2O, or B2O3 and Li2O as an additive or additives capable of suppressing the generation of red crystals.
US11040907B2	High transmission glasses Compounds, compositions, articles, devices, and methods for the manufacture of light guide plates and back light units including such light guide plates made from glass. In some embodiments, light guide plates (LGPs) are provided that have similar or superior optical properties to light guide plates made from PMMA and that have exceptional mechanical properties such as rigidity, CTE and dimensional stability in high moisture conditions as compared to PMMA light guide plates.
US11040906B2	Method for manufacturing optical fiber In a method for manufacturing an optical fiber, a dummy rod is connected to a vicinity of an upper end of a glass preform which includes a diameter-reduced portion at an upper portion thereof, and the glass preform is heated to be melt in a drawing furnace to draw an optical fiber. A cap member is provided at a position of the diameter-reduced portion, and an upper end of the cap member is disposed close to a lower end of the dummy rod. When an orthogonal coordinate axis is set, in which an outer diameter ratio of the cap member to the glass preform is set as a horizontal axis x, and an outer diameter ratio of the dummy rod to the glass preform is set as a vertical axis y, the x and the y satisfy an expression y≥0.1527×x−3.103.
US11040901B2	Removing nitrate from water A sulphur denitrification system includes a liquid input fluidly coupled to a source of saltwater that includes nitrate; a liquid output fluidly coupled to the source of saltwater; a plurality of vertically-oriented tanks, at least one of the tanks including a liquid inlet that is fluidly coupled to the liquid input to receive a flow of the saltwater, a volume configured to enclose a plurality of sulphur particles that support denitrification bacteria that biologically transform the nitrate into at least one of nitrous oxide or nitrogen gas, and a liquid outlet fluidly coupled to the liquid output and the liquid inlets of the tanks; and a circulation system configured to circulate a portion of the saltwater though the liquid input to the liquid inlets of the plurality of tanks, through the plurality of tanks, and from the liquid outlets of the tanks to the liquid output and the liquid inlets of the tanks.
US11040898B2	Buffer-free process cycle for CO2 sequestration and carbonate production from brine waste streams with high salinity A method includes: (1) using a chelating agent, extracting divalent ions from a brine solution as complexes of the chelating agent and the divalent ions; (2) using a weak acid, regenerating the chelating agent and producing a divalent ion salt solution; and (3) introducing carbon dioxide to the divalent ion salt solution to induce precipitation of the divalent ions as a carbonate salt. Another method includes: (1) combining water with carbon dioxide to produce a carbon dioxide solution; (2) introducing an ion exchanger to the carbon dioxide solution to induce exchange of alkali metal cations included in the ion exchanger with protons included in the carbon dioxide solution and to produce a bicarbonate salt solution of the alkali metal cations; and (3) introducing a brine solution to the bicarbonate salt solution to induce precipitation of divalent ions from the brine solution as a carbonate salt.
US11040894B2	Water purifier A water purifier that includes: a water storage tank that includes an interior area and a first opening to the interior area; a cover unit that is configured to cover the first opening and that includes: a frame body that includes a second opening, and a water storage tank cover that is coupled to the frame body and that is configured to rotate about an axis such that the water storage tank cover opens or closes the second opening; a sterilizer that is configured to sterilize water in the water storage tank; a switching module that is configured to control electric power supply to the sterilizer; and an operation member that is configured to control the switching module based on the water storage tank cover being opened or closed is disclosed.
US11040891B2	Method for dosing reagents in water disinfection plants The present invention relates to a method for dosing reagents in water disinfection plants, wherein said method comprises adding said reagents in said plants in amounts defined on the basis of a parameter established a priori as a function of the following parameters: plant volume and/or frequency of use of the plant and/or characteristics of the fresh water introduced therein, said amounts being corrected with a correction factor established following a comparison carried out between the levels of said reagents as actually measured in circulation and reference values.
US11040888B2	Low alpha dose barium sulfate particle, and use and process for producing the same The invention provides a low alpha dose barium sulfate particle having a silica content of 0.6% by weight or less, an average particle diameter of 1 μm or less, a sulfur content of 10 ppm or less, and an alpha dose of 0.07 cph/cm2 or less.
US11040887B2	Spinel particles, method for producing same and composition and molded article including spinel particles Alumina is generally used as an inorganic filler, while spinel, which is known to be lower in thermal conductivity than alumina, is used in applications such as gems, fluorescence emitters, catalyst carriers, adsorbents, photocatalysts and heat-resistant insulating materials, but not expected to be used as a thermally conductive inorganic filler. Thus, an object of the invention is to provide spinel particles having excellent thermal conductive properties. The invention relates to a spinel particle including magnesium, aluminum and oxygen atoms and molybdenum and having a [111] plane crystallite diameter of 220 nm or more.
US11040885B2	High surface area pentasil zeolite and process for making same A family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been synthesized that is a layered pentasil zeolite. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula: Mmn+Rrp+Al1-xExSiyOz where M is an alkali, alkaline earth, or rare earth metal such as sodium or strontium, R can be a mixture of organoammonium cations and E is a framework element such as gallium, iron, boron, or indium. These zeolites are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and compositions and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes. The diffraction patterns can be characterized by the following table: 2Θd(Å)I/Io 7.92-7.9911.04-11.31m 8.79-8.88 9.94-11.09m 20.28-20.564.31-4.35w 23.10-23.183.83-3.84vs 23.86-24.053.69-3.72m 29.90-30.052.97-2.98w 45.02-45.172.00-2.01w
US11040884B2	Process for continuously synthesizing zeolite crystals The present invention relates to a process for preparing zeolite crystals continuously, comprising the continuous introduction of a composition capable of generating zeolite crystals into at least one crystallization reaction zone subjected to stirring means, giving said composition a flow characterized by a relative Reynolds number Rer of between 40 and 50 000, and the continuous recovery of the crystals formed according to a flow characterized by a net Reynolds number Ren of between 1 and 1500.
US11040883B2	Graphite plate and production method thereof Provided is a graphite plate, consisting essentially of: graphite; and pores, wherein said graphite plate has a porosity from 1% to 30%. Further provided is a method for producing a graphite plate, including: applying welding pressure to at least one glass-like carbon material in a state in which said at least one glass-like carbon material is maintained in an inert atmosphere under heating conditions, to produce a graphite plate having a porosity from 1% to 30%.
US11040881B2	Method for preparing a NA3V2(PO4)2F3 particulate material A method for preparing a Na3V2(PO4)2F3 material, including at least the steps: a) reducing the vanadium oxide, V2O5, under a reducing atmosphere in the absence of elementary carbon and in the presence of at least one phosphate anion precursor in order to form vanadium phosphate, VPO4; and b) exposing, under an inert atmosphere, a mixture of the VPO4 material obtained in step a) with an effective amount of sodium fluoride, NaF, and at least one hydrocarbon- and oxygen-containing compound which is a source of elementary carbon, to temperature conditions that are favourable for calcining said mixture so as to form said Na3V2(PO4)2F3 compound. Also, a related electrode material, an electrode and a secondary sodium battery using the presented material.
US11040876B2	Catalysts and processes for tunable base-grown multiwalled carbon nanotubes In various aspects, the present disclosure is directed to methods and compositions for the simultaneous production of carbon nanotubes and hydrogen gas from lower hydrocarbon comprises methane, ethane, propane, butane, or a combination thereof utilizing the disclosed catalysts. In various aspects, the disclosure relates to methods for COx-free production of hydrogen with concomitant production of carbon nanotubes. Also disclosed are methods and compostions for selective base grown carbon nanotubes over a disclosed catalyst composition. In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to mono, bimetallic, and trimetallic catalysts comprising a 3d transition metal (e.g., Ni, Fe, Co, Mn, Cr, Mo, and combinations thereof) over a support material selected from a silica, an alumina, a zeolite, titatnium dioxide, and combinations thereof. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
US11040875B2	Solid state delivery system A hydrogen storage system includes a pressure-sealed storage unit defining an interior and having an outlet, an upper manifold and a lower manifold separated by a dividing plane having a set of ports, a set of chambers, and a hydrogen storage, wherein at least some hydrogen gas is supplied to the outlet.
US11040874B1	Process and device for converting hydrogen sulfide into hydrogen gas and sulfur A reactive process for converting hydrogen sulfide into hydrogen gas and sulfur and a reactor for effecting such process.
US11040872B2	Semiconductor module The method comprises fabricating a semiconductor panel comprising a plurality of semiconductor devices, fabricating a cap panel comprising a plurality of caps, bonding the cap panel onto the semiconductor panel so that each one of the caps covers one or more of the semiconductor devices, and singulating the bonded panels into a plurality of semiconductor modules.
US11040871B2	Device comprising a micro-electro-mechanical system substrate with protrusions of different heights that has been integrated with a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor substrate A device comprising a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) substrate with protrusions of different heights that has been integrated with a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) substrate is presented herein. The MEMS substrate comprises defined protrusions of respective distinct heights from a surface of the MEMS substrate, and the MEMS substrate is bonded to the CMOS substrate. In an aspect, the defined protrusions can be formed from the MEMS substrate. In another aspect, the defined protrusions can be deposited on, or attached to, the MEMS substrate. In yet another aspect, the MEMS substrate comprises monocrystalline silicon and/or polysilicon. In yet even another aspect, the defined protrusions comprise respective electrodes of sensors of the device.
US11040870B2	Microelectromechanical systems device having a mechanically robust anti-stiction/outgassing structure Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The MEMS device includes a dielectric structure disposed over a first semiconductor substrate, where the dielectric structure at least partially defines a cavity. A second semiconductor substrate is disposed over the dielectric structure. The second semiconductor substrate includes a movable mass, where opposite sidewalls of the movable mass are disposed between opposite sidewall of the cavity. An anti-stiction structure is disposed between the movable mass and the dielectric structure, where the anti-stiction structure is a first silicon-based semiconductor.
US11040864B2	Apparatus for drawing beverages Apparatus for drawing beverages, particularly beer, contained in barrels with a limited capacity, having a washing device for a beverage dispensing circuit thereof. Such washing device includes a duct which can be connected to a water supply and is connected to a washing head arranged on the casing of the apparatus and that can be coupled to the connector of the dispensing circuit.
US11040862B2	Funnel assemblies for feeding bee hives What is disclosed is a funnel assembly comprising a funnel body having a curved rim formed at a first portion of the funnel body, the rim being contoured to hold an external object. An upper end of the funnel body is provided with an opening. A second portion of the funnel body is formed with a lower end terminating in an aperture. A third portion of the funnel body is supported by at least one assembly that securely holds the funnel upright to allow food or food supplement to flow from the external object and into the funnel and then into a division board feeder of a beehive.
US11040854B2	Resetting governor sub-systems A method of operating an elevator or escalator system is provided. The method includes alerting a mechanic of a shutdown of a vehicle of the elevator or escalator system and providing data indicative of an occupancy condition of the vehicle to the mechanic so that the mechanic can execute, in any order, a verification of a no-occupancy condition, a switch of a mode of operation of the elevator or escalator system to a recovery mode and an inspection for faults. The method further includes initiating an overspeed (OS) switch reset routine in an event the mechanic confirms that an actuation of the OS switch is an exclusive cause of the shutdown and remotely triggers the OS switch reset routine accordingly.
US11040850B2	Seamless elevator call from mobile device application A method of assigning a destination floor to an elevator call associated with a mobile device is provided. The method including: receiving a first elevator call to travel from a first floor, the first floor is a boarding floor for the first elevator call; detecting a location of a mobile device relative to an elevator car of an elevator system; moving the elevator car from the first floor to a second floor in response to the first elevator call; determining when the mobile device exits the elevator car at the second floor in response to the location of the mobile device, the second floor is a destination floor for the first elevator call; receiving a second elevator call from the mobile device; and establishing the second floor as a destination floor for the second elevator call.
US11040847B2	Core chuck system A core chuck system (10) comprising a core chuck (11) and a spindle (12) onto which the core chuck (11) is lockable, which core chuck system (10) comprises a ball locking mechanism, a locking button (15) and a cone connection (C).
US11040846B2	Method and apparatus for dispensing fence wire Method and apparatus for an assembly which is attachable to a skid-steer or similar front end loader or tractor which is used to install fence wire, including woven wire. The assembly contains a plurality of spindles upon which rolls of wire can be placed, which wire passes through a threader which organizes and separates the wire, then through a clamping device operated hydraulically using electric and hydraulic controllers, then over a roller and around an upright wire guide whereupon the wire is attached to a fence post in a conventional manner. The wire is clamped using a clamping member operated by a hydraulic cylinder to clamp and lock the wire so that the wire can be stretched by the engine powered skid-steer, front end loader or the like so that the wire can be tightly attached to each fence post in a series operation. The plurality of spindles is disposed on an upright central stanchion attached to a platform so that the wire can be easily placed on and removed from the spindle. An alternative embodiment is shown for use with woven wire.
US11040845B2	Braking film dispenser with lobes A film dispenser includes a holding member and a rotating member, the holding member including a first end including a handle, the handle including a plurality of lobes and a plurality of web portions, each web portion extending between a pair of adjacent lobes of the plurality of lobes; and a second end defining a brake portion defined by a slot, the holding member defining a longitudinal axis that extends from the first end to the second end, the slot including a first portion extending in a circumferential direction across a full width of the brake portion and two opposing portions extending at an angle from the first portion; each of the plurality of web portions extending outward beyond an outermost edge of the rotating member relative to the longitudinal axis.
US11040842B2	Sheet supporting apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet supporting apparatus includes a cassette body supporting a sheet, a regulation device disposed on the cassette body in a moving direction and regulating a position of an edge of the sheet, and a plurality of engaged portions disposed on the cassette body. The regulation device includes a body portion, an engaging portion moving between an engagement position at which the engaging portion engages with one of the engaged portions and a separation position at which the engaging portion is separated from the engaged portions, an operation member pivotably supported on the body portion and operated between a first posture at which the operation member positions the engaging portion at the engagement position and a second posture at which the operation member positions the engaging portion at the separation position, and a retention portion retaining the operation member at the first posture.
US11040841B2	Bollard with integrated control system A control panel is configured to operate one or more dock devices in a loading dock environment. The control panel can be supported at least in part by a bollard disposed in the loading dock environment. In one form, the bollard is configured to contain portions of the control panel and dock devices including sensors, lights, and the like. In one form, the control panel and one or more dock devices are mounted to a preexisting bollard to add functionality to the loading dock environment.
US11040837B2	Method for manufacturing display device A method for manufacturing a display device includes providing an original substrate on a support member, where the original substrate includes a first cell and a second cell adjacent to each other in a row direction or a column direction, moving a first picker above the first cell, calculating a first corrected coordinate based on an initial position of the first picker and a reference position of the first cell, moving the first picker to a first corrected position by using the first corrected coordinate such that the first picker picks up the first cell, moving the first picker above the second cell, and moving the first picker to a second corrected position by using a second corrected coordinate such that the first picker picks up the second cell, where the second corrected coordinate is the same as the first corrected coordinate.
US11040836B1	Device and method for separating piece goods Devices for separating piece goods such as pharmaceutical product packages to be stored in a picking device are provided. The device includes a feed device for piece goods, a recording device for recording 3D images of piece goods, a control device for evaluating 3D images and for determining a piece good to be picked, a conveyor for picking a piece good, a deposit surface, and a lateral recording device. The control device is configured so that the orientation of the picked piece good is ascertained and the preferred storage surface is established and that the conveyor is activated in such a way that a picked piece good is situated on a preferred storage surface on the deposit surface. Methods of separating piece goods to be stored in a picking device are also provided.
US11040835B2	Sealed sprocket for a conveyor system A sealed sprocket for a conveyor belt comprises a sprocket mounted on a drive shaft and a seal system sealing an interface between the sprocket and the drive shaft. The seal system comprises a seal cap housing ring seals for sealing interfaces between the sprocket and seal cap and between the seal cap and drive shaft.
US11040834B2	Skirt system for a conveyor In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a conveyor skirt system, the system comprising: a support member; a series of skirting panels releasably fixed to the support member; a rail assembly positioned outside the conveyor, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the conveyor; and a trolley assembly mounted on the rail assembly, the trolley assembly being adapted to engage and support one or more of the skirting panels.
US11040823B2	Capsule for the preparation of infused or soluble beverages A capsule (1) for the preparation of infused or soluble beverages comprises a cup (2) suitable to contain the substance (11) to be infused or dissolved, and provided with a bottom (3) with an opening (31) for the outflow of the infused beverage. The base (33) is provided with a plurality of reliefs (310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360) having an upper surface devoid of cutting or puncture elements. The capsule (1) comprises a disc (5) suitable to seal the capsule (1) underneath, partially fixed to the base (33), in a releasable manner so as to be at least partially detached as a result of the increase of pressure inside the capsule (1). The opening of the capsule (1) for the release of the infused beverage occurs as a result of the deformation of the disc (5) by the pressure exerted by the fluid inside the capsule (1).
US11040821B2	Systems for retaining absorbent articles A retaining system for a collection of absorbent articles such as tissues, wipes, towels, cloths, napkins, or similar materials or combinations thereof is described. The articles can be packaged or unpackaged, and held together with a coupling component. The retaining system also includes one or more accessory articles attached to the coupling component. The retaining system may also include an optional waste receptacle attached to the coupling component.
US11040810B1	Self-opening packaging with child-resistant closure A self-opening container incorporates a child-resistant closure mechanism, which prevents operation of an opening mechanism of the container when the child-resistant (CR) closure mechanism is in a locked configuration. The container includes a container body, lid, and inner casing slidably mounted in an inner cavity of the container body. The opening mechanism is configured to automatically raise the inner casing and open the lid, thereby providing access to container contents. The child-resistant closure mechanism includes a button or bar slidably mounted to the bottom of the container to move between first position and second positions, corresponding to locked and unlocked configurations. The button or bar is coupled to a latch member that abuts against a catch surface of the inner casing when the CR mechanism is in its locked configuration, and does not abut against the catch structure when the CR mechanism is in its unlocked configuration.
US11040807B2	Closure A package includes a container and a closure cap for mounting on the container. The closure cap is coupled to a neck of the container to block selectively removal of product stored within the container at the selection of a user.
US11040806B2	Closure cap for a container The present invention provides a closure cap for a container comprising a lid and a shell, and a hinge region for pivotally connecting the lid to the shell and for locking the lid in an open position thereof. The lid comprises a top panel having a tongue adjacent the hinge region and a cylindrical wall suspended from a bottom face of the top panel and connected to the shell via a plurality of bridges which break upon a first opening of the lid. The hinge region comprises a pair of elongate hinge elements spaced apart from each other, and a ratchet-like member disposed therebetween.
US11040801B2	Custom graphic film A product, system, and method for creating a film capable of allowing a user to create a custom graphical representation is described, which may allow a user to create a custom graphical representation in a film by depressing select areas of the film to form the custom graphical representation.
US11040800B2	Collapsible dunnage box A collapsible dunnage box is provided that includes a box base and first and second opposed base sidewalls attached to the box base on opposing sides of the box. First and second opposed top sidewalls are pivotally attached to the top edge of respective ones of the base sidewalls. First and second opposed top endwalls are provided to form a box enclosure. The base endwalls are pivotally-mounted to the top endwalls and are moveable between a lowered, vertical deployed position enclosing respective ends of the box and a raised, horizontal stowed position to contain and store dunnage positioned in an upper portion of the box.
US11040799B1	Pallet with impact resistance A pallet includes a lower panel, a plurality of feet, and a perimeter fault in the lower panel extending adjacent a perimeter of the lower panel. The pallet may also include a plurality of surrounding faults in the lower panel, where each of the surrounding faults extends around a respective one of the plurality of feet. The faults or recesses allow for an engineered region of reduced stiffness in line with the loads seen during impacts in the leading edge or feet of the pallet.
US11040790B2	Capsule containing a dosing agent and system and process for making same A capsule is provided containing a dosing agent and a system and process is provided for making capsules containing a dosing agent. The capsule includes a body defining an interior space and an opening, the capsule having ingredients and a dosing agent disposed in the interior space and a cover to seal the opening. The process and system includes depositing ingredients and the dosing agent in the interior space of the capsule and then covering the opening.
US11040786B2	Earth observation satellite information routing system The focus of the present disclosure relates to a constellation of earth-observation satellites communicating with terrestrial access points through an intermediate satellite constellation of networked relay satellites. The network system includes one or more terrestrial access points, one or more earth observation satellites, and a satellite constellation including a plurality of communicatively coupled relay satellites. The earth observation satellites establish links with the relay satellites, which relay the communications from the earth observation satellites to the terrestrial access points. The earth observation satellite can transfer recorded information to one or more of the plurality of relay satellites. The communication from the earth observation satellite may be routed through multiple relay satellite in the network system to reach the terrestrial access point. Rather than transferring information from an earth observation satellite only when the earth observation satellite passes over the terrestrial access point, the network disclosed enables earth observation satellites to transfer information through the intermediate satellite constellation quickly and securely from nearly anywhere along its orbit around the Earth. Because the Earth observation satellite can route recorded information through the plurality of satellites in the intermediate satellite constellation to a terrestrial access point, instead of only when the earth observation satellite travels within range of a single terrestrial access point, the disclosed network system significantly extends the data transfer window while reducing monitoring delays.
US11040785B2	Devices and methods to verify tail rotor cross-head positioning A device to verify tail rotor cross-head positioning is disclosed. The device comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion may be adjoined to the first portion and comprises maximum and minimum surfaces configured to determine whether a yoke-measuring surface of a tail rotor yoke may be positioned between respective geometric planes of the maximum and minimum surfaces.
US11040783B2	Component manufacturing method and component manufacturing system A component manufacturing method includes a step in which a robot for attachment gripping a long frame presses the frame against a tabular skin and a step in which, in a state in which the frame is pressed against the skin, a robot for riveting gripping a first rivet inserts the first rivet into a first through-hole formed in the skin and a second through-hole formed in the frame. In the step, the robot for riveting changes a position in the gripped first rivet in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the first rivet according to a force received by the first rivet from the skin or the frame.
US11040782B1	Adjustable leveling drone platform A portable platform device is described comprising a central body and a plurality of legs located on the central body near a distal end of the central body and spaced radially around the central body wherein the legs are configured for placement on a surface. A ball joint is mounted at its distil end to a proximal end of the central body and a platform is configured to be fixed to a proximal end of the ball joint and configured to be adjustable to a horizontally level and vertically plumb position.
US11040780B2	Inertial energy storage device An aircraft power system according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure includes, among other possible things, a battery, a motor/generator coupled to the battery, an inertial drum rotatable about an axis of rotation and coupled to the motor/generator, wherein the motor/generator drives rotation of the inertial drum in a first operating mode and is driven by the inertial drum in a second operating mode; and a housing defining a chamber for the inertial drum, the chamber filled with low-viscosity medium to reduce friction on the inertial drum.
US11040776B2	Aircraft divan convertible into a bed An aircraft divan includes a lateral bracket connecting between front and rear legs with lateral bracket front and rear ends, a first track defined by the lateral bracket between the lateral bracket front and rear ends, an upright, having upright top and bottom ends, a second track defined by the upright between the upright top and bottom ends, a seat pan having seat pan front and rear ends, the seat pan being slidingly connected to the first track adjacent to the seat pan rear end, and a backrest having backrest top and bottom ends, the backrest being slidingly connected to the second track adjacent to the backrest top end. The seat pan rear end is pivotably connected to the backrest adjacent to the backrest bottom end such that movement of the seat pan is transmitted to the backrest so as to move together between upright and berth positions.
US11040768B2	Method and a device for moving the center of gravity of an aircraft An adjustment device for adjusting the position of the center of gravity of an aircraft, the aircraft having at least two thrust production units that contribute at least to providing the aircraft with lift, the adjustment device comprising at least one heavy member that is movable relative to an airframe of the aircraft and also at least one actuator for causing the heavy member to move. The adjustment device includes an avionics system configured to detect a failure of any one of the thrust production units and, in the presence of such a failure, to control the at least one actuator to cause the heavy member to move.
US11040767B2	Systems and methods for improved propeller design An aircraft assembly includes an engine, and intake, and a propeller assembly. The engine is mounted to at least one of a wing or fuselage of an aircraft. The intake is configured to provide air to the engine. The intake includes a body having an engine inlet through which air enters the intake. The propeller assembly includes propeller blades coupled to and driven by the engine. The propeller assembly is spaced an axial distance from the inlet opening of the intake wherein air passing by the propeller blades enters the intake. The propeller assembly has a propeller configuration that is at least one of sized or shaped to optimize performance of the propeller assembly based on an interaction between the propeller assembly and the intake.
US11040764B1	Vehicle window assembly including a shade having an illumination A window assembly for a vehicle includes a frame, one or more panes secured to the frame, and a shade movably coupled to the frame. The shade is configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position. The shade includes an illuminator that is configured to allow ambient light from outside of the vehicle to pass through and illuminate the illuminator.
US11040763B2	Frame assembly for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and UAV having the same The present disclosure provides a frame assembly for an unmanned aerial vehicle. The frame assembly comprises a housing having an electric chamber and a circuit board assembly disposed in the electric chamber and including a first circuit board and a second circuit board. The electric chamber has an upper opening and a lower opening; and the first circuit board is installed in the electric chamber via the upper opening, and the second circuit board is installed in the electric chamber via the lower opening and spaced apart from the first circuit board.
US11040761B2	System for operating a boat equipped with an electric drive A system for operating a boat equipped with an electric drive includes a component controller. The component controller includes a component interface for connecting a system component of the electric drive, and a communication interface for connecting the component controller to a system bus of the drive control.
US11040755B2	Bicycle hydraulic brake operating device A bicycle hydraulic brake lever includes a body, a brake lever, and a linkage member. The linkage member includes a pressing portion and a first actuating portion extending toward different directions, a piston is disposed in a hydraulic cylinder of the body, the piston includes a second actuating portion, the brake lever and the linkage member are both pivotally connected to the body by a pivot, the second actuating portion of the piston comes into contact with a first actuating portion of the linkage member, and a point of force application by the first actuating portion on the second actuating portion is collinear with a center line of the hydraulic cylinder.
US11040754B2	Dampers for bicycle suspension components Example dampers for bicycle suspension components are described herein. An example damper includes a damper body defining a chamber, a shaft extending into the chamber of the damper body, and an adjustable piston system having a piston body coupled to the shaft. The adjustable piston system controls a flow of fluid between the first and second chambers. The adjustable piston system includes an adjustable rebound orifice forming part of a rebound flow path to control the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber across the piston body, an adjustable compression orifice forming part of a low flow compression flow path to control the flow of fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber across the piston body, an isolation member to separate the rebound flow path and the low flow compression flow path.
US11040753B2	Bicycle handlebar damping device The damping device according to the invention includes a pressing member, a shock absorption member and an adjustment member. The shock absorption member is disposed in an accommodation room defined between the pressing member and the handlebar seat. The shock absorption member are arranged in contact with the pressing member and the handlebar seat, so that when a rider is riding a bicycle on an uneven road causing the front fork tube to shake up and down, the invention disclosed herein would absorb the shock force as the pressing member presses against the shock absorbing member. The adjustment member is arranged to extend through the handlebar seat into the pressing member and contact the shock absorption member, so that the strain rate of the damping device can be adjusted by the adjustment member, thereby performing various degrees of shock absorption effects.
