US09970369B2

Provided is a control unit (1) for setting, for respective electronic throttles (11) and (12) provided for respective cylinders, respective ranges of a difference between a target rpm and an engine rpm where the electronic throttles (11) and (12) are not operated as a first dead zone and a second dead zone, determining, for each of the electronic throttles (11) and (12), whether or not the difference between the target rpm and the engine rpm is in the dead zone, preventing the electronic throttle determined to have the difference in the dead zone from operating, and determining, for the electronic throttle determined to have the difference exceeding the dead zone, a control gain for the electronic throttle depending on the magnitude of the difference, thereby operating the electronic throttle.
US09970366B2

A control apparatus using a feedback control algorithm including an integral term, which is capable of controlling a controlled object having a response lag characteristic while suppressing influences of aging and sudden changes in an operating state, and thereby improving control accuracy. The control apparatus that controls a supercharger includes an ECU. The ECU calculates a reference FB target pressure using a first-order lag equation, an allowable upper limit value based on a value obtained by adding a predetermined allowable range value to the reference FB target pressure, an FB target pressure such that an actual boost pressure does not exceed the allowable upper limit value, and a feedback correction term using a PI control algorithm such that the actual boost pressure becomes equal to the FB target pressure, and controls the actual boost pressure using a driver demand boost pressure and the feedback correction term.
US09970355B2

The present disclosure refers to an impingement cooling arrangement for cooling a duct wall of a duct guiding a hot gas flow. The impingement cooling arrangement includes an impingement sleeve which is at least partly disposed in a compressed air plenum, and spaced at a distance to the duct wall to form a cooling flow path between the duct wall and the impingement sleeve such that cooling air injected from the compressed air plenum through apertures in the sleeve impinges on the duct wall. At least one flow diverter is arranged in the cooling flow path to divert the cross flow away from at least one aperture. Besides the impingement cooling arrangement a gas turbine with such an arrangement as well as a method for cooling a duct wall are provided.
US09970354B2

A power plant includes a compressor, a combustor downstream from the compressor and a turbine disposed downstream from the combustor. The compressor includes a compressor extraction port. The turbine includes a turbine extraction port that is in fluid communication with a hot gas path of the turbine and which provides a flow path for a stream of combustion gas to flow out of the turbine. An exhaust duct is disposed downstream from the turbine and receives exhaust gas from the turbine. An ejector coupled to the turbine extraction port and to the compressor extraction port cools the stream of combustion gas upstream from the exhaust duct. The cooled combustion gas flows into the exhaust duct at a higher temperature than the exhaust gas and mixes with the exhaust gas within the exhaust duct to provide a heated exhaust gas mixture to a heat exchanger downstream from the exhaust duct.
US09970350B2

An opposed piston engine includes a cylinder having a cylinder wall, and a pair of opposed pistons, Each face of each piston of the pair of opposed pistons has a top plane and a recess formed therein, each recess comprising a first surface defining part of a cone, the cone defined by the first surface of at least one of the recesses having a longitudinal axis that defines an angle equal to at least one half of a cone angle of the cone with the top plane.
US09970346B2

A thermoactuator easily installed in an object without compromising the operating characteristics of the thermo-element has an element case, containing wax that expands and contracts with changes in temperature; a supporting portion attached at one end to the element case by crimping, slidably supporting a shaft at another end; a cylindrical casing having an opening in one end, at least a portion of the supporting portion pressed through the opening in the one end of the cylindrical casing; and a flange expanding outward from the one end of the cylindrical casing, in which through-holes are formed for mounting the thermoactuator to an object to which the thermoactuator is to be attached. The element case is supported by one end of the supporting portion housed within the object to which the thermoactuator is to be attached and the casing is mounted on the object via the flange.
US09970345B2

The exhaust purification system comprises a control apparatus performing main feedback control controlling the amount of fed fuel so that the output air-fuel ratio of the upstream side sensor becomes a target value, sub feedback control setting the target air-fuel based on the output air-fuel ratio of the downstream side sensor, main learning control controlling the amount of fed fuel based on a main learning value, and sub learning control controlling the amount of fed fuel based on a sub learning value. The control apparatus performs sub learning promotion control so that the sub learning value easily changes to a suitable value when a sub learning promotion condition, which is satisfied when the absolute values of the main learning value and the sub learning value are respectively predetermined reference absolute values or more and these learning values are opposite in sign, is satisfied.
US09970342B2

An exhaust gas purification device is equipped with: an NOx purification unit disposed in exhaust gas piping of an engine supporting an NOx storage catalyst (NSC); a catalyzed soot filter (CSF) disposed downstream of the NOx purification unit supporting a particulate combustion catalyst causing captured particulates to combust; and an electronic control unit (ECU) which controls exhaust gas flowing into the NSC to be rich and which, by raising the temperature of the NSC, acts as a regeneration device that causes sulfur components captured in the NSC to be desorbed. The particulate combustion catalyst is provided where Ag and Pd have been alloyed on an Al2O3 carrier; the quantity of Ag supported by the Al2O3 carrier is 1.2-2.5 g/L; the quantity of Pd supported by the Al2O3 carrier is 0.7 g/L or less; and the ratio Ag/Pd of the Ag support quantity to the Pd support quantity is 1.7-8.3.
US09970340B2

A vehicle exhaust system includes an exhaust component having an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an internal exhaust component cavity. At least one bleed hole is formed in the exhaust component to reduce a resonance frequency. The bleed hole comprises a discontinuous opening into the exhaust component cavity.
US09970338B2

A cylinder deactivation system includes an intake cam follower assembly, an exhaust cam follower assembly, an exhaust cam, and a controller. The intake cam follower assembly is used to open an intake engine valve and is switchable to operate in one of an active state and a deactive state. The exhaust cam follower assembly is used to open an exhaust engine valve and is switchable to operate in one of a primary lift state and a secondary lift state. The exhaust cam includes a primary lift cam lobe and a secondary lift cam lobe and is used to actuate the exhaust cam follower assembly in the primary lift state and in the secondary lift state. The controller is used to open the exhaust engine valve during the deactive combustion cycle in advance of the opening of the intake engine valve that occurs during the subsequent active combustion cycle.
US09970337B2

An actuator for a valve in an internal combustion engine includes a housing, an electric drive unit arranged in an interior of the housing, an aeration opening arranged in the housing, a plug configured to electrically connect the electric drive unit to a voltage source, and a membrane comprising pores. The membrane is configured to close the aeration opening in the housing.
US09970330B2

An electric variable valve timing apparatus includes a sprocket unit and an electric motor. The electric motor is fixed to a chain cover with bolts. The chain cover includes plural bosses each having an internal thread to which one of the bolts is threaded. The bosses extend from the chain cover toward the sprocket unit to positions at which the bosses face an outer periphery of the sprocket unit in a radial direction. The bosses are arranged such that, when the sprocket unit moves downward from an attaching position, at which the sprocket unit is attached to the camshaft, at least two bosses are engaged with the sprocket unit to restrict downward movement of the sprocket unit, and that the sprocket unit is allowed to move between a location outside of a space covered by the chain cover and the attaching position.
US09970320B2

An exhaust housing hub of a turbomachine, including a connecting wall and an inner channel wall, the connecting wall connecting the inner channel wall to inner attachment flanges, wherein a radial section of the connecting wall is curved and can be formed, as required, as a single component with the inner channel wall, the hub also including a series of ribs extending radially between the connecting wall and the inner channel wall.
US09970319B2

An airfoil body includes an airfoil wall defined between an internal cavity surface and an external airfoil surface. A pad extends from the internal cavity surface. A cooling hole extends from the external airfoil surface, through the airfoil wall and through the pad for fluid communication through the airfoil wall.
US09970315B2

A movable vane control system is disclosed for use with a gas turbine engine having a turbine axis of rotation. The system includes a plurality of rotatable turbine vanes in a gas flow path within a turbine case of the gas turbine engine. A first vane position sensor having a first distance sensor is configured to sense the distance between the first distance sensor and a surface portion of a first of said plurality of vanes or a first movable target connected to the first vane. Additionally, the first distance sensor, the first vane surface portion, the first movable target, or a combination thereof is configured to provide a variable distance between the first distance sensor and the first vane surface portion or first movable target that varies as a function of a position of the first vane.
US09970305B2

A treatment process for a gas turbine component comprising a bond coating and a ceramic coating, an oxide-forming treatment composition, and a treated component are disclosed. The ceramic coating is contacted with a treatment composition. The treatment composition includes a carrier and a particulate oxide-forming material suspended within the carrier. The particulate oxide-forming material is one or more of yttria oxide, antimony, or tin oxide. The treatment composition is heated to form an oxide overlay coating on the ceramic coating. The treated component includes a ceramic coating and one or both of a corrosion inhibitor and an oxide formed by an oxide-forming treatment composition having the corrosion inhibitor.
US09970299B2

The present application provides a purge flow delivery system that may be used with a gas turbine engine. The purge flow delivery system may include a mixing chamber with a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a cover plate, a first inlet tube positioned about the first sidewall, the first inlet tube configured to deliver a first fluid to the mixing chamber, a second inlet tube positioned about the second sidewall, the second inlet tube configured to deliver a second fluid to the mixing chamber, and a baffle plate attached to the cover plate and positioned to direct the first fluid at a first angle and the second fluid at a second angle.
US09970291B2

A method of installing a fill fence system at a predetermined location to at least partially cover an opening defined by a back, a floor, and side walls. The method includes providing a carrier system including a carrier assembly, locating the carrier assembly in a safe zone adjacent to the unsafe zone, and positioning an assembled fill fence assembly on the carrier assembly. The carrier assembly and the full fence assembly are moved to a preselected location. With the carrier assembly at the preselected location, the fill fence assembly is positioned at the predetermined location, and installed at least partially to cover the opening. The carrier assembly is disengaged from the fill fence assembly and removed from the preselected location. The fill fence system includes a securing element is applied to help secure the fill fence assembly in the opening.
US09970289B2

Disclosed are methods and systems for characterizing an intermittently produced beam pumped hydrocarbon producing well that is controlled by a Type II pump off controller. The well is operated at production pumping conditions while a pressure signal and/or a production rate signal is monitored, without the need for a conventional pressure-buildup shut in period to obtain well data. A set of theoretical type curves is plotted using a type curve algorithm that successively solves for the duration of each producing time (ΔtpN). A dimensionless curve of the percentage run time versus the number of production cycles for the well is also plotted. The theoretical type curve closest matching the dimensionless curve is identified. From the closest matching type curve, Δtp1/Δts is determined wherein Δtp1 is the amount of time for a first production period of the well and Δts is an operator defined shut in period, and Δtp1 is calculated. A well property selected from the group consisting of formation permeability, skin, productivity index and combinations thereof can be calculated using the well data and Δtp1.
US09970288B2

A receiving apparatus for downhole near-bit wireless transmission emission includes an electrical isolation drill collar and an internal electrical isolation short tube. The insulating subs are serially connected and disposed in the middle of the electrical isolation drill collar and the internal electrical isolation sub to realize electric isolation. The electrical isolation drill collar is electrically coupled with the internal electrical isolation short tube through a lantern stabilizer. The receiving apparatus further includes a wireless transmission receiving unit. The electrical isolation drill collar and the internal electrical isolation short tube of the receiving apparatus both have an electrical isolation function. The insulating subs in the electrical isolation drill collar and the internal electrical isolation short tube are non-detachable, and can meet downhole requirements for high torsion and high-pressure sealing property.
US09970287B2

A subsea electronic information system for managing data related to a characteristic of subsea equipment locatable subsea. The system includes sensors locatable subsea and in communication with and capable of measuring a characteristic of the subsea equipment. A sensor interface box (SIB) separate from the sensors and locatable subsea includes a processor and a memory device capable of receiving and storing sensor measurement data. Additionally, the SIB is in data and power communication with the sensors.The system further includes a subsea retrievable data capsule capable of recording all system data over a long period. The capsule may be recovered from subsea (independently of the other elements of the information system) for forensic analysis of the recorded data.
US09970284B2

A method for drilling a well along a planned trajectory includes: receiving downhole data from a steerable drilling tool; processing the downhole data and creating a downlink path, the downlink path being recognizable by the steerable drilling tool; and controlling the trajectory of the steerable drilling tool based on the downlink path.
US09970282B2

Methods and apparatus for recovering heavy oil from subterranean reservoirs. A steam-utilizing heavy oil recovery process may be used to recover the heavy oil while employing a steam-solvent mixture. The solvent may be a tailored hydrocarbon solvent obtained from a precursor mixture of hydrocarbon compounds from which light end hydrocarbon compounds have been removed.
US09970275B2

A method of producing heavy oil from a heavy oil formation by combining electromagnetic heating to achieve fluid communication between wells, following by in situ combustion to mobilize and upgrade the heavy oil.
US09970262B2

There is provided a valve apparatus for disposition within a wellbore that is disposed within a subterranean formation, wherein the valve apparatus includes a housing including: (a) an outermost surface, (b) a fluid passage defined within the housing, (c) a port extending through the housing for effecting fluid communication between the reservoir and the fluid passage, (d) a first groove disposed on the outermost surface and defining a first fluid channel, for conducting reservoir fluid to the port, and extending from an outermost surface portion of the outermost surface to the port, wherein the minimum distance between the outermost surface portion and the port is at least two (2) inches, and a closure member displaceable relative to the port for effecting opening and closing of the port.
US09970261B2

Flow control assemblies for downhole operations and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The systems include a flow control assembly that is configured to control a fluid flow between a casing conduit and a subterranean formation. The flow control assembly includes a housing that includes a housing body that defines at least a portion of the casing conduit. The housing also includes an injection conduit, which extends between the casing conduit and the subterranean formation, and a ball sealer seat, which defines a portion of the injection conduit. The flow control assembly further includes a hydraulically actuated sliding sleeve that controls a fluid flow through the injection conduit. The methods include pressurizing a portion of the casing conduit, transitioning the hydraulically actuated sliding sleeve from a closed configuration to an open configuration, stimulating the subterranean formation, and receiving a ball sealer on the ball sealer seat.
US09970259B2

A dump valve arrangement for a fracking tool coupled to a length of coil tubing includes an axially displaceable inner mandrel which cooperates with a valve arrangement to allow for releasing fracturing fluid through the central bore of a fracturing tool to an outlet port positioned at the bottom of the tool string. Displacement of the inner mandrel is effected as a result of the normal sequence of operation of the fracturing tool set.
US09970251B2

A setting tool for hanging a tubular string includes: a mandrel having an upper portion and a lower portion for extending into the tubular string; a housing connected to the mandrel upper portion; and a bonnet. The bonnet is: for receiving an upper end of the tubular string, disposed along the mandrel, and linked to the housing. The setting tool further includes: an actuator for stroking the bonnet relative to the mandrel and the housing, thereby setting a hanger of the tubular string; an electronics package in communication with the actuator for operating the actuator in response to receiving a command signal; and a latch. The latch is: connected to the mandrel lower portion, operable between an extended position and a retracted position, for being restrained in the retracted position by being disposed in the tubular string, and extendable by being removed from the tubular string.
US09970244B1

An accelerated rod and sinker bar break out device having a base, a pivoting hydraulic cylinder with a stationary wrench and a pivoting wrench. A hydraulic control assembly controls hydraulic cylinder operation and has a manifold with input port for receiving hydraulic fluid from a reservoir and an output port for transferring hydraulic fluid to the reservoir. The manifold can have a first bidirectional control port to flow hydraulic fluid to and from a first pivoting hydraulic cylinder port and a second bidirectional control port to flow hydraulic fluid to and from a second pivoting hydraulic cylinder port. The manifold has a lever, which movably changes hydraulic fluid flow rates to the pivoting hydraulic cylinder and interfaces with a primary pressure adjustment valve.
US09970243B2

The snubbing unit inserts a tubular member into a well without a riser. The snubbing unit includes a set of stationary slips in a first base plate, a first set of traveling slips in a second base plate, a second set of traveling slips in a third base plate, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders connecting the base plates. Each set of slips has an engaged position and a released position relative to the hydraulic cylinders. The base plates are cooperative with a pipe guide so that movement of the tubular member between the base plates corresponds to consistent support of the tubular member to preventing buckling. The snubbing unit increases safety and support for inserting into the well without a riser.
US09970228B2

Controlling movable barrier movement with respect to selectively overriding a safety system includes determining whether a safety system is in an operation failure or misalignment state, the safety system being configured to detect obstruction in a path of movement of a movable barrier, receiving a state change request for the movable barrier while the safety system is in the operation failure or misalignment state, determining whether a safety override condition exists, and overriding the safety system and actuating the movable barrier if the safety system is in the operation failure or misalignment state and the safety override condition exists.
US09970226B2

A window assembly is disclosed for a vehicle having a window regulator rail and a window carrier configured to shift along the window regulator rail. The window assembly includes a glass panel having a mounting end and a clip assembly fixed to the mounting end of the glass panel. The clip assembly is configured to be fixed to the window carrier and includes a clip body defined by a first end configured to engage the window carrier and an opposing second end defining a channel. The clip assembly also includes a retainer arranged in the channel and configured to accept and position the glass panel mounting end inside the channel. The clip assembly additionally includes an adhesive configured to fill the channel and cure therein after the mounting end of the glass panel has been positioned inside the channel. A vehicle door having such a window assembly is also disclosed.
US09970225B2

A window frame comprising a plurality of elongate frame members defining a frame opening for receiving a window for closing the frame opening. At least one of the elongate frame members having a longitudinally extending recess; and a slide mechanism received within the recess, wherein the slide mechanism comprises a first track fixed within the recess and a second track movable within and along the recess and coupled to the first track via a rotary coupling member such that movement of second track along the recess causes the rotary coupling member to rotate, wherein the second track is arranged to be coupled to the window when the window is received within the frame opening to enable the window to slide relative to the frame.
US09970223B2

An articulating prop to prop panels in an open position is disclosed. In one embodiment, the prop includes a protrusion that rests in a groove to lock members of the articulating prop in position. An external force causes the articulating prop members to rotate into a locked position. In another embodiment, an additional latch is disclosed which further locks the articulating prop in a locked position. An external force causes the articulating prop member to rotate out of a locked position. Shapes and interfaces of handles of the articulating prop are disclosed. Openings and pivotal axes of members of the articulating prop are also disclosed herein.
US09970221B2

A door handle assembly configured for installation in a motor vehicle door may include a housing accommodating an actuator mechanism, a grip assembly activating the actuator mechanism, wherein the actuator mechanism includes a plurality of levers juxtaposed to each other and pivotably positioned in the housing, and the plurality of levers having a first lever and a second lever, wherein the first lever and the second lever may be positioned to be in contact with a grip lever during a normal working condition and during a side impact condition of the vehicle, thereby exerting a holding force on the grip lever, and wherein after experiencing the side impact, the first lever may be configured to rotate about a pivot and the second lever continues exerting the holding force on the grip lever.
US09970219B2

A latch release device for a vehicle door is provided which enables the release of the latched state of a latch mechanism that accompanies actuation of an electric actuator in response to the normal operation of an operating member for latch release, and the release of the latched state by a mechanical latch release operating force in response to emergency operation of the operating member for latch release, and includes a child lock mechanism attached to the latch mechanism, wherein the child lock mechanism is arranged so as to switch between linking and unlinking the actuating member for latch release and a mechanical operating force input member to which a mechanical latch release operating force is transmitted from the operating member for latch release, and latch release intention detection means is disposed on the latch mechanism so as to detect actuation of the actuating member for latch release.
US09970211B2

A system for supporting and transporting a drilling rig. The system may have a pair of rails, wherein each rail has a plurality of rail segments and a plurality of connections between the segments. Moreover, each connection may have a plurality of interlocking lugs secured with a shear pin and opposing abutment faces, such that each connection may be configured to transfer moment and shear forces between adjacent rail segments. In some embodiments, the each rail segment may be configured to support a point load of up to 1000 kips. In some embodiments, each rail segment may have a protruding connector and a receiving connector, and each connection may include the protruding connector of a first segment and the receiving connector of a second segment. In some embodiments, a portion of each connection may be configured for tension loading and another portion may be configured for compression loading.
US09970205B2

A tool for removing carpet from a floor. The carpet removal tool includes a panel having an elongated opening thereon. Opposing ends of the panel include handles pivotally affixed thereto to be grasped by one or more users, wherein the handles can be positioned parallel to or perpendicular to the panel. In operation, the user cuts a portion of the carpet to be removed and secures the end of the carpet within the elongated opening on the panel. The user then pulls using the handle so that the carpet wraps around the panel as it is removed from the floor. The carpet can be manually wrapped around the panel by the user.
US09970204B2

One embodiment of the invention is a horizontal scaffold member having a primary end connector and a secondary end connector. Each end connector is configured to couple to a cup on a vertical scaffold member. Each end connector includes a wedge assembly having a handle and a wedge, movable with respect to the wedge head to a latched and unlatched position. The primary wedge assembly is connected to the secondary wedge assembly by a cable, and configured so that moving the primary wedge assembly to an unlatched position also moves the secondary wedge assembly to an unlatched position.
US09970198B2

Floor covering, consisting of hard panels, with a laminated structure, whereby at least at the upper surface a printed decorative layer with a wood pattern is present, with thereupon a transparent layer of synthetic material in which impressions are formed, wherein the impressions substantially follow the wood pattern.
US09970192B2

The instant system is a panel made of several layers that is a highly decorative, fire resistant, water resistant, sound proof, R valued insulated, light weight, and energy efficient panel. Such layers include: glass fiber reinforced concrete, glass fiber reinforced concrete with alkaline resistant fibers, alkaline resistant hurricane tested scrim mesh, a solar powered radiant tubing, a fire resistant foam that contains a steel reinforcement, and an epoxy adhesive.
US09970191B2

The present invention provides a viscoelastic wall panel damping device (100) that provides damping against multidirectional reacting dynamic loads that include in-plane shear force resistance and out of plane force resistance. The viscoelastic wall panel damping device (100) of the present invention, including an assembly (100a) having a pair of symmetrically opposing surfaces formed by a pair of damping element planar members (36a, 38b) that sandwiches a rigid planar member (34). The assembly (100a) being overlaid by a pair of face plates (28, 32), a proximal face plate (28) and a distal face plate (32). Aforementioned pair of face plates (28, 32) and the rigid planar member (34) of the assembly (100a) having a plurality of vertically oriented stiffener members (33) comprising of vertically oriented welded strips (33a) of steel disposed with stiffener elements (33b) at spatial intervals along the length of said welded strips of steel (33a). Aforementioned pair of face plates (28, 32) further being disposed at respective outer surfaces (28a, 32a) with a plurality of horizontal stiffener members (22).
US09970189B2

A tension compression structural unit and method of assembling structures that comprises endwise interlapping configuration of at least three elongate members into a tension compression structural unit whereby tensegrity is maintained by tensioning a first end of each elongate member against respective first ends of each other elongate member, in interlapped array, and then anchoring each second end of each elongate member—either onto a ground surface or by interlapped configuration with additional elongate members. A stable, domic structure is thus erectable without the need of additional tensioning elements such as wires or cables, for example.
US09970185B2

The present invention refers to a flush tank providing a receptacle with a discharge valve and a triggering mechanism therefore. A first end of an adapter (5) is inserted with a press fit into a discharge projection (3) of the receptacle (2) for the flush water. A discharge tube (7) to discharge the flush water from said receptacle (2) is attached to a second end of said adapter (5), wherein a triggering mechanism (8) is arranged within said tube (7), said mechanism releasing flow of the water out of said receptacle (2). The triggering mechanism comprises a body (16) in which a first hollow piston (22) is slidably arranged whereby lifting the first piston initiates a small flush. A second piston (25) is in turn slidably arranged in the first piston whereby lifting the second piston initiates a large flush. The pistons are both actuated pneumatically.
US09970183B2

A flushing assembly comprising a foundation and a heat exchanging member. The foundation comprises a bowl shape providing an envelope surface defining an upper inlet and a lower outlet, the lower outlet being arranged to communicate with a drainage. The heat exchanging member comprises a helical channel defined between an upper and a lower wall, the helical channel having an extension along the envelope surface of the bowl shaped foundation, and the helical channel being arranged to be provided with a through flow of a secondary fluid. The flushing assembly is configured to provide a helical channel for a primary fluid extending between the envelope surface of the foundation and the lower wall of the heat exchanging member for guiding the primary fluid there through from the upper inlet to the lower outlet towards the drainage, thereby allowing heat exchange between the primary fluid and the secondary fluid.
US09970181B2

A lip for a machine bucket includes a plate portion. The plate portion includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an aperture extending between the first surface and the second surface. The aperture is configured to receive a retention mechanism for attaching a shroud to the plate portion. The lip also includes a deflector projecting from the first surface of the plate portion. The deflector includes a rear portion located between the aperture and a rear edge of the lip. The rear portion forms an inclined surface that is generally flat and that has a height that tapers toward the rear edge of the lip. The inclined surface of the rear portion connects a raised surface of the deflector to the first surface of the plate portion.
US09970172B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing access to equipment or structures that require maintenance. More particularly, the present invention is suitable to provide access to equipment or structures located offshore, such as wind turbines or structures for oil and gas production. The apparatus comprises a deck, an apparatus structure for supporting the deck, a platform and a platform support mechanism. The platform is movable with respect to the deck from a stowed position to an extended position. In the extended position the platform forms an extension to the deck. The platform support mechanism comprises at least one cable and at least one compression post. The/each cable has a cable first end attached to the platform at or adjacent to a platform leading edge and a cable second end attached to the platform at or adjacent to a platform trailing edge. The/each compression post supports the cable between the cable first end and the cable second end and is adapted to maintain a substantially constant tension in one of said cables as the platform moves from the stowed position to the extended position.
US09970164B2

A construction machine apparatus includes a plurality of ground engaging supports, a machine frame supported from the ground engaging supports and a milling drum supported from the machine frame. A milling drum location detection system is configured to determine a drum location in an external reference system. A location indicator system includes a memory configured to store information identifying a location of one or more areas to be avoided in the external reference system, and a controller configured to compare the drum location to the location of the one or more areas to be avoided, and to provide an output corresponding to a proximity of the milling drum to the location of the one or more areas to be avoided.
US09970153B2

The present invention provides a roofing product comprised of an asphalt coating on a nonwoven fiberglass mat. Enhanced tear strength for the roofing product, generally an asphalt shingle, is obtained by the presence of a release agent. The release agent can be a coating on the fiberglass mat, an additive in the mat binder, or present as an additive in the asphalt itself. Preferably, the release agent is a reactive polysiloxane which can react with any component within the roofing product, including the glass surface, sizing chemicals, binder chemicals, as well as the asphalt coating. The reaction can take place either during or after the polysiloxane is added or applied.
US09970151B2

A system and method for a laundry wash bag can comprise an lattice walls, a solid wall portion and a plurality of nodules. The lattice walls can form a plurality of polygonal perforations. The lattice walls can be capable of containing one or more garments. The solid wall portion can attach on a portion of the lattice walls. The solid wall portion can comprise a fastener that is capable of opening and closing the lattice walls to allow receiving of the one or more garments. The plurality of nodules can be placed within the inner surface of the lattice walls. The plurality of nodules can be capable of rubbing with the one or more garments. The plurality of nodules can be capable of reduce wrinkles during the drying cycle.
US09970150B2

A tie steaming device for steaming ties includes a housing that defines an interior space. A reservoir, a power module, a boiler and a pump are coupled to the housing and positioned in the interior space. The boiler and the pump are operationally coupled to the power module. The pump is fluidically coupled to the reservoir and the boiler. The device also comprises a shell that is hollow. The shell is fluidically couplable to the boiler. Each of a plurality of vents is positioned in the shell. The pump is positioned to transfer water from the reservoir to the boiler, such that the boiler converts the water to steam. The shell is configured for insertion into a user's tie to direct the steam through the vents to contact the tie.
US09970147B2

Laundry machine has a detergent dispensing assembly, a fresh-water supply circuit for selectively channeling a fresh water flow towards the detergent dispensing assembly, and a water softening device including a softening container having softening agent along the fresh-water supply circuit. A regeneration-agent reservoir fluidically connected to the softening container receives a regeneration agent. A water supply circuit channels fresh water into the regeneration-agent reservoir. The softening device includes an automatic one-way valve on a first fresh-water supply line upstream of the softening container, allowing water to only flow along the first fresh-water supply line, from a water mains to the softener container. An electrically-controlled valve assembly/flow diverter, located along the first fresh-water supply line, downstream of the one-way valve and upstream of the softening container, selectively allows/prevents the water to freely flow towards, respectively, the softening container and the softening device water supply circuit.
US09970144B2

A laundry treatment apparatus includes a main washing apparatus and a secondary washing apparatus that includes a cabinet, a drawer housing within the cabinet, a tub in the drawer for receiving washing water, hanging couplers provided at an outer circumferential surface of the tub and spaced apart from each other, suspending couplers provided at the drawer housing and positioned at locations corresponding to the hanging couplers, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, and suspension assemblies provided between the drawer housing and the tub to attenuate horizontal and vertical vibrations of the tub, the suspension assemblies being disposed between respective hanging couplers and suspending couplers to support the tub. Each of the suspension assemblies includes a support bar, support members at both ends of the support bar through which the support bar extends, and an elastic member disposed on the support member provided at one end of the support bar.
US09970143B2

