ni Ironing board By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST An ironing board (1) having a board member (3) connected to a support structure (5). The ironing board (1) also has a base (7) for supporting the ironing board (1) on a surface and adjustment means (9) which permits the position of the support structure (5) relative to the base (7) to be adjusted to enable the height of the board member (3) to be adjusted relative to the surface. The base (7) may have a first leg (42) formed by a pair of substantially parallel elongate tubes (40) and a second leg (46) formed by a single elongate member (46) which is pivotally connected to the adjustment means (9). The board member (3) may be made from two sections (11, 13) that are pivotally connected to one another to permit the board member (3) to be folded. Full Article
ni Printing screens, frames therefor and printing screen units By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A printing screen, comprising a sheet, at least sections of at least one pair of opposite edges of which are folded such as to define attachment elements, and a printing screen unit including at least one pair of interface members attachable to the attachment elements at the at least one pair of opposite edges of the sheet. Full Article
ni Sports equipment sanitizer system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST An equipment rack system includes a plurality of holders at least including a pair of first holders, a pair of second holders, a pair of third holders, a pair of fourth holders, and a pair of fifth holders, a base; a vertical column have a first end and a second end; a valve; and a powerer. Each pair of first holders, the pair of second holders, the pair of third holders, the pair of fourth holders, and the pair of fifth holders comprise fluid apertures about their lengths. The equipment is placed on the pair of first holders, the pair of second holders, the pair of third holders, the pair of fourth holders, and the pair of fifth holders on the equipment rack during an in-use condition to sanitize and air dry equipment to neutralize odors, and eliminate bacteria, and germs. Full Article
ni Laundry refresher unit and laundry treating apparatus having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a laundry refresher unit that can selectively supply various types of dry air as well as steam to laundry, and a laundry treating apparatus having the laundry refresher unit. A laundry refresher unit includes a cabinet that defines an exterior thereof, wherein an air path is formed in the cabinet; a steam generator provided in the cabinet to selectively supply steam outside the cabinet through a steam outlet; and a heated air supply device provided in the cabinet to heat air drawn through an air inlet, such that the air having at least three temperature ranges is supplied outside the cabinet through the air outlet. A laundry treating apparatus includes a laundry refresher unit that includes a cabinet, a steam generator and a heated air supply device. Full Article
ni Ironing aid and device for safekeeping of ironing aids for smoothing closed tubular items of clothing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention refers to an ironing aid and a device for safekeeping of ironing aids for smoothing closed tubular items of clothing. The object was to propose a solution in the application of which a wire frame shaped ironing aid is an integral part of the aid for thermal smoothing of items of clothing and better handling is ensured. The object is achieved by their insertion in a profile bracket provided with an adhesion means. According to the invention, several ironing aids can be combined with a profile bracket, at least one of the ironing aids having a loop-like rounding at its end. Furthermore, one of the ironing aids can have a slight kink at a right angle to its planar extension (FIGS. 1/2). Full Article
ni Belt moving unit and image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A belt moving unit includes an endless belt member and plural support rolls supporting the belt member movably and rotating, wherein the support rolls include one or more follower rolls rotating to follow the movement of the belt member and at least one of the follower rolls is used as an inertial roll to which inertia is applied, wherein the inertial roll includes a rotation shaft, a rotational inertial member rotating with the rotation shaft and applying inertia, and a roll body disposed along a peripheral surface of the rotation shaft and including plural roll-divided members, and wherein the plural roll-divided members include a fixed divided member fixed to the rotation shaft and rotating along with the rotation shaft to follow the movement of the belt member and a rotating divided member rotating independently of the rotation of the rotation shaft. Full Article
ni Chute turning restriction mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A chute turning restriction mechanism includes: a rotary shaft on which a chute is disposed and which is provided to be capable of rotating relative to a vehicle body of a mixer truck; a bracket that is provided on the vehicle body and includes an insertion hole into which the rotary shaft is inserted and a cutaway portion formed by cutting away a part of the insertion hole; an inner diameter adjustment shaft provided across the cutaway portion to be capable of adjusting an inner diameter of the insertion hole, and configured to restrict rotation of the rotary shaft by reducing the inner diameter of the insertion hole; a rotary body that is provided to rotate together with the rotary shaft and includes an engagement groove; and a lock lever that is provided to be capable of rotating about the inner diameter adjustment shaft, and that restricts the rotation of the rotary shaft by engaging with the engagement groove. Full Article