US11040751B2	Longitudinal two-wheel somatosensory car A longitudinal two-wheel somatosensory car, comprising a car frame, and a front wheel and a rear wheel that are provided at the front and rear ends of the car frame. The rear wheel is connected to a drive motor which is used for driving the rear wheel. The two-wheel car further comprises a somatosensory platform. The somatosensory platform is built-in with an attitude sensor. The somatosensory platform in a mechanical transmission connection with the motor stator shaft of the drive motor. The traditional balanced structure, in which the wheels are provided on the left and right sides of a balanced car, is changed to a structure in which the moving wheels are provided at the front and the rear ends.
US11040746B2	Moving body Provided is a moving body capable of transmitting driving force of a drive unit to a spherical wheel without a separation between the spherical wheel and the drive unit even in the case where the moving body receives impact due to the road surface condition or the like. The moving body (10) is a self-sustained mobile robot. The moving body (10) includes a spherical wheel (21), a drive unit (22) which is in contact with the spherical wheel (21) to give a rotational driving force to the spherical wheel (21), a support (31) which supports the drive unit (22), and a biasing mechanism (41) which is suspended from the support (31) and abuts on the spherical wheel (21) to bias the spherical wheel (21) in a direction toward the support (31).
US11040745B2	Vehicle rear wing structure Disclosed is a vehicle rear wing structure, that includes a rear wing plate and a rear wing. The rear wing plate includes: a buckle portion, formed into an angular structure, and is used to clip and hold along a front end of the rear wing, so that the rear wing plate is fixed securely onto a surface of the rear wing; a main body portion, formed into a planar structure, and is disposed on a surface of the rear wing, and is connected and fixed to the buckle portion, on an inner surface of a rear part of the main body portion is disposed an adhesive portion; and a protrusion portion formed into a tilt-up structure, this tilt-up structure tilts up along a rear end of the rear wing to form a wind resistant plane.
US11040740B2	Sill and vehicle frame of a vehicle body and method of manufacturing a sill The present invention relates to a sill of a vehicle body (3). The sill is characterized in that the sill (10) comprises at least a first sill profile (11) and a second sill profile (12), in that the sill profiles (11, 12) extend in the longitudinal direction of the sill (10) and each comprise a connecting surface (111, 121) which faces the further sill profile (11, 12),in that the connecting surfaces (111, 121) at least partially run vertically, in that the at least two sill profiles (11, 12) over at least one area of the connecting surfaces (111, 121) of the sill profiles (11, 12) are adhesively connected to one another, andin that at least on one of the sill profiles (11, 12), adjacent to the connecting surface (111, 121), at least one snap-in protrusion (14) is formed onto it which interlocks with at least one snap-in receiving section (15) of another one of the sill profiles (11, 12). Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle frame (1) with such a sill (10) and a method of manufacturing such a sill (10).
US11040733B1	Wire caddy for transporting and dispensing wire or cable An apparatus for the transportation and dispensing of spooled wire or cable, the apparatus including a handle structure wherein the handle structure has a first end and a second end, a first support structure attached to the first end of the handle structure, a second support structure attached to the second end of the handle structure, a first spool center insert attached to the first support structure, a second spool center insert attached to the second support structure, a first leg moveably attached to the first support structure, a second leg moveably attached to the second support structure, and wherein a spool of spooled wire or cable is attached to the first and second spool center inserts during transportation and dispensing of the spooled wire or cable.
US11040732B2	Wireless train control system, ground control device, and wireless train control method A wireless train control system includes: a device that generates a track circuit state signal indicating whether a track circuit is picked up or dropped and a time-triggered track circuit state signal indicating a drop at a timing delayed by a set time after the track circuit state signal indicates that the track circuit is dropped; and a controller that generates a stop limit point of a wireless-control-compliant train by using presence information if a preceding train is a wireless-control-compliant train, and generates the stop limit point by using the track circuit state signal and the time-triggered track circuit state signal if the preceding train is a non-wireless-control-compliant train. The controller does not update the stop limit point if the track circuit state signal indicates that the track circuit is dropped while the time-triggered track circuit state signal indicates that the track circuit is picked up.
US11040729B2	Probabilistic object tracking and prediction framework A method for world objects tracking and prediction by an autonomous vehicle includes receiving, from sensors of the AV, a first observation data; associating the first observation data with a first world object; determining hypotheses for the first world object; determining a respective hypothesis likelihood of each of the hypotheses indicating a likelihood that the first world object follows the intention; determining, for at least one hypothesis of the hypotheses, a respective state; and in response to a query, providing a hypothesis of the hypotheses based on the respective hypothesis likelihood of each of the hypotheses. A hypothesis corresponds to an intention of the first world object and the respective state includes predicted positions of the first world object.
US11040722B2	Driving authorization transfer determination device The present invention has an object to provide a technology of determining whether a driver is prepared for transfer of driving authorization, and then determining whether transfer of driving authorization is acceptable or unacceptable. The present invention is intended for a driving authorization transfer determination device. The device includes a task request part that makes an output device inside the vehicle output a request for a task involving continuous speech or body movement for a predetermined period of time, a task acquisition part that acquires an accomplishment result of the task from an input device inside the vehicle, a transfer determination part that determines whether the transfer is acceptable or unacceptable based on the accomplishment result of the task, and a determination result output part that outputs a determination result of the transfer determination part to the automated driving controller.
US11040721B2	Causal analytics for powertrain management Methods for management of a powertrain system in a vehicle. The methods receive data or signals from multiple sensors associated with the vehicle. Optimum thresholds for classifications of the sensor data can be changed based injecting signals into the powertrain system and receiving responsive signals. Expected priorities for the sensor signals can be altered based upon attributes of the signals and confirming actual priorities for the signals. Look-up tables for engine management can be modified based upon injecting signals into the powertrain system and measuring a utility of the responsive signals. The methods can thus dynamically alter and modify data for powertrain management, such as look-up tables, during vehicle operation under a wide range of conditions.
US11040720B2	Sleepiness level prediction device and sleepiness level prediction method A sleepiness level prediction device includes a vehicle information acquisition unit, a driver information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The vehicle information acquisition unit is configured to acquire information relating to a vehicle. The driver information acquisition unit is configured to acquire information relating to a driver. The control unit is configured to calculate a stimulus amount to be given to the driver based on a current driving load of the driver and a driving load after a prescribed time, based on the information relating to the vehicle, calculate a non-acclimation degree indicative of a level at which the driver is not acclimated to driving based on a change in the stimulus amount, and predict a sleepiness level of the driver after the prescribed time based on a current sleepiness level of the driver estimated based on the information relating to the driver and the non-acclimation degree.
US11040719B2	Vehicle system for recognizing objects A vehicle system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to execute a first program, a second program, and a third program. The first program is configured to recognize an object present around a vehicle, the second program is configured to store information related to the recognized object as time-series map data, and the third program is configured to predict a future position of the object based on the stored time-series map data. The first program and the third program are configured to be (i) first, individually optimized based on first training data corresponding to output of the first program and second training data corresponding to output of the third program, and (ii) then, collectively optimized based on the second training data corresponding to the output of the third program.
US11040718B2	Launch control method for a vehicle A launch control method is provided for a vehicle having an accelerator, a brake and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The method comprises determining: (i) a braking torque set by a vehicle operator by pressing a brake pedal of the vehicle; and (ii) a holding torque required to hold the vehicle in a stationary position. The method also determines that the operator has released the brake pedal. The brake is released whilst engaging a launch clutch of the CVT, wherein the launch clutch is engaged by increasing a clutch engagement pressure at a first pressure ramp rate, such that the sum of the braking torque and a clutch torque of the clutch remains equal to the holding torque. An acceleration torque requested by the operator via the accelerator is determined. The clutch engagement pressure is increased at a second pressure ramp rate when it is determined that the braking torque is substantially zero, such that the clutch torque is increased by the acceleration torque. A fixed minimum pressure ramp rate is stored, wherein the minimum pressure ramp rate increases the clutch engagement pressure towards a maximum engagement pressure. The current pressure ramp rate is compared with the minimum pressure ramp rate, and the clutch engagement pressure is switched to the minimum pressure ramp rate if the current pressure ramp rate is less than the minimum pressure ramp rate.
US11040713B2	Collision mitigation apparatus A collision mitigation apparatus configured to mitigate a shock to an occupant of a vehicle when a rearward vehicle collides into the vehicle from behind, including a driving unit generating a driving force, and an electronic control unit having a microprocessor and a memory. The microprocessor is configured to perform predicting whether the rearward vehicle collides into the vehicle, and controlling the driving unit so that when it is predicted that the rearward vehicle collides into the vehicle, a difference between a vehicle speed of the vehicle and a vehicle speed of the rearward vehicle reduces and a driving force of a rear wheel is greater than a driving force of a front wheel immediately before the rearward vehicle collides into the vehicle.
US11040711B2	Vehicle and method for controlling the same A vehicle and a method for controlling the same are provided. In particular, the wheels of the vehicle wheels are controlled based on a possibility of collision between the vehicle and an object located in a peripheral region of the vehicle to minimize influence caused by the collision while simultaneously ensuring driving safety. The method includes estimating whether there is a high possibility of collision between the vehicle and the detected object. When the high possibility of collision between the vehicle and the object is estimated the wheels of the vehicle are operated based on a situation of the estimated collision to ensure driving stability of the vehicle during an actual collision between the vehicle and the object.
US11040710B2	System and method for using human driving patterns to detect and correct abnormal driving behaviors of autonomous vehicles A system and method for using human driving patterns to detect and correct abnormal driving behaviors of autonomous vehicles are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: generating data corresponding to a normal driving behavior safe zone; receiving a proposed vehicle control command; comparing the proposed vehicle control command with the normal driving behavior safe zone; and issuing a warning alert if the proposed vehicle control command is outside of the normal driving behavior safe zone. Another embodiment includes modifying the proposed vehicle control command to produce a modified and validated vehicle control command if the proposed vehicle control command is outside of the normal driving behavior safe zone.
US11040708B2	Brake control system A brake control system for a vehicle, the brake control system including a master cylinder, a brake line for communicating brake fluid between the master cylinder and a brake, a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the brake line during non-braking conditions, and means for selectively moving brake fluid into and/or out of the fluid reservoir. The means for selectively moving brake fluid into and/or out of the fluid reservoir includes means for removing gas from the fluid reservoir, and is configured to move brake fluid into the fluid reservoir, so that brake fluid is moved along the brake line in a direction towards the master cylinder, during non-braking conditions. Upon receiving a signal of an anticipated brake event, brake fluid may also be moved out of the fluid reservoir, so that brake fluid is moved along the brake line in a direction away from the master cylinder.
US11040705B2	Windshield wiper connector A connector for a windshield wiper, and a wiper blade assembly including same, that accommodates slotted receiving portions of windshield wiper arms. The connector for connecting a windshield wiper assembly to a wiper arm may have a peripheral wall having at least two opposing peripheral side walls and a top surface extending from one of the two opposing peripheral side walls to the other. The opposing peripheral side walls may each have a guide pin aligned with one another and sized to be capable of slidably engaging slots of windshield wiper arm.
US11040704B2	Windscreen wiper device A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighbouring ends of the longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end, with the interposition of a joint part, with the special feature that the joint part is detachable connected to the connecting device by engaging protrusions of the connecting device, at the location of the pivot axis, in recesses provided in the joint part, and wherein the protrusions are provided with co-axial through holes.
US11040703B1	Multifunction windshield wiper with distribution of fluid and air assembled with flexible joints A multifunction windshield wiper includes a wiper arm, a wiper blade holder, and a wiper blade to facilitate, through channels, the direct distribution of the liquid or an air on the windshield surface. The direct distribution of the liquid and an air maximize the wiping effect and minimizes their usage. The wiper arm is assembled with wiper blade holder within the flexible spherical joints to refine the contact with a curved surface during the operational movement of the windshield wiper in the different weather conditions. The windshield wiper arm has a flexible joint with the link arm to facilitate the tension on the windshield surface during the wiping process.
US11040702B2	Flat-push windshield wiper joint A flat-push windshield wiper joint, comprising a base and a mounting base, wherein a slot is formed from the left end to the right end of said base. The position of said slot matching the left end of base is an opening. The top surface of said base sinks to form spaced slide opening and chucking hole. Said slide opening and chucking hole are distributed in the extending direction of slot, and a stop bar is formed between the slide opening and chucking hole. Said locating bar matches the locating slot in the bottom surface of slot. The present invention can increase the assembly efficiency of flat-push windshield wiper joint and reduce the production costs.
US11040700B2	Apparatus for managing vehicle intrusion, system having the same and method thereof The present disclosure provides an apparatus for managing a vehicle intrusion, a system having the same, and a method thereof. The apparatus for managing a vehicle intrusion includes a processor that determines presence of an occupant who intrudes into a vehicle and notifies a user of the presence of the occupant who intrudes into the vehicle, and storage that stores a result of detecting the presence of the occupant obtained by the processor. Accordingly, it is possible to detect whether an intruder who intrudes into a vehicle before, after or while a user gets in the vehicle is present and inform the user of the fact, thereby assuring safety of the user and safety of the vehicle.
US11040699B2	Security system A security system for acquiring situation data at the time of trouble in a space where a customer receives a service. The security system includes a recorder for capturing an image and recording a sound for security in a space in which a customer receives a service provided by a service provider, and a server used for providing the service and managed by the service provider. The server includes a processor which executes a software for running the system, and an application storage for storing a customer application which is downloaded to the mobile terminal possessed by the customer. A processor of the mobile terminal is, by executing the customer application, starts the recorder, takes the recorded data into the mobile terminal, and transmits the data to the server for recording the data in the server. The customer can use the captured and recorded data as objective situation data.
US11040694B1	Portable restraining passenger safety harness A portable restraining passenger safety harness includes a harness body and a pair of shoulder straps. The harness body contains a left shoulder area and a right shoulder area, and the size of the safety harness can be adjusted by adjusting the height of the left and right shoulder areas. The harness is securable to a vehicle by a vehicle seat belt passing behind the child through a back panel located on a rear portion of the harness.
US11040692B2	Multi-vent passenger side airbag inflator An airbag inflator includes a pressure vessel with a bottom portion, a top portion and a center structure connecting the bottom portion and the top portion. The top portion includes an exit orifice that is closed with a rupturable membrane. An energetics cover attached to the center structure houses a pyrotechnic material, and a diverter is attached to the top portion. The pressure vessel, the energetics cover and the diverter define a gas flow path from inside the energetics cover toward the bottom portion of the pressure vessel, the gas flow path turning at least a first 180 degrees toward the top portion of the pressure vessel and between the energetics cover and the pressure vessel. The longer gas flow path allows time for multi-perforation grain slivers to burn up before exiting the inflator, thereby reducing the amount of particulate exiting the inflator.
US11040686B2	Vehicle seat To improve workability when attaching an airbag module disposed in a side portion of a vehicle seat from a seat back side. A vehicle seat (S) includes: a side frame (13) which constitutes a side portion of a seat back frame (10); a bracket (20) which includes an attachment portion (21) attached to a side surface of the side frame (13) on a seat inner side and a back protrusion portion (22) protruding backward from the attachment portion (21); and an airbag module (30) which includes a retainer (34) fixed to the back protrusion portion (22).
US11040683B2	Short range communication for vehicular use Apparatus, systems, and methods generally including detecting, using a sensor, an impact at a vehicle; before, during, or after detecting the impact, storing a first data set associated with the vehicle in a first memory; in response to detecting the impact, retrieving the first data set from the first memory; transmitting, using a first short range communication device, the first data set via a first wireless signal; receiving, using a second short range communication device, the first data set via the first wireless signal; and storing the first data set in a second memory; and after storing the first data set in the second memory, retrieving the first data set from the second memory; wherein the first short range communication device is part of the vehicle; and wherein the second short range communication device is part of an infrastructure.
US11040681B2	Vehicle periphery device Vehicle periphery device implemented in a form whose external outline of its projection onto the horizontal plane of the bearing surface has the form of a circle, with this periphery capable of passing between possible points of contact of this periphery located at a distance equal to the diameter of this circle. Technical result: prevention of periphery jamming; ensuring ideal Internet compatibility, optimality for any positioning, optimality for any digital technology; saved space; increased density of the traffic; implementation of the purpose. It should help fundamentally more quickly and efficiently: implement fully automatic control of individual vehicles, combine their operation into a fully automated transport system in which modified vehicles can completely replace motor cars and, where possible, other modes of transport.
US11040679B2	Structure of vehicle A structure of the vehicle includes a rear side member, a crush box and a bumper reinforcement. The rear side member is arranged outside in a width direction of the vehicle and is extended with a length direction of the rear side member coinciding with a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The crush box plastically deforms through compression of the vehicle. The bumper reinforcement is provided with a hat-shaped open cross-section where a recess portion recessed outward with respect to the vehicle is provided in an inner surface of the bumper reinforcement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A width of an open-end portion of the recess portion in a vertical direction of the vehicle is set larger than a width of the rear side member and a size of the crush box in the vertical direction of the vehicle.
US11040677B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector is provided for both power and data transmission. The electrical connector comprises an electrical plug (100) having a plurality of pins (131˜138) and an electrical socket (200) having a plurality of passageways (220) which are arranged corresponding to the plurality of pins (131˜138). The pins (131˜138) of the plug comprise at least one signal pin (131, 136), two or more positive power pins (133, 134) and two or more negative power pins (132, 135). The pins (131˜138) of the plug can be disposed such that the positive power pins (133, 134) and the at least one signal pin (131, 136) are positioned on opposite sides of the negative power pins (132, 135).
US11040675B2	Vehicle and power controller A vehicle includes a generator, a battery, a plurality of electrical devices configured to receive power from the generator and the battery, and a power controller. The power controller may group the plurality of electrical devices into a plurality of groups, and control an operation of an electrical device belonging to a group to which at least one electrical device among the plurality of electrical devices belongs, according to a fluctuation of an input voltage of the at least one electrical device.
US11040673B2	Control apparatus and control method for electric motor in vehicle A control apparatus for a motor generator in a vehicle includes a first control unit that determines a target torque using a redundant signal and a non-redundant signal, a monitoring unit that determines a monitoring target torque using the redundant signal, and a fail-safe determining unit. The fail-safe determining unit determines the execution of first fail-safe processing when a difference between the target torque and the monitoring target torque is equal to or more than a predetermined first upper limit threshold value or equal to or less than a first lower limit threshold value, and determines the execution of second fail-safe processing when the difference is equal to or more than a predetermined second upper limit threshold value which is smaller than the first upper limit threshold value or equal to or less than a second lower limit threshold value which is smaller than the first lower limit threshold value.
US11040672B2	Digital license plate system A digital license plate supporting both access and analysis of vehicle relevant information is disclosed. The digital license plate includes sensors that provide status data to a processor in the digital license plate. A power path control module can initiate power state changes and adjust power depending on system state as determined by at least one the multiple sensors. In some embodiments a temperature control module is connected to a temperature sensor and configured to modify heat relevant display parameters as critical temperatures are approached.
US11040671B2	Imaging device The present invention provides an imaging device with which it is possible to easily mount/remove an imaging unit by a simpler operation than in the past when mounting/removing the imaging unit to and from a bracket, and to reduce more work space than in the past. In the present invention, an imaging unit 10 has a plurality of supported parts 15 that are supported by the bracket 20. The bracket 20 has a plurality of support structures 24 for supporting the plurality of supported parts 15. The support structures 24 have a receiving port 24a opened toward the rear of a mounting direction DF for receiving the supported parts 15 in the mounting direction DF and a support 24b for supporting the supported parts 15 on the forward side in the mounting direction DF of the receiving port 24a from a support direction DS that intersects the mounting direction DF.
US11040670B2	Adjustable working machine operator display system A work machine can include an operator station, an overhead control station, a first display mounting system, a second display mounting system, a first display device, and a second display device. The operator station can include a rotatable seat. The first display mounting system can be connected to the overhead control station. The first display device can be connected to the first display mounting system. The second display mounting system can be connected to the rotatable seat, and the second display device can be connected to the second display mounting system. The first display mounting system can be operable to selectably adjust a position of the first display device relative to the overhead control station, and the second display mounting system can be operable to selectably adjust a position of the second display device relative to the rotatable seat.
US11040668B2	Hitch mounted double deck cargo carrier for a vehicle A cargo carrier includes a backbone that has a hitch mounting portion that is configured to be removably coupled to a trailer hitch receiver of a vehicle and a deck portion that is vertically offset from the hitch mounting portion. Further, the cargo carrier includes a pair of upright members that are coupled to the deck portion of the backbone such that the upright members are substantially parallel to and spaced apart from each other. Each upright member includes a bottom support portion and a pair of arms. Furthermore, the cargo carrier includes a lower cargo deck is coupled to the bottom support portion of the pair of upright members and an upper cargo deck is coupled to the top ends of the arms of the pair of upright members such that the upper cargo deck is spaced apart from and at least partially overlying the bottom cargo deck.
US11040663B2	Pre-loaded two-lobe spring twist-on rearview mounting assembly A rearview device attachment assembly includes a mount having a periphery that defines first and second recesses. The mount is configured to engage a windscreen button. An attachment clip is coupled to the mount at a central portion of the attachment clip. The attachment clip includes first and second opposing loading members that abut the first and second recesses. A flex portion extends from each of the first and second opposing loading members. A connection portion extends inwardly from each flex portion. Each of the first and second loading members of the attachment clip is pre-loaded during coupling of the attachment clip to the mount, but prior to rotational engagement of the attachment clip with engagement surfaces of the windscreen button.
US11040661B2	Image display apparatus An image display apparatus has: a synthesizing device (132) for synthesizing a rear image (111B) and a rear side image (111BL, 111BR) to generate a synthesized image (111C), wherein the rear image is captured by a rear imaging device (11B) for imaging a rear area of a vehicle (1) and the rear side image is captured by a rear side imaging device (11BL, 11BR) for imaging a rear side area of the vehicle; and a displaying device (14) for displaying the synthesized image, the synthesizing device generates the synthesized image so that the synthesized image generated when the vehicle goes in reverse includes a first scene that is below, viewed from the vehicle, a second scene that is included in the synthesized image generated when the vehicle does not go in reverse.
US11040660B2	Monitor display system and display method of the same According to one embodiment, a vehicle-mounted monitor display system includes a camera which captures an image of outside scenery which is a blind spot of a driver created by a pillar, a display which displays an image on the pillar, and an image processing device which generates a display image by cutting out the image captured by the camera in conformity with a display range of the pillar, and outputs the display image to the display. In the image processing device, a resolution of the display image is reduced in a state where a vehicle equipped therewith is moving.
US11040659B2	Rear-view mirror simulation A method displays information graphically on an image captured by a vehicular optical system. The method includes capturing the image and identifying an object in the image. The method the assigns a priority level to the object based on a predetermined criterion. The object is altered based on its priority level to create an altered object. An altered object may have a changed color, a colored halo surrounding it, or a colored object inside it. Other possible ways to alter the way the object looks are possible. The altered object is displayed in the image in place of the object on a mobile device to alert a person of its presence and the priority level associated therewith.
US11040658B2	Vehicle obstacle informing device A vehicle obstacle informing device includes: an obstacle detection section configured to detect an obstacle in surroundings of a vehicle; a gaze detection section configured to detect a gaze direction of an occupant seated in a driving seat; and an informing section configured to make the occupant aware of the obstacle using at least one of display or audio in cases in which the gaze of the occupant as detected by the gaze detection section is directed toward the obstacle during self-driving of the vehicle.
US11040651B2	Multifunctional switch device for vehicles A multifunctional switch device for a vehicle includes a housing coupled to one side of the steering column, a lever switch protrudingly mounted on one side of the housing so as to be rotatably manipulated within a predetermined section range, a moving block disposed within the housing so as to be rotatably moved together with the lever switch, a retaining block being provided at one side of the moving block, a guide bush mounted at one side of the steering column so as to rotate together with the steering wheel, and a cancel cam configured to be operated by the guide bush depending on a manipulated state of the steering wheel to return the moving block that has been rotatably moved to its original position. The cancel cam includes a cam body rotatably coupled to the housing and a shock-absorbing rib elastically deformably disposed at the cam body.
US11040650B2	Method for controlling vehicle in autonomous driving system and apparatus thereof A method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous driving system. The method for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous driving system can improve recognition accuracy of an object by outputting light corresponding to a first brightness value changed in correspondence to detection of an object having a recognition error larger than a predetermined range during driving while outputting light corresponding to a first brightness value that is determined of the basis of information about external illumination. An autonomous vehicle of the present disclosure may be associated with an artificial intelligence module, a drone ((Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV), a robot, an AR (Augmented Reality) device, a VR (Virtual Reality) device, a device associated with 5G services, etc.
US11040638B2	Track assembly A track assembly includes a track and a support member. The support member may include a slider and/or an electrical connector. The slider may be configured to move longitudinally to move the electrical connector between a first rotational position and/or a second rotational position. In the first position of the electrical connector, the electrical connector may be in electrical contact with the track. In the second position of the electrical connector, the electrical connector may not be in electrical contact with the track. The electrical connector may include a cam, and/or the cam may be configured to contact the slider. Longitudinal movement of the slider may rotate the cam to move the electrical connector between the first rotational position and/or the second rotational position. The slider may include a first ramped portion and/or a second ramped portion that may be configured to contact the slider.
US11040635B2	Battery thermal management system and methods of use Set forth herein are systems and methods for determining when to heat a battery, and under what conditions to do so, The methods include using input parameters to predict when to heat a battery and how to heat that battery. For example, the methods predict when to heat a battery so that the battery has a specific power output and performance level when used in an electric or hybrid vehicle application.
US11040633B2	Battery pack for vehicle A battery pack includes: a plurality of batteries including a first battery and a second battery; a first input/output port including a first input/output positive port and a first input/output negative port; a second input/output port including a second input/output positive port and a second input/output negative port; a first switch electrically connecting the positive terminal of the second battery to the negative terminal of the first battery or to the second input/output positive port; a second switch electrically connecting the negative terminal of the first battery to the first switch or to the first input/output negative port; and a third switch electrically connecting the negative terminal of the second battery to the first input/output negative port or electrically connecting the second switch to the first input/output negative port or to the second input/output negative port.
US11040632B2	Interleaved variable voltage converter An interleaved DC-DC converter includes a non-gapped coupled inductor with first, second, and third windings. The converter also includes first, second, and third legs in parallel. The first leg has silicon carbide or silicon nitride switches, and the second and third legs have silicon switches. A controller modulates the switches of the first leg at a frequency greater than a frequency of the switches of the second and third legs.
US11040630B2	Wireless road charging system A system is provided for inductively charging the battery of an electric vehicle as it travels along a roadway. The system comprises a series of asphalt paving seam gaskets within which are embedded magnetic field generators. The magnetic field generator gaskets are arranged with opposite polarities exposed on either side of each of the charging lanes, so that induction wires within the vehicle transect the magnetic field lines and generate an electric current to charge the vehicle battery. Energy generated and/or distance travelled in the charging lanes can be metered and reported in order to impose user fees.
US11040627B2	Vehicle including fastener configured to increase ease of releasing connection between battery and frame This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a bolt configured to increase the ease of releasing a connection between a battery and a vehicle frame, and a corresponding method. An example vehicle includes a frame, a battery mounted to the frame, and a fastener forming a connection of the battery to the frame. A section of the fastener is configured to increase the ease of releasing the connection.
