US08821938B2
Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution and hydrophilic or hydrophobic excipients that stabilize the drug and inhibit crystallization, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. Hydrophobic or hydrophilic excipients may be selected to stabilize the drug in crystalline form by inhibiting crystal growth or to stabilize the drug in amorphous form by preventing crystallization. The pore forming agent can be either a volatile liquid that is immiscible with the drug solvent or a volatile solid compound, preferably a volatile salt. In a preferred embodiment, spray drying is used to remove the solvents and the pore forming agent. The resulting porous matrix has a faster rate of dissolution following administration to a patient, as compared to non-porous matrix forms of the drug. In a preferred embodiment, microparticles of the porous drug matrix are reconstituted with an aqueous medium and administered parenterally, or processed using standard techniques into tablets or capsules for oral administration.
US08821936B2
This invention provides a solid pharmaceutical formulation having high physical strength and further having excellent drug release properties and digestibility of excipients when administered, which comprises (a) an active medical ingredient and (b) a pre-gelatinized starch in an amount of 10 to 90% by weight, said pre-gelatinized starch being prepared by pre-gelatinizing a cheap and stable usual starch during the procedure for formulation. This invention also provides a method for preparing the solid pharmaceutical formulation.
US08821935B2
The present invention is directed to microcapsules for reliably modified release and adapted to industrial reproduction of an active principle hardly water-soluble, other than anti-hyperglycemia agents. Each of said microcapsules comprises a core of hardly soluble active principle and a coating film applied on the core. Their mean diameter is less than 1000 microns. The coating film contains a film-forming polymer (PI) insoluble in gastrointestinal tract fluids, a water-soluble polymer (P2), a plasticizer (PL), and optionally a lubricating surfactant (TA). Said coating film represents at least 4% p/p of dry matter of their total weight, and its components P1, P2, PL satisfy the following characteristics: dry weight mass fraction of PI relative to the total coating weight ranging between 40 and 90%; dry matter weight fraction of PL/P1+P2 ranging between 15 and 60%; dry matter weight fraction of PL/P1+P2 ranging between 1 and 30%. The present invention is also directed to the uses of said microcapsules in galenic formulation.
US08821927B2
Oral pharmaceutical formulations containing ditosylate salts of 4-quinazolineamines are described as well as methods of using the same in the treatment of disorders characterized by aberrant erbB family PTK activity.
US08821925B2
The present invention is directed to compositions and methods of delivery of CoQ that is reduced in the presence of lipoic acid and, optionally a fatty acid and/or optionally in a monoterpene. The compositions that include the reduced CoQ can be formulated in soft gel capsules.
US08821920B2
The invention relates to a topical patch comprising a therapeutic compound-impermeable backing layer, a self-adhesive matrix based on polysiloxanes and containing capsaicin or a therapeutic compound analogous to capsaicin, and a protective film to be removed before use, in which the matrix contains liquid microreservoirs based on an amphiphilic solvent, in which the therapeutic compound is present in completely dissolved form and the concentration of the therapeutic compound in the microreservoir droplets is below the saturation concentration. The invention furthermore relates to a process for its production and its use in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
US08821918B2
Disclosed is a biocompatible, hemostatic, cross-linked gelatin composition comprising a biocompatible material comprising cross-linked gelatin and a sufficient amount of wetting agent to permit uniform wetting of the sponge in the presence of an aqueous solution.
US08821917B2
This invention relates to a sheet membrane for repairing a damaged tissue. The membrane includes an isotropic layer of cross-linked biopolymeric fibers in which the fibers are 10 to 1,000 cm in length. This invention also relates to a method of making an isotropic layer of cross-linked biopolymeric fibers. The method includes: (1) coacervating biopolymeric fibers (e.g., collagen-based fibers) having lengths of less than 1 cm dispersed in an aqueous solution to obtain coacervated biopolymeric fibers having lengths of 10 to 1,000 cm; (2) flattening the coacervated biopolymeric fibers into a layer; (3) drying the layer; and (4) cross-linking the biopolymeric.
US08821910B2
The present application relates to oligomeric antimicrobial compounds and compositions comprising the same. The oligomers are formed by polymerizing aminoalkyl(meth)acrylate or aminoalkyl(meth)acrylamide monomer(s). In addition to imparting materials with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, the oligomers can impart antimicrobial activity to substrates such as hair and skin.
US08821908B2
Mold-resistant construction materials distinguished by the presence therein of an azole alone or in combination with a sporulation inhibitor and/or with a substance which is antiadhesive with respect to microorganisms.
US08821904B2
A topical composition and its use for the prophylaxis and the treatment of defects connected to inflammatory dermopathies. Particularly, a topical composition including at least an alum, 18-β-glycyrrhetic acid and/or one derivative thereof, and vitamin A and/or one derivative thereof, and the use of such composition for the prophylaxis and the treatment of inflammatory dermopathies, preferably of the seborrhoeic dermatitis and of those affections in which the presence of an excess of sebum occurs.
US08821901B2
A method of selecting components for use in water-absorbing pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions is provided. The method involves selecting a film-forming polymer, a ladder-like non-covalent crosslinker that is capable of forming a ladder-like interpolymer complex with the film-forming polymer selected, and selecting a carcass-like non-covalent crosslinker that is capable of forming a carcass-like complex with at least one of the film-forming polymer selected or the ladder-like non-covalent crosslinker selected. The adhesive hydrogels provide high adhesion in a swollen state and bridge the gap between conventional pressure sensitive adhesives and bioadhesives. Methods for preparing and using the resulting compositions are also disclosed.
US08821898B2
The invention relates to novel insecticidal active compound combinations comprising, firstly, cyclic ketoenols or other insecticidally active compounds and, secondly, further insecticidally active compounds from the group of the anthranilamides, which combinations are highly suitable for controlling animal pests, such as insects and unwanted acarides.
US08821897B2
The present invention provides viral adjuvants for enhancing an immune response to an immunogen. In particular embodiments, the viral adjuvant is an alphavirus adjuvant or a Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis viral adjuvant. Also provided are compositions comprising the viral adjuvant and an immunogen, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising the viral adjuvant or compositions of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided are methods of producing an immune response against an immunogen in a subject comprising administering the immunogen and a viral adjuvant of the invention to the subject.
US08821892B2
Disclosed are compositions, including vaccines, and methods for vaccinating an animal against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and for treating or preventing hepatitis C viral infection in an animal. The invention includes a variety of novel HCV fusion proteins that can be used directly as a vaccine or in conjunction with a yeast-based vaccine vehicle to elicit an immune response against HCV in an animal. The invention also includes the use of the HCV fusion gene and protein described herein in any diagnostic or therapeutic protocol for the detection and/or treatment or prevention of HCV infection.
US08821891B2
The invention provides liquid rotavirus formulations that are suitable for oral administration to human infants. In particular the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines, comprising a rotavirus antigen, a sugar and a carboxylate wherein said formulation has a pH of between pH 5.0 and pH 8.0 and comprises no phosphate or less than 5 mM phosphate. The invention also provides methods of preparing said rotavirus formulations and use thereof in the prevention or treatment of rotavirus associated diseases in humans.
US08821877B2
This method provides a method for reducing HIV-1 viral load in an HIV-1-infected human subject which comprises administering to the subject at a predefined interval effective HIV-1 viral load-reducing doses of (a) a humanized antibody designated PRO 140, or of (b) an anti-CCR5 receptor monoclonal antibody. This invention also provides a method for inhibiting in a human subject the onset or progression of an HIV-1-associated disorder, the inhibition of which is effected by inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CCR5+CD4+ target cells in the subject. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject infected with HIV-1 comprising administering to the subject (a) a monoclonal antibody which (i) binds to a CCR5 receptor on the surface of the subject's CD4+ cells and (ii) inhibits fusion of HIV-1 to the subject's CCR5+CD4+ cells, and (b) a non-antibody CCR5 receptor antagonist, in amounts effective to treat the subject.
US08821872B2
Human pancreatic cancer cells possess a distinct plasma membrane CCK receptor variant that can be differentiated from the classic CCK-B receptor with selective monoclonal antibodies. Use of this receptor may be helpful in early detection or treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer.
US08821867B2
The present disclosure provides isolated binding molecules that bind to human 4-1BB, nucleic acid molecules encoding an amino acid sequence of the binding molecules, vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules, host cells containing the vectors, methods of making the binding molecules, pharmaceutical compositions containing the binding molecules, and methods of using the binding molecules or compositions.
US08821866B2
Method of treating or preventing the inflammatory response of colitis in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a substance that modulates IL-13 activity (FIG. 3). The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing the inflammatory response of colitis in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a substance that modulates NK-T cell activity. The invention also provides for the screening of substances that treat or prevent the inflammatory response of colitis.
US08821864B2
The present invention relates to compounds and methods useful for the detection and treatment of disorders associated with frameshift mutations in coding microsatellite regions. The compounds and methods are applicable in cancers, especially of DNA mismatch repair deficient (MMR) sporadic tumors and HNPCC associated tumors. The compounds are useful for detection of disorders and in therapy such as immuno-therapy. The diagnostic methods relate to diagnosis and prognostic assessment of disorders associated with frameshift polypeptides originating from frameshift mutations in coding microsatellite regions of genes based on the detection of immunological entities directed against said frameshift polypeptides in body fluids. With respect to the treatment of cancer, the invention pertains to methods which use immuno therapy with combinatorial mixtures of tumor specific frameshift peptides to elicit a cytotoxic T-cell response specifically directed against tumor cells for prevention and curative treatment of cancers and precancers.
US08821861B2
A fibrin sealant, comprises (a) thrombin, (b) fibrinogen, (c) polyP, and (d) calcium. The thrombin and the fibrinogen are separated prior to application.
US08821848B1
A composition and method useful in promoting hemostasis, absorbing ooze, and being antimicrobial with respect to an open wound. The composition broadly includes an antimicrobial agent, preferably povidone iodine, preferably a ferrate compound, and a cation ion exchange resin. This composition will destroy a biofilm which has formed over the open wound in providing a soluble iron compound, a cation chelation compound, and an active antimicrobial compound effective against planktonic microorganisms and biofilms. The antimicrobial agent is locked or sealed within the scab formed over the wound to maintain long-term positioning and anti-dilution of the antimicrobial over the wound.
US08821847B2
Perfume compositions effective against urine malodor and having a low odor, comprise between 20% and 50% of perfume ingredients comprising at least 15% by-weight of N-ethyl-N-(3-methylphenyl) propanamide.
US08821842B2
The present invention relates to an isoalkane mixture, to a method for its preparation and to cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions which comprise such a mixture.
US08821841B2
The present invention relates to aqueous skin or hair cosmetic preparations which comprise at least one polymer A which comprises, in copolymerized form, at least one ester of (meth)acrylic acid, at least one olefinically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable anionogenic or anionic compound, at least one free-radically polymerizable olefinically unsaturated urethane-group-containing compound which comprises no silicone groups and, if appropriate, further free-radically polymerizable compounds.
US08821839B2
A composition and method for imparting a sunless tan to skin is described. The composition and method makes use of a sunless tanning agent like dihydroxyacetone in combination with an adjuvant which is a vicinal diamine.
US08821827B2
An apparatus for preparing granular polysilicon comprises a reactor tube, a reactor shell, an internal heater, and components for controlling pressure, supplying a fluidizing gas and a reaction gas, discharging gas, and discharging particles. The reactor tube is associated with an inner space comprising an inner zone that contains a bed of silicon particles and is the site at which silicon deposition occurs. The inner zone comprises a heating zone and a reaction zone. The fluidizing gas supplying component supplies a fluidizing gas for fluidizing the bed of silicon particles to a bottom of the heating zone. The apparatus can minimize the problems occurring during the heating of silicon particles at high temperature for silicon deposition on the surface of the silicon particles.
US08821818B1
A method and apparatus for cleaning carbon oxides, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, from stack gas, from combustion of coal, combustion of natural gas or propane, or from a cement kiln by reaction using calcium zeolite and sodium zeolite catalysts. The method also includes cleaning the catalytic beds with nitrogen to remove the collected reactants and recover a fertilizer product and the catalysts for reusable.
US08821809B2
A test strip reader for reading a test result of a test strip plate or cassette is provided. The test strip plate or cassette includes a test strip and is configured for generating a control line or a test line in the test strip according to the test result. The test strip plate or cassette reader includes a light source, a driver configured for driving the light source to emit light to a section of the test strip corresponding to the control line or the test line, a photo detector configured for receiving light reflected from the section and generating a detecting signal corresponding to the test result, a signal processor configured for processing the detecting signal to obtain the test result and generating a corresponding result signal, and a display configured to display the test result based upon the result signal.
US08821805B2
This application provides a process unit for the production of alkylate gasoline, comprising: a) a nozzle having an orifice that dispenses one or more recirculated streams comprising ionic liquid catalyst into a chamber in the nozzle, b) a conduit for introducing a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising an olefin to the orifice at a close distance from the orifice; and c) a throat connecting the chamber in the nozzle to an alkylation zone. The process unit can have multiple Venturi nozzles.
US08821797B2
A hydrogen detection system can include an exposed detection element made of a catalytic metal which burns hydrogen so as to generate combustion heat. A hydrogen sensor can detect a hydrogen concentration based on a detected value of the detection element. A heating unit can heat the detection element. A hydrogen storage unit is included, and a hydrogen guiding pipe can guide the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage unit to the detection element. A flow rate adjusting device is attached to the hydrogen guiding pipe, and adjusts a flow rate of the hydrogen. A first dilution unit can dilute the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage unit with a dilution gas, and a controller can control the heating unit and the flow rate adjusting device.
US08821790B2
The invention concerns a diagnostic tape unit with a test tape that can be wound onto a spool which comprises a transport tape and a plurality of test elements mounted thereon, where the test elements have an analytical reagent layer, a carrier foil supporting the reagent layer and a piece of adhesive tape connecting the carrier foil with the transport tape, and where the front side of the reagent layer facing away from the carrier foil is designed for the application of a sample substance. According to the invention it is proposed that the test elements in combination with the light transmitting transport tape in each case form an optical multi-layer system for a rear-side reflection-photometric measurement of the reagent layer.
US08821780B2
A method and injection machine for producing a hollow product, such as a urisheath, use of the method for producing a urisheath as well as the urisheath. The machine comprises an annular cavity for receiving a silicone material. The material is injected in a cold state via a coldrun nozzle (20) and cured by heat in the cavity. The cavity has a narrow cross-sectional area over a substantial portion of the cavity and the cavity is connected to a venting area (13). The cavity has an annular enlarged portion (18) at the proximal portion of the cavity, arranged adjacent said inlet (24) and a groove (14) at the distal portion of the cavity. The narrow cross-sectional area has a decreasing radial dimension towards the distal portion of the cavity. The surface of the cavity is grit blasted.
US08821778B2
The invention relates to a method for encapsulating electrical and/or electronic components in a housing, the components being arranged on a printed circuit or a strip conductor in an assembly. Said assembly is positioned in the housing and is encapsulated with a curing, electrically insulating molding compound. The method according to the invention is characterized by encapsulating preferably in a molding chamber at a pressure below atmospheric pressure and by removing the negative pressure after encapsulation and before curing.
US08821771B2
A flame spray pyrolysis method for making nanoscale, lithium ion-conductive ceramic powders comprises providing a precursor solution comprising chemical precursors dissolved in an organic solvent, and spraying the precursor solution into an oxidizing flame to form a nanoscale, lithium ion-conductive ceramic powder, wherein a concentration of the chemical precursors in the solvent ranges from 1 to 20 M. The precursor solution can comprise 1-20% excess lithium with respect to a stoichiometric composition of the ceramic powder. Nominal compositions of the nanoscale, ceramic powders are Li1.4Al0.4M1.6(PO4)3 where M is Ti or Ge.
US08821768B2
It is an object of this invention to provide a bonding material capable of realizing bonding by metallic bonding at a bonding interface at a lower temperature compared to a bonding material using a metal particle having an average particle diameter of not more than 100 nm and a bonding method. There is provided a bonding material including a metal particle precursor being at least one selected from the group consisting of a particle of a metal oxide, a particle of a metal carbonate, and a particle of a metal carboxylate and having an average particle diameter of 1 nm to 50 μm and a reducing agent composed of an organic substance, wherein the content of the metal particle precursor is more than 50 parts by mass and not more than 99 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the bonding material.
US08821767B2
A cathode active material is provided by which excellent charge and discharge properties in a high-current range can be obtained when used in non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries. The cathode active material consists of a mixed metal fluoride represented by the general formula Fe(1-x)MxF3. M is a metal element selected from the group consisting of Y, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Cr. x is 0.01≦x≦0.15.
US08821761B2
An antistatic agent, a water-soluble electroconductive polymer, a solvent and a water-soluble polymer. In preferred embodiments, the water-soluble polymer has a polypeptide bond or a specific polyvinyl structure. Also disclosed is an antistatic film incorporating the antistatic agent, an article coated with an antistatic film and a pattern-forming method using the antistatic film.
US08821759B2
A rare earth ion doped lanthanum gallate luminous material containing metal particles and preparation method thereof are provided. The chemical formula of the lanthanum gallate luminous material is La1-xGaO3:Lnx,My, wherein Ln is one or more of Tm3+, Tb3+, Eu3+ and Sm3+, M is one of Ag, Au, Pt and Pd, the value range of x is 0.001 to 0.1, and the value range of y is 0.00002 to 0.01. The luminous performance of the lanthanum gallate luminous material can be greatly improved under the same excitation condition and the wavelength of emission light doesn't change, due to the introduction of metal particles into the rare earth ion doped lanthanum gallate luminous material. The lanthanum gallate luminous material has excellent luminous performance, and its emitting photochromic purity and light emitting luminance after excitation are high, so it can be used widely in various kinds of light emitting devices.
US08821756B2
The present invention relates to a marking on an item or substrate, which marking is based on a chiral nematic (also called cholesteric) liquid crystal precursor composition. Prior to curing the chiral liquid crystal precursor composition in the chiral liquid crystal state at least one optical property exhibited by the composition is modified by two modifying agents of different types in at least one area of the item or substrate.
US08821755B2
A liquid composition containing a liquid crystal polyester, comprising (1) 15 to 40% by weight of a liquid crystal polyester, and (2) 60 to 85% by weight of a solvent containing N-methylpyrrolidone, wherein the liquid composition has a viscosity of 1.5 Pa·s or larger measured at 23° C., and the total of the liquid crystal polyester and the solvent is 100% by weight.
US08821754B2
The present invention relates to the use of a specific group of alkoxylated and/or acylated non-quaternary nitrogen-containing compounds as anti-agglomerants for gas hydrates.The invention also relates to a method for inhibiting the agglomeration of gas hydrates in a conduit, and compositions comprising the gas hydrate anti-agglomerant, a corrosion inhibitor and/or a paraffin deposition inhibitor.
US08821735B2
An object of the invention is to effectively remove particles on the glass substrate surfaces, even in the case wherein abrasive particles having a small particle size is used in the polishing step of the glass substrate and a supersonic treatment is performed at a high frequency at the supersonic cleaning step after the polishing step. In a manufacturing method of a glass substrate for a magnetic disk comprising a polishing step for performing polishing of the glass substrate and a supersonic cleaning step for performing supersonic cleaning of the glass substrate after the polishing step, the polishing step uses abrasive particles having a particle size of 10 nm to 30 nm and a first supersonic cleaning is performed at a frequency of 300 kHz to 1,000 kHz to form secondary particles and then a second supersonic cleaning is performed at a frequency of 30 kHz to 100 kHz in the supersonic cleaning step.
US08821727B2
A wastewater treatment system includes one or more aeration tanks for receiving wastewater, a controller for controlling the amount of air delivered to each of the one or more aeration tanks by a blower assembly, and a sensor assembly for periodically measuring values corresponding to the amount of dissolved oxygen in at least one of the one or more aeration tanks. When the sensor assembly measures values that are less than a low setpoint value, the controller causes the blower assembly to incrementally deliver more air until the sensor assembly measures values that are not less than the low setpoint value. When the sensor assembly measures values that exceed the low setpoint value, the controller causes the blower assembly to incrementally deliver less air until either the sensor assembly measures values that are not greater than the low setpoint value, or the blower assembly reaches a preselected low operating threshold. When the blower assembly is operating at the preselected low operating threshold, and the sensor assembly measures values that exceed a high setpoint value for a first designated period of time, the controller causes the blower assembly to shut down for a second designated period of time.
US08821724B2
Liquid filter arrangements are described and shown. The arrangements generally include a filter member comprising a shell enclosing a filter cartridge. Unique features for interface between the enclosed filter cartridge and the shell are provided. Also provided are unique features for interaction between the cartridge and a filter head, in use.
US08821722B2
A filter is described that is combined with a device to address vibrations. Such vibrations can adversely impact filter performance. An engine system including this combination is also described.
US08821721B2
The oil recovery boom of the present invention is designed to collect great amounts of oil if used in conjunction with many other booms. The oil recovery boom includes a set of eductors, and removes the adjacent oil for extraction from the sea. A high pressure pump placed at one end of the boom takes water from the sea and pumps it through a flexible manifold. The manifold in turn provides water pressure to each eductor and, the oil carried with the water is then pumped into a barge or containment with overflow sections, which will then separate the oil from the water for later processing. Embodiments of the present invention adopts an array of eductors which can be positioned either in series or in parallel. The oil recovery boom of the present invention provides for the immediate and large-scale removal of oil from the sea.
US08821719B2
The arrangement for connection of a medical device, particularly a dialysis device, to a permeate line for the supply of permeate into the device is characterized by an adapter comprising a first supply line section with a terminal coupling member for connection to the water line, a pressure sensor and two successively arranged shut-off valves, and two second supply line sections that branch off from the first supply line member by means of a branching member. Both second supply line sections are connected to two different lines of the device in such a manner that disinfection fluid flows through both second supply line sections in a disinfection process of the device.
US08821707B2
Disclosed herein is an electric Al or Al alloy plating bath which comprises (A) an aluminum halide; (B) one kind of compound or at least two kinds of compounds selected from the group consisting of N-alkylpyridinium halides, N-alkylimidazolium halides, N,N′-alkylimidazolium halides, N-alkyl-pyrazolium halides, N,N′-alkylpyrazolium halides, N-alkylpyrrolidinium halides and N,N-alkyl-pyrrolidinium halides; and (C) a high boiling point aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, wherein the molar ratio of the aluminum halide (A) to the compound (B) ranges from 1:1 to 3:1 and the flash point of the plating bath is not less than 50° C. The plating bath never involves any risk of causing an explosion, can be handled industrially with safety and can provide a smooth and fine Al of Al alloy plated film. Moreover, the resulting film has high resistance to corrosion even when it does not contain any chromium and therefore, it is quite suitable from the viewpoint of the environmental protection and it can thus be used in a wide variety of applications including the plating of parts for motorcars, and the plating of parts for electrical appliances.
US08821703B2
The invention relates to a method for identifying the source of shed bioparticles and an apparatus that implements the method. The method involves collecting a sample of bioparticles from the environment, selecting from that sample the bioparticles most effective in identifying their source, and gathering data from those bioparticles to form bioparticle signatures. The bioparticle signatures are then processed into a multi-dimensional vector which is then compared to the multi-dimensional vector derived from a standard using a pattern recognition strategy that identifies the source. The apparatus has a particle collection device to collect the sample, a transfer device that selects information-rich bioparticles and a detector that restricts the movement of the information-rich bioparticles. The restricted movement is then translated into a bioparticle signature.
US08821695B2
A coal reforming system includes a drying furnace for drying low-grade coal, a carbonizing furnace for carbonizing the dried low-grade coal, hot air generating furnaces for supplying hot air to the drying furnace or the carbonizing furnace, and a carbonizing gas circulation line for supplying a carbonizing gas, which is generated in the carbonizing furnace, as a fuel for the hot air generating furnaces while the temperature thereof is maintained.
US08821694B2
The invention relates to a method of positioning service equipment of a coal-charging larry cart at charging ports of a coke oven, wherein a rail-guided larry cart is moved on the roof of a coke oven and is positioned at locations known by a machine control system and corresponding to charging ports in the oven roof in order to charge the oven chambers, and wherein then at least one piece of service equipment of the coal-charging larry cart is guided to the charging ports by horizontal biaxial positioning movements. According to the invention, an optical measurement method is used after each positioning of the larry cart to detect the coordinates of at least one marking that is applied to the oven roof and that has a fixed relationship with the center axis of a charging port within a measurement field that is predefined by the measurement method and to compare them with reference values that are stored in the machine control system for the marking. The deviations between the measured coordinates and the coordinates stored in the machine control system are determined for both axial directions. Differential values are then taken into account as correction values during the positioning movement of the piece of service equipment. The subject matter of the invention is furthermore formed by an apparatus for carrying out the described method.
US08821687B2
A flushable article such as a wipe that includes a substrate that includes fibers, and a dried binder composition in contact with the fibers, the article (e.g., wipe) being insoluble in water having a pH of no greater than 6, and disintegrating in water having a pH of at least 6.5.
US08821685B2
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a method of manufacturing wallboard which includes providing a first layer of facing material, creasing the first layer facing material intermittently to create a series of creased portions, providing a gypsum slurry on the first layer of facing material and providing a second layer of facing material over the gypsum slurry. Further, creasing the first layer of facing material intermittently can include intermittently creasing the first layer of facing material in a substantially linear fashion extending in a first direction of the first layer of facing material so that the first layer of facing material exhibits a linear series of creased portions extending in the first direction of the first layer of facing material and a series of portions that are not creased extending in the first direction of the first layer of facing material.
US08821679B2
The present invention provides a bimetal laminate structure and improved method for manufacturing the same. The method includes: applying a layer of adhesive to a metallic substrate; and laminating a decorative metallic sheet to the metallic substrate in such a manner that substantially all surface defects and all read through appearance along an outer surface of the decorative metallic sheet are eliminated. The resultant bimetal laminate includes a decorative metallic layer consisting of a first metallic material, and a metallic substrate consisting of a second metallic material that is different from the first metallic material. The metal substrate has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the decorative metallic layer. An adhesive layer is disposed between, and spans substantially the entirety of the decorative metallic layer and metallic substrate to rigidly attach the same.
US08821675B2
A method for making a carbon nanotube micro-tip structure is disclosed. A carbon nanotube film structure and an insulting substrate are provided. The insulating substrate includes a surface. At least one strip-shaped recess is defined at the surface. The carbon nanotube film structure is covered on the surface of the insulating substrate, and has a suspended portion covered on the at least one strip-shaped recess. The suspended portion of the carbon nanotube film structure is laser etched, to define a first hollow pattern in the suspended portion and form a patterned carbon nanotube film structure according to the first hollow pattern. The patterned carbon nanotube film structure includes two strip-shaped arms. The two strip-shaped arms are joined at one end to form a tip portion. The tip portion is suspended above the strip-shaped recess.
US08821670B2
Provided is an advanced grid structure manufactured by a lamination step of laminating a first tape prepreg group, a second tape prepreg group, and a third tape prepreg group repeatedly in the stated order on a forming die, in which grooves in a lattice shape are formed in three directions, so as to provide crossing regions in which two tape prepreg groups overlap each other, and a heating forming step of forming a laminate by heating under pressure. In the lamination step, the first tape prepreg group, the second tape prepreg group, and the third tape prepreg group are respectively laminated as one layer in crossing regions so that a tape width is maintained, and laminated in non-crossing regions in a state of being folded as two layers in a width direction thereof.
US08821669B2
Embodiments provide a process and machine for waterproofing semimanufactured footwear, clothing items, and accessories. Embodiments also provide semimanufactured products obtained with said process and/or machine. The semimanufactured product may have a three-dimensional conformation with an inner surface and an outer surface. A waterproofing sheath may be formed by superimposing two edges of a semi-permeable membrane, and welding the superimposed edges of the semi-permeable membrane to one another to form a strip and to give the waterproofing sheath a three-dimensional conformation. The semimanufactured product and three-dimensional waterproofing sheath may be arranged on a shaped support with an adhesive between the semimanufactured product and the waterproofing sheath. The semimanufactured product and/or waterproofing sheath may be pressed to bond the waterproofing sheath to the surface of the semimanufactured product.
US08821667B2
A pressure vessel for containing materials under elevated pressures includes a metal liner and an adhesive layer, applied to the outer surface of the metal liner, where the adhesive layer is treated with a vacuum bag in order to secure the adhesive to the outer surface of the liner. An overwrap layer is applied on top of the adhesive on the outer surface of the metal finer, where the overwrap layer is formed by winding a filamentary material around the liner, such that the filamentary material adheres to the adhesive forming an overwrap layer on the outer surface of the metal liner, forming the pressure vessel.
US08821663B2
A ballistic resilient run-flat tire device, kit and method for manufacturing the same are presented for providing a vehicle a capability of traveling for at least 30 miles at 30 miles per hour, after the device has been compromised as of result of exposure due to ballistic ordinance rifle shots such as 7.62×39 mm and 7.62×54 R or air loss from road hazard punctures. The device includes a tire carcass and a polyurethane inner coating inside the tire carcass that defines an inflatable hollow chamber within the ballistic resilient run-flat tire. The tire carcass has an annular tread, sidewalls, and beads. The polyurethane inner coating inside the tire carcass defining a hollow chamber provides additional protection along the sidewalls and tread of the tire carcass. The kit includes the un-interconnected elements of the device. The method includes the steps of curing, discharging, filling, injecting, introducing, mounting, obtaining, and preparing.
US08821654B2
An alloy comprising 5 at %≦Al<16 at %, about 0.05 at % to 1 at % of a reactive element selected from the group consisting of Hf, Y, La, Ce, Zr, and combinations thereof, and Ni, wherein the alloy composition has a predominately γ-Ni+γ′-Ni3Al phase constitution.
US08821644B2
Bevel/backside polymer removing method and device, substrate processing apparatus and storage medium
A bevel/backside polymer removing method removes multi-layered bevel/backside polymers adhering to a bevel surface and a backside of a target substrate. The multi-layered bevel/backside polymers include an inorganic layer and an organic layer. The bevel/backside polymer removing method includes mechanically destroying the multi-layered bevel/backside polymers and heating residues of the multi-layered bevel/backside polymers mechanically destroyed.
US08821643B2
A method of cleaning a chamber used for annealing doped wafer substrates. In one embodiment the method provides removing dopants deposited in an annealing chamber after an annealing process of a doped substrate by flowing one or more volatilizing gases into the annealing chamber, applying heat to volatilize the deposited dopants in the annealing chamber, and exhausting the chamber to remove volatilized dopants from the annealing chamber.
US08821642B2
Disclosed herein is a flat panel display (FPD) manufacturing apparatus for performing a desired process for a substrate positioned in a chamber after establishing a vacuum atmosphere in the chamber. The vacuum chamber is divided into a chamber body and an upper cover to ensure easy opening/closing operations of the upper cover.
US08821638B2
Provided is a continuous deposition apparatus wherein replacement operations of a feeding unit and a take-up unit are easily performed. The continuous deposition apparatus is provided with: a vacuum chamber (1); a deposition roller (2); evaporation sources (7L1, 7L2, 7R) which supply a deposition material to a film substrate from the side of the film substrate which is wound on the deposition roller and on which a coating is to be deposited; a feeding unit (3) which supplies the film substrate to the deposition roller (2); and a take-up unit (4) which takes up the film substrate after the coating is deposited thereon. The vacuum chamber (1) is provided with: an evaporation source opening for carrying out and carrying in the evaporation sources; evaporation source door sections (16L, 16R) which open and close the evaporation source opening; another opening provided for the substrate on which the coating is to be deposited, besides the evaporation source opening, for the purpose of carrying out and carrying in the feeding unit (3) and the take-up unit (4); and door sections (17L, 17R) which are provided for the substrate and open and close the opening provided for the substrate.
