US09500541B2
A method and a device for determining the pressure distribution for bonding of a first substrate to a second substrate, with the following steps, especially with the following sequence: placing a measurement layer between a first tool for holding the first substrate and an opposite second tool which is aligned to the first tool for bonding of the substrate, deformation of the measurement layer by bringing the tools closer to one another, measurement of the deformation of the measurement layer and computation of the pressure distribution.
US09500539B2
A directional slug calorimeter is provided to enable accurate non-isotropic heat flux measurement in a high-temperature environment. The slug calorimeter includes a tubular member; a plurality of slots formed along a portion of an axial length of the tubular member, insulation disposed within the tubular member and within the plurality of slots; and thermocouples disposed with a thermocouple junction. The plurality of slots divide the tubular member into discrete segments. The thermocouples are disposed in a central region of each of the discrete segments.
US09500538B2
An electronic system, or its battery thermal management system, determines a thermal state of a battery used in the electronic system. A temperature at a position proximate the battery's cell is sensed during operation of the electronic system to produce a sensed value. Additionally, a temperature offset value is determined based on an aging factor for the battery. The sensed value is then adjusted based on the offset value to produce an adjusted value representative of the thermal state of the battery. According to one embodiment, a relationship between temperature offset value and battery aging factor is prestored in a memory of the electronic system. In such a case, the offset value may be retrieved from memory periodically or in response to a trigger event based on a determined aging factor. According to another embodiment, the offset value may be computed in real time based on a determined aging factor.
US09500534B2
A method of programming a ring oscillator for use as a temperature sensor comprises selecting an initial number of delay elements for use in a ring oscillator. The method further comprise starting a system clock counter and counting pulses of the ring oscillator until the system clock counter reaches a programmed value. The method also comprises determining whether a number of counted ring oscillator pulses is between lower and upper count thresholds and changing the number of delay elements for the ring oscillator as a result of the number of counted ring oscillator pulses being less than the lower count threshold or greater than the upper count threshold.
US09500532B2
An environmental monitoring system that processes at least one report from at least one environmental sensor in the environment. The system comprises a computing device configured to compute, based on values of physical properties of a simulated object and the at least one report, a simulated condition of the simulated object within the environment. The computing device is also configured to compare the simulated condition to a criterion. The computing device is further configured to selectively output an indication of an alarm condition based on the comparing. The computing device may also be configured to receive through a user interface an input of the values of the physical properties of the simulated object. The environment may be managed by a user, and the computing device may be further configured to associate input with an account based on credentials issued to a user for the account. A method for operating the computing device.
US09500527B2
Improved methods are provided for calibrating color on a color display coupled to a computer, which are useful for obtaining calibrated data in a virtual proof network for enabling different color devices to render consistent color. Methods involve user interactions with screens on the display to set color display parameters. An apparatus is also provided for calibrating a sensor which may be used for measuring color of a display in one or more of these methods.
US09500525B2
In a multi-angle colorimeter, a light detecting portion 40 includes a main light receiving window disposed in a predetermined position on a main geometry plane, and first and second auxiliary light receiving windows disposed on a secondary geometry plane, and a main photoelectric conversion element for converting a main component light received by the main light receiving window in a light reflected from a measurement point into an electrical main signal and first and second auxiliary photoelectric conversion elements for converting first and second auxiliary component lights received by the first and second auxiliary light receiving windows in the reflected light respectively into first and second electrical auxiliary signals. A calculating portion corrects the electrical main signal based on the first and second electrical auxiliary signals to obtain color information about the measurement point.
US09500517B2
A passive infrared motion detection sensor that includes a Fresnel focusing arrangement that creates at least a first infrared sensing region, a second infrared sensing region, and a third infrared sensing region, in which target detection in one or more infrared sensing regions is weighted to be distinguishable from target detection in remaining infrared sensing regions. The Fresnel focusing arrangement creates the weighted infrared sensing regions using a lenslet region, an optically opaque region and a plurality of extruded cylindrical lenslets that extend across a portion of both the lenslet region and the optically opaque region. The signal detection in at least the second weighted infrared sensing region, for example, an infrared sensing range between 6 and 10 feet, is weighted to easily distinguish between a pet within the second infrared sensing range and a person at any infrared sensing range.
US09500513B2
A magnetic liquid level gauge for measuring a boiler drum water level comprises an external cylinder body having a first upper portion and a first lower portion, and an internal cylinder body having a second upper portion and a second lower portion, the first upper portion and the second upper portion are connected to the boiler drum through a steam side sampling pipe, the second lower portion is connected to a water portion of the boiler drum through the water side sampling pipe, the external cylinder body and the internal cylinder body define a steam heat tracing chamber therebetween. A float inside the internal cylinder body is connected to a magnetic component in a magnetic component cylinder body. A display indicator is connected to a magnetic transmitter and a boiler drum pressure transmitter. A waveguide tube is disposed outside the magnetic component cylinder body and connected to the magnetic transmitter.
US09500512B2
A probe unit comprising a probe housing, an at least sectionally rod-shaped, probe electrode, a supplemental electrode, which surrounds the probe electrode at least sectionally coaxially and is isolated from the probe electrode by an electrical insulation. A first securement means, by means of which the supplemental electrode is secured in the probe housing is included, and a contacting module, which is mountable on a rod-shaped section of the probe electrode arranged in the probe housing, and which has a flexible circuit board having at least one first conductive trace for electrically contacting the probe electrode and at least one second conductive trace for electrically contacting the supplemental electrode, and a second securement means for securing the contacting module on the probe electrode are provided.
US09500504B2
A measuring tube for a flow measuring device, wherein the measuring tube has a lining, wherein the lining has at least one sealing lip, which sealing lip serves to provide a sealing action between the measuring tube and a pipeline section adjoining the measuring tube in the installed state.
US09500503B2
There is provided a differential pressure type flowmeter that includes an orifice provided in a main flow channel, a first pressure sensor configured to detect pressure of fluid on an upstream side of the orifice, a second pressure sensor configured to detect pressure of fluid on a downstream side of the orifice, a first pressure introduction flow channel configured to guide the fluid on the upstream side of the orifice to the first pressure sensor, and a second pressure introduction flow channel configured to guide the fluid on the downstream side of the orifice to the second pressure sensor, wherein a flow channel length and a flow channel diameter of the first pressure introduction flow channel coincide with those of the second pressure introduction flow channel, respectively, and a ratio of the flow channel length to the flow channel diameter is not less than 20 times and not more than 30 times.
US09500500B2
The number of turns and the winding direction of a cosine-phase coil wound around an i-th tooth and the number of turns and the winding direction of a sine-phase coil wound around the i-th tooth are set according to Tc,i=TSmax cos(msξi+θ2)+T2c cos(meξi+θ1) and Ts,i=TSmax sin(msξi+θ2)+T2s cos(meξi+θ1), respectively, where TSmax: a first reference number of turns of each of the detecting coils of each phase, T2c: a second reference number of turns of each of the cosine-phase coils, T2s: a second reference number of turns of each of the sine-phase coils, me: a pole pair number in a magnetic flux distribution formed by the exciting coils, ms: a pole pair number in each magnetic flux distribution formed by the detecting coils of each phase, θ1: the phase of the exciting coils, θ2: each phase of the cosine-phase coils and the sine-phase coils, and ξi: a mechanical angle of the i-th tooth.
US09500491B2
A method for position determination, in particular of a motor vehicle, includes optically capturing an object having a known geographic position and matching the geographic position of the object with stored map data. The object may be a road sign having distance information, which is optically recognized at the vehicle. The distance information is subsequently evaluated using optical character recognition.
US09500490B1
A method for determination of vehicle characteristics in reference to an optimum path and determination of machine performance adjustment based on a calculated time of arrival relative to an optimum time of arrival. The method provides a resultant instantaneous display of modified vehicle settings to the operator.
US09500486B2
An approach is provided for formulating a positioning extent for map matching. The positioning extent platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of a plurality of position data points acquired by at least one positioning system to determine one or more variations in the plurality of position data points with respect to one or more thoroughfare segments. Next, the positioning extent platform determines one or more positioning extents associated with the one or more thoroughfare segments for the at least one positioning system based, at least in part, on the one or more variations.
US09500482B2
A system and method for flight planning determines an optimal route by setting an initial departure weight or range of such weights for an aircraft traveling from a departure airport to a destination airport, defining a network of nodes for potentially legal routes, labeling each node with a graph of fuel needed to reach that node either as a function of flight duration or as a function of flight duration and departure weight, selecting or discarding routes when conditions at a node of that route are favorable or violated, selecting a preferred route, departure weight and duration for the desired payload and minimizing fuel for the desired route and payload.
US09500481B2
A rotation rate sensor for detecting a rotation rate about a rotational axis parallel to a main extension plane of a substrate of the sensor includes: a first oscillating mass; and a second oscillating mass mechanically coupled to the first oscillating mass. The first oscillating mass is (i) deflectable along a first oscillations plane parallel to the main extension plane, (ii) extends in a planar manner parallel to the first oscillations plane in a rest position, and (iii) deflectable out of the first oscillations plane into a first deflection position. The second oscillating mass is (i) deflectable along a second oscillations plane parallel to the first oscillations plane, (ii) extends in a planar manner parallel to the second oscillations plane in a rest position, and (iii) deflectable out of the second oscillations plane into a second deflection position.
US09500473B2
An instrument system that includes an optical fiber and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is coupled to an external structure of a patient and has a strain sensor provided thereon. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor and to determine a property of respiration of the patient based on the signal.
US09500472B2
An instrument system that includes a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber and a controller is provided. The first optical fiber is operatively coupled to an elongate body that is adapted to be placed inside a patient. The second optical fiber is operatively coupled to the patient, to an actuating element adapted to actuate the elongate body, or to a portion of an imaging system adapted to identify a location of the portion relative to the elongate body. The controller is operatively coupled to the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber and is adapted to receive a first signal from the strain sensor provided on the first optical fiber, receive a second signal from the strain sensor provided on the second optical fiber; and determine a position or orientation of the elongate body based on the first signal and based on the second signal.
US09500467B2
For managing a sound system, a method is disclosed that includes identifying a location for measuring sound, directing light from a light emitter to the location, determining a speckle pattern at the location based on data received from an optical interferometer, and adjusting a sound producer based on the determined speckle pattern.
US09500462B2
A brake pad lining thickness measurement gauge tool includes a grip handle end with a projecting probe having two substantially dimensionally identical measurement surfaces at a measurement or terminal opposite end of the gauge tool, one surface extending axially from the grip handle end and the other interesting surface extending transversely to the axial surface. A set of the gauge tools includes distinctively dimensioned terminal measurement ends.
US09500459B1
Embodiments relate to safing logic and fire set systems with a dual-mode pulse gate driver device and method of use. An aspect includes a device for a circuit having a switch, the device comprising: a gate driver including a trigger input to receive a trigger signal to initiate a test of the circuit in a first mode or a pulse through the circuit to cause a pyrotechnic chain reaction in a second mode, a power supply input and an output for driving the switch in response to receiving the signal. The device includes a trickle charge capacitor coupled to the power supply input. The device includes a high impedance coupled to the capacitor and input power circuitry, the high impedance trickle charging the capacitor and preventing a high voltage through the switch from being applied to the power circuitry in the first mode for subsequent operation in the second mode.
US09500455B2
The invention relates to a projectile having a projectile base (1), an adjoining cylindrical rear region (2), and a front region (3), which is implemented as an ogive, and the projectile having one or two projectile cores (4, 5) and a projectile jacket (6).In order that when the projectile strikes a game carcass, the projectile core and the projectile jacket begin to deform simultaneously up to twice or three times the projectile diameter, it is proposed that the projectile core (4) be soldered in the cylindrical rear region (2) to the projectile jacket (6) over its entire axial length.
US09500444B2
The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets.
US09500426B2
A sound suppressor for a firearm includes a generally cylindrical housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a plurality of baffle elements removably and slidably received within the housing, the baffle elements defining a plurality of expansion chambers within the housing, and an end closure element received on the distal end of the housing.
US09500423B2
A gas system includes a gas block having a gas port for directing propellant gases received from a gas port of a barrel of a firearm into the gas system to cycle an auto loading feature of the firearm. A spring-loaded plunger assembly positioned within the gas block includes a plunger component having a plurality of gas ports and a plunger cap at a forward end, wherein the position of the plunger component within the gas block automatically controls an amount of gas that is allowed to enter the gas system. Mounting a suppressor to the muzzle of the barrel depresses the plunger cap and drives it linearly rearward causing the plunger component to rotate to automatically restrict the volume of propellant gases directed into the gas system through a restricted flow gas port in the plunger component.
US09500419B2
One or more ram accelerator devices may be used to form one or more holes in geologic or other material. These holes may be used for drilling, tunnel boring, excavation, and so forth. The ram accelerator devices propel projectiles which are accelerated by combustion of one or more combustible gasses in a ram effect to reach velocities exceeding 500 meters per second.
US09500410B2
An electric arc furnace has a chamber suitable for containing molten steel, a roof covering the chamber and for containing a mass of scrap steel, electrodes for melting the mass of scrap, and a supporting base. The base permits the chamber to oscillate around a horizontal axis of rotation. The roof and the chamber are counterprofiled in correspondence to the respective interface walls to create a rotary coupling with regard to the axis of rotation. The roof, during oscillation of the chamber, remains fixed with regard to the base as well as in a closed position with regard to the chamber.
US09500401B2
A refrigerator includes a secondary cooling path for circulating liquid coolant through the refrigerator wherein the liquid coolant is cooled by the freezer compartment and wherein the liquid coolant cools the ice maker and the ice bin as the liquid coolant circulates through the secondary cooling path. A pump is positioned along the secondary cooling path for pumping the liquid coolant through the secondary cooling path. A tube having a first end proximate the pump and an opposite end exposed to atmosphere may control suction pressure associated with the pump. The refrigerator reduces frost build up through configuration of the secondary cooling path or performing ice harvesting operations which melt frost. The secondary cooling path may be used to provide for circulating hot liquid. The secondary cooling path may be used to provide for circulating liquid coolant during a power outage.
US09500400B2
An exemplary modular cooler system is provided that includes couplings that may, in one embodiment, be implemented as integrated or interfaced receptacles and corresponding inserts that allow accessory items to couple with an insulated compartment, which may be referred to as a “wet box”, and used as an insulated cooler that holds ice. The accessories may include, for example, a second compartment or “dry box” for holding items that need to be kept dry, a fishing rod holder, a shelf, a cutting board, a cup holder, a chair or seating platform, one or more dollies, or virtually any needed accessory. In one embodiment the thermal properties of the insulated compartment are enhanced with the use of one or more radiant barrier members, such as one positioned adjacent the lid of the insulated compartment.
US09500398B2
An ice maker assembly includes an ice making apparatus for an appliance with an ice making tray having a water basin formed by a metallic ice forming plate and at least one perimeter sidewall extending upwardly from a top surface of the ice forming plate. The ice making tray also has a grid with at least one dividing wall. The at least one perimeter sidewall and the at least one dividing wall and the top surface of the ice forming plate form at least one ice compartment having an upper surface and a lower surface. An ice body is formed in the at least one ice compartment. Moreover, the at least one perimeter sidewall and the at least one dividing wall form a draft angle with the top surface of the ice forming plate, of about 17° to about 25° degrees.
US09500395B2
A refrigeration circuit is disclosed circulating a refrigerant and comprising in the direction of flow of the refrigerant a compressor (2); at least one condenser (14, 16) for rejecting heat to ambient air; an expansion device (8); and an evaporator (10). The refrigeration circuit further comprises a collecting container (12), the output of which being connected to the expansion device (8); a heat rejecting heat exchanger (4) for heat exchange of the refrigerant to a heat pump system, the output of the heat rejecting heat exchanger (4) being connected to the collecting container (12); and means (V1, V2) for connecting the heat rejecting heat exchanger (4) or at least one of the condenser(s) (14, 16) to the output of the compressor (2) depending on the availability of cooling power at the heat rejecting heat exchanger (4).
US09500382B2
Methods and systems for automatically calibrating one or more damper positions of a demand control ventilation system are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a demand control ventilation system includes a damper for controlling a flow of outside air into a building. A controller may be programmed to automatically execute a calibration algorithm from time to time to calibrate one or more calibration damper positions such that a predetermined flow of outside air is drawn through the damper and into the building at each of the one or more calibration damper positions. This calibration can, in some instances, help increase the efficiency and/or utility of the demand control ventilation system.
US09500378B2
The present invention discloses an electric fireplace having a humidifying device. The electric fireplace includes a casing. A flame imitation device, a heating device, an air purifying device, the humidifying device, and a touch control panel are provided in the casing. The electric fireplace is combined with the flame imitation device, the air purifying device, and the heating device to provide multiple functions. The user can watch the realistic flame and inhale fresh but not dry warm wind. The humidifying device includes a water container, a cotton rod, a fixing knob, an atomization plate, a hollow pipe, and a fog output box. The humidifying device delivers the water to the atomization plate through the cotton rod to generate atomized particles. The present invention has a simple structure and can be produced easily.
US09500368B2
A gas turbine combustor for producing hot gas by burning a fuel in compressed air comprising a combustor central axis and multiple main swirlers with respective swirler axes disposed about and parallel to the combustor central axis, each main swirler delivering an air fuel mixture flowing through it and about its swirler axis, wherein each swirler imparts rotation to the air fuel mixture flowing through it in a direction opposite that of adjacent swirlers. This combustor configuration reduces shear where the outer edges of adjacent flows meet, allowing for greater tuning of the combustion chamber and reduced NOx and CO emissions.
US09500363B2
An apparatus and method for extracting and recovering water-soluble gas and waste heat from an oven is provided. The method employs a gas-gas heat exchanger for cooling hot stack gas from the oven to a temperature higher than the dew point of the hot stack gas, a double-film-wise heat exchanger for receiving the cooled stack gas from the gas-gas heat exchanger, a condenser/heat exchanger for receiving and further cooling the stack gas from the double-film-wise heat exchanger to ambient temperature by heating a utility water stream, which can then be used for hot water and steam process services, and an ethanol recovery unit for receiving the cooled stack gas from the condenser/heat exchanger.
US09500346B2
A light dispersing flashlight cover adapted for selective attachment to a flashlight having an articulating head. The cover includes a platform supported in resilient cantilevered relation such that the platform is disposed in overlying, raised relation to at least a portion of the flashlight lens when the cover is in place. A light beam emitted through the lens is at least partially blocked by the platform and is dispersed radially relative to the lens.
US09500328B2
The light fixture includes a frame, an optically transmissive panel assembly, a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and driving circuitry. The frame has a frame length measured along a length axis and a frame width measured along a width axis, wherein the frame length is greater than the frame width. The optically transmissive panel assembly receives light from the set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and emits light from an emission area in a patterned luminous intensity, using patterning optics adjacent a light guide plate. The driving circuitry is disposed within the frame and is operatively coupled to the set of LEDs and to a power supply external to the light fixture. The driving circuitry may include a first circuitry segment disposed within a first edge channel of the frame, and a second circuitry segment disposed within a second edge channel of the frame.
US09500327B2
A light-emitting arrangement (100) is disclosed, which is adapted to produce white output light enhancing the color perception of e.g. food in retail environments. The light-emitting arrangement comprises at least one blue light-emitting element (102) adapted to emit light having an emission peak in a first wavelength range of from 440 to 460 nm, and at least one deep blue light-emitting element (101) adapted to emit light having an emission peak in a second wavelength range of from 400 to 440 nm. Further, the light-emitting arrangement comprises at least one narrow band wavelength converting material (104) arranged to receive light emitted by said deep blue light-emitting element, and at least one broadband wavelength converting material (105) arranged to receive light emitted by at least one of said blue light-emitting element and said deep blue light-emitting element. A spotlight comprising such a light-emitting arrangement, and an illumination device comprising a plurality of the light-emitting arrangements, is also disclosed.
US09500326B2
LED lighting device in which color-mixed light according to a mixture of a blue optical emission spectrum according to the emission from an LED element, a red optical emission spectrum according to the emission from a red phosphor, and a green optical emission spectrum according to the emission from a green phosphor is emitted, wherein in the spectrum for the emitted color-mixed light, letting the relative spectral area for the principal-wavelength peak of the blue optical emission spectrum be AB and the peak emission intensity be IB, letting the relative spectral area of the green optical emission spectrum be AG and the peak emission intensity be IG, and letting the relative spectral area of the red optical emission spectrum be AR and the peak emission intensity be IR, then IB
US09500325B2
An LED lamp or bulb is disclosed that comprises a light source, a heat sink structure and a remote planar phosphor carrier having at least one conversion material. The phosphor carrier can be remote to the light sources and mounted to the heat sink so that heat from the phosphor carrier spreads into the heat sink. The phosphor carrier can comprise a thermally conductive transparent material and a phosphor layer, with an LED based light source mounted to the heat sink such that light from the light source passes through the phosphor carrier. At least some of the LED light is converted by the phosphor carrier, with some lamp embodiments emitting a white light combination of LED and phosphor light. The phosphor arranged according to the present invention can operate at lower temperature to thereby operate at greater phosphor conversion efficiency and with reduced heat related damage to the phosphor.
US09500324B2
Color mixing optics for a multi-color LED lamp comprise an outer reflector having a paraboloidal surface of revolution and a total inner reflection (TIR) lens having an outer contour with a paraboloidal surface of revolution. The outer reflector and the TIR lens are centered around a common center axis. A common focal point of the outer reflector and the TIR lens is provided for placing a LED assembly. Such LED lamps produce uniform color throughout the entire light beam while the outer dimensions are such that the optics fit into conventional lamp housings.
US09500315B2
An over-the-door knob holder hook provides a user with a multitude of hooks which includes interchangeable knobs. The apparatus includes a bracing bridge, a first hook assembly, and a second hook assembly. The bracing bridge attaches the first hook assembly and the second hook assembly to a door. The first hook assembly and the second hook assembly each include an elongated leg portion, an interchangeable accessory knob, a lateral portion, and a lip portion. The interchangeable accessory knob is removably mounted to a front surface of the elongated leg portion. The lateral portion is adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the front surface. The lip portion is adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the lateral portion, opposite the elongated leg portion. The elongated leg portion is adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the bracing bridge to position the first and second hook assemblies on opposite sides of the bracing bridge.
US09500302B2
The present invention relates to a method for attenuating noise produced by steam flowing through a pipe, comprising the steps of providing a pipe arrangement (10), which comprises an inner pipe (12) that defines in its inside an inner flow channel (14) which progresses in pipe direction (16) of the inner pipe (12), and an outer pipe (18) that surrounds the inner pipe (12) and progresses substantially parallel thereto, thereby defining an outer flow channel (20) between the two pipes (12, 18) which is substantially parallel to the inner flow channel (14), establishing a steam flow (22) in and along the inner flow channel (14), and establishing a water flow (28) in and along the outer flow channel (20), said water flow (28) being adapted to attenuate a noise produced by said steam flow (22) flowing through the inner flow channel (14).
US09500301B2
A stinger extends away from an end of a vessel, and a pipeline passes over the stinger as the pipeline is laid from the vessel. The inclination of the pipeline increases as the pipeline passes along the stinger and after leaving the stinger until the pipeline reaches an inflection point beyond the end of the stinger at which inclination is at a maximum. Inclination of the pipeline thereafter reduces until the pipeline touches down on the seabed. A method of S-laying the pipeline includes providing guides on the stinger that limit lateral movement of the pipeline relative to the stinger and moving the vessel and the stinger during S-laying to an orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the stinger is inclined to the path of the pipeline just laid. The vessel and the stinger are rotated about a vertical axis passing through or adjacent to the inflection point.
US09500295B2
Sleeve valves include a valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surface defining an inlet, an outlet, and a body cavity between the inlet and the outlet; a sleeve disposed at least partially within the body cavity, the sleeve including at least one opening fluidly connecting the inlet to the outlet; a gate proximate to the sleeve and movable over a portion of the sleeve including the at least one opening, the gate including a front stop and a back stop; and a drive assembly including a pair of drive lines, each drive line having a drive shaft, a first drive line of the pair of drive lines including a sync cam, the sync cam of the first drive line movably positioned on the drive shaft of the first drive line and between the front stop and the back stop.
US09500289B2
Embodiments of a safety device that provides a failsafe mechanism on valve actuator assemblies. This failsafe mechanism operates in the event of power loss, or other problems and/or failures, that prevent operation of the drive components. In one embodiment, the safety device is configured to couple the drive components with the valve stem. During normal operation, this configuration changes the position of the valve stem in response to motive action of the drive components. In the event of power loss, the safety device is configured to operate independent of the drive components to change the position of the valve stem and, thus, move the valve to a closed or “safe” position.
US09500287B2
A valve is provided with multiple ports joining multiple fluid conduits leading between fluid sources and fluid destinations. A central hub manifold or other control element resides within a body supporting the ports, and can rotate relative to the valve body. Fluid flow paths within the central hub or other control element are selectively aligned or not aligned with the ports. The valve indicates which ports are open or closed by providing unique marks adjacent the ports corresponding with being open or closed. When the positive marks are visible, such as through windows in a rotating structure fixed to the central hub or other control element, the corresponding ports are open. When the negative marks are visible, such as through other windows in the rotating structure, the corresponding ports are closed.
US09500286B2
A valve apparatus includes a sleeve which is a hollowed tubular shape, a valve member which is disposed in the sleeve, and a filter. The sleeve includes a ring-shaped groove in an outer wall of the sleeve and a port penetrating the sleeve from a bottom surface of the ring-shaped groove. The valve member opens and closes the port. The filter is wound around the bottom surface. The filter is formed by a belt-shaped member which is wound as a ring shape such that a first end part of the belt-shaped member overlaps a second end part of the belt-shaped member. The belt-shaped member includes the first end part, the second end part, and an intermediate part. The intermediate part is disposed between the first end part and the second end part. The second end part and the intermediate part include a meshed part. The first end part includes a release portion corresponding to an opening having an opening area greater than an opening area of a sieve opening of the meshed part. The sieve opening of the meshed part of the second end part is released by the release portion of the first end part. Therefore, a deterioration of a filtration efficiency of an overlapped part between the first end part and the second end part can be restricted.
US09500281B2
A piston is provided displaceably in the interior of a cylinder tube that constitutes a fluid pressure cylinder, and a piston cover made from an elastic material is disposed so as to cover one end surface of the piston. The piston cover comprises a main body portion confronting a head cover of the cylinder tube, a guide portion covering an outer circumferential surface of the piston and disposed in sliding contact with an inner circumferential surface of a cylinder hole, and a hook portion folded toward an inner circumferential side with respect to the guide portion. Upon displacement of the piston toward the head cover, shocks are absorbed by abutment of the main body portion against the head cover. When the piston is displaced along the cylinder tube, the guide portion serves to guide the piston in the axial direction by sliding contact with the cylinder hole.
US09500277B2
A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include a hydraulic pump receiving oil stored in an oil pan through an input line, generating hydraulic pressure, and discharging the generated hydraulic pressure in the oil through a low-pressure discharge port and a high-pressure discharge port, a first switch valve switching a first switch hydraulic line in order to supply the hydraulic pressure discharged from the low-pressure discharge port of the hydraulic pump selectively to the low pressure portion or the high pressure portion, a second switch valve switching a second switch hydraulic line in order to selectively supply the hydraulic pressure supplied from the first switch valve to the low pressure portion or to return the hydraulic pressure supplied from the first switch valve to the oil pan, a low-pressure regulator valve, and a high-pressure regulator valve.
US09500275B2
A flap type electronic automatic transmission lever apparatus may include a console, a shift flap unit electrically connected to a transmission control unit (TCU) of a vehicle at a center of the console, and having at last four or more shift flaps, touch sensor units, each including a shift sensor disposed at a center of a corresponding shift flap, a forward-turn sensor disposed at an upper portion of the corresponding shift flap, and a rearward-turn sensor disposed at a lower portion of the corresponding shift flap, a shafts, each connected to a bottom of the corresponding shift flap to enable the corresponding shift flap to turn, step motors, each connected to one end of corresponding shaft, and shaft-fixing portions, each connected to an opposite end of the corresponding shaft.
US09500268B2
A locking differential assembly having a locking dog that is mounted in a differential case in a manner that permits the locking dog to be translated along an axis between a first position, in which the locking dog is disengaged from a side gear in the differential case, and a second position in which the locking dog is engaged to the side gear. The locking dog is coupled to the differential case in a manner that permits an increasing range of rotation of the locking dog relative to the differential case with axial movement of the locking dog toward the second position. An axle assembly with the locking differential assembly and a related method for forming a locking differential assembly are also provided.
US09500264B2
A drive pulley for a CVT has a fixed sheave, a movable sheave, a spider, a biasing member biasing the movable sheave axially away from the fixed sheave, at least one centrifugal actuator and at least one roller assembly. The at least one roller assembly has first and second rollers rotationally connected to one of the movable sheave and the spider and abutting another one of the movable sheave and the spider, the first roller rolling along the other one of the movable sheave and the spider as the movable sheave moves axially, the second roller rolling along the other one of the movable sheave and the spider as the movable sheave moves axially. The first and second rollers transfer torque between the movable sheave and the spider.
US09500257B2
A fluid-filled vibration damping device including: a primary fluid chamber which gives rise to internal pressure fluctuations based on deformation of a main rubber elastic body at times of vibration input; an auxiliary fluid chamber which gives rise to pressure differentials relative to the primary fluid chamber at times of vibration input; an orifice passage which permits a non-compressible sealed fluid filling the primary fluid chamber and the auxiliary fluid chamber to flow between the two fluid chambers; and an insoluble powder mixed in the sealed fluid filling the primary fluid chamber which provides a bubble nucleus and accelerates dispersed generation of bubbles when pressure within the primary fluid chamber is decreased.
US09500254B2
A damper for a bicycle, having a primary unit including a damper tube, a piston rod that supports a main piston, a reservoir tube that is outside of the compression chamber of the primary tube, and an inertial valve within the reservoir tube. The damper also includes a flow path connecting the reservoir fluid chamber and the compression chamber of the primary tube. The damper also may have a damping valve in the reservoir tube. When the inertia valve is open, the damping valve opens before flow through the inertia valve is maximized. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The reservoir tube includes a reservoir fluid chamber. The inertial valve is responsive to terrain-induced forces and not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.
US09500252B2
An elastic seal member fixedly attached to a back surface side of a disk valve is fitted in a recessed portion of a pilot body, by which a pilot chamber is formed. A valve opening of the disk valve is controlled by an inner pressure in the pilot chamber. The elastic seal member includes a thick proximal portion and a thin lip portion. A seal portion protruding on an outer circumferential portion of the lip portion is in sliding contact with an inner circumferential portion of an outer cylindrical portion of the pilot body. Deflection of the thin lip portion can reduce sliding resistance while ensuring a sealing performance of the seal portion.
