Document	Document Title
US08993631B2	Method of treating contrast-induced nephropathy The present invention provides the use of a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment, amelioration and/or prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy. The invention also relates to the use of a compound of Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R5, X, A3, B1, s and n are defined herein, for the treatment, amelioration and/or prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents for use in the treatment, amelioration and/or prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy.
US08993621B2	Caffeic acid derivatives and their use in improving neuronal cell viability This invention relates to caffeic acid derivatives and improving viability of neuronal cells by contacting neuronal cells by caffeic acid derivatives as shown in the specification.
US08993613B2	Ectoparasiticidal formulations The invention provides an ectoparasiticidal formulation which comprises an ectoparasiticidal agent, preferably fipronil, as the pesticidally-active ingredient, together with a crystallization inhibitor selected from the group consisting of alkyl-substituted pyrrolidones, and optionally, one or more organic solvents and/or co-solvents. Preferably, the crystallization inhibitor is N-octyl pyrrolidone, and the organic solvent, if present, preferably comprises diethylene glycol monoethyl ether. The ectoparasiticidal formulation surprisingly yields a significantly enhanced speed of kill. Methods for manufacturing the formulation, as well as methods for treating animals infested with ectoparasites, are also disclosed.
US08993606B2	Oral formulations for treating metal overload The present invention provides, among other things, effective oral formulations based on desazadesferrithiocin polyether (DADFT-PE) analogs, salts and polymorphs thereof, as well as their application for treatment of metal overload, in particular, iron overload, and associated diseases, disorders and conditions.
US08993594B2	Isoquinolin-1(2H)-one derivatives as PARP-1 inhibitors There are provided substituted isoquinolin-1(2H)-one derivatives which selectively inhibit the activity of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase PARP-1 with respect to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase PARP-2. The compounds of the present invention are therefore useful in treating diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system injury and different forms of inflammation. The present invention also provides methods for preparing these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of treating diseases utilizing pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. A screening method for the identification of compounds capable of binding several PARP proteins, as well the probes used in such method, are further objects of the invention.
US08993591B2	1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a] pyridine derivatives and their use as positive allosteric modulators of MGLUR2 receptors The present invention relates to novel triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine derivatives of Formula (I) wherein all radicals are as defined in the claims. The compounds according to the invention are positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2 (“mGluR2”), which are useful for the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction and diseases in which the mGluR2 subtype of metabotropic receptors is involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to processes to prepare such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds for the prevention or treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which mGluR2 is involved.
US08993586B2	N1/N2-lactam acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors The invention provides a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein G is R1, R2 and R3 are as described herein; pharmaceutical compositions thereof; and the use thereof in treating diseases, conditions or disorders modulated by the inhibition of an acetyl-CoA carboxylase enzyme(s) in an animal.
US08993584B2	Control agent for soft rot and control method for the same Providing a novel control agent for soft rot and a novel control method for the same.A compound having no antibacterial activity against Erwinia carotovora but having a control activity against fungi on soil surface, specifically containing, as the active ingredient, a fungicide comprising any of a strobilurin compound such as azoxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl, an azole compound such as triflumizol, cyazofamid, amisulbrom, and thiophanate-methyl, a carboxamide compound such as penthiopyrad and boscalid, a sulfonamide compound such as flusulfamide, an organic chlorine compound such as chlorothalonil, a dicarboximide compound such as procymidone and iprodione, a phenylpyrrole compound such as fludioxonil, an anilinopyrimidine compound such as mepanipyrim, and a guanidine compound such as iminoctadine is the control agent for plant soft rot, which is applied to plant cultivation soil.
US08993580B2	Benzothiazole kinase inhibitors and methods of use The present invention provides chemical entities or compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that are capable of modulating lipid kinases such PI3 kinases, tyrosine kinases and protein kinases such as mTOR. For example, the invention provides compounds of Formula: Also provided in the present invention are methods of using these compositions to modulate these kinases especially for therapeutic applications.
US08993575B2	[1,3,4] oxadiazole derivative and application thereof The present invention belongs to the medicinal chemistry field, and specifically discloses a [1,3,4]oxadiazole derivative with the structure of general formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compound can be used to prepare a medicine for preventing or treating a disease of the central nervous system.
US08993573B2	2-(3-aminoaryl) amino-4-aryl-thiazoles and their use as c-kit inhibitors Novel compounds selected from 2-(3-aminoaryl)amino-4-aryl-thiazoles of formula (I) that selectively modulate, regulate, and/or inhibit signal transductions mediated by certain native and/or mutant tyrosine kinases implicated in a variety of human and animal diseases such as cell proliferative metabolic, allergic and degenerative disorders. More particularly, these compounds are potent and selective c-kit inhibitors.
US08993570B2	Substituted triazolo-pyridazine derivatives This invention relates to novel substituted triazolo-pyridazines and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering an α1-GABAA receptor antagonist or an α2- and/or an α3-GABAA receptor partial agonist.
US08993568B2	Morpholinyl derivatives useful as MOGAT-2 inhibitors The present invention provides compounds of Formula I or a pharmaceutical salt thereof, methods of treating hypertriglyceridemia using the compounds; and a process for preparing the compounds.
US08993565B2	(6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidin-2-yl)amide derivatives, preparation thereof and pharmaceutical use thereof as AKT(PKB) phosphorylation inhibitors The invention relates to the novel materials of formula (I), wherein each of the substituents R, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is as defined herein. The materials are useful as inhibitors of AKT(PKB) phosphorylation.
US08993563B2	Phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor compounds and methods of use Compounds of Formulas Ia-d where X is S or O, mor is a morpholine group, and R3 is a monocyclic heteroaryl group, and including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for modulating the activity of lipid kinases including PI3K, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by lipid kinases. Methods of using compounds of Formula Ia-d for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08993557B2	Pyridinedione carboxamide inhibitors of endothelial lipase The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): as defined in the specification and compositions comprising any of such novel compounds. These compounds are endothelial lipase inhibitors which may be used as medicaments.
US08993554B2	Tetrahydroquinoline derivatives useful as bromodomain inhibitors Tetrahydroquinoline compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and their use in therapy.
US08993552B2	Compositions and methods for treatment of leukemia The invention relates generally to effective treatment leukemia. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods to inhibit the interaction of menin with MLL and MLL-fusion oncoproteins, and well as systems and methods to screen for such compositions.
US08993550B2	Certain chemical entities, compositions, and methods Chemical entities that are bufalin derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of cancer are described.
US08993549B2	Natural combination hormone replacement formulations and therapies Estrogen and progesterone replacement therapies are provided herein. Among others, the following formulations are provided herein: solubilized estradiol without progesterone; micronized progesterone without estradiol; micronized progesterone with partially solubilized progesterone; solubilized estradiol with micronized progesterone; solubilized estradiol with micronized progesterone in combination with partially solubilized progesterone; and solubilized estradiol with solubilized progesterone.
US08993546B2	Parasiticidal composition An anti-parasiticidal composition presented as a topical “pour-on” product for treating animals infected by parasites which are known to be susceptible to salicylanilides, especially closantel, alone or together with at least one other anti parasitic compound of the avermectin or milbemycin type and offers enhanced bioavailability of the salicylanilide by provision of a delivery system comprising at least 20% (v/v) of one or more alcohols, and optionally including a polymeric moiety selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene block copolymers (poloxamer), and polyethylene glycols (PEG), thereby improving the bioavailability of e.g. closantel (as assessed with respect to blood plasma levels of closantel).
US08993544B2	Carbamoylphosphonates as inhibitors and uses thereof The present invention relates to novel metalloproteinase inhibitors having an aryloxybenzenesulfonamide moiety and a carbamoylphosphonic acid moiety, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their uses in the prevention and/or treatment of disease or disorder associated with MMP.
US08993542B2	Methods of treating viral infections The present invention provides methods of treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, including administering a compound described in the invention in an amount effective treat the HIV and/or HBV infection and at least substantially inhibit the development of resistance to said antiviral compounds in the subject. Pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.
US08993531B2	PKD ligands and polynucleotides encoding PKD ligands The invention relates to kinase ligands and polyligands. In particular, the invention relates to ligands, homopolyligands, and heteropolyligands that modulate protein kinase D (PKD) activity. The ligands and polyligands are utilized as research tools or as therapeutics. The invention includes linkage of the ligands and polyligands to cellular localization signals, epitope tags and/or reporters. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the ligands and polyligands.
US08993525B2	Compounds and methods for treating or preventing disease conditions associated with α-1-antitrypsin Pharmacological chaperone compounds and methods for the treatment of an individual having, or at risk of having, a disease condition associated with alpha-1-antitrypsin by using said compounds are disclosed. In particular, such methods are useful for the treatment or prevention of lung disorders associated with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency as well as liver disorders associated with an excess of alpha-1-antitrypsin. Suitable pharmacological chaperones include peptides and low-molecular weight compounds. Also provided is an assay for determining whether a test compound modulates alpha-1-antitrypsin activity.
US08993523B2	Dimeric IAP inhibitors The present invention provides compounds of formula M-L-M′ (where M and M′ are each independently a monomeric moiety of Formula (I) and L is a linker). The dimeric compounds have been found to be effective in promoting apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells. (I)
US08993518B2	Compositions and methods for treating antiphospholipid syndrome The invention features compositions and methods of using a dimeric inhibitor, e.g., A1-A1, to selectively target β2GPI in β2GPI/antibody complexes. The compositions can be administered to subjects (e.g., a mammal, such as a human) having or likely to develop APS, or one or more symptoms of APS, in order to treat or inhibit the disease or treat or reduce its symptoms. The inhibitors of the invention include two ligand-binding A1 modules, e.g., from ApoER2, connected by a flexible linker.
US08993514B1	Prion protein based hemin binders and methods of use Methods of using portions of the N-terminal domain of prion protein for binding hemin are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method comprises administering at least one isolated amino acid sequence comprising a peptide from the octarepeat region of PrPC to a solution containing hemin, wherein the isolated amino acid sequence is effective for forming one or more chemical bonds with hemin.
US08993505B2	Precursor polyelectrolyte complexes compositions The invention relates to compositions and methods of treatment employing compositions comprising polyelectrolyte complexes. The compositions include a water-soluble first polyelectrolyte bearing a net cationic charge or capable of developing a net cationic charge and a water-soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing a net anionic charge or capable of developing a net anionic charge. The total polyelectrolyte concentration of the first solution is at least 110 millimolar. The composition is free of coacervates, precipitates, latex particles, synthetic block copolymers, silicone copolymers, cross-linked poly(acrylic) and cross-linked water-soluble polyelectrolyte. The composition may be a concentrate, to be diluted prior to use to treat a surface.
US08993499B2	Low temperature performance lubricating oil detergents and method of making the same A carboxylate detergent prepared by the process comprising (a) alkylating a hydroxyaromatic compound with at least one normal alpha olefin having from about 12 to about 30 carbon atoms per molecule that has been isomerized to obtain an isomerized alpha olefin having 15-98 wt % branching and a residual alpha olefin content of between from about 0.1 to about 30 wt %, thereby producing an alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound; (b) neutralizing the resulting alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound with an alkali metal base; (c) carbonating the alkali metal salt from step (b) with carbon dioxide; (d) acidifying the salt produced in step (c); and (e) overbasing the resulting alkylated hydroxyaromatic carboxylic acid.
US08993492B2	Crosslinking composition for hydrocarbon gels A crosslinking composition for hydrocarbon gels containing phosphate ester gelling agents comprising a modified imidazoline or pyrimidine including an alkyl group (or unsaturated carbon chain) or of 10 to 22 carbon atoms, a polyamine, and ferric sulfate. The method of making the crosslinking agent features adding the polyamine after reaction of the other ingredients; unique gels formed with the crosslinking agent are particularly effective for LNG at very cold temperatures.
US08993491B2	Swellable compositions for borehole applications Compositions that swell on contact with water contain a non-swellable thermoplastic or thermoset polymer and a swellable inorganic compound. In particular, the compositions are suitable for use in subterranean wells such as those used in the oil and gas industry. The polymer may be polypropylene and the inorganic compound may be magnesium oxide.
US08993486B2	Ultra-high throughput screening methods to detect synergistic drug interactions Synergy occurs when combined agents induce a response greater than the sum of their individual effects. The present invention provides new high throughput screening methods to detect agents acting synergistically in orthogonally pooled mixtures. Computational de-convolution of the pooled data with software reveals single-actives in the pools with twice the statistical power and with much greater efficiency than common high throughput screening approaches. Cross-correlating the orthogonal data reveals pools with activity that cannot be ascribed to any single compound. The components of such ‘Orphan’ activity pools are then tested individually and in all possible combination-pairs to identify and confirm synergy. The high throughput screening invention disclosed, which we name “Ultra-High Throughput Screening for Synergy (uHTSS)”, is applicable for more efficiently discovering nucleic acids, proteins and small molecules that act synergistically without having to systematically test each possible pair, as is required by known screening practices.
US08993483B2	Combination of active substances with insecticidal properties The invention relates to novel insecticidal active compound combinations comprising, firstly, compounds which act as insecticides on nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors as agonists and antagonists, and at least one active compound from the group of the anthranilamides, which combinations are suitable for protecting plants against attack by pests.
US08993481B2	Method of controlling pest Provided is a method which exerts an excellent effect in controlling a pest in a field of soybean, corn or cotton, using a SDHI compound and a PPO-inhibiting compound. A method of controlling a pest (a weed and/or a plant pathogen) in a field of soybean, corn or a cotton, including treating a field before, at or after seeding with a seed of soybean, corn or cotton treated with one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of SDHI compounds, with one or more PPO-inhibiting compounds selected from the group consisting of flumioxazin, sulfentrazone, saflufenacil, oxyfluorfen, fomesafen and a compound of the formula:
US08993473B2	Modified trilobe shape for maleic anhydride catalyst Embodiments of the present invention include improved shaped catalyst structures containing catalytic material comprised of mixed oxides of vanadium and phosphorus and using such shaped catalyst structures for the production of maleic anhydride.
US08993469B2	Zeolite-containing catalyst and method for producing the same, and method for producing propylene The present invention provides a zeolite-containing catalyst having excellent shape, fluidity and mechanical strength as a catalyst for a fluidized bed reaction. The present invention provides a zeolite-containing catalyst which is a particulate catalyst containing zeolite and silica, wherein the catalyst has an average particle diameter of 20 to 300 μm and the ratio of the void area in the cross-section of the particle is 30% or less relative to the cross-section area of the particle.
US08993467B2	Catalyst regenerator process A method of operating a continuous or semi-continuous system for a catalyst regeneration process. The system comprises a regenerator, the regenerator comprising a combustion zone and a halogenation zone. The catalyst is fed into the regenerator. A circulating regeneration gas is introduced into a regenerator circuit including oxygen, the circulating regeneration gas having a nitrogen concentration that is less than air. Oxygen from the circulating regeneration gas reacts with the coke to provide water and carbon dioxide. Water and the carbon dioxide formed in this first reaction then further react with the coke to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
US08993465B2	Glass composition having high thermal and chemical stability Described herein are alkali-free, boroalumino silicate glasses exhibiting desirable physical and chemical properties for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, such as, active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs) and active matrix organic light emitting diode displays (AMOLEDs). In accordance with certain of its aspects, the glasses possess good dimensional stability as a function of temperature. The glasses comprise in mol percent on an oxide basis: 70-74.5 SiO2, 10.5-13.5 AL2O3, 0-2.5 B2O3, 3-7 MgO, 3-7 CaO, 0-4 SrO, 1.5-6 BaO, 0-0.3 SnO2, 0-03 CeO2, 0-0.5 As2O3, 0-0.5 Sb2O3, 0.01-0.08 Fe2O3 and F+Cl+BrRO/Al2O31.7 and 0.2MgO/RO0.45, RO being the sum of MgO, BaO, SrO and CaO.
US08993461B2	Method for curing defects in a semiconductor layer A method for curing defects associated with the implantation of atomic species into a semiconductor layer transferred onto a receiver substrate, wherein the semiconductor layer is thermally insulated from the receiver substrate by a low thermal conductivity layer having thermal conductivity that is lower than that of the transferred semiconductor layer. The method includes applying a selective electromagnetic irradiation to the semiconductor layer to heat that layer to a temperature lower than its temperature of fusion to cure defects without causing an increase in the temperature of the receiver substrate beyond 500° C.
US08993460B2	Apparatuses and methods for depositing SiC/SiCN films via cross-metathesis reactions with organometallic co-reactants Disclosed herein are methods of forming SiC/SiCN film layers on surfaces of semiconductor substrates. The methods may include introducing a silicon-containing film-precursor and an organometallic ligand transfer reagent into a processing chamber, adsorbing the silicon-containing film-precursor, the organometallic ligand transfer reagent, or both onto a surface of a semiconductor substrate under conditions whereby either or both form an adsorption-limited layer, and reacting the silicon-containing film-precursor with the organometallic ligand transfer reagent, after either or both have formed the adsorption-limited layer. The reaction results in the forming of the film layer. In some embodiments, a byproduct is also formed which contains substantially all of the metal of the organometallic ligand transfer reagent, and the methods may further include removing the byproduct from the processing chamber. Also disclosed herein are semiconductor processing apparatuses for forming SiC/SiCN film layers.
US08993459B2	Method of forming a material layer in a semiconductor structure A method comprises depositing a first portion of a first material layer on a semiconductor structure. A first run of a post-treatment process is performed for modifying at least the first portion of the first material layer. After the first run of the post-treatment process, a second portion of the first material layer is deposited. The second portion is formed of substantially the same material as the first portion. After the deposition of the second portion of the first material layer, a second run of the post-treatment process is performed for modifying at least the second portion of the first material layer.
US08993451B2	Etching trenches in a substrate Etch stabilizing ions (37) are introduced, e.g., by ion implantation (34), into a portion (36) of a substrate (20) underlying an etch window (24) in a masking layer (22) covering the substrate (20), where a trench (26) is desired to be formed. When the portion (36) of the substrate (20) containing the etch stabilizing ions (37) is etched to form the trench (26), the etch stabilizing ions (37) are progressively released at the etch interface (28′) as etching proceeds, substantially preventing gas micro-bubbles or other reaction products at the etch interface (28′) from disrupting etching. Using this method (700), products containing trenches (26) are much more easily formed and such trenches (26) have much smoother interior surface (28).
US08993450B2	Device package and methods for the fabrication and testing thereof Provided are methods of forming sealed via structures. One method involves: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; (b) forming a layer on the first surface of the substrate; (c) etching a via hole through the substrate from the second surface to the layer, the via hole having a first perimeter at the first surface; (d) forming an aperture in the layer, wherein the aperture has a second perimeter within the first perimeter; and (e) providing a conductive structure for sealing the via structure. Also provided are sealed via structures, methods of detecting leakage in a sealed device package, sealed device packages, device packages having cooling structures, and methods of bonding a first component to a second component.
US08993449B2	Etching method There is provided an etching method which can form trenches or via holes having desired aspect ratios and shapes in a to-be-processed object made of silicon. The etching method includes: a hydrogen halide-containing gas-based etching step of etching a silicon substrate by introducing a hydrogen halide-containing gas into a vacuum chamber; a fluorine-containing gas-based etching step of etching the silicon substrate by introducing a fluorine-containing gas into the vacuum chamber; a protective film formation step forming a protective film on the silicon substrate by sputtering a solid material; and a protective film removal step of removing part of the protective film by applying radio frequency bias power to a substrate electrode. The fluorine-containing gas-based etching step, the protective film formation step, and the protective film removal step are repeatedly performed in this order.
US08993448B2	Methods of manufacturing semiconductor structures and devices including nanotubes, and semiconductor structures, devices, and systems fabricated using such methods A method of forming a plurality of nanotubes is disclosed. Particularly, a substrate may be provided and a plurality of recesses may be formed therein. Further, a plurality of nanotubes may be formed generally within each of the plurality of recesses and the plurality of nanotubes may be substantially surrounded with a supporting material. Additionally, at least some of the plurality of nanotubes may be selectively shortened and at least a portion of the at least some of the plurality of nanotubes may be functionalized. Methods for forming semiconductor structures intermediate structures, and semiconductor devices are disclosed. An intermediate structure, intermediate semiconductor structure, and a system including nanotube structures are also disclosed.
US08993445B2	Selective removal of gate structure sidewall(s) to facilitate sidewall spacer protection Methods are provided for facilitating fabricating a semiconductor device by selectively etching a gate structure sidewall(s) to facilitate subsequent sidewall spacer isolation. The method includes, for instance: providing a gate structure with a protective layer(s) over the gate structure, the gate structure including one or more sidewalls; selectively removing a portion of the gate structure along at least one sidewall to partially undercut the protective layer(s); and forming a sidewall spacer(s) over the sidewall(s) of the gate structure, with a portion of the sidewall spacer at least partially filling the partial undercut of the protective layer(s), and residing below the protective layer(s). In certain embodiments, the selectively removing includes implanting the sidewall(s) with a dopant to produce a doped region(s) of the gate structure, and subsequently, at least partially removing the doped region(s) of the gate structure selective to an undoped region of the gate structure.
US08993438B2	Semiconductor device manufacturing method According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device manufacturing method comprises defining a region in which absorptance of light illuminated for annealing to a substrate on which a pattern of a semiconductor integrated circuit is formed is not larger than a preset value as a coarse pattern region, locally forming a thin film that enhances light absorptance on the coarse pattern region, and annealing the substrate by illuminating light onto the substrate on which the pattern of the integrated circuit and thin film are formed.
US08993437B2	Method for etching substrate One or more embodiments relate to a method of making a semiconductor structure, comprising: forming a patterned metallic layer over a semiconductor substrate; forming a second layer over the patterned metallic layer; and etching the substrate.
US08993436B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device that includes forming passivation film along side wall of via hole A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes sequentially forming an etch stop film and an insulating film on a substrate including a lower pattern forming a conductive mask pattern including a first opening on the insulating film, forming a via-hole in the insulating film using the conductive mask pattern as an etch mask, the via-hole exposing the etch stop film, removing the conductive mask pattern, and forming a passivation film along a side wall of the via-hole after removing the conductive mask pattern.
US08993429B2	Interlayer conductor structure and method To form an interconnect conductor structure, a stack of pads, coupled to respective active layers of a circuit, is formed. Rows of interlayer conductors are formed to extend in an X direction in contact with landing areas on corresponding pads in the stack. Adjacent rows are separated from one another in a Y direction generally perpendicular to the X direction. The interlayer conductors in a row have a first pitch in the X direction. The interlayer conductors in adjacent rows are offset in the X direction by an amount less than the first pitch. Interconnect conductors are formed over and in contact with interlayer conductors. The interconnect conductors extend in the Y direction and have a second pitch less than the first pitch.
US08993426B2	Semiconductor device with junction termination extension structure on mesa and method of fabricating the same The invention provides a semiconductor device with a junction termination extension structure on a mesa and a method of fabricating the same. The device comprises: a type-I semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a type-I epitaxial layer disposed on the first surface; at least one depression disposed on the type-I epitaxial layer; a mesa-type junction termination extension structure surrounding the at least one depression wherein the mesa-type junction termination extension structure is of type-II; and at least one semiconductor component formed one the depression.
US08993421B2	Laser irradiation method, laser irradiation apparatus, and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device In the present invention, each laser light emitted from a plurality of lasers is divided, and laser light including at least one laser light that is emitted from a different laser and that has different energy distribution is synthesized with another such laser light, or laser light including at least one laser light that has different energy distribution is synthesized with another such laser light through a convex lens that is set at an angle to the direction each laser light travels, to form laser light having excellent uniformity in energy distribution.
US08993418B2	Shallow heavily doped semiconductor layer by cyclic selective epitaxial deposition process The deposition method comprises providing a substrate with a first mono-crystalline zone made of a semiconductor material and a second zone made of an insulating material. During a passivation step, a passivation atmosphere is applied on the substrate so as to cover the first zone with doping impurities. During a deposition step, gaseous silicon and/or germanium precursors are introduced and a doped semiconductor film is formed. The semiconductor film is mono-crystalline over the first zone and has a different texture over the second zone. During an etching step, a chloride gaseous precursor is applied on the substrate so as to remove the semiconductor layer over the second zone.
US08993408B2	Method for detaching a silicon thin film by means of splitting, using triple implantation A process for detaching a silicon thin film from a donor substrate by cleaving, includes implanting species within the donor substrate to form a weak layer. The species are implanted at a depth at least equal to the thickness of the thin film to be detached. There is a heat treatment at 450° C. or more and cleaving is along the weak layer. The implanting species includes implanting boron, helium and hydrogen with implantation energies such that: helium and boron concentration maxima are obtained at substantially the same depth, separated by at most 10 nm; and a hydrogen concentration maximum is obtained at a depth at least 20 nm greater than that of the helium and boron concentration maxima. The implantation dose of boron is at least equal to 5×1013 B/cm2 and the dose of helium and hydrogen is at least 1016 atoms/cm2 and at most 4×1016 atoms/cm2.
US08993406B1	FinFET device having a merged source drain region under contact areas and unmerged fins between contact areas, and a method of manufacturing same A method for manufacturing a fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) device, comprises forming a plurality of fins on a substrate, forming a plurality of gate regions on portions of the fins, wherein the gate regions are spaced apart from each other, forming spacers on each respective gate region, epitaxially growing a first epitaxy region on each of the fins, stopping growth of the first epitaxy regions prior to merging of the first epitaxy regions between adjacent fins, forming a dielectric layer on the substrate including the fins and first epitaxy regions, removing the dielectric layer and first epitaxy regions from the fins at one or more portions between adjacent gate regions to form one or more contact area trenches, and epitaxially growing a second epitaxy region on each of the fins in the one or more contact area trenches, wherein the second epitaxy regions on adjacent fins merge with each other.
US08993402B2	Method of manufacturing a body-contacted SOI FINFET A semiconductor structure including a body-contacted finFET device and methods form manufacturing the same. The method may include forming one or more semiconductor fins on a SOI substrate, forming a semiconductive body contact region connected to the bottom of the fin(s) in the buried insulator region, forming a sacrificial gate structure over the body region of the fin(s), forming a source region on one end of the fin(s), forming a drain region on the opposite end of the fin(s), replacing the sacrificial gate structure with a metal gate, and forming electrical contacts to the source, drain, metal gate, and body contact region. The method may further include forming a body contact fin contemporaneously with the finFET fins that is in contact with the body contact region, through which electrical contact to the body contact region is made.
US08993401B2	High-voltage transistor architectures, processes of forming same, and systems containing same An apparatus includes a first device with a metal gate and a drain well that experiences a series resistance that drops a drain contact voltage from 10 V to 4-6 V at a junction between the drain well and a channel under the gate. The apparatus includes an interlayer dielectric layer (ILD0) disposed above and on the drain well and a salicide drain contact in the drain well. The apparatus also includes a subsequent device that is located in a region different from the first device that operates at a voltage lower than the first device.
US08993388B2	Manufacturing method of liquid crystal display having touch sensor A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display having a touch sensor, the method including forming a plurality of thin film transistors on a first substrate, forming a plurality of pixel electrodes each coupled to a corresponding one of the thin film transistors, forming an insulating layer on the pixel electrodes, and forming, on the insulating layer, a plurality of first touch electrodes each having openings formed therein and a plurality of driving lines coupled to the first touch electrodes.
US08993385B1	Method to construct a 3D semiconductor device A method to construct a semiconductor device, the method including: forming a first layer including mono-crystallized semiconductor and first logic circuits; forming a second layer including a mono-crystallized semiconductor layer, the second layer overlying the first logic circuits; forming transistors on the second layer; forming connection paths from the second transistors to the first transistors, where the connection paths include a through layer via of less than 200 nm diameter; and connecting the first logic circuits to an external device using input/output (I/O) circuits, the input/output (I/O) circuits are constructed on the second mono-crystallized semiconductor layer.
US08993381B2	Method for forming a thin semiconductor device A method for forming a thin semiconductor device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a lead frame is provided over a carrier. At least one semiconductor chip is provided on the lead frame and the at least one semiconductor chip is enclosed with an encapsulating material. The thickness of the at least one semiconductor chip and the encapsulating material are reduced. At least one through connection is formed in the encapsulating material and at least one electrical contact element is formed over the at least one semiconductor chip and the at least one through connection.
US08993380B2	Structure and method for 3D IC package Provided is a chip package structure and a method for forming the chip package. The method includes bonding a plurality of first dies on a carrier, encapsulating in a first molding compound the first dies on the carrier, coupling a plurality of second dies on the first dies using conductive elements, adding an underfill between the second dies and the first dies surrounding the conductive elements, and encapsulating in a second molding compound the second dies and the underfill. The chip package comprises a chip encapsulated in a molding compound, and a larger chip coupled to the first chip via conductive elements, wherein the conductive elements are encapsulated in an underfill between the chip and the larger chip without an interposer, and wherein the larger chip and the underfill are encapsulated in a second molding compound in contact with the molding compound.
US08993373B2	Doping pattern for point contact solar cells Methods of doping a solar cell, particularly a point contact solar cell, are disclosed. One surface of a solar cell may require portions to be n-doped, while other portions are p-doped. At least one lithography step can be eliminated by the use of a blanket doping of species having one conductivity and a patterned counterdoping process of species having the opposite conductivity. The areas doped during the patterned implant receive a sufficient dose so as to completely reverse the effect of the blanket doping and achieve a conductivity that is opposite the blanket doping. In some embodiments, counterdoped lines are also used to reduce lateral series resistance of the majority carriers.
US08993364B2	Integrated thin film solar cell interconnection Photovoltaic modules may include multiple flexible thin film photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series, and laminated to a substantially transparent top sheet having a conductive grid pattern facing the cells. Methods of manufacturing photovoltaic modules including integrated multi-cell interconnections are provided. Methods may include steps of coordinating, integrating, and registering multiple rolls of substrates in continuous processes.
US08993362B1	Oxide retainer method for MEMS devices A method and structure for fabricating a monolithic integrated MEMS device. The method includes providing a substrate having a surface region and forming at least one conduction material and at least one insulation material overlying at least one portion of the surface region. At least one support structure can be formed overlying at least one portion of the conduction and insulation surface regions, and at least one MEMS device can be formed overlying the support structure(s) and the conduction and insulation surface regions. In a variety of embodiments, the support structure(s) can include dielectric or oxide materials. The support structure(s) can then be removed and a cover material can be formed overlying the MEMS device(s), the conduction and insulation materials, and the substrate. In various embodiments, the removal of the support structure(s) can be accomplished via a vapor etching process.
US08993360B2	Deposition apparatus, method of manufacturing organic light emitting display apparatus, and organic light emitting display apparatus A deposition apparatus for depositing a deposition material on a substrate in order to improve characteristics of a deposition layer includes: a deposition source facing the substrate and ejecting the deposition material; a patterning slit sheet including patterning slits for depositing the deposition material in a desired pattern and disposed to face the substrate; a frame coupled to the patterning slit sheet; and a stage bonded to the frame to support the frame, wherein a separation area is formed between the frame and the stage.
US08993359B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor optical device A method for manufacturing a semiconductor optical device includes the steps of preparing a mold having an imprint pattern; forming a substrate product including a semiconductor layer; forming a first resin layer on the semiconductor layer; forming a diffraction grating pattern having periodic projections and recesses in the first resin layer using the mold, the projection of the diffraction grating pattern having a top portion and a base portion; changing a duty ratio of the diffraction grating pattern by dry-etching the first resin layer; forming a second resin layer on the first resin layer so as to cover the projection and the recess; removing the top portion by etching back the first and second resin layers; and selectively etching the first resin layer so as to have a reverse pattern to the diffraction grating pattern; and etching the semiconductor layer through the first resin layer.