US08821637B2
Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses for vapor depositing tungsten-containing materials, such as metallic tungsten and tungsten nitride. In one embodiment, a processing chamber is provided which includes a lid assembly containing a lid plate, a showerhead, a mixing cavity, a distribution cavity, and a resistive heating element contained within the lid plate. In one example, the resistive heating element is configured to provide the lid plate at a temperature within a range from about 120° C. to about 180° C., preferably, from about 140° C. to about 160° C., more preferably, from about 145° C. to about 155° C. The mixing cavity may be in fluid communication with a tungsten precursor source containing tungsten hexafluoride and a nitrogen precursor source containing ammonia. In some embodiments, a single processing chamber may be used to deposit metallic tungsten and tungsten nitride materials by CVD processes.
US08821635B2
Si—Ge materials are grown on Si(100) with Ge-rich contents (Ge>50 at. %) and precise stoichiometries SiGe, SiGe2, SiGe3 and SiGe4. New hydrides with direct Si—Ge bonds derived from the family of compounds (H3Ge)xSiH4-x (x=1-4) are used to grow uniform, relaxed, and highly planar films with low defect densities at unprecedented low temperatures between about 300-450° C. At about 500-700° C., SiGex quantum dots are grown with narrow size distribution, defect-free microstructures and highly homogeneous elemental content at the atomic level. The method provides for precise control of morphology, composition, structure and strain. The grown materials possess the required characteristics for high frequency electronic and optical applications, and for templates and buffer layers for high mobility Si and Ge channel devices.
US08821633B2
A low-water-content castable composition produces cast products with an increased modulus of rupture, an increased cold crushing strength, and decreased porosity. The composition employs closed fractions of constituent particles with specified populations and specified gaps in the particle size distribution to produce these properties. The composition is suitable for refractory applications.
US08821618B2
A gas-adsorbing member is charged in low gas-permeable container (7) through its opening portion, wherein low gas-permeable container (7) is constituted by a hollow cylindrical metal member which is opened at its one end and is sealed at its other end and, also, has body portion (9) extending from the one end to the other end thereof such that the length of the body portion is equal to or larger than the maximum width of the end portions. Then, a sealing member is installed within the opening portion and near the opening portion. Then, the sealing member is molten by being heated. Thereafter, the sealing member within the opening portion is cooled to be solidified, thereby attaining sealing of the opening portion. Thus, it is possible to provide a gas-adsorbing-device fabricating method capable of suppressing degradations of the gas-adsorbing member and capable of reducing the fabrication costs.
US08821616B2
DDR nanocrystals were synthesized using hydrothermal secondary growth. The morphology of the nanoparticles can be manipulated by changing the ratio of silica to water, the synthesis temperature, and the mineralizing agents. Specifically, nanocrystals with morphology of hexagonal plates, octahedral, and diamond-like plates are disclosed. These nanoparticles can be used as seed coatings for DDR membrane growth on substrates, and for the fabrication of mixed matrix membranes, and for any other use where uniform, small DDR zeolite crystals are beneficial.
US08821613B2
Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
US08821600B2
A reactor vessel includes an entrained-flow gasifier and a dry solids discharge beneath the gasifier.
US08821599B2
A method, apparatus, and system for solar-driven chemical plant may include a solar thermal receiver to absorb concentrated solar energy from an array of heliostats. Additionally, some embodiments may include a solar driven chemical reactor that has multiple reactor tubes. The concentrated solar energy drives the endothermic gasification reaction of the particles of biomass flowing through the reactor tubes. Some embodiments may also include an on-site fuel synthesis reactor that is geographically located on the same site as the chemical reactor and integrated to receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction.
US08821596B2
The present invention provides a nitrogen-free fuel detergent additive, fuel additive and fuel compositions containing the same, as well as a process for making such additives, where the additive may be described as a hydrocarbyl-substituted alkyloxy and/or hydroxy aromatic compound and may be produced by the reaction of (i) an alkyloxy and/or hydroxy aromatic compound and (ii) a polyolefin containing from 4 to 350 carbon atoms, in the presence of an optional solvent and/or catalyst, wherein the resulting nitrogen free additive provides acceptable engine deposit control that is comparable and/or better than the deposit control provided by nitrogen-containing fuel additives.
US08821593B2
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an electrode for an electrochemical element, that is capable of forming an electrode active material layer on a current collector, particularly a perforated current collector having through-holes extended from the obverse surface to the reverse surface thereof, such as a punching metal or an expanded metal, simply, evenly and with good adhesion. The method is characterized by comprising the steps of (1) forming an electrode active material layer on a surface of a base material by using an electrode composition containing an electrode active material, an electroconductive material, and a binder, (2) laminating a current collector on the electrode active material layer formed on the surface of the base material, followed by hot pressing to bond the electrode active material layer and the current collector to each other, and (3) separating the base material from the electrode active material layer.
US08821588B2
Anchoring system for a prosthetic or orthotic device includes a fastener comprising a base and a clasp-engaging member, wherein the fastener further comprises an adhesive to secure the base directly to skin of a wearer; and a clasp comprising a first end configured to engage and rotate about the clasp-engaging member and a second end configured to engage the activation cable of a prosthetic or orthotic device. Also included is a prosthetic or orthotic system that includes the anchoring system in combination with a prosthetic or orthotic device, as well as a method of securing a prosthetic or orthotic device on a wearer using the anchoring system.
US08821585B2
A composite implant includes an anisotropic surgical mesh having more stretchability along a first axis and less stretchability along a second axis that traverses the first axis, and an alignment marker overlying a first major surface of the anisotropic mesh and extending along the first axis. The implant includes a first absorbable, anti-adhesion film overlying the alignment marker and the first major surface of the anisotropic mesh, and a second absorbable, anti-adhesion film overlying the second major surface of the biocompatible mesh. The alignment marker is disposed between the first and second absorbable films and the first and second absorbable films are laminated to the anisotropic mesh.
US08821578B2
An intervertebral implant device is presented that may comprise a pair of substantially parallel opposed arcuate surfaces, a pair of substantially parallel opposed frictional surfaces each including a plurality of raised structures, a substantially curved end wall joining the par of parallel opposed arcuate surfaces, and a substantially recessed end wall joining the pair of parallel opposed arcuate surfaces. In certain embodiments, the intervertebral implant device defines one or more voids in which a bone graft material is selectively disposed. Preferably, the substantially recessed end wall is configured to selectively and pivotable receive one or more surgical implantation devices.
US08821571B2
The invention concerns compensatory container (1) to influence blood pressure, comprising volume chamber (2) with connectors (3) for connecting volume chamber (2) to a natural cardiovascular system, and in which a change in pressure in the cardiovascular system may effect a change in volume of volume chamber (2), as well as means of adjustment which limit the change in volume of volume chamber (2) in a lower pressure region below a pressure threshold of at least 100 mmHg to a maximum of 10 cm3, and which, in an upper pressure region between the pressure threshold and 150 mmHg, effect a change in volume of volume chamber (2) of not less than 10 cm3, whereby the means of adjustment comprise frame (4) and at least one flexible body (5) working in conjunction with such frame. Frame (4) and flexible body (5) are located outside volume chamber (2), with frame (4) having two front parts (6) and at least three support rods (7) connecting two front parts (6), between which is situated the at least one flexible body (5).
US08821570B2
Annuloplasty rings are employed to treat heart valve defects, such as regurgitation. Synching the heart tissue to the ring restores the valve opening to its approximate original size and operating efficiency. Adjustable annuloplasty rings allow for a proper degree of synching both during open heart surgery and over the patient's lifetime. A subcutaneous port may be coupled to an adjustable annuloplasty ring such that an external activation energy generator can be used to heat the adjustable annuloplasty ring and thereby adjust the size of the annuloplasty ring.
US08821559B2
An intracranial, light-emitting implant for providing therapy to a patient having Alzheimer's Disease.
US08821557B2
A resorbable screw fastener and a method of firing with an applicator capable of applying a surgical fastener to tissue in order to form tissue connection to secure objects to tissue, the fastener including a body portion having a helical thread, a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion. The resorbable screw fastener is 100% resorbed in vivo during a period of time ranging from about 14 days to about one year after implantation.
US08821556B2
The invention relates to a support (1) for receiving at least one surgical object, in particular at least one bone screw (2), in a receiving position (A). Said support (1) comprises at least one supporting surface (3) which is designed and arranged in such a manner that a supporting area (5) of the object can be brought into contact with the supporting surface (3) in the receiving position (A). Said object can be removed from the receiving position (A) in the direction of removal (E). The direction of removal (E) extends at an angle of a maximum 45°, preferably a maximum 20°, more particularly essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the object housed in the receiving position (A). Said support (1) comprises at least one mounting surface (4) that can be moved in relation to the base body (23) and which is designed and arranged in such a manner that the object can be maintained by means of the mounting surface (4) in the receiving position (A), in particular in a clamped manner. The invention also relates to a mounting (26) for fixing a bone plate support (27) for a bone plate (28) to a base plate (29), a bone plate support (27) and a system comprising a mounting (26) and a unit (33) from a bone plate support (27) and a bone plate (28).
US08821549B2
Apparatus, systems and methods are used to repair, reconstruct and/or replace spinal features. A flexible longitudinal fixation component such a suture is passed around or through a portion of a spine, with the end sections of the component either being attached to one another or coupled to at least one bone implant. The bone implant may be a bone anchor or may form part of a pedicle screw assembly. The flexible longitudinal fixation component may pass through an anulus fibrosis (AF) and at least one intra-aperture component situated within a void or defect in an AF. The intra-aperture component may be composed of a porous mesh, allograft tissue or xenograft tissue. The intra-aperture component preferably includes one or more proximal-to-distal channels facilitating the intentional initial passage of nucleus pulposis (NP) tissue while preventing the extrusion of the NP long term.
US08821545B2
A surgical filament snare assembly including an anchor capable of being fixated in bone and having a filament engagement feature. A first filament has a noose with first and second noose limbs connected, preferably slidably, to the filament engagement feature. The first and second noose limbs emerge from the anchor as first and second free filament limbs that are capable of being passed through tissue to be repaired and then passable through the noose. The noose is capable of receiving the free filament limbs and strangulating them when tension is applied to at least one of the free filament limbs and the noose to enable incremental tensioning of the tissue after anchor fixation. Preferably, the snare assembly further includes a flexible sleeve joining at least some portion of the first and second free filament limbs to facilitate passing of the free filament limbs as a single unit.
US08821543B2
An adjustable anchor system for securing tissue to bone, including an anchor having at least one passage extending from a proximal end toward a distal end. The passage defines a restriction such as a restricted opening. The anchor has at least one bone-engaging feature disposed between the proximal and distal ends. The system further includes a first material formed as a closed loop and capable of being placed through a portion of the tissue, and a second filament having a terminal end, a post limb and a sliding knot tied between the terminal end and the post limb to establish an elongated, adjustable-length loop which extends beyond the proximal end of the anchor and captures the closed loop of the first material. The knot of the second filament is restrained by the restricted opening when tension is applied as desired to the post limb to shorten the elongated loop to draw the tissue toward the anchor.
US08821541B2
A threaded suture anchor with an eyelet shield transversely molded at a distal end of the anchor body, over which one or more strands of suture is looped. The anchor body is threaded and has a tapered distal portion. The proximal end portion of the suture anchor body has a polygonally shaped opening to accept a polygonal drive head, preferably hexagonal or square. The peripheral surface defining polygonally shaped opening is rounded and smooth to prevent abrading sutures placed in contact therewith. In another embodiment, a push-in anchor is provided with an eyelet shield at the proximal end of the anchor.
US08821530B2
A vascular filter (1) comprises a proximal support hoop (3), a plurality of support struts (5), and a plurality of capture arms (6). The proximal support hoop (3) extends around the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a wave pattern having six distal peaks (11) and six proximal peaks (11). The proximal support hoop (3) comprises an enlarged end element at each peak (11). The support struts (5) extend longitudinally along the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a curve (14). Two capture arms (6) are connected to the proximal support hoop (3) at each distal peak (11). Each capture arm 6 extends from the distal peak (11) to an apex (7) in a curve (12, 13). The concave portion of the first curve (12) faces inwardly towards the concave portion of the second curve (13).
US08821528B2
The present provides a removable vessel filter comprising a first and second filtering portion and a first and second anchoring portion, wherein a transverse dimension of the first filtering portion in an expanded configuration is less than a transverse dimension of the first anchoring portion in an expanded configuration, and a transverse dimension of the second filtering portion is less than a transverse dimension of the second anchoring portion. The first and second filtering portions are positioned closer to each other than the first and second anchoring portions, and the anchoring portions being formed on first and second opposite portions of the vessel filter. The vessel filter is removable from a vessel wall by engagement of either the first filtering portion or the second filtering portion.
US08821523B2
The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments, structures and methods for enhancing the properties of tissue to be repaired or joined. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical stapling apparatus is provided including a wound treatment material dispersion system for delivering wound treatment material to a target surgical site. The dispersion system includes an aperture formed in the anvil assembly oriented to dispense wound treatment material in an outward direction; and a source of wound treatment material in fluid communication with the aperture of the anvil assembly.
US08821522B2
There are disclosed various embodiments of surgical tacks for use in surgical procedures. The tacks generally include a head and a barrel portion extending distally from the head. Preferably, the head and the barrel portion define a throughbore for receipt of a drive instrument. A thread on the head is provided to engage threads in the installation tool. A tissue thread is provided on the barrel portion to engage tissue. Distal and proximal surfaces of the tissue thread may be oriented at various angles relative to the barrel portion. There is also disclosed an insertion instrument to insert one or more tacks as well as a method of use. There is further disclosed a model device for use in explaining the operation of the instrument.
US08821513B1
The navel umbilical cord tab is a method and apparatus provided for cleaning the navel and umbilical cord.The navel umbilical cord tab placed around the navel with the umbilical cord protruding through the center orificeThe navel umbilical cord tab is engaged to maneuver, control, support, and protect the umbilical cord.The navel umbilical cord tab allows for thorough cleaning of the navel and umbilical cord using cotton swabs with or without cleaning chemicalsThe navel umbilical cord tab eliminates physical holding of the umbilical cord during the cleaning procedure.
US08821512B2
A manipulator includes a control unit (1), with handle (4) and control buttons (4a-4d), and a connecting arm (2) which, at its proximal end (2a), carries the control unit (1) and, at its distal end (2b), carries a work unit (3). The handle (4) is articulated about at least one transverse articulation axis (4e), which is itself situated at an intermediate position along the handle (4). A particularly ergonomic manipulator is thus obtained which is easy to learn to use and which efficiently separates the stresses arising from movements of the tool support (5) and the stresses arising from holding and moving the manipulator itself.
US08821506B2
A bone screw comprises an interior channel and at least one opening extending from the interior channel to an exterior of the screw shaft. A head is connected to the screw shaft. A fluid delivery probe comprises an interior channel. The fluid delivery probe is locked to the head so that the fluid delivery probe does not separate from the head under extremely high pressures when a fluid is pumped through the fluid delivery probe and into the screw shaft. Also, a leak-free seal is formed between the fluid delivery probe and the screw shaft so that the leak-free seal does not leak under extremely high pressures when a fluid is pumped through the fluid delivery probe and into the screw shaft.
US08821501B2
A patella resection assembly comprises a patella resection guide and a stylus. The patella resection guide has bone-gripping members on two movable arms and a saw guide surface. The stylus is pivotably mounted to the arms of the resection guide and has a free end received in the slot in the resection guide. The arms of the patella resection guide are movable to a variety of positions with different distances between the bone-gripping members while the stylus is in place.
US08821498B2
A bone block assembly including a bone block having a proximal end, a distal end, a central axis defined therethrough, and a hole formed therethrough, and a threaded screw having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first eyelet formed on the proximal end of the threaded screw, the threaded screw configured to be received within the hole of the bone block. The first eyelet of the threaded screw is, at least partially, exposed on the proximal end of the bone block when the threaded screw is fully engaged with the bone block. The first eyelet of the threaded screw is configured to receive a suture.
US08821496B2
A cover for use in protecting a resected surface of a long bone for use in joint arthroplasty is provided. The cover includes a generally planar portion having opposed generally parallel first and second surfaces defining a periphery extending from the first surface and the second surface. The cover also includes a lip extending from the first surface at the periphery of the planar portion in a direction not planar with the generally planar portion.
US08821490B2
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for preventing reuse of a surgical instrument. The single-use surgical instrument includes a housing, an electrical connector and a treatment component. Indicia may be printed on the housing, the electrical connector and/or the treatment component. A removable ink is applied to any portion of the surgical instrument in the form of indicia that is readable by a scanning device. The removable ink includes a protein-based composition that is reactivateable with a sterilization solution having an enzyme-based composition such that upon sterilization, the removable ink reacts with the sterilizing solution and becomes unreadable by the scanning device.
US08821486B2
Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue.
US08821484B2
A method, system, and device for detecting whether an expandable member completely occludes an anatomic passageway allows a user, such as a physician, clinician, or surgeon, to perform a medical procedure more efficiently and increases the procedure's chances of success. An incomplete occlusion can be immediately detected by monitoring the pressure difference across the expandable member. Through this method, a user can quickly diagnose the problem and reposition the expandable member in the anatomic passageway. In particular, in a cryoablation procedure, devices incorporating this method can help ensure a uniform and complete lesion in the pulmonary vein to electrically isolate the pulmonary vein from the atrium, thus preventing atrial fibrillation.
US08821483B2
A gradual ramp-up of output power in a medical laser prevents rapid temperature rise at a fiber tip of a laser handpiece when residual contamination from a prior medical procedure remains on the fiber tip after an extended cooling period. The gradual ramp-up eliminates effects of an acoustic shock wave resulting from the rapid temperature rise to prevent damage to fiber and optical components in the laser device.
US08821482B2
The invention provides a skin treatment device comprising a laser source (40) and focusing optics (50), such that a focal spot (18) is positioned in a dermis layer (24) of the skin to be treated. The laser beam (42) is powered and focused (16) such that a LIOB (laser induced optical breakdown) phenomenon is obtained, which affects the skin in order to stimulate re-growth of tissue. This in turn reduces wrinkles (30). The device may comprise wrinkle-determining means (52, 54, 56, 58). The focusing optics (50) may have a numerical aperture of at least 0.4. The invention also provides a corresponding method to treat skin, in particular to reduce wrinkles (30), by providing a focused laser beam (16) that causes LIOB in the dermis layer (24) of the skin. The advantage is that damage to overlaying epidermis layers may be avoided by the use of the very local LIOB phenomenon.
US08821480B2
A wrist mechanism for an instrument used in minimally invasive medical procedures employs only four drive cables for control of the pitch, yaw, and grip of an effector. To reduce part count, no pulleys are used. Instead, solid surfaces of clevises in the wrist mechanism cradle the drive cables and are curved in multiple directions to maintain a fixed moment arm for cable torques and eliminate the need for large cable wrap angles. Further, the stiffness of each of the four drive cables can be controlled for improved clinical performance. In particular, the stiffness of the two drive cables that cause grips to close can be greater than the stiffness of the remaining two drive cables that cause the grips to open. The arrangement can minimize cable slack, improving fidelity of motion.
US08821477B2
Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include an elongate core member and a tubular member disposed about a portion of the core member. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein. The medical devices may be configured to have a preferential bending direction.
US08821476B2
Devices and methods are described herein for engraftment of stem cells into a pancreas using an endovascular approach. Targeted intra-arterial injection of stem cells selectively in a splenic artery can achieve engraftment of insulin producing cells in the tail of the pancreas with high efficiency and without systemic circulation of these cells to other organs. In one embodiment, a catheter device includes expandable occlusion elements in the form of inflatable balloons that can be used to isolate a proximal and distal end of a pancreatic portion of the splenic artery. In another embodiment, the occlusion elements include a filter element instead of a balloon. In some embodiments, targeted delivery of stem cells to the pancreatic tail can be achieved for treatment of, for example, diabetes. In some embodiments, an arterial section of the splenic artery can be isolated for selective perfusion of therapeutic cells/drugs to the tail of the pancreas.
US08821475B2
A method for delivering a target volume of fluid to a destination is provided. The method includes delivering a first volume of fluid to the destination in increments each having approximately a first incremental volume, the first volume of fluid being less than the target volume and delivering a second volume of fluid to the destination in increments each having approximately a second incremental volume, the second incremental volume being less than the first incremental volume, such that the sum of the first volume and the second volume is approximately equal to the target volume.
US08821474B2
A drug delivery device includes a first portion, formed primarily from elastomeric material, and a closure portion, cooperating with an opening of the first portion so as to complete an inflatable drug reservoir. The closure portion extends into the first portion inwards from the opening, defining at least one region of overlap between the first portion and the closure portion. The first portion and the closure portion define an outlet flow path for releasing a drug from the drug reservoir, with at least part of the outlet flow path passing between the first portion and the closure portion in the region of overlap. The region of overlap is disposed so as to be acted upon by a pressure within the drug reservoir thereby changing a flow impedance of the outlet flow path to provide an at least partially pressure compensated flow regulating mechanism.
US08821468B2
The invention relates to a disposable absorbent incontinence diaper (2) of the open type, having a main part (4), comprising a front region (6) having front lateral longitudinal edges (42), a rear region (8) having rear lateral longitudinal edges (41) and a crotch region (10) that is located in between in the longitudinal direction (28) and comes to lie between the legs of a user, wherein the main part (4) comprises an absorbent pad (12), and having rear side portions (20) that are attached to the rear region (8) on both sides and front side portions (22) that are attached to the front region (6) on both sides, said rear and front side portions extending in the transverse direction (30) beyond the lateral front and rear longitudinal edges (42, 41) of the main part (4), and wherein the rear side portions (20) have first closure means (32) which are close to the leg opening and have closure aids and wherein the closure means (32) can be secured in a detachable manner at least on the outer side of the front side portions (22), as a result of which the front region (6) and the rear region (8) can be connected together, wherein the transverse edge (55), facing the crotch region (10), of the front side portions (22) extends substantially parallel to the transverse direction (30) and wherein, in order to form rear side-portion leg-opening regions (51), the rear side portions (20) are formed, at least on the side facing the crotch region (10), in a manner extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction (28) or in a curved manner, characterized in that the length-to-width ratio R of the side-portion leg-opening region of the rear side portions (20) is 0.1-0.4, in that the tear propagation resistance Fm of the material forming the side portions is at least 4.0 N in the longitudinal direction of the diaper, and in that the spacing C of the closure means (32) close to the leg opening from the lower edge of the rear side portions is at most 5 cm.
US08821462B2
An implant for percutaneous implantation through the abdominal wall for encircling and engaging an externalized length of a body duct of a human or animal patient. The implant has an exterior tubular section defined by an circumferential exterior wall at least a part of which is adapted to protrude outwardly from the abdominal wall with a free end for mounting of a detachable device, an interior section defined by an circumferential interior wall adapted to extend through the abdominal wall and inside the patient for internal fixation of the implant, wherein the exterior tubular section and the interior section have a common axis A. The circumferential exterior wall of the exterior tubular section and the circumferential interior wall of the interior section are arranged axially spaced apart at a distance D from each other to provide an axial gap between opposing free ends of the exterior tubular section and the interior section, with the exterior tubular section and interior section being connected inside the sections.
US08821460B1
A stool management and collection system for acutely and chronically ill patients that prevents channeling which can quickly lead to the breakdown of patient skin, patient discomfort, and the spread of disease. Although several preferred embodiments are disclosed herein, each has an absorbent insert ring component with a waterproof interior that alone or in combination with other structure directs stool into an associated stool collection bag. Super absorbent polymer (SAP) resin may also employed as a part of the stool containment system structure. In addition, the system's stool collection bag isn't positioned on the patient's backside as in the prior art, instead being secured in approximately the same area where an incontinence pad is normally positioned, so that diarrhea is contained from start to finish.
US08821459B2
A system and method for more efficient cleaning and sterilizing of surgical handpieces by using a removable valve assembly. The valve assembly is removable to provide access to a first suction passageway and a second suction passageway for cleaning purposes. The valve assembly has a protrusion that engages with a handpiece to secure the assembly to the handpiece. The protrusion of the valve assembly may also be retracted into the valve assembly to allow the valve assembly to disengage the handpiece thereby allowing the valve assembly to be removed from the handpiece. The first suction passageway may also be removable.
US08821458B2
Body-fluid containers, methods, and systems are presented that include a container that has a container housing formed, at least in part, by a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable material. The liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable material allows water to evaporate and be transmitted outside of the container. The evaporation allows more fluid to be processed by the container than the container could otherwise hold. Other systems, methods, and apparatuses are presented.
US08821456B2
A medication delivery system for delivering medication to an internal body cavity through a natural body orifice that opens to the cavity has a pad for external placement against the body orifice and an elongated body that extends from the pad through the body orifice when the pad is externally placed against the body orifice. The elongated body carries medication and is long enough to deliver the carried medication to tissue forming the body cavity. The pad has a medication-holding zone surrounding the elongated body on an inner face of the pad and carrying medication that is delivered externally to tissue surrounding the body orifice concurrent with delivery of the medication carried by the elongated body to the tissue forming the body cavity.
US08821421B2
A massage device, methods and apparatus are disclosed. Embodiments of a massage device are provided that include a first end configured to be held and manipulated by the hand of a user and a second end configured for application to a portion of the human body. The device further includes a flexible portion connecting the first end to the second end. The flexible portion contains a source of vibrational motion and has a rigidity of an amount sufficient to transmit the vibrational motion from the source to the second end of the device.
US08821418B2
Apparatus is provided, including a sensor configured to sense motion of a subject and generate a motion signal in response thereto. The apparatus includes an output unit and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: (a) analyze the motion signal, (b) at a first time, determine that the motion signal is indicative that the subject is likely sleeping, (c) at a second time following the first time, determine that the motion signal is indicative that the subject is likely no longer sleeping, and (d) in response thereto, drive the output unit to alert a clinician if the subject is at an increased risk for falling out of a bed. Other applications are also described.
US08821413B2
A system is provided for withdrawing small amounts of body fluid from an animal or human. The system includes a holder and a disposable lancing unit attached to the holder. The lancing unit also includes an open capillary channel for transporting the body fluid and piercing the skin.
US08821412B2
The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. A deployment actuator may actuate the flow activator in a deployment direction, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, a device actuator may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and the flow activator may be actuated after the enablement of fluid communication.
US08821411B2
A medical tool for removing tissue includes a removing device for the mechanical removal of tissue, and a magnet for the magnetic attraction and collection of magnetic or magnetizable particles.
US08821408B2
Systems and methods are described for noninvasively assessing an intracranial pressure of a patient. Some embodiments include providing a simulation model with a measured arterial blood pressure of the patient. Some embodiments further include providing the simulation model with a measured cerebral blood flow velocity of the patient. The simulation model correlates arterial blood pressure values, cerebral blood flow velocity values, and intracranial pressure values. Some embodiments further includes determining an intracranial pressure of the patient based on the simulation model. Some embodiments further includes creating an output data set indicative of the determined intracranial pressure.
US08821405B2
A cable monitoring apparatus includes a housing having an input interface adapted to electrically connect to one end of a medical cable and an output interface adapted to electrically connect to an electrical system. Signal processing circuitry is incorporated within the housing for receiving a medical signal from the medical cable via the input interface and for selectively passing the medical signal to the electrical system via the output interface when in a first mode of operation, and has application software for selectively testing functionality of the medical cable when in a second mode of operation. The medical signal may include at least one monitoring signal selected from a group consisting of fetal and maternal medical signals.
US08821396B1
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08821393B2
A vaginal manipulator includes a shaft attached to a head and a door connected to the head. The head has an anterior side opposite a posterior side and includes a core fixed to the shaft and a sleeve coupled in a sliding relationship to the core. The door is coupled to the core and is movable relative to the posterior side of the head through an opening provided in the sleeve. A proximal end of the core defines a proximal end of the head and a distal end of the sleeve defines a distal end of the head. The proximal end of the core is fixed to the shaft. The sleeve moves relative to the core to provide the head with an adjustable length between the proximal end of the head and the distal end of the head.
US08821392B2
A surgical retention port particularly useful as an arthroscopic port for shoulder surgery is provided. The surgical retention port has a long pointed instrument such as a trocar or obturator, an inner cannula extending around the pointed instrument, a plurality of rotatable fingers coupled to the inner cannula, and an outer cannula extending around the inner cannula. In one embodiment of the invention, the inner cannula and long pointed instrument are keyed such that rotation of the long pointed instrument can effect rotational movement of the inner cannula. Rotation of the inner cannula in turn causes the rotation of the fingers from a first position where the fingers assume a collapsed configuration to a second position where the fingers assume an extended or open configuration.
US08821380B2
An antenna apparatus is configured to acquire information from a body-insertable apparatus that is configured to be inserted into a subject to move inside the subject. The antenna apparatus includes an antenna that includes one sheet on which plural receiving antennas are fixed and in which a first positioning hole is formed; and an antenna holder that includes a container portion which is configured to hold the antenna at a predetermined position and in a predetermined orientation and in which second positioning hole is formed at a position corresponding to the first positioning hole when the antenna is held. The antenna holder is configured to be attached to a predetermined position of the subject using the first and second positioning holes as an index when the antenna is held in the antenna holder.
US08821371B2
An implantable pump for pumping fluid to or from a hydraulic surgical implant inside a human's or an animal's body comprises a wall forming a chamber for the fluid, the wall including a base plate and a membrane, which is displaceable relative to the base plate to change the volume of the chamber to pump the fluid between the chamber and the surgical implant. The membrane is penetrable by an injection needle to add hydraulic fluid to or withdraw hydraulic fluid from the chamber, in order to calibrate the amount of fluid, and the membrane is self-sealing to seal the hole which is formed in the membrane by the penetrating injection needle. The implant typically is a hydraulic constriction device, which can be designed for treating reflux disease, urinary incontinence, impotence, anal incontinence or obesity.
US08821368B2
An apparatus and method for performing warming therapy is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a base for supporting a medical patient and a humidifier module removably coupled to the base. The humidifier module may include a main reservoir and an evaporator reservoir separated by a channel. Both the main and evaporator reservoirs may be protected by a cover, which may be made removable. The design of the humidifier module is such that the component parts thereof may be easily removed, so that the reservoir body including the main reservoir and the evaporator reservoir may be easily cleaned, such as through use of an autoclave.
US08821363B1
The invention includes a system for solidification of liquid medical waste for use in connection with a vessel configured to receive an aqueous liquid to be solidified. The system includes an absorbent composition including a plurality of surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles and a plurality of second particles. Additionally, a soluble packet may be included so that the absorbent composition is released upon dissolution of the packet. The invention also includes a liquid solidification system for reducing gel block and a method of solidifying liquid medical waste.
US08821356B2
A multi-piece fitness bar may include an outer, a middle, and an inner bar. The three bars may be annular and nested, one inside of the next in size. The inner bar may protrude from the ends of the middle bar, and the middle bar may protrude from the ends of the outer bar. A end-cap may be configured to hold the bars in place and in a staggered manner with respect to each other. The end-cap may include staggered internal surfaces, each designed to mate with and hold in place a specific bar. The multi-piece fitness may provide from several combinations of weight, depending upon which of the bars are used in combination or individually. Each bar may be coated with an external grip. The end-cap may provide for clearance fits between the three bars to protect the external grips and facilitate interchangeability.