US09500240B2
A disk brake (1) including a connector portion (35) provided at a housing (30). The connector portion (35) includes supply terminals (131) for supplying power to a motor (32). The supply terminals (131) of the connector portion (35) and motor terminals (32C) of the motor (32) are connected to each other via bus bars (130) made of metallic plate. Further, the bus bars (130) are held in a loosely fitted state on another-side surface (138B) of a plate-like portion (138) of a support member (135) attached to the housing (30).
US09500232B2
A ball bearing includes: an inner ring having an inner ring raceway surface on its outer circumference; an outer ring having an outer ring raceway surface on its inner circumference; a plurality of balls are disposed between the inner and outer ring raceway surfaces; and a cage. In the outer circumference of the inner ring, an inner ring shoulder portion is provided on a first axial side of the inner ring and a counter bore is provided on a second axial side of the inner ring. A tapered surface extending radially outward toward the ball is formed in a portion that is in a circumferential wall of each pocket hole, and that is in an end on a first axial side of the cage.
US09500231B2
A turbocharger ball-bearing assembly incorporates a cageless set of ceramic bearing balls operating within outer and inner bearing raceways, wherein the outer bearing raceway is on the inside of a fractured outer race. The fractured outer race is located in a counterbore of a center body of a turbocharger. The center body, in cooperation with the ball-bearing assembly, provides for rotationally supporting, and axially restraining, a rotor shaft of the turbocharger. The outside diameter of the fractured outer bearing race is less than a corresponding inside diameter of the counterbore, and the center body provides for supplying lubricant to an isolation annulus therebetween, so as to provide fir squeeze-film damping the ball-bearing assembly within the counterbore.
US09500224B2
A linear motion screw assembly is provided herein which comprises (a) at least a first end support, (b) a screw shaft rotatably mounted to the first end support and defining a longitudinal direction, (c) a linear guide means mounted to the first end support and oriented parallel to the screw shaft, (d) a follower assembly mounted to the screw shaft and, associated therewith, an anti-rotation means in translatable contact with the guide means and movable in a longitudinal direction along the guide means, and (e) a cartridge non-rotatably mounted within said follower assembly, said cartridge including a guide nut having an axial bore through which the screw shaft is rotatably disposed.
US09500217B2
A method for producing a threaded part, includes the following steps: preparing a wire (54) with a rectangular cross-section; winding-up the wire (54) to form a helical spring with tightly wound windings, the wire being fed such that the sides of the rectangle defining the cross-section extend obliquely to the axis of the helical spring; and connecting the windings to each other at their mutually adjoining contact surfaces.
US09500216B2
Fixing apparatus includes a pressing cover, a base facing to the pressing cover, a movable arm coupled between the pressing cover and the base, a chassis, an elastic element located between the pressing cover and the base, and a positioning shaft extending through the chassis, the base, and the elastic element to insert to the pressing cover. The positioning shaft forms a supporting portion away from the pressing cover. The chassis defines a first slot. When the chassis moves towards the pressing cover, the movable arm is pressed to open outwardly, the elastic element is compressed to press the chassis away from the pressing cover, the positioning portion moves towards the first slot until locks in the first slot. The fixing apparatus can press the device to the plank to fix the device on the plank.
US09500215B2
Provided are a link mechanism which is variously combined, assembled and disassembled, and a universal coupler including the same. The link mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plate and a coupling piece. The plate has a flat plate shape and a thickness and includes a plurality of coupling holes formed to pass therethrough, the coupling holes have the same size and shape and are disposed at a interval in at least one of a column direction and a row direction. The coupling piece is inserted into the coupling holes of two or more plates to couple two or more plates to each other.
US09500210B2
An anchoring clip assembly is configured to securely anchor to a structure. The assembly may include a main body, a plurality of anchoring members extending from the main body, wherein the plurality of anchoring members are configured to securely anchor to the structure, and at least one verification member configured to provide verification when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure. The verification member(s) may provide visual verification when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, and/or may include at least one separable portion that is configured to separate from the main body after the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.
US09500206B2
A fluid pump for a linear actuator is provided. The pump causes a rod in the actuator to extend or retract by controlling the flow of fluid to and from portions of a fluid chamber on either side of a piston disposed within the fluid chamber and supporting the rod. The pump includes a valve structure that enables the pump to redistribute fluid obtained from one portion of the fluid chamber on one side of the piston to the other portion of the fluid chamber on the other side of the piston without first returning the fluid to a fluid reservoir thereby increasing the efficiency of the pump.
US09500187B2
A method, system and program product comprise receiving an activated signal from a first motion detector. The activated signal indicating an object is detected by the first motion detector. A source of heat is applied to a heatable object for a first predetermined period of time in response to the receiving. The applying is conveyed by a terminal device. The heatable object is positionable within a sensing range of a second motion detector. The applying of the heat source is stopped for a second predetermined period of time. The stopping enables the heatable object to cool in which a cycle of the applying and the stopping with motion of said heatable object is detectable by the second motion detector wherein the detection by the first motion detector is relayed to the second motion detector.
US09500180B1
In one aspect, the invention is a novel and non-obvious design for wind fan or wind turbine that 1) can adjust to changes in wind direction and 2) is collapsible or retractable when desired. Further, the invention relates to a novel and non-obvious design for a fan blade assembly that allows for the ability of the wind turbine to adjust to changes in wind direction and allows for the wind turbine to collapse or retract into a housing when not in use.
US09500178B2
A wind turbine rotor assembly comprises: a rotor support; a rotor which is rotatably mounted to the rotor support; and a base support; wherein the rotor support and base support are provided with an engagement mechanism which allows the rotor support and base support to engage with each other so that when the rotor support and base support are moved together a hinged connection is formed between the rotor support and base support, which hinged connection allows the rotor support to rotate relative to the base support during installation or decommissioning of the rotor.
US09500174B2
An internal combustion engine includes a ring gear, a speed sensor operatively associated with the ring gear, and a change of mind (COM) starter motor mechanically linked to the internal combustion engine. The COM starter motor includes an armature and a pinion operatively connected to the armature. A solenoid is operatively connected to the COM starter motor. The solenoid selectively moves the pinion into engagement with the ring gear. An electronic control unit (ECU) is operatively connected to the speed sensor and the solenoid. The ECU is configured and disposed to indirectly detect a rotational speed of the pinion and selectively energize the solenoid to axially shift the pinion into engagement with the ring gear when the pinion reaches a particular rotational speed relative to a rotational speed of the ring gear.
US09500166B2
Provided is an intake noise reduction device that can suppress an occurrence of noise in an intake pipe. An intake noise reduction device (100) disposed on a downstream side of a throttle valve in an intake pipe and including a flow-guiding net (110) that guides an air flow, wherein the flow-guiding net includes a mesh that is configured to be fine in a vicinity of a center of a flow passage in the intake pipe and to become coarser with distance from the vicinity of the center. For example, the mesh flow-guiding net (110) is formed of a plurality of radial portions (111) extending radially outward from the vicinity of the center of the flow passage in the intake pipe and a plurality of concentric portions (112) provided concentrically from the vicinity of the center.
US09500159B2
An electricity generation unit 1A includes a combustor 11, a heater 13, and a Rankine cycle circuit 20. The combustor 11 combusts a solid fuel. A combustion gas generated in the combustor 11 passes through a flue 12. The heater 13 contains a heat storage material, and heats the heat storage material by allowing heat exchange to take place between the combustion gas in the flue 12 and the heat storage material. The Rankine cycle circuit 20 has an evaporator 21 that evaporates a working fluid in the Rankine cycle by allowing heat exchange to take place between the heat storage material heated in the heater 13 and the working fluid. With this configuration, stable operation of an electricity generation unit using a combustion gas of a solid fuel is achieved.
US09500149B2
Provided is an engine power estimation apparatus for estimating an engine power at a gear shift completion time when making a speed change of a vehicle. The engine power estimation apparatus includes a gear shift detection unit configured to detect the speed change of the vehicle; an axle speed estimation unit configured to calculate a target axle speed at the gear shift completion time, using an axle speed and a gear shift time learning value, when the speed change of the vehicle is detected; and an engine power estimation unit configured to calculate a target engine power at the gear shift completion time, using the target axle speed and engine load information.
US09500136B2
A system includes a controller configured to receive one or more inputs associated with an operation of a turbine system, derive a set of ramp rates for the turbine system based at least in part on the one or more inputs, and to select a ramp rate from the set of ramp rates. The ramp rate includes a variable ramp rate. The controller is further configured to generate an output signal based on the selected ramp rate.
US09500135B2
A fuel feed circuit for an aeroengine, the circuit including a high-pressure pumping system for delivering fuel at high pressure to combustion chamber injectors, the high-pressure pumping system including first and second positive displacement gear pumps driven simultaneously by the engine. A hydraulic switch member is interposed between respective outlets of the pumps, which makes it possible, in one state, to combine outlet flows from the two pumps to deliver fuel at high pressure to the combustion chamber injectors, and in another state, to discharge some or all of outlet flow from the first pump to a low-pressure feed line, an electrical control member serving to cause the hydraulic switch member to pass from one state to the other.
US09500127B2
The power plant includes a gas turbine unit adapted to feed flue gases into a diverter where they are divided into a recirculated flow and a discharged flow. The recirculated flow is fed into a mixer together with fresh air to form a mixture that is fed to the gas turbine unit. The gas turbine unit includes a combustion chamber where a fuel is burnt together with the mixture. A control unit is provided, that is supplied with information regarding the fuel C2+ and/or H2 content and is connected to at least the diverter to drive it and online regulate the recirculated flow mass flow rate in relation to the fuel C2+ and/or H2 content.
US09500122B2
The method includes moving at least one of a first support and a second support to vary a position of the plurality of main blades and tandem blades relative to each other to control one or more flow control characteristics across the turbine. The turbine includes a nozzle having the plurality of main blades and tandem blades. The plurality of main blades are coupled to the first support and the plurality of tandem blades are coupled to the second support disposed spaced apart from the first support.
US09500121B2
A turbocharger includes: a turbine housing which houses a turbine impeller; an introduction hole provided in the turbine housing and configured to guide an exhaust gas, which flows into the introduction hole from an exhaust manifold of an engine, to the turbine impeller; a valve provided inside the introduction hole and configured to open and close an exhaust-gas discharge hole in the exhaust manifold; and a restriction portion configured to restrict a turn of the mounting plate in order to make part of an outer peripheral surface of a stem, which is exposed through an exposure hole of the mounting plate, visible from outside of the turbine housing.
US09500114B2
A work vehicle display device included in a work vehicle including an internal-combustion engine that generates power and an exhaust gas processing device that processes exhaust gas discharged from the internal-combustion engine using urea water, the work vehicle display device includes: a display unit configured to display an image; and a display control unit configured to display either a first image or a second image different from the first image in the display unit, wherein the display control unit displays device information having a same content related to a state of the exhaust gas processing device in the first image and the second image.
US09500112B2
An exhaust gas purifying apparatus which can reduce or prevent the shifting of a honeycomb catalyst member relative to a cushion member, even if hard vibrations are applied to the exhaust gas purifying apparatus, for example, during operation of a vehicle. In some embodiments, there can be no increase of the radial pressure of the cushion member applied to the honeycomb catalyst member. In some embodiments, an exhaust gas purifying apparatus can comprise a honeycomb catalyst member carrying metallic catalyst, wherein the member can be contained in a cylindrical container via a cushion member. The catalyst structural member can be formed of a sheet-like catalyst structure and can be manufactured by a wet paper-making method. The structural member can be secured to the cushion member by press-fitting the structural member into the cushion member.
US09500106B2
A valve stem seal utilizes a multi-piece construction to reduce the required manufactured tolerances and/or improve the stress handling capabilities. The valve stem seal can include a first member or can which can be assembled to a second member or spring seat. The can and/or spring seat can have a plurality of axially extending resilient fingers that are biased such that when assembled the fingers are bent against the bias due to the engagement between the can and the spring seat. The fingers on the spring seat allow the spring seat to bend or move relative to the can to accommodate the loading of a valve spring on the spring seat. The use of resilient fingers on the can and/or the spring seat reduces the manufacturing tolerances required for the valve stem seal.
US09500095B2
A segmented shroud ring surrounds a circumferential array of blades of a gas turbine engine rotor. The shroud ring has a plurality of shroud segments disposed circumferentially one adjacent to another. The circumferentially adjacent shroud segments have confronting sides defining an inter-segment gap therebetween. The inter-segment gaps are sealed by a sealing band mounted to the radially outer surface of the segmented shroud ring so as to extend across the inter-segment gaps around the full circumference of the shroud ring. Impingement jet holes may be defined in the sealing band for cooling the shroud segments.
US09500087B2
A turbine component includes a hollow aerofoil and an impingement tube located within the hollow aerofoil. The impingement tube is formed from at least two separate sections each extending span wise through the hollow aerofoil. Adjacent sections of the impingement tube are connected together by a locking device. The locking device is insertable into the hollow aerofoil and locks the impingement tube into place in the hollow aerofoil. The locking device is a roll pin being located in an axially direction between said sections and has a main extension which extends in a radial direction of the hollow aerofoil.
US09500080B2
A method is provided of replacing a damaged blade of an integrally bladed rotor assembly including a disc and a plurality of blades extending outwardly from a rim of the disc. The method includes the steps of: removing the damaged blade to leave a blade repair stub projecting from the rim; locating sacrificial supports at the underside of the rim beneath the repair stub, the supports projecting axially beyond the trailing and leading edges of the rim; depositing metal around the trailing and leading edges of the repair stub, the deposited metal, supported by the sacrificial supports, projecting axially beyond the trailing and leading edges of the rim; attaching a replacement blade to the repair stub by linear friction welding; and removing excess deposited metal, upset metal from the linear friction welding, and the sacrificial supports.
US09500073B2
An apparatus for metering fluid in a subterranean well includes an electric submersible pump having a motor, a seal section and a pump assembly and a metering assembly. The metering assembly includes an upper pipe section with an outer diameter, the upper pipe section having an upper pressure sensing means, and a lower pipe section with an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the upper pipe section, the lower pipe section having a lower pressure sensing means. A power cable is in electronic communication with the electric submersible pump and with the metering assembly.
US09500067B2
A system and method are provided for improving hydrocarbon production from gaseous wells, and in particular improving hydrocarbon production using pumping systems employing artificial lifts. The pumping system of the well is controlled so as to cyclically decrease and increase gas pressure in the casing annulus, thus cyclically decreasing PBHP in response to the decrease in the casing annulus pressure and permitting the PBHP to increase in response to the increase in casing annulus pressure. Production of fluid from the reservoir is therefore increased during the cyclical decrease in casing annulus pressure, and production of fluid from the downhole pump is increased during the cyclical increase in casing annulus pressure. In addition, gas interference due to production of foam in the casing surrounding a downhole pump can be mitigated by forcing liquid from the foam during the period of increased casing annulus pressure.
US09500066B2
One disclosed sleeve assembly disposed within a base pipe includes a first sleeve portion having a first shear resistance for resisting movement of the sleeve assembly with respect to the base pipe, and a second sleeve portion moveable with respect the first sleeve portion and having a second shear resistance for resisting movement of the second sleeve portion with respect to the first sleeve portion, the second shear resistance being greater than the first shear resistance.
US09500060B2
A remotely operated lifting top drive cement head is provided having a high tensile strength, as well as the ability to swivel or rotate about a central vertical axis. The cement head permits selective launching of darts, setting plugs, balls or other objects which can be held in place within the cement head without being damaged or washed away by slurry flow, but which can be beneficially launched into said slurry flow at desired point(s) during the cementing process. The internal components of the cement head can be easily accessed using interrupted thread connections that can be quickly and easy connected and disconnected in the field without requiring specialized equipment. The cement head can be rigged up and remotely operated without requiring the lifting of personnel off the rig floor to actuate the tool or observe tool status.
US09500059B1
A water pump pipe cutoff tool provides a means to cut and retrieve an existing original water pipe from within an existing well in such cases where a faulty submersible pump is trapped within said well. By cutting and removing the original water pipe, a new submersible pump can be installed into the well, thereby avoiding the expense of drilling a new well.
US09500056B2
A weight down collet includes a mandrel that provides an outer diameter feature and a shoulder, and a collet sleeve assembly movably disposed about the mandrel. The collet sleeve assembly includes a body, a primary collet provided on the body and defining an upper detent and a lower detent having a gap defined therebetween, and a secondary collet provided on the body and axially spaced from the primary collet. The upper and lower detents extend radially outward from the body and are engageable with one or more restrictions provided on an inner wall of a completion string, and the secondary collet defines an inner detent that extends radially inward and is engageable with the shoulder. The collet sleeve assembly is movable between an unsupported position, where the primary collet is radially unsupported, and a supported position, where the primary collet is radially supported on the outer diameter feature.
US09500052B2
This application relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning drill cuttings recovered from a wellbore. Specifically, the apparatus includes an effective system for handling and washing drill cuttings at a well site to remove hydrocarbon contaminants. The system successively washes hydrocarbon contaminated drill cuttings in organic solvent and water to remove and recover the hydrocarbon contaminates, and produce cleaned drill cuttings that may enable disposal of clean drill cuttings without further treatment.
US09500047B2
A spider and method for supporting a tubular within a well bore. Radial dogs, controlled by cylinders that extend and retract simultaneously, are operable to support the tubular by the lower lip of a box connector. When a tubular connector is set down upon the dogs so as to depress one or more triggers located thereon, an interlock in a control system is actuated to prevent movement of the dogs. However, even while the spider is thus loaded, the dogs may nevertheless be retracted via an emergency override mechanism thereby allowing the tubular to be dropped into the wellbore. When the tubular has been lifted off of the triggers, the interlock is deactivated, and the dogs of the spider can be operated once again. The triggers may actuate sensor valves located within the dogs, which in turn actuates an interlock valve isolating the flow path of the cylinders.
US09500046B2
The riser system of the present invention includes an external production riser for floating structures with interfaces to the dry and subsea wellheads, internal tieback riser with a special lower overshot/slipping connector for elevated temperatures. The seals can be metallic and/or non-metallic dynamic seals. Special centralizing pipe connectors and a special subsea wellhead tubing hanger are also included. This riser system avoids the penalty of pipe within pipe differential thermal growth and the resulting unwanted effects on the floating structure. This is accomplished by allowing an overshot sealing slipping connector to swallow an expanding polished rod as thermal conditions cause pipe elongation axially. When elevated temperatures fall to ambient the opposite occurs as the pipe shrinks axially. Alternatively, a system is possible where a two pipe drilling riser is needed. The internal pipe in this case would be an inner riser rather than a tubing string.
US09500038B2
An auger bit includes an elongated shaft, a cutting bit, a feed screw, and a locking fastener. The shaft includes a flute extending in a helical manner with respect to a longitudinal axis along at least a portion of the shaft. The shaft further includes a first slot and a second slot. The first slot extends parallel to the longitudinal axis proximate the first end and is aligned with the axis. The cutting bit is removably received in the second slot and includes a first edge. The feed screw includes a shank and a threaded portion. The shank is removably received in the first slot. The feed screw engages the cutting bit to secure the cutting bit relative to the shaft. The locking fastener is coupled to the shaft and engages the shank of the feed screw to secure the feed screw relative to the shaft.
US09500036B2
Implementations of the present invention include drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways that can increase flushing and bit life, while also decreasing clogging. According to some implementations of the present invention, the drilling tool can have a single notch extending into the cutting face and a plurality of bores extending from the cutting face to an interior space of the drilling tool. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including drilling tools having a single notch and a plurality of bores.
US09500033B2
A technique facilitates downhole drilling applications by providing a universal joint. The universal joint has a high load carrying capability presented in a compact and simple configuration. The high load carrying capability is achieved by techniques employing unique load transfer mechanisms. For example, higher load capability may be provided by a load sharing principal in which torque loads are jointly transmitted through universal joint pins and the side faces of a universal joint cross. The higher load capability also may be achieved by transferring loads through a monolithic cross having integral pins and a split yoke/clevis assembly. In another embodiment, higher load capability results from using universal joint pins inserted from the inside of the universal joint and screwed outwardly until full engagement with the joint yokes is achieved. Each of the universal joint embodiments also may be designed to enable pressure-sealed flow of drilling mud through the joint.
US09500031B2
A rotary steering apparatus for a drill string in which a bending section induces a bend in a portion of the bottom hole assembly of the drill string by using the rotation of the drive shaft that drives the drill bit during normal drilling, while operating at a reduced or zero drilling mud flow rate, to drive a reduction gear that rotates a nut or cam so as to place a tension tube into tension. The tension tube abuts a flexible housing and places the flexible housing in compression. The flexible housing has a local weakening formed in it that causes it to preferentially bend in a predetermined direction. Compression in the flexible housing causes the housing to bend, which bends a portion of the bottom hole assembly so as to alter the direction of drilling. Rotation of the drive shaft at reduced or zero mud flow rate also causes the drive shaft to drive rotation of a second reduction gear the output of which rotates the bent portion of the bottom hole assembly thereby altering its tool face angle.
US09500020B2
If closing operation to the passenger's seat sub switch continues for not less than a prescribed time period Tb, a passenger's seat relay contact on a close side is turned ON. If the closing operation to the passenger's seat sub switch thereafter ends before a prescribed time period Tc elapses, the passenger's seat relay contact on the close side is kept ON. If opening operation to the passenger's seat sub switch continues for not less than the prescribed time period Tb, a passenger's seat relay contact on an open side is turned ON. If the opening operation to the passenger's seat sub switch thereafter ends before the prescribed time period Tc elapses, the passenger's seat relay contact on the open side is kept ON. The invention is applicable to an automatic window system and the like.
US09500018B2
A hinge for the controlled rotatable movement of at least one closing element, such as a door, a door leaf or the like, anchored to a stationary support structure, such as a wall, a floor, a frame or the like, includes a hinge body and a pivot defining a first axis and reciprocally coupled to allow rotation of the at least one closing element between an open position and a closed position. The hinge further includes a working chamber defining a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and a plunger element sliding in the working chamber along the second axis between a position proximal to the bottom wall of the working chamber and a position distal therefrom.
US09500017B2
The inner surface of one side section of a frame has the base-end section of a rotation arm of a rotation-biasing element that is rotatable. A roller is provided on the tip-end section of the rotation arm. The roller is pressed against and contacts the rear surface of a door as a result of the biasing by the rotation-biasing element. The rear surface of the door is equipped with a damper element. The damper element has a contact member for pressing against and contacting the roller when the door is in the closed position or in a prescribed intermediate position. The contact member minimizes the speed at which the roller moves forward.
US09500016B2
A position adjusting mechanism of a soft-closing device for a sliding door has a bracket with a mounting panel and at least one positioning rack, a cover panel mounted on the bracket, and a positioning hook, a torsion spring and a driving element pivotally mounted on the cover panel. At least one first fastener is mounted through the cover panel and the mounting panel and is fastened to a door track. The bracket can slide relative to the cover panel to allow the positioning hook to selectively engage in different engaging recesses of a corresponding positioning rack. Thus, moving distance of the bracket and a door panel suspended from the bracket can be estimated. Accordingly, positions of the bracket and the door panel on the door track can be adjusted to allow the door panel to close a doorway completely.
US09500015B2
A drive device for a flap of a piece of furniture including at least one actuating arm which is activated by a spring device and is intended for moving the flap. A pushing-out device can move the flap from the closed position the opening direction toward the open position over a first opening-angle range (M1). The spring device exerts substantially no force on the flap in the first opening-angle range (M1), and the spring device moves the flap in the opening direction only in a second opening-angle range (M2), wherein the second opening-angle range (M2) adjoins the first opening-angle range (M1) or, at most, slightly overlaps the first opening-angle range.
US09500014B2
The present disclosure includes a hinge assembly for use in a hinged attachment of a panel relative to a frame and providing movement of the panel relative to the frame. A link which provides an extension or reach motion and positioning of the assembly, shown for purposes of illustration and not limitation in the form of a gooseneck arm, is provided in the hinge assembly to facilitate an extended range of motion of the hinge assembly. A first spherical bearing assembly and a second spherical bearing assembly are operatively associated with a bearing end of the link to provide multiple degrees of motion while securely retaining the panel relative to the frame. The hinge is intended to provide universal application of a single version of a hinge which can be used in multiple locations as facilitated by the multiple degrees of motion provided by the bearing end of the link.
US09500013B2
Examples disclosed herein provide a hinge assembly for a computing device. The hinge assembly includes a first barrel coupled to a second barrel. The first barrel has a first groove that extends circumferentially and longitudinally along at least a length of the first barrel, and the second barrel has a second groove that extends circumferentially and longitudinally along at least a length of the second barrel. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge pivot shaft that rotates about a first axis via the first barrel, and the first shaft includes a first guide pin to follow the first groove along the first barrel. The hinge assembly includes a second hinge pivot shaft that rotates about a second axis via the second barrel, and the second shaft includes a second guide pin to follow the second groove along the second barrel. The hinge assembly includes a bracket that aligns a point along a length of the first shaft with a point along a length of the second shaft.
US09500005B2
A gear structure for an electronic lock contains: a housing including an accommodating chamber, a power supply, a first connecting seat, a second connecting seat, a guiding mount, a shaft, and a motor holder; a driving motor including a worm rod; a driving gear including a through aperture, a toothed rim, and a driving tooth portion; a first rotating gear including an opening, a rotary disc, positioning blocks, and an external toothed periphery; a second rotating gear including a pore, two flexibly recessed areas, each having a sliding trench and a horizontal slot, the horizontal slot having two opposite notches, the resilient piece having two elastic elements; a fitting member including a fitting opening; a first sensing unit including at least two first coupling feet; a second sensing unit including at least two second coupling feet; a rotatable knob including a grip portion, a bar portion, and a cross hole.
US09500002B2
A handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a backplate, operable to be mounted to a portion of the vehicle door, and the backplate including a recessed region displaced away from the exterior surface of the vehicle door. A handle aperture is provided within the recessed region of the backplate with at least one pin mount extending from the recessed region of the backplate. The pin mount includes a void and a slot that is narrower than the void. Pins extend from a handle body portion into the voids and pivotally mount the handle to the backplate. The handle further includes a spring locator retaining a handle spring prior to mounting the handle to the backplate. The spring is compressed between the handle and the backplate and biases the handle to an un-actuated position.
US09499999B2
A car roof tent includes base, an expandable/collapsible tent frame, a rigid top cover, and a ladder. The tent frame is fixed to the base. The top cover is pivotally connected to the tent frame and is movable in unison with the tent frame so as to be set on and covering the tent after the collapse of the tent frame. The ladder has a top end pivotally connected to one side edge of the base and is upward rotatable to be positioned on the top cover. The rigid top cover is included and the ladder and the tent base are coupled such that the top cover and the ladder are movable with the operation of the tent frame. The operation is simple and the use is easy.
US09499994B2
Disclosed are tools for use in the building construction industry to apply coatings to surfaces. A trowel is disclosed for shaping a wet coating mixture on a surface. The trowel includes channels in the trowel head. Each channel forms a crest in the wet coating mixture in response to the trowel being passed over the wet coating mixture. Also disclosed is a tool for leveling a coating on a surface. The tool includes a screed bar, a screed bar coupling device, and a handle. The one or more than one screed bar coupling device removeably couples the screed bar to a substrate that includes the surface that the coating is to be applied to. The screed bar provides a level screed reference for the wet coating mixture. After the wet coating mixture is leveled, the screed bar is removed from the substrate.
US09499971B2
A low-emittance material having improved energy efficiency protection against air infiltration and moisture build-up in buildings is disclosed. The aforementioned low-emittance material utilizes existing framing openings or without increasing the wall profile of a building. The present invention provides a low-emittance material which may be implemented on traditional 2×4 framing having R-15 mass insulation material within existing or newly constructed framing cavities. The material of the present invention also meets requirements for serving as a water resistive barrier as defined by ICC AC38.
US09499969B2
The present invention describes a system (1) for recovering liquid or free-flowing chemicals in a chemical plant (3), comprising at least two plant sections (3a, 3b), for each plant section (3a, 3b) at least one connecting device (5a, 5b) arranged at the lowest point, at least one common collecting line (7) which runs beneath the connecting devices (5a, 5b) and connects them to one another, at least one collecting vessel (9) arranged at the same height as or higher than the at least two plant sections (3a, 3b) and above the collecting line (7), at least one pump (11) provided in the collecting line (7) between the connecting devices (5a, 5b) and the collecting vessel (9) for drawing off the at least one liquid or free-flowing chemical combined in the collecting line (7) and introducing it into the collecting vessel (9).
US09499965B2
A multi flush volume flush valve is in communication with an automatic flush control. The flush control determines the presence of a user and the amount of time the user uses the toilet. The usage time is compared to a predetermined time value to determine the appropriate flush volume based on an assumption regarding usage time and flush volume needs. The comparative value statistically adjusts to the restroom traffic.
US09499963B2
An under-sink waste processing appliance includes a waste separator which extracts liquid from organic waste and a composting aid and passes such extracted liquid to a residential drain line. The remaining solid, in the form of organic pulp, is dried in a dryer and deposited in a removable collection receptacle.
US09499958B2
A wear member of a mechanically attached wear plate system having a mounting base for attachment to a wear surface and a retainer member adapted to retain the wear member in an engaged position on the mounting base. The wear member is coupled to the mounting base by a rotary movement to engage an engagement surface of a dovetail flange extending from a wear member mounting side with a mounting base engagement surface. Abutment surfaces of the wear member and mounting base are disposed abutting opposite sides of the retainer member positioned in the retainer opening of the mounting base.
US09499956B2
In an embodiment, a hydraulic jack is provided having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion attached to a first section of a structure and the second portion attached to a second section of the structure. When a pressurized fluid is forced between the first portion and the second portion, a load is transferred to the first section and the second section by the pressure of the fluid on the first portion and the second portion. The first section and the second section are forced apart by the load, thus creating or enlarging at least one void in the structure. The pressurized fluid fills or partially fills one or more of the at least one void, thereby increasing the surface area effectively normal to the direction of the load in contact with the pressurized fluid.
US09499948B2
A hot applied thermoplastic pavement composition and method of using, wherein the composition comprises; a modified polyamide resin in the range of between 3 and 10 percent by weight, wherein the composition contains rosin-modified esters, a copolymer, 30-70 percent by weight of a glass bead intermix, a range of between 1 and 15 percent by weight of either white or yellow pigment, the balance of the composition being selected from the group consisting of; one or more plasticizers, inorganic fillers, waxes, antioxidants and light stabilizers.
US09499944B2
A process for improving the wet strength of paper or paperboard is disclosed, and compositions, methods, and products related to improved wet strength paper or paperboard are provided. The process includes, for example, contacting at least one side of the paper or paperboard with water or an aqueous composition to wet the paper or paperboard, contacting the wet paper or paperboard with a wet strength resin composition followed by drying the paper or paperboard. The resulted treated or coated paper or paperboard has comparable wet strength properties to that of paper or paperboard containing wet strength resin from a conventional wet end application.
