US08785683B2

The present invention generally relates to processes for the chemocatalytic conversion of a pentose source to a glutaric acid product. The present invention includes processes for the conversion of pentose to a glutaric acid product via pentaric acid or derivatives thereof. The present invention also includes processes comprising the catalytic oxidation of pentose to pentaric acid and catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of pentaric acid or derivatives thereof to a glutaric acid product.
US08785675B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mixed catalyst for a vapor-phase catalytic oxidation or a vapor-phase catalytic ammoxidation reaction of propane, or isobutene, capable of providing a corresponding unsaturated acid or unsaturated nitrile at high yield from propane or isobutene.
US08785668B2

The present invention relates to a method for efficient conversion of carbohydrates into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in the presence of tantalum-containing solid acid, which shows good activity and high selectivity for HMF preparation from saccharides. The catalyst is stable in aqueous system which makes it as an ideal catalyst for HMF production. High HMF yield was obtained even in mild condition. The catalysts of the invention are advantageous in that they are environment-friendly, easy separation and recovery, can be re-used in subsequent reactions, do not corrode reaction reactors. These features make the catalyst as an ideal catalyst for HMF preparation and have strong industrial application significance.
US08785667B2

Alcohols are catalytically oxidized to aldehydes, in particular to benzaldehyde and diformylfuran, which are useful as intermediates for a multiplicity of purposes. The invention also relates to the polymerization of the dialdehyde and to the decarbonylation of the dialdehyde to furan.
US08785666B1

A method for alkylation of an anhydrosugar compound in which a dialkyl carbonate is reacted with an anhydrosugar compound in the presence of a solid phase basic catalyst. Typical anhydrosugars are isosorbide.
US08785665B2

In one embodiment, the present application discloses mixtures comprising (a) water in an amount of at least 1% wt/wt of the mixture; (b) a transition metal catalyst; and (c) one or more solubilizing agents; and methods for using such mixtures for performing transition metal mediated bond formation reactions.
US08785663B2

There is provided a crystalline form of Lubiprostone, termed APO-II and methods for making APO-II. APO-II is a polymorphic form of Lubiprostone.
US08785662B2

The present invention relates to a preservative for preserving wood comprising 5-methyl-2-trifluoromethylfuran-3-carboxylic acid anilide derivative represented by the following formula, wherein R represents an iropropyl group or an isopropoxy group as an active ingredient. The preservative for preserving wood has an excellent preservative effect on various wood-decay fungi at an extremely low dose, is economically efficient, and imposes a small burden on the environment. The present invention also relates to a method for treating wood using the preservative.
US08785642B2

The present invention relates to novel substituted phenyl compounds of the formula and to a process for making them. The compounds can be used as intermediates for making 6-substituted-1-(2H)-isoquinolinone derivatives.
US08785640B2

The present invention relates to modulators of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (“CFTR”), compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating diseases using modulators of CFTR.
US08785636B2

The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (1) and formula (2) which are suitable for use in electronic devices, in particular organic electroluminescent devices.
US08785626B2

Benzoxazepin compounds of Formula I, including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein: Z1 is CR1 or N; Z2 is CR2 or N; Z3 is CR3 or N; Z4 is CR4 or N; and B is a pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, or triazolyl ring fused to the benzoxepin ring, are useful for inhibiting lipid kinases including p110 alpha and other isoforms of PI3K, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by lipid kinases. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08785624B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide an organic photosensitive optoelectronic device comprising at least one nonplanar porphyrin of formula (I), wherein the meanings of M, R and R′ are disclosed herein.
US08785618B2

The invention provides a method of RNA interference, which comprises contacting the cell with a fusion protein-double stranded RNA complex, the complex comprising the double stranded RNA segment containing a double stranded RNA of interest and a fusion protein, the fusion protein comprising (1) a targeting moiety, which will specifically binds to a site on a target cell, and (2) a binding moiety, which will bind to the double stranded RNA, wherein the double stranded RNA segment initiates RNA interference in the cell.
US08785616B2

The present invention relates to an isolated COP1 nucleic acid sequence from a maize plant and the isolated COP1 nucleic acid sequence is named as ZmCOP1. The present invention also relates to a method of using the ZmCOP1 nucleic acid sequence to control the shade avoidance response of a crop plant for high density farming and yield enhancement.
US08785597B2

The present invention relates to a mutant G-CSF fusion protein. The mutant G-CSF fusion protein is a fusion protein having the activity of stimulating the proliferation of neutrophilic granulocytes, and having a basic structure of G-CSF/carrier protein or carrier protein/G-CSF; wherein the G-CSF moiety comprises multipoint substitutions thus resulting in changes in biological activity and binding affinity. Compared with existing products, the mutant G-CSF fusion protein in the present invention has longer half-life and higher biological activity. Administration of the pharmaceutical preparation containing this mutant G-CSF fusion protein could be used in the treating neutropenia.
US08785589B1

Cross-linked polyimides based on a novel crosslinker and methods of making the same. The general structure of these heat-resistant and amorphous polyimides is shown as follows: in which n, m, and l denote the degrees of polymerization (DP) of each arm and the linking group R′ is one of the following moieties: —C(CF3)2—, —O—, —SO2—, >C(═O), —OPh-C(CH3)2-PhO-, -(Ph)C(CF3)—, or a direct bond (—). Films (cantilevers) comprising cross-linked polyimides according to the present invention demonstrate photodirected bending upon exposure to linearly polarized light.
US08785588B2

A tin-containing polyurethane resin having a melting temperature of 40 to 180° C., measured by DSC at a heating rate of 10 K/min and prepared by carrying out a condensation reaction between a diorganotin compound and carboxyl groups of a carboxyl-functional polyurethane resin, wherein the molar ratio between the tin and the carboxyl groups is 1:2-20; and liquid coating compositions containing solid particles of the tin-containing polyurethane resin.
US08785582B2

A vinyloxy group-containing vinyl polymer, useful as a heat or light curing reactive prepolymer, containing at least a constituent unit expressed by the following formula (I):
US08785577B2

Acrylic fine particles formed by polymerization of a (meth)acrylate containing monomer with a cross-linking agent are disclosed. The cross-linking agent includes a first cross-linking agent having at least three (meth)acryloyloxy groups and at least one functional group —OH, —COOH, or a combination thereof, and the acrylic fine particles can have a coefficient of variation (C.V.) of about 20 to about 60%. The acrylic fine particles can have high heat resistance and solvent resistance and also enhanced compatibility with a binder and a solvent. Accordingly, the acrylic fine particles can exhibit remarkably increased dispersibility when used in a diffusing film or the like, and thus are suitable for use as a diffusing agent.
US08785573B2

The invention provides a method and apparatus for continuously feeding wet gel polymers into a drying step of a dry polymer synthesis operation. A number of pistons are arranged having inner chambers through which monomers and other reagents are fed and polymerized into wet gel polymers. Each piston operates according to a coordinated schedule so that as one piston finishes extruding polymer into the drying step, a second piston has completed polymerizing more polymer and continues to feed more polymer without interruption. The then finished is re-fed more reagents so as to be ready again when needed next. As a result, cost effective continuous feeding can be achieved without the contamination and impurity problems that have plagued previous attempts to accomplish this.
US08785572B2

A process for the gas-phase copolymerization of: (a) propylene, (b) at least one C4-C8 α-olefin, and (c) optionally ethylene, the process being carried out in a reactor having two interconnected polymerization zones, wherein the growing polymer particles flow through the first of said polymerization zones (riser) under fast fluidization conditions, leave said riser and enter the second of said polymerization zones (downcomer) through which they flow downward in a densified form, leave said downcomer and are reintroduced into said riser, thus establishing a circulation of polymer between the riser and the downcomer, the gas mixture present in the riser being at least partially prevented from entering the downcomer by introducing into the upper part of said downcomer a liquid barrier having a composition different from the gaseous mixture present in the riser and comprising at least one C4-C8 α-olefin in a total amount of from 0.1% to 35% by mol.
US08785571B2

A reactive functional group-containing polyarylene sulfide being narrow in dispersity and little in gas generation amount is produced by heating a cyclic polyarylene sulfide composition in the presence of 0.1 mol % to 25 mol %, per mol of arylene sulfide structural units, of a sulfide compound having a reactive functional group selected from among an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydroxyl group, an acid anhydride group, an isocyanate group, an epoxy group, a silanol group, and an alkoxysilane group.
US08785568B2

Disclosed are polymer blends prepared by melt blending a fluorinated block copolyester with a non-fluorinated polyester wherein the fluorinated block copolyester comprises blocks of fluoroether modified aromatic polyester and blocks of unmodified polyester. Suitable block copolyesters have a blockiness index, B, in the range of 0.25 to 1.0. Shaped articles prepared from the blends exhibit oil and soil resistance with high fluorine efficiency.
US08785567B2

A liquid crystal alignment agent includes a polymer and an organic solvent for dissolving the polymer. The polymer contains a repeating structural unit represented by the following formula (I): wherein each of P and Q is a divalent organic group. The liquid crystal alignment agent has a viscosity in the range from 5 to 40 cps at 25° C. A liquid crystal alignment film made of the liquid crystal alignment agent and a liquid crystal display element including the liquid crystal alignment film are also disclosed.
US08785557B2

The present invention relates to the use of aqueous hybrid binders for producing coating compositions, more particularly in high-gloss coating materials (high-gloss paints), and also to a process for their preparation with low residual monomer content.
US08785553B2

An aspect of the description is directed to hydrolysable silane graft propylene-α-olefin copolymers useful for moisture curable sealants, the copolymers comprising a propylene-α-olefin copolymer component comprising propylene-derived units and from 5 to 35 wt %, by weight of the propylene-α-olefin copolymer, of ethylene-derived units or a C4 to C10 α-olefin-derived unit, and having, in one embodiment, the following features: a density of from 0.850 to 0.920 g/cm3; a MWD of from 1.5 to 20; an Hf of less than or equal to 75 J/g; a Tm of from 25 to 105° C.; and a triad tacticity by 13C NMR of 75% or greater; and a hydrolysable silane component. The graft copolymer can be combined with oil and/or a thermoplastic to form a graft copolymer composition capable of being cross-linked by exposure to moisture.
US08785548B2

Styrenic (meth)acrylic oligomers that are prepared at lower temperature than conventional solid grade oligomers, or are hydrogenated, contain fewer terminal vinylic unsaturations, when compared to such conventional styrenic (meth)acrylic oligomers prepared by the customary high temperature processes. Styrenic (meth)acrylic oligomers that contain fewer terminal vinylic unsaturations demonstrate improved thermal stability and may provide improved resistance to UV weathering compared to the conventional and non-hydrogenated styrenic (meth)acrylic oligomers.
US08785545B2

A refrigerator interior liner can be made of a composition including a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix having an average molecular weight in weight Mw above 150,000 g/mol; rubber particles; and low- Mw plasticizers. The rubber particles can have an RPS volume of about 8.5 μm, a monomodal distribution, a swell index above 13.8, and an RPVF of at least 39%. The composition can be prepared by forming a polymerizable mixture including a monovinylaromatic monomer, and dissolving a viscous rubber in the polymerizable mixture. A free radical initiator and a chain transfer agent can be contacted with the polymerizable mixture at conditions whereby phase inversion subsequently occurs. The chain transfer agent can produce an increase of the rubber to PS phase viscosity ratio within the inversion reactor. Polymerization can be continued until a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix having rubber particles dispersed therein is obtained.
US08785541B2

The present invention can provide a rubber composition, in which all of strength at break, low heat-build up property, run-flat durability and low fuel consumption can be improved since the rubber composition comprises 5 to 120 parts by weight of flake-like graphite having an average aspect ratio of 3 to 80 and an average particle diameter of 2 to 80 μm on the basis of 100 parts by weight of a diene rubber component, and a run-flat tire using the rubber composition.
US08785539B2

The present invention provides siliceous-based polyurea compositions, obtainable by reacting isocyanates, alkali silicates and hydratable aluminosilicates. Moreover, the present invention provides a process for the manufacture of these compositions, comprising the steps of mixing a hydratable aluminosilicate with an aqueous silicate and reacting this mixture with a polyisocyanate and/or a polyisocyanate prepolymer, optionally in the presence of a polyol and/or with the inclusion of an inert filler. Finally, the present invention provides the use of these compositions in the fields of aviation, automotive assemblies, construction, consumer products, fire protection, furniture components, insulation, shipbuilding and/or windmill construction. The compositions obtainable according to the present invention are lightweight, high load bearing, flame retarding materials.
US08785538B2

Disclosed herein are an electromagnetic wave shielding thermoplastic resin composition and a plastic article including the same. The electromagnetic wave shielding thermoplastic resin composition comprises about 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin comprising a polycarbonate resin, a polyester resin, or a combination thereof, about 1 to about 30 parts by weight of stainless steel fiber, and about 0.01 to about 10 parts by weight of carbon nanotubes.
US08785534B2

The use of thermoplastic molding materials comprising A) 10 to 98.8% by weight of a mixture formed from a1) 40 to 70% by weight of nylon-6,6 or nylon-4,6 or nylon-6 or mixtures thereof, a2) 30 to 60% by weight of a polyamide having a ratio of methylene to amide groups of 7 to 12, B) 1 to 50% by weight of a fibrous or particulate filler, C) 0.1 to 3% by weight of a lubricant, D) 0.05 to 3% by weight of a heat stabilizer, E) 0 to 40% by weight of further additives, where the sum of the percentages by weight A) to E) and a1) and a2) adds to 100%, for production of stress cracking- and corrosion-resistant moldings.
US08785533B2

An architectural paint is disclosed which comprises a film-forming binder polymer, cotton fibers, and glass bubbles. The paint, in some embodiments, is capable of covering defects in a wall surface.
US08785518B2

The present application relates to a polymerizable dental adhesive system formulated for effective and durable bonding of zirconia based materials and restorations to dental resins and dental surfaces. According to one embodiment, a polymerizable dental adhesive system comprises a first acidic monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group or moiety of the general formula CH2═CX—C(O)— wherein X is hydrogen, methyl or a lower alkyl group, and the first polymerizable monomer further comprises a phosphoric or phosphonic acid group of general formula —OP(O)(OH)2, —OP(O)(OH), —C—P(O)(OH)2 and —C—P(O)(OH), and a second polymerizable acidic monomer comprises an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group or moiety of the general formula CH2═CX—C(O)— wherein X is hydrogen, methyl or a lower alkyl group, and wherein the second polymerizable acidic monomer further comprises a carboxylic acid group of the general formula —C(O)OH.
US08785511B2

Low density silicone-containing polyurethane foams with excellent surface characteristics are prepared by reacting a foamable composition containing a siloxane of the formula and an isocyanate, in the presence of at least one blowing agent.
US08785498B2

Disclosed herein are forms of L-ornithine phenyl acetate and methods of making the same. A crystalline form may, in some embodiments, be Forms I, II, III and V, or mixtures thereof. The crystalline forms may be formulated for treating subjects with liver disorders, such as hepatic encephalopathy. Accordingly, some embodiments include formulations and methods of administering L-ornithine phenyl acetate.
US08785488B2

The present invention comprises TGR5 agonists of structural formula I, wherein X, R1, R2, and R5 are defined herein, as well as N-oxides of them and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention further comprises composition comprising the compounds, N-oxides, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also comprises use of the compounds and compositions for treating diseases in which TGR5 is a mediator or is implicated. The invention also comprises use of the compounds in and for the manufacture of medicaments, particularly for treating diseases in which TGR5 is a mediator or is implicated.
US08785473B2

The present invention provides a novel compound having plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 inhibitory activity, and an inhibitor of PAI-1 comprising the compound as an active ingredient. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition having an inhibitory action on PAI-1 activity and being efficacious in the prevention and treatment of various diseases whose onset is associated with PAI-1 activity.
US08785465B2

Pyrimidine compounds and their use in controlling pests such as insects and other invertebrates are provided. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects and benefits shall become apparent from the description.
US08785464B2

The present invention includes compounds of general formula (1) wherein A, X, R1 and R2 are defined as in claim 1, which are suitable for the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive or abnormal cell proliferation, and their use for preparing a medicament having the above-mentioned properties.
US08785462B2

The present invention provides a compound which enhances the production of erythropoietin. The present invention provides a compound represented by formula (1): [wherein, R1: formula (1A): [wherein, R4 and R5: H, halogen, or alkyl; R6: H, halogen, alkyl, or the like; R7: substitutable hydroxyalkyl, substitutable hydroxyhalo alkyl, substitutable alkoxyalkyl, or the like; substituent group α: oxo, hydroxy, amino, or the like; ring Q1: a monocyclic heterocyclic group; ring Q2: a monocyclic hydrocarbon ring group, or a monocyclic heterocyclic group; ring Q3: a monocyclic hydrocarbon ring group, or a monocyclic heterocyclic group; X: a single bond, methylene, ethylene, or the like]; R2: alkyl, or methylsulfanyl; and R3: H, or methyl], or the like.
US08785461B2

The present invention relates to a novel intermediate useful in the preparation of bosentan and to processes for the preparation of said intermediate and bosentan. The invention further relates to compositions comprising bosentan prepared according to the processes of the invention and their use in the treatment of endothelin-receptor mediated disorders.
US08785459B2

A compound for treating protein kinase-related disease or disorder having a structure of formula (A): wherein X is N or CH; Y is NH, O, or CH2; Z is an aryl or a heteroaryl; and R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently H, halo, nitro, cyano, aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkenyl, —ORa, —C(O)Ra, —C(O)NRaRb, —NRaC(O)Rb, —NRaRb, —S(O)2Ra, —S(O)2NRaRb, —NRaS(O)2Rb, —N═CRaRb, or —NRaC(O)NHRb, wherein each of Ra and Rb, independently, is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aryloxy, alkoxy, hydroxy, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or heterocycloalkenyl, or Ra and Rb, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, form heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkenyl; or R3 and R4 are as defined above, and R1 and R2 together with the carbons, to which they are attached, form a heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl.
US08785455B2

The present invention relates to a novel polymorph of Linagliptin benzoate and to methods for its preparation. Furthermore the present invention relates to the use of the novel polymorph for the preparation of a medicament. In addition the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of the novel polymorph of Linagliptin benzoate.
US08785453B2

A novel arylpiperazine-containing purine derivatives and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same as an active ingredient, which are useful for preventing or treating depressive disorders, are provided.
US08785452B2

The present invention relates to 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one compounds and their use in the treatment of bacterial infections, in particular Tuberculosis.
US08785446B2

Patients are subject to a post-seizure treatment regime to separately inhibitor consecutive targets of an epileptogenic cascade comprising neurotransmitter receptor signaling, kinase/phosphatase activity, protein translation, and apoptosis or inflammation.
US08785445B2

Compounds of Formula I: (I) in which A, A1, R1, R7a, R7b, R8 and R10 have the meanings given in the specification, are DP2 receptor inhibitors useful in the treatment of useful in the treatment and prevention of immunologic diseases, allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, and other inflammatory diseases mediated by prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). The compounds of Formula I may also be useful in treating diseases or medical conditions involving the Th2 T cell via production of IL-4, IL-5 and/or IL-13.
US08785444B2

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of Aurora protein kinases. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising those compounds and methods of using the compounds and compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, and disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the invention.
US08785441B2

The present invention relates to certain 3-phenyl-pyrazole derivatives of Formula (Ia) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that modulate the activity of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor. Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are directed to methods useful in the treatment of platelet aggregation, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, angina, stroke, atrial fibrillation, reducing the risk of blood clot formation, asthma or symptoms thereof, agitation or a symptom, behavioral disorders, drug induced psychosis, excitative psychosis, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, manic disorder, organic or NOS psychosis, psychotic disorder, psychosis, acute schizophrenia, chronic schizophrenia, NOS schizophrenia and related disorders, and sleep disorders, sleep disorders, diabetic-related disorders, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and the like. The present invention also relates to the methods for the treatment of 5-HT2A serotonin receptor mediated disorders in combination with other pharmaceutical agents administered separately or together.
US08785431B2

The present invention relates to diester prodrugs of cilazaprilate which undergo enzymatic cleavage to release the active metabolite cilazaprilate that is used for the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. Furthermore the diester prodrugs of cilazaprilate possess all the properties necessary to be topically administered, preferably via transdermal therapeutic systems.
US08785420B2

Acne lesions, whether of inflammatory and/or non-inflammatory type, are simultaneously or sequentially treated and their number reduced, via daily topical regimen, with the combination or association of adapalene or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and benzoyl peroxide (BPO).
US08785411B2

The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for use as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3′ LTR.
US08785404B2

The present invention provides a compound of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08785400B2

The present invention provides methods and kits for treating diseases and conditions associated with impaired pancreatic function. The present invention further provides methods of stimulating islet cell neogenesis and stimulating islet cell differentiation from progenitor cells.
US08785394B2

Disclosed herein are methods of treating diseases of the eye by administering to the subconjunctival space a formulation comprising cyclosporin A form 2 and a hydrogel.
US08785393B2

Described herein are ophthalmic pharmaceutical compositions, wherein the ophthalmic pharmaceutical compositions are in a form suitable for administration to an eye of a mammal. Ophthalmic pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein include at least one DP2 receptor antagonist compound and are used to treat or prevent ophthalmic diseases or conditions.
US08785391B2

An isolated protein is provided for use in treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, familial Danish dementia and familial British dementia in a mammal, including man. The isolated protein is selected from the group consisting of proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to residues 90-236 of Bri2 from human; and proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to any one of the Brichos domains of Bri2 from human, chimpanzee, bovine, pig, mouse and rat.
US08785381B2

The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising of at least one delivery agent and GLP-1. These pharmaceutical compositions facilitate the oral delivery of GLP-1, providing improved (e.g. increased) bioavailability of GLP-1 compared to administration of GLP-1 without a delivery agent.
US08785380B2

The present invention relates to a formulation containing curcuminoids exhibiting enhanced in vivo bioavailability and resultant improved efficacy, said formulation comprising curcuminoids and a gel forming, non digestive and soluble dietary polysaccharide fiber galactomannan matrix and proteins derived from fenugreek [Trigonella Foenum graecum]. The invention also relates to a process for producing the formulation and extracting non-digestible soluble dietary polysaccharide fiber galactomannans containing proteins from fenugreek seeds.
US08785377B2

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, II, III or IV, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof: which inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-NS4A protease. Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the present invention.
US08785372B2

Provided are 1-aryl-5-alkyl pyrazole compounds, of formula (I): wherein: R1 is hydrogen, cyano, halogen, R8, formyl, —C(O)R8, —C(O)OR8, —C(O)NR9R10, or —C(S)NH2; R2 is R8 or —S(O)mR11; R3 is methyl, ethyl or C1-C4 haloalkyl; R4, R5 and R7 are independently hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano or nitro; R6 is halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyloxy, cyano, nitro, —C(O)R12, —S(O)nR12 or SF5; Z is a nitrogen atom or C—R13; R8 is alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl or halocycloalkyl; R9 is hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl or alkoxy; R10 is hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl or alkoxy; R11 is alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, haloalkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkynyl or cycloalkyl; R12 is alkyl or haloalkyl; R13 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy or haloalkoxy; m is 0, 1 or 2; and n is 0, 1 or 2; or a salt thereof, the method of making compounds of formula (I) and the use of these compounds against ectoparasites, endoparasites and pests.
US08785369B2

Neuregulin, a known neuroprotein, has been found to ameliorate or prevent damage caused by mechanical or chemical assault to blood vessels and, when administered into the cerebral spinal fluid, can ameliorate damage to neuronal tissue caused by stroke or inflammation. Additionally, neuregulin has been found to be useful for enhancement of stem cell migration from the ventricle to the site of injury to the brain.
US08785359B2

A lubricant oil composition comprising: a lubricant base oil whose kinematic viscosity at 100° C. is 1 to 6 mm2/s, % Cp is not less than 70, and % CA is not more than 2; a first viscosity index improver in which the ratio A/B of a viscosity increasing effect A in the equation (1) to a viscosity increasing effect B in the equation (2) when added to the lubricant base oil is a value of not less than 4.5, and a PSSI is not more than 30; and a second viscosity index improver in which the ratio A/B when added to the lubricant base oil is a value less than 4.5: A=X−X0  (1) B=Y−Y0  (2) wherein A represents a viscosity increasing effect of the kinematic viscosity at 100° C., B represents a viscosity increasing effect of the HTHS viscosity at 150° C., X represents a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of a mixture of the lubricant base oil with 3% by mass of the first or second viscosity index improver, X0 represents a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of the lubricant base oil, Y represents an HTHS viscosity at 150° C. of a mixture of the lubricant base oil with 3% by mass of the first or second viscosity index improver, and Y0 represents an HTHS viscosity at 150° C. of the lubricant base oil.
US08785342B2

The present invention provides a catalyst carrier having excellent durability and capable of attaining high catalytic ability without increasing the specific surface area thereof, and a catalyst obtainable by using the catalyst carrier. The catalyst carrier of the present invention comprises a metal oxycarbonitride, preferably the metal contained in the metal oxycarbonitride comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of niobium, tin, indium, platinum, tantalum, zirconium, copper, iron, tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, hafnium, titanium, vanadium, cobalt, manganese, cerium, mercury, plutonium, gold, silver, iridium, palladium, yttrium, ruthenium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and nickel. Moreover, the catalyst of the present invention comprises the catalyst carrier and a catalyst metal supported on the catalyst carrier.
US08785332B2

The present invention provides a method for plasma dicing a substrate. The method comprising providing a process chamber having a wall; providing a plasma source adjacent to the wall of the process chamber; providing a work piece support within the process chamber; placing the substrate onto a support film on a frame to form a work piece work piece; loading the work piece onto the work piece support; providing a cover ring disposed above the work piece; generating a plasma through the plasma source; and etching the work piece through the generated plasma.
US08785323B2

A method of forming an interconnect structure that may reduce or eliminate stress induced voids is provided. In an embodiment, a via is formed below a conductive line to provide an electrical connection to an underlying conductive region. The conductive line includes a widened region above the via. The widened region serves to reduce or eliminate stress induced voids between the via and the underlying conductive region. In another embodiment, one or more redundant lines are formed extending from a conductive region, such as a contact pad, such that the redundant line does not electrically couple the conductive region to an underlying conductive region. In a preferred embodiment, the redundant lines extend from a conductive region on a side adjacent to a side having a conductive line coupled to a via.
US08785322B2

Devices and methods for device fabrication include forming a gate structure with a sacrificial material. Silicided regions are formed on source/drain regions adjacent to the gate structure or formed at the bottom of trench contacts within source/drain areas. The source/drain regions or the silicided regions are processed to build resistance to subsequent thermal processing and adjust Schottky barrier height and thus reduce contact resistance. Metal contacts are formed in contact with the silicided regions. The sacrificial material is removed and replaced with a replacement conductor.
US08785307B2

A method of forming a memory cell includes forming a conductive floating gate over the substrate, forming a conductive control gate over the floating gate, forming a conductive erase gate laterally to one side of the floating gate and forming a conductive select gate laterally to an opposite side of the one side of the floating gate. After the forming of the floating and select gates, the method includes implanting a dopant into a portion of a channel region underneath the select gate using an implant process that injects the dopant at an angle with respect to a surface of the substrate that is less than ninety degrees and greater than zero degrees.
US08785306B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor power device on a semiconductor substrate supporting a drift region composed of an epitaxial layer by growing a first epitaxial layer followed by forming a first hard mask layer on top of the epitaxial layer; applying a first implant mask to open a plurality of implant windows and applying a second implant mask for blocking some of the implant windows to implant a plurality of dopant regions of alternating conductivity types adjacent to each other in the first epitaxial layer; repeating the first step and the second step by applying the same first and second implant masks to form a plurality of epitaxial layers then carrying out a device manufacturing process on a top side of the epitaxial layer with a diffusion process to merge the dopant regions of the alternating conductivity types as doped columns in the epitaxial layers.
US08785302B2

A crystal silicon film forming method according to the present invention includes: forming a metal film; forming an insulating film on the metal film, and forming a crystal silicon film made of polycrystal Si on the insulating film. In the forming of an insulating film, the insulating film is formed within a film thickness range of 160 nm to 190 nm. The forming of a crystal silicon film includes forming an amorphous silicon film made of a-Si on the insulating film, within a film thickness range of 30 nm to 45 nm, and forming the crystal silicon film from the amorphous silicon film by irradiating the amorphous silicon film with a light of a green laser.
US08785297B2

A method for encapsulating electronic components, including the steps of: forming, in a first surface of a semiconductor wafer, electronic components; forming, on the first surface, an interconnection stack including conductive tracks and vias separated by an insulating material; forming first and second bonding pads on the interconnection stack; thinning down the wafer, except at least on its contour; filling the thinned-down region with a first resin layer; arranging at least one first chip on the first bonding pads and forming solder bumps on the second bonding pads; depositing a second resin layer covering the first chips and partially covering the solder bumps; bonding an adhesive strip on the first resin layer; and scribing the structure into individual chips.
US08785294B2

A method of fabricating an electronic device includes providing a silicon carbide or diamond-like carbon donor body and implanting ions into a first surface of the donor body to define a cleave plane. After implanting, an epitaxial layer is formed on the first surface, and a temporary carrier is coupled to the epitaxial layer. A lamina is cleaved from the donor body at the cleave plane, and the temporary carrier is removed from the lamina. In some embodiments a light emitting diode or a high electron mobility transistor is fabricated from the lamina and epitaxial layer.
US08785292B2

