Flavor pouch
Patent No. 9,643,773
A flavor pouch includes a porous covering that encloses a carrier having a flavorant. The carrier may be solid or particulate. Flavorants may be one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, ginger, pepper extract, exotic flavors, ethnic flavors and the like. Where the carrier comprises a plurality of beads, the beads may have randomly dissolvable encapsulation to extend the time duration of flavor release. To use the flavor pouch, it is placed in the mouth and masticated or exposed to saliva to thereby release the flavorant.
Inventors: Bruce Neidle (Midlothian, Va.), Kenneth Newman (Prince George, Va.), William R. Sweeney (Richmond), Cynthia S. Hayes (Midlothian, Va.), Robert T. Mitten (Glen Allen, Va.), Danielle R. Crawford (Chester, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 9, 2017
Personal vaporizer with liquid supply by suction
Patent No. 9,642,397
A personal vaporizer including a pressure-induced liquid transport device that allows a user to draw liquid from a liquid reservoir through applying a suction force on the mouthpiece. The amount of liquid drawn is proportional to the pressure induced, and proportional to the amount of vaporization a user may desired.
Inventors: Wei Dai (Shanghai, China), Yongjie James Xu (Richmond)
Assignee: Westfield Limited (Ltd.) (Hong Kong, China)
May 9, 2017
Flavor system and method for making beverages
Patent No. 9,642,384
A method of making a flavored beverage includes combining water and a plurality of flavor compounds in an amount sufficient to impart the flavor of a wine, a whiskey or a beer. A kit for making a flavored beverage can include a plurality of flavor compounds, a quantity of yeast, a quantity of sugar and a container.
Inventors: Christian Schuh (Chesterfield, Va.), Jason Flora (Richmond), Gerd Kobal (Sandy Hook, Va.), Georgios D. Karles (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 9, 2017
Transgenic plants modified for reduced cadmium transport, derivative products, and related methods
Patent No. 9,644,206
Various embodiments are directed to transgenic plants, including transgenic tobacco plants and derivative seeds, genetically modified to impede the transport of Cadmium (Cd) from the root system to aerial portions of transgenic plants by reducing the expression levels of HMA-related transporters. Various embodiments are directed to transgenic tobacco plants genetically modified to stably express a RNAi construct encoding RNAi polynucleotides that enable the degradation of endogenous NtHMA RNA variants. Reduced expression of NtHMA transporters in transgenic plants results in substantially reduced content of Cadmium (Cd) in the leaf lamina. Various consumable products that are substantially free or substantially reduced in Cd content can be produced by incorporating leaves derived from transgenic tobacco plants modified to reduce the expression of NtHMA transporters.
Inventors: Chengalrayan Kudithipudi (Midlothian, Va.), Alec J. Hayes (Chesterfield, Va.), Rutger S. van der Hoeven (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 9, 2017
Composite flame barrier laminate for a thermal and acoustic insulation blanket
Patent No. 9,643,711
A multilayer laminate for use as a flame barrier in an aircraft comprising (i) a polymeric film layer capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 200 C for at least 10 min, (ii) an adhesive layer having an areal weight of from 2 to 40 gsm capable of activation at a temperature of from 75 to 200 degrees C., (iii) an inorganic refractory layer, and (iv) aramid paper comprising from 50 to 90 weight percent of aramid fibers and from 10 to 50 weight percent of meta-aramid binder wherein the inorganic refractory layer of (iii) comprises platelets in an amount of at least 85% by weight with a dry areal weight of 15 to 50 gsm and a residual moisture content of no greater than 10 percent by weight.
Inventors: Llewellyn Bentley Richardson III (Chesterfield, Va.), Dariusz Wlodzimierz Kawka (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: E I Du Pont De Nemours and Co. (Wilmington, Del.)
