ac Surface normal computation on noisy sample of points By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various technologies described herein pertain to computing surface normals for points in a point cloud. The point cloud is representative of a measured surface of a physical object. A point in the point cloud can be set as a point of origin, and points in the point cloud can be modeled as electrostatic point charges. Moreover, a point of least electrostatic potential on a sphere centered at the point of origin can be computed as a function of the electrostatic point charges. Further, unit vector with a direction from the point of origin to the point of least electrostatic potential on the sphere can be assigned as a normal for the point of origin. Full Article
ac Space-time surrogate models of subterranean regions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods for creating and using space-time surrogate models of subsurface regions, such as subsurface regions containing at least one hydrocarbon formation. The created surrogate models are explicit models that may be created from implicit models, such as computationally intensive full-physics models. The space-time surrogate models are parametric with respect to preselected variables, such as space, state, and/or design variables, while also indicating responsiveness of the preselected variables with respect to time. In some embodiments, the space-time surrogate model may be parametric with respect to preselected variables as well as to time. Methods for updating and evolving models of subsurface regions are also disclosed. Full Article
ac Manufacturing method and system of target By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosed technology provides a manufacturing method of a target comprising obtaining an initial mass and a residual mass of the target sample, and calculating an etching mass; determining a relative etching depth of the target sample; calculating a relative etching mass based on the etching mass and the relative etching depth; determining a utilization parameter of the target sample based on the relative etching mass and the initial mass of the target sample before being used; and performing a simulation and optimization process on the utilization parameter of the target sample, obtaining target parameters corresponding to a preset value of the utilization parameter, and outputting the target parameters to a manufacturing control center for manufacturing a target. The disclosed technology also provides a manufacturing system of a target. Full Article
ac Privacy-preserving aggregated data mining By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus, system and method are introduced for preserving privacy of data in a dataset in a database with a number n of entries. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes memory including computer program code configured to, with a processor, cause the apparatus to form a random matrix of dimension m by n, wherein m is less than n, operate on the dataset with the random matrix to produce a compressed dataset, form a pseudoinverse of the random matrix, and operate on the dataset with the pseudoinverse of the random matrix to produce a decompressed dataset. Full Article
ac Leveraging transactional memory hardware to accelerate virtualization and emulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for using transactional memory hardware to accelerate virtualization or emulation. State isolation can be facilitated by providing isolated private state on transactional memory hardware and storing the stack of a host that is performing an emulation in the isolated private state. Memory accesses performed by a central processing unit can be monitored by software to detect that a guest being emulated has made a self modification to its own code sequence. Transactional memory hardware can be used to facilitate dispatch table updates in multithreaded environments by taking advantage of the atomic commit feature. An emulator is provided that uses a dispatch table stored in main memory to convert a guest program counter into a host program counter. The dispatch table is accessed to see if the dispatch table contains a particular host program counter for a particular guest program counter. Full Article
ac Multilayer printed wiring board and method for manufacturing multilayer printed wiring board By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multilayer printed wiring board including a first interlayer resin insulation layer, a first conductive circuit formed on the first interlayer resin insulation layer, a second interlayer resin insulation layer formed on the first interlayer resin insulation layer and the first conductive circuit and having an opening portion exposing a portion of the first conductive circuit, a second conductive circuit formed on the second interlayer resin insulation layer, a via conductor formed in the opening portion of the second interlayer resin insulation layer and connecting the first conductive circuit and the second conductive circuit, and a coating layer having a metal layer and a coating film and formed between the first conductive circuit and the second interlayer resin insulation layer. The metal layer is formed on the surface of the first conductive circuit and the coating film is formed on the metal layer. Full Article
ac Printhead with nanotips for nanoscale printing and manufacturing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A nanoprinthead including an array of nanotip cantilevers, where each nanotip cantilever includes a nanotip at an end of a cantilever, and a method for forming the nanoprinthead. Each nanotip may be individually addressable through use of an array of piezoelectric actuators. Embodiments for forming a nanoprinthead including an array of nanotip cantilevers can include an etching process from a material such as a silicon wafer, or the formation of a metal or dielectric nanotip cantilever over a substrate. The nanoprinthead may operate to provide uses for technologies such as dip-pen nanolithography, nanomachining, and nanoscratching, among others. Full Article
