US08890168B2

An enhancement-mode GaN transistor. The enhancement-mode GaN transistor includes a substrate, transition layers, a buffer layer comprised of a III Nitride material, a barrier layer comprised of a III Nitride material, drain and source contacts, a gate III-V compound containing acceptor type dopant elements, and a gate metal, where the gate III-V compound and the gate metal are formed with a single photo mask process to be self-aligned and the bottom of the gate metal and the top of the gate compound have the same dimension. The enhancement mode GaN transistor may also have a field plate made of Ohmic metal, where a drain Ohmic metal, a source Ohmic metal, and the field plate are formed by a single photo mask process.
US08890158B2

An object is to provide a highly reliable transistor and a semiconductor device including the transistor. A semiconductor device including a gate electrode; a gate insulating film over the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film over the gate insulating film; and a source electrode and a drain electrode over the oxide semiconductor film, in which activation energy of the oxide semiconductor film obtained from temperature dependence of a current (on-state current) flowing between the source electrode and the drain electrode when a voltage greater than or equal to a threshold voltage is applied to the gate electrode is greater than or equal to 0 meV and less than or equal to 25 meV, is provided.
US08890156B2

An active device and an active device array substrate are provided, wherein the active device array substrate includes a substrate and a plurality of active devices being located on the substrate, and at least one of the active devices includes a first thin film transistor and a second thin film transistor. The first thin film transistor is located on the substrate and has a first channel layer. The second thin film transistor stacks on the first thin film transistor, wherein the second thin film transistor has a second channel layer. The first thin film transistor and the second thin film transistor share a common gate electrode and the common gate electrode is located between the first channel layer and the second channel layer.
US08890151B2

An organic light-emitting display apparatus having improved durability and image quality may include a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate; a first pixel definition layer formed to cover at least one lateral surface of the first electrode; a second pixel definition layer formed so as to be spaced apart from at least an upper surface of the first pixel definition layer; an intermediate layer formed on the first electrode and including an organic light-emitting layer; and a second electrode formed on the intermediate layer.
US08890146B2

An object is to improve the drive capability of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor and a second transistor. A first terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to a first wiring. A second terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to a second wiring. A gate of the second transistor is electrically connected to a third wiring. A first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the third wiring. A second terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to a gate of the first transistor. A channel region is formed using an oxide semiconductor layer in each of the first transistor and the second transistor. The off-state current of each of the first transistor and the second transistor per channel width of 1 μm is 1 aA or less.
US08890145B2

Disclosed is a thin film transistor including a gate electrode on a substrate. A gate dielectric layer is disposed on the gate electrode and the substrate, and source/drain electrodes are disposed on the gate dielectric layer overlying two edge parts of the gate electrode. A channel layer is disposed on the gate dielectric layer overlying a center part of the gate electrode, and the channel region contacts the source/drain electrodes. An insulating capping layer overlies the channel layer, wherein the channel layer includes an oxide semiconductor.
US08890142B2

Provided is an oxide electronic device, including: an oxide substrate; an oxide thin film layer formed on the oxide substrate and containing an oxide that is heterogeneous with respect to the oxide substrate; and a ferroelectric layer formed on the oxide thin film layer and controlling electric conductivity of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) generated at an interface between the oxide substrate and the oxide thin film layer. Provided also is a method for manufacturing an oxide electronic device, including: depositing, on an oxide substrate, an oxide that is heterogeneous with respect to the oxide substrate to form an oxide thin film layer; and forming a ferroelectric layer on the oxide thin film layer, wherein the ferroelectric layer controls electric conductivity of 2DEG generated at an interface between the oxide substrate and the oxide thin film layer.
US08890135B2

Provided is an organic light emitting display device, including a substrate, an insulating layer on the substrate, and a display element layer on the insulating layer, in which the insulating layer includes one or more low refractive layers and one or more high refractive layers.
US08890134B2

An organic photoelectric material may include a compound represented by the above Chemical Formula 1, and an organic photoelectric device and an image sensor including the organic photoelectric material.
US08890132B2

An organic light emitting display device including: a substrate; an active layer formed on the substrate; a first insulation film disposed on the substrate to cover the active layer; a transistor including a gate electrode disposed at a location corresponding to the active layer with the first insulation film in between, and source and drain electrodes electrically connected to the active layer; a first electrode layer disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to any one of the source and drain electrodes of the transistor; a second electrode layer formed on the first electrode layer; an organic light emitting layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and a light reflecting unit covering a side and a part of top of the first electrode layer.
US08890123B2

A thin film transistor has a semiconducting layer comprising a polythiophene and carbon nanotubes. The semiconducting layer exhibits high mobility and high current on/off ratio.
US08890118B2

The present disclosure relates to the field of microelectronic transistor fabrication and, more particularly, to the fabrication of a tunnel field effect transistor having an improved on-current level without a corresponding increasing the off-current level, achieved by the addition of a transition layer between a source and an intrinsic channel of the tunnel field effect transistor.
US08890114B2

A light-emitting device comprises a first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer; an active layer formed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; a first electron blocking layer formed between the first semiconductor layer and the active layer; and a second electron blocking layer formed between the second semiconductor layer and the active layer, wherein the thickness of the second electron blocking layer is not equal to that of the first electron blocking layer, and/or the band gap energy of the second electron blocking layer is not equal to that of the first electron blocking layer.
US08890105B2

A nonvolatile memory according to an embodiment includes a first wiring line; a second wiring line arranged above the first wiring line and extending in a direction crossing the first wiring line; and a resistance change layer arranged in an intersection region of the first wiring line the second wiring line, the second wiring line including a first member extending in the direction in which the second wiring line extends, and an electrode layer containing a metal element arranged on a side surface of the first member along the direction in which the second wiring line extends, a lower surface of the electrode layer being in contact with an upper surface of the resistance change layer.
US08890103B2

A semiconductive substrate that is suitable for realising electronic and/or optoelectronic devices that include at least one substrate, in particular of single crystal silicon, and an overlying layer of single crystal silicon. Advantageously, the semiconductive substrate comprises at least one functional coupling layer suitable for reducing the defects linked to the differences in the materials used. The functional coupling layer can comprise a corrugated portion made in the layer of single crystal silicon and suitable for reducing the defects linked to the differences in lattice constant of such materials used. Alternatively, the functional coupling layer can comprise a porous layer arranged between the substrate of single crystal silicon and the layer of single crystal silicon, and suitable for reducing the stress caused by the differences between the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials used. A manufacturing process of such a semiconductive substrate is also described.
US08890098B2

A floor curing apparatus is disclosed, including a housing, an ultraviolet lamp, and an offset wheel arrangement including a pair of inner drive wheels configured to rotate and alternately be driven about a first common axis and a pair of outer drive wheels configured to rotate and alternately be driven about a second common axis. Each of the pair of outer drive wheels are positioned a first predetermined distance outward from each of the pair of inner drive wheels, and the first axis is offset from said second axis by a second predetermined distance. The floor curing apparatus also includes a shutter device a linear actuator configured to drive a support element in a direction away from the ultraviolet lamp, the support element affixed to a plurality of rods configured to draw the shutter device away from the ultraviolet lamp.
US08890088B2

A laser cavity two-photon spectroscopy includes a gain medium, a first reflector, a second reflector, an electrical pumping module, and a two-photon absorption cell. The first reflector is disposed at a side of the gain medium. The second reflector is movably disposed at a side of the gain medium relative to the first reflector. The electrical pumping module is electrically connected to the gain medium. Therefore, the gain medium is able to emit a light beam, which bounces back and forth between the first reflector and the second reflector and forms a laser beam through enhanced by the gain medium. The two-photon absorption cell disposed between the gain medium and the second reflector includes a plurality of two-photon absorption mediums. The two-photon absorption mediums absorb a portion of the laser beam reflected between the first reflector and the second reflector and then emit fluorescence.
US08890079B2

A radiation detection device is provided. The radiation detection device includes a pair of rails spaced in a slice direction and extending parallel to a channel direction, and a plurality of collimator modules arranged along the channel direction on a radiation exit side of the pair of rails, wherein at least one of the pair of rails extending along the channel direction includes a plate member with a plurality of notches formed along the radiation exit side, and wherein the collimator modules each include a first pin protruding on a radiation incidence side and attached to the pair of rails with the first pin fitted in one of the notches of the plate member.
US08890064B2

An improved method and apparatus for S/TEM sample preparation and analysis. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods for TEM sample creation, especially for small geometry (<100 nm thick) TEM lamellae. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide an in-line process for S/TEM based metrology on objects such as integrated circuits or other structures fabricated on semiconductor wafer by providing methods to partially or fully automate TEM sample creation, to make the process of creating and analyzing TEM samples less labor intensive, and to increase throughput and reproducibility of TEM analysis.
US08890061B1

Provided are methods for determining the amount of reverse T3 in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing reverse T3 in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of reverse T3 in the sample.
US08890057B2

An optical position-measuring device includes a measuring standard and a scanning unit. The measuring standard includes an incremental graduation and at least one reference marking at a reference position. The reference marking has two reference-marking subfields disposed in mirror symmetry relative to a reference-marking axis of symmetry, each of the subfields including a grating structure having a locally changeable graduation period. The scanning unit includes a divergently emitting light source, one or more gratings, and a reference-signal detector system. The reference-signal detector system has at least four detector arrays formed and positioned such that, from the scanning of the reference marking via the reference-signal detector system, first and second pairs of partial reference signals result, in each case having a signal pattern in phase opposition. The first pair of partial reference signals is offset by an offset amount relative to the second pair of partial reference signals.
US08890044B2

An automated method to monitor performance of a terrestrial solar cell array tracking the sun. The solar cell system includes drive means that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun using the drive means. The techniques include predicting the position of the sun during a time period, and sampling an output parameter of the array indicative of performance. The sampled data may be used to identify a fault in the solar cell array, for example a misalignment or a failure of one or more solar cells, in which case a notification of that fault may be generated for the operator or a control signal may be output for correcting the fault. Alternatively, an output signal may be sent to an external system associated with the solar cell system. Various alignment testing routines for checking the solar tracking are described. These routines may involve moving a solar cell array to a reference position at the start of, or during, an alignment routine in order to improve accuracy of position measurement during the routine.
US08890040B2

An electrically heated aerosol-generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes a heating element including a first electrically conductive element electrically insulated from a second electrically conductive element by an electrically insulating portion. The first and second elements are elongate and are electrically connected to each other by an electrically resistive portion. At least one electrically conductive element and the electrically resistive portion are arranged such that they are at least partially in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.
US08890036B2

A vacuum oven or vacuum furnace is disclosed having a heat distribution sleeve that conforms to the shape of an interior heating chamber. The heat distribution sleeve may be of generally annular shape, like a ring, and located in a substantially regularly spaced and offset relationship from a heating element located within walls adjacent the interior heating chamber. The heat distribution sleeve includes a thermal conductive material which absorbs and re-radiates heat emitted from the heating element, thereby providing more consistent and regular radiation fields for heating treating a work piece that is loaded on a work holding tray and, upon the vacuum oven being in an operational position, the work piece is located within the furnace chamber.
US08890033B2

A heat pad assembly for installation and/or removal of a bracket from a structure comprises a heating element. The heat pad assembly may have at least one and, more preferably, a plurality of perforations formed therein. The heating element may be configured to generate heat upon the application of electrical current passing therethrough. The heat pad assembly may be used for temporary installation of a bracket to a mounting surface through the use of an adhesive which is installable between the bracket and the structure.
US08890032B2

Heater leads for a leading edge resistive heating element are configured to accommodate the relative movement of the propeller blades to adjust propeller blade pitch. The heater leads each include a static portion and a dynamic portion. The static portion remains fixed relative to the rotating propeller during operation and the dynamic portion moves with movements of the individual blades to adjust pitch. The length of the dynamic portion accommodates the limits of movement and includes features that provide the desired performance and operational life.
US08890022B2

A method for welding two metal parts from aluminum alloys with the steps: melting of the metal parts to be joined in a weld region through an energy input by means of a laser beam with the formation of a weld seam, smoothing the surface of the weld seam through a further energy input with partial melting of the weld seam in the region of the surface, wherein the further energy input is a defocused laser beam, of which the focal point is positioned in the beam direction in front of or behind the surface of the weld seam, wherein the defocused laser beam and the surface normal of a surface of the two metal parts to which the laser beam is applied, incorporate an angle of greater than or equal to 5 degrees, and a connecting arrangement welded with this method.
US08890018B2

A method for inspecting and sorting a plurality of IC units comprising the steps of: delivering a frame containing said IC units to a unit picking station; conducting a first inspection of said units during the delivering step and recording the subsequent result; removing said units from the frame, and moving said units from the unit picking station to a flipping station; conducting a second inspection of said units during the moving step and recording the subsequent result; flipping said units to expose an opposed face said units; conducting a third inspection of said opposed face and recording the subsequent result, then; sorting said units into categories based on the recorded results from the first, second and third inspecting steps.
US08890017B2

A motor operator for switchgear (1) for use in mains power distribution systems such as public medium high voltage distribution systems, where the switchgear comprises a closed cabinet (2) with an operating shaft (6) accessible from the front surface (4). The operating shaft is rotatable at least between two positions and has, a coupling part. The motor operator comprises a worm gear in a separate worm gear housing (11), which is mountable on the external surface of the switchgear cabinet. An adapter (21) with a connection shaft (22) is located in a recess in the worm wheel (16). The worm of the worm gear is connected to a motor which could be located remotely from the worm gear housing and connected to the worm preferably by means of a flexible shaft (15). This renders it possible to mount the motor operator in confined spaces.
US08890016B2

A touch pad for an operating button of an electronics device provides a contact point for tactile input through the button. The button is adhesively mounted to the button, the surface of the electronics device surrounding the button, or both button and surrounding surface. The pad preferably fully overlies the button, and may have a lower surface that conforms to the shape of the top surface of the button.
US08890012B2

Provided is a portable terminal including a switch button member having binding rings extending from both end portions thereof, respectively, and a case member having a seating groove on an outer circumferential surface of a side portion thereof, in which the button member is disposed on the seating groove and the binding rings are inserted into an inner side of the case member, respectively, so as to bind the switch button to said case member.
US08890004B2

An electrical connector assembly includes a cage having an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls that extend from the upper wall to the lower wall. The side walls have exterior sides. The cage includes an interior cavity and a divider that extends between the side walls and divides the interior cavity into at least two internal compartments. The cage includes a front end that is open to the internal compartments. The side walls have front edges at the front end. The internal compartments are configured to receive pluggable modules therein through the front end. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) cover is mounted to the divider such that the EMI cover is engaged with and electrically connected to the divider. The EMI cover includes a flap that wraps around the front edge of a corresponding side wall. The flap overlaps and engages the exterior side of the corresponding side wall.
US08890002B2

A resin multilayer substrate includes a component-containing layer and a thin resin layer stacked on a surface of the component-containing layer. The resin multilayer substrate further includes a surface electrode located on a surface opposite to the surface of the thin resin layer stacked on the component-containing layer, a first via conductor provided in the component-containing layer, which includes an end reaching one surface of the component-containing layer, and a second via conductor provided in the thin resin layer, which includes a first end electrically connected to the surface electrode and a second end electrically connected to the via conductor. A portion of the thin resin layer in contact with the second via conductor defines a projection projecting into the first via conductor.
US08889995B2

To reduce the RF losses associated with high RF loss plating, such as, for example, Ni/Pd/Au plating, the solder mask is reconfigured to prevent the edges and sidewalls of the wire-bond areas from being plated in some embodiments. Leaving the edges and sidewalls of the wire-bond areas free from high RF loss plating, such as Ni/Pd/Au plating, provides a path for the RF current to flow around the high resistivity material, which reduces the RF signal loss associated with the high resistivity plating material.
US08889985B2

A protective housing for an electronic device includes a main body, a protective cover, and a connecting mechanism. The protective cover is rotatably and detachably mounted to the main body by the connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism includes a first magnetic assembly, a second magnetic assembly, and a mounting base. The first magnetic assembly is assembled within the main body, the second magnetic assembly is assembled within the mounting base. The mounting base is pivotally hinged to the protective cover, and the first magnetic assembly and the second magnetic assembly attract each other, thereby connecting the main body and the protective cover together.
US08889981B2

A photoelectric device includes a first semiconductor structure and a second semiconductor structure on a substrate, and the first semiconductor structure includes a different conductivity type from the second semiconductor structure. The photoelectric device also includes a first electrode on the first semiconductor structure and a second electrode on the second semiconductor structure, and an interlayer insulating structure adjacent to the second semiconductor structure. The interlayer insulating structure separates the first semiconductor structure from the second semiconductor structure and separates the first semiconductor structure from the second electrode.
US08889975B2

A keyboard apparatus, including: a key that is pivotable by depressing and release operations between: a pivotal movement start position corresponding to a non-key depression state; and a pivotal movement end position corresponding to a key-depression end state; a hammer body that is pivotable between: a pivotal movement start position; and a pivotal movement end position for imparting inertia to the key depressing operation; and an elastic portion to apply elastic force to at least one of the key and the hammer body, wherein the elastic portion is configured not to apply the elastic force to the key and the hammer body in the non-key depression state and configured to start to apply the elastic force in a direction toward the pivotal movement start position to the at least one of the key and the hammer body from a certain point in a forward stroke of the key depressing operation.
US08889972B1

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH752946. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH752946, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH752946 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH752946.
US08889938B2

The present disclosure provides methods to produce para-xylene, toluene, and other compounds from renewable sources (e.g., cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, sugar) and ethylene in the presence of a catalyst. For example, cellulose and/or hemicellulose may be converted into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which may be converted into para-xylene by cycloaddition of ethylene to DMF. Para-xylene can then be oxidized to form terephthalic acid.
US08889934B2

A process for hydrocarbon conversion, comprising: contacting a hydrocarbon with an acid catalyst containing greater than 15 wt % conjunct polymer. The acid catalyst has a molar ratio of Al to a heteroatom selected from the group of N, P, O, S, and combinations thereof greater than 2.0. The hydrocarbon is converted during the contacting. Also a method to make a catalyst having greater than 15 wt % conjunct polymer and a high molar ratio of Al to the heteroatom, wherein an acidic ionic liquid catalyst is made that is effective for catalyzing a reaction. There are also provided catalyst compositions having greater than 15 wt % conjunct polymer.
US08889926B2

A method for the synthesis of 1,3-di(chloropropyl)-5-tert-butyl benzene includes the steps of conducting Friedl-Crafts alkylation of 1,3-diisopropyl benzene by tert-butyl chloride in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to obtain 1-tert-butyl-3,5-diisopropylbenzene; peroxidizing the 1-tert-butyl-3,5-diisopropyl benzene by gaseous oxygen in the presence of a peroxidation catalyst in a basic solution to obtain 1,3-di(peroxypropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene; reducing the 1,3-di(peroxypropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene with a reducing agent to 1,3-di(hydroxylpropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene; and chlorinating the 1,3-di(hydroxypropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene to obtain 1,3-di(chloropropyl)-5-tert-butyl benzene.
US08889909B2

Photoactive compositions of matter, methods for their design and synthesis, and various applications of such compositions of matter are disclosed. Such photoactive compositions may, for example, include any one or more of the following: a core moiety; a primary electron donor moiety; an electron-withdrawing moiety; and an alkyl tail. Some photoactive compositions may further include multiple additional electron donor moieties, electron-withdrawing moieties, and alkyl tails. Applications of such photoactive compositions of matter may include use in photovoltaic cells (e.g., as a p- or n-type material of the active layer of some photovoltaic cells, or as a dye to be employed in other photovoltaic cells); batteries, field-effect transistors; and light-emitting diodes.
US08889908B2

The invention provides a method for producing amides via the reaction of aldehydes and amines with oxygen adsorbed on a metallic silver or silver alloy catalyst. An exemplary reaction is shown in Scheme 1: (I), (II), (III).
US08889903B2

A rare earth metal extractant in the form of a dialkyl diglycol amic acid is synthesized by reacting diglycolic anhydride with a dialkylamine in an aprotic polar solvent, with a molar ratio of dialkylamine to diglycolic anhydride being at least 1.0, and removing the aprotic polar solvent.
US08889901B2

A photoacid generator represented by the following formula (1), a method for producing the photoacid generator, and a resist composition containing the photoacid generator are provided. wherein in the formula (1), Y, X, R1, R2, n1, n2 and A+ have the same meanings as defined in the detailed description of the invention. The photoacid generator can maintain an appropriate contact angle at the time of ArF liquid immersion lithography, can reduce defects occurring during liquid immersion lithography, and has excellent solubility in resist solvents and excellent compatibility with resins. Furthermore, the photoacid generator can be produced by an efficient and simple method using an epoxy compound that is industrially easily available.
US08889898B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing (2,3) disubstituted succinates that allows (2,3) disubstituted succinates to be obtained in good purity and with acceptable reaction yields. The (2) and (3) substitutions may be the same or different. The process comprises reacting a haloacetate with a malonic acid ester into a tricarboxylate, which is further reacted to a (2,3) disubstituted tricarboxylate, hydrolyzed, decarboxylated and optionally esterified. Esterified (2,3) disubstituted succinic esters may be used as internal donor in Ziegler-Natta type catalysts for the polymerization of olefins.
US08889894B2

A compound of formula (I) for use in the treatment of a disease of the immune system; wherein R is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl moiety having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms; R1 is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl moiety having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; each of R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from an optionally-substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, arylene, arylalkylene or alkylarylene moiety having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; each of X, Y and Z is independently selected from an optionally-substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkenylene, arylene, alkylarylene, cycloalkylene, ketone, ester, amide, imide, imine, thioether, ether, thioester and thioketone; and P is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl group, a sugar residue, or a metal, phosphonium or ammonium species; wherein at least one of X, Y and Z includes a moiety selected from cyclopropyl, C=A, C-AH and C—OR5; wherein R5 is alkyl or haloalkyl, and A is O, S or NR6, wherein R6 may be H or 20 alkyl.
US08889884B1

A phosphine derivative of DyLight dyes modified with ethylene glycol or (poly)ethylene glycol groups. In one embodiment, the compounds are useful in chemoselective ligation reactions.
US08889883B2

The present invention is directed to a fluorescence compound represented by structural Formula (I), with specificity to neural stem cells: I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The variables for structural Formula (I) are defined herein. Also described are methods for detection of neural stem cells, comprising using a compound of structural Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Compounds of structural Formula (I) can detect and separate neural stem cells without immunostaining, providing a much shorter and more convenient method for detection of neural stem cells.
US08889874B2

The present invention provides Chalcone linked Imidazolone compounds of formula A as anti cancer agent against fifty three human cancer cell lines. wherein
US08889869B2

A method for making the compound is set forth utilizing the starting material
US08889868B2

This invention relates to novel analogs of the DNA-alkylating agent CC-1065 and to their conjugates. Furthermore this invention concerns intermediates for the preparation of said agents and conjugates. The conjugates are designed to release their (multiple) payload after one or more activation steps and/or at a rate and time span controlled by the conjugate in order to selectively deliver and/or controllably release one or more of said DNA alkylating agents. The agents, conjugates, and intermediates can be used to treat an illness that is characterized by undesired (cell) proliferation. As an example, the agents and the conjugates of this invention may be used to treat a tumor.
US08889867B2

The present invention provides amorphous solid forms of the compound of Formula I, as well as methods for preparing the compound of Formula I by precipitation.
US08889864B2

Compounds comprising phosphorescent metal complexes comprising cyclometallated imidazo[1,2-f]phenanthridine and diimidazo[1,2-a:1′,2′-c]quinazoline ligands, or isoelectronic or benzannulated analogs thereof, are described. Organic light emitting diode devices comprising these compounds are also described.
US08889861B2

The present invention relates to new crystalline forms of a purine derivative which exhibits excellent anti-tumour activity. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing said crystalline forms as an active ingredient, and use thereof in the prevention or treatment of disease. The invention further relates to a process for preparing the crystalline forms.
US08889850B2

The present invention is directed to molecules that inhibit expression or a function of a eukaryotic Heat Shock RNA (HSR1) and their use for inhibiting a stress response or stress tolerance in a cell.
US08889846B2

This invention provides antibodies that specifically bind and neutralize Staphylococcus enterotoxin B. In addition, nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, and cells that express such antibodies are provided. Also provided are methods for treating diseases mediated by, and for neutralizing Staphylococcus enterotoxin B.
US08889842B2

The present invention relates to triterpene glycoside saponin-derived adjuvants, syntheses thereof, intermediates thereto, and uses thereof. QS-7 is a potent immuno-adjuvant that is significantly less toxic than QS-21, a related saponin that is currently the favored adjuvant in anticancer and antiviral vaccines. Tedious isolation and purification protocols have hindered the clinical development of QS-7. A novel semi-synthetic method is provided wherein a hydrolyzed prosapogenin mixture is used to synthesize QS-7, QS-21, and related analogs, greatly facilitating access to QS-7 and QS-21 analogs for preclinical and clinical evaluation.
US08889841B2

The present invention is a method for purifying Rebaudioside C by subjecting “waste material,” generated during the Rebaudioside A manufacturing process, to liquid-liquid extraction and recrystallizing the Rebaudioside C.
US08889839B2

This invention relates to novel Ln(III) complexes of pybox, and methods of making the same. The present invention also relates to a method of use of pybox as a chelating moiety and sensitizer for Ln(III) ion luminescence. Derivatives of pybox and methods of making the same are also provided.
US08889838B2

The present invention provides novel methods for reducing the serine protease and/or serine protease zymogen content of a plasma-derived protein composition. Also provided are methods for manufacturing plasma-derived protein compositions having reduced serine protease and\or serine protease zymogen content. Among yet other aspects, the present invention provides aqueous and lyophilized compositions of plasma-derived proteins having reduced serine protease and/or serine protease zymogen content. Yet other aspects include methods for treating, managing, and/or preventing a disease comprising the administration of a plasma-derived protein composition having a reduced serine protease or serine protease zymogen content.
US08889837B2

The invention is a method for the purification of mono-PEGylated erythropoietin using two cation exchange chromatography steps wherein the same type of cation exchange material is used in both cation exchange chromatography steps and a method for producing a mono-PEGylated erythropoietin in substantially homogeneous form.
US08889836B2

The present invention is method for non-covalently immobilizing an infectious prion protein using a magnetic substrate.
US08889831B2

Conjugates of a Factor VIII moiety and one or more water-soluble polymers are provided. Typically, the water-soluble polymer is poly(ethylene glycol) or a derivative thereof. Also provided are compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of making the conjugates, and methods of administering compositions comprising the conjugates to a patient.
US08889827B2

The present invention relates to modified opiorphin peptides as new inhibitors of metallo-ectopeptidases.
US08889819B2

A method for producing a polyester resin composition includes conducting polyconensation via esterification or transesterification, wherein an alkali metal phosphate in an amount of 1.3 mol/ton to 3.0 mol/ton and phosphoric acid in an amount of 0.4 to 1.5 times (by mole) that of the alkali metal phosphate are added at a stage between the point of time when the esterication or transesterification has been substantially completed and the point of time when the intrinsic viscosity reaches 0.4. A polyester resin composition obtained by the process exhibits excellent long-term hydrolysis resistance and excellent mechanical characteristics.
US08889817B2

Triazine polymer comprising at least a plurality of base structural units comprising at least a moiety corresponding to the formula: in which: the symbols X1 and X2, which are identical or different, represent S, SO, or SO2; the symbols Ar1 and Ar2, which are identical or different, represent a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene group; the symbol Ar3 represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group; the symbol Tz represents the 1,3,5-triazine nucleus. This polymer of the invention, which can be used as electrolyte in a PEM fuel cell, makes it possible to obtain membranes of high chemical and dimensional stability which additionally exhibit a high ion conductivity.
US08889813B2

An aspect of the present invention relates to a mixture of a sulfonate group-containing compound denoted by general formula (1) with a protonic acid: wherein, in general formula (1), X denotes a divalent linking group; each of R1 and R2 independently denotes an alkyl group comprising at least one hydroxyl group and equal to or more than three carbon atoms or an aralkyl group comprising at least one hydroxyl group and equal to or more than eight carbon atoms; and M denotes a cation.
US08889797B2

Disclosed are a polylactide stereocomplex with improved thermal stability and thus improved processability and a method for preparing the same. In order to confer flexibility to polymer chains, D-type polylactide polymer containing a small amount of caprolactone (poly D-lactide-caprolactone copolymer) is synthesized and it is uniformly mixed with L-type single-phase polylactide to prepare a flexible polylactide stereocomplex. Since the polylactide stereocomplex having flexible polymer chains has superior heat resistance and mechanical stability and experiences little decrease of the degree of stereocomplex formation even after thermal processing, the polylactide stereocomplex having improved thermal stability can be advantageously used for engineering plastics requiring high strength and good thermal stability, alternative materials for general-use plastics, high-performance medical materials, or the like because of its remarkably improved processability.
US08889795B2

A class of molecularly imprinted polymers that specifically recognizes and binds to TSNAs are useful, for example, in analysis and separation of TSNAs from biological fluids. Such polymers are also useful in methods of treating and manufacturing tobacco products and materials.
US08889791B2

Provided are novel biocompatible copolymers and compositions comprising the copolymers. The copolymers and degradation products thereof are non-toxic and typically have an LCST between room temperature and 37° C. so that they are liquid at room temperature and gelled at 37° C. which facilitates their use in humans, for example for wound treatment and as a cellular growth matrix or niche. The copolymer comprises numerous ester linkages in its backbone so that the copolymers are erodeable in situ. Degradation products of the polymer are soluble and non-toxic. The copolymer is amine-reactive so that it can conjugate with proteins, such as collagen. Active ingredients, such as drugs, can be incorporated into compositions comprising the copolymer.
US08889774B2