An anodic bonding apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode has a first surface, and the second electrode has a second surface facing the first surface. The first surface includes a first central area; a first substrate placing area for placing a laminated substrate; and a first peripheral area surrounding the first substrate placing area. The second surface includes a second central area corresponding to the first central area; a second substrate placing area surrounding the second central area; and a second peripheral area corresponding to the first peripheral area and surrounding the second substrate placing area. Further, the second electrode includes a curved portion curved toward the first electrode, so that a distance between the first central area and the second central area becomes smaller than a distance between the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area.
US08785288B2

Some embodiments include a memory cell having a data storage region between a pair of conductive structures. The data storage region is configured to support a transitory structure which alters resistance through the memory cell. The data storage region includes two or more portions, with one of the portions supporting a higher resistance segment of the transitory structure than another of the portions. Some embodiments include a method of forming a memory cell. First oxide and second oxide regions are formed between a pair of conductive structures. The oxide regions are configured to support a transitory structure which alters resistance through the memory cell. The oxide regions are different from one another so that one of the oxide regions supports a higher resistance segment of the transitory structure than the other.
US08785281B2

Methods for fabricating a CMOS structure use a first gate stack located over a first orientation region of a semiconductor substrate. A second gate material layer is located over the first gate stack and a laterally adjacent second orientation region of the semiconductor substrate. A planarizing layer is located upon the second gate material layer. The planarizing layer and the second gate material layer are non-selectively etched to form a second gate stack that approximates the height of the first gate stack. An etch stop layer may also be formed upon the first gate stack. The resulting CMOS structure may comprise different gate dielectrics, metal gates and silicon gates.
US08785279B2

A semiconductor power device formed in a semiconductor substrate comprising a highly doped region near a top surface of the semiconductor substrate on top of a lightly doped region supported by a heavily doped region. The semiconductor power device further comprises source trenches opened into the highly doped region filled with conductive trench filling material in electrical contact with the source region near the top surface. The semiconductor power device further comprises buried P-regions disposed below the source trenches and doped with dopants of opposite conductivity from the highly doped region. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08785278B2

A semiconductor power device may include a lightly doped layer formed on a heavily doped layer. One or more devices are formed in the lightly doped layer. Each device may include a body region, a source region, and one or more gate electrodes formed in corresponding trenches in the lightly doped region. Each of the trenches has a depth in a first dimension, a width in a second dimension and a length in a third dimension. The body region is of opposite conductivity type to the lightly and heavily doped layers. The source region is formed proximate the upper surface. One or more deep contacts are formed at one or more locations along the third dimension proximate one or more of the trenches. The contacts extend in the first direction from the upper surface into the lightly doped layer and are in electrical contact with the source region.
US08785274B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having a first region of a first electrical conduction type as a part of a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate and a first gate electrode and a capacitor structure, the first gate electrode and the capacitor structure being disposed on the first region; forming a first insulating film covering the first gate electrode and the capacitor structure, the first insulating film being covering the surface of the semiconductor substrate; implanting a first impurity of a second electrical conduction type into the semiconductor substrate, so as to form a region of the second electrical conduction type in each of a second region and a third region, the second region being a region between the first gate electrode and the capacitor structure, the third region being a region opposite to the capacitor structure with the first gate electrode therebetween.
US08785272B2

A method of reducing impurities in a high-k dielectric layer comprising the following steps. A substrate is provided. A high-k dielectric layer having impurities is formed over the substrate. The high-k dielectric layer being formed by an MOCVD or an ALCVD process. The high-k dielectric layer is annealed to reduce the impurities within the high-k dielectric layer.
US08785267B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate insulation layer pattern on a substrate, forming a sacrificial layer including impurities on the gate insulation layer pattern, annealing the sacrificial layer so that the impurities in the sacrificial layer diffuse into the gate insulation layer pattern, removing the sacrificial layer, and forming a gate electrode on the gate insulation layer pattern.
US08785262B2

Self-aligned carbon nanostructure field effect transistor structures are provided, which are foamed using selective dielectric deposition techniques. For example, a transistor device includes an insulating substrate and a gate electrode embedded in the insulating substrate. A dielectric deposition-prohibiting layer is formed on a surface of the insulating substrate surrounding the gate electrode. A gate dielectric is selectively formed on the gate electrode. A channel structure (such as a carbon nanostructure) is disposed on the gate dielectric A passivation layer is selectively formed on the gate dielectric. Source and drain contacts are formed on opposing sides of the passivation layer in contact with the channel structure. The dielectric deposition-prohibiting layer prevents deposition of dielectric material on a surface of the insulating layer surrounding the gate electrode when selectively forming the gate dielectric and passivation layer.
US08785256B2

There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor package. The method includes: (a) providing a semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein a pad is formed on the first surface; (b) disposing the semiconductor chip on a supporting substrate such that the first surface is directed upward; (c) forming an encapsulation resin layer on the supporting substrate so as to cover the semiconductor chip; and (d) polishing the encapsulation resin layer to expose a top surface of the pad.
US08785255B2

A substrate for mounting a semiconductor includes a first insulation layer having first and second surfaces on the opposite sides and having a penetrating hole penetrating through the first insulation layer, an electrode formed in the penetrating hole in the first insulation layer and having a protruding portion protruding from the second surface of the first insulation layer, a first conductive pattern formed on the first surface of the first insulation layer and connected to the electrode, a second insulation layer formed on the first surface of the first insulation layer and the first conductive pattern and having a penetrating hole penetrating through the second insulating layer, a second conductive pattern formed on the second insulation layer and for mounting a semiconductor element, and a via conductor formed in the penetrating hole in the second insulation layer and connecting the first and second conductive patterns.
US08785244B2

Wafer level packaging using a lead-frame. When used to package two or more chips, a final product having QFN package-like finish. The final product will also have a performance rivaling or exceeding that of a corresponding monolithic chip because of the very close connection of the two or more chips and the ability to tailor the fabrication processing of each chip to only that required for the devices on that chip. The wafer level packaging can also be used to package monolithic chips, as well as chips having active devices on one chip and passive devices on a second chip. Various exemplary embodiments are disclosed.
US08785230B2

A localized surface plasmon resonance sensor may include a localized surface plasmon excitation layer including a chalcogenide material. The chalcogenide material may include: a first material including at least one of selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te); and a second material including at least one of germanium (Ge) and antimony (Sb). The localized surface plasmon excitation layer may be prepared by forming a thin film including the chalcogenide material and crystallizing the thin film to have a predetermined pattern by irradiating laser on the thin film.
US08785228B2

A method and apparatus for dividing a thin film device having a first layer which is a lower electrode layer, a second layer which is an active layer and a third layer which is an upper electrode layer, the layers each being continuous over the device, into separate cells which are electrically interconnected in series. The dividing of the cells and the electrical connection between adjacent cells are carried out in a single pass of a process head across the device, the process head performing the following steps in me single pass: a) making a first cut through the first, second and third layers; b) making a second cut through the second and third layers, the second cut being adjacent to the first cut; c) making a third cut through the third layer the third cut being adjacent to the second cut and on the opposite side of the second cut to the first cut; d) using a first ink jet print head to deposit a non-conducting material into the first cut; and e) using a second ink jet print head to apply conducting material to bridge the non-conducting material in the first cut and either fury or partially fill the second cut such to form an electrical connection between the first layer and the third layer, wherein step (a) precedes step (d), step (d) precedes step (e) and step (b) precedes step (e), (otherwise the steps may be earned out in any order in the single pass of the process head across the device). The thin film device may be a solar panel, a lighting panel or a battery
US08785227B2

Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting element that is capable of making a light emitting wavelength distribution σ of a semiconductor light emitting layer that is obtained small. The method includes a process of laminating a re-growth layer of a compound semiconductor layer on the compound semiconductor substrate which is obtained by forming at least one compound semiconductor layer on a substrate and in which a warping amount H is within a range of 50 μm≦H≦250 μm. The method adopts a method of manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting element including an n-type semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer that are formed from a compound semiconductor. This method includes: a process of preparing a compound semiconductor substrate which is obtained by forming at least one compound semiconductor layer on a substrate and in which a warping amount H is within a range of 50 μm≦H≦250 μm; and a process of laminating a re-growth layer of the compound semiconductor layer on the compound semiconductor layer of the compound semiconductor substrate in a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition apparatus.
US08785217B2

An energy distribution of soft error-inducing radiation likely to be encountered by an electronic circuit during operation is determined. A tuned radiation source having a source energy distribution similar to the determined energy distribution is prepared. The electronic circuit is tested using the tuned radiation source.
US08785216B2

A substrate processing method which is capable of enhancing productivity in manufacturing product substrates. In process chambers of an etching apparatus, etching is carried out on a substrate as an object to be processed, and dummy processing is carried out on at least one non-product substrate before execution of the etching. A host computer determines whether or not the dummy processing is to be executed. The host computer determines whether or not the interior of each of the process chambers and is in a stable state, and omits the execution of the dummy processing when it is determined that it is in the stable state.
US08785212B2

The present invention generally relates to methods of functionalizing proteins, particularly antibodies, at oligosaccharide linkages, methods of humanizing antibodies by modifying glycosylation, as well as to novel antibodies linked to modified oligosaccharides. The invention further relates to kits that may be used to produce the antibodies of the invention.
US08785208B2

The present invention provides fluorogenic compounds for the detection of target metal ions wherein the compounds exhibit a Stokes shift greater than 50 nm and the detectable signal is modulated by photoinduced electron transfer (PET). The present compounds consist of three functional elements, the ion sensing moiety (chelating moiety), the reporter moiety (fluorophore or fluorescent protein) and spacer or linker between the sensing and reporter moieties of the present compound that allows for PET upon binding of a metal ion and excitation by an appropriate wavelength.
US08785207B2

The present invention relates generally a method and apparatus for measuring multiple parameters in-situ in a sample collected from an environmental system via a single device. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting the sample from said environmental system via the single device, measuring a first parameter of the sample in-situ via the single device, adding a reagent tot the sample within the single device to create a reagent infused sample and measuring a second parameter of the sample in-situ via the single device using the reagent infused sample.
US08785206B2

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems configured to determine an amount of alcohol in an alcohol-containing liquid discharged from a drinking vessel or an amount of the alcohol-containing liquid discharged from the drinking vessel, drinking vessels configured to measure alcohol content or other property of an alcohol-containing liquid held therein, other related components such as mat devices that facilitate determining the amount, and related methods. The systems, drinking vessels, and methods disclosed herein facilitate determination of an amount of alcohol in an alcohol-containing liquid discharged from a drinking vessel or an amount of alcohol-containing liquid discharged from the drinking vessel, which may be indicative of an amount of alcohol consumed by a drinker.
US08785202B2

The present invention comprises compositions and methods for delivery systems of agents, including therapeutic compounds, pharmaceutical agents, drugs, detection agents, nucleic acid sequences and biological factors. In general, these vector compositions comprise a colloidal metal, derivatized PEG (polyethylene glycol) and an agent. The invention also comprises methods and compositions for making such colloidal metal compositions and for treatment of cancer.
US08785198B1

Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.
US08785194B2

The present invention provides a cell culture medium formulation that supports the in vitro cultivation, particularly in suspension, of mammalian cells, particularly epithelial cells and fibroblast cells, and methods for cultivating mammalian cells in suspension in vitro using these media. The media comprise a basal medium and a polyanionic or polyanionic compound, preferably a polysulfonated or polysulfated compound, and more preferably dextran sulfate. The present invention also provides chemically defined, protein-free eukaryotic cell culture media comprising an iron chelate and zinc, which is capable of supporting the growth (and particularly the high-density growth of mammalian cells) in suspension culture, increasing the level of expression of recombinant protein in cultured cells, and/or increasing virus production in cultured cells.
US08785191B2

Methods for isolating and concentrating bone marrow stromal cells drawn from various surgical sites (for example, the proximal humeral head during rotator cuff repair, or the distal femur during ACL surgery) during arthroscopic or open orthopaedic surgery. The pluripotent cells obtained from the bone marrow aspirate can then be reimplanted during the same surgery to improve healing.
US08785187B2

A homogenous, symmetrically dividing population of adherent neural stem cells is obtained from ES cells or foetal or adult brain isolates, using an activator of a signalling pathway downstream of a receptor of the EGF receptor family, optionally in combination with an activator of a signalling pathway downstream of an FGF receptor. The neural stem cell population is highly pure and retains the ability to differentiate into neurons after in excess of 100 passages.
US08785184B2

The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to produce cells capable of producing insulin following transplantation into an animal.
US08785183B2

A method is provided of prolonging the shelf life of probiotic lactic-acid producing bacteria formulated in oil, by using a specific moisture absorbing technology.
US08785178B2

A perifusion device includes at least one sample container for cells, the sample container having an inlet and an outlet. The container receives test liquid through the inlet and discharges the liquid through the outlet. A receptacle housing has a plurality of receptacles for receiving fluid from the outlet of the sample container. A drive is connected to the receptacle housing for moving the receptacle housing such that liquid samples are collected sequentially from the outlet of the sample containers. A computer can be provided to control movement of the receptacle housing at predetermined times, and to record data identifying liquid samples in the receptacles. The test liquid includes at least one stimuli for the cells, which can be the presence, absence, or concentration of a compound in the liquid, or a physical property of the liquid such as temperature. The liquid collected in the receptacles is analyzed to determine the response of the cells to the stimuli.
US08785173B2

The present invention provides methods for the purification of cell-associated viruses from adherent cells (e.g., MDCK or Vero cells). In particular, the present invention provides purification methods for the production of immunogenic compositions comprising a live attenuated cell-associated virus (e.g., an attenuated respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or cold-adapted, and/or temperature sensitive influenza virus) that result in levels of host cell DNA (HCD), host cell protein (HCP) and non-specific endonuclease (e.g., Benzonase), which are below the specifications required by regulatory agencies. The immunogenic compositions can be used to actively immunize subjects or to generate antibodies for a variety of uses, including passive immunization and diagnostic immunoassays.
US08785171B2

This invention relates to fabric and home care products comprising one or more cold water proteases and processes for making and using such products. Such compositions provide improved cleaning and freshness. Such cold water proteases may be derived from parent enzymes, including BPN′ subtilisin and subtilisin derived from Bacillus lentus, by substitution, insertion and/or deletion of one or more of the parent enzymes' amino acids.
US08785152B2

A non-natural protein having at least one ester bond in its polypeptide main chain is synthesized by using an in vivo translation system in a ribosome. The following components (a) to (c) are expressed in a cell or an cell extraction solution in the presence of an α-hydroxy acid: (a) an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase which can activate the α-hydroxy acid; (b) suppressor tRNA which can bind to the α-hydroxy acid in the presence of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase; and (c) a gene encoding a desired protein having a nonsense mutation or a frame-shift mutation at a desired site.
US08785135B2

The present invention relates in some aspects to mutant G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and methods for selecting those with increased stability. In certain aspects, the invention relates to the selection and preparation of mutant GPCRs which have increased stability under a particular condition compared to their respective parent proteins.
US08785098B2

The invention provides a transparent toner for electrostatic latent image development, containing a polyester resin and a release agent, the difference between an endothermic peak Tm of the release agent in a temperature increasing process and an exothermic peak Tc of the release agent in a temperature decreasing process when measured by an ASTM method with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) is from about 40° C. to about 50° C., and the degree of exposure of the release agent at the surface of the toner as determined quantitatively by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is about 10% or less.
US08785087B2

The present invention provides a pigment-dispersed composition including at least a polymer compound (A-1) having at least one selected from the structural units represented by the following formulae (1) to (3), a pigment (B) and a solvent (C), and a pigment-dispersed composition including at least a resin (D) having an acid number of 100 mg KOH/g or more, a dispersion resin (A-2) having an acid number of less than 100 mg KOH/g and an unsaturation equivalent of less than 600, a pigment (B), and a solvent (C) [R1 to R20: a hydrogen atom, a monovalent organic group; A1 to A3: an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, —N(R21)—; G1 to G3: a divalent organic group; X, Z: an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, —N(R22)—; Y: an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a phenylene group, —N(R23)—; and R21 to R23: an alkyl group].
US08785085B2

In a simulation step of simulating a surface configuration of a substrate which is used for a mask blank and which is set to an exposure apparatus, height information from a reference plane is derived from a plurality of measurement points on a main surface of the substrate. From the height information, a curved surface of fourth, fifth, or sixth order is approximated which is represented by a polynomial specified by a plurality of terms and coefficients of the terms. The coefficients are stored as coefficient information in association with the substrate.
US08785084B2

A method for repairing phase defects for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask is disclosed. The method includes receiving a patterned EUV mask with at least one phase-defect region, determining location and size of the phase-defect region, depositing an absorber material to cover the phase-defect region and removing a portion of the patterned absorption layer near the phase-defect region in the patterned EUV mask to form an absorber-absent region.
US08785082B2

An EUV integrated circuit fabrication method and system EUV that includes blank inspection, defect characterization, simulation, pattern compensation, modification of the mask writer database, inspection and simulation of patterned masks, and patterned mask repair. The system performs blank inspection to identify defects at multiple focal planes within the blank. The mask can be relocated on the blank and alterations to the pattern can be developed to compensate for the defects prior to prior to patterning the mask. Once the mask has been patterned, the reticle is inspected to identify any additional or remaining defects that were not picked up during blank inspection or fully mitigated through pattern compensation. The patterned reticle can then be repaired prior to integrated circuit fabrication.
US08785073B2

A fuel cell includes an inlet manifold that communicates with an inlet pipe. The inlet pipe enters the inlet manifold at a port. A baffle is positioned about the port. The baffle captures and directs fuel away from a side of the inlet manifold that will face a cell stack. A fuel cell incorporating such an inlet manifold is also claimed.
US08785071B2

A system and method for controlling hydrogen gas flow to an anode side of a fuel cell stack using a pressure regulator in the event that an injector that normally injects the hydrogen gas into the fuel cell stack has failed in a stuck open position. During normal operation, the control of the injector is determined based on the pressure of an anode sub-system and the position of the pressure regulator is determined based on a supply pressure between the pressure regulator and the injector. If it is determined that the injector is stuck in an open position, then the position of the pressure regulator is controlled to the anode pressure instead of the supply pressure. If the pressure regulator is an electrical pressure regulator, then it is pulsed to mimic normal system operation. Alternately, another valve, such as a shut-off valve, can be employed to provide the flow pulsing.
US08785068B2

A fuel cell includes a cathode side separator. An oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of the cathode side separator. The oxygen-containing gas flow field includes an inlet channel having a plurality of flow grooves connected to the oxygen-containing gas supply passage, an outlet channel having a plurality of flow grooves connected to the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage, and an intermediate channel having flow grooves with both ends connected to the inlet channel and the outlet channel respectively. The flow grooves of the outlet channel are longer than the flow grooves of the inlet channel, and the flow grooves of the outlet channel are narrowed toward the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage.
US08785059B2

A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating electrical power during negative pressure therapy. The apparatus includes a fuel cell, comprising an anode element and a cathode element, arranged to collect biological fluid from a wound site to which a negative pressure is applied and electro-oxidize a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reduce a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element.
US08785058B2

The present disclosure provides for a method of forming, producing or manufacturing functionalized and soluble nanomaterials, most specifically carbon nanotubes on a substrate, which can be used in the production or manufacture of biofuel cells. One embodiment provides for the coupling of biofuel cells with a nanomaterial, wherein the nanomaterial supports catalytic enzymes. Another embodiment provides for a biofuel cell which uses enzymes immobilized on nanomaterials as electrodes. Another embodiment provides for the construction of a biofuel cell, wherein the application of a microwave process, and/or an electrochemical technique, is used to develop a biofuel cell having nanomaterial/enzyme-based electrodes on a substrate. Another embodiment provides for a composite of nanomaterial grown on a substrate, coupled to tethered or bonded enzymes, which makes it possible to fabricate direct electron transfer electrodes. A method for producing a nanomaterial-substrate system is also disclosed.
US08785051B2

Provided are a nonaqueous-electrolyte battery in which short circuits between the positive- and negative-electrode layers can be suppressed with certainty and a method for producing the battery. A nonaqueous-electrolyte battery 100 includes a positive-electrode active-material layer 12 containing a Li-containing oxide; a negative-electrode active-material layer 22 on which deposition of Li metal can occur; and a sulfide-solid-electrolyte layer (SE layer) 3 disposed between these active-material layers 12 and 22. The SE layer 3 of the nonaqueous-electrolyte battery 100 includes a powder-formed layer 31 and a dense-film layer 32 formed on a surface of the powder-formed layer 31 by a vapor-phase process. In the nonaqueous-electrolyte battery 100, the powder-formed layer 31 is formed by a compression-molding process on a positive-electrode body including the positive-electrode active-material layer 12 and the dense-film layer 32 is then formed by a vapor-phase process on the positive-electrode body that is provided with the powder-formed layer 31 and serves as a substrate.
US08785046B2

A lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode having a first active material and a second active material and a negative electrode including a third active material. The second active material includes a lithiated form of a material that does not include electrochemically cyclable lithium in the as-provided state.
US08785043B2

The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3− as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
US08785038B2

A negative electrode active material and a secondary battery are provided. The negative electrode active material can be useful in maintaining excellent cell efficiency and lifespan while showing high-capacity properties, and the secondary battery may be manufactured using the negative electrode active material.
US08785033B2

In an assembled battery including at least two unit cells provided within a supporter, each unit cell is a thin laminate cell packaged with a laminate, and each unit cell is covered by at least one resin. Thus, the assembled battery has a stable performance without structure breakdown or a fracture of the connection tab even when vibration is applied.
US08785032B2

The present invention is capable of providing a multilayer porous film used as a separator for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. A multilayer porous film which is obtained by laminating a coating layer that contains a filler and a resin binder on at least one surface of a polyolefin resin porous film that serves as a base layer. The ratio of the average particle diameter (Du) of the filler within 25% of the thickness of the coating layer from the surface of the multilayer porous film to the average particle diameter (Db) of the filler within 25% of the thickness of the coating layer from the interface with the base layer, namely, Du/Db is 1.2 to 10; and the average particle diameter (Du) is 0.5 μm or less.
US08785029B2

A connection plate for battery terminals capable of inhibiting a base and a battery terminal connection portion from being detached from each other is provided. This connection plate for battery terminals (2) includes a battery terminal connection portion (4) fitted into a second hole (31) of a base (3) made of first metal, including a hole for connection (42) into which a second battery terminal (1b) is inserted and a flange portion (4b), while the battery terminal connection portion is constituted by at least a first layer (40) made of second metal, arranged on a side opposite to the base and a second layer (41) made of third metal, arranged between the base and the first layer.
US08785027B2

A battery pack having a cooling system is disclosed. The battery pack includes battery units linked in series or in parallel and arranged in a plane; thermal conducting bars each has a number of side walls and two ends, averagely located among the battery units and substantially contacted to the battery units by the side walls, for conducting heat out of the battery units to the two ends; and a housing for containing the battery units and thermal conducting bars and conducting heat from the ends of the thermal conducting bars to outside of the housing. At least one end of the thermal conducting bar is connected to the housing and becomes an internal supporting structure of the housing.
US08785026B2

A protection structure for preventing thermal dissipation and thermal runaway diffusion in battery system is provided. The protection structure includes a battery module casing and at least one composite heat conduction plate. There is a plurality of unit cells disposed in the battery module casing. The composite heat conduction plate is located within the battery module casing, contacted with the battery module casing, and sandwiched between at least two of the unit cells as a heat transmission medium between the cells and the casing to control heat transmission among the cells. The composite heat conduction plate is a multilayer anisotropic heat conduction structure constituted by at least one heat conduction layer and at least one heat insulation layer.
US08785011B2

According to one aspect of the present invention, provided is glass for use in substrate for information recording medium, which comprises, denoted as molar percentages, a total of 70 to 85 percent of SiO2 and Al2O3, where SiO2 content is equal to or greater than 50 percent and Al2O3 content is equal to or greater than 3 percent; a total of equal to or greater than 10 percent of Li2O, Na2O and K2O; a total of 1 to 6 percent of CaO and MgO, where CaO content is greater than MgO content; a total of greater than 0 percent but equal to or lower than 4 percent of ZrO2, HfO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, La2O3 Y2O3 and TiO2; with the molar ratio of the total content of Li2O, Na2O and K2O to the total content of SiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, HfO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, La2O3, Y2O3 and TiO2 ((Li2O+Na2O+K2O)/(SiO2+Al2O3+ZrO2+HfO2+Nb2O5+Ta2O5+La2O3+Y2O3+TiO2)) being equal to or less than 0.28. Further provided are the substrate for information recording medium, information recording medium and their manufacturing methods according to the present invention.
US08785010B2

Provided are a magnetic disk substrate and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein the magnetic disk substrate has very few defects present on its surface with an arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) at a level in the vicinity of 0.1 nm and thus is suitable as a substrate for a magnetic disk with high recording density. The magnetic disk glass substrate is such that the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the main surface of the glass substrate measured using an atomic force microscope with a resolution of 256×256 pixels in a 2 μm×2 μm square is 0.12 nm or less and the number of defects detected to have a size of 0.1 μm to 0.6 μm in plan view and a depth of 0.5 nm to 2 nm is less than 10 per 24 cm2, wherein the defects are each detected using a shift in wavelength between incident light and reflected light upon irradiating and scanning helium neon laser light with a wavelength of 632 nm on the main surface of the glass substrate.
US08785009B2

A magnetic recording medium includes a plurality of recording tracks magnetically continuous with respect to a recording direction and arranged intermittently in a track width direction, a plurality of recording dots intermittently formed in the recording tracks in the recording direction and a plurality of space dots alternately formed in the recording track with the recording dots in the recording direction and having a magnetic moment per unit area smaller than a magnetic moment per unit area of the recording dots.
US08785008B2

The invention relates to the use of a sintered body obtained by subjecting a primary sintered body having a relative density of 95% or higher produced from a fine yttria-containing zirconia powder to HIP sintering at a temperature of 1,200-1,600° C. and a pressure of 50 MPa or higher. This sintered body is either a sintered body which has a total light transmittance, as measured at a thickness of 0.5 mm, of 43% or higher and a three-point bending strength of 1,700 MPa or higher or a zirconia sintered body which has a total light transmittance, as measured at a thickness of 1 mm, of 40% or higher and a three-point bending strength of 500 MPa or higher and which combines high strength and total light transmission.
US08785007B2

The present invention provides green and red conversion films capable of keeping a sufficient intensity of converted light over a long period, and a multicolor emission organic EL device which exhibits light-emitting properties stably over a long period. The present invention includes a pendant-type polymeric compound characterized in that the pendant-type polymeric compound contains at least one repeating unit represented by a general formula (1) and at least one repeating unit represented by a general formula (2), (6) or (7), wherein n/(m+n)=1/100 to 100/100 provided that the molar ratio of (1):(2), (6) or (7) is m:n.
US08785002B1

The present invention includes high triplet energy compositions of matter, methods of their manufacture, devices incorporating the compositions of matter, and methods of using those compositions of matter and devices. The devices incorporating the high triplet energy compositions of matter include electroluminescence devices including organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The present invention also includes methods of using the compositions of matter, such as by operating the devices of the present invention incorporating them, to provide light through electroluminescence, as well as obtaining and/or operating devices of the present invention through the application of electrical energy or potential, as well as methods of providing light through electroluminescence through their operation.
US08785001B2

The present invention relates to mixtures of organic materials, to the use of these mixtures in organic electroluminescent devices, and to organic electroluminescent devices comprising these mixtures.
US08784995B2

A grain oriented electrical steel sheet has linear grooves for magnetic domain refinement formed on a surface thereof and may reduce iron loss by using these linear grooves, where the proportion of those linear grooves having crystal grains directly beneath themselves, each crystal grain having an orientation deviating from the Goss orientation by 10° or more and a grain size of 5 μm or more, is controlled to 20% or less, and secondary recrystallized grains are controlled to have an average β angle of 2.0° or less, and each secondary recrystallized grain having a grain size of 10 mm or more is controlled to have an average β-angle variation of 1° to 4°.
US08784992B2

An interlayer film for a laminated glass and a laminated glass, which do not cause an increase in a haze value due to moisture absorption and have excellent moisture resistance are provided. An interlayer film for a laminated glass which contains a polyvinyl acetal resin and a moisture resistance improver is provided.
US08784991B2

A composition and a method for coating metallic surfaces with a silane/silanol/siloxane/polysiloxane-containing composition, whereby the composition contains a) at least one compound selected from the silanes, silanols, siloxanes and polysiloxanes, b) at least two compounds selected from titanium-, hafnium-, zirconium-, aluminum- or boron-containing compounds, optionally c) at least one type of cation selected from cations of metals of the 1st to 3rd and 5th to 8th sub-groups including the lanthanides and the 2nd main group of the periodic table of the elements or at least one corresponding compound, d) at least one organic compound selected from monomers, oligomers, polymers, copolymers and block copolymers or e) at least one substance affecting the pH value, water and optionally at least one organic solvent.
US08784986B2

A coated article includes a substrate and a Si—B—C—N ceramic coating deposited on the substrate by magnetron sputtering process. The Si—B—C—N ceramic coating is an amorphous coating, the weight of elemental Si in the coating is between about 30 wt % and about 60 wt % of the total weight of Si, B, C and N, the weight of elemental B in the coating is between about 10 wt % and about 20 wt % of the total weight of Si, B, C and N, the weight of elemental C in the coating is between about 10 wt % and about 20 wt % of the total weight of Si, B, C and N, the weight of elemental N in the coating is between about 20 wt % and about 30 wt % of the total weight of Si, B, C and N.
US08784982B2