ni Conveying device for cylindrical members, comprising running rails inclined in the direction of travel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A conveying device for cylindrical members, such as parisons (1) for hollow objects, has running rails (8, 9) which are inclined in the direction of travel of the parisons (1). A neck (3) of the parisons (1) which is part of a head (2) lies on the running rails (8, 9). A guide rail (11) which is located at a certain distance from the head (2) of the parisons (1) is fixedly arranged above the running rails (8, 9). A movable intermediate element (12) is retained and guided within the running rail (11). A force component (16) directed against the head (2) of the parisons (1) acts on the intermediate element (12). Full Article
ni Device and method for stopping and/or aligning transport goods on a conveying device, and conveying device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for stopping and/or aligning transport goods on a conveying device, in particular a roller conveyor, device has a main part and a stopping device that can be moved out of the main part into a conveying path of the conveying device in order to stop and/or align the transport goods that are transported along the conveying path. The stopping device comprises at least two separate stops that can be moved between a working position, which projects into the conveying plane, and a rest position, which is retracted with respect to the conveying plane, by means of a common actuator device. Full Article
ni Holder for pipe in heat exchanger, method and device for manufacturing heat exchanger using said holder, and air conditioner and/or outdoor unit having said heat exchanger By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The current invention provides a tube-grasping body for grasping an insert tube in a heat exchanger, and heat exchanger production methods and apparatuses utilizing the tube-grasping body, wherein the tube-grasping body enables to enlarge and connect an insert tube to a heat radiating fin for producing a heat exchanger, still keeping the total length of insert tubes at an almost same level even after the enlargement; and the tube-grasping body is connected at its exterior to the guide-pipe. Full Article
ni Device for collapsing and loading a heart valve into a minimally invasive delivery system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device is provided for collapsing a stented bioprosthetic valve, including first section and second sections, each spanning between first and second ends of the device. The second section of the device is associated with the first section to at least partially enclose an internal cavity formed by the first and second sections, the internal cavity tapering from an open insertion portion at a first end of the device to an open exit portion at a second end of the device. The insertion portion has a larger dimension than the exit portion. When the first section and second section are substantially enclosing the internal cavity, a stented bioprosthetic valve may be inserted into the insertion portion and collapsed as it is moved toward and through the exit portion. The valve may then be loaded on an apparatus for insertion into the body. Full Article
ni Housing member for clutch mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A housing member for a friction clutch and a method for making it. The housing member is made for use with two differently sized fan members. Two annular raised mounting pilot surfaces are provided, one of which is machine finished for mounting one of the two fan members. Two sets of fan member mounting holes are also provided, one set of which is used to mount one of the two fan members thereon. Full Article
ni Unified rolling and bending process for roller bearing cages By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of manufacturing large diameter tapered roller bearing cages includes beginning with a metal strip, coil or plate of cage blank material and feeding it into a rolling mill. The rolling mill includes a pair of unparallel forming rolls disposed to define a wedge-shaped gap therebetween. As the cage blank material is fed through the wedge-shaped gap, one lateral side of the cage blank material is plastically deformed to reduce its thickness and to elongate its length, while slight or no deformation is introduced into the other lateral side, thus forming the cage blank into an arc shape. A third roll disposed at the exit side of the forming rolls bends the rolled cage blank into a circular conical ring. Adjacent butt ends of the formed conical ring cage blank are aligned and joined together during the assembly process to form the large diameter tapered roller bearing cage. Full Article
ni Methods and apparatus to monitor material conditioning machines By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a strip material. A first sensor detects a first distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a first reference location and a second sensor detects a second distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a second reference location. A controller determines a difference value between the first distance and the second distance to detect material curvature of the strip material. Full Article