Disclosed are latex polymers and an aqueous coating compositions having excellent freeze-thaw stability, open time, stain resistance, low temperature film formation, foam resistance, block resistance, adhesion, water sensitivity and a low-VOC content. The latex polymers and aqueous coating compositions include at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer copolymerized or blended with an alkoxylated compound, for example an alkoxylated tristyrylphenol or an alkoxylated tributylphenol. Also provided is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer, at least one pigment, water and at least one freeze-thaw additive. Typically, the freeze-thaw additive in an amount greater than about 1.3% by weight of the polymer, typically in an amount greater than about 2% by weight of the polymer, in an amount greater than about 4% by weight of the polymer, in an amount greater than about 7.5% by weight of the polymer, in an amount greater than about 10% by weight of the polymer or in an amount greater than about 20% by weight of the polymer.
US08889768B2

Use of thermoplastic molding compositions comprising, as essential components, A) a polyester, B) from 20 to 200 mmol/kg of polyester A) of at least one compound of the general formula (I) where respectively independently at any position -A1- is —NR—, —O—, —S—, —CH=A4- where R is H or C1-6-alkyl, A4 is N or CH A2 is COOX or OX, where X is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg/2, Ca/2, Sr/2, Ba/2, Al/3 A3 is C1-6-alkyl, C6-12-aryl, O7-13-alkaryl, C7-13-aralkyl, O—C1-6-alkyl, O—C6-12-aryl, O—C7-13-alkaryl, O—C7-13-aralkyl, COOX′, OX′, SX′, SO3X′, where X′ is H or X, S—C1-6-alkyl, S—C6-12-aryl, NR2, halogen, NO2, n is an integer from 1 to 4, and m is an integer from 0 to 4−n, where m=1, if A3=NO2, with the proviso that the number of mmol is based on the group(s) COOX and OX and SX′ where X′═X, to the extent that these are present in the compound of the general formula (I), and also moreover C) from 0 to 230% by weight of further added substances, based on the weight of component A), for producing laser-transparent moldings of any type.
US08889761B2

A method for making a composite material with non-spherical reinforcing particles embedded in a matrix, is disclosed. In this method, in a first step magnetic and/or superparamagnetic nanoparticles are attached to the non-spherical reinforcing particles, in a second step the resulting reinforcing particles are introduced into a liquid matrix material and/or a liquid matrix-precursor material, and in a third step the material of the matrix is solidified and/or polymerized and/or cross-linked. In accordance with the proposed invention prior to and/or during solidification and/or polymerization and/or cross-linking of the matrix material or the matrix precursor material, respectively, a magnetic field is applied so as to align the reinforcing particles in the matrix and this alignment is fixed in the matrix during and after the third step, wherein the non-spherical reinforcing particles preferably have a length (l) in one dimension of at least 0.5 μm and wherein the weight ratio of the nano-particles to the non-spherical reinforcing particles is below 0.25.
US08889760B2

Described herein is a degradable linking agent of formula Photo1-LG-Photo2, wherein Photo1 and Photo2 independently represent at least one photoreactive group and LG represents a linking group comprising one or more silicon atoms or one or more phosphorous atoms. The degradable linking agent includes a covalent linkage between at least one photoreactive group and the linking group, wherein the covalent linkage between at least one photoreactive group and the linking group is interrupted by at least one heteroatom. A method for coating a support surface with the degradable linking agent, coated support surfaces and medical devices are also described.
US08889756B2

A process for producing rigid polyurethane foams, in which a mixture of one or more high-functionality polyether alcohols having functionalities of from 3.5 to 5.5 and a hydroxyl number of from 350 to 550 mg KOH/g, one or more polyether alcohols based on aliphatic and/or aromatic amines and having functionalities of from 3 to 4 and a hydroxyl number of from 150 to 800 mg KOH/g, an OH-comprising fatty acid ester and, if appropriate, one or more low molecular weight chain extenders and/or crosslinkers having functionalities of from 2 to 3 and a molecular weight Mw of <400 g/mol is used as polyol component, is described. The rigid polyurethane foams obtained have a good surface quality.
US08889752B2

Cellular and multi-cellular polystyrene and polystyrenic foams and methods of forming such foams are disclosed. The foams include an expanded polystyrene formed from expansion of an expandable polystyrene including an adsorbent comprising alumina, wherein the multi-cellular polystyrene exhibits a multi-cellular size distribution. The process for forming a foamed article includes providing a formed styrenic polymer and contacting the formed styrenic polymer with a first blowing agent and an adsorbent comprising alumina to form extrusion polystyrene. The process further includes forming the extrusion styrenic polymer into an expanded styrenic polymer and forming the expanded styrenic polymer into a foamed article.
US08889751B2

The present specification discloses porous materials, methods of forming such porous materials, materials and devices comprising such porous materials, and methods of making such materials and devices.
US08889749B2

Provided is a method for preparing hydrophobic monolithic silica aerogel, comprising dipping monolithic wet silica gel obtained by using an alkoxide precursor into an alkylsilane solution as a dipping solution to perform hydrophobitization of the surface and inner part of the monolithic wet silica gel by a dipping process. The method is economical by virtue of the use of a small amount of alkylsilane compound and imparts hydrophobic property to monolithic silica aerogel simply in a cost efficient and time efficient manner. In addition, the method reduces shrinkage of hydrophobic monolithic silica aerogel, enables production of hydrophobic monolithic silica aerogel in a translucent form, and allows the hydrophobic monolithic silica aerogel to maintain low heat conductivity similar to the heat conductivity of hydrophilic silica aerogel. The hydrophobic monolithic silica aerogel may be used directly as a heat insulating panel by virtue of excellent hydrophobic property and heat insulating property.
US08889744B2

Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed. The compounds are hexafluoro-honokiol analogs. The compounds and compositions can be used to treat and/or prevent a wide variety of cancers, including drug resistant cancers. Representative hexafluoro-honokiol analogs include hexafluoro-honokiol, analogs in which one or both hydroxy groups are replaced with dichloroacetate esters, and analogs with increased fluorination. The compounds are believed to function, at least, by inhibiting angiogenesis and/or inducing apoptosis. Thus, the compounds are novel therapeutic agents for a variety of cancers.
US08889737B2

The present invention relates to the use of a 2,5-dihydroxybenzene derivative of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, isomer, or prodrug thereof for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of, inter alia, skin cancer.
US08889735B2

The present invention relates to a method for treating asthenopia, accommodative dysfunction or ocular pain comprising an administration of a specific prostaglandin compound to a mammalian subject. The present invention also relates to a composition for treating asthenopia, accommodative dysfunction or ocular pain comprising a specific prostaglandin compound.
US08889734B2

The subject of the present invention is a novel process for the preparation of N-[2-n-butyl-3-{4-[(3-dibutylamino)propoxy]benzoyl}-1-benzofuran-5-yl]methanesulfonamide of formula I: and the new intermediates of the preparation process.
US08889728B2

A stable solid oral pharmaceutical composition comprising carvedilol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which is packed using a suitable packaging material along with a desiccant. A process for manufacturing a stable solid oral dosage form containing carvedilol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which is packed in the packaging configuration comprising moisture permeation inhibitory packaging. A method of preparing a stable solid oral pharmaceutical dosage form, said method comprising, encasing a pharmaceutical dosage form comprising carvedilol or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a container comprising a desiccant. A pharmaceutical kit comprising a container impervious to moisture, wherein said container comprises a desiccant; and a solid oral pharmaceutical dosage form comprising carvedilol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein said pharmaceutical dosage form is encased in said container.
US08889724B2

Uric acid in mammalian subjects is reduced and excretion of uric acid is increased by administering a compound of Formula I. The uric acid-lowering effects of the compounds of this invention are used to treat or prevent a variety of conditions including gout, hyperuricemia, elevated levels of uric acid that do not meet the levels customarily justifying a diagnosis of hyperuricemia, renal dysfunction, kidney stones, cardiovascular disease, risk for developing cardiovascular disease, tumor-lysis syndrome, cognitive impairment, early-onset essential hypertension, and Plasmodium falciparum-induced inflammation.
US08889713B1

The compounds herein disclosed are N-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline benzamide and benzene sulfonamide compounds that have modifications on the phenyl rings by introducing groups with various electronic properties. These derivatives of N-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds have been shown to have anti-proliferative activity against cells. In particular, the compounds have been found to be effective in inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells, such as cancer cells that originated in breast tissue. Additionally, it has been shown that the novel compounds have IC50 values against the breast cancer cells that are 6- to 10-fold less than the IC50 of Tamoxifen.
US08889706B2

The present invention relates to small molecule modulators of mTORC1 and mTORC2, syntheses thereof, and intermediates thereto. Such small molecule modulators are useful in the treatment of proliferative diseases (e.g., benign neoplasms, cancers, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, diabetic retinopathy) and metabolic diseases. Novel small molecules are provided that inhibit one or more of mTORC1, mTORC2, and PI3K-related proteins. Novel methods of providing soluble mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes are discussed, as well as methods of using the soluble complexes in a high-throughput manner to screen for inhibitory compounds.
US08889701B1

The instant invention relates to a novel compound representing a substituted phosphoramidic acid—a (2R,3R,5R)-3-hydroxy-(5-pyrimidin-1-yl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl aryl phosphoramidate of formula 1 or a (S)-(2R,3R,5R)-3-hydroxy-(5-pyrimidin-1-yl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl aryl phosphoramidate of formula 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a hydrate, a crystalline form or a stereoisomer thereof, as defined in the specification.The novel compound is used for a pharmaceutical composition with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient as well as with an inosine 5 monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitor, HCV protease NS3 inhibitor, HCV protease NS3/4A inhibitor, and RNA polymerase NS5A inhibitor. The novel compound is useful as a viral polymerase HCV NS5B inhibitor and can be used for treating a disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV).
US08889700B2

The present invention relates to novel 4-(4-cyano-2-thioaryl)dihydropyrimidin-2-one derivatives, to processes for their preparation, to their use alone or in combination for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases and also to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prevention of disorders of the lung and the cardiovascular system.
US08889691B2

The present invention relates to new indole compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or isomers thereof which are useful for the prevention or treatment of cellular necrosis and necrosis-associated diseases. The present invention also relates to a method and a composition for the prevention or treatment of cellular necrosis and necrosis-associated diseases, comprising said indole compounds as an active ingredient.
US08889690B2

The invention relates to compounds of formula IA and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula IA or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, and methods for treating or preventing a condition such as pain, UI, an ulcer, IBD and IBS, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of formula IA or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.
US08889688B2

The invention relates to novel piperazine derivatives and their use as active ingredients in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. The invention also concerns related aspects including pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of those compounds and their use as medicaments for the treatment or prevention of protozoal infections, such as especially malaria.
US08889687B2

This invention in one embodiment is directed to a compound of Formula Ia; where the designation (R) indicates that the designated carbon has the (R) stereochemistry; and wherein Z1 is hydrogen or fluorine; Z2 is hydrogen, deuterium, or fluorine; Z3 is deuterium; Z4 is fluorine; m is an integer from 0 to 10; n is an integer from 0 to 2; provided that: the sum of m+n does not exceed 10; and when both Z1 and Z2 are hydrogen, the sum of m+n is greater than 0, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising one or more compounds of this invention and a carrier and the use of the disclosed compounds and compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering an antihelminthic agent, such as praziquantel.
US08889685B2

Maleate salts of (6-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)-5-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)carbonyloxy]-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazine) are provided. The salts are useful for treating sleep disorders.
US08889683B2

The present invention relates to novel quinoxaline compounds of Formula I: as Fatty Acid Binding Protein (“FABP”) inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the quinoxaline compounds and the use of the quinoxaline compounds for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease, a metabolic disorder, obesity or an obesity-related disorder, diabetes, dyslipidemia, a diabetic complication, impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose.
US08889676B2

The invention relates to 3-ureidoisoquinolin-8-yl derivatives of formula I wherein R1 is alkyl, haloalkyl or cyclopropyl; R2 is H, halogen, pyridazin-4-yl, pyrimidin-5-yl or an optionally substituted pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl or phenyl group; R3 is alkyl, alkynyl, aminoalkyl, carbamoylalkyl, methylcarbamoylalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkynyloxy, (4-hydroxybut-2-yn-1-yl)oxy, (4-aminobut-2-yn-1-yl)oxy, dimethylaminoalkoxy, carbamoylalkoxy, alkylamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, carboxyalkyl, carboxyalkoxy, alkoxycarbonylalkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, benzyl, benzyloxy, 2-cyanoethoxy, 2,3-dihydroxypropoxy, 3,4-dihydroxybutoxy, —CH2Ra, —CH2CH2Rb, —(CH2)n—C(O)O—Rd, —(CH2)n—N(Rc)C(O)O—Rd, —O—(CH2)n—N(Rc)C(O)O—Rd, —(CH2)n—Re or —O—(CH2)n—Re; Ra is cyano, acetylamino or N,N-dimethylamino; Rb is cyano or carbamoyl; Rc is H or methyl; Rd is alkyl; Re is pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperidin-1-yl, piperidin-3-yl, morpholin-1-yl, 2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl, 5-oxopyrrolidin-2-yl, 2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl, 2-oxoimidazolidin-1-yl, 4-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperazin-1-yl, 4-(aminomethyl)cyclohexyl or heteroaryl; R4 is H or methyl; and to the salts of such compounds. These compounds are useful for the prevention or the treatment of bacterial infections.
US08889673B2

A compound of Formula I, enantiomers, diasteriomers, tautomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined herein, are useful as JAK kinase inhibitors. A pharmaceutical composition that includes a compound of Formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle, and methods of treating or lessening the severity of a disease or condition responsive to the inhibition of JAK kinase activity in a patient are disclosed.
US08889669B2

The invention relates to novel benzodiazepine derivatives with antiproliferative activity and more specifically to novel benzodiazepine compounds of formula (I)-(VII). The invention also provides conjugates of the benzodiazepine compounds linked to a cell-binding agent. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a proliferative disorder in a mammal using the compounds or conjugates of the invention.
US08889662B2

The present invention includes methods of influencing the sex chromosome ovulated by a female bird and altering the sex ratio in avian offspring by altering the exposure of an ovulating female bird to one or more stress hormones. In some aspects, the method includes exposing an avian female to a glucocorticoid, such as for example, corticosterone, after the completion of rapid yolk deposition and prior to ovulation.
US08889652B2

The present invention relates to an injection solution for intra-articular administration for treating arthritic disorders comprising a cross-linked hyaluronic acid derivative wherein part of functional groups of a hyaluronic acid are cross-linked with a cross-linking group to the extent of 0.6 to 15% of cross-linking extent as an active ingredient in an amount having a long-lasting analgesic effect and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and an analgesic composition for suppressing a cartilage degeneration caused by arthritic disorders or a composition for suppressing a cartilage degeneration or an inflammation of synovium caused by arthritic disorders each comprising the cross-linked hyaluronic acid derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US08889651B2

The invention relates to trehalose derivatives with general formula (I), a preparation method and uses thereof, wherein 6,6′-bis(2,3-dimethoxybenzoyl)-α,α-D-trehalose has anti-colon cancer 26-L5 cell invasion activity which is better than that of a natural product Brartemicin, IC50 is 0.10 μg/mL (0.15 μM), and when the IC50 is 10 μg/mL, 6,6′-bis(2,3-dimethoxybenzoyl)-α,α-D-trehalose has no cytotoxicity, shows high-selectivity anti-tumor invasion activity and can be used for preparing medicaments for preventing and treating invasion and metastasis of colon cancer and the like.
US08889648B2

The problem of the present invention is to prove a medicament for decreasing body weigh, a medicament for decreasing visceral fat, a medicament for decreasing triglyceride in the liver, and a method for screening a medicament for ameliorating obesity and fatty liver. The problem is solved by a method comprising measuring an activity of a candidate material for inhibiting a sphingomyelin synthetase wherein if the candidate material has an activity for inhibiting a sphingomyelin synthetase, the candidate material is judged to have at least one function selected from the consisting of an anti-obesity drug, a drug for decreasing visceral fat, a drug for treating fatty liver and an agent for increasing adiponectin expression.
US08889646B2

The present invention relates, in general, to a pharmacologic system to modulate the biology of platelets based upon a nucleic acid ligand that can interact with and modulate the activity of platelet glycoprotein GPVI to regulate platelet function. These nucleic acid ligands are also actively reversible using a modulator that inhibits the activity of the nucleic acid ligand to neutralize this pharmacologic effect and thereby restore GPVI function, including collagen binding, platelet adhesion, collagen-induced platelet activation, and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. The invention further relates to compositions comprising the nucleic acid ligand, the ligand and a modulator, methods to generate the nucleic acid ligand and its modulator, as well as methods of using these agents and compositions in medical therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
US08889644B2

The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) targeting a G-alpha q subunit (GNAQ) of a heterotrimeric G gene, and methods of using the dsRNA to inhibit expression of GNAQ.
US08889643B2

The use of compounds is described which are capable of functionally blocking at least one of the genes chosen from the group composed of EphAI, EphA2, EphA8, EphB2, CSF1R, VEGFR2, RAMP2, RAMP3, CLRN1, MAPK4, PIK3C2A, PIK3CG, GSK3alpha, GSK3beta, IRAK3, DAPK1, JAK1, PIM1, TRB3, BTG1, LATS1, LIMK2, MYLK, PAK1, PAK2, CDC2, BTK, PNRC2, NCOA4, NR2C1, TPR, RBBP8, TRPC7, FXYD1, ERNI, PRSS16, RPS3, CCL23 and SERPINE1, for the manufacture of a medicament destined to diminish the resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs in the therapeutic treatment of epithelial tumor pathologies. Also described is a method for the determination of the drug resistance in tumor cells, as well as a method for the identification of tumor stem cells.
US08889641B2

The present invention provides AAV capsid proteins (VP1, VP2 and/or VP3) comprising a modification in the amino acid sequence in the three-fold axis loop 4 and virus capsids and virus vectors comprising the modified AAV capsid protein. In particular embodiments, the modification comprises a substitution of one or more amino acids at amino acid positions 585 to 590 (inclusive) of the native AAV2 capsid protein sequence or the corresponding positions of other AAV capsid proteins. The invention also provides methods of administering the virus vectors and virus capsids of the invention to a cell or to a subject in vivo.
US08889635B2

The present invention relates to novel therapeutic and diagnostic dendrimers. In particular, the present invention is directed to dendrimer-linker conjugates, methods of synthesizing the same, compositions comprising the conjugates, as well as systems and methods utilizing the conjugates (e.g., in diagnostic and/or therapeutic settings (e.g., for the delivery of therapeutics, imaging, and/or targeting agents (e.g., in disease (e.g., cancer) diagnosis and/or therapy, pain therapy, etc.)). Accordingly, dendrimer-linker conjugates of the present invention may further comprise one or more components for targeting, imaging, sensing, and/or providing a therapeutic or diagnostic material and/or monitoring response to therapy.
US08889630B2

The present invention provides a method for re-growing hair in patients with androgenic alopecia by administering effective consecutive courses of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor or derivatives. After the state of re-growth is obtained, the hair growth is maintained by administering periodic courses of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor or derivatives. The invention further provides a method for increasing cuticle growth and density using a similar administration of effective consecutive courses of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor or derivatives. The increased cuticle growth and density is maintained by administering periodic courses of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor or derivatives.
US08889621B2

The present invention is directed to a method of treating hypophosphatemia in a subject. This method involves selecting a subject with hypophosphatemia associated with elevated or normal FGF23 and administering to the selected subject an inhibitor of FGF23-Klotho-FGF receptor complex formation under conditions effective to treat the hypophosphatemia.
US08889613B2

A detergent comprises an alkalinity source, a homopolymer of acrylic acid or a salt thereof, a homopolymer of methacrylic acid or a salt thereof, and a homopolymer of maleic acid or a salt thereof. Suitable weight ratios include a weight ratio of the homopolymer of methacrylic acid or a salt thereof to the homopolymer of acrylic acid or a salt thereof between approximately 1:3 and approximately 3:1, a weight ratio of the homopolymer of acrylic acid or a salt thereof to the homopolymer of maleic acid or a salt thereof between approximately 3:1 and approximately 1:6, and a weight ratio of the homopolymer of methacrylic acid or a salt thereof to the homopolymer of maleic acid or a salt thereof between approximately 2:1 and approximately 1:4.
US08889610B2

The need for a stable, quick dissolving unit dose article delivering good fabric care benefit is met by combining a cationic polymer with a fatty acid or salt in a non-aqueous composition, that is comprised within a water-soluble or dispersible film. By combining the cationic polymer with the fatty acid, the cationic polymer is prevented from reducing the solubility of the encapsulating film.
US08889605B2

A straw biolubricant includes 70-80% mineral oil, 6-11% straw biomass oil, and 15-20% active agent. The active agent is sorbitol oleate. The straw biolubricant includes a higher contact resistance and lower coefficient of friction in comparison with a conventional lubricant, therefore to reduce the temperature of operating machine parts.
US08889595B2

Compounds of the formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as herbicides.
US08889587B2

A catalyst system comprising a first catalytic composition comprising a first catalytic material disposed on a metal inorganic support; wherein the metal inorganic support has pores; and at least one promoting metal. The catalyst system further comprises a second catalytic composition comprising, (i) a zeolite, or (ii) a first catalytic material disposed on a first substrate, the first catalytic material comprising an element selected from the group consisting of tungsten, titanium, and vanadium. The catalyst system may further comprise a third catalytic composition. The catalyst system may further comprise a delivery system configured to deliver a reductant and optionally a co-reductant. A catalyst system comprising a first catalytic composition, the second catalytic composition, and the third catalytic composition is also provided. An exhaust system comprising the catalyst systems described herein is also provided.
US08889586B2

In one embodiment, the invention is to a catalyst composition, comprising vanadium and titanium. Preferably, the molar ratio of vanadium to titanium in an active phase of the catalyst composition is greater than 0.5:1.
US08889584B2

An apparatus for production of a fuel cell catalyst layer forming a catalyst layer by a catalyst paste, the apparatus including a device for removal of water to obtain a polyelectrolyte solution by reducing, to a predetermined value or less, the concentration of water in a pre-solution in which a polyelectrolyte having a side chain including a hydrophilic functional group is dissolved in a solvent; and an agitator means for obtaining the catalyst paste by mixing a pre-paste obtained by mixing a catalyst with water and the polyelectrolyte solution.
US08889580B2

The present invention is a mixture comprising by weight 0.01 to 28% of at least one medium or large pore crystalline silicoaluminate, silicoaluminophosphate materials or silicoaluminate mesoporous molecular sieves (co-catalyst) (A) for respectively 99.99 to 72% of at least a MeAPO molecular sieve.Preferably the proportion of (A) is 1 to 15% for respectively 99 to 85% of MeAPO molecular sieves.MeAPO molecular sieves having CHA (SAPO-34) or AEI (SAPO-18) structure or mixture thereof are the most preferable. Si is the most desirable metal in MeAPO.The present invention also relates to catalysts consisting of the above mixture or comprising the above mixture.The present invention also relates to a process (hereunder referred as “XTO process”) for making an olefin product from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock wherein said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock is contacted with the above catalyst (in the XTO reactor) under conditions effective to convert the oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock to olefin products (the XTO reactor effluent).The present invention also relates to a process (hereunder referred as “combined XTO and OCP process”) to make light olefins from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock comprising: contacting said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock in the XTO reactor with the above catalyst at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the feedstock to form an XTO reactor effluent comprising light olefins and a heavy hydrocarbon fraction; separating said light olefins from said heavy hydrocarbon fraction; contacting said heavy hydrocarbon fraction in the OCP reactor at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction to light olefins.
US08889579B2

A process is presented for the management of sulfur on a catalyst. The catalyst is a dehydrogenation catalyst, and sulfur accumulates during the dehydrogenation process. Sulfur compounds are stripped from the spent catalyst and the catalyst is cooled before the regeneration process. The process includes controlling the amount of sulfur that needs to be removed from the catalyst before regeneration.
US08889578B2

Processes comprising: providing a catalyst comprising a catalytic component selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, ruthenium compounds, and combinations thereof, wherein the catalyst is sulfur-poisoned with one or more sulfur compounds; and treating the catalyst with a gas stream comprising a hydrogen halide under nonoxidative conditions such that the catalyst is regenerated.
US08889575B2

Ion exchangeable glass articles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a glass article formed from alkali aluminosilicate glass which may include Ga2O3, Al2O3, Na2O, SiO2, B2O3, P2O5 and various combinations thereof. The glass article may generally include about X mol % of Ga2O3 and about Z mol % of Al2O3, wherein 0≦X≦20, 0≦Z≦25 and 10≦(X+Z)≦25. The glass article may also include from about 5 mol % to about 35 mol % Na2O, SiO2 may be present in an amount from about 40 mol % to about 70 mol % SiO2. The glass article may further include Y mol % B2O3 where Y is from 0 to about 10. The glass article may further include (10-Y) mol % of P2O5. Glass articles formed according to the present invention may be ion-exchange strengthened. In addition, the glass articles may have a low liquid CTE which enables the glass articles to be readily formed into complex shapes.
US08889571B2

A wire cloth includes warp wires and weft wires which cross each other and are interwoven by a weave pattern. The warp wires are formed in at least two different configurations to define warp wires of first and second types. A length of the first type of warp wires deviates from a length of the second type of warp wires in relation to a particular length unit, with pores being formed in interstices between sections of two neighboring warp wires and crossing sections of two neighboring weft wires.
US08889566B2

A method of forming a dielectric layer is described. The method deposits a silicon-containing film by chemical vapor deposition using a local plasma. The silicon-containing film is flowable during deposition at low substrate temperature. A silicon precursor (e.g. a silylamine, higher order silane or halogenated silane) is delivered to the substrate processing region and excited in a local plasma. A second plasma vapor or gas is combined with the silicon precursor in the substrate processing region and may include ammonia, nitrogen (N2), argon, hydrogen (H2) and/or oxygen (O2). The equipment configurations disclosed herein in combination with these vapor/gas combinations have been found to result in flowable deposition at substrate temperatures below or about 200° C. when a local plasma is excited using relatively low power.
US08889559B2

A method of forming a pattern on a substrate includes forming spaced first material-comprising pillars projecting elevationally outward of first openings formed in second material. Sidewall spacers are formed over sidewalls of the first material-comprising pillars. The sidewall spacers form interstitial spaces laterally outward of the first material-comprising pillars. The interstitial spaces are individually surrounded by longitudinally-contacting sidewall spacers that are over sidewalls of four of the first material-comprising pillars.
US08889546B2

A method of fabricating an interconnect structure is provided which includes providing a dielectric material having a dielectric constant of about 3.0 or less and at least one conductive material embedded therein, the at least one conductive material has an upper surface that is coplanar with an upper surface of the dielectric material; and forming a noble metal-containing cap directly on the upper surface of the at least one conductive material, wherein the noble metal cap is discontinuous or non-uniform.
US08889542B2

A method for fabricating through-silicon vias (TSVs) for semiconductor devices is provided. Specifically, the method involves utilizing copper contact pads in a back-end-of-line wiring level, wherein the copper contact pads act as cathodes for performing an electroplating technique to fill TSVs with plated-conductive material (e.g., copper) from an electroplating solution. Moreover, the method provides a way to fill high aspect ratio TSVs with minimal additional semiconductor fabrication process steps, which can increase the silicon area that is available for forming additional electronic components on integrated circuits.
US08889540B2

Transistors with memorized stress and methods for making such transistors. The methods include forming a transistor structure having a channel region, a source and drain region, and a gate dielectric; depositing a stressor over the channel region of the transistor structure, wherein the stressor provides a stress to the channel region; removing the stressor metal after the stress is memorized within the channel region; and depositing a work function metal over the channel region of the transistor structure, where the work function metal applies less stress to the channel region than the stress applied by the stressor. A transistor with memorized stress includes a source and drain region on a substrate; a stress-memorized channel region on the substrate that retains an externally applied stress; and a gate structure including a work function gate metal that applies less stress to the stress-memorized channel region than the externally applied stress.
US08889534B1

A method of doping a non-planar surface or a surface of a substrate subject to poor view factors is provided. The processing chamber comprises a window, walls, and a bottom of the processing chamber with oxygen-containing material, the processing chamber configured to supply oxygen radicals as an additive to doping materials. One or more quartz pieces are placed inside the processing chamber, where a magnet proximate to the processing chamber is configured to create a local magnetron plasma inside the processing chamber. Process gas containing an inert gas, sublimated doping materials, and optionally oxygen gas is flowed into the processing chamber; energy is applied to the process gas, generating a doping plasma used to expose a portion of the substrate surface while controlling operating variables to achieve target uniformity of dopant concentration, sheet resistance, degree of dopant clustering, and erosion of features on the substrate.
US08889523B2

A semiconductor process includes the following steps. A substrate having a recess is provided. A decoupled plasma nitridation process is performed to nitride the surface of the recess for forming a nitrogen containing liner on the surface of the recess. A nitrogen containing annealing process is then performed on the nitrogen containing liner.
US08889522B2

Methods and devices related to a plurality of high breakdown voltage embedded capacitors are presented. A semiconductor device may include gate material embedded in an insulator, a plurality of metal contacts, and a plurality of capacitors. The plurality of capacitors may include a lower electrode, a dielectric formed so as to cover a surface of the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the dielectric. Further, the plurality of contacts may connect each of the lower electrodes of the plurality of capacitors to the gate material. The plurality of capacitors may be connected in series via the gate material.
US08889518B2

The present invention provides a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) transistor and a method for fabricating it. The LDMOS transistor includes an n-type epitaxial layer formed on a p-type substrate, and an asymmetric conductive spacer which acts as its gate. The LDMOS transistor also includes a source and a drain region on either side of the asymmetric conductive spacer, and a channel region formed by ion-implantation on the asymmetric conductive spacer. The height of the asymmetric conductive spacer increases from the source region to the drain region. The channel region is essentially completely under the asymmetric conductive spacer and has smaller length than that of the channel region of the prior art LDMOS transistors. The LDMOS transistor of the present invention also includes a field oxide layer surrounding the active region of the transistor, and a thin dielectric layer isolating the asymmetric conductive spacer from the n-type epitaxial layer.
US08889511B2

In one general aspect, a method can include forming a shield dielectric layer in a trench in a semiconductor substrate, forming a shield electrode on at least a portion of the shield dielectric layer, and etching the shield dielectric layer so that a portion of the shield dielectric layer is recessed in the trench. The method can include forming a gate dielectric layer on the recessed portion of the shield dielectric layer in the trench, forming a first conductive gate electrode on a first side of the shield electrode and insulated from a first sidewall of the trench by the gate dielectric layer, and forming a second conductive gate electrode on a second side of the shield electrode and insulated from a second sidewall of the trench by the gate dielectric layer.
US08889508B2