A laundry treating apparatus includes a main body having a laundry introduction opening, and a door capable of opening or closing the laundry introduction opening, wherein the door includes a door cover defining an appearance of the door, and provided with a transparent region and an opaque region surrounding the transparent region, a display module disposed on a rear surface of the door cover and capable of outputting visual information through the transparent region, and a touch sensor attached to a rear surface of the door cover and capable of sensing a touch input applied to the transparent region, wherein the touch sensor is provided with an align mark, and the opaque region is provided with a guide mark guiding an attachment position of the touch sensor using the align mark.
US09970142B2

A washing machine that performs refresh washing in which smell or mold that permeates laundry can be removed, and a method of controlling the washing machine. When clothes that are kept for a long time without being worn or laundries that are hardly contaminated due to a short wearing time are washed, a refresh washing course in which various smell or mold that permeates laundry can be removed using a very small amount of detergent, is performed. Thus, overuse of detergent caused by an excessive use of detergent can be prevented, and since the necessity for rinsing is low due to the use of the very small amount of detergent, an intermediate dehydration operation may be omitted, or an intermediate dehydration revolutions per minute (rpm) may be reduced so that washing and rinsing operations do not need to be excessively performed and thus damage of laundry is reduced.
US09970140B2

The present invention provides a network structure having excellent repeated compression durability, a low repeated compression residual strain and a high hardness retention after repeated compression.A network structure made of a three-dimensional random loop bonded structure obtained by forming random loops with curling treatment of a continuous linear structure including at least one thermoplastic elastic resin selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer and a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer, the continuous linear structure having a fineness of not less than 100 dtex and not more than 60000 dtex, and by making each loop mutually contact in a molten state, whereinThe network structure has an apparent density of 0.005 g/cm3 to 0.20 g/cm3, a 50%-constant displacement repeated compression residual strain of not more than 15%, and a 50%-compression hardness retention after 50%-constant displacement repeated compression of not less than 85%.
US09970137B2

A vascular occlusion device for effectively occluding blood flow and pressure to a vascular defect while simultaneously not occluding blood flow and pressure to adjacent vasculature is provided. The vascular occlusion device can include a tubular member that has variable porosity regions along its length. The tubular member can be formed of a plurality of filaments that have different cross-sectional shapes along their length that are indexed to the variable porosity regions along the length of the tubular member.
US09970135B2

A knitting spool for knitting comprising a tubular body having a through hole; a plurality of yarn retention members mounted at an end face of the tubular body; wherein the tubular body is formed of two parts detachable along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.
US09970134B2

A method of knitting a knitted component for an article of footwear includes performing a pass of at least one yarn feeder along a longitudinal axis relative to first and second needle beds of a knitting machine. The method includes feeding at least one yarn with the at least one feeder during the pass. The method also includes forming, during the pass, a plurality of first loops with the first needles to define a first portion of the knitted component. The method further includes forming, during the pass, a plurality of second loops with the second needles to define a second portion of the knitted component. The first portion defines a medial side of an upper for the article of footwear. Additionally, the second portion defines a lateral side of the upper for the article of footwear.
US09970132B2

The woven cloth is composed of a plurality of longitudinal threads and a plurality of horizontal threads. Each of the longitudinal threads is woven by a plurality of filaments. The longitudinal threads are spacedly arranged parallel. The horizontal threads are spacedly arranged and are woven with the longitudinal threads so that the woven cloth has a plurality of holes among the longitudinal threads and the horizontal threads. Each of the horizontal thread is tied with the longitudinal threads to form a plurality of knots. Each of the knots is located between two adjacent ones of the holes.
US09970127B2

Bulk single crystals of AlN having a diameter greater than about 25 mm and dislocation densities of about 10,000 cm−2 or less and high-quality AlN substrates having surfaces of any desired crystallographic orientation fabricated from these bulk crystals.
US09970126B2

Herein is provided a growth structure for forming a free-standing layer of crystalline material having at least one crystallographic symmetry. The growth structure includes a host substrate and a separation layer disposed on the host substrate for growth of a layer of the crystalline material thereon. The separation layer has a separation layer thickness, and is mechanically weaker than the host substrate and the crystalline material. An array of apertures is in the separation layer, each aperture extending through the separation layer thickness.
US09970124B2

A single crystal production apparatus (and a single crystal production method) is configured to produce a single crystal by approaching a raw material M gripped by a raw material grip portion, and a seed crystal S gripped by a seed crystal grip portion by disposing the raw material grip portion and the seed crystal grip portion mutually in a vertical direction and approaching both of them each other, and forming a melting zone M1 by making a portion melted by heating the raw material M by a heating part in contact with the seed crystal S, and cooling the melting zone, wherein the heating part has an infrared generating part, and the seed crystal grip portion is disposed at a vertically top position, and the raw material grip portion is disposed at a vertically bottom position.
US09970121B2

A composite material includes a metal material having conductivity and an oxidation inhibitor mixed with the metal material. The oxidation inhibitor forms a complex with the metal material to exert a resistance to oxidation of the metal material. For example, the composite material is formed on a surface of a base material as a plating material. As another example, the composite material is plated on a surface of an electrode.
US09970113B2

A method for coating metallic surfaces with an aqueous composition, which contains an aqueous solution of a zinc salt, by flooding, spraying and/or immersion, wherein, for spraying or immersion, the initial temperature of the substrate lies in the range from 5 to 400° C., in that, for flooding, the initial temperature of the substrate lies in the range from 100 to 400° C. and in that an anticorrosive nanocrystalline zinc oxide layer is formed on the metallic surface. Corresponding aqueous composition, the nanocrystalline zinc oxide layer and the use of the coated substrates are also disclosed.
US09970111B2

A substrate processing apparatus includes: a processing vessel configured to be vacuumed; a holding unit configured to hold a plurality of substrates and to be inserted into or separated from the processing vessel; a gas supply unit configured to supply gas into the processing vessel; a plasma generation box partitioned and formed by a plasma partition wall; an inductively coupled electrode located at an outer sidewall of the plasma generation box along its length direction; a high frequency power supply connected to the inductively coupled electrode through a feed line; and a ground electrode located outside the plasma generation box and between the processing vessel and the inductively coupled electrode and arranged in the vicinity of the outer sidewall of the plasma generation box or at least partially in contact with the outer sidewall.
US09970110B2

A plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma generation chamber in which plasma active species are generated, a process chamber configured to accommodate processing target objects stacked in a vertical direction, the plasma active species generated in the plasma generation chamber being supplied into the process chamber, a plasma source gas supply pipe disposed inside the plasma generation chamber and extending in the vertical direction, a plasma source gas being introduced from one end of the plasma source gas supply pipe and discharged through gas discharge holes formed in the plasma source gas supply pipe in the vertical direction, and a pair of plasma electrodes, arranged to face each other, configured to apply an electric field to the plasma source gas discharged into the plasma generation chamber. A size of a discharge area interposed between the pair of plasma electrodes is varied in the vertical direction.
US09970108B2

A vapor delivery system includes an ampoule to store liquid precursor and a heater to partially vaporize the liquid precursor. A first valve communicates with a push gas source and the ampoule. A second valve supplies vaporized precursor to a heated injection manifold. A valve manifold includes a first node in fluid communication with an outlet of the heated injection manifold, a third valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the first node and an outlet in fluid communication with vacuum, a fourth valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the first node and an outlet in fluid communication with a second node, a fifth valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the second node, and a sixth valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the second node. A gas distribution device is in fluid communication with the second node.
US09970107B2

A technique for forming a metal film having a high work function while suppressing an increase in EOT is provided. According to the technique, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including: (a) performing a first cycle a first number of times to form a first metal layer containing a first metal element; and (b) performing a second cycle to form a second metal layer containing a second metal element directly on the first metal layer, wherein a binding energy of second metal element with oxygen is higher than that of the first metal element with oxygen, wherein a cycle including (a) and (b) is performed a second number of times to form a conductive film containing the first metal element and the second metal element on a substrate, the conductive film having: a work function higher than the first metal layer; and a binding energy with oxygen higher than that of the first metal element with oxygen.
US09970106B2

The invention relates to a device for coating substrates in a process chamber (8) of a reactor housing (1), having a gas inlet member (11) for introducing process gases into the process chamber (8), having a gas outlet member (10) for discharging an exhaust gas stream from the process chamber (8) into a particle filter (4), which is disposed in a particle separator housing (3) and has a porous filter medium (16) for out-filtering particles from the exhaust gas stream, which form during a reaction of the process gases. In order to improve the filtering performance of a particle filter at a CVD or PVD device and to specify a suitable particle filter for this intended purpose, the invention suggests that the pore size and the surface quality of the filter medium (16) are selected in such a manner that the particles located in the exhaust gas stream adhere to the surface of the filter medium (16), however do not penetrate the filter medium (16), and the particles grow to conglomerates outside of the filter medium (16), and a mass acceleration device is provided for cleaning the particle filter (4) by mechanically removing the conglomerates.
US09970099B2

A sputtering target for a magnetic recording medium, wherein an average grain area of a B-rich phase is 90 μm2 or less. A process for producing a sputtering target for a magnetic recording medium, wherein an alloy cast ingot is subject to heat treatment, thereafter subject to primary rolling which includes at least one pass of cold rolling, thereafter subject to secondary rolling, and machined to prepare a target. The obtained sputtering target for a magnetic recording medium has few cracks in the B-rich phase and has a high leakage flux density, and by using this target, it is possible to stabilize the discharge during sputtering, suppress arcing which occurs from cracks in the B-rich phase, and suppress the generation of particles.
US09970090B2

An aluminum alloy includes, in weight percent, 0.70-0.85 Si, 0.14-0.25 Fe, 0.25-0.35 Cu, 0.05 max Mn, 0.75-0.90 Mg, 0.12-0.18 Cr, 0.05 max Zn, and 0.04 max Ti, the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities. The alloy may be suitable for extruding, and may be formed into an extruded alloy product.
US09970083B2

A method for producing a shaped body from a metallic infiltrated composite, includes a first step in which a shaped body framework, some regions of which have an open pore framework structure, is produced from a powder or from a powder mixture having a primary component of a first metal or of a first metal alloy, in that the powder or the powder mixture is applied in layers, at least partially locally melted at predefined sites by a selective beam melting method and binds together upon solidification. In a second step, the shaped body framework is infiltrated with a melt of a second metal or metal alloy which melts at a lower temperature than the first metal or metal alloy.
US09970074B2

A cold-rolled steel sheet includes a predetermined chemical composition, and includes a structure expressed by: an area fraction of ferrite: 95% or more; an area fraction of retained austenite and an area fraction of martensite: 1% to 3% in total; a product of the area fraction of retained austenite and a carbon concentration in retained austenite: 1 or more; a value of I(111)/{I(100)+I(110)} at a region where a depth from a surface is ¼ of a thickness of the cold-rolled steel sheet when intensity of a (hkl) plane is expressed by I(hkl): 2 or less.
US09970069B2

A sulfonatocalixarene tanning agent for leather tanning and a preparation method comprises: using resorcinol and aldehyde monomers as raw materials for the tanning agent; adding an ethanol solution into the resorcinol, dropwise adding an inorganic strong acid catalyst and aldehyde derivatives, heating to react, cooling, carrying out suction filtration, repeatedly washing with ethanol and distilled water, and drying to obtain resorcinol calixarene; and weighing the resorcinol calixarene, and adding a sulfonating agent to react, thereby obtaining a sulfonatocalixarene tanning agent aqueous solution.
US09970063B2

There is disclosed a PCR-based test kit and PCR process for identification of multiple clonal sub-species lineages of infectious bacteria, such as uropathogenic E. coli causing cystitis. pyelonephritis and urosepsis, for the purposes of predicting antibiotic resistance of the bacteria. More specifically, there is further disclosed a SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) identification process that simultaneously detect compilations of the presence of absence of predictive SNPs within mutated loci of infectious bacterial clonal subspecies variants, such as the fumC/fimH loci of the E. coli bacterium. This disclosure provides a PCR detection kit incorporating a SNP compilation that forms a BFC (Binary Footprint Code) that allows for rapid identification of multiple infectious bacterial clonotypes based on their SNP footprint. More specifically there is disclosed a clonotyping method for clonal typing E. coli and predicting antibiotic susceptibility, comprising (a) providing forward primers and reverse primers for at least seven SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) selected from the group consisting of fumC-63, fumC-248, fumC-380, fimH-162, fimH-233, fimH-483, and fimH-108, (b) measuring the presence or absence of each SNP, and (c) determining antibiotic susceptibility from Lookup Table 1.
US09970059B2

The invention provides methods and materials related to a gene expression-based survival predictor for DLBCL patients.
US09970055B2

The invention relates to an additive which can be added to buffers used in nucleotide detection processes and improved methods of nucleic acid sequencing using this additive. In particular the invention relates to use of the additive to improve the efficiency of fluorescence-based multiple cycle nucleic acid sequencing reactions.
US09970046B2

Provided is a method of measuring blood coagulation time, the method being capable of LA detection easily and with high sensitivity as compared with the method recommended by the ISTH, without being affected by deficiency of blood coagulation factors even in a blood sample of a warfarin taker, a person who suffers from vitamin K deficiency, or a hepatic failure patient. Disclosed is a method of measuring the blood coagulation time to detect lupus anticoagulant, the method including adding a buffer solution composition containing blood coagulation factors to a blood sample before measurement or at the time of measurement of the blood coagulation time, and measuring the blood coagulation time.
US09970041B2

The present invention relates to a procedure for the production of tiacumicin B comprising fermentation of a micro-organism capable of producing tiacumicin B, in particular of the species Dactylosporangium aurantiacum or Actinoplanes deccanensis, in a culture broth containing emulsifiers, such as ethoxylated castor oil, in combination with antifoaming products and vegetable oils.
US09970039B2

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.
US09970034B2

A method comprising a series of selective extraction techniques for the parallel production of biodiesel and isolation of several valuable co-products including an alkenone hydrocarbon mixture of the kerosene/jet fuel range (primarily C10-, C12-, and C17-hydrocarbons) and fucoxanthin, a high-valued carotenoid, from the marine alkenone-producing microalgae Isochrysis.
US09970030B2

Methods for use with Type II CRISPR-Cas9 systems for increasing Cas9-mediated genome engineering efficiency are disclosed. The methods can be used to decrease the number of off-target nucleic acid double-stranded breaks and/or to enhance homology-directed repair of a cleaved target nucleic acid.
US09970023B2

The present invention concerns plants, seeds and cells of the genus Diplotaxis having cytoplasmic male sterility, and more particularly plants, seeds and cells of the species Diplotaxis tenuifolia. The cytoplasmic male sterility is preferably that imported from Raphanus sativus, known as Ogura sterility. The invention also concerns methods for obtaining Diplotaxis tenuifolia plants carrying cytoplasmic male sterility, as well as various uses for the cytoplasmic male sterility of the plants of the invention.
US09970020B2

According to the present invention, a gene having a novel function that can cause an increase or decrease in seed protein content is searched for. A chimeric protein obtained by fusing a transcription factor consisting of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any of the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 76 and a functional peptide capable of converting an arbitrary transcription factor into a transcriptional repressor or a transcription factor consisting of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any of the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 77 to 84 is expressed in a plant.
US09970016B2

A genetic engineered bacteria without or comprising a plurality of important metabolic enzyme related genes is provided. When the by-product or waste of fruit and vegetable is used as the culture medium, a large quantity of succinic acid or lactic acid can be produced via fermentation. A method of producing succinic acid and lactic acid using the genetic engineered bacteria is also provided.
US09970013B2

The present invention provides synthetic RNA aptamers that bind RDX. In various embodiments, the synthetic RNA aptamers may include one or more aptamers selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID 1-12. The synthetic RNA aptamers that bind RDX provide an inexpensive, in situ method for testing for RDX, which may be used for both soil and water samples.
US09970012B2

The present disclosure relates generally to cancer and particularly to breast cancer including estrogen sensitive, estrogen resistant and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and to methods of diagnosis and prognosis thereof and therapeutic intervention involving replication factor C 40 (RFC40). Methods and assays for evaluating breast cancer are provided. The disclosure also relates to inhibition or modulation of RFC40 in treatment or alleviation of cancer, including breast cancer. RFC40 inhibitors, including siRNAs, miRNAs, and shRNAs, which specifically affect cancer cells, particularly breast cancer cells, are provided.
US09970010B2

Molecules are provided for inducing or facilitating exon skipping in forming spliced mRNA products from pre-mRNA molecules in cells. The molecules may be provided directly as oligonucleotides or expression products of vectors that are administered to a subject. High rates of skipping can be achieved. High rates of skipping reduce the severity of a disease like Duchene Muscular Dystrophy so that the disease is more like Becker Muscular Dystrophy. This is a severe reduction in symptom severity and mortality.
US09970007B2

Provided herein are compositions and methods for the modulation of miR-214 for the treatment and/or prevention of fibrosis and fibroproliferative conditions.
US09969991B2

Provided herein are substantially non-luminescent peptide/polypeptide tags that are inserted internally within a protein of interest or between N-terminal and C-terminal peptides/polypeptides. Interaction of the internally-inserted tag with a complement polypeptide/peptide that is also substantially non-luminescent results in the formation a bioluminescent reporter complex.
US09969990B2

The present invention relates to beta-ketoacyl ACP synthase genes of the KASI/KASIV type and proteins encoded by these genes. The genes can be included in nucleic acid constructs, vectors or host cells. Expression of the gene products can alter the fatty acid profile of host cells. The KAS genes can be combined with a FATA or FATB thioesterase gene to create a cell that produces an increased amount of C8-C16 fatty acids. Suitable host cells include plastidic cells of plants or microalgae. Oleaginous microalga host cells with the new genes are disclosed.
US09969989B2

The present invention relates to a new carotenoid dioxygenase and methods for the biological production in microorganisms and plants of compounds with high added value derived from saffron.
US09969986B2

A virus like particle comprising a viral structural protein which comprises modified envelope protein E3. The viral structural protein may be that derived from or alphavirus or flavivirus. Especially, the viral structural protein may be derived from Chikungunya virus or Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.
US09969985B2

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of viral vaccines. Particularly, the present disclosure provides a modified Vero-adapted human rotavirus strain and a culturing method to produce high titer virus, a rotavirus vaccine, vaccination protocols and diagnostic and prognostic assays.
US09969983B2

The present invention relates in part to methods for producing tissue-specific cells from patient samples, and to tissue-specific cells produced using these methods. Methods for reprogramming cells using RNA are disclosed. Therapeutics comprising cells produced using these methods are also disclosed.
US09969981B2

The present invention is directed to methods to differentiate pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods of characterization of cells differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage utilizing unique surface markers. The present invention also provides methods to enrich or sort cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage. The present invention also provides methods to deplete cells that may contaminate populations of cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage formed by the methods of the present invention, thereby reducing the incidence of tumor formation in vivo following transplantation.
US09969974B2

The present invention provides methods for generating oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from pluripotent cells, as well as methods for sustaining these oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in relatively pure cultures for long periods of time. The present invention also provides methods for further differentiating these oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into various glial cells.
US09969967B2

A subject moving device includes: a base; a head section provided with vertically movable rods and moving along a prescribed movement path above the base; a first container section which stores a subject of movement; a second container section which receives the subject of movement; a tip stocking section which holds a plurality of tips in a state where the plurality of tips are attachable to the rods, the tips being attachable to and detachable from the rods and being configured to suction the subject of movement and discharge the suctioned subject of movement in accordance with vertical movements of the rods; a tip discarding section which collects the tips having finished the suction and the discharge of the subject of movement and having been detached from the rods; and a control section which controls the vertical movements of the rods and the movement operations of the head section.
US09969966B2

A cell culture system for fermentation or cultivation of at least one of cells, tissues or tissue-like cell cultures, organs or organ-like cell cultures and multicellular organisms comprises: a system vessel (1) in which at least one cavity (6) is formed, the cavity (6) having at least three ports (2, 3, 4); at least one porous substrate (9) installed within the cavity (6) so as to allow fluid flowing from any one to any other of said three ports (2, 3, 4) to pass through said porous substrate (9); and, at least one channel extending from a first one of said ports (3) within the porous substrate (9) towards a central region of said porous substrate (9).
US09969965B2

Disclosed is a single-use bioreactor bag design providing substantially equivalent maximum shear rate at the impeller tip and average or bulk shear rate over a range of power per unit working volume and rpm needed for bioculture processing. The uniformity in shear profile of the bag design providing a unique advantage when used as a scale-down or scale-up platform. Also disclosed is a linearly scalable, single-use, bioreactor system for use in carrying out a scalable biomanufacturing process, the system comprising two single-use bioreactor bags of different volumes, wherein the ratio H/D of the height of the working volume H to the diameter D of the tank, or of the bag is equal to about 1.5, and the bulk shear in each of the bags is substantially constant. The disclosed small scale system models larger scale systems from both a shear/scalability/performance basis and also from a validation and regulatory basis. In summary, the 10L bioreactor system disclosed provides for “linear scalability” by using the same or substantially simulating the same vessel geometry, gas sparging system, impeller shape and type, polymer composition of the flexible bag/components, process control system, and shear rates as larger 50-5000 L systems.
US09969962B2

A modular home beer brewing stand includes: a base having a center post and three or more adjustable legs, a first leg fixedly attached to the center post with holes, a second leg attached via a first hinge to the first leg and attached via a second hinge to a third leg; a leg pin to secure the legs into a fixed open position surrounding the center post; and modules each having an integrally attached support post with a female end and a male end and each end having matching holes, wherein the male end of a first selected module is inserted into the center post, holes are aligned and a first extension pin is placed through the holes to form a first tier of the stand located vertically above a ground level.
US09969961B2

The present invention relates to benefit agent containing delivery particles, compositions comprising said particles, and processes for making and using the aforementioned particles and compositions. When employed in compositions, for example, cleaning or fabric care compositions, such particles increase the efficiency of benefit agent delivery, there by allowing reduced amounts of benefit agents to be employed. In addition to allowing the amount of benefit agent to be reduced, such particles allow a broad range of benefit agents to be employed.
US09969954B2

The present invention relates to a process for producing ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids, comprising transesterifying triacylglycerols in extracted plant lipid.
US09969944B2

A method for removing dissolved hydrocarbons from water may comprise: cracking a mixed hydrocarbon stream in a cracking furnace to produce a cracked gas effluent; quenching the cracked gas effluent in a quench water tower with quench water to produce a quenched gas stream and a spent quench water stream comprising water, tars, heavy aromatic hydrocarbons, gasoline, dissolved oil, and dispersed oil; feeding the spent quench water stream to a liquid-liquid extraction unit wherein the liquid-liquid extraction unit removes at least a portion of the dissolved oil and produce an extracted effluent stream.
US09969938B2

Hydrocarbon-containing feedstocks are processed to produce useful intermediates or products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can process a petroleum-containing feedstock, such as oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, and other naturally-occurring and synthetic materials that include both hydrocarbon components and solid matter, to obtain a useful intermediate or product.
US09969936B2

The invention relates to apparatus in the form of a rotary thermolysis reactor and a method for operating the reactor for the thermal decomposition of by-products and waste. The reactor includes a tubular outer jacket with covers closing its ends, an interior chamber, a shaft mounted centrally in the covers, feed devices and discharge devices which are placed at the start and the end of the shaft, respectively, inside an interior chamber, wherein helical coil runners are fixed to the shaft and gasification agents are applied to the material being thermolyzed, via gasification shafts in the lower section of the tubular outer jacket.
US09969931B2

An electrochromic composition has an anodic electrochromic compound and a cathodic electrochromic compound, in which the anodic electrochromic compound is represented by General Formula [1] and the cathodic electrochromic compound is represented by General Formula [2] In General Formula 1, A1 to A4 represent substituents, R1 and R2, and R20 and R21 represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent. n is an integer of 1 to 5. X represents a thiophene derivative and Y- represents an anion.
US09969928B2

Compositions and methods for formulating treatment fluids that comprise a surfactant having reduced and delayed adsorption. In one embodiment, the method comprises: providing a fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a surfactant, and a polyelectrolyte; introducing the fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and contacting at least a portion of the subterranean formation with the polyelectrolyte. In another embodiment, the method comprises providing a fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a surfactant, and a polyelectrolyte; injecting the fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures within the subterranean formation; and contacting at least a portion of the subterranean formation with the polyelectrolyte.
US09969927B2

A treatment fluid composition for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore is formed from an aqueous fluid, a hydratable polymer and an inorganic peroxide breaking agent, which is classified as a stable, non-oxidizer according to UN standards but which retains oxidizing properties as measured by the content of available oxygen. A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore may also be performed by forming a treatment fluid from an aqueous hydrated polymer solution. This is combined with a stable, inorganic peroxide breaking agent. The treating fluid is then introduced into the formation. An optional crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the polymer may also be included.
US09969920B2

A drilling fluid and method for drilling in a coal containing formation with a mixed metal-viscosified drilling fluid including at least 0.05% calcium sulfate.
US09969918B2

Quasi-azeotropic or azeotropic compositions containing chloromethane and at least one or more compound(s) selected from 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane, E/Z-1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, E/Z-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, 1,1-difluoroethane and E-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. The composition may include either from 0.5 to 70 mol % of chloromethane and at least from 99.5 to 30 mol % of a compound selected from 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1-difluoroethane, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, or from 55 to 95 mol % of chloromethane and at least from 45 to 5 mol % of one or more compound(s) selected from 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane, E/Z-1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, E/Z-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene and E-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
US09969902B2

A mill base composition includes a compound comprising a divinyl ester of a dicarboxylic acid, a dispersing agent, and a pigment. The divinyl ester of the carboxylic acid includes from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms. The mill base composition is subjected to milling with milling beads to produce a milled mill base composition that functions as a pigment concentrate that may be added to an ink vehicle to form an ink composition suitable for use in inkjet ink devices. The milled mill base composition is particularly suited for UV curable ink compositions. A UV curable ink composition includes the pigment concentrate, one or more UV curable monomers, and one or more UV initiators.
US09969900B2

The present invention is directed to methods of improving burnish resistance of substrates comprising: (1) applying to at least a portion of the substrate a curable film-forming composition comprising: (a) a polymeric binder comprising at least one polymeric resin having reactive functional groups; (b) a curing agent containing functional groups that are reactive with the reactive functional groups of (a); and (c) silica particles that have been functionalized on their surfaces with an amino silane so as to impart the surfaces with primary amino functional groups; and (2) (a) heating the coated substrate to a temperature and for a time sufficient to cure the curable film-forming composition or (b) allowing a time sufficient to cure the curable film-forming composition under ambient conditions. The present invention is further directed to solventborne, curable film-forming compositions comprising the components (a) (b) and (c) above.
US09969899B2

Disclosed is a copolymer film that includes a first comonomer including a chlorofluoro olefin and a second comonomer that is selected from the group consisting of itaconic acid, 2,3-dihydropyran, D-glucal, glycerine carbonate vinyl ether, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, maleic anhydride, vinylidene chloride, and mixtures thereof.
US09969898B2

Polyethylene composition with improved balance of impact resistance at low temperatures and Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance (ESCR), particularly suited for producing protective coatings on metal pipes, said composition having the following features: 1) density from 0.938 to 0.948 g/cm3; 2) ratio MIF/MIP from 15 to 25; 3) MIF from 30 to 45 g/10 min.; 4) Mz equal to or greater than 1000000 g/mol; 5) LCBI equal to or greater than 0.55.
US09969894B2

An active-energy-ray-curable composition including: a cyan pigment; and a polymerizable compound, wherein a ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 385 nm to absorbance at a wavelength of 620 nm is 0.65 or less.
US09969893B2

An aqueous composition including: a conductive metal nanoparticle having an organic compound disposed on a surface of the conductive metal nanoparticle; a conductive metal nanowire; and a solvent including water and optionally an alcohol.
US09969891B2

A coating composition for application to a component or structure has cellulose acetate, a plasticizer with an antioxidant, a corrosion inhibitor with an antioxidant, a vegetable oil, and a stabilizer. The plasticizer is linseed oil. The corrosion inhibitor is canola oil. The vegetable oil is epoxidized soybean oil. The stabilizer is titanium dioxide. These components are intimately mixed together so as to form a solid mixture. The solid mixture is converted into a solid state and applied to the component or structure. The liquid state is then dried on the component or structure for a period of time.
US09969890B2

Provided is a fluorinated ether compound capable of imparting excellent antifouling properties such as oil-based ink repellency, fingerprint stain removability, to a hard coating layer; a composition for forming a hard coating layer, and an article having an antifouling hard coating layer formed from the composition. The fluorinated ether compound has either a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain having a repeated unit that includes a C1-2 oxyperfluoroalkylene group and a C3-6 oxyperfluoroalkylene group, bonded to each other, or a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain having a repeated unit that contains a C4 oxyperfluoroalkylene group and a different oxyperfluoroalkylene group, bonded to each other, a linking group bonded to a first terminal of the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain, and at least one (meth)acryloyl group bonded to the linking group.
US09969883B2

A polyamide composition that can be used in different transformation methods and, in particular, for the production of an extrusion profile having a low thermal conductivity, is described. One such composition includes, in particular, glass beads. Also described is a composition, preferably a molding composition, e.g., in the form of granules or powder, that can be used to produce items by means of injection molding.
US09969880B2

It is the aim to indicate a thermoplastic elastomer composition which is characterized by particularly good temperature stability from −40° C. to +150° C. and a particularly good oil resistance, with particularly good physical properties, in particular with a high elongation at break, and which is suitable for use in moldings, injection moldings, extrudates and/or blow moldings. In addition, the thermoplastic elastomer composition according to the invention comprises a mixture of acrylate rubber and polyurethane.
US09969872B2