ni Locking mechanism for ski binding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to a single piece base portion (10) for a locking mechanism (30) for a ski binding (1), in particular a cross country or touring ski binding. The base portion (10) comprising: a planar resting portion (11); one or more, preferably two, support sections (12) extending out of the plane of the planar resting portion (11). In particular, each of the support sections (12) comprises an axle pin hole (13) for receiving an axle (21) of a part associated with the locking mechanism (30). Further, the lowest section (14) of the axle pin hole (13) is aligned with the upper surface (15) of the planar resting portion (11). Full Article
ni Apparatus and method for shot peening of blade mounting areas on a rotor arrangement disc By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for shot peening blade mounting areas on a disc of a rotor includes a peening nozzle unit which streams shot peening media along a longitudinal axis. The unit includes a nozzle outlet which extends at least partially in a circumferential direction of the unit, and a deflection arrangement with a deflection area for the media. The deflection area is at least partially cone or half-hyperboloid shaped, such that the media passes the nozzle outlet over an angle range in circumferential direction after being deflected by the deflection arrangement. A method for shot peening the blade mounting areas positions the unit in a slot profile of a blade mounting area, and guides the unit along the contour of the slot profile with the nozzle outlet facing the contour of the slot profile to approximately uniformly peen the contour of the slot profile. Full Article
ni Bending die with radial cam unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for bending a workpiece includes positioning a first bending surface adjacent to the workpiece; positioning a second bending surface adjacent to the workpiece; and moving the first bending surface and the second bending surface linearly toward the workpiece while the second bending surface rotates with respect to the first bending surface such that the first bending surface bends a first portion of the workpiece, the second bending bends a second portion of the workpiece, and the first portion of the workpiece, and the second portion of the workpiece are disposed on a first side of a bend line formed on the workpiece by the first bending surface and the second bending surface. Full Article
ni Method for manufacturing Ni base alloy pipe stock By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for manufacturing an Ni base alloy pipe stock comprises piercing and rolling a billet by use of Mannesmann piercing and rolling mill. The pipe stock has controlled amounts of C, Si, Mn, P, S, Cr, Ni, Mo, W, Cu, Al, N, with the balance being Fe. With the method, the following equations are satisfied, wherein values of TGBm, Psr and Pσ represented by the following equations (1) to (3) being not more than 1300, not more than 200 and not less than 0, respectively TGBm=1380−5000P−100S−4400C (1), PsrNi+10(Mo+0.5W)+100N (2), Pσ=(Ni−50)+10(N−0.1)−2(Cr−25)−5(Mo+0.5W−6)+12 (3), wherein each element symbol in the equations represents mass % of the element concerned. Full Article
ni Composite cord and method of making and support structure and tire containing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A composite hybrid cord comprising a core comprising of a first bundle of synthetic filaments having a filament tenacity of from 10 to 40 grams per decitex and a plurality of cabled strands helically wound around the core, each cabled strand comprising of a plurality of metal strands helically wound around a center second bundle of synthetic filaments that have a filament tenacity of from 10 to 40 grams per decitex. The ratio of the largest cross sectional dimension of the first bundle of synthetic filaments to the largest cross sectional dimension of the second bundle of synthetic filaments is from 1.5:1 to 20:1. The metallic filaments of the cabled strands have an elongation at break that is no more than 24 percent different from the elongation at break of the synthetic filaments of the first and second bundles. Full Article
ni Method for obtaining high-tenacity aramid yarn By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for obtaining high-tenacity aramid yarn, wherein the yarn is made of a copolymer obtained from a mixture of monomers comprising DAPBI, an aromatic para-diamine, and an aromatic para-diacid, wherein the yarn is heated in at least two process steps, characterized in that in a first step the yarn is heated at a temperature of 200 to 360° C. at a tension of at least 0.2 cN/dtex, followed by a second step wherein the yarn is heated at a temperature of 370 to 500° C. at a tension of less than 1 cN/dtex. The invention further pertains to a multifilament aramid yarn spun from a sulfuric acid spin dope and having a tenacity of at least 2500 mN/tex. Full Article
