US08846943B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a pyrrole derivative useful as an immunosuppressive agent and a method for producing the same. For achieving the object, the present invention provides a method for producing a compound represented by the general formula (I) by heating a compound represented by the general formula (III) and a compound represented by the general formula (IV) in a nonpolar solvent under reduced pressure.
US08846940B2
Synthesis of platinum(II) di(2-pyrazolyl)benzene chloride and analogs includes forming a 1,3-di-substituted benzene including two aromatic five-membered heterocycles, and reacting the 1,3-di-substituted benzene with an acidic platinum-containing solution to form a luminescent platinum(II) complex. The luminescent platinum(II) complex is capable of emitting blue and white light and can be used as an emitter in a light emitting device.
US08846927B2
This invention relates to compounds that inhibit protein tyrosine kinase activity. In particular the invention relates to compounds that inhibit the protein tyrosine kinase activity of growth factor receptors, resulting in the inhibition of receptor signaling, for example, the inhibition of VEGF receptor signaling and HGF receptor signaling. More particularly, the invention relates to compounds, compositions and methods for the inhibition of VEGF receptor signaling and HGF receptor signaling. The invention also provides compositions and methods for treating cell proliferative diseases and conditions.
US08846921B2
The invention relates to a method for producing metal complexes of formula (2) [MaLxXn]Ym (2), where M is a metal from the group consisting of Mn(II), Mn(III), Mn(IV), Fe(II), Fe(III) or Fe(IV), X is a coordinating compound selected from mono-, bi- or tri-charged anions or neutral molecules which can coordinate to a metal in mono-, bi- or tri-dentate form, Y represents a non-coordinating counter-ion which ensures charge equalization of the complex, L represents a ligand of formula (1) or the protonized or de-protonized form thereof, and a, x, n, m, R, R1, R2, R3 and z have the meanings described in claim 1. Said method is characterized in that the reaction of one or more ligands of formula (1) with an iron salt or manganese salt is carried out in an acetone/water mixture in a temperature range from 0 to 50° C. and for this purpose a solution or a suspension of the one or more ligands of formula (1) in acetone is brought in contact with an aqueous metal salt solution of the iron salt or manganese salt in the temperature range in which the reaction takes place.
US08846920B2
The present invention describes new types of metal complexes. Such compounds can be used as functional materials in a series of different types of applications which can be classified within the electronics industry in the widest sense.The inventive compounds are described by the formulae (1) and (4).
US08846908B2
The present disclosure relates to 2,4-pyrimidinediamines substituted with tricyclic carbamates and the compositions and methods using these compounds in the treatment of conditions in which modulation of the JAK pathway or inhibition of JAK kinases, such as JAK2 or JAK3, is therapeutically useful.
US08846883B2
Oligonucleotide chemistry is central to the advancement of core technologies such as DNA sequencing, forensic and genetic analysis and has impacted greatly on the discipline of molecular biology. Oligonucleotides and their analogues are essential tools in these areas. They are often produced by automated solid-phase phosphoramidite synthesis but it is difficult to synthesize long DNA and RNA sequences by this method. Methods are proposed for ligating oligonucleotides together, in particular the use of an azide-alkyne coupling reaction to ligate the backbones of oligonucleotides together to form longer oligonucleotides that can be synthesized using current phosphoramidite synthesis methods.
US08846880B2
The present invention relates to novel synthetic analogs of phosphatidyl-myo-inositol mannosides (hereinafter referred to as PIMs) of general formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to the method for preparing same and to the use thereof in the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with the overexpression of cytokines or of chemokines, in particular of TNF and/or of IL-12. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one synthetic derivative of PIM.
US08846878B1
A novel method for recovering nucleic acids and proteins from a biological sample having the steps of mixing a biological sample with a nucleic acid binding solution and contacting the mixture with a first porous silica compound configured to reversibly bind a nucleic acid. The fluid remainder of the mixture is gathered for protein extraction. The first silica compound is contacted with a nucleic acid elution solution which causes a majority of the nucleic acid bound to the first porous silica compound to unbind and enter the solution phase. The solution is collected, which contains isolated nucleic acid. The fluid gathered for protein extraction is mixed with a protein binding solution and contacted with a protein binding porous silica compound configured to reversibly bind a protein. The fluid remainder is separated from the protein binding porous silica compound. A protein elution solution is contacted with the protein binding porous silica compound to cause a majority of the protein bound to the protein binding porous silica compound to unbind and enter the solution phase, allowing the protein to be isolated.
US08846877B2
An affinity chromatography packing material includes porous mother particles that include a copolymer of a monomer mixture including a crosslinkable vinyl monomer and an epoxy group-containing vinyl monomer, a ligand being bound to the porous mother particles, and the porous mother particles including a ring-opening epoxy group produced by ring-opening of the epoxy group included in the porous mother particles.
US08846867B2
This invention relates to compositions and methods for the use of anti-autoimmune reagents that specifically bind to anti-desmoglein antibodies, which are responsible for pemphigus foliaceus. In addition, the invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting the expression or function of a variable region of an anti-desmoglein (anti-Dsg) pathogenic autoantibody.
US08846861B2
A peptide clearing agent is provided for clearance of a conjugate of an enzyme and a binding molecule which binds specifically at a target location from a non-target location in a subject. The peptide clearing agent binds the active site of the enzyme. The peptide also binds to the asialoglycoprotein receptor expressed by hepatic cells to facilitate clearance through the liver. The peptide may be glycosylated to facilitate clearance through the liver by binding to hepatic cells expressing an asialoglycoprotein receptor. Typically, the peptide prevents or inhibits enzyme activity upon binding to the enzyme and is not substantially modified by the enzyme activity. The peptide may be based upon the dipeptide amino-naphthoic acid (ANA)-glutamate (GIu) and may comprise the amino acid sequence serine (Ser)-Alanine (Ala)-amino-naphthoic acid (ANA)-glutamate (GIu). In such cases, the enzyme of interest is typically CPG2.
US08846860B2
A modular peptide design strategy wherein the modular peptide has two functional units separated by a spacer portion is disclosed. More particularly, the design strategy combines a hydroxyapatite-binding portion and a biomolecule-derived portion. The modular peptides have improved non-covalent binding to the surface of the HA-based materials, and are capable of initiating osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and/or osteogenic differentiation.
US08846856B2
A novel hydroxyl-functional polyether derived from the reaction of (a) a divinylarene dioxide, particularly a divinylarene dioxide derived from divinylbenzene such as divinylbenzene dioxide (DVBDO); and (b) a diphenol; wherein the reaction product is thermally stable and exhibits an absence of self-polymerization (crosslinking or gelling) upon heating at elevated temperatures. The novel hydroxyl-functional polyether offers improved properties compared to known hydroxyl-functional polyethers such as solid epoxy resins, phenolic epoxy resins (hardeners), and poly(hydroxyl ethers).
US08846855B2
Described herein are compositions including heterocyclic organic compounds based on fused thiophene compounds, polymers based on fused thiophene compounds, and methods for making the monomers and polymer along with uses in thin film-based and other devices.
US08846853B2
A direct polycondensation method for medical biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA). The invention uses commercialized creatinine (a type of biomaterial organic guanidine compounds—the arginine metabolite creatinine in human body) as the catalyst and industrial lactic acid (mass content 85-90%, aqueous solution) as the monomer to synthesize the PLA in terms of second polycondensation without solvent. Instead of tin catalysts having cytotoxicity, the catalyst used in the invention has high biocompatibility and biosafety. The synthesized PLA does not contain any metal and other toxic components; therefore, it can be used as the carrier for targeting drugs and controlled release drugs. The green catalyst and green processing method (no solvent applied and no toxic products produced) are used to synthesize the green biodegradable PLA with high biosafety. The molecular weight distribution for all synthesized products is narrow and the molecular weight is controllable within 1.5-3.0×104.
US08846852B2
The present invention provides a polyimide film which is both outstandingly transparent and highly heat resistance, and which can be usefully employed as a transparent electrically conductive film, a TFT substrate, a flexible printed circuit substrate, and the like.
US08846849B2
The present invention is directed in one embodiment to a tissue adhesive or sealant composition comprising an electrophilic group containing cross-linking compound having a linker moiety of a diglycolic acid, a water soluble core moiety and an electrophilic group that is covalently bonded to the diglycolic acid linker moiety and a nucleophilic group containing protein. In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a delivery device or a medical device on which the composition has been applied or incorporated therein. The present invention is also directed to a method for sealing tissue using the tissue adhesive or sealant composition.
US08846848B2
Provided are monodisperse synthetic dendrimer calibrants for mass spectrometry. The calibrants are distinguished by their relative ease and rapidity of synthesis, comparatively low cost, long shelf life, high purity, and amenability to batch synthesis as mixtures. The latter characteristic enables parallel preparation of higher molecular weight compounds displaying useful distributions of discrete molecular weights, thereby providing multi-point mass spectrometry calibration standards. Methods of making and using said calibrants are also provided.
US08846845B2
Absorbable polyurethanes, polyamides and polyester urethanes prepared from at least one compound selected from: or the corresponding diamines or diisocyanates thereof, wherein each X independently represents —CH2COO—, —CH(CH3)COO—, —CH2CH2OCH2COO—, —CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2COO—, —(CH2)yCOO— where y is 2 to 4 or 6 to 24, or —(CH2CH2O)z′CH2COO— where z′ is 2 to 24; each Y represents —COCH2O—, —COCH(CH3)O—, —COCH2OCH2CH2O—, —COCH2CH2CH2CH2CH2O—, —CO(CH2)mO— where m is 2 to 4 or 6 to 24, or —COCH2O(CH2CH2O)n— where n is 2 to 24; R′ is hydrogen, benzyl or straight-chained or branched alkyl; p is 1 to 4; and Rn represents one or more members selected from H, alkoxy, benzyloxy, aldehyde, halogen, carboxylic acid and —NO2, which is attached directly to an aromatic ring or attached through an aliphatic chain. Absorbable polymers prepared from these compounds are useful for drug delivery, tissue engineering, tissue adhesives, adhesion prevention and other implantable medical devices.
US08846830B2
The present invention relates to production of polymer, and in particular provides an interlock for use in a process for production of a polymer in a reactor, which process comprises: a. polymerising a monomer and optionally a comonomer in the reactor to produce polymer, optionally in the presence of an inert hydrocarbon, and b. withdrawing produced polymer from the reactor, said interlock being based on the temperature in the reactor, and comprising: 1. measuring the temperature in the reactor or a temperature representative of the temperature in the reactor, and 2. comparing said measured temperature to a threshold temperature, said interlock being characterized in that withdrawal is allowed if the measured temperature is greater than the threshold temperature but is prevented if the measured temperature is lower than the threshold temperature.
US08846829B2
Techniques are provided for operating a reactor during a catalyst transition period. The instantaneous reaction rate during a catalyst transition period can be determined using real-time measured process variables, and material balance calculations to provide an instantaneous reaction rate in approximately real time. According to certain embodiments, a material balance can be performed on the reactor system using a continuous ideal stirred tank reactor to determine the fractions of each type of catalyst that are present in the reactor, as well as the overall weight percent of catalyst in the reactor. A controller can then calculate the overall instantaneous reaction rate based on the respective catalyst fractions and the overall weight percent of catalyst in the reactor. The catalyst feed rate can then be adjusted based on the determined instantaneous reaction rate to maintain the instantaneous reaction rate within desired limits during a catalyst transition period.
US08846821B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a silicone-based copolymer which has excellent long-term antifouling property even in a dry-wet alternate portion of a ship and the like or a portion thereof near the surface of water, is excellent also in mechanical strength and recoatability and exhibits high antifouling performance even if an antifouling agent is not added, and an antifouling coating composition containing the copolymer. The present invention provides, as the silicon-based copolymer, a metal-crosslinked organopolysiloxane-thio block vinyl copolymer [D] wherein an organopolysiloxane-thio block vinyl copolymer [C] having a carboxylic acid-containing vinyl copolymer block [A] formed from constitutional units derived from a polymerizable unsaturated carboxylic acid (a1) and constitutional units derived from at least one other polymerizable unsaturated monomer (a2) copolymerizable with the polymerizable unsaturated carboxylic acid, and a specific organopolysiloxane-thio block [B] is crosslinked with a divalent metal [M].
US08846819B2
A method is provided for synthesizing a core-shell nanoparticle that includes the following steps: providing a polymeric seed (in a solvent) that includes a mono-vinyl monomer cross-linked with a cross-linking agent to form the core of the nanoparticle, the core has an average diameter of from about nanometers to about 10,000 nanometers, and the core has polymer chains with living ends; adding a stabilizer to stabilize the seed and prevent the seed from precipitating out of solution; and grafting a shell species onto the living ends of the core to form the shell of the nanoparticle. A core-first synthesized nanoparticle, along with a rubber composition and tire product are also provided.
US08846810B2
A method for producing polymer particles, including (A) polymerizing and granulating a ring-opening polymerizable monomer in a compressive fluid with a catalyst in the presence of a surfactant, or (B) polymerizing and granulating an addition polymerizable monomer in a compressive fluid in the presence of a silicone surfactant.
US08846801B1
Thermoplastic elastomers containing carbon nanotubes that is an autonomous, intrinsic, and reversible self healing polymer that requires no intervention to induce self healing, that requires no sequestered healing agents are added to the matrix, and is capable of multiple healing events.
US08846798B2
A post-treatment solution for digital inkjet printing includes a thermoplastic material having a melting temperature ranging from about 40° C. to about 250° C., a binder, and a liquid carrier. The thermoplastic material and the binder are present in a weight ratio ranging from 100:1 to 1:1. A print medium, printing method, and printing system are also disclosed herein.
US08846792B2
A layered structure suitable for use in a pneumatic tire as an innerliner is prepared by directly bonding a fluid permeation prevention film and an adhesive tie layer. Prior to the bonding, the fluid permeation prevention layer is treated to remove any residual plasticizers or oils on the surface of the film. The tie layer comprises 100 weight % of at least one halogenated isobutylene containing elastomer and about 1 to about 20 parts per hundred (phr) of at least one tackifier. The fluid permeation prevention film comprises an elastomeric component dispersed in a vulcanized or partially vulcanized state, as a discontinuous phase, in a matrix of the thermoplastic resin component. The two layers of the layered structure may be separately extruded and then adhered to each other or adhered to each other during a calendaring operation wherein the adhesive tie layer composition is coated onto the treated film.
US08846791B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tire rubber composition excellent in performances such as silica dispersibility and processability. The present invention relates to a tire rubber composition, comprising: a rubber component that contains an epoxidized natural rubber; silica; and a silane coupling agent, wherein the amount of the epoxidized natural rubber in 100% by mass of the rubber component is 15% by mass or more, the silica has a CTAB specific surface area of 180 m2/g or more and a BET specific surface area of 185 m2/g or more, and the silane coupling agent contains a mercapto group.
US08846785B2
The invention provides a method for manufacturing spherical, monodispersed core-shell type ceria-polymer hybrid nanoparticles including, a mixing step in which a cerium salt and a polymer are mixed together in a high-boiling-point organic solvent to obtain a mixture, and a heating and reflux step in which this mixture is heated and refluxed at a temperature of 110° C. or more to thereby generate a boiling phenomenon in the heating and reflux step, and rapidly cooling the mixture after the heating and reflux step to precipitate cerium oxide, and a liquid dispersion thereof.
US08846784B2
Additives for application in construction chemistry are proposed comprising an organic and/or inorganic core component A) with rheology-enhancing properties and a shell component B) applied to the same by virtue of physical and/or chemical interactions which acts as a coating. Component A) should be a of water-soluble and/or water-swellable and/or water-absorbable compound of the non-cellulose type with viscosity-enhancing properties in the final application. The shell component B) should preferably be a film-forming polymer which is able to release component A) during the application in construction chemistry in a retarded manner such as for example polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate and polyethylene glycol. Component B) can be composed of several layers and comprises at least one reactive layer. The new additive is used as an additive with a time-delayed action in paints and also for timed control of the increase in viscosity or development of rheology in building material systems based on inorganic binders.
US08846776B2
Composite materials and methods for their preparation are described herein. The composite materials include a polyurethane made from the reaction of an isocyanate and a mixture of polyols, and coal ash (e.g., fly ash). The mixture of polyols comprises at least two polyols including a high hydroxyl number polyol having a hydroxyl number greater than 250 and comprising from about 1% to about 25% by weight of the total polyol content used to form the polyurethane, and a low hydroxyl number polyol having a hydroxyl number of 250 or lower. The coal ash is present in amounts from about 40% to about 90% by weight of the composite material. Also described is a method of preparing a composite material, including mixing an isocyanate, a mixture of at least two polyols, coal ash (e.g., fly ash), and a catalyst.
US08846772B2
The invention relates to a sol containing silica-based particles having an axial ratio of at least about 10 and specific surface area of at least about 600 m2/g. The invention further relates to a sol containing silica-based particles having an axial ratio of at least about 10 and S-value up to about 25. The invention further relates to a sol containing silica-based particles having an axial ratio of at least about 10 and a specific surface area of at least about 400 m2/g, wherein the silica-based particles are surface-modified. The invention further relates to a sol containing silica-based particles having a viscosity of at least 50 cP and silica content of at least about 3% by weight, wherein the silica-based particles have a specific surface area of at least about 400 m2/g. The invention further relates to a process for producing the aqueous silica-based sol according to the invention, a sol containing silica-based particles obtainable by the process, use of the sol containing silica-based particles as a flocculating agent. The invention further relates to a process for producing paper in which the sol containing silica-based particles is used as a drainage and retention aid.
US08846770B2
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of otic diseases or conditions with aural pressure modulating agent compositions and formulations administered locally to an individual afflicted with an otic disease or condition, through direct application of these compositions and formulations onto or via perfusion into the targeted auris structure(s).
US08846762B2
Benzopyran and benzoxepin compounds of Formulas I and II, and including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomer solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting lipid kinases including p110 alpha and other isoforms of PI3K, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by lipid kinases. Methods of using compounds of Formulas I and II for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08846761B2
Gemcabene, a carboxyalkylether, is effective in the treatment and prevention of pancreatitis in subjects. The compound can be administered in an effective dose as the free acid, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or an ester or pro-drug that is hydrolyzed or otherwise metabolized in situ to gemcabene as the free acid or salt thereof.
US08846760B2
The present invention relates to novel dihydronaphthalene and naphthalene derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor.
US08846757B2
Methods for modulating the level of a chemokine in a cell by administering to a cell an effective amount of a depside or an anthocyanin are provided. More particularly, a method for modulating the level of a chemokine in a cell by administering to a cell an effective amount of a depside having the structure of formula (IV): Formula (IV) wherein R is selected from H or CH3 or an anthocyanin selected from cyanidin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-glucoside, or combinations thereof, or an enantiomer, optical isomer, diastereomer, N-oxide, crystalline form, hydrate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided. Also provided are compounds according to Formulas I-IV, pharmaceutical compositions, unit dosage forms, and food or feed supplements containing such compounds. Methods for treating a condition in a mammal and for treating or ameliorating a condition, such as for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by administering an effective amount of a composition containing such compounds are also provided. Further provided is an extract obtained from the fruit of Myrciaria cauliflora containing at least one compound of the present invention in substantially pure form.
US08846737B2
There is provided a compound of formula I wherein Z is selected from N and CR22, wherein R22 is H or a bond with D; wherein D is selected from a bond, C═O, and linear or branched hydrocarbon groups having a carbon chain of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein the carbon chain optionally contains an oxy group (═O), an ether (—O—) or thioether (—S—) link, wherein R1 is selected from: triazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl radical wherein each of R2 to R6 is independently selected from —H, NO2, halo, —CN, —N[(C═O)0-1R12][(C═O)0-1R13] and —(CH2)0-1R14, or two adjacent groups of R2 to R6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring, wherein at least one of R2 to R6 is —CN, wherein (i) at least one of R2 to R6 is —(CH2)0-1R14, or (ii) at least one of R2 to R6 is —N[(C═O)0-1R12][(C═O)0-1R13], or (iii) at least two adjacent groups of R2 to R6 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring, or (iv) at least one of R2 to R6 is —(CH2)0-1—O—R′14, wherein R12 and R13 are independently selected from H, linear or branched hydrocarbon groups having a carbon chain of from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or together with the atoms to which they are attached, may form a mono or bicyclic ring having from 5 to 14 ring members wherein R14 is selected from: aliphatic ring systems unsubstituted or substituted monocyclic aliphatic heterocycles; unsubstituted or substituted heteroaryl radical, and unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group; the group of formula wherein t is 1 or 2 wherein R′14 is a unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group; wherein each of R7 to R11 is independently selected from —H, NO2, halo, —O—(C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyl, —CN, —OH, —OPh, —OBn, -Ph, —OSO2NR15R16, —SO2R26, —SO2NR27R28, —O—(C1-C6)alkyl, —(C═O)0-1NR29R30 and —CO(O)0-1R31; wherein R15 and R16 are independently selected from H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, acyl and aryl, or combinations thereof, or together represent alkylene, wherein the or each alkyl or cycloalkyl or alkenyl optionally contain one or more hetero atoms or groups wherein each of R26 to R31 is independently selected from H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, acyl and aryl, or combinations thereof, or together represent alkylene, wherein the or each alkyl or cycloalkyl or alkenyl optionally contain one or more hetero atoms or groups; or any pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08846736B2
The present invention is directed to inhibitors of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), pharmaceutical compositions comprising such GSNOR inhibitors, and methods of making and using the same.
US08846734B2
Diazonamide analogs having anti-mitotic activity, useful for the treatment of cancer and other proliferative disorders, and related pharmaceutical compositions are provided.
US08846732B2
Biogenic sulfide production is synergistically inhibited by treating sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) with a biocide and a metabolic inhibitor. The biocide directly kills a first portion of the SRB. The metabolic inhibitor inhibits sulfate-reducing growth of a second portion of the SRB without directly killing the second portion of the SRB. The treatment of SRB with both a biocide and a metabolic inhibitor provides effective biogenic sulfide inhibition at significantly lower concentrations than would be required if the biocide or metabolic inhibitor was used alone.
US08846731B2
Disclosed herein are new salts and polymorphs of desazadesferrithiocin polyether (DADFT-PE) analogs, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their application as metal chelation agents for the treatment of disease. Methods of chelation of iron and other metals in a human or animal subject are also provided for the treatment of metal overload and toxicity.
US08846730B2
The present application relates to cannabinoid receptor ligands of formula (I) wherein X1, A1, Rx, R2, R3, R4, and z are as defined in the specification. The present application also relates to compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions.
US08846718B2
The present invention relates to a substantially crystalline and free solid state form of 3-(6-(1-(2,2-difluorobenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)cyclopropanecarboxamido)-3-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzoic acid (Form I), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treatment therewith.
US08846711B2
The invention relates to novel heterocyclic acrylamide compounds (I), to the preparation of the compounds and intermediates used therein, to the use of the compounds as antibacterial medicaments and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds.
US08846708B2
The present invention relates to a salt of a pyrimidin derivative of the acid (3R,5S,6E)-7-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(N-methylmethanesulfonamide)-6-(propan-2-yl)pyrimidin-5-yl]-3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic, to a method for preparing same and to the use thereof in formulating pharmaceutical formulations.
US08846699B2
The present invention relates to a novel quinazoline derivative compound having the formula (1) as follows: with the constituents defined in claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as a multiplex inhibitor, a method for the preparation thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition and a therapeutic composition comprising same as an active ingredient. The inventive quinazoline derivative as a multiplex inhibitor can selectively and effectively inhibit diseases caused by the overactivity of a tyrosine kinase.
US08846698B2
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein the substituents are as described herein, and their use in medicine, in particular as Trk antagonists.
US08846693B2
1- or 2- or 7-(substituted)-3-(optionally hetero)arylamino-[1H,2H]-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6(5H,7H)-dione derivatives, in free, salt or prodrug form, are useful as pharmaceuticals, particularly as phosphodiesterase 1 inhibitors, useful for the treatment of diseases involving disorders of the dopamine D1 receptor intracellular pathway, such as Parkinson's disease, depression, narcolepsy and damage to cognitive function, e.g., in schizophrenia or disorders that may be ameliorated through enhanced progesterone-signaling pathway, e.g., female sexual dysfunction.
US08846683B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula I, including tautomers, resolved enantiomers, diastereomers, solvates, metabolites, salts and pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs thereof. Also provided are methods of using the compounds of this invention as AKT protein kinase inhibitors and for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer.
US08846677B2
Novel compounds which interact with the histamine H3 receptor are defined. These compounds are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of diseases or conditions in which histamine H3 interactions are beneficial. Thus, the compounds may find use, e.g., in the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the pulmonary system, the gastrointestinal system and the endocrinological system. The novel compounds have a core consisting of a 6 membered aromatic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom and two carbon atoms in the ring and, at the remaining positions in the ring, there is either a carbon or a nitrogen atom.
US08846676B2
The invention relates to the 6-cycloamino-3-(pyridin-4-yl)imidazo[I,2-b]pyridazine derivatives corresponding to general formula (I): Wherein R2, R3, R7, R8, A, L and B are as defined herein. Also disclosed are the preparative methods and therapeutic use thereof.
US08846661B2
The invention relates to compounds that are diazahomoadamantane derivatives, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds and compositions.
US08846653B2
Methods are disclosed for treating neoplastic disorders, such as pancreatic cancer, using tocotrienols; namely, gamma-tocotrienol and delta tocotrienol. The antitumorogenic effects of these compounds are shown both in vitro and in vivo using several human pancreatic cancer cell lines and MIA-PACA2 human pancreatic cancer cells xenografted in nude mice. Also disclosed are methods of testing the efficacy of potential chemotherapeutic agents by measuring their effect on surrogate endpoint biomarkers, such as Ki-67 and p27. Associated compounds are also disclosed.
US08846651B2
It is to provide a technique for preventing aggregation or caking of menthol at the time of its keeping. In addition, it is to provide a lipid composition, which can show excellent thermal stability even in the case of high temperature at the time of keeping menthol and at the time of blending in a product, does not cause mutual aggregation of powders, particles, flakes, pellets, sticks and the like of menthol, and can maintain its shape retention property. From 10 to 50% by mass of sterols are added to and mixed with from 50 to 90% by mass of menthol, and the resultant is melted with heating. Paraffins may be further added and mixed in an amount of 20% by mass or less, based on the lipid composition.
US08846647B2
Compounds having drug and bio-affecting properties, their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are set forth. In particular, C-17 and C-3 modified triterpenoids that possess unique antiviral activity are provided as HIV maturation inhibitors, as represented by compounds of Formulas I, II and III: These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.
US08846645B2
The present invention relates to compounds according to general formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds according to general formula (I) and the use of the compounds for the treatment of a bacterial infection, particularly for use as an antibiotic.
US08846640B2
Biomaterials obtainable by mixing the autocrosslinked derivative of hyaluronic acid (ACP) with the derivative (HBC) of hyaluronic acid crosslinked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) in the weight ratio of between 10:90 and 90:10 as novel fillers.
US08846637B2
Provided herein are 2′-amino and 2′-thio bicyclic nucleosides and oligomenc compounds prepared therefrom. The novel bicyclic nucleosides provided herein are expected to be useful for enhancing one or more properties of the oligomeric compounds they are incorporated into such as nuclease resistance.
US08846630B2
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer, comprising at least one selected from deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) for encoding small interfering RNA (siRNA) which complementarily binds to the base sequence of the transcript (mRNA transcript) of the FLJ25416 gene, represented by sequence number 3, sequence number 5, and sequence number 7 to inhibit the intracellular expression of the FLJ25416 gene, antisense RNA which inhibits expression of the FLJ25416 gene, and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) which inhibits expression of the FLJ25416 gene. As the siRNA, which is complementary to the base sequence of the transcript (mRNA transcript) of the FLJ25416 gene, the antisense RNA, and the shRNA, according to the present invention, inhibit expression of the FLJ25416 gene which is known to be expressed in cancer cells, and thus kill cancer cells, the composition of the present invention can be used as a novel anti-cancer agent.
US08846617B2
The present invention relates to the use of compounds selected from the group consisting of Lys-(D)Pro-Thr, N-acyl Lys-(D)Pro-Thr, C-amide Lys-(D)Pro-Thr, and C-esters of Lys-(D)Pro-Thr; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound fort he treatment of inflammatory disorders. The invention also relates to the use of αMSH for inducing tolerance.
US08846616B1
A method is presented for treating an inflammatory skin disorder in a human comprising: topically applying to the skin a composition comprising alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH) or an αMSH analog in an amount effective to reduce skin inflammation in the human.
US08846615B2
The present invention relates to novel Motoneuronotrophic Factors (MNTF) peptides and analogs thereof, including compositions capable of promoting the growth and viability of neurons. MNTF peptides between two and six amino acids in length are provided, as well as analogs of these MNTF peptides that are modified by covalent attachment to another moiety. Other embodiments are described herein.
US08846611B2
Disclosed herein is a skin condition-improving composition for topical application to the skin, comprising human growth hormone as an active ingredient, and a method for improving skin conditions using the same. The disclosed composition exhibits various skin conditioning effects, such as acne treatment, wrinkle improvement, dark spot removal, skin elasticity improvement, hair growth stimulation, skin aging prevention, skin moisturization and the proliferation of skin epidermal stem cells.
US08846610B2
The present invention relates to crystalline and crystal-like forms of lipopeptides, including daptomycin, a lipopeptide antibiotic with potent bactericidal activity against gram-positive bacteria, including strains that are resistant to conventional antibiotics. The present invention relates to methods of purifying lipopeptides, including daptomycin, a lipopeptide antibiotic with potent bactericidal activity against gram-positive bacteria, including strains that are resistant to conventional antibiotics. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the purified form of the lipopeptide and methods of using these compositions.