A cured blend of a butyl rubber ionomer, at least one elastomer co-curable with the butyl rubber ionomer and a filler has improved physical and/or dynamic properties, most notably improvements in one or more of green strength, flex fatigue, adhesion and tear strength.
US09969869B2

A polypropylene-based resin composition capable of affording a molded article superior in tensile elongation at break includes a polypropylene resin (A), an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer (B) having a density of 0.865 to 0.890 g/cm3, an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer (C) having a density of 0.855 to 0.859 g/cm3, and an inorganic filler (D), wherein the content of the polypropylene resin (A) is 49 to 76% by weight, the content of the inorganic filler (D) is 9 to 22% by weight, the sum total of the contents of the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer (B) and the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer (C) is 15 to 29% by weight. The sum total of the contents of (A), (B), (C), and (D) is taken as 100% by weight, and the content of the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer (B), x % by weight, and the content of the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer (C), y % by weight, satisfy the formula: 0.07≤x/(x+y)≤0.41.
US09969867B2

The silica sol of the invention contains silica particles having a mean primary particle size of 20 to 100 nm and which has a silica particle size/mean primary particle size ratio, determined through dynamic light scattering, of 3.0 or less, wherein the silica particles are surface-treated with an organic silane compound and have an α-ray emission rate of 0.005 counts/cm2·hr or less and a moisture absorption coefficient, determined after allowing the silica particles to stand for 48 hours at 23° C. and a relative humidity of 50 RH %, of 0.5 mass % or lower.
US09969864B2

The present invention relates to symmetric diesters of hydroxyalkyl-4-hydroxy-tetraalkylpiperidine compounds and their use as light stabilizers. They are compatible with and soluble in coating formulations of different polarity.
US09969863B2

Cure accelerators for anaerobic curable compositions, such as adhesives and sealants, are provided, and which are defined with reference to the aromatic amides shown in structure I where R and R″ are each independently C1-10 alkyl, and R′ is H or C1-10 alkyl or R and R′ together may form a four to seven membered ring fused to the benzene ring, and where R′″ is optional, but when R′″ is present, R′″ is halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkenyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylene- or alkenylene-ether, alkylene (meth)acrylate, carbonyl, carboxyl, nitroso, sulfonate, hydroxyl or haloalkyl.
US09969854B2

A foamable composition comprising from 60 to 99.88% by weight (% wt.) of at least one poly(aryl ether sulfone), from 0.10 to 10.00% by weight (% wt.) of at least one olefinic polymer, from 0.01 to 5.00% by weight (% wt.) of at least one tetrazole compound and from 0.01 to 2.50% by weight (% wt.) of at least one additive selected from the group of titanium dioxide (TiO2), clays, talc, silicates, silica, aluminates, barites, titanates, borates, nitrides, carbon-based materials or combinations thereof, all % wt. are relative to the total weight of the composition (C). Foam materials made from said foamable compositions and articles made from said foam materials.
US09969847B2

The present invention relates to a method of producing liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) based components. The method comprises the steps of (i) providing or creating micro-sized or nano-sized LCE particles, (ii) dispersing the particles in an uncured liquid polymer, (iii) aligning the nematic directors of the particles and, (iv) shaping and curing the matrix/particles mixture. The composite material formed by this method is a polymer dispersed liquid crystal elastomer (PDLCE) with custom-tailored properties which can be shaped into arbitrary forms.
US09969834B2

A wax dispersant for a toner including a polymer obtained by graft polymerization of a styrene-acrylic resin onto a hydrocarbon compound, wherein the styrene-acrylic resin has a structural segment derived from a saturated alicyclic compound, and a toner including a toner particle that contains a binder resin, a wax, and a polymer obtained by graft polymerization of a styrene-acrylic resin onto a hydrocarbon compound, wherein the styrene-acrylic resin has a structural segment derived from a saturated alicyclic compound.
US09969832B2

Disclosed are a modified conjugated diene-based polymer represented by Chemical Formula 1, a method of preparing the same, and a rubber composition including the same.
US09969826B2

A method of producing ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) C4-C30 α-olefin drag reducing agent (DRA). The method includes polymerizing in a reactor a first α-olefin monomer in the presence of catalyst and hydrocarbon solvent to produce the DRA. The catalyst consists essentially of at least one tertiary monophenyl amine having a formula R1R2N-aryl, where R1 and R2 are the same or different, and each is a hydrogen, an alkyl, or a cycloalkyl group, where at least one of R1 and R2 contain at least one carbon atom; at least one titanium halide having a formula TiXm, where m is from 2.5 to 4.0 and X is a halogen containing moiety; and at least one cocatalyst having a formula AlRnY3-n where R is a hydrocarbon radical, Y is a halogen or hydrogen, and n is 1-20. Further, the catalyst is absent of a carrier or support.
US09969819B2

The present teachings show that it is possible to polymerize 1,1-disubstituted alkene compounds in a solution (for example using one or more solvents). Polymerization of 1,1-disubstituted alkene compounds in an solution provides opportunities to better control the polymerization compared with bulk polymerization. The solution polymerization techniques can be employed for preparing homopolymers, copolymers (e.g., random copolymers), and block copolymers.
US09969816B2

A method for catalytic oxidation of cellulose using a heterocyclic nitroxyl radical as catalyst and main oxidant acting as oxygen source comprises, before the catalytic oxidation of the cellulose, pretreatment of the cellulose—in an alkaline pretreatment step, where the cellulose is treated in alkaline solution having hydroxide concentration of above 0.3 M, and—in a washing step, where the cellulose treated in the alkaline solution is washed to lower the pH.
US09969805B2

The present invention relates to amino acid sequences and Nanobodies that are directed against Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2), as well as to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences.
US09969804B2

Antibodies (e.g., isolated antibodies) that specifically bind to human integrin β8 and inhibit adhesion of latency associated peptide (LAP) to αvβ8 are provided. In some embodiments, the antibody cross-reacts with mouse integrin β8. In some embodiments, the antibody blocks TGFJ3 activation. In some embodiments, the antibody antagonizes binding of LAP to αβ8 with an IC50 below 5 nM.
US09969803B2

Monoclonal antibodies against LRP6 and that block the Wnt signaling pathway are disclosed. Methods of production and use thereof are also disclosed.
US09969801B2

The present invention provides a cell for use in a one-step cell-based assay for an extracellular ligand (e.g., IFNα) that initiates a ligand-specific signal at the nucleus of the cell and for neutralizing antibodies against the extracellular ligand. The cell-based one-step assay allows both the extracellular ligand concentration and the neutralizing antibody titer to be quantified in a single sample (e.g., serum) without the need for sample dilution and addition of exogenous extracellular ligand.
US09969798B2

Novel modulators, including antibodies and derivatives thereof, and methods of such modulators to treat hyperproliferative disorders are provided.
US09969797B2

Disclosed are antibodies (immunoglobulins) and fragments thereof that hydrolyze or bind polypeptide antigens belonging to Staphyloccus aureus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus and Alzheimer's disease. Also disclosed are novel methods to improve the antigen reactivity of the immunoglobulins and to treat a pathophysiological condition using the immunoglobulins as therapeutics.
US09969794B2

This disclosure relates to novel peptide agents, e.g., antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind hemagglutinin protein of influenza viruses, and methods of their use.
US09969786B2

Disclosed herein is a gonadotropin fusion protein or a thyroid stimulating hormone fusion protein, a method for preparing the same and use thereof. β-subunit of the gonadotropin or thyroid stimulating hormone is fused to an Fc fragment directly or indirectly through a linker, and α-subunit binds to the β-subunit via an affinity between the α-subunit and the β-subunit. The fusion protein has a prolonged half-life and less fluctuating activity.
US09969783B2

The present disclosure provides opsins, including variant opsins with increased activity and/or increased trafficking to the plasma membrane. The opsins are useful in therapeutic and screening applications, which are also provided.
US09969780B1

Complexes comprising HIV Tat and the V3 loop from gp120 Env provide novel epitopes and are immunogenic to prevent or inhibit infection by HIV.
US09969745B2

Novel compounds of Formula I methods of manufacturing the compounds and their use in therapeutic treatments are presented.
US09969741B2

The invention provides compounds represented by the structural formula (1): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the claims. The compounds are inhibitors of nucleases, and are useful in particular in a method of treatment and/or prevention of proliferative diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and other genomic instability associated diseases.
US09969734B2

A process for making certain spiroheterocyclic pyrrolidine dione derivatives.
US09969731B2

The present disclosure is related to heteroaryl compounds as MEK inhibitors. These compounds include heteroaryl compounds of formula I, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, combinations with suitable medicament and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The present disclosure also includes processes of preparation of the compounds and their use in methods of treatment. The compounds as disclosed herein are of Formula (I) below:
US09969726B2

Provided herein are small molecule active metabotropic glutamate subtype-2 and -3 receptor negative allosteric modulators (NAMs), compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions.
US09969725B2

The invention is directed to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of suvorexant, which is an antagonist of orexin receptors. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of suvorexant are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The invention is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising pharmaceutically acceptable salts of suvorexant.
US09969721B2

The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of vilazodone Hydrochloride and a process for preparation of novel pure amorphous form of vilazodone hydrochloride.
US09969711B2

A compound having the general structure shown in Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or solvates thereof are useful in treating diseases or conditions mediated by NK1 receptors, for example various physiological disorders, symptoms or diseases, including emesis, depression, anxiety and cough.
US09969707B2

The present document describes a method for extracting anthocyanin derivatives from a plant source. The method comprises the step of separating a homogenized extract of plant source in a polar acidified solvent for obtaining a residual solid, and a filtrate mixed with the acidified polar solvent. The separation includes a coarse filtration done by centrifugation of the plant source extract, by a filtration with a first filter having a pore size of about 100 μm, and a fine filtration is done using a second filter having a pore size of about 10 μm. Then, the filtrate mixed with the acidified polar solvent is evaporated for substantially separating the acidified polar solvent from the filtrate to obtain a semi-solid extract of anthocyanin derivatives.
US09969703B2

The present invention discloses a triazine-containing photocurable resin and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method of the resin comprises the following steps of: (1) Dissolving the hexamethylolmelamine the unsaturated fatty acids and a catalyst in a solvent, keeping a reaction going, separating and extracting the reaction product after the reaction ends, obtaining triazine-containing fatty acid ester; (2) adding 50 wt % hydrogen peroxide, a catalyst and a solvent, namely methylbenzene, into the triazine-containing fatty acid ester prepared in step (1), keeping a reaction going, obtaining triazine-containing fatty acid ester epoxy resin; (3) adding a polymerization inhibitor and a catalyst into acrylic acid, dropping the triazine-containing fatty acid ester epoxy resin prepared in step (2), keeping a reaction going, and obtaining the triazine-containing photocurable resin. The photocurable resin of the present invention contains a rigid triazine and flexible fatty chains at the same time, so the cured object has excellent comprehensive performance and can be used as the photocurable resin in the field of photosensitive macromolecular materials.
US09969700B2

The present invention relates to a diazepine derivative represented by the following general formula (I) (in the formula, R1 and R2 represent hydrogen atom and the like, or R1 and R2 bind together to form a naphthalene ring and the like together with the benzene ring to which they bind, R3 and R4 represent hydrogen atom and the like, R5 represents hydrogen atom and the like, R6 and R7 represent hydrogen atom and the like, X represents C, CH or N, Y represents N, NH or C(═O), provided that when X is N, Y is not N or NH, and when X is C or CH, Y is not C(═O), Z represents oxygen atom or sulfur atom, A represents benzene ring and the like, B represents NHC(═O) and the like, D represents an atomic bond and the like, E represents an atomic bond and the like, G represents benzene which may be substituted and the like, and m represents an integer of 0 to 5) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, and a P2X4 receptor antagonist.
US09969696B2

The present disclosure relates to compound of structural “formula I” and a method for preparing a compound of structural formula I. The disclosure further relates to a method of arresting DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by employing the compound of structural formula I.
US09969688B2

The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R is a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, a C1-6 alkoxy group, or a cyano group.
US09969672B2

A process for the preparation of MMA via oxidative esterification in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium, bismuth, and antimony.
US09969667B2

Disclosed herein is a system comprising: a) a Fischer-Tropsch reactor comprising a first inlet and a first outlet; b) an olefin separator comprising a second inlet and a second outlet; c) a deisobutanizer comprising a third inlet and a third outlet; d) an iso-butane to isobutylene reactor comprising a fourth inlet and a fourth outlet; and e) a MTBE reactor comprising a fifth inlet, the recited structures are in fluid communication.
US09969665B2

An energy integrated process is disclosed for the conversion of carbon dioxide to a liquid product. The conversion reaction is exothermic. The heat of reaction and the heat of condensation of the reaction product or products are used as energy input in a carbon dioxide enrichment step. The enrichment step produces a feed gas for the conversion reaction.
US09969655B2

The disclosure provides for an article including a substrate, an environmental barrier coating (EBC), a bondcoat and a boron source. The substrate may include a silicon-including ceramic material. The EBC may be disposed over the substrate, and the bondcoat may disposed between the substrate and the EBC. The bondcoat may include silicon. The boron source may be disposed within the article to provide an effective amount of boron to form an oxide including silicon and at least 0.1 weight percent boron during exposure of the bondcoat to an oxidizing environment at a temperature greater than 900 degrees Celsius. The oxide may be a borosilicate glass that is substantially devitrification resistant to prevent spallation of the EBC and thereby enhance the temperature capability of the article.
US09969652B2

A sintered body of the present invention contains yttrium oxyfluoride. The yttrium oxyfluoride is preferably YOF and/or Y5O4F7. The sintered body of the present invention preferably contains 50% by mass or more of yttrium oxyfluoride. The sintered body of the present invention has a relative density of preferably 70% or more and an open porosity of preferably 10% or less. Furthermore, the sintered body of the present invention has a three-point bending strength of preferably 10 MPa or more and 300 MPa or less.
US09969650B2

The invention concerns a batch for the production of a refractory magnesia-carbon product or a refractory alumina-magnesia-carbon product, a process for the production of a refractory magnesia-carbon product or a refractory alumina-magnesia-carbon product, a refractory magnesia-carbon product or a refractory alumina-magnesia-carbon product as well as the use of a magnesia-carbon product or a refractory alumina-magnesia-carbon product.
US09969643B2

A method includes forming a continuous ribbon of glass. The continuous ribbon includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first edge region, a second edge region opposite the first edge region, and a central region extending between the first edge region and the second edge region. Each of the first edge region and the second edge region has a greater thickness than the central region of the continuous ribbon. An indented pattern is formed longitudinally along the first edge region of the continuous ribbon by forming a first series of indentations in the first surface of the continuous ribbon and forming a second series of indentations in the second surface of the continuous ribbon. The indented pattern includes intermediate segments interconnected with one another by webs. Each intermediate segment is thicker than adjacent webs.
US09969637B2

A process and an associated facility for treating ammonium-containing wastewater are specified. Ammonium present in the wastewater is first oxidized to nitrite by use of aerobically oxidizing bacteria in an activation unit. Then ammonium and nitrite are reduced to elemental nitrogen anaerobically by use of ANAMMOX bacteria. Excess sludge arising in this operation is removed from the activation unit. ANAMMOX bacteria removed with the excess sludge are separated and returned to the activation unit. To facilitate the returning of the ANAMMOX bacteria, magnetic or magnetizable expanded glass particles are added, as colonization bodies for the ANAMMOX bacteria, to the wastewater in the activation unit. Expanded glass particles removed from the activation unit with the excess sludge are separated from the excess sludge magnetically and returned to the activation unit.
US09969630B2

A method for removing the fluorine component from waste water which is produced during the manufacturing process of highly reactive polybutene and contains high concentration of fluorine component, is disclosed. The method comprises a step of adding to the waste water a treating agent selected from a group of Al compound, Ca compound and mixture thereof at temperature of 50 to 300° C. for reaction, whereby boron trifluoride neutralized salt is decomposed to form Al salt or Ca salt of fluorine component so that the fluorine component is removed in the form of the Al salt or the Ca salt of fluorine component.
US09969629B2

Provided are a water treatment system and a water treatment process, which are capable of reproducing water containing salts with high water recovery. A water treatment system 100 comprises a second demineralizing section 210a, 210b that separates water to be treated containing Ca ions, SO4 ions and carbonate ions into concentrated water in which the Ca ions and the SO4 ions are concentrated and treated water; a crystallizing section which is positioned on a downstream side of the second demineralizing section 210a, 210b and which includes a second crystallizing tank 221a, 221b that crystallizes gypsum from the concentrated water and a seed crystal supplying section that supplies seed crystals of gypsum to the second crystallizing tank 221a, 221b; and a separating section that is positioned on a downstream side of the crystallizing section and separates the gypsum from the concentrated water.
US09969620B2

A method of forming nanoscale diamond particles comprises providing C2 and CH radicals at a low pressure, and nucleating the C2 and CH radicals to form carbon nanoparticles comprising a diamond phase and a non-diamond phase. The method further comprises removing at least a portion of the non-diamond phase in flight during the nucleation of the C2 and CH radicals to form a carbon powder comprising a plurality of nanoscale diamond particles.
US09969619B2

The present invention relates to carbon materials comprising carbon nanotubes, powders comprising carbon nanotubes and methods of making carbon nanotubes. In the methods of the present invention, the size and/or formation of floating catalyst particles is closely controlled. The resulting carbon nanotubes typically exhibit armchair chirality and typically have metallic properties. The carbon nanotubes produced by this method readily form bulk materials, which typically have a conductivity of at least 0.7×106 Sm″1 in at least one direction. The invention has particular application to the manufacture of components such as electrical conductors. Suitable electrical conductors include wires (e.g. for electrical motors) and cables (e.g. for transmitting electrical power).
US09969615B2

A method for manufacturing a micromechanical device layer is performed on a device wafer comprising a single layer of homogenous material. The method comprises patterning a first mask on a first face of the device wafer, the first mask patterning at least lateral dimensions of comb structures and outlines of large device structures. First trenches are etched, the first trenches defining the lateral dimensions of the at least comb structures and outlines of large device structures in a single deep etching process. Recession etching may be used on one or two faces of the device wafer for creating structures at least partially recessed below the respective surfaces of the device wafer. A double mask etching process may be used on one or two faces of the device wafer for creating structures at least partially recessed to mutually varying depths from the respective face of the device wafer.
US09969608B2

Systems and methods for packaging a MEMS device to measure the in-stream pressure within a pipe are provided. Embodiments herein avoid the use of a metal housing enclosing the MEMS device or die pad of the MEMS device. Instead, the MEMS device is mounted directly to the pipe using a ceramic carrier. In preferred embodiments, the ceramic carrier is soldered, brazed, welded or eutectic bonded to the metal pipe.
US09969604B2

A system for confirming that a liquid product is to be dispensed into a storage tank from a tanker compartment before dispensing the liquid product is disclosed. A wand computing device generates a liquid product identification signal that identifies the liquid product contained in the storage tank when positioned within proximity of a storage tank tag associated with the storage tank. A dispense monitoring computing device attempts to match the liquid product identified by the liquid product identification signal to the liquid products identified as contained in tanker compartments. The dispense monitoring computing device generates a signal to notify the operator that an appropriate tanker compartment contains liquid product that is the same as the liquid product contained by the storage tank and can be dispensed into the storage tank when the liquid product contained by the storage tank matches the liquid product contained by the appropriate tanker compartment.
US09969598B1

The present disclosure is directed to hook and chain assemblies, including those suitable for use in food processing environments. The chain passes through a hook body, where it is secured by a retaining pin when under tension or load. The chain can be quickly and easily removed for servicing, cleaning, and sanitation of the hook body.
US09969592B2

A sheet conveying device includes: a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet along a conveying path; a switching unit configured to switch a sheet conveying destination; a delivering unit configured to deliver the sheet on the delivery path toward a device at the sheet conveying destination; a reversing unit configured to first convey the sheet from the reversing port toward the outside of the casing to a position in which a part of the sheet protrudes and deliver the sheet from the position toward a circulation path while reversing the conveying direction of the sheet; a circulating unit configured to convey the sheet delivered toward the circulation path along the circulation path and return the sheet to the conveying path while the sheet is reversed; and a control unit configured to control the reversing unit when a jammed sheet is detected in the device at the sheet conveying destination.
US09969589B2

A delivery processing apparatus includes: a plurality of stackers configured to stack delivery objects; a conveyer configured to transport the delivery objects to a designated stacker out of the plurality of stackers; a first detector configured to detect that a monitored stacker out of the plurality of stackers is in an overflow state in which more than a predetermined amount of delivery objects have accumulated; a second detector configured to detect that a monitored stacker out of the plurality of stackers is in an empty state in which all delivery objects have been retrieved from the stacker; and a main controller configured to specify a regular stacker that is a stacker out of the plurality of stackers and serving as a sort destination of the delivery object.
US09969584B2

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a winding device (10), comprising the following steps: Displaying of a schematic illustration of functional units (20) of the winding device (10) on a display device (30), Detection of at least one operating parameter (40) of at least one functional unit (20) of the winding device (10), Displaying of the at least one detected operating parameter (40) on the display device (30) next to the schematic illustration of the corresponding functional unit (20).
US09969583B2

A deskew module of a valuable media depository is selectively controlled ejection processing. Upon detection of a jammed item of media within the deskew module, angled drives are activated to lift a jammed corner of the item off a track base of the deskew module and free the item's jammed corner. Next, straight drives are activated to eject the item from the deskew module.
US09969582B2

A sheet conveyance device includes a pair of separable contact rollers configured to convey a sheet, a contact/separation mechanism configured to support the pair of separable contact rollers in such a manner that the pair of separable contact rollers are able to come into separable contact with each other, and a solenoid configured to operate the contact/separation mechanism. The solenoid is driven so that the contact/separation mechanism causes the pair of separable contact rollers to come into pressure contact with each other, and driving of the solenoid is cancelled so that the contact/separation mechanism causes the pair of separable contact rollers to be separated from each other. Pulse width modulation duty control is performed on the solenoid while the pair of separable contact rollers are in pressure contact with each other when a plurality of the sheets are conveyed one by one at an interval.
US09969569B2

A pneumatic distribution system for pneumatically distributing material in an agricultural vehicle is described. In one example, the pneumatic distribution system comprises an air source having an outlet with different air pressures defining a pressure gradient across the outlet, and a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive air from the outlet for a plurality of distribution streams, comprising at least a first distribution stream with a first pressure loss value and a second distribution stream with a second pressure loss value that is greater than the first pressure loss value. The inlet ports for the first and second distribution streams are located relative to the pressure gradient such that the second distribution stream receives a higher air pressure than the first distribution stream.
US09969561B2

The invention relates generally to conveying systems, for moving work pieces from work station to work station including conveyors which generally move at a constant speed and include load carrying units which can be coupled for movement therewith between work stations and uncoupled from the conveyor so that they will be stationary at the work stations while work is done on a work piece carried by the load carrying units. More particularly, the present invention pertains to improved systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing locomotion and control to a conveyor system including surface-mounted drive system and adjustable, automatic take-up system with floating drive chassis. The present invention also pertains to elevated conveyor systems comprising many of the same components as the surface-mounted conveyor systems.
US09969558B1

A portable multi-sectioned boom concrete conveyor assembly that includes a feeder conveyor configured to transport a construction material toward a distal end of the feeder conveyor and a main conveyor boom assembly including a plurality of main conveyor boom sections. The plurality of main conveyor boom sections may include a proximal main conveyor boom section and a distal main conveyor boom section that is rotatably coupled to one of the plurality of main conveyor boom sections about a revolution joint, has a second main conveyor belt spanning from a first end of the distal main conveyor boom section to a second end of the distal main conveyor boom section, and is operably configured to independently revolve approximately 360° about the revolution joint. The first and second main conveyor belts are operably configured to transport the construction material toward the second end of the distal main conveyor boom section.
US09969556B2

A conveyor belt module of the type having eye parts projecting outwardly from both sides of a central spine, where a plurality of interconnected belt modules define a transport plane, where the eye parts are offsetly spaced along the spine on either side of the spine, said spine defining a central line laterally on each module, such that eye parts on one belt module may be interfitted between eye parts on an adjacent module and mutually connected in a hinge-like manner, characterized in that the belt module comprises at least two types of eye parts: a first type of eye parts arranged on one side of the spine having a central opening in a direction orthogonal to the transport plane with parallel sides delimiting the eye part, and a second type of eye parts arranged on the other side of the spine having a central opening in a direction orthogonal to the transport plane with parallel sides delimiting the eye part, where adjacent the distal end of the second type of eye parts, cams, projecting away from the sides of the eye part, are provided.
US09969550B2

A bag for holding trash, diaper, and any item that needs to be contained. The bag can have an enclosure body and a mouth opening where the opening is lined with a foldable frame. The foldable frame can fold out to keep the mouth opening in an open configuration, and can collapse upon itself to keep the mouth opening in a closed configuration. The foldable frame can optionally have a locking notch, a finger, or both, all of which can be used to attach to some part of the enclosure body thereby keeping the neck of the bag twisted closed. The bag can optionally have attachment points such as apertures, sleeves, strips, and loops for securing to the locking notch. In some embodiments, the collar need not be foldable.
US09969548B2

A lifting device is for a container. The lifting device is arranged to be attached at one end of the container. The lifting device comprises a tow bar being adjustable between an erect position and an unfolded position; an undercarriage connected to the tow bar and provided with one or more wheels, the undercarriage being adjustable between at least a raised position and a lowered position, and the undercarriage being arranged, in the lowered position, to carry at least part of the weight of the container. The undercarriage is arranged to be adjusted from the raised position into the lowered position by means of manual force and/or gravity. The undercarriage is arranged to be adjusted from the raised position to the lowered position when the end of the container has been lifted above the supporting surface. A method is for using a lifting device for a container.
US09969543B2

A plastic container having a neck, a support ring, a shoulder, a cylindrical body, a base, a dispensing valve and a cap. The neck further includes a lip and a lip cavity. The support ring protrudes below the lip cavity and above the shoulder. The shoulder supports the neck and aides in preventing deformation of the container. The base further includes legs. The dispensing valve is placed atop the neck and sealed thereto. The cap is placed atop the valve and functions as an actuator to release the contents of the container.
US09969538B1

This is a new and useful improvement to liquid and dry product containers, modifying the flow rate of delivery. The user sandwiches the invention between the cap and existing vessel, which reduces the delivery rate of the product from the container when poured by the user. The invention conserves product quantity and reduces loss in an accidental spill. The invention is designed to fit a variety of containers. The invention is designed to dispense different products at desired flow rates. The invention is designed to be modified for specific applications. The invention can be reused after the vessel is emptied, thus conserving production material. The improvement is obvious because it benefits the consumer, not the manufacturers.
US09969534B2

The bag may include a draw tape that may be used to cinch closed the opening of the bag. The draw tape may include an elastic characteristic and may be smaller in size than the peripheral distance about the opening. The draw tape in its natural contracted state may partially constrict the opening. However, the draw tape may be stretched or expanded to enable a user to dilate the opening and fold the periphery of the opening over the rim of the canister. The draw tape may then recover or constrict to grip about the rim of the receptacle to hold the bag to the canister. In one embodiment, the bag may include a pattern proximate the bag opening to allow the bag opening to be stretched over the rim of the canister.
US09969532B2

A bag container dispenser includes a bag container. The container is formed of resilient material and has a bottom, a top, first and second sides, a front, a back and a removable access panel. The access panel has a top segment that includes a portion of the top and a connected front segment. The front segment has a height that extends from the bottom to the top. Stacked bags are sized and shaped to fit within the bag container. Each of the bags has a front wall, a back wall, an open top and a closure mechanism. The bags are dispensable from the container through an opening provided by removal of the access panel which may have a removable cover. A dispenser rack has a horizontal platform sized and shaped to support the bag container. Peripheral guards extend upward from the platform and constrain movement of the container during dispensing.
US09969531B2

The present disclosure relates to a delivery bag in which the lower end of the bag is closed and wherein said lower end of the bag comprises at least one carrier handle or one carrier loop, and wherein at the same time, the upper end of the bag has a closable first opening for introducing articles for delivery. The present disclosure additionally relates to the use of the delivery bag according to the present disclosure for the transportation of goods for delivery, in particular goods for delivery for mail order and online commerce, as well as a method for producing a delivery bag according to the present disclosure.
US09969528B2

A container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse has a movable door assembly, front frame, tracks supported by opposite sides of the container, and a plurality of dunnage supports extending between the tracks. The dunnage supports may comprise multiple pieces including end members and a tubular support, the end members being movable in the tracks. The dunnage supports support dunnage, such as pouches, for supporting products during storage or shipment.
US09969524B2

A metallic container end closure is provided that generally comprises a primary pour opening and an extended or secondary score which is opened with a secondary tool to form a secondary pour opening. The fact that a secondary tool is required allows the secondary score to be shallower, and thus more secure than deeper scores that are openable by finger pressure alone. Once the secondary tool is used to fracture the secondary score, a secondary pour opening is produced adjacent to the primary pour opening to form a larger opening. A user may insert materials such as ice or oranges through the enlarged pour opening.
US09969520B2