Precision resistors for non-planar semiconductor device architectures are described. In a first example, a semiconductor structure includes first and second semiconductor fins disposed above a substrate. A resistor structure is disposed above the first semiconductor fin but not above the second semiconductor fin. A transistor structure is formed from the second semiconductor fin but not from the first semiconductor fin. In a second example, a semiconductor structure includes first and second semiconductor fins disposed above a substrate. An isolation region is disposed above the substrate, between the first and second semiconductor fins, and at a height less than the first and second semiconductor fins. A resistor structure is disposed above the isolation region but not above the first and second semiconductor fins. First and second transistor structures are formed from the first and second semiconductor fins, respectively.
US08889507B2

A capacitor and methods for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a bottom electrode; treating the bottom electrode in an oxygen-containing environment to convert a top layer of the bottom electrode into a buffer layer; forming an insulating layer on the buffer layer; and forming a top electrode over the insulating layer.
US08889505B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first-conductivity-type well and a second-conductivity-type well in a silicon substrate; stacking a first high-dielectric-constant insulating film and a first cap dielectric film above the silicon substrate; removing at least the first cap dielectric film from above the second-conductivity-type well; conducting a first annealing at a first temperature to cause an element included in the first cap dielectric film to diffuse into the first high-dielectric-constant insulating film disposed above the first-conductivity-type well; after the first annealing, stacking a second high-dielectric-constant insulating film and a second cap dielectric film above the silicon substrate; removing the second cap dielectric film disposed above the first-conductivity-type well; and conducting a second annealing at a second temperature lower than the first temperature to cause an element included in the second cap dielectric film to diffuse into the second high-dielectric-constant insulating film disposed above the second-conductivity-type well.
US08889500B1

One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a plurality of fin-formation trenches that define a fin, forming a first stressed layer within the trenches and above the fin and performing at least one etching process on the first stressed layer so as to define spaced-apart portions of the first stressed layer positioned at least partially within the trenches on opposite sides of the fin. The method also includes forming spaced-apart portions of a second stressed layer above the spaced-apart portions of the first layer, forming a third stressed layer above the fin between the spaced-apart portions of the second layer and, after forming the third layer, forming a conductive layer above the second and third layers.
US08889492B2

Embodiments generally include a method of forming a nonvolatile memory device that contains a resistive switching memory element that has an improved device switching capacity by using multiple layers of variable resistance layers. In one embodiment, the resistive switching element comprises at least three layers of variable resistance materials to increase the number of logic states. Each variable resistance layer may have an associated high resistance state and an associated low resistance state. As the resistance of each variable resistance layer determines the digital data bit that is stored, the multiple variable resistance layers per memory element allows for additional data storage without the need to further increase the density of nonvolatile memory devices. Typically, resistive switching memory elements may be formed as part of a high-capacity nonvolatile memory integrated circuit, which can be used in various electronic devices, such as digital cameras, mobile telephones, handheld computers, and music players.
US08889486B2

A package-on-package (“PoP”) structure and a method of forming are provided. The PoP structure may be formed by forming a first set of electrical connections on a first substrate. A first material may be applied to the first set of electrical connections. A second substrate may be provided having a second set of electrical connections formed thereon. The first set of electrical connections of the first substrate having the epoxy flux applied may be contacted to the second electrical connections of the second substrate. A reflow process may be performed to electrically connect the first substrate to the second substrate. The epoxy flux applied to the first electrical connections of the first substrate may prohibit electrical bridges or shorts from forming during the reflow process.
US08889469B2

Methods and devices are provided for forming multi-nary semiconductor. In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising of depositing a precursor material onto a substrate, wherein the precursor material may include or may be used with an additive to minimize concentration of group IIIA material such as Ga in the back portion of the final semiconductor layer. The additive may be a non-copper Group IB additive in elemental or alloy form. Some embodiments may use both selenium and sulfur, forming a senary or higher semiconductor alloy. 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.
US08889467B2

The present invention relates to a semiconductor compound having the general formula AxB1-xCy, to a method of optimizing positions of a conduction band and a valence band of a semiconductor material using said semiconductor compound, and to a photoactive device comprising said semiconductor compound.
US08889460B2

The present disclosure provides an image sensor device and a method for manufacturing the image sensor device. An exemplary image sensor device includes a substrate having a front surface and a back surface; a plurality of sensor elements disposed at the front surface of the substrate, each of the plurality of sensor elements being operable to sense radiation projected towards the back surface of the substrate; a radiation-shielding feature disposed over the back surface of the substrate and horizontally disposed between each of the plurality of sensor elements; a dielectric feature disposed between the back surface of the substrate and the radiation-shielding feature; and a metal layer disposed along sidewalls of the dielectric feature.
US08889458B2

A method of converting power using a power semiconductor module includes conducting power to power semiconductor devices; converting the conducted power with the power semiconductor devices; conducting heat generated by the power conversion from the power semiconductor devices first through a conductive circuit layer, then through an insulating substrate, to a baseplate; and removing the heat from the baseplate. The conductive circuit layer and the baseplate are formed of a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion less than about 8.0×10=6/° C. and a density less than about 4 g/cm3.
US08889454B2

Methods of manufacturing a thermoelectric generator via fiber drawing and corresponding or associated thermoelectric generator devices are provided.
US08889450B2

The disclosed light emitting diode includes a substrate provided, at a surface thereof, with protrusions, a buffer layer formed over the entirety of the surface of the substrate, a first semiconductor layer formed over the buffer layer, an active layer formed on a portion of the first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer formed over the active layer, a first electrode pad formed on another portion of the first semiconductor layer, except for the portion where the active layer is formed, and a second electrode pad formed on the second semiconductor layer. Each protrusion has a side surface inclined from the surface of the substrate at a first angle, and another side surface inclined from the surface of the substrate at a second angle different from the first angle.
US08889430B2

A nanostructure and methods of synthesizing same. In one embodiment, the nanostructure includes a magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle, a hydrophobic protection structure including at least an amphiphilic copolymer, wherein the hydrophobic protection structure encapsulates the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle, and at least one amino-terminal fragment (ATF) peptide or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody conjugated to the amphiphilic copolymer.
US08889427B2

The invention provides for rapid response analysis through lateral flow chromatographic assays of specific antigens present in human or animal fluids, or in agricultural, microbial or biological products, with an audio and visual result of the analysis and when needed, an electronic surge to provide heat for rapid results. A lateral flow device for conducting the analysis includes a plurality of components, and a method for making the device forms components of the device on an elongate, ribbon-like substrate of dielectric material, then folds the substrate into shorter lengths which are then secured together to establish a multiple-layered, self-sustaining structure.
US08889420B2

A photoconductive sensor compound for detecting explosives can have a structure I: where R is a morphology control group, A is a linking group, B is a electron donor that is selective for transferring electrons to PTCDI backbone upon irradiation to make the resulting nanostructures conductive, and R1 through R8 are side groups.
US08889407B2

An apparatus for the aerobic in-vessel rotary drum composting of feedstock into nutrient-rich compost comprising means for shredding said input material, said means configured and powered for shredding said feedstock into a particle size no larger than one cubic inch, a vessel having an input port on top of such vessel and a discharge port, said vessel comprising one chamber, said vessel configured and powered for composting said shredded feedstock, and said vessel tilted from the input port to the discharge port, means for passing said feedstock from said means for shredding into said vessel, means for rotating said vessel, means for introducing air into said vessel and a process controller, said process controller communicating with said means for shredding, said vessel, said means for rotating said vessel and said means for introducing air into said vessel.
US08889404B2

A method and apparatus for producing biogas from organic matter including a container (1) which is charged with fermentation substrate by a delivery system (13), and at least two stirring mechanisms (2) arranged in the container, the stirring mechanisms having propellers (3) which are rotated and generate mostly horizontal currents of the fermentation substrate in the container. The propeller diameters, the propeller geometries, and the positions of the propellers in the container are selected such that a shared mixing zone of the medium is generated in the container. Data for determining the mean speed and/or the viscosity of the medium in the mixing zone are detected and transmitted to a control unit (4) which varies actuating variables which modify the power input of the stirring mechanism into the mixing zone and/or the composition and/or the flow behavior of the container contents.
US08889396B2

The present invention provides methods of improving growth performance, improving the efficiency of feed utilization, increasing feed digestibility, and decreasing mortality of immature and developing animals receiving animal feed. Methods of producing a crude keratinise enzyme extract and animal feed supplements for achieving the same are also provided.
US08889393B2

The invention provides a process and kit for serial isolation of DNA and RNA from the same sample. First, a siliceous solid support with preferential affinity for DNA over RNA is used to capture DNA in a lysate of a sample. Next, a siliceous solid support with similar affinity for RNA and DNA is used to capture RNA from the same lysate. The respective solid supports are recovered independent of each other, washed, and their bound nucleotide species are eluted. The invention further provides DNA and RNA prepared using the process in a minimal number of steps employing a minimal number of reagents. As the invention yields DNA and RNA of high quality and is amenable to automation, the invention may be used widely in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
US08889389B2

The present invention relates to an efficient and economical process for producing a protein A-like protein. Hosts such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis have been used in the production of a protein A-like protein using a genetic recombination technique and however, their low productivity has been a big cause of high cost. Thus, it has been desired strongly to immediately establish a technique enabling the inexpensive, large-scale production of a protein A-like protein using recombinant DNA techniques other than Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. The present invention provides a process for producing a protein A-like protein in large amounts, for example, a process comprising allowing a recombinant Brevibacillus genus bacterium to express and secrete the protein in large amounts into a culture solution and separating and collecting the accumulated protein A-like protein from the culture solution.
US08889379B2

An in vitro method to produce a glycoside is described which includes the steps of contacting the cellodextrin phosphorylase from Clostridium stercorarium with alpha-glucose-1-phosphate or alpha-galactose-1-phosphate and an acceptor, and glycosylating the acceptor. The acceptor may be an alkyl beta-glucoside, an aryl beta-glucoside, a glucolipid, an alkyl beta-sophoroside, an aryl beta-sophoroside or a sophorolipid. Alkylcellobiosides, arylcellobiosides, cellobiolipids, cellotriolipids, glucosophorolipids and cellobiosesophorolipids are produced when alpha-glucose-1-phosphate is used as donor. Corresponding lactosides are produced when alpha-galactose-1-phosphate is used as donor.
US08889378B2

The invention provides methods for identifying a compound that inhibits cytochrome c synthesis. This invention further provides a method for the high throughput screening of compounds that inhibit cytochrome c synthesis.
US08889371B2

The invention encompasses the use of a lipolytic enzyme obtainable from one of the following genera: Streptomyces, Corynebacterium and Thermobifida in various methods and uses, wherein the lipolytic enzyme hydrolyzes a glycolipid or a phospholipid or transfers an acyl group from a glycolipid or phospholipids to an acyl acceptor. The present invention also relates to a lipolytic enzyme that hydrolyzes at least a galactolipid or transfers an acyl group from a galactolipid to one or more acyl acceptor substrates, wherein the enzyme is obtainable from Corynebacterium species.
US08889365B2

The present inventions relates to kits and methods for diagnosing and monitoring breast cancer. An increase in the level or activity of proteins of the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway, and ancillary proteins thereof, as compared to normal control or benign tissue is indicative of breast cancer.
US08889356B2

The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences. Provided are vectors and vector systems, some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells and methods for selecting specific cells by introducing precise mutations utilizing the CRISPR/Cas system.
US08889355B2

Ligation-enhanced nucleic acid detection assay embodiments for detection of RNA or DNA are described. The assay embodiments rely on ligation of chimeric oligonucleotide probes to generate a template for amplification and detection. The assay embodiments are substantially independent of the fidelity of a polymerase for copying compromised nucleic acid. Very little background amplification is observed and as few as 1000 copies of target nucleic acid can be detected. Method embodiments are particularly adept for detection of RNA from compromised samples such as formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples. Heavily degraded and cross-linked nucleic acids of compromised samples, in which classic quantitative real time PCR assays typically fail to adequately amplify signal, can be reliably detected and quantified.
US08889353B2

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the progression of the bisulfite-mediated conversion of DNA during DNA methylation analysis. The method is based on the reaction of the enzyme uracil-DNA-glycosylase (UNG) with at least one labeled DNA reporter molecule, the reporter molecule comprising at least one unmethylated cytosine residue in its sequence. After bisulfite-mediated conversion of unmethylated cytosine residues in uridin residues UNG removes the uracil bases from the DNA backbone, thus making it susceptible to heat-induced hydrolytic cleavage. Finally, the labels released from the DNA reporter molecule during this fragmentation process are detected.
US08889347B2

Systems and methods for performing measurements of one or more materials are provided. One system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels. Another system is configured to image one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. An additional system is configured to substantially immobilize one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. A further system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels, to image the one or more materials in the imaging volume, to substantially immobilize the one or more materials in the imaging volume, or some combination thereof.
US08889337B2

Such a film forming method is provided that can prevent peeling of surface films including a resist film from a substrate during immersion exposure.The film forming method includes the steps of forming surface films including a resist film and a protective film covering the resist film over a surface of a wafer, and forming an edge cap film by supplying an edge cap film material to at least a boundary portion including a periphery of the wafer and peripheries of the surface films such as the protective film.
US08889335B2

A radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a compound represented by a formula (1), and a polymer that serves as a base resin. R1 is a monovalent group that includes at least two groups of —CO—, —NH—, —S—, and —SO2—, the at least two groups being each identical or different. A is a divalent hydrocarbon group or a divalent fluorohydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. R is a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom. a is an integer from 1 to 4. In a case where a plurality of R are present, each of the plurality of R is either identical or different. M+ is a monovalent cation.
US08889321B2

The invention relates to a method for producing a holographic film, wherein a photopolymer formulation comprising matrix polymers, writing monomers, photoinitiator system, and optionally auxiliary materials and additives is provided, the photopolymer formulation is applied as a film to the surface of a substrate, and the film is dried, wherein a photopolymer formulation having a plateau module G0 of =0.03 MPa is used. The invention further relates to a holographic medium that can be obtained by means of the method according to the invention.
US08889318B2

A power generating system may include a plurality of bipolar plates stacked to form a fuel cell assembly having an inlet side, a non-inlet side, an inlet header extending from the inlet side to the non-inlet side, an active area, and an inlet transition area. The inlet transition area may be in fluid communication with (i) the inlet header via feed passageways formed in each of the plates and (ii) the active area. The feed passageways of the plates located proximate to the inlet side may be generally smaller and/or fewer in number than the feed passageways of the plates located proximate to the non-inlet side such that, during operation of the fuel cell assembly, a flow velocity of gas through the active area is generally constant.
US08889317B2

Described herein are fuel cell systems that include a cover affecting reactant flow into an electrochemical cell array of the system. The cover includes one or more transport barrier regions and one or more opened regions. The transport barrier regions are in proximity to active regions of the electrochemical cell array.
US08889315B2

The present invention provides a catalyst which is not corroded in an acidic electrolyte or at a high potential, is excellent in durability and has high oxygen reduction ability. The catalyst of the present invention is characterized by including a niobium oxycarbonitride. The catalyst of the invention is also characterized by including a niobium oxycarbonitride represented by the composition formula NbCxNyOz, wherein x, y and z represent a ratio of the numbers of atoms and are numbers satisfying the conditions of 0.01≦x≦2, 0.01≦y≦2, 0.01≦z≦3 and x+y+z≦5.
US08889301B2

Nanostructured gel polymer electrolytes that have both high ionic conductivity and high mechanical strength are disclosed. The electrolytes have at least two domains—one domain contains an ionically-conductive gel polymer and the other domain contains a rigid polymer that provides structure for the electrolyte. The domains are formed by block copolymers. The first block provides a polymer matrix that may or may not be conductive on by itself, but that can soak up a liquid electrolyte, thereby making a gel. An exemplary nanostructured gel polymer electrolyte has an ionic conductivity of at least 1×10−4 S cm−1 at 25° C.
US08889296B2

The hydration of cadmium oxide in the presence of nickel acetate gives the possibility of obtaining a compound of general formula Cd1-xNix(OH)2-y(CH3CO2)y with 0
US08889289B2

A fixture is configured for holding terminals of a battery in alignment. The fixture includes a first and a second side member. The first and second side members each include a plurality of first and second teeth, respectively. The second side member is movable relative to the first side member between an open position and a closed position. The second side member opposes the first side member such that a number of the first teeth oppose a corresponding number of the second teeth and a slit is defined between each of the adjacent teeth when the fixture is in the open position. Likewise, the second side member opposes the first side member such that the number of the first teeth are staggered from the corresponding number of the second teeth to reduce the slit in size when the fixture is in the closed position.
US08889283B2

A modular frame for a battery module includes: a floor that includes an electrically non-conductive material; end walls that are perpendicular to the floor and that include the electrically non-conductive material; and side walls that are perpendicular to the floor, that are perpendicular to the end walls, and that include the electrically non-conductive material. The modular frame further includes interior walls that include the electrically non-conductive material and that define: a first row of cell slots configured to receive a first plurality of prismatic cells; a second row of cell slots configured to receive a second plurality of prismatic cells; and a chamber disposed between the first and second rows of cell slots. The modular frame further includes a first and second apertures to the chamber. The first aperture is defined by the interior walls and the side walls. The second aperture is formed through one of the end walls.
US08889280B2

A battery storage module and a mounting seat for the battery storage module are disclosed. The battery storage module includes a sliding base and a storage battery. The sliding base includes a container, a plurality of wheels, a pair of conducting members and at least one mounting member. The container has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the plurality of wheels are mounted on the container, the pair of conducting members are mounted on the first end of the container, and the at least one mounting member is mounted on the second end of the container. The storage battery is received in the container and electrically connected to the pair of conducting members.
US08889277B2

An assembly for preventing a fire resulting from the outgassing of a lithium battery in an electronic door lock includes a lithium battery, a circuit board, and a thermal insulation. The lithium battery and circuit board are housed within the electronic door lock. The thermal insulation is arranged between a door interfacing side of the electronic door lock and either or both of the circuit board and lithium battery. Another thermal management technique for preventing fire resulting from the outgassing of a lithium battery in an electronic door lock is achieved by using a battery cover that is selectively movable away from the circuit board or ignition source in response to temperature rise to ensure the lithium battery does not reach a critical temperature that may cause outgassing in close proximity to the ignition source.
US08889267B2

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a heterocyclic compound and an organic light-emitting device including the heterocyclic compound. The heterocyclic compound is represented by Formula 1 or Formula 2. The organic light-emitting devices using the heterocyclic compounds have high-efficiency, low driving voltage, high luminance and long lifespan.
US08889261B2

A gunnable adhesive composition includes a silicone resin and an organopolysiloxane, or a reaction product thereof; as well as a filler and a solvent. The silicone resin and the organopolysiloxane are present in amounts to provide a resin/polymer ratio ranging from 58% to 64%. The gunnable adhesive composition may be applied to low surface energy substrates at ambient temperatures without primer or other surface treatment. The gunnable adhesive composition and adhesive product thereof are useful in weather barrier applications, such as building wraps.
US08889256B2

Woven, knit, and non-woven fabrics, and garments and other textile goods fabricated therefrom, are prepared from yarns comprising fibers comprising a fluorinated polyester blend prepared by melt blending a fluorovinyl ether functionalized polyester with a non-fluorinated polyester. The fluoroether functionalized polyester can be a homopolymer or a copolymer. The goods so produced exhibit durable soil, oil, and water repellency.
US08889251B2

In one embodiment, a multilayer dielectric coating for use in an alkali laser includes two or more alternating layers of high and low refractive index materials, wherein an innermost layer includes a thicker, >500 nm, and dense, >97% of theoretical, layer of at least one of: alumina, zirconia, and hafnia for protecting subsequent layers of the two or more alternating layers of high and low index dielectric materials from alkali attack. In another embodiment, a method for forming an alkali resistant coating includes forming a first oxide material above a substrate and forming a second oxide material above the first oxide material to form a multilayer dielectric coating, wherein the second oxide material is on a side of the multilayer dielectric coating for contacting an alkali.
US08889244B2

A transparent electrode device includes: a substrate; an electrode region formed on the substrate using a transparent electroconductive film; and an insulating region disposed on the substrate and adjacent to the electrode region, in which a plurality of random island patterns including patterns having a width of 100 μm or greater, formed using the transparent electroconductive film, are disposed mutually distanced from one another.
US08889236B2

An optical film having: a hard coat layer; an optically anisotropic layer; and a transparent support, wherein the optically anisotropic layer contains a liquid crystalline compound and a binder, the hard coat layer, the transparent support, and the optically anisotropic layer are laminated in this order, a surface of the optically anisotropic layer contains a fluorine-containing compound not forming covalent bond with the binder of the optically anisotropic layer, a surface of the optical film on the hard coat layer-formed side contains a fluorine-containing or silicone series compound being fixed by covalent bond, and a topmost surface properties of the optical film on hard coat layer-formed side satisfies the specific conditions.
US08889224B2

A method for forming a parylene film is provided, which includes following steps. Providing a chemical vapor deposition apparatus including a buffer chamber having first and second valves and a rotative carrying apparatus, an evaporator connected with the second valve, a pyrolysis chamber connected with the evaporator, and a deposition chamber connected with the pyrolysis chamber. Placing a parylene material in the rotative carrying apparatus of the buffer chamber through the first valve. Turning off the first and second valves and balancing a pressure in the buffer chamber and a pressure in the evaporator. Turning on the second valve and delivering the parylene material into the evaporator. Evaporating the parylene material in the evaporator to form a parylene gas. Pyrolyzing the parylene gas in the pyrolysis chamber to form a parylene monomer. Delivering the parylene monomer to the deposition chamber for deposition so as to form a parylene film.
US08889205B2

A resealable package integrity closure includes a film layer forming a top of a container and a flap defining an access opening. A sealing panel completely covers the flap of the film layer. A releasable adhesive is provided on either or both the film layer and the sealing panel for adhering the sealing panel to the film layer. The sealing panel is releasable from the film layer by pulling the sealing panel back in a peeling direction and reclosable against the top to seal the access opening when the sealing panel is moved back against the top. A coating of transferable material is provided on either the sealing panel or on the film layer, which is transferable therebetween to provide a visual indication that the closure has been previously opened.
US08889202B2

The present invention relates to a steamed cake donut with a total fat content comprised between 7% and 18%, in particular comprised between 7% and 15%, more in particular comprised between 7% and 12%. The present invention further relates to methods and means (e.g. dry mix, batter) for preparing such donut. A donut of the invention can be stored in frozen state prior to or after steaming.
US08889191B2

Pharmaceutical compositions of topiramate for once-a-day oral administration are provided. The formulations comprise a sustained-release component and an optional immediate-release component, the compositions of which can be selectively adjusted, respectively, to release the active ingredient along a pre-determined release profile. Method of treating or preventing pathological disorders in mammalian subjects comprising the administration of the novel formulations disclosed herein is also provided.
US08889184B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for direct oral administration which is very easy to swallow especially for young children, comprising at least one pharmaceutically active compound. The pharmaceutical composition is present in the form of one or more particles. The particles comprise a core containing the active ingredient which has been provided with one or more coatings. The pharmaceutical composition is preferably administered in combination with a powder and/or granules which, when applied to the tongue, spontaneously generate additional saliva. With the extra saliva, the coated particles form a soft, smooth, but mechanically stable surface perceived as pleasant in the mouth within seconds so that they may be swallowed easily and practically in the right quantity with the extra saliva formed.
US08889166B2

A plastic implant device for a mammal that contains a rare earth metal compound tracer and a method for detecting degradation such as wear of the implanted device are disclosed. The tracer can also be present with a separate antioxidant or the tracer compound can be can be the salt of a C6-C22 unsaturated carboxylic acid. The rare earth metal compound tracer is released when the prosthetic is worn down or otherwise degraded in the mammalian body in which it was implanted. The presence and amount of released tracer present in a body fluid or tissue sample measured and is proportional to the degree of degradation of the implant.
US08889151B2

A headache can be treated more effectively by co-administration of a botulinum toxin and a triptan drug to a patient and/or the effectiveness of a triptan medication can be increased. The botulinum toxin can be botulinum toxin type A and the botulinum toxin can be administered to or to the vicinity of where a patient experiences or is predisposed to experience pain or a headache.
US08889150B2

Agents, compositions, methods and kits useful for the treatment and diagnosis of Staphylococcal intramammary infection are disclosed. The agents, compositions, methods and kits are derived from genes expressed during Staphylococcal intramammary infection, and more particularly genes SACOL0029, SACOL0264, SACOL0442, SACOL0718, SACOL0720, SACOL1353, SACOL1416, SACOL1611, SACOL1944, SACOL2144, SACOL2365 or SACOL2599, based on the gene nomenclature from the Staphylococcus aureus COL (SACOL) genome.
US08889145B2

The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions, comprising polypeptides and polysaccharides from Staphylococcus aureus. The present invention also relates to immunogenic compositions, comprising Staphylococcus aureus capsule polysaccharides conjugated to a carrier protein. In addition, the invention relates to methods of inducing an immune response in subjects against Staphylococcus aureus using immunogenic compositions of the Staphylococcus aureus polypeptides and capsule polysaccharides.
US08889142B2

The present invention is related to antigen from Chlamydia trachomatis which are recognized by specific antibodies from individuals infected with Chlamydia or which can induce T cells from the same individuals to secrete gamma-interferon. The T cell reactive antigens are present in a whole-cell lysate and have apparent molecular weights of 5-12, 16-20, 25-35 and 58-74 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. The antigens of the invention are believed to be useful in vaccines but also as diagnostic compositions.
US08889138B2

The present invention relates to antibodies that differentially recognize multi-dimensional conformations of Aβ-derived diffusible ligands, also known as ADDLs. The antibodies of the invention can distinguish between Alzheimer's Disease and control human brain extracts and are useful in methods of detecting ADDLs and diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease. The present antibodies also block binding of ADDLs to neurons, assembly of ADDLS, and tau phosphorylation and are there useful in methods for the preventing and treating diseases associated with soluble oligomers of amyloid β 1-42.
US08889136B2

Multiple-variable dose methods for treating TNFα-related disorders, including Crohn's disease and psoriasis, comprising administering TNFα inhibitors, including TNFα antibodies, are described. Multiple-variable dose methods include administration of a TNF-inhibitor in an induction or loading phase followed by administration of the agent in a maintenance or treatment phase, wherein the TNF-inhibitor is administered in a higher dosage during the induction phase.
US08889133B2

The present invention provides methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating diabetes by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of Dll4 antagonists that block Dll4-Notch signal pathways. As observed in a mouse model of diabetes, Dll4 antagonists exhibit protective effects on pancreatic islets, lower blood glucose levels, and block the production of auto-antibodies, including those against insulin and glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), via the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Thus, the present invention further provides methods of lowering the levels of blood glucose, and/or reducing or blocking the production of auto-antibodies, by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of Dll4 antagonists. Suitable Dll4 antagonists for the invention include antibodies or antibody fragments that specifically bind Dll4 and block Dll4-Notch interactions, the extracellular domain of Dll4, and the like.
US08889130B2

The present invention relates to the treatment of osteoarthritis and pain using IL-1α and IL-1β binding proteins, including anti-IL-1α and anti-IL-1β antibodies and engineered multivalent and multispecific IL-1α and IL-1β binding proteins.
US08889117B2

Modular nanoparticle vaccine compositions and methods of making and using the same have been developed. Modular nanoparticle vaccine compositions comprise an antigen encapsulated in a polymeric particle and adaptor elements which modularly couple functional elements to the particle. The modular design of these vaccine compositions, which involves flexible addition and subtraction of antigen, adjuvant, immune potentiators, molecular recognition and transport mediation elements, as well as intracellular uptake mediators, allows for exquisite control over variables that are important in optimizing an effective vaccine delivery system.
US08889114B2

The present invention refers to the use of growth factors, which are effective on mesothelial cell proliferation, used in a sterilized carboxymethylchitosan pharmaceutical composition employed to reduce postoperative adhesions severity. The present invention also provides a method to inhibit postoperative adhesions severity.
US08889111B2

The present invention concerns a composition for the permanent shaping of human hair used both for the permanent waving of human hair with an excellent waving effect as well as for the straightening of curled hair comprising at least one ubichinone of the formula where n is a number between 1 and 10 at a concentration of 0.0001 to 1% by weight calculated to total composition.
US08889097B2

An on-board hydride storage system and process are described. The system includes a slurry storage system that includes a slurry reactor and a variable concentration slurry. In one preferred configuration, the storage system stores a slurry containing a hydride storage material in a carrier fluid at a first concentration of hydride solids. The slurry reactor receives the slurry containing a second concentration of the hydride storage material and releases hydrogen as a fuel to hydrogen-power devices and vehicles.
US08889091B2

LiPO2F2, an electrolyte salt additive for batteries, is manufactured by the reaction of POF3, PF5 or mixtures thereof, with Li3PO4 forming a reaction mixture comprising LiPO2F2. When POF3 is applied, the reaction mixture which contains essentially only LiPO2F2 is preferably extracted from the reaction mixture with a solvent which also is applicable as solvent for lithium ion batteries. If PF5 is applied, then, depending on the molar ratio of PF5 and Li3PO4, the reaction mixture also contains LiF and/or LiPF6. To isolate pure LiPO2F2 from LiF, the reaction mixture containing essentially only LiPO2F2 and LiF may for example, be extracted with dimethoxyethane, acetone, dimethyl carbonate or propylene carbonate. To isolate pure LiPO2F2 from LiPF6, the reaction mixture containing essentially only these constituents is preferably extracted with a solvent which also is applicable as solvent for the LiPF6 in lithium ion batteries to dissolve and remove LiPF6.
US08889077B2

The aim of the invention is to devise a flue gas purification system which allows the use of only one absorber even for large systems. The flue gas purification system according to the invention comprises a fluidized-bed reactor having a flue gas inlet unit and a flue gas outlet unit, a nozzle unit being mounted downstream of the flue gas inlet unit. Said nozzle unit is provided with nozzles, said nozzles having different cross-sections.
US08889076B2