US08846609B2
The present invention relates to methods for preventing or treating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, inflammatory conditions, and graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) in a subject. Therapeutic compositions of the present invention comprise Leukocidin E (LukE) and/or D proteins or polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods of treating Staphylococcus aureus infection by administering a composition comprising a CCR5 antagonist or any molecule that blocks LukE/D interaction with CCR5+ cells in an amount effective to treat the S. aureus infection in the subject.
US08846608B2
The present invention relates to new peptides and to use thereof, in particular for treatment and/or prevention of infections, inflammations, pain, wounds, scar and/or tumors.
US08846607B2
Formulations have been developed to treat or reduce the spread of respiratory infections, especially chronic or drug resistant infections, particularly tuberculosis (TB), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), meningococcal meningitis, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and small pox. Formulations include a drug or vaccine in the form of a microparticle, nanoparticle, or aggregate of nanoparticles, and, optionally, a carrier, which can be delivered by inhalation. Giving the drugs via an inhaler sidesteps the problems associated with oral or injectable drugs by bypassing the stomach and liver, and delivering the medication directly into the lungs. In one embodiment, the particle containing the agent is a large porous aerosol particle (LPPs). In another embodiment, the particles are nanoparticles, which can be administered as porous nanoparticle aggregates with micron diameters that disperse into nanoparticles following administration. Optionally, the nanoparticles are coated, such as with a surfactant or protein coating. The formulation may be administered as a powder or administered as a solution or via an enteral or non-pulmonary parenteral route of administration. The formulation is preferably administered as a pulmonary formulation. In the preferred embodiment for treatment of TB, the vaccine is a BCG vaccine that is stable at room temperature, or is an antibiotic effective against TB, such as capreomycin or PA-824, loaded at a very high percentage into the microparticles or nanoparticles. In one embodiment, a patient is treated with formulations delivering both antibiotic and vaccine.
US08846605B2
This invention relates to a topical gel drug product preparation containing a composition comprising an isolated polypeptide having a carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence of an alpha connexin (ACT peptide), peptide stabilizers, excipients, buffering agents, and the like. A formulation and preparation steps are disclosed for the manufacturing of a stable, elegant, and pourable topical gel. The resulting formulation possesses long term stability suitable for aesthetic as well as therapeutic applications including the prevention of scaring and accelerated healing of wounds. Methods for treatment of chronic wounds, including chronic ulcers, are also provided.
US08846602B2
The invention relates to a method for producing injectable medicament preparations containing a therapeutically and/or diagnostically effective substance which is comprised of an active agent, of a spacer molecule and of at least one protein-binding molecule. After being brought into contact with the body, said therapeutically and/or diagnostically effective substance covalently bonds to the body fluid constituents or tissue constituents via the protein-binding molecule, thus providing a form of transport of the active agent that an be hydrolytically or enzymatically cleaved, according to pH, in the body while releasing the active agent.
US08846599B2
Branched polyesters with sulfonate groups obtainable by the reaction of the components A, B, optionally C and optionally D to give branched polyesters, where the component A is selected from the group of α,β-olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, and the component B is selected from the group of tri- or higher-functional alcohols, the optional component C is selected from the group of difunctional alcohols or of difunctional carboxylic acids without α,β-olefinically unsaturated bonds, the optional component D is selected from fatty acids or fatty alcohols, and the subsequent reaction of the resulting branched polyesters with hydrogen sulfite, where the molar amount of hydrogen sulfite is at most 95 mol %, based on the amount of α,β-olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid.
US08846597B2
Methodologies and equipment for using a hypochlorite solution to remove menstrual fluid, underarm perspiration or other hard-to-remove stains from soft fabric articles with reduced damage to the fabric articles when compared with popular chlorine bleaches. The soft fabric articles preferably are in white, although the present invention can also be applied to articles in other colors. In one embodiment, the weight concentration ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide over the hypochlorite salt in the hypochlorite solution is no less than 1:12.5. The hypochlorite solution may contain at least 0.2% by weight of sodium hydroxide and/or have a pH of at least 11.8.
US08846596B2
Liquid cleaning compositions are described herein that include a metal bleach catalyst which is a complex of a transition-metal and a macrocyclic ligand, the ligand having a calculated Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient value of from about −1.50 to about −0.10, a formulation enabling fraction comprising at least one formulation enabling ingredient, the formulation enabling fraction having a Hydrophilic Index of from about 4.0 to about 10.0, and a formulation deactivating fraction comprising at least one formulation deactivating ingredient that has a calculated Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient value of from about −3.5 to about −0.10.
US08846586B2
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include articles and methods of making articles.
US08846584B2
Methods of creating degradable particulates in a subterranean environment. The methods provide a degradable material supercritical fluid mixture that comprises degradable material into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation and provide an orifice between the wellbore and the subterranean formation wherein the pressure in the subterranean formation is less than the pressure in the wellbore. The degradable material supercritical fluid is then fed through the orifice into the subterranean formation such that the degradable material supercritical fluid mixture expands through an orifice into the lower subterranean formation and particulates are formed.
US08846583B2
The present disclosure relates to a biodegradable lubricant composition, notably intended to be incorporated as an oil phase with high lubricating power in a drilling fluid or mud. This composition may be in a drilling fluid or as a fluid for fracture of underground formations. These muds or fluids contained in the composition of the present disclosure are particularly suitable for very deep drillings, offshore in deep water and/or sidetracked drillings or with a long shift.
US08846580B2
This invention relates generally to biosensor technology, and pertains more particularly to novel multifunctional biosensors based on ordered arrays of metallic, semiconductors and magnetic nano-islands for medical, biological, biochemical, chemical and environmental applications.
US08846579B2
Disclosed is a method that includes: (i) providing a plurality of initial nucleic acid cassettes that include: a) a first coding region encoding a first immunoglobulin variable domain, b) a second coding region encoding a second immunoglobulin variable domain, and c) a ribosomal binding site disposed between the first and second coding regions for translation of the second polypeptide in a first expression system, wherein the first and second coding regions are in the same translational orientation; (ii) modifying each nucleic acid cassette of the plurality in a single reaction mixture so that it is functional in a second expression system, wherein the first and second region remain physically attached during the modifying; (iii) introducing each modified nucleic acid cassette into a mammalian cell to produce a mixture of transfected cells; and (iv) expressing each modified nucleic acid cassette in the transfected cells.
US08846575B2
A method for hit compound identification in a high throughput, label-free biosensor cellular assay, one method including, for example: generating at least one pathway-specific kinetic profile for a target receptor; generating a relational table that integrates each kinetic profile; determining a delta response with the relational table for candidate compounds screened against the target receptor; and identifying one or more hit compounds based upon the separation of the delta response from a threshold.
US08846570B2
Provided herein are synergistic herbicidal compositions containing (a) a compound of formula (I): or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof and (b) microtubule inhibiting herbicide, e.g., dimethenamid, dithiopyr, oryzalin, pendimethalin, propyzamide, and thiazopyr, or derivative thereof. The methods and compositions provided herein provide control of undesirable vegetation, e.g., in direct-seeded, water-seeded and transplanted rice, cereals, wheat, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, corn or maize, sugarcane, sunflower, oilseed rape, canola, sugar beet, soybean, cotton, pineapple, pastures, grasslands, rangelands, fallowland, turf, tree and vine orchards, aquatics, plantation crops, vegetables, industrial vegetation management (IVM) and rights-of-way (ROW).
US08846565B2
The present invention relates to a water absorbing material obtainable by a process comprising the steps of bringing particles of a non surface-crosslinked water-absorbing polymer in contact with a) at least one postcrosslinker, b) 10-1000 ppm, based on the non surface-crosslinked water-absorbing polymer, of at least one Nitrogen-containing water-soluble polymer of which the Nitrogen can be protonated, and c) at least one hydrophobic polymer and heat-treating the particles thus obtained at a temperature in the range from 120° C. to 300° C. and a method for the production thereof.
US08846564B2
A process for the sulfidation of a sour gas shift catalyst, wherein the temperature of the sulfidation feed stream is coordinated with the sulfur/hydrogen molar ratio in that feed stream to obtain enhanced performance of the sour gas shift catalyst. In the sulfidation process to produce a sour gas shift catalyst, the lower the sulfur to hydrogen molar ratio of the sulfidation feed stream, the lower the required temperature of the sulfidation feed stream. The sulfidation reaction can be further enhanced by increasing the pressure on the sulfidation feed stream.
US08846560B2
A process for preparing a slurry catalyst is provided. The slurry catalyst is prepared from at least a Group VIB metal precursor and optionally at least a Promoter metal precursor selected from Group VIII, Group IIB, Group IIA, Group IVA metals and combinations thereof. The slurry catalyst comprises a plurality of dispersed particles in a hydrocarbon medium having an average particle size ranging from 1 to 300 μm. The slurry catalyst is then mixed with a hydrogen feed at a pressure from 1435 psig (10 MPa) to 3610 psig (25 MPa) and a temperature from 200-800° F. at 500 to 15,000 scf hydrogen per bbl of slurry catalyst for a minute to 20 hours, for the slurry catalyst to be saturated with hydrogen providing an increase of k-values in terms of HDS, HDN, and HDMCR of at least 15% compared to a slurry catalyst that is not saturated with hydrogen.
US08846555B2
Disclosed are silica and fluoride doped lead-bismuth-gallium heavy metal oxide glasses for visible to mid-wave Infrared Radiation transmitting optics and preparation thereof.
US08846552B2
A novel terminally modified imide oligomer having excellent solubility in organic solvents, excellent solution storage stability, and excellent molding properties such as low melt viscosity. Also, a varnish obtained by dissolving the terminally modified imide oligomer in an organic solvent; a cure product obtained by using the terminally modified imide oligomer and having excellent thermal and mechanical characteristics such as heat resistance, elastic modulus, tensile strength at break and tensile elongation at break; a prepreg; and a fiber-reinforced laminate. The soluble terminally modified imide oligomer is represented by general formula (1). In the formula, R1 and R2 each represents a divalent aromatic diamine residue; R3 and R4 each represents a tetravalent aromatic tetracarboxylic acid residue; R5 and R6 each represents a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group, with R5 or R6 being a phenyl group; m and n satisfy the following relations: m≧1, n≧0, 1≦m+n≦20 and 0.05≦m/(m+n)≦1; and the repeating units may be arranged in blocks or randomly.
US08846547B2
A thin film deposition apparatus that is suitable for manufacturing large-sized display devices on a mass scale and that can be used for high-definition patterning, a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display device by using the thin film deposition apparatus, and an organic light-emitting display device manufactured by using the method. The thin film deposition apparatus includes: a deposition source that discharges a deposition material; a deposition source nozzle unit disposed at a side of the deposition source and including a plurality of deposition source nozzles arranged in a first direction; a patterning slit sheet disposed opposite to the deposition source nozzle unit and including a plurality of patterning slits arranged in the first direction; a first barrier plate assembly including a plurality of first barrier plates that are disposed between the deposition source nozzle unit and the patterning slit sheet in the first direction, and that partition a space between the deposition source nozzle unit and the patterning slit sheet into a plurality of sub-deposition spaces; and a second barrier plate disposed at one side of the patterning slit sheet, wherein an inner part of the second barrier plate is partitioned into a plurality of spaces by a plurality of barrier ribs.
US08846542B2
The invention includes methods for selectively etching insulative material supports relative to conductive material. The invention can include methods for selectively etching silicon nitride relative to metal nitride. The metal nitride can be in the form of containers over a semiconductor substrate, with such containers having upwardly-extending openings with lateral widths of less than or equal to about 4000 angstroms; and the silicon nitride can be in the form of a layer extending between the containers. The selective etching can comprise exposure of at least some of the silicon nitride and the containers to Cl2 to remove the exposed silicon nitride, while not removing at least the majority of the metal nitride from the containers. In subsequent processing, the containers can be incorporated into capacitors.
US08846539B2
A plasma processing apparatus includes a heater in thermal contact with a showerhead electrode, and a temperature controlled top plate in thermal contact with the heater to maintain a desired temperature of the showerhead electrode during semiconductor substrate processing. A gas distribution member supplies a process gas and radio frequency (RF) power to the showerhead electrode.
US08846538B1
Systems and methods associated with semiconductor articles are disclosed, including forming a first layer of material on a substrate, etching trenches within regions defining a passive element in the first layer, forming metal regions on sidewalls of the trenches, and forming a region of dielectric or polymer material over or in the substrate. Moreover, an exemplary method may also include forming areas of metal regions on the sidewalls of the trenches such that planar strip portions of the areas form electrically conductive regions of the passive element(s) that are aligned substantially perpendicularly with respect to a primary plane of the substrate. Other exemplary embodiments may comprise various articles or methods including capacitive and/or inductive aspects, Titanium- and/or Tantalum-based resistive aspects, products, products by processes, packages and composites consistent with one or more aspects of the innovations set forth herein.
US08846536B2
Provided herein are integration-compatible dielectric films and methods of depositing and modifying them. According to various embodiments, the methods can include deposition of flowable dielectric films targeting specific film properties and/or modification of those properties with an integration-compatible treatment process. In certain embodiments, methods of depositing and modifying flowable dielectric films having tunable wet etch rates and other properties are provided. Wet etch rates can be tuned during integration through am integration-compatible treatment process. Examples of treatment processes include plasma exposure and ultraviolet radiation exposure.
US08846532B2
A method and apparatus for ultra thin wafer backside processing are disclosed. The apparatus includes an outer ring holding a high temperature grinding and/or dicing tape to form a support structure. An ultra thin wafer or diced wafer is adhered to the tape within the ring for wafer backside processing. The wafer backside processing includes ion implantation, annealing, etching, sputtering and evaporation while the wafer is in the support structure. Alternative uses of the support structure are also disclosed including the fabrication of dies having metalized side walls.
US08846530B2
To provide a method for manufacturing a power storage device which enables improvement in performance of the power storage device, such as an increase in discharge capacity. To provide a method for forming a semiconductor region which is used for a power storage device or the like so as to improve performance. A method for forming a crystalline semiconductor region includes the steps of: forming, over a conductive layer, a crystalline semiconductor region that includes a plurality of whiskers including a crystalline semiconductor by an LPCVD method; and performing heat treatment on the crystalline semiconductor region after supply of a source gas containing a deposition gas including silicon is stopped. A method for manufacturing a power storage device includes the step of using the crystalline semiconductor region as an active material layer of the power storage device.
US08846524B2
A system and method for plating a contact connected to a test pad is provided. An embodiment comprises inserting a blocking material into vias between the contact and the test pad. In another embodiment a blocking structure may be inserted between the contact and the test pad. In yet another embodiment a blocking layer may be inserted into a contact stack. Once the blocking material, the blocking structure, or the blocking layer have been formed, the contact may be plated, with the blocking material, the blocking structure, or the blocking layer reducing or preventing degradation of the test pad due to galvanic effects.
US08846521B2
A manufacturing method of an electronic component package, includes: forming electrode pads on a main surface of a first electronic component; forming first bonding wires shaped in loop so as to be electrically connected with the electrode pads and elongated upward from the electrode pads and such that both ends of the first bonding wires are on the electrode pad, respectively; forming a resin layer over the main surface of the first electronic component so as to embed the first bonding wires; removing the resin layer so as to expose ends of the first bonding wires from the resin layer and removing the end of each of the first bonding wires so that two wires are elongated from on each of the electrode pads; and forming a metallic layer on the surface of the resin layer after removing so that the first bonding wires are electrically connected with the metallic layer.
US08846518B2
A multilayer construction is disclosed. The multilayer construction includes a -II-VI semiconductor layer (110)x and a Si3N4 layer (120) disposed directly on the II-VI semiconductor layer. To improve the adhesion of the Si3N4 layer (120) a native oxide on the II-VI semiconductor layer is removed.
US08846510B2
The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a method forming a p-type field effect transistor (pFET) structure. The method includes forming a mask layer on a semiconductor substrate, the mask layer including an opening that exposes a semiconductor region of the semiconductor substrate within the opening; forming a n-type well (n-well) in the semiconductor region by performing an ion implantation of a n-type dopant to the semiconductor substrate through the opening of the mask layer; and performing a germanium (Ge) channel implantation to the semiconductor substrate through the opening of the mask layer, forming a Ge channel implantation region in the n-well.
US08846502B2
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for forming thin films comprising GaN are provided. In some embodiments, ALD processes for forming doped GaN thin films are provided. The thin films may find use, for example, in light-emitting diodes.
US08846501B2
The invention relates to a method for equipping a process chamber in an apparatus for depositing at least one layer on a substrate held by a susceptor in the process chamber, process gases being introduced into the process chamber through a gas inlet element, in particular by means of a carrier gas, the process gases decomposing into decomposition products in the chamber, in particular on hot surfaces, the decomposition products comprising the components that form the layer. In order to improve the apparatus so that thick multi-layer structures can be deposited reproducibly in process steps that follow one another directly, it is proposed that a material is selected for the surface facing the process chamber at least of the wall of the process chamber that is opposite the susceptor, the optical reflectivity, optical absorptivity and optical transmissivity of which respectively correspond to those of the layer to be deposited during the layer growth.
US08846499B2
A composite carrier structure for manufacturing semiconductor devices is provided. The composite carrier structure utilizes multiple carrier substrates, e.g., glass or silicon substrates, coupled together by interposed adhesive layers. The composite carrier structure may be attached to a wafer or a die for, e.g., backside processing, such as thinning processes. In an embodiment, the composite carrier structure comprises a first carrier substrate having through-substrate vias formed therethrough. The first substrate is attached to a second substrate using an adhesive such that the adhesive may extend into the through-substrate vias.
US08846498B2
Methods of dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. A method includes forming a mask above the semiconductor wafer. The mask is composed of a layer covering and protecting the integrated circuits. The mask is patterned with a multi-step laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps. The patterning exposes regions of the semiconductor wafer between the integrated circuits. The semiconductor wafer is then etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to singulate the integrated circuits.
US08846495B2
Disclosed is a bonding system which efficiently performs a bonding of a substrate to a support substrate, thereby improving the throughput in a bonding processing. The disclosed bonding system includes a loading/unloading station and a processing station. The processing station includes: an adhesive applying device configured to apply an adhesive to the wafer; a protective agent applying device configured to apply a protective agent to the wafer, a remover applying device configured to apply a remover to the support wafer, a heat processing device configured to heat the wafer or the support wafer which is applied with at least the adhesive, the protective agent or the remover, at a predetermined temperature, a bonding device configured to bond the wafer to the support wafer through the adhesive, the protective agent and the remover, and a wafer transfer area configured to transfer the wafer, the support wafer or the bonded wafer.
US08846493B2
Silicon on insulator structures having a high resistivity region in the handle wafer of the silicon on insulator structure are disclosed. Methods for producing such silicon on insulator structures are also provided. Exemplary methods involve creating a non-uniform thermal donor profile and/or modifying the dopant profile of the handle wafer to create a new resistivity profile in the handle wafer. Methods may involve one or more SOI manufacturing steps or electronic device (e.g., RF device) manufacturing steps.
US08846475B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises providing a substrate having a core oxide layer and an I/O oxide layer formed thereon. The I/O oxide layer has an I/O mask layer formed thereon. The method also includes forming an I/O dummy gate on the I/O mask layer and a core dummy gate on the core oxide layer, forming an etch barrier layer on the substrate covering the dummy gates, forming a dielectric layer on the etch barrier layer, and planarizing the etch barrier layer and the dielectric layer to expose the top surface of the dummy gates. The method further includes simultaneously removing the I/O and core dummy gates to form I/O and core gate grooves, removing the core oxide layer, removing the I/O mask layer, depositing a dielectric layer in the core gate groove, and forming a metal gate layer filling the I/O and core gate grooves.
US08846459B2
A highly reliable semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device is manufactured with a high yield to achieve high productivity. In the manufacture of a semiconductor device including a transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a gate insulating film, and an oxide semiconductor film are sequentially stacked and a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are provided in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are formed through an etching step and then a step for removing impurities which are generated by the etching step and exist on a surface of the oxide semiconductor film and in the vicinity thereof is performed.
US08846450B2
A bonded device structure including a first substrate having a first set of metallic bonding pads, preferably connected to a device or circuit, and having a first non-metallic region adjacent to the metallic bonding pads on the first substrate, a second substrate having a second set of metallic bonding pads aligned with the first set of metallic bonding pads, preferably connected to a device or circuit, and having a second non-metallic region adjacent to the metallic bonding pads on the second substrate, and a contact-bonded interface between the first and second set of metallic bonding pads formed by contact bonding of the first non-metallic region to the second non-metallic region. At least one of the first and second substrates may be elastically deformed.
US08846448B2
The present disclosure relates to a tool arrangement and method to reduce warpage within a package-on-package semiconductor structure, while minimizing void formation within an electrically-insulating adhesive which couples the packages. A pressure generator and a variable frequency microwave source are coupled to a process chamber which encapsulates a package-on-package semiconductor structure. The package-on-package semiconductor structure is simultaneously heated by the variable frequency microwave source at variable frequency, variable temperature, and variable duration and exposed to an elevated pressure by the pressure generator. This combination for microwave heating and elevated pressure limits the amount of warpage introduced while preventing void formation within an electrically-insulating adhesive which couples the substrates of the package-on-package semiconductor structure.
US08846447B2
A method of attaching a microelectronic element to a substrate can include aligning the substrate with a microelectronic element, the microelectronic element having a plurality of spaced-apart electrically conductive bumps each including a bond metal, and reflowing the bumps. The bumps can be exposed at a front surface of the microelectronic element. The substrate can have a plurality of spaced-apart recesses extending from a first surface thereof. The recesses can each have at least a portion of one or more inner surfaces that are non-wettable by the bond metal of which the bumps are formed. The reflowing of the bumps can be performed so that at least some of the bond metal of each bump liquefies and flows at least partially into one of the recesses and solidifies therein such that the reflowed bond material in at least some of the recesses mechanically engages the substrate.
US08846446B2
In one embodiment, a semiconductor package includes a first insulating body and a first semiconductor chip having a first active surface and a first back surface opposite the first active surface. The first semiconductor chip is disposed within the first insulating body. The first active surface is exposed by the first insulating body. The first back surface is substantially surrounded by the first insulating body. The semiconductor package includes a post within the first insulating body and adjacent to a side of the first semiconductor chip.
US08846444B2
A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip having a first surface, on which an electrode pad is arranged, and a second surface which is the other side of the semiconductor chip, an insulation member formed on the second surface of the semiconductor chip, and comprising a via hole at a position spaced apart from the semiconductor chip, and a conductive filler filling the via hole.
US08846424B2
Solid state lighting (SSL) devices including a plurality of SSL emitters and methods for manufacturing SSL devices are disclosed. Several embodiments of SSL devices in accordance with the technology include a support having a first lead and a second lead, a plurality of individual SSL emitters attached to the support, and a plurality of lenses. Each SSL emitter has a first contact electrically coupled to the first lead of the support and a second contact electrically coupled to the second lead of the support such that the SSL emitters are commonly connected. Each lens has a curved surface and is aligned with a single corresponding SSL emitter.
US08846419B2
A process can be used for producing a thin layer solar cell module with a plurality of segments that are electrically connected in series and arranged on a common substrate. The process has steps for application of layers onto the substrate to form at least one electrode and one photoactive layer sequence and has steps for structuring the applied and/or to be applied layers to form the plurality of segments. At least one electrode and one photoactive layer sequence are applied before structuring steps are carried out.
US08846408B2
A method for optimizing particle throughput in a particle analyzer includes determining an optimal concentration of particles in a sample for achieving a user defined coincidence rate; adjusting the concentration of the particles in the sample to the determined optimal concentration to achieve the user defined coincidence rate; acoustically focusing the particles in the particle analyzer; adjusting a flow rate of the particles to achieve a user defined transit time of the particles; and analyzing at least some of the particles with an interrogation source.
US08846405B2
A method for detecting the presence of an aldehyde in a sample comprises steps of exposing the sample at room temperature to a test medium to catalyze the formation of optically detectable quantities of a product within a time period of no more than 60 minutes and without applying any external heat to the sample or test medium, the test medium comprising a indicator that is a nucleophilic compound having acidic protons at the nucleophilic center and at least one acid, and measuring the optical changes that occur as a result of the catalysis.
US08846403B2
The invention describes a method of screening for protein secreting recombinant host cells comprising screening for promoter activity of a stress inducible promoter. The method can be used for rapid identification of actively secreting transformants and can be used to screen recombinant libraries for transformants secreting proteins.
US08846402B2
A method for engineering and utilizing large DNA vectors to target, via homologous recombination, and modify, in any desirable fashion, endogenous genes and chromosomal loci in eukaryotic cells. These large DNA targeting vectors for eukaryotic cells, termed LTVECs, are derived from fragments of cloned genomic DNA larger than those typically used by other approaches intended to perform homologous targeting in eukaryotic cells. Also provided is a rapid and convenient method of detecting eukaryotic cells in which the LTVEC has correctly targeted and modified the desired endogenous gene(s) or chromosomal locus (loci) as well as the use of these cells to generate organisms bearing the genetic modification.
US08846397B2
Disclosed herein are methods of using anti-ILT5 antibodies and ILT5-binding fragments thereof to induce an immunostimulatory effect in a T cell when such a T cell is contacted with an antigen presenting cell (APC) that has been previously contacted with the anti-ILT5 antibody or ILT5-binding fragment. Also disclosed herein are methods of using anti-ILT5 antibodies and ILT5-binding fragments thereof to inhibit a response in a T cell (e.g., a pro-liferative response) when such a T cell is concomitantly contacted, or has previously been contacted, with an APC, which APC is simultaneously contacted with the anti-ILT5 antibody or ILT5-binding fragment. Also disclosed herein are methods of using anti-ILT5 antibodies and ILT5-binding fragments thereof for the treatment of various diseases and for use as immunostimulatory adjuvants.
US08846396B2
Method for the isolation, expansion and preservation of cardiac stem cells from human or animal tissue biopsy samples to be employed in cell transplantation and functional repair of the myocardium or other organs. Cells may also be used in gene therapy for treating cardiomyopathies, for treating ischemic heart diseases and for setting in vitro models to study drugs.
US08846395B2
A method for efficient generation of neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, osteoclasts, dendritic cells an Langerhans cells from human embryonic stem cells is disclosed.
US08846384B2
The present invention relates to a system for detecting microbial contamination of a liquid specimen comprising a device for concentrating micro-organisms from a liquid specimen, having (i) a hyperbaric chamber, (ii) a filter housing comprising a liquid-permeable bed of an adsorbent material and adapted for being fluidly connected to the hyperbaric chamber, and (iii) a manner for pressurizing the hyperbaric chamber. The system also comprises a kit for detection of micro-organisms adsorbed to the adsorbent material, wherein the kit is based on enzymatic detection using chromogenic and/or fluorescent substrate analogues.
US08846381B2
A biogas desulfurization device comprises an anaerobic system, a desulfurization liquid circulating system, an oxygen supply device and a desulfurization system, wherein the anaerobic system is used for generating biogas and filling the generated biogas into the desulfurization system, the desulfurization liquid circulating system is used for filling the desulfurization liquid into the desulfurization system and recycling the desulfurization liquid that has undergone the desulfurization operation, the oxygen supply device is used for filling air into the desulfurization system, and the desulfurization system which comprises at least one stage desulfurization tower group is used for carrying out the desulfurization operation on the biogas from the anaerobic system, the desulfurization operation is conducted by the desulfurization liquid received from the desulfurization liquid circulating system in an aerobic environment. The biogas desulfurization device can reduce the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the biogas to less than 10 ppm while eliminating secondary pollution.
US08846375B2
Recombinant DNA techniques are used to produce oleaginous recombinant cells that produce triglyceride oils having desired fatty acid profiles and regiospecific or stereospecific profiles. Genes manipulated include those encoding stearoyl-ACP desturase, delta 12 fatty acid desaturase, acyl-ACP thioesterase, ketoacyl-ACP synthase, and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase. The oil produced can have enhanced oxidative or thermal stability, or can be useful as a frying oil, shortening, roll-in shortening, tempering fat, cocoa butter replacement, as a lubricant, or as a feedstock for various chemical processes. The fatty acid profile can be enriched in midchain profiles or the oil can be enriched in triglycerides of the saturated-unsaturated-saturated type.
US08846370B2
The described invention provides genetically engineered microorganisms, including photosynthetic microorganisms, expressing 4-hydroxybenzoyl-CoA thioesterases and methods of using the genetically engineered microorganisms for producing free fatty acids and/or fatty acid derivatives.
US08846363B2
This invention is related, in part, to sulfatase enzymes and methods of their use.
US08846358B2
In a step of contacting an organic material including formic acid ions and a carbon source other than the formic acid ions with a microorganism having a formate dehydrogenase gene and a hydrogenase gene under an anaerobic condition, concentration of the formic acid ions in the organic material is set to be not less than 0.01 mol/L and not more than 0.5 mol/L, and concentration of the carbon source is set to not less than 0.1 mmol/L and not more than 200 mmol/L. This allows continuously producing hydrogen for a long time, without dropping the ability of the microorganism to produce hydrogen.
US08846353B2
Preparation of derivatives of β-hydroxycarboxylic acid, including β-hydroxycarboxylic acid esters, α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, esters of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and alkoxy derivatives, such as preparation of acrylic acid from 3-hydroxypropionic acid.