US11040625B2	Optimized regenerative braking control of electric motors using look-up tables A regenerative braking controller for an AC motor. To determine an electromagnetic torque for slowing or stopping the motor, the regenerative braking controller accesses a lookup table to retrieve an braking torque value corresponding to a current estimate of rotor velocity. The retrieved braking torque may correspond to a maximum or minimum torque level at which regenerative braking will occur at the current rotor velocity, or to a torque level at which charging current during regenerative braking will be maximized. If an external mechanical brake is present, the regenerative braking controller can forward an external braking torque signal to a controller so that the mechanical brake can apply the remainder of the braking force beyond that indicated by the regenerative braking torque. A method for establishing the braking torques to be stored in the lookup table is also disclosed.
US11040623B2	Manual service disconnect for battery system Disclosed is a manual service disconnect comprising: an upper housing which has thereinside a plate-shaped upper bus bar terminal; and a lower housing comprising a lower bus bar terminal of which the top is opened so as to be coupled to the upper housing, the lower bus bar terminal having thereinside a first bus bar terminal and a second bus bar terminal which, when being coupled to the upper housing, electrically contact, in the form of a slot, the upper bus bar terminal on the front surface and the rear surface, wherein the first bus bar terminal comprises a first contact part which contacts the upper bus bar terminal and a first plug part extending from the first contact part, and the second bus bar terminal comprises a second contact part which contacts the upper bus bar terminal and a second plug part extending from the second contact part.
US11040622B2	Operator control device for controlling functions of a motor vehicle and method for operating same An operating device for controlling functions of a motor vehicle, includes an operator control element which can be displaced from a rest position beyond a first actuating position into a second actuating position. The operating device has a control unit which is designed to actuate, in accordance with a function which is assigned to the operator control element, a display device for displaying information associated with the function if the operating element is positioned in the first actuating position. The control unit is configured to trigger the function if the operator control element is positioned in the second actuating position. The operating device is configured to output a tactilely perceptible feedback in at least one of the positions of the operator control element.
US11040619B1	Limiting car behavior based on a pre-set driver profile enabled by face recognition An apparatus including a capture device and a processor. The capture device may be configured to generate a plurality of video frames corresponding to users of a vehicle. The processor may be configured to perform operations to detect objects in the video frames, detect users of the vehicle based on the objects detected in the video frames, determine a limitation profile for the users, monitor for conditions provided by the limitation profile and generate a reaction if one or more of the conditions are met. The limitation profile may be determined in response to characteristics of the users. The characteristics of the users may be determined by performing the operations on each of the users.
US11040615B2	Tank flap or charging flap arrangement for a vehicle A tank flap or charging flap arrangement for a vehicle, including a housing which can be inserted into a mounting opening in the vehicle and has at least one connection part for the refueling or electrical charging of the vehicle, furthermore including a flap arranged on a hinge arm of the tank flap or charging flap arrangement, the hinge arm mounted on the housing so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis, wherein the flap is mounted on the hinge arm so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis, and therefore the flap can be pivoted between a closed position, in which the flap closes the housing, and a first opening position, in which the flap opens up access to the at least one connection part for refueling or electrical charging, and a second opening position, which is opened further than the first opening position.
US11040614B2	Lockable cap assembly for a fuel filler pipe A lockable assembly for a fuel filler pipe including a cap supported upon a unit mounted to the fuel filler pipe. The cap has at least one locking tab which is actuated by a key insertable portion incorporated into the cap and in order to lock or unlock the cap for removal from the outside part of the unit attached to the filler pipe. The key insertable portion can further include a rotatable component. The at least one locking tab further includes a pair of locking tabs which are radially displaced via the rotatable component so that the tabs displace in opposite directions. Other features include a sliding limiter component associated with each of the oppositely directed locking tabs.
US11040610B2	Electric powertrain system for heavy duty vehicles A battery assembly for an electric vehicle is provided that includes a housing, one or more battery units, and a mounting system. The one or more battery units are disposed within the housing. The mounting system is disposed adjacent to a top surface, e.g., on a planar top surface or within an upwardly oriented concavity. The mounting system has a frame member bracket and a housing bracket system. The housing bracket system includes a housing bracket, a load member and a vibration isolator. The housing bracket is configured to be coupled to the frame member bracket. The load member has a first portion disposed adjacent to an upper surface and a second portion disposed along a lateral portion of the housing. The vibration isolator is disposed between the load member and the housing bracket. The vibration isolator is configured to reduce load transmission from the frame member of the vehicle to the housing.
US11040609B2	Electric vehicle An electric vehicle includes a vehicle cabin, a battery, a drive unit, and an end doorway. The vehicle cabin is provided with a floor having a flat floor surface, and configured such that an occupant is able to be in the vehicle cabin in any one of a seated position and a standing position. The battery is accommodated under the floor of the vehicle cabin. The drive unit is provided on one of a front side and a rear side with respect to the battery in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The end doorway is provided in a longitudinally-end wall of the vehicle cabin, and provided on the other one of the front side and the rear side with respect to the battery in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The end doorway is configured such that the occupant is able to get on and off the electric vehicle through the end doorway.
US11040607B2	Multiple motor multiple speed continuous power transmission An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a centerline orientation with the drive shaft.
US11040606B2	Tonneau cover latch system A latch system for a tonneau cover. The latch system includes a handle that is configured to move about an axis; and a latch pin connected to the handle. The latch pin is configured to move in a retracted direction and during movement of the handle towards the tonneau cover.
US11040605B2	Modified retractable tonneau cover Disclosed are embodiments of a retractable tonneau cover for a vehicle that has been modified in order to generally minimize the size of a housing of the tonneau cover, providing more vehicle cargo space for a user. The modified retractable tonneau cover can be automatically closed through an electronic system.
US11040602B2	Composite hybrid roof frame and methods to produce the same Roof frames and methods of making the same are disclosed. Roof frames may comprise at least a first, second, third, and fourth structures. One or more of the structures may comprise a first surface formed from a first continuous fiber composite comprising a multidirectional laminate. At least one of the first, second, third, and fourth structures may comprise a second surface formed from a second continuous fiber composite comprising a unidirectional laminate, wherein the first surface and the second surface are selected to be formed from the first continuous fiber composite and the second continuous fiber composite, respectively, based at least upon a stress analysis for the respective surface, wherein the first surface exhibits a higher stress profile as compared to the second surface.
US11040598B2	Induction heater and method for controlling overheating of induction heater The induction heater and a method for controlling overheating of an induction heater, and to an induction heater in which overheating of a heating element may be prevented by allowing a coolant to be introduced from a lower side, flow upwardly while being in contact with the heating element, and be then discharged to an upper side to improve air bubble discharge performance of the coolant, in the induction heater heating a heating element in an induction heating manner. In addition, the present invention relates to an induction heater and a method for controlling overheating of an induction heater in which a fault of the induction heater or a fire due to overheating may be prevented by deciding whether or not a heating element is overheated using one or more of a current sensing means and a temperature sensing means capable of sensing overheating of the heating element and performing a control to supply power to an induction coil or block power supplied to the induction coil depending on a decision result.
US11040587B2	Hitch and ball alignment device A hitch and ball alignment device for aligning a tow ball with a trailer tongue includes a first sensing unit and a controller. The first sensing unit comprises a first sensor, which is position type, and a first transmitter. A first coupler is coupled to the first sensing unit and is configured to removably couple the first sensing unit to one of a tow ball, which is coupled to a vehicle, and a trailer tongue. The controller comprises a screen and a receiver. The first sensor is configured to determine a distance between the first sensing unit and the other of the tow ball and the trailer tongue and to signal the controller via the first transmitter. The controller is positioned display the positions of the tow ball and the trailer tongue on the screen to guide a user to align the tow ball with the trailer tongue.
US11040582B2	Tire monitoring system and method Sensor and method for determining operating states associated with one or more tires. The operating state of the tire can be determined based on one or more measures environmental conditions of the tire(s). For example, a controller can be configured to determine a change in one or more environmental conditions, including determining, for example, a rate-of-change value, a variance value, a standard deviation, or the like. The rate-of-change, variance, and/or standard deviation values can be compared to one or more threshold values to determine the operating state(s) associated with the tire(s). The environmental condition can include, for example, acceleration of the tire, pressure of the tire, and/or temperature of the tire. The operating state can be, for example, a filling state indicative of the tire being inflating, and/or a drive state indicative of the tire rotating about its axle.
US11040580B2	Pneumatic tire In a pneumatic tire including a side reinforcing layer, the maximum width W0 of a bead core and the widths W1, W2 of the bead core at innermost and outermost sides in the radial direction, respectively, satisfy W1>W2 and W2≤0.5×W0. W0 is toward the inside of the center of the bead core in the radial direction. A carcass is folded and curved along the bead core, and a folded back portion of the carcass extends toward the sidewalls while contacting a body of the carcass. A rubber occupancy ratio in a region formed by the body and the folded back portion of the carcass is 0.1% to 15%. The cross-sectional area S2 of a filler toward the outside of the carcass in the lateral direction, the hardness H2 of the filler, the cross-sectional area S1 of a side reinforcing layer and the hardness H1 of the side reinforcing layer satisfy 0.15≤(S2×H2)/(S1×H1)≤0.60.
US11040573B2	Tire A tire includes a tread portion. The tread portion includes two main grooves extending continuously in a tire circumferential direction and a land region defined between the two main grooves. The two main grooves extend in a zigzag manner with phases thereof aligned with each other. The land region is provided with a longitudinal sipe extending in the tire circumferential direction in a zigzag manner with a phase thereof opposite to the phases of the zigzags of the two main grooves.
US11040566B2	Pen dispenser with plastic spring actuator A pen dispenser is provided with a tube having an open top for holding a fluid to be dispensed. A valve housing made of plastic and having channels on an inner wall is also provided. There is also an applicator nib made of plastic, along with a plastic spring actuator having a plastic button, and a button retainer. In a closed position the plastic spring actuator is sealingly engaged to the valve housing blocking the flow of fluid out around the applicator nib, and in the open position, the plastic spring actuator is depressed so it is no longer sealingly engaged to the valve housing, allowing the fluid to flow through the channels on the inner wall and exit the dispenser around the applicator nib.
US11040561B2	Ink and processing liquid set, image forming method, and image forming device An ink and processing liquid set contains a processing liquid to be applied to a recording medium, the processing liquid including a multivalent metal salt and an ink to be applied to an area of the recording medium where the processing liquid has been applied, the ink including a urethane resin, a styrene-acrylic resin, and a pigment, wherein the following relations are satisfied: 0.5≤B/C≤0.7, where B represents a static surface tension of the ink and C represents a static surface tension of the processing liquid; and 0.5≤E/D≤0.9, and 35 (mN/m)≤E≤55 (mN/m), where D represents a dynamic surface tension at 15 ms of the processing liquid and E represents a dynamic surface tension at 1500 ms of the processing liquid.
US11040554B2	Printer including first link, second link, and connection member for moving platen holder in accordance with movement of operation member A printer includes: a housing; a platen holder; a platen roller; a printing head; an operation member; a first link; a second link; a connection member having a connecting portion connecting the first link to the second link; and a movable member moving the platen holder in response to a pivotal movement of the second link to move the platen roller toward and away from the printing head. When the operation member is moved within a first movable range, the second link is pivotally moved while the first link and the connecting portion are maintained at a first positional relationship. When the operation member is moved within a second movable range different from the first movable range, a positional relationship between the first link and the connecting portion is changed from the first positional relationship to a second positional relationship while the second link is maintained stationary.
US11040553B2	Method and device for drying a printed recording medium In a method and device for drying a printed recording medium, a printed recording medium is introduced into a heated first chamber in which a temperature suitable for drying the recording medium and a first pressure are set. The printed recording medium is also introduced into a second chamber in which a second temperature that is suitable for cooling the recording medium for a further processing and a second pressure are set. The first pressure can be provided to be lower than the second pressure.
US11040549B2	Portable printer A portable printer includes a casing configured to receive a recording medium; a head configured to perform printing on the recording medium; a platen roller, which is arranged so as to be opposed to the head, and is configured to convey the recording medium while sandwiching the recording medium together with the head; a button, which is provided on the casing, and is configured to perform operation of separating the head and the platen roller from each other; and a stepped portion, which is formed on the casing along a peripheral edge of the button, and protrudes so that an inner side of the casing is higher than an outer side of the casing.
US11040544B2	Liquid discharge head, head module, head unit, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge apparatus A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of pressure chambers, a plurality of individual supply channels, a plurality of common supply channel branches, a common supply channel mainstream, a plurality of individual collection channels, a plurality of common collection channel branches, a common collection channel mainstream, a supply-side filter, and a bypass channel. The common supply channel mainstream is communicated with the common supply channel branches. The common collection channel mainstream is communicated with the common collection channel branches. The supply-side filter is in the common supply channel mainstream. The bypass channel bypasses the supply-side filter and communicates the common supply channel mainstream with the common collection channel mainstream. The bypass channel is connected to the common supply channel mainstream at a downstream of the supply-side filter in a direction of flow of the liquid along a longitudinal direction of the common supply channel mainstream.
US11040540B2	Dual spittoon arrangement for inkjet printhead A printer includes: an inkjet printhead having first and second rows of printhead chips; a platen having first and second spittoon slots corresponding to the first and second rows of printhead chips, each spittoon slot having a length corresponding to a length of the printhead and a width extending between a respective upstream sidewall and a respective downstream sidewall of the platen; first and second rollers positioned in the respective first and second spittoon slots for receiving ink spitted from the first and second rows of printhead chips; a rotation mechanism for rotating the first and second rollers; and first and second scrapers engaged with respective first and second rollers. A diameter of each roller is less than the width of its respective spittoon slot.
US11040533B2	Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection head includes: a pressure chamber communicating with a nozzle, the pressure chamber extending along a first axis; a liquid storage chamber that stores liquid which is supplied to the pressure chamber, the liquid storage chamber partially overlapping the pressure chamber when viewed in a direction of a second axis, which intersects the first axis; and a first communication flow path and a second communication flow path extending in a direction of the second axis and allowing the pressure chamber and the liquid storage chamber to communicate with each other.
US11040532B2	Inkjet printer An inkjet printer is provided. Inclined surfaces of a first protrusion and a second protrusion of a first inkjet head and inclined surfaces of side walls of a head cap abut against each other, but other portions of the first inkjet head do not abut against the head cap. Specifically, the head cap 510 is not abutted against the lower surface 133 of the first inkjet head 130, and is also not abutted against the ejection surfaces 134A and 135A of the first protrusion 134 and the second protrusion 135. In particular, the side walls are formed to a shape so as not to overlap the ejection surfaces when viewed in the vertical direction, whereby the head cap does not abut against the ejection surfaces.
US11040528B2	Integration of a line-scan camera on a single pass inkjet printer Disclosed is an industrial single-pass inkjet printer/press incorporating an line-scan camera. The line-scan camera enables system software to inspect every sheet for quality assurance purposes. These inspection results are tied back to a digital printer to take one or more of several possible actions. Actions include ensuring a particular number of acceptable prints are generated and sorted. Actions further include performing nozzle checks without pausing or interrupting production orders.
US11040523B2	Blown films with improved properties A multilayer blown film having an inner layer, a first outer layer, and a second outer layer, wherein the inner layer comprises an ethylene-based polymer having a MWCDI value greater than 0.9, and a melt index ratio (I10/I2) that meets the following equation: I10/I2≥7.0−1.2×log (I2); and the first outer layer and the second outer layer independently comprise a polyethylene composition which comprises the reaction product of ethylene and, optionally, one or more alpha olefin comonomers, wherein the polyethylene composition is characterized by the following properties: (a) a melt index, I2, of from 0.1 to 2.0 g/10 min; (b) a density of from 0.910 to 0.930 g/cc; (c) a melt flow ratio, I10/I2, of from 6.0 to 7.6; and (d) a molecular weight distribution, (Mw/Mn) of from 2.5 to 4.0.
US11040521B2	Multilayer composite material and method for manufacturing The invention relates to a multilayer composite comprising a layer of leather in contact with at least one monolayer comprising parallel aligned fibers and a matrix material. The composite may further comprise film layer(s) that may be breathable and/or waterproof. The multilayer composite material is suitable for use in clothing and outdoor gear and apparel.
US11040515B2	Release film and method for manufacturing same There is provided a release film comprising a substrate film and a resin layer provided on at least one surface of a substrate film, wherein the resin layer comprises 100 parts by mass of an acid-modified polyolefin resin, 1 to 20 parts by mass of a crosslinking agent and 10 to 1,000 parts by mass of a polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification rate of 99% or lower.
US11040511B2	Folding apparatus for folding sheet packaging elements Folding apparatus (1) for folding sheet packaging elements (2), comprising main conveying means (12), configured to sequentially receive the packaging elements (2) from a feeding station (13) and to advance each packaging element (2) along a first path (A), forming means (15), carried by the main conveying means (12) and configured to cooperate in use with a first face (2b) of each packaging element (2) while the packaging element (2) is advanced along the first path (A), and folding means (18), advanced by auxiliary conveying means (16) along a second path (Q), having a first portion (Q1) distinct from the first path (A) and a second portion (Q2), which is in common with the first path (A) and along which the folding means (18) cooperate with a second face (2a), opposite the first face (2b), of each packaging element (2) to fold the packaging element (2) against the forming means (15).
US11040510B2	Rosin press system Described is a rosin press system for extract rosin (oil) from plant material. The rosin press system includes a cone-shaped male plate and a cone-shaped female plate formed to matingly receive the cone-shaped male plate. The plates can be heated such that when plant material is pressed between the plates, rosin is pressed from the plant material and allowed to drain from a drain hole positioned at the bottom of the cone-shaped female plate.
US11040505B2	Medical device The invention relates to an implantable medical device having a body comprising a composite material. The body has a variable cross section along a length, a first portion which forms a part of a surface of said body, and a packing portion. An insert is provided in the packing portion for providing an increased thickness to at least a part of the body.
US11040504B2	Method for producing a multilayer composite material, multilayer composite material obtained by the method and mechanical parts or structures produced with said material Method for producing a multilayer composite material, according to which said multilayer composite material, multilayer composite material obtained by the method and mechanical parts or structures produced with said material. The present invention concerns a method for producing a multilayer composite material, according to which said multilayer composite material comprises one or a plurality of thermoplastic polymer layers, one of which is a surface layer (1) comprising a thermoplastic polymer A, and comprises a substrate layer (2) comprising a thermoplastic (meth)acrylic polymer matrix and a fibrous reinforcing material, said method involving cutting at least one window in the thermoplastic polymer layer or layers and at least one window in the fibrous material, said windows being intended to coincide; impregnating the fibrous material with a liquid (meth)acrylic syrup such that it fills said windows, or inserting a transparent thermoplastic plate into said window; polymerizing the liquid (meth)acrylic syrup impregnating the fibrous material and present in the absence of a thermoplastic plate in the window or windows. The invention is applicable applies to the production of mechanical parts of structured elements or decorative items made from multilayer composite material and requiring transparent windows.
US11040500B2	Thermographic inspection for tape layup machines Systems and methods are provided for thermal inspection of tape layup. One embodiment is a method for performing inspection of a tape layup. The method comprises laying up tape onto a surface of a laminate, applying heat to tack the tape to the surface, and generating thermographic images of the tape as applied to the surface.
US11040499B2	Method and apparatus for thermoforming an article A method for thermoforming an article includes extruding a sheet of material, conditioning the sheet with a roller, thermoforming the sheet to provide a web, and cutting the web to provide the article.
US11040498B2	Manufacturing device of nerve conduits The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a nerve conduit, more particularly to an apparatus for manufacturing a porous nerve conduit using glass fibers whereby microchannels are formed using the space between the glass fibers and the defective rate and location-dependent variation of each nerve conduit can be minimized through uniform decompression during the manufacture. The nerve conduit manufactured according to the present disclosure can be manufactured to have various diameters and lengths to be applicable to in vitro and in vivo researches on nerves.
US11040495B2	Method of making a retort container A method is described for making a retort container having one or two metal ends. A heat-sealable material is present on one or both of the container side wall and the/each metal end. The/each metal end is seamed onto the container body, and the resulting container assembly is conveyed on a conveyor adjacent to an induction sealing head and then adjacent to a cooling device. A pressure belt engages the upper end of the container assembly to keep the metal end from coming off the container body during the induction heating and cooling processes.
US11040492B2	System and method for monitoring and recoating in an additive manufacturing environment A system (100) and method for monitoring a recoating mechanism (415A, 415B) in an additive manufacturing environment is provided. Various embodiments involve the use of a control computer (102a-102d) to receive data based on a thermal image of a recoating mechanism (415A, 415B) from an imaging device (436) configured to capture thermal image. The control computer (102a-102d) further determines a value of a property of the thermal image, wherein the property is related to an amount of powder in the recoating mechanism. The control computer (102a-102d) further determines at least one of if the value indicates an error related to the amount of powder in the recoating mechanism (415A, 415B), and an action to take with respect to the recoating mechanism (415A, 415B) that is based on the value.
US11040490B2	Method and apparatus for platen module for automated composite-based additive manufacturing machine A printer platen component of an apparatus for automated manufacturing of three-dimensional composite-based objects for printing onto substrate sheets. The platen solves two problems: 1) holding the sheet down without allowing it to move while printing; and 2) getting rid of excess printing fluid. The platen comprises a plate with a number of air channel openings used for suction to hold the sheet in place, a bed of wire used to suspend the sheet and to keep the sheet straight, a depressed reservoir where printing fluid accumulates, a number of punching holes, a number of screws which serve as release sites for the sheet and cooperate with tips of a gripper to transfer the sheet to the platen, and a rough surface to additionally help hold down the sheet and keep it from moving. The platen is connected to an air plenum resting underneath the main plate to provide the suction.
US11040486B2	Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an additive manufacturing method. In the method, regions of successively-deposited layers of granular construction material are bound together so as to form a three-dimensional structure of bound material extending through and between the layers. The method comprises depositing a first granular construction material as a layer into a build region. The method comprises selectively binding regions of the first granular construction material together to form bound regions within the layer. The method comprises removing unbound granular construction material from the layer so as to provide at least one void in the layer. The method comprises depositing a second granular construction material into the build region so as to fill the at least one void. The method comprises selectively binding regions of the second granular construction material together to form bound regions within the layer. In the method, the second granular construction material is different from the first granular construction material. The method is repeated to form the object. An apparatus suitable for implementing the method is also disclosed.
US11040484B2	Building apparatus and building method A building apparatus for building a three-dimensional object includes: an inkjet head that ejects ink as a building material; a scanning driver that causes the inkjet head to perform a scanning operation of moving relative to the object being built; a flattening roller that flattens a layer of the ink; and an ink removal unit that removes, from the flattening roller, the ink that is scraped off by the flattening roller. The ink removal unit includes a flow channel formation unit that forms a flow channel of fluid that enables the ink adhering to the flattening roller to be removed by causing the fluid for removing the ink to flow out or flow in, and removes the ink from the flattening roller without scraping off the ink from the flattening roller. Hence, flattening the layer of the building material more appropriately.
US11040482B2	Transfer method, transfer apparatus, and mold According to one embodiment, under a condition that a substrate is installed on a substrate installation unit, a mold is installed on a mold installation unit, and a mask unit is installed in a mask-unit installation unit, a transfer apparatus controls an operation of a mold presser unit so as to press the mold against the substrate, the operation of a first positioning unit so as to position the mask unit with respect to the mold and the operation of an irradiation unit so as to irradiate an uncured material provided on the surface of the substrate with electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength.
US11040477B2	Method for fabricating containers A method of fabricating a container from a substantially tubular preform. The preform is preheated to a temperature above the glass-transition temperature of the preform and placed in an expansion zone configured to accommodate the preform and in fluid communication with the nozzle of an injection head. The expansion zone is disposed adjacent to the nozzle and about the longitudinal axis defined by the injection head. A volume of an injection liquid is injected from the injection head into the preform cavity of the preform while the preform is in the expansion zone and the preform is expanded, while still in the expansion zone, into a container. Concurrently with the injecting and expanding of the preform, the preform is heated by energizing a plurality of infrared-emitting elements disposed about the preform and projecting infrared radiation into the expansion zone.
US11040476B2	Stretch-blow formed polyester container and method of producing the same A stretch-blow-formed polyester container having an average thickness of not more than 280 μm in the body portion thereof, and effectively suppressing the deformation that is caused when the container is filled with a content of a high temperature, wherein in the measurement of dynamic viscoelastic properties in an axial direction at a central portion of said body portion, a tan δ peak value and a tan δ peak temperature at the peak value satisfy either; (i) the tan δ peak value is in a range of 0.23 to 0.29, and the tan δ peak temperature at the peak value is in a range of 111 to 118° C.δ; or (ii) the tan δ peak value is in a range of less than 0.25, and the tan δ peak temperature at the peak value is in a range of not lower than 119° C.
US11040469B2	Multi-cavity compression molding An assembly for compression molding includes an insert housing defining a plurality of apertures having stop surfaces. The assembly includes a plurality of inserts disposed within the apertures and in engagement with the stop surfaces. The assembly further includes a plurality of gas springs in biased engagement with the inserts. Individual gas springs of the plurality of gas springs are adapted to independently compress under load to permit independent movement of individual inserts within the apertures relative to the insert housing.
US11040464B2	Cutting machine with a liquid lubrication delivery system having a controlled liquid level A cutting machine having a liquid lubrication delivery system. The machine includes a work-piece platform having an upper surface for supporting a work-piece thereupon. The work-piece platform can further include a main channel defining a recess in the upper surface. At least one liquid lubrication inlet for discharging liquid into the main channel can also be present on the work-piece platform. The at least one liquid lubrication inlet can be a plurality of liquid lubrication inlets.
US11040460B2	Cutting apparatus for membrane electrode and gas diffusion layer assembly A cutting apparatus for a membrane electrode and gas diffusion layer assembly included in a fuel cell includes an upper die, a lower die, and a workpiece holder, and the workpiece holder is arranged such that a workpiece holding distance between a first outer lateral surface of the lower die, the first outer lateral surface facing the workpiece holder, and a second outer lateral surface of the workpiece holder is 5 times to 12 times a thickness of the workpiece.
US11040456B2	Robot operating apparatus provided with handles for operating robot A robot operating apparatus includes a force sensor mounted on the distal end part of an arm unit and a handle supporting unit mounted on the distal end part of the arm unit via the force sensor. The handle supporting unit supports two handles, and a handle structure including the two handles has two force points where forces are applied while being gripped with both hands. The force sensor detects a resultant force of forces acting on the two force points, and transmits the same to a robot control apparatus, so that the distal end part of the arm unit moves in accordance with a direction and a magnitude of the resultant force detected by the force sensor.
US11040453B2	Robot system A robot system includes an automatic transport device, a robot arm that is installed on the automatic transport device, an object recognition sensor that is disposed on the robot arm, an environment recognition sensor, a placement portion that is disposed on the automatic transport device, and a controller, and in which the controller controls the automatic transport device for moving toward a work stand based on a recognition result of the environment recognition sensor and controls the robot arm for transferring a plurality of component kits from the placement portion to the work stand based on a recognition result of the object recognition sensor after controlling the robot arm for taking out the components from a component storage unit based on the recognition result of the object recognition sensor and creating the plurality of component kits on the placement portion.
US11040450B2	Dynamically determining and monitoring workspace safe zones using semantic representations of workpieces Embodiments of the present invention determine the configuration of a workpiece and whether it is actually being handled by a monitored piece of machinery, such as a robot. The problem solved by the invention is especially challenging in real-world factory environments because many objects, most of which are not workpieces, may be in proximity to the machinery. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention utilize semantic understanding to distinguish between workpieces that may become associated with the robot and other objects (and humans) in the workspace that will not, and detect when the robot is carrying a workpiece.