ac Processing of heat-sensitive active agents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to a method of melt processing an active agent. The method may include encapsulating an active agent in a first polymer material exhibiting a first processing temperature T1 and forming capsules including the active agent. The method may also include melt processing the capsules with a second polymer material exhibiting a second processing temperature T2, wherein T1>T2. Full Article
ac Method of manufacturing silver miniwire films By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of manufacturing a silver miniwire film is provided, wherein the film exhibits a reduced sheet resistance. Full Article
ac Method of manufacture of styrene-butadiene latexes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a method of manufacture of styrene-butadiene latexes. The styrene-butadiene latex according to the present invention is characterized by having a superior adhesive force as the formation of films at an early stage is promoted by adjusting the gel content and molecular weight of the outermost layer, as well as a fast ink-drying speed and a high air permeability as the formation of paper films is maintained. It may be applied to paper coating very stably since the mechanical stability and chemical stability of the latex are superior. Full Article
ac Thin-film manufacturing method and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A thin-film manufacturing method includes the steps of: generating a plasma from source gas; extracting ions from the plasma; and depositing a thin film on one side or both sides of a substrate to be deposited with the ions. The method is performed in an apparatus including: a plasma chamber generating the plasma; a film deposition chamber accommodating the substrate to be deposited; an ion transfer path for transferring the ions from the plasma chamber to the film deposition chamber; a branch pipe branching from the ion transfer path; and an exhaust system connected to the branch pipe. The thin film is formed while the source gas except the ions is exhausted from the branch pipe. Full Article
ac Method and apparatus for the formation of hydrophobic surfaces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to the application of a coating to a substrate in which the coating includes a polymer material and the coating is selectively fluorinated and/or cured to improve the liquid repellance of the same. The invention also provides for the selective fluorination and/or curing of selected areas of the coating thus, when completed, providing a coating which has regions of improved liquid repellance with respect to the remaining regions and which remaining regions may be utilized as liquid collection areas. Full Article
ac Autonomous intracardiac implantable medical device with releaseable base and fastener element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An intracorporeal autonomous active medical device having a capsule body and a base. The capsule body includes a body portion and a lid portion, and the capsule body contains therein electronic circuitry containing the active elements of the autonomous medical device, and a power supply. The capsule body also includes a fastening system on an exterior surface of the capsule body that is configured to correspond with a fastening mechanism on the base configured to be anchored to a tissue wall. The fastening mechanism provides selective engagement between the capsule body and the base. Full Article
ac Retractable screw intracardiac lead for cardiac stimulation and/or defibrillation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A retractable screw-type stimulation or defibrillation intracardiac lead is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the lead comprises a flexible hollow sheath (12) having at its distal end a lead head (10) and a connector (66) at its proximal end. The connector comprises a pin (62) connected to a lead head electrode (18). The lead head comprises a tubular body (28), at least one electrode (18, 20) for stimulation or defibrillation, a moving element translationally and rotationally moving within the tubular body in a helical motion, an anchoring screw (24) axially moving with respect to the tubular body, and a deployment mechanism (22) to deploy the anchoring screw out of the tubular body (28). The lead is a co-radial type, and the moving element (26) secured to the anchoring screw is connected to the tubular body (28) by a helical guide (46) and a coupling finger (56) protruding between two successive turns of the helical guide (46) for transforming a rotary movement imparted to the lead body in a deployment or retraction movement of the moving element (26). The helical guide (46) is resiliently compressible, with a free end (52) with a flat area (54) facing a flange (38) in vis-à-vis, so as to pinch the coupling finger (56) and to perform the function of a clutch limiting the torque transmitted to the anchoring screw by the rotation of the lead body, even in case of continuation of this rotation. Full Article
ac System and method for fractional treatment of skin By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for treatment of skin including a treatment surface having numerous small energy emitting points for fractional skin treatment as well as negative pressure outlets. During a treatment, negative pressure from the outlets may exert a pulling force on an opposing tissue surface to bring the tissue into contact with the energy points. Full Article
ac Signal transmitting and lesion excluding heart implants for pacing, defibrillating, and/or sensing of heart beat By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Devices, systems, and methods for treating a heart of a patient may make use of structures which limit a size of a chamber of the heart, such as by deploying a tensile member to bring a wall of the heart toward (optionally into contact with) a septum of the heart. The implant may include an electrode or other structure for applying pacing signals to one or both ventricles of the heart, for defibrillating the heart, for sensing beating of the heart or the like. A wireless telemetry and control system may allowing the implant to treat congestive heart failure, monitor the results of the treatment, and apply appropriate electrical stimulation. Full Article
