ni DPF Cleaning Process Using a Temporary Plug By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of removing or reducing the particulate buildup within the diesel particulate filter of an aftertreatment system includes the selective application of a blocking agent to a filter medium of the diesel particulate filter, displacement of the particulate from the filter medium using a fluid stream, and subsequent removal of the blocking agent. Full Article
ni METAL-ORGANIC MATERIALS (MOMS) FOR CO2 ADSORPTION AND METHODS OF USING MOMS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for metal-organic materials (MOMs), systems that exhibit permanent porosity and using hydrophobic MOMs to separate components in a gas, methods of separating CO2 from a gas, and the like. Full Article
ni ELECTROMECHANICAL WATER SEPARATOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A water separator comprises an axially extending airflow passage, an airflow mixer, a plurality of electric plates of alternating charge, and a mechanical separator. The airflow mixer, the plurality of electric plates, and the mechanical separator are disposed within the airflow passage. The airflow mixer imparts a non-axial flow component on airflow through the airflow passage. The electric plates are situated downstream of the mixer, and create an electric field region within the airflow passage. The mechanical separator is situated at or downstream of the electric field region, and is disposed to separate water droplets from air. Full Article
ni DUCTLESS FUME HOOD GAS MONITORING AND DETECTION SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A ductless fume hood suitable for the removal of various chemical materials including toxic and non-toxic gases, vapors, particles, dust and unpleasant odors from a fluid stream. The ductless fume hood uses electronic devices and software to enable real time monitoring of gas levels in parts per million. Full Article
ni METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORK-BASED SORBENTS AND METHODS OF SYNTHESIS THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A carbon dioxide capture and release method of forming a MOF matrix material including at least one metal-organic-framework crystal that includes at least one metal ion or metal ion cluster coordinated to polydentate organic ligands. The method includes forming a positive moisture swing CO2 host by application of at least a portion of the MOF matrix material to at least a portion of a good, and exposing the good to a feed gas. The method also includes altering the absorption and desorption of CO2 in the CO2 host through a swing absorption/desorption process of moisture content, where an equilibrium pressure of CO2 over the CO2 host is based at least in part on the moisture content. The metal-organic-framework crystal can be UIO-66 including Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by terephthalate acid ligands, and/or Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by amino-terephthalic acid ligands, and/or Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by nitro-terephthalic acid ligands. Full Article
ni Trap and drain assembly for draining waste liquids while blocking odors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides a flush free drain trap system. The trap of the invention may be used in any trap system intended to block a back flow of odors from the waste line. A sealant liquid floats on top of the waste liquid in the trap to block odors. The trap uses one passageway to pass liquids to the sewer line, similarly to a conventional drain system, for preventing overflow and allowing cleaning. A second passageway allows the trap to dispose of small amounts of the waste liquid though an opening and a valve operated by the buoyancy caused by the accumulation of waste liquid in the trap. In normal use, waste liquid is passed to the sewer line without loss of sealant liquid. Furthermore, the performance of the trap is not affected by the evaporation of the waste liquid when the trap is unused. Full Article
ni Toilet training devices for small children By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A toilet training device includes an odor remediation system for absorbing or masking odors that may be created during toilet training. The odor remediation system may include a modular odor remediating insert that may be releasably positioned within a recess that is provided within the toilet training device. The odor remediating insert may include an odor absorbing substance such as sodium bicarbonate, an odor masking substance such as a fragrance or a combination of an odor absorbing substance and an odor masking substance. The toilet training device also includes a system for dispensing wipes that may utilize a recess that is defined in a side wall of the main body portion of the toilet training device. A wipes cartridge is designed so that it can be used to conveniently dispense wipes regardless of whether it is separated from the toilet training device or mounted within the recess of the toilet training device. Full Article