US08821354B1
The abdominal muscle and cycle workout machine is a workout machine that features a cycling apparatus working in conjunction with an abdominal roller machine. The abdominal muscle and cycle workout machine features a modified workout bench having curved contours that enable an end user to lie in a recumbent position in order to perform cycling exercises while simultaneously conducting exercise that targets abdominal muscles. The machine includes a torsion dial to adjust the tension on the cycling apparatus. The abdominal roller machine includes opposing handlebars that an end user grabs onto in order to perform abdominal crunches while simultaneously performing a cycling exercise.
US08821350B2
An exercise and communications system includes an interactive device, a remote device, and an external device, wherein the interactive device is configured to gather data relating to a user of the system and transmit the same to the remote device, and the remote device is configured to provide analyze the data and transmit a response to the interactive device, which in turn communicates the response to the user and additionally communication with an external device for retrieval of instructions, programs, and data, inter alia. An exercise and communications system facilitates communication between a plurality of users, each having an interactive device and a remote device.
US08821349B2
An engine with a fast vacuum recovery brake booster system is disclosed. In one example, an actuator is adjusted in response to a flow between the brake booster and an engine intake manifold. Operation of the engine and vehicle brakes may be improved especially when the engine is boosted.
US08821345B2
A vehicle controller includes an F/C control section, a battery voltage detection section, an AT control section, an alternator, and an ECU. The ECU determines the difference between a target deceleration for varying deceleration smoothly and a deceleration attained at each gear stage as a target deceleration which is generated by the alternator. The ECU compensates for the difference between target deceleration and the deceleration by the target deceleration to smooth variations in the deceleration of the whole vehicle, thereby improving drivability.
US08821335B2
A vessel propulsion apparatus includes a prime mover, a drive shaft, a pinion, a rear gear, a propeller shaft, a front bearing, a cylindrical front housing, and a cylindrical rear housing. The front housing surrounds the front bearing about a propeller axis and supports the rear gear via the front bearing in a manner rotatable about the propeller axis. The rear housing is disposed behind the front housing. The front housing surrounds the propeller shaft about the propeller axis and supports the propeller shaft at a position more rearward than the rear gear in a manner rotatable about the propeller axis.
US08821331B2
A speed/torque enhancing power transmission is disclosed that translates slow rotating, high torque motion to high rotation, low torque motion or alternatively high rotating low torque motion to low rotating high torque motion and is suitable as a speed increaser for use in a device like a wind turbine. As a speed increaser the transmission has certain advantages, such as reduced weight and/or size compared to other units having the same performance characteristics. The speed increaser employs a pair of externally toothed spur gears orbiting in a non-rotating manner 180° out of phase inside an internally toothed ring gear. The input drives the ring gear and the orbiting spur gears drive separate eccentrics on the output shaft extending in opposite directions to provide dual output. In one embodiment, cross guide projections on the spur gear and cross guide projections on the housing engage slots in a swash plate.
US08821324B1
An adjustable base assembly (10) having a base connector (30) and a base mounting platform (14) with a mating base connector (32) releasably connectable with the base connector (30) with a mounting stud (36) for attaching the bottom (26) against a playing surface (28). The connector (30) and the mating base connector (32) have at least two pairs of mating surfaces including one pair of locking surfaces (40 and 42) that prevents separation of the base (12) from the base mounting platform (14) in response to any lateral forces. Other pairs of different non-locking, mating engagement surfaces (48 and 50, 54 and 56, and 60 and 62) enable separation of the base (12) from the base platform (12) in response to different preselected minimum lateral threshold forces applied against another one of the sidewalls (18, 22 and 16).
US08821322B1
An adjustable portable batting tee assembly for placement on to a horizontal support surface includes a first hollow tubular post having a lower end and an inner surface, a second tubular post telescopically engaging the first tubular post, a first felt piston wiper, a ball support coupled to the second tubular post, a post mount mechanism, and a base coupled to the mount mechanism. The first wiper is positioned between the first and second posts to enable adjustment of the height of the batting tee assembly between a lower and upper height limits. The mount mechanism includes a support body, an expansion plug and upper and lower fastening elements. The expansion plug and the upper fastening element are configured to be removably received within the lower end of the first tubular body. The expansion plug is configured to releasably engage the inner surface of the first tubular post.
US08821313B1
An iron-type golf club head comprising a high strength face plate with a face support is disclosed herein. In particular, the face plate is affixed to a perimeter region and to a face support that extends upwards from the sole proximate a front opening. The face plate preferably is welded to the perimeter region and brazed to the face support to optimize the sound and feel of the golf club head while preserving the strength of the face.
US08821307B2
A golf club head includes a primary component and a secondary component, wherein the secondary component is rotatably or pivotally associated with the rear surface of the primary component. The secondary component is adjustable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the primary component such that the golf club head has a first sole contour when the secondary component is in the first orientation and a second sole contour when the secondary component is in the second orientation, the first sole contour being different from the second sole contour.
US08821304B2
A participatory water play structure including a water eruption effect device. The water eruption effect device may include a water eruption jet, lighting devices, sound devices, light towers, mist or smoke devices and fountain devices. The water eruption effect device imitates a geyser, volcanic eruption, or large water spray, dousing play participants in a participatory play structure with a cool deluge of water. The water eruption effect may also be used as a show feature during night-time operation of the participatory play structure. Responsive water play devices may also be used, including RFID and motion sensor systems that respond to the presence of play participants and to identifying characteristics of the play participants.
US08821291B2
The present invention embodiments pertain to conducting fantasy sports or other competitions, where users select or draft an entirely new team of professional players each week (or at other suitable time interval). The competition types (including playoffs) include fee based and free. Each fee based competition has a pre-determined entry fee, and prizes are awarded to the winner of that competition each week. The free competitions similarly include weekly prizes and further provide for a grand prize. Within each of the free and fee based types of competitions, users may compete in a “private” competition or a randomly composed “open” competition. Users within the free and fee based competitions may accumulate points that qualify for redemption to obtain prizes. These points are accumulated based upon the statistical performance of the drafted players for each team. The present invention embodiments further provide mechanisms for information sharing and interaction between users.
US08821287B2
A hand-held display system for playing video games includes a housing grippable by a user's hands, a liquid crystal display viewable by the user gripping the housing, input devices operable by the user when the user grips the housing and a connector for, in use, operatively connecting to portable storage media storing video game programs for the video games. First processing circuitry processes video game programs having a first program specification and second processing circuitry processes video game programs having a second program specification.
US08821283B2
In a wagering game machine, operations and systems are disclosed for ending wagering game audio in a key of the current state. In one embodiment, the use of markers to denote the state of a music file enables following the continuous music and ending wagering game bang-up audio in whatever key the continuous music is in at the precise moment the bang-up ends. The continuous music, bang-ups and marker file are all started at the same time and may be the same length. The continuous music is audible, the bang-ups are heard by raising the volume when programmatically called for, and the marker file continuously sends out signals at a set rate which the code then interprets to determine the state of the song to trigger the appropriate musical ending. When the bang-up ends it can then be played in the key corresponding to the current state of the music.
US08821282B2
Gaming machines having video depictions of one or more mechanical reels projected onto a curved display are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a curved transparent material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a radius of curvature similar to a mechanical reel. The gaming machine also includes a projector for projecting video images of one or more reels onto the inner surface of the curved transparent material. The gaming machine also has a liquid crystal display having an opening in which the curved transparent material extends through the opening of the opening of the liquid crystal display.
US08821281B2
Screen plane coordinates of a plane of a game display screen relative to a location of a game sensor are determined. A location of a user relative to the location of the game sensor is determined. An orientation of the user relative to the plane of the game display screen is calculated based upon the determined screen plane coordinates of the plane of the game display screen relative to the location of the game sensor and the determined location of the user relative to the location of the game sensor.
US08821280B2
Dynamic game system and associated methods provide a three dimensional dynamic environment for a game or simulation. The dynamic game system includes a controller for generating a dynamic image for the dynamic environment and a flexible game board, in communication with the controller, for displaying the dynamic image. The game board is flexible and provides depth to the three dimensional environment. The controller automatically zooms the dynamic image in and out between detail levels of the game.
US08821273B2
A gaming machine includes a display device and a processor coupled to the display device. The processor is configured to monitor at least one display property of a media display on the display device, detect that the at least one display property is equal or greater than a preselected threshold, and generate an alert in response to the detection.
US08821270B2
Systems and methods that regulate a hybrid game to detect and/or defeat unauthorized use of the hybrid game. One embodiment includes a method of detecting unauthorized operation of a hybrid gaming system that includes a gambling game and an entertainment game. In addition, the method can include collecting first game operating performance data (GOPD) from the entertainment game while the hybrid game is being played by a first player, generating a reference profile using the first GOPD, collecting second GOPD from the entertainment game while the hybrid game is being played by a second player, comparing the second GOPD to the reference profile to determine whether the second player is operating the hybrid game in an unauthorized manner, and generating a notification to an operator upon determination that the second player is operating the hybrid game in an unauthorized manner.
US08821268B2
A gaming device includes a game module for presenting instances of a game title and a game transaction module for interfacing with a system controller of a game entertainment center. The gaming device further includes a printer for printing various items such as tickets, coupons, vouchers, and other promotional material. The gaming device further includes a printer manager for arbitrating print job conflicts.
US08821266B2
A method of linking gaming machine audio content to a player and network-based gaming system are provided. The system may include a gaming machine, a database, and a server system configured to be coupled to the gaming machine and the database. The server system may be associated with a server-based network configured to associate a connection identification (ID) with a listening device, receive an identification of the listening device through the gaming machine, and transmit an audio content generated by the gaming machine to the identified listening device using the connection ID.
US08821265B2
A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount.
US08821258B2
A method for providing games over a wide area network is disclosed. The invention includes several methods for providing at least one game accessible over a wide area network by a plurality of users. One method comprises receiving a request from a user to play a game, the request comprising an identification of the user; verifying that the user is eligible to play the game; receiving a payment method from the user; and enabling the game responsive to completing the steps verifying that the user is eligible and receiving a payment method.
US08821255B1
A method to tracking a playing history chain of a cashless ticket. When an uncarded player first plays a slot machine and proceeds to cash out, inserts the latest ticket into another machine, plays, cashes out, inserts the latest ticket into yet another machine, plays, cashes out, etc., the entire chain of play can be automatically tracked. When the player redeems the ticket at a ticket redemption machine, the player can be presented with a message as to how many comp points the player would have earned had the player had and used a comp card. The player can also be presented with a voucher to be awarded the comp points if the player signs up for the casino's players (or slot) club.
US08821244B1
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a winning event during a wager cycle of a wagering game played during a wagering game session. In some embodiments, the operations further include presenting a congratulatory gaming effect in response to the winning event and extending presentation of the congratulatory gaming effect for a duration after the wager cycle.
US08821243B2
A system that provides various player-centric rewards to the casino patrons. The rewards may be provided across multiple games including slots, tables, keno, and any other casino game. The sweepstakes rewards may be used to promote increased play for chosen time periods, locations, and/or individual players. In addition, patrons can earn sweepstakes rewards based upon the amount of coins played at the slot machine, on the slot floor or throughout the entire casino. Furthermore, the patrons can receive a birthday reward, which may be credited to the eligible patrons on or about the patron's birth date. The rewards may be directly credited to the gaming machines using either cashable or non-cashable credits. The system facilitates patrons continuing to accrue rights toward a reward even when playing different gaming machines, or when playing machines having different denominations.
US08821235B2
A game program according to the invention instructs a computer to perform the following processes: a reception process in which a building request that requests building of a character group into which a plurality of characters are organized is received from a player terminal that is used by a player when the player plays a game; an image generation process in which a group-building game image is generated in response to the building request, the group-building game image being displayed on a display unit of the player terminal when the player builds the character group, the group-building game image including images of characters owned by the player and pieces of suggesting information that causes the player to estimate an attribute set for each of these characters; and a process in which the group-building game image generated in the image generation process is sent to the player terminal.
US08821232B2
A platform apparatus that processes the execution results of one or more serious games, the platform apparatus comprising a data processing unit that receives output packets produced from each serious game in execution for measuring and developing a user's cognitive abilities and that generates game data from the output packets; an analysis processing unit that generates, based on the game data, analysis data for measuring the user's brain function; and a result display unit that displays the analysis data to the user through an UI (user interface), wherein the one or more serious game includes serious games for memory, for psycho-motor, for attention, for executive function, and for emotion.
US08821225B2
Condensation is suppressed from developing on a front face of an instrument panel main body. A instrument panel of the present invention is configured including: an instrument panel main body formed with a center air conditioning outlet and a center defroster outlet; a first panel that is joined to the instrument panel main body and is formed with a top side wall section that configures the vehicle top-bottom direction top side of a center air conditioning duct and a first wall section that configures part of a center defroster duct; and a second panel that is joined to the instrument panel main body and is formed with a bottom side wall section that configures the center air conditioning duct in combination with the top side wall section and a second wall section that configures the center defroster duct in combination with the first wall section.
US08821219B2
A wafer unloading system and wafer processing equipment (system) including the same are disclosed. The wafer unloading system includes a fluid supply tube for supplying a fluid, a nozzle for injecting the supplied fluid, and an injection hole defined in a plate to allow the injected fluid to reach a space between a polishing pad and a wafer.
US08821217B2
A flat or center depressed abrasive grinding wheel, comprising an abrasive discoidal element which is associable, substantially coaxially, with the free end of a rotating shaft of a grinder, having at least one substantially central through hole, a first face which can be arranged, in the assembly configuration, so as to be substantially directed toward the grinder and which forms the back of the discoidal element, and a second face, which is opposite to the first face. The discoidal element comprises at least one first layer of a discoidal abrasive mix defined at the first face and at least one second layer of discoidal abrasive mix defined at least one portion of the second face. The first and second layers of abrasive mix are mutually superimposed and jointly associated. The second layer of abrasive mix has an inside diameter that is substantially larger than the diameter of the through hole.
US08821214B2
The disclosure is directed to polishing pads with porous polishing elements, and to methods of making and using such pads in a polishing process. In one exemplary embodiment, the polishing pad includes a multiplicity of polishing elements, at least some of which are porous, each polishing element affixed to a support layer so as to restrict lateral movement of the polishing elements with respect to one or more of the other polishing elements, but remaining moveable in an axis normal to a polishing surface of the polishing elements. In certain embodiments, the polishing pad may include a guide plate positioned to arrange and optionally affix the plurality of polishing elements on the support layer, and additionally, a polishing composition distribution layer. In some embodiments, the pores are distributed throughout substantially the entire porous polishing element. In other embodiments, the pores are distributed substantially at the polishing surface of the elements.
US08821205B2
The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned. The system particularly utilizes fins (40) having foil (42) shapes in which either the cambered side (74) or the non-cambered side (76) is provided with a combination of a convex curvature (68) and a concave curvature (70) to result in an oscillating curvature (72) which has a positive effect on control and acceleration.
US08821201B2
A vessel propulsion apparatus includes a second shaft that is inserted in a first driven gear and in a second driven gear, that is connected to a dog clutch, and that is arranged to undergo a thrust. The vessel propulsion apparatus includes a first bearing disposed between the first driven gear and the second shaft, a second bearing disposed between the second driven gear and the second shaft, and a case to which a thrust applied to the second shaft is transmitted via the first bearing and the first driven gear or via the second bearing and the second driven gear. The vessel propulsion apparatus includes an adjusting member disposed between the second shaft and at least one of the first driven gear and the second driven gear and arranged to apply a preload onto the first bearing and the second bearing.
US08821192B2
An electrical connector electrically connecting a chip module to a printed circuit board includes an insulative housing that a number of contacting terminals and a number of grounding terminals received therein, the insulative housing includes a mating surface and a mounting surface opposite to the mating surface, the grounding terminal is adjacent to the contacting terminal, and wherein the insulative housing also comprises a plurality of retention slots depressed from the matching surface thereof for fixing a retention portion of the grounding terminals, the retention slot has a sidewall that plated with a metal layer, the retention portion comprises a tongue and elastic contacted with the metal layer.
US08821191B2
A connector includes a housing and at least one terminal. The at least one terminal comprises a base portion, two attaching portions and an elastic arm portion. The two attaching portions are configured to have a height different from that of the base portion and are attached to the housing. The two attaching portions of each terminal can be disposed adjacent to the corresponding end portion of the housing and respectively on opposite sides of the corresponding opening.
US08821187B2
A board connector (10) includes a housing (20) made of resin and in which terminal fittings (80) connectable to conductive portions of a board (90) are to be mounted. Fixing members (60) fix the housing (20) on the board (90). Each fixing member (60) is made of metal and includes a housing mounting portion (61). The housing mounting plate (61) is to be mounted on a wall surface of the housing (20) by inserting front and rear ends of the housing mounting plate (61) in mounting grooves (26) formed in the wall surface of the housing (20). The housing mounting plate (61) has a first rib (71) extending in forward and backward directions, and a second rib (72) extending in forward and backward directions and arranged to fit within the height range of the first rib (71) with respect to a height direction perpendicular to forward and backward directions.
US08821186B2
A universal serial bus connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals disposed to the insulating housing, a dielectric base, a first shielding shell surrounding the insulating housing, and a second shielding shell. Each of the terminals has a fastening portion, and a soldering portion slantwise extending upward and rearward from a rear end of the fastening portion to be exposed behind the insulating housing. The dielectric base disposed to a rear end of the insulating housing defines a plurality of rows of insertion slots and resisting surfaces exposed behind the insulating housing. The soldering portions are inserted into the insertion slots and abut against the resisting surfaces. The second shielding shell disposed to rear ends of the insulating housing and the first shielding shell includes a first main board and a second main board parallel with the soldering portions abutting against the resisting surfaces.
US08821177B2
A connector mechanism includes: a first connector that is arranged on a first substrate; a second connector that is arranged on a second substrate and is connected to the first connector in a positional relationship in which the second substrate and the first substrate face each other; and a packing including: a first face that elastically abuts against the first substrate; a second face that is a face on an opposite side to the first face and that elastically abuts against the second substrate; and connector abutting convex portions that are protrusively provided with respect to an inner face of a connector space that is a through-hole which allows the first face and the second face to communicate and sealingly houses the connectors in a connected state, and that elastically abut against an outer face of the connectors disposed in the connector space and are disposed integrally with the connectors.
US08821175B2
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, a USB housing, and a wireless modem are provided in the embodiments of the present invention. The USB connector includes a USB housing, a subcard, a cable, a metal terminal, and a rotating shaft assembly. The USB housing includes a bottom with a first fixing plate and a second fixing plate respectively disposed on two opposite sides. The second fixing plate is disposed with a second hole. The subcard, the first fixing plate, and the second fixing plate are disposed on a same end of the bottom. The metal terminal is disposed on a surface of the subcard. One end of the cable is connected to the metal terminal. The rotating shaft assembly penetrates the second hole.
US08821163B2
Colorless dental compositions for restoring the enamel layer of a tooth are disclosed. The colorless enamel compositions are combined with pigmented dentin compositions to provide a true color match and natural esthetics. Methods that utilize the compositions in placement/build-up techniques in direct restorations are also disclosed.
US08821157B2
An orthodontic adhesive includes a curable resin monomer component; a quaternary curing initiator system; and filler. Another orthodontic adhesive having a W/C ratio (working time to curing time ratio) of at least 10, 12, 14 or 20, includes a curable resin monomer component; a curing initiator system; and filler. The adhesives are suitable as light-curing and may include a colorant. Suitable colorants include reversible, thermochromic dyes. The adhesive may also include a resin toughening component.
US08821153B2
Method and system for the production of a combustible gas from a fuel, comprising the conversion of the fuel, at a temperature that is between 600 and 1000° C. and at a pressure that is lower than 10 bar, into at least a combustible gas that comprises CH4, CO, H2, CO2, H2O and higher hydrocarbons in a reactor installation (1). At least part of the higher hydrocarbons present in the combustible gas is catalytically converted into at least CH4, CO, H2, CO2 and H2O in a reactor (45) at a pressure that is lower than 10 bar. After this catalytic conversion, an amount of H2O and an amount of CO2 are removed from the combustible gas in a separator installation (50) at a pressure that is lower than 10 bar. After the removal of H2O and CO2, the pressure of the combustible gas is raised by a compressor (71).
US08821152B2
An injection-molding machine for processing plastics has, on a mold-closing unit (F), at least one injection mold (10) which can be accommodated between a stationary mold carrier (12) and a movable mold carrier (11). The mold carriers are moved by means of at least one pair of toggle levers with two toggle lever mechanisms (K), which are driven in a closing direction (s-s) independently of one another each by a drive unit (A), wherein the toggle lever mechanisms (K) are mounted on a bearing plate (14). Since the bearing plate (14) is mounted on the injection-molding machine such that it can move along guides (28), and the drive units (A) are mounted on the movable bearing plate (14) on which the actuating elements for the at least two toggle lever mechanisms (K) are mounted, it is possible to influence the parallelism of the mold carriers both in the static and in the dynamic state.
US08821149B2
Apparatus for treating at least one web passing through the apparatus includes a first roller and a second roller positioned adjacent the first roller to define a nip for receiving the at least one web. The first roller has a pair of spaced apart ends, a length extending between the ends, a circumference, and at least one bearer ring extending around the circumference of the first roller generally at a center of the first roller.
US08821146B2
A mold includes a mold core, a first cover, and a second cover. The mold core includes a cavity and a pair of elastic pieces. The pair of elastic pieces is in the cavity and divides the cavity into a first room and a second room. The first cover covers the first room of the cavity. The first cover defines a plurality of first plug holes. A first I/O can be formed in the first room by injecting a first liquid plastic material in the first room via the plurality of first plug holes. The second cover covers the first room and second room of the cavity. The second cover defines a plurality of second plug holes. A second I/O port assembly can be formed by injecting a second liquid plastic material in the first room and the second room via the plurality of second plug holes.
US08821139B2
A fluid device includes a displacement assembly and a balance plate assembly disposed adjacent to the displacement assembly. The displacement assembly includes a ring and a rotor disposed in a bore of the ring. The ring and rotor cooperatively define a plurality of volume chambers. The balance plate assembly includes a housing that defines a cavity. A balance plate is disposed in the cavity. The balance plate includes a first end surface and an oppositely disposed second end surface. The balance plate is adapted to move axially between a first position in which the second end surface of balance plate abuts a first end face of the ring to a second position in which the second surface of the balance plate is recessed in the cavity.
US08821134B2
A pump having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining a cavity formed by a side wall closed at both ends by end walls wherein the cavity contains a fluid is disclosed. The pump further comprises an actuator operatively associated with at least one of the end walls to cause an oscillatory motion of the driven end wall to generate displacement oscillations of the driven end wall within the cavity. The pump further comprises an isolator operatively associated with a peripheral portion of the driven end wall to reduce dampening of the displacement oscillations.
US08821128B2
A rotor blade (1) with adaptive twisting, the blade being provided with an outer covering (2) extending along a pitch variation axis (AY) from a first end zone (3) to a second end zone (4), the outer covering (2) defining an internal cavity (8). The blade includes a strip (10) extending inside said cavity (8) along said pitch variation axis (AY), said strip (10) comprising a composite material that is anisotropic so as to be suitable for twisting under the effect of centrifugal forces (F) directed parallel to said pitch variation axis (AY) when the blade (1) is in rotation, said strip (10) being fastened to said outer covering (2) via first and second fastener means (11, 12) in order to be capable of twisting said outer covering (2).
US08821123B2
A double-ducted fan includes a hub, a rotor having a plurality of blades rotatably and coupled to the hub, a first duct, a second duct, and a channel defined between the first duct and second duct. The first duct circumscribes the rotor, and the second duct circumscribes at least a portion of the first duct. The second duct can be oriented axially upward such that there is an axial distance is between the leading edges of the first duct and second duct. The channel can be configured to direct air flow cross-wise to the first duct over a top of the first duct into the inlet side of the fan. The second duct can be movable relative to the first duct to adjust at least a portion of the channel. The length of the first duct can be different from the length of the second duct.
US08821122B2
An integrally bladed rotor disk (20) for a turbine, including rotor blades (40), which are joined in a substance-to-substance bond to a disk element (30), and a sealing device (60) for preventing or reducing the extent to which cooling air is able to flow from a high-pressure side (12) of the rotor disk (20) through openings (24) on the rotor disk (20) to a low-pressure side (14) of the rotor disk (20).
US08821119B2
A fan blade for a gas turbine engine has an aerofoil part and a root part. The root part includes a root former; the root former includes a zone of weakness, which reduces the ability of the root part to withstand an impact force. Thus, in an impact situation in which the fan blade has separated from the fan rotor and the fan blade has itself separated into fragments, the root part will fracture or buckle more easily than would be the case with conventional arrangements. This will lower the impact force of the root part upon the fan casing, thus permitting the fan casing to be designed to withstand lower impact forces. The fan casing can therefore be made lighter, and cheaper, than in conventional arrangements.
US08821106B2
The present application provides a rotor coupling guard for use with removing a flow of air about a rotor coupling of a turbo-machine. The rotor coupling guard may include an inner cover with a number of apertures surrounding the rotor coupling and an outer cover surrounding the inner cover. Rotation of the rotor coupling forces the flow of air through the apertures in the inner cover and away from the rotor coupling.
US08821104B2
A loader work machine is disclosed in which a base portion of each of right/left arms (77) is received by an arm support portion (164) of a first lift link (81) and pivotally supported by a first arm shaft (88), and a hydraulic pipe arrangement (167) connected to a hydraulic actuator (98) extend through an support frame (11) from inside to outside of its inner wall (12), and toward an arm (77). The base portion of the arm (77) is supported to the arm support portion (164) at a position adjacent a link outer wall (157) in a transverse direction so that a hose accommodation space (165) is formed between a link inner wall (156) and an internal side face of the base portion of the arm (77). The hydraulic pipe arrangement (167) runs frontward of the first arm shaft (88) and a first link shaft (85), and is disposed in the hose accommodation space (165).
US08821103B1
A lifting system for lifting and lower people between a vehicle door and ground level uses a carriage that is slid underneath and out from the undercarriage of the vehicle. A lift platform is flush with the carriage when stowed and is capable of being raised from this position up to the door and lowered down to the ground. A series of housing are located on the underside of the carriage and have a sprocket gear thereon. Extension arms are attached to each gear and rotatably to a lift platform. Rack gears mesh with the sprocket gears for rotating the arms and thus the platform up and down, the rack gears articulated via one or more hydraulic drives, with rotation of the arms resulting in articulation of the platform.
US08821090B2
The invention relates to a dowel that is composed of a strand arrangement comprising at least one first strand (12) which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and at least one second strand (14) which extends at an angle (Y) to the at least one first strand (12) and intersects said at least one first strand (12) at intersection points. The at least one first strand (12) and/or the at least one second strand (14) is/are wound around the longitudinal axis (L) at a certain distance (171, 172) while the at least one first strand (12) is connected to the at least one second strand (14) at the intersection points. The strand arrangement is embodied such and/or is made of such a material that the strand arrangement can be expanded at an angle to the longitudinal axis (L). Such a dowel has the particular advantage of evenly distributing the pressure which acts upon the wall surface (102) of a bore. A single-size dowel can be used for several screw diameters. Furthermore, the amount of boring dust produced is significantly reduced, less power is required for drilling the bore, and the feed force applied to the drill can be decreased because a bore with a comparatively small diameter can be created.
US08821084B2
A tool holding module comprises a fixture seat and a tool rod. The fixture seat has a first outer surface on an external wall, a first top surface on one end, and a fixture head is located on the same end. The fixture head has a second outer surface on an external wall and a second top surface on one end. The internal wall of the tool rod has first and second inner surfaces respectively corresponding to the first and second outer surfaces, and has first and second butting surfaces respectively corresponding to the first and second top surfaces. The tool rod and fixture seat are connected to enfold the fixture head. The security of the tool holding module is enhanced via close contact of the first outer and inner surfaces, the second outer and inner surfaces, the first top and butting surfaces, the second top and butting surfaces.
US08821081B1
A slotted inverse tap, compressible for insertion past damaged entry threads in blind holes. (FIG. 1 thru FIG. 5) The tool can be made to smaller sizes than that of prior art. An elongate slot (23) proceeds through a first threaded end (21), then well into a reduced diameter cylindrical body (25). After insertion to the hole bottom, a tabbed shim (28) is inserted to the slot from its side, then pressed down until stopped. The shim (28) enforces mating engagement with undamaged internal threads. A second end of hex and/or squared or other configuration facilitates use of a tap wrench or other tool for rotational extraction. Damaged threads are reformed/re-cut upon rotational withdrawal.
US08821077B2
An elongated web of flexible material having a covering of excelsior across a portion thereof has an elongated edge portion uncovered. The elongated covered portion is folded over upon itself a number of times, and the elongated uncovered side portion (a tail) are wound upon a roll for utilization after unrolling, as a sediment barrier, properly staked into the ground.
US08821074B2
A load bearing pile arrangement comprising a plurality of load bearing construction pile assemblies. Each comprises a pile provided with a support manifold at an upper end thereof. Each pile includes an outer tube and an inner tube between which, when the assembly is in use, provides a pathway for fluid pumped from above and down through the inner tube to a vortex manifold where the fluid swirls before passing upwards between the inner tube and the outer tube. The fluid also swirls as it passes upwards between the tubes and by at least one collar comprising an annular ring fixedly mounted on the tube the ring having helices, which cause the fluid to continue swirling as it passes upwards between the tubes and. In use, the load bearing pile arrangement can be used to recover heat from the surrounding ground; store heat in the surrounding ground; or, to store coolth, especially in a desert locality.
US08821070B2
A method for constructing a riser assembly (1) for transporting a fluid from a vessel and on a seabed includes providing an elongate frame (4) having a first frame end (5) and a second frame end (6), where the first frame end is connected to the seabed (3) and the second frame end is connected to a buoy (7), providing at least one riser (9) for transporting a fluid, and connecting the at least one riser to the second frame end and/or the buoy.
US08821064B1
A polymer-modified emulsion used for rejuvenating or repairing deteriorated asphalt pavement includes an asphalt phase containing an asphalt and a rejuvenating agent, and an aqueous phase including water, an acrylic polymer or copolymer and an emulsifying agent.
US08821061B2
A pull pin is configured to lock in a forward position to prevent accidental or undesirable retraction of the pull pin. The pull pin has a housing, a pull pin shaft, an inner shaft, a first and second spring, and at least one ball bearing. The housing has a ball locking space, which holds the ball bearing between the locking space and a ball aperture formed in the pull pin shaft to thereby lock the pull pin shaft in the forward position. Only upon the application of an external force to the inner shaft, which aligns a ball release portion with the ball aperture, can the ball bearing move into the ball release portion and thereby move out of said locking space, allowing for the retraction of the pull pin shaft.
US08821054B2
A printer apparatus includes a supply unit to supply recording media, a recording unit to record information to the recording media, and a storage unit to store the recording media. A tray is formed in at least one of the supply unit and the storage unit and detachably connected to the apparatus to store a plurality of recording media in a stacked state. The apparatus includes a support surface for supporting a bottom surface of the tray, and at least one wall surface touching or opposing a side surface of the tray. An opening is defined by the bottom surface and the at least one wall surface to allow the tray to be detached from a direction within a predetermined angle of the side surface of the apparatus. A positioning device is disposed in at least one of the support surface and the wall surface for positioning the tray.