Cushioning elements include a porous foam comprising a series of interconnected cell walls and an elastomeric material formed over at least a portion of the interconnected cell walls. The porous foam is configured to allow gases to pass through at least a portion thereof. Methods of forming cushioning elements may include coating interconnected cell walls of a breathable porous foam with a liquid comprising an elastomeric material, solidifying at least a portion of the elastomeric material, and providing a gas path through the elastomeric material. Other methods include pressing sheets of foam together at a pinch point, disposing a liquid between the foam over the pinch point, coating the foam with the liquid, and separating the sheets beyond the pinch point. Some methods include consolidating a plurality of portions of porous foam into a continuous cushioning material.
US08784974B2

Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microchannels utilizing an aqueous emulsion of an amphiphilic agent and a water-soluble, hydrogel-forming polymer, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
US08784965B2

The embodiments disclose a method of creating two-sided template from a single recorded master, including fabricating a first template using a single recorded master, wherein the first template has a changed duty cycle and an unchanged servo arc orientation, creating a replicate of the first template, wherein the replicate has a mirrored servo arc orientation and a changed duty cycle and fabricating a second template using the replicate to produce a predetermined mirrored servo arc orientation and a predetermined duty cycle for imprinting on a second side of a patterned stack.
US08784962B2

The present invention relates to a multilayer insulation based on expandable and crosslinkable elastomeric material with improved low temperature resistance and flexibility, the process for manufacturing of such material and system, and the use of such material and system.
US08784961B2

Perfluoropolymer composites are provided which are obtained by dispersing layered-silicates having properties of swelling or cleaving in dispersion media in perfluoropolymers and having the ratio of the viscosity, V0.1, at 0.1 rad/sec by a parallel plate mode of a dynamic rheometer to the viscosity, V1, measured at 1 rad/sec is 1.5 or greater, viscosity being measured at 340° C. A method for making the perfluoropolymer composites is provided, and molded articles therefrom. And additionally, perfluoropolymer composites, where layered-silicates having properties of swelling or cleaving in dispersion media are dispersed in perfluoropolymers, with the storage elasticity of 2 times or higher than that of fluoropolymers, at temperatures greater than the glass transition temperature of perfluoropolymers.
US08784954B2

A recording medium includes, in sequence, a support; a first ink-receiving layer including an inorganic particle, a water-soluble polymer having a hydroxyl group, a water-soluble polymer not having a hydroxyl group, and a boric acid compound; and a second ink-receiving layer including an inorganic particle, a water-soluble polymer having a hydroxyl group, and a boric acid compound. The second ink-receiving layer does not include the water-soluble polymer not having the hydroxyl group, or the second ink-receiving layer includes the water-soluble polymer not having the hydroxyl group but the content of the water-soluble polymer not having the hydroxyl group relative to that of the inorganic particle in the second ink-receiving layer is smaller than the content of the water-soluble polymer not having the hydroxyl group relative to that of the inorganic particle in the first ink-receiving layer.
US08784947B2

To provide a composition comprising a silsesquioxane compound that is capable of producing a coating film with excellent heat resistance and scratch resistance, and that has excellent compatibility with general polymerizable unsaturated compounds as well as polymerizable unsaturated compounds with high polarity.A silsesquioxane compound comprising organic groups each directly attached to a silicon atom of the compound, at least one of the organic groups being an organic group having one or more urethane bonds and one (meth)acryloyloxy group.
US08784941B2

A process for the production of a dark-color multi-layer coating, comprising the successive steps: (1) applying an NIR-opaque coating layer A′ from a waterborne pigmented coating composition A to a substrate, (2) applying a coating layer B′ from a waterborne pigmented coating composition B onto the substrate provided with coating layer A′, (3) subjecting the coated substrate obtained in step (2) to a drying step, (4) applying a clear coat layer, and (5) curing the coating layers simultaneously; wherein both coating compositions A and B comprise aqueous microgel and sheet silicate, wherein the pigment content of coating composition A comprises <90 wt. % of aluminum flake pigments and has such a composition that coating layer A′ exhibits low NIR absorption, wherein the pigment content of coating composition B consists 50 to 100 wt. % of black pigment with low NIR absorption and 0 to 50 wt. % of further pigment.
US08784938B2

A functional-film fabricating method includes applying a coating by ejecting droplets of functional liquid from plural nozzles to ejection areas for forming a functional film which are surrounded by bounded areas having a liquid repellent property, during a single scanning. In applying the coating, when there is a non-ejectable nozzle out of plural nozzles to be used for applying a coating to a single ejection area, the amount of droplets of the functional liquid ejected from another ejectable nozzle to be used for applying a coating to this ejection area is larger than that of cases where there is no non-ejectable nozzle.
US08784935B2

A hot melt adhesive system includes a melting unit configured to liquefy a bulk form of hot melt adhesive and deliver the liquefied hot melt adhesive to an application location. The melting unit includes a controller for establishing and/or verifying at least one system condition, such as temperatures associated with system operation. A machine reading unit is coupled with the controller and is capable of receiving information from a machine readable element and communicating the information to the controller for use in establishing and/or verifying the system condition. A method of operating the system includes scanning information on at least one system condition into the controller from a machine readable element, and using the scanned information during operation of the melting unit.
US08784927B2

Dry milling methods for preparing oat products enriched in the content of β-glucan and methods for preparing foodstuffs incorporating such an enriched oat product especially ready-to-eat cereals are provided. Heat conditioned dehulled oats are dry milled to form a coarse whole non defatted oat flour and then, without a preceding removal of fat, dry fractionated into coarser bran and finer oat flour fractions at multiple stages. The coarse oat flour is first dry classified to separate or form a coarser fraction oat bran containing more concentrated β-glucan and a finer oat flour or starch containing or endosperm containing fraction. The oat bran is subjected to second and third rounds of milling and classification to form a high β-glucan content (>7-9%) oat bran and a low β-glucan content (3%) oat flour. The oat bran and oat flours can be used to prepare foodstuffs such as ready-to-eat cereals.
US08784926B2

The present invention relates to methods for the separation of various components from eggs. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for the separation of proteins and lipids from eggs, including technical eggs (inedible) or edible eggs, yolks or whites, which comprises cross-linking the lipids of eggs with a cross-linking reagent. In an embodiment, the method includes separating the proteins from the cross-linked lipids. In an embodiment, the method includes the separation of various components associated with the cross-linked lipids. The methods disclosed herein allow for the isolation of multiple different components from the egg in an efficient, cost-effective manner without compromising the recovery process of the components or their subsequent utility in various applications or compositions. The compositions and isolated components obtained by the methods of the invention can be used in pharmaceutical, medical, nutritional, cosmetic or health applications.
US08784923B2

The present invention provides a sugar content-improving material that can prevent oxidative damage of fruits and vegetables after harvesting as well as can improve the sugar content, a method for improving the sugar content of fruits or vegetables, fruits or vegetables having an improved sugar content, a sugar component-adjusting material, a method for adjusting a sugar component of fruits and vegetables, fruits or vegetables having an adjusted sugar component, a taste-adjusting material, a method for adjusting the taste of fruits or vegetables, and fruits or vegetables having adjusted taste. The sugar content-improving material includes a breathable, permeable and flexible sheet containing proanthocyanidin and trehalose. The proanthocyanidin is contained in the sheet in a proportion of 250 to 300 mg/m2. The trehalose is contained in the sheet in a proportion of 5 g/m2.
US08784920B2

In one embodiment of an apparatus and process for packaging foodstuffs or other materials in a rigid container sealed by a flexible cover, a desired quantity of material to be packaged containing or together with some water or other liquid is placed in the container, the flexible cover is secured on the container so as to leave at least one unsealed opening, the container is heated and/or placed in a partial vacuum to bring the liquid above its boiling point to cause or permit vapor generated by the boiling liquid to expel other gases from the container through the unsealed opening, and the container is sealed while gas or vapor is still flowing out of the container through the unsealed opening.
US08784910B2

The present invention provides an antimicrobial composition comprising an antimicrobial effective amount (such as a preservative, bactericidal, and/or fungicidal effective amount) of a mixture comprising at least two of: (a) lemon grass oil; (b) cinnamaldehyde, cinnamon oil, Cinnamomum cassia, cinnamon extract, cassia leaf oil, 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid or salt thereof, or a mixture thereof; (c) sorbic acid, or a salt thereof; (d) erythorbic acid, or a salt thereof; (e) benzoic acid, or a salt thereof; (f) arabinogalactan, galactoarabinan, or a mixture thereof; (g) a hexahydro-iso-alpha-acid, tetrahydro-iso-alpha-acid, or a mixture thereof; (h) Achillea fragrantissima (Santolina fragrantissima Forssk., lavender cotton) oil; and (i) δ-gluconolactone. The present invention also provides a product (preferably a product other than a foodstuff, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic) comprising a preservative effective amount of cinnamaldehyde or a mixture of cinnamaldehyde and one or more alkanol-dialkyl hydantoins.
US08784904B2

A composition of matter comprises a shelf stable, super critical, CO2 fluid extracted seed oil derived from a cracked biomass of perilla frutescens, the seed oil comprising from about 60 to about 95 percent w/w of PUFAs in a ratio of from about 4:1 to about 6:1 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) to linoleic acid (LA) and a mixture of selected antioxidants.
US08784899B2

The present invention relates to compositions comprising a vitamin E analog and an arsenic compound for treating hyperproliferative cells disorders such as cancer. The composition of the invention potentiates arsenic toxicity towards cancer cells and can also prevent arsenic-mediated toxicity of non-cancerous cells.
US08784897B2

Provided are electrokinetically-altered aqueous fluids (e.g., gas-enriched electrokinetic fluids) comprising an ionic aqueous solution of charge-stabilized oxygen-containing nanostructures in an amount sufficient to provide modulation of at least one of cellular membrane potential and cellular membrane conductivity, and therapeutic compositions and methods for use in treating an irritation, infection or inflammatory eye condition, comprising administering to, by contacting the eye of a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an electrokinetically-altered aqueous fluid. The electrokinetically-altered fluids or therapeutic compositions and methods include electrokinetically-altered ionic aqueous fluids optionally in combination with other therapeutic agents. Other embodiments include particular routes of administration or formulations for the electrokinetically-altered fluids (e.g., electrokinetically-altered gas-enriched fluids) and therapeutic compositions for use in treating eye conditions. Certain embodiments relate to cosmetic and/or therapeutic fluids and/or methods of treatment utilizing the fluids to treat a cosmetic and/or therapeutic symptom related to eye conditions and/or diseases.
US08784892B2

The present invention is directed to the use of an agent selected from ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol or a mixture thereof and a topically acceptable polymeric carrier in the preparation of a composition for the treatment of burns.
US08784891B2

Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.
US08784889B2

Described are devices, methods, and systems for grafting tissues or organs that are exposed to bacterial or mammalian enzymes that degrade collagenous materials. Illustrative medical grafts are processed by contacting a collagenous extracellular matrix (ECM) material with a mono-carboxylic acid having from four to about twelve carbon atoms, or mixtures of two or more such acids.
US08784888B2

Controlled release and taste masking compositions containing one or more active principles inglobated in a three-component matrix structure, i.e. a structure formed by successive amphiphilic, lipophilic or inert matrices and finally inglobated or dispersed in hydrophilic matrices. The use of a plurality of systems for the control of the dissolution of the active ingredient modulates the dissolution rate of the active ingredient in aqueous and/or biological fluids, thereby controlling the release kinetics in the gastrointestinal tract.
US08784887B2

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical preparation for oral administration comprising N-[5-(aminosulfonyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-N-methyl-2-[4-(2-pyridinyl)phenyl]acetamide or its hydrates and/or solvates, as well as an acid, a method for its production as well as the use of this preparation for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which are caused by herpes viruses, in particular diseases which are caused by herpes simplex viruses.
US08784880B2

The present invention relates to a titratable dosage transdermal delivery system for systemic delivery of a therapeutic agent or drug. The system comprises a plurality of patch units that are connected along one or more borders. The plurality of patch units are divisible into units along the one or more borders having one or more lines of separation. Each patch unit is surrounded by a border. The therapeutic patch has at least a backing layer and a therapeutic agent comprising layer. The dosage of therapeutic agent delivered to a patient is proportional to the number of patch unit applied per treatment. The system enables systemic administration of a titratable dosage of therapeutic agent, adjustable by the patient under the direction of a physician, through the skin or mucosa. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of making the titratable dosage transdermal delivery system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of providing a titratable amount of therapeutic agent to a patient using the transdermal delivery system of the invention.
US08784870B2

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of otic diseases or conditions with free-radical modulating agent compositions and formulations administered locally to an individual afflicted with an otic disease or condition, through direct application of these compositions and formulations onto or via perfusion into the targeted auris structure(s).
US08784865B2

This invention is related to the use of polyurethane-based polymer as a drug delivery device to deliver biologically active compounds at a constant rate for an extended period of time and methods of manufactures thereof. The device is very biocompatible and biostable, and is useful as an implant in patients (humans and animals) for the delivery of appropriate bioactive substances to tissues or organs.
US08784863B2

The present invention is directed to compositions having at least one neocartilage particle, juvenile cartilage particle or a combination thereof and a matrix, and methods and devices that include the compositions.
US08784862B2

The invention concerns oligosaccharides and polysaccharides as well as the use of these oligosaccharides and/or polysaccharides, which contain the sugar unit N-acylglucosamine or N-acylgalactosamine for the production of hemocompatible surfaces as well as methods for the hemocompatible coating of surfaces with said oligosaccharides and/or polysaccharides, which imitate the common biosynthetic precursor substance of heparin, heparan sulphates and chitosan. The invention further describes methods for producing said oligosaccharides and/or polysaccharides and discloses various possibilities of using hemocompatibly coated surfaces. The invention relates particularly to the use of said oligosaccharides and/or polysaccharides on stents with at least one according to invention deposited hemocompatible coating, which contains an antiproliferative, antiinflammatory and/or antithrombotic active agent, methods for the preparation of said stents as well as the use of said stents for the prevention of restenosis.
US08784861B2

Biomedical and tissue engineering devices, such as surgical sutures and microporous scaffolds, respectively, which undergo swelling and increase in dimensions when placed in aqueous environments such as living tissues, are produced by the melt-spinning or electrostatic spinning into strong monofilament and multifilament yarns or microfibrous fabrics, respectively. Such devices are formed from especially high molecular weight crystalline polyether-esters having a minimum inherent viscosity of 0.8 dL/g and heat of fusion of at least 5 J/g, wherein the polyether-esters are made by grafting to a polyester component a polyether glycol component having a minimum molecular weight of about 1 kDa with at least one cyclic monomer.
US08784859B2

A biobeneficial coating composition for coating an implantable device, such as a drug eluting stent, a method of coating the device with the composition, an implantable device coated with the composition, and a method of treating a disorder are provided.
US08784858B2

A degradable, removable, pharmaceutical implant for the sustained release of one or more drugs in a subject, wherein the pharmaceutical implant is composed of a tube comprising an outer wall made of a degradable polymer completely surrounding a cavity, wherein the outer wall has a plurality of openings and wherein the cavity contains one or more sets of micro-particles, which micro-particles contain an active agent or a combination of two or more active agents, and wherein the size of the microparticles is selected such that the majority of the microparticles cannot pass through the openings.
US08784853B2

Disclosed is the use of benzotropolone derivatives of formula (1), wherein R1, R2 and R7 independently from each other are hydrogen; C1-C3alkyl; or COR8; R3 is hydrogen; or COOR9 R4 is hydrogen; or C1-C3alkyl; R5 is hydrogen; hydroxy; C1-C3-alkoxy; or -0-(CO)—R10; R6 is hydrogen; C1-C3alkyl; or COR8; or R5 and R6 together may form a five or six membered ring; or R6 and R7 together form a five or six membered ring; and R8, R9, R10 independently of each other are C1-C30alkyl; for protecting body-care and household products from photolytic and oxidative degradation.
US08784851B2

Topical formulation containing an active substance which is chemically or physically bound to, or encapsulated within, an exine shell of a naturally occurring spore. The active substance can be released from the exine shell on application to a living or non-living surface. The invention may be used to provide gradual release of an active substance over a period of time subsequent to application of the formulation to the surface.
US08784848B2

The invention relates to a method for preparing a stable oil-in-water emulsion without adding an emulsifier. According to the method, a mixture of a lipid phase and an aqueous phase is subjected to vibrating energy, in a sealed container, by applying a transducer operating at a frequency of more than 900 kHz.
US08784845B2

The present invention teaches the use of a metal or an oxide of a metal having a capability of reducing the amount of the chemokine IP-IO in a sample and/or reducing the production of IP-IO in cells. The metal is a metal of group 4 or 5 in the periodic table of the elements and preferably titanium. These metals and metal oxides can selectively bind IP-IO to its surface to thereby scavenge IP-IO from the surrounding medium. In addition, a metal-cell contact induces a reduction in the production of IP-IO from IP-IO producing cells. The metals and metal oxides of the present invention can therefore be used for treating and/or preventing medical conditions characterized by adverse IP-IO expression, such as inflammatory reactions.
US08784844B2

The present invention discloses a composition containing Arabinogalactan for enhancing the adaptive immune response in subjects to foreign antigen(s) by administering said composition prior, during and after the phase of exposure to said foreign antigen(s). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vaccination kit comprising a composition comprising Arabinogalactan and a vaccine.
US08784843B2

The present invention relates generally to the fields of immunology and vaccine technology. More specifically, the present invention relates to stabilizers for freeze-dried live attenuated immunogenic and/or vaccine compositions, which may comprise, inter alia, canine paramyxovirus. The invention further relates to stabilized, freeze-dried live attenuated immunogenic and/or vaccine compositions of, for example, canine paramyxovirus, which may contain these stabilizers. Other aspects of the invention are described in or are obvious from the following disclosure, and are within the ambit of the invention.
US08784832B2

The disclosure provides compositions that are useful for eliciting a strain-transcending immune response in an animal or human directed against the blood-stage of the malarial parasite Plasmodium vivax. The compositions are based on the ligand domain of Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBPII). Polar charged polymorphic residues within the dominant strain-specific B-cell epitope were mutated to uncharged residues (e.g. serine, alanine and threonine). This DEKnull variant of PvDBPII produced in bacteria can be purified and refolded in vitro to mimic conformation and erythrocyte binding function of native DBPII. Immunogenicity of DEKnull was confirmed by administration to mice. Compared to the naturally-occurring, strain variant DBPII, DEKnull elicits antibodies that are more broadly reactive with different strain variants of DBPII and enhances production of functional inhibitory antibodies to the shared protective epitopes of native DBPII.
US08784825B2

Disclosed herein are methods of modulation of the viability of a cell. Further disclosed herein are methods of modulating an immune response. Further disclosed herein are methods of identifying agents capable of modulation of the viability of a cell or an immune response. Further disclosed herein are agents and compositions capable of modulation of the viability of a cell or an immune response.
US08784822B2

A method for treating renal failure associated with advanced stage renal disease includes administering a soluble cytokine receptor to one or more of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma or interleukin 6; or antibodies to one or more of interleukin 6 or interleukin 1 beta. The method can be used as a supplement to or as partial or complete replacement for dialysis. A pharmaceutical composition includes antibody or functional equivalent thereof to urea, creatinine, or both; antibody, functional equivalent or soluble cytokine receptor to tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, interleukin 6, interleukin 1 beta or any combination thereof. The composition can be included in a kit.
US08784821B1

The present invention provides a method for the preparation of a human binding molecule, fragment or derivative thereof which specifically binds to the human CD3 complex. Furthermore, the invention provides a human binding molecules specifically binding to the human CD3 complex and means comprising said human binding molecules.
US08784815B2

The present invention provides novel human sequence antibodies against human CTLA-4 and methods of treating human diseases, infections and other conditions using these antibodies.
US08784812B2

In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for treatment of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, for example comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a TACI-Ig fusion molecule. In one embodiment, the TACI-Ig fusion molecule is administered in amount sufficient to slow, suppress or inhibit proliferation-inducing functions of BlyS and APRIL.
US08784811B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human NOTCH receptor and inhibits growth of tumor cells. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human NOTCH receptor protein and inhibits growth of tumor cells.
US08784805B2

The present invention relates to methods for increasing the activity of the immune system and, especially, to methods for increasing the activity of the immune system by modulation of endogenous ectophosphatase levels. According to a particularly preferred embodiment the present invention relates to methods for the prophylaxis of mammals, and especially human mammals, at risk of inflammatory diseases such as mammals suffering from conditions such as surgery, digestive tract diseases, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, burn wounds, smoke inhalation, intoxication, severe blood loss, food poisoning, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, severe trauma or liver diseases, immunocompromised conditions. For this, the present invention provides use of an ectophosphatase for the preparation of a medicament for the prophylaxis of a mammal at risk of inflammatory diseases.
US08784803B2

The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent for liver-related diseases, comprising adipose tissue-derived multilineage progenitor cells; and others.
US08784801B2

Aspects of the invention provides methods for preparing and using adipose-tissue-derived stem and progenitor cells, adipose-tissue-derived lymphatic endothelial cells, and cells capable of differentiating into lymphatic endothelial cells to treat disorders of the lymphatic system and to modulate expansion, repair, and/or regeneration of the lymphatic system. The invention further provides using adipose-tissue-derived lymphatic endothelial cells and cells capable of differentiating into lymphatic endothelial cells for delivery of therapeutic agents to tumor cells as a means for treating malignant disease, and assays to screen for drugs that modulate lymphatic system expansion, repair or regeneration.
US08784799B2

The present invention provides duplexed parvovirus vector genomes that are capable under appropriate conditions of forming a double-stranded molecule by intrastrand base-pairing. Also provided are duplexed parvovirus particles comprising the vector genome. Further disclosed are templates and methods for producing the duplexed vector genomes and duplexed parvovirus particles of the invention. Methods of administering these reagents to a cell or subject are also described. Preferably, the parvovirus capsid is an AAV capsid. It is further preferred that the vector genome comprises AAV terminal repeat sequences.
US08784792B2

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a polymeric binder including a high molecular weight synthetic polymer having a backbone constituted of non hydrolysable covalent bonds, said polymer being able to form electrostatic bonds at a pH lower than the isoelectric point of gluten and peptides derived from the degradation of gluten, and being able to bind to gluten or peptides derived from the degradation of gluten in the gastrointestinal tract, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Methods of using the polymeric binder for binding gluten or a peptide derived from the degradation of gluten, for decreasing the degradation of gluten into toxic peptides or for decreasing interaction of gluten or peptides derived from the degradation of gluten with the gastrointestinal mucosa.
US08784787B2

A novel organopolysiloxane having a hydrophilic group, which can be produced easily and is not susceptible to two-phase separation, sedimentation of unreacted materials or the like after production, while being chemically stable and excellently practical, is disclosed. A method for producing the organopolysiloxane; and uses of the organopolysiloxane are also disclosed. The organopolysiloxane is a co-modified organopolysiloxane which has a group having a siloxane dendron structure and a hydrophilic group.
US08784771B2

The present invention provides a process for the preparation of Ti-doped alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal aluminum hydride, comprising intimately mixing: an alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal aluminum hydride, or at least one alkali metal hydride and/or alkaline-earth metal hydride, metallic aluminum and H2, with in the range of from 0.5 to 20 mol % of Ti(OCH3)4, based on the moles of Al in the prepared Ti-doped alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal aluminum hydride. The invention further relates to a Ti-doped alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal aluminum hydride, obtainable by a process according to the invention, a hydrogen storage material comprising a Ti-doped alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal aluminum hydride according the invention, a process for reversibly desorbing and/or absorbing hydrogen, the use of a Ti-doped alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal aluminum hydride according to invention to store hydrogen and the use of Ti(OCH3)4 as Ti-dopant for an alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal aluminum hydride.
US08784758B2

An LNT (Lean NOx Trap) control method for vehicles increases a purification rate of NOx while preventing an increase in the amount of slip of separated NOx at a relatively low LNT temperature. The method includes a recycle necessity determining step that determines whether to recycle NOx of a LNT in accordance with an amount of adsorbed NOx, a LNT temperature determining step that determines whether a temperature of the LNT is below a predetermined reference temperature, a rich performing step that performs a rich mode when the temperature of the LNT is equal to the reference temperature or above and a pre-rich step that ejects fuel in a rich state when the temperature of the LNT is below the reference temperature.
US08784755B2

Aspects of the present invention relate to a process to obtain potassium chloride that includes submitting brine to concentration, separating brine after concentration, resulting in a first solid content and a first liquid content, cooling the first liquid content, separating the first liquid content after cooling, thus resulting in a second solid content and a second liquid content, enriching the second solid content, and separating the second solid content after enrichment, thus resulting in a third solid content and a third liquid content. Aspects of this process are environmentally safe, as the process includes stages using solvents and equipment which does not harm the environment. Moreover, aspects of this process present a significant energy consumption reduction.
US08784753B2

A thermal cycling instrument for PCR and other reactions performed on multiple samples with temperature changes between sequential stages in the reaction procedure is supplied with a thermal block to provide rapid changes and close control over the temperature in each sample vessel and a pressure plate incorporated into a motorized lid that detects anomalies in the reaction vessels or in their positioning over the thermal block, and automatically adjusts the plate position to achieve an even force distribution over the sample vessels.
US08784742B2

An exhaust treatment device includes an inner shell, an outer shell and insulation material positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell. An inlet tube has an end in communication with a cavity defined by the inner shell. A substrate for treating engine exhaust is positioned within the inner shell. A baffle plate includes a plurality of apertures positioned such that the exhaust passes through the apertures prior to entering the substrate. The baffle plate supports an end of the inner shell and the inlet tube.
US08784741B2

An electrically-heated catalytic converter comprises a catalyst support which produces heat when electric current is applied, a holding mat made of an electrical insulating material, the holding mat being provided so as to cover an outer circumference of the catalyst support, and a case which houses the catalyst support and holds the catalyst support via the holding mat. The catalytic converter treats gas flowing in the case by a catalyst supported on the catalyst support. The holding mat has a water-absorbing property. An insulation layer made of an electrical insulating material is provided between the case and the holding mat.
US08784731B2

A foot/shoe sanitizing system includes a housing having at least one opening and at least one ultraviolet emitting device supported within the housing. The ultraviolet emitting devices direct ultraviolet light around and/or through the set of foot/shoe support bars towards the foot or shoe placed on the foot/shoe support bars. The ultraviolet emitting devices are controllably powered to emit ultraviolet light and/or ozone onto the foot/shoe. In a preferred embodiment, the ultraviolet emitting device emits light that includes short wavelength ultraviolet light, causing the formation of ozone in the area of the shoe, thereby killing pathogens that are not easily killed with ultraviolet light alone. The system includes a sheet of activated carbon for catalyzing the ozone into harmless concentrations of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
US08784728B2

There is provided cryogenic milled copper alloys and methods of making the alloys. The alloys are fine grained and possess desirable physical properties stemming from the fine grain size. Embodiments include desirable physical properties, such as potentially high strength. Some embodiments of the cryogenic milled copper alloys may also be tailored for ductility, toughness, fracture resistance, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance and other physical properties by balancing the alloy composition. In addition, embodiments of the alloys generally do not require extensive or expensive post-cryogenic milling processing.
US08784720B2

The present invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, wherein the object is generated by successively solidifying single layers of fluid or powdery solidifiable building material by the action of electromagnetic radiation. The method comprises steps for emitting a first pulsed electromagnetic radiation onto a first area of a layer of the building material, and for emitting a second continuous electromagnetic radiation onto a second area of the layer of the building material.
US08784714B2

Methods of manufacturing implantable medical devices with one or more undermolded features are disclosed. An example method includes injection molding an annular-shaped member onto an inner surface of a sacrificial mold insert, and then undermolding an elongate medical device body directly to the member. The member is directly coupled to the device body without the use of adhesives or bonding agents, thus eliminating the presence of gaps or surface irregularities that can affect device performance.
US08784712B2

A process for making a polyurethane, comprising reacting a multifunctional isocyanate, a polyol and, optionally, a chain extender, wherein at least two reagents selected from the isocyanate, the polyol, the chain extender, any mixture thereof and any pre-polymer formed therefrom, are intensively mixed prior to being reactively extruded, to form a polyurethane having a predetermined stoichiometry and thermal history. The polyurethanes obtained by such a process are of highly consistent composition and are, thus, especially suitable for use in the medical device industry.
US08784709B2

The invention pertains to a method for manufacturing a formed body with a cavity structure for the sound and/or heat insulation of buildings. According to the invention, pre-foamed polystyrene particles are compressed into a formed body in a mold or on a conveyor belt system under the influence of heat and/or pressure, wherein the degree of compression amounts to 0.2-0.8, preferably 0.3 to 0.7, particularly 0.4 to 0.6, such that a communicating cavity volume is preserved in the formed body. The invention furthermore pertains to a formed body for the sound and/or heat insulation of buildings.
US08784706B2

A spherical tungsten carbide powder is characterized by that the material has a microhardness higher than 3600 kgf/mm2, and that the powder has an apparent density from 9.80 to 11.56 g/cm3. A method for the manufacture of a powder comprises the steps: a) providing a chamber comprising a rotatable crucible, b) adding material into said rotatable crucible, c) melting the material using a plasma arc discharge, d) rotating the crucible to atomize the molten material to form liquid droplets, with subsequent cooling of the droplets to obtain a powder, wherein the material added into said rotatable crucible is heated to a temperature above 40% of the melting temperature of the material before it enters the crucible. It is possible to reduce the current required for melting the stock. Heat losses are decreased, and the spherical powder obtained during atomization becomes more homogeneous in its composition and structure. The cost is reduced.
US08784698B2

