mi Method for optimizing performance of a multi-transducer earpiece and a multi-transducer earpiece By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a method for optimizing performance of a multi-transducer earpiece, where the multi-transducer earpiece includes a perpendicular flange that partitions the cross sectional area of the acoustic delivery channel in a manner where mixing of signals from both the high frequency transducer and the mid/low frequency transducer is carried out in the ear canal of a user during reproduction of audio signals. Full Article
mi Absorbent composition for mitigating fecal odor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is directed towards an absorbent composition and its method of production and use. More specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent composition comprising a liquid absorbing material, at least one alkaline earth metal peroxide, and an acidic material. The acid maintains a high hydrogen peroxide release profile under acidic conditions, such that the composition is found surprisingly effective in mitigating fecal odor. Full Article
mi Milking equipment and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A teat cup has a nozzle in a head portion of a flexible liner of the teat cup for delivering fluid internally of the teat cup. The nozzle is directed so as to discharge fluid towards the discharge end of the teat cup. When milking is terminated, treatment fluid is injected through the nozzle into the head portion of the liner just prior to and/or as the teat cup is being withdrawn from the teat and, the teat cup wipes the fluid down the teat so as substantially to coat the teat. When the teat cup falls into an inverted rest position, after take-off, the interior of the liner may be flushed and dried with disinfectant, water and compressed air discharged upwardly into the liner by the nozzle. The discharge end of the teat cup may be fitted with a shut-off valve which can be actuated to prevent ingress of treatment and cleansing fluids into the milk tubes during the treatment and cleansing cycle. Full Article
mi Hummingbird feeder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for creating a plurality of sheltered stalls around feeding ports of a hummingbird feeder. The sheltered stalls may be formed by generally V-shaped members having opposed curved wings, one stall being formed beneath abutting wings of two abutting generally V-shaped members. The generally V-shaped members may be supported on mounting hooks which are either integral with or removable from the hummingbird feeder. The sheltered stalls and mounting hooks are red. The system may include the hummingbird feeder. The system deters dominant males from preventing use of the hummingbird feeder by competing hummingbirds. Full Article
mi Milking parlour and method for operating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for milking an animal and provides a milking parlor includes first and second robotic manipulation devices and a plurality of milking stalls provided on a platform moveable relative to the robotic manipulation devices. The robotic manipulation devices are positioned so that each of the robotic manipulation devices is able to simultaneously service two neighboring milking stalls on the platform. Full Article
mi Pet grooming tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pet grooming tool including a handle and long tines terminating in short, shallow catchment hooks. When the tines are drawn through the pet's fur, the catchment hooks untie tangled and matted fur incrementally without snagging and compounding the whole mass and without cutting through or removing attached fur. The hooks include a blunt leading edge that grabs and unties fur entanglements without cutting the fur. The long tines deliver the catchment hooks to the under coat while leaving the guard coat alone. The handle is ergonomic with a contoured shape for ease of use, effective engagement of the tines with the fur and a pleasing grooming experience for the pet owner and the pet. Full Article
mi Green-light device for driving mice away By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A green-light device for driving mice away includes a casing and a control circuit in the casing, wherein the control circuit comprises a power conversion circuit, a voltage regulating integrated circuit (IC), an amplifying circuit, a control knob, an ultrasonic frequency oscillator circuit, a logical-determination circuit and multiple green-light emitting diodes (LED) coupled to and controlled by the logical-determination circuit. The control knob is configured to be switched to lead the control circuit to create an ultrasonic wave or a special light wave such that mice can be cheated or driven away. Full Article
mi Method and device for milking a dairy animal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a device for and method of milking dairy animals, in particular cows. The device and method have been improved in order to enhance the efficiency of use. In one embodiment, for the milking, teat cups are connected by means of a robot arm to respective teats of the dairy animal. This makes it possible to start the milking of the teats of the dairy animal. A milk flow from the respective teat can be measured. The milking can be ended by means of a control unit in dependence on a comparison value which is calculated on the basis of a milking parameter representative of a milk flow from the respective teat and in dependence on a deactivation threshold. According to the invention, the milking of the last teat is ended in dependence on a last-teat period to be calculated. Full Article