US08846351B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising a GH61 polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and an organic compound comprising a carboxylic acid moiety, a lactone moiety, a phenolic moiety, a flavonoid moiety, or a combination thereof, wherein the combination of the GH61 polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and the organic compound enhances hydrolysis of a cellulosic material by a cellulolytic enzyme compared to the GH61 polypeptide alone or the organic compound alone. The present invention also relates to methods of using the compositions.
US08846350B2
The present invention provides methods and kits for determining which microRNAs bind to a target mRNA where the methods comprise the steps of (a) creating a bait sequence from the target mRNA, where the bait sequence comprises a label that binds to a binding agent; (b) adding a mixture of microRNAs to the bait sequence; (c) separating the microRNAs that bind to the bait sequence from those microRNAs that do not bind; and (d) identifying the microRNAs that bind to the bait sequence, wherein the microRNAs identified are those that bind to the target mRNA.
US08846343B2
Provided is a novel high-expression promoter, namely a GAL1 promoter, derived from Kluyveromyces marxianus. Also provided are the following, characterized by the use of the provided high-expression promoter; a recombinant polynucleotide containing said high-expression promoter; a vector containing said recombinant polynucleotide; a transformant obtained by introducing said recombinant polynucleotide or vector into yeast; a method using said transformant for high expression of a target gene; and a method using said transformant to manufacture the gene product of a target gene.
US08846342B2
The invention is directed to bioconjugate vaccines comprising N-glycosylated proteins. Further, the present invention is directed to a recombinant prokaryotic biosynthetic system comprising nucleic acids encoding an epimerase that synthesizes an oligo- or polysaccharide having N-acetylgalactosamine at the reducing terminus. The invention is further directed to N-glycosylated proteins containing an oligo- or polysaccharide having N-acetylgalactosamine at the reducing terminus and an expression system and methods for producing such N-glycosylated proteins.
US08846340B2
The present invention relates to non-catalytic carbohydrate-binding modules (CBM) belonging to a new family of CBM's. A CBM of the invention was found attached to a glycosyl hydrolase family 61 (GH61) polypeptide and was shown to have little homology with known CBM's indicating that it is the first known member of a new family of CBM's. The present invention further relates to CBM's preferably exhibiting binding affinity for cellulose; to a method of producing such CBM's; and to methods for using such CBM's in the textile, detergent and cellulose fiber processing industries, for purification of polypeptides, immobilization of active enzymes, baking, manufacturing of biofuel, modification of plant cell walls.
US08846336B2
A method of and test mixture for detecting the presence or absence of a target microbe in a sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a test mixture that includes micro particles, a substrate in an amount that is sufficient to support log phase growth of the target microbe until a detectable characteristic signal is produced in the test mixture and sample admixture, and an amount of vitamin, amino acid, element and salt ingredients; b) combining the powdered test mixture and sample to form the admixture; and c) detecting the presence or absence of target microbes in the sample based on the presence or absence of the detectable characteristic.
US08846331B2
Described herein are various methods, devices and systems for performing asynchronous magnetic bead rotation (AMBR) to detect and monitor cellular growth and/or behavior. Cluster rotation of magnetic particles for AMBR is descried. In particular, described herein are systems for the parallel analysis of multiple wells of a sample plate. Also described herein are methods for controlling the illumination and imaging of rotating magnetic particles.
US08846329B1
Organic acid-producing microorganisms and methods of using same. The organic acid-producing microorganisms comprise modifications that reduce or ablate AcsA activity or AcsA homolog activity. The modifications increase tolerance of the microorganisms to such organic acids as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, acrylic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, and others. Further modifications to the microorganisms increase production of such organic acids as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, lactate, and others. Methods of producing such organic acids as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, lactate, and others with the modified microorganisms are provided. Methods of using acsA or homologs thereof as counter-selectable markers are also provided.
US08846328B2
An enzyme detection product for detecting the presence of an enzyme in a sample. The product includes: a reaction zone for receiving the sample; a visualization zone for presenting a signal in response to the detection of the activity of the enzyme; and a membrane. The membrane is interposable between the reaction zone and the visualization zone and prevents passage from the reaction zone to the visualization zone the components having a size greater than a threshold size. The reaction zone includes a reactant capable of reacting with the enzyme in order to generate a reaction product having a size less than a threshold size.
US08846323B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for enzyme sensors, protease sensors, methods for producing and using the enzyme and protease sensors, methods of detecting and/or measuring protease activity, methods for characterizing protease cellular activity, fusion proteins, polynucleotides, and vectors corresponding to the enzyme and protease sensors, kits, and the like.
US08846322B2
Provided are a method and kit for isolating a target cell by using particles comprising polymers having positive charge and negative charge and at least one antibody bound to polymers. The target cell in the biological sample may be efficiently isolated and detected by using a method and kit according to an exemplary embodiment.
US08846319B2
The present invention discloses analyte detection devices for detecting one or more analytes present in test samples, especially biological samples. In particular, the devices of the invention are lateral flow assay devices comprising immobilized metal nanoparticle conjugates as the detection means. Methods of using the devices and kits comprising the devices are also described.
US08846315B2
Provided herein are genetic variants associated with development of a condition of interest (e.g., Alzheimer's disease). Methods of treatment with an active agent (e.g., with a particular active agent and/or at an earlier age) is also provided, upon detecting a genetic variant described herein. In some embodiments, the genetic variant is a deletion/insertion polymorphism (DIP) of the TOMM40 gene.
US08846305B2
A photolithography method includes coating a photoresist on an active region and an edge region of a wafer, exposing the photoresist on the edge region to first ultraviolet rays, exposing the photoresist on the active region to second ultraviolet rays, depositing a first developing solution on the photoresist on the edge region to remove the photoresist on the edge region, and developing the photoresist on the active region using a second developing solution.
US08846299B2
A lithographic processing solution has a pH of less than 12 and comprises at least 0.001 and up to and including 1 weight % of a water-soluble or water-dispersible, non-IR-sensitive compound that has a heterocyclic moiety with a quaternary nitrogen in the 1-position of the heterocyclic ring, and has one or more electron donating substituents attached to the heterocyclic ring, at least one of which electron donating substituents is attached in the 2-position. This processing solution can be used to develop both single-layer and multi-layer positive-working lithographic printing plate precursors that have been imaged using infrared radiation.
US08846288B2
When being blended in a toner, a barium titanate external additive for toner enhances, in particular, the toner fluidity, electrical properties, and other relevant performance; concurrently achieves high image density and reduced background fog in a printer using the toner; and further reduces image defects, such as void, fading, and the like. An industrially advantageous producing method of the barium titanate external additive for toner is also provided. The external additive for toner of the present invention includes spherical barium titanate having a specific gravity of 5.6 g/ml or less.
US08846287B2
A high quality electrophotographic member that is excellent in deformation recovery property under high-temperature and high-humidity and that also satisfies filming resistance under low-temperature and low-humidity is provided.The electrophotographic member includes a substrate, an elastic layer, and a surface layer containing a urethane resin, wherein the urethane resin has a partial structure having at least one structure selected from the group consisting of structures of structural formulae (1) to (7) between adjacent two urethane linkages, and the urethane resin further has a partial structure derived from a reaction of a compound represented by a structural formula (8) with a polyisocyanate.
US08846276B2
Provided is a blankmask for a hardmask. In the blankmask, a hard film is formed by appropriately controlling contents of nitrogen and carbon therein to reduce a deviation in a critical dimension caused when an etch process is performed. A metal film is formed to a thin thickness by increasing a content of metal in a light-shielding film and reducing a content of metal in an anti-reflective film. Thus, resolution, pattern fidelity, and chemical resistance of the metal film may be improved. Also, the metal film and the hard film are formed such that a reflectivity contrast therebetween is high, thereby allowing the hard film to be easily inspected. Accordingly, the blank mask for a hardmask may be applied to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a flash memory, or a micro-processing unit (MPU) to have a half-pitch of 32 nm or less, and particularly, a critical dimension of 22 nm or less.
US08846275B2
A design method for mask patterns is provided. The design method includes providing an exposure machine with a mask including an optical proximity correction (OPC) pattern including a first clear area and a first dark area, wherein the first clear area surrounds the first dark area, placing a substrate in the exposure machine, and exposing the substrate to light to form an imaged pattern on the substrate, wherein the imaged pattern has an area smaller than that of the optical proximity correction (OPC) pattern.
US08846272B2
Anodes for fuel cells, membrane-electrode assemblies for fuel cells including the anodes, and fuel cell systems including the membrane-electrode assemblies are provided. The anode includes a catalyst layer including a platinum-based metal catalyst and a carbon monoxide oxidizing catalyst on a catalyst support, and an electrode substrate. The catalyst support may be selected from ThO2, CeO2, Ce2O3, MnxOy (where x ranges from 1 to 2 and y ranges from 1 to 3), Co3O4, ZrO2, TiO2, and combinations thereof. The anode for a fuel cell includes a carbon monoxide oxidizing catalyst, which increases carbon monoxide oxidation, thereby providing high activity.
US08846257B2
A fuel cell system that is able to perform power generation more stably than in the past regardless of external environment is provided. Based on a temperature of a power generation section detected by a temperature detection section, a supply amount of a liquid fuel from a fuel pump is adjusted, and therefore control in which the temperature of the power generation section becomes constant is performed. In addition, a fuel cell system that is able to perform power generation in a vaporization supply type fuel cell more stably than in the past is provided. A level of a power generation voltage supplied from the power generation section is raised by a boost circuit. In a control section, operation of the boost circuit is controlled using a given control table, and therefore control is performed on an output voltage and an output current supplied from the boost circuit to a load.
US08846254B2
Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolytic solution which enables formation of a nonaqueous-electrolyte battery having high capacity and excellent storage characteristics at high temperatures, while sufficiently enhancing safety at the time of overcharge. A nonaqueous-electrolyte battery produced by using the nonaqueous electrolytic solution is also disclosed. The nonaqueous electrolytic solution comprises an electrolyte and a nonaqueous solvent, and includes any of specific nonaqueous electrolytic solutions (A) to (D).
US08846250B2
Disclosed is a cathode active material comprising a lithium-free metal oxide and a material with high irreversible capacity. A novel lithium ion battery system using the cathode active material is also disclosed. The battery, comprising a cathode using a mixture of a Li-free metal oxide and a material with high irreversible capacity, and an anode comprising carbon instead of Li metal, shows excellent safety compared to a conventional battery using lithium metal as an anode. Additionally, the novel battery system has a higher charge/discharge capacity compared to a battery using a conventional cathode active material such as lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide or lithium manganese oxide.
US08846249B2
The positive electrode of a lithium ion secondary battery includes active material particles represented by LixNi1−yMyMezO2+δ, and the active material particles include a lithium composite oxide represented by LixNi1−yMyO2, (where 0.95≦x≦1.1, 0
US08846243B2
Disclosed herein is a stacking or stacking/folding type electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is constructed in a structure in which tabs (electrode tabs), having no active material applied thereto, protrude from electrode plates constituting the electrode assembly, electrode leads are located at one-side ends of the stacked electrode tabs such that the electrode leads are electrically connected to the electrode tabs, and protruding lengths of the electrode tabs are gradually increased according to the distances between the electrode leads and the electrode tabs, whereby the lengths of the electrode tabs at joint portions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads are the same. Also disclosed is an electrochemical cell including the electrode assembly.
US08846241B2
A rechargeable battery including a collector plate having a fuse hole and a fuse protrusion, increasing the reliability of the fuse hole in view of its functionality as a fuse while strengthening a section where the fuse hole is formed, thereby improving safety of the rechargeable battery. A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a case containing the electrode assembly; and a collector plate electrically connected to the first electrode plate and including a fuse portion including a fuse hole formed therein and a fuse protrusion extending from a first side of the fuse portion adjacent a first end of the fuse hole.
US08846237B2
An electrode assembly and a secondary battery having the same improve efficiency and stability of the secondary battery. The electrode assembly includes: a positive electrode plate having a positive electrode collector on which a positive electrode coating portion and a positive electrode non-coating portion are formed; a negative electrode plate having a negative electrode collector on which a negative electrode coating portion and a negative electrode non-coating portion are formed; a separator disposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; and an insulating member disposed on one side of the positive or negative electrode non-coating portion, and formed adjacent to at least one of the ends of the positive electrode coating portion and/or at least one of the end of the negative electrode coating portion. The electrode assembly at least prevents damage to a separator generated due to non-uniformity of the ends of the electrode coating portion.
US08846230B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a battery cell with multiple thicknesses. This battery cell includes a jelly roll enclosed in a pouch, wherein the jelly roll includes layers which are wound together, including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The jelly roll also includes a first conductive tab coupled to the cathode and a second conductive tab coupled to the anode. The jelly roll is enclosed in a flexible pouch, and the first and second conductive tabs are extended through seals in the pouch to provide terminals for the battery cell. Furthermore, the battery cell has two or more thicknesses, wherein the different thicknesses are created by removing material from one or more of the layers before winding the layers together.
US08846225B2
Methods for making a recycled or refurbished electrode material for an energy-storage device are provided. One example method comprises harvesting a lithium-deficient electrode material from a recycling or waste stream, and replenishing at least some lithium in the lithium-deficient electrode material. A second example method comprises breeching an enclosure of a cell of an energy storage device, replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material of the cell, and sealing the enclosure of the cell.
US08846223B2
A design for a battery pack that provides for a foolproof and easy assembly process, especially during when the protection circuit module is inserted into and combined with the battery case. The protection circuit module includes a circuit substrate with driving circuits arranged on both sides thereof. This circuit substrate is inserted between a first barrier rib of the battery case and a second barrier rib and arranged in parallel thereto. Supporting barrier ribs extending orthogonal from the barrier ribs towards the circuit substrate have a rounded top edge to guide the circuit substrate into the proper location in the battery case. The height of these supporting barrier ribs are formed at least as tall as the barrier ribs to prevent the circuit substrate or the driving circuits from contacting the barrier ribs during the insertion process.
US08846218B2
A method of smoothing the surface of a ceramic matrix composite material part that presents a surface that is undulating and rough. The method includes depositing a refractory vitreous coating on the surface of the part, the vitreous coating essentially containing silica, alumina, baryte, and lime.
US08846215B2
The present invention provides an organic light emitting diode comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and an organic material layer of one or more layers disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, in which the organic material layer comprises a light emitting layer, an organic material layer comprising the compound represented by Formula 1 is comprised between the first electrode and the light emitting layer, and the light emitting layer comprises a host comprising the compound represented by Formula 1 and a dopant.
US08846213B2
An amine compound represented by Formula 1 below and an organic light-emitting device including an organic layer containing the same: the compound of Formula 1 may be suitable as a hole injecting material, a hole transporting material, or a light-emitting material of an organic light-emitting device. Like the compound of Formula 1, a compound having a hetero ring in its molecular structure has a high glass transition temperature (Tg) or a high melting point due to the inclusion of the hetero ring. Accordingly, when light emission occurs, such a compound has high resistance against Joules' heat generated in an organic layer, between organic layers, and between an organic layer and a metallic electrode, and has high durability in high-temperature environments.
US08846209B2
The invention relates to an aluminium composite sheet material in which a clad sheet is applied to at least one side of a core material. The core material has an aluminium alloy the AA5xxx- or AA6xxx-series, and the clad sheet has an aluminium alloy selected from the group of the AA1xxx-series, AA3xxx-series and AA7xxx-series with less than 1.5 wt. % of Zn.
US08846206B2
An intermediate component includes a first wall member, a leachable material layer, and a precursor wall member. The first wall member has an outer surface and first connecting structure. The leachable material layer is provided on the first wall member outer surface. The precursor wall member is formed adjacent to the leachable material layer from a metal powder mixed with a binder material, and includes second connecting structure.
US08846205B2
Hybrid strategies generally involve treating biodegradable substrates with preservative compositions having at least two phases in which the metal biocide is distributed among at least the two phases and via equilibrium reactions moves between the two phases. Both phases are caused to contact the substrate in a manner so that the phases are in contact with each other during at least a portion of the treatment. In illustrative embodiments, the first phase is a liquid phase comprising complexed metal biocide dissolved in a liquid carrier, while the second phase comprises particles comprising the metal biocide, often precipitated and/or colloidal particles. The strategies and related compositions, processes, and treatments are hybrid in the sense that the strategies include both heterogeneous (insoluble) and homogeneous metal biocide constituents. Unlike heterogeneous strategies, hybrid strategies are less sensitive to particle size constraints and may use biocide particles with a wider range of particle sizes. Unlike homogeneous strategies, hybrid strategies are less sensitive to pH and may use a wider range of complexing agents, including mildly alkaline amines such as triethanolamine.
US08846201B2
A composite plated product has a metal material and a plating film of compounded carbon nanomaterials and microparticles coated on the metal material in a nickel plating bath in which carbon nanomaterials are mixed together with microparticles having an average grain size of 2.5 μm or less.
US08846190B2
Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming an inorganic nanowire, comprising: providing an elongated organic scaffold; providing a plurality of inorganic nanoparticles attached to the organic scaffold along a length of the organic scaffold; and fusing the nanoparticles attached to the organic scaffold to form an inorganic nanowire.
US08846187B2
Disclosed is a transparent gas barrier film having good transparency and good gas barrier properties, which exhibits excellent adhesion even after storage under severe environmental conditions, and does not deteriorate even when a large impact is applied thereto. The transparent gas barrier film is characterized by having, on a resin base, at least two layers having different elastic moduluses. The transparent gas barrier film is further characterized in that the elastic modulus difference between adjoining layers is not less than 1 GPa but not more than 20 GPa, and each layer has a thickness of not less than 1 nm but not more than 10 nm.
US08846183B2
A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
US08846178B2
Materials or composites that can provide a complete finished product to the transportation industry that meets or exceeds fire resistant regulations and standards, e.g., the UL 94 V-0 Flame Test Standard are disclosed. These materials combine aesthetic and functional properties that are not apparent in other flame proof insulation materials available in the industry a whole.
US08846174B2
A transparent laminate structure is provided that includes two transparent layers, a transparent interlayer, and an inorganic barrier layer. The two transparent layers each have an inner face and a side edge. The transparent interlayer is between and laminates the inner faces of the two transparent layers to one another. The transparent interlayer also extends over the side edges of the two transparent layers and laminates the inorganic barrier layer to at least the side edges of the two transparent layers.
US08846170B2
A sulfur-containing cycloaliphatic compound, useful as a crosslinker for filled sulfur-vulcanizable elastomer compositions, is represented by the general formula: G[-CaH2a—S[C(═O)]bR]n wherein G is selected from the group consisting of: saturated, monocyclic aliphatic group of valence n containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally containing at least one halogen, and saturated monocyclic silicone [RSiO—]n[R2SiO—]p group of valence n; wherein each R independently is a hydrogen or monovalent hydrocarbon of up to 20 carbon atoms; each occurrence of subscripts a and b independently is an integer wherein a is 2 to 6 and b is 0 or 1; p is an integer of from 0 to 3; and, n is an integer of from 3 to 6, with the provisos that when b is 0, R is a hydrogen atom, and when G is a non-halogenated, saturated monocyclic aliphatic group of 6 carbon atoms, n cannot be 3.
US08846166B2
The invention provides a recording medium having a substrate, a first ink receiving layer and a second ink receiving layer which is an outermost layer in this order, wherein the first ink receiving layer contains alumina hydrate and polyvinyl alcohol, the second ink receiving layer contains alumina hydrate, polyvinyl alcohol, a cationic polymer particle and a zirconium compound, and the thickness of the second ink receiving layer is 3 μm or more and 10 μm or less.
US08846159B2
The disclosed mold includes recessed parts which have a shape corresponding to embossed portions of the barrier rib to be fabricated, and protruding parts which have a shape corresponding to depressed portions of the barrier rib to be fabricated, protrude adjacent to the recessed parts, and are tapered. The protruding parts and the recessed parts are arranged at regular intervals. It is possible to simply fabricate the two-layered barrier rib for inkjet application through a single embossing process at low cost using the mold for fabricating the barrier rib of the present invention.
US08846158B2
A method of depositing particles onto a substrate utilizes a liquid dispersant into which the particles are introduced prior to spraying upon the surface. The ratio of the particles to the dispersant, as well as the volume of the dispersant, may be used to control the density of the particles that result on the substrate after spraying.
US08846155B2
A coating device for coating parts, in particular body components for automobiles, has at least one piece of application equipment for applying a coating to the components and has a feed device for feeding the components into a suitable coating position relative to the coating equipment. It is proposed that the feed device has at least one handling robot which brings the components into the coating position. Furthermore, a corresponding method is disclosed.
US08846154B2
Compositions, methods, apparatuses, kits, and combinations are described for permanently or temporarily re-designing, decorating, and/or re-coloring a surface. The compositions useful in the present disclosure include a décor product formulated to be applied and affixed to a surface. If desired, the décor product may be substantially removed from the surface before being affixed thereto. If a user desires to remove the décor product, the décor product may be removed by, for example, vacuuming, wet extraction, chemical application, and the like. If the user desires to affix the décor product to the surface in a permanent or semi-permanent manner, the décor product may be affixed by applying energy thereto in the form of, for example, heat, pressure, emitted waves, an emitted electrical field, a magnetic field, and/or a chemical. The décor product may also be part of a kit or in conjunction with a design device, such as a stencil, to control the application of the décor product to a surface.
US08846148B2
A composition for chemical vapor deposition film-formation comprising a borazine compound represented by the Chemical Formula 1 satisfying at least one of a condition that content of each halogen atom in the composition is 100 ppb or less or a condition that content of each metal element in the composition is 100 ppb or less. In the Chemical Formula 1, R1 may be the same or different, and is hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group or alkynyl group, and at least one thereof is hydrogen atom; R2 may be the same or different, and is hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group or alkynyl group, and at least one thereof is alkyl group, alkenyl group or alkynyl group.
US08846136B2
PROBLEM:To provide a production method of an anisotropic rare earth magnet capable of being enhanced in coercivity without adding a large amount of a rare metal such as Dy and Tb.MEANS FOR RESOLUTION:A production method of a rare earth magnet, comprising a step of bringing a compact obtained by applying hot working to impart anisotropy to a sintered body having a rare earth magnet composition into contact with a low-melting-point alloy melt containing a rare earth element.
US08846129B2
A method of forming of biological sensing structures including a portion of a substrate is recessed to form a plurality of mesas in the substrate. Each of the plurality of mesas has a top surface and a sidewall surface. A first light reflecting layer is deposited over the top surface and the sidewall surface of each mesa. A filling material is formed over a first portion of the first light reflecting layer. A stop layer is deposited over the filling material and a second portion of the first light reflecting layer. A sacrificial layer is formed over the stop layer and is planarized exposing the stop layer. A first opening is formed in the stop layer and the first light reflecting layer. A second light reflecting layer is deposited over the first opening. A second opening is formed in the second light reflecting layer.
US08846128B2
In one embodiment, unpolished sweet rice, a.k.a. glutinous rice, is processed to yield a powdered or granulated product which provides more than one unique advantage when applied as a substitute for traditional mochi or wheat flour as an ingredient for producing pancakes and baked goods. The sweet rice is processed by sprouting it, dehydrating it, roasting it, cooling it, and finally pulverizing it to provide flour or meal. The flour or meal is then made into comestibles by combining with other ingredients and baking or frying, according to adapted recipes. Non-glutinous varieties of unpolished rice, a.k.a. brown rice, may also be processed according to this method to yield rice flour with a distinctive, nutty flavor and stabilized rice bran.
US08846126B2
The present invention is directed towards organogel compositions. Processes for producing such organogel compositions are further disclosed. The present invention is also directed towards uses of the novel organogel compositions in foods, beverages, nutraceuticals pharmaceuticals, pet food, or animal feed.
US08846125B2
The present invention relates to enaminocarbonyl compounds with the formula I. The present invention also relates to the use of compounds with the formula I for the modification of the taste of a product and/or preparation for oral administration.
US08846123B2
A process is provided using non-food or limited-feed agricultural residue and energy crops for energy production, such as ethanol or electricity generation. The agricultural plant material is harvested and baled. The bales are transported to the processing site for storage or immediate processing. The bale strings are first removed, and then the broken bales are shredded. The shredded plant material is then ground to a small size. The ground material is then pelletized to produce densified pellets of the agricultural plant material. The pellets are cooled and then stored or transported to an end user.
US08846117B2
Ethanolic chia (Salvia hispanica) seed extracts are provided in a system including one or more polyols and at least one hydrophobic compound that solubilize hydrophobic and slightly hydrophilic fractions of the extracts. The polyol can be pentylene glycol. The at least one hydrophobic compound can be a light oil or an ester including, but not limited to, glyceryl caprylate, glyceryl trioctanoate, isodecyl neopentanoate, isononyl isononanoate, isopropyl myristate, phenethyl benzoate, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, propylene glycol dioctanoate and combinations thereof. The system or solution can form a cosmetic composition which is highly stable. A method for preparing the composition also is provided.
US08846104B2
Provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antagonist, an agonist, a seal coat, and a sequestering polymer, wherein the antagonist, agonist, seal coat and at least one sequestering polymer are all components of a single unit, and wherein the seal coat forms a layer physically separating the antagonist from the agonist from one another. Methods for manufacturing such a pharmaceutical composition are also provided.
US08846101B2
Calcium-containing compounds have been at least partly film-coated and/or granulated with a water-soluble substance and a water-soluble polymeric substance and use of such coated compounds in pharmaceutical compositions. The at least partly film-coated and/or granulated calcium-containing compounds have proved suitable for the preparation of tablets having a very high load of elemental calcium and a conveniently small size. A drug load of about 96% or more is obtained in tablets of the invention that have sufficient mechanical and organoleptic properties.
US08846100B2
A multiple pulsed dose drug delivery system for pharmaceutically active amphetamine salts, comprising a pharmaceutically active amphetamine salt covered with an immediate-release coating and a pharmaceutically active amphetamine salt covered with an enteric coating wherein the immediate release coating and the enteric coating provide for multiple pulsed dose delivery of the pharmaceutically active amphetamine salt. The product can be composed of either one or a number of beads in a dosage form, including either capsule, tablet, or sachet method for administering the beads.
US08846099B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations suitable for targeting particular tissue and/or organ(s) with a formulated active ingredient, for example when administered upstream of the target organ or tissue, and to use of the same in treatment, methods of treatment administering the same and methods of preparing the formulations. The pharmaceutical formulations of the invention are for parenteral administration to a target tissue and comprise particles containing an active ingredient, and a biodegradable excipient, wherein 90% or more of the particles have a diameter of between 10 and 20 microns and the formulation is substantially free of particles with a diameter greater than 50 microns and less than 5 microns, such that where the formulation is administered upstream of the target tissue the ability of the active to pass through the target tissue and pass into systemic circulation is restricted.
US08846096B2
Provided herein are nanoparticles and methods for using nanoparticles. The nanoparticles include at least three antiretroviral agents. When introduced to cells the nanoparticles cause an increase in the intracellular concentration of the antiretroviral agents to a level that is at least the IC50 against HIV-I or HIV-2. This concentration may be maintained for at least 21 days after the cells are contacted with the nanoparticle. When administered to a subject the nanoparticles cause the concentration of the antiretroviral agents to increase to at least 100 ng/ml in the serum of the subject, at least 0.5 μg/gram tissue in an organ of the subject, or a combination thereof. Such a concentration may be maintained for at least 21 days after the administration.
US08846091B2
The invention concerns a storage stable pharmaceutical formulation comprising preferably two active compounds in a non-swellable diffusion matrix, whereby the compounds are released from the matrix in a sustained, invariant and, if several compounds are present, independent manner and the matrix is determined with respect to its substantial release characteristics by ethylcellulose and at least one fatty alcohol. The invention also concerns methods for producing such pharmaceutical formulations.
US08846088B2
A novel method for the preparation of a tablet comprising a calcium-containing compound, the method involves a melt granulation process by which a sugar alcohol is melted and embeds the calcium-containing compound so that a sufficient taste masking of the chalkiness is substantially achieved and an unpleasant mouth feel of the calcium-containing compound is substantially avoided, while at the same time obtaining a low tablet volume. The method of the invention is especially suitable for the manufacturing of tablets having a high load of a calcium-containing compound.
US08846078B2
Brucellosis is a disease caused by facultative intracellular bacteria of the monospecific genus Brucella melitensis. The invention in one aspect is an immunogenic nucleic acid composition comprising DNA encoding Brucella melitensis Invasion Protein B, a polypeptide with at least 95% identity thereto, or an immunologically active fragment of either of these, and an adjuvant. In another aspect, the invention is a DNA vaccine composition comprising a plasmid vector having DNA encoding a polypeptide as recited above, in which said plasmid vector is adsorbed to a liposome. Other aspects of the invention include methods of inducing an enhanced immune response to Brucella infection in an animal, methods for the differential diagnosis in an animal of brucellosis and vaccination by an immunogenic nucleic acid composition having DNA encoding any of the above-recited polypeptides, and a kit for conducting said differential diagnosis methods.
US08846061B1
Dietary vitamin-mineral supplements featuring various vitamins and minerals for benefiting individuals suffering from conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, vitamin deficiencies, aging, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, coronary artery disease, fatigue, and stroke. Vitamins and minerals may include Vitamin C, Vitamin A, pregnenolone, coenzyme Q10, Vitamin K2, acetyl L-carnitine arginate, L-glutathione, among others.