ni Self cleaning and lubricating all-weather fishing lines and methods of manufacture thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT Improved self cleaning and lubricating all-weather fishing lines and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The line includes a core line portion of polyester multifilament fiber and a coating portion, the coating formed by a thermoplastic polyester elastomer mixed with a blowing agent . The methods of this invention are characterized by the use of a finely ground powder of copolymer and blowing agent processed through a medical-quality elongated mixing screw at the line coating unit and very low processing temperatures. Full Article
ni Open-end spinning rotor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST An open-end spinning rotor (1), comprising a rotor shaft (4), a rotor cup (2) and a coupling device (3) releasably connecting the rotor shaft (4) and rotor cup (2). The coupling device (3) has locking bodies (6), arranged in a holding element (5) and lock the rotor cup (2) and the rotor shaft (4) in the axial direction under centrifugal force during operation of the open-end spinning rotor (1). A resilient element (7) is associated with the locking bodies (6) and cooperates with the locking bodies (6) such that the locking bodies (6) also lock the rotor cup (2) to the rotor shaft (4) in the axial direction at a standstill. The holding element (5) is configured as a pin which is formed such that it produces a positive shaft-hub connection between the rotor shaft (4) and rotor cup (2) in conjunction with a correspondingly formed hub (8). Full Article
ni Cable protection system and method of reducing an initial stress on a cable By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A method of reducing an initial stress on a cable includes stretching the cable to a first length to thereby define the initial stress. The cable has a central longitudinal axis, and includes a plurality of wires each twisted around the axis and formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable in response to a signal between a first state wherein each of the wires has a first temperature-dependent length, and a second state wherein each of the wires has a second temperature-dependent length that is less than the first. After stretching, the method includes activating the alloy by exposing the alloy to the signal such that the alloy transitions from the first to the second temperature-dependent state. Concurrent to activating, the method includes elongating the cable to a second length that is greater than the first to define a second stress on the cable that is less than the first. Full Article
ni Air jet spinning machine and method of operation thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a method of operation for an air jet spinning machine, which is characterized in that the spinning process is interrupted when a yarn fault is detected, and subsequent to the interruption of the spinning process, a piecing process is initiated which is at least partly carried out by the spinning station and in which a number of yarn process and handling devices directly assigned to the spinning station are applied. Furthermore, an air jet spinning machine is proposed which permits such a piecing method. Full Article
ni Spinning machine and a process for removing an end section of a yarn of a spinning machine prior to a subsequent piecing process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The spinning station of a spinning machine includes a yarn end disposal means, arranged between the outlet of the spinning device and the winding device, and with the aid of which an end section of the produced yarn is separated from the rest of the yarn and eliminated. Furthermore, a process for removing an end section of a yarn at a spinning station of a spinning machine prior to the subsequent piecing process is proposed, wherein the end section is gripped, cut off, and subsequently eliminated from the area of the spinning station with the aid of a yarn end disposal means arranged between the outlet of the spinning device and the winding device. Full Article
ni Spinning machine and method for interrupting yarn production on a spinning machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A method is provided for interrupting yarn production on a spinning machine upon detecting a defined deviation of a monitored yarn parameter from a target value, upon changing bobbins at a winding device, and/or prior to switching off the spinning machine. The feed speeds of the delivery device, the take-off device, and the winding device are gradually reduced to a stop in order to interrupt the yarn production, wherein the reducing takes place such that an end of the produced yarn is located within the spinning point after the reducing is completed. Full Article
ni Spinning machine and method for interrupting yarn production on a spinning machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A method interrupts yarn production on a spinning machine having at least one spinning point having an inlet for a fiber material and an outlet for the yarn made from the fiber material, and wherein the spinning machine comprises a delivery device for feeding the fiber material into the spinning point, a take-off device for drawing off the yarn out of the spinning point, a winding device for winding up the produced yarn, and a yarn monitoring unit for monitoring at least one yarn parameter. Yarn production is interrupted upon detecting a defined deviation of the monitored yarn parameter from a target value, upon changing bobbins at the winding device, and/or prior to switching off the spinning machine. The feed speeds of the delivery device, the take-off device, and the winding device are gradually reduced to a stop in order to interrupt the yarn production, wherein the reducing takes place such that the end of the produced yarn is located between the outlet of the spinning point and the winding device after the reducing is completed. Full Article