US08821053B2
A paper discharge device has a paper feed mechanism configured to convey recording paper; an automatic cutter that has a drive unit and configured to cut the recording paper conveyed by the paper feed mechanism into a slip by drive power from the drive unit; and a paper guide unit that has a paper guide surface configured to support the slip cut by the automatic cutter, and a protruding part that is disposed proximate to the guide surface and supports part of the cut end of the slip at a position configured to cause the part of the cut end to contact the recording paper conveyed by the paper feed mechanism.
US08821048B2
An image recording device includes: a conveyor unit for conveying a recording medium; a drum for rotating under force of friction against the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyor unit, the recording medium being wound around the drum; and a recording unit for recording an image onto a portion, wound around the drum, of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyor unit; the conveyor unit starting the conveyance of the recording medium in a state where a first tension has been applied to the recording medium, but executing a switching operation for switching the tension applied to the recording medium after the conveyance of the recording medium has been started, to a second tension that is lower than the first tension.
US08821037B2
A pluggable optical transceiver is disclosed. The transceiver comprises a plurality of OSAs, an optical member and a plurality of inner fibers to couple the optical member with OSAs. The inner fibers each provides an inner connector to couple with one of OSAs. The housing, which installs the OSAs, the optical member and the inner fiber, is made of metal and has a grooves into which the inner fibers is set so as to arrange them orderly.
US08821032B2
An optical fiber connector includes an inner housing and a fixing module sleeved in the inner housing. The fixing module includes a support member and a fastening assembly fastened to the support member. The support member has a fixing portion, and the fixing portion defines a first restricting groove. The fastening assembly includes a fastener, a fixing member, an elastic member, and a pressing member. The fixing member defines a second restricting groove. The fastener sleeves on the fixing member and the elastic member. The fastener engages with the support member, and then the elastic member is resisted between the fixing member and the fastener, thereby generating an elastic force to drive the fixing member to abut against the fixing portion. The pressing member slidably engages with the support member and resists the fixing member.
US08821031B2
An optical fiber adapter according to the present disclosure includes a main body, an inner housing, a cover plate and an elastic shutter member. The optical fiber adapter of the present disclosure may obstruct the light beams emitted from an accommodation room of the main body thereby preventing the eyes from exposure to the light beams.
US08821021B2
A shaft member is provided with a shaft portion and a flange portion coupled with a lower end surface of the shaft portion. The shaft portion is formed into a complete circular shape in cross section, and the flange portion is provided with a through-hole in which a part of a circumferential region is retracted to a radially outer side with respect to a lower end of the shaft portion so as to exhibit a non-circular shape. The shaft portion and the flange portion are coupled with each other in a state of butting the lower end surface of the shaft portion and an upper end surface of the flange portion against each other. With this, a fluid path is formed by opening both end surfaces of the flange portion.
US08821017B2
A radiography system for obtaining a radiographic image of a subject, has a radiation source within an enclosure, the radiation source energizable to direct radiant energy along a radiation path toward an imaging receiver, wherein the radiation path is defined according to a collimator. A digital projector is coupled to the enclosure and is energizable to provide an illumination beam that outlines the defined radiation path.
US08821016B2
Disclosed are an X-ray imaging system and a positioning method of the same that automatically measure a relative positional relationship between devices. According to an aspect, an X-ray imaging system may include: a movable imaging device having a sensor; one or more beacons; a controller configured to analyze position information recognized by the sensor, to compare a relative position between the imaging device and the one or more beacons and to determine a position of the imaging device based on a positional error; and a drive device configured to move the imaging device to the position determined by the controller.
US08821012B2
Both a device-identification feature and a temperature-sensor feature are combined on a single integrated circuit. In various embodiments, both features are not operative simultaneously.
US08821011B2
An intravenous solution bag includes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and corresponding temperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate the scale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The strip may be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exterior surface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encased with the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperature sensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or other solutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface or to a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature of fluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may be employed by a receptacle or delivery tube of an infusion apparatus to measure and indicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion. In addition, the temperature sensing strip may be disposed within thermal treatment system compartments to measure and provide a visual indication of medical item temperatures. Alternatively, the strip may be employed by a stand, plate, receptacle or other structure receiving a medical item or container to provide a temperature measurement and indication as described above. The structure may be a stand-alone unit or may be attached to a thermal treatment or other system to facilitate temperature measurement.
US08821008B2
A balance for a simultaneous differential thermal analysis instrument that combines gravimetric measurements with measurements that require propagation of electrical signals from the sample holder to an apparatus for recording the electrical signals. In one embodiment of the invention, conductive flat planar strip flexure pivots are used in a single-meter movement balance to mechanically and electrically couple the components of the balance mechanism to the apparatus that records the electrical signals.
US08821002B2
The present invention provides a light guide plate and a backlight module. The backlight module comprises the light guide plate. The light guide plate comprises a plurality of elongated microstructures disposed on the light guide plate and parallel to a light-incident surface thereof. At least one curve parameter of profiles of the elongated microstructures is altered according to a position variation in an extending direction of the elongated microstructures, so as to adjust a brightness distribution in the extending direction of the elongated microstructures. The invention can improve a luminous efficiency of the light guide plate.
US08820991B2
A lighting and/or signalling device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one light source (S) emitting a light beam and at least one optical guide (G) within which the light beam propagates, the optical guide comprising: a first face forming an exit face (FS) for the light beam, a second face forming a face (FR) for reflecting the light beam, and a screen (ED) disposed facing the reflection face (FR) of the light guide (G) and comprising an orientation means redirecting light rays escaping from the guide at the reflection face, so as to return them, at least partially, into the guide, the orientation means comprising catadioptric reflecting patterns.
US08820989B2
A fixing structure of an indoor lamp includes a lamp unit and an interior wall member. The lamp unit includes a design part arranged at an indoor side of the interior wall member and a functional part arranged at an outdoor side of the interior wall member and assembled with the design part through a lamp attachment hole in a state that the functional part holds the interior wall member therebetween. The functional part has a connector portion for connecting a connector. The design part has a regulating portion which forms a connector insertion portion together with the connector portion when the design part is assembled with the functional part. The regulating portion engages with the connector inserted into the connector insertion portion to regulate displacement of the design part in a disengagement direction from the functional part.
US08820984B2
A programmable lighting effect device and system includes a main body having a plug secured to the first end, a socket secured to the second end, and a controller secured within a middle portion. The controller utilizes the alternating current frequency of the supplied electricity as a common clock and further instructs a light bulb installed within the socket to perform a predetermined illumination effect based on stored operating instructions.
US08820973B2
A stage lighting fixture having : a light source for emitting a light beam along an optical axis; a reflector coupled to the light source; at least one dichroic filter for selectively intercepting the light beam; and at least one heat-shield assembly located between the light source and the dichroic filter, and having a heat-shield filter, in turn having a first portion with first beam filtering properties, and a second portion with second beam filtering properties.
US08820969B2
The invention relates to an explosion protection housing having a threaded opening. A threaded bushing comprising a glass body in the interior thereof is mounted in the threaded opening. The glass body has a diverging lens on the exterior and a converging lens on the interior. A light-emitting diode is present at the focal point of the converging lens. In this manner, that light impinging within the capture region of the converging lens is converted into parallel light passing through the glass body to the diverging lens. The parallel light bundle is converted back into a divergent light bundle by the diverging lens so that the emerging light is visible from a wide angle range.
US08820959B2
A lighting fixture system, comprising a first illuminant, a secondary illuminant; and a sensor configured to detect a predetermined condition, the sensor being coupled to the first illuminant and the secondary illuminant, the first illuminant and the secondary illuminant comprising different light sources, the sensor configured to cause modulation of the first illuminant and the secondary illuminant in response to detection of the pre-determined condition.
US08820955B2
A power tool includes a housing having a large diameter rear portion and a narrow diameter nosepiece. An end effector is rotatably coupled to the housing. A holder with a substantially annular holder body is received over the nosepiece and non-rotatably coupled to the housing. A substantially annular cover having at least one transparent surface, and an internal annular groove, is received at least partially inside the holder body, and non-rotatably and axially fixed with respect to the holder. A substantially annular printed circuit board is received at least partially inside the annular groove in the cover, and non-rotatably and axially fixed with respect to the cover. A plurality of lighting elements is operatively connected to the printed circuit board and radially disposed about the printed circuit board. The lighting elements are aligned with the at least one transparent surface so as to illuminate a workpiece.
US08820951B2
A luminaire includes an LED based illumination device with a light emitting area and an optical element that is configured to produce a hybrid emission pattern with a spot beam emitted within a predetermined far field angle and a background level spherical emission pattern. The optical element, for example, may be configured with an input port and an output port, and a perimeter that increases in size from the input port to a maximum perimeter and decreases from the maximum perimeter to the output port. The optical element receives an amount of light from the LED based illumination device at the input port, emits a first portion of the light from a curved, semitransparent sidewall, and emits a second portion of the light at the output port, wherein the emission area of the output port is less than a maximum perimeter of the optical element.
US08820949B2
Provided is a key sheet or a lightproof light guiding sheet guiding light efficiently through an interior of the key sheet and preventing light leakage through a periphery of key tops. On a base sheet, a transparent resin layer, and further, a lightproof dark print layer are provided as needed, with at least one of the transparent resin layer and the lightproof dark print layer being formed of a non-corrosive coating liquid. Further, a smooth surface is formed between the base sheet and the dark print layer.
US08820941B2
A projection apparatus including a digital micro mirror device (DMD), a light source, a lens, a photoelectric conversion device, a decision device and an adjustment module is provided. When the DMD is switched to a first operating state, the DMD reflects a light beam emitted by the light source to the lens. When the DMD is switched to a second operating state, the DMD reflects the light beam to the photoelectric conversion device. The photoelectric conversion device generates a signal value according to a light intensity of the light beam. The decision device compares the signal value with a predetermined value. When the signal value is smaller than the predetermined value, the decision device generates a driving signal value. The driving signal value is used for driving the adjustment module to sequentially adjust a position of the light source along a plurality of axes.
US08820937B2
An optical polarization state modulator assembly for use in a stereoscopic three-dimensional image projection system includes a spatial light modulator, a light source emitting multiple wavelength components of light for incidence on the spatial light modulator, and a projection lens. A polarization converter system cooperates with the spatial light modulator to produce in alternating sequence polarized light carrying first and second perspective view images of a scene in different ones of first and second subframes. A polarization modulator, in response to first and second drive signals, imparts to, respectively, the image-carrying polarized light a first output polarization state during the first subframe and to the image-carrying polarized light a second output polarization state during the second subframe. The image-carrying polarized light in the first and second output polarization states propagates through the projection lens for transmission to an observer.
US08820914B2
Systems and methods for tuning Key (K) black ink printed by a production printer. In one embodiment, an ink tuning system is implemented in a printing system. The printing system includes a production printer that is operable to print color ink onto a continuous-form medium, and includes a radiant dryer that is operable to dry the ink that is applied to the medium. The ink tuning system identifies areas of K black ink designated for printing on the medium by the production printer, and applies a liquid agent to the areas of K black ink to increase the liquid mass of the K black ink before the medium enters the radiant dryer.
US08820913B2
There is provided a liquid ejection apparatus in which convection generated by a convection generation unit does not give an influence on an irradiation unit, ink can be heated and dried sufficiently, and bleeding can be suppressed from occurring. The liquid ejection apparatus includes a head unit which has a nozzle for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium, a carriage which makes the head unit relatively scan the recording medium, an infrared ray irradiation unit which is provided at a vertically upper side of the carriage in a scanning direction of the carriage and irradiates the recording medium with infrared rays, a convection generation unit which is provided at a vertically upper side of the carriage in the scanning direction of the carriage and generates convection on the recording medium, and a separation wall which is provided between the infrared ray irradiation unit and the convection generation unit.
US08820911B2
A coating apparatus includes a movable body, a particle feeding portion, a liquid feeding portion, a stimulus giving portion, and a nip portion. The movable body includes a circumferential face capable of rotating. The particle feeding portion feeds solid particles transparent to visible light to the circumferential face of the movable body. The liquid feeding portion feeds a hardenable liquid, in a form of a layer, on the circumferential face of the movable body supplied with the solid particles. The hardenable liquid is hardened by a stimulus given to the hardenable liquid. The stimulus giving portion gives the stimulus to the hardenable liquid fed on the circumferential face. The nip portion nips the hardenable liquid between the movable body and a recording medium.
US08820909B2
A black ink composition includes a resin-coated carbon black containing a water-soluble resin and carbon black, a water-soluble polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and water, wherein an average primary particle diameter of the carbon black is 20 nm or more, and an absorbance ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 350 nm with respect to absorbance at a wavelength of 600 nm (absorbance at a wavelength of 350 nm/absorbance at a wavelength of 600 nm), when the black ink composition is diluted 5,000-fold with water, is 1.9 or lower.
US08820907B2
The present disclosure provides a ink-jet ink, having a pH greater than 7, comprising a first aqueous vehicle, a colorant, more typically a carbon black pigment, and an amphoteric polymeric dispersant, wherein the amphoteric polymeric dispersant is a block copolymer comprising an A block and a B block, wherein the A block is a segment consisting essentially of an amine monomer; and the B block is a segment comprising an acidic monomer and at least one hydrophobic monomer; wherein the dispersant is neutralized, and the B block is free of an amine monomer. The disclosure further pertains to an ink set comprising this ink jet ink and at least a second ink which contains a reactive species with appropriate cationic agent, salt, or pH modifying agent capable of destabilizing the colorant containing dispersion of the first ink. Still further, the disclosure pertains to a method of printing wherein the first ink and second ink of the ink set are printed in an adjacent relationship, thereby minimizing penetration, feathering and/or bleed of the colorant and improving print quality.
US08820897B2
A liquid droplet ejecting head includes a fluid path forming substrate having a fluid path communicating with nozzle holes and a diaphragm on the fluid path forming substrate. The diaphragm has a first surface facing a second surface. A piezoelectric element on the first surface of the diaphragm has a piezoelectric body layer interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. A support substrate on the first surface of the diaphragm has a space for containing the piezoelectric element. The support substrate includes a first member formed on the first surface of the diaphragm, and a second member formed on the first member. The first member has a first opening for containing the piezoelectric element. The space of the support substrate is defined by the first opening of the first member and the second member. The main material of the first member is resin.
US08820889B2
A maintenance method of a liquid ejection head including a nozzle forming surface where a plurality of nozzles having a polygonal planar shape including a plurality of corners which each have two sides and an angle between the two sides are formed, includes the step of causing a relative movement of a sweep member and the head so as to sweep the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejection head in such a manner that the sweep member is moved in a direction making an angle within π/8 radian with respect to a direction in which any of the sides extends.
US08820882B2
A printing apparatus measures spectral intensity of a printed medium before an image is printed thereon, and calculates Mahalanobis distances with respect to plural types of reference printing media stored in advance. Then, the type of the printed medium is determined from the reference printing media based on the Mahalanobis distances and the image is printed thereon.
US08820868B2
The present invention relates to a kind of inkjet printer's ink protection method including: the developer generates a rechargeable code in accordance with the print head's nPL, total ink volume G0 and user's identifying information provided by the user; the user purchases ink and its corresponding rechargeable code, inputs the rechargeable code into the printer's control system, and fills ink cartridge in the ink supply system with ink; the printer's control system verifies the effectiveness of the rechargeable code; if the rechargeable code is effective, total ink volume G0 will be added into the ink counter; if not, the rechargeable code is output as ineffective. This ink protection method in the present invention can increase ink utilization rate, reduce the waste of resources and cost, protect the environment, avoid equipment breakdowns caused by using unqualified ink, and improve printer's operating stability. What's more the present ink protection method utilizes printer's software and hardware technologies in prior art, needs no extra equipment, and thus has strong practicability and is cost effective.
US08820866B2
A nail print apparatus which prints on a nail and a print controlling method. According to one implementation, a nail print apparatus includes an imaging section, a finger dimension obtaining section, a storage section, a model selecting section, a region specifying section and a printing section. The model selecting section selects one specific nail region extracting model based on a dimension of the finger obtained by the finger dimension obtaining section. The region specifying section specifies a nail region to be a specific nail region extracting model selected by the model selecting section to a region of the nail in the finger image obtained by the imaging section. The printing section applies ink on the specified nail region.
US08820864B2
An appliance that includes a storage compartment includes either a drawer or a wire basket located in the storage compartment, a handle, and a trim portion. The drawer or basket stores at least one item and the drawer is movable relative to the storage compartment. The handle is snappingly secured to a peripheral edge of the drawer or basket. The trim portion is snappingly secured to at least one edge of the drawer or basket where the trim portion is secured independently of the handle. In another example, a humidity control device is located on the drawer and controls the humidity within the interior portion of the drawer. A knob that controls the humidity control device is received through a cutout in the trim portion.
US08820854B2
A bicycle wheel quick release assembly that includes an axle having a handle engaged with one end thereof. The handle is operable to alter a working length of the axle and securable to the axle at a variety of radial positions to manipulate the radial direction or clocking of the orientation of the handle relative to a longitudinal axis of the axle.
US08820845B2
A degradation assembly may comprise at least one sensor mounted on a pick; the pick comprising a first conductor in communication with the sensor. The assembly may also comprise a receiving element including a bore comprising a second conductor. The first and second conductors may combine to create a connection as the pick is inserted into the bore of the receiving element.
US08820832B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a wire harness assembly for routing a wire harness through a vehicle seat back having an active head restraint system. The assembly can comprise a movable member configured to move relative to a seat frame in a vehicle fore-aft direction and can have a sleeve with a first end configured to receive a headrest. A harness guide is included with a guide tube and an attachment member that is connected to the guide tube and to the movable member, the guide tube having a first open end and a second open, and a guide passage that extends through the guide tube from the first open end to the second open end. A second end of the sleeve opposite the first end is located within the attachment member and configured such that the sleeve and the attachment member move with the movable member.
US08820828B2
A foldable artist bench includes a seat panel and first and second legs pivotally coupled to opposing ends of the seat panel so as to be pivotal between a working position and a storage position folded alongside the seat panel. A work support panel is formed integrally with the first leg at one end so as to be foldable therewith into the storage position. The second leg is spaced inwardly from the end of the seat panel such that the work support can be used in multiple operating positions including supporting the seat panel: i) horizontally with the work support upright at one end; ii) upright with the work support similarly upright; or iii) upright with the work support transversely oriented at the top end of the upright seat panel.
US08820826B2
A rolling table and seating system includes a first assembly folding between a first position with the first assembly forming a seat bottom, and a second storage position. A second assembly moves between a first position with the second assembly forming a table and a second position at which the second assembly forms a seat back complementary to the seat bottom. First linkages fold the first assembly and include a leg supporting the seat bottom at the first position, and lift and pivot the leg at the second storage position. Second linkages fold the second assembly and include a leg supporting the table at the first position and move the leg to a position with a lower end of the leg laterally outward from an upper end of the leg.
US08820820B2
A rear floor module is arranged between two rear frame rails of a vehicle body running essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The floor module includes, but is not limited to a floor tray essentially extending flatly between the frame rails and at least one integrated cross member, which is configured for separately connection with the frame rails for transmitting mechanical forces, and which is provided with a connecting structure to which at least one component of a vehicle chassis can be secured.
US08820819B2
In a vehicle floor frame structure, side members 2 each include a floor side member 21 and a rear side member 22; the floor side member 21 is disposed on a main floor panel 11; the rear side member 22 is disposed on a rear floor panel 12; a reinforcement 3 is stacked on the floor side member 21 in a vertical direction with the main floor panel 11 interposed therebetween; an upper surface 3a of the reinforcement 3 becomes higher toward the rear of the vehicle body; a front portion 3b and lower portions of side surfaces 3c of the reinforcement 3 are joined to the main floor panel 11; a rear end portion 3d of the reinforcement 3 is joined to the vertical wall 13a in a front portion of the rear floor panel 12; a closed section space S1 enclosed by the main floor panel 11, a front portion 13 of the rear floor panel 12, and the reinforcement 3 is formed in a side view; a lower surface portion 21b of a rear end of the floor side member 21 becomes higher toward the main floor panel 11; and the upper surface 3a of the reinforcement 3 and the lower surface portion 21b of the floor side member 21 are inclined at almost the same angles and are formed to have a monotonous cross section in a side view.
US08820816B2
The present invention provides an outer panel for a back door that includes a glass-fitted opening and a plurality of guide grooves provided on an outer peripheral edge of the glass-fitted opening. Each of the guide grooves is arranged on opposing left and right sides on the outer peripheral edge and has a shallow groove and either a deep groove or a through hole.
US08820811B1
A vehicle interface rack includes at least one twist-lock bracket configured to be inserted into a vehicular twist-lock receptacle and rotated a predetermined distance within the vehicular twist-lock receptacle to define a locked position. The vehicle interface rack also includes a rack structure configured to rest upon a vehicle bed when the rack structure is in a secured position defined by a securing portion of the rack structure being coupled with the at least one twist-lock bracket disposed in the locked position.
US08820805B2
Disclosed is the outer support member and the inner support member each have a vertical wall and upper and lower horizontal walls. The vertical walls of the outer support member and inner support member are formed on the outer surfaces of the respective support members. The inner edges of the upper and lower horizontal walls are inclined from the rear portions thereof toward front center portions thereof. Thus, the performance of the crash box of the present invention may satisfy the requirements for both an offset test and a barrier test, reduce the weight of the bumper beam assembly to thereby reduce costs, and improve the performance and fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
US08820804B2
A vehicle end section structure capable of securing coupling rigidity at a coupling section between bumper reinforcement and a framework member where a hook attachment section is provided. The vehicle front section structure includes bumper reinforcement of B-shaped cross-section formed with a rearwards opening indented portion between a top and bottom pair of closed cross-sections, a crush box disposed at the rear of one length direction end portion of the bumper reinforcement, bolts and weld nuts for joining the bumper reinforcement at the top-bottom closed cross-sections to locations inside the closed cross-section of the crush box as viewed along the front-rear direction, and a pipe nut that is disposed in an indented portion facing an access hole to enable access to a hook member through the access hole and that is fixed to the crush box inside the closed cross-section of the crush box as viewed along the front-rear direction.
US08820803B2
An emergency exit door lock system configured to cooperate with a door hinged in a door frame for sensing when a person attempts to open the door, and for allowing the door to open after a subsequent delay. The system comprises an electromagnet affixable to a door frame for electromagnetically attracting an armature resiliently affixed at a variable armature separation distance to an armature mounting device, the device being affixable to the door. A proximity sensor including an analog Hall Effect device is mountable to the frame for detecting movement of the door away from a closed position. A controller, such as a micro-controller, receives a signal from the sensor and causes an alarm as a function of the signal. The signal is indicative of the armature separation distance, the controller being calibrate-able to provide a door alarm signal and door opening signal at any desired value of the armature separation distance.
US08820796B2
To avoid even in rotor-stator dispersion machines with high suction power that the drawn liquid is set into a rotational movement whereby the dispersion performance is impaired, the invention provides transitional elements, such as an intermediate piece, for establishing the connection between a rotor-stator dispersion machine and a container. The rotor-stator dispersion machine comprises a rotor-stator system having at least one toothed ring. The container has a longitudinal axis and an outlet. The intermediate piece has a first opening for the connection with the outlet of the container and a second opening for the connection with the rotor-stator dispersion machine. The intermediate piece comprises a tube line that extends between the first and the second opening and has at least in some sections a longitudinal axis that is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the container by an angle α30 in the range of 0° to 90 °.
US08820793B2
Improvements in security devices are provided that are used for authenticating or security applications. The security device includes a first color-shifting layer and a second color-shifting layer, which exhibits different reflective characteristics to the first color-shifting layer. A partial first light absorbing layer is between first surfaces of the first and second color-shifting layers and a second light absorbing layer applied to a second surface of the second color-shifting layer. The color of the partial first absorbing layer is selected to substantially match the color of light reflected at a normal angle of incidence by the combination of the second color-shifting layer and the second absorbing layer.
US08820791B2
In one embodiment, an adapter for a board (1) is provided, comprising at least two different receptacles (20) for attaching different types of chassis.
US08820789B2
Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to sudden movement. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Sudden movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.
US08820781B2
An attachment structure for driver seat airbag devices that enables smoother operation of a horn switch. The attachment structure includes: an armature connected to a steering mechanism of the vehicle; and a housing that accommodates the airbag module and that is positioned with respect to the armature. The housing includes positioning pins for implementing relative positioning in XY directions with respect to the armature at a plurality of locations and first openings for implementing positioning in a Z direction at a plurality of locations. The armature is provided with a plurality of second openings through which the positioning pins of the housing are inserted and with a plurality of protrusions that are inserted through the first openings of the housing. The position of Z-direction lower edge sections of the first openings of the housing lies within a range of the depth of the second openings of the armature.
US08820779B1
An inflatable airbag assembly can include an inflatable curtain airbag and an inflator. In some arrangements, the inflatable curtain airbag may include an inflator housing region where the inflator may be at least partially disposed. In some arrangements, the inflatable airbag assembly may also include a mounting assembly that includes a coupling member tethered to a mounting member.
US08820777B1
A portable, foldable clothes rack and table serving cart is provided, including a frame on wheels, a hanger bar for handing clothes placed on hangers, a laundry basket platform to support a laundry basket full of clothes, and a table serving cart all of which can be compactly folded and stored neatly between a clothes washer and dryer essentially out of sight.
US08820776B2
A folding golf cart, including a bottom frame, the pillar, the handle, the front wheel and the rear wheel, the rear-wheel carrier, the folding connecting rod, the support rod, the connecting rod and the sliding seat. The bottom end of the pillar is connected to the back-end part of the bottom frame. The bottom of the handle is designed with a connector whose one end is connected to the near-top part of the pillar and the other to one end of the folding connecting rod. The other end of the folding connecting rod is hinged to the back end of the bottom frame, the front ends of both the rear-wheel carriers are connected on both sides of the sliding seat and the two sides of the support rod are hinged to the pillar and the rear-wheel carrier.
US08820771B2
Safety fastening heelpiece (10) for ski boot comprising a moving body (11) mounted to pivot about an articulation axis (14) suspended by two lateral arms (20) linked to a base (12), the moving body including a release spring (15) acting on a moving piston (17) cooperating with a release surface (18) of the articulation axis, so as to be able to occupy a first position corresponding to a closed position of the heelpiece in which a heel grip (13) arranged at one end of the moving body is intended to hold the heel of a ski boot on the ski, and to be able to occupy a second position corresponding to an open position of the heelpiece, characterized in that the release surface is formed by a protrusion (21) arranged in relief relative to the rest of the articulation axis.
US08820763B2
A device for human conveyance includes front and rear wheels. The rear wheel interfaces to a sprocket/gear through a ratchet drive system allowing forward rotation of the rear wheel responsive to forward rotation of the sprocket/gear and allows free backward rotation of the sprocket/gear. The front and rear wheels are rotatably interfaced to a frame that keeps the front wheel at a constant distance from the rear wheel. A front end of an arc-shaped spring is affixed to the frame and a rear end of the arc-shaped spring has sprocket/gear teeth that are interfaced to the sprocket/gear whereas depression of the arc-shaped spring pushes the rear-end of the arc-shaped spring in a rearward direction with respect to the rear wheel and the sprocket/gear teeth turns the sprocket/gear in a forward rotational direction. A resilient member is disposed between the arc-shaped spring and the frame to absorb shock.
US08820755B1
A creeper (20) for a mechanic includes a top surface (21) and a bottom surface (22). The top surface (21) includes a headrest section (30), a shoulder-receiving section (31), a back-receiving section (32), and a buttocks-receiving section (33). The shoulder-receiving section (31) is wider than any of the other sections for comfortable full shoulder support of the user. The back-receiving section (32) and the buttocks-receiving section (33) are generally flat and the shoulder-receiving section (31) is generally uniformly inclined from the back-receiving section (32) upwardly to the headrest section (30) for the comfort of the neck of the user.Pockets (39) are formed on each side of the buttocks-receiving section (33), and radiused surfaces (41) extend from the side surfaces of the buttocks-receiving section (33) to the pockets (39) for the comfort of the user. The bottom surface (22) includes a plurality of parallel recesses (47) extending under all of the sections of the top surface (21). The bottom surface (22) also includes a plurality of caster receiving pockets (46) which allow the complete rotation of caster assemblies (42) positioned therein.
US08820751B2
A heavy duty composite oil seal with an outer cup and a plastic inner cup. The outer cup includes a major diameter mounting flange portion terminating in a curl, a minor diameter wear sleeve portion, and a transition portion joining the major and minor diameter portions. There is an elastomeric seal body and an embedded stiffener, with the elastomeric seal body having a sealing lip contacting the inner axial surface of the wear sleeve portion. There is a plastic inner cup member with an axial flange substantially co-extensive with the mounting flange and entrapped along the major diameter flange portion between the curl portion and the transition portion of the outer cup. The inner cup also has a radially extending flange that engages a radial portion of the elastomeric seal body. The plastic inner cup member has a continuous curvilinear inner surface.
US08820741B2
There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium which can precisely determine any occurrence of a jam by a sound which is generated by paper for various types of paper. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator, provided with a sound detector near a conveyance path of a paper, for generating a sound signal corresponding to a sound generated by a paper during conveyance of the paper, a paper thickness setting module for setting a thickness of a paper conveyed to the conveyance path, and a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on a signal of a specific frequency band in the sound signal, wherein the sound jam detector determines the specific frequency band based on a thickness of the paper.
US08820737B2
Presented herein is a sheet turning unit (1) comprising a first sheet conveyor device (2a) for transporting a sheet at least along a first transport path (B1) in a first plane (E1), and comprising a second sheet conveyor device (2b) for transporting the sheet along a second transport path (B2), said second transport path extending at an angle of 90° with respect to the first transport path (B1) and, in sum, describing a curve of 180°, whereby the starting point of said curve is located in the first plane (E1) and the end point of said curve is located in a second plane (E2) that is different from the first plane, and comprising a third sheet conveyor device (2c) for transporting the sheet along at least a third transport path (B3). As a result of this, the leading edge of the sheet remains in front even after the turning operation, and a precisely functioning and reliable sheet turning unit is being provided. Furthermore, advantageous embodiments of the first and third sheet conveyor devices are described, said devices enabling the transport of a sheet in two directions. The advantageous embodiments of the first and third sheet conveyor devices are compact and simple in design and can be controlled easily. The advantageous embodiments of the first and third sheet conveyor devices comprise a sheet transport body that, by means of a rotating mechanism arranged in the sheet transport body, can be rotated about a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis, said axes extending through one point of intersection and being perpendicular to one another.
US08820733B2
A sheet feeding device includes a grounding member arranged to a housing and electrically grounded, a sheet loading part arranged to the housing and loading a sheet, a sheet conveying path extending from the sheet loading part and conveying the sheet in a conveying direction, a sheet feeding part and a swinging member. The sheet feeding part is arranged facing to the sheet loading part and conveys the sheet on the sheet loading part in the conveying direction. The electro-conductive swinging member is swingably supported to the housing and swung in a first direction by bring the sheet from the sheet loading part into contact with the swinging member. The swinging member includes a first contact part receiving the contact of the sheet and a second contact part coming into contact with the grounding member accompanying to the swing in the first direction of the swinging member.