ni Shower door assembly with an integral directional draining system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shower door assembly with an integral directional draining system including a shower door frame having a frame body defining a horizontal drain channel and a plurality of drain holes, at least one side panel having a first end and a second end, the first end of the side panel being sized and configured to be fixedly attached to the frame body and the second end of the side panel further including a hinge mount, and at least one door defining a hinge mount rotatably connected to the hinge mount of the side panel and a door drain channel, the door having an upper portion and lower portion. The door of the present invention flares upward and bows outward such that the upper portion of the door is farther away from the shower door frame than the lower portion of the door. Full Article
ni Lever control mechanism of a drain valve of a toilet tank By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lever control mechanism of a drain valve of a toilet tank has a lever assembly assembled in the wall of the toilet tank and a lever linked to the revolving shaft of the lever assembly. The lever assembly is connected to a deviator, which is disposed with a drive arm; the drive arm is connected to the revolving shaft. The deviator is disposed with a joint portion and at least a leading hole to limit the lever revolving vertically. One end of the lever is run through the leading hole to rotationally connect to the joint portion; the drive arm is revolved by the driving of the revolving shaft to drive the lever revolved in the fan shaped vertical surface limited formed by the joint portion and the leading hole. Full Article
ni Integrated electronic shower system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An integrated bathroom electronic system including a plurality of sensors to detect conditions within a bathroom and to provide signals indicative thereof to a controller. A plurality of distinct and exclusive modules or subsystems are illustratively provided for integration into the system. Such modules may include a quick hot water module, a roman tub module, a custom shower module, a hands free faucet module, and a tub shower module. In certain illustrative shower modules, a user interface includes a plurality of user defined presets, each preset including a shower setting stored in memory. Full Article
ni Universal commode processing unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A waste collection unit includes a motor supported by a housing. A fan is coupled to the motor by a first member configured to provide a rotational input speed. A liquid-gas separator is coupled to a second member configured to provide a rotational output speed. A speed reduction device is coupled to the first and second members. The speed reduction device is configured to provide a rotational output speed that is less than the rotational input speed. In another embodiment, the fan is arranged in the housing and is directly coupled to the motor by the first member. The fan includes first and second sides respectively including first and second pumping elements. A first waste collection line fluidly connects a urinal to the first side. A second waste collection line fluidly connects a fecal storage container to the second side. Full Article
ni Initiating tractor stop and bale wrap function By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided. Full Article
ni Chopper attachment to improve conditioning of bio-mass type crops By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A harvesting header includes a cutter bed having a plurality of cutting elements arranged transverse to the header and a crop chopping and conditioning region having a crop chopping device and a crop conditioning device. The crop chopping device is configured to chop crop cut by the cutter bed into smaller lengths and the crop conditioning device is configured to crimp the crop to aid in drying. The first chopping roller has a tubular, cylindrically-shaped body and a plurality of parallel knife-mounting lugs extending radially outward along substantially the full length of the body. A plurality of chopping knives are attached to the knife-mounting lugs and arranged around the body, each chopping knife having a length that is shorter than the length of the knife-mounting lug to which it is attached such that each chopping knife covers only a portion of the lateral length of the first chopping roller. Full Article
ni Work vehicle with a mower unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A work vehicle includes wheels and a mower unit that are driven by power from an engine, and a mower driving detecting section for detecting power transmission condition to the mower unit. An isochronous controlling section controls the engine in an isochronous control mode for maintaining an engine rotational speed at a predetermined fixed value, independently of an engine load. A droop controlling section controls the engine in a droop control mode for varying the engine rotational speed in dependence on the engine load. If power is transmitted to the mower unit, the isochronous control mode is selected. Full Article
ni Conditioning device for a forage harvester By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conditioning device for a forage harvester is equipped with a first roller, profiled in the axial direction, and a second roller, also profiled in the axial direction. The two rollers are rotated, around their axes, in opposite directions and are aligned parallel to one another. An element, profiled, in the axial direction, in a manner complementary to the profile of the first roller and adjacent to the circumference of the first roller, for the removal of crop residues from the roller, extends in a circular arc over a part of the circumference of the first roller. Full Article