One exemplary embodiment can be a fluid catalytic cracking system. Generally, the fluid catalytic cracking system includes a first reaction vessel and a second reaction vessel. The first reaction vessel may contain a first catalyst having pores with openings greater than about 0.7 nm and a second catalyst having pores with smaller openings than the first catalyst. What is more, the second reaction vessel may contain the second catalyst. Generally, at least a portion of the second catalyst is directly communicated with the first reaction vessel.
US08889073B2

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for recovering residual salt from the reduced uranium metal. The apparatus comprising: an evaporating chamber accommodating mixed molten salt or a reduced uranium metal; a heating furnace surrounding the evaporating chamber to heat the mixed molten salt in the evaporating chamber; an insulator disposed over the evaporating chamber to block heat generated from the evaporating chamber, and including an evaporating pipe in a center thereof to move vapor generated from the evaporating chamber; a receiver disposed over the insulator to collect powder formed by condensing and solidifying vapor passing through the evaporating pipe; and a condenser disposed over the receiver to prevent the vapor passing through the evaporating pipe from leaking out of the apparatus.
US08889069B2

A sample processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sample processing section, a transporting section, an identification data acquirer and a system controller. When identification data of a washing fluid tube is acquired by the identification data acquirer, the system controller controls the transporting section to supply the washing fluid tube to the sample processing section. When the washing fluid tube arrives at the sample processing section, the sample processing section aspirates the washing fluid in the supplied washing fluid tube and performs a washing of at least one part of the sample processing section. The system controller prohibits the washing with the washing fluid tube if identification data of a sample tube is acquired after the identification data of the washing fluid tube is acquired and before the washing is started.
US08889063B2

The present invention relates to a method of making cutting tools comprising a substrate having a hard phase and a binder phase, the method comprising forming green powder compacts using powder metallurgical techniques, charging the green powder compacts, placed on one or several trays, in a furnace and sintering the green powder compacts wherein the furnace comprises an insulation package, at least three individually controlled heating elements located inside the insulation package including a vertical heating element, an upper horizontal heating element arranged in an upper part of the furnace, and a lower horizontal heating element arranged in a lower part of the furnace, wherein operating the at least three heating elements such that an average controlled cooling rate from a sintering temperature down to at least a solidification temperature of the binder phase is 0.1-4.0° C./min, and a sintering furnace operable to obtain a controlled cooling rate.
US08889057B2

An apparatus for shaping plastics material pre-forms to form plastics material containers may include at least one blowing station, a compressed air supply, and a compressor device. The blowing station forms a hollow space in the interior of which the plastics material pre-forms are capable of being shaped to form plastics material containers. The compressed air supply supplies the compressed air to at least one element of the blowing station, and the compressor device produces the compressed air. The compressor device is arranged in the vicinity of the apparatus in such a way that a flow connection between the compressor device and the blowing station is shorter than 15 m.
US08889054B2

The present invention relates to a method for producing hybrid materials of thin polymer films with single, laminated, complete and/or partially embedded nanofibers to obtain products with unique functional properties. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method that comprises the combination of two process technologies; a thin film solution casting process (tape casting, solvent casting) and an electrospinning process, in order to produce hybrid materials of thin polymer films with single, laminated, completely and/or partially embedded electrospun nanofibers to obtain products with unique functional properties. In another embodiment of the present invention, fibers and/or nanofibers of a chosen material are spun directly on to substrates of polymer solutions and/or monomers solutions, were such solutions are located on a carrier belt that is electrically and/or ionically conductive.
US08889050B2

A method for producing a fiber composite component, in particular for aerospace, the method comprising the following steps: forming a mold core from a material comprising cork by a molding tool to establish an outer geometry of said mold core; arranging the so formed mold core adjacent to an at least partly hardened stiffening element on a base element of said composite component to be produced for the shaping of at least one molded portion of said fiber composite component to be produced; and multistage exposure of at least said molded portion to heat and/or pressure to produce said fiber composite component; a corresponding mold core and a corresponding fiber composite component.
US08889040B2

A conductive paste composition for a solar cell includes a conductive powder, a glass frit, and a vehicle, the glass frit consisting of glass containing 0.6 to 18.0 (mol %) Li2O, at least one of 0.1 to 6.0 (mol %) P2O5 and 0.1 to 4.0 (mol %) Sb2O5, 20 to 62 (mol %) PbO, 1 to 18 (mol %) B2O3, 18 to 65 (mol %) SiO2, 0 to 6 (mol %) Al2O3, 0 to 6 (mol %) TiO2, and 0 to 30 (mol %) ZnO in oxide conversion, the glass having a ratio of Pb/Si (mol ratio) within a range of 0.5 to 1.7.
US08889036B2

The present disclosure describes a scintillation crystal having the general formula RE(1−y)MyF3XA3(1−x), wherein RE includes; A is selected from Cl, Br or I; and M is an activator ion selected from the Ce3+, Pr3+ or Eu3+; x is greater than 0.01 mole% and strictly less than 100 mole%, and y is greater than 0.01 mole% and strictly less than 100 mole%; and wherein the at least one activator ion is further combined with ions from the group of Ho3+, Er3+, Tm3+, or Yb3+.
US08889026B2

A transparent heat-shielding material having a chemical formula CsXNYWO3-ZClC, characterized by being co-doped with elements of different groups in the periodic table, wherein Cs is cesium; N is tin (Sn) or antimony (Sb) or bismuth (Bi); W is tungsten; O is oxygen; and X, Y, Z, and C are positive numbers satisfying the following conditions: X≦1.0, Y≦1.0, Y/X≦1.0, Z≦0.6, and C≦0.1; the transparent heat-shielding material is used to make a highly transparent and highly effective heat-shielding film which can be adhered to glass panels of buildings and automobiles to block infrared radiation in the wavelength range of 800-2000 nm, thereby insulating heat and saving energy; and the film is also applicable as a composite substrate for electronic components.
US08889024B2

A plasma etching method that can improve an etching selection ratio of a film to be etched to a film different from the film to be etched compared with the related art is provided. The present invention provides a plasma etching method for selectively etching a film to be etched against a film different from the film to be etched, in which plasma etching of the film to be etched is performed using a gas that can cause to generate a deposited film containing similar components as components of the different film.
US08889021B2

A sensing device for measuring a plasma process parameter in a plasma chamber for processing workpieces may include a substrate with one or more sensor embedded in the substrate. The substrate can have a surface made of substantially the same material as workpieces that are plasma processed in the plasma chamber. Each sensor can include a collector portion made of substantially the same material as the substrate surface. The collector portion includes a surface that is level with the surface of the substrate. Sensor electronics are embedded into the substrate and coupled to the collector portion. When the substrate surface is exposed to a plasma one or more signals resulting from the plasma can be measured with the sensor(s).
US08889016B2

A processing system for processing raw slurry material comprises a barrel member defining a processing chamber, at least one intermediate opening, and an outlet opening, a trough system arranged to contain the raw slurry material, at least one transport member, and a drive system. As the drive system rotates the barrel member, the at least one transport member transports at least a portion of the raw slurry material from the trough system and through the processing chamber such that at least a first portion of the raw slurry material is transported to outlet opening, at least a second portion the raw slurry material exits the processing chamber through the intermediate opening, and at least at third portion of the raw slurry material is allowed to flow back towards the trough system.
US08889008B2

A method of conditioning a membrane biological reactor mixed liquor containing one or more nonionic polysaccharides and/or one or more organic molecules is disclosed.
US08889000B2

A stormwater treatment unit comprising a containment vault having an inlet and an outlet separates debris from a flow of stormwater through the unit. The water flow is controlled by a wall which directs flow from the inlet to the outlet through a reservoir of fluid in the unit. Debris separation by density occurs whereby lighter elements such as oil float on top of the fluid and heavier elements such as sediment collect at the bottom of the unit or in collectors in the reservoir. A wire mesh, deflector, and/or ripple boards placed beneath the inlet further increase efficiency of the separation, and a vent pipe is placed above the outlet to release pressure built up in the outlet during operation. A stormwater treatment system and method of retrofitting an existing stormwater trunk line locates the stormwater treatment unit in an off-line position from an existing drainage trunk line.
US08888998B2

A head for a water filter system having a filter element including a three-way valve member movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the valve member is in the first position, incoming water is directed to the filter element to remove sediment and impurities from the water. When the valve member is in the second position, the incoming water is blocked from passing through the filter element and the valve member. Lastly, when the valve member is in the third position, the incoming water passes through the valve member and not the filter element so that the filter element can be removed and replaced without interrupting the incoming water flow.
US08888997B2

A centralized supply system for electrolyzed oxidizing water comprises a water softener (1), several parallel electrolyzed oxidizing water generators (2) connected, liquid storage tanks (3, 4) and delivery pumps (5, 6). A central controller (10) implements independent control over the several parallel electrolyzed oxidizing water generators (2). Liquid level sensors (9) are mounted in the liquid storage tanks (3, 4) and are connected with the central controller (10) via data collection cables (12). With the detection, determination and calculation for the liquid level signal in the liquid storage tanks (3, 4) using the central controller (10), the volume magnitude and the rate of change of the volume for the liquid in the liquid storage tanks (3, 4) can be exactly obtained in time. The electrolyzed oxidizing water generators (2) are effectively controlled based on above data. An intelligent control method for the system is also provided.
US08888996B2

A filter (1) to purify the water distributed by a dispenser, fitted with a special sanitizing device incorporated therein. Inside of the said filter (1), below the water chamber (3), is a disinfectant chamber (4) that contains the solution designed to sanitize the said dispenser. A mechanism causes the sanitizing solution to flow into the water chamber (3) of the filter (1) and into the piping, for performing the subsequent sanitizing action.
US08888994B2

Method for deep desulphurization of hydrocarbon fuels includes following steps: (1) treatment of a hydrocarbon fuel under the condition of its mixing with gaseous oxidant selected from the group consisting nitrogen monoxide, dry air, ozone and a mixture of at least two of said reagents in order to oxidize sulfur-containing compounds presented in said fuel, and with a fine-dispersed adsorbent based on montmorillonite in order to adsorb oxidized sulfur-containing compounds, and (2) separation of spent adsorbent together with adsorbed oxidized sulfur-containing compounds from refined fuel.
US08888992B2

A process for improving flow properties of crude may include processing a first crude stream, which may in turn include cracking the first crude stream with fresh catalyst to form a cracked stream and spent catalyst, and then mixed with an unprocessed second stream. The spent catalyst may be regenerated to form fresh catalyst, which may then be recycled. At least part of the cracked stream may be mixed with a second crude stream. A ratio of the second crude stream to the first crude stream may be between about 0.5:1 and about 9:1. A ratio of part of the cracked stream to add to the second crude stream may be selected to achieve a API gravity of at least about 18. The first crude stream may be heated and stripped before being cracked.
US08888983B2

Metal implants (10) are treated by anodising the surface (11, 12) in contact with an electrolyte, and then briefly subjecting the anodised surface to a reversed voltage. During a first anodising stage the surfaces are passivated, while during a subsequent anodising stage pits are formed in the passivating surface layer. Rough portions (15) of the surface, in particular portions produced by plasma spraying of metal powder, are sealed with a watertight cover (20) during at least part of the anodising process. After rinsing, biocidal metal ions are subsequently absorbed into the surface of the implant. This provides the implant with biocidal properties. The use of the cover (20) enables a more uniform geometric distribution of biocidal metal ions to be achieved.
US08888976B2

The present invention is directed to a corrosion resistance evaluator suitable for corrosion testing coated metals substrates, such as autobodies. A corrosion resistance evaluator provided with a chamber containing electrolyte to which anode and cathode coated with protective coating being tested are exposed. These coatings are provided with predetermined and standardized defects, such as micro-holes to accelerate the corrosion of the underlying metal substrate in a predictable and repeatable manner. The coated cathode/anode pair is subject to a start-up period followed by series preset DC voltages for preset durations that are interspaced with recovery periods. The impedance date collected is then used to arrive at the corrosion performance resistance of the coating applied over the cathode/anode pair. The foregoing evaluator substantially reduces the time required to test corrosion from several days (40 plus days) to few days (about two days).
US08888971B1

A synergistic improvement of a precious metal assaying device with its associated electronic decoding algorithms further employing a precise feed of an electrolyte from a disposable flexing cartridge and through porous media for conveying electrolyte to create a reproducible electrochemical contact by a wetting action between a reference electrode in the assaying device and an external specimen under test where the electrolyte is passed through a novel slit diaphragm permitting efflux of electrolyte and reflux of unused electrolyte that results in a self-cleaning flush of the assaying device. The synergistic slit diaphragm permits the flow of electrolyte from the flexing cartridge in response to the positive pressure and the cleansing return of unused electrolyte on negative pressure of the cartridge, thereby solving a contamination problem which was a major shortcoming in such assaying devices.
US08888968B2

An apparatus for the electrolytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: (i) a first hemi-enclosure; (ii) a second hemi-enclosure; (iii) a diaphragm electrode array positioned between the first hemi-enclosure and the second hemi-enclosure comprising: (a) a diaphragm, that passes ions and impedes the passage of gases, comprising a first side and a second opposed side; (b) a first plurality of electrodes in a first vicinity of the first side of the diaphragm; and (c) a second plurality of electrodes in a second vicinity of the second opposed side of the diaphragm; (iv) a fastener, for leak-tight fastening of the first hemi-enclosure, the diaphragm electrode array, and the second hemi-enclosure, whereby a leak-tight enclosure is formed; (v) contacts, for electrically powering the first and second pluralities of electrodes, and; (vi) pathways, configured to remove hydrogen and oxygen gases from the enclosure.
US08888951B2

A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber that plasma processes a target object therein, first and second electrodes that are provided in the processing chamber to face each other and have a processing space therebetween, and a high frequency power source that is connected to at least one of the first and second electrodes to supply high frequency power to the processing chamber. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a base formed of a metal, a dielectric material provided at a central portion of a plasma side of the base, and a first resistor provided between the dielectric material and plasma, and formed of a metal with a predetermined pattern.
US08888949B2

A gas distribution apparatus for a plasma processing equipment is provided. The gas distribution apparatus includes a support plate (3) and a showerhead electrode (5) that are secured together parallelly to define a chamber for gas distribution. A first gas distribution plate (4) is arranged in the chamber horizontally. On an upper surface of the gas distribution plate (4), at least one circumferential gas-flow groove (41) around its axis and a plurality of radial gas-flow grooves (42) communicating with the at least one circumferential gas-flow groove (41) is arranged. A plurality of axial viahole (43) are formed in the at least one circumferential gas-flow groove (41) and the plurality of radial gas-flow grooves (42). The gas distribution apparatus can achieve a uniform gas distribution in the plasma processing equipment.
US08888946B1

A dual-tip straight pin is disclosed. The pin includes a main shaft having a first tip and a pin leg extending from the main shaft, having a second tip. The pin is suitable for temporarily retaining a plurality of assembly components, such as wood, cloth and the like, to an assembly support workstation retaining the plurality of assembly components in a precisely aligned relationship to each other. The main shaft is located proximate a first side of the assembly component. The first tip extends beyond the second tip enabling the user to insert the main shaft into the workstation and use the main shaft as a pivot to position the pin leg against the second side of the assembly component. The pin is inserted into the assembly support workstation to a depth where a transverse segment of the pin leg engages with an upper surface of the assembly component.
US08888941B2

A process of making a multilayered product having an interior honeycomb layer or core. The interior layer is formed by extruding a generally corrugated web of material. The corrugated web is cut and folded to create the honeycomb core. Outer protective skins are applied to exterior surfaces of the interior layer to create a multilayered material which is then cut to size.
US08888935B2

A composition capable of producing either solid propellant grains, liquid or gel monopropellants, all of which are electrically ignitable and capable of sustained controllable combustion at ambient pressure. Additional compositions capable of sustained controllable combustion at elevated pressures are described. Applications for the compositions disclosed herein are provided, and include among other applications use in small micro thrusters, large core-burning solid propellant gains, shaped explosives charges for military application, and pumpable liquids and gel monopropellants or explosives for military, commercial mining or gas and oil recovery. In alternative embodiments the above compositions may also incorporate an energetic nitrate polymer, bum rate modifiers, and/or metal fuel(s). The HIPEP formulation makes it possible to ignite and sustain combustion at ambient and vacuum conditions (a) without continuous electrical power and (b) while providing faster bum rates.
US08888931B2

A dishwasher is provided having a wash chamber that is supplied with wash water by a water circulation pump assembly. The pump assembly has a motor, an inlet in fluid communication with a sump, and an outlet in fluid communication with the wash chamber. A macerator system is configured with the pump assembly and includes a filter screen disposed across the inlet and a chopper blade rotationally driven by the pump assembly at a defined axial distance upstream from the filter screen. The chopper blade is biased by materials in magnetic flux communication to the defined axial distance so as to maintain the defined distance in a running and stopped states of the pump assembly.
US08888926B2

A medical instrument cleaning concentrate and method for cleaning medical equipment. The method includes contacting the equipment with a cleaning concentrate dissolved in water. The cleaning concentrate contains (i) a biofilm permeation agent, (ii) a nonionic alkoxylated alcohol surfactant having an HLB ranging from about 5 to less than 8, wherein a weight ratio of (i) to (ii) in the cleaning concentrate based on 100 wt. % active ingredients ranges from about 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1, and (iii) and an inert diluents. After contacting the equipment with the cleaning concentrate dissolved in water, the contacted surfaces are rinsed to substantially remove detectible traces of the ingredients of the cleaning concentrate from the surfaces.
US08888925B2

A nozzle for discharging droplets of a processing liquid for processing a substrate has a main body including a supply port, a drain port, a processing liquid flow passageway connecting the supply port and the drain port, and a plurality of discharge ports from which the processing liquid is discharged. The processing liquid flow passageway includes a plurality of branch flow channels, which branch out between the supply port and the drain port and collect together between the supply port and the drain port. The plurality of discharge ports form a plurality of columns respectively corresponding to the plurality of branch flow channels; and are aligned along and connected to the corresponding branch flow channels. A piezo element applies vibration to the processing liquid flowing through the plurality of branch flow channels.
US08888915B2

A high-purity vitreous silica crucible which has high strength and is used for pulling a large-diameter single-crystal silicon ingot, includes a double laminated structure constituted by an outer layer composed of amorphous silica glass with a bubble content of 1 to 10% and a purity of 99.99% or higher and an inner layer composed of amorphous silica glass with a bubble content of 0.6% or less and a purity of 99.99% or higher, and in the portion between the upper opening end of the high-purity vitreous silica crucible and the ingot-pulling start line of a silicon melt surface in the step of pulling a single-crystal silicon ingot, a portion corresponding to 40 to 100 volume % from the upper opening end of the crucible is in a crystalline structure free from the crystallization promoter.
US08888905B2

A phase change ink composition comprising an amorphous component, and a crystalline material, which are suitable for ink jet printing, including printing on coated paper substrates. In particular, the functional group(s) present in the amorphous component differ from the functional group(s) present in the crystalline component. In particular, the phase change inks compositions solidify fast and are suitable for high speed printing.
US08888904B2

This invention describes the processes of formulating heat generating graphite-sodium silicate (G-S) coating agents/mixes, and coating these mixes on base layer boards/panels to construct moderate to high surface temperature heating devices that are environmentally safe, fire retardant, and economically viable. The core to such heating devices is the formulation of G-S coating agents/mixes that are composed of graphite, sodium silicate, and aluminum silicate. In these coating mixes, the graphite is the primary heat generating agent, the sodium silicate is the main fire resisting agent, and the aluminum silicate primarily serves as surface heat control and water proofing functions.
US08888900B2

Apparatus for treating gas comprises a casing (100) containing a gas scrubber section (118) and an electrostatic precipitator section (120) located above the scrubber section. A partition (136) may be located within the casing (100) to separate the precipitator section (120) from the scrubber section (118). The casing has a gas inlet (102) for supplying gas to the scrubber section, a gas outlet (104) for exhausting gas from the precipitator section, a scrubbing liquid inlet (106) for supplying scrubbing liquid to the precipitator section, and a scrubbing liquid outlet (126) for draining scrubbing liquid from the scrubber section. In one embodiment the partition comprises a set of apertures (138) through which scrubbing liquid drains from the precipitator section into the scrubber section, and a set of gas passages (140) for conveying gas from the scrubber section to the precipitator section.
US08888896B1

A system and method of cleaning and scrubbing contaminants, including sulfides, from an unclean or raw gas includes one or more containers, each of which include a gas permeable receptacle or bag containing an appropriate gas scrubbing medium for removing the contaminants from the gas stream. A gas extraction device is adapted via inserted into the gas scrubbing medium with the gas permeable receptacle wherein the gas extraction device is connected to at least one gas outlet port in the container. A series of containers can be used wherein the containers are connected sequentially to remove the gas. A system for bypassing one of the plurality of containers in order to clean out the container while the gas cleaning mechanism is still in operation is also described.
US08888890B2

A redox ore leaching treatment method utilizing sulfurous acid to act as either an oxidizing or a reducing solution via pH adjustment for ore leaching and bioleaching.
US08888882B2

A filter device (10) for an internal combustion engine includes a separator that is embodied as a cyclone preseparator (26), a main filter element (36) exchangeably arranged in a housing compartment (68) of the filter housing (12), and a secondary filter element (38. The housing compartment (68) includes insertion stays (64). The main filter element (36) is embodied in as a double bellows filter including a first radially inwardly positioned filter bellows (40) and a second radially outwardly positioned filter bellows (42) surrounding it. Upon closing of a servicing housing cover (18) a sealing force is generated that acts onto the main filter element (36) and is maintained in the closed state of the servicing cover (18).
US08888879B1

In an embodiment, a method of non-destructively testing a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) element includes providing a PCD element including a plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions, at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions including one or more interstitial constituents disposed therein. The method further includes exposing the PCD element to neutron radiation from a neutron radiation source, receiving a portion of the neutron radiation that passes through the PCD element, and determining at least one characteristic of the PCD element at least partially based on the portion of the neutron radiation received. For example, the at least one characteristic may be the presence and distribution of metal-solvent catalyst, residual metal-solvent catalyst, an infiltrant, residual infiltrant, or other interstitial constituents within a PCD element.
US08888878B2

A coated abrasive product includes a particulate material containing green, unfired abrasive aggregates having a generally spheroidal or toroidal shape, the aggregates formed from a composition comprising abrasive grit particles, a nanoparticle binder, a dual function material, and a cross-linking agent. These green unfired abrasive aggregates can also be used in free abrasive products and bonded abrasive products.
US08888869B2

Provided herein are methods, apparatuses and systems for fabricating photovoltaic cells and modules. In certain embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems involve coating ferromagnetic substrates with thin film solar cell materials and using magnetic force to constrain, move or otherwise manipulate partially fabricated cells or modules. According to various embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide magnetically actuated handling throughout a photovoltaic cell or module fabrication process, from forming photovoltaic cell layers on a substrate to packaging the module for transport and installation. The magnetically manipulated processing provides advantages over conventional photovoltaic module processing operations, including fewer mechanical components, greater control over placement and tolerances, and ease of handling. As a result, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide highly efficient, low maintenance photovoltaic module fabrication processes.
US08888868B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing composite carbon fibers in which two or more carbon fibers are dispersed in a nearly homogenous state, the composite carbon fibers capable of being easily dispersed in a matrix such as a resin without leaving aggregate, and imparting low resistance. Disclosed is a method for producing composite carbon fibers, which comprises imparting a cavitation effect to slurry containing 6% by mass or less of two or more carbon fibers each having a different average fiber diameter under a pressure of 100 MPa or more and less than 245 MPa thereby to form a composite.
US08888863B2

A surgical implant has a mesh-like base structure (2) and a film (4). The film (4) extends over at least part of the base structure (2), is connected to the base structure (2) in partial regions, and has a coefficient of kinetic friction, relative to rat skin, of not more than 0.25. The film (4) is preferably absorbable.
US08888862B2

A bone implant comprises a core 10 having an integral anchoring structure 12 at its surface. The structure 12 comprises an array of upwardly extending mutually spaced pointed claw-like teeth 14 for digging into bone to which the implant is to be attached, and a network of pores 16 underlying the array and communicating with the exterior of the surface via openings 18 between the teeth, the pores allowing for the circulation of nutrients to promote bone growth.
US08888860B2

A prosthesis comprising: an inner layer (4) formed from a polyaryletherketone; a first outer layer (2a) adjacent to said inner layer formed from a porous polyaryletherketone, at least some of said pores having located therein material to promote osteointegration; and a second outer layer (2b) adjacent to said first outer layer formed from a porous polyaryletherketone, a portion of said pores being free of material to promote osteointegration. The invention also relates to a method of manufacture of the prosthesis. In an alternative arrangement, the prosthesis comprises: an inner layer formed from a polyaryletherketone; a first outer layer adjacent to said inner layer formed from a porous polyaryletherketone, at least some of said pores having located therein material to promote osteointegration having a crystallinity of from about 60% to about 90%; and a second outer layer adjacent to said first outer layer formed from a porous polyaryletherketone, at least a portion of said pores having located therein material to promote osteointegration having a crystallinity of less than about 50%.
US08888854B2

The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
US08888847B2

A cover for receiving an implantable medical device includes self-anchoring protrusions that engage tissue of a pocket where the device is implanted to resist movement including rotation and flipping. The implantable medical device is placed into the cover prior to being placed into the pocket so that once in the pocket, the device may reduce rotating, flipping, or otherwise moving. The self-anchoring protrusions may include barbs of various shapes to frictionally engage the tissue of the pocket. The cover may include features such as a strap and elastic construction to assist in holding the implantable medical device within the cover. Apertures may be included to enable the device. The cover may include additional features like suture tabs to allow additional fixation via suturing the cover to the surrounding tissue.
US08888846B2

An ossicle prosthesis has, at on one end, a first fastening element for connection to the tympanic membrane or a component of the ossicular chain, on the other end, a second fastening element for connection to a further component of the ossicular chain, or directly to the inner ear, and a connecting element that connects the two fastening elements in a sound-conducting manner, and it also includes an elongated applicator for transferring the ossicle prosthesis from a sterile packaging to the surgical site and for insertion into the middle ear or the auditory meatus, with a free end extending away from the prosthesis and used for handling purposes, and with an engagement part which is initially fastened to the prosthesis in a non-positive or form-fit manner, or via a material bridge which may be broken off or sheared off, and which may be detached and removed together with the applicator once the prosthesis has been inserted into the ear. This prosthesis may be removed from the sterile packaging and immediately inserted directly into the auditory meatus of the patient, or inserted into the middle ear in a standardized manner, without the use of additional tools, while ensuring that handling during surgery is optimal and tailored to the geometry of the prosthesis and ruling out the possibility of damage occurring via the gripping and transfer of the prosthesis.
US08888843B2

The invention relates to a device for use in the transcatheter treatment of mitral valve regurgitation, specifically a coaptation enhancement element for implantation across the valve; a system including the coaptation enhancement element and anchors for implantation; a system including the coaptation enhancement element, catheter and driver; and a method for transcatheter implantation of a coaptation element across a heart valve.
US08888823B1

A flexible, bendable organic decalcified or partially decalcified bone, cortical or cancellous, adapted for use in augmentation or repair of animal skeletal structures comprising a continuous plate or sheet of natural bone, as well as dermis is described. The thickness, flexibility and tensile strength of the construct is such as to allow it to be shaped and contoured without damage to it. The composition is ultimately remodeled by the body, thus obviating the need for additional surgical intervention. The clinical indications for the use of the invented construct are many, but are particularly prominent in dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery and implantology. It is particularly useful in the maxillary sinus augmentation. A unique new method, different from previously described methods for the preparation of the disclosed constructs, is described.
US08888820B2

A bone attachment device comprises an attachment collar having a hinged lid is disclosed. The bone attachment device may also comprise a bone fastener (such as a bone screw). A bone attachment device including an attachment collar and a spinal rod locking device is disclosed. A bone attachment device as described herein may be used together with a spinal stabilization rod and one or more additional bone attachment devices. Such devices are adapted to clamp and hold a spinal stabilization rod. Methods for implanting a spinal stabilizer having a bone attachment device including a hinged lid are disclosed.
US08888813B2

Retractor cannula systems may be used for accessing and visualizing the spine and related methods of treatment, including a forward-looking retractor cannula system for creating a working space and the retractor cannula system having atraumatic dissection capability to allow visualization in spine. The devices and methods described may be used, for example, to perform annulus repair, herniated disc excision, and denervation of neurological tissue; to dispense pharmacological agents and/or cell or tissue therapy agents; to diagnose disc degeneration and bony degeneration, spinal stenosis, and nucleus decompression, and to perform disc augmentation.
US08888811B2

This invention generally relates to devices and methods for repairing an aperture in biological tissue. In certain embodiments the invention provides as system for closing an aperture in a biological tissue including a handle, an elongate shaft connected to the handle, a deployment scaffold connected to the shaft, in which the scaffold is configured to releasably retain a surgical implant, and at least one adhesive dispensing system.
US08888809B2

A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue may comprise a handle, a trigger, an electrical input, and a shaft extending from the handle. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector. The end effector may comprise a cammed compression surface. The end effector may comprise an electrode comprising a tapered tissue contacting surface. Some surgical instruments may comprise an overload member.
US08888806B2

The vasoocclusive device for use in interventional therapy and vascular surgery adapted to be inserted into a portion of a vasculature, includes a vasoocclusive coil disposed about an inner reinforcement coil wherein said vasoocclusive coil is helically wound and the inner reinforcement coil forms a reverse helical winding opposite the vasoocclusive coil winding, thereby forming a biplex wound coil. The vasoocclusive device biplex winding provides improved mechanical properties to the device. An inner reinforcement stretch resistant member attached within the biplex windings limits coil stretchability.
US08888804B2

Lancet device that includes a body. A front cover includes a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle extends. A holding member is movably mounted within the body. The holding member includes a front end and a rear end. The front end is configured to receive a lancet. A main spring is disposed between the front and rear ends of the holding member. A first stop surface is arranged on a front portion of the holding member. A second stop surface is axially retained to a front portion of the body. At least partial rotation of the front cover causes the skin engaging end to move axially relative to the second stop surface.
US08888801B2