mi Microcosm terrestrial and aquatic landscape habitat: a freestanding “miniature mountain” chain, topiary, upper pool, waterfall and pond-aquarium hybrid habitat with natural curves By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The “Microcosm Terrestrial and Aquatic Landscape Habitat” is a Main Basin Pond 4 surrounded on three sides by artificial rock, “Miniature Mountains” 3 a, 3 b, 3 c or Natural Looking Imitation Rocks. The fourth, front side has no “Miniature Mountains” or Natural Looking Imitation Rocks to enclose the Main Basin Pond. Instead, here I adhere on a Pane of Glass 2 a to the imitation rock surface using Silicon Sealant 2 b or other sealants 2 c: A pond-aquarium hybrid! The “Miniature Mountains” are higher than the water level in the Main Basin Pond. On the top or sides of the “Miniature Mountains” is an Upper Pool 5. Water in the Main Basin Pond is circulated up to the Upper Pool using a Submersible; Electric, Aquatic, Pump 8. From the Upper Pool, the Water then flows down a Water Course to the Waterfalls and back to the Main Basin Pond to oxygenate the water. Full Article
mi Device for conditioning a glove and methods of forming and using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A device to aid in conditioning a baseball glove, namely in the formation and/or maintenance of a baseball pocket, typically includes one or more balls, two or more looped straps, and a means for coupling the two or more looped straps to the one or more balls. The one or more balls are placed in a baseball glove proximate a desired location for the baseball pocket, and the two or more looped straps are fed through a slot of the glove interposing an interior of the glove and an exterior of the glove and wrapped around the exterior of the glove to force the ball deeper into the desired location for the baseball pocket and secure the glove around the ball. Full Article
mi Transforming a sleeved garment into a self-fastened wedge By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A garment stored, transported, and displayed as a soft wedge. A triangular prism is transformed from flat fabric pieces by flexible fasteners and a method of folding. Sleeves and other delicate decorations and components are protected from damage by folding into a self enclosed polyhedron defined by two triangles and three trapezoid faces without pins, straps, ribbons, cans, cylinders, bags, boxes, or bands. Full Article
mi Microwave assisted flash pyrolysis system and method using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a microwave assisted flash pyrolysis system to carry out microwave assisted flash pyrolysis in an industrial scale. The microwave assisted flash pyrolysis system comprises at least one microwave generator; a chamber comprises: at least one feedstock inlet, at least one baffle plate, a microwave-transparent rotating window, and at least one microwave inlet, at least one wet gas outlet, and at least one dry end product outlet. The present invention also provides a method using the same system to carry out microwave assisted flash pyrolysis. Full Article
mi Refractory oven doors and refractory oven door framing walls of a coke oven battery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A heat-resistant door device for closing a horizontal coke oven chamber is made of a refractory material, using a material containing silica or a material containing silica and aluminum oxides, in particular. The material has a low temperature expansion coefficient and it is thermally well insulating so that the door is not deformed and/or distorted during the coal carbonization process. The door device is built of a coke oven wall mainly located above the door and embracing the door as well as of a mobile door located underneath. Thereby less cold ambient air enters into the coke oven chamber and radiation losses are minimized. The door may be comprised of an ellipsoidal bulge by which the coke can be better pushed into the coking chamber. The oven wall embracing the oven door can also be made of a refractory material containing silica or of a material containing silica and aluminum oxides. Full Article
mi Ultrasonic microwave molecular vacuum distillation system for waste tires By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for tire distillation including an upper chamber, a first conveyor configured to transport a tire through the upper chamber, a lower chamber located beneath the upper chamber, the lower chamber that includes an ultrasonic purge chamber configured to radiate the tire with ultrasonic radiation, a microwave radiation chamber configured to radiate the tire with microwave radiation, and a second conveyor configured to transport the tire from the ultrasonic purge chamber to the microwave radiation chamber. The system further includes a vacuum system configured to maintain an atmosphere in the ultrasonic purge chamber and the microwave radiation chamber under a vacuum wherein the tire is preheated during conveyance through the upper chamber from heat produced in the lower chamber. Full Article
mi Solvent assisted method of microcontact printing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of microcontact printing comprises (a) providing an elastomeric stamp comprising a printing surface inked with an ink comprising surface-functionalizing molecules, (b) treating the inked printing surface of the stamp with solvent, and (c) contacting the treated inked printing surface of the stamp to a surface of a substrate. The printing surface of the stamp comprises a first relief pattern, or the surface of the substrate comprises a second relief pattern, or both of the surfaces comprise the relief patterns, and a pattern of surface-functionalizing molecules is transferred to the substrate according to one or both of the relief patterns. Full Article