US08820732B2
Image forming apparatus that uses sheets in sets, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus which prevents lowering of productivity when sets of tab sheets are used in one print job. The apparatus includes first sheet feeding units storing tab sheets, and a second sheet feeding unit storing plain paper. The apparatus produces print products in each which at least part of each set of tab sheets and plain paper are mixed. A print job processor causes print products to be produced by repeating a sequence of processing for feeding the at least part of each set of tab sheets and feeding plain paper. The processor causes surplus tab sheets to be discharged which have not been used for the print products and remaining in the first sheet feeding units, after a print product is produced through sheet feeding from a last one of the first sheet feeding units in order.
US08820731B2
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention has: an apparatus main body whose external appearance is configured from an upper casing, a lower casing, and a link casing that vertically links the upper casing and the lower casing and that has a paper discharge opening for discharging paper on one side face; a paper discharge portion that is formed as a space between the upper casing and the lower casing and that is to store paper discharged from the paper discharge opening; and an operation panel portion that is disposed in a vertically tiltable manner on a front face of the upper casing. When viewing the apparatus main body from the front side, an open space that allows paper discharged to the paper discharge portion to be viewed is provided between the operation panel portion and the link casing.
US08820720B2
A self-tailing arrangement for a winch comprises a rope guide channel defined by upper and lower guide rings which are rotatable with a drum and adapted to grip rope therein. A feeder arm guides rope between the drum and the rope guide channel and is fixed with respect to a support. A spring-mounted retainer guide guides rope between the rope guide channel and an unloaded end of the rope. The drum is rotatable with respect to the retainer guide. The retainer guide has a retainer lip extending partially circumferentially around the self-tailing assembly to at least partially enclose a portion of the rope guide channel. The retainer guide further defines at least one side of an opening adjacent the retainer lip, the opening being sized to conduct rope through the opening during reverse winding of the winch, the rope thereby being retained in the rope guide channel by the retainer lip.
US08820717B2
A system is mounted onto a forklift truck for covering and/or uncovering a cargo with a tarpaulin. The system comprises a tube frame assembly having a telescoping frame slidably attached to it. The telescoping frame is configured to be capable of being extendable and/or retractable within the tube frame assembly. The telescoping frame comprises a plurality of rollers configured to be capable of rotating when engaged with the plurality of flexible members and the flexible cover. A powertrain device is installed onto the tube frame assembly for causing to retract and/or to extend the telescoping frame within the tube frame assembly. A winch assembly is configured to be coupled to the tube frame assembly and having a plurality of straps engaged with the tarpaulin to cover and/or uncover the cargo.
US08820699B2
A torque support for a converter tilting drive mounted on a shaft journal. The supports are provided on the gear housing that accommodates the shaft journal to be driven. The supports support the gear housing on the structure carrying the converter. To this end, the supports are embodied in each case as dual action hydraulic piston-cylinder units that are independently anchored on the structure in an articulated manner.
US08820693B1
A telescoping support stand comprising an extendable leg that includes a first tube partially defining a first enclosed area and a second tube partially defining a second enclosed area. A first end of the second tube may be telescopically slidable within the first tube. The telescoping support stand may also comprise a locking mechanism attached to the second tube. The locking mechanism may releasably secure the first tube to the second tube to prevent longitudinal movement of the first tube relative to the second tube. The telescoping support stand may also comprise a first air exchange aperture dimensioned to allow air to flow between the first and second enclosed areas. The telescoping support stand may include a plurality of extendable legs and a single release member that operates all of the locking mechanisms of the plurality of extendable legs. Corresponding methods of assembly and operation are also disclosed.
US08820692B2
A motor casing includes a frame assembly and a motor base. The frame assembly includes a frame having an inner face defining an air channel, and a plurality of connection members disposed in the air channel. Each connection member has first and second ends. The first ends of the connection members are coupled to the inner face of the frame. The motor base includes a supporting member and a covering member. The supporting member has an inner surface defining a through-hole, and an outer surface coupled with the second ends of the connection members. An opening portion and a coupling portion are formed at two sides of the through-hole. The covering member is coupled to the opening portion of the supporting member and has first and second surfaces. The first surface faces the through-hole of the supporting member. The covering member includes at least one vent.
US08820684B2
A spacecraft is provided. The spacecraft comprises a plurality of heat generating electrical components. A first thermal radiator panel and a second thermal radiator panel are provided on the spacecraft, each panel being thermally coupled to the heat generating electrical components. Heat pipes are also provided. At least one first heat pipe is externally attached to the first thermal radiator panel and at least one second heat pipe is externally attached to the second thermal radiator panel. The at least one first heat pipe is thermally coupled to the at least one second heat pipe.
US08820672B2
Environmental samples are collected and analyzed using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In some examples, the sample is drawn into engagement with a sensor onboard a UAV by the existing fluid flow generated by a rotor fan through a duct of a ducted fan of the UAV. The quality characteristics of the fluid sample may be physically or wirelessly delivered to a remote location. In some examples, samples are drawn into engagement with the sensor by a flexible tube that is attached to an outer surface of the UAV. The flexible tube may allow the UAV to precisely target and collect samples of dust and moisture and other materials from the ground over which the UAV operates.
US08820671B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus are described herein for using reel assemblies including customizable and interchangeable drums. According to embodiments described herein, a reel assembly includes a first flange having a bolt pattern and a second flange having the bolt pattern. The reel assembly also includes a core drum having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends of the reel assembly also have the bolt pattern. The first end of the reel assembly is detachably coupled to the first flange via the bolt pattern, and the second end of the reel assembly is detachably coupled to the second flange via the bolt pattern.
US08820669B2
A dual-bearing reel includes a reel unit, a handle, a spool shaft, a spool, and a casting control mechanism. The handle is rotatably supported by the reel unit. The spool shaft is rotatably supported at an end thereof by the shaft support part. The spool is mounted onto the spool shaft, where the spool is configured to be rotated in conjunction with rotation of the handle. The casting control mechanism includes a brake knob rotatably supported by the shaft support part, a first plate being disposed to be contactable with the brake knob and one of end surfaces of the spool shaft, and a second plate being disposed to be contactable with the other of end surfaces of the spool shaft. The brake knob is disposed entirely in the recess. The first plate is configured to be pressed in conjunction with rotation of the brake knob.
US08820666B2
A method for processing a supply of post consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The method includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried and compacted without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product.
US08820664B2
A multiple nozzle differential fluid delivery head is disclosed. The fluid delivery head includes a body that defines a fluid chamber having a longitudinal axis. The body includes an inlet for connection to a fluid source, and the inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery head includes a plurality of outlet ports connected to and extending away from the body. Each outlet port has an interior space in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery head includes a nozzle insert removably secured in an outer end of each outlet port. At least one nozzle insert has a fluid delivery aperture in fluid communication with the interior space of its associated outlet port for delivering fluid out of the interior space of its associated outlet port. One or more of the outlet ports is angled away from a plane normal to the axis of the fluid delivery head.
US08820660B2
A shower head assembly having a fragrant releasing device operable to release a scent when water is passed through the shower head assembly is provided. Preferably the fragrant releasing device is formed in part by a gelatinous material operable to release a predetermined scent when placed in contact with water. The shower head assembly includes a housing and an outlet. In one embodiment, the shower head assembly includes a spacer disposed in a gap between the face of the outlet and an outer edge of the housing. The fragrant releasing device is disposed within the chamber so as to be in fluid communication with the inner space of the housing. In another embodiment, the chamber is disposed on the face. A cartridge is configured to be fittingly disposed within the chamber. The cartridge releases a scent when water is introduced into the housing and through the nozzles of the face.
US08820656B2
An aerosol system for dispensing liquid material, comprising a container assembly and an actuator assembly comprising an outlet member defining an outlet opening, a collar member, an actuator member, and a selector member. The actuator member supports the collar member and the outlet member such that movement of the collar member relative to the actuator member causes the collar member to deform the outlet member. Movement of the selector member relative to the collar member moves the collar member relative to the actuator member. Deformation of the outlet member alters a cross-sectional area of the outlet opening. When the actuator assembly is in a first position, the liquid material is prevented from flowing out of the container. When the actuator assembly is in a second position, the liquid material is allowed to flow out of the container assembly through the outlet opening.
US08820647B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for authorizing the use of a biometric transaction card. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a biometric card having a biometric sensor to determine whether the biometric information (fingerprint) is from human skin. In a typical embodiment, the cardholder approaches a magnetic reader with the card. The user places his/her finger on the SpO2 sensor of the card. The sensor estimates the SpO2 level. Card authorization is based, in part, on the estimated SpO2 level.
US08820644B2
A hand held device containing at least one camera can perform various functions. In some embodiments, the optical path between the lens and the optical sensor may be redirected at least once to allow it to fit within the body of a narrow device. For example, at least one reflector or beam combiner may be used to redirect the light so that part of the optical path is perpendicular to another part of the optical path.
US08820633B2
A point of sale (POS) device may be configured to locate a payment system and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to a payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. The invention also includes inserting third party account information into an encrypted portion of the payment request, so the payment request appears as a normal request to the issuing bank, but the third party account information may be used by the third party to bill the customer. The payment system directory is further configured to determine one or more payment processors to direct a payment authorization request, such that a single transaction may me allocated among multiple payment processors for authorization. Moreover, the payment system directory is able to format alternative payment methods into a format that is able to be processed over existing payment networks.
US08820630B2
A data decoding system that includes a server-side proxy component and at least two back-end computers, where the server-side proxy component is configured, when it receives a decoding request from a client, to select a back-end computer to forward the decoding request to, based on either a pre-defined rule, load estimates for said at least two computers, estimated network throughputs across network paths to the two computers. In response to receiving this request, the back-end computer that is selected is configured to decode the request, which is an image of decodable indicia, by locating the decodable indicia within the image and decoding it into a decoded message. The decodable indicia was provided by a raw image byte stream, a compressed image byte stream, or a partial compressed image byte stream.
US08820623B2
A position-measuring device includes a code, including a series of code elements arranged one behind the other in a measuring direction, in which at least two consecutive code elements respectively form a code word containing a position information item, and a scanning device having detector elements for reading the at least two code elements of the code that form a code word, and an evaluation device in which the code word having the current position information may be ascertained from the scanning signals of the detector elements. The scanning device and the code are arranged in a moveable manner relative to each other in the measuring direction. Between adjacent code elements, which have identical properties in the transition region, separating elements having complementary properties are inserted.
US08820622B2
A cash box (1) used for storing cashes and provided with a self-locking mechanism comprises a box body (11), a box door (12) and a box door self-locking mechanism. The cashbox (1) is arranged on a cashbox bracket (3). The box door self-locking mechanism comprises a lock (21) for locking the box door (12) and a door switch structure (22) which is fixed on the cashbox bracket (3) and used for opening or closing the box door (12). The lock (21) comprises a movable lock tongue (211) connected with the box door (12) and a lock cylinder (212) which is fixed on one wall of the box body (11) and movably buckled with the movable lock tongue (211). A triggering element which acts on the door switch structure is arranged on the box door (12) which is opened by the door switch structure when the box body (11) is pushed into the cashbox bracket (3) and which is locked by the door switch structure when the box body (11) is drawn out of the cashbox bracket (3). The cashbox has self-locking function while being forcedly dismantled and ensures the safety of articles inside the box while being displaced and transported.
US08820621B2
A food holder for retaining a food product is provided. The food holder is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material. The food holder includes a top tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines. The food holder further includes a bottom tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines. The bottom tray is rotatably coupled to the top tray along a hinge line. The top tray is rotatable relative to the bottom tray from an open position to a closed position. The food holder further includes a moveable section including a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel. The moveable section facilitates movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray for retaining the food product.
US08820619B2
A foldably assembleable generally rectangularly-shaped box-like container with spaced lateral and longitudinal walls where one longitudinal wall has a greater height and has two hooks, or folds into a hook-like shape, for placing the container upon a bed rail. The container preferably has dividers that divide the interior into compartments for storage of things therein and which also stiffen the container. Optional stiffener box or shelf constructions may be employed to strengthen the container against collapse and to effect shallower compartments. The container can be foldably formed from one or two layers of material, often cardstock or cardboard.
US08820616B2
A method for fine positioning a component through the use of fusible elements having two or more melting points so as to establish intermediate displacements between totally melted fusible elements and unmelted fusible elements. Because of the use of non-eutectic fusible materials, fine adjustments in the displacement may be achieved.
US08820610B2
The present invention provides a qualitatively-stable functionally gradient material precursor having gradient material composition, as well as a production method of the functionally gradient material precursor, at low cost. Further, the present invention provides a functionally gradient material having gradient material composition, or having both gradient material composition and gradient porosity, so as to achieve high-functionality; as well as a production method of the functionally gradient material. A functionally gradient material precursor is formed by the steps of: forming plural kinds of metal foam precursors, each obtained by performing heat treatment on a metal member so that a plurality of pores are generated within the metal member, by making the material composition of the metal member different; and friction stir welding the plural kinds of metal foam precursors. Further, a functionally gradient material is formed by performing heat treatment on the functionally gradient material.
US08820608B2
A medical instrument includes a first grasping member and a second grasping member that approach and separate from each other, a rotating body that is rotatably installed on a rotation shaft fixed to the first grasping member, an open-close link whose first end is rotatably connected to a first rotation shaft provided on the second grasping member and whose second end is rotatably connected to a second rotation shaft provided on the rotating body at a distance from the rotation shaft, and a manipulating member rotating the rotating body. When the rotating body is rotated in a predetermined direction, the first grasping member and the second grasping member approach each other while the second rotation shaft approaches an imaginary straight line connecting axes of the rotation shaft and the first rotation shaft.
US08820588B2
A discharge assembly apparatus for discharging a metered volume of a liquid when used in combination with a liquid-containing, pressurized or pressurizable container includes an actuator assembly incorporating a valve stem having a discharge conduit arrangement with an inlet and an outlet, a metering chamber formed within the valve stem and incorporating a liquid discharge element, an inlet/outlet arrangement, and a housing wherein the valve stem and the inner surface of the housing define a fluid transfer passageway therebetween, the discharge conduit arrangement of the valve stem providing communication between the outlet of the metering chamber and the outlet of the valve stem via the fluid transfer passageway.
US08820585B1
A foaming assembly includes a porous foaming element, a liquid chamber and an air chamber. The porous foaming element has an air inlet, a liquid inlet and an outlet. The porous foaming element has at least two zones of different pore sizes. The liquid chamber is in flow communication with the porous foaming element. The liquid chamber has a volume that is movable between an at rest postion to an activation position. The air chamber is in flow communication with the porous foaming element. The air chamber has a volume that is movable between an at rest position to an activation position. Liquid and air are forced into the porous foaming element under pressure wherein they mix to form foam which exits through the outlet. A dispenser may include a foaming assembly and a liquid container.
US08820582B2
A product dispenser connector comprises a front portion, a rear portion, and a connector portion. The front portion includes a receiving member configured and arranged to releasably connect a product dispenser thereto. The rear portion includes a connecting member and an adjusting member. The connecting member is configured and arranged to releasably connect the rear portion to a mounting member. The adjusting member has an engaging portion. The connector portion interconnects the front portion and the rear portion. The rear portion is rotatably operatively connected to the front portion and the connector portion. The connector portion includes a first notch and a second notch. The engaging portion engages the first notch in a first configuration and engages the second notch in a second configuration. The adjusting member is configured and arranged to deflect to disengage the connector portion to change configurations.
US08820571B2
A beer keg includes a container having a base and a wall extending upward from a periphery of the base. A liner within the container includes a base, sidewalls and a mouth. The base of the liner interlocks with the base of the container to prevent relative rotation therebetween. A valve is disposed over the mouth of the liner.
US08820567B2
The present invention is a talking trash receptacle that includes a lid that is removably placed on the receptacle, a plurality of speakers that are disposed on the lid that emit an audio message alerting one or more users that the receptacle is full, a beam sensor that runs across the receptacle and senses when trash and debris contained and piled-up in the receptacle intersect the beam sensor and a trash bag that is disposed within the receptacle that contains the trash and debris that are contained and piled-up within the receptacle. The receptacle also includes a trash can that contains the trash bag and the trash and debris, a speaker board that serves as a base of the speakers that are disposed on the speaker board and a plurality of sensor holding arms that secures the beam sensor in place that runs across the top portion of the receptacle.
US08820561B2
In a closure for closing the orifice (13) of a neck (12), in particular the orifice of a fuel filler neck for automotive vehicles, a spring mechanism is provided which takes the form of a tightening device for drawing the closure part (14) automatically into its final closed position. The movement of the closure part (14) is controlled by a first guide slot (19). The operating lever (35), by means of which the closure part is moved, is furthermore hinged to the closure part (14) by means of a second guide slot (39), which, when an opening force is introduced via the closure part (14), blocks the movement of the closure part (14) from its closed position in the opening direction so that the closure part (14) cannot be manually opened from outside.
US08820559B2
A container for shipping and storing flowable materials includes generally planar walls that form or enclose a generally-box shaped vessel for holding flowable material. The container includes a plurality of corner fittings and optionally a plurality of connecting members that provide a frame structure to support the corner fittings. The corner fittings enable the container to be lifted and to be secured to a transport platform, transport vehicle, and/or another container. The vessel walls may be composed of a material that is not as strong or as dense as the material that forms the corner fittings and/or connecting members. The vessel walls may be corrugated and/or include a support structure overlaid on their exterior surface to increase the strength of the walls. The vessel interior may contain baffles to reduce sloshing and increase the strength of the vessel walls.
US08820556B2
A molded bottle for liquids is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the bottle includes a hollow body portion adapted to store liquids therein, with an opening on a top of the body portion to access an interior of the bottle. In addition, the bottle includes a sidewall that extends outward around a bottom periphery of the body portion, where the bottle is supported by an edge of the sidewall when the bottle is placed on a planar surface. The sidewall is configured to flex when the bottle is pressed down onto the planar surface to form a vacuum between the body portion and the planar surface to prevent the bottle from moving.
US08820555B2
A synthetic resin round bottle having a shape of the peripheral groove ribs that can increase the plane rigidity of the peripheral sidewall, without lowering the buckling strength in the vertical directions and the moldability of the bottle, including a round bottle having a neck, a tapered cylindrical shoulder, a cylindrical body, a bottom, a pair of peripheral groove ribs disposed at certain height positions of the body and formed in groove shapes, with one groove over the other groove in proximity to each other, where bases of these peripheral groove ribs are inclined relative to the direction of central axis of the bottle in a vertical sectional view, and the incline of a rib base for the upper peripheral groove rib has a direction opposite that of the incline of the rib base for the lower peripheral groove rib.
US08820554B2
A vessel cap is comprised of a body mounted at a vessel inlet through which a liquid material stored in a vessel is discharged outwardly and having a certain space therein. A pressing plate is disposed in the body to be movable in upper and lower directions. A cutter is formed at an edge of a lower surface of the pressing plate in a circumferential direction for penetrating a sealing member when the pressing plate is pressed and which cuts the sealing member when the body is rotated. A hooking member downwardly protrudes at the lower surface of the pressing plate for storing the sealing member cut by the cutter in the body. A connection portion is formed between an outer circumferential surface of the pressing plate and an inner circumferential surface of the body for guiding the pressing plate to be moved in upper and lower directions.
US08820548B2
A tray device that is detachably connectable to a surface, such as a table surface, providing an eating and/or playing surface for a child. The tray is provided with a lip that extends upwardly and outwardly toward the child's body so as to catch items and/or food or drink dropped by the child and direct the slipped item onto the tray surface. The tray may also be provided with a removable insert and various attachment mechanisms to firmly hold the tray onto the table surface.
US08820547B2
Provided is a movable rack unit for taking in and out a storage object with respect to a storage space. The movable rack unit includes a guide part including a track member linearly laid inside the storage space and along a depth direction of the storage space and a moving body that moves along the track member. A support member is rotatably borne on the moving body, and the support member supports the storage object within the storage space. Further, this unit includes a rotation guiding part, and the rotation guiding part changes the attitude of the support member in accordance with the position of the moving body with respect to the track member. When the moving member reaches an opening portion side of the storage space, the rotation guiding part rotates the support member so that merely the support member is set outside the storage space.
US08820546B2
The present invention is directed to a dental mount for receiving and retaining a plurality of different dental ceramic blocks used in dental restoration treatments, wherein the dental mount comprises a substantially flat front face having a plurality of dental ceramic block receiving holes located thereon; each of the dental ceramic block receiving holes being dimensioned to form a retaining fit with any one of the different dental ceramic blocks. The advantage of providing a dental mount with dedicated holes for retaining any one of the dental ceramic blocks is that the dental mount can be used to comparatively present all the different types of dental ceramic blocks next to one another in an organized and graded manner so that a dentist may make quick and accurate comparisons between the different types of dental ceramic blocks. Furthermore, the dentist can quickly assess their stock levels by glancing at the dental mount. A further advantage is that the dental ceramic blocks are securely held apart from one another on the dental mount and therefore cannot damage one another when they are moved or transported.
US08820540B2
Method for preparing a filtration membrane and a filtration membrane prepared by the method. According to one embodiment, the method involves casting a polymer solution onto a porous support to form a coated support. The coated support is then quenched to form a membrane/support composite, and the membrane/support composite is then dried. Next, a first end of a first piece of adhesive tape is applied to the membrane side of the composite, and the second end of the first piece of adhesive tape is applied to a first rotatable winder. In addition, a first end of a second piece of adhesive tape is applied to the support side of the composite, and the second end of the second piece of adhesive tape is applied to a second rotatable winder. The two winders are then rotated so as to pull apart the membrane from the support.
US08820529B2
A film container includes a bottom film and a top film connected thereto for forming at least one accommodating chamber for a filling, in particular a pharmaceutical active substance formulation. A detachably fastened sliding element which covers the accommodating chamber is assigned to the accommodating chamber as a safeguard.
US08820520B2
A positive displacement sorter includes a plurality of parallel laterally extending slats and a pair of wheel assemblies, each interconnecting common end portions of the slats thereby defining an endless web that travels in a longitudinal direction. An upper surface of the web defines an article-conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes travel along the slats in order to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A plurality of attachment mechanisms are provided. Each of the attachment mechanisms attaches an end portion of one of the slats to one of the wheel assemblies. Each of the attachment mechanisms includes a shoulder and a collar and at least one locking member. The collar engages the shoulder thereby providing retention of the slat to the wheel assembly. The locking member provides retention of the collar on the shoulder.
US08820518B2
The invention relates to an accumulating conveyor, in particular for use in the motor vehicle industry, for example for conveying body parts on pallets. The pallets are automatically coupled in a form-fitting manner at the reversing station or at the reversing stations by at least one centering pin, wherein, after the relevant reversing station has been passed, the centering pin or the centering pins is or are automatically released again.
US08820516B2
A device for loading and unloading the standing surface of the drying chamber of a freeze drying installation. The device includes a carriage disposed above an unloading position of the surface which extends transversely to a movement direction during a loading or unloading process and in parallel with the standing surface and forms a movable guiding edge for the drying vessels. Guides disposed on both sides of the standing surface extend in parallel with the movement direction and form fixed guiding edges for the drying vessels. The carriage is driven by two linear motors, the respective primary parts of which are fixedly connected to both side ends of the carriage and are supported on the guides which at the same time receive the secondary parts. All of the components of the devices thus defined are located within the drying chamber, wherein a mechanically extremely simple and low-wear construction is achieved.
US08820515B2
An agricultural conveyor assembly of the type including a main conveyor, a feed auger assembly, and a main auger boot pivotally supporting the outlet end of the feed auger assembly on the inlet end of the main conveyor for swinging movement further includes a feed auger lift assembly. The feed auger lift assembly includes: i) a support assembly pivotally supported on the main auger boot for pivotal movement with the feed auger assembly about an upright axis and which further pivotally supports the feed auger assembly thereon for relative pivoting about a horizontal lift axis; and ii) an extendable lift member coupled between the feed auger assembly and the support assembly such that the extendable lift member controls pivotal movement of the feed auger assembly about the lift axis while being movable together with the feed auger assembly about the swing axis.
US08820507B2
The disclosure relates to modeling the structure of an item of currency and to predicting the behavior of a currency sensing system as related to the structure of a tested item of currency. For a specified set of parameters of an item of currency, the response of the currency sensing system can be predicted. A particular construction of an item of currency can be determined based on theoretical responses from the item of currency being tested with a theoretical currency sensing system.
US08820506B2
A separator device for a conveyor has a stop (12) arranged to be moved between a separating position and a conveying position, a trigger (11) arranged to move the stop (12) into the separating position when triggered, and a delayer (20) arranged to delay a movement of the stop (12) from the separating position into the conveying position. The delayer (20) has an energy storage arranged to gain energy when the trigger (11) is triggered. The energy storage is arranged to power a rotary drive impeding the stop (12) from moving into the conveying position.
US08820503B2
An isolator decoupler comprising a pulley, a shaft, the pulley journalled to the shaft on a low friction bushing, a spring carrier disposed within the pulley, a torsion spring coupled between the pulley and the spring carrier, a wrap spring one way clutch wrapped about the shaft and having a frictional engagement therewith, the wrap spring one way clutch coupled to the spring carrier, the wrap spring one way clutch is disposed radially inward of the torsion spring, and the pulley temporarily engagable with an end of the wrap spring one way clutch in an unwinding direction whereby a temporary contact between the wrap spring one way clutch end and the pulley will temporarily diminish the frictional engagement of the wrap spring one way clutch with the shaft.
US08820500B2
An auxiliary and motive electric power pick-up structure for articulated and non-articulated land vehicles, such as electric public transport vehicles, that pass close to a collector-shoe-type power supply member mounted on a stationary support (17) along the route of the vehicle and positioned at intervals along the length of the route in order to provide auxiliary and motive electric power to the vehicle by way of the shoe (16). The structure comprises at least one conductor rail mounted on insulating supports (11) attached to the vehicle by suspension points (34), each including an elastic suspension unit (30) and a pneumatic, hydraulic or other type active suspension unit (33). In the case of articulated vehicles, the pick-up structure is divided into power supply segments (14) separated by a conducting link (19) at each articulated unit of the vehicle.
US08820497B1
The sports bag with chair device provides a rigid front connected to a pliable rear, a top spaced apart from a bottom, and a pair of spaced apart sides, a top handle disposed within the top pliable rear, a pair of spaced apart wheels disposed on the rigid front bottom, the wheels extended forwardly from the front, an upper compartment disposed within the pliable rear top, a lower compartment disposed rearwardly and downwardly within the pliable rear, a closure selectively closing each compartment, a recess disposed about midway within the rigid front, a pivoted chair disposed within the recess, the pivoted chair selectively positioned within and without the recess, and a pair of spaced apart telescopic legs pivotally affixed forwardly and downwardly on the pivoted chair.
US08820492B1
A soft-matrix magnetorheological material vibration isolation system includes a first mounting plate. A first layer of soft-matrix magnetorheological material has opposing first and second faces, the first face coupled to the first mounting plate. A first electromagnet has opposing first and second pole faces, the first pole face coupled to the second face of the first layer of soft-matrix magnetorheological material. A second layer of soft-matrix magnetorheological material has opposing first and second faces, the first face coupled to the second pole face of the first electromagnet. A second mounting plate is coupled to the second face of the second layer of soft-matrix magnetorheological material, the second mounting plate adapted to be coupled to a load mass.
US08820489B2
An electric motor for driving a vehicle wheel includes a parking brake that is selectively applied to provide a park brake condition. The parking brake is a clutch style brake and includes a sliding brake disk that is mounted for rotation with a motor shaft. A brake piston is used to move the sliding brake disk into engagement with a motor housing to achieve a park applied position. The parking brake is held in a release position by a hydraulic system that exerts a fluid pressure force against the brake piston. A resilient mechanism cooperates with the brake piston to apply the parking brake once the fluid pressure force is diminished.
US08820488B2
A brake lining assembly for a disc brake is configured for road vehicles and includes a brake caliper and brake linings located on either side of the brake disc. An unchecked dismantling of the brake linings is effectively prevented by having a mounting assembly formed from the two brake linings and the lining retaining bracket. To achieve this, the end regions of the lining retaining bracket are connected to at least one of the brake linings in a positive fit.
US08820484B2
Circuits and methods for controlling an elevator braking system are provided. A circuit for controlling an elevator braking system includes a contracting brake signal generating circuit, wherein a door lock relay DJ and a contracting brake contractor ZJ are series connected; a contracting brake signal processing circuit, for converting between high and low level to trigger a braking controller; and an isolation control switch CK jointly connected in the contracting brake signal generating circuit and the contracting brake signal processing circuit.
US08820480B2
The invention relates to a compressed air lubricator comprising a casing (1) having a flow channel (2) for the compressed air and an oil container (3), whereby the flow channel (2) has a constriction (4) as well as at least one connection (6, 7) with the oil container (3) and an atomizer unit (8) connected to the constriction (4) is provided.In order to guarantee a constant conveyed oil quantity over a large range in terms of air flow and to provide a long transport length through a very fine oil mist, it is envisaged that the atomizer unit (8) arranged on the base of the oil container (3) and having outlet nozzles (15) for air and oil supply holes (16) is supplied with air via a tube (9) exiting from the flow channel (2) before its constriction (4), with a pipe (10) running from the atomizer unit (8) and opening into the constriction (4) for taking up and introducing the oil mist into the flow channel (2).
US08820472B2
The present invention relates to a device for the passive reduction of the sound vibrations in a liquid resulting from a sound source arranged below the liquid level of a body of water, the device comprising an elongate tube which can be arranged over the sound source, the tube comprising an outer wall and inner wall, wherein the tube is designed to maintain a certain desired pressure in the intermediate space between the inner and outer wall. In this case, the pressure is reduced with respect to the ambient pressure. As a result of the reduced pressure, the sound vibrations will less readily travel to the outside and the noise level in the area around the tube is reduced.
US08820461B2
An electric vehicle can include a pair of left and right rear wheels configured to be driven by the rotary driving power of a motor supplied with electric power from a battery. A rear body can support the motor and rear wheels, and is attached at the back of a body frame. A battery box houses at least the battery, and is supported by a battery box supporting frame joined to the body frame below a seat of the vehicle. A monitoring board monitors the state of the battery, and can be located on top of the battery. A BMU collects information from the monitoring board, and a contactor opens and closes the connection between the battery and a drive circuit for the motor. The BMU and the contactor are housed in the battery box and in front of the battery.
US08820459B2
An assistive power control apparatus for a motor-assisted bicycle controls a motor to generate an assistive torque depending on the pedaling force of a rider. The assistive power control apparatus detects a rotating torque value of a crankshaft rotated when a rider steps on pedals by a torque sensor, controls a motor to generate an assistive power determined using the rotating torque value, calculates a rotation angle of the crankshaft when a present rotating torque value is detected from a time period from a timing of detection of a peak position of the rotating torque value to a timing of detection of the rotating torque value, calculates a pedaling force applied when the rider steps on the pedals from the calculated rotation angle of the crankshaft and the detected present rotating torque value, and determines the assistive power of the motor according to the calculated pedaling force.
US08820457B2
A hydraulic excavator basically includes a counterweight, an engine compartment, an equipment compartment, a cab, a plurality of steps, a passage and a pair of antenna supporting parts for supporting a pair of GNSS antennas, respectively. The antenna supporting parts are positioned ¼ or more of the vehicle width away from the revolving center and are positioned closer to the revolving center than a left rear edge of the passage. The left rear edge of the passage is the position furthest away from the revolving center of the steps and the passage.