The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and methods relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens. In some variations, the devices comprise a catheter body, a cutter assembly, a drive mechanism, a torque shaft, and a deflecting mechanism. The deflecting mechanism may be slidable within the catheter body to point the cutter assembly toward a side of a body lumen.
US08888787B2

A method for creating a tract in retrograde fashion for nephrostomy tube creation comprising the steps of providing a puncture wire having a tissue penetrating tip shielded in a sheath, inserting the puncture wire and sheath through a channel in an ureteroscope, advancing the puncture wire from the sheath while visualizing under direct vision a position of the puncture wire, advancing the puncture wire through a selected calyx, and inserting antegrade a coaxial catheter over the puncture wire.
US08888786B2

A device for detecting and measuring a change in angular position with respect to a reference plane is useful in surgical procedures for orienting various instruments, prosthesis, and implants with respect to anatomical landmarks. One embodiment of the device uses three orthogonal rate sensors, along with integrators and averagers, to determine angular position changes using rate of change information. A display provides position changes from a reference position. Various alignment guides are useful with surgical instruments to obtain a reference plane.
US08888785B2

An apparatus and method for performing an open wedge osteotomy. The apparatus includes devices for forming an open wedge osteotomy in bone, including a keyed-wedge implant. The method includes the steps of forming a cut in a bone, forming a keyhole in the bone surface at the proximal end of the cut, and positioning a keyed wedge-shaped implant into the cut formed into the bone.
US08888782B2

A method of performing hip surgery with a robotic guided system on a patient with femoral acetabular impingement can include touching at least one of proximal femur and acetabulum of the hip joint of the patient at a plurality of locations with a stylus coupled to a robotic arm associated with the robotic guided system and acquiring a plurality of corresponding data. A three-dimensional model of at least one of the patient's proximal femur and acetabulum is created based on the data acquired. A location and amount of bone to be removed is determined. Dynamic movement limits of a cutting tool associated with the robotic guided system is set based on the determination. The determined bone of at least one of the proximal femur and acetabulum is removed with the tool while being inhibited from moving the tool outside of the dynamic limit by the robotic guided system.
US08888776B2

An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed in order to capture tissue therebetween. In various embodiments, the first and second jaws can comprise one or more electrodes configured to apply a voltage across the tissue, wherein at least one of the electrodes can comprise a conductive material positioned within a non-conductive, or high-resistance, material. In use, current flowing through the conductive material can heat the conductive material and cause it to evaporate and leave behind the non-conductive material. In such circumstances, the current flowing through the electrode may cease or may be substantially reduced.
US08888775B2

A forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto. The shaft has an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one shape memory cutting member is coupled to one of the jaw members. The shape memory cutting member(s) is transitionable between a retracted state and an extended state. In the extended state, the cutting member(s) extends between the jaw members to cut tissue disposed therebetween when the jaw members are in the approximated position.
US08888773B2

Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a multi-electrode array configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The array is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally spiral/helical shape). The multi-electrode array is sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the renal blood vessel when the array is in the deployed (e.g., spiral/helical) state. The electrodes or energy delivery elements are configured for direct and/or indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or otherwise electrically modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function.
US08888760B2

The ostomy receiving bag comprises a front wall (2) and a rear wall and has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the rear wall is provided with an inlet to receive a stoma, and one wall is provided with at least one first half of a fixation pair (A), and the same effective wall after closure of the bag, if available, is provided with at least one second half of a fixation pair (B), such that when the first half and the second half of the fixation pair are attached, the volume of the receiving bag is reduced.
US08888755B2

The present invention relates to a disposable bag which comprises a multilayer film for accommodating a fluid, and a device which comprises a support holder for the disposable bag according to the invention in which the disposable bag is arranged. The present invention also relates to a process for the production of the disposable bag.
US08888754B2

The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as diapers and adult incontinence products, which collect and retain urine and fecal material deposited thereon by the wearer. The disposable absorbent articles of the present invention comprise a color-pigmented backsheet, which further comprises visually discernible ornamental designs printed thereon.
US08888748B2

A fixing plaster (10) for fixing tubes, hoses or catheters, in particular a tube-fixing plaster (10) for fixing endotracheal tubes in particularly user-friendly form.
US08888734B2

A device for implantation a patient may include a tubular fiber wall that defines at least one opening and at least one lumen continuous with the one opening and adapted to allow the passage of fluid. The tubular fiber wall typically contains a porosity gradient that is adapted to permit passage of different size substances at different locations along the gradient. In one aspect, a second tubular fiber wall substantially encircling the tubular fiber wall.
US08888733B2

Devices, systems, and methods for autoretroperfusion. In at least one embodiment of a perfusion system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a first catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen therethrough, the distal end configured for insertion into a luminal organ of a patient, a coupler defining an outlet port and a first port, the coupler configured to engage the proximal end of the first catheter at the outlet port and to receive blood from a blood supply through the first port, a first tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therethrough, the distal end of the first tube configured to engage the first port of the coupler and to receive the blood from the blood supply, and a first flow regulator in communication with one or more of the coupler and the first tube, the first flow regulator operable to regulate a flow and/or a pressure of the blood through at least part of the system, wherein the system is configured to permit the blood from the blood supply to flow through the first tube, the coupler, and the first catheter into the patient to treat a patient condition.
US08888731B2

Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable shunt configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent an infection.
US08888726B2

A two dimensional moving massage device includes a base, a first movable device in the base, a second movable device in the first movable device, and two massage assemblies disposed on the second movable device. The first stage power gear of the first motor cooperates with the toothed bar of the base to make the first movable device move in the up-and-down direction. The left-and-right moving driven gear is restricted to only be movable in the left-and-right direction and in the up-and-down direction by the first guiding portions and the direction restricting groove. Therefore, rotation of the left-and-right moving driven gear will be converted into displacement of the left-and-right moving driven gear along the left-and-right direction and the up-and-down direction. The massage assembly disposed on the second movable device is also capable of moving both in the up-and-down and left-and-right directions.
US08888721B2

An interactive virtual care system may include a user sensory module to acquire multi-modal user data related to user movement. A data analysis module may compare the multi-modal user data to predetermined historical user data and/or statistical norm data for users to identify an anomaly in the user movement.
US08888720B2

A limb movement biosensor for wearing upon a great toe or other appendage, the wearing upon the great toe being particularly useful for sensing dorsiflexion of the great toe as an indicator of contraction of a wearer's tibialis anterior muscle. A particular configuration of one embodiment allows for extended, multi-night data collection of limb movements by allowing an embedded microcontroller to sleep until movement greater than a pre-determined magnitude is detected by an accelerometer, by recording into memory such detection, while avoiding recording of the actual magnitude value of the detected movement. According to another optional embodiment feature, a light sensor is configured to wake up the processor from a lower power state, such as when a user removes the device from a light-protected package.
US08888717B2

Various methods, techniques or modules are provided to allow for the automated analysis of the 3-D representation of the upper front torso (i) to recognize 3-D anatomical features, (ii) to orient the subject with reference to their anatomy or a display, (iii) to determine dimensional analysis including direct point-to-point lines, 3-D surface lines, and volume values, (iv) to simulate the outcome with the addition of breast implants including breast and nipple positioning, (v) to assist in the selection of the breast implants, and/or (vi) to assist in the planning of breast surgery. The automated analysis is based on the analysis of changes in a 3-D contour map of the upper torso, orientation analysis of 3-D features and planes, color analysis of 3-D features, and/or dimensional analysis of 3-D features and positions of the upper torso.
US08888716B2

An article suitable for conducting one or more assays with an apparatus, e.g., a meter, for determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample of biological fluid. The article contains a plurality of biosensors arranged in such a manner that each of the biosensors can be utilized before the article must be removed from the apparatus.
US08888696B2

A surgical lamp that includes a lamp body having a central axis, and a suspension system for connecting the lamp body with a carrying system. The suspension system can include a first pivot joint around a first pivot axis that is perpendicular to the central axis, and the first pivot joint can be located in the central region of the lamp body.
US08888694B2

A surgical method of operating on the spinal column includes the steps of making a slit in the back of a patient proximate to the spinal column, such to divide a first muscle portion around the spinal column into a pair of separate side muscle portions, and detaching at least one of the separate side muscle portions from the spinal column by force-fitting an elongate gauze member into the slit and compressing the gauze member between the spinal column and the at least one of the side muscle portion, such to controllably detach an additional separate muscle portion of the side muscle portions from the spinal column.
US08888683B2

A scope adapted for insertion and manipulation in a difficult pathway is disclosed. The scope comprises at least one module for manipulating the scope. The scope may further comprise an illumination source, an image sensor, a power source, and a viewing member for viewing images of a cavity or other anatomical member of a patient. In one embodiment the scope is intended to facilitate insertion of an intubating device, which comprises an elongated semi-rigid stylet including first and second ends and at least one inner lumen connected to a module. Additionally, a flexible tip is provided for manipulating one end of the scope and allowing greater flexibility when maneuvering a difficult pathway. In another embodiment, fluids are provided through an interior portion of the scope, allowed to at least partially contact the lens located at the distal end of the scope, and subsequently cleanse or defog the lens for improving vision via the scope. A method for navigating a difficult pathway and for using the apparatus described herein is also disclosed.
US08888677B2

A pressure sensing or monitoring device may be used with an implantable band system. In some versions, the device may be used with a syringe. The device may comprise a visual indicator for monitoring pressure. The device may govern operation of the syringe by setting a threshold pressure to limit the amount of pressure applied to an implantable band system by the syringe.
US08888674B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for trapping or focusing magnetizable particles comprising therapeutic agents at a distance using a dynamic magnetic field and feedback control, to enable the treatment of diseased areas deep inside a patient's body. The methods may be used to diagnose or treat diseased areas deep within a patient, for example tumors of the lungs, intestines, and liver, and is also useful in enhancing the permeability of solid tumors to chemotherapeutic agents.
US08888672B2

Described are methods, devices, and systems for a novel, inexpensive, easy to use therapy for a number of disorders. Described are methods and devices to treat disorders that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to gently “tune” the brain and affect mood, focus, and cognition of subjects.
US08888667B2

A clamp device is for use with an elastic band and includes first and second clamp components and a coupling unit. The first clamp component has a resiliently deformable clamping arm portion connected to one end of a connecting arm portion, cooperating therewith to define a clearance, and defining a clamping side. The second clamp component has a clamping side disposed to confront that of the first clamp component. The coupling unit couples the two clamp components together in a manner that permits relative movement of the clamp components between a non-clamping state and a clamping state. In the clamping state, the clamping arm portion of the first clamp component deforms to contract the clearance and the clamping sides of the clamp components clamp cooperatively and tightly a portion of the elastic band therebetween.
US08888662B1

An artificial limb assists a user in combat training. The artificial limb comprises a first arm retainer mechanically coupled to a first upper arm and a first cord, where the first cord travels through a first hollow portion of the first upper arm. The first cord is immediately adjacent to a first lower arm and terminates at first end ball. The first arm retainer is mechanically coupled to a piece of equipment by an upper strap and a lower strap. When a user strikes the piece of equipment the first upper arm, first lower arm and first end ball flail in a manner that simulates an actual assailant.
US08888657B2

A control apparatus of a working vehicle including a hydraulic pump driven by an engine and two hydraulic motors connected in parallel to the hydraulic pump, a clutch being released or engaged so that a power is transmitted to one of the hydraulic motors via the clutch, includes: a load detection unit determining a load of the working vehicle from a throttle output amount and an engine speed of the engine; and a control unit reducing a pump injection amount of the hydraulic pump under an upper limit injection amount of the hydraulic pump predetermined based on the load at a time of release shift control of the clutch and increasing a pump injection amount of the hydraulic pump under a lower limit injection amount of the hydraulic pump predetermined based on the load at a time of engagement shift control of the clutch.
US08888651B2

A curvilinear gear system and method for transferring force and speed through a wide range of angles is disclosed. The system can optionally incorporate curvilinear U joints to increase effective range of angles to tailor the system to specific applications. The system includes complimentary gear heads, one of which is a curvilinear gear such as a hemispherical gear. A method of using the gear systems in a transmission apparatus is also disclosed.
US08888650B2

A vehicle drive apparatus includes a motor generator, a speed reduction mechanism connected to a rotor shaft of the motor generator, an output shaft connected to the speed reduction mechanism, an intermediate wall separating the motor generator from the speed reduction mechanism, and a bearing that is fixed to the intermediate wall and supports the rotor shaft. The motor generator, intermediate wall, speed reduction mechanism, and output shaft are disposed in this order, and a ring gear of the speed reduction mechanism is fixed. The ring gear is fixed to the intermediate wall via a ring gear flange that is positioned relative and fixed to the intermediate wall by a centering mechanism and a locking mechanism. The centering mechanism is formed by fitting a boss of the ring gear flange and the intermediate wall. The locking mechanism is disposed on an outer peripheral side relative to the centering mechanism.
US08888643B2

Disclosed embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a CVT has a number of spherical planets in contact with an idler. Various idler assemblies can be used to facilitate to improve durability, fatigue life, and efficiency of a CVT. In one embodiment, the idler assembly has two rolling elements having contact surfaces that are angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the CVT. In some embodiments, a bearing is operably coupled between the first and second rolling elements. The bearing is configured to balance axial force between the first and second rolling elements. In one embodiment, the bearing is a ball bearing. In another embodiment, the bearing is an angular contact bearing. In yet other embodiments, needle roller bearings are employed.
US08888640B2

A torque split type automatic transmission which transmits the torque output from an engine through two paths, adds the torque passing through and increased in each path, and outputs a final torque is provided, wherein the torque of the engine is divided into two portions by a torque split device and each portion of the torque is transmitted respectively to first and second power delivery paths, wherein the first power delivery path is directly connected to a driving wheel, and wherein the second power delivery path is provided with a launching device and a transmission device disposed in series so as to increase the torque, and output of the second power delivery path is added to the torque of the first power delivery path to output the final torque.
US08888631B2

A sprocket comprises a set of standard sprocket teeth, each having a first face width and capable of entry between the inner link plates of a transmission chain and engaging sprocket tooth-engaging driving elements of the chain while restricting side slip of the chain by contact with the inner link plates of the chain. The sprocket also comprises a set of narrow sprocket teeth also capable of engaging driving elements of the chain. Each of the narrow sprocket teeth is narrower than the standard sprocket teeth, and can engage driving elements without contacting the inner link plates of the chain. Contact resistance between the sprocket teeth and the chain is reduced and periodic sounds are reduced, while a stable running path of the chain is maintained.
US08888622B2

An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled to the shaft, a clutch carrier journalled to the shaft through a one-way clutch, a torsion spring engaged between the pulley and the clutch carrier, the torsion spring loadable in an unwinding direction, the torsion spring and the pulley having a predetermined clearance between a torsion spring outside diameter surface and a pulley inside diameter surface, and whereby the torsion spring outside diameter surface and a pulley inside diameter surface come into a progressive frictional engagement by torque load dependent radial expansion of the torsion spring.
US08888615B2

Rotatable and hinged goal posts are operably rotatable so that the goal post may rotated to a first position with the uprights being disposed toward a playing field such as for use when playing football, and to second position where the uprights being disposed away from the playing field such as for use when playing soccer. In addition, the rotatable and hinged goal posts are operably pivotable from a raised orientation and a lowered orientation, and vice versa.
US08888614B2

A warm-up and training bat includes a tubular shell with a handle section, a barrel section, and a tapered section connecting the handle section with the barrel section. The handle is attached at an end of the handle section of the bat. An end cap is attached at an end of the barrel section of the bat. A sliding weight mechanism is entirely contained within a pipe disposed within the barrel section of the bat. The sliding weight mechanism can be held in place at an end of the pipe proximate the handle. When a centripetal force is applied during a swing, the sliding weight mechanism moves to a distal end of the pipe. The weight may make a sound or the user may feel the weight shift, helping them perfect their swing.
US08888613B2

The invention provides a golf ball with a surface having a plurality of dimples formed thereon. Some or all of the dimples on the ball surface have a cross-sectional shape in which, letting a straight line passing through any one edge of the dimple and a foot of a perpendicular (pedal) dropped from an imaginary plane defined by a peripheral edge of the dimple to a deepest point of the dimple serve as a reference line, and establishing a plurality of specific regions on the reference line from the dimple edge as 0% to the pedal as 100%, the average depths of the dimple from the reference line in the respective established regions satisfy specific conditions. By reducing the air resistance during flight and thus enhancing the aerodynamic performance, this golf ball achieves a higher trajectory, enabling the ball to travel further.
US08888612B2

Provided is a golf ball having an improved structure of a plurality of circular dimples formed on a surface of the golf ball to improve flight stability and increase a flying distance. With a golf ball having a plurality of circular dimples on a surface thereof, a plurality of concaves, each of which has a shape of an arc concentric with the circular dimple, are formed at a predetermined interval along a circumference of the entire or a portion of the circular dimple.
US08888607B2

A golf club head includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion, and a skirt positioned around a periphery between the sole and crown. The body has a forward portion and a rearward portion. The club head includes a face positioned at the forward portion of the body. The face defines a striking surface having an ideal impact location at a golf club head origin. Embodiments include club heads for a fairway wood that at least one of a high moment of inertia, a low center-of-gravity, a thin crown and a high coefficient of restitution.
US08888606B2

A weighted grip for a golf club is disclosed. The weight is preferably a metal, such as iron and its alloys, especially steel, copper and its alloys, such as brass and bronze, tungsten and its alloys, especially tungsten, aluminum and its alloys, ceramics, including cermets, and can take the form of a cylindric shape concentric with the grip, and embedded in the moldable composition forming the grip. In other embodiments the weight can be at, or near, the extreme end of the grip. Other shapes, forms and locations of the weight are disclosed, as well as combinations of the weight with a grip formed of a moldable composition having a heavy filler therein. The combination of the grip and a golf club are also disclosed.
US08888604B2

An integrated golf club and analysis system that measures and analyze the performance characteristics of both: 1) a free golf swing without impact with a golf ball and 2) a golf swing with ball impact analysis. Free swing analysis provides critical information needed to analyze swing style so that dynamics swing characteristics optimization can be evaluated throughout the entire swing without ball impact, while impact analysis provides critical information on ball impact location on the club face, however, they cannot be measured simultaneously since ball impact eliminates the ability to identify the swing metric peaks such as velocity if it were to occur after ball impact. To achieve both, an integrated electronics golf club head comprises multiple types of sensors for measuring club head motion, impact and spatial location information with a weight and balance of a regulation golf club head.
US08888602B2

An electric tool may include an electric motor, a spindle to which a working tool may be attached, and a torque transmission path provided between the electric motor and the spindle and including a first rotary member and a second rotary member. A torque transmission device may be provided between the first rotary member and the second rotary member and may include a plurality of resiliently deformable torque transmission members.
US08888596B2

Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a gesture enhanced game play system that includes a display system, a sensor system, a feedback system, and one or more computing systems. The sensor system is configured to detect at least one touch gesture when the touch gesture is at least proximate the virtual game layout. During play of the base game, when a player makes a touch gesture the touch gesture is evaluated as either a direct gameplay touch gesture or an indirect gameplay touch gesture. Each direct gameplay touch gesture relates directly to reaching an outcome of a current game. Each indirect gameplay touch gesture may be associated with a feedback system that responds to the indirect gameplay touch gestures by the player with visual, audio, and/or tactile feedback. The feedback system enables indirect gameplay touch gestures by the player to altered game parameters by modifying a hit frequency and corresponding prize pay range, enabling the player to indirectly modify the hit frequency and prize pay range by making indirect gameplay touch gestures. The sensor system is configured to detect multiple touch gestures, wherein gestures include simultaneous touches by multiple fingers, consecutive touches by a single finger, touching and sliding of a finger, touching and sliding of multiple fingers, and combinations thereof.
US08888588B2

Gaming machines and gaming systems having a game rating system are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of games where each game has a distinct game style that is based in part on game volatility. The gaming device also includes a game controller for managing and operating the plurality of games, and a game rating system in communication with the game controller. The game rating system includes a player interface for selecting a game, and an icon presented on the display of the gaming device where the icon represents the distinct game style.
US08888587B2

A gaming device may be modified in a way that is aimed at the similar interests in a focus group rather than on an individual. Groups are formed where the patrons in the groups have related elements. The related elements are compared to modifiable elements of the gaming device and modifications are made to the modifiable elements to attract the members of the focus group.
US08888584B2

The present disclosure provides a gaming system and method providing a fantasy sports game. The gaming system enables a player to create a fantasy sports team associated with a sports league, select one or more athletes who play or have played in that sports league to include on the player's team, and enter the player's team into a competition against other teams. For each of the teams, for each of the athletes on that team, the gaming system determines a simulated performance of that athlete based on designated historical performance data and determines an athlete score of that athlete based on the simulated performance. The gaming system determines a total team score for each team. The gaming system determines which of the teams has the highest total team score, identifies that team as the winner, and provides one or more awards to the winning team.
US08888578B2

A system, method and apparatus for a gaming system is provided. The gaming system includes a rewards server and a separate gaming or slot accounting server. The system may further include a separate player tracking server. The system further includes one or more game machines. The game machines may include a base game, rewards tracking module, and a game management module. Further details will be apparent from the description, drawings and claims.
US08888576B2

A multi-media interactive play system has a number of play elements situated in a variety of play environments or play media. The play elements are linked to a common record of participant performance, progress, character attributes, etc. The participant's performance in the play elements determines the play elements to which the participant may proceed as well as the play parameters of the play element in which the participant is currently involved. The play elements are thus interlinked to define a sequence or path network along which the participant advances. By advancing through the play elements the participant carries out a plot, story, theme, etc. that attaches a significance to the successful completion of a given play element or elements. Also disclosed in a variety of play elements suitable for use in the system, an example of a plot or theme that may be carried out by the system, and a send/receive radio frequency network that may be used to track play participants in a play center.
US08888571B2

The invention proposes a device for attaching an actuator (2) to a housing (4), in particular for an automotive vehicle, the actuator being provided for driving a movable equipment (41) disposed within the housing. The device comprises attaching means for attaching the actuator on the housing. The mounting means comprise two conjugated connection flanges (20, 40), respectively mounted on a connexion face (28) of the actuator (28) and on a connection face (48) of the housing. The connexion flanges are adapted to be assembled according to a male/female type connection at the outside of the housing.
US08888569B2

A method for cutting extra-large poultry to fit within existing industrial fryers and remain as recognizable pieces to the consumer is provided. The method provides for the cuts necessary to create pieces of poultry from the extra-large poultry that are sized comparably to a normal sized bird. Furthermore, the method provides for keeping the cut pieces in a shape that the consumer recognizes as a particular piece of poultry.
US08888566B2

An improved hand-held power tool is provided which can effectively reduce whirling vibration caused by imbalance of a rotating element. The power tool has a grip that is connected to a tool body and designed to be held by a user and a self-synchronous mechanism that reduces whirling vibration caused in the tool body or the grip when the tool bit is driven. The self-synchronous mechanism is of a phase variable type, having a rotating body which serves as a vibrator and is rotationally driven by a driving source different from a driving source for the tool bit. The self-synchronous mechanism is disposed in the tool body or the grip in which whirling vibration is caused, and arranged such that a phase of vibration of the rotating body is automatically tuned to a phase of the whirling vibration, thereby reducing the whirling vibration.
US08888562B2

In the double-side polishing apparatus, one end part of a slurry supply hole has a female-tapered face whose inner diameter is gradually increased toward a polishing face of a polishing plate. A pad hole, which corresponds to the slurry supply hole, is formed in a polishing pad covering the slurry supply hole. An edge of the pad hole is located in the slurry supply hole. A fixation pipe, in which a flange section facing the female-tapered face is formed at one end part, is fixed in the slurry supply hole. The edge of the pad hole is sandwiched and held between the female-tapered face of the slurry supply hole and the flange section of the fixation pipe.
US08888558B2

A probe pin having a bent portion at its tip end portion is used for a probe card, the probe pin is configured such that an angle constituted by a direction of work groove generated at a time of machine-working of a tip end portion of the probe pin and a longitudinal direction of a metal wire is set to 45 degree or less, or both directions are set to be almost parallel to each other. Due to above configuration, even if the tip end portion of the probe pin is subjected to a bending work and a worked surface is formed with recessed portion, a breakage of the probe pin caused by the recessed portion existing on the worked surface and functioning as a starting point of the breakage can be effectively prevented whereby a lowering of a production yield of the probe pin can be greatly suppressed.
US08888554B2

A toy playset is provided. The toy playset may include a base having a first play surface and may further include a first socket attached to the first play surface. The first socket may include a central detent configured to releasably retain a toy wheel with a portion of the toy wheel held inside the central detent. The first socket may include a pair of lateral detents configured to releasably retain a toy axle. The lateral detents may extend across the first socket and may intersect the central detent. The lateral detents may be narrower than the central detent.
US08888552B2

Described is a twistable and connectable block. The block includes a first half and a second half. Each of the first half and second half having protrusions and recessions. The protrusions and recessions are formed to connect with other protrusions and recessions. Each of the halves is connectable with the other using a connection device. The connection device includes a post on one half that can fit in a corresponding hole in the other half. Thus, through the connection device, the two halves are twistable with respect to one another.
US08888551B2

An aerobat toy comprising propellers (30), a fuselage (50) and an undercarriage (70), wherein the propellers (30) comprise a first propeller (310) and a second propeller (320); the first propeller (310) is provided at a top part of the fuselage (50), and the second propeller (320) is provided between the fuselage (50) and the undercarriage (70) thereunder.
US08888537B2

An improved electronic audio receptacle connector employs contacts that have multiple points of contact with a mating audio plug. The contacts each have multiple segments, each segment having a plurality of transverse fingers that interface with a conductive portion of the audio plug. The multiple points of contact improve the reliability of the receptacle connector. The housing of the receptacle connector may be made of two portions mated along an interface. The two portions may have features along the interface to impede moisture ingression and to interlock them together.
US08888535B2

A corrosion resistant electrical system for communicating between a power source and multiple electric devices on a truck box or trailer. A hard plastic junction block with a male connector for power input communicates internally with two or more female connectors for power output, allowing multiple electric motors or other devices to receive electricity from a single power cable. The assembly includes cables with female or male connectors at the ends, the connectors having corresponding projecting portions and passageways, and U-shaped flanges and spaces, that fit together. The space between the projecting portions and the passageways are sealed by a resilient gasket around the projecting portion, and the U-shaped flanges and projecting portions contain aligned apertures to receive a lock pin to secure the mated connectors together.
US08888530B2

A connector assembly includes contact modules each having a wafer, a first ground frame extending along a first side of the wafer and a second ground frame extending along a second side of the wafer. The wafer has a dielectric body holding a plurality of signal contacts. The first ground frame has beams extending from a front of the first ground frame. The second ground frame has shields at least partially surrounding corresponding mating portions of the signal contacts. Each first ground frame is mechanically and electrically connected to an adjacent second ground frame of an adjacent contact module. Each second ground frame is mechanically and electrically connected to an adjacent first ground frame of an adjacent contact module.
US08888522B2

An electric plug-in connecting system having at least one contact device and an electric plug-in connector for electrically connecting the electric plug-in connector with the contact device, and having a coding system to avoid unintentional contacts, wherein the coding system includes at least three coding devices independent of one another for coding.
US08888512B2

An adapter for use with a U-section longitudinally extending power track has a base adapted to fit in the slot and a head adapted to fit outside the slot on the track so that an electrical device can be connected via the adapter to the conductors in the track. A first operating shaft extending along and pivotal about an axis in the housing carries contact fingers pivotal on rotation of the first shaft between a retracted position recessed in the base and a contacting position projecting from the base and, when the base is fitted to the slot, engaging the conductors. A second operating shaft extends along and pivotal about the axis in the housing. A second switch assembly connected to the second shaft and operable thereby on rotation of the second operating shaft to connect and disconnect the contact fingers with phase contacts on the housing.
US08888509B2

An electrical connector and method assembling the same. A device may comprise a connector frame, a flexible printed circuit board connected to the connector frame, a filter mounted to the flexible printed circuit board; and at least one terminal mounted to the flexible printed circuit board and in electrical communication with the filter. A method to assemble an electrical connector may comprise: providing a flexible printed circuit board having two conductive pads and a filter in electrical communication with the two conductive pads; connecting each conductive pad to a corresponding terminal; inserting each terminal into corresponding holders in a connector frame; placing the flexible printed circuit board in a curved pathway of the connector frame to form a connector subassembly; and inserting the connector subassembly into a connector housing. The filter may have three electrical connections, two are connected to the terminals and one is connected to ground.
US08888493B2

A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for automatically assessing text difficulty. Text reading difficulty predictions are expressed on a scale that is aligned with published reading standards. Two distinct difficulty models are provided for informational and literary texts. A principal components analysis implemented on a large collection of texts is used to develop independent variables accounting for strong intercorrelations exhibited by many important linguistic features. Multiple dimensions of text variation are addressed, including new dimensions beyond syntactic complexity and semantic difficulty. Feedback about text difficulty is provided in a hierarchically structured format designed to support successful text adaptation efforts. The invention ensures that resulting text difficulty estimates are unbiased with respect to genre, are highly correlated with estimates provided by human experts, and are based on a more realistic model of the aspects of text variation that contribute to observed difficulty variation.
US08888486B2

A dental implant screw for holding an abutment on a dental implant includes a head and a shaft. A proximal end of the shaft is coupled to the head. The shaft includes a threaded section, an outwardly tapered section leading into a recessed section, and a stop section directly between the outwardly tapered section and the recessed section. The recessed section is directly between the head and the stop section. The threaded section is directly adjacent a distal end of the shaft and is configured to engage threads of an internally threaded bore in the dental implant to hold the abutment on the dental implant.
US08888484B2