A hot-fillable container that is cylindrical in shape. The container may have two ribs. A top rib is located in the top bumper and a bottom rib is located in the bottom bumper. Both the top and the bottom ribs have depth that is deep enough so that the container may withstand the hot-fill process and increase its top load ability.
US09969499B2

A nacelle for an aircraft turbojet engine includes: a substantially cylindrical internal envelope, a substantially cylindrical external envelope, a downstream partition wall and an upstream partition wall secured to the cylindrical internal envelope and a front lip disposed forward of the upstream partition wall. The cylindrical internal envelope includes an upstream portion including an acoustic shroud connected, by an attachment flange, to a downstream portion including a fan casing. In particular, the front lip is extended and disposed over the upstream partition wall by presenting a downstream edge between the upstream and downstream partition walls in order to be secured to a homologous edge of the cylindrical external envelope so as to arrange a maintenance access to the attachment flange.
US09969492B2

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be configured for crop height estimation. In some examples, the UAV includes an aerial propulsion system, a laser scanner configured to face downwards while the UAV is in flight, and a control system. The laser scanner is configured to scan through a two-dimensional scan angle and is characterized by a maximum range. The control system causes the UAV to fly over an agricultural field and maintain, using the aerial propulsion system and the laser scanner, a distance between the UAV and a top of crops in the agricultural field to within a programmed range of distances based on the maximum range of the laser scanner. The control system determines, using range data from the laser scanner, a crop height from the top of the crops to the ground.
US09969474B1

A trolling motor assembly includes a base and an attached cradle. A transmission housing is coupled to the base by a pivot pin defining an axis about which the transmission housing pivots. A shaft is supported by the transmission housing and moves relative to the transmission housing in a direction which is parallel to a central axis of the shaft. The shaft is also rotatable with respect to the transmission housing about the central axis. A thrust motor is attached to and moves and rotates with the shaft. The assembly is movable from a deployed position, in which the shaft central axis is aligned vertically, the transmission housing is locked in an upright position, and the thrust motor is below water, to a stowed position, in which the shaft central axis is aligned horizontally, the transmission housing is pivoted onto its side, and the thrust motor rests in the cradle.
US09969473B2

A deflector control portion in a jet propulsion boat causes a deflector to swing by controlling a deflector drive mechanism in response to an operation of a shift operating portion. The deflector control portion causes the deflector to move to a first trim position when the shift operating portion is switched to a forward movement shift position. The deflector control portion causes the deflector to move to a second trim position when the shift operating portion is switched to an operating shift position.
US09969472B1

A hull mold of an aquatic vessel may include a keel pad sectional extended from a hull planing surface to a location on the hull mold at which a propeller shaft exits a propeller shaft tunnel at an aft transom edge of the hull mold and/or at a forward portion of the keel pad sectional, with sides of the propeller shaft tunnel formed into directional ports to increase a flow of water into the propeller shaft tunnel.
US09969465B2

The present disclosure relates generally to knee braces for boats. The knee braces described herein are particularly suitable for use with lightweight, inflatable rafts and kayaks, for example packrafts used in backcountry boating. The knee braces include a fabric body and a plurality of adjustable straps configured to attach the fabric body to a side wall of the boat.
US09969463B2

The control system of the vessel with moving underwater wings allows steering with the wings, while in turn the front pair of wings turns in the direction of the turn, the rear pair of wings turns in the opposite direction. The wing pairs settled in the direction of the turn radius. This reduces the turning radius and the roll of the vessel in comparison with conventional steering systems, increasing the maneuvrability of the vessel. The minimal roll of the vessel in the turns allows for an even and maximum distance between the surface and the entire hull of the vessel.
US09969453B2

A number of variations may include a product comprising: a bicycle with an integrated folding system comprising at least a main hinge feature in a frame comprising: a first frame component and a second frame component, wherein the first frame component and the second frame component are pivotally attached to each other; a cable which extends through the frame, wherein a first end of the cable is attached to a steerer tube and a second end is attached to a spring-loaded latch pin; and wherein in an unfolded position the spring-loaded latch pin extends between the first frame component and the second frame component which holds the frame together in the unfolded position, and wherein the spring-loaded latch pin is constructed and arranged so that when the main hinge feature is activated, the cable is lifted upward which pulls the spring-loaded latch pin out of the second frame component so that the frame folds together to a folded position.
US09969452B2

An information collection system is configured to collect information related to a bicycle. The information collection system is basically provided with a shift position information acquisition unit and a first controller. The shift position information acquisition unit is configured to acquire shift position information related to a bicycle transmission apparatus having a plurality of shift positions. The first controller is programmed to transmit the shift position information acquired during a certain period.
US09969451B2

A bicycle pedal is basically provided with a pedal spindle, a pedal body, a sensor adaptor and at least one force sensor. The pedal spindle includes a crank arm mounting part. The pedal body is rotatably mounted on the pedal spindle about a center spindle axis. The sensor adaptor includes a first fixing part non-movably attached to the pedal spindle at a first point, a second fixing part non-movably attached to the pedal spindle at a second point and a sensor mounting part extending between the first and second fixing parts, the first point being axially spaced from the second point with respect to the center spindle axis, the sensor mounting part being non-fixed to the pedal spindle. The force sensor is disposed on the sensor mounting part to detect a pedaling force transmitted from the pedal body to the pedal spindle.
US09969448B1

A bicycle seat adjustment device includes an inner tube which is inserted into a seat post. The bicycle seat is connected to the top end of the inner tube. The seat post is movably inserted into the upper portion of an outer tube, and the retractable portion of the inner tube is located in the lower portion of the outer tube. An operation unit is connected to the bottom end of the outer tube and controls the movement of the inner tube.
US09969441B2

A method of joining a first body made of a first material to a second body made of a second material is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing an adhesive between the first body and second body, moving the first body toward and into contact with the second body with the adhesive between the first body and the second body, pre-curing the adhesive, and curing the first body and second body in an oven. Pre-curing may be done by induction curing along a bonding line, pre-curing adhesive in a low temperature oven, or using a two-part adhesive.
US09969438B2

A hole plug which includes a flange part which covers an opening peripheral surface of an attachment hole formed on an attachment member at a predetermined inclined angle against the opening peripheral surface and a cylindrical outer peripheral wall part formed to extend downward from an inner edge part of the flange part. A flange part associating bending part is formed as a base point in order for bending an upper part of an outer peripheral wall part of the hole plug from a predetermined position of the outer peripheral wall part in a direction away from a hole edge when a tip of a flange part is contacted with an opening peripheral surface of the attachment member. Thus, the hole plug can reduce an insertion load, corresponding to variation of a plate thickness, and maintain a water sealing property.
US09969437B1

A replaceable floor to cooperate with a handicap entrance may include a bottom wall for the replaceable floor; a front section; a middle section connected to the front section; and a back section connected to the middle section. The front section may include a front wall connected to the bottom wall; and a pair of opposing side walls may be connected to the bottom wall. One of the opposing side walls may include a common sidewall to the first section and the middle section.
US09969418B2

A stroller shade includes a unique clamp for attaching the shade to a stroller. The clamp has an inner clip and an outer clip. The outer clip selectively locks in place over the inner clip to prevent the inner clip from opening. When the outer clip is slid in a direction opposite an opening of the inner clip, one can open the inner clip to slide over a stroller bar to thereby allow one to clamp on a bar of a stroller thereby allowing one to attach the stroller shade to a stroller. The stroller shade attaches to a stroller to cover the seat area, in a first position, and rolled up, and held in place, to a top portion of a stroller, in a second position, while the stroller shade remains attached to the stroller, e.g. along a top portion of the stroller shade.
US09969414B2

A dolly pallet assembly including a pallet having a pallet body defining a bottom surface and at least two channels therein. Each channel includes side walls and a channel bottom surface spaced a first height relative to the pallet body bottom surface. An entry into each channel is defined in the body and includes a ramped surface which slopes from a second height relative to the pallet body bottom surface at the entry to a third height relative to the pallet body bottom surface adjacent the channel bottom surface, wherein the second height is less than the first and third heights. The dolly includes a support platform with a plurality of wheel assemblies and at least one locking member, wherein the dolly is positionable relative to the pallet with the wheels received in respective channels and the locking member selectively engageable to lock the dolly relative to the pallet.
US09969411B2

A hand truck includes a frame, a toe plate connected to the frame, a pair of wheels rotatably secured to the frame, and a handle connected to the frame. A fourth-wheel attachment is pivotally connected to the frame at a first point and removable connected to the frame at a second point. A lever positioned adjacent to the handle causes the removable connection between the fourth-wheel attachment and the frame to be released, allowing the fourth-wheel assembly to pivot away from the frame. An embodiment of a hand truck includes a break back bar. The break back bar is pivotable with respect to the frame. The break back bar may be deployed and stood on by a user to prevent movement of the hand truck while pivoting a load.
US09969407B2

The present invention relates to a high speed transportation vehicle with a convenient diameter which is installed between two stations which has the ability of providing high take-off by reserve depots and providing control of the platform line by means of satellite and sensors, having portable cabins (16) providing drop off and pick up passengers in seconds and reverting the air from front to the back of the capsule moving in a cylinder (1) and purifying the capsule (10) from the external influences without any resistance.
US09969404B2

A computing system for a vehicle includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine required driver behaviors, determine a persistent sound indicative of the required driver behaviors, and generate a notification including the sound.
US09969402B2

A transmission system is disclosed as having a transmission configured to receive torque output from a power source and to drive a traction device, and an input device. The transmission system may also have a control module configured to reference a signal from the input device with a map to determine a corresponding speed of the power source, and to determine a margin between an actual and a maximum available torque output of the power source at a current speed. The control module may also be configured to determine a delay time threshold based on the margin, to selectively adjust a speed of the power source mapped to the maximum displaced position of the operator input device based on the margin, and to selectively adjust fueling of the power source at a current displacement position of the operator input device and operation of the transmission based on the signal and the map.
US09969397B2

A clutch disposed between an engine and an automatic transmission and including a first engagement element connected to the engine and a second engagement element connected to the automatic transmission. The electronic control unit is configured to, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, execute predetermined control in which the engine is stopped, the clutch is disengaged, and the vehicle is caused to travel. The electronic control unit is configured to start the engine when the predetermined condition is not satisfied during execution of the predetermined control, and execute downshift of the automatic transmission such that the rotational speed of the second engagement element becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined rotational speed when the predetermined condition is not satisfied during the execution of the predetermined control and the rotational speed of the second engagement element is lower than the predetermined rotational speed, and then engage the clutch.
US09969383B2

Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle are disclosed. The systems and methods disclosed may apply to series or parallel hybrid driveline configurations. In one example, engine cranking torque may be adjusted in response to a variety of operating conditions so that the engine may be started faster or slower.
US09969382B2

A moving assist apparatus assists vehicle which includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as driving source to move from current position to destination. The moving assist apparatus includes: a mode planning unit of for each section obtained by dividing traveling route from the current position to the destination, planning regularly one traveling mode from EV mode of not maintaining charge storage amount of battery and HV mode of maintaining the charge storage amount of battery; and an information generation unit of generating periodically traveling load information referenced by the mode planning unit. In addition to plans regularly, when replanning the traveling mode based on the traveling load information generated by the information generation unit, the mode planning unit defers execution of the replanning of traveling mode period to which from execution of the previous planning does not reach predetermined period.
US09969366B2

A combination tool for use with ice and snow is provided to perform a plurality of different functions with as device. The combination tool includes a shovel that can also serve as a traction pad that grips a tire that has lost traction in the snow. The shovel has a scoop near its forward end that has an apex of an arcuate profile configured to align a tire with lugs on a vehicle. The shovel may be reinforced with a plurality of strengthening ribs or gussets to support the weight of snow during shoveling actions and support the weight of vehicles when used as a traction pad. The shovel may be formed as a monolithic uniform unibody member. A brush may be provided to enable the combination tool to have a first configuration with the brush and shovel nested together and a second configuration where they are connected end-to-end.
US09969363B1

A wiping system is disclosed for use with a circular sensor having a circular lens. The system may have an electric motor having an armature, and a wiping subsystem for wiping the lens in a circular motion. The wiping system may be driven rotationally by the armature of the electric motor and orientated so as not to obstruct a field of view of the circular sensor. The motor armature may be rotated at a speed in accordance with a circular scanning speed of the sensor.
US09969361B2

A wiper blade assembly for a windshield wiper. In one embodiment, the wiper blade assembly includes a connector mounted on a blade support element. The connector has a receiving portion shaped to receive a first part of the end portion of a wiper arm and further has a securing portion shaped to secure a second part of the end portion of the wiper arm.
US09969357B1

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling intermittent operation of windshield wiper systems for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a control system for a vehicle windshield wiper system includes one or more detection units and a processor. The one or more detection units are coupled to a user interface disposed onboard the vehicle, and are configured to detect an amount of time pertaining to a position or engagement of a user interface for the wiper system. The processor is coupled to the one or more detection units, and is configured to at least facilitate updating a time step for intermittent operation for the wiper system based at least in part on the amount of time.
US09969352B2

A seat belt extender comprises a rotatable member having multiple blades of different sizes that engage the receptacle mounted to the vehicle. At the opposite end of the seat belt extender is a receptacle that receives the blade that is connected to the seat belt and/or seat belt and shoulder harness.
US09969348B2

Influence from a rear bag section is prevented or suppressed from being applied to an occupant out of position. In a state in which a side airbag inflates and deploys frontward of a side support section of a seat back, a front-rear partition cloth that partitions a bag body into a front bag section and a rear bag section brings an intermediate portion in a vehicle width direction of a front surface of the rear bag section to be recessed toward a vehicle rearward direction so as to be a valley-shaped recessed portion. Through this, even if the side airbag inflates and deploys while the occupant is located frontward of the side support section, it is possible to prevent or suppress influence from the rear bag section to this occupant.
US09969346B2

A restraint system includes a curtain airbag having an outboard layer and an inboard layer, an extension layer fixed to the inboard layer, and an inflator. The outboard and inboard layers define a first inflation chamber therebetween. The extension layer defines a second inflation chamber between the extension layer and the inboard layer. The inflator is in communication with the first and second inflation chambers. The first and second inflation chambers are fluidly isolated from each other.
US09969335B2

A vehicle load assist device and methods of making and using the same is described. According to one embodiment, the vehicle load assist device includes at least one support arm having a substantially open space between two ends configured to accept a corner of a vehicle, at least one wheel assembly, at least one slide, and at least one harness. The wheel assembly is coupled to the support arm and is a pivot point for loading an item onto a vehicle. The slide is coupled to one end of the support arm and configured to slide on a surface of the vehicle. The harness is coupled to the slide and configured to couple to the vehicle.
US09969332B1

An apparatus comprising a sensor and a processor. The sensor may be configured to generate a first video signal based on a targeted view from a vehicle. The processor may be configured to classify objects detected in the first video signal. The processor may be configured to generate a second video signal in response to (i) the classified objects and (ii) the first video signal. The second video signal may present a field of view configured to fit a shape of a display emulating a reflective view from a mirror. The second video signal may present a modified group of pixels of the first video signal to mask a flickering effect of the classified objects present in the first video signal when viewing the second video signal on the display.
US09969319B2

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for automatic control of a headlight of a vehicle by a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device receives vehicle related information and external information associated with the mobile computing device, where the mobile computing device is associated with an operator of the vehicle and is communicatively coupled with vehicle. Further, the mobile computing device computes an intensity and an orientation of a headlight of the vehicle based on one or more vehicle lighting patterns, where said vehicle lighting patterns are generated based on behavior of the headlight of the vehicle, which is operated by the operator, for a pre-defined duration in association with the vehicle related information and external information and provides computed intensity and orientation of the headlight of the vehicle to a lighting control module of the vehicle for automatic control of the headlight of the vehicle.
US09969315B2

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pneumatic inflator for automatically inflating inflatable articles, such as dunnage bags, to a desired pressure. Generally, once activated, the pneumatic inflator of the present disclosure inflates an inflatable article via a compressed air source until the air pressure inside the inflatable article reaches an operator-selected desired pressure. Thereafter, the pneumatic inflator automatically stops inflating the inflatable article. In various embodiments, the pneumatic inflator also includes a manual shut-off that, when activated while the pneumatic inflator is inflating the inflatable article, causes the pneumatic inflator to stop inflating the inflatable article. The pneumatic inflator of the present disclosure thus enables automatic inflation of inflatable articles to particular, operated-selected desired pressures with limited operator input.
US09969314B2

An apparatus for loading shipping containers onto and off of a truck or trailer bed. The apparatus includes rotatably mounted drive chains disposed in a laterally-spaced relationship adjacent the lateral edges of the bed. The drive chains are driven by a hydraulic motor on the bed. Lift spikes are rigidly mounted the drive chains and extend perpendicularly therefrom for engaging and pulling a container onto the bed. Lift wedges are pivotably mounted to the rear edge of the bed and are rotatably driven by hydraulic rams for lifting the front edge of a container onto the lift spikes. Container locking assemblies are located adjacent the four corners of the bed and each include a locking pin positioned above the bed coupled to a pneumatic ram mounted to an underside of the bed. The hydraulic rams move the locking pins laterally, between a locked position and an unlocked position.
US09969311B2

Described are passenger seat backs having tray tables pivotally coupled to the seat back frame and which rotate about a single axis. The tray table (20) may be directly connected to the seat back frame (10) without the need for a complex and heavy multi-axis pivot. The resulting seat and associated tray table are lighter, more compact, and easier to manufacture.
US09969309B2

A vehicle seat having a frame and a shield mounted thereto, wherein the frame has a hole portion or an insertion portion, the shield has an insertion part which is inserted into the hole portion or a hole part into which the insertion portion is inserted, the engaging portion of the shield engages with the engaged portion of the frame in a state where the infix portion is inserted into the cavity portion, and the cavity portion is arranged such that a direction in which the infix portion is inserted into the cavity portion is a direction intersected with the insertion direction of the insertion part relative to the hole portion or the direction intersected with the insertion direction of the insertion portion relative to the hole part.
US09969293B2

A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, conditioning a battery assembly of an electrified vehicle to a desired thermal level in a manner that extends useful life of the battery assembly, the conditioning step including heating or cooling the battery assembly with a thermal management system operable during both vehicle ON conditions and vehicle OFF conditions.
US09969286B2

A smart, integrated charging device for electric vehicles is provided. The alternating current input module is connected to an electricity metering module via an alternating current input switch. The charging module is connected to the electricity metering module via a module alternating current switch and an alternating current bus, and is connected to an output monitoring module via a direct current bus. The output monitoring module is connected to the monitoring and general control module (13). The direct current output module is connected to the output monitoring module (4) via a direct current output switch. The lightning protection module is connected to the direct current bus. The charging module utilizes smart power combination and multiple output coordination to enable output with current sharing and the automatic balance control technology.
US09969267B2

An ego-vehicle for displaying a behavior of a target object in a spatio-temporal manner may include one or more processors. One or more memory modules are communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. A display is communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. One or more sensors are communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. Machine readable instructions are stored in the one or more memory modules and cause the one or more processors to display on the display an object indicator associated with a position of a target object relative to the ego-vehicle, wherein the object indicator depicts a spatio-temporal patterning indicating the behavior of the target object.
US09969266B2

In a display control device, in accordance with speed limit information input from an input unit, a control unit senses change in a speed limit of a road where a vehicle travels and after that, in accordance with vehicle information input from the input unit, determines whether or not whether necessity to increase conspicuity of notification of the change in the speed limit. When it is determined that the necessity is high, a display unit is caused to switch display on a display medium from a first presentation image to a second presentation image that indicates a second speed limit by a first switching method. When it is determined that the necessity is not high, the display of the first presentation image is switched to the display of the second presentation image by a second switching method different from the first switching method.
US09969262B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system comprising: a first controller operable to assume one of a plurality of respective states, in each of a predetermined one or more first states the first controller being configured automatically to generate a torque control signal to request an amount of positive torque applied by at least a first torque control system to one or more wheels of a vehicle and cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value, and in each of a predetermined one or more second states the first controller being configured not to request by means of the torque control signal the amount of positive torque applied by the first torque control system to one or more wheels, wherein when the first controller switches from a first state to a second state the first controller is configured to cause a reduction, over time, in an amount of any torque that the torque control signal is causing the first torque control system to apply to one or more wheels.
US09969253B2

A hybrid energy system is provided in a vehicle including an autonomous power supply and being connectable to an external power supply infrastructure along the route of the vehicle, and which vehicle is arranged to operate in an autonomous power supply mode and/or in an external power supply mode. The system includes a first high voltage circuit including a first traction motor connected to an energy storage system by a first power converter for propelling the vehicle; a second high voltage circuit including a second traction motor connectable to an external power supply by a second power converter for propelling the vehicle; and where the first high voltage circuit and the second high voltage circuit are connectable by a third power converter between the first and the second power converters. A method for operating the hybrid energy system is also provided.
US09969247B1

The golf cart canopy is adapted for use with a golf cart. The golf cart canopy is a non-fixed canopy that provides weather protection for passengers or items that are stored in the rear section of the golf cart. The golf cart canopy is retractable when weather protection is not desired. The golf cart canopy comprises a canopy, a first support, and a second support.
US09969242B2

A charge valve assembly for an air conditioning system includes a valve housing having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a cavity. A valve core assembly is received in the cavity of the valve housing through the second end of the valve housing. The valve core assembly has a first end, a second end, a flow channel extending from the first end of the valve core assembly to the second end of the valve core assembly, an inner sealing surface, and a pin slideably received in the flow channel between an open position and a closed position. The pin has a primary seal selectively engaging the inner sealing surface of the valve core assembly and closing the flow channel at the second end of the valve core assembly when in the closed position. The pin biases towards the first end of the valve housing.
US09969241B2

A heat exchanger air control system is provided that utilizes a central heat exchanger and a pair of side-mounted heat exchangers, where the side-mounted heat exchangers are positioned forward of the central heat exchanger. The air outlets of the side-mounted heat exchangers are coupled to both the air inlet and the air outlet of the central heat exchanger using several air ducts through which air flow is controlled, thus allowing air flow throughout the system to be optimized based on the needs of the thermal systems coupled to the heat exchangers. A single fan proximate to the outlet of the central heat exchanger can be used to draw air through any combination of the three heat exchangers.
US09969239B2

A resilient pivot assembly including: a first housing member and a second housing member held together side-by side; and configured to present a central aperture sized to accept a shaft or shaft sleeve wherein the first housing member has a first groove/channel and the second housing member has a second groove/channel; a shaft with a third groove/channel that extends at least partly around the circumference of the shaft or the outer surface of a sleeve; where the first, second and third grooves/channels cooperate to form a generally annular shaped channel that houses at least one tubular shaped resilient member and supports the shaft so that it may readily partly or fully rotate about its axis.
US09969234B2

A height adjusting mechanism for a trailer includes first and second cross-beams, an interconnecting bar pivotally connected to the first and second cross-beams, an actuator that is connected to one of the first cross-beam or the second cross-beam to cause rotation of the first cross-beam and the second cross-beam between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. A locking mechanism is operable move between an unlocked position and a locked position to prevent pivoting of the first and second cross-beams with respect to the interconnecting bar. First and second pairs of wheels are connected to the first and second cross-beams by first and second pairs of torsion axles such that rotation of the first and second cross-beams causes rotation of the first and second pairs of torsion axles.
US09969231B2

A damper assembly includes a housing. A method of forming a damper assembly includes extruding the housing formed of aluminum. The housing defines a first chamber and a first passage spaced from each other, with a first inlet fluidly connecting the first chamber and the first passage. A piston is disposed in the first chamber and is movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A first restrictor valve is disposed in the first passage. The first restrictor valve is configured to restrict a flow of liquid into the first passage from the first chamber and the first inlet as the piston moves in one of the first and second directions which causes the liquid in the first chamber to increase a pressure applied to a first side of the piston to dampen movement of the piston.
US09969226B2

A bicycle and board apparatus comprising a buoyant board, a front wheel, a rear wheel and a steering member, and being mountable and usable in a first configuration as a bicycle in which the buoyant board is the bicycle's frame and in a second configuration as a surfboard by changing the orientation of the front wheel, the rear wheel or the steering member with respect to the buoyant board.
US09969221B2

The present invention provides a pneumatic tire capable of preventing discoloration while exhibiting good TGC resistance even after the tire having a reduced sub-tread thickness at the base of the tread main groove is stored. The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire including a tread portion, the tread portion including a jointless band and at least two tire components selected from the group consisting of a cap tread, a base tread, and an undertread, the rubber composition for cap treads having an amount of phenylenediamine antioxidant of a specific value or less, the cap tread, the base tread, the undertread, and the upper layer of the jointless band having amounts of phenylenediamine antioxidant satisfying a specific relational expression, the rubber composition for undertreads containing a specific amount of sulfur, the pneumatic tire having a sub-tread thickness at the base of the tread main groove of 0.5 to 2.0 mm.
US09969213B1

The present disclosure may relate to centerless wheel assembly that includes a centerless rim including a first center point laying in a first plane generally defined by the centerless rim. The centerless wheel assembly may also include a centerless ring gear coupled to the centerless rim such that rotation of the centerless ring gear causes a corresponding rotation of the centerless rim. The centerless ring gear may include a second center point laying in a second plane generally defined by the centerless ring gear, and the first plane may be generally parallel to the second plane. Additionally, the centerless ring gear may be shaped to interface with a drive gear that drives the centerless ring gear.
US09969211B2

A mounting arrangement for adding an auxiliary wheel spaced from an existing wheel of a motor vehicle including two or more generally cylindrical spacers connected together abutting end to end, an inner spacer attached to a brake assembly member with a preexisting wheel rim compressed between an inside face of the inner spacer and the brake assembly member, and an outer spacer connected to the inner spacer by bolts, and holding stud bolts extending out and received through holes in the auxiliary wheel rim, with lug nuts fixing the rim of the auxiliary wheel against the outside end of the outer spacer. An intermediate spacer between the inner and outer spacers may alternatively be provided detachably connecting the inner and outer spacers together, attached to an outside end of the inner spacer and to the inside end of the outer spacer by bolts.
US09969209B2

A method of manufacturing a wheel device including bonding a hub portion with lug holes and center bore hole, a spokes portion, and a barrel portion to generally form a mandrel or an inner frame of the wheel device. The inner frame is a scaled down size of the wheel device, in which a composite skin is wrapped around the inner frame to form an uncured wheel device. The uncured wheel device is encased inside a mold apparatus to cure. A cured wheel device of this method provides a wheel device with barrel, spokes, hub, lug holes and center bore hole molded into said wheel device without the use of a machine to carve out the spokes, hub, log holes or center bore hole.
US09969195B2

A method and a device are provided for measuring the contamination of a transparent covering of a plate having LED emitters which are cooled individually or in groups by cooling units. The temperatures of the individual or grouped cooling units are measured and conclusions about contamination are drawn from a comparison of the temperatures with one another. An inkjet printing machine and an offset printing press having the device are also provided.
US09969180B2

The present disclosure provides an inkjet printing device includes a first sprayer and a second sprayer; a first alignment unit configured to align the first sprayer to be above a display region of a display substrate; a second alignment unit configured to align the second sprayer to be above a peripheral region of the display substrate, the peripheral region surrounding the display region; a control unit configured to control the first sprayer to spray a solution toward the display region of the display substrate and control the second sprayer to spray a second solvent toward the peripheral region of the display substrate, the solution being obtained by dissolving a film-forming material in a first solvent; and an evaporation unit configured to evaporate the first solvent and the second solvent so as to form a film at the display region of the display substrate.
US09969174B2

Provided is a liquid ejection device including a liquid container tray that can suppress change in orientation and position of a liquid container on a support surface due to the difference in size of the liquid container.The liquid ejection device includes: a casing including a guide wall: a liquid container tray configured to support a liquid container: and a recording head that ejects liquid supplied from the liquid container that is supported by the liquid container tray to a medium. The liquid container tray is configured to be inserted to or removed from a casing along the guide wall, and includes a support surface that supports the liquid container and a movable wall configured to move in at least one direction on the support surface.
US09969173B2

An ink cartridge in which gel ink that is to be supplied to an ink tank of an inkjet recording apparatus is reserved, includes an ink pack and an outer box. The ink pack includes an ink container formed of a soft film material in which the ink is contained and an ink lead-out section which guides the ink inside the ink container outside. The outer box houses the ink pack and has an ink lead-out opening through which the ink lead-out section is exposed outside. The outer box has a pressure applying opening formed therein through which the ink container is exposed and a pressure is capable to be applied to the ink container or has a first perforation line along which the outer box is to be broken to form the pressure applying opening is formed thereon.
US09969167B2

A liquid ejection head has a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting a liquid, and a housing provided with a pair of liquid chambers which supply the liquid to a corresponding ejection port. A method for manufacturing the liquid ejection head includes: arranging a pair of mold pieces, of which width decreases gradually, to adjoin in the width direction thereof with the width decreasing in the opposite directions, molding a housing, and forming the pair of liquid chambers by drawing the pair of mold pieces from the molded housing in the direction in which the width increases.
US09969164B2

An example provides a plurality of nozzles; a common fluid supply channel in fluid communication with the plurality of nozzles and a compressible material forming, at least in part, a compressible wall of the common fluid supply channel, wherein the compressible wall has a volume and wherein the volume changes in response to changes in pressure in the common fluid supply channel.
US09969162B2