May 9, 2017
Mill-style blow molding wheel mechanism and method of manufacturing using the same
Patent No. 9,643,353
In one embodiment, an apparatus and a method of manufacturing a paperboard tray therewith is provided. In particular, a hub is configured to rotate about a shaft. On the hub, a plurality of first molds are formed in the hub. Conversely, a plurality of second molds are each disposed above each of the plurality of first molds respectively and rotate above the first molds. In this configuration, the plurality of second molds are configured to move in unison with the plurality of first molds as the hub and second molds rotate and to move orthogonally towards and then away from the first molds as the second molds rotate.
Inventors: Michael P. Wade (Chesterfield, Va.), Barry G. Calvert (Covington, Va.)
Assignee: WestRock MWV (Norcross, Ga.)
May 9, 2017
Game clip popularity based control
Patent No. 9,643,093
Example apparatus and methods concern managing the encoding and storing of game clips that are automatically generated to record video game highlights. Encoding game clips for smooth streaming using adaptive bit rates requires significant processing resources and storing the multiple bit rate encodings consumes significant storage. Therefore, example apparatus and methods compute a predicted popularity for a game clip based on user factors (e.g., status), video game factors (e.g., popularity), game clip factors (e.g., importance of event, uniqueness of event), or other factors. Predicted popularity may differ from actual popularity, therefore the popularity score may be recomputed using actual observations (e.g., number of views of the game clip). Additionally, actual observations may identify correlations between the factors used to predict popularity and the factors that actually determine popularity. Therefore, the prediction function may be dynamically updated to improve the prediction function and thus to improve the user experience.
Inventors: Jessica Zahn (Redmond, Wash.), Stephen Husak (Glen Allen, Va.), Alvin Chen (Bellevue, Wash.), Daniel Broekman (Bellevue, Wash.), Ramon Zarazua Borri (Redmond, Wash.)
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing (Redmond, Wash.)
May 9, 2017
Concepts for sorting items using a display
Patent No. 9,646,369
Concepts for presenting display features to a user of a system which comprises a display, an acquisition device, and a controller system. In various embodiments, the acquisition device is configured to capture image data of one or more items moving along a conveying mechanism and read item identifiers associated with each item. The system then associates or identifies display features with each item identifier and presents the captured image data with the display features presented on or near the image data of the items.
Inventors: David Ray Salzman (Montville, N.J.), Paul Augustine Loubriel (Ossining, N.Y.), Jonathan Gray (Bridgewater, N.J.), William D. Hess (Salisbury Mills, N.Y.), Devang R. Vaidya (Warren, N.J.), Carl M. Skonberg (Wyckoff, N.J.), Scott Alan Loverich (Westwood, N.J.), Duane Anderson (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: United Parcel Service of America Inc. (Atlanta, Ga.)
May 9, 2017
Systems, methods, and computer program products for implementing a precision rate structure across one or more geographical areas
Patent No. 9,646,282
Various embodiments provide a rate structuring system for determining a rate adjustment for at least one service point within a geographical area. In certain embodiments, the system comprises one or more computer processors configured to: receive service point data comprising one or more real-time observed characteristics associated with delivery of at least one package to one or more of said at least one service points within said geographical area; retrieve rate data; calculate at least one of cost data and profit data for each service point associated with said received service point data; compare said calculated cost/profit data against one or more parameters; and in response to at least a portion of said calculated data differing from said one or more parameters, generate rate adjustment instructions, said instructions being configured for implementation of an adjustment to said rate data. Associated computer program products and computer implemented methods are also provided.
Inventors: Duane E. Anderson (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: United Parcel Service of America Inc. (Atlanta, Ga.)