ni Agricultural working machine having at least one control unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An agricultural working machine has a one control/regulating unit designed to adjust and monitor working parameters, quality parameters or both of the agricultural working machine that influence a harvesting process. The adjusting and monitoring are carried out in an automatable manner by the control/regulating unit using stored families of characteristics. The agricultural working machine also has at least one display device for depicting setpoint values and actual values of the working parameters, quality parameters or both. The control/regulating unit actuates defined measurement points in the stored families of characteristics and the specifically actuated measurement points are located in the boundary regions of the family of characteristics or outside the active working region of the particular family of characteristics. Full Article
ni Reel lawn mower with main body, reel cutting unit, and connection structure for connecting reel cutting unit to main body such that reel cutting unit is rollable By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reel lawn mower which has a connection structure for connecting a reel cutting unit to a main body. The reel cutting unit has a spiral cutting reel which is rotated by a prime mover to cut grass together with a bedknife. In the connection structure, in order to connect the reel cutting unit to the main body so that the reel cutting unit rolls around a virtual horizontal line perpendicular to the shaft center of the cutting reel in the center of the axial direction of the cutting reel, the reel cutting unit includes a connecting arm with an arc portion shaped so as to follow a virtual arc centered on the virtual horizontal line. The connecting arm is slidably supported so as to prevent the arc portion from coming off the virtual arc. Full Article
ni Windguard mechanism of a pick-up for an agricultural machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A windguard mechanism comprising a pair of arms attachable to an agricultural machine and a windguard plate extending between the pair of arms and positioned to hold down crop material processed by a pickup mechanism. The windguard plate comprises a first plate fixed between the pair of arms and a second plate positioned movably with respect to the first plate, wherein working surfaces of the first plate and of the second plate form a windguard working surface of an area independent on the position of the second plate. Full Article
ni Drive mechanism for a windrow merger By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A windrow merger includes at least one pickup head member and an internal drive assembly disposed within a longitudinal aperture defined internal to the at least one pickup head member, the drive assembly being for imparting a rotational motion to a plurality of tines by means of a drive shaft operably coupled thereto, the drive shaft extending in opposed directions from the drive assembly. A method of forming the windrow merger is further included. Full Article
ni PACKAGING OPTOELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND CMOS CIRCUITRY USING SILICON-ON-INSULATOR SUBSTRATES FOR PHOTONICS APPLICATIONS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Package structures and methods are provided to integrate optoelectronic and CMOS devices using SOI semiconductor substrates for photonics applications. For example, a package structure includes an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an optoelectronics device and interposer mounted to the IC chip. The IC chip includes a SOI substrate having a buried oxide layer, an active silicon layer disposed adjacent to the buried oxide layer, and a BEOL structure formed over the active silicon layer. An optical waveguide structure is patterned from the active silicon layer of the IC chip. The optoelectronics device is mounted on the buried oxide layer in alignment with a portion of the optical waveguide structure to enable direct or adiabatic coupling between the optoelectronics device and the optical waveguide structure. The interposer is bonded to the BEOL structure, and includes at least one substrate having conductive vias and wiring to provide electrical connections to the BEOL structure. Full Article
ni SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING BURIED GATE STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, MEMORY CELL HAVING THE SAME AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device includes a substrate comprising a trench; a gate dielectric layer formed over a surface of the trench; a gate electrode positioned at a level lower than a top surface of the substrate, and comprising a lower buried portion embedded in a lower portion of the trench over the gate dielectric layer and an upper buried portion positioned over the lower buried portion; and a dielectric work function adjusting liner positioned between the lower buried portion and the gate dielectric layer; and a dipole formed between the dielectric work function adjusting liner and the gate dielectric layer. Full Article
