Document	Document Title
US08999934B2	Treatment of astrocytes-tumor cells inhibitors of endothelin receptors The disclosure relates to an endothelin receptor antagonist for use in the prevention or treatment of brain metastases in combination with a cytotoxic chemotherapy agent, radiotherapy or both. The endothelin receptor antagonist may for example be bosentan, macitentan or a mixture of bosentan and macitentan.
US08999929B2	Fibroblast growth factor 1 protein fragments and methods of use The present invention relates to a chimeric protein that includes an N-terminus coupled to a C-terminus, where the N-terminus includes a portion of a paracrine fibroblast growth factor (“FGF”) and the C-terminus includes a C-terminal portion of an FGF19 molecule. The portion of the paracrine FGF is modified to decrease binding affinity for heparin and/or heparan sulfate compared to the portion without the modification. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions including chimeric proteins according to the present invention, methods for treating a subject suffering from diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, and methods of screening for compounds with enhanced binding affinity for the βKlotho-FGF receptor complex involving the use of chimeric proteins of the present invention.
US08999924B2	Pea protein peptides with anti Helicobacter pylori activity The invention relates to a composition comprising pea protein hydrolysate for the treatment and/or prevention of infection by gastrointestinal pathogens, in particular Helicobacter pylori and/or a disease associated with infection by said gastrointestinal pathogen in mammals.
US08999921B2	Process for diagnosing rheumatic diseases The invention relates to polypeptides reacting with rheumatism-associated autoantibodies. The invention moreover relates to a diagnostic agent comprising any of said polypeptides, to a diagnostic kit comprising said diagnostic agent and to a process for in vitro detection of rheumatic diseases. The invention furthermore relates to a medicament comprising any of said polypeptides and to the use of said polypeptides for preparing a medicament for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of rheumatic diseases.
US08999920B2	Reconstituted high density lipoprotein formulation and production method thereof A reconstituted high density lipoprotein formulation having relatively low toxicity comprises an apolipoprotein such as ApoAI or fragment thereof, a lipid and a detergent at a level which is about 5-50% of that which would normally cause liver toxicity upon administration to a human. The lipid is optimally phosphatidylcholine at about 30-50 g/L and the molar ratio of apolipoprotein:lipid is optimally in the range 1:40 to 1:75. The formulation is useful for treating diseases or conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolaemia and hypocholesterolaemia inclusive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.
US08999919B2	Compositions and methods for inhibiting the interaction between CFTR and CAL The present invention features compositions and methods for increasing the cell surface expression of degradation-prone CFTR proteins and preventing or treating cystic fibrosis. The invention provides peptides and peptidomimetics that selectively inhibit the interaction between CAL and mutant CFTR proteins, thereby stabilizing the CFTR and facilitating transport of the same to the cell surface.
US08999911B2	Enzyme cleaning composition and method of use A cleaning composition for treating a surface comprises a purified enzyme and an enzyme denaturant system. The enzyme denaturant system is configured to denature the purified enzyme such that any residue remaining on the surface after the treatment of the surface is virtually free of active purified enzymes.
US08999908B2	Alpha-amylase mutants The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like alpha-amylase, which variant has alpha-amylase activity and exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to the parent alpha-amylase: substrate specificity, substrate binding, substrate cleavage pattern, thermal stability, pH/activity profile, pH/stability profile, stability towards oxidation, Ca2+ dependency and specific activity.
US08999907B2	Ethylene based copolymer compositions as viscosity modifiers and methods for making them Polymeric compositions and methods for making and using the same are provided. The polymeric composition can include a first ethylene-based copolymer and a second ethylene-based copolymer. The first ethylene-based copolymer can have a weight percent of ethylene-derived units based on a weight of the polymeric composition (EA) ranging from about 35 wt % to about 52 wt % and a weight-average molecular weight (MwA) of less than or equal to 130,000. The second ethylene-based copolymer can have a weight percent of ethylene-derived units based on the weight of the polymeric composition (EB) ranging from about 65 wt % to about 85 wt % and a weight-average molecular weight (MwB) of less than 130,000.
US08999902B2	Engine oil additive, engine oil and method of addition thereof The engine oil additive contains multiple 300 to 500 nm-long polygonal plate-shaped silver crystal particles. The engine oil contains a base oil and the engine oil additive. The method of adding the additive to an engine oil includes adding multiple 300 to 500-nm-long polygonal plate-shaped silver crystal particles as an additive to the engine oil.
US08999897B2	Protein tag comprising a biotinylation domain and method for increasing solubility and determining folding state The use of a tag moiety comprising a biotinylation domain, such as biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP), as a protein folding marker and protein solubility enhancer in the orientated surface capture of products of heterologously expressed genes is described. Methods for increasing the solubility of proteins and determining the folded state of a protein are also disclosed. The uses and methods of the invention can be carried out in a multiplexed manner on more than one protein in the formation of libraries. In addition the nucleic acid molecule encoding the biotinylation domain of the tag moiety can be used to increase the proportion of clones in a library that express the protein of interest.
US08999881B2	Cu/Zn/Al catalyst and method for preparing the same The present disclosure relates to a Cu/Zn/Al catalyst and a method for preparing same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a Cu/Zn/Al catalyst including copper particles having high surface area and thus having excellent activity, which is prepared by: preparing a metal precursor solution by dissolving a copper precursor, a zinc precursor and an aluminum precursor in an organic solvent; mixing an aqueous basic solution with the metal precursor solution and precipitating metal particles; and preparing a Cu/Zn/Al catalyst by collecting and sintering the precipitated metal particles, and a method for preparing same.
US08999880B2	Dehydrogenation catalyst and method for producing the same A method for producing a dehydrogenation catalyst including an immersion step of impregnating an alumina layer of an alumina carrier with a platinum solution containing hexahydroxo platinate (IV) ions with an immersion method, wherein the alumina carrier has the alumina layer formed by anodic oxidation on at least a part of the surface of an aluminum support; and a calcination step of calcining the alumina carrier subjected to the immersion step to provide a dehydrogenation catalyst.
US08999872B2	Method for making porous mullite-tialite composites Porous composites of acicular mullite and tialite are formed by firing an acicular mullite body in the presence of an oxide of titanium. In some variations of the process, the oxide of titanium is present when the acicular mullite body is formed. In other variations, the oxide of titanium is applied to a previously-formed acicular mullite body. Surprisingly, the composites have coefficients of linear thermal expansion that are intermediate to those of acicular mullite and tialite alone. Some of the tialite is believed to form at grain boundaries and/or points of intersection between acicular mullite needles, rather than merely coating the needles. The presence of the titanium oxide(s) during acicular mullite formation does not significantly affect the ability to produce a highly porous network of mullite needles.
US08999871B2	High refractive index glass Provided is a high refractive index glass, comprising, as a glass composition in terms of mass %, 0 to 10% of B2O2, 0.001 to 35% of SrO, 0.001 to 30% of ZrO2+TiO2, and 0 to 10% of La2O2+Nb2O5, having a mass ratio of BaO/SrO of 0 to 40 and a mass ratio of SiO2/SrO of 0.1 to 40, and having a refractive index nd of 1.55 to 2.3.
US08999869B2	Glass-ceramic joining material and use thereof The glass-ceramic joining material, which is suitable for bonding or joining at low processing temperatures, especially less than 800° C., is composed of a BaO—SiO2—CaO—B2O3—Al2O3 system and has a coefficient of thermal expansion α(20-300)≧9.5·10−6 K−1.
US08999863B2	Stress liner for stress engineering A stress liner having first and second stress type is provided over a first type and a second type transistor to improve reliability and performance without incurring area penalties or layout deficiencies.
US08999859B2	Plasma activated conformal dielectric film deposition Methods of depositing a film on a substrate surface include surface mediated reactions in which a film is grown over one or more cycles of reactant adsorption and reaction. In one aspect, the method is characterized by intermittent delivery of dopant species to the film between the cycles of adsorption and reaction.
US08999844B2	Apparatuses including stair-step structures and methods of forming the same Methods for forming semiconductor structures are disclosed, including a method that involves forming sets of conductive material and insulating material, forming a first mask over the sets, forming a first number of contact regions, forming a second mask over a first region of the sets, and removing material from of the sets in a second, exposed region laterally adjacent the first region to form a second number of contact regions. Another method includes forming first and second contact regions on portions of sets of conductive materials and insulating materials, each of the second contact regions more proximal to an underlying substrate than each of the first contact regions. Apparatuses such as memory devices including laterally adjacent first and second regions each of which including contact regions of a different portion of a plurality of conductive materials and related methods of forming such devices are also disclosed.
US08999842B2	Interconnect structure for semiconductor devices A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with a cap layer for a copper interconnect structure formed in a dielectric layer is provided. In an embodiment, a conductive material is embedded within a dielectric layer, the conductive material comprising a first material and having either a recess, a convex surface, or is planar. The conductive material is silicided to form an alloy layer. The alloy layer comprises the first material and a second material of germanium, arsenic, tungsten, or gallium.
US08999834B2	Sidewall-free CESL for enlarging ILD gap-fill window An integrated circuit structure includes a first gate strip; a gate spacer on a sidewall of the first gate strip; and a contact etch stop layer (CESL) having a bottom portion lower than a top surface of the gate spacer, wherein a portion of a sidewall of the gate spacer has no CESL formed thereon.
US08999831B2	Method to improve reliability of replacement gate device A method of fabricating a replacement gate stack for a semiconductor device includes the following steps after removal of a dummy gate: growing a high-k dielectric layer over the area vacated by the dummy gate; depositing a thin metal layer over the high-k dielectric layer; depositing a sacrificial layer over the thin metal layer; annealing the structure at a high temperature of not less than 800° C.; removing the sacrificial layer; and depositing a metal layer of low resistivity metal for gap fill. Optionally, a second annealing step can be performed after the first anneal. This second anneal is performed as a millisecond anneal using a flash lamp or a laser.
US08999830B2	Semiconductor device having metal gate and manufacturing method thereof A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having metal gate includes providing a substrate having a first transistor and a second transistor formed thereon, the first transistor having a first gate trench formed therein, forming a first work function metal layer in the first gate trench, forming a sacrificial masking layer in the first gate trench, removing a portion of the sacrificial masking layer to expose a portion of the first work function metal layer, removing the exposed first function metal layer to form a U-shaped work function metal layer in the first gate trench, and removing the sacrificial masking layer. The first transistor includes a first conductivity type and the second transistor includes a second conductivity type. The first conductivity type and the second conductivity type are complementary.
US08999826B2	Method of producing a vertically inhomogeneous platinum or gold distribution in a semiconductor substrate and in a semiconductor device Method of producing a vertically inhomogeneous platinum or gold distribution in a semiconductor substrate with a first and a second surface opposite the first surface, with diffusing platinum or gold into the semiconductor substrate from one of the first and second surfaces of the semiconductor substrate, removing platinum- or gold-comprising residues remaining on the one of the first and second surfaces after diffusing the platinum or gold, forming a phosphorus- or boron-doped surface barrier layer on the first or second surface, and heating the semiconductor substrate for local gettering of the platinum or gold by the phosphorus- or boron-doped surface barrier layer.
US08999822B2	Method for creating semiconductor junctions with reduced contact resistance Embodiments of the invention relate generally to creating semiconductor junctions with reduced contact resistance. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of forming a composition of material, the method comprising: providing at least two populations of semiconducting materials; layering the at least two populations of semiconducting materials to form at least two layers; and consolidating the at least two populations of semiconducting materials, wherein the consolidating creates an electrical connection between the at least two layers.
US08999819B2	Dendritic metal structures, methods for making dendritic metal structures, and devices including them The present invention relates generally to dendritic metal structures and devices including them. The present invention also relates particularly to methods for making dendritic metal structures without the use of solid electrolyte materials. In one aspect, a method for constructing a dendritic metal structure includes providing a substrate having a surface and a cathode disposed on the surface; providing an anode comprising a metal; and disposing a liquid on the surface of the substrate, such that the liquid is in electrical contact with the anode and the cathode; and then applying a bias voltage across the cathode and the anode sufficient to grow the dendritic metal structure extending from the cathode. The methods described herein can be used to grow dendritic metal electrodes, which can be useful in devices such as LEDs, touchscreens, solar cells and photodetectors.
US08999816B1	Pre-patterned dry laminate mask for wafer dicing processes Approaches for protecting a wafer during plasma etching wafer dicing processes are described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer with a front surface having a plurality of integrated circuits thereon involves laminating a pre-patterned mask on the front surface of the semiconductor wafer. The pre-patterned mask covers the integrated circuits and exposes streets between the integrated circuits. The method also involves plasma etching the semiconductor wafer through the streets to singulate the integrated circuits. The pre-patterned mask protects the integrated circuits during the plasma etching.
US08999808B2	Nonvolatile memory element and method for manufacturing the same A nonvolatile memory element includes a first and a second electrode layers, and a variable resistance layer provided between the first and the second electrode layers and having a resistance value reversibly changing according to application of an electrical pulse, wherein the variable resistance layer includes a first variable resistance layer contacting the first electrode layer and comprising an oxygen-deficient first metal oxide, and a second variable resistance layer contacting the first variable resistance layer and comprising a second metal oxide having a smaller oxygen deficiency than the first metal oxide, and including host layers and an inserted layer between each of adjacent pairs of the host layers, wherein the second metal oxide of the inserted layer has a larger oxygen deficiency than the second metal oxide of the host layer, and the first metal oxide has a larger oxygen deficiency than the second metal oxide of the host layer.
US08999806B2	Thermal transfer method and method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display device using the same A thermal transfer method includes a step of forming a donor member having a base layer, a light-to-heat conversion layer disposed on the base layer, an intermediate layer disposed on the light-to-heat conversion layer, an organic transfer layer disposed on the intermediate layer, and a first protecting film disposed over the base layer and contacting at least one edge of the base layer, irradiating a first laser onto the donor member to form a preliminary organic layer on the display substrate, forming a pressing member having a second protecting film and a third protecting film disposed over the second protecting film and contacting at least one edge of the second protecting film, disposing the display substrate within a space formed by the second protecting film and the third protecting film, and irradiating a second laser onto the pressing member to change the preliminary organic layer to an organic layer.
US08999795B2	Asymmetrical replacement metal gate field effect transistor An asymmetrical field effect transistor (FET) device includes a semiconductor substrate, a buried oxide layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, an extended source region disposed on the buried oxide layer and a drain region disposed on the buried oxide layer. The asymmetrical FET device also includes a silicon on insulator region disposed between the extended source region and the drain region and a gate region disposed above the extended source region and the silicon on insulator region.
US08999794B2	Self-aligned source and drain structures and method of manufacturing same An integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing the integrated circuit device are disclosed. In an example, the method includes forming a gate structure over a substrate; forming a doped region in the substrate; performing a first etching process to remove the doped region and form a trench in the substrate; and performing a second etching process that modifies the trench by removing portions of the substrate.
US08999791B2	Formation of semiconductor structures with variable gate lengths A plurality of doped sacrificial semiconductor material portions of a first width and a plurality of doped sacrificial semiconductor material portions of a second width, which is different from the first width, are provided on a sacrificial gate dielectric material. Exposed portions of the sacrificial dielectric material are removed. A dielectric material is formed adjacent each doped sacrificial semiconductor material portion such that an upper surface of each doped sacrificial semiconductor material portion is exposed. Each doped sacrificial semiconductor material portion is removed providing a first set of gate cavities having the first width and a second set of gate cavities having the second width. Each gate cavity is filled with a gate structure. The gate structures formed in the first set of gate cavities have the first width, while the gate structure formed in the second set of gate cavities have the second width.
US08999784B2	Methods of manufacturing semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming first auxiliary patterns, alternately forming first material layers and second material layers on the sidewalls of the first auxiliary patterns so that a gap region between the first auxiliary patterns adjacent to each other is filled, removing the second material layers, and forming charge storage layers in respective regions from which the second material layers have been removed.
US08999783B2	Method for producing a semiconductor device with a vertical dielectric layer A method for producing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a semiconductor body having a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface, producing a first trench having a bottom and sidewalls and extending from the first surface into the semiconductor body, forming a dielectric layer along at least one sidewall of the trench, and filling the trench with a filling material. Forming the dielectric layer includes forming a protection layer on the least one sidewall such that the protection layer leaves a section of the at least one sidewall uncovered, oxidizing the semiconductor body in the region of the uncovered sidewall section to form a first section of the dielectric layer, removing the protection layer, and forming a second section of the dielectric layer on the at least one sidewall.
US08999779B2	Locally raised epitaxy for improved contact by local silicon capping during trench silicide processings A low resistance contact to a finFET source/drain can be achieved by forming a defect free surface on which to form such contact. The fins of a finFET can be exposed to epitaxial growth conditions to increase the bulk of semiconductive material in the source/drain. Facing growth fronts can merge or can form unmerged facets. A dielectric material can fill voids within the source drain region. A trench spaced from the finFET gate can expose the top portion of faceted epitaxial growth on fins within said trench, such top portions separated by a smooth dielectric surface. A silicon layer selectively formed on the top portions exposed within the trench can be converted to a semiconductor-metal layer, connecting such contact with individual fins in the source drain region.
US08999778B2	Method of providing a flexible semiconductor device at high temperatures and flexible semiconductor device thereof Some embodiments include a method of providing a semiconductor device. The method can include: (a) providing a flexible substrate; (b) depositing at least one layer of material over the flexible substrate, wherein the deposition of the at least one layer of material over the flexible substrate occurs at a temperature of at least 180° C.; and (c) providing a diffusion barrier between a metal layer and an a-Si layer. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.
US08999777B2	Method of conducting a direction-specific trimming process for contact patterning The present disclosure discloses a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. A first layer is formed over a substrate. A patterned second layer is then formed over the first layer. The patterned second layer includes an opening. A spacer material is then deposited in the opening, thereby reducing the opening in a plurality of directions. A direction-specific trimming process is performed to the spacer material and the second layer. Thereafter, the first layer is patterned with the second layer.
US08999772B2	Compound semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same Two layers of protection films are formed such that a sheet resistance at a portion directly below the protection film is higher than that at a portion directly below the protection film. The protection films are formed, for example, of SiN film, as insulating films. The protection film is formed to be higher, for instance, in hydrogen concentration than the protection film so that the protection film is higher in refractive index the protection film. The protection film is formed to cover a gate electrode and extend to the vicinity of the gate electrode on an electron supplying layer. The protection film is formed on the entire surface to cover the protection film. According to this configuration, the gate leakage is significantly reduced by a relatively simple configuration to realize a highly-reliable compound semiconductor device achieving high voltage operation, high withstand voltage, and high output.
US08999768B2	Semiconductor device manufacturing method A semiconductor device and its method of manufacture. In the method, a front surface element structure is formed on a front surface of a semiconductor wafer, for example an SiC wafer. Then, a supporting substrate is bonded to wafer's front surface through an adhesive. The wafer's rear surface is ground and polished to thin it, with the supporting substrate bonded to the wafer. Next a V groove passing through the SiC wafer and reaching the adhesive is formed in the wafer's rear surface, and the wafer is cut into individual chips. An electrode film is formed on the groove's side wall and the chip's rear surface and a Schottky junction is formed between a drift layer, which is the chip, and the film. Then, the film is annealed. A tape is attached to the wafer's rear surface which has been cut into the chips. Then, the supporting substrate peels off from the wafer.
US08999765B2	Methods to prevent filler entrapment in microelectronic device to microelectronic substrate interconnection structures Embodiments of the present description include methods for attaching a microelectronic device to a microelectronic substrate with interconnection structures after disposing of an underfill material on the microelectronic device, wherein filler particles within the underfill material may be repelled away from the interconnection structures prior to connecting the microelectronic device to the microelectronic structure. These methods may include inducing a charge on the interconnection structures and may include placing the interconnection structures between opposing plates and producing a bias between the opposing plates after depositing the underfill material on the interconnection structures.
US08999744B2	Avalanche photodiodes and methods of fabricating the same Provided are an avalanche photodiode and a method of fabricating the same. The method of fabricating the avalanche photodiode includes sequentially forming a compound semiconductor absorption layer, a compound semiconductor grading layer, a charge sheet layer, a compound semiconductor amplification layer, a selective wet etch layer, and a p-type conductive layer on an n-type substrate through a metal organic chemical vapor deposition process.
US08999740B2	Solar cell A solar cell according to an embodiment of the invention includes a substrate configured to have a plurality of via holes and a first conductive type, an emitter layer placed in the substrate and configured to have a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type, a plurality of first electrodes electrically coupled to the emitter layer, a plurality of current collectors electrically coupled to the first electrodes through the plurality of via holes, and a plurality of second electrodes electrically coupled to the substrate. The plurality of via holes includes at least two via holes having different angles.
US08999727B2	Innovative TSH-R-Ab-kit Methods are described for detection of autoimmune antibodies against the TSH receptor using TSH receptor chimeras, which preferably only contain the extracellular portion of the TSH wild type receptor modified as chimera, and are modified by highly immunogenic peptide residues or by enzymes suitable for detection, wherein the determination methods described allow simple detection of stimulating, blocking and neutral autoimmune antibodies.
US08999723B2	Transformer hydrogen indicator A reliable, low cost device for determining when dangerous levels of hydrogen gas have been generated in a transformer is disclosed. The hydrogen indicator is defined by a module assembly that threads into either the headspace or into the oil-filled body of a transformer. The module has an open interior that contains a film that incorporates a hydrogen-sensitive chemochromic indicator. The indicator film is visible through a lens. When the film has been exposed to hydrogen, chemical changes in the chemochromic indicator cause the film to change color—the color change is immediately visible through the lens.
US08999719B2	Quality control marker and its use in herbs authentication The present invention relates to a quality control marker and method of using such marker in qualitative and quantitative authentication of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, which is known as a Chinese medicine under the name of Tiepi Shihu ().
US08999718B2	Vapochromic materials and methods of making and using same A vapochromic gold-copper complex [AuL2(Cu(Y)n)2](X)3 exhibiting luminescence is provided, where L is an N-heterocyclic carbene; Y is a heteroatom-containing ligand; X is an anion, and n is an integer having a value of 1 or 2, and solvates thereof. A reaction of [AuL2(Cu(Y)n)2](X)3 with water vapor or an organic compound vapor, for example, affords a modified complex that yields a change in luminescence color under UV excitation. These tricationic vapochromic materials exhibit large changes in the emission through ligand substitution reactions between the solid complex and vapors, which permit use in luminescent vapochromic sensors.
US08999709B2	Use of adipose tissue-derived stromal stem cells in treating fistula Provided herein are novel methods and compositions utilizing adipose tissue-derived stromal stem cells for treating fistulae.
US08999705B2	Bifidobacterial gene sequences and their use This invention provides nucleic acids and proteins involved in oligosaccharide modification in the species Bifidobacteria. The invention provides methods for utilizing the proteins of the invention to generate human milk oligosaccharides or oligosaccharide mimics. The invention also provides compositions containing the human milk oligosaccharides or oligosaccharide mimics and methods for use.
US08999696B2	Compositions and methods for enhancing the degradation or conversion of cellulose-containing material The present invention relates to methods for degrading or converting a cellulose-containing material, comprising: treating the cellulose-containing material with an effective amount of a cellulolytic enzyme composition comprising a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity, and one or more (several) components selected from the group consisting of a CEL7 polypeptide having endoglucanase activity, a CEL12 polypeptide having endoglucanase activity, a CEL45 polypeptide having endoglucanase activity, a CEL7 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase activity with a cellulose binding domain, and a CEL7 polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase activity without a cellulose binding domain. The present invention also relates to such cellulolytic enzyme compositions.
US08999688B2	Polysaccharide-protein binding model and nano-fibril formation of a starch binding domain A polysaccharide-protein binding model of SBD, and a fibril-forming 14-residue peptide consisting of X1NNNX2X3NYQX4X5X6X7X8, wherein the X1 and X8 mean a pair of opposite charged amino acid residues, and the X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, or X7 means an amino acid residue is described. A mixture for diminishing a polysaccharide, comprising at least two starch binding domains (SBDs) and a polysaccharide in a helix form is also presented. A method of providing an oligosaccharide, and a method of producing an amyloid-like fibril and use thereof are further described.
US08999686B2	Methods and compositions for producing fatty alcohols Methods and compositions, including nucleotide sequences, amino acid sequences, and host cells, for producing fatty alcohols are described.
US08999685B2	Methods for improving malic acid production in filamentous fungi The present invention relates to methods of producing a C4 dicarboxylic acid, comprising: (a) cultivating a filamentous fungal host cell comprising a polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of a heterologous first polynucleotide encoding a C4 dicarboxylic acid transporter, a heterologous second polynucleotide encoding a malate dehydrogenase, and a heterologous third polynucleotide encoding a pyruvate carboxylase; wherein the filamentous fungal host cell is capable of secreting increased levels of the C4 dicarboxylic acid compared to the filamentous fungal host cell without the heterologous polynucleotide when cultivated under the same conditions; and (b) recovering the C4 dicarboxylic acid. The present invention also relates to methods for increasing C4 dicarboxylic acid production, filamentous fungal host cells and malate dehydrogenase variants.
US08999674B2	Methods and apparatus for single molecule sequencing using energy transfer detection Provided herein are systems and methods for nucleotide incorporation reactions. The systems comprise polymerases having altered nucleotide incorporation kinetics and are linked to an energy transfer donor moiety, and nucleotide molecules linked with at least one energy transfer acceptor moiety. The donor and acceptor moieties undergo energy transfer when the polymerase and nucleotide are proximal to each other during nucleotide binding and/or nucleotide incorporation. As the donor and acceptor moieties undergo energy transfer, they generate an energy transfer signal which can be associated with nucleotide binding or incorporation. Detecting a time sequence of the generated signals, or the change in the signals, can be used to determine the order of the incorporated nucleotides, and can therefore be used to deduce the sequence of the target molecule.
US08999657B2	Reagents, methods, and kits for the classification of cancer Reagents, methods, and kits for the classification of cancer that comprise or employ antibodies that bind specific regions of CD43. One method includes contacting tissue with an antibody capable of specifically binding the cytoplasmic tail of CD43, contacting the tissue with an antibody capable of specifically binding the extracellular domain of CD43, and resolving cellular localization of any binding to the tissue with the antibody capable of specifically binding the cytoplasmic tail of CD43 and the antibody capable of specifically binding the extracellular domain of CD43. The binding patterns of the antibodies can be used to characterize cancer as more aggressive or less aggressive and can distinguish small cell lung cancer from non-small cell lung cancer. The cancer may therefore be treated in accordance of the characterization.
US08999652B2	Biological encoding of large numbers of cells Mixtures of cell types can be analyzed by having at least two signal markers, with at least one at three different levels to provide a barcode for each cell type. The mixture of cells may be subjected to a common candidate moiety and the effect of the moiety on the cells determined along with identification of the cell by the barcode. Conveniently, surface marker proteins and labeled antibodies can be used to create the barcode and the cells analyzed with flow cytometry.
US08999641B2	Engineering and optimization of systems, methods and compositions for sequence manipulation with functional domains The invention provides for engineering and optimization of systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences. Provided are vectors and vector systems, some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors with additional functional domains. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells to ensure enhanced specificity for target recognition and avoidance of toxicity.
US08999637B2	Vector comprising multiple homologous nucleotide sequences The invention relates to vectors comprising two or more homologous nucleotide sequences and methods for generating them. The invention concerns substituting bases in the homologous nucleotide sequences with different bases that do not alter the encoded amino acid sequence. The invention allows for the reduction of intramolecular recombination between homologous nucleotide sequences, in particular in mammalian cells. The invention further relates to nucleotide sequences containing substituted bases.
US08999635B2	Filaggrin The present invention relates to the identification of loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene and their use in diagnosing ichthyosis vulgaris and/or susceptibility to other diseases including atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma, psoriasis and allergies (including food allergy).
US08999628B1	Automatic optimization of etch process for accelerated yield ramp with matched charged particle multi-beam systems The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to pattern and inspect a substrate. The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use write and inspection tools that share the same or substantially the same stage and the same or substantially the same designs for respective arrays of multiple charged particle beam columns, and that access the same design layout database to target and pattern or inspect features. By using design-matched charged particle beam tools, correlation of defectivity is preserved between inspection imaging and the design layout database. As a result, image-based defect identification and maskless design correction, of random and systematic errors, can be performed directly in the design layout database, enabling a fast yield ramp.
US08999624B2	Developable bottom antireflective coating composition and pattern forming method using thereof The present invention relates to a developable bottom antireflective coating (BARC) composition and a pattern forming method using the BARC composition. The BARC composition includes a first polymer having a first carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing alicyclic moiety, and a first chromophore moiety; a second polymer having a second carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing acyclic moiety, and a second chromophore moiety; a crosslinking agent; and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The first and second chromophore moieties each absorb light at a wavelength from 100 nm to 400 nm. In the patterning forming method, a photoresist layer is formed over a BARC layer of the BARC composition. After exposure, unexposed regions of the photoresist layer and the BARC layer are selectively removed by a developer to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The BARC composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for implanting levels.
US08999623B2	Degradable neutral layers for block copolymer lithography applications Polymer films comprising crosslinked random copolymers and methods for making the films are provided. Also provided are polymer films comprising random copolymers that are covalently linked to an underlying substrate. The polymer films can be incorporated into structures in which the films are employed as surface-modifying layers for domain-forming block copolymers and the structures can be used for pattern transfer applications via block copolymer lithography. The crosslinks between the random copolymer chains in the polymer films or the links between the random copolymer chains and the substrate surface are characterized in that they can be cleaved under relatively mild conditions.
US08999621B2	Pattern forming method, chemical amplification resist composition and resist film A pattern forming method includes: (i) forming a film from a chemical amplification resist composition; (ii) exposing the film, so as to form an exposed film; and (iii) developing the exposed film by using an organic solvent-containing developer, wherein the chemical amplification resist composition contains: (A) a resin substantially insoluble in alkali; (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation; (C) a crosslinking agent; and (D) a solvent, a negative chemical amplification resist composition used in the method, and a resist film formed from the negative chemical amplification resist composition.
US08999618B2	Toner set, developer set, and image forming apparatus A toner set, including: at least one chromatic toner containing a colorant; and a transparent toner containing no colorant, wherein the chromatic toner and the transparent toner each include a releasing agent and a binder resin, and wherein an amount of a tetrahydrofuran insoluble matter in the transparent toner is smaller than an amount of a tetrahydrofuran insoluble matter in the chromatic toner.
US08999617B2	Electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles and silica particles that have a titanium content of from 0.001% by weight to 10% by weight in a surface layer, an average particle diameter of from 30 nm to 500 nm, and a particle size distribution index of from 1.1 to 1.5, and are surface-treated with a titanium compound in which an organic group is bonded to a titanium atom via an oxygen atom, and a hydrophobizing agent in sequence.
US08999612B2	Method for manufacturing reflective mask and apparatus for manufacturing reflective mask According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a reflective mask includes: forming a reflection layer on a major surface of a substrate; forming a capping layer containing ruthenium on the reflection layer; forming an absorption layer on the capping layer; forming a pattern region in the absorption layer; removing a first resist mask used in forming the pattern region; and forming a light blocking region surrounding the pattern region in the absorption layer, the capping layer, and the reflection layer. The removing the first resist mask used in forming the pattern region includes: performing dry ashing processing using a mixed gas of ammonia gas and nitrogen gas or only ammonia gas.
US08999608B2	Fluorourethane as an additive in a photopolymer formulation The invention relates to a photopolymer formulation comprising matrix polymers, writing monomers, and photoinitiators, to the use of the photopolymer formulation for producing optical elements, in particular for producing holographic elements and images, to a method for illuminating holographic media made of the photopolymer formulation, and to special fluorourethanes.
US08999607B2	Manufacturing method of solid oxide fuel cell, and manufacturing method of compact of divided member of the cell A compact of a support-member divided-member, which has a shape formed by dividing a support member into two in the thickness direction so as to divide the fuel channel into two in the thickness direction, is manufactured by a gel cast method in which slurry is filled in a molding die. A compact of a fuel-side electrode and a compact of an electrolyte are successively stacked on the upper surface of the compact of the support-member divided-member, whereby a compact of a cell divided member is obtained. The two compacts of the cell divided member are bonded and sintered, whereby an SOFC cell (sintered body) in which an oxygen-side electrode is not formed is formed. A compact of the oxygen-side electrode is formed respectively on the upper and lower surfaces of the sintered body, and then, the compact of the oxygen-side electrode is sintered, whereby the SOFC cell is completed.