US08993353B2	LED package manufacturing system and resin coating method for use in LED package manufacturing system In resin coating, carrying a light-passing member test-coated with a resin on a light-passing member carrying unit; making a light source placed above the light-passing member carrying unit emit excitation light exciting the fluorescent substance; measuring light emission characteristics of the light by irradiating the excitation light emitted from the light source unit from above to the resin coated onto the light-passing member and receiving the light that the resin emits from below the light-passing member by a light emission characteristic measurement unit; obtaining a deviation between a measurement result of the light emission characteristic measurement unit and a prescribed light emission characteristic; and deriving the appropriate resin coating quantity of the resin to be coated onto the LED element as what is used for practical production based on the deviation.
US08993352B2	Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus A plasma processing method is used to etch a multilayered material having a stacked structure, in which a first magnetic layer, an insulating layer, a second magnetic layer, and a mask material are stacked in sequence, in a plasma processing apparatus including a processing chamber that partitions a processing space where plasma is generated and a gas supply unit that supplies a processing gas into the processing space. The plasma processing method includes a mask forming process of forming a mask on the second magnetic layer by etching the mask material; an etching process of supplying the processing gas into the processing chamber to generate plasma, etching the second magnetic layer by the mask, and stopping the etching on a surface of the insulating layer. Further, the second magnetic layer contains CoFeB, the insulating layer contains MgO, and the processing gas contains H2 and F or a fluorine compound.
US08993346B2	Magnetic carbon nanotube based biodetection Provided herein is a new hybrid material system, mCNT, including magnetic carbon nanotubes for biological and medical sensing applications. In certain embodiments, the systems include magnetic material on the interior of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The amount of magnetic particles inside CNTs may be such that mCNT can respond to small, low cost, portable magnet. The exterior CNT surface is kept intact for biomolecular attachments or other functionalizations. Performance enhancement with this novel material includes improved sensitivity, reduced response time, and reduced sample volume. According to various embodiments, the mCNTs are substrates for the adherence of molecules participating in these assays or as active sensing elements. Also provided are methods of fabricating two-dimensional mCNT and CNT networks on printed electrodes.
US08993345B2	Method of producing functional molecule-containing silica nanoparticles on which biomolecules are bonded A method of producing functional molecule-containing silica nanoparticles on which a biomolecule is bonded, containing the steps of: allowing silica nanoparticles containing a functional molecule and having a thiol group on a surface thereof to coexist with a linker molecule having a maleimido group and a carboxyl group in an aprotic solvent, thereby allowing formation of a thioether bond between the thiol group and the maleimido group, and obtaining functional molecule-containing silica nanoparticles on which the linker molecule is bonded; and allowing the functional molecule-containing silica nanoparticles on which the linker molecule is bonded to coexist with carbodiimide and a biomolecule having an amino group in an aqueous solvent, thereby allowing formation of an amide bond between the carboxyl group active esterified by the carbodiimide, and the amino group of the biomolecule.
US08993341B2	Removal of PCR inhibitors Provided herein is technology relating to processing and preparing samples and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, systems, and kits for removing assay inhibitors, e.g, compounds that inhibit polymerase chain reaction, from samples comprising nucleic acids. In particular, the technology is directed toward treating crude sample preparations, such as supernatants from homogenized stool samples, with insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to form PVP-assay inhibitor complexes, and spin filtration to separate the PVP-assay inhibitor complexes from the crude sample preparations to produce clarified samples that exhibit reduced assay inhibition.
US08993334B2	Protein separation via ion-exchange chromatography and associated methods, systems, and devices The present invention provides methods for separating proteins from a protein mixture. In one aspect, a method for separating a high concentration protein mixture into a bound protein fraction and a flow-through protein fraction can include delivering a protein mixture through an ion exchange column at a fixed pH and a fixed salt concentration. The fixed pH and the fixed salt concentration have been preselected to cause separation of the protein mixture into a bound protein fraction and a flow-through protein fraction. In this case, the bound protein fraction binds to the ion exchange column and the flow-though protein fraction flows though the ion exchange column. The method can further include receiving the flow-through protein fraction from the ion exchange column separate from the bound protein fraction, wherein either the bound protein fraction or the flow-through fraction contains a protein of interest.
US08993333B2	Method of evaluating cancer risk in human Disclosed is a method of providing a risk evaluation and diagnosis of human cancer, by examining the presence, in the volatile fraction of a human saliva sample, of a combination of particulate biochemical volatile organic compounds, which is indicative of an increased risk of developing cancer.
US08993332B2	Method for characterising the biological activity of helminth eggs, in particular Trichuris eggs A method for determining the biological activity of embryonated Trichuris eggs is described, in which at least one of the following determinations is carried out: a) Determination and/or confirmation of the stage of the embryonal development of helminth eggs with the aid of quantitative PCR analysis by using suitable marker sequences for ascertaining the copy number of the genomic DNA, b) Determination of the metabolic activity of embryonated helminth eggs by means of biochemical and/or molecular biological methods, c) Determination of the inducibility of gene expression in embryonated helminth eggs, d) Microscopic determination of the motility of helminth larvae in the egg over long periods of observation after pre-incubation at increased temperatures and/or e) Determination of the hatching rate of Trichuris larvae in a laboratory animal, wherein the intact embryonated eggs recovered from the contents of the intestine are quantified compared to an internal standard.
US08993328B2	Media conditioning for improving gene delivery efficiency to differentiating embryonic stem cells The present invention provides systems and methods for improving the efficiency of a transient gene delivery system to differentiating embryonic stem (ES) cells by serum starving the targeted cells for one to three days prior to transfection. Such a serum starvation surprisingly resulted in increased expression of a constitutively-controlled plasmid from 50.4% to 83.2% of the population and increased expression of a promoter/enhancer controlled plasmid from ˜1.4% to ˜3.7% of the population.
US08993321B2	Container for preparing serum and regenerative medical process using the same A blood storage container suitable for quick and efficient production of a large amount of serum while ensuring high safety, and a method of separating blood and a regenerative medical process using the same are provided. A blood component separation storage apparatus is provided for separating a plurality of blood components of blood so as to be stored therein. The blood component separation storage apparatus includes a blood reservoir for holding the blood and a component storage part connected to the blood reservoir aseptically and in an air-tight manner. The blood reservoir contains an anticoagulant which suppresses coagulation of the blood. The blood reservoir has a serum producing function to remove coagulation factors from the blood to an extent enabling use in practical applications as a serum, and the component storage part stores each blood component generated by separation of the blood in the blood reservoir.
US08993317B2	Baculovirus-based production of biopharmaceuticals free of contaminating baculoviral virions The present invention relates to methods for the production of biopharmaceuticals implementing a baculovirus-based system. These methods advantageously allow the production of biopharmaceuticals with reduced or no contaminating baculoviral virions.
US08993315B2	Sulfonylurea-responsive repressor proteins Compositions and methods relating to the use of sulfonylurea-responsive repressors are provided. Compositions include polypeptides that specifically bind to an operator, wherein the specific binding is regulated by a sulfonylurea compound. Compositions also include polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as constructs, vectors, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and eukaryotic organisms including plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotide, and/or produced by the methods. Also provided are methods to provide a sulfonylurea-responsive repressor to a cell or organism, and to regulate expression of a polynucleotide of interest in a cell or organism, including a plant or plant cell.
US08993311B2	Multi-stage cartridge for MEMS particle storing system A disposable cartridge is described which is equipped with a plurality of microfabricated particle sorting structures. The disposable cartridge may include passageways which connect fluid reservoirs in the cartridge with corresponding microfluidic passageways on the particle sorting structure. A flexible gasket may prevent leakages and allow the fluid to cross the gasket barrier through a plurality of holes in the gasket, allowing fluid to be transferred from the reservoirs to the microfabricated particle sorting structures. The plurality of particle sorting structures may be arranged in the disposable cartridge in order to perform multiple separation operations, such as a sequential or parallel sorting operation.
US08993305B2	Utilization of phosphoketolase in the production of mevalonate, isoprenoid precursors, and isoprene The invention provides for methods for the production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in cells via the heterologous expression of phosphoketolase enzymes.
US08993297B2	Preparation and uses of gene sequences encoding chimerical glycosyltransferases with optimized glycosylation activity The present invention relates to the production of gene sequences encoding chimerical membrane glycosyltransferases presenting an optimized glycosylation activity in cells transformed with the sequences, the gene sequences corresponding to the fusion: of a first nucleic acid coding for a C-terminal minimal fragment of the catalytic domain (CD) of the native full length glycosyltransferase, to a second nucleic acid coding for a transmembrane peptide comprising in its N-terminal region a cytoplasmic tail (CT) region located upstream from a transmembrane domain (TMD), itself located upstream of a stem region (SR), provided that at least one of these CT, TMD, SR peptides being different from the primary structure of the naturally occurring peptide counterparts present in the native glycosyltransferase from which is derived the CD fragment with optimal glycosyltransferase activity as defined above.
US08993288B2	Method for converting biomass to methane A method for enhancing the treatment of lignocellulose-containing materials by biotreatment wherein such lignocellulose-containing materials, normally resistant to biotreatment, are first subjected to a low-temperature, long-residence time pyrolysis at about 175° C. to about 325° C. for about 0.1 hour to about 2.0 hours, wherein a substantial portion of the incoming material is distilled into water-soluble compounds amenable to anaerobic biotreatment. Exemplary applications of the method include pyrolytic pre-treatment of wastewater sludges, cellulosic wastes, wood, peat, plant residues, low-grade coal, and the like to enhance methane gas production in anaerobic digestion and/or oxygen-limited or oxygen-starved fermentation to produce ethanol.
US08993286B2	Methods for enhancing the degradation of cellulosic material with chitin binding proteins The present invention relates to methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material and for producing substances from the cellulosic material.
US08993283B2	Production method for biomass alcohol A production method for biomass-alcohol includes a saccharification step of saccharifying biomass, a first concentrating step of ultrasonically vibrating the saccharified solution and atomizing the saccharified solution into a mist, so as to elevate the sugar concentration in the saccharified solution by removing water from the saccharified solution, a fermentation step of fermenting the saccharified solution concentrated in the first concentrating step to form an alcohol water solution, and second concentrating step of separating alcohol from the alcohol water solution fermented in the fermentation step.
US08993282B2	Carotenoid fermentation method The present invention provides a method for producing a carotenoid, which comprises culturing a carotenoid-producing bacterium in an amino acid-supplemented medium, and collecting the carotenoid from the resulting cultured product, wherein the amino acid is at least one selected, from the group consisting of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, asparagine, alanine, glycine, serine, threonine, arginine, tyrosine, proline, phenylalanine and leucine, and salts thereof.
US08993281B2	Genetically modified Acinetobacter hosts for lipid production The present invention relates to a genetically modified Acinetobacter host for lipid production. The Acinetobacter host has been genetically modified to be deficient of one or more of genes A) a gene encoding fatty acyl-CoA reductase (EC1.2.1.n2), wherein said host is capable of increased production of TAGs and/or of total lipids compared to the parent host; and/or B) a gene encoding lipase (EC:3.1.1.3), a gene encoding pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC:1.2.2.2), and/or gene ACIAD 2177, or functional equivalents of any of said genes, wherein said host is capable of increased production of wax esters and/or total lipids compared to the parent host.
US08993274B2	Enzymatic hydrolysis pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials This disclosure relates to a method for treating a biomass comprising a lignocellulosic material to produce fermentable sugars comprising the steps of treating the biomass to produce a biomass with a depolymerized lignin, adding a carbonyl scavenger to the biomass before, during, or after said treating step to inhibit repolymerization of the lignin, adding at least one of a laccase enzyme and a cellulases enzyme to the biomass with depolymerized lignin subsequently to the addition of the carbonyl scavenger, and producing a fermentable sugar from the action of the laccase enzyme and cellulases enzyme on the biomass with depolymerized lignin.
US08993273B1	Recirculation infusion mash system A process of mashing grain into fermentable sugar wherein two pots are used in the process. A first pot and a second pot is partially filled with water. Heat is added to the first pot. Heat is transferred to the second pot by transferring the water from the first pot to the second pot at a preestablished rate. Grain is added to the second pot which in conjunction with the water forms a wort. The wort is drained from the second pot to the first pot.
US08993271B2	Method of nucleic acid amplification A nucleic acid molecule can be annealed to an appropriate immobilized primer. The primer can then be extended and the molecule and the primer can be separated from one another. The extended primer can then be annealed to another immobilized primer and the other primer can be extended. Both extended primers can then be separated from one another and can be used to provide further extended primers. The process can be repeated to provide amplified, immobilized nucleic acid molecules. These can be used for many different purposes, including sequencing, screening, diagnosis, in situ nucleic acid synthesis, monitoring gene expression, nucleic acid fingerprinting, etc.
US08993269B2	Glucosyl stevia composition Glucosyl stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The short-chain glucosyl stevia compositions were purified to >95% content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
US08993265B2	Fibronectin based scaffold domain proteins that bind to myostatin The present invention relates to fibronectin-based scaffold domain proteins that bind to myostatin. The invention also relates to the use of these proteins in therapeutic applications to treat muscular dystrophy, cachexia, sarcopenia, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, COPD, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and fibrosis. The invention further relates to cells comprising such proteins, polynucleotides encoding such proteins or fragments thereof, and to vectors comprising the polynucleotides encoding the proteins.
US08993259B2	Method of viability staining with membrane permeable fluorescent dye and membrane impermeable fluorescence quencher The invention relates to a method of detecting viable cells in a cell sample, using a membrane permeable fluorescent label that permeates both viable and non-viable cells and a membrane impermeant quencher that selectively permeates non-viable cells.
US08993251B2	Genes from 20q13 amplicon and their uses The present invention relates to cDNA sequences from a region of amplification on chromosome 20 associated with disease. The sequences can be used in hybridization methods for the identification of chromosomal abnormalities associated with various diseases. The sequences can also be used for treatment of diseases.
US08993250B2	Methods and compositions for diagnosis and prognosis of renal injury and renal failure The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects suffering from or suspected of having a renal injury. In particular, the invention relates to using assays that detect one or more markers selected from the group consisting of Clusterin, Heart-type fatty acid binding protein, Hepatocyte growth factor, Interferon gamma, Interleukin-12 subunit beta, Interleukin-16, Interleukin-2, 72 kDa type IV collagenase, Matrix metalloproteinase-9, Midkine, and Serum amyloid P-component as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in renal injuries.
US08993241B2	Reaction device, reaction method and method of synthesizing cDNA Provided is a device and a method whereby plural kinds of reaction operations and washing operations can be conducted in parallel without washing or replacing an instrument used in transferring a solution in each operation. A reaction device having a plurality of projecting barriers provided in a line on one surface of a substrate. The projecting barrier has a cutoff portion and an inner space capable of holding a droplet and having a contact angle to pure water of from 90 to 150 degrees. A reaction method using the reaction device wherein a substance immobilized on magnetic beads is sequentially transferred in and between droplets of a solution containing a surface tension reducing agent that are held in the spaces for holding a droplet by means of a magnet located on the opposite surface of the substrate to thereby conduct reactions and washings.
US08993230B2	Asynchronous sequencing of biological polymers The present invention provides methods, reagents and apparatus for conducting single molecule sequencing in an asynchronous manner. The subject methods and compositions are particularly useful for high throughput and multiplexed sequencing.
US08993229B1	Method for detecting and distinguishing infectious norovirus from inactivated norovirus A method for extracting and distinguishing infectious norovirus from inactive norovirus using a solid support conjugated with a glycoprotein moiety capable of binding infectious norovirus wherein the presence of infectious norovirus is determined using RT-PCR after elution of the infectious norovirus from the solid support.
US08993227B2	Cancer prognosis by determining phosphorylation of a Xom polypeptide Disclosed are composition and methods for treating development-related disorders. Also disclosed are diagnosis methods, prognosis methods, and drug screening methods.
US08993226B2	Method of testing for a milk trisaccharide A method of testing for a trisaccharide in milk includes the step of providing a predetermined amount of milk. The method also includes the step of isolating a trisachharide of the milk with a hydride insertion reaction to identify the molecule as phosphorylated. Also included in the method is the step of obtaining a mass spectrum of the isolated milk trisaccharide sample. The method further includes the step of identifying a molecular structure of the isolated milk trisaccharide sample.
US08993223B2	Resist pattern-forming method A resist pattern-forming method includes applying a resist underlayer film-forming composition to a substrate to form a resist underlayer film. The resist underlayer film-forming composition includes (A) a polysiloxane. A radiation-sensitive resin composition is applied to the resist underlayer film to form a resist film. The radiation-sensitive resin composition includes (a1) a polymer that changes in polarity and decreases in solubility in an organic solvent due to an acid. The resist film is exposed. The exposed resist film is developed using a developer that includes an organic solvent.
US08993220B2	Immersion lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method An immersion lithographic apparatus has a surface that in use is contacted by the immersion liquid and the surface has a surface roughness Ra that is less than or equal to 0.2 μm. Immersion liquid on the surface may have a contact angle of 60° or greater. The surface may be able to maintain its properties so that immersion liquid on the surface may have the contact angle for a prolonged period of immersion in the immersion liquid.
US08993215B2	Resist underlayer film forming composition containing phenylindole-containing novolac resin A composition for forming a resist underlayer film having heat resistance, which is used for a lithography process of semiconductor device production. A resist underlayer film forming composition including a polymer having a unit structure of Formula (1): Preferably, both rings A and B are benzene rings, n1, n2, and n3 are 0, R4 and R6 are hydrogen atoms, or R5 is naphthyl. A method for producing a semiconductor device including: forming an underlayer film by use of the resist underlayer film forming composition onto a semiconductor substrate; forming a hard mask on the underlayer film; forming a resist film on the hard mask; forming a resist pattern by irradiation with light or an electron beam and development; etching the hard mask using the resist pattern; etching the underlayer film by use of the patterned hard mask; and processing the semiconductor substrate by use of the patterned underlayer film.
US08993208B2	Foil transferring method and toner for forming foil transferring layer A foil transferring method employing an electrophotography is disclosed, in which a toner used for forming a foil transferring layer contains at least a vinyl based resin and a polyester based resin as a binder resin and an amount of the vinyl based resin is 50 to 95% by weight based on the total amount of the binder resin.
US08993206B2	Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate, an organic photosensitive layer that is provided on the conductive substrate, and an inorganic protective layer that is provided on the organic photosensitive layer, wherein the inorganic protective layer includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer in this order from the organic photosensitive layer side and satisfies the relationship of the following expression (1): ρ3≦ρ1<ρ2 Expression (1): wherein ρ1 represents a volume resistivity (Ω·cm) of the first layer, ρ2 represents a volume resistivity (Ω·cm) of the second layer, and ρ3 represents a volume resistivity (Ω·cm) of the third layer.
US08993204B2	Electrophotographic photosensitive member, method for producing the same, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus According to aspects of the present invention, an electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a surface layer comprising a cured resin obtained by polymerizing a compound having at least one polymerizable functional group. Aspects of the present invention provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member whose surface layer comprises a compound (urea derivative) having a certain structure, a method for producing the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus including the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
US08993196B2	Fuel cell system having fuel circulation structure, method of operating the same, and electronic apparatus including the fuel cell system In a fuel cell system including a fuel cartridge and a fuel supply module, the fuel cartridge includes at least two ports, wherein a first port from among the at least two ports is a fuel inlet port and a second port from among the at least two ports is a fuel outlet port. The fuel cartridge may also include a fuel pouch or the fuel cartridge itself may be the fuel pouch. The fuel supply module may include a fuel circulation structure that circulates the fuel before the fuel is supplied to the stack. The fuel cell system may be equipped with an electronic apparatus and serve as a source of power.
US08993193B2	Sulfonated perfluorosulfonic acid polyelectrolyte membranes New proton conducting membranes are made of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers films that have been treated by exposing them to a chlorosulfonating agent. The membranes are used as a proton exchange membrane in PEM fuel cells operating at temperatures above 95° C., or at low relative humidity. In various embodiments, the treated films have superior physical properties such as tensile strength, when compared to an untreated film. In some embodiments, the ion exchange capacity (IEC) of the treated films is increased.
US08993190B2	Fuel cell unit and fuel cell A fuel cell unit of a fuel cell contains a first membrane electrode assembly having a frame portion on an outer circumference thereof, a first separator, a second membrane electrode assembly having a frame portion on an outer circumference thereof, a second separator, and a third separator. A plurality of resin pins are formed integrally on the frame portion of the first membrane electrode assembly. The resin pins are integrally inserted into holes in the first separator, holes in the second membrane electrode assembly, holes in the second separator, and holes in the third separator.
US08993189B2	Heat-resistant alloy, alloy member for fuel cell, fuel cell stack device, fuel cell module, and fuel cell device A heat-resistant alloy capable of effectively suppressing diffusion of Cr, as well as an alloy member for a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device are provided. A heat-resistant alloy includes a Cr-containing alloy, and a Cr-diffusion suppression layer located on at least a part of a surface of the Cr-containing alloy, the Cr-diffusion suppression layer being made by laminating a first layer that contains a Zn-containing oxide and a second layer that does not contain ZnO but contains an (La, Sr)MnO3-based perovskite oxide in that order, so that it is possible to effectively suppress diffusion of Cr. By using the heat-resistant alloy for an alloy member for a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device each having improved reliability can be obtained.
US08993168B2	Powder and lithium nickel mixed metal oxide Disclosed is a powder comprising a lithium-containing compound and a nickel-containing mixed metal compound, and satisfying the following requirements of (1) and (2) when the powder is analyzed by plasma emission spectrometry of particles: (1) an absolute deviation of a synchronous distribution chart against an approximated straight-line is 0.10 or less, wherein the approximated straight-line is evaluated from a synchronous distribution chart obtained by plotting an emission intensity of lithium and an emission intensity of nickel of each particle composing of the powder, and (2) a release rate of lithium evaluated by the following formula is 80 or less: Release rate of lithium=(nb/na)×100 wherein, na is the number of particles containing lithium in the powder, and nb is the number of particles containing lithium and not containing nickel in the powder.
US08993166B2	Anode active material and battery A battery with the high capacity, the superior cycle characteristics, and the superior initial charge and discharge efficiency, and an anode active material used for it are provided. The anode active material contains at least tin, cobalt, carbon, and phosphorus as an element. A carbon content is from 9.9 wt % to 29.7 wt %, a phosphorus content is from 0.1 wt % to 2.2 wt %, and a cobalt ration to the total of the tin and the cobalt is from 24 wt % to 70 wt %.
US08993165B2	Clathrate allotropes for rechargeable batteries The present disclosure is directed at clathrate (Type I) allotropes of silicon, germanium and tin. In method form, the present disclosure is directed at methods for forming clathrate allotropes of silicon, germanium or tin which methods lead to the formation of empty cage structures suitable for use as electrodes in rechargeable type batteries.
US08993151B2	Battery having non-planar heat seal with extended container walls and recessed cover walls A container for a battery is disclosed. The container includes first and second side walls coupled to end walls and a base forming a recess. The side walls and end walls each have an edge. A container intercell partition wall is provided in the recess and has a segment which extends above the edge of any one or more of the first side wall, second side wall, and end walls. A cover is also provided having a cover intercell partition wall with a recessed area which accommodates the extended segment of the container intercell partition wall. The cover intercell partition wall may be coupled to the container intercell partition wall by a heat seal. A method of assembling a battery container is also disclosed.
US08993145B2	Preventing cell thermal runaway propagation within a battery A cell undergoing a thermal runaway process is characterized by high local temperatures at the cell. Thermal insulator prevents the high temperatures from dissipating to nearby cells such that thermal runaway is triggered in the nearby cells. In addition, thermal conductors are provided that form conduction paths that draw heat from a cell undergoing thermal runaway and distribute the heat to other cells in manner that thermal runaway is not triggered in cells that are near the failing cell. If sufficient heat is drawn away from a failing cell, temperatures of the cells surrounding the failed cell can remain low enough to prevent the surrounding cells from undergoing the thermal runaway process.
US08993144B2	Three dimensional shaped battery A three-dimensional shaped battery includes a cell structure including a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a separation layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, where the cell structure may include a plurality of pattern units having different sizes from each other and a connecting portion which connects the pattern units to each other.
US08993142B2	Battery pack for electric car In a battery pack for an electric car, a plurality of battery modules are mounted to be divided between the front and rear of a middle cross member and a main switch and a junction board are disposed in the front and rear of the middle cross member respectively. A bent part of a second high voltage cable, which bends into a U-shape and pass through beneath the middle cross member, is held by a cable holder and fixed to a fixing part. Since only a bus bar disposed in the intermediate part of the first high voltage cable is bent into a U-shape and passed through beneath the middle cross member, not only is a wiring operation of the first high voltage cable easy, but it is also possible to minimize the length of the bus bar to thus enhance the reliability with respect to vibration.
US08993140B2	Rechargeable battery cell and battery A rechargeable battery cell has at least one energy-optimized cell unit and at least one power-optimized cell unit. The power-optimized cell unit is configured in such a way that it can be used to generate a higher power than with the energy-optimized cell unit. The energy-optimized cell unit is configured in such a way that it can be used to store a higher quantity of energy per volume of the energy-optimized cell unit and/or per mass of the energy-optimized cell unit than with the power-optimized cell unit. The at least one energy-optimized cell unit and the at least one power-optimized cell unit are arranged in a common cell housing.
US08993137B2	Emergency cooling device An energy storage system, in particular a battery having a plurality of battery cells. These battery cells are accommodated in a first container. The first container is separated from a second container by a separating element, which allows for establishing a pressure difference Δp for expansion of a gas out of the first container into the second container.
US08993135B2	Fuel cell stack for hydrogen fuel power generator A flexible fuel cell stack is also described that includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be incorporated into a power generator that includes a hydrogen producing fuel.
US08993131B2	Metal substrates including metal oxide nanoporous thin films and methods of making the same The present disclosure is directed to a metal-containing apparatus including a substrate member constructed of a metal that is highly resistant to pitting corrosion and wear in aggressive media. An exemplary metal-containing apparatus is a plate heat exchanger. The metal includes an oxidation layer on the surface thereof and a thin metal oxide nanoporous film on top of the oxidation layer. The nanoporous film is highly compliant and is comprised of oxygen and aluminum, titanium, silicon, zirconium and combinations thereof.
US08993127B2	Fluorene compound, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, lighting device, and organic compound A substance having a hole-transport property and a wide band gap is provided. A fluorene compound represented by a general formula (G1) is provided. In the general formula (G1), α1 and α2 separately represent a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group having 6 to 13 carbon atoms; Ar1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted 4-dibenzothiophenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted 4-dibenzofuranyl group; n and k separately represent 0 or 1; Q1 represents sulfur or oxygen; and R1 to R15 separately represent hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms.
US08993123B2	Materials for organic electroluminescent devices The present invention relates to the compounds of the formula (1) and to organic electroluminescent devices, in particular blue-emitting devices, in which these compounds are used as host material in the emitting layer and/or as electron-transport material.
US08993113B2	Graphene aerogels Graphene aerogels with high conductivity and surface areas including a method for making a graphene aerogel, including the following steps: (1) preparing a reaction mixture comprising a graphene oxide suspension and at least one catalyst; (2) curing the reaction mixture to produce a wet gel; (3) drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and (4) pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce a graphene aerogel. Applications include electrical energy storage including batteries and supercapacitors.
US08993109B2	Void-containing heat-shrinkable polyester film and process for production thereof Disclosed is a void-containing heat-shrinkable polyester film which is composed of at least two layers, wherein at least one of the layers is a polyester resin layer comprising a cyclic polyolefin resin and containing voids. The film has an apparent specific gravity of less than 1.00 and has specified heat shrinking properties and mechanical properties. Also disclosed is a void-containing heat-shrinkable polyester film as mentioned above, which exhibits specified cuttability along a perforation. Further disclosed is a process for producing a void-containing heat-shrinkable polyester film as mentioned above.
US08993106B2	Coated paper having a coating structure with controlled distribution of latex and method for preparing the same Disclosed is coated paper having a coating structure in which styrene-butadiene latex distribution of a paper coating layer is controlled in order to reduce fold cracking of the coated paper and a method for manufacturing the same. The coated paper in which different types of latexes are separately applied to two coating layers exhibits considerably improved stiffness and reduced fold crack, as compared to the existing coated paper.
US08993104B2	Method of making a coated article and/or glazing for automobiles and/or the like Certain example embodiments relate to a method of making a coated article and/or glazing (e.g., for automobile, window, and/or other applications). An opaque paint that is not technically a frit is used to form a desired opaque pattern. The paint is screen printed on a substrate. Screen printing parameters are selected, e.g., so that the mesh has a high threads per inch count; the paint is pushed through the screen using hydraulic forces that account for a sheer thinning property of the paint by balancing squeegee speed, squeegee angle relative to the screen, and hardness of the squeegee; and/or relative humidity above and/or near the screen is at least about 80%. Preferably, the paint is substantially fully curable at 400 degrees C. or less. The substrate with the pattern thereon may be bent using a high temperature process, optionally with another substrate to which it may be laminated.
US08993099B2	Stretch laminate having novel adhesive pattern and methods of making the same A stretch laminate having a first nonwoven material, a second nonwoven material, an elastic film. The elastic film may be interposed between said first and second nonwoven material. The elastic film has a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge. The stretch laminate further has a first plane of adhesive having differing amounts of adhesive as measured laterally within the stretch laminate. The differing amounts of adhesive being controllable. The first plane of adhesive being interposed between the first nonwoven material and the elastic film. The stretch laminate further has a second plane of adhesive having differing amounts of adhesive as measured laterally within the stretch laminate. The differing amounts of adhesive being controllable. The second plane of adhesive being interposed between the second nonwoven material and the elastic film. Each of the above elements are substantially laminated together to form a laminate. The laminate is activated to form the stretch laminate.
US08993098B2	Two-shot injection molded floor tile with vent hole A modular plastic floor tile has a body of a first polymer compound and at least one upper feature overmolded onto an upper surface of the body from a second polymer compound which is injected from a gate adjacent the lower surface of the body. At least one through-hole communicates the gate to the upper feature. At least one vent hole, spaced from the through-hole, communicates the upper feature to the lower surface of the body. The vent hole allows any gas in the polymer flow path to be displaced from the upper feature, thereby preventing or minimizing defects that can affect adhesion and appearance.
US08993094B2	Door skin, a method of etching a plate for forming a wood grain pattern in the door skin, and an etched plate formed therefrom The present invention is directed to a door skin having an exterior surface with a wood grain pattern formed therein, and an etched plate for use as an embossing plate or with a molded die set, for forming the woodgrain pattern in the door skin.
US08993090B2	Part for and method of repairing a damaged structure, in particular an airframe skin, and a repair kit for implementing it A repair part enables rapid and efficient repair of damaged metal structures, in particular airframe fuselage skins having internal and external faces, without necessitating any additional thickness compromising the transmission of waves. To this end, the repair part includes a double internal/external plate adapted to be fastened to the internal face and the external face of the metal structure, respectively. The repair part also includes a central hub connecting the internal plate and the external plate and forming a groove between the plates. The part is constituted of a single composite material block, and a glass ply, lining the groove, may be positioned between the plates and the structure. The hub may have passing through it at least one orifice adapted to allow connections to pass through the structure.
US08993089B2	Closed cell materials Fabrics made for watersports and outerwear apparel, tents, sleeping bags and the like, in various composites, constructed such that there is at least one metal layer, forming a radiant barrier to reduce heat loss via radiation, and insulating this metal layer from conductive heat loss, and a process for its manufacture.