A MEMS device includes a first substrate in which a first electrode layer, a dielectric layer, and a second electrode layer are stacked on a driving region in this order; and a second substrate which is disposed to face a surface on which the dielectric layer of the first substrate is stacked. The first electrode layer and the dielectric layer extend beyond the second electrode layer toward a non-driving region separated from the driving region, a first resin having elasticity is disposed in a region including an end of the second electrode layer in an extending direction of the dielectric layer, and the first substrate and the second substrate are fixed with an adhesive in a state where the elastically deformed first resin is sandwiched therebetween.
US09969154B2

A method for on-line printing onto water-soluble film on-line with water-soluble detergent pouch process.
US09969137B2

Methods include providing a plurality fabric material layers, applying a plastisol layer between each fabric material layer forming plurality fabric material layers thereby creating a belt carcass, pressing the fabric material layers together with the plastisol layer(s) at a pressure of at least 5 psi to produce a preformed fabric carcass while heating the preformed fabric carcass while heating the preformed fabric carcass to a temperature which is within the range of about 360° F. to about 450° F. for a period of at least 6 minutes, disposing a thermoplastic elastomer polyvinyl chloride alloy composition onto the upper and lower surfaces of the fabric carcass, pressing the thermoplastic elastomer polyvinyl chloride alloy composition onto the upper and lower surfaces of the fabric carcass, and splicing opposing distal ends of the belt in a stepped splice configuration. The layers may be devoid of covering strips of lattice fabric disposed adjacent an abutment of any proximally positioned fabric layer.
US09969134B2

A method of manufacturing a nanopatterned biopolymer optical device includes providing a biopolymer, processing the biopolymer to yield a biopolymer matrix solution, providing a substrate with a nanopatterned surface, casting the biopolymer matrix solution on the nanopatterned surface of the substrate, and drying the biopolymer matrix solution to form a solidified biopolymer film on the substrate, where the solidified biopolymer film is formed with a surface having a nanopattern thereon. In another embodiment, the method also includes annealing the solidified biopolymer film. A nanopatterned biopolymer optical device includes a solidified biopolymer film with a surface having a nanopattern is also provided.
US09969118B2

A method for producing a container (2) from a blank (3) in a mold (1) provided with a wall (4) and a mold bottom (8) that is movable relative to the wall (4) between a retracted position and a deployed position, the method including: a phase of introducing the blank (3) into the mold; a preblowing phase including the injection, into the blank (3), of a fluid pressurized to a so-called preblowing pressure, a blowing phase following the preblowing phase and including the injection, into the blank (3), of a fluid pressurized to a so-called blowing pressure greater than the preblowing pressure; a boxing phase including the displacement of the mold bottom (8) from the retracted position thereof to the deployed position thereof, initiated after the pressure in the blank (3) has reached the blowing pressure.
US09969110B2

A process of making a wear-resistant actuating lever is disclosed. The wear-resistant actuating lever includes a lever body made of metal and an integrally molded cover layer made of a polytetrafluoroethylene-based material. The lever body includes a head segment having an upper major surface, a cam-forming surface, a through hole, and at least one upper concavity formed in the upper major surface. The integrally molded cover layer covers on the head segment and is molded thereon using plastic injection molding, and includes an upper portion covering an upper major surface, a cam portion covering a cam-forming surface, and an upper protuberance portion in the upper concavity.
US09969105B2

The present invention provides a method for producing agrochemical granules, which contain an agrochemical active ingredient, one or more kinds of hydrophobic substances, and a substance capable of absorbing oil, with stable quality. The method for producing agrochemical granules of the present invention includes (i) a step of obtaining a mixture by mixing an agrochemical active ingredient, one or more kinds of hydrophobic substances, and a substance capable of absorbing oil together, (ii) a step of obtaining a kneaded material by loading the obtained mixture into a kneading device, kneading the mixture at a heating temperature equal to or higher than the highest melting point of the hydrophobic substances, and then causing the kneaded material to be discharged from the kneading device at a temperature equal to or lower than the highest melting point of the hydrophobic substances, and (iii) a step of granulating the obtained kneaded material by an extrusion molding method.
US09969099B2

A table saw guard assembly for guarding a blade on a table saw is provided. The table saw guard assembly includes a support structure and a hood assembly including at least one of a front curtain, first side curtain, second side curtain and top curtain, wherein each of said curtains are independently moveable and/or removable from the hood assembly. Furthermore, a table saw guard assembly is provided including a quick release mechanism for connecting the hood assembly to the support structure.
US09969084B2

A coordinated joint control system for controlling a coordinated joint motion system, e.g. an articulated arm of a hydraulic excavator blends automation of routine tasks with real-time human supervisory trajectory correction and selection. One embodiment employs a differential control architecture utilizing an inverse Jacobian. Modeling of the desired trajectory of the end effector in system space can be avoided. The disclosure includes image generation and matching systems.
US09969078B2

A transfer head array includes a body and a plurality of transfer heads. The body has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of recesses. The first surface has at least one chucking region and at least one interference avoidance region, and the recesses are separated from each other and are disposed in the interference avoidance region. The transfer heads are disposed on the chucking region.
US09969075B2

A lifting implement, such as a shovel has a handle and a load bearing member. The handle includes an articulated joint dividing the handle between a major portion and a lever portion. The lever is adapted to pivot within the range of an acute angle relative to the handle profile. The lever and the major portion of the handle each have a means for mounting a resilient member therebetween, where the resilient member is capable of absorbing shock and storing energy when urged by the pivoting of the lever within the range during the motion of lifting a load, and which stored energy is released when the load is being heaved by the implement. The handle may include a hand grip and a gripping portion on the major portion spaced from the articulated joint such that a triangle is formed with the hand grip, the gripping portion and the articulated joint at the apex of the triangle, wherein the apex of the triangle.
US09969069B2

Methods and tools are provided for pressing a ring seal into a component. In one method, a tool is anchored to the component. The tool includes a first aperture which extends along an axis. The first aperture is coaxial with a second aperture in the component. The ring seal is pushed axially through the first aperture towards the component, where the tool radially compresses the ring seal as the ring seal moves axially towards the component. The radially compressed ring seal is pressed into the second aperture using the tool.
US09969061B2

A magnetic substance holding device includes: a first pole piece assembly comprising at least one first pole piece, at least two second pole pieces, and at least two first permanent magnets; a second pole piece assembly comprising at least one third pole piece, at least two fourth pole pieces, and at least two second permanent magnets; a coil; and a control device. The first pole piece assembly and/or the second pole piece assembly is configured to be movable such that they are switched between a first arrangement in which the second faces of the first pole piece assembly are spaced apart from the first faces of the second pole piece assembly, and a second arrangement in which the second faces of the first pole piece assembly come in contact with the first faces of the second pole piece assembly. The control device controls holding and detaching of a workpiece on and from the first faces of the first pole piece assembly or the second faces of the second pole piece assembly, by way of controlling electric current applied to the coil to switch between the first arrangement and the second arrangement.
US09969060B2

A clamp apparatus includes a pair of first and second clamp arms supported rotatably on a body. The clamp apparatus also includes a manual release mechanism capable of manually releasing a clamped state in the case that an output from a drive unit to the first and second clamp arms is stopped and the clamped state of a workpiece is locked. The manual release mechanism includes a release lever disposed rotatably on a first plate body. By an operator operating the release lever to thereby rotate the release lever, a block body of a driving force transmission mechanism is pressed and moved upwardly, and pressing forces applied to the first and second clamp arms in widthwise outside directions thereof by a pair of rollers, are released. Consequently, gripping members of the first and second clamp arms are rotated in directions away from each other to thereby cause an unclamped state.
US09969053B2

A grinder assembly includes a spindle selectively rotatable about a central axis. The grinder assembly also includes a grinding wheel attachable to and detachable from the spindle. The grinding wheel is rotatable about the central axis when attached to the spindle. The grinder assembly further includes an adaptor cooperating with the spindle and the grinding wheel to provide a quick attachment and detachment of the grinding wheel with the spindle. The adaptor includes a plurality of first teeth extending outwardly relative to the spindle and a plurality of second teeth extending outwardly relative to the grinding wheel. The first and second teeth cooperate with each other to selectively attach the grinding wheel to the spindle and prevent independent rotation of the grinding wheel relative to the spindle.
US09969050B1

A grinding head includes: a guide rail; a first grinding assembly and a second grinding assembly which are located at two ends of the guide rail respectively and can move along the guide rail; and a number of filling assemblies, which are disposed between the first grinding assembly and the second grinding assembly, wherein dimensions and/or quantity of the filling assemblies are based on a width between the first grinding assembly and the second grinding assembly, wherein the filling assemblies can cooperate with the first grinding assembly and the second grinding assembly to form an entire grinding bottom face. The width of the bottom face of the grinding head can be adjusted so that the waste of grinding cloth due to grinding a thin display is panel surface by a grinding head with a wide bottom face can be avoided and the operating efficiency can be enhanced.
US09969048B2

A polishing apparatus for polishing a substrate is provided. The polishing apparatus includes: a polishing table holding a polishing pad; a top ring configured to press the substrate against the polishing pad; first and second optical heads each configured to apply the light to the substrate and to receive reflected light from the substrate; spectroscopes each configured to measure at each wavelength an intensity of the reflected light received; and a processor configured to produce a spectrum indicating a relationship between intensity and wavelength of the reflected light. The first optical head is arranged so as to face a center of the substrate, and the second optical head is arranged so as to face a peripheral portion of the substrate.
US09969040B2

A tool changer 10 includes a tool change arm 40 having tool holding portions 42, 52 at ends thereof, a support shaft supporting the tool change arm 40, a rotation mechanism including a rotation drive motor 25 and rotating the tool change arm 40 about an axis of the support shaft, a forward/backward movement mechanism including a forward/backward movement drive motor 13 and moving the tool change arm 40 forward and backward along the support shaft, and a mount base 11 having the rotation drive motor 25, the forward/backward movement drive motor 13 and the support shaft mounted thereon. The tool changer has a restraining member 60 provided thereon which restrains movement of the tool change arm 40 in a direction along the support shaft by engaging with the tool change arm 40 positioned at an original position.
US09969039B2

In a steady rest (1) for centring a rotationally symmetrical workpiece (2) in the space, consisting of: two housing halves (4, 5) arranged at a distance from one another and firmly connected together, a middle steady rest arm (6) arranged between the two housing shells (4, 5) that is mounted in the housing shells (4, 5) by means of an actuation piston (7) so as to be moved in an axial direction (3) towards the workpiece (2), and two outer steady rest arms (11, 12) that are in a driving connection with the middle steady rest arm (6) by means of a guide slide (13) which has a control track (14) on two opposite outside sides, on which a roller (16) attached to the free ends (15) of both outer steady rests (11, 12) is arranged which roll along the control track (14), workpieces (2) with different diameters should be held in the space. This is achieved in that the particular control track (14) of the guide slide (13) has at least two control sections (21, 22, 25) and that at least two rollers (16) spaced apart from one another are provided on the particular outer steady rest arm (11, 12), which are in an active contact with one each of the control sections (21, 22, 25) depending on the position of the guide slide (13) in the housing shells (4, 5).
US09969025B2

A mounting mechanism for connecting a tractor unit to a guide track, the mounting mechanism includes a fixed block having a first set of rolling devices and a movable plate having a second set of rolling devices. The distance between the first and second sets of rolling devices is adjustable by moving the movable plate to engage or disengage the tractor unit to the guide track. A clamping assembly is provided with a shaft, cam spring, and cam handle for adjusting the distance between the first and second rolling devices. When the cam handle is in an open position, the distance between the rolling devices is greater than the width of the guide track and when the cam handle is in a closed position the distance between the rolling devices is approximately equal to the width of the guide track.
US09969020B2

Electric discharge machining is halted during machining program operation, and a position of the machining halt point is stored. A wire electrode is retreated from the machining halt point to an arbitrary position in which a short-circuit with a workpiece is removed (retreat position), by interrupt operation in which axis movement is performed manually. Then, a return is made from the retreat position to the machining halt point while electric discharge machining is performed, machining program operation is started from the machining halt point, and electric discharge machining is restarted.
US09969014B2

Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.
US09969011B1

An improved pocket hole drill guide fixture. The fixture may be retrofitted onto a vise or incorporated as an integral part thereof. The fixture provides a broad clamping surface and a long top edge providing linear area for drill guide bores housed therein. Each bore enters the top edge at a known angle and exits towards the work contacting surface of the fixture. One or more workpieces per clamping cycle can be efficiently produced.
US09969005B2

A process for manufacturing high aspect ration silver nanowires is provided, wherein the total glycol concentration is <0.001 wt % at all times during the process.
US09968997B2

A metal forming apparatus includes an injection device and a displacement speed monitoring device. The injection device includes a moveable injection rod defining a sliding channel, and a magnet ring disposed on the injection rod, the displacement speed monitoring device includes a housing sealedly connected to the injection device, and a linear displacement sensor disposed in the housing, a rear end of the injection rod is extended into the housing such that a front end of the linear displacement sensor is located in the sliding channel.
US09968996B2

A metal forming apparatus includes a smelting device, a molding device, an injection device and a vacuumizing device. The smelting device defines a smelting chamber, and includes a rotatable crucible and a heating unit both disposed within the smelting chamber. The molding device defines a molding chamber sealedly communicated with the smelting chamber. The injection device includes a charging barrel assembly sealedly disposed at a joint between the molding device and the smelting device and an injection unit sealedly connected with the smelting device. The vacuumizing device is sealedly connected with the smelting device and the molding device respectively so as to vacuumize the smelting chamber and the molding chamber.
US09968991B2

A mold assembly for use in forming a component having an internal passage defined therein is provided. The component is formed from a component material. The mold assembly includes a mold that defines a mold cavity therein. The mold assembly also includes a lattice structure selectively positioned at least partially within the mold cavity. The lattice structure is formed from a first material that has a selectively altered composition in at least one region of the lattice structure. A channel is defined through the lattice structure, and a core is positioned in the channel such that at least a portion of the core extends within the mold cavity and defines the internal passage when the component is formed in the mold assembly.
US09968990B2

The present invention relates to a mixture of polyalkylsiloxanes obtainable through a hydrosilylation reaction wherein a mixture of monounsaturated olefins is reacted with an amount of one or more polyalkylhydrosiloxanes in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst. Furthermore, the invention concerns polyalkylsiloxane comprising alkyl side chains consisting of linear or branched alkyl groups with 40 to 60 carbon atoms, with 16 to 30 carbon atoms, and 6 to 15 carbon atoms. In addition, the present invention relates to water-based compositions suitable for use in metal casting processes as a mold release agent comprising a mixture of polyalkylsiloxanes, a non-ionic surfactant having a HLB value of at least 8, and less than 20 wt.-% of waxes. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of the polyalkylsiloxanes and mixtures of polyalkylsiloxanes.
US09968985B2

A bead ring winding device forms a bead ring by winding a wire fed to the circumference of a former, which is coupled to, in a removable manner, and supported by a rotation shaft. The bead ring winding device includes a guide and a driving member. The guide guides a bearing so that the bearing can be lifted and lowered. The bearing supports the rotation shaft. The driving member lifts and lowers the bearing along the guide. When the former is replaced with another former of a different diameter, the bearing is lifted or lowered with the driving member so that the upper end of the former is arranged at a fixed position.
US09968974B2

A machine assembly, such as a parts washer, includes an enclosure defining an interior and an exterior. A robot is disposed within an interior of the disclosure. The assembly includes a plurality of camrollers operatively connectable to a robot. The assembly also includes a rail extending from within the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure for engaging with the plurality of camrollers.
US09968973B2

An endoscope reprocessor includes: an endoscope information reading section configured to read endoscope information from each of endoscopes; a treatment tank in which the endoscopes are disposed; a number detection section configured to detect a number of the endoscopes disposed in the treatment tank; a determination section configured to determine whether a first number that is the number of endoscopes read by the endoscope information reading section is equal to a second number that is the number of the endoscopes detected by the number detection section; a notification section configured to execute error notification; and a control section connected with the determination section and the notification section, and configured to drive the notification section when the determination section determines that the first number is different from the second number.
US09968966B2

An electroacoustic transducer includes: a housing; an oscillating structure including at least one disk-shaped piezoelectric element having first and second surfaces; an acoustic transmitter; and electrical connecting element contacting electrodes of the piezoelectric element. The acoustic transmitter has parallel first and second surfaces, which first surface is joined to the first surface of the piezoelectric element, and which second surface is suitable for emitting and/or receiving sound waves. The distance between the second surface of the acoustic transmitter and the second surface of the piezoelectric element corresponds to ¼ of the resonance oscillation wavelength of the oscillating structure. The piezoelectric element is connected to the housing with the aid of a bearing structure which allows transverse strains of the piezoelectric element.
US09968958B2

An electromagnetic device (1) for stabilizing and minimizing the deformation of a strip (4) made of ferromagnetic material during its feeding in a system for coating the same strip with molten metal, by applying a distribution of force which is continuous in the direction transversal to the strip regardless of the width thereof. The device comprises first electromagnets and second electromagnets mirroring the tirst electromagnets with respect to said theoretical pass-line (50) of said strip (4). Each electromagnet includes a core comprising one pole and one feeding coil wound about the pole. The electromagnetic device comprises a connection element (26) made of ferromagnetic material which connects the cores of the first electromagnets (15, 15′, 15″, 15′″) and a connection element (26′) made of ferromagnetic material which connects the cores of the second electromagnets (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″). The connection elements (26, 26′) mirror the theoretical pass-line (50) of the strip (4).
US09968956B2

By setting a robot installing area at a higher pressure than an adjacent painting area, there is formed an air flow which flows from the robot installing area into the painting area. With this, in a painting facility in which a painting object is painted by paint spraying from a sprayer while displacing the painting object held to an arm leading end portion of a painting robot relative to the sprayer by an action of the painting robot, adhesion of paint to the painting robot and to a painting area lateral wall is prevented.
US09968955B2

A modular robotic assembly including a first and second pod assembly. The first pod assembly including a first frame assembly extending a first length along a first longitudinal axis, a displacement assembly housed at least partially within the first frame assembly, and a shaft rotatably supported by the displacement assembly at a first end region of the shaft. The shaft extending out of the first frame assembly and coupled with a tooling attachment at a second end region of the shaft. The second pod assembly operably coupled with the first pod assembly such that the first and second pod assemblies operate as a functional unit to perform a task within a conduit. The second pod assembly including a second frame assembly extending a second length along a second longitudinal axis, and a drive mechanism configured to provide movement for the functional unit.
US09968950B2

An oscillating sprinkler that includes a frame with a first boom and a second boom engaged therewith. The booms are oriented generally parallel to each other and each of the first and second booms rotates about an axis that extends along the boom's length of the respective first or second boom. The first and second booms rotate in opposite directions to each other and are synchronized so that they rotate toward each other or away from each other in unison. First and second booms are operatively engaged with gears that are driven by a water-powered motor. One or more valves may be provided to shut off or reduce water flow from one or both of the booms. The watering pattern from the booms is such that water tends to be more evenly distributed over a ground surface upon which the sprinkler is placed.
US09968944B2

A parts separator includes a chute having an inlet section defining a wet chip inlet opening, an outlet section defining a wet chip outlet opening adapted to be coupled to a centrifugal separator and a drop-out opening disposed between the inlet and outlet sections. The parts separator also includes a magnetic separator disposed outside the chute adjacent the drop-out opening.
US09968941B2

A method of preparing an aluminum metaphosphate (ALMP) particulate product includes charging a milling chamber of a ball mill with grinding media and loading an ALMP feedstock into the milling chamber. The ALMP feedstock is milled with the grinding media into ALMP particles at a particle reduction index in a range from 0.25 to 0.5. At a plurality of time steps during a period in which the milling is carried out, a fine fraction of the ALMP particles is removed from the milling chamber while a coarse fraction of the ALMP particles remains in the milling chamber for additional milling. An ALMP particulate product with a particle size distribution having a median particle size in a range from 100 μm to 700 μm is prepared from the ALMP particles removed from the milling chamber.
US09968933B2

The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.
US09968925B2

A process of recovering and recycling a catalyst includes feeding an epoxidized fatty acid ester, a solvent, and a catalyst to a reactor. The solvent is reacted with the epoxidized fatty acid ester to open epoxy rings of the ester and produce a polyol. Some unreacted solvent remains after the reaction. The unreacted solvent is separated from a mixture of the polyol and the catalyst. The polyol/catalyst mixture is passed to an adsorption bed so that the catalyst is adsorbed and the polyol passes through the bed. The polyol is recovered. The adsorption bed is rinsed with the unreacted solvent to desorb the catalyst and obtain a mixture of the solvent and the catalyst. The mixture of solvent and catalyst is recycled to the reactor for further reaction.
US09968923B2

A carrier having at least three lobes, a first end, a second end, a wall between the ends and a non-uniform radius of transition at the intersection of an end and the wall is disclosed. A catalyst comprising the carrier, silver and promoters deposited on the carrier and useful for the epoxidation of olefins is also disclosed. A method for making the carrier, a method for making the catalyst and a process for epoxidation of an olefin with the catalyst are also disclosed.
US09968918B2

The present invention provides a catalytic cracking catalyst for heavy oil and preparation methods thereof. The catalyst comprises 2 to 50% by weight of a phosphorus-containing ultrastable rare earth Y-type molecular sieve, 0.5 to 30% by weight of one or more other molecular sieves, 0.5 to 70% by weight of clay, 1.0 to 65% by weight of high-temperature-resistant inorganic oxides, and 0.01 to 12.5% by weight of a rare earth oxide. The phosphorus-containing ultra-stable rare earth Y-type molecular sieve uses a NaY molecular sieve as a raw material. The raw material is subjected to a rare-earth exchange and a dispersing pre-exchange; the molecular sieve slurry is then filtered, washed with water and subjected to a first calcination to obtain a rare earth sodium Y molecular sieve which has been subjected to such “first-exchange first-calcination”, wherein the steps of rare earth exchange and dispersing pre-exchange are not restricted in sequence; and then the rare earth sodium Y molecular sieve which has been subjected to “one-exchange one-calcination” is subjected to “second exchange and second calcination” including ammonium exchange and a phosphorus modification, wherein the steps of the ammonium exchange and the phosphorus modification are not restricted in sequence. The steps of the ammonium exchange and the phosphorus modification can be conducted continuously or non-continuously, the second calcination is conducted after the ammonium exchange for reducing sodium, the phosphorus modification can be conducted before or after the second calcination. The catalyst provided by the invention has the characteristics of high heavy oil conversion capacity, high total liquid yield, and high yield of light oil.
US09968907B2

A gas adsorbent includes copper-exchanged ZSM-5 zeolite, and the crystallinity of the copper-exchanged ZSM-5 zeolite is set to at least 40% and up to 80%.
US09968905B2

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US09968904B2

Hydrothermal conversion is performed on organic feedstocks that include solids, by forming a slurry of the feedstock in water and subjecting the slurry to hydrothermal conversion conditions. The hydrothermal conversion conditions may be sufficient to product a carbonized solid and/or liquefaction products. The size of solids (either or both of feedstock or carbonized solids produced in the process) is reduced by conducting a series of bubble-forming and bubble-collapsing cycles on the slurry.
US09968898B2

In some embodiments, the present invention provides amphiphilic nanosheets that comprise lamellar crystals with at least two regions: a first hydrophilic region and a second hydrophobic region. In some embodiments, the amphiphilic nanosheets of the present invention also comprise a plurality of functional groups that are appended to the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments the functional groups are hydrophobic functional groups that are appended to the second region of the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments, the lamellar crystals comprise α-zirconium phosphates. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the aforementioned amphiphilic nanosheets. Such methods generally comprise appending one or more functional groups to a stack of lamellar crystals; and exfoliating the stack of lamellar crystals for form the amphiphilic nanosheets.
US09968887B2

Systems and methods for the recovery of rare earth elements are provided. The systems and methods generally include membrane assisted solvent extraction using permeable hollow fibers having an immobilized organic phase within the pores of the hollow fibers. The permeable hollow fibers are generally in contact with an acidic aqueous feed on one side thereof and a strip solution on another side thereof. The systems and methods generally include the simultaneous extraction and stripping of rare earth elements as a continuous recovery process that is well suited for post-consumer products, end-of-life products, and other recovery sources of rare earth elements.
US09968883B2

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for removing acid gases from a gas stream are provided. Gas streams include waste gas streams or natural gas streams. The methods include obtaining a hypochlorite and a carbonate or bicarbonate in an aqueous mixture, and mixing the aqueous mixture with the gas stream to produce sulfates or nitrates from sulfur-based and nitrogen-based acidic gases. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to produce the carbonate and/or bicarbonate scrubbing reagent from CO2 in the gas stream. Still others are disclosed.
US09968876B1

The manufacture of fiberglass filtration media, and particularly paint arrestance fiberglass media, is disclosed. Fiberglass filtration media is formed in part by controlling the speed of a melter traversing a drum. The fiberglass media passes through rollers and water sprays before it enters a curing apparatus. Progressive density changes from the air intake side to the air exit side of the media result in increased filtration qualities.
US09968874B2

A fluid pump includes a pump housing; an inlet which introduces fluid into the pump housing; an outlet which discharges the fluid from the pump housing; a pump section which pumps the fluid from the inlet to the outlet; and a strainer through which the fluid passes in order to enter the inlet. The fluid pump extends along an axis and the strainer includes a straining medium configured to allow the fluid to pass therethrough while preventing foreign matter of a predetermined size from passing therethrough. The straining medium defines a strained volume with the pump housing such that the strained volume is defined radially between the straining medium and the pump housing and such that the strained volume is in fluid communication with the inlet.
US09968860B2

A combined launching device for launching spinning tops, includes a first launching unit and a second launching unit. Each launching unit includes a casing. The casing accommodates a spinning top holder for holding a spinning top and a spinning mechanism, wherein the spinning mechanism is operated to spin and launch the spinning top by linearly and manually moving an operating member in a predetermined operating direction, wherein the casing of the first launching unit has a first coupler, and the casing of the second launching unit has a second coupler removably combined with the first coupler, and wherein the first launching unit is combined with the second launching unit such that the first and second spinning top holders face in the same direction and the predetermined operating direction of the operating member is the same for the first and second launching units.
US09968858B2

Affiliated players in an online game often coordinate activity and communication in the online game. Affiliated players may want to coordinate activities and/or communicate with each even when one or more affiliated players may not be logged into the online game. Further, persons of higher status in an affiliation may want to control the extent to which other players in the affiliation are sent messages external to the game. As such, one aspect of the disclosure relates to facilitating communication to a group of related players of an online game outside of communication mediums available via the game, where the ability to communicate and the type of communication may depend upon permissions associated with a player in a group of affiliated players.
US09968854B1

Systems and methods for online gaming including virtual placeholder items that can be exchanged for virtual items of value based on a quantitative performance of the users relative other users in events that take place in the online game.
US09968847B2

A computer-implemented system and method are described for performing video compression by an online video game service is provided. One example method includes receiving user input by a server and the user input is received from a client device over a network established between the client device and the server. The user input is from an input device associated with the client device and the client device and the input device are used to access the server to play a video game. The method further includes executing the video game on the server while receiving user input from the input device, and the video game produces a video output including a sequence of video images of the video game. Encoding each of the sequence of video images in a video encoding resource of the server to generate a sequence of encoded video frames and transmitting the sequence of encoded video frames by the server over the communication channel to the client device for decoding to produce a corresponding sequence of decoded video frames. The sequence of decoded video frames is configured to be rendered on a display device associated with the client device. The method further includes detecting a change in a communication channel characteristic of the communication channel, and the detected change is based on feedback information received by the server. The feedback information is received from the client device and dynamically adjusting a compression ratio for said encoding of the sequence of encoded video frames based on the detected change in the communication channel characteristic.
US09968845B2

An image processing device for recognizing an object corresponding to a registered image registered beforehand from an imaged image, comprising: an obtaining unit configured to obtain the imaged image; a recognizing unit configured to recognize an object corresponding to the registered image from the imaged image; and a detecting unit configured to detect, based on a registered image corresponding to an object recognized from the imaged image thereof, an area where another object is overlapped with the object corresponding to the registered image thereof.
US09968844B2

A method is provided where a user device has a display which displays a message. This message prompts a user to provide an audio input which is captured by a microphone. The audio input is processed to determine the content. The content is compared to the expected content and if a match is determined then a reward is provided. The reward may be a reward in a computer implemented game which is run on the user device.
US09968841B2

An electric vehicle may comprise a board including first and second deck portions each configured to receive a left or right foot of a ride, a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions and including a ground-contacting element, a motor assembly mounted to the board and configured to rotate the ground-contacting element around an axle to propel the electric vehicle, at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board, and a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation information. The electric vehicle may include exactly one ground-contacting element, and the motor may be a hub motor.
US09968838B2

An exemplary martial arts training device comprises anatomically correct legs, arms, torso and head that can be used individually, or partly or fully assembled. A user interacts with the device, and receives both immediate feedback and a global analysis of his training session. Feedback can include whether proper forces and angles were applied to achieve an actual break or other desired fighting goal in an opponent, and can be measured by the actual breaking of various strike points on the device, or by alerting the user when an appropriate sensor is struck with the required strength. The device can include breakable joints, bones, as well as soft tissue targets preset to respond to a defined striking force or joint manipulation. The user can reset the damaged physical structure or response sensor to its original configuration and setting, making the device repeatedly reusable.
US09968836B2

