US08735767B2

For responding to an arc discharge in a plasma process (PP), a parameter of the plasma process is monitored to detect arc discharges occurring in the plasma. After detection of an arc discharge, a first countermeasure for the suppression of arc discharges is executed. After completion of the first countermeasure, a delay time period is allowed to elapse before the parameter is rechecked. In the event that after conclusion of the variable delay time period an arc discharge is detected, a second countermeasure for the suppression of arc discharges is executed.
US08735765B2

A plasma processing chamber includes a cantilever assembly and at least one vacuum isolation member configured to neutralize atmospheric load. The chamber includes a wall surrounding an interior region and having an opening formed therein. A cantilever assembly includes a substrate support for supporting a substrate within the chamber. The cantilever assembly extends through the opening such that a portion is located outside the chamber. The chamber includes an actuation mechanism operative to move the cantilever assembly relative to the wall.
US08735761B2

A welding unit for welding rails of a track includes two unit bodies that can be moved in relation to each other by displacement cylinders along unit guides running parallel to the rails. The displacement cylinders are connected both to pull rods and to a crossbeam. Thus a simple design having high tensile forces is possible.
US08735759B2

A debris collection slot or groove formed near the exit of a vent channel in a circuit breaker. Debris is produced during a circuit interruption, causing the debris to travel into the vent channel toward an opening where it exits the circuit breaker. Too much accumulated debris can lead to a ground strike or a cross-phase condition. The debris collection groove, formed near the exit opening of the vent channel, has no significant effect on the internal pressure generated during the circuit interruption. Multiple grooves can be formed near the exit opening for trapping more debris. When the vent channel is bent, the grooves are positioned on the outer curve of the last bend of the vent channel to trap the higher-density debris traveling around the curve.
US08735757B2

A switch unit 200 for a voltage circuit breaker that includes a first switch contact 202a and a second switch contact 202b. The first switch contact 202a is movable between a first position in which the first switch contact 202a contacts the second switch contact and a second position in which the first and second switch contacts 202a, 202b are separated from each other. Further, a positioning element to position an arc chute 100 on the switch unit. The arc chute 100 includes at least two stacks 102, 106 of a plurality of substantially parallel metal plates 104, 104a, 104b, . . . , 104n, 108, 108a, 108b, . . . , 108n. The switch unit includes a first connection device 120, 230a capable to electrically connect the first switch contact 202a to a predetermined metal plate 104a selected of the most proximal 25% metal plates of the first stack 102. A second connection device 122a 122b, 230b capable to electrically connect the second switch contact to a predetermined metal plate 108a selected of the most proximal 25% metal plates of the second stack 106.
US08735750B2

Embodiments provide a switching device. The switching device includes a substrate, which includes a contact region. The switching device further includes a vertical layer arrangement extending from the substrate next to the contact region. The vertical layer arrangement includes a control layer. The switching device further includes a freestanding silicon cantilever extending vertically from the contact region.
US08735745B2

A weighing device for a bulk material conveyor, of the type that is included in the output of a tube for conveying a flow of bulk material, the device conducting the flow through the output and weighing in real time the amount of bulk material passing through the device, with the device comprising a load cell that is connected between a stationary plate and a movable plate, and a rotation sensor that records the revolutions of a rotating reference device that rotates under the effect of the flow of the bulk material passing through the weighing device.
US08735739B2

A wiring board having an insulation layer, and a buildup structure formed on the insulation layer and including insulation layers. The insulation layer and the buildup structure form a board structure in which a cavity portion having an opening on a surface of the buildup structure on the opposite side of the insulation layer is formed. The cavity portion is extending through one or more of the insulation layers in the buildup structure and has a groove portion formed on the bottom surface of the cavity portion along a wall surface of the cavity portion. The board structure composed of the insulation layer and the buildup structure has a pad formed on the bottom surface of the cavity portion in a position farther from the wall surface of the cavity portion than the groove portion.
US08735721B2

A case for housing and protecting an electronic device against moisture damage and contaminants is disclosed. The case includes a first member having a first plainer section and a first perimetric wall formed thereon, and a second member having a second planer section and a second perimetric wall formed thereon. The first perimetric wall and the second perimetric wall are engaged forming an overlap and a sealing structure for a watertight seal. The sealing structure includes a mated ring and a ridge-to-groove interlock. The case further includes a plurality interface feature accesses, including an optical access, an audio access, a button, and at least one open access for electrical connection. The case provides a cover with a plug adapted to cover up the open electrical connection access to form a watertight seal.
US08735720B2

Disclosed is a photoelectric conversion device wherein a methine dye represented by the formula (1) below is supported by a thin film of oxide semiconductor particles arranged on a substrate. Also disclosed is a solar cell manufactured by using such a photoelectric conversion device. (In the formula (1), n represents an integer of 0-5; m represents an integer of 0-5; R1-R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted aromatic residue, an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon residue or the like; X and Y independently represent a hydrogen atom; an optionally substituted aromatic residue, an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon residue or the like; Z represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or the like; A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 independently represent a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted aromatic residue, an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon residue or the like; and rings a, b and c may be substituted.).
US08735709B2

A lead tone is generated on the basis of an input tone signal. Meanwhile, a specific pitch of the input tone signal is sequentially detected, from which is detected a normalized pitch corresponding to any one of the musical pitch names. Then, difference information is obtained which pertains to a difference between the specific pitch and the normalized pitch, and a pitch having a given pitch interval from the normalized pitch is determined as a target pitch of a tone signal to be generated. Then, a harmony tone is generated which has a pitch obtained by modulating the target pitch in accordance with the difference information.
US08735707B2

A system for documenting the music learning process of a music student to encourage more students to study long enough to become proficient in their musical form through involvement with an immersive interactive tool. A server computer is programmed to facilitate communication between the music student and other individuals. A music student computer is connected to the server computer. The music student computer is for transmitting and receiving music information related to the learning process of the music student. Likewise, a third party computer is connected to the server computer. The third party computer allows a pre-approved third party to transmit and receive music information related to the learning process of the music student An administrator computer is also connected to the server computer. The administrator computer permits an administrator to coordinate communication between the music student and the third party. In a preferred embodiment the third party computer includes friend and family member computers connected to the server computer. These friend and family member computers are for transmitting and receiving music information related to the learning process of the music student. Preferably, the music information related to the learning process of the music student includes photos, audio files and video files.
US08735702B1

A dissipating medium made of a stone-like tile. The tile used for removing a wolf note and its related energy, when played on a string musical instrument. The tile is made of a natural mineral, such as travertine. Also, the tile has a shear wave velocity between 300 to 440 m/sec. The tile can have an angular or annular shape. The angular shape is in a range of 10 to 12 inches square and a thickness in a range of ½ to ¾ inch. A top surface of the tile includes an annular depression for receiving an end pin of a cello's tail piece. The medium can be constructed of two tiles with an upper tile 10 inches square and a lower tile 12 inches square. Also, the medium has a weight in a range of 6 to 12 pounds for ease in transporting.
US08735692B1

A novel maize variety designated PH1M3M and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1M3M with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1M3M through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1M3M or a locus conversion of PH1M3M with another maize variety.
US08735688B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH658401. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH658401, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH658401 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH658401.
US08735665B2

A novel soybean variety, designated XB17R12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB17R12, cells from soybean variety XB17R12, plants of soybean XB17R12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB17R12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB17R12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB17R12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB17R12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB17R12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB17R12 are further provided.
US08735664B2

A novel soybean variety, designated XB17Q12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB17Q12, cells from soybean variety XB17Q12, plants of soybean XB17Q12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB17Q12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB17Q12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB17Q12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB17Q12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB17Q12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB17Q12 are further provided.
US08735657B2

Increased tolerance to abiotic stress in a plant is provided by introducing DNA expressing a cold shock protein, e.g. bacterial cold shock protein.
US08735641B2

Disclosed is a method for selective dealkylation of alkyl-substituted C9+ aromatic compounds using a bimodal porous dealkylation catalyst at a low temperature. The catalyst has a bimodal porous structure including both mesopores and micropores. The catalyst includes a crystalline aluminosilicate and a metal. The catalyst is highly active at a low temperature. According to the method, C9+ aromatic compounds substituted with at least one C2+ alkyl group as by-products formed by xylene production can be selectively dealkylated and converted to BTX, etc. on a large scale within a short time. In addition, the method is an environmentally friendly process entailing reduced waste treatment cost when compared to conventional mesitylene production methods. Therefore, high value-added mesitylene can be separated from low value-added C9+ aromatic compounds at lower cost compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, the supported metal catalyst is easy to recover after dealkylation and is recyclable, thereby contributing to reduced cost.
US08735637B2

A method for converting crude tall oil into high quality diesel fuels include the steps of (a) removal of non-oil contaminants present in the crude tall oil and recovery of valuable organic, (b) heating and removing the volatile fractions of the refined tall oil stream from step (a) and forming a volatiles free oil stream comprising organic components with boiling points of 170° C. and higher, (c) vacuum distilling the volatiles free oil stream of from step (b) to produce a first and second stream the first stream including components with boiling points between 170-400° C. and the second stream comprising components having boiling points greater than 400° C. and (d) passing the first stream into a catalytic reactor wherein hydrogenation and deoxygenation take place to produce a diesel range fuel depleted in oxygen.
US08735636B2

The invention relates to a process for separating monochloro-trifluoropropenes such as HCFC-1233 from azeotrope or azeotrope like combinations with HF. The process employs a cold, liquid phase separations and multiple azeotropic distillation trains.
US08735631B2

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing methylmercaptopropionaldehyde (MMP) including at least the following steps: (a) dehydrating glycerol to acrolein from an aqueous solution of glycerol in the presence of an acid catalyst; (b) purifying the aqueous flux from step (a) to obtain a flux of acrolein containing at least 15 wt % of water relative to the acrolein; (c) causing a reaction of the acrolein flux obtained in step (b) with methylmercaptan in the presence of a catalyst; (d) optionally purifying the product obtained in step (c). The method of the invention can also include a reaction of the product obtained in step (c) or (d) with hydrocyanic acid, or sodium cyanide during a step (e) followed by a subsequent transformation to produce methionine or methionine hydroxyanalogue, which can then optionally be purified. The additional use of methylmercaptan and/or hydrocyanic acid derived from biomass as raw materials in the method according to the invention makes it possible to obtain MMP, methionine or methionine hydroxyanalogue made up of 100% organic carbon from renewable sources.
US08735626B2

A method of producing an aromatic amino compound using a primary or secondary amine compound and a halogenated aromatic compound as starting materials, and relying upon the Ullmann reaction, the method being capable of obtaining the highly pure aromatic amino compound in high yields and inexpensively. A primary or secondary amine compound having an aromatic ring group and a halogenated aromatic compound as starting materials, are reacted with the halogenated aromatic compound in the presence of copper catalyst and base to produce the aromatic amino compound having a structure in which an aromatic ring group derived from the halogenated aromatic compound is coupled to the amino group of the amine compound, wherein the amine compound and the halogenated aromatic compound are reacted together such that an aromatic oxycarboxylic acid having a hydroxyl group and a hydroxycarbonyl group bonded to neighboring carbon atoms, is present together with the copper catalyst and the base.
US08735624B2

The present invention relates to novel polymorphs of (2E)-1-hydroxy-2-methylpent-2-enyl-pyrophosphonate disodium (CHDMAPP-Na2), to the process for preparing them and to the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08735621B2

Carbamate preparation process comprising, the reaction between at least: an amine or polyamines, an organic carbonate of formula (OR)(OR′)C═O, a catalyst which is formed by at least a support selected from at least a metal oxide, a microporous material, a mesoporous material, an anionic laminar compound of hydrotalcite type or their derivatives or an organic polymer and which may further contain a metal from groups 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the periodical system. The carbonates obtained can be transformed in their corresponding isocyanates.
US08735612B2

A pretreated titanium silicalite with MFI structure (TS-1) catalyst which has been pretreated with methanol, and then optionally filtered and optionally air-dried to form a pretreated activated TS-1 catalyst. The activated TS-1 may be used in an epoxidation reaction with no additional methanol added and has equivalent activity to TS-1 used with large excesses of methanol. By removing the need for additional methanol during the reaction, the losses of epichlorohydrin from solvolysis are minimized significantly.
US08735602B2

The present invention relates to pharmaceutically acceptable crystalline and amorphous salts of D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan as well as processes for their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and their uses in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of various conditions and/or diseases. In particular, the present invention relates to D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan potassium salt (1:1), D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan lithium salt (1:1), D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan calcium salt (2:1), D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan magnesium salt (2:1), and D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan organic ammonium salts (1:1).
US08735596B2

Disclosed is a process for producing A-form crystals of 2-(3-cyano-4-isobutyloxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-thiazolecarboxylic acid, comprising: a step of dissolving by heating 2-(3-cyano-4-isobutyloxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-thiazolecarboxylic acid in one or a plurality of solvents as a good solvent, selected from the group consisting of 1-propanol, 2-propanol, ethanol, and acetone; a step of cooling the solution; and a step of adding to the solution a hydrocarbon solvent as a poor solvent.
US08735593B2

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinases. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising those compounds and methods of using the compounds and compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, and disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the invention.
US08735591B2

An organic amine dimmer and a method for synthesizing the same are disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: (A) mixing an iron-containing compound (e.g., Fe2O3, FeCl3), a nitrate-containing compound, oxalate acid, 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine (TMDP), H3PO4, and 2 to 8 ml of water to form a mixture; (B) heating the mixture and maintaining the mixture at 160° C. or above for a first predetermined time; (C) cooling the mixture; and (D) placing the mixture at room temperature for a second predetermined time, to obtain an organic amine dimmer, wherein Fe(NO3)3 can serve as the iron-containing compound as well as the nitrate-containing compound.
US08735589B2

The present invention relates to a process for preparing naratriptan or a salt thereof, the process comprising: (a) reacting a compound of formula (3) with a compound of the formula HCCR wherein Z is a protecting group, Y is a leaving group and R is a trialkyl silyl group, a trialkylstannyl group or a zinc (II) halide, to obtain the compound of formula (4); (b) converting the compound of formula (4) to a compound of formula (5) wherein Z′ is hydrogen or a benzyl group; (c) converting the compound of formula (5) to naratriptan; and (d) optionally converting naratriptan to a salt thereof. The present invention also provides novel compounds (3) and (4) and processes for their preparation.
US08735583B2

Methods of making a chiral phosphorus compound of formula (X) are disclosed: wherein R1, R2, R3 are chiral or achiral groups selected from the list consisting of substituted or unsubstituted straight-chain, branched-chain or cyclic aliphatic or aromatic groups and in which the pair R1/R2 may be interconnected to form a ring.
US08735577B2

A 1,3,5-triazine derivative represented by the formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; X represents a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom; Ar1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group; Ar2 represents an C1-4 alkyl-substituted or unsubstituted aromatic 6-membered heterocyclic group having one or two nitrogen atoms, which may be a condensed ring compound. An organic electroluminescent device comprising the 1,3,5-triazine derivative exhibits low power consumption and long lifetime.
US08735565B2

The present invention relates to polynucleotides enabling the rapid, simple and specific detection of Group B Streptococcus highly-virulent ST-17 clones. The present invention also relates to the polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides, as well as to antibodies directed or raised against the polypeptides. The present invention also relates to kits and methods for the specific detection of Group B Streptococcus highly-virulent ST-17 clones, using the polynucleotides, the polypeptides or the antibodies according to the invention.
US08735560B1

Novel synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis crystal proteins exhibiting insect inhibitory activity is disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the crystal protein, transgenic plants and microorganisms that contain the polynucleotides, isolated peptides derived from the crystal protein, and antibodies directed against the crystal protein are also provided. Methods of using the crystal protein and polynucleotides encoding the crystal protein to control Lepidopteran insects are also disclosed.
US08735551B2

The present invention relates to antibodies or fragments thereof that target a conformational epitope of a HER receptor. In particular, the invention relates to antibodies or fragments thereof that target a conformational epitope of HER3 receptor and compositions and methods of use thereof.
US08735543B2

The present invention regards polypeptides capable of eliciting an immunological response that is protective against Chlamydia trachomatis. The polypeptide comprises a first amino acid sequence which has at least 90% homology with the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a second amino acid sequence which has at least 90% homology with the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2. Furthermore, production of these polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are also provided.
US08735541B2

The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed α-conotoxins herein), about 10-30 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.
US08735531B2

A diol from which a resin material having high processability and a high refractive index can be manufactured, a polycarbonate resin and a polyester resin which is a polymer of the diol, and a molded article and an optical element formed of the polymer. The diol is represented by the general formula (1) shown below; the polycarbonate resin and the polyester resin are polymers thereof; and the molded article and the optical element are formed of the polymers, wherein R1 and R2 each independently denote one of a hydrogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms; Q denotes one of an oxyethylene group, a thioethylene group and a single bond.
US08735530B2

A method for making polyamide is described. More particularly, a method for making a polyamide from at least one diacid and one diamine, that includes a step of concentrating an aqueous solution of diacid and diamine salt up to a salt weight concentration higher than 85%, and a polymerization step up to a desired polymerization degree is described.
US08735526B2

A method of making a polymer by providing an imine and reacting the imine with a polyisocyanate in the presence of a hydroxyl group. The imine is a polyaldimine, hydroxyaldimine, polyketimine, or hydroxyketimines. The polymer has urea linkages formed from the imine and polyisocyanate and urethane linkages formed from the hydroxyl group and the polyisocyanate. The polymer has at least as many urea linkages as urethane linkages. A polymer having urea units and urethane units having a molar ratio of at least about 2:1. A polymer comprising a urea-urethane repeat unit.
US08735516B2

Aqueous solutions of acrylic acid polymers are prepared by polymerization of acrylic acid in a feed operation with a free-radical initiator in the presence of hypophosphite in water as solvent, by a process comprising (i) initially charging water and optionally one or more ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, (ii) continuously adding acrylic acid in acidic, unneutralized form, optionally one or more ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, aqueous free-radical initiator solution and aqueous hypophosphite solution, and (iii) adding a base to the aqueous solution on completion of the acrylic acid feed, wherein a comonomer content does not exceed 30% by weight and the aqueous hypophosphite solution is added during a total feed time made up of three consecutive feed time spans ΔtI, ΔtII, and ΔtIII, wherein the average feed rate in the second feed time span ΔtII is greater than the average feed rates in the first and third feed time spans ΔtI and ΔtIII.
US08735515B2

A process is disclosed for producing plastic materials by providing a biology based feedstock and reacting the biology based feedstock to form a feedstock capable of reaction to form the plastic material, wherein the plastic material is selected from polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
US08735514B2

A method for feeding an antistatic compound to a polymerization reactor, the method comprising the steps of: a) dispersing, under mixing conditions, a catalyst powder and an antistatic compound in a liquid medium, so as to form a suspension of the catalyst powder and of the antistatic compound in the liquid medium; b) transferring the obtained suspension to a polymerization reactor.
US08735508B2

Storage stable polyorganosiloxane-silicone resin mixtures contain: 1) 100 parts by weight of one or more liquid aminoalkyl-containing polyorganosiloxanes containing at least 80 mol % of units selected from units of the formulae Ia, Ib, II and III R12SiO(4-a-b)/2  (Ia), R1aR2bSiO(4-a-b)/2  (Ib), R33SiO(1/2)  (II), R32R4SiO(1/2)  (III), wherein, in the polydimethylsiloxanes, the average ratio of the sum of units of the formulae Ia and Ib to the sum of units of the formulae II and III is in the range from 0.5 to 500, the average ratio of units II to III in the range of 1.86 to 100, and the polydimethylsiloxanes have an average amine number of ≧0.01 mequiv/g, 2) at least 1 part by weight of one or more silicone resins, and 3) at most 5 parts by weight of water.
US08735507B2

The instant invention provides a crosslinkable aqueous composition, method of producing the same, crosslinked compositions, and method of producing the same. The crosslinkable composition comprising: an aqueous dispersion comprising; (a) water; (b) a polycarbamate comprising at least an average of 2.0 carbamate functional groups; (c) a polyaldehyde comprising at least two aldehyde groups; (d) an acid catalyst; and (e) optionally one or more surfactants; wherein said aqueous dispersion has a pH in the range of less than 7; and wherein said composition is capable of being crosslinked at a temperature in range of less than 80° C. upon substantial removal of water.
US08735502B2

This invention relates to a functionalized co-oligomer having an Mn of 300 to 30,000 g/mol comprising 10 to 90 mol % propylene and 10 to 90 mol % of ethylene, wherein the oligomer has at least X % allyl chain ends, where: 1) X=(−0.94 (mole % ethylene incorporated)+100), when 10 to 60 mole % ethylene is present in the co-oligomer, and 2) X=45, when greater than 60 and less than 70 mole % ethylene is present in the co-oligomer, and 3) X=(1.83*(mole % ethylene incorporated)−83), when 70 to 90 mole % ethylene is present in the co-oligomer. This invention also relates to a functionalized homo-oligomer, comprising propylene, wherein the oligomer has: at least 93% allyl chain ends, an Mn of about 500 to about 20,000 g/mol, an isobutyl chain end to allylic vinyl group ratio of 0.8:1 to 1.2:1.0, and less than 100 ppm aluminum. This invention also relates to a process of making functionalized homo- or co-oligomer, comprising propylene, wherein the productivity is greater than 4500 g/mmol Hf (or Zr)/hour.
US08735497B2

A propylene composition comprising (percent by weight): A) 60%-95%, of a crystalline propylene copolymer containing from 2.0% to 10.0% of ethylene derived units having a melting point ranging from 148° C. to 160° C.; wherein the melting temperature Tm is measured by DSC on the as-reactor polymer; B) 40%-5%, of a copolymer of ethylene containing from 70% to 85%, of ethylene derived units intrinsic viscosity ranging from 0.8 to 3 dl/g.
US08735495B2

A two-component urethane system. The first component is a hydroxy-terminated polyester polyol containing polymerized residues of phthalic acid and an aliphatic diol having Mn from 60 to 150, and having no more than 15 wt % polymerized residues of aliphatic acids. The second component is an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer containing polymerized residues of diphenyl methane diisocyanate and/or toluene diisocyanate and a glycol or polyol having Mn from 90 to 1000.
US08735494B2

A method for preparing a polydiene polymer, the method comprising: (i) preparing an active polymerization mixture by introducing conjugated diene monomer, and optionally monomer copolymerizable therewith, and a lanthanide-based catalyst system; (ii) adding a nitrile compound containing a protected amino group to the active polymerization mixture; and (iii) adding a co-functionalizing agent to the active polymerization mixture.
US08735491B2

An essentially halogen-free, plasticizer-free thermoplastic elastomer compound is disclosed. The compound has from 10-80 weight percent of a hydrogenated styrene butadiene copolymer having a styrene content of less than 20 weight percent; from 20-90 weight percent of a polyolefin; and less than about 3 weight percent of antioxidant. The compound is capable of being solvent bonded or welded to another thermoplastic material using cyclohexanone alone or with methyl ethyl ketone. The compound is especially useful as medical tubing connected to other parts of medical equipment. The bond strength of the compound to the other thermoplastic material is properly determined only after multiple days of bonding.
US08735484B1

Disclosed is an amorphous copolyester polymerized of a diacid and diols. The diacid is selected from a group consisting of terephthalic acid, 5-tert-butylisophthalic acid, and dimethyl 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate. The diols are selected at least two from a group consisting of ethylene glycol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, and tricyclodecanedimethanol. The molar ratio of the tricyclodecanedimethanol is 30% to 95% of the diols.
US08735483B2

A polymerizable composition includes: a polymerization initiator; a polymerizable compound; a tungsten compound; and an alkali-soluble binder.
US08735481B2

A bearing having a surface and a self-lubricating surface coating composition deposited on the surface, wherein the self-lubricating surface coating composition includes a curable acrylate composition having a metallic composition. The metallic composition having a metallic acrylate compound according to Formula I: and about 30 mass % to about 45 mass % PTFE fiber.
US08735480B2

This invention provides a natural solvent-based adhesive composition for tires; a mix to prepare adhesive compositions; a preactivation compound for tires; processes to obtain said compositions or mix; or the use of said compounds in bonding tires; and bonding and preactivation processes for tires. The objects of the invention provide industrial solutions that, while introducing a considerable reduction in environmental impact in their preparation and use, provide better health conditions for the professionals who work in the tire bonding industry.
US08735479B2

To provide a fluorinated elastic copolymer composition, and a cross-linked rubber member obtained by crosslinking the fluorinated elastic copolymer composition, which is excellent in hot water resistance and steam resistance under severe conditions.A fluorinated elastic copolymer composition, which comprises a fluorinated elastic copolymer and a compound represented by the following formula (1) wherein the compound represented by the following formula (1) is contained in an amount of from 0.1 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the fluorinated elastic copolymer: (RCOO−)nMn+  (1) (wherein R is a C10-30 organic group, n is an integer of 2 or 3, and M is an alkaline earth metal, Zn, Cd, Co, Sn, Cu, Pb, Ni or Al).
US08735478B2

The present invention relates to an aqueous coating material containing polymer (I), colloidal silica (II), and nonionic surfactant (III) with an HLB value of 16 or more. The polymer (I) is obtained by copolymerization of monomer mixture (M) that contains 0.2 to 10% by mass of monomer (a) having two or more radically polymerizable groups. The solid content of the colloidal silica (II) is 0.1 to 20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polymer (I). The content of the nonionic surfactant (III) is 0.01 to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polymer (I). The present invention also relates to a painted article where the aqueous coating material is applied. Therefore, an aqueous coating material and a painted article capable of expressing stain resistance and weather resistance can be provided by reducing a water contact angle.
US08735477B2

The invention relates to a method for producing mono-carboxyfunctionalized dialkylphosphinic acids and esters and salts thereof, characterized in that a) a phosphinic acid source (I) is reacted with olefins (IV) to yield an alkylphosphonic acid, salt or ester (H) thereof in the presence of a catalyst A, b) the thus obtained alkylphosphonic acid, salt or ester (II) thereof is reacted with compounds of formula (V) to yield mono-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivatives (VI) in the presence of a catalyst B, and c) the thus obtained mono-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivatives (VI) are reacted to yield a mono-carboxyfunctionalized diakylphosphinic acid derivative (III) in the presence of a catalyst C, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 are the same or different and stand independently of each other, among other things, for H, C1-C18 alkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C6-C18 aralkyl, C6-C18 alkylaryl and X and Y are the same or different and stand independently of each for H, C1-C18 alkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C6-C18 aralkyl, C6-C18 alkylaryl, Mg, Ca, Al, Sb, Sn, Ge, Ti, Fe, Zr, Zn, Ce, Bi, Sr, Mn, Cu, Ni, Li, Na, K and/or a protonized nitrogen base, and the catalyst A is formed by transition metals and/or transition metal compounds and/or catalyst systems composed of a transition metal and/or a transition metal compound and at least one ligand, and catalyst B is formed by compounds forming peroxides and/or peroxo compounds and/or azo compounds and/or alkali metals and/or alkaline earth metals, alkali hydrides, alkaline earth hydrides and/or alkali alcoholates and alkaline earth alcoholates, and catalyst C is an acid or a base.
US08735471B2

Polyolefin dispersions, froths, and foams and articles manufactured therefrom are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for generating a thermoplastic foam from an aqueous dispersion. The aqueous dispersion may include a thermoplastic resin, water, and a stabilizing agent. The method may include adding at least one frothing surfactant to the aqueous dispersion to form a mixture, adding a flame retardant and/or a phase change material, frothing the mixture to create a froth, and removing at least a portion of the water to produce the foam.
US08735464B2

A radically curable polyurethane composite for dental restorations, including provisional restorations, includes polyurethane dimethacrylate prepolymers that have at least one flexible unit within a polyurethane dimethacrylate backbone, and one or more dimethacrylate monomers. Composite materials made with polyurethane dimethacrylate prepolymers of the invention exhibit superior and optimal properties of flexural strength and deflection-at-break relative to conventional dental resin composites. Composite materials of the invention also provide improved melt-resistance in response to the heat of grinding or finishing, thereby improving the fit of restorations made from the composite and preserving the finishing instruments. Methods of treating a tooth using the radically curable polyurethane composite and methods of making the polyurethane dimethacrylate prepolymers with flexible units is also provided. A kit including the radically curable polyurethane composite is also described.
US08735462B2

Provided is a radical-polymerizable resin capable of giving a cured material which is satisfactorily flexible, can relax stress upon usage as an adhesive, and does not cause disadvantages such as separation at the adhesive interface or breakage of an adherend, which stress occurs between the adhesive and the adherend upon heating or cooling and is caused by difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between them.The radical-polymerizable resin is obtained through cationic polymerization of a compound represented by any of following Formulae (1a) and (1b) and a compound represented by any of following Formulae (2a), (2b), (2c), (2d), (2e), and (2f). The radical-polymerizable resin is liquid at 0 ° C. and has a weight-average molecular weight of 500 or more. Symbols in the formulae are as defined in the description.
US08735461B2