May 9, 2017
Variable angle bone plate with semi-constrained articulating screw
Patent No. 9,642,652
In some embodiments, a cervical plate may include an elongate plate which bridges, during use, substantially adjacent vertebrae by anchoring the plate to the vertebrae. The cervical plate may include a plurality of openings extending through the elongate plate. The cervical plate may include plurality of bone fasteners. The bone fasteners may include a head and a shaft. The shaft may be positionable, during use, in the opening such that the shaft engages, during use, at least one of the vertebrae such that the bone fasteners couple the elongate plate to the vertebrae. The cervical plate may include a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism may, when activated, inhibit removal of at least one of the bone fasteners and inhibit movement of at least the shaft of the bone fastener in a lateral direction, while allowing movement of at least the shaft of the bone fastener along a substantially sagittal plane.
Inventors: Thomas N. Scioscia (Midlothian, Va.), Raymond J. Cloutier (Alachua, Fla.), Jason A. McAtamney (Gainesville, Fla.)
Assignee: Choice Spine (Knoxville, Tenn.)
May 9, 2017
Indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator
Patent No. 9,642,975
An indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator comprises a capillary tube adapted to form an aerosol when liquid material in the capillary tube is heated to volatilize at least some of the liquid material therein and a thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the capillary tube. The indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator provides substantially even and uniform heating across the heated length of the capillary tube.
Inventors: Marc D. Belcastro (Glen Allen, Va.), Jeffrey A. Swepston (Powhatan, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 9, 2017
Automatic price display control by emulation of electronic cash register price lookup
Patent No. 9,652,757
A system and method for distribution of product price and/or sales data in a retail establishment. Product price and/or sales data is stored locally in a central computer or master electronic cash register (ECR), or remotely at a master computer. The price data can be pushed from the master ECR to an ECR emulation hub. Similarly, the ECR emulation hub can request product price data from the master ECR, local or master computers. Once the product price data arrives at the ECR emulation hub, it can be processed and sent to a display located near the appropriate product. The ECR emulation hub can also record and/or transmit prices actually charged for products over time to allow for automatic auditing of promotional pricing offers. The ECR emulation hub acts like an ECR, thereby requiring no special software or hardware modifications to existing pricing display systems that already support ECRs.
Inventor: William R. Sweeney (Richmond)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Adhesive bonding composition and method of use
Patent No. 9,649,832
A polymerizable composition includes at least one monomer, a photoinitiator capable of initiating polymerization of the monomer when exposed to light, and a phosphor capable of producing light when exposed to radiation (typically X-rays). The material is particularly suitable for bonding components at ambient temperature in situations where the bond joint is not accessible to an external light source. An associated method includes: placing a polymerizable adhesive composition, including a photoinitiator and energy converting material, such as a down-converting phosphor, in contact with at least two components to be bonded to form an assembly; and, irradiating the assembly with radiation at a first wavelength, capable of conversion (down-conversion by the phosphor) to a second wavelength capable of activating the photoinitiator, to prepare items such as inkjet cartridges, wafer-to-wafer assemblies, semiconductors, integrated circuits, and the like.
Inventors: Zakaryae Fathi (Detroit, Mich.), James Clayton (Detroit, Mich.), Harold Walder (Detroit, Mich.), Fredric A. Bourke Jr. (Detroit, Mich.), Ian Stanton (Durham, N.C.), Jennifer Ayres (Raleigh, N.C.), Joshua T. Stecher (Durham, N.C.), Michael Therien (Durham, N.C.), Eric Toone (Durham, N.C.), Dave Gooden (Durham, N.C.), Mark Dewhirst (Durham, N.C.), Joseph A. Herbert (Richmond), Diane Fels (Morrisville, N.C.), Katherine S. Hansen (Davis, Calif.)
Assignee: Immunolight, LLC (Detroit, Mich.) and Duke University (Durham, N.C.)
May 16, 2017
Apparatus and methods for large particle ash separation from flue gas using screens having semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces
Patent No. 9,649,586
Apparatus for separating ash particles from a flue gas. The apparatus includes a screen that has a plurality of semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces. The semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces having holes through which said flue gas flows and through which the ash particles will not pass. The screen has a single layer for performing the separation in a manner such that the ash particles fall away from the screen and collect outside of the screen. A method of reducing velocity of a flue gas passing through screening apparatus for separating flue gas from ash particles. The method includes replacing a first screen of the screening apparatus with a second screen that has a plurality of semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces.