US09499942B2
In general, the present disclosure is directed to creped tissue webs, and products produced therefrom. The creped webs and products are strong, soft, and have fine crepe structure, such as less than about 12, measured as % COV at a STFI wavelength of 16 to 32 mm, using the test method set forth herein. Fine crepe structure is achieved even at basis weights in excess of 16 gsm per ply.
US09499939B2
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the equipment is protected from radiation and hazardous gases by equipment enclosures. The equipment enclosures may be purged with gas.
US09499931B2
Disclosed is a fully automatic washing machine for easily unloading washed laundry on a bottom surface of a washing tub, and more particularly, to a full automatic washing machine for easily unloading laundry by lifting the laundry from the bottom of the washing tub by lifting a pulsator at the bottom of the washing tub.
US09499928B2
A polyester fiber suitable for an airbag fabric has an elongation of 0.8 to 2.0% under a tensile strength of 1.0 g/d at the room temperature, and an additional elongation of 1.5 to 5% under a tensile strength of 8.8 g/d to the maximum. The polyester fiber secures low initial Young's modulus and good mechanical properties and can be used in an airbag fabric not only to provide excellences in air sealing effect as well as packing property and dimensional stability but also to minimize collision impacts on occupants, thereby protecting the occupants with safety.
US09499916B2
New metal persulfido compositions of matter are described. In one embodiment the metal is molybdenum and the metal persulfido complex mimics the structure and function of the triangular active edge site fragments of MoS2, a material that is the current industry standard for petroleum hydro desulfurization, as well as a promising low-cost alternative to platinum for electrocatalytic hydrogen production. This molecular [(PY5W2)MoS2]x+ containing catalyst is capable of generating hydrogen from acidic-buffered water or even seawater at very low overpotentials at a turnover frequency rate in excess of 500 moles H2 per mole catalyst per second, with a turnover number (over a 20 hour period) of at least 19,000,000 moles H2 per mole of catalyst.
US09499913B2
A solution for electroless deposition of platinum is provided. The solution comprises Co2+ ions, Pt4+ ions, and amine ligands. A ratio of Co2+ to Pt4+ ion is between 100:1 and 2:1. The solution allows for electroless deposition of platinum without requiring high temperatures and high pH. The solution allows for the deposition of a pure platinum layer.
US09499910B2
A process of pretreatment for selective application of electroless metallization to a surface of a non-conductive material and a solution useful for the pretreatment are provided. The process achieves good coverage in areas to be plated on the surface of non-conductive materials without skip plating or over plating.
US09499907B2
A method of forming a material over a substrate includes performing at least one iteration of the following temporally separated ALD-type sequence. First, an outermost surface of a substrate is contacted with a first precursor to chemisorb a first species onto the outermost surface from the first precursor. Second, the outermost surface is contacted with a second precursor to chemisorb a second species different from the first species onto the outermost surface from the second precursor. The first and second precursors include ligands and different central atoms. At least one of the first and second precursors includes at least two different composition ligands. The two different composition ligands are polyatomic or a lone halogen. Third, the chemisorbed first species and the chemisorbed second species are contacted with a reactant which reacts with the first species and with the second species to form a reaction product new outermost surface of the substrate.
US09499905B2
Methods and apparatus for deposition of materials on substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a process chamber having a substrate support; a heating system to provide heat energy to the substrate support; a gas inlet port disposed to a first side of the substrate support to provide at least one of a first process gas or a second process gas across a processing surface of the substrate; a first gas distribution conduit disposed above the substrate support and having one or more first outlets disposed along the length of the first gas distribution conduit to provide a third process gas to the processing surface of the substrate, wherein the one or more first outlets are substantially linearly arranged; and an exhaust manifold disposed to a second side of the substrate support opposite the gas inlet port to exhaust the process gases from the process chamber.
US09499901B2
Methods for depositing a layer on a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of depositing a metal-containing layer on a substrate in a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber may include applying RF power at a VHF frequency to a target comprising a metal disposed in the PVD chamber above the substrate to form a plasma from a plasma-forming gas; optionally applying DC power to the target; sputtering metal atoms from the target using the plasma while maintaining a first pressure in the PVD chamber sufficient to ionize a predominant portion of the sputtered metal atoms; and controlling the potential on the substrate to be the same polarity as the ionized metal atoms to deposit a metal-containing layer on the substrate.
US09499897B2
Provided is a thin film forming apparatus for reducing operation time and cost by forming a film only on a specific portion on substrates. A substrate holding mechanism provided in the apparatus includes: substrate holding members holding substrates in a manner that a part of a non-film forming portion of a substrate overlaps the other substrate and a film forming portion is exposed, a support member supporting the substrate holding members, and a rotation member which rotates the support member. The substrate holding members include: holding surfaces holding the substrates and disposed between a film forming source and the substrates, step portions formed between the holding surfaces in a manner that ends of the substrates respectively contact with the step portions, and opening portions formed on the holding surfaces of the portion corresponding to the film forming portion when the ends of the substrates contact with the step portions.
US09499894B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide a method for producing hot dip galvannealed steel sheet which exhibits high strength, high ductility, and a significant degree of alloying. Such exemplary method can be applied to, e.g., a pickled hot rolled steel sheet or an annealed and pickled cold rolled steel sheet containing between about 0.02% and about 0.2% C and between about 0.15% and about 2.5% Mn, and may include one or more procedures for rinsing the sheet, preplating the sheet with Ni, rapidly heating the sheet in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to a sheet temperature of about 430° C. to 500° C., then hot dip plating the sheet in a galvanizing bath containing between about 0.05% and about 0.2% Al, and then immediately heating the sheet rapidly for an alloying treatment. Such exemplary method can provide an improved alloying speed, improved plating appearance and better plating adhesion.
US09499891B2
A class of alloys is provided that form metallic glass upon cooling below the glass transition temperature Tg at a rate below 100° K/sec. The alloys have a high value of temperature difference (DT) between the crystallization temperature (Tx) and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the intermetallic alloy. Such alloys comprise zirconium in the range of 70 to 80 weight percent, beryllium in the range of 0.8 to 5 weight percent, copper in the range of 1 to 15 weight percent, nickel in the range of 1 to 15 weight percent, aluminum in the range of 1 to 5 weight percent and niobium in the range of 0.5 to 3 weight percent, or narrower ranges depending on other alloying elements and the critical cooling rate and value of DT desired. Furthermore, methods are provided for making such metallic glasses.
US09499885B2
A Cu—Co—Si alloy having an improved balance between electrical conductivity and strength is provided. Disclosed is a copper alloy for electronic materials, which contains 0.5% to 4.0% by mass of Co and 0.1% to 1.2% by mass of Si, with the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities, and in which the mass % ratio of Co and Si (Co/Si) is 3.5≦Co/Si≦5.5, an area ratio of discontinuous precipitation (DP) cells is 5% or less, and an average value of a maximum width of discontinuous precipitation (DP) cells is 2 μm or less.
US09499881B2
Hydrometallurgical systems, methods, and compositions are described in which organic amine-based lixiviants are utilized in the selective recovery of rare earth elements. The lixiviant can be regenerated in situ, permitting the organic amine to be used in substoichiometric amounts.
US09499877B2
The present invention provides a method for producing high-purity calcium, the method being characterized by the following: performing first sublimation purification by introducing calcium starting material having a purity, excluding the gas components, of 4N or less into a crucible of a sublimation vessel, subjecting the starting material to sublimation by heating at 750° C. to 800° C., and causing the product to deposit (evaporate) onto the inside walls of the sublimation vessel; and then, once the calcium that has been subjected to first sublimation purification is recovered, performing second sublimation purification by introducing the recovered calcium again to the crucible to the sublimation vessel, heating the recovered calcium at 750° C. to 800° C., and causing the product to similarly deposit (evaporate) on the inside walls of the sublimation vessel thereby recovering calcium having a purity of 4N5 or higher It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology with which calcium that has been brought to a high-purity can be obtained with stability to be used for the production of high-purity lanthanum, as well as to be used as a reducing agent for other rare earth elements, a desulfurizing or deoxidizing agent for metals, or a getter for high-vacuum pumps.
US09499872B2
Iron production furnace equipment includes a melting reactor into which iron oxide-containing raw material and slag formers are added. A melter arrangement melts the iron oxide-containing raw material and transforms the melted raw material into liquid slag. A smelting reduction reactor is connected to the melting reactor by a slag transfer arrangement. The smelting reduction reactor includes a heater arrangement for heating the slag, a port for supplying a reductant for reducing the iron oxide in the slag into a liquid iron melt and produces a combustible gas mixture including at least one of CO and H2. A gas connection is provided between the smelting reduction reactor and the melter arrangement. The melter arrangement in turn comprises a combuster combusting the gas mixture for purpose of melting the raw material.
US09499867B2
This document features method related to variants in the Inverted Formin 2 (INF2) gene that are susceptibility to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). For example, methods of using such variants for risk assessment and for diagnosing and optimizing treatment of FSGS are provided.
US09499866B2
Described herein are nucleic acid based probes and methods for discriminating and detecting single nucleotide variants in nucleic acid molecules (e.g., DNA). The methods include use of a pair of probes can be used to detect and identify polymorphisms, for example single nucleotide polymorphism in DNA. The pair of probes emit a different fluorescent wavelength of light depending on the association and alignment of the probes when hybridized to a target nucleic acid molecule. Each pair of probes is capable of discriminating at least two different nucleic acid molecules that differ by at least a single nucleotide difference. The methods can probes can be used, for example, for detection of DNA polymorphisms that are indicative of a particular disease or condition.
US09499854B2
The claims describe a process for designing and validating peptide-based substrates for a specified kinase. The process uses a rational approach to design peptides with a specific amino acid that is phosphorylated by a target tyrosine kinase, and upon phosphorylation shows an increased affinity for a lanthanide ion that results in an enhanced fluorescent signal. The process uses kinase specific input data sets, encodes the input into positional scoring matrices, analyses the positional scoring matrices in order to generate a candidate list of peptide sequences, compares the peptide sequences in the candidate list, substitutes residues at non-selective positions in selections from the candidate list with terbium binding residues, and then screens the substituted selections with different kinases in vitro.
US09499839B2
A method for fermenting carbohydrate-rich crops is provided. Sugar beet, sugar cane, sweet sorghum, tropical maize hybrids and fruits are rich in simple sugars; potato, sweet potato, cassava and yam are rich in starch; and Jerusalem artichoke is rich in inulin. This method uses vacuum infusion to infuse yeast into the intercellular space (apoplast) of the parenchyma tissue. The simple sugars diffuse into the apoplast, come into contact with the yeast and produce ethanol. Ethanol can be extracted from the crop by vacuum stripping or crushing or can be left inside the starchy crop to preserve it. In some variants, pectinase enzymes degrade the parenchyma cell walls to speed up diffusion of simple sugars to the yeast, speed up diffusion of amylase to starch granules or speed up diffusion of inulinase to insoluble inulin.
US09499833B2
The present invention is directed to wheat plants having increased resistance to an imidazolinone herbicide. More particularly, the present invention includes wheat plants containing one or more IMI nucleic acids such as a Gunner IMI 205, Gunner IMI 208 and Madsen IMI cultivar. The present invention also includes seeds produced by these wheat plants and methods of controlling weeds in the vicinity of these wheat plants.
US09499825B2
The present invention provides a dual inducible system for single protein production, as well as a method of inducing high level protein expression using amino acids.
US09499822B2
A simple and inexpensive method for selectively culturing a microorganism which method makes it possible to selectively culture a microorganism of interest even without using a sterilization operation or an antibiotic substance is provided. The method according to the present invention selectively culturing a microorganism includes the step of culturing, in a culture medium containing phosphorous acid as a sole phosphorous source, a recombinant microorganism into which a phosphite dehydrogenase gene has been introduced.
US09499819B2
The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations for oral administration of antisense oligonucleotides, such as antisense oligonucleotides against SMAD7. The pharmaceutical formulations can be used to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
US09499818B2
The invention relates to a method where a molecule is used for inducing and/or promoting the skipping of at least one of the exons 51-53, 55, 57 and 59 of the DMD pre-mRNA in a patient, preferably in an isolated cell of a patient. The method comprising providing the cell and/or the patient with a molecule. The invention also relates to the molecule and its composition that is being used for inducing exon skipping.
US09499816B2
The present invention discloses multiple treatment regimens for vascular-related diseases and disorders. The present invention provides for methods of treating vascular-related disorders based on gene expression studies from samples collected from individuals having symptoms of vascular-related disorders. Additionally, methods are disclosed involving diagnostic techniques to focus treatment regimens. Finally, methods of treating vascular-related disorder involving targeting microRNAs are also disclosed.
US09499814B2
The invention provides products of manufacture for screening for compositions that can modify a cell's gene expression profile, and methods for making and using them. In one embodiment, the invention provides products of manufacture and methods comprising a high content, high throughput screening for a composition (e.g., chemicals, small molecules) that can modify a cell's physiology based on the composition's ability to modify the cell's gene expression signature.
US09499812B2
The present invention includes methods, devices and systems for isolating a nucleic acid from a fluid comprising cells. In various aspects, the methods, devices and systems may allow for a rapid procedure that requires a minimal amount of material and/or results in high purity nucleic acid isolated from complex fluids such as blood or environmental samples.
US09499810B2
Thrombopoietic compositions are provided comprising tyrosyl tRNA synthetase polypeptides, including truncations and/or variants thereof. Also provided are methods of using such compositions in the treatment of conditions that benefit from increased thrombopoiesis, such as thrombocytopenia.
US09499806B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US09499805B2
The present invention provides sequence specific restriction enzymes for site-specific cleavage of RNA, as well as methods of their use.
US09499802B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having peroxygenase activity, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. A polynucleotide encoding a peroxygenase was isolated from Pestalotiopsis virgatula.
US09499796B2
The invention relates to an isolated multipotent glomerular mesenchymal stem cell derived from adult human kidney (hGL-MSC), which is characterized by the marker profile CD133−, CD146+, CD34− and CD105+. A method of preparing the hGL-MSC of the invention form decapsulated glomeruli is also disclosed, as well as the uses of the hGL-MSC of the invention in the regenerative treatment of the kidney, particularly for the treatment of injuries or diseases affecting renal glomeruli.
US09499795B2
Disclosed herein are cell cultures comprising dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells and methods of producing the same. Also disclosed herein are cell populations comprising substantially purified dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells as well as methods for enriching, isolating and purifying dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells from other cell types. Methods of identifying differentiation factors capable of promoting the differentiation of dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells, are also disclosed.
US09499794B2
The present disclosure describes methods of maintaining the phenotype of differentiated cells. Generally, the natural environment of the body is replicated for the differentiated cell. The differentiated cell is plated on a cell culture substrate comprising a laminin, such as laminin-521 or laminin-511. The substrate may also contain a cadherin. This maintains the phenotype of the differentiated cell.
US09499777B2
A process for producing malt-based beverage, in which any components, affecting flavor, foam quality, flavor stability and haze stability, of the malt-based beverage can be regulated by separating dried germinated barley as a raw material for malt-based beverage by tissues. In particular, the process for producing malt-based beverage comprises separating dried germinated barley into endosperm, endothelial layer, husk, acrospire, malt rootlets and unseparated part fractions and preparing a starting material of malt-based beverage from each or blend of the thus obtained by-tissue fractions, the each or blend optionally further mixed with wholegrain malt not subjected to fractioning, so that any components, affecting flavor, foam quality, flavor stability and haze stability, of the malt-based beverage can be regulated.
US09499763B2
A lubricating oil comprising a major amount of base oil and a minor amount of an additive package, wherein the additive package comprises:(A) a friction modifier component selected from: (a) one or more a reaction products of an alcohol with a compound of the formula IV: and (b) one or more compounds of the Formulae II-III: wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated, unsaturated, or partially saturated hydrocarbyl having about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen C1-C18 hydrocarbyl groups, and C1-C18 hydrocarbyl groups containing one or more heteroatoms; X is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium cation and n is the valence of cation X, and reaction products of amines, amino alcohols, alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkali or alkaline earth metal oxides and mixtures thereof with compounds of the Formula IV: Where R is as defined above; and (B) at least one friction modifier that is different from the one or more compounds (A).
US09499759B2
A multilayer paper-based wet friction material of an automotive auto transmission may improve noise and vibration characteristics, heat resistance, wear resistance, compression resistance, and oil absorbency. The paper-based wet friction material of an automotive auto transmission includes: a first layer using cellulose pulp as a matrix and including a first functional additive; a second layer stacked on the first layer, using the cellulose pulp as the matrix, and including the second functional additive; and a hydrogen bonding layer mediating between the first layer and the second layer. The cellulose pulp of the first and second layers is cotton linter.
US09499757B2
The present disclosure provides a novel method and machine for the production of a biomass composition from waste materials including the steps of evaluating the waste material for emissions related factors, treating the evaluated waste material with the additive composition to form a low emissions biomass composition and shaping the biomass composition into solid fuel formations. The present invention further provides an additive composition used in the treatment of the waste materials that comprises an emission sponge, a filler and optional BTU modifier. The treating step includes the steps of sizing selected waste materials, blending the sized waste materials with the additive composition formulated specifically for the waste material and forming with a press the blended waste materials into solid fuel formations. The resulting biomass solid fuel formations produce lower emissions than typically produced by coal and may be combined with, or used in place of coal in fuel burning structures and devices.
US09499752B2
Systems and methods are provided for slurry hydroconversion of a heavy oil feed, such as an atmospheric or vacuum resid. The systems and methods allow for slurry hydroconversion using catalysts with enhanced activity. The catalysts with enhanced activity can be used in conjunction with demetallization catalysts or catalysts that can be recycled as a side product from a complementary refinery process.
US09499747B2
A method for cracking hydrocarbon, comprises: providing steam and hydrocarbon; and feeding steam and hydrocarbon into a reactor accessible to hydrocarbon and comprising a perovskite material of formula AaBbCcDdO3-δ, wherein 0
US09499746B2
An alignment material composition, a flattening material composition, a liquid crystal display device and a process for adjusting the display color of the liquid crystal display device. The alignment material composition or the flattening material composition each includes 0.5-20 wt % of an organic additive, which is one or more of spiropyran compounds, Schiff base compounds, and heterocyclic diarylethene compounds. By way of adding the aforesaid organic additive in the orientation layer or the flat layer of the liquid crystal display device, the display color is allowed to be adjusted in a broad color range without affecting other display performances of the liquid crystal display device.
US09499744B2
A liquid crystal compound is provided that satisfies at least one physical property, including high stability to ultraviolet light and heat, a high clearing point, low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large dielectric anisotropy and excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds. A liquid crystal composition containing the compound, and a liquid crystal display device including the composition is also provided. The composition contains the compound, and the liquid-crystal display device includes the composition: wherein, for example, Ra and Rb are alkyl; rings A1, A2, A3 and A4 are 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; and P is a divalent group represented by formula (pr-1) or (pr-2): wherein, for example, Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 are a single bond or alkylene; and a, b, c and d are 0, 1 or 2, and a sum of a, b, c and d is 5 or less.
US09499730B2
A rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a filler that contains carbon black and an inorganic filler, and a crosslinking system, wherein the inorganic filler content is greater than or equal to 5 parts by weight per hundred parts by weight of elastomer, phr, and represents at most 50% as a weight fraction of the whole of the total filler of the composition, and wherein the carbon black includes at least one acetylene-derived carbon black, with a content of greater than 3 phr, the amount of acetylene-derived carbon black representing more than 50% of the carbon black present in the composition as a weight fraction, and wherein the composition contains a plasticizing oil or a plasticizing resin with a total content of plasticizing oil and plasticizing resin of less than 30 phr.
US09499725B2
The present invention relates to an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, and more particularly, to an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, which comprises (a) 100 weight parts of an acrylic copolymer, (b) 0.001 to 30 weight parts of an antistatic agent; and (c) 0.01 to 10 weight parts of a corrosion inhibitor, thereby being optically transparent, causing durability and reliability not to change, and simultaneously improving antistatic performance and preventing generation of corrosion although the adhesive composition comes into contact with a metal surface.
US09499719B2
A process allowing the encapsulation of a polymerization accelerator comprising the steps of: a) providing an reverse emulsion containing, in an oil phase, a water solution/dispersion containing the polymerization activator, the oil phase including a heat curable mixture of an isocyanate and a polyalkyldiene hydroxylated or polyol, b) pouring the reverse emulsion in a water phase to make a multiple emulsion water/oil/water, containing drops of activators as the internal water phase, and then, c) heating the multiple emulsion obtained in step b) at a temperature of between 50 and 95° C., in order to cure the polyisocyanate in polyurethane and obtain drops of activator enclosed in shells of polyurethane dispersed in water.The invention also relates to aqueous gelling systems comprising the encapsulated polymerization accelerator with water soluble or dispersable monomers and a polymerization initiator dispersed in said monomers, useful i.a. for sealing subterranean environments or consolidation of a soil or sealing of a subterranean structure.
US09499713B2
A resin particle aggregate is the resin particle aggregate formed by aggregating a plurality of resin particles including a polymer of a vinyl monomer, includes 100 parts by mass of the resin particles and 1 to 5 parts by mass of a surfactant. The resin particles are cross-linked by a cross-linkable monomer in an amount of 10 to 50% by mass relative to the total mass of the resin particles, the resin particle aggregate contains an inorganic component in an amount of 0.5% by mass or less, the resin particles have a volume average particle diameter D1, particles contained in a dispersion liquid of the resin particle aggregate in water have a volume average particle diameter D2, and the ratio of D2/D1 is 15 or less.
US09499708B2
The present disclosure provides an encapsulated dye dispersion and an inkjet ink comprising an ink vehicle and an encapsulated dye dispersion thereof. In particular, the encapsulated dye dispersion includes a fluorescent and/or photochromic dye. The present disclosure also provides a process for producing the encapsulated dye dispersion.
US09499695B2
The present invention provides a polycarbonate resin composition for molding a molded article having a thin-walled section and exhibiting a high level of flame resistance and impact resistance, and an excellent surface appearance (low-gloss property). More specifically, the present invention is a polycarbonate resin composition for molding a polycarbonate resin molded article having a thin-walled section with a wall thickness of 0.6 mm or less, the polycarbonate resin composition being characterized in that the resin composition contains an oligomeric phosphoric acid ester flame retardant (B1) and/or a phosphazene flame retardant (B2), and the content of flame retardant with respect to 100 parts by mass of polycarbonate resin (A) is: i) 5 to 20 parts by mass when the resin composition contains only the oligomeric phosphoric acid ester flame retardant (B1); ii) 10 to 30 parts by mass when the resin composition contains only the phosphazene flame retardant (B2); or iii) a total of 5 to 30 parts by mass when the resin composition contains both the oligomeric phosphoric acid ester flame retardant (B1) and the phosphazene flame retardant (B2), with the content ratio thereof being 1 to 49 mass % of (B1) and 99 to 51 mass % of (B2), the resin composition additionally contains 3 to 15 parts by mass of a siloxane-based core/shell elastomer (C) and 0.8 to 10 parts by mass of carbon black (D) with respect to 100 parts by mass of polycarbonate resin (A), the siloxane-based core/shell elastomer (C) has a silicon content of 9.1 to 30 mass % and a number-average particle size in the range of 50 to 1,000 nm, and the flow rate per unit time of the resin composition is 15 to 50 ×10−2 cm3/sec.
US09499686B2
‘Green’ composites are fabricated using resins, such as soy-based resins, and reinforced with crystalline high strength bacterial cellulose (BC) fibers. Bacterial cellulose is produced by providing a bacterial cellulose-producing bacterium such as Acetobacter xylinum; providing an inexpensive bacteria nutritional medium; culturing the bacterium in the bacteria nutritional medium under conditions to produce bacterial cellulose; and isolating bacterial cellulose produced by cultured bacteria from the bacteria nutritional medium. The bacteria nutritional medium comprises an inexpensive carbon source that is a plant-based seed extract. The seed extract is derived from a plant-based seed comprising soluble sugars.
US09499683B2
A process for treating a polymer having a hydrolyzable functionality, the method comprising: (i.) providing a polymer having hydrolyzable functionality; and (ii.) introducing a stabilizing agent to the polymer, where the stabilizing agent is defined by the formula (I) where ÷ is a hydrolyzable group that forms an acidic species upon hydrolysis, where R2, R3, and R4 are each independently a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, a hydrocarboxylate group, or a hydrocarbyloxy group.
US09499682B2
A polybutylene terephthalate resin composition which is free from bleeding and other problems, and improves the flowability (melt-flowability) while maintaining the characteristics such as mechanical strength or toughness. To 100 parts by weight of a composition composed of 50 to 90% by weight of (A) a polybutylene terephthalate resin and 10 to 50% by weight of (B) inorganic filler, is blended 0.05 to 5 parts by weight of (C) a glycerin fatty acid ester being composed of glycerin and/or a dehydrated condensate thereof and a fatty acid having 12 or more carbon atoms and having 200 or more hydroxyl value determined by a method specified in the description.
US09499681B2
Epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters and methods for making epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters. Such epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters can be prepared by epoxidizing fatty acid alkyl esters with an acid and a peroxide. Epoxidation can be performed under controlled reaction conditions to provide epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters having an iodine value in the range of from 4 to 15 g I2/100 g of epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters. Epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters can be employed in plasticizer compositions, either alone or in combination with other plasticizers, such as epoxidized natural oils. Such plasticizers in turn may be used in the formation of polymeric compositions.
US09499673B2
Method for producing a nanocomposite material reinforced by unidirectionally oriented pre-dispersed alumina nanofibers. The process is suited for industrial-scale production of the nanocomposite materials. The nanocomposite production process involves, synthesis of unidirectionally oriented pre-dispersed alumina nanofibers, casting a mat of pre-dispersed nanofibers with a predetermined orientation in the atmosphere of air or other gas(es) by saturating the nanofibers with liquid polymer matrix. Polymer matrix may include thermosets or/and thermoplastics. The material forming the polymer matrix may be heated to its melting point temperature to transform it to liquid phase. After saturation, the polymer matrix is hardened by lowering its temperature or by means of exposing the polymer matrix to UV radiation, electron beam and/or chemical hardeners. The nanomaterial is composed of polymer composite with homogeneously dispersed uniformly oriented reinforcing nanofibers. Subsequently, the nanofibers in the nanocomposite are dispersed by means of subjecting to hydrodynamic stress, mechanical or/and ultrasound coarse dispersing.
US09499670B2
The present invention relates to a catalyst for the cross-linking of silicone rubber materials. In particular, the present invention provides a composition for the production of a silicone rubber material, wherein the composition comprises a catalyst, which comprises at least two compounds, which are different from each other and which are selected independently of each other from metal salts of carboxylic acids. In addition, the present invention provides a use of the catalyst according to the invention for the cross-linking of a silicone rubber material, as well as a use of the composition according to the invention for the production of a silicone rubber material, especially for the use as a sealant, an adhesive, or a coating agent.
US09499664B2
A polyimide polymer, polyimide film and polyimide laminate plate including the same are provided. The polyimide polymer includes Formula (I), Formula (II) and Formula (III). In Formula (I), Formula (II) and Formula (III), A is an aromatic group with fluorine, B, B′, and B″ are aromatic groups different from one another. B/(B+B′+B″), B′/(B+B′+B″), and B″/(B+B′+B″) are larger than 0. The polyimide film includes a film layer which includes the above polyimide polymer. The film layer optionally includes colorants or inorganic nanoparticles. Therefore, the thermal resistance and the transparency of the polyimide film are improved, and a polyimide film with high thermal resistance and different colors is available. The polyimide solution can also be applied on metal film to form polyimide laminate plate.
US09499659B2
The present invention relates to novel latent curing agents for curing curable polymer resins, in particular epoxy resins, and to epoxy resin compositions and the use thereof in the production of fiber composites.
US09499654B2
To provide an aqueous urethane resin composition with high reactivity, excellent drying characteristics, and the like, even under low-temperature environment.Provided is an aqueous urethane resin composition consisting mainly of the following (A) component and containing the following (B) and (C) components:(A) Hydrophilic polyol,(B) Water dispersible polyisocyanate,(C) Aspartic acid ester having a secondary amino group
US09499649B2
The present invention relates to a photoreactive compound for the preparation of a photoalignment material comprising thioether units, wherein the photoreactive compound is comprising at least one ene group and at least one photoalignment group, and further to a composition comprising at least one photoreactive compound and at least one polythiol, the use of this composition for the preparation of photoalignment materials, and their use for the alignment of liquid crystals or liquid crystal polymers, in electro-optical and optical elements, systems and devices.
US09499639B2
The present invention provides a method of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extraction from gram negative bacterial cells comprising the step: extracting LPS from the cell culture in a composition (LPS extraction composition) comprising water, an alcohol and a further organic solvent.
US09499635B2
Provided is a system for localizing and optimizing harvesting of woody biomass by providing a plurality of portable pretreatment units at harvesting or mill sites. The sugars derived from woody waste products can be transported to plants for processing or processing directly by plants located at mill sites to generate biofuels and other chemicals.
US09499629B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer in a human. The invention includes relates to administering a genetically modified T cell to express a CAR wherein the CAR comprises an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain, a costimulatory signaling region, and a CD3 zeta signaling domain.
US09499624B2
The present invention relates to antibodies against human CSF-1R (anti-CSF-1R antibody), methods for their production, pharmaceutical compositions containing said antibodies, and uses thereof.
US09499614B2
The present invention relates to the field of protein production, and in particular to methods and compositions for modulating glycosylation of proteins expressed in host cells.
US09499611B2
The present invention is directed to antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for NGF. Another embodiment of this invention relates to the antibodies described herein, and binding fragments thereof, comprising the sequences of the VH, VL and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them. The invention also contemplates conjugates of anti-NGF antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. The invention also contemplates methods of making said anti-NGF antibodies and binding fragments thereof. Embodiments of the invention also pertain to the use of anti-NGF antibodies, and binding fragments thereof, for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with NGF.
US09499609B2
The present invention provides antibodies useful as therapeutics for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with cells expressing CLD1 8, including tumor-related diseases such as gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, hepatic cancer, head-neck cancer, and cancer of the gallbladder.
US09499592B2
Provided herein are compositions, kits and methods useful in the construction of designer transcription activator-like effector (dTALE) polypeptides.
US09499588B2
This invention provides flavivirus vaccines that comprise live-attenuated flaviviruses and methods of making and using these vaccines. The flavivirus vaccines described herein possess higher potency due to in situ production of additional immunogens in a way that mimics viral infection and the vaccines have potential for higher potency, reducing costs for production and delivery.