A printing ink, preferably ink-jet ink, containing pearlescent pigments and at least one of at least one solvent, at least one radiation-curable component and at least one binder, wherein the pearlescent pigments comprise a substantially transparent platelet-shaped substrate having a density ρS and at least one optically active coating having a density ρM, and the pearlescent pigments have a d90 value for a cumulative frequency distribution of a volume-averaged size distribution function with a range from 3.5 to 15 μm. The invention further relates to a process for producing the printing ink.
US08735455B2

Articles that contain a solid support with a grafted chain extending from the solid support, methods of making these articles, and various uses of the articles are described. More specifically, the grafted chain has a functional group that can react with or interact with target compound. Alternatively, the functional group on the grafted chain can react with a modifying agent to provide another group that can react with or interact with the target compound. The grafted chains are attached to the solid support through a ring-opened azlactone group. The articles can be used to purify the target compound or to separate the target compound from other molecules in a sample.
US08735439B2

The present invention relates to a novel chlorin e6-folic acid conjugate, a preparation method thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer comprising the same, and more particularly, to a novel compound prepared by linking chlorin e6 to folic acid, which effectively produces singlet oxygen in various media and has much better tumor selectivity than the known porphyrin-based photosensitizers, thereby being used effectively in photodynamic therapy for malignant tumors, a preparation method thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition for photodynamic treatment of solid tumors comprising the compound as an active ingredient.
US08735434B2

The present application relates to thiazolylidene containing compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined in the specification. The present application also relates to compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions.
US08735431B2

The invention relates to novel insecticidal active compound combinations comprising, firstly, anthranilamides and, secondly, further insecticidally active compounds as defined in the description, which combinations are highly suitable for controlling animal pests, such as insects.
US08735429B2

The invention concerns benzamide compounds of formula (I): compound of formula (I): wherein R1 is a C-linked pyrazole ring, which is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from C1-4alkyl, C3-4cycloalkyl, C1-4alkoxy and C3-4cycloalkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug form thereof. The invention also concerns processes for the preparation of such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the manufacture of a medicament for use as an antiproliferative agent in the prevention or treatment of tumors or other proliferative conditions, which are sensitive to the inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC).
US08735426B2

Compounds corresponding to formula I: which act as vanilloid receptor ligands, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, a process for the producing such compounds, and the use thereof to treat or inhibit pain and/or various other disorders or conditions.
US08735423B2

The present invention relates to novel bicyclic compounds of the formula (I), and their derivatives, prodrugs, tautomers, stereoisomers, polymorphs, solvates, hydrates, metabolites, N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and compositions containing them. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of above said novel compounds, and their derivatives, prodrugs, tautomers, stereoisomers, polymorphs, solvates, hydrates, metabolites, N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and compositions containing them. These compounds are useful in the treatment and prevention of various disorders that are related to α4β2 nicotinic receptors.
US08735418B2

This invention is directed to compounds of formula (I): where n, m, Y, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are disclosed herein, as isolated stereoisomers or mixtures thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I); and methods of using the compounds and the pharmaceutical compositions in treating diseases or conditions associated with JAK2 activity.
US08735415B2

The present invention relates to acid addition salts of the pharmaceutically active compound (3,5-Bistrifluoromethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3yl-pyrimidin-2ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide(I): Development Code—AN019 The invention also relates to processes for the preparation these acid addition salts and to their use as anti tumor agent in humans.
US08735414B2

The present invention is directed to compounds and forms and pharmaceutical compositions thereof useful for treating a viral infection, or for affecting viral activity by modulating viral replication.
US08735411B2

Macrocyclic benzofused pyrimidine compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, methods for making the compounds, and methods of treating and preventing the progression of diseases, conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are described herein.
US08735408B2

Solid forms of 3-(4-(aminomethyl)-1-(5-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)piperidine-4-carboxamido)phenyl dimethylcarbamate and salts thereof are disclosed. Methods of its use to treat diseases and disorders of the eye are also disclosed.
US08735402B2

The present invention relates to cycloalkyloxycarboxylic acid derivatives of the formula I in which A, R1, R2a, R2b, R2c, R3 and X are as defined in the claims. The compounds of the formula I are suitable, for example, for wound healing.
US08735399B2

The invention provides oxazolidine and thiazolidine derivatives that are useful as subtype selective alpha 2 adrenergic agonists. As such, the compounds described herein are useful in treating a wide variety of disorders associated with selective subtype modulation of alpha 2 adrenergic receptors.
US08735385B2

The present disclosure relates to a series of substituted phenyl cycloalkyl pyrrolidine (piperidine) spirolactams and amides of formula (Ia) and formula (Ib). wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, X, m, l, n, p and s are as described herein. More specifically, the compounds of this invention are modulators of H3 receptors and are, therefore, useful as pharmaceutical agents, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of a variety of diseases modulated by H3 receptors including diseases associated with the central nervous system. Additionally, this disclosure relates to methods of preparation of substituted phenyl cycloalkyl pyrrolidine (piperidine) spirolactams and amides of formula (Ia) and (Ib), and intermediates therefor.
US08735377B1

A method of treating shingles in a human in need thereof. The method comprises administering a tetracycline compound in an amount that is effective to treat shingles, but has substantially no antibacterial activity.
US08735368B2

Antisense oligonucleotides against cPLA2 are provided, which are capable of inhibiting cPLA2 expression as well as superoxide production, especially in phagocytes. These antisense oligonucleotides are powerful agents for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, in particular arthritis, as well as in neurodegenerative diseases. The antisense oligonucleotides or compositions comprising the same may be used in methods of treatment of such diseases.
US08735367B2

Methods, assays, and products for the detection of small molecules are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method of detecting a small molecule in a sample can include reacting together a first half of a DNA split aptamer having a first reactive group coupled thereto, a second half of a DNA split aptamer having a second reactive group coupled thereto, where the DNA split aptamer is selective for the small molecule, and a sample containing the small molecule. The first half and the second half bind to the small molecule and the first reactive group and the second reactive group react to form an aptamer ligation product of the first half and the second half. The method can also include assaying for the aptamer ligation product in order to detect the small molecule presence in the sample.
US08735364B2

Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of apolipoprotein B. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding apolipoprotein B. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of apolipoprotein B expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of apolipoprotein B are provided.
US08735350B2

Reversible pegylated drugs are provided by derivatization of free functional groups of the drug selected from amino, hydroxyl, mercapto, phosphate and/or carboxyl with groups sensitive to mild basic conditions such as 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) or 2-sulfo-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMS), to which group a PEG moiety is attached. In these pegylated drugs, the PEG moiety and the drug residue are not linked directly to each other, but rather both residues are linked to different positions of the scaffold Fmoc or FMS structure that is highly sensitive to bases and is removable under physiological conditions. The drugs are preferably drugs containing an amino group, most preferably peptides and proteins of low or medium molecular weight. Similar molecules are provided wherein a protein carrier or another polymer carrier replaces the PEG moiety.
US08735344B2

A method including advancing a delivery device through a lumen of a blood vessel to a particular region in the blood vessel; and introducing a composition including a sustained-release carrier and an apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) synthetic mimetic peptide into a wall of the blood vessel at the particular region, wherein the peptide has a property that renders the peptide effective in reverse cholesterol transport. A composition including an apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) synthetic peptide, or combination of an Apo A-I synthetic mimetic peptide and an Acyl CoA cholesterol: acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor in a form suitable for delivery into a blood vessel, the peptide including an amino acid sequence in an order reverse to an order of various Apo A-I mimetic peptides, or endogenous Apo A-I analogs, or a chimera of helix 1 and helix 9 of endogenous Apo A-I.
US08735343B2

Disclosed are compositions and methods for decreasing the viscosity and/or cohesiveness of and/or increasing the liquefaction of excessively or abnormally viscous or cohesive mucus or sputum. The composition contains a protein or peptide containing a thioredoxin active-site in reduced state and optionally further contains a reducing system.
US08735342B2

The present invention is directed to methods of using HSS1 (Hematopoietic Signal peptide-containing Secreted 1), HSM1 (Hematopoietic Signal peptide-containing Membrane domain-containing 1), or a combination thereof in the treatment of various cancers, such as brain cancers.
US08735335B2

A base oil for hydraulic oil suitably used for hydraulic systems having filters of which micropore diameter is 50 μm or less is disclosed. The disclosure also provides a hydraulic oil composition using the above base oil, especially a hydraulic oil composition suitably used for such as tractors, transmissions, and common systems thereof having the hydraulic systems. The base oil has mineral oil, and the mineral oil is defined by kinematic viscosity at 100° C.: 1.5˜6 mm2/s, pour-point: −10° C. or less, viscosity index: 100 or more, % CP: 70 or more, % CA: 2 or less, and aniline point: 106° C. or more, and the mineral base oil is treated by catalytic dewaxing process and/or contains tertiary carbon atoms at a ratio of 7.4% or more to the total carbon atoms.
US08735332B2

A method for preventing the formation of gas hydrates in an aqueous phase by adding esters of pyroglutamic acid in the quantities of from 0.01 to 2% by weight. The esters of pyroglutamic acid produced by esterifying at least one alcohols, comprising from 1 to 100 hydroxyl groups with pyroglutamic acid and/or glutamic acid, wherein the alcohol has no more than one ester group or no more than one carboxylic acid group.
US08735330B2

The present invention provides an alternative scaffold for peptides displayed on filamentous phages through novel fusion proteins primarily originating from pVII. Libraries of filamentous phages can be created from fusion proteins, and a phage display system comprising a phagemid and a helper phage is a part of the invention. An aspect of the invention is a kit containing a phage display system comprising a phagemid and a helper phage that contains a nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein of the invention.
US08735324B2

Esteramide compounds are useful solvents/coalescing agents for a variety of phytosanitary, cleaning, degreasing, stripping, lubricating, coating and pigment/ink compositions.
US08735318B2

A catalyst for NOx storage and reduction may include a carrier that contains alkali metal and Al, or alkali earth metal and Al, a NOx storage element of alkali metal, alkali earth metal or rare earth element, and one or more noble metals that are selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ag, Au and Rh. The catalyst for NOx storage and reduction shows excellent NOx storage and reduction capability, maintains excellent storage and reduction capability especially before and after deterioration and sulfation, and shows excellent catalytic activity under low temperature environment, while maintaining unusually high hydrophobicity.
US08735312B2

The present invention relates to a catalyst composition and a process for preparing an olefin polymer using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel catalyst composition comprising at least two types of catalysts and a process for preparing an olefin polymer having excellent heat resistance using the same. The present invention can provide an olefin polymer having excellent activity and high heat resistance, and also can control the values of density, heat resistance and melt index (MI) of the olefin polymer.
US08735311B2

Zeolite catalysts and systems and methods for preparing and using zeolite catalysts having the CHA crystal structure are disclosed. The catalysts can be used to remove nitrogen oxides from a gaseous medium across a broad temperature range and exhibit hydrothermal stable at high reaction temperatures. The zeolite catalysts include a zeolite carrier having a silica to alumina ratio from about 15:1 to about 256:1 and a copper to alumina ratio from about 0.25:1 to about 1:1.
US08735287B2

A microelectronic unit can include a semiconductor element having a front surface, a microelectronic semiconductor device adjacent to the front surface, contacts at the front surface and a rear surface remote from the front surface. The semiconductor element can have through holes extending from the rear surface through the semiconductor element and through the contacts. A dielectric layer can line the through holes. A conductive layer may overlie the dielectric layer within the through holes. The conductive layer can conductively interconnect the contacts with unit contacts.
US08735285B2

An integrated circuit and a method of formation provide a contact area formed at an angled end of at least one linearly extending conductive line. In an embodiment, conductive lines with contact landing pads are formed by patterning lines in a mask material, cutting at least one of the material lines to form an angle relative to the extending direction of the material lines, forming extensions from the angled end faces of the mask material, and patterning an underlying conductor by etching using said material lines and extension as a mask. In another embodiment, at least one conductive line is cut at an angle relative to the extending direction of the conductive line to produce an angled end face, and an electrical contact landing pad is formed in contact with the angled end face.
US08735283B2

A method for forming small dimension openings in the organic masking layer of tri-layer lithography. The method includes forming an organic polymer layer over a semiconductor substrate; forming a silicon containing antireflective coating on the organic polymer layer; forming a patterned photoresist layer on the antireflective coating, the patterned photoresist layer having an opening therein; performing a first reactive ion etch to transfer the pattern of the opening into the antireflective coating to form a trench in the antireflective coating, the organic polymer layer exposed in a bottom of the trench; and performing a second reactive ion etch to extend the trench into the organic polymer layer, the second reactive ion etch forming a polymer layer on sidewalls of the trench, the second reactive ion etch containing a species derived from a gaseous hydrocarbon.
US08735277B2

The invention relates to an ultrathin semiconductor circuit having contact bumps and to a corresponding production method. The semiconductor circuit includes a bump supporting layer having a supporting layer thickness and having a supporting layer opening for uncovering a contact layer element being formed on the surface of a semiconductor circuit. An electrode layer is situated on the surface of the contact layer element within the opening of the bump supporting layer, on which electrode layer is formed a bump metallization for realizing the contact bump. On account of the bump supporting layer, a thickness of the semiconductor circuit can be thinned to well below 300 micrometers, with the wafer reliably being prevented from breaking. Furthermore, the moisture barrier properties of the semiconductor circuit are thereby improved.
US08735266B2

A fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) includes a substrate and a fin structure over the substrate. The fin structure comprises a lightly doped source and drain (LDD) region uniformly beneath a top surface and sidewall surfaces of the fin structure, the LDD region having a depth less than about 25 nm. Another FinFET includes a substrate and a fin structure over the substrate. The fin structure comprises a lightly doped source and drain (LDD) region, and a top surface of the fin structure has a different crystal structure from a sidewall surface of the fin structure. A method of making a FinFET includes forming a fin structure on a substrate. The method further includes performing a pulsed plasma doping on the fin structure to form lightly doped drain (LDD) regions in the fin structure.
US08735264B2

The present invention is a temporary adhesive composition comprising: (A) non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbon group-containing organopolysiloxane; (B) an antioxidant; and (C) an organic solvent, wherein the component (A) corresponds to 100 parts by mass, the component (B) corresponds to 0.5 to 5 parts by mass, and the component (C) corresponds to 10 to 1000 parts by mass. There can be provided a temporary adhesive composition that has excellent thermal stability while maintaining solvent resistance and a method for manufacturing a thin wafer using this.
US08735263B2

An SOI substrate is manufactured by the following steps: a semiconductor substrate is irradiated with an ion beam in which the proportion of H2O+ to hydrogen ions (H3+) is lower than or equal to 3%, preferably lower than or equal to 0.3%, whereby an embrittled region is formed in the semiconductor substrate; a surface of the semiconductor substrate and a surface of a base substrate are disposed so as to be in contact with each other, whereby the semiconductor substrate and the base substrate are bonded; and a semiconductor layer is separated along the embrittled region from the semiconductor substrate which is bonded to the base substrate by heating the semiconductor substrate and the base substrate, so that the semiconductor layer is formed over the base substrate.
US08735260B2

The present disclosure provide a method of manufacturing a microelectronic device. The method includes forming a bonding pad on a first substrate; forming wiring pads on the first substrate; forming a protection material layer on the first substrate, on sidewalls and top surfaces of the wiring pads, and on sidewalls of the bonding pad, such that a top surface of the bonding pad is at least partially exposed; bonding the first substrate to a second substrate through the bonding pad; opening the second substrate to expose the wiring pads; and removing the protection material layer.
US08735240B2

When forming high-k metal gate electrode structures by providing the gate dielectric material in an early manufacturing stage, the heat treatment or anneal process may be applied after incorporating work function metal species and prior to capping the gate dielectric material with a metal-containing electrode material. In this manner, the CET for a given physical thickness for the gate dielectric layer may be significantly reduced.
US08735227B2

A semiconductor device with minimized current flow differences and method of fabricating same are disclosed. The method includes forming a semiconductor stack including a plurality of layers that include a first layer having a first conductivity type and a second layer having a first conductivity type, in which the second layer is on top of the first layer, forming a plurality of mesas in the semiconductor layer stack, and forming a plurality of gates in the semiconductor layer stack having a second conductivity type and situated partially at a periphery of the mesas, in which the plurality of gates are formed to minimize current flow differences between a current flowing from the first layer to the plurality of mesas at a first applied gate bias and a current flowing from the first layer to the plurality of mesas at a second applied gate bias when voltage is applied to the semiconductor device.
US08735226B2

Methods for forming or patterning nanostructure arrays are provided. The methods involve formation of arrays on coatings comprising nanostructure association groups, formation of arrays in spin-on-dielectrics, solvent annealing after nanostructure deposition, patterning using resist, and/or use of devices that facilitate array formation. Related devices for forming nanostructure arrays are also provided, as are devices including nanostructure arrays (e.g., memory devices).
US08735225B2

Methods and systems for packaging MEMS devices such as interferometric modulator arrays are disclosed. One embodiment of a MEMS device package structure includes a seal with a chemically reactant getter. Another embodiment of a MEMS device package comprises a primary seal with a getter, and a secondary seal proximate an outer periphery of the primary seal. Yet another embodiment of a MEMS device package comprises a getter positioned inside the MEMS device package and proximate an inner periphery of the package seal.
US08735222B2

In regard to a semiconductor device having a multilayered wiring board where a semiconductor chip is embedded inside, a technology which allows the multilayered wiring board to be made thinner is provided. A feature of the present invention is that, in a semiconductor device where bump electrodes are formed over a main surface (element forming surface) of a semiconductor chip embedded in a chip-embedded wiring board, an insulating film is formed over a back surface (a surface on the side opposite to the main surface) of the semiconductor chip. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to form a prepreg over the back surface of the semiconductor chip. Therefore, an effect of thinning the chip-embedded wiring board in which the semiconductor chip is embedded is obtained.
US08735221B2

Provided are a stacked package, method of fabricating a stacked package, and method of mounting a stacked package. A method includes providing an upper semiconductor package including an upper package substrate, upper semiconductor chips formed on a top surface of the upper package substrate, and first solders formed on a bottom surface of the upper package substrate and having a first melting temperature, providing a lower semiconductor package including a lower package substrate, lower semiconductor chips formed on a top surface of the lower package substrate, and solder paste nodes formed on the top surface of the lower package substrate and having a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature, and forming inter-package bonding units by attaching respective first solders and solder paste nodes to each other by performing annealing at a temperature higher than the second melting temperature and lower than the first melting temperature.
US08735218B2

A method of producing an electronic module with at least one electronic component and one carrier. A structure is provided on the carrier so that the electronic component can take a desired target position relative to the structure. The structure is coated with a liquid meniscus suitable for receiving the electronic component. Multiple electronic components are provided at a delivery point for the electronic components. The carrier, with the structure, is moved nearby and opposite to the delivery point, where the delivery point delivers one of the electronic components without contact, while the structure on the carrier is moving near the delivery point, so that after a phase of free movement the electronic component at least partly touches the material, and the carrier, with the structure, is moved to a downstream processing point, while the electronic component aligns itself to the structure on the liquid meniscus.
US08735215B2

An example embodiment relates to a method including forming a bottom electrode and an insulating layer on a substrate, the insulating layer defining a first opening that exposes a portion of the bottom electrode. The method includes forming a variable resistance material pattern, including a plurality of elements, to fill the first opening. The variable resistance material pattern may be doped with a dopant that includes at least one of the plurality of elements in the variable resistance material pattern. The method includes forming a top electrode on the variable resistance material pattern.
US08735202B2

A monolithic, multi-bandgap, tandem solar photovoltaic converter has at least one, and preferably at least two, subcells grown lattice-matched on a substrate with a bandgap in medium to high energy portions of the solar spectrum and at least one subcell grown lattice-mismatched to the substrate with a bandgap in the low energy portion of the solar spectrum, for example, about 1 eV.
US08735195B2

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a ZnO-based semiconductor device having at least p-type ZnO-based semiconductor layer, which includes a step of forming a contact metal layer on the p-type ZnO-based semiconductor layer wherein the contact metal layer contains at least one of Ni and Cu; and a step of performing heat treatment of the contact metal layer and the p-type ZnO-based semiconductor layer under an oxygen-free atmosphere to form a mixture layer including elements of the p-type ZnO-based semiconductor layer and the contact metal layer at a boundary region therebetween while maintaining a metal phase layer on a surface of the contact metal layer.
US08735193B2

A light-emitting diode includes a substrate, a lower cladding layer, an active layer having a quantum well of a thirty percent concentration of indium on the lower cladding layer, and an upper cladding layer. A method of manufacturing light-emitting diodes includes forming a lower cladding layer on a substrate, forming an active layer on the lower cladding layer such that the active layer has a quantum well of thirty percent indium, forming an upper cladding layer on the active layer, and forming a metal cap on the upper cladding layer.
US08735188B2

An atomic layer deposition apparatus and a sealing method of an organic light emitting device using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the atomic layer deposition apparatus improves a structure of the purge gas injection nozzle so as to increase the exhaust efficiency of the purge gas in an atomic layer deposition process, which increases a speed of a purge process. As a result, it is possible to improve a deposition speed and a quality of a sealing film when a sealing process for sealing the organic light emitting device is implemented by using the atomic layer deposition.
US08735186B2

The energy distribution of the beam spot on the irradiated surface changes due to the change in the oscillation condition of the laser or before and after the maintenance. The present invention provides an optical system for forming a rectangular beam spot on an irradiated surface including a beam homogenizer for homogenizing the energy distribution of the rectangular beam spot on the irradiated surface in a direction of its long or short side. The beam homogenizer includes an optical element having a pair of reflection planes provided oppositely for reflecting the laser beam in the direction where the energy distribution is homogenized and having a curved shape in its entrance surface. The entrance surface of the optical element means a surface of the optical element where the laser beam is incident first.
US08735177B2

A diagnostic marker is composed of particles that have a diameter of from 1 nm to 100 μm, the particles possessing on their surfaces a site that has a high specific bonding ability to a specific antigen residing on the mucosa of digestive cancers and a site that has a low bonding ability to the mucosa of digestive organs, and further incorporating an identification material.
US08735174B2

Coated colloidal materials, methods for making coated colloidal materials, and methods of using coated colloidal materials are disclosed. The method yields coated colloidal materials where the optical characteristics of the core is not adversely affected. The coated colloidal materials can be self-assembled into films, layers, or structures and used in the detection of analytes through detection assays.
US08735167B2

Provided is a photoamplified fluorescence turn-off assay where a masked photosensitizer is mixed with a fluorescent molecule. This mixture is brightly fluorescent because the masked photosensitizer is not capable of quenching the fluorophore. When the photosensitizer is released and amplified, the photosensitizer quenches the emission of fluorophores very efficiently.
US08735155B1

Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.
US08735154B2

A scaffold having islet cells or small islet cell clusters attached thereto in a multilayer, and a micro-mold having divots for culturing islets, wherein islet formation is influenced by the shape and dimensions of the divots are disclosed.
US08735142B2

The present invention discloses systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating steps in immunosorbent assays for single and multiple analytes by eliminating both the need to attach target molecules to the test well and the need to remove unbound antibodies through rinsing. The immunosorbent assay (ISA) is utilized for a single analyte or target and includes the step of mixing the immunologic molecules with the sample and detection. The present invention further discloses an immunosorbent assay for multiple analytes (ISAMA) for testing a plurality of analytes or targets in a single well using a modified ISA test wherein different tags are attached to different antibody pairs. Alternate embodiments use multiple types of scavenger antigens with corresponding elimination of the need for scavenger antibodies. The present invention discloses various types of test wells for the rapid and simultaneous testing of fluids for a plurality of components and a methodology for a continuous immunosorbent assay. Also disclosed is a method for immunosorbent assay of micro-organisms to determine serotype.
US08735139B2

The present invention is a method for fermentation of algae or algaefaction method. The method includes feeding a hydrocarbon composition into a gasifier and pre-heating a biomass stream from a fermentation reactor. The biomass stream includes a liquid portion, a catalyst, and a biomass solids portion ranging between 15-92% by weight of the biomass stream. The biomass solids portion is algae or algal solids. The biomass stream is pre-heated to a temperature range between 200° F. and 500° F. Both the syngas and the pre-heated biomass stream are injected as a mixture into a reactor, where the mixture is separated into a gas component, liquid component, and solids component. The solids component is algal crude, which can be collected for processing as transportation fuels. The gas component is a lower temperature syngas, which can also be collected for processing as electricity or transportation fuels.
US08735124B2

An isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of serum paraoxonase (PON1) having catalytic efficiency of kcat/KM≈106-5·107 M−1min−1 for a G-type organophosphate.
US08735122B2

Recombinant purified DnaK—having a ATPase activity without the addition of an other chaperone protein—essentially free of T-cell stimulating impurities.
US08735120B2

Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3′-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.
US08735117B2

In on aspect, the invention includes a microcarrier bead having a porous three-dimensional core having (a) a polymeric porous three-dimensional body having porosity of about 15 to about 90% such that at least 99% of pores are interconnected and have diameters of at most 200 microns, (b) an outer protective layer and optionally (c) a filler. In another aspect, the invention includes a method of making an artificial scaffold wherein a scaffolding material is extruded into a coolant and thereby creating a porous material having a porosity of between 15-90% such that at least 99% of pores are interconnected and have diameters of at most 200 microns.
US08735115B2

This invention relates generally to methods for increasing the efficiency of microbial growth and production of products, such as alcohols and acids by microbial fermentation of substrates containing carbon monoxide. More particularly the invention relates to the provision of an alternative sulphur source to a liquid nutrient medium, such that sulphur is available to one or more microorganisms of the fermentation.
US08735110B2

Disclosed are novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains capable of producing in high yield and preparation methods thereof. The strains anchor an expression vector carrying either or both of a nucleotide sequence coding for acetyl-CoA carboxylase carboxytransferase subunit alpha of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a nucleotide sequence coding for malonyl-CoA-[acyl-carrier-protein] transacylase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and/or a nucleotide sequence coding for acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase of Streptococcus pyogenes. The recombinant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are genetically stable and have high lipid or fatty acid contents, thus being applicable to the mass production of fatty acids.
US08735095B2

The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules that encode antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, which specifically bind human interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R). Also provided are expression vectors comprising nucleic acid molecule that encode anti-IL-4R antibodies, host cells comprising the expression vectors, and methods of producing anti-IL-4R antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof comprising growing the host cells under conditions permitting production of the antibody or fragment, and recovering the antibody or fragment so produced.
US08735093B2

Method for incorporating a lysine derivative (particularly an Nε-benzyloxycarbonyl-lysine (Z-Lys) derivative) having useful functional group such as heavy atom, selenium, reactive functional group, fluorescent group or crosslinker, which is suitable as a non-natural amino acid, into a desired protein in a site-specific manner. A mutant pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase has substitution of at least one amino acid residue selected from tyrosine residue at position 306, leucine residue at position 309 and cysteine residue at position 348 each constituting a pyrrolysine-binding site in the amino acid sequence for pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase of SEQ ID NO:2. The substitution of the amino acid residue is: of tyrosine residue at position 306 by glycine or alanine residue, of leucine residue at position 309 by glycine or alanine residue, and/or of a cysteine residue at position 348 by valine, serine or alanine residue.
US08735089B2

The present invention relates to a method using Caenorhabditis elegans for screening of food grade bacteria which have a protective effect against oxidative stress.
US08735087B2

The present invention provides a use for alkaline phosphatase for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or reduction of toxic LPS influx through a mucosal lining of a mammalian body cavity. A source of alkaline phosphatase is administered for the prophylaxis or treatment of LPS mediated or exacerbated diseases. The invention also provides compositions comprising a source of alkaline phosphatase for the prevention or reduction of (toxic) LPS influx or passage through mucosal layers.
US08735085B2

One aspect of the invention provides a method of diagnosing a disease condition, comprising measuring presence or amount of a targeted protein or a degradation product of said protein in a collected biological sample as a marker for the disease condition. The targeted protein or degradation product is selected for measurement based on a prior identification of a measurable half-life at a predetermined time period, including the time at which said method is conducted, and correlating said measuring with the presence or absence of the disease condition. The targeted protein or degradation product may be identified by selecting a protein known or suspected to be a diagnostic marker for the disease condition, analyzing degradation of the protein in the collected biological sample, and selecting a protein or degradation product that exhibits a measurable half-life at a predetermined period of time. The analyzing may include identifying degradation product(s) of the protein as a function of time, and half-life of the protein and the degradation product(s).
US08735075B2

The present invention relates to detection of cancer, or assessment of risk of development thereof. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods detection of field carcinogenesis by identification of ultrastructural and molecular markers in a subject.
US08735067B2