US08993085B2	Recordable optical recording medium having recording layer containing organic dye A recordable optical recording medium is provided enabling the light transmission layer to be a single layer, the inhibition of peeling of the recording layer even when stored in high-temperature/high-moisture conditions, and the reduction of degradation of the recording/reproduction characteristics. A recordable optical recording medium provided with a substrate, and, on the substrate in the following order, a reflective layer, a recording layer, a protective layer, and a light transmission layer. The optical recording medium has the recording layer formed thereon using an organic dye obtained by adding a highly waterproof, low hydrophilic organic dye to a triazole-based azo metal complex dye.
US08993078B2	Compositions and their use A composition includes a mixture including a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer includes methyl acrylate or ethyl acrylate residues in an amount of about 15% to about 25% by weight of the first polymer, maleic anhydride residues in an amount of about 2% to about 3.5% by weight of the first polymer, and ethylene residues. The second polymer includes butyl acrylate residues in an amount of about 5% to about 10% by weight of the second polymer, maleic anhydride residues in an amount of about 3% to about 4% by weight of the second polymer, and ethylene residues. An amount of the first polymer in the mixture is about 60% to about 90% by weight. The mixture may further include a pigment-LDPE composition wherein the amount of the first polymer in the mixture is about 50% to about 70% by weight.
US08993071B2	Method for manufacturing magnetic recording medium Embodiments of the present invention provide a manufacturing method that can form a track guide separation area of a magnetic disk substrate constituting a patterned medium represented by a discrete track medium or bit patterned medium suitable for high recording density, uniformly on the whole surface of the magnetic disk substrate, and accurately according to the mask. According to one embodiment, a soft magnetic film, an under coating film, and a magnetic film are formed on a substrate. A mask having an arbitrary pattern shape provided for forming the track guide separation area in the magnetic film is formed on the magnetic film, and the track guide separation area is formed by irradiating ions and electrons onto the surface of the magnetic film and applying an intermittent voltage to the substrate, thereby non-magnetizing the area irradiated.
US08993070B2	Dual powder coating method for aluminum substrates A method includes applying a first powder to an aluminum article and heating the first powder to form a first layer on the aluminum article providing mechanical strength, corrosion durability and bonding potential. The method also includes applying a second powder to the aluminum article and heating the second powder to form a second layer on the aluminum article protecting the aluminum article from ultraviolet radiation. A coated article includes an aluminum substrate, an epoxy layer and a topcoat layer. The epoxy layer promotes adhesion, enhances corrosion durability and provides mechanical strength, and is formed by applying a first powder containing an epoxy to the aluminum substrate and curing the first powder. The topcoat layer provides resistance to ultraviolet radiation and environmental contaminants, and is formed by applying a second powder to the aluminum substrate and curing the second powder.
US08993069B2	Method for producing a band-shaped plastic film The invention relates to a method for applying an adhesive (2) to a substrate (3) by means of an intaglio printing plate, wherein the adhesive (2) is applied to the substrate (3) only in predefined areas using two rotating rollers, of which one is designed as a plate cylinder (5) and one is designed as an impression cylinder (6), wherein the plate cylinder (5) and the impression cylinder (6) rotate together in the transport direction of the substrate (3), wherein the adhesive (2) is applied by means of at least one recess (8) formed on the surface of the plate cylinder (5), the at least one recess having a larger depth in a front section (16) than in a rear section (17) with respect to the direction of rotation of the plate cylinder (5).
US08993066B2	Microencapsulation of reactive diisocyanates and the application to self-healing anticorrosion coatings The disclosure provides a polyurethane microcapsule consisting of a polymerization product of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) prepolymer with a polyol, the polyurethane microcapsule comprising a liquid isocyanate compound encapsulated within the microcapsule. The disclosure also provides self-healing coating compositions comprising such polymeric microcapsules and methods of preventing or slowing corrosion using such coating compositions.
US08993062B2	Methods for making laminated, saturated, and abrasive products Methods for making and using phenol/formaldehyde/furfural-based resins and furfural alcohol-based resins and are provided. The method for making a phenol/formaldehyde/furfural-based resin can include combining a phenol/formaldehyde-based resin with furfural to produce a phenol/formaldehyde/furfural-based resin. The phenol/formaldehyde/furfural-based resin can have a viscosity of about 1 cP to about 1,000 cP at a temperature of about 25° C.
US08993061B2	Direct printing to fabric Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including designing a three-dimensional pattern for printing onto the article, positioning at least a portion of the article on a tray in a three-dimensional printing system, the portion being positioned substantially flat on the tray, printing a three-dimensional material directly onto the article using the designed pattern, curing the printed material, and removing the article from the three-dimensional printing system.
US08993055B2	Enhanced thin film deposition Methods of producing metal-containing thin films with low impurity contents on a substrate by atomic layer deposition (ALD) are provided. The methods preferably comprise contacting a substrate with alternating and sequential pulses of a metal source chemical, a second source chemical and a deposition enhancing agent. The deposition enhancing agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, hydrogen, hydrogen plasma, hydrogen radicals, silanes, germanium compounds, nitrogen compounds, and boron compounds. In some embodiments, the deposition-enhancing agent reacts with halide contaminants in the growing thin film, improving film properties.
US08993050B2	Method for manufacturing and handling elastomer thermoplastic gels Method of manufacturing granulates or continuous strips intended for feeding an extrusion machine, formed of a gel comprising at least, as majority elastomer, a styrene thermoplastic elastomer and more than 200 phr of an extender oil, each element of the granulate having a given surface area. The granulate element is sized so that the compactness, of a granulate element, is less than a value decreasing from 1500 m−1 to 375 m−1 and deposited on the surface of said granulates is an anti-tack agent having a value increasing from 2 cm3 to 8 cm3 per m2 of granulate surface area, when the mean size of the particles of said anti-tack agent increases from a value of 1 μm to 100 μm.
US08993045B2	Method of manufacturing cards that include at least one electronic unit The invention relates to a method for manufacturing boards that comprises depositing a liquid resin (22) on and/or under a plurality of electronic units for forming a plate defining a plurality of boards or board bodies. In order to do so, and in order to reduce as much as possible the residual air bubbles in the manufactured plate, the method comprises depositing the resin in the form of resin beads (26) initially having between them grooves (28) defining air discharge channels. The resin in uniformly spread using a pressing roller for one end of the plate to a second opposite end of the plate.
US08993042B2	Method for determining the production parameters for a substrate coating process A method to evaluate, determine and optimize production parameters for a coating application of a UV cationic polymerizable coating system to a substrate is provided. The method is based on a simulation model which includes both shadow and dark cure processes. Both of an active center generation process and the active center diffusion process are mathematically described. In the model, the two processes are considered separately since they are driven by different fundamental phenomena and occur on different timescales. Evaluation or prediction of the effect of process variables on the curing of a cationic coating of a complex substrate according to the described method allows characterization and understanding of process variables which may save set-up costs and improve production efficiency.
US08993041B2	Taste masked active pharmaceutical powder compositions and processes for making them A taste masked particulate pharmaceutical formulation include a core that comprises an active pharmaceutical ingredient; at least a partial nanoparticle material layer on the core that comprises a nanoparticle material with a median particle size not greater than 100 nm; a first polymer layer that is at least partially water soluble and a second polymer layer that is water insoluble. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is completely released in 30 minutes in the USP Dissolution Test. A process of making the particulate pharmaceutical formulation using sequential fluidized bed coating steps under controlled conditions is also described.
US08993032B2	Protein recovery beverage A protein rehydration/recovery beverage composition is provided, including an aqueous component such as water, hydrolyzed protein, and sodium acid sulfate and at least one other edible acid. The hydrolyzed protein may be hydrolyzed whey and optionally hydrolyzed collagen. In addition, the beverage composition may include at least one carbohydrate, such as sucrose, and one or more non-nutritive sweeteners. A protein rehydration/recovery beverage composition is provided, including an aqueous component, hydrolyzed proteins and an acid blend. The acid blend contains a first acid component including at least one of phosphoric acid and citric acid, and a second acid component including at least one of tartaric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, gluconic acid, ascorbic acid, and lactic acid. Also, a method for making a protein recovery beverage composition that has a pH of less than about 4.2. The rehydration/recovery beverage is stable and clean tasting, and has a low viscosity.
US08993022B1	Carry out bowl having convertible base A carry out food bowl comprising a bowl and a removable cover. The bowl includes a conversion demarcation, which defines a conversion section. The conversion section includes a portion of a sidewall of the bowl and a bottom portion of the bowl. The user would depress the conversion section inward creating a new bowl support surface, wherein the new support surface tilts an opening of the bowl. A condiment container receptacle can be integrated into the cover to retain a condiment container assembly. This associates the condiment with the contents of the bowl. The bowl and lid can include a stacking interface enabling one to attach a second bowl onto a cover of a first bowl.
US08993021B2	Can bottles in a bottomed, cylindrical configuration, and can products filled up therein with a soft or hard drink A can bottle in a bottomed, cylindrical configuration, which is constructed of a metal material has a cylindrical side wall and a bottom joined to and integrated with the side wall. The said bottom includes domed portions that flex and extend downwardly and outwardly, and flexed support legs formed by extending a plurality of peripheral edge sites of the domed portions arranged at uniform angles further downwardly and outwardly in a flexed fashion. The bottom satisfies a condition: 1.04≦R3/D≦1.67 where R3 (mm) is the radius of curvature that defines the curvature of the domed portion at the bottom, and D (mm) is the diameter of the cylindrical side wall. In addition ribs are formed at possible grounding sites of the flexed support legs at said bottom in a direction crossing the radial direction.
US08993019B2	Emulsion The invention relates to the encapsulation of oxidizable lipids. In particular, the invention provides an oil-in-water emulsion comprising droplets of a core lipid coated with nanoemulsion droplets, wherein the nanoemulsion droplets comprise a surface lipid coated with protein. The emulsions of the invention provide an oxidatively stable form of the lipid, which can be added to foods and cosmetics requiring a long shelf-life.
US08993014B2	Equol-containing extract, method for production thereof, method for extraction of equol, and equol-containing food The present invention relates to an extract obtained by extracting useful components containing equol from an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl, and to a method for producing the same.The present invention makes it possible to efficiently obtain useful components containing equol from the fermented soybean hypocotyl by subjecting an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl to extraction using an ethanol aqueous solution as an extractant. The present invention reduces the content of saponin, which causes an unpleasant taste, by sequentially subjecting the equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl to extraction using an ethanol aqueous solution and ethanol, while efficiently extracting equol and glycitein.
US08993008B1	Herbal composition for treating diabetes The herbal composition for treating diabetes is a mixture of medicinal herbs, including gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), fenugreek (Trigonella foennum-graecum), marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), “true cinnamon” (also known as “Ceylon cinnamon” or “Sri Lanka cinnamon”) (Cinnamomum verum), bitter melon (also known as “bitter gourd”) (Momordica charantia), autumn crocus (also known as “meadow saffron”) (Colchicum autumnale), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) and prickly pear (also known as “cactus pear”) (Opuntia ficus-indica). Preferably, the herbal components of the above composition are dried, ground and packaged in a teabag or the like, allowing the composition to be delivered to the patient as an aqueous extract, similar to a conventional herbal tea. Preferably, about 5 grams of the composition are contained in the teabag, which is steeped in about 150 mL of boiling water for between about three minutes and about five minutes.
US08993006B2	Topical skin care formulations Disclosed is a topical skin composition comprising an effective amount of Malpighia punicifolia (acerola) extract, Myrciaria dubia (camu camu) extract, and Ribes nigrum (black currant) extract, and a dermatologically acceptable vehicle comprising water, glycerin, dimethicone or cyclomethicone, stearic acid, carbomer, and sodium hydroxide.
US08993003B2	Emollient mixture for cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations The invention relates to a water-free oil-based composition which is liquid at 20° C./normal pressure and which contains (a) 2 to 90% by weight of at least one linear and/or branched dialkyl carbonate and (b) 2 to 95% by weight of at least one linear and/or branched alkane containing 8 to 40 carbon atoms and to its use in the cosmetics field.
US08992997B2	Dried and irradiated skin equivalents for ready use The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for preparing, storing, shipping and using skin equivalents made by organotypic culture. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for producing, transporting, storing and using skin equivalents produced by organotypic culture at reduced temperatures, preferably from 2-8 degrees Celsius to ambient temperature. The methods include sterile packaging of the grafts so that the sterility and integrity of the package is maintained until the time of use for grafting purposes.
US08992995B2	Skin care ointment An improved topical cosmetic skin formulation is provided. The inventive formulation includes leaf lard as a base, zinc oxide and beeswax. In addition, slippery elm bark may be added to the formulation. Further, benzoin styrax may be added to the inventive formulation.
US08992992B2	Methods for fabricating isolated micro- or nano-structures using soft or imprint lithography The presently disclosed subject matter describes the use of fluorinated elastomer-based materials, in particular perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-based materials, in high-resolution soft or imprint lithographic applications, such as micro- and nanoscale replica molding, and the first nano-contact molding of organic materials to generate high fidelity features using an elastomeric mold. Accordingly, the presently disclosed subject matter describes a method for producing free-standing, isolated nanostructures of any shape using soft or imprint lithography technique.
US08992983B2	Respirably dry powder comprising calcium lactate, sodium chloride and leucine The present invention relates to respirable dry powders that contain respirable dry particles that comprise about 20%-37.5% (w/w) leucine, about 58.6-about 75% (w/w) calcium lactate, and about 3.9-about 5% (w/w) sodium chloride, and methods for treating a subject using the respirable dry powders.
US08992969B2	Biphasic lipid-vesicle compositions and methods for treating cervical dysplasia by intravaginal delivery This invention relates to biphasic lipid-vesicle compositions and methods for treating cervical displasia by intravaginal delivery.
US08992966B2	Artificial bone capable of being absorbed and replaced by autogenous bone and its production method An artificial bone capable of being absorbed and replaced by an autogenous bone, which comprises a cylindrical body comprising at least an apatite/collagen composite layer and a collagen layer.
US08992963B2	Immobilised biological entities There is described inter alia a medical device having a surface which comprises a coating layer, said coating layer being a biocompatible composition comprising an entity capable of interacting with mammalian blood to prevent coagulation or thrombus formation, which entity is covalently attached to said surface through a link comprising a 1,2,3-triazole.
US08992954B2	Compositions comprising a derivative of 5-aminolevulinic acid The present invention relates to compositions comprising a derivative of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), e.g. an ester of 5-ALA or a skin compatible salt thereof. Further, the invention relates to use of such compositions in methods of cosmetic treatment, particularly in methods of improving or otherwise enhancing the appearance of the skin.
US08992948B2	Melatonin tablet and methods of preparation and use The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for sublingual or buccal administration of actives with low to poor aqueous solubility, e.g. the indole hormone melatonin, which contains a solution of the active in a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent adsorbed or absorbed onto particles of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and methods of preparing and using the pharmaceutical composition.
US08992946B2	Method and membrane for tissue regeneration Tissue regeneration or grafting is promoted utilizing a structure including a multi-layer sheet of collagen membrane material which includes a purified collagen barrier sheet material derived from natural collagen-containing tissue, the barrier sheet material including a barrier layer with an outer smooth barrier face and a fibrous face opposite the smooth barrier face. The structure further includes a matrix layer of collagen sponge material adjacent to the fibrous face. The matrix layer of collagen sponge material is resorbed by a body of a subject at a substantially faster rate than the barrier sheet material.
US08992945B2	Supramacromolecular polymer complexes providing controlled nitric oxide release for healing wounds A bio-adhesive supramacromolecular complex of the general formula: wherein R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of an alkane unsubstituted or substituted with alkoxy groups; R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of C1-6 alkyl; R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted aliphatic or aromatic alkyl; R5 is independently selected from the group consisting of H or C1-6 alkyl; W is a hydrogen-bond accepting functional group-containing entity; Y is a carboxylic acid ester or amide linkage; R is an independently selected peptide linking group; T1, T2, T3 and T4 are independently selected polymer residues; and m1, m2, m3, n1 and n2 are integers selected from at least 25; and wherein P has a molecular weight of about 1×103 to 1×107 and Q has a molecular weight of about 1×103 to 1×107. The complex provides controlled nitric oxide release over a longer period of time than prior art compounds in the locally delivery systems. Novel compositions, methods of preparation, apparatus including layer-by-layer assemblies coating, electrospinning and ultrasonic atomization, skin coverings containing and medical use of the complexes are described.
US08992941B2	Method for treatment of esophageal spasm The present invention relates to methods of treating esophageal spasms using botulinum toxins.
US08992916B2	Methods of using anti-IL13 human antibodies The present invention relates to human anti-IL-13 binding molecules, particularly antibodies, and to methods for using anti-IL-13 antibody molecules in diagnosis or treatment of IL-13 related disorders, such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
US08992915B2	Combination of CD37 antibodies with ICE The present invention relates to immunotherapies that are based on depletion of CD37-positive cells such as B-cells. The present invention provides methods for reduction of CD37-positive cells such as B-cells in an individual/patient using a combination of CD37 antibody/antibodies and ICE. The combination of CD37 antibodies and ICE is shown to have improved anti-tumor efficacy compared to single agent treatment. The application further provides materials and methods for treatment of diseases involving aberrant B-cell activity.
US08992900B2	Shaving process A process for shaving that includes the steps of moisturizing the hair, using a sealing agent for sealing the moisture inside the hair keeping the moisture in the hair while smoothing the skin to be shaved applying mineral oil to the hair and skin to create a buffer for the lubricating agent that is applied next. Then, using sufficient water to form a lather. Next, the moisture from the blade after the blade is washed with water by utilizing alcohol. In the final step of the process oil is applied to the blades to prevent contact with the atmospheric moisture and thus extending its useful life.
US08992899B2	Clean volume mascara compositions comprising at least one film former and at least one silicone elastomer Disclosed herein are cosmetic compositions comprising at least one film-forming polymer, at least one silicone elastomer blend, and at least one wax. Also disclosed herein are methods for making up and/or enhancing the appearance of a keratinous substrate comprising applying said composition to the keratinous substrate.
US08992894B2	Oral stain remover and oral composition An oral stain remover which can remove a stain or a dental plaque effectively without a need of brushing the surface of teeth with a toothbrush or the like, and an oral composition containing the stain remover. An oral stain remover contains a salt of ultraphosphoric acid, and an oral composition contains the oral stain remover.
US08992888B2	Radiographic contrast agent for postmortem, experimental and diagnostic angiography A contrast agent for angiography is disclosed, in particular, for examining animal or human bodies or components thereof such as members or organs thereof, comprising an essentially oil-based apolar contrast component for X-ray examinations, the contrast component having a contrast component viscosity in the range of 30-100 mPas. The contrast agent is characterized in that the contrast component is present in a mixture with at least one further apolar component, the viscosity of which is less than or at most equal to the contrast component viscosity. Methods for angiography examination are also disclosed, in which such a contrast agent or also a polar contrast agent are used at least periodically and applications of such contrast agents.
US08992887B2	Method for medical imaging of body cavities The present invention relates to an image enhancing composition for the enhancement of contrast in a body cavity, wherein the viscosity of the composition is between 2000 and 4000 mPa·sec. It also relates to a method for enhancing contrast of an image of a body cavity, which method involves introducing one single small aliquot of an image enhancing composition into the body cavity. In another aspect, the present invention provides a high contrast image of a body cavity obtained by the method of the invention, in particular a 3-dimensional high contrast image.
US08992885B2	UZM-39 aluminosilicate zeolite A new family of coherently grown composites of TUN and IMF zeotypes have been synthesized. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. NanMmk+TtAl1−xExSiyOz where “n” is the mole ratio of Na to (Al+E), M represents a metal or metals from zinc, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and or the lanthanide series of the periodic table, “m” is the mole ratio of M to (Al+E), “k” is the average charge of the metal or metals M, T is the organic structure directing agent or agents, and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are similar to TNU-9 and IM-5 but are characterized by unique compositions and synthesis procedures and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes and separation properties for carrying out various separations.
US08992884B2	Preparation of X zeolite A method is disclosed for preparing crystalline aluminosilicate X zeolite from a reaction mixture containing only sufficient water to produce X zeolite. In one embodiment, the reaction mixture is self-supporting and may be shaped if desired. In the method, the reaction mixture is heated at crystallization conditions and in the absence of an added external liquid phase, so that excess liquid need not be removed from the crystallized product prior to drying the crystals.
US08992882B2	Ultra-high purity zinc bromides and quaternary ammonium bromides for use in zinc-bromine batteries Ultra-high purity zinc bromide and quaternary ammonium bromides suitable for use in zinc-bromine batteries, and methods for making same, are provided.
US08992881B2	Graphene nanoribbons prepared from carbon nanotubes via alkali metal exposure In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes processes for preparing functionalized graphene nanoribbons from carbon nanotubes. In general, the processes include exposing a plurality of carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent and thereafter adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons. Exposing the carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent, generally while being heated, results in opening of the carbon nanotubes substantially parallel to their longitudinal axis, which may occur in a spiralwise manner in an embodiment. The graphene nanoribbons of the present disclosure are functionalized on at least their edges and are substantially defect free. As a result, the functionalized graphene nanoribbons described herein display a very high electrical conductivity that is comparable to that of mechanically exfoliated graphene.
US08992877B2	Method for growing monocrystalline diamonds A method of forming mono-crystalline diamond by chemical vapor deposition, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one diamond seed; (b) exposing the seed to conditions for growing diamond by chemical vapor deposition, including supplying reaction gases that include a carbon-containing gas and hydrogen for growing diamond and include a nitrogen-containing gas; and (c) controlling the quantity of nitrogen-containing gas relative to other gases in the reaction gases such that diamond is caused to grow by step-growth with defect free steps without inclusions. The nitrogen is present in the range of 0.0001 to 0.02 vol %. Diborane can also be present in a range of from 0.00002 to 0.002 vol %. The carbon-containing gas can be methane.
US08992873B2	Hollow silica particles and method for producing the same The present invention provides a method of producing hollow silica particles. First, an amine-ketimine compound is mixed with water to obtain a hydrophobic core dispersion, and then an organic siloxane compound and/or a coupling reagent is added into the hydrophobic core dispersion to form a core-shell silica dispersion. Then, the core-shell silica precipitate is separated from the core-shell silica dispersion, and then it is further dispersed and washed by a low carbon alcohol solution. Finally, hollow silica particles in accordance with the present invention are produced. In addition, the present invention also provides hollow silica particles produced by the afore-mentioned method without using any additional surfactant.
US08992870B2	Catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide and method for performing processes comprising formation of nitrous oxide The present invention relates to a catalyst comprising 0.1-10 mol % Co3-xMxO4, where M is Fe or Al and x=0-2, on a cerium oxide support for decomposition of N2O in gases containing NO. The catalyst may also contain 0.01-2 weight % ZrO2. The invention further comprises a method for performing a process comprising formation of N2O. The N2O containing gas is brought in contact with a catalyst comprising 0.1-10 mol % Co3-xMxO4, where M is Fe or Al and x=0-2, on a cerium oxide support, at 250-1000° C. The method may comprise that ammonia is oxidized in presence of an oxidation catalyst and that the thereby formed gas mixture is brought in contact with the catalyst comprising the cobalt component on cerium oxide support at a temperature of 500-1000° C.
US08992866B2	Automated, refrigerated specimen inventory management system An automated, refrigerated specimen management system (ARSIMS) to hold sealed and/or opened sample/specimen tubes and/or containers that can be in the pre-analytical, in-process, or post-analytical phase of processing. The ARSIMS ensures that each sample/specimen tube, whether it is sealed, capped, closed or open, can be stored at an ideal storage temperature according to the particular phase of processing and as appropriate for the combination of sample/specimen type and analyte(s) to be tested.
US08992858B2	Microfluidic devices and methods of use A microfluidic device comprises pumps, valves, and fluid oscillation dampers. In a device employed for sorting, an entity is flowed by the pump along a flow channel through a detection region to a junction. Based upon an identity of the entity determined in the detection region, a waste or collection valve located on opposite branches of the flow channel at the junction are actuated, thereby routing the entity to either a waste pool or a collection pool. A damper structure may be located between the pump and the junction. The damper reduces the amplitude of oscillation pressure in the flow channel due to operation of the pump, thereby lessening oscillation in velocity of the entity during sorting process. The microfluidic device may be formed in a block of elastomer material, with thin membranes of the elastomer material deflectable into the flow channel to provide pump or valve functionality.
US08992857B2	Mixing device and mixing method A mixing method and device are disclosed. The mixing method includes providing a drop generating device including a first drop ejector, a second drop ejector and a collector. The mixing method also includes ejecting a plurality of drops of a first reactant from the first drop ejector and ejecting a plurality of drops of a second reactant from the second drop ejector and collecting the drops with the collector.
US08992855B2	Low volume liquid specimen apportionment device A liquid specimen collecting and testing device has two chambers, a first for collecting a liquid specimen and a second for exposing a measured volume preliminary screening aliquot of the specimen to preliminary screening test strips. The first chamber has a catch basin of defined volume which is less than the sample volume. The basin is simultaneously sealed from the rest of the first chamber, thus separating and apportioning the measured volume preliminary screening aliquot from the collected volume. Simultaneously, an opening made leading from the basin to the second chamber initiating the preliminary screening test. Thus intermingling of a preliminary screening aliquot and a remainder aliquot is avoided.
US08992853B2	Devices, systems and methods for localized sterilization A portable gas transfer device for point-of-use sterilization at a sterilization site includes: a housing; a pressurized gas canister held by the housing; a first passageway in fluid communication with the pressurized gas canister and configured to supply pressurized pre-sterilization gas from the pressurized gas canister to the site; a gas discharge canister held by the housing; and a second passageway in fluid communication with the gas discharge canister and configured to supply post-sterilization gas from the site to the gas discharge canister. Additional related devices, systems and methods are provided.
US08992850B2	Floating catalyst/regenerator A fuel processor with a floating catalyst has a reactant gas passage and a product gas passage separated by a separating wall which is fixed at one end and free at the other end, to permit differential thermal expansion. The catalyst is received inside the separating wall proximate to the free end. An outer wall at least partially surrounds the separating wall and the fixed end of the separating wall may be joined to the outer wall. The fuel processor may comprise a plurality of concentric tubes, and may include a third tube located inside the separator wall. The gas passages are provided with gas permeable support structures such as turbulizers or fins which support the separating wall relative to the outer wall, but the support structures are bonded to only one tube in order to permit differential thermal expansion of the walls.
US08992846B2	Exhaust gas treatment device A mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device includes a blend of inorganic fibers and organic nanofibrillated fibers. An exhaust gas treatment device includes a housing and a fragile structure mounted within the housing by the mounting mat that is disposed in a gap between the housing and the fragile catalyst support structure. Additionally disclosed are methods of making a mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device and for making an exhaust gas treatment device incorporating the mounting mat.
US08992844B2	Lean NOx type exhaust gas purifying catalyst A lean NOx trap type exhaust gas purifying catalyst having a catalyst noble metal selected from a group consisting of platinum, palladium and rhodium, an inorganic oxide that carries the catalyst noble metal, and at least one NOx adsorbent one selected from a group of magnesium, barium, sodium, potassium and cesium. The inorganic oxide carrying palladium containing cerium in a CeO2-equivalent quantity in a range of 1 to 20 wt %, and at least one of aluminum and zirconium.
US08992840B2	Multiple component feed methods and systems Multiple components are selected, conveyed, and measured in a polymerization system. A control system adjusts the system variables to the desired values. Portions of the components can be fed to a pre-contactor before introduction into the polymerization reactor. The catalyst component concentrations and residence times are tightly controlled in the pre-contactor to affect product properties. The pre-contactor can be a single or multiple combinations of a CSTR or plug flow pre-contactors.
US08992835B2	Multi-way sorter system and method Provided herein are improved multi-way cell sorter systems and methods. For example, provided are systems and methods for the collection of cells that are sorted in multiple directions. The systems and methods allow for the construction of a multi-way sorter (e.g., a ten-way sorter in the space that currently only allows four-way sorting). In addition the device may actively sense the arrival of drops (with cells of interest) at a sample tube, and trigger an alarm when the drops' arrivals deviate from an expected pattern.
US08992829B2	Sports equipment and facility disinfection A process for treating sports equipment and sports facility rooms to inactivate “superbug” bacteria such as MRSA, VRE and P. aeroginosa, which comprises subjecting the equipment or the room, and surfaces therein, to a disinfecting atmosphere which includes ozone at a concentration of 2-350 ppm by weight and hydrogen peroxide at an amount of 0.2-10 wt. %, at a relative humidity of at least 60%, and for a period of at least 30 minutes sufficient for an effective kill of the bacteria; and subsequently removing ozone from the atmosphere, down to 0.04 ppm or less.
US08992826B2	Method for producing a semifinished product and semifinished product for electrical contacts and contact piece The method relates to a method for producing a strand-like, particularly band-like semi-finished part for electrical contacts, wherein the semi-finished part has a top side intended for making the electrical contact, said top side made from a silver-based composite material in which one or multiple metal oxides or carbon are embedded, and has a carrier layer supporting the composite material made of easily solderable or weldable ignoble metal, and method having the following steps: Powder-metallurgic production of a block made from the silver-based composite material, encasing of the block made of the composite material with a powder made from the easily solderable or weldable ignoble metal, compressing the block, encased by the metal powder, to condense the metal powder, sintering the compressed block in a reducing atmosphere or in an inert atmosphere or in a vacuum, avoiding the formation of fluid eutectics from the silver of the composite material and from the non-precious metal with which the block made from the silver-based composite material is encased, reshaping of the sintered block by extrusion pressing, creating a partial strand with a top side made from composite material and a bottom side made from non-precious metal.
US08992824B2	Crucible and extrinsic facecoat compositions Crucible compositions and methods of using the crucible compositions to melt titanium and titanium alloys. More specifically, crucible compositions having extrinsic facecoats comprising a rare earth oxide that are effective for melting titanium and titanium alloys for use in casting titanium-containing articles. Further embodiments are titanium-containing articles made from the titanium and titanium alloys melted in the crucible compositions. Another embodiment is a crucible curing device and methods of use thereof.
US08992808B2	Method of manufacturing pre-sintered Si-mixture granule for porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride, porous pre-sintered granule manufactured by the method, and method of manufacturing porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a porous pre-sintered granule for a sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride, to which a pressure forming technology can be applied to obtain a porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride having high porosity and having a structure in which macropores and micropores coexist with each other, and to a porous pre-sintered granule manufactured by the method. The method includes the steps of: granulating a raw material comprising silicon and sintering additives including yttrium, aluminum and at least one alkali earth metal compound; and pre-sintering the granulated raw material at a temperature of 1300˜1375° C. under an inert atmosphere. According to the present invention, a porous pre-sintered granule for porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride, which can increase the air permeability and trapping efficiency by controlling the size of a pore channel such that macropores and micropores coexist, can be manufactured.
US08992807B2	Method of manufacturing deformation-capable graphene sheet, deformation-capable graphene sheet, and device using the same A graphene sheet and a method of manufacturing the graphene sheet are provided. The method includes: growing a graphene sheet on a graphene growth support by applying carbon sources and heat to the graphene growth support, the graphene growth support including a carbonization catalyst; and forming at least one ripple on the graphene sheet by cooling at least one of the graphene growth support and the graphene sheet, wherein the graphene growth support and the graphene sheet have different thermal expansion coefficients.
US08992804B2	Use of 2-((1-methylpropyl)amino)ethanol as additive in aqueous suspensions of calcium carbonate-comprising materials Use of 2-((1-methylpropyl)amino)ethanol as an additive in an aqueous suspension, containing from 25 to 62 vol. % of at least one calcium carbonate-comprising material, wherein the use provides improved stability with regard to the conductivity of the suspension.
US08992798B2	Liquids The present invention relates to an ionic liquid comprising an anion and a cation, wherein the cation is a primary, secondary or tertiary ammonium ion containing a protonated nitrogen atom.