mi Optimization of UV curing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method of preparing a flexoplate so it is suitable for the printing of high resolution patterns. The method includes controlling the curing conditions of the flexoplate, thereby controlling the properties of said flexoplate such as floor thickness, pattern cross-sectional geometry, repeatability of printed features during the printing process, and durability of the flexoplate during the printing process. Full Article
mi Forming an image on a flexographic media By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for forming an image on a flexographic media includes providing a screened image; locating transition points from data regions to non-data regions in said screened image; determining a distance between pixels in adjacent data regions for each transition point; if the distance is greater than a predetermined distance, modify said screened image to remove a shoulder of pixels in contact with the transition point; and forming the modified screened image on the flexographic media. Full Article
mi Ink solutions for microcontact printing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ink solution comprises (a) a solvent having (i) a boiling point between about 50° C. and about 100° C., (ii) a relative polarity of less than about 0.4, and (iii) a poly(dimethylsiloxane) swelling ratio of less than about 1.25; and (b) one or more dissolved organosulfur compounds, wherein each organosulfur compound has 10 or more carbon atoms. The one or more organosulfur compounds are present in a total concentration of at least about 3 mM, and the ink solution contains essentially no solid particles of the organosulfur compounds or solid particles derived from the organosulfur compounds. Full Article
mi Image forming material, planographic printing plate precursor, and method for manufacturing a planographic printing plate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides an infrared-sensitive positive-working image forming material which provides excellent development latitude, image formability and image region strength, and in which decrease in development property is prevented even when a certain time has passed after pattern exposure until development treatment; an infrared-sensitive positive-working planographic printing plate precursor which is formed from the image forming material and has excellent image formability and image region printing durability; and a method for manufacturing a planographic printing plate using the planographic printing plate precursor. The image forming material includes; on a support, a lower layer containing a polymer having carboxylic acid groups at side chains thereof, at least a part of the carboxylic acid groups forming a salt structure with a monovalent basic compound, and an infrared absorbing agent; and an upper layer whose solubility to aqueous alkaline solution is increased by heat, in this order. Full Article
mi SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor apparatus includes a pattern conversion circuit configured to generate conversion data in response to a monitoring enable signal, pattern select signals and parallel input data; a transmission circuit configured to output the conversion data as serial data in response to a plurality of clocks; a reception circuit configured to output the serial data as parallel output data in synchronization with the plurality of clocks; and a monitoring circuit configured to generate a result signal in response to the plurality of clocks, clock select signals and the serial data. Full Article
mi PEAK CANCELLATION-CREST FACTOR REDUCTION DEVICE, PEAK-TO-AVERAGE POWER RATIO REDUCTION METHOD, AND PEAK VALUE DETERMINATION DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A peak cancellation-crest factor reduction (PC-CFR) device includes a clipping unit configured to output a clipping error signal by clipping amplitude values of a first baseband complex signal based on a predetermined threshold value; a peak value determination unit configured to receive the clipping error signal, and determine a first amplitude value as a peak value when the first amplitude value is greater than a second amplitude value input before the first amplitude value and a third amplitude value input after the first amplitude value among amplitude values of the clipping error signal; a cancellation pulse generator (CPG) allocation unit configured to allocate the peak value to a CPG; and a subtractor configured to subtract a cancellation pulse generated from the CPG from the first baseband complex signal and output a second baseband complex signal with a reduced peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). Full Article
mi TIMING-CONTROLLER-CONTROLLED POWER MODES IN TOUCH-ENABLED SOURCE DRIVERS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure generally provides a processing system that includes a first controller coupled with a second controller via a first communication link. The first controller is configured to transmit display data and configuration data to the second controller via the first communication link. The second controller is configured to drive, using the display data, one or more coupled display electrodes for performing display updating. The second controller is further configured to operate one or more coupled sensor electrodes using the configuration data to acquire capacitive sensing data, and to transmit the capacitive sensing data to the first controller via the first communication link. Full Article