US11040445B2	Cartesian control of a boom tip of a large manipulator, in particular a concrete pump A large manipulator including an extendable folding boom. The extendable boom includes a turntable that is rotatable about a vertical axis and boom segments pivotable at folding joints about folding axes in relation to an adjacent boom segment or the turntable via respective drive assemblies. The extendable boom further includes rotary angle sensors configured to detect folding angles between adjacent boom segments or between one of the boom segments and the adjacent turntable. The extendable boom further includes an inclination sensor arranged at a last of the boom segments forming a boom tip and a computing unit configured to establish an elastic deformation of the extendable folding boom based on the detected folding angles and the inclination of the last boom segment.
US11040444B2	Flux sensing system A flux sensing system includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory and a sensing device, the memory storing a plurality of capabilities and a plurality of semantic fluxes associated with the plurality of capabilities. The computing system is configured to infer a semantic based on received inputs and route the inputs to the semantic fluxes based on semantic drift inference between their associated capabilities and inferred semantic. Further, it positions the sensing device for receiving the input from a user in an optimal manner.
US11040442B2	Robot A robot that includes a first shaft unit in which a first motor drives a second member relative to a first member; a second shaft unit in which a second motor drives a fourth member relative to a third member; and a securing member that is provided in a detachable manner between the second member and the third member and that integrally secures the second member and the third member to each other.
US11040441B2	Situation-aware robot A robot in a location interacts with a user. The robot includes a camera, an image recognition processor, a microphone and a loudspeaker, a voice assistant, and a wireless transceiver. The robot moves around and creates a model of the location, and recognizes changes. It recognizes objects of interest, beings, and situations. The robot monitors the user and recognizes body language and gesture commands, as well as voice commands. The robot communicates with the user, the TV, and other devices. It may move around to monitor for regular and non-regular situations. It anticipates user commands based on a situation. It determines if a situation is desired, and mitigates the situation if undesired. It can seek immediate help for the user in an emergency. It can capture, record, categorize and document events as they happen. It can categorize and document objects in the location.
US11040435B2	Hex wrench improved structure A hex wrench improved structure comprises a body, one end thereof has six equally divided planes, an abutting angle is formed between each of the two planes, at least one of the planes is disposed with a groove, the groove has two inclined surfaces, one side of each of the two inclined surfaces is connected to the abutting angle of the two planes, another sides of the two inclined surfaces are connected to each other, and an obtuse angle is included between the two inclined surfaces; thereby, the hex wrench can be pressed tightly against an inner wall surface of a hole in a screw for inserting a cap screw tool to apply force, so that the hex wrench is not easy to slip, and it is easier to turn and lock or adjust the screw.
US11040434B1	Adjustable dual-range wrench An adjustable dual-range wrench including an elongate handle and a fixed jaw carried by the handle. The fixed jaw includes multiple teeth disposed linearly along the jaw. A hook jaw is pivotably coupled to the handle opposite the fixed jaw. A toothed lobe is adjustably positioned along the fixed jaw between an outer engagement region sized to engage a first range of sizes and an inner engagement region sized to engage a second range of sizes. The hook jaw comprises a first set of teeth associated with the outer engagement region and a second set of teeth associated with the inner engagement region.
US11040432B2	Tool manufacturing method A method for manufacturing hand tools, such as wrenches. The method generally includes the steps of providing a flat stock, cutting the flat stock into the desired two-dimension blank using a laser, and three-dimensionally machining the laser-cut 2D blank into the desired three-dimensional workpiece. The tool may undergo a heating treatment process and a surface treatment process. In the context of a wrench, the blank may be laser cut with a laser beam oriented to cut generally perpendicularly to the plane of the flat stock. After laser cutting, the handle and interface region between the handle and jaw(s) are machined to provide the desired three-dimensional shape. For example, the three-dimensional shape may be selected to provide a comfortable grip even when applying a high level of force. The wrench jaw may have an optimized geometry calculated so that there is no excess material or “over-designed” regions of the jaw. The wrench jaw has internal corners with optimized radii.
US11040431B2	Workpiece holder A workpiece holder, which does not require actual parts matching as required in a related-art automatic pallet changer, and has higher maintainability than a related-art automatic pallet changer. The workpiece-side jig includes a workpiece-side fitting element provided on a surface opposed to the master-side jig. The master-side jig includes: a master-side fitting element to be fitted to the workpiece-side fitting element, which is provided on a surface opposed to the workpiece-side jig; a rotary pressing member to be brought into abutment against the workpiece-side fitting element fitted to the master-side fitting element to press the workpiece-side fitting element toward the master-side jig; and a rotational drive source configured to rotate the rotary pressing member. When the rotary pressing member is rotated by the rotational drive source, the rotary pressing member is brought into abutment against the workpiece-side fitting element to press the workpiece-side fitting element toward the master-side jig.
US11040430B2	Texture pattern for abrasive tool The present disclosure relates to abrasives surfaces located on an outer diameter of a grinding wheel to provide grinding characteristics of both coarse and fine abrasive textures. The grinding wheel has a coarse abrasive portion located at one disclosure uses a transition band formed at an interface between the abrasive surfaces, that has an abrasive coating with a gradual change in texture from a coarse surface to a fine surface.
US11040428B2	Method for surface treatment, use of an additive and surface treatment agent A method for the surface treatment of workpieces by means of abrasive media, and a surface treatment composition. The method comprises the steps of providing a treatment tool, providing an abrasive medium, supplying a workpiece having a surface to be treated, surface treating the workpiece, involving removal of material and producing waste products, and processing the waste products, wherein at least one of said steps comprises adding an additive to lower a self-ignition tendency on the part of the waste products, the additive comprising a salt, composed of a carbonate and/or of a halogen anion.
US11040422B1	Manual stage with magnetic sensor and digital readout The disclosed device comprises a manually-actuated micro positioning stage that incorporates a mechanism for measurement and electronic output of the stage slider position. A Hall Effect sensor device is used to sense rotary position of the lead screw. based on the lead screw pitch. Processor means converts the Hall Effect sensor measurement of the lead screw rotational displacement into linear displacement of the stage slider for presentation on an electronic display. A magnetically-permeable cap contains a small disc magnet that is poled diametrically and is affixed to the end of the lead screw that is in contact with the stage slider by means of a sensor housing. The Hall Effect sensor contained in a surface mount electronic package is enclosed in a sensor housing that is part of the stage slider that is in contact with the lead screw and is positioned coaxially with the lead screw.
US11040421B2	Torque tool with electric motors A torque tool for use subsea with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) includes a tool housing, a socket drive configured to rotate within the tool housing, and a drive mechanism configured to provide torque to rotate the socket drive within the tool housing. The drive mechanism includes a first torque electric drive motor configured to provide a first torque to the socket drive, and a second torque electric drive motor configured to provide a second torque to the socket drive different from the first torque. The first torque electric drive motor and the second torque electric drive motor are configured to together provide a third torque that is higher than the first torque and the second torque.
US11040418B2	Welding accessory apparatus A welding accessory apparatus can include a welding lens, a manifold, an articulated arm assembly, and a tube. The welding lens can be mounted to the manifold. The manifold can have an intake aperture, an outlet aperture, and an internal cavity. The articulated arm assembly can be interconnected with the manifold and be adjustable whereby a user can position the manifold and the welding lens among different positions and orientations in three dimensions and then retain the manifold and the welding lens in the selected position and orientation. The tube can be interconnected with the manifold and can communicate with the intake aperture and the internal cavity by way of the outlet aperture. At least part of the tube can be moved and held in place with the manifold and the welding lens by the articulated arm assembly.
US11040417B2	Welding gas compositions and method for use The present invention relates generally to welding gas compositions used as shielding gases in an electric arc welding process. More particularly, the invention is directed a shielding gas compositions used in gas metal or tungsten metal arc welding processes for welding aluminum or aluminum alloy containing work pieces. The compositions comprise from 200 to less than 400 ppm oxygen; from 200 to less than 400 ppm of a second gas selected from nitrous oxide, nitrogen, and combinations thereof; and the remainder being an inert gas preferably selected from argon, helium, and mixtures thereof.
US11040415B2	Pulse train annealing method and apparatus The present invention generally describes apparatuses and methods used to perform an annealing process on desired regions of a substrate. In one embodiment, pulses of electromagnetic energy are delivered to a substrate using a flash lamp or laser apparatus. The pulses may be from about 1 nsec to about 10 msec long, and each pulse has less energy than that required to melt the substrate material. The interval between pulses is generally long enough to allow the energy imparted by each pulse to dissipate completely. Thus, each pulse completes a micro-anneal cycle. The pulses may be delivered to the entire substrate at once, or to portions of the substrate at a time. Further embodiments provide an apparatus for powering a radiation assembly, and apparatuses for detecting the effect of pulses on a substrate.
US11040413B2	Spot welding apparatus, spot welding method, and joint structure A spot welding apparatus which performs spot welding of a plurality of plate materials which are lapped to each other, comprises a displacement driving unit which displaces lapped portions of the plurality of plate materials and a tool relatively to each other; a rotation driving unit which rotates the tool; and a controller which controls the displacement driving unit and the rotation driving unit so that the tool is plunged into the lapped portions in a state in which the tool is rotated to perform friction stir spot welding. The controller controls the displacement driving unit so that at least one friction stir spot weld is formed in a region of the lapped portions which is between a plurality of resistance spot welds formed by resistance spot welding.
US11040411B1	Depth gauge A depth gauge tool is provided. The depth gauge tool includes a first side coupled to a second side and at least one depth gauge disposed there between; the at least one depth gauge configured with at least one slot adapted for receiving a hot electrode of a tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding torch and an aiding adjustment of a depth of the electrode in relation to a periphery of a gas cup surrounding the electrode.
US11040407B2	Saw blade A saw blade includes a body and a plurality of cutting teeth formed on the body. The plurality of cutting teeth include a first cutting tooth having a tip adjacent a first end of the first cutting tooth, a rake face defining a rake face line extending from the tip toward the body at a positive rake angle, and a relief face extending from the tip toward a second end of the first cutting tooth. The saw blade also includes a plurality of gullets formed on the body between the plurality of cutting teeth. The plurality of gullets include a first gullet forming an undercut of the first cutting tooth. At least a portion of the undercut is positioned on a side of the rake face line in a direction opposite a cutting direction of the saw blade.
US11040405B2	Method and device for shearing rod material A method is disclosed for shearing an end section from a rod material by means of a cutting blade that is movable against a stationary blade, transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rod material, during the shearing operation. The end section to be sheared is brought into contact on its end-face side with a longitudinal stop and is acted on, via the longitudinal stop, with a pressure force in the longitudinal direction of the rod material. The action of pressure force on the end section takes place during the shearing operation with a position-controlled longitudinal position of the longitudinal stop. It is thus possible to manage with a lower pressure force than with conventional force-controlled pressure force action, without the shearing quality of the separation faces at the end section being impaired.
US11040403B2	Cutting insert, cutting tool including same, and method for manufacturing machined product An insert based on an aspect includes a first face, a second face located opposite to the first face, a third face located between the first face and the second face, and a cutting edge located on an intersection of the first face and the third face. The first face includes a first region inclined so as be close to the second face as being separated away from the cutting edge. A virtual straight line orthogonal to the cutting edge is set as a first virtual straight line in a front view of the first face. A ten-point average of roughness the first region in a direction along the first virtual straight line is expressed by Rz1a and a ten-point average of roughness of the first region in a direction along the cutting edge is expressed by Rz1b, and Rz1a is larger than Rz1b.
US11040402B2	Surface-coated cutting tool having hard coating layer exhibiting excellent chipping resistance and wear resistance A surface-coated cutting tool including at least a TiAlCN layer, in which the layer is expressed by a composition formula: (Ti1-XAlX)(CYN1-Y), an average content ratio X of Al and an average content ratio Y of C (here, X and Y are atomic ratios) satisfy 0.60≤X≤0.95 and 0≤Y≤0.005, respectively, an average content ratio Z of Cl in the total amount of atoms configuring the TiAlCN phase (here, Z is an atomic ratio) satisfies 0.0001≤Z≤0.004, plane spacings d(111) and d(200) are respectively calculated from X-ray diffraction spectra of (111) plane and (200) plane of crystal grains having a NaCl type face-centered cubic structure in the TiAlCN layer measured by using an X-ray diffraction device, and an absolute value ΔA=\|A(111)−A(200)\| defined as A(111)=31/2d(111) and A(200)=2d(200) satisfies 0.007 Å≤ΔA≤0.05.
US11040401B2	Throwaway insert and method of grinding cutting edge of throwaway insert A throwaway insert includes a base and a cutting edge member. The cutting edge member includes: a rake face; a flank face extending to cross the rake face; a first connecting face connecting the flank face to a side surface of the base and extending to cross the rake face; and a first ridgeline formed by the rake face and the flank face and serving as a cutting edge. When viewed in a plan view from the upper surface of the base, the flank face and the first connecting face are located external to the base. A second ridgeline formed by the rake face and the first connecting face crosses the first ridgeline at an obtuse angle.
US11040399B2	Method for manufacturing a metal based component having a cavity, and a metal based component having a cavity The inventive concept relates to a method for manufacturing a metal based component (100, 200) having a cavity (103, 203). The method comprises the steps of: providing a plurality of individual segments (110, 210) corresponding to different portions of the metal based component; arranging the plurality of segments in a stack (120, 220) in such a way that the shape of the stack corresponds to the shape of the metal based component, and that a void (130, 230) is formed in the stack, wherein the shape of at least a portion of the void corresponds to the shape of the cavity; filling at least the first 10 portion of the void with an incompressible filler (140, 240); removing gas from the stack; subjecting the stack to a hot pressing process to form the metal based component comprising the cavity; removing at least a part of the incompressible filler from the metal based component.
US11040397B2	Method of high-throughput hot isostatic pressing micro-synthesis for the combinatorial materials and sleeve mould thereof A sleeve mold for a method of high-throughput hot isostatic pressing micro-synthesis for combinatorial materials includes a honeycomb-array-sleeve and an upper cover, wherein a plurality of single cells are tightly arranged inside the honeycomb-array-sleeve, an exhaust tube is arranged on the upper cover, after the single cells are filled with powder materials, the upper cover is sealed welding on the honeycomb-array-sleeve, and the honeycomb-array-sleeve and the upper cover are both integrally produced by additive manufacturing. According to the method and the sleeve mold, the powder metallurgy hot isostatic pressing process is utilized to prepare small-size bulk combinatorial materials with multiple discrete components rapidly at one time.
US11040395B2	Nanostructure self-dispersion and self-stabilization in molten metals A metal matrix nanocomposite includes: 1) a matrix including one or more metals; and 2) nanostructures uniformly dispersed and stabilized in the matrix at a volume fraction, including those greater than about 3% of the nanocomposite.
US11040393B2	Transport device The invention relates to a transport device (10), in particular for transporting cooling blocks (12) in a caterpillar casting machine, comprising a guide rail (16), which forms an endless circulating track (U) for a caterpillar casting machine (14), and a support element (18) having a plurality of rollers (20), by means of which the support element (18) is guided on the guide rail (16) and rolls along same, wherein a cooling block (12) of a caterpillar casting machine (14) can be placed on the support element (18). The guide rail (16) has a first running surface (16.1) and a second running surface (16.2), wherein the running surfaces (16.1, 16.2) are provided on opposite sides of the guide rail (16). The support element (18) has at least three rollers (20.1, 20.2, 20.3), of which two rollers (20.1, 20.2) are in rolling contact with the first running surface (16.1) of the guide rail (16), and at least one further roller (20.3) is in rolling contact with the second running surface (16.2) of the guide rail (16), wherein at least one roller (20.1; 20.2; 20.3) is preloaded towards the guide rail (16).
US11040391B2	Coiling device A device for coiling an elongated flexible object into a predefined shape includes a length of wire which is formed with a minor winding and a major winding, the minor winding having an axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the object and being configured to conform to the cross section of the object, and the major winding being configured to conform to the predefined shape. In use of the device, the minor winding secures the device to the object and the major winding coils the object into the predefined shape.
US11040390B2	Wheel correction device A wheel correction device includes a lower correction system, a support detection system, a synchronous clamping rotation system, upper correction systems, an upper lifting clamping drive system, a lower lifting drive system, etc. The wheel correction device can be used for not only correcting the axial and radial deformation of a wheel but also adjusting the correction way according to the type of radial deformation, and has the characteristics of high automation, powerful function, advanced technology, strong versatility and high safety and stability.
US11040389B2	Guide tube retainment feature during crimping of guide tubes A method for making an air spring assembly, including the steps of providing a bellow, a support ring, and a guide tube. The support ring is positioned relative to a bellow adapter such that a portion of the bellow adapter extends through the support ring. The bellow is then positioned such that a portion of the bellow extends over the support ring and a portion of the bellow adapter. The guide tube is then positioned relative to the bellow and the support ring, such that a portion of the bellow extends into the guide tube and the guide tube is supported by the bellow adapter, and a portion of the guide tube is supported by a ridge support fixture. The first clamp and second clamp are then moved towards the guide tube, applying force to the guide tube, simultaneously forming a first crimp and a second crimp.
US11040388B2	Roll cutter device This roll cutter device is provided with roll units in which a thin plate material is passed between a pair of rolls. Three sets of the roll units are provided in an axial direction of the rolls in such a way that central axes of the rolls lie on one straight line in the axial direction. The configuration is such that a plurality of the roll units including an upper roll and a receiving roll exist in the axial direction.
US11040387B2	Method for blow molding metal containers A method is disclosed for pressure forming a metal preform including shock annealing of the preform and subsequently preheating the preform prior to pressure forming. Shock annealing may be carried out as differential shock annealing in which different regions of the preform are annealed to different degrees. Preheating may be carried out by differentially preheating, optionally shock preheating, different regions of the preform for preheating at least those regions of the preform which will be subject to elevated expansion during pressure forming. Shock annealing by induction heating can lower energy consumption, reduce processing times and allow for larger expansion of the preform.
US11040382B2	Adaptive cleaning device The cleaning device is for cleaning the inner surface of pipes. The cleaning device has two sleeves on a flexible shaft and chains extending between the sleeves. A forward end sleeve is not attached to the shaft and is biased by a spring on the shaft. The cleaning device can be adapted to different pipe sizes by altering rotation speed of the cleaning device. High rotation speed compresses the spring and moves the chains further away from the shaft to enable cleaning of larger diameter pipes with the cleaning device.
US11040380B2	Reaction force nozzle A nozzle for water jet equipment and a method of use thereof. The nozzle has a body including a base with a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The shaft is inserted through a bore of a sleeve that rotatable about the shaft. The base and shaft define a bore therein. At least one opening is defined in the shaft and one or more grooves are milled into the shaft's exterior surface. Each opening places the body's bore in fluid communication with one of the grooves and the sleeve's bore. Water flowing through the body's bore will flow through each opening, into the associated groove and into a space between the shaft and sleeve. The shaft terminates in a conical section usable as a battering ram to break up blockages in pipes during cleaning operations.
US11040377B2	Packaging concept for solid products A device for packaging and dispensing a chemical product is provided. The device may include a first portion connected to a second portion. Counterpoising locking features may secure the first portion and the second portion. A support member is disposed within the lower portion and adapted to support the product. The device may include a flexible enclosure contoured to and enclosing the rigid body and the product. The flexible enclosure may enclose a portion of the housing and the product, after which heat is applied to shrink the flexible enclosure. A handle may provide for ease of installation and/or removal of the device from a solid chemical dispensing system.
US11040376B2	Vacuum spray apparatus and uses thereof Spray apparatus and uses thereof are described herein. A vacuum spray nozzle apparatus may include a first tube in fluid communication with a fluid source, a rotor coupled to the tube, a conduit in fluid communication with the passages of the first tube, and a second tube coupled to the conduit, the second tube being in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The rotor is in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source. The conduit is substantially arched or angled such that an outlet of the conduit is offset a radial distance in a radial direction from the rotor axis, and when pressurized fluid is ejected from the outlet, during use, rotates the conduit. The vacuum spray nozzle apparatus is configured to remove components from a material through the second tube when a pressure of the system is reduced using the vacuum source.
US11040375B2	Bunk cleaner system and method of use A bunk cleaner assembly for selectively adjusting a pitch, a roll and a height adjustment of a scoop assembly for cleaning a trough of a feed bunk. The bunk cleaner assembly comprises a frame portion, a swinging arm assembly, the scoop assembly, and a utility vehicle. The frame portion is configured in attaching the swinging arm assembly and the utility vehicle to one another. The swinging arm assembly comprise a hinge assembly.
US11040373B2	Sliding drawer sifter apparatus A sliding drawer sifter apparatus for sorting plant buds by size includes a frame having a set of drawers comprising a top drawer, a middle drawer, and a bottom draw. Each of the set of drawers has a handle and an inner lip. A set of sifter grates each has a grate perimeter selectively engageable with the inner lip of each of the drawers and a grate body coupled within the grate perimeter. The set of sifter grates comprises a top grate, a middle grate, and a bottom grate. The grate body of the bottom grate is finer than the grate body of the middle grate. The grate body of the middle grate is finer than the grate body of the top grate. The top grate, the middle grate, and the bottom grate are configured to sort progressively smaller plant buds into the set of drawers.
US11040372B2	Light weight component with internal reinforcement A light weight component, the light weight component including: a metallic foam core formed into a desired configuration; an external metallic shell applied to an exterior surface of the metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration; an inlet opening and an outlet opening formed in the external metallic shell in order to provide a fluid path through the metallic foam core; and a thermoplastic material injected into the metallic foam core via the inlet opening.
US11040369B2	Side-by-side cartridge assembly for dispensing a first fluid and a second fluid A side-by-side cartridge assembly for dispensing a first fluid and a second fluid includes a first cartridge body and a second cartridge body having first and second cartridge coupling elements, respectively. The first cartridge body extends along an axial direction and has a radial boundary or periphery transverse to the axial direction. The first cartridge has a first neck portion of a neck, and the second cartridge has a second neck portion of the neck. The first neck portion projects from the first cartridge body such that the first neck portion is within the radial boundary or periphery of the first cartridge. As such, the first cartridge coupling element operatively connects to the second cartridge coupling element to secure the first cartridge to the second cartridge and form the neck for discharging a first fluid and a second fluid.
US11040366B2	Dispenser shield with adjustable aperture to improve drop placement and residual layer thickness A fluid dispenser apparatus includes a fluid dispenser having plurality of nozzles aligned in a first longitudinal direction. A dispenser shield is positioned relative to the plurality of nozzles, the dispenser shield configured to form an aperture aligned in the first longitudinal direction with the plurality of nozzles. The plurality of nozzles are configured to dispense fluid towards a substrate. The dispenser shield is further positioned such that fluid dispensed from a first subset of the plurality of nozzles passes through the aperture while fluid dispensed from a second subset of the plurality nozzles is captured by the dispenser shield.
US11040359B2	Disengaging arc adjusting gear for an irrigation sprinkler with an adjustable reversing gear drive A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The sprinkler can include at least one arc adjusting gear that moves and arc adjusting tab to contact a shift arm to cause the shifting mechanism to change direction. The arc adjusting gear can engage with the arc tab for adjusting the arc setting and disengage from the arc tab for normal operation.
US11040354B2	Personal rechargeable portable ionic air purifier A portable rechargeable personal ionic air purifier energizing a personal airspace and cleaning particulate pollutants therefrom provides removable attachment of ion emitter and housing subassemblies by magnetic attraction, provides an electrically grounded conductive member external to the housing that releasably clips a lanyard or article of clothing, includes a decorative surround and provides an external ground plate for use with a desktop mount, armband or other accessory.
US11040352B2	System for melting aluminum and recycling black dross The present invention relates to a system for melting aluminum and recycling black dross, including an aluminum melting furnace responsible for melting aluminum scraps in molten aluminum and a black dross recycling device responsible for recycling black dross generated when the aluminum scraps are melted in the molten aluminum.The aluminum melting furnace includes a heating chamber provided with heating units responsible for heating the molten aluminum; and a melting chamber provided with an eddy unit responsible for generating an eddy descending in a spiral in the molten aluminum, a flux supply unit responsible for adding a flux to the eddy, and a raw material supply unit responsible for adding the aluminum scraps to the eddy, wherein, in the eddy unit, black dross formed when inclusions contained in the molten aluminum are captured by the flux is repeatedly descended and floated in the molten aluminum through the eddy, so that the black dross is collected into a spherical shape to form spherical black dross, and the black dross recycling device is responsible for recycling the spherical black dross.
US11040350B2	Liquid analytical reagent dispensing apparatus and analytical kits and methods of use related thereto Devices, kits, and methods for dispensing at least two liquid reagents for use in analyte(s) detection assays are disclosed.
US11040349B2	Testing device for quantitative PCR Provided is a device including: at least one well in which an amplifiable reagent is contained in a specific copy number of less than 100; and at least one well in which the amplifiable reagent is contained in a specific copy number of 100 or greater, wherein for the at least one well in which the specific copy number of the amplifiable reagent is less than 100, a formula: CV<1/√x is established, where CV represents a coefficient of variation for the specific copy number and x represents average specific copy number of the amplifiable reagent.
US11040348B2	Biological sample analysis kit and sample collection unit with a cap having an access opening An embodiment of the present disclosure is a sample collection unit configured to receive a test strip. The sample collection unit includes a collection tube including an open end and a cap configured to be coupled to the open end to close the collection tube. The cap includes an access opening that extends through the cap and at least one sealing member aligned with the access opening. The at least one sealing member includes a dynamic strip interface that permits insertion of the test strip through the access opening and into the collection tube.
US11040342B2	Leak resistant droppers In various implementations, a dropper for a bottle may include a bulb with a flange and an extended leg. The dropper may be used as a cap, in some implementations, with or without a skirt. The dropper may inhibit leaks from a bottle when the dropper is used as a cap for the bottle.
US11040341B2	Method for dispensing drops of different volumes A method that allows a user to dispense a desired volume of solution from an acoustic dispensing apparatus by allowing the user to select the drop volume to be dispensed. A typical drop volume is in the range of one to twenty-five nanoliters. The method comprises the steps of creating two or more burst curves that give the relationship between liquid level and burst value, using data from the burst curves to create two or more calibration functions, and using data from the calibration functions to create a dispensing data set that is used to set the burst parameter required to dispense the selected drop volume.
US11040340B1	Collection system and device for reducing clinical false positives and negatives in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 In embodiments there is described a method for reducing false positives and negatives in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in suspected patients using mass spectroscopy employing the steps of mixing samples of collected saliva and nasopharyngeal secretions in a single sample container; adding universal transport medium to the mixed samples in said single sample container; transporting the single sample container at a temperature above 0° C. to a remote location; deactivation of viral content of the mixed sample; protein digestion of the mixed sample; concomitant separation of peptides, ionization by mass spectroscopy of the separated peptides, and comparison of peptide patterns to known SARS-CoV-2 peptides. Also set forth in an embodiment is a collection container for collecting saliva and/or sputum, as well as a swab member, with universal transport medium and/or virus inactivating agent housed in separate compartment communicable with sample compartment through a one-way valve.
US11040336B2	Catalyst of platinum/zirconium dioxide/SBA-15 and method for preparing p-chloroaniline using the same A catalyst including platinum (Pt) and a composite support. The composite support includes ZrO2/mesoporous silica sieve SBA-15. The platinum accounts for 0.01-0.3 wt. % of the catalyst. ZrO2 accounts for 5-20 wt. % of the composite support.