ni Yarn-producing apparatus for an air spinning machine with an inset and a spinneret equipped therewith By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A yarn-producing apparatus for an air spinning machine, which is used for producing a yarn from a fiber strand with the assistance of an air flow, has a spinning tip with an inlet opening surrounded by the outer surface of the spinning tip, in the area of which a yarn is able to be produced with the assistance of the air flow. The yarn-producing apparatus has an internal inset with a draw-off conduit adjacent to the inlet opening for the yarn and several air outlets branching off on the side from the draw-off conduit, such that an air flow introduced counter to the direction of spinning (S) in the draw-off conduit can escape in part through the air outlets and in part through the inlet opening. In addition, a spinning unit with a corresponding yarn-producing apparatus is provided. Full Article
ni System and method for determining a ripping path By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for determining a ripping path includes a position sensing system, a work implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a plurality of positions of the machine as the machine moves along an operating path and the work implement moves a volume of material and sense the material characteristics of at each of the plurality of positions along the operating path. The controller is further configured to determine the ripping path based upon the material characteristics sensed at the plurality of positions and store the ripping path. Full Article
ni Defrosting unit for snow blower By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A defrost unit can include a throat insert configured to be attached to a snow blower, and an exhaust piping assembly interconnected between the throat insert and an engine exhaust outlet of the snow blower, wherein exhaust gasses from the engine exhaust outlet are directed to the throat insert. Full Article
ni Removable device for attaching two mechanical parts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A removable device for attaching two mechanical parts includes a pin removably locking a first part with respect to a second part, a retainer member on the pin and a resiliently loaded tension member which collaborate to prevent the pin from coming out of its locked position; the removable device further includes at least two inclined surfaces, the general shape of which is that of a projection oriented in the axial direction of the pin, such that when the pin rotates, the retainer member runs along the inclined surfaces and the pin moves between the locked position and unlocked position against a force exerted on the pin along a longitudinal axial direction of the pin exerted by the tension member. Full Article
ni Electronic cigarette device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention relates to an electronic cigarette device, including an electronic cigarette and an electronic cigarette charger, the electronic cigarette charger forming a first magnetic portion, the electronic cigarette correspondingly forming a second magnetic portion mutually magnetically adsorbed with the first magnetic portion. The electronic cigarette charger forms a first connector, and the first connector comprises a first seat, a first electrode pole disposed at a middle portion of the first seat and a first insulating sleeve disposed between the first seat and the first electrode pole to insulate the first seat and the first electrode pole. The electronic cigarette forms an electronic cigarette battery therein, and the electronic cigarette at an end thereof forms a second connector connected with the electronic cigarette battery and the first connector of the electronic cigarette charger. The electronic cigarette device is convenient to put/take the electronic cigarette into/out of the electronic cigarette charger. Full Article
ni Embossing techniques By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An embossing apparatus for applying an embossing pattern to a wrapper for a smoking article, the embossing apparatus configured so as to act to at least partially minimize the reduction, in at least one direction, in the tensile strength of the wrapper resulting from the application of said embossing pattern. Full Article
ni Electronic cigarette with integrated charging mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power generating electronic cigarette includes a partially hollowed body having an enclosed distal end, and a filter cartridge attached at a proximal end of the body. The cigarette operates using power stored within a portable power storage media integrated within the body. A power generating subassembly is located within the hollowed body, wherein the power generating subassembly generates an electrical current to charge the power storage media. The power generating subassembly utilizes motion of a magnet in proximity of a coil to generate an electrical current within the coil. The current can be converted into stored electrical power. Motion of the magnet can result from shaking or rolling the electronic cigarette. Alternately, the magnet can be rotated by an airflow driven device operated by airflow applied to the cigarette. Full Article