US08846059B2
Compositions suitable for use as ovarian cancer and/or tumor adjuvants in the preparation of ovarian cancer vaccines, particularly those vaccines useful in the treatment of human ovarian cancer, are provided. The ovarian cancer adjuvants described are comprised of an extracellular matrix material, such as small intestinal submucosal (SIS) tissue. The preparations may take the form of sheets, gels, liquids (injectable), tracer, or other solid or semi-solid preparation. Also disclosed are ovarian tumor inhibiting compositions that include extracellular matrix tissue adjuvants.
US08846058B2
A chimeric Shiga toxoid according to the invention contains an enzymatically-inactivated StxA subunit and a native StxB subunit. This hybrid Shiga toxoid induces the production of broadly cross-reactive species of antibodies against Shiga toxin following immunization. The StxA subunit is modified so that it is enzymatically inactive. The invention thus encompasses the Shiga toxoid or fragments thereof and the nucleic acid sequence of the Shiga toxoid or fragments thereof. The invention further encompasses the production of a Shiga toxoid, the production of antibodies using the Shiga toxoid and methods of productions, and an immunogenic composition containing the Shiga toxoid.
US08846045B2
The present invention concerns human antibodies recognizing the human C5a receptor. By binding to C5aR the antibodies inhibit C5a signalling, whereby the pro-inflammatory signal is inhibited. Based on the role of C5a and its receptor in stimulation of inflammation the invention further relates to therapeutic use of said human anti-C5aR antibodies and in particular in relation to treatment of immunological disorders.
US08846044B2
The present invention relates to alkylglycoside-containing compositions and methods for increasing the stability, reducing the aggregation and immunogenicity, increasing the biological activity, and reducing or preventing fibrillar formation of a peptide, polypeptide, or variant thereof, for example parathyroid hormone (PTH) or PTH analogs, amylin, a monoclonal antibody, insulin, Peptide T or analog thereof, gastrin, gastrin releasing peptides, gastrin releasing peptide-like (GRP) proteins, epidermal growth factor or analog thereof.
US08846039B2
A method for preventing, treating, or ameliorating pruritus caused by skin, mucosa, or systemic disorder. The method comprises administering to a subject with pruritus or topically applying to an affected area with pruritus an effective amount of a formulation consisting essentially of a phenylbutyric acid or short-chain fatty acid derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, salt or solvate thereof.
US08846038B2
Methods of detecting synovial sarcoma using differentially expressed genes are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of identifying agents for treating synovial sarcoma. Further, a method for treating or preventing a disease that is associated with Frizzled homologue 10 (FZD10) in a subject is provided.
US08846037B2
Antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that bind to human IL-6 are provided. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding such antibodies and antigen binding portions, methods of making such antibodies and antigen binding portions, compositions comprising such antibodies or antigen binding portions, and uses of such antibodies or antigen binding portions.
US08846036B2
The present invention relates to antibodies specific for glycosylated mammalian NGAL, and to methods of making and using such antibodies.
US08846034B2
Methods and diagnostic agents for identification of subjects for cancer treatment with an anti-hyaluronan agent, such as a hyaluronan-degrading enzyme, are provided. Diagnostic agents for the detection and quantification of hyaluronan in a biological sample and monitoring cancer treatment with an anti-hyaluronan agent, for example a hyaluronan-degrading enzyme, are provided. Combinations and kits for use in practicing the methods also are provided.
US08846026B2
The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising at least one antigen in association with microparticles, wherein the microparticles are in the same size range as viruses. In addition the invention also provides vaccine compositions and methods of eliciting immune responses in a subject.
US08846025B2
This invention provides crystalline recombinant interferon (rSIFN-co (SEQ ID NO: 1)) having (i) the same amino acid sequence as that of human consensus interferon, and (ii) altered three-dimensional structure as compared to IFN-α2b. The interferon of the present invention exhibits enhanced biological activities. The present invention also provides a structural model of said interferon useful for drug screening and/or drug design, and mimetics of said interferon.
US08846020B2
Conjugates are provided herein which comprise a protein attached to at least two polymeric moieties, at least one of which exhibits reverse thermal gelation. The conjugates are suitable for being cross-linked by non-covalent and/or covalent cross-linking. Compositions-of-matter comprising cross-linked conjugates are provided herein, as well as processes for producing same. Methods of controlling a physical property of compositions-of-matter are also provided herein. The conjugates and compositions-of-matter may be used for various applications, such as cell growth, tissue formation, and treatment of disorders characterized by tissue damage or loss, as described herein.
US08846008B2
The present application relates to novel antimicrobial compositions and methods of using said antimicrobial compositions for inhibiting and treating microbial growth, microbial infections, inflammatory diseases, viral diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and/or conditions that may be regulated or associated with microbial infections, such as cancer.
US08846005B2
The invention provides, inter alia, methods for methods for treating cancer, compositions for treating cancer, and methods and compositions for diagnosing and/or detecting cancer. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for treating, diagnosing and detecting cancers associated with APCDD1 overexpression.
US08846003B2
This invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans and engineered collagen matrices comprising a collagen matrix and a collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan where the collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan can be aberrant or can have amino acid homology with a portion of the amino acid sequence of a protein or a proteoglycan that regulates collagen fibrillogenesis. The invention also relates to kits, compounds, compositions, and engineered graft constructs comprising such collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans or engineered collagen matrices and methods for their preparation and use.
US08846000B2
The present invention is directed to radiolabeled pyrimidinone compounds of general structural formula I which are useful as radiotracers for quantitative imaging of PDE10 in mammals.
US08845996B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method of producing metallic single-wall carbon nanotubes by treatment of carbon nanotube producing catalysts to obtain the desired catalyst particle size to produce predominantly metallic single wall carbon nanotubes. The treatment of the carbon nanotube producing catalyst particles involves contacting the catalyst particles with a mixture of an inert gas, like He, a reductant, such as H2, and an adsorbate, like water, at an elevated temperature range, for example, at 500° C. to 860° C., for a sufficient time to obtain the catalyst particle size. In some of the present methods, the preferential growth of nanotubes with metallic conductivity of up to 91% has been demonstrated.
US08845995B2
The present invention relates to single walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), functionalized CNTs and carbon nanotube composites with controlled properties, to a method for aerosol synthesis of single walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, functionalized CNTs and carbon nanotube composites with controlled properties from pre-made catalyst particles and a carbon source in the presence of reagents and additives, to functional, matrix and composite materials composed thereof and structures and devices fabricated from the same in continuous or batch CNT reactors. The present invention allows all or part of the processes of synthesis of CNTs, their purification, doping, functionalization, coating, mixing and deposition to be combined in one continuous procedure and in which the catalyst synthesis, the CNT synthesis, and their functionalization, doping, coating, mixing and deposition can be separately controlled.
US08845990B2
A method and device for producing polyphosphoric acid burns a fuel in combustion air in a combustion chamber, sprays a spray fluid comprising substantially pure orthophosphoric acid and undertakes polymerization-condensation of the pure orthophosphoric acid. A polyphosphoric acid in the form of an acid mist accompanied by formation of gases which mix with combustion gases resulting from burning of the fuel is formed to reach a predetermined temperature, wherein the mixture causes sudden lowering of combustion gas temperature. The acid mix is separated from the gas mixture and the polyphosphoric acid is collected at a bottom of the combustion chamber and the gas mixture is outputted via a lower part of the combustion chamber separate from the collection of polyphosphoric acid.
US08845985B2
A rack for a plurality of capped tubes, including a frame having a longitudinally extending bottom base member having a row of spaced open top recesses adapted to receive the capped tubes. Vertical supports at the ends of the row of recesses fix a cover member above the base member. The cover member has openings therethrough smaller than the capped tubes. A wall is along one longitudinal side between the base member and the cover member, with the other longitudinal side between the base member and the cover member being open. The base member and cover member are vertically spaced a distance sufficient to permit tipped capped tubes to be moved into the frame with the tipped tubes then dropped into the recesses and tipped back to an upright vertical position.
US08845981B2
A device for volumetric metering a liquid biologic sample is provided. The device includes an initial chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a first valve, a second valve and a third valve. The chambers are each configured so that liquid sample disposed in the respective chamber is subject to capillary forces. Each chamber has a volume, and the volume of the initial chamber is greater than the volume of either the second or the third chambers. The valves each have a burst pressure. The burst pressure of the first valve is greater than the third burst pressure. The first valve is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The second valve is disposed between, and is in fluid communication with, the initial chamber and the third chamber. The third valve is in fluid communication with the third chamber.
US08845973B2
A particle filter includes channels that are formed by porous walls and run between a first end face and a second end face of the particle filter. The first end face has a hydrolysis coating outside the channels. A device includes at least one exhaust gas line through which an exhaust gas can flow in a flow direction, a nozzle for introducing a reducing agent containing or forming ammonia, and the aforementioned particle filter. The first end face of the particle filter is oriented towards the nozzle. A motor vehicle having the particle filter or the device, is also provided.
US08845968B2
The present application provides apparatus (300, 400) and methods for determining the density of a fluid sample. In particular, it provides a sensor device which can be loaded with a fluid sample such as blood, and which further comprises at least one oscillating beam member or resonator (108, 109, 110). Exposure of the blood sample to clotting agents allows a clotting reaction to commence. The device allows the density of the sample fluid to be monitored with reference to the oscillation of the vibrating beam member, thus allowing the monitoring of the clotting of the fluid sample.
US08845962B2
The present invention provides a system for the sterilization of natural products without negatively effecting the properties of the system having a sterilization chamber; a sample area within the sterilization chamber to hold one or more steam permeable containers; a heater source connected to the sterilization chamber for heating the sterilization chamber to a predetermined temperature; a heater control unit connected to the heater source for controlling the predetermined temperature; a pressure source connected to the sterilization chamber for pressurizing the sterilization chamber to a predetermined pressure; a pressure control unit connected to the pressure source for controlling the predetermined pressure; a steam aperture for supplying steam to the sterilization chamber; a steam control unit connected to the temperature and duration of the steam; and an interface connected to the heater control unit, pressure control unit, and steam control unit.
US08845961B2
There is disclosed various devices and articles comprising phosphors for converting electromagnetic energy to radiation having a shorter wavelength, the composition comprising at least one phosphor capable of converting an initial electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength (A) to an electromagnetic radiation having a shorter wavelength (B) comprising UV radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength. There is also a method of sterilizing such devices and articles by exposing it to UV radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength for a time sufficient to deactivate or kill at least one microorganism and/or for a time sufficient to inhibit abnormal cell growth within the body, when the composition is in an implantable medical device.
US08845951B2
Rapid sintering techniques for densifying zirconium dioxide based ceramic materials employing electromagnetic induction heating or inductive coupled plasma, reducing processing time from hours to minutes. In one embodiment a water-cooled coil is connected to a radio frequency power supply. The coil surrounds a susceptor body which in turn surrounds the ceramic to be sintered. The susceptor heats up in response to a magnetic field emanating from the coil as the coil receives electric power. The heat in turn is radiated from the susceptor and heats the ceramic. In another embodiment, the coil is connected to a radio frequency power supply of sufficiently high frequency and power to establish a plasma in the gas which surrounds the ceramic. The plasma then heats the ceramic. The method is especially useful for sintering ceramic dental appliances, in minutes which can lead to in situ fabrication of such appliances while a dental patient waits.
US08845949B2
The present invention relates to a new and improved stereolithography method and system for generating a three-dimensional object by forming successive, adjacent, cross-sectional laminae of that object, thereby providing an object being specially processed to reduce differential shrinkage.
US08845946B2
A method for manufacturing a fiber composite component having an integral structural design includes positioning a sheet-like fibrous semi-finished product in a mold that defines an outer contour of the fiber composite component. Dimensionally stable fibrous semi-finished products, each having dimensions corresponding to a respective portion of the manufactured fiber composite component, are arranged on the sheet-like fibrous semi-finished product. The dimensionally stable fibrous semi-finished products are stabilized and fixed in place using mold cores. The semi-finished products are resin infiltrated using one of a first or a second gating process so as to form a construct. The first gating process includes gating via the mold cores at a head of each dimensionally stable fibrous semi-finished product and performing extraction in an area of the mold. The second gating process including gating in an area of the mold and performing extraction via the mold cores at the head of each dimensionally stable fibrous semi-finished product. The construct is hardened and demolded by removing the mold cores.
US08845944B2
A method of forming includes the steps of: placing a first mold member and a second mold member in contact with one another; injecting a first material into a first recess in the first mold member to form a first portion of a midsole while the first mold member is maintained at a temperature below an ambient temperature; removing the first portion of the midsole from the first recess; positioning the first portion of the midsole in the second recess in the third mold member of the second mold assembly; placing a second material into the second recess in contact with the first portion of the midsole; placing the third mold member and the fourth mold member in contact with one another; and subjecting the second material and the first portion in the second mold assembly to heat and pressure to form a midsole.
US08845937B2
A method of forming an anisotropic porous material includes forming an aerogel precursor, the aerogel precursor including a matrix material and a liquid dispersion medium for dispersing the matrix material. The aerogel precursor is frozen so that the dispersion is solidified while controlling the direction of crystal growth within the aerogel precursor. The aerogel precursor is freeze dried to sublime the dispersion medium and form the porous material.
US08845935B2
The invention provide a method for cast-molding hydrogel contact lenses, especially silicone hydrogel contact lenses by using plastic molds of a poly(cycloalkylene-dialkylene terephthalate) copolymer. These plastic molds do not need to be degassed and stored in an oxygen-free atmosphere (e.g., N2 or Ar) before being used for cast-molding silicone hydrogel contact lenses in the absence of oxygen and resultant silicone hydrogel lenses can still have relatively high ion permeability and relatively low variation in targeted optical power, compared with silicone hydrogel lenses made from a conventional mold material, such as polypropylene. The invention also provides plastic molds for cast-molding silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
US08845928B2
There is disclosed a composition for converting electromagnetic energy to ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength, the composition comprising at least one phosphor capable of converting an initial electromagnetic energy (A) to an electromagnetic energy (B) comprising UVC radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength, and an organic or inorganic media containing said phosphor. There is also a method of sterilizing an article by exposing it to UVC radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength for a time sufficient to deactivate or kill at least one microorganism and/or for a time sufficient to inhibit abnormal cell growth within the body, when said composition is in an implantable medical device. A method of coating an article with such compositions is also disclosed.
US08845926B2
Composition, method for manufacturing thin film, and method for manufacturing light-emitting element
It is an object to provide a composition in which an anthracene derivative is dissolved and a technique in which a thin film that has a favorable film quality is formed by a wet process using the composition. In addition, it is another object to manufacture a highly reliable light-emitting element using the composition at low cost with high productivity. A composition having a solvent and an anthracene derivative having one anthracene structure and one carbazolyl group which is bonded to the anthracene structure directly or through a phenyl group is formed. A thin film with a favorable film quality can be formed by a wet process using the composition. Accordingly, a highly reliable light-emitting element can be manufactured using such a thin film.
US08845918B2
The thermoelectric material according to the present invention is characterized in that carbon nanotubes are dispersed in thermoelectric matrix powder by mechanically grinding, mixing, and treating by heating a mixed powder formed through a chemical reaction after mixing a first solution in which carbon nanotubes are dispersed and a second solution containing metallic salts. Further, a method for fabricating the thermoelectric material includes fabricating the first solution and the second solution, mixing the first solution and the second solution with each other to form a mixed solution, forming and growing a mixed powder in which carbon nanotubes and metals are mixed by a chemical reaction of the mixed solution, mechanically grinding and mixing the mixed powder, and heating the ground-and-mixed mixed powder to form the thermoelectric material. In addition, a composite can be made from the thermoelectric material by performing a spark plasma sintering process using the thermoelectric material, and has an improved thermoelectric efficiency due to the carbon nanotubes dispersed in the thermoelectric materials.
US08845913B2
An ion radiation damage prediction method includes a parameter computation step of computing the incidence energy and incidence angle of an incident ion hitting a fabricated object, and a step of searching for data in databases created in advance on the basis of the computed incidence energy and angle, the databases storing distributions of quantities of crystalline defects having an effect on the fabricated object, ion reflection probabilities and ion penetration depths. The method also includes finding the penetration depth and location of the incident ion based on the data found in the searching step and based on the computed incidence energy and angle, and computing a quantity of defects in the fabricated object from the penetration depth and location. A distribution of defects may be computed by performing the aforementioned steps for many incident ions.
US08845905B2
Compositions containing vinyl polymers and ionophores selective for lead ions (e.g., polypyrrole copolymers), and methods for making these compositions are disclosed herein. The compositions can, for example, be used for detecting lead ions in a sample.
US08845904B2
A regeneration process in the operating method of the invention includes a first regeneration process, and a second regeneration process after the end of the first regeneration process. In the first regeneration process, a regenerant is distributed at a top of an ion exchange resin bed and simultaneously the regenerant is collected at a bottom of the resin bed, thereby generating a downward flow of the regenerant to regenerate the whole of the resin bed. In the second regeneration process, the regenerant is distributed at a bottom of the ion exchange resin bed and simultaneously the regenerant is collected at a middle of the resin bed, thereby generating an upward flow of the regenerant to regenerate a part of the resin bed.
US08845899B2
A coreless and spirally wound non-woven filter element is provided. The filter element includes at least one band of base media having a selected porosity and an interlay having a different porosity within at least one band of base media. The presence of the interlay in the filter element can create additional surface area within the contiguous construction of a filter element for filtration. This interlay can also create the ability to change direction of flow and to increase the deposition of specifically sized contaminants.
US08845896B2
A water filter system includes a removable filter unit having a body portion including a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is adapted to be inserted into a filter head assembly. A laterally extending key member is disposed on the body portion and adapted to engage a key slot in the filter head assembly. An engagement protrusion extends from the proximal end. The engagement protrusion includes a first portion that has a first radius of curvature and a second portion opposing the first portion that includes a second radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius of curvature.
US08845889B2
An oil filter reservoir includes a reservoir housing having a filter, which divides the housing into an oil inlet chamber and an oil outlet chamber. A housing inlet and a housing outlet circulate oil in and out of the reservoir housing. The filter includes a permeable wall and a bypass valve, which releases the increased oil pressure and volume in the inlet chamber during cold temperature operation. A baffle in the outlet chamber is spaced apart from the bypass valve and permits limited oil flow through the baffle. The baffle separates the outlet chamber into a reserve chamber and a bypass chamber.
US08845888B2
According to one embodiment, a water treatment system includes: a membrane separation device and a water softening device including a valve unit switching between a softening process in which soft water is obtained by passing raw water through a cation exchange resin bed downward and a regeneration process in which a whole of the cation exchange resin bed is regenerated by generating an opposite flow of a regenerant by supplying the regenerant from both sides of a top portion and a bottom portion of the cation exchange resin bed and collecting a liquid at an intermediate portion of the cation exchange resin bed, and a regenerant supply supplying the regenerant in a volume which gives a regeneration level of 1 to 6 eq/L-R, to a hardness leakage prevention region set in a predetermined depth on the bottom portion of the cation exchange resin bed, in the regeneration process.
US08845883B2
A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.
US08845878B2
A method reducing carbon dioxide to one or more products may include steps (A) to (C). Step (A) may bubble said carbon dioxide into a solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst in a divided electrochemical cell. The divided electrochemical cell may include an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment. The cathode may reduce said carbon dioxide into said products. Step (B) may adjust one or more of (a) a cathode material, (b) a surface morphology of said cathode, (c) said electrolyte, (d) a manner in which said carbon dioxide is bubbled, (e), a pH level of said solution, and (f) an electrical potential of said divided electrochemical cell, to vary at least one of (i) which of said products is produced and (ii) a faradaic yield of said products. Step (C) may separate said products from said solution.
US08845867B2
A method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive (MR) effective element having a pair of magnetic layers and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer including a ZnO film, wherein a relative angle of magnetization directions of the pair of magnetic layers varies according to an external magnetic field. The method includes a step for introducing a mix gas of oxygen gas and argon gas into a depressurized chamber, wherein a first target of ZnO, a second target of Zn and a substrate having a right-below layer are disposed in the chamber, and a step for depositing the ZnO film on the right-below layer by applying each of a first and second direct current (DC) application power to spaces between the first and second targets and the substrate respectively after the mix gas introducing step, wherein the first and second targets are set at negative potential, and the substrate is set at positive potential.
US08845865B2
An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.
US08845864B2
Provided is a dividing wall distillation column. The dividing wall distillation column includes a main column having a dividing wall. The main column includes a pressure equalization unit for pressure equalization between a preliminary divisional section and a main divisional section which are divided by the dividing wall. The dividing wall distillation column has an effect of enabling easier operations due to the uniform pressure drop between the two divisional sections divided by the dividing wall.
US08845859B2
Systems and methods are provided for mechanically cleaving a bonded wafer pair by controlling the rate of cleaving. This controlled rate of cleaving results in a reduction or elimination of non-uniform thickness variations in the cleaved surface of the resulting SOI wafer. One embodiment uses flexible chucks attached to the faces of the wafers and actuators attached to the flexible chucks to cleave the bonded wafer pair. Other embodiments also use rollers in contact with the surfaces to control the rate of cleaving.
US08845848B2
There is provided a magnesium alloy member that includes an aluminum-containing magnesium alloy material. The magnesium alloy material has a modified layer formed at a surface thereof in such a manner that at least a surface of the modified layer has a higher aluminum content than that of any unmodified base portion of the magnesium alloy material.
US08845845B1
A carbon fiber tubular pole and method of construction thereof. The pole includes a left in place lightweight mandrel, preferably formed of tubular polyvinylchloride or cardboard, which substantially reduces cost of manufacture. Moreover, an outer tubular glass fiber sleeve over a tubular carbon fiber sleeve resin saturated through and through maintains the aesthetic appearance of the black carbon fiber while substantially strengthening the end product. A second outer layer of a mixture of resin and colloidal silica over the cured resin layer adds shine and increases smoothness.
US08845844B2
A vacuum lamination system and a vacuum lamination method are provided in which, when a laminate film and laminate base items are laminated and an excessive portion of the laminate film is cut from the laminated item having the laminate film laminated thereon, a high precision lamination is enabled and the cutting process including a conveying device for cutting the excessive portion of the laminate film can be simplified. In the vacuum lamination system, a laminate film and laminate base items that are conveyed on the carrier film are laminated by the batch type vacuum laminating device, and the laminate film is cut from the laminated item having the laminate film laminated thereon.
US08845838B2
A method for producing a steering wheel (10) including a multilayered decorative trim (16) comprises the following steps: providing a multilayered body composed of flat layers joined to each other, the body being bent transversely or perpendicular to the plane of the layers into a shape adapted to the geometry of a steering wheel body part (14), cutting off a thin arcuate decorative layer (26) from a lateral surface of the body, in particular essentially perpendicular to the bending axis, and adapting said decorative layer (26) to and applying it onto said steering wheel body part (14).
US08845826B2
A Sn—Ag—Cu—Bi lead-free solder which can be used for soldering of vehicle-mounted electronic circuits and which has excellent resistance to heat cycles and mechanical strength is provided. The solder contains Ag: 2.8-4 mass %, Bi: 1.5-6 mass %, Cu: 0.8-1.2 mass %, and a remainder of Sn.
US08845822B2
Combustible gas, which is easy to be stored, transported and the like and can contribute to improving the quality of a finished state of an operation such as gas cutting, gas welding or brazing, contains ethylene at 38 v/v % or more and 45 v/v % or less and the remainder being hydrogen and unavoidable impurity.
US08845821B2
A sintered R—Fe—B based rare-earth magnet body 1 including, as a main phase, crystal grains of an R2Fe14B type compound that includes a light rare-earth element RL, which is Nd and/or Pr, as a major rare-earth element R is provided. A bulk body 2 including a heavy rare-earth element RH, which is at least one of Dy, Ho and Tb is also provided. The sintered magnet body 1 and the bulk body 2 are arranged in a processing chamber 4 with a vapor control member 3 interposed between the sintered magnet body 1 and the bulk body 2. And the inside of the processing chamber 4 is heated to a temperature of 700° C. to 1000° C., thereby diffusing the heavy rare-earth element RH inside the sintered magnet body 1 while supplying the heavy rare-earth element RH from the bulk body 2 to the surface of the sintered magnet body 1 via the vapor control member 3.
US08845816B2
Methods for reducing the contamination of a gas distribution plate are provided. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate includes transferring the substrate into a chamber, performing a treating process on the substrate, and providing a purge gas into the chamber before or after the treating process to pump out a residue gas relative to the treating process from the chamber. The treating process includes distributing a reactant gas into the chamber through a gas distribution plate.
US08845810B2
A substrate damage prevention system and method for a plasma treating apparatus are provided. The system may include a lower electrode on which a substrate may be mounted, an inert gas supply unit which may supply an inert gas to an upper surface of the lower electrode on which the substrate is mounted, and an air supply unit which may supply air to the upper surface of the lower electrode. An inert gas may be supplied between the lower electrode and the substrate in order to control the temperature of the substrate during the chucking. Air may be supplied between the lower electrode and the substrate during dechucking in order to allow the substrate to be easily separated from the lower electrode.
US08845804B2
The present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing a calcium carbonate product by the steps of (i) contacting calcium carbonate with of one or more zirconium compounds in an aqueous suspension and/or of an aqueous emulsion and/or of an aqueous solution to obtain a calcium carbonate-containing slurry, and (ii) grinding the calcium carbonate-containing slurry to obtain a calcium carbonate product.
US08845790B2
A method and system for removing gaseous contaminants from a gas stream by contacting the gas stream with a wash solution and regenerating the wash solution in a regeneration system for future use in removing gaseous contaminants from the gas stream.
US08845788B2
A syngas treatment plant is configured to remove sulfurous compounds from syngas in a configuration having two flash stages for a physical solvent to so enrich the acid gas to at least 40 mol % H2S or higher as required by the Claus unit and to flash and recycle CO2 back to the syngas feed. Contemplated methods and configurations advantageously remove sulfur to less than 10 ppmv while increasing H2S selectivity at high pressure operation to thereby allow production of an H2S stream that is suitable as feed gas to a Claus plant.
US08845784B2
The present disclosure relates to a system for carbon dioxide seperation and capture. The system includes a porous metal membrane comprising Ni, Ag, or combinations thereof and having molten carbonate within the pores. A CO2 containing flue gas input stream is separated from a reactant gas input stream by the membrane. The CO2 is removed from the flue gas input stream as it contacts the membrane resulting in a CO2 free flue gas output stream and a CO2 containing reactant gas output stream.
US08845779B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing molten iron through the efficient reduction of iron oxide having various chemical compositions and various shapes, or through the efficient melting of scrap iron or reduced iron having various shapes and various chemical compositions, the process being used in cases where the amount of iron necessary per furnace is not so large as in blast furnace processes. Specifically, the present invention provides a process for producing molten iron comprising the steps of: supplying carbon-containing molten iron to a holding container, heating the molten iron using heat of a combustion reaction of a gas mixture containing a fuel gas and a combustion-supporting gas, thereby storing the heat therein, and adding a carbon source and an iron-containing material that contains iron oxide and/or scrap iron to the heated and heat-stored molten iron, thereby converting the iron-containing material to molten iron.
US08845773B2
Abrasive particles which are shaped abrasive particles each with an opening are described. The shaped abrasive particles are formed from alpha alumina and have a first face and a second face separated by a thickness t. The opening in each of the shaped abrasive particles can improve grinding performance by reducing the size of a resulting wear flat, can provide a reservoir for grinding aid, and can improve adhesion to a backing in a coated abrasive article.
US08845766B2
The present disclosure relates to methods for converting biomass-derived hydrocarbon streams into products suitable for use as fuel additives. These methods involve the acidic condensation of hydrocarbon monofunctional alcohols comprising five or six carbon atoms to form ether condensation products containing at least ten carbon atoms. The oxygenated condensation products can be separated from un-reacted alcohols and gasoline range hydrocarbons to provide an oxygenated fuel additive that may be mixed with a diesel or kerosene-type liquid hydrocarbon fuel to provide an improved fuel that may have an increased cetane number, decreased emissions of environmental pollutants during combustion, or both.
US08845760B2
There is provided a compound represented by formula (1): in formula (1), L represents a divalent to tetravalent linking group; D represents a residue obtained by removing 1 to 5 hydrogen atoms from a compound represented by formula (2); m represents an integer of 1 to 10, however, each L may be the same with or different from every other L; n represents an integer of 2 to 10, however, each D may be the same with or different from every other D; and in formula (2), each of R4 to R24 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, provided that formula (2) has at least one or more ionic hydrophilic groups.
US08845748B2
A cotyle including a metallic insertion acetabular shell having an outer, essentially hemispherical, convex anchoring face formed in such a way as to be anchored in a cotyloid cavity of the pelvis of a patient, and a concave receiving face. The cotyle also includes a fixed definitive articular ceramic insert having an outer face engaging in the concave receiving face of the metallic insertion acetabular shell, and an inner receiving face including a concave, essentially hemispherical, articular surface for allowing the engagement and pivoting of a femoral prosthesis head or a mobile articular insert. The cotyle is packed in its assembled sterile state, with the definitive fixed articular ceramic insert engaged in the metallic insertion acetabular shell having a peripheral receiving structure that can receive means for fixing an impacter for positioning a cotyle and is designed in such a way that the impacter can be fixed to the cotyle in the presence of the definitive fixed articular ceramic insert.
US08845735B2
System for replacing a disk between two vertebrae includes an intervertebral cage having an oblong body including at least two portions and separated by a gap extending along a curved axis and opening out through an opening at a first end of the body, and at least one introducer guide rod, a curved longitudinal core having cross-sections substantially complementary to the cross-sections of the gap so as to enable the core and the two portions of the body to slide relative to one another, elements for mounting a first end of the core to co-operate with an end of the guide rod so that the curved core projects from the end, and a push rod mounted to move relative to the guide rod so as to come into contact via one end against the end of the body in order to push the body in translation relative to the core.