mi Communication device and method for signal determination in radio communication By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A mobile communication device is provided that includes a receiver configured to receive a signal. The communication device further includes a calculation circuit configured to determine a cumulant value of an order higher than two of the received signal, to determine a function value of the determined cumulant value and to compare the determined function value with a predefined value. The communication device further includes a decoder configured to decode the received signal. The communication device further includes a target signal detector configured to activate the decoder based on the comparison of the function value with the predefined value. Full Article
mi INTERLAYER VIDEO DECODING METHOD FOR PERFORMING SUB-BLOCK-BASED PREDICTION AND APPARATUS THEREFOR, AND INTERLAYER VIDEO ENCODING METHOD FOR PERFORMING SUB-BLOCK-BASED PREDICTION AND APPARATUS THEREFOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an inter-layer video decoding method including determining a size of a subblock of a current block by comparing at least one of a height and a width of a predetermined minimum size of the subblock with at least one of a height and a width of the current block of a first layer image; determining at least one subblock from the current block according to the size of the subblock of the current block; determining a candidate block that corresponds to the current block and is included in an encoded second layer image; determining a candidate subblock from the candidate block of the second layer image by using the subblock of the current block; determining motion information of the subblock included in the current block by using motion information of the candidate subblock included in the candidate block; and generating a prediction block of the current block by using the motion information of the subblock included in the current block. Full Article
mi TRANSMISSION APPARATUS, TRANSMISSION METHOD, RECEPTION APPARATUS, AND RECEPTION METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A receiving side is enabled to perform excellent decode processing according to decoding capability. An image encoding unit classifies image data of each picture consisting moving picture data into a plurality of layers, encodes the classified image data of the picture in each of the plurality of layers, and generates video data having the encoded image data of the picture in each of the plurality of layers A data transmission unit transmits the video data. An information transmission unit transmits a level designation value of a bit stream and information on a layer range in each of a plurality of layer ranges having a different maximum layer. Full Article
mi METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE SEVERITY OF CORRUPTION IN A PICTURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An encoder encodes pixels representative of a picture in a multimedia stream, generates a first approximate signature based on approximate values of pixels in a reconstructed copy of the picture, and transmits the encoded pixels and the first approximate signature. A decoder receives a first packet including the encoded pixels and the first approximate signature, decodes the encoded pixels, and transmits a first signal in response to comparing the first approximate signature and a second approximate signature generated based on approximate values of the decoded pixels. If a corrupted packet is detected, the multimedia application requests an intra-coded picture in response to the first approximate signature differing from the second approximate signature. The second signal instructs the decoder to bypass requesting an intra-coded picture and to continue decoding received packets in response to the first approximate signature being equal to the second approximate signature. Full Article
mi TRANSMISSION DEVICE, TRANSMISSION METHOD, RECEPTION DEVICE, AND RECEPTION METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present technology relates to a transmission device, a transmission method, a reception device, and a reception method that can improve transmission efficiency. An encoded signal is generated based on realtime data indicated by a waveform L using a predetermined fixed bit rate as a maximum code amount Sx and the encoded signal into which non-realtime data with an insufficient code amount is inserted is transmitted at the fixed bit rate, as indicated by a range Z12, when a code amount of the generated encoded signal is insufficient for the maximum code amount Sx. The present technology can be applied to broadcasting communication. Full Article
mi MICRO SCALE ELECTRO HYRDODYNAMIC (EHD) MODULAR CARTRIDE PUMP By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electro hydrodynamic pump apparatus includes a cartridge body member including an interior cavity portion and openings on either end of the cartridge body member; a first electrode member disposed within the interior cavity portion of the cartridge body member, the first electrode member including a conductive bar member with a plurality of spaced apart elements extending therefrom; a second electrode member disposed within the interior cavity portion of the cartridge body member, the second electrode member including a conductive bar with a plurality of spaced apart element extending therefrom; and wherein the elements of the first electrode member are configure to be interspersed with the elements of the second electrode member when the first electrode member and the second electrode member are disposed within the interior cavity portion of the cartridge body member. Full Article