US11040331B2	Mixed metal oxide catalyst useful for paraffin dehydrogenation The invention relates to a catalyst composition suitable for the dehydrogenation of paraffins having 2-8 carbon atoms comprising zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, optionally further comprising oxides of cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), samarium (Sm), terbium (Tb), ytterbium (Yb), yttrium (Y), tungsten (W) and Zirconium (Zr) or mixtures thereof, wherein said catalyst composition is substantially free of chromium and platinum. The catalysts possess unique combinations of activity, selectivity, and stability. Methods for preparing improved dehydrogenation catalysts and a process for dehydrogenating paraffins having 2-8 carbon atoms, comprising contacting the mixed metal oxide catalyst with paraffins are also described. The catalyst may also be disposed on a porous support in an attrition-resistant form and used in a fluidized bed reactor.
US11040329B2	Density classifiers based on plane regions In an example, a print system include a component device that is operation in a number of state, a density engine, and a component engine. An example density engine identifies a plane region of a plane where print fluid is to be printed based on data of a print job and determines a density classifier for the plane based on a location of the plane region on the plane. An example component engine causes an adjustment of a component attribute of the component device based on the density classifier.
US11040326B2	Method for treating liquids with alternating electromagnetic field A method of processing a liquid by an alternating electromagnetic field includes: generating DC pulses by a pulse generator; and applying the DC pulses to a parallel oscillating circuit connected in parallel to the pulse generator. The parallel oscillating circuit includes an inductor connected in parallel to a capacitor. In response to the DC pulses, self-oscillations arise in the parallel oscillating circuit, the self-oscillations producing an alternating current in the inductor; and the inductor generates the alternating electromagnetic field for processing the liquid.
US11040323B2	Colloids of inorganic nanocrystals in molten media and related methods Colloids comprising inorganic nanocrystals dispersed in a molten salt or a liquid metal are provided. The molten salt may comprise an ion which is a Lewis acid or a Lewis base in the presence of the inorganic nanocrystals. Solid composites formed from the colloids are also provided. Methods of using the colloids as media for inducing chemical transformations using the inorganic nanocrystals are also provided.
US11040321B2	Adiabatic axial flow converter In an adiabatic axial flow converter, in which process gas passes from an outer annulus via a catalyst bed, wherein the process gas is converted to a product, to an inner centre tube, the catalyst bed comprises at least one module comprising one or more catalyst layers. Feed means are arranged to provide a flow of process gas from the outer annulus to an inlet part of one or more modules, and collector means are arranged to provide a flow of product stream of converted process gas which passes axially through the catalyst bed of one or more of the modules to the centre tube.
US11040319B2	Vortex mixing baffle The present invention provides a baffle pipe having a proximal end and a distal end encased in a pipe housing for homeowners to treat their own water sources with sodium hypochlorite. On the proximal end, the baffle pipe is in liquid communication with a cap that includes an inlet and an injection port. The inlet is in liquid communication with a water supply, wherein the injection port infuse the water flowing therethrough with a sodium hypochlorite solution. The distal end of the baffle pipe includes a plurality of angularly spaced pins and projections that position the baffle pipe within the pipe housing. Chlorinated water is ejected through a plurality of perforations along the baffle pipe and forced downstream toward the second end and a bell reducer of the pipe housing, wherein the projections and the bell reducer create a vortex for continuous mixing.
US11040317B2	Apparatus and method for preparing ingredients for a baby bottle using a concentrated solution Described is an apparatus for preparing baby formula using a liquid concentrate solution. The apparatus includes a housing with a cavity for receiving and holding a container liquid concentrate solution. A motor is attached with the housing for forcing liquid concentrate solution from the container and into a mixing chamber. A pump and a water tank are also included. A spray head is attached with the housing. The spray head includes a plurality of spray jets in fluid connection with the pump for receiving water from the water tank and dispensing water from the spray jets into the mixing chamber. Finally, the mixing chamber receives the liquid concentrate solution and water, such that when the water and the liquid concentrate solution are introduced into the mixing chamber, the water and liquid concentrate solution mix into a baby formula and are dispensed from an outlet in the mixing chamber.
US11040316B2	Emulsions and methods of making emulsions Disclosed are methods for making emulsions and emulsions, that in some embodiments can be considered to be Pickering emulsions.
US11040314B2	Apparatuses, systems, and methods for injecting gasses into beverages In certain examples, a beverage dispenser includes a gas system configured to collect ambient air, pressurize the ambient air, and dispense the pressurized ambient air, a valve configured to dispense a base fluid, and a concentrate system configured to dispense a concentrate. A manifold is configured to form a gas-injected mixed beverage comprising the base fluid, the concentrate, and the pressurized ambient air, and a nozzle is configured to apply a back-pressure upstream on the gas-injected mixed beverage and dispense the gas-injected mixed beverage.
US11040312B2	Porous membrane having a fluorinated copolymer as surface treatment Disclosed are porous membranes including a porous support and a coating comprising a copolymer having monomeric units A and B, and optionally monomeric units C; wherein A is a halogenated vinyl monomer other than tetrafluoroethylene, a halogenated alkyl vinyl ether, or an alkene of the formula CnH2n, wherein n is 1-6; B is a perfluoro (alkyl vinyl)ether compound, a perfluoroalkyl vinyl compound, or a perfluoro alkoxyalkyl vinyl ether compound, each compound having one or more sulfonic acid groups or a salt thereof, one or more sulfonyl fluoride groups, one or more sulfonamide groups, or one or more sulfonate ester groups, and C is vinylidene fluoride. Also disclosed are methods of preparing such porous membranes and methods of treating fluids by the use of these membranes.
US11040311B2	Interference patterns for spiral wound elements Embodiments of the present invention provide for the deposition of spacing elements on both opposing surfaces of either an entire folded membrane sheet or portions thereof in combination with features deposited on portions of the same sheet to create spacing geometries not otherwise achievable.
US11040310B2	Single-pass filtration systems and processes The present invention provides, in various embodiments, hybrid single-pass tangential flow filtration assemblies, disposable single-pass tangential flow filtration assemblies, scalable single-pass tangential flow filtration assemblies and adaptable modular single-pass tangential flow filtration assemblies. In other embodiments, the invention relates to processes for recovering proteins from the surface of a filtration membrane in a single-pass tangential flow filtration assembly and for cleaning a tangential flow filtration assembly. In additional embodiments, the invention provides methods of increasing the processing capacity of a single-pass tangential flow filtration assembly.
US11040306B2	Fuel tank inerting system A fuel tank inerting system is disclosed, comprising a fuel tank and an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode and an anode separated by a separator comprising an anion transfer medium. A cathode fluid flow path is in operative fluid communication with a catalyst at the cathode between a cathode fluid flow path inlet and a cathode fluid flow path outlet. An anode fluid flow path is in operative fluid communication with a catalyst at the anode, and includes an anode fluid flow path outlet. An electrical connected to a power source is arranged to provide a voltage difference between the anode and the cathode. An air source is in operative fluid communication with either or both of the cathode flow path inlet and the anode flow path inlet. An inert gas flow path is in operative fluid communication with the cathode flow path outlet and the fuel tank.
US11040302B2	Folded filter media pack with varying channels and deep corrugations Filter media packs that utilizes a zig-zag folding pattern on deeply corrugated filter media are described. The filter media is scored, folded, and secured into position to form the filter media pack. The filter media pack may be secured using a self-supporting structure (e.g., via tacking adhesive used to secure adjacent folds). The filter media pack contains unique features to optimize filtration performance, such as maximized inlet and outlet face flow areas. In some arrangements, the filter media pack exhibits improved flow characteristics and dust-holding capacity via upstream and downstream channels that have different cross-sectional shapes and/or sizes. The upstream and downstream channels may comprise, for example, circular, diamond shaped, or fish-scale shaped openings.
US11040301B2	Systems and methods for predicting HVAC filter change Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.
US11040293B2	Fluid collection device, material exchange column and method for producing a fluid collection device of this type The invention relates to a fluid collection device (8), in particular a support collector unit, for collecting fluid flowing through a packing (4) of a material exchange column (1). The fluid collection device (8) includes a support ring (11), a plurality of support profiles (12-16) secured to the support ring (11) for supporting the at least one packing (4), and a plurality of collection channels (19-21) secured to the support ring (11) for collecting the fluid. The collection channels (19-21) are positioned in parallel to the support profiles (12-16) and the support profiles (12-16) are arranged in such a way that they are each arranged in a no-flow area (40, 41) of one of the collection channels (19-21).
US11040292B2	System for obtaining an interaction between a person in charge and a child by means of a toy A system for obtaining an interaction between a person in charge and a child with a toy including an electronic module, a controller device and a computer application executed by said controller device wherein, by the execution of said computer application, a processor of said controller device performs the operations: reading, from said a storage memory, information corresponding to a profile of said child, said profile including at least one interest of said child; displaying, by means of a display, a list of activities, said list of activities including at least one activity option, said at least one activity option being related to said at least one interest of said child; obtaining, by means of said a user input interface, a selected activity from said list of activities; and communicating information corresponding to instructions related to said selected activity to said wearable electronic module by means of appropriate communicating means.
US11040289B2	Padded grate drainage system for water rides A padded grating system comprising sheets of multiple composite members secured together with multiple support bars or battens, wherein each composite member preferably consists of an elongated rigid bar with a foam layer adhered thereto which are encapsulated by a PVC or plastic water impervious tube or sleeve that has been heated and shrunk thereon. The sheets are specifically designed to be used in connection with water rides such as the FlowRider® and can be modularly installed on site to cover certain drainage areas. The composite members are preferably made by gluing the rigid bars onto a sheet of foam and cutting the foam sheet to form the composite members, and after the tube or sleeve has been heat shrunk around each one, the ends of the composite members are then cut and sealed.
US11040287B2	Experience-oriented virtual baseball game apparatus and virtual baseball game control method using the same Disclosed are an experience-oriented virtual baseball game apparatus that enables a user to practice baseball or play a baseball game with a virtual player in a virtual baseball image projected on a screen based on the virtual baseball image, configured such that the user experiences a very interesting war of nerves between a pitcher and a batter, for example, the user pitches a ball toward the screen in order to induce a virtual batter in the image to ground out or to fly out through the location of his/her pitch or the virtual batter makes a hit or hits a home run due to a careless pitch of the user, through the baseball game, and a virtual baseball game control method using the same.
US11040284B2	Information processing system, storage medium having stored therein information processing program, information processing apparatus, and information processing method An example of an information processing system includes a ring controller that deforms by applying a force to the ring controller. When a push-in operation or a pull operation on the ring controller is performed, first BGM or second BGM is output, superimposed on basic BGM. Further, when the push-in operation or the pull operation is performed, and the orientation of the ring controller is changed, a filter process or a delay process is performed. Further, when the push-in operation or the pull operation is detected, an instrument sound is added in accordance with the orientation of the ring controller at this time.
US11040278B2	Server device distributing video data and replay data and storage medium used in same Provided is a server device that makes it possible to suitably distribute both video data and replay data. A center server distributes at least part of server data to a user terminal connected via a network. When the user terminal functions as a game terminal, the server center acquires replay data for reproducing past play from the user terminal so that the replay data functions as the server data and, when the server data includes video data and the user terminal functions as a video display terminal, updates the video data so that game video corresponding to the past play is displayed. The center server determines data to be distributed in accordance with the type of user terminal so that replay data is distributed to the user terminal when functioning as a game terminal and video data is distributed to the user terminal when functioning as a video display terminal.
US11040274B2	Systems and methods for roster management in fantasy sports contest applications The fantasy sports contest application of the present invention alerts the user of necessary roster changes before an upcoming fantasy sports competition. The fantasy sports contest application may evaluate the user's team roster before an upcoming fantasy sports competition to ensure that all roster spots on the team roster are filled with athletes available for real-life competitions. The fantasy sports contest application may also identify roster changes and roster transactions that may be beneficial to a user's fantasy sports contest team roster.The fantasy sports contest application may recommend roster changes and roster transactions to the user by evaluating the performance of athletes using performance criteria. The performance criteria can be based on the past performance of athletes, either overall, or for certain situations. The performance criteria may be predefined by the system, user-editable, or any suitable combination thereof.
US11040273B2	Gaming object flipping apparatus for electronic gaming machine An improved system, apparatus and method for flipping gaming objects, such as dice, in a random, reliable manner. An object flipping platform can be contained within a container associated with an electronic gaming machine. The container can be at least partially transparent so that users (e.g., game players) are able to view the objects flipping. The object flipping platform can be used to flip objects (e.g., dice) from one side to an opposite side, and vice versa.
US11040272B2	System and method for bingo card nesting in game feature resolution A gaming method and system are disclosed wherein the number of available bingo patterns that may be used in a class II game are significantly increased. When using a class II gaming engine to determine the results of a class II game play, a bingo card associated with a feature may award credit values and also one or more additional nested bingo cards, to all be played within the resolution of a single feature. This feature nesting increases the number of patterns available, thereby increasing the distribution of prizes in a class II game. By expanding the number of available patterns in this manner, it is possible to improve a player's experience when playing a class II game, and to better replicate the target prize distribution for all features of a class III game on a class II game.
US11040271B1	Card intermixing device A device and methods for intermixing playing cards in a card stack used in casino gaming. The device includes a card-edge lifting structure for lifting the edges of adjacent sub-stacks of playing cards and two push surfaces which translate the sub-stacks closer. When the cards from the adjacent sub-stacks slip past the shaft of the card-edge lifting structure, the cards fall and interleave. The cards are “squared up” and repositioned, completing the card intermixing cycle. The card stack goes through a plurality of card intermixing cycles to obtain the necessary card randomness. Because the card falling is only being acted upon by gravity, the device is simple and compact. A number of embodiments that change the card falling characteristics and the randomness of the card stack are described. A card funnel is further described that allows a card stack to be “squared up” prior to the card intermixing process, minimizing the misalignment of the card stack and potential failures in the card intermixing process.
US11040270B1	Billiard cue storage assembly A billiard cue storage assembly for storing a chalking a plurality of billiard sticks includes a stand that has an upper disk spaced from a lower disk. Each of the upper disk and the lower disk has a plurality of holes therein for insertably receiving a billiard cue. Additionally, each of the holes in the lower disk insertably receives a cube of billiard chalk. A rotation disk is rotatably coupled to the lower disk and the rotation disk has a slot therein. The slot is alignable with a respective one of the holes in the lower disk to facilitate the cube of billiard chalk to be urged downwardly out of the respective hole in the lower disk. A plurality of feet is each coupled to the lower disk to support the lower disk above a support surface.
US11040269B2	Electric skateboard with strain-based controls and methods An electric weight sensing skateboard using one or more strain gauge systems to detect rider-induced strain on one or both trucks, an inertial sensor to detect accelerations and balance position, and wheel speed sensors. Throttle is controlled by rider position, for example, lean forward to increase speed, lean back to slow down. Several drive methods include a driver position detection velocity setpoint control, torque setpoint control, and direct velocity/torque control. A throttle remote is note required. Rider weight activates the motors.
US11040267B2	Processor-controlled sport boot binding Some aspects include a ski binding system using controllable electromagnets, alone or in combination with permanent magnets, as means of attaching or releasing a ski boot to a ski during use. Some aspects include a ski binding system using a controllable solenoid. In some aspects, microprocessor-based control releases binding electronically based on input from sensors located in binding, ski and/or boot, as well as in other equipment or clothing connected to them or to skier, or binding releases when a mechanical threshold is overcome. In some aspects, sensor data are recorded for analysis of system performance and for adjustment and improvement of system parameters based on data analytics.
US11040266B2	Method and apparatus for precise determination of a position of a target on a surface A method and apparatus for determining the precise location of a target on a surface by utilizing a plurality of objects that are fixed in their position proximate to the location, thereby constituting a plurality of fixed reference points, upon which the target(s) resides or is otherwise located. The plurality of fixed references points are used either in conjunction with images of the target or certain distance measurements between the target and the fixed reference points to determine the precise location of the target(s) on the surface.
US11040265B2	Machine for launching balls A frame is provided with at least two holes to fasten electrical and/or electronic devices. The frame includes a single body having fastening means to be fastened on at least one flush-mounted box, and that includes a first part incorporating a hole intended to be fastened on a flush-mounted box by fastening means adapted to fasten the frame on the flush-mounted box and a second part incorporating a hole that is not associated to a flush-mounted box. The frame, at least on the part incorporating the hole that is not associated to a box shows at least a separator element supporting the frame on the wall on which it is to be installed. The separator element is constituted by the frame itself folded creating a flap or rim, the separator element spanning on the whole or part of the perimeter of the frame.
US11040261B1	System for turning a steer roping practice apparatus A system for practicing roping of a steer may include a towing apparatus configured to tow a steer roping practice apparatus across a ground surface, a central anchor device configured to define a fixed anchor point with respect to the ground surface, an elongated guide member attachable at a first end to the central anchor device and attachable at a second end to the towing apparatus to guide the towing apparatus along a circular path about the central anchor device, and a turning device configured to engage the elongated guide member between the central anchor device and the towing apparatus in a manner causing the towing apparatus to make a turn on the ground surface from the circular path. The system may also include a mechanical steer roping practice apparatus movable across the ground surface and removably hitched to the towing apparatus.
US11040257B2	Golf club A golf club includes a head; a shaft; and a grip. The head has a weight Wh of greater than or equal to 195 g. The golf club has a club length Lc of greater than or equal to 45.0 inches. The golf club has a club weight Wc of greater than or equal to 295 g. The golf club has a swing moment of inertia Isw of less than or equal to 5470×103 (g·cm2). The swing moment of inertia Isw (g·cm2) is calculated by the following formula (1): Isw=Wc×(Lg+40)2+Ic (1), where Wc represents the club weight (g), Lg represents a distance (cm) in an axial direction between a butt end of the grip and a center of gravity of the golf club, and Ic represents a moment of inertia (g·cm2) of the golf club about the center of gravity of the golf club.
US11040256B2	Multicomponent weight system for a golf club head The present invention is a golf club head containing a multicomponent weight system comprising a weight member, a cap, and a fastener. The weight member comprises of an upper surface, side surface, one or more splines, one or more slits, an aperture, and one or more bores. The cap comprises an aperture and at least one post. The fastener comprises a head portion and body portion.
US11040255B2	Golf club head structures having split, multi-part heads Golf club heads include at least one part having a side wall extending completely around the golf club head, wherein the side wall ends at an edge (a free end) that defines an open side of the part. An interior surface of this side wall has a draft angle of −1° or more as it extends to its edge. In some club heads, the interior surface of at least one club head part will be shaped so that the interior surface does not converge as the side wall of that part extends to its edge. For some club head parts, the planar cross sectional area defined inside the interior surface of the part will either stay the same or get larger as one moves to the part edge. By avoiding or limiting features of negative draft angles, converging interior surfaces, and/or smaller cross sectional areas on interior surfaces of a part, manufacturing and tooling may be simplified.
US11040247B2	Real-time and dynamically generated graphical user interfaces for competitive events and broadcast data Real-time and dynamically generated graphical user interfaces for competitive events and broadcast data are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining, for each of a plurality of individuals, at least one of an absolute performance threshold or a personal performance threshold; receiving a data feed from each of a plurality of workout devices associated with the plurality of individuals over a network, the data feed including at least one of real-time absolute performance data or real-time personal performance data; determining, for each of the individuals, a performance zone based on a comparison of at least one of the real-time absolute performance data and the absolute performance threshold or the real-time personal performance data and the personal performance threshold; generating a graphical user interface that includes a broadcast of a real-time video of an instructor leading a workout; and a real-time leaderboard overlaid on the broadcast.
US11040246B2	Increasing accuracy in workout autodetection systems and methods Devices, systems, and methods can be used including receiving motion data, categorizing the motion data into portions of a minute that indicate activity or a workout, and automatically determining an accurate number of active minutes for an individual. Multiple data streams may be analyzed and de-duplicated, such that an accurate metric may be computed and reported to an individual.
US11040242B2	Breathing device A breathing device includes a mouthpiece having a passage therein and a housing connected to the mouthpiece. The passage is configured to receive breaths including inhales and exhales. The breathing device further includes light emitters, a sensor and a controller. The light emitters have an operational status and non-operational status. The sensor is configured to sense pressure generated by the breaths and obtain pressure data associated therewith. The controller is configured to receive the pressure data and determine if breaths are exhales or inhales. The controller is further configured to transmit an inhale signal to the light emitters during an inhale to change their status in an inhale lighting predetermined sequence and timing. The controller is also configured to transmit an exhale signal to the lights emitters during an exhale to change their status in an exhale lighting predetermined sequence and timing.
US11040241B1	Methods of exercising human arms Disclosed herein are methods of exercising human arms, including a method of exercising human arms that may include: 1) providing an arm exercise assembly, comprising: a) a frame; b) a wheel coupled to the frame; c) two locks disposed on the wheel; and d) a handle coupled to the wheel; 2) coupling the two locks to the wheel; and 3) abutting the handle against one or both of the two locks.
US11040240B1	Exercise device for neck and upper body An exercise device (200) which a user (220) communicates with a base unit (260) whose shape comprises of a first arm projection (340) that ends with a first end (380) located along a radiating line from the base unit (260), and comprises of a second arm projection (440) that ends with a second end (420) ending somewhat away from the base unit (260) in a shape that contacts the user's head, whereby upon the urging of the user of the first end (380) produces at the second end (420) a force onto the user when the second end (420) is at least in contact with the user's head.
US11040237B2	Inflatable plyometric box An inflatable plyometric box having a first inflatable member adapted to be inflated to a pressure, a second inflatable member on top of the first inflatable member and adapted to be inflated to a pressure, and a connecting member connected to the first inflatable member and the second inflatable member which secures the first inflatable member to the second inflatable member. The first and second inflatable members incorporate drop stitch technology which provides substantial rigidity to first and second inflatable members when the first and second inflatable members are inflated to the pressures. Thus the inflatable plyometric box is substantially rigid to support a user landing on the top of the inflatable plyometric box. The inflatable plyometric box may additionally include a stabilizing member which may be connected to the bottom of the inflatable plyometric box, wherein the stabilizing member is adapted to increase the stability of the inflatable plyometric box.
US11040232B1	Hydrodynamic exercise device and method Exercise devices and methods avoid the establishment and transmission of any abrupt impact to a person during the conduct of an exercise routine with an exercise device having an elongate tubular body of flexible material with an internal chamber extending longitudinally between opposite terminal ends of the chamber, and a liquid medium partially filling the chamber so as to be movable between the terminal ends in response to manipulation of the tubular body. The chamber is provided with a reentrant curved contour configuration at each terminal end such that during manipulation of the tubular body while conducting the exercise routine, the liquid medium, upon reaching a terminal end of the chamber, will follow a smooth, uninterrupted return path along the reentrant curved contour configuration, thereby creating an exercise force while avoiding the establishment and transmission of any abrupt impact at a corresponding terminal end. A transparent portion of the tubular body reveals instructive or entertaining images displayed within the tubular body during the conduct of an exercise routine.
US11040225B2	Back-up crew breathing gas system and method A system and a method for providing a secondary source of breathing gas to a mask are disclosed. The system includes secondary reservoir having a breathing gas, the secondary reservoir connected to a primary line by a secondary line. A pressure switch detects a pressure in the primary line and, upon a pressure lower than a threshold, actuates an actuator to permit the flow of breathing gas from the secondary reservoir through the secondary line. A valve may be configured to prevent a flow of gas from the secondary line to a source side of the primary line. The method includes detecting gas pressure and actuating an actuator upon a low gas pressure to permit a flow of secondary gas to the breathing mask by way of a secondary line. The gas may be prevented from flowing from the secondary line to a source side of the primary line.
US11040223B2	Compositions and methods related to xCT peptides Certain embodiments are directed to composition for inducing an immune response against xCT that is directed to cancer stem cells expressing xCT.
US11040222B2	Assessment and improvement of treatment using imaging of physiological responses to radiation therapy Edema in tissue of a patient undergoing a course of radiation therapy or treatment can be estimated based on one or more MRI measurements used to measure changes in fluid content of various tissues. A correlation between observed changes in edema and one or more delivered fractions of radiation can be used to drive one or more clinical actions. Methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and the like are described.
US11040221B2	Adaptive radiation therapy using composite imaging slices Systems and methods are provided for registering images. The systems and methods perform operations comprising: receiving, at a first time point during a given radiation session, a first imaging slice comprising an object, the first imaging slice corresponding to a first plane; accessing, at the first time point during the given radiation session, a composite imaging slice corresponding to the first plane, the composite imaging slice being generated using a plurality of imaging slices obtained prior to the first time point; spatially registering the first imaging slice and the composite imaging slice; determining movement of the object using the spatially registered first imaging slice and the composite imaging slice; and generating an updated therapy protocol to control delivery of a therapy beam based on the determined movement.
US11040220B2	Method and system for in situ targeting of objects A method for tracking a target located within a body, whilst scanning the body using X-ray projections, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a first prior image of the body and target indicating their relative position; (b) iteratively performing, for a series of time intervals, the steps of: (i) acquiring a few spatially distributed x-ray projections of the target area; (ii) determining one of a series of motion phases for each x-ray projection; (iii) performing an iterative reconstruction of the image for each of the motion phases; and (iv) outputting a resultant image for a current time interval.
US11040218B2	Oral treatment device, system and method An oral treatment device that emits electromagnetic radiation onto surfaces of a user's teeth. The oral treatment device may include an intraoral mouthpiece and a handle extending therefrom, the handle containing the control circuitry required for operation of the device. The mouthpiece may include a lamp support structure, a lamp, a lens plate, and a guard component. The lamp may include an electromagnetic radiation source that includes a flexible sheet and a plurality of illumination elements located thereon. The illumination elements may be light emitting diodes printed with an electrically conductive. Additional electronic components such as a processor and a power source may also be included in the device.
US11040216B2	Implantable optrode with a controller configured for operation in a stimulation mode and in a diagnostic mode An optrode arrangement for delivering optical stimulation to target tissue in a patient, the optrode arrangement comprising an implantable optrode comprising at least one electrically powered light emitter and an electrical circuit and control lines for controlling the light emitter, whereby an associated controller has two modes of operation: a stimulation mode in which it is configured to control the light emitter to deliver optical stimulation to the target tissue and a diagnostic mode in which it is configured to determine a condition of the light emitter and/or the optrode.
US11040215B2	Compositions and methods for enhancing the biological response to chemical agents and physical stimuli The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.
US11040213B2	Methods and implantable medical devices for detecting a magnetic field Methods and devices are provided for detecting a magnetic field in a presence of an implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD includes at least one electrode and a magnetic detection sensor configured to detect a magnetic field of an external magnetic source. The IMD includes a notification circuit, and an arrhythmia circuit configured to analyze cardiac signals sensed by the electrode and to deliver a therapy based on the cardiac signals. The IMD includes an electronics circuit that is configured to suspend the delivery of the therapy in response to detection of the magnetic field by the magnetic field sensor. The electronics circuit is configured to trigger the notification circuit to generate a notification output in response to the detection of the magnetic field indicating that the therapy has been suspended.
US11040211B2	Neurostimulation system with flexible patterning and waveforms A neurostimulation system configured for providing neurostimulation therapy to a patient. A user customizes a pulse pattern on a pulse-by-pulse basis. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to at least one electrode in accordance with the customized pulse pattern.