ac Treating bacteria with electric fields By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Cells that are in the process division are vulnerable to damage by AC electric fields that have specific frequency and field strength characteristics. The selective destruction of rapidly dividing cells can therefore be accomplished by imposing an AC electric field in a target region for extended periods of time at particular frequencies with particular filed strengths. Some of the cells that divide while the field is applied will be damaged, but the cells that do not divide will not be harmed. This selectively damages rapidly dividing cells like bacteria, but does not harm normal cells that are not dividing. Since the vulnerability of the dividing cells is strongly related to the alignment between the long axis of the dividing cells and the lines of force of the electric field, improved results can be obtained when the field is sequentially imposed in different directions. Full Article
ac Signal analysis in implantable cardiac treatment devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and devices for cardiac signal analysis in implantable cardiac therapy systems. Several signal processing and/or conditioning methods are shown including R-wave detection embodiments including the use of thresholds related to previous peak amplitudes. Also, some embodiments include sample thresholding to remove extraneous data from sampled signals. Some embodiments include weighting certain samples more heavily than other samples within a sampled cardiac signal for analysis. Full Article
ac Methods for promoting intrinsic activation in single chamber implantable cardiac pacing systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Cardiac pacing methods for an implantable single chamber pacing system, establish an offset rate for pacing at a predetermined decrement from either a baseline rate (i.e. dictated by a rate response sensor), or an intrinsic rate. Pacing maintains the offset rate until x of y successive events are paced events, at which time the offset rate is switched to the baseline rate for pacing over a predetermined period of time. Following the period, if an intrinsic event is not immediately detected, within the interval of the offset rate, the rate is switched back to baseline for pacing over an increased period of time. Some methods establish a preference rate, between the offset and baseline rates, wherein an additional criterion, for switching from the offset rate to the baseline rate, is established with respect to the preference rate. Full Article
ac Low loss band pass filter for RF distance telemetry pin antennas of active implantable medical devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hermetic terminal for an active implantable medical device (AIMD), includes an RF distance telemetry pin antenna, a capacitor conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for the AIMD, and an inductor electrically disposed in parallel with the capacitor and conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for the AIMD. The capacitor and the inductor form a band pass filter for attenuating electromagnetic signals through the antenna except at a selected frequency band. Values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band pass filter is resonant at the selected frequency band. In an alternative form, the band pass filter is coupled in series with the telemetry pin antenna for attenuating MRI signals of a selected frequency band. Full Article
ac Methods and devices for treating primary headache By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches), irrespective of whether those symptoms arise from an allergy that is co-morbid with the headache. The disclosed methods may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated. Full Article
ac Leadless cardiac pacemaker with conducted communication By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT A leadless pacemaker for pacing a heart of a human includes a hermetic housing and at least two electrodes on or near the hermetic housing. The at least two electrodes are configured to deliver energy to stimulate the heart and to transfer information to or from at least one external device. Full Article
ac Chiropractic posture correction tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The claimed invention provides an improved posture correction tool in the form of a table to be used by chiropractic practitioners to treat mechanical disorders of the spine and musculoskeletal system. The improved posture correction tool provides a plurality of pads to support the various major areas of the body and has built in drop capability and adjustment capability for the pelvic pad, the lumbar pad, the thoracic pad and the head and cervical area. The claimed invention also has a novel cervical support. Full Article
ac Hip and knee actuation systems for lower limb orthotic devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lower limb orthotic device includes a thigh link connected to a hip link through a hip joint, a hip torque generator including a hip actuator and a first mechanical transmission mechanism interposed between the thigh link and the hip link, a shank link connected to the thigh link through a knee joint, a knee torque generator including a knee actuator and a second mechanical transmission mechanism interposed between the thigh link and the shank link, and a controller, such as for a common motor and pump connected to the hip and knee torque generators, for regulating relative positions of the various components in order to power a user through a natural walking motion, with the first and second mechanical transmission mechanisms aiding in evening out torque over the ranges of motion, while also increasing the range of motion where the torque generators can produce a non-zero torque. Full Article
ac Foot rest, method for the manufacture thereof, device including the foot rest, and therapeutic method using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A foot rest including: a foot receptacle, the foot receptacle including a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion intersects the second portion; a cross-member disposed on a first side of the first portion; and a bucket connector disposed on the first side of the first portion of the foot receptacle, wherein the cross-member is proximate an end of the first portion and the bucket connector is distal to the end of the first portion. Full Article