US08999603B2	Gas diffusion layer for fuel cell, manufacturing method therefor, membrane electrode assembly, and fuel cell A gas diffusion layer for fuel cell of the present invention is structured with a porous member mainly comprised of conductive particles such as acetylene black, graphite and a polymer resin such as PTFE. This makes it possible to achieve both an improvement in power generation performance of the fuel cell and a reduction in costs.
US08999596B2	Fuel cell A fuel cell stack comprising a second metal separator set to have an external dimension larger than a first metal separator, wherein the second metal separator comprises, formed integrally, a first seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of a first electrolyte membrane/electrode structure, a second seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of the first metal separator, and a third seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of an adjoining fourth metal separator. Since the first seal member, the second seal member and the third seal member are integrally formed on one surface of the second separator or one surface of the first separator, a seal-forming step can be carried out at one effort, simply and economically. In addition, use of a triple seal structure containing the first through the third seal members can favorably improve the sealing feature of reaction gas and minimize reaction gas leakage.
US08999577B2	Negative active material, method of preparing the same, and lithium battery including the same Provided are a negative active material, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium battery including the negative active material. The negative active material includes a carbonaceous core that has a sulfur content of about 10 ppm to 900 ppm; and an amorphous carbon layer continuously formed on a surface of the carbonaceous core, wherein the carbonaceous core has a crystalloid plate structure, and a crystallite size measured from a full width at half maximum of the peak with respect to the surface (002) of about 10 nm to about 45 nm in an X-ray diffraction spectrum of the carbonaceous core. The lithium battery including a negative electrode including the negative active material has improved capacity characteristics and ring lifetime characteristics.
US08999575B2	Positive electrode and lithium battery including the same Disclosed is a positive electrode and a lithium battery including the positive electrode. The positive electrode includes a current collector, a first layer irreversibly deintercalating lithium ions, and a second layer allowing reversible intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions. In one embodiment, the first layer further comprises a first sublayer and a second sublayer, in which the first sublayer is interposed between the current collector and the second sublayer. The first sublayer comprises a first active material represented by Formula 1 Li2Mo1-nR1nO3, and the second sublayer comprises a second active material represented by Formula 2 Li2Ni1-mR2mO2. In Formula 1, 0≦n<1; and R1 is selected from the group consisting of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), and combinations of at least two of the foregoing elements. In Formula 2, 0≦m<1; and R2 is selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Mg, molybdenum (Mo), and combinations of at least two of the foregoing elements.
US08999571B2	Batteries and electrodes for use thereof The present invention generally relates to batteries or other electrochemical devices, and systems and materials for use in these, including novel electrode materials and designs. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to small-scale batteries or microbatteries. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a battery may have a volume of no more than about 5 mm3, while having an energy density of at least about 400 W h/l. In some cases, the battery may include an electrode comprising a porous electroactive compound. In some embodiments, the pores of the porous electrode may be at least partially filled with a liquid such as a liquid electrolyte. The electrode may be formed from a unitary material. Other aspects of the invention are directed to techniques of making such electrodes or batteries, techniques of forming electrical connections to and packaging such batteries, techniques of using such electrodes or batteries, or the like.
US08999567B2	Lithium polymer battery with external sheath A lithium polymer battery comprising an internal sheath, reinforcement members, and an external sheath and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The lithium polymer battery comprises a pouch-type internal sheath with an electrode assembly positioned therein and a protective circuit module that is attached to the surface thereof to control the charging and discharging processes of the electrode assembly. The battery further comprises reinforcement members that couple with surfaces of the internal sheath and an external sheath for integrally enclosing the internal sheath and the reinforcement members. The external sheath may comprise a tube, a thermally contractible tube, or a melted resin.
US08999563B2	Secondary battery Disclosed is a battery pack which includes: a battery case comprising a first case member and a second case member, which in combination define an enclosed space, the first case member comprising a first sealing portion, the second case member comprising a second sealing portion, wherein the first and second sealing portions adhere to each other for sealing the enclosed space; an electrode assembly contained in the enclosed space, the electrode assembly comprising a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator disposed between the first and second electrode plates; an electrolyte contained in the enclosed space; and a pocket formed in at least one of the first and second sealing portions, wherein the pocket contains an ionic material.
US08999554B2	Lithium secondary battery and preparation thereof The present invention provides a lithium secondary battery and the preparation thereof, more specifically a lithium secondary battery comprising an electrode assembly having a cathode, an anode, and a separator interposed between the cathode and the anode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution impregnated in the electrode assembly, wherein the separator further comprises a layer having a plurality of destroyed capsules dispersed therein, the layer being formed on at least one surface of the separator coming into contact with the cathode and the anode, and the destroyed capsules has a film formed from a binder polymer and inorganic particles dispersed therebetween. The lithium secondary battery of the present invention can be prepared without the separate introducing process of a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, and has a separator exhibiting improved mechanical property and safety.
US08999551B2	Carrier matrix for battery cell connectors A carrier matrix for battery cell connectors 1, comprising a carrier formed from a non-conductive material, at least one vertical receiver 34 formed in a column to vertically receive a battery cell connector 1, at least two columns arranged horizontally next to one another and a horizontal receiver 36 formed to horizontally receive a battery cell connector 1 connecting batteries arranged next to one another into columns.
US08999547B2	Battery module A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, and a heat exchanging member adjoining the plurality of battery cells in heat exchanging relationship therewith. The heat exchanging member includes a plurality of tubes arranged therein, and each tube defines a plurality of heat exchanging medium flow passageways therein.
US08999540B2	Battery cell holder of improved connecting reliability and battery module employed with the same Disclosed is a battery cell holder configured so that a cylindrical battery cell is mounted therein, the battery cell holder including an upper cover including a first main body to cover an upper part of the battery cell in a state in which a first electrode terminal of the battery cell is exposed and at least one first extension fastening part extending downward from the first main body and a lower cover including a second main body to cover a lower part of the battery cell in a state in which a second electrode terminal of the battery cell having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode terminal is exposed and at least one second extension fastening part extending upward from the second main body.
US08999539B2	Secondary battery including short circuit member comprising duct part and deformable part A secondary battery including an electrode assembly; first and second collector plates connected to respective first and second electrodes of the electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly, the first collector plate, and the second collector plate; a cap plate sealing an opening of the case; a first electrode terminal electrically connected to the first collector plate and passing through the cap plate; a second electrode terminal electrically connected to the second collector plate and passing through the cap plate; and a short-circuit member electrically connected to the first collector plate and passing through the cap plate, the short-circuit member including a duct part in communication with an inside of the case; and a deformable part covering a top portion of the duct part and being deformable by a gas pressure inside the case to electrically connect the first electrode to the second electrode.
US08999532B2	Coating layer for cutting tools Provided is a coating layer for cutting tools, as a hard coating layer stacked and formed in the sequence of a TiN layer, a TiCN layer, a bonding layer, an alumina (Al2O3) layer, and a cover layer from the bottom by using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method on a parent material, able to improve cutting performance, because surface residual stress of the coating layer may be maintained in a compressive stress state by adjusting a composition of the cover layer without using a separate additional process, such as a blasting operation, or a mixed process of CVD and physical vapor deposition (PVD), and simultaneously the cover layer may also be used as a wear-resistant layer.
US08999529B2	Nitrogen-containing graphene structure and phosphor dispersion A nitrogen-containing graphene structure has a graphene structure including a monolayer or multilayer graphene nanosheet and nitrogen introduced into the graphene structure. The nitrogen-containing graphene structure preferably includes the above-described graphene structure having a sheet portion comprised of a monolayer or multilayer graphene nanosheet and containing, at an edge portion thereof, an armchair edge-face portion and a terminal six-membered ring bound to the armchair edge-face portion while sharing only one side therewith; and a nitrogen-containing functional group bound to any one or more carbon atoms selected from (a) the carbon atoms constituting the terminal six-membered ring but not bound to the armchair edge-face portion, and (b) the carbon atoms constituting the sheet portion (including the carbon atom on the side shared by the terminal six-membered ring). A phosphor dispersion is a dispersion of such a nitrogen-containing graphene structure in a solvent.
US08999528B2	Condensation compound and organic light emitting device including the same A condensation compound is represented by Formula 1, 2, or 3 where R1 to R24 and A to F are further defined in the detailed description.
US08999527B2	Simplified organic electronic device employing polymeric anode with high work function An electronic device employing a polymeric anode with high work function.
US08999519B2	Solder joint A solder joint manufactured of an alloy essentially composed of 0.01-7.6 wt % Cu, 0.001-6 wt % Ni, and the remaining of Sn. Each of Cu and Ni has a maximum concentration range. The lower limit of the range of Ni is 0.01 wt % and preferably 0.03 wt %. The upper limit of the range of Ni is 0.3 wt % and preferably 0.1 wt %. The lower limit of the range of Cu is 0.1 wt % and preferably 0.2 wt %. The upper limit of the range of Cu is 7 wt % and preferably 0.92 wt %. The invention includes the solder joint essentially having these compositions.
US08999505B2	Sizing composition in the form of a physical gel for glass strands, glass strands obtained and composites comprising the said strands The present invention relates to a sizing composition in the form of a physical gel for glass strands which contains 0.1 to 5% by weight of at least one texturing agent chosen from xanthans, guars and succinoglycans, 2 to 8% by weight of at least one film-forming agent, 0.1 to 8% by weight of at least one compound chosen from plasticizing agents, surface-active agents and dispersing agents, 0.1 to 4% by weight of at least one coupling agent, and 0 to 6% by weight of at least one additive. Another subject-matter of the present invention is glass strands coated with the abovementioned sizing composition and the composite materials containing an organic or inorganic material reinforced with the said glass strands.
US08999502B2	Cover tape, method for manufacturing cover tape, and electronic part package A cover tape having a temperature at which a heat shrinkage rate in at least one of a machine direction and a transverse direction perpendicular to the machine direction is 5% or more between 80° C. to 200° C.
US08999493B2	Adhesive product, and transfer tool A necessary and sufficient adhesive force of an adhesive agent layer is certainly kept while the dot diameter of the adhesive agent is made smaller and the thickness of the adhesive agent layer is made smaller. For the purpose, in an adhesive product, comprising an adhesive agent layer in which dots of a dot-form adhesive agent 12 are intermittently arranged, and a base material 11 which supports the adhesive agent layer, the dot diameter of the adhesive agent 12 is made into a very small value of less than 1.5 mm, and the thickness of the adhesive agent layer is set to less than 25 μm while the area ratio that is the proportion of an area where the adhesive agent 12 occupies per unit area of the base material 11 is set to 0.7 or more.
US08999492B2	Method to produce nanometer-sized features with directed assembly of block copolymers Methods for fabricating stamps and systems for patterning a substrate, and devices resulting from those methods are provided.
US08999479B2	Honeycomb structure and bonded type honeycomb structure A honeycomb structure includes a porous partition wall defining a plurality of cells serving as fluid passages, an outer peripheral wall located at the outermost periphery, a first cell having one end opened and the end plugged, and a second cell having the one end plugged and the other end opened. The first cells and the second cells are disposed alternately, and the area of the first cells is larger than that of the second cells in a cross section perpendicular to a center axis. The thickness of the partition wall that forms at least one cell from the outermost periphery in the outer peripheral section is 1.1 to 3.0 times the thickness of the partition wall in the center section.
US08999475B2	Component of substrate processing apparatus and method for forming a film thereon A component of a substrate processing apparatus that performs plasma processing on a substrate includes a base mainly formed of an aluminum alloy containing silicon. A film is formed on the surface of the base by an anodic oxidation process which includes connecting the component to an anode of a power supply and immersing the component in a solution mainly formed of an organic acid. The film is impregnated with ethyl silicate.
US08999474B2	Device comprising at least one built-in composite material hinge having an uninterrupted connecting reinforcement A device includes at least one built-in flexible portion (1) between two stiffer portions (10) that are made of a stiff composite material, the flexible portion (11) being suitable for forming a flexible hinge and made of a flexible material including a reinforcing armature that includes at least one connecting layer (13) common to the material(s) forming each stiff portion (10). The device has end surfaces (20) that oppose each other when extended, the opposing end surfaces being arranged to be suited to serve as a longitudinal compression abutment while enabling the thus-made hinge to fold back at least in a direction away from the extended state.
US08999456B2	Method for manufacturing of drug-releasing stent coated with titanium—oxide thin film A method for manufacturing a drug-releasing stent is provided. The method includes providing a titanium precursor, a carrier gas and a reactant gas in a plasma vacuum chamber, and generating a plasma for 1 to 6 hours to form a titanium oxide thin film on the surface of a stent. The method further includes providing steam or oxygen and hydrogen in the plasma vacuum chamber and generating a low-temperature plasma for 10 minutes to 2 hours to modify the surface of the titanium oxide thin film. The method further includes reacting the titanium oxide thin film of the stent with a drug in an acidic solution and under an inert gas atmosphere at room temperature to 100° C. for 30 minutes to 4 hours to attach the drug.
US08999451B2	Low gloss aqueous coating compositions containing poly(ethylene oxide) The present invention relates to aqueous coating compositions having low gloss for floor polishes, finishes and sealer, as well as wall and floor paints and sealers. These aqueous coating compositions contain one or more water soluble poly(ethylene oxide) resins having the general formula [—CH2CH2O—]n and one or more polymer binders.
US08999443B2	Method for fabricating a microarray of soft materials A method for fabricating a microarray of plural soft materials includes: vapor-depositing a first layer poly(para-xylylene) resin on a substrate, forming a first micro pattern in the poly(para-xylylene) resin; obtaining a substrate including a first microarray formed by pouring a first soft material solution, freeze-drying the first soft material to obtain a micro-arrayed substrate of the freeze-dried first soft material; vapor-depositing a second layer poly(para-xylylene) resin on the micro-arrayed substrate of the freeze-dried first soft material, forming a second micro pattern placed differently from the first micro pattern by penetrating the poly(para-xylylene) resin of the first and second layers, forming a second microarray on the substrate by pouring a second soft material solution; and forming a microarray of the first and second soft materials on the substrate by peeling off the poly(para-xylylene) resin of the first and second layers.
US08999436B2	Optical functional film, antireflection film, polarizing plate and image display device Provided are an optical functional film including at least one functional layer, where the functional layer comprises a copolymer having a polymerization unit derived from a fluoroaliphatic group-containing monomer in a content of 10 weight % or more and the fluoroaliphatic group-containing copolymer is localized on the surface of the functional layer; an optical functional film obtained by coating an upper layer on the functional layer; an antireflection film, where the upper layer is a low refractive index layer; a polarizing plate using such a film for one of two protective sheets of a polarizer; and an image display device using the above-described optical functional film, antireflection film or polarizing plate for the outermost surface of the display.
US08999435B2	Process of producing grating for X-ray image pickup apparatus A process of producing a grating to be used in an X-ray image pickup apparatus includes the steps of preparing a grating having a plurality of protrusions periodically arranged, curving the grating in the direction in which the plurality of protrusions is arranged, and filling spaces between the protrusions with a metal in a state that the grating is curved.
US08999431B2	Conductive formulations for use in electrical, electronic and RF applications Metal flakes, an organic metal precursor, an organic solvent and either no binder, or a volatile or a thermally decomposable binder are combined to form a paste. The paste is deposited in a circuit pattern on a substrate and the circuit pattern is cured. While curing, the organic metal precursor decomposes to leave an electrically conductive path, and the printed circuit is thus formed. A precursor to an electrically conductive circuit material includes an organic metal precursor, metal microparticles, and an organic solvent. The method can be employed to form printed circuits, for a variety of electrical, electronic and sensing application, such as crack detection in ceramic, plastics, concrete, wood, fabric, leather, rubber or paper and composite materials.
US08999415B2	Tri-fold egg carton for jumbo eggs A tri-fold plastic egg carton for protecting jumbo eggs in both oriented and non-oriented positions. A cell base and cell cover are hingedly connected in a closed position with the cover over the base to form a complimentary 2×6 matrix of cell pockets for holding individual eggs. A lid is hingedly connected to another edge of the base for closing over the assembled cover and base. The non-hinged peripheral edges of the base, cover and lid form a trim perimeter having a turned up lip edge, the lip edges mating when the carton is in the closed position to increase the carton strength. The carton can accommodate a full range of jumbo eggs, and accept a variety of smaller size eggs, while fitting within standard cases and half-cases.
US08999412B2	Coated dried fruit and/or nuts and methods Dried fruit has a coating of microcrystalline cellulose in an amount effective to prevent agglomeration of the dried fruit Methods of preparing and using the coated dried fruit are also described. The dried fruit pieces of the present invention are less sticky and are readily separated from one another using ordinary gravity feed handling conditions.
US08999401B2	Delivery system and method to deliver homeopathic complexes comprising homeopathic colored pigment products for cosmetic use The present invention provides a delivery system and method to deliver topically homeopathic amounts of at least one Homeopathic Complex. It further provides a Homeopathic Colored Pigment Product containing a coloring agent having a plurality of particles having at least one surface and a homeopathically effective amount of at least one Homeopathic Complex, wherein the at least one surface of particles in the plurality of particles of the coloring agent contains the at least one Homeopathic Complex. It also provides cosmetic formulations containing the Homeopathic Colored Pigment Product for normal skin, problem skin, aged skin, and skin damaged by the harmful rays of the sun.
US08999395B2	Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration in the form of stabilised aqueous suspensions The invention relates to a liquid pharmaceutical composition, in the form of a suspension of micronized powder of active substance in an acceptable physiological liquid medium, stabilized over time, for administration via the oral route.
US08999390B2	Sustained release formulation comprising octreotide and three linear polylactide-co-glycolide polymers The present invention relates to sustained release formulations comprising as active ingredient octreotide or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof and three different linear polylactide-co-glycolide polymers (PLGAs).
US08999384B2	Immediate release compositions of acid labile drugs The present invention provides a method of creating a macro environment in the stomach for immediate release of acid labile compounds stable at alkaline or near alkaline pH comprising the step of administering a composition comprising acid labile compound stable at alkaline or near alkaline pH together with a water soluble buffer, a water insoluble buffer, a disintegrant and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition of a multi component system in which one component essentially contains an acid labile drug and the other component comprises a fast releasing buffer composition along with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients for oral administration and ingestion by a subject, and process for preparing the same.
US08999382B2	Drug delivery system for administration of poorly water soluble pharmaceutically active substances This invention relates to a drug delivery system for administration of poorly water soluble pharmaceutically active substance, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a drug delivery system, and a method for the preparation of such a drug delivery system. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the particle size and/or particle shape and/or particle size distribution in such a drug delivery system, and to a method for increasing the drug loading capacity of the particles. Furthermore the invention also relates to the use of such a drug delivery system for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of cancer.
US08999372B2	Methods for modulating dissolution, bioavailability, bioequivalence and drug delivery profile of thin film drug delivery systems, controlled-release thin film dosage formats, and methods for their manufacture and use Methods for modulating dissolution, bioavailability, bioequivalence and drug delivery profile of thin film drug delivery systems, controlled-release thin film dosage formats, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed.
US08999371B2	Contrast pattern application for three-dimensional imaging Provided herein are compositions for applying a reference marker pattern or grid to the surface of an object to be imaged three-dimensionally. These compositions can be quick drying for ease of use. Methods of use of the compositions are also provided as well as devices and kits for the application of the compositions.
US08999364B2	Implantable article, method of forming same and method for reducing thrombogenicity Endothelialization of a bodily fluid or tissue-contacting, particularly blood-contacting, surface may be accomplished to render that surface substantially non-thrombogenic. Thrombosis may also be mitigated or eliminated by providing an eroding layer on the surface that results in the removal of any thrombus formation as the layer erodes. An implantable device may utilize at least one surface having a plurality of nano-craters thereon that enhance or promote endothelialization. Additionally, an implantable device may have at least one first degradable layer for contacting bodily fluid or tissue and disposed about a central core, and at least one second degradable layer between the first degradable layer and the central core. The first degradable layer has a first degradation rate and the second degradable layer has a second degradation rate which degrades more slowly than the first degradable layer on contact with bodily fluid or tissue.
US08999355B2	Non-rinse off cosmetic composition and a cosmetic product comprising said composition The present invention relates to a non-rinse-off cosmetic composition that provides to the skin, especially the lip skin, a hydrating and restoring action. More specifically, the invention relates to a non-rinse-off cosmetic composition particularly usable on the skin in the region of the lips, which comprises ricinoleyl monomaleate triglyceride and palmitic acid. Further, the present invention relates to cosmetic products comprising the cosmetic composition described above.
US08999354B2	Multivalent meningococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine The present invention describes a combined vaccine that offers broad protection against meningococcal disease caused by the pathogenic bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The vaccine is comprised of four distinct polysaccharide-protein conjugates that are formulated as a single dose of vaccine. Purified capsular polysaccharides from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y are chemically activated and selectively attached to a carrier protein by means of a covalent chemical bond, forming polysaccharide-protein conjugates capable of eliciting long-lasting immunity to a variety of N. meningitidis strains in children as well as adults.
US08999348B2	Variants of group 6 allergens of the true grasses having reduced allergeneity due to mutagenesis of proline residues The present invention relates to the preparation and use of recombinant variants of group 6 allergens of the Poaceae (true grasses), which are characterized by reduced IgE reactivity compared with known wild-type allergens and at the same time substantially retained reactivity with T-lymphocytes.
US08999342B2	Anti-fibroblast activation protein antibodies and methods and uses thereof Specific binding members, particularly antibodies and fragments thereof, which bind to Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) are provided, particularly recognizing both human and mouse FAP. These antibodies are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions associated with activated stroma, including wound healing, epithelial cancers, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cirrhosis and pulmonary fibrosis. The anti-FAP antibodies, variable regions or CDR domain sequences thereof, and fragments thereof may also be used in therapy in combination with chemotherapeutics, immune modulators, or anti-cancer agents and/or with other antibodies or fragments thereof. Antibodies of this type are exemplified by the novel antibodies ESC1 1 and ESC 14 whose sequences are provided herein.
US08999340B2	Methods for treating multiorgan, systemic degos' disease with a complement inhibitor The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and/or an inhibitor of interferon alpha, and the use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing Degos' disease in a subject. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or to a biologically-active fragment of C5 such as C5a or C5b. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is an antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to interferon alpha or to an interferon alpha receptor.
US08999333B2	Human tissue factor antibody and uses thereof The invention relates to a humanized form of an antibody capable of preventing tissue factor (coagulation factor F3) signaling but which does not interfere with Factor VII binding or FX binding to tissue factor and does not prolong coagulation time. The antibody of the invention is useful in treating conditions, such as tumor progression, in which the associated cells express tissue factor and tissue factor signaling occurs.
US08999318B2	Bacillus strains useful for animal odor control A composition is provided that includes Bacillus subtilis 2084 (NRRL B-50013) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of the Bacillus subtilis 2084 (NRRL B-50013), B. subtilis 27 (NRRL B-50105) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of the B. subtilis 27 (NRRL B-50105), and B. licheniformis 21 (NRRL B-50134) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of the B. licheniformis 21 (NRRL B-50134). Animal bedding that includes the Bacillus strains is also provided, as well as a method of making the animal bedding. Also provided are methods of controlling odors from animal waste. A method of making a composition including the Bacillus strains is also provided.
US08999316B2	Antiviral compounds The present invention relates to novel antiviral compounds which are covalently attached to solid, macro surfaces. In another embodiment, the invention relates to novel antiviral compositions including a polymeric material and, embedded therein, an antiviral compound. In other embodiments, the invention relates to making a surface antiviral and making a polymeric material antiviral.
US08999308B2	Two-part cosmetic product with volumizing effect to hair fibers The present invention relates to a two-part cosmetic product that imparts a filling and/or swelling effect to hair, eyebrows or eyelashes, preferably a mascara. The invention uses an anhydrous base coat composition with a water absorbing ingredient being a salt of acrylic or polyacrylic acid and a CO2 releasing compound which is a carbonate or bicarbonate to expand or swell the film former of the top coat with the in situ generated CO2 when the water containing top coat is applied to the anhydrous base coat.
US08999306B2	Hair treatment compositions The present invention relates to hair treatment compositions and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to hair treatment compositions comprising lipids and creatine. The hair treatment compositions of the present invention may be used to improve the tensile properties of hair, such as hair elasticity and strength.
US08999305B2	Composition comprising a polar modified polymer The invention relates to a composition comprising (1) at least one polar modified polymer, (2) at least one compound selected from a hyperbranched polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups, a sugar silicone surfactant, and a gelling agent.
US08999293B2	Animal model of anxiety and depression This invention relates generally to animal models of anxiety and depression. Specifically, this invention relates to an in vivo high utility, high-throughput model for screening anxiolytic/antidepressant drugs in fowl chicks with stress vulnerability. This new animal model utilizes an inexpensive avian model, measures spontaneous behaviors in very young animals, and is capable of detecting and/or differentiating a compound's anxiolytic and/or antidepressant effects. This new animal model is especially useful in detecting and/or differentiating a compound's anxiolytic and/or antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant subjects. Animal costs are less than 10% of rodent costs and the assay can be run in a high-throughput mode.
US08999289B2	Treatment of protein degradation disorders The invention relates to methods of treating protein degradation disorders, such cellular proliferative disorders (e.g., cancer) and protein deposition disorders (e.g., neurodegenerative disorders). The invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating these diseases using aggresome inhibitors or combinations of aggresome inhibitors and proteasome inhibitors. The invention further relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating multiple myeloma. New HDAC/TDAC inhibitors and aggresome inhibitors are also provided as well as synthetic methodologies for preparing these compounds.
US08999282B2	Carbophosphates and related compounds The present invention generally relates to carbophosphates and other compounds. Such compounds may be used in batteries and other electrochemical devices, or in other applications such as those described herein. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to carbophosphate compounds, i.e., compounds containing carbonate and phosphate ions. For example, according to one set of embodiments, the compound has a formula Ax(M)(PO4)a(CO3)b, where M comprises one or more cations. A may include one or more alkali metals, for example, lithium and/or sodium. In some cases, x is greater than about 0.1, a is between about 0.1 and about 5.1, and b is between about 0.1 and about 5.1. In certain embodiments, the compound may have a unit cell atomic arrangement that is isostructural to unit cells of the minerals sidorenkite, bonshtedtite, bradleyite, crawfordite, or ferrotychite. In some embodiments, the compound may have a formula Ax(M)(YO4)a(XO3)b, where A comprises one or more alkali metals, M comprises one or more cations, X includes B, C, and/or N, and Y includes Si, P, As, S, V, Nb, Mo, and/or W. In some cases, x is greater than about 0.1, a is between about 0.1 and about 5.1, and b is between about 0.1 and about 5.1. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to techniques for making or using such compounds, kits involving such compounds, and the like.
US08999268B2	Sample input device for inputting liquid samples A sample input device for transferring liquid samples, typically blood samples, from sample containers, typically syringes, into analyzer devices for examining the composition of the samples, wherein the sample input device comprises retention elements for at least partly keeping particulate components of the sample from passing over from the sample container into the analyzer, and wherein the sample input device further contains at least one ventilation device that allows ventilating the sample container while transferring the sample from the sample container into the analyzer, typically when aspirating the sample via the analyzer.
US08999264B2	Hydrophilic coating for nonporous surfaces and microfluidic devices including same A coating formula and method for surface coating non-porous surfaces. Microfluidic devices including said coating achieve desired properties including increased hydrophilicity, improved adhesion, stability and optical clarity.
US08999263B2	Microfluidic separation device A microfluidic separation device is provided that includes a first sample channel region and a second sample channel region, where the first sample channel region has an array of channels that are smaller than the second channel region, a first detection region and a second detection region located at the interface of the first sample channel region, a detection channel, an illuminating electric field, Raman-scattering nanoparticles having surface plasmon resonances for detection when illuminated by the electric field, where the resonances create an enhanced local electric field along specific directions resulting in an enhanced Raman response, and a nanoparticle input channel disposed to input the nanoparticles into the second sample channel region, where the nanoparticles are larger than the cross-section of the first sample channel region and the cross-section of the second detection region, where the nanoparticles collect in the first detection region to form region of densely packed nanoparticles.
US08999262B2	Expiration indication label A time indicating label for attachment to a tube, the label comprising: (A) An impermeable facesheet optionally adapted to accepting a graphic before or after attachment of the label to a tube, (B) An activation layer comprising a polymer matrix and an activating agent, the activation layer in contact with the facesheet, (C) A release liner impermeable to the activating agent and in contact with the activation layer, (D) A timing layer comprising a film-forming polymer and a pigment, the timing layer in contact with the release liner, (E) A dye layer comprising a film-forming polymer and an organic solvent soluble dye and in contact with the timing layer, and (F) A base layer comprising a material impermeable to the activating agent and dye and in contact with both the dye layer and the activation layer.
US08999260B2	Sterilization box seal device A sterilization box seal device including a shaft capable of being slid into a closure device of a sterilization box, and a support part of the proximal end of shaft, which includes a locking element irreversibly capable of cooperating and attaching on the distal end of shaft so as to form therewith a closed loop preventing the closure device from opening, such that the support part includes an additional part to the support one necessary for the sole seal function, the additional part includes an area capable of receiving a readable identification label.
US08999259B2	Floating dispensers A floating dispenser for floatingly delivering a dispersant or dispersants to a body of water with the floating dispenser floating in an upright condition when a dispersant is present in a dispenser cartridge of the floating dispenser with the dispenser self inverting 180 degrees in response to consumption of the dispersant in the dispenser cartridge to thereby provide a visual alert that one should replace the dispenser cartridge in the dispenser with a fresh dispenser cartridge.
US08999257B2	Offgas stream direct contact condenser Methods and systems for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons include a direct contact condenser to remove compounds from an offgas process stream. The reduction of compounds can decrease duty on the offgas compressor by removing steam and aromatics from the offgas. The dehydrogenation reaction system can be applicable for reactions such as the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to produce styrene, the dehydrogenation of isoamiline to produce isoprene, or the dehydrogenation of n-pentene to produce piperylene.
US08999250B2	Catalyst mixing regenerator One exemplary embodiment can be a process for mixing catalyst in a regenerator. The process can include providing a first stream of catalyst, a second stream of catalyst mixed with the first stream of catalyst, and an oxygen-containing gas to a chamber via a distributor of the regenerator. Generally, the chamber imparts a swirl to at least one of the oxygen-containing gas, the first catalyst, and the second catalyst for regenerating the catalyst.
US08999249B2	Methods and apparatuses for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent into a H2, C6− hydrocarbon-containing gas phase and a C5+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid phase. The H2, (C1-C11) hydrocarbon-containing gas phase is partially condensed and separated to form a H2, C6− hydrocarbon-containing net gas stream and a C3+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream. The C5+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid phase, the C3+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream, and at least a portion of the H2, C6− hydrocarbon-containing net gas stream are introduced to a re-contacting recovery zone for forming a H2-rich stream, a C3/C4 hydrocarbon-rich LPG stream, and a C5+ hydrocarbon-rich reformate stream.
US08999240B2	Automatic analyzer An automatic analyzer and an automatic analyzing system to identify samples and reagents used in the analyzer and members used in measurement of at least two objects in common: system reagents or buffer solution; sensor parts; probes; nozzles; chips; dispensing cups; tubes; ISE electrodes; detectors; deionized water; and waste, and to unify management of identification information thereof and a measurement result.
US08999238B2	Ultraviolet autonomous trolley for sanitizing aircraft A mobile body is configured to travel over a surface inside an aircraft cabin. A source of UV radiation is mounted to the mobile body and configured to direct UV radiation to the surface at a predetermined dosage. At least two articulated arms are mounted to the mobile body, and UV lamps mounted respectively on the arms. The mobile body is a trolley or cart for negotiating an aircraft aisle.
US08999227B2	Method for producing regenerated target A sintering method with uniaxial pressing includes: a powder filling step of disposing a spent target in an inner space of a frame jig having the inner space piercing in a uniaxial direction, and filling the inner space with a raw material powder for a target to cover an erosion part side of the spent target with the raw material powder for a target, a cushioning-material disposition step of disposing a deformable cushioning material so that the raw material powder for a target with which the inner space has been filled in the powder filling step is sandwiched between the spent target and the deformable cushioning material; and a sintering step of pressing the raw material powder for a target with which the inner space has been filled and the spent target in the uniaxial direction through the cushioning material and sintering them.
US08999226B2	Method of forming a thermal barrier coating system with engineered surface roughness A method of manufacturing a substrate (16) with a ceramic thermal barrier coating (28, 32). The interface between layers of the coating contains an engineered surface roughness (12, 24) to enhance the mechanical integrity of the bond there between. The surface roughness is formed in a surface of a mold (10,20) and is infused by a subsequently cast layer of material (16, 28). The substrate may be partially sintered (76) prior to application of the coating layer(s) and the coated substrate and coating layer(s) may be co-sintered to form a fully coherent strain-free interlayer.