ni METHOD OF USING A SURFACTANT-CONTAINING SHRINKAGE MATERIAL TO PREVENT PHOTORESIST PATTERN COLLAPSE CAUSED BY CAPILLARY FORCES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A first photoresist pattern and a second photoresist pattern are formed over a substrate. The first photoresist pattern is separated from the second photoresist pattern by a gap. A chemical mixture is coated on the first and second photoresist patterns. The chemical mixture contains a chemical material and surfactant particles mixed into the chemical material. The chemical mixture fills the gap. A baking process is performed on the first and second photoresist patterns, the baking process causing the gap to shrink. At least some surfactant particles are disposed at sidewall boundaries of the gap. A developing process is performed on the first and second photoresist patterns. The developing process removes the chemical mixture in the gap and over the photoresist patterns. The surfactant particles disposed at sidewall boundaries of the gap reduce a capillary effect during the developing process. Full Article
ni EXTREMELY THIN SILICON-ON-INSULATOR SILICON GERMANIUM DEVICE WITHOUT EDGE STRAIN RELAXATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a strained silicon germanium layer on top of a substrate. At least one patterned hard mask layer is formed on and in contact with at least a first portion of the strained silicon germanium layer. At least a first exposed portion and a second exposed portion of the strained silicon germanium layer are oxidized. The oxidizing process forms a first oxide region and a second oxide region within the first and second exposed portions, respectively, of the strained silicon germanium. Full Article
ni ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a method for fabricating an electronic device, the method including: preparing a carrier substrate including an element region and a wiring region; forming a sacrificial layer on the carrier substrate; forming an electronic element on the sacrificial layer of the element region; forming a first elastic layer having a corrugated surface on the first elastic layer of the wiring region; forming a metal wirings electrically connecting the electronic element thereto, on the first elastic layer of the wiring region; forming a second elastic layer covering the metal wirings, on the first elastic layer; forming a high rigidity pattern filling in a recess of the second elastic layer above the electronic element so as to overlap the electronic element, and having a corrugated surface; forming a third elastic layer on the second elastic layer and the high rigidity pattern; and separating the carrier substrate. Full Article
ni Low Temperature Deposition of Silicon Containing Layers in Superconducting Circuits By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided are superconducting circuits and, more specifically, methods of forming such circuits. A method may involve forming a silicon-containing low loss dielectric (LLD) layer over a metal electrode such that metal carbides at the interface of the LLD layer and electrode. The LLD layer may be formed using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at a temperature of less than about 500° C. At such a low temperature, metal silicides may not form even though silicon containing precursors may come in contact with metal of the electrode. Silicon containing precursors having silane molecules in which two silicon atoms bonded to each other (e.g., di-silane and tri-silane) may be used at these low temperatures. The LLD layer may include amorphous silicon, silicon oxide, or silicon nitride, and this layer may directly interface one or more metal electrodes. The thickness of LLD layer may be between about 1,000 Angstroms and 10,000 Angstroms. Full Article
ni ORGANIC LAYER DEPOSITION ASSEMBLY, ORGANIC LAYER DEPOSITION DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING DISPLAY DEVICE USING THE ORGANIC LAYER DEPOSITION ASSEMBLY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An organic layer deposition assembly for depositing a deposition material on a substrate includes a deposition source configured to spray the deposition material, a deposition source nozzle arranged in one side of the deposition source and including deposition source nozzles arranged in a first direction, a patterning slit sheet arranged to face the deposition source nozzle and having patterning slits in a second direction that crosses the first direction, and a correction sheet arranged between the deposition source nozzle and the patterning slit sheet and configured to block at least a part of the deposition material sprayed from the deposition source. Full Article
ni MANUFACTURING FLEXIBLE ORGANIC ELECTRONIC DEVICES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of forming microelectronic systems on a flexible substrate includes depositing a plurality of layers on one side of the flexible substrate. Each of the plurality of layers is deposited from one of a plurality of sources. A vertical projection of a perimeter of each one of the plurality of sources does not intersect the flexible substrate. The flexible substrate is in motion during the depositing the plurality of layers via a roll to roll feed and retrieval system. Full Article
ni ARRAY SUBSTRATE OF ORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An array substrate of organic light-emitting diodes and a method for fabricating the same are provided to narrow an edge frame of product device of organic light-emitting diodes, to shorten the package process time, and to improve the substrate utilization and the production efficiency. The array substrate of organic light-emitting diodes includes a plurality of display panels disposed in an array of rows and columns, wherein at least two adjacent display panels are connected through a frame adhesive, and there is no cutting headroom between at least one side of the at least two adjacent display panels. Full Article