US08845731B2
The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed down an endoscopic tube.
US08845729B2
A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes a core having upper and lower curved surfaces, upper and lower plates, and peripheral restraining structure on at least one of the upper plate, the lower plate and the core. Each plate has an outer surface which engages a vertebra and an inner curved surface which slides over the curved surface of the core. The peripheral restraining structure serves to hold the core against a curved surface of at least one of the plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core.
US08845723B2
Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.
US08845720B2
A prosthetic heart valve can include a valve frame having a wireform portion and a stent portion. The wireform and stent portions can be undetachably coupled together via a plurality of upright struts so as to form a one-piece prosthetic heart valve frame. Alternatively, a self-expanding wireform portion and a balloon-expandable stent portion can be coupled together via one or more leaflets and a subassembly having a flexible leaflet support stent and a sealing ring. The wireform portion can include cusps and commissures configured to support a plurality of leaflets. The prosthetic valve can be radially collapsible for minimally invasive and/or transcatheter delivery techniques. Disclosed embodiments can also provide flexion of the wireform portion (e.g., of the commissures) in response to physiologic pulsatile loading when the valve is implanted in a patient's native valve annulus. Methods of making and using prosthetic heart valves are also disclosed.
US08845714B2
An endovascular prosthesis of the present invention includes an expandable stent and a means for sealably attaching a tubular graft to the stent within the stent's lumen. The means of sealably attaching a graft includes membranes, foams, polymeric materials and combinations thereof. Additionally, the present invention includes methods of forming an endovascular prosthesis and methods of implanting an endovascular prosthesis within a vessel to provide sealable securement of a tubular graft within the stent's lumen.
US08845710B2
An introducer for use in the implantation and retrieval of a device in a patient includes a catheter (43) within which a stylet (14) is slidably carried, the stylet (14) being biased to a retracted position by a spring (35) and deployable by depression of an actuator (50). A locking device (40) locks the stylet (14) relative to the catheter (43) such that the locking device (40) must be disengaged prior to operation of the actuator (50). In the preferred embodiment, both the locking device (40) and the actuator (50) must be actuated by movement thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the stylet (14). In an alternative embodiment, it is the catheter (43) which moves relative to the stylet (14).
US08845705B2
An output assembly is sized for placement in the middle and inner ear, such that removal of bone can be decreased. The output assembly may comprise at least one photo detector, a demultiplexer and an optical array sized to pass through an incision in the eardrum. An input transducer assembly is configured to transmit a multiplexed optical signal to the output assembly. The input assembly can be configured to transmit the multiplexed optical signal through the eardrum, such that tissue removal can be decreased and the device can be placed without removal of bone, for example. The multiplexed optical signal may comprise a pulse width modulated signal so as to decrease the effect of non-linearities of the light source and light detector and provide quality sound to the user.
US08845699B2
A retainer member formed of bone secures tissue relative to a bone. The retainer member forms an opening in a compact outer layer of the bone. The retainer member is enclosed in a tubular member or sleeve to prevent breaking of the retainer member during formation of the opening in the bone. The extent of movement of the retainer member into the hone in the patient's body is determined as the retainer member is moved into the bone. A suture may be connected with the retainer member and used to connect tissue with the bone. The retainer member may be positioned across a fracture in a bone to hold portions of the hone relative to each other. The retainer member may be used at a joint between end portions of bones to immobilize the joint and be released by breaking the retainer member.
US08845697B2
A posterior vertebral plating system comprising a plate and a plurality of attachment members. The plate has a plurality of holes extending through the plate from an upper surface to a lower surface, and the plate is configured to extend along the posterior side of at least two vertebrae adjacent at least one boney structure of each of the vertebrae. The holes are spaced in such a way that a first plurality of holes is positionable over a boney structure of a first vertebra to define a plurality of fixation points to the first vertebra and a second plurality of holes is positionable over boney structure of a second vertebra to define a plurality of fixation points to the second vertebra. The attachment members are insertable through the holes of the plate and into the boney structure of a corresponding vertebra to fix the plate to the vertebra.
US08845696B1
The disclosed screw assemblies include a screw that attaches onto the bone, a housing member that connects and inter-locks the bone screw to the rod, and one or more locking members that permit immobilization of various components of the assembly relative to one another while still permitting some relative movement. The bone screws and bone screw assemblies described herein permit flexible stabilization of the spine.
US08845684B2
A tissue closure device includes a main body, a sheath, and a biasing member. The main body has a plurality of resilient arms that each extend from a proximal end to a distal tip. The resilient arms are movable between an open configuration in which the distal tips are radially spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the main body and from each other and a closed configuration in which the distal tips abut one another at or near the longitudinal axis. The sheath is longitudinally slideable on the main body to move the arms between the open and closed configurations. The biasing member causes the sheath to bias the arms toward the closed configuration.
US08845683B2
A device for sealing a puncture in a patient includes a sealing component including an elongate control member configured to pass through a puncture in skin of a patient. The sealing component also includes an expandable member disposed near a distal end of the control member, and a tip releasably attached to the elongate control member distal to the expandable member. The device also includes a sealing material delivery component including a delivery tube through which the control member of the sealing component is configured to extend. The delivery tube is configured to deliver sealing material through an opening in a distal end of the delivery tube.
US08845681B2
The present invention is a device having a rigidly linked jaw that is decoupled from an articulating wrist. The device provides for articulating motion as well as actuation that may be used in grasping, cutting, suturing or the like.
US08845676B2
The invention relates to a device for the implantation of microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12) into body cavities and blood vessels, in particular aneurysms, with said microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12) comprising wires forming a plurality of windings (4), at least one microcoil serving as occlusion helix (3) for the occlusion of the body cavity or blood vessel, and the device consisting of a catheter, one or several microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12) movably arranged in longitudinal direction within the catheter and at least one securing means (10) passing at least partially through the lumen (9) of the occlusion helix (3), with said securing means (10) being fixed in its end areas inside the microcoils (3, 7, 11, 12). Such a fixation of the securing means (10) is achieved in at least one end area by providing a frictional connection with the microcoil (3, 7, 11, 12) in such a manner that this connection is detachable from the microcoil (3, 7, 11, 12) when a certain tensile force acting on the securing means (10) is exceeded. In this way, a sudden breakage of the securing means (10) is avoided if too high a pull force is applied so that forces otherwise liberated cannot destroy the occlusion helix (3) or cause other damage in the blood vessel.
US08845675B2
The present invention is a catheter device that includes a disruptable guidewire channel. The guidewire channel is configured to provide necessary trackability of the catheter along the guidewire during introduction of the catheter to a treatment site. Once treatment is completed, the guidewire channel can then be disrupted so as to free the guidewire from the catheter in situ. The apparatus of the present invention provides distinct advantages over existing over-the-wire and rapid exchange catheter introduction methods, including the ability to achieve much faster treatment implement exchanges, the ability to rapidly deliver multiple treatment implements in series, and the ability to maintain multiple treatment implements simultaneously at a treatment site using a single guidewire.
US08845672B2
A medical system for the treatment of morbid obesity comprising an inflatable balloon implanted in a gastric cavity, a percutaneous fillant delivery tube and a control module connected to the tube for regulating the inflation and deflation of the balloon. The balloon may be individually contoured and inflated to occupy a large volume of the gastric cavity to provide a feeling of satiety. The balloon may also be deflated to give the gastric cavity lining a rest during less critical time.
US08845667B2
A surgical tool such as a grasper or a pair of surgical scissors includes a hinge portion that spans between a handle proximal portion and a distal working portion to communicate mechanical actions of the handle proximal portion to the distal working portion. A programmable rotary module is coupled to the hinge portion and includes a sensor, an actuator, and a controller. The sensor, actuator, and controller may be enclosed in a common housing. The sensor measures rotation of the distal working portion and the actuator generates haptic effects to the proximal handle portion. A controller is electrically connected to the sensor and to the actuator. The controller receives the rotation measurements from the sensor and, based upon the rotation measurements, outputs a control signal to the actuator relating to the generation of haptic effects. The haptic effects may include force sensations such as detents and barriers.
US08845664B2
A uterine clamp for stemming or stopping bleeding of a hemorrhagic uterus. A pair of inflatable bladders are nested in a pair of rigid shells shaped and sized to fit the anterior and posterior of a uterus without impinging on the uterine horn on placement of the shells nesting the bladders in mirrored spaced opposition to one another in front of and behind the uterus and the broad ligament supporting the uterus. At least one latch on an upper end of one shell and at least one latch catch in the upper end of the other shell provide an interlock for releasably interlocking the opposed shells in front of and behind the broad ligament anteriorly and posteriorly against the uterus for inflation of the bladders to compress the uterus to stem or stop hemorrhage.
US08845662B2
A vascular anastomosis device of an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter can include: a head portion that is provided on a distal side of an insertion portion and is capable of projecting a joining member and a cutting member from a distal surface thereof; an anvil configured to deform the joining member projecting from the head portion at a position where the anvil faces the distal surface of the head portion; and a connection member that can be installed so as to be able to project from and retract into the head portion. The anvil can be connected to the distal end of the connection member. The connection member can be configured to allow, along an axial direction, a portion thereof to be separated and ends of the remaining portion to be joined together.
US08845655B2
A system is provided to align a surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system. An instrument guide unit can include an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body near an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area.
US08845654B2
A scaled head frame positioner and tabletop adapter are provided. The positioner may be employed for any neurosurgical procedure that requires fixed positioning of the stereotactic head frame or ring onto a patient's skull. The positioner employs a generally triangular shaped member with Velcro tapes fixed at each corner. The tapes have measurement markings, such as measurement tapes. The positioner supports the head frame with the tapes engaging means on the frame and fastened back to themselves, with markings indicating distances to adjust the position of the frame about the patient's head. Furthermore, the tabletop adapter clamps the patient with a stereotactic head frame onto a CT or treatment table. The tabletop adapter includes a generally U-shaped bracket secured to a support to be placed on the tabletop. The bracket is attachable to the head frame of the patient to hold his head in a desired position.
US08845648B2
Apparatus and methods for use in the performance of minimally invasive orthopaedic procedures, including apparatus and methods for use in the performance of such procedures under the visualization of an endoscope, are herein disclosed. Such procedures include a minimally invasive intramedullary nailing procedure, a minimally invasive bone graft harvesting procedure, a minimally invasive pelvic osteotomy procedure, an orthopaedic implant revision procedure, and a minimally invasive percutaneous bone plating procedure.
US08845639B2
Described herein are elongate devices for modifying tissue having a plurality of flexibly connected and rungs or links, and methods of using them, including methods of using them to decompress stenotic spinal tissue. These devices may be included as part of a system for modifying tissue. In general, these devices include a plurality of blades positioned on for formed from) rungs that are flexibly connected and may be separated by one or more spacers. The rungs are typically wider than they are long (e.g., rectangular). The rungs may be arranged, ladder like, and may be connected by a flexible connector substrate or between two or more cables. Different sized rungs may be used, or rungs with different cutting properties. In some variations the tissue modification devices may have a non-linear axial shape, or may be converted from a first axial shape to a second axial shape.
US08845633B2
The invention relates to electrodes used in ablation catheter devices, where the electrodes contain two or more thermal sensors at different positions within the electrode that are capable of detecting temperature differences along the external surface of the electrode. In preferred embodiments, the thermal sensors are separated by one or more thermal insulating members and the thermal sensors are positioned near the external surface of the electrode at about the same distance from the end of the electrode, so that temperature measurements can indicate the position of the electrode with respect to the tissue desired to be ablated.
US08845629B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues.
US08845623B2
A film with a tissue section is placed with the tissue section downward on a microscope slide and the microscope slide positioned in the object plane of an inverse microscope; where an adhesive tape is arranged, with a bonding agent downward, above the film and therefore above the tissue section; wherein the next step, tissue to be isolated is excised by a focused laser beam, which also divides the film; whereupon removal of the adhesive tape from the microscope, the excised tissue pieces adhere to the adhesive tape, and the remnant of the film and of the tissue section remains adhering to the microscope slide.
US08845618B2
An anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip having a suction opening and an interior defining a suction channel. An ejection wire channel extends to a wire exit opening into the suction channel that is located proximate the suction opening. An ejection wire including a ball tip at an end thereof occupies the ejection wire channel and is transitionable between a retracted configuration and an advanced configuration such that, in the retracted configuration, the ejection wire including the ball tip is retained within the ejection wire channel and does not obstruct suctioning of debris through the suction channel; and in the advanced configuration, the ball tip of the ejection wire does not extend more than three millimeters beyond the suction opening.
US08845615B2
Catheter connectors, systems, and methods in which one or more catheters are attached to a connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the catheter is retained relative to the connector by inward radial compression between an outer surface of a hollow connector pin inserted into the catheter, and a clamping arm that pivots relative to the connector pin and pushes against an outer surface of the catheter. One or more sleeves may slide over the clamping arm to bias the clamping arm radially inwardly.
US08845598B2
A device for holding fluid has a spout for pouring the fluid. The device includes a lid with an aperture. The aperture can be covered by a user's fingers or uncovered to control the flow of fluid out of the spout.
US08845591B2
A liquid medicine self-administration device including a flexible reservoir, an operating member, a pushing member to move with respect to the operating member and to induce pressure deformation of the reservoir, and engaging means engages the operating member. With the operating member engaged by the engaging means, the pushing member is relatively moved to the operating member based on restoring force of a spring member to push the reservoir by the pushing member. By disengaging means moving in unison with the pushing member, the engaging means is released from an engaged state with respect to the operating member, when the pushing member has moved to a predetermined location while pushing the reservoir.
US08845580B2
A delivery system for delivering a shear-sensitive injectable material into the body of a mammal, such as a human being, acts as a mechanical feed that continuously mixes a shear-sensitive injectable material as it delivers the shear-sensitive injectable material to a target tissue, or to a site adjacent a target tissue. In one embodiment of the invention, the delivery system comprises an injector system including a rotatable mixing member coupled to a driving system. The injector system comprises a housing defining a lumen and having an output end and a driving system connection end and includes a rotatable mixing member for coupling to the driving system and for mixing and delivering the shear-sensitive injectable material. The driving system comprises a drive mechanism, an actuator capable of actuating the drive mechanism, and an interfacing member coupled to the drive mechanism for coupling with the mixing member to rotate the mixing member when the interfacing member is driven by the drive mechanism.
US08845574B2
An irrigation sleeve for a phacoemulsification needle is constructed with a non-uniform distribution of mass. When the sleeve is used with torsional phacoemulsification apparatus the sleeve adds to the eccentric motion of the needle, adding efficiency to the phacoemulsification process. In one embodiment, weights are implanted in the sleeve. In another embodiment the sleeve is molded with concentrations of sleeve material at selected locations in the sleeve.
US08845569B2
Devices and methods are disclosed for achieving control and stabilization of bone fractures in mammals, most specifically humans. Stabilization and traction is often required to support fractured bones of the arms or legs. The devices and methods disclosed herein are especially useful in the emergency or military setting. The devices utilize a collapsible, inflatable member that is expanded and locked into position. The frame or inflatable member is fabricated primarily from polymeric materials with low radiodensity. The limb contact regions are adjustable to fit a wide variety of limb sizes and fracture locations. The traction applied by the splint is adjustable, controllable and measurable. The traction splint is compact and will fit in a compartment of most emergency rescue vehicles, thus making it more available for use than standard traction splints used today. The traction splint is either a separate device or integrated into a backboard.
US08845553B2
A medical guidewire having distal tip coil that includes a twisted ribbon wire construction. The distal tip coil is mounted to the distal end of the distal core section of the guidewire. The coil is made from a flat ribbon wire with a polygonal, preferably rectangular, cross-section that is twisted along the length of the wire. The twisted, flat ribbon wire creates a tip coil that has a roughened, undulating surface at the outer circumference that, whether coated or bare, is perceptible to the physician or cardiologist when pushing or torquing the guidewire in an interventional procedure.
US08845539B2
Methods, systems and computer program products for estimating the gestational age of a fetus are provided. According to one embodiment, the method generates a component image from a segmented ultrasound image of a fetal head. The component image includes one or more edges. The method then identifies a third ventricle within the component image. The method estimates a length of a bi-parietal diameter, based at least in part on the orientation of the third ventricle. Thereafter, the method estimates the gestational age of the fetus.
US08845536B2
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US08845534B2
A system and method evaluates a patient for stress urinary incontinence. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguous and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. And elecromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles and its duration determined. Any urine leakage time that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough event is identified and correlated within a processor together with the urine leakage time and EMG and duration of cough event to determine stress urinary incontinence.
US08845532B2
The invention relates to a method for monitoring recording of measurement data of a person being examined who is positioned on a couch in medical diagnostic equipment, comprising the following steps, recording the measurement data to create image data; detecting the pressure characteristic that is exerted on the couch by the person being examined; automatic analysis of the pressure characteristic by comparing the detected characteristic with a predetermined pressure characteristic; and informing an operator of the medical diagnostic equipment if the analyzed pressure characteristic does not match the predetermined pressure characteristic.
US08845528B2
A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity. The apparatus may include a seal anchor member comprising a compressible material. The seal anchor member may be adapted to transition between a first condition for insertion of at least a portion of the seal anchor member within a tissue tract and a second condition to facilitate a securing of the seal anchor member within a tissue tract and in substantial scaled relation with tissue surfaces defining a tissue tract. The seal anchor member may have proximal and distal ends and may define at least one port extending between the proximal and distal ends, the at least one port being adapted for the reception of an object whereby compressible material defining the at least one port is adapted to deform to establish a substantial scaled relation with the object. The seal anchor member may have a non-circular cross-section.
US08845525B2
A laryngoscope insertion section includes an elongate support member and a tube guide having a resilient tube guiding member, to enable the insertion section to be used with endotracheal tubes having a wide range of external diameters. The breadth and/or thickness of the insertion section can therefore be less when retaining an endotracheal tube having a relatively small external diameter, enabling the insertion section to reliably guide tubes having a range of external diameters and to reliably guide relatively small external diameter tubes while occupying less volume that would otherwise be required in order for the tube guide to be able to guide tubes having a larger external diameter.
US08845522B2
A deflection assembly of a medical instrument (such as an endoscope or a flexible ureteroscope) allows an operator to deflect a distal portion of the instrument using one or more controls located at a proximal portion of the instrument. The instrument allows the operator to achieve multi-directional deflection of the distal portion.
US08845517B2
A surgical device including a seal anchor that includes leading and trailing portions. A plurality of ports longitudinally extends between the leading and trailing portions. The ports are adapted and configured to receive surgical objects therein. At least one of the surgical objects is a viewing instrument including a viewing portion. During a surgical procedure, surgical objects inserted in the other ports are selectively positionable with respect to the viewing instrument.
US08845515B2
A penile prosthetic system includes a reservoir that is configured to be attached to a penile implant. The penile implant includes a first bladder and a second bladder, with the first bladed configured to be attached into fluid communication with the reservoir and the second bladder containing a dilatant liquid.
US08845514B2
The present invention provides a urethral prosthesis including a first and a second arm that join to form a junction, and a stem that is also joined to the junction. The junction is adapted to exert sufficient pressure on a portion of a patient's urethra to prevent unintentional voiding of the patient's bladder. However, upon exerting a tension force on the stem, the pressure exerted by the junction is reduced such that the patient's bladder may be intentionally voided.
US08845513B2
A remotely controllable gastric banding device (10) for placement around the stomach of a patient for the treatment of obesity. The device (10) comprises a gastric band (10) having an inflatable chamber (16) for adjusting the inner circumference of the band (10), a pressurized reservoir (20) with a valve (31) for providing fluid to inflate the inflation chamber (16), a valve (32) for releasing fluid from the inflatable chamber (16), and a controller (41) for controlling the valves (31, 32). The controller (41) is remotely controllable from outside the patient.
US08845505B2
A separator includes a centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation and a feed line for material to be centrifuged. A drive spindle for the centrifugal drum is rotatably mounted on a housing via a bearing, the housing being supported elastically on a machine frame. A drive device includes a motor housing and an electric motor having a stator and an armature which is aligned with the drive spindle. The drive device and the motor housing move with the drive spindle as co-vibrating units during an operation of the separator. The drive device is connected to the machine frame below the bearing at a lower axial end of the bearing via one or more joint elements.
US08845504B2
A dunnage handler is disclosed for controlling the outfeed of dunnage from a dunnage mechanism including a first handler portion configured for association with the dunnage mechanism for receiving dunnage therefrom, the first handler portion being reversibly reconfigurable between an accumulator configuration, in which the first handler portion is configured to accumulate the dunnage received from the dunnage mechanism and a discharger configuration, in which the first handler portion is configured to discharge the dunnage received from the dunnage mechanism.
US08845502B2
The invention relates to a control for a machine for producing paper padding material. The machine comprises a drive motor which transports sheets of paper through a shaping device. In this shaping device, the sheets of paper are shaped to paper padding material which is then cut to the desired length in a cutting device. The inventive control allows for an automatic memorization of a manually selected storage length.
US08845500B2
A resistance adjustable rotational exerciser includes a body, two rotary members and an adjustment device. The body has two outer rings with a connection plate connected therebetween. The two rotary members are rotatably connected to the outer rings and each have a handle. The adjustment device has front and rear plates respectively connected to the front and rear sides of the connection plate. The front and rear plates have resistance strips. Springs are located between the connection plate and the front and rear plates. A knob is located at the front plate and connected to connection rods connected between the front and rear plates. The user holds the handles to operate the exerciser in different directions to exercise the muscles and joints. By operation of the knob, the distance between the front and rear plates is adjusted to obtain desired resistance.
US08845498B2
A lockout mechanism for a selection mechanism on an exercise machine, the selection mechanism being associated with a carriage for selectively carrying load. The carriage may include a support system adjustable by the selection mechanism for adjusting the amount of load to be carried. The lockout mechanism may include a lockout member configured to prevent adjustment of the selection mechanism during exercise.
US08845495B2
A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes.
US08845482B2
A hybrid power driving system is provided, comprising an engine; a first motor; a first reducing mechanism, a second clutch, a first wheels group, a second motor, a second wheels group, a second reducing mechanism, an energy storage device, a clutch, an engine controller, and a motor controller. The motor controller may be configured to: start or stop at least one of the first motor or the second motor; and control the clutch controller and the engine controller according to a running mode of the hybrid power driving system. A driving method for the driving system as described hereinabove is also provided.
US08845475B2
The disclosure relates to a connecting assembly, more particularly for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The connecting assembly comprises a housing and a driving gear. The housing comprises a first housing part with a first flange portion and a second housing part with a second flange portion. The driving gear comprises a receiving portion for receiving the housing and a supporting face which laterally delimits the receiving portion, wherein the first flange portion of the first housing part is axially arranged between the supporting face of the driving gear and the second flange portion of the second housing part, and wherein the second flange portion is welded to the driving gear. A method of producing a connecting assembly is also disclosed.
US08845473B2
An equalizing unit of a drive train of a motor vehicle includes a clutch device to be oiled in driving mode. In order to stop drag torques which act on the clutch device from the outside, and result in increased dissipation when said clutch device is not required due to an operating state, measures are provided which promote the dry running of the clutch device. The measures include the spatial-functional separation of the oil delivery device from the clutch device and the provision of a braking or decoupling device by which the oil delivery device can be deactivated if there is no oil requirement.
US08845461B2
The present invention is directed to a wireless shot tracking system including a programmable electronic unit that is in electrical communication with a shot detector for automatically tracking and displaying real-time shooting percentages of basketball players during basketball shooting sessions, and a telescoping pole for mounting the shot detector to a basketball rim from the ground. The programmable electronic unit provides a program mode, a play mode, a review mode and a random mode to help improve the shooting skills of a basketball player from different shooting locations on a basketball court. The shot detector includes one or more vibration sensors to detect missed shots, and an activator that extends along a horizontal axis in a central region of the basketball hoop to detect made shots. The programmable electronic unit interfaces with a computer via a USB port for uploading or downloading program updates or shooting session data.
US08845454B2
A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face, the body being adapted for connection of a shaft proximate a heel thereof. The face has a thickened portion including an annular tapered area that tapers in thickness between an upper boundary and a lower boundary and encloses an elevated area bounded by the upper boundary. The upper and/or lower boundary defines a shape having two lobes, each with an outer edge with a convex profile, and a connecting portion extending between the lobes, such that the connecting portion is defined by two outer edges extending between the outer edges of the lobes, wherein at least one of the outer edges of the connecting portion has a concave outer profile.
US08845445B2
A cocking loosening feedback method includes sensing sequential three-dimensional direction information of a golf club and three-dimensional direction information of the arm a user, analyzing the change of an angle between both three-dimensional information with respect to time, generating a cocking loosening evaluation variable based on the difference between the cocking loosening point and the impact point and the difference between the backswing top point and the impact point in the analyzed three-dimensional information, analyzing the evaluation variable based on a predetermined criterion to evaluate the cocking loosening, and providing its feedback information to the user.
US08845444B1
A golf swing training device constructed of flexible material that stretches when deployed and that provides feedback to a user during golf swing execution regarding vertical head movement and shoulder movement. The device includes a collar portion, a first tension strap, and a second tension strap. The first tension strap includes a first extension portion being adapted to be disposed along a front of the user from the collar portion down toward a waist of the user and a second extension portion that is adapted to extend from the waist at the user's front to the ground at a predetermined angle. A second tension strap includes a second attachment means at one end and a third attachment means at a second end. The second attachment means is adapted for attachment to the first tension strap at the user's waist area.
US08845442B2
A method of determining spin parameters of a spot ball, such as spin axis and rotation velocity of a golf ball. The spin axis is determined solely from the trajectory of the flying ball, and the rotational velocity is determined from a frequency analysis of a signal provided by a radar, which signal comprises spectrum traces positioned equidistantly in frequency, which frequency distance relates to the spin velocity.
US08845436B1
A location-based game is provided in which users with mobile devices leave footprints associated with locations they physically occupy, allowing the users to control and interact with physical locations on computerized maps.
US08845434B2
A system comprises: an application/game server comprising a central processing unit to process application/video game program code and a graphics processing unit (GPU) to process graphics commands and generate a series of video frames for the application/video game; one or more back buffers to store video frames as the video frames are being created in response to the execution of the graphics commands; a front buffer to receive a video frame for rendering on a display after the video frame has been completed in one of the one or more back buffers, the front buffer outputting the video frame for display one scan line at a time at a designated scan out frequency, a subset of scan lines stored in the front buffer being associated with a vertical blanking interval (VBI); and a frame processing module.
US08845432B2
Disclosed is game technology, and more particularly to a method, an apparatus, and a recording medium for a game using touch input, which can more variously control the display, etc. of elements of a game screen, thereby providing games capable of employing various game schemes.
US08845428B2
Coordinating real-world gatherings to promote an online community, the method including: encouraging participants of the online community to participate in a real-world gathering by providing incentives for the participants; promoting familiarity among the participants by providing and introducing online community titles of the participants at the real-world gathering; and providing online benefits or rewards to the participants for participating in the real-world gathering. Keywords include socializing in the real world, community building and bridging the gap between the game world and the real world.
US08845423B1
A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for entering a viewable location on a gameboard having a virtual media object capable of presenting a media item within a media are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a game state of a player using a virtual gameboard. A graphical user interface displaying an exterior of one or more virtual buildings associated with the game instance is provided. A request to view an interior of a virtual structure is received via a device of the player. In response to the request, the interior of the virtual structure is displayed, including displaying a virtual media object in the interior of the virtual structure. The virtual media object is associated with a media playable to the player upon request.
US08845417B1
Systems and methods for determining bad beats in wagering games are disclosed. If the bad beat is determined to be compensable, some form of compensation is provided to the player. The compensation can include providing a free entry into a second wagering game. The second wagering game can be a site-wide wagering game in which a plurality of player may be simultaneously participating.
US08845407B2
One object is to provide a game that continuously attracts players. In accordance with one aspect, a server device according to an embodiment provides a game wherein a first entity and a second entity battle with each other, and includes: an identification unit configured to identify first game contents on standby and second game contents on standby; a battle processing unit configured to compare, in an individual battle between first game contents selected from the first game contents on standby and second game contents selected from the second game contents on standby, a first estimation value regarding the selected first game contents with a second estimation value regarding the selected second game contents, thereby to determine an outcome of the individual battle; a point providing unit configured to provide the entities with points; and an exclusion unit configured to exclude a defeated game contents from the game contents on standby.
US08845390B2
A predictive calculation method for calculating the shape of a cross-section of an engagement ridge of an ophthalmic lens obtained by beveling the lens with a beveling grindwheel driven in accordance with an initial path setting. The method includes the following steps: acquiring the initial path setting for the beveling grindwheel relative to the lens; determining at least two approximations (Sii, Sij) of the shape of the cross-section under consideration of the engagement ridge, the approximations being deduced from the intersection between the beveling grindwheel and the ophthalmic lens when the beveling grindwheel is situated at two distinct positions of the initial path setting; determining the intersection between these two approximations; and deducing therefrom the shape (Si) of the cross-section under consideration of the engagement ridge.