ni Tobacco filter containing magnesium aluminometasilicate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tobacco filter contains from 0.5 to 95% by mass of magnesium aluminometasilicate. Full Article
ni Charger package for electronic cigarette components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A charger package apparatus for use with electronic cigarette components, which include truncated components and elongated components that have an electrical coupling connected to a rechargeable power source. The apparatus includes a compact box enclosure with an access opening, and with plural compartments formed indies, which receive electronic cigarette components, and where are least one of the compartment is an elongated compartment. The box also includes a battery compartment with a battery contact for engaging a replaceable battery, and a charge circuit coupled to receive power from the battery contact. A charge contact assembly is coupled to the charge circuit and aligned with the elongated compartment to engage the electrical coupling of an elongated component, which can then transfer power to its rechargeable power source. Also, a lid is selectively engaged with the access opening to close the box. Full Article
ni Reducing levels of nicotinic alkaloids in plants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Two genes, A622 and NBB1, can be influenced to achieve a decrease of nicotinic alkaloid levels in plants. In particular, suppression of one or both of A622 and NBB1 may be used to decrease nicotine in tobacco plants. Full Article
ni Electronic smoking article By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic smoking article comprising an aerosol generator and a mechanical aerosol converter insert having the capacity to improve characteristics of aerosol produced by the aerosol generator, including sensory attributes. Full Article
ni Electronic cigarette By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic smoking article includes a liquid supply including liquid material, a heater operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol, a wick in communication with the liquid material and in communication with the heater such that the wick delivers the liquid material to the heater, at least one air inlet operable to deliver air to a central air passage upstream of the heater, and an aroma carrier on an outer surface of the outer tube. The aroma carrier includes fragrance material and is operable to deliver fragrance during smoking. Full Article
ni Electronic cigarette By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic smoking article includes a liquid supply including liquid material, a heater operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol, a wick in communication with the liquid material and in communication with the heater such that the wick delivers the liquid material to the heater, at least one air inlet operable to deliver air to a central air passage upstream of the heater, and a fibrous element downstream of the heater. Full Article
ni Method for extraction of nicotine from tobacco raw material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to methods of nicotine extraction from tobacco, caporal and tobacco crumb. The proposed method for extraction of nicotine from tobacco, caporal and tobacco crumb implies continuous extraction from raw material with low-boiling solvents at vapor phase followed by solvent stripper and recurrence for further reuse in the process. Full Article
ni Mechanisms for vaporizing devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure generally relates to electronic vaporizing devices comprising a plurality of components, and mechanisms for locking or otherwise securing the components together. Components of the electronic vaporizing devices may include a cartridge (e.g., including a liquid for vaporization) and a battery unit (e.g., including a rechargeable battery), among other possible components. The electronic vaporizing devices may be at least partially disassembled to allow a user to replace, replenish, recharge, and/or repair the device, as needed. Full Article
ni Method for forming a smoking article capable of delivering flavorant to mainstream smoke when ignited during smoking By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Delivery of additives in a smoking article is provided through thermally degradable, robust immobilized additive inserts. Additives can be immobilized in an elongated device or an insert, wherein the elongated device or the insert is sufficiently robust to allow the elongated device or the insert to be manually or machine inserted into a smoking article while maintaining the structure of the elongated device or the insert. By providing additives in the form of thermally degradable immobilized additive inserts, migration and/or loss of the additives in a smoking article prior to smoking can be reduced. Full Article
ni System comprising a simulated cigarette device and a refill unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A simulated smoking device (1) comprising a simulated cigarette having a substantially cylindrical cigarette-like shape and a refill device (2, 50) having a substantially cuboid housing with a cigarette pack-like shape containing refill gas (32, 59) for the simulated cigarette and having means for selectively retaining the simulated cigarette. The simulated cigarette may be retained wholly within the housing. It may be retained at a location different from the refill location. A dose counter may be provided to give a visual indication of the doses in the refill device. Full Article