ac Liquefier assembly for use in extrusion-based additive manufacturing systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising a downstream portion having a first average inner cross-sectional area, and an upstream having a second average inner cross-sectional area that is less than the first inner cross-sectional area, the upstream portion defining a shoulder configured to restrict movement of a melt meniscus of a consumable material. Full Article
ac Manufacturing method of resin molding mold, resin molding mold, resin molding mold set, manufacturing method of microchip substrate, and manufacturing method of microchip using said mold By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for producing a resin molding die (13) for molding a first substrate (2) having a flow path (2b) and a through-hole (2a), wherein a base die (10) having a concave part (10b) corresponding to the flow path (2b) and a through-hole (10a) corresponding to through-hole (2a) and deeper than the concave part (10b) is prepared, the base die (10) is subjected to electroforming with a first material and is then subjected to electroforming with a second material which is different from the first material, and a protruding part for forming through-hole (10a) by removing the first material that was electrodeposited on through-hole (10a) is formed. The first material has a smaller electroforming stress than the second material, the first material exerts a higher adhesiveness with regard to the base die than the second material, and the second material is harder than the first material. Full Article
ac Injection molding machine including an ejector unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An injection molding machine includes an ejector unit configured to eject a molding product from a mold and a mold release force sensor configured to detect a force to release the molding product from the mold. Full Article
ac Injection molding machine including a mechanism that changes ejection characteristics By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An injection molding machine includes an ejector unit configured to eject a molding product from a mold. The ejector unit includes a support provided on a platen to which the mold is attached, a slidable base configured to slide relative to the support, a transmission mechanism supported by the support and configured to convert an input into an output corresponding to the distance between the support and the slidable base and transmit the output to the slidable base, a drive source configured to cause the transmission mechanism to operate, an ejection member configured to move together with the slidable base, and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position of the slidable base relative to the ejection member. Full Article
ac Mold set, compressive device and dumpling forming machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present utility model provides a mold set used for dumpling or dumpling-like food product formation comprising a pair of jaws, the closure of which is configured to clamp a dough pad over a filling thereby forming a raw product of the dumpling or dumpling-like food product, wherein the jaws in a closed condition can be driven to simulate the human action of compressing a filling pocket of the dumpling or dumpling-like food product. Full Article
ac Apparatuses and methods for fabricating semiconductor packages By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor package may include a mold and a molding plate. The mold may define a mold cavity with the mold being configured to receive a circuit board in the mold cavity, and the circuit board may include a semiconductor chip mounted thereon. A molding plate may be moveable in the mold cavity with the molding plate being configured to adjust a volume of the mold cavity. Related methods are also discussed. Full Article
ac Method for manufacturing aluminum-titanate-based ceramic honeycomb structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb structure includes kneading titania particles, alumina particles and a binder ingredient such that raw material paste including the titania particles, alumina particles and binder ingredient is prepared, forming a body made of the raw material paste and having a honeycomb structure such that the body has the honeycomb structure having multiple through-holes extending in the longitudinal direction of the body and multiple partition portions formed between the through-holes, applying sealant composition including aluminum hydroxide particles, talc particles, kaolin particles, water and organic binder to either end of each through-hole of the body in the longitudinal direction such that the honeycomb structure of the body has each through-hole sealed at one end, and sintering the body made of the raw material paste and having the honeycomb structure sealed by the sealant composition such that a ceramic body having the honeycomb structure is formed. Full Article
ac Manufacturing apparatus for activated carbon filters By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A manufacturing apparatus for activated carbon filters has a non-woven cloth machine, a rolling module, a sprayer and a hot-pressing cylinder. The non-woven cloth machine is used to manufacture a body of non-woven cloth and has a processing segment. The rolling module is mounted at the processing segment to heat and melt the body of non-woven cloth. The sprayer is mounted above the rolling module to spray activated carbon powder on the body of non-woven cloth. The hot-pressing cylinder is mounted at the processing segment to heat and press the activated carbon powder with the body of non-woven cloth. The activated carbon powder can be securely attached to the body of non-woven cloth by the manufacturing apparatus to provide a preferred quality of the activated carbon filters and to reduce the cost of manufacturing the activated carbon filters. Full Article
ac Injection interface device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An injection interface device comprising a wedge having a first surface mountable over the joint between the mold and the terminal element and a second surface being inclined with respect to the first surface. A fixation element is mountable against the second surface and an attachment element. The device is configured so that it avoids or prevents the movement of the wedge in a direction parallel to the mold and the movement of the fixation element in a direction perpendicular to the mold so that a displacement of the fixation element parallel to the mold makes a displacement of the wedge in a direction perpendicular to the mold so that the wedge presses against the terminal element to seal it. Full Article