US08845386B2
An apparatus and method for coupling a plurality of detachable components from a transmitter unit used to control radio controlled (RC) models. Specifically, a steering unit and a grip unit may be coupled and decoupled from the main upper body unit comprising the transmitter. When coupling the steering unit to the upper body, guide projections on the steering unit are inserted into a corresponding number of groove guides defined within the upper body unit. A shutter stopper locks the guide grooves and prevents the guide projections from moving. The grip unit is similarly coupled to the upper body unit by means of a locking claw which maintains the grip unit in a fixed position until a release button is actuated by a user. The transmitter unit comprises the ability of providing for a number of different operational configurations, thus accommodating the needs and preferences of each user.
US08845385B2
A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that is capable of assuming a plurality of different lateral positions while traveling along the surface. The mobile agent includes a drive motor, an imaging system, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller. The mobile agent is adapted to detect the markings as the mobile agent travels along the surface, to ascertain a current lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface, and to maintain a substantially consistent lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface (for example to follow a lane). A basestation may be provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. An action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and wirelessly communicated to the mobile agent.
US08845372B2
An apparatus for floatation and propulsion of a user on a body of water includes a floatation device, a harness and a pair of paddles. The harness attaches to the user's torso and the paddles have upper ends that pivotally interconnect with the harness. The paddles have lower water engaging ends that may be moved in a paddling motion in a generally fore-aft direction relative to the harness.
US08845363B2
Reinforcing bars or a reinforcing element with holes can be embedded within the shell of a receptacle connector to strengthen the shell, and potentially provide shielding. For example, a receptacle connector having a plurality of contacts configured to mate with corresponding contacts of a corresponding plug connector can include a shell having an opening for receiving the corresponding plug connector. The shell can include an upper portion and reinforcing bars embedded within the upper portion. The shell can include an upper portion and a reinforcing element with holes embedded within the upper portion. Methods for manufacturing the shell are also provided.
US08845358B2
A cable connector includes an insulator, signal contacts supported in the insulator, wherein the signal contacts come in contact with the cable when the cable is inserted into the insulator, a pair of lock members which are rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and springs supported on the insulator, wherein the springs retain the locked position and allow rotation of the lock members to the unlocked position by elastic deformation of the springs. Each spring includes a base-plate portion supported on the insulator, an elastically deformable portion extending from the base-plate portion, an end-extending portion extending from an end of the elastically deformable portion, and an engaging portion which engages with an associated lock member to integrate the spring with the associated the lock member.
US08845357B2
A securing device includes a first closing unit and a second closing unit. The first closing unit with two upward guide portions and a resilient pressing portion. A protrusion extends from the top of the resilient pressing portion. A fixing portion is connected to the second end of the first closing unit is formed by a wire bending downward from the second end of the first closing unit so as to be mounted to the transmission cable. The second closing unit is a box-like unit. An opening is defined through in the second closing unit so as to accommodate the first closing unit therein. A plurality of engaging holes are defined through the top of the second closing unit and the protrusion of the first closing unit is engaged with one of the engaging holes.
US08845345B2
A plug-in device system has a closure unit blocking access to a first plug-in device element, for example a socket. The closure unit includes a rotary bezel which is coupled via a coupling to at least one shutter such that the rotation of the bezel effects a movement of the shutter from a closed position in an open position. Preferably, a locking assembly is additionally provided, which blocks movement of the rotary bezel and/or shutter in the closed position as long as no pressure is applied to the shutter. In addition, a safety device can be provided, which prevents the shutter from opening when a direct force is applied.
US08845331B2
A kit to make an individual impression tray for dental use, the kit having a standard model reproducing a dental arch, a semifinished product of thermoformable material, for example, a plate member, and a container for a heat exchange liquid. The first step that is carried out by the dentist to obtain the individual impression tray provides the insertion of the model in the container. Then, next to dental arch of the model a plate member is arranged and hereafter a certain amount of a liquid is put, for example, water, in the container up to covering plate member. The liquid is then heated by a source of thermal power, for example, a microwave oven, stopping heating when the temperature of the liquid achieves a value T* higher than the temperature for softening the thermoformable material of the plate member.
US08845328B2
A jaw-mounted dental implant with an implant body. The implant body includes an attachment fastening structure arranged in the implant body which fastens an implant attachment on an implant body longitudinal end facing away from a jaw. An attachment plane is arranged at the implant body longitudinal end facing away from the jaw and is inclined at an attachment angle β of 75° to 45° relative to an implant body longitudinal axis. A support structure projects outward from an implant body outer surface on a longitudinal end of an implant body bone portion facing away from the jaw. The support structure is formed by at least one support web arranged in a web plane. The web plane is interrupted by an interruption region arranged in a circumferential direction at an obtuse-angle side of the implant body so as to not extend around an entire circumference of the implant body.
US08845311B2
A screw compressor includes a screw rotor having a plurality of helical grooves, a casing containing the screw rotor and a gate rotor. The casing includes a discharge port on an inner peripheral surface of the casing. The gate rotor has gates meshing with the helical grooves of the screw rotor to compress gas in compression chambers to discharge the gas from the discharge port after being compressed. The compression chambers are defined by the helical grooves, the casing, and the gates. The discharge port is divided into a first port and a second port when two adjacent helical grooves of the plurality of helical grooves is open to the discharge port as a result of rotation of the screw rotor, with one of the two adjacent helical grooves being open in the first port and the other of the two adjacent helical grooves being open in the second port.
US08845308B2
A thrust module and a seal module for use in an electric submersible pump assembly is provided. The thrust module provides increased lubrication and heat dissipation while increasing sealing redundancies within the module. The thrust module includes a thrust bearing that absorbs thrust from the primary pump. A circulation pump assembly is coupled to the thrust bearing to circulate fluid through the thrust bearing and dissipate heat generated in the thrust bearing through a plurality of fins formed on an exterior surface of the circulation pump assembly. The seal module has labyrinth discs positioned within the seal module that inhibit fluid flow through the seal module. The seal module also includes check valves that release fluid from and allow fluid into the seal module at predetermined pressures. The sealing assembly is interposed between the thrust bearing and a primary pump of the electric submersible pump.
US08845307B2
There are provided a micro-ejector and a method for manufacturing the same. The micro-ejector according to the present invention includes a passage plate including a barrier rib portion disposed in an upper space in a chamber and a protruding portion disposed in a lower space in the chamber and forming a passage in the same direction as a fluid discharging direction together with the barrier rib portion; and an actuator formed on the upper portion of the passage plate to correspond to the chamber and providing a driving force of discharging the fluid to the nozzle from the chamber.
US08845305B2
A diaphragm pump (10) having a pump body (11) providing opposing pump chambers (12, 13). Mounted in the body is a piston assembly (14) having pistons (15) joined by a piston rod (16). Each piston (15) is sealingly connected to the body (11) by a diaphragm (22) so that each of the chambers (12, 13) is divided into a first and a second sub-chamber, with the flow of fluid being pumped is governed by a pair of valves (30). Each valve (30) includes a base (31) to which there is movably attached a movable valve member (35).
US08845302B2
A method for continuously controlling the flow rate of a meat input stream for making a meat product is disclosed. A flow rate algorithm is provided that depends upon pump speed (RPM) for control of the flow rate. A correction factor provides further control of the system and is dependant upon loss in weight data when meat is not being added. When meat is being added and a new target flow rate is desired, a modified correction factor is calculated based upon a previous error factor and a new initial pump speed based on the new target flow rate. The modified correction factor is used to obtain an adjusted pump speed. The RPM of the pump motor is used as the main control of the flow rate, and the loss in weight data fine tunes this RPM parameter for finer control to better achieve a target flow rate.
US08845289B2
A bucket assembly for a turbine system is disclosed. The bucket assembly includes a main body having an exterior surface and defining a main cooling circuit, and a platform surrounding the main body and at least partially defining a platform cooling circuit. The platform includes a forward portion and an aft portion each extending between a pressure side slash face and a suction side slash face. The platform further includes a forward face, an aft face, and a top face. The bucket assembly further includes a passage defined in the aft portion of the platform. The passage is in fluid communication with one of the main cooling circuit or the platform cooling circuit.
US08845284B2
An apparatus for restricting fluid flow in a turbo-machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a first inter-stage sealing member configured to be located between a first rotating airfoil stage and a second rotating airfoil stage attached to a rotor shaft, the first inter-stage sealing member including a segmented structure that includes a plurality of segments forming a circumferential surface, the first inter-stage sealing member including: a first base portion including a securing mechanism configured to at least substantially radially and tangentially secure the inter-stage sealing member to an inter-stage support structure; a first axial retention mechanism; and a first axially extending sealing portion configured to be outwardly radially loaded against at least one of the first rotating airfoil stage and the second rotating airfoil stage.
US08845280B2
A turbine blade for a gas turbine engine has an aerofoil portion extending from a root to a tip. The tip carries winglets. A gutter extends across the tip to entrain gas leaking around the tip (over tip leakage). The aerofoil portion has a mean camber line and the gutter has a center line. In the examples described, the conditions that (a) the mean camber line and the centre line coincide at the exit when viewed from the tip towards the root, and (b) the mean camber line and the center line are parallel at the exit when viewed as aforesaid, are not both fulfilled.
US08845275B2
A cranking pad assembly for a gearbox of a turbomachine including a cranking pad shaft rotatably secured in a gearbox housing and engageable with a gearbox drivetrain when urged inwardly into the gearbox housing. The cranking pad shaft includes an interface for a cranking tool. An interlock pin retains the cranking tool at the cranking pad shaft and a disconnect spring is operably connected to the gearbox housing to bias the cranking pad shaft outwardly from the gearbox housing.
US08845272B2
A turbine shroud includes a body having a plurality of sides. A first inward facing groove is defined by a first side of the body, and a first seal covers the first inward facing groove to define a first fluid passage in the first inward facing groove along the first side of the body. A first inlet port through the first seal fluid communication through the first seal into the first fluid passage. A method for forming a turbine shroud includes forming an inner surface and forming an outer surface opposed to the inner surface, wherein the outer surface is configured for exposure to a hot gas path. The method further includes defining a first slot in the inner surface and extending a first seal across the first slot to define a first fluid passage in the first slot along the inner surface.
US08845269B2
The invention relates to a compressor for a turbine engine including a casing (4), at least one compressor stage consisting of a stationary blade (2) impeller and a mobile blade (1) impeller positioned upstream from said stationary blade (2) impeller, and cavities (5) made in said casing opposite the through-path of the mobile blades (1), said cavities having a length L2 measured axially and being shifted upstream relative to the blades (1) so as to generate an overlap with a length L1, characterized in that the lengths L1 and L2 are respectively between 35% and 50% and between 80% and 90% of the axial chord Cax measured at the outer end of the blades (1), and in that the cavities (5) do not in communication with one another.
US08845248B2
A transport structure for transporting and/or lifting a large scale generator, in particular a generator of a wind turbine is disclosed. A handling base is included with an upper side and a lower side and a first longitudinal end and second longitudinal end, and an interface arrangement at the handling base realized such that a generator can be releasably attached to the handling base in the direction of the upper side. A method for transporting and for lifting a large scale generator is disclosed.
US08845245B2
A dampened spindle cartridge and a dampened spindle adaptor are provided for damping tool vibrations during operation of a machine tool. Damping media is arranged inside a cavity formed within the spindle adaptor or the spindle cartridge. The damping media may be a solid aggregate, such as steel shot or sand, or a viscous fluid, such as oil. The damping media attenuates and/or converts tool vibrations into friction and heat, thereby dissipating vibration energy generated during cutting operations performed by the machine tool and prevents reinforcement of the forced vibration.
US08845243B2
Reaming tool includes a head and one or more detachable cutting inserts fixed in seats. The seat includes radial, tangential and axial support surfaces, while the cutting insert has a mirror-symmetrical polyhedron shape comprising six limiting surfaces, viz. two chip surfaces and four clearance surfaces, a number of alternately usable identical cutting edges formed in the transitions between the chip and clearance surfaces. The cutting insert has a rhombic cross-sectional shape with four clearance surfaces, which meet each other in pairs at obtuse angles in two opposite corners, and which, along each individual chip surface, form two cutting edges alternately usable by indexing the cutting insert. The seat additionally includes a slope surface forming an obtuse angle with the radial support surface, suitably of the same magnitude as the obtuse angle between the clearance surfaces of the cutting insert. Tool head and reaming insert for the tool are disclosed.
US08845234B2
A microwave ground or road surface heating system that eliminates the need for preparation of the surface to be heated while preventing leakage of microwave radiation. The highly portable microwave heating system prevents leakage of microwave radiation via a microwave horn and sealing shroud configuration that seals the unit to the surface being heated.
US08845224B2
A desk leaf base has a base formed of a trapezoidal tubular body in a trapezoidal shape in a side view, closed from a bottom surface to a certain height in both sides, and opened in an upper portion therefrom. An inclined front wall of the tubular body is removed from one side to the other side, in a range from the height to a higher height lower than a top surface. A binder mounted along an elongated top surface of the base has an elongated body and rings. The elongated body is mounted along the top surface of the base with an approximately same width as the top surface. The rings are mounted on the body and capable of opening and closing. Each ring includes linear portions that protrude from the body inclining upward on front and back sides when closing.
US08845222B2
A modular paint pump for a paint roller having a battery operated pump in a housing supporting a paint can. A wetted parts subassembly is manually removable for cleaning or service without the use of tools. The wetted parts subassembly may include inlet and outlet check valves and a piston, a seal and a pump cylinder. A cover having a siphon is secured to the paint can by an elastic cord hooked to the housing.
US08845221B2
A clicking type dispensing container that can dispense the content by pressing a crown disposed at the rear end of a barrel body, forwards in the axial direction, and has a structure, including a mechanical assembly that transforms the pressing force acting on crown by user operation into rotational force, a threaded body fixed to barrel body and a threaded rod screw-fitted into threaded body, and dispensing the content by advancing the threaded rod through the threaded body when the threaded rod is turned by the rotational force transformed by the mechanical assembly. The clicking type dispensing container can produce the rotational force without depending on spring force and cam configuration only, is constructed of a fewer number of parts and can dispense a fixed amount of the content by use of a thread.
US08845218B2
A credential production device includes a unitary frame formed of plastic, a first processing component and a second processing component. The unitary frame includes a rear wall, a pair of side walls extending from opposing sides of the rear wall, a top wall extending from a top side of the rear wall and coupled to the side walls, a bottom wall extending from a bottom side of the rear wall and coupled to the side walls, a first device registration member and a second device registration member. The rear wall, the side walls, the top wall and the bottom wall define an interior cavity and an opening to the interior cavity. The first processing component includes a first frame registration member that is configured to cooperate with the first device registration member to place the first processing component in a known position relative to the unitary frame and the second device registration member. The second processing component includes a second frame registration member configured to cooperate with the second device registration member to place the second processing component in a known position relative to the unitary frame, the first device registration member and the first processing component.
US08845210B2
An optical connector includes a fastener, a first housing, and a second housing. The fastener includes a base plate, two engagement arms extending up from a side of the base plate and then bent toward a first direction, and two limiting arms extending from another side of the base plate toward the first direction and bent up and then bent toward a second direction reverse to the first direction. The first housing and the second housing are aligned and engaged with each other. The first housing is limited by the limiting arms. The second housing defines two engagement grooves with a depth thereof gradually decreasing from an end toward another end of the second housing. Each engagement arm slides into and along a corresponding engagement groove until each engagement arm is totally received in the engagement groove and presses the second housing toward the base plate.
US08845209B2
An optical connector 11 is provided with a housing 17 for receiving ferrules 21 connected to an optical fiber cable, a lock arm 37 provided with the housing 17 and blocking removal from other housing fitted into the housing 17, a slit 45 formed in the housing 17, and in which the lock arm 37 moving in an unlocked direction is entered, a stopper 31 which has recesses 57 and is attached to the housing 17 to position the ferrules 21, and opening prevention ribs 59 respectively vertically provided with a pair of upper wall parts 43 of the housing 17 facing in a state of sandwiching the slit 45, the opening prevention ribs being inserted into the recesses 57 in a state of abutting on a left inner wall surface 61 and a right inner wall surface 63 of the recesses 57 so as to regulate a separation between the pair of upper wall parts 43.
US08845208B2
An optical connector reduced in size and capable of reducing optical coupling losses when optical waveguides are connected to each other, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The optical connector comprises: an optical waveguide including cores for transmitting light, an under cladding layer provided under the cores, and an over cladding layer provided over the cores; and a ferrule section for optical connection provided in each end portion of the optical waveguide. Part of at least one of the over cladding layer and the under cladding layer lying in a location corresponding to each end portion of the optical waveguide is thick-walled to become the ferrule section for optical connection. A thin-walled part of the optical connector lying between the ferrule sections is an optical waveguide section. The optical connector requires no additional component as a ferrule, and is made small in size.
US08845207B2
An optical fiber adapter includes a housing, a hook member and an elastic body. The housing has an axial cavity defined by a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall. The hook member is positioned in the axial cavity which comprises a flange, a hollow cylinder and a pair of hooks. The hollow cylinder and hooks extends from one end of the flange and the hollow cylinder is positioned between the hooks. The elastic body is positioned on and around the hollow cylinder. When the optical fiber connector is inserted into the axial cavity of the optical fiber adapter, the ferrule will be inserted into the hollow cylinder and the elastic body will be in contact with inner walls of the inner housing of the optical fiber connector.
US08845204B2
The spacer is adapted for a rolling bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring and at least one row of contact rollers disposed between raceways and guiding surfaces provided on the rings. The spacer comprises opposite inner and outer portions facing one another and at least a first lateral portion extending transversally between the inner and outer portions and connected to the portions. The inner and outer portions and the first lateral portion delimit at least partly a pocket configured to receive at least a contact roller. The inner and outer portions each comprise at least a protruding means extending outwards and having a contact surface with one of the inner and outer rings.
US08845198B2
A transmission wheel arrangement includes a shaft and a transmission wheel having a hub and rotatably arranged on the shaft. An axial bearing and a radial bearing are arranged axially and radially respectively between the hub of the transmission wheel and the shaft.
US08845195B2
A bearing element for a sliding bearing is configured to support a drive shaft of a hydraulic machine. The bearing element is connected to the drive shaft so as to prevent relative rotation and has an outer annular surface configured to provide sliding support. A supporting web is formed between a location at which the bearing element is fixed to the drive shaft and the outer annular surface. The supporting web is elastically deformable to compensate for deflection of the drive shaft and/or an alignment error of sliding bearings of the drive shaft. A sliding bearing has a bearing element of this kind, and a hydraulic machine has at least one sliding bearing of this kind.
US08845185B1
A spiral spring (10) for the movement of a watch, includes a plurality of coplanar leaves (10a, 10b) wound into one another. Furthermore, the inner ends of each leaf are rigidly connected to a single collet (12). The leaves (10a, 10b) and the collar (12) are produced as a single part.
US08845179B2
An adaptor for a vortex paint mixer. The adaptor includes a pair of semi-cylindrical holding structures pivotably connected together by a pair of pivot links. Each of the halves has a depression formed therein. When the holding structures are placed together, the two depressions form a cavity having first and second regions adapted to hold a conventional cylindrical quart paint container and a rectangular quart paint container, respectively.
US08845177B2
The present invention provides a backlight module and a housing unit structure thereof. The backlight module includes a back plate having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge. The edges of the back plate are provided with a housing including a plurality of housing unit structures. The housing unit structures have a strip shape or an L-shape, respectively, and are disposed on the back plate by connecting or spacing a distance to each others to assemble into a housing. The backlight module uses an adjustable modular design to adjust the number of the housing unit structures for being suitably applied to various backlight modules with different sizes. Except for reducing the use of material, the development cost and time of the backlight module can be saved.
US08845175B2
A light guide plate includes a light emitting surface, a bottom surface opposite to the light emitting surface, a light incident surface, and a side surface opposite to the light incident surface. The bottom surface is imaginarily divided into a plurality of rectangular portions along a direction from the light incident surface to the side surface. The shapes of the rectangular portions are the same as each other. Each of the rectangular portions distributes a plurality of microstructures. The rectangular portions are assigned serial numbers along the direction from the light incident surface to the side surface. The microstructure density in each of the rectangular portions between the first rectangular portion and the last rectangular portion satisfies the formula: ai=(ai−1+ai+ai+1)/3, where i represents the serial number of the rectangular portion, N represents the total number of the rectangular portions, 1
US08845171B2
The present invention provides an LED light-source structure and a backlight module comprising an LED light-source, wherein the LED light-source structure further comprises a light reflecting device, and the light reflecting device is disposed corresponding to a light output surface of the LED light-source, and the light reflecting device has at least one light output opening, and the periphery of the light output opening is a plate-shaped frame for reflecting the light of the LED light-source, and a vertical size of the light output opening is less than a height of the light output surface of the LED light-source. With use of the present invention, all or most of the light emitted from the light output surface of the LED light-source can be inputted into a side input surface of a light guide plate (LGP), thus reducing a light scattering loss and improving a light input efficiency of the LED.
US08845168B2
A backlight assembly includes a light source part, a base substrate, an insulation layer, and a reflection layer. The base substrate includes a light incident surface into which the light from the light source part is incident, and a light exiting surface adjacent to the light incident surface and through which the light exits. The insulation layer is formed on the light exiting surface of the base substrate. The reflection layer is formed on the insulation layer and forms a concave pattern along with the base substrate and the insulation layer and has an opening portion through which the light exiting from the light exiting surface passes.
US08845165B2
A light source for a crystal lamp has a light guide pillar, a light-emitting element, and a linear micro structure. The light guide pillar has a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface, and the light-emitting element is disposed next to the bottom surface. The linear micro structure is formed on and surrounds the side surface, and the emitting light beams of the light-emitting element are reflected by or refracted through the linear micro structure to allow the linear micro structure to function as a thin-lined light source surrounding the light guide pillar.
US08845156B2
A vehicle lamp includes a long solid-core shaped light guide; a first light source that irradiates an end portion of the long solid-core shaped light guide in a longitudinal direction such that light is radiated long from an end side of the vehicle lamp toward another end side of the vehicle lamp; and a second light source that irradiates the another end side of the vehicle lamp to a lateral outer side.
US08845152B2
Enclosures for housing the electrical components of a luminaire at the base of a pole. In some embodiments, the enclosure is formed by two enclosure halves that are positioned around the base of the pole and mated together to form the enclosure.
US08845146B2
A connector (100) for connecting a component (102) to a heat sink (104), wherein the connector (100) is formed as a female part of a bayonet coupling enclosing an opening (106) for receiving one of the component (102) and the heat sink (104). Further, the connector (100) in use is arranged to ensure direct thermal contact between the component (102) and the heat sink (104) in the opening (106).
US08845143B2
A photoelectronic device including a carrier, a light-emitting component mounted on the carrier; a patterned structure deposited on the carrier and around the light-emitting component; and a transparent sealing structure formed above the light-emitting component. The patterned structure mentioned above can cause the transparent sealing structure to be focused above the light-emitting component, and restrained in the patterned structure. The transparent sealing structure with predetermined proportional configuration is obtained by controlling the quantity of the transparent sealing structure. Therefore light efficiency of the photoelectronic device can be greatly improved.
US08845140B2
A heat sink includes a main structure and a peripheral structure. The main structure includes a bottom surface and a wall portion. The wall portion surrounds the outer edge of the bottom surface. The wall portion has a plurality of vents. The peripheral structure surrounds the outer edge of the main structure. The peripheral structure has a plurality of first flow paths and a plurality of second flow paths. Each of the first flow paths is located adjacent to the outside of the wall portion. Each of the second flow paths is communicated to the bottom surface via the corresponding vent.
US08845127B2
An LED lamp is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the LED lamp comprises one LED unit arranged in a housing, a first and a second lamp cap being arranged spaced from each other on opposing ends of the housing, said lamp caps each comprising at least one contact element for connecting said LED unit with a lamp fixture. In one embodiment, said first lamp cap comprises contact breaking means, configured to electrically disconnect said contact elements of said first and second lamp caps from each other when said LED lamp is removed from said lamp fixture.
US08845125B1
The present invention is directed to a vehicle barrier system and method of use. The vehicle barrier system includes a control system adapted to pivot a gate arm between a horizontal position and a vertical position to control the flow of vehicle or pedestrian traffic in control access areas such as parking lots, or parking garages. The gate arm includes inset channels that are disposed along the longitudinal axis of the gate arm and configured to each removeably receive an array of light emitting diodes to increase visibility and alert drivers or pedestrians to the presence of a gate arm.
US08845124B2
A security lighting system includes security lights mounted atop fence posts. Each security light has a light module including a central housing having outwardly extending support arms. A LED unit is mounted in a depression formed in a top surface of the central housing, and a hat covers the top surface of the central housing for allowing only reflected light to escape from light module. The security light has a junction box containing electrical components, and an extension tube having an upper end secured to the light module and a lower end secured to the junction box. The security light includes a clamp assembly for securing the junction box atop a fence post, and an alignment system for aligning the extension tube with the longitudinal axis of the fence post so that the support arms extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fence post.
US08845118B2
Embodiments of the invention provide an illumination system including an outer housing. The outer housing can include at least one inlet and at least one outlet. An inner housing can be coupled to the outer housing and can include fluid apertures and a chamber. An evaporator system can be disposed within the chamber so that the evaporator system is not visible from a position outside of the outer housing. The illumination system can also include an illumination device coupled to the outer housing.
US08845110B1
An augmented reality system may generate an augmented reality environment by projecting images onto various surfaces within a scene. A projection accessory display device (PADD) provides known characteristics for projection, and may be configured to simplify generation and maintenance of the projected image upon the PADD. The PADD may also provide one or more input devices which accept input from a user within the augmented reality environment. The PADD may comprise non-electronic passive components, electronic active components, or a combination thereof.
US08845107B1
Objects and their placement within a particular scene may be characterized using structured light with no or minimal manual intervention or calibration to the scene. The structured light pattern may be rendered with visible light, yet imperceptible to users, by generating a set of opposing excursions in one or more image properties for durations which are shorter than the integration time of the human eye. A set of assumptions and ongoing testing of those assumptions against physical objects identified within the environment allows characterization of the scene and the objects therein.
US08845106B2
In addition to reflective light modulation devices, reflective polarization plates, a color combining optical device, and support bodies, a projector is provided with connection members fixed to the color combining optical device and for supporting the support bodies. Support positions of the support body by the connection members are disposed on the opposite side to the disposition position of the reflective light modulation device with respect to a plane including a polarization split surface of the reflective polarization plate.
US08845103B2
A stabilizing controller to balance, support and orient a device. The stabilizing controller includes a gimbal assembly positioned at the center of balance of the stabilizing controller with the device attached, A handle is disposed around the gimbal assembly. A center post is coincident with at least a portion of the centerline of the gimbal apparatus and has a longitudinal balancing axis Z. Motion about at least one of the mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis is isolated from the motion of the other axes via one or more assemblies comprising resilient components.
US08845102B2
An ophthalmologic apparatus comprising: an inspection unit adapted to inspect an eye to be examined; an operation member; a first member including a recess portion and a projection portion provided on part of the recess portion; a second member which is integrally provided with the operation member and is configured to move in correspondence with tilting of the operation member while contacting the first member; and a driving unit adapted to move the inspection unit based on tilting of the operation member and to coarsely move the inspection unit in a case where the second member is in contact with the projection portion.
US08845093B1
A corrective lens for diving masks is revealed. The corrective lens for diving masks includes a corrective lens body locked on a frame of a diving mask by a locking part. Thus the corrective lens body is stacked over a surface on one side of the lens of the diving mask for improving users' vision. Moreover, the corrective lens body can be rotated horizontally in relative to the surface of the lens of the diving mask for position adjustment and vision correction. Thus the corrective lens for diving masks features on simple structure and convenience of use.
US08845091B2
A printing medium including at least base paper and a coating layer, wherein the coating layer is directly formed on the base paper by a cast coating method using a coating liquid, which contains kaolin and amorphous silica and contains the amorphous silica in an amount of 3% by mass to 20% by mass.
US08845090B2
When printing on 3-dimensional objects such as covers for handheld terminals, generation of stray light may be adequately suppressed. There is provided an ink jet printer including an ink jet head, an ultraviolet irradiating portions, and an object-to-be-printed holding member, wherein the object-to-be-printed holding member includes a 3-dimensional object holding portion configured to hold a 3-dimensional object, and a light-shielding portion, the 3-dimensional object holding portion changes an orientation of the 3-dimensional object to bring a first surface to be printed and a second surface to be printed respectively to oppose the ink jet head, the light-shielding portion is provided so as to be capable of advancing and retracting in a direction of discharge at least at some position, and changes a shielding area that shields ultraviolet rays in a direction orthogonal to the direction of discharge.
US08845086B2
A process for ink jet printing an image on a substrate is described, which includes applying to the substrate a composition including a liquid medium, a pigment and a polymer having a chain of the Formula (1) or a salt thereof: wherein X, Q1, Q2, Q3, A, m and n are as defined, and the polymer having a chain of Formula (1) or salt thereof is used to comminute the pigment.
US08845081B2
A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of discharge ports configured to discharge liquid, a supply port configured to retain the liquid to be discharged from the plurality of discharge ports, a first pressure chamber including a first energy generation element to discharge a predetermined amount of liquid droplets, a second pressure chamber including a second energy generation element to discharge an amount of liquid droplets greater than the predetermined amount, a first flow path through which the supply port and the first pressure chamber communicate with each other, and a second flow path through which the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber communicate with each other.
US08845076B2
A chain positioning system is disclosed that has a chain that contains a plurality of links joined together, end-to-end, with a plurality of pins. The chain can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. The links of the chain limit rotation about the pins in one direction.
US08845074B2
Inkjet printing systems are provided that use a combination of higher resistance flow areas and lower resistance flow areas to allow a vaporized carrier reducing airflow to flow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements. Removal of the vaporized carrier fluid reduces condensation.