US08999223B2	Device and method for producing labeled plastic containers A device for producing labeled plastic containers includes a blowing wheel including a plurality of blow molds each being configured to mold one of the containers. A labeling device is disposed in a region of the blowing wheel and is configured to label the containers while the containers are circulating on the blowing wheel.
US08999216B2	Method of manufacturing an article by molding A method of manufacturing a component by molding is provided. A mold has a mold surface representing a negative image of the component. The mold has openings in the mold surface. Flow channels extending from the openings in the mold surface and are connectable to a suction device. Further, the mold has a periphery delimiting the mold surface. A bag is fixed to the periphery of the mold. The bag is inflated to a pressure level above ambient pressure. The pressure is released from the bag while sucking the bag to the mold surface using the suction device. Fabrics are layered onto the bag while the bag is kept sucked to the mold surface. Resin is introduced into the fabrics and then the resin is cured.
US08999208B2	In-Ga-Sn oxide sinter, target, oxide semiconductor film, and semiconductor element An oxide sintered body including indium element (In), gallium element (Ga) and tin element (Sn) in atomic ratios represented by the following formulas (1) to (3): 0.10≦In/(In+Ga+Sn)≦0.60 (1) 0.10≦Ga/(In+Ga+Sn)≦0.55 (2) 0.0001
US08999174B1	Chlorine tablet chamber vacuum systems A chlorine tablet chlorinator vacuum evacuation system for attaching to a chlorine tablet chlorinator used in a potable water system. The chlorine tablet chlorinator vacuum evacuation system is continuously running to remove chlorine gas as it is liberated from calcium hypochlorite, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, or trichloroisocyanuric acid tablets so that a back pressure event does not expel chlorine gas to the inside of a human occupyable space. The chlorine tablet chlorinator vacuum evacuation system is reliable in that all of the components are resistant to the oxidizing effects of chlorine gas. The apparatus comprises an upper body joined to a lower body secured by a plate fastened to both flanges of the upper and lower body. The upper body has a vacuum port and a discharge port. The lower body has a nozzle and a centrally located cone assembly creating a venturi effect with air movement.
US08999169B2	Method of determining a phosphorus binder dosage for a dialysis patient The invention is directed to a method of determining a dosage of phosphorus binder for a patient undergoing dialysis treatment to achieve a pre-dialysis serum phosphorus concentration within a desired concentration range while achieving a desired net accumulation of calcium. The method includes determining the dosage of phosphorus binder that will achieve pre-dialysis serum phosphorus concentration of the patient that is within the desired concentration range while accounting for the change in the amount of phosphorus removed by the dialysis treatment when the pre-dialysis serum phosphorus concentration of the patient is within the desired concentration range, determining a dialysate calcium concentration that will result in the desired net accumulation of calcium over a complete dialysis cycle, and dialyzing the patient with a dialysate containing a calcium concentration based upon that determination.
US08999166B1	Tank access hatch and cleaning method A specially designed hatch apparatus and method for entry to a water treatment chamber containing media for water treatment. The hatch's shape, specially embodied hatch/media gap seal and position allows normal chamber operation and access to the lower chamber cavity for cleaning and maintenance time through treatment media.
US08999164B2	Process for the purification of an aqueous stream coming from the fischer-tropsch reaction Process for the purification of an aqueous stream coming from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction which comprises: —feeding said aqueous stream containing the organic by-products of the reaction to a distillation column, obtaining two output streams: —an aqueous stream (i) exiting from the column head, enriched with alcohols having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 9 carbon atoms, and other optional volatile compounds; an aqueous stream (ii) exiting from the column bottom, enriched with organic acids having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 6 carbon atoms; —subjecting said aqueous stream (ii) to an anaerobic biological treatment obtaining a purified aqueous stream (iii); wherein said anaerobic biological treatment is carried out with a hydraulic retention time lower than 15 hours, preferably ranging from 4 hours to 10 hours, more preferably ranging from 5 hours to 8 hours.
US08999148B1	Systems and methods for waste oil recovery Systems and methods to improve the removal and capture of oil from wastewater streams. The water and oil mixture (wastewater) is diluted and treated to provide better solubilization of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions using captive water and a diluent. Two additives are added to demulsify and disperse polymeric and non-hydrocarbon insolubles and layer separation is performed on the treated wastewater to segregate oil and water.
US08999142B2	Catalyst and method for fuels hydrocracking Fuels hydrocracking can be used to generate a variety of product slates. Varying the temperature can allow an amount of naphtha product and an amount of unconverted product to be varied. The method can be enabled by a hydrocracking catalyst that includes a combination of metals with activity for hydrodesulfurization.
US08999139B2	Oxidation/reduction measurement Oxidation/reduction measurement is described. An aspect provides an oxidation/reduction quantification method, including: receiving intermittent oxidizer/reducer reference measurements from one or more reference sensors; receiving one or more substantially continuous oxidizer/reducer-related measurements from one or more corroboration sensors; and processing the one or more substantially continuous oxidizer/reducer-related measurements with the intermittent oxidizer/reducer reference measurements to generate substantially continuous representative oxidizer/reducer measurements. Other aspects are described.
US08999133B2	Method for forming anodized layer and mold production method An anodized layer formation method includes: providing an aluminum film provided on a support or an aluminum base; and forming a porous alumina layer which has minute recessed portions by applying a voltage between an anode which is electrically coupled to a surface of the aluminum film or the aluminum base and a cathode which is provided in an electrolytic solution with the surface of the aluminum film or the aluminum base being in contact with the electrolytic solution. The forming of the porous alumina layer includes increasing the voltage to a target value and, before the voltage is increased to the target value, increasing the voltage to a first peak value which is lower than the target value and thereafter decreasing the voltage to a value which is lower than the first peak value. As such, an anodized layer with reduced variation of recessed portions can be formed.
US08999130B2	Field effect based nanosensor for biopolymer manipulation and detection A mechanism is provided for manipulating a molecule. The molecule is driven into a nanochannel filed with electrically conductive fluid. A first vertical electric field is created inside the nanochannel to slow down the molecule and/or immobilize the molecule. The molecule is stretched into non-folded linear chains by the first vertical electric field and a horizontal electric field. Monomers of the molecule are sequentially read.
US08999129B2	Liquid and gel electrodes for transverse free flow electrophoresis The present invention provides a mechanism for separating or isolating charged particles under the influence of an electric field without metal electrodes being in direct contact with the sample solution. The metal electrodes normally in contact with the sample are replaced with high conductivity fluid electrodes situated parallel and adjacent to the sample. When the fluid electrodes transmit the electric field across the sample, particles within the sample migrate according to their electrophoretic mobility.
US08999122B2	Insulator interposed type plasma processing apparatus Electrically charged droplets and neutral droplets mixed with plasma are removed with better efficiency, and an improvement in the surface treatment precision of film formation by high purity plasma is sought.In a plasma processing apparatus including plasma generating portion A, plasma transport tube B and plasma processing portion C, an insulator interposed plasma processing apparatus is constituted in which plasma transport tube B is made electrically independent from plasma generating portion A and plasma processing portion C electrically by interposing insulator IS and insulator IF between the starting end side and the finishing end side of the plasma transport tube. Plasma transport tube B is divided into multiple small transport tubes B01, B23 through intermediate insulator II1, and each small transport tube is made independent electrically. The electric potential of the plasma transport tube or the small transport tubes is set to GND, a variable positive electric potential, or a variable negative electric potential, by putting the plasma transport tube or the multiple small transport tubes in an electric floating state, or connecting bias power supplies EB 01, EB 23 for transport tube. Also, the small transport tubes are connected in a bent manner, and droplets are removed by the geometric structure.
US08999121B2	Sputtering apparatus The present invention provides a sputtering apparatus and a film-forming method capable of forming a magnetic film having a reduced variation in the orientation of the magnetic anisotropy. The sputtering apparatus of the present invention is equipped with a rotatable cathode and a rotatable stage. The stage can have an electrostatic chuck. Moreover, the stage may electrically be connected with a bias power source capable of applying a bias voltage to the stage. Furthermore, the stage may have the electrostatic chuck and electrically be connected with the bias power source.
US08999118B2	Formation of non-magnetic grooves A method is disclosed for defining discrete magnetic and non-magnetic regions on the magnetic film layer of a storage media substrate. The method applies anodic oxidation of a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer to remove cobalt, followed by controlled deposition of a non-magnetic matrix into the regions where the cobalt has been removed. Deposition may either be electrodeposition, collimated vacuum deposition, or other methods depending upon the composition of the non-magnetic matrix being deposited. The method may be performed in a single electrochemical cell.
US08999111B2	Method of increasing paper surface strength by using acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer in a size press formulation containing starch The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the strengthening effect of a starch coating on paper. The method involves contacting the starch with a synthetic polymer before the starch is cooked. This changes how the starch gelatinizes and how the polymer gets distributed on the paper resulting in greater paper surface strength.
US08999108B2	Tape feeder and method of mounting tape on tape feeder In the separation of a cover tape 15e from a carrier tape 15 performed by a cover tape separating mechanism 50, a cover tape 15e, which is separated from a base tape 15a by a separating blade edge 51f, comes into contact with a concave conical surface 52c, so that one side portion of a cover tape 15e is bent toward the other side portion; and the bent cover tape 15e is pressed against a guide surface 32s from below while the carrier tape 15 is guided to a pick-up position. Accordingly, the cover tape 15e is folded on the base tape 15a in a flat shape.
US08999096B2	Method for manufacturing a composite material curved part, and device for manufacturing a composite material curved part A process for manufacturing a curved part of composite material, during which the layers of fibers of composite materials that will compose the part are held taut at least during the bending step, and displacement of the layers with relation to each other is controlled, is disclosed. A device capable of implementing this type of processs is also disclosed.
US08999094B2	Method of continuous manufacture of a composite hollow board material, and machine and computer program A method of continuous manufacture of a composite hollow board material comprising a first surface and a second surface, and between the first and second surfaces a plurality of distance members is disclosed. The method comprises providing material for the first surface from a first reel via a first guide roller towards an output lane; providing material for the second surface from a second reel via a second guide roller towards the output lane; and providing material for the distance members from a third reel towards the output lane such that the distance members comprises strips arranged, at any cross section perpendicular to the first and second surfaces and the direction of the output lane, perpendicular to the first and second surfaces and continuous along the output lane. The providing of material for the distance members comprises guiding at least some of the strips in a meandering pattern, and applying an adhesive to contact the strips on opposite edges thereof such that adhesion to the material of the first and second surfaces is enabled. The first and second guide rollers press the material of the first and second surfaces to the opposite edges of the strips, respectively, such that the material of the first and second surfaces are adhered to the strips. A machine for continuous manufacture of the composite hollow board material, and a computer program for controlling a machine for continuous manufacture of the composite hollow board material are also disclosed.
US08999077B2	Chemical conversion treatment liquid, method of producing the same, and method of forming conversion layer Provided is a chromium-free chemical conversion treatment technique that makes it possible to form a conversion layer excellent in corrosion resistance and appearance without using fluorine and hydrogen peroxide. The chemical conversion treatment liquid is for forming a conversion layer on zinc or zinc alloy and free of chromium, hydrogen peroxide and fluorine, includes 0.5 g/L to 38 g/L of magnesium, 0.5 g/L to 3.5 g/L of silicon, and 0.36 g/L or more of nitrate ion, contains the silicon as a water-soluble silicate, optionally further includes cobalt at a concentration of 5 g/L or less, and has an aluminum content of 0.08 g/L or less.
US08999074B2	Fluid input module for multi-lumen catheters A cleaning catheter (200) includes fluid-delivery and suction lumens (520, 530). A flow regulator (700) defines suction and fluid ports (830, 827). A mechanical user control element (320) is configured to mechanically and non-electrically set activation states of the flow regulator (700), and transition between first and third configurations via a second configuration. When the control element (320) is in the first configuration, the flow regulator (700) blocks fluid communication (a) between the suction port (830) and the suction lumen (530) and (b) between the fluid port (827) and the fluid-delivery lumen (520). When the control element (320) is in the second configuration, the flow regulator effects fluid communication between the suction port (830) and the suction lumen (530), and blocks fluid communication between the fluid port (827) and the fluid-delivery lumen (520). When the control element (320) is in the third configuration, the flow regulator (700) effects fluid communication (a) between the suction port (830) and the suction lumen (530) and (b) between the fluid port (827) and the fluid-delivery lumen (520).
US08999071B2	Surfactants derived from oligoglycerols Provided is a surfactant composition comprising an oligoglycerol compound of formula I, wherein R and m are as defined above. The compounds exhibit favorable surfactancy properties. Advantageously, the compounds may be prepared from renewable materials.
US08999067B2	Fractionation of a lignocellulosic material A method for fractionating a lignocellulosic material, the method comprising; contacting (2) the lignocellulosic material with an ionic liquid (3) and dissolving the lignocellulosic material therein, providing a second liquid (7) which is immiscible with the ionic liquid and is also a non-solvent for cellulose, adding the second liquid to the ionic liquid so as to form a biphasic system (6) which comprises an ionic liquid phase essentially free of lignocellulose and a second liquid phase comprising lignin in solution and cellulose as a precipitate, separating the two phases and recovering (8) the precipitated cellulose from the separated second liquid phase.
US08999061B2	Method for producing silicon epitaxial wafer The method for producing a silicon epitaxial wafer according to the present invention has: a growth step G at which an epitaxial layer is grown on a silicon single crystal substrate; a first polishing step E at which, before the growth step G, both main surfaces of the silicon single crystal substrate are subjected to rough polishing simultaneously; and a second polishing step H at which, after the growth step G, the both main surfaces of the silicon single crystal substrate are subjected to finish polishing simultaneously.
US08999060B2	Method of growing GaN whiskers from a gallium-containing solvent at low pressure and low temperature Millimeter-scale GaN single crystals in filamentary form, also known as GaN whiskers, grown from solution and a process for preparing the same at moderate temperatures and near atmospheric pressures are provided. GaN whiskers can be grown from a GaN source in a reaction vessel subjected to a temperature gradient at nitrogen pressure. The GaN source can be formed in situ as part of an exchange reaction or can be preexisting GaN material. The GaN source is dissolved in a solvent and precipitates out of the solution as millimeter-scale single crystal filaments as a result of the applied temperature gradient.
US08999055B2	Method for improving handleability of calcium carbonate containing materials The present invention concerns a calcium carbonate containing material having increased bulk density at equal or improved flowability, and a method of producing such a material. The inventive process comprises the step of contacting a calcium carbonate containing mineral powder with a solution or emulsion or dispersion of a binder.
US08999050B2	Ink containing anthraquinone based dye, dye used in the ink, and display An object of the present invention is to provide an anthraquinone based dye having excellent solubility in a low polar solvent and having high absorption coefficient and high light resistance and an ink containing the same. The present invention relates to an ink comprising a specific anthraquinone based dye.
US08999049B2	W/O emulsion ink for inkjet A water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion ink which is suitable for use in inkjet printing and is superior in ejection performance and storage stability and low in viscosity is provided. A water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion ink which comprises a polyglycerin with a polymerization degree of not less than 3 in a water phase is provided. As an emulsifier, a polyglycerin fatty acid ester with an HLB value of 7-14 in which fatty acid moiety is oleic acid or isostearic acid, or a polyoxyethylene sorbit fatty acid ester is preferably used. The concentration of the polyglycerin in the water phase is preferably 10-70 mass % relative to 100 mass % of the whole water phase. The polymerization degree of the polyglycerin is preferably not less than 4.
US08999048B2	Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for diesel engine An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for a diesel engine includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in an exhaust system in the diesel engine. The exhaust gas purifying apparatus is constructed to execute regeneration of the DPF by raising a temperature of the DPF in a case where a predetermined DPF regeneration condition is fulfilled, interrupt the regeneration of the DPF, execute idling stop, automatically restart the diesel engine and then restart the regeneration of the DPF, and when shifting to the idling operation is carried out during regeneration of the DPF, delay execution of the idling stop until a temperature of the DPF at a time at which the idling stop is started becomes not less than a temperature of the DPF at a time at which shifting to an idling operation is carried out even in a case where the predetermined idling stop condition is fulfilled.
US08999047B2	System for processing mercury in flue gas A system for removing Hg contained in flue gas from a boiler, the system includes: a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange of the flue gas from the boiler; a precipitator for removing soot and dust in the flue gas; a wet desulfurization device for removing mercury oxide Hg2+ in the flue gas using an alkali absorbent; and; a removal assistant supply unit for supplying a removal assistant for removing impurities into a limestone and gypsum slurry that circulates through the wet desulfurization device.
US08999042B2	Cyclone having a pure gas line A cyclone for separating solid particles from an exhaust gas flow includes a housing with a jacket area that is cylindrical at least in some sections, with a cover area, and with a bottom area. An exhaust gas line opens into an inlet opening and is for an exhaust gas flow mixed with solid particles. A discharge opening is for the solid particles separated from the exhaust gas flow. An immersion pipe has a penetration area passing through the housing and has an open end area protruding into the interior of the housing and used as an outlet opening for the purified exhaust gas flow from the housing. At least one pure gas line supplies pure gas, creating a second boundary layer flow to replace a first boundary layer flowing having an increased concentration of solid particles.
US08999033B2	Method and system for producing direct reduced iron and/or hot metal using brown coal The present invention provides a method for producing direct reduced iron and/or hot metal using high-moisture content carbonaceous material, including: agglomerating carbonaceous material from the high-moisture content carbonaceous material with a metal oxide-bearing material to form an agglomerate suitable for use in a direct reduction and/or hot metal producing process. The method also includes distilling the high-moisture content carbonaceous material. The method further includes dry quenching the carbonaceous material obtained from the distilling step. The method still further includes drying the high-moisture content carbonaceous material with energy from a hot off gas from a furnace for producing direct reduced iron and/or hot metal prior to the distilling step.
US08999030B2	Methods of producing coal and fertilizers from fermentation residues The present invention concerns a process for producing synthetic coal and aqueous liquid plant fertilizing solution products from a fermentation residue such as is left over from the corn based process of producing ethanol. The synthetic coal has a high heat value commensurate with naturally occurring coals and is lower in ash and sulfur content and thus has value as a clean burning energy source. The aqueous fertilizer includes commercially useful amounts of phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen in solution. The process of the invention is also energy efficient in that the products produced thereby involve the use of substantially less energy as compared to the traditional methods of processing fermentation residues in the corn based ethanol production industry.
US08999026B2	Bonded abrasive article and method of forming An abrasive article having an abrasive body including abrasive grains contained within a bond material, wherein the abrasive grains comprise microcrystalline alumina, and wherein the bond material includes less than about 1.0 mol % phosphorous oxide (P2O5), and a ratio measured in mol % between a total content of sodium oxide (Na2O) and a total content of potassium oxide (K2O) defined by [K2O/Na2O] having a value greater than about 0.5.
US08999025B1	Methods of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond body with a sintering aid/infiltrant at least saturated with non-diamond carbon and resultant products such as compacts Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond compacts and applications for such polycrystalline diamond compacts. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond body includes mechanically milling non-diamond carbon and a sintering aid material for a time and aggressiveness sufficient to form a plurality of carbon-saturated sintering aid particles and sintering a plurality of diamond particles in the presence of the plurality of carbon-saturated sintering aid particles to form the polycrystalline diamond body.
US08999018B2	Apparatus and method for rapidly producing synthetic gas from bio-diesel by-product using microwave plasma Provided are an apparatus and a method for rapidly producing a synthetic gas from a bio-diesel byproduct using microwave plasma, in which, while a plasma flame is generated by a plasma generator and waste glycerin, a bio-diesel byproduct, as fuel, is gasified by being supplied to the generated plasma flame of high temperature, the fuel is supplied in various types to increase the contact time or the contact area with the plasma flame and thus promote gasification thereof and the contents of steam and oxygen supplied and the plasma power are controlled to increase the collection amount of combustible gas and thus allow rapid production of the synthetic gas.
US08998997B2	Implantable mobile bearing prosthetics A knee prosthesis including a femoral implant, a tibial implant, a tibial insert and a cam post. The femoral implant is secured to a femur and has a gap for receiving a natural PCL. The tibial implant is secured to a tibia. The tibial insert comprises a medial cavity with a rotational axis. The tibial insert has articulating surfaces that match the contours of the condyles of the femoral implant and a notch for retaining the natural PCL. The tibial insert has a medial boss that aligns with the medial cavity allowing it to rotate about the rotational axis. A post is secured to the tibial implant and enters a hole of the tibial insert providing anterior and posterior stops for the rotation of the tibial insert about the rotational axis.
US08998996B2	Knee prosthesis system with standard and distal offset joint line A modular knee prosthesis system includes a femoral component having a stem and a sleeve. The system is modular, and provides the surgeon with the option of distally offsetting the joint line by controlling the relative axial positions of the stem and the sleeve. Alternative options include providing sleeves with tapered bores of different diameters, providing a shim to be placed between the sleeve and the stem and providing the stems as adapters having different diameters.
US08998993B2	Prosthesis for stimulating natural kinematics A bearing component 2 for a joint replacement prosthesis comprises a first bearing element 4; a second bearing element 6, and a linking element 8, operatively connecting the first and second bearing elements 4, 6 and permitting relative motion there between. The flexible linking element 8 prevents dislocation of mobile bearings in a total knee replacement prosthesis. The invention also relates to a bridging element which retains the linking element 8 with some play, which acts as a ligament support 2051, and which causes a deflection of the line of action of a ligament 1018. A joint replacement prosthesis is also disclosed comprising a biasing element 1140 or a tensioning element 1220 operatively coupled to the artificial ligament 1018. The biasing element 1140 or tensioning element 1220 may be housed in the stem of a tibial tray 1006.
US08998984B2	Adjustable toric intraocular lens An adjustable astigmatism-reducing intraocular lens includes a toric optic with a long axis. The optic is rotationally coupled to haptics, and a plurality of struts extend between the optic and the haptics. The struts are held under tension and individually releasable via laser, or are heat shrinkable to increase the tension of selective struts. When a strut is released or shrunk, a torsional force is applied to angularly adjust the optic relative to the haptics. After the lens has been implanted and healed relative to the tissue, struts are individually released via laser ablation to cause torsional instability and resulting net rotational adjustment, or individually heat shrunk to tension the strut, to cause torsional instability, and effect net rotational adjustment to ensure that a long axis of optic is aligned with the axis of astigmatic correction of the eye.
US08998982B2	Method and apparatus for fine adjustment of a percutaneous valve structure The invention provides a device for fine adjustment of a prosthetic valve device and a method of adjusting the position of a prosthetic valve after implantation. The adjustment mechanism includes complementary structures on a valve member and device frame that cooperate to provide relative axial and/or angular motion between the valve member and device frame (and thus the native vessel). The adjustment mechanism of the invention may also include a means for selectively maintaining the relative position of the valve member and device frame. The device and method are particularly applicable for use with a modular prosthetic valve device that is assembled in the body lumen.
US08998981B2	Prosthetic heart valve having identifiers for aiding in radiographic positioning A prosthetic heart valve having identifiers for aiding in radiographic positioning is described.
US08998978B2	Stent formed from bioerodible metal-bioceramic composite Medical devices and methods of fabricating such medical devices, such as stents, formed at least in part from a metal matrix composite including bioceramic particles dispersed within an erodible metal are disclosed.
US08998977B2	Hollow drug-filled stent and method of forming hollow drug-filled stent A stent is formed from a wire having an outer member, a radiopaque member lining at least a portion of the outer member inner surface, and a lumen defined by the outer member inner surface or the radiopaque member inner surface. A substance is disposed in the lumen to be eluted through at least one opening disposed through the outer member to the lumen. The radiopaque member may be substantially continuous along the length of the wire or disposed only along portions of the wire such as crowns. In a method for making the stent, a composite wire including an outer member, a radiopaque intermediate member, and a core member is shaped into a stent pattern and processed to remove the core member and optionally portions of the radiopaque intermediate member, without damaging the outer member.
US08998965B2	Bone anchoring device A bone anchoring device includes a receiving part for receiving a rod, the receiving part having a first bore coaxial with a longitudinal axis and a second bore. The bone anchoring device also includes an anchoring element having a first end for insertion into the bone and a second end positionable within a second bore, the second end having a spherically shaped surface portion. The bone anchoring device further has a locking device provided to the second bore of the receiving part. The locking device protrudes from an inner wall of the second bore and engages with a recessed surface portion of the second end of the anchoring element, such that the anchoring element is pivotable relative to the receiving part around a single axis of rotation. The locking device may comprise pins inserted into through holes formed in the receiving part, which engage with the recessed surface portion of the second end.
US08998959B2	Polyaxial bone anchors with pop-on shank, fully constrained friction fit retainer and lock and release insert A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. The receiver can have crimp tabs, but is devoid of spring tabs and collet-like flexible structures. A down-loadable compression insert (some with lock and release feature), a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having super structure for temporary friction fit with an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled.
US08998958B2	Locking device introducer instrument An instrument includes components configured to secure a locking device inside a rod fixation assembly. In one embodiment, an instrument includes an outer sleeve and a pusher member arranged telescopically within the outer sleeve. A drive assembly cooperatively engages the pusher member. In another embodiment, an instrument includes an outer sleeve, a pusher member arranged telescopically within the outer sleeve, and a pair of drive assemblies. A first drive assembly engages the pusher member to distally advance the pusher member under a first loading. A second drive assembly also engages the pusher member to distally advance the pusher member under a second loading, the second loading being substantially greater than the first loading. In another embodiment, a method for reducing and locking a spinal rod includes the step of advancing a locking element while the locking element is retained in a fixed orientation.
US08998954B2	Spinous process spacer A spinous process spacer that is designed to maintain a desired spatial relationship between adjacent vertebrae, is configured for introduction into a spinal implant site in a compressed state and then expands in situ. Once expanded, formations of the present spinal spacer form areas, pockets or spaces that receive at least one bony portion of each adjacent vertebra. The present spinous process spacer has a changeable circumferential profile wherein a first circumferential profile is smaller than a second circumferential profile in order to provide/achieve its compressed and expanded states. The first circumferential profile defines the collapsed position or state while the second circumferential profile defines the position or state. Upon implantation, the present spinous process spacer is not fixed to any bony structure of the vertebrae but provides support. In this regard, use of the spinous process spacer, by itself, will not result in vertebral fusion. However, fusion can result with the use of bone graft packed about the spinous processes (and the spinous process spacer) or in conjunction with the use of an intervertebral body spacer.
US08998952B2	Facet joint replacement instruments and methods A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, a superior implant with a superior articular surface, and an optional crossbar. The inferior implant and the superior implant are each polyaxially adjustably connected to fixation elements which anchor the implants to adjacent vertebrae. The optional crossbar may be polyaxially adjustably connected to bilateral implants. The system components may be provided in kits which provide components of various sizes and shapes. A set of surgical instruments may facilitate implantation of the facet joint replacement system by providing tools for bone preparation, trialing, implant insertion, implant alignment, and lock-out of modular interconnections.
US08998950B2	System and method for sealing access The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for sealing a puncture in a tubular tissue structure or the wall of a body cavity. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for sealing a puncture site in the wall of a tubular tissue structure, or in the wall of a body cavity with a stabilizer used to stabilize the material used to seal the puncture site as the material is positioned. The material is inserted into the puncture site as a ribbon or sheet on an introducer element such as a needle, a cannula, a guide wire, an introducer element adapted for dialysis, an introducer element adapted for catheterization, a trocar, or any other introducer element used to access the lumen of a tubular tissue structure or used to access a body cavity.
US08998949B2	Soft tissue conduit device A method of conducting biological materials to soft tissue. The method includes loading a conduit device onto a delivery shaft of an inserter, inserting at least a portion of the delivery shaft into soft tissue, expelling the conduit device from the delivery shaft into the tissue, and delivering biological material through an access port of the inserter into at least one outer longitudinal channel of the conduit device.
US08998946B2	Blood clot removal device A blood clot removal device (1), comprising a capture member (2) having a tubular body (3) of prevailing longitudinal extension and provided with a lumen (10) extending longitudinally in said tubular body (3), at least one proximal portion (4), at least one distal portion (5), an apical end (6) of said distal portion (5), and a tip (7); said at least one distal portion (5) of said capture member (2) having at least one helical length (8) provided, with coils (16) wrapped in a helical manner forming a pitch (p) therebetween in the longitudinal direction and adapted to the capture of blood clots (9); an inner cable (11) received in said longitudinal lumen (10) of said tubular body (3) so as to remain within said tubular body (3) helical length (8), said inner cable (11) comprising a proximal length (12) having a proximal maneuvering end (13) and a distal length (14) provided with a tip (15); wherein said tip (15) of said inner cable (11) is secured to said apical end (6) of said capture member (2) tubular body (3), said tip (15) being firmly secured to said apical end (6) so that, when said inner cable (11) is subjected to a relative movement relative to the capture member (2) in the proximal direction, said inner cable (11) brings the tubular body (3) apical end (6) closer to the proximal portion thereof, shortening the pitch (p) of said coils (16) of the helical length (8) of the blood clot (9) capture member (2).
US08998943B2	Methods and apparatuses for fluoro-less or near fluoro-less percutaneous surgery access A needle access assembly and method for obtaining percutaneous needle access with little or no fluoroscopy. The method can include selecting a target for percutaneous access, directing a laser guide at a desired needle-insertion angle and in line with the selected target, aligning the needle access assembly with the laser, and inserting the needle into the target.
US08998941B2	Cam-actuated medical puncturing device and method The medical puncturing device includes a housing (12), a shield (13), and a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing. The shield is axially movable in the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element mounted to the carrier. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by engagement of flexure members or a retaining tab with the carrier. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier and skin puncturing element into the housing.
US08998938B2	Fluid ejection device, driving method of fluid ejection device, and operating instrument A fluid ejection device includes: a fluid chamber whose capacity is variable; an inlet flow path and an outlet flow path communicating with the fluid chamber; a capacity changing unit which changes the capacity of the fluid chamber; a fluid supplying unit which supplies fluid to the inlet flow path; a fluid ejection opening disposed at an end of the outlet flow path opposite to an end communicating with the fluid chamber; a vibrating unit which vibrates a component in the vicinity of the fluid ejection opening; a vibration detecting unit which detects the level of vibration of the component in the vicinity of the fluid ejection opening; and an operation control unit which controls operation of the capacity changing unit based on the level of the vibration detected by the vibration detecting unit.
US08998937B2	Methods and devices for cutting tissue A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen generally includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, advancing the device through the blood flow lumen to a site where material is to be removed, forcing the opening toward a wall of the site where material is to be removed, and moving the cutting element and the opening so that material in the blood flow lumen is cut by the cutting element and directed into the opening for removal as the cutting element and opening are moved through the blood flow lumen. In some embodiments, the device may be deflected or bent to force the opening toward a wall to remove material. The cutting element may be rotatable and may have an axis that is movable, that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, or both.
US08998934B2	System for providing fluid flow to nerve tissues Provided is an apparatus that includes a nerve conduit and a nested manifold for providing a reduced pressure. Also provided is a system that includes a source of reduced pressure, a nerve conduit and nested manifold, and a conduit for providing fluid communication between the manifold and the source of reduced pressure. Additionally provided is a method that includes implanting the above nerve conduit and manifold at a site of damaged nerve tissue and applying a reduced pressure to the manifold thereby stimulating repair or regrowth of nerve tissue.
US08998933B2	Surgical fastening clips, systems and methods for proximating tissue A surgical fastener clip for proximating tissue, the clip providing an undeflected state in which the clip comprises a center portion, a first leg, and a second leg. The center portion has a perimeter defining a circle-like shape. The legs project outwardly relative to the perimeter from a point of departure to a tip. Extension of each of the legs relative to the perimeter defines an identical wind direction that is either clockwise or counterclockwise. The clip optionally includes a linear cross-member extending across the perimeter. The surgical clip can be formed by a wire that is partially wound onto itself in a spiral-like fashion, with the center portion and the legs being co-planar in the undeflected state. During use, the clip is rotated, drawing tissue into the center portion. Systems incorporating the clip are also provided.
US08998928B2	Confinement of kidney stone fragments during lithotripsy The present invention improves significantly the success rate of lithotripsy and reduces the risk of tissue damage, by injecting a temporary plug in front, and optionally behind a concretion (for extracorporeal lithotripsy) or behind a concretion (for intracorporeal lithotripsy). One aspect of the present invention relates to injecting an inverse thermosensitive polymer solution into a lumen, thereby preventing the migration of a concretion, or its fragments, upon extracorporeal or intracorporeal lithotripsy.