US09499587B2
The present invention is directed to a novel class of antimicrobial agents called γ-AApeptides. The current invention provides various categories of γ-AApeptides, for example, linear γ-AApeptides, cyclic γ-AApeptides, and lipidated γ-AApeptides. γ-AApeptides of the current invention are designed to exert antimicrobial activity while being stable and non-toxic. γ-AApeptides also do not appear to lead to the development of microbial resistance in treated microorganisms. Thus, the disclosed γ-AApeptides can be used for the treatment of various medical conditions associated with pathogenic microorganisms.
US09499586B2
A compound having formula (I) or formula (II): for use in anticancer or anti-obesity.
US09499582B2
Compositions and methods utilizing thiol-containing short peptides having the sequence Cys-Lys-Met-Cys (SEQ ID NO: 1) and optionally N- and C-terminal modifications are described, for increasing carnitine level in muscle tissues, and treating or preventing diseases or disorders affecting muscle tissue.
US09499579B2
The present invention provides a particular branched chain-containing aromatic compound. The branched chain-containing aromatic compound of the present invention is easily-soluble in isopropyl acetate superior in liquid-separation operability, and can be used for a production method of peptide and the like, which provides a final product simply by extraction separation, without crystallization and isolation of each intermediate in each step.
US09499576B2
The present invention relates to a compound represented by Formulas 1, 2 or 3 as described herein, and a nucleic acid each of which contains a dye exhibiting an exciton effect, a method of producing such a nucleic acid by using the compound, and a kit for producing the nucleic acid.
US09499554B2
Disclosed are novel compounds comprising an imino-ribose derivative covalently linked to a carbocycle or heterocycle. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention are also described. Methods of inhibition, treatment and/or suppression of viral infections with the compounds of the invention are also described. The compositions or methods may optionally comprise one or more additional anti-viral agents.
US09499553B2
The present invention provides a dihydropyridazine-3,5-dione derivative or a salt thereof, or a solvate of the compound or the salt, a pharmaceutical drug, a pharmaceutical composition, a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter inhibitor, and a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for hyperphosphatemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, chronic renal failure, chronic kidney disease, and arteriosclerosis associated with vascular calcification comprising the compound as an active ingredient, and a method for prevention and/or treatment.
US09499550B2
Hepatitis C virus inhibitors having the general formula (I) are disclosed. Compositions comprising the compounds and methods for using the compounds to inhibit HCV are also disclosed.
US09499549B2
This invention concerns pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions, and their use in treatment and/or therapy of diseases.
US09499548B2
This application discloses compounds according to generic Formula I: wherein all variables are defined as described herein, which inhibit Btk. The compounds disclosed herein are useful to modulate the activity of Btk and treat diseases associated with excessive Btk activity. The compounds are further useful to treat inflammatory and auto immune diseases associated with aberrant B-cell proliferation such as rheumatoid arthritis. Also disclosed are compositions containing compounds of Formula I and at least one carrier, diluent or excipient.
US09499547B2
The present invention relates to amino-substituted imidazopyridazine compounds of general formula (I): in which A, R1, R3 and n are as defined in the claims, to methods of preparing said compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions and combinations comprising said compounds and to the use of said compounds for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease, in particular of a hyper-proliferative and/or angiogenesis disorder, as a sole agent or in combination with other active ingredients.
US09499546B2
The invention relates to an improved process for preparing enantiomerically pure 8-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-xanthines.
US09499531B2
The compounds of the present invention are represented by the chemical structure found in Formula (I): wherein: the carbon atom designated * is in the R or S configuration; and X is a fused bicyclic carbocycle or heterocycle selected from the group consisting of benzofuranyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl, benzoisothiazolyl, benzoisoxazolyl, indazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, benzoimidazolyl, benzooxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridinyl, [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridinyl, thieno[2,3-b]pyridinyl, thieno[3,2-b]pyridinyl, 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridinyl, indenyl, indanyl, dihydrobenzocycloheptenyl, tetrahydrobenzocycloheptenyl, dihydrobenzothiophenyl, dihydrobenzofuranyl, indolinyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, 9aH-quinolizinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinoxalinyl, benzo[1,2,3]triazinyl, benzo[1,2,4]triazinyl, 2H-chromenyl, 4H-chromenyl, and a fused bicyclic carbocycle or fused bicyclic heterocycle optionally substituted with substituents (1 to 4 in number) as defined in R14; with R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R14 defined herein.
US09499526B2
The invention relates to the compounds of formula I or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I, and methods for the treatment of neurologic diseases may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment of depression, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Batten disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease (PD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS).
US09499525B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a compound that can be used as a more superior therapeutic agent for central nervous system diseases. The present invention provides a dihydrate of 7-[4-(4-benzo[b]thiophen-4-yl-piperazin-1-yl)butoxy]-1H-quinolin-2-one or of a salt thereof, and a process for producing the same.
US09499513B2
Acid generator compounds are provided that are particularly useful as photoresist composition components. Preferred acid generators include cyclic sulfonium compounds that comprise a covalently linked acid-labile group.
US09499509B2
A compound of formula (I) as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising same is provided. An extract of a plant belonging to a species of Populus, the extract comprising this compound is also provided. These can be used as antibacterial for treating bacterial infection.
US09499507B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing 5-amino-benzoyl-benzofuran derivatives having the general formula in which R1 is hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl group and R2 is hydrogen, an alkyl, alkoxy or dialkylaminoalkoxy group. According to the invention, the compounds having formula I are prepared by hydrogenating a 5-nitro-benzofuran derivative having the general formula in which R1 and R2 have the same meaning as above in the presence of palladized charcoal as a catalyst and in an ether or a mixture of ether as a solvent, thus forming the desired compounds.
US09499487B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where R1, R2, R3, X, R4, R5, and R6 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US09499483B2
The present invention provides a production intermediate of an atropisomer of a pyrrole derivative having excellent mineralocorticoid receptor antagonistic activity, a method for producing the same, and a crystal thereof. A method for producing an atropisomer of a pyrrole derivative including a step of resolving a compound represented by the following general formula (I) [wherein R1 represents a methyl group or a trifluoromethyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 alkoxy group, and n represents an integer selected from 1 to 3] into its atropisomers, characterized by using an optically active amine having a cinchonine skeletal formula, and a crystal of (S)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-N-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide.
US09499478B2
Provided herein, inter alia, are, methods of using esters of bimatoprost with the Formula (I):
US09499474B2
The invention relates to a process for producing compounds containing at least one arylamino group by means of a coupling reaction of an amino compound with an aryl compound, using a strong base.
US09499467B2
There is provided novel fluoro-substituted compounds capable of modulating the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR40, compositions comprising the compounds, and methods for their use for controlling insulin levels in vivo and for the treatment of conditions such as type II diabetes, hypertension, ketoacidosis, obesity, glucose intolerance, and hypercholesterolemia and related disorders associated with abnormally high or low plasma lipoprotein, triglyceride or glucose levels.
US09499464B2
Compounds are disclosed that are useful for treating ophthalmic conditions caused by or related to production of toxic is visual cycle products that accumulate in the eye, such as dry adult macular degeneration, as well as conditions caused by or related to the misfolding of mutant opsin proteins and/or the mis-localization of opsin proteins. Compositions of these compounds alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents are also described, along with therapeutic methods of using such compounds and/or compositions. Methods of synthesizing such agents are also disclosed.
US09499457B2
The invention relates to a hydrocarbon conversion process and a reactor configured to carry out the hydrocarbon conversion process. The hydrocarbon conversion process is directed to increasing the overall equilibrium production of ethylene from typical pyrolysis reactions. The hydrocarbon conversion process can be carried out by exposing a hydrocarbon feed to a peak pyrolysis gas temperature in a reaction zone in the range of from 850° C. to 1200° C.
US09499453B2
A catalyst filling apparatus is for a bubble column slurry bed reactor for the FT synthesis reaction. The apparatus includes: a slurry preparation tank installed adjacent to the reactor and configured to prepare a slurry S from a FT synthesis reaction catalyst and a slurry preparation oil; an upper part communication line configured to direct the slurry from the reactor to the slurry preparation tank; a lower part communication line configured to direct the slurry in the slurry preparation tank to the reactor; and a pressure equalizing line configured to communicate the reactor with the slurry preparation tank. The upper part communication line is downwardly inclined from the reactor toward the slurry preparation tank, and the lower part communication line is upwardly inclined from the reactor toward the slurry preparation tank. An inert gas introduction device is provided on the slurry preparation tank.
US09499452B2
A primary fuel catalyst used to combust a secondary fuel, the primary fuel comprising the gases produced by water electrolysis. When secondary fuels are combusted by the primary fuel, the by-products include heat, water and other more stable by-product materials. When the secondary fuel is a hazardous waste or a radioactive material and either is bound to thermite before combustion, the by-products are no longer hazardous or have significantly reduced radiation levels after one or more passes. Embodiments of the present invention relate to the method for accelerating the decay of hazardous and/or radioactive waste products, and more particularly they relate to the nuclear transmutation of heavy radioactive elements into lighter ones with shorter half-lives and then finally to stable daughter products. Therefore, the invented process relates to reducing the long-term toxicity of hazardous and/or radioactive waste and to, an economic and effective process facility for doing so.
US09499449B2
An aerated compost tea brewer (ACTB) is an apparatus for brewing compost tea from an aqueous compost mixture using either or both air and water pumps to circulate and aerate compost tea.
US09499445B2
The present invention relates to a chelated fertilizer composition for enriching Iron and Phosphorus content in agriculture/horticulture crops and plants through foliar application. The fertilizer composition is prepared using compounds comprising chelating agents and Ferric Oxide (Fe2O3). The chelation of Fe by disodium salt of Hydroxy Ethylidene Di Phosphonic Acid (Na2 HEDP) developed 17% to 18% Fe-HEDP and 31% Phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5). The final chelated fertilizer composition obtained is in powder form and is 100% water-soluble concentrate. The chelated fertilizer composition can be used to cure Iron and Phosphorus deficiency in crops and plants, increase yield with more Iron and Phosphorus content, thus reducing the risk of Iron and Phosphorus deficiency in humans.
US09499438B2
Windows for attenuating radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) electromagnetic signals, so as to prevent or reduce such signals from emanating from secure facilities (e.g., government and/or military facilities). Example embodiments relate to a window including at least first and second glass substrates, at least first and second low-emissivity (low-E) coatings for blocking at least some IR and RF signals, and at least one transparent conductive oxide (TCO) inclusive coating for blocking at least some RF signals. The TCO inclusive coating may include a layer of or including indium-tin-oxide (ITO) located between at least first and second dielectric layers.
US09499431B2
A strengthened glass article having a central tension that is below a threshold value above which the glass exhibits frangible behavior. The central tension varies non-linearly with the thickness of the glass. The glass article may be used as cover plates or windows for portable or mobile electronic devices such as cellular phones, music players, information terminal (IT) devices, including laptop computers, and the like.
US09499427B2
A process for gravity bending of a glass sheet on a support including a chassis, a first frame and a second frame, the second frame being articulated and including a mobile lateral part that passes from an open position to a closed position by an articulation during the bending procedure, the bending of the sheet beginning on the first frame while the second frame is in the open position, and finishing on the second frame in the closed position, the sheet passing from the first frame to the second frame during the bending procedure as a result of the relative vertical movement of the first and second frame and of the raising of the mobile part of the second frame, the contact area of the first frame with the glass sheet located in a vertical line with the articulation being above the articulation at the instant the latter is closed.
US09499424B2
A method for wastewater treatment, in a continuous flow system, and a plant for wastewater treatment, to achieve high level reduction of biogenic nitrate compounds are provided. Subjecting a mixture of active sludge and wastewater to vacuum degassing on the mixture that has been subject to earlier nitrification, but not introduced in a recirculation-return connection, and constituting the outflow from a nitrification volume, before degassing, is subject to additional denitrification. The mixture of active sludge and wastewater, due to the additional denitrification step, may be free of carbon carried along with wastewater. An external source of readily available carbon is introduced, and further deepened nitrates removal is performed. After wastewater is degassed, treatment continues within a gaseous nitrogen undersaturated aqueous zone of a secondary sedimentation tank.
US09499416B2
The present invention relates to a separator including one or more separation members upon which residue can accumulate. An agitator is provided for agitating the separation members to remove the residue. The agitator may clean residue from the members without removing the separation members from the separator. Advantageously, the frequency that the members need to be removed from the separator and thoroughly cleaned is reduced when compared with the known separator.
US09499414B1
A method of dye removal from wastewater includes producing activated carbon from heavy oil fly ash and using the activated carbon to adsorb dye in the wastewater. The heavy oil fly ash based activated carbon is produced using phosphoric acid based chemical activation. The dye can be removed from wastewater by contacting the wastewater with the activated carbon. The activated carbon can then be separated from the wastewater to remove the dye, and thereby, purify the wastewater.
US09499412B1
A sparse data system determines regulatory compliance of a plurality of small environmental systems that utilize a respective plurality of pumps. Each environmental system utilizes a universally programmed dialer configured to receive, store, and transmit pump operation data. A server is configured to utilize the time of operation of the pumps and separately provided installer information such as installer determined pump flow rates and permitted thresholds of operation of the environmental systems to provide a regulatory body with processed data indicative of whether the environmental systems are in compliance with their permitted thresholds. The dialers limit the number of connections with the server to periodically connecting to the server only after a predetermined time period or predetermined events.
US09499405B2
This disclosure relates to a process for producing sulfuric acid with reduced levels of niter. The process involves (a) providing an absorption tower wherein sulfur trioxide is absorbed in a sulfuric acid feed having a first sulfuric acid solution to produce a sulfuric acid effluent having (i) a second sulfuric acid solution which has a higher concentration than the first sulfuric acid solution, (ii) a niter concentration greater than about 5 ppm (as NO3), and (iii) a temperature greater than 100° C.; and (b) contacting a first purifying agent comprising sulfamic acid and a second purifying agent comprising hydrogen peroxide with the sulfuric acid effluent to form a treated sulfuric acid effluent, the treated sulfuric acid effluent being maintained at a temperature of greater than 100° C. for a maintenance period of at least about 1 minute.
US09499403B2
The invention relates to a four-component catalyst and a seven-component catalyst and refractory supports for use in the thermoneutral reforming of petroleum-based liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
US09499402B2
In a method of preparing a ruthenium-containing catalyst on a non-conductive metal oxide support comprises dissolving one or more ruthenium precursor compounds in an liquid organic polyol, combining the thus obtained solution with (a) nano-powder(s) of one or more metal oxides in a ratio of moles metal oxide(s) to moles ruthenium atoms in the one or more ruthenium precursor compounds of about 0:1 to about 6:1, the metal oxide nano-powder(s) having a surface area of from about 5 to about 300 m2/g and a point of zero charge (PZC) of pH 5.5 or higher, agitating the thus obtained mixture, adding pre-shaped alumina support pellets to the agitated mixture, which is than heated at a temperature of about 50° C. to the boiling point of the organic polyol, until the reaction is finished, cooling the mixture and combining it with an aqueous solution of NaNO3 and/or KNO3, agitating the resultant mixture, separating the solvent and the solids, and drying the thus obtained solid pellets of alumina, or alumina and the metal oxide(s) of the nano-powder(s) coated with ruthenium and an additional amount Na and/or K ions. Also disclosed is the supported ruthenium-containing catalyst obtainable by the method and the use thereof in decomposing ammonia into nitrogen and oxygen.
US09499399B2
A method of forming a MEMS structure, in which an etch stop layer is formed to be buried within the inter-dielectric layer and, during an etch of the substrate and the inter-dielectric layer from backside to form a chamber, the etch stop layer protect the remaining inter-dielectric layer. The chamber thus formed has an opening at a backside of the substrate, a ceiling opposite to the opening, and a sidewall joining the ceiling. The sidewall may further include a portion of the etch stop layer.
US09499397B2
Microelectronic packages and methods for producing microelectronic packages are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes bonding a first Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) die having a first MEMS transducer structure thereon to a cap piece. The first MEMS die and cap piece are bonded such that a first hermetically-sealed cavity is formed enclosing the first MEMS transducer. A second MEMS die having a second MEMS transducer structure thereon is further bonded to one of the cap piece and the second MEMS die. The second MEMS die and the cap piece are bonded such that a second hermetically-sealed cavity is formed enclosing the second MEMS transducer. The second hermetically-sealed cavity contains a different internal pressure than does the first hermetically-sealed cavity.
US09499395B2
Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) ultrasonic transducers (CUTs) and methods for forming CUTs are described. The CUTs may include monolithically integrated ultrasonic transducers and integrated circuits for operating in connection with the transducers. The CUTs may be used in ultrasound devices such as ultrasound imaging devices and/or high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) devices.
US09499394B2
A present MEMS device includes: a functional element with a connection electrode; a structural member that forms a cavity surrounding the functional element; a second insulating film provided so as to surround a predetermined region on a first surface of the connection electrode; a first lid portion that has a third insulating film, is provided with an opening, and covers a part of the cavity; a second lid portion that has a first conductive member and a sealing portion, the first conductive member being electrically connected to the predetermined region of the connection electrode, and the sealing portion sealing the opening of the first lid portion; a fourth insulating film that insulates the first conductive member from the sealing portion; and a second conductive member that penetrates the fourth insulating film and is electrically connected to the first conductive member.
US09499390B1
A system for the on demand delivery of a liquid mixture to an on/off dispenser comprises a mixing chamber having first and second inlets and an outlet connected to the dispenser. A first constant flow valve has a first outlet connected to the first inlet via a first supply line. The first constant flow valve is adapted to deliver a first liquid to the mixing chamber at a first substantially constant pressure. A second constant flow valve has a second outlet connected to the second inlet via a second supply line. The size of the second inlet is at least as large as the size of the second outlet. The second constant flow valve is adapted to deliver a second liquid to the mixing chamber at a second pressure greater than the first pressure, with the second pressure being determined primarily by the flow resistance of the second supply line. At least one of the first and second liquids, or a third liquid delivered to the mixing chamber via a third supply line, may be atomized. Compressed air may be introduced into the mixing chamber to enhance liquid mixing.
US09499388B2
A fillable bottle for dispensing a fluid product provided with a relief valve for filling the reservoir and putting a source of product into communication with the reservoir for filling, the relief valve including a passage for communication between the source and the reservoir, the passage having a seat provided with a valve which is mobile relative to the seat between a sealed closed position and an open position of the passage, the valve being mobile between its closed and open positions under the effect of the gravity induced by the positioning of the bottle respectively in an upright position and in a turned-over position, the bottle including at least one bell in the reservoir, the bell being in communication with the reservoir in the upright position and isolated from the reservoir in the turned-over position in order to not be filled by the product coming from the source.
US09499385B1
A system and method for brewing and dispensing beverages may use customer profiling to select beverages to be produced and presented to a given customer and/or messages to be displayed to the customer, based on customer-specific information stored on a loyalty card, in a local system, or remotely. A user interface mechanism may receive input identifying the given customer. A controller may select a base drink recipe dependent on the customer's identity, and may initiate production of a beverage using the selected drink recipe. Each drink recipe may specify an amount of water, coffee, flavorings, dairy, and/or other ingredients, and may be further customizable to add or remove ingredients and/or to change an amount thereof, based on received user input. The stored customer-specific information may include a customer identifier, account information, a purchase history, a message history, drink recipes, and/or an email address for each of a plurality of customers.
US09499384B2
A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.
US09499376B2
A turnaround mechanism for a passenger conveyor may include a turnaround track for facilitating a smooth transition of a plurality of pallets between a passenger side and a return side. Each of die plurality of pallets may have a front end portion engaged to the turnaround track. The turnaround mechanism may further include a track exchange mechanism having a track exchanger for transitioning the at least one roller of each of the plurality of pallets between the passenger and the return sides, each of the plurality of pallets generally maintaining its orientation during the transitioning.
US09499375B2
An elevator including one or more hoisting members that are continuous in the vertical direction, a load-receiving part suspended on the hoisting member, and also a driving member engaging with the hoisting member for moving the load-receiving part. The driving member engaging with the hoisting member is configured to be driven with a detachable drive unit.
US09499373B1
Provided is a cable retraction unit assembly connected to a table for displaying a mobile device. The cable retraction unit assembly includes: a cable connected to a mobile device; a guide housing and a withdrawal unit respectively mounted to an upper portion and a lower portion of a table, with the cable penetrating through the guide housing and the withdrawal unit; and a guide unit rotatably provided within the guide housing, wherein the guide unit is configured to rotate in response to a rotating direction of the cable when the cable rotates, thereby being capable of preventing twisting or breaking of the cable.
US09499370B2
A stacking machine for stacking flat items including a first stacking table which descends from a position higher than the infeed end to a stacking position, the separation of a constant flow of flat items in consecutive bundles occurring with this movement, and on which table flat items received from an infeed end are subsequently stacked to form bundles, connected to first displacement means which displace it between a stacking position in which the first stacking table receives flat items and an unloading position in which the bundles are transferred to the unloading means; a second stacking table which descends from a position higher than the infeed end to a stacking position, the separation of a constant flow of flat items in consecutive bundles occurring with this movement, and on which table flat items received from the infeed end are subsequently stacked to form bundles, connected to second displacement means which displace it between a stacking position in which the second stacking table receives flat items and an unloading position in which the bundles are transferred to the unloading means, unloading means for transferring the bundles from the first or second stacking table to a fixed unloading table; coupling means for coupling the unloading means alternatively to the first stacking table or to the second stacking table.
US09499364B2
A method of handling a web-like labelling material in an automated labelling process is disclosed. The method comprises feeding a succession of labels at an input station; and conveying the labels along a circular label path from the input station to an application station located at a first angular distance from the input station as measured about an axis, at the application station means being provided for applying the labels onto respective articles fed, in succession, to the application station. The method further comprises selectively conveying the labels along the circular label path past the application station and to a discarding station located at a second angular distance from the input station as measured about an axis, the second angular distance being greater than the first angular distance.
US09499359B2
According to an embodiment, a teller cash recycler may comprise: a handling unit including a deposit section in which banknotes are deposited and a withdrawal section in which banknotes are withdrawn; a safe having at least one storage unit in the inside thereof where banknotes are stored; a door for selectively opening and closing the safe; a first transfer unit for transferring banknotes between the handling unit and the storage unit; a cassette mounting unit provided in the outer of the door; and a second transfer unit for transferring banknotes between a cassette mounted on the cassette mounting unit and the handling unit, or the cassette mounted on the cassette mounting unit and the first transfer unit.
US09499357B2
The conveying device for conveying products comprises a plurality of slides individually movable with respect to each other for holding products and a guide rail, on which the slides are guided. A linear motor drive unit serves to drive the slides. The slides comprise a first subelement and a second subelement, each of the subelements comprising at least one permanent magnet, which interacts at least in certain sections of the guide rail with coils of the linear motor drive unit. The first and second subelements are connected to each other and are movable relative to each other in linear fashion.
US09499355B2
A pedestal for use with an adhesive melter adapted for melting adhesive particulates includes a support structure, a hopper, and a flow tube. The support structure has an upper portion adapted to support the adhesive melter. The hopper is connected to the support structure and positioned generally below the upper portion of the support structure. In addition, the hopper has an opening adapted for receiving adhesive particulates for storage therein. The flow tube has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is fluidly connected to the hopper, and the second end portion is fluidly connected to the adhesive melter. Furthermore, the flow tube is configured for moving adhesive particulates from the hopper to the adhesive melter via an air pressure differential created between the first and second end portions of the flow tube.
US09499350B2
A method operates a conveyor installation having a belt and at least one drive drum for driving the belt. The torque acting on the drive drum is controlled, in order to alter the speed of the belt, within a time window that is defined by a first rotational speed of the drive drum and a second rotational speed of the drive drum.
US09499330B2
A pressure relief device for venting an internally pressurized container and an aerosol can having a can bottom containing this pressure relief device. The pressure release device includes a coined pressure vent within a domed can bottom. The pressure vent is characterized by a venting pressure greater than about 500 psig. In addition, the can bottom resists eversion and/or failure along the mechanical attachment to the container body at all pressures between the venting pressure and the longitudinal rupture pressure in the container body.
US09499306B2
A gift bag is provided having a generally traditional gift bag configuration with four side panels, a closed end and an open end opposite the closed end for inserting therein and removing therefrom a gift or other such item. At least one of the side panels of the gift bag is double-walled, thereby forming a cavity within the gift bag. A plurality of candy pieces is contained within the cavity. A candy dispenser is integral with the gift bag having a container into which one or more of the plurality of candy pieces may enter after exiting the cavity through a small opening therein. Once the candy dispenser is moved to an open position, a user can remove the candy therefrom and then move the candy dispenser back to a closed position in order to contain the remainder of the plurality of candy pieces within the gift bag.
US09499304B2
The invention relates to an underlay device (1) for a transportation and presentation container (12) for food, such as fruits and/or vegetables, wherein the transportation and presentation container (12) comprises a bottom part (13) and four side wall parts (14, 14′, 14″, 14″′), and the underlay device (1) has four sides walls (3, 3′, 3″, 3″′) arranged in a frame shape as an underlay frame (2) of the transportation and presentation container (12) and/or at least three side walls (17, 17′, 17″) having dimensions as an underlay apparatus (16) so that the bottom part (13) of the transportation container (12) can be placed on the underlay frame (2) or the underlay apparatus (16).
US09499300B2
The present invention relates to a closure (1) for an easy opening container comprising a support and a foil (3) adhered to the support, which foil is provided with a tab (4) folded on to the foil, wherein the foil comprises a central concave section (5) and at least a flat section (6) beneath the tab, where optionally the tab is adhered to the flat section, and to a container comprising such closure.
US09499299B2
A container includes a metal end applied and sealed to a container body by a crimp-seaming or double-seaming operation. The metal end has an outer curl joined to a chuck wall that extends down from the curl. One or both of the inner surface of the container side wall and the outer surface of the chuck wall has/have a heat-sealable material thereon. The metal end is crimp-seamed or double-seamed to the container body and the heat-sealable material(s) are heated to soften or melt such that the interface between the chuck wall and the side wall is fused. The interface is oriented along a direction relative to internal pressure exerted on the metal end such that stress on the interface caused by the internal pressure is predominantly shear stress.
US09499291B2
A device for selectively retaining a package opening in a gaping configuration and a package including the device applied to a package body. The device includes a circumferential strip with side seams formed as hinges. One or more tabs extend in a first axial direction from an upper edge of the circumferential strip at the side seams. Each tab is coupled to the circumferential strip with a hinge. The tabs are pivotable about the hinges in opposite directions away from the opening axis to respective folded-out positions, which inhibits the device from folding at the side seams and retains a gaping open configuration of the device and package.
US09499289B1
A film edge sealing device is disclosed herein which has a groove defining a base. The base of the groove of the edge sealing device is oriented at a skewed angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the conveyor of the heat sealing machine. Edges of a thermoplastic sheet or two stacked layers of thermoplastic sheets are introduced into the groove of the edge sealing device and placed in contact therewith to both heat and melt the edges of the thermoplastic sheet(s) to form a bead and join the edges thereof to form an edge bead seal.
US09499288B2
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for closing a resealable vacuum bag while the vacuum bag is still inside the vacuum chamber of a heat-sealing vacuum packing machine. The resealable bag may be automatically closed, at least temporally, by either (1) the compressive forces that vacuum packing machines exert against the sides of vacuum bags, or (2) an autonomous, vacuum-activated device that closes the open section of the vacuum bag's sealing strip. Finally, the cost of the resealable vacuum bag may be minimized by eliminating the air valve that is imbedded in the sides of conventional resealable vacuum bags, but which is superfluous for the present invention.
US09499283B1
A freeplay measurement device for measuring freeplay in a ruddervator includes a forward horseshoe assembly, an aft horseshoe assembly, a L-shaped locator, a connecting assembly, a load applicator, and a measuring device. The forward horseshoe assembly forms a half of an ellipse that can slip on the forward half of the tail. The aft horseshoe assembly forms a half of an ellipse that can slip on the aft half of the tail and ruddervator. The L-shaped locator is for aligning the forward horseshoe assembly on the tail and perpendicularly extends from the forward horseshoe assembly. The connecting assembly connects the forward horseshoe assembly and the aft horseshoe assembly when each is placed over the tail and the ruddervator. The load applicator is for applying loads on the ruddervator. The measuring device is for measuring the deflections of the ruddervator being tested, and is attached to the forward horseshoe assembly.
US09499281B2
A landing arresting system for vertical take-off and landing aerial vehicles. A landing and take-off platform and at least one vertical take-off and landing locking member have a projecting portion arranged at a lower portion of the vehicle. The landing and take-off platform includes a plurality of individually displaceable rolls, arranged substantially in a horizontal direction, and moveable back and forth, such that the projecting portion of the locking member can be entered, retained and released between two adjacent rolls. A landing and take-off platform for vertical take-off and landing aerial vehicles and a vertical take-off and landing locking member for aerial vehicles.
US09499277B2
An aircraft comprising rotors and/or propellers rotated by a shaft and including a power unit. The distributed electric power unit is formed by stacked electric power elements, each conferring, on the shaft, a fraction of the total power necessary; the distributed electric power unit is in direct engagement with the shaft, with no movement transmission mechanism inserted between the unit and the shaft; each electric power element is directly connected to the rotation shaft and comprises a fixed stator, a moving rotor and a mechanical or electromagnetic free wheel in direct engagement with the shaft, said moving rotor co-operating with the free wheel to be coupled to the rotation shaft during normal operation of the electric power unit and to be disconnected from the shaft in the event of the failure of the electric element.
US09499273B2
A propeller assembly comprises two or more blade elements each comprising two or more blade element portions arranged sequentially radially along the blade element. Each of the two or more blade element portions that are radially equi-positioned along corresponding ones of the two or more blade elements together form a blade element portion array.Each of the two or more blade element portions comprise at least one heating element with each one of the at least one heating elements that is located in a correspondingly radially positioned blade element portion being connected to one another to form a heating element array.The two or more heating element arrays are adapted to sequentially heat respective ones of the two or more blade element portion arrays so as to de-ice the blade elements.
US09499267B2
Ground-accessing elevator systems and methods are provided for transporting personnel between the ground level and one or more decks of multi-level vehicle such as a fixed-wing aircraft. The vehicle elevator systems and methods may be implemented using a multi-track guide rail system configured to guide an elevator car between the ground and two or more levels within a vehicle. The multi-track guide rail system may include an intra-vehicle track fixed to the vehicle structure and configured to guide the elevator car between decks of the vehicle, and a separate deployment track may be configured to telescope downward from the intra-vehicle guide rail track to guide the elevator car during deployment to the ground from the vehicle.
US09499262B2
A composite flexure that secures a rotor blade to a gimbaled yoke in a tiltrotor rotor system. The composite flexure includes a composite flexure member, a first end, and a second end. The first end of the composite flexure couples the composite flexure to the gimbaled yoke, and the second end of the composite flexure couples the composite flexure to the rotor blade. The composite flexure is twisted when the composite flexure is not subject to torsional loads in order to accommodate various forces imparted on the rotor system.