US08820450B2
A wheel loader includes a cooling chamber, which houses a cooling fan and a cooling device, and a grill through which a cooling air obtained by the cooling fan passes. The grill includes a frame, which is provided by framing four side components, and a ventilation portion, which is made of a punching metal and which also has a plurality of air intakes. The ventilation portion is provided inside the frame, and it is a stepwise member with vertically arranged steps that are created by plastic working the punching metal. The ventilation portion has a three-dimensionally curved surface that bulges bidirectionally toward an outside of the cooling chamber.
US08820449B2
An electric vehicle includes an axle that is a hollow cylindrical shaft. A motor shaft is inserted into a hollow portion of the axle substantially coaxially with the axle. In this case, on one side of a wheel, a motor is connected to a base end of the motor shaft extending from one end of the axle. Also, on the other side of the wheel, a reduction mechanism is connected to a leading end of the motor shaft extending from the other end of the axle.
US08820448B2
The in-wheel motor of the present invention includes: a cylindrical coil body; a coil body support member fixed to a shaft; an outer yoke that is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the coil body, and is fixed to a wheel disk; a magnet fixed on an inner circumferential face of the outer yoke; an inner yoke that is disposed on an inner circumferential side of the coil body, and is disposed to face the coil body. The outer yoke and the inner yoke are fixed, and are rotatable around the shaft; and a caliper is provided on an inner circumferential side of the inner yoke.
US08820442B2
In various embodiments, a polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) comprises a substrate including an interfacial surface having a raised region. In an embodiment, a PDC comprises a substrate including an interfacial surface having a generally cylindrical raised region and a peripheral region extending about the generally cylindrical raised region. The generally cylindrical raised region extends to a height above the peripheral region of about 450 μm or less. The PDC includes a PCD table bonded to the interfacial surface of the substrate. The PCD table includes an upper surface and at least one peripheral surface, and includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains defining interstitial regions. At least a portion of the interstitial regions includes a metallic constituent therein. In another embodiment, instead of employing a generally cylindrical raised region, the interfacial surface may include a plurality of raised arms extending above the face. Each raised arm extends radially and circumferentially.
US08820441B2
A drill bit having fixed Polycrystalline Diamond Compact cutters is used to drill a borehole having a core stump therein. A plurality of additional fixed Polycrystalline Diamond Compact cutters are disposed in the dome of the bit and are usable to concentrate stresses in the top end of the core stump to facilitate the cutting down of the core stump.
US08820440B2
In one aspect of the present invention, a steering assembly for downhole directional drilling comprises an outer bit comprising a bore and an outer cutting area and in inner bit comprising an inner cutting area and connected to a shaft that is disposed within the bore. At least one biasing mechanism is disposed around the shaft. At least one fluid channel is disposed within the outer bit and redirects fluid to the at least one biasing mechanism causing the at least one biasing mechanism to push the shaft and alter an axis of the inner bit with respect to an axis of the outer bit.
US08820439B2
Expandable apparatus for use in subterranean boreholes include at least one member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. Components of the expandable apparatus may include at least one surface for removing debris proximate to the tubular body. Components of the expandable apparatus may be configured to enable the expandable apparatus to increase a diameter of a subterranean borehole by greater than twenty percent. Components of the expandable apparatus may be configured to restrict fluid flow to nozzle assemblies. The expandable apparatus may include a protect sleeve having a push sleeve disposed therein. Methods of operating an expandable apparatus may include removing debris with a surface of the expandable apparatus. Methods of operating an expandable apparatus may also include selectively flowing fluid to nozzle assemblies.
US08820437B2
A technique facilitates sidetracking by eliminating one or more trips downhole. The technique comprises delivering a sidetracking system downhole into a wellbore, and utilizing a component of the sidetracking system to grip a wall of the wellbore. The sidetracking system may comprise a whipstock assembly and a running/stinger assembly in which the stinger assembly is designed for disconnection from the whipstock assembly after delivery downhole. After disconnecting the stinger assembly, the sidetracking system enables delivery of cement slurry down through the stinger assembly to form a cement plug at a desired location.
US08820428B2
A land roller implement includes a wheel aligned with the respective gap between the inner roller and the outer roller of each wing in which the wheel is pivotal between a packing position in the working position of the rollers and a transport position supporting the rollers in the transport position of the implement. The wings can also include a drive motor associated with each transport wheel to drive forward rotation of the wheel for displacing the wings from the transport position to the working position without displacing the implement in a rearward direction. A leveling beam attachment and a seeding attachment can also optionally be used on the land roller implement. Optional latchable brace members pivotally supported on the wings may provide additional support to the wings when using the leveling beam attachment.
US08820420B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. In one embodiment, a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method includes positioning a first device into a first horizontal well, injecting a first fluid into the first horizontal well through the first device, producing hydrocarbons from a second horizontal well disposed below the first well, injecting a second fluid into a third well laterally offset from each of the first and second wells to drive fluids in the reservoir toward the second well while continuing to produce hydrocarbons from the second well, and selectively ceasing injection into the first well when the second well is in fluid communication with the third well.
US08820414B2
The present invention relates to a method of improving flow stability for a multiphase fluid flowing through a tubular element (1), comprising arranging a flow control device (2) along a flow path (F) through the tubular element (1), the flow control device (2) comprising a housing (4), an inlet (10) arranged on an upstream side of the control device (2), an outlet (23, 13) arranged on a downstream side of the control device (2), and a movable body (9) provided within the housing (4) along an internal flow path (11) through the control device (2) from the inlet (10) to the outlet (23, 13), the body (9) being arranged such that changes in velocity and/or properties and/or composition of the fluid flowing along the internal flow path (11) result in changes to the forces acting on the body (9) as a result of the Bernoulli principle, thereby adjusting the flow of fluid through the control device (2).
US08820412B2
Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatus for circulating fluid within the annulus of a flexible pipe used in a riser in an offshore hydrocarbon production facility. Fluid, such corrosion inhibitors, can be introduced into the annulus by pumping fluid from a storage tank located on a platform or vessel into tubes within the annulus. Use of the system to flow the fluid through the annulus can prevent or reduce corrosion of the steel members within the annulus and increase the fatigue life of the riser.
US08820396B2
An ultra-high pressure (UHP) cutting device for insertion into a wellbore for cutting the casing of the wellbore from within the wellbore is provided. The cutting device comprises a UHP hose connector for connection with a UHP hose in communication with a fluid source; a rotatable UHP tube with a top end in fluid communication with the UHP hose connector and a bottom end opposite the top end; a rotating means in operational communication with the UHP tube for rotating the UHP tube during operation of the cutting device; and a cutter head in fluid communication with the bottom end of the UHP tube.
US08820382B1
A tape dispenser having a tape housing adapted for receiving a tape roll of painting and caulking tape. The housing includes a closed front portion and an open rear portion. The rear portion is used for inserting the tape roll on a tape ring. The housing also includes a small semi-circular nose with one end of a flat first tape engaging surface and with one end of a flat second tape engaging surface extending outwardly from the nose at a selected acute angle “Δ”. The angle “Δ” provides for cutting the tape to an exact length to an intersection of two right angle surfaces. A large semi-circular handle is integrally formed at opposite ends of the first and second tape engaging surfaces. The handle is used for gripping the housing and dispensing tape therefrom.
US08820377B2
Each of belt layers of a pneumatic radial tire includes a plurality of single steel wires with an identical wire diameter extending linearly in an identical direction in alignment with each other and embedded in rubber. Each of the wires is provided with axial torsion. On the outer surface of a tread portion, circumferential grooves extend in the circumferential direction of the tire. The wire diameters of the single steel wires are 0.28 mm to 0.38 mm. An average of intervals of the single steel wires is not less than 0.10 mm. The tire has an out-of-plane bending stiffness of not less than 6000 N·mm2 per inch of length of the tread portion in the circumferential direction when a force application point is located at the circumferential groove. The implanted density E (wires/50 mm) of the single steel wires satisfies E≧1869×d2−1838×d+493, where d is the wire diameter.
US08820370B2
The invention provides an insert for supporting a pneumatic tire which is intended to support substantially the entire internal face of the pneumatic tire and has a radially internal face intended to sit atop a wheel rim that accepts the pneumatic tire, has at least one cavity designed to be inflated by a valve of the wheel which valve is independent of the insert, via inflation gas conveying means opening onto said radially internal face and into said at least one cavity and discharge means for discharging the gas from this cavity, said at least one cavity and these conveying and discharge means being formed in and/or on the insert, the inflatable cavity being formed by an internal volume within the heart of the insert or alternatively by a concave external surface of the insert.
US08820364B2
Flexible hose a corrugated wall of which an outer surface comprises a multitude of consecutive protrusions (1) and grooves (2) and of which an inner surface comprises a multitude of internal protrusions (4) and grooves (3), a multitude of barriers for closing off each of the multitude of internal and/or external grooves (2), each of the multitude of barriers comprising a first closing leg (10, 12) of a first profile part and a second closing leg (11, 13) of a second profile part, the second closing leg being directed to the first closing leg, the first and second closing legs having a complementary shape provided to form a substantially smooth inner and/or outer surface.
US08820361B2
A highly practical tube body for a pressure transducer is provided which has excellent pressure resistance, corrosion resistance, and tensile strength; which can be manufactured at low cost in comparison with cases of using stainless steel; and which makes it possible to keep inside diameter precision high. In this tube body for a pressure transducer, the pressure applied to the interior is varied periodically, and a seal layer (2) is provided to the internal peripheral surface of a tube body (1) made of a fiber-reinforced resin composed of fibers wound in layers.
US08820358B2
A check valve including a cylindrical valve well defining a chamber, a valve disk, a pin centrally connecting the valve well to the valve disk; the valve disk being axially symmetrically positioned with respect to the valve well. The valve disk forms a fluid seal with an annular rim of the valve well when a first pressure acting on the valve disk is greater that a opposing second pressure within the chamber. The check valve further includes a plurality of vanes disposed within the chamber, where the vanes prevent the valve disk from collapsing into the chamber due to an excessive first pressure on the valve disk.
US08820355B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for substantially improving the energy efficiency of swimming pools having in-floor cleaning systems. Comprehensive data is provided demonstrating the improvement in cleaning capacity realized in a typical prior art pool before and after conversion to the present invention. Methods are disclosed for the reallocation of all or a substantial part of the increase in cleaning capacity toward a proportionate reduction in energy consumption by reducing the run time or operating speed of the pool pump motor while maintaining the same or a higher level of cleaning capacity achieved by the prior art.
US08820339B2
Walking aids are described which are of simple construction but which allow for both resilience, i.e. the part of the walking aid which is gripped by the user and the ground-engaging end (3) can be resiliency pressed together, as well as a degree of angular flexibility so that the end (3) stays aligned with the ground even if the stick, crutch or the like (1) is angled relative thereto. This is achieved in particular by the use of a bellows structure (2) between the shaft (1) of a walking aid and a ground-engaging foot (3).
US08820327B2
Sealing lip device for a breathing mask, a breathing mask and a method and a mold for producing same
A sealing lip device for a breathing mask includes a receiving opening for receiving at least the nose tip region of a mask wearer, a sealing lip which is formed from an elastomeric material and which surrounds the receiving opening and which is configured to cross the bridge of the nose and which has a contact zone provided for bearing against the face of a mask wearer in use. The sealing lip is elastically and yieldingly arranged in such a way that a first sealing lip zone which in use seals the region of the bridge of the nose has a higher degree of flexibility than a second sealing lip zone which in use is adjacent to at least one of the nostrils and the upper lip of the mask wearer in the application position of the breathing mask. The sealing lip includes a folding bellows structure that suspends the sealing lip in the region of the first zone provided for sealing of the region of the bridge of the nose. The folding bellows structure includes a fold indentation having zones of differing wall thickness.
US08820326B2
A respiratory protection composite facepiece includes a polymeric rigid facepiece body having a first surface and a second surface, and a silicone sealing facepiece element chemically bonded to at least one of the first surface and the second surface. Methods of forming a respiratory protection composite facepiece are also disclosed.
US08820310B1
A portable cooking stove is disclosed. The cooking stove includes a base structure. At least one burner is positioned within the base structure. A burner plate is positioned above the burner and also above the base structure. When the stove is in use, a cooking surface may be placed on top of the burner plate. Multiple legs are connected to the base structure. The legs can be positioned in an extended configuration in which the base structure is positioned at a certain height above a ground surface. When the legs are positioned in the extended configuration, the height at which the base structure (and therefore the burner plate and any cooking surface that is placed on the burner plate) is positioned above the ground surface is adjustable without removing the legs from the base structure.
US08820302B2
An oil baffle, a system, and a method are disclosed for separating a gaseous component from oil in a blow-by vapor for an internal combustion engine. An example system may include a cam cover configured to be mounted on a cylinder head. The system may also include an oil baffle that may have a generally planar body with a first face and a second face opposite the first face. The first face may be coupled to the cam cover and may define an oil separation chamber between the cam cover and the first face. The oil baffle may include one or more stiffening members coupled to and extending from and substantially normal to the second face.
US08820292B2
Provided is a spark-ignition internal combustion engine capable of ensuring engine output power while setting a geometric compression ratio of an engine body to a high value. In the spark-ignition internal combustion engine, each of a clearance between a top surface (3a) of a piston (3) located at a top dead center position and a lower surface (8a) of each of two intake valves (8) in a full-closed state, and a clearance between the top surface (3a) of the piston (3) located at the top dead center position and a lower surface (9a) of each of two exhaust valves (9) in a full-closed state, is set to 5 mm or more, and a stroke length S of the piston (3) is set to satisfy the following relation: S≦0.977×B+18.2, where B is a bore diameter of a cylinder.
US08820290B2
An internal combustion engine includes: an engine body including: a crankcase for rotatably supporting a crankshaft; and a crankcase cover fastened to the crankcase by a plurality of bolts so as to cover one side of the crankcase; and a stay supporting an oil level gauge guide, the stay being mounted on the engine body, the stay having an opening receiving and supporting a tube or wire.
US08820289B2
A unitary assembly for retaining the various components of a fuel control system on a vehicle, wherein the assembly includes a unitary module at least partially structured in the form of a mounting assembly operative to contain and support at least a portion of the fuel control system specifically including a containment structure or at least one fuel tank for storing and operatively disposing a fuel supply associated with the fuel control system. An electronic control unit of the fuel control system is structured to facilitate metering and distribution of an operative fuel mixture which may include an alternate fuel as well as a conventional distillate fuel. The module and the mounting assembly are cooperatively structured to collectively retain the electronic control unit, the containment structure and at least a portion of a remainder of the fuel control system as a self-contained unit on the vehicle.
US08820285B2
In a plasma device 30 that emits an electromagnetic wave to a combustion chamber 10 of an engine 20 so as to generate electromagnetic wave plasma thereby igniting mixture gas, fuel efficiency for lean burn mixture combustion of an engine 20 is improved. During a flame propagation after the mixture gas is ignited in the combustion chamber, the electromagnetic wave is emitted to the combustion chamber 10 so that electrons in a propagating flame resonate with the electromagnetic wave. The resonance between the electrons in the propagating flame and the electromagnetic wave increases flame propagation speed.
US08820283B2
A camshaft may have an inner shaft and an outer shaft, each rotatable relative to the other. An adjusting device may include a first phase adjuster and a second phase adjuster. The outer shaft may be mounted in a stationary counter bearing adjacent to the adjusting device and the adjusting device may have a first phase adjuster and a second phase adjuster. The counter bearing may be designed as a slide bearing and oil supply to the phase adjusters may take place via the slide bearing. The slide bearing may have a first, second and third oil channel. The first oil channel may act on the first phase adjuster with corresponding oil flows, the second oil channel may act on the second phase adjuster with a first oil flow, and the third oil channel may act on the second phase adjuster with a second oil flow.
US08820282B2
A pressure accumulator arrangement in a camshaft for a camshaft adjusting system of an internal combustion engine, having at least one pressure accumulator and at least one control valve, characterized in that the pressure accumulator and control valve are connected to form a structural unit.
US08820278B2
A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotary body, a driven-side rotary body, a fluid pressure chamber partitioned into a retard angle chamber and an advance angle chamber by a partitioning portion provided in at least one of the driving-side rotary body and the driven-side rotary body, a fluid control mechanism for controlling feeding of working fluid from a working fluid pump for feeding the working fluid to the fluid pressure chamber and controlling also discharging of the working fluid from the fluid pressure chamber, a first lock mechanism capable of restraining a relative rotational phase to a first predetermined phase between a most retarded angle phase and a most advanced angle phase, and a second lock mechanism capable of restraining the relative rotational phase to a second predetermined phase different from the first predetermined phase.
US08820276B2
A lost motion engine valve actuation system and method of actuating an engine valve are disclosed. The system may comprise a valve train element, a pivoting lever, a control piston, and a hydraulic circuit. The pivoting lever may include a first end for contacting the control piston, a second end for transmitting motion to a valve stem and a means for contacting a valve train element. The amount of lost motion provided by the system may be selected by varying the position of the control piston relative to the pivoting lever. Variation of the control piston position may be carried out by placing the control piston in hydraulic communication with a control trigger valve and one or more accumulators. Actuation of the trigger valve releases hydraulic fluid allowing for adjustment of the control piston position. Means for limiting valve seating velocity, filling the hydraulic circuit upon engine start up, and mechanically locking the control piston/lever for a fixed level of valve actuation are also disclosed.
US08820273B2
A cylinder block side drain is provided in a cylinder block and a crankcase side drain is provided in a crankcase. A jacket cover is provided in an water jacket of the cylinder block. The jacket cover is pressed against the wall of the water jacket on the crankcase side. When discharging the coolant, the water jacket is opened by pushing the jacket cover inward using a coupler and the coolant is discharged to the outer side of the crankcase via the coupler.
US08820272B2
A cooling system for an engine includes a pump driven by the engine and configured to circulate coolant through the engine. The cooling system also includes a heat exchanger configured to receive coolant from the engine and to reduce a temperature of the coolant. The cooling system further includes a thermostat fluidly connected to the engine and the heat exchanger. The thermostat is configured to selectively direct coolant from the engine to the heat exchanger when a temperature of the coolant is greater than a temperature threshold of the thermostat. The thermostat is also configured to substantially block coolant from passing to the heat exchanger when the temperature of the coolant is less than or equal to the temperature threshold. The cooling system also includes a valve fluidly connected to the engine and the heat exchanger, and connected in parallel with the thermostat. The valve is configured to direct a portion of the coolant exiting the engine to the heat exchanger during a first operating condition. During the first operating condition, a pressure of the coolant exiting the engine is greater than a pressure threshold of the valve.
US08820268B2
One embodiment of a treat dispenser for an animal comprises a container having a first interior for receiving treats, a first opening for dispensing treats from the interior, a removable cap for inserting treats into the interior, and a first axis, and a cover at least partially surrounding the container to define a second interior between the cover and the container that receives treats dispensed from the first interior. The cover has a second opening for dispensing treats from the second interior. The cover is preferably slidable and rotatable along the first axis relative to the container. In one embodiment, the treat dispenser is attached to a rollable frame.
US08820265B2
Described herein are various apparatus and systems useful in sensory discrimination. Through the use of a multi-well sample plate, the high-throughput analysis apparatus and method allow for rapid sensory discrimination of a large number of samples.
US08820252B2
A embroidery data processing device includes an area defining portion that defines a sewable area on the work cloth, a computation portion that computes a first characteristic quantity that specifies a size of the sewable area, a comparison portion that compares the first characteristic quantity to at least one characteristic quantity for at least one embroidery pattern that can be sewn based on the embroidery data, the at least one characteristic quantity being stored in a storage portion and specifying a size of the at least one embroidery pattern, an extraction portion that, in a case where a comparison indicates that at least one sewable pattern exists, extracts the at least one sewable pattern, the at least one sewable pattern being at least one embroidery pattern that fits within the sewable area, a notification portion that notifies a user about the at least one sewable pattern.
US08820250B2
A moving distribution furnace chute for use with a furnace has a tube (3) for distribution of material, the tube having a longitudinal axis, an open inlet end (8) and an open outlet end (9). The tube further has a plurality of vanes (14) mounted on an inner surface of the tube, the vanes having a length extending in a direction having a component along the axis (15) and a breadth extending in a direction having a component radially inwards towards the axis.
US08820248B2
This disclosure is directed to a traction motor drive system. The traction motor drive system may include a field winding subsystem comprising a field winding associated with a traction motor. The traction motor drive system may also include an armature subsystem arranged in parallel with the field winding subsystem. The armature subsystem may include an armature having first and second armature terminals and a grid resistor selectively electrically coupled in series with the armature. The armature subsystem may also include an armature chopper arranged in parallel with the grid resistor and electrically coupled in series with the armature. The armature chopper may be configured, when the grid resistor is electrically coupled to the armature, to conditionally conduct current to the armature.
US08820245B1
A gas generating system includes a housing with a first housing portion and a second housing portion configured to define a flow channel therebetween. The first housing portion includes a peripheral distension engageable with the second housing portion to form a sealed end of the flow channel.
US08820241B2
A safety device for a fuze of a projectile that includes a detonating device for detonating the fuze. The safety device has a safety unit with a processor for safeguarding a detonation process of the detonating device. The safety unit contains a sensor unit configured to output a disengagement signal at a predetermined acceleration state. The processor is set up to output a control signal to release the safety unit in accordance with the presence of the disengagement signal. A low-acceleration state of the flight of the projectile can thus be detected and used as release parameter.
US08820228B2
A tool for use in marking a golf ball includes a body having a curved portion configured to receive a golf ball and extend along a portion of an outer surface of the golf ball. The body includes at least one track extending along the curved portion. Each track includes an aperture adapted to receive a writing instrument to permit marking of the golf ball through the aperture.
US08820227B2
A strapping machine for securing at least one strap around a package has a binding head engageable against the package, a cincher, and a welder for connecting ends of the tightened strap. The welder has at least one upper advanceable welding electrode in an electrode housing and a counter electrode temporarily interacting therewith. A slide plate movable toward the package, forms the counter electrode, engages underneath overlapping ends of the strapping and directly on the package, and has a projecting tongue spaced from the welding electrode and a plate end part connected to a positioning mechanism.
US08820226B2
A juice processing system includes at least one fluid line for a concentrated pulp stream, and a flow restrictor coupled in fluid communication with the at least one fluid line for generating a pressure drop in the concentrated pulp stream indicative of a concentration of pulp therein. The system may further include at least one pressure sensor associated with the flow restrictor for sensing the pressure drop, and a controller coupled to the at least one pressure sensor for generating at least one control signal based upon the sensed pressure drop. The control signal may be for an upstream and/or a downstream control device.
US08820222B2
Described herein is a cooking assembly, generally comprising two major components, these components being a cooking pan and an insert 24 having a perforated portion which would retain the desired food component within the pan, and allow the fluid component to be removed through the perforations.
US08820221B2
A compact apparatus for automatically making a plurality of flat edibles includes a storage and dispensing unit that makes it unnecessary for a user to pre-measure ingredients. The apparatus also includes a mixing and kneading unit for making dough of optimal consistency. The mixing and kneading unit may be configured to prepare dough. The dough may be prepared by mixing and kneading the ingredients dispensed by the dispensers. The dough prepared may be transferred onto a lower platen from a transfer base by a transfer sweeper. The dough may be flattened in a platen unit. An upper platen and the lower platen of the platen unit may be heated to a pre-programmed temperature for cooking the flat edible. The temperature may also be manually set by the user based on user's preference. The flat may be cooked (e.g., heated, roasted and/or puffed) by the platen unit.
US08820199B2
A method and apparatus for discharging a temperature-controlled flow of a resultant fluid (32) containing a throttling gas and cryogenic fluid onto a material (14) for the purpose of maintaining the temperature of the material within a desired temperature range and below the glass transition temperature of the material during machining. Also disclosed is an apparatus and method for deburring or deflashing a machined material by discharging a temperature-controlled flow of a resultant fluid (132) onto a machined material (114) to harden the burrs (134a), then brushing the material (114) to remove the hardened burrs (143a).
US08820194B2
This invention relates to a fastener driving device including a variable ratio gear mechanism that enables the ratio of the rotation of the handle to the rotation of a driving bit extending from the handle to be varied to allow the bit to rotate at different speeds from the handle. The device includes a gear mechanism disposed within a housing for the device that includes a locking member. The locking member can be engaged with the gear mechanism to lock the gear mechanism in a configuration for a 1:1 gear ratio. The locking member can be moved with regard to the gear mechanism to provide an increased gear ratio for the gear mechanism when desired.
US08820193B2
A driving force distribution device includes a first friction roller that rotates together with a rotating member constituting a torque-transmitting path to the main driving wheel; a second friction roller that rotates together with a rotating member constituting a torque-transmitting path to the auxiliary driving wheel; and an inter-roller radial press section that presses the first and second friction rollers in radial directions of the first and second friction rollers into pressing contact with one another, to allow torque transmission between the first and second friction rollers, wherein the inter-roller radial press section sets a radial pressing force between the first and second friction rollers to limit torque input to the auxiliary driving wheel by allowing slippage between the first and second friction rollers when a maximum torque is inputted to the driving force distribution device under a condition that torque distribution to the auxiliary driving wheel is maximized.
US08820185B2
A hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of pressure and flow control devices in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
US08820183B2
A deceleration mechanism comprises a base, a transmission device rotatably connected to the base, and a driving device fixed to the base. The transmission device includes a driving assembly having a driving wheel and a driven assembly having a driven wheel. Diameter of the driven wheel is greater than that of the driving wheel. The driving device provides power to rotate the driving wheel. The transmission device further includes a transmission member wound on the driving wheel and the driven wheel. The transmission member winds on the driving wheel at least one winding, then criss-crosses and winds on the driven wheel.
US08820173B2
Disclosed herein are novel contact sensors. The contact sensors disclosed herein include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use.
US08820172B2
A flight unit control system having at least one instrumented fastening bolt connecting an aircraft carrier structure and a load path, the instrumented bolt having at least one measurement area for detecting that the load path is under load and including a fastener for locking the instrumented bolt in a position relative to the aircraft carrier structure and load path and wherein the measurement area has two cavities and at least one strain gauge and wherein the fastener includes a plate which is positioned at a threaded end of the instrumented bolt which bears against one of the aircraft carrier structure and the load path and which extends perpendicularly to an axis of the bolt and a nut which is placed at the threaded end of the instrumented bolt to immobilize the instrumented bolt relative to the aircraft structure or the load path.
US08820169B2
Pressure sensors having components with reduced variations due to stresses caused by various layers and components that are included in the manufacturing process. In one example, a first stress in a first direction causes a variation in a component. A second stress in a second direction is applied, thereby reducing the variation in the component. The first and second stresses may be caused by a polysilicon layer, while the component may be a resistor in a Wheatstone bridge.
US08820167B2
A sensor includes a housing adapted to be secured to a component within a system to be monitored by the sensor, an optical fiber, and a membrane spring assembly. The optical fiber includes a sensing portion containing a fiber Bragg grating that is able to undergo expansion and contraction resulting from movement of the optical fiber at a second location relative to a first location. The membrane spring assembly includes a membrane disc, wherein movement of a central portion thereof causes corresponding displacement of the optical fiber at the second location to cause expansion and contraction of the sensing portion of the optical fiber containing the fiber Bragg grating, which expansion and contraction effects a change in a light wavelength reflected by the fiber Bragg grating. The light wavelength reflected by the fiber Bragg grating can be used to measure movement of the central portion of the membrane disc.
US08820163B2
A nondestructive inspection apparatus includes a pair of guided wave sensors disposed on an outer surface of a piping and a guided wave inspection device connected to the pair of guided wave sensors which, outputs a transmitting signal for propagating a guided wave to the guided wave sensors, and obtains a receiving signal by receiving a propagated signal by the guided wave sensors. An inspection-result storage device stores the guided wave as a digitized signal of the received wave and an inspection-result diagnostic device performs arithmetic processing of judging whether or not a signal associated with a defect exists.
US08820153B2
A rotation test stand for a test specimen includes a load device for generating a load for the test specimen, a test specimen accommodation for accommodating the test specimen and for transmitting the load to the test specimen as well as a measuring device for measuring a measured variable acting on the test specimen. Provision is furthermore made at a suitable location for a vibration damping device for damping vibrations, which arise in the test stand. The vibration amplitudes are to be reduced, in particular, by a torsional vibration damper or a linear vibration damper. The vibration damper can be disposed in the drive train or at the measuring device.
US08820141B2
Device for detecting a gas having an excitation device for exciting the gas by an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength corresponding approximately to that of the gas; and a detection device for detecting the excitation of the gas, the detection device having a waveguide connected to the excitation device, a part of which forms a movable element designed to be in contact with the gas and capable of being set into vibration by the impact of the excited gas molecules; and a measurement sensor, for measuring the vibration of the element, the measurement sensor and the element forming the detection device.
US08820134B2
A panel bender (10) designed for making bends on sheet metal sheets (13) comprises a substantially C-shaped main structure (11) equipped with a fixed element (12) and a mobile element (14) designed to support and clamp in a preset position a sheet metal sheet (13) to be bent, and also comprises a substantially C-shaped blade holder structure (16) connected to the main structure (11) and mobile in space inside this by means of a series of vertical guides (15) at right angles to the plane of the sheet metal sheet (13) to be bent. The blade holder structure is equipped with an upper blade (26) and a lower blade (27) designed to enter into contact with the surface of the sheet metal sheet (13) to be bent clamped between the mobile and fixed elements (12, 14) of the main structure (11) and to deform the sheet metal sheet by means of a movement with a programmable trajectory. The blade holder structure (16) also comprises respective pairs of upper (18) and lower (18′) wedge-shaped slides connected to the vertical guides (15) and running along these, the slides (18, 18′) having counteropposing faces (30, 30′) inclined at a preset angle; each upper (18) and lower (18′) wedge-shaped slide is also connected to the main structure (11) by a respective linear actuator (32, 32′) controlled hydraulically or electro-mechanically. The movements of the linear actuators (32, 32′), which cause the movements of the wedge-shaped slides (18, 18′) in the respective vertical (Y) and horizontal (X) directions, are independent and synchronized by a numeric control system.
US08820131B2
To correspond to a shape of a shot-peening worked portion and to prevent a situation where shot media scatter around the worked portion. To achieve this object, a shot peening apparatus for hitting shot media B against a welded part W and for applying a compressive stress to the welded part includes a kinetic-energy applying unit 26 that applies kinetic energy to the shot media B by an oscillator 26b, and a surrounding unit that surrounds both a worked portion U including the welded part W and surroundings of the oscillator 26b, and that confines the shot media B within the surrounded region while changing a state to correspond to a shape of the worked portion U.
US08820130B2
The invention relates to a retractable key comprising an upper half-shell (3) and a lower half-shell which are assembled together so as to form a housing, and an insert-extending module configured so as to be mounted in said housing. The insert-extending module includes: an insert pivotably mounted in the housing between a retracted position and an deployed position, a push button (8) axially projecting from the upper half-shell (3) so as to be axially pressed by a user and comprising a rotation-locking means (9) engaging with a corresponding rotation-locking means (10) of the housing, the rotation-locking means (9, 10) guiding the push button (8) in axial translation (A-A), an elastic return element, a first end of which is attached to the insert and a second end of which is attached to the push button (8) in order to urge the insert to pivot toward the extended position when the push button (8) is pressed, and a retaining means (17) supported by the push button (8) and engaging with a complementary retaining means (18) of a half-shell of the housing, said retaining means (17, 18) being configured so as to enable the axial translation (A-A) of the push button (8).