ni Low friction buckle tightening systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tensioning device comprises an elongate member, preferably a band, and a frame having first and second sides. The band has a first end that is attachable to the first side of the frame and a second end that is releasably securable to the second side of the frame. A movable clamping member on the frame secures the second end of the band to the second side of the frame by cinching the second end of the band between an engagement surface on the band and a mating engagement surface on the second side of the frame. A restraining member is provided for restraining the clamping member to a first position spaced from the mating locking surface on the second side of the frame, when the restraining member is in a restraining orientation. The restraining member is movable out of the restraining orientation after the band is tensioned to a predetermined level using the second end. The band is tensioned to the aforementioned predetermined level and is secured to the second side of the frame, so that the band establishes a path of tension along its length that extends linearly between the two ends of the band. Full Article
ni Collapsible retaining structure for body piercing jewelry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Flexible retaining structures for body jewelry and method for their use. Full Article
ni Self-aligning zipper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A Self-Aligning Zipper is disclosed that allows for one handed operation by anyone who would, otherwise use a zipper or use of the Self-Aligning Zipper by those with physical and developmental limitations or equipment such, as cold weather gloves or mittens. The proper alignment of each half of the Self-Aligning Zipper is accomplished by way of magnets of opposite polarity along with structural guide elements to ensure proper alignment and operation of the zipper. Full Article
ni Fastening strap and manufacturing method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fastening strap and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The fastening strap includes a first band and a second band. The first band has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has a plurality of hooks of special configuration. The second band has a third surface and a fourth surface. The third surface is directly adhered to the second surface of the first band, and the fourth surface has a plurality of loops for being mechanically latched by the hooks on the first surface. The second surface and/or the third surface is printed with at least one pattern. After the first band and the second band are adhered together, the pattern can be seen from the first surface of the first band. Full Article
ni Springy clip type apparatus for fastening power semiconductor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for fastening a power semiconductor using an integral springy (elastic) clip, capable of fixing a power semiconductor, such as a diode and a MOSFET, using elasticity of a U-shaped clip by integrally molding the clip onto a housing of a plastic module. The apparatus includes an elastic (springy) clip integrally molded onto a lower surface of the housing and downwardly curved into a U-like shape in a bridge module in which a bridge of the power semiconductor protrudes through a through hole of the housing to be connected to a printed circuit board, whereby the power semiconductor is fixed by a force that the housing presses the power semiconductor. Full Article
ni Fastening or mounting apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fastening or mounting apparatus for releasably joining two objects is disclosed. The apparatus uses a cam portion opposite a hook portion in a structure of one of the objects to engage with flanges, protrusions or ends of the other object. In the case of flanges, one of the flanges deforms a resilient element in the hook portion during insertion, and the other flange snaps into the detent of the cam portion upon application of force. The apparatus may be adaptable from small scale applications to large-scale heavy duty applications. Full Article
ni Profiled retaining section for positioning a seam connecting two decorative layers and composite part comprising a profiled retaining section By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A profiled retaining section for positioning a seam connecting two decorative layers includes an upper region, a center region and a lower region forming at least one anchor. The upper region is designed as a piping, or in the manner of a piping, for protruding over a visible side of the skins to be positioned. The center region includes two sides to be sewn to the decorative layers. The anchor is designed to be introduced in a groove having a lesser width than the anchor itself and to exert a force on the groove in the lateral direction. The upper region, the center region and the anchor are integral with each other and arranged in the vertical direction relative to each other. Also described is a composite part that uses the profiled retaining section. Full Article
ni Vital signs monitor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Feb 2018 08:00:00 EST Full Article