mi Methods of filtering multiple contaminants, mitigating contaminant formation, and recycling greenhouse gases using a humic and fulvic reagent By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A highly alkalized humic and fulvic filter reagent for the removal of multiple contaminants from a gas is provided. The contaminants removed from the gas stream may include, but are not limited to, Carbon Dioxide, Sulfur Oxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Hydrogen Sulfides, radionuclides, mercaptans, ammonia, toxic metals, particulates, volatile vapors, and organics. The present invention further includes the disposal of the filter reagent by way of using the highly alkalized humic and fulvic filter for soil fertility, releasing the carbon dioxide from the filter reagent, converting the liquid filter reagent into a solid for disposal or for use as a contaminant removal filter for waters, wastes, and chemicals. Full Article
mi System and method for carbon dioxide capture and sequestration from relatively high concentration CO2 mixtures By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method of reducing the net carbon dioxide footprint of an industrial process that generates power from the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in which ambient air is admixed with up to 50% by volume of an effluent gas from the power generator of the industrial process, in order to substantially increase the CO2 concentration in the air prior to treatment. The treatment comprises adsorbing CO2 from the admixed ambient air utilizing a cooled, porous substrate-supported amine adsorbent, wherein the porous substrate initially contacts the mixed ambient air containing condensed water in its pores, which act as an intrinsic coolant with respect to the exothermic heat generated by the adsorption process. In addition, prior to regenerating the supported adsorbent, air pressure is substantially reduced in the sealed regeneration chamber and the low pressure chamber is placed in fluid connection with a higher pressure regeneration chamber containing steam and carbon dioxide, to preheat the sorbent to be regenerated and to quickly cool the regenerated sorbent prior to use for further CO2 adsorption. Full Article
mi Process and apparatus for winning oil from a vapor gas mixture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for winning oil from a vapor gas mixture (VGM) containing a plurality of oil fractions obtained by the pyrolysis of a hydrocarbon containing material includes dedusting and cooling the VGM. The dedusted and cooled VGM are fractionated in at least two electrostatic precipitator stages at respective temperatures corresponding to respective boiling points of the oil fractions so as to separate the oil fractions. Full Article
mi Methods of removing contaminants from hydrocarbon stream by swing adsorption and related apparatus and systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pressure swing adsorption process for removal of CO2 from natural gas streams through a combination of a selective adsorbent material containing an effective amount of a non-adsorbent filler, adsorbent contactor design, and adsorption cycle design. The removal of contaminants from gas streams, preferably natural gas streams, using rapid-cycle swing adsorption processes, such as rapid-cycle pressure swing adsorption (RC-PSA). Separations at high pressure with high product recovery and/or high product purity are provided through a combination of judicious choices of adsorbent material, gas-solid contactor, system configuration, and cycle designs. For example, cycle designs that include steps of purge and staged blow-down as well as the inclusion of a mesopore filler in the adsorbent material significantly improves product (e.g., methane) recovery. An RC-PSA product with less than 10 ppm H2S can be produced from a natural gas feed stream that contains less than 1 mole percent H2S. Full Article
mi Aliphatic amine based nanocarbons for the absorption of carbon dioxide By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A composition of matter, and method to make same, for a nano-based material including a nanocarbon support to which is attached an aliphatic amine. In particular, the composition of matter is an aliphatic amine-nanocarbon material that includes a nanocarbon (NC) support, such as C60, nano-graphite, graphene, nanocarbon ribbons, graphite intercalation compounds, graphite oxide, nano-coal, nanohorns, and combinations thereof, and further includes an aliphatic amine, such as polyethyleneimine (PEI). Full Article
mi Regenerative adsorption process for removal of silicon-containing contaminants from process gas using a neutral adsorbent media By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A natural gas-containing stream such as biogas from landfills and sewage treatment plants is freed of siloxane contaminants by passing the biogas through a bed containing an adsorbent having a neutral surface, which adsorbs the siloxanes. When the bed of neutral adsorbent is filled to capacity, the adsorbent bed is heated to remove the siloxanes and regenerate the bed. The neutral adsorbent reduces disadvantageous reactions between the adsorbent and siloxane and other impurities in the natural gas-containing stream. Full Article
mi System and method for reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method directed to reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower by allowing irrigation of the drift eliminators of the cooling tower with fluid in the basin of the cooling tower to reduce mineral buildup. Full Article