US08820128B2
An anti-picking device for a lock includes a casing, a rotating body, a key guiding seat and a linking member. The casing has a compartment. The rotating body is rotatably received in the compartment and has an actuated member adapted to rotate the rotating body relatively to the casing and an insertion hole axially connecting two end faces of the rotating body. The key guiding seat is received in the compartment and has an arc guiding groove and a receiving hole. The arc guiding groove communicates with the receiving hole, and the receiving hole penetrates through the key guiding seat in the axial direction. The linking member is received in the receiving hole of the key guiding seat and has an engaging part at a first end, while a second end of the linking member extends out of the receiving hole.
US08820127B2
A pin-tumbler locking mechanism comprising a lock-core with an elongated key slot and a series of bores arranged in a plane of the key slot for a corresponding series of driver pins of various lengths slidably received in the bores. The lock-core is normally supported in lock casing. A corresponding series of spring-supported key pins is seated in a series of bores coaxially with the driver pins so that normally at least some of the key pins are adapted to push respective driver pins to project into the key slot each by a different extent according to the respective lengths thereof; a key comprising alternately teeth and notches so that when inserted into the key slot, the driver pin ends contacting the key pins become flushed with planar surface to allow a sliding movement of the lock-core within the lock casing.
US08820099B2
The invention relates to a facility making it possible to maximize the overall power output, the facility including at least one absorption group (7), for producing ice water, and a heat pump (10). The particular feature of the facility is that the inlet of the heat pump power supply system is connected to the outlet of the exhaust system (9) of the absorption group (7) so as to transfer at least part of the low-temperature thermal power from the exhaust system (9) to the hot water production system (12). Such a facility also makes it possible to generate sanitary ice water and hot water and desalinate sea water.
US08820098B2
A method of quenching a material by injecting a cryogenic fluid into a cooling stream and simultaneously venting gas from the cooling stream, in order to maintain a desired target pressure in a chamber containing the material. In a examplary application of the method, the quenching is a step in the heat-treatment of a metal and the chamber is part of a vacuum furnace. Also disclosed is a method of supplying a cryogenic fluid to a process in which the amount of cryogenic fluid necessary to perform the process is transferred from a storage vessel to a supply vessel via a supply line, after which the supply line is closed. An elevated pressure is maintained by vaporization of a relatively small amount of the cryogenic fluid that is allowed to build in a pressure vessel that is in fluid communication with the supply vessel.
US08820096B2
Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas storage apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat insulated tank and liquefied natural gas contained in the tank. The tank has heat insulation sufficient to maintain liquefied natural gas therein such that most of the liquefied natural gas stays in liquid. The contained liquefied natural gas has a vapor pressure from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar. The apparatus further includes a safety valve configured to release a part of liquefied natural gas contained in the tank when a vapor pressure of liquefied natural gas within the tank becomes higher than a cut-off pressure. The cut-off pressure is from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar.
US08820093B2
The magnetocaloric heat generator (1) comprises at least two magnetocaloric elements (2, 12) arranged in succession and making up at least two consecutive thermal stages crossed by separate heat transfer fluids and comprising each two opposite ends (3 and 4, 13 and 14), a magnetic arrangement intended for subjecting each magnetocaloric element (2, 12) to a variable magnetic field, alternately creating a heating cycle and a cooling cycle in each magnetocaloric element (2, 12), a mechanism (8) for circulating the heat transfer fluids through the magnetocaloric elements alternately towards one end and towards the opposite end and vice versa, in synchronization with the variation of the magnetic field. The magnetocaloric elements (2, 12) are connected thermally two by two at their consecutive ends (4, 13) through the intermediary of a heat exchange mechanism (5) in thermal contact respectively with the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first (2) of the magnetocaloric elements and with the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second (12) of the magnetocaloric elements.
US08820089B2
Gas turbine, computer readable medium, and method for controlling an operating point of the gas turbine that includes a compressor, a combustor and a turbine is provided. The method includes determining a turbine pressure ratio, calculating a primary to lean-lean mode transfer threshold reference curve as a function of the turbine pressure ratio, determining at a first time when an exhaust temperature associated with the operating point is higher than an exhaust temperature of the primary to lean-lean mode transfer threshold reference curve for the same turbine pressure ratio, and changing, after a predetermined time after the first time, a split fuel quantity from a first value to a second value if the exhaust temperature associated with the operating point remains higher than the exhaust temperature of the primary to lean-lean mode transfer threshold reference curve.
US08820083B2
Disclosed illustrative embodiments include modular power infrastructure networks, distributed electrical power infrastructure networks, methods for operating a modular power infrastructure network, and methods for fabricating a modular power infrastructure network.
US08820079B2
Aspects of the present invention are directed to working fluids and their use in processes wherein the working fluids comprise compounds having the structure of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of: H, F, Cl, Br, and C1-C6 alkyl, at least C6 aryl, at least C3 cycloalkyl, and C6-C15 alkylaryl optionally substituted with at least one F, Cl, or Br, wherein formula (I) contains at least one F and at least one Cl or Br, provided that if any R is Br, then the compound does not have hydrogen. The working fluids are useful in Rankine cycle systems for efficiently converting waste heat generated from industrial processes, such as electric power generation from fuel cells, into mechanical energy or further to electric power. The working fluids of the invention are also useful in equipment employing other thermal energy conversion processes and cycles.
US08820074B2
The system and method to generate electricity from solar energy by multi-tired solar lenses powering a steam-turbine. An insulated container mounted with convex-lenses emits steam to impact turbine blades. Over the greater solar catchment's area in the space around, larger convex lenses gather solar energy and focus beam to smaller convex lenses mounted on the container. There are various levels of lens placement acting as energy amplifiers to super-heat water inside the container. The steam passes through a directed jet nozzle, releasing to impact the turbine blades. A generator coupled to turbine shaft produces electricity. The steam, upon utilization and condensation is recycled, while still hot, to the container. On a small scale, it can be used as a supplementary power source to solar panels. Larger turbines can be placed anywhere, including offshore platforms, to tap large catchments area using multi-layered hierarchy of convex lenses.
US08820050B2
Embodiments for reducing ammonia slip are provided. In one example, a method for reduction of ammonia emissions from an engine exhaust gas aftertreatment device with an SCR catalyst comprises determining a concentration of NOx and/or ammonia in the exhaust gas aftertreatment device, comparing a determined value of NOx and/or ammonia concentration with a nominal value for NOx and ammonia, respectively, and if an actual or shortly forecasted ammonia concentration is above the respective nominal value, triggering engine conditions with higher exhaust NOx concentration. In this way, ammonia slip may be reduced without degrading fuel economy.
US08820048B2
A system for detecting pollution by a poisonous material for an air exhauster of a vehicle may include a temperature sensor provided to the flow line of an exhaust gas and having a catalyst material that causes an exothermic reaction with a pollution material in the exhaust gas, and a controller which stores a standard temperature value of the temperature sensor and operates in such a manner that the exhaust gas may be heated under control of an engine control unit when the temperature value drops by a predetermined amount from the standard temperature value, and that the catalyst material may be determined to have deteriorated when a measured temperature value after heating may be less than the standard temperature value, so that the standard temperature value may be replaced with the measured temperature value, and to a detection method using the same.
US08820043B2
A method for cold manufacturing horseshoes utilizes a laser cutter, a hydraulic press, and a sanding belt to cut horseshoes from a sheet of material without heating up the sheet of material. Information, including dimensions of the horseshoe as well as position and size of a plurality of nail holes, is fed into a control computer for the laser cutter. The laser cutter cuts an outline of the horseshoe from the sheet of material, as directed by the control computer. The laser cutter also creates nail outlines, providing a guide for the second step involving the hydraulic press. Once the nail outlines are created an appropriately sized punch is selected for the hydraulic press. The hydraulic press uses the punch to bore through the outlines, creating beveled nail holes. The horseshoe is then moved to a sanding belt, where a rear surface and edge of the horseshoe is sanded smooth.
US08820042B1
A landscape rake for raking a landscape environment in both a forward and backward motion to move debris is provided. The landscape rake comprises a rake head having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, and a second end. A rake handle is releasably secured to the top surface of the rake head approximately equidistant between the first end and the second end. At least one track is formed in the bottom surface of the rake head. At least one tine system is receivable within the at least one track with a plurality of tines secured to the at least one tine system. A securing mechanism releasably secures the at least one tine system within the at least one track wherein the landscape rake allows raking of a landscape environment in both a forward and backward motion.
US08820035B2
A sealing machine adapted to support a plurality of different heating/sealing/cutting mechanisms, including tubular heaters and heated cutting blades, is disclosed. The sealing machine utilizes a common interface and mounting system for all side sealers. In addition, in some embodiments, the control system within the sealing machine is adapted to monitor and control the temperature of these various mechanisms automatically so as to create proper seals.
US08820028B2
A method of reducing the amount of cooling energy required to heat and cool a building is provided. The method includes disposing a porous insulating material in the exterior walls and substantially covering the ceiling in the attic space of the building to a substantial depth. The porous insulating material includes a desiccant. The method further includes permitting the desiccant—bearing porous insulating material to adsorb water moisture from the attic space and then permitting the adsorbed water moisture to desorb from the desiccant—bearing porous insulating material into the enclosed room of the building, resulting in a reduction in the amount of energy required to heat and cool the building.
US08820027B2
The embodiments herein provide a prefabricated mineral composite panel and a method for producing the same for constructing the internal walls, the lateral walls and the corner walls in a building. The method comprising the steps of: preparing and assembling a cast, fixing a mesh in the cast, pouring a prefabricated mineral composite into the cast, smoothening and flattening a top surface of the cast, disassembling the cast to withdraw a semi-dried prefabricated mineral composite panel, placing the semi-dried prefabricated mineral composite panel in a drying room for drying the prefabricated mineral composite, removing the dried prefabricated mineral composite panel from the drying room and packaging the prefabricated mineral composite panel.
US08820024B1
The wall building system and method uses a block for building walls and other structures. The block is formed with an external face member and an internal face member connected by an inner core, which has an outer surface formed with a concave profile. The block is fabricated in one piece to enhance strength and stability. Each face is provided with a continuous groove therearound. The continuous grooves are adapted to receive locking elements therein to interlock the blocks. Utilizing a locking element eliminates the need for binding compounds, such as mortar, thereby greatly reducing labor and material costs.
US08820023B2
The present invention relates to a block deck used as the interior or exterior material of a building. More specifically, disclosed is a block deck using concrete, wherein a hollow portion is formed inside and filled with concrete so as to exhibit superior strength. The present invention provides a block deck including: a frame member formed with a hollow portion inside; and filler formed of a concrete material so as to be filled in the hollow portion. At this time, the concrete may be foamed according to desired strength with a foaming rate in the range of 0-50%. The frame member may be formed of natural wood, synthetic wood and synthetic resin materials. And, the frame member may be formed integrally or divisionally into two or more so as to be coupled, wherein coupling is carried out by being fitted in a sliding manner.
US08820014B2
The invention concerns a panel of a flooring system, in particular a laminate floor, with a first side edge, and with a second side edge which is arranged opposite the first edge, wherein the side edges can be locked with corresponding side edges of further panels, wherein the side edges can be brought into engagement with each other, wherein the first side edge is fitted with at least one locking lip, and with an elasticity groove adjacent to the locking lip, wherein the second side edge is fitted with a locking element and wherein the locking element in the locked state is in engagement with the locking lip. To be able to set the elasticity of the locking lip more satisfactorily, it is provided that the elasticity groove is at least partly filled with at least one filling compound.
US08820007B2
A post sleeve installation assembly includes: an elastomeric sleeve core shaped to form a post sleeve when positioned in uncured concrete, a removable stiffener inside the core, an aperture extending lengthwise in the stiffener, a locking element positioned within the core, and an assembly plate coupled to the stiffener. The assembly plate clamps to a prefabricated sleeve element, with the core and stiffener positioned within a post cavity of the sleeve element. an installation stake is positioned in the aperture and prevented from sliding upwards by the locking element. A release point on the assembly plate permits an operator to release the locking element for removal of the stake. To install a post sleeve, the operator positions the installation assembly, clamped to a prefabricated sleeve element, in a post hole with the stake resting on the bottom, then fills the hole with concrete, manipulating the stake to position the assembly.
US08820000B2
A pneumatic support comprises a long hollow body, tapering towards the ends and two pressure/tension elements. The hollow body is embodied by a sleeve of gas-tight, flexible, non-stretch material. Said sleeve can be formed from two layers, an external non-stretch, flexible sleeve and an inner gas-tight elastic bladder. The hollow body can be pressurised with compressed gas by means of a valve. The both pressure/tension elements lie along diametrically opposed surface lines of the hollow body on the same and are partly or completely frictionally connected to the hollow body along said surface lines. The ends of the pressure/tension elements are frictionally connected to each other.
US08819988B2
A method and system is provided whereby the environment of the container grown plant is controlled to replicate a natural environment. Since container grown plants are not in direct contact with the soil in the earth, a container grown plant can develop its own local electrical field and static charge that can hinder the development of the plant. A plant media grounding device is provided in which copper prongs fit into a housing that is connected to a power cord. The prongs are inserted at the plant's base in the growing media. The power cord is plugged into an outlet. The plant then becomes grounded to the earth ground of the building's power distribution system. In a further embodiment, the plant media grounding device may further include a variety of sensors in order to monitor the progress of the plant and the plant's environment.
US08819985B1
Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a level indicator for a firearm that is configured to be repositioned from a home position, generally above the barrel of the firearm, to an extended position, generally above and to the side of the barrel of the firearm. Several different mounting apparatuses are also disclosed, as well as variations of adjustment mechanisms.
US08819983B2
The present invention provides a mounting apparatus for attaching to a hunting weapon and supporting a recording device. The apparatus includes means for removably securing a recording device to the apparatus; a connector adapted to removeably attach the apparatus to a hunting weapon; and a flexible, elongate member being semi-rigid and having a first end affixed to the securing means and a second end affixed to the connector, whereby upon attachment of the apparatus to a hunting weapon the flexible, elongate member permits manual repositioning of the secured recording device relative to the hunting weapon while supporting the secured recording device in a set position after manual repositioning occurs. Alternatively, the securing means may include an adjustable means to permit receipt and holding engagement of multiple form factors of recording devices and/or may include a rotating joint such that the securing means and secured recording device may be rotatably repositioned when mounted onto a weapon and/or may further include first and second adjustable brackets for holding the recording device in place. An adapter may form an intermediate connection between the apparatus and a weapon. A stabilizer may balance and offset the weight of the apparatus when mounted to a weapon. The invention may be integrated with other functional components of a weapon, such as a bow stabilizer or scope.
US08819980B2
The present disclosure provides an ergonomic handguard that supports rail mounted weapon accessories in a variety of different orientations. The handguard includes sides and bottom surfaces that are ergonomic. The stem includes modular sections of picatinny rail that can be attached to various locations on the handguard as needed to provide a mounting structure for rail based weapon accessories.
US08819970B2
A multi-layered-outfit 60 having one or more multi-layered-images 70 thereon consists of a base garment 20 having one or more base images 30 thereon and one or more complementary garments 40 having one or more enhancement-images 50 thereon. The base garment 20 may be made from any suitable clothing material. The complementary garment 40 must be made from a translucent or transparent clothing material in order to allow the base image 30 to be visible. Both the base garment 20 and the complementary garment 40 may be adapted to a variety of needs, such as lightweight fabric for warmer climates or a thicker fabric for colder climates. The base image 30 and the enhancement-image 50 are preferrably complementary images which combine when overlapped to form a more complete multi-layered-image 70.
US08819966B2
The present disclosure provides a machine configured so that its ground speed is at least in part dependent on the measured force that is applied to an attachment attached thereto. The present disclosure also provides an attachment for a machine that is configured to provide feedback to the machine it is configured to be attached to, wherein the feedback is representative of the force applied to the attachment. The present disclosure also provides a method of automatically controlling the ground speed of a machine based on feedback measured in an attachment attached to the machine.
US08819959B2
The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement (6) adapted to supply at least one fluid-phase additive into a storing compartment (4) of a textiles treatment apparatus (2), in particular an exhaust air and/or condenser dryer, a refreshment apparatus or a washing machine having drying function. The nozzle arrangement comprises at least one nozzle (8), each being adapted to feed an additive; and at least one trapping device (10) adapted to trap and/or to remove liquid and/or particles leaving the at least one nozzle (8) or forming at or close to said nozzle. Further, the invention relates to an additive supply arrangement (6, 18, 20, 22, 12) adapted to supply at least one additive, comprising at least one nozzle (8), each being adapted to feed an additive; at least one additive supply source (12); and at least one fluid channel (18, 20) connecting the at least one additive supply source (12) to the at least one nozzle (8); wherein at least one fluid channel comprises at least one capillary element.
US08819958B2
A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable treating chamber for receiving laundry to be dried according to a predetermined cycle of operation and determining when the laundry is dry.
US08819954B1
A tape measure assembly is provided for selectively positioning a marker or a knife adjacent to an end of a tape measure. The assembly includes a tape measure having a housing. A tape is coupled to and positioned in the housing. The tape has a free end extendable from the housing. A tang is coupled to the free end of the tape. An attachment member is selectively couplable to the tang. A tool aperture extends through the attachment member. A tool, either a knife or a writing device, has a first end insertable through the tool aperture. A locking device is coupled to the attachment member and engages the tool when the first end is inserted through the tool aperture.
US08819953B2
An apparatus for revealing the geometry of operative cylinders, in particular during the grinding operation of the same, includes a pair of movable clamps which can be moved away from and towards each other with respect to a fixed intermediate structure, the clamps having tilted surfaces in opposite directions to each other according to a swallowtail arrangement with respect to a cylinder being measured, positioned between them and between a surface of the fixed intermediate structure, the surfaces of the movable clamps and the surface of the fixed intermediate structure always being kept in contact with the cylinder, whether still or rotating, wherein the fixed structure also has, in its interior, parts of a group which interact with each other to correlate the movement of the clamps.
US08819950B1
A chalk line apparatus having a line and spool and a releasable end. The releasable end comprises a hook member having a rod member, a releasable member pivotally attached to the rod member and a spring positioned to bias the releasing member against the hook member. The releasing member has an attachment location for the line. Additionally, the spring is sized and shaped to allow rotation of the releasing member about the rod member and relative to the hook member upon a force exerted at the attachment location from the line.
US08819947B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a level device for a shoe in which particular portions of shoes which may easily contact and/or collide with the ground or other objects may be embraced and thus protected with a separate cover unit and, at the same time, a surface state of any given location may be visually determined, and, hence, first, the shoes may be prevented from damage and thus have improved durability, second, the separate cover unit may decorate the shoes to achieve aesthetic improvement, thereby providing high quality and/or diverse designs of the shoes, and, third, the shoe-wearer may visually determine in a simple and convenient manner whether a location where the wearer is standing is level or not and if not, the direction and extent of the grade.
US08819944B2
A bladed tool includes a handle and a blade with a surface-engaging edge and a blade-retaining shank. The handle includes an elongated handle body having longitudinally opposed body front and rear ends, and at least one side wall extending between the body front and rear ends. The side wall defines an outer surface configured for gripping by a user and an inner surface that defines an interior access channel extending from an access opening in the body rear end toward a forward channel wall located to the rear of the body front end. Situated between the body front end and the forward channel wall is a handle core that defines a shank-retaining slot extending between a forward slot-opening in the body front end and a rearward slot-opening in the forward channel wall. The shank extends rearwardly through the shank-retaining slot such that a protruding shank portion extends to the rear of the forward channel wall. Forward movement of the shank relative to the handle body is prevented by bending the shank rearward of the forward channel wall.
US08819920B2
Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a stacked resonant coil, the method including: (A) forming circuit layers on a plurality of double-sided FCCLs, respectively, and then stacking the double-sided FCCLs respectively having the circuit layers formed thereon; (B) forming first and second conductive via holes in the stacked plurality of double-sided FCCLs, the first conductive via hole being for interlayer connection of the first ends respectively formed in the circuit layers and the second conductive via hole being for interlayer connection of the first electrode patterns respectively formed in the circuit layers; and (C) forming a wiring layer on an external layer of an uppermost double-sided FCCL in the staked plurality of double-sided FCCLs, the wiring layer electrically connecting the first ends and the first electrode patterns, thereby improving mass-productivity of products having uniform performances and excellent quality.
US08819919B2
A method of forming a non-linear path of at least a portion of at least one electrically conducting wire extending between a first location and a second location. The method includes the steps of forming a wire path template defining a non-linear path, winding said wire through said template such that said wire adopts said non-linear path, connecting the wire to a feedthrough member, wherein the feedthrough member is configured to provide an electrical connection through a wall of an implantable component implantable in a recipient along with the wire, and removing the wire from the template.
US08819913B1
A method of assembling an optical relay assembly including forming a line of optical components within an optical component aligning groove of a first base member and directing the line of optical components from the optical component receiving groove into a cylinder covered by a shrinkable tube. The cylinder, line of optical components and shrinkable tube are then positioned within a cylinder receiving groove of a second base member and the line of optical components are extruded from the cylinder into the shrinkable tube. The line of optical components and shrinkable tube are advanced along the cylinder receiving groove and through a heating area for shrinking the shrinkable tube about the line of optical components.
US08819906B2
A composite part separating device for separating a composite product consisting of a plastic part and a metal part is provided. The composite part separating device includes a base; a workpiece support mounted on the base. The metal part of the composite product is hung on the workpiece support to retain the composite product on the workpiece support; a vibrating motor drives the base and the workpiece support to shake, causing the plastic part to separate from the metal part.
US08819904B2
A process for producing an acoustic device having a phononic crystal structure comprising inclusions produced in a first medium distributed in a matrix of a second medium, to block propagation of acoustic waves within a bandgap frequency band, includes: defining geometric parameters of said inclusions, which have walls contacting said matrix, making at least one non-zero first wall angle, to the normal of the plane of said structure, said geometric parameters including said first wall angle; determining a function relating to variation in frequency position of said bandgap with said wall angle or relating to variation in width of said bandgap with said wall angle; determining said at least first angle, for a selected frequency position and/or selected width of the bandgap, from the function or functions determined beforehand; and producing said inclusions having at least said first wall angle in said matrix formed by said second medium.
US08819903B2
A manufacturing method of a piezoelectric element includes: forming a first conductive layer upon a substrate; forming a piezoelectric layer upon the first conductive layer; forming a second conductive layer upon the piezoelectric layer; forming a third conductive layer upon the second conductive layer; forming a first portion, a second portion, and an opening portion provided between the first portion and the second portion by patterning the third conductive layer; forming a resist layer that covers the opening portion and covers the edges of the first portion and the second portion that face the opening portion side; and forming a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion configured from the first portion and the second portion, and forming a third conductive portion configured from the second conductive layer, by dry-etching the second conductive layer using the first portion, the second portion, and the resist layer as a mask.
US08819891B2
An inlet valve for a central vacuum cleaning system having a central vacuum motor connected to a piping network, is disclosed. The inlet valve includes a main body having an air inlet passageway formed therethrough and a pipe connector to connect the air inlet passageway of the inlet valve to the vacuum piping. An outer door is provided which is pivotally mounted to the main body on an opposite side to said connector and an inner door is provided which is pivotally mounted to said main body at one end between the outer door and the main body and seals the air inlet passageway when the inner door is in a closed position. A releasable latch is operatively connected to the outer door to keep the outer door and the inner door closed on the front of the valve when the inlet valve is not in use and a spring is provided to cause the inner door and the outer door to open upon the latch being released.
US08819873B2
An ergonomic toilet seat raising and lowering device provides a hygienic, effective, and efficient system of lifting and closing a toilet seat with a low susceptibility of being contaminated with urine or fecal matter. The invention includes a lever, a rod and a counterweight positioned away from and behind other components of a common toilet. The invention may be used on toilets and seats with a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
US08819872B2
There is provided a disinfectant/deodorizer apparatus capable of disinfecting and/or deodorizing garbage disposals and other effluent pipes and drains through an automated process that will be activated through an electronic timer on a circuit board. The circuit board activates a motor that will turn and push on an actuator that forces the disinfectant/deodorizer canister up, forcing the tip to depress into a hole in the top end receiver of the apparatus, which will receive the material substance in a small diameter tubing that ends into an opening on a garbage disposal, or an effluent pipe or drain, thus causing disinfecting and/or deodorizing of said piping or appliance.
US08819865B1
A garment has an upper sleeved section extending above a waist line, and a lower section with legs extending downwardly from the crotch of a lower torso section. For freedom of motion, the upper section has an upper torso stretch panel encircling the waist line. Entry into the garment is provided through a zippered front access opening which departs from an imaginary centerline extending between the neck opening and the crotch of the garment. The zipper path has a first segment which extends along the centerline for at least an inch, and then follows a curved radiused path segment to a second path segment which extends from the centerline less than 90 degrees from the first and which crosses the waist line and descends along the leg to a position about even with the crotch. The curved segment has a radius of at least three times the chain width of the zipper.
US08826459B2
Digital rights management to protect copyrighted materials is a common element of consumers accessing content for a variety of uses including business and recreational. Such techniques have been generally deployed on small items of multimedia content such as individual tracks of music. However, at present despite the penetration of portable electronic devices for texting, telephony, email, and music their use by consumers for video, film, and large multimedia content has been limited in part due to the issues of downloading and handling individual files of hundreds or thousands of MB. It would therefore be beneficial to provide a means to download large multimedia content files and render these upon a variety of portable electronic devices while allowing the downloaded multimedia content to be securely stored within a portable memory device allowing the user to render the content upon their own electronic devices or other electronic devices without re-distributing the content.
US08826454B2
Encoded medical data are made available to a mobile unit/terminal via a central server in a network. A request is sent to the central server; encoded medical data are generated in the server; encrypted data are transmitted from the server to the mobile unit/terminal, after authentication by a user; the encoded information is stored and protected in the mobile unit/terminal; upon authentication by a user, encoded information is sent to the server for decoding; and a picture containing user-readable text is sent to the mobile unit/terminal.
US08826453B2
Methods and systems for providing access to content are disclosed. The method is performed at least in part at a client computer system having a processor and memory. The method includes executing a host application associated with a first party. In some implementations, the host application is a media player. The method further includes initiating a secure communication channel between the host application and a server associated with the first party. The method further includes executing a supplemental application associated with a second party. The method further includes accessing, with the supplemental application, content licensed to the first party, wherein the licensed content is accessible to the supplemental application via the secure communication channel subject to terms of a licensing agreement. In some implementations, the content is media content, such as music, movies, and the like.
US08826449B2
Systems and methods are provided for the detection and prevention of intrusions in data at rest systems such as file systems and web servers. The systems and methods regulate access to sensitive data with minimal dependency on a communications network. Data access is quantitatively limited to minimize the data breaches resulting from, e.g., a stolen laptop or hard drive.
US08826446B1
A system and method for adjusting privacy protection for a user in a plurality of applications is disclosed. A privacy protection request is sent to a user device. In one embodiment, the request is displayed on user device in the form of a pop-up window. In another embodiment, the request is displayed in a privacy settings area. The privacy protection request includes a plurality of protection levels. Once a protection level is selected the protection level is sent back and received by the system. Privacy settings are adjusted according to the selected privacy protection level based on information stored in a master template. In some embodiments, the privacy protection level is translated to associated privacy settings. Once the privacy settings have been adjusted, the privacy settings are applied to a plurality of online applications associated with the user based on the privacy protection level selected.
US08826444B1
A computer-implemented method for using client reputation data to classify web domains may include identifying a web domain. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying at least one client that has attempted to access the web domain. The computer-implemented method may further include identifying a reputation associated with the client that attempted to access the web domain. The computer-implemented method may additionally include classifying the web domain based at least in part on the reputation of the client that attempted to access the web domain. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08826441B2
A security component on a mobile device collects data on security events, and determines an assessment of security state and severity levels using a database containing security threat data. A server receives security event data, performs an additional security state assessment, and transmits it for display on the mobile device or a webpage. Display of a security state assessment includes status indicator signals, and lists and charts of security events.
US08826438B2
A computerized system and method for performing behavioral clustering of malware samples, comprising: executing malware samples in a controlled computer environment for a predetermined time to obtain HTTP traffic; clustering the malware samples into at least one cluster based on network behavioral information from the HTTP traffic; and extracting, using the at least one processor, network signatures from the HTTP traffic information for each cluster, the network signatures being indicative of malware infection.
US08826433B2
A system comprises an enclosure, host logic contained in the enclosure, and intrusion security logic also contained in the enclosure. The intrusion security logic is coupled to the host logic and configured to detect a security intrusion to the system and to respond to a security intrusion with a user-configurable trigger event. The intrusion security logic implements at least two tamper blocks, each tamper block configured to monitor one more input signals and initiate a trigger event when a security breach of the enclosure is detected. At least one of the tamper blocks comprises a state machine whose operation is controlled by way of user-programmable registers.
US08826432B2
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to proxying at least one email resource in transit to at least one client device from at least one email service, removing at least one URL from the email resources, and adding at least one modified URL to the email resources.
US08826428B2
An event detection method in a distributed environment includes, when a non-parsable event occurred during grammar parsing, executing the following process until the first grammar parser module obtains a detection result, including the event that the current grammar parser module can not parse in a scheduling request as a next event to be detected and sending it to the grammar control module, scheduling, by the grammar control module, other grammar parser module as the target grammar parser module for further parsing based on the scheduling strategy table, performing grammar parsing based on the local parsing table in the scheduled target grammar parser module, returning parsing results to the grammar control module for further parsing when no non-parsable event is found; or repeating the above process with the target grammar parser module as a new current grammar parser module when an non-parsable event is found.
US08826427B2
Tools and techniques are provided for detecting a particular type of spyware. Network activities and user update activities are monitored automatically, and the results are analyzed to identify related processes which perform network transmissions without performing substantive user updates. These processes are identified to a user and/or an administrator as potential spyware, and are then quarantined or otherwise handled based on instructions received from the user or administrator. In some cases, the monitoring and analysis begins with selection of a group of processes to monitor, while in other cases it begins with monitoring of network and/or user update activities in order to narrow the group of suspect processes. Devices, configured media, and method products are also described.
US08826418B2
A method, system and computer program product for retaining trust. A computer receives a correct password for administrative access. The computer sets a trust to a maximum level. The computer detects at least one period of inactivity. The computer adjusts a trust based on the at least one period of inactivity. The computer receives a request to access an privileged function. The computer, responsive to receiving the request, determines that the trust is below a trust threshold. The computer, responsive to determining that the trust is below the trust threshold, challenges the user to authenticate. The computer receives a authentication attempt. The computer determines whether the authentication attempt is correct. The computer, responsive to a determination that the authentication attempt is correct, grants access to the administrative function.
US08826407B2
A mechanism for the flow of access by derivation is provided. An access point may be any object, such as files or functions, to which the access recipient is granted access rights by the access provider. Access is typically represented by a relationship object referencing the access provider function, the access recipient function, and the access point object, and a set of access rights. This membership access relationship object is typically represented as a subtype of the access relationship. When a membership access relationship is created, typically a new associated persona function is generated, representing the new identity created for the access recipient function while serving as a member of the access point function. When a persona function is invited to be a member in another function, that in turn generates a membership and a second persona that is derived from the first persona, resulting in identity derivation.