US08992791B2	Method of cleaning semiconductor wafer and semiconductor wafer A silicon wafer surface other than a defect is oxidized by ozone to form a silicon oxide film. A hydrofluoric acid is sprayed and subsequently a cleaning gas is sprayed onto the surface of the silicon wafer.
US08992789B2	Method for manufacturing mold According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for manufacturing a mold. The method can include forming a second major surface receded from a first major surface by irradiating a portion of the first major surface with a charged beam to etch a base material having the first major surface. The method can include forming a mask pattern on the first major surface and the second major surface. In addition, the method can include forming a first pattern on the first major surface and a second pattern on the second major surface by etching the base material through the mask pattern.
US08992784B2	Method for making a reinforced silicon micromechanical part A method of fabricating a reinforced silicon micromechanical part includes: micro-machining the part, or a batch of parts in a silicon wafer; forming a silicon dioxide layer over the entire surface of the part, in one or plural operations, so as to obtain a thickness of silicon dioxide that is at least five times greater than the thickness of native silicon dioxide; and removing the silicon dioxide layer by etching.
US08992783B2	Process for enantioseparation of chiral systems with compound formation using two subsequent crystallization steps Method for enantioseparation of a chiral system with compound formation comprising a pair of enantiomers. The method comprises the steps of: placing the chiral system to be processed, which is optically enriched by a target enantiomer, in the 3-phase region of the ternary phase diagram of chiral compound forming systems to achieve the establishment of the solid/liquid phase equilibria; phase-separating the liquid and solid phase formed by the placing step; shifting the eutectic composition of the remaining liquid towards a lower eutectic composition (xE) until the overall composition is located in the 2-phase region of the ternary phase diagram of chiral compound forming systems; and performing crystallization in the 2-phase region of the ternary phase diagram for obtaining the target enantiomer in the solid phase. In some cases the shifting step can be skipped.
US08992779B2	System and process for recovering products using simulated-moving-bed adsorption A process according to various approach includes flushing an intermediate transfer line between the first intermediate transfer line and the extract stream transfer line away from the adsorptive separation chamber to remove residual fluid from intermediate transfer line. The process may include directing the residual fluid flushed from the intermediate transfer line to a recycle stream to introduce the residual fluid into the adsorptive separation chamber.
US08992777B2	Systems and methods for providing notifications in dialysis systems A system and method provide information in response to at least one current event related to a treatment performed by a dialysis system. A first number is displayed at a treatment display in communication with the dialysis system. The first number corresponds to a set of current notifications. Each current notification is generated in response to at least one current event related to the treatment. A new event is detected that is related to the treatment. The first number is increased to a second number in response to detecting the new event. The second number corresponds to a new notification generated in response to the new event and corresponds to the set of current notifications. A highest priority event is determined between the new event and the at least one current event. The treatment display displays at least one notification corresponding to the highest priority event.
US08992769B2	Process, method, and system for removing heavy metals from fluids Trace amount levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with a sufficient amount of a reducing agent to convert at least a portion of the non-volatile mercury into a volatile form of mercury, which can be subsequently removed by any of stripping, scrubbing, adsorption, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, at least 50% of the mercury is removed. In another embodiment, the removal rate is at least 99%. In one embodiment, the reducing agent is selected from sulfur compounds containing at least one sulfur atom having an oxidation state less than +6; ferrous compounds; stannous compounds; oxalates; cuprous compounds; organic acids which decompose to form CO2 and/or H2 upon heating; hydroxylamine compounds; hydrazine compounds; sodium borohydride; diisobutylaluminium hydride; thiourea; transition metal halides; and mixtures thereof.
US08992767B2	Ionic liquid desulfurization process incorporated in a contact vessel Initial high sulfur levels of a hydrocarbon feedstock are reduced to desired low levels without the need for integration of substantial new equipment or hardware with existing hydroprocessing reactors. Ionic liquids are utilized as organic sulfur extraction agents and are added to and mixed with the hydrocarbon feedstock containing organosulfur compounds downstream of an existing cold separator vessel. The ionic liquid and hydrocarbon mixture is maintained in a contact vessel under conditions which promote the formation of ionic sulfur-containing derivatives that are soluble in the ionic liquid to be formed, thereby enabling extractive removal and separation of the organosulfur compounds from the feedstock.
US08992747B2	Apparatus and method for improved darkspace gap design in RF sputtering chamber Improved designs of target assemblies and darkspace shields are disclosed. Methods of improving darkspace gap in sputtering chambers and sputtering chambers having an improved darkspace gap are also disclosed. Disclosed is a target assembly having a substantially coplanar backing plate and a target are vertically spaced from the darkspace shield.
US08992743B2	Sputtering method and sputtering apparatus This invention provides a sputtering method which can generate an electric discharge under practical conditions and maintain the pressure in a plasma space uniform, and a sputtering apparatus used for the same. The sputtering method includes a first gas introduction step (step S403) of introducing a process gas from a first gas introduction port formed in a sputtering space defined by a deposition shield plate, a substrate holder, and the target which are disposed in a process chamber, a voltage application step (step S407) of applying a voltage to the target after the first gas introduction step, and a second gas introduction step (step S405) of introducing a process gas from a second gas introduction port formed outside the sputtering space.
US08992737B2	Trihalosilane refining method A trihalosilane refining device and a trihalosilane refining method are provided. The trihalosilane refining device can be useful in obtaining high-purity trihalosilane from a feed containing a trihalosilane while consuming a small amount of energy.
US08992734B2	Process for the preparation of surface-treated calcium carbonate material and use of same in the control of organic material in an aqueous medium The present invention relates to a process for the production of a surface-treated calcium carbonate, the use of this surface-treated calcium carbonate in a process for the control of organic material in an aqueous medium, as well as to a composite of surface-treated calcium carbonate and organic material, such as a composite of surface-treated calcium carbonate and to the use of such a composite.
US08992727B2	Device for removing a protective film off a sheet A device for removing a protective film off a sheet such as tickets or the like is described. The device has at least one removal or scraping roll of the protective film and at least one drawing or pulling roll of the sheet opposite the scraping roll and between which the sheet passes. The device also has a base and a roll unit mobile or removable with respect to the base and including the scraping roll and the drawing roll.
US08992725B2	Plasma reactor with inductie excitation of plasma and efficient removal of heat from the excitation coil The plasma reactor of the invention is intended for treating the surfaces of objects such as semiconductor wafers and large display panels, or the like, with plasma. The main part of the plasma reactor is an array of RF antenna cells, which are deeply immersed into the interior of the working chamber. Each antenna cell has a ferromagnetic core with a heat conductor and a coil wound onto the core. The core and coil are sealed in the protective cap. Deep immersion of the antenna cells having the structure of the invention provides high efficiency of plasma excitation, while the arrangement of the plasma cells and possibility of their individual adjustment provide high uniformity of plasma distribution and possibility of adjusting plasma parameters, such as plasma density, in a wide range.
US08992724B2	Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber which plasma-processes a sample, a first high-frequency power supply which supplies first high-frequency power for plasma generation to the processing chamber, a second high-frequency power supply which supplies second high-frequency power to a sample stage on which the sample is placed and a pulse generation device which generate first pulses for time-modulating the first high-frequency power and second pulses for time-modulating the second high-frequency power. The pulse generation device includes a control device which controls the first and second pulses so that frequency of the first pulses is higher than frequency of the second pulses and the on-period of the second pulse is contained in the on-period of the first pulse.
US08992720B2	Pressure sensitive adhesive comprising functionalized polyisobutylene hydrogen bonded to acylic polymer A pressure sensitive adhesive composition is described comprising a polyisobutylene polymer having a first functional group and an acrylic polymer having a second functional group present in the acrylic polymer backbone. The first and second functional groups form a hydrogen bond. In some embodiments, the adhesive composition further comprises a crosslinker that covalently crosslinks the second functional group(s) present in the polymer backbone of the acrylic polymer. Also described are adhesive articles, such as a tape, methods of adhesively bonding, and methods of making a pressure sensitive adhesive.
US08992719B2	Fabrication method of electrochromic element A fabrication method of an electrochromic element includes the steps of: providing a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate including a first base layer and a first transparent conductive layer, the second substrate including a second base layer and a lower second transparent conductive layer; forming an ion storage layer on a surface of the upper first transparent conductive layer, and forming an electrochromic layer on a surface of the lower second transparent conductive layer; forming an electrolyte layer on a surface of the electrochromic layer; oppositely facing and combining the ion storage layer and the electrolyte layer in a gradually slantly manner by use of an assistant material disposed on corresponding peripheries of the electrolyte layer and the ion storage layer; and drying the combined electrolyte layer and the ion storage layer for complete manufacture of the electrochromic element as a finished product.
US08992718B2	Multilayer articles and methods of making and using the same Multilayer articles comprise a thermoformable substrate, a base layer, and an optional transparent protective layer. Methods of making and using the paint film composites, and shaped articles made thereby, are also disclosed.
US08992716B2	Apparatus and methods for dispensing adhesive to labels In one aspect, a vacuum drum assembly for use with a labeling apparatus includes apertures for supporting labels on an outer surface using vacuum pressure. The vacuum drum assembly may include air distributors for providing vacuum pressure to selected apertures to accommodate various lengths or widths of labels. The vacuum drum assembly may also be adjustable to vary the spacing between apertures to accommodate various lengths of labels.
US08992711B2	Method and apparatus for making fiber reinforced composite tubes A composite tube is made by applying a mixture of individual reinforcing fibers and a resin onto the interior cylindrical wall of the spinning mandrel.
US08992702B2	Copper alloy sheet, manufacturing method of copper alloy sheet, and electric/electronic component There is provided a copper alloy sheet including 1.0 to 3.5 mass % Ni, 0.5 to 2.0 mass % Co, and 0.3 to 1.5 mass % Si, a Co/Ni mass ratio being 0.15 to 1.5, an (Ni+Co)/Si mass ratio being 4 to 7, and a balance being composed of Cu and an unavoidable impurity, wherein in observation results of a crystal grain boundary property and crystal orientation by EBSP measurement, a density of twin boundaries among all crystal grain boundaries is 40% or more and an area ratio of crystal grains with Cube orientation is 20% or more, on a rolled surface.
US08992694B2	Flow rate sensor and related dishwasher A flow rate sensor for a dishwasher includes a container configured for holding an amount of liquid. The container has a known volume corresponding to a vertical activation length, and inlet and a selectively closeable liquid outlet. An upright hollow tube is mounted in the container and has at least one magnetically activated sensor device activatable within the vertical activation length. At least one float is movably mounted to the tube for floating on the liquid. The float includes a magnet therein for activating the sensor device when the float moves the magnet through the vertical activation length. A controller is in electrical communication with the sensor device and includes a timer function. The controller calculates the rate of flow into or out of the container based on the time taken by the float to move through the vertical activation length. Related dishwasher designs are also disclosed.
US08992691B2	Partial solution replacement in recyclable persulfuric acid cleaning systems A method of implementing cleaning solution replacement in a recyclable fluid cleaning system for semiconductor wafers includes activating electrode current for an electrolysis reactor included in the cleaning system. At least one of electrode voltage and operating time for the electrolysis reactor is monitored, until a trigger point has been reached. The trigger point includes one of the electrode voltage reaching a predetermined threshold voltage value, a process time counter reaching a predetermined counter value, and a time value that the electrode voltage has been at the threshold voltage value reaching predetermined value. The process time counter is incremented based on one or more of actual wafer processing time, wafer type, number of wafers processed, and thickness of material to be stripped. Upon reaching the trigger point, the electrode current is deactivated, and at least a portion of cleaning system fluid is drained and replaced with fresh cleaning fluid.
US08992690B1	Flat belt treadmill-like rotation toothbrush In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a toothbrush head formed of a bristled tread is rotatable about at least one vertically disposed sprocket. The toothbrush head has an elongated neck with sprockets extending axially therefrom. Bristles are wrapped around either or both sprockets. The bristles may be on a single belt wrapped around both sprockets. Alternatively, the bristles may extend from two spindles, each fitted around a sprocket. The sprockets rotate circumferentially within an upper head portion of the device. The bristles spin 360 degrees (full rotation) around the sprockets and within the stationary head. The head portion itself is replaceable or changeable, such that a handle portion may be used by multiple users or replaced.
US08992689B2	Method for removing halogen-containing residues from substrate Methods for removing halogen-containing residues from a substrate are provided. By combining the heat-up and plasma abatement steps, the manufacturing throughput can be improved. Further, by appropriately controlling the pressure in the abatement chamber, the removal efficiency can be improved as well.
US08992688B2	Lignin separation from lignocellulosic hydrolizates and acidified pulp mill liquors The invention provides methods and compositions for the removal of lignin from water suspensions originating from lignocellulosic feedstocks. The method involves adding coagulants and flocculants to the suspension. While hydrolysis does remove some lignin, the pitch in many feedstocks prevents the hydrolysis from coming into contact with all of the lignin or so effectively blocks it that the lignin can re-condense. This is especially the case with low lignin grass based lignocellulosic feedstock. But with the addition of the inventive coagulants and flocculants, a phase separation substantially accelerates and lignin forms flocs that forms that physically separates the lignin from the pitch and the cellulose thereby makes removal the lignin from aqueous suspensions by decanting and filtration effective and easy.
US08992685B2	Substrate processing apparatus, substrate processing method, and computer-readable storage medium In a substrate processing apparatus, a film deposition device and a heat processing device to perform an anneal processing are airtightly connected to a vacuum conveying chamber, and a substrate rotating unit to cause a substrate to rotate around a vertical axis is provided in the vacuum conveying chamber. A control unit is arranged to stop a relative rotation of a plurality of reactive gas supplying units, a separating gas supplying unit and a table by a rotation device in the middle of a film deposition process of the substrate, cause a conveying unit to take out the substrate from a vacuum chamber, and output a control signal that causes a substrate rotating unit to change a direction of the substrate.
US08992682B2	Graphite crucible and silicon single crystal manufacturing apparatus A graphite crucible for silicon single crystal manufacturing by the Czochralski method, having a long life cycle, contains at least one gas venting hole provided in a corner portion of the crucible. Gas generated by reaction between the graphite crucible and a quartz crucible is released to the outside through the gas venting hole, and formation of SiC on the surface of the graphite crucible and deformation of the quartz crucible caused by the pressure of the generated gas are prevented.
US08992681B2	Composition for construction materials manufacturing and the method of its production Disclosed is a system or method for efficiently manufacturing construction materials using carbon nanomaterials. In one or more embodiments, the method comprises creating a blend of carbon nanomaterials, wherein the blend of the carbon nanomaterials includes at least one of a carbon nanofiber, a carbon nanotube, a graphite nanoparticle and an amorphous carbon. The method also includes dispersing the carbon nanomaterials and adding a plasticizer and a sand to the dispersed mixture within 3 minutes. The method also includes adding at least one of water and a cement binding agent to the dispersed mixture after the plasticizer and the sand have been added.
US08992680B2	Fast hydraulic binder for parts and constructions made of concrete containing a calcium salt A fast hydraulic binder comprising cement, at least one first superplasticizer, a calcium salt, and at least one second superplasticizer different from the first superplasticizer and comprising a main chain and pendant groups connected to the main chain adapted so as to separate from the main chain in a basic medium, wherein the result is that the second plasticizer has a fluidifying action which increases at least temporarily over time in a basic medium.
US08992674B2	Ink, ink cartridge and ink jet recording method An ink containing a first coloring material and a second coloring material, the sum total of these contents being 6.0% by mass or less. The first coloring material is a black coloring material exhibiting a difference Δλmax1 of 20.0 or more between a maximum absorption wavelength in a 20.0% by mass aqueous solution of 1,2-hexanediol and a maximum absorption wavelength in water, the second coloring material is a specific coloring material exhibiting a difference Δλmax2 of 12.0 or less between a maximum absorption wavelength in a 20.0% by mass aqueous solution of 1,2-hexanediol and a maximum absorption wavelength in water, and the sum of the Δλmax1 and the Δλmax2 is 35.0 or less.
US08992672B2	Housing and housing assembly for substance removing an undesired respiratory gas component of a respiratory gas flow and an arrangement for ventilating lungs of a subject A housing for a substance removing an undesired component of a respiratory gas is disclosed herein. The housing includes a first space for the substance and a first wall surrounding part of the first space. The housing also includes a first end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a first opening for the gas communication with the first space, and a second end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a second opening for the gas communication with the first space. The housing further includes a first channel between the first and the second end for the gas flow, the first channel comprising a first orifice at the first end and a second orifice at the second end. The first orifice, the first opening, the second orifice and the second opening are in flow communication with outside the housing.
US08992665B2	Metal recovery method and dialysis device Provided is a valuable-metal recovery method for recovering metals from lithium ion batteries using comparatively simple equipment and without using a cumbersome process. In said method, a positive electrode material from lithium ion batteries, containing lithium and a transition metal, is dissolved in an acidic solution, thereby generating lithium ions and ions of the transition metal in the acidic solution. Said acidic solution and a recovery liquid are then made to flow with an anion-permeable membrane interposed therebetween, causing the lithium ions to permeate from the acidic solution to recovery solution. Lithium ions are then recovered from the recovery liquid containing dissolved lithium ions.
US08992662B2	Method for recovering valuable metals A method for recovering valuable metals is provided in which the degree of oxidation of molten waste batteries is stabilized and separation between slag and an alloy is ensured. The method includes a roasting step (ST10) in which waste batteries are roasted beforehand at a low temperature of 300° C. or higher but lower than 600° C., an oxidation step (ST20) in which the waste batteries are oxidized by roasting at 1,100-1,200° C., and dry step (S20) in which the waste batteries that were oxidized in the oxidation step are melted, and slag and an alloy of valuable metals are separated from each other and recovered. By conducting the roasting step (ST10), organic carbon, which impairs the stability of the oxidation step (ST20) and which is contained, in plastic components, etc., is removed in advance prior to the oxidation step (ST20), and the efficiency of slag/alloy separation can be improved.
US08992655B2	Methods for improving bud break Methods of inducing bud break of deciduous fruit vines, trees, or shrubs following dormancy by the application of bud breaker compositions that do not contain hydrogen cyanamide.
US08992652B2	Filtering device, in particular diesel particulate filter A filtering device features a ceramic filter body for filtering a fluid flow, the filter body consisting of a wavy layer and a flat layer and the wavy and flat layer being wound in a spiral-shaped manner. The wave length of the waves increases from the inside to the outside with increasing distance to the longitudinal axis of the filter body such that the wave troughs and the wave peaks of at least two radially adjacent windings each lie on a common radial plane.
US08992650B2	Air filter with tensile support member An apparatus and method for an air filter media and frame having structural support members, including a tensile support member.
US08992648B2	Swirl flow generator This swirl flow generator is used to purify air by removing foreign matters such as liquid droplets and dusts contained in the air. A cylindrical blade portion (34) is arranged in a swirl flow generating chamber (24) through which the air flows in the axial direction, and the air flowed in the axial direction along the blades (35) is radially jetted toward inside of the cylindrical blade portion (34) to form swirl flow. The air supplied into the swirl flow generating chamber (24) in the axial direction is guided by the closing lid portion (38) toward the inflow-side end surface of the cylindrical blade portion (34). The air flow downward from the outside of the cylindrical blade portion (34) is prevented by the annular base portion (33).
US08992646B2	Dust-collecting systems and apparatuses Systems and apparatuses are described that collect dust from the air in a manner that maximizes the volume of air that can be cleaned, while allowing for easier transport of the dust-collecting apparatus to the installation site and improving distribution of air flow within the apparatus so as to provide for a more efficient filtration of the air. In particular, the dust-collecting apparatus includes first and second housing modules that are designed to be joined longitudinally to create a housing. The module having an inlet opening of the apparatus further includes an inlet baffling system that includes multiple baffle plates near the inlet opening that facilitate a cross flow air profile for the air entering the housing. Other components, including a target plate, a baffle support structure having support plates and cross supports, and hopper baffles, may also be provided to secure the baffle plates and enhance the airflow distribution.
US08992645B2	Abrasive article for use in grinding of superabrasive workpieces An abrasive article including a bonded abrasive having a body formed of abrasive grains contained within a bond material, wherein the body grinds a superabrasive workpiece having an average Vickers hardness of at least about 5 GPa at an average specific grinding energy (SGE) of not greater than about 350 J/mm3, at a material removal rate of at least about 8 mm3/sec, and wherein grinding is a centerless grinding operation.
US08992641B2	Fuel feed system for a gasifier A method of startup for a gasification system includes assembling a fuel mixture for use by a gasifier at a fuel mixture assembly point, wherein the fuel mixture includes a quantity of particulate solid fuel and a quantity of non-ventable carrier gas. The method includes channeling the fuel mixture through a first conduit to a fuel mixture disassembly system including a non-ventable carrier gas removal apparatus, establishing a substantially steady flow of the fuel mixture within the first conduit, and redirecting the fuel mixture through a second conduit to the gasifier to facilitate gasifier startup.
US08992634B2	Method for dyeing plastic lens A method of dyeing a plastic lens including applying a sublimation dye to a dyeing substrate, holding the dyeing substrate on a holding member, holding a plastic lens on the holding member at a position above the dyeing substrate, evacuating a vacuum vessel which accommodates the holding member, transferring the dyeing substrate from the holding member to a heating device provided in the vacuum vessel, so that the dyeing substrate is held to be heatable by the heating device, by vertically moving at least one of the holding member and the heating device, bringing the plastic lens in close proximity to the dyeing substrate by vertically moving at least one of the holding member and the heating device which holds the dyeing substrate, and dyeing the target surface of the plastic lens with the sublimation dye by sublimating the sublimation dye by heating the dyeing substrate using the heating device.
US08992633B2	Disulfide dyes Disclosed are compounds of formula (1) or formula (2). The compounds are useful for the dyeing of organic materials, such as keratin fibers, wool, leather, silk, cellulose or polyamides, especially keratin-containing fibers, cotton or nylon, and preferably hair, more preferably human hair. (1) (2). A-(X1)p—(Csat)r—S—S—(Csat)q—(X2)p-D (1)
US08992632B2	Liquid cleaning compositions A cleaning composition according to one embodiment includes a surfactant system comprising nonionic surfactant in combination with an anionic surfactant; water present in an amount from 0 to about 40 wt % based on a total weight of the cleaning composition; a solvent system comprising a polyalcohol, the solvent system being present in an amount effective to solubilize the surfactant system in the water; and an enzyme present in an amount of less than about 15 wt %; wherein the cleaning composition is in a form of a continuous phase, wherein the cleaning composition is characterized as exhibiting about a constant cleaning efficacy as measured using test procedure ASTM D4265 when the cleaning composition is added to 69 liters of exterior water in amounts ranging from about 9 to about 22 grams of cleaning composition. Methods for pretreating and cleaning laundry and nontextile surfaces are also presented.
US08992630B2	Method and apparatus for decreasing build height of prosthetic products An adapter assembly allows mechanical coupling of prosthetic components such that a distal end of a socket adapter extends below a top surface of a prosthetic. The adapter assembly may include sets of external threads to operatively engage internally threaded surfaces of the prosthetic and the socket adapter.
US08992625B2	Posterior stabilized knee prosthesis A femoral component for a knee joint prosthesis is formed of a body having an anterior side, a posterior side, and pair of laterally spaced condylar portions. The femoral component includes an intercondylar portion that joins the condylar portions and includes a recess. The intercondylar portion has an arcuate shaped roof that extends between a pair of opposing side walls. The arcuate shaped roof is formed so as to be defined by a single radius.
US08992624B2	Bone implant A bone implant including a peg component for fixing the implant into a bone, a body component for abutment with a mating bone implant and a coupling to allow releasable connection between the peg component and the body component.
US08992617B2	Adjustable intervertebral implant An expandable intervertebral implant (10) includes a first member (20), a second member (40), and a collar operatively associated with the first and second members, wherein the collar includes a threaded mechanism so that rotation of the collar causes the second member to axially move with respect to the first member. The implant includes a ratchet mechanism (50, 80) so that when at least a predetermined amount of force is applied, the second member moves with respect to the first member in an axial, ratchet-type manner. The collar preferably includes a drive ring (60) rotatably attached to the first member and a ratchet ring (80) operatively associated with the drive ring. The ratchet ring includes an inner bore having at least one corresponding ratchet thread tooth form formed thereon for engaging a ratchet thread tooth form formed on the second member.
US08992611B2	Microincision lens A foldable lens comprises an outer refractive surface portion comprising a first plurality of convexly curved refractive profile regions having positive optical power to converge light energy with refraction toward a focus on the retina. The convexly curved refractive profile regions of the outer region may correspond to at least about a quarter of the refractive power of the lens, such that the lens thickness is decreased substantially and the folded lens can fit through a small incision. The outer refractive surface portion focuses light with refraction, in focus images viewed through the outer portion of the lens can appear sharp to the patient. The outer refractive surface portion also comprises a second plurality of concavely curved refractive profile regions having negative optical power disposed between the first plurality, so as to diverge the light energy substantially away from the focus on the retina, such that visual artifacts are inhibited.
US08992609B2	Intraocular lens system and method for power adjustment An intraocular lens (IOL) that provides for optical power adjustment following its implantation, for example, for use in treating cataract patients. The lens body has first and second surface portions that bound at least one interior chamber or space that extends from the central optic portion to the lens periphery. The interior chamber or space has a microporous body that is intermediate inner and outer portions of the space. In one embodiment, the microporous body is capable of cooperating with an external Rf or light source to expose a charge to a charge-carrying fluid within the interior chamber. By this system, fluid flows are induced to alter the optical parameters of the lens.
US08992608B2	Everting heart valve The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an expandable anchor configured for endovascular delivery to a vicinity of the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is adapted to wrap about the anchor, for example, by everting during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is not connected to expandable portions of the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured for active foreshortening during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor includes expandable lip and skirt regions for engaging the patient's heart valve during deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor comprises a braid fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a lock configured to maintain anchor expansion. The invention also includes methods for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve, wrapping at least a portion of the replacement valve about the anchor, and expanding the anchor to a deployed configuration.
US08992593B2	Apparatus and methods for deployment of a modular stent-graft system The present invention provides a modular stent-graft system. In one embodiment, a prosthesis comprises a first tubular graft comprising a layer of graft material, one lumen extending therein, and a first fenestration extending through the layer of graft material. A layer of fenestration covering material attaches to the layer of graft material. The layer of fenestration covering material is disposed in the lumen of the first tubular graft and partitions the first fenestration from the lumen of the first tubular graft. A first non-stented opening is disposed proximal to the first fenestration and communicates with the first fenestration between the layer of graft material and the fenestration covering material. In use, a proximal end of a second tubular graft sealably engages the first non-stented opening, and the second tubular graft further extends through the first fenestration and into a branch vessel.
US08992592B2	Medical devices including metallic films An endoprosthesis for deployment within a body passage includes an external tubular framework disposed about a tubular member, e.g., a metallic film having a thickness of about 50 μm or less. The tubular member may be sandwiched between the external tubular framework and an internal tubular framework located internally of the external tubular framework and the tubular member. Whether or not the internal tubular framework is included, the endoprosthesis can be self-expanding. During deployment of the endoprosthesis using a deployment device, the external tubular framework prevents substantial frictional contact between the deployment device and the tubular member.
US08992590B2	Biocompatibility layer and coated objects The present invention relates to the use of a crosslinked, silicon-containing layer containing, substantially consisting of or consisting of silicon, O, C, H, optionally N which can be produced by plasma polymerization and/or crosslinking of organosilicon liquids by a plasma process and/or UV radiation of a wavelength of less than 250 nm, without using metals of an atomic number of more than 14, as a biocompatible surface, for imparting to a surface or providing a surface with a non-genotoxic effect. The invention also relates to correspondingly coated articles and to processes for the production thereof.
US08992589B2	Using light to regulate uterine contractions Methods of regulating uterine contractions using light are described. An exemplary method of regulating uterine contractions comprises suppressing a nocturnal endogenous melatonin level of a pregnant female experiencing uterine contractions by exposing the pregnant female during nighttime to a light source emitting visible light.
US08992582B1	Fixation devices and method A plate system for bone fixation including intermaxillary fixation which has at least one plate with one opening and at least one bone screw for securing the plate to an adjacent bone and/or other anatomical structures (e.g., the gingival) with space maintained in between. The plate system provides a fixed connection at both the plate and the bone. A method for achieving fixation while maintaining space between the plate and bone includes placement of a spacer over the desired bone screw insertion point, followed by placement of the plate over the spacer so that the bone screw may be inserted through the plate while the spacer is held in position.
US08992579B1	Lateral fixation constructs and related methods This disclosure describes a several examples of a surgical fixation system including a plurality of anchor assemblies connected by one or more spinal rods. The anchor assemblies include a staple, bone anchor, staple cap, and lock nut. The surgical fixation system is configured for implantation on a lateral aspect of the spine.
US08992576B2	Posterior spine dynamic stabilizer A dynamic stabilization system may include an elongated spinal rod, at least two bone anchors attached to the elongated rod, and a dynamic member. One of the bone anchors allows translation of the spinal rod with respect to the bone anchor. The dynamic member comprises a body and an elastomeric element coupled to at least one side of the body. The body of the element is capable of being attached to the elongated spinal rod between the two bone anchors.
US08992575B1	Spinal implants having offsets and hooks In an embodiment of the invention, for spinal surgery, there is provided an offset arm system that has angular adjustment capability. In an embodiment, there are provided a hook system that is polyaxially or otherwise movably coupled to a body that receives a spinal rod.
US08992573B2	Knotless suture anchor for soft tissue repair and method of use In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for holding soft tissue in apposition with a bone using a suture, the method including engaging the soft tissue with an engaging portion of a suture thread; engaging an end of the suture thread with a rotatable shaft of an anchor; implanting the rotatable shaft in the bone; and rotating the shaft in a first direction to wrap the engaged suture thread onto the shaft thereby increasing tension on the suture and on the soft tissue.
US08992561B2	Intragastric device Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, monitoring, and retrieving the same are provided.
US08992560B2	Expandable shield instrument for use in intraocular surgery An instrument capable of providing large-area shielding within an isolated operating region, such as the eye, while being passable through a small incision in the region through which the instrument must be inserted. For example, an instrument capable of being passed through a typical 3 mm (or smaller) phacoemulsification incision without undue damage to ocular tissue, and which expands to provide large-area shielding, e.g. to occlude a large-diameter (e.g. approx. 6 mm) posterior capsule opening. The surgical instrument includes two or more leaves, the leaves being interconnected by at least one fastener in a manner that causes expansion of a leading or distal portion of the instrument when the following or proximal portions of each leaf are manipulated, whether by a user or through interaction with a wall of the incision.
US08992557B2	Dissecting cannula and methods of use thereof Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body by providing a variety of dissection modes on a single access device.
US08992555B2	Method of assembling a cordless hand-held ultrasonic cautery cutting device A method for assembling an ultrasonic surgical device includes the steps of rotatably freely connecting an ultrasonic waveguide to an ultrasonic surgical handle body, the ultrasonic waveguide having a proximal coupling end, substantially simultaneously removably coupling an ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit to the ultrasonic surgical handle body and removably inserting an ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of a cordless, rotatably free ultrasonic transducer into the ultrasonic surgical handle body opposite the proximal coupling end of the ultrasonic waveguide, and rotating the ultrasonic waveguide with respect to the ultrasonic transducer to fixedly couple the ultrasonic waveguide to the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of the ultrasonic transducer.
US08992544B2	Tool and set screw for use in spinal implant systems The present invention relates to a tool in combination with a set screw for use in spinal implant systems, and more particularly to a tool for the deployment of set screws with a break-off neck portion comprising a handle portion, a stem portion extending from the handle portion, a set screw retaining means, and a driving means extending from the stem portion and disposed opposite the handle portion. The driving means is adapted to allow the installation of the set screw to the bone and applying torque for the shearing of the neck portion thereof, and at the same time is adapted to remove the installed screw portion of the said set screw when needed.