Inventors: Mark A. Buzanowski (Richmond), Richard B. Crawford (Richmond), Jake King (Powhatan, Va.), Iain Stuart Hall (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Integrated Global Services Inc. (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Induction of tumor hypoxia for cancer therapy
Patent No. 9,649,316
Methods and compositions for enhancing the ability of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents to kill tumor cells within solid tumors are provided. Local regions of hypoxia are created within a tumor, or within a region containing a tumor, resulting in enhanced activation of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents (e.g. tirapazamine) within the local region. The activated hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents kill tumor cells in the hypoxic region by catalyzing DNA stand breakage within the tumor cells. Because the activity is localized, side effects that typically occur as a result of systemic administration of bioreductive agents are reduced.
Inventors: Ruey-min Lee (Ambler, Penn.), Peck-sun Lin (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
E-vaping device
Patent No. 9,648,908
An e-vaping device includes a first section capable of containing a liquid material. The first section includes a heater capable of vaporizing the liquid material, and a wick capable of drawing the liquid material to the heater. A male threaded connection with non-standard male threads is on one end of the first section. The e-vaping device also includes a second section with a power supply. The second section includes a female threaded connection on one end, where the female threaded connection includes female threads that mate with the non-standard male threads of the first section.
Inventors: Steve R. Rinehart (Chesterfield, Va.), Barry S. Smith (Hopewell, Va.), Charles Dendy (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Virtual reality smoking system
Patent No. 9,648,907
A virtual or augmented reality smoking system is provided herein. A smoker using the system can experience a virtual reality of smoking by puffing on a cigarette shaped article and experiencing the taste or aroma from the article while simultaneously viewing a generated image of a burning cigarette and exhaled and sidestream smoke. Additionally, the room environment may be simulated to give the experience of smoking in a setting of the smoker’s choice (virtual reality) or the image of a burning cigarette and smoke may be superimposed on a live or natural image of the smoker’s environment (augmented reality).
Inventors: Gerd Kobal (Sandy Hook, Va.), Henry Dante (Midlothian, Va.), Rangaraj Sundar (Midlothian, Va.), Peter Lipowicz (Midlothian, Va.), William R. Sweeney (Richmond), Ashok Solanky (Mechanicsville, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Product portion enrobing machines and methods
Patent No. 9,648,904
An apparatus for enrobing a product portion can include at least one polymer spray head adapted to create at least one flow of polymeric fibers to produce at least one polymer enrobing zone and a conveyor system adapted to move at least one product portion from at least one position below at least one polymer enrobing zone and to at least one position above at least one polymer enrobing zone to drop each product portion through one or more polymer enrobing zones a plurality times at different orientations to enrobe each product portion with polymeric fibers.
Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll (Chester, Va.), Shannon Maxwell Black (Richmond), Yan Helen Sun (Midlothian, Va.), William J. Burke (Richmond), Robert Smith (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Oral moist smokeless tobacco products with net-structured gel coating and methods of making
Patent No. 9,648,903
Oral tobacco products having a gel-coating and methods for making are provided. The method includes (a) molding a portion of tobacco material to form a pre-portioned piece of tobacco material, the tobacco material comprising moist smokeless tobacco; (b) contacting the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material with a gel-coating solution to form a gel-coating comprising at least one polymer on an outer surface of the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material to form a gel-coated oral tobacco product, said gel-coating comprising an inner surface disposed around the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material and an outer surface; and (c) forming one ore more of perforations, uncoated areas and holes in the gel-coating of the oral tobacco product to form a gel-coated oral tobacco product.
Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra (Manakin Sabot, Va.), Shengsheng Liu (Richmond), William R. Sweeney (Richmond), Szu-Sung Yang (Midlothian, Va.), Dennis Geib (Richmond)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Slot-coupled CW standing wave accelerating cavity
Patent No. 9,655,227
A slot-coupled CW standing wave multi-cell accelerating cavity. To achieve high efficiency graded beta acceleration, each cell in the multi-cell cavity may include different cell lengths. Alternatively, to achieve high efficiency with acceleration for particles with beta equal to 1, each cell in the multi-cell cavity may include the same cell design. Coupling between the cells is achieved with a plurality of axially aligned kidney-shaped slots on the wall between cells. The slot-coupling method makes the design very compact. The shape of the cell, including the slots and the cone, are optimized to maximize the power efficiency and minimize the peak power density on the surface. The slots are non-resonant, thereby enabling shorter slots and less power loss.
Inventors: Shaoheng Wang (Yorktown, Va.), Robert Rimmer (Yorktown, Va.), Haipeng Wang (Glen Allen)
Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates (Newport News, Va.)
May 16, 2017
System and method for strengthening a sloped structure such as a berm, basin, levee, embankment, or the like
Patent No. 9,649,673
Embodiments of the invention comprise a system for strengthening a sloped structure such as a berm, basin, levee, or embankment. The comprises first and second opposing sides, the second side being adjacent the sloped structure; a bottom side adjoining bottom edges of the first and second sides, thereby forming a cavity within the first, second, and bottom sides; fill material disposed within the cavity; an impermeable membrane encapsulating at least a portion of the fill material; and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed within the fill material.
Inventors: Carlton Dudding (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: AWT IP (Glen Allen, Va.)
May 16, 2017
Wall feed-through device
Patent No. 9,653,858
A connector assembly for transmitting electrical energy through a wall opening, including a horizontal generally-rectangular first connector housing arranged on one side of the wall with a collar portion of the first housing extending through the wall opening. The collar portion contains a plurality of horizontal parallel coplanar first through bores in which are mounted a plurality of electrically conductive spring contacts, respectively. A second connector housing arranged on the other side of the wall opening contains a recess receiving the collar portion, and a plurality of second bores extending collinearly opposite the first bores, respectively. An electrically conductive comb member includes a plurality of integral pin portions that extend from a common spine portion through the second bores and into the first bores for electrical engagement with the spring contacts, respectively, thereby to connect conductors arranged on opposite sides of the wall.
Inventors: Dirk Hanke (Lemgo, Germany), Johann Klippenstein (Oelde, Germany), Peter Stuckmann (Lage, Germany), Peter Walker (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GMBH & Co. KG (Germany)
May 16, 2017
Table for performing medical procedures
Patent No. 9,649,068
The table for performing breast biopsies is characterized by features that enhance patient comfort and facilitate performance of the biopsy. An opening in the table allowing the breast to extend below the table top is formed in a removable insert. An area of the insert includes padding. An alternate insert having a different diameter opening may be selected based on patient breast size. Another insert having an asymmetrical opening may accommodate the patient’s arm when it is desirable to position both the arm and breast of the patient below the table top. The table top is contoured such that symmetrical distal end sections are elevated relative to a central section to support the patient in multiple positions. A removable pad may be placed over the insert. An end portion for padding the hip of the patient is thicker than an end portion for padding the head/neck of the patient.
Inventors: Kenneth F. DeFreitas (Patterson, N.Y.), Ian Shaw (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.), Kathy Pickett (Uncasville, Conn.), Aaron Fand (Bethel, Conn.), Agnes Mercurio (Longpond, Penn.), Linda Volpe (Narragansett, R.I.), Kelly Farmer (Powhatan, Va.), Darrin Manke (North Andover, Mass.), Erin-Anne A. Lemieux (Milford, N.H.), Christopher Paul Loughnane (Nashua, N.H.), Christopher Labak (Brookline, N.H.)
Assignee: Hologic Inc. (Marlborough, Mass.)