The present invention discloses an asymmetric PCR amplification method, its special primer and application, aims to provide a simple, effective PCR amplification for preparation of single-stranded product. The asymmetric PCR primer of the invention comprises some PCR primer pairs, in which an unrelated nucleic acids sequence to target sequence to be detected is added onto 5′-terminal of one primer. The asymmetric PCR amplification provided includes the steps: 1) preparative denaturing; 2) repetitiously denaturing, primers annealing, extending cycles as the first stage of PCR amplification; 3) repetitiously denaturing, primer extending cycles as the second stage of PCR amplification, wherein an unrelated nucleic acids sequence to target sequence to be detected is added onto 5′-terminal of one PCR primer of each pair in extension. With the asymmetric PCR amplification of the invention, high throughput of single-stranded products can be obtained, single PCR amplification or multiple PCR amplification can be carried out. And the method can be widely used in detection of nucleic acids.
US08735066B2

A specific region of chromosome 10 (10q23.3) has been implicated by series of studies to contain a tumor suppressor gene involved in gliomas, as well as a number of other human cancers. One gene within this region was identified, and the corresponding coding region of the gene represents a novel 47 kD protein. A domain of this product has an exact match to the conserved catalytic domain of protein tyrosine phosphatases, indicating a possible functional role in phosphorylation events. Sequence analyses demonstrated the a number of exons of the gene were deleted in tumor cell lines used to define the 10q23.3 region, leading to the classification of this gene as a tumor suppressor. Further analyses have demonstrated the presence of a number of mutations in the gene in both glioma and prostate carcinoma cells. Methods for diagnosing and treating cancers related to this tumor suppressor, designated as TS10q23.3, also are disclosed.
US08735052B2

A surface modifying material for forming a surface modifying layer provided between a substrate and a resist film, the surface modifying material including an epoxy resin having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 50,000; a method of forming a resist pattern, including: forming a surface modifying layer on a substrate using the surface modifying material, forming a resist film on the substrate, on which the surface modified layer has been formed, using a resist composition, conducting exposure of the resist film, and alkali developing the resist film to form a resist pattern; and a method of forming a pattern, including: etching the substrate, on which a resist pattern has been formed by the method of forming a resist pattern.
US08735049B2

A method of making a relief printing element in a liquid photopolymer platemaking process is described. The method comprises the steps of: (a) selectively exposing the liquid photopolymer to actinic radiation through a negative to crosslink and cure portions of the liquid photopolymer; and (b) reclaiming uncured portions of the liquid photopolymer to be reused in the platemaking process. The step of reclaiming uncured portions of the liquid photopolymer comprises (i) heating the printing element to decrease the viscosity of the uncured liquid photopolymer; and (ii) removing uncured liquid photopolymer from the surface of the relief image printing element so that recovery of uncured liquid photopolymer from the surface of the relief image printing element is enhanced.
US08735043B2

Image noise is reduced in halftone imaging processes by placing clear toner particles around the colored toner particles. The clear toner particles must be placed around the colored toner particles prior to transferring the developed image from an imaging member to a receiving member or substrate. The clear toner particles force the colored toner particles to remain in their deposited location during transfer. The result is an image with less mottle and graininess.
US08735042B2

An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes: a release agent; a pigment; and a binder resin. The content of the pigment is from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the toner is in the range of from about −60° C. to about 20° C., and the Young's modulus at 20° C. is in the range of from about 1×100 MPa to about 1×103 MPa.
US08735036B2

An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes: toner particles; and an external additive having an average particle diameter of from about 70 nm to about 420 nm, an average circularity of equal to or less than about 0.9, and a standard deviation of the circularity of greater than 0.2.
US08735035B2

An electrophotographic toner and a process for preparing the same. The electrophotographic toner includes a binder, a coloring agent, and a release agent. The binder includes two resins having different weight average molecular weights.
US08735030B2

Disclosed is a method of modifying of a surface of a substrate of a photolithographic mask for extreme ultraviolet radiation comprising the step of focusing femtosecond light pulses of a laser system onto the substrate so that a plurality of color centers is generated inside the substrate, wherein the color centers are distributed to cause a modification of the substrate surface.
US08735026B2

A polymerizable composition including at least a polymerizable compound, a binder polymer, a photopolymerization initiator, and a titanium black dispersion, wherein the mass ratio of the content of the polymerizable compound to the content of the binder polymer is more than 1.
US08735024B2

Various non-planar lithography masks, systems using such lithography masks, and methods are disclosed. An embodiment is a lithography mask comprising a lens-type transparent substrate and a reticle pattern on a surface of the lens-type transparent substrate. The reticle pattern is opaque to optical radiation. Methods for forming similar lithography masks and for using similar lithography masks are disclosed.
US08735014B2

A fuel cell of the present invention includes an electrolyte layer-electrode assembly (5), a first separator (4A), and a second separator (4C). A cooling water channel (8) is formed on a main surface of at least one of the first separator (4A) and the second separator (4C) so as to communicate with at least one of a first cooling water manifold hole (41) and a second cooling water manifold hole (51). A first channel forming portion (11) is located in at least one of the first cooling water manifold hole (41) and the second cooling water manifold hole (51) when viewed from a thickness direction of an electrolyte layer (1) and is provided so as to be opposed to at least a part of an end surface constituting the first cooling water manifold hole (41) and the second cooling water manifold hole (51).
US08734992B2

Disclosed is an electrolytic manganese dioxide having an alkali potential of at least 310 mV, a full width at half maximum of the (110) plane in the XRD measurement using the CuKα line as the light source of from 2.2° to 3.0°, and a (110)/(021) peak intensity ratio in the X-ray diffraction spectrum of from 0.5 to 0.80. Also disclosed is a method for producing electrolytic manganese dioxide by electrolysis in an aqueous solution of a sulfuric acid/manganese sulfate mixture.
US08734984B2

When a bipolar battery is manufactured, a bipolar electrode and a separator are prepared first. Then, one electrode (for example, a positive electrode) out of positive and negative electrodes is applied with such an amount of electrolyte as being exposed on a surface of the one electrode. Then, the separator is arranged on the surface of the one electrode applied with the electrolyte, thus forming a sub-assembly unit. Then, a plurality of the sub-assembly units are layered, and the electrolyte applied to the one electrode is made to permeate through the separator to the other electrode, thus forming an assembly unit.
US08734981B2

A system and method are provided including a containment system for containing leaks or spills from at least one battery. Further provided is a liner formed in the containment system. Such liner is formed of a material capable of being applied to the containment system in a liquid form, whereafter the material solidifies for containing the leaks or spills from at least one battery.
US08734976B2

Disclosed is a battery including a cathode in which cathode active-material coating layers provided on both surfaces of a cathode collector are longitudinally deviated from each other, and an anode having at least one anode active-material coating layer provided on an anode collector, the cathode and anode being wound to face each other with a separator interposed therebetween. At least one of a winding beginning portion and winding ending portion of the cathode is provided with a cathode uncoated part for installation of a cathode lead. An insulator tape is attached to the boundary of the cathode active-material coating layer at a position where the anode active-material coating layer faces a non-coating part of the cathode not containing the cathode active-material coating layer, achieving enhanced electrical insulation capability and consequential safety of the battery.
US08734975B2

A modular thermal management system for a battery in an electric vehicle is provided. In one embodiment, a modular thermal management system for a battery in an electric vehicle is provided. The modular system includes a plurality of manifold segments. Each of the manifold segments further comprises a plurality of fluid ports adapted to connect to a heat exchanger fin for a battery cell. Each manifold segment corresponds to a battery stack comprised of a plurality cells and heat exchanger fins. At least one manifold clip is provided for securing two adjacent manifold segments together. The manifold clip bridges the coupling joint and engages retention features on each of the two manifold segments in order to inhibiting separation longitudinally between the two manifold segments. A plurality of manifold clips are configured to secure a plurality of manifold segments together accommodate a plurality of battery stack configurations.
US08734959B2

The present invention relates to a biopolymer based barrier coating composition wherein said biopolymer based barrier coating composition comprises a plasticizer, a nano-sized clay and a biopolymer comprising a native starch and/or a de-graded starch and/or a chemically modified starch. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the biopolymer based barrier coating composition as well as to a method for coating a cellulose based substrate with the biopolymer based barrier coating composition. Finally, the present invention relates to a cellulose based substrate coated with said biopolymer based barrier coating composition.
US08734955B2

A transparent laminate is produced by preparing a pair of transparent substrates, forming a sealing portion along the periphery on one of the transparent substrates for sealing a curable resin composition, supplying the curable resin composition in a region on the transparent substrate surrounded by the sealing portion, overlaying the other transparent substrate on the supplied curable resin composition in a reduced pressure atmosphere so that the curable resin composition is sealed as it is sandwiched between the pair of transparent substrates, and subsequently curing the curable resin composition in an atmosphere having a higher pressure than the pressure of the atmosphere in which the composition is sandwiched, to produce the transparent laminate.
US08734954B2

A transparent porous SiO2-coating for a transparent substrate material has improved optical properties. These properties can be obtained, in particular, by plasma treatment.
US08734947B2

A process of comminution of wood chips (C) having a grain direction to produce a mixture of wood particles (P), wherein the wood chips are characterized by an average length dimension (LC) as measured substantially parallel to the grain, an average width dimension (WC) as measured normal to LC and aligned cross grain, and an average height dimension (HC) as measured normal to WC and LC, and wherein the comminution process comprises the step of feeding the wood chips in a direction of travel substantially randomly to the grain direction one or more times through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood chip travel.
US08734945B2

The invention relates to a Radiation Curable Secondary Coating composition for use on an Optical Fiber. The Radiation Curable Secondary Coating composition is a urethane-free Alpha Oligomer prepared by reaction of the following: (a) an acrylate compound selected from an alcohol-containing acrylate or alcohol-containing methacrylate compound, (b) an anhydride compound, (c) an epoxy-containing compound, (d) optionally an extender compound, and (e) optionally a catalyst. The invention also relates to a coated wire and to a coated optical fiber.
US08734942B2

A coated article includes a substrate, an anti-corrosion layer formed on the substrate, and a decorative layer formed on the anti-corrosion layer. The substrate is made of magnesium or magnesium alloy. The anti-corrosion layer includes a magnesium layer formed on the substrate and a magnesium oxynitride layer formed on the magnesium layer. The coated article has improved corrosion resistance.
US08734938B2

A sensor element is formed by cutting a laminated body and heating with the cutting taking place in a state where a difference in resistance on sides of a cutting component is as small as possible. That is, a uniform cutting is where resistance added to both sides of the cutting component is substantially the same. When uniform cutting cannot be performed, a nonuniform cutting in a state where resistance added to both sides of the cutting component is different is performed. Consequently, a surface perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the sensor element is trapezoidal.
US08734935B2

A functional element, in particular a cooktop or control panel, having a flat substrate composed of or of glass or glass ceramic, in which a coating that contains a crosslinked polysiloxane is applied to the substrate. In order to improve the scratch resistance of such a coating, according to this invention, a covering layer that contains an uncrosslinked polysiloxane is applied to the coating.
US08734932B2

A drainage mat for use in building structures, particularly in exterior walls and roofing, to improve drainage and ventilation within such structures. The drainage mat includes a web of extruded polymer monofilaments that are heat welded at junctions to form a matrix of tangled monofilaments. The web includes on its front face an alternating array of ridges and planar regions, each ridge having a substantially trapezoidal shape with a top surface and a base, the width of the top surface being less than the width of the base.
US08734929B2

Hydrophobic composites, as well as methods for making a hydrophobic composite, are provided. A hydrophobic composite may include a plurality of nanostructures elongated from one or more supports and having a configuration characterized by a first hydrophobicity, and at least one substance characterized by a second hydrophobicity and configured to at least partially cover one or more portions of the plurality of nanostructures such that the overall hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic composite is greater than the first hydrophobicity.
US08734927B2

A multi-polymer T-molding edge banding primarily to use on an edge of composite wood furniture, wherein the T-molding comprises a core layer with barb, the core layer generally being fabricated from a thermoplastic olefin; a top layer substantially covering the outboard face of the core layer, the top layer being fabricated from a polymer such as polypropylene; and a top coat of curable material laid over the top layer.
US08734925B2

Composite pre-forms are molded at high pressure to form composite parts that can be used in place of metal-based high performance parts, such as the outlet guide vanes found in turbofan jet engines. The composite pre-forms include two different fiber orientations that are co-molded in a resin matrix at high pressures to provide composite outlet guide vanes and other high performance parts. Chambers within the composite part are optionally formed during molding of the pre-form at high pressures.
US08734924B2

Implementations and techniques for containing electrolyte leaks are generally disclosed.
US08734921B2

Ink composition for continuous deflected jet printing, that is liquid at ambient temperature, comprising a solvent containing less than 0.5% by weight of water and less than 0.5% by weight of alcohols relative to the total weight of the ink composition; one or more dye(s) and/or pigment(s) that is (are) insoluble in water, and in mixtures of water and of at least one alcohol; and a binder, comprising at least 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the binder, of at least one binder resin capable of being obtained by reaction between at least one alkoxysilane and at least one hydroxyaromatic resin.
US08734920B2

Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including a low-E coating. In certain example embodiments, a titanium oxide inclusive bottom layer stack and/or a NiCr-based layer(s) are designed to improve b* coloration values and/or transmission of the coated article. These layer stack portions also advantageously permit a double-silver coated article to achieve (i) an LSG value (Tvis/SHGC) of at least 2.0, (ii) an SHGC value of no greater than 35%, and (iii) a U-value (BTU h−1 ft−2° F.−1) (e.g., x=12 mm) of no greater than 0.30. In certain example embodiments, the titanium oxide based layer may be an interlayer provided in a bottom portion of the layer stack between first and second layers comprising silicon nitride. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application.
US08734917B2

A liquid crystal display device includes: a pair of substrates, at least one of which is transparent; a liquid crystal layer placed between the pair of substrates; an electrode group, formed on at least one of the pair of substrates, for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer; and an alignment control film placed on at least one of the pair of substrates, in which the alignment control film is formed of polyimide and a precursor of the polyimide, each of the polyimide and the precursor of the polyimide contains, as a material, a specific cyclobutanetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride derivative and aromatic diamine, and the alignment control film is provided with alignment capability by photo-alignment treatment.
US08734916B2

An optical device and a stereoscopic image display device are provided. The optical device according to one embodiment may be a light-dividing device, for example, a device that can divide incident light into at least two kinds of light having different polarized states. For example, the optical device can be used to realize a stereoscopic image.
US08734914B2

A binder material layer including an evaporation material is formed over a main surface of an evaporation source substrate, a substrate on which a film is formed is placed so that the binder material layer and a main surface thereof face each other, and heat treatment is performed on a rear surface of the evaporation source substrate so that the evaporation material in the binder material layer is heated to be subjected to sublimation or the like, whereby a layer of the evaporation material is formed on the substrate on which a film is formed. When a low molecular material is used for the evaporation material and a high molecular material is used for the binder material, the viscosity can be easily adjusted, and thus, film formation is possible with higher throughput than conventional film formation.
US08734913B2

A formation method of a coating that coats a coated body with the coating includes: generating cylindrical plasma in a vacuum deposition chamber as well as supplying material gas into the vacuum deposition chamber; applying pulse voltage to the coated body; and attaching a shield member that shields an uncoated member to an uncoated part where the coating of the coated body is not formed with separation spacing over a coated part where the coating is to be formed for preventing decrease of hardness of the coating in the coated part.
US08734907B2

A deposition chamber shield having a stainless steel coating of from about 100 microns to about 250 microns thick wherein the coated shield has a surface roughness of between about 300 microinches and about 800 microinches and a surface particle density of less than about 0.1 particles/mm2 of particles between about 1 micron and about 5 microns in size and no particles below about 1 micron in size, and process for production thereof is disclosed.
US08734906B2

A method of producing a film coated onto a substrate by dissolving a metal or metalloid containing compound having hydrolysable groups in a solvent to form a precursor solution. The precursor solution is coated onto the substrate as a continuous liquid phase. The precursor solution is then cured to produce a continuous, interconnected, nano-porous network.
US08734905B2

A mixture comprising an expandable graphite and a polymer resin is described wherein the polymer resin-expandable graphite mixture has a volume increase and structural integrity after exposure to heat. Methods are described for increasing the thermal protective performance (TPP) of textiles and laminates while optionally maintaining comfort, flexibility, and liquid protective properties.
US08734903B2

A chemical vapor deposition process for the deposition of a silica layer on a glass substrate is provided. The process includes providing a glass substrate. The process also includes forming a gaseous precursor mixture comprising a silane compound, oxygen, water vapor, and a radical scavenger and directing the precursor mixture toward and along the glass substrate. The mixture reacts over the glass substrate to form a silica coating thereon.
US08734901B2

A film deposition method of depositing a thin film by alternately supplying at least a first source gas and a second source gas to a substrate is disclosed. The film deposition method includes steps of evacuating a process chamber where the substrate is accommodated, without supplying any gas to the process chamber; supplying an inert gas to the process chamber until a pressure within the process chamber becomes a predetermined pressure; supplying the first source gas to the process chamber filled with the inert gas at the predetermined pressure without evacuating the process chamber; stopping supplying the first source gas to the process chamber and evacuating the process chamber; supplying the second source gas to the process chamber; and stopping supplying the second source gas to the process chamber and evacuating the process chamber.
US08734900B2

Provided are a process for economically preparing a graphene shell having a desired configuration which is applicable in various fields wherein in the process the thickness of the graphene shell can be controlled, and a graphene shell prepared by the process.
US08734890B2

A method for forming a molecularly imprinted polymer biosensor includes: (a) preparing a reaction solution including an imprinting molecule, a functional monomer, an initiator, and a crosslinking agent; (b) disposing the reaction solution in a space between upper and lower substrates each of which is made of a light-transmissible material; (c) disposing on the upper substrate a photomask having a patterned hole; (d) irradiating the reaction solution through the patterned hole of the photomask and the upper substrate so that the reaction solution undergoes polymerization to form a polymer between the upper and lower substrates; (e) removing the upper substrate after the polymer is formed on the lower substrate; and (f) extracting the imprinting molecule from the polymer so that a patterned molecularly imprinted polymer film is formed on the lower substrate.
US08734884B2

Provided is a process for producing a roasted coffee bean extract suppressed in bitterness by selectively reducing the content of chlorogenic acid lactones while maintaining the content of chlorogenic acids and having taste and flavor intrinsic to the roasted coffee bean extract. The process for producing a roasted coffee bean extract includes adjusting a raw-material roasted coffee bean extract so as to have a Brix degree of from 10 to 40 and a pH of from 5.5 to 6.5, and treating the extract with heat at 100° C. or more.
US08734883B2

Apparatus for extracting pomegranate seeds from pomegranates including a pomegranate breaker operative for breaking open pomegranates generally without cutting pomegranate seeds at the interior of the pomegranates and a pomegranate seed extractor operative to engage broken open pomegranates for separating the pomegranate seeds from other parts of the pomegranates.
US08734874B1

A beverage cup lid and a system and method incorporating such a lid is provided. The lid holds an individual serving dose of a beverage to be brewed. Hot water is poured into a chamber of the lid to brew the beverage. The brewed beverage is fed into an underlying cup through an outlet in the lid. The beverage can be consumed through an opening in the lid without removing the spent grounds contained in the lid, from which the beverage was brewed.
US08734873B2

Methods are provided herein for producing a food bar with increased shelf life, by adding a softener, such as soluble fiber, highly branched carbohydrate, and/or indigestible or poorly digestible carbohydrate. Methods are also provided herein for producing food bars with increased protein content.
US08734866B2

The present invention relates to a composition for treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, containing an extract of Lindera obtusiloba. More particularly, the extract of Lindera obtusiloba strongly inhibits NAD(P)H oxidases, which are the main cause of vascular diseases, and at the same time, regulates contraction and relaxation of vascular smooth muscles to manifest a potent vasorelaxant effect, thereby improving the blood pressure regulation and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, a composition containing this as an active ingredient can be usefully utilized as a pharmaceutical product or health functional food product for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
US08734865B2

The invention relates to a composition comprising a lupin total extract consisting of a lupin sugar extract, comprising at least 50% galactooligosaccharides by weight, in relation to the weight of dry matter, and a lupin peptide extract. The composition can also contain a chromane derivative or a chromene derivative. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic composition comprising said lupin total extract, used advantageously as an anti-inflammatory agent, which repairs the cutaneous barrier and heals, used particularly in the prevention and/or treatment of erythemas.
US08734856B2

The present invention provides a method for preparing cell extract for high-performance cell-free protein synthesis reactions, comprising the elimination of low molecular weight substances that have protein synthesis inhibitory activity, from cell extracts that have cell-free protein synthesis activity, by such methods as dialysis, gel filtration and ultrafiltration. Also provided is a ready-made cell-extract for cell-free protein synthesis employing this method. Furthermore, the formation of insoluble matter can be reduced by performing the process for eliminating the low molecular weight substances that inhibit protein synthesis in the co-presence of ATP, GTP or amino acids, so as to stabilize the cell extract.
US08734854B2

A sub-atmospheric, negative pressure is applied to a growth factor starting material, such as whole blood, to release growth factors and plasma in a non-destructive medium. The released growth factors having a weight of about 70-76 kDaltons are applied in either a filtered or unfiltered state to a wound to promote healing of the wound. The released growth factors are applied topically to the area of a surface wound to effect healing. The released growth factors are also injected into soft tissue, such as a torn tendon, to promote tissue growth and healing. The growth factors are released in one method from a patient's own blood. In another method the growth factors are released from a whole blood source and freeze dried by conventional lyophilization. Then at a later date, the freeze dried product is reconstituted by normal saline for treatment of a patient's wound or for use in a surgical procedure.
US08734853B2

Disclosed are high density lipoprotein-nucleic acid particles, wherein the particles include (a) an apolipoprotein; (b) a nucleic acid component comprising a therapeutic nucleic acid segment; and (c) a polypeptide comprising a positively charged region, wherein the positively-charged region of the polypeptide associates with the nucleic acid component. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include a) an apolipoprotein; (b) a nucleic acid component comprising a therapeutic nucleic acid segment; and (c) a polypeptide comprising a positively charged region. Methods that concern the particles and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are also set forth, as well as kits.
US08734846B2

This application provides nanoparticles and methods of making nanoparticles using pre-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)(also referred to as PEG) as a macroinitiator for the synthesis of diblock copolymers. Ring opening polymerization yields the desired poly(ester)-poly (ethylene glycol)-targeting agent polymer that is used to impart targeting capability to therapeutic nanoparticles. This “polymerization from” approach typically employs precursors of the targeting agent wherein the reactivity of functional groups of the targeting agent is masked using protecting groups. Also described is a “coupling to” that utilized the poly(ethylene glycol)-targeting agent conjugate where the targeting agent remains in its native un-protected form. This method uses “orthogonal” chemistry that exhibit no cross reactivity towards functional groups typically found within targeting agents of interest.
US08734841B2

Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.
US08734838B2

A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition which comprises three ingredients, i.e., polyisoprene, a styrene/isoprene/styrene copolymer, and solid polyisobutylene, in a proportion of (10-60)/(10-50)/(20-60) by weight and further contains a non-solid isobutylene polymer and a tackifier, characterized in that the amount of the non-solid isobutylene polymer is 1 to 30 pts. wt., excluding 30 pts. wt., per 100 pts. wt. of the sum of the three ingredients, i.e., the polyisoprene, styrene/isoprene/styrene copolymer, and solid polyisobutylene. When used in an adhesive patch for external use on the skin, the composition has satisfactory tackiness regardless of whether the temperature of the surrounding air is high or low, has excellent long-term storage stability, retains the necessary cohesive force, and does not unnecessarily irritate the skin.
US08734829B2

An implantable or insertable medical device is provided which contains the following: (a) a substrate, (b) a therapeutic agent-containable region disposed over the substrate, (c) a nanoporous polymeric layer disposed over the therapeutic agent-containable region and (d) a macroporous non-polymeric layer disposed over the nanoporous polymeric layer. The nanoporous polymeric layer largely regulates transport of species between the therapeutic agent-containable region and the exterior of the device. The macroporous non-polymeric layer has a larger pore size than the nanoporous polymeric layer and largely serves to isolate the polymeric material from surrounding tissue during in-situ delivery of the therapeutic agents.
US08734828B2

A cell-free graft contains (i) a cohesive, scaffold-forming matrix with open porosity containing a biologically and pharmaceutically acceptable material, and (ii) a gel of a biologically and pharmaceutically acceptable material. The cell-free graft is produced by (v) contacting the matrix with the gel, and (vi) drying the matrix-gel complex formed in (v). The cell-free graft can be used for covering and increasing the viscoelasticity of defects, for tissue regeneration and in particular for regenerating mesenchymal tissue, especially cartilage and/or bone.
US08734827B2

A bioengineered IVD for disc replacement has been developed that has mechanical and structural support characteristics similar to those of native IVD. Extracellular matrix (ECM) provides support to living cell components and interacts with the living cellular components during the fabrication process without introducing toxicity. The composition can be produced from both natural or synthetic source but preferably natural and induced to self-assemble or reconstitute into its solid form under conditions that are mild enough to support cellular survival and growth. The cells induce a volume change of the structures, leading to changes in dimension, ECM density, cell density, mechanical property and stability, etc. The extent of the change in volume of the composition can be precisely controlled by factors such as the density of the ECM, the density of the living cells, the timing for interaction and the serum concentration. Increased structural support is provided by crosslinking.
US08734826B2

A rectally insertable device for localized drug delivery to the anal sphincter of a subject, a method of using the device and the use of the device is disclosed. The device comprises a shell for containing an active pharmaceutical ingredient, the shell being substantially impermeable to the active pharmaceutical ingredient wherein a lower portion of the shell is configured to release the active pharmaceutical ingredient from the shell and wherein when the device is inserted into the rectum of the subject, the lower portion of the shell is proximal to the anal sphincter, such that the active pharmaceutical ingredient is released proximal to the anal sphincter.
US08734818B2

The present specification discloses tetrahydroindolone derivatives or analogues and methods for treating cognitive/attention deficit disorders using such tetrahydroindolone derivatives and analogues.
US08734815B2

The present invention refers to the recombinant vaccine against canine visceral leishmaniasis containing the recombinant A2 protein and saponin, as an adjuvant, allowing the distinction between vaccinated and infected animals through conventional ELISA or immunofluorescence tests that employ antigens of promastigote forms of Lesihmania.
US08734806B2

The invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising an adenoviral vector and a pox viral vector, or two different adenoviral vectors, wherein one or more of the vectors encodes one or more target antigens; and related methods, uses and kits.
US08734803B2

Antibodies against influenza neuraminidase, compositions containing the antibodies, and methods of using the antibodies are provided herein.
US08734802B1

The invention features methods for preventing or treating CGRP associated disorders such as vasomotor symptoms, including headaches (e.g., migraine, cluster headache, and tension headache) and hot flushes, by administering an anti-CGRP antagonist antibody. Antagonist antibody G1 and antibodies derived from G1 directed to CGRP are also described.
US08734798B2

A Nav1.7 binding entity that after binding functionally modifies the activity of the ion channel, in particular an anti-Nav1.7 antibody or binding fragment thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said antibodies, use of the antibodies and compositions comprising the same, in treatment, for example in the treatment/modulation of pain and processes for generating and preparing said antibodies.
US08734795B2

LIGHT-targeting molecules (e.g., LIGHT fusion molecules), anti-HER2 antibody molecules, compositions, e.g., pharmaceutical compositions thereof, are disclosed. Methods of using these molecules to treat, prevent and/or diagnose hyperproliferative, e.g., neoplastic, diseases or conditions, including, but not limited to, cancer and metastasis are also provided.
US08734794B2

A fully humanized antibody having binding specificity to Toll-like Receptor 2 comprises a light chain and a heavy chain entirely comprised of amino acid sequence of human origin. The variable region of the light chain comprises an amino acid sequence which is substantially homologous with the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, while the variable region of the heavy domain comprises an amino acid sequence which is substantially homologous with the sequence of SEQ ID NO:4. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, as well as the use of the antibodies in medicine, in particular for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases which are mediated by Toll-like Receptor 2 activation and signalling.
US08734792B2

The invention concerns treatment methods using anti-CD22 monoclonal antibodies with unique physiologic properties. In particular, the invention concerns methods for the treatment of B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases by administering an effective amount of a blocking anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody specifically binding to the first two Ig-like domains, or to an epitope within the first two Ig-like domains of native human CD22 (hCD22).
US08734787B2

Red blood cells can be used as effective drug delivery systems when they contain proteins that do not readily diffuse out and which form affinity complexes with the desired drug.
US08734786B2

The present invention provides methods, systems, and compositions for inducing donor-specific tolerance. In particular, the present invention provides methods of administering ECDI-treated cells before, during, and/or after administration of donor transplant cells or a donor allograft in order to induce tolerance for the cells and/or allograft in a recipient.
US08734785B2