US08998926B2	Heat detachable coil An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body is provided. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a detachment member and a heat-responsive coupling attached to a delivery member for holding the coil during positioning of the coil. The heating element is heated to reduce the strength of and sever the heat-responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the body vessel.
US08998923B2	Threaded bone filling material plunger Described herein are devices, systems and method for assuring that connection regions (e.g., threaded regions) of stabilization devices are clear of bone filling materials such as bone cements. A stabilization device may be referred to as a bone stabilization device or an anchor, and may be a self-expanding device configured for insertion into bone. One exemplary clearing device is configured as a plunger-type device for clearing the connector region by scraping and/or rubbing the surface of the connector region. A clearing device may include a handle, a rod and a connector end that is configured to mate with the connector of a stabilization device. The connector end may include one or more scraping surfaces (e.g., edges) and may include a vacuum port for removing material such as scraped bone cement.
US08998914B2	Optimized stimulation rate of an optically stimulating cochlear implant Method and apparatus for optically stimulating neurons of a plurality of auditory nerve pathways of a person to provide auditory sensations for the person including generating a plurality of pulsed light signals having one or more successive pulses; delivering the plurality of pulsed light signals to one or more auditory nerve pathways of the cochlea of the person; selectively controlling the plurality of light signals to optically stimulate and trigger nerve action potentials (NAPs) in the one or more auditory nerve pathways. In some embodiments, the stimulation rate (i.e., pulse-repetition rate) is optimized for the patient based on comfort levels, speech-recognition scores, and temperature feedback from monitors in the cochlea. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention find practical lower and upper limits to the rate of stimulation to increase the speech-recognition scores while implementing safety limits to preventing overheating.
US08998912B2	Clamping patella drill guide A patella drill guide includes a base with a flat patella bone-facing surface, a drill guide bore extending through the base, a cantilever spring member and a bone-gripping member. The cantilever spring member biases the bone-gripping member and the flat patella bone-facing surface toward each other. Flexing the cantilever spring member moves the bone-gripping member away from the flat patella bone-facing surface so that the drill guide can be placed on the patella. When the cantilever spring member is released, the patella is clamped between the bone-gripping member and the flat patella bone-facing surface. The drill guide may have sizing indicia and may be part of a kit including trial components to be mounted to the drill guide.
US08998909B2	Devices and methods for hip replacement Devices and methods for use in hip replacement surgery can incorporate computer models of a patient's acetabulum and surrounding bone structure, a first patient-specific jig designed from the computer model and configured to correspond to a final installation position and orientation of a prosthetic him implant, a second patient-specific jig, also designed from the computer model, configured to refine the procedure, if necessary, following use of the first patient-specific jig, and/or a third patient specific jig, designed from the computer model, configured to refine the procedure, if necessary, following use of the first and second patient-specific jigs, allowing the surgeon to properly position and orient the hip prosthesis. Also shown and described are novel devices for implanting an acetabular cup.
US08998903B2	Wedge opening osteotomy plate An orthopedic plate is designed for opening osteotomies and includes a contoured double tabbed or butterfly shaped plate portion which can accommodate selective fixation including locking, variable locking and non-locking. The plate also includes a centrally located osteotomy support that maintains the opening between bone segments at a spaced relationship. The support can be integral to the plate, or can be modular, i.e. a separate and adjustable segment which can be changed to accommodate the desired geometry of the osteotomy site.
US08998899B2	Multi-button electrosurgical apparatus A multi-button electrosurgical apparatus includes a housing having a passage extending therethough, a distal end configured to support an electrode; at least four switches disposed on a surface of the housing configured to be selectively activated by a user; and three wires connected between the housing and a connector, the connector configured to be operatively coupled to an electrosurgical generator, a first wire being coupled to the electrode and configured to receive electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator, a second wire being coupled to a first switch and configured to generate a first activation signal and a third wire being coupled to a second switch and configured to generate a second activation signal, wherein a third and fourth switch are coupled to the first wire and the second or third wire via a respective reactive switching element configured to generate third and forth activation signals.
US08998895B2	Electrosurgical instrument and method for producing an electrosurgical instrument An electrosurgical instrument including a probe tube for transporting fluid, at least one electrode for devitalizing tissue, and at least one conducting foil electrical lead arranged along the longitudinal axis of the probe tube for providing a high frequency (RF) voltage at the electrode. A method of producing an electrosurgical instrument, including applying a conductive foil to a probe tube that extends along the longitudinal axis of the probe tube, and providing at least one electrode on the probe tube, wherein the electrode electrically connects to the conductive foil.
US08998892B2	Ablation device with cooled electrodes and methods of use An electrosurgical end effector for ablating tissue is provided that comprises at least one electrically-conductive ablation member adapted to be connected to a source of RF energy, with the ablation member having a tissue engaging surface and an internal fluid passageway. Preferably, the end effector includes two electrically conductive ablation members that are electrically isolated from one another.
US08998884B2	Remote controlled in situ reaction method Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled reaction device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to various embodiments, a reaction device is placed in an environment in order to perform a chemical reaction in an environment. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. In selected embodiments, a magnetic field, an electric field, or electromagnetic control signal may be used.
US08998880B2	Airless mixing with a by-pass syringe A method for transferring and mixing a pharmaceutical mixture utilizing a by-pass cartridge and a syringe. After mixing the dry component and the diluent in the by-pass cartridge, the mixture can be passed to a syringe which includes a syringe plunger having a fluid passageway therein with a hydrophobic membrane covering the passageway. The mixture can be transferred back and forth between the by-pass cartridge and the syringe through a small bore to achieve mixing, particularly in the case of microspheres held in suspension.
US08998870B2	Reusable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems Reusable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems.
US08998866B2	Provision of wound filler A process of manufacturing a wound dressing filler and/or wound dressing.
US08998863B2	Apparatus and method for controlling the negative pressure in a wound An apparatus and method are provided for treating wound with negative pressure. The apparatus includes a wound cover, a first pump for providing said negative pressure at a chosen pressure level to the wound, a canister, a first conduit between the wound cover and the canister, first means for measuring the pressure within the canister, and a second conduit which connects the canister with the first pump. A circulating pump is arranged to intermittently transport a gas volume from the canister to the wound region via a third conduit and back to the canister via the first conduit in order to press out possible exudates from the first conduit to the canister. A second means analyzes the pressure curve over time of said pressure in the canister and a third means indicates by alarm when said pressure curve differs from a normal cyclical form.
US08998851B2	Compact spring inserter for drug deliver infusion set An infusion set (201) includes a base (221) and a flexible catheter (242) movable from a first catheter position disposed substantially entirely within the base (221) to a second catheter position in which a free end of the catheter (242) is disposed externally of the base (221). An introducer needle (234) is located within the catheter (242) and is movable between a first introducer needle position disposed substantially entirely within the base (221) and a second introducer needle position in which a free end of the introducer needle (234) is disposed externally of the base (221). A torsion spring (281) is activated to move the catheter (242) from the first to the second catheter position and the introducer needle (234) from the first to the second introducer needle position to facilitate insertion of the catheter (242). The introducer needle (234) is thereafter moved by the torsion spring (281) back to the first introducer needle position to store the introducer needle (234) within the base (221) with the free end of the catheter (242) remaining disposed externally of the base (221).
US08998846B2	Drug releasing coatings for balloon catheters Balloon catheters, methods for preparing balloon catheters, and uses of balloon catheters are disclosed. The balloon catheter includes an elongate member, an expandable balloon, and a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the expandable balloon. The coating layer includes a total drug load of a hydrophobic therapeutic agent and a combination of additives including a first additive and a second additive. The hydrophobic therapeutic agent is paclitaxel, rapamycin, or paclitaxel and rapamycin. The first additive is a surfactant. The second additive is a chemical compound having one or more hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl, carboxyl, acid, amide, or ester groups.
US08998836B2	Noise-reducing dialysis systems and methods of reducing noise in dialysis systems A method of pneumatically operating a dialysis system includes (i) pumping air in a first valve state from a pneumatic pump to operate a component of the dialysis system, and (ii) recirculating air in a second valve state by pumping air from an outlet of the pneumatic pump to an inlet of the pneumatic pump to minimize at least one of a noise pitch or noise amplitude when switching from the second valve state to the first valve state.
US08998833B1	Orthopedic device and method for correcting skeletal abnormalities in a new-born baby An orthopedic device for correcting abnormalities in the wrist, hand, fingers and thumb of a newborn baby comprises a lightweight glove shaped semi rigid shell constructed and dimensioned to fit a newborn baby within a few hours of birth. A wrist or lower arm and hand engaging portion are rotatably connected and adjustable in one millimeter increments. The adjustments are made with no more than one millimeter correction per 24 hour period. The shell includes a wrist and lower forearm engaging portion, a hand engaging portion and a finger engaging portion and is adjustable for rotationally clockwise or counterclockwise about the longitudinal axis of the lower arm bone. Further adjustments may be made to rotate the fingers upwardly or downwardly, to the left or right and rotationally and/or rotational movement between the hand and lower arm. The invention also contemplates an orthopedic method for correcting skeletal abnormalities of the wrist, hand, fingers and thumb of a newborn baby.
US08998832B2	Body therapy device The body therapy device includes a thoracic pad having a top edge and a rear surface with a base having a bottom edge, a front angled surfaced and a rear surface. A spherical member is attached to the angled front surface of the base and includes a hard inner core therein. A pump, with active and passive elements, is provided to enable the user to adjust the hardness of ball portion of the device for customized therapy to a head and neck region. As a result, the device of the present invention is effective for physical therapy and treatment of a wide range of ailments and conditions.
US08998823B2	Physiological sensor delivery device and method An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. For example, such a device may be used to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion. The sensor delivery device has a distal sleeve configured to pass or slide over a standard medical guidewire. Some distance back from the sensor and distal sleeve, the device separates from the guidewire to permit independent control of the sensor delivery device and the guidewire. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example.
US08998822B2	Portable preprogrammed thermometer for indicating fertility status A method of recording, storing, analyzing, and displaying changes in a woman's basal body temperature includes the steps of: (a) recording with an intelligent, preprogrammed thermometer the woman's orally-measured temperature; (b) storing in the thermometer the woman's temperature to create a stored temperature reading; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b); (d) analyzing inside the thermometer the significance of any changes in the stored temperature readings; and (e) displaying the changes in the woman's basal body temperature, and displaying an analysis of those changes, on the thermometer, and on any electronic device connected to the thermometer. In other features of the invention, steps (a) and (b) are repeated daily when the woman first awakes from her night's sleep, and the woman first inputs into the thermometer data about herself, including at least her year of birth, her height, her weight, her body mass index, and her current and past menstruation data.
US08998820B2	Devices and method for determining and monitoring a cardiac status of a patient by using PLVDT or PLVST parameters The present invention relates to an improved medical device and method for accurately and reliably determining a cardiac status of a patient. An implantable medical device, IMD, comprises a sensor arrangement adapted to sense signals related to mechanical activity of the heart and an activity level sensor arrangement adapted to sense an activity level of the patient. Further, the IMD calculates a percentage of left ventricular diastolic time (PLVDT) for a cardiac cycle corresponding to a relation between a diastolic time interval and a cardiac cycle time interval using the determined systolic and diastolic time intervals or a percentage of left ventricular systolic time (PLVST) for a cardiac cycle corresponding to a relation between a systolic interval time interval and a cardiac cycle time interval. A cardiac status is determined based on the calculated PLVDT (or PLVST) and on an activity level of the patient.
US08998816B2	Devices, systems and methods for isometric and isotonic contraction of blood vessels using an isovolumetric myograph The present invention discloses devices, systems and methods for the isovolumic measurement of vasoactivity in a blood vessel (3). The length and volume of the blood vessel (3) are maintained constant while a chemical or pressure is exposed to the blood vessel (3). The reaction of the blood vessel (3) to the chemical or physical stimuli is measured by internal lumen pressure changes.
US08998811B2	3D ultrasound system for intuitive displaying to check abnormality of object and method for operating 3D ultrasound system Provided are a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system and a method for operating the 3D ultrasound system, which are capable of intuitively displaying the abnormality of an object by determining a grade by comparing measurement data obtained by measuring ultrasound data relating to the object and displaying the measurement data in a different way based on the determined grade.
US08998807B2	Retractor extensions and methods of use A retractor extension is provided comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end extending longitudinally from the distal end, the distal end of the body comprising a first set of engagement members comprising a first projection configured for attaching the body to a first end surface of the retractor, the proximal end of the body comprising a second set of engagement members comprising a second projection configured for attaching the body to a second end surface of the retractor. In some embodiments, the retractor extension holds tissue away from the surgical incision to enhance the surgeon's field of vision. Methods of attaching the retractor extension to the retractor are also described.
US08998806B2	Insertion aid for oral and nasal medical devices Embodiments of the present invention include an insertion aid device with a handle, a tongue depressor, a tracheal suction catheter guide, and a guide with a recess formed by a pair of prongs. The guide may be configured to accommodate the cross-sectional shape of a tracheal suction catheter, a nasogastric tube, or an orogastric tube. The tracheal suction catheter guide may include a connection port configured to couple to an in-line suction catheter. A light source may be included with the insertion aid device.
US08998804B2	Suction catheter assembly for a laryngoscope A laryngoscope is provided with a suction catheter assembly that includes a catheter to supply suction for removal of fluids (e.g., blood, vomit, secretions, and so on) proximate to the distal end of the blade of the laryngoscope during intubation. A connector secures the catheter to the distal end of the blade. A retainer holds the catheter against the side of the blade.
US08998803B2	Dissection and retraction device for vaginal sacral colpopexy In one embodiment the apparatus includes a first retractor, a second retractor, and a shaft. The shaft defines a central channel extending from a first end portion of the shaft to a second end portion of the shaft. The first retractor and the second retractor are configured to collectively form a lumen. The shaft is configured to be disposed within the lumen. In one embodiment method of disposing a graft within a body of a patient, includes making an incision in the body of the patient, inserting a medical device into the body of the patient through the incision, removing the shaft of the medical device from the body of the patient, and moving the first refractor within the body of the patient away from the second retractor.
US08998800B2	Endoscope An endoscope has a bending portion operation apparatus at an operation portion, the bending portion operation apparatus being for bending and operating a bending portion, and the bending portion operation apparatus includes a dial for bending operation which bends the bending portion by pivoting about a shaft, a portion of the dial for bending operation provided at the operation portion being protruded at a position where the dial for bending operation is operated with a thumb grasping the operation portion, and an auxiliary dial for bending operation which has a meshing portion meshing with the dial for bending operation and a protruding portion protruding at a position where the auxiliary dial for bending operation is operable with a finger other than the thumb, an operation input entered at the protruding portion with the finger other than the thumb being transmitted to the bending operation dial via the meshing portion.
US08998797B2	Surgical system A surgical system performs a surgical procedure on a patient with manipulators and an endoscope. The surgical system has a display unit for simultaneously displaying a plurality of items of information including an endoscopic image captured by the endoscope, and a wireless image processor for transmitting information to the display unit and processing the plurality of items of information to be displayed by the display unit. The information about the endoscopic image is transmitted from the endoscope to the wireless image processor through a link including at least a portion based on wireless communications.
US08998788B2	Apparatus and method for folding articles An apparatus for folding articles advancing in a machine direction including a rotatable roll having a roll surface, at least one protrusion that defines an outermost surface of the roll and at least one pocket that defines an innermost surface of the roll. The apparatus also includes a peel assembly and a folding assembly. The peel assembly and/or folding assembly may be configured as one or more movable heads for receiving an article or article portion from a first carrier at a first speed and transferring the article to a second carrier travelling at a second speed.
US08998787B2	Method and apparatus for a bag machine A bag machine, and method of making bags, has a sealing station a perforating station, and a downstream seal and perforation inspection station, or a perforation detection station and/or a seal inspection station is disclosed. Control of the perforating and sealing stations is preferably closed loop. The seal and perforation inspection station preferably includes a perforation detector that triggers a vision system and/or a camera, and the film is illuminated. Preferably, the inspection station is enclosed in an opaque housing, or the ambient light is otherwise blocked. The seal and perforation inspection station preferably provides an image output a display visible to a user. The vision system preferably includes a perforation location module and/or determines the distance between the seal and perforation. A downstream processing station can be provided, and can have a detected fault input, connected to a fault detect output from the seal and perforation inspection station.
US08998786B2	Process for producing conductive rubber roller, and roller for electrophotographic apparatus This invention provides a process for producing a conductive rubber roller having small aspect ratios of inner and outer diameters, having a stable measure of its inner diameter, having uniform cell distribution and being free from non-uniformity of hardness and electrical resistance in the peripheral direction. The process has a step of continuously extruding a tube composed of a specific unvulcanized rubber composition from a rubber extruder in a microwave vulcanizing unit, and a step of foaming and vulcanizing the tube by using a microwave irradiator having a microwave irradiation zone 4 m or less in length while being transported at given speed. The foamed rubber tube has an inner diameter 20 to 35% smaller than the outer diameter of the conductive core material over the whole region in the lengthwise direction, and the conductive core material is press-fitted into the foamed rubber tube without using any adhesive.
US08998783B2	Push up device A push up device includes a support device including a base for positioning on the floor, side supports and a top. A control device at the top includes a push up counter, a timer, and/or an audio signaling device. The support device includes adjustable arms which adjust the relative height between the top and the base. Hand supports extend from opposite sides of the support device. In one embodiment, the hand supports are removably mounted from the support device.
US08998770B2	Hybrid vehicle and associated engine speed control method A hybrid vehicle and method of control include an internal combustion engine and at least one traction motor operated such that engine speed is a function of vehicle speed and target engine power. Target engine power, in turn, is a function of target wheel torque, vehicle speed, and battery state of charge. Target wheel torque, in turn, is a function of vehicle speed and accelerator pedal position. In a select shift mode, these calculations are adjusted based on a virtual gear number which varies in response to driver activation of shift selectors. The adjustments result in decreased engine speed and decreased wheel torque when higher virtual gear number are selected for given accelerator pedal positions and vehicle speeds. The ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed is not necessarily constant when operating in select shift mode.
US08998764B2	Drive module having planetary transmission with nested ring gears A drive module with a planetary transmission that includes a transmission housing, a first ring gear and a second ring gear. The first ring gear is rotatably mounted in the transmission housing, the second ring gear is non-rotatably mounted in the transmission housing, and the first ring gear is supported on the second ring gear to thereby align a central axis of the first ring gear to a central axis of the second ring gear.
US08998763B2	Rotary speed-change transmission A transmission has a housing having a main axis with a retaining element fixed in the housing and forming a set having a predetermined number of radially extending and angularly equispaced guides. An output element rotatable in the housing about the axis is formed with an array having a number smaller than the predetermined number of radially inwardly open recesses axially adjacent the guides. An input element rotatable in the housing about the axis has a radial outer and generally circular peripheral surface centered on an axis radially offset from the main axis. Respective transmission elements radially displaceable in the guide grooves between inner and outer positions each have a shaft extending substantially parallel to the axis with a guide section engaged and radially shiftable in the respective guide groove, a driven section engageable in the recesses, and a drive section radially engageable with the input-element surface.
US08998762B2	Planetary transmission The invention relates to a planetary transmission for a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle, having three coupled planetary gear sets, having numerous shift elements, and having at least one electric machine, to which a shaft inside the transmission is allocated, wherein, with a first planetary gear set, the ring gear can be connected to a component permanently attached to the housing, and the planet carrier is connected in a driving manner to the ring gear of a second planetary gear set, wherein, with the second planetary gear set, the planet carrier is connected to the ring gear of a third planetary gear set, and the sun gear can be powered by a transmission input shaft, and wherein, with the third planetary gear set, the planet carrier is connected to a transmission output shaft. In order that the planetary transmission has a compact structure and is cost-effective in terms of its production, and is efficient in terms the operation thereof, it is provided that the sun gear of the first planetary gear set is connected to the component permanently attached to the housing, and that the sun gear of the third planetary gear set can be connected to the component permanently attached to the housing and to the ring gear of the first planetary gear set.
US08998760B2	Dual damper isolation for a motor vehicle hybrid powertrain A hybrid transmission has an input member, an output member, three 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 torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. The input member is driven by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
US08998758B2	Chain In a transmission chain, interleaved links are articulably connected by connecting pins, each connecting pin comprising two rocker pins arranged to roll on each other. Pin holes in each of at least two overlapping link plates in each interleaved pair of link plates are shaped so that each rocker pin moves with one of the overlapping link plates and is engageable with a bend-blocking surface in the pin hole in the other of the two overlapping link plates when the two overlapping link plates are in a straight part of the chain. The engagement of the rocker pins with the bend-blocking surfaces of the pin holes prevents the links from bending backward beyond their straight condition, i.e., in an outward direction, opposite to the inward direction in which the links bend relative to each other when engaging a sprocket.
US08998757B2	Chain cleaner for chain driven vehicle A chain cleaner capable of cleaning dirt and debris from the roller chain of a chain driven vehicle is provided. The chain cleaner is a polymer sheet. The sheet has a leading and a trailing edge, upper and lower surfaces, and a bilateral axis defining a chain line. The chain line extends from the leading to the trailing edge. A clear slot is positioned in the sheet adjacent to the trailing edge. The slot has a predetermined height and width which is at least equal to a respective height and width of the chain to be cleaned. The chain is thereby capable of biased directional travel against the lower and upper surfaces and through the slot, along the chain line when operating the chain drive of the vehicle. The chain cleaner includes an assembly for attaching the sheet to the vehicle adjacent to the leading edge.
US08998755B2	Vehicle powertrain having a hydraulic continuously variable transmission A vehicle powertrain has an engine, a driving shaft having a passage defined therein, a driven shaft, a pump, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a CVT. A driving pulley of the CVT includes a fixed sheave and a movable sheave disposed on the driving shaft for rotation therewith, a spring biasing a movable sheave away from the fixed sheave, and a CVT chamber fluidly communicating with the passage of the driving shaft. The pump supplies hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the passage in the driving shaft. The hydraulic fluid flows from the passage to the CVT chamber to create a hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber. The hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber biases the movable sheave toward the fixed sheave.
US08998745B2	Golf club shaft When a distance from a shaft front end to a shaft gravity center point is LG and a full length of the shaft is LS, 0.54≦LG/LS≦0.65 is satisfied. A golf club shaft, wherein a shaft weight is 56 g or more, and a bending rigidity value EI at a point of 630 mm from the shaft front end to the shaft rear end side is 3.6 kgf·m2 or less.
US08998726B1	System and method for associating a user to a shard based on third party latency One aspect of the disclosure relates to facilitating association of a user of an online game to a shard based on aggregated data related to third party latency and further based on social graphs associated with the user. A first type of aggregated third party latency may be calculated based on one or more of: a plurality of first latencies from a device associated with the user to a first plurality of users associated with the first shard and a plurality of second latencies from the first plurality of users to the first shard. A second type of aggregated third party latency may be calculated based on one or more of: a plurality of first latencies from the device associated with the user to a second plurality of users associated with the second shard and a plurality of second latencies from the second plurality of users to the second shard.
US08998716B2	Gaming system for updating a presentation of a virtual game environment A system, a computer readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for updating a performance of a presentation of a virtual game environment. A presentation of a virtual game environment is generated based on a visual attribute. The visual attribute may identify a visual quality of the presentation of the virtual game environment. A visual performance metric associated with the presentation of the virtual game environment is then monitored. The visual attribute then updated based on the visual performance metric. After the visual attribute is updated, an updated presentation of the virtual game environment is generated based on the updated visual attribute.
US08998714B2	Gaming system and display control method A gaming system including a control lever having an operation unit which is rotatable by a player and resembles a reel, a display, a storage unit and a controller is provided. When it is determined that the fishing is failed, the controller obtains the number of rotation of the operation unit until a predetermined time elapses from the timing at which fish is hooked by a fishline in a fishing game, and selects one of a plurality of levels based on the obtained number of rotation. The controller then obtains a set of display state data associated with the selected level and causes the display a failure image representing failure in fishing in one of a plurality of display states, based on the set of display state data.
US08998708B2	Systems and methods for administration of non-wagering account associated with gaming environment A transaction facilitation system is disclosed that is configured to affect substantially real-time crediting and debiting of a gaming accounts maintained within a gaming environment and structured to communicate by a private restricted communication link with an issuing financial institution of a stored value account to effect real-time crediting and debiting of the stored value account. Financial transactions using the stored value account can be and used customer relationship purposes.
US08998705B2	Gaming machine with visual and audio indicia changed over time A gaming machine having features for increasing player appeal is set forth. The machine generally includes a processor, a display, and a memory device. The processor randomly selects one of a plurality of outcomes of the gaming machine in response to a wager. The display displays visual elements to be viewed by the player. The memory device is coupled to the processor and stores at least two data sets for producing at least two different types of visual and/or audio elements in the basic game or bonus game, or at least two different types of bonus game formats. The processor selects one of the two data sets in response to the occurrence of a predetermined time, a number of wager inputs by players of the gaming machine, or after determining a favorite play content based on the number of wager inputs by players.
US08998702B2	Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a game with additional win opportunities During a play of a game, the disclosed gaming system determines that an ending condition has occurred. For example, the gaming system determines that an ending condition has occurred when no winning symbol combinations are displayed for the play of the game. Following determination that the ending condition has occurred, the gaming system determines whether to provide access to an additional win opportunity for the play of the game. If the additional win opportunity is to be provided, the gaming system removes one or more symbols from a plurality of symbol positions even though such symbols do not form a winning symbol combination. The gaming system fills any resulting empty symbol positions by shifting symbols and/or displaying generated symbols, and provides awards for any then-generated winning symbol combinations. The additional win opportunity may be accessed because of a player wager or because other additional win opportunity criteria are satisfied.
US08998694B2	Casino games Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game using playing cards derived from the insertion of a physical denomination of currency. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.
US08998691B1	Air cooling system for a building structure An energy efficient and quiet air cooling system for a building structure is provided. The air cooling system includes an evaporator system mounted in the wall of the building, a remotely mounted fan, an air intake, and a sound and heat insulating duct. The fan is mounted in the attic and configured to draw air from the living area of the building through the sound insulating duct with sufficient power to create a negative static pressure in the living area. The negative static pressure in turn causes outside air to flow through the evaporator system which removes heat from the outside air. The cooled air is in turn drawn into the building and pulled into the attic through the duct and expelled through the attic.
US08998688B2	Exhauster baffle An exhauster baffle is provided that may be used to prohibit fluid flow through a cavity except when a pressure on one side of the exhauster baffle is greater than a pressure on another side of the exhauster baffle. The exhauster baffle includes a body portion defining an opening, a sealer disposed on the body portion, and a flap disposed over the opening for regulating fluid flow through the opening. In one embodiment, the flap exposes the opening of the body portion to allow fluid to flow through the cavity when the pressure on one side of the exhauster baffle greater than the pressure on another side of the baffle to equalize pressure.
US08998686B2	Apparatus and method for sorting coins The invention relates to a device for sorting coins, the diameter and thickness of which are within predefined size ranges.
US08998682B2	Devices and methods for automatically cleaving and abrading cables An apparatus includes: a cleaver configured to automatically cleave a bare fiber extending from an end face of a terminus or connector of a fiber optic cable, the cleaver including a bending element configured to bend the bare fiber and a defect-formation device configured to create a surface defect in surface of the bare fiber under tension when the bare fiber is bent by the bending element; and an abrader configured to automatically finish the end face of the terminus or connector after the bare fiber is cleaved.
US08998678B2	Spider arm driven flexible chamber abrading workholder Flat-surfaced workpieces such as semiconductor wafers or sapphire disks are attached to a rotatable floating workpiece holder carrier that is supported by a pressurized-air flexible elastomer sealed air-chamber device and is rotationally driven by a circular flexible-arm device. The rotating wafer carrier rotor is restrained by a set of idlers that are attached to a stationary housing to provide rigid support against abrading forces. The abrading system can be operated at the very high abrading speeds used in high speed flat lapping with raised-island abrasive disks. The range of abrading pressures is large and the device can provide a wide range of torque to rotate the workholder. Vacuum can also be applied to the elastomer chamber to quickly move the wafer away from the abrading surface. Internal constraints limit the axial and lateral motion of the workholder. Wafers can be quickly attached to the workpiece carrier with vacuum.
US08998677B2	Bellows driven floatation-type abrading workholder Flat-surfaced workpieces such as semiconductor wafers are attached to a rotatable floating workpiece holder carrier rotor that is supported by and rotationally driven by a bellows. The rotating wafer carrier rotor is restrained by a set of idlers that are attached to a stationary housing to provide rigid support against abrading forces. The idlers allow low-friction operation of the abrading system to be provided at the very high abrading speeds used in high speed flat lapping with raised-island abrasive disks. The carrier rotor is also restrained by a rigid rotating housing to allow a limited lateral motion and also a limited angular motion. Air pressure within a sealed bellows chamber provides controlled abrading pressure for wafers or other workpieces. Vacuum can also be applied to the bellows chamber to quickly move the wafer away from the abrading surface. Wafers can be quickly attached to the workpiece carrier with vacuum.
US08998672B2	Facial expression control device A facial expression control device is provided. The facial expression control device of the present invention provides multiple structures and links, wherein the links are connected to the linking assembly; therefore varies facial expressions are expressed according to the combination of the structures and links. In this way, the facial expression is changed by means of the least actuators under the condition of maintaining the number of facial expression and imitation.
US08998668B1	Plasma-shell A gas discharge device constructed out of one or more plasma-shells with an organic luminescent substance located on an external portion of each plasma-shell, the organic substance being excited by photons from a gas discharge within the plasma-shell. In one embodiment, the plasma-shell is made of an inorganic luminescent substance. The external organic luminescent substance may contain or be combined with an inorganic substance that may also be a luminescent substance. The plasma-shell may contain both inorganic and organic substances.
US08998659B2	Crimping terminal A first member including an electric connection portion and a second member including an electric wire connecting portion are joined together. The first member and the second member are made of dissimilar metal materials. Joined portions of the first member and the second member are covered with a resin mold portion.
US08998658B2	Connecting terminal having clamp contacts The invention relates to a terminal with a housing, with at least two clamp contacts to produce an electronic connection to electric contacts and with connection elements for producing an electric connection to an electronic sub-assembly arranged outside the electrical terminal block, with the electrical terminal block comprising an electronic sub-assembly and with the clamp contacts being connected via the electronic sub-assembly to connection elements as well as an electrical terminal block-circuit board arrangement with an electronic sub-assembly in the form of a circuit board and with a terminal electrically connected to the electronic sub-assembly.
US08998643B2	Connector and illumination device A connector (27) is adapted to be connected to a circuit board (23) and has an insulating housing (41) adapted to be mounted to one end portion of the circuit board. The housing is provided with conductive contacts (42) each having a shape along the housing. The housing has first and second portions (51, 52) that respectively face both surfaces of the circuit board when the housing is mounted to the circuit board, and a joining portion (54) joining the first and second portions together. The contacts are insulated from the circuit board in the joining portion and are exposed in the first portion so as to be capable of contacting the surface of the circuit board.
US08998642B2	Connector with improved shielding in mating contact region An electrical connector system includes a daughter card connector formed of a plurality of wafers. Each wafer is formed with cavities between the contacts of the signal conductors. The cavities are shaped to receive lossy inserts whereby crosstalk is reduced. The connector system may also or alternatively include a front housing formed with shield plates also to aid in reducing cross-talk. The front housing is adapted to mate between the wafers of the daughter card connector and a backplane connector of the electrical connector system. In an alternative embodiment, the front housing portion may include lossy conductive portions for cross-talk reduction.
US08998641B2	Terminal structure of electrical cable, shielded connector and terminal treatment method of electrical cable A terminal structure includes an electrical cable that includes an inner conductor, an insulator provided around the inner conductor, a shield layer made of a metal foil around the insulator, and a sheath layer made of a resin tape around the shield layer, a shielded connector that is connected to a terminal of the electrical cable. The shielded connector includes an inner terminal connected to the inner conductor, an insulating member covering the inner terminal, an outer terminal covering the insulating member, and a pressing member for pressing the outer terminal against the shield layer. The outer terminal includes connecting pieces disposed along an outer circumference of the insulator. The pressing member is crimped around the shield layer so that the connecting pieces are pressed against and connected to the shield layer.