May 16, 2017
Flavor pouch
Patent No. 9,643,773
A flavor pouch includes a porous covering that encloses a carrier having a flavorant. The carrier may be solid or particulate. Flavorants may be one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, ginger, pepper extract, exotic flavors, ethnic flavors and the like. Where the carrier comprises a plurality of beads, the beads may have randomly dissolvable encapsulation to extend the time duration of flavor release. To use the flavor pouch, it is placed in the mouth and masticated or exposed to saliva to thereby release the flavorant.
Inventors: Bruce Neidle (Midlothian, Va.), Kenneth Newman (Prince George, Va.), William R. Sweeney (Richmond), Cynthia S. Hayes (Midlothian, Va.), Robert T. Mitten (Glen Allen, Va.), Danielle R. Crawford (Chester, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 9, 2017
Personal vaporizer with liquid supply by suction
Patent No. 9,642,397
A personal vaporizer including a pressure-induced liquid transport device that allows a user to draw liquid from a liquid reservoir through applying a suction force on the mouthpiece. The amount of liquid drawn is proportional to the pressure induced, and proportional to the amount of vaporization a user may desired.
Inventors: Wei Dai (Shanghai, China), Yongjie James Xu (Richmond)
Assignee: Westfield Limited (Ltd.) (Hong Kong, China)
May 9, 2017
Flavor system and method for making beverages
Patent No. 9,642,384
A method of making a flavored beverage includes combining water and a plurality of flavor compounds in an amount sufficient to impart the flavor of a wine, a whiskey or a beer. A kit for making a flavored beverage can include a plurality of flavor compounds, a quantity of yeast, a quantity of sugar and a container.
Inventors: Christian Schuh (Chesterfield, Va.), Jason Flora (Richmond), Gerd Kobal (Sandy Hook, Va.), Georgios D. Karles (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 9, 2017
Transgenic plants modified for reduced cadmium transport, derivative products, and related methods
Patent No. 9,644,206
Various embodiments are directed to transgenic plants, including transgenic tobacco plants and derivative seeds, genetically modified to impede the transport of Cadmium (Cd) from the root system to aerial portions of transgenic plants by reducing the expression levels of HMA-related transporters. Various embodiments are directed to transgenic tobacco plants genetically modified to stably express a RNAi construct encoding RNAi polynucleotides that enable the degradation of endogenous NtHMA RNA variants. Reduced expression of NtHMA transporters in transgenic plants results in substantially reduced content of Cadmium (Cd) in the leaf lamina. Various consumable products that are substantially free or substantially reduced in Cd content can be produced by incorporating leaves derived from transgenic tobacco plants modified to reduce the expression of NtHMA transporters.
Inventors: Chengalrayan Kudithipudi (Midlothian, Va.), Alec J. Hayes (Chesterfield, Va.), Rutger S. van der Hoeven (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 9, 2017
Composite flame barrier laminate for a thermal and acoustic insulation blanket
Patent No. 9,643,711
A multilayer laminate for use as a flame barrier in an aircraft comprising (i) a polymeric film layer capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 200 C for at least 10 min, (ii) an adhesive layer having an areal weight of from 2 to 40 gsm capable of activation at a temperature of from 75 to 200 degrees C., (iii) an inorganic refractory layer, and (iv) aramid paper comprising from 50 to 90 weight percent of aramid fibers and from 10 to 50 weight percent of meta-aramid binder wherein the inorganic refractory layer of (iii) comprises platelets in an amount of at least 85% by weight with a dry areal weight of 15 to 50 gsm and a residual moisture content of no greater than 10 percent by weight.
Inventors: Llewellyn Bentley Richardson III (Chesterfield, Va.), Dariusz Wlodzimierz Kawka (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: E I Du Pont De Nemours and Co. (Wilmington, Del.)