The invention includes compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The composition is a therapeutically effective amount of a Lactobacillus bacterium, or one, or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria. An alternative composition is a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus bacterium in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium. One example of the Lactobacillus bacterium is Lactobacillus acidophilus, and one example of the Propionibacterium is Propionibacterium freudenreichii.
US08734783B2

The present invention relates to a composition comprising probiotic bacteria for the treatment of pathologies associated with alterations of the immune system. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of selected probiotic bacteria for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of allergies, such as atopic dermatitis.
US08734776B2

Homogeneous preparations of IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 have been produced by mutating one or more of the cysteine residues in the polynucleotide sequences encoding the mature proteins. The cysteine mutant proteins can be shown to either bind to their cognate receptor or exhibit biological activity. One type of biological activity that is shown is an antiviral activity.
US08734775B2

Disclosed are peptides having activity against receptor CXCR3 are disclosed that exhibit activity in preventing the formation of new vessels and activity in mediating the dissociation of newly-formed vessels and resolving of wounds in the later stages of wound healing. Preferred peptides are derived from the α-helix portion IP-10 (CXCL10) or from IP-9 (CXCL11), are nontoxic, and smaller than naturally occurring peptides, making them useful in therapies against diseases or disease states marked by unwanted angiogenesis, including tumorogenic diseases such as cancers, and in healing of chronic wounds.
US08734760B2

The invention provides multivalent ligand binding agents (traps) for members of the TGF-β superfamily and polypeptide linkers and methods for making and using such constructs. The traps may be used as therapeutic or diagnostic (imaging or non-imaging) agents for diseases/disorders caused by over-production/activity of the target ligand. In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a multivalent binding agent with affinity for a member of the TGF-β superfamily, the agent having the general structure I: (-linker1)k-[{-linker2--linker3f-}n-()m-(linker4-)d]h, where: n and h are independently greater than or equal to 1; d, f, m and k are independently equal to or greater than zero; bd's are polypeptide binding domains having an affinity for the same member of the TGF-β superfamily; and, linkers are unstructured polypeptide sequences.
US08734756B2

A process for producing titanium dioxide, comprising: a) reacting an alloy comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium and mixtures thereof, wherein one metal is a major component of the alloy, and an element, with chlorine gas to form chlorides of aluminum, titanium or mixtures thereof and chlorides of the element, at or above the boiling point of the chloride of the major component of the alloy; with the proviso that the element does not comprise Ti when the metal is Ti and does not comprise Al when the metal is Al; (b) adding titanium tetrachloride to the chlorides formed in step (a); (c) oxidizing the chlorides formed in step (a), and titanium tetrachloride of step (b); and (d) forming titanium dioxide.
US08734749B2

A phosphorous pentoxide producing method includes forming a reducing kiln bed using feed agglomerates containing a lignin sulfonate both inside the agglomerates and coating a surface of individual agglomerates. Freeboard particulates are generated from the agglomerates, an amount of particulates generated being less than would occur in the method with no lignin sulfonate. Kiln off gas is generated and phosphorous pentoxide is collected from the kiln off gas. The kiln discharges a residue containing processed agglomerates, less than 20% of the agglomerates' phosphate input to the kiln remaining in the residue. The percentage of input phosphate that remains in the residue is less than would occur in the method with no lignin sulfonate. The method may include forming green agglomerates. Controlling a drying rate of the green agglomerates may wick some of the lignin sulfonate onto the surface of individual drying agglomerates without adhering the agglomerates together.
US08734746B2

A method for the catalytic decomposition of N2O in an N2O- and NOx-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst contains a zeolite that has been loaded with a first metal chosen from a group of noble metals consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum and gold, and with a second metal chosen from a group of transition metals consisting of chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and copper, and in that the loading of the zeolite with these metals is effected by loading the zeolite with the noble metal and the transition metal simultaneously, also relating to a catalyst for this method and to a method for the preparation of the catalyst.
US08734745B2

A heat recovery steam generator includes a casing for receiving exhaust gas from a turbine, a heat exchanger positioned within the casing for thermal communication with the exhaust gas, and an ammonia vapor distributor positioned within the casing. An ammonia vaporization unit is configured for conversion of aqueous ammonia to ammonia vapor and communication of the ammonia vapor to the distributor. A first extraction line operatively connects between the casing and the ammonia vaporization unit for communication of exhaust gas to the ammonia vaporization unit. A second extraction operatively connects between the casing and the ammonia vaporization unit for communication of exhaust gas to the ammonia vaporization unit. A catalytic reduction system is located within the casing and positioned downstream from the distributor for effecting a reaction between the ammonia vapor and NOx in the exhaust gas.
US08734743B2

Described is a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst comprising: a substrate; a first washcoat layer provided on the substrate, the first washcoat layer comprising a nitrogen oxide storage material, a second washcoat layer provided on the first washcoat layer, the second washcoat layer comprising a hydrocarbon trap material, wherein the hydrocarbon trap material comprises substantially no element or compound in a state in which it is capable of catalyzing selective catalytic reduction, preferably wherein the hydrocarbon trap material comprises substantially no element or compound in a state in which it is capable of catalyzing a reaction wherein nitrogen oxide is reduced to N2, said catalyst further comprising a nitrogen oxide conversion material which is either comprised in the second washcoat layer and/or in a washcoat layer provided between the first washcoat layer and the second washcoat layer.
US08734732B2

A microfluidic system comprising a plurality of photochemical reaction stages, the microfluidic system comprising a computational processor, a plurality of electrically-controllable photochemical reaction stages, and a series of controllable interconnections for connecting the photochemical reaction stages. In an implementation, the computational processor controls the plurality of electrically-controllable photochemical reaction stages and the controllable interconnections so as to implement a multi-step photochemical synthesis function.
US08734731B2

Provided is a device and a method for fractionating particle-containing liquids. The device comprises at least one separation apparatus and at least one collection apparatus. The collection apparatus has at least two containers and the outlet of the at least one separation apparatus opens into a distribution system that has a repositionable outlet that can be oriented selectively toward the input opening of the containers. The distribution system adds the liquid to the at least two containers of the collection device in a controlled manner as a function of event or time.
US08734714B2

The present invention discloses a method for recovering rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet and comprises the steps of exposing the assembly to hydrogen gas to effect hydrogen decrepitation of the rare earth magnet to produce a rare earth particulate material, and separating the rare earth particulate material from the rest of the assembly.The invention also resides in an apparatus for separating rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet. The apparatus comprises a reaction vessel having an opening which can be closed to form a gas-tight seal, a separation means for separating the rare earth particulate material from the assembly, and a collection means for collecting the rare earth particulate material. The reaction vessel is connected to a vacuum pump and a gas control system, and the gas control system controls the supply of hydrogen gas to the reaction vessel.
US08734713B2

The present invention is a new composition of matter and can be used as components of a capacitor. The dielectric properties possess in this material has improved tremendously as compared to the existing component. The finding of high dielectric permittivity in the present invention ceramic according to its formulation and processing technique that can operate or use at wide range frequencies and temperatures are very useful in electronic and electrical devices. The present invention is best for applications at the range of temperatures. The permittivity is recorded at 1 kHz are between ˜20,000 to ˜54,000 and almost constant over three decade of frequency. Thus, the dielectric permittivity obtained can be used as energy storage, sensor, electric filter, etc., besides minimizing the devices size.
US08734704B2

The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a mold core (5) for making hollow parts (11) based on a composite material including fibers, fabrics, or textiles together with a resin, the method consisting in mixing a filler material (1) and a binder material (2) in order to obtain a uniform mixture of materials, and in solidifying, compacting, and shaping the resulting mixture in order to constitute said core, the method being characterized in that it further consists in introducing into the mixture at least one complementary material (3) that is expandable under the effect of heat or by applying another physical or chemical principle, and in mixing said materials (1, 2, 3) in order to obtain a uniform distribution of the complementary material (3) in the mixture.
US08734699B2

A catheter assembly includes an inner liner made of flexible material and an outer layer having a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism includes at least one flat wire and a corresponding lumen through which the flat wire may travel. The steering mechanism may also include at least one pull ring to which the flat wires are attached. A layer of heat shrink material may encompass the outer layer. A braided wire assembly may also be provided in the outer layer, and may be formed by braiding a plurality of flat wires into a wire mesh. The overall cross-section of the catheter assembly is preferably substantially circular. A catheter shaft may include a plurality of segments of differing hardness characteristics. The outer layer typically comprises a melt processing polymer such that the catheter assembly may be laminated using heat.
US08734694B2

A device (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer wise solidification of a building material at positions in the respective layers that correspond to the object is provided. A feed (96) that supplies the building material to a building space (10) in the device (1) and at least two filler portions (98a, 98b) that are provided at the feed (96) and are independent from one another are provided, wherein one connector (99a, 99b) is provided for each building material supply container (100a, 100b) in order to supply the building material from outside of the device (1).
US08734691B1

A method for constructing site-cast or precast concrete floors, roofs and decks by first forming one piece elongated foam forms having an elongated cavity for reception of concrete. A pair of elongated slots is formed along the bottom of each of the forms. Wooden members are placed into each of the elongated slots to form an assembled combination of the foam form and wood members. A plurality of the assembled combinations are placed in juxtaposition with respect to each adjacent assembled combination on a support surface, rebar is placed in the cavity of each assembled combination and then concrete in an uncured form if poured over the assembled combinations and into the cavities of the forms so that once the concrete has cured a concrete panel has been formed.
US08734690B2

An orthodontic bracket with a positioning guide is produced by thinly coating a first dental photopolymerizable composition 1 on a bonding surface of each orthodontic bracket B, building a second dental photopolymerizable composition 2 adhesive to the first composition 1 on the bonding surface, adhering it to a tooth surface of a dentition gypsum model 3 reproducing a patient's dentition, a separating material being previously coated on the tooth surface of the gypsum model 3, polymerizing/curing the first and second compositions 1 and 2 by irradiating light, thinly coating a third dental photopolymerizable composition 4 on a tongue side and/or a cheek side entire surface around the orthodontic bracket B on the gypsum model 3, the third composition 4 being easily abraded when an occlusal pressure is acted, and polymerizing/curing the third composition 4 by irradiating light to be integrated with at least the second composition 2.
US08734686B2

Disclosed is a metal pattern composition including a conductive metal or a conductive metal precursor compound, and a carboxylic acid-amine base ion pair salt.
US08734680B2

There are provide a silicate-based phosphor excellent in emission intensity and a manufacturing method of the same. A manufacturing method of a silicate-based phosphor is characterized by: introducing in a vessel raw material powders having a compound containing light-emitting ions selected from at least one of Eu, Ce, Mn, and Tb; and firing the raw material powders while supplying SiOx (0.5≦x≦1.9, preferably, 0.8≦x≦1.2) in a gas phase. The raw material powders preferably further contains at least one of an alkali metal compound, an alkaline-earth metal compound, a magnesium compound, and a rare-earth compound. The silicate-based phosphor is preferably M2SiO4:Eu2+ (wherein M is one or more selected from a group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba). The firing is preferably performed by supplying the SiOx to the raw material powders in a gas atmosphere at a temperature of 1200 to 1700° C. and subjecting the raw material powders to a gas-solid phase reaction at a temperature of 700 to 1700° C.
US08734677B2

A liquid-crystal coating fluid which comprises: an azo compound represented by the following general formula (1); and a solvent to dissolve the azo compound: wherein Q1 is an aryl group which may have any substituent group; Q2 is an arylene group which may have any substituent group; R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an acetyl group, a benzoyl group, or a phenyl group which may have any substituent group; and M is a counter ion.
US08734673B2

Boron selective ionic liquids and polymeric ionic liquids, methods of making and methods of using the same are disclosed.
US08734672B2

The objective to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ice-crystallization inhibitor which has a practicable and excellent ice-crystallization inhibiting property and which can be efficiently and stably produced in a safe process suitable for food production. Also, the objective of the present invention is to provide an antibody which specifically reacts with the ice-crystallization inhibitor, and a composition, a food, a biological sample protectant and a cosmetic which contain the ice-crystallization inhibitor. Furthermore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a polysaccharide which is derived from a basidiomycete and which is used for inhibiting ice-crystallization of a liquid containing water, and a method for inhibiting ice-crystallization of a liquid containing water. The ice-crystallization inhibitor according to the present invention is characterized in being a polysaccharide derived from a basidiomycete.
US08734664B2

A method of controlling distribution of a plasma parameter in a plasma reactor having an RF-driven electrode and two (or more) counter electrodes opposite the RF driven electrode and facing different portions of the process zones. The method includes providing two (or more) variable reactances connected between respective ones of the counter electrodes and ground, and governing the variable reactances to change distribution of a plasma parameter such as plasma ion density or ion energy.
US08734663B2

A method for removing species from a substrate includes arranging a purge ring in a chamber proximate to a pedestal. The purge ring includes an inlet portion and an exhaust portion. The inlet portion defines an inlet plenum and an inlet baffle. The inlet baffle includes a continuous slit that is substantially continuous around a peripheral arc not less than about 270°. The exhaust portion includes an exhaust channel that is located substantially opposite the inlet baffle. The method further includes supplying ozone to the inlet plenum; at least partially defining a ring hole space having a periphery using the inlet portion and the exhaust portion; conveying gas from the inlet plenum into the ring hole space using the inlet baffle; conveying gas and other matter out of a purge space using the exhaust portion; and inhibiting deposition of material evolved from the substrate during curing using the purge ring.
US08734661B2

A flattening method, by utilizing the advantages of the CARE method and making up for the disadvantages, can perform removal processing of a surface of a workpiece at a sufficient processing rate and can provide a processed surface having enhanced flatness without leaving damage in the processed surface. A flattening method comprises at least two surface removal steps and at least two cleaning steps, the final surface removal step being a catalyst-referred etching step comprising immersing a workpiece in a processing solution containing at least one of hydrohalic acid, hydrogen peroxide water and ozone water, and bringing a surface of a catalyst platen into contact with or close proximity to a surface to be processed of the workpiece to process the surface, said catalyst platen having in a surface a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, a ceramic solid catalyst, a transition metal, glass, and an acidic or basic solid catalyst.
US08734657B2

A method for making a liquid barrier includes forming a liquid barrier layer on a substrate, forming a mask layer on the liquid barrier layer such that part of the liquid barrier remains exposed, forming a contact layer on the exposed liquid barrier layer, and removing the mask layer to expose the part of the liquid barrier layer which was covered by the mask layer. A liquid wetting boundary is formed when the wettability on the liquid barrier surface area is less than the wettability of the contact surface area.
US08734644B1

A portable apparatus for decontaminating water, having an iodine release section in which iodine, often from a charged nylon iodophor, is released into the water, followed by an iodine recapture section in which a nylon polymer removes iodine from the water by forming an iodophor with it.
US08734639B2

Petroleum resid, bitumen and/or heavy oil is upgraded by the separation of asphaltenes and/or resins from such resids, bitumen and/or heavy oils by contacting them with an ionic liquid with which the asphaltenes and/or resins interact.
US08734635B2

Elimination and/or mitigation of fouling in a vapor transport systems, such as vent lines and scrubber feed lines may be accomplished using an antifouling additive. The method for employing the antifouling additive includes introducing into the vapor transport system an additive including a polar solvent and corrosion inhibitor wherein: the vapor transport system is substantially water free; the vapor transport system is used to transport acidic materials; the additive is a liquid at vapor transport system operating conditions; and the additive is stable at the vapor transport system operating conditions.
US08734633B2

Proposed is a method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide including the steps of using an insoluble electrode as either an anode or a cathode, using a scrap containing conductive oxide as the counter cathode or anode, performing electrolysis while periodically inverting the polarity, and recovering the scrap as hydroxide. With the foregoing method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide, oxide system scrap is conductive oxide and a substance that can be reduced to metal or suboxide with hydrogen. This method enables the efficient recovery of valuable metal from sputtering target scrap containing conductive oxide or scrap such as mill ends of conductive oxide that arise during the production of such a sputtering target.
US08734622B2

An electrolyte electrolyzer adapted to create hydrogen and oxygen from electrolyte fluid at or near atmospheric pressure. The electrolyzer is comprised in a preferred form of a plurality of cells which collectively create oxygen and hydrogen chambers separated by an ion permeable membrane. The electrolyzer is further defined by a passive electrode that is electrically interposed between a charged anode and cathode. The chambers defined by the cells are in communication with oxygen and hydrogen supply lines to transfer the hydrogen gas from the unit.
US08734618B2

Apparatus for treating a gaseous hydrocarbon fraction to obtain a gaseous fraction and a liquid fraction which apparatus includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger and a distillation column, wherein the shell-and-tube heat exchanger includes an inlet and an outlet for cooling fluid which inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the tube side of the heat exchanger, and an inlet for the gaseous hydrocarbon fraction at the upper end of the heat exchanger which inlet is in fluid communication with the shell side of the heat exchanger, and a conduit for guiding hydrocarbons from the heat exchanger to the distillation column which distillation column includes an outlet for gas at its upper end and an outlet for liquid at its lower end, and process in which such apparatus is used.
US08734617B2

Processes comprising: (a) reacting dimethylamine and ethylene oxide to form a product mixture comprising N,N-dimethylethanolamine and N,N-dimethylaminoethoxyethanol; (b) distilling the product mixture to obtain a bottom fraction comprising N,N-dimethylaminoethoxyethanol; and (c) distilling the bottom fraction to separate at least a portion of the N,N-dimethylaminoethoxyethanol from the bottom fraction; and apparatus for carrying out said processes.
US08734615B2

The invention relates to a method for impregnating and drying a continuous paper web (1) by means of a urea resin dissolved in water, and to a corresponding system. Such paper webs (1) are employed for example as furniture foil or floor laminate, wherein in the known art melamine resin is used exclusively for bonding to a substrate. This is relatively expensive. Therefore the object of the invention is to create a method in which the paper web (1) which is impregnated by means of urea resin can be bonded to the substrate with a high degree of operational reliability. Said object is achieved in that the temperature of the paper web (1) is determined separately in each of the drying zones (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4), that for each of the drying zones (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) an amount and/or a temperature of the circulating air are regulated so that the maximum temperature of the paper web (1) is 99° C., and that exhaust air is extracted from a first one of the drying zones (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) and fresh air is supplied to a last one of the drying zones (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4).
US08734603B2

The invention relates to a method for producing a friction element (3) comprising the steps: providing a metal main body (10), hardening the main body (10) on at least part of its surface (11, 12) in a salt bath, wherein the salt bath hardening is the final method step, and no further processing of the hardened surface (11, 12) is performed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a friction element produced according to this method and a friction component comprising the latter.
US08734601B2

A method for hot rolling a metal strip or metal sheet, wherein 1.a) the slab or the strip or sheet is subjected in a first step to one or more reshaping actions in a hot rolling mill for producing a uniform, fine, recrystallised austenite structure and 2) the slab or the strip or sheet is then subjected in a second step to cooling for producing a fine-grain structure. The slab or the strip or sheet is subjected to heating between at least two roll stands of the hot rolling mill during performance of the step 1.a). The roll stands are arranged to follow one another in a rolling direction and in each of which the slab or the strip or sheet is subjected to reshaping. A heater for heating the rolling stock is arranged between at least two of the roll stands.
US08734597B2

Disclosed herein is a segmental ultrasonic cleaning apparatus configured to remove scales and/or sludge deposited on a tube sheet. The segmental ultrasonic cleaning apparatus includes a plurality of segment groups arranged in a ring shape on a top surface of a tube sheet along an inner wall of the steam generator, in which each of the segment groups includes an ultrasonic element segment and a guide rail support segment loosely connected to each other by metal wires through hand holes located at a lower portion of the steam generator, such that ultrasound waves radiated from an ultrasonic transducer in each of the ultrasonic element segments travels along the surface of the tube sheet, with the segment groups tightly connected in the ring shape by tightening the metal wires via wire pulleys of flange units.
US08734593B2

A substrate treatment apparatus includes: substrate holding unit which horizontally holds a substrate; a rotating unit which rotates the substrate held by the substrate holding unit about a vertical axis; and a first nozzle having a first opposing face to be opposed to a region of a lower surface of the substrate inward of a peripheral portion of the substrate in spaced relation to the lower surface of the substrate during rotation of the substrate by the rotating unit and a treatment liquid spout provided in the first opposing face for filling a space defined between the lower surface of the substrate and the first opposing face with a treatment liquid spouted from the treatment liquid spout to keep the space in a liquid filled state.
US08734575B2

The airflow controlling device includes a bacteria counting portion counting bacteria of a controlled space; a first smoothing processing portion performing a first smoothing process on the bacteria count; a second smoothing processing portion performing a second smoothing process on the bacteria count; a bacteria reducing capability storing portion storing a bacteria reducing capability relative to each flow rate; a first flow rate evaluating portion selecting a flow rate matching a bacteria reducing capability compatible with an increase in a bacteria count forecasted from the processing result of the first smoothing processing portion; a second flow rate evaluating portion selecting a flow rate matching a bacteria reducing capability compatible with an increase in a bacteria count forecasted from the processing result of the second smoothing processing portion; and a flow rate determining portion selecting a flow rate into the controlled space based on the flow rates selected by the first and second flow rate evaluating portions.
US08734569B2

Disclosed are methods of obtaining carbon dioxide from a CO2-containing gas mixture. The methods combine the benefits of gas membrane separation with cryogenic temperatures.
US08734567B2

Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a crosslinked hollow fiber membrane. The method involves spinning a one phase solution comprising a monoesterified polyimide polymer, acetone as a volatile solvent, a spinning solvent, a spinning non-solvent, and optionally an organic and/or inorganic additive, wherein the volatile solvent is present in an amount of greater than 25 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the solution.
US08734552B1

Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”), polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) having a PCD table comprising such PCD, methods of fabricating such PCD and PDCs, and applications. In an embodiment, a method includes sintering diamond particles in the presence of a carbonate material to form PCD. The carbonate material includes at least one alkali metal carbonate. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a matrix. An interstitial constituent may be dispersed through the matrix. The interstitial constituent includes at least one alkali metal carbonate, at least one alkali metal oxide, or both. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate bonded to a PCD table. The PCD table may be formed from any of the disclosed embodiments of PCD.
US08734546B2

Systems and methods for heating a non-combustion chemical reactor with thermal energy from a geothermal heat source are described. A working fluid is directed from the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor to transfer heat. The working fluid can be circulated in a closed system so that it does not contact material at the geothermal heat source, or in an open system that allows the working fluid to intermix with material at the geothermal heat source. When intermixing with material at the geothermal heat source, the working fluid can transport donor substances at the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor.
US08734541B2

A diesel fuel formulation containing a triethoxypropane and a palm oil methyl ester (POME), and a diesel fuel supplement containing a premix of a triethoxypropane and a POME is disclosed. The triethoxypropane may be 1,2,3-triethoxypropane or 1,1,3-triethoxypropane.
US08734534B2

The present invention relates to new azo dyes, a process for their preparation, and their use for dyeing or printing fibrous materials, to produce materials with brownish shades.
US08734529B2

An electronic device, prior to entering a distribution channel, is equipped with a loss prevention client which permits limited use of the device until correct authentication is provided by a legitimate purchaser. By permitting limited use before authentication, the device remains both useful to a legitimate purchaser and valuable to a thief. While allowing operation in the possession of a thief, options can be provided to permit tracking of the device or to allow proper purchase of the device.
US08734528B2

An artificial foot and ankle joint consists of a curved leaf spring foot member having a heel extremity and a toe extremity, and a flexible elastic ankle member that connects the foot member for rotation at the ankle joint. An actuator motor applies torque to the ankle joint to orient the foot when it is not in contact with the support surface and to store energy in a catapult spring that is released along with the energy stored in the leaf spring to propel the wearer forward. A ribbon clutch prevents the foot member from rotating in one direction beyond a predetermined limit position. A controllable damper is employed to lock the ankle joint or to absorb mechanical energy as needed. The controller and sensing mechanisms control both the actuator motor and the controllable damper at different times during the walking cycle for level walking, stair ascent, and stair descent.
US08734526B2

A mesh to repair a hole in a muscle wall includes a resilient mesh body and fortifying structure such as mesh portions of thicker weave than other portions, or strengthening members that can be engaged with the mesh and then removed from the mesh once the mesh is placed over the hole. The same principles can be applied to a plug that is engaged with the mesh for filling the hole.
US08734521B2

An inter-vertebral cage with a wedge shape eccentrically located on the leading end of the cage. The ectopically shaped leading edge of this embodiment facilitates easier interbody spacer placement with less risk of nerve injury, as well as with likely decreased risk of destruction of the end plate during the distraction process when the interbody cage is impacted.
US08734515B2

Surgical device and methods for using same for distraction of adjacent vertebrae and insertion of an intervertebral implant material there between are disclosed. In a method, a leading end of the surgical device having major and minor dimensions is inserted between adjacent vertebrae with the minor dimension aligned in the rostral-caudal direction, and then the leading end is rotated to a second orientation to align the major dimension with the rostral-caudal direction. The surgical device includes slots permitting expansion thereof to allow an implant to be disposed from the leading end into the intervertebral space. In another form, the a first member of a surgical device is initially inserted in an orientation, and second member is moved relative to the first member to expand the first member for distracting the vertebrae, the implant then being disposed from the leading end into the intervertebral space.
US08734514B2

A micro-alloyed porous metal is disclosed having an optimized chemical composition to achieve targeted mechanical properties for use as an orthopaedic implant and a cell/soft tissue receptor. The porous metal may achieve a targeted compressive strength and a targeted ductility, for example. These targeted mechanical properties may allow the porous metal to be densified to a low relative density.
US08734498B2

A method of treating disease in which intranasal red light devices are used to shine red light upon the brain structures in the basal prefrontal cortex.
US08734492B2

System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing ribs with bone plates.
US08734491B2

A method and apparatus for the stabilization of the trapeziometacarpal joint following the removal or partial resection of the trapezium includes an assembly for securing a first metacarpal relative to a second metacarpal. The assembly includes a suture guide having a suture anchor plate that is frangibly connected to a guide stem.
US08734487B2

A including a selectively applied bone growth promoting agent is disclosed. The types of spinal fixation systems which may include a selectively applied bone growth promoting agent include systems comprised of rods, plates, screws, and hooks as well as other types of prostheses.
US08734483B2

A device for occluding septal defects or other bodily passageways including PFOs, includes an occluding body formed from a plurality of flexible outwardly radiating occluding wires connected to one or more biocompatible sheet materials. The occluding wires are joined together at proximal wire ends. Linking members connectively link the occluding body to a flexible, substantially linear anchor formed from at least one tube, coil, or bar. The anchor is configured for placement on one side of bodily passageway, whereby the longitudinal axis of at least one anchor extends across a transverse cross-section of the bodily passageway, anchoring the occluding body in place against the other side of a bodily passageway to close, occlude, or fill at least a lumenal portion of a bodily passageway. The anchor may include one or more grasping member(s) integrally formed or connected to the tube, coil, or bar for releasable attachment to an anchor engaging member, such as a biopsy forceps. In a further aspect, a closure device assembly includes a delivery catheter housing a collapsibly disposed closure device linked to a biopsy forceps. The biopsy forceps may be positioned in a locking catheter, which is configured to prevent inadvertent release of the closure device when held in a compressed state inside the delivery catheter. By positioning the catheter near a bodily passageway, such as a PFO, and disengaging the anchor engaging member from the grasping member, the closure device may be released so as to facilitate stable closure of the bodily passageway.
US08734481B2

A filter (10) for use within the lumen of a blood vessel that includes a plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements (14) adapted to flexibility convert between a filter configuration and an open configuration. The filter further includes a removable filter head (16) having a retainer (50) and a stopper (70) movable between a first position and a second position. The retainer and the stopper cooperate at the first position to secure the plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements into the filter configuration and the movement of the stopper to the second position releases the plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements to the open configuration.
US08734476B2

An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body such as a handle assembly and an acoustic transmission assembly. The acoustic transmission assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer and an end effector. A mounting ring is positioned on a horn of the transducer. A rotatable drum is positioned distal to the mounting ring. Piezoelectric components of the transducer are positioned proximal to the mounting ring. Electrical conduits extend from the drum to the piezoelectric components and are routed over or through the mounting ring. The drum is coupled with a power source through a slip ring assembly to selectively activate the transducer.
US08734475B2

Systems and methods are described for the use of floating magnetic elements in medical implants. The magnetic elements within the medical implant are allowed to rotate freely to align with a strong external magnetic field, such as that of an MRI scanner, and align to attract each other during the normal functioning of the medical implant in the absence of a strong external magnetic field.
US08734471B2

A method of implanting a fabric into a body to repair a pelvic floor includes preventing wrinkle formation in the fabric with a bio-absorbable support, and implanting the bio-absorbable support and the fabric into the body.
US08734469B2