US08992540B2	Adjustable surgical instruments and methods of use and fabrication A system for assessing an intervertebral disc space comprises an elongated catheter with proximal and distal ends and an expandable body carried at the distal end of the elongated catheter. The expandable body includes a distal cap portion. The system further includes a mandrel extending through the elongated catheter and the expandable body and attached to the distal cap portion. The mandrel is movable within the elongated catheter and the expandable body to reposition the distal cap portion relative to the distal end of the elongated catheter while the expandable body is positioned within the intervertebral disc space.
US08992537B1	Woven retention devices, systems and methods A woven retention device for interfacing with a bone surface includes interwoven filaments forming a tubular lattice with protuberances distributed on interior and exterior surfaces of the lattice at a predetermined spatial relationship. The protuberances are formed by intersecting interwoven filaments. The retention device receives and surrounds a fastener. In a first, relaxed state, the retention device has multiple combinations of filament cross-section geometries at the intersection points, and the multiple combinations of filament cross-section geometries form multiple protuberance thicknesses. In a second state when surrounding at least a portion of the fastener, the retention device distributes pressure from the fastener to multiple points of contact on the exterior surface of the retention device such that a spatial relationship of the protuberances changes as a function of bone density of the bone surface and as a function of an interfacing surface shape of the fastener.
US08992535B2	Apparatus and method to provide emergency access to bone marrow An apparatus and method for penetrating the bone marrow is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a penetrator assembly, operable to penetrate the bone marrow, a connector operable to releasably attach the penetrator assembly to a drill shaft, the drill shaft operable to connect the penetrator assembly to a gear assembly, a gear assembly operable to engage and rotate the drill shaft, a motor operable to engage the reduction gear assembly and drive the penetrator into the bone marrow by rotation of the drill shaft, and a power supply and associated circuitry operable to power the motor. The apparatus and method may be adapted to insert a probe through the skull and into the brain.
US08992533B2	Vertebral facet joint drill and method of use Devices and methods for creating lumens in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. An embodiment of the invention can be a tool that can cut a curved lumen through the articular process. The tool can have a lumen-forming arm with a rotating drill contained within that can be powered by a drill motor. The lumen-forming arm can be axially translated to cut a path through the articular process. Methods of using the resulting lumens to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.
US08992531B2	Prosthetic femoral stem for use in high impact hip replacement A total hip femoral prosthesis provides a shortened neck and more proximal coating level. Additionally, a means for strengthening the neck may be incorporated to increase stress transfer to the native bone. A method for reducing potential impingement that results from a high neck resection level includes instrumentation for cutting chamfered surfaces into the bone surrounding the proximal end of the implant. Instrumentation and methods of creating chamfered cuts are disclosed.
US08992529B2	Implant plate, method and facility for the manufacture thereof An implant plate according to the invention, for use in surgery or orthopedics, serves to stabilize a fracture of an upper-arm head or a fracture of a proximal upper arm. A head portion of the implant plate is fitted with at least one raised receiving member for a flexible fastening member on a side facing away from a bone. Each receiving member has an aperture extending substantially parallel to an outer edge or contour, and to an upper and lower side of the implant plate for threading, passing-through, and drawing together the flexible fastening member. The receiving member can be formed using process and plant technology from strip material, or using externally fabricated receiving members that are welded, press-welded, soldered, screwed, or riveted onto an outer side of the implant plate. The invention also comprises a method for manufacturing the implant plates.
US08992526B2	Surgical instrument Surgical instruments are provided for performing laparoscopic or similar minimally invasive operations, including two clamping parts, which can move towards one another and which have clamping surfaces for gripping tissue when they are closed. A cutting device has a cutting edge that, in a cutting direction, can be displaced relative to the clamping parts for cutting the gripped tissue. In such an instrument the cutting direction extends at an acute angle to the clamping surfaces when they are closed.
US08992521B2	Flexible electrosurgical ablation and aspiration electrode with beveled active surface Disclosed herein is a flexible single piece active element for use in connection with aspirating electrosurgical ablators, particularly those configured for bulk tissue vaporization. The active electrode elements of the present invention provide a simple construction suitable for use with a wide array of electrosurgical components and adjustable to wide range of angled positions to permit access to a variety of tissues, in an array of diverse environments and address a host of ablation needs. Additionally, the novel geometry and positioning of both ablation surface and aspiration ports permit aspiration flow to remove primarily waste heat rather than process heat, to thereby improve vaporization efficiency and reduce procedure time. Thus, active electrodes and ablation devices of the present invention maximize efficiency and adaptability while minimizing manufacturing cost and device profile.
US08992520B2	Dual-mode electrosurgical devices and electrosurgical methods using same Herein disclosed are dual-mode electrosurgical devices designed to function in a first mode in which high-density RF energy is used to cut or vaporize tissue, and then a second mode in which lower-density RF energy desiccates tissue to produce hemostasis, as well as methods of performing electrosurgery using same. Devices formed in accordance with the principles of this invention may be used for any surgical procedure in which highly vascular tissue is cut electrosurgically in a dry or semi-dry field, examples of which include tonsillectomy, liver resection, and cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast mastopexy, and abdominoplasty.
US08992517B2	Irreversible electroporation to treat aberrant cell masses The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors. The methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) to cause cell death in treated tumors.
US08992516B2	Eye therapy system A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and at least one coolant delivery element. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery elements are in communication with the coolant supply and are operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end.
US08992514B2	Ablation techniques for the treatment of atrial fibrillation A catheter device provides a balloon structure and a side-firing laser lumen within the balloon to create lesions in the pulmonary vein (PV) in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Mounted on the balloon so as to contact the PV when the balloon is inflated are one or more electrodes which may be used in a measurement mode, a treatment mode, or both.
US08992512B2	Medical devices having polymeric regions with copolymers containing hydrocarbon and heteroatom-containing monomeric species According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. These polymeric regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers, at least one of which is a copolymer that includes the following: (a) one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer species and (b) one or more heteroatom-containing monomer species.
US08992510B2	Reduced-pressure wound dressings Systems, methods, and dressings for treating a linear wound, such as an incision, on a patient are presented. The systems, dressings, and methods involve a sealed wound dressing assembly that helps form a fluid seal around the linear wound while simultaneously encompassing a subcutaneous delivery conduit to deliver fluid to or from a subcutaneous tissue site. In one instance, a reduced-pressure interface is used to allow the subcutaneous delivery conduit to pass through tissue at or near the linear wound and through a wound dressing assembly to a drainage receptacle.
US08992509B2	Hydrogel wound dressing for use with suction A wound dressing comprising: an air-impermeable backing sheet having an aperture for attachment of a suction element; an air-permeable screen layer on a wound facing side of the backing sheet; and a substantially air-impermeable hydrogel layer extending across a wound facing side of said screen layer and joined in substantially airtight fashion to a periphery of said backing sheet around said screen layer. Also provided is a wound treatment system comprising a wound dressing according to the invention and a source of suction in fluid communication with said aperture.
US08992508B2	Coupling device A coupling device for connecting two ends of respective tubular members, allow the opening and the closing of a first tubular member and the simultaneous engagement of the two tubular members, as to prevent pollution, includes: a first case housing a first end of a respective first tubular member, comprising closing means of said first end; a second case, wherein a flexible terminal section of a respective second tubular member is received, comprising means for driving a second end of said second tubular member from a retracted position to a engagement position into said first end and vice versa; and means for reversibly connecting said first and second cases at a respective coupling port thereof, defining a single sealed environment; wherein the engagement and the disengagement of said second end and the automatic mechanical activation and deactivation of said closing means for opening and closing said first end.
US08992507B2	Bayonet luer lock connection for an insulin pump A connection including a first closure component including a first adapter and a fitting element which is able to move relative to the first adapter and an elastic or resilient element which couples the first adapter to the fitting element and/or is disposed between them.
US08992496B2	Convertible absorbent article An absorbent article having a waistband which is attached to first and second body portions of the article. The first body portion is attached to the waistband by at least a fastening means wherein the article assumes a pant diaper form. The waistband has a reception surface and a perforation. The perforation allows the reception surface to be separated into first and second belt portions. At least a part of the reception surface is located on each belt portion, thereby allowing the article to assume a belt diaper form. The first belt portion comprises at least one fastening means. The second fastening means is arranged so that the absorbent article can be readily converted from a pant diaper form to a belt diaper form.
US08992485B2	Drug delivery devices and method of assembly A drug delivery device for dispensing of a dose of a medicinal product, comprising a holder (14) for a product-containing cartridge (16), the cartridge (16) having a piston (18) slidably arranged therein in an axial direction, a piston rod (12) to be operably engaged with the cartridge's piston (18) for dispensing of a dose of the medicinal product, and at least one spacer (20) being selected according to a relative distance between piston (18) and piston rod (12) and being disposed between the piston rod (12) and the piston (18) for eliminating axial clearance between piston (18) and piston rod (12).
US08992481B2	Modular injection device A modular injection device for administration of dermal filler compositions is provided. The injection device may include a handheld injector unit including a drive unit, the drive unit configured to apply an extrusion force to a fluid; a control unit remote from the injector unit, the control unit configured to control the drive unit; and a cable configured to connect the control unit to the injector unit.
US08992473B2	Stem cell delivery device for orthobiologics applications A method and apparatus for thawing and delivery of cryogenically frozen biological material, such as stem cells includes a housing for receiving a pouch of frozen cells, a heating element against which the pouch is placed for applying defrosting heat to the pouch, and a squeezing apparatus for applying a squeezing force to the pouch after or upon thawing of the cells. The squeezing force may be applied by a roller pressing the pouch against the heating element, which forces the thawed cells from a needle or tube connected to the housing and/or to the pouch. A rechargeable battery in the housing supplies power to the heating element and the squeezing apparatus.
US08992472B2	Automatic injection device An injection device (22) is equipped with a compartment articulated with reference to the device to receive a syringe (10) with staked needle (18) protected by a protection cap (20) coupled with the syringe, the compartment being susceptible to evolve from a first open position for the insertion and the removal of the syringe, and a second closed position for the realization of the injection. The device includes a detachment system intended to cooperate with the cap of the syringe to decouple it from the syringe, the detachment being conditioned by the passage of the compartment to its second position. Furthermore, the passage of the compartment from the second to the first position is conditioned by the coupling of the cap.
US08992471B2	Coated devices and method of making coated devices that reduce smooth muscle cell proliferation and platelet activity The present invention relates generally to the maintenance of blow flood using drug eluting stents and/or other coated medical devices to increased length of time of blood flow. Further, the present invention relates to drug-releasing coated devices for reducing smooth muscle cell proliferation and platelet activity to further limit restenosis utilizing resveratrol and quercetin, polyphenols that are linked to the cardioprotection of red wine consumption. The present invention also provides products and methods for treating or preventing atherosclerosis, stenosis, restenosis, smooth muscle cell proliferation, platelet cell activation and other clotting mechanisms, occlusive disease, or other abnormal lumenal cellular proliferation condition in a location within the body of a patient.
US08992467B2	Nipple covering member and breast pump A nipple coating member and a milking device for gathering mother's milk effectively. The pad of a milking device comprises a tubular frame having a large diameter side opening for inserting the nipple formed on one end side and a small diameter side opening formed on the other end side, a first flexible portion provided at a part in the circumferential direction between the large diameter side opening and the small diameter side opening of the tubular frame, and a second flexible portion provided at a position opposing the first flexible portion independently thereof. The first flexible portion can be deformed inward of the tubular frame by a pressing force from the outside of the pad, and the second flexible portion can be deformed outward of the tubular frame by a pressing force from the inside of the pad.
US08992464B2	Apparatus and system for diabetes management An apparatus and system diabetes management. The apparatus comprises a body which houses: (i) at least a first memory for storing data inputs corresponding at least to one or more components in a patient's present insulin dosage regimen and the patient's blood-glucose-level measurements determined at a plurality of times; (ii) a processor operatively connected to the at least first memory, the processor programmed at least to determine from the data inputs corresponding to the patient's blood-glucose-level measurements determined at a plurality of times whether and by how much to vary at least one of the one or more components of the patient's present insulin dosage regimen; (iii) a display screen operatively connected to the processor; (iv) a quantity of insulin; (v) a needle communicating with the quantity of insulin for delivering insulin to the patient; (vi) means for effecting delivery of a portion of the quantity of insulin to the patient via the needle; and (vii) metering means for controlling the portion of the quantity of insulin delivered to the patient via the needle.
US08992457B2	Gastrointestinal implants A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis positionable at the gastro-esophageal junction region, preferably below the z-line. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed such that an opening at its proximal end receives masticated food from the esophagus, and such that the masticated food passes through the pouch and into the stomach via an opening in its distal end.
US08992456B1	Implantable pump for removal of cerebrospinal fluid A device and system for removing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a CSF space within a patient's body includes a housing adapted for implantation into a subcutaneous body space remote from the CSF space. A fluid pump is mounted inside the device housing. The pump has a pump actuator, a fluid inlet extending through the housing wall and a fluid outlet extending through the housing wall. A battery-powered electric motor is mounted inside the housing and is operatively coupled to the pump actuator. Device control circuitry controls operation of the electric motor. The device control circuitry includes a processor responsive to CSF space pressure signals, outflow pressure signals, and CSF flow rate signals to calculate CSF space pressures, CSF outflow pressures, and CSF removal volumes. A telemetry unit includes a transmitter to wirelessly transmit pump data and a receiver to receive external operational commands.
US08992455B2	Methods, apparatuses and systems for caval stenting for venous drainage A self expanding cannula with improved drainage properties based upon its greater length is provided, along with methods of using the cannula in cardiopulmonary bypass.
US08992451B2	Shoulder orthosis having a supportive strapping system A shoulder orthosis is provided having an arm support and an optional arm spacer connected to the arm support. The arm support includes an arm retainer and a supportive strapping system. One optional arm spacer includes a pair of individual pillows which are attachably combinable with one another at a first face of the first individual pillow and a face of the second individual pillow to form one combined pillow having a first shape. The individual pillows are alternately attachably combinable with one another at a second face of the first individual pillow and the face of the second individual pillow to form another combined pillow having a second shape different from the first shape.
US08992449B2	Method of making compression sleeve with structural support features A method of forming a compression sleeve for being wrapped around a leg of a wearer includes securing two layers of flexible material together to at least partially define first and second adjacent flexible sections. The securing of the two layers of flexible material includes securing two bladder layers together to define a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder disposed more proximally than the first inflatable bladder when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. The first bladder forms at least a part of the first flexible sleeve section and the second bladder forms at least a part of the second flexible sleeve section. The method further includes securing a structural component to the sleeve such that the structural component extends generally between the first and second adjacent flexible sections to maintain a spacing between the sleeve sections lengthwise of the leg when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. And joining the bladder layers together at least at two weld points on opposite sides of the structural component to locate the structural component on the sleeve so as to maintain the spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections.
US08992444B2	Devices, systems, and methods for determining isometric and isotonic activity of luminal organs Devices, systems, and methods for determining isometric and isotonic activity of luminal organs. In an exemplary method for detecting a luminal organ response to mechanical stimulation of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of maintaining a luminal organ at a first internal pressure, increasing the first internal pressure of the luminal organ, and measuring a first organ parameter change in response to the increase in internal pressure. In an exemplary system for detecting a luminal organ response to mechanical stimulation of the present disclosure, the system comprises a first conduit having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therethrough, the distal end sized and shaped to fit within a luminal organ, a pressure transducer, and at least one pressurized vessel capable of introducing a fluid into the lumen of the first conduit, wherein the first conduit, the pressure transducer, and the at least one pressurized vessel are either directly or indirectly coupled to one another so that a pressure of a fluid present within the first conduit can be measured using the pressure transducer.
US08992434B2	Prediction and monitoring of clinical episodes Apparatus and methods are described, including a method for treating a clinical episode. The method comprises sensing at least one parameter of a subject without contacting or viewing the subject or clothes the subject is wearing, analyzing the parameter, detecting the clinical episode at least in part responsively to the analysis, and responsively to detecting the clinical episode, treating the clinical episode using a device implanted in the subject. Other applications are also described.
US08992431B2	Method, apparatus and computer program for non-invasive blood pressure measurement A method, apparatus and computer program product are disclosed for non-invasively determining blood pressure related parameters of a subject. A cuff attached to a subject is inflated to a target pressure which is such that normal blood pressure oscillation of the subject appears in an output signal of a pressure sensor monitoring the pressure of the cuff. The output signal of the pressure sensor is acquired for at most a predetermined time period, while the cuff is maintained substantially at the target pressure, thereby to obtain blood pressure waveform data for the subject, and the blood pressure related parameters are derived from the blood pressure waveform data.
US08992429B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an IQ signal acquiring unit, a signal generating unit, a first Doppler signal extracting unit and a second Doppler signal extracting unit. The IQ signal acquiring unit acquires a plurality of groups including an ultrasonic reception IQ signal, under respective interference conditions that differ from one another. The signal generating unit generates an added signal by adding the groups, and to generate an added amplitude signal by adding the amplitudes of the groups. The first Doppler signal extracting unit extracts a first Doppler signal that corresponds to motion from the added signal. The second Doppler signal extracting unit configured to extract a second Doppler signal having a property that differ from the property of the first Doppler signal. At this point, the Doppler signal extracting units are configured so as to extract the Doppler signals respectively while reducing an artifact due to tissue motion.
US08992428B2	Transthoracic cardio-pulmonary monitor Operation of a patient's heart or lungs may be analyzed by transmitting ultrasound energy into the patient's lung, and detecting Doppler shifts of reflected ultrasound induced by moving borders between blood vessels/soft tissue in the lung and air filled alveoli that surround the blood vessels. Movement of the border is caused by pressure waves in the blood vessels that result in changes in diameter of those blood vessels. The detected Doppler shifts are processed with a noise reduction algorithm, and periodic features in the resulting data are then analyzed to determine the rate of the patient's heartbeat, the rate of the patient's breathing, and/or the appearance of anomalies in the patient's heartbeat.
US08992427B2	Methods and systems for controlled deployment of needle structures in tissue A system for deploying needles in tissue includes a controller and a visual display. A treatment probe has both a needle and tines deployable from the needle which may be advanced into the tissue. The treatment probe also has adjustable stops which control the deployed positions of both the needle and the tines. The adjustable stops are coupled to the controller so that the virtual treatment and safety boundaries resulting from the treatment can be presented on the visual display prior to actual deployment of the system.
US08992425B2	Surgical retractor system A surgical retractor system having a frame and a plurality of arms connected thereto is disclosed. At least one arm is moveable relative to the frame and the relative movement is constrained to a direction along the longitudinal axis of the arm. At least one retractor blade is removably connected to each of the plurality of arms. The blade is fixably rotatable about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the arm to which it is connected.
US08992422B2	Robotically-controlled endoscopic accessory channel Devices and systems are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device by means of a robotic system. In one embodiment, systems and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting.
US08992416B2	Endoscope storage cabinet, tracking system, and signal emitting member An endoscope storage cabinet for use with at least one endoscope having at least one signal emitting member associated therewith and configured to emit a signal indicative of at least one attribute of the at least one endoscope to which it is associated, the cabinet including: an enclosed structure formed by a plurality of walls defining an inner area which is accessible by at least one door; at least one hanger arrangement configured to support at least a portion of at least one endoscope positioned thereon; at least one signal receiving device associated with the enclosed structure and configured to receive the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member; and a local control device in communication with the at least one signal receiving device and configured to receive and process the signal emitted by the at least one signal emitting member.
US08992410B2	Urological device A urological device comprises a urological valve for location in the bladder of a patient and a valve support stem for location in the urethra of a patient. The valve has a normally closed configuration to prevent flow from the bladder and an open configuration for fluid flow through the valve. The valve is automatically movable from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a pre-set hydrodynamic pressure applied for a pre-set time. In one case the valve has a plurality of valve leaflets with a region of co-aption between the valve leaflets. In the normally closed configuration the valve leaflets are engaged at the region of co-aption and in the open configuration the leaflets are separated at the co-aption region for fluid flow through the valve.
US08992409B2	Method for controlling flow in a bodily organ There is provided a method for controlling a flow of fluid and/or other bodily matter in a lumen formed by a tissue wall of a patient's organ. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the tissue wall) at least one portion of the tissue wall to influence the flow in the lumen, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the lumen. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow in the lumen, or for actively moving the fluid in the lumen, with a low risk of injuring the organ. Such an organ may be the esophagus, stomach, intestines, urine bladder, urethra, ureter, renal pelvis, aorta, corpus cavernosum, exit veins of erectile tissue, uterine tube, vas deferens or bile duct, or a blood vessel.
US08992405B2	High-speed tumor segmentation system A system for automatic segmentation of tumor tissue, useful for motion correction during radiotherapy using real-time imaging, identifies multiple regions based on the values of data and then identifies the tumors within the regions based on a priori knowledge about tumor size and/or location. The regions may be refined with robust and fast morphological operations, providing segmentation at speeds commensurate with the motion to be corrected.
US08992401B2	Automatic machine and method for making curvilinear packing boxes A machine for making covered paper or cardboard boxes which have a curvilinear outline comprises means for forming a curvilinear box (6) and a covering station (R) operating in conjunction with means for the linear feed of a pre-glued covering sheet (12), in such a way that the sheet (12) is connected to the outer wall of the box (6).
US08992400B2	Machine and method for manufacturing composite filters In a machine and a method for manufacturing composite filters (F1, F2) for cigarettes or the like, a feed conveyor (S) supplies filter groups (G1, G2) in pairs to two respective feed lines (L1, L2) of a station (16) for forming two continuous filter rods (B1, B2); the machine (100) comprises at least one transfer device (DT) by which the filter groups (G1, G2) are taken up from the feed conveyor (S) and directed along the feed lines (L1, L2), and at least one release device (R), operating along the two feed lines (L1, L2), by which the two filter groups (G1, G2) are taken up from the transfer device (DT) and released in phase one with another along the selfsame feed lines (L1, L2); the rate at which the filter groups (G1, G2) are released by the release device (R) is governed according to the phase value of at least one of the continuous filter rods (B1, B2) relative to the cyclic cutting operation whereby the two filter rods (B1, B2) are cut transversally to make the composite filters (F1, F2).
US08992396B2	Adjustable dumbbell An adjustable barbell or dumbbell or exercise device includes a handle having an end member, a spring biased latching element engaged in the end member, a weight member attached onto the end member and having an aperture for engaging with the spring biased latching element and for anchoring the weight member to the end member, a button is slidably engaged in the weight member for selectively depressing the spring biased latching element into the end member and for disengaging the spring biased latching element from the weight member and for allowing the weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from the end member of the handle. The other outer weight members are attachable onto the weight member in series.
US08992395B2	Exercise bar and pull-up apparatus An exercise apparatus is provided including a board and a pull-up bar integrated with a detachable barbell and dumbbell. The apparatus may be used for body weight exercise, such as pull-ups, when the mount is installed in a doorway or other suitable location. The detachable barbell and dumbbell functionality may be used for free weight exercise when detached from the mount. The mount may serve as a rack for holding the detachable barbell and dumbbell functionality when not in use for free weight exercise.
US08992389B2	Multi-directional adjustable exercise slide board An exercise apparatus providing a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is smooth and planar. The top surface includes a first plurality of apertures arranged in a circular pattern having a first diameter, and a second plurality of apertures arranged in a circular pattern having a second diameter. A plurality of repositional stops are further provided including mounting posts for securing the repositional stops within any of the first and second plurality of apertures.
US08992388B2	Modular ladder frame playground system The present invention relates to playground equipment and, more particularly, to a playground apparatus incorporating modular construction, which permits rapid simplified assembly, modification and universal arrangement of playground equipment modules without tools.
US08992382B2	Automatic transmission control device In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission in which a read-ahead vehicle speed which is a future vehicle speed is estimated on a basis of an acceleration and an actual vehicle speed and a gear shift control is carried out on a basis of the read-ahead vehicle speed and other driving parameters, a start of an up-shift is inhibited even if a determination of the up-shift is made for a predetermined time after a down-shift in a coast state has occurred and executing the up-shift after the predetermined time is elapsed. Consequently, while an unpleasant feeling given to a driver is suppressed, an appropriate gear shift is executable.
US08992372B2	Multi-speed transmission A transmission has an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The coupling members continuously interconnect a member of the first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets with another member of the first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second and third members with at least one other of the first, second, third members and a stationary member and are actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.
US08992368B2	Drive apparatus and construction machine provided with same A drive apparatus for a construction machine includes: a motor having a motor shaft; a speed reducer unit having a speed reducer output shaft and a casing and reducing speed of rotation force of the motor, and transmitting the force to an upper slewing body; and a cooler formed with a coolant path through which liquid or gas for cooling lubricating oil inside the casing passes as a cooling medium, wherein the motor and the speed reducer unit are provided in a row in an apparatus-axis direction such that the motor shaft and the speed reducer output shaft are arranged along the same line, and the cooler is provided in a row with the speed reducer unit in the apparatus-axis direction in a state where at least a part of the cooler is immersed in the lubricating oil, so as to enable heat exchange with the lubricating oil.
US08992364B2	Direct drive for exercise machines An exercise machine includes a support structure, a crank shaft rotatably mounted on the support structure, a first planetary gear set operatively coupled to the crank shaft so that the crank shaft provides an input for the first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set operatively coupled to the first planetary gear set so that an output of the first planetary gear set provides an input for the second planetary gear set, and a flywheel rotatably operatively coupled to the second planetary gear set so that an output of the second planetary gear set rotates the flywheel.
US08992363B2	Hybrid transmission for a motor vehicle A transmission includes a main gearbox and an electric machine. The main gearbox has a primary shaft, a secondary shaft and gear sets, each having a driving gearwheel carried by a respective primary shaft and a driven gearwheel carried by a respective secondary shaft. A first gearwheel and a second gearwheel meshing with each other are idly mounted on the primary shaft and on the secondary shaft, respectively, and are selectively connectable for rotation with the respective shaft by a first coupling device and of a second coupling device, respectively. The electric machine is releasably connected to the first gearwheel or to the second gearwheel, such that with the first coupling device in an engaged position the electric machine is able to transmit torque to the primary shaft on which the first gearwheel is mounted, while with the second coupling device in an engaged position, the electric machine is able to transmit torque to the secondary shaft on which the second gearwheel is mounted. The transmission further includes a secondary gearbox with two or more gears between the electric machine and the first or the second gearwheel.
US08992362B2	Hybrid power train for a motor vehicle A transmission comprises an input shaft, an output shaft and at least two power paths between the input shaft and a driving gear set with a first, second, third and fourth shafts, wherein a first power paths has a first fixed gear ratio and a second of the power paths has a second fixed gear ratio smaller than the first fixed gear ratio. The first shaft can be fixed by a first gear-shifting element, and can be connected by a second-gear shifting element to the first power path. The second shaft can be connected by a third gear-shifting element to the first power path and by a fourth gear-shifting element to the second power path. The third shaft is permanently connected to the output shaft. The fourth shaft can be connected by a fifth gear-shifting element to the second power path and can be fixed by a sixth gear-shifting element.
US08992361B2	Planetary gear for variable transmission A planetary gear (1, 20, 30, 40) for variable transmission, particularly a planetary gear for variable transmission towards a tail rotor of a helicopter. At least one gear set (s1, s2, s3, s4) of a sun gear (w4, w6, 21) comprises a ring gear (w1, w7), planetary wheels (2, 22, 32) and a planet carrier (w2, w3, w8). At least one clutch (k, K1, K2) and at least one freewheel (Fl, FL1, FL2) are provided for at least two different speeds of the planet carrier (w2, w3, w8) as output.
US08992357B2	Segmented receiving housing hole, sliding core, tensioning device and traction mechanism drive A receiving housing of a hydraulic tensioning device for a traction mechanism drive in an internal combustion engine, having an opening that extends along a longitudinal axis for receiving a piston that is implemented for deflecting a tensioning rail of the traction mechanism drive. The receiving housing is a cast component, and the opening comprises an inner contour having an inner surface that comprises at least first segments and inclines for removing the workpiece from the mold in the opening. The second segments include surfaces that are directed into the inside of the opening and are aligned in parallel with the longitudinal axis. A sliding core is also provided that has an outer contour that is complementary to the inner contour of the opening of the receiving housing and fits into the opening. A traction mechanism drive and tensioning device having a receiving housing of this type are also included.
US08992348B2	Training device, system and method for improving a baseball player's swing of a baseball bat A swing training device has an upright vertical support which is height-adjustable and multiple training attachments for working on a batter's different skill sets. The attachments include a regular batting tee, a “cast away” batting tee, an “in and out” batting tee, and a “perfect cut” batting tee. Each tee is interchangeable with the others, each being used with the vertical support.
US08992342B2	Polybutadiene rubber / ionomer blends for golf balls having dual cores and covers A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of a polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is provided. The ball preferably contains a dual-core comprising a center and surrounding outer core layer. The polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is used preferably to form the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover comprising inner and outer cover layers. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is preferably greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good impact durability.
US08992335B2	Constant velocity joint torsional damper A constant velocity joint including an outer race having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface including a plurality of outer bail tracks. The constant velocity joint also includes an inner race having a plurality of inner ball tracks which correspond to the outer ball tracks, a ball cage disposed between the outer race and the inner race, a plurality of balls arranged within the ball cage and contacting the outer ball tracks and the inner ball tracks. A damping assembly is connected to the outer race.
US08992329B2	Method and apparatus for planning and customizing a gaming experience The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device.
US08992326B2	Networked gaming system communication protocols and methods A system, method and apparatus for a gaming system is provided. The gaming system includes a rewards server and a separate gaming or slot accounting server. The system may further include a separate player tracking server. The system further includes one or more game machines. The game machines may include a base game, rewards tracking module, and a game management module. Further details will be apparent from the description, drawings and claims.
US08992324B2	Position sensing gesture hand attachment An attachment worn against a palm side or a back side of a metacarpus of a person's hand. The attachment includes a flexible band or strip to which a sensing electronics module is attached that contains in a housing electronics for sensing gesture characteristics made by the wearer's hand, including a communications interface for communicating gesture characteristic data to a system external to the hand-worn attachment. The attachment sends at least position and orientation data in real time as a gesture is made to an external system, such as a gaming terminal. Optional sensors for detecting light, acceleration, orientation, or pressure can be used to detect other gesture characteristics and/or user inputs made while wearing the attachment. The gestures and user inputs can be used to influence graphical objects displayed on one or more displays displaying a program, such as a wagering game.
US08992315B2	Automated enhancements for billiards and the like Position data is generated. The position data describes a respective current position of each of one or more game objects (e.g., billiard game objects) in relation to a playing surface (e.g., a playing surface of a billiard table) defining a boundary of a field of play of a game involving use of the one or more game objects in the field of play. A graphical interface image is displayed on the playing surface. Whether the position data in relation to the displayed graphical interface image satisfies an input instruction predicate is determined. In response to a determination that the position data satisfies the input instruction predicate, the input instruction is executed on a machine.
US08992311B2	System and method of revealing the outcomes of real world wagers through guaranteed reveals and partner promotions The invention relates to systems and methods of placing real-world wagers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers using guaranteed and partner promotion reveals through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may provide guaranteed reveals that may guarantee a payout of some value (e.g., the outcome of a real-world wager). The system may provide reveals that are tied to promotions from the partner promotions provider. For example, the system may provide a reveal that includes a promotional coupon or other value from a retailer. The promotional coupon may be provided as a bonus and/or a consolation.