US09499253B1
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for designing and manufacturing a composite structure, such as a composite rotor blade spar or composite rotor blade. A first mold may define a first mold surface and a second mold may include a rigid layer and a heated layer secured to the rigid layer and defining a second mold surface. A plurality of heating elements embedded in the second mold may be activated according to different temperature progressions to cure portions of the uncured composite rotor blade positioned coextensive therewith. In some embodiments, the second mold defines a root portion and first and second branch portions. A shear web may be placed between the branch portions during curing. The blade spar may define a complete airfoil contour or have fairings secured thereto having lines extending therethrough to a tip jet. A tip jet mounting structure and blade root attachment apparatus are also disclosed.
US09499242B2
Wakeboat hull control systems and methods are provided to monitor the orientation of the wakeboat hull in the surrounding water, and to automatically control wakeboat ballast components to achieve or maintain desired hull orientations. Systems and methods are provided to measure, store, and recall hull orientation. Systems and methods are also provided to enable automated action to improve the safety, automation, performance, convenience, and marketing advantage of wakeboat ballast systems.
US09499235B1
A kayak paddle holder includes a handle retention clip and at least one suction cup. The handle retention clip includes a lengthwise body and a pair of opposing lips. The lengthwise body includes an inner perimeter, which is sized to receive a handle of a kayak paddle. The pair of opposing lips extend inward from opposing edges of the lengthwise body. Each suction cup includes a suction cup portion and a mounting portion. The suction cup portion is retained by the mounting portion. The mounting portion is preferably attached to the handle retention clip with at least one fastener. The suction cup may be replaced with a twist lock suction cup. It is preferable to attach one suction cup to each end of the handle retention clip. In use, the at least one suction cup is secured to a flat surface on a kayak.
US09499222B2
A precision device for establishing a contour line of body filler on an automobile panel that allows a body repairman to create two (or more) control surfaces in which to work between. The body repairman no longer has to eyeball his/her contour work; for example, by walking to the front of the automobile to see how the contour of the panel being restored “matches” the non-damaged panels when viewed from the front of the automobile. The body repairman can now create a region to work between two body filler lines (a manageable region of repair) established with a flexible rod, a set of pressure adjustable supports and some body filler. Working between these two body filler lines using a flexible contouring tool he may sweep body filler between the upper and lower lines to identically approximate the long sweeping contour lines of the original vehicle.
US09499219B1
Example methods and devices for touch-down detection for a robotic device are described herein. In an example embodiment, a computing system may receive a force signal due to a force experienced at a limb of a robotic device. The system may receive an output signal from a sensor of the end component of the limb. Responsive to the received signals, the system may determine whether the force signal satisfies a first threshold and determine whether the output signal satisfies a second threshold. Based on at least one of the force signal satisfying the first threshold or the output signal satisfying the second threshold, the system of the robotic device may provide a touch-down output indicating touch-down of the end component of the limb with a portion of an environment.
US09499216B2
A vehicle floor structure includes a cross member having a substantially constant cross section shape. A spacing member is disposed beneath the cross member for securing to a chassis frame. The spacing member is positioned relative to the cross member to define an enclosed cavity between the spacing member and the cross member. The floor structure also includes a first collar affixed within the enclosed cavity. A fastener extends through the spacing member and the cross member, and compresses the first collar when the floor structure is secured to the chassis frame.
US09499211B2
An aeraulic crossmember for a motor vehicle includes a beam (12) in the form of a section forming a channel (13) along the length of the beam. The aforementioned channel is equipped with an opening (14) on one of the side faces thereof and contains a duct (15) which is made from rigid insulating material. The duct is also equipped with an opening which is defined by a mouth that is located opposite the opening in the channel and which is slightly smaller than the latter. The opening in the insulating duct is located inside the channel. The crossmember includes an interface device (16) in the form of a sleeve which extends through the opening (14) in the channel in order to connect the mouth of the opening in the duct in a leaktight manner to an air vent that is located on the exterior of the crossmember.
US09499205B1
A vehicle includes a fuel tank, a battery, a first exoskeleton, and a second exoskeleton. The fuel tank and the battery straddle a driveline and are each disposed below a seating area. The first exoskeleton has a first pair of rails secured to each other by a first cross member. The second exoskeleton has a second pair of rails secured to each other by a second cross member. The first and second exoskeletons surround the fuel tank and battery, respectively, and are configured to absorb energy during an impact to protect the fuel tank and battery.
US09499204B1
A suspension system for use with a grounds maintenance vehicle such as a ride-on lawn mower. In one embodiment, the suspension system provide at least a first suspension apparatus positioned between a chassis of the mower and an operator support platform. The first suspension apparatus may include one or more suspension units that may be quickly reconfigured to provide variable suspension characteristics. The system may also include a second suspension apparatus longitudinally spaced-apart from the first suspension apparatus. A pivot member may be provided to assist in reducing or eliminating all but certain degrees of freedom of the platform relative to the chassis.
US09499200B2
A system for backing a vehicle and a trailer is provided herein. A sensing system is configured to detect objects located in an operating environment of the vehicle and trailer. A backup assist system is configured to communicate with the sensing system and automatically control a braking system of the vehicle to slow or stop the vehicle during a backing maneuver.
US09499175B2
The approach involves determining vision capability information for one or more occupants of at least one vehicle. The approach also involves processing and/or facilitating a processing of the vision capability information to determine an estimated comfortable operational configuration for the at least one vehicle. The approach involves determining a maximum operational configuration for the at least one vehicle. The approach also involves determining a recommended operational configuration for the at least one vehicle based, at least in part, on the estimated comfortable operational configuration and the maximum operational configuration.
US09499166B2
An Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system for a vehicle is disclosed. An electronic control unit (ECU) is programmed to reduce vehicle lateral skidding by reducing differences between an intended vehicle direction and/or yaw rate and an actual vehicle direction and/or yaw rate by applying modifications to operation of the vehicle brakes and/or throttle. The ESC system receives inputs from wheel speed sensors, a steering wheel position sensor, a yaw rate sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor. The ESC system also receives input that indicates at least a property of the road upon which the vehicle is located, wherein the road upon which the vehicle is located is determined from a positioning system that uses a map database and the property is determined from the map database. The ESC system incorporates the road property information in determining when and/or how to modify operation of the vehicle to reduce vehicle skidding.
US09499164B2
A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor, a transmission gearbox, and a clutch selectively coupling the engine to the electric motor. Engine speed can drop dramatically when operating at high speeds during a scheduled shift event in the gearbox. To reduce the effects felt by the engine speed change, at least one controller is provided and programmed to slip the clutch when locked in response to a drive torque, estimated to be present upon completion of an anticipated shift event, exceeding available negative torque, such as regenerative torque and engine braking torque.
US09499155B2
In the state where a sensor used for controlling a first inverter has an abnormality, when rotation speed Ne of an engine is lower than a predetermined reference value Nref (S120), three phase-on control of a first inverter is performed (S190). This causes the rotation speed of the engine to be increased with an increase in rotation speed of a driveshaft. Operation control of the engine is started when the rotation speed Ne of the engine reaches or exceeds a threshold value Nst (S210 to S230).
US09499153B2
The invention relates to a method and device for changing from a coasting or free-rolling mode of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an automatic clutch, which is disengaged during the coasting or free-rolling mode, to a fuel cut-off mode, in which the clutch is engaged, wherein before engagement of the clutch the internal combustion engine is brought to a revolution rate at which the engagement of the clutch induces no or only small changes in revolution rate in the drive train, and whereby the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine is reduced following engagement of the clutch. Under one or more predetermined conditions the increase of the drag torque of the internal combustion engine acting on the motor vehicle during the changeover from coasting or free-rolling mode to fuel cut-off mode takes place so slowly that the change is not usually noticed by the driver.
US09499147B2
The vehicle brake system includes a cylinder, an output piston disposed in the cylinder, an input piston disposed in the cylinder but separating from the output piston and defining a separation chamber therebetween, a brake pedal connected to the input piston, a reaction force generating device for generating an elastic reaction force, a separation lock valve for controlling the communication between the separation chamber and the reaction force generating device, a fade state judging portion to judge whether the friction brake device is in a fade state or not and a friction braking force control portion for changing the mode to the fade state when the fade state judging portion judged that the friction brake device is in the fade state, wherein a desired friction braking force can be assured even under the brake fade state.
US09499143B2
A vehicle brake system and method for operating same, having a master brake cylinder, a brake medium reservoir, and a first brake circuit, connected via a reservoir line to the brake reservoir, having at least one first wheel brake cylinder, a first wheel inlet valve associated with the first brake cylinder, a first pump, by which a first brake medium volume is pumpable from the reservoir line through the open first wheel inlet valve into the first brake cylinder, a continuously adjustable first wheel outlet valve, by which a first brake medium displacement from the first cylinder into the brake reservoir is controllable, and a connecting line having a spring-loaded non-return valve, via which a delivery side of the first pump is connected to the brake reservoir, a brake medium displacement from the brake reservoir to the delivery side of the first pump being prevented by the spring-loaded non-return valve.
US09499135B2
A vehicle wash component includes a rotatable hub portion having an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The rotatable hub portion is in driving communication with at least one core portion to effectuate rotation thereof. At least one media element is fixedly secured to the at least one core portion for rotation therewith. The media element includes a plurality of upstanding finger portions, which are configured to contact an exterior surface of a vehicle. The core portion includes at least one light retaining aperture formed therein. At least one illumination element is disposed between the plurality of upstanding finger portions and in the at least one light retaining aperture so that it rotates as the at least one core portion rotates and can be seen by a vehicle occupant.
US09499129B1
Methods and systems are provided. One method is for providing access to a vehicle. The method includes sending, by a server, an access code for the vehicle to a portable device. The access code is configured to be transferred by the portable device to the vehicle. Then, receiving, by the server, data from the portable device that is indicative that the portable device is located outside of the vehicle or proximate thereto. Sending, by the server, validation to the vehicle that the access code received by the vehicle was sent to the portable device, and then the vehicle is configured to send an electronic key to the portable device upon receiving the validation. The electronic key is associated with at least one privilege associated with use of the vehicle, and the at least one privilege is defined based on the access code.
US09499122B2
The fastened seatbelts cutting device for transport vehicle, especially automotive vehicles, featuring bushing-shaped housing with an explosive charge or a gas generator inside, the charge and generator connected with a system activating the belt cutting drive, also featuring a cutting knife and a slot for this knife or blade and a slot to house the belt being cut, has a pusher (6) located between the gas generator (4), chamber (3), and the cutting segment (7), sealed with respect to the working chamber (8) in the guide chamber (5), and the blade (9) cutting edge (21) is one of the sides of triangle connected with the blade (9) body seated in the cutting segment (7).
US09499121B2
A web position and attenuation apparatus includes an elongated body extending in a longitudinal direction between opposite ends thereof, a bracket mounted to one of the opposite ends of the elongated body and configured to be affixed to a frame of a movable vehicle, a web coupling member slidably received on the elongated body and positionable along the elongated body. The web coupling member defines a first web slot, and a flexible web extends through the first web slot. The elongated body attenuates forces applied by the flexible web to the web coupling member in non-parallel directions relative to the longitudinal direction by elastically deforming in the non-parallel directions.
US09499120B1
An active bolster for an automotive vehicle includes a bladder that inflates an interior trim area of the vehicle to provide a cushion to an occupant during an impact. The bladder has a first wall and a second wall cooperatively defining an interior cavity. The bladder has a two stage vent for venting inflation gas supplied into the cavity during an impact event. The vent has a first aperture defining a first predetermined flow area when a pressure difference across the vent is substantially zero. A bendable member defines at least in part the first aperture. A weakened seam joins the bendable member to an adjacent feature of the bladder. When there is a predetermined pressure difference across the vent, the weakened seam is ruptured and the bendable member deflects to a second position defining a second flow area greater than the first flow area.
US09499116B2
An occupant protection device for protecting an occupant in frontal and oblique crashes. The occupant protection device operates an airbag and switches a load limiting restraint load of the seat belt between a first load limit value and a second lower load limit value. A switching unit switches the restraint load based upon the physique of the occupant, and lateral acceleration or movement of the occupant during an impact. The second load value is set for a small physique occupant. The load value is switched from the first to the second load value after a predetermined time if the lateral acceleration or occupant movement falls below predetermined levels. For a large physique occupant with lateral acceleration or movement exceeding predetermined levels, the load limiter does not switch to the second load value after the predetermined time.
US09499115B2
The present invention discloses embodiments of an apparatus, system and related method for diagnosing initiators in air bag systems. An embodiment of the system comprises a diagnostic circuit electrically connected between acceleration switches and one or more squib, that is user-activated via a momentary switch, and with user-feedback, wherein a user can diagnose the health of the one or more squib with no power drain while inactive. An embodiment of a method related to the system comprises activating a momentary switch, completing a circuit whereby a diagnostic circuit may function, indicating to the user that the diagnostic circuit is functioning, regulating the current into the diagnostic circuit so that the squib does not fire, boosting the signal to a window comparator, detecting the desired voltage by the window comparator, giving feedback to the user that the voltage is good, too high, or too low. An apparatus embodiment of the present invention may comprise an electronics control module for sensing a crash event and initiating an inflation sequence for one or more airbags with an integrated system for diagnosing one or more initiators. The apparatus may include a housing enclosing one or more circuit boards, to which may be electrically connected one or more wire harnesses which themselves are electrically connected to one or more squibs.
US09499112B1
A method of manufacturing one or more protective panel for a vehicle that comprises affixing plastic sheeting to a vehicle surface; magnetically coupling at least one magnet strip over the plastic to the surface; spraying a heated mixture of thermoplastic polyurethane and polyurea on the sheeting over the at least one magnet; drying the mixture into a body; cutting at least one panel from the body. The panels are cut according the shape of the surface area to protect, after which the plastic is removed from the cut panel shapes.
US09499108B2
A magnetic fastener clip includes a cup having at least one injection hole, an overmold attached to the cup and a magnet is attached to the overmold. The overmold has: a cup cover attached to an outside portion of the cup, and an inner ring attached to an inside portion of the cup. The inner ring is attached to the cup cover via the at least one injection hole. The magnet operably attaches into the inner ring. According to one embodiment, the cup cover and the inner ring are injection molded over at least one part of the cup. An optional coupler for attachment to a body panel is attached to the cup cover and is operative to flex. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis.
US09499101B2
A mirror mount that mounts a mirror to a vehicle fender. The mount can include a base that faces a vehicle fender exterior without extending upwardly and under a hood of the vehicle. A support arm extends from the base and includes a distal end that joins with a mirror. One or more pillars extend away from the base. The pillars can be sized and shaped to extend through holes in the fender to a frame member of the vehicle disposed inwardly relative to the fender. The pillars are associated with a fastener to join with the frame member so that weight of the mirror, the base, the support arm and/or the pillars are substantially born by the frame member. This can reduce transmission of vibration inherent in the fender to the mirror, and/or can rigidly and structurally connect the mirror to the frame member, rather than the fender.
US09499091B2
An assembly for forming an air-guiding element for a motor vehicle has a shell-shaped air-guiding body and a brake lamp. The air-guiding body has an elongated opening which extends through the air-guiding body. The air-guiding body portion is arranged below the brake lamp. The retention side of the air-guiding body portion faces toward the retention side of the brake lamp. Both the brake light and the spoiler include mating retention elements which are both hook shaped to hold the lamp in position.
US09499089B2
A vehicle includes a battery charger and an exterior lamp assembly. The assembly includes a housing defining a cavity, and an electrical port including at least one electrical terminal disposed within the cavity, electrically connected with the battery charger, and configured to be electrically connected with an electrical power grid remote from the vehicle.
US09499086B2
A motor vehicle includes a seat arrangement, a cargo space situated behind the seat arrangement, an adjustable loading panel arranged inside the cargo space, guide rails located in the cargo space for the adjustable, laterally guided accommodation of the adjustable loading panel, and slide or roller bearings for mounting the adjustable loading panel in the guide rails. An actuating handle is mounted in the adjustable loading panel and movable through exposure to a spring action for swiveling an eccentric mounted in the adjustable loading panel out of a position that fixes the adjustable loading panel in place and into a position that releases the adjustable loading panel for adjustment purposes, and for adjusting the adjustable loading panel.
US09499078B2
Provided is a headrest moving device. When first and second gears, each of which has numerous teeth formed in widthwise and lengthwise directions, are engaged, the numerous widthwise teeth are engaged, and the numerous lengthwise teeth are engaged. Due to the teeth, it is possible to minutely adjust a position of a headrest and to withstand a high load. Even when some of the teeth are disengaged, the headrest moving device can be operated and provides excellent durability.
US09499076B2
A vehicle seat includes: a slide mechanism including an inner-side slide rail and an outer-side slide rail; a seat cushion; and a biasing unit for applying a biasing force for flipping up the seat cushion toward a wall portion of a vehicle. The outer-side slide rail includes: a first slide rail fixed to the wall portion at a same position as the seat cushion in a vertical direction; and a second slide rail fixed to a portion of the wall portion located deeper in an interior than the first slide rail, at a position below the seat cushion.
US09499074B2
A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a vehicle seat is provided herein. The child seat, which may be front- and/or rear-facing, includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base can receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and is rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism applies tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.
US09499073B2
A slide rail of a vehicle seat includes a first rail to which a screw having a screw thread formed on an outer periphery is fixed; a second rail that retains a nut into which the screw screws, and moves relative to the first rail by the nut rotating; a protruding portion that is provided on the first rail, and protrudes toward the screw; and an elastic member that connects the protruding portion and the screw. The elastic member has a retaining body that retains the screw, and an engaging body that engages with the protruding portion.
US09499072B2
Seats and methods for controlling a seat are described. A position of the user's leg is sensed relative to the position of the front of the seat. A determination is made as to if the position of the user's leg from a front of the seat is greater than a gap minimum. If the gap is greater than the gap minimum, a cushion length extender portion of the seat is moved until the sensed position is less than or equal to the gap minimum. In an example, the remainder of seat base is held in a fixed position within the vehicle environment. In an example, sensing can include capacitively sensing a position of the user's leg. In an example, sensing can use at least one of a thermal sensor, a light sensor, a radio frequency sensor, a microwave sensor or combinations thereof to sense the position of the user's leg. The gap minimum can be with the cushion length extender portion in slight contact with the user's leg. The sensor can be at a front face of seat. The sensor can be on the cushion length extender portion of the seat.
US09499070B2
A striker for use with a vehicle having a lock element, which comprises an engagement portion engageable with the lock element and a reinforcing bracket disposed relative to the engagement portion of the striker, such that a predetermined space is provided between the reinforcing bracket and engagement portion. When a relatively small load is applied via the lock element to the engagement portion, an impact energy of the load to body side of the vehicle is absorbed by the striker in a period of time during which the engagement portion is deformed within the predetermined space. If the load is great, the engagement portion is deformed over that space and contacts the reinforcing bracket, thereby being prevented against further deformation, such that an impact energy of the great load to the body side of vehicle is absorbed and reduced in the striker and reinforcing bracket in a stepwise way.
US09499044B2
An ROV includes a body frame, a plurality of seats, a cargo bed, and an air cleaner. The plurality of seats are supported by the body frame, and aligned in a width direction of the ROV. The cargo bed is disposed rearward relative to the seats, and supported by the body frame. The cargo bed includes a placement surface on which cargo is to be placed. The air cleaner is disposed rearward relative to the seats, and at least partially exposed above the placement surface.
US09499043B2
An air intake assembly for a vehicle includes an air intake configured to intake ambient air and a heater box configured to be positioned adjacent a component of an exhaust assembly of the vehicle. The heater box is configured to intake ambient air and heat the air by heat absorption from the component of the exhaust assembly. The air intake assembly is configured to selectively permit passage of ambient air from the air intake and heated air from the heater box toward the engine assembly. The air intake assembly may selectively permit passage of ambient air and heated air by use of a valve in communication with the air intake and the heater box and further in connection with an engine assembly of the vehicle, the valve configured to selectively permit passage of ambient air from the air intake and heated air from the heater box toward the engine assembly.
US09499040B2
A plug-in hybrid vehicle includes a hybrid powertrain system and an energy storage device. A method for operating the hybrid powertrain system includes initially operating the hybrid powertrain system in a charge-depletion mode to reduce a state-of-charge (SOC) of an energy storage device. In response to an operator request, the hybrid powertrain system operates in an opportunity charging mode to opportunistically charge the energy storage device to increase the SOC of the energy storage device during a trip prior to achieving a minimum SOC that is associated with triggering operation in a charge sustaining mode.
US09499039B2
A power transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle may includes an input shaft, a first planetary gear set disposed on the input shaft while including three rotation elements having a first sun gear, a first planetary carrier, and a first ring gear; a second planetary gear set having a second sun gear, a second planetary carrier, and a second ring gear; a third planetary gear set having a third sun gear, a third planetary carrier, and a third ring gear; first to seventh rotation shafts, and three friction elements configured to selectively connect the respective rotation shafts to each other or selectively connect the respective rotation shafts to the transmission housing.
US09499037B2
A mounting structure for a power unit of a utility vehicle. The power unit includes: a body part; an output shaft extending in frontward and rearward directions through the body part; a first attaching member provided with a first damper and attaching a lower end part of the body part to a vehicle body frame of the utility vehicle; and a torque rod located in an upper part of the body part and constructed between the body part and the vehicle body frame so as to restrict rolling of the body part in vehicle width directions. A body side attaching part of the torque rod, attached to the body part, is located on an extension line of a compression axis direction of the first damper in side view of the power unit.
US09499032B2
A vehicle back door structure including: a back door panel made of resin having, in at least a part of a peripheral edge thereof, a recessed portion equipped with a pair of side walls and a bottom wall that interconnects vehicle front sides of the pair of side walls, with a step portion, that has one side-wall side positioned at a vehicle rear side of another side-wall side, being formed in the bottom wall; and a reinforcement rib that is formed integrally with a vehicle rear side surface of the bottom wall, that straddles the step portion, and that bridges the pair of side walls.
US09499031B2
A rear door device for a vehicle may include a rear door, an upper rail mounted to the rear door in a width direction, an upper slider inserted in the upper rail to support the upper rail, a lower rail mounted to a vehicle body and formed with a curved portion, a lower slider inserted in the lower rail and movable along the lower rail, an upper support structure having one end connected to the upper slider and the other end mounted to the vehicle body for supporting the upper slider, and a connection structure for connecting the lower slider to the upper rail. The rear door device permits the rear door to be opened or closed by sliding it forward or backward in the length direction of the vehicle.
US09499029B2
A windshield assembly generally configured to be used on off-road vehicles such as utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) and side-by-side vehicles (SSVs) comprises a flexible and slidable windshield panel. The windshield assembly generally comprises at least two guide rails configured to be mounted to the vehicle and more particularly to the front and top portions of the cabin structure, and a flexible windshield panel which side edges are slidably mounted to the guide rails. By virtue of its sliding engagement with the guide rails, the windshield panel can be slid between an operative position, i.e. in front of the driver, and an inoperative position, i.e. into the top of the vehicle.
US09499028B2
The present invention provides a plate-like body with a frame attached thereto for a vehicle window and a process for assembling the plate-like body with a frame attached thereto for a vehicle window, which are capable of providing excellent assembling performance, achieving high durability and providing a decorative member with high fitting accuracy to a resin frame in spite of being in a mode where the decorative member is post-fitted to the resin frame.In the process for assembling the plate-like body with a frame attached thereto for a vehicle window according to the present invention, in a retaining step, a boss is mounted to a decorative member with a base portion of the boss being retained by a retaining portion of the decorative member. Next, in an inserting step, a shaft portion of the boss is inserted into an aperture of a resin frame. Subsequently, in an insetting step, an outer peripheral surface of a bush is insetted into the aperture of the resin frame while the shaft portion of the boss is inserted into a through bore of the bush. After that, in a fixing step, the shaft portion of the boss and the bush are fixed together by a caulking part.
US09499022B2
An auxiliary rubber spring for an automobile suspension, comprising: N layers of metal partitions, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1, and a transverse section of each metal partition being arc-shaped; N+1 rubber layers, the rubber layers being alternately lapped with the metal partitions, and a transversal section of each rubber layer being arc-shaped; a supporting plate provided with a first convex arc surface on one side thereof, the first convex arc surface being bonded to a first concave arc surface of an outermost rubber layer; and a connecting plate provided with a second concave arc surface on one thereof, the second concave arc surface being bonded to a second convex arc surface of another outermost rubber layer. The auxiliary rubber spring for an automobile suspension according to the present invention may increase fatigue resistance of the rubber spring and effectively extend service life thereof.
US09499020B2
A vehicle tow recovery eye includes a shaft between a towing end connectable to a towable item and an insertion end that is insertable in a vehicle opening, a resistance assembly mounted on the shaft; and a locking pin having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the shaft. The tow recovery eye can be used with a portion of a vehicle frame that includes a frame opening dimensioned to accommodate insertion of the shaft and the locking pin.
US09499017B2
A hitch mount configured to be selectively attached to a vehicle, the vehicle having an under bed hitch mounting system is shown and described. The hitch mount may include at least one transverse member, at least one longitudinal member attached with the at least one transverse member, the at least one longitudinal member including first and second apertures, the first and second apertures of different size, and first and second fastening devices configured to selectively engage the under bed hitch mounting system and the first and second apertures, respectively. The hitch mount may also include first and second biasing members operatively engaged with the first and second fastening, the biasing members applying a load against the under bed hitch mounting system, and first and second handles pivotally and rotatably attached with the first and second fastening devices, the handles having a camming surface configured to engage the first and second biasing members.
US09499013B2
The present invention provides a pneumatic tire 1, comprising: a carcass ply including a main body portion 11a extending across respective bead cores 9 and turn-up portions 11b each turned up around the bead cores 9 from the main body portion 11a; a bead filler 13; and a side rubber 5a, wherein: a tip portion on the outer side in the tire radial direction of the outer end 13a of the bead filler 13, of each of the turned-up portions 11b, extends to a position of at least 5 mm distance from the outer end 13a of the bead filler with maintaining distance of 1 mm or less between the main body portion 11a and itself; a turn-up end 11c is disposed on the inner side in the tire widthwise direction than a neutral axis of bending of a bead portion 7 and a corresponding sidewall portion 5 and at 10%-40% height of a tire cross sectional height SH of the tire; and the side rubber 5a, disposed on the outer side in the tire widthwise direction of the main body portion 11a and each turn-up portion 11b, covers the turn-up end 11c and constitutes a part of an outer surface of the tire.
US09499012B2
In a pneumatic tire, the groove width of the connecting subsidiary grooves changes midway. The relationship between the groove width (W1) connecting to the circumferential main groove on the outer side in the tire width direction and the groove width (W2) connecting to the circumferential main groove on the inner side in the tire width direction satisfies the range of 0.30≦W1/W2≦0.70. The relationship between the groove length (L1) on the tread surface having a region of groove width (W1) and the groove length (L2) on the tread surface having a region of groove width (W2) satisfies the range of 0.25≦L2/L1≦0.65. Sipes are provided on the tread surface of the block-like land portions. The respective end portions of the sipes connect to a position where the groove width (W1) of the connecting subsidiary grooves changes to the groove width (W2).
US09499006B2
An anti-counterfeiting feature generation method for a valuable document and an authentication method and device therefor. The anti-counterfeiting feature generation method for a valuable document uses the anti-counterfeiting feature information redundancy to hide accurate information about an anti-counterfeiting feature. In the generation method, the anti-counterfeiting feature of a valuable document has little change on the human perception, but a valuable document authentication device in a financial self-service equipment can effectively extract the hidden accurate information about an anti-counterfeiting feature from signals obtained by a sensor and conduct quantitative detection and authentication, thereby effectively authenticating whether the valuable document is counterfeit or not. A new anti-counterfeiting feature which facilitates machine recognition is loaded to the valuable document, and a corresponding valuable document authentication device is configured to a financial self-service equipment, so that the financial self-service equipment can read the anti-counterfeiting feature of the valuable document by facilitating machine recognition, thereby improving the authentication accuracy of the financial self-service equipment to the valuable document.
US09498992B2
A sheet material cooling device includes a cylindrical body having an outer circumferential surface to be in contact with a sheet material, a cooling unit having a cooling surface in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body, and a first fastening member inserted from an outside of the cylindrical body toward an inside to attach the cooling unit to the cylindrical body in a state that the cooling surface is in contact with the inner circumferential surface.
US09498988B2
A tape cassette includes a box-like housing, a tape mounted within the housing, a hole and a first indicator portion. The housing includes a top wall having a top surface, a bottom wall having a bottom surface and opposing the top wall, and a front wall having a specified height and being formed along peripheries of the top wall and the bottom wall. The hole is provided in the front wall. The first indicator portion includes at least one first aperture and indicates a first element among a plurality of elements of a type of the tape. The first indicator portion is provided in a portion, spaced from the front wall, of the bottom wall. The hole and the one first aperture is located to intersect a virtual line orthogonal to the front wall when viewing along a vertical direction orthogonal to the top wall and the bottom wall.
US09498986B2
The present invention relates to a device for supplying and recovering printed material used in digital printing with which a long printed material can be simply mounted onto a digital printing apparatus so that the work efficiency of an operator can be improved. The present invention includes: a supply roll around which the printed material is wound; a first transport roll which transports the printed material supplied from the supply roll to the lower part of a head part; a second transport roll which discharges the printed material on which printing is completed by the head part; and a recovery roll which has an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the supply roll and which is rotated by a recovery driving means so that the printed material discharged from the second transport roll is wound. The printed material is supplied when one end thereof is unwound from the supply roll and is fixed to the recovery roll through the upper sides of the first transport roll and the second transport roll.
US09498978B2
A conveyor device includes a conveyor belt and a suction section. The conveyor belt conveys a recording medium. The suction section sucks on the recording medium via the conveyor belt. The suction section includes a guide member that supports the recording medium via the conveyor belt. The guide member has a plurality of grooves including at least one pair of grooves that are adjacent in a conveyance direction of the recording medium. Each of the grooves in the pair has an end adjacent to an end of the other groove in the pair. The adjacent ends of the respective grooves in the pair each have a portion overlapping with a portion of the adjacent end of the other groove in the pair (groove overlapping region) in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.
US09498973B2
An ink jet recording system includes an ink jet recording device; and a control portion that controls the ink jet recording device, in which when a first mode is selected from a plurality of recording modes, the control portion performs control of recording a security image corresponding to an input image on a recording medium by performing control of forming a glitter image by a glitter ink composition in a first image area on the recording medium, forming a color image by a color ink composition in the glitter image, and forming the color image by the color ink composition on a second image area that is in contact with the first image area.
US09498972B2
In a system of a data processing apparatus coupled to a printer, the apparatus sends a status information transmission request to the printer and, in response, receives status information from the printer. The status information includes ink storage identification information written in a memory contained in an ink storage, device identification information identifying the printer in which the ink storage is installed, and ink usage amount information for use by the printer in calculating a remaining ink amount.