US11040209B2	Radio frequency antenna capacitively coupled to a charging coil in an implantable medical device A design for an implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed in which a charging coil and a short-range RF antenna in the IMD's header are physically integrated, and in which the short-range RF antenna includes intentional coupling to the charging coil. A pick-up is capacitively coupled to the charging coil in the header, such as by wrapping the pick-up at least partially around the turns of the charging coil. The charging coil is used to receive power via a magnetic inductive link at a first (preferably lower) frequency, while the combined charging coil and pick-up—together acting as the short-range RF antenna—receive and transmit short-range RF data (e.g., Bluetooth) via a short-range RF data link at a second (preferably higher) frequency. Resonance of the charging coil and short-range RF antenna can be independently tuned, and circuitry can prevent interference between them.
US11040208B1	Distributed cardiac pacing system An apparatus includes a relay and sampling unit, a pacing unit, a pacing detection circuit, and a processor. The relay and sampling unit receives multiple electrocardiogram (ECG) signals that are sensed by respective electrodes in a heart of a patient, and digitize a first subset of the ECG signals, and forward a second subset of the ECG signals un-digitized over analog lines. The pacing unit outputs pacing signals, which the pacing detection circuit detects and outputs a trigger in response. The processor receives the trigger and identities of ones of the electrodes via which the pacing signals are to be applied, and, in response to identifying that the electrodes, via which the pacing signals are to be applied, are currently associated with the digitized ECG signals, instructs the relay and sampling unit to switch the identified electrodes to the analog lines for transferring the pacing signals.
US11040206B2	System and method for delivering sub-threshold and super-threshold therapy to a patient A neuromodulation system includes modulation output circuitry and control circuitry. The modulation output circuitry may be configured to deliver therapeutic electrical energy including therapeutic sub-threshold electrical energy and therapeutic a super-threshold electrical energy. The sub-threshold electrical energy is below a patient-perception threshold and the super-threshold electrical energy is above the patient-perception threshold. The patient-perception threshold is a boundary below which a patient does not sense delivery of the electrical energy and above which the patient does sense delivery of the electrical energy. The control circuitry is configured to control the modulation output circuitry to deliver the therapeutic electrical energy using alternating cycles of the sub-threshold electrical energy below the patient-perception threshold and the super-threshold electrical energy above the patient-perception-threshold.
US11040205B2	Therapy program selection for electrical stimulation therapy based on a volume of tissue activation In some examples, a processor of a system evaluates a therapy program based on a score determined based on a volume of tissue expected to be activated (“VTA”) by therapy delivery according to the therapy program. The score may be determined using a three-dimensional (3D) grid comprising a plurality of voxels that are each assigned a value. The processor may register the VTA with the 3D grid and determine the score for the therapy program based on the values assigned to voxels with which the VTA overlaps. One or more therapy programs for electrical stimulation therapy (e.g., deep brain stimulation) may be selected based on the scores determined based on the 3D grid.
US11040204B2	Neuromodulation for neuroinflammation treatments with parameters controlled using biomarkers An example of a system for modulating neuroinflammation at a tissue site in a patient includes a neuromodulation output circuit, a memory, and a control circuit. The neuromodulation output circuit may be configured to deliver the neuromodulation. The memory may be configured to store a neuromodulation parameter set selected to modulate neural activity at the tissue site and a sensed biomarker parameter. The biomarker parameter may include a measure of a biomarker or a measure of a derivative of the biomarker. The biomarker may be indicative of the neuroinflammation at the tissue site. The control circuit may be configured to control the delivery of the neuromodulation using the neuromodulation parameter set and adjust one or more parameters of the neuromodulation parameter set using the biomarker parameter.
US11040198B1	Movement disorder therapy system, devices and methods, and methods of remotely tuning The present invention relates to methods for remotely tuning treatment parameters in movement disorder therapy systems where the subject and clinician are located remotely from each other. The present invention still further provides methods of quantifying movement disorders for the treatment of patients who exhibit symptoms of such movement disorders including, but not limited to, Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism, Dystonia, Chorea, and Huntington's disease, Ataxia, Tremor and Essential Tremor, Tourette syndrome, stroke, and the like. The present invention yet further relates to methods of remotely tuning a therapy device using objective quantified movement disorder symptom data to determine the therapy setting or parameters to be transmitted and provided to the subject via his or her therapy device. The present invention also provides treatment and tuning remotely, allowing for home monitoring of subjects.
US11040191B2	Method of forming a medical device comprising graphene The invention concerns a method of forming a medical device, the method comprising: forming a graphene film (100) over a substrate (204); depositing, by gas phase deposition, a polymer material covering a surface of the graphene film (100); and removing the substrate (204) from the graphene film (100), wherein the polymer material forms a support (102) for the graphene film (100).
US11040188B2	Flow estimation using hall-effect sensors and/or magnetic bearing currents Methods and apparatus for estimating flow rate in a blood circulation assist system employing impeller eccentricity. A method includes magnetically rotating an impeller within a blood flow channel of a blood pump. The impeller is levitated within the blood flow channel transverse to the impeller axis of rotation. A rotational speed for the impeller is determined. At least one impeller transverse position parameter is determined. The at least one impeller transverse position parameter is based on at least one of (1) an amount of a bearing current that is used to levitate the impeller transverse to the impeller axis of rotation, and (2) a position of the impeller within the blood flow channel transverse to the impeller axis of rotation. A flow rate of blood pumped by the blood pump is estimated based on the impeller rotational speed and the at least one impeller transverse position parameter.
US11040185B2	Disposable tattoo needle cartridge A disposable tattoo needle cartridge (14) for connecting to a tattoo machine drive unit comprises a cartridge housing (26) and a needle assembly (28) comprising a needle driver connector (36) and at least one needle (16), the needle driver connector (36) being connectable to a needle driver (38) of the tattoo machine drive unit (12) for receiving a reciprocating motion, the needle assembly (28) being slidingly arranged in the tattoo needle cartridge (26) to allow said reciprocating motion along a reciprocation axis (A), wherein the cartridge housing (26) has a front end portion provided with a needle nozzle for allowing the at least one needle (16) to reciprocatingly protrude from the tattoo needle cartridge (14); and a rear end portion (30) configured to be connected to the tattoo machine drive unit (12), wherein the needle driver connector (36) comprises a needle assembly magnet (44) for connecting to a mating drive magnet (46) of the needle driver (38) in a contact-less manner in a radial, with respect to the reciprocation axis (A), connection direction.
US11040180B2	Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function A method for removing fluid from a patient is provided, the method including: deploying a ureteral stent or ureteral catheter into a ureter of a patient to maintain patency of fluid flow between a kidney and a bladder of the patient; deploying a bladder catheter into the bladder of the patient, wherein the bladder catheter comprises a distal end configured to be positioned in a patient's bladder, a drainage lumen portion having a proximal end, and a sidewall extending therebetween; and applying negative pressure to the proximal end of the bladder catheter to induce negative pressure in a portion of the urinary tract of the patient to remove fluid from the patient. Systems and kits related thereto also are provided.
US11040178B2	Serration balloon A serration balloon can have a number of different components and can be made in a number of different manners. One or more longitudinally extending members with periodic raised wedges can be attached to a medical balloon. They can be attached with a fiber coating, a polymer coating, or other methods. A polymer matrix can be used to bond the longitudinally extending member to the surface of the balloon. The fiber coating can be, for example, a thread or mesh that secures the longitudinally extending member to the balloon. The medical balloon can be an angioplasty balloon, such as an off-the-shelf angioplasty balloon.
US11040175B2	Engagement catheter devices, systems, and methods to use the same under suctional tissue engagement Engagement catheter devices, systems, and methods to use the same under suctional tissue engagement. A method of the present disclosure comprises the steps of engaging a targeted tissue under suction/vacuum using an engagement catheter, delivering a substance into or through the targeted tissue using a needle positioned within a first lumen of the engagement catheter, injecting a fluid within the first lumen of the engagement catheter to flush at least part of the first lumen with the fluid, and suctionally removing the injected fluid from within the first lumen of the engagement catheter.
US11040172B2	Ureteral and bladder catheters and methods of inducing negative pressure to increase renal perfusion A ureteral catheter for placement in a kidney, renal pelvis, and/or in a ureter adjacent to the renal pelvis of a patient, includes: an elongated tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the tube defining at least one drainage lumen extending through the tube; and an expandable retention portion configured to transition from a retracted position to a deployed position and which, in the deployed position, defines a three-dimensional shape positioned to maintain fluid flow from the kidney through at least the distal end of the tube.
US11040169B2	Method and apparatus for controlling temperature adjustment device A method and an apparatus for controlling a temperature adjustment device using a sensing device are provided. The method includes setting a test temperature, transmitting a temperature adjustment instruction corresponding to the test temperature to a temperature adjustment device, calculating a sleep score based on bio information received from the sensor, when applying the test temperature, and determining a sleep optimal temperature based on the calculated sleep score.
US11040167B2	Oscillating positive expiratory pressure device A respiratory treatment device comprising at least one chamber, a chamber inlet configured to receive exhaled air into the at least one chamber, at least one chamber outlet configured to permit exhaled air to exit the at least one chamber, and an exhalation flow path defined between the chamber inlet and the at least one chamber outlet. A restrictor member positioned in the exhalation flow path is moveable between a closed position, where a flow of exhaled air along the exhalation flow path is restricted, and an open position, where the flow of exhaled air along the exhalation flow path is less restricted. A vane in fluid communication with the exhalation flow path is operatively connected to the restrictor member and is configured to reciprocate between a first position and a second position in response to the flow of exhaled air along the exhalation flow path.
US11040157B2	Medicinal inhaler drive mechanism A drive mechanism for a medicinal inhaler, the inhaler comprising: a patient port; a canister actuable by the drive mechanism to deliver a dose of medicament to the patient port, the drive mechanism comprising: a follower which moves between a first position in which the mechanism is primed for use and a second position in which the follower engages the canister to deliver a dose of medicament to the patient port, the follower being carried on a rocker plate which pivots as the follower moves between its first and second position, wherein the rocker plate engages a switch when the follower is in its second position to indicate that a dose of medicament has been delivered to the patient port.
US11040156B2	Aerosol delivery systems There is provided an electronically controlled, motor-driven, breath actuated metered dose inhaler for delivering aerosolized medicament or other matter to a user. The inhaler may comprise a base housing including a motor-driven actuator and other system components and a removable aerosol cartridge insertably receivable in the base housing. The inhaler may be paired with a smart phone or other client computing device to provide additional functionality, such as to provide instructional information and feedback regarding usage of the inhaler, to generate and display dosage tracking information, and to provide alerts and reminders to a user of the inhaler or others.
US11040154B1	Tamper evident cap for medical fitting A tamper evident closure assembly for a fitting including, but not limited to, use in combination with a female fixture or an enteral fixture. A cap is connectable in flow restricting relation to the fitting and includes an indicator member removably connected to an exterior thereof. A housing is dimensioned to removably contain the cap and the connected indicator member. Subsequent to the fixture being connected to the cap, a removal thereof results in the indicator member being detached from the cap and movably disposed in a captured, detached orientation within the housing. Tampering may be evidenced by the indicator member remaining captivated within the housing which may be determined by visual observation or the generation of sound caused resulting from the housing being shaken.
US11040153B2	Syringe adapter with secure connection A syringe adapter includes a housing having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, with the housing defining a passageway, and a connector body having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, with the connector body having a connection member configured to be secured to a mating connector. One of the housing and the connector body includes a tab and the other of the housing and the connector body defines a channel that receives the tab, with the connector body movable relative to the housing between a first position where the connector body is restricted from rotating relative to the housing in a first rotational direction and free to rotate relative to the housing in a second rotational direction, and a second position where the connector body is free to rotate in the first and second rotational directions.
US11040146B2	Dosing apparatus for dispensing a fluid under aseptic conditions The dosing apparatus comprises a conveying device (5), which is driven by at least one conveying drive (4), for conveying fluid from the interior (3) of a container (2). The fluid by means of the conveying device (5) is conveyable from the container to a dispensing opening (6). The conveying device (5) comprises a cylinder (7) having at least one intake opening (11) and at least one outlet opening (12) on an inner cylinder wall (8), and a first piston (9) and a second piston (10). The first piston (9) and the second piston (10) are mounted within the cylinder (7) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the first piston (9) and the second piston (10) between the end sides thereof and together with a portion of the inner cylinder wall (8) delimit a variable fluid volume (17).
US11040145B1	Plunger unit creating intermittent audio signals and a medicament delivery device having the unit A plunger unit is presented having rod member and a plunger body, movably mounted to the rod member, a striker movably mounted between the plunger body and the rod member, and a first biasing member urging the plunger body and the rod member, wherein the striker impacts the plunger body to create signals when the first biasing member activates a movement of the plunger body relative to the rod member. A medicament delivery device is also presented having a proximal sub-assembly and a distal sub-assembly movably connected to the proximal sub-assembly, where the plunger unit is received in the distal sub-assembly.
US11040137B2	Wearable drug delivery device A drug delivery device includes a housing component having an interior space and an exterior surface, an injection needle having a retracted state wherein the needle is hosted inside of the interior space and a deployed state wherein a pointed end of the needle projects beyond the exterior surface of the housing component, a needle drive mechanism coupled to the needle to move the needle between the retracted and deployed states, and a drug container disposed within the interior space. The drug container is pre-filled with sterile liquid drug and to be in fluid communication with the needle. The sterile liquid drug herein might be solution, suspension, emulation or other forms in fluid state. The drug delivery device also includes a microcontroller coupled to the needle drive mechanism. The microcontroller is configured to control the needle drive mechanism to move the needle between the retracted state and the deployed state. Further, the delivery device is wearable, disposable, and single-use.
US11040132B2	Blood circulation system Disclosed is an artificial heart and lung apparatus (100) that can be connected to a patient (P), and transfers removed blood to a human body via a roller pump (120), the system including: the roller pump (120); a blood removal line (101) which transfers removed blood to the roller pump (120); a first blood transfer line (104) that transfers blood, which is transferred from the roller pump (120), to the human body; a blood removal rate sensor (111) that is provided in the blood removal line (101); and a control unit (140), in which the control unit (140) performs control such that a blood transfer rate of the roller pump (120) is in a specific range with respect to a blood removal rate measured by a blood removal rate sensor (111).
US11040130B2	Filter medium for obtaining plasma, and associated filtration device and method A filter medium includes two porous zones arranged in the form of a stack that include (i) a first porous zone, called “prefiltration”, treated with at least one reagent presenting affinity for red blood cells and leading to red blood cells being captured or agglutinated on the prefiltration zone; and (ii) a second porous zone, called “asymmetric”, presenting pore size that decreases transversely to its thickness, the portion of higher pore size being positioned towards the prefiltration zone.
US11040129B2	Mobile continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis system A wearable mobile continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (mCAPD) system, includes an mCAPD module mounted on a front portion of a wearable belt, wherein the mCAPD module comprises a micro-peristaltic pump disposed in a corresponding front portion, and an electronic control board connected to the micro-peristaltic pump for controlling and managing the mCAPD process, a fluid bag containing a dialysate fluid, attached to the wearable belt and to the electronic control board, and a sterile connector having a tube portion fixed into a guide section of the micro-peristaltic pump, and a first connecting end for connecting to a first tube inserted into a peritoneum cavity of the human body, and a second connecting end for connecting to a second tube attached to the fluid bag. Upon rotation, the micro-peristaltic pump enables a flow of fluid between the peritoneum cavity and the fluid bag.
US11040124B2	Method of and a mold for the manufacture, making and/or production of a multi-component implant, device, construct or material An improved new method of making a multi-component implant comprising a solid hydrogel, a porous hydrogel, and a porous rigid base suitable for implantation into a mammal, to treat, repair or replace defects and/or injury biological tissue as well as the implant made from the improved method. The invention also includes an improved method for making devices, constructs, and materials comprising a hydrogel and a porous rigid material. The invention also includes a mold and kits for performing the methods.
US11040123B2	Air purification system A portable or handhold air cleaning system, whose air flow pipeline made of highly reflective and low absorptive material for UVC or UVB light acts also as a UV light waveguide, is invented. The system features a TEC cooled LED light source; air flow warm up mechanism; and UV light absorption/air cleaning enhancement device. The system is useful for travellers and office workers during flu and hay-fever seasons.
US11040122B2	Device and system for dispensing customized scents A scent dispensing device is provided that includes a plurality of containers, each containing a different scent ingredient; a driving system configured to separately cause each of the plurality of containers to dispense a quantity of the respective scent ingredient; and a delivery system configured to transport any dispensed quantities from the scent containers to a common receiving area for dispensing onto to a single medium.
US11040121B2	UV sterilization of container, room, space or defined environment Provided herein are portable ultraviolet (UV) devices, systems, and methods of use and manufacturing same. Methods of use include methods for UV disinfection and sterilization, more specifically, methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, a room, a space or a defined environment. The portable UV devices, systems and methods are particularly useful for the UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, a room, a space or defined environment used in various industries. Provided are also portable UV devices, systems, and methods for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present in a container, a room, a space or a defined environment, preferably for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present on an interior surface of a container, a room, a space or a defined environment.
US11040115B2	Method for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases Nucleases and methods of using these nucleases for inserting a sequence encoding a therapeutic protein such as an enzyme into a cell, thereby providing proteins or cell therapeutics for treatment and/or prevention of a lysosomal storage disease.
US11040111B2	Bi-specific antibodies and uses thereof Disclosed herein is a bi-specific antibody that specifically directs a therapeutic agent to a cancer cell by targeting a tumor antigen of the cancer cell, and thereby suppressing the growth of the cancer or blocking the invasion or metastasis of the cancer. The bi-specific antibody of the present disclosure includes a first antigen binding site that binds to polyethylene glycol (PEG); and a second antigen binding site that binds to a target ligand, such as a tumor antigen.
US11040110B2	Polypeptide complex comprising non-peptidyl polymer having three functional ends Disclosed is a protein complex, comprising a physiologically active polypeptide, a dimeric protein and a non-peptidyl polymer having three functional ends (3-arm), with the linkage of both the physiologically active polypeptide and the dimeric protein to the 3-arm non-peptidyl polymer via respective covalent bonds. The protein complex guarantees the long acting activity and biostability of a physiologically active polypeptide. Having the ability to maintain the bioactivity of physiologically active polypeptides or peptides highly and to significantly improve the serum half life of the polypeptides or peptides, the protein complex can be applied to the development of sustained release formulations of various physiologically active polypeptide drugs. Also, it utilizes raw materials including the physiologically active polypeptides without significant loss, thereby increasing the production yield. Further, it can be easily purified.
US11040109B2	Blood coagulation protein conjugates The invention relates to materials and methods of conjugating a water soluble polymer to an oxidized carbohydrate moiety of a blood coagulation protein comprising contacting the oxidized carbohydrate moiety with an activated water soluble polymer under conditions that allow conjugation. More specifically, the present invention relates to the aforementioned materials and methods wherein the water soluble polymer contains an active aminooxy group and wherein an oxime linkage is formed between the oxidized carbohydrate moiety and the active aminooxy group on the water soluble polymer. In one embodiment of the invention the conjugation is carried out in the presence of the nucleophilic catalyst aniline. In addition the generated oxime linkage can be stabilized by reduction with NaCNBH3 to form an alkoxyamine linkage.
US11040106B2	Conjugates of kinase inhibitors and cyanine dyes The present disclosure provides conjugates of kinase inhibitors and cyanine dyes, as well as related compositions, methods and uses.
US11040102B2	High concentration antibody formulations Discloses herein are high concentration antibody formulations comprising an anti-sclerostin immunoglobulin and an acetate salt and/or an acetate buffer and methods of use.
US11040100B2	Rapid and prolonged immunogic therapeutic The present invention shows that intranasal administration of E1/E3-defective adenovirus particles may confer rapid and broad protection against viral and bacterial pathogens in a variety of disease settings. Protective responses lasted for many weeks in a single-dose regimen in animal models. When a pathogen-derived antigen gene was inserted into the E1/E3-defective adenovirus genome, the antigen-induced protective immunity against the specific pathogen was elicited before the adenovirus-mediated protective response declined away, thus conferring rapid, prolonged, and seamless protection against pathogens. In addition to E1/E3-defective adenovirus, other bioengineered non-replicating vectors encoding pathogen-derived antigens may also be developed into a new generation of rapid and prolonged immunologic-therapeutic (RAPIT).
US11040096B2	Therapeutic HPV16 vaccines Provided is designer nucleic acid constructs and polypeptides that can be used as therapeutic vaccines against HPV16.
US11040095B2	Human rhinovirus vaccine HRV VP2 proteins useful as components of immunogenic compositions for the induction of cross-reactive cell-mediated immunity against human rhinovirus infection; nucleic acid constructs encoding such HRV VP2 proteins.
US11040094B2	Compositions and methods for treating immunological dysfunction The present invention is directed to methods of lymphotherapy to treat cancer, infection and autoimmune disease.
US11040092B2	Systems, compositions, and methods for transplantation Systems and methods for purification and concentration of autologous alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) from whole blood are provided. Also provided are diagnostic methods for identifying sites in the synovial joints, spine, tendons or ligaments for treatment of pain, degeneration, or inflammation with autologous A2M. Methods for utilizing autologous A2M in combination with other autologous treatments (e.g. platelets and other growth factors) are provided in addition to combinations with exogenous drugs or carriers. Also provided is a method of producing recombinant A2M wild type or variants thereof where the bait region was modified to enhance the inhibition characteristics of A2M and/or to prolong the half life of the protein in joints and spine disc or epidural space.
US11040090B2	Botulinum neurotoxin compositions Present invention provides a stable pharmaceutical composition comprising botulinum neurotoxin, anesthetic in a buffer. Present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the stable pharmaceutical composition. The botulinum neurotoxin is stabilized by the formation of complex between the toxin and anesthetic. The present invention further provides a method for treating wrinkles using the said pharmaceutical composition.
US11040087B2	Therapeutic agent for diseases associated with abnormalities in dystroglycan sugar chain modification and method for assaying associated enzyme Provided is a therapeutic agent that effectively acts on a disease associated with abnormal glycosylation of dystroglycan. Also provided is a testing method for diseases associated with abnormal glycosylation of dystroglycan. Specifically, provided is a therapeutic agent for diseases associated with abnormal glycosylation of dystroglycan, containing CDP-ribitol as an active ingredient. Ribitol-phosphate is important in the glycan structure of dystroglycan. In order for ribitol-phosphate to be incorporated into a dystroglycan glycan, a material therefor (sugar donor) is required. In the present invention, it has been found for the first time that CDP-ribitol serves as the sugar donor. It has been confirmed that the glycan of ISPD-deficient cells can be restored by administering CDP-ribitol. Thus, the present invention, which allows CDP-ribitol to be utilized for supplementation therapy, has been completed.
US11040081B2	Use of low molecular weight collagen hydrolysate for preventing and/or reducing joint pain, lateral meniscal protusion and/or improving cartilage abrasion grade The invention provides the use of low molecular weight collagen hydrolysate for reducing joint pain such as in arthritis or osteoarthritis.
US11040079B2	Compositions derived from Galenia Africana and methods of use for cancer treatment The present invention discloses a cancer treatment method which includes the step of treating a patient having cancer with an extract from Galenia Africana L. plant. The extract may include pinocembrin and/or 2′,4′ dihydroxychalcone and/or 7-hydroxyflavanone. The cancer may be breast cancer or melanoma. The composition may be solubilized with MPG and/or Suganate.
US11040077B2	Compositions and methods for improving skin health and for the treatment and prevention of diseases, disorders and conditions associated with pathogenic microbes Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for using human-derived Janthinobacterium lividum. Compositions improve skin health. Methods may include applying human-derived Janthinobacterium lividum over a host or host area, such as skin or mucosa, to minimize the presence of one or more microbes, maximize therapeutic effects, and/or improve health. A method to minimize a pathogenic microbe may include applying to a surface a composition including human-derived Janthinobacterium lividum and an acceptable carrier. Compositions and methods may include a prebiotic to maximize growth and/or metabolites. Compositions and methods may include human-derived Janthinobacterium lividum metabolites, such as violacein, prodigiosin, indole-3-carboxaldehyde, and lantibiotics, and/or other Postbiotics.
US11040075B2	Compositions comprising bacterial strains The invention provides compositions comprising bacterial strains for treating and preventing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
US11040067B2	Combined organ and hematopoietic cells for transplantation tolerance of grafts Methods and compositions are provided for combined transplantation of a solid organ and hematopoietic cells to a recipient, where tolerance to the graft is established through development of a persistent mixed chimerism. An individual with persistent mixed chimerism, usually for a period of at least six months, is able to withdraw from the use of immunosuppressive drugs after a period of time sufficient to establish tolerance.
US11040064B2	Iron carbohydrate complex for treatment of restless leg syndrome (RLS) The present invention relates to pharmaceutical composition comprising an iron carbohydrate complex for use in a method for treatment or prevention of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) of a human patient, wherein the human patient prior to treatment has a magnetic resonance phase imaging of 0.02 radians above the average value of a control group in the substantia nigra, thalamus, putamen, orpallidum. The invention provides a higher probability for a RLS patient being treated to experience a relief in symptoms.
US11040062B2	Selenium disulfide compositions for use in treating meibomian gland dysfunction Described herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction. Said methods are performed by administering said composition comprising a selenium disulfide and an anhydrous semi-solid base. The stable anhydrous composition are substantially free of selenium disulfide agglomerates.
US11040055B2	Method of treating diabetic retinopathy or wet type adult macular degeneration Methods and compositions for treating diabetic retinopathy employ an ophthalmic, topical formulation of micro-RNA 195 packaged in or on a nanoparticle or vesicle.
US11040052B2	Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for modulating autophagy in a subject in need thereof The present invention provides novel methods for the modulation of autophagy and the treatment of autophagy-related diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, liver diseases, muscle diseases and pancreatitis.
US11040045B2	Combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and antioxidants/anti-inflammatories for human nutraceuticals This invention relates to the use of the combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (“25-OH D3”) and antioxidants/anti-inflammatories (ascorbic acid, vitamin E and at least one carotenoid) to make a pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or food supplement which can ameliorate various problems observed in humans connected with polycystic ovarian syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and food supplements containing the 25-OH D3 and antioxidants/anti-inflammatories and premixes are also provided.
US11040043B2	Transdermal pharmaceutical compositions comprising active agents The present invention provides compositions and methods for providing sustained release of an active agent through the skin of a subject, wherein a pharmaceutical percutaneous composition comprises at least one fatty acid ester and a therapeutically effective amount of active agent.
US11040042B2	Transient protection of normal cells during chemotherapy This invention is in the area of improved compounds, compositions and methods of transiently protecting healthy cells, and in particular hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) as well as renal cells, from damage associated with DNA damaging chemotherapeutic agents. In one aspect, improved protection of healthy cells is disclosed using disclosed compounds that act as highly selective and short, transiently-acting cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK 4/6) inhibitors when administered to subjects undergoing DNA damaging chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of proliferative disorders.
US11040039B2	Treatment of inflammatory disorders The present disclosure provides compounds and methods of use thereof for treating inflammatory diseases or disorders.
US11040033B2	Therapeutic heterocyclic compounds Compounds having the following Formula I and/or Formula II and methods of their use and preparation are disclosed:
US11040031B2	Pyrazole derivatives as MALT1 inhibitors Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating of diseases, syndromes, conditions, and disorders that are affected by the modulation of MALT1. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I) as follows: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and G, are defined herein.