US08998639B2	Board connector with anchor tab There is provided a board connector that prevents loads due to thermal changes in a connector housing from being directly imposed on soldered areas of anchor hardware and that enhances anchoring reliability of the anchor hardware. A board connector includes a connector housing to be populated on a circuit board, anchor hardware for soldering the connector housing to the circuit board, holding grooves that are formed on the connector housing and capable of press-fitting and holding upper lugs of the anchor hardware, and tapered portions that are formed in the respective holding grooves and that guide the upper lugs of each of the pieces of press-fitted anchor hardware in a direction away from each side surface of the connector housing, thereby creating clearance S between the anchor hardware and respective opposing side surfaces of the connector housing.
US08998634B2	Conductor terminal A conductor terminal (1) having an insulating-material housing (6), at least one spring-force clamping contact (4) which is accommodated in the insulating-material housing (6), and having at least one operating pusher (8) which is operatively connected to at least one respective spring-force clamping contact (4) and is displaceably guided in a guide channel (1) in the insulating-material housing (6) in order to open and to close the associated spring-force clamping contact (4) is described. The at least one guide channel (10) has a recess (11) for accommodating a section of the operating pusher (8) which is guided in the respective guide channel (10). The recess (11) and the section of the operating pusher (8) are matched to one another in such a way that the operating pusher (8) can be fixed in an unlocking position, in which the spring-force clamping contact (4) is open, in the recess (11).
US08998630B2	Non-conductive material with peaks and valleys surrounding a plurality of electrical contacts Technologies for reducing the risk of fluid-induced electrical shorting in electrical connectors are provided. An electrical connector comprises a non-conductive member interposed between a first end and a second end of the connector that supports electrical contacts configured to conduct an electrical signal through the non-conductive member. The non-conductive member further has one or more peaks disposed on a surface of the non-conductive member between adjacent contacts.
US08998613B2	Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics using a camera and a calibration chart imaged with the camera A method for determining color information of an object, wherein data is generated of the object with an image generation device having a field of view. The object and a reference implement having one or more regions of predetermined optical properties are positioned in the field of view. Data is generated of the reference implement, which includes a positional location attribute, based on which a position of the one or more regions of predetermined optical properties is determined by a processing system without operator identification of the position of the reference implement in the field of view. Color information of the object is generated by adjusting the data generated of the object based on the data generated of the reference implement. The color information may include value, chroma and hue information, RGB values, XYZ coordinates, or Lab values, and may be transmitted electronically to a remote location.
US08998611B2	Method for forming a socket for a dental implant A method forms a non-circular socket in a jawbone of a patient for receiving a dental implant. A pilot hole is formed in the jawbone. A framework having one or more sets of opposing drill points configured to rotate along axes that are transverse to a vertical axis is directed along the pilot hole. The framework produces the non-circular socket, which may have a series of tiers. A dental implant is inserted into the socket. The dental implant may have a series of tiered sections shaped so that each tiered section conforms to a respective one of the tiers in the socket. An abutment may be securely fastened to the dental implant.
US08998601B2	Stereolithography machine Stereolithography machine (1) comprising: a supporting frame (2); a tank (3) suited to contain a liquid substance; a supporting plate (4) associated with the supporting frame (2), suited to support the tank (3); a stopping unit (5) suited to firmly hold the tank (3) on the supporting plate (4) in a resting position; emitter means (6) suited to direct a predefined electromagnetic radiation (6a) towards the tank (3); a holding unit (7) of the tank (3) operatively associated with the supporting plate (4) through first actuator means (8) configured so as to move the tank (3) with respect to the supporting plate (4) according to a predefined trajectory of movement. The stopping unit (5) comprises second actuator means (17) that define for the stopping unit (5) an active configuration for holding the tank (3) and a rest configuration for releasing the tank (3).
US08998599B2	Apparatus and method for injection molding opening devices on sheet packaging material for packaging pourable food products An apparatus for injection molding an opening device on a sheet packaging material having a hole possessing an axis, formed through a first layer and sealed by a cover portion of a second layer; comprises a mold cavity coaxially housing the cover portion and comprising a first chamber adapted to be filled with molten plastic material on a first side of the cover portion, and a second tubular chamber projecting along the axis from the first chamber and adapted to be filled with the molten plastic material coming from the first chamber through an annular peripheral portion of the cover portion to form, on a second side of the cover portion, a spout; an annular rib delimiting a passage connecting the first and second chamber and defining, when filled with the plastic material, an annular tearable membrane connection portion between the spout and the plastic material covering the cover portion.
US08998593B2	Fluid end assembly A fluid end assembly including a pump housing with a number of interior passages for the flow of fluids. The housing has a plunger bore with a closed inner end and an open outer end. A suction passage intersects the plunger bore. A discharge passage intersects both the plunger bore and the suction passage such that the discharge passage, the suction passage, and the plunger bore radiate outwardly from their point of intersection to define a shape resembling a “Y”. A connector passage branches from the discharge passage. An outlet passage intersects the connector passage and passes through the pump housing at right angles to the plunger bore. A reciprocating plunger is located in the plunger bore. A suction valve is located in the suction passage. A discharge valve is located in the discharge passage. A fluid supply manifold is pivotally secured to the housing and is in fluid communication with the suction passage.
US08998590B2	Cooling apparatus for electronic device A cooling apparatus includes a base member, a flat piezoelectric actuator, at least one expansion mechanism, and a blade member. The flat piezoelectric actuator is configured to be connected at one end to the base member. At least one expansion mechanism is configured to be connected to the other end of the piezoelectric actuator and pivot by the swinging of the piezoelectric actuator. The blade member is configured to be connected to the expansion mechanism and swing by the pivoting of the expansion mechanism. The blade member performs a fanning action by the swinging of the piezoelectric actuator and the pivoting of the expansion mechanism if AC power is applied to the piezoelectric actuator.
US08998587B2	Blower motor cooling tube noise suppressor for ticking/chirping A blower unit for a vehicle including a fan, a motor, a scroll case, a cooling chamber, a first partition, and a second partition. The fan is configured to generate airflow. The motor is connected to the fan. The scroll case accommodates the fan. The cooling chamber is connected to the scroll case and defines a cooling path for guiding airflow from the fan to the motor. The first partition is arranged in the cooling path. The second partition is arranged in the cooling path spaced apart from the first partition.
US08998574B2	Spring-tensioned stator restraining strap A vane assembly of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes extending radially between an outer case and an inner case. A spring-tensioned stator restraining strap is provided around the outer case and surrounding outer ends of the respective vanes. The outer ends of the vanes are received in corresponding openings defined in the outer case and project radially outwardly from the outer case. The spring-tensioned strap compresses the respective vanes radially and inwardly in position.
US08998567B2	Method, system and apparatus for enhanced off line compressor and turbine cleaning Methods, systems and apparatus for cleaning turbines, such as power generation turbines, are disclosed. Supplemental piping is connected to existing compressor air extraction and turbine nozzle cooling air piping, to supply water and/or cleaning agents into areas of a turbine not ordinarily accessible by injection of water and/or cleaning agents into the bellmouth of the turbine alone. Pressure and flow sensors, pumps, valving, and a control system to regulate the operation of the pumps and valving are provided to control the introduction of water and/or cleaning agents into the turbine.
US08998566B2	Blade arrangement for a gas turbine and method for operating such a blade arrangement A blade arrangement is provided for a gas turbine, in which blade leaves, having a leading edge and a trailing edge and also a pressure side and a suction side, are assembled sealingly with platforms configured as separate components. A peripheral sealing arrangement is provided between the blade leaves and the associated platforms, which seals off an interspace between the blade leaves and platforms against hot gas flowing around the blade leaves. A directed site-dependent supply of cooling air for purging the sealing arrangement is provided on a side of the sealing arrangement which faces away from the hot gas. A method of operating the above blade arrangement is also provided. The method includes supplying cooling air for purging the sealing arrangement at a pressure which decreases from the leading edge of the blade leaves to the trailing edge.
US08998565B2	Apparatus to seal with a turbine blade stage in a gas turbine Disclosed is an apparatus configured to seal with a turbine blade stage of a gas turbine. The apparatus includes an outer shroud coupled to an inner shroud and configured to circumferentially surround the turbine blade stage. The inner shroud is configured to circumferentially surround the turbine blade stage to seal with the turbine blade stage and includes an attachment element configured to be inserted into the outer shroud to couple the inner shroud to the outer shroud.
US08998564B2	Motor-generator connection shaft vent An example method of reducing loads on a connection shaft includes disengaging a connection shaft from a motor-generator such that the connection shaft is not rotatably coupled to the motor-generator. The method communicates a fluid away from the motor-generator through a communication path established within the connection shaft. An example turbomachine connection shaft is configured to selectively rotatably couple a turbomachine rotor and a motor-generator. The connection shaft establishes a communication path that selectively vents the motor-generator.
US08998558B2	Vehicle wheelchair lift The present invention provides a compact wheelchair lift mechanism useable within a relatively small vehicle cabin space, such as a pickup truck with an extended cabin. The wheelchair lift includes a lateral actuator and a vertical actuator that cooperate to move a wheelchair support laterally in and out of a vehicle cabin and vertically between the cabin floor and the ground. The vehicle includes a lowered floor for expanding the vertical opening available to the lift, wheelchair, and vehicle occupant. The lift is positioned within the vehicle cabin such that no loss of seating capacity results from the installation of the lift.
US08998555B1	Lightweight waste gathering and disposal vehicle with automated arm A lightweight waste gathering vehicle is used to automate trash collection and removal from soft landscapes within recreation venues minimizing or eliminating damage to landscape. The lightweight vehicle can be used in crowded areas or areas where height, width and/or weight restrictions prevent the use of large refuse trucks. The lightweight waste gathering vehicle includes an automated arm, a tow-behind trailer and turf tires. In one implementation, the automated arm includes a lift arm type system. In another implementation, the automated arm includes a transport rail type system where the grabbers are mounted to a carrier and the carrier is mounted to a transport rail.
US08998552B2	Processing apparatus and processing method To provide a processor and a processing method to make the operation to load and unload workpieces to and from a processing chamber more efficient, and improve workpiece processing efficiency.A processor equipped with a processing chamber 10 wherein a first supply/discharge port and a second supply/discharge port have been provided, characterized by being equipped with a first transport mechanism to perform an operation to supply and discharge workpieces 30 via the aforementioned first supply/discharge port, a second transport mechanism to perform an operation to supply and discharge workpieces 30 via the aforementioned second supply/discharge port, an exchange means to deliver workpieces 30a that have been loaded for processing by the aforementioned first transport mechanism to the aforementioned second transport mechanism, and deliver workpieces 32a that have been loaded for processing by the aforementioned second transport mechanism to the first transport mechanism, and a control unit 22 to drive the aforementioned first transport mechanism and second transport mechanism, and alternately supply unprocessed workpieces from the aforementioned first supply/discharge port and the aforementioned second supply/discharge port to the aforementioned processing chamber for processing.
US08998551B2	Tubular positioning system A system for delivering a downhole tubular from a rack at an oilfield surface to a rig floor thereat. The system includes a trough for accommodating the tubular that is slidably engaged with a lift frame in a sledded fashion. Thus, for delivery of the tubular, the trough may be sleddingly extended from the lift frame. That is, as opposed to a roller type of coupling between the trough and tubular, a sledded coupling is utilized that may require comparatively less maintenance and mobilization time. This may be particularly the case where lighter weight tubulars of less than about 1,000 lbs., preferably under about 500 lbs., are being delivered.
US08998549B2	Weld stud A welding stud including a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank has an end region opposite the head and the end region includes at least two angled surfaces which incline towards an axis of the shank in a direction moving away from the head.
US08998546B2	Fixture for retaining an end of a member A fixture for attachment of an end of a member, such as a wind turbine tower section, blade or hub for a wind turbine characteristically has an end flange. To enable clamping while being able to compensate for different hole patterns in the flanges, by the invention, the fixture provides for retaining of ends of members with flanges, regardless of flange diameter and hole patterns, and which is also quickly and easily installed. Additionally, it is possible to firmly clamp the flange end to upstanding frame parts of the fixture with fastening elements, thereby providing a stable connection between a console of the fixture and the upstanding frame parts.
US08998538B2	Pipe replacement system Pipe replacement devices, and systems are shown. Devices and systems may include jointed cutters and floating cutters to navigate difficult pipe replacement conditions. Devices and systems may also include replacement pipe with pre-installed supply hoses, such as lubricant supply and/or pneumatic supply hoses. Methods of pipe replacement are also described, including splitting old pipe and pulling in new pipe behind the equipment as splitting progresses.
US08998527B2	System for interconnection of structural components A structural component interconnect assembly includes a first component adapted for interconnection with a second component. A connection component is adapted for securing the first component and the second component together in a secured interconnection. The connection component includes at least two flanges spaced from each other by a first distance. The first component includes a mating surface having at least two slots formed therein and spaced one from another by the first distance. The second component includes a first surface and a second surface spaced one from the other by a distance on the order of the first distance. Engagement of the at least two flanges, via the at least two slots, with the first surface and the second surface secures the first component to the second component.
US08998523B1	Cream dispensing applicator assembly A cream dispensing applicator assembly allows an individual to easily, evenly, and cleanly apply cream to hard-to-reach areas of the body. The assembly includes an elongated member having a head coupled to a handle. The elongated member has an interior space configured for holding a liquid. A pad is coupled to the head. A channel extends through the head. A plurality of outlet ports is coupled to the pad and to the channel. A plunger, a shaft, a knob, and a switch are coupled to the handle. The shaft is coupled to and extends through the plunger. The knob is operationally coupled to the plunger wherein manipulation of the knob urges the plunger into the shaft. A valve is coupled to the handle and to the channel. The switch is operationally coupled to the valve wherein manipulation of the switch selectively opens and closes the valve.
US08998516B2	Tandem printing system having a web transport controller with a derived drum diameter A tandem printing system for imaging a continuous web of material includes a first printer serially coupled to a second printer wherein the speed of the web can be adjusted to maintain image quality and to compensate for a change in a diameter of a driver drum. The change in the diameter of the driver drum can be derived from characteristics of the printing system including the amount of sag of the continuous web of material moving between the first printer and the second printer.
US08998514B2	Capillary actuator deployment A method for making an actuator includes forming a substantially planar actuator device of an electrically conductive material, the device incorporating an outer frame, a fixed frame attached to the outer frame, a moveable frame disposed parallel to the fixed frame, a motion control flexure coupling the moveable frame to the outer frame for coplanar, rectilinear movement relative to the outer frame and the fixed frame, an actuator incorporating a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moveable frame, moving the moveable frame to a deployed position that is coplanar with, parallel to and spaced a selected distance apart from the fixed frame, and fixing the moveable frame at the deployed position for substantially rectilinear, perpendicular movement relative to the fixed frame.
US08998512B1	Articulating camera arm and camera assembly comprising same An articulating camera arm permits a camera to be positioned includes multiple sections connected together in series at joints. At least one of the joints is movable, and each of the joints connects one of the sections to an immediately preceding one of the sections. The articulating arm may also be connected to one or both of a camera and a mounting plate via movable joints such as swivel joints. The arm's interior includes a wiring conduit that allows wiring for the camera to pass through it while being protected by the arm.
US08998510B2	Method for aligning and fastening an optical fiber coupled to an opto-electronic component It is an object of the present invention to have a method for aligning the optical axis of an optical fiber with the optical axis of an opto-electronic component and for fastening the optical fiber into the resulting relative position in relation to the opto-electronic component. This method includes the following steps: a slot is cut into a base, an optical fiber is disposed within the slot so that it touches neither the sides nor the bottom, a solidifiable product is deposited onto the optical fiber, a limited polymerization area of the solidifiable product is defined near the opto-electronic component, one part of the solidifiable product is partially solidified so as to allow the optical fiber a limited range of movement, the optical fiber is moved so as to align its optical axis with the optical axis of the opto-electronic component, the solidifiable product is completely solidified so as to fasten the optical fiber within the slot.
US08998509B2	Stackable photonic interconnect module An interconnect module for communicating electrical signals and optical signals is described. In particular, an integrated circuit in the interconnect module receives and transmits the electrical signals with other components in a system that includes the interconnect module via an electrical connector. In addition, the integrated circuit receives and transmits electrical signals to a hybrid silicon-photonic bridge chip that performs electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical conversion. In turn, this bridge chip receives and transmits optical signals via an optical fiber. The interconnect module can be remateably connected to a backplane in the system, and can be arranged in a stacked configuration with other instances of the interconnect module. In these ways, the interconnect module facilitates dense, modular or scalable, and compact electrical and optical communication in the system.
US08998505B2	Optical connector An optical connector of the present invention comprising a regulating member having regulating portion provided between a lower surface of an operation arm and an upper surface of a retainer. The regulating member movable in a longitudinal direction between a regulating position for regulating downward movement of a front end of the operation arm by the regulating portion and a retracted position for allowing the downward movement of the front end of the operation arm. The retracted position is located behind the regulating position.
US08998501B2	Bearing component for a rolling bearing or for a sliding bearing The invention concerns a bearing component (Ia, Ib, 1, 7, 9) for a rolling (13, 14, 16) or sliding bearing (19), wherein the bearing component (Ia, Ib, 1, 7, 9) is one of an inner ring (Ia, 1), an outer ring (Ib, 7), a rolling element (9), a cage, or a guide ring. The bearing component (Ia, Ib, 1, 7, 9) comprises a first material (2), and a second material (3) joined to the first material (2), wherein the second material (3) and the first material (2) having been joined by a semi-solid metal process.
US08998500B2	Bearing seal structure A bearing seal structure includes: a ridge portion provided on an inner race; a groove portion provided on an outer race; and a grease reservoir that is defined by the ridge portion and the groove portion and contains grease for providing a seal between the inner race and outer race.
US08998498B2	Tapered roller bearing and manufacturing method for retainer of tapered roller bearing A tapered roller bearing improves durability during a state of insufficient lubrication by sufficiently lengthening the time until rotation becomes impossible due to seizure. Oil retaining concave sections, recessed outward in the radial direction, are formed in portions on the inner circumferential surface of a large-diameter rim section of the retainer whose phase in the circumferential direction coincides with the pockets. A portion of the bottom surface of each of the oil retaining concave sections, open to the inside surface of the pocket, face a concave section formed in an end surface on the large-diameter side of tapered roller that is held inside the pocket. When lubrication becomes insufficient, oil remaining in the concave sections is effectively used for lubricating areas of sliding contact between the end surfaces on the large-diameter side and the inside surface in the axial direction of a large-diameter side flange section.
US08998496B2	Gear pump with asymmetrical dual bearing An asymmetrical bearing is disclosed for use in a gear pump. The bearing may have first and second opposing faces, and first and second bores in communication with the first and second opposing faces. The first and second bores may be configured to receive first and second shafts of a gear pump. The bearing may have a first flat side surface and a second curved side surface, where the second curved side surface includes first and second curved portions associated with the first and second bores, respectively. The first and second faces and the first flat side surface may also include a plurality of grooves configured to direct a flow of process fluid over the bearing during operation of the pump. Self-aligning features can be provided on one or more sealing elements to ensure desired alignment of the sealing components during assembly. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08998484B2	Watch strap with interchangeable indicia In accordance with the present invention, a method for forming a watch strap part includes the steps of: placing an insert plate within a mold; and injecting a moldable material into the mold around the insert plate so as to at least partially embed the insert plate and form a body of the watch strap part with the insert plate defining a floor of a recessed portion formed in the body of the watch strap part. The recessed portion is configured to receive a decorative insert that is securely attached to the insert plate and provides a decorative appearance.
US08998474B2	Surface light source device and liquid crystal display apparatus A surface light source device includes a surface light-emitting light-guiding unit; an LED light source disposed at an outside position on a side of a direction of the light incident surface; a plurality of laser light sources disposed at an outside position on a side of a direction of a rear surface of the surface light-emitting light-guiding unit; and a laser-light-ray guiding unit arranged on a side of a rear surface of the surface light-emitting light-guiding unit. The laser-light-ray guiding unit guides the laser light rays emitted from the laser light sources so that the laser light rays enter through a light incident end surface, travel in a direction opposite to a direction in which the LED light source emits the LED light ray, and thereafter are reflected by a light bending part to enter through the light incident surface of the surface light-emitting light-guiding unit.
US08998469B1	Lighted ceramic tile assembly A lighted tile assembly illuminates tiles to enhance visibility of a floor or wall surface while enhancing the decorative appearance of the floor surface. The assembly includes a panel having a perimeter edge extending between an upper surface and a lower surface. Each of a plurality of secondary conduits has a first end extending into a primary conduit and a second end extending through the upper surface. A fiber optic trunk line is coupled to the panel and positioned in the primary conduit. Each of a plurality of fiber optic filaments is positioned in and extends through an associated one of the secondary conduits. Each filament has a second end positioned proximate the second end of the associated secondary conduit and a first end operationally coupled to the trunk line. Thus, the second end of the filament provides visible light through the second end of the associated secondary conduit.
US08998465B2	Method for injection moulding of plastic-material lenticular bodies for lights of motor vehicles and similar, and lenticular body for lights of motor vehicles and similar A method for injection molding of plastic-material lenticular bodies for lights; of motor vehicles and similar, the method comprising the steps of coupling a punch half-mold with a first matrix half-mold so as to define, on the surface of the punch half-mold, a first closed cavity that copies in reverse the shape of the first plastic-material sheet; filling said first cavity with a first plastic polymer in a liquid state, injecting the first plastic polymer in the first cavity from an injection point located at said first segment of the peripheral edge of the first plastic-material sheet; and finally separating, after the first plastic polymer has solidified to form the first plastic-material sheet, the punch half-mold from the first; matrix half-mold maintaining the first plastic-material sheet still on the surface of the punch half-mold.
US08998463B2	Light-emitting apparatus and automotive headlamps A light-emitting apparatus is provided with: a light-emitting module; a control circuit unit configured to control the lighting of the light-emitting module; a heat-radiating substrate configured to support the light-emitting module and the control circuit unit in such a manner as to recover the heat produced by the light-emitting module and the control circuit unit; and a connection support unit mounted on the heat-radiating substrate in such a state as to support an electrically conductive member by which to electrically connect the light-emitting module and the control circuit unit.
US08998456B2	Optical transmission apparatus having temperature control function An optical transmission apparatus having a temperature control function includes: a package having a cavity; a cooler mounted in the cavity and controlling temperature; and a substrate mounted on the cooler and including a light source mounted thereon to generate light. In spite of the presence of the cooler, the apparatus can be implemented to be compact and have a simple structure.
US08998448B2	LED tube lamp A LED tube lamp includes a heat sink, a LED substrate, a pair of connectors, and a cover fixed to the heat sink. The cover includes a first cover and a second cover, at least one optical lens is arranged on the first cover, the at least one optical lens comprises a concave lens and reflective lenses arranged on both sides of the concave lens. The concave lens is configured to refract light beams from the LEDs in a forward direction or in an approximate forward direction, the reflective lenses are configured to reflect light beams from the LEDs in a lateral direction. After the light beams are refracted by the optical lens, the light divergence angle of the LED tube lamp is increased.
US08998447B2	Illumination devices using array of reflectors Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses and systems for providing illumination for projectors. Two or more sets of reflectors are used to combine light beams emitted by two or more two-dimensional arrays of light sources to provide a combined light beam with high brightness toward a pupil of a projection system. Solid state light sources, such as diode lasers and LEDs, may be used as light sources at relatively low cost and low powers, and with long lifetime.
US08998440B1	Rotating signage light The present disclosure provides a rotating signage light fixture which can be mounted on a horizontal surface, such as a ceiling, or on a vertical surface, such as a wall. The rotating signage light fixture includes a housing portion and a sign portion, in which the sign portion is rotatable with respect to the housing portion. The housing portion includes a mounting surface with which the light fixture is mounted. In a first position, the sign is substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface, and the light fixture is suitable for mounting to a ceiling. In a second position, the sign is rotated 90° from its position in the first position, and is substantially parallel to the mounting surface. The sign, a light source, and electrical components of the light fixture all move and rotate together when the sign is rotated.
US08998425B2	Image projection apparatus An image projection apparatus for projecting an image using light includes a light source configured to emit the light; and an operating unit configured to allow a user to operate the image projection apparatus, the operating unit being disposed above the light source when viewed from a placement surface on which a main body of the image projection apparatus is placed. The image projection apparatus also includes a first flow path in which air flows through the light source; and a second flow path different from the first flow path, the second flow path being formed between the light source and the operating unit.
US08998417B2	Polarization controller, projector system, polarization control method and image control method A polarization controller adapted to output respective projection lights for a right-eye image and a left-eye image that are incident from a projector to a screen in different polarization directions, includes: a liquid crystal device adapted to change the polarization directions of the projection lights; and a controller adapted to control the liquid crystal device so that the respective projection lights for the right-eye image and the left-eye image have different polarization directions, wherein the controller performs control for mirror-reversing the polarization directions of the projection lights in the liquid crystal device according to a control signal indicating whether the projector performs mirror reversal of the right-eye image and the left-eye image, input from the projector.
US08998411B2	Light field camera for fundus photography Systems and methods for applying the concept of lightfield sensors to fundus photography are presented. In one embodiment, the ability to isolate specific regions of the collected lightfield are used to reduce the effects of glare in a fundus image. Additional embodiments in which aberrations can be characterized and removed, an image from a particular plane in the collected light field is used to aid in instrument alignment, and dynamic optimization of collection pupil diameter is accomplished are also presented.
US08998408B2	Asymmetric lens design and method for preventing and/or slowing myopia progression Contact lenses incorporating asymmetric radial power profiles that increase the radial dioptric power from the center to the margin of the optical zone of the lenses may be utilized to prevent and/or slow myopia progression. The power profiles vary along different meridians.
US08998401B2	Image recording device having color ink head, transparent ink head and light irradiation unit An image recording device is provided with a plurality of color ink heads, first irradiation units which are disposed between the color ink heads which are adjacent, a second irradiation unit which is disposed more to the downstream side in the transport direction than the plurality of color ink heads and which irradiates light which is stronger than the light which is irradiated by the first irradiation units, and a transparent ink head which is disposed more to the downstream side in the transport direction than the second irradiation unit and which discharges transparent ink onto the image, wherein an interval, where a furthermost downstream color ink head and the transparent ink head are lined up, is wider than an interval where the plurality of color ink heads are lined up.
US08998379B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus prevents the problem of reduced utilization efficiency of a waste fluid tank caused by the storage of waste fluids with high and low viscosities in the same open-type waste fluid tank. The image forming apparatus includes a first waste fluid tank for storing waste ink fluid ejected from a recording head, and a second waste fluid tank for storing waste ink fluid ejected into a cap of the recording head. The waste ink fluid ejected into the cap is guided to the second waste fluid tank via a tube. The second waste fluid tank is an airtight structure having an inlet at one end to which the tube is detachably connected via a needle or a valve. At the other end of the second waste fluid tank, there is disposed an opening communicating the inside and the outside of the tank.
US08998378B2	Ink jet printing method and printer In an ink jet printing method, a recording medium is moved relative to a print head having a plurality of nozzles, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles onto the recording medium in a single pass in accordance with print data supplied to the print head. Spit pattern data is included in the print data A location of an expected ink dot ejected according to the spit pattern data is scanned, providing a scanned image, and such ink dot is searched for in the scanned image in order to determine an actual presence of the ink dot.
US08998375B2	Liquid ejection apparatus and liquid ejection head A liquid ejection head includes a recording element substrate provided with elements formed on one surface of the substrate for generating energy for ejecting liquid as well as first and second supply ports each piercing between both surfaces of the substrate for supplying the liquid to the elements; and a support member provided with first and second liquid storage portions, first and second communication paths that respectively allow the first and the second supply ports to communicate with the first and second liquid storage portions, the support member supporting the other surface of the substrate. The length of the first communication path is longer than that of the second communication path. The horizontal cross-sectional area of the first communication path in a direction perpendicular to the liquid supply direction is larger than that of the second communication path.
US08998362B2	Liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection apparatus comprises a head, a conveyor, an image dot controller, a determiner and a non-image dot controller. The determiner determines whether an image dot non-forming period is equal to or longer than a predetermined time period. The non-image dot controller controls the head so that each ejection opening, whose image dot non-forming period is equal to or longer than the predetermined time period, ejects liquid once within a non-image dot forming period in the image dot non-forming period, to form on a recording medium a non-image dot, the non-image dot forming period being a period from a third time point which is after the first time point to a second time point which is the predetermined time period after the first time point, and that a plurality of the non-image dots structured by the liquid ejected from the ejection openings are scattered in a conveyance direction.
US08998360B2	Dot data generating method, dot data generating device, inkjet recording device, and inkjet recording system A dot data generating method uses a first inkjet recording device and a second inkjet recording device, in which a first image is printed using the first inkjet recording device based on first dot data which determines formation or non-formation of dots, and second dot data is generated to print a second image based on the second dot data using the second inkjet recording device in which a speed of a relative movement of the inkjet head and a recording medium when printing an image is small compared to the first inkjet recording device. The dot data generating method includes generating the second dot data by converting the first dot data such that data of each dot in which formation of a dot is determined is converted to form a plurality of dots at predetermined intervals between the dots in a relative movement direction in place of the each dot.
US08998359B2	Method and apparatus for controlling multicolor overprint of intermittent print device Disclosed are a multicolor overprint control method and device applicable to an intermittent printing apparatus. According to the operating characteristic of the intermittent printing apparatus, the method solves the problems of overlap and inaccurate overprint of various colors during intermittent printing by controlling the relationship between the distance between adjacent color group modules of different colors and the motion distance between uniform segments of the intermittent printing apparatus. In addition, the method also sets different inkjet printing modes in accordance with whether the detected inkjet printing of the same color group module is in a first period, thereby solving the problems of printing media waste and discontinuous printing data. The method achieves multicolor digital inkjet printing by combining the unique motion mode of the printing media thereof, and makes printing contents flexible and changeable on the basis of guaranteeing printing efficiency.
US08998356B2	Fastening device for wall parts A fastening device connects two wall parts of a furniture part, in particular a rear wall to a side wall of a drawer. The fastening device has at least one locking projection resilient about an imaginary spring axis on one wall part, which locking projection can be locked—preferably detachably—into a locking receptacle fastened to or formed on the other wall part. The imaginary spring axis of the locking projection is at an angle—preferably substantially at a right angle—from a wall of the wallpart. The locking receptacle is formed on the other wall part as an opening, and an imaginary normal on the opening is substantially parallel to the imaginary spring axis of the resilient locking projection.
US08998355B2	Drawer guide system A drawer guide system having a case runner plastic assembly and a drawer guide plastic assembly for receiving the case runner plastic assembly. The case runner plastic assembly includes a case runner plastic adapted to be secured to a drawer frame, and a case runner attached to the case runner plastic and having a pair of cam mechanisms. The drawer guide plastic assembly includes a drawer guide adapted to be secured to a drawer, and a drawer guide plastic secured to the drawer guide. The drawer guide plastic includes a pair of tabs, and the drawer guide includes a pair of side walls, each of which has a window for receiving the pair of tabs. Upon contact with the tabs of the drawer guide plastic, the cam mechanisms automatically rotate into the corresponding windows, temporarily securing the case runner plastic to the drawer guide.
US08998341B2	Multi-function dump cart A dump cart comprises a bed, a bed adapter, a frame, and a lift adapter. The bed is configured to carry a load. The bed adapter is configured to receive a bottom wall of the bed and includes a left adapter rail and a right adapter rail. The frame includes a left frame rail pivotally coupled to the left adapter rail and a right frame rail pivotally coupled to the right adapter rail. These connections allow the bed to dump the load to the rear of the dump cart. The lift adapter assists in lifting an object and includes left and right cradle arms that are configured to couple to one or more features of the object and a stabilizer leg that is configured to contact the ground so as to support a portion of the weight of the object.
US08998339B2	Chair assembly with upholstery covering A chair assembly includes a back shell member including a laterally-extending top portion, a laterally-extending bottom portion and a pair of longitudinally-extending side portions extending between the top portion and the bottom portion and cooperating therewith the defined open space therebetween, and a cover having a first surface adapted to support a seated user and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the cover is positioned over the back shell member to cover at least a portion of the open space, and wherein the cover comprises an elastomeric material having a longitudinal direction compliance to lateral direction compliance ration of at least 3:1.
US08998335B2	Vehicle seat and commercial vehicle The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a seat part and with a seat back part for supporting a driver of the vehicle in the sitting position on the vehicle seat, wherein the vehicle seat has an additional vehicle driver's torso support device which can be disposed outside the seat part and the seat back and which can be temporarily disposed at least partially in an otherwise seat-free torso support region in front of the seat back part and laterally and/or above the seat back part, in order to provide support, laterally off-center of the seat back part, at least at the level of the shoulder region of the driver who is sitting on the vehicle seat when he adopts a seated working posture oriented to the side or backwards, and wherein the additional vehicle driver's torso support device comprises a seat back extension device which is disposed on the seat back part (3) so as to be movable in translation along a horizontal axis in order to be able to move the additional vehicle driver's torso support device substantially horizontally from an approximately central starting position into an off-center additional torso support position.