mi Dynamic control of desiccant concentrations in a water recovery device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method to recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray, the concentration of the liquid desiccant may be dynamically changed based on changes within the system. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection. Full Article
mi Punching device, paper processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A punching device includes a punching unit that punches a hole in a sheet of paper; a container that receives a chad of paper generated upon punching by the punching unit; a dispersing member that is provided within the container and that is configured to disperse the chad of paper; and a guiding member configured to guide the chad of paper that is generated upon punching by the punching unit and fallen into the container to the dispersing member. Full Article
mi Reciprocating microtome drive system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus having a sample sectioning device including a cutting mechanism that is operable to cut sections from a sample and a sample holder that is operable to hold the sample. The apparatus further includes a drive system coupled with the sample holder to drive movement of the sample holder and a reciprocating member coupled to the drive system to drive vertical movement of the drive system. The reciprocating member to move in a reciprocating manner within an angle of rotation of less than 180 degrees. A surface orientation sensor may further be provided that is operable to sense an orientation of a surface of the sample held by the sample holder. Full Article
mi Method for optimizing lumber derived from a log By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In some embodiments, the disclosure includes method for optimizing lumber derived from a log. The method may include the steps of debarking the log and cutting the log to provide a plurality of boards. The plurality of boards are then scanned to determine knot properties and/or warp stability for each of the plurality of boards and a lumber upgrade process is selected based on the knot properties and/or warp stability. Finally, one or more of the plurality of boards are planed after being subjected to the lumber upgrade process. Full Article
mi Metal-cutting machining method and semi-finished product By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a metal-cutting machining process for a semi-finished product having a predetermined shape and at least one machining surface which has the steps: applying a protective foil having a predetermined elongation at break to the at least one machining surface with a predetermined adhesive force, placing a metal-cutting tool in a predetermined position above the machining surface, exerting a predetermined mechanical force in a predetermined direction for a predetermined length of time to the tool for carrying out a metal-cutting process on the semi-finished product and lifting the tool from the at least one machining surface after the predetermined length of time. In order to protect the semi-finished products from damage through the machining residues and at the same time not to impair the drilling performance, according to the invention through the adhesion an adhesive force is produced between the protective foil and the machining surface of substantially 10 N/25 mm and a protective foil is used which has an elongation at break of between 80 and 120%. Full Article
mi Automatically removing waste material using a strip die when cutting a sheet of material according to a predetermined pattern By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A strip die is prepared with cutouts according to a pre-determined pattern, e.g., on a cutting table and positioned on a stripping station that has a removal tool to remove waste material. After a sheet of material is cut on the same or another cutting table, the sheet is positioned in the stripping station over the female strip die. The removal tool moves to programmed positions in the stripping station and removes pieces of waste material. The final stripped cut sheet is the brought to the out-stack. Full Article
mi Method and arrangement for separating contaminants from liquids or vapors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and assembly for separating contaminants from liquids, such as condensates, or vapors at an evaporation plant. The contaminants are separated from liquids by stripping when bringing a contaminant-enriched liquid into direct contact with a vapor by spraying or distributing the liquid into the vapor flowing in a vapor duct or onto wall surfaces in the vapor duct thus reducing the contaminant-content of the sprayed liquid and producing a cleaner liquid. The contaminants are enriched in the vapor. From vapors contaminants are separated by absorption when bringing a contaminant-enriched vapor into direct contact with a cleaner liquid by spraying or distributing the liquid into the vapor flowing in a vapor duct or onto wall surfaces in the vapor duct thus increasing the contaminant-content of the liquid, but producing a cleaned vapor. Full Article