US09498962B2
A printing device includes: a head that ejects an ink on a medium to perform printing; and a mist collection mechanism having: a suction port facing the medium and sucking air near the head; an exhaust port discharging the sucked air; and an airflow path between the suction port and the exhaust port, wherein the airflow path includes a first spatial region located on a side of the suction port, and a second spatial region located on a side of the exhaust port and adjacent to the first spatial region through a communicating port having an opening area smaller than that of the suction port.
US09498960B2
A maintenance system for a three-dimensional object printer includes a platform having a plurality of wheels that enable the platform to move along a first track, and having a maintenance mechanism connected to the platform so as to be movable normal to the first track. The maintenance mechanism includes a lifting member that extends laterally from the platform, and a maintenance tool configured to move with the lifting member. A lifting platform is positioned laterally offset from a location of the first track where an ejector head is positioned opposite the first track, and is configured to engage with the lifting member to lift the maintenance tool and enable the maintenance tool to perform a maintenance operation on the ejector head.
US09498959B2
A maintenance unit mounted in a removable manner in a liquid ejector that ejects liquid. The maintenance unit includes an elongated maintenance member, which is used to perform maintenance on the liquid ejector, and a memory, which is configured to store information related to the maintenance member.
US09498955B2
A printing device includes a printing head and a control unit. The printing head has a nozzle row with a one end side nozzle group of nozzles of one end side of the nozzle row, an other end side nozzle group of nozzles of an other end side of the nozzle row, and a center nozzle group of nozzles of the nozzle row, which does not correspond to the one and other end side nozzle groups. The control unit is configured to discharge the ink on a designated area on a print medium from the nozzles included in the center nozzle group and the other end side nozzle group with a first movement of the printing head and discharge the ink on the designated area from the nozzles included in the center nozzle group and the one end side nozzle group with a second movement next to the first movement.
US09498954B2
An ink jet recording apparatus includes a printer head that ejects ink and a platen. The ink includes an organic solvent, a surfactant, and 60% by mass or less of water. The platen is composed of a material containing a conductive resin. A solubility parameter A [(J/cm3)1/2] calculated from the organic solvent and the surfactant and a solubility parameter B [(J/cm3)1/2] of the conductive resin satisfy |A−B|≧2.
US09498951B2
An inkjet nozzle device includes: a nozzle chamber having a floor, a roof and perimeter sidewalls extending between the floor and the roof, wherein a nozzle aperture is defined in the roof; a heating element for generating gas bubbles in the nozzle chamber so as to eject ink through the nozzle aperture, wherein a centroid of the heating element is aligned with a centroid of the nozzle aperture; and a pair of chamber inlets defined in the floor of the nozzle chamber, the chamber inlets being symmetrically disposed about the centroid of the heating element. The inkjet nozzle device has a pair of orthogonal symmetry planes passing through the centroid of the nozzle aperture.
US09498949B2
Ink-jet print head for an ink-jet printer including at least a substrate and a photopolymer barrier applied onto the substrate. The photopolymer barrier includes an adhesive first layer and a second layer made of a photopolymerizable material and applied above said first layer. The adhesive first layer is made of a canonically polymerizable material partially polymerized that, when contacted by a water-based ink containing acidic species, is able to further polymerize, thus improving the photopolymer barrier adhesion on the surface of the substrate with time.
US09498943B2
A system for laminating an optical film according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a panel transfer unit to transfer a panel, a first laminating unit installed on a transfer line of the panel to laminate an optical film on a first surface of the panel along a first direction parallel to a transfer direction of the panel, and a second laminating unit installed on the transfer line of the panel to laminate an optical film on a second surface of the panel, wherein the second laminating unit includes a laminating drum to laminate an optical film after adsorbing and rotating the optical film in a horizontal direction.
US09498936B2
Multilayer structures, methods of making the same and packages made therefrom are provided. The multilayer structures are useful for packaging bone-in meat or other like products. More specifically, the multilayer structures have sufficient rigidity and strength to contain bone-in meat or other like products, while also maintaining good oxygen barrier properties. In addition, multilayer structures can easily seal to themselves or to other structures. Moreover, the multilayer structures are biaxially oriented and heat-shrinkable.
US09498925B2
Various embodiments herein include utilities for generating embosser drums that are used to pre-format optical media such as optical tape with a pattern of nanostructures such as wobbled grooves. One utility includes generating a plurality of replicas from an embossing master, bonding the replicas together to form a bonded replica structure having a surface with the nanostructure pattern imprinted therein, creating a replica of the bonded replica structure and electroforming a metallic layer onto the bonded replica structure replica to create a single, one piece, metallic shim which can be used to create a weld-less embosser drum.
US09498923B2
The invention relates to a method for treating a fiber-plastic composite of a rotor blade, comprising the steps of: providing the fiber-plastic composite to be treated at the rotor blade; preparing a local working area of the fiber-plastic composite; providing a fiber-matrix composite comprising a UV-curable matrix material and a fiber material; applying the fiber-matrix composite onto the local working area of the fiber-plastic composite; and curing the matrix material. The invention provides for the curing of the matrix material to take place with the help of UV radiation.
US09498919B2
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for 3D printing with small geometric offsets to affect surface characteristics. These techniques are capable of enabling fused-deposition printers to create 3D objects having desired surface characteristics, such as particular colors, images and image resolutions, textures, and luminosities. In some cases, the techniques do so using a single filament head with a single filament material. In some other cases, the techniques do so using multiple heads each with different filaments, though the techniques can forgo many switches between these heads. Each printing layer may use even a single filament from one head, thereby enabling surface characteristics while reducing starts and stops for filaments heads, which enables fewer artifacts or increases printing speed.
US09498918B2
A process for embossing a structure in an embossing material that is applied on a substrate comprising the steps of embossing the embossing material by an embossing die and hardening the embossing material, wherein at least the substrate and/or the embossing die and/or at least one heating layer arranged between the substrate and the embossing material and/or between the embossing die and the embossing material are irradiated by means of microwaves for hardening the embossing material.
US09498911B2
A coinjection molding apparatus is disclosed that provides a skin material melt stream and a core material melt stream to a nozzle. The skin material melt stream forms an inner and outer layer of a molded article with the core material melt stream forming a core layer between the inner and outer skin material layers. A volume of the core material for forming the core layer may be manually adjusted between injection cycles to change a thickness of the core layer between a first molded article and a second molded article. Alternatively, a volume of the core material for forming the core layer may be automatically adjusted during an injection cycle to change a thickness of the core layer during formation of the molded article, such that the molded article will have a core layer with at least a first thickness and a second thickness.
US09498909B2
A method and apparatus for performing an injection molding cycle comprising drivably interconnecting a valve pin to an electric motor actuator and controllably operating the electric motor to drive the valve pin at one or more reduced rates of upstream or downstream travel based on either detection of the position of the pin or actuator or on a preselected length of time at which to drive the valve pin.
US09498906B1
A mold head assembly and associated method maintains a lid in a closed position relative to a cap body while a molded cap assembly is removed from a threaded core in a mold cavity. The mold head assembly includes a first member, a second member configured for receipt opposite the associated mold cap assembly and mounted to the first member for limited relative movement therebetween, and a biasing member interposed between the first and second members for urging the second member toward the mold cavity. Particularly, a compliant head assembly engages the molded cap or lid and biasing springs urge a plate, the lid, and the cap base toward the mold cavity in a direction generally opposite that of the motion of a stripping sleeve relative to a thread core.
US09498904B2
The present invention relates to a method for molding a substantially improved heat-resistant sound absorbing and insulating material, which uses a sound absorbing material containing, based on 100 parts by weight of the sound absorbing material, an amount of about 20-80 parts by weight of a fiber material having a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of about 25% or greater and a heat resistance temperature of about 200° C. or greater and an amount of about 20-80 parts by weight of a thermosetting binder resin having a heat resistance temperature of about 200° C. or greater and is installed on an engine cylinder block and an automotive body panel above a muffler of a vehicle. The method includes: a releasing agent coating step of coating a releasing agent inside a heated die; a heated compression molding step of fixing a shape; and a cold compression step of stabilizing the shape.The substantially improved heat-resistant sound absorbing and insulating material molded according to the method can reduce the noise inside a vehicle by blocking radiated noise, which is generated from an engine and an exhaust system, from being transferred to the inside of the vehicle through an automotive body panel, can maintain its shape even under a high-temperature environment of about 200° C. or greater generated by the engine and the exhaust system, and can satisfy UL 94V-0 flame retardancy.
US09498900B2
An apparatus for spin casting lenses includes a rotatable tube, the rotatable tube defining a longitudinal cavity, wherein the longitudinal cavity is configured to receive molds. According to one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable tube is made of metal and includes a plurality of apertures configured to permit the transmission of actinic radiation.
US09498898B2
A cleaning subsystem removes unwanted material, such as glaze, from saw blades used in a semiconductor singulation process. A cleaning module moves radially towards the saw blade and vertically with respect to the plane of the saw blade in order to enable abrasive cleaning blocks of the cleaning module to selectively remove material from either the upper and lower surfaces of the saw blade or the outer edge of the saw blade. The cleaning assembly can remove material from the saw blade at a predetermined time or position during the singulation process or upon detection of load imbalance during the rotation of the saw blade.
US09498896B2
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a supply unit configured to supply material including fibers, a defibrating unit configured to defibrate the material in the air, a classifying unit configured to classify defibrated material, which has been defibrated at the defibrating unit, by airflow into fiber material and waste material, a forming unit configured to form a sheet by using the fiber material, and a discharge blower configured to discharge the waste material by airflow from the classifying unit such that the waste material does not move toward a side of the forming unit. When manufacturing by the sheet manufacturing apparatus stops, the supply unit, the defibrating unit, and the discharge blower are configured to stop in a sequence of the supply unit, the defibrating unit, and the discharge blower.
US09498887B1
An example two-faced linearly actuated suction gripper includes a first gripping surface having one or more first suction cups arranged to provide suction in a first direction. The suction gripper also includes a second gripping surface comprising one or more second suction cups arranged to provide suction in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. The suction gripper further includes a linear actuator configured to provide movement of the second gripping surface parallel to the second direction towards a face of an object. The suction gripper includes a sensor configured to generate data indicating that the face of the object is adjacent to the second gripping surface; and an engageable brake that, when engaged, stops the movement of the linear actuator in response to the data from the sensor indicating that the second gripping surface is adjacent to the face of the object.
US09498878B2
Improvements in an insulated high voltage extension for a socket wrench is disclosed. The extension provides electrical isolation between an operator located at one end of the insulated extension and a nut or bolt located at the other end of the insulated extension. Due to the potential for high voltage electricity to jump between conductive elements the insulated high voltage extension provides electrical isolation to reduce or prevent electrocution of an installer when the installer is working with high voltage power transmission lines. The extension can have a universal joint option that allows an operator to be slightly out-of-alignment with the nut or bolt. The extension can have a sacrificial torque limiter to prevent an installer from continuing to tighten or loosen a nut or bolt beyond a limit that can cause damage to the extension.
US09498876B2
A holding device for a hand held power tool, in particular, an electric power tool, said holding device comprising an attachment component with at least one attachment element, which can be connected to the power tool; at least one spacer element; as well as a handle with a first handle end and a second handle end. Moreover, the holding device comprises a connecting device, by means of which the attachment component, the spacer element and the handle can be connected to each other.
US09498869B2
A socket wrench includes a wrench body, a ratchet wheel and a positioning ring. The ratchet wheel has a driving hole and a cylindrical flange extending on one side of the wrench body. The cylindrical flange defines in an outer periphery at least one aperture communicating with the driving hole. The positioning ring is mounted around the cylindrical flange, and has a central bore and at least one protrusion radially protruded from an wall of the central bore of the positioning ring. The protrusion is projected from a wall of the driving hole through the aperture to position a socket.
US09498860B2
An abutment member having an abutment section abutting a work stand on which a workpiece to which an arm performs work is placed is provided on a front surface of a robot body.
US09498853B2
The present invention provides an amorphous caesium aluminum fluoride complex, a process for its production and the use of the complex as a flux, in particular for the soft soldering of aluminum.
US09498852B2
Laser hybrid welding systems adapted to identify and/or fix a weld defect occurring during a laser hybrid welding process are provided. Embodiments of the laser hybrid welding system may include one or more devices that provide feedback to a controller regarding one or more weld parameters. One embodiment of the laser hybrid welding system includes sensors that are adapted to measure the weld voltage and/or amperage during the welding process and transmit the acquired data to the controller for processing. Another embodiment of the laser hybrid welding system includes a lead camera and a lag camera that film an area directly in front of the weld location and directly behind the weld location.
US09498851B2
An apparatus used for forming stud bumps may be formed by providing a first clamp plate comprising a clamping surface, forming a notcher on the clamping surface, and forming a contact stopper on the clamping surface. The apparatus may include a clamp that includes at least two opposing plates, and at least one of the opposing plates includes a protruding feature that intersects the wire when the wire is clamped forming a first notch in the wire. The method for forming stud bumps includes bonding wire to a bonding surface, releasing the wire from the clamp, passing the wire a notch pitch distance through the clamp, clamping the wire with the clamp forming a second notch in the wire, and breaking the wire leaving a bonded portion of the wire on the bonding surface.
US09498848B2
A method of manufacturing an annular wall (46) of a combustion chamber (15) comprises depositing layers of a metal sequentially one upon the other to form layers of a spiral wall (45) of the combustion chamber (15). Each layer of metal is deposited in a spiral pathway (122). The ends (E1, E2) of the spiral wall (45) of the combustion chamber (15) are joined together to form the annular wall (46) of the combustion chamber (15). The ends (E1, E2) of the spiral wall (45) of the combustion chamber (15) are at the opposite ends of the spiral pathway (122).
US09498825B2
A pipe de-burring assembly includes a mount that may be coupled to a power tool such that the power tool rotates the mount when the power tool is turned on. A de-burring member is movably coupled to the mount. The de-burring member may remove burrs from either of an inside surface or an outside surface of a pipe.
US09498798B2
An apparatus and method for separating piece goods to be stored in an automated storage facility are provided. At least two bearing surfaces for receiving piece goods are engaged with a conveying system for filling the bearing surfaces with piece goods, the conveying system having transfer surfaces dedicated to the bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces may be filled with piece goods separately from one another. A control unit is coupled to the conveying system and a detection device is coupled to the control unit for detecting the position, orientation, and package data of the piece goods. A handling mechanism is also coupled to the control unit for gripping piece goods from the bearing surfaces and depositing the piece goods on a transfer device.
US09498791B2
A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures. The applied liquid can be in a fluid-carrying gap. The opposable can contact the slide to vary a cross section of the fluid-carrying gap.
US09498786B2
An atomizer system 160 for use in a spray dry absorber 130, the atomizer system 160 includes a support member 161, an atomizing disc 162 rotatably coupled to the support member 161, a first feed line 163 for delivery of a reagent slurry 163a to a delivery area 165 and a second feed line 164 for delivery of a dilution liquid 164a to the delivery area 165. The delivery area 165 is positioned within the atomizer system 160 to reduce scale buildup generated by interaction of the reagent slurry 163a and the dilution liquid 164a.
US09498779B2
A method for regulating the roll gap pressure of a roller press and a corresponding roller press. The roll gap pressure is regulated dependent on at least one oscillating movement that is measured on the roller press. This has the advantage that the roller press can always be operated at the maximum roller press efficiency without the roller press reaching the overload range.
US09498775B2
The present invention is directed to a lean NOx trap diesel oxidation catalyst for the treatment of exhaust gas emissions, such as the oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) and the trapping and reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Catalytic composites can comprise a catalytic material on a carrier, the catalytic material comprising a first NOx trap layer that comprises a NOx sorbent and one or more precious metal components located on the carrier and a second NOx trap layer containing hydrocarbon trapping functionality located over the first NOx trap layer that comprises a NOx sorbent, one or more precious metal components, and a zeolite, for example a beta zeolite, wherein the zeolite is substantially free of framework aluminum. Such zeolites are characterized by high crystallinity and/or by being substantially free of framework aluminum to minimize surface acidity.
US09498774B2
The present invention relates to a composite body in which first metal-containing particles and second metal-containing particles are supported on a carbon material or connected by a carbon material, and a method for producing the same. The above composite body can, if the first metal-containing particles exhibit a catalytic activity, be applied as a reaction catalyst and can also be used in various fields such as the manufacture of the adsorbent or the separation membrane.
US09498771B2
To provide an exhaust gas catalyst using a fired aluminum phosphate body with more excellent performance, and a method for producing it. (1) An exhaust gas purification catalyst including at least one platinum-group metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Rh and Pd having a mean particle diameter of between 0.50 nm and 2.0 nm, supported on a tridymite-type fired aluminum phosphate body. (2) A method for producing an exhaust gas purification catalyst, including the steps of: firing aluminum phosphate obtained from an aqueous solution prepared to a pH of 3.5 to 4.5, at a temperature of between 1000° C. and 1200° C. for 2 hours or longer, to obtain a fired aluminum phosphate body, and supporting at least one type of platinum-group metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Rh and Pd on the fired aluminum phosphate body.
US09498760B2
The invention relates to a stable, highly concentrated, aqueous suspension of nanoparticles, particularly of titanium dioxide particles, a method for production, and use of the suspension, e.g. for coating or impregnation, or as an additive in organic or inorganic matrices. The suspension contains a first dispersant based on a polymeric alkoxylate and a second dispersant selected from the group of amino alcohols. The suspension is preferably characterized by the fact that its stability is preserved even during and after vigorous dispersion in an attrition mill and no increase in viscosity occurs. In a preferred embodiment, the viscosity declines by up to 10 to 50% as a function of the milling time. In a further embodiment, the suspension can be dried and subsequently redispersed, without the state of dispersion deteriorating.
US09498759B2
The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalizing the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.
US09498754B2
A method capable of effectively improving a rejection of a reverse osmosis membrane without remarkably reducing a permeation flux, even if the membrane is seriously degraded. An aqueous solution containing a first organic compound having a molecular weight of less than 200, a second organic compound having a molecular weight of 200 to less than 500, and a third organic compound having a molecular weight of 500 or more is passed through the reverse osmosis membrane. The first organic compound is preferably an amino acid or an amino acid derivative. The total concentration of the first organic compound and the second organic compound and the concentration of the third organic compound are each preferably 1 to 500 mg/L.
US09498746B2
Using a method and installation for separating acid components, dust and tar from hot gases of gasification installations, an economical method using a corresponding installation is to be created, which enables acid compounds HF, HCl, H2S, dust and tar to be reliably separated in the highest possible temperature range. The aim is achieved in that the media flow leaving the gasification at above 700° C. is fed with additives to a desulfurization process and subsequently to a combined cyclone 9 having associated filter cartridges 17 in a common vessel 8, and the gas is withdrawn for further use downstream of the filter cartridges.
US09498728B2
A game operating device (controller) includes a longitudinal housing, and a holding portion held by hand to be wrapped by its palm it is formed in the housing. A direction switch is provided on an upper surface at a position where it can be operated by thumb of the hand holding the holding portion, and a start switch and a select switch are provided backward thereof. An X button 46 and a Y button are further arranged in line on the upper surface of the housing. An imaging information arithmetic unit is provided at a front end of the housing in a longitudinal direction in such a manner that an imaging device thereof is exposed from a front-end surface. A concave portion is formed on a lower surface at a position corresponding to the direction switch. The concave portion includes a valley and two inclined surfaces. An A button capable of being operated by index finger of the hand holding the holding portion is provided on the backward inclined surface. By processing an image signal obtained by imaging an infrared ray from LED modules by the imaging device, it is possible to obtain an operation signal varying according to a position and/or attitude of the controller.
US09498722B2
A participation inviting block invites users wanting to participation in same content to be executed in a shared manner upon a notification from a promoter client apparatus connected to a content providing apparatus that makes two or more client apparatuses execute the same content in a shared manner through a network. An information notifying block references a user information storage block storing content provided by the content providing apparatus, information for identifying a user to whom the content was provided, and skill level information suggestive of a skill level of that user with respect to the content by linking the content, the information, and the skill level information in order to get the skill level information with respect to the content for which the participation was invited for each user wanting the participation accepted by the participation inviting block.
US09498712B2
A video server is configured to provide streaming video to players of computer games over a computing network. The video server can provided video of different games to different players simultaneously. This is accomplished by rendering several video streams in parallel using a single GPU. The output of the GPU is provided to graphics processing pipelines that are each associated with a specific client/player and are dynamically allocated as needed. A client qualifier may be used to assure that only clients capable of presenting the streaming video to a player at a minimum level of quality receive the video stream.
US09498704B1
A system and method implemented as computer-based, computer-executable instructions employing a computation engine with digital storage provide a virtual environment with personalized user profiles specifically adapted to cognitive abilities of the user to train the user for specified tasks, herein called microtasks. The set of microtasks include achievement criteria. The virtual environment is controlled through an engine that automatically adapts the set of user-profile-specific microtasks to achieve a set of learning goals. The engine may calculate and/or measure a set of qualities associated with one or more sub-profiles associated with a given user based on game-type performance by that user either in isolation or among a group of users. Sub-profiles may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: a personality profile, a neural link profile, and/or a motivation profile.
US09498703B2
Kits designed to stimulate creativity, to provide exercise for fine motor skills, and to improve spatial perception. The kits may be useful as a stimulating “toy” for children to develop creativity, spatial perception and motor skills, as a therapeutic kit for the elderly or those requiring rehabilitation of fine motor skills; as a diversion to relieve stress, to create unique works for the home or office, to display photos and memorabilia, and for a host of other purposes, limited by the imagination. The kits include at least shaped components, fasteners, and a platform onto which a three-dimensional work is mounted.
US09498696B1
A treadmill body support apparatus is provided to assist users in standing, walking and running on a treadmill surface and exercising safely on the treadmill surface with freedom of vertical and lateral gait movement. The treadmill body support apparatus can be used by disabled and impaired users that require movement of the user to and from the treadmill surface from a mobility aid such as a wheelchair and adjustable weight-bearing support and balance support while exercising safely on the treadmill surface with freedom of vertical and lateral gait movement.
US09498692B2
An athletic training system used when practicing athletic training activities. The athletic training system includes a belt and means for maintaining the belt in place and prevent the belt from rotating or slipping during application which can occur due to the forces placed on the belt during application. The belt is secured beneath the user's waist and partially surrounds each of the user's thighs. To further maintain the belt in place, a pair of thigh straps depend about the inside of the users thighs to partially surround the thighs. First and second hip members outwardly extend from the side-ends of the belt. Each of the hip members form a triangle configuration with a part of the triangle extending from above the user's hip joint and a part of the triangle extending from below the user's hip joint during application. An elastic resistance band includes one end that is secured to a support, and an opposite end releasably attached to one or both of the hip members.
US09498672B1
An elliptical exercise device has a frame and guide link pivotally attached thereto. A foot support link is pivotally connected to a lower attachment point of each guide link so that when the guide links pivot relative to the frame, foot receiving areas of the foot support links move in a path of travel having a horizontal component of motion. Vertical control tracks are pivotally connected to the frame and support the foot support links. A vertical drive is coupled to the forward portion of the frame and vertical control elements connect the vertical drive to the vertical control tracks. A horizontal drive and horizontal control links control pivoting of the guide links.
US09498671B1
An apparatus for allowing a person to operate a computer while walking on a treadmill with handrails is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a rigid first member, a rigid second member and a joint connecting a first end of the first member to a first end of the second member. The connection has at least two positions including a first position and a second position. The first position aligns the first and second members into a first configuration for providing a work surface wherein a first surface of the first member is coplanar to a first surface of the second member to create the work surface for supporting a computing device and a user's wrists, the work surface rigid enough to support the computer device and the user's wrists. The second position aligns the first member and the second member into a second configuration for transportation.
US09498663B2
The present disclosure provides a sprinkler head which has a structure capable of preventing water leakage and malfunction and can be adapted to automated production. The sprinkler head includes a frame which has a water outlet and is coupled to a water supply pipe so that supply water is discharged through the water outlet, a deflector which has a height adjustment unit in a central portion thereof and is coupled to a lower portion of the frame, a fuse which is supported by the height adjustment unit and has a first lever and a second lever that are coupled with each other by a fusible metal, and a valve cap which is supported by the fuse and closes the water outlet. The first lever and the second lever are welded by the fusible metal at one or more points.
US09498655B2
It is described a belay, of static or dynamic type, and descender, of self-blocking type and not, device for securing one or more ropes comprising a main body composed of at least two or more flat plates constrained one to another according to planes preferably parallel, or slightly tilted, by a plurality of spacer pins. The rope/s is/are inserted inside the body of the device which further comprises a first karabiner hooked to the main body by passing through an opening in the device body. The karabiner is movable in the opening between an unlocking position of the rope, that is the usual use condition, and an emergency position wherein the rope is blocked, and vice versa. The device further comprises a hole passing through the device body allowing the hooking of the first karabiner removed from the opening or of a second karabiner around which the rope/s is/are passed, and further means for constraining the device body to a fixed hooking point, which comprise at least one through hole inside which a further respective karabiner is hooked.
US09498653B2
A sunscreen cosmetic composition contains an ultraviolet absorber composed of a triazine compound (a) represented by the general formula (1) below and a triazine compound (b) represented by chemical formula (2) below. In the general formula (I) below, R1 represents a linear or branched C1-12 alkyl group, a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, a C3-8 alkenyl group, a C6-18 aryl group, a C7-18 alkylaryl group, or a C7-18 arylalkyl group (with the proviso that these groups may be substituted by a hydroxy group, a halogen atom or a C1-12 alkyl or alkoxy group, and may be interrupted by an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a carbonyl group, an ester group, an amide group or an imino group, and further that the substitution and the interruption may be combined); and R2 represents a C1-8 alkyl group, or a C3-8 alkenyl group.
US09498652B2
Depilatory compositions comprising a depilatory agent, fatty alcohol and VP/hexadecene copolymer provide improved resistance to rinsing of the compositions from the skin. The compositions provide for a method-of depilation in wet conditions using a tool to apply and remove the compositions.
US09498650B2
A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.
US09498646B2
A collimator assembly for use with radiation therapy systems, in particular stereotactic radiosurgery (“SRS”) systems, is provided. In general, the collimator assembly includes a collimator in which a plurality of concentric, conical slits is formed. Each conical slit is oriented along a different slit angle, such that radiation impinging on the top surface of the collimator is redirected along each conical slit towards a common target isocenter located at a distance away from the bottom surface of the collimator. The conical slits can be referred to as “Compton slits” because they are designed to increase the radiation output at the isocenter of the collimator by redirecting Compton scattered radiation towards the isocenter in the target region. The collimator assembly thus improves the efficiency of a radiation treatment system by utilizing Compton scattered radiation that would otherwise be lost.
US09498638B2
Disclosed is an assembly or system and apparatus for applying pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF) coils to the underside of an equine hoof. The PEMF coil is encased in an elastomer structure to form a “puck” that will protect the coils from moisture, dirt and damage from rough use. The coil, and preferably a puck containing the coil may suitably be placed on, in or under an elastomeric orthotic pad that is disposed in a suitable equine boot.
US09498636B2
A method is provided for controlling power delivery from an external power transfer system (EPTS) to at least one implantable neurostimulator system (INS). The method comprises driving a first transmit coil within the EPTS using a transmit coil driver circuit, receiving, using a receive coil, power transferred from the first transmit coil, coupling the received power to a regulator circuit, monitoring the regulator circuit, communicating a message to the EPTS using a back telemetry circuit, receiving the message, and adjusting the transmit coil driver circuit.
US09498635B2
An implantable head-mounted, radiofrequency (RF) coupled, unibody peripheral neurostimulation system is provided for implantation in the head for the purpose of treating chronic head pain, including migraine. The system may include an implantable pulse generator (IPG) from which multiple stimulating leads may extend sufficient to allow for adequate stimulation over multiple regions of the head, preferably including the frontal, parietal and occipital regions. A lead may include an extended body, along which may be disposed a plurality of surface metal electrodes (SME), which may be subdivided into a plurality of electrode arrays. A plurality of internal metal wires may run a portion of its length and connect the IPG's internal circuit to the SME. The IPG may include an RF receiver coil and an application specific integrated circuit. The IPG may be capable of functional connection to an external RF unit for purposes that may include power, diagnostics, and programming.
US09498634B2
The method and system described herein relate to stimulating nerve tissue using a pulse generator. A stimulus is created that comprises a signal that is produced from a frequency spectrum having a power spectral density per unit of bandwidth proportional to 1/fβ, wherein β is excludes 0. The stimulus is provided from the pulse generator to at least one stimulation lead; and applied to nerve tissue via one or several electrodes.
US09498626B2
A system and method of generating electrode stimulation signals for electrode contacts in an electrode array associated with a hearing implant is presented. An input audio signal is processed to generate a plurality of band pass channel signals each representing an associated band of audio frequencies. A stationary noise reduction is applied so as to provide a stationary noise reduced channel envelope from each channel signal. A transient in one or more of the channel envelopes is detected. The channel envelopes are modified as a function of whether the transient is transient noise or transient speech, so as to form transient modified envelope. The transient modified envelopes are used to generate electrode stimulation signals to the electrode contacts.
US09498619B2
An implantable electrical stimulation lead for the treatment of biological conditions includes a lead body with an electrical connector at one end and a pair of monopolar branches at the other end. The lead body has a length ranging from 390 mm to 490 mm to allow for implantation from an incision site further removed from the final positioning site of the electrodes. The branches have lengths ranging from 50 mm to 120 mm for the both branches. These lengths facilitate successful laparoscopic implantation at sites with confined anatomy, such as, near the gastroesophageal junction. The branches include needles and sutures at their ends for suturing anchors positioned on the branches to surrounding tissue. The needles have curves designed to facilitate maneuvering in confined anatomy. A separate lead includes a suture loop connecting the ends of the first and second branches rather than needles. The loop is used to pull the lead through the working channel of an endoscope. The anchors on the lead are porous and allow for the ingrowth of surrounding tissue for fixing the branches in place.
US09498617B2
Thin-film multi-electrode arrays (MEA) having one or more electrically conductive beams conformally encapsulated in a seamless block of electrically insulating material, and methods of fabricating such MEAs using reproducible, microfabrication processes. One or more electrically conductive traces are formed on scaffold material that is subsequently removed to suspend the traces over a substrate by support portions of the trace beam in contact with the substrate. By encapsulating the suspended traces, either individually or together, with a single continuous layer of an electrically insulating material, a seamless block of electrically insulating material is formed that conforms to the shape of the trace beam structure, including any trace backings which provide suspension support. Electrical contacts, electrodes, or leads of the traces are exposed from the encapsulated trace beam structure by removing the substrate.