ac Apparatus and method of shaping plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers with air extraction guided through a surge chamber By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for the shaping of plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers with at least one blow moulding station which is arranged on a conveying device rotatable about a pre-set axis of rotation (D). The blow moulding station has a blow mould and this blow mould forms a cavity in the interior of which the plastics material pre-forms are capable of being expanded by being acted upon with a gaseous medium to form the plastics material containers, with a stressing device, which acts upon the plastics material pre-forms with the gaseous medium in order to expand them, and with a clean room, which surrounds the blow moulding station at least in part. The clean room is bounded off from an environment by at least two walls which are movable relative to one another. Full Article
ac Systems for spacing and transferring objects between operative stations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems for spacing and transferring objects between operative stations are provided. Such systems can be used with ovens for preforms for plastic material, in blowing or stretch-blowing machines and for other applications in the packaging field. Such systems provide spacing and transferring of objects advancing in procession on transport elements, from a minimum pitch to a preset pitch larger than said minimum pitch, and for transferring said spaced objects to handling elements. Full Article
ac Fuel/air furnace mixer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) furnace has a venturi premixer and a disturber disposed downstream relative to the premixer and in an undivided output of the venturi premixer. Full Article
ac Combustion device for a gas turbine configured to suppress thermo-acoustical pulsations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A combustion device (1) for a gas turbine includes portions (12) having an inner and an outer wall (13, 14) with an interposed noise absorption plate (15) having a plurality of holes (16). The combustion device (1) further has first passages (17) connecting zones between the inner wall (13) and the plate (15) to the inside of the combustion device (1) and second passages (21) for cooling the inner wall (13). The portions (12) also have an inner layer (22) between the inner wall (13) and the plate (15) defining inner chambers (23), each connected to at least a first passage (17), and an outer layer (24) between the outer wall (14) and the plate (15) defining outer chambers (25) connected to the inner chambers (23) via the holes (16) of the plate (15). Full Article
ac Hot surface igniter adaptive control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An adaptive gaseous fuel ignition control method for use in consumer and commercial appliances that reduces stress on and increases the life of a hot surface igniter without resulting in a failure to ignite condition is provided. The method provides a preheating period, a full temperature period, and a trial for ignition period. The preheating period gradually increases the power applied to reduce the stress resulting therefrom. Once a gas valve has been commanded open, the controller monitors the time for ignition of the gaseous fuel. If the time is longer than a threshold, either the applied power or the period of time during which the power is applied is increased to shorten the time. If, however, the ignition period is shorter than the threshold, either the power applied or the period of time during which the power is applied before commanding the gas valve open is lowered or shortened. Full Article
ac Remotely actuated pilot valve, system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A remotely actuated pilot gas valve includes safe lighting and complete shutoff capabilities in the event that the flame that is heating a thermocouple is extinguished. The invention provides for a heater system that utilizes such a pilot gas valve as well as a method whereby the pilot gas valve used in such a system can be remotely and electronically actuated when required. Remote actuation is accomplished by use of a solenoid that is incorporated within the valve design and which is controlled by a remote operator. Full Article
ac Multiple activation contact lighter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a lighter. The lighter includes a housing having a supply of fuel, an activating unit movably associated with the housing to selectively ignite the fuel, and at least two separate contact areas such that the user can apply enough force or torque with at least two fingers to overcome the torque/forces required to activate piezo, release the fuel the flame in which the activating unit has at least one internal surface. Full Article
ac Method of foil transfer employing foil transferring face forming toner and image forming method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of transferring a foil comprising: forming a foil transferring face on a photoreceptor employing a foil transferring face forming toner; transferring the foil transferring face onto a base substance, followed by fixing the foil transferring face; supplying a transfer foil having at least a foil and an adhesive layer on the base substance having the fixed foil transferring face, heating the transfer foil and the foil transferring face while the adhesive layer of the transfer foil is in contact with the foil transferring face to adhere the foil onto the foil transferring face; removing the transfer foil from the base substance while leaving the foil adhered onto the foil transferring face, wherein the foil transferring face forming toner comprises at least a binder resin, wherein the binder resin comprises a polymer formed by using a vinyl monomer comprising at least a carboxyl group. Full Article