US08992310B2	Gaming device and method having purchasable enhanced paytables An apparatus and method for a game having a paytable selection feature which may be implemented with a primary or base game, a secondary or bonus game, or both. In one embodiment, the gaming device employs an initial paytable and enables a player pay a fee to purchase a different paytable for a plurality of plays of the game. If the player chooses to purchase a different paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome for a plurality of plays of the game and provides any awards based on the different paytable. If the player does not choose to select a different paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome for each of those plays and provides any awards based on the initial paytable. In one embodiment, the player has the opportunity to see the different paytable prior to paying the fee to purchase it.
US08992299B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method employing audio/video programming outcome presentations The present disclosure generally includes a gaming system which: (a) for a first play of a game of a gaming session: determines one of a plurality of different outcomes, displays the determined outcome, determines any award associated with the determined outcome, displays any determined award, and outputs a first audio/video programming clip, the first audio/video programming clip including content associated with a first point in time of an event, and (b) for a second, subsequent play of the game of the gaming session: determines one of the plurality of different outcomes, displays the determined outcome, determines any award associated with the determined outcome, displays any determined award, and outputs a second, different audio/video programming clip, the second audio/video programming clip including content associated with a second, subsequent point in time of the event.
US08992293B1	Ventilator A ventilator (10) is disclosed which includes a ventilator intake hood (11), a pressure relief valve block (12), and a nozzle plate (13). The pressure relief valve block includes a field of pressure relief valves (19) positioned within air channels (20). The nozzle plate includes a field of fourteen nozzles (22) which are aligned with an air channel of the block. Each nozzle defines an interior passage (23) which tapers inwardly as it extends outwardly along the direction of airflow. The nozzles accelerate the airflow so that moisture within the air entering the cooled enclosure does not immediately freeze upon the adjoining enclosure to form an ice block.
US08992287B2	Slurry supply system for CMP process The present disclosure relates to a slurry distribution system having a distribution tube connected between a mixing tank and a CMP tool. The mixing tank is configured to generate a polishing mixture comprising a diluted slurry having abrasive particles that enable mechanical polishing of a workpiece. The polishing mixture is transported between the mixing tank and a CMP tool by way of a transport piping. An energy source, in communication with the transport piping, transfers energy to the abrasive particles within the polishing mixture, thereby preventing accumulation of the abrasive particles within the transport piping.
US08992275B1	Marine water drop muffler A water drop muffler for use in a marine exhaust system to silence exhaust noise while separating entrained water from exhaust gas using hydro-dynamic centrifugal separation principles enhanced by turbulent flow. A muffler housing defines an internal volume bounded by a generally vertically disposed cylindrical inner surface formed about a longitudinal axis. An exhaust inlet receives a mixture of exhaust gas and entrained cooling water. A flow channel transitions the flow for discharge through an opening thereby creating vortex flow within the housing to maximize the generation of centrifugal forces. Water is drawn toward the cylindrical inner surface and allowed drain from the housing.
US08992274B1	Systems and methods for manually operating hybrid propulsion and regeneration systems for marine vessels A hybrid propulsion system for a marine vessel having a first marine propulsor that propels the marine vessel, a first internal combustion engine that selectively powers the first marine propulsor, and a first electric motor that selectively powers the first marine propulsor. The system also has first and second user input devices and a control circuit that controls operation of the system in at least a first control mode and a second control mode. In the first control mode, the control circuit controls operation of both the first internal combustion engine and the first electric motor based upon actuation of the first user input device. In the second control mode, the control circuit controls operation of the first internal combustion engine based upon actuation of the first user input device and the control circuit controls operation of the first electric motor based upon actuation of the second user input device.
US08992273B2	Cable steering system for a marine vessel which has a primary propulsion unit and an auxiliary propulsion unit A steering system for a marine vessel which has a primary propulsion unit and an auxiliary propulsion unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, a cable extending through a tilt tube of the primary propulsion unit couples the primary propulsion unit to the auxiliary propulsion unit. In another embodiment, a cable extends through a support cable extending through a support rod of the primary propulsion unit couples the primary propulsion unit to the auxiliary propulsion unit.
US08992267B2	Connecting system for electrically connecting electronic devices and method for connecting an electrically conductive first connector and an electrically conductive second connector A connecting system for electrically connecting electronic devices includes an electrically conductive first connector, an electrically conductive second connector and a clip element. The first connector is insertable in the second connector. The first connector or the second connector has a first opening into which the clip element can be inserted. In the inserted state, the clip element generates a contact pressure due to which the first connector and the second connector are pressed against one another so that an electrical contact between the first connector and the second connector is safeguarded.
US08992259B2	Connector having noise removal capability There is provided a connector capable of reducing deterioration of the noise removal capability by suppressing deformation of a ferrite. The connector includes: a housing which is provided with a plurality of connector fitting portions to be fitted in a plurality of mating connectors, respectively; a plurality of terminals which are attached to the housing to project within the plurality of connector fitting portions, respectively; a plurality of ferrites which remove noise generated from the plurality of terminals, each ferrite being provided for the respective one of the connector fitting portions and having a through hole through which each of the plurality of terminals passes; and a plurality of pressing arms which are provided in the housing, each pressing arm holding the respective one of the plurality of ferrites.
US08992240B2	Connector A connector having a housing with mating face. A slide assembly has a cam pin receiving opening on the mating face with a width W1 measured along the mating face. A slide has cam grooves in communication with the cam pin receiving opening. A cam pin on a mating housing is engageable with the cam pin receiving opening, having a width W2 measured along the mating face being less than the width W1, and a width W3 measured at an angle to the mating face being greater than the width W1.
US08992223B2	Rechargeable long-term antifungal denture materials Polymers and copolymers including a functional polymer component may be used as conventional denture materials. Antifungal materials may be releasably bound to the functional polymer component such that the antifungal materials may be slowly eluted over an extended period of time to combat a fungal infection.
US08992221B2	Denture system The invention relates to a denture system comprising an implant (1) for osseointegration into a jawbone and comprising an abutment (2) with an insertion stem (6) that can be inserted into a receiving opening (4) of the implant (1). At least one shoulder (9) is formed on the insertion stem (6), said shoulder running at least partly in a radial manner with respect to a longitudinal axis of the insertion stem. At least one stop (5) is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the receiving opening (4), said stop running at least partly in a radial manner. In a first rotational position between the insertion stem (6) and the implant (1), the abutment (2) can be moved relative to the implant (1) in an axial direction, and in a second rotational position in which the insertion stem (6) is rotated about the longitudinal axis relative to the implant (1) by an angle with respect to the first rotational position, at least one shoulder (9) axially engages behind a stop (5) such that a movement between the implant (1) and the abutment (2) in an opposite axial direction is blocked.
US08992214B2	Orthodontic self-ligating brackets Disclosed is a self-ligating orthodontic bracket having a mounting base with a concavely contoured surface for attachment to a tooth, a main archwire slot formed upon the base, the mounting base being supported by a bracket body, and the slot being sized for receiving an orthodontic rectangular or round archwire, a ligating slide selectively slideable between an open position permitting access to the archwire slot and a closed position covering the archwire slot. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket also includes a resilient retention feature designed for holding the ligating slide in the open or the closed positions for retreating or retaining the orthodontic archwire within an archwire slot, respectively.
US08992211B2	Hot surface igniter adaptive control method An adaptive gaseous fuel ignition control method for use in consumer and commercial appliances that reduces stress on and increases the life of a hot surface igniter without resulting in a failure to ignite condition is provided. The method provides a preheating period, a full temperature period, and a trial for ignition period. The preheating period gradually increases the power applied to reduce the stress resulting therefrom. Once a gas valve has been commanded open, the controller monitors the time for ignition of the gaseous fuel. If the time is longer than a threshold, either the applied power or the period of time during which the power is applied is increased to shorten the time. If, however, the ignition period is shorter than the threshold, either the power applied or the period of time during which the power is applied before commanding the gas valve open is lowered or shortened.
US08992192B2	Input shaft lubrication for gear pump A shaft assembly includes a gear with a gear bore having a splined bore section adjacent to an oil dam. A shaft includes a first splined end section and a second splined end section, the first splined end section engageable with the splined inner diameter, the shaft having a bore with a bore diameter greater than a diameter of the oil dam, a first set of radial apertures axially inboard of the first splined end section in communication with the shaft inner bore and a second set of radial apertures axially inboard of the second splined end section in communication with the shaft inner bore that altogether provide lubrication of the splined end sections.
US08992186B2	Suction arrangement for a refrigeration compressor A refrigeration compressor is provided and may include a shell carrying a suction-inlet tube having an outlet nozzle opened to the interior of the shell and a cylinder block to which is mounted a suction muffler that incorporates an admission tube provided with an inlet nozzle.The inlet nozzle of the admission tube may be disposed adjacent to the outlet nozzle of the suction-inlet tube. The inlet nozzle may admit under at least one of the conditions of underpressure in its interior or deflection of the refrigerant-fluid flow in the interior of the shell the gaseous phase and may direct the liquid phase to a region of the shell external to the inlet nozzle.
US08992166B2	Turbocharger The invention relates to a turbocharger (1) with variable turbine geometry (VTG), having a turbine housing (2) with a supply duct (9) for exhaust gases, having a turbine rotor (4) which is rotatably mounted in the turbine housing (2); and having a guide grate (18), which surrounds the turbine rotor (4) radially at the outside, which has a blade bearing ring (6), which has a multiplicity of guide blades (7) which have in each case one blade shaft mounted in the blade bearing ring (6), which has an adjusting ring (5) which is operatively connected to the guide blades (7) by means of associated blade levers (20) fastened to the blade shafts (8) at one of their ends, with each blade lever (20) having, at the other end, a lever head (23) which can be placed in engagement with an associated engagement recess (24) of the adjusting ring (5), and which has a stop (25) at least for setting the minimum throughflow through the nozzle cross sections formed by the guide blades (7), wherein the stop (25) is formed as a partially hollow adjusting pin.
US08992158B2	Apparatus and method for reinforcement of a load bearing structure A reinforcement device for a load bearing structure is disclosed. The reinforcement device may include a tubular wall including a first end, a second end, a throat disposed between the first end and the second end, and a curved portion disposed between the throat and each of the first end and the second end. The tubular wall may also include a first dimension at the throat and a second dimension at each of the first and second ends, the first dimension being smaller than the second dimension.
US08992126B2	Method of estimating the environmental force acting on a supported jack-up vessel A method of estimating the environmental force acting on a supported jack-up vessel is described. The vessel is positioned in a force determination position and the strain on at least one support leg of the jack-up vessel is measured while a first thrust is applied to the vessel. A second thrust is applied to the vessel while the vessel is maintained in the force determination position. The variation in the strain in the at least one support leg is monitored as the second thrust is applied and the strain is used to calculate an estimate of the environmental force acting on the vessel. The method allows a dynamic positioning (DP) system of the jack-up vessel to determine a suitable thrust to apply to the vessel as the support legs of the vessel are raised. By applying this suitable thrust the position of the vessel can be maintained when the vessel transitions from being supported by the support legs to being supported by water.
US08992123B2	Apparatus and method for recovering the core of a sheathed electrical cable The present invention provides an apparatus and method for recovering the core (108) of a subterranean sheathed electrical cable (106), while minimising the impact on the surrounding environment. The apparatus comprises a ram (102) operable to exert a pushing force on the core of a length of the cable, a plurality of linkages, each linkage being configured to be insertable into the cable along its length under the action of the ram to displace the core relative to an outer sheath of the cable, and a puller operable (104) to exert a pulling force on the core to thereby facilitate removal of the displaced core from the outer sheath by action of the pushing/pulling forces. The apparatus and method are found to be particularly suited to the recovery of high-tension copper core cables, while enabling any hydrocarbon (e.g. oil) impregnated inner sheathing to be controllably disposed of without hazard to the environment.
US08992122B2	Electro-remediation Embodiments provided herein relate to electro-remediation. In some embodiments, an apparatus for collecting metal is provided and includes a helically shaped electrode. An electrical current can be applied to the apparatus causing metal and ions thereof to become fixed to the electrode.
US08992115B2	Surface drainage system A surface drainage structure formed above a subgrade may include an elongate drain conduit disposed partially within the subgrade. The elongate drain conduit may define at least one drain slot extending through a wall thereof. The structure may include a pavement layer with an exposed top surface and a drainage channel extending therefrom. The drainage channel may be in fluid communication with the drain slot of the elongate drain conduit. A method of forming the surface drainage structure includes placing the elongate drain conduit in the subgrade, forming the pavement layer, cutting an upper channel along the elongate drain conduit, and cutting a lower channel and the drain slot in the elongate conduit.
US08992111B2	Components to allow buckets to be used as structural or alternative elements A set of connectors connects buckets, such as five gallon, to each other, to the ground, to dimensional lumber and/or to pipe for the purpose of producing objects such as benches, stepstools, tables, sawhorses, shelters, platforms, etc.
US08992102B1	Camera housing for a square-profile camera A square camera housing accommodates a square camera with a substantially square profile. The square camera housing includes a latching mechanism to secure the camera in the housing, a mounting mechanism to secure the housing to a mounting device, and multiple openings in the housing body to accommodate the camera interface. These features allow the square camera to be inserted and secured in the square camera housing in one of a plurality of orientations relative to the square camera housing.
US08992098B2	Methods for forming connectorized fiber optic cabling A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly includes a loose tube fiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The cable has a termination end and includes: an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers; at least one strength member; and a jacket surrounding the optical fiber bundle and the at least one strength member. The connector assembly includes a rigid portion and defines a fiber passage. The connector assembly is mounted on the termination end of the cable such that the optical fiber bundle extends through at least a portion of the fiber passage. The plurality of optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle have a ribbonized configuration in the rigid portion of the connector assembly and a loose, non-ribbonized configuration outside the rigid portion. The plurality of optical fibers undergo a transition from the ribbonized configuration to the loose, non-ribbonized configuration in the rigid portion of the connector assembly. According to some embodiments, the rigid portion of the connector assembly includes a rigid connector housing.
US08992092B2	Flanged bearing ring for the hub of a motor vehicle wheel A flanged bearing ring has a tubular core of steel and an outer flange of a light metal in which there are formed axial through bores for accommodating bolts for mounting a wheel to the ring; fixed in each bore is a steel insert which forms a threaded inner cylindrical cavity extending between two opposite faces of the flange, and one or two transverse shoulders which are in contact with the material of the flange so as to oppose relative axial movements of the steel insert with respect to the flange.
US08992090B1	Air drained bearing compartment with oil shield A gravity drained bearing compartment with two oil shields that are located near to an air vent and an oil scavenge line, where the oil shields function to reduce circumferential momentum of the oil to prevent oil from entering the air vent and direct oil into the scavenge line.
US08992087B2	Crank drive A crank drive includes a crankshaft journal having a concave-shaped surface, a bearing element in which the crankshaft journal is rotatably mounted, and a bearing shell disposed between the crankshaft journal and the bearing element and having a first convex-shaped surface matched with the concave-shaped surface of the crankshaft journal. The bearing shell has a second surface associated with the bearing element and is constructed such that the bearing shell has a non-constant cross section in the longitudinal direction of the crankshaft journal. The bearing element surface facing the bearing shell is adapted to the second surface of the bearing shell regarding the shape of the bearing element surface, and the second surface of the bearing shell is cylindrical or concave and has a smaller curvature than the concave-shaped surface of the crankshaft journal.
US08992075B2	Sensor apparatus systems, devices and methods A sensor apparatus and sensor apparatus system for use in conjunction with a cassette, including a disposable or replaceable cassette. In some embodiments, the cassette includes a thermal well for permitting the sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well includes a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material. In other embodiments, the cassette includes sensor leads for sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well has an inner surface shaped so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe. The mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe. In some embodiments, the thermal well is located on a disposable portion and the sensing probe on a reusable portion.
US08992071B2	Mixing device for multi-component systems A mixing device produces a multi-component mixture, in particular for medical applications, and has at least one first component and one second component, whereby the first component is a pasty fluid mass, whereby the mixing device has a housing having at least one first opening and a hollow body, whereby the hollow body has an internal space that contains the second component, and the mixing device has a feed plunger for expelling the second component from the internal space of the hollow body, whereby the hollow body has a thread and the feed plunger has a counter-thread that engages the thread of the hollow body, and the mixing device has a propulsion element that is arranged inside the housing, whereby the propulsion element converts a flow of the first component through the housing into a rotary motion, whereby the rotary motion of the propulsion element screws the feed plunger into the internal space of the hollow body, and whereby the second component can thus be extruded from the hollow space into the fluid flow of the first component.
US08992062B2	Display device with light guide plate having irregularities on front light exit surface Provided is a display device including: a light guide plate arranged so that an edge surface thereof is opposed to a light source, the light guide plate being configured to internally reflect light entering from the edge surface to cause planar light emission from a front surface of the light guide plate; and a reflective sheet arranged so as to be opposed to a rear surface of the light guide plate. Irregularities are formed on the front surface. The irregularities are formed to have a shape of a combination of first convex portions and second convex portions, each of the first convex portions including a first ridge line which continuously extends along a first direction corresponding to a light traveling direction, each of the second convex portions including a second ridge line which continuously extends along a second direction intersecting the first direction.
US08992061B2	Vehicle headlamp A vehicle headlamp includes: a lamp unit including an upper support shaft and a lower support shaft that are coaxially formed each other; a bracket adapted to support the lamp unit via a ball bearing in the upper support shaft and via a slider in a lower shaft support portion; an actuator including a mechanism portion adapted to drive the lower support shaft of the lamp unit, the actuator being movable in a forward and backward direction with respect to the bracket; and a spring portion that is fixed to the bracket, and is adapted to compress a tip end of the upper support shaft.
US08992057B2	Expressive vehicle lighting assembly A vehicle includes a main lighting control sensor, a body, a housing, an outer lens, and main and expressive lighting assemblies. The sensor generates an output signal in response to a detected vehicle condition such as braking or headlight activation. The lens defines a cavity in conjunction with the housing. The main lighting assembly is positioned within the cavity, and illuminates in response to the output signal. An expressive lighting assembly positioned within the cavity includes clear transparent plates arranged in a stack, with LEDs arranged in multiple rows and columns on a major surface of each plate. Wire arrays connect the LEDs to a control board. The control board receives an activation signal from a device, e.g., a fob, and individually addresses the LEDs to command illumination of the LEDs according to a calibrated LED illumination sequence. A controller may be used for downloading sequences as applications.
US08992052B2	Inner lens optics for omnidirectional lamp An optical element for a lamp or lighting apparatus having at least one light emitting diode (LED) as a light source is provided. The optical element is positioned proximate to the LED and receives light rays therefrom. In turn, the optical element distributes the substantially unidirectional light output from the LED into an omnidirectional output with a controlled variance in light intensity at different directions about the LED. A diffuser can also be used around the optical element and LED to provide further distribution of the light rays by e.g., light scattering.
US08992049B2	Light having an omnidirectional ambient light collector A light and light control system includes a light configured to generate light from a power source. The system further includes a light collector configured to receive ambient light from any one of a plurality of directions, the light collector including an outer face to receive the ambient light, the light collector including an inclined surface arranged in the light collector, at least one photo detector configured to detect the light received by the light collector, and the inclined surface redirecting the light received from the outer face towards the at least one photo detector. Finally, the system includes a circuit configured to receive a signal from the at least one photo detector and control the light in response to the signal.
US08992048B2	Connector and LED light bar The present invention discloses a connector and an LED light bar. The connector includes: an input module and an output module, wherein the input module and the output module being electrically connected; the input module comprising at least two input interfaces, the input interface being for connecting to an external power supply, the output module being for electrical connection to all LEDs in at least two external areas. As such, the present invention realizes the use of a connector to control LEDs in a plurality of areas to increase the utilization of the connector and simplify the LED light bar structure. In the mean time, the improvement of the connector utilization results in the reduction in the number of connectors used so as to reduce the cost of LED light bar.
US08992043B2	Constructive occlusion lighting system and applications thereof A luminaire includes at least one light source, at least one reflector having a reflector cavity and an optical element positioned to receive light reflected from the at least one reflector cavity. The luminaire does not include a mask or other structure located within the opening of the luminaire that would partially occlude light exiting the luminaire—light can thus exit the luminaire unimpeded. In some embodiments, the at least one reflector cavity is semi toroidal. Moreover, in some embodiments, the optical element includes a reflective optical element, a refractive optical element or a combination thereof. Methods of lighting a surface are also described.
US08992035B2	Lighting device for ventilating fan A lighting device for a ventilating fan comprising a power pack module and a light-emitting module composed of a lighting louver and a radiator, wherein first positioning lugs projected out of a horizontal projection plane of the power pack module are formed on the top of the power pack module and fixed on the light-emitting module by screws; and a through hole which a cable, used for supplying power for a light-emitting unit, runs through is respectively formed on a side face of the radiator making contact with the power pack module and a side face of the power pack module making contact with the radiator. The lighting device for the ventilating fan further comprises hooks formed on the radiator and a second positioning lug formed on the power pack module, wherein the hooks and the second positioning lug are used for fixing the lighting device on the ventilating fan.
US08992033B2	Display element for a display unit in a vehicle The invention relates to a display element for the display unit of a vehicle. The display element can be backlit by means of at least one light source. The display element contains a film with identifying elements, and further contains a polarizing film. The films are arranged one above the other and are pressed against each other in the edge regions of the films via elastic elements.
US08992022B2	Glare assembly for computerized eye test display A monitor is used to display a visual acuity test operated by software from an associated computer. A patient is spaced a predetermined distance from the monitor during the testing procedure, and individual, multiple LED housings are equally spaced about a center point of the monitor to direct light toward the patient during at least a portion of the test procedure. The light emanating from the individual housings is a diffuse, unfocused light to simulate glare, and the intensity of the light may be selectively altered. Conducting acuity testing under glare conditions determines if there is any reduction or fall off in the patient's acuity vision under such circumstances and provides an indication of whether the patient may require cataract surgery or has another ocular problem.
US08992014B2	Method for calculating a spectacle lens with improved near zone Optimization and production of a spectacle lens for a specific wearing situation for correcting at least one astigmatic refraction of an eye of a spectacles wearer, which in a reference viewing direction of the eye has a cylinder reference value and a cylinder reference axis, comprising: specifying an object distance for at least one evaluation point of the spectacle lens; determining a transformed astigmatic refraction for the at least one evaluation point of the spectacle lens from the cylinder reference value and the cylinder reference axis depending on the specified object distance; and optimizing the spectacle lens such that for the at least one evaluation point a correction of the transformed astigmatic refraction by the spectacle lens in the specific wearing situation is taken into consideration, wherein determining the transformed astigmatic refraction comprises determining a transformed cylinder value and/or a transformed cylinder axis depending on the specified object distance.
US08992013B2	Method of designing progressive addition lenses Embodiments of the invention pertain to a method for producing a spectacle lens with optimal correction across the entire lens taking into account the patient's complete measured wavefront. Specific embodiments can also take into account one or more additional factors such as vertex distance, segmental fitting height, pantoscopic tilt, and use conditions. The lens wavefront can be achieved by optimizing a corrected wavefront, where the corrected wavefront is the combined effect of the patient's measured wavefront and the lens wavefront. The optimization of the corrected wavefront can involve representing the measured wavefront and the lens wavefront on a grid. In an embodiment, the grid can lie in a plane. During the optimization, a subset of the grid can be used for the representation of the measured wavefront at a point on the grid so as to take into account the portions of the measured wavefront that contribute to the corrected wavefront at that point on the grid.
US08992011B2	Method for manufacturing lens for electronic spectacles, lens for electronic spectacles, and electronic spectacles Electronic spectacles include a spectacle frame; lenses having electric elements; a control unit that generates electric signals for driving the electric elements of the lenses; electric connectors that transmit the signals from the control unit to wiring connector pads; and conductive rubber members sandwiched between the wiring connector pads and lens electrode pads of the lenses.
US08992010B2	Corneal remodelling contact lenses and methods of treating refractive error using corneal remodelling Contact lenses are described with a corneal remodelling effect. This corneal remodelling effect is one or both of broad-area corneal remodelling and localised remodelling. The contact lenses may also have a refractive power. The refractive power may vary across the lens and for myopia may have increased power centrally. The increased power may be provided over a lens area that has increased thickness due to localised remodelling.
US08991984B2	Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and piezoelectric element A liquid ejecting head that discharges a liquid through a nozzle aperture includes a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric layer and a first and a second electrode provided for the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is made of a complex oxide containing bismuth, iron, barium and titanium and having a perovskite structure. The iron content in the piezoelectric layer is higher at the interface with the second electrode than other portions in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric layer.
US08991969B2	Apparatus and method for controlling a recording head for recording onto a recording medium The present invention includes a recording control unit configured to record a recording position adjustment chart including a pattern for adjusting a recording position of a recording head for discharging ink, and a determination unit configured to determine an adjustment value for adjusting the recording position based on data of the pattern included in the recording position adjustment chart read as image data, in which the recording position adjustment chart includes a mark for detecting an inclination in reading the recording position adjustment chart.
US08991961B2	Liquid discharge apparatus, method and storage medium for computer-readably storing program therein An inkjet printer includes a liquid discharge head, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The controller changes a voltage waveform to be input to the ink discharge head, while a nozzle surface is facing a first gap. The temperature sensor measures a first actual temperature of the ink discharge head, while the nozzle surface is facing a second gap. The controller calculates, on the basis of the first actual temperature and a discharge history of ink discharged to a sheet located between the first gap and the second gap, a first estimated temperature of the ink discharge head corresponding to the time in which the nozzle surface is facing the first gap. The controller changes the voltage waveform on the basis of the first estimated temperature.
US08991960B2	Compensation of bi-directional alignment error A method of compensating for bi-directional alignment error in a printing system including a carriage, a print head disposed thereon, and a bi-directional printing mode includes determining a data set by a data set determination module corresponding to bi-directional alignment error at a plurality of carriage speeds. The method also includes determining a line of best fit of the data set by a best fit determination module and identifying a flight time of fluid ejected from the print head and a carriage position error of the carriage from the line of best fit by an alignment parameter identification module. The method also includes compensating for the bi-directional alignment error by an error compensation module based on the flight time and the carriage position error.
US08991948B2	Accessible cabinetry system A high cabinet may be mechanically lowered to within reach of a disabled user. In the second exemplary embodiment, a scissor-jack type mechanism pushes an outer cabinet out from the wall and a sliding mechanism allows an inner cabinet to drop down from within the outer cabinet.
US08991947B2	Storage solutions using aircraft lavatories Embodiments provided relate to systems and methods for using aircraft lavatories as storage when the aircraft is on the ground and during taxi, take-off, and landing, but to also allow the lavatories to be open for use during other aircraft flight times. This is accomplished by providing a slidable unit that is contained within the interior space of the aircraft lavatory in a storage position and that is extended out of the aircraft lavatory space in a lavatory use position.
US08991946B1	Hair styling accessory organizer A hair styling accessory organizer includes an organizer base; an organizer platform carried by the organizer base; and at least one generally elongated hair head support member upward-standing from the organizer platform, the hair bead support member having a base portion carried by the organizer platform, a tapered portion of varying cross-sectional diameter extending from the base portion and a terminal portion extending from the tapered portion.
US08991942B2	Brake control apparatus A brake control apparatus for a vehicle provided with a regenerative braking system includes a hydraulic circuit where a first passage connects a master cylinder to a wheel cylinder. A second passage connects a discharge side of a pump to a first portion of the first passage. A third passage connects a suction side of the pump to a second portion of the first passage between the master cylinder and the first portion. A fourth passage connects the suction side of the pump to a third portion of the first passage between an inflow valve and the wheel cylinder. A reservoir is connected to the third passage and a portion of the fourth passage between an outflow valve and the suction side of the pump. A shut-off valve restricts brake fluid discharge through a discharge-side valve from the pump being driven.
US08991940B2	Electrically driven brake booster In an electrically driven brake booster wherein an electrically driven actuator moves a booster piston upon operation of a brake pedal to generate a hydraulic pressure for driving a brake force at the maser cylinder, the electrically driven actuator controls to move the booster piston as the pressing member in order to correctly detect presence/absence of an operation of the booster piston and detect a movement pattern of an input rot and an input piston as the shaft member relative to a movement of the pressing member. In accordance with the movement pattern, presence/absence of an operation of the brake pedal is detected. By confirming that the brake pedal is not operated, by the method described above, a zero point of a stroke sensor for detecting the position of the shaft member and zero points of oil pressure sensors for detecting a hydraulic pressure supplied by the master cylinder are learnt.
US08991926B2	Backrest for wheelchair A backrest for a wheelchair includes an adjustable cushion support, a backrest frame, and attachment members. The adjustable cushion support supports a backrest cushion, and substantially defines plane P1. The backrest frame holds the cushion support and has two substantially parallel side posts substantially defining a plane P2. The attachment members attach the cushion support to the backrest frame. The cushion support comprises two side bars and a plurality of transversally extending and vertically spaced apart flexible straps. Each strap is length adjustable. The cushion support comprises at least two connecting plates. Each plate being integral with one of the side bars and being provided with at least two parallel adjustment slots. The slots define an angle α, with said plane P1 of the adjustable support cushion. The attachment members are slidably mounted on the slots, enabling depth, width and angular adjustment of the cushion support on the backrest frame.
US08991918B2	Child seat attachment structure A child seat attachment structure comprising a lower anchor comprising a fixing portion that is fixed to a configuration member configuring a vehicle body or a vehicle seat, a leg portion that extends from the fixing portion towards a vehicle top side, and a coupling portion that is provided at an upper end portion of the leg portion and that fixes a child seat to the vehicle body or the vehicle seat by connecting to a connector of the child seat; and a contacted portion that restricts displacement of the coupling portion of the lower anchor towards a vehicle front side with respect to the fixing portion by making contact with a portion of the lower anchor when the child seat fixed to the vehicle body or the vehicle seat has moved towards the vehicle front side.
US08991915B1	Tray for foldable chairs A utility tray apparatus is provided which is attachable to lightweight foldable chairs. The chairs generally consist of tubular frames with fabric seat and backrests. The utility tray apparatus has a body portion and a tray portion. The body portion has two channels formed therein. The channels are suitable for receipt of the tubular leg members of the chair. The channels are tapered such that an interference fit is achieved when the diameter of the tubular leg member matches the width of the respective channel. An attachment member may be provided which fits within the channels of the body portion. The attachment member having a clamp on the bottom thereof suitable for clamping to a square or circular tubular member, such as a rail on a deer stand.
US08991909B2	Vehicle A vehicle includes: a main frame having a plurality of members; and a reinforcing member that is made of a reinforced resin and that is disposed at a junction where two members out of the plurality of members intersect a point from two directions or a bent portion of one member.
US08991899B2	Air-guiding device for a vehicle An air-guiding device (12) is arranged in a rear-end region of a vehicle and has a central main air-guiding element (13) that is displaceable from a retracted rest position into a deployed operating position. Lateral auxiliary air-guiding elements (14, 15) are adjustable substantially linearly relative to the main air-guiding element (13) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to be transferred from a rest position, in which they are retracted into the main air-guiding element (13), into an operating position, in which they are deployed out of the main air-guiding element (13). Each auxiliary air-guiding element is movable along a guide unit (22) in the main air-guiding element (13) and is guided in the guide unit (22) in a first direction by at least one slide element (26) and in a second direction by at least one guide pin (27).
US08991893B2	Profile element connecting a vehicle pane to a water draining chamber A profile element for connecting a vehicle pane to a water draining chamber includes a U-shaped snap-in recess formed by a bearing rib and a resilient leg disposed below the bearing rib. At an entrance into the snap-in recess, the bearing rib protrudes downward towards the resilient leg and the resilient leg protrudes upward towards the bearing rib so as to define an engagement aperture into the snap-in recess between an upper-most part of the protrusion of the resilient leg and a lower-most part of the protrusion of the bearing rib. A detent element is disposed in the snap-in recess behind the engagement aperture in an insertion direction of a rib of the water draining chamber.