Disclosed are inorganic nanoparticles comprising a body comprising cadmium and/or zinc crystallized with selenium, sulfur, and/or tellurium; a multiplicity of phosphonic acid ligands comprising at least about 20% of the total surface ligand coverage; wherein the nanocrystal is capable of absorbing energy from a first electromagnetic region and capable of emitting light in a second electromagnetic region, wherein the maximum absorbance wavelength of the first electromagnetic region is different from the maximum emission wavelength of the second electromagnetic region, thereby providing a Stokes shift of at least about 20 nm, wherein the second electromagnetic region comprises an at least about 100 nm wide band of wavelengths, and wherein the nanoparticle exhibits has a quantum yield of at least about 10%. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US08784689B2

The present invention relates to a color-changing composition and a multiple-component material including a substrate and a printed layer on the substrate. The printed layer includes a color-changing composition to indicate a change in condition, such as a change in wetness. The color-changing composition includes a matrix-forming component, a leuco dye, a Lewis Acid, a neutral surfactant and an organic solvent.
US08784688B2

Method and device for introducing pulverulent material (C) into a gasification reactor (2), wherein a process gas (P) supplied to a gasification reactor (2) is reduced to a synthesis gas (S) by the pulverulent material (C) and the pulverulent material (C) is introduced into the gasification reactor (2) via an inlet area, a negative pressure being generated in the inlet area for the pulverulent material (C) via a Laval nozzle (15) and the negative pressure being generated in that the process gas (P) passes through the Laval nozzle (15). The method is characterized in that the process gas (P) expands in a gasification space (5) in the gasification reactor (2).
US08784682B2

Disclosed are a thermosetting composition including a liquid crystal oligomer, a bismaleimide-based compound, an epoxy compound, and a fluorinated polymer resin powder. A resin cured product, board, and storage medium each include the thermosetting composition.
US08784676B2

A method for reducing contamination in an etch chamber is provided. A substrate with a metal containing layer is placed in the etch chamber. The metal containing layer is etched, producing nonvolatile metal residue deposits on surfaces of the etch chamber, wherein some of the metal residue of the metal residue deposits is in a first state. The substrate is removed from the etch chamber. The chamber is conditioned by converting metal residue in the first state to metal residue in a second state, where metal residue in the second state has stronger adhesion to surfaces of the etch chamber than metal residue in the first state.
US08784669B2

A batch process for the treatment of an aqueous solution so that the treated product is more desirable for disposal includes obtaining an influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment, treating the batch of solution by an advanced oxidation process. The advanced oxidation process including causing ozone to be mixed with the solution, maintaining the mixture of solution and ozone at a pressure above atmospheric for a time of at least two seconds. In a preferred embodiment of the process, the process includes continuously recirculating the fluid to be treated, through a recirculation conduit, the recirculation conduit including an ozone injector and the ozone injector is adapted to inject ozone into the aqueous solution as the aqueous solution circulates through an ozone injector. Influent to be treated may be selected from the group including sewage, septage, leachate, ballast or other aqueous solutions where it is desirable to treat the fluid prior to disposal, further treatment, or reuse. The process is carried out to improve a level of disinfection and/or denutrification of the effluent.
US08784665B1

The present invention provides methods for reducing odor and harmful materials, such as heavy metals and organic compounds, from sewer and/or industrial plants using humate and/or leonardite. The humate and/or leonardite has a particle size of about 400 mesh or less.
US08784652B2

A swimming pool cleaner of the type movable along an underwater pool surface to clean debris therefrom. The pool cleaner includes a body having a debris inlet and a debris outlet. A rigid debris-collection canister is secured to the body over the debris outlet to collect debris in the rigid canister and pass filtered water either back into the pool or to a remote suction system such that the collected debris remain at the pool-cleaner body for easy maintenance while allowing free flow of water through the rigid canister. The rigid canister is shaped to minimize obstructions to the pool cleaner movement in the pool by providing improved buoyancy and limiting entrapment of the cleaner by underwater pool structures. The cleaner body is adapted for securement of either a water-suction hose connected to a remote suction system or a venturi-line structure connected to a water-flow line fed by a remote pump such that the pool cleaner is interchangeably usable as a suction cleaner and as a pressure cleaner.
US08784644B2

Provided is a stock oil composition for a carbonaceous material for a negative electrode of a lithium-ion secondary battery which composition is useful for achieving excellent high-speed charge and discharge characteristics. The stock oil composition for a carbonaceous material for a negative electrode of a lithium-ion secondary battery uses a bottom oil of residue fluid catalytic cracking apparatus as a raw material. The stock oil composition comprises, of a saturated component, an aromatic component, a resin component and an asphaltene component detectable by development of the stock oil composition using thin-layer chromatography, the saturated component ranging from 30 to 50% by weight and the aromatic component ranging from 50 to 70% by weight; and has an average molecular weight of from 400 to 600.
US08784642B2

A lubricating oil composition of SAE viscosity grade 0W20 which comprises a base oil and additive components comprising a nitrogen-containing ashless dispersant, an alkaline earth metal-containing detergent, a phosphorus-containing wear inhibitor, an oxidation inhibitor and a viscosity index improver and which shows a viscosity index of 200-240, a HTHS viscosity of not less than 2.9 mPa·s s at 150° C. and a Noack evaporation loss of not more than 13% favorably gives a high fuel economy and high wear inhibition to a four cycle gasoline engine of motorcycles and a diesel engine mounted on motor cars equipped with an exhaust gas post-processing apparatus.
US08784631B2

Disclosed herein is a composition of a separation medium and method of its use for electrophoresis in bare channels, either capillaries or chips, with suppressed electroosmotic flow, wherein various forms of boric acid are adsorbed on the wall of said separation channel, efficiently suppressing zeta potential of the wall of said bare channel. A composition of a sieving separation medium for electrophoresis of DNA is disclosed. A composition of a sieving separation medium for electrophoretic size separation of proteins by SDS CSE is also disclosed. A composition of a separation medium for capillary electrophoresis without sieving is also disclosed.
US08784630B2

A sample stacking method using on-line automatic solid phase extraction coupled to nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis, and an interface structure between a solid-phase preconcentration cartridge and a capillary therefor. The sample analysis method using solid phase extraction coupled to nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis by connecting a solid-phase preconcentration cartridge with a capillary includes: extracting a sample on a solid phase; injecting an elution solvent at an outlet terminal of the capillary, the elution solution desorbing analytes adsorbed onto a solid-phase material of a solid-phase preconcentration cartridge; and injecting a nonaqueous buffer solution from the outlet terminal of the capillary to push the elution solvent to the solid-phase material.
US08784628B2

An archery bow is provided including an archery component such as a cable guard and/or cable guide that includes an e-coat film to minimize wear abrasion on a cable, bowstring or other element. A metal surface of an archery component optionally can be immersed in a bath of charged coating particles, and the metal surface can be caused to have an electrical charge. The charged coating particles can be electrodeposited on the metal surface to provide a coating.
US08784625B2

A sensor element having a layered construction and configured to detect a physical property of a gas or a liquid includes a functional component situated in the interior, which functional component is connected electrically to a conductor element, which conductor element extends up to the outer surface or up into the surroundings of the sensor element. The sensor element has at least one sealing element which adjoins the functional component and/or the conductor element. The conductor element and the at least one sealing element are configured to be gas-tight at least regionally in the interior of the sensor element and are situated in such a way that the functional component is separated gas-tight from the surroundings of the sensor element.
US08784620B2

Described is a method for improving the operation of an electrolytic cell having an anolyte compartment, a catholyte compartment and a synthetic diaphragm separating the compartments, wherein liquid anolyte is introduced into the anolyte compartment and flows through the diaphragm into the catholyte compartment, which method involves introducing particulate material comprising halocarbon polymer short fiber, e.g., fluorocarbon polymer short fiber, into the anolyte compartment in amounts sufficient to lower the flow of liquid anolyte through the diaphragm into the catholyte compartment. In the case of an electrolytic cell wherein aqueous alkali metal chloride, e.g., sodium chloride, anolyte is introduced continuously into the anolyte compartment, thereby to produce a catholyte liquor containing alkali metal hydroxide and hypochlorite ion, the foregoing method is useful for decreasing the concentration of hypochlorite ion in the catholyte liquor and oftentimes increasing the concentration of alkali metal hydroxide in the catholyte liquor. Also describes adding at least one member chosen from halocarbon polymer microfibril, halocarbon polymer fiber, clay mineral, oxides and/or hydroxides of alkaline earth metals, and zirconium oxide/hydroxide in conjunction with the halocarbon polymer short fiber to the anolyte compartment, e.g., while the cell is operating.
US08784615B2

A clothing for a paper machine is configured as a film-shaped continuous band that is closed in the circumferential direction and that has a perforated useful area and at least one edge extending between the useful area and a lateral edge. The edge area has a perforation density lower than the perforation density of the useful area.
US08784601B1

The present invention is a laminating process which is directed toward economical production methods for scalable amounts of production which develop properties suitable for a broad based product line. In particular, the product is capable of important key components of commercial properties such as adhesion, scratch resistance, chemical inertness, and bending without failure.
US08784598B1

Auto-applied packing list and upper label systems. A carrier material with an upper label and a lower label removeably adhered thereto is provided. The upper label and lower label are dispensed in sequence onto a label applicator apparatus. The label applicator apparatus applies the upper label and the lower label to a surface simultaneously, whereby after application the underside of the lower label is in contact with the surface and the undersurface of the upper label is in contact with the top side of the lower label.
US08784588B2

The present inventions includes methods and apparatus for preparing a portion of a tire for repair, the methods having steps that include forming an edge along an opening within the tire, the edge extending between an interior and an exterior surface of the tire and including one or more tire reinforcement endings, the edge being formed to include an alternating arrangement of tire reinforcement endings. Particular embodiments of the present invention includes methods of preparing a portion of a tire for repair, the method having steps that include forming an edge within an opening of a tire, said edge extending between an interior and exterior tire surface and including one or more reinforcement endings of the tire; and, applying a wrap about the edge to substantially cover the one or more tire reinforcement endings.
US08784575B2

A method for carbonitriding a steel part arranged in an enclosure maintained at a reduced internal pressure, the part being maintained at a temperature level, comprising an alternation of first and second steps, a carburizing gas being injected into the enclosure during the first steps only and a nitriding gas being injected into the enclosure only during at least part of at least two second steps.
US08784557B2

A mix design for a polymer modified cement pavement overlay is disclosed along with a method of making and using the mix on a variety of pavement substrates. The mix includes a specific dry combination of: finely divided Elotex 2311 and 2322 or 2320 polymers; Type 2 or C144 aggregate or equivalent; Type I/II cement; Type F or Type C fly ash; intermediate length polymer microfibers; plasticizer; (optionally) calcium chloride or equivalent; (optionally) quikrete retarder or equivalent; and water. The mixture is combined and applied to the substrate in depths of about ⅛ to about 1 inch in lifts. The mixture is allowed to cure for 3-4 hours before being returned to traffic. The placed mixture exhibits preferred qualities of substrate adhesion, flexibility, tire friction, and wearability.
US08784554B2

Asphalt compositions and products comprising petroleum asphalt, polyolefin, and a wax.
US08784551B2

The present invention provides a bone cement formula having a powder component and a setting liquid component, wherein the powder component includes a calcium sulfate source and a calcium phosphate source with a weight ratio of the calcium sulfate source less than 65%, based on the total weight of the calcium sulfate source and the calcium phosphate source, and the setting liquid component comprises ammonium ion (NH4+) in a concentration of about 0.5 M to 4 M, wherein the calcium phosphate source includes tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) and dicalcium phosphate in a molar ratio of TTCP to dicalcium phosphate of about 0.5 to about 2.5, and the calcium sulfate source is calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH), calcium sulfate dehydrate (CSD), or anhydrous calcium sulfate.
US08784550B2

An oxide pigment dispersion comprised of nano-sized particles of inorganic oxide and a reactive dispersant, and an inkjet ink based on this dispersion.
US08784509B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods to increase the output of a high quality product from the precipitation liquor crystallization process exemplified through the aluminum hydroxide recovery processes such as the Bayer process. The invention is a method of increasing the size of precipitates from a liquor. The invention in one embodiment relates to the use of a crystal growth modifier compositions added to the precipitation process to increase the particle size distribution of the precipitated alumina trihydrate.
US08784503B2

The invention relates to a high-strength and abrasion-resistant fibrous material and to a method for the production thereof. According to said method, a natural fiber material is solubilized in an alkaline manner. The fibrous material is treated with an alkaline material, without being subjected to mechanical stress a) at a temperature of between 5 and 30° C. and then b) at a temperature of between 80 and 150° C., and is then optionally washed and/or dried.
US08784492B2

This invention improves upon prior art total disc replacements (TDRs) by more closely replicating the kinematics of a natural disc. The preferred embodiments feature two or more fixed centers of rotation (CORs) and an optional variable COR (VCOR) as the artificial disk replacement (ADR) translates from a fixed posterior COR that lies posterior to the COR of the TDR to facilitate normal disc motion. The use of two or more CORs allows more flexion and more extension than permitted by the facet joints and the artificial facet (AF). AF joint-like components may also be incorporated into the design to restrict excessive translation, rotation, and/or lateral bending.
US08784491B2

An implant for use in stabilizing vertebral bodies or bones includes a first end and a second end, a tubular section between the first end and the second end having a longitudinal axis. The tubular section is flexible in such a way that it is expandable in a radial direction when a force acts in an axial direction which reduces the distance between the first end and the second end.
US08784485B2

An injector for inserting an intraocular lens into an eye includes a lumen. The lumen can include a terminal portion at a distal end and a proximal portion juxtaposed with the terminal portion. An injector plunger can be disposed within the lumen for generating a driving force on the intraocular lens. The injector can include a lens frictional force that has a first value when the lens is at a first location within the proximal portion and a second value when the lens is at a second location within the terminal portion. The first value can be smaller than the second value. In some embodiments, the lens frictional force increases abruptly from the first value to the second value as the lens approaches the distal end of the lumen.
US08784484B2

A support for an adjustable annuloplasty ring generally includes a body and a groove. The body has a first end, a second end and an outer surface. The body may also include an inner surface defining a longitudinal bore. The outer surface is configured to slidably receive an annuloplasty ring and a length of adjustable suture. The groove is formed along at least a portion of the outer surface of the body and is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the suture.
US08784478B2

Apparatus is provided for implanting a prosthetic device (108) in a patient, the apparatus includes a trocar tube (101), a first portion of which is configured to be placed in a left ventricle (12) of the patient during a procedure for implantation of the prosthetic device (108), and a second portion of which is configured to be placed in an extracardiac location during the procedure. The first portion is shaped so as to define at least one opening to an interior thereof. One or more flexible bypass tubes (103, 104, 106), each of which is coupled to the second portion, and each of which is configured to be coupled to at least one artery (20, 21, 30) of the patient, so as to create a blood flow bypass path during the procedure, from the left ventricle (12), via the opening and the bypass tubes (103, 105, 106), to the at least one artery (20, 21, 30). Other embodiments are also described.
US08784470B2

The invention relates to a balloon catheter comprising a catheter tube, an inflatable balloon, the ends of which are attached to the catheter tube, and a stent attached around the balloon. The stent extends at least partly along the length of the balloon. In an uninflated state, at least the outside surface of the balloon not covered by the stent is provided with a relief structure which is substantially disappeared in an inflated state of the balloon. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a balloon catheter.
US08784458B1

An improved insert for assembly with a bone plate is described. The insert has a first opening adapted to receive a set screw and a second opening adapted to receive a bone screw. The insert is connectable to the bone plate using a set screw. The insert in conjunction with the set screw provides an improved range of relative motion for placing the bone screw at outboard locations with respect to the bone plate. That way, bone fragments that are not necessarily reachable using the bone plate without the insert can be secured together for improved healing.
US08784438B2

A perforation suturing method has the steps of: inserting a needle into a wall of a hollow organ at a periphery of the perforation formed in the hollow organ, and piercing the wall; withdrawing the needle from the wall after delivery of an anchor attaching suture thread from the needle, and having the suture thread transit the wall; and tightening the suture thread so that the mated insertion points at the time of insertion of the needle into the wall approximately coincide after having the needle pierce the wall at the periphery of the perforation a plurality of times, and making surfaces of the wall where the insertion points are formed coincide with each other.
US08784430B2

A nail cap cannula for directing a nail cap useable with an intramedullary nail system including an intramedullary nail and a targeting guide.
US08784426B2

A graft attachment apparatus including at least two separately formed filament loops, and a fixation member comprising at least one opening configured to receive the at least two separately formed filament loops. The at least two separately formed filament loops are coupled to the fixation member. Further, each of the at least two separately formed filament loops are continuous loops.
US08784422B2

An acetabular reaming system is disclosed of the type having a driver and a tool held together by a quick-release coupling mechanism. The tool (10) has a hollow body (12) defining a domed shape with a rotational axis (14), an apex (16) aligned with the axis (14) and a hemispherical wall (18) extending from the apex (16) to an equatorial rim (20) spaced 90 degrees from the axis (14). The rim (20) has an edge (22) visible to the user that indicates the position of the tool (10) relative to the bone. A first plurality of cutting sites (24) is arrayed along the body (12) and a second plurality of cutting sites (28) is arrayed circumferentially along the edge (22). Preferably, the first plurality of cutting sites (24) present raised first teeth (30, 130, 230, 330) having a profile selected from continuous squared (30), continuous rounded (130), discontinuous squared (230) and tongued (330) profiles. Also preferably, the second plurality of cutting sites (28) present raised second teeth (32, 132, 232, 332, 432) selected from continuous squared (32), continuous rounded (132), discontinuous squared (232), tongued (332) and bladed (432) profiles.
US08784418B2

An end effector assembly for an endoscopic surgical instrument includes a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member defines an arcuate configuration and includes a proximal segment and a distal segment coupled to the proximal segment. The distal segment is moveable with respect to the proximal segment between a use position, wherein the proximal segment and the distal segment cooperate to define the arcuate configuration of the jaw member, and an insertion position, wherein the distal segment is offset relative to the proximal segment to interrupt the arcuate configuration of the jaw member.
US08784397B2

A leg wrap structure is provided in a disposable absorbent garment such as a diaper or training pants. The leg wrap structure has a base layer, a top layer, and an elastic construction disposed therebetween. The elastic construction includes a plurality of spaced apart (e.g. generally equally spaced apart) elastic elements (e.g. strands or threads) that are aligned in a generally in generally parallel relation. Further, the top and base layers define a region of inelasticity. The leg wrap structure provides for the efficient formation of a reservoir and a plurality of fluid dams each capable of capturing a quantity of fluid to minimize the occurrence of fluid leaks from the absorbent article. Methods of forming such absorbent articles are disclosed.
US08784388B2

Syringe assemblies comprising a disinfecting reservoir collar to ensure adherence to aseptic techniques for use in flush procedures for vascular access devices (VAD's) are described. The syringe assemblies include a plunger rod, a syringe barrel, and reservoir collar that permits disinfection of a hub of a VAD connector upon connection to the reservoir collar. Also described are methods of disinfecting vascular access devices.
US08784384B2

Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions, methods, devices, systems, and products regarding frozen particles. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles include materials at low temperatures. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles provide vehicles for delivery of particular agents. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles are administered to at least one biological tissue.
US08784380B2

A method for providing a substantially painless injection of medication into a patient, including inserting an injection needle having an outside diameter greater than 0.20 mm and less than about 0.38 mm, and injecting a medicament through the needle and into the patient at a substantially constant volumetric flow rate of about 0.05 μL/s to about 50 μL/s that provides a painless injection. The method does not require the use of an anesthetic or that the medical personnel to spend a substantial amount of time performing the injection procedure, is relatively simple and inexpensive to perform and operate, and provides a relatively high degree of safety for both the medical personnel and for the patient.
US08784374B2

The present invention discloses a disposable self-destructive syringe, which belongs to syringes for medical treatment, comprises a needle (1), a tube (2), a injecting piston-rod (3), ratchet grooves (4), a restrictive step (5), an installation opening (6), an anti-return member (7), anti-return prods (8), ratchets (9), a sealing plug (10) and a reciprocal motion region (11). The needle is conglutinated on the tube, the injecting piston-rod is arranged in the tube, the anti-return member is arranged in the gap of the injecting piston-rod and in the rear end of the tube, and the sealing plug is arranged in the tube and mounted on the front end of the injecting piston-rod. The syringe is convenient to discharge the inhaled air as sucking medical liquid, begins to be self-destructive after sucking for predetermined amount and can not suck medical liquid again during and after injecting. Furthermore, the ratchet grooves arranged on the injecting piston-rod can be one or more, which the fewer the number of ratchet grooves, the larger the interval of discharging inhaled air will become. The disposable self-destructive syringe according to the invention of which dose is precise is convenient to operate and will be self-destructive once used.
US08784372B1

The first aid pen having separate compartments is comprised of a pressure cap that can retract to expose a hypodermic needle suspended under and in fluid communication with a mixing chamber. The first aid pen includes a first compartment and a second compartment. The second compartment includes a membrane upon a top surface, which is punctured upon pushing a slideable member of the first compartment downwardly. Once the membrane is broken, the contents of the first compartment descends into and mix with the contents of the second compartment, and prior to intravenous or intramuscular injection via the hypodermic needle. The first compartment includes the slideable member, which is pushed downwardly in order to puncture the membrane and mix the two components stored in the respective compartment. The second compartment forms the mixing chamber when the contents of the first compartment descend therein.
US08784367B2

The invention relates to a sensor (102) and a control unit (702) for cooperation with the sensor. The sensor (102) serves for measuring a velocity of a fluid (308) flowing through a channel (306). The sensor (102) employs a thermal measuring principle, which measuring principle is robust regarding disturbances on the amount of power dissipated by the heating element (106). A sensor receiver (110) is arranged for receiving an electromagnetic radiation generated by a control transmitter (722) comprised in a control (702) unit for cooperation with the sensor (102). The electromagnetic radiation is employed for powering the heating element (106) which is arranged for heating the fluid. On the basis of a measurement signal generated by a transducer arrangement comprised in the sensor (102), a control actuator (724) controls the velocity of the fluid. For this purpose a sensor transmitter (116) is arranged for transmitting the measurement signal to a control receiver (734).
US08784366B2

Cerebral catheter devices and methods for use are provided. The catheter devices provided may include an anti-thrombotic agent coating on an exterior surface. The catheter devices may include unique tip configurations to allow improved fluid delivery capabilities. Further, the catheter devices may also or alternatively include one or more sensor devices in communication with a controller that allow automatically adjusting a delivery of a therapeutic fluid, for example a vasodilator, in response to a condition sensed by the catheter devices, such as increased pressure. Moreover, the catheter devices may also be used in conjunction with blood flow transducers to detect and timely prevent and treat vasospasms or other conditions. Methods for preventing and treating vasospasm, neoplasm, or other pathological conditions while prolonged using the catheter devices are also provided.
US08784365B2

A system for controlling an infusion of fluid into living tissue includes a catheter shaped to be introduced within living tissue and operable to deliver a fluid to a location within the living tissue, a fluid infusion pump mechanically coupled to the catheter and operable to pump fluid through the catheter and, thereby, into the location, the fluid infusion pump having at least two fluid pumping states, a fluid pressure monitor fluidically coupled to the catheter and operable to measure a pressure of the fluid within the catheter, and a processor communicatively coupled to the fluid infusion pump and the fluid pressure monitor, the processor operable to select between the at least two fluid pumping states based upon the measured pressure of the fluid within the catheter.
US08784358B2

An intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device injects a dialysate accommodated in a dialysate container into a live animal via an input duct, elicits a waste liquid from the animal via an output duct, and concentrates the waste liquid in a waste liquid container. A flow direction control valve controls the flow direction of the dialysate and the waste liquid during the overall peritoneal dialysis treatment process.
US08784355B2

Interventional procedures on the carotid arteries are performed through a transcervical access while retrograde blood flow is established from the internal carotid artery to a venous or external location. A system for use in accessing and treating a carotid artery includes an arterial access device, a shunt fluidly connected to the arterial access device, and a flow control assembly coupled to the shunt and adapted to regulate blood flow through the shunt between at least a first blood flow state and at least a second blood flow state. The flow control assembly includes one or more components that interact with the blood flow through the shunt.
US08784347B1

A post-surgery, high-back, compression garment is described for post-operatively immobilizing surgically corrected tissues to ensure proper healing and provide molded gluteal-shaping power-net domes that preserve desired anatomic curvature enhancements and corrections in the gluteal regions of the human body during convalescence following contouring gluteoplasty procedures.
US08784345B2

A stimulation device for creating a pleasurable sensation in a user is provided. The stimulation device includes an expandable portion configured to assume a plurality of states of expansion between minimum expansion and maximum expansion and a vibrating element extending away from the outer surface of the expandable portion.
US08784339B2

A spinal instrument includes sensors for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The spinal instrument includes a sensored head region that can be inserted into a spinal region. The spinal instrument comprises a housing, a housing, an electronic assembly, and a flexible interconnect. Housing includes a handle portion, a shaft portion, and a support structure. Similarly, housing includes a handle portion, a shaft portion, and a support structure. Furthermore, housing has a cavity and a lengthwise passage respectively for receiving electronic assembly and flexible interconnect. A sensored head region of spinal instrument includes an assembly stack for measuring load magnitude and position of load on the support structure and the support structure. The flexible interconnect couples the electronic assembly to the sensors.
US08784338B2

Methods and devices for measuring the size of a body lumen and a method for ablating tissue that uses the measurement to normalize delivery of ablational energy from an expandable operative element to a luminal target of varying circumference are provided. The method includes inserting into the lumen an expandable operative element having circuitry with resistivity or inductance that varies according to the circumference of the operative element, varying the expansion of the operative element with an expansion medium, measuring the resistivity of the circuitry, and relating the resistivity or inductance to a value for the circumference of the operative element. In some embodiments the sizing circuit includes a conductive elastomer wrapped around the operative element. Other embodiments of the method apply to operative elements that include an overlapping energy delivery element support in which the overlap varies inversely with respect to the state of expansion, and which is configured with sizing electrodes that sense the amount of the overlap.
US08784336B2

A stylet capable of being at least partially disposed within a lumen of a device is disclosed. This stylet may include an elongated body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one magnetic material. In certain embodiments, the elongated body may also include at least one core element, a tubular member circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the core element, and/or at least one support member circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the core element. In addition, a matrix material may be disposed between the core element and the tubular member to retain the magnetic material within the elongated body. A catheter assembly including a stylet and a corresponding method of manufacture are also disclosed.
US08784333B2

Catheters, kits, and methods are provided for removing material from a body lumen. The catheters and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary and other arteries. In general, the catheter has a cutting element that cuts material while the material is engaged by a material capture device on the catheter body. Preferably, the material capture device tensions the material during cutting, which reduces the amount of cutting force required. The material capture device typically follows a path that draws material into the catheter body. Preferably, but not necessarily, the material capture device may be arranged on the catheter body to advance along a path outwardly from the catheter body into the material and then inwardly towards the catheter body to tension the material. The cutting element on the catheter body moves between a first position and a second position to cut the material while in tension.
US08784328B2

The invention relates to a method of image analysis of a cardiac image of a human subject who has experienced a myocardial infarction. The method includes delineating an area of said image corresponding to scar tissue within myocardium, from the voxel data for said area, determining at least one value indicative of the likelihood of future cardiac arrhythmia, and optionally applying to said value a prediction matrix generated from the same value for other human subjects who have had a myocardial infarction and who have subsequently experienced cardiac arryhthmia.
US08784327B2

A method and system for determination of dimension related information such as volumetric flow rate(s) of a fluid flowing through a channel. In one implementation, the method and system analyzes temporal changes in a moving fluid's velocity profile to calculate the fluid channel dimensions. In turn, the fluid channel dimensions and the fluid velocity profile data may be combined to calculate the volumetric flow rate of the fluid flowing through the channel. In this regard, the geometry of the channel can be characterized using dimensionless variables that relate dimensions, such as the radius across a circular cross-section, to the largest extent of a dimension. For example, in the case where the channel is a cylindrical tube and a pressure gradient is applied long enough for the fluid to have reached a steady state, the dimensionless radius will be the radius at any point divided by the overall radius of the tube. One or more dimensionless variables can be used to characterize geometries: for instance, one dimensionless radius characterizes a circular tube and two dimensionless terms characterize an elliptical tube (one for the major axis and one for the minor axis). The time required for velocity profiles to change from one shape to another may be characterized by dimensionless time. Dimensionless time, in turn, uses the fluid's viscosity and density along with time and overall channel dimensions and may be used in combination with at least one velocity profile to calculate the volumetric flow rate of the fluid flowing through the channel.
US08784326B2

It is an object to provide a method of manufacturing a core of a cuff for blood pressure meter and a cuff for blood pressure meter in order to improve operability during the insertion and removal of an arm and fittability during the tightening of the arm as well as to enable the reduction of manufacturing costs. A cuff for blood pressure meter (1) has an air bag (12), and a core (2) disposed outside the air bag (12). The core (2) includes a flexible sheet-like first core (21) and a second core (22) which is formed into a curved shape and which is attached to and stacked on the first core (21) and which curves the first core (21).
US08784323B2