US08826404B2
A method for a communication device for securely accessing a device includes obtaining accessing authentication information via an out-band channel, the accessing authentication information being used for accessing authentication between a service request device and a service providing device, the service request device and the service providing device sharing the same management device, and forming the out-band channel with the management device respectively (11); and authenticating the accessing authentication information, and providing, by the service providing device, when an authentication result indicates that the authentication of the accessing authentication information is passed, service for the service request device via an in-band data channel, the service providing device and the service request device forming the in-band data channel via a service network (12).
US08826403B2
Auditing system logs of a remote client device is provided. Login session information entered at a workstation device accessing the remote client device to perform an activity associated with a work request is received. An access token is generated based on the login session information and information associated with the work request on the remote client device. The access token is compared with an audit log report of the remote client device that includes the activity associated with the work request performed by the workstation device on the remote client device. It is determined whether information in the access token matches information in the audit log report of the remote client device. In response to determining that the information in the access token does not match the information in the audit log report of the remote client device, an action alert is sent.
US08826401B1
A method and system for securing a user transaction involving a subscriber unit (“SU”) (having a processor, memory, and a display configured to accept user input), a credential information manager (“CIM”) (having a processor and memory), and a transaction service provider (“TSP”) (having a processor and memory). A cyber identifier (“CyberID”), a subscriber identifier (“SubscriberID”), and subscriber information, each associated with the user, is stored in the CIM. A transaction request is sent from the SU to the TSP, which creates a transaction identifier (“TID”), stores it in the TSP memory and transmits it to the SU. The SU transmits an authentication request, the TID, and SubscriberID to the CIM, which authenticates the SubscriberID and verifies the TID to the TSP. The TSP verifies the TID and reports it to the CIM, which transmits the CyberID and subscriber information to the TSP, and transmits a transaction authorization to the SU.
US08826398B2
In one example, a computing device generates a new password for accessing a user account and/or computing system and inspires a change of an existing password for the user account and/or computing system to the new password. Thereafter, the computing device detects occurrence of a condition to trigger another change of the password for the user account and/or computing system and, responsively, inspires another change of the password for the user account and/or computing system.
US08826387B2
A method of enabling transmission of a data service from a content server to a terminal using a data channel in a system in which at least part of the data service is transmitted to the terminal using a broadcast channel, the method including: receiving, using the broadcast channel, first data comprising part of the data service; processing the first data using a signature-generating algorithm to derive first signature data; transmitting the first signature data using the data channel to the content server; validating the first signature data by comparing said first signature data with a signature derived by processing data comprising part of the data service using a corresponding signature-generating algorithm; and enabling the terminal to access the data service using the data channel dependent on validation of the first signature data.
US08826382B2
A method of determining whether a response received from an electronic device is generated by a person or by an automated software. The method receives a set of capabilities of the electronic device for detecting a group of actions that include at least a gesture or a device movement. The method selects a set of actions based on the device capabilities. The method sends a request to the electronic device for performing the set of actions in the plurality of actions. The method, based on a result of the set of actions performed on the electronic device, determining whether the set of actions are performed by a human.
US08826364B2
A method and apparatus for informing of the occurrence of an event of a communication terminal in a digital Television (TV) are provided. A method of a TV output generator of informing a digital TV of the occurrence of an event of a communication terminal is provided. The method includes receiving an input of event information from any one of a landline and a mobile terminal, generating a control signal including output information corresponding to the event information, and transmitting the control signal to the TV.
US08826356B2
Disclosed are a cable modem and a data receiving method thereof. The cable modem includes a downlink channel retrieval processing unit to retrieve a downlink channel, receive an entire channel information message through the retrieved downlink channel, and receive a broadcasting supplementary data message when the entire information message is valid; a channel information processing unit to receive broadcasting supplementary data using the broadcasting supplementary data message; an uplink channel retrieval processing unit to retrieve an uplink channel using the entire channel information message; and a channel information managing unit to store and manage main data receiving channels capable of receiving the entire channel information message and the broadcasting supplementary data.
US08826349B2
Multicast adaptive stream switching for delivery of video content over an IP-based packet network is provided. A network device obtains multiple synchronized multicast streams of the same video content, where each of the multiple synchronized multicast streams includes a different bit-rate encoding. The network device receives, from a user device, a request to join a multicast group for one of the multiple synchronized multicast streams and provides, to the user device, the one of the multiple synchronized multicast streams corresponding to the requested multicast group. The user device detects a congestion level associated with the current multicast stream. The network device receives, from the user device, a request to join a different multicast group for a different one of the multiple synchronized multicast streams and provides, to the user device, the different one of the multiple synchronized multicast streams corresponding to the requested different multicast group.
US08826342B2
Promotional content provided by content providers is distributed to mobile devices to be displayed with designated videos on mobile devices. The promotional content is received from a content provider, e.g., via an API and associated with a video, group of videos or channel available from a video hosting server. The promotional content meets certain specifications set by the video hosting server. A mobile device requests promotional content for a selected video and the video hosting server provides any available promotional content to the mobile device. The promotional content is displayed with the selected video as designated by the content provider. Activation of the promotional content in some embodiments results in an action being invoked on the mobile device, such as loading of a uniform resource identifier. In some cases, the promotional content is cached by the mobile device for later use.
US08826341B2
A digital broadcast receiver controlled by a screen remote controller and a space remote controller and controlling method, the method including according to an embodiment displaying a screen remote controller, partitioning a portion of a whole screen of the broadcast receiver into at least two control regions, displaying a pointer to enable a first pointing signal outputted from the space remote controller to indicate one control region of the screen remote controller, receiving a second pointing signal from the space remote controller, and executing a function corresponding to the one control region indicated by the pointer.
US08826335B2
This image receiving apparatus includes a communication portion capable of receiving content through a network, and a control portion controlling a menu display region on which a menu of the content is displayed and a content display region on which information of the content is displayed independently from each other and controlling a display portion to display the menu display region and the content display region.
US08826332B2
An embodiment of the invention simplifies management of the “video lifecycle”. An embodiment includes one of more modules that streamline the video publishing process by abstracting technical steps such as video publishing, updating video, unpublishing video, retrieval or statistics concerning video, authorization to process video, validation of video, video metadata processing, video transcoding, and/or video transmission. Other embodiments are described herein.
US08826331B2
Systems and methods to schedule recording of media content are provided. A particular method includes accessing at least one recording rule that specifies a first condition. The at least one recording rule indicates that a program of media content is to be scheduled for recording when the program satisfies the first condition. The method also includes accessing at least one recording exception that specifies a second condition. The at least one recording exception prohibits recording media content that satisfies the second condition. The method further includes determining a recording schedule by analyzing information regarding a plurality of programs of media content with respect to the at least one recording rule and the at least one recording exception.
US08826321B2
A user interaction request is received during playback of video content. The user interaction request can be received independent of any indication from the video content that user interaction is possible. In response to receiving the interaction request, one or more menus are displayed allowing the user to select one or more reaction options and to select whether the selected one or more reaction options are to be communicated to another user or to a content provider.
US08826318B2
A system to provide personalized promotional content using a broadcast television signal is described. Broadcast television content contains an information band called as ticker band (38) that carries promotional information along with a video signal. This promotional content is captured and stored as several images that correspond to information sets (40). This captured content that is image based is played out in the television optionally with original promotional content, thus providing a personalized promotional information band. This system enables capturing and recalling promotional information reliably for both over the air and terrestrial television broadcasts and works with existing television receivers without needing upgrades to video distribution networks.
US08826317B2
An apparatus, system and method for determining levels of audience engagement relative to encoded audio data, where an encoded audio data is captured in a mobile device. The audio data is captured over one or more predetermined time periods, and processed to determine characteristics of the audio data. The characteristics are determined according to one or more predetermined thresholds, where volume levels, levels of encoding, and or other features are monitored. By determining levels in the audio data that exceed predetermined thresholds, engagement levels and values may be determined relative to the audio data captured over the time period. Data from preceding time periods may be compared to obtain comprehensive engagement data for audience measurement systems.
US08826314B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, obtaining regression coefficients that quantify a relationship between premises feedback and first network and premises performance indicators, obtaining second network performance indicators for the network elements, obtaining second premises performance indicators for the customer premises equipment, and predicting customer complaints by applying the obtained regression coefficients to at least the second network performance indicators and the second premises performance indicators. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08826307B2
A computer with an extensible framework for facilitating communication between a software component installed on the computer and a device driver that executes functions in response to vendor-specific command objects (e.g., OIDs). The framework defines data structures and a standardized format for defining and implementing private interfaces. After selecting a private interface that is commonly supported by a software component and a driver, a private communication path may be established by an operating system component to facilitate the transfer of command information from the software component to the driver. The private communication path allows commands packaged as OIDs to be routed from software components to intended drivers. By defining private interfaces which route commands from software components to intended drivers, the extensible framework mitigates potential incompatibilities that may arise when drivers created by different vendors include OIDs with the same OID value.
US08826306B2
Systems and methods are described for passing a data item to and obtaining the data item from a scripting environment hosted by a host environment, wherein each environment uses a different representation of the data item. The host environment passes the data item to the scripting environment by passing a host environment representation of the data item that is hidden from developers of scripts to be executed by the scripting environment. This enables the original host environment representation of the data item to be preserved even after the data item has been passed to and from the scripting environment in the case where the scripting environment does not modify the data item, and also facilitates lazy conversion of the data item or avoidance of conversion entirely in the case where the scripting environment does not modify the data item.
US08826299B2
According to embodiments of the invention, methods and apparatus are provided for tracking the status or state of a message spawned or sent from one processing element to another processing element in a multiple core processing element network. According to embodiments of the invention, a message status tracker may be incorporated within a multiple core processing element network. As a message is spawned or sent from an originating processing element to a receiving processing element, a counter within the message status tracker may be incremented. If the receiving processing element spawns further messages in response to the received message, the counter may be further incremented. When a receiving processing element finishes a process in response to a received message, the receiving processing element may decrement the counter. When the counter is decremented to an original value (e.g., zero) the original message may be considered complete.
US08826297B2
Web services are generated from an existing web site having web page based business processes or transactions. A script is generated representative of a user navigation sequence involved to perform the transaction. The script elements include the web application calls, input/output parameters, and/or the interrelation between the elements of the transaction. A WSDL file, web service interface code, and web service implementation code are generated from the navigation script, and may be published locally to the web site or on a remote site.
US08826296B2
A method is provided for supervising a plurality of units in a communications network. The method includes a step of a first supervisor device receiving from a plurality of units information notifications having a plurality of information fields. For each information notification received, at least one imprint is generated, which includes codes extracted from predetermined fields of the notification. The method further includes counting the number of occurrences of at least one imprint, and notifying at least one master supervisor device of at least one imprint and the number of occurrences counted for that imprint.
US08826283B2
A virtualized computer system provides fault tolerant operation of a primary virtual machine. In one embodiment, this system includes a backup computer system that stores a snapshot of the primary virtual machine and a log file containing non-deterministic events occurring in the instruction stream of the primary virtual machine. The primary virtual machine periodically updates the snapshot and the log file. Upon a failure of the primary virtual machine, the backup computer can instantiate a failover backup virtual machine by consuming the stored snapshot and log file.
US08826278B2
A method of managing host physical memory using a balloon application executing within a guest virtual machine (GVM) running on a host platform is described. The balloon application receives allocation parameters from an entity outside the GVM, the allocation parameters identifying an amount of memory for the balloon application to allocate. The balloon application adjusts the allocated amount of memory according to the allocated amount. Physical memory backing up the allocated memory can then be assigned by virtualization software for use by another virtual machine running on the host platform.
US08826268B2
Configuration items for a software application can be automatically and/or manually discovered, and the application can be packaged to form a virtual application package. A deployment configuration can include settings for the configuration items. The deployment configuration can be set after packaging the software application. For example, a selected configuration item in the deployment configuration may be changed in response to user input. The virtual application package can be deployed to instantiate the application one or more times, and the deployment configuration can be applied in the instantiated application.
US08826266B2
A message is received at a message consumer, the received message having a component dependency identification that indicates a version of a software component that is necessary to process the message. The version of the software component is automatically downloaded if the message consumer does not already include the version of the software component. The version of the software component is then used to process the received message.
US08826265B2
Systems and methods for implementing data concentrated initiated multicast firmware upgrade in power line communications (PLC) are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a method performed by a PLC device may include forming a group of PLC devices to receive a transmission of a data set, the group being organized according to a hierarchical structure, transmitting the data set to the group of PLC devices, determining whether a PLC device in the lowest level of the hierarchical structure is missing one or more portions of the data set, and retransmitting at least the missing portions of the data set until the lowest level of PLC devices each have the full data set.
US08826261B1
Methods, systems and devices for remotely updating software installed on a digital signal processor (DSP) without setting the mode select pins on the DSP control card. Firmware configured to suspend operations upon receiving a programming signal is installed on the processor. A controlling computing device send the programming signal, causing the processor to halt execution, erase portions of the firmware, set an update firmware flag, and send control signals to the controlling computing device. The remote computing device sends updated firmware and an application program cyclic redundancy check to the processor. The processor compares a cyclic redundancy check of an on-chip flash memory with the received application program cyclic redundancy check. If the two match, the processor installs the received firmware, unsets the update firmware flag, and restarts itself.
US08826259B2
A non-volatile storage device and consumer product are provided which co-operate to upgrade the software in the consumer product where the consumer product stores predetermined information regarding the consumer product on the storage device. The storage device is transferred to a computer product connected to the Internet. The predetermined information is used to acquire upgrade software from a remote server automatically without the user requiring detailed knowledge of the consumer product. The upgrade software is stored on the storage device, which is then transferred back to the consumer product. The consumer product upgrades the software using the upgrade software.
US08826258B2
A method of generating a computer program, the method comprising: independently compiling a plurality of source code modules to generate a plurality of respective object modules comprising a plurality of respective threads explicitly designated by a user to be executed in parallel; in each of the object modules, inserting at least one symbol indicative of a property of the object module's thread potentially conflicting with a corresponding property of a thread of another of said object module as a result of parallel execution of those threads; executing a linker to perform a linking process on said object modules, the linking process comprising: assessing the symbols in conjunction with one another to determine whether a conflict exists between the threads of two or more of the respective object modules; and linking the object modules to generate a computer program in which said threads are executable in parallel, wherein the linking is performed in dependence on said assessment.
US08826254B2
A function may be memoized when a side effect is a read only side effect. Provided that the read only side effect does not mutate a memory object, the side effect may be considered as an input to a function for purity and memoization analysis. When a read only side effect may be encountered during memoization analysis, the read only side effect may be treated as an input to a function for memoization analysis. In some cases, such side effects may enable an impure function to behave as a pure function for the purposes of memoization.
US08826253B2
Delayed insertion of safepoint related code is disclosed. Optimization processing is performed with respect to an intermediate representation of a source code. The optimized intermediate representation is analyzed programmatically to identify a safepoint and insert safepoint related code associated with the safepoint. In some embodiments, analyzing the optimized intermediate representation programmatically comprises determining where to place the safepoint within a program structure of the source code as reflected in the intermediate representation.
US08826248B2
A system, method and computer program product for integrating at least one analytical or modeling driver into an existing business analytic environment. The system comprises a BAMS (Business Analytics and Mathematical Sciences) driver, implemented on the memory device and run by the processor, loads a real database driver and redirects a request from a client application to the real database driver. An extension driver, invoked by the BAMS driver, provides an interface to a data modeling or processing software and converts the interface from a software environment compiled by a programming language to another software environment targeted to another programming language. The extension driver extends or overrides functionalities of the BAMS driver. Implementing the BAMS driver and the extension driver in the existing business analytic environment do not require any change made on the existing business analytic environment.
US08826222B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products may provide pre-merge conflict avoidance in a revision-control system. A pre-merge conflict avoidance method may include identifying by a computer system a portion of interest of a revision-controlled base source code stored in a source-code repository, the base source code being developed by a plurality of developers. The computer system may determine whether at least one of the plurality of developers has made a change to a portion of a first copy of the base source code corresponding to the portion of interest prior to commitment of the first copy of the base source code to the source-code repository. In response to a determination that the at least one developer has made a change to the portion of interest, a notification may be produced about the change to the portion of interest by the at least one developer.
US08826220B2
The present disclosure illustrates a circuit layout method for printed circuit board which is adapted for an electronic device. The circuit layout method includes the following steps. A parameters configuration interface is provided for receiving corresponding stack-up parameters and a plurality of layout parameters. A radio frequency layer, a first keep out layer, and a reference layer are determined based on the stack-up parameters. The first keep-out layer is placed between the radio frequency layer having a first signal trace disposed thereon and the reference layer. A first keep-out region on the first keep-out layer is formed in corresponding to the first signal trace. Circuit layouts disposed inside the first keep-out region are removed. Consequently, the corresponding keep-out region may be automatically generated in accordance to the signal requirements of the signal trace while designing the circuit layout thereby increase circuit layout quality and efficiency thereof.
US08826216B2
A system and method of operating an integrated circuit (IC) having a fixed layout of one or more blocks having one or more current sources therein that draw electrical current from a power source. The method includes dynamically issuing to a block configured to perform operations responsive to an instruction received at the block, a reserve amount of tokens; determining for each issuance of instruction to the block whether that block's reserve token amount exceeds zero; and one of: issuing the instruction to the block if the token reserve for that block is greater than one, and decrementing, after issuance of the instruction, by one token the block's reserve token amount, or, preventing issuance of an instruction to the block. In the method, each block may be initialized to have: a reserve token amount of zero, a token expiration period; a token generation cycle and a token generation amount.
US08826215B1
Method of placing and routing circuit components including: dividing a layout area of an integrated circuit (IC) design into an array of tiles, each tile having a plurality of edges that are common to adjoining tiles; placing of circuit components into the layout area of the IC design such that each tile including a plurality of circuit components, the placing of circuit components being performed for primarily routability without resort to a timing model, routability being measured by congestion of wiring nets at the tile edges; performing a virtual timing operation of the IC design with a virtual timing model assuming ideal buffering is done to test the placement of circuit components; performing a wire synthesis operation of the IC design for layer assignment, buffering and timing optimization while minimizing degradation in routability; and performing a plurality of timing optimizations of the IC design while minimizing degradation in routability.
US08826210B2
A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code having programming instructions tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium. The programming instructions are operable to receive a current waveform of a communication between a plurality of participants. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to create a voiceprint from the current waveform if the current waveform is of a human voice. Furthermore, the programming instructions are operable to determine one of whether a match exists between the voiceprint and one library waveform of one or more library waveforms, whether a correlation exists between the voiceprint and a number of library waveforms of the one or more library waveforms and whether the voiceprint is unique. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to transcribe the current waveform into text and provide a match indication display (MID) indicating an association between the current waveform and the one or more library waveforms based on the determining.
US08826208B1
Some embodiments include a method for identifying high-temperature regions in a microchip. In some embodiments, the method includes selecting grids on the microchip, wherein each grid includes devices and interconnects connecting the devices. The method can also include determining, for each grid, a temperature factor value based on geometric area of the grid, geometric area occupied by the devices, switching factor of the of the interconnects, and length of the interconnects connecting the devices. The method can also include determining, for each grid, thermal sensitivity for the grid by generating a plot based on a Guassian equation.
US08826198B2
Model-Based Sub-Resolution Assist Feature (SRAF) generation process and apparatus are disclosed, in which an SRAF guidance map (SGM) is iteratively optimized to finally output an optimized set of SRAFs as a result of enhanced signal strength obtained by iterations involving SRAF polygons and SGM image. SRAFs generated in a prior round of iteration are incorporated in a mask layout to generate a subsequent set of SRAFs. The iterative process is terminated when a set of SRAF accommodates a desired process window or when a predefined process window criterion is satisfied. Various cost functions, representing various lithographic responses, may be predefined for the optimization process.
US08826191B1
A computer-implemented method includes identifying a bit-mapped image of a line or polygon shape; mapping the image to a texture map that is slightly large in at least one dimension than the bit-mapped image; overlaying the bit-mapped image and the texture map; computing pixel shading for pixels between an outer edge of the bit-mapped image and the texture map by measuring a distance from particular ones of the pixels to an idealized line near an edge of the bit-mapped image; and displaying the bit-mapped image with pixels at its edge shaded according to the computed pixel shading.
US08826182B2
An approach is provided for generating a multi-dimensional input. A user interface platform causes, at least in part, a mapping of one or more parameters, one or more representations of the one or more parameters, or a combination thereof onto one or more respective surface segments of at least one three-dimensional icon. The user interface platform then causes, at least in part, a rendering of the at least one three-dimensional icon in a user interface. The user interface platform then determines one or more manipulations of the at least one three-dimensional icon in the user interface, and processes and/or facilitates a processing of the one or more manipulations to determine one or more weighting values for the one or more parameters.
US08826174B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using visual landmarks to organize diagrams. Embodiments of the invention facilitate using visual landmarks to organize elements within a diagram. Elements of a diagram can be arranged in accordance with configurable defined properties of visual landmarks to provide some degree of layout structure within the diagram. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a user experience that provides some structure but retains the flexibility of free form editing. Users can customize visual landmarks to cause the visual landmarks to exhibit desired behavior.
US08826171B2
A handheld device with a graphical user interface (GUI) for entering and displaying blueprint data as a hierarchical sequence of segments. A handheld device having a touchscreen and/or keys is used to sequentially enter line segments and arcs to enter blueprint data into the device. Each line segment or arc that is entered may be referenced to an existing endpoint or start point of a previously entered line segment or arc. A blueprint entered into the handheld device may be edited by modifying, deleting, or inserting a line segment or arc. When an edit is performed, the line segments and arcs in the sequence that follow the element being edited may be automatically modified to maintain continuity in the blueprint without disturbing prior segments in the sequence.
US08826165B2
Controllers for controlling heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems are provided. The controllers include graphical user interfaces for user adjustment of system settings. The graphical user interfaces also may be designed to present information that facilitates user understanding of system operations. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may display virtual representations of HVAC systems with graphical elements representing units and/or operating status of the HVAC systems.
US08826162B2
Provided is a display input device including: an input portion for receiving: a designation input for designating a setting screen to be displayed by a program; a job execution start input for starting a job; and a re-invocation input for re-invoking the same program as the executed program; and a control portion for causing, when the program is re-invoked by means of the re-invocation input and the job execution start input, a display portion to display a setting screen that is subsequent, in display order of the program, to the setting screen for which the designation input has been made.
US08826160B2
A preferred contact group centric interface for a communication device can be used to facilitate communications by a user. The user interface can be arranged to activate from a user's “home page” on the display, from an idle screen that is accessed after a timeout period expires, or any other appropriate mechanism that activates the preferred contact group centric experience. A user selects the preferred contact group from among an array of the user's contacts. Once the contact group is configured, a minimal number of navigation/selection features is necessary to activate any number of communication modes available to the contacts. The contact group is configured such that simple and quick navigation between the contact members is achieved. The contact group can be presented in 2D and 3D arrangements, in any number of list or geometric configurations. A pricing plan can optionally be tied to each member of the contact group.
US08826152B2
A method for displaying icons layouts in different resolutions where data representing a layout is preserved for a particular resolution and is later used to display another layout at the same resolution. The data indicates positions of icons in the layout, contains identifiers that identify particular icons, and contains coordinate positions of icons in the layout and may be preserved in various formats or preserved in various data structures. The data structure may comprise a bitmap and icon list. In some embodiments, a layout at a current resolution is produced using a previous layout at a previous resolution and at least two different mapping functions. Icons from the previous layout are mapped to the current layout where icons in an overlapping area between the current layout and the previous layout are mapped with a first mapping function and outside icons are mapped with a second mapping function.
US08826150B1
A method for tagging images in a social network is provided. The method may include enabling a capture of an image associated with an online group discussion. The method may further include allowing an automatic tagging of the image associated with the online group discussion, the image including a visual representation of a first participant of the online group discussion. The method may also include providing the first participant with an option to indicate whether to approve distribution of the tagged image. The method may also include receiving an indication from the first participant whether to approve the distribution of the tagged image. When the indication from the first participant whether to approve the distribution of the tagged image indicates approval of the distribution, the method may further include distributing the tagged image, based at least in part on the indication of approval of distribution of the tagged image.
US08826148B2
Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the simultaneous (e.g., side-by-side or via a “sliding” animation) displaying and viewing of email messages and any attachments to such email messages are disclosed. Such systems, methods and computer program products allow a user of a computing system to simultaneously view the textual portion of an email along with the contents of any attachments within one application, and without the need to switch between at least two software applications—the email reader application and the native (productivity) application used to create such attachment (e.g., a word processing software application, a spreadsheet application, a presentation application, a database application, a portable document format reader, a Web browser and/or the like).
US08826144B2
The present invention relates to the field of network computing, and in particular to Web contents accessible via a portal. It particularly relates to a method and system for restoring content represented by time-dependently varied fragments of portlets aggregated in web pages of such web portal.It is proposed to enable a user to set a portlet into a “content recovery mode”. A respective user action on a respective GUI control (50) creates a URI that allows the portlet to generate its output as currently seen. The user may then send this URL to a friend, who can access the desired portlet output at any given time. Or, the user may save it at the own computer.
US08826139B1
A method of accessing situation related information includes collecting information related to at least one situation from a plurality of participants connected via a situational network, where the situational network formed in response to the situation. An electronic message board for accessing a portion of the information related to the situation is established. Requests for the information is received from a plurality of visitors using the electronic message board, where the visitors are not connected to the situational network. The information is provided to the visitors using the electronic message board.
US08826137B2
A screen reader software product for low-vision users, the software having a reader module collecting textual and non-textual display information generated by a web browser or word processor. Font styling, interface layout information and the like are communicated to the end user by sounds broadcast simultaneously rather than serially with the synthesized speech to improve the speed and efficiency in which information may be digested by the end user.
US08826125B2
A news reader is disclosed which selects the optimal articles for presentation to the user and which facilitates a sense of community among users. Upon receiving an article from a news provider, the news reader analyzes characteristics associated with the article. Amongst other things, the characteristics may indicate whether the article represents a breaking news story or whether the article includes advertisements. After analyzing the characteristics of the article, the news reader determines whether the article is to be designated a primary/presentable article and aggregates the article with other primary/presentable articles related to the same topic.
US08826124B2
A method for displaying indicia that is to be printed on a double-sided item on a computer screen. The double-sided item has first and second surfaces. The indicia has at least one print orientation when the indicia is printed on the item's first and second surfaces, and at least one view orientation when the indicia is displayed on the computer screen, which has a vertical orientation. The method includes providing information that characterizes the indicia's print orientation, using the information to compare the print orientation to the vertical orientation; and if, as a result of the comparison, the print orientation does not match the vertical orientation, adjusting the view orientation so the view orientation matches the vertical orientation while maintaining the indicia's print orientation when the indicia is printed on the item.
US08826119B2
A solution for managing a web site that includes dynamic protected data is provided. After receiving a request for a web page from a requesting system, the invention determines if the requesting system can be identified as a browser system. If not, then a public web page that does not include dynamic protected data is obtained. Otherwise, a redirect message that includes an alternative address for the web page can be provided, and a protected web page that includes the dynamic protected data can be obtained after authenticating a user.
US08826117B1
Disclosed are web-based systems and methods for editing digital videos. A graphical editing interface allows designating one or more videos to assemble into a video compilation. The graphical editing interface further allows specifying the portion of a constituent video of the video compilation that will be displayed when the video compilation is played. The graphical editing interface additionally allows the association of annotations—specifying, for example, slides, people, and highlights—with portions of the video. The associated annotations alter the appearance of the video compilation when it is played, such as by displaying slides, or text associated with the annotations, along with the video at times associated with the annotations. The associated annotations also enhance the interactivity of the video compilation, such as by allowing playback to begin at points of interest, such as portions of the video for which there is an associated annotation. The associated annotations can be created by selection of annotation tools of the graphical editing interface, where at least one of the annotation tools is created responsive to a user providing information associated with the tool.
US08826111B2
A receiving apparatus and method for display of final superimposed scenes from a receiver adapted to receive shared object control information used for forming final superimposed scenes and display final superimposed scenes. The final superimposed scenes are formed by superimposing two or more shared scenes each comprising one or more shared objects. The shared object comprises user-selectable command objects that are separately controllable independent of the shared scenes.
US08826108B1
The present disclosure describes techniques for pre-scaling decoder input values. In some aspects a soft-decoding input indicating a reliability of an encoded bit is received, the soft-decoding input is scaled based on a value of the soft-decoding input, and a hardware-based soft-decoder is enabled to use the scaled soft-decoding input to decode the encoded bit. By so doing, resolution of the soft-decoding input can be preserved during subsequent decoding operations improving performance of the hardware-based soft-decoder.
US08826107B2
A first codeword may be constructed from a cache tag in a cache and an error correction code corresponding to the cache tag. A second codeword may be constructed from a search tag and an error correction code corresponding to the search tag. A hamming distance may be calculated between the first codeword and the second codeword. If the hamming distance is less than or equal to a threshold, a cache hit may be signaled. If the hamming distance is above the threshold, a cache miss may be signaled.
US08826099B2
According to one embodiment, a memory controller that controls a non-volatile semiconductor memory including a memory cell of 3 bits/cell includes a controller that extracts bits which becomes an error caused by the movement to the adjacent threshold voltage distribution from a first bit and a second bit of data to be written in each of the memory cells to generate a virtual page and an encoding unit that generate an error correcting code for the virtual page and writes the data for three pages and the error correcting code in the non-volatile semiconductor memory.
US08826087B2
An integrated circuit comprises scan test circuitry, additional circuitry subject to testing utilizing the scan test circuitry, and control circuitry associated with the scan test circuitry. The scan test circuitry comprises a scan chain having a plurality of scan cells, and the associated control circuitry is coupled to at least a given one of a primary input of the integrated circuit and a primary output of the integrated circuit. The scan test circuitry is configurable by the control circuitry so as to permit testing of both an input functional path associated with the given one of the primary input and the primary output and an output functional path associated with the given one of the primary input and the primary output.
US08826079B2
A data processing apparatus has at least one circuit block accessible for debugging by a debugger, the block having a set of debug status registers and a debug event register which is set by the circuit block to indicate occurrence of a debug event. Debug interface circuitry interfaces with the set of debug status registers for each circuit block. The circuitry includes at least a first portion which is in a first power domain that remains in a fully powered state while the debugger is connected to the circuitry. Status registers are provided in a second power domain which transitions between the fully powered state and at least one low power state while the debugger is connected to the circuitry. Content of the debug status registers is only accessible to the debugger when the second power domain is in the fully powered state.
US08826072B2
A method of organizing on-chip data memory in an embedded system-on-chip platform whereon a deterministic application needs to meet a guaranteed constraint on its functional system behavior is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes: a) dividing the deterministic application into blocks one of which corresponds to a part of a subtask of the application, the block receiving input data and/or generating output data and including internal intermediate data for transforming the input data into the output data, b) splitting the internal intermediate data into state and non-state data, and c) putting the non-state data and a part of the state data in a protected buffering module being part of the data memory and being provided with an error detection and correction module, so that they are available for mitigating the effect of faults on the functional system behavior on-line while meeting the at least one guaranteed constraint.
US08826071B2
A portable executable file can be repaired by identifying an invalid field of a portable executable file. A likelihood of repairing the invalid field of the portable executable file is determined. A repair model for repairing the invalid field of the portable executable file is generated, and the invalid field of the portable executable file is repaired based upon, at least in part, the repair model.