A guide shoe of a guiding device of a plastic processing machine clamping unit has an elongated main part in clamping direction for attachment of sliding and/or rolling elements. The guide shoe has a connecting element which is spaced from the main part and extends substantially vertically in the clamping direction, and which has a fixing region for fixing the guide shoe to a moving mold platen. The moving mold platen can be fixed solely to the fixing region of the connecting element in decoupled manner from the main part. The connecting element is designed as a deformation element fixed to the main part via a connecting region that forms a target bending zone with respect to a bend about a bending axis substantially parallel to the clamping direction, such that the deformation element additionally forms a target torsion zone about a torsion axis substantially perpendicular to the clamping direction.
US08888478B2

A pelletizing press for producing pellets, preferably from biomass, for use as fuel in fireplaces, includes at least one die having a plurality of bores for pressing the biomass, at least one roll rolling on a rolling surface of the die, and at least one drive device for the die and/or the roll. The pelletizing press makes it possible to use a die having as low a height as possible, and thus as short a bore length as possible. For mounting the die, a carrier plate seated in a substantially planar manner against the die is arranged downstream of the die in the passage direction of the biomass. At least one opening for releasing the bores of the die is arranged in the carrier plate.
US08888470B2

A pumping cassette, the cassette includes a housing. The housing includes at least one fluid port and at least one air vent port. The air vent port vents a fluid source outside the housing. The pumping cassette also includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pump pumps fluid.
US08888463B2

The invention relates to a rotor blade for wind energy installation, comprising at least one flange running in a longitudinal direction from a rotor blade root to a rotor blade tip, whereby a width of the flange decreases along the longitudinal direction. The invention also relates to a method for producing a rotor blade in that at least one flange with a width decreasing in the longitudinal direction is applied to a rotor blade inner wall, and to a laying assistance device for positioning strips of the flange.
US08888459B2

An array of rotor blades is provided. The array includes a rotor disk defining a plurality of slots. A first rotor blade that includes a first platform between a first airfoil and a first shank portion is coupled with a first slot of the rotor disk via the first shank portion. The first rotor blade further includes a pair of oppositely disposed flanges positioned between the first platform and the first shank portion and extending beyond a longitudinal side edge defined by the first platform. A second rotor blade, that includes a second platform defining a pair of oppositely disposed overhang lips and positioned between a second airfoil and a second shank portion, is coupled with a second slot of the rotor disk via the second shank portion. The second rotor blade is positioned adjacent to the first rotor blade such that one of the overhang lips of the second platform is positioned over one of the flanges of the first rotor blade. Methods are also generally provided for installing rotor blades onto a rotor disk.
US08888455B2

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine blade. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and blades. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
US08888452B2

A shroud 10 is carried by a housing 14 of a hydraulic machine 12. The shroud 10 at least partially encloses a rotating fan 74 disposed on a rotating shaft 72 that extends from the housing. The shroud 10 includes a mounting portion 22 having a peripheral mounting wall 50 that encircles the housing 14 with an interference fit and that includes tapered slots 60 for receiving tapered cooling fins 62 of the housing 14. The shroud 10 also includes a shroud portion 20 formed of integral one piece construction with the mounting portion. The shroud portion 20 includes a peripheral shroud wall 30 and a perforated shroud cover wall 38. The shroud portion 20 is arranged in cantilever relation to the mounting portion 22. A stop member 40, 44 engages a rotating end of the shaft 72 to limit deflection of the cantilevered shroud member toward the fan 74.
US08888451B2

A method for producing a vane for application in a component in a gas turbine engine includes casting at least one of a vane leading edge part and a vane trailing edge part and connecting the leading edge part and the trailing edge part.
US08888449B2

Various systems and apparatuses are provided for a flow delivery system for an engine. In one example, a system includes a first turbine providing an exhaust flow and a second turbine having an inlet and being fluidically coupled to the first turbine. The second turbine further includes a plurality of nozzle vanes positioned within the inlet of the turbine. A transition conduit is curved about an axis and coupled to the inlet and to the first turbine. The transition conduit is configured to impart an angular momentum component to at least a portion of the exhaust flow, and includes a slot that delivers at least a portion of the exhaust flow to the plurality of nozzle vanes.
US08888447B2

To solve heat soak and reduced heat rejection capability problems in turbochargers with rolling element bearings (REBs), the REB cartridge is mounted to the bearing housing in a way that is not rigid, thus allows for an oil damping film, but, at the same time, the REB cartridge is held both axially, to transfer thrust loads to the bearing housing, and rotationally, so that the REB cartridge does not rotate relative to the bearing housing, using male or female features in the REB and corresponding female or male features associated with the bearing bore or the turbine face of the bearing housing closure.
US08888439B2

A turbomachine casing assembly including a first casing element locatable radially outward of one or more rotating aerofoil elements of a turbomachine, a second casing element located radially distal to the first casing element is provided. A void is provided between a radially proximal face of the first casing element and a radially proximal face of the second casing element, at the first end of the first casing element. The first end of the first casing element is located against a corresponding first end of the second casing element by an energy absorbing element, with the first casing element; including a cantilever. The cantilever is arranged in a region extending along the first casing element from the first end; and having a pivot axis at a mid portion thereof.
US08888437B2

A dual flow steam turbine includes coolant passageways which extract coolant steam from the main steam flow paths at locations downstream from the inlet. The coolant passageways conduct the coolant steam through portions of the dual flow steam turbine which are subjected to a high temperature flow. In some cases, the passageways conduct the coolant steam through first stage nozzle boxes and an inlet assembly of the dual flow steam turbine. In some cases, the inlet assembly of the steam turbine includes an annular diaphragm, and a coolant passageway passes through the annular diaphragm to help cool the annular diaphragm.
US08888436B2

The present application provides a section cooling system for a steam turbine to limit a leakage flow therethrough. The section cooling system may include a first pressure flow extraction from a first section to a shaft packing location between the first section and a second section and a rotor aperture extending towards the first section. The first pressure flow extraction diverts the leakage flow from the first section into the rotor aperture so as to limit the leakage flow to the second section.
US08888428B2

A method of manufacturing an insert nut having a diamond lattice structure comprises cutting and forging a metal rod and thus preparing a forged article having a flange and a nut body; pressing-in the forged article between a first thread rolling die formed with a first annular die protrusion and a left diagonal die protrusion for forming a left diagonal line of a diamond lattice and a second thread rolling die formed with a second annular die protrusion and a right diagonal die protrusion for forming a right diagonal line of the diamond lattice; and pressing the forged article with the thread rolling dies, and then moving up and down each of the thread rolling dies so that a plurality of diamond lattices and an annular protrusion are arranged on the external circumferential surface of the nut body.
US08888426B2

A functional element of metal having a flange of larger diameter from an attachment surface and a centering section arranged inside the attachment surface and extending away from the flange, characterized in that an adhesive is arranged around the cylindrical section and adjacent to the attachment surface.
US08888425B2

Disclosed is a blind bolt fastener that includes a threaded nut and bolt combination that passes through a deformable sleeve that has a shoulder, a deformable portion and a non-deformable portion. Upon tightening of the threaded bolt and nut combination, the deformable portion is compressed so that it bulbs to form a bulbed head. The shoulder on the sleeve blocks further compression of the deformable portion once the bulbed head is substantially completely formed.
US08888424B1

Systems and methods for securing cargo within a cargo container are described. The cargo is loaded within an interior of the container and one or more load restraint strips may be used to secure the cargo. Each load restraint strip may include an affixing region having an adhesive for securing the strip to a wall of the container. One or more braces may be inserted between the cargo and the load restraint strips.
US08888420B2

A tool chucking apparatus to hold a machining cutter or tool includes a holding member and a fastening member that are coupled together to form a grip space inside to hold a collet. The collet has a plurality of pawl structures with a plurality of elastic slots formed thereon. When the holding member and the fastening member are coupled, the collet has one end tightly held in the holding member and the other end tightly held in the fastening member. Hence the two ends of the collet contract the elastic slots to tightly grip the cutter or tool. As a result, machining precision improves, safety enhances and the life span of the cutter or tool increases.
US08888416B2

A control system for an air driven drill is described, wherein the control system is of the kind that provides a feed stroke to a drill bit. The system comprises an interrupt line so that compressed air fed to a feed chamber is also fed to a clamp chamber whereby the unbalanced force on the feed piston becomes balanced so as to stop the feed stroke. An adjustable frequency generator is provided to impose a pulsating pressure variation in an air pressure supply. During a feed stroke under which compressed air is fed to the feed chamber, air fed to the clamp chamber via the interrupt line is caused by the adjustable frequency generator to have a pulsating pressure, so that the feed stroke is caused to be stopped for a first period, then resumed for a second period, to provide a periodically interrupted feed stroke.
US08888415B2

An anchor comprises an anchor bolt having a shaft and a bolt head, a spreading sleeve having spreading parts provided at a tip portion of a tubular body capable of being fitted on a tip portion of the shaft and a cone nut provided at its inner side a screw through hole to threadedly engage with the shaft. The shaft of the anchor bolt is composed of a thick shaft part connected to the bolt head, and a thin shaft part provided to be closer to the tip portion of the shaft. The thick shaft part is provided with a rupture portion reduced in diameter. The rupture portion is provided at a position spaced by a predetermined length from the step between the thick shaft part and the thin shaft part and ruptures if torque of a predetermined value acts on the bolt head.
US08888414B2

A grouted cylindrical connection utilizing bearing surfaces can be used with conventional transition-monopile foundations to connect the large diameter cylindrical shaped monopile to the larger diameter cylindrical shaped transition section which includes appurtances. The grouted cylindrical connection includes a cylindrical shaped monopile, a cylindrical shaped transition section receiving the monopile, an annulus being formed between the monopile and the transition section, and first and second bearing elements disposed in the annulus. The first bearing element is attached to the transition section and the second bearing element is attached to the monopile. The annulus is filled with grout to transmit force and moment between the transition section and the monopile through grout between the first and second bearing elements.
US08888411B2

This invention introduces three-dimensional (3D) damper arrangements that are used to suppress dynamic motions of a subsea line like a riser, on which the dampers are installed. Damping surfaces (shapes) are mounted on the line so that their combined drag per line unit length dampens motions in 3 mutually perpendicular directions: axial, in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OOP). 3D suppression is provided by integral 3D dampers or by combining IP-OOP dampers like strakes with neighboring axial dampers. Increased line motions suppression is achieved by decoupling, particularly on dampers mounted in regions of high line curvature and/or small effective tension. This invention also presents Short Lazy Wave (SLW) configurations of rigid catenary risers, which are also used to suppress dynamic motions. 3D dampers can be used together with SLWs. Motion suppression is introduced to reduce dynamic stresses and to increase fatigue life of the lines.
US08888409B2

A multipurpose deepwater vessel equipped with a floating structure having a bow, a stern, a weather deck, a first board, and a second board; a J-lay tower hinged to the floating structure along the second board, and movable about a first axis into a number of work positions to join pipe assemblies into an underwater pipeline, and to lay an underwater pipeline; a heavy-duty crane connected at the bow to the floating structure to rotate about a second axis, and having a boom defining an operating range within which the J-lay tower is located in any one of its work positions; and a preassembly line, below the weather deck, for joining pipes into pipe assemblies for supply to the J-lay tower.
US08888406B2

A weighted bag includes a filler material contained by a sealed bag configured to be substantially impermeable to fluids. The sealed bag may include a generally tubular bag body made from a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coated polymer-based textile where the tubular bag body is formed by hot air welding and the bag is sealed using sealing tape applied and bonded at each end of the tubular bag body. The weighted bag may be recovered after use and recycled for reuse in a subsequent installation. The filler material may include a slag, a slag-based material and/or low iron fines which may be residual material from the steel or iron producing industries.
US08888390B2

An applicator for applying a cosmetic composition includes: an applicator member and a vibration source. The applicator is configured to enable the user to orient the vibration of the vibration source relative to the applicator member selectively in at least two different orientations, at one or more predefined locations.
US08888389B2

A printer and a cutter apparatus configured to provide a sure full cut without producing an undesirable flake of paper. The cutter apparatus comprises a fixed blade, a first movable blade disposed on one side in a width direction of the paper and configured to move back and forth with respect to the fixed blade, a second movable blade disposed on the other side in the width direction of the paper with a gap provided with respect to the first movable blade and configured to move back and forth with respect to the fixed blade, and an urging member configured to urge each of the first movable blade and the second movable blade in a direction reducing the gap.
US08888387B2

In one embodiment, a coating and developing apparatus includes a processing block including a vertical stack of early-stage processing unit blocks; a vertical stack of later-stage processing unit blocks disposed laterally adjacent to respective ones of the early-stage processing unit blocks; a vertical stack of developing unit blocks stacked on the early-stage processing unit blocks; a vertical stack of auxiliary processing unit blocks disposed laterally adjacent to respective ones of the developing unit blocks; first transfer units, each of which are disposed between the laterally adjacent early-stage processing unit and later-stage processing unit; second transfer units, each of which is disposed between the laterally adjacent developing unit block and auxiliary processing unit block; and a auxiliary transfer mechanism for transferring a substrate between the first transfer units and between the second transfer units.
US08888382B2

An optical-electrical connector assembly comprises a housing, a printed circuit board received in the housing and including a number of converting elements, a lens member, a ferrule aligned with the lens member and having a resisting portion, an integrated securing member, a coiled spring received in the securing member, and an optical cable having a number of optical fibers. The ferrule has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion engaged with the housing. The coiled spring is compressed between the resisting portion and the first engaging portion.
US08888381B2

An optical module base is made up of a plurality of lead frames and a resin structure integrally molded with the lead frames and has an optical device mounting part and an optical waveguide mounting part which are formed in the resin structure. Each of the lead frames includes a connection part to which an optical device is to be mounted and electrically connected and a lead part which is continuous with the connection part. A portion of the thickness of the connection part is embedded in the resin structure and is positioned at the optical device mounting part. A sufficient strength of fixing a lead frame on a resin structure integrally molded with the lead frame can be ensured even if the sizes of the lead frames are miniaturized according to the sizes of electrodes of an optical device to be flip-chip bonded.
US08888375B2

A rolling element guide for a bearing assembly comprising of a steel or other metal skeleton overmolded with a plastic material.
US08888369B2

A rotating device includes: a rotating body, a fixed body and lubricant. A surrounding member in the fixed body has a sleeve and a housing for surrounding the sleeve. A first radial dynamic pressure generating groove and a second radial dynamic pressure generating groove are formed on at least one of the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve and the outer circumferential surface of a shaft in the rotating body. The sleeve has a flange portion protruding radially outward at the end portion of the sleeve near to a hub in the rotating body. A concave portion, which is made by axially concaving at least part of the area corresponding to a wall thickness of the sleeve on the inner circumference side of the flange portion, is circumferentially provided in the flange portion.
US08888363B2

A temperature measuring device, which is used in a continuous casting machine, measures the surface temperature of a part or all of a cast slab in a width direction of the cast slab, which is drawn from a mold and conveyed by rollers, in a secondary cooling zone of the continuous casting machine. The temperature measuring device includes a support member that is installed on the side of roller support parts by which the rollers are rotatably supported; an arm member of which a proximal portion is rotatably mounted on the support member; and a radiation thermometer which is provided at a distal end portion of the arm member and of which a light receiving opening is disposed at a position corresponding to a height in the range of 1.0 to 4.5 m from the surface of the cast slab.
US08888351B2

A display apparatus and a backlight assembly are provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel; and a backlight unit disposed on a rear surface of the display panel and discharging light to the display panel, the backlight unit comprising white light emitting diodes (LEDs) and Quantum Dot (QD) LEDs.
US08888348B2

Provided is an illumination device that is capable of improving the utilization efficiency of light, while being lighter and thinner. This illumination device (10) is provided with: a light source (11) that emits ultraviolet light; a light guide plate (14) that guides the light from the light source; an optical member (15) placed between the light source and the light guide plate and that allows ultraviolet light emitted from the light source to pass through and that reflects visible light; and a fluorescent member (16) that is arranged between an ultraviolet light incident surface (15d) of the optical member and the light guide plate and that converts the ultraviolet light into visible light.
US08888346B2

An illuminating shoelace device includes an illuminating unit and a light guide fiber. The casing of the illuminating unit includes a first through hole and a first opening, and the illuminating unit includes the first light emitting element therein for emitting light to the first opening. One end of the light guide fiber passes through the first through hole and then is plugged in the first opening to receive the light emitted by the light emitting element. The first through hole and the fastening structure in the first opening can hold the light guide fiber to prevent it from falling out from the opening easily.
US08888345B2

The invention relates to a thermal-expansion compensator for holding a light module in a housing of a headlamp for a motor vehicle, comprising a compensation pin extending along a pin axis with a stop element, wherein the compensation pin can be connected to the housing by means of a connecting means, a compensation element with a compensation body extending along a compensation axis and at least two stop receptacles that are each formed for holding the stop element of the compensation pin, and a holder that is arranged rigidly on the light module.
US08888343B2

An optical device comprising an exit portion furnished with an exit face and designed to emit, through the exit face, light rays emanating from a first luminous source and from a second luminous source, characterized by the fact that it comprises a first light guide configured to propagate the light rays emanating from the first luminous source toward the exit portion and a second light guide configured to propagate the light rays emanating from the second source toward the exit portion.A preferential application is the field of lighting equipment for motor vehicles.
US08888340B2

A head lamp apparatus of an automobile and a method of controlling the same light a curved road by rotating one of a left DBL and a right DBL to the left or right according to a relative distance reflecting a driving speed of the automobile, not an absolute distance from a driving position of the automobile before the automobile enters the curved road on a driving path.
US08888332B2

Apparatus and methods of attaching accessories to LED lamps and for providing active accessories in LED lamps are disclosed.
US08888331B2

An embodiment of the invention provides a low inductance light source module comprising a connector having a layer of insulating material sandwiched between first and second conducting layers and a semiconducting light source that seats in a recess extending through the first conducting layer and the insulating later and has first and second electrical contacts for receiving power electrically connected to the first and second conducting layers.
US08888327B1

A lamp assembly comprising a housing having a front surface, a cavity, and a mounting rod, a reflector having an opening and mounted within the cavity, a light source removably mounted within the cavity and the opening, a cap removably secured to the housing, a lens disposed between the cap and the housing, a heat shield, and wherein the heat shield is disposed between the lens and the light source.
US08888326B2

A recessed LED light fixture is provided. The fixture includes a housing assembly, a power supply, and a light source. The power supply is positioned below the light source relative to an opening of the housing from which light from the light source is emitted. The power supply is positioned on an exterior side of the housing and proximate a lower-most extent of the housing.
US08888318B2

An LED spotlight that is operable to emit light with a selected emission angle measured relative to an emission axis of the spotlight comprises: a dish shaped (parabolic) reflector and a plurality of LEDs, wherein the LEDs are configured such that in operation each emits light in a generally radial direction to the emission axis of the spotlight and wherein the light emission axis of the LEDs is configured at an angle to the emission axis of the spotlight of at least 40°. In preferred embodiments the LEDs are configured such that their emission axis is substantially orthogonal to the emission axis of the spotlight and the reflector comprises a respective parabolic light reflective surface portion associated with a respective one of the LEDs.
US08888316B2

A light source replacement for a fluorescent troffer light fixture utilizing light emitting diode and lens combination with the existing diffuser to produce lower contrast and evenly distributed illumination.
US08888315B2

This invention provides a vapor-tight luminaire with a housing that defines a continuous and unbroken sealed tubular lens extending in a longitudinal direction. The housing includes a pair of end cap structures removably and sealably mounted on each of opposing respective housing ends. The housing removably supports a lamp assembly that can include various reflector arrangements. The lamp assembly can include fluorescent tubular lamps and can include electronics, such as a ballast circuit. Illustratively, a supporting rail suspended from each of the opposing housing ends by respective posts slidably supports the lamp assembly. In this manner each of the housing and the lamp assembly are constructed and arranged to allow the lamp assembly to be passed into and out of the housing along the supporting rail when at least one of the end cap structures is removed from the respective one of the housing ends.
US08888276B2

A rotary actuation mechanism for variable focus spectacles is disclosed. The spectacles include two variable focus lens units and a bridge therebetween. The actuation mechanism includes a rotary cam rotatably mounted on the bridge, a fingerwheel attached to the rotary cam to rotate it, a cam follower disposed in slidable contact with the peripheral surface of the rotary cam, and two elongated couplers pivotally mounted on the bridge. The peripheral surface of the rotary cam is spiral shaped to transfer the rotation of the rotary cam into a linear, or pivoting, motion of the cam follower. Each coupler has a proximate end in contact with or attached to the cam follower and a distal end coupled to a linkage anchor of a respective lens unit, to transfer the motion of the cam follower into simultaneous pivoting motions of the linkage anchors thereby adjusting the focal lengths of the lens units.
US08888275B2

In imaging system (100), a spatial light modulator (101) is configured to produce images (102) by scanning a plurality light beams (104,105,106). A first optical element (107) is configured to cause the plurality of light beams to converge along an optical path (114) defined between the first optical element and the spatial light modulator. A second optical element (115) is disposed between the spatial light modulator and a waveguide (1401). The first optical element and the spatial light modulator are arranged such that an image plane (117) is created between the spatial light modulator and the second optical element. The second optical element is configured to collect the diverging light (118) from the image plane and collimate it. The second optical element then delivers the collimated light to a pupil (120) at an input of the waveguide.
US08888271B2

Disclosed is an apparatus for transporting a substrate media sheet along a process path through a marking zone. The apparatus includes a marking zone, an air bearing support rail and a media cart. The marking zone marks the substrate media sheet. The air bearing support rail extends from a first location upstream of the marking zone to a second location downstream of the marking zone. The media cart conveys the sheet along the process path. The media cart includes a platen for holding the sheet thereon as the media cart translates through the marking zone. The media cart is supported along the process path between the first and second locations by the air bearing support rail. The air bearing support rail includes a gaseous layer providing a non-contact bearing support between an outer surface of the air bearing support rail and a non-contact support surface of the media cart.
US08888269B2

The inkjet recording method includes ejecting an inkjet ink toward a recording medium to form an ink image on the recording medium. The inkjet ink includes a pigment, water, a surfactant, and a compound having a formula (1) CH3OCH2CH2CON(CH3)2, and optionally includes a compound having a formula (2) CH3CH2CH2CH2OCH2CH2CON(CH3)2. The inkjet recording method satisfies a relation, 16≦γ cos θ≦26, wherein γ represents the surface tension of the inkjet ink in units of mN/m, and θ represents the angle of contact of the inkjet ink with the recording medium in units of degree measured 0.1 seconds after dropping an droplet of the inkjet ink with a volume of 2.5 μl on the recording medium.
US08888265B2

An ink set includes a first ink that contains a white material and a first resin; and a second ink that contains a color material other than the white material and a second resin, wherein the first resin includes a component (A) causing cracks when resin of 0.5 g is dropped onto a slide glass and is dried at a temperature of 50° C. and a humidity of 0% RH for 10 minutes, and wherein the second resin includes a component (B) of at least one of polyolefin wax and ethylene vinyl acetate resin.
US08888260B2

A liquid-jet head includes nozzles ejecting liquid drops, individual liquid chambers in communication with the corresponding nozzles, a common liquid chamber supplying the liquid to the individual liquid chambers, and a filter member filtering the liquid inside the common liquid chamber. The filter member includes a thin layer having pores and a thick layer on a circumferential part of the thin layer, the thick layer being bonded to the first common liquid chamber member; the thin layer includes a first surface having the thick layer and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a circumferential part of the second surface being bonded to the second common liquid chamber member with an adhesive; and part of or all the pores in the circumferential part of the second surface are exposed in a direction toward the thick layer, and the adhesive overflows into the pores.
US08888258B2

The present invention provides a printing liquid container, a printing liquid filled container, an image forming apparatus, and a printing liquid filled container manufacturing method that may enlarge the opening surface area in a seal membrane. Namely, the printing liquid container includes: a sealing membrane provided to a capping section for sealing an opening in the capping section; a contact portion formed in a central portion of the sealing membrane, the contact portion is contacted by a hole piercing tool for forming a hole in the sealing membrane; and a first rupture portion configured thinner than the sealing membrane and extending out from the contact portion to an outer peripheral portion of the sealing membrane.
US08888256B2

A system and method of printing includes providing print and non-print drop formation waveforms to a drop formation device of a drop ejector in response to input print data to form print and non-print drops, respectively, from a liquid jet. First and second charging waveforms are provided to a charging electrode of a drop charging device when a relative motion of a receiver and the drop ejector is provided or measured at first and second speeds, respectively. The first and second charging waveforms are independent of input print data and include first and second voltage states. The drop formation device and the drop charging device are synchronized to produce print and non-print drop charge states on print and non-print drops, respectively. A deflection device causes print and non-print drops to travel along print and non-print drop paths, respectively, with the non-print drops being collected by a catcher.
US08888255B2

A piezoelectric actuator includes a cantilever membrane. A thin film sheet is affixed to one side of the cantilever membrane to bend the membrane in multiple directions in response to an electric field induced within the thin film sheet. A plurality of coplanar electrodes disposed on the thin film sheet are interdigitated in relation to one another to generate the electric field during application of a voltage across interdigitated electrodes.
US08888254B2

Implementations relate to methods, devices produced by the method, and systems using the devices, for forming three-dimensional interconnect structures for ink piezoelectric printheads. A piezoelectric element array for an ink jet print head can include a plurality of piezoelectric elements spaced from adjacent piezoelectric elements by an interstitial space. Each piezoelectric element can include a central void space formed in a first intermediate layer between the piezoelectric element array and a second intermediate layer that is operable to function as a free space for portions of the piezoelectric elements to actuate into when subjected to the voltage.
US08888247B2

An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head holder, a carriage, a guide member, a reference member, and a pressing unit. The recording head has a plurality of nozzles to eject liquid droplets. The head holder holds the recording head. The carriage is reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction and holds the head holder. The guide member is disposed along the main scanning direction to guide the carriage along the main scanning direction. The reference member is disposed parallel to the guide member in the carriage to rotatably hold the head holder. The pressing unit presses the head holder toward the carriage. The head holder is pressed against the reference member and the carriage by the pressing unit.
US08888244B2

A printing apparatus includes a first nozzle substrate having a first tapered nozzle unit aligned with a pressure chamber and a second nozzle substrate having a second tapered nozzle unit aligned with the first tapered nozzle unit and attached to the bottom of the first nozzle substrate.
US08888234B2

Provided is a fluid ejecting apparatus including: a linear absorbing member which is disposed so as to face two or more nozzle rows adjacent to each other in a direction intersecting an extension direction of the nozzle rows while extending from one end of the nozzle row in the extension direction and being reversed at the other end thereof and to be turned back in a manner of reciprocating at least once in the extension direction, and absorbs the fluid ejected from the nozzles; a first movement mechanism which moves the absorbing member in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the nozzle row; and a second movement mechanism which moves the absorbing member while turning back the absorbing member so as to reciprocate at least once in the extension direction of the nozzle row.
US08888229B2

A method for forming a layer comprises (a) disposing a first droplet to two parts on an underlayer surface so as to form two dot patterns isolated each other on the underlayer surface, (b) fixing the two dot patterns to the underlayer surface, (c) giving lyophilicity with respect to a second droplet to at least the underlayer surface between the two dot patterns, and (d) disposing the second droplet to the underlayer surface between the two dot patterns so as to join the two dot patterns after the step (c).
US08888225B2

A method for calibration of an optical sensor to scan printed marks in a printer includes operating inkjets to form printed marks on an image receiving surface and activating the optical sensor after the image receiving surface moves a predetermined distance to generate scanned image data of a region of the image receiving surface that is longer than the region containing the printed marks. The method includes identifying an error between the location of the printed marks in the scanned image data and a predetermined expected location for the marks, and adjustment of the distance that the image receiving surface moves prior to activation of the optical sensor to correct the error.
US08888203B2

A door closure structure for a rotary door and a side-by-side refrigerator comprising the same are provided. The door closure structure comprises: a slide passage formed in an upper end surface of the rotary door; a hinge assembly comprising a hinge body, a hinge plate and a hinge shaft; and a swing plate extended in a lateral direction, a first end of the swing plate pivotably connected to a front end of the hinge body, an angle between the swing plate and the upper end surface of the rotary door ranging from 0 to 90°; a spring having two ends connected to the swing plate and the front end of the hinge body respectively; and a roller rotatably disposed at a second end of the swing plate to catch into or roll out of the slide passage following a movement of the swing plate.
US08888199B2

In order to store equipment and tools in the smallest space with at the same time improved access possibilities and orderliness in outdoor areas, a storage means is described for outdoor areas comprising: at least two holding compartments (11), each of which has one or a plurality of closable opening sections (13), wherein the one opening section (13) or the plurality of opening sections (13) jointly, which belong to the same holding compartment (11), have a surface that essentially corresponds to a surface of an outer side of this holding compartment (11), and wherein the opening sections (13) are arranged on at least two adjacent sides of the storage means.
US08888182B2

In the specification and drawings a chair is described and shown with a resiliently flexible frame having a front seat support; a seat slidably engaged to the front seat support; and a back rotatably engaged to the frame, the back being rotatably engaged to the seat.
US08888176B2

A vehicle seat comprises: left and right side frames (4) which constitute left and right lower portions of a seat back frame (2); an inner frame (pipe frame 5) disposed adjacent to a laterally inner side of one of the side frames (4); a force-receiving member (bracket 7) disposed adjacent to a laterally outer side of the one of the side frames (4), provided discretely from the inner frame, and configured to receive a load from outside in a lateral direction; and a load transmission part (lower frame 6 and lower portion 51 of the pipe frame 5) configured to transmit the load from the force-receiving member to a side laterally opposite to that on which the force-receiving member is provided. The force-receiving member is directly fixed to the inner frame.
US08888173B2

A vehicle side body structure includes a sill, an A-pillar and a reinforcement member. The sill defines an internal sill space and the A-pillar defines an internal A-pillar space. The A-pillar is rigidly connected to the sill with the internal sill space and the internal A-pillar space being connected. The reinforcement member is located within the internal sill space and the internal A-pillar space. The reinforcement member has a forward end fixedly attached to the sill at a front attachment point and a rearward end fixedly attached to the A-pillar at a rear attachment point that is laterally offset from the front attachment point. The reinforcement member includes a main bracing part that extends diagonally between the front and rear attachment points within both the internal sill space and the internal A-pillar space with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction.
US08888172B2