Suture clip appliers, suture clips and methods of their use for securing sutures during an endoscopic or laparoscopic procedure are provided, wherein the method includes the steps of providing a suture clip applier having a working tip configured to retain and fire a suture clip; providing a suture clip having a biased closed configuration; loading the suture clip into the working tip of the clip applier; translating the suture clip distally relative to the working tip to a first position wherein the suture clip is splayed open; inserting a suture into the opened suture clip; and translating the suture clip distally relative to the working tip such that the suture clip is ejected from the working tip and biased to the closed configuration to close on and to retain the suture.
US08734466B2

A system for a controlled insertion and withdrawal of at least one electrode in the anatomy. The system can include a guide device and at least one electrode located within the guide device to at least one of record or stimulate an anatomy. The system can also include an indicator coupled to the electrode to indicate a position of a distal end of an electrode relative to the guide device.
US08734464B2

A surgical retrieval apparatus includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and including an elongated sleeve extending distally therefrom. The housing and the elongated sleeve cooperate to define a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. A shaft having an end effector disposed at a distal end thereof is selectively translatable between a first position, wherein the end effector is disposed within the elongated sleeve, and a second position, wherein the shaft is translated through the lumen such that the end effector extends distally from the elongated sleeve. An articulation mechanism operably coupled to the end effector is configured for articulating the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis. A specimen retrieval bag is coupled to the end effector and is deployed therefrom upon movement of the end effector from the first position to the second position.
US08734462B2

First and second bone segments separated by a fracture line or joint can be fixated or fused by creating an insertion path through the first bone segment, through the fracture line or joint, and into the second bone segment. An anchor body is introduced through the insertion path. The distal end of the anchor body is anchored in the interior region of the second bone segment. An elongated implant structure is passed over the anchor body to span the fracture line or joint between the bone segments. The proximal end of the anchor body is anchored to an exterior region of the first bone segment to place, in concert with the anchored distal end, the anchor body in compression, to thereby compress and fixate the bone segments relative to the fracture line or joint.
US08734459B1

The method for preventing extravasation of bone cement used in balloon kyphoplasty involves first forming a void in a vertebral body. A pair of unfilled balloons are then inserted into the void in the vertebral body. An injection tube or catheter is inserted through an inlet port of each of the balloons, and the balloons are filled with bone cement. The injection tubes are then removed from the inlet ports. The bone cement is preferably provided in the form of pellets or granules. The inlet ports are each provided with a seal, such as an elastic band mounted thereabout, or the like, allowing the inlet port to be automatically sealed as soon as the corresponding injection tube is withdrawn. The device includes at least the balloon and the seal, but may be furnished as a kit that also includes the bone cement and injection tube.
US08734455B2

Disclosed herein is a tool for guiding a drill hole along a central axis of a femur head and neck for preparation of a femur head that is the subject of a hip resurfacing surgery. In one embodiment, the tool includes a mating region and a guide hole. The mating region is configured to matingly receive a predetermined surface of the femur. The mating region and guide hole are positionally correlated or referenced with each other such that when the mating region matingly receives the predetermined surface of the femur, the guide hole will be generally coaxial with a central axis extending through the femur head and the femur neck.
US08734453B2

An anti-backout stylus comprising a stylus and a locking stylus holder. The locking stylus holder engages the stylus at a series of discrete positions during insertion of the stylus into the holder. The locking stylus holder prevents inadvertent backing out of the stylus by preventing the stylus from being withdrawn to a previous one of the discrete positions. The locking stylus holder can preferably be selectively disengaged from the stylus to allow for selective withdrawal of the stylus. Each engagement of one of the discrete positions by the locking stylus holder preferably indicates a femoral size. The discrete positions are preferably defined by detents formed on the stylus and a stop member on the locking stylus holder. The locking stylus holder can be provided on an anterior rough cut guide, with the anterior rough cut guide preferably mountable on an intramedullary rod.
US08734444B2

An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical power and an electrosurgical device coupled to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical device includes a transformer and one or more active electrodes coupled thereto, wherein the transformer is adapted to step down the voltage of the power supplied by the electrosurgical generator.
US08734438B2

A circuit for discharging stored energy in an electrosurgical generator. The circuit includes a pulse width modulator for controlling a high voltage power supply, an error signal generating circuit configured for delivering an error signal as a difference between an output signal voltage with a feedback voltage generated by the high voltage power supply. The error signal is transmitted to the pulse width modulator. The circuit further includes a switching circuit configured to switch in a load in parallel with an output of the high voltage power supply when the error signal is lesser than a first predetermined threshold to discharge the output.
US08734429B2

Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.
US08734426B2

A drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular member, a locking assembly engaged with a proximal end of the tubular member, and a tension member for drawing a distal end of the tubular member into a desired configuration. The locking assembly includes a connector, a locking arm, and a locking mechanism. The connector has an exterior surface profile that corresponds with an interior surface profile of the locking arm. The locking arm is pivotably attached to the connector to enable pivoting movement of the locking arm between an unlocked position and a locked position whereby the tension member is secured between the locking arm and the connector when the arm is in the locked position. The locking assembly may alternatively comprise a connector and a sliding sleeve or a connector having a clamping element disposed therein.
US08734424B2

A catheter includes a proximal shaft, a distal shaft including a proximal end portion having an inner cavity into which a distal end portion of the proximal shaft is fitted, and a core wire extending through the inner cavity of the distal shaft. The core wire has a proximal end portion that is joined to a cutout portion formed in the distal end portion of the proximal shaft. Joining means are formed along a joint surface between the proximal end portion of the core wire and the cutout portion. When the joining means are divided into first joining means and second joining means along a longitudinal axis of the catheter, a length of one of the first joining means and the second joining means is larger than a length of the other of the first joining means and the second joining means.
US08734420B2

A package assembly for a drug reconstitution assembly includes a body, a drug reconstitution assembly and a removable lid. The body includes a plurality of protrusions configured to mate with a plurality of corresponding features of the drug reconstitution assembly to inhibit axial and rotational translation of the drug reconstitution assembly and its constituent parts during shipping and handling. By preventing axial and rotational shifting during shipment, premature and accidental puncture or contamination of the medication or the spikes within the drug reconstitution assembly is minimized.
US08734417B2

A simple disposable pant-like garment includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis, which can be extensible, includes a water-impermeable sheet folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The absorbent assembly is smaller in width and in length than the chassis. The side edges and end edges of the absorbent assembly can be disposed proximally relative to the respective side edges and end edges of the chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that can contain superabsorbent particles contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.
US08734407B2

A nozzle for a nasal rinse device including a collar that forms a conduit. The collar is configured to attach the nozzle to the nasal rinse device. An outlet aperture defined by the collar is on a top portion of the nozzle. The nozzle also includes a skirt extending outwards and downwards from the collar, and an outer surface of the skirt is faceted.
US08734404B2

Lay flat tubing is used as a fluid conductor for transferring fluid to and from the body of a patient. The lay flat tubing lies flat or collapsed when not in use, utilizing minimal space during transportation and storage, but which expands to form a passage when used to conduct fluid. A plurality of lumens may be formed in the lay flat tubing. At least one lumen transports infused fluid end-to-end from a source to an entry site on a patient, or in the alternative from an entry site on or in a patient. All lumens are isolated with respect to each other in order to prevent crossover of fluid from one lumen to the other.
US08734403B2

A lock for a dosing mechanism of an injection device, the lock including at least one holding element that interacts with the dosing mechanism, or with a dosing element of the dosing mechanism, whereby an adjustment movement of the dosing mechanism or the dosing element is prevented in a starting position of the lock and is possible only after a movement or displacement of the lock or the holding element. An injection device used in conjunction with a two-chamber ampoule is encompassed, as is a method for preparing the injection device for dispensing a substance wherein the ampoule is introduced into the injection device and a lock is released when the ampoule has been introduced far enough to appropriately mix the substances in the two chambers, whereupon the mixed substances can be dispensed from the ampoule.
US08734401B2

A securement device for securing a catheter to a patient comprises a pad having adhesive on at least a portion of the bottom surface. A fixed plate and a rotatabie adjustable plate are affixed to the pad. The adjustable plate is rotated with respect to the fixed plate to secure a catheter. Posts are on the fixed plate and the adjustable plate to secure a winged catheter. A bracket can be affixed to a fixed plate or an adjustable plate and a cooperating tab can be affixed to the other plate for securing a catheter there between. In a further modification, a base is secured to a pad and a pair of plates is pivotally mounted on the base for rotation with respect to one another. Complementary pawl and ratchet members enable limited rotation of plates with respect to one another and to fix plates in selected adjustment position.
US08734399B2

An improved catheter is provided for insertion into a trachea, blood vessel, bladder or urinary tract of a patient. The self cleaning catheter can be easily inserted and removed from the patient without retained, solid components falling into a patient's trachea, blood vessels, bladder, or urinary tract when the catheter is removed from the patient. The self cleaning catheter has a flexible cylindrical sleeve on the exterior of a cylindrical member that can be withdrawn to the interior of the catheter prior to removal from the patient's body. Alternatively, the catheter has a design allowing an end of the catheter to fold inward on itself prior to removal from the patient's body.
US08734386B2

A breast milk pump having an electric motor, a pump driven by the motor, a suction cup, an electrically activated first three-way valve in a suction line, an electrically activated second three-way valve in a pressure line, an electronic control system, which sets the electric motor into an operating mode or an idle mode depending on an activation of a switch; in the operating mode, it operates the electric motor and the electrically activated first and second three-way valves in cycles, which comprise a suction phase, in which the electric motor is switched on, the inlet of the pump is connected to the suction cup via the first three-way valve and a floater valve, the pump outlet is connected via the second three-way valve.
US08734385B2

A manual breast pump, including a housing; a funnel connected to the housing and forming a passage for breast milk; a cup for receiving a breast; a lid connected to an upper portion of the housing; a handle assembly connected to the lid; a substantially semi-circular finger grip connected to the housing; a piston movably connected to the handle assembly and reciprocally movable within the housing to create a negative pressure for the expression of breast milk from the breast; a flexible insert sealably secured to the cup and forming an isolated air volume between the cup and the flexible insert. A valve is removably connected to a lower portion of the housing; and a receptacle for receiving the breast milk, the receptacle being removably attached to a lower portion of the housing. The isolated air volume expands and contracts as the piston moves reciprocally within the housing, causing the flexible insert to move.
US08734383B2

Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods, including a system that includes a processor-based device implementing at least a residual insulin (RI) determination unit configured to determine a residual insulin in the patient's body at a particular time instance based on bolus doses previously delivered to the body of the patient, each bolus dose being associated with at least one dose value and a time representative of the time that dose value was delivered to the patient's body, and based on dose dependent RI time records that each includes at least a dose value and an associated duration value representative of dose-dependent duration of therapeutic effectiveness of the associated at least the dose value. The system also includes a pump to controllably dispense the insulin from a reservoir to the body of the patient based on the residual insulin determined by the RI determination unit.
US08734378B2

Methods and devices are adapted for implanting into the eye. An incision is formed in the cornea of the eye and a shunt is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye. The shunt includes a fluid passageway. The shunt is passed along a pathway from the anterior chamber through the scleral spur of the eye into the suprachoroidal space and positioned in a first position such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber.
US08734372B1

A traction device comprises a frame, a first bladder portion, a second bladder portion, a strap, and a pump. The first bladder expands in an outward direction a distance greater than in a transverse direction. The second bladder expands in an angular direction. The second bladder is positioned generally below and to the side of the first bladder. The frame is secured to the user's head. Upon expanding in the outward direction, the first bladder bears against the back of the user's neck and forces the cervical spine to curve forwardly. Upon expanding in the transverse direction, the first bladder applies an angular traction to the cervical spine. Upon expanding in the angular direction, the second bladder bears angularly against the back of the user's upper thoracic region and forces the thoracic spine to decompress and reduces hyper-kyphosis of the upper thoracic spine.
US08734371B2

An ankle brace is configured with a lateral anterior talofibular (ATF) strap and an inversion control strap affixed to a non-rigid brace body coupled to a semi-rigid orthotic arch support. The brace may be quickly donned and doffed by a wearer, and provides prophylactic or post-injury support to the ATF ligament without unduly restricting the wearer's motion. As a result, the wearer may participate in physical activity without significant impairment in range of motion.
US08734369B2

A compression treatment system is provided that detects the number of and type of garments connected thereto. The system includes a plurality of ports, valves connected thereto and a number of garments having one or more bladders. The bladders are in fluid communication with a fluid source in a pneumatic circuit, to provide compression therapy once a user confirms the number of and type of garments connected to the system for use by a patient. A single pressure sensor communicates with a plurality of detected bladders located in the one or more garments.
US08734364B1

Embodiments relate generally to a sampling device adapted for sampling of biological materials from a subject and methods of use or manufacture of such devices, as well as diagnostic methods employing such devices and kits including such devices. The sampling device may comprise: an outer tube; an elongate insertion member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is distal of the second end, the insertion member being received in and sized to be movable through the outer tube; a coupling portion disposed at the first end of the insertion member; and a sampling portion coupled to the coupling portion and configured to collect the biological materials. The coupling portion is separable from the insertion member.
US08734357B2

Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.
US08734347B2

Metabolism diseases are evaluated by using a sensor to measure concentration of a medically significant analyte in a human or animal body fluid. The measurement data are correlated with the concentration of a medically significant analyte in body fluid over a time period of at least eight hours. An analytical facility analyzes time intervals within the time period to determine a stability parameter that characterizes the analyte concentration dynamics of change. The analytical facility further analyzes the stability parameters to determine disease-related particularities of metabolism.
US08734323B2

Device for fulfilling sex αcf comprising α prosthesis placed, at least partially, around the male-member, at the base thereof, characterized by comprising means for retaining in place said prosthesis around the member, and in that said prosthesis is inflatable.
US08734321B1

A handheld device for providing sexual stimulation includes a plurality of paddles contained by an attachment which can be mounted on a shaft driven by a motor of the device. Control logic of the device ensures that a rotational speed for the device selected via the device's user interface is maintained even when the device is held against a part of a human body. That is, resistance from holding the device against a body part is accounted for, inasmuch as the device senses the resistance and adjusts the motor to maintain the desired rotational speed through the resistance. Different attachments may have different numbers of paddles, and the paddles may be placed differently on different attachments or may have different shapes, among other variations in the paddles. The device is battery-operated, and a charging connection through the device housing is offered through a septum, providing a water-resistant enclosure.
US08734319B2

Disclosed herein are a number of embodiments of methods for suspending an organ in a body, and many embodiments of apparatus for suspending an organ in a body. One embodiment provides an apparatus comprising a sleeve having a lumen. A dissecting instrument is slidably located within the lumen. The dissecting instrument includes a channel useful for hydrodissection. An operating instrument is slidably located within the lumen. The operating instrument includes a graft chamber for conveying a graft for fixation between the organ and the body. The operating instrument includes at least one operating channel that accepts a fixation device that fixes the graft between the organ and the body. In one method, an incision is made in the body. An operating instrument bearing a graft is inserted into a sleeve. The sleeve and the operating instrument are inserted through the incision. A fixation device is inserted into the operating instrument. The graft is fixed to the body with the fixation device. The fixation device is removed from the operating instrument. The operating device and the sleeve are removed through the incision. The graft is attached to the organ.
US08734318B2

An anal incontinence treatment apparatus comprises an adjustable restriction device implanted in a patient, who suffers from anal incontinence. The device engages a portion of the colon or rectum of the patient to restrict the fecal passageway. An adjustment device mechanically adjusts the restriction on device to restrict or release the fecal passageway, i.e. to normally close the fecal passageway and open the fecal passageway when the patient wants to relieve himself or herself.
US08734298B2

Stationary exercise machines having adjustable incline systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, an elliptical exercise machine includes a system for adjusting the inclination of foot support guide tracks. The incline adjustment system can include a lift member that operates between the guide tracks and the floor on which the exercise machine is placed.
US08734294B2

It is provided a control device of a vehicle power transmission device including a transmission capable of fixing a rotating member with either of engagement of a one-way clutch or engagement of an engagement device, the transmission having a predetermined shift stage formed on condition that at least the rotating member is fixed, if an input torque to the transmission is changed after the engagement of the engagement device, a torque capacity of the engagement device being temporarily reduced without changing the predetermined shift stage, and if a request for applying a driven torque is made during reduction of the torque capacity of the engagement device, the temporarily reduced torque capacity of the engagement device being recovered, and the driven torque being increased depending on a recovery status of the torque capacity.
US08734293B1

A system for pressurizing transmission control elements includes an accumulator for containing pressurized fluid, first and second check valves, a booster valve supplied with accumulator pressure, and an actuator that causes the booster valve to open a fluidic connection between the accumulator and the control elements through the check valves in response to an engine restart signal.
US08734291B2

A tractor has an engine which drives the tractor via a transmission whose operative ratio is controlled electronically. The tractor also has an auxiliary hydraulic fluid supply system with an engine driven hydraulic pump which provides pressurized fluid to one or more auxiliary outlets on the tractor. A driver operated control means is provided for selecting the oil flow rate to be delivered to the outlets, and a control system adjusts the speed of the engine to the minimum required to provide the selected oil flow rate and changes the operative ratio of the tractor transmission so that the speed of the tractor remains substantially unchanged despite any change in engine speed required to deliver the selected oil flow rate. The transmission may be a CVT or powershift transmission.
US08734281B2

A dual-mode electro-mechanical variable speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft system, a gear system having at least three branches, two electric machines, and at least a clutch. The first electric machine couples to a branch of the gear system, the output shaft system couples to another branch of the gear system, the input shaft couples to the remaining branch or one of the remaining branches of the gear system, and the second electric machine selectively couples either to the same branch that is coupled to the output shaft system with a speed ratio or to one of the remaining branches that that is not coupled to the first electric machine with a different speed ratio. The transmission provides at least two power splitting modes to cover different speed ratio regimes. The transmission can also provide at least a fixed output shaft to input shaft speed ratio.
US08734273B2

A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid layer 6 positioned outside the core 4, a reinforcing layer 8 positioned outside the mid layer 6, and a cover 10 positioned outside the reinforcing layer 8. The difference between: a JIS-C hardness H(5.0) and a JIS-C hardness Ho at the central point is 6.0 or greater. The difference between: a JIS-C hardness H(12.5) and the hardness H(5.0) is 4.0 or less. The difference between a JIS-C hardness Hs at the surface of the core 4 and the hardness H(12.5) is 10.0 or greater. The difference between the hardness Hs and the hardness Ho is 22.0 or greater. In the golf ball 2, there is no zone in which a hardness decreases from the central point toward the surface. A hardness H2 of the mid layer 6 is greater than a hardness H3 of the cover 10.
US08734272B2

A golf ball includes a cover that includes a plurality of layers over the core. A reacting layer changes when exposed to a particular atmospheric or environmental agent. A protecting layer protects the reacting layer from exposure to the agent. A top layer covers the other layers, though the top layer, the protecting layer, and the reacting layer may be intermingled with each other to varying degrees. Upon deterioration of the top layer and the protecting layer, the reacting layer becomes exposed to the agent and undergoes a change. This change alerts a golfer to the deterioration of the ball.
US08734268B2

A golf club shaft has a length of a shaft of 1050 mm to 1170 mm and a sum of flexural rigidities at positions 150 mm, 200 mm and 250 mm from a front end of the shaft of A1, a sum of flexural rigidities at positions 400 mm, 450 mm and 500 mm from the front end of the shaft of A2 and a sum of flexural rigidities at positions 650 mm, 700 mm and 750 mm from the front end of the shaft of A3, distribution of flexural rigidities is 1.70≦A3/A2 and 0.60≦A1/A3.
US08734260B2

A gaming system provides a wagering venue for multiple wagering positions. A processor executes code to simulate a physical random gaming event outcome using a random number generator. Memory stores three-dimensional video displayable image data of a device for the physical random gaming event outcome. A three-dimensional video display system has a three-dimensional image display field. At least two player input terminals and seating for the player input terminals within the at least 30 degree field of view. The processor i) identifies a wager from a specific player input terminal, ii) initiates generation of an event outcome in a random event outcome game, iii) generates an event outcome simulating a physical random event generating outcome; iv) selects image data from the memory of a three-dimensional event outcome in which the generated simulated physical random event outcome is shown; v) displays the selected image data; and resolves the wager based upon the generated event outcome.
US08734258B2

Client position in a multi-client game is determined using dead reckoning. Clients send information to a server over a network. The server distributes this information to other clients. A client uses this information and dead reckoning to determine a character's position. The server may calculate the client's position using dead reckoning and send updates to clients when errors between actual and calculated positions exceed a threshold. Clients may calculate their position according to dead reckoning, and when an error between actual and calculated position exceeds a threshold, send updated information to other clients. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08734257B2

Disclosed herein are techniques and equipment for providing a voting point leaderboard system. Players playing wagering games may be awarded voting points for use in a poll with a plurality of candidates in exchange for game-play related activity. Players voting for the winning candidate in the poll may be given an award. Polls may include candidates which may be involved in a real-world contest. Players may be rewarded for voting for the candidate which wins the real-world contest.
US08734256B2

A multiplayer gaming system and methods for manufacturing and using same. The multiplayer game has game indicia and a plurality of game elements including one or more exposed game elements and at least one concealed game element associated with each player. Video interface systems are disposed at respective player seats and present different perspective views of the game indicia and the exposed game elements to the players. The multiplayer gaming system likewise includes a plurality of handheld player control devices that provide a customized game interface for presenting the concealed game element to the associated player while inhibiting other players from viewing the concealed game element and for enabling the player to actively control his participation in the multiplayer game. The multiplayer gaming system thereby simulates an experience of physically participating in a tangible game.
US08734249B2

A video game processing apparatus for controlling progress of a video game is provided. The video game is used to simulate resale business of goods on a display screen of an image display apparatus. The image display apparatus is caused to distinguishably display dealer characters and buyer characters on the display screen of the image display apparatus. Arbitrary goods for the purpose of buying are associated with each of the buyer characters. A buying process of goods from the selected dealer character is executed when a player selects any from the dealer characters. A resale process of goods to the selected buyer character is executed when the player selects any from the buyer characters.
US08734242B2

An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules. The game character's traits, powers, and other features may be enhanced or otherwise modified by purchasing preferably-three-dimensional accessories and inputting serial numbers into the gaming system that are also supplied with the accessories.
US08734239B2

A progressive game is implemented on a gaming system, wherein the gaming system includes one or more gaming machines connected to a game server, and wherein the progressive game has a progressive prize value that increases according to a progressive prize growth rate. The progressive game includes a selectable targeted progressive prize value, a selectable targeted progressive prize time, and one or more enticement factors. The progressive prize growth rate is calculated using the selectable targeted progressive prize value, the selectable targeted progressive prize time, and the one or more enticement factors. The selectable targeted progressive prize time is used to calculate the predetermined time period for testing for a progressive prize win. If a progressive prize win has not been identified, the progressive prize value is incremented by the progressive prize growth rate. If a progressive prize win has been identified, one or more winners are determined.
US08734236B2

A system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine. The system includes a portable digital wallet that wirelessly communicates with a handheld gaming machine (“handheld”). The digital wallet stores an amount of funds or funds associated with a remotely stored player account, and is used by the player to add credits to a handheld. The credit meter may be stored remotely, though the player perceives that the funds are actually being transferred via the digital wallet. Other funding techniques include a kiosk that accepts cash or credit/debit cards and dispenses tickets or other media that encodes information representing an amount of funds. The player uses this media to add credits to the handheld. The media may be player-dependent such that the player's identity is somehow linked to the media or it may be player-agnostic such that the player's identity is not linked to the funds associated with the media.
US08734233B2

Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices is presented. The methods include tracking and/or accumulating usage data relating to gaming device features, determining an authentication code based on the usage data, outputting the authentication code to an operator for transmission to an interested party, and verifying the authentication code. The present invention allows regulatory agencies and manufacturers of gaming devices to reliably verify the usage of individual features of gaming devices without having to rely upon a casino to report the usage data.
US08734232B2

Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including a predetermined award presented in a manner in which a player's skill at the game appears to affect the amount of the award without actually having an effect on its amount.
US08734225B2

A gaming machine and method are provided which provide a video slot game to a player. The video slot game includes a plurality of cells arranged in a grid. The grid has a plurality of rows and columns. The machine and method display a base instance of the video slot game and in response to occurrence of a triggering event, the base instance of the video slot game is split and a plurality of sub-instances of the video slot game are displayed.
US08734223B2

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a gaming device having oversized symbols in the play matrix. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a gaming apparatus having an improved game play comprising oversized symbols in the play matrix, and methods of administering, operating and playing the same in wagering and non-wagering applications. In one embodiment of the present invention, a game comprises a plurality of reels, each of the reels including a plurality of symbol positions; a plurality of symbols at the plurality of symbol positions on the reels, the plurality of symbols including an oversized symbol occupying at least a plurality of symbol positions; and predetermined winning symbol combination of a plurality of winning symbol combinations including the oversized symbol, wherein the predetermined winning symbol combination is associated with an award.
US08734221B2

Techniques and equipment for providing a voting point leaderboard system are provided. Players playing wagering games may be awarded voting points for use in a poll with a plurality of candidates in exchange for game-play related activity. Players voting for the winning candidate in the poll may be given an award. Polls may include candidates which may be involved in a real-world contest. Players may be rewarded for voting for the candidate which wins the real-world contest.
US08734215B2

Method, article and apparatus for executing computer games, and in particular, computer-based racing games. In a racing game, a player may be allowed to earn one or more game play options which may be exercised during the race. The game play options, when exercised, may modify the predefined race path to create an advantage for the player or a disadvantage to the competitors.
US08734209B2

A chimney cap includes an intake pipe extension and an exhaust pipe extension; each extension includes an opening, the exhaust opening being disposed above the intake opening. The cap further includes solid sidewalls surrounding the intake opening and a diffusion plate disposed over the intake opening and below the exhaust opening.
US08734208B2

A coin-separating and feeding device receives coins of different dimensions, sorts them in a sorting recess positioned on a rotating disk. A moving member is positioned within a sorting recess groove and reciprocates linearly between a sorting position for receiving a coin and a pushing-out position to feed for subsequent processing. The bulk coins are stored in a container that houses the rotating disk and an arc-shaped restrictor can surround an outer periphery of at least a portion of the rotating disk to maintain the separated coin within the sorting recess. A driving device comprising a ring shaped cam is fixedly arranged relative to the rotating disk and a pair of can followers mounted on the moving member can control the speed of the mover member including accelerating and decelerating the speed from a push-out position to a coin receiving position within the sorting recess.
US08734205B2

A macro-porous abrasive article includes a spun lace substrate having a macro-porous structure and a coating. The coating is made of a resin binder and abrasive aggregates. The abrasive aggregates are formed from a composition of abrasive grit particles and a nanoparticle binder. The coating is at least partially embedded in the substrate. A method for making the macro-porous abrasive article includes combining abrasive aggregates of abrasive grit particles and a nanoparticle binder with a resin binder to form a slurry. The slurry is applied to a macro-porous support structure so that the slurry at least partially penetrates the substrate. The resin is then cured to bond the aggregate grains to the substrate.
US08734198B1

A three dimensional construction element is provided having a plurality of strands of constant cross-sectional shape and constant cross-sectional diameter, each of said strands being a rigid, non-collapsible helix having at least two and one-half turns. The strands of the plurality of strands are interlocked so as to form a rigid, non collapsible, dimensionally and geometrically stable rosette in which the helix has a constant cross-sectioned diameter.
US08734196B2

A method for producing an organic radiation-emitting component is provided, comprising the following steps: A) providing an organic radiation-emitting layer sequence (10) having at least one organic functional layer (3), which is suited to emit electromagnetic radiation during operation, and a transparent layer (11), B) applying a transparent radiation decoupling layer (20) having a surface structure (21) onto a surface (12) of the transparent layer (11) facing away from the at least one functional layer (3) by means of spray coating. Furthermore, an organic radiation-emitting component is provided.
US08734191B2

A touch safe right angle power connector includes a header assembly that includes a conductive pin, an inner shroud that surrounds the pin, and an outer shroud that surrounds the inner shroud. The inner shroud has slots therethrough. The power connector includes a power terminal connector having a plug housing that has a cavity and an insert assembly that is received in the cavity. The insert assembly has a terminal body configured to be terminated to an end of a conductor of a power cable and is electrically connected to the pin of the header assembly. The insert assembly has a dielectric insert that holds the terminal body. The insert assembly has a shield that surrounds the dielectric insert and provides shielding for the terminal body. The plug housing has optional ribs which are received in corresponding slots to orient the power terminal with respect to the header assembly.
US08734189B2