US09498609B2
Disclosed are a patch, system, and method for delivery of a permeant composition into a subject via at least one formed pathway through a biological membrane of the subject. The patch comprises a matrix, at least one hydrophilic permeant disposed within the matrix, wherein at least a portion of the permeant can dissolve in biological moisture received from the subject, and at least one permeability enhancer disposed within the matrix. Also disclosed are systems and methods for delivery of a permeant composition into a subject via at least one formed pathway through a skin layer of the subject.
US09498608B2
A fluid delivery system includes an implantable fluid source, a first catheter in fluid communication with the implantable fluid source, and an implantable micro-valve in fluid communication with the first catheter, the micro-valve configured to be located within a round window or to be secured to a promontory bone of a cochlea.
US09498602B2
A steerable intravascular catheter is disclosed which includes an elongated sheath having a tubular body wall defining a central lumen and a deflectable distal end portion, a pair of laterally opposed elongated pull wires extending through the tubular body wall of the sheath and terminating within the distal end portion thereof, and a handle assembly having a longitudinal axis and operatively associated with a proximal end portion of the sheath, the handle assembly including an rotatable control knob for controlling bi-directional deflection of the distal end portion of the sheath, wherein bi-directional angular rotation of the control knob about the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly effectuates corresponding reciprocal axial movement of the laterally opposed pull wires in opposed axial directions and corresponding bi-directional deflection of the distal end portion of the sheath.
US09498598B2
A introducer sheath has a high centering performance that is relatively easily capable of introducing an elongated body such as a catheter into an appropriate position, and is capable of appropriately maintaining hemostasis and insertibility of a valve body. The introducer sheath includes a tubular member provided with a hollow section through which an elongated body is freely insertable, a hub that includes an inner space which communicates with the hollow section of the tubular member and is provided on a proximal side of the tubular member, a valve body that is placed in the inner space of the hub, and an annular member that contacts with the valve body to fix the valve body to the inner space and includes a through-hole into which the elongated body can be inserted.
US09498589B2
This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing adaptive base flow scheduling during ventilation of a patient to optimize patient-machine synchrony and accuracy of estimated exhaled as well as inhaled tidal volumes. Further, this disclosure describes systems and methods for providing adaptive inspiratory trigger threshold scheduling during the adaptive base flow scheduling. Further still, this disclosure describes systems and methods for determining an estimated leak flow and adjusting the adaptive base flow scheduling and the adaptive inspiratory trigger threshold scheduling based on the estimated leak flow. Moreover, this disclosure describes systems and methods for determining a change in the estimated leak flow and adjusting the adaptive base flow scheduling and the adaptive inspiratory trigger threshold scheduling based on the change in the estimated leak flow.
US09498588B2
A portable pen sized electric herb vaporizer with ceramic heating chamber is an elongated and cylindrical device used to vaporize the active ingredient of or burn herbs, having a battery, a heating compartment, a chamber connector, and a mouthpiece. Two threaded screw interfaces attach the battery to the heating compartment and the heating compartment to the chamber connector. The mouthpiece holds a ceramic filter and is inserted into the chamber connector. The heating compartment has a ceramic heating chamber within which herbs are placed, and a heating coil connected to the battery within the ceramic heating chamber heats the herbs. The user presses an activator button and inhales through the mouthpiece, drawing heated air over the herbs, through the chamber connector and into the user's lungs. The chamber connector has a disk filter to catch ash and a spring that presses on the herbs for efficient vaporization.
US09498586B2
An infusion pump system including an infusion tubing for delivering a fluid, a heat exchanger cartridge in fluid communication with the infusion tubing and removably coupled to at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the fluid, a motor driven pump in mechanical communication with the infusion tubing and configured to pump the fluid through the infusion tubing and the heat exchanger cartridge, and a central controller in electrical communication with the motor driven pump and the at least one thermal element. The central controller is configured to selectively deliver the fluid to a patient without heating or cooling the fluid by causing the motor driven pump to pump the fluid through the infusion tubing and the heat exchanger cartridge while the thermal element is off.
US09498582B2
A liquid administration device includes: a cylindrical body filled with liquid; a needle tube configured to communicate or be communicable with the cylindrical body at its tip side, and to have a sharp needle tip; a gasket configured to slide within the cylindrical body; an operation member configured to to discharge the liquid by pressing the gasket toward the tip direction; a cover member configured to be capable of moving to a first position, in which at least the needle tip is covered, to a second position, in which the needle tip is exposed, and to a third position, in which at least the needle tip is re-covered; and a cover member that can move from the first position to the second position to a third position to re-cover the needle tip.
US09498580B2
The present invention provides a novel construction for a hypodermic syringe apparatus by the inclusion of a needle guard assembly with shielding for protection of the needle after use and preventing of the spreading of disease and/or infection to users or localized personnel prior to disposal of the disposable syringe. The assembly includes a needle cover which is preferably tubular and is movable between a retracted positioned within the syringe and a deployed position extending around the needle for preventing contact therewith. A unique locking mechanism is included with two pins and two unlocking buttons for selectively initiating unlocking of the needle cover to facilitate movement of it to the deployed position responsive to activation of a needle cover button.
US09498579B2
A safety needle assembly is provided herein having a hub; a needle fixed to the hub; a shield; a tab; a spring disposed between the shield and the hub configured to bias the shield distally; and, a clip disposed between the hub and the shield, the clip having a notch formed thereon shaped to permit passage therethrough of the tab. The clip and the tab releasably retain the shield in a first locked state against the biasing force of the spring thereby limiting distal movement of the shield relative to the hub; yet, in the first locked state, the shield is movable proximally relative to the hub. In the first locked state, the notch is spaced from the tab. The clip and the tab are relatively displaceable so as to align the notch with the tab and release the shield from the first locked state thereby allowing the shield to move distally, relative to the hub, to a second shielded state. In the second shielded state, the distal end of the needle is covered by the shield. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a passive safety needle assembly may be provided which requires few parts and is reliable.
US09498577B2
The invention concerns a dosing system for adjusting a dose volume of a fluid medium. The dosing system has a longitudinal center axis, a dosing sleeve with at least one communication opening, a dosing plunger, which can move axially in the dosing sleeve between a retracted and a depressed position to take up and dispense the medium through the communication opening, and a retraction limiting element to delimit a maximum axial retraction path of the dosing plunger. The retraction limiting element in at least one position can be axially fixed to the dosing plunger and can move radially to the longitudinal center axis between an inner position, axially fixed on the dosing plunger, and an outer position relative to the dosing plunger. In the inner position, it is completely inside the dosing sleeve. Furthermore, the dosing system has an end stop arranged on the dosing sleeve for interaction with the retraction limiting element in the retracted position of the dosing plunger.
US09498565B2
Disclosed herein are biologically inspired, either manual or electronic, portable fluid expression system to be used for, but not limited to, breast milk expression from nursing women and other milk expression from any species of mammal. The fluid expression systems can be configured to mimic the anatomy of a suckling infant and the biomechanics and fluid dynamics associated with this behavior. The fluid expression system can be used by nursing mothers to express breast milk efficiently, painlessly, and discreetly. The systems can include a single, contiguous flexible structure designed to resemble the lips and oropharyngeal cavity of a newborn infant of the mammalian species of interest. Rigid external housings or stiffening structures can be used to mimic the bony anatomy of the infant or mammalian species of interest.
US09498561B2
A method for producing a flocculent three dimensional fibrous bioactive material using an electrospinning process includes electrospinning a biodegradable fiber by applying an electrical charge to a nozzle of an electrospinning apparatus such that a spinning solution contained therein is made into an electrospun fiber, which is attracted toward a collector container that is electrically grounded and is filled with an ethanol liquid; receiving the electrospun fiber emitted from the nozzle on a surface of the ethanol liquid in the collector container; recovering and drying the electrospun fiber to obtain the flocculent three dimensional fibrous bioactive material having a bulk density of from about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.1 g/cm3 as measured in accordance with JIS L 1097.
US09498560B2
An improved spinous process fixation implant assembly 50 includes a spinous process fixation implant 100 and an interspinous spacer implant 200. The spinous process fixation implant 100 includes elongated first and second components 110, 120, that are arranged opposite and parallel to each other. First and second spinous processes 90a, 90b of first and second adjacent vertebrae 80a, 80b are clamped between the first and second components 110, 120, respectively, and are separated by the interspinous spacer implant 200. The interspinous spacer implant 200 may be inserted between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae from two different directions.
US09498555B2
An air filtration media for use with a heating ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system is provided. The filtration media comprises an air filter media layer having a first and second side, a PCO media layer having a first and second side, and a barrier layer positioned between the second side of the air filter media layer and the first side of the PCO media layer. The air filter media layer, barrier layer, and PCO layer are pleated together and enclosed within a frame for placement adjacent a light source within a plenum of the HVAC system.
US09498552B2
A mist-generating device that can be connected to a vehicle's Low Direct Current Voltage (LDCV) power supply is disclosed. The device can be used to treat mold, bacteria and clean or remove odors on exposed and hard-to-reach surfaces of the interior of a car. The device can include a unique filling system that can be used to prevent foreign materials from entering into the unit, including fluids or substances that would deteriorate the performance of the unit or the components of the device itself. The inside of the device can include an internal anti-foam and anti-splash structure designed to keep electronic components dry and reduce the foaming and turbulence of the fluid being misted. Further, the inside of the device in one embodiment is split into three adjacent areas, which govern efficient flow of air and atomized chemicals through the device.
US09498551B2
The invention relates to a system, methods and apparatus for efficiently and cost-effectively preventing the transfer of microbes, such as, for example, bacteria and viruses seamlessly during commercial transactions typically occurring at a full service check-out station in a large retail store. The invention further considers the application of the methods and apparatus in other industrial disciplines where, for example, medical equipment and surgical tools may be susceptible to cross-contamination of microbes. One preferred embodiment incorporates a slidable drawer within a cash box where currency is stored, taken, or added randomly over a period of time. Especially designed lamps allow for a rapid switching means to control the time period for activating or deactivating lamps, thus regulating UV exposure. Exposure time with UVC and the orientation of the UV lamps provides complete germicidal decontamination within seconds.
US09498546B2
The present invention provides analog compounds of DPA-713 which specifically bind the translocator protein (TSPO), which is upregulated in activated leukocytes, some malignant tumors and tissues involved in steroid biogenesis. These compounds are linked via a linking moiety to a variety of imaging agents, including, for example, near infra-red dyes. The compounds of the present invention are useful for both pre-clinical near-IR fluorescence imaging (NIRF) and use in optically-guided interventions including NIRF endoscopy. Methods of use in diagnosis and treatment of TSPO related disease are also provided.
US09498543B2
The present invention relates to anti-cKIT antibodies, antibody fragments, antibody drug conjugates, and their uses for the treatment of cancer.
US09498542B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming cytokine-antibody complexes using dock-and-lock technology. In preferred embodiments, the cytokine-MAb DNL complex comprises an IgG antibody attached to two AD (anchor domain) moieties and four cytokines, each attached to a DDD (docking and dimerization domain) moiety. The DDD moieties form dimers that bind to the AD moieties, resulting in a 2:1 ratio of DDD to AD. The cytokine-MAb complex exhibits improved pharmacokinetics, with a significantly longer serum half-life than either naked cytokine or PEGylated cytokine. The cytokine-MAb complex also exhibits significantly improved in vitro and in vivo efficacy compared to cytokine alone, antibody alone, unconjugated cytokine plus antibody or cytokine-MAb DNL complexes incorporating an irrelevant antibody. In more preferred embodiment the cytokine is G-CSF, erythropoietin or INF-α2b.
US09498541B2
Charged or pro-charged cross-linking moieties and conjugates of cell binding agents and drugs comprising the charged or pro-charged cross-linking moieties and method of making the same.
US09498540B2
Disclosed herein are immunoconjugates comprising an inhibitor of Eg5 linked to an antigen binding moiety such as an antibody, that are useful for treating cell proliferative disorders. Also disclosed are novel inhibitors of Eg5 that can be used either alone or as part of an immunoconjugate to treat cell proliferation disorders. The Eg5 inhibitors include compounds of this formula as described herein: The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and immunoconjugates, and compositions comprising the immunoconjugates or compounds with a therapeutic co-agent, and methods to use these compounds, conjugates and compositions for treating cell proliferation disorders.
US09498534B2
The invention relates to derivatives of GLP-1 like peptides which are C-terminally extended analogs of native GLP-1. The derivatives comprise two side chains, one at a position corresponding to position 42, and one at a position corresponding to position 18, 23, 27, 31, 36, or 38, wherein both positions are when compared to GLP-1(7-37). The side chains comprise a C19, C20, or C22 diacid protracting moiety and optionally a linker. The invention also relates to intermediate products in the form of novel GLP-1 analogs incorporated in the derivatives of the invention, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and medical uses of the derivatives. The derivatives have very long half-lives while maintaining a satisfactory potency, which makes them potentially suitable for once-monthly administration.
US09498529B2
The present invention provides methods for treating or preventing influenza virus infection. The methods of the present invention comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising a type II transmembrane serine protease (TTSP) inhibitor. The TTSP inhibitor preferably functions by inhibiting the proteolytic cleavage of influenza hemagglutinin (HA0) into the functional subunits HA1 and HA2. In certain embodiments, the TTSP inhibitor is an inhibitor of transmembrane protease serine S1 member 2 (TMPRSS2), such as an anti-TMPRSS2 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.
US09498528B2
A method for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) with Campath-1H with significant efficacy and a favorable safety profile is described, which offers an acceptable benefit/risk ratio. Especially described is the use of Campath-1H (alemtuzumab) for the production of a medicament for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), comprising a first treatment cycle followed by at least one further treatment cycle of Campath-1H (alemtuzumab), in which each treatment cycle comprises 1-5 daily doses which are applied on consecutive days, wherein the daily dose is >0 and ≦12 mg, and wherein each treatment cycle is separated from the next cycle by at least 1-24 months. Also described are treatment regimens comprising the administration of less than 12 mg/day of Campath-1H for a period of 1-5 consecutive days.
US09498504B2
A process for the preparation of a pharmaceutically effective extract from the cyanobacterium Arthrospira sp. having the following steps: extrusion of a powder containing Arthrospira sp. with the addition of water; extraction of the extrudate with an organic solvent; and provision of the extract as a pharmaceutically effective composition.
US09498487B2
The present invention provides a topical composition comprising (a) at least one delivery agent compound and (b) a cromoglycic acid compound. Methods of treatment, and methods of preparing the topical composition are also provided.
US09498480B2
The present application relates to novel substituted azabicycles, to processes for their preparation, to their use alone or in combinations for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and to their use for producing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cardiovascular disorders.
US09498472B2
Methods of treating, preventing or managing leukemias are disclosed. The methods encompass the administration of an immunomodulatory compound of the invention known as Revlimid® or lenalidomide. The invention further relates to methods of treatment using this compound with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy or immunotherapy. Pharmaceutical compositions and single unit dosage forms suitable for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed.
US09498468B2
A method of treating rhinitis and rhinorrhea includes taking a daytime oral dosage unit containing a non-sedating antihistamine for treating rhinitis and an anticholinergic agent having limited capacity to cross blood-brain barrier for treating rhinorrhea, and taking a nighttime oral dosage unit containing a non-sedating anticholinergic agent that has limited capacity to cross blood-brain barrier and that is in a lower amount than the amount in the daytime oral dosage unit for treating rhinorrhea or no anticholinergic agent. A treatment regimen for rhinitis with rhinorrhea includes a daytime oral dosage unit containing a non-sedating antihistamine for treating rhinitis and an anticholinergic agent having limited capacity to cross blood-brain barrier for treating rhinorrhea, and a nighttime dosage unit containing a non-sedating anticholinergic agent that has limited capacity to cross blood-brain barrier and that is in a lower amount than the amount in the daytime oral dosage unit for treating rhinorrhea or no anticholinergic agent.
US09498466B2
The present invention is directed to inhibitors of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), pharmaceutical compositions comprising such GSNOR inhibitors, and methods of making and using the same.
US09498461B2
The invention relates to the compounds of formula I and formula II or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I or formula II; and methods for treating or preventing inflammatory bowel disease may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, liver cirrhosis and idiopathic urticaria.
US09498456B2
Disclosed in certain embodiments is a controlled release oral dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a drug susceptible to abuse together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients; the dosage form further including a gelling agent in an effective amount to impart a viscosity unsuitable for administration selected from the group consisting of parenteral and nasal administration to a solubilized mixture formed when the dosage form is crushed and mixed with from about 0.5 to about 10 ml of an aqueous liquid; the dosage form providing a therapeutic effect for at least about 12 hours when orally administered to a human patient.
US09498454B2
Disclosed are preparations and formulations of high thermodynamic activity lipophilic associations (LA), in which there is pairing between an ionizable pharmaceutical agent and a lipophilic species having ionic characteristics opposite to that of the pharmaceutical agent. Such lipophilic associations manifest high thermodynamic activity, as evidenced by their being predominantly in a liquid phase at room temperature or solvated in a lower-than-water dielectric solvent. Further the pharmaceutical agent being solubilized means that dissolution is not rate limiting to transmucosal absorption. This LA or LA-solvate is formulated into a low dielectric dosage form, from whence, upon the dosage form's hydration, the pharmaceutical agent is driven through the mucosal tissue and into systemic circulation. The invention therefore provides an enhanced transmucosal drug delivery system for ionizable pharmaceutical agents at or near physiological pH.
US09498450B2
The present invention relates to the treatment of an individual afflicted with cochlear tinnitus comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a 1-amino-alkylcyclohexane derivative.
US09498435B2
Described herein are compositions, methods, and devices for relief of a cough, cold, sore throat, or allergy, or a related symptom. Also described herein are compositions, methods, and devices for the prevention, treatment and/or amelioration of a digestive illness or digestive discomfort, or a related symptom of either.
US09498434B2
A strip, which is both edible and dissolvable, is provided comprising a film and a dosage of at least 2% of the reference daily intake (RDI) of at least one dietary supplement for malnutrition or to prevent/treat alcohol induced hangovers. A method for treating malnutrition and/or preventing and treating alcohol-induced hangovers using a dissolvable orally administered strip.
US09498429B2
The present invention relates, in one aspect, to the use of a composition based on a vegetal extract of Galeopsis segetum Necker and of a physiologically acceptable carrier in the treatment or prevention of hair loss. The composition finds application in the field of trichology and may be applied topically on the scalp or administered orally.
US09498428B2
Disclosed is a method of treating a skin condition, the method comprising topically applying to skin in need thereof a composition comprising an effective amount of an aqueous or alcoholic extract from the leaf of Quassia undulata, wherein the composition treats the skin condition by reducing COX-1, lipoxygenase, tyrosinase, TNF-α, melanogenesis, or MMP-1 activity in the skin.
US09498420B2
A cosmetic composition suitable for topical application, for example, is provided. In some examples, the cosmetic composition may include batyl alcohol, undecylenoyl phenylalanine, hexyldecanol, and bisabolol. A method of reducing the synthesis of melanin by using the cosmetic compositions is also disclosed herein.
US09498419B2
Formulations, kits, and methods for rebuilding the disulfide bonds in keratin found in hair, skin, or nails. Hair that is damaged due to a hair coloring treatment and/or other reducing treatment, such as during a permanent wave, can be treated with the formulations containing one or more active agents. The formulations may be applied subsequent to a hair coloring treatment or simultaneously with a hair coloring treatment. Use of the active agent formulations during a permanent wave treatment prevents the reversion of the hair to its previous state, for at least one week, preferably at least three months, more preferably at least one year, most preferably greater than one year, after one or more than one application of the formulation. Application of the active agent formulation to skin or nails can help repair damaged disulfide bonds due to natural wear and tear or natural aging.
US09498418B2
The present invention relates to abradable films useful, e.g., in dentifrice formulations, wherein the film is stable in formulation, but abrades to release pigment or oral care active components upon brushing. The invention provides, e.g., an orally acceptable, water insoluble film which does not dissolve under formulation conditions but disintegrates upon brushing, comprising a polymer matrix, plasticizer (e.g., propylene glycol), releasable material (e.g., color or pigment) incorporated therein; and (optionally) nonionic surfactant (e.g. polysorbate), wherein the polymer matrix comprises at least 50%, e.g., at least 75%, of poly(vinyl alcohol), and 50% or less, e.g. 25% or less, of a water-soluble cellulose ether, for example hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose; together with dentifrice comprising such films, and methods of making and using the same.
US09498410B2
A dentifrice composition comprising an orally acceptable vehicle having distributed therein a water hydratable film flakes having a matrix comprised of a water soluble hydroxy alkyl cellulose polymer and a starch, and having entrained therein a constituent selected from therapeutic cosmetic and decorative materials.
US09498405B2
The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for tempering the temperature of a liquid in a fluid conducting system. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention relates to tempering the temperature of water supplied to a fixture from a water heater in a fluid conducting system. The system can include a heater for heating the fluid and a diffuser for slowing the rate at which water provided to a decontamination fixture is heated.
US09498396B2
The present invention describes a medical, supply or transfer lock (120) for a pressure vessel (100) for human occupancy. The medical lock (120) includes a body tube (122), an outer door flange (124) and an outer door (140) in sealing face relation with an inside face (125) of the outer door flange (124). In an embodiment, the outer door (124) has upper rollers (146a) and lower rollers (146b). The upper rollers run on a horizontal rail (160) while the lower rollers run on a slant rail (170), which is mounted below the horizontal rail (160). The ends of the horizontal and slant rails (160,170) are curved (163, 172) so that weight component of the outer door is generated to assist the outer door to close. When pressure in the medical lock (120) is increased, the outer door (140) of this medical lock (120) becomes self-locking and self-sealing.
US09498395B2
A joint movement detection device and system is presented which is responsive to elbow or wrist movements during use of a manually-propelled wheelchair to enable coordination of assistive motor energization with a user's efforts at self-motivating the manually-propelled wheelchair during driving, steering, and braking of the wheelchair. Several embodiments are provided which help to ensure user-intended assistive motor output that is responsive to movement of the joint over which the device is worn.
US09498387B2
An absorbent article has a lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction. The absorbent article includes a body section provided with a liquid-permeable top sheet on a skin-side, a liquid-impermeable backsheet on a garment-side, and a liquid-holding absorbent body positioned between the top sheet and the backsheet; and wing sections extending outwardly from both side-edges of the body section in the widthwise direction. A surface of the wing sections on the skin-side is formed by the top sheet or from side sheets positioned on both sides in the widthwise direction of the top sheet. Furthermore, the surface of the wing sections on the skin-side includes a plurality of bending parts extending non-continuously in the lengthwise direction, arranged in the widthwise direction, and having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape in the widthwise direction.
US09498386B2
Aspects of the methods according to the present disclosure relate to the fabrication of diaper pants wherein discrete chassis are advanced in a machine direction such that the longitudinal axis is parallel with the machine direction. Discrete lengths of elastic belt materials are then connected with the first waist region of a first advancing chassis and the second waist region of a second advancing chassis. The lengths of elastic belt materials are cut along the cross-direction between the discrete chassis forming a first elastic belt and a second elastic belt; the chassis are subsequently folded; and the first and second elastic belts disposed on the chassis are bonded together to create a discrete diaper pant. This apparatus and process configuration forms a continuous web of articles formed by intermittently spaced chassis and intermittently spaced elastic belts bridging the gap between the intermittently spaced chassis.
US09498376B2
A vitrectomy apparatus is provided, including a pressure source, a cut valve connected to the pressure source, the cut valve configured to be turned on and off to provide pressure to selectively extend and retract a vitrectomy cutting device, a sensor configured to sense pressure provided from the cut valve, and a controller configured to control operation of the cut valve based on pressure sensed by the sensor. The controller is configured to monitor pressures encountered and alter cut valve timing based on pressure conditions previously encountered.
US09498375B2
A contact lens tool kit for placement of a contact lens on an eye is provided. The tool kit may include a tool housing for engaging a contact lens tool. The contact lens tool may include an annular groove for selectively engaging a contact lens. The tool kit may also include a lens housing for receiving a contact lens, the lens housing selectively engageable with the tool housing. Engagement of the tool housing and the lens housing permits reception of the contact lens by the contact lens tool. The lens housing may include a plug for draining solution through an aperture of the contact lens tool.
US09498357B2
The disclosed stent comprises at least two support portions and at least one connecting portion which follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the stent. Each support portion has multiple openings in the wall of the tubular body and border elements which are formed by the tubular body and which surround the openings and together with said openings form support portion cells in the expanded state. Two support portions which are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction are connected via a connecting portion lying between said support portions, and each of the mutually facing end faces of the adjacent support portions are formed by a row of end-face cells of the respective support portion. The connecting portion comprises connecting elements which are formed by the tubular body and which connect the mutually facing end faces of the two adjacent support portions.
US09498355B2
A residual limb suspension liner for a prosthesis has a first layer defined by a first elastomeric material and forms a continuous circumferential internal surface of the liner. The liner also includes a second layer defined by a second elastomeric material different from the first elastomeric material. The second layer has a first surface adjacent to and integrally joined to the first layer. The second layer has a variable radial thickness over an anterior aspect of the liner.
US09498352B2
The invention relates to a method for producing an artificial foot, comprising a medial plane (M) in a longitudinal axis, in which a nominal foot length (l) is defined as a distance from a heel to a foot tip of a natural foot replaced by the artificial foot, and designed having a top side connecting piece (4) for torsionally rigidly connecting a foot insert (2) extending substantially over the length of the foot (l), and contacting two contact surfaces (6, 7) over the length (l), of which a first heel side contact surface (7) is located in the heel area and a second ball side contact surface (6) is located in the ball area, and designed so that the connecting part (4) is connected to the contact surfaces (6, 7) of the foot part by means of spring connections.
US09498341B2
A prosthetic device for an anatomical feature includes a prosthetic member able to be fixed to the anatomical feature. The device also includes a bearing including a bearing surface able to support an articulating surface for articulation thereon. Additionally, the device includes a bearing restraining member that limits movement of the bearing relative to the prosthetic member at a first time. The bearing restraining member also allows for increased movement of the bearing relative to the prosthetic member at a second time without surgical intervention.
US09498335B2
This application describes an implantable device for tissue repair comprising at least two fabrics with interconnecting spacer elements transversing, connecting, and separating the fabrics, forming the device. Some embodiments have fixation points which can be an extension of at least one of the fabrics. The implantable device allows modification of the two fabrics having varying constructions, chemistries, and physical properties. The spacer elements create a space between the two fabrics, which can be used for the loading of biological materials (peptides, proteins, cells, tissues), offer compression resistance (i.e. stiffness), and compression recovery (i.e., return to original dimensions) following deformation and removal of deforming load. The inclusive fixation points of the fabrics are designed to allow for fine adjustment of the sizing and tension of the device to promote integration with the surrounding tissues as well as maximize the compressive resistance. The fixation points can include either the first fabric, the second fabric, or the combination of both fabrics. This device is suitable for soft and hard tissue regeneration or replacement with a preference for musculoskeletal tissues including but not limited to cartilage (including hyaline (referred to as articular, e.g. cartilage on the ends of long bones), fibrous (e.g. meniscus or intervertebral discs), elastic (e.g. ear, epiglottis)), bone, muscle, tendon, ligament, and fat.
US09498331B2
Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.
US09498328B2
An artificial heart valve consists of two or more valve members (10, 20) stacked one upon the other in a housing (40) and having blood flow passages (13, 23) that can be aligned with each other in order to open the valve and allow blood flow through the valve and that can be disaligned to close the valve. The valve members are maintained in continuous rotation and the alignment and disalignment of the valve members is achieved by slowing down and reaccelerating one or more of the valve members using a drive (18, 28) appropriately controlled by a control unit (C).
US09498325B2
Systems and methods for designing and implanting a customized intra-ocular lens (IOL) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes an eye analysis module that analyzes a patient's eye and generates biometric information relating to the eye. The system also includes eye modeling and optimization modules to generate an optimized IOL model based upon the biometric information and other inputted parameters representative of patient preferences. The system further includes a manufacturing module configured manufacture the customized IOL based on the optimized IOL model. In addition, the system can include an intra-operative real time analyzer configured to measure and display topography and aberrometry information related to a patient's eye for assisting in proper implantation of the IOL.
US09498318B2
A removable blood clot filter includes a number of locator members and anchor members disposed radially and extending angularly downward from a hub. The locator members include a number of linear portions having distinct axes configured to place a tip portion approximately parallel to the walls of a blood vessel when implanted and to apply sufficient force to the vessel walls to position the filter near the vessel centerline. The anchor members each include a hook configured to penetrate the vessel wall to prevent longitudinal movement due to blood flow. The hooks may have a cross section sized to allow for a larger radius of curvature under strain so that the filter can be removed without damaging the vessel wall.
US09498279B2
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
US09498270B2
An inserter can be used to implant a distractible intervertebral body fusion device into a disc space and expand the device. The inserter includes a shaft frame and a drive shaft assembly for expanding the device and a support shaft assembly for stabilizing the device extending distally from the shaft frame. A drive housing can be operably connected to the shaft frame and extend outwardly from shaft frame distal of a proximal end of the shaft frame. Drive housing can have an internal passage that provides access into the shaft frame to a proximal end of the drive shaft assembly. An actuation tool can be disposed with the drive housing with a distal end extending through the access into the shaft frame to interface with the proximal end of the drive shaft assembly such that activation of the actuation tool rotates the drive shaft assembly to expand the device.
US09498267B2
The invention relates to a bone plate (1), comprising a bottom side (4) intended for lying against the bone, a top side (3) facing away from the bone, a plurality of holes that penetrate the plate, of which holes at least one hole is used to accommodate a bone screw that has or does not have a threaded screw head, wherein furthermore at least one of the holes has a spherical oblong-hole shape having a threaded section. According to the invention, the at least one oblong hole has a thread having at least one thread turn on the overall inner peripheral side, wherein the at least one thread turn is not interrupted in a first pitch circle region (A) and is interrupted by thread-free recesses (6) in a second pitch circle region (B) and furthermore the thread has a conical shape in the first pitch circle region and the thread extends from the plate bottom side to the spherical formation in the second pitch circle region, wherein the section of the spherical recess extending to the plate top side is likewise thread-free.
US09498258B2
A spinal fixation device is provided having first and second elongate members that are angularly adjustable relative to one another. Each elongate member can include a connecting feature formed on a terminal end thereof, and each connecting feature can be coupled to one another to allow angular movement of the first and second elongate members. The device can also include a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the connecting feature on each of the first and second elongate members to lock the elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another.
US09498253B2
A polyaxial bone anchoring device is provided comprising a bone anchoring element having a shank to be anchored in a bone and a head; a receiving part coupled to the shank and configured to pivotably receive the head, and having a channel for receiving a rod and a longitudinal axis; a pressure member configured to be positioned in the receiving part; a locking member insertable into the channel; wherein the pressure member has a deformable portion; and wherein, when the locking member is advanced into the channel in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the locking member in moveable from a position where it contacts the pressure member resulting in a load applied to the pressure member that clamps the head, to a position where the locking member contacts the pressure member such that the deformable portion is deformed and the locking member contacts the rod and clamps the rod.