US11040029B2	Methods for the administration of certain VMAT2 inhibitors Provided are methods of administering a vesicular monoamine transport 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor chosen from valbenazine and (+)-α-3-isobutyl-9,10-dimethoxy-1,3,4,6,7,11b-hexahydro-2H-pyrido[2,1-a]isoquinolin-2-ol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or isotopic variant thereof, to a patient in need thereof wherein the patient is also being administered a strong cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) inhibitor.
US11040024B2	Methods of using (+)-2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione Stereomerically pure (+)-2-[1-(3-Ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione, substantially free of its (−) isomer, and prodrugs, metabolites, polymorphs, salts, solvates, hydrates, and clathrates thereof are discussed. Also discussed are methods of using and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the (+) enantiomer of 2-[1-(3-Ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione are disclosed. The methods include methods of treating and/or preventing disorders ameliorated by the reduction of levels of TNF-α or the inhibition of PDE4.
US11040022B2	Compositions and methods for pain relief The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions having improved effects and synergistic efficacy against pain, and provides methods for their use to treat pain, wherein the composition comprises: a sulfur-containing amino acid; a carnitine compound; and at least one compound that is a L-citrulline compound or a beta-alanine compound.
US11040019B2	Selective estrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs) confer protection against photoreceptor degeneration Methods are disclosed for treating and/or preventing retinal degeneration is a subject. In some embodiments, the method includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) to treat the retinal degeneration in the subject. In other embodiments, the SERM is administered orally. In some examples, the SERM is tamoxifen, afimoxifene, raloxifene, bazedoxifene, arzoxifene, desmethylarzoxifene, or a salt or derivative thereof, or combinations thereof.
US11040018B2	Formulation for inhibiting formation of 5-HT2B agonists and methods of using same Drug combinations and their use are disclosed. A first drug is administered in combination with a second drug. The first drug such as fenfluramine is characterized by the formation of a metabolite including 5-HT2B agonists such as norfenfluramine with known adverse side effects. The second drug is in the form of a CYP inhibitor such as cannabidiol which modulates the formation of metabolite down thereby making the first drug safer.
US11040017B2	Cannabidiol formulation Cannabidiol (CBD) formulation comprising a mixture of full spectrum cannabidiol oil (FSO) and cannabidiol isolate (CBD isolate) is disclosed. The formulation contains a total amount of CBD derived from a combination of an amount of CBD in the FSO and an amount of CBD from the CBD isolate. The formulation of FSO and CBD isolate in used for medicinal and health benefits in a wide range of products, such as tinctures, capsules, creams or lotions, bath salts or bombs, soaps, pet or animal tinctures, and pet or animal edible chews.
US11040013B2	Compacted powder The present invention is directed towards a compacted powder shaped to comprise: a) a substantially annular girdle having opposing circumferential edges, the girdle having a diameter (x); and b) a dome protruding from each of the opposing circumferential edges of the girdle, wherein the height of each dome (hd) from the circumferential edge is, individually, about 0.18x to about 0.28x.
US11040012B2	Pulverulent, directly compressible polyvinyl alcohol grades The present invention relates to premixes for the production of active compound-containing tablets which comprise polyvinyl alcohols (PVAs). The invention also relates to active compound-containing tablets which comprise a corresponding premix.
US11040011B2	Zinc meloxicam complex microparticle multivesicular liposome formulations and processes for making the same Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to multivesicular liposome formulations encapsulating zinc meloxicam complex microparticles. Methods of making the zinc meloxicam complex microparticles and administering the zinc meloxicam complex microparticles encapsulated in multivesicular liposome formulations and their use as medicaments are also provided.
US11040010B2	Surface display of antigens on Gram-negative outer membrane vesicles The present invention relates to vaccine compositions based on Gram-negative outer membrane vesicles displaying antigens of pathogens expressed as part of a fusion protein comprising N-terminal parts of surface expressed lipoproteins of Gram-negative bacteria, and use of such compositions in vaccination. The invention further relates to the fusion lipoproteins comprising N-terminal parts of surface expressed lipoproteins of Gram-negative bacteria and antigens of pathogens fused thereto, DNA constructs and bacterial host cells for expressing these fusion lipoproteins and to methods for producing outer membrane vesicles displaying the fusion lipoproteins.
US11040000B2	Process for manufacturing omniphobic cosmetic pigments For the cosmetic field, omniphobic cosmetic pigments under the form of a core shell structure: the core is or includes of a metal oxide on which is adsorbed poly(β-(1→4)-D-glucosamine) chains; the chains being acetylated, or partially or totally deacetylated. Also, the process for manufacturing the omniphobic cosmetic pigments, including: (i) preparing an acidic aqueous solution including metal oxide particles and a poly (β-(1→4)-D-glucosamine), the poly (β-(1→4)-D-glucosamine) being acetylated, or partially or totally deacetylated; and (ii) increasing the pH until 12, of the solution obtained at step (i) in order to obtain the adsorption of said poly (β-(1→4)-D-glucosamine on the metal oxide particles and the precipitation of the resulting metal oxide particles coated with the poly (β-(1→4)-D-glucosamine.
US11039998B2	Composition suitable for cleansing A composition contains (a) at least one fatty acid sugar ester; (b) at least one anionic surfactant selected from amino acid surfactants and taurate surfactants; (c) at least one polyoxyalkylenated polyol fatty acid ester having an HLB value of 12 or less; (d) at least one oil; (e) at least one polyol; and (f) water. An embodiment according to the present invention can be stable before being applied onto the skin and provides quick texture transformation after being applied onto the skin, and therefore, is useful as a cleansing product.
US11039996B2	Hair growth composition and method The present invention relates to clear compositions for and methods of retarding hair loss or facilitating hair growth comprising a hair growth active, a C8-C24 alcohol ester of a carboxylic acid and a pharmaceutically acceptable topical carrier comprising monohydric and, optionally, dihydric alcohols and water.
US11039995B2	Topical compositions for reducing the effects of aging The present invention comprises ternary compositions of tamibarotene and/or ammonium lactate in Pemulen for treatment of effects of aging.
US11039992B2	Stable redox compositions and methods of use Described herein are compositions that include a saline solution and reactive oxygen species. Specifically, the composition may include a saline solution, reactive oxygen species, an emollient, and a pH modifier. Also provided is a gel composition that includes a rheology agent. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions.
US11039988B2	Wet wipe comprising a lotion Described herein is a wet wipe including a substrate and a lotion. The substrate includes from about 14.5% to about 100% cotton. The lotion includes from about 98% to about 99.5% water and has an Equivalence Value from about 30 to about 95.
US11039982B1	Medication delivery device A medication delivery device involves an ampule having a receptacle base secured to a tab-shaped cap. The exterior surface between the base and cap is scored to permit a user to twist the cap in a first direction thereby severing the cap from the base and permitting medication secured within the base to be accessed. Adjacent the cap on an interior of the ampule is a unidirectional valve which moderates the ejection of fluid into at least two (2) doses. An exterior portion of the base has a surface suitable for any desired indicia.
US11039979B2	Personal therapy device utilizing shape transformation and advanced motion control A personal therapy device, directed generally to an elongated sexual stimulation device for female use having advanced shape motion control and shape transformation. In one embodiment, the device has a flexible outer body elongated in a longitudinal direction and a shape memory alloy (SMA) thrust actuator disposed within the flexible outer body. In another embodiment, the device includes one or more skeletal segments which are disposed within the flexible outer body and capable of deformation in various directions. In yet another embodiment, the device includes one or more rotational servo motor pair units, where each rotational servo motor of the rotational servo motor pair has an eccentric weight, and the synchronized rotation of the eccentric weight pair generates a net lateral wobbling motion. In yet another embodiment, the device includes an external positioning sensor unit, an inertial measurement unit, one or more pressure sensors, or a combination thereof.
US11039976B2	Portable roller device A roller device includes a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments is configured to form a tubular shape. In addition, each of the plurality of segments are coupled to neighboring segments of the plurality of segments and each of the plurality of segments include a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge is opposite the second edge. The roller device also includes a coupling mechanism for coupling the first edge of a segment to a second edge of a first neighboring segment and coupling the second edge of the segment to a first edge of a second neighboring segment, wherein the coupling mechanism allows the plurality of segments to convert from a first position to a second position.
US11039972B2	Funerary display arrangement with insert kit A funerary insert kit is designed for used with a reusable shell. The insert kit includes a corrugated paper container and at least one fabric segment. The corrugated paper container includes a bottom wall, first and second side walls extending upward from the bottom wall, and first and second end walls extending upward from the bottom wall. The first and second sidewalls, the first and second end walls and bottom wall form an open top container having a width and length configured to reasonably fit an adult human body in supine position. The open top container is configured to fit within the reusable shell. The first fabric segment is affixed to a first rigid substrate. The first rigid substrate configured to fit adjacent an interior surface of at least a first side panel of the reusable shell.
US11039970B2	Accessory part with clamp fastening An accessory part for a medical device, such as an operating table or a transport board. Accessory devices may include a first plate for supporting a patient, and a second plate which can be moved relative to the first plate within a predetermined adjustment range. Devices may include a first clamping surface and a second clamping surface at a distance from the first clamping surface, wherein movement of the second plate relative to the first plate causes movement of the second clamping surface relative to the first clamping surface in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the first or second plate, in order to increase or reduce a clamping force between the accessory part and a suitable holder on the medical device. Methods and medical devices for use with the accessory parts are also disclosed.
US11039965B2	Handles for a patient conveyance apparatus A patient conveyance apparatus such as a transport chair or a stretcher is disclosed. The apparatus has a frame onto which a patient support with a lowering backrest is provided. The apparatus has two handles extending away from the frame. The handles are rotatable about two axes to change their position, and can be moved through different operative and stowed positions without conflicting with movement of backrest.
US11039961B2	Method and apparatus for advancing and folding an absorbent article A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.
US11039958B2	Methods and apparatuses for the treatment of glaucoma using visible and infrared ultrashort laser pulses Transcorneal and fiberoptic laser delivery systems and methods for the treatment of eye diseases wherein energy is delivered by wavelengths transparent to the cornea to effect target tissues in the eye for the control of intraocular pressure in diseases such as glaucoma by delivery systems both external to and within ocular tissues. External delivery may be affected under gonioscopic control. Internal delivery may be controlled endoscopically or fiberoptically, both systems utilizing femtosecond laser energy to excise ocular tissue. The femtosecond light energy is delivered to the target tissues to be treated to effect precisely controlled photodisruption to enable portals for the outflow of aqueous fluid in the case of glaucoma in a manner which minimizes target tissue healing responses, inflammation and scarring.
US11039954B2	Implantable ocular drug delivery devices and methods An implantable ocular drug delivery system can include inserting an implantable device into an eye, where the device contains therapeutics intended to be released for local or systemic effects. In some implantable device embodiments, the device includes a microchannel intended to reduce intraocular pressure. In some implantable device embodiments, the device includes a microchannel intended to treat dry eye.
US11039951B2	Assistance implement for ameliorating sleep apnea syndrome The present disclosure relates to an assistance implement for ameliorating sleep apnea syndrome which is set in an oral cavity of a user to retain an airway of the user. The assistance implement includes: an oral cavity insertion elastic body formed into an arching plate when viewed end-on from the front or rear; and a lip clamping elastic body shaped into a plate, and provided to a front end of the oral cavity insertion elastic body to oppose the oral cavity insertion elastic body from below.
US11039950B2	Medical device with an opening system Described herein is a medical device with an opening system. The medical device is foldable from an open to a closed condition. It is secured in its closed condition. In certain embodiments, the medical device is an ostomy pouch.
US11039941B2	Prosthetic foot A prosthetic foot, comprising a core, on which a proximal fastening device for fastening the prosthetic foot to a lower-leg tube or to a lower-leg shaft is arranged and which is surrounded by a foot casing. The foot casing forms a cavity, in which the core is inserted. A slot-shaped recess is formed in a front foot region of the foot casing, into which slot-shaped recess a tongue arranged on the core is inserted. The front foot region has a stiffness that deviates in comparison with the rest of the foot casing.
US11039938B2	Modular knee prothesis Implant assemblies, systems, and methods for replacing a knee joint may include a method of revising a knee joint prosthesis implanted in a knee of a patient to provide increased stability to the knee joint prosthesis by replacing a first tibial insert with a second tibial insert that provides more constraint that the first tibial insert. A knee joint prosthesis system and kit are also provided that may include a tibial baseplate component, a femoral component, and a tibial insert that is selectively interchangeable with other tibial inserts to provide varying levels of constraint and stability to the knee joint prosthesis.
US11039937B2	Expansion apparatus An expansion apparatus is used in spinal surgery, and which opens the expandable cage located between the vertebrae during the operation in a preferred amount, and thus adjusts the distance between the vertebrae as desired.
US11039934B2	Expandable spinal fusion device and method Provided are systems, devices and methods for treating spinal injuries and abnormalities. For example, provided are spinal fusion devices and methods for treating degenerative disc disease using the spinal fusion device.
US11039924B2	Heart valve repair devices and methods Devices and methods for the repair of the functioning of heart valves are provided. A device may comprise a first section having a generally spiral shape and a second section connected to the first section. A method involves positioning the device such that chords associated with the heart valve are positioned within the path of the generally spiral shape of the first section and positioning the second section on an opposite side of the heart valve. The first section may be turned in a manner such that the chords move closer to the center of the first section. The first section draws the chords closer together, thereby pulling the valve leaflets closer together in order to facilitate their coaptation and proper closing.
US11039918B2	Repositionable endoluminal support structure and its applications A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valve component, and a skirt. The frame has first and second end portions, a central longitudinal axis extending between the first and second end portions, and a plurality of struts interconnected by a plurality of joints. The joints comprise a rotational axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The frame is movable between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration. The struts comprise diagonal struts relative to the longitudinal axis when the frame is in the expanded configuration. The valve component has a plurality of leaflets. Adjacent leaflets are attached together and to the frame at commissures of the frame. The leaflets extend from the commissures in a triangular configuration and are attached to adjacent diagonal struts of the frame. The skirt is configured for reducing paravalvular leakage and attached to the diagonal struts of the frame to which the leaflets are attached.
US11039911B2	Medical device having removable deployment device and affixation element A medical device including a first layer having an opening formed therein. A second layer is positioned with respect to the first layer to form a pocket therebetween. A support member is at least partially located in the pocket and reconfigurable for removal of the support member from the pocket via the opening. An affixation element located in the pocket between the support member and the second layer, and secured to the second layer. A method of implanting a medical device is also included.
US11039904B2	Device and method for holding prosthetic teeth A method for producing a dental prosthesis, and a dental prosthesis made according to the method, the method having the following chronological steps: a) producing a first, provisional dental prosthesis comprising a prosthetic base and provisional prosthetic teeth having occlusal surfaces, whereby data that indicate at least a 3-dimensional form of the occlusal surfaces are stored or have been stored as data record A, b) after subtractive occlusal processing of at least one of the provisional prosthetic teeth, determining at least the 3-dimensional occlusal surfaces of the processed provisional prosthetic teeth, or determining the 3-dimensional surface of the first dental prosthesis is determined as a whole, c) storing data that indicate at least a form of the 3-dimensional occlusal surfaces as data record B, d) calculating, via a computer comparison of data record B with data record A, differences in the forms of the provisional prosthetic teeth before and after subtractive occlusal processing and, from this, calculating at least desired lengths for final prosthetic teeth, and e) producing said final prosthetic teeth at least with the calculated desired length using a CAM method from virtual models of the final prosthetic teeth, whereby the desired length is set by a basal shortening of the virtual models of the final prosthetic teeth, and the final prosthetic teeth produced in such a manner are firmly connected to the at least one first prosthetic base or at least one second prosthetic base.
US11039897B2	Drape management assemblies for robotic surgical systems A drape management assembly for a robotic surgical system includes a base portion and a grasping portion. The base portion is configured for connection to the robotic surgical system. The grasping portion extends from the base portion and defines a cavity therebetween. The cavity is configured to locate an excess portion of a drape which sheaths at least a robotic arm of the robotic surgical system.
US11039896B2	Robotic visualization and collision avoidance Methods and devices are provided for robotic surgery, and in particular for controlling various motions of a tool based on visual indicators. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft and including first and second jaws. The tool can have at least one visual indicator disposed thereon and configured to indicate a size, position, or speed of movement of the tool or components of the tool.
US11039895B2	Industrial remote control robot system Remote control robot system includes a master device, slave arm having plurality of control modes including automatic and manual mode, control device configured to operate slave arm, an entering-person sensing device configured to detect entering person into operational area of slave arm, entering-person identifying information acquisition device configured to acquire entering-person identifying information for identifying whether entering person is operator who carries master device, and operation regulating device configured to regulate operation of slave arm based on information acquired from entering-person sensing device and information acquisition device. In automatic mode, operation regulating device regulates operation of slave arm when entering person is detected. In manual mode, operation regulating device allows operation of slave arm to continue when entering person is detected and entering person is operator, and regulates operation of the slave arm when entering person is other than operator.
US11039888B2	Calculation of an ablation plan Systems and methods are described for planning of catheter ablation procedures, and in particular for planning of the placement of lesions and/or parameters used in ablation. In some embodiments, planning is based on thermal and/or dielectric simulation of lesions, individualized to the anatomy of the particular patient. Optionally, a plan comprises planning of a path along which an ablation lesion is to be formed, the ablation lesion optionally comprising one or more sub-lesions. The plan is optionally optimized for one or more criteria including, for example: minimization of path length, minimization of sub-lesion number, simplification of catheter maneuvering, avoidance of collateral damage to non-target tissue, access to the target dependent on anatomy shape and/or catheter mechanics, and/or features of the target anatomy such as tissue wall thickness and/or fiber direction.
US11039885B2	Tissue ablation system with energy distribution A microwave ablation system includes an energy source adapted to generate microwave energy and a power splitting device having an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a plurality of outputs. The plurality of outputs are configured to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of energy delivery devices. The power splitting device is configured to selectively divide energy provided from the energy source between the plurality of energy devices.
US11039875B2	Non-stick monopolar suction coagulator A monopolar suction coagulator device is provided for use with a vacuum source and an electrosurgical generator to perform a coagulation procedure and an evacuation procedure at a surgical site. The device includes an active electrode portion at the distal end of a probe, and the probe is formed of a thermally conductive and electrically conductive, non-stick metal material along all or substantially all of its length, to aid in heat dissipation during a coagulation procedure.
US11039874B2	Surgical impact tool A surgical impact tool comprises an electromagnetic impactor hermetically sealed within a sterilizable housing having one or more external mechanical coupling for transmitting an impact to an object external to the tool. The housing also contains an energy storage medium rechargeable through the hermetic seal, and electronic controls operable through the hermetic seal.
US11039870B2	Drug eluting surgical screw The present invention is directed to a method of reducing the risk of infection following surgery utilizing the drug eluting surgical screw disclosed herein to secure an implant in an animal following surgery. The drug eluting screw includes a drug eluting component that can elute a therapeutic agent locally at the surface of the implant reducing the risk of infection.
US11039867B2	Calcaneal bone plate targeting guide A calcaneal targeting device includes a guide body configured to target a corresponding calcaneal bone plate. The guide body includes at least one mounting opening that is configured to align with a corresponding mounting opening of the calcaneal bone plate, at least one targeting opening configured to align with a corresponding fixation opening of the calcaneal bone plate, and a guiding portion that includes a tali targeting opening and a first elongated opening that has a first length. The first elongated opening is configured to allow sliding of a guide wire across the first length and align the tali targeting opening with a sustentaculum tali.
US11039865B2	Bone plates and associated screws A bone plate includes a bone-contacting surface, an upper surface opposite the bone-contacting surface, and a hole having a circumference and extending from the upper surface to the bone-contacting surface. The hole includes a first portion having a plurality of substantially parallel lips, each lip extends around the circumference of the hole and defines a diameter of the hole. The diameters of the hole, as defined by the lips, decrease in a direction from the upper surface to a center of the hole and increase in a direction from the center of the hole toward the bone-contacting surface.
US11039862B2	Vertebral stabilisation device A vertebral stabilisation device, consisting of at least two linking elements arranged to link two separate vertebrae together, and attachment elements for attaching the ends of each linking element to the two separate vertebrae, characterised in that the length of the linking elements and the arrangement of the attachment elements are such that each linking element can extend diagonally between the two vertebrae to which it is attached, intersecting the mean sagittal plane of the vertebral column, the two linking elements intersecting substantially at said plane, and in that at least the attachment elements situated on a same side of the mean sagittal plane of the vertebral column and on separate vertebrae are not attached to each other.
US11039860B2	Coupling assembly for coupling a rod to a bone anchoring element, polyaxial bone anchoring device, and modular stabilization device A coupling assembly for coupling a rod to a bone anchoring element, and including a receiving part having a first end, a second end, and an accommodation space having an opening at the second end for inserting a head of the bone anchoring element, a pressure element insertable from the first end, positionable in the accommodation space, and configured to hold the head, the pressure element having at least one spring portion extending circumferentially around the pressure element and being radially compressible, and a rod receiving element separable from the pressure element, wherein in a first position, the spring portion is configured to engage an engagement structure at an inner wall of the receiving part to prevent movement of the pressure element towards the first end, and wherein the rod receiving element is configured to move the pressure element from the first position towards the second end.
US11039854B2	Power operated dermatome with rotary knife blade A combination (2290) of an annular rotary knife blade (2300) and blade housing assembly (2400) for a power operated dermatome (2000). The rotary knife blade includes an inner wall (2310) defining an interior region (2301) and including a lower tissue-directing surface (2370) adjacent a cutting edge (2360) and a radially recessed upper portion (2380). The blade housing assembly includes a blade housing (2410) having a first end (2412) and an axially spaced apart second end (2414) and an inner wall (2416) and a radially spaced apart outer wall (2418). The blade housing includes a blade housing cover (2450) extending from the inner wall into the blade interior region. The blade housing cover includes a shield (2470) extending along the recessed upper portion of the rotary knife blade inner wall and having an inner surface (2472) adjacent and continuing the lower tissue-directing surface of the rotary knife blade inner wall.
US11039852B2	Medical device A medical device is disclosed for cutting an object in a body lumen, including: a rotatable drive shaft; and a rotatable rotation structure which is connected to the drive shaft, the rotation structure including: a proximal portion; a distal portion; and a constricted portion provided between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the constricted portion including: a first tapered portion which includes a first cutting portion and decreases in diameter toward the distal side; a second tapered portion which includes a second cutting portion and decreases in diameter toward the proximal side; and a bottom portion which is provided between the first tapered portion and the second tapered portion.
US11039848B2	Surgical instrument with spot coagulation control and algorithm A surgical instrument includes an end effector that has an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm that is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward a closed position. The ultrasonic blade and the clamp arm are able to receive tissue in the opened position, and the clamp arm is able to clamp tissue against the ultrasonic blade in the closed position. There is a first electrode connected with the clamp arm, and a second electrode associated with the ultrasonic blade. The electrodes are able to apply bipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy to tissue captured in the end effector. The instrument further has a first button for activating the ultrasonic blade to provide a cutting and sealing mode at the end effector. There is also a second button for activating the electrodes to provide a spot coagulation mode at the end effector.
US11039845B2	Methods and devices for endovascular therapy The present invention provides methods and devices for treating endovascular disease. Vibrational energy is delivered to change compliance and increase permeability at the treatment area. To improve clinical outcomes, one or more therapeutic drugs may be delivered to the treatment area.
US11039842B1	Surgical drill bit having dual cutting elements with opposite hand rotation A surgical drill bit and corresponding systems and methods of use are disclosed. The surgical drill bit being adapted and configured for cutting first and second, collinear holes within first and second portions of a patient's bone. In one embodiment, the drill bit includes a smaller diameter distal cutting portion, a larger diameter proximal cutting portion, and a shoulder positioned between the smaller diameter distal cutting portion and the larger diameter proximal cutting portion. In use, the smaller diameter distal cutting portion is adapted and configured to cut when rotated in a first direction, the larger diameter proximal cutting portion is adapted and configured to cut when rotated in a second, opposite direction. In this manner, over-drilling of the patient's bone is thereby prevented.
US11039838B2	Devices and methods for forming an anastomosis Devices and methods for deploying an anastomotic stent between portions of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract are disclosed. The anastomotic stents are configured to atraumatically engage the tissue walls and to permit the flow of fluid, partially digested food, and food. The stents can be deployed using endoscopic catheter devices, laparoscopic tools, and combinations of both endoscopic tools and laparoscopic tools. Examples of anastomoses include anastomoses between the stomach and a portion of the intestines such as the jejunum. Anastomoses can also be formed between two closed ends of the intestines, such as two closed ends of the colon formed during a colon resection procedure. Anastomoses can also be formed between a fundal pouch formed during a gastric bypass procedure and the jejunum. Laparoscopic tools are disclosed to deploy a stent by selectively removing a radial restraint on a self expanding stent with the restraint removed through the laparoscopic access points.
US11039835B2	Medical device drive system A medical device drive system including a lever body having portions defining a lever body cavity, a nut housing in the lever body cavity, and a first nut at least partially in the first nut cavity. The first nut is slideable in the first nut cavity between an engaged position in which the lead screw interface is engaged with the engagement portion of the lead screw, and a disengaged position in which the lead screw interface is not engaged with the engagement portion of the lead screw. The lead screw interface of the first nut is selectively engageable with the engagement portion of the lead screw by sliding the lever body and pin relative to the first nut housing.
US11039833B2	Manual retraction tool for use with an electromechanical surgical device A manual retraction tool for use with a surgical tool assembly of a surgical device includes a shaft, a rotation mechanism, and a trigger. The shaft is dimensioned to be inserted into a rotational connector of a surgical tool assembly and to effect rotation of the connector upon rotation of the shaft. The rotation mechanism configured to rotatably support the shaft. The trigger is operably connected to the rotation mechanism such that when the trigger is actuated from a first position to a second position, the rotation mechanism rotates the shaft about a longitudinal axis in a first direction to effect rotation of the rotational connector of the surgical tool assembly.
US11039831B2	Suture passer systems and methods for tongue or other tissue suspension and compression Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression are described. The system can include a shaft and a needle, wherein the needle is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft. The suture may include an overmolded segment. Methods of placing one or more implants, sutures, fastener, bone anchors and other devices are also described. The methods include moving tissue, including the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, palatopharyngeal arch, and palatoglossal arch. The methods include hyoid bone suspension.
US11039826B2	Method and apparatus for forming a self-locking adjustable loop An apparatus can include a first flexible member having first and second ends and a first body extending therebetween, where the first body defines a first passage portion. A second flexible member can have first and second ends and a second body extending therebetween, where the second body defines second and third passage portions. The first end of the first flexible member passes into and through the second passage portion such that the first end extends outside of the second passage portion, and the second end of the first flexible member passes into and through the third passage portion such that the second end extends outside of the third passage portion. The first and second ends of the second flexible member pass into and through the first passage portion to form a self-locking adjustable flexible member construct.
US11039821B2	Drug supply device A drug supply device for supplying drug to a living body surface that includes a shaft and a drug holding sheet attached to the distal end of the shaft. The drug holding sheet has a first face that faces distally and a second face opposite the first face that faces proximally when the drug holding sheet is expanded. The drug holding sheet includes folded portions that fold such that the first face is positioned to face radially inward while exposing the second face to an outside environment when the drug holding sheet is in a folded state. A drug is applied on the first face of the drug holding sheet. The drug supply device includes an expandable member on the second face of the drug holding sheet. The expandable member is expandable to cause the drug holding sheet to expand from the folded state into the expanded state.