Spring-loaded contacts having an improved reliability. One example may provide spring-loaded contacts having a reduced likelihood of entanglement between a spring and a plunger. For example, a piston may be placed between a plunger and a spring. The piston may have a head portion that is wider than the diameter of the spring and located between the spring and the plunger to isolate the spring and the plunger. Another example may have a reduced likelihood of spring damage caused by excess current flow. For example, a plunger may have an eccentrically-tapered back. This eccentrically-tapered back may contact the head portion of the piston. The eccentricity may help to ensure that the plunger tilts at an angle such that the plunger or the piston, or both, contact a barrel of the spring-loaded contact, thereby avoiding current flow and resulting damage to the spring.
US08734181B1

Electrical plug receptacle cover plate assembly with a flange plate positioned between a spool plate and a receptacle cover plate. A portion of the space between the flange plate and the spool plate is used to wrap excess cord, and rearward angular flanges are used to conceal the cord. In other embodiments, the receptacle cover plate may be recessed; the spool plate and receptacle cover plate may be combined; the flange plate may be provided over a combined spool plate and receptacle cover plate; and a combined flange plate and receptacle cover plate may be provided over a spool plate.
US08734179B2

A cable connector and a manufacturing method thereof. The method includes: providing an insulation body, putting a terminal that has a receiving portion into the insulation body, preparing at least one groove on a cable, in which the cable has a first part inserted in the insulation body and a second part extending out of the insulation body, and the groove is provided on the first part, pressing the cable, so that a side edge of the receiving portion pierces the cable at the groove, thereby electrically connecting the terminal and an inner conductor of the cable. The groove enables the terminal to pierce the cable easily, implementing desirable electrical connection between the inner conductor and the terminal, and also stops the cable in the extending direction of the cable, preventing the cable from escaping.
US08734176B2

A signal transmission medium inserted into an insulating housing can be held and released in a favorable manner with a simple structure. A pair of lock release parts are arranged to face opposite each other at both outer ends of a signal transmission medium, this pair of lock release parts being integrally and continuously formed to release arms integrally extending from the insulating housing to be movable to approach and separate from each other, with a lock release link mechanism being provided for causing the locking portion to displace in an unlocking direction by moving the pair of lock release parts in directions approaching each other.
US08734166B2

A printed wiring board includes a board body that includes a signal line embedded at a predetermined wiring position and a through hole electrically connected to the signal line, and a connector that includes a connector plate including a connection terminal electrically connected to the signal line via the through hole, and electrically connects the connection terminal to the signal line by insertion of the connection terminal of the connector plate into the through hole in a direction of one of a front surface and a rear surface of the board body according to a wiring position of the signal line so that a transmission path of the connection terminal on a stub side is shorter than a transmission path of the connection terminal on an input and output side.
US08734165B2

The invention relates to an electrical connection device (2) suitable for being connected to an electrical apparatus (1) furnished with one or more screw or elastic electrical terminals (10). The device comprises one or more connectors (20, 21) each designed to be connected directly to one of the one or more electrical connection terminals, and each connector (20, 21) comprises a permanent magnet (200, 210) designed to be magnetized on the said electrical terminal (10) when the connector (20, 21) is brought near to the terminal (10). The device of the invention makes it possible to make a rapid connection of the conductors on each screw or elastic electrical terminal (10) of the electrical apparatus.
US08734162B2

An interactive game and gaming system are presented. In some aspects, information is derived from a database and a select subset of it is used to generate both questions and potential answers to the questions. A player is presented with the potential answers and selects an answer, which is evaluated by the system to determine its correctness. Commercial advantages of interacting with players in this way and collecting information about the players and promoting things to the players are described.
US08734157B1

An exercise and video game control apparatus comprising a carriage suspended from a frame by support cables; a first handle coupled to the support cables within arm-reach of the suspended carriage; and a first sensor that generates game related signals when the user biases the game chair away from the first handle. Some embodiments may further comprise a sway bar coupled to the game chair and a plurality of cables, wherein the sway bar reduces motion of the game chair when the user biases the game chair away from the first handle; a rocker coupled to a bottom surface of the frame; and a footpad coupled to the frame within leg-reach of the game chair, the footpad adapted to rotates the frame from a neutral position along the rocker.
US08734143B2

The invention relates to a dough roller device (2) comprising a first roller pair unit (21) and a second roller pair unit (22) situated below the first roller pair unit (21), wherein the relative position of the first and second roller pair units is adjustable. Preferably the rollers (31,32) of the first roller pair unit (21) define a passage for dough between the rollers, and wherein the relative position is adjustable for placing one of the rollers (33, 34) of the second roller pair unit (22) more or less below the passage. The invention further relates to an assembly for dough treatment, comprising a dough roller device (2) as disclosed above and a supply device for supplying dough, wherein the supply device comprises a conveyor (12) extending to an upper side of the dough roller device (2). The belt onto which the dough is deposited has flour dusted onto it before the dough is laid on the belt.
US08734140B2

A reversible gerotor pump for a machine having a drive shaft is provided, the pump including a housing, an offset ring, and an inner and outer gear. The offset ring is disposed in the housing and includes a tab extending radially from an outer periphery. The outer periphery of the offset ring defines a first axis in common with the axis of a drive shaft. The inner periphery of the offset ring defines a second axis that is slightly offset from the second axis. The axis of the outer gear moves relative to the axis of the inner gear to allow pumping action in both rotational directions using the same suction and line cavities for both directions.
US08734138B2

The invention relates to a roller pump consisting of a stator with a pump bed formed therein and a rotor for acting on a hose inserted into the pump bed in arcuate form. In accordance with the invention, the flow paths associated with the ends of the tube guided out of the pump bed cross.
US08734136B2

A water-conducting household device, particularly a dishwasher, includes a pump having at least one normal operating mode in which fluid is pumped in a pumping direction, and a venting operating mode which can be carried out before the normal operating mode. The venting operating mode is provided to allow venting of the pump by pumping a gas bubble in opposition to the pumping direction during the normal operating mode at least partially out of a pump chamber of the pump to a fluid pump inlet of the pump.
US08734135B2

An electric air pump has a pumping assembly, an outer bracket and an inlet plate. The pumping assembly has a casing. The outer bracket is connected pivotally to the pumping assembly and has a faceplate mounted pivotally on an open top of the casing of the pumping assembly and selectively hermetically contacting a top annular edge of an open top of the casing. A locking hole is defined through the faceplate. The inlet plate is mounted securely in the casing, located between the casing and the outer bracket and has a resilient locking hook selectively hooking in the locking hole of the outer bracket. The electric air pump is capable of inflating and deflating an inflatable product without cooperating with external devices.
US08734133B2

A fuel pump has a motor portion and a pump portion, wherein fuel is sucked from an inlet port into the pump portion when an impeller is rotated and the pressurized fuel is discharged out of the fuel pump from an outlet port. A stator has multiple stator cores on which respective stator coils are wound to form a star-connection winding. A terminal sub-assembly is provided in an axial side portion of the stator. The terminal sub-assembly has multiple conductive members and each end portion of the stator coils is respectively connected to connecting portions of the conductive members, which are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the terminal sub-assembly.
US08734128B2

A silencer device (10) for connection to a piston compressor of a motor vehicle: a housing (11) with an inlet (12) connected to a suction line or to an air outlet of a piston compressor, and an outlet (13) connected to an air inlet of a piston compressor or to a compressed air line. A throughflow air duct (20) extends through the housing. A quarter-wave resonator (30) in the housing has an elongate resonator duct (31) which is curved in its longitudinal direction, has at one end an inlet aperture (32) situated in a wall of the throughflow duct, and has a cross-sectional area larger than or equal to that of the throughflow duct. The other end (33) of the resonator duct is closed. A motor vehicle has such a silencer device.
US08734103B2

A method of repairing a flange of a casing for an airplane turboprop or turbojet, in which the flange includes at least one through hole for passing a bolt for fastening equipment, and the hole opens out in a face of the flange that is worn by friction against the equipment, disclosed. The method includes mounting a bearing member on the flange. The bearing member includes a radial wall covering the worn face of the flange. The wall includes a hole that comes into register with the hole in the flange and having thickness for compensating the wear of the face of the flange. The member further includes an abutment for bearing against the periphery of the flange, and being fastened to the flange by adhesive.
US08734101B2

A vane includes a composite airfoil having a single dovetail root extending chordwise between or near leading and trailing edges of the airfoil. The root is connected to the airfoil and is slidably received in a dovetail slot in an inner vane mount. The dovetail slot has a triangular slot cross section and a flat slot bottom and flat slot pressure and suction side crush faces corresponding to pressure and suction sides of the airfoil. The root has a triangular root cross section, a flat root bottom, and flat dovetail root pressure and suction side crush faces. A biasing means urges the root bottom of the dovetail root away from the slot bottom and presses and preloads the dovetail root pressure and suction side crush faces against the slot pressure and suction side slot crush faces.
US08734092B1

A flood pump includes a pump housing having a pump housing inlet and a pump housing outlet, an impeller housing disposed in fluid communication with the pump housing between the pump housing inlet and the pump housing outlet, an impeller disposed in the impeller housing, a power unit drivingly engaging the impeller, a diversion conduit disposed in fluid communication with the pump housing between the pump housing inlet and the pump housing outlet and a pump housing outlet valve in the pump housing between the diversion conduit and the pump housing outlet.
US08734085B2

A turbine section of a gas turbine engine is described, which includes an aftmost rotor extending, an aftmost stator located upstream of the aftmost rotor, and a second to last aftmost rotor located upstream of the aftmost stator. The second to last aftmost rotor being spaced apart a first axial distance from the aftmost stator. A turbine exhaust case is located downstream of the aftmost rotor and includes an inner radial wall and an outer radial wall defining a main gas path duct downstream of the aftmost rotor. The turbine exhaust case being axially spaced apart from the aftmost rotor a second axial distance that is greater than the first axial distance.
US08734083B2

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a tooling device which for connecting to a manipulator. The device includes a base unit and at least two manipulator modules each with a first and a second end. At least one degree of freedom in movement is provided between both ends of each manipulator module. The first end is connected with the base unit and a tool interface is provided at the second end. The tool interfaces are each moveable independently of the other relative to the base unit. At least one manipulator module is linearly moveable on its first end relative to the base unit.
US08734073B2

A fastening arrangement, including a quick-action nut that has two nut parts. The nut parts each have a groove to receive a threaded rod, and including a locking element with at least one passage opening for securing the quick-action nut to the threaded rod. In the passage opening, the locking element has a locking surface for pressing the nut parts against the threaded rod as well as a centering surface for centering the threaded rod in the passage opening. In the passage opening, the locking element has a transition surface that adjoins the locking surface and the centering surface, and that runs between the locking surface and the centering surface.
US08734047B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a traffic control marker having a mesh base and an improved inner core. In accordance with various embodiments, there is provided a traffic control assembly, which includes a base selectively mountable adjacent a roadway, the base comprising a plurality of through holes, and a flexible tubular member connected to the base. The traffic control assembly further includes a flange selectively mountable below the base. The flange includes a plurality of through holes spaced around a portion of the circumference of the flange. Further, the traffic control assembly includes an adhesive material applied to an underside of the base and the flange to secure the traffic control assembly to the roadway. The adhesive material fills the plurality of through holes in the base and in the flange, when the traffic control assembly is mounted to the roadway. Various embodiments also provide for a flexible support arranged inside of the flexible tubular member and configured to increase the resiliency of the flexible tubular member to an impact by a moving vehicle.
US08734045B1

An inner race and boot sleeve combination is provided. The inner race has an inner surface with a groove formed therein. The boot sleeve has a groove in an outer surface. A ring is located in both grooves to axially secure the inner race and boot sleeve together. Devices to prevent relatively rotation between the inner race and the boot sleeve are also provided.
US08734044B2

A ball joint, particularly a radial ball joint, includes a housing, a bearing shell which is arranged in the housing, and a ball pin having a ball head which is arranged in the bearing shell, the housing having a mounting opening to receive the bearing shell and the ball head, the mounting opening being closed by a housing cover which is fastened to the housing. The bearing shell is deformed by the ball head and the housing cover such that the restoring force resulting from the deformation urges the ball head away from the housing cover and prestresses it against the housing.
US08734041B2

The invention relates to a dispenser including: an applicator device; a case comprising a housing for receiving at least a portion of the applicator device; a mobile member being movable mounted inside the housing between a retracted position and a use position; an actuating member for urging the mobile member towards the use position, wherein the housing comprises an abutment surface for engaging with the mobile member in order to define the use position of said mobile member.
US08734038B2

An image forming apparatus is provided that includes an image forming unit disposed in a main body and configured to form an image on a recording medium, an output tray provided in the main body and configured to receive the recording medium having an image formed thereon, and an ejection device provided in the main body and configured to eject the recording medium to the output tray. The apparatus may further include a movable sheet guiding member movably attached to the main body and a stationary sheet guiding member disposed downstream of the movable sheet guiding member in a recording medium ejection direction and above the output tray. The movable sheet guiding member can press a recording medium ejected from the ejection device downward, and the stationary sheet guiding member can protrude from the main body.
US08734029B2

A zoom lens barrel assembly includes: a first barrel including an inlet through which light is incident on the first barrel; a second barrel that surrounds at least a part of an external surface of the first barrel and supports the first barrel to be movable to protrude forward from a front portion of a main body; a plurality of blades disposed to be moved between an open position in which the plurality of blades are retreated to an outside of the inlet and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked; and an accommodation unit that extends from an end of the first barrel to an outside of the first barrel so as to accommodate the blades that have been moved to the open position.
US08734026B2

A subsea connector unit with an integrated, bi-directional electrical to optical (EO) media converter is provided which has a first end configured for connection to standard subsea electrical cable connector unit and a second end joined to a subsea optical or electro-optical ethernet jumper cable. The EO media converter has one or more electrical input/output (I/O) junctions which communicate with electrical signal conductors in a connected electrical ethernet cable and one or more optical I/O junctions which are connected to one or more optical fibers extending from the subsea jumper cable. Electrical input signals received at the electrical I/O junctions are converted into corresponding optical signals provided at the optical I/O junctions for transmission along the subsea jumper cable, and optical input signals received from the jumper cable are converted to electrical signals at the electrical I/O junctions for output to the electrical cable.
US08734021B2

By incorporating a pump for sucking and discharging lubricating oil in a tank for storing the lubricating oil on an outside of a rolling bearing, for example, on a spacer for an outer ring in a housing for accommodating the rolling bearing and a nozzle in which an lubricating oil outlet communicating with a discharging port of the pump to supply the lubricating oil discharged from the pump to the rolling bearing is opened in an annular-shaped space between a fixed ring and a rolling ring in the rolling bearing, a cost is reduced by using a general-purpose rolling bearing, and at the same time, external devices and pipes for a lubrication are not required wholly or partially and problems of a noise made by compressed air are eliminated.
US08734019B2

Method, retention mechanism and bearing device for retaining at least one pad inside the bearing device. The bearing device includes a ring having at least a retaining head, at least one pad disposed inside the ring and having a bottom recess portion configured to receive the at least a retaining head, the at least one pad being configured to pivot on the at least a retaining head, and a retention mechanism configured to retain the at least one pad within a predetermined volume inside the ring. The retention mechanism is configured to apply a retaining force on the at least one pad, in addition to a force between the retaining head and the at least one pad, where the retaining force acts substantially along a radial direction of the ring, away from a center of the ring.
US08733999B2

An apparatus comprises a display backlight having a substrate and a plurality of light-receiving channels formed in that substrate. At least some of these channels have a depth that varies as a gradient along a longitudinal axis of the channel that is substantially axially aligned with a light-receiving input for the channel. These channels can be formed substantially parallel to one another. The aforementioned light-receiving inputs can, if desired, be formed at either end of each such channel and can be disposed inwardly of an edge of the substrate. Also if desired, at least some of these channels can be disposed other than at an orthogonal angle with respect to such substrate edges. So configured, light rays that orthogonally enter the light-receiving inputs will have an opportunity to contact the edges of the channels and be reflected outwardly of the channel to provide the desired backlighting effect.
US08733996B2

Disclosed is a light emitting device including: a single or a plurality of laser diode(s) configured to emit a laser beam; a light emitting body configured to emit light upon irradiation with the laser beam(s); and an optical fiber guiding the single or plurality of laser beam(s) emitted from the single or plurality of laser diode(s) to a vicinity of the light emitting body and irradiating the guided single or plurality of laser beam(s) to a predetermined laser beam irradiation plane of the light emitting body, in a dispersed manner. This allows for achieving a high-luminance and a long life.
US08733994B2

A head lamp structure of the vehicle may include a reflector including a light source, and a shield part rotatably provided at a front of the reflector and including a shield protrusion formed at an outer peripheral surface thereof and having a cutting surface.
US08733990B2

An interior vehicle component comprises a base and a panel coupled to the base. The panel is moveable between a first position and a second position. The panel has a first side and an opposite second side. The first side is configured to be visible to a vehicle occupant when the panel is in the first position. The second side cooperates with the base to define a cavity. The panel has an aperture extending through the first side and the second side. The panel also comprises at least one of a solid state switch and a light source supported at the first side of the panel, and a flexible circuit coupled to a backside of the at least one of the solid state switch and the light source through the aperture.
US08733959B2

It is an object to manufacture a highly reliable backlight device with less color unevenness and less luminance unevenness, and a high-performance and highly reliable display device including the backlight device, which can display a high quality image. A light emitting diode (LED) is used as a light source of a backlight device and thermoelectric elements are provided in a chassis for holding the light emitting diode so as to surround the light emitting diode (the thermoelectric elements are provided under the light emitting diode and on the four sides thereof). A temperature in the backlight device is adjusted by cooling and heating by the thermoelectric elements.
US08733957B2

A headlamp includes an laser element for emitting a laser beam; a light emitting section for emitting fluorescence by receiving the laser beam emitted from the laser element; and a parabolic mirror for reflecting the fluorescence emitted from the light emitting section, the light emitting section being placed so that a focal point of the parabolic mirror and a periphery of the focal point are positioned on the light emitting section, the light emitting section being most strongly excited at a portion corresponding to the focal point, meanwhile, at a portion corresponding to the periphery of the focal point, the light emitting section being excited with intensity being dependent on light intensity distribution of the excitation light on an irradiation surface of the light emitting section.
US08733954B2

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a mirror assembly for a vehicle is described. The mirror assembly includes a housing defining an aerodynamic shape. The housing includes a first curved wall, a second curved wall, a bottom portion, and a top portion. The first and second curved walls extend from the bottom portion to the top portion and intersect one another to form a leading edge of the housing. The housing is dimensionally configured so that a thrust force is generated in a travel direction of the vehicle when a crossflow from the vehicle is directed around the housing.
US08733953B2

A display apparatus includes a light source which is configured to emit a light, a first light modulation unit which is configured modulate the light emitted from said light source, a first drive unit which is configured to drive said first light modulation unit, a projection unit, which is configured to project the light from said first light modulation unit enlargedly, a second light modulation unit, which is configured to modulate the light emitted from said projection unit so as to be emitted to an observer side, a second drive unit which is configured to drive said second light modulation unit, and an optical direction conversion unit, which is configured to convert the light from said projection unit so that the light is incident upon an incident surface of said second light modulation unit in a direction approximately perpendicular thereto.
US08733951B2

A first image is provided to a projector, which is configured to project the first image on a projection screen. A captured first image is received from a camera configured to capture the projected first image and an occluding object between the projector and the projection screen. A key including a difference between the captured first image and the first image is generated. A second image is modified according to the key to generate a new second image. The new second image is provided to the projector, which is further configured to project the new second image.
US08733948B2

In a projector which includes a light source unit 63, a light smoothing unit, a display device, a projection side optical system and a projector control unit, the light source unit 63 includes a light generating device for generating light of a specified wavelength band which includes a first light source 152 which is a light emitting diode or solid-state light emitting device for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength band, a second light source 153 which is a light emitting diode or a solid-state light emitting device for emitting excitation light, and a third light source 154 for emitting light of the same wavelength band as that of the first light source 152 using the light emitted from the second light source 153 as excitation energy, and the third light source 154 is formed by a phosphor which transmits light from the first light source 152 and absorbs light emitted from the second light source 153.
US08733940B2

A light source device has: a light source unit including solid-state light sources emitting blue-color light and a condensing lens; a dichroic mirror polarization separating color light into first and second polarization components; a fluorescence emission plate excited with the first polarization component, emitting fluorescence of green and red components to enter the dichroic mirror; a first retardation plate converting the second polarization component to a circularly polarized light; and a reflection plate reflecting a light passed through the first retardation plate to reenter the same. The color lights from the fluorescence emission plate and the first retardation plate are combined at the dichroic mirror. A second retardation plate converts the polarization direction of the light from the light source unit, so as to control the ratio of p-polarization and s-polarization components. Lights from solid-state light sources are condensed efficiently and a high spectrum-utilization factor is obtained.
US08733936B1

A system for fitting glasses frames to a user is disclosed. The system includes an interface for receiving images of a user's head at different angles. A processor compares user head measurements determined from the images with a database of glasses frame information that includes glasses frame measurements. One or more glasses frames are selected based on the comparison and the selected glasses frames are output.
US08733931B2

A method of determining binocular performance of a pair of spectacle lenses comprises: a eyes characteristics providing step, a pair of spectacle lenses providing step, a environment providing step, a cyclopean eye positioning step, a binocular performance criteria defining step, and a binocular performance criteria determining step, wherein the cyclopean eye position is customized.
US08733929B2

A color contrast enhancing sunglass lens includes a lens body and a multi-layer coating disposed on the lens body. The multi-layer coating includes a set of alternating layers formed of materials having different refractive indices and confines the transmission of visible light to a predetermined spectral profile having at least three high transmission bands that include blue, green and red bands and that have a maximum of spectral transmittance no less than 60%, three low transmission bands that include purple, cyan and yellow bands and that have a minimum of spectral transmittance no greater than 40%, and no spectral transmittance being less than 15% between 475 and 650 nm. The color contrast enhancing sunglass lens as disclosed meets the ANSI specification Z80.3-2009 section 4.6.3.3.
US08733925B2

An inkjet recording apparatus 100 makes a record on a web 1, including a line head 10 disposed on the side of a recording surface 1a of the web 1, guiding rollers 2 that guide the web 1, and a suction mechanism 20 disposed on the side of a non-recording surface 1b of the web 1, wherein, during travelling of the web 1, the line head 10 makes a record on the recording surface 1a of the web 1, and the suction mechanism 20 secures the non-recording surface 1b of the web 1.
US08733924B2

An inkjet printer 10 includes a platen plate 4 that has recess portions 41 and suction holes 42, and an inkjet type print head that has arrays of ink discharge nozzles right above the recess portions 41. Each suction hole 42 is set to have a first flow rate of air in a first suction path, and a second flow rate of air in a second suction path. The first suction path is made by the suction hole 42, and one of regions extending at a recess portion 41 of the platen plate 4, with the suction hole 42 intervening in between in a transfer direction. The arrays of ink discharge nozzles are disposed in the one region. The second suction path is made by the suction hole 42 and the other region at the recess portion 41. The second flow rate is smaller than the first flow rate.
US08733923B2

A printing device includes a head, a radiation unit and a control unit. The head is configured to eject metallic ink including a plurality of longitudinal metal fragments onto a medium. The radiation unit is configured to irradiate the metallic ink with light to cure the metallic ink. The control unit is configured to control irradiation of the light by the radiation unit so that a film thickness formed by the metallic ink is equal to or less than a length of a long side of the longitudinal metal fragment when the metallic ink is cured on the medium.
US08733922B2

Provided is a print preparation method possessing an ejection step in which liquid drops of actinic energy radiation curable type ink-jet ink each containing a polymerizable compound, a photo-polymerizable initiator and a gelling agent are injected from an ink-jet recording head to supply the actinic energy radiation curable type ink-jet ink onto a recording medium, and an actinic energy radiation exposure step, wherein the print preparation method further comprises step (A) in which the recording medium is exposed to electromagnetic waves having a longer wavelength than a wavelength of an absorption wavelength of the photo-polymerization initiator contained in the actinic energy radiation curable type ink-jet ink from a side of a surface on which the image is formed, before conducting the actinic energy radiation exposure step, the print preparation method by which a print having images exhibiting excellent image wear resistance, gloss evenness and image density evenness is provided.
US08733920B2

To provide an inkjet recording ink, which contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent, a colorant, and a surfactant, wherein the colorant contains a surfactant-dispersible pigment (A) dispersed by the surfactant, and a resin-coated pigment (B), and wherein the surfactant is a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants represented by the following formula (1), and having HLB value of 12 or higher: R1—O—(CH2CH2O)m-A  (1) where R1 is a C2-C24 alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkylphenyl group, or alkylallyl group; A is —COOM1, —SO3M2, or —PO(OM3)OM4, where M1, M2 and M4 are each independently alkali metal, quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium, or alkanolamine, and M3 is a hydrogen atom or R2(CH2CH2O)n with proviso that R2 is a C1-C4 alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkylphenyl group, or alkylallyl group, and n is an integer of 4 to 20; and m is and integer of 15 to 40.
US08733918B2

The present invention provides an image forming method including ejecting an ink composition, using an ink jet apparatus, onto a recording medium thereby forming an image, the ink composition comprising a pigment, a water-soluble polymerizable monomer which is polymerized by actinic energy rays, and water, and the recording medium being composed of a base paper, a first layer including a binder, and a second layer including a white pigment and an acidic substance, which are disposed in this order, wherein a surface of the first layer is disposed on the base paper and has a Cobb water absorption capacity of 2.0 g/m2 or less at a contact time of 120 seconds as measured by a water-absorbing capacity test according to JIS P8140, a surface of the second layer has a water absorption of from 2 ml/m2 to 8 ml/m2 at a contact time of 0.5 seconds as measured by the Bristow's method, and the surface of the second layer has a pH of 5.5 or less.
US08733917B2

A line image forming method includes the steps of: ejecting a plurality of droplets of liquid sequentially from an inkjet head, the liquid containing a functional component; and depositing the droplets of the liquid onto a non-permeable medium, the deposited droplets becoming joined together on the non-permeable medium to form a line pattern of the liquid, wherein a receding contact angle of the liquid with respect to the non-permeable medium being not larger than 10°.
US08733911B2

A liquid container includes a liquid chamber and a flexible member. The liquid chamber is configured to contain the liquid. The flexible member is subject to deformation with a decrease in internal pressure of the liquid chamber. The liquid container includes a negative pressure generator configured to maintain negative pressure in the liquid chamber by applying pressure to the flexible member. The liquid container includes a liquid outlet configured to feed the liquid out of the liquid chamber. The liquid container includes an air inlet configured to introduce air into the liquid chamber when the internal pressure of the liquid chamber is lowered to or below a preset level. The liquid container includes a detection-associated member for detection of the remaining volume of the liquid in the liquid chamber. The detection-associated member can be located inside the liquid chamber on a wall of the container body.
US08733909B2

The invention relates to a negative-pressure ink cartridge refilling device, system and method. The device comprises an ink container used to store ink, an ink injection channel, an aspirator and a suction channel communicated with the ink container, wherein one end of the ink injection channel is an ink inlet end while the other end is an ink outlet end connected with the ink cartridge to be refilled; a sucking opening connected with the aspirator is formed on the suction channel; and the inlet end is disposed above the ink level surface of the ink container. Therefore, the ink in the ink container cannot be overflowed via the ink injection channel regardless of the environmental factors, and thus the technical problem that the phenomenon of ink splash tends to occur when the traditional negative-pressure ink cartridge refilling device is used by a user for the first time can be solved.
US08733908B2

A printing system having a media width printhead, a plurality of fluid containers fluidically interconnected with the printhead via a respective plurality of fluid tubes each defining an individual closed fluid flow loop, a first multi-channel valve arrangement for selectively allowing fluid flow along each closed loop via the printhead by selectively moving a pinch element into and out of pinching contact with the fluid tubes so as to respectively block and allow fluid flow through the fluid tubes, a plurality of gas vents, each gas vent being associated with a respective one of the closed loops and a second multi-channel valve arrangement for selectively allowing venting of gas in each closed loop via the gas vents.
US08733904B2

An electro-mechanical transducer includes a plurality of independent elements. Each of the plurality of independent elements includes one of a substrate and a foundation film, a first electrode of oxide disposed on the one of the substrate and the foundation film, an electro-mechanical transducer film disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode of oxide disposed on the electro-mechanical transducer film, and a third electrode of metal formed on the first electrode as a common electrode conductive to the first electrode and common to at least two of the plurality of independent elements.
US08733901B2

Performing a high-speed recording operation using a slender liquid discharge head substrate causes an uneven temperature distribution for each energy generating element because the center portion of the liquid discharge head substrate is more liable to accumulate heat than the end portion thereof, which may affect the quality of a recorded image. For this reason, the surface of the energy generating element which contacts liquid is separated into a first region and a second region in which a protection film is thicker than the one in the first region, and the area in the first region for the element positioned at the end portion of the array of the elements is made greater than that in the first region at the center portion thereof.
US08733895B2