May 9, 2017
Mill-style blow molding wheel mechanism and method of manufacturing using the same
Patent No. 9,643,353
In one embodiment, an apparatus and a method of manufacturing a paperboard tray therewith is provided. In particular, a hub is configured to rotate about a shaft. On the hub, a plurality of first molds are formed in the hub. Conversely, a plurality of second molds are each disposed above each of the plurality of first molds respectively and rotate above the first molds. In this configuration, the plurality of second molds are configured to move in unison with the plurality of first molds as the hub and second molds rotate and to move orthogonally towards and then away from the first molds as the second molds rotate.
Inventors: Michael P. Wade (Chesterfield, Va.), Barry G. Calvert (Covington, Va.)
Assignee: WestRock MWV (Norcross, Ga.)
May 9, 2017
Game clip popularity based control
Patent No. 9,643,093
Example apparatus and methods concern managing the encoding and storing of game clips that are automatically generated to record video game highlights. Encoding game clips for smooth streaming using adaptive bit rates requires significant processing resources and storing the multiple bit rate encodings consumes significant storage. Therefore, example apparatus and methods compute a predicted popularity for a game clip based on user factors (e.g., status), video game factors (e.g., popularity), game clip factors (e.g., importance of event, uniqueness of event), or other factors. Predicted popularity may differ from actual popularity, therefore the popularity score may be recomputed using actual observations (e.g., number of views of the game clip). Additionally, actual observations may identify correlations between the factors used to predict popularity and the factors that actually determine popularity. Therefore, the prediction function may be dynamically updated to improve the prediction function and thus to improve the user experience.
Inventors: Jessica Zahn (Redmond, Wash.), Stephen Husak (Glen Allen, Va.), Alvin Chen (Bellevue, Wash.), Daniel Broekman (Bellevue, Wash.), Ramon Zarazua Borri (Redmond, Wash.)
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing (Redmond, Wash.)
May 9, 2017
Concepts for sorting items using a display
Patent No. 9,646,369
Concepts for presenting display features to a user of a system which comprises a display, an acquisition device, and a controller system. In various embodiments, the acquisition device is configured to capture image data of one or more items moving along a conveying mechanism and read item identifiers associated with each item. The system then associates or identifies display features with each item identifier and presents the captured image data with the display features presented on or near the image data of the items.
Inventors: David Ray Salzman (Montville, N.J.), Paul Augustine Loubriel (Ossining, N.Y.), Jonathan Gray (Bridgewater, N.J.), William D. Hess (Salisbury Mills, N.Y.), Devang R. Vaidya (Warren, N.J.), Carl M. Skonberg (Wyckoff, N.J.), Scott Alan Loverich (Westwood, N.J.), Duane Anderson (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: United Parcel Service of America Inc. (Atlanta, Ga.)
May 9, 2017
Systems, methods, and computer program products for implementing a precision rate structure across one or more geographical areas
Patent No. 9,646,282
Various embodiments provide a rate structuring system for determining a rate adjustment for at least one service point within a geographical area. In certain embodiments, the system comprises one or more computer processors configured to: receive service point data comprising one or more real-time observed characteristics associated with delivery of at least one package to one or more of said at least one service points within said geographical area; retrieve rate data; calculate at least one of cost data and profit data for each service point associated with said received service point data; compare said calculated cost/profit data against one or more parameters; and in response to at least a portion of said calculated data differing from said one or more parameters, generate rate adjustment instructions, said instructions being configured for implementation of an adjustment to said rate data. Associated computer program products and computer implemented methods are also provided.
Inventors: Duane E. Anderson (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: United Parcel Service of America Inc. (Atlanta, Ga.)
May 9, 2017
Variable angle bone plate with semi-constrained articulating screw
Patent No. 9,642,652
In some embodiments, a cervical plate may include an elongate plate which bridges, during use, substantially adjacent vertebrae by anchoring the plate to the vertebrae. The cervical plate may include a plurality of openings extending through the elongate plate. The cervical plate may include plurality of bone fasteners. The bone fasteners may include a head and a shaft. The shaft may be positionable, during use, in the opening such that the shaft engages, during use, at least one of the vertebrae such that the bone fasteners couple the elongate plate to the vertebrae. The cervical plate may include a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism may, when activated, inhibit removal of at least one of the bone fasteners and inhibit movement of at least the shaft of the bone fastener in a lateral direction, while allowing movement of at least the shaft of the bone fastener along a substantially sagittal plane.