US08991892B2	Cowl trim assembly with adjustable footrest A cowl trim assembly includes a panel body having an outwardly extending support base. An adjustable footrest assembly is supported on the support base between fore and aft positions. The footrest assembly includes connecting members adapted to couple the adjustable footrest assembly to the panel body at laterally extending slots disposed on the panel body. The laterally extending slots include receiving grooves incrementally spaced along the slots which are adapted to receive the connecting members of the footrest assembly in assembly. Thus, the footrest assembly is laterally adjustable relative to the panel body along the length of the slots.
US08991886B2	Gripping or clamping device The invention relates to a gripping or clamping device for gripping or clamping objects, comprising at least one actuator that can be driven by a drive, at least one jaw, and a transmission provided between the actuator and the jaw, wherein the force produced by the drive is transmitted to the object at least by means of a force transmission element provided on or formed by the transmission and/or the clamping means, wherein the force transmission element has a force conducting section, wherein a clamping element that permits an elastic flexibility in the force transmission direction is provided between the force conducting section and the force transmission element.
US08991880B2	Door handle device A door handle device includes: a base member having handle supporting portions provided between a pair of supporting boards facing each other; a handle grip provided with an arm portion protruding at one end of the handle grip, shaft support portions provided on an extreme end of the arm portion and pivotally supported by the handle supporting portions of the base member, and an operating portion provided at the other end of the handle grip and configured to operate a lever provided on the base member; and a double torsion spring having a restriction portion extending between the pair of supporting boards of the base member, and hooked to the supporting boards of the base member by its own biasing force, in which a recessed portion with which the restriction portion of the double torsion spring is engaged is formed in the arm portion of the handle grip.
US08991879B2	Tamper evident bolt security seal A tamper evident security seal includes a locking unit and a bolt with a groove at its shank locking portion, the groove for receiving a resilient locking ring attached to a lock body in a locking unit receiving the bolt in a locked state. The locking unit includes two housing portions one of which has a top wall, a bottom wall and a first upstanding segment of a circular cylinder side wall interconnected thereto may be of any color. The top wall has an aperture for receiving the bolt therethrough. A mating second housing portion has a second segment of a circular cylinder side wall, preferably white having ID indicia thereon, forms a circular cylindrical housing with the first housing portion and is captured between the top and bottom walls. A lock body first element is plastic and molded one piece with the second housing portion. A lock body second steel element mates with the first element forming a lock body with an annular channel in which the ring is positioned. The channel and ring generally form a conventional bolt locking arrangement. A plastic transparent cover, enclosing the two housing portions, is bonded to the bottom wall. A collar on the top wall has two slots for receiving mating anti-spin tabs on the bolt shank.
US08991873B2	Device for connecting pipelines subjected to changes in axial length A device for connecting pipelines subjected to axial length changes, comprising a pipe element with a flange having an end-face annular surface and a ring encompassing the pipe element, a sliding sleeve, the internal diameter of which corresponds to the external diameter of the flange and one end of which has an opening for receiving the pipe element, the flange being arranged such that it can move axially in the sliding sleeve, and by an outer bushing which is attached to the sliding sleeve and is arranged around the pipe element and the ring and the internal diameter of which corresponds to the external diameter of the ring and the interior of which is connected to the interior of the line by at least one opening in the pipe element and in which the ring forms a pressurized annular surface which is substantially the same size as the annular surface.
US08991868B2	Splash guard attachment clip assembly An attachment clip assembly for securing a splash guard to an edge of a vehicle panel. The attachment clip assembly includes inner and outer clips and a threaded fastener. The inner clip includes wedging and gripping arms and the outer clip includes wedging and support arms, the inner clip fitting in nested relationship in the outer clip. The threaded fastener extends through an opening of the inner clip and a slotted opening of the outer clip. The wedging arm of the outer clip includes spaced apart shoulders overlying respective outer edges of the wedging arm of the inner clip such that, upon tightening the threaded fastener, the wedging arm of the inner clip slides along the wedging arm of the outer clip in a direction toward a central portion of the outer clip thereby moving the inner clip gripping arm toward the outer clip support arm.
US08991860B2	External airbag apparatus Disclosed is an external airbag apparatus. The apparatus includes, a back beam disposed on one surface directed toward a bumper on which an airbag module is disposed. The apparatus additionally includes a deployment guide disposed between the bumper and the back beam, both ends of which are coupled to the back beam, and a middle end of which is supported on the bumper. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a sensor disposed between the deployment guide and the back beam to sense impact when pressed by the deployment guide during impact to the bumper.
US08991845B2	Vehicular system having user-interface assembly Vehicular system, including front wheel having user-interface assembly configured to selectively permit user to operate between limb-operating mode and side-by-side limb cruising mode. In side-by-side limb cruising mode, first and second crank arms are free to float and position by themselves while front wheel is steered to cause vehicular system to turn in such a way that first pedal and second pedal are positioned slightly offset from each other. In side-by-side limb cruising mode, control of vehicular system is improved because rider position is more balanced and an unnatural sensation of steering involving hands and feet becomes neutralized while: user maintains hands coupled to steering assembly and also maintains feet coupled to first pedal and second pedal; steering assembly turns front wheel toward one side; first crank arm and second crank arm freely float and position themselves; and first pedal and second pedal are positioned slightly offset from each other.
US08991840B2	Load dependent damper for a vehicle suspension system A damper assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes a damper and a valve block coupled to the damper. The damper includes a tubular sidewall having an inner surface that defines an inner damper volume and a plunger separating the inner damper volume into a compression chamber and an extension chamber. The valve block includes a housing having a spring pilot and defining a flow path between an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port is in fluid communication with at least one of the compression chamber and the extension chamber. The damper assembly further includes a flow controller coupled to the housing and positioned along the flow path and a piston having a pilot end coupled to the spring pilot and an interface end that engages the flow controller with a pilot force that varies based on a pressure at the spring pilot.
US08991836B2	Child seat for a shopping cart A child seat for a shopping cart comprises a gate, a back rest, two arms and a seat. The arms connect to the gate at one end and the back rest at the other. The arms connect to the gate at an angle, which provides resistance so that the back rest does not fall while buckling the child into the seat. The arms terminate in a chamber, which encompasses the back rest and allows the back rest to fold. One end of the seat terminates in a channel, which encompasses the base wire of the back rest, allowing the back rest to rotate. The second end of the seat terminates in a second channel, which encompasses attachment members on the gate, thereby allowing the seat to rotate. The attachment members include wires, which interact with a step in the second channel to lock the seat to the gate.
US08991831B2	Spherical annular seal member and method of manufacturing the same A spherical annular seal member 39 includes a spherical annular base member 37 defined by annular end faces 35 and 36, and an outer layer 38 formed integrally on the spherical annular base member 37. The spherical annular base member 37 includes a reinforcing member 5 made from a metal wire net and a heat-resistant material 6 containing compressed expanded graphite. The outer layer 38 is comprised of a base layer 46 which includes a reinforcing member 15 made from a metal wire net and compressed and a heat-resistant material 14 containing expanded graphite, compressed in such a manner as to fill meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member 15, and having a surface 52 which forms an outer-layer intermediate layer surface 42 together with the surface 41 of the reinforcing member 15, and of a heated sliding layer 40 of a molten fluororesin composition formed on the base layer 46 at the outer-layer intermediate layer surface 42. The surface 44 of the outer layer 38 exposed to the outside is constituted by a smooth surface 45 of the heated sliding layer 40.
US08991825B2	Ball ejection system and method for wheel games A ball ejection system for a roulette game is provided. The system includes a roulette wheel including a plurality of slots, at least one sensor, at least one ejector element, and a first driving mechanism. Each slot is defined by side walls and a bottom surface. Each bottom surface further includes an opening. The at least one sensor is position within each of the plurality of slots and are configured to emit a signal when detecting a ball within the slot. The ejector element is positioned below the roulette and includes at least one air blower. The air blower is configured to blow air circumferentially around the roulette wheel due to the detection of a ball on one of the sensors. Finally, the first driving mechanism is in communication with the at least one ejector element and configured to cause the initiation of the at least one air blower.
US08991822B2	Sheet conveyor device A conveyor device includes a conveyor including a conveyor roller to convey a sheet along a conveyance path, a cover movable between a closed position where the cover covers the conveyor roller and an open position where the cover is separated from the conveyor roller. The conveyor further includes a pinch roller urged toward the conveyor roller when the cover is in the closed position. When the cover is in the closed position, the conveyor roller and the pinch roller define a nip point along the conveyance path. The conveyor device includes a holder supported by the cover and to rotatably support the pinch roller and an urging member disposed between the cover and the holder to move the holder away from the cover to urge the pinch roller toward the conveyor roller when the cover is in the closed position.
US08991820B2	Paper conveying apparatus, jam detection method, and computer-readable, non-transitory medium There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium that can suppress erroneous detection of a jam. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator, provided with a sound detector near a conveyance path of a paper, for generating a sound signal, and a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on a variation of a component of the sound signal.
US08991810B2	Stacker A stacker is described, in particular in an installation of the paper processing industry, for forming a stack of several flat parts to be fed in a transport direction, in particular film sheets or paper sheets, with a stack forming area and a support device for supporting the stack to be formed from the flat parts in the stack forming area. The special nature of the invention lies in that the support device has a plurality of discrete support elements that are at least arranged one behind the other seen in the transport direction of the flat parts and are supported in a moveable manner between a lower position and an upper position at an angle to the transport direction of the flat parts, preferably approximately at right angles to the transport direction A of the flat parts and/or approximately vertically.
US08991806B2	Extension table assembly for power tools An extension table assembly for a power tool having a working surface for supporting a piece of material to be modified, and a working area where the power tool can modify a piece of material. The extension table assembly comprising a frame portion, at least one arm portion, a drive system, and a measurement system.
US08991801B2	Clamping device A clamping device for magnetically clamping non-magnetic material objects. The clamping device comprises first and second clamp members each having at least one straight edge surface and each having at least one magnet disposed therein. The first and second clamp members are adapted to magnetically and removably couple to each other, wherein the magnetic coupling is capable of clamping at least one non-magnetic material object. The clamping device is further at least partially transparent, includes markings to facilitate correct alignment of the clamp members and comprises a support member for securely positioning the clamping device on an underlying surface.
US08991800B2	Asymmetrical mounting An elastomeric bearing arrangement for the reduction of machine vibrations caused predominantly by externally acting forces. The bearing, due to its special design and construction symmetry, is capable of processing the forces occurring in all spatial directions with optimal material protection. The bearing is preferably suitable for a rotational connection of rotor/gearbox units to the support plate in wind turbines. The bearing has a sandwich element (5), a cone element (3), a cone piece (4) and a cylinder piece (4a) which interact with one another.
US08991794B1	Humidifier utilizing filtered water A humidifier is provided that typically includes a water filtration unit and a pump that draws filtered water from the water filtration unit, typically a carbon nanotube filter. The humidifier further includes a nozzle having an outlet orifice, wherein the nozzle is connected to the pump, where the pump forces the filtered water through the nozzle, thereby expelling the filtered water into an atmosphere in the form of a purified vapor or mist.
US08991792B2	Fence post and fence formed therefrom A fence post which is adapted to release from a substrate surface in the event of rising water or flood. A plurality of fence post(s) may be used to form a fence (FIG. 8). Each fence post includes an engaging mechanism at a first end thereof, which is adapted to release from a substrate surface in the event of rising water or flood, and, a retaining mechanism at a second end thereof to retain the post near its pre-released position, such that the fence posts may be easily re-installed after the flood has passed.
US08991790B2	Multiple action hoist A method and apparatus for transferring the ends of power lines between first and second supports including a frame having a pair of independently operable hoist mechanisms which each include a tension line with an attachment element at the end thereof, with the drums being rotatable by respective ratchet mechanisms for enabling the transfer of the end of a tension line from one support location to a different support location.
US08991782B2	Device for automatic closure of control valves in separable connection units for flexible pipes A device for automatic closure of control valves in separable connection units for flexible pipes is described. The device comprises, for every sector of the control valve, a slidable body operating on the valve sector to cause closing and opening rotation thereof, elastic means housed within a first chamber to activate the sliding body to cause the closing rotation of said valve sector, a braking fluid housed in a second chamber to brake the movement of said sliding body in the closing direction and fluid dynamic communication means between said chambers to permit the controlled transfer of the braking fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber during the movement of the sliding body in the closing direction. The fluid dynamic communication means comprise a passage duct with an enlarged part and a cartridge with external grooves of variable length inserted in said enlarged part.
US08991750B2	Modular miniature unmanned aircraft with vectored thrust control An aircraft for unmanned aviation is described. The aircraft includes an airframe, a pair of fins attached to a rear portion of the airframe, a pair of dihedral braces attached to a bottom portion of the airframe, a first thrust vectoring module and a second thrust vectoring module, and an electronics module. The electronics module provides commands to the two thrust vectoring modules. The two thrust vectoring modules are configured to provide lateral and longitudinal control to the aircraft by directly controlling a thrust vector for each of the pitch, the roll, and the yaw of the aircraft. The use of directly articulated electrical motors as thrust vectoring modules enables the aircraft to execute tight-radius turns over a wide range of airspeeds.
US08991747B2	Aircraft stabilization systems and methods of modifying an aircraft with the same A method of modifying a helicopter includes providing a tail boom of the helicopter and modifying a surface profile of the tail boom on at least a first side of the tail boom to improve flow attachment of air flowing over the first side of the modified tail boom during operation of the helicopter. The first side of the tail boom is located on an opposite side of the tail boom from a second side of the tail boom towards which a main rotor blade of the helicopter approaches during rotation.
US08991738B2	Web winding apparatus The web winding apparatus is characterized in that the two web pressing members are formed such that upon swinging, the two web pressing members move towards an empty one of the two bobbins positioned at one side of the two web pressing members which has been backed away from the cutter and upon swinging, the one of the two web pressing members which has approached the cutter presses an end portion of the web which is to be cut by the cutter on the empty bobbin thereby to wind the end portion of the web on the empty bobbin.
US08991736B2	Cable tensioning cycling system A cable testing system including a first storage reel for paying out a cable, a first moveable sheave and a second moveable sheave to receive the cable in series from the first storage reel, wherein rotation of the first moveable sheave and the second moveable sheave is controlled by a first drive, a third moveable sheave and a fourth moveable sheave to receive the cable in series from the second moveable sheave, a first clutch and a second clutch operably coupled between at least two of the first moveable sheave, the second moveable sheave, the third moveable sheave, and the fourth moveable sheave, a moveable tensioning sheave coupled to a power source, the moveable tensioning sheave positioned to receive a portion of the cable between the second moveable sheave and the third moveable sheave, and a second storage reel to receive the cable from the fourth moveable sheave.
US08991731B2	Low shear swivel fitting A swivel fitting used to connect to various components in a fluid handling system is provided. The swivel fitting incorporates an annular chamfer surface to reduce the affect that the fitting has on the flow properties of the fluid when the fluid is caused to flow through the fitting. The use of the swivel fitting in a paint supply line is also described.
US08991719B2	Low pressure drop thermal by-pass valve A thermal by-pass valve for a heat exchange circuit includes a housing forming a chamber and a by-pass valve port surrounded by a valve seat. The valve port is located between first and second sections of the chamber. First and second oil ports open into the first section. At least a third port opens into the second section. A thermally sensitive actuator is mounted in the first section and has a body and a piston located at one end. The body is movable in the chamber in response to extension of the piston. A valve member is operably mounted on the body and is movable by extension of the piston. A spacer projects from and is connected to the body and forms a passage through which the piston extends. The spacer acts to maintain the adjacent end of the actuator body at least the length of the passage away from an end of the chamber. The spacer can have a valve portion to close a further valve port.
US08991716B2	Antenna and wireless tag A notch antenna (1) in accordance with the present invention includes: a conductor plate (11) divided into an inner region (11a) and an outer region (11b) by a notch (12); and a shortening capacitor (14) that bridges the inner region (11a) and the outer region (11b). This makes it possible to reduce the total length of the notch (12) to less than λ/4 where λ is a resonant wavelength of the notch antenna (1).
US08991709B2	Tamper-proof RFID label Described are RFID structures and methods for forming RFID structures. An RFID structure includes an antenna substrate and a loop antenna assembly positioned on the antenna substrate. The loop antenna assembly includes at least two contact pads and a plurality of antenna loop windings having an average spacing between adjacent antenna loop windings of the plurality of loop windings. The plurality of antenna loop windings define one or more gap regions that separate adjacent or adjoining antenna segments of the plurality of antenna loop windings by at least twice the average spacing.
US08991708B2	Method and system for interaction between paper media and reader The embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a system for interaction between a paper media and a reader. A 2D barcode scanning means (1) scans an image of a 2D barcode in the paper media; a 2D barcode identification means (2) identifies a data structure of the image of the 2D barcode and displays items to be fed back by the reader on a terminal; an identification feedback means (3) transmits the feedback from the reader to a feedback response means (4); and the feedback response means (4), after receiving the feedback from the reader, displays the feedback and responds to it by the paper media. According to the embodiments of the present invention, it is able to relieve an increasing impact of a new media such as Internet, mobile Internet and tablet PC on the paper media, and to inspire the reader to interact with the paper media, thereby to provide convenient and efficient interaction and communication between the paper media and the reader and to enhance intimacy therebetween.
US08991695B2	Methods and apparatus for use in docking In accordance with some embodiments, apparatus comprises a body defining: a first seat to receive a first device having a wireless communication interface; and a second seat to receive a second device having a wireless communication interface; a first wireless communication interface supported by the body to communicate with the wireless communication interface of the first device; and a second wireless communication interface supported by the body to communicate with the wireless communication interface of the second device. In accordance with some embodiments, apparatus comprises a body comprising a flexible pad; a first communication interface supported by the flexible pad, the first communication interface comprising a first wireless communication interface to communicate with a wireless communication interface of a first device; a second communication interface supported by the flexible pad; and a controller supported by the flexible pad to couple the first wireless communication interface to the second communication interface. In accordance with some embodiments, a method comprises: receiving a first device having a wireless communication interface on a body of a dock; receiving a second device having a wireless communication interface on a body of a dock; communicating with the wireless communication interface of the first device using a first wireless communication interface supported by the body of the dock; and communicating with the wireless communication interface of the second device using a second wireless communication interface supported by the body of the dock.
US08991691B2	System and method for interactive mobile gaming Disclosed is a method and apparatus for providing information to a camera associated with a computing device. The apparatus includes a base portion having a bottomside. The base portion further has an interior region disposed therein, that provides an illuminable surface. Further, a machine-readable code is included that is supported by the surface, and a lens is disposed between the code and the bottomside. The base is configured to seat the lens over the camera associated with the computing device in a first orientation and a second orientation. Further, the machine-readable code presents, for reading by the computing device, first information in response to the lens being seated over the camera in the first orientation and second information in response to the lens being seated over the camera in the second orientation, respectively.
US08991684B2	Collapsible bulk bin and methods for constructing the same A container configured to be selectively moved between a substantially flat position and a deployed position is provided. The container includes a first blank of sheet material for forming side walls of the container, and a second blank of sheet material for forming a bottom wall of the container. The first blank having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The first blank includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, a fourth side panel, a fifth side panel, and a sixth side panel wherein each of the side panels are coupled across a fold line. The first blank also includes end flaps extending from the bottom edge of each of the side panels wherein at least two of the end flaps includes a tab joint. The second blank having a plurality of side edges equal to a number of side panels of the first blank, each side edge having a width substantially equal to a width of the side panels of the first blank. The second blank is foldable and is coupled to at least one end flap of the first blank for forming a bottom wall of the container.
US08991679B2	Solder piece, chip solder and method of fabricating solder piece A solder piece that has a rectangular parallelepiped shape formed by a punching process. Any one of the four surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped other than the surface on which the shear droop portion generated by the punching process is formed and a surface opposite to the surface on which the shear droop portion is formed is sucked surface.
US08991677B2	Detachable motor powered surgical instrument A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.
US08991673B2	Substrate cutting device and method An automatic cutting device is described for cutting an assembly. The assembly includes a material having a weakened zone therein that defines a useful layer and being attached to a source substrate. The cutting device includes a cutting mechanism and a holding and positioning mechanism operatively associated with the cutting mechanism. The holding and positioning mechanism positions the material so that the cutting mechanism detaches the layer from the source substrate along the weakened zone. The cutting device also includes a control mechanism for adjusting at least two different portions of the assembly during detachment of the layer to facilitate a more precise detachment.
US08991666B2	Multipurpose clothes hanger A multipurpose clothes hanger having a frame assembly with a neck and shoulder area. Extending from the neck and shoulder area are first and second lateral sides. The frame assembly further has a bottom side that connects the first and second lateral sides. A hook assembly has first and second bases. Extending from the first and second bases are first and second hooks respectively. The first and second hooks each have at least one cutout. Each at least one cutout has first and second channels extending therefrom. The hook assembly further has a roller assembly and the hook assembly mounts onto the neck area. The roller assembly has a roller, and extending from the roller are first and second pins that extend from the roller in opposite directions. Each at least one cutout receives the roller, and the first and second channels receive the first and second pins respectively.
US08991665B2	Garment holding and shape saving apparatus An apparatus used to store and/or display garments, such as brassieres, is provided. The device includes a first semispherical cup, a second semispherical cup, and a connecting member. The connecting member is used to interconnect the first and second cups. The connecting member allows for the spacing between the first and second cups to be adjusted. Also provided are methods of using the apparatus to store and/or display garments.
US08991659B2	Compartmentalized laundry caddy for dispensing dosed volumes A laundry caddy device is disclosed that provides a precise way of measuring an amount of laundry solvent, and offers several inter-lockable containers that form one easy to carry bottle. Typically, there are four containers which are inter-locked together to form the single component. The device comprises at least one container, a base component, and a dispensing component. The container further comprises an interior cavity for retaining an amount of laundry solvent. The base component is removably secured to the bottom end and the dispensing component is removably secured to the top end. The lid and handle are removably secured to the top end, over the dispensing component. Additionally, at least one of the containers comprises a measuring cup for a dispensing component. Further, at least one of the containers comprises a pour spout, a retaining cup, and a vacuum tube for dispensing the contents of the container.
US08991654B2	Tension strap based aerosol delivery system A method of spraying a posterior portion of a human person includes disposing an aerosol container in an aerosol container receiving bay of a strap-based aerosol delivery assembly. The aerosol container has product therein and a dispensing button. The aerosol delivery assembly includes: the aerosol container receiving bay having a fixed length perimeter; left and right grip sections disposed on opposing lateral sides of the aerosol container receiving bay. The method includes disposing the aerosol delivery assembly such that the aerosol container receiving bay is disposed posteriorly relative to the person, and while so positioned, dispensing product from the aerosol container toward the person's posterior by pulling the left and right grip sections away from each other, so that a vertical height of the aerosol container receiving bay is decreased to thereby depress the dispensing button of the aerosol container. Related assemblies are also disclosed.
US08991652B2	Water cooler apparatus A fluid dispensing assembly for providing a configurable fluid temperature. The assembly including: an adjustment interface; a mixing valve having a plurality of fluid ingress apertures and at least one fluid egress aperture; the mixing valve being adjustable to dispense fluid at a configurable temperature; and a dispenser element, in fluid communication with the at least on egress aperture of the mixing valve and adapted to selectively dispense water there from.
US08991650B2	Stopper member and a dispenser including such a member A stopper for being sealed between two sheets of a reservoir, including a body defining a front face, rear face, internal edge, and external edge. The body forms a dispenser orifice that passes through from the rear face to the front face, the front and rear faces defining front and rear heat-sealing zones for the sheets. The front face defines a fluid collection zone at the orifice and the rear face defines a fluid delivery channel that extends from the dispenser orifice to the internal edge of the body. A closure lid is provided, the lid connected to the base body via a hinge. The body defines tapering side edges where the front and rear heat-sealing zones are contiguous, and the front and rear faces are convex, to define a maximum thickness where the dispenser orifice, the delivery channel, and a fraction of the collection zone are formed.
US08991642B2	Wheel lift container A cargo container includes a body comprising or including a flat bottom or a bottom substantially flat at regions corresponding to the distances at which vehicle tires are spaced on an axle of a typical vehicle to be towed, whereon a plurality of surfaces which extend out of the body bottom or flat regions are disposed to engage and be retained by the tow truck wheel lift assembly draw bar and the extension (when deployed) and permit the cargo container to be lifted, moved or otherwise retained by the tow truck.
US08991641B2	Pressure vessel and method of manufacturing the same A toroidal pressure vessel having extremely high pressure resistance has laminated latitudinal reinforcing fiber layers to improve a strength in a latitudinal direction of the pressure vessel. Moreover, putting reinforcing fibers constituting those laminated latitudinal reinforcing fiber layers in continuity enables further improvement of strength in the latitudinal direction of the pressure vessel, for example compared with a case where the reinforcing fibers are divided for each layer.
US08991630B2	Combination structure of frame member and viewing cover for food container cover The invention relates to a combination structure of a viewing cover and a frame member for a food container cover. The combination structure includes: a viewing cover having a combining slot, which has a uniform depth and extends along a periphery of a surface of a viewing cover body, and an engaging flange extending outward at a position above the combining slot; and a frame member including a plurality of locking wings connected to a frame member body via a living hinge, a wall portion extending upward from the living hinge by a predetermined height, and an engaging hook provided on an inner surface of the wall portion. The engaging flange is engaged with an upper portion of the engaging hook.
US08991629B2	Capless filler neck The invention relates to a capless filler neck having an upper closure flap 2 and a lower closure flap 3, which are arranged in a pipe section 1. The two closure flaps 2, 3 must be able to seal independently of one another. In known capless filler necks, this has the effect that, when the filler pipe 4 of a fuel nozzle is still partially inserted, the lower closure flap 3 is already closed, whereas the user still has the impression that tank filling can be carried out. As a result, fuel collects between the two closure flaps 2, 3. The invention prevents this in that the lower closure flap 3 is opened or held open by the upper closure flap 2 or by an actuating element even when the filler pipe 4 is no longer in contact with the lower closure flap 2.
US08991627B2	Teat unit for feeding bottles A teat unit for a feeding bottle has a teat and an adjustment mechanism. The teat can be changed, in terms of its shape or stiffness, by the adjustment mechanism. In this way, one and the same teat can be used with different outward forms. The teat can be adapted to the needs of the baby before or during feeding.
US08991623B2	High density panel with rotating tray The present invention relates to a telecommunications termination panel with a tray pivotably mounted within the front opening of a housing. The tray pivots about a hinge located adjacent one of the sides of the housing and includes a raised floor. The raised floor of the tray cooperates with the side adjacent the hinge and a bottom of the housing to define a cable path from a rear cable access port to an opening on the tray adjacent the hinge. The tray includes a plurality of connection locations and cable management structures to direct a telecommunications cable from the cable access port to a rear of the connection locations without violating bend radius rules. The tray may also include a temporary cable holder to assist in pulling cables through the rear opening into the housing. The present invention further relates to a telecommunications equipment rack with a termination panel with such a pivoting tray mounted to the rack.
US08991622B2	Separating device and method with a return flow of heavy fraction The invention relates to a device for separating a heavy fraction from a fluid, comprising: a main channel; swirl means in the main channel; collecting means adjoining the main channel for collecting the discharge heavy fraction; a concentric additional supply conduit with an outlet and extending into the cylindrical housing; a return channel connecting the collecting means with the additional supply conduit, and deflection means wherein the outlet is encircling the circumference of the additional supply conduit. The invention also relates to a method for separating a heavy fraction from a fluid using such a device.
US08991621B2	Energy diffusing wear ring and methods thereof An energy diffusion sealing ring [872] for use with a hydrocyclone or pump is provided. The energy diffusion sealing ring [872] comprises a sacrificial suspension matrix [872A] comprised of a polymer, elastomer, or combination thereof, and a number of packed inserts [872B] suspended in the matrix [872]. The matrix [872] serves as delivery means for the inserts [872B] into one or more recessed portions [833, 841]. The inserts [872B] comprise a hard material (e.g., ceramic or carbide) and form wear bodies which slow and dissipate kinetic energy of escaping slurry by way of creating paths of resistance. As the suspension matrix [872A] erodes over time, a plurality of interstices [872C] between the inserts [872B] are formed. Escaping slurry [852] slows as it traverses three-dimensional serpentine paths defined by said interstices [872C], thereby reducing its potential to wear surrounding components. Methods for manufacturing an energy diffusion sealing ring [872] and for dissipating the energy of slurry [850] are also disclosed.
US08991617B2	Feed trough for a processing apparatus A feed trough for a grader or other solid object processing system. The feed trough includes a plurality of feed channels, each having at least one flexible flap extending from a discharge end for transitioning a product from the feed channel to a processing region. Two converging flexible flaps may extend from the discharge end and contact a processing channel for guiding product to the processing channel.
US08991613B2	Screen panel with improved apertures A screen panel with improved apertures for mining and quarrying industries adapted to be mounted on a screen deck, including a screening surface made up of materials such as herein described formed on a reinforcing frame, said screen panel having suitably designed apertures for allowing materials to pass through, said apertures having resilient ribs (5) with protrusions (4) on both sides configured with respect to each other such that adequate open space exists, whereby clogging of materials pursuant to screening operations are substantially reduced.
US08991611B2	Separating a powder mixture A method of separating a powder mixture is disclosed. A first magnetic field is applied to the powder mixture which may contains a non-magnetic metal powder and a contaminant powder. A field strength of the first magnetic field magnetizes the non-magnetic metal powder and leaves the contaminant powder non-magnetized. A second magnetic field is applied to the powder mixture to separate the magnetized metal powder from the non-magnetized contaminant powder.
US08991610B2	Individually packaged product comprising first individual package, second individual package and attached part An individually packaged product is provided with a first individual package, a second individual package and an attaching part. The first individual package includes an absorbent article and a packaging sheet that packages the absorbent article. The second individual package includes a wipe and a packaging that protects the wipe. The attaching part attaches the second individual package to the first individual package such that the attaching strength of the attaching part for the second individual package is greater than the attaching strength of the attaching part for the first individual package, and at least a portion of the attaching part remains on the second individual package side after the second individual package has been removed from the first individual package. At least a portion of the attaching part has adhesiveness after the second individual package has been removed from the first individual package.
US08991606B2	Pharmacutical product blister pack lockable within secondary packaging A pharmaceutical product supply in the form of a container (e.g., secondary packaging) and a pharmaceutical product receiver (e.g., primary packaging) is disclosed. The pharmaceutical product receiver may include a plurality of pockets or receptacles, and may be disposed within the container. Pharmaceutical product may be enclosed within one or more of these receptacles. The pharmaceutical product receiver may be locked to at least some degree within the container to facilitate disposal of the pharmaceutical product supply, for instance at a time when some of the pharmaceutical product may have been removed from the pharmaceutical product receiver but prior to utilizing all of the pharmaceutical product originally provided with the pharmaceutical product receiver.
US08991604B2	Egg package An egg package formed of a fibrous material includes a bottom part which has egg receiving compartments which at least partially match the outer contours of an egg. A cover part has a top surface, a front surface, a back surface and two end surfaces. The Front side has a generally horizontal upper edge with restraint projections extending forwardly and downwardly from the upper edge for locking engagement with cooperating apertures in the front surface of the cover part. The front surface of the cover adjacent to the bottom part has apertures. The cover part has a plurality of longitudinal recesses extending between the top surface and the front surface of the cover part through each recess and extends from the top surface down beyond the middle of the front surface.