In specific embodiments, a method to monitor pulmonary edema of a patient, comprises (a) detecting, using an implanted posture sensor, when a posture of the patient changes from a first predetermined posture to a second predetermined posture, (b) determining an amount of time it takes an impedance signal to achieve a steady state after the posture of the patient changes from the first predetermined posture to the second predetermined posture, where the impedance signal is obtained using implanted electrodes and is indicative of left atrial pressure and/or intra-thoracic fluid volume of the patient, and (c) monitoring the pulmonary edema of the patient based on the determined amount of time it takes the impedance signal to achieve the steady state after the posture of the patient changes from the first predetermined posture to the second pre-determined posture.
US08784299B2

An operation mechanism includes: a longitudinal member having a channel; a subject operation section provided at a distal end side of the member; an operation section provided at a proximal end side of the member; a first transmission means connected to the subject operation section at a distal end side thereof and formed to penetrate the operation section transmitting a first driving force; a first input portion provided in the operation section and connected to a proximal end side of the first transmission means to operate the subject operation section; a second input portion provided closer to the subject operation section side of the operation section than the first input portion and operated by a medical instrument inserted through the channel; and second transmission means connected to the first input portion and the second input portion and transmits a second driving force.
US08784298B2

An endoscope instrument includes an insertion tube of longitudinal axis possessing a proximal portion for connection to an actuation support and a distal portion presenting an outlet section occupied by a viewing zone and by at least one outlet orifice for passing at least one appliance for occupying a retracted position inside the tube and a working position in which the appliance occupies at least a portion of the outlet section. The distal portion of the insertion tube includes at least one radially deformable wall over a portion of its length extending from the outlet section, enabling the outlet section of the distal portion of the tube to be increased on the appliance passing from its retracted position in which the appliance does not stress the deformable wall to its working position in which the deformable wall is stressed radially.
US08784295B2

Surgical articles that are conveniently and securely coupled are disclosed. Improved surgical procedures are also disclosed.
US08784293B2

Systems and methods for optimizing sleep and post-sleep performance. In an embodiment, a system comprising a device and sleep mask are provided. The mask may comprise electroencephalographic (EEG) sensors and one or more stimulation elements configured to stimulate the senses of a wearer of the mask. The mask may be releasably and electrically coupled to a device which receives EEG signals from the mask, determines current and target sleep states based, at least in part, on the EEG signals, and uses this determination to tailor a sleep architecture of the wearer by controlling the stimulation elements. The mask may be a soft mask which utilizes conductive thread embroidered into one or more textile layers. In an embodiment, the stimulation elements may comprise one or more heating elements, electroluminescent panels, and speakers. In addition, the EEG sensors may comprise hybrid sensors comprising hydrogel in a conductive spacer fabric.
US08784288B2

A forming assembly and process for forming a carton from a carton blank are herein disclosed. The finished carton can have an odd number of sides and/or an angle between two adjacent sides that is less than 90 degrees. The forming assembly includes a forming head and a forming cavity. The forming head acts as an inner die and the forming cavity acts as an outer die. In addition, the forming cavity includes at least one cavity side plate that desirably folds tabs on the carton blank to secure the tabs to one another and form the finished carton.
US08784286B2

The power stride apparatus and method therefor is directed to training the quads and gluts. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises rotatable pedal assemblies having articulating pedals which may be engaged by a user's feet. The apparatus may include a seat to support the user. Resistance devices, such as one or more springs, may attach to the pedal assemblies to provide resistance to the movement of the pedal assemblies and to return to pedal assemblies to their initial position. The user may push the pedal assemblies and resist the return of the pedal assemblies thus training the user's quads and gluts. The articulating pedals allow training to be focused on the quads and gluts and provide a safer workout for the user. In some embodiments, return mechanisms may be used to allow the articulating pedals to follow the rotation of the user's foot during training.
US08784283B2

A weight apparatus includes a bar including a handle, an anchorage rotatably mounted to an end of the handle, the handle and the anchorage having an axially extending opening, a pinion gear rotatably mounted in the axially extending opening, a rod slidably disposed inside the axially extending opening and having a rack arranged to be moved axially relative to the axially extending opening upon rotation of the pinion gear, and a gear drive arrangement for rotating the pinion gear upon rotation of the handle relative to the anchorage.
US08784280B2

An adjustable weight kettlebell includes a weight lifting member that rests on top of a vertical stack of weights. A weight selector is rotatable into and out of underlying engagement of the weight plates to secure a desired amount of mass to the weight lifting member.
US08784273B2

In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a monitor for determining a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for outputting a signal representative of the performance level; (2) using the monitor to measure a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser; (3) outputting from the monitor a signal representative of the performance level; (4) providing a video game having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level signal output by the monitor, the video game using the performance level signal to control a performance level of the video game character; and (5) while the exerciser is not exercising, controlling a performance level of the video game character based on a performance level signal output by the monitor.
US08784270B2

A portable system retrieves one or more exercise programs from a remote communication system that provides motivational content for a user exercising upon an exercise mechanism. The exercise program further includes at least one control signal that controls one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism. The portable system includes a control device configured to retrieve the exercise program and deliver the motivational content to the user by way of an audio delivery device, while delivering the control signals to the exercise mechanism. A sensor communicates with the control device and tracks one or more measurable parameters of the user during the user's performance of the exercise program. Data representative of the one or more measurable parameters can be delivered to the control device for delivery to the remote communication system.
US08784268B2

Systems, apparatuses, and methods estimate the distance between a player and a ball by transmitting a chirp (sweep signal) to a radio tag located on the ball. During the chirp, the frequency of the transmitted signal is changed in a predetermined fashion. The radio tag doubles the transmitted frequency and returns the processed signal to a transceiver typically located on the player. The currently transmitted frequency is then compared with the received frequency to obtain a difference frequency from which an apparatus may estimate the distance. The apparatus may simultaneously receive the processed signal from the radio tag while transmitting the sweep signal.
US08784267B2

A method of controlling a rolling or a coasting function of a vehicle, such as a commercial vehicle, having a drive train including a drive motor, an automatic or automated transmission that is controllable by transmission controls, a controllable shifting mechanism for interrupting the flow of power in the drive train, and a driving speed control device. The flow of power in the drive train is interrupted in a suitable driving situation. In order for the rolling or the coasting function to be exploited as efficiently as possible, and still be terminated safely and comfortably, the flow of power in the drive train is restored depending on a selectable difference in speed (Δv_F_T) between the current vehicle speed (v_F) and a speed limit (v_T) set by the driving speed control device.
US08784264B2

A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine exhaust after treatment device is cooled at an opportunistic time. The approach may provide improved cooling for exhaust after treatment devices and it may also improve vehicle emissions.
US08784262B2

A vehicular power transmission control apparatus including: a multiple gear ratio transmission including an input shaft receiving power from an engine output shaft and an output shaft outputting power to drive wheels of a vehicle, a clutch mounted between the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of the transmission, and a control unit controlling a clutch torque and a gear position of the transmission based upon a vehicle driving condition, wherein the control unit controlling the clutch torque such that a revolution speed of the transmission input shaft becomes smaller than a revolution speed of the engine output shaft by a predetermined positive value in a semi-engagement state with a slip, when the vehicle drives with the transmission gear position set to a low speed range including a first gear and a second gear.
US08784258B2

A multiple speed power transmission comprises: an epicyclic gearing assembly comprising first, second, third, and fourth rotating members with linearly related speeds; a double pinion planetary gear set with grounded carrier and input driven sun gear; two brakes; four clutches; and specified interconnections. The brakes and clutches are operated in combinations of two to produce eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08784256B2

A power divider for a drive of a continuously driven first wheel axle and another engageable wheel axle. The power divider has an input shaft, which is driven by a manual transmission, and a coaxial first output shaft. The first output shaft drives the continuously driven wheel axle. An intermediate shaft is disposed in the countershaft and drives a second output shaft. The first output shaft can be selectively driven, via a first clutch, with either direct or reduced transmission. This clutch is fixed to the input shaft and, in a first position for direct transmission, connects the input shaft directly to the first output shaft. Furthermore, the first clutch, in a second position, couples a first input gear to the input shaft, and drives the first output shaft, via the countershaft formed on the intermediate shaft, to drive the first output shaft at a reduced speed.
US08784253B2

A second shaft is configured by a shaft portion extending outside a housing in which a nutation gear mechanism is housed, a housing portion, and a cylindrical portion. A communicating hole, through which an outside and an inside of the housing portion communicate with each other, is formed in the shaft portion. A preload applying mechanism includes a preload adjusting plug that is screwed to the housing portion and is able to be operated from outside through the communicating hole, a wave washer compressed in accordance with a position of the preload adjusting plug, and a lock nut that is screwed to the housing portion of the second shaft so as to press the preload adjusting plug toward the nutation gear mechanism.
US08784251B2

A C1 switching valve 80 establishes a first supply state, in which a C1 solenoid pressure Pslc1 can be supplied to a clutch C1, when a line pressure PL is supplied as a holding pressure, and when a modulator pressure Pmod is supplied as a holding pressure and a B1 solenoid pressure Pslb1 is not supplied. The C1 switching valve 80 establishes a second supply state, in which the line pressure PL can be supplied to the clutch C1, when the modulator pressure Pmod is supplied as a holding pressure and the B1 solenoid pressure Pslb1 is supplied. The C1 switching valve 80 is supplied with the modulator pressure Pmod as a holding pressure when an abnormality occurs in supply of the C1 solenoid pressure Pslc1.
US08784244B2

A pulley assembly for an automobile accessory drive system includes a shaft engaging hub, a nut threaded onto the shaft engaging hub, an annular bushing, and one or more brake shoes positioned around the outside of the annular bushing all housed with a pulley member. The nut is capable of axial translation relative to the annular bushing and the annular bushing is capable of expanding radially outward in response to the axial translation of the nut in a first direction to provide frictional engagement between the inner coupling surface of the pulley member and the outer coupling surface of the brake shoes, which transfers torque from the pulley member to the input shaft. The nut includes a generally frustoconical outer surface, opposite its inner threaded surface, for seating the nut in the annular bushing.
US08784243B2

An interface component for engaging an arrow tip to the leading end of an arrow shaft. The device directs impact forces axially and eliminates the shearing and wall collapse of arrow shafts caused by conventional collared arrow head engagement devices which tend to collapse and cut the leading edge of arrow shafts on hard impacts. Engagement to the arrow shaft leading end is provided by an elongated member axially engaged with the bore of the arrow shaft. The exterior surface of the device can be surfaced to interact with passing air during flight of the arrow and increase spin for better accuracy.
US08784242B2

A projectile for hunting a game animal includes an outer shaft assembly configured to pass through the animal and a bloodletting assembly configured to remain within the animal. The outer shaft assembly includes a hollow cylindrical shaft including an aperture in a rearward end of the cylindrical shaft and a piercing tip affixed to a front end of the cylindrical shaft. The bloodletting assembly includes an elongated wound resident member configured to be inserted within the aperture of the cylindrical shaft and extend within the hollow cylindrical shaft and a grappling structure affixed to a rearward end of the wound resident member, the grappling structure configured to prevent the bloodletting assembly from passing through the game animal.
US08784241B2

A racquet identification system for use with at least first and second racquets supported by a multi-racquet support structure. Each of the first and second racquets includes a head portion. The system includes first and second head cards coupled to the head portion of the first and second racquets, respectively. The first and second head cards include first and second bodies and first and second projections extending from the first and second bodies, respectively. The shape of the first body is similar to the shape of the second body. The first body and the first projection define a first orientation. The second body and the second projection define a second orientation. The first and second orientations are different. The first and second racquets have at least one characteristic that varies between the first and second racquets, and the first and second projections are configured to highlight the characteristic.
US08784237B2

Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and is preferably 75 Shore C or greater.
US08784236B2

A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of a polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is provided. The ball preferably contains a dual-core comprising an inner core and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, the polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is used to form the outer core layer. The center hardness of the inner core is preferably greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer cover layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good impact durability.
US08784235B2

Golf ball comprising a single layer core formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising: geometric center and outer surface; inner core region disposed about the geometric center, outer core region adjacent the outer surface, and intermediate core region disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extending radially from about 10 mm to about 16 mm from the geometric center. A first hardness is disposed within the inner core region, a second hardness is disposed within the outer core region, and a third hardness of from about 40 Shore C to about 95 Shore C (or about 30 Shore D to about 70 Shore D) is disposed within the intermediate core region and is greater than each of the first and second hardnesses. At least one hardness in the outer core region is substantially the same as or less than a hardness in the inner core region.
US08784229B1

A golf training apparatus which aids golfers in perfecting their swing and associated body movements comprises a cushion and posts mounted to a frame which restricts a golfer's movement while in a golf stance and during a golf swing in order to develop a proper golf swing technique. A set of bars help the user to feel the proper rotation of their hips during a swing while avoiding unwanted lateral movement. The apparatus also comprises adjustable rods which extend sideways and forwardly from the frame to help a golfer to practice their swing path by keeping the swing within the rods. A golf ball alignment bar is located at a middle location at the base of the frame to help the golfer to consistently place the ball in the proper position prior to the golf swing.
US08784228B2

A method relating to an improved fitting system for a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention utilizes specific data gathered from the golfer's golf swing itself to determine the best performing golf club shaft for this particular golf swing. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of infrared motion capturing cameras to record the location data of a golf club shaft throughout a swing. Based on the location data captured, one or more dynamic behavioral characteristics can be calculated to determine one or more preferred shaft characteristics. Using the preferred shaft characteristics, a shaft can be recommended for the golfer having this particular golf swing. The current inventive fitting methodology is preferred to the archaic fitting method of using data gathered from the result orientated ball flight data together with a tedious process of having to try numerous different shafts.
US08784223B2

A system and method for improving skating speed and strength of skaters, particularly ice skaters, employs an inclined skating ramp. The skating surface itself may be any of the conventional or yet-to-be-invented artificial ice surfaces. The inclination of the ramp provides a greater challenge for the skating student than a conventional flat skating surface. While the inclined ramp may have more than one lane, so that more than one student may skate side-by-side in competition with each other, it is preferred to have only a single lane and employ a timing system so that a student is skating “against the clock” and therefore focused on improvement of individual performance.
US08784221B1

One embodiment of an occupant propelled roundabout (“roundabout”) may have a body. The roundabout may also have a carrier, which may be rotatably carried by the body and may also have a seat assembly adapted to carry an occupant. In addition, the roundabout may also have a drive mechanism pivotally coupled to the seat assembly such that the drive mechanism may be movable between a deployed position and a retracted position. The drive mechanism may be moved toward the deployed position in response to the occupant operating the drive mechanism. Also, the roundabout may have a biasing member, which may be operably connected between the drive mechanism and the carrier so that the biasing member may move the drive mechanism toward the retracted position.
US08784220B1

A powertrain assembly for use in a motor vehicle powertrain system having an output shaft forming a cylindrical outer surface, a splined end, and a radial shoulder, and a CVJ assembly having an inner race, and outer race. Ball elements are provided between the inner and outer races. A seal assembly is provided having a boot with an outer lip affixed to the CVJ outer race and an inner lip forming first and second radial faces and an inside cylindrical surface. Axial insertion of the output shaft splined end into the CVJ inner race splined bore causes the boot assembly inner lip to be expanded and frictionally engage with the output shaft cylindrical outer surface and wherein the boot inner lip first and second radial faces are clamped between the inner race radial surface and the shaft radial shoulder.
US08784211B2

A disclosed gaming machine provides methods and apparatus for wirelessly communicating between devices within the gaming machine. The gaming machine includes a gaming machine housing to which a master gaming controller and one or more gaming peripherals can be mounted. The master gaming controller is adapted for executing a game of chance played on the gaming machine and communicating wirelessly with the one or more gaming peripherals used to play the game of chance. Furthermore, the gaming machine includes a wireless communication manager that can manage wireless communications between the master gaming controller and the gaming peripherals, between the gaming peripherals, or a combination thereof.
US08784209B2

A health-program system and method provides health programs for users to select, receives data related to users' progress in a selected health program and determines users' status in the program which is provided for display to the users.
US08784196B2

A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.
US08784180B2

A method and system for implementing a network-based lottery game includes providing lottery tickets to players, wherein each of the lottery tickets includes a code that allows the player to access an Internet site maintained by a server system for play of a lottery game via a network-enabled device. A game result file is randomly assigned to the player from a finite set of game result files maintained by the server system, wherein each game result file has a unique identifier and a predetermined game outcome. The predetermined game outcome is assigned to the player via the Internet-enabled device and, in the event of a winning game play, the unique identifier of the respective game result file is transmitted to the player for subsequent use in redeeming the game play.
US08784167B2

The electronic system has a chassis having a base and a set of flanges extending from the base. The electronic system has electronic circuitry housed within the chassis. The electronic system has a fan assembly having a fan arranged to generate an air stream suitable for cooling the electronic circuitry, and a fan mount. The fan mount has an attachment portion arranged to attach to the fan. The fan mount has a set of chassis interface portions arranged to form a cantilever with the set of flanges relative to the base to vibrationally isolate the fan from the base.
US08784153B2

A transformable toy (100) which is instantaneously changeable from a flat plate-like shape to the shape of a character figure and which is used to play a game by rotating a roulette wheel (189) to compete for the score of attack or defense. A transformable toy comprises character-figure constituting members (111, 122, 131, 141) foldable to a state of a generally flat plate and rotatably connected to each other, elastic members each provided between each of the character-figure constituting members, a roulette wheel (108) attached to any of the character-figure constituting members, a rotation imparting mechanism for imparting rotation to the roulette wheel, and an engaging means (157) for maintaining and releasing the folded state of the character-figure constituting members. When the character-figure constituting members are folded against the elastic forces of the elastic members to operate an engaging member, the character-figure constituting members are rotated and caused to protrude. This makes the outline of a character figure protrude and appear and, at the same time, makes the roulette wheel to rotate.
US08784146B2

A contact terminal device for a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), includes the contact terminal being formed to correspondingly cover at least a portion of an opening formed in the PCB and a terminal member fixed onto the PCB, in which the terminal member includes a fixing portion fixed around the opening on a surface of the PCB and a contact terminal portion extending from the fixing portion to be disposed on the opening. The contact terminal for the PCB reduces a height from a surface of the PCB to a contact point with a counterpart component, i.e., a contact height, contributing to reducing the thickness of the portable terminal.
US08784144B2

A rectangular tube (10) of a terminal fitting (T) includes a lid plate (16) extending substantially at a right angle from the extending end of a right side plate (15) and formed with a locking hole (20) extending over the entire width. A front plate (19F) is cantilevered from the right side plate (15) and arranged before the locking hole (20). A rear plate (19R) is cantilevered from the right side plate independently of the front plate (19F) and is behind and adjacent to the locking hole (20). A retracted portion (21) is formed over the entire width at the rear plate (19R), retracted inwardly of the rectangular tube (10) from the front plate (19F) to provide a height difference within the range of an engagement margin with a locking projection (34) and capable of facing a rear end of the locking projection (34).
US08784141B2

A connector (A) includes a partition (40) for partitioning an insertion hole (35) for a tab (15) and a mold removal space (39) for a locking lance (37). A retainer (44) is pivoted between a partial locking position and a full locking position. A lock (43) restricts a displacement of the retainer (44). A retracted portion (50) is formed in an area (41R) of a facing wall (41) behind the retainer (44) to mold the lock (43) and retracted from an insertion path for a male terminal fitting (10) as compared with an area (41F) of the facing wall (41) before the retainer (44). The retainer (44) includes a restriction (48) for restricting the inclination of the male terminal fitting (10) by being so displaced, at the partial locking position, that a rear end of the male terminal fitting (10) moves toward the retracted portion (50).
US08784136B2

Devices and methods of manufacture for improved connector plugs are provided herein. In one aspect, an exemplary connector plug comprises a shield shell having a proximal stepped-down portion and a boot member that fittingly receives the stepped-down proximal portion so that an outer surface of the distal shield shell and the boot member is about flush with a minimal or negligible space therebetween. In some embodiments, the shield shell comprises a separate front shield shell and a reduced profile rear shield shell welded together so as to provide the advantageous reduced profile and improved aesthetic appearance, while maintaining the structural integrity of the connector. In many embodiments, weld strength of the shield shells is improved by providing line-to-line contact between shield shells by using deflectable tabs and/or utilizing thermal expansion properties of one or both shield shells.
US08784129B2

Attaching work of a high-voltage cable is improved. In an electric cable connecting construction of battery packs, the high-voltage cable is connected to conductors held in resin busbar modules for connection with the general electrodes by fastening crimp terminals to the conductors. Two ribs are formed on each of the busbar modules where the crimp terminal is held therebetween to limit an entrained rotation of the crimp terminal. A difference between a gap of the two ribs on one of the adjacent battery packs and a width of the crimp terminal connected to the general electrode is set to a first gap dimension L3 and A difference between a gap and a width of the crimp terminal connected to the general electrode of the other of the adjacent battery packs is set to a second gap dimension L6 larger than the first gap dimension.
US08784124B2

The present invention relates to a connector in an electric vehicle charger, and more particularly, to a connector in an electric vehicle charger, in which a structure thereof is improved for simplifying the same, minimizing a number of components, enabling to secure reliability in stages of mounting, charging, and coupling/decoupling, and improving durability, a water proof performance, and user's convenience.
US08784122B2

A low-profile, right angle connector assembly comprises six cable connectors and six board-mount connectors housed within a PCIe bracket and EMI shell. The PCIe bracket and EMI shell are braced to a low profile PCIe card. Each board-mount connector is designed to receive a cable connector and allows for the transmission and processing of high-speed data with lower latency. A removable latch mounted on the cable connectors helps ensure the cable connectors remain physically connected to the board-mount connectors. The removable latch may be replaced as needed for breakage and wear and tear.
US08784120B2

A connector support system for an automation system device is provided. The connector support system includes a device housing configured to hold a printed circuit board with a connector coupled to the printed circuit board. The connector support system also includes one or more support members coupled to a surface of the housing, wherein the one or more support members are configured to support the connector relative to the housing and configured to resist an overturning moment tending to remove the connector from the printed circuit board.
US08784115B1

Methods and apparatuses for athletic training optimization are disclosed. In one example, a fitness level change is identified. In one example, a current training intensity is updated to reflect an updated user fitness level.
US08784114B2

A computer system contains and displays a cartoon-like story with a plurality of displayed components (such as cartoon characters, play items, etc.) recognizable by a preschool student on a first portion of the display screen along with an accompanying voice message on the speaker. Written instructions for teachers to follow in a personal one-to-one interaction with one or more students are displayed on a second portion of the display screen. For some activities, the student may actually respond using the computer such as by touching a touch screen or using a mouse to select one of the displayed components in response to a request to select a displayed component having a predetermined aspect. For other activities the teacher enters the response of the student as observed by the teacher. When one or more correct responses are entered by the student or teacher, achievement of a goal can automatically be entered into the educational management system.
US08784113B2

A system and method are described that provide nearly universal and simple access by learners everywhere to content developed by authors everywhere to produce an e-learning marketplace. Content is stored and updated centrally and current content is distributed to local content servers via a content delivery network (CDN). A proprietary server enables interfaces and a loadable seed to a user server connected with one or more learning management systems (LMSs). Training managers subscribe to content, the author obtains payment, and the learners ‘attend’ one or more courses, the completion status and grade of which are reportable to the one or more LMSs. Security is provided as is interaction among various users of the invented e-learning system and method.
US08784111B2

The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator includes a data-processing system and a haptics interface device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which an end effector (e.g., medical instrument, such as a needle, catheter, etc.) is manipulated to simulate needle insertion, etc. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the haptics device includes a receiver. The receiver receives the end effector when it's inserted by a user into the haptics device. Sensors that are associated with the receiver monitor the motion and position of the end effector, generate signals indicative thereof, and transmit the signals to the data processing system. The signals are processed to determine the effects of manipulation of the end effector. In some embodiments, the signals are processed to determine the various resistive forces that would arise if the user were manipulating a needle/catheter through actual human anatomy. Responsive to this determination, the receiver generates forces that the user experiences as a resistance to continued advance (insertion) of the end effector. Simulated results are displayed by the computer system.
US08784105B2

A method of fabricating an implant with improved surface properties and an implant fabricated using the same are provided. The method includes immersing a substrate that has titanium or titanium alloy in electrolytic solution including at least one of the group consisting of phosphate or fluoride ion and strontium ion, and forming an oxide film layer with a surface structure having a fine roughness of a micro scale by making at least one of phosphate or fluoride ion and strontium ion react to the titanium or the titanium alloy of the substrate on a surface of the immersed substrate using hydrothermal reaction associated with temperature, pressure and time conditions.
US08784103B2

A connection arrangement between a dental implant and an abutment is provided. The abutment has a first coronal opening and a second apical opening. The connection arrangement further has a screw and a ring, the ring being suitable for holding a screw inserted in the abutment. The ring is fixed in the first opening of the abutment with a positive fit or a material joint.
US08784102B1

A prophy cup has an outer surface with dimples formed therein. The dimples increase the turbulent flow in a boundary layer proximate to the surface. The increased turbulent flow reduces the separation of fluid (a slurry of saliva, blood and pumice) at the boundary layer to minimize the quantity of fluid ejected from the surface. A dental handpiece housing is configured to split longitudinally so that a wiper is positioned proximate to the outer surface of the prophy cup. The wiper removes slurry as the prophy cup rotates during a dental cleaning procedure to further reduce the quantity of fluid ejected from the surface during the procedure.
US08784092B2

A device for producing a composite material part designed to be in contact with aerodynamic flows, in particular a portion of the fuselage, whereby the device includes at least one mold (32), elements (34, 36, 38) for compressing the part that is to be produced, as well as a system for drainage of the gases emanating from the part that is to be produced that includes at least one plate (42), characterized in that the at least one plate (42) includes a number of openings (44) whose shapes and/or arrangement limit the degradation of the aerodynamic characteristics of the part that is to be produced.
US08784091B2

The invention proposes a system for dosing a food product onto an object comprising a dosing device (1) for co-extrusion of at least 2 food materials at the same time to form a multi-component food product (30), said dosing device (1) comprising a core element (2) housing at least a first and a second supply (5a, 5b), said first supply (5a) having at least one orifice (6) connected to an extrusion channel (7) which is positioned coaxially to an extrusion channel (8) of the second supply (5b), and a cylindrical tube element (3) relatively rotatable to and enclosing the core element (2), having at least one aperture (3a), wherein said aperture (3a) is designed to be selectively brought into a coaxial position to the extrusion channels (8,7) of the first and second supplies (5a, 5b) by rotating the cylindrical tube element (3), allowing a co-extrusion of the food materials introduced into the supplies (5a, 5b) of the core element. The invention further relates to a method for co-extrusion of at least two extrudable food products using the described apparatus and a product resulting thereof.
US08784088B2

An auger feeder for concrete mix, comprising a helical segment (1), whereby the auger feeder comprises an insert (2) mounted on an upstream end of the auger feeder, said insert being manufactured in a material softer than that used for manufacturing the auger feeder's helical segment (1), and said insert comprising means (4) for fastening the auger feeder to a casting apparatus. The invention also comprises a method for manufacturing such an auger feeder, and a slipform-casting apparatus equipped with such an auger feeder.
US08784087B2

A roots type fluid machine includes suction and discharge ports, rotary shafts and a pair of rotors. The rotor has a number n of lobe and valley portions with apex and bottom ends. The lobe portions are located on imaginary lines extending radially from an axis of the rotary shaft. The outer surface of each one of the rotors is generated by rotating an outline of the rotor including an arc and involute and envelope curves around and moving the outline in the direction of the axis. The arc has a radius R and a center located on the imaginary line. The involute curve is formed by an imaginary base circle having a radius r and a center located on the axis. The envelope curve is formed by an arc having a radius R. The number n is four or more. A torsional angle β is over 360/n degrees.
US08784078B2

An integrated-inverter electric compressor in which an inverter accommodating section (9) is provided on the periphery of a housing, an inverter that supplies driving power to an electric motor is installed in the inverter accommodating section (9), and its opening (10) is tightly sealed with a cover (13) is configured such that a groove (16) in which a liquid sealant (20) is to be filled is provided in a flange (11) around the opening (10); the liquid sealant (20) filled in the groove (16) is cured to tightly seal a joint surface between the flange (11) and the cover (13); and when the width of a joint surface (17) formed at the inner periphery of the groove (16) in the flange (11) is L1 and the width of a joint surface (18) formed at the outer periphery of the groove (16) is L2, L1
US08784070B2

When an air pressure in a tank part (5) drops from a maximum set pressure value (A1) to or below at least one restart set pressure value defined to lie in a range between the maximum set pressure value and a minimum set pressure value, a control circuit part (2) operates an electric motor (3b) at a predetermined revolving speed. When the air pressure in the tank part (5) drops from the restart set pressure value to or below the minimum set pressure value, the control circuit part (2) operates the electric motor (3b) at the predetermined revolving speed or a revolving speed lower than N2 until the air pressure in the tank part (5) reaches the maximum set pressure value.
US08784067B2

An electromagnetic valve, which is provided between an intake port of a compressor body and a pneumatic line at an intermediate position of an intake pipe, is opened/closed by a control unit. Communication between the intake port of the compressor body and the pneumatic line is permitted when the valve is open, and is blocked when the valve is closed. In a start-up control of the compressor body, the electromagnetic valve is opened, permitting communication of the pneumatic line in the plant with the intake port of the compressor body for power supply to an electric motor to drive an orbiting scroll. Rattling of the orbiting scroll by an amount equal to the axial gap (play) is suppressed before starting a compression operation.
US08784066B2