mi Process for production of finely fibrous cellulose composite prepreg sheet, process for production of finely fibrous cellulose composite sheet, and process for production of finely fibrous cellulose composite laminate sheet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of producing a finely fibrous cellulose composite prepreg sheet, sheet or laminate sheet, the method including a mixing an emulsion of a reactive compound with an aqueous suspension containing a finely fibrous cellulose to prepare a mixed liquid dewatering the mixed liquid by filtration on a porous substrate to form a water-containing sheet; and heating and drying the water-containing sheet. A method of producing a finely fibrous cellulose composite sheet, the method including subjecting the finely fibrous cellulose composite prepreg sheet produced by the method described above to a curing treatment. Full Article
mi Method of increasing paper surface strength by using acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer in a size press formulation containing starch By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
mi Process for the conversion of biomass to liquid fuels and specialty chemicals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process is disclosed for converting biomass to fuels and/or valuable chemicals. The process comprises the steps of a) activating biomass to make it more susceptible to conversion; c) partially converting the biomass to a solubilized material; and d) subjecting the unconverted biomass to a second conversion step. The process optionally comprises a step b) of adding a solvent to the activated biomass. In a preferred embodiment the solubilized biomass obtained in step c) is removed before the unconverted biomass is subjected to step d). Full Article
mi Method for forming a fire resistant cellulose product, and associated apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is provided for forming a fire resistant cellulose product. A fire-retarding solution and a bonding agent are combined with refined cellulose fibers to form a fiber mixture, and the fire-retarding solution and bonding agent are substantially uniformly distributed with respect to the cellulose fibers within the fiber mixture. The fiber mixture is exposed to an actuating element, wherein the actuating element is configured to actuate the bonding agent so as to facilitate cohesion of the cellulose fibers and form the fiber mixture into a fiber board member, the fiber board member having opposing major surfaces. A cellulose sheet member is engaged with each major surface of the fiber board member, such that each cellulose sheet member substantially covers the respective major surface. An associated apparatus is also provided. Full Article
mi Waterless degumming system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for cleaning lignin and other gums from lignocellulosic fiber is disclosed. Lignocellulosic fiber is rapidly depressurized to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. The fiber is exposed to ionized air during the rapid depressurization. The fiber is then repressurized to a pressure equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure. Full Article
mi Sheet forming unit for producing a material web and method for operating the sheet forming unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sheet-forming unit of a papermaking machine includes a headbox which outputs a suspension jet and an inner fabric and an outer fabric, which in each case form a loop. A forming element is arranged within the loop of the inner fabric and guide rolls and a white-water box are arranged within the loop of the outer fabric. The inner fabric and the outer fabric form a gap for receiving the suspension jet and jointly wrap around the forming element at least partially in a wraparound region. A machine-wide guide element is arranged in the wraparound region within the loop of the outer fabric and/or, in the region of at least one of the guide rolls of the outer fabric, a machine-wide guide apparatus is provided outside the chamber which is formed by the loop of the outer fabric. Full Article
mi Method to produce high-resistance cellulose and hemicellulose fibers from lignocellulosic biomass of sugarcane leaves and buds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method for production of cellulose and hemicellulose fibers from lignocellulose biomass obtained from sugarcane leaves and buds by applying a process comprising the stages of: a) Diminishing the particle size of the lignocellulose biomass to a range between 3 and 15 mm, b) Subjecting the product obtained to treatment with one or more solvents and/or a mixture of specific catalysts, c) Carry out sudden decompression to an atmospheric pressure, d) Collecting the pretreated material in a cyclone, e) Optionally separating the liquid and solid fractions through washing and filterung f) Optionally, treating the solid fraction in a reactor with a mixture of ethanol and chlorine dioxide, d) Wash the product obtained to achieve cellulose efficiency above 50% and of lignin of 5 to 7%, fiber lengtht in a range to 1,5 to 2,7 mm, breaking length (km) of 7,0 -8,9, Burst index (kPam2/g) of 4,5-7,2 and Tear index (mNm2/g) of 8,2-8, The obtained high-resistance cellulose and hemicellulose is especially suitable for the paper production and polymer-type plastics. Full Article
mi Web substrate having optimized emboss design By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides for a fibrous structure having an initial total wet tensile strength of greater than about 118 g/cm and at least one embossed ply having a surface thereof. The surface has a surface area comprising from about 10.0 percent to about 20.0 percent line embossments. Also, a fibrous structure having at least two plies is disclosed. One of the two plies has an initial total wet tensile strength of greater than about 118 g/cm and at least one embossed ply having a surface thereof. The surface has a surface area comprising from about 10.0 percent to about 20.0 percent line embossments. Full Article