ni Method and apparatus for preserving human and animal remains By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for preserving human or animal remains comprising a burial chamber further comprising a hermetically sealed interior containing gas or water vapor, wherein the gas creates a gas pressure within the hermetically sealed interior, and a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is in functional communication with the hermetically sealed interior, wherein the vacuum pump operates to evacuate the gas or the water vapor from the hermetically sealed interior, and wherein the vacuum pump is intermittently activated to reduce the gas pressure within the hermetically sealed interior for a desiccating duration. Full Article
ni Body bag having absorbent lining and improved peripheral seal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A body bag (900) can be assembled by a stitching process while providing increased fluid retention capabilities. An upper outer layer (101) and a lower outer layer (102), each of which can be non-woven materials, form the outer surfaces of the body bag (900). An absorbent layer (103) is disposed between the upper outer layer (101) and the lower outer layer (102). One or more edges (303,403,503,603) can be folded into a periphery (332) of the body bag (900). Stitching (802) can then be applied along the periphery (332) such that the stitching (802) passes through the upper outer layer (101), the lower outer layer (102), an upper edge (994) of the fold in the absorbent layer (103), and a complementary bottom edge (995) of the fold in the absorbent layer (103). Handles (1001,1002,1003,1004) can be included as well. Full Article
ni Universal valve device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments are directed to an adjustable universal valve handle. Full Article
ni Magnetically suspended hygienic handle assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are a hygienic handle assembly and related methods for automatically advancing a clean portion of a protective sleeve over a handle after use of the handle by a person. In one embodiment, an exemplary hygienic handle assembly comprises a pair of first magnetic couplers, each having a passage therethrough, and a handle extending between the pair of first magnetic couplers and having a second magnetic coupler at each of its opposing ends. Each of the second magnetic couplers may be configured to be located within at least a portion of a corresponding first magnetic coupler, wherein magnetic fields of the first magnetic coupler repel magnetic fields of the second magnetic couplers received therein such that each second magnetic coupler is magnetically suspended within the corresponding first magnetic coupler. Full Article
ni Hinge mechanism for a vehicle hood By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hinge including a first hinge half rotatably connected to a second hinge half is described. A support mechanism selectively supports the first hinge half at one or more rotated positions relative to the second hinge half. The support mechanism includes a support which is selectively biased toward a support position in which the support is capable of supporting the first hinge half at a rotated position relative to the second hinge half. The support can further be selectively biased into a disengaged position in which the support is not capable of supporting the first hinge half relative to the second hinge half. With the support in a disengaged position, the first hinge half is freely pivotable relative to the second hinge half. An automatic reset mechanism may be utilized in connection with the hinge to reposition the support from the disengaged position to the support position as the hinge approaches a predefined position. Full Article
ni Rotary mechanism and related electronic device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rotary mechanism includes an accommodating slot structure, a supporting arm, a pivoting portion and a resilient component. The accommodating slot structure is disposed on the bezel. The accommodating slot structure includes a pivot hole structure and an opening structure, respectively formed on the lateral surface and a bottom of the accommodating slot structure. The supporting arm is disposed on the door. The pivoting portion is disposed on the surface of the supporting arm. The pivoting portion is disposed inside the pivot hole structure, so that the supporting arm is rotatably disposed inside the accommodating slot structure. The resilient component is movably accommodated inside the opening structure. A first end of the resilient component is resiliently connected to the lateral surface of the accommodating slot structure. A second end of the resilient component points the surface of the supporting arm, to prevent the pivoting portion from separation. Full Article
ni Electronic device and peripheral element ejecting method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic device capable of ejecting a peripheral element is disclosed, including a housing, a first wheel and a driving unit. The housing has a chamber, wherein the peripheral element is stored in the chamber. The first wheel is disposed in the housing, wherein the first wheel contacts the peripheral element. The driving unit is disposed in the housing, the driving unit rotates the first wheel, and the first wheel moves the peripheral element from a first position to a second position. Full Article