US08845068B2
In one embodiment, a first reference pattern is caused to be printed with transparent ink ejected from a first printhead. A second reference pattern is caused to be printed, with a first colorant ink ejected from a second printhead, to least partially overlap the first reference pattern. The overlapping causes the second reference pattern to be visually discernible where the first and second reference patterns overlap. A background pattern, overlapping and surrounding the first and second reference patterns, is caused to be printed with a second colorant ink less dark than the first colorant ink. The printing of the background pattern causes the first reference pattern to be visually discernible where the first and second reference patterns do not overlap.
US08845066B2
An inkjet printer has an ink jet head mounted on a carriage for ejecting ink onto a recording medium. A heater is arranged in the casing and above the ink jet head for heating the ejected ink. A first intake fan is mounted on the casing for feeding outside air into the casing. A second intake fan is mounted on the carriage for taking the fed outside air directly into the carriage so that the temperature inside the carriage can be set close to the temperature of the outside air to enable stable ejection of ink. Air fed into the casing is discharged to the outside through an exhaust duct passing through the casing and disposed at a position spaced from the print surface of the recording medium to prevent a decrease in temperature of the recording medium and ejection failure of the ink.
US08845055B2
A threshold passed signal indicating that a threshold for a remaining liquid amount has been passed is inputted from a threshold sensor that detects the actual remaining liquid amount in the liquid holding unit when the liquid ejection command is being executed, the control apparatus drives the liquid ejecting head so that the liquid continues to be ejected based on the liquid ejection command until the inputted liquid ejection command ends.
US08845044B2
An assembly comprising a storage receptacle includes a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel joining the front panel to the rear panel and a second side panel joining the front panel to the rear panel. The front panel, the rear panel and the first and second side panels define a storage space within the confines of the front panel, the rear panel and the first and second side panels. A divider is located within the storage space and extends between the front panel and the rear panel and divides the storage space into storage space sections. A spring operated mechanism engages the divider to selectively maintain the divider in place in the storage space and allows for the position of the divider to be adjusted between the first side panel and the second side panel, whereby the dimensions of the storage space sections can be adjusted.
US08845034B2
A brush head, particularly a toothbrush head, may have a plurality of cleaning elements, in particular bristle tufts, which are anchored by an end section in a brush carrier, wherein the cleaning elements may be cast with positive engagement in blind-hole shaped retaining recesses. For producing such a brush head different cleaning elements may be placed successively or simultaneously in different mold cavities and may be over-molded using different plastic materials from which injection-molding sections of the bristle carrier are formed in the process. In doing so, a first cleaning element is over-molded in a first mold cavity using a first plastic material, while a second cleaning element is over-molded in a second mold cavity using a second plastic material.
US08845031B2
There is provided a vehicle seat including: a framework member that structures a framework of a seatback; a center rear face cover that structures a central portion of a rear face of the seatback; a side rear face cover that structures the seat width direction side portion; an overlap portion at which an end portion of the center rear face cover and an end portion of the side rear face cover are sewn together in an overlapping state, and extending to a seat forward side; an anchor member that is disposed at the overlap portion and that is anchored at the framework member and pulls the overlap portion in to the seat forward side; and a restraining portion that joins at least one of the overlap portion and the anchor member to the framework member, and restrains movement of the overlap portion.
US08845025B2
In order to provide a lumbar support apparatus whose position can be adjusted by a simple structure and which can softly support a lumbar vertebra portion of a sitting person, a lumbar support apparatus of a chair according to the present invention is configured by two lumbar support members 10 which are separated into left and right parts, each of the lumbar support members 10 includes a lumbar support portion 11 supporting the lumbar vertebra portion and a stay portion 12 supporting the lumbar support portion, and an end portion of the lumbar support stay portion 12 is rotatably connected and attached to a back frame 2 via a rotation shaft 14, so that the position of the lumbar support portion 11 in the height direction can be adjusted by moving the same such that its distal end side is moved in a circular manner about the rotation shaft 14.
US08845021B2
An adjustment mechanism for positioning a headrest in an infant car seat includes a connector, a pair of gear wheels, a ratchet wheel and a brake release handle. The adjustment mechanism is installed on the back support portion of the infant car seat which formed with a longitudinal slot and a pair of toothed guiding rails mounted in parallel on either side of the longitudinal slot. The headrest is movably connected to the back support portion by the connector to move along the longitudinal slot. The pair of gear wheels and a ratchet wheel are pivoted on the connector, the pair of gear wheels being engaged with the pair of toothed guiding rails and kept synchronized rotation with the ratchet wheel. The brake release handle is biased to releasably lock the ratchet wheel and used to unlock the ratchet wheel so as to reposition the headrest.
US08845018B2
A split-nose bicycle seat, comprising; rigid plastic base provided with attachment points for mounting the seat to the bicycle frame, a total length of the seat of about 260-280 mm, a split nose section formed by two elongated protrusions of substantially constant width extending forward from a media! section to a front surface; said elongated protrusions angle inwardly and have a total width of at least 60 mm at a station 30 mm aft of the front surface, a cushioned pubis bone support surface with a substantially flat side profile, arid a drooped nose section forward thereof defining a droop angle θ of about 22-28°; said split nose section transitioning aft to a media! section having a width of about 130-138 mm at the widest point of the seat, and a width of at least 98 mm at a station 50 mm forward of the widest point of the seat; said medial section transitioning aft to a rear-end section.
US08845016B2
Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of visual and/or acoustic privacy features. For example, exemplary embodiments are disclosed that include visual and/or acoustic privacy features for furniture (e.g., office chair, desk, table, cubicle, etc.). The visual and/or acoustic privacy features are movable relative to the user and/or furniture between at least a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the visual and/or acoustic privacy features may be configured such that they do not inhibit the user from interacting with others. In the second configuration, the visual and/or acoustic privacy features may be configured to provide the user with at least some visual and/or acoustic privacy and isolation from others.
US08845015B2
A packaged quick assembly picnic table has a tabletop with a pair of leg subassemblies hingedly connected to a bottom side of the table. A pair of side beams is received upon the pair of leg subassemblies, with a pair of bench seats sandwiching the pair of side beams. A binder, such as straps, shrink wrap or the like, secures the tabletop, pair of leg assemblies, pair of side beams and pair of seats together, all being secured within a perimeter defined by the tabletop. There is thus presented a packaged quick assembly picnic table that is secure, stable for stacking, easy to move and maneuver, and capable of quick assembly when delivered to a final location.
US08845011B2
A motorcycle includes a front fender, which overhangs a front wheel, and a number plate which is disposed forwardly of a handlebar. A center portion of the front fender with respect to a widthwise direction is formed with a longitudinal groove that is recessed downwardly to represent a tapered shape and a lower end edge of the number plate is tapered enough to allow it to be engaged in the longitudinal groove. A projection is provided in an upper surface of the front fender and an engagement hole engageable with the projection is provided in the number plate.
US08845010B2
A hood assembly for a vehicle includes a hood having a top side and an underside. Also included is a hood latch-striker reinforcement plate operably coupled to the underside of the hood and having a retaining recess. Further included is at least a portion of a centering tool removably disposed within the retaining recess and extending downwardly away from the underside of the hood. Yet further included is a centering bracket operably coupled to a top support member of a positioning and reinforcement structure and having an aperture configured to receive the centering tool therein for locating the positioning and reinforcement structure to the hood.
US08845003B2
A snap-in fastener is provided for securing a vehicle component to a vehicle structure. The fastener comprises a base having a longitudinal axis, a first leg extending downwardly and outwardly from the base and configured to apply a force to the vehicle structure in a first direction, and a second leg extending downwardly from the base and configured to apply a force to the vehicle structure in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction. The first leg may have a first portion extending from the base at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis and a second portion extending from the first portion at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis that is different than the first angle. The first leg may also have a foot having a contact surface with an inwardly extending profile for engaging an edge of the vehicle structure.
US08844993B1
A reinforced vehicle trim assembly includes a trim panel and a reinforcement member. The trim panel is mounted to a vehicle body member inside a vehicle storage compartment such that a trim panel free edge extends cantilevered toward a vehicle body panel surface that faces inside the vehicle storage compartment. The reinforcement member is mounted in the vehicle storage compartment proximate to the trim panel between the trim panel and the vehicle body member, and has a reinforcement member free edge that extends cantilevered toward the vehicle body panel surface. The trim panel and the reinforcement member are spaced at first and second distances, respectively, from the vehicle body panel surface and configured to deflect in response to a force applied to the trim panel such that the trim panel free edge and the reinforcement member free edge move toward the vehicle body panel surface.
US08844992B1
A vehicle, a clip assembly for the vehicle and a method of manufacturing the clip assembly are disclosed. The clip assembly includes a first housing and a second housing attached to the first housing to define a pre-deployed position and detached from the first housing to define a deployed position. The clip assembly also includes a strap formed of a plurality of strands braided together. The strap is affixed to the first and second housings to tether together the first and second housings in both the pre-deployed and deployed positions. The clip assembly further includes an attachment member attachable to the first housing and detachable from the first housing to adjust the attachment member relative to the first housing.
US08844987B2
Provided is a crash box to be installed to a bumper reinforcement including an outer-wall section, an upper-wall section and a lower-wall section, an upper inner-wall section, a lower inner-wall section, and a clearance between the upper inner-wall section and the lower inner-wall section. The crash box includes a body section provided between a member of a vehicle body side and the bumper reinforcement, an upper support section provided to protrude from the body section to a bumper reinforcement side, a lower support section provided to protrude from the body section to the bumper reinforcement side, and an insertion section provided to protrude from the body section to the bumper reinforcement side, inserted from the clearance into the bumper reinforcement and contacting a lower end portion of the upper inner-wall section and an upper end portion of the lower inner-wall section.
US08844980B2
Device for connecting a tube to a circuit element, including a cartridge type tubular body provided externally with a washer for anchoring the body in a well of the circuit element and provided internally with a retainer for the tube, characterized in that the anchor washer is mounted on an end portion of the tubular body designed to lie at the level of the opening of the well when the connecting device is in use, the end portion being elastically deformable between a deformed state enabling the washer to be placed on the body and a rest state for retaining the washer on the body.
US08844976B2
A seal designed, in particular, to connect together two ducts for carrying fluid or gas, including: a female endpiece having a first end, a male endpiece having a second end, the male endpiece being received in the female endpiece. The seal includes a sliding element situated between the first end of the female endpiece and the second end of the male endpiece, the sliding element including a stack of at least two layers of an intermetallic material, making it possible to prevent the propagation of a crack from one layer to the next layer.
US08844968B2
A motor vehicle includes an occupant protection device which is provided for a side region of the motor vehicle. The occupant protection device includes a sensor capable of ascertaining an air pressure signal, and a control device capable of evaluating the air pressure signal and activating the occupant protection device when determining that the air pressure signal indicates the presence of a pressure wave generated before a collision.
US08844967B2
A device for inflating an at least two-layered air bag folded to form an inflatable belt for a safety system of a motor vehicle equipped with a gas generator is provided. The gas stream generated by the gas generator is directed onto the air bag from the outside and the gas stream produces an opening in at least one of the layers of the air bag in a physical process.
US08844964B2
A convertible tandem stroller with a double seat transfer mechanism includes a wheeled rack, a pair of extension arms and a pair of chairs. The stroller is featured with the wheeled rack having a swivel mount, the pair of extension arms being connected to the swivel mount, and the pair of chairs being swivelly mounted on the pair of extension arms. The extension arms are capable of swiveling relative to the wheeled rack and positioning on a longitudinally oriented position and a transversely oriented position so as to convert the stroller from a tandem style to a side-by-side double seat style, and vice versa.
US08844947B1
A mobile chair (10) includes a seat (11), and a tray (12) having a front edge (17) that is shorter than its rear edge (18). A caster assembly (14) is carried by the tray (12) at the front and rear corners of the tray (12). A brace assembly (13) attaches the seat (11) to the tray (12) and includes a tube portion (27) attached to the tray (12) between the caster assemblies (14) at the front corners of the tray (12) and tube portions (34) attached to the tray (12) near the rear corners.
US08844945B2
An ice skate runner for engagement in a blade holder of an ice skate, the blade holder having an opening defined along a bottom edge thereof and fastening means to retain the runner. The runner comprises an upper polymeric portion shaped to be partially received within the opening of the holder and defining a major part of the runner, a lower portion having a greater density than that of the upper portion and defining a lower blade surface for engaging the ice. At least one of the upper and lower portions is shaped to removably engage the fastening means.
US08844944B1
A vehicle height adjusting apparatus of a motorcycle includes a damper-side ECU connected to a vehicle network in which in-vehicle ECUs and a vehicle operating state detecting sensor which are mounted on a vehicle are connected to each other, in which the damper-side ECU attached to a damper, computes a vehicle height change to be adjusted in the damper using a detection result of a vehicle height detecting unit and a detection result of the vehicle operating state detecting sensor and controls a switching valve to adjust a vehicle height on the basis of the computed vehicle height change.
US08844942B1
A mechanical connector designed to connect an orthopedic tool to a handle or motor. The connector includes a locking ball and spring-load sleeve mechanism that compresses a ball into an annular groove of the tool drive shaft, locking the shaft in the connector. The tool drive shaft is released from the connector by applying a force to the housing in a proximal direction. A portion of the housing removes the locking ball from the groove of the tool drive shaft, unlocking the shaft from the connector as the housing travels in a proximal direction.
US08844937B2
An annular sealing device for a shaft and housing that can maintain sealing properties under fluid pressure load when creep occurs in a cut portion due to thermal expansion and the perimeter is shortened. The sealing device includes a seal ring unit configured to fit within an annular groove in the shaft, and has, on the side thereof where the outer periphery is located, a sliding surface on which the seal ring unit slides on the housing; and a lip portion on the inner periphery of the seal ring. The lip portion of tip is disposed on the side of the annular groove where a groove bottom thereof is located, in such a way that the tip thereof is deformable in a direction in which the tip increases the distance between the seal ring unit and the groove bottom of the annular groove when under pressure.
US08844935B2
A sealing arrangement for a bearing assembly. The sealing arrangement can include a static seal carrier coupled to a static component of the bearing assembly and including a first plurality of rings, a rotating seal carrier coupled to a rotating component of the bearing assembly and including a second plurality of rings, the first plurality of rings and the second plurality of rings disposed in an interdigitated arrangement so as to define a tortuous passageway therebetween, the tortuous passageway having one end in communication with a high pressure area of the bearing assembly and a second end in communication with a low pressure area of the bearing assembly, and a scraper seal coupled to the rotating seal carrier and disposed over the second end of the tortuous passageway.
US08844929B2
A gaming method includes repetitive plays simulating rolls of virtual dice by a player and at least one of a bonus feature and a progressive feature. A gaming method includes scoring dice.
US08844923B2
The present invention is for separating upper and lower sheets. The sheet feeder includes a feed roller that conveys the sheet fed by a pickup roller in a sheet feeding direction and a retard roller rotated in a sheet feeding direction at a rotational velocity faster than that of the feed roller by interposing a torque limiter. Meanwhile, the retard roller is rotated at a velocity equal to that of the feed roller when a single sheet is nipped in the roller nip portion. The sheet feeder further includes a controller that performs control such that, when double sheet feeding occurs by the pickup roller, the sheet of the retard roller side projects ahead of the sheet of the feed roller side in the sheet feeding direction by virtue of the torque limiter, and then, the retard roller is rotated in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction.
US08844920B1
During stapling operations: connectors disconnect a compiler platform from an elevator platform; an ejector structure is maintained in a fully retracted position to allow a stack of sheets to be within a stapling area; a stapling device staples the stack of sheets in the stapling area; the ejector structure moves the stapled set of sheets to the elevator platform; and the elevator platform moves in a downward direction after the ejector structure moves the stapled set of sheets to the elevator platform. During non-stapling stacking operations: the connectors connect the compiler platform to the elevator platform; the ejector structure is maintained in a middle position between a fully retracted position and a fully ejected position to prevent the sheets from entering the stapling area; and the elevator platform and the compiler platform move together in the downward direction as additional sheets are added to the stack of sheets.
US08844917B2
An apparatus and method of using the apparatus to join hull plates of a ship's hull includes forming a flat plate to match three-dimensional contours of a ship or boat hull. The apparatus including a pair of angularly adjustable arms attached at a pivot point, an angle adjusting mechanism to adjust an angle between the arms, an anchoring member on distal ends of each of the arms to secure the applicator bar in a fixed position relative to the boat member, and a plurality of extendable pressing members attached along a length of the arms to engage the structural plate.
US08844908B2
A humidifier includes a base having a sound machine module and a humidifier module, a water reservoir in fluid communication with the humidifier module, a user interface supported by the base, and a controller in communication with the user interface, the humidifier module, and the sound machine module. The controller is configured to operate the humidifier module to provide humidified air using water contained in the water reservoir in response to a humidifier input to the user interface. The controller is also configured to operate the sound machine module to provide sound in response to a sound input to the user interface.
US08844900B2
An activation element of an electromagnetic actuating unit of a hydraulic valve which has an armature that is essentially cylindrical and which is arranged in a slidable fashion in the actuating unit. Also, a method for manufacturing an activation element of an electromagnetic actuating unit of a hydraulic valve. The activation element has at least one substantially cylindrical armature, one plunger rod and one magnet cone. The plunger rod and the magnet cone are embodied in one piece with the armature.
US08844890B2
To provide a passenger's weight measurement device for a vehicle seat which can be assembled to prevent the occurrence of the initial deformation and the initial load. The passenger's weight measurement device comprises a pair of left and right fixed lower rails, a pair of movable upper rails disposed to be movable in a front-and-rear direction on each of the fixed lower rails, load sensors fixed on an upper surface of the left movable upper rail, load sensors mounted on the movable upper rail to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail, and a rectangular frame mounted on the load sensors. Mounting holes are formed on the rectangular frame, and rods are inserted into the mounting holes from bottom up. The rods are engaged with nuts.
US08844889B2
A protection stand comprises a planar surface having first and second sides. The first side of the planar surface comprises a plurality of conical stands that converge away from the planar surface. The second side comprises first and second layers, wherein the first layer is positioned between the planar surface and the second layer and comprises an adaptable cushion for conforming to the surface area of the object resting on the protection stand. The second layer comprises an assembly side and an attachment side, both of such sides comprising an adhesive bond for securing the assembly side to the first layer and the attachment side to the cross-sectional surface of the object resting on the protection stand.
US08844872B2
A composite structure has first and second sections, and a curved corner joining the first and second sections. The structure includes a stack of fiber-reinforced plies. First and second external plies run from the first section into the second section round an inside and an outside of the corner, respectively. First and second internal plies are sandwiched between the first and second external plies, and run from the first section into the second section round the corner. The first internal fly is dropped off inside the second section. The second internal ply is dropped off inside the first section. The structure has an increased thickness where the first and second internal plies overlap.
US08844870B2
A fuselage segment of an aircraft fuselage is provided with an outer skin and an inner skin that are spaced apart from one another by a core, wherein conduits for system installations are integrated into the core, as well as a method for manufacturing such a fuselage segment.
US08844869B2
An assembly includes a structural wall and a composite wall extending in the extension of the structural wall and defining a second section positioned facing a first section of the wall. The assembly includes an elongated traction element received in a first passage made in the structural wall, the first passage opening out into the first section and into a cell made in the structural wall. The composite wall defines a second passage opening out into the second section and receiving the elongated element. The assembly includes a locking member added onto the elongated element. The composite wall delimits an access cavity connecting an outer surface of the composite wall to the second passage. The locking member is received into the access cavity.
US08844859B2
A reel-to-reel assembly is provided. The reel-to-reel assembly includes, but is not limited to a supply spindle and a wind-up spindle. The supply spindle receives a supply reel having a length of ribbon wrapped around the supply reel. The wind-up spindle receives an initially empty wind-up reel. The wind-up spindle includes an adjustment mechanism for varying the outer diameter DO of the wind-up spindle from an initial outer diameter DOi to a final outer diameter DOf which is larger than the initial outer diameter DOi.
US08844856B2
Various embodiments provide a fishing reel having a light-weight, compact and easy-to-assemble magnetic seal mechanism which allows greater freedom in material selection of the rotating member. A fishing reel according to one embodiment comprises a rotating body rotatably supported via a ball bearing and a magnetic seal mechanism for sealing the ball bearing. In one aspect, the magnetic seal mechanism comprises a magnet disposed in parallel with either a magnetic inner or outer ring of the ball bearing, and magnetic fluid disposed between the magnet and said inner or outer ring, magnetic fluid being retained by a magnetic circuit formed therebetween to seal space defined between the magnet and said inner or outer ring.
US08844852B2
A system for breaking up caked materials in a hopper car having a gravity discharge outlet is shown. The system includes an agitator that is a compressible strut linked through a rod to an externally driven crank shaft and a crank arm disposed above the discharge outlet. The system further includes at least one energizing coil coupled with the strut that provides irresistible force to caked material in the vicinity of the strut to initiate crumbling when the crank shaft is rotated, and to progressively crumble caked material along the length of the coil. The system further may have scrubbing panels along slope sheets of the hopper coupled with the coil, and may have arch members coupled with the energizing coils to provide further progressive agitation of caked material in the hopper car.
US08844845B2
A blow gun includes a body with a top path and a bottom path, and a volume adjustment device is installed between the top and bottom paths. The volume adjustment device is in contact with a press rod which has one end pivotably connected to the body. The opening of the press rod is controlled by operation of the volume adjustment device so as to change the volume of the pressurized air. The press rod can also be locked at a position so that it is not activated unintentionally.
US08844842B2
A fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a drain outlet and a nozzle outlet, and has disposed therein a nozzle chamber, a needle control chamber and a valve chamber. The needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet through a drain passage that includes the conical seat, is fluidly connected to the nozzle chamber through a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the valve chamber through an A orifice. The nozzle chamber is fluidly connected to the valve chamber by a pressure passage that includes an F orifice that opens through a flat seat. A control valve member is trapped to move between contact with conical seat and contact with the flat seat. An electrical actuator is operable to push the control valve member away from the conical seat toward the flat seat when energized. A direct control needle valve has an opening hydraulic surface positioned in the nozzle chamber and a closing hydraulic surface positioned in the needle control chamber. The fuel injector may include first and second electronically controlled valves for independently injecting a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel.
US08844840B2
A paint sprayer is configured for use with a paint container. The sprayer includes a housing having an air inlet and a nozzle located on the housing. Movable grip members are supported on the housing. The grip members are located in a circular array with an inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the paint container. A ring extends circumferentially about the circular array of grip members, and is supported on the housing for rotation relative to the housing. When the ring rotates relative to the housing, it moves the grip members to a condition in which the inner diameter of the circular array is not greater than the outer diameter of the paint container.
US08844835B2
A method and system for reliably detecting structure and water system leaks incorporates motion-sensing for determining whether there is activity in a building is occupied and measures humidity of the inside of the building. If there is no activity in the building, and an unexpected level of humidity or sudden change in humidity is detected, an alarm is generated and the building water system can be disabled by an electrically controlled valve. Current consumed by water-consuming and/or water vapor generating appliances can be detected and used to qualify the generating of an alarm or interruption of the water system, so that false alarms are not generated and the water supply is not interrupted due to operation of those appliances.
US08844831B2
Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. The RFID switch device may further include a visual indicator displaying a first color if the RFID switch device is in an active state and/or a second color if the RFID switch device is in an inactive state.
US08844824B2
A portable computer may be provided that interacts with a television system. The portable computer may be adapted to receive a user input identifying a media selection and transmit a control signal to cause the storage of the media selection. In other aspects, a set top box may receive a control signal from a portable computer and direct storage of a media selection.
US08844820B2
A patient support apparatus includes a patient support, a multi-directional optical reader, and a control system. The multi-directional optical reader is secured to the patient support and configured to detect a first indicia having a predetermined pattern. The control system includes a processor in communication with the multi-directional optical reader, a transmitter in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory stores an identifier associated with the patient support apparatus. The processor receives a signal from the multi-directional optical reader indicative of data from the first indicia detected by the multi-directional optical detector. In response to receiving the signal, the processor performs a set of instructions. The set of instructions performed by the processor include (i) linking the data from the first indicia with the identifier, and (ii) communicating the linked data from the first indicia and identifier to a network external to the patient support apparatus.
US08844812B1
A scanning device provides illumination with a stand-by color in a stand-by mode and a user color upon approval of payment transactions.
US08844808B2
A cash till having a drawer (2) with a plurality of compartments (4) for storing coins, notes or vouchers. Each compartment (4) has an associated load cell (6), which produces a signal that is proportional to the weight of the compartment contents. The signal is provided to a monitoring apparatus (10) that takes readings from the load cell (6) while the till drawer (2) is closed. If a preceding reading is within a threshold amount of the current reading, then the preceding reading is stored as a verified value. The method removes jitter and drift in the signals produced by the load cells (6) of the cash till.
US08844805B2
A medium processing apparatus comprises a casing surrounded by a partitioning wall with an opening; a reel on which tape is wound; a fold-back section provided on an opposite side of the medium processing apparatus to the reel, so as to folded back the tape pulled out from the reel; a drum in the casing to be rotatable such that a rectangular shaped medium fed in the casing is wound onto the drum together with the tape that has been folded back on itself by the fold-back section; a winding guide provided further to a drum side than the tape, the winding guide closes off an internal space of the casing from the outside and presses the tape and the medium against a peripheral face of the drum; and an opening and closing section configuring a portion of the winding guide and opening or closing off the internal space.
US08844804B2
A process of facilitating cash collection deposits and deposit tracking includes identifying by a retailer an amount of cash collected by that retailer, including respective amounts of currency by denomination of the collected cash, creating a deposit ticket containing at least a unique identification code associated therewith, depositing the created deposit ticket and the collected cash into a deposit bag, transporting the deposit bag to a cash processing facility, and counting at the cash processing facility the collected cash contained in the transported deposit bag to verify that the amount previously identified by the retailer corresponds to the counted amount. Particularly additional novel features include at least the following: the manner in which the retailer identifies the amount of collected cash; the manner in which the deposit bag may be scheduled for pickup; providing advance credit to the retailer for the cash deposits during various stages of cash handling/processing; and the particular manner of tracking the status of each of the deposit bags of a retailer's multiple stores.
US08844803B2
Systems and methods of monitoring progress of delivery of a patient-specific medication are disclosed. A patient/medication identification (ID) device is provided on a package containing the medication, the patient/medication ID device comprising medication/patient information indicative of the medication and the patient. At least one location ID device is provided at a location, the at least one location ID device comprising a unique location ID associated with the location. The medication/patient information and the patient/medication ID are read. Delivery progress information indicative of a last-known read location where at least one of the medication/patient ID information and the unique location identifier was read is generated. The delivery progress information is stored in a database. The delivery progress information is accessed from the database in response to the request. A delivery status of the medication is indicated to the user.
US08844802B2
A method for encoding information in structured illumination pattern (120) includes selecting information to be encoded; characterizing a relief pattern (130) of an object's (115) surface; selecting at least one portion of the object's surface including the surface relief pattern; creating at least one structured illumination pattern responsive to the selected surface relief pattern and the selected information; and storing the structured illumination pattern.
US08844796B1
Disclosed herein is a method of making a structure by ultrasonic welding and superplastic forming. The method comprises assembling a plurality of workpieces comprising a first workpiece including a first material having superplastic characteristics; ultrasonically welding the first workpiece to a second workpiece, to form an assembly; heating the assembly to a temperature at which the first material having superplastic characteristics is capable of superplastic deformation, and injecting a fluid between the first workpiece and the second workpiece to form a cavity between the first workpiece and the second workpiece.
US08844792B2
A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a shell assembly and an anvil assembly. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The shell assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The anvil assembly includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue-contacting surface of the anvil assembly is configured to align with the tissue-contacting surface of the shell assembly when the anvil assembly and shell assembly are in the approximated position.
US08844790B2
A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a first longitudinal axis. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is supported adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and includes a dissecting tip extending therefrom. The cartridge assembly is pivotably mounted adjacent the distal end of the endoscopic portion. The cartridge assembly is mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the anvil assembly between open and approximated positions.
US08844788B2
One exemplary surgical apparatus may include an anvil assembly to which a staple holder assembly detachably connected; feeder belts positioned at least partially within the staple holder assembly; staples separably attached to each feeder belt; a wedge assembly slidable within and along the staple holder assembly, the wedge assembly including an engagement feature; and a deployment handle, where, upon closure of the anvil assembly and staple holder assembly relative to one another, the deployment handle engages the engagement feature; where the deployment handle is movable along the anvil assembly to drive the wedge assembly relative to the staple holder assembly, feeder belts and staples in order to deform at least one staple to a closed state and separate at least one closed staple from the corresponding feeder belt. One exemplary surgical method may include providing a surgical stapler having an anvil and a staple holder separably connected to the anvil, where the staple holder holds feeder belts and staples separably connected to each feeder belt; deploying, at least twice, a plurality of staples from the staple holder; and then removing the staple holder from the anvil.
US08844785B2
A powered stapler (10) and method of operating same for stapling together two or more metal workpieces. The powered stapler (10) includes a main frame member (20) adapted to carry a strip of staples. The frame member has an anvil (20e) covered by a front nosepiece (48) at one end. A lower jaw member (22), having a lower cam slot (34), is pivotally attached to the main frame member. The lower jaw member (22) has a forming die (56). An upper ram member (24) has an upper cam slot (32) and a staple-driving hammer (52). The upper ram member (24) is pivotally attached to the lower jaw member (22). A drive rod (28) extends from a power unit (12) and has a cam bar (30) at one end protruding through the upper cam slot (32) in the upper ram member (24) and through the lower cam slot (34).