US09498250B2
An apparatus and procedure for defining the area for a thermo-electric knife to perform a bloodless intrastromal abdominal hysterectomy procedure while minimizing damage to the pericervical ring. The apparatus is configured to be inserted into the center cavity of the cervix and uterus to engage the uterine wall. The apparatus comprises an elongate member having a first end configured to extend into the center cavity of the uterus and cervix, and a thermo-electric knife guide plate secured concentrically to the elongate member proximal to the second end of the member to define the area for dissection of connective tissue between the cervix and the pericervical ring by a thermo-electric knife. A barb is secured to the elongate member between the first end and the guide plate, and configured to engage the uterine wall so that upon removal of the apparatus when in use the barb becomes attached to the uterus sufficient to remove the uterus and cervix through the abdomen. At least one aperture in the guide plate is configured to permit the passage therethrough of a centering tube when in use, whereby the apparatus is configured to stabilize the thermo-electric knife during intrastromal abdominal hysterectomy procedure.
US09498248B2
Devices, systems, and methods for immobilizing an implanted catheter tip while a catheter stylet is withdrawn from the catheter. In one embodiment, a cannula system is included that incorporates a catheter retainer securable to an immobilized guide cannula. The retainer may include one or more surfaces that operatively engage the catheter and effectively restrain the catheter relative to a head of the guide cannula. Other embodiments may also include a stylet holder operable to engage the stylet with a consistent and repeatable clamping force that is independent of clinician-applied force.
US09498238B2
A tissue resection device for resecting tissue from a target site within a patient's body. The device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An actuation member extends partially through the shaft, and reciprocates within the shaft between a retracted position and an extended position. Multiple snare wires extend through the actuation member, and emerge outwards from a distal portion of the actuation member. The snare wires cooperate and join to form a snare loop, which engages the tissue intended to be resected. The snare loop is configured to enhance friction while engaging the tissue, to resect the tissue.
US09498237B2
A method and a system for destruction of an undesirable formation in a mammalian body are described. The invention is based on inserting a probe into mammalian body; said probe is electrically connectable to a control unit and upon bringing the probe in physical contact with the formation supplying pulses of energy from the control unit to the probe in order to destroy the formation. The invention further comprises counting amount of pulses being supplied to the probe and establishing a remaining service life of the probe by subtracting the amount of pulses being supplied to the probe from an amount of pulses corresponding to initial service life of the probe. The treatment session is automatically terminates as soon as amount of pulses being supplied to the probe approaches at least a fraction of the established remaining service life of the probe. The established remaining service life of the probe is stored for new treatment session. Delivery of pulses automatically terminates when the remaining service life is exhausted and use of such probe becomes impossible.
US09498231B2
A number of improvements are provided relating to computer aided surgery utilizing an on tool tracking system. The various improvements relate generally to both the methods used during computer aided surgery and the devices used during such procedures. Other improvements relate to the structure of the tools used during a procedure and how the tools can be controlled using the OTT device. Still other improvements relate to methods of providing feedback during a procedure to improve either the efficiency or quality, or both, for a procedure including the rate of and type of data processed depending upon a CAS mode.
US09498230B2
A modular reaming system for reaming a plurality of pockets in an anatomical feature extends along a longitudinal axis. The system includes a first reamer in a first position on the longitudinal axis, and the first reamer reams a first pocket in the anatomical feature. The system further includes a second reamer that is removably coupled to the first reamer in a second position on the longitudinal axis. The second reamer reams a second pocket in the anatomical feature. The second reamer is keyed against rotation relative to the first reamer to ream the first and second pockets substantially simultaneously.
US09498229B2
An adjustable screwdriver for selectively driving an adjustable compression screw into a substrate. A distal tip of a adjustable head driver is configured to engage an adjustable head of an adjustable compression screw. A shaft driver is concentrically disposed in the adjustable head driver. A distal tip of the shaft driver is configured to engage the head of the screw shaft of the adjustable compression screw for use in rotating the screw shaft. The shaft driver is configured to selectively lock in an even driving position, in which the adjustable head driver and the shaft driver cooperatively drive the adjustable head and the screw shaft. The shaft driver is configured to selectively lock in a retracted driving position wherein the distal tip of the shaft driver is recessed in the adjustable head driver to thereby drive the adjustable head without the shaft driver driving the screw shaft.
US09498222B2
A circular stapler apparatus for stapling tissue has a circular stapling head operable to drive staples toward an anvil to form the staples in a circular array. The anvil includes an anvil head, a proximal shaft extending proximally from the anvil head and having a proximal end disposed in a first plane, and a first pivot connecting the anvil head to the proximal shaft. The first pivot is operable to be disposed in a second plane that is laterally offset from the first plane. The anvil is configured to rotate via movement through multiple pivot points. The anvil may be configured to rotate to a position in which a portion of the anvil head is disposed below the first pivot and between the first pivot and the proximal shaft such that the anvil head is acutely angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal shaft.
US09498216B2
A handle assembly for use with a surgical instrument having an operative distal end portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a housing, a drive element, an actuator, a spring arm, and a biasing element. The drive element is disposed at least partially within the housing and is longitudinally translatable with respect to the housing. The actuator is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing. The spring arm is disposed at least partially within the housing. The biasing element is for biasing the actuator. A first portion of the biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuator and a second portion of the biasing element is disposed in mechanical corporation with the spring arm. At least a partial actuation of the actuator distally translates the drive element from a proximal position where a portion of the drive element is in contact with the spring arm to a distal position where the drive element is not in contact with the spring arm.
US09498213B2
A staple cartridge includes outer and inner rows of retention slots that are adapted and configured to retain staples. The staple cartridge further includes a staple pusher including a plurality of pusher plates. A staple pusher includes pusher plates that are laterally spaced apart to engage staples within the outer rows of at least three rows of retention slots.
US09498205B2
A fixation device, comprises an elongated element extending along a central axis, having a total length L and including a proximal section formed of a material that is substantially non-absorbent for electromagnetic radiation within a preselected wavelength range and a distal section formed of a material that is substantially non-absorbent for electromagnetic radiation within the preselected wavelength range in combination with a middle section axially arranged between the proximal and distal sections, the middle section formed of a material that is substantially absorbent for electromagnetic radiation in the preselected wavelength range.
US09498204B2
A method of coupling a first portion of an anatomy to a second portion of the anatomy includes coupling first and second bones of the anatomy with a bone-tendon-bone implant. The bone-tendon-bone implant has a first bone end, a second bone end and a replacement tendon between the first and second bone ends. The first and second bone ends are positioned in corresponding first and second bores of the first and second bones. The first bone end is secured to the first bone with a first bone anchor. A second anchor coupled to the bone-tendon-bone implant is passed through and outside the second bore. The second anchor is coupled to an adjustable suture construct having two adjustable suture loops. Tensioning at least one of first and second ends of the adjustable suture construct tensions the replacement tendon and positions the first bone relative to the second bone.
US09498198B2
Surgical devices for stabilizing the heart are disclosed which facilitate anastomosis under beating heart conditions. Various instruments or devices may be maneuvered and secured on a retractor device to provide stabilization of the heart. An instrument mount is provided which is preferably configured to accept a surgical instrument, such as a tissue stabilizer, and to allow the instrument to be easily maneuvered to a desired position and subsequently locked into position with a simple operation of a single locking actuator. Further disclosed are stabilizer devices each having at least one surface for contacting the heart and each being adapted to be mounted to the retractor while having the ability to be positioned in the desired location against the heart.
US09498192B2
A surgical tool for use in a tissue removal procedure from a subject is described. The surgical tool has proximal and distal regions and at least one sensor for sensing one or more predetermined conditions located at a distal region of the surgical tool. And a substantially flat signal transmission structure electrically connected with the at least one sensor and extending between the location at the distal region and the proximal region. The signal transmission structure is configured for providing impedance controlled signal transmission between the at least one sensor and the proximal region.
US09498191B2
An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device for collecting a specimen of oral fluids. The device includes an elongate tubular member with a first end being configured to come into contact with a mouth of a subject. The device also includes a coupler, wherein the first end of the coupler is configured to couple to a second end of the elongate tubular member and wherein the second end of the coupler is configured to couple the device to a collection vial. A chamber is defined by the outer wall of the elongate tubular member and positioned proximate to the second end of the elongate tubular member, and a filter is disposed within the chamber. An exhaust port is defined by the coupler to allow pressure to escape from the device to ease the collection of the specimen.
US09498182B2
The present disclosure is directed to a planning and navigation method. The planning and method includes obtaining and rendering a plurality of images. The plurality of images are segmented to demarcate a target area. A treatment plan is determined based on the target area. The navigation method includes obtaining an ultrasound image of a scan plane including the target and obtaining a fiducial image of a fiducial pattern disposed on an ultrasound device. The obtained fiducial image is corrected and a correspondence between the fiducial image and a model image is found. A position of the surgical device is transformed to model coordinates. Then the ultrasound image and a virtual image of the surgical device is displayed to allow a surgeon to navigate the surgical device to the target using the displayed ultrasound image and the virtual image. The target is treated based on the treatment plan.
US09498181B2
It is presented a sensor comprising a sensor plate (14), a base piece (15) and a first sensor membrane (7a) and a second sensor membrane (7b), each having a side of positive electrical polarity and a side of negative electrical polarity. Each one of the first sensor membrane and the second sensor membrane is mounted between the sensor plate and the base piece while allowing movement of the sensor plate in relation to the mounting piece. The first sensor membrane and the second sensor membrane are mounted such that their respective sides of positive electrical polarity face each other or face away from each other. A corresponding electronic stethoscope is also presented.
US09498180B2
The effects of patient motion in tomosynthesis scan images are automatically detected and quantified. In at least one embodiment an indication of detection of the effects of patient motion in tomosynthesis scan images is provided shortly after the scan, e.g., before the patient is discharged or before the breast is decompressed. A patient motion score may be calculated as part of motion quantification. The score may be stored for subsequent retrieval. Images may be presented with reference features to help a technician confirm of the effects of motion in images.
US09498179B1
Various methods and systems for spectral computed tomography imaging are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises acquiring a first projection dataset and a second projection dataset, detecting a location of metal in the first projection dataset, applying corrections to the first and second projection datasets based on the location of the metal, and displaying an image reconstructed from the corrected first and second projection datasets. In this way, metal artifacts may be substantially reduced in dual or multi-energy CT imaging.
US09498174B2
A PET-MR apparatus includes an MR imaging system having an RF coil former having inner and outer surfaces, an RF shield formed about the outer surface of the RF coil former, and an RF coil positioned on the inner surface of the RF coil former. The PET-MR apparatus also includes a PET system having a detector array positioned to encircle the bore to acquire PET emissions of the subject of interest and a plurality of RF power cables to provide power to the RF coil. The RF coil of the PET-MR apparatus comprises an RF body coil including a pair of end rings and a plurality of rungs extending between the end rings, wherein the plurality of RF power cables are coupled to one of the pair of end rings, along an outer edge of the one end ring distal from the plurality of rungs.
US09498172B2
A user control device may include a manipulation panel which receives an external force or input from a manipulating input or device, a frame that is spaced apart from the manipulation panel and having an accommodating unit accommodating the manipulation panel, and a sensing unit disposed in the accommodating unit to sense a movement of the manipulation panel. The manipulation panel may be three-dimensionally movable according to a movement of the manipulating input or device. Related medical apparatuses may also be controlled using the user control device.
US09498171B2
A method, for examining an object using an X-ray recording system, includes aligning the object in the X-ray beam and the X-ray recording system with one another such that regions in the X-ray beam are uncovered for measurement of a free field. During an X-ray image recording, the components are moved relative to one another with a lateral displacement. In a position of the relative lateral displacement of the components, a reference image containing free fields is recorded. The X-ray image recording is generated from partial images during the displacement and the position of the second component relative to the first component is determined for each partial recording such that the displacement distances of the displacements and the reference phases are calculated from a selected set of pixels and the measured intensity values thereof. Finally, the image information is determined from the partial images, the displacements and the reference phases.
US09498170B2
A positioner arm for positioning an imaging material, an imaging material holder, an aiming device or a combination thereof is disclosed that includes at least one positioning arm having a first end and a second end, wherein each arm comprises at least two fixed arm angles and wherein at least one angle is not a 90 degree angle. Methods of obtaining non-right angle views of a patient during x-ray imaging of the patient's mouth are also disclosed that include: providing a positioner arm for positioning an imaging material, an imaging material holder, an aiming device or a combination thereof, wherein the positioner arm comprises at least one positioning arm having a first end and a second end, wherein each arm comprises at least two fixed arm angles, and wherein at least one angle is not a 90 degree angle; coupling the positioner arm with an imaging material, an imaging material holder, an aiming device or a combination thereof; and imaging the patient's mouth, wherein the imaging is taken at a non-right angle.
US09498168B2
A method is disclosed for x-ray CT scanning with a dual-source system, in which two radiation bundles are each delimited by diaphragms such that these radiation bundles are free of mutual points of intersection at least in the examination object. An embodiment of the invention also relates to a dual source CT system, including a controller configured to control radiation-delimiting diaphragms, which delimit and align the radiation bundles such that these run free of mutual points of intersection at least in the examination object.
US09498159B2
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US09498152B2
A method and system for expediting the rescue of victims experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) when used in conjunction with an automated external defibrillator (AED). The system involves an apparatus that calls for help (i.e. 911), detects SCA and cardiac arrhythmias, locates an AED, guides the rescuer through CPR and connection of the AED. A second apparatus is in the enclosure that contains the AED, sends location information to the other apparatus, triggers audible and visual indicators, and provides information on the victim's location.
US09498151B2
A balloon catheter is used for dilating tubular members of the body such as dilating stenotic aortic valve leaflets found in the aortic root, and measuring the shape and dimensions of the annulus. The balloon has two larger diameter bulbous regions; one is positioned in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and the other in the aortic sinus; a smaller diameter waist region is positioned across the aortic annulus. During inflation of the balloon, the balloon waist expands in diameter until it comes into contact with the aortic annulus. The balloon pressure and inflation volume is monitored during inflation so that an inflection point in the dP/dV curve is seen at the point of contact of the waist with the annulus. Radiopaque rings and/or marker bands in the device allow the size and orientation of the elliptical annulus to be calculated.
US09498138B2
The present invention is for a method and system for pain classification and monitoring optionally in a subject that is an awake, semi-awake or sedated.
US09498137B2
Certain aspects of the instance disclosure are assessing a fitness of a user using a weighing scale apparatus. Specific embodiments concern an arrangement of devices configured and arranged to monitor physiological parameters while the user is standing on a platform region of the device, and communicate an assessed fitness to the user as feedback. Further specific embodiments concern methods of monitoring physiological parameters of a user using the apparatus, assessing the fitness of the user based on one or more of the physiological parameters, and communicating the assessed fitness to the user as feedback.
US09498128B2
The present application relates generally to computer software, mobile electronics, wireless communication links, and wearable monitoring systems. More specifically, techniques, fabrics, materials, systems, sensors, EMG sensors, circuitry, algorithms and methods for wearable monitoring devices and associated exercise apparatus are described. A garment borne sensor system may generate data on a user's performance during exercise, for example, and the data may be analyzed in real time and feedback may be provided to the user based on the analysis. A piece of exercise equipment may be instrumented and in communication with the sensor system or other system and may be controlled in real time to adjust its settings to affect the user during the exercise routine. Communication between the sensor system and other systems may be wireless. Conductive structures formed directly in a fabric of the garment may integrally include sensors, circuitry, controllers, conductive traces, and sensor electronics.
US09498127B2
A device for receiving a transmitting unit that is detachably attachable to a sensor unit configured to be placed on a subject to acquire a biosignal of the subject and that acquires bio-information from the biosignal acquired in the sensor unit to transmit the biosignal to an external device. This device has first and second ports on which transmitting units can be placed, and communication sections each provided in a respective one of the ports to carry out communication with the transmitting units mounted on the respective ports. When the transmitting unit is newly mounted on one port, the device acquires transmission data including communication identification information for the transmission from the newly mounted transmitting unit by the communication section of this port and transmits the acquired transmission data to another transmitting unit already mounted on the other port by using the communication section provided in the other port.
US09498125B2
The invention relates to an eye tracking device and a method for operating an eye tracking device (30) comprising an imaging device (32), a plurality of light sources (34), a processing unit and a control unit. The imaging device (32) captures a first image (36a) while at least one of the light sources (34) emits light. If at least one first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is detected, a position in the first image (36a) of the at least one first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is determined, the first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is categorized on the basis of the position in the first image (36a) and if the first image (36a) does not fulfill a predefined quality criterion, the plurality of light sources (34) is controlled in dependence of the categorization by changing the light intensity of at least one light source (34).
US09498123B2
There is provided an image recording apparatus including an image-capturing section that captures an image of the observed person, an observer's point of sight measuring section that measures a point of sight of the observer when the image-capturing section captures the image of the observed person, an observer's point of sight judging section that judges whether the point of sight of the observer which is measured by the observer's point of sight measuring section is present within a predetermined area, and an image storing control section that stores the image of the observed person which is captured by the image-capturing section, when the observer's point of sight judging section judges that the point of sight of the observer is present within the predetermined area.
US09498106B2
A full HD transmission oral cavity photographic apparatus comprises a photographic portion and a grip portion. The photographic portion includes an image sensor to capture a full HD image and a light source. The grip portion includes a control circuit electrically connected to the image sensor and a transmission interface electrically connected to the control circuit. The transmission interface includes a Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer transmission module which can transmit the full HD image via Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer transmission to a display device for displaying.
US09498102B2
A dishwasher in which a user conveniently adjusts tension of a spring according to various materials or weights of a cover coupled to a door. The dishwasher includes a housing, a door rotatably mounted to a front surface of the housing, door hinges mounted to both sides of a lower portion of the door and rotatably coupled to the housing, springs connected to the door hinges and arranged at both side portions inside the housing, a wire to connect the springs, a shaft configured to rotate and having one end portion exposed outside the housing, a first rotation member connected to the other end portion of the shaft and formed with a worm, and a second rotation member engaged with the worm and connected to the wire. Tension of the springs is simultaneously adjusted by changing a length of the wire by rotation of the shaft.
US09498100B2
An apparatus to retain an article includes a housing, a first jaw, a second opposed jaw, a pivoting ratchet arm, and a lever. The housing is adapted to receive a handle. The first jaw is adapted to pivot with respect to the housing. The pivoting ratchet arm is dimensioned to engage ratchet teeth of the first jaw when in an actuated position. The lever is connected to the ratchet arm and actuating the lever causes the ratchet arm to move into the actuated position to incrementally pivot the first jaw toward the second jaw.
US09498098B2
A toy item cleaning device includes a toy item container, an inlet pipe, a filtering member and a vacuum hose connector. The toy item container has a first side and a second side such that the first and second sides face each other. The inlet pipe is attached to the first side and the filtering member is directly or indirectly attached to the second side. The filtering member has a plurality of vent holes and the vacuum hose connector is attached to the second side. In addition, the vacuum hose connector is adapted to be detachably connected to a vacuum cleaner hose. The toy item cleaning device further includes a vacuum hose adapter which has concentric tubular sections each section of which is adapted to be connected to a specific size of the vacuum cleaner hose. The tubular sections may be telescopic and designed to slide into one another.
US09498096B1
A water-preserving urinal may include a cylinder body, a cylinder wall, an inner metal ring, an outer metal ring, a central plugin, and a separation cover. The cylinder body is a cylindrical structure, central of which has a drain hole which connects to a drain duct. A periphery of the cylinder body has four inward grooves evenly distributed thereon, and inside of cylinder body has four small notches which are evenly distributed. A support notch is disposed inside the cylinder body to support the cylinder body. The cylinder body is used to receive urine, and the urine can be drained out of cylinder body from the drain hole through the drain tube when the cylinder body is overflowed. The cylinder body is capacious and the notches of the cylinder body are made by biodegradable ABS materials, which can be cleaned easily by dry clothes or paper tissues.
US09498089B2
Disclosed is a sustainable shower apparatus (1) comprising: (i) a pressurizable container (2) to hold water (3) and a gas; (ii) a pressurizer (4) for pressurizing said container; (iii) a shower head (7); (iv) a first tubing for carrying pressurized water from the container to the shower head; (v) a second tubing (8) for carrying pressurized gas from the container to the shower head; where flow of said gas or water is individually controllable by use of respective valves (6, 9) and where each tubing terminates into a respective nozzle (10, 11) in said shower head which comprises a nozzle for spraying said gas and adjacent thereto, at least one nozzle for spraying the water, wherein tip of each nozzle for spraying water is oriented at an acute angle with the tip of nozzle for spraying gas.
US09498088B2
A shelf support structure for holding shower or bath accessories adapted to be suspended from the top edge of a shower or bathroom wall having a frame that comprises a pair of spaced-apart vertical legs which ascends up and hooks over and then back down forming an inverted U-shape. The frame is attached to a mounting bar designed to support the weight of the shelf support structure and contents. The mounting bar comprises a pair of slots on opposite ends designed to slip over and lock onto a plurality of securing means that are fastened to the drywall just above the top of the shower or bath wall, thereby preventing the shelf support structure from slipping off the top edge of the wall.
US09498081B2
Apparatuses, systems and methods for providing a pressed beverage using a press and lid system. In one aspect, a beverage material is pressed to the bottom of a beverage container by means of a press ring including a filter. The walls of the beverage container exert a force on the press ring, folding flaps (perimeter portions) that are attached to the press ring by means of a flexible attachment member. Any beverage material or other debris that is net collected by the filter in the press ring is collected by a filter in the lid. Other variations and features consistent with the present invention exist.
US09498080B2
A single cup brewer includes a steeping cup and a drain plug. The steeping cup includes a sidewall extending from a base to form a contained space. The steeping cup also includes a tapered drain extending from the base and away from the contained space. The tapered drain has a tapered drain hole tapering from a top diameter to a bottom diameter through the base of the steeping cup. The drain plug includes a stem and a tip extending from the stem. The tip has a truncated spherical shape, which is a sphere truncated substantially perpendicular to an axis of the stem on the top surface and the bottom surface of the tip. The truncated spherical shape has a tip diameter greater than a width of the stem, greater than the bottom diameter of the drain hole, and less than the top diameter of the drain hole.
US09498077B2
The invention is defined by an elongate member having a handle end and an opposite sock-engaging end. The member is longitudinally flexible and may be shaped into a generally frusto-conically shaped tube onto which a sock is applied. The sock-engaging lower portion includes longitudinally outwardly projecting shoulders, and preferably sock engaging structures, that engage the sock to retain the sock in place during use. Immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the sock-engaging lower portion is a heel portion that is flexible transversely to the longitudinal axis along the device and which defines a heel-receiving area where the user's heel is placed when being used. Immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the heel portion is an elongate portion and an extended handle portion that the user grasps to pull the entire device upwardly to cause the sock to be properly placed on the user's foot. With the user's toe's inserted into the top of the sock, held open by the lower sock-engaging portion and the user's heel resting in the heel-receiving portion, the device is pulled upwardly by the user and the sock is pulled onto the user's foot in a normal manner. The shoulders on the device cause resistance to the force that tends to pull the sock off the device and the sock is thus pulled onto the user's foot in substantially the same way as the sock would be donned without the device—the sock is released from the shoulders as the resistive force is overcome by the upward pulling action.
US09498066B2
Seating assemblies and methods are disclosed. A seating assembly (100) can comprise a seat, a back support (114), and a frame component (110). The frame component can extend from a bottom portion (118), positioned near an underside of the seat, to a top portion (120), configured to maintain the back support at a position above the seat. The back support can laterally extend from a left edge portion (1670) to a right edge portion (1672) and can include a spring member (122) at or near each of the left and right edge portions. The spring member can include at least one undulation or arc (1674) providing integrated rated compression adaptation to a user. The seating assembly can further comprise a tilt mechanism (408), engaged with the frame component, including one or more leaf springs (424) and a spring contact assembly. The spring contact assembly (426) can be positioned on a top side of the one or more leaf springs.
US09498060B1
A slide track assembly includes an outer track having a first unlocking face, a first stop face, and a second stop face. A middle track is slideably received in the outer track and includes a sliding groove. An inner track is slideably received in the middle track and includes a first unlocking portion, a first stop portion, and a second stop portion. A positioning block is received in the sliding groove and is slideable relative to the middle track in a vertical direction. The positioning block includes first and second stop ends. The positioning block further includes a stop face extending between the first and second stop ends and facing the first lateral wall of the sliding groove. The positioning block can be moved to lock or unlock the inner track, the middle track, and the outer track during extending and retraction of the inner track and the middle track.
US09498058B2
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of closet storage assemblies, connectors, brackets, and/or systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a closet storage assembly generally includes multiple horizontal shelves, vertical rods, and a horizontal rod. A T-connector is configured to be coupled between an end portion of a horizontal rod and a portion of one of the vertical rods. The T-connector includes a flexible tab to secure the horizontal rod. An elbow connector is configured to be coupled between another end portion of the horizontal rod and a portion of another vertical rod. The elbow connector includes a flexible tab to secure the horizontal rod. A bracket is configured to be coupled to a vertical rod at a top end. The bracket includes an opening configured to engage a wire hang rod and/or a pole hang rod, a living hinge, and a locking pin to secure the vertical rod.
US09498053B2
An interactive toothbrush is provided. The toothbrush may include memory including a set of instructions and at least one processor. The set of instructions, with the at least one processor, may be configured to cause the toothbrush to display a list of option to a user via a display panel when a switch to power on the apparatus is pressed. The set of instructions, with the at least one processor, may further be configured to cause the toothbrush to perform an action when a selection from the list of options is received from a user via the display panel. In some embodiments, the set of instructions, with the at least one processor, may further be configured to cause the toothbrush to detect the brushing habits of the user and transmit the brushing habits to another device.
US09498051B1
A gingival stimulator having optionally-angled bundled bristles anchored in at least one row in a brush head, and a narrow working footprint of collective bristle free tip ends having a maximum width dimension of approximately four millimeters. If splayed and/or flared, bristles have a preferred maximum free tip end density of approximately twelve bristles-per-square-millimeter. When moved into contact with teeth, the free tip ends easily navigate around them, promptly advancing to interproximal areas. The brush head is agitated with one or two hands and a quick vibratory motion when the free tip ends are in perpendicular contact with interdental papilla. Thus, gingival tissue becomes stimulated by the bristle free tip ends, dislodging food particles and bringing increased blood flow to it, keeping the gingival tissue in good health while avoiding the placement of adverse damaging forces against adjacent tooth structure during gingival stimulation, and preserving teeth from abrasion and notching.
US09498041B2
Combinations of one or more selector mechanisms and a cosmetic palette for advising a user on how to achieve specific cosmetic effects.
US09498040B2
A hair dye applicator includes an applicator base having a comb and a dam configured to capture hair dye for dispensing during application, and including a handle having a first section extending from the applicator base and a second section extending from the first section at an angle relative to the first section. The dam may further include a carrier material configured to capture the hair dye, and the second section of the handle may be tapered. A method of applying hair dye using the hair dye applicator includes loading hair dye onto the applicator dam at the carrier material, and applying hair dye to the hairline by inserting the comb of the applicator at a start of the hairline and running the applicator starting at the comb in a direction away from the start of the hairline toward the remainder of the hair to receive the hair dye.
US09498038B2
In one embodiment, a handbag protection device includes a base region to facilitate the retention of shape of the protected handbag and one or more flap extension(s) to facilitate the separation of one or more cover(s), flap(s), or other enclosure(s) of the handbag from the body or one or more other part(s) or component(s) of the handbag. The handbag protection device may include one or more attached, unattached, detachable, or other operatively coupled support extension(s) that enclose(s), partially enclose(s), or wrap(s) around or cover(s) any chain(s), strap(s), handle(s), decoration(s) or other part(s) or component(s) of the handbag that can be used for carrying, hanging, ornamentation or other purposes.
US09498037B2
A customizable key holder for retention of at least one key; the key holder comprising two separate outer sheathing plates which store the at least one key between them; one or more removable locking pins utilizing a locking mechanism to secure the at least one key between the outer sheathing plates; the key holder further including one or two interchangeable sheathing plate covers adapted for personalization of the key holder; at least one of the interchangeable sheathing plate covers providing storage space for an accessory element.
US09498034B2
A protective case and mounting system for a handheld electronic device is provided. The protective case can include a removable mounting system comprised of an interlocking member and a plurality of mounting bases. The protective case may further include a non-slip member to prevent the device from slipping on a surface and a magnet for attaching the device to a magnetic surface.
US09498032B2
A case for enclosing a personal electronic device is disclosed that has at least one button molded into the case, wherein the button is manufactured from rigid material that may or may not deform when depressed. The case, whether hard or soft, may incorporate the buttons manufactured from a hard material and afford the user the same tactile response as if the user were depressing the underlying buttons on the device. The case may be co-molded with two similar or dissimilar materials. One of the co-molded materials may provide a membrane that allows the button to flex and also secures the buttons to prevent them from being dislodged from or out of the case.
US09498025B2
A strap attachment system includes a frame member having an opening, a strap, and a tab having a body and an attachment element defined by the body. The tab connects to the strap. A fastener element connects to the tab and is detachably and slidably mountable to the frame member by the opening.
US09498023B2
An article of footwear may include a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted component includes a sock portion and a tongue portion. The sock portion has a hollow structure (a) forming an ankle opening in a heel region of the footwear and (b) extending between the heel region and a forefoot region of the footwear to define a void within the footwear for receiving a foot. The tongue portion has an elongate configuration (a) extending through at least a portion of a length of a throat area of the upper and (b) including two knit layers that lay adjacent to each other.
US09498019B2
Improved impact absorbing shoe constructions are provided which include a composite sole and an attached upper. The sole includes a section of artificial turf having a backing sheet, a plurality of artificial turf grass fibers secured to the backing sheet, and resilient elastomeric infill between the fibers. The resultant shoes provide a comfortable wearing experience while also giving adequate foot and ankle support.
US09498012B1
A deployable umbrella hood garment that includes a waterproof umbrella hood moveable between a folded position, furled within a pack member dorsally dispositional upon said garment, and a deployed position, extended to encapsulate the head of a user and securable in said deployed position by means of a support member disposed interior to the hood, whereby automated and expedient deployment of said umbrella hood is effective between said stowed and deployed positions to prevent contact of rainfall with a user's head.
US09498006B2
Motion limiting pants prevent a person from turning over onto his or her back or stomach while sleeping on his or her sides, or prevents a person from turning over onto his or her side while sleeping on his or her back or stomach. The motion limiting pants can include one or more pockets formed therein. The pockets can be filled with a filling material, such as a lightweight foam. The pockets can be formed either on the sides of the pants to prevent side sleeping, or on the front and back of the pants to prevent back and/or stomach sleeping.