US11039807B2	System and method for dark-field-imaging An image processing system (IPS) and a related method. The system comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving two or more input images that include respectively an attenuation signal of an imaged object and a dark-field signal of the object. A combiner (COM) is configured to combine the two or more input images in a linear combination operation to form a combined image. An output (OUT) port configured to output the combined image.
US11039800B2	Upright posture assisting device for x-ray inspection of infants An upright posture assisting device for an X-ray inspection of infants, and more particularly to an upright posture assisting device for an X-ray inspection of infants, by which an infant can be X-ray photographed while being safely fixed. The upright posture assisting device for an X-ray inspection of infants includes: a body disposed on the front side of an X-ray detector and having an empty space in the interior thereof; an insertion hole formed on the upper surface of the body such that the legs of an infant are inserted into the insertion hole; and handgrip parts mounted on opposite sides of the upper surface of the body.
US11039799B2	Bearing system for cone beam computed tomography A radiographic imaging apparatus includes elongated rigid guide rails having equivalent symmetrical shapes. Carriages attached to the guide rails are configured to move along a length of the guide rails and to support a portion of the imaging apparatus and to facilitate movement thereof along the guide rails. A first type spherical bearing assembly allows a gimbaled connection thereto while allowing substantially no axial movement. A second type spherical bearing assembly allows a gimbaled connection thereto while allowing a limited amount of axial movement. Frame mounts are each attached to one of the first type and second type spherical bearing assemblies to facilitate movement having a one sided tolerance along the guide rails.
US11039796B2	Heart-rate adaptive pulse oximetry Embodiments are directed to methods and systems for adaptive heart rate monitoring. In one scenario, a method for adaptive heart rate monitoring includes receiving, from a pulse-oximeter, a sensor signal, where the sensor signal is photoplethysmogram waveform. The method next includes generating a frequency-domain photoplethysmogram waveform by applying a transform algorithm to the sensor signal, and dividing the resulting frequency-domain photoplethysmogram waveform into discrete frequency regions. The method further includes identifying a fundamental heart rate harmonic within one of the discrete frequency regions by analyzing each discrete frequency region according to a specified analytic algorithm, and triggering a user interface to display a biometric measurement corresponding to the identification of the fundamental heart rate harmonic.
US11039792B2	System and method for heart rate estimation Techniques for heart rate estimation are disclosed. In an embodiment, synchronized photoplethysmograph (PPG) and 3-axis acceleration signals are received. Further, the PPG and acceleration signals are partitioned into windows. Furthermore, it is determined whether motion is present in a window of the acceleration signal. Moreover, Fourier transform is performed on the signals to obtain power spectra of the signals in the window when there is motion. Also, it is determined whether a peak of the acceleration signal is present in a range around first highest PPG peak. Further, it is determined whether the peak of the acceleration signal affects heart rate of the user when the peak of the acceleration signal is in the range around the highest PPG peak. The heart rate of the user in the window is then estimated using second highest PPG peak when the peak of the acceleration signal affects heart rate of the user.
US11039788B2	Wearable force sensor for monitoring respiration A system and method for monitoring respiration of a user, comprising: a respiration sensing module including a sensor configured to detect a set of respiration signals of the user based upon movement resulting from the user's respiration; a supplementary sensing module comprising an accelerometer and configured to detect a set of supplemental signals from the user; an electronics subsystem comprising a power module configured to power the system and a signal processing module configured to condition the set of respiration signals and the set of supplemental signals; a housing configured to facilitate coupling of the respiration sensing module and the supplementary sensing module to the user; and a data link coupled to the electronics subsystem through the housing and configured to transmit data generated from the set of respiration signals and the set of supplemental signals, thereby facilitating monitoring of the user's respiration.
US11039784B2	Sleep profiling system with feature generation and auto-mapping A method for profiling sleep of an individual is provided. The method includes defining a sleep feature space for the individual, measuring a brain wave for the individual during the individual's sleep, and mapping the sleep feature space in response to a comparison of the brain wave and a previous brain wave measurement used to define the sleep feature space. The brain wave may comprise a brain wave spectrum. The sleep feature space may comprise, or be composed of, spectral power and envelope measures. The method also includes modelling the mapped sleep feature space in response to recognized neural network patterns corresponding to each of a plurality of sleep stages derived from recognizing the neural network patterns from the sleep feature space and deriving a sleep profile for the individual from sleep stages determined in response to the modelled mapped sleep feature space and the brain wave of the individual.
US11039779B2	Pulse pressure variability This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to receive physiologic information of a patient, to receive pulse pressure information from the patient different than the received physiologic information, and to determine an indication of atrial fibrillation (AF) using the received physiologic information and the received pulse pressure information.
US11039778B2	User interfaces for health monitoring The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces for health monitoring. Exemplary user interfaces for initial setup of health monitoring using a first electronic device and a second electronic device is described. Exemplary user interfaces for recording biometric information for use in health monitoring is described. Exemplary user interfaces for using an input device while recording biometric information for health monitoring is described. Exemplary user interfaces for viewing and managing aspects of health monitoring is described.
US11039777B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control method An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes calculation circuitry, acquisition circuitry, determination circuitry, and scan control circuitry. The calculation circuitry calculates an indicator related to motion of biological tissue in a subject, based on echo data obtained through a pre-scan for the subject. The acquisition circuitry acquires a periodic biological signal of the subject. The determination circuitry specifies at least one tune phase in one cycle of the biological signal acquired during the pre-scan, based on the indicator, and determines a timing of a main scan for the subject, based on the specified time phase and the biological signal acquired after the pre-scan. The scan control circuitry executes the main scan at the timing determined by the determination circuitry.
US11039772B2	Catheter with stacked spine electrode assembly A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body, an electrode array distal of the catheter body, the array having a mounting member and at least first and second spine supports. Each spine support includes a base having a planar configuration, and a plurality of spines extending from the base, wherein the first base extends in a first plane and the second base extends in a second plane different from the first plane in the mounting member.
US11039771B1	Apparatuses and methods for managing tasks in accordance with alertness levels and thresholds Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining data from a plurality of sensors at a first point in time, analyzing the data to identify a first level of alertness of a user, predicting a second level of alertness that is required by the user to operate a machine at a second point in time that is subsequent to the first point in time, comparing the first level of alertness to the second level of alertness to generate a first comparison result, identifying a first type of a first notification based on the first comparison result, identifying a third point in time to provide the first notification based on the first comparison result, wherein the third point in time is subsequent to the first point in time and prior to the second point in time, and providing the first notification at the third point in time. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US11039767B2	Method and apparatus for providing data processing and control in medical communication system Methods and apparatus for providing data processing and control for use in a medical communication system are provided.
US11039765B2	Smart pellet for sample testing A submersible sensor device configured as a small pellet for testing biological and other liquid samples is provided. In one aspect, a sensing device includes: a housing; and one or more sensors contained within the housing, wherein the housing hermetically seals the sensors such that the sensing device is fully submersible in a liquid analyte. A method and system for analysis of a liquid sample using the present sensing device are also provided.
US11039758B2	MRI compatible patient trolley A trolley system configured to transport a patient within an MRI environment includes a patient support portion, a base portion configured for movement relative to a floor, a lift coupled to the patient support portion and the base portion, an electric motor coupled to the lift, and an electric blower coupled to the patient transfer device. The lift is configured to change the elevation of the patient support portion relative to the base portion. The motor is mounted such that the elevation of the motor is fixed relative to base portion. The trolley system is positionable adjacent an MRI apparatus within the MRI environment and the magnetic field of the MRI does not interfere with the operation of the motor or blower. The trolley system may further include a patient transfer device having an air bearing. The blower is configured to deliver air to the air bearing.
US11039752B2	Non-invasive sensor apparatus and method for assessing cardiac performance Non-invasive sensor apparatus and method for assessing cardiac performance. A wide variety of different sensor components can capture sensor readings relating to patient attributes. Those sensor readings can then be compared by a processor component to derive a cardiac performance indicator relating to the patient.
US11039744B2	Measurement system and method for establishing the refraction of an eye, the radius of curvature of the cornea or the internal pressure of an eye A method for establishing the refraction of an eye (9) by means of a refractometer (3) is provided, in which the current visual axis (S) of the eye (9) is established before establishing the refraction, the refractometer (3) is aligned with respect to the visual axis (S) of the eye (9) and the refraction is established after the alignment. The visual axis (S) of the eye (9) is established on the basis of the position of a Purkinje image of at least one light source (41, 50) used to illuminate the eye and a relationship between the position of the Purkinje image and the visual axis (S).
US11039743B2	Measurement system and method for establishing the refraction of an eye, the radius of curvature of the cornea or the internal pressure of an eye A method for establishing the refraction of an eye (9) by means of a refractometer (3) is provided, in which the current visual axis (S) of the eye (9) is established before establishing the refraction, the refractometer (3) is aligned with respect to the visual axis (S) of the eye (9) and the refraction is established after the alignment. The visual axis (S) of the eye (9) is established on the basis of the position of a Purkinje image of at least one light source (41, 50) used to illuminate the eye and a relationship between the position of the Purkinje image and the visual axis (S).
US11039741B2	Medical interfaces and other medical devices, systems, and methods for performing eye exams A mask for performing an eye exam of a subject includes one or more optically transparent sections for transmitting an incident light beam therethrough and incident on the subject's eye, in some embodiments, the one or more optically transparent sections are coated with an anti-reflective coating configured to reduce reflection of the incident light beam by the one or more optically transparent sections. In some embodiments, the one or more optically transparent sections may have a portion thereof that is tilted with respect to the incident light beam when the mask is optically interfaced with the docking portion of an ophthalmic instrument, such that the incident light beam forms a finite angle of incidence with respect to the corresponding portion of the optically transparent sections.
US11039739B2	Endoscope system There is provided an endoscope system capable of maintaining a constant light amount ratio for each wavelength of light emitted from an endoscope.The endoscope system has: an endoscope that has a light guide; two or more light sources that supply light to the light guide and have different main wavelengths; a light source driving unit that supplies a driving signal to each of the light sources; a light source control unit that makes the light source driving unit generate a driving signal corresponding to the light amount setting value; and a light source information storage unit that stores information of the main wavelength. The endoscope has a scope information storage unit that stores information of a scope type. The light source control unit adjusts a light amount ratio of the light source to a preset light amount ratio by acquiring the information of the main wavelength of the light source from the light source information storage unit, acquiring the information of the scope type from the scope information storage unit, setting the light amount setting value according to at least the information of the main wavelength and information of a length of the light guide obtained from the information of the scope type, and inputting the light amount setting value to the light source driving unit to control a light emission amount of the light source driven by the light source driving unit.
US11039738B2	Methods for a hermetically sealed endoscope In one embodiment, a method for a stereo endoscope includes receiving electromagnetic radiation through an inner protective window; focusing the electromagnetic radiation with a left optical component toward a left pixel array of a stereo image sensor along an optical axis of the left optical component parallel with but offset from a center axis of the left pixel array; and focusing the electromagnetic radiation with a right optical component toward a right pixel array of the stereo image sensor along an optical axis of the right optical component parallel with but offset from a center axis of the right pixel array. The left pixel array and the right pixel array are offset from the center optical axis of the stereo endoscope to provide stereo image convergence.
US11039737B2	Video-processing device and video-processing method A video-processing assembly (1), particularly for an endoscope, including a video-processing device (2) and an expansion device (3), which is connected to the video-processing device (2) via an interface (14). The interface (14) transmits at least two video data channels (8, 13), a primary video data channel (8) processed in the video-processing device (2) and the secondary video data channel (13) being led unprocessed into the expansion device (3) and processed there. The two processed video signals are combined in a mixing unit (15) in the expansion device (3) and transmitted to an image display device (11).
US11039733B2	Image pickup apparatus and endoscope system An image pickup apparatus includes: a first sample hold circuit configured to sample-hold an image pickup signal; a second sample hold circuit configured to sample-hold a reference voltage signal; an output selection circuit configured to switchingly select one of the image pickup signal inputted from the first sample hold circuit and the reference voltage signal and output a selected signal as an image pickup output; and a timing generator configured to control a timing of the switching selection of the output selection circuit; wherein the timing generator decides the timing of the switching selection so that the reference voltage signal is transmitted in one pixel transmission period required for transmission of the image pickup signal of one pixel, and the reference voltage signal is transmitted once every time the image pickup signal of each of a plurality of pixels is transmitted.
US11039729B2	Dishwasher The dishwasher of the present invention includes: a tub in which a dish washing space is formed; a sump which contains washing water supplied into the tub; a spray module which sprays washing water toward dishes; a pump which supplies the washing water stored in the sump to the spray module; an air jet generator which receives a part of the washing water discharged from the pump to form an air bubble in the washing water; and a discharge module which discharges the washing water containing the air bubble discharged from the air jet generator to a side surface of the tub.
US11039721B2	Cyclone unit A cyclone unit capable of enhancing dust collection performance. A cyclone unit includes a cyclone unit body, a dust box and a core tube. The cyclone unit body includes a lower base, an upper base and a middle base sandwiched between the lower base and the upper base. The dust box is assembled to the cyclone unit body so as to collect dust and dirt. The core tube, having a meshed shape, is assembled to the middle base so as to be located inside the dust box. The core tube is detachable from the middle base while the upper base is assembled to the lower base.
US11039720B2	Cleaner Disclosed is a cleaner including a first body having a cleaning unit, a second body configured to move autonomously, and a sensing module including at least one first sensor disposed on the first body and at least one second sensor disposed on the second body, the sensing module sensing a variable distance between the first sensor and the second sensor. Any one of a number of the at least one first sensor and a number of the at least one second sensor is two or more, and the sensing module senses two variable distances by two different combinations of one first sensor and one second sensor. The cleaner further includes a controller configured to control the second body to follow the first body based on the two variable distances.
US11039719B2	Toilet A toilet includes a base, a cover, and a seat. The seat is rotatably coupled to the base, and the cover is rotatably coupled to the seat. The cover and the seat define an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base. The cover and the seat are each configured to rotate about the angled axis between a lowered position in which the cover and the seat are located adjacent the base and a stowed position in which the cover and the seat are oriented in an upward direction.
US11039708B2	Dispensing assembly for machines for the preparation of liquid food products A dispensing assembly (2) for a machine for the preparation of liquid food products comprises a preparation chamber (7, 8) and a hydraulic circuit (20), which is configured for supplying water and/or steam to the preparation chamber (7, 8). The preparation chamber (7, 8) is configured for receiving at least one dose (9) of a precursor of a liquid food product and for dispensing the liquid food product following upon passage of water and/or steam through the preparation chamber (7, 8). The preparation chamber comprises a first chamber part (7), preferably configured for introducing water and/or steam, and a second chamber part (8), preferably configured for dispensing the liquid food product. At least one chamber part (8) is displaceable with respect to the other chamber part (7) between a spaced-apart position, to enable loading of the aforesaid dose (9) into the preparation chamber, and a close position, to enable introduction of water and/or steam into the preparation chamber and dispensing the liquid food product therefrom. The dispensing assembly (2) further comprises a pneumatic circuit (30) configured for supplying compressed air to the preparation chamber, in particular when the first chamber part (7) and the second chamber part (8) are in the close position.
US11039706B2	Stackable and nestable cookware having a stable configuration A set of nestable and stackable cookware, for example, a set of pots and pans, is maintained in a stable configuration by stops attached to the outer walls of the cookware. Each stacked and nested item of cookware is supported on the rim of the lower item by two stops attached to its outer wall, on opposite sides of the item. Each stop is shaped and configured to contact the rim of the lower item in the stack at a finite number of points. The points of contact lie in the same plane, which uprightly supports the stacked cookware item on the lower cookware item, without the walls or the base of the stacked cookware item touching the lower item.
US11039704B1	Foldable cup holder A single continuous length of bendable material is fixedly connected to a cup holder. The cup holder is foldable flat with a plurality of pre-bent or creased regions. The cup holder and/or length of material can fold flat onto each other and the length of material has a bent configuration, aided by the creases, which forms a triangular region and a fold over itself to form a resilient holder of a cup which a straight flat longest end which fits into a seat pocket or the like. This bent configuration can be formed with five flat sides and four bends. The first and fourth bend are adjacent to each other in the folded condition and the triangular region is formed between a first, second, and third bend with the fourth bend meeting the first bend.
US11039703B2	Straw cap According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a straw cap comprises a body that is configured to lie flat in a non-assembled state and has an interior volume that covers a straw in an assembled state. According to certain configurations the body has a triangular shape in the non-assembled state and at least a portion of a cone in an assembled state. Additionally, according to certain configurations, the body has a slit to selectively allow passage of a straw.
US11039699B1	Therapeutic pillow assembly A therapeutic pillow comprising a body pillow and a tilt pillow. The body pillow may be U-shaped with outwardly curved arms that define a body receiving space. The center or main section of the body pillow has an outer edge along which the tilt pillow is attached at a hinge. The hinge permits the tilt pillow, which may be smaller and fan-shaped, to pivot through a range of positions. The tilt pillow may be folded over onto the top of the body pillow or back under the bottom of the body pillow or to an intermediate angled position anywhere in between. Both the pillows may comprise a pillow insert and a removable cover. A storage pouch may be attached to the body pillow for stowing the folded cover of the tilt pillow when the insert is removed. The body pillow may also have one or more accessory pockets.
US11039697B2	Ice scoop An ice scoop includes a barrier having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The ice scoop also includes a scoop portion extending away from the first side of the barrier, and a handle portion extending away from the second side of the barrier. The handle portion includes at least one wall extending away from the second side of the barrier. The at least one wall of the handle portion and the barrier define a cavity. The handle portion also includes a handhold attached to a wall of the at least one wall, the barrier, or the wall and the barrier within the cavity.
US11039696B2	User restraint apparatus Apparatuses, systems, and methods are presented for restraining a user. An apparatus includes an underlay segment and a barrier panel. The underlay segment is positionable underneath at least one of the shoulders, the head, the back, and the buttocks of the user lying in the supine position. The barrier panel is coupled to the underlay segment and is extendable around the chest of the user to form a partition between an upper body portion and a lower body portion of the user. A proximal edge of the barrier panel is shaped to contour and rest on the chest or abdomen of the user so that engagement between the proximal edge and the user supports a distal edge of the barrier panel to extend outwardly and upwardly from the upper body portion of the user. The barrier panel is foldable.
US11039694B2	Child tray assembly and multi-function high chair A child tray assembly adapted for a child seat includes at least one support portion and a tray. The at least one support portion is slidably disposed on the child seat. The tray is detachably disposed on the at least one support portion. The tray includes a tray body and at least one sliding latch slidably disposed on the tray body. At least one assembling portion is formed on the tray body for insertion of at least one lower tube. The at least one sliding latch includes a first engaging portion and at least one second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is for engaging with the at least one support portion. The at least one second engaging portion is for engaging with the at least one lower tube inserted within the at least one assembling portion at a locking position.
US11039693B2	Safety stools A safety stool/learning tower and method of assembling same, the safety stool having a first wall, at least two side walls, a second wall, and a platform, wherein the at least two side walls are configured to locate one on each side of the first wall, and wherein the second wall is configured to engage with the first and second walls, characterised in that, when engaged, the second wall interlocks the first and second walls with the first wall, and wherein the platform is configured to engage with at least two opposing walls of the interlocked first wall, at least two side walls and second wall.
US11039691B2	Therapeutic travel and spa pillow A therapeutic travel and spa pillow that can be used during travel for therapeutic purposes. In further detail, the therapeutic travel and spa pillow can be worn when riding in a transport vehicle such as, but not limited to, a train, bus, car, or plane in order to receive therapeutic benefits. The therapeutic travel and spa pillow includes a pillow body, a left strap, and a right strap . The pillow body is a cushioned support for the head and shoulders of the user. The left strap and the right strap allow the user to secure the therapeutic travel and spa pillow underneath his or her chin. This prevents the therapeutic travel and spa pillow from falling of the shoulders of the user. The left strap and the right strap are preferably cord-like strips of material.
US11039688B2	Damper assemblies A device controls closing movement of a drawer in a drawer cabinet. The device includes an actuator driven by a spring for imparting a biassing force to the drawer as it closes. The actuator is mounted on a housing, which is itself mounted on the cabinet, and is movable back and forth in the direction of movement of the drawer. A damper is mounted on the housing and is operable on the actuator to impart a damping force on it in a sense to resist the closing movement of the drawer. The actuator is triggered by a catch mounted on the drawer. The housing and catch are mountable without need of pre-drilling and include locating members for determining their relative positions on the cabinet and drawer respectively.
US11039683B2	Height adjustable table A height adjustment mechanism for an adjustable height table includes an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, a plug, and a locking mechanism. The outer sleeve is disposed outside the inner sleeve, and the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve are slidable relative to each other. The plug is disposed outside the inner sleeve, and is slidably connected to the inner sleeve. The plug is disposed at an upper end of the outer sleeve, and an outer wall of the plug includes a pressing portion. The locking mechanism operates to push the pressing portion tightly against an outer wall of the inner sleeve to increase the friction between the plug and the inner sleeve, so that the plug and the inner sleeve are relatively fixed.
US11039681B1	Brush holding and sterilizing device In various embodiments, the device may be used to clean any brush. The brush bristles carry bacteria, food particles, dust, germs, and other similar residue in tightly packed spaces near where the bristles connect with the head of the brush. In multiple embodiments, the device is a container that is filled with cleaning solution (e.g., mouthwash, cleaning solution, alcohol, etc.), a lid that substantially closes the top opening of the container, and an agitator pad that has a plurality of individual prongs. In various embodiments, the lid mirrors the container shape so that the lid and the container can be operatively connected. In various embodiments, the lid has a cover, so that when the device is not being use, the cover may be put in a closed position so that the cover closes the opening in the lid.
US11039679B2	Accessory for portable device An accessory for portable device includes a case which is to be mounted on the portable device, the case including a through hole extending in one direction, and a guide rail provided along both sides of the through hole, a plate including guide grooves being configured to receive the guide rail on both sides thereof, the plate being guided by the guide rail so as to be movable along an extending direction of the through hole, a connecting part rotatably fixed to the plate, a ring part pivotably fixed to the connecting portion so as to have various angles with respect to the connecting part, and at least one uneven portion including concave-convex portions which are arranged along the guide rail for receiving protrusions of the plate to fix the plate to a plurality of positions.
US11039675B2	Systems and methods for virtual facial makeup removal and simulation, fast facial detection and landmark tracking, reduction in input video lag and shaking, and method for recommending makeup The present disclosure provides systems and methods for virtual facial makeup simulation through virtual makeup removal and virtual makeup add-ons, virtual end effects and simulated textures. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for virtually removing facial makeup, the method comprising providing a facial image of a user with makeups being applied thereto, locating facial landmarks from the facial image of the user in one or more regions, decomposing some regions into first channels which are fed to histogram matching to obtain a first image without makeup in that region and transferring other regions into color channels which are fed into histogram matching under different lighting conditions to obtain a second image without makeup in that region, and combining the images to form a resultant image with makeups removed in the facial regions. The disclosure also provides systems and methods for virtually generating output effects on an input image having a face, for creating dynamic texturing to a lip region of a facial image, for a virtual eye makeup add-on that may include multiple layers, a makeup recommendation system based on a trained neural network model, a method for providing a virtual makeup tutorial, a method for fast facial detection and landmark tracking which may also reduce lag associated with fast movement and to reduce shaking from lack of movement, a method of adjusting brightness and of calibrating a color and a method for advanced landmark location and feature detection using a Gaussian mixture model.
US11039673B2	Luggage towing apparatus A luggage towing apparatus, wherein the luggage has a wheel to move on a surface and an opposing handle. The luggage apparatus includes a bracket constructed of a beam having first, mid, and second end portions, the first end portion having an aperture, the second end portion having a flexible hook being removably engagable to the luggage handle. The mid portion has a finger channel constructed of a partial sidewall, wherein the partial sidewall terminates in an open gap that operationally allows a user's finger to pass therethrough wherein the sidewall acts as a finger rest to facilitate finger movement thus moving the bracket to engage and disengage the flexible hook from the luggage handle. The luggage towing apparatus further includes a strap that is affixed the aperture, wherein operationally the strap is looped around a torso of the user to enable pulling the luggage across the surface hands free.
US11039672B2	Portable carrier for storing one or more objects and methods thereof A portable carrier for storing one or more objects includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The second portion has a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side. The third portion connects the first portion to the second portion and is adapted to allow the first portion and the second portion to transition between an open position and a closed position. The first side and the second side are transversely aligned with the third side and the fourth side, respectively, when the first portion and the second portion are in the open position, and the second side faces the fourth side with the first side opposite the third side when the first portion and the second portion are in the closed position.
US11039671B2	Currency and credit card holder with security system A pocketable device comprises a mechanical assembly for holding bills and credit cards, the mechanical assembly including a latch plate or upper jaw and a spring plate or lower jaw.
US11039670B2	Necklace storage assembly An assembly for storing a necklace, the assembly incorporating a flexible tube having an end, an opposite end, and a hollow bore; the assembly further incorporating first and second ports respectively opening the hollow bore at the flexible tube's end and opposite end; the assembly further incorporating a first tie having proximal and distal ends, the first tie's proximal end being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the flexible tube's opposite end; the assembly further incorporating a first fastener having a pair of halves wherein one of the halves is fixedly attached to the first tie's distal end, and wherein another of the halves is fixedly attached to the flexible tube's opposite end.
US11039663B2	Footwear ground engaging members having concave portions An article of footwear may include a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from a baseplate, the first ground engaging member may have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in a substantially horizontal plane, the first ground engaging member having a first sidewall edge, a second sidewall edge, and a third sidewall edge forming vertices of the substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. In addition, a first sidewall may have a concave portion that is concave in the substantially horizontal plane. Further, the first ground engaging member may be disposed proximate a peripheral edge of the outer member with the first sidewall edge disposed opposite the concave portion of the sidewall, and the first sidewall edge oriented facing toward the peripheral edge. Also, the concave portion of the first sidewall may be oriented in a substantially lateral direction, facing away from the peripheral edge of the outer member.
US11039649B2	Electronic cigarette An electronic cigarette comprises nicotine without harmful tar. The cigarette includes a shell, a cell, nicotine solution, control circuit, and an electro-thermal vaporization nozzle installed in the air suction end of the shell. The advantages of the present invention are smoking without tar, reducing the risk of cancer, the user still gets a smoking experience, the cigarette is not lit, and there is no fire danger.
US11039645B2	Differential pressure sensor for an aerosol delivery device An aerosol delivery device includes at least one housing, a heating element, a sensor, and a microprocessor coupled to the heating element and the sensor. The at least one housing encloses a reservoir configured to retain an aerosol precursor composition. The sensor is configured to produce measurements of differential pressure between an ambient atmospheric pressure and a pressure caused by airflow through at least a portion of the aerosol delivery device. The sensor is also configured to convert the measurements of differential pressure to corresponding electrical signals. The microprocessor is configured to receive the corresponding electrical signals and operate in an active mode only in an instance in which the differential pressure is at least a threshold differential pressure. The microprocessor in the active mode is configured to control the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.
US11039644B2	Apparatus for heating smokeable material An apparatus is arranged to heat smokable material (5) to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus has a housing and a plurality of heater segments longitudinally arranged within the housing for heating smokable material contained within the apparatus. At least one heater segment is arranged so as to heat smokable material contained within the at least one heater segment more quickly than at least one other heater segment heats smokable material contained within the at least one other heater segment.

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