A ball for use in teaching proper throwing or pitching techniques in baseball or softball is disclosed. The ball provides an internal mechanism by way of a snap device or a channel having a shiftable weighted material to provide both an audible and visible indication of when a proper wrist snap release of the ball has occurred. The internal mechanisms disclosed can be incorporated into newly manufactured baseballs or softballs or placed into preexisting balls.
US09968834B1

A golf club head comprising a channel and a sliding weight that can be reversibly fixed at any point within the channel is disclosed herein. The channel preferably is disposed on the sole and extends from a heel side of the golf club head, around a rear side, and ends at a toe side of the golf club head. This channel is not constrained to a planar arc, but instead twists as it extends around the golf club head so that it follows the contours, and preserves the aesthetics, of the golf club head. The slidable weight comprises a base portion and a first cap, and a second cap that has the same dimensions as, and is interchangeable with, the first cap is disposed in a pocket in the sole proximate the face of the golf club head.
US09968825B2

A collapsible exercise machine for strengthening the core muscles (transverse abdominal, internal obliques, external obliques, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae) includes a frame mounted on a base on which a user sits and manipulates an upstanding lever arm. A seat is convertible between two differently-angled positions for back extension or abdominal exercises. The lever arm rotates a curved tube having a plurality of force adjustment holes. The tube passes through a frame at the upper end of a gas spring, and engaging an adjustment pin on the frame with different adjustment holes changes the amount of resistance. The entire frame above the base can be vertically adjusted to accommodate different sizes of user without altering the relative position between the seat (and user's hips) and the axis of rotation of the lever arm thus not affecting/changing the designated resistance between users of different heights (resistance is affected when the lever arm is lengthened). The connection between the frame and the base enables the unit to be collapsed to a profile small enough to fit under a bed.
US09968819B2

An exercise machine has at least one hollow column rotationally mounted between upper and base members of a frame. A pulley carriage is mounted inside the column in engagement with an internal track for travel up and down the track, and a cable linked to an exercise resistance extends through the pulley carriage before terminating at a cable pull attachable to a selected user engagement accessory. A pulley cover pivoted to the carriage extends partially out of a column opening and extends over one or more pulleys mounted in the pulley carriage.
US09968815B2

A training equipment for resistance training of the upper body, wherein the training equipment comprises: an attachment portion adapted to be attached to the body of an exercising person, a handle portion adapted to be gripped by the exercising person, a first distance device flexibly attached in the attachment portion by a first joint, a second distance device flexibly attached in the first distance device by a second joint. At least one of: the first joint, the second joint, the first distance device, and the second distance device comprises an adjustable movement resistance device adapted to create an adjustable resistance between the attachment portion and the handle portion, so that training of the upper body is obtained upon movement of the handle portion.
US09968812B2

An under bed fluid storage and pumping assembly for fire prevention and protection, which may be utilized in disaster relief housing that includes a first sprinkler system, is disclosed herein. In an example, the under bed fluid storage and pumping assembly includes a tank comprising a housing cavity and the fluid pumping assembly disposed within the housing cavity. In some examples, the housing cavity is formed on a top surface of a riser that extends above a platform to support a bed. In other examples, the housing cavity is formed below an opening on the platform. The housing cavity may include an embedded pump, a suction tube with an isolation valve, a discharge manifold with an isolation valve, a system pressure gauge, a system test control valve (which may be plumped back to tank through tubing and/or fittings), a pressure activated on/off switch, or the like, or combinations thereof.
US09968808B2

The invention relates to a laminar structure (10) providing adaptive thermal insulation, comprising a first layer (22), a second layer (24), at least one cavity (16) provided in between the first layer (22) and the second layer (24), a gas generating agent (18) having an unactivated configuration and an activated configuration, the gas generating agent (18) being adapted to change from the unactivated configuration to the activated configuration, such as to increase a gas pressure inside the cavity (16), in response to an increase in temperature in the cavity (16), the first layer (22), the second layer (24) and the cavity (16) being arranged such that a distance (D) between the first layer (22) and the second layer (24) increases in response to the increase in gas pressure inside the cavity (16).
US09968807B2

The present invention relates to a sealed and ventilated receptacle for storing equipment, such as firefighter turnout gear, that generally includes a base, at least one sidewall extending from the base, and a top wall that covers the opposite end of the sidewall. A sealable door may be positioned on the sidewall to access the inside of the receptacle and to prevent any contaminants from exiting the receptacle. The receptacle may also include an intake fan and exhaust fan that are each connected to a duct for providing fresh air to and removing contaminated air from the inside of the receptacle. The receptacle may further include a temperature control unit for regulating the temperature inside of the receptacle. Additionally, a hook for hanging a firefighter coat, trousers, or other items may also be included on the inside of the receptacle.
US09968804B2

A nozzle for a retractable fall arrest defines a passage extending through the nozzle between top and bottom surfaces of the nozzle and an elongate opening within the passage. The opening has opposed end sections and a middle section; wherein the width of the middle section of the opening is narrower than the width of the end sections of said opening, giving the opening a generally dog-bone shape in plan.
US09968796B2

The present invention is directed toward a detection architecture for use in implantable cardiac rhythm devices. The detection architecture of the present invention provides methods and devices for discriminating between arrhythmias. Moreover, by exploiting the enhanced specificity in the origin of the identified arrhythmia, the detection architecture can better discriminate between rhythms appropriate for device therapy and those that are not.
US09968791B2

Disclosed in an improved medical implantable device system including an improved external charger that is able to communicate with an external controller and IPG using the communication protocol (e.g., FSK) used to implement communications between the external controller and the implant. The external controller as modified uses its charging coil to charge the implant, and also to communicate with the other devices in the system. As such, the external charger is provided with transceiver circuitry operating in accordance with the protocol, and also includes tuning circuitry to tune the coil as necessary for communications or charging. Communication or charging access to the charging coil in the external charger is time multiplexed. The disclosed system allows charging information to be provided to the user interface of the external controller so that it can be reviewed by the user, who may take corrective action if necessary. Also disclosed are schemes for synchronizing and arbitrating communications between the devices in the system.
US09968789B2

A device for ambulatory monitoring for suspected bradycardia or QT monitoring with simultaneous external pacing capability is provided. The device monitors the patient for a significant bradycardic episode and/or prolongation of the QT interval. The device provides a monitor having sensing, pacing, recording and transmission capabilities. At least two pacing electrodes are provided with adhesive backing for application to the anterior chest region with one cathode to the region of the cardiac apex and an anode to the region of the right upper sternal cardiac border. If a bradycardic episode is detected or prolongation of the QT is sufficient, then pacemaking energy is provided to the electrodes allowing the patient time to seek medical care without suffering the results of temporary hemodynamic instability that might otherwise be associated with dysrhythmia.
US09968780B2

Methods for allowing a user to control a neuromodulator to modify a cognitive state being experienced by the user. The user may select a waveform ensemble from a hand-held user device having an interface, and the user may adjust the perceived intensity of the applied waveform ensemble with the user device while the waveform ensemble is being applied. Also described are methods of managing communication between the hand-held user device (such as a smartphone or the like) and a wearable neurostimulator. Methods of displaying and visually tracking and controlling the applied waveform ensemble are also described herein.
US09968778B2

A system for designing a therapy or for treating a gastrointestinal disorder or a condition associated with excess weight in a subject comprising at least one electrode configured to be implanted within a body of the patient and placed at a vagus nerve, the electrode also configured to apply therapy to the vagus nerve upon application of a therapy cycle to the electrode; an implantable neuroregulator for placement in the body of the patient beneath the skin layer, the implantable neuroregulator being configured to generate a therapy cycle, wherein the therapy cycle comprises an on time during which an electrical signal is delivered, the electrical signal comprising: a) a set of pulses applied at a first selected frequency of about 150-10,000 Hz, wherein each pulse of the set of pulses has a pulse width of at least 0.01 milliseconds and less than the period of the first selected frequency.
US09968755B2

A pressure relief device comprising a valve configured to resiliently deform in response to a predetermined pressure; and a sound dampener configured to dampen a sound generated by the valve when the valve resiliently deforms in response to the predetermined pressure.
US09968749B2

A respiration system for noninvasive respiration includes a respiration drive, which is controlled by a control device, and includes a patient module (4) with electrodes for picking up electrode signals from the surface of the chest of a patient. The control device is set up to suppress ECG signals in the electrode signals in order to obtain electromyographic signals (EMG signals) representing the breathing effort and to control the respiration drive as a function of the EMG signals. Provisions are made for deriving ECG signals from the electrode signals before said ECG signals are suppressed and for making data representative of the ECG available for display.
US09968748B2

An indicating device for indicating the number of dosages of a substance that have been dispensed from or remain in a container includes a first housing member having laterally spaced apart first and second guide members and a second housing member. The first and second housing members are moveable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis. The second housing member includes laterally spaced apart first and second guides shaped to receive the first and second guide members respectively, and wherein the first and second guides are not shaped to receive the second and first guide members respectively. A biasing member biases the second member relative to the first member along the longitudinal axis. An indicating member is disposed between the first and second housing members.
US09968746B2

The application relates to needle protection assembly (1)) comprising:—a support (2) of the needle (3),—a needle shield (8) having a longitudinal axis A,—urging means (13) for displacing said needle shield (8) from a “in, use” position to a “after use” position,—a locking element (10) intended to prevent said needle shield (8) from moving back from its “after use” position to its “in use” position, characterized in that said locking element (10) has a longitudinal axis B and is radially movable with respect to said needle shield (8) between a “free” position, in which the longitudinal axis A of the needle shield (8) and the longitudinal axis B of the locking element (10) are merged and in which said needle shield (8) is movable from its “in use” position to its “after use” position, and a “locking position”, in which the longitudinal axis B is radially spaced apart from the longitudinal axis A and in which movement of the needle shield (8) from its “after use” position to its “in use” position is prevented.
US09968742B2

Embodiments of the invention provide a dual insertion set for supplying a fluid to a body of a patient and for monitoring a body characteristic of the patient. Typical embodiments of the invention include a base, an infusion portion coupled to a first piercing member and a sensor portion coupled to a second piercing member. The infusion portion includes a cannula coupled to the first piercing member for supplying the fluid to a placement site. The sensor portion includes a sensor coupled to and extending from the base having at least one sensor electrode formed on a substrate and is coupled to the second piercing member in a manner that allows the sensor to be inserted at the placement site. The base is arranged to secure the dual insertion set to skin of the patient. Typically the first and second piercing members are arranged such that when the first and second piercing members are operatively coupled to the base, they are disposed in a spatial orientation designed to inhibit sensor interference that may be caused by compounds present in fluids infused through the cannula.
US09968738B2

Flexible housing filters for filtration of fluids and methods of making such filters are disclosed. The filters include a molded frame with no peripheral seal that houses a filter medium.
US09968737B2

A set connector assembly for a fluid infusion device is provided. The set connector assembly includes a connector having a body. The body defines a graspable portion and a coupling portion, and the coupling portion is to be received within a portion of the fluid infusion device. The graspable portion has at least one wing that defines at least one locking tab for locking the connector to the fluid infusion device. The graspable portion is movable relative to the body to move the connector between a first, locked position and a second, unlocked position relative to the fluid infusion device.
US09968733B2

An implantable infusion device includes a reservoir for housing an infusion medium and a drive mechanism having an inlet chamber, a piston and a piston channel. The inlet chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The piston channel is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber, and has a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being closer to the inlet channel than the distal end. The piston is axially moveable within the piston channel to drive infusion medium out of the distal end of the piston channel. The clearance between the piston and the channel is sufficiently small to prevent undissolved gas in the inlet chamber from passing through the clearance. The inlet chamber may be sufficiently large to allow undissolved gas to accumulate without adversely affecting the performance of the infusion device.
US09968726B2

A method of securing an access port to a vessel can include positioning an access port adjacent to a wall of the vessel. The access port can include an implantation passageway and a guidance passageway that is connected to the implantation passageway. The implantation passageway can be open, during the positioning of the access port, at a position proximal to a location at which the implantation passageway and the guidance passageway are connected. The method can further include forming an opening in the wall of the vessel via instruments that extend through the implantation passageway. The method can include securing the access port to the vessel such that the implantation passageway is in fluid communication with an interior of the vessel via the opening in the wall of the vessel. The method can also include sealing the implantation passageway at the position proximal to the guidance passageway.
US09968720B2

An implantable pump system is provided, suitable for use as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system, having an implantable pump, an extracorporeal battery and a controller coupled to the implantable pump, and a programmer selectively periodically coupled to the controller to configure and adjust operating parameters of the implantable pump. The implantable pump includes a flexible membrane coupled to an actuator assembly that is magnetically engagable with electromagnetic coils, so that when the electromagnetic coils are energized, the actuator assembly causes wavelike undulations to propagate along the flexible membrane to propel blood from through the implantable pump. The controller may be programmed by a programmer to operate at frequencies and duty cycles that mimic physiologic flow rates and pulsatility while operating in an efficient manner that avoids thrombus formation, hemolysis and/or platelet activation.
US09968714B2

Provided herein is a biodegradable elastomeric patch that can be implanted on a heart or other portions of the cardiovascular system to repair tissue deficiencies or tissue damage. The biodegradable elastomeric patch may be engineered to have mechanical properties similar to that of soft tissue and to provide mechanical support to the damaged tissue. The biodegradable elastomeric patch also may comprise therapeutic agents to aid in the healing process. Methods also are provided for using a biodegradable elastomeric patch for treating patients suffering from tissue damage or tissue deficiencies in the cardiac or cardiovascular system.
US09968709B2

The present invention relates to methods for making cross-linked oxidation-resistant polymeric materials and preventing or minimizing in vivo elution of antioxidant from the antioxidant-containing polymeric materials. The invention also provides methods of doping polymeric materials with a spatial control of cross-linking and antioxidant distribution, for example, vitamin E (α-Tocopherol), and methods for extraction/elution of antioxidants, for example, vitamin E (α-tocopherol), from surface regions of antioxidant-containing polymeric materials, and materials used therewith also are provided.
US09968707B2

A process for preparing decellularized isolated bone tissue samples, comprises the steps of a) providing an isolated bone tissue sample, b) treating said sample by immersions in: a solution comprising at least one chelating agent, a solution comprising at least one anionic detergent, a solution comprising at least one non-ionic detergent, a solution comprising at least one enzyme, a solution comprising at least one antibiotic. Decellularized bone tissue samples as obtainable by a process according to the invention can be used as grafts.
US09968705B2

Provided herein are scaffolds and methods useful to promote the formation of functional clusters on a tissue, for example, motor endplates (MEPs) or a component thereof on skeletal muscle cells or tissue, as well as the use of scaffolds so produced for repairing a tissue injury or defect.
US09968703B1

Burn wound compositions containing leaf lard, yellow beeswax, Oil of Spike, pine rosin, and aloe vera are described for treatment of first, second, and third degree burn wounds.
US09968699B2

The present invention relates to fragrance enhancers for use in conjunction with candles to enhance the dispersion of the fragrance therefrom and/or increase the combustion efficiency thereof. In one embodiment, the fragrance enhancer of the present invention comprises a body that is mounted to an upper surface of the holder and further comprises a mounting bracket for holding a fan assembly that is mounted to the holder. In one instance, the fan assembly includes a plurality of inverted blades, and a gap is formed between the body and the holder to enable air flow through the body. In another embodiment the fragrance enhancer of the present invention comprises a cylindrically-shaped perforated body, the cylindrically-shaped perforated body having openings located at both the top and bottom thereof. In this embodiment the fragrance enhancer of the present invention further comprises a fan assembly formed from inclined blades.
US09968693B2

Disclosed herein are isotopically labeled calcofluor derivatives and uses of such to detect fungi, such as filamentous fungi, including Aspergillus species, such as by positron emission tomography (PET) scanning. In some examples, the disclosed compounds have a formula of wherein R1 is an amine, a hydroxyl group, a sulfide, a carboxylic acid, an amide, an alkyl, or aryl; R2 is —NHC(O)—R3—L or —C(O)NH—R3—L, wherein R3 is an aryl or an aliphatic group (such as alkyl); each R4 independently may be selected from halogen, aliphatic (such as alkyl), aryl, amine, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, carboxylic acid, amide, aralkyl, cyano, ester, thiol, thioether, or alkoxy; each R5 independently may be selected from hydrogen, aralkyl, alkyl, or aryl, with any one of the aralkyl, alkyl, or aryl groups optionally being substituted with any one of the substituents provided for R4; each n independently is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; and L is 18F or a chelator capable of chelating a radiolabel (such as chelators for [18F]AlF, 64Cu, 68Ga),1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) or 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-triacetic acid (NOTA).
US09968688B2

A system is provided which includes nanoparticle conjugates configured to bind with a tumor cell, the nanoparticle conjugate comprising a nanoparticle, at least one targeting entity bound to the nanoparticle, and at least one shielding entity that shields at the at least one targeting entity, the nanoparticle, or both; a body-mountable device mounted on an external surface of a living body and configured to detect a tumor cell binding response signal transmitted through the external surface, wherein the tumor cell binding response signal is related to binding of the nanoparticle conjugates with one or more tumor cells; and a processor configured to non-invasively detect the one or more tumor cells based on the tumor cell response signal. Nanoparticle conjugates and methods for use for treating or imaging tumor cells are also provided.
US09968687B2

Provided are novel antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), and methods of using such ADCs to treat proliferative disorders.
US09968680B2

The present invention relates to topical bioadhesive formulations comprising low viscosity, non-liquid crystalline, mixtures of: a) at least one neutral diacyl lipid and/or at least one tocopherol; b) at least one phospholipid; c) at least one biocompatible, oxygen containing, low viscosity organic solvent; wherein at least one bioactive agent is dissolved or dispersed in the low viscosity mixture and wherein the pre-formulation forms, or is capable of forming, at least one liquid crystalline phase structure upon contact with an aqueous fluid. The invention additionally relates to a method of delivery of an active agent comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention, a method of treatment comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention and the use of a preformulation of the invention in a method for the manufacture of a medicament.
US09968678B2

The invention provides novel pharmaceutical compositions based on semifluorinated alkanes which are useful as carriers for a broad range of active ingredients. Preferred active ingredients include poorly water-soluble and/or hydrolytically sensitive drug substances. The compositions are designed as suspensions and have superior physical properties which make them highly useful as pharmaceutical delivery systems. The compositions may be administered topically into the eye, or injected via the subcutaneous or intramuscular route. The invention further provides kits comprising such compositions.
US09968675B2

Methods for treating and/or limiting development of diabetes in a subject with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by inhibiting IgG-mediated activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in cells of the subject, by one or more of removing IgG from blood of the subject, blocking IgG from activating VGCCs in the subject; or blocking VGCCs in the subject are described, as are methods for identifying ALS patients at risk of developing diabetes.
US09968668B2

The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve coagulase Domains 1-2 and variants thereof.
US09968661B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bone regeneration agent and a bone supplementation formulation, in which a supplementation material itself is capable of promoting bone regeneration. The present invention provides a bone regeneration agent which comprises a gelatin having an amino acid sequence derived from a partial amino acid sequence of collagen.
US09968659B2

The present invention relates to the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide for use in medicine.
US09968657B2

Intestinal absorption is enhanced in short bowel syndrome patients presenting with colon-in-continuity by treatment with a GLP-2 receptor agonist, such as teduglutide.
US09968650B2

This disclosure provides a novel strategy to cope with chronic virus infection by introducing a dominant negative viral structural protein to disturb effective virion production. The dominant negative structural protein mimics antiviral drugs through structural and biochemical interactions during virus assembly. An effective gene therapy model for chronic viral infected diseases is proposed in this disclosure, as represented by HBV Cpdominant1 to clear viral infection.
US09968635B2

The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for treatment of skin and/or other soft tissues that are infected with bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, and/or other infectious organisms. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide. The nitric oxide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin, e.g., onto a site of infection, or on another suitable portion of the skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.
US09968631B2

Methods and compositions of the invention relate to the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
US09968627B2

Provided herein are solid forms comprising (a) 4-amino-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1,3,5-triazin-2(1H)-one and (b) a coformer. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the solid forms (e.g., cocrystals) and methods for treating, preventing and managing various disorders are also disclosed.
US09968614B2

An aqueous stable and ready-to-use formulation of aprepitant is prepared. Especially preferred formulations comprise a synergistic combination of a co-solvent and a surfactant and may further include a secondary co-solvent. Among other advantages of contemplated formulations, aprepitant is dissolved at high concentrations and remains dissolved and stable, even over prolonged periods of time.
US09968603B2

Therapeutic agent delivery formulations for the sustained release of therapeutic agents from a Port Delivery System (PDS) implant is described in this application.
US09968602B2

Phthalazinediones that function as intracellular redox modulators are useful in treating cells in various disease states where intracellular redox status is impaired. By buffering aberrant redox states, phthalazinediones enable cellular processes essential for survival and augment medical treatments. The phthalazinediones of the invention can modulate functions related to cell growth, differentiation, activity, or death, to correct aberrations and restore homeostasis, and can serve as adjunctive therapy in treating various disease conditions.
US09968600B2

The present invention concerns methods for treating a proliferation disorder, such as prostate cancer, basal cell carcinoma, lung cancer, and other cancers, using an inhibitor of the Hedgehog pathway (HhP); and methods for monitoring subjects undergoing such treatments based on biomarkers and other criteria predictive of efficacy.
US09968592B2

This invention provides a combination-drug composition and a combination use of pharmaceuticals for preventing and/or treating dyslipidemic conditions such as hyper-LDL cholesterolemia in mammals, including humans.This invention pertains to a drug composition for preventing and/or treating dyslipidemia and the like, the drug composition including the following: (R)-2-[3-[[N-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-N-3-(4-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]aminomethyl]phenoxy] butyric acid, a salt thereof, or a solvate of either; and (S)-trans-{4-[({2-[({1-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}{5-[2-(methyl sulfonyl)ethoxy]pyrimidin-2-yl}amino)methyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl}(ethyl)amino)methyl]cyclohexyl} acetic acid, a salt thereof, or a solvate of either.
US09968590B2

Compositions containing imidazole-based compounds, and optionally, colloidal oatmeal, for the treatment, prevention, and management of symptoms, conditions, diseases, and disorders of the skin. Also, methods for the treatment, prevention, and management of symptoms, conditions, diseases, and disorders of the skin using compositions containing imidazole-based compounds, and optionally, colloidal oatmeal.
US09968587B2

A structurally distinct and potent series of synthetic small molecule activators of Vibrio cholerae quorum sensing have been chemically synthesized. The small molecule activators reduce virulence in V. cholerae. Acyl pyrrole molecules displayed strong potency and stability, particularly 1-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)decan-1-one.
US09968580B2

Genetic and epigenetic diseases and disorders are treated with FDA approved dietary compositions in the form of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. The diseases and disorders to be treated include Rett syndrome, trinucleotide repeat diseases such as Fragile X syndrome, memory impairment, chronic inflammation, pre-cancerous conditions which involve cancer stem cells, and post-cancerous conditions which involve cancer stem cells which have survived in spite of cancer treatment. Treatment options include prophylactic treatment which is initiated prior to the development of the symptoms of the disease or disorder.
US09968570B2

The present invention provides, in part, compositions and methods for treating cancer using a combination of C6-ceramide and other anti-cancer agents in certain vesicles.
US09968561B2

A hard or soft capsule is disclosed comprising a shell and a fill material, wherein the shell comprises an interpenetrating network comprising a silk polymer and a film-forming natural polymer. A method of making a hard or soft capsule is also disclosed, comprising dissolving a silk protein in a solvent system to form a solubilized silk protein solution; mixing the solubilized silk protein solution with a film-forming natural polymer to form a homogenous shell material; and encapsulating a fill material with the homogenous shell material.
US09968547B2

The present application provides an oral care composition comprising: a) one or more omega fatty acids; and one or more of the following: b) one or more emulsifying agents; c) one or more protease enzymes; d) one or more soluble calcium phosphate remineralizing agents; e) one or more amino acids.
US09968546B2

A topical composition for anti-aging and anti-UV damage treatment of the skin includes water soluble extract of Uncaria species, Arabidopsis thaliana extract, alpha lipoic acid, dimethylethanolamine, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, dimethyl sulfoxide, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (licorice) root extract, methylsulfonylmethane, phytosterols, D-ribose, tocotrienol, tocopherol, glucosamine hydrochloride, Pisum sativum extract; silicates of sodium, magnesium and aluminum, and a dermatologically acceptable liposomal delivery medium. The composition is useful in a method using it for anti-aging skin treatment effecting DNA repair in both the nucleus and the mitochondria. The topical composition can be applied on the skin of a person daily, and can also be applied in a dermal infusion treatment, with or without micro-dermal abrasion or skin suction. Topical application of the composition achieves effective reduction of pigmentation spots, degree of winkles, and improvement of skin color, tone and turgidity, particularly of the eyelid and facial areas.
US09968540B2

The present invention provide compositions and methods for treating a dermatological disorder or disease.
US09968514B2

A system and method for use during the administration of CPR chest compressions and defibrillating shock on a cardiac arrest victim. The system analyzes compression waveforms from a compression depth monitor to determine the source of chest compressions, and enables the delivery of defibrillating shock during a compression cycle if the compression waveforms are characteristic of an automated CPR chest compression device.
US09968512B2

Disclosed is a stimulation device comprising a first arm (2) having a first proximal end portion (2a) and a distal end portion (2b) adapted to be inserted into a vagina and a second arm (4) having a proximal end portion (4a) and a distal end portion (4b) adapted to get into contact with a body portion outside the vagina, wherein the first arm (2) and the second arm (4) are provided for being connected with each other at their respective proximal end portion (2a; 4) so as to form an essentially U- or V-shaped arrangement. According to the present invention, the stimulation device comprises coupling means (6, 10) adapted to provide a releasable connection of the first and second arms (2, 4) at their respective proximal end portion (2a; 4a).
US09968500B1

A patient transfer system includes a first bed; a second bed; a patient; a sheet having a channel; a bar; a support; means of rotation; and a belt; wherein the patient is reclined on the sheet on the first bed which is positioned next to the second bed; wherein the sheet is configured with a channel that runs along the edge of the sheet so that the bar nest in the channel; wherein the support is in removable communication with the second bed and fixed communication with the rotation device; wherein the rotation device is in removable communication with the bar so that when activated the rotation device pulls on the belt and bar causing the patient to be transferred from the first bed to the second.
US09968488B2

A surface-wound healing dressing for a wound or incision includes a slip drain located within the closed wound or incision. A wick is placed over the closed wound or incision in contact with the slip drain. A mat is placed over the wick and adapted for fluidic communication therewith. A recoil core includes a foam material and is adapted for placement on the mat. A wound healing method includes the steps of placing a slip drain, placing a wick over the slip drain, placing a recoil core over the wick and covering the recoil core with an overdrape. The overdrape is adapted for connection to an external negative pressure source, such as a vacuum.
US09968485B2

A patient interface device for use with a laser surgery apparatus, the device including an upper assembly and a lower assembly attached to the upper assembly. The device including a spherical-like object that engages the lower assembly so that an enclosed volume is defined between the spherical-like object, the lower assembly and the upper assembly, wherein a first liquid substantially fills the enclosed volume. The device further including a channel that contains a second fluid that is exposed to ambient atmosphere.
US09968484B2

A device for machining the cornea of a human eye with focused pulsed laser radiation includes controllable components, a control computer for controlling these components and a control program for the control computer. The control program contains instructions that are designed to generate an incision figure in the cornea permitting the insertion of an intrastromal corneal ring implant. The incision figure includes a ring incision situated totally deep within the corneal tissue and an opening incision extending at right angles to the ring plane of the ring incision from the anterior surface of the cornea or from the posterior surface of the cornea as far as at least the ring incision. The ring incision exhibits, assigned to the opening incision, a radial—relative to the ring axis—widening zone in which the opening incision impinges on the ring incision.
US09968481B2

We have developed a female condom and applicator apparatus that makes female condom easier to apply and more comfortable to use throughout the entire process. Several embodiments take advantage of traditional female tampon applicator structure and existing female condom design. This is easier for female users to adopt due to their already familiarity with similar device and their usage. One design has the applicator on the inside of the female condom which makes the applicator reusable. Another design has the entire female condom tucked inside the applicator, with the condom inner ring inside the applicator outer tube and condom outer ring inside applicator's inner ring. Another design has strings attached to the condom outside ring to keep it from moving or make noise. The device provides a low cost, easy to use, no side-effects, and ready-for-mass adoption solution for the market.
US09968479B2

A treatment for male erectile dysfunction comprising separately storing a lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and a carrier gel, mixing said lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and said carrier gel creating a homogeneous mixture and applying said homogeneous mixture to the meatus of the glans penis. A system for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction comprising a syringe coupling system for the storage, mixing and application of therapeutic compounds for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, said system further comprising a first syringe and a second syringe. The first and second syringes are filled with a lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents or a carrier gel. The system includes a locking device coupling said syringes to facilitate the transfer of said lyophilized composition of vasoactive agents and carrier gel between the syringes and a penile adapter for applying the therapeutic compounds for the treatment of erectile dysfunction to the meatus of the glans penis.
US09968474B2

A therapeutic stretching device includes a strap; a fulcrum member centrally located on the strap and arranged to be placed behind the back of a user's neck and operable as a fulcrum for cervical spinal extension; first and second shoulder pads attached to the strap on either side of the fulcrum member, the shoulder pads arranged to assist the strap in pulling shoulder joints of the user backwards and to create bilateral glenohumeral external rotation; and at least one pair of loops disposed on the strap, wherein shoulder pads are disposed between the fulcrum member and the pair of loops, the loops being disposed and sized for right and left hand or wrist placement during use.
US09968458B2