US08844780B2
A strap for bearing the load of an object is disclosed. The strap includes a loop assembly rotatably attached to each end of a connector. Each loop assembly is a continuous loop of material, or two or more pieces of material joined together. The connector allows the strap to be placed on the shoulder of a user when transporting the object in a single-shoulder configuration. Each loop is connected to an object at a point opposite the elongated connector by an attachment having an aperture, thereby allowing the loop to move freely therethrough. The strap converts from a single-shoulder configuration to a dual-shoulder configuration, without needing to disconnect the strap from the object or removing the strap from the user, by the user extending an arm through each of the loops thereby transitioning the load of the object from the connector on one shoulder to a loop on each shoulder.
US08844778B2
An adapter bracket for supporting a saddle bag on a motorcycle. A strut for securing a rear motorcycle fender includes a vertical section, a lower horizontal section, and an upper horizontal section. The vertical section has bolts extending through it for attachment to the fender. The adapter bracket includes a lower attachment portion with bores, an intermediate strut coupling portion, and an upper connection plate with an aperture. One of the fender bolts is removed, and the coupling portion is slid over the lower horizontal section of the strut from the strut's inner side. The aperture in the connection plate is aligned with the hole in the strut corresponding to the removed bolt. The bolt is reinstalled, securing the strut, bracket, and fender together. An inner sidewall of the saddle bag provided with a backing plate, and bolts secure the backing plate, the inner sidewall, and the attachment portion together.
US08844777B2
A moor or anchor (10) for pins (12), needles, or other sewing implements, comprising a moor or anchor having a first end and a second end, the first (14) and the second end (16) are connected by a central portion (30) which may be curved (18), whereby the moor or anchor (10) can be positioned on a surface (20) and receive a pin (12), needle, or other sewing implement to anchor a piece of fabric (19) to the surface. The surface (20) may be fabric, cloth, vinyl, plastic, or any other flexible material. The moor or anchor (10) may be configured in various shapes and include curved portions (18) and planar surfaces (26), and color-coded to facilitate use. A plurality of the moors or anchors are used to form a support and positioning network (50). A method for using the moor to secure and position pins and other sewing implements to surfaces such as fabric or other flexible material is also disclosed, allowing the formation of a surface support and positioning network (48).
US08844774B2
A bag-in-bag-in-bottle assembly formed by a flexible dispensing container with a dispensing fitment. The dispensing container is positioned adjacent or sandwiched between one or more flexible pressurization containers having a separate inlet/outlet path through a second fitment. The bag-in-bag assembly can then be placed in a containment vessel with the fitments mounted such that it is accessible on the vessel. A liquid can be extracted from the dispensing container by introducing a fluid into the pressurization container(s) with enough pressure to force the liquid out through the dispensing fitment. A contoured dispensing head may be coupled to the bag-in-bag-in-bottle assembly using a earn actuation arrangement for simultaneously locking the pressurization, vent and fluid extraction couplings.
US08844768B2
A liquid dispenser has containers, sized, shaped and arranged to enclose different volumes but each of the containers has a top with a refill opening that is substantially the same as the top and openings of the other containers. The containers are provided with curving transition sections that taper the sides of the container to increase or decrease the width of the container to provide a smaller or large top sizes as needed.
US08844767B1
An inverted flexible food containment and delivery system is disclosed. Embodiments disclosed herein include a flexible pouch that is configured to contain a food product. A spout fitment is coupled to the flexible pouch proximate a dispensing end. The spout fitment supports a cap assembly that includes a valve. An exterior support surface of the cap assembly is configured to support the flexible food containment and delivery system and the food product in an inverted/cap-down orientation.
US08844766B2
A dispenser assembly for dispensing disinfectant to a user and associated monitoring systems and methods. The dispenser assembly includes a main housing defining a cavity and a container disposed within the cavity and releasably secured to the main housing. The container contains a fluid therewithin. An electronics unit is coupled to the main housing and includes a sensor for detecting an activation signal. The electronics unit includes a controller for producing a reminder signal in response to the detection of the activation signal to remind the user to dispense fluid from the container.
US08844758B1
A comprehensive storage and packaging system solution includes designs for container, closure, and holding apparatus. Container, closure and holding apparatus are interlocked together in mated combinations with interlocking connectors at connection hubs. This storage and packaging system includes design and methodology for secure and convenient collection, sorting, storage, presentation, and flexible transport of reclosable containers and the container's content. A plurality of container portability and secure transport is enhanced with the implementation of interlocking connection hubs. A single closed container joins into an interlocking container assembly at connection hubs. Container assemblies range from a single column, row or tube to an entire three dimensional spatial interlocking matrix. Use of the connection hubs with holding apparatus devices such as tote trays and carousel disks provide capabilities for the integration of containers, container assemblies, and holding apparatus or devices within this storage system solution. Modular design of holding apparatus provides for the controlled, organized, and flexible growth of this storage system solution. Together, functionally integrated containers, closures, and holding apparatus for this storage system solution provide for a well organized, convenient, portable, and user reconfigurable collection and worksite presentation of container contents including nuts, bolts, electrical connectors, tooling, hardware, and other collectables.
US08844756B2
The present invention is generally related containers for storing and organizing consumable and non-consumable goods.
US08844753B2
The present invention relates to the storage and transportation of fluids, and more particularly to a rigid outer container for aseptic transport of pharmaceutical fluids. In one embodiment, a system for aseptic storage and/or transport of a fluid includes a rigid outer container including a front wall and a back wall, a main cavity inside the outer container, and an inner wall dividing the main cavity into first and second compartments. The first compartment is located between the front wall and the inner wall, and the second compartment is located between the inner wall and the back wall. The second compartment may carry a biocontainer, and ancillary equipment for the biocontainer may be stored in the first compartment.
US08844747B2
A metallic can end for a container is described. The metallic can end has a curl defining an outer perimeter of the can end. A wall extends downwardly from the curl. A strengthening member is joined to a lowermost end of the wall. A center panel is joined to the strengthening member and is centered about a longitudinal axis. The center panel has a product side and a public side. A rivet is located on the center panel. A displaceable tear panel is on the center panel. The tear panel is at least substantially defined by a frangible score and a non frangible hinge segment. A non-detachable tab is staked to the center panel by the rivet. The non-detachable tab has a nose end extending over a portion of the tear panel, a lift end opposite the nose end, and a central webbing between the nose and lift end. The webbing has a hinge region and a rivet island surrounding the rivet. The rivet island is at least partially surrounded by a first void region to provide a first exposed area of the center panel. A first temperature indicator has a first thermochromic material which undergoes a color change upon reaching a first predetermined temperature. The first temperature indicator is located on the non-detachable tab.
US08844745B2
A lid structure for use with a container for storing personal care products is disclosed. The lid structure includes a lid-activation button that when pressed allows the lid top to rotate about the lid base giving a consumer access to the contents of the container. Additionally, the lid-activation button functions so that the lid top is released independent of where the lid-activation button is pressed by the consumer. To create better and more consistent opening of the lid top portion, an inner longitudinal edge of the lid-activation button may be attached to the lid bottom via a living hinge that is formed integrally with the lid base. A strengthening rib is attached to the living hinge that keeps the main body side of the living hinge immobile and encourages the button side of the living hinge to flex when the lid-activation button is depressed.
US08844744B2
The invention relates to the field of packaging for a consumable product, the packaging being provided with a wall (15) provided with an orifice (13). The packaging is fitted with an opening and closing device (1) comprising a single-piece body (2) of molded material fastened on the wall (15), the body (2) comprising a plate (20) with a first hole (30) placed facing the orifice (13) and fastened to the edge (19) of the orifice (13) in the wall (15) in sealed manner, and a hatch (40) hinged to the plate (20), the hatch opening towards the inside of the packaging and being suitable for covering the first hole (30) in a closed position, the device (1) further including an arm (50) connected to the hatch (40), the arm (50) co-operating with position blocking means for holding the hatch (40) in a closed position, and for releasing the hatch (40) to pivot towards the inside of the packaging when it is disengaged from the blocking means, the device (1) further including a cap (80) that is distinct from the body (2) and from the arm (50), and that is provided with a safety capsule (100, 104) that is to be broken on first opening of the hatch (40) such that if the safety capsule is intact, it is guaranteed that the packaging has not been opened previously, the capsule forming a portion of the blocking means. The hatch (40) is provided with a second hole (70) providing communication between the inside and the outside of the packaging, and the arm (50) is provided with a gasket (57) that shuts the second hole (70) in sealed manner when the arm (50) co-operates with the blocking means, such that in the closed position, the device (1) closes the packaging in sealed manner, the gasket (57) releasing the second hole (70) when the arm (50) is disengaged from the blocking means and the pivot angle β of the arm relative to its closed position is greater than a strictly positive threshold angle β0.
US08844736B1
A method and an apparatus for providing permanent creases in articles of clothing such as pants, lined dress pants and shirt sleeves in which the stand has one or two legs connected to a vertical support which in turn is connected to a base. A garment support tray is affixed to the vertical support struts and the base. Each leg has a groove therein which is adapted to receive a V-shaped channel that is affixed preferably by adhesive material to the groove. The V-shaped channel is adapted to receive a preformed crease to an article of clothing therein so that an applicator can be guided along the garments inverted interior crease length depositing adhesive which after curing makes the crease permanent.
US08844734B2
A portable auger rack is disclosed, adapted to allow a single operator to transport a plurality of augers and an auger drive unit, as well as to allow a single operator to connect the drive unit and augers unassisted to a skid-steer, Bobcat®, or other variation of track equipment.
US08844720B2
Biodegradable novelty packages, which can take the shape of eggs (i.e., ellipsoids), for example, are useful for containing small toys, candy or the like. Such small toys, candy and the like are often hidden in petroleum-based plastic eggs for children's amusement. Biodegradable novelty packages as described herein are formed of a biodegradable resin, such as a biodegradable thermoplastic.
US08844718B2
A bottle packaging for shipment includes a bottom tray, and a top tray made of molded pulp fiber, such as newspaper pulp, and a cardboard partition support structure disposed between the trays. Cavities formed in the bottom and top trays are arranged to engage both ends of a bottle and include crushable elements that can axially engage each bottle. The support partition may be made of corrugated cardboard material and be arranged such that the cardboard flutes provide support for loads imparted to the sides of the carton when the carton is laying on its side. The partition forms a void surrounding each bottle in the area of its labels. In this way, structural support and cushioning can be provided to the packaged bottles from all directions.
US08844715B2
A cap assembly having a storage chamber for a secondary ingredient with an integral type working device, which comprises a cap body and a working device; said cap body including a mouth and a housing sealing part with a droping space which is formed around the mouth; said working device adapted to move vertically, including an inner extended housing which is formed with a storage chamber for containing a secondary ingredient and having at least one outlet above seal portion formed at upper portion of the working device; and when the working device containing a secondary ingredient is assembled to the mouth of the cap body, the chamber is sealed by a housing sealing part.
US08844701B2
A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided with improved retention of a drive key during shipping, assembly, and operation of the device. The device includes a rotor disposed about an input shaft. The input shaft is disposed about a rotational axis and the rotor and input shaft define opposed keyways. A key is disposed in the keyways and rotatably couples the rotor and input shaft. An armature is disposed about the axis and coupled to an output member and configured for selective engagement with the rotor. In one embodiment, the key and a support member in the device are shaped in a complementary fashion to limit radial and axial movement of the key. In another embodiment, an axial end of the key or rotor is deformed to axially align the axial ends of the key and rotor and limit axial movement of the key.
US08844699B2
A clutch assembly, particularly for a friction clutch of a motor vehicle, with at least one clutch housing in which is arranged a diaphragm spring that acts on a pressure plate and is secured to the clutch housing by a holding ring with retaining tabs distributed over a circumference at a distance axially from the holding ring. The retaining tabs define an axial stop. A spring element is arranged between two adjacent structural component parts of the clutch assembly that are arranged between the holding ring and the axial stop of the retaining tabs that exerts an axial spring force on the adjacent structural component parts. The spring element is arranged on at least one retaining tab and has at least two edge-side support regions that extend in direction of the adjacent retaining tabs and at least partially contact one structural component part and at least one axial raised portion arranged between the support regions that at least partially contacts the other structural component part.
US08844688B2
A mouse hole damper device positioned at the bottom portion of a mouse hole pipe, the mouse hole damper being arranged to dampen an impact from an object falling in the mouse hole pipe, and the mouse hole damper including a material which has been worked into forming walls around elongated openings, and the material being arranged in such a way that the openings are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mouse hole pipe.
US08844683B2
A disc brake for a motor vehicle, wherein the disc brake comprises a housing, a brake disc which can be rotated relative to the housing, at least one friction lining, and at least one actuating device which is configured for bringing about a relative movement between the brake disc and the friction lining, with the result that the friction lining can be brought into contact with the brake disc, wherein the actuating device has at least one actuating piston which is guided displaceably in the housing in a hydraulically sealing manner, wherein the actuating piston can be displaced in the housing hydraulically and via a mechanical actuator. In the disc brake, it is provided that the actuating piston is coupled to the mechanical actuator via an elastically deformable driving arrangement, wherein, as a consequence of a relative displacement between the actuating piston and the actuator, the driving arrangement provides a restoring movement in accordance with its elastic deformation.
US08844677B1
An expandable and collapsible platform system for providing a portable elevated platform for a user has a generally “A” shaped platform support member. A first vertical leg is attached to a second vertical leg via a top base and a plurality of fixed horizontal rungs. The fixed horizontal rungs incrementally increase in width from top to bottom. The first vertical leg has a first vertical leg extension and the second vertical leg has a second vertical leg extension. A horizontal beam has an engagement component for interfacing with a stationary vertical support surface with a hinge mounted to a top base. A planar flooring member is located on a top base top surface and a horizontal beam top surface.
US08844674B2
A dual-purpose assault ladder and bridging apparatus includes a right frame and a left frame both including upper and lower frame tubes. Assault steps are connected between the right and left frames. Spanning supports connect upper frame tubes. Truss brackets secure one end of an assault step to the frame elements. Assault step support tubes are located to support the assault steps. Bridging steps are connected between the right and left frames and the assault steps. A top portion is mounted at an oblique angle slanting the top portion to position the angled assault steps substantially parallel to the ground when the ladder is leaned against a wall.
US08844663B2
A twin engine improves fuel efficiency in a low-load section and generates sufficient output in a high-load section by selecting a specific bank or operating all of the banks in accordance with necessity of required load. The twin engine may include a plurality of engine banks that independently operates in a unit of a cylinder block equipped with a plurality of cylinders, transmissions that are provided at the same number of engine banks and disposed between output ends of engine banks, a power controller that selectively collects the power output from the output ends of transmissions and transmits the power to driving wheels, and a driving controller that controls the operations of the engine banks and the power controller, such that the engine banks are selectively or simultaneously operated in accordance with traveling conditions.
US08844656B2
An earth bit includes a cutting cone carried by a lug, and an interstice seal assembly which forms a dynamic seal with a radial interstice lug surface of the lug. The interstice seal assembly includes a rigid sealing ring having lengthened and shortened arm portions. The lengthened arm portion extends outwardly from the shortened arm portion, and engages the radial interstice lug surface.
US08844655B2
A joint connecting a pair of members rotatable about a common axis end to end includes a first member having a threaded end portion and a non-circular exterior surface rearwardly of the threaded end portion, a second member having a threaded socket wherein the threaded end portion of the second member can be engaged, and a non-circular exterior surface, a ground engagement sleeve having a non-circular profile on an inner surface thereof whereby the sleeve can be slidably mounted on the non-circular exterior profiles of the first and second members when such profiles are brought into alignment by rotation of one member relative to the other in a manner effective to pass torque from one member to the other by means of the non-circular profiles, a first pair of alignable holes in the sleeve and first member to receive a fastener to secure the sleeve to the first member and a hole in the second member penetrating the threaded socket and positioned to receive a fastener to secure the second member to a third member in place of the first member, the third member having a hole in a threaded end portion thereof alignable with the hole in the second member.
US08844651B2
A method of controlling a fluid jet can include discharging fluid through an outlet of a jetting device, thereby causing the fluid jet to be flowed in multiple non-coplanar directions, and the fluid jet being directed in the non-coplanar directions by a fluidic circuit of the jetting device. A jetting device can include a body having at least one outlet, and a fluidic circuit which directs a fluid jet to flow from the outlet in multiple non-coplanar directions without rotation of the outlet. A method of drilling a wellbore can include flowing fluid through a fluidic switch of a jetting device, thereby causing a fluid jet to be discharged in multiple non-coplanar directions from the jetting device, and the fluid jet cutting into an earth formation.
US08844650B2
The present invention is generally directed to a closed loop apparatus, system, process or method adapted for processing drilling mud used in a down hole well drilling process such that any undesirable particulate such as cuttings will be substantially, if not completely separated from the dirty mud while at the same time allowing the recycled drilling mud to be continuously circulated with the drilling mud. In one embodiment, the present invention includes the following components, all in fluid or mud flow communication with one another and with an adjacent drilling rig: at least one clean mud mixing tank, at least one pump system, at least one dirty mud shakers, at least one optional conveyor belt system, at least one recycled mud reclamation tank and one or more filtering centrifugal pumps or centrifuge systems.
US08844642B2
An automatic flow restrictor includes a movement sensor that detects undesired movement of a firefighting apparatus relative to a support surface and automatically reduces the flow of fluid through the apparatus to thereby reduce reaction forces acting upon the apparatus. The sensor may be a slidable member or an actuatable lever, for example, that detects movement of the apparatus along or away from a support surface, and actuates an adjuster to restrict the flow of fluid until the forces are balanced and the apparatus stops moving relative to the support surface.
US08844639B2
An integrated thermal recovery process using a solvent of a pentane or hexane or both as an additive to, or sole component of, a gravity-dominated process for recovering bitumen or heavy oil from a reservoir. A pentane-hexane specific solvent fraction is extracted at surface from a diluent stream. That pentane-hexane solvent fraction is then injected into the reservoir as part of a gravity-dominated recovery process within the reservoir, and when that solvent fraction is subsequently produced as part of the oil or bitumen blend, it is allowed to remain within the blend to enhance the subsequent blend treating and transportation steps. Meanwhile, the remainder of the diluent from which the solvent stream had been extracted is utilized at surface as a blending stream to serve as an aid in treating of produced fluids and also to serve as a means of rendering the bitumen or heavy oil stream pipelineable.
US08844636B2
A well conveyance system couples to an uphole end of an artificial lift system and operates to push the artificial lift system through a tubing string for deployment in a wellbore. The well conveyance system includes a wellbore tractor adapted to push the artificial lift system through the tubing string and a swab cup assembly having a swab cup and a perforated nipple extending therethrough. The perforated nipple includes a nipple passage allowing for fluid flow from an area downhole from the swab cup to an area uphole from the swab cup when the wellbore tractor operates. A valve selectively blocks the perforated nipple to permit a hydraulic pressure to be applied to the tubing string uphole of the swab cup, exerting a downhole force on the swab cup to aid in deployment of the artificial lift system.
US08844630B2
A retrieval tool and method for retrieving a remote tool with a threaded connection from a remote location. The retrieval tool includes a rotational drive member which rotates an attachment sub having a complimentary threaded portion. An articulated shaft assembly permits the attachment sub to move laterally and angularly with respect to the axis of the rotational drive member. A fluid conduit supplies fluid pressure for releasing the remote tool.
US08844628B2
A self-adaptive cement formulation includes cement, water and asphaltite-mineral particles. The set cement demonstrates self-healing properties when exposed to methane, and is particularly suited for well-cementing applications. After placement and curing, the self-healing properties help maintain zonal isolation should bonding be disrupted between the set cement and the formation or a casing string, should cracks or defects appear in the set-cement matrix, or both.
US08844620B2
A sidetracking tool includes a setting tool having an expandable anchor, a whipstock connected to an upper end of the setting tool, the whipstock having a ramp face along an axial length thereof, and a drilling assembly including a drill bit disposed on an end thereof, wherein the drill bit is configured to interface with the ramp face of the whipstock.
US08844617B1
An annular blowout container (ABOC) that may be used in multiples in a stack in conjunction with additional gate and shear valves to protect a wellhead. The ABOC incorporates a cylindrical formed bladder that provides a tight constrictive seal around whatever pipe or tubing may be in the well bore. The bladder is made of top and bottom rotator plates with springs extending between the plates. The springs are encased in Teflon® and held in place by Kevlar® then covered over completely with cured Viton® that is injected to complete the overall bladder in a molded form. Rotation of the top and bottom rotator plates effects a twisting constriction around the drill pipe or tubing. Electrical and hydraulic operational components are housed inside chambers within the ABOC for predominantly self-contained operation. The cylindrical bladder assembly may be removed and replaced after extended use.
US08844614B2
A method to separate a gas phase from a liquid phase in a subterranean formation that includes positioning a downhole tool in a wellbore, operating the downhole tool to form perforations in the subterranean formation in a manner that creates cyclonic motion in fluids that exit the subterranean formation and enter the wellbore through the perforations, the fluid having a gas phase and a liquid phase, and producing the liquid phase to the surface, whereby the liquid phase is substantially devoid of the gas phase as a result of the cyclonic motion.
US08844613B2
A shear blade attached to a ram block. At least one bolt passage is formed at an angle at the top of the ram block. A bolt passage is formed in the shear blade that corresponds with the bolt passage on the tam block. A bolt introduced into the bolt passage of the ram block and also the bolt passage in the shear blade attaches the shear blade to the ram block. By using this technique for attaching the shear blade to the ram block, surface area of a front face of the shear blade is not further reduced. Therefore, the strength of the shear blade is increased.
US08844610B2
The present invention is a plate heat exchanger that allows refrigerant to enter the heat exchanger simultaneously from two sides. Allowing the refrigerant or other fluid to enter from two sides splits the flow and improves fluid velocities by presenting an optimized area to the fluid flow. This effect may be realized for both gases and liquids, and for example with respect to a liquid refrigerant, where it enters the heat exchanger simultaneously by splitting. According to the present invention the split liquid flow from the condenser feeds dual electronically controlled expansion valves before entering the heat exchanger. Fully evaporated gas leaves the heat exchanger through a single outlet, or through a dual outlet.
US08844585B2
An apparatus for filling containers with a liquid and, in particular, with a beverage, with a plurality of filling elements which in each case have an outlet in order to pour the beverage into the containers, as well as a valve device in order to control the supply of the liquid into the containers, with a conveying device which conveys the containers along a pre-set conveying path at least for a time during the filling thereof with the liquid, and with a cleaning device which acts with a cleaning medium upon at least one region contacted by the liquid to be filled. At least one filling element is designed in such a way that the cleaning medium is freely discharged out of this filling element during a cleaning operation.
US08844583B2
The invention provides a refuel valve assembly 240 for refuelling a first and a second fuel tank on an aircraft, wherein the refuel valve assembly 240 comprises an inlet for receiving fuel from an orifice 215 in a structure 213 of the aircraft, a first 251a and a second outlet 251b for delivering fuel from behind the structure to the first 211a and second 211b fuel tanks, and a refuel control apparatus for controlling fuel flow to the first and second outlets; wherein the refuel control apparatus includes a controllable valve assembly, so that delivery of fuel through the first outlet to a first fuel tank can be controlled independently of delivery through the second outlet of fuel to a second fuel tank. The invention also provides a method of refuelling a first and a second fuel tank on an aircraft.
US08844580B2
Low or near zero fluid permeation hose for petroleum and other chemical transfer applications. The hose includes an inner tube formed of a vulcanized rubber, and a barrier layer of a strip of a fluoropolymer of other polymeric material resistant to fluid permeation. The strip is spiral wound about the longitudinal axis of the hose.
US08844578B2
Example air ducts comprising pliable tubular sidewalls are provided with example internal frameworks that hold the duct in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is depressurized. The framework tensions the pliable sidewall material along the length of the ducts to keep the material taut. In some examples, the framework is restrained within the duct such that the duct's sidewall, being in tension, holds the framework in compression longitudinally. Thus, in the longitudinal direction, the duct is in tension and the framework is in compression. To prevent the framework from buckling under the compressive force, some example frameworks comprise a central longitudinal shaft with a plurality of radial spokes and rings that help hold the shaft straight. In some examples, the rings also help hold the duct radially expanded.
US08844571B2
A fluid actuator for influencing the flow along a flow surface by ejecting a fluid flowing through the fluid actuator is described. The fluid actuator has at least two outlet lines with outlet openings at the respective ends thereof, and a feed line connected to the outlet lines for feeding fluid at a supply pressure, a flow direction diverting device into which the feed line opens and out of which the outlet lines open, and an adjusting device coupled to the flow direction diverting device to control the latter. The adjusting device is configured so the fluid is conducted successively in a cyclic sequence into each of the outlet lines. A discharge device for discharging a fluid out of a flow body, and a flow body having a multiplicity of discharge openings and a discharge device of said type are also described.
US08844568B2
A multi-channel stepped motor operated gas adjusting valve includes a valve shell, a reduction motor, a locator, a gas flow distributor and a locator rotation angle detecting mechanism. The gas flow distributor has a disk which is tightly attached to a hard hollow washer. An inner wall of the valve shell is provided with locating ends corresponding to a group of locating nodes to form the locator rotation angle detecting mechanism. Each locating node is placed corresponding to a gas flow distribution groove of the same sequence. The inner wall of the valve shell is also provided with stopping blocks at a beginning state and an ending state of the locator. The valve enables accurate control by utilizing an action position feedback signal and a control circuit, and enables multi-position stepped adjustment on gas flow rate upon multi-channel gas passages simultaneously. The valve can independently cut the multi-channel gas passages.
US08844567B2
A manifold, for a refrigeration system, includes a body comprising a bore hole extending through the body, and a plurality of ports including a first process port for adding and removing refrigerant, and a first side port for mechanical connection thereto. The manifold also includes a first ball valve disposed in the body, between the first process port and the first side port. The first ball valve includes a ball recess aligned with the bore hole through the body, and a ball port extending generally transverse to the ball recess and in fluid connection therewith. The ball port includes a narrow end and wider end. The first ball valve is moveable between an open position in which the ball port is aligned with the first side port and the first side port is in fluid connection with the bore hole through the body, and a closed position in which the ball port is out of alignment with the first side port.
US08844566B2
Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.
US08844562B2
A backflow prevention device including an opening in the housing configured to provide a user with access to the upstream check valve and the downstream check valve. The backflow prevention device further includes a cover configured to cover the entirety of the opening. The cover includes a portion of a lateral surface of a right cylinder. The backflow prevention device additionally includes a seal configured to sealingly engage the cover and the housing along the perimeter of the cover.
US08844560B2
The most strained component of a cartridge is the bush, in which the control lever is mounted, using which the control can is moved. Upon actuation of the control lever to open and close the intakes and drains, the bush and thus also the extension of the housing and the front wall thereof are strained by bending. Upon mixing of the cold and hot water streams, friction forces arise in directions, which are perpendicular to one another, between the bush and the front wall of the housing and in the extension of the housing by rotation of the bush. All of these strains can result in hysteresis in the mixing position and in the position of the control cam during the opening and closing movements because of tolerances and play the opening and closing movements because of tolerances and play between the individual components. To overcome the strain issues, the bush bus has the control lever mounted therein is mounted using a conical face and also conical part of the front wall of the cylindrical housing.
US08844556B2
A connector includes an inlet port into which liquid is poured and which has a first flow path for the liquid, a liquid discharge port to which a tube body is connectable and which has a second flow path discharging liquid from the first flow path to the connected tube body, a gas discharge which discharges air in the first flow path, and a blocking device which, when the liquid is poured in the first flow path, temporarily stops the liquid flow. Use of the connector involves sealing an opening section of the liquid discharge port, pouring liquid in the inlet port, causing air in the first flow path to be discharged, temporarily stopping the flow of the liquid in the first flow path, unsealing the opening section of the liquid discharge port, connecting the tube body to the liquid discharge port, and resuming flow of the liquid.
US08844548B2
A support for a walking aid such as a crutch, a walker or a cane is disclosed. The support is configured for providing enhanced balance on adverse terrain that may contain obstacles and/or have slippery spots. In an embodiment of the present invention, the support comprises a flat bottom and an upwardly angled slit that provides an upper and a lower section configured for contorting in a manner as to enhance friction with the walking terrain thus reducing the probability of slippage. In an alternate embodiment, the support comprises an oval shaped bottom and a downwardly angled slit. This support is configured facilitating walking and providing support in rough terrain.
US08844542B2
The present invention relates generally to a cosmetic apparatus. More particularly, the invention encompasses an accessory sleeve for a cosmetic item. The present invention is also directed to a novel lock-in cosmetic accessory sleeve. The accessory sleeve has a first opening to securely and releaseably accommodate a first cosmetic container, and a second opening to securely and releaseably accommodate a second cosmetic container. Both the accessory sleeve and the containers have releaseable engagement means to securely hold each to the other. The lock-in cosmetic accessory sleeve has at least one partitioning wall having at least one protrusion having at least one spring means to exert pressure on one end of the cosmetic container. The cosmetic container preferably has at least two chambers, wherein the first chamber accommodates cosmetic contents, while the second chamber is used to accommodate at least one engageable fastener.
US08844535B2
The preferred embodiments provide, e.g., a high quality flexible tracheostomy tube assembly including an outer tracheostomy cannula and a disposable, flexible inner cannula. In preferred embodiments, the product provides a single patient use, sterile device.