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle glazing assembly with noise and vibration reduction techniques, having: a panel; and a first layer of first stiffening material applied at a perimeter of the panel.
US08888159B2

A console assembly having a visual guide that affords for an individual to visually, and with an unobstructed line-of-sight, attach a back console body to a front console body is provided. The console assembly can include a front console body and a back console body, the two console bodies having a slot and hook combination that provides for a visible guide to an individual that is putting together or assembling the console.
US08888157B2

A floor panel, a rear end member which is provided at a rear portion of the floor panel and extends in a vehicle width direction, and a rear end trim which covers a surface on a baggage-compartment side of the rear end member are provided. A step portion is formed at a connection portion connecting an upper portion of the rear end member and a lower portion of the rear end member which is positioned in front of and below the upper portion. An opening is formed at the step portion. An attachment portion, by which the rear end trim is attachable to the rear end member, is provided at the rear end trim. This attachment portion is configured to be inserted from above into the opening for engagement.
US08888151B2

A collision load is appropriately absorbed even in a case that the collision load is intersectionally input from the oblique rear with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction. Plural first to sixth corner portions provided at the rear end of an extension are arranged such as to be located at respective different positions along the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein the first corner portion located at the vehicle transverse inner upper end is located the rearmost, and wherein the first to sixth corner portions and first to sixth edge lines, which form the rear end of the extension, are provided such as to be located at the rear in a spiral form from the first corner portion toward the vehicle front in order.
US08888149B2

A door latch system may include a foot actuator, a first disk, a first linkage coupled to the foot actuator and the first disk, a locking mechanism, and a second linkage coupled to the first disk and the locking mechanism. The first linkage may be configured to rotate the first disk from a first position to a second position responsive to a user actuating the foot actuator. The second linkage may be configured to cause the locking mechanism to transition from a first state to a second state responsive to the first disk rotating from the first position to the second position.
US08888144B2

Systems and methods for connecting misaligned pipe sections, where two sets of variably spaced bearings enable the transfer of evenly distributed pressure from a collar member to a coupling member. One embodiment comprises a misalignment coupling that includes first and second coupling members, a collar, and two sets of bearings. The collar is positioned around the second coupling member and has a flange for coupling to a flange of the first coupling member. The bearings are positioned in an annular space between the second coupling member and the collar. The two sets of bearings have variable spacing and are interleaved, with one set contacting the collar and one set contacting the second coupling member. When the flanges are secured to each other, contact pressure is transferred from the collar through the bearings to the second coupling member, thereby applying contact pressure between the first and second coupling members.
US08888143B2

Fluidic coupling assemblies include a fitting body having a single integral piece or separable pieces such as male and female fittings such as luer fittings. The assemblies further comprise a rotatable fastening assembly having a drive collar and a driven member, and at least one resilient member having a spring bias that defines a threshold torque of the rotatable fastening assembly. The spring bias may be directed axially or radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fluidic coupling assembly. The resilient member is configured to prevent overtightening of the fluidic coupling assembly by allowing the drive collar to rotate the driven member only when less than a threshold torque is applied. Rotation of the rotatable fastening assembly imparts a compressive force on the resilient member, and the resilient member yields when the compressive force exceeds the spring bias of the resilient member.
US08888137B2

A serviceable seatbelt buckle mounted belt tensioner for use with a vehicle seat having a seat frame includes a bracket fixed to the seat frame and a pre-tensioning assembly releasably attached to the bracket, the pre-tensioning assembly includes a housing, a seatbelt attachment portion such as a seatbelt buckle, a cylindrical container and a cable connecting the seatbelt buckle and the cylindrical container, the cable passing through the housing. Both the bracket and the housing include attachment interfaces in the forms of flanges, tabs, pins, and slots. A fastener such as a screw or a clip is used to prevent movement of the housing relative to the bracket once the components are fitted together.
US08888128B1

The present invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle, including: an airbag cushion which has a vent hole formed to discharge gas flowing into the airbag cushion to the outside; a vent guide which has a guide hole formed to guide the gas flowing into the airbag cushion to the vent hole, and is disposed in the airbag cushion; and a vent cover which is disposed between the vent guide and the airbag cushion, allows the guide hole and the vent hole to be opened at an initial period of deploying the airbag cushion and at a final period of deploying the airbag cushion, and allows at least one of the guide hole and the vent hole to be closed during an intermediate period of deploying the airbag cushion.
US08888120B2

Apparatus and a method for its use to assist an operator of a towing vehicle in backing the towing vehicle accurately into a position in which parts of a hitch can be mated to connect the towing vehicle with a trailer. A camera in a towing vehicle module provides the towing vehicle operator a video image of the trailer and a target mounted on it. A beam of light from the towing vehicle module and falling on the target is visible in the video image to show when the towing vehicle approaches and reaches a position in which the hitch can be mated.
US08888118B2

An oxygen, or other type of, bottle holder is attached to a medical device and includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a cylindrical recess into which the bottom of the bottle is inserted. The upper portion includes a clamp that may include either a movable arm or movable fingers. The movable fingers pivot about a common pivot axis and are retractable into, and extendable out of, a housing. The movable arm includes different sections with different levels of curvature. A trigger may be included that automatically opens the clamp upon the insertion of the bottle therein, as well as automatic closing of the clamp thereafter, thereby relieving the user from having to manually manipulate the clamp for it to secure the upper end of the bottle. The device may be wheeled chair, cot, stretcher, bed, or other device that holds an oxygen bottle.
US08888116B2

A suspension device for a handcycle has a first frame member and a second frame member pivotally coupled to the first frame member. A shock absorber is disposed between the first and second frame members. A lever assembly is disposed between the first and second frame members to transfer motion of the second frame member into the shock absorber. The lever assembly includes a lever pivotally coupled to the first frame member. The lever includes first and second arms coupled at an angle which allows motion of the second frame member to be directed into the shock absorber. The lever assembly is configured to transfer a vertical motion of the second frame member into non-vertical motion directed into the shock absorber. The suspension device further includes a third frame member. The first and second frame members are rotationally coupled to the third frame member.
US08888104B2

An intershaft seal system capable of communicating a balanced pressure profile onto forward and aft faces along a piston ring is presented. The seal system includes forward and aft mating rings and a piston ring. Mating rings include a plurality of divergent flow grooves adjacent to the piston ring. Each divergent flow groove includes a pair of grooves which intersect at and are substantially symmetric about an apex. The piston ring includes channels which direct a fluid from a high pressure region upward or downward and through the piston ring and onto the divergent flow grooves. The divergent flow grooves separate the fluid in a symmetrically divergent fashion prior to communication onto the piston ring. The divergent flow grooves communicate a substantially symmetric pressure force onto each side of the piston ring so as to minimize twist thereof, thus reducing wear along the piston ring and increasing seal life.
US08888101B1

A card table structure, preferably a poker table, includes a frame with legs for supporting the frame over a floor surface and a peripheral rail that extends about the table. A playing surface is disposed under the rail and extending across the rail to provide a surface upon which a card table game is to be played. A peripheral support member is secured under the rail. The peripheral support member includes a strip that extends about a major periphery of the table and for the support of plural power connectors for re-charging electronic devices directly at the card table structure.
US08888100B2

An electronic game device including a first sensor section hingedly connected to a second sensor section. One or more proximity sensors and one or more output devices are operatively connected to the sensor sections by circuitry. The first sensor section and the second sensor section each include a sensor space such that placement of an object in the sensor space of the associated sensor section may actuate the one or more proximity sensors of that sensor section. The circuitry is configured to determine whether the proximity sensors are actuated and to emit an output signal. Hinges allow the game device to be folded from a linear game orientation, to a multi-dimensional game orientation, and to a bi-linear game orientation.
US08888096B2

A blocking mechanism for a table-type amusement game, and a table type amusement game equipped with a blocking mechanism. The blocking mechanism utilizes a blocking bar which goes from a closed position, which blocks a playing piece from scoring to an open position, which permits the playing piece to score. The blocking mechanism may be manually or electrically operated. When the blocking mechanism is electrically operated, it may be activated by the insertion of a coin into a coin and/or bill acceptor of the type found on table-type amusement games.
US08888078B2

The invention relates to a modular flow system comprising a plurality of frame elements which can be combined by means of welded web structures to various stacks comprising in each case at least two, in particular at least ten frame elements, in order to form different functional units such as in particular a membrane distillation stage, a steam generator, a condenser, a heat exchanger, a filter and/or a pervaporation stage. The frame elements according to the invention comprise in each case an outer frame provided with passage openings and vapor and/or fluid channels as well as a central inner region surrounded by the outer frame. Moreover, each frame element is provided on both sides with a welded web structure that delimits, on the one hand, the region comprising the passage openings and the central inner region and, on the other hand, at least two regions, each comprising a vapor and/or fluid channel.
US08888074B2

A membrane for use in an air diffuser. The membrane includes a nub with a perforation. The nub and perforation and arranged and sized to create smaller bubbles of gas in a liquid column above the membrane.
US08888070B2

Disclosed is a scissor lift including a bottom frame, a top frame, a scissor mechanism arranged between the bottom frame and the top frame to displace the bottom frame and the top frame in relation to each other by means of the force provided by a linear actuator, a gearing arranged between the scissor mechanism and the linear actuator, where the linear actuator has a linear actuator point of attack at one end of a lever arm of the gearing, where the bottom frame is connected to a bottom frame point of attack at another end of the lever arm and where the scissor mechanism is connected to the lever arm through a lever arm pivotal joint arranged between the linear actuator point of attack and the bottom frame point of attack.
US08888069B2

The invention provides a valve which suppresses a continuous corrosion of a chemical compound phase such as an eutectic carbide or the like in a valve seat, and improves a corrosion resistance, an impact resistance and an erosion resistance of the valve seat. The invention disperses a chemical compound phase such as the eutectic carbide or the like crystallizing in a dendrite gap as a granular shape or a blocky shape which is equal to or less than about 100 μm, by moving a tool rotating in a crimped state by a load application to a vertical direction to a surface of the valve seat so as to carry out a friction stir processing, and forming a weld metallographic structure of a surface layer portion of the valve seat as a cubic.
US08888066B2

An adjustable holder of a hydraulic brake device for a bicycle which is assembled on a steering tube and is located between a stem and a head part includes a holder, a first adjusting member and a second adjusting member. The holder has a fixing portion and a fastening portion defined at two ends thereof respectively. A hydraulic brake device is assembled to a bottom of the holder. The fastening portion has a fastening hole opened therethrough. The fastening hole sleeves onto the steering tube. One end of the first adjusting member and one end the second adjusting member are abutted against two ends of the fastening hole respectively. Therefore, an angle between the holder and the steering tube is adjustable, which corresponds to an elevation angle of the stein.
US08888057B2

Generally a collapsible structure adapted to support a container. Specifically, a collapsible tripod which operates between a folded condition for transport and a support condition adapted to support a container.
US08888048B2

A fastener device (10) provided with attachment means (20) for attaching an external load (5) and with fastener means (30) provided with a support beam (40) and with anchor means (50) for anchoring said support beam (40). A first mechanical coupling (60) connects said support beam (40) to the anchor means (50) so as to enable the support beam (40) to pivot about a first pivot axis (AX1). In addition, coupling means (70) are hinged to the support beam (40) so as to make pivoting possible about a second pivot axis (AX2), the attachment means (20) being hinged to the coupling means (70) to make pivoting possible about a third pivot axis (AX3). This fastener device (10) includes automatic folding means (100).
US08888037B2

An antivibration suspension device (10) comprising at least one tie bar (15) hinged via a bottom end (17) to suspension means (20), the suspension means (20) having a lever (25) extending from a distal end (26) supporting at least one flyweight (30) to a proximal end (27) having a first hinge (35) to a carrier structure (2), a tie bar (15) being hinged via a second hinge (40) to the lever (25). The device includes torsion return means (45) having a rotary actuator (46) with an outlet shaft (47) secured to said lever (25) to generate torque on said lever (25), said device having a computer (50) controlling said actuator (46) to adapt torsion stiffness of the lever (25) to flight conditions.
US08888030B2

A paper shredder includes an upper cover and a pressing structure. The pressing structure includes a base plate and a retractable member. The retractable member includes a push rod, a first sleeve, and an elastic element. The first sleeve includes a first hollow portion. The push rod is inserted into the first hollow portion of the first sleeve. The elastic element is disposed within the first hollow portion of the first sleeve. When the paper stack is contacted with the base plate to push the push rod, the push rod is transferred through the first hollow portion of the first sleeve and the elastic element is pushed by the push rod. Consequently, the elastic element generates an elastic force to press the paper stack.
US08888027B2

A conical impact mill has a rotor assembly (1) in which impact elements (7) arranged in at least two axially spaced rows provide, or can be adjusted to provide, a grinding gap (a′, a″), defined between the impact elements and a right frustoconical grinding surface of the mill housing (2), that is not constant in the axial and/or circumferential direction of the rotor assembly. Impact elements can be fixedly or adjustably mounted in the rotor assembly and/or the rows can be mutually adjustable axially to change the grinding gap.
US08888012B2

An electrical insulator for use with a rail fastening clip comprises a contact member providing on one side a substantially flat rail contact surface for contacting a foot of a rail and on the opposing side a clip contact surface for contacting a rail bearing surface of a bearing portion of the clip, the insulator also having retaining means for retaining the insulator on the clip in such a way as to allow rotation of the insulator about a longitudinal axis of the bearing portion of the clip. The insulator has stop portions for limiting such rotation about the longitudinal axis of the bearing portion of the clip to a desired extent. The clip contact surface of the insulator is convex, in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bearing portion of the clip, such that, when the insulator is attached to a clip having a flat rail bearing surface, a contact region between the flat rail bearing surface of the clip and the clip contact surface of the insulator is linear. The insulator is rockable about the linear contact region within the extent defined by the stop portions such that, when the rail contact surface of the insulator contacts the surface of a rail foot, the angle of the rail contact surface can conform to the angle of the rail foot surface. A rail fastening clip, suitable for use with the insulator and of the kind driven onto a rail in a direction which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rail, has a bearing portion having a flat rail bearing surface, wherein a detent, extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bearing portion, is formed in the flat rail bearing surface, at a location spaced from a free end of the bearing portion of the clip, for engaging a corresponding abutment surface of the insulator to be retained on the rail bearing portion of the clip.
US08888011B2

A controller includes a program for controlling a group of boilers having boilers with a plurality of staged combustion positions. The program is arranged to control the boilers and the combustion positions such that a total load following evaporation amount obtained by summing up load following evaporation amounts of the respective boilers comprising the group of boilers becomes equal to or more than a setup load following evaporation amount which is an evaporation amount that the group of boilers is to follow.
US08888006B2

The present application is directed to a decoder, a coupling card reader and an application system. The decoder includes a card base which is produced from at least one type of materials selected from paper card, plastic card, metal thin card or organic glass thin card. The surface of the card base is applied with conducting coating. The conducting coating is provided with a plurality of conducting logic expression regions. Different conducting logic expression regions possess individual and independent conductive nature. The conductive nature of each conductive logic expression region on the conductive coating together form a sole conductive logic data coding for differentiating a specific decoder so that the decoder can be distinguished from other decoders. The present application is also directed to a card reader to be used with the decoder. The present application enhances the security level of data.
US08887991B2

A mobile-device method and system implement validating installation of a network device, for example the installation and validation of cards within a network element. Installation data is loaded onto the mobile device and one or more cards are installed in a network element, the cards having QR codes. An image of the installation is captured and the QR codes are recognized in the captured image. The cards are identified by association with the recognized markers and the physical locations, such as slot positions, of the cards relative to the network element are determined. The installation is validated with regard to slot assignments of cards and an installation report is uploaded from the mobile device to central servers.
US08887985B2

A method for manufacturing a container pre-assembly and a container having a combination panel and a tear-out section, the tear-out section configured to be separated from an erected container.
US08887980B2

When electrodes of a BGA plated by electroless Ni plating are soldered with solder balls of a lead-free solder, peeling of soldered joints readily takes place under an external impact. When a BGA electrode plated by electroless Ni plating is soldered with a lead-free solder to which 0.03-0.1 mass percent of P is added, the growth of brittle SnNi intermetallic compounds formed on the portion being soldered and a P layer on the electroless Ni plating surface is suppressed, resulting in an increased bonding strength.
US08887978B2

A conveyor system pre-inserts a portion of the web into a first belt before the portion is gripped between the first belt and a second belt. In one exemplary embodiment, a pair of lips of a web are inserted into a corresponding first pair of belts and then the pair of lips are secured in the first pair of belts by inserting a second pair of belts into the first pair of belts over the pair of lips.
US08887975B1

A rail mounting apparatus comprising a specially configured rail mount which may be directly mounted to a variety of receivers including a firearm, a recreation vehicle such as, e.g., a bicycle, and the like. The apparatus further comprises a mounting assembly comprising a rail compatible mount and a rail compatible clamp, wherein the mounting assembly is received by the rail mount. The apparatus further comprises an adaptor assembly, wherein the adaptor assembly is received by the mounting assembly to secure the adaptor assembly to the rail mount, and wherein the adaptor assembly is specially configured to hold an accessory, wherein an exemplary accessory includes, for example, a flashlight, a GPS device, a camera, an I-pod, a phone, a water bottle, a water bottle cage, a bag, and the like.
US08887974B2

An adjustable accessory support assembly for a motorcycle accessory includes a base connectable to a support bracket mounted on a motorcycle and a slider accessory connectable to the motorcycle accessory and coupled to the base. The slider assembly is configured to transition from a first, locked configuration to a second, unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration, relative movement between the slider assembly and the base is prevented, whereas in the unlocked configuration, the slider assembly is moveable relative to the base to allow the motorcycle accessory to be repositioned relative to the support bracket.
US08887964B2

A dispensing mechanism for a liquid container includes a hollow flexible dispensing portion and a dispenser. The dispensing mechanism includes a first lever arranged to pivot about a first pivot axis and a second lever arranged to pivot about a second pivot axis and includes a user operated portion. The first lever includes a first sliding surface and the second lever includes a second sliding surface. The first and second sliding surfaces bear in sliding abutment against each other at an abutment point. The first and second pivot axes are substantially parallel to each other, and a first plane extends through the first and second pivot axes. In a non-actuated position of the dispensing mechanism, the user operated portion of the second lever and the abutment point are arranged on a first side of the first plane. The first sliding surface at least at the abutment point, is convex and the abutment point remains on the first side of the first plane over at least a first ⅔ of a dispensing stroke of the first lever.
US08887955B2

A liquid dispenser for dispensing a liquid from a liquid storage container operably associated with the liquid dispenser. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a main housing having a dispensing location at which liquid from a liquid storage container is dispensed and a storage location for storing a liquid storage container. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a removable liquid transport assembly removable from the main housing having a substantially rigid liquid manifold, a valve assembly, a riser tube, a reservoir, a reservoir dip tube, a pump head, a pinch tube and a dispensing nozzle that are removable as a single unit from the main housing. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a single self-priming pump. Preferably, the valve assembly includes a non-return valve and a pressure relief valve that act in concert to control the flow of liquid between the liquid storage container and the reservoir.
US08887953B2

An aerosol system for dispensing sprayable material in a desired spray pattern comprises an aerosol assembly and an outlet assembly. The outlet assembly comprises an actuator member, at least one flexible outlet member supported on the actuator member such that at least one pair of edges defined by the at least one flexible outlet member overlap, and a movable member supported on the actuator member to define an actuator assembly. The movable member is displaced such that the movable member acts on the at least one flexible outlet member to deform the at least one flexible outlet member to alter an effective cross-sectional area of at least a portion of a dispensing path to control fluid flow along the dispensing path and thereby cause the sprayable material to be dispensed in the desired spray pattern.
US08887948B2

Shape memory insulators comprising a first layer of core material, such as polymeric insulative material, and a second, shape memory layer of elastomeric material, for attachment to objects. The shape memory layer may comprise silicone rubber, silicone gum, silicon crepe, and/or silicone gel, for example. The shape memory insulator may be part of a handle for an object, such as a pot or pan, for example, or other objects and devices requiring continuous and/or repetitive manual operation. The shape memory polymeric material may conform to the shape of the user's hand when the handle is gripped by a user's hand. When the grip is released, the shape memory material returns to its original shape. The shape memory insulators provide insulation as well as improving comfort and/or control over the engagement and use of objects, while decreasing arm and hand wear and/or strain of those using the objects.
US08887938B2

A package assembly for automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, wherein a flexure channel is defined in each of opposite sides of at least one of the first or second portions, the flexure channels cooperating to define a flexure axis extending through the pair of flexure channels. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may allow at least one of first and second portions of the package assembly to flex about the flexure axis in response to an opening force exerted on the package assembly such that the first and second portions separate in response to the opening force.
US08887936B2

An open top closure for use in conjunction with a liner. The closure has sidewalls and the upper portion of the closure is open, with at least one rib positioned a spaced distance above the plane of the liner. When in place on a container, the rib serves to limit the travel of the liner upward as it expands after the hot-fill of a product. The open upper portion of the closure permits any accumulated moisture to be blown off after the hot-fill is cooled.
US08887926B2

Provided is a carbon nanostructure-metal composite nanoporous film in which a carbon nanostructure-metal composite is coated on one surface or both surfaces of a membrane support having micro- or nano-sized pores. A method for manufacturing a carbon nanostructure-metal composite nanoporous film, includes: dispersing a carbon nanostructure-metal composite in a solvent at the presence of a surfactant and coating the carbon nanostructure-metal composite on one surface or both surfaces of a membrane support; and fusing the metal on the membrane support by heating the coated membrane support. The metal in carbon nanostructure-metal composite nanoporous film melts at a low temperature since a size of a metal of the carbon nanostructure-metal composite is several nm to several-hundred nm.
US08887925B2

Asymmetrically profiled wedge bar screen used for inertial separation of suspended particles, wherein the profile of the bars is a generalized trapezoid, tilted in the direction of the sweeping flow with a distinctly extended trailing edge at the aft face side of the cross section of the bar.
US08887924B2

A field water purification system is described. The field water purification system includes a container and a filter coupled to an outlet port of the container. The container includes a first layer and a second layer of polymeric material. A first edge of the first layer is bonded to a first edge of the second layer. A second edge of the first layer is bonded to a second edge of the second layer. A first end of the first layer is bonded to a first end of the second layer. The outlet port is disposed in the first layer at a first distance from the first end. A flat water filter is also described. A method for treating water is also described.
US08887920B2

A novel PV module carrier and methods of use provide protection for PV modules during transportation, field handling, and assembly with racking systems. The carrier contains elements of a racking system to allow for quicker installation in the field. The PV module carrier reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for frame elements, while reducing field installation time and labor cost for system installation.
US08887916B2

Disclosed are systems and methods for an improved bottle packaging system and shipping container, and more particularly to a container wherein a plurality of inserts are employed to stabilize the bottle(s) and to provide impact resistant cushioning during shipment of liquids and the like. For a 4-bottle (quad) pack embodiment the improved insert design includes a fiber-molded bottom insert placed on the bottom of the carton for receiving the bottoms of a plurality of bottles; a reverse fit top pad fitting over the caps and necks of bottles placed into the carton; and a pair of dividers, said dividers interlocking with one another, and including tabs on the tops and bottoms thereof corresponding to recesses in both the bottom insert and the top pad. The inserts, in combination with a cardboard carton may be used to provide a re-usable and recyclable shipping container or package for chemicals and the like.
US08887914B2

A bulk material shipping container in one embodiment including a pallet, a bottom compartment mounted on the pallet, a top compartment mounted on the bottom compartment and movable from a retracted position relative to the bottom compartment to an expanded position relative to the bottom compartment, a plurality of top compartment supporting assemblies configured to support the top compartment in the expanded position relative to the bottom compartment, and configured to release the top compartment from the expanded position to enable the top compartment to move downwardly into the retracted position, a material unloading assembly, a material loading assembly, and an extension assembly.
US08887911B2

Generally, packages for an analyte monitoring device are provided. The packages include a container for containing an analyte monitoring device. The container includes a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and two sidewalls extending from sides of the bottom wall to an open top end of the container. The front wall is shorter in height than the rear wall, and is on an opposite side of the bottom wall than the rear wall. The two sidewalls are on opposite sides of the bottom wall, and extend from the front wall to the rear wall. The package also includes an inner panel disposed between the front wall and the rear wall. A front compartment is formed between the inner panel and the front wall, and a rear compartment is formed between the inner panel and the rear wall. The opening of the rear compartment is at the top end of the container, and an opening of the front compartment is at the top end of the container. Analyte monitoring kits and methods relating thereto are also provided.
US08887908B2

One embodiment of a golf bag base that securely seats the multi-sized grip ends of golf clubs within a golf bag for storage. The base is located at the bottom interior of a golf bag and has upon it a plurality of shaped partitions. Each partition is wider at its bottom end and extends upwardly and inwardly at an angle to terminate at a narrower apex end. The partitions define volumes of space between each set of adjacent partitions that are sized for both narrow and wide diameter golf club grip ends. The surfaces of the partitions frictionally secure and release the grip ends of the golf clubs with a simple twist by the user. The apex end of each partition has a rigidly flexible deflecting tip that helps to guide a golf club grip end to an adjacent available empty space within the storage base.
US08887906B2

One embodiment of the invention provides a hinged-lid pack (1) for smoking articles such as cigarettes. The pack comprises a body (4) and a lid (5) each having respective front (12,22), back (13,23) and opposing side panels (11A, 11B,21A,21B). The back panel of the lid (3) is hinged to the back panel of the body. At least one side panel of the lid is provided with an inner tab (201A,201B) extending substantially coplanar with the side panel of the lid to resist opening of the lid.
US08887905B2

In a plastic closure (1), preferably configured as a screw cap, a capsule having a chamber (3) is formed with a capsule wall (2), wherein said capsule is closed both by means of a flexible membrane (6) and by means of a film (4) which seals the chamber (3). An active ingredient B to be dispensed is accommodated in the chamber (3). The sealing film (4) can be destroyed or pushed away by means of a piercing member (7). The piercing member (7) is configured to be replaceable. As a result the plastic closure (1) itself can be produced as standard, and the piercing member (7) can be produced customer-specifically for the respective application. The connection between the piercing member (7) and the convex membrane (6) preferably takes place by means of a coupling part (8) which is formed on the lower face of the convex membrane and on which the piercing member (7) having a cup-shaped coupling attachment receptacle (74) can be fitted.
US08887903B2

A protective cover for an electronic device, such as an electronic tablet computer, can transform into an adjustable stand to hold the device in multiple viewing angles. The cover protects the electronic device and allows a user to view and access the device without removing it from the cover. The stand can be adjusted to allow for multiple viewing angles.
US08887900B2

A rail conveyor system combining the low friction attributes of railway transportation with the continuous bulk handling advantages of belt conveyors, uses a multiplicity of spaced carriages running on steel wheels on rail tracks to support a continuous carry belt. The system is driven by various means including a rope extending between the carriages. Various other drive means including drive belt technology are also described along with loading and unloading stations and distributed drive stations.
US08887899B2

There is provided a liquid jetting apparatus which includes a casing, a liquid jetting head, a carriage, a first to third pulleys, a motor connected to one of the first to third pulleys, an endless belt put around the first to third pulleys, a tension pulley which applies a tension to the endless belt, a regulating mechanism which regulates a movement of the tension pulley within a plane orthogonal to a shaft of the tension pulley such that the tension pulley becomes movable in a scanning direction, and a bias applying mechanism which applies bias to the tension pulley, in a direction of moving closer to the third pulley in the scanning direction.
US08887888B2

A viscous clutch (30; 30′) includes a stationary journal bracket (32; 32′) defining a mounting shaft (32-1; 32-1′), an output member (34; 34′) rotatably supported on the mounting shaft about an axis (A), an input member (34; 34′) rotatably supported on the mounting shaft about the axis, and a working chamber (50; 50′) defined between the input member and the output member to selectively transmit torque there between when a shear fluid is present. The mounting shaft extends axially through the viscous clutch from a front face (62; 62′) of the viscous clutch to a rear face (56; 56′) of the viscous clutch, with the rear face defining a mounting surface for mounting the viscous clutch at a mounting location. The front and rear faces are located at opposite sides of the viscous clutch and face in opposite directions.
US08887874B2

The device for chocking a goods transportation vehicle at a dock comprises a horizontal support (1) designed to be anchored on the ground fronting a loading dock, a horizontal platen (2) mounted slidingly on a horizontal support (1), a rear chock (3), designed to constitute a stop for the last rear wheel train of the vehicle to be chocked at the dock, the said rear chock being integral with the said platen, a front movable thrust-action chock (4), carried by the horizontal platen (2) at a distance from the rear chock (3), the said platen (2) being actuated slidingly along the support (1) between an anterior rest position and a posterior position of chocking the transportation vehicle at the dock by a motor assembly (5), which is also capable of immobilizing the platen both in anterior rest position and in the position of chocking at the dock and maintaining it in these positions, and the front thrust-action chock being able to occupy a release position, in which it is spaced apart from the trajectory of the rear wheels of the vehicle, and an active position, in which, on the one hand, it is disposed facing one of the surfaces of revolution of one of the rear wheels of the vehicle and, on the other hand, by displacement of the platen (2) toward its chocking position, it can act in thrust manner on this surface of revolution.
US08887871B2

A check valve of a cylinder head controls an oil supply amount to the cylinder head according to oil pressure of a hydraulic pump. The check valve of the cylinder head according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a lower cover of cylindrical shape including upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface being open and the lower surface having at least one first oil hole for receiving oil from the hydraulic pump; an upper cover coupled to the upper surface of the lower cover and having a sliding axle and at least one second oil hole; a first plate mounted in the lower cover, sliding vertically along the sliding axle, and having at least one third oil hole that is disposed eccentrically to the at least one second oil hole; and a second plate disposed between the first plate and the lower cover, sliding vertically along the sliding axle, and having at least one fourth oil hole disposed eccentrically to the first, second, and third oil holes.
US08887869B2