ni Portable electronic device with auxiliary input device and flex connector therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A portable electronic device includes a lower housing and an upper housing slidable relative to the lower housing between closed and open positions. The upper housing includes an auxiliary input device and a display. A primary flex connector electrically connects the lower and upper housings. At least one secondary flex connector may electrically connect the primary flex connector to the auxiliary input device or the display. The upper housing may include a cover plate that is removable to allow access to at least a portion of the flex connectors. Full Article
ni Furniture damper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A furniture damper damps a movement of a movably mounted part of a piece of furniture or a movably mounted component of a furniture fitting. The damper includes a piston arranged in a fluid chamber, a damping action being carried out by a relative movement between the fluid chamber and the piston. A sealing device seals the fluid chamber, and the sealing device includes a first abutment element and a second abutment element that is movably mounted in relation to the first abutment element and designed to seal the fluid chamber. A spring is arranged between the first abutment element and the second abutment element, and the spring is compressible by the relative movement of the first abutment element and the second abutment element essentially up to the thickness of the cross-section of the spring. Full Article
ni Portable electronic device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A portable electronic device includes first and second device units and at least one hinge assembly configured to pivotably connect the second device unit to the first device unit. The hinge assembly includes a first fixing unit configured to be fixed to the first device unit, a second fixing unit configured to be fixed to the second device unit, a plurality of shaft members configured to be arranged in parallel with one another and to include first and second outer shaft members respectively mounted on the first and second fixing units and a plurality of inner shaft members arranged between the first and second outer shaft members, and a gear unit mounted on the shaft members to connect the plurality of shaft members with one another through a gear mesh. Full Article
ni Device to assist the opening of a covering element pivotably mounted relative to an edge of a frame By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device is provided to assist the opening of a covering element pivotably mounted relative to an edge of a frame. The device includes an assistance cylinder (6). The assistance cylinder (6) includes a hollow shaft (7), a guide pin (10) inserted in the hollow shaft (7) and comprising at the end thereof opposite the end wall (8) of the hollow shaft (7) a yoke (11), a spring (13) inserted in the hollow shaft (7) surrounding the guide pin (10) and mounted pre-stressed when unloaded between the end wall (4) of the hollow shaft (7) and the yoke (11) of the guide pin (10), and a screw (14) secured to the end of the guide pin (10) and engaging with the end wall (8) of the hollow shaft (7) for keeping the pre-stressed spring (13) in the released state thereof. The invention is useful in the field of road systems. Full Article
ni Power and communications grommet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power, communications and data grommet mounted in an aperture in a work surface comprising, a housing adapted to fit into the aperture, the housing comprising a cap removably connected to a liner, the liner comprising an upper liner and a lower liner, the upper liner flaring outwardly to prevent the grommet from falling through the aperture, and a substantially cylindrical lower liner having a threaded outer surface, and a lock ring having inner threads to be threadably attached to the lower liner. Full Article
ni Electronic device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic device includes first and second bodies. The second body includes a display module and a supporting assembly. The supporting assembly includes a sliding component slidably disposed on the display module and a pivot component pivoted to the first body and the sliding component. When the second body expands from the first body through the rotation of the pivot component relative to the first body, the sliding component and the pivot component are adapted to rotate relative to each other so that a bottom side of the display module moves to a predetermined position on the first body. When the bottom side is located at the predetermined position, the sliding component and the display module are adapted to slide relative to each other so that the display module rotate around the bottom side, so as to change an included angle between the display module and the first body. Full Article
ni Electronic device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic device includes a first body, a supporting arm, at least one first hinge, a first coupling member and at least one second coupling member. The first hinge is connected between the first body and the supporting arm. The supporting arm can rotate relatively to the first body through the first hinge. The first coupling member is disposed in the first body. The second coupling member is disposed in the supporting arm. When the second coupling member moves to at least one predetermined position, the first coupling member and the second coupling member are attracted by each other. Full Article