An example die casting system includes a die that defines a cavity having a first section and a second section. The first section is configured to receive a first portion of a component. The second section is configured to receive a molten material. The die holds the molten material as the molten material solidifies to form a second portion of the component.
US08784065B2

A frictional welding process for joining a titanium aluminide turbine to a titanium alloy shaft is disclosed. The disclosed process includes preheating the turbine to a designated temperature, providing a specially-designed joining interface geometry at the distal end of the shaft and optimizing the frictional welding parameters. The frictional welding is carried out in multiple steps but, while the shaft is being spun by a rotating chuck, two different pressures and two different time periods are used until the narrower portions of the distal end of the shaft have been fused onto the welding surface of the turbine. Then, an additional forging step with yet another engagement pressure between the shaft and the turbine is carried out without rotation of the shaft.
US08784056B2

A system includes a creep indicating member on a rotating component, and a measurement device configured to measure a change in radial position of the creep indicating member. The system allows determination of, for example, rotating component life expectancy in a turbine, without exposing the rotating component.
US08784050B2

An aggregate vane assembly is disclosed herein. The aggregate vane assembly includes a core vane assembly encircling a central longitudinal axis. The core vane assembly has a plurality of core vanes each extending radially between an inner hub and an outer band. The core vane assembly extends along the central longitudinal axis between a first forward end and a first aft end. The aggregate vane assembly also includes a bypass vane assembly disposed on a radially opposite side of the outer band relative to the plurality of core vanes. The bypass vane assembly includes at least one bypass vane extending radially outward from a platform. The bypass vane assembly extends along the central longitudinal axis between a second forward end and a second aft end. The aggregate vane assembly also includes at least one boss fixed with the outer band and operable to engage the bypass vane assembly proximate to the second forward end.
US08784049B2

A floor standing pedestal fan for creating an air current includes a base housing an impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow, an air outlet, and a telescopic duct for conveying the air flow to the air outlet.
US08784048B2

An air cycle machine includes a housing, and a shaft rotationally supported within the housing includes a thrust runner. Air bearings are provided on either side of the thrust runner. An inlet plate is arranged radially outward of the air bearings. The inlet plate has inner and outer peripheries provided between lateral sides. One side includes four circumferentially arranged slots extending from the outer periphery to the inner periphery and having a width and a depth providing a first ratio of 4:1.
US08784047B2

A heat exchanger for a gas turbine engine includes first and second opposing sides enclosing a cavity. A first set of fins is supported on the first side and arranged outside the cavity. The fins have leading and trailing edges respectively including first and second heights. The first height is less than the second height. In one application, the heat exchanger is arranged in a gas turbine engine. A core is supported relative to a fan case. The core includes a core nacelle and a fan case. A fan duct is provided between the core nacelle and the fan case. A heat exchanger includes fins arranged in a fan duct. The fins are oriented such that the shorter leading edge faces into the airflow.
US08784045B2

A seal assembly including first and second components; a seal arranged between the first and second components to seal a secondary flow region from a primary flow region; and a second recess portion provided on a surface of the second component between the seal and the primary flow region, the second recess portion further being arranged to receive a first portion of a flow from the secondary flow region and being configured to promote a second flow feature within the second recess portion, wherein the second recess portion is set back from the surface of the second component such that a second portion of the flow from the secondary flow region bypasses the second recess portion.
US08784041B2

A feather seal is positioned in a mold and a shroud body is metal injection molded about a proximal end of the feather seal to provide a shroud segment with an integrated feather seal. A seal groove is provided in an opposite lateral side of the shroud body to receive the feather seal of a circumferentially adjacent shroud segment.
US08784039B2

A variable geometry turbine comprising: a housing; a turbine wheel supported within said housing for rotation about a turbine axis; an annular inlet passage within said housing upstream of said turbine wheel and defined between respective radial inlet surfaces of first and second wall members; an outlet passage within said housing downstream of said turbine wheel; an array of vanes extending across the inlet passage, said vanes being connected to said first wall member; at least one of said first and second wall members being moveable along the turbine axis to vary the size of the inlet passage and/or at least one of said vanes being rotationally moveable about an axis that is substantially parallel to said turbine axis to vary the size of the inlet passage; wherein at least one particulate filter is provided within said housing at a location such that said particulate filter can be contacted by particulate matter flowing through said turbine during use.
US08784038B2

A cutter assembly and high volume submersible shredder pump. These are for reducing the size of solids within a liquid which is to be pumped by chopping, grinding, shredding or cutting. An improvement over prior designs employs cutting lobes having a grooved surface which mate with corresponding grooves of a circular plate cutter. As a result, many more cutting surfaces are provided which more effectively and quickly shred the solid materials within the liquid to be expelled.
US08784032B1

The present invention features a receptacle lift arm 100 that can maintain the receptacle lid closed after the receptacle is picked up and the contents there in are dumped.
US08784028B2

A penetrating fastener has a fastener head and fastener tip spaced apart by a longitudinally oriented fastener shaft. A tetherable washer has a substantially planar base surface having a fastener aperture extending therethrough. A longitudinally oriented wall extends longitudinally upward from at least a portion of the base surface to form a concave fastener cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the fastener head. Two tether apertures extend laterally through the wall and are laterally spaced apart along the wall. Both of the tether apertures are laterally arranged along the wall in a rotationally asymmetric configuration. A first one of the tether apertures is located a second longitudinal distance from the base surface and a second one of the tether apertures is located a third longitudinal distance from the base surface. The tether apertures are configured to simultaneously accept a tether extending through both of the tether apertures.
US08784027B2

A fastening device including a fastener having a head portion and an elongated threaded body portion extending axially from the head portion. The threaded body portion includes opposing flat sections. A lock washer has a lower surface with an array of radially extending engagement teeth. The lock washer also defines an axial aperture for receiving the fastener. The axial aperture has two flat inner surfaces for cooperating with the two flat sections of the threaded body portion to prevent relative rotation of the washer and threaded body portion. A threaded lock nut mates with the threaded body portion. The lock nut has an upper surface with at least one cantilevered pawl members for ratcheted engagement with the array of radially extending engagement teeth of the lock washer.
US08784024B2

A pull-up bolt assembly for frictionally supporting a high-weight structure to a hinge component using an opening or recess in the high-weight structure. The bolt assembly includes a pull-up bolt member having a threaded shaft with a first shaft end and a second shaft end, and an abutting member with a tapered surface formed at the first shaft end, the abutting member being wider than and tapering toward the threaded shaft, a nut component with an external torque-applying surface threadably connected to the threaded shaft, a tapered member with a tapered end portion and a flange formed between the external torque-applying surface of the nut component and the tapered end portion wherein the tapered end portion faces toward the tapered surface of the abutting member, and an expandable friction member disposed around the threaded shaft between the abutting member and the tapered member whereby the expandable friction member expands when the nut component is threadably moved toward the abutting member of the pull-up bolt member.
US08784021B2

A jig device holding a work piece is used with a milling machine that cuts from the work piece a prosthesis having a surface essentially free of defects. The jig device is inserted repeatedly into the machine in the same predetermined location, even upon inverting the jig device. This maintains the spatial relationship between the jig device and milling so, at start up, they are always in the same exact spatial relationship. The milling machine partially cuts through a first side of the work piece to form in the work piece a cavity having a surface part corresponding to at least a portion of the prosthesis being made. The jig device is then removed from the machine, inverted and reinserted into the machine at the same predetermined location. A support material is placed in the cavity prior to reinserting the jig device. Upon reinserting the jig device, the machine precisely cuts through an opposed side of the work piece to form within the work piece a prosthesis having a surface essentially free of defects. The prosthesis is supported within the work piece by the support material. The prosthesis and support material are separated to complete our method.
US08784017B2

A drill bit for a boring tool comprises a shank configured for engagement with the boring tool and a working tip having a first end attached to the shank and an opposite second end, and a conical helical thread extending substantially continuously from end to end. The thread root may include a rounded portion while the crest may be flat. The configuration of the helical thread, such as the crest width, thread depth, thread angle, cross sectional area and base width are adjusted as a function of the length of the threaded working tip to maximize bending strength and optimize thread wear and operability.
US08784015B2

A portable power drill includes a housing, a drilling implement carrying drive spindle, and a drive motor for rotating and axially feeding the drive spindle. The drive spindle is rotatively and axially displaceable relative to the housing and connected to the drive motor via angle gears, a feed mechanism and two bevel gears supported on the drive spindle. The drive motor is drivingly connected to the drive spindle via a belt drive transmission, a feed shaft, and an angle gear including an axially locked but rotative nut piece. The feed shaft is located in parallel with and coupled to the drive motor via a transmission and drivingly connected to said nut piece. The drive motor is an electric motor controlled and monitored by a programmable control unit.
US08784006B2

Reinforcement system for concrete panel wall, such as I-type flood wall, includes high tensile strength textile attached to wall by adhesive and reinforced by mechanical fasteners. Most preferred embodiment comprises a strip of fiber reinforced plastic spanning multiple panels, with the grain of the textile material extending horizontally. Alternative embodiment includes vertical FRP with bias-grain textile. Fasteners are preferably ductile fiber anchors.
US08784002B2

A track system may include a plurality of connected slat members that may form rollable tracks. The rollable tracks may be used in moving vehicles across sensitive ground. The rollable track may be deployed using various methods and/or apparatus such as, e.g., deployment apparatus including one or more spool portions for rolling and unrolling the rollable tracks.
US08783999B2

A water-ballasted molded plastic barrier system incorporates barrier segments wherein each segment employs a sawtooth reflective design, designed to prevent the tire of a vehicle, impacting the barrier, from climbing up the side of the barrier segment. Adjacent barrier segments are attached together using an interlocking knuckle design, having a lug pin connection system. Wire rope cable assemblies are internally molded into each barrier segment to create an impenetrable cable fence. The wire rope cable assemblies include steel bushings which are molded into the interlocking knuckles to further strengthen the barrier system.
US08783997B2

A plastic tool mount and system with a tool connector head with a back side, nose and distal end of the nose; a shaft guide having a channel is formed within the head open at the distal end of the nose; the channel further having a raised bump section of plastic extending from a wall of the shaft guide into the shaft guide channel; and, wherein the diameter of the shaft guide channel at the location of the raised bump is diminished.
US08783992B2

A system is provided for joining two discrete devices together, such as a louver panel and a tilt rod, where the system comprises a first and second component, each comprising a link connected to a resilient sheet, with each component being independently adhered to one of the two discrete devices for joining the two devices in engaged but moveable relationship.
US08783986B1

An eraser device for a writing implement includes an eraser body having eraser material on at least one end thereof, and an attachment loop having a loop end connecting a pair of spaced legs, respective leg ends of the spaced legs being attached to the eraser body, the attachment loop being dimensioned to accommodate a shaft of the writing implement therein between the spaced legs and the loop end. The eraser body can be a recycled pencil stub.
US08783982B2

A media processing device and control method for a media processing device enable accurately setting and detecting the home position of a carriage without using a dedicated sensor. Scales 56, 62 having a plurality of wide slits 65 formed at equal intervals and a narrow slit 66 at one end 56A, 62A are disposed parallel to carriage shafts 53, 60. Carriage sensors 55, 61 scan the scales 56, 62 while the carriages 52, 58 move bidirectionally, and detect the wide slits 65 and the narrow slits 66. To initialize the carriages 52, 58, the carriages 52, 58 are moved specific distance L away from the one end 56A, 62A, and the carriages 52, 58 are then reversed and moved until the carriage sensors 55, 61 detect the narrow slits 66. The home position HP is set based on where the narrow slit 66 is detected.
US08783976B1

In one embodiment of an enclosure device, a camera casing and light source casing are secured to a plate frame, and the enclosure device is configured to be mounted to an arm, such as a robotic welding arm. A shutter mounting arm may also be secured to the plate frame. A flap may be pivotally mounted to the distal end of the shutter mounting arm, such that the flap may be actuated between a first and second position by an actuator cooperatively engaged with the flap. The first position may be defined as to protect a camera lens positioned in the camera casing and a light source lens positioned in the light source casing. The second position may be defined as to not obscure a line-of-sight from either the light source and/or the camera to the work piece on the arm.
US08783970B2

An optical fiber module includes an optical transmission line and a fiber stub structure. The optical transmission line has an optical fiber core, a coating enclosing the optical fiber core and a buffer layer enclosing the coating. A part of the optical fiber core is exposed to outer side of a free end of the optical transmission line. The fiber stub structure includes a sleeve and a ferrule. The sleeve has an internal central hole for accommodating the optical transmission line and an oblique hole in communication with the central hole for accommodating the ferrule. The ferrule has an internal passageway for accommodating a part of the optical fiber core of the optical transmission line. When installed, under the restriction of the oblique hole, the ferrule is disposed in the sleeve in an inclined state.
US08783969B2

An illumination device includes an optical fiber holder configured to hold an optical fiber, a phosphor holder configured to hold a phosphor and faces the optical fiber holder, and a bonding material configured to intervene between the optical fiber holder and the phosphor holder to bond them. The illumination device includes adjustment guide members configured to intervene between the optical fiber holder and the phosphor holder, relatively positionally adjust the optical fiber holder and the phosphor holder so as to arrange an optical axis of the optical fiber and an optical axis of the phosphor on one line, and configured to prevent the optical fiber holder and the phosphor holder from tilting when the bonding material is cured.
US08783963B2

A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member and double row rolling elements. A wheel mounting flange is integrally formed on a driving side of the inner member for mounting a wheel via a brake rotor. Through apertures are formed on the wheel mounting flange. Hollow pins, having a chamfered portion, are press-fit into the through apertures. The brake rotor is formed with insert apertures to receive the pins, at positions respectively corresponding to the hub bolts and pins. The brake rotor can be temporarily mounted on the wheel mounting flange by inserting or press-fitting the chamfered end sides of the pins into the insert apertures.
US08783954B2

The present invention relates to a sliding bearing shell comprising an oil bore (16) which radially penetrates the sliding bearing shell for introducing oil in the sliding bearing shell, wherein one or more collecting grooves (18), which extend on the inner side (14) of the sliding bearing shell (10) in the circumferential direction, are provided for collecting the oil present in the sliding bearing shell, the grooves being surrounded completely and all the way around by a supporting surface (20).
US08783952B1

A journal bearing including a cylindrical sleeve structure has an anti-rotation slot for receiving a portion of a foil layer. The anti-rotation slot extends radially into the cylindrical sleeve structure, relative to an axis defined by the cylindrical sleeve structure, from said inner diameter surface.
US08783950B2

Providing a packaging body and a film made of resin (a resin-made film) used therefor that can store the remaining contents even after a part of the contents is taken out, wherein the packaging body is easily openable and closable without providing a zipper, has a storage property equal to that of a body provided with a zipper, and can be manufactured at a low cost.The resin-made film is constructed with at least an outer layer 6, an inner layer 7, and an adhesive layer 8 in the middle thereof formed by applying an adhesive onto the outer layer 6 and/or the inner layer 7; the adhesive is releasable and re-adherable; and at least a part of the adhesive layer 8 is formed by a combination of an adhesive part 8b where said adhesive is continuously applied and a non-adhesive part 8a where said adhesive is discontinuously applied or a non-adhesive part 8c where the adhesive is not applied.
US08783949B2

A self-calibrating, wide-range temperature sensor includes a current reference, impervious to process and voltage, with the current reference mirrored into two oppositely-sized bipolar transistors or diodes. Duplicate current sources are used with a ratio of geometries between them, such that the larger current biases the smaller bipolar transistor (less cross-sectional area) and the smaller current source biases the larger bipolar transistor (higher cross-sectional area). The current source in conjunction with the differential temperature sensing provides inherent calibration without drift while the differential sensing, from the ratio of geometries in the current paths also increases sensitivity.
US08783945B2

A superheat sensor (1) for sensing superheat of a fluid flowing in a flow channel (3) is disclosed. The sensor (1) comprises a flexible wall defining an interface between an inner cavity (5) having a charge fluid (6) arranged therein and the flow channel (3). The flexible wall is arranged in the flow channel (3) in thermal contact with the fluid flowing therein, and the flexible wall is adapted to conduct heat between the flow channel (3) and the inner cavity (5). Thereby the temperature of the charge fluid (6) adapts to the temperature of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), and the pressure in the inner cavity (5) is determined by this temperature. A first wall part (7, 14) and a second wall part (9, 16) are arranged at a variable distance from each other, said distance being defined by a differential pressure between the pressure of the charge fluid (6) and the pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), i.e. depending on the pressure and the temperature of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), and thereby the superheat of the fluid. A distance sensor, e.g. comprising a permanent magnet (8) and a Hall sensor (10), measures the distance between the wall parts, and the superheat is calculated from the measured distance. The sensor (1) is suitable for use in a refrigeration system. The sensor (1) is mechanically simple and capable of determining the superheat by measuring only one parameter.
US08783939B2

An extruder is provided that has a housing with at least two axially parallel shafts which are capable of being driven in the same direction and with at least two-flight intermeshing conveying elements stripping each other at an axial distance (Ax) with a small clearance over the entire circumference. The extruder has a distance between the comb of the at least one further flight and the inner wall of the housing. Each conveying element has at least two conveying sections rotated through an angle, wherein each conveying section has an axial length corresponding to at most the outer diameter of the conveying element.
US08783932B2

A planar light source device includes a first light source for emitting a first light ray having a punctate spatial luminance distribution; a second light source for emitting a second light ray; a first spatial luminance distribution conversion portion for changing the first light ray to a linear spatial luminance distribution; a second spatial luminance distribution conversion portion for changing a spatial luminance distribution of the first and second light rays to a planar spatial luminance distribution; wherein the first light ray is a laser light; the second light ray has a divergence angle larger than the divergence angle of the first light ray when the first light ray is emitted from the first light source; and a slow-axis direction of the first light ray entering the second spatial luminance distribution conversion portion is parallel to an outgoing direction of the planar light.
US08783926B2

A lamp apparatus for a vehicle may include a hollow tub having a mirror surface, an upper cover mounted at a side of the tub and having a first surface perpendicular to an axial direction of the tub, wherein the first surface includes a semi-mirror surface which divides light into a transmitted light passing to the outside and a reflected light reflected to the inside, a lower cover mounted at the other side of the tub and having a second surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the tub, wherein the second surface includes a mirror surface formed on an inner side thereof, and a plurality of point light sources mounted on the mirror surface of the lower cover, wherein light emitted from the point light sources is multiple-reflected between the semi-mirror surface of the upper cover and the mirror surface of the lower cover.
US08783923B2

The present invention relates to an auto lamp structure, which comprises a reflector, a light source, and a covering part. The reflector exhibits a first ellipse in the direction of a first axis about a center, and exhibits a second ellipse in the direction of a second axis about the center. The long axis or the short axis of the first ellipse is different from the long axis or the short axis of the second ellipse. In addition. the reflector has an opening. The light source is disposed in the reflector, and illuminates light via the opening. The covering part is disposed above the reflector for controlling the distribution pattern of the light. Thereby, the present invention uses a reflector of a complex ellipse structure to control the distribution pattern of the light of the light source for complying with the regulations.
US08783919B2

A lighting apparatus and method of use provides for increasing the visibility of a cyclist. The lighting apparatus includes a plurality of lights that may be arranged in a linear array to facilitate attachment to elongate members of a bicycle. The plurality of lights can be mounted on a substrate that is received in a mounting member, which in turn can be attached to a bicycle. Alternatively, the lighting apparatus may be formed integrally as part of a bicycle. Attachment of one or more lighting apparatuses to a bicycle can provide for increased visibility of a cyclist from the front, the rear, or the side, and may be configured to provide increased visibility when it is either dark or light outside.
US08783911B2

The present disclosure involves a lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus includes a thermally-conductive substrate. The thermally-conductive substrate may include a substrate. The lighting apparatus also includes a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is located besides the thermally-conductive substrate. The PCB and the thermally-conductive substrate have different material compositions. The lighting apparatus also includes a photonic device located over the thermally-conductive substrate. The photonic device may include a light-emitting diode (LED) die. The photonic device is thermally coupled to the thermally-conductive substrate. The photonic device is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The lighting apparatus also includes a thermal dissipation structure. The thermal dissipation structure is thermally coupled to the thermally-conductive substrate.
US08783908B2

A flashlight with light emitting diode (LED) sources that produce at least two different colors and at least two other activatable components. The colored LEDs and activatable components cycle on and off using two or three separate switches. One switch cycles preferably white LEDs on and off. Another switch preferably cycles between a non-white LEDs and two other activatable components and combinations thereof. The activatable components include strobes, sirens, GPS tracking, emergency calling, radio, weather notification, laser light, and light not visible to humans. A third switch disposed on the exterior surface(s) of the body that is operable to asynchronously cycle through the functions of the white light source, wherein the functions include blinking, strobe, pre-programmed varying visible intensity, and Morse code messages.
US08783907B2

A lamp socket and cable bracket assembly includes a lamp socket holding a lamp bulb, electrical wires extended from the lamp socket for connection to power source, and a flat cable bracket configured to hold the electrical wires in a smoothly curved manner against stretching and to dissipate heat radiated by the lamp bulb, avoiding electrical wire damage.
US08783906B2

An outdoor overhead lamp assembly uses light emitting diodes to provide illumination for an area to be illuminated. The lamp assembly includes a unitary housing, which may be formed from a single casting. The housing includes mechanical mounting structure for mounting the housing to a mast arm. The housing includes an electrical compartment for housing electrical components and connections. Heat sink fins are formed on the integral housing that provide for thermal control of the electronic components and LED modules within the lamp assembly. The LED modules are mounted to aiming platforms within an optical compartment for the assembly. An external lens provides environmental protection for the LEDs and their individual lenses. The housing may also include structures for mounting decorative coverings or “skins” to accommodate different aesthetic requirements.
US08783896B2

A lighting fixture for installation in a ceiling grid includes a lighting assembly and at least one pivotable rail assembly attached to the lighting assembly. The rail assembly includes at least one mounting bracket, a rail and a spring. The rail is pivotable relative to the at least one mounting bracket. To insert the lighting fixture into the ceiling grid, the rail is rotated relative to the mounting bracket such that the rail will clear the ceiling grid, thereby compressing the spring. The lighting fixture is inserted into the ceiling grid and the rail is released. The compression of the spring is relaxed, and the rail rotates back into its original position. The rail, now extending beyond the boundary of the ceiling grid, rests on the ceiling grid is thereby secured within the ceiling grid.
US08783895B2

An LED device in which LED groups are located on a pixel board has calibration data for each LED stored both electrically and mechanically close to the actual LED. Preferably, each LED group has a number of LEDs of different colors on the pixel board, being electrically connected to a color controller. The color controller is connected to a power supply, and the pixel board has a memory circuit having the LED calibration data related to the LEDs stored therein. The color controller controls LEDs for generating light based on the LED calibration data stored in the memory circuit on said pixel board. Preferably, at least one of the LEDs is formed on a chip that contains the memory circuit for storing the calibration data.
US08783891B2

A system for creating a lighted apparel design includes a light element and a securing member for securing the light element to the apparel item. The securing member is an adhesive. The securing member secures the light element to an associated apparel item at a desired location on the apparel item to create a lighted design on the apparel item.
US08783890B2

Disclosed are an illumination device to be located immediately below an object to be illuminated, wherein a plurality of point-like light sources are arranged, and a display device provided with the illumination device. Even in a structure wherein the light emitted from point-like light sources is diffused and planarly emitted, in order to provide an illumination device which can uniformly and planarly emit the light without reducing the light intensity at the overlapped portion of the light emitted from the point-like light sources, point-like light sources (LED light sources) each diffusing the light to be emitted in a square-shaped light emission distribution, and an illumination device (LED backlight device) wherein the point-like light sources are arranged in a planar manner so that the square-shaped light emission distributions of the light diffused by the point-like light sources are overlapped in parallel.
US08783869B2

Various embodiments of a device for performing a gaze field sobriety test are disclosed. The device includes a housing. A light source is affixed in or on the housing. The light source generates light during at least a portion of the gaze field sobriety test. A speaker positioned in or on the housing generates sounds during at least a portion of the gaze field sobriety test. A power source is coupled to the speaker and the light source. An input is positioned on the housing. The input is selectable by a test administrator to initiate an audible sound through the speaker at a predetermined time interval during at least a portion of the gaze field sobriety test. The audible sound provides an indication to the test administrator during the gaze field sobriety test to assist in proper performance of the gaze field sobriety test.
US08783866B2

OCT imaging systems are provided for imaging a spherical-type eye including a source having an associated source arm path and a reference arm having an associated reference arm path coupled to the source path. The reference arm path has an associated reference arm path length. A sample is also provided having an associated sample arm path coupled to the source arm and reference arm paths. A lens having a focal power optimized for a diameter of the spherical-type eye is provided along with a reference arm path length adjustment module coupled to the reference arm. The reference arm path length adjustment module is configured to automatically adjust the reference arm path length such that the reference arm path length is based on an eye diameter of the subject.
US08783864B2

Electronic spectacles include a spectacle frame; lenses having electric elements; a control unit that generates electric signals for driving the electric elements of the lenses; electric connector that transmit the signals from the control unit to wiring connector pads; and the electric connector have one end connected to a control unit for controlling the electric element and an another end extended to the inside of a rim of the spectacle frame. The electric connector passes through rim locks.
US08783854B2

A medium cassette includes a slidable cassette pull-out part and is capable of being lengthened and shortened, and a medium tray has a first pull-out part slidably provided to a tray base, the medium tray can be lengthened and shortened, and the medium tray is detachably provided to the top of the medium cassette. The cassette pull-out part is provided with a first engaging protrusion and a second engaging protrusion which engage with the tray base, and inclined surfaces are formed on both sides in the detachment direction of these engaging protrusions. The designs of these inclined surfaces, of the heights of the protrusions, and of other features make it possible to perform the operations of lengthening/shortening and installing/detaching the medium cassette and the medium tray separately from the other component's side without restriction, even while the medium cassette and the medium tray are engaged together.
US08783848B2

A marking device includes a plurality of treatment devices, a transporting part, a static eliminator and a controller. Each of the treatment devices is configured and arranged to perform a treatment on a base material. The transporting part is configured and arranged to transport the base material between the treatment devices. The static eliminator is disposed near a path along which the base material is transported by the transporting part. The controller is configured to control the transporting part to follow a transport path routed via the static eliminator when the base material is transported to the treatment devices.
US08783844B2

An ink jet recording method includes recording an image on a target recording face including polyolefin by ejecting an ink composition containing water, a coloring material, and resin from nozzles of an ink jet recording head, in which two or more of the following are satisfied. Condition (A): Prior to the recording, there is included performing a hydrophilic treatment on the target recording face, Condition (B): The ink composition includes glycol ethers of which the HLB value calculated by the Davis method is 4.2 or more to 9.0 or less, and Condition (C): After the recording, there is included coating the image with a coating liquid composition containing wax.
US08783841B2

The invention provides an image forming method having a step of applying an ink containing a coloring material to a recording medium by an ink jet recording system and a step of applying a reaction liquid which reacts with the ink to the recording medium, in which the ink is brought into contact with the reaction liquid on the recording medium, thereby forming an image, wherein the reaction liquid contains an oil and fat component having an iodine value of 100 or more.
US08783835B2

A piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric layer and electrodes provided to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer has a perovskite structure that includes Bi, Fe, Ba, Ti, and Co, and the mole ratio of Co to the total amount of Co and Fe is 0.02 or more and 0.07 or less.
US08783834B2

There is provided a liquid ejecting head comprising a pressure generating chamber and a piezoelectric actuator having a piezoelectric material consisting of composite oxide. The composite oxide contains bismuth, sodium, barium, titanium, and zinc. A ratio of zinc content to the total amount of titanium and zinc is 0.35 mol % or more and 1.25 mol % or less.
US08783831B2

A fluid ejection device includes a firing chamber having a chamber floor with an orifice opposite the chamber floor and a heating element partially covering the chamber floor, a region of the chamber floor being contoured to define a cavity extending into the chamber floor.
US08783825B2

A printing apparatus includes a print head, a scanning unit, a sheet-form member, a winding device, and a determining unit. The print head includes an orifice face having an ejection orifice to eject a liquid. The scanning unit performs scanning while reciprocating the print head. The sheet-form member performs a wiping operation of the orifice face of the print head, wherein the wiping operation includes a first wiping operation and a second wiping operation. The winding device performs a winding operation of the sheet-form member. The determining unit determines a length of the sheet-form member that is to be wound by the winding device in accordance with a length of time between the first wiping operation performed by the sheet-form member and the second wiping operation performed by the sheet-form member that follows the first wiping operation.
US08783821B2

There is provided a technique with which an abnormal discharge state in a discharge component can be determined on the basis of residual vibration. A printer includes a discharge component that discharges ink, a detector that detects residual vibration in the discharge component, and a tester that tests the discharge component on the basis of the change in the period of the residual vibration.
US08783820B2

A printer is provided to improve the conveying accuracy of a Y-bar, thus improving printed image quality. The printer includes the Y-bar that extends in a first direction above a flatbed on which a medium is mounted, holds an ink droplet ejecting head unit so that the head unit is movable in the first direction, and is held so as to be movable with respect to the flatbed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The printer includes a drive mechanism that conveys the Y-bar in the second direction, a drive control device that carries out a drive control of the drive mechanism, and a measuring device that directly measures an amount of movement of the Y-bar with respect to the flatbed. The drive control device corrects controlled variables of the drive mechanism based on the amount of movement of the Y-bar measured by the measuring device.
US08783819B2