A gas turbine oil supply system and a method for the operation of a bearing oil supply system for a gas turbine includes an oil tank 1 and a supply line 2 branching off from the oil tank 1. An electric oil pump 3 is arranged in the supply line 2. A first controllable valve 4, by which the oil flow can be recirculated into the oil tank 1 via a return line 5, is arranged downstream of the oil pump 3. If a temperature of the oil is below a predetermined value prior to turbine start-up, the oil is diverted from supplying the bearings and recirculated through the tank to heat the oil to a desired level.
US08887867B2

A convenient ladder stabilization device for holding a ladder in place on a support surface. The device may attach to a lower rung of a ladder and extend and contact the support surface behind the ladder. The device of the present invention acts to secure and stabilize the bottom of the ladder to prevent the base of the ladder from sliding, skidding, or otherwise moving while a user is on the ladder. The present invention further provides for a lightweight and easy to use device that may be removably attached to any conventional ladder. The ladder stabilization device does not require any material alteration to the ladder and thus will not void the warranty of a conventional ladder when used in combination. The present invention improves user safety and reduces the need for having a second individual support the base of the ladder.
US08887864B2

Sound absorbency is imparted on a panel, which has increased strength and rigidity, by laminating a foam resin that is not originally permeable and does not absorb sound, and surface sheets that are not originally permeable and do not absorb sound. A sound absorption panel 1, obtained by laminating a foam resin 20 comprising closed cells and aluminum alloy sheets 10 (metal sheets), has a plurality of holes 30 formed therein, which penetrate the foam resin 20 and the aluminum alloy sheets 10 in the thickness direction. The holes 30 are formed by forcing a needle 40 (hole-forming means) through the foam resin 20 and the aluminum alloy sheets 10.
US08887863B2

A mat member includes inorganic fibers, a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface has a plurality of needle penetration marks and/or a plurality of needle protrusion marks. The second surface has a plurality of needle protrusion marks and/or a plurality of needle penetration marks. A plurality of needle marks are formed in the mat member by needle punching and extend from the needle penetration mark to the needle protrusion mark. An inorganic fiber bundle which includes a plurality of the inorganic fibers oriented in a closed loop configuration is formed at the needle protrusion mark.
US08887857B2

The present disclosure relates to a safety arrangement for a vehicle pedal, comprising a pedal structure including a pedal arm with an elongated shape for carrying a pedal plate; a bracket, which is fixedly connected to the pedal arm; a pedal hub, to be arranged in order to transfer a movement of the pedal structure to a vehicular system. The pedal structure is in a first position relative to the pedal hub during normal operation of the pedal structure. Further, the pedal structure is displaceable from the first position relative to the pedal hub to a second position relative to the pedal hub, wherein, when in the second position, the pedal structure is at least partly operatively decoupled from the pedal hub.
US08887845B2

A system for controlling airflow through an under-hood compartment of a vehicle body includes a stow-away air dam assembly disposed on the body and configured to control the airflow between the body and a road surface from outside the vehicle to the under-hood compartment. The air dam assembly includes a retractable portion and a drive shaft configured to shift the retractable portion between a stowed position and a deployed position. The retractable portion is set at a first height in the stowed position and at a second height in the deployed position, wherein the first height is greater than the second height relative to the road surface. The air dam assembly also includes an actuator configured to operate the driveshaft. The system additionally includes a controller configured to regulate the actuator. A vehicle employing the system is also disclosed.
US08887829B2

Disclosed herein is a hydraulic hand tool. The tool includes a frame, a hydraulic drive, a drive shaft, and a seal assembly. The hydraulic drive is connected to the frame and includes a housing. The drive shaft extends from the hydraulic drive. The seal assembly is located between the drive shaft and the housing. The seal assembly includes a first seal member, a second seal member, and a carrier ring. The first seal member is in contact with the housing. The second seal member is in contact with the drive shaft. The carrier ring has an outer annular groove and an inner annular groove. The first seal member is located within the outer annular groove. The second seal member is located within the inner annular groove. The carrier ring includes a polymer material configured to elastically deform in response to a hydraulic load from hydraulic fluid at the hydraulic drive.
US08887827B2

A mounting assembly (6) for mounting a bulldozer blade (2) to a vehicle (4) is disclosed. The assembly comprises a lower link (8) adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, a pair of first actuators (16, 18) adapted to be pivotably mounted to the blade, and to a pair of link plates (24, 26) via respective pin joints (28, 30), and a pair of second actuators (36, 38) adapted to adjust the position of respective pin joints (28, 30) relative to the lower link to adjust the orientation of the blade relative to the vehicle.
US08887826B2

A ripper shank protector including a first side, a second side, and a center face extending between the first side and the second side. The shank protector further includes a first protector mount in the first side, and a second protector mount in the first side, the second protector mount including an open-ended slot that allows sliding the slot onto a mounting projection extending from a ripper shank.
US08887819B2

The present invention relates to a sprinkler with an integrated valve, and to a fire-extinguishing system using same. Conventional sprinklers are too sensitive to the outbreak of a fire, and operate even if no fire has broken out, which would lead to a large amount of damage. For this reason, conventional sprinklers are often prevented from being operated in advance. In addition, sprinklers do not operate even upon the outbreak of a fire when the sensitivities thereof are lowered, rendering the sprinklers useless. The present invention aims to solve the abovementioned problems, and is configured such that a manager in a building checks whether or not a fire has broken out and if so sends an extinguishing signal, and wherein in the event a sensor for operating a sprinkler senses the outbreak of a fire, only the relevant sprinkler operates by means of a valve mounted thereon, thereby operating sprinklers only when a fire has actually broken out, and enabling a central control office, a fire station, or the like to verify the outbreak of a fire in each household at all times. Further the present invention can be applied to public transportation facilities such that water-spraying is carried out after an engine room or a control board in charge of the safety of the passenger cars and outside of the latter verifies the outbreak of a fire, thus still taking advantage of a high-sensitivity of sensor. As the present invention sprinklers water only in the event of an actual fire outbreak, erroneous operation can be prevented, and water can be sprinkled only in the required area, thereby extinguishing the fire in the early state of a fire outbreak.
US08887817B2

This tool comprises an upper portion and a lower portion able to move relative to each other between a connected position and a completely disconnected position. The tool comprises an immobilization member that can be freed from the upper portion relative to the lower portion, a member for releasing the immobilization member, and a mechanism for moving the release member housed in the tool. The movement mechanism comprises an actuator and a receptor for receiving a control signal.
US08887814B2

An offshore universal riser system. A riser system includes a valve module which selectively permits and prevents fluid flow through a flow passage extending longitudinally through a riser string. An anchoring device releasably secures the valve module in the flow passage. A method of constructing a riser system includes the steps of installing the valve module in the flow passage, and installing at least one annular seal module in the flow passage. The annular seal module is operative to prevent fluid flow through an annular space between the riser string and a tubular string positioned in the flow passage. Drilling methods include injecting relatively low density fluid compositions into the annular space, and selectively varying a restriction to flow through a subsea choke in a drilling fluid return line. The riser string, including housings for the various modules and external control systems, is dimensioned for installation through a rotary table.
US08887813B2

A system and method are disclosed for containing an underwater gas or oil leak. The system and method may include a vortex device comprising a vortex chamber, a high pressure inlet tangentially engaging the vortex chamber, a low pressure inlet axially engaging the vortex chamber, and a low pressure outlet axially engaging the vortex chamber opposite the low pressure inlet. The vortex device may be positioned underwater proximate an underwater leak. A vortex may be generated within the vortex device. The vortex device may then collect a leak flow issuing from the underwater leak. In certain embodiments, the vortex device may collect the leak flow via the low pressure inlet. In other embodiments, the vortex device may collect the leak from via the high pressure inlet.
US08887812B2

A containment system having a containment dome and a seal plate which is attached to an oil wellhead casing or riser to prevent oil spills and contamination when an oil leak occurs. The containment dome is sealed to the seal plate by a compression mechanism so that oil will not leak from the containment dome. The containment dome can provide a wellhead patch to a wellhead system wherein the wellhead patch can interface with a capping stack. Chemicals can be injected into the containment dome to prevent hydrates from forming. All aspects of controlling and operating an oil wellhead can be performed through the containment dome and seal plate, and all aspects of installation, regulation, and control of the containment dome can be performed by remote operating vehicles under water.
US08887811B2

A downhole tool comprising a housing having at least one flow port disposed providing a communication path between the interior and exterior of the sleeve. A sleeve assembly has an expandable seat and an inner sleeve, and is moveable within the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the sleeve assembly is radially positioned between the flow ports and the flowpath to substantially prevent fluid communication. Shearable port inserts are positioned within the flow ports, with each port insert having a shearable portion extending into the interior of the housing and engaging the sleeve assembly when the inner sleeve is in said first position.
US08887804B2

The present invention relates to a method for the assisted recovery of crude oil from an underground formation, comprising: a) injecting, via at least one injection means in contact with the underground formation containing the crude oil, a liquid containing a mixture of at least: i) a salty aqueous medium, ii) a mixture of two zwitterionic viscosising surfactants or a mixture of two populations of said surfactants having a bimodal characteristic of the narrow distribution of Ri groups as defined below, in a weight content of between 1 and 0.05 wt %, preferably between 0.5 and 0.1 wt %, and more preferably between 0.4 and 0.15 wt %, such that the liquid has an oil/water interface tension of about 10 mN/m (milinewton per meter) or less as measured at room temperature (25° C.) and a viscosity of about 3 cPs or more as measured at a temperature of 80° C. for a shearing gradient of 10 s−1, and corresponding to formula (1) where the two Ri radicals of the two surfactants or surfactant populations have a difference in the number of carbon atoms thereof that is at least greater than or equal to 4. The method comprises using at least one production means located at a different location than that at which the liquid or the polymer has been fed in order to recover the liquid containing the crude oil.
US08887802B2

An electric submersible pump (ESP) torque absorbtion anchor system (TAS) and a method to assemble the same are disclosed. The TAS includes a collar having an uphole end coupled to a production string and a flange formed on an outer diameter of the collar. The TAS also includes a sleeve having a rim extending radially inward from an uphole end of the sleeve. The collar is positioned in a cavity of the sleeve so that oppositely facing shoulders of the collar and the sleeve contact and transfer axial loads between the sleeve and the collar. A spring is positioned in an annulus between the sleeve and the collar and mounts to the collar and the sleeve so that rotational loading of the sleeve relative to the collar transfers to the spring.
US08887800B2

A coil tubing rig (12) is supported on a carrier trailer (24) in transit and during rig operations. A plurality of a hydraulic tracks (30), (32) each connected to the carrier trailer may be activated to raise and lower the carrier trailer from the loading position to a rig operating position. A dolly assembly including a plurality of wheels supports the carrier trailer during transit, and hydraulic jacks both incline the carrier trailer to a rig loading/unloading position such that a front end of the carrier trailer is substantially at ground level, and raise the rig to a desired elevation for conducting rig operations.
US08887796B2

A plate heat exchanger including a plurality of heat exchanger plates joined to each other. Each plate has a heat transfer area, a first porthole area, a second porthole area, a third porthole area and a fourth porthole area. Each porthole area surrounds a porthole having a porthole edge. Each porthole area comprises an annular flat area, a set of inner portions on the annular flat area along the porthole edge, and a set of outer portions along the annular flat area at a distance from the inner portions. The outer portions of the first porthole area have a first relative peripheral position with respect to the inner portions. The outer portions of the fourth porthole area have a second relative peripheral position with respect to the inner portions. The first relative peripheral position includes a peripheral displacement in relation to the second relative peripheral position.
US08887792B2

A winder, including a support member having a wall portion and a spindle; and a housing rotatably mounted onto said spindle, said housing having a drive portion for receiving a cord that controls the rotation of said housing for extending and retracting a blind; wherein said housing is selectively moveable along the spindle between an open position and a closed position, such that when the housing is placed in the open position, the drive portion is exposed for receiving said cord, and when the housing is placed in the closed position, the wall portion covers at least a part of the drive portion to resist disengagement of the entire cord from the drive portion.
US08887786B2

A covering for an architectural opening has a horizontal movable rail supported by cords, with a variety of configurations which allow the movable rail to be moved up and down while concealing the cords.
US08887777B1

Disclosed herein is a coupling system for a tire traction device comprising: a first wedge block, a second wedge block, a first wedge receiver and a second wedge receiver. In one example, each wedge block includes a surface defining a tie receiver. Also disclosed are first and second wedge receivers. Also disclosed is a tire traction device and a method for producing the tire traction device. The tire traction device removably attached to a vehicle tire or wheel. The traction device in one example comprising: a tread portion comprising a tread surface, the tread portion comprising a first material; a plurality of sidewall portions, the sidewall portions comprising a second material; wherein the tread portion and sidewall portions are cast in a single mold as a unitary structure.
US08887773B2

The invention relates to a device for loading solid particles into a vessel, comprising: a means for supplying solid particles to be distributed, said means pouring said solid particles into a supply pipe (1), a movable assembly (2) arranged below the supply pipe (1), comprising a central shaft (3) and deflector elements (5) which are integral in rotation with said shaft and arranged around the shaft on multiple vertical tiers (E1-E4) and are articulated about it in such a way that they can lift up, a supply pipe (1) surrounding at least partially said central shaft and comprising at least one orifice (4) for discharging the solid particles which is arranged on a side and/or horizontal wall, this device being characterized in that the movable assembly (2) is designed in such a way as to allow adjustment of the position of the deflector elements (5) on the central shaft (3) in order to vary its permeability to the solid particles.
US08887771B2

The invention relates to a system for supplying a consumer with gaseous fuel. Said system comprises at least one compressed gas container, which is fluidically connected to the consumer via a collecting line and valves. To extensively utilise the capacity of the compressed gas container, a reserve container (3) is connected to the collecting line (12) via a first valve (9) and the system is equipped with an ejector pump (14), which is operated by gas from the reserve container (3) and delivers gas from the compressed gas container(s) (1, 2, . . . ) into the collecting line (12). To achieve this, with respect to the flow, the ejector pump (14) is situated between the compressed gas container(s) (1,2, . . . ) and the consumer (5).
US08887765B2

A fluid flow system is provided. The system includes a tank, a first manifold and a second manifold. The tank has a generally centralized portion and a sidewall. The tank extends from a lower portion to an upper portion to contain fluid therein. The first manifold is located adjacent the sidewall and has a first length extending from the lower portion to the upper portion. The first manifold defines at least in part a first opening extending along at least a portion of the first length permitting fluid flow therethrough. The first manifold is positioned to permit fluid to flow between the first manifold and the sidewall independent of the first opening. The second manifold is located about the centralized portion and has a second length extending from the lower portion to the upper portion. The second manifold defines a second opening extending along at least a portion of the second length permitting fluid flow therethrough.
US08887757B2

Provided is a wafer check valve assembly comprising a body having a mating side including first, second and third surfaces and a shaft groove, a tapered surface of the mating side extends from the third surface toward an inlet side of the body and from a first end to a second end of a port opening; a retainer having a mating side including fourth, fifth and sixth surfaces; and a disc with a shaft; wherein, when the body, retainer and disc are mated together: the shaft is housed between the body and the retainer and within the shaft groove, the first and fourth surfaces are proximal, the second and fifth surfaces are proximal, and the third and sixth surfaces proximal, so to define a pocket housing a gasketing material to form a seal between the body and retainer and to secure together the body, retainer, and disc.
US08887747B2

A level control system is provided. The system includes multiple sensors configured to measure multiple parameters related to a drum, wherein the multiple parameters include a drum liquid level, a vapor flow rate leaving the drum, a downstream pressure of the drum, and a feed-liquid flow rate entering the drum. The system also includes a level controller configured to adjust a level control valve in accordance with a signal representative of the drum liquid level, a signal representative of the downstream pressure and a signal representative of a given drum liquid level set point. The level controller is further configured to receive a feedback signal representative of a combination of a fraction of the signal representative of the drum liquid level and a fraction of the signal representative of the downstream pressure.
US08887736B2

A volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.
US08887729B2

Various embodiments of tracheostomy tube assemblies including a first subassembly and a flange subassembly are provided. The first subassembly includes a connector and a first spherical bearing element coupled to a first end of the connector. The first spherical bearing element includes at least two protrusions radially offset about a circumference of the first spherical bearing element. The flange subassembly includes an outer spherical bearing element having recesses for receiving the at least two protrusions and being adapted to encapsulate the first spherical bearing element.
US08887728B2

According to the present device, system, and method, the respiratory assistance mask comprising a hollow body bounding an internal chamber provided with a respiratory gas inlet and outlet, and a bearing member is remarkable in that it also comprises: a flexible membrane inserted on said bearing member and being able to be interposed between said bearing member and the face of said patient; and a multi-perforated internal skirt inserted, thru one of its two contours, on said bearing member and surrounded, at least partially, by said flexible membrane, the free contour of said skirt extending in direction of said internal chamber.
US08887701B2

A control method for a low pressure exhaust gas recirculation (LP-EGR) system may include measuring an engine speed and load, setting a target pressure difference between a downstream side and an upstream side of a LP-EGR valve according to the measured engine speed and load, measuring a present pressure difference between the downstream and upstream sides of the LP-EGR valve, comparing the present pressure difference with the target pressure difference, and preventing a reverse flow of a recirculated exhaust gas by adjusting an opening rate of the LP-EGR valve to alter a recirculated exhaust gas amount when the present pressure difference is smaller than the target pressure difference. The LP-EGR system for preventing reverse flow of a recirculated exhaust gas may include an air intake line, an exhaust line, a LP-EGR line, a LP-EGR valve, pressure sensors and a control portion.
US08887699B2

One embodiment includes a combination including a secondary air pump; and a first control valve constructed and arranged to control flow of air into the secondary air pump from one or more lines connected to the first control valve; and/or a second control valve constructed and arranged to control flow of air from the secondary air pump through one or more lines connected to the second control valve. The combination being particularly useful in a system including a combustion engine.
US08887695B2

In a vehicle that runs by drive power of a motor in addition to that of an engine, a device for treating evaporated fuel is provided that may heat a canister and improve desorption efficiency even in a state in which there is little exhaust heat from the engine. A vehicle is provided with a first battery and a second battery. A canister is disposed in front of the first battery and below the second battery. Because the canister is disposed near to the batteries, heat is transferred from the batteries to the canister and an adsorbing agent in the canister is heated.
US08887694B2

The fuel pump driving structure includes a camshaft and a pump cam member. The camshaft is rotatably supported at an end by a cylinder head. The pump cam member has a fitting hole into which the end of the camshaft is press fitted, and is operatively coupled to a high-pressure fuel pump. The pump cam member includes a pump cam section and a first contact section. The pump cam section has a first lift portion operating the high-pressure fuel pump, and a base circular portion that does not operate the high-pressure fuel pump. The first contact section is in a position offset from a position of the first lift portion with respect to a circumferential direction and contacting a portion of the camshaft in an axial direction at a position radially outward of an external circumferential surface of the one end of the camshaft.
US08887691B2

A method for selecting a preferred combustion mode for an internal combustion engine operative in a plurality of combustion modes is described. The method includes selecting a combustion mode in terms of first and second engine parameters, and separating the engine operating region into zones defined by the first parameter. Each of the zones is further separated into sub-zones defined by the second parameter. A combustion mode is associated with each of the sub-zones. Operating states are determined for the first and second parameters. One of the zones is identified based upon the state for the first parameter. One of the sub-zones of the identified zone is identified based upon the state for the second parameter, along with a combustion mode associated with the identified sub-zone. The engine is controlled to the preferred combustion mode, depending upon hysteresis.
US08887688B1

An oil distribution and cooling system for diesel engines of the design represented by the 6.4L POWER STROKE® engine. The stock oil cooler and cover are removed and a manifold is positioned in place of the removed stock oil cooler and cover. The block has oil in, oil out, coolant in and coolant out ports which align with those on the engine. Coolant is directed to an adapter plate and a relocated oil cooler which may be the removed cooler or a replacement, preferably of the oil-to-air type. Oil to be filtered and cooled is directed through the manifold to a filter and then to the cooler. Cool, clean oil is returned to the manifold for distribution to various engine locations.
US08887681B2

A cam unit for arranging on a camshaft main part of a camshaft in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner. The cam unit includes a tubular sleeve main part and at least one cam element that lies on the sleeve main part in a rotationally fixed and non-movable manner. The sleeve main part and the at least one cam element are designed as individual parts that can be separately produced and subsequently assembled.
US08887680B2

An engine assembly includes an engine block having a first bank defining a first cylinder bore and a second bank defining a second cylinder bore. A first cylinder head is coupled to the first bank and defines first and second ports in communication with the first cylinder bore. A second cylinder head is coupled to the second bank and defines a third port in communication with the second cylinder bore. A first valve is located in the first port and engaged with a first valve lift mechanism, a second valve is located in the second port and engaged with a second valve lift mechanism, and a third valve is located in the third port and engaged with a third valve lift mechanism. A first camshaft is engaged with the first and third valve lift mechanisms and a second camshaft is engaged with the second valve lift mechanism.
US08887667B2

A litter box has upstanding sidewalls which form an enclosure. A floor located in the enclosure extends between the sidewalls. The floor slopes downwardly from the sidewalls to a drain opening. A plurality of support elements project upwardly from the floor at spaced-apart locations. The size of the support elements and the distance between them are such that substantially all of the litter placed in the litter box is supported on top of support elements above the floor.
US08887664B2

Method and apparatus for treatment of a surface of a rotor blade of a windmill, the apparatus being placed in such a manner to be moveable in relation to the surface of a rotor blade, and the apparatus being caused to move depending on a form of treatment determined by means for treatment mounted on, in or next to the apparatus. In this manner, various forms of treatment of a rotor blade may be carried out such as for instance washing, finishing, sealing, etc.
US08887660B2

Methods and process steps for mapping, cleaning and providing barrier coatings to interior walls of piping systems. An entire piping system can be cleaned in one single pass by dry particulates forced by air and the piping system coated in one single pass. Pipes can be protected from water corrosion, erosion and electrolysis. Pipes having diameters of approximately ⅜″ up to approximately 6″ are treatable. Piping systems such as potable water lines, natural gas lines, HVAC, drains, and fire sprinkler systems in homes, apartments, high-rise hotel/resorts, office towers, high-rise apartment and condominiums and schools, can be treated. The coating forms an approximately 4 mils or greater covering inside the pipes. Buildings can return to service within approximately 24 to approximately 96 hours.
US08887659B2

A continuous dosage form coating apparatus uses vibrational impulses to maintain a dosage forms in a fluid state to expose them to a coating material atomized by spraying.
US08887655B2

A valve actuator assembly includes a rotatable member carrying an extendable indicator arm. The extendable indicator arm may be moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the extendable indicator arm is in the extended position, the extendable indicator arm may extend laterally past side walls of the actuator housing of the valve actuator assembly, such that the extendable indicator arm is visible from a location below the valve actuator assembly.
US08887654B2

Floating platform (1) having a flat cover element (2) and a sealing element (3), which is connected to the cover element (2), makes a sealing contact with a liquid surface (4) during operation and encloses a closed cavity (5) together with the cover element (2) and the liquid surface (4) or a bottom surface, in which cavity (5) an overpressure which supports the cover element (2) can be produced by a compressed-air production apparatus (5′), with at least one circumferential wall (6) being provided as the sealing element (3), and having a sealing section (3′) which projects into the liquid during operation.
US08887650B2

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus that are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the methods relate to substantially preventing the formation of unwanted materials on an isolation valve fixture within a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. In particular, the invention provides apparatus and methods for limiting deposition/condensation of GaCl3 and reaction by-products on an isolation valve that is used in the system and method for forming a monocrystalline Group III-V semiconductor material by reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber.
US08887649B2

A system includes a solid feed fuel pump. The solid feed fuel pump includes a solid feed flow path configured to route a solid fuel flow from an inlet to an outlet. The solid feed fuel pump also includes a vent including a filter, wherein the vent is configured to discharge fluid flow that is opposing the solid fuel flow.
US08887648B2

The present subject matter is directed towards impact resistant structures. The structures comprise a support truss having at least two side frames, each comprising at least two vertical members connected at the upper end thereof with a horizontal member. The support truss further comprises a rear frame comprising at least one vertical frame post extending above a height of the vertical members. The structures also have a load-bearing assembly comprising at least one vertical load-bearing post spaced apart from the frame post, at least one horizontal load-bearing beam extending at least between the at least one vertical load-bearing post and the frame post; and at least two inclined load-bearing beams substantially extending from the at least one horizontal load-bearing beam to the at least two side frames.
US08887647B2

A compression lock on a connector for a shelving post has upper and lower, mating collar parts having distal ends encircling more than 180 degrees of the post but separated by a gap through which the post can pass. Each distal end has an axially extending projection with a rounded end and a recess adjoining the projection. The projections of one collar part mate with the recesses of the other collar part to interlock the collar parts around a compression sleeve and form a frusto-conical inner surface that wedges the a mating sleeve against the post to affix a shelf attached to the connector.
US08887646B2

A pallet used for stowing and transporting items for shipping. The pallet design of the present invention includes a top deck, a bottom skid, and several posts for providing support between the top deck and bottom skid. The posts are integrated with either the top deck or bottom skid. Within each pallet post is a steel tube reinforcement that is overmolded directly into the bottom skid, or is assembled after the pallet post is molded. The supports, which are typically hollow posts, are molded onto either the top deck or bottom skid, and a thermoplastic weld or adhesive joint is applied to the posts to complete the assembly. The palled having the integrated posts and reinforcements provides an economical approach of reinforcing pallet posts to absorb tow fork impact.
US08887645B1

A collapsible work station has a working surface with an opposing top and bottom. First and second corner legs are rotatably connected to the bottom surface at each of four corners. Each leg has a first folded position against the bottom and a second extended position perpendicular to the bottom. The first legs are shorter than the second legs. An adjustable length, central support leg is rotatably connected to the bottom surface and has a first folded position adjacent the bottom and a second extended position perpendicular to the bottom. The central leg rests on a first support surface while different combinations of the corner legs are extended to rest upon a second support surface such as a bed, to provide a stable work station.
US08887644B2

A self-tensioning drive belt system includes first and second gears rotatable relative to each other about a common first axis. A drive belt is fixedly secured to the first gear at a first location on the drive belt, and is fixedly secured to the second gear at a second location on the drive belt. A biasing member is disposed between the first and second gears. Various methods of using and assembling the self-tensioning drive system are also provided.
US08887641B1

A 40 mm ammunition projectile for firing without significant spin in an M203 or an M320 grenade launcher. The ammunition includes a projectile body having hollow inner cavity therein for an explosive warhead; a projectile fin assembly; a projectile nose element having a conically shaped front area thereon; a decoupled projectile sabot in two or more joining sabot petals enclosing the body; a base cartridge case having vent holes, a bowl area for placement of a copper closure cup containing propellant therein, and a closure plug for threading into the rear of said cartridge case. The projectile fin assembly may provide a canted angle on each fin blade to (relatively very slowly) spin up the round at less than 30 Hz. Projectiles with body length less than five inches may be launched in an M203 grenade launcher while projectiles with body length up to eight inches may be launched in an M320 grenade launcher.
US08887632B2

Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.
US08887622B2

A beverage preparation machine for dispensing beverages comprising: a housing; a first reservoir station; a first reservoir for containing an aqueous medium, the first reservoir being connectable to said first reservoir station; an auxiliary module station for receiving an auxiliary module.
US08887620B2

An air-driven dual diaphragm pump comprises a pump body with a first air passage leading to a first air cavity with a first diaphragm, a second air passage leading to a second air cavity with a second diaphragm, and a reciprocating shaft which connects the first and second diaphragms. A diaphragm installation tool for the dual diaphragm pump comprises a plate which fits atop the pump body. A groove in a surface of the plate opposite from and nonadjacent to the pump body extends from the location of the first air passage to the location of the second air passage. A hole located within the groove at the location of either the first air passage or the second air passage extends through the plate. Pressurized air entering the pump body is redirected by the groove and the hole to always enter the first air passage, rather than the second, thereby slowly filling the first air cavity and positioning the second diaphragm for installation.
US08887616B2

An auto regulating gas system to automatically regulate the operating speed of an auto loading weapon having a gas operating system by restricting the gas flow from the firing of a projectile. A gas block attached to the barrel or the weapon redirects a volume of propellant gases to cycle the weapon, the gas block including a gas port for directing propellant gases received from the a gas port of the barrel into the gas system. A spring-loaded plunger assembly is positioned within the gas block, the plunger assembly including a regulator plunger having a reduced flow orifice, a regulator bushing, a regulator spring, and a regulator cap, wherein the position of the regulator plunger within the gas block automatically controls an amount of gas that is allowed to enter the gas system. A mechanical backup linkage assembly is attached to the gas block as a backup device for returning the regulator plunger to a forward position in the gas block when a muzzle device mounted on a muzzle of the firearm is removed.
US08887613B1

The application relates to a missile launch rail device including: a missile launch rail and a latch for attaching and releasing a missile situated on the missile launch rail, a latch pin inserted through both two latch pin holes and two rail pin holes positioned approximately halfway between the cam end and the spring end and a pin retainer securely mounted to the missile launch rail, the pin retainer including a latch pin catch which holds the latch pin in place to restrict radial pressure by the pin on inside surfaces of the two latch holes and inside surfaces of the two rail pin holes from pressure created by the missile on the latch, thus substantially preventing premature disabling of the missile launch rail and the latch by wear on the latch holes and the rail pin holes.
US08887610B2

A capstan device for taking up a braided wire in a braided wire manufacturing apparatus for braiding a plurality of wires to manufacture the braided wire. The capstan device includes a capstan roller having a tapered outer peripheral surface and provided with a flange portion on an end at a small diameter side thereof, and a guide member. The guide member has a first guide surface provided to be turned toward a large diameter side of the capstan roller in an axial direction of the capstan roller in a position on a larger diameter side than a portion having the smallest diameter in the tapered outer peripheral surface, and a second guide surface provided to be protruded from the first guide surface at an outer peripheral side of the tapered outer peripheral surface.
US08887608B1

An apparatus for cutting food items. The apparatus includes a cleaver, a cutting board, and a hinge that connects the cleaver to the cutting board. When these three components are used together, the apparatus provides greater cutting ability than conventional kitchen knifes and cutting boards. The apparatus is designed to cut through fish and poultry bones, frozen foods, and other food items that are typically difficult to cut.