US08998319B2	Seating device A seating device is provided. The seating device includes a seat, a post positioned below and attached to the seat, a base positioned below and attached to the post, an inflatable bladder positioned below and attached to the base, and a guard positioned below and attached to the base. The inflatable bladder comprises a portion of a sphere, the portion comprising less than 35 per cent of the sphere. The inflatable bladder covers over 35 per cent of an underside of the base, and the guard comprises a solid circular piece extending downward from the base with a bottom edge located above a bottom of the inflatable bladder when the inflatable bladder is fully inflated.
US08998313B2	Passenger seat with a luggage receiving device A passenger seat has a backrest and a seat which has first and second sections each having a first surface for a seat area and a second opposite surface. The second section pivots relative to the first section between a first position, in which the first surfaces of the first and second sections form a usable total seat area, and a second operational position, in which the second section is folded relative to the first section in the direction towards the backrest. Attached to the second seat section is a holder movable relative to the second surface of the second seat section between a first position, in which the holder extends substantially parallel to the second surface of the second seat section, and a second position, in which the holder extends at from 60° to 120° relative to the second surface of the second seat section.
US08998311B2	Seat frame for a vehicle seat A seat frame for a vehicle seat comprises an upholstered seat cushion, a seat frame, an upholstery support structure attached thereto and a fan housing with a radial fan. The fan housing has an axial inlet and a radial outlet for the passage of air. The fan housing is supported in the seat frame by means of a holder which includes at least one frame-shaped receptacle adapted to receive the radial outlet of the fan housing and at least one locking element for connecting itself to the fan housing.
US08998305B2	Automotive rear vehicle body structure Disclosed is an automotive rear vehicle body structure which comprises a rear subframe (21) provided with right and left side member segments (22). Each of the right and left side member segments (22) has a rear region provided with a rear fixing section (26) attached to a respective one of right and left rear side frames (7), and a front region provided with a front fixing section (25) attached to a vehicle-body cross member (10). A position of the front fixing section (25) of each of the side member segments (22) is set to be located inward of the respective one of the rear side frames (7) in a vehicle width direction, and each of the side member segments (22) is provided with an arm support section (28) configured to pivotally support a suspension arm (32), at a position rearward of the front fixing section (25).
US08998301B2	Control platform for a road making machine A control platform for a road making machine comprises a fall protection for preventing the operator from falling down from the control platform. The disclosure is characterized by the fall protection comprising a pane of laminated glass.
US08998299B2	Armored vehicle with bolt-on bottom A bottom plate assembly for securing a bottom plate to an armored vehicle for adding to the existing armor or replacing the existing armor on the underside of the vehicle. The bottom plate assembly secures bottom plate to the vehicle hull by securing the bottom plate to the sidewalls of the vehicle.
US08998289B2	Vehicular door assemblies and vehicles having same A vehicular door assembly includes a door and at least one hinge structure. Each of the at least one hinge structure includes a knuckle and a bushing. The knuckle extends away from the door. The door and the knuckle of each of the at least one hinge structure are integrally formed as a unitary structure. The knuckle of each of the at least one hinge structure includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and defines a bore extending through the knuckle and opening onto each of the upper surface and the lower surface. The bushing defines a hinge aperture and a hinge axis. At least a substantial portion of the bushing is positioned within the bore defined by a respective one of the knuckles. Each of the at least one hinge structure is configured for coupling with a frame of a vehicle. Vehicles are also provided.
US08998286B2	Soldier support system in a vehicle A soldier restraint system and method secure a soldier in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the soldier restraint system includes a seat assembly comprising a seat and straps. The soldier restraint system also includes a restraint harness belt. The restraint harness belt is secured to the seat assembly. In addition, the soldier restraint system includes mounting assemblies. The straps attach the seat to the mounting assemblies. The mounting assemblies are securable to the vehicle. Attachment of at least one of the straps to the seat is releasable by a release assembly. The soldier restraint system also includes a strap retractor and a retractor strap. The retractor strap is extractable from the strap retractor. The retractor strap is retractable by the strap retractor. The strap retractor retracts the retractor strap upon achieving a strap threshold.
US08998284B1	Ice fishing house with tracked drive, movable floor, and remotely controlled auger A fully enclosed and self-propelled ice fishing house is operable from within the enclosure to control a tracked drive, a vertically movable floor, and vertical movement of an exterior auger. The movable floor may be raised for transport and lowered to the surface of the ice during fishing. The exterior auger is preferably in front of the vehicle, and a line parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle extends from the auger to a fishing opening portal in the movable floor.
US08998271B2	Fixing device for fixing an actuation device with push-push kinematics Disclosed is a fixing device for fixing an actuation device with push-push kinematics on a component of a motor vehicle. The fixing device includes a housing with a guiding element and a locking recess on its outer surface, an opening in the component for inserting the actuation device, a guiding element on the component, and a locking projection on the component. The guiding elements of the actuation device and the component corporate such that the actuation device is guided into the opening in a predetermined rotational position, and the locking projection and the locking recess lock with each other upon the actuation device being inserted fully into the opening in the predetermined rotational position, and thus fix the actuation device on the component. The locking can be released again by rotating of the actuation device out of the predetermined rotational position.
US08998270B2	Threaded adaptor A threaded adaptor has a first end and an opposite second end of a generally hollow cylinder. At least one end has threading for connection to a hose or fitting and the ends form the male half of the connection. Centered upon the adaptor, a collar provides at least two faces for gripping of the adaptor by a tool. Within the adaptor, the two ends open into a smooth chamber that allows for uninterrupted fluid flow. To further seal the adaptor, at least one O-ring and at least one gasket are provided as alternate embodiments. In another alternate embodiment, the adaptor has one threaded end, an opposite barbed end with a clamp, and a collar with six faces. These two ends open into a chamber with a stepped diameter. The adaptor provides for flow of fluid with little turbulence.
US08998266B2	Luer connectors Luer connector including a primary Luer male connector, having a secondary female section extending from a top distal part of the primary Luer male connector back towards a proximal part thereof, the primary Luer male connector including a first inner fluid flow channel extending from a proximal end thereof to the secondary female section, the first inner fluid flow channel having a diameter of approximately d1 increasing at a connection point between the first inner fluid flow channel and the secondary female section to form a neck N the secondary female section having an internal diameter of d2 at a top distal part of the primary Luer male connector, where d1 is smaller than d2, the primary Luer male connector being configured to mate with a primary Luer female connector having a secondary male section including a second inner fluid flow channel ex having an internal diameter of approximately d1.
US08998263B1	Vehicle structural support assembly with a split inner panel A structural support assembly for a vehicle that has a roof and a rocker assembly. The structural support assembly includes an outer panel extending from the rocker assembly to the roof, an inner reinforcement including an upper panel and a lower panel. A seat belt retractor is assembled to the structural support assembly between the upper panel and the lower panel of the inner reinforcement. The upper panel and the lower panel are separate parts that are assembled to the outer panel in a spaced apart relationship.
US08998259B2	Steering apparatus A steering apparatus includes an engaging portion movable in a predetermined moving direction at a time of a secondary collision; a fixation portion fixed to a vehicle body; and an absorbing member. The absorbing member includes a fixed portion fixed to the fixation portion, an engaged portion facing the engaging portion, and a connecting portion that includes a curved portion and connects the fixed portion and the engaged portion. An area of a cross-section of the curved portion taken along a plane perpendicular to a creeping direction along the curved portion varies depending on a position in the creeping direction. The connecting portion of the absorbing member is deformed so that the absorbing member absorbs energy of the secondary collision.
US08998258B2	Steering apparatus for vehicle Provided is a steering apparatus for a vehicle including a steering column, a mounting bracket laterally installed at the steering column and having a pair of through-holes formed at each of both sides and spaced apart from each other, a guide block including a base section and a pair of guide sections extending upward from the base section and spaced apart from each other to be inserted into the through-holes, and a capsule including a fixing section fixed to the mounting bracket and configured to be separated from the mounting bracket upon a collision of a vehicle, and a slide section lengthily extending from the fixing section and slidably inserted between the pair of guide sections.
US08998255B1	Vehicle A vehicle includes a pair of front wheels, at least a pair of rear wheels, a frame portion supported by the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels, a first seat portion and a second seat portion supported by the frame portion and arranged side by side in a width direction of the vehicle, a steering wheel in front of the first seat portion, and a roll-over protection cage supported by the frame portion and covering the first seat portion, the second seat portion and the steering wheel. The first seat portion includes a first seat back portion which has a first backrest surface. The second seat portion includes a second seat back portion which has a second backrest surface. The first seat portion and the second seat portion are adjacent to each other in a width direction of the vehicle. At a height of a lower end of the steering wheel, a center of the second backrest surface is at a more rearward position than a center of the first backrest surface.
US08998233B2	Multi-use vehicle assembly A multi-use vehicle assembly provides a means for entertainment and mobilization. The vehicle assembly includes a frame assembly having a first frame coupled to a second frame. The frame assembly has a center frame coupled to and extending between the first frame and the second frame. A plurality of wheels is coupled to the frame assembly. The plurality of wheels comprises a left back wheel, a right back wheel, and a central front wheel. The left back wheel is coupled to the first frame. The right back wheel is coupled to the second frame. The central front wheel is coupled to the center frame. A steering mechanism is coupled to the frame assembly. The steering mechanism is mechanically coupled to the central front wheel. A drive system is operationally coupled to one of the plurality of wheels.
US08998230B2	Rear suspension mounting structure for electric vehicle Provided is a rear suspension mounting structure for an electric vehicle, which can reduce the overall weight and can enhance steering stability by forming a torsion beam and a trailing arm using different materials. In one embodiment, the rear suspension mounting structure includes a hub fastened to the center of a wheel, a trailing arm including a housing producing an internal space and an arm bush extending to one side of the housing, a torsion beam bolt-coupled to the arm bush through a coupling plate, a motor coupled to the internal space of the housing and supplying a driving force, a motor cover provided in the internal space of the housing, and a driving speed reducer provided at the outside of the motor cover in the internal space of the housing, wherein the torsion beam and the trailing arm are formed using dissimilar metals.
US08998229B2	I-beam axle suspension system An axle bearing suspension system and method has a pair of elongated beams having an upper section and lower section with T-shaped cross sections. The T-shaped cross sections are welded together to form beams having an I-beam cross section. The beams have attachment portions which are preferably arc shaped cylindrical portions for fixing the beams to the axle with the upper section being welded to an upper part of the axle and the lower section being welded to a lower part of the axle.
US08998225B2	Bushing securement device A skateboard bushing securement system is provided for improvement of skateboard truck stability and performance. Base washers having a raised annular ring are positioned on opposite sides of bushings engaged to the truck hanger. The annular rings are sized to engage around the circumference of the bushings. Sleeve washers having axially located projecting sleeves communicate against the base washers during compression. The projecting sleeves engage inside the axial cavity of the bushings on both sides of the hanger. Stability and performance is enhanced through the stabilization of both bushings axially and about their circumference by the annular rings.
US08998222B2	Foldable rollator A foldable rollator includes: a main support frame including two spaced-apart front support rods; a rear support frame including two spaced-apart rear support rods pivotally coupled to the front support rods, respectively; a plurality of wheels respectively installed on the main support frame and the rear support rods for rolling on the ground; an intermediate support frame coupled to the main support frame and the rear support frame, including a front support sub-frame pivotally coupled between the front support rods and a rear support sub-frame pivotally coupled between the rear support rods, the front and rear support sub-frames being further pivotally coupled to an axle; a seat unit disposed atop the intermediate support frame; and a backrest unit pivotally coupled to the axle.
US08998214B2	Sealing method and seal member A sealing method is for sealing a gap between an opening section extending through a wall in a thickness direction thereof and an insertion member inserted in the opening section, and includes a seal-member preparing step of preparing a seal member including an elastic layer, an adhesive layer laminated on a surface of the elastic layer, and a release sheet laminated on a surface of the adhesive layer, and formed with a through hole into which the insertion member is to be inserted along a direction of lamination thereof, an inserting step of inserting the insertion member into the through hole such that the insertion member comes in contact with the seal member to bring the release sheet into abutment with the wall, and a sticking step of sticking the seal member to the insertion member and the wall, while peeling the release sheet from the adhesive layer.
US08998209B2	Rotational motion dice game system A rotational motion dice game system is provided. The system includes a circular surface centered around a central vertical axis. Then, a first driving mechanism is connected to the circular surface and configured to move between a first position and a second position along the central vertical axis. A ring surface is positioned above the circular surface and configured for rotational motion around the central vertical axis. A plurality of bumpers is arranged in a circumference along the ring surface. Finally, a controller is connected to the first driving mechanism and configured to cause the movement of the driving mechanism from the first position to the second position, further causing the movement of the circular surface from the first position to the second position in order to cause the movement of at least one die residing on the circular surface.
US08998204B2	Medium carrying device and image forming apparatus A medium carrying device includes an apparatus body, medium guide unit that is detachable with respect to the apparatus body, a carrying roller that is disposed in the apparatus body, and is configured to rotate to carry a print medium passing through the medium guide unit, and a driven roller that is disposed in the medium guide unit at a position corresponding to the carrying roller in a contacting manner so that the driven roller rotates in accordance with a rotation of the carrying roller.
US08998199B2	Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a sheet stacking portion on which a sheet discharged from a sheet discharge port is stacked; a cover portion configured to move to a closed position for covering the sheet discharge port and the sheet stacking portion and an open position for allowing taking out of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion; a sheet pressing portion configured to move to a press-down position for pressing the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion and an apart position that is distant from the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion; and a movement-linking portion configured to cause the sheet pressing portion to move from the apart position to the press-down position upon an opening movement of the cover portion.
US08998197B2	Sheet stacking device and image forming apparatus provided with same A sheet stacking device includes a device main body, a sheet discharge unit, a sheet stacking portion and a sheet detector. The sheet discharge unit discharges sheets. The sheet stacking portion includes a sheet stacking surface on which the sheets are to be stacked. The opening is formed in the sheet stacking surface. The sheet detector includes a detection piece capable of projecting upwardly of the sheet stacking surface from the opening. The sheet detector detects a first state, a second state and a third state. The first state is a state where no sheet is placed on the sheet stacking surface. The second state is a state where a first number of the sheets discharged are placed on the sheet stacking surface. The third state is a state where a second number of the sheets larger than the first number are placed on the sheet stacking surface.
US08998196B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a first roller to come into contact with a first side of a recording medium and a second roller and a third roller to come into contact with a second side of the recording medium opposite the first side. Each of the first roller, the second roller, and the third roller includes a plurality of increased diameter portions and a plurality of decreased diameter portions alternately arranged in an axial direction of each of the first roller, the second roller, and the third roller to produce an uneven outer circumferential surface thereof. The increased diameter portions of the first roller overlap the increased diameter portions of each of the second roller and the third roller, respectively, with a clearance therebetween.
US08998189B2	Wave washer, rotary shaft supporting device including the wave washer, and electric motor including the rotary shaft supporting device A wave washer is used for a shaft supporting device of an electric power steering system. The wave washer has an annular portion and six outward protrusions. The annular portion has first protrusions that protrude in a first axial direction and second protrusions that are formed so as to continuous with the first protrusions and that protrude in a second axial direction. Each outward protrusion protrudes from an outer periphery of the annular portion in a radially outward direction of the radial direction of the annular portion.
US08998182B2	Damping device for building seismic reinforcement Provided is a damping device including a cylindrical body sealed with an inner cover and an outer cover at both ends, a support rod coupled to one end of the cylindrical body to perform an axial motion, the support rod including a moving plate having a damping orifice in the cylindrical body, the support rod including a nut configured to adjust a length of the support rod at an inner side end received in the cylindrical body, and a buffering device configured to store elastic energy in one of a first spring and a second spring based on a moving direction of the moving plate, the buffering device including the first spring inserted in the inner cover, the second spring inserted in the outer cover, and a lubricant in the cylindrical body.
US08998176B2	Controllable brewer The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods of use for producing beverages. The apparatus includes components and methods for facilitating beverage production applying water or other liquid in combination with a brewing substance and controlled aeration and pressurization of a mixing vessel or column. The aeration of the water and brewing substance can be accomplished with a vacuum system, a positive pressurization system, and a combination of such systems. The apparatus, systems, and methods can be used with a variety of beverage making devices such as a device which might be used to controllably produce volumes of beverage to a reservoir. The methods include controllable aeration and pressurization of the vessel for brewing which may include controlling extraction time, steep time, active controllable agitation of the brewing substance, as well as other brewing characteristics, features, and actions.
US08998171B2	Control valve for separable connection unit for flexible pipes A control valve for connection unit for flexible pipes, comprising a plurality of sectors, (slices or petals), rotatable between a complete opening position and a complete closing position is described. The aforesaid plurality of rotatable sectors comprises at least two series of rotating sectors of different shape and dimensions disposed in an alternate way along the circumference of the connection unit. The smaller sectors can be controlled in such a way to close slower than the bigger ones. The shape and dimensions of the rotational sectors are such to consent a partial overlapping of the borders of the adjacent sectors for a better tightness between the sectors themselves.
US08998161B2	Apparatus for holding portable devices An apparatus comprises a device cradle being configured to removably retain a portable device. The device cradle comprises a u-shaped frame being configured to receive and hold at least three peripheral sides of the portable device. An easel is in engagement with the cradle. The easel comprises lower attachment points configured to engage carrying apparatuses. The easel is further configured to extend upward from a back bottom of the frame. A junction is in engagement with a top of the easel. A hoop structure is in engagement with the junction. The hoop structure is positionable to have a spring-forward tension towards the easel to form a clip in which the clip may engage a structure and the portable device is removably secured to the structure.
US08998159B2	Locking system for adjustable telescopic props A locking device for preventing unauthorized retraction of a telescopic prop is made up of an adjustable clamp which can be fitted round the outer circumference of the prop together with a fastener for tightening the clamp, such as a nut and bolt with anti-tamper heads and a shield to prevent access to the head with a gripping instrument. The device can be placed around the outer circumference of an extended prop adjacent to the collar such that once the clamp is tightened the collar is sandwiched between the locking device and the pin. Alternatively the device can be placed around the outer circumference of the inner tube of the prop adjacent to and abutting the end of the outer tube of the prop in order to prevent unauthorized retraction of the prop.
US08998155B2	Quick threaded rod locking devices and method A threaded rod hanger has quick lock plunger mechanism that includes plunger pieces within a tapered hole in a housing. The plunger pieces have tapered outer surfaces. A spring within the housing presses the plunger pieces toward the narrow end of the bore, with the spring located between the plunger pieces and a back plate that closes off part of a wide end of the tapered bore. The plunger pieces have internally threaded surfaces that engage threads on a threaded rod that is inserted into the bore, between the plunger pieces. Once the threaded rod has been inserted between the plunger pieces and released, the plunger pieces are pushed toward the narrow bore end. This causes the plunger pieces to press inward, automatically causing the internal plunger half threads to engage the external threads on the threaded rod.
US08998152B2	Portable barrier installation system and release mechanism A portable barrier installation system and release mechanism is provided. A support frame comprising a first support arch is coupled on each end to a first and second support base. A second support arch, parallel to the first support arch, is coupled on each end to the first and second support base. A hopper assembly is coupled to the support frame. Rotation of the hopper assembly causes the hopper assembly to be in a fill or storage position. A release mechanism facilitates the release and placement of filled bags.
US08998145B2	Parachute package and components thereof A parachute package including a harness, a reserve parachute container attached to the harness, and a main parachute container releasably secured to the harness, wherein the main and reserve parachute containers are releasably fastened together.
US08998142B2	Device for linking a stringer and a frame of an aircraft structure A device for linking a frame and a stringer of an aircraft structure, including a first portion connected to a support surface of a frame, a second portion connected to a support surface of a stringer and a third portion referred to as intermediary portion connecting the first portion to the second portion. The second portion is connected to the intermediary portion by means of an articulation allowing for a relative movement between the two portions along a rotation axis perpendicular to the support surface of the stringer. The first portion is connected to the intermediary portion by means of an articulation allowing for a relative movement between the two portions along a rotation axis parallel to the support surface of the frame and to the support surface of the stringer.
US08998123B2	Dispensing device for labels A dispensing device for adhesive labels, comprising a holder, a roll made from strip material comprising a carrier and adhesive labels adhered to the carrier. The holder made from plastic material and comprises adjacent holder sections connected with each other via at least one elastic hinge and joined on the opposite side by fixing means, such as ‘click’ fixing means. The holder forming a dispensing slot for the adhesive labels and an extended first curved guide for the strip material located between the roll and the dispensing slot. A second curved guide extends out next to the first curved guide. A transition point close to the dispensing slot between both curved guides such that the carrier is guided via both guides and the transition point in such a way that the transition point the adhesive labels are released from the carrier.
US08998105B2	Spray generator A spray generator (10) including: a membrane (40) having a perforate portion through which, in use, a fluid is caused to flow when the membrane (40) is vibrated; an electronically-driven or a piezoelectrically driven actuator for vibrating the membrane (40); a chamber (18) for storing fluid for supply to a surface of the membrane (40); and a sealing element (13) located in and movable within the chamber (18) between a first position in which fluid flow from the chamber (18) through the membrane (40) is prevented and a second position in which fluid flow from the chamber (18) through the membrane (40) is allowed.
US08998104B2	Injection valve An injection valve includes an injector component having an injector body including a recess hydraulically coupled to a high-pressure circuit of a fluid, and a nozzle needle moveably disposed injector body recess for preventing fluid flow through at least one injection opening in a closed position, and otherwise for releasing the fluid flow; an actuator unit disposed in the injector body recess and having an actuator element disposed in an actuator housing including an end face at an axial end facing the injection opening, which end face is mechanically coupled to a stage implemented in the injector body via a ring element disposed axially between the end face and the stage. At least two radial through passages are disposed opposite each other in the ring element, designed for hydraulically coupling between a ring interior disposed within the ring element and a ring exterior disposed outside of the ring element.
US08998103B2	Fragrance dispensing system with activation indicator and/or consumption indicator A fragrance-dispensing system comprises a wick and diffuser, wherein the diffuser surface in contact with surrounding air is larger than the wick surface in contact with the air, a container for receiving the wick, and a fragrance preparation in the container, wherein the fragrance is transported by the wick to the diffuser by capillary action. At least sections of the diffuser include a color-changing agent that interacts with at least one substance present in the fragrance such that a color change is produced on and/or in the diffuser section when the substance comes into contact with the color changing agent.
US08998099B2	Transparent micropatterned RFID antenna and articles incorporating same Antennas suitable for use in RFID devices include an insulating substrate and a first conductive micropattern disposed on or in the substrate, the first conductive micropattern defining a contiguous mesh conductor. The first conductive micropattern forms an antenna responsive to at least a frequency of 915 MHz, and includes interconnected traces having a trace width in a range from 0.5 to 20 microns. Furthermore, the first conductive micropattern is characterized by an open area fraction of at least 80% or 90%. RFID devices include such an antenna and an integrated circuit configured to transmit and receive signals using the antenna. Cards, such as financial transaction cards or identification cards, include such an antenna carried by a card layer.
US08998096B2	Magnetic emissive use of preloaded payment card account numbers A thin-client access card has a card body with partial or fully emissive magnetic data tracks. An emissive element is disposed in the card body under the location of the legacy magnetic data tracks. An electronic signal conditioner converts audio signals from a mobile device into magnetic data applied to the emissive element. A swipe sensor detects when the thin-client access card is being swiped by a legacy card reader, and triggers an output of magnetic data from the emissive element while proximal to the POS reader head. A cable attaches the thin-client access card as a peripheral to the mobile device with an audio output jack.
US08998094B2	ID documents having a multi-layered laminate structure An ID document includes a document core and a multi-layer laminate. The multi-layer laminate includes at least three layers: a top layer, a middle layer, and a bottom layer. The top layer, in combination with other layers, provides durability to the ID document. The top layer can be made of a material with strong intrusion or scratch resistance and a high thermal softening/deformation point and can also have high resistance to solvents. The middle layer may be made of a material with a low melting point, and may also have high resistance to solvents. The bottom layer helps to facilitate strong binding to the document core or inlay and may be made of a material with a relatively high melting point.
US08998093B2	Systems and methods for a product authorization service A product authorization service is described, including receiving, from a first source, an item serial number (ISN) of a product and an item-specific key (ISK) for the product; receiving, from a second source, a product-package serial number (PPSN) associated with the product and information about the second source; storing the received PSN with an authorized indication based on the information about the second source indicating an authorized source; receiving, from the product, the PSN and the ISN; determining whether the PSN is the same as the receive PSN with the authorized indication; and if the PSN is the same as the receive PSN, transmitting the ISK to the product, the ISK enables activation of one or more features of the product.
US08998091B2	Hybrid-type bioptical laser scanning and digital imaging system supporting automatic object motion detection at the edges of a 3D scanning volume A hybrid-type bi-optical bar code symbol reading system has a vertical housing section with a vertical scanning window and a horizontal housing section with a horizontal scanning window from which laser scanning planes are projected and intersect within a 3D scanning volume defined between the vertical and horizontal scanning windows. An automatic object edge-motion detection subsystem is provided for detecting the entry and exit of objects at the edge of the 3D scanning volume and generating control signals in response thereto. A digital imaging subsystem is supported within the system housing and automatically projects a field of view (FOV) within the 3D scanning volume in response to control signals generated by the automatic object edge-motion detection subsystem and timer settings managed by a system controller.
US08998090B1	Standoff for optical imaging system A standoff for an optical imaging system includes a base, with a target plate coupled to the base and positioned along a central trajectory of the base. The target plate includes a scan window positioned along the central trajectory of the base. The scan window serves to align the optical imaging system with an optical mark on an object. A machine readable code can be positioned on the target plate, the machine readable code including optical imaging system setting information to be read by the optical imaging system.
US08998087B2	RFID tag and article-monitoring system using same A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a power supply, a RFID microchip, an enable unit, an adhesive unit, and a conducting unit. The adhesive unit is positioned on a bottom surface of the RFID tag. The conducting unit is secured to the bottom surface of the RFID tag through the adhesive unit. An end of the conducting unit is electronically connected to the power supply or the enable unit. Another end of the conducting unit is connected to the RFID microchip. The power supply or the enable unit switches on/off the RFID microchip through the conducting unit.
US08998085B2	Optical device configured to determine a prey score of antlered prey An optical apparatus includes an optical sensor configured to capture a digital image of an animal within a view area, a processor coupled to the optical sensor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory is configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to determine a distance to the animal, determine edges of the animal, and calculate measurements of selected portions of the animal in response to determining the edges and the distance. The memory further stores instructions that, when executed, cause processor to automatically calculate a prey score for the animal in response to calculating the measurements.
US08998083B2	Systems and methods for the tracking of evidence A system for the tagging, organization and tracking of evidence during the course of an investigation. The system generally utilizes an onsite handheld mobile computer device which is capable of taking input information including a description of evidence and a photo of evidence, reading a machine readable tag placed on the evidence, and printing an evidence bag label for identification the storage into which the evidence is placed. The handheld device can store this information in onboard memory until it is uploaded to a central server computer.
US08998070B2	Bulk container with bag liner secured in place A bulk container for shipping product in bulk from one location to another location, wherein the container has a sidewall with a top end and a bottom end, a bottom closure at the bottom end of the sidewall closing the bottom end of the container, a bag liner in the container, and attaching structure on the bottom closure for attaching the bottom end of the bag liner to the bottom end of the container so that the bag liner remains in the container when the container is inverted and product is dumped from the container.
US08998061B2	Surgical fastener applying apparatus A surgical stapler is provided. The stapler includes a tubular body portion. A cartridge assembly is disposed at a distal end of the body portion for expelling an annular array of staples. Each of the staples of the annular array of staples has a generally bent backspan. An anvil member disposed at the distal end of the tubular body portion is positioned opposite the cartridge assembly to clinch the staples in tissue upon expulsion of the staples from the cartridge assembly. The anvil member has a corresponding annular array of staple forming buckets. Each of the buckets is configured to accommodate the generally bent configuration of the staples to facilitate formation thereof.
US08998058B2	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.
US08998057B2	Hook assembly for use with a power tool A hook assembly includes an end cap having an outer periphery. The end cap is configured to be connected to a power tool. A hook is rotatably coupled to the outer periphery of the end cap. An O-ring is positioned between the outer periphery of the end cap and the hook. A protrusion is included on one of the outer periphery of the end cap and the hook to frictionally engage the O-ring to secure the hook in at least one selected rotational position relative to the end cap.
US08998055B2	Towel dispenser with auto-load arrangement A dispenser for dispensing paper toweling. The dispenser including a towel support that is positionable in a first dispensing position when a drive roller rotates in a first direction, and that is positionable in a second auto-loading position when the drive roller rotates in a second direction. Rotation of the drive roller in the first and second directions automatically loading the paper toweling for subsequent dispense.
US08998048B1	Electronic device holder on bicycle An electronic device holder on a bicycle may include a frame body and a standpipe connection seat, and the frame body is composed of a body, a clamping device, two rotation controls and the nip unit pressing as the combination. The standpipe connection seat is provided with a fine adjustment unit, and the fine adjustment unit, is located on the beam of the glove with the set of risers, and provided to assemble for the anchor of body.
US08998032B2	Cartridge with a wheel for sealing the opening A dispensing mechanism is adapted to eject a test sensor from a cartridge opening formed in a cartridge containing test sensors. The dispensing mechanism comprises a gear rack, a gear, and a wheel. The gear rack includes a first portion and a second portion located generally parallel to one another. The second portion of the gear rack includes a first plurality of teeth. The gear includes a second plurality of teeth that are adapted to be engaged by the first plurality of teeth upon movement of the gear rack. The wheel is operatively engaged by the gear and is adapted to dispense the test sensor from the cartridge opening and to seal the cartridge opening. The movement of the gear rack in a first direction causes the gear to rotate causing the wheel to rotate. The rotation of the wheel dispenses the test sensor through the cartridge opening.
US08998031B2	Waste container assembly A container for disposing of waste includes a receptacle and a first pivoting member functionally associated with the receptacle. The first pivoting member includes a first disposal surface. A second pivoting member functionally associated with the receptacle includes a second disposal surface. The second pivoting member is operatively coupled to the first pivoting member such that waste deposited on either the first disposal surface or the second disposal surface causes concurrent counter rotation of both the first pivoting member and the second pivoting member to dispose of the waste into the receptacle.
US08998030B2	Package with lid sealing system A package includes a container and a lid adapted to mate with a brim of the container. The lid closes a top opening in the container when mounted on the container.
US08998028B2	Can end with film insert A container end (20) having a dispensing aperture (50) with a closed position, in which the dispensing aperture is sealed, and an open position, in which product may be dispensed through the aperture (50). The end (20) includes a flexible film (70), which has at least one tongue (75) anchored to the end (20) outside the periphery of the aperture (50) and having a free end, which is visible in the dispensing aperture once the aperture is opened. The free end of the tongue (75) is concealed when the aperture (50) is closed, but becomes visible to a user once the aperture (50) is opened.
US08998026B2	Bottle formed of synthetic resin material into cylindrical shape with bottom A synthetic resin bottle has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a bottom wall portion that includes a grounding portion located at an outer circumferential edge, a rising circumferential wall portion that is connected from an inner side to the grounding portion and extends upward, an annular movable wall portion protruding from an upper end of the rising circumferential wall portion toward the bottle radial inner side, and a recessed circumferential wall portion between the bottle radial inner side and the movable wall portion. The movable wall portion is free to rotate around a portion connected to the rising circumferential wall portion so as to move the recessed circumferential wall portion in an upward direction. The rising circumferential wall portion extends to be gradually inclined toward the bottle inner side, and an inclined angle thereof is equal to or less than 10° with respect to a bottle axis.
US08998024B2	Device for storing low-molecular gases A device that stores a low molecular gas, such as hydrogen (H2), under high pressure includes having an inner shell and at least one outer sleeve surrounding the inner shell. The region between the inner shell and the outer sleeve is connected via at least one valve with a backflow prevention capability to the region surrounded by the inner shell. The valve is thereby formed so that low molecular gas which has diffused through the inner shell can flow back into the inner shell when there are suitable pressure conditions.