A method increases the ability of a controller in a printer to detect weak or missing inkjets in the printer. The method includes generating a test pattern having at least twice as much ink as a typical test pattern used to detect weak or missing inkjets. The increased ink appropriately stresses inkjets to facilitate detection of weak or missing inkjets and the test pattern is transferred to media and removed from the printer to preserve the capacity of a drum maintenance unit to store residual ink removed from an imaging drum or belt.
US08783812B2

A printing apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects brilliant ink to a medium to form a brilliant image, a nozzle that ejects color ink to the medium to form a color image, and a control unit that ejects the color ink after ejecting the brilliant ink to the medium, applies, to the color image, a pattern in which blocks each having a predetermined area and each formed of pixels with the same gradation are arranged, and ejects the color ink so that the color image after the application is formed.
US08783798B2

A cabinet framework includes a front door frame, a rear door frame, and depth components. The front door frame consists of four first section bars connected end to end. The first section bars are connected by two-way components which includes two sockets with insertion directions perpendicular to each other. The first section bar is a rectangular hollow beam formed by folding a rectangular sheet and is connected to the two-way component by insertion at the socket. The rectangular sheet includes a first edge and a second edge connected together. The first edge wraps around the second edge to form a flange which has multiple rectangular through holes. The rectangular through holes are step holes. The diameter of the holes on the first edge is greater than that on the second edge.
US08783795B2

A track assembly comprising an endless track trained about a sprocket and forward and aft sets of idler wheels. A plurality of apertures at the sprocket engage drive lugs that project from an interior track surface. Longitudinal stabilizer arms restrain the idler wheel axles, idler wheels, sprocket support rollers, sprocket and track against lateral movement and tension the track. Overlapping seals are formed at the idler wheels and/or sprocket support rollers. Alternative sprockets having cutouts or pockets that capture different drive lug configurations are also disclosed along with several alternative track tensioning assemblies that rotate in an eccentric fashion to tension the track.
US08783791B2

A foot valve that can be activated either by the driver or an electronic control unit, wherein the foot valve can be the central driving device for automated braking applications such as Hill Start Aid and Work Brake Systems. Pneumatic pressure delivered by an electronically controlled proportional modulator to the foot valve activates either primary and/or secondary portions of the brake valve. The driver can mechanically override the electronic intervention when he presses on the brake pedal. For applications such as ESC and ATC, driver demand can be sensed by sensors in the foot valve and transmitted to the braking system electronic controller on the vehicle.
US08783783B1

A chute assembly for mounting on the discharge end of the dump body of an end-dump truck to support the flow of particulate material being discharged from the dump body. A flexible load plate is sandwiched between a pair of rigid support plates and extends outwardly from the support plates for supporting the particulate material being discharged from the chute assembly.
US08783773B2

Attachment mechanisms are provided that may be riveted on one end and welded on another flanged end. The flanges may allow the rivets to be welded to a frame or other part without additional support plates. In certain embodiments, the rivets may simplify manufacturing and packaging as well as reduce the weight of the attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanisms may promote load distribution, allow for the use of thinner materials, facilitate attachment to heat treated materials, allow for attachment of parts that are difficult to access, reduce fixturing, and improve manufacturing efficiency, among other things.
US08783770B2

A chair includes: a backrest with a waist support projecting part; a horizontal forward seat; a backward seat pivotally supported so as to be able to swing downward relative to the forward seat; a leg support pivotally supported at a front end of the forward seat; links for changing a positional relation between the rear end of the backward seat and the lower end of the backrest so that a distance from the waist support projecting part to the backward seat is reduced from a standing posture to a tilted posture as the backrest is tilted backward; and a connection link for connecting the lower end of the backrest and a part of the leg support lower than the upper end of the leg support so as to cause the leg support to swing forward as the backrest is tilted backward.
US08783763B1

A vehicle roof structure includes a vehicle body and a vehicle roof. The vehicle body includes an outer side panel, a body stiffener and an inner side panel. The vehicle roof includes a roof panel and a roof stiffener. A connection portion between the vehicle body and vehicle roof forms a roof ditch which extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle roof structure. The roof ditch includes a bottom which extends laterally between the vehicle body and vehicle roof. Structural welds associated only with the vehicle body and separate attachment welds only connecting the vehicle roof to the vehicle body are provided on the bottom of the roof ditch. The two welds allow multiple sheets of material to be applied in the roof ditch for crash regulations.
US08783761B2

A motor vehicle chassis including a rear central cross member, a hollow beam positioned over the rear central cross member along this rear central cross member, and a floor seat-cushion support part including rear seat fittings, supported at the rear by the hollow beam positioned under the seat-cushion support part. The beam includes a rear raiser including a horizontal plate fixed to the rear central cross member and further includes a blanking sheet fixed to the horizontal plate of the rear raiser and including at least one anchoring reinforcement assembled on the inside of the hollow beam. The reinforcement, which forms a hollow box section, connects the rear raiser and the blanking sheet, an upper face of the anchoring reinforcement supports a connecting piece, the connecting piece also being assembled, on the outside of the hollow beam, with the rear raiser.
US08783756B2

A rear arm assembly for a tarp cover system comprising a main roller arm, the rear arm assembly comprising a first arm that is secured to the main roller arm of the tarp cover system by a first connecting member, a second arm that is pivotally attached to the first arm, and a third arm that is connected to the second arm by a second connecting member that is curved at a roughly ninety-degree angle. The rear arm assembly is not attached to the tailgate at any point other than at the mounting bracket.
US08783751B2

A coextruded molding for mounting within a vehicle roof ditch having an elongated trim defining component constructed of a first material and a structurally supporting component constructed of a second harder material coextruded along a surface of the first material. The structural supporting component includes a main body terminating at inwardly angled ends so as to define an extending track. A plurality of fasteners are seated within the track for mounting the molding to the vehicle roof ditch.
US08783738B2

A vehicle latch device including: a releasing unit that rotates about a support shaft provided on a holding member of an electric actuator and includes a cam pin and an output unit that disengages a latch from a ratchet by rotation of the releasing unit about the support shaft, where a driving force of the electric actuator being input to the cam pin; and a gear member that rotates about the support shaft, connects the electric actuator to the releasing unit, and inputs a driving force of the electric actuator into the input unit. The cam pin is arranged to be superimposed on a plane of rotation of the gear member, and the vehicle latch device further includes a cover member that is attached to the holding member and covers at least the support shaft, the input unit, the electric actuator, and the gear member.
US08783725B2

When releasing a connection between a motor and a spool, the value of a drive voltage is increased at start-up of the motor. After the rotating shaft of the motor starts rotating, the value of the drive voltage is set to a minimum value necessary to maintain the rotation of the rotating shaft. By this means, it is possible to prevent the number of revolutions of the rotating shaft of the motor from increasing unnecessarily and reduce the sound produced from the motor.
US08783719B2

A steering column for a motor vehicle has a rotatably mounted steering spindle and a motor-powered steering assistance device for steer angle superposition and/or torque assistance. The steering assistance device is connected to the steering spindle by at least one transmission element, and the steering spindle has at least two steering spindle parts connected to one another in torque-transmitting fashion. The steering spindle parts connected to one another in at the steering spindle between the transmission element and a steering wheel connection of the steering spindle, by at least one damping body for damping vibrations transmitted via the steering spindle. At least one of the steering spindle parts is rotatably mounted in a casing unit of the steering column. In the damping body, there is formed a cavity into which the casing unit can slide preferably in the event of a crash-induced deformation and/or displacement within the steering column.
US08783716B1

An improved pivot foot for a trailer jack of the type having a housing and a telescoping member that can be raised and lowered in and out of the housing eliminates the need for use of blocks between the jack and ground surface. The pivot foot includes a base and a pair of opposite sidewalls upstanding from the base. Each of the sidewalls has a cam slot and an ear slot formed in it. A bridge tab extends between the sidewalls for supporting the jack. A bore extends through the telescoping member of the jack. A pivot ring is provided, and it has a pair of outwardly extending ears. The pivot ring is sized to move freely along the length of the telescoping member. A cam pin extends transversely through the bore of the telescoping member and connects the sidewalls and the jack. The shaft of the cam pin travels within the cam slots to lift and rotate the foot assembly at a pivot defined by the ears of the pivot ring when the telescoping member is raised into the housing of the jack. As a result, the hitch end of the trailer set up is more stable and easier to set up.
US08783712B2

A side airbag device for a vehicle includes a gas generating device, a side airbag in which a front and a rear bag portions are defined by a front-rear partition section having a front-rear communication opening, gas supplied from the gas generating device into the rear bag portion is supplied into the front bag portion through the front-rear communication opening to allow the side airbag to be inflated and deployed from an outside portion in a vehicle width direction of a seat back, and the front bag portion is arranged on a vehicle front side of the rear bag portion in an inflated and deployed state, and an extending member provided in the rear bag portion and extended in the inflated and deployed state to restrict inflation of the rear bag portion in a vehicle fore-and-aft direction and enlarges inflation of the rear bag portion in the vehicle width direction.
US08783700B2

A stroller wheel device includes a wheel, a frame-connecting member, a wheel-connecting arm, and a resilient member. The frame-connecting member includes at least one first pressing portion. The wheel-connecting arm includes upper and lower ends connected respectively and pivotally to the frame-connecting member and the wheel, and at least one second pressing portion spaced apart from the first pressing portion. The resilient member is disposed between and abuts against the first and second pressing portions. When the wheel-connecting arm rotates relative to the frame-connecting member, the first and second pressing portions move toward each other to compress the resilient member.
US08783699B2

An improved skateboard or roller-skate truck and wheel bearing assembly is disclosed containing an axle bearing yoke, base, grommet, and wheel and bearing combination which delivers improved steering precision, steering control, and wheel alignment. A grommet in the truck includes a bearing surface on a face which engages a bearing member in the yoke and restricts arcuate movements of the yoke and wheels. The contours of the grommet are also unique and contribute to steering control. The wheel and bearing combination incorporates paired bearing casings with bell-shaped members in their ends which meet each other inside a wheel of the board or skate and self-adjust to accommodate imperfections in the bearing seat levelness, bearing seat spacing, axle diameter and axle straightness.
US08783697B1

A holder holds bottles in a shopping cart having a wall and a main compartment having a floor. The holder includes a rack which has a plurality of apertures which are shaped and dimensioned to receive the bottles. The rack is rotatably connectable to the wall of the shopping cart so that the rack is disposed in the main compartment of the shopping cart. When connected to the wall of the shopping cart, the rack is selectively rotatable (1) to a not-in-use position substantially parallel to the wall of the shopping cart, and (2) to an in-use position substantially parallel to the floor of the main compartment.
US08783692B2

A multilayer cylinder head gasket has a pair of functional layers and a distance layer with aligned openings. Each functional layer has a full bead located radially outwardly from and extending about its opening. Each functional layer also has a half bead spaced from the full bead. The distance layer includes a first portion extending radially from the opening and having a first thickness. A second portion of the distance layer extends radially from the first portion and has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness. A third portion of the distance layer extends radially from the second portion and has a third thickness less than the second thickness. The distance layer comprises a plurality of pieces, and at least one of the pieces limits compression of at least one of the full beads when the functional layers are compressed together.
US08783683B2

An image forming apparatus acquires sheet information indicating paper weight or the like of a transported sheet of paper. The apparatus also has a control portion and shifts a reference position which has been previously set to a direction orthogonal to a transporting direction of the sheet of paper based on the paper weight or the like of the transported sheet of paper. A deviation sensor detects a deviation of the sheet of paper with regard to the shifted reference position along the direction orthogonal to the transporting direction of the sheet of paper. A sheet shift portion shifts the sheet of paper to the shifted reference position based on the deviation detected by the deviation sensor.
US08783675B2

An apparatus for vertically separating stacked pallets a sufficient distance such that each pallet in the stack can be cleaned, with the pallets then immediately restacked after cleaning.
US08783671B2

A clamp includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a first connection, a second connection, and an actuator. The first jaw and the second jaw include a first clamp surface and a second clamp surface, respectively. The first connection operatively connects the first jaw to the second jaw in a manner that permits relative movement between the first jaw and the second jaw. The second connection is operatively connected between the first jaw and the second jaw. The actuator is configured to shorten a length of the second connection to thereby reduce a relative distance between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface.
US08783667B2

Axially damping hydraulic mount is provided, relating to elastomer mounts for engine mounts for damping the vibrations transmitted from internal combustion engine to the body and for acoustic decoupling. The hydraulic mount includes a frustoconical elastomer support spring, between mount core and upper part of outer jacket, with a working chamber and a compensating chamber for fluid damping medium. Chambers are separated from one another by a separator extending transversely to the mount axis and includes a coupling diaphragm, wherein the working chamber is enclosed by support spring and separating element. Compensating chamber is enclosed by separating element and elastomer bellows. A duct on the separating element is enclosed by a duct part. To counteract excessive increase in dynamic spring rate when frequencies of axially acting vibrations are present, the duct part is occupied by an additional mass. Then the duct part is rigidly connected to a mass element.
US08783662B1

A fencing bracket system for supporting a fencing rail having internal cavities open at least one end of the rail. The bracket system includes a mount installable onto a post, and a bracket slidably installable over the mount to securely retain the bracket to the mount. The fencing bracket system avoids the need to install screws or like fasteners into the rails to facilitate installation of fencing and provide improved aesthetics.
US08783661B1

A fence system, and method for making same, includes at least one support member, and at least one infill material having an edge. At least one union strip is coupled to the at least one support member, the at least one union strip including at least one channel configured for receiving the edge of the at least one infill material. In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one channel is U-shaped, and the edge is configured in a U-shape for matingly engaging the at least one U-shaped channel.
US08783659B2

A string loop tensioning pliers device includes a first member comprising a first handle and a fixed arcuate jaw comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The lower jaw has an arcuate claw end and the upper jaw has a first lateral dowel pin end and three in-line lateral facing beveled prongs. A second member comprises a second handle pivotally connected above the first member and includes a notched end opposite the handle and a second lateral dowel pin configured to join with the middle prong when the pliers are closed. A method for using the disclosed tensioning pliers includes tensioning a string knotted to the bowstring, spreading a loop created on the bowstring and tensioning the created loop by inserting the middle prong joined with the second lateral dowel through the formed loop and squeezing the pliers to separate the middle prong and the second lateral dowel.
US08783649B2

A sleeve valve including a permanent end position and comprising an inner sleeve concentrically disposed within an outer sleeve comprising at least one radially facing outer opening and an operating range defined by an open position in which the inner sleeve does not block the outer opening, and a closed position in which the inner sleeve blocks the outer opening. The inner sleeve is axially displaceable or rotatable within the outer sleeve to provide an operating range in the longitudinal direction or an operating range in the form of an angle. At least one plastically deformable locking area of one the inner or outer sleeve is adapted for being radially deformed into a locking groove of the other sleeve when the inner sleeve is moved outside of the operating range.
US08783648B2

A system and method for testing a valve actuator is provided, where an electrical motor is operatively connected to the valve actuator operatively connected to the valve. The system can include a main motor driver connecting the electrical motor to a primary power source, a first sensor to monitor the primary power source, a second sensor to monitor the flow of current to the electrical motor, a third sensor to monitor the angular rotation of the valve, and an emergency shut down (“ESD”) controller to operate the main motor driver in the event of an alarm condition to actuate the valve to a fail-safe position. The method includes the steps of providing the system, actuating the valve, monitoring the rotation of the valve and generating an alarm if the valve does not rotate in response to the step to actuate it.
US08783647B2

Methods for controlling flow are described herein that include a valve assembly provided and operated to control the flow from a first conduit to a second conduit. The valve assembly includes an actuator housing enclosing an actuator piston and defining a counter-biasing chamber and a first control chamber on the same side of the actuator piston, and a first pressure control port in fluid communication with the first control chamber. A valve is connected to the actuator piston and a bore passes through both the actuator piston and the valve thereby placing a face of the valve in fluid communication with the counter-biasing chamber. The actuator piston includes a first substrate area that defines a portion of the counter-biasing chamber and a second substrate area that defines a portion of the first control chamber where the surface area of the first substrate area is less than the surface area of the valve face.
US08783646B2

Actuator for operating a valve, including: a drive component; a drive shaft, which is connectable with the valve; and a torque lock, which is connectable with the drive shaft The torque lock includes at least one essentially rotationally symmetric spring element arranged in a ring-shaped housing, and is so constructed that a torque introduced via the drive component causes the drive shaft to rotate, and a torque introduced via the valve blocks rotation of the drive shaft.
US08783644B2

A controlled pressure release valve includes a valve body having a gas inlet for connection to a gas container and a gas outlet for delivering gas to a protected area. The controlled valve comprises a slidable spool housed in the valve body that is slidable between a first position and a second position. The slidable spool has a first end and a second end. A primary flow passage connects the gas inlet and the gas outlet and increases with lineal movement of the slidable spool. The sliding spool is biased towards the first position by a gas pressure applied by the second chamber and a spring.
US08783643B2

A ram type blowout preventer having a seal on each ram, extending across the front face, rearwardly and then over the top portion or the bottom portion of the ram. Each ram forms a leading edge portion above or below the front face seal, so as opposing rams move into the extended sealing position, the leading edge portions of the rams press against each other, imparting a generally vertical movement to bring the seals on the front faces into sealing engagement with each other and to energize the seals extending over the top or bottom portions against the ram bores. The front face of each ram may include a portion which is inclined toward the central bore. Rope packing seals may be provided on the rams having a vertical offset at the front faces of the rams such that rope packing seals on opposing front faces seal against each other.
US08783638B2

A first apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle includes a support structure and a support movably mounted on the support structure. At least one locating member and clamping mechanism are mounted to the support structure and the support. The clamping mechanism engages the locating member so that the support is held in a predetermined position relative to the support structure. A second apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle includes a bearing surface and a support movably mounted on the bearing surface. A first locating member is positioned underneath the bearing surface, and a shaft is mounted to the underside of the support and extends through the bearing surface and the locating member. When an actuator is retracted, the first locating member bears against the bearing surface so that the support is held in a predetermined position relative to the bearing surface.
US08783632B2

A supporter includes a rectangular plate or polygonal base plate. The base plate has a plurality of threaded hole for arranging at least two pushers. Four plastic feet are arranged to four bottom corners of the base plate for stand. The pusher consists of a claw, pusher shaft, and a nut. A sleeve is arranged to a predetermined position of the base plate or a front end of a slider for connecting an extension supporting rack. The sleeve has a lower round base for connecting the base plate and an upper hollow cylinder for receiving the extension support rack. The supporter is fixed to a bottom of a couch or bed for linking the extension supporting rack.
US08783627B1

A shield device for a switch point adjusting element used in combination with a railroad switch. The device includes first and second shells that mate with one another to form a cover having an inner chamber. The inner chamber is sized to loosely enclose the adjusting element. At least one boss having a recessed generally aligns with a guide having a passageway on the cover. A fastener extends at least partially through the passageway to the guide and engages the recess of the boss to hold the first and second shells together.
US08783624B2

An aerodynamic body operable to both promote laminar flow and satisfy structural requirements is disclosed. A perforated panel skin comprises an inner surface and an outer surface of the aerodynamic body. At least one hollow member is coupled to the inner surface and is operable to suction air from the outer surface and through the perforated panel skin. The at least one hollow member is oriented in a substantially chord-wise direction relative to an airflow over the aerodynamic body.
US08783605B2

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique flight vehicle. Another embodiment is a unique propulsion system. Another embodiment is a unique thrust vectoring system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for flight vehicles, propulsion systems and thrust vectoring systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
US08783604B2

An aircraft wing has hinged ribs, and a skin covering the ribs. The ribs each include plural rib sections, array from the leading edge of the wing, to the trailing edge of the wing, and a lock to hold the rib sections together in a deployed state or condition. The wings are initially in a stowed state, with the ribs and the rib sections having a curved chord, and deploy to the deployed state, in which the ribs have a straightened chord that defines an airfoil state. The wing may have foam material between the ribs to allow the wings to expand in the wingspan direction, for instance after the ribs have been placed in the deployed state.
US08783586B2

A hole axis of a communication hole is placed at a location, which coincides with a translated location of a hole axis of a connector hole that is translated toward an axial distal end portion of a main body in an axial direction of the main body. In this way, with respect to a high pressure flow passage, which is bent by 90 degrees and extends through the connector hole, the communication hole and an axial flow passage, the amount of projection of a projecting portion at an inner side area of this bent, which is located on the inner side of the bent, is reduced.
US08783583B2

Droplet deposition apparatus including at least one droplet ejection unit having a plurality of fluid channels disposed side by side in a row, an actuator, and a plurality of nozzles, said actuator being actuable to eject a droplet of fluid from a fluid channel through a respective nozzle, a support member for said at least one droplet ejection unit, a first conduit extending along said row and to one side of both said support member and said at least one droplet ejection unit for conveying droplet fluid to each of the fluid channels of said at least one droplet ejection unit; and a second conduit extending along said row and to the other side of both said support member and said at least one droplet ejection unit for receiving droplet fluid from each of the fluid channels of said at least one droplet ejection unit.
US08783580B2

The invention concerns a support having a surface provided with personalizing data and including anti-counterfeit measures, arranged on at least part of the surface. The anti-counterfeit measures are configured to be modified in appearance under the effect of an additional personalization of the surface part and appear as defects visible at the surface of the card.
US08783579B2

An RFID sealing device for a bottle is disclosed, which provides information of production resumes, stock control, sale control and so like, where the information may be adapted for a computerized foods management system for the upstream manufacturer and the downstream sellers. Since the metal cap plays a part in the RFID sealing device, the RFID shall malfunction once the bottle cap has been turned or opened before sale, so that the present RFID sealing device plays a function of safety identifier to the bottled liquid or food in addition.
US08783569B2

A card processing device has a card insertion section into which a card is inserted, a card receiving section in which the card is received with a rear end section of the inserted card exposed from the card insertion section, a reader that reads information recorded in the card received in the card receiving section, a holding member that holds a front end section of the card and, in response to a card-pulling operation by an operator, releases the front end section of the card, and a detector that detects that the card is at a position held by the holding member.
US08783558B2

A method of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal comprises receiving from a customer a check to be deposited, capturing image data which is representative of a first check image, binarizing the captured image data to provide a second check image which is a binary form of the first image, determining a check image quality value associated with the second image, comparing the quality value with a first threshold, transmitting the second image to a back office facility when the quality value is outside of the first threshold, comparing the quality value with a second threshold which is different from the first threshold, returning the check to the customer when the quality value is outside of the second threshold, and transmitting the first image to a back office facility when the quality value is between the first and second thresholds.
US08783549B2

A packing box and method of forming a packing box provides a bottom plate, a pair of first side plates which upon final assembly are bent with respect to the bottom plate so as to face each other, a pair of second side plates which upon final assembly are bent with respect to the bottom plate so as to facing each other, and a pair of flaps at both sides of each of the first side plates which upon final assembly are bent with respect to the first side plate. Each of the flaps includes a first flap portion and a second flap portion, and before final assembly, the first flap portion is connected to a first side plate and the second flap portion is connected to the first flap portion, bent with respect to the first flap portion and affixed to one of the second side plates.
US08783546B2

A reusable flexible sheet for wrapping an object is presented. The flexible sheet includes a center portion having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the first side being parallel to the third side and the second side being parallel to the fourth side. Flaps are connected to the first side and the third side, and bow portions are connected to the second side and the fourth side. The bow portions tie together to form a decorative bow.
US08783543B2

A surgical instrument that includes an elongated shaft that defines defining a central axis. The elongated shaft may have a distal end portion that is configured to operably support a circular staple cartridge therein. A tissue acquisition shaft may be axially movable within the elongated shaft such that a distal end portion of the tissue acquisition shaft may be distally advanced beyond the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. At least one tissue acquisition member may be pivotally attached to the distal end portion of the tissue acquisition shaft such that at least one tissue acquisition member is selectively pivotable about a corresponding acquisition axis that is substantially parallel to the central axis from a retracted position to deployed positions upon application of a deployment motion thereto. Various embodiments include an annular cutting member that is supported by the distal end of the elongated shaft for selective axial travel relative thereto.
US08783531B2

An extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly for mobile communication or sound devices including a reel housing integrally formed with or detachably connected to a casing for protecting a mobile electronic device. The reel housing includes a reel mechanism around which the earpiece cables are removably wound. The reel housing includes a flexible wall that is located adjacent an actuator in the reel housing, the actuator operable to retract the earpiece cables into the reel housing. The earpiece cables are extendable from and retractable into the reel housing. Each of the earpiece cables have one end attached to an earpiece and each of the earpiece cables have a second end attached to a connector plug to electrically connect the earpieces to the mobile electronic device. The casing or the reel housing also supports a carrying clip that allows a user to attach the mobile communication or sound device and earpiece assembly to an article of clothing or other accessory item supported by the user. In other embodiments, the position of the carrying clip changes to accommodate the locations of particular input and output ports on the mobile electronic device.
US08783521B2

A flexible and restorable container main body for housing a medicinal solution. A stopper member is fixed in an inside of a medicinal solution passage that communicates with the container main body for discharging the medicinal solution when the container main body is pressed and deformed. A pressure valve is arranged in the medicinal solution passage at a downstream side in the medicinal solution discharge direction further than the stopper member and is formed with an opening having a circular cross section which contacts a tip portion of the stopper member. A biasing member is provided at a downstream side for biasing the pressure valve in a direction opposite to the medicinal solution discharge direction by abutting against a peripheral portion of the opening of the pressure valve.
US08783520B2

A dispenser for a liquid or pasty media contains an exchangeable container which is arranged upside down on a holder. A dosing pump is provided on the bottom of the container in an especially non-detachable manner, and an actuating element for the dosing pump is provided on the holder retainer. A first return valve is provided at an upper inlet to the dosing pump and a second return valve at its lower dispensing opening which second return valve can be lifted, thereby reducing the delivery space. The actuating element is displaceably mounted in the retainer and has a ramp displacing a catch guided upwards by the retainer, the catch being associated with the lower return valve.
US08783512B2

A dosing spout for liquid containers, and a system for inventory control, verification and accounting for liquids dispensed in smaller doses or portions from larger containers. The device controls flow of a liquid from a container in predetermined dosage size by an air tube that permits flow of liquid through a liquid tube when the container is tilted. After a predetermined time, the air tube is closed, which terminates flow of the liquid through the liquid tube. The time interval during which the air tube is open is correlated with the viscosity of the liquid in the container so that a predetermined dosage is dispensed through the dosing spout. Controls and signaling devices operate the dosing spout, and wireless communications devices and processors record uses of the dosing spout.
US08783507B2

An improved napkin device is set forth. The device includes a front face adapted for opening to load napkins therein. A first downwardly angled steel rod is fixed to a first side face, and a second downwardly angled steel rod is fixed to a second side face. Each of the steel rods has a substantially circular cross section. A plate adapted to slide along the first and second steel rods until it reaches a stop, disposed perpendicular to the first and second side faces of the device is provided. The stop is connected to the first and second side faces. The plate comes to rest at the stop as it slides along the first and second steel rods.
US08783504B2

A pressure vessel for storing a fluid, comprises an outer jacket applied to a plastic core container, the outer jacket comprising a first fibre-reinforced reinforcing device with one or several wound layers comprising first fibres that are embedded in a first matrix material, a second fibre-reinforced reinforcing device formed on the outside of the first device and with one or several wound layers comprising second fibres that are embedded in a second matrix material, and an impact-absorbing thickening of the outer jacket in a polar cap region of the plastic core container. The thickening is formed in that one or several wound layers that are thickened in the polar region are formed in at least one of the reinforcing devices with a face opening that is larger than a face opening of other non-thickened wound layers in at least one of the reinforcing devices.
US08783502B2

A tank subjected to thermal expansion and contraction, comprising a support block in contact with the bottom of the tank, where the support block and the bottom of the tank are connected by a rib in either the bottom of the tank or the support block, where the rib is in a groove in either the bottom of the tank or the support block to prevent horizontal movement of the tank.
US08783488B2

The invention relates to a fluid reservoir, in particular a fluid reservoir to be integrated into a miniaturized flow cell, comprising a reservoir space, which is enclosed by two bodies (6,7) that lie against each other in a fluid-tight manner. According to the invention, in addition to a stored liquid (9), a solid filling body (12) that fills the remaining reservoir space is arranged in the reservoir space. A part of the reservoir space filled by the stored liquid is preferably bounded predominately by one of the two bodies (6,7) and the solid filling body (12).
US08783484B2

A system includes a cap having an opening, and a septum configured to engage with the cap. The septum includes a first portion having a first width, and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width. The second portion is sized and shaped to be received by the opening of the cap.
US08783480B2

A toy train car including a coupler or hitch. The coupler includes a first connector (e.g., socket) configured to be connected to the train car and a second connector (e.g., ball) configured to be connected to the train car. The first connector can be positioned in the front or rear of the train car. The second connector also can be positioned in the front or rear of the train car. Each train car can include a first connector and a second connector. The first and second connectors are configured to couple together to link a plurality of train cars together.
US08783475B2

A hanging apparel strap for providing suitable and convenient storage for a variety of items for work, play and/or outdoor activities including a support member, a cord fixedly attached at intermediate locations along the length of the support member, and a plurality of tabs spaced at intermediate intervals along the length thereof. The plurality of tabs allow the cord positioned therebetween to form a plurality of spaced eyelets along the length of the cord for attaching items thereto. The cord extends beyond at least one end portion of the support member and forms a loop for allowing the apparel strap to be hung from a hook or other object.
US08783474B2