The present invention relates to a medical implant for reducing pain in diseased joints such as synovial joints, in particular ball and socket joints such as the hip joint and the shoulder joint. One embodiment relates to a medical implant for attachment to and at least partly covering the femoral head, said medical implant comprising a dome shaped shell with an orifice, said shell having a height h1, an equatorial shell radius rs and an orifice radius ro wherein the shell radius rs>ro, and h1>rs, and the orifice is defined by a circumferential rounded edge.
US09968451B2

A cardiac implant system including a cardiac implant such as an annuloplasty ring, a prosthetic heart valve, or a valved conduit pre-assembled at the time of manufacture with devices for securing the implant to a heart valve annulus using knotless suture fasteners. The knotless suture fasteners may be embedded within a pliant sealing edge of the cardiac implant, or they may be positioned adjacent to the sealing edge. The knotless suture fasteners are spring-biased so as to grip onto annulus anchoring sutures pass to therethrough upon removal of a restraining device, such as a hypotube inserted within the suture fasteners. Guide tubes are assembled in line with the suture fasteners to permit introduction of suture snares that pass through the suture fasteners and through the sealing edge to facilitate capture of the pre-installed annulus anchoring sutures.
US09968433B2

An embolic protection device includes an outer surface that is configured to form a substantially sealed relationship with a body lumen such that emboli are deflected and/or captured by the outer surface before such emboli can travel to other parts of the body. An inner surface of the embolic protection device includes a longitudinally extending lumen through which instrumentation may be inserted, facilitating passage of such instrumentation through the body lumen while minimizing risk to the patient from emboli.
US09968432B2

An occlusion system includes a delivery catheter having an elongate body defining a delivery lumen, and an occlusion device including a bundle of elongate occlusion wires configured for simultaneous delivery through the delivery lumen. At least a portion of each of the occlusion wires includes a shape memory material and has a preformed shape. The occlusion system includes a delivery configuration in which each of the occlusion wires is positioned within the delivery lumen, urged against the preformed shape, and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the delivery lumen, and a post-deployment configuration in which each of the occlusion wires is released from the delivery lumen and conforms to the preformed shape. According to the preformed shape, each of the occlusion wires has a longitudinal segment remaining parallel to the longitudinal axis and a curved end providing an outward radial force with respect to the longitudinal axis.
US09968428B2

Described are implants and tools for use in treating pelvic conditions such as incontinence, including urinary incontinence in a male or female, for example an incontinence sling and delivery system that can include a sling implant and delivery tool system, wherein the implant can include a mesh sling and one or more anchors provided at or extending from a portion of the sling to facilitate tissue fixation; the delivery tool system can include at least a tunneler having a lumen, and an insertion tool; and wherein useful methods can involve inserting the tunneler through an incision and into a pelvic region of a patient, connecting the insertion tool to the sling, and inserting the sling into the tunneler to place the sling to provide tissue support.
US09968424B1

A system, method and apparatus for dental of an anterior tooth. The system includes an abutment having a generally cylindrical post extending from a base. A bore is defined through an anterior face of the post and extends through the base. A protrusion extends from an aft end of the base and is configured to receive a threaded fastener to secure a crown to the abutment. The abutment is secured to a dental implant via a screw extending through the bore into the implant.
US09968413B2

Disclosed herein is a surgical operation by wire (SOBW) type surgical operation apparatus including an end effector configured so as to remove or minimize configurations of a mechanical cable. The SOBW type surgical operation apparatus includes: a body part; an extension part having one end connected to the body part; and an end effector formed at the other end of the extension part, and receiving electrical energy transferred through the body part and the extension part and converting the electrical energy into mechanical energy.
US09968411B2

Provided is a micro-robot which is integratedly or detachably coupled to one end of a catheter or a guidewire for performing a medical operation using the catheter. Steering and drilling are independently performed by using a catheter thinner in thickness than a related art catheter. The a micro-robot is smoothly inserted into a lesion part and removes a risk of injury and infection in an opening operation through precise steering.
US09968405B2

A robotic surgery system comprises a mounting base, a plurality of surgical instruments, and an articulate support assembly. Each instrument is insertable into a patient through an associated minimally invasive aperture to a desired internal surgical site. The articulate support assembly movably supports the instruments relative to the base. The support generally comprises an orienting platform, a platform linkage movably supporting the orienting platform relative to the base, and a plurality of manipulators mounted to the orienting platform, wherein each manipulator movably supports an associated instrument.
US09968401B2

An electromagnetic surgical ablation system having a generator adapted to selectively provide surgical ablation energy to an ablation probe, and methods of operating same, are disclosed. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to the generator, and a tissue sensor probe operatively coupled to the controller. The tissue sensor provides a tissue temperature and at least one tissue dielectric property to the controller. During an electromagnetic tissue ablation procedure, the controller monitors tissue temperature and the at least one tissue dielectric property to determine tissue status, and to activate and deactivate the generator in accordance therewith.
US09968400B2

An emitter assembly can include a proximal shaft, a distal shaft, a shunt that connects the proximal shaft to the distal shaft, and a tip that is connected to a distal end of the distal shaft. An inner conductor can extend through the proximal shaft, the shunt, and the distal shaft and into the tip to provide microwave energy to the tip. An outer conductor can extend into the shunt. The shunt can therefore form an electrical connection between the outer conductor and a proximal ring of electrically conductive material formed on an exterior surface of the distal shaft. Distal shaft can be made of a thermally conductive but electrically insulated material to facilitate transfer of heat from the distal shaft to the proximal shaft.
US09968394B2

An instrument for breaking off and retaining the tab of a reduction screw is provided. The instrument includes a breaking arm and a retaining mechanism. The breaking arm is configured to break off an excess portion of the tab of the reduction screw about a weakened section. The retaining mechanism is configured to retain the broken off tab and preventing the tab from falling into a surgical site. The retaining mechanism is further configured to allow the instrument to engage another tab while simultaneously holding a predetermined number of previously broken off tabs. Accordingly, the instrument reduces surgical time as the surgeon may simply move from one reduction screw to another while breaking off the tabs until the instrument can no longer retain additional broken off tabs.
US09968390B2

An implantable device is described, comprising an implant (12), wherein the implant comprises at least one opening (22), at least one anchoring element (14) for fixing the implant to at least one bone, wherein the respective anchoring element comprises a shank (20) and a head (18) and wherein at least a part of the shank can be guided through the respective opening while the head can be seated in the respective opening, and a locking mechanism with a fixation element (16) and a radially deformable annular element (26) that can be pressed against the head of the anchoring element by actuation of the fixation element, in order to fix the head in the opening of the implant. The opening of the implant has a recess (28) having a support surface (24) for the head of the anchoring element.
US09968378B1

An improvement of a polyaxial screw head disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,277,490. A saddle resides within a tulip. The saddle is configured to mate with a rod. An outer set screw engages an inner surface of the tulip. An inner set screw is disposed within a lumen of an outer set screw. A force distributor has a concave surface configured to mate with the rod. The force distributor has a bore configured to accept a conical end of the inner set screw. The force distributor is configured to distribute the force applied onto the bore by the inner set screw along the contact area with rod. The force distributor allows the rod to pivot and have sagittal motion when the inner set screw is untightened. The force distributor immobilizes the rod within the saddle when the inner set screw is tightened.
US09968376B2

A method of preparing a distal femur for a knee joint implant includes mounting a patient-specific bone engagement surface of a femoral alignment guide on a complementary surface of a distal femur of a patient. A plurality of alignment pins is inserted through a corresponding plurality of guiding bores of the femoral alignment guide into the distal femur. A cutting guide is mounted on first and second alignment pins of the plurality of alignment pins, and a first resection of the distal femur is made using the cutting guide while cutting through the femoral alignment guide.
US09968374B2

A cannula insertion device includes a rigid elongated body having a first end and a second end, an insertion tip located at a first end of the rigid elongated body, a cannula holder located along the rigid elongated body between the first and second ends, the cannula holder being configured to receive, hold, and release a cannula that is at least partially deformable; and a cannula insertion device control means located at a second end of the rigid elongated body. A system for facilitating access to a surgical site via minimally invasive means includes a cannula insertion device and a cannula having a deformable flange at one end.
US09968371B2

The disclosed system includes a probe for mechanically cutting tissue Other components of the system include a luminally protective sheath, a microscopic end cauterizing probe, a surgical console, an identification-sensitive self-sealed cassette, and a plurality of flexible tubing lines with pinch valves thereon.
US09968369B2

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.
US09968348B2

Implementations of the present disclosure provide an access tube including a wall structure and an optional handle extending from the wall structure. Selectively weakened areas facilitate selective resection of the wall structure to reveal windows that accommodate lateral intrusions by surrounding anatomical structures and/or provide increased access to an intervertebral disc. For example, a first distal weakened portion is configured to form a first window to afford lateral intrusion of a spinous process. A second distal weakened portion is configured to form a second window to afford lateral intrusion of facet. A proximal weakened portion is configured to afford additional angular access on a proximal end of the tube.
US09968346B2

Described are surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, involving an expansion member. The invention relates to an expansion member that includes a proximal end, a distal end, a length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, two longitudinal blades extending in the length direction, and a connector connecting the blades. The connector allows movement of the blades to increase or decrease a distance between the blades at the distal end.
US09968345B2

A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture. The elongated member has a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. A material forms two curved legs having ends positionable external of the vessel. The legs curve in different directions and a retention portion is formed in the material to retain the legs during placement of the elongated member inside the vessel.
US09968340B2

The invention provides a disposable endometrial biopsy device comprising an elongated blunt-end catheter with distally placed tissue acquisition side-hole and proximally attached aspiration syringe with spring-loaded plunger having latching mechanism to release plunger for induction of aspiration. The device has a pin-hole channel or filter acting as a tissue trap between the catheter channel and the syringe in order to prevent aspiration of tissue into the body of the syringe.
US09968334B2

An ultrasound diagnostic method and apparatus determines a transmission condition for generating shear waves at two or more positions of an object, for each of a plurality of elements of a transducer, and generates an ultrasound signal transmitted to the object through a full aperture of the transducer, according to the transmission condition.
US09968332B2

An ultrasonic transducer includes “m” first ultrasonic elements including first diaphragms, and “n” second ultrasonic elements including second diaphragms. “m” represents a number of the first ultrasonic elements and is an integer of 1 or more. Each of the first diaphragms has a first area. “n” second ultrasonic elements includes second diaphragms. Each of the “n” second diaphragms has a second area being smaller than the first area. “n” represents a number of the second ultrasonic elements and is an integer larger than “m”. The “m” first ultrasonic elements are electrically connected in series in a case where “m” is an integer of 2 or more. The “n” second ultrasonic elements are electrically connected in series. B/A is within a range of 0.9 to 1.1, when a total sum of the first areas is “A” and a total sum of the second areas is “B”.
US09968327B2

An X-ray image detection system includes a charge accumulation device, a switch device, a comparator device and an analog to digital converter. The charge accumulation device receives current produced by a pixel and converts the current to a voltage signal. The switch device has an input terminal, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal. The input terminal is connected to the charge accumulation device to receive the voltage signal. The comparator device is connected to the first output terminal for generating first or second indication signal according to the voltage signal. The analog to digital converter is connected to the second terminal. When the first indication signal is generated, the input terminal of the switch device is connected to the first output terminal. When the second indication signal is generated, the input terminal of the switch device is connected to the second output terminal.
US09968326B2

An X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray tube holding device, an X-ray detector, a rotator, an arm, and a tubular body. The X-ray tube holding device generates X-rays. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays. The rotator holds the X-ray tube holding device so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis obtained by setting an irradiation direction of the X-rays as an axis. The arm holds the rotator and the X-ray detector and is rotatable about a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis. The tubular body connects the X-ray tube holding device and a device away from the arm. The arm holds the rotator so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis in a direction in which torsion of the tubular body is reduced.
US09968325B2

A radiographing apparatus includes a correction data acquiring unit configured to acquire, by image data obtained by photography in a predetermined photographing mode, offset correction data corresponding to the photographing mode, and a correction data update unit configured to update the offset correction data corresponding to the photographing mode by using a predetermined number of pieces of the image data, wherein the correction data update unit further is configured to adjust the number of pieces of the image data according to the photographing mode.
US09968316B2

A process for deploying an anti-scattering grid in a mammograph is provided. The mammograph comprises a radiation source configured to emit radiation for taking mammographic images of a patient, a radiation detector comprising a network of sensors arranged periodically with a first pitch, and an anti-scattering grid arranged between the source and the detector, the anti-scattering grid comprising radiation adsorbing strips arranged parallel to each other and distributed periodically with a second pitch. The process comprises: displacing the anti-scattering grid relative to the detector or displacing the detector relative to the anti-scattering grid during emission of radiation; adapting the second pitch to the first pitch, wherein displacement is perpendicular to the direction of the strips of the anti-scattering grid, the strips being arranged parallel to a side of the anti-scattering grid positioned against the patient, and altering the positions of the return points between successive periods of the displacement motion.
US09968311B2

A radiation imaging system includes a holding unit configured to hold a plurality of radiation imaging apparatuses configured to convert radiation emitted onto the plurality of radiation imaging apparatuses into image signals. The radiation imaging system is configured to obtain a long radiographic image based on the image signals respectively from the plurality of radiation imaging apparatuses. The holding unit is configured to hold the plurality of radiation imaging apparatuses having imaging areas of different sizes, in such a manner that the plurality of radiation imaging apparatuses is partially overlapped with each other spatially, by a predetermined overlapping area as viewed from a radiation incident side.
US09968305B1

The Plant Choir™ system comprises a software program and hardware that measures electrical activity of a person, plant, or animal and translates those readings into music on a computing device. The system gathers electrical activity data using electrodermal activity (EDA) measurement devices. The EDA readings of the individual subjects are translated via the software into musical melodies in real time. The individual subject melodies are combined to create interesting harmonies similar to a choir. The music is rendered using a MIDI (Musical Instrument Data Interface) programming interface of the computer operating system. The software allows the user to select program options, set music and program parameters. Variations in the EDA signal are interpreted as music. Each subject connected to the system is assigned a musical voice and the voices are combined to create multi part harmonies similar to a choir.
US09968304B2

A system and method are disclosed for detecting a vasoactive agent in patient's bloodstream. In one embodiment, an input signal is received that is associated with arterial blood pressure. A change of an arterial blood pressure parameter over time is determined. A vasoactive agent is then automatically detected using the determined change. In another embodiment, a waveform associated with an arterial blood pressure signal can be received. A parameter associated with the received waveform is calculate. Then the calculated parameter can be used to determine the presence of a vasoactive agent. In yet another embodiment, detection of a vasoactive agent in any of the other embodiments can be used in a calculation of a hemodynamic parameter, such as cardiac output, stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance, stroke volume variation, cardiac index, stroke volume index, systemic vascular resistance index, vascular compliance, and vascular tone.
US09968302B2

Methods and devices for determining a measurement time period, receiving a plurality of signals associated with a monitored analyte level during the determined measurement time period from an analyte sensor, modulating the received plurality of signals to generate a data stream over the measurement time period, and accumulating the generated data stream to determine an analyte signal corresponding to the monitored analyte level associated with the measurement time period are provided. Systems and kits are also described.
US09968297B2

This invention comprises EEG glasses (electroencephalographic eyewear) with a side section of an eyewear frame which spans forward and upward onto a portion of the person's forehead and then curves back downward to connect to the front section of the eyewear frame. These EEG glasses (electroencephalographic eyewear) further include a flexible protrusion which is attached to the side section and an electromagnetic energy sensor which collects data concerning electromagnetic brain activity, wherein the flexible protrusion holds the electromagnetic energy sensor.
US09968294B2

Disclosed is a monitoring system for determining the efficacy of at least one compression device for use in compression therapy. The monitoring system comprises at least one pressure sensor for measuring a pressure exerted onto a body part of a user by the compression device and at least one evaluation unit which is connectable to the pressure sensor. The evaluation unit is adapted to acquire at least one resting pressure prest with the user being in a resting position. The evaluation unit is further adapted to determine at least one extended standing pressure pstanding, extended with the user being in a standing position, by using the following procedure: the evaluation unit acquires a measurement curve of pressure values after a position change of the user into the standing position and a slope of the measurement curve is automatically compared to at least one endpoint threshold value and, depending on a result of the comparison, an endpoint of a change in the measurement curve induced by the position change is automatically detected, and a pressure value acquired at or after the endpoint is assigned to the extended standing pressure pstanding, extended.
US09968284B2

A system and methods are provided for reducing electrochemical interference in a transdermal sampling and analysis device. A one-step transdermal glucose biosensor may calculate glucose concentrations that are artificially high compared to traditional home blood glucose sensors due to interference, which may be mitigated by forming an anti-interferent barrier layer over a sensing element. The anti-interferent barrier layer may be formed over a sensing layer and may possess a charge type which repels interferent molecules having the same charge type from interacting with the sensing layer disposed below the anti-interferent barrier layer.
US09968282B2

A medical system (10) and method measures hemoglobin level of a subject (38). A hemoglobin color scale (HbCS) (22) is projected into afield of view (FOV) (42) of an imaging system (12). The HbCS (22) includes a plurality of blood color regions (26a-f), each blood color region (26a-f) corresponding to a hemoglobin level and colored to represent the color of blood at the corresponding hemoglobin level. An image of blood of the subject (38), and the projected HbCS, is acquired using the imaging system (12).
US09968280B2

A method for tracking movement of a movable portion of an interventional device disposed within a natural or artificial body opening is provided. In particular, image data of fiducials is acquired and therefrom an initial position of an interventional device movable portion with respect to a given coordinate system is determined. Next, real time position data from the encoders is acquired as the movable portion is moved from the initial position, and a displaced position from the initial position is determined. From this acquired information, a position of the movable portion in the coordinate system is determined using both the initial position as determined from the image data and the real time displaced position as determined from the encoders.
US09968269B1

A wireless disposable angioplasty transducer manifold is disclosed. The wireless disposable angioplasty transducer manifold includes am elongated manifold frame and a hollow elongated tubular manifold disposed within the frame. The hollow elongated tubular manifold has an inlet end for receiving fluid directly from a patient, an outlet end for returning the fluid to the patient, and a passageway extending between the inlet and outlet ends. The transducer manifold also includes at least one valve port and at least one sensing port provided on the tubular manifold, the sensing port having a pressure sensing transducer within a housing formed in the sensing port. A Radio Frequency (RF) or Infra-red (IR) transmitter and battery electrically coupled to the pressure sensing transducer allow for pressure signals to be transmitted wirelessly to remotely located monitoring equipment.
US09968268B2

Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for determining the dipole densities on heart walls. In particular, a triangularization of the heart wall is performed in which the dipole density of each of multiple regions correlate to the potential measured at various located within the associated chamber of the heart. To create a database of dipole densities, mapping information recorded by multiple electrodes located on one or more catheters and anatomical information is used. In addition, skin electrodes may be implemented. Additionally, one or more ultrasound elements are provided, such as on a clamp assembly or integral to a mapping electrode, to produce real time images of device components and surrounding structures.
US09968257B1

A computing system accesses complementary image data of a biological tissue structure (BTS), which can include a human cardiovascular structure. The complementary image data is comprised of two-dimensional images which represent different views of the BTS respectively aligned with a plurality of distinct image planes. A plurality of separate convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are used to respectively process each of the plurality of two-dimensional images. Each CNN determines a probability map which is then adaptively fused into a single segmented output. A contouring operation is automatically performed to calculate at least one clinical measurement and/or create at least one 3D volume.
US09968255B2

A portable telemetry device includes a measurement component, a unidirectional radio, a bidirectional radio, and a communication component. The measurement component is configured to receive, from at least one sensor, physiological data representative of a physiological condition of a patient. The unidirectional radio is configured to transmit signals in a first wireless frequency band. The bidirectional radio is configured to transmit and receive signals in a second wireless frequency band different from the first wireless frequency band. The communication component is configured to transmit the physiological data using the unidirectional radio and transmit and receive control data using the bidirectional radio.
US09968254B2

An intraocular pressure monitoring device has a soft contact lens and a pressure sensor united with the contact lens, the pressure sensor comprising an active strain gage, a passive gage, a rigid element and a microprocessor. The active strain gage, passive gage and rigid element are placed at a distance from the center of the contact lens, the active strain gage comprising a portion encircling the center of the contact lens on at least 180°, wherein the passive gage and the rigid element each comprise a portion encircling the center of the contact lens on at least 180°, and wherein the portion of the passive gage situated around the center of the contact lens is placed in immediate vicinity of the portion of the rigid element situated around the center of the contact lens. A kit has such a pressure monitoring device and a portable recording device configured for communicating with the pressure monitoring device and for storing data received from it. An intraocular pressure monitoring system has such a kit and a computing device configured for communicating with the portable recording device for receiving and/or processing and/or storing data received from the portable recording device.
US09968250B2

A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for diagnosing a condition of an eye such as macular degeneration and/or cataracts. The system may include an optical system, which may project light at an eye and record lipofuscin fluorescence from a retina of the eye to form an image of the retina. A computing device may process the image to apply one or more image acceptance criteria and/or one or more image clarity criteria. If the image fails to meet the one or more image acceptance criteria, the image may be re-taken. Based on the level of conformance of the image to the one or more image clarity criteria, the system may indicate that the macular pigment level cannot be provided with confidence, indicate that the eye likely has one or more cataracts, and/or calculate and provide the macular pigment content based on a correction factor, if needed.
US09968248B2

A laryngoscope handle is provided. The laryngoscope handle comprises a lower grip and an upper functional portion comprising a blade-retention portion formed with a slot extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to a viewing axis, and being configured for slidingly receiving therewithin a laryngoscope blade, and a light source disposed above the slot and being directed substantially parallel to the viewing axis. A majority of the area above the slot and surrounding the light source is substantially free of visual obstructions along the viewing axis.
US09968245B2

Exemplary apparatus and process can be provided for imaging information associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, (i) first different wavelengths of at least one first electro-magnetic radiation can be provided within a first wavelength range provided on the portion of the sample so as to determine at least one first transverse location of the portion, and (ii) second different wavelengths of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation within a second wavelength range can be provided on the portion so as to determine at least one second transverse location of the portion. The first and second ranges can east partially overlap on the portion. Further, a relative phase between at least one third electro-magnetic radiation electro-magnetic radiation being returned from the sample and at least one fourth electro-magnetic radiation returned from a reference can be obtained to determine a relative depth location of the portion.
US09968238B2

An apparatus for automatically cleaning and sanitizing soles of bare feet and footwear, said apparatus including a plurality of nozzle heads that spray cleaning and sanitizing fluid through a platform onto feet and footwear placed on the top surface of the platform. A sensor plate initiates the cleaning and sanitization process when activated, and a visual display and audible tones alert a user as to the current step being executed by the automated cleaning apparatus. A refillable or replaceable canister or aerosol can of cleaning and sanitizing fluid is housed within the automated cleaning apparatus for supplying said liquid via a tubing system to the plurality of nozzle heads that are directed onto the platform.
US09968237B2

A dish washing machine includes a main body, a washing tub provided in the main body, a basket provided in the washing tub to store a dish, a stationary nozzle fixed to one side of the washing tub to spray washing water, and a plurality of vanes which change a direction of the washing water sprayed from the stationary nozzle toward the basket. At least one of the plurality of vanes are rotatably provided and operate so that the washing water sprayed from the stationary nozzle is reflected toward the basket. Through such a configuration, a dead region in which the dish is not washed may be minimized.
US09968234B2

An automatic cleaning machines comprises a high-speed reciprocating cleaning means making a cleaning cloth reciprocatingly wipe a floor at high speed and a vacuum device sucking the dust in front of the cleaning cloth.
US09968226B1

A bathroom fixture assembly comprising a plurality of rigid vertical members each comprising a first end configured to couple to a ceiling and a second end configured to extend downward beyond an upper edge of an outer wall of a basin of a bathtub or shower. The assembly may comprise a shower curtain channel configured to house a fully-functioning shower curtain. The assembly may further comprise one or more gates that may be used as grab bars and that may lock into position about a 180 degree range of motion around any of the rigid vertical members. The assembly may further comprise a seat, which may pivot from an upward position to a horizontal position when use is desired. The assembly may optionally comprise an exterior seat, cabinet, light, multi-use davit/hook, and/or physical therapy sky hook.
US09968225B2

A beach accessory includes a towel that has a first fastener and an inflatable foot bath that is separate from the towel. The inflatable foot bath includes a second fastener that is configured to mate with the first fastener for detachably attaching the inflatable foot bath to the towel.
US09968219B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide improved water fill capabilities, improved coffee baskets, and improved steam diverting and management features for coffee makers used on board passenger transport vehicles.
US09968217B2

Various beverage preparation systems, components, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a brewer machine and a beverage pod. The brewer machine can include a brew chamber unit, which can receive the beverage pod. The brew chamber unit can be adapted to receive multiple beverage pod types. Some embodiments include a drawer that includes the brew chamber and that moves to present the brew chamber unit to a user. Certain embodiments include locking mechanisms.
US09968215B2

An article of manufacture that includes a wall portion having a wall inner surface and a wall outer surface. The article of manufacture also includes a base portion having a base inner surface and a base outer surface. At least a portion of the wall portion and the base portion form a vessel to retain a fluid therein. The article of manufacture also has a shaped portion of the base inner surface and/or a shaped portion of the wall inner surface. A first section of the shaped portion may have a first surface area in thermal contact with the fluid. A second section of the shaped portion may have a second surface area in thermal contact with the fluid. The first and second surface areas may be different thereby inducing convection within the fluid that increases heat transfer from the heat source to the fluid.
US09968207B2

A multi-component divider including a first divider component and a connection mechanism for a second divider component. The second divider component connects to the first divider component when the first divider component is connected to a base. The second divider component extends above the first divider component, thereby extending the overall height of the divider. The base and multi-component divider can be used in locations where there is limited space between shelves, such as a shelf in a freezer or refrigerated display, or in any application where a higher divider may be preferred, but cannot be installed. The base can additionally include a pusher moveable along a longitudinal direction of the base, wherein the pusher is also adjustable linearly along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base.
US09968203B2

A bedding or seating product comprises a pocketed spring assembly comprising a plurality of parallel strings of individually pocketed springs. The strings of springs may extend from head-to-foot or side-to-side of the product. Adjacent individually pocketed springs are separated from each other by at least one separating seam. Each of the separating seams comprises a branched end portion.
US09968197B2

A travel pillow includes a resilient inner frame having a rear portion and two side portions, and a U-shaped outer cushion fixed about the inner frame and including a rear portion and two side portions. Each side portion, and optionally the rear portion, includes at least one transverse air aperture therethrough. Each side portion of the inner frame further includes a forward end. The side portions may each include a drawstring aperture at the forward end for receiving a drawstring having two halves, each of which being mutually and selectively fixable at one part of a two-part mechanical fastener. A flexible cover that has an opening therethrough into which the inner frame and the outer cushion are inserted may be included that has at least one ventilation area through which air may travel.
US09968196B2

Items of furniture that include a chassis, a kinematic mechanism mounted upon the chassis, and a base furniture part that is movably coupled to the kinematic mechanism, provided that the kinematic mechanism is configured to permit independent rotation around three distinct axes, and that the three distinct axes intersect one another at a central point.
US09968195B2

An adjustable seating solution that enables users to adjust several seating characteristics is disclosed. In a relatively low sitting position, the disclosed device provides some support if the user leans back, but predominately supports the user's weight and requires the user to engage core muscles to maintain good posture. The disclosed apparatus enables the user to adjust the seat upward to a leaning position. A platform extends forward under the user's feet to ensure that when the user leans against the seat, the apparatus remains stable. The apparatus enables the seat portion to be tilted, such that varying contours can be selected to engage the user's body in a desired way. At low heights, the user can tilt the seat portion forward to require the user to further engage core muscles while seated. At higher heights, the user can customize the contour of the seat that engages the user's body.
US09968184B2

The invention relates to a knock down table suitable for food preparation that includes extension legs and terminal legs that are interconnected with a threaded connector and threaded receiving plugs in the connecting ends of the extension and terminal legs. One of the receiving plugs in each connection protrudes from the end of its legs and is configured to extend into the connecting leg and abut with the receiving plug in the other leg.
US09968181B2

A cleaning system is adapted to clean a surface and includes a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. Bristles are formed within the second side. Bumps are formed within the first side. Finger holes are formed between the first side and the second side at the third side. An opening is formed between the first side and the second side at the fourth side. In one embodiment, fingers are inserted into the finger holes, enabling a user to clean the surface with two different textures with the housing over the user's fingers. This enables fingertip control on either the brush side or the bump side. In one embodiment, fingers are inserted into the slotted side to enable a user to clean the surface with two different textures with the housing in the palm of the user's hand. This enables greater pressure onto the surface.
US09968166B2

There is provided a slide cover for a slide fastener. A pair of second guide element passages are formed in a space among an upper plate, a lower plate, a pair of outer wall portions and a pair of inner wall portions to guide a pair of separated element rows into a first element guide passage of a slider. The upper plate, the lower plate and a connection post have a concave surface, which is recessed in a disengaging direction of the slider, in a surface facing toward an engaging direction of the slider. The pair of second guide element passages are configured so that tip ends of the pair of inner wall portions in the engaging direction are located at the same positions as or at a side of the engaging direction relative to tip ends of the pair of outer wall portions in the engaging direction.
US09968165B1