US08998019B2	Baggage system and related methods A system for storing bags adjacent to or within a container with which the bags will be used includes a bag bundle holding assembly, attached to or held adjacent the container and a bag bundle. The bag bundle includes a plurality of bags held in a bundle. The bag bundle is removably coupleable to the holding assembly adjacent to or within the container.
US08998014B2	Lid and container provided therewith A resin lid for a container body with an opening in an upper part, including a body part that closes the opening and has an air hole, and a flap that includes a base, a hinge on a first end of the base, and a projection provided on a second end side of the base and fitted in the air hole. The flap is swingable around the hinge between a first position in which the projection fits in the air hole and a second position in which the air hole is open. The body part and flap are integrally formed. When the flap travels from the second to the first position, a tip of the projection comes into contact with a circumferential edge of the opening of the air hole on a side opposite the hinge, and the projection fits in the air hole as the flap elastically deforms.
US08998007B1	Snow ski, snowboard and accessory storage device A snow ski, snow board and accessory storage device includes a backing plate; a hinge assembly carried by the backing plate, the hinge assembly including at least one hinge rotatable with respect to the backing plate; at least one backing arm carried by the at least one hinge of the hinge assembly, the at least one backing arm having an outer arm segment and an inner arm segment spaced-apart and parallel to the outer arm segment; the at least one backing arm adapted to receive a snow ski or snowboard between the outer arm segment and the inner arm segment; and a spreader and hanging bar carried by the backing plate, the at least one backing arm normally resting by gravity against the spreader and hanging bar and capable of being raised from the spreader and hanging bar as the at least one hinge rotates relative to the backing plate.
US08998005B2	Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam.
US08998002B1	Vertically arranged hair extension rack A rack for holding hair extensions. A vertical member has a plurality of openings arranged along a length of the vertical member. Combs hold the hair extensions. The combs attach in a series of vertically arranged openings along a length of the vertical member. The openings in the vertical member are arranged in a spiral or other pattern as desired for an organization of hair extensions according to where they go on a head and adapt to right or left handed users or different styles and kinds of extensions on one or more heads.
US08998000B2	Density phase separation device A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator may have a separator body having a through-hole defined therein, with the through-hole adapted for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The separator body includes a float, having a first density, and a ballast, having a second density greater than the first density. A portion of the float is connected to a portion of the ballast. Optionally, the float may include a first extended tab adjacent a first opening of the through-hole and a second extended tab adjacent the second opening of the through-hole. In certain configurations, the separator body also includes an extended tab band disposed about an outer surface of the float. The separator body may also include an engagement band circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the separator body.
US08997998B2	Controller for an acoustic standing wave generation device in order to prevent clogging of a filter The invention relates to a method and apparatus to continuously monitor and control acoustic energy and vacuum pressure to maintain a net unidirectional flow of multi-phase heterogeneous fluids through a porous filter or membrane. The heterogenous fluid may come form a variety of sources including biological sources such as, blood, bone marrow aspirate (BMA), adipose tissue (lipoaspirate), urine, saliva, etc.
US08997991B2	Wafer vial with inert intermediate layers The invention relates to a packaging unit comprising a container and hygroscopic or humidity softenable film-like materials. For this purpose, said film-like materials are stacked in the container and a separating material which is chemically inert and physically stable with respect thereto is arranged at time between said film-like materials. Each time, said separating material is brought into contact with two film-like materials and does not adheres or adheres less strongly to at least one film-like material that to the other film-like material. Said invention makes it possible to develop a packaging unit provided with a container which guarantees a reliable individual withdrawal of the hygroscopic film-like materials.
US08997986B2	Carrier with retention features A carton for carrying a plurality of articles. The carton having a plurality of panels at least partially extending around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising at least one bottom panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel. The carton further having at least one retention tab foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel. The at least one retention tab is for engaging at least a portion of an article of the plurality of articles, and the at least one retention tab comprises a first portion foldably connected to the bottom panel at a first fold line and a second portion foldably connected to the first portion at a second fold line.
US08997979B2	Slide-open package of tobacco articles A package of tobacco articles, having an inner container containing a group of tobacco articles; an outer container which houses the inner container in such a manner as to allow the inner container to slide, with respect to the outer container, between a closed position, in which the inner container is inserted inside the outer container, and an open position, in which the inner container is partly extracted from the outer container; and at least one lock member which, in releasable manner by user action from the outside, prevents the inner container in the closed position from sliding with respect to the outer container.
US08997978B2	Medical device package The present disclosure provides a medical device package including a container for receiving a medical device having an area configured for storing at least one agent and a port for permitting the passage of a contact material between the outside the container and the area configured for storing the agent.
US08997969B2	Production cell with a workpiece transfer device, and transport device for workpieces and part carriers A production cell for automated processing of workpieces has a protective fence and, arranged therein, at least one production device, for example a bending press, and at least one handling device. A workpiece transfer device for part carriers or workpieces is arranged in the production cell which workpiece transfer device forms a supply position and a delivery position. Here, a delivery device of the workpiece transfer device forms a first delivery path and a second delivery path which extends parallel to the former, wherein, furthermore, a conveyor for optional transfer of a part carrier between the delivery paths is provided on an actuating device.
US08997968B2	Automatic adjustment of parameters for safety device A device and method for automatically adjusting safety control parameters of a conveyor are disclosed. The safety device may include various sensors and a safety control module. The safety control module may be preprogrammed with a learn-run method configured to learn operational and mechanical characteristics of a conveyor, validate the operational characteristics of the conveyor based on predefined nominal specifications, and determine a safety function with calibrated safety control parameters by which to monitor conveyor operation.
US08997964B2	Load sensitive magnetic clutch device A load sensitive magnetic clutch device includes: a magnetic pole rotating body having magnetic poles arranged on the circumference thereof and provided with a clutch projection of a claw clutch at an end thereof; a yoke rotating body configured to rotate about an axial center of rotation identical to that of the magnetic pole rotating body; and a high-torque input member configured to rotate about the identical axial center of rotation and having a clutch engaging portion engaging the clutch projection. The clutch projection is formed of a magnetic body. The clutch engaging portion includes a clutch retaining magnetic body configured to attract the clutch projection by a magnetic force. The clutch projection is attracted by the clutch retaining magnetic body by an application of a load torque exceeding a torque which is transferrable between the magnetic pole rotating body and the yoke rotating body.
US08997960B2	Oil passage structure for hydraulic clutch of an engine A cavity 135 having a closed end wall 135a facing an end of a rotational shaft 71 and receiving the end of the rotational shaft 71 therein is defined in an inner surface of a case cover 55 such that supply oil passages 125, 126 are open at inner circumferential surfaces of the cavity 135. At least one radial joint hole 138 is defined in an end portion of the rotational shaft 71 and extends radially of the rotational shaft 71, the radial joint hole 138 having an inner end connected to another oil passage 111 in the rotational shaft 71 than a particular oil passage 112 in the rotational shaft 71. The radial joint hole 138 is connected to a corresponding supply oil passage 125 of the supply oil passages 125, 126, in the cavity 135.
US08997943B2	Bicycle brake with synchronized brake arms A bicycle brake apparatus includes first and second brake arms. The first brake arm includes a first brake arm mounting portion for mounting the first brake arm to a bicycle frame member, a first brake pad mounting portion, and a first control interface portion. The second brake arm includes a second brake arm mounting portion for mounting the second brake arm to the bicycle frame member and a second brake pad mounting portion. A synchronizing link communicates a synchronizing force that arises from one of the first brake arm or the second brake arm to the other one of the first brake arm or the second brake arm so that the first brake arm and the second brake arm move in synchronization.
US08997931B2	Stepladder with latch stud and method A stepladder includes a front section having a first front leg and a second front leg and a step attached to the first front leg and the second front leg and a latch engaged with the step. The stepladder includes a rear section having a first rear leg and a second rear leg and a cross bar attached to the first rear leg and the second rear leg. The rear section has a first stud which extends from the first rear leg toward the second rear leg and separate and apart and not in contact with the second rear leg and not in contact with the cross bar. The latch is engaged with and latched to the first stud to define an engaged position where the first front leg and the first rear leg are in an open position and form an inverted v shape and are prevented from folding together.
US08997919B2	Motor-driven steering controller and automobile anti-skid controller A motor-driven steering controller for controlling a steering wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a steering torque controlling unit, a braking force estimating unit, a right and left braking force difference estimating unit and an assist steering torque providing unit. The steering torque controlling unit controls a steering torque on the steering wheel depending on a steering operation. The braking force estimating unit estimates braking forces to be imposed on wheels of the vehicle. The right and left braking force difference estimating unit estimates difference between the braking forces to be imposed on the right and left wheels each estimated by the braking forces estimating unit. The assist steering torque providing unit provides an assist steering torque for the steering torque controlling unit on the basis of the difference in braking force between right and left wheels estimated by the right and left braking force difference estimating unit.
US08997918B2	Protective device for an articulated vehicle The invention relates to protective device for an articulated vehicle (1) comprising at least a first and second vehicle portion (4, 6); a control gear (8) connected to the respective vehicle portion (4, 6); and an actuating member (16) for, via the control gear (8), changing the relative position of the vehicle portions (4, 6) in relation to one another. The protective device (2) comprises at least one stiffening means (22), which fixes the position of each respective vehicle portion (4, 6) in relation to one another whenever the acceleration and/or speed of at least one of the vehicle portions (4, 6) exceeds a predetermined limit value. The invention also relates to a method for controlling a stiffening means of such a protective device (2) for an articulated vehicle (1).
US08997917B1	Universal interconnection system A universal interconnection system includes a bushing assembly having one or more bushing member disposed in an operative engagement between the components, wherein each bushing member is individually interconnected between the oppositely disposed components via corresponding bushing fasteners. Each of the oppositely disposed components comprises at least one interconnection aperture through which a portion of a bushing member is disposed prior to being secured therein by a corresponding bushing fastener. Each bushing fastener is removable from the bushing member thereby providing secure yet releasable interconnection of the oppositely disposed components.
US08997916B2	Power unit for vehicle and four-wheeled vehicle A clutch actuator and a speed change actuator are disposed so as to be adjacent to each other on one side of an engine main body along the axis of a crankshaft. The clutch actuator is provided with a manual clutch operating part capable of being manually operated. The speed change actuator is provided with a manual speed change operating part capable of being manually operated.
US08997910B2	Electric bicycle An electric bicycle configured to generate electricity by pedals thereof, the electric bicycle includes a front frame provided with a front wheel and a handle; a center frame provided with pedals and a saddle, a rear frame provided with a rear wheel; a pedal housing provided at the a front frame provided with a front wheel and a handle, a center frame provided with pedals and a saddle, a rear frame provided with a rear wheel, a pedal housing provided at the center frame, a pedal shaft provided with the pedals at both end portions thereof while passing through the pedal housing, an accelerating unit allowing the pedal shaft to pass therethrough and provided with an input side directly connected to the pedal shaft to increase rotational speed, and a generating unit allowing the pedal shaft to pass therethrough and directly connected to an output side of the accelerating unit.
US08997906B2	Air mover reversing for work vehicle cooling package A method for reversing an air mover to remove debris from a cooling system of a work vehicle. In one embodiment, the largest required fan speed for cooling the engine coolant, hydraulic oil and the charge air is used as the set point speed for a fan. The fan is operated at the set point speed to generate airflow across each of the heat exchangers. Multiple conditions are evaluated for reversing the direction of the fan.
US08997903B2	Motorized load assistance for wheelbarrows The present invention provides a device or apparatus for assisting in the operation of a wheelbarrow having a tray, handles and at least one front wheel. The present device may generally include a motor, a power/fuel source, a drive wheel and a drive mechanism for rotationally coupling the drive motor to the drive wheel, the drive wheel able to contact the front wheel of the wheelbarrow in a direct wheel-on-wheel engagement when the present device is attached to the underside of the wheelbarrow tray. The present device may be slidingly attached to the wheelbarrow, such as by one or more slides, to permit its movement forward and backward for the drive wheel to engage or disengage the front wheel. The present invention further includes the present device attached to a wheelbarrow or tray, and methods for assembling and operating the device and attaching it to a wheelbarrow or tray.
US08997900B2	In-situ boron doped PDC element A polycrystalline diamond compact formed in an in-situ boron-doped process. The in-situ boron-doped process includes consolidating a mixture of diamond crystals and boron-containing alloy via liquid diffusion of boron into diamond crystals at a pressure greater than 5 Gpa and at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the boron-containing alloy, typically less than about 1450° C.
US08997899B2	Cutting element, cutter tool and method of cutting within a borehole A cutting element includes a modified gilmoid having two planes defining a plurality of cutting edges thereon, and a first support extending from a central area of a first of the two planes and a second support extending from a central area of a second of the two planes. The supports are sized and positioned such that when the cutting element is resting against a planar surface such that one of the plurality of cutting edges and the first support are in contact with the planar surface the first plane forms an acute angle with the planar surface.
US08997891B2	Earth boring apparatus An earth boring apparatus includes a drill rod, a source for a drill fluid, and a voltage source. The drill rod has a hollow rod casing provided for throughflow of the drill fluid, and a conductor located within the rod casing, with the voltage source being connected with the conductor and the rod casing. The voltage source is so connected as to prevent the electric conductor to act as anode in the event the drill fluid establishes an electrically conductive connection between the rod casing and the conductor.
US08997890B2	Boring tool control using remote locator A drilling system performs underground boring using a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore. A monitoring arrangement, forming part of the system, includes a detection arrangement at the drill rig for monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool. A portable device forms another part of the system for receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device. A communication arrangement, for example using telemetry, transfers the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device. The operational parameter may be monitored for the purpose of preventing equipment failure.
US08997887B2	Power tool A power tool performs a predetermined operation by using a tool bit and has a grip part and a dust suction device. The dust suction device has a dust suction part that extends in an axial direction of the tool bit and sucks and collects dust generated during operation at a tip of the tool bit. The dust suction part can be moved between a first position in which the dust suction part covers a bit tip of the tool bit and a second position in which the bit tip is exposed. The dust suction device further has an operation mode switching mechanism that is capable of switching between a first operation mode in which the dust suction part is allowed to move between the first and second positions and a second operation mode in which the dust suction part is locked in the second position.
US08997886B2	Cultivator with two rows of discs in direction of travel An agricultural machine (101; 201; 301) comprising two mainly parallel, in the direction of travel, cross-running disc implement rows (102a, 102c; 202a, 202b; 304a, 304b), wherein the orientation of the disc implements (102b, 102d; 203a, 203b; 302a, 302b) contained in the mentioned disc implement rows is arranged so that the fore row (102a; 202a; 304a) has disc implements that are mounted on a frame beam (110; 211; 303) and that are angled outwards and backwards towards the sides of the machine and in a dividing line mainly parallel to the direction of travel of the machine form a first point of change (208a, 304c), and the rear row (102c, 202b; 304b) has disc implements (102d; 203b; 302b) that are mounted on a frame beam (110; 211; 303) and that are angled inwards and backwards from the sides of the machine and in the dividing line form a second point of change (208b, 304a), wherein the fore row is adapted to throw soil from the first point of change outwards towards the sides of the machine and the other row is adapted to throw soil from the sides of the machine inwards towards the second point of change. The dividing line with the first point of change (208a, 304c), and with the second point of change (208b, 304) is arranged at a predetermined distance from the centre line of the machine (101; 201; 301) across the direction of travel.
US08997869B2	In-situ kerogen conversion and product upgrading Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. The isolated organic acids are upgraded by a reaction process that make the products suitable as refinery feedstocks, fuel or lubricant blendstocks, reaction intermediates, chemical feedstocks, or chemical intermediate blendstocks.
US08997868B2	Methods of using nanoparticle suspension aids in subterranean operations Methods of drilling wellbores, placing proppant packs in subterranean formations, and placing gravel packs in wellbores may involve fluids, optionally foamed fluids, comprising nanoparticle suspension aids. Methods may be advantageously employed in deviated wellbores. Some methods may involve introducing a treatment fluid into an injection wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, a foaming agent, a gas, and a nanoparticle suspension aid; and producing hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation via a production wellbore proximal to the injection wellbore.
US08997867B2	Use of a fluid composition with delayed cross-linking for holding a casing inside a drill hole and method for reinforcing a drill hole A cross-linkable composition with controlled cross-linking as a material is used for fixing and thermally insulating tubes used for casing in drill holes, especially oil drill holes, during exploitation operations, such as oil extraction, in the drill hole. The cross-linkable composition includes at least one diene polyol, at least one polyisocyanate, and at least one heat insulating liquid filler.
US08997857B2	System and method for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall The present invention provides a system for anchoring an expandable tubular to a borehole wall. The system comprises a support member having a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end comprising a ramping surface. An anchor member has a first end fixed relative to the outside of the tubular and a second end extending toward the support member, said second end being movable relative to the outside of the tubular. Said support member includes a ramp surface that tapers in the direction of said anchor member. Expansion of the portion of the expandable tubular between the first support end and the first anchor end causes the axial device length to shorten, wherein the difference in length is sufficient to cause the second anchor end to move radially outward and engage the borehole wall as a result of engagement with said ramping surface.
US08997846B2	Heat dissipation system with boundary layer disruption A heat dissipation system that includes a structure having a surface with a cavity recessed on the surface. A wing or channel causes a vortex to occur in the cavity. Destabilizers, such as projections or recesses are disposed on the sidewall of the cavity to disrupt the local surface boundary layer that forms in the cavity. Alternatively, a plurality of freely moving bead elements are disposed in the cavity to disrupt the local surface boundary layer. A cover can be included that prevents the bead elements from exiting the cavity.
US08997839B2	Thin heat pipe structure and method of manufacturing same A thin heat pipe structure includes a pipe body, a thin-sheet member, and a plurality of bosses. The pipe body internally defines a receiving space, in which a working fluid is provided. The thin-sheet member includes a plurality of open spaces, and the bosses are provided in the open spaces, so that the bosses and the thin-sheet member are disposed in the receiving space of the pipe body at the same time. A method of manufacturing thin pipe structure is also disclosed for manufacturing thin heat pipe structure with reduced time and labor, and protecting a wick structure formed in the thin heat pipe structure against damage. Therefore the thin heat pipe structure can be manufactured with increased good yield and at reduced manufacturing cost.
US08997836B2	Ceramic core with composite insert for casting airfoils A multi-wall ceramic core for casting an airfoil with one or more internal cooling passages is made by preforming at least one fugitive core insert to have a joint-forming surface with a male and/or female joint feature and then forming at least one fugitive core insert in-situ adjacent and integrally connected and fused to the at least one preformed core insert at the joint-forming surface to form an interlocked, fused joint to form a composite core insert that includes features to form internal passage surfaces in the core when the composite core insert is removed. Another aspect involves preforming first and second fugitive core inserts to have respective joint-forming surfaces with respective snap-fittable joint features and assembling the first and second fugitive core inserts to form a composite core insert by snap fitting the snap-fittable joint features together to form an interlocked joint. The composite core insert is placed in a core molding die cavity, and a fluid ceramic material is introduced into the die cavity to form the ceramic core body incorporating the fugitive composite core insert therein.
US08997832B1	Method of fabricating micrometer scale components A method for manufacturing micrometer scale components comprises depositing a first metal on a substrate, depositing a second metal in a mold, and alloying the first and second metals together to form the component.
US08997829B2	Roller blinds controller structure An improvement of roller blinds controller is provided, it mainly comprises a cylindrical rod passing through a side cover and fixing therewith; a bead chain sprocket and a number of torsion springs fitted on the cylindrical rod, and an outer sleeve cover fitted on the outside, wherein: the cylindrical rod has a ridge portion protruded from the circumferential surface thereof, while the side cover has a has a central aperture with a annular edge portion, the cylindrical rod can be fixed with the side cover by the snap-fitting of the annular edge portion between the flange portion and the ridge portion.
US08997826B2	Window covering A window covering includes a headrail, a bottom rail, a shading member, two pulley assemblies, and a cord. The shading member is between the headrail and the bottom rail. The pulley assemblies are received in the headrail, each of which has a frame and a pulley. The frame has an opening, and the pulley is connected to the frame. The cord is a woven Y-shaped cord, having a control section and two lift sections. The cord runs over the pulleys of the pulley assemblies, the control section extends out of the headrail to be operated by a user, and the lift sections extend out of the frames via the openings respectively to connect to the bottom rail through the shading member.
US08997822B2	Substrate inverting device, substrate inverting method, and peeling system According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a substrate inverting device for inverting front and rear surfaces of a substrate is provided. The substrate includes a first holding unit configured to hold one surface of the substrate and a second holding unit disposed to face the first holding unit and configured to hold one surface of the substrate. Further, the substrate includes a moving mechanism configured to relatively move at least one of the first holding unit and the second holding unit to approach each other and stay spaced apart from each other, and a transfer mechanism configured to hold the one surface of the substrate. In this case, a support of the substrate in the first holding unit, the second holding unit and the transfer mechanism is performed by a Bernoulli chuck.
US08997820B2	Method and machine for labelling bunches of cloths The method comprises the steps of arranging a bunch of cloths stacked onto one another; taking a label (4) containing a respective identifying code of the upper cloth (30) of the bunch, laying onto the label one end (23), provided with a cavity, of a gripping element (21) and creating in the cavity a pressure lower than an ambient pressure, so that the label obstructs the cavity; laying the label onto a labeling area (3b) of the upper cloth, and fixing the label to the upper cloth; moving the labeling area (3b) of the upper cloth by shifting the gripping element (21), maintaining in the cavity a pressure lower than an ambient pressure; increasing pressure in the cavity of the gripping element until the label gets off it, so that the labeling area (3b) of the upper cloth (30) reaches a firm position away from the respective labeling area (3b) of a cloth (31) lying directly below the upper cloth, so as to enable a subsequent application of a respective label (4) onto the respective labeling area (3b) of the cloth (31) lying directly below.
US08997819B2	Labelling machine for labels printed on pre-pasted continuous film A labelling machine for labels printed on pre-pasted continuous film, comprising a rotating carousel provided with elements for supporting the individual containers to be labelled, adapted to turn such containers about their own axis, and alignment elements and tension adjustment elements for the film that unwinds from a reel and a cutting and transfer drum comprises a structure for supporting actuation elements for individual blades designed to cut the labels, the supporting structure being adapted to support a number of circumferential portions of peripheral shells provided with film retention elements and adapted to be inserted in the gaps formed by the blades that are present in each one of the groupings, so as to form a continuous cylindrical surface for supporting the film.
US08997807B2	Tyre for motor vehicles A tyre for motor vehicles, in particular for rear wheels of motor vehicles, has a tread band including an annular central portion, two first annular side portions and two second annular side portions, each arranged between the annular central portion and a respective first annular side portion and being narrower than the first annular side portion. The tread band has at least one module replicated along a circumferential direction of the tyre and includes grooves inclined with respect to the equatorial plane, at least two first grooves, each extending from a second annular side portion to a first annular side portion; at least two second grooves spaced from the first grooves in the circumferential direction, each extending only on a respective second annular side portion and at least two third grooves arranged along the circumferential direction on the opposite side to the first grooves with respect to the second grooves, each of said third grooves extending from a second annular side portion to a first annular side portion.
US08997795B2	Flexible hose for high pressures and temperatures including a charge-air hose and a cooling-water hose A flexible hose (1) has at least two textile reinforcement inlays or inserts (5, 6, 7) and an inner layer (2) made of elastomeric material. The flexible hose can assume various curvature geometries and, on the other hand, is still pressure-resistant because a textile reinforcement inlay (5) made of a peripherally closed, tubular knitted or woven fabric is applied to the elastomeric inner layer (2). A textile layer (6), which is rubber-coated on both sides, is wound as a further textile reinforcement inlay onto the tubular knitted or woven fabric (5).
US08997794B2	Vibration absorbing pipe for refrigeration compressor The invention relates to a vibration absorbing pipe for a refrigeration compressor including: a corrugated pipe; a first connection pipe having concavo and convex portions; a wire braided net adapted to be fitted to the outer peripheral surfaces of the corrugated pipe and the first connection pipe; and a first compression ring having concavo and convex portions formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof in such a manner as to be compressed against the front end periphery of the wire braided net located just on the top of the first connection pipe, wherein the first connection pipe has an adjusting groove formed on one side outer peripheral surface thereof, so that through the width adjustment of the adjusting groove, a thickness of one side bonding portion of the first connection pipe is the same as a thickness of one side bonding portion of the corrugated pipe.
US08997790B2	Touch switch outlet mechanism A touch switch outlet mechanism has a fixation unit and a switch unit. The fixation unit includes an inlet waterway connected to the water source, a water diversion cavity connected to the inlet waterway, N number of water diversion holes connected to the water diversion cavity and several outlet functions with same number as the water diversion holes and one to one corresponding to the water diversion holes, N is equal to or more than 2; The switch unit includes N−1 number of sealing balls and N touch buttons, the N touch buttons are separately disposed with a touch end inside the water diversion cavity and a controlled end controlled by the user, the touch ends of the N touch buttons corresponding to N water diversion holes and sliding connected to the fixation unit, the N−1 sealing balls can close N−1 of the N water diversion holes.
US08997780B2	Fuel float valve In one example, a fuel system includes a fuel tank having a wall with an opening. A fuel float valve has a float and a seal plate on opposing ends of a beam. The fuel float valve also includes a fulcrum about which the beam is configured to pivot in response to a change in fuel level. The fuel float valve is movable between unsealed and sealed positions in which the seal plate is respectively unsealed and sealed relative to the opening. The seal plate includes first and second portions. The first portion seals against the wall, and the second portion is movable relative to the first portion in the sealed position from a closed position to an open position with respect to the first portion.
US08997779B2	Valve lockout device A lockout device that can be used to lock a valve in a closed position, for use particularly with valves that include a stationary member, such as a body, and a rotating member, such as a handle or wheel, for activating and deactivating the valve is disclosed. The lockout device can also be used to provide a connection point for connecting various types of connectors to a hose clamp or other elongate connecting member mounted on and locked onto a body such as a pipe or valve.
US08997772B2	Backflow prevention and method of manufacture A backflow prevention assembly is disclosed including a backflow prevention valve having a valve housing including a valve inlet end and a valve outlet end; a spool spacer of predetermined length having a first end and a second end; an inlet shut-off valve; and an outlet shut-off valve, wherein the spool spacer extends between the backflow prevention valve and one of the inlet shut-off valve and the outlet shut-off valve. The entire assembly, including the backflow prevention valve, the spool spacer, the inlet shut-off valve, and the outlet shut-off valve, is a certified assembly, certified by a certifying authority prior to installation. Methods of manufacturing a backflow prevention assembly and replacing a backflow prevention assembly are also disclosed.
US08997770B1	Wheel chair covering device A wheelchair covering device extends around a wheelchair to protect a user positioned in the wheelchair against inclement weather, such as rain, snow, sunlight and the like. The device includes a support unit configured for coupling to a wheelchair. A canopy is coupled to the support unit. The canopy is configured for extending over and shading a seat of the wheelchair. A flexible panel is removably coupled to the canopy. The panel is configured to extend around the seat of the wheelchair.
US08997767B2	Multi-layer shelter insulation system A portable, insulated shelter consists of flexible inner and outer layers, lightweight fabric panels located therebetween, and connected to each other, a suitable support frame, and a system, such as a HVAC unit and a suitable connector, for actively controlling the interior environment of the shelter. The shelter may be used to protect and provide livable conditions in harsh, remote locations. Methods of selectively installing and removing the fabric panels are also provided, along with methods of setting up and disassembling the shelter.
US08997766B2	Walking stick chair A walking stick chair includes a main stick, a seat unit, a support unit, and a linking unit. The seat unit includes a sleeve member connected in a fixed position to the main stick, and a seat member connected pivotally to the sleeve member and operable between a folded state and an unfolded state. The support unit is connected pivotally to the main stick. The linking unit is connected pivotally to the support unit and the seat member. When the seat member is at the unfolded state, the walking stick chair serves as a chair, and when the seat member is operated from the unfolded state to the folded state, the walking stick chair is converted from the chair to a walking stick.
US08997765B2	Device for treating small parts A device for gently cleaning, sterilizing, and drying large volumes of small parts, having a stationary, preferably spherical treatment container optionally having a cooling device and having a rotating inner basket disposed in the interior thereof. The inner basket is preferably sealed off from the treatment container and driven by a stepper motor or servo motor.
US08997740B2	Humidifier with back-flow prevention valve A humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.
US08997730B2	Grease handling apparatus for closed system oven A grease removal system for a combination oven, requiring venting and condensation of steam, conducts excess grease through the same drainpipe as the steam to a water-filled condenser, then segregates the grease within a reservoir wall. In this way, a single opening may serve to remove both excess steam pressure and grease and temperature-moderated grease may be readily pumped to a convenient location.
US08997722B1	Tunable throttle plate A tunable throttle plate for customizing fuel delivery to a supercharged engine includes a plate that may be coupled to intake manifold of an engine. A fuel aperture extends through the plate. A spray rod is coupled to the fuel aperture. A fuel nozzle is coupled to the spray rod. The fuel nozzle delivers a fuel to the plate through the spray rod. A solenoid is coupled to the fuel nozzle. The solenoid is coupled to a fuel source so the solenoid delivers the fuel to the fuel nozzle.
US08997721B2	Intake apparatus of engine An intake apparatus of an engine provided with a fuel supply device for supplying fuel into an intake passage. A guide body is disposed in the intake passage located downstream from the fuel supply device, and the guide body may have at least one hole. The volume ratio of the guide body relative to the intake passage range and the volume ratio of the total holes relative to the guide body are ranged in the preferable volume percent.
US08997704B2	Apparatus for the variable setting of the control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine An apparatus for variable setting of control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine which has a drive element an output element and a side cover. The drive element is brought into drive connection with a crankshaft, the output element is brought into drive connection with a camshaft, and the output element is arranged such that it can be pivoted with respect to the drive element. The side cover, which has a sealing cover with an opening and a mating element, axially delimits the output element and/or the drive element, and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive or output element by means of a fastening element. The fastening element reaches at least partially through the opening and interacts with the fastening element producing a rotationally fixed connection between the side cover and output element or drive element.
US08997695B2	Casting pet toy A casting pet toy for entertaining a pet comprises an elongate rod, a handle grip at a handle end of the elongate rod and a tip eyelet at a tip end of the elongate rod. The casting pet toy can also include a stretchable cord passing through the tip eyelet. The stretchable cord comprises a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end can be secured to the elongate rod at a location proximate to the handle grip. A pet lure can be attached to the free end of the stretchable cord.
US08997690B2	Automated animal care device An automated animal feeder may have a pair of traditional pet bowls, one for food and one for water, and the water bowl may be physically lifted and dumped on a timed schedule as the water bowl may be mounted upon a hinged plate which swings up to empty the water bowl at programmed intervals controlled by a programmed logic controller, and the water bowl may be refilled whenever the weight of the bowl is light enough to indicate that the bowl is not full. Food may be metered by means of a portion control hopper located beneath the food supply hopper. The programmed logic controller (PLC) allows the timing of feeding and watering to be controlled by the user.
US08997684B2	Prevention of particle adders when contacting a liquid meniscus over a substrate A method for meniscus processing a substrate is provided. The method initiates with generating a meniscus spanning at least a length of the substrate. A pre-wetting liquid or vapor is dispensed. A substrate is moved through the dispensed pre-wetting liquid or vapor and the meniscus. The dispensed pre-wetting vapor condenses a pre-wetting liquid over a region of the substrate adjacent to a region of the substrate where the meniscus is generated. The pre-wetting liquid is deposited without substantially generating surface flow of the pre-wetting liquid on the substrate, and the pre-wetting liquid prevents the leading edge of the meniscus from contacting a dry surface region of the substrate.
US08997676B2	Retractable trim vane for amphibious vehicle A trim vane assembly for amphibious armored vehicles and having a trim vane movable along a generally horizontal path between a deployed position in which the trim vane extends rearward from the vehicle and a stowed position in which the trim vane is positioned beneath the amphibious vehicle. In the retracted position, the trim vane movable is flush against or received within the vehicle bottom such that the trim vane supplements the belly armor. Similarly, the trim vane extends from or overlaps with the bottom of the vehicle when extended into the deployed position to provide continuous bottom face of the vehicle extending from the front of the vehicle to the end of the trim vane. Conventional trim vanes are rotated between a vertical orientation against the rear of the vehicle and a horizontal position extending from the rear of the vehicle reducing viscous drag.
US08997664B2	Gasification combustion system A two stage refuse gasification combustion system for processing refuse is disclosed. The system may contain features such as an advancer, a first and second gasifier, a gas regulator, and a post combustor. Additionally, methods for regulating gas and advancing refuse through a two stage refuse gasification combustion system are disclosed.