An ink-jet head includes: a first nozzle group; a second nozzle group; a first common ink chamber; and a second common ink chamber. With respect to a first direction, nozzles constituting the first nozzle group and nozzles constituting the second nozzle group are arranged alternately to complement each other, the first nozzle group includes a first nozzle and a second nozzle which deviates from the first nozzle with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second nozzle group includes a third nozzle arranged adjacent to the first nozzle with respect to the first direction and a fourth nozzle arranged adjacent to the second nozzle with respect to the first direction, and with respect to the second direction, the fourth nozzle deviates from the third nozzle in a direction opposite to a direction in which the second nozzle deviates from the first nozzle.
US08733885B1

A method and apparatus test a printed circuit assembly and a print head array with a low-power application to a printed circuit assembly having a power storage component disconnected from a power rail of the printed circuit assembly and test the printed circuit assembly and the print head array with a high-power application to the printed circuit assembly with the printed circuit assembly receiving electrical power from the power storage component.
US08733884B2

A printing system includes a print media having two sets of test patterns formed or printed in at least two margins adjacent a content area on the print media. The two sets of test patterns are separated by a pattern distance and at least two test patterns in each set of test patterns have a different number of marks. Two integrated imaging systems are disposed opposite the print media and are mechanically tied together and separated by a fixed distance. The integrated imaging systems substantially simultaneously capture images of the two sets of test patterns. An image processing device can process the images to determine if one or more size variations have occurred in the print media in the in-track direction.
US08733879B2

An inkjet recording apparatus includes a drying chamber on a downstream side of a recording head along a conveyance path for a sheet-shaped recording medium originally wound to be like a roll; and a drying unit circulating gas. The drying unit includes a heat pump separating water droplets from gas containing moisture returned after moisture is moved from the sheet-shaped recording medium, heating the gas, supplying the gas as high temperature dried gas to the drying chamber, causing moisture to move from the sheet-shaped recording medium to the gas in the drying chamber and returning the gas to which the moisture has been moved and which becomes gas containing moisture to the drying unit.
US08733877B2

A discharge defect of a nozzle in an apparatus that forms an image on a medium by discharging liquid from a liquid discharge head based on image data is accurately detected. A discharge defect of a nozzle is detected by comparing data (reference data) of a reference image with read data obtained by reading an output image. In this case, a mark for matching the read pixel and the nozzle position with each other is recorded on the medium, and the correspondence relationship is specified by reading the mark. In addition, data items that are converted to have the nozzle resolution by performing a filtering process corresponding to the human visual characteristics for both the data of the reference image and the data of the read image are compared with each other, thereby detecting a discharge defect of a nozzle.
US08733875B2

A liquid discharge apparatus includes: movable head having a nozzle line with nozzles arranged in a predetermined direction; and a control unit that performs a first liquid discharge process and a second liquid discharge process, which sequentially form dots on a medium by intermittently discharging liquid from the nozzles while moving the head and maintaining the inclusion of a normal component perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the moving direction of the head and which form dots on the medium such that a dot formation position in the perpendicular direction of the dots formed in the second liquid discharge process is positioned between dot formation positions in the perpendicular direction of the dots formed continuously in the first liquid discharge process.
US08733873B2

A liquid ejection device includes: a drive waveform generator generating a drive waveform signal; a modulator performing pulse modulation on a signal from the drive waveform generator to provide a modulated signal; a digital power amplifier performing power amplification on the modulated signal to provide an amplified digital signal; a Lowpass Filter smoothing the amplified digital signal to provide a drive signal of an actuator; a compensator advancing the phase of the drive signal to provide a negative feedback signal; and a subtractor providing a differential signal between the drive waveform signal and the negative feedback signal as an input signal to the modulator.
US08733872B2

A print head circuit of an inkjet printer comprising a plurality of row heating elements arranged in a plurality of rows, a plurality of column heating elements arranged in a plurality of columns, and a plurality of lateral bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), each lateral BJT is connected in between and in series with a corresponding one of the plurality of row heating elements and a corresponding one of the plurality of column heating elements, the plurality of lateral BJTs have common bases, wherein the plurality of row heating elements and the plurality of column heating elements are selectively energized to heat ink in the inkjet printer in a desired pattern for printing media, and wherein each of the plurality of lateral BJTs operates to allow the corresponding row and column heating elements that are connected in series with the lateral BJT to be energized.
US08733862B1

An appliance is provided having one or more racks or shelves, the position of which may be adjusted vertically. Multiple different positions along the vertical direction can be made available for selection by a user of the appliance. One or more locking mechanisms allow for selective adjustment of the vertical position at which a shelf may be located.
US08733840B2

Described are seat pan assemblies for a passenger seat having a pan frame pivotally coupled to a seat back, a seat pan pivotally coupled to the pan frame, a tilting mechanism coupled to the seat pan and the pan frame, wherein the tilting mechanism is configured to rotate the seat pan between an upright position and a sleeper position, and an automatic release mechanism, wherein the automatic release mechanism is configured to return the seat pan to an upright position when the seat back is in an upright position.
US08733839B2

A mechanism for an office chair has a displaceable actuating element. The position of the element changes during a movement of the office chair mechanism, and the change in position thereof changes the movement characteristic of the office chair mechanism. The actuating element is operationally connected to a functional element. The position of the functional element changes in the event of a change in the position of the actuating element during a movement of the office chair mechanism. At least one property of the change in position of the actuating element changes in the event of a change in the position of the functional element.
US08733832B2

An apparatus includes groove-shaped thin portions, of which the length direction is in a vertical direction, that are provided at predetermined intervals in the front-back direction in front of a hip point of a seat side garnish. When an impacting body impacts the seat side garnish and a load is applied to the seat side garnish, first, stress concentrates at the thin portions, and then the area between the thin portion and the thin portion of the seat side garnish, and the area between the thin portion and the thin portion of the seat side garnish deforms so as to move inward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the seat cushion will readily rise up in front of the hip point, and is thus able to be prevented or suppressed from rising up at the hip point.
US08733831B2

A mounting assembly for securing an entertainment device to a vehicle seat having a pair of spaced headrest post guides extending through a top surface of the vehicle seat is provided. The mounting assembly includes a first bracket member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end and the second end each configured to attach to a respective headrest post guide with the first bracket member extending between the headrest post guides. A second bracket member is configured to support an entertainment device and is slidingly attached to the first bracket member and is selectively securable between forward and aft locations relative to the first bracket member to position the entertainment device rearwardly of the vehicle seat.
US08733830B2

The headrest hat hook retractable side hanger allows the driver and passenger to hang their hat and coat on the side of the headrest seat inside a vehicle. An automobile headrest seat comprising of a headrest retractable hat hook hanger built into the right side and left side of the headrest that retracts inside the headrest for storage and can extend out the double hat hook from the both sides of the headrest to hang hats, caps, and coats.
US08733828B2

This invention relates to a roof structure in a vehicle, wherein the roof structure (100) is provided with printed electrical connection means (110) for connecting electrical devices in the vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a roof structure and to a system comprising an electrical device, a roof structure (100) with printed electrical connection means (110), a printed conductive pad (112, 212, 312, 412) and an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector (530, 730) is pierced through the roof structure (100) to connect the electrical device with the conductive pad (112, 212, 312, 412).
US08733827B2

A moulded structural tub for a vehicle, the tub having: a main compartment bounded by a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, and a floor extending between the lateral walls; a strengthening member integral with the first lateral wall and projecting in a longitudinal direction from the first lateral wall towards the second lateral wall; the profile of the surfaces of the main compartment being such that, in any cross-sectional plane parallel to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the plane generally defined by the floor, the length of a line drawn in that cross-sectional plane between a fixed point on that part of the strengthening member closest to the second lateral wall, and a movable point confined to the profile monotonically increases in length as the movable point on the profile is moved in a generally longitudinal direction so as to trace from the fixed point along the profile of the first lateral wall, the floor and the second lateral wall in an unbroken set of points representing the cross-section of the surfaces of the main compartment in that cross-sectional plane; wherein each of the said cross-sectional planes which meet the surface of the floor in the main compartment intersect the floor once along a single continuous line or at a common plane.
US08733821B2

The invention relates to a trim arrangement (10) for a pivot arm (12) of a motor vehicle door (14), in particular of a pivot and slide door (14), which can be moved out between a closed position covering a door opening and an open position releasing the door opening by means of the pivot arm (12) supported at the motor vehicle body (16), on the one hand, and at the motor vehicle door (14), on the other hand, wherein at least one trim element (18) is provided by means of which the pivot arm (12) can be covered at least partly on a side (20) facing the door opening, and wherein the trim element (18) can be moved relative to the pivot arm (12) between the closed position and the open position on the movement of the motor vehicle door (14).
US08733818B2

A check link assembly for a vehicle closure is configured to be operable in two phases: a detent check phase and an infinite check phase. The vehicle closure is pivotably connected to a vehicle body and has a closed position and an open position. The check link assembly includes a detent assembly having a detent configured to provide a detent check position between the closed position and the open position. The check link assembly also includes a hydraulic or pneumatic strut operatively connected to the detent assembly and configured to provide check positions at all positions between the detent check position and the open position. The detent assembly and the strut are configured to operate in series as the door is pivoted.
US08733810B2

A robot system capable of purposely withdrawing a workpiece into a hand, and capable of sequentially and effectively taking out the workpiece, even when workpieces are randomly located. A hand has a base part attached to the front end of a robot arm, at least two fingers pivotally attached to base part, and a roller device arranged at a front end of each finger. The roller device is a rotating belt device having a small motor arranged in the finger, a driving roller driven by the motor via a drive transmitting means, and a driven roller rotated with the driving roller via a belt.
US08733808B2

An animal waste collection device is able to illuminate the area where a pet has left fecal matter at night by a battery operated lighting system build into the device. The device consists of two separate lighting systems, one operated by either of two momentary switches located in the handle of the device located on the right end and the left end of the handle. When either button is depressed the general area where the pet has left the fecal matter is illuminated by two LED lights, one of each side of the device. The operator will pull the operating handle upward to open the two opposing jaws of the device. On the opening of the jaws, two additional LED lights will illuminate, activated by a micro switch sensing the opening of the waste collection jaws over the fecal matter being collected. On collection of the fecal matter into the hopper of the device, the operator releases the activation handle and the two LED lights illuminating the hopper area turn off. The device also contains reflective tape on each side of the device so that when the operator is walking their pet at night, there is a potential for someone seeing the reflective tape and realize that there is a person walking their pet.
US08733807B2

A self-adjusting striker assembly, for use with a box having a lid, a box body and a latch, includes a striker bar mounted to the lid which is operative to move linearly relative to the latch in the event of misalignment between the lid and box body.
US08733803B2

A fastener for a transport container includes two portions to be connected and wherein the fastener includes a fastener flange arranged in a first cup and a displaceable fastener hook tiltably arranged in a second cup, the hook engaging behind the fastener flange in a closed position, it is provided in that at least one spring is disposed such that the fastener hook is pushed toward the bottom of the second cup into a rest position.
US08733792B2

A castor wheel for a vehicle or an attachment for a vehicle, the castor wheel comprising; a wheel having an axle about which the wheel can rotate, an offset pivot mounting for mounting the castor wheel to the vehicle or vehicle attachment, the pivot mounting being connected to the wheel axle and defining a pivot axis perpendicular to and offset from the wheel axle, the wheel capable of pivoting about the pivot axis, and wherein the castor wheel also comprises a restrainer for restraining the pivoting of the wheel is disclosed.
US08733791B2

A pressure sensor, which detects a pressure in a space close to an inner side of an exterior member of a vehicle, and an occupant protecting device, which protects an occupant inside a vehicle are provided. An electronic control unit determines an occurrence of collision in the case where the pressure and a change per unit time of the pressure each satisfy a collision condition, and then makes the occupant protecting device operate. At this time, the collision condition is set to restrict the determination indicative of an occurrence of collision unless the change per unit time of the pressure is larger with lowering the pressure.
US08733783B2

The present disclosure includes a binding apparatus for use on a splitboard. The binding apparatus may be used to change the splitboard between a snowboard for riding downhill in a ride mode and touring skis for climbing up a hill in a tour mode. The binding apparatus can include at least one board joining device. The binding apparatus can also include a binding interface configured to receive a boot and selectively attach to a ride mode interface in a snowboard configuration and to a tour mode interface in a ski configuration.
US08733781B2

A trailer hitch is disclosed. Said trailer hitch comprises a first bracket assembly, a second bracket assembly, a coupler assembly, and a jack assembly. Said jack assembly is capable of mechanically adjusting first bracket assembly relative to second bracket assembly. Said coupler assembly is capable of releasably attaching to a hitch on a vehicle.
US08733779B2

A mounting (10) for a jockey wheel assembly has a first member (14), a second member (18) and a locking pin (32). A release handle (42) is connected at a first location to the locking pin (32) for drawing the locking pin (32) along a generally linear path and has a contact portion (52) remote from the first location. The contact portion (52) is for engagement with a bearing surface allowing the handle (42) to be rotated relative to the locking pin (32) about the first location whilst the contact portion (52) slides relative to the bearing surface.
US08733777B2

A corrugation bellows for a transfer between two articulated vehicles has a plurality of corrugations which are generally U-shaped in cross-section. Two adjacent corrugations are connected together by a frame. The corrugations may have a web interconnecting two limbs, with the web being substantially planar in a substantially neutral state of the bellows. The limbs extend at right angles to the web in a substantially neutral state of the bellows.
US08733770B2

A working vehicle has a castor wheel assembly selectively providing steering assist. A pivoting caster spindle coupled with a caster wheel and an engagement plate connected to the caster spindle in a fixed manner such that the engagement plate pivots with the caster spindle. A pivoting steering arm is rotatably connected to the caster spindle and a steering cylinder is connected to an outward end of the steering arm with a tie rod configured to pivot the steering arm. A keyed connecting mechanism selectively couples the steering arm with the engagement plate. In an engaged position, the keyed connecting mechanism couples the steering arm with the engagement plate such that the steering cylinder pivots the caster spindle and caster wheel. In a disengaged position, the steering arm is uncoupled with the engagement plate such that the caster spindle and caster wheel are free to pivot independent of the steering cylinder.
US08733764B1

A multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly utilizes a plurality of baseplates each having one or more sub-jaws pivotably attached thereto. Each baseplate is configured for attachment to, or is part of, the radially movable elements of a lathe chuck. Further, each baseplate has two pivotably attached sub-jaws. Each sub-jaw has two compression and two expansion workpiece gripping surfaces extending generally outwards from the front face of the baseplate: a first tier compression gripping surface, a second tier compression gripping surface, a first tier expansion gripping surface, and a second tier expansion gripping surface. The gripping surfaces each approximate a curved shape that matches the shape of a circle of a given radius allowing the sub-jaws to pivot and self-align to the workpiece surface for maximum surface contact and gripping force. Force-directed serrations can provide additional holding force toward the face of the chuck.
US08733760B1

A game and a method of playing a game are disclosed. A card with an image of a celebrity printed thereon is drawn by a player on a team. The player also starts a timing device, indicating his time of play, and manipulates a random number generator to obtain a random number. Within the given time of play, the player must recite a number of facts about the celebrity, corresponding to the random number, with players on an opposing team attempting to hinder the player's rotation of facts by playing disadvantage cards, and teammates on the player's team attempting to assist the player by playing benefit cards and/or help cards. Points are assigned based on recitation of the assigned number of facts related to the respective celebrity, and after multiple rounds of play are concluded, the points are tallied for the teams and a winner is declared.
US08733757B2

A sheet processing apparatus includes: a conveying member configured to convey a sheet; a first opening section including a conveyance guide section arranged on the opposite side of the conveying member across a conveying path and configured to form the conveying path and a first pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the conveyance guide section, the first opening section being configured to form the conveying path using the conveyance guide section if changing to a closed state and open the conveying path if changing to an open state; and a second opening section including a cover section configured to cover the first opening section if the first opening section changes to the closed state and a second pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the cover section, the second opening section being configured to cause, if pivoting, the first opening section to pivot following the second opening section.
US08733751B2

According to the present invention, a stacking face (84) is inclined such that a downstream side in a sheet discharging direction is lower, and is composed of a first supporting face (84a) supporting a sheet to be stacked at its front end part in a sheet discharging direction and a second supporting face (84b) supporting the sheet to be stacked at its rear end part in the sheet discharging direction. The first supporting face (84a) is structured to be shorter than ½ of a minimum size length of the sheet to be stacked, and this is provided rotatably upward around a rotating shaft (85x) furnished to a registration part (85r) of regulating the front ends of the sheets. The first supporting face (84a) raises the front ends of the sheets to be discharged by rotation of the registration part (85r).
US08733746B1

A vehicular suspension enhancement that comprises the addition of a pair of cellular polyurethane elastomer cylindrical shaped springs, one located on each side of an axle. Each spring is operatively attached between the axle and the vehicular frame and made from a cast of cellular polyurethane elastomer derived from a polyol diisocyanate mixture containing naphthalene-1,5-diisocyanate (NDI)-terminated prepolymer and a polyol selected from the group consisting of polyether polyol, polyester polyol, or a combination thereof.
US08733745B2

A vehicle suspension system including a shock upper mount assembly mounted to vehicle structure, a jounce bumper being made of an elastomeric material and including a vertically extending rod bore around a rod of a shock absorber, and a jounce rate cup. The jounce rate cup is made of an elastomeric material and includes a horizontally extending support flange having a lower surface mounted on the jounce bumper, a horizontally extending dust boot attachment flange spaced from the support flange and having an upper surface located below and adjacent to the shock upper mount assembly, and a vertical flange extending between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange to define a gap between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange, with the jounce rate cup including a vertically extending rod bore mounted around the rod.
US08733742B2

A venturi apparatus comprises: a liquid-receiving section configured to be open to the atmosphere and to receive liquid through an opening at a first end, and having a second end through which the liquid can exit, the second end having a second cross-sectional area that is smaller than a first cross-sectional area of the first end; and a mixing section defining: an intermediate passageway configured to receive the liquid exiting from the liquid-receiving section, the intermediate passageway having a third cross-sectional area that is greater than the second cross-sectional area; and at least one side passageway extending from the intermediate passageway to a perimeter of the venturi apparatus to fluidly connect the intermediate passageway to the atmosphere to allow atmospheric gases to be drawn into the intermediate passageway to mix with the liquid when the liquid flows through the intermediate passageway.
US08733725B2

A power slider includes a lower rail and an upper rail which are engaged with each other so as to be mutually slidable along each other, a screw rod which is rotatably supported on one of the lower rail and the upper rail, a feed nut which is supported on the other of the lower rail and the upper rail and is screw-engaged with the screw rod, and a gearbox which is supported on the one of the lower rail and the upper rail via a holder and which rotatably drives the screw rod. The gearbox is provided with a mounting bolt through-hole and is supported by the holder via a mounting bolt that is inserted through the mounting bolt through-hole. A resilient member is positioned in a space defined between the mounting bolt through-hole of the gearbox and the mounting bolt.
US08733716B2

An electronic device includes a main body, a mounting device, and a supporting device. The mounting device attaches to the main body, and includes a mounting member, a bracket, and a latch. The bracket is mounted to the mounting member; the latch includes a securing section, and is slidably mounted to the bracket. The supporting device includes a retaining tab to engage the securing section. The supporting device is to be removed from the mounting device when the latch slides on the bracket to detach the securing section from the retaining tab.
US08733712B2

Provided herein is a monopod or device for supporting a photographic instrument or accessory, such as a camera. The monopod or device comprises extendable members, e.g., an extendable mounting member with a mounting assembly and an extendable middle member with a threadably engagable, rotatable locking mechanism, a base member and an extension mechanism. The locking mechanism is configured to quickly lock the extendable members at an extended length or to collapse the same. The extension mechanism is disposed within the extendable and base members and secured independently to the same. This configuration enables a single smooth release with extending motion of the locking mechanism to telescopically extend or, conversely, collapse the extendable member portions of the monopod device.
US08733711B2

The cannula support includes a helical cord flexible along its length to permit selective axial displacement of adjacent coils for insertion of a cannula tube therein and a breathable material that permits prolonged skin contact substantially without irritation. Furthermore, the cannula support includes an exterior surface having a coefficient of friction substantially preventing sliding movement along the length of the cannula tube when mounted thereon.
US08733703B1

In one embodiment a method to provide electrical power to an aerial refueling drogue, wherein the aerial refueling drogue comprises a plurality of piezoelectric patches disposed on flexible members, comprises deploying the aerial refueling drogue into an airstream and harvesting energy produced by the piezoelectric patches. Other embodiments may be described.
US08733697B2

A balloon that includes an envelope with a gas contained within the envelope, as well as a payload connected to the envelope wherein the envelope has a first portion that has a first absorptive or reflective property with respect to allowing solar energy to be transferred to the gas within the envelope, and a second portion that has a second absorptive or reflective property with respect to allowing solar energy to be transferred to the gas within the envelope where the second absorptive or reflective property is different than the first absorptive or reflective property, and wherein the envelope is rotatable to allow a preferred ratio of the first and second portions of the envelope to be positioned facing the sun.
US08733696B2

A method for enhancing aerodynamic efficiency of a vertical tail includes varying the ratio between the control surface local chord and the vertical stabilizer local chord along the height of the vertical tail. This variation is configured to adapt the local value of the coefficient of the side lift applied to the vertical tail to a maximum acceptable value of the side lift coefficient. As a result, the aerodynamic efficiency is maximized by applying a coefficient approaching the maximum acceptable side lift coefficient.
US08733691B2

A multi-piece pivot fitting for use on aircraft with skid type landing gear has a forward fitting, and aft fitting, and at least a lower strap. This configuration allows cross tube loads to be transferred to the keel beams of the aircraft, thereby allowing selected longitudinal rocking of the aircraft and preventing the aircraft from going into a resonance state.
US08733688B2

An aircraft leading edge, such as, for example, an air intake (22) of a nacelle (14) of a propulsion unit, includes a coating (26) for the acoustic treatment that includes—from the outside to the inside—an acoustically resistive porous layer that has a determined open surface ratio, at least one alveolar structure, and a reflective layer, whereby the coating (26) integrates a frost treatment system, characterized in that a frost treatment system includes at least one vibration emitter (36).
US08733687B2

An apparatus is disclosed for reducing feed rate variations when unwinding a web material. The apparatus includes a rotational position and speed determining device for determining the rotational position and speed of the parent roll, a drive system for imparting rotational movement to the parent roll, a device for measuring the radius of the parent roll, and a logic device. The logic device generates an ideal speed reference signal and utilizes calculated and measured data to establish a corrected speed reference signal to make adjustments in the driving speed based upon the corrected speed reference signal to maintain a relatively constant feed rate. By dividing the parent roll into 1, 2, . . . n sectors, the data can be refined to a relatively high degree taking into account high speed data processing capabilities as well as operating system response times to make appropriate driving speed adjustments.
US08733671B2

Fuel injectors with intensified fuel storage and methods of operating an engine therewith. At least one storage cavity is provided in the intensifier type fuel injector, with a check valve between the intensifier and the needle chamber and storage cavity preventing loss of injection pressure while the intensifier plunger cylinder is refilling with fuel. This provides very efficient injector operation, particularly at low engine loads, by eliminating the wasted energy of compressing, venting and recompressing fuel for injection. Various injector designs and methods of operating the same in an engine are disclosed.
US08733670B2

A wick assembly for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid includes a wick having an external surface and a discontinuity in the surface providing a location in the wick of less resistance to a force applied to the wick than a location adjacent to the discontinuity. In one embodiment, the wick is adapted to be positioned to extend from an inside of a container, through an opening defined in the container, to an outside of the container, and the wick is formed such that a portion of the wick will block the opening when the wick is broken at the discontinuity.
US08733668B2

A system includes a portable liquid container having at least two chambers for containing at least two liquids separate and an apparatus having at least two separate input tubes configured for drawing liquid from the chambers. At least two separate output tubes are configured for passing at least two separate liquids to a user's mouth. A valve assembly includes a lower portion having at least two input connectors each joined to a one of the input tubes. An upper portion has at least two output connectors each joined to a one of the output tubes. An adjustable valve portion determines proportions of liquids in the separate chambers that are passed to the user's mouth where the liquids remain separate until reaching the user's mouth, and where liquids drawn back down the input tubes and the output tubes into the chambers remain substantially separated.
US08733666B2

A thermostatic mixing valve having a temperature adjustment mechanism for adjusting the temperature of the discharge fluid exiting a fluid outlet of the thermostatic mixing valve. The thermostatic mixing valve may include a tamper-resistant feature that resists accidental adjustment of the discharge fluid temperature, and in some cases, does not require specialized tools for purposeful adjustment.
US08733661B2

An apparatus for positioning a workpiece carrier with respect to a workstation can include a workpiece carrier movable relative to the workstation and having an encoder strip, at least one encoder reader located at the workstation for generating a signal in response to interaction with at least one encoder strip, and a drive engaging the workpiece carrier for moving the carrier relative to the workstation, the drive responsive to the signal from the encoder reader. A closed loop feedback control system can be provided for receiving the signal from the encoder reader, and for generating an output signal in response to the signal from the encoder reader in accordance with a program stored in memory.
US08733659B2

In an electro-optical reader, an aiming or a scanning laser has a laser chip and a monitor photodiode. Output power of a laser beam emitted by the laser is regulated by a feedback circuit for maintaining substantially constant the laser beam output power during normal operation, a disabling circuit for disabling the feedback circuit, a drive circuit for driving the chip with a drive current when the feedback circuit is disabled, and for concomitantly generating a photodiode output voltage, a current modification circuit for modifying the drive current by a predetermined current with a concomitant change in the photodiode output voltage when the feedback circuit is disabled, and a control circuit for monitoring the change in the photodiode output voltage, for determining whether the change in the photodiode output voltage is sufficient to indicate an over-power condition, and for interrupting power to the chip when the over-power condition is indicated.
US08733656B2

An apparatus for associating codes on parts with part spaces on a conveyor wherein each part has a leading edge and a trailing edge that define a part space and each part is to be marked with at least one code, the apparatus comprising an area scan camera having a two dimensional field of view (FOV), the camera supported adjacent the conveyor so that parts conveyed by the conveyor pass through the FOV, a processor linked to the area scan camera, the processor programmed to perform the steps of receiving images from the area scan camera, identifying the locations of codes on parts in at least one of the images wherein a code located is a located code, identifying the locations of leading and trailing edges of parts wherein the leading and trailing edges define part spaces and associating each located code with a part space that includes the location of the located code.
US08733654B2

A system and method for obtaining a fill image of a bank note being processed. At least one magnetoresistive detector is employed to obtain line-scan sensings of a bank note as the note passes. A central processing unit obtains the sensing as magnetic pattern data which is subsequently stored in a database for processing.
US08733653B2

A card reader device has a card entrance for receiving a card, such as an ATM card, a card enclosure in registration with the card entrance and defining an area in which the card is read, and a shutter for controlling access to the card enclosure from the card entrance. The card reader device also has a read head located in the card entrance for reading data from the card, and a controller for controlling the operation of the card reader device. The controller is operable to: (i) open the shutter in response to reading data from the card, and (ii) disable the read head when the shutter is opened.
US08733652B2

The present invention may be deployed in an interface between a security module (CH) housed on a chip card (CC) and a host device (HST) comprising a chip card reader (RDR). In the case where the security module (CH) operates at frequencies which are high enough to generate unwanted electromagnetic interference, the invention allows for a substantial reduction in such interference by providing a converter module (CVT) which allows the host device to operate at lower frequencies while a limited number of short, shielded connections are used to interface with the security module (CH).
US08733650B1

Various algorithms are presented that enable an image of a barcode, captured by a camera of an electronic device, to be analyzed and decoded for use in obtaining information about an object or item associated with the barcode. The algorithms can account for variations in focus of the image, as may result in blur due to movement or a lack of auto-focus features. An offline training phase can be used to generate a set of possible symbol appearance templates, where at least some of the templates reflect simulations for varying levels and types of noise in an image. A decoding phase compares these templates to a captured image and performs a sequence-wide optimization to determine the overall most likely sequence of digits.
US08733648B2

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a smart phone casing and information exchange system which enables a user to carry a single system that merges the digital and telecommunications necessities of the individual with the personalized cards, membership accounts, consumer credit and/or medical insurance or health information in a single source protected both physically with a hardened case, and digitally with appropriate safeguards for electronic protection.
US08733642B2

A secure financial transactions system generally includes a card that can be used a credit card, ATM card or debit card having a personal identification number (PIN) that can include a panic digit or panic PIN. The panic digit or panic PIN can be used to begin an emergency notification sequence including sending emergency signals and video transmissions from the commercial transactions machine. The card can include several biometric devices as well as financial transaction records. The card can include data to interact with data gathered from biometric devices on the ATM or POP devices. The card can then be interfaced with a personal computer. The card could also be made into other formats such as a ring, key chain, or other jewelry.
US08733640B1