A grab handle mechanism includes a rotatable shelf so that when the grab bar is not used by a person who needs assistance walking it can be rolled on top of the bar camouflaging the bar and can be used for shelving. In addition the shelf can be rotated from a first position above the grab bar where it is disposed in a horizontal plane and camouflages the grab bar to a second position below the grab bar where the shelf is again disposed in a horizontal plane so the grab bar can be used by a person requiring its use for assistance. The shelves can be glass or plastic or other material. In an alternate embodiment instead of a shelf, a basket with a latched lid can be used so that when turned below the bar for use of the bar the contents of the basket do not spill out.
US08783470B2

A device for isolating a component of a multi-component composition. The device includes a housing, a chamber, and a withdrawal port. The chamber is rotatably mounted within the housing. The chamber includes a chamber base and a sidewall. The side wall extends from the chamber base. At least a portion of the sidewall is defined by a filter that permits passage of a first component of the multi-component composition out of the chamber through the filter and to the housing base. The filter restricts passage of a second component of the multi-component composition through the filter. The withdrawal port extends from a position proximate to the housing base to an exterior of the device. The withdrawal port permits the withdrawal of the first component from the housing base to an exterior of the device.
US08783460B1

A hair bow carrying case for securely transporting a cheerleader's ornamental hair bow, protecting the hair bow from being crushed or wrinkled. The bow is elastically secured in an upper compartment, coupling to a dividing partition. A plurality of necessary accessories for affixing the bow is stored in a lower compartment, the carrying case providing a complete solution for transportation of the bow and the accessories. The carrying case has a rigid shell operative for protecting the delicate bow.
US08783456B2

An apparatus and system for housing a device include a housing that is configured such that a device may be fitted within the housing and thereby be protected, such as from shocks and/or liquid. The housing may include top and bottom members that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. Each top and bottom member optionally includes front and back surfaces surrounded by a perimeter. The perimeter is defined by proximal and distal ends as well as opposing sides. The top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along the perimeter of the top and bottom members. The clasping mechanisms are configured for coupling the top and bottom members with one another thereby sealing the housing, for instance, in a shock-proof and/or water tight seal.
US08783455B2

A method and apparatus for storing a disc, such as a CD or DVD. A disc storage case includes a housing having a top wall coupled to a bottom wall with a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall. The top wall, the bottom wall, and the four side walls define an enclosure. The case also includes an opening in the fourth side wall for access to the enclosure and is adapted to receive a disc. The case also includes a first member adjacent the first side wall and a second member adjacent the third side wall. The first member and the second member are adapted to cooperate to receive and secure the disc within the enclosure.
US08783453B2

Needle mail-back systems and kits are disclosed. Methods of making and using needle mail-back kits are also disclosed. Methods of doing business involving needle mail-back systems and kits are also disclosed.
US08783452B2

A bottle with a dispensing device includes a cap having a female screw; a tubular element, coaxial with the female screw, having a lower end, which is closed by a bottom wall and projects inside the neck of the bottle; and a collar joined to the top of the tubular element through a tear-away. A hollow piston having an open lower end is inserted in the tubular element and is suitable for breaking through the bottom wall of the cap after the collar together with the tear-away ring has been removed. The hollow piston and bottom wall of the tubular element define a chamber containing a product. The lower end of the hollow piston has an inclined profile. Means are provided to stop the stroke of the hollow piston before the bottom wall completely detaches and prevent the hollow piston from rotating at the end of its stroke.
US08783442B2

A melting furnace system includes a conveyor for moving a stack of ingots toward an ingot melting station. The conveyor has a platform and a raised part extending from the platform for engaging an underside of the stack. The conveyor automatically transfers the stack to a bucket located at a downstream end of the conveyor. The bucket includes a bottom wall, a back wall and a pair of sidewalls, and is sized to receive the stack of ingots. The bottom wall of the bucket is configured to receive the raised part of the conveyor such that the stack is initially positioned above the bottom wall of the bucket via the raised part. A carriage provided at the downstream end of the conveyor engages the bucket and includes a lifting mechanism for raising the bucket together with the stack of ingots toward the ingot melting station.
US08783440B2

In a sheet member position correcting device and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a controller moves a driving roller toward one end side of the width direction by using a moving unit until a driven roller the position of which is deviated in the width direction with respect to the driving roller abuts on a stopper portion, and, subsequently, the controller further moves the driving roller to a predetermined position toward one end side of the width direction by using the moving unit in a state where the driven roller abuts on the stopper portion to correct the position of the driven roller in the width direction with respect to the driving roller.
US08783434B2

A hydraulic piston is housed in a cylinder chamber that is provided in a cover plate of a transmission case and that opens toward a pressing arm so that the hydraulic piston is capable of rotating the pressing arm by abutting against a rearward arm portion of the pressing arm, and a hydraulic pipe supplying pressure oil to the cylinder chamber is connected to the cover plate.
US08783404B2

A bracket (3) is installed in an engine room (12) of a vehicle (1) for supporting accessories (2). The bracket (3) includes: an upper anchoring portion (3a) and a lower anchoring portion (3b) each for anchoring the bracket (3) to the vehicle body (11); and a first supporting portion (3c) and a second supporting portion (3d) for securing the accessories (2) thereto, respectively. The lower anchoring portion (3b) is located below the upper anchoring portion (3a). The first supporting portion (3c) extends vertically between the upper anchoring portion (3a) and the lower anchoring portion (3b). The second supporting portion (3d) extends from the upper anchoring portion (3a) and is horizontally opposed to the first supporting portion (3c). The upper anchoring portion (3a), the lower anchoring portion (3b), the first supporting portion (3c), and the second supporting portion (3d) form an integrated body.
US08783401B2

A saddle riding type, electric vehicle includes a swing arm removably and vertically swingably supported on a vehicle body frame, and an electric motor, a battery for supplying the electric motor with electric power, and a control unit for controlling the electric motor. The electric motor, the battery, and the control unit are disposed on the swing arm. The swing arm integrally provides, forwardly of a rear wheel, a bulkhead for accommodating a battery in isolation from an electric motor and a control unit. The bulkhead has an opening portion that faces terminals disposed on the battery. A battery accommodating portion integrally provides a partition wall extending in a vehicle width direction to form a plurality of accommodating chambers with each containing one of a plurality of batteries. A stand disposed downwardly of the partition wall is supported rotatably on a bottom wall of the battery accommodating portion.
US08783399B2

In a saddle-riding type vehicle including a shroud, efficiency is achieved by disposing a vehicle component in a space shielded by the shroud, and the vehicle component is suitably protected from, for example, rainwater, while ventilation for the vehicle component is ensured. A regulator is disposed on a first side of the vehicle, at a position at which the regulator does not overlap a fuel tank as seen in a top plan view. The regulator is covered by a right shroud from above and from outside in the vehicle width direction. The right shroud has an opening formed therein at a portion where the regulator faces upwardly. The opening overlaps with, and is covered by from above by part of the right shroud that is different from the portion of the right shroud at which the opening is formed in a top plan view.
US08783396B2

A hybrid propulsion system for powering vehicles such as class 8 DOT classified semi-tractor trucks under normal load conditions and at highway speeds comprises an internal combustion engine, an AC generator powered by the engine, DC battery packs, an AC/DC controller, and an AC electric motor driving the drive train of the vehicle. The AC generator and the DC battery packs provide input to the AC/DC controller, which, in turn, converts the DC input from the DC battery packs via a DC circuit to AC so that the output from the AC/DC controller to the electric motor is AC for powering the vehicle. The DC battery packs may comprise thin plate flooded lead acid cells and may be connected in series, in parallel or a combination thereof. Vehicles may be retrofitted to incorporate the propulsion system.
US08783394B1

A drive wheel and suspension for a vehicle for mounting on a steering post to provide both a steering capability and propulsion to the vehicle. The drive wheel and suspension provides a spring suspension for that wheel of the vehicle, as well as what is effectively vehicle body mounting of the propulsion system so as to minimize un-sprung weight and to provide a compact assembly to support a suitable aesthetic and protective fender over the drive wheel and suspension.
US08783382B2

Apparatus and methods for directional drilling are provided. A drill control system includes an uphole control device and a downhole control device. The uphole control device is configured to: transmit a reference trajectory to the downhole control device and receive information about an actual trajectory from the downhole control device. The downhole control device is configured to: receive the reference trajectory from the uphole control device, measure the actual trajectory, correct deviations between the reference trajectory and the actual trajectory, and transmit information about the actual trajectory to the uphole control device.
US08783379B2

A fluid transfer device for use in wellbore drilling includes at least one pressure vessel having a fluid port at a bottom thereof for entry and discharge of a working fluid and a fluid port at a top thereof for entry and discharge of a power fluid. The pressure vessel has no physical barrier between the power fluid and the working fluid. Valves are coupled to the power fluid port for selective introduction of the power fluid into the at least one pressure vessel. Valves are coupled to the working fluid port such that the working fluid is constrained to flow in only one direction.
US08783376B2

A cutter for a dozing blade includes a middle, first, and second section, each defining a plurality of bolting holes for receiving bolts to mount the cutter in a service configuration upon a dozing blade. The first and second sections each define a greater face angle between digging and mounting faces which is about 20° or less, and the middle section defines a lesser face angle between digging and mounting faces. The cutter may be provided in a service package for installation in place of a used cutter in a dozing blade.
US08783374B2

An improved fire extinguishing, suppressing, and preventing mixture, method, and system for various classifications of fires which exhibits superior characteristics to knock down the fire, helps to prevent flash and re-ignition, and contains only a trace amount of fluorochemicals. When the mixture is spread on burning surfaces, including fuel and other liquid surfaces, the agent suppresses vaporization, extinguishes flames and helps to suppress re-ignition and reflash of the fire. The mixture is friendly to the environment. It causes no harmful reaction to a burn victim and aids in cooling the victim to slow the burning of skin. The mixture can be washed off a bum victim with soap and water. Other embodiments are described herein.
US08783372B2

A compact device for ejecting a fluid including two chambers separated by a separating element of piston type. One of the chambers contains the fluid intended to be ejected, the other chamber is a pressurization chamber, the pressurization of which can cause translational movement of the separating element and ejection of the fluid. The pressurization chamber includes a thimble capable of sealably separating the inside of the pressurization chamber from the side walls of the reservoir. Thus, a seal between two chambers is perfect and durable without degrading slidability of the piston.
US08783368B2

A running tool for well drilling operations is carried by a running string into and out of a wellbore. A collet is carried by the running tool, the collet having fingers with a radially expanded position arranged to latch against a wellbore shoulder in the wellbore. The fingers are resiliently and radially contractible. A shear element is carried by the collet, the shear element preventing the fingers from radially contracting to unlatch the running tool while the shear element is intact. If a selected axial force is applied against the shear element, it shears, freeing the collet fingers to retract. The collet may be part of a tool to set and release a liner hanger from engagement with a string of casing.
US08783365B2

A selective downhole tool including a tubular having a longitudinal bore enabling passage of fluids there through. Having a valve opening in a wall of the tubular. An expandable ball seat selectively movable between a first size sized to trap a ball to block flow through the tubular. A larger second size sized to release the ball through the tubular. A valve cover longitudinally movable within the tubular, the valve cover including a dissolvable insert. Also included is a method of operating a downhole tool.
US08783358B2

Disclosed is a process and system for circulating fluid within the annulus of a flexible pipe used in a riser in an offshore hydrocarbon production facility. Fluid, such as corrosion inhibitors, can be circulated in a closed loop which includes the annulus of the riser terminating at a platform or floating vessel, a fluid storage tank located on the platform or vessel and an umbilical tube terminating at the platform or vessel and at a subsea location. Use of the system to flow the fluid through the annulus can prevent or reduce corrosion of the steel members within the annulus and increase the fatigue life of the riser.
US08783357B2

A subsea well safing method and apparatus adapted to secure a subsea well in the event of a perceived blowout in a manner to mitigate the environmental damage and the physical damage to the subsea wellhead equipment to promote the ability to reconnect and recover control of the well. The safing assembly is adapted to connect the marine riser to the BOP stack. Pursuant to a safing sequence, the well tubular is secured in the upper and lower safing assemblies and the tubular is then sheared between the locations at which it has been secured. Subsequently, an ejection device is actuated to physically separate the upper safing assembly and connected marine riser from the lower safing assembly that is connected to the BOP stack.
US08783356B2

Water-soluble, hydrophobically associating copolymers which comprise new types of hydrophobically associating monomers. The monomers comprise an ethylenically unsaturated group and a polyether group with block structure comprising a hydrophilic polyalkylene oxide block which consists essentially of ethylene oxide groups, and a terminal, hydrophobic polyalkylene oxide block which consists of alkylene oxides with at least 4, preferably at least 5 carbon atoms.
US08783355B2

A technique includes inducing a distributed temperature change along a portion of a wellbore and measuring a time varying temperature along the portion of the wellbore due to the induced change. The technique includes determining a distributed flow rate in the portion based at least in part on the measured time varying temperature before the temperature reaches equilibrium.
US08783352B2

Compositions and methods for improving wellbores stability of a hydrocarbon bearing shale formation using nanoparticles to decrease swelling and plug pore throats.
US08783346B2

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an antenna having a conductive winding, with the antenna disposed about a channel. A characteristic improvement material is disposed between the antenna and the channel. In some embodiments, the characteristic improvement material includes at least one of a negative stiffness material or a negative Poisson's ratio material. Various systems and methods are also disclosed herein.
US08783336B2

A control system for providing thermal management of electronic equipment housed in a cabinet enclosure. The system can include a plurality of sensors in proximity to the cabinet enclosure for monitoring a temperature, a pressure and a humidity associated with the electronic equipment; and a controller in communication with the sensors for receiving data from the sensors, where the controller adjusts the temperature, the pressure and the humidity associated with the electronic equipment.
US08783331B2

The invention relates to a system and a method for casting in which an upper casting mold half can be pivoted out of a horizontal position into an approximately vertical position, in such a manner that the inside surface of the casting mold half can be treated in work-facilitating and time-saving manner, preferably by a person.
US08783327B2

The inventive flexible curtain rapid door comprises a structure consisting of two posts and a transverse element for guiding a flexible curtain and electromechanical means supported by said structure for displacing the curtain between open and closed positions, wherein the flexible curtain (2) comprises a weight and sealing element (13). According to the invention, the door comprises obstacle detecting means which are carried at least partially by an reinforcing element, are adjacent to the weight and sealing element (13) and are disposed upstream thereof on the curtain closing path between the reinforcing element and the weight and sealing element (13) and said obstacle detecting means are integrated inside the lower part of the curtain (2).
US08783325B2

A longitudinal continuous welding device for packaging machines includes structural features aimed at enabling it to act continuously on opposite sides of layers of material to be welded, joining and welding them continuously, as they pass through the inside of the welding device, while the device remains static, without the possibility of movement in the direction in which the layers of material to be welded advance.
US08783307B2

The present invention provides a CNG time fill system having a compression system including a gas dryer and one or more gas compressors, a gas storage system for storing the natural gas, a manifold time fill system for filling a plurality of natural gas vehicles with the natural gas, a pressure transducer or pressure transmitter for detecting the pressure within the manifold time fill system, and an automatic shut off valve for selectively stopping the flow of gas into the manifold time fill system.
US08783306B2

A device for delivering liquids and in particular beverages, comprising a feed line, which is flow-connected to a dispensing chamber for the liquid and which delivers the liquid to the dispensing chamber, a first discharge line, which is flow-connected to the dispensing chamber and which drains the liquid from the dispensing chamber, and a second discharge line, which is flow-connected to the dispensing chamber and which drains the liquid from the dispensing chamber. A valve body is arranged in the dispensing chamber, the valve body comprising a magnetizable material and being moveable in relation to the dispensing chamber, and the valve body being suited to at least partially closing at least one discharge line, and a magnetic element for moving the valve body being provided outside the dispensing chamber.
US08783301B2

An adjustable jacket for an insulated conduit is provided, the adjustable includes inner and outer surface, first and second axial ends, and first and second longitudinal ends that each extends between the first and second axial ends. The first and second longitudinal ends form a longitudinal seal, which includes an outer seal formed by a terminal edge of one of the first and second longitudinal ends in contact with the outer surface of the adjustable jacket, and an inner seal formed by a terminal edge of another one of the first and second longitudinal ends in contact with the inner surface of the adjustable jacket.
US08783299B2

A twin-wall pipe comprises an internal pipe and an external pipe. The external pipe is corrugated, having elevations and troughs. The twin-wall pipe is further provided with a socket. In a transition portion towards the twin-wall pipe and the socket, provision is made for at least one overflow passage which interconnects the clearance between the external pipe and internal pipe in the vicinity of the transition portion and an adjacent elevation. a≧b refers to the radial height b of the overflow passage relative to its width a in the circumferential direction.
US08783298B2

A hose formed by a plurality of subunits in tandem arrangement particularly useful for use in a breathing apparatus. Each of the subunits comprises a plurality of repeat subunits in tandem arrangement, each of said subunits comprising: a proximal subunit-to-subunit connector member at a proximal end of each subunit; a distal subunit-to-subunit connector member at a distal end of each subunit; at least one interlocking ring; and at least one gas and/or moisture-permeable member disposed intermediate and connected to the at least one interlocking ring and one or both of the proximal and distal subunit-to-subunit connector members. In other embodiments, the member intermediate the interlocking ring and subunit-to-subunit connector members is a non-rigid member, and more particularly has a frusto-conical shape.
US08783293B2

A body includes two separate openings on a first side of the body that correspond to separate passages that converge to a common passage. An opening on a second side of the body couples to the common passage. A bore in the body is concentric with the common passage. A diverter has at least a part of the diverter in both the bore and the common passage. A tubular portion of the diverter has an open end in fluid communication with the common passage. One or more seals are positioned circumferentially around the part of the diverter located in the bore. The diverter is selectively rotated with the drive mechanism during use to align a diverter wall opening with a selected separate passage such that an object moving from the common passage through the tubular portion of the diverter is directed into the selected separate passage during use.
US08783286B2

Structures and methods are provided for improving the distribution of fluids between exit flows from a split junction, such as a tee-junction. The improved distribution of fluids can result in a more equal distribution of both gases and liquids between the exits of the junction. The improvement can be provided by using a baffle structure, such as an annular baffle structure, upstream from the desired junction. The baffle structures can improve the distribution of fluids in the exit flows in various manners, such as by reducing the amount of vorticity or “swirl” in the input flow to the junction or by reducing the separation of gases from liquids within a flow.
US08783283B2

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a valve assembly wherein a heating modality such as an induction heater is cooperatively engaged to a prescribed location on a valve housing or body of a valve to effectively maintain the temperature of the valve above the saturation temperature of the related system pressure. Maintaining this temperature differential effectively avoids the accumulation of condensate within the interior of the valve body and/or on other internal structural features thereof.
US08783275B2

A folding umbrella and particularly one having multiple folds, includes a support frame incorporating a hybrid rib typically located intermediate a main rib and a rear or outermost rib. The hybrid rib is formed of multiple sections composed of first and second materials which respectively provide the desired structural strength to reduce inversions of the umbrella to an acceptable minimum and provide the hybrid rib with the desired resiliency and flexibility to return the hybrid rib to its original, unstressed shape and thereby prevent permanent damage to the hybrid rib as well as adjoining frame elements of the umbrella. The thicknesses of the multiple sections and the relative sizes of the sections also significantly contribute to the capability of the hybrid rib to achieve the desired objectives of a compact, small, folding umbrella of reduced weight, and the ability to prevent permanent damage to the frame due to inversion.
US08783269B1

A hair accessory is provided for producing wavy hair. In one embodiment a hair accessory comprises a hair molding body made up of separate first and second portions which pivot about at least one hinge. The first and second portions respectively define first and second interior surfaces which cooperatively define a wave shaped mold for producing wavy hair. The first and second portions can be forced towards each other using at least one elastic band tied around the exterior of the hair molding body to force the first and second portions towards each other. In the alternative, the at least one hinge is preferably at least one spring hinge that biases the first and second portions together. In a second embodiment the hair accessory lacks a hinge.
US08783267B2

A hair trimming guide offers four edges; a first curved edge, a second curved edge, a first straight edge, and a second straight edge. These four edges allow a person to easily trim or shape their hair, such as a beard, by following the edges of the hair trimming guide. The curved edges are used when a person wants a curved outline to their beard, such as along the cheeks. If no curved outlines are desired, a user can simply trim with the straight edges. For use with larger or smaller facial areas, the hair trimming guide can be offered in multiple sizes, providing a larger size for larger facial areas and a smaller size for smaller facial areas, especially around the nose and mouth. The hair trimming guide is flat and smooth which enables it to be pressed against a user's face without causing discomfort.
US08783266B2

A tobacco product is formed by rolling moistened tobacco leaves about a cylindrical form casing and allowing the leaves to dry to form a shell. After the form casing is removed a consumer can fill the shell with crushed tobacco leaves of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product.
US08783248B2

An inhalation anesthesia delivery system and method, wherein the system includes a fresh gas feeding arrangement connected to a breathing circuit, a monitor device, a control device and an interface unit. The fresh gas feeding arrangement is configured to deliver a desired concentration of gas to the breathing circuit, the desired concentration being set by using the interface unit. The monitor device is configured to monitor gas concentrations in the breathing circuit by analyzing gases flowing in the breathing circuit, and the control device is configured to control the fresh gas feeding arrangement on the basis of the data received from the monitor device to keep the desired breathing gas concentration. The control device is also configured to monitor expired inorganic gas concentration by comparing the measured expired breathing gas concentration with the set target value and changing the fresh gas delivery accordingly to meet the target value.
US08783246B2

A solar receiver device includes a metal conduit and a glass container disposed around the metal conduit such that there is a space between the glass container and the conduit. A coating is disposed on the metal conduit and has a composition that includes at least one element from silicon, titanium, aluminum, barium, and samarium.
US08783241B1

A Dutch oven lid holder having a horizontally oriented support ring. Three support leg members have their top ends telescopically received in tubular coupling members formed on the support ring. The area beneath the support ring and within the perimeter of the support leg members defines a lid storage space. A lid support assembly has a horizontally oriented tubular sleeve portion having a tension coil spring passing therethrough. The opposite ends of the coil spring are detachably secured to brackets on the support ring. A vertically oriented anchor leg has its top end adjustably received on a T-connector portion extending downwardly from the tubular sleeve portion. The anchor leg has a hook on its bottom end that loops under the handle of a Dutch oven lid. Anchor arms extending inwardly from the respective support leg members would maintain a downward force on the Dutch oven lid causing the coil spring to be place under tension.
US08783221B2

A laser ignition device is provided for an internal combustion engine, having an ignition laser in which a combustion chamber window has an orifice plate arranged in front of it.
US08783209B2

The present invention provides an apparatus for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member that has a coating machine for dipping plural members to be coated in a coating liquid in a coating bath and then lifting up the coated members to form a coating film on the surface of each of the plural members to be coated and a transport holding member for holding and transporting the members to be coated, and has plural stretching hoods which can individually cover each side of the plural members to be coated and can extend in association with the movement of the plural members to be coated to individually cover each side of the plural members to be coated when the coating machine is lifting up the plural members to be coated, wherein the plural stretching hoods are linked with each other at the lower parts of the hoods.
US08783204B1

A collapsible kayak comprises a bow unit, a central unit, and a stern unit. The bow unit and the stern unit are both connected to the central unit with hinges, allowing the collapsible kayak to assume either an “in use” orientation or a “storage” orientation. While the collapsible kayak is in the “in use” orientation, the bow unit, the central unit, and the stern unit are held into a linear shape with removable clamps. While the collapsible kayak is in the “storage” orientation, the bow unit and the stern unit are folded back and locked into place with a securing device.
US08783203B1

A boat comprising a two-piece construction which consequently conserves space during storage and transportation is herein disclosed. The apparatus splits in half to allow the forward half hull to be stored within the aft half hull portion. When joined, the apparatus appears and performs as a conventional small one-piece flat boat. Each half hull portion resembles a conventional shape; however comprises an additional centrally-located bulkhead portion, thereby forming a pair of completely watertight half hulls. Said half hulls are then attached securely via mating features and locking pins to form a rigid boat structure.
US08783198B2

A spar hull for a floating vessel can include a hard tank having a belly portion, a fixed strake coupled to the outer surface of the tank and a folding strake coupled to the belly portion of the tank, the folding strake having one or more strake panels and one or more support frames. A method for installing folding belly strakes on a spar hull may include providing a floating spar hull having a hard tank with a belly side, rotating the spar so that the belly side is in a first workable position, coupling at least one folding strake to the belly side of the spar, and coupling the strake in a folded position for transport. The method may include positioning the spar hull offshore in a transport position, upending the spar hull, unfolding the strake, fixing the strake in the unfolded position and installing the spar hull.
US08783193B2

An operator desk system including an operator desk, two display/monitor stands arranged on an operator desk in order to carry one display/monitor each, wherein each display stand includes individual motorized inclining means the inclining means being arranged to change the inclination of the corresponding display stand in a synchronized motion in relation to each other, independent of the location of the displays on the operator desk.
US08783189B2

A hoist combination includes a hoist, a trolley that is arranged to move along a beam provided with side flanges, whereby the trolley includes two trolley flanges arranged on opposite sides of the beam and provided with wheels, by which the trolley moves along the side flanges of the beam; and a securing and adjusting device for securing the hoist to the trolley flanges beneath the beam and for adjusting the mutual distance between the trolley flanges, the securing and adjusting device including supporting slide coupling between the hoist and the trolley flanges and an adjustment bar connected between the trolley flanges, the sliding direction of the adjustment bar and the slide coupling being transverse to the beam.
US08783187B2

Firearm projectiles and methods of manufacturing firearm projectiles from a supply of clad wire. In some embodiments, the clad wire is manufactured as electrical wire, such as copper-clad steel wire. Bullets and shot, as well as methods of forming bullets and shot, from clad wire are disclosed.
US08783186B2

The present invention relates to munitions employed for training and tactical purposes. Specifically, the present invention relates to training munitions (e.g., training rounds) used with various weapons (e.g., grenade launchers), wherein each training round includes a projectile that contains a pyrophoric payload that is released into the environment and reacts with air, upon impact of the projectile with an impact site. The reaction of the pyrophoric payload with air creates a signal that can be observed from a distance, thereby marking the landing or impact site of the projectile after it has been fired from a weapon.
US08783185B2

A liquid missile for being projected from a launching device which includes a liquid charge combined with a non-rigid flight integrity component. The flight integrity component allows the liquid charge to be launched at increased speeds and distances by inhibiting substantial break-up of the liquid charge during flight.
US08783183B2

An active body is provided that includes at least one active mass block made of monobasic or polybasic high-energy materials such as a nitrocellulose mixture, for example, comprising approximately 60 percent nitroglycerin and 40 percent diethylene glycol dinitrate, which is provided with structures both on a surface and on an interior. In addition, the inner structures can be filled with an active mass substance. The ignition is triggered by a pyrotechnical primer composition, which initiates the active body, preferably from the inside.
US08783182B2

Systems and methods for allowing existing rotary printing press units to produce smaller pages at a faster rate of speed without having to replace the press unit. Specifically, the systems and methods relate to retrofitting an existing press unit to produce three pages of material in each full rotation instead of the traditional two pages.
US08783178B2

A printing blanket is provided which may include a printable surface ply, a compressible ply, one or more reinforcing fabric plies, and a non-extensible backing layer comprising a polymeric material. The printing blanket has first and seconds ends which are adapted to be inserted into the gap of a printing blanket cylinder, where each of the first and second ends may include a relief area formed by removing or molding a portion of the blanket or by removing or molding a portion of the non-extensible backing layer such that the blanket may be mounted in a wide variety of printing presses using a number of different lock-up mechanisms.
US08783177B2

A system for oscillating a roller driven by rolling contact with a moving substrate. An oscillating assembly comprises first and second opposed gudgeons rotatably mounted on a shaft, the gudgeons being connected by either a plurality of rods or the roller. An oscillation mechanism comprises a reduction transmission assembly having differently toothed input and output pulleys. A cam groove in an oscillation cam is engaged by one or more oscillation pin(s) connected to the gudgeons. An input drive pulley turns with the gudgeons, and an output pulley turns with the oscillation cam. An intermediate double-pulley has second and third pulleys on a common hub. First and second timing belts connect, respectively, the input pulley to the second hub pulley, and the third hub pulley to the output pulley. A currently preferred step-down ratio between the input pulley and the output pulley is about 391:1.
US08783176B2

A self-sealing stamping device suitable for use with non-alcohol based inks is described. The stamping device includes an applicator that has raised features for providing a stamped design. The applicator also includes sealing features that mate with sealing features on an inkpad housing to provide one or more airtight seals therebetween. The inkpad housing provides an enclosure for an inkpad with one or more apertures. Sealing features are provided circumscribing the apertures for mating with sealing features of the applicator. In a closed position, the stamping device provides an airtight enclosure for the inkpad comprised of the inkpad housing and the applicator.
US08783174B2

The method for screen printing improves accuracy during a plurality of screen printing steps. After a first layer and an alignment mark are printed on a workpiece, the alignment mark is imaged by a camera so that the alignment mark is stored as image data in an image processing device adapted to deliver reference data for subsequent printing, and the image data is used to renew the reference data in the image processing device.