A key fob protector for use with an electronic key fob that prevents inadvertently unlocking a vehicle door by covering a plurality of control buttons on a key fob so that no buttons are activated when the key fob is stowed in a bag, purse or pocket. The key fob protector has a gap, exposing a panic button, so that the panic button can easily be activated in an emergency situation without opening the cover. The key fob protector is easily installed using a strap that wraps around the key fob securing the key fob protector in place when the strap is fastened.
US09968163B2

A system for manufacturing shoes is provided that includes two or more pieces of equipment used in the customization and manufacturing of shoes and an alignment fixture that may engage with each piece of equipment by way of an alignment mounting member. The alignment fixture may secure to it a portion of a shoe, such as an upper portion, wherein the shoe portion remains in a flat position, and in a fixed relationship to the alignment fixture, throughout the various processes performed by the pieces of equipment. These processes may include, for example, printing, laser, embroidery, forming, cutting, or the like.
US09968161B2

Shoe constructions having upper assemblies with independent booties and/or decoupled sole assemblies are disclosed herein. A shoe configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, an upper assembly attached to a sole assembly. The upper assembly can include a throat portion defining an opening configured to receive a foot and a bootie attached the overlay primarily at the throat portion. The bootie can be movable relative to the remaining portion of the upper assembly and the sole assembly. The sole assembly can include a midsole and an outsole that together define a first portion in a forefoot region of the shoe and a second portion in a heel region of the shoe. The first portion and second portions can be decoupled from each other. The midsole can include a stability plate that provides medial and lateral stability to the sole assembly.
US09968155B2

An eye protector includes a lens configured to protect the wearer from projectiles, and an optically clear stack attached to the lens. The stack can have one or more removable layers. The eye protector also includes an optically clear dry mount adhesive layer attaching the stack to the lens. The dry mount adhesive may be self-wetting to attach the stack to the lens so that air between the stack and the lens can be removed after the stack is attached and/or adhered to the lens, for example, by applying pressure across the surface of the stack. The refractive indices of the lens, the dry mount adhesive, and each removable layer are matched to within about 0.2.
US09968140B2

Technologies for monitoring breastfeeding include a smart breast support garment computing system of a breast support garment. The smart breast support garment computing system includes a use sensor and a latch sensor. Further, the smart breast support garment computing system is to determine whether the breast support garment is in use based on the sensor data generated by the use sensor and a state of a breast latch of the breast support garment based on sensor data generated by the latch sensor. The smart breast support garment computing system further records one or more breastfeeding events in response to a determination that the breast support garment is in use and the breast latch is open.
US09968137B2

An electronic cigarette (100) and a charging method therefor, comprising an atomizer (110), a charging port (120), a battery (130), an airflow sensing component (140), and a charging component (150). The charging method comprises: when the charging port (120) is connected to an external power source, a first charging current is provided to the battery (130) via the airflow sensing component (140) and a second charging current is provided to the battery via the charging component (150). By charging the battery (130) concurrently with the first charging current and the second charging current, the charging current of the battery (130) is increased, and the charging time of the battery is reduced.
US09968135B2

An electronic cigarette comprises an electronic cigarette body; the electronic cigarette body is provided with a smoking end (1), an oil storage assembly (4) for containing cigarette oil, an atomization assembly (3) for atomizing the cigarette oil and a battery component (2) for powering the atomization assembly (3); the oil storage assembly (4) is arranged on one end of the electronic cigarette body which is in an opposite side of the smoking end (1), since a smoke passage does not pass through the oil storage assembly (4), a user can be effectively prevented from sucking a non-atomized cigarette oil; and meanwhile, through an arrangement of a protective sleeve (5) for containing the oil storage assembly (4) on the electronic cigarette, a vibration-resistance of the oil storage assembly (4) can be enhanced, so that a risk that the oil storage bottle is easily broken is avoided.
US09968134B2

An atomizer and an electronic cigarette are provided. The atomizer comprises a sleeve and an atomizing core. A suction nozzle is formed on an end portion of the sleeve; a tobacco-tar storage chamber and an accommodating chamber are defined in the sleeve; an end portion of the sleeve far away from the suction nozzle is an opening end with a tobacco-tar filler hole. The atomizing core includes an atomizing sleeve, an electrode assembly, a heating wire assembly and a tobacco-tar latch member; a tobacco-tar inlet is defined in an end portion of the atomizing sleeve far away from the suction nozzle; the tobacco-tar latch member is sheathed in the atomizing sleeve; the tobacco-tar inlet and the heating wire assembly are respectively arranged on two opposite end portions or two opposite side portions of the tobacco-tar latch member. The present disclosure effectively protects users from tasting the tobacco tar without atomization.
US09968129B2

A product including a package is provided. One or more tobacco-containing articles may be received in the package. A power producer may be configured to produce an electrical current. An output mechanism may be configured to receive the electrical current from the power producer and output a perceptible effect. The perceptible effect may, for example, increase a consumer's interest in the product. A related method is also provided.
US09968127B2

The present invention is a smoking device comprising a glass housing having lower and upper open end portions and an inner portion. The smoking device further comprises a mouthpiece rotatably engaged with the lower open end portion of the housing. The mouthpiece comprises a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of air passage ways extending from the front surface to the rear surface and in communication with the inner portion of the housing. The smoking device further comprises an auger comprising a first end portion engaged with the mouthpiece and a second end portion extending within the inner portion of the housing. Rotation of the mouthpiece causes the auger to rotate and the smoking material to be moved upward thru the inner portion of the housing where it is ignited by a match, lighter or other heat source.
US09968126B2

In one aspect, an apparatus for manufacturing cigarettes includes a housing, a mandrel extending from the housing, and a movable member operably coupled to the housing and adapted to carry a first cigarette tube. The movable member is movable, relative to each of the housing and the mandrel, in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing cigarettes includes loading a first cigarette tube on a mandrel, holding the first cigarette tube on the mandrel, and inserting a push rod and a carrot of pre-cut tobacco leaves into the first cigarette tube, the carrot of pre-cut tobacco leaves having a generally cylindrical shape. An offset distance is defined between the first cigarette tube and the mandrel after the push rod and the carrot of pre-cut tobacco leaves are inserted into the first cigarette tube.
US09968125B2

This invention relates to nicotine microparticles formulations made with the help of a diketopiperazine compound, in particular fumaryl diketopiperazine (FDKP). The invention relates to the various types of microparticles that can be made, in particular nicotine-coated and nicotine-loaded microparticles. The invention further relates to the various methods that can be used in making the microparticles. One particular method involves making FDKP microparticles which are further surface-coated with nicotine. Another particular method involves mixing nicotine with FDKP2− and/or FDKP and then forming microparticles which contain nicotine throughout their volume. The invention also relates to the use of this microparticles in tobacco related therapies, such as tobacco replacement or tobacco withdrawal.
US09968123B2

A nutritional supplement powder and method of supplementing the nutritional value of a food or beverage is provided. The nutritional supplement powder includes a protein system, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The protein system has a water solubility of at least about 70% at room temperature. The nutritional supplement powder is essentially free of divalent ions of copper, iron, and zinc, and is also essentially free of vitamin C. When added to a food or beverage, the nutritional supplement powder does not substantially change the organoleptic properties of the food or beverage.
US09968117B2

An edible pet chew 114 has a first casing 10 of plant base material and a second protein 12 of flavored material for example jerky that is wrapped with the first sheet to form alternating layers in the edible pet chew.
US09968114B1

Animal feed blocks composed of feed pellets are formed by conditioning a meal of a particulated animal feed mixture through heating the meal using steam to cause at least one of the feed components in the feed mixture to bind the meal. The heated meal is mechanically forced through a die to compress the meal into heated pellets. The heated pellets are collected in a pre-formed mold and are compressed in their heated state resulting in the pellets combining to form the animal feed block in the shape of the mold. Systems may use a pellet mill and a hydraulic press where conditioning and pellet formation takes place in the pellet mill and formation of the animal feed block is through compressing a collection of heated pellets using the hydraulic press.
US09968110B2

Shown is a method of making a coffee concentrate, and a coffee concentrate obtainable by the method. The method involves primary and secondary extraction, with split tapping of the primary extract into a first and second primary draw off. The extraction is conducted under such conditions as to satisfy a minimum mass transfer Fourier number, and a minimum ratio of the extraction yield of the first primary draw-off to the extraction yield obtained in all extraction sections.
US09968097B2

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one biological control agent. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.
US09968095B1

The innovation herein refers to a formulation of powdered additive for its incorporation in coatings or substrates to repel, reduce and control insects, consisting of at least one active insecticide ingredient, or a combination of two or more active insecticide ingredients with high-performance double microencapsulation, and alternatively with least one reflective and/or photoluminescent, high-luminosity micro-encapsulated pigment, generating a dual insecticide effect, preventing insects from creating immunity to insecticides, which stops mutation, as completely different insecticides are delivered overtime. It is also very effective during night and day, over long period of time (years), with an efficient manufacturing process.
US09968093B1

The innovation herein refers to a formulation of powdered additive for its incorporation in coatings or substrates to repel, reduce and control insects, consisting of at least one active insecticide ingredient, or a combination of two or more active insecticide ingredients with high-performance double microencapsulation, and alternatively with least one reflective and/or photoluminescent, high-luminosity micro-encapsulated pigment, generating a dual insecticide effect, preventing insects from creating immunity to insecticides, which stops mutation, as completely different insecticides are delivered overtime. It is also very effective during night and day, over long period of time (years), with an efficient manufacturing process.
US09968089B2

A synergistic microbicidal composition having two components. The first component is a nonionic surfactant with structure: R2O(CH2CH(CH3)O)3(CH2CH2O)7H, where R2 is a mixture of C8-C14 linear alkyl groups. The second component is tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane. The weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane is from 1:0.16 to 1:1.8286.
US09968077B2

The present invention relates to transgenic blue ornamental fish, as well as methods of making such fish by in vitro fertilization techniques. Also disclosed are methods of establishing a population of such transgenic fish and methods of providing them to the ornamental fish industry for the purpose of marketing.
US09968073B1

The present invention is a device and method for preventing cargo in the cargo area of a vehicle from shifting forward in an accident, the vehicle having a horizontally hinged rear door.
US09968071B1

A portable gate including a center gate section, a center divide gate, a first end divide gate, a second end divide gate, a first end gate, and a second end gate. If the portable gate is located in a building, the portable gate will also include a wall mounted gate. If the portable gate is located in an area bounded by a fence, a fence mounted gate replaces the wall mounted gate. The gates may be hingedly moved to form four holding pens. When the gates are folded so as to be positioned adjacent the inner and outer sides of the center section, a front-end loader may move the portable gate to another location. The opposite ends of the center gate section are provided with double-knuckle hinge joints.
US09968063B1

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH174829. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH174829, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH174829 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH174829.
US09968060B1

A novel maize variety designated X13K543 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X13K543 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13K543 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13K543, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13K543. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13K543.
US09968047B2

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive canola, designated CL2562968H. Also included are seeds of canola CL2562968H, to the plants, or plant parts, of canola CL2562968H and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing the canola CL2562968H with itself or another canola genotype, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of canola CL2562968H.
US09968034B2

An agricultural combine including a front end adapted for carrying a header via a feeder and an actuator. The combine includes a first connecting structure at an upper segment of the front end, and a second connecting structure at a lower segment of the front end. The combine further includes an intermediate frame including a feeder connector adapted for connecting to the feeder. The intermediate frame further includes a first connector connecting to the first connecting structure and a second connector connecting to the second connecting structure. The combine further includes an actuator connector adapted for connecting to the actuator. The actuator connector is provided at a location of the second connecting structure.
US09968033B2

In a crop harvesting machine there is provided a pair of hydraulic float cylinders for a header relative to a vehicle, where a float pressure to the cylinders is directly controlled by an electronic control supplying a variable control signal to a PPRR valve arrangement to maintain the float pressure at a predetermined value. At the set pressure a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. In order to reduce static friction so that the system can react quickly, an arrangement is provided for causing relative reciprocating movement in an alternating wave pattern between the piston and cylinder.
US09968027B2

Methods and devices for automated adjustment of a digging implement during harvest of underground crops are described. Utilizing the devices, a digging implement, e.g., a blade, can be located and maintained at a desired depth as a harvester travels across a field. During use, the digging implement depth controls can be varied as the harvester travels within a single field under different operating conditions, e.g., different soil friability, consistency, etc., thereby preventing crop loss and improving crop yield.
US09968024B2

A control apparatus for a utility machine configured to automatically work outdoors including a work actuator installed in the utility machine, a setting unit setting a time schedule of the utility machine in advance, an information acquiring unit acquiring current and future weather information for a work site or nearby, an adjusting unit adjusting the time schedule based on the weather information acquired by the information acquiring unit, and an actuator control unit controlling the work actuator so that the utility machine works in accordance with a time schedule adjusted by the adjusting unit.
US09968021B2

A multi-coupler assembly for a work vehicle includes a first bank of fluid connectors, a second bank of fluid connectors configured to matingly engage the first bank of fluid connectors along a coupling axis, and a coupler mechanism coupled to the first bank of fluid connectors. The coupler mechanism is controllable to bring the second fluid connector bank into mating engagement with the first fluid connector bank. A breakaway feature is integrated into the coupler mechanism. The breakaway feature facilitates controlled disengagement of the first fluid connector bank from the second fluid connector bank along the coupling axis during a breakaway event, such as when an implement inadvertently detaches from the work vehicle. The breakaway feature may permit controlled disengagement of the first and second fluid connector banks without requiring movement of the coupler mechanism.
US09974217B2

A jam prevention mechanism includes a used tape guide with a guide surface along which a used tape fed out from a tape feeder is guided in a guide direction following a longitudinal direction of the used tape. A pressing member presses, against the guide surface, the used tape guided along the guide surface. A support member removably supports the pressing member.
US09974199B2

A method of making a device housing involves providing a transparent lens with a front surface and a rear surface, and a stepped flange along at least a portion of the lens perimeter. The method includes injecting plastic onto the transparent lens perimeter, including the stepped flange, the plastic forming a plastic feature that has a front surface that is tangent to the front surface of the transparent lens, a rear surface that is tangent to the rear surface of the transparent lens, and that extends outward from the sides of the transparent lens away from a device width center line. The plastic feature is molded to the rear surface of the transparent lens at at least one of two ends of the device housing, and the plastic encapsulates a stepped middle surface of the transparent lens flange. A device housing that is made by this method is also included.
US09974191B2

Manufacturing quality of a semiconductor device can be improved, and manufacturing throughput can be improved. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes (a) placing a substrate on a substrate supporting unit installed in a processing chamber, the substrate having thereon a solder with an oxygen-containing film on a surface thereof, (b) reducing the oxygen-containing film by supplying a reducing gas into the processing chamber while maintaining a thermal conductivity of an inner atmosphere of the processing chamber at a first thermal conductivity, and (c) melting the solder by supplying a thermally conductive gas into the processing chamber while maintaining the thermal conductivity of the inner atmosphere of the processing chamber at a second thermal conductivity higher than the first thermal conductivity.
US09974183B2

A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes: a ceramic body including: an active part with dielectric layers interposed with a plurality of first and second internal electrodes; an upper cover part above the active part; a lower cover part below the active part and having a thickness greater than that of the upper cover part; and first and second external electrodes electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes, respectively, wherein the first and second external electrodes are disposed on respective end surfaces of the ceramic body in a length direction and on a lower surface of the ceramic body in a thickness direction and are not disposed on an upper surface of the ceramic body in the thickness direction.
US09974178B2

Multipolar lead parts having plural leads and a retaining member, wherein the retaining member includes a cylindrical portion so as to cover peripheries of the leads, the cylindrical portion facing in a board direction; wherein the leads each include an upper-side board coupling portion and a lower-side board coupling portion; wherein the lower-side board coupling portion comprises a forward protruding portion that the other end side of each of the leads is bent in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement face of the leads, a vertical portion extending downward from a front end, a solder coupling portion extending backward from a lower end, and a rising portion extending upward from the solder coupling portion; and wherein said rising portion is formed as to have an obtuse angle from said solder coupling portion regardless of a bending angle of said vertical portion with respect to said solder coupling portion.
US09974177B2

Various embodiments may relate to an optoelectronic assembly, including a printed circuit board, which has a first and a second sides, a central cutout, at least one contact cutout and, at least one connection location, a carrier element coupled to the printed circuit board, has a first side and at least one contact location, at least one optoelectronic component arranged on the first side of the carrier element in such a way that it is exposed in the central cutout of the printed circuit board, a housing body, which has a central cutout and which is formed and physically coupled to the printed circuit board such that the optoelectronic component is exposed in the central cutout, and at least one contact element arranged on an inner side of the housing body is formed such that the contact element electrically couples the contact location of the carrier element to the connection location.
US09974171B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a circuit board. The circuit board comprises: an aluminum-based substrate; an alumina layer formed on at least one surface of the aluminum-based substrate; and a circuit layer formed on the alumina layer. The alumina layer comprises alumina and an element selected from a group consisting of chromium, nickel, a rare earth metal, and a combination thereof.
US09974166B2

A circuit board including a substrate, a patterned circuit layer and a photo-imaginable dielectric layer is provided. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The patterned circuit layer is disposed on the first surface, and a line width of the patterned circuit layer gradually reduces from the first surface towards the second surface. The photo-imaginable dielectric layer is disposed in the substrate corresponding to the patterned circuit layer. In addition, a manufacturing method of the circuit board is also proposed.
US09974164B2

A flexible printed circuit board installed on a substrate in a display device is provided.
US09974163B2

A method comprising coupling a circuit to an opto-electronic package via an anisotropic conductive film (ACF), wherein the opto-electronic package is configured to communicate electrical signals via the coupling at a maximum frequency of about 10 gigahertz (GHz) to about 40 GHz. An apparatus comprising, an opto-electronic package comprising a plurality of first electrodes, and a circuit comprising a plurality of second electrodes, wherein at least one of the first electrodes is coupled to at least one of the second electrodes via an ACF, and wherein the opto-electronic package is configured to communicate electrical signals via the coupling at a maximum frequency of about 10 GHz to about 40 GHz.
US09974161B2

An apparatus comprising includes a first pair of conductors to carry differential signals, at least one ground conductor neighboring the first pair of conductors, the ground conductor to be connected to a ground plane, and at least one particular conductor to carry sideband signals. The particular conductor is to be connected to a ground plane via a resonance mitigation circuit, and the resonance mitigation circuit comprises a resistor.
US09974158B2

The present disclosure relates to an air-cavity package, which includes a bottom substrate with a first heat dissipation interface, a top substrate with a second heat dissipation interface, a perimeter wall, a bottom electronic component, and a top electronic component. The perimeter wall extends between a periphery of the top substrate and a periphery of the bottom substrate to form a cavity. The bottom electronic component is mounted on the bottom substrate, exposed to the cavity, and thermally coupled to a bottom thermally conductive structure, which extends through the bottom substrate and towards the first heat dissipation interface. The top electronic component is mounted on the top substrate, exposed to the cavity, and thermally coupled to a top thermally conductive structure, which extends through the top substrate and towards the second heat dissipation interface.
US09974152B2

There is set forth herein a dimmer circuit for controlling delivery of input line voltage to a load. The dimmer circuit can include a switch coupling an input line voltage terminal to a load terminal. The dimmer circuit can be operative to provide one or more switch firing control scheme for latching the switch.
US09974145B2

A system and method provide fail-safe operation of a lighting system. A lighting level detector is used to obtain a baseline lighting level for a low-intensity light. If the detector measures less than the baseline level when an occupancy sensor determines the space is unoccupied, a high-intensity light is energized and an indication is provided to a user that the low-intensity light has failed. A method provides daylighting operation of a lighting system. An occupancy sensor can have Wi-Fi functionality to enable remote configuration of the sensor. A line voltage occupancy sensor can include an interface with low voltage devices. An occupancy sensor can include an integral interface to enable an external control system to override the sensor's normal logic under emergency conditions. An occupancy sensor can include an active temperature compensation feature. An occupancy sensor can also incorporate an automatically adjustable coverage area.
US09974142B2

An electronic display assembly which allocates power to a plurality of displays without exceeding a maximum current level for the circuit is disclosed. An exemplary system preferably includes an AC current sensor, a power load sharing controller, ambient light sensors for each display, and a brightness controller for each display. A maximum total current draw may be selected. The ambient light contacting each display may be measured and a corresponding desired brightness calculated. Depending on the present amount of current draw, the system determines if the displays can be driven at the desired brightness without exceeding the maximum total current draw. If yes, the displays are driven at their desired brightness. If no, the desired brightness for each display may be slightly reduced to prevent exceeding the maximum total current draw. Thus, as the ambient light varies between the displays, the available power may be shared.
US09974139B2

A solid-state auxiliary lamp includes a lamp head having a plurality of LED modules; a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the LED modules; and a drive unit. The drive unit can include a plurality of current sources, each of the current sources coupled to a corresponding LED module; and a processor coupled to the current sources and configured to control each current source to control the light output of each current source's corresponding LED module.
US09974134B2

Light-dimming device includes: first and second terminals; switch including switching device connected between terminals; adjuster for varying conduction angle of switch; controller for controlling switch and power supply module for supplying power to controller. Controller includes zero-cross detection circuit for detecting zero-cross of AC voltage, control circuit for generating PWM signal of on-duty ratio corresponding to conduction angle from adjuster, and driver circuit for turning device on and off by PWM signal. Controller allows device to conduct and then turn off within variable period of time, from start of half cycle of AC voltage, shorter than half cycle. Circuit starts generation of pulse in PWM signal when prescribed period of time, shorter than variable period of time, from zero-cross of voltage elapses.
US09974129B1

A current source generates an output current having a nominal DC magnitude between a current output node and a reference node. The output current varies with respect to the nominal DC magnitude by a time-varying magnitude. An LED load and a sensing resistor are connected in series between the current output node and the reference node to receive at least a first portion of the output current as a load current. The load current flows through the sensing resistor and generates a sensed voltage proportional to the load current. A current regulator connected between the current output node and the reference node receives a second portion of the output current as a shunt current. The current regulator also receives the sensed voltage, and selectively increases or decreases the shunt current to reduce the effect of the time varying magnitude of the output current on the load current.
US09974128B2

A light source lighting circuit comprises a first lighting circuit for receiving current from the electric power supply line and supplying drive current to a first light source and a second lighting circuit for receiving the current from the electric power supply line and supplying drive current to a second light source. When a state of the drive current flowing to the first light source shows an abnormality, or when state of the drive current flowing to the second light source shows an abnormality, the first lighting circuit stops operation. When a state of the drive current flowing to the second light source shows an abnormality, or when a state of the drive current flowing to the first light source shows an abnormality, the second lighting circuit stops operation.
US09974125B2

A light emitting diode (LED) circuit board includes a power input configured to supply power, a driving circuit configured to convert power, and a light emitting circuit configured to generate light. The power input is configured to supply power to the driving circuit. The driving circuit is configured to provide proper power to the light emitting circuit. The light emitting circuit is configured to generate light with the power provided by the driving circuit. An LED circuit board including a driving circuit, a light emitting circuit, and a plurality of semiconductor switches electrically connected between the driving circuit and the light emitting circuit is also provided. Each of the plurality of semiconductor switches is configured to electrically connect and electrically disconnect power from the driving circuit to the light emitting circuit.
US09974124B2

Disclosed are LED controllers for dimming. An LED controller includes a current driver, a pulse-width modulator, a feedback circuit, and a decoupling circuit. The current driver, selectively in response to a dimming signal, causes a driving current flowing through one LED string. The dimming signal is capable of defining a dimming ON period and a dimming OFF period. The pulse-width modulator generates a PWM signal to control a power switch, in order to buildup a driving voltage at a power node of the LED string. The PWM signal is generated in response to a compensation signal. The feedback circuit, based upon a feedback voltage from the light emitting device, drives a compensation capacitor to generate the compensation signal. The decoupling circuit defines a decoupling period at the start of the dimming ON period and causes the feedback circuit not driving the capacitor during the decoupling period.
US09974121B2

A radio frequency heating apparatus includes a printed circuit board on which power-supply noise filter circuit (20) that reduces power-supply noise generated by magnetron (15) and power-supply synchronization detecting circuit (21) that is connected across both terminals of power supply for detecting information on power-supply frequency are mounted. Power-supply synchronization detecting circuit (21) is used as a discharge path for charge accumulated at both ends of capacitor (3) configuring power-supply noise filter circuit (20). This achieves the radio frequency heating apparatus that eliminates the risk of electric shock, reduces power consumption, and reduces the number of components.
US09974118B2

A heating apparatus, in particular a hob heating apparatus, with at least one heating connection for at least one heating element and at least one frequency unit. In order to provide a heating apparatus of the generic type with relatively high operational reliability, it is proposed that the heating apparatus comprises a protective unit, which is provided for determining the existence of a conducting path between the frequency unit and the at least one heating connection.
US09974113B2

Systems and methods that provide improved success rates for connection reestablishments in a cellular communications system are disclosed. Embodiments of a radio access node in a cellular communications system enabling connection reestablishment for a wireless device to a target cell controlled by the radio access node are disclosed. In some embodiments, the radio access node is operative to: (a) perform a wireless device context fetch for a context for the wireless device from two or more candidate source cells of the wireless device in response to a connection reestablishment request from the wireless device and (b) receive a wireless device context from at least one of the two or more candidate source cells of the wireless device in response to performing the wireless device context fetch. By performing multiple context fetches, the radio access node mitigates the problem of physical cell identifier ambiguity.
US09974112B2

A wireless communication apparatus includes an indirect wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication that involves an access point; a direct wireless communication unit that performs direct wireless communication that does not involve the access point; a control unit that controls a search for the access point that is performed by the indirect wireless communication unit, in which the control unit controls a timing at which the indirect wireless communication unit searches for the access point, according to a communication state of the direct wireless communication.
US09974111B1

A method to establish communication between devices is provided. The method may include obtaining a request from a user at a first device to establish a communication session through a communication system over a wide area network with a second device. The communication session may provide for verbal communication between the user of the first device and a second user of the second device. The method may further include obtaining, at the first device over a local area network, current vital sign data of the user from a medical device configured to obtain vital sign data of the user. In response to the request from the user, the method may include sending a communication request to the communication system over the wide area network to establish the communication session and sending the current vital sign data to the communication system over the wide area network.
US09974106B2

A base station apparatus includes a processor. The processor executes a process including obtaining information indicating a radio status of each mobile station apparatus relevant to first communication in which radio communication is performed between the mobile station apparatuses via the base station apparatus, and second communication in which radio communication is directly performed between the mobile station apparatuses without via the base station apparatus; and notifying, based on the obtained information, the mobile station apparatuses that perform the second communication of control information for controlling the second communication.
US09974101B2

The server is disposed in transport equipment having a plurality of seats and is capable of communicating with at least three radio communication devices and an input/output terminal. The server has a signal-intensity receiver, a storage, and a controller. The signal-intensity receiver receives signal-intensity information on radio waves of an external device. The storage stores first position data indicating a position corresponding to each of the radio communication devices, and second position data indicating a position corresponding to the input/output terminal. The controller receives a connection request for communicating between the radio communication devices and the external device. The controller estimates a position of the external device based on the signal-intensity information and the first position data, determines a connection priority of the external device based on the estimated position and the second position data, and transmits a connectable-device list based on the connection priority to the input/output terminal.
US09974098B2

A space division multiple access (SDMA) method is provided. The method may be performed by a station (STA), in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system. The method includes overhearing a third transmission response message transmitted by an access point (AP), and determining whether to access a channel on the basis of criteria information included in the third transmission response message.
US09974096B2

A method in a first base station for assisting a third base station in scheduling a user equipment. The first base station obtains a first parameter associated to a first cell, or an indication of the first parameter, and identifier of the first cell. The first parameter comprises a first protected subframe pattern. The first base station obtains a second parameter associated to a second cell, or indication of the second parameter, and an identifier of the second cell. The second parameter comprises a second protected subframe pattern. The first base station assists the third base station in scheduling of the user equipment in a third cell by sending to the third base station the first parameter, or the indication of the first parameter, and the identifier of the first cell, together with the second parameter, or the indication of the second parameter, and the identifier of the second cell.
US09974093B2

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The method includes scheduling at a scheduling entity, a first frame for transmission over a wireless network that supports time division duplexing (TDD), where the first frame includes a first duplex symbol that includes a first bandwidth to be used for uplink transmission to the scheduling entity and a second bandwidth to be used for downlink transmission from the scheduling entity, and using the second bandwidth to transmit scheduling information while the first frame is being transmitted. The scheduling information may be related to a second frame that is scheduled to be transmitted immediately after the first frame. The scheduling information includes an uplink grant or a downlink grant.
US09974088B2

An access point (AP) for an indoor antenna distributed deployment environment provides an access service for a wireless terminal. The AP includes N radio frequency (RF) processing units and N*M RF switches (RFSs). Each RFS includes a public port and at least two branch ports. The at least two branch ports respectively connect with at least two antennas deployed in different indoor areas via RF feeders. The RF processing unit includes M RF chains. Each RF chain is connected to a public port of an RFS. The RF processing unit is to transmit a packet to the wireless terminal, based on a predetermined antenna combination for the wireless terminal.
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