US08997662B2	Stabilisation of objects A support mechanism for supporting an object, such as a table, has at least four legs and an interconnection means connecting the legs. Each leg has a beam portion with an inner end and an outer end. The beam portion of each leg is connected to the interconnection means by a respective pivot having a pivot axis located between the inner and outer ends of the beam portion. Each respective pair of adjacent legs has a protrusion fixed to one of the legs of that pair of adjacent legs and extending from that one leg to act on the other leg of that pair of adjacent legs. In use, the outer end of the beam portion of one leg moves in an upwards direction and the outer end of the beam portions of the adjacent legs moves in a downwards direction to accommodate uneven ground surfaces.
US08997659B2	Furniture element comprising an articulated plate of variable surface A furniture element forming a table (1) including a base box (2) and several coplanar main plates mobile in circular translation in a common plane. A mechanism (4) enables synchronized displacement in the common plane, wherein the plates (3) can assume at least two relative configurations, one in which they combine to form a full plate, the other in which the plates jointly define a central space 51. A mobile central plate (5) can be displaced according to an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the main plates (3), to move from a low position in which the central plate (5) is retracted by the main plates (3) to a high position in which it is placed in the plane of the main plates (3) at the level of the central space (51), forming a full plate with the main plates (3).
US08997653B1	Stroke inducing bullet A bullet is formed with a hollow interior compartment which contains particles. The bullet side-wall surrounding the hollow interior compartment breaks after impact with the target to release the particles from the hollow interior compartment. Preferably, each particle in the hollow interior compartment has a core substance and a coating surrounding the core substance. The coating is designed to release the core substance after the bullet contacts a target. The core substance swells when in contact with blood, which may be time delayed in order to enter the blood stream.
US08997651B2	Printing operation assisting device A printing operation assisting device for assisting a printing operation performed by a solder printer configured to print a solder cream on a substrate surface, including: a measure determining portion configured to determine a remedial measure against a deterioration of a print quality specified on the basis of print-result information obtained from an inspecting machine configured to inspect a print result by the printer, in accordance with a kind of the print-quality deterioration; and a measure issuing portion configured to issue a command relating to the remedial measure determined by the measure determining portion to at least one of the printer and its operator, wherein the measure determining portion is configured to determine a remedial measure against a certain print-quality deterioration and to redetermine another remedial measure different from the previously determined remedial measure where the deteriorated print quality is not improved by execution of the previously determined measure.
US08997645B1	Print pad A print pad has a nearly spherical tip section having a first radius. A partially spherical first midsection is behind the tip section, the first midsection having a radius less that the radius of the tip section. A frustoconical second midsection is behind the first midsection. A bell shaped third midsection is behind the second midsection, and a frustoconical base is behind the third midsection.
US08997642B2	Method for transporting, placing and compacting composite stiffeners A device for compacting a contoured elongate composite layup includes flexible first and second fiber reinforced resin flexible sections flexible along their lengths. The first section is flexible within a first plane and the second section is flexible within the first plane as well as within a second plane.
US08997638B2	Steam cooking apparatus A steam cooking apparatus includes a steam generating unit to generate steam from a supply of water, a steam container to cook food using the steam from the steam generating unit, a steam supply pipe coupled to the steam generating unit in order to supply the steam container with the steam generated by the steam generating unit, a steam pipe coupled to the steam container in order to supply the steam container with the steam passing through the steam supply pipe, and a steam pipe connection tube including a first connection portion coupled with the steam supply pipe and a second connection portion coupled with the steam pipe, the second connection portion coupled with the steam pipe being formed to have a diameter which is expanded toward the steam pipe so as to guide the steam pipe.
US08997631B2	Wobble plate-type variable displacement compressor Disclosed is a wobble plate type variable displacement compressor that uses a constant velocity universal joint mechanism, which comprises an inner ring and an outer ring, balls that are held between guide grooves of the inner ring and the outer ring to transmit power, wherein a wobble plate is connected and fixed to the outer ring. In the compressor, the wobble plate is provided with a cylindrical part which extends in the axial direction of a swash plate, and in the relative rotation structure between the swash plate, and the wobble plate and the outer ring, the swash plate is supported to be able to relatively rotate only in relation to the wobble plate via a bearing interposed at least between the cylindrical part and the inner diameter portion of the swash plate, without being supported to be able to rotate relative to the outer ring. With this wobble plate type variable displacement compressor using the specified constant velocity universal joint mechanism, the relative rotation structure between the wobble plate and the outer ring, and the swash plate, can be improved, workability and productivity can be improved, and the cost and weight can be reduced.
US08997623B2	Two-piece locking block device A locking block device (100) provided in the region of a cartridge chamber (121) of a handgun barrel (120) has a locking block (110) for releasably locking the barrel (120) to a breech prior to firing, and has a control member (111) having a control guide (112) for swinging out the barrel (120), after firing, for the purpose of separating the barrel (120) from the breech, and further has a feed ramp (140) formed in the region of a stop member (130) of the locking block (110) for feeding a cartridge, stored in a magazine of the handgun, into the cartridge chamber (121) following ejection of a fired cartridge. A modular design capable of being adapted to meet specific requirements is achieved in that the feed ramp (140) is formed on a ramp member (150) capable of being separated from the locking block (110) and releasably locked to the locking block (110).
US08997616B2	Plastic bag making apparatus It is intended in an apparatus for successively making plastic bags that a plastic film 1 is cut by a Thomson blade 3 without making the Thomson blade 3 pressed with a large force. The Thomson blade 3 is brought into contact with the plastic film 1 on one of opposite sides of the plastic film 1 in a direction of thickness thereof while a rolling member 4 is brought into contact with the plastic film 1 and rolled and moved along the plastic film 1 and the Thomson blade 3 on the other side of the plastic film 1 in the direction of thickness thereof. The plastic film 1 is therefore sandwiched between and cut by the Thomson blade 3 and the rolling member 4 to successively make plastic bags.
US08997613B2	Method and device for trimming heavy plates With known trimming shears having a pair of scrap-cutting blades on the discharge side, the moving upper scrap-cutting blade must be moved as closely as possible past the trimmed plate edge in order to push the cutoff edge still hanging on the plate downward against the lower fixed scrap-cutting blade, which requires precise adjustment of the upper scrap-cutting blade. To that end, according to the invention, the distance between the upper scrap-cutting blade (2) or the lower scrap-cutting blade (3) and the trimming blade plane (5) is set prior to trimming in accordance with the thickness of each heavy plate (10) to be trimmed by displacement of the upper scrap-cutting blade (2) and/or the lower scrap-cutting blade (3) in a displacement direction with at least one component transverse to the trimming blade plane (5).
US08997608B2	Stud removal tool An apparatus for removing a stud is described. The apparatus includes a housing, a cage and a canted coil spring. The housing has an interior sidewall with a three-lobed cam and a groove. Each lobe has a counterclockwise cam inner surface and a clockwise cam inner surface on the opposite side of the lobe center line. The cage has a top surface, a tapered terminus and a groove disposed between the top surface and the tapered terminus. The cage includes a plurality of jaws, in which the jaw outer cam surface of each jaw interfaces with the cam inner surface of the interior sidewall. The canted coil spring rotatably couples the cage to the housing. During stud removal, the housing rotates counterclockwise relative to the cage and the cage rotates counterclockwise to engage the stud.
US08997607B2	Wave gear device and flexible internally toothed gear In a wave gear device, an annular rigid externally toothed gear is disposed on the inner side of a cup-shaped flexible internally toothed gear. An internal-tooth-formation portion of the flexible internally toothed gear and a pushed portion pushed by a wave generator and flexed ellipsoidally are formed in different positions along the center axis line. The wave generator is disposed on the inner side of the flexible internally toothed gear, the pushed cylindrical portion is pushed from the inner side to the outside along the radial direction thereof by the wave generator, whereby the pushed cylindrical portion is flexed ellipsodially. As the outside diameter dimension of the wave gear device is determined by that of the flexible internally toothed gear, a wave gear device having a small outside diameter dimension can be obtained.
US08997606B2	Housing assembly An assembly that includes a tube mount, a tube, a first fillet weld, and a second fillet weld. The tube mount has a tubular side wall, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart notches formed on a first end of the tubular side wall, and a securing aperture formed through the tubular side wall. The notches form a plurality of teeth. The tube is received into the tube mount. The first fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The first fillet weld is formed about a perimeter the first end such that each of the first welds is formed substantially completely over the entirety of the teeth. The second fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The second fillet weld is formed about a perimeter of the securing aperture such that the second fillet weld is formed substantially completely over an inside perimeter of the securing aperture.
US08997604B2	Anchoring device for a sheath terminal An anchoring device including a support member having a slot open out at one edge thereof for receiving a first cylindrical portion of the sheath terminal, a retainer for receiving and retaining a second cylindrical portion of the sheath terminal, and a guide for guiding the retainer as the second cylindrical portion of the sheath terminal is received therein, the guide including guide members that are formed integrally with the support member.
US08997598B2	Control wheel for aeronautics The invention concerns a control wheel (100) for aeronautics constituted of at least two half-shells (10) assembled one to the other, said half-shells comprising reinforcing ribs (11) on their internal surface, positioning and fixing means (12) and locating holes (13) to allow the passage of electrical wires connecting electrical actuating means (20) to a control unit. The control wheel (100) includes a central opening (15) intended to be connected to a control shaft/hub. The wheel comprises an intermediate guide part (50) disposed between the half-shells (10) and positioned inside the control wheel (100), said part including at least one guide conduit (51) adapted to connect on the one hand a locating hole (13) to the central opening (15) of the control wheel (100).
US08997593B2	Nut for ball screw A nut for a ball screw mainly includes a nut, multiple dual-narrowed paths, multiple micro fans, a control portion, and multiple temperature sensing portions. The nut has a threaded path and the dual-narrowed paths are defined through the central axis of the nut and substantially parallel to the threaded path. Each of the dual-narrowed paths has a high-speed area and the diameter of each of the dual-narrowed paths is gradually reduced from two ends toward the high-speed area. The nut has micro fans which drive the air flows and reduce the temperature to increase the life of use and the precision of positioning.
US08997586B2	Mass flow measuring or controlling device A mass flow measuring or controlling device having a base body, a flow channel and a sensor module which comprises a sensor element and which can be coupled to an electronic unit, the flow channel having a measuring channel section which is in fluidic contact with the sensor element is characterized in that the sensor module comprises a sensor support part and a stabilizing element for stabilizing the sensor support part in the region of the measuring channel section.
US08997583B2	Ultrasonic flow sensor for use in a fluid medium An ultrasonic flow sensor for use in a fluid medium is described. The ultrasonic flow sensor includes at least two ultrasonic converters which are situated in a flow tube offset relative to one another, longitudinally with respect to a flow of the fluid medium. The ultrasonic flow sensor also includes a reflection surface, the ultrasonic converters being set up to exchange ultrasonic signals via simple reflection on the reflection surface. In addition, a deflection device is provided between the ultrasonic converters which is set up to essentially suppress parasitic ultrasonic signals, which are reflected from the reflection surface and which strike the deflection device, by deflection away from the ultrasonic converters.
US08997570B2	High impact resistant acceleration sensor An acceleration sensor having a high impact resistance to prevent breakage under excessive acceleration, but can stably exert a sensing performance. The acceleration sensor is formed of an SOI substrate of a three-layered structure including a silicon layer (active layer silicon), a silicon oxide layer, and a silicon layer (substrate silicon). The acceleration sensor includes frame parts, a plurality of beam parts, the beam parts projecting inward from the frame part, and a weight part supported by the beam parts. A strain sensing part is provided on each of the beam parts. A width W of each of the beam parts, a length I of each of the beam parts, and an inner frame length L of the frame part satisfy the following relationships of Expressions (1) and (2). 2
US08997569B2	Compound sensor A compound sensor includes a first unit including first and second oscillators symmetrically disposed to each other and being able to be displaced in a driving direction and a detecting direction; a second unit including third and fourth oscillators symmetrically disposed to each other and being able to be displaced in the driving direction and the detecting direction; a drive unit to drive the first through fourth oscillators so as to oscillate the first and second oscillators in opposite phase, and the third and fourth oscillators in opposite phase, and so as to oscillate the first and second unit in opposite phase; and a detection unit configured to detect displacements of the first through fourth oscillators in the detecting direction, wherein an acceleration, angular rate, angular acceleration and centrifugal force are independently detected by canceling unnecessary inertial force components from the displacements of the first through fourth oscillators.
US08997564B2	Integrated motion processing unit (MPU) with MEMS inertial sensing and embedded digital electronics A module operable to be mounted onto a surface of a board. The module includes a linear accelerometer to provide a first measurement output corresponding to a measurement of linear acceleration in at least one axis, and a first rotation sensor operable to provide a second measurement output corresponding to a measurement of rotation about at least one axis. The accelerometer and the first rotation sensor are formed on a first substrate. The module further includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to receive both the first measurement output from the linear accelerometer and the second measurement output from the first rotation sensor. The ASIC includes an analog-to-digital converter and is implemented on a second substrate. The first substrate is vertically bonded to the second substrate.
US08997544B2	Forming device A forming device for cup-shaped hollow bodies having a machine frame, a drive device, a workpiece rotary table for accommodating hollow bodies and a tool holder for accommodating processing tools, wherein the workpiece rotary table and the tool holder face one another and can be turned about a rotational axis in relation to one another and can be linearly moved in relation to one another along the rotational axis, and wherein the drive device comprises first drive means for providing a rotary step movement and second drive means for providing a cyclical linear movement between workpiece rotary table and tool holder to enable the hollow bodies to be formed by means of the processing tools in a plurality of consecutive processing steps. The second drive means has a stroke adjustment arrangement which is designed for adjusting a working stroke of the cyclical linear movement as a function of a control signal of a control device and/or for continuously variably adjusting the working stroke.
US08997542B2	Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for cup-shaped member A manufacturing method for a cup-shaped member including a corrugated portion includes a drawing step, a preliminary processing step, and a finishing step. In the preliminary processing step, at least preliminary large diameter portions in a preliminary corrugated portion are each formed to have a width larger than the size of each of the large diameter portions of the corrugated portion, thereby reducing an ironing resistance in the manufacturing of the cup-shaped member.
US08997540B2	Tail end ring control in a curved guide of a coiler A method is described in which a length of hot rolled product is decelerated in the course of being passed through the rotating curved guide of a coiler. The product exits the coiler at a reduced velocity and is delivered to and progressively accumulated on a cylindrical drum as a helical formation of rings. The drum is rotated to continuously unwind the accumulating product at the reduced velocity. The tail end of the product is retained in the coiler until substantially all of the rings previously deposited on the drum have been unwound.
US08997537B2	Opening apparatus for a door that has an outer panel, a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle door with such an opening apparatus A door (200) of a motor vehicle has an outer panel (100) and an opening apparatus. The opening apparatus has a door handle (30) and a door lock (20) with a lock barrel (10). The lock barrel (10) and the door handle (30) are arranged completely on the inner side of the outer panel (100) of the door (200).
US08997526B2	Vacuum degassing apparatus and vacuum degassing method for molten glass A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is comprised of an uprising pipe, a vacuum degassing vessel, a downfalling pipe, an upstream side pit that supplies molten glass to the uprising pipe, and a downstream side pit that receives molten glass from the downfalling pipe. The vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is further comprised of a separating mechanism that separates a part of molten glass moving from the downfalling pipe to the downstream side pit, and a returning pipe that returns separated molten glass to the upstream side pit.
US08997525B2	Systems and methods for making foamed glass using submerged combustion Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce foamed glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having an outlet, the melter configured to produce an initial foamy molten glass having a density and comprising bubbles filled primarily with combustion product gases. The initial foamy molten glass is deposited directly onto or into a transport apparatus that transports the initial foamy molten glass to a downstream processing apparatus. An intermediate stage may be included between the melter and the transport apparatus. One intermediate stage is a channel that includes gas injectors. Another intermediate stage is a channel that produces an upper flow of a less dense glass and a relatively more dense glass lower flow. The upper flow may be processed into foamed glass products, while the more dense flow may be processed into dense glass products.
US08997524B2	Apparatus for manufacturing polysilicon based electron-beam melting using dummy bar and method of manufacturing polysilicon using the same Methods and apparatus for manufacturing high purity polysilicon. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber; first and second electron guns disposed at an upper side of the vacuum chamber to irradiate electron beams into the vacuum chamber; a silicon melting unit which is placed on a first electron beam-irradiating region corresponding to the first electron gun and to which powdery raw silicon is fed and melted by the first electron beam; and a unidirectional solidification unit placed on a second electron beam-irradiating region corresponding to the second electron gun. The unidirectional solidification unit is provided therein with a start block driven in a downward direction to transfer molten silicon in the downward direction and is formed at a lower side thereof with a cooling channel. The start block includes a dummy bar having a silicon button joined to an upper portion of the dummy bar.
US08997523B2	Method of manufacturing glass molding In a method of manufacturing a glass molding, a lower mold includes a recess having a bottom portion and a side portion surrounding the bottom portion, and an outer peripheral planar portion surrounding an upper end of the side portion. A crossing angle between the side portion and the outer peripheral planar portion is set at more than or equal to 45 degrees. A dropping volume of the molten glass drop is such that, when dropped onto the lower mold, a volume of the molten glass drop located above the outer peripheral planar portion is 1.5 times to 6.0 times the volume of the molten glass drop filling the recess.
US08997520B2	Method and device for producing air gases in a gaseous and liquid form with a high flexibility and by cryogenic distillation A method of producing at least one air gas using cryogenic distillation is provided. The expanded streams coming from the two turbines are combined and then split into two fractions. The first fraction is sent to the medium-pressure column of the system in gaseous form, whereas the second fraction is returned to the cold end of the heat exchange line. At a temperature T4 below −100° C. and above T2, the second fraction is sent to a turbine where it expands up to a temperature T5, forming an air stream. This air stream is then warmed in the heat exchange line before being discharged into the atmosphere, so that the distillation is not disturbed. A liquid product is withdrawn from the column system as final product. The sole liquid product from the apparatus is liquid oxygen, but of course other products may be produced.
US08997513B2	Fluid level measurement system and method A method for measuring a fluid level in a tank containing a fluid for a transportable temperature controlled space. The method includes providing a temperature control system for the transportable temperature controlled space, providing a fluid level sensor for sensing a fluid level in the tank, generating fluid level signals with the fluid level sensor indicative of the fluid level in the tank, providing a fluid level algorithm for receiving the fluid level signals from the fluid level sensor and computing the fluid level in the tank, and inhibiting nondeterministic fluid level signals from being introduced to the fluid level algorithm.
US08997512B2	Fluid level measurement system and method A transport refrigeration system for a transportable temperature controlled space includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator fluidly connected to one another, an engine operatively connected to the compressor, and a fuel tank assembly fluidly connected to the engine. The fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank configured to contain the fuel, a fuel vapor and air, and an ultrasonic fluid level sensor for sensing a level of fuel, the fuel tank having a maximum fuel level. The fluid level sensor includes a transducer having a ring period. The distance from the fluid level sensor to the maximum fuel level is at least half the distance that the sound travels through the fuel vapor and air during the ring period of the transducer.
US08997503B2	Vehicle air-conditioning system and operation control method therefor A vehicle air-conditioning system includes an HVAC unit that blows air whose temperature is adjusted by a refrigerant evaporator and a second refrigerant condenser. The system includes a heat pump cycle in which a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant circuit changeover section, a first refrigerant condenser, a first expansion valve, and the refrigerant evaporator are sequentially connected. The system includes a second expansion valve and a refrigerant heat exchanger connected in parallel with the first expansion valve and the refrigerant evaporator. The second refrigerant condenser is connected in parallel with the first refrigerant condenser. The system includes a coolant cycle in which a coolant circulating pump, a ventilation-exhaust-heat recovery unit, a motor/battery, an electric heater, and the refrigerant heat exchanger are sequentially connected, and the ventilation-exhaust-heat recovery unit, motor/battery, and electric heater can be selectively used as a heat source.
US08997500B2	Gas turbine engine oil buffering A turbine engine includes a shaft, a fan, at least one bearing mounted on the shaft and rotationally supporting the fan, a fan drive gear system coupled to drive the fan, a bearing compartment around the at least one bearing and a source of pressurized air in communication with a region outside of the bearing compartment.
US08997499B2	Load rejection and recovery using a secondary fuel nozzle A system and way for controlling a gas turbine engine in the event of a partial or full load rejection from a generator is disclosed. Upon detection of a partial or full load rejection, the fuel flow of the combustor is directed to a secondary circuit of a secondary fuel nozzle to maintain a flame in a downstream chamber of the combustor. By maintaining the flame in the downstream chamber while the engine speed is controlled, the recovery process to a load condition avoids use of spark ignition system and flame detectors in the upstream chamber.
US08997498B2	System for use in controlling the operation of power generation systems A control system is provided. The control system includes at least one sensor that is positioned within a turbine engine and is configured to detect at least one first operating parameter therein. A controller is coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive at least one second operating parameter of the turbine engine. Moreover, the controller is configured to control a flow of a fluid to a rotor assembly within the turbine engine such that at least one of the first operating parameter and the second operating parameter is less than at least one threshold value.
US08997492B2	Apparatus and method for reheating turbine steam The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for reheating turbine steam, comprising a reheater and a condensate collecting tank, into which condensate is guided from the reheater. A subcooler is provided upstream of the reheater in a common housing with the reheater. The subcooler is arranged beneath the reheater and the condensate collecting tank is connected with the subcooler in order to supply condensate from the condensate collecting tank as heating medium.
US08997485B2	Turbine for and exhaust gas turbocharger In a turbine for an exhaust gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine comprising a turbine housing part, which has at least two spiral channels with respective inlets through which exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine is directed onto a turbine rotor disposed in the turbine housing part, the turbine housing part is disposed in an accommodating chamber, which is formed by a further housing part of the turbine, and from which accommodating chamber exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine can flow through the channel inlets into the spiral channels.
US08997483B2	Engine thermal management system and method for split cooling and integrated exhaust manifold applications A thermal management system and method for split cooling and integrated exhaust manifold applications in an automotive engine is provided. The thermal management system includes a cooling circuit that directs coolant through a plurality of components to warm the engine and passenger compartment efficiently, as well as remove excess heat from the engine and promote a constant operating temperature during vehicle operation. The cooling circuit directs liquid coolant, propelled by a coolant pump, through at least one of an engine block cooling jacket, an engine head cooling jacket, and an integrated exhaust manifold (IEM) cooling jacket, along a variety of cooling paths. The cooling circuit also incorporates a plurality of flow control valves to selectively distribute flow of the liquid coolant between a radiator, an engine heater core, and a return path to the coolant pump.
US08997471B2	Hydraulic system having dual manifolds A hydraulic system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system may include a fluid tank, a first manifold, a valve body, a second manifold, and a plurality of conduits. The first manifold may be operatively attached to the fluid tank and have at least two inlets and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid tank. The number of the at least one outlet may be less than the number of the at least two inlets. The second manifold may be operatively attached to the valve body and have at least one inlet in fluid communication with the valve body and at least two outlets. The number of the at least one inlet may be less than the number of the at least two outlets. The plurality of conduits may fluidly connect the at least two inlets of the first manifold and the at least two outlets of the second manifold.
US08997465B2	Method for purification of exhaust gas from a diesel engine The invention provides a method for purification of exhaust gas from a diesel engine in a system, which comprises a device for selective catalytic reduction and a diesel particulate filter preferably at least partially covered by a catalytic layer installed downstream of the device for selective catalytic reduction. A device for catalytic oxidation is installed upstream of the device for selective catalytic reduction and/or between the device for selective catalytic reduction and the diesel particulate filter. A device for injection of a controlled amount of reductant is installed inlet of the device for selective catalytic reduction, and a device for injection of a controlled amount of hydrocarbon is installed inlet of the catalytic oxidation.
US08997464B2	Waste heat recovery system with integrated hydrocarbon adsorber, and method thereof A waste heat recovery system with an integrated hydrocarbon adsorber for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine that generates exhaust gas containing hydrocarbons, and a catalytic converter, includes an exhaust gas conduit, an exhaust gas heat exchanger, a heat exchanger bypass valve, a coolant circuit with a coolant bypass and a coolant bypass valve, and a controller. The exhaust gas heat exchanger includes at least one channel through which the exhaust gas is flowable, the channel having an interior surface coated with a hydrocarbon adsorbing material configured to adsorb hydrocarbons. The heat exchanger and coolant bypass valves are configured to selectively direct at least a portion of the exhaust gas and the coolant, respectively, to the exhaust gas heat exchanger or to bypass it. They are controlled by the controller such that the hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas are selectively adsorbable by and desorbable from the coating.
US08997461B2	Aftertreatment system having two SCR catalysts A system and method includes an internal combustion engine capable of producing an exhaust stream and an aftertreatment system operationally coupled to the exhaust stream. The aftertreatment system includes an upstream selective reduction catalyst (SCR) component and a downstream SCR component that are positioned in substantially different thermal environments. The upstream and downstream SCR components are sized to fully treat the entire exhaust stream at a low temperature highest NOx conversion condition, and the downstream SCR component is sized to fully treat the entire exhaust stream at a high temperature highest NOx conversion condition.
US08997460B2	Exhaust system mixing device A mixing device comprises a circular disc of fin sections positioned so as to create openings in the inner and outer regions of the mixing device that generate oppositely rotating flows of exhaust gas. Each fin section may be identical, and may be created by a stamping process. The smooth surface of each fin section reduces creases, and thus, is less prone to urea buildup.
US08997459B2	NOx emission reduction system and method A method and system to reduce NOx emissions from an engine connected to a fuel tank and an exhaust line, the apparatus including, a reformer to reform the fuel into hydrogen (H2); a fuel cell stack to convert the hydrogen into electricity; a reduction unit disposed on the exhaust line to convert the NOx into N2; a first bypass line to provide a fluid communication between the first fuel tank and the fuel reformer; a second bypass line to provide a fluid communication between the fuel reformer and the fuel cell stack; a first reformate line to provide a fluid communication between the second bypass line and the exhaust line. The hydrogen is mixed with the NOx in the exhaust line, and then the reduction unit uses the hydrogen to convert the NOx into nitrogen (N2).
US08997450B2	Filter cartridge assembly for use with turbine engine systems A filter cartridge assembly includes a first filter including a first cavity defined therein and a second filter coupled to the first filter. The second filter includes a second cavity defined therein in flow communication with first cavity. The filter cartridge assembly also includes at least one pre-filter extending about the first filter and the second filter such that a third cavity is defined between the at least one pre-filter and at least one of the first filter and the second filter.
US08997449B2	Flow restrictor for lubrication line A flow restrictor is provided for a lubrication circulation system. The flow restrictor comprises a body configured to obstruct a flow of lubricant within the lubricant circulation system. The body has one or more through holes communicating with upstream and downstream portions of the lubrication circulation system. Each of the one or more holes has a cross-sectional area sufficiently small, and a length sufficiently long, to prevent turbulent lubricant flow therethrough at temperatures below a first predetermined reference temperature. The one or more holes have sufficient aggregate cross-sectional area to allow a desired lubricant flow rate through the body at temperatures at or above a second predetermined reference temperature.
US08997445B2	Shield apparatus for agricultural implement header A shield apparatus is mounted on the header of an agricultural implement which includes a rotatable collecting member to direct collected material rearwardly towards a rear discharge opening. The shield apparatus includes a panel member and a mounting bracket assembly which supports the panel member above the rear discharge opening of the header spanning in a lateral direction transversely to the forward working direction such that the panel member extends from a rear edge rearward of the collecting member to a front edge which is spaced forward and upwardly in relation to the rear edge. The shield apparatus ensures that material thrown upwardly above the rear of the header frame is redirected downwardly into the rear discharge opening of the header for collection by the implement in the usual manner. The shield apparatus does not interfere with the visibility of the operator when the panel member is clear.
US08997436B2	Wall panel system A wall panel system includes a base track and a plurality of interlocking wall panels. Each wall panel includes a continuous and unitarily formed first panel member and a continuous and unitarily formed second panel member. Each panel member includes a first face portion, an edge portion, and a plurality of connection members. The first and second panel members are interconnected by the plurality of connection member on the first panel member engaging the plurality of connection members on the second panel member.
US08997417B2	Door made of polyurethane and method for manufacturing the same A door made of polyurethane, including a door body, the door body including a plurality of integrated plates stacked on one another for supporting. A method for preparing the door includes providing a mold, and spraying a parting agent inside the mold; heating the mold to a temperature of 30-70° C., spraying the parting agent, and placing a plurality of plates or a metal skeleton in the mold; mixing raw materials to obtain a mixture; injecting the mixture into the mold to cover the stacked plates, and curing for 30-90 min; demolding, transferring a product from the mold to a thermostatic chamber for shaping at a constant temperature; trimming uneven edges and surfaces of the product; and spraying a paint on the product.
US08997416B2	Opaque fiber reinforcement of composites A composite material includes a polymeric matrix, at least one transparent region including a plurality of optically clear elements provided in the polymeric matrix and at least one opaque region including a plurality of opaque reinforcing elements provided in the polymeric matrix substantially parallel and adjacent to the at least one transparent region. A structural window and a method for reinforcing a composite material are also disclosed.
US08997415B2	Light-conducting component for constructions and buildings and also production process therefor A light-conducting component, in particular finished concrete part in the form of a masonry brick, for constructions and buildings. The component is produced in a casting mold by casting into at least one casting building material and the optical waveguide is made of a light-conducting building material, e.g. PMMA polymer or glass, which is accessible at at least two positions on the outer surface of the light-conducting component for the input of light and output of light. The optical waveguide is configured as a self-supporting 2D or 3D lattice body composed of rods having a thickness/diameter of greater than 1 mm. The self-supporting 2D or 3D lattice body has approximately the same or an only slightly smaller width (W), or length (L), or base dimensions (W, L), or total external dimensions (W, L, H) than the casting mold itself.
US08997412B1	Combination marine and stop frame glazed panel Disclosed is a framed glazed door or wall panel that can be utilized in applications requiring structural rigidity of the panel frame such as pivot doors, hinged doors, or glass folding doors. The panel includes marine glaze vertical frame members and horizontal stop glaze frame members. The vertical frame members and horizontal frame members can be joined by corner lugs inserted the body of the horizontal frame members and captively held in grooves on the surface of the vertical frame members.
US08997409B1	Coupling device for forming a protective building system A modular building removable coupling device for forming an explosion resistant, forced entry resistant, and/or ballistic resistant facility. The coupling device can include two hollow square or rectangular tubings having hollow top sides, a sealing means disposed between the tubings, a fastener connecting the tubings, a roof plate secured to each tubing, and a roof cap disposed over the roof plates. The coupling device can include sealing tubes secured to inner sides of the roof cap. A plurality of explosion resistant, forced entry resistant, and/or ballistic resistant modules can be connected with a plurality of modular building removable coupling devices to form an explosion resistant, forced entry resistant, and/or ballistic resistant facility.
US08997401B2	Bi-parting, bi-directional door system A door system includes two bi-parting, center-opening, bi-directional door panels disposed for counter-rotating swinging movement in a doorway. An operator is coupled to the door panels via a synchronizing system such that the door panels may be selectively opened in either direction relative to the doorway, and closed in the opposite direction, and such that the door panels swing through substantially equal angular distances. The synchronizing system may include a linkage, among other systems, and the operator may include an electro-mechanical operator, a mechanical door closer with spring, or a hybrid of both. A person may effect an emergency breakout by manually using a single-motion, low-force push against one of the door panels to simultaneously open both door panels.
US08997395B2	Fishing pole holder mount A fishing pole holder mount for mounting to a watercraft or other structure that is capable of holding more than one fishing pole at the same time, wherein the fishing pole holders are horizontally and vertically repositionable relative to one another and the base of the fishing pole holder mount. The fishing pole holder mount of the present invention also allows a user to specify the number of fishing pole holders removably attached thereto.
US08997391B2	Firearm sight A sight for a firearm is provided. The sight is structured to fit within a channel defined within the firearm. In some examples, the channel is defined within the slide of a semi automatic handgun. The sight includes a base that fits within the channel, and a visual index portion extending outward from the base. A removable firearm component blocks an open end of the channel, thereby retaining the sight, when the removable firearm component is installed on the firearm. In some examples, a rear sight may be secured within a channel defined within a slide by a firing pin stop. In other examples, a front sight may be secured within a channel defined within a slide by a barrel bushing. Some examples of the sight may include an adjustment mechanism for moving the visual index portion with respect to the base.

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