ni Protective device and method for preventing supply voltage sag of microcontroller from sagin electronic cigarette By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A protective device and method for preventing supply voltage of microcontroller from sag in electronic cigarette is provided, comprising a microcontroller, a power supply module, a field effect transistor, an energy storage circuit, wherein, the energy storage circuit is connected between the microcontroller and the power supply module, the energy storage circuit supplies electric power to the microcontroller when an over current or short circuit occurs, and maintains the supply voltage of the microcontroller not being less than its minimal operating voltage in a certain period of time; the microcontroller processes the over current or short circuit signal and turns off the MOSFET to cut off the current flow in a load circuit. The unstable or uncontrollable phenomena of the microcontroller in the existing technology are resolved. The circuit of the present invention is simple and low cost. Full Article
ni Tip charging electronic cigarette and system and method for charging the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tip charging electronic cigarette includes a cigarette body including a shell and a mouthpiece, the shell having a forward portion terminating in a tip. The cigarette body further includes a battery, a charging circuit operatively coupled to the battery, and a cartomizer operatively coupled to a switch assembly. A center charging contact is disposed adjacent the tip, an annular charging contact is disposed adjacent the tip, and the center charging contact and the annular charging contact are operatively coupled to the charging circuit. The center charging contact and the annular charging contact are arranged for connection to cooperating electrical contacts of a charger assembly, wherein the battery is arranged to be charged upon engaging the tip with the charger assembly. Full Article
ni Method and apparatus for making a custom made cigar using resealable packaging unit or pouch having multiple cigar wrappers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pouch with multiple tear areas is provided. In one embodiment instructions are provided for resealing with heat. In one embodiment a zip-lock type reseal can be used in place of one of the multiple tear areas. Full Article
ni Electronic cigarette By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic cigarette is provided, comprising a cigarette rod (100) with smoke liquid and a battery, a cigarette holder (200) and a atomizer (300), the cigarette rod (100), the atomizer (300) and the cigarette holder (200) are connected successively, the battery provides power for the atomizer (300) to heat and atomize the smoke liquid, the atomized smoke liquid is discharged through the cigarette holder (200), wherein, a pressure-regulating valve component (400) is provided between the cigarette rod (100) and the atomizer (300) to adjust the flow of the smoke liquid, the pressure-regulating valve component is installed between the cigarette rod and the atomizer to control the flow of the smoke liquid of the electronic cigarette, enabling to adjust the amount of atomizing smoke liquid inhaled by user, and thus the taste of smoking can be adjusted to satisfy different users' need, and the tobacco bar inflows from the battery and control panel can be prevented to extend the life of the electronic cigarette. Full Article
ni DEVICE, TELEVISION SYSTEM, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT To provide a novel device, a device with low power consumption, or a versatile device, the device includes a decoder, a driver circuit, and a display portion. The driver circuit includes a plurality of circuits. The display portion includes a plurality of display panels. The decoder has a function of generating a signal corresponding to an image displayed on the display portion. The decoder has a function of determining the necessity of rewriting an image of each of the display panels by detecting a change in the image of each of the display panels. The circuit has a function of outputting a signal to a display panel for which that image rewriting is determined to be necessary. The circuit has a function of stopping output of a signal to a display panel for which image rewriting is determined to be unnecessary. Full Article
ni SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, DRIVER IC, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device includes first to fourth terminals, a switch circuit, and an integrating circuit. The integrating circuit includes an amplifier circuit having a (−) terminal, a first (+) terminal, and a second (+) terminal. The integrating circuit is configured to integrate an input signal of the (−) terminal using an average voltage of a voltage of the first (+) terminal and a voltage of the second (+) terminal as a reference voltage. The switch circuit is configured to electrically connect the (−) terminal to the second terminal, the first (+) terminal to the first terminal, the second (+) terminal to the third terminal the (−) terminal to the third terminal, the first (+) terminal to the second terminal, and the second (+) terminal to the fourth terminal. The present semiconductor device is used as a semiconductor device sensing a current flowing through a pixel in a display panel. Full Article