Systems and methods for monetary cards are described. The cards are free from personally identifiable data, e.g., no name or embossment. In an example, the card includes a first number that activates the card and a second number written to the card at activation away from the card manufacturer. This helps prevent theft at the manufacturer. This second account is a bearer account where anyone who knows the account number can withdraw the funds from the account. The account may be funded with either the account number or the authentication number.
US08733635B2

A banking system operates to cause financial transfers responsive to card data read from data bearing records by a card reader. The system includes at least one automated banking machine comprising a cash dispenser. The system is operative during a cash dispense transaction request to receive through an automated banking machine, machine user input of data corresponding to a mobile phone number. The system is operative to generate a security code for the requested cash dispense transaction. The system uses the phone number to send the generated security code to the mobile phone. The cash dispense transaction is allowed to proceed only if the system receives machine user input of the sent security code.
US08733630B2

The present invention provides a system and method for an improved player tracking in a gaming environment. Certain embodiments include a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers for detecting a response signal from an RFID tag, an RFID tag generating a response signal including identification data in response to an interrogation signal transmitted by one of the plurality of RFID readers, and a location manager controlling transmission by the plurality of RFID readers according to at least one collision-avoidance scheme. The collision-avoidance scheme may include one or more of the following schemes: localized RFID reader managers coordinating electrical operation of the plurality of RFID readers, an active RFID reader transmitting the interrogation signal and a plurality of passive RFID readers listening for the response signal, an RFID reader multiplexed through a plurality of antennas, TDMA, CDMA, and/or quasi-random synchronization for the RFID readers, for example.
US08733629B2

A reading apparatus includes a writing tool body, a reading unit, and a processing unit. The reading unit is included in the writing tool body and reads a code formed on a medium. The processing unit acquires, from the code read by the reading unit, coordinate information regarding coordinates on the medium and processing specifying information which specifies processing to be performed on acquired information. The processing unit also performs predetermined processing specified by the processing specifying information on the acquired information. The acquired information is information acquirable by the reading apparatus and includes the coordinate information. The transfer unit transfers a processing result obtained by the processing unit to a predetermined transfer destination.
US08733623B2

A carton (12) includes a first wall (22) and a second wall (20). The first wall (22) includes a first edge (21) and a second edge (23) that are opposed to one another. The first wall (22) and the second wall (20) are adjoined along the first edge (21). The carton (12) includes a handle (30). The handle (30) includes a handle opening (80) that is elongated along a longitudinal axis that extends transversely to the first edge (21). The handle opening (80) is configured to be engaged no closer to the second edge (23) than to the first edge (21).
US08733614B2

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a tool assembly, the loading adapted to be coupled to the body portion. The instrument also includes a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the loading unit and a load switch coupled to a microcontroller. The load switch is adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the loading unit being inserted into the body portion.
US08733612B2

The present disclosure provides for a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a handle portion and a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument includes an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end. The articulating tool assembly is disposed at a distal end of the body portion and is configured to be articulated with respect to the body portion, namely, the articulating tool assembly is movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly.
US08733606B2

A wearable item carrier includes a first container having a first side including a belt receiver and a second side opposite the first side including a container receiver.
US08733602B1

A child carrier consisting of an adult harness and child harness. The adult harness has an adjustable adult belt with cooperating interlocking closure members to secure the belt around the waist of an adult and adjustable shoulder straps secured to the belt. In some embodiments one end of the shoulder strap is secured to the adult belt by a center strap, secured at approximately the center of the back of the belt, by an adjustable connector. The other end of the shoulder straps can be adjustably affixed to a connector strap that is affixed to said adult belt adjacent to said child foot support member. A child foot support member has a center brace and footrests, preferably hingably attached to either side of the center brace which is secured to the adult belt. The child harness consists of an adjustable child belt dimensioned to fit around the body of the child with releasable securing members at each end. Child shoulder straps have a first end affixed to the child belt and a second end that interlocks with receiving members on the adult belt.
US08733593B2

Proposed is a dispenser for discharging at least one flowable component from a cartridge. The dispenser comprises a cartridge holder (110) and an advancing element (120) that is slidable therein. A cartridge (200) can be axially inserted into the cartridge holder against a direction of advancing (V). In order to axially fix the cartridge, a rotating element (140) has been provided on the cartridge holder. In a first orientation the cartridge can be slid into the cartridge holder against the direction of advancing, while in the second orientation the rotating element axially fixes the inserted cartridge. Furthermore, in a third orientation the rotating element can be rotatable on the rotary axis in order to open at least one outlet opening of the cartridge.
US08733578B2

A dual-chambered beverage container in the form of a shot glass. The interior of the glass is bisected via a hinged divider flap, creating two separate chambers within the glass. The upper chamber holds a first beverage, preferably a shot of hard liquor, while the bottom chamber holds a volume of a second beverage, such as soda or juice. When the shot glass is in a resting position, the divider flap is closed, segregating the beverages in their respective chambers. A user begins to drink the first beverage, the hinged diver flap will slowly swing open, allowing the second beverage to flow out of the bottom chamber, through the upper chamber, and into the user's mouth. Thus the user experiences the taste of the shot of hard liquor only briefly before consuming the chaser beverage.
US08733574B2

The invention relates to a valve unit for a pressure vessel, the latter consisting of a receptacle and a lid which can be placed on said receptacle in such a way as to make it pressure-tight and said valve unit including: a safety function, pressure-relief function and pressure indicator function; adjustable indicator levels and pressure levels; an indicator pin (4) or indicator piston (10) which is supported against an indicator spring (7), can move in axial direction and bears on its portion becoming visible upon pressurization, due to its emergence from a valve housing (12), indicator rings, for example, for indicating the pressure inside the vessel; and comprising a valve body (5) which is movable in axial direction against the action of an exhaust steam spring (6) and, in the closed position, rests against a seal seat (19), lifting off from this, when a given pressure inside the vessel is exceeded, to uncover a pressure-relief aperture (20), in which case both the indicator spring (7) and the exhaust steam spring (6) are braced in the same direction against a common, axially adjustable pressure member (8).
US08733569B2

A transport frame includes a body (1) having walls and a detachable roof (8) arranged on top of the body (1). The roof (8) includes a top surface (9) and side walls (10) extending downward from the top surface (9) and having an essentially vertical dimension. The roof is locked in place with a locking element. The locking element has an operating handle (12) and a vertical bar (13) extending essentially downward from the operating handle (12) toward the wall of the body (1). With the operating handle (12), the locking element is adapted to be set to its locked position and open position, and the operating handle (12) is arranged to be used from the top surface (9) of the roof (8).
US08733560B2

A cable rack arm and support system suitable for underground power and communication service is made from reinforced non-metallic polymers that will not rust or corrode. A cable rack arm up to thirty inches long may be compression molded with long glass fibers in a polyester or vinylester matrix. Each cable rack arm is securely mounted to a non-metallic stanchion that may be made from a reinforced, pultruded composite material. Nonmetallic pins may be used to secure the cable rack arms to the stanchions. Each cable rack arm then supports one or more cables in cable saddles that are snap-fit atop the arm, thus keeping the cables accessibly organized in a manhole, tunnel or vault. Each saddle may include elastomeric dampening material to reduce shock and vibration in the mechanical and electrical environment in underground tunnels, vaults and manholes.
US08733557B2

The present invention relates to a substrate including a compound having blood anticoagulation activity and a hydrophilic polymer compound, wherein the amount of elution of the compound having blood anticoagulation activity is less than 0.6 μg/ml, and a manufacturing method of a substrate, wherein after a compound having blood anticoagulation activity and a hydrophilic compound brought in contact with a substrate are irradiated with radiation, unreacted components are washed out.
US08733556B2

Multi-layer membrane devices with reduced performance variability, and method of reducing performance variability of such devices. The variability is reduced by combining two or more membranes with similar pore sizes, and carefully selecting the upstream membrane based upon its performance rating, in order to control the performance of the overall device. Selective layering reduces the capacity range of the device when compared to random layering, with the mean capacity greater than overall population mean. The flux range also can be reduced, with the mean near the overall population mean. The LRV range also can be reduced, with the mean LRV near or higher than the overall population mean.
US08733555B2

A fuel filter cartridge includes a housing having first and second shell sections. The shell sections are generally symmetric about a cartridge axis and joined together. The first shell section has a convex-shape when viewed from a side and includes an end portion, a cylindrical side wall portion, and a transition portion connecting the side wall portion to the end portion. The end portion has an end surface forming a cartridge opening coaxial with the cartridge axis. The transition portion has a radius of 0.125-1.125 inches. A filter having at least one filter element is disposed within the housing.
US08733553B2

In a sheet processing apparatus which checks sheets and sorts the sheets for a plurality of cassettes on the basis of the check result and conditions for the sheets which are assigned to the respective cassettes, conditions for sheets such as bill types and bill states which are assigned to the respective cassettes are displayed on a display unit. When an instruction to save these setting contents is issued while a cassette and conditions for sheets which are displayed on the display unit are selected, the selected conditions for sheets are assigned to the selected cassette.
US08733552B2

An integrally-rotating cylindrical sieve 1 includes a hollow rotating shaft 2, which a driveshaft 21 is inserted into and fixed to, support members 3 radially extended from the rotating shaft 2, a cylindrical sieve body 4 made from a thin plate with a large number of apertures 5 formed therein, such as punching metal, and coupled with the support members 3, and sieve frames 6a and 6b attached to axial ends of the sieve body 4. The rotating shaft 2, the support members 3, the sieve body 4, the sieve frames 6a and 6b, and the driveshaft 21 are coaxially rotated together. The sieve body 4 is a cylindrical corrugated plate having wave crests and wave troughs arranged along its circumference and has a large number of apertures 5 formed in the corrugated plate. This arrangement improves the sieving efficiency of the granular material and effectively prevents potential destruction and cracking of the granular material, thus enhancing the commercial value of the sieved granular material.
US08733549B2

A system for containing or transporting wind turbine components is provided. The system includes at least one container for receiving at least a portion of the wind turbine components, and the wind turbine components are arranged within the container in a nested configuration.
US08733540B2

An excited frame vibratory conveyor is described and which includes a base frame; a motor mount made integral and with the base frame; a pair of vibratory motors mounted on the motor mount; and an electrical circuit for energizing the pair of vibratory motors in a fashion which reduces movement of the base frame in a vertical direction.
US08733536B2

A transfer station in the face end region between a face conveyor and a gate conveyor in the region of a drive for the face conveyor, the gate conveyor being attached to the face conveyor such that it can be moved pivotably to a limited extent relative to the latter. The transfer station being provided with a receiving plate that is arranged on a subframe of the drive for the face conveyor, which receiving plate is provided with a bearing seat, in which a specific connection pan element of the gate conveyor is mounted such that it can be moved pivotably relative to the face conveyor or its drive about a pivot axis which is defined by the bearing seat. The construction has the particular advantage that the pivoting bearing is readily accessible and has to transmit only low forces which result substantially from the loading of the gate conveyor.
US08733534B2

A belt conveyor system with a distributing belt conveyor unit having upper and lower movable frame assemblies that are pivotally connected to a gear unit that simultaneously moves the lower movable frame assembly in opposition to the movement of the upper movable frame assembly, therein allowing the belt to track smoothly when transferring the articles between one branch belt conveyor unit and two or more branch belt conveyors units. The construction of the distributing belt conveyor unit allows for easy removal of the belt.
US08733533B1

A roof loading device delivers materials such as shingles to a roof from the ground. The device includes a platform and a conveyor coupled to the platform. The conveyor has a first end pivotally coupled to the platform and a second end positionable in spaced relationship from the platform wherein the second end is configured for being positioned over a surface of a roof. A motivator is operationally coupled to the conveyor wherein the conveyor is configured for moving an object on the conveyor from the first end of the conveyor towards the second end of the conveyor.
US08733527B2

An electromagnetic clutch includes a rotatable input member and a rotatable output member. A clutch plate is fixed for rotation with one of the input member and the output member. An armature plate is axially moveable relative to the other of the input member and the output member. A self-energizing actuator converts rotary motion of the input member to linear movement of the armature plate. The actuator includes a biasing member urging relative rotation between the one of the input member and the output member and the armature plate to initially engage the armature plate and the clutch plate. The self-energizing actuator provides an additional clutch engagement force once the input member is driven and also includes an electromagnet to axially translate the armature plate and disengage the armature plate and the clutch plate.
US08733526B2

An electromechanical actuating assembly for at least an actuator element of a vehicle transmission with at least a drive device which activates a spindle drive (2) of an actuator device to actuate the actuator element. The actuator device comprises a toggle lever mechanism (4) which is activated via the spindle drive (2), and the actuator device is positioned coaxially with a transmission shaft (5) of the vehicle transmission and is positioned radially inside or radially outside with reference to the actuator element.
US08733523B2

The invention relates to a power assist element (11) for arranging in a synchronization hub (2) of a gear-synchronization device (1), with a basic body (17), which has a height (18), a longitudinal extension (19) and a width extension (20), wherein the longitudinal extension is arranged in the installed state in the circumferential direction of the synchronization hub (2), and which in the direction of the longitudinal extension (19) has two opposite distal end sections (21), on which respectively a functional face (22) is formed, which in the installed state cooperate with the synchronization hub (2). The functional faces (22) are inclined in opposite direction and relative to the longitudinal extension (19) or are designed to be offset relative to one another along a longitudinal middle axis (37) in the direction of the longitudinal extension (19) of the basic body (17), wherein the functional faces (22) are oriented respectively at an acute angle (23) to the greatest longitudinal extension (19) of the basic body (11).
US08733519B2

A linear impelled module damper includes a hollow cylinder having an inner body, an outer body, and a channel between the inner and outer body. The hollow cylinder has a sealed first end and a sealed second end. A piston movable within the hollow cylinder divides the hollow cylinder into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The channel communicates with the rebound chamber through at least one hole in the rebound chamber. A compression extension cylinder is rigidly fixed to the hollow cylinder approximate to the sealed second end on one end, and having a compression mount attached to the other end. The compression extension cylinder including an air valve being adapted to allow a piston rod to move in and out of the compression extension cylinder. The piston rod including a rebound mount on one end and extending into the compression extension cylinder on the other.
US08733513B2

Provided is a disk brake in which a rotation control part for controlling relative rotation of a cartridge and a cylinder of a parking brake mechanism is formed at the cartridge and includes convex parts having curved surfaces and concave parts formed at the cylinder and having curved surfaces, and a spacer formed of stainless steel, resiliently fitted into an inner circumference of the cylinder and including arc part having the same shape as the concave parts is disposed between the convex parts and the concave parts.
US08733511B2

A multi-disc brake, in particular for a road vehicle, includes parallel plates which are arranged at a distance from one another and which are rotationally stable and between which a rotatable brake disc is positioned. The radially extending plates and the brake discs can be pressed against one another during braking while overcoming a clearance and once the brake is released, the discs are separated from each other thus forming a clearance. The brake discs are pressed individually in the non-brake position by axially working restoring springs and/or in groups counter to an axially stationary stop, which stop can be rotated with the brake discs.
US08733507B2

An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in each elevator shaft of the system. The elevator shaft may include a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.
US08733503B2

An extension ladder stabilizer includes a ladder rung engagement rod having threads along at least a portion of its length and configured to be disposed in and project from each end of a hollow tubular rung of an extension ladder, a pair of internal supports having a substantially gear shaped hole in each, a pair of external supports having a substantially gear shaped boss with a through hole on a first face and an anchor channel on a second face opposite the first face on each, and a pair of ground engagement members. In a ladder stabilizing configuration, the extension ladder stabilizer is installed on a ladder and the ground engagement members are passed through the anchor channels and into the ground to secure the ladder from side slipping, kicking back, and kicking over when in use.
US08733502B2

The disclosed ladder system may be disposed in a store, warehouse, library, or similar facility where two storage shelves form an aisle. The ladder can be pivotally attached to a roller structure that moves along a length of the aisle on a guide track. The guide track may be disposed along sides of the storage shelves. The roller structure may be formed by a lateral rod extending between and coupled to two roller carriages. Further, because the ladder is pivotally attached to the roller structure, the ladder may fold substantially out of the aisle when the ladder is not in use.
US08733500B1

Thermally insulating septums are located internally within the cells of an acoustic honeycomb to regulate heat flow into the acoustic structure. The internally located insulating septums protect the honeycomb and acoustic septums located within the honeycomb cells from heat damage that might otherwise be caused by a heat source, such as the hot section of a jet engine. The internal thermal regulators are useful in combination with heat blankets or other thermal insulating structures to provide a reduction in size and/or weight of the insulating structure while still providing the same overall degree of thermal insulation for the acoustic honeycomb.
US08733499B2

A supporting structure for an anti-noise barrier and relative assembly method are disclosed. The foundation and the structural post of the barrier are a single continuous piece in the shape of a sheet pile. The sheet pile has a first part and a second part of such a length that, in use, the second part is insertable on the ground to realize the foundation, while, contextually, the first part emerges from the ground upwards. The first part of the sheet pile, besides, is provided with connection means through which to be able to connect the sound-absorbent panels, and with a plate on which to lean the panels themselves in such a way that the arrangement on the ground of the foundation and of the structural post is results realizable in a single phase to then proceed with the second phase of application of the panels.
US08733493B2

A hydraulic power steering system includes a rotation angle sensor that detects a rotation angle of a shaft. A rotary valve includes a valve element that rotates together with the shaft of an electric motor and a housing that has an internal space connected to oil passages. A control unit reflects an output from the rotation angle sensor on control of the electric motor.
US08733487B2

A battery unit comprises plural side connection portions which are provided at its both-side end portions in a vehicle width direction and connected to said vehicle-body member, and these connection portions are connected to a high rigidity portion of a vehicle-body member, concretely, to the vehicle-body member at a specified position where floor cross members integrally connected to a vehicle floor panel are located, to the vehicle-body member at a specified position where a torque box is located, or to the vehicle-body member at a specified position where a kick-up portion of the vehicle floor panel is located. Accordingly, the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body can be increased by utilizing the battery unit mounted below the vehicle body floor (vehicle floor panel).
US08733486B2

An electric vehicle is provided with a swing arm one end of which is coupled to a swinging shaft and the other end of which supports a rear wheel. An electric motor is installed on the side of the other end of the swing arm and drives the rear wheel. The swing aim is provided with a housing space provided in the vicinity of the swinging shaft and a guide groove that positions the battery in the housing space, the battery is mounted inside the swing arm by fixing the battery positioned in the housing space via potting material. The housing space is provided with an opening for inserting the battery on the side of the electric vehicle and the battery is inserted and fixed into/to the housing space of the swing aim from the side of the electric vehicle.
US08733484B1

A shutter system is provided for a grille of an automotive vehicle. A first vane set is disposed at a first grille opening section configured to pivot to a master position. A second vane set is disposed at a second grille opening section configured to pivot to a slave position. An actuator motor is coupled to the first vane set for controllably placing the first vane set to a selected master position. A linkage is coupled between the first and second vane sets for moving the second vane set to the slave position corresponding to the master position of the first vane set. The linkage includes a compensation spring configured to undergo compression when the first and second vane sets are placed in the closed positions and a limit strap for imposing a limit on expansion of the compensation spring.
US08733476B2

A motor vehicle comprises a compressed gas engine, wind resistance engines, reversing devices, a drive train and wheels. The compressed gas engine has a primary power output shaft driven by compressed gas to output main power, and each of the wind resistance engines has an impeller shaft driven by front resistance fluid to output auxiliary power when the motor vehicle is in motion. The main power outputted by the primary power output shaft directly drives the drive train, the auxiliary power outputted by the impeller shaft drives the same after being reversed by the reversing devices, and the output of the drive train drives the wheels.
US08733470B2

An electric machine tool may include an interface via which the electric machine tool can be mechanically and electrically connected to a battery pack. A coupling apparatus may be provided, which can be mechanically and electrically connected to the electric machine tool via the interface. The coupling apparatus may include a first battery interface for connection to a first battery pack and a second battery interface for connection to a second battery pack.
US08733465B1

A device for suppressing fires generated by lithium-ion batteries exhibiting thermal runaway. The device can include a thermally insulating enclosure for housing one or more battery cells. A fluid delivery system having a heat/temperature sensitive tube passes through each enclosure and contains an agent capable of extinguishing fires. When the cell or battery starts to undergo thermal runaway, the increase in temperature or the eruption of open flame causes the fluid delivery system to rupture inside the enclosure. The agent leaks out of the rupture and is transported into the enclosure and onto the malfunctioning cell or battery. Any fire is suppressed and the cell or battery is cooled down by the agent.
US08733464B2

A fire suppression system includes a divert valve downstream of a fire suppressant source. The divert valve is selectively movable between an initial first position which communicates extinguishing agent into a first distribution network and a second position which communicates extinguishing agent into a second distribution network.
US08733463B2

A hybrid cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system and method is disclosed. The hybrid cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system comprises vehicle ducting means operable to distribute at least one fire-suppression agent. Further, preliminary fire-suppression supply source means is coupled to the vehicle ducting means and is operable to provide a high volume flow of a preliminary fire-suppression agent.
US08733457B1

A system and method for axially displacing a portion of coiled tubing into and/or out of a wellbore so that the coiled tubing does not incur a fatigue cycle during such axial displacement, such as, but not limited to a translation system located between the wellhead and the injector head base to axially displace the injector head and, therefore, the gripped coiled tubing, away from and toward, the wellhead.
US08733452B2

A connector includes a male flange and a female flange allowing to assemble a main tube and auxiliary line tubes.A locking ring assembles the male flange and the female flange. The locking ring is mounted mobile in rotation on the outer periphery of the male flange while cooperating with the outer periphery of the male and female flanges.
US08733451B2

A safety joint for use in a subterranean well can include separable portions which, when separated, disconnect sections of a tubular string. Elongation of the safety joint can be permitted while longitudinal compression of the safety joint is prevented. A method of activating a safety joint in a subterranean well can include providing the safety joint with portions having end connectors which interconnect the safety joint between sections of a tubular string, permitting elongation of the safety joint, thereby facilitating disconnection of the tubular string sections, and then preventing longitudinal compression of the safety joint. Another safety joint can include separable portions, and a locking device which permits relative displacement between a generally tubular mandrel and a component of the safety joint in one direction, and prevents relative displacement between the mandrel and the component in an opposite direction.
US08733448B2

A method of operating an isolation valve can include transmitting a signal to a detector section of the isolation valve, and a control system of the isolation valve operating an actuator of the isolation valve in response to detection of the signal by the detector section. An isolation valve can include a detector section which detects a presence of an object in the isolation valve, and a control system which operates an actuator of the isolation valve in response to an object presence indication received from the detector section. A well system can include an isolation valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between sections of a wellbore, the isolation valve including a detector section which detects a signal, and the isolation valve further including a control system which operates an actuator of the isolation valve in response to detection of the signal by the detector section.
US08733444B2

A method of inducing fracture complexity within a fracturing interval of a subterranean formation comprising characterizing the subterranean formation, defining a stress anisotropy-altering dimension, providing a wellbore servicing apparatus configured to alter the stress anisotropy of the fracturing interval of the subterranean formation, altering the stress anisotropy within the fracturing interval, and introducing a fracture in the fracturing interval in which the stress anisotropy has been altered. A method of servicing a subterranean formation comprising introducing a fracture into a first fracturing interval, and introducing a fracture into a third fracturing interval, wherein the first fracturing interval and the third fracturing interval are substantially adjacent to a second fracturing interval in which the stress anisotropy is to be altered.
US08733428B2

An air conditioning system of a vehicle including a controller and sensors in communication with the controller. The sensors include an interior temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the vehicle interior and an inner surface temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the inner surface of the vehicle's windshield. The controller determines a dew-point for the vehicle interior based on the sensed interior temperature. The controller adjusts the dew-point or the inner surface temperature based on a correction value, and performs a defogging operation when the temperature of the inner surface of the windshield is less than the dew-point, wherein the dew-point or the inner surface temperature is adjusted.
US08733423B1

Metal alloy injection molding techniques are described. In one or more implementations, these techniques may also include adjustment of injection pressure, configuration of runners, and/or use of vacuum pressure, and so on to encourage flow of the metal alloy through a mold. Techniques are also described that utilize protrusions to counteract thermal expansion and subsequent contraction of the metal alloy upon cooling. Further, techniques are described in which a radius of edges of a feature is configured to encourage flow and reduce voids. A variety of other techniques are also described herein.
US08733416B2

A method for positioning an article within a label applicator and securing the article between a first roller, a second roller, and a moveable contact member includes securing the article by moving the moveable contact member from a first position in which the moveable contact member is not in contact with the article to a second position in which the moveable contact member is in contact with the article. A label is received for application to the article by delivering the label between the article and at least one of the first roller, second roller, and the moveable contact member.
US08733408B2

An apparatus for loading material into a stent strut can comprise a cover sleeve. The cover sleeve is elastic so that it can reduce in diameter so as to press against the stent strut, and expand in diameter so as to be spaced apart from the stent strut. The stent strut can include a lumen into which material is injected. When pressed against the stent strut, the cover sleeve seals side openings to the lumen and prevents injected material from leaking out of the side openings during the injection process.
US08733405B2

A pipe having an axially extending bore defined by a smooth inner wall fused to a corrugated outer wall is provided. The corrugated outer wall has axially adjacent, annular, outwardly-extending crests separated by valleys. The pipe further includes an outer layer fused to the outer wall, the outer layer having adjacent concave portions and convex portions, the concave portions being aligned with corrugation valleys of the outer wall so that each concave portion of the outer layer extends between at least two corrugation crests. A method of improving the resistance to deformation of a corrugated pipe having a smooth inner wall fused to an outer wall defined by annular crests and valleys is also provided.
US08733403B2

Water economizer device applicable to general fittings intended for its installation in hot and cold water feeding pipes and especially between the water supply pipe for shower artifacts whereby water consumption is reduced and the same water effect and the same sensation and result of conventional fittings is maintained. It is characterized by a coupled conduit between the water supply pipe and the water outflow artifact, within which a set of items are placed successively and operatively cooperatives between each other and which includes a piece that reduces water inflow, a piece that generates water turbulence and a piece that recovers outflow direction.
US08733402B2

A pressure control valve including a valve housing having a first opening and second opening. The valve housing including a valve member configured to control gas flow between the first opening and the second opening. The valve member is supported by a first membrane and a second membrane, both of which are formed on a single-piece membrane body.
US08733372B2

An improved hair styling device with heating elements and heat retaining clips inside the device's housing. The clips present double concave inner faces, and form an enclosed space when in a closed position. A heat retaining-element with an elevated heat capacity is incorporated into the clips adjacent the inner surface of the jaws of the clips; and also presents a double concave surface to the inside of the clips when in a closed position. The heating elements are made up of elongated heating rods with multiple heating locations along their length. Each heating location has an enlarged double convex area on the surface of the heating rods. The heating locations are complimentary to the shape of the heat retaining element, and therefore heat the clips quickly and evenly.
US08733371B1

A device for delivering an agent to the skin or the hair or the fur of a recipient. In one form the device has a comb-like extent of tines which are of a carrier material that will melt on contact with skin and thereby deposit an agent that is mixed with the carrier. In other form there is an abrading material in the mixture so as to abrade the skin and thereby allow the agent to be deposited. In the latter case the agent may be an inoculant. The tines may also be placed on a glove so that the agent can be delivered by moving the tines over a selected area to deposit the agent. The device can be in the form of a finger condom having a tine strip. The methods allow delivery of the agent using the various forms of the device and to accomplish various purposes.
US08733368B2

A device which facilitates the absorption of nicotine in order to reduce the incidence of tobacco smoking is disclosed. The device includes a tube defining an interior space. The tube has a first end with an opening and a second end. An inhalable, flowable liquid or gel composition is disposed in the interior space of the tube. The composition may include water, at least one vitamin, a flavoring agent, and nicotine. The flavoring agent may include an intense sweetener such as sucralose, and a natural or artificial fruit flavor. A user inhales on the first end of the tube of the device as a substitute oral activity to tobacco smoking and thereby ingests a source of nicotine that reduces the withdrawal symptoms experienced when smoking is stopped.
US08733360B2

The invention provides intrafallopian devices and non-surgical methods for their placement to prevent conception. The efficacy of the device is enhanced by forming the structure at least in part from copper or copper alloy. The device is anchored within the fallopian tube by a lumen-traversing region of the resilient structure which has helical outer surface, together with a portion of the resilient structure which is biased to form a bent secondary shape, the secondary shape having a larger cross-section than the fallopian tube. The resilient structure is restrained in a straight configuration and transcervically inserted within the fallopian tube, where it is released. Optionally, permanent sterilization s effected by passing a current through there resilient structure to the tubal walls.
Patent Agency Ranking