ac Compound and method of producing the same, acid generator, resist composition and method of forming resist pattern By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A resist composition including a base component (A) which exhibits changed solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, the acid-generator component (B) including an acid generator (B1) consisting of a compound represented by general formula (b1-1) shown below: wherein RX represents a hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent exclusive of a nitrogen atom; each of Q2 and Q3 independently represents a single bond or a divalent linkage group; Y1 represents an alkylene group or fluorinated alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and Z+ represents an organic cation exclusive of an ion represented by general formula (w-1). Full Article
ac Actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition, actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive film and method of forming pattern By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition including (A) a compound that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, generates an acid, (B) a resin that when acted on by an acid, increases its rate of dissolution in an alkali developer, and (C) a hydrophobic resin, wherein the hydrophobic resin (C) contains a repeating unit derived from any of monomers of general formula (1) below. Full Article
ac Photosensitive composition comprising an acrylate compound By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a photosensitive composition including an acrylate-based compound having an adamantyl structure. It is possible to manufacture an organic thin film that is easily stripped without decreasing the strength of the thin film by using the photosensitive composition. Full Article
ac Method for manufacturing liquid crystal display device, and liquid crystal display device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device that includes a photoalignment film. The photoalignment film is formed from a liquid crystal alignment agent, and aligns liquid crystal molecules horizontally to the main face of the at least one of the substrates. The liquid crystal alignment agent contains a solvent and at least two kinds of polyamic acids or their derivatives obtained by reacting diamine and tetracarboxylic dianhydride. At least two of the diamines and at least one of the tetracarboxylic dianhydrides are compounds represented by predetermined formulas. The method includes the steps of: (1) forming the film of the liquid crystal alignment agent; (2) pre-baking the film; (3) irradiating the pre-baked film with light; and (4) post-baking the irradiated film, the step (4) including an operation of post-baking the film multiple times at temperatures ranging from low to high temperatures. Full Article
ac Mask and method of manufacturing a substrate using the mask By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mask includes a substantially transparent portion. The mask further includes a halftone portion abutting the substantially transparent portion, a light transmittance of the halftone portion being greater than 0% and less than 100%. The mask further includes a blocking portion abutting the halftone portion, a light transmittance of the blocking portion being less than the light transmittance of the halftone portion. Full Article
ac Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus, and method of manufacturing electrophotographic photosensitive member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided are an electrophotographic photosensitive member in which leakage doesn't easily occur, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each including the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a method of manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a conductive layer including titanium oxide particle coated with tin oxide doped with a hetero element. When an absolute value of a maximum current amount flowing through the conductive layer in a case of performing a test of applying −1.0 kV including DC voltage to the conductive layer is defined as Ia, and an absolute value of a current amount flowing through the conductive layer in a case where a decrease ratio of a current amount per minute reaches 1% or less for the first time is defined as Ib, the relations of Ia≦6000 and 10≦Ib are satisfied. A volume resistivity of the conductive layer before the test is 1.0×108 Ω·cm to 5.0×1012 Ω·cm. Full Article
ac Compound and method of producing the same, acid generator, resist composition and method of forming resist pattern By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A resist composition including a base component which exhibits changed solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of acid and an acid-generator component which generates acid upon exposure, the acid-generator including an acid generator consisting of a compound represented by general formula (b1-1) shown below: In which RX represents a hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent exclusive of a nitrogen atom; each of Q2 and Q3 independently represents a single bond or a divalent linkage group; Y1 represents an alkylene group or fluorinated alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and Z+ represents an organic cation exclusive of an ion represented by general formula (w-1). Full Article
ac Microstructure manufacturing method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A microstructure manufacturing method includes forming a layer of a photosensitive resin on a substrate surface having an electrical conductivity, forming a structure of the photosensitive resin by exposing the layer of the photosensitive resin to light and developing the layer of the photosensitive resin to expose a part of the substrate surface, forming a first plated layer on the exposed part of the substrate surface by soaking the structure of the photosensitive resin in a first plating solution, curing the structure of the photosensitive resin after forming the first plated layer, removing at least part of the first plated layer after curing the structure of the photosensitive resin, and forming a second plated layer on a part where the first plated layer is removed, by soaking the structure of the photosensitive resin in a second plating solution different from the first plating solution. Full Article