US08991602B2	Module used for stacking thin plate panels The present invention provides a module used for stacking thin panels that allows for stacking of a plurality of thin panels in the vertical direction efficiently and stably. The module includes a sandwiching support portion, a load transmitting portion, and a positioning portion. The sandwiching support portion sandwiches and supports the thin panel. The load transmitting portion is coupled with the sandwiching support portion, and transmits the weight of the thin panel in the vertical direction. The positioning portion relatively positions thin panels, which are stacked in the vertical direction, in the horizontal direction. The sandwiching support portion includes a lower plate-shaped body and a vertical wall. The lower plate-shaped body is disposed on a lower portion of the module. The vertical wall extends upward from an outer edge of the lower plate-shaped body to form an approximately C-shaped cross-sectional surface in conjunction with the lower plate-shaped body. The load transmitting portion includes a load transmitting surface, which is formed outward from an outer surface of the vertical wall. The positioning portion includes an inner lock portion on an inner edge of the lower plate-shaped body and an outer lock portion on the outer edge of the lower plate-shaped body. The inner lock portion is contactable with an inner edge of an upper portion of the module. The outer lock portion is contactable with an outer edge of the upper portion of the module.
US08991600B1	Tubular portable container for transporting perishable items A portable container for transporting and storing a plurality of perishable items including food and beverage items, having a heat-resistant outer tubular member with double-layered insulation in an adjacent inner tubular member to accommodate a plurality of perishable items and to sustain the prescribed temperature of such food and beverage items and to promote longevity thereof. The portable container optionally includes a plurality of external compartments and has removable endcaps enclosing both ends thereof. Each endcap is conveniently removed from a tubular end and then used as a cup for drinking a plurality of beverage items or used as a dish for eating a plurality of food items.
US08991599B2	Pop-up tool carrier A device for holding and carrying various items, e.g., hand tools or other small items, is disclosed. It includes a lower tray, an upper tray, a pair of foldable strut assemblies and a handle. Each strut assembly includes a pair of leg sections pivotably connected together. The strut assemblies are located at diagonally located corners of the trays with their leg sections arranged to be pivoted to an open position, whereupon the upper tray is spaced above said lower tray to provide ready access to any items in said lower tray. Torsion springs are provided to hold the tray in that position.
US08991594B2	Conveyor belt wear detection apparatus A rubber magnet (3) includes a plate-like diagonal portion (21) and a plate-like parallel portion (22) which are both magnetized in a thickness direction, the diagonal portion (21) extending in a conveyor belt width direction while linearly extending, in section in a conveyor belt length direction, from an outer side end (3b), which is closer to the front-side surface (2a), to an inner side end (3a), which is away from the front-side surface (2a), while being at an angle to the front-side surface (2a), the parallel portion (22) being formed continuously from the inner side end (3a) of the diagonal portion, so as to be arranged parallel to the front-side surface (2a).
US08991591B2	Separator system and method for separating groups of product for separate processing A separator system includes a conveyance assembly and one or more blocking components. The conveyance assembly moves a leading group of product and a trailing group of product along a feed direction toward a packaging system to separately package the leading group of product into a first container and the trailing group of product into a second container. The one or more blocking components are disposed upstream of the packaging system along the feed direction. The one or more blocking components stop movement of the trailing group of product upstream of the packaging system along the feed direction while allowing the leading group of product to move toward the packaging system.
US08991585B2	Rail car unloading device A rail car unloading device is provided comprising a base, a hopper, and a support member. The base comprises a support plate. The support member is rotatably mounted to the base support plate. The hopper is mounted to the support member and the support member is rotatable with respect to the base between a first position where the hopper is placed beneath a rail car in an unloading position and a second position where the hopper is positioned in substantially parallel alignment with rail tracks such that a rail car may pass by the device.
US08991583B2	Spring pack for a transmission A spring pack for a transmission includes first rotatable piston and a second rotatable piston. The first rotatable piston includes a first retainer plate, and the second rotatable piston includes a second retainer plate. The spring pack further includes a tabbed retainer plate that is stationary with respect to the first piston and the second piston and also includes a set of biasing members with a first subset of biasing members and a second subset of biasing members. The first subset of biasing members is disposed between the first retainer plate and the tabbed retainer plate, and the second subset of biasing members is disposed between the second retainer plate and the tabbed retainer plate. As the first and second pistons are activated, they stroke independently of each other as each retainer plate compresses its respective subset of biasing members against the tabbed retainer plate.
US08991581B2	Highly reactive fluid fan coupling device Provided is a highly reactive fluid fan coupling device utilizing the non-Newtonian fluid characteristics of oil, thereby obtaining an excellent reaction rate of fan rotation using a control signal. In the fan coupling device, where the interior of a sealed housing supported on a rotary shaft with a drive disk secured thereto is partitioned in an oil reservoir chamber and a torque transmission chamber placing the drive disk thereinto by a partition plate; drive torque is transmitted to a driven side by oil supplied to the torque transmission chamber; and opening and closing of a flow path of oil is controlled by a valve member actuated by an electromagnet, wherein a mechanism to scrape out the oil in the oil reservoir chamber utilizing the non-Newtonian fluid characteristics of oil is provided on the drive disk so as to be opposed to an oil supply adjusting hole of the partition plate.
US08991580B2	Clutch A clutch is provided with a clutch weight assembly (10), a main driving assembly (20), a plurality of co-rotating elements (30), and a base plate (40). The main driving assembly (20) will be rotated when the power source is activated, and the co-rotating elements (30) are driven synchronously to rotate and then the clutch weight assembly (10) will be driven to rotate synchronously by the co-rotating elements (30). When the speed of the rotation is high enough and the centrifugal force of clutch weight (13) is strong enough to overcome the inward bending strength of the flexible component (14) of the clutch weight assembly (10), then the clutch weight (13) will fly outward to grab the driven part (60) to proceed the slippery engagement.
US08991574B2	Apparatus for reducing vibrations in a vehicle An apparatus is provided for reducing vibrations in a frame of a vehicle. The apparatus may include a housing component and a mass damper coupled to the housing component by a first elastic member and a second elastic member. The mass damper is configured to oscillate in a substantially vertical direction and out of phase with the frame of the vehicle. Disposed within the mass damper is a plurality of steel shots capable of movement in a relatively delayed phase with respect to the mass damper.
US08991561B2	Elevator braking equipment An elevator brake can comprise a brake shoe with a substantially curved shape, the brake shoe being rotatable in a brake shoe support. The brake shoe support is mounted in a brake housing and can be linearly displaced between a readiness setting and an engagement setting. The brake can be actuated by an actuator. The actuator can comprise a brake store for acting on the brake through a connecting point to bring the brake into its engaged setting. A force store in the actuator can be held electromagnetically, and a resetting device enables resetting of the force store and of the actuator into the operating position.
US08991559B2	Oil supplying assembly for transmission of vehicle An oil supplying assembly for a transmission of a vehicle, which may supply oil to a clutch and a pulley of a transmission, may include a base member which is mounted to a transmission main body, and includes a first oil path supplying the oil to the clutch and an oil supply column which is integrally formed to the base member and of which a second oil path for supplying the oil to the pulley is formed thereto.
US08991555B2	Tree stand Tree stands are disclosed for providing an elevated standing location. The tree stand can include a support post, a seat rotatably coupled to the first end of the support post, and a platform rotatably coupled to the second end of the support post. The platform can rotate from a transport configuration to an operable configuration. The platform in the operable configuration is approximately perpendicular to the support post. The platform has a tree contact point positioned above a plane of the platform when the platform is in the horizontal position. The platform can comprise a plurality of hexagons with groups of three hexagons intersecting at a point and forming a honeycomb pattern defining a top standing surface on which a hunter can stand. The contact point is configured to create an over-center locking action. The tree stand can also include a stackable ladder coupled to the platform.
US08991554B2	Mechanic's leaning device A mechanic's leaning device includes a base, an upper torso support having an adjustable first height above the base, and a combination step and knee support having an adjustable second height above the base which is less than and adjustable relative to the first height. The mechanic's leaning device can be used by mechanics of all sizes for working on a wide variety of vehicles, ranging from very small to very large.
US08991549B2	Three-dimensional air-adsorbing structure A three-dimensional air-adsorbing structure for use in a volume in which there is a time-varying acoustic field. The structure has a three-dimensional, unitary, skeletal, porous scaffold having scaffold openings distributed within its volume, where the scaffold openings make up at least about 50% of the volume of the scaffold, air-adsorbing material particles, and a hydrophobic binder that couples air-adsorbing material particles to each other to form agglomerates and couples particles and agglomerates to the scaffold. The structure has structure openings in the agglomerates and structure openings between agglomerates, such structure openings being open to the outside environment, wherein the cumulative volume of the structure openings that have an apparent diameter larger than about 0.01 microns as measured by mercury porosimetry is at least about 40% of the volume of the air-adsorbing structure, and the cumulative volume of the structure openings that have an apparent diameter larger than about 5 microns as measured by mercury porosimetry is at least about 15% of the volume of the air-adsorbing structure.
US08991540B2	Directional control system for hovercraft A hovercraft including a directional control system is disclosed. The directional control system includes at least one airflow control assembly configured to generate and direct at least one airflow. The at least one airflow generated and directed by the airflow control assembly results in component forces that are used to move and control the hovercraft in lateral, forward and reverse directions, or any degree of direction between the lateral, forward and reverse directions. The configuration of the at least one airflow control assembly enables precise control over movement of the hovercraft.
US08991535B2	Modular, customizable and scalable mechanical design for the electric car assembly based on the existing vehicle chassis Described is an electric vehicle conversion system and method comprising one or more battery packs disposed within one or more battery pack enclosures, a frontal mounting subframe assembly and an electric motor mounting frame assembly. In one implementation, the vehicle conversion system incorporates six battery pack enclosures. The described components and assemblies are designed to simplify building an electric car on the basis of an existing vehicle chassis. The frontal mounting subframe assembly is designed to be securely attached to the vehicle frame using at least four bolts and is designed to securely hold two battery pack enclosures disposed under the front hood of the vehicle. The electric motor mounting frame assembly is designed to mechanically mate with the existing engine mounting points of the original vehicle and is attached to said points with at least two bolts.
US08991528B2	Articulated tracked vehicle The invention relates to an articulated tracked vehicle comprising a first vehicle unit and a second vehicle unit controllably connected by means of a control member, wherein the first vehicle unit comprises a combustion engine, wherein the combustion engine is arranged to drive a generator for electrical generation, wherein the generator is arranged to transfer power via power electronic means to at least one electric motor of at least one electric propulsion unit.
US08991523B2	Rolling cutter assembled directly to the bit pockets A drill bit includes a bit body, a plurality of blades extending radially from the bit body, a plurality of cutter pockets disposed on the plurality of blades, at least one rolling cutter disposed in one of the cutter pockets, wherein each rolling cutter has a substrate, a cutting face, a cutting edge, and a side surface, and at least one blocker positioned adjacent to each of the at least one rolling cutters on a leading face of the blade, wherein each blocker has a retention end and an attachment end. The retention end of each blocker is positioned adjacent to a portion of the cutting face of each rolling cutter to retain the rolling cutter in the cutter pocket and the attachment end is attached to a portion of the blade.
US08991508B2	Pack off device with cable feedthrough A pack-off device, including a body having a first feedthrough and a second feedthrough formed therein. A projection extends from the body and is operatively arranged to engage a restriction of an adjacent structure. At least one seal element is arranged with the body for sealing the device against the adjacent structure when the projection is engaged with the restriction. A method of arranging and operating a completion system is also included.
US08991500B2	Fracturing operations employing chlorine dioxide A method includes introducing a treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid including a polymer gel having a water-soluble polymer, a proppant, and a polymer gel-preserving amount of chlorine dioxide, the placing step includes applying the treatment fluid at a sufficient pressure and at a sufficient rate to fracture the subterranean formation.
US08991495B2	Methods for protecting a hydrocarbon-producing zone of a subterranean formation using a relative permeability modifier A relative permeability modifier may be used to protect a hydrocarbon-producing zone of a subterranean formation without detrimentally affecting its ability to produce hydrocarbons. Methods for protecting a hydrocarbon-producing zone of a subterranean formation can comprise: introducing a first treatment fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier to a hydrocarbon-producing zone of a subterranean formation also comprising a water-producing zone; concurrently with or after introducing the first treatment fluid to the hydrocarbon-producing zone, introducing a second treatment fluid comprising a sealant composition to the water-producing zone; and allowing the relative permeability modifier to substantially prevent the sealant composition from entering the hydrocarbon-producing zone.
US08991494B2	Hydraulic fracturing proppants A method is given for treating a wellbore in a subterranean formation by hydraulic fracturing, slickwater fracturing, gravel packing, and the like, by using plate-like materials as some or all of the proppant or gravel. The plate-like materials are particularly useful in complex fracture systems, for example in shales. They may be used as from about 20 to about 100% of the proppant. Relative to conventional proppants, plate-like proppants demonstrate (a) enhanced crush resistance of the proppant due to better stress distribution among proppant particles, (b) diminished proppant embedment into formation fracture faces due to the greater contact surface area of proppant particles with the formation, (c) better proppant transport due to lower proppant settling rates, (d) deeper penetration into branched and fine fracture networks, and (e) enhanced proppant flowback control. Preferred plate-like proppants are layered rocks and minerals; most preferred is mica.
US08991485B2	Non-metallic slip assembly and related methods A slip assembly adapted to be used with a downhole tool which comprises metal slip inserts attached to a slip carrier made of a non-metallic material, such as composite material. As such, the non-metallic slip carrier can eliminate 60-70% or more of the metal used in conventional slip assemblies. Through use of the disclosed slip assembly, downhole tools may be set, while also reducing the metallic material used therein and, thus, greatly reducing the drill out time.
US08991454B2	Anti slip device for a wheel and a method for mounting the anti slip device The present invention relates to an anti slip device (10) for a wheel (40) having a first side (40a), a second side (40b) and a tread (41). A securing arrangement (100) is used to secure the anti slip device (10) to the wheel (40). The securing arrangement (100) of the anti slip device (10) comprises a tensioning member (110) adapted to be foot operated by a user between a first position, in which the anti slip device (10) can be removed from the wheel (40), and a second position, in which the anti slip device (10) is substantially secured to the wheel (40). The present invention also relates to a method for operating the anti slip device (10).
US08991448B2	Universal covering system A covering system includes a tarp made of an elastic membrane and a plurality of tarp fastening hooks. The fastening hooks allow the elastic membrane to be stretched over valuables and affixed to environmental anchors so that creases and puddle-enabling pockets in the membrane are eliminated. The fastening hooks clamp onto the elastic membrane and hook onto the environmental anchors to cause tension in the membrane. The clamping forces of the tarp fasteners are inherently increased in proportion to the tension in the clamped membrane.
US08991446B2	Pump assisted refilling system for LPG fuel tanks A pump assisted refilling system for LPG and other fuels wherein the fuel storage pressure is at, or close to, the vapor pressure of the fuel. A fuel pump is selectively activated to assist fuel delivery from the refilling fitting to the tank interior responsive to a determined fuel pressure condition of the fuel so that rapid refilling is always assured.
US08991444B2	Device for fueling launcher thrusters A fueling device for fueling the thrusters of a launcher is disclosed. The device includes a ground module and an on-board module. The ground module having at least: a ground pipe; a ground valve; and a ground plate provided with a ground passage, and the on-board module having at least: an on-board pipe; an on-board valve; and an onboard plate provided with an on-board passage. The device also includes a hydraulic coupling system between the onboard module and the ground module enabling fluid communication to be established between the ground passage and the on-board passage. A first annular enclosure is situated between the on-board plate and the ground plate around the hydraulic coupling system that, when connected to suction, enables the on-board plate and the ground plate to be held in a connected-together position.
US08991436B2	System and method for covering an opening of a fluid conduit connector In some embodiments, a cover device may include a body, a pad, and a grip. The body may include a first opening and at least two arms. The first opening may be in a first end of the body. At least one arm may include a first end and a second end. A first end may be coupled to a wall of the body forming the first opening. At least one arm may extend away from the body further defining and extending the first opening in the body. The pad may be positioned in the first opening in the first end of the body. The pad may absorb, during use, fluids. The body may couple, during use, to a first end of a conduit connector such that the first end is positioned in the first opening such that the first end of the conduit connector is inhibited from contact.
US08991430B2	Medical valve A medical valve having a valve inside housing and a valve core. The valve core is installed within the housing. The housing is preferably an integrally-formed hollow cylindrical structure. An annular protrusion may be arranged on the outer surface of the housing and a seal ring may be arranged in the center of the inner wall of the housing. The valve core can be made of an elastic material as an integrally-formed cylindrical structure. A lock ring matched with the seal ring of the housing may be arranged on the outer surface of the valve core, and the lock ring can be integrally formed with the valve core. The medical valve inside disclosed by the invention is widely applied to the medical fields such as cushion mask, trachea cannula and laryngeal mask, No metal member is preferably employed, so with magnetic resonance imaging examination without causing interference.
US08991421B2	Fuel tank for a motor vehicle A fuel tank for a motor vehicle is provided with a filler neck, which is connected to a filling element arranged inside the tank. The filling element contains a flexible hose, which extends right to the base of the tank and which at the free end has an axial outlet orifice directed towards the base of the tank.
US08991419B2	Venturi valve pressure compensator apparatus and method A venturi valve pressure compensator apparatus and method include a venturi valve with an inlet and an outlet and with a small diameter opening at the inlet and a large diameter opening at the outlet and with an air intake opening. An insert, with a front and a back, is provided such that the front of the insert faces the small diameter opening of the venturi valve. At least one hole is provided in the insert that extends through the insert from front to back. A pressure seal is located at the back of the insert, the pressure seal conformed to seal leaks around the insert and force fluid to flow through the at least one hole.
US08991411B1	Screen tent apparatus for beach chair A screen tent apparatus for beach chair that includes a netting apparatus disposed to overlie a pair of bowed frame members, said bowed frame members attachable to each of a first bar and a second bar releasably securable to the respective head and foot of an extant beach chair, wherein the netting apparatus concavely situates a roof section overlying said beach chair and a pair of side sheets vertically encloses each side of said beach chair, whereby a user is enabled screened comfort in the outdoors and entry of insects to the beach chair and a user seated thereupon is preventable.
US08991407B2	Actuatable cosmetic device In cosmetic equipment, the combination comprising, a support receptacle containing a chamber, a cosmetic device at least partly concealed in stored position in the chamber, a pusher to controllably displace the device from stored position so that at least a portion of the device protrudes from the chamber and is presented for use, a handle carried by and movable relative to the support receptacle to controllably displace the pusher.
US08991399B2	Sleep apnea prevention mask A sleep apnea prevention sleep-aid mask is described. The sleep-aid mask is configured to secure the lips of a user together in a natural state, in order to encourage the respiratory system of the user to employ the nasal passages rather than the mouth for respiration. A pad equipped with a perforated mesh or channel is positioned over the lips and mouth of the user, and secured in position on the user via an adhesive, which temporarily affixes the pad to the face of the user. The sleep-aid mask is preferably shaped and sized according to the specific size of the user's face, and is configured to limit the effective diameter of the mouth of the user, in order to cause continued use of respiration via the nasal passages.
US08991395B2	Mask system A cushion module provided to a frame module for delivery of a supply of gas at positive pressure to be delivered to a patient's airways, the cushion module comprising a main body and a cushion, the main body defining a breathing chamber and having an exterior surface adapted to directly engage with a surface of the frame module, wherein the main body and the cushion together comprise a co-molded, integrated component, the main body comprising a molded polycarbonate material adapted to directly contact the frame module and the cushion comprises a molded silicone material adapted to interface with patient's face, and wherein the molded polycarbonate material of the main body is a more rigid material than the molded silicone material of the cushion.
US08991392B1	Pressure adjustment method for CPAP machine A positive airway pressure apparatus is automatically adjusting. Pressure increases in response to apnea events when the apparatus is in one or more responsive states. Pressure does not increase in response to apnea events when the apparatus is in a non-responsive state. The apparatus switches between responsive and nonresponsive states depending upon any of a number of different criteria that help differentiate between open airway apnea events and closed airway apnea events.
US08991389B2	Drug solution level sensor for an ultrasonic nebulizer A nebulizer includes a piezoelectric transducer for aerosolizing a drug solution in a disposable cup module disposed above the transducer. Acoustic waves generated by the transducer propagate sequentially through transmitting medium, a first barrier, coupling medium, and a second barrier that forms part of the cup module, and into the interior of the cup module. The transducer at least partially comprises silver. The silver fluidly contacts the transmitting medium to discourage bacteria growth in the transmitting medium. The device includes electronics components that drive the transducer and measure an electrical characteristic associated with the transducer during operation. The electronics components measures changes in the electrical characteristic to determine when the drug solution level falls below a predetermined threshold, and deactivates the device accordingly.
US08991384B2	Rotary barbecue device The present invention relates to a rotary barbecue device, which includes: a casing forming a body thereof and having an exhaust gas housing for collecting exhaust gas and an exhaust gas path connected to the exhaust gas housing to discharge the exhaust gas via an exhaust hole; a ceramic burner mounted at the upper side of the casing to radiate infrared rays towards the inside of the casing; two rotating discs; rotating members mounted to the corresponding rotation couplings of the two rotating discs; a driving unit connected to any one of the rotating discs to rotate one or more of the rotation couplings in the centers and the rotation couplings in the edges; and a moving unit connected to the rotating discs to move the rotating discs.
US08991381B2	Method of cutting workpiece with wire saw, and wire saw The present invention provides a method of cutting a workpiece efficiently with high accuracy by utilizing tension adjusters to approximate tension in a wire in a wire saw to a predetermined target tension while effectively reducing only tension in a winder-side wire. The method comprises a forward-driven cutting step of cutting a workpiece while moving a wire forward, a first switching step of reversing a driving direction of the wire, a backward-driven cutting step of cutting the workpiece while moving the wire backward, and a second switching step of reversing a driving direction of the wire and returning to the forward-driven cutting step, the steps being repeated in this order. In both switching steps, only tension in a winder-side wire is reduced by tension manipulators. A reduction in target wire tension therefor is performed after completion of deceleration of the wire in each switching step.
US08991377B2	Bucket feeder for a ball projecting machine A ball feeder assembly for a ball projecting machine includes a stand, an upper frame, a ball delivery element coupled to the frame, and a ball feeder member coupled to the ball delivery element. The assembly is configured for supporting a cylindrical ball bucket. The frame is movably coupled to the stand between at least a first position in which the frame is configured to support the bucket in a position with a top end at a higher elevation than a bottom end such that the longitudinal axis of the bucket is at angle within 0 and 80 degrees from a vertical plane, and a second position in which the frame is configured to support the bucket in a downward position with the bottom end at a higher elevation than the upper end such that the axis is within 5 to 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane.
US08991373B2	Toy crossbow projectile launcher with extendable body and safety release A toy projectile launcher assembly has the form of a crossbow. The crossbow only launches the safety projectiles that are provided. The launcher body has a handle at a first end and diverging support arms at an opposite second end. An adjustment mechanism is contained within the launcher body for selectively adjusting the length of the launcher body. The crossbow has diverging support arms. Bow arms are attached to the support arms. The bow arms pivot from retracted positions to extended positions when a projectile is loaded into the toy crossbow. The toy crossbow has elastic loops that can only engage specialized safety projectiles with side. Furthermore, the trigger mechanism can only engage the safety projectiles provided with the toy. Projectiles without a specific tab and keyhole cannot be loaded into the toy crossbow.
US08991364B2	Apparatus for improving efficiency and emissions of combustion An apparatus improves the efficiency and emissions of a combustion process by producing sufficient amounts of oxygen and ozone in the air flow to the combustion chamber to enable more complete and cleaner combustion of the fuel. An oxygen generator is used in conjunction with an ozone cell. A plurality of cell elements are disposed within an ozone cell housing that is placed in the air intake to a combustion chamber such as a diesel engine. The plurality of cell elements create an electrical plasma field that produces ozone. Oxygen from the oxygen generator mixes with the ozone in the ozone cell to enhance the effects of the ozone in combustion chamber.
US08991362B2	Diesel fuel engine injection system and method therefor Disclosed is a method of injecting LPG gas into a diesel fuel engine for combustion with diesel fuel therein. One aspect includes injecting LPG gas into an air-stream of an engine air intake or manifold, measuring the percentage of LPG gas injected into the airstream or other efficiency gauge, varying the rate of injection of LPG gas into the airstream in response to the measured percentage of LPG gas therein and injecting the LPG gas at a pre-determined rate so as to maintain an LPG gas concentration in the air intake stream in the range of 0.2% to 0.6% by volume of LPG gas.
US08991357B2	Internal combustion engine There is provided efficient compression auto-ignition combustion over intermediate load range extended towards a low and high load range. An internal combustion engine enables compression auto-ignition combustion by securing a so-called sealed duration created by negative valve overlap. It includes a cylinder head, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder having a top coupled to the cylinder head, a combustion chamber between an inner surface of a cylinder head and a top of the piston, and intake and exhaust valves. Two intake valves are arranged per each combustion chamber and made to differ in valve lift.
US08991350B2	Reset type rocker braking method and device A reset rocker arm braking method and device are provided. A braking piston hole and an oil drain piston hole which are communicated with a braking oil supply passage are arranged inside a rocker arm, and an oil drain passage is arranged between the braking piston hole and the oil drain piston hole. When the rocker arm is driven by a braking cam lobe of a cam, an exhaust valve is opened to realize braking by a braking piston inside the braking piston hole. When the rocker arm is driven by an exhaust cam lobe of the cam, the rocker arm drives an oil drain piston in the oil drain piston hole to open the oil drain passage to discharge oil, and the lift profile of the exhaust valve is reset and reduced to a conventional exhaust valve lift profile without an engine braking.
US08991344B2	Filling of a volume accumulator in a camshaft adjuster A directional valve (30) for controlling a hydraulic oil flow from a pressure port (34) via working chambers of a camshaft adjuster (4) to a tank port (58). The directional valve (30) includes an accumulator port (36) for conducting at least a part of the hydraulic oil flowing out of a working chamber into a volume accumulator (54) before said hydraulic oil flows out into the tank port (58), and the accumulator port (36) is connected via a passage (60) to the pressure port (34).
US08991330B2	Substrate support structure, clamp preparation unit, and lithography system A substrate support structure for clamping a substrate by means of a capillary force created by a liquid clamping layer having a lower pressure than its surroundings. The substrate support structure comprises a surface provided with a plurality of substrate supporting elements for holding the substrate, and the surface further comprises portions with different capillary potential for inducing, during clamping, a predetermined capillary flow within the liquid clamping layer.
US08991328B2	Multi-dipping station A system for coating fruit with a substance utilizing a vat that stores a coating substance which can be applied via a dipping process. A dipping cover having a rim is provided for engaging an upper rim of the vat. A dipping tray carries a plurality of fruit items and includes a plurality of receptacles for carrying the fruit items. The dipping tray has a profile smaller than the interior of the vat allowing the dipping tray to be lowered so that the coating substance contained within the interior of the vat may engage the fruit. The dipping cover is configured for supporting the dipping tray in an elevated position once the fruit has been coated allowing excess coating to be vibrated off the dipped fruit.
US08991323B2	Bladed coal diffuser and coal line balancing device A coal nozzle assembly for a pulverized coal burner includes a diffuser. A flow conditioner also may be used with the assembly. The assembly conditions the coal/air flow before the coal/air flow is introduced to the furnace. The flow conditioner directs the coal into the diffuser where it is swirled to form a fuel rich outer ring disposed about an air rich inner portion before the fuel is delivered to the coal nozzle.
US08991314B2	Roller microcontact printing device and printing method thereof A roller microcontact printing device and a printing method of the device are revealed. The roller microcontact printing device includes a transfer module with a transfer roller and a supply module. The supply module provides an isolating solution and a thin film material to the transfer module to form an isolation layer and a thin film layer in turn on the surface of the transfer roller. Then the thin film is transferred to a substrate by the transfer roller. The microcontact print device and method are used in a roll-to-roll printing process. Thus the production efficiency of the thin film layer on the substrate is improved and the cost is reduced.
US08991311B2	Hand held adhesive tape applicator A printing apparatus is provided that has a roller for dispensing adhesive tape and a printing wheel in association with an ink reservoir, the tape being presented with its adhesive surface presented to the printing wheel for the printing to be applied to the adhesive surface; and hence is reversed so that the adhesive surface with the printing can be applied to a substrate.
US08991303B2	Method for operating a beverage preparation machine A beverage preparation machine is electrically operated and has a control unit, at least one functional unit, and an electric circuit for supplying the functional unit and the control unit with current. The electric circuit has a switch for switching the current on or off, through respective first and second operations of an operating element. The switch has a first switch contact and a second switch contact, which are connected in parallel in the electric circuit. The first switch contact is brought into a closed state by the first operation of the operating element, and assumes an open state after the second operation. The control unit provides a control signal so that the second switch contact is closed after the first operation of the switch and opened after the second operation of the switch.
US08991299B2	Reinforced thermoplastic actuator with wear resistant plastic liner A fluid actuator includes a housing having a fluid chamber providing a first friction surface. An actuating member is arranged in the fluid chamber and has a second friction surface slideably engaging the first friction surface. The actuating member is configured to slide within the chamber between first and second positions. An insert is constructed from a first thermoplastic material and provides one of the first and second friction surfaces. A body structurally supports the insert and provides one of the housing or actuating member. The body is constructed from a second thermoplastic material molded about the insert and including short reinforcing fibers.
US08991294B2	Armor plate and method of producing same An armor plate comprising alternating protection layers of light-weight high-strength fiber and reinforcing layers of high tensile strength oblong bodies, and a method for production of armor plates, the method comprising: arranging alternating protection layers of light-weight high-strength fabric and reinforcing layers of high tensile strength oblong bodies; and fastening the layers of the construction together.
US08991287B2	Surface dimpling on rotating work piece using rotation cutting tool A combined method of machining and applying a surface texture to a work piece and a tool assembly that is capable of machining and applying a surface texture to a work piece are disclosed. The disclosed method includes machining portions of an outer or inner surface of a work piece. The method also includes rotating the work piece in front of a rotating cutting tool and engaging the outer surface of the work piece with the rotating cutting tool to cut dimples in the outer surface of the work piece. The disclosed tool assembly includes a rotating cutting tool coupled to an end of a rotational machining device, such as a lathe. The same tool assembly can be used to both machine the work piece and apply a surface texture to the work piece without unloading the work piece from the tool assembly.
US08991275B2	Two-way push-pull chain and reciprocating actuator A link member includes a first pin hole, a second pin hole, a first engaging portion, and a second engaging portion. The second pin hole is an elongated hole extending in a longitudinal direction of a two-way push-pull chain. The pin is movably inserted into the second pin hole and fixed to the first pin hole. With the pin being movably inserted into the second pin hole, adjacent link members are expandable and contractible relative to each other by a length. The length is greater than a length of a portion where the first engaging portion contacts the second engaging portion in a state where the adjacent link members are contracted relative to each other.
US08991272B2	Detecting device for recovery of release film and recovery apparatus for release film Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a detecting device for recovering of release film and a recovery apparatus for release film. The recovery apparatus comprises clips for gripping release film, the detecting device comprises: a detecting sensor; a mobile module coupled onto one clipping arm of the clip. When the release film is gripped by the clip, the release film shifts the mobile module to a first position where the mobile module portion enters the detection scope of the detecting sensor; when the release film is not gripped by the clip, the mobile module shifts to a second position, where the whole mobile module portion withdraws out of the detection scope of the detecting sensor.
US08991269B2	Inlet sampling method and device An inlet apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a first conduit for sampling, and a second and third conduit for directing flow throughout the inlet apparatus. Flow may be induced in two opposite directions through the second conduit, which affect the flow of gas through the first conduit for sampling. The various conduits of the apparatus may be connected to a device for inducing flow in different directions. The duration of the flow in a particular direction affects the amount of sample gas that enters a detection device.

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