Inventors: Thomas N. Scioscia (Midlothian, Va.), Raymond J. Cloutier (Alachua, Fla.), Jason A. McAtamney (Gainesville, Fla.)
Assignee: Choice Spine (Knoxville, Tenn.)
May 9, 2017
Indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator
Patent No. 9,642,975
An indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator comprises a capillary tube adapted to form an aerosol when liquid material in the capillary tube is heated to volatilize at least some of the liquid material therein and a thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the capillary tube. The indirectly heated capillary aerosol generator provides substantially even and uniform heating across the heated length of the capillary tube.
Inventors: Marc D. Belcastro (Glen Allen, Va.), Jeffrey A. Swepston (Powhatan, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 9, 2017
Automatic price display control by emulation of electronic cash register price lookup
Patent No. 9,652,757
A system and method for distribution of product price and/or sales data in a retail establishment. Product price and/or sales data is stored locally in a central computer or master electronic cash register (ECR), or remotely at a master computer. The price data can be pushed from the master ECR to an ECR emulation hub. Similarly, the ECR emulation hub can request product price data from the master ECR, local or master computers. Once the product price data arrives at the ECR emulation hub, it can be processed and sent to a display located near the appropriate product. The ECR emulation hub can also record and/or transmit prices actually charged for products over time to allow for automatic auditing of promotional pricing offers. The ECR emulation hub acts like an ECR, thereby requiring no special software or hardware modifications to existing pricing display systems that already support ECRs.
Inventor: William R. Sweeney (Richmond)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Adhesive bonding composition and method of use
Patent No. 9,649,832
A polymerizable composition includes at least one monomer, a photoinitiator capable of initiating polymerization of the monomer when exposed to light, and a phosphor capable of producing light when exposed to radiation (typically X-rays). The material is particularly suitable for bonding components at ambient temperature in situations where the bond joint is not accessible to an external light source. An associated method includes: placing a polymerizable adhesive composition, including a photoinitiator and energy converting material, such as a down-converting phosphor, in contact with at least two components to be bonded to form an assembly; and, irradiating the assembly with radiation at a first wavelength, capable of conversion (down-conversion by the phosphor) to a second wavelength capable of activating the photoinitiator, to prepare items such as inkjet cartridges, wafer-to-wafer assemblies, semiconductors, integrated circuits, and the like.
Inventors: Zakaryae Fathi (Detroit, Mich.), James Clayton (Detroit, Mich.), Harold Walder (Detroit, Mich.), Fredric A. Bourke Jr. (Detroit, Mich.), Ian Stanton (Durham, N.C.), Jennifer Ayres (Raleigh, N.C.), Joshua T. Stecher (Durham, N.C.), Michael Therien (Durham, N.C.), Eric Toone (Durham, N.C.), Dave Gooden (Durham, N.C.), Mark Dewhirst (Durham, N.C.), Joseph A. Herbert (Richmond), Diane Fels (Morrisville, N.C.), Katherine S. Hansen (Davis, Calif.)
Assignee: Immunolight, LLC (Detroit, Mich.) and Duke University (Durham, N.C.)
May 16, 2017
Apparatus and methods for large particle ash separation from flue gas using screens having semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces
Patent No. 9,649,586
Apparatus for separating ash particles from a flue gas. The apparatus includes a screen that has a plurality of semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces. The semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces having holes through which said flue gas flows and through which the ash particles will not pass. The screen has a single layer for performing the separation in a manner such that the ash particles fall away from the screen and collect outside of the screen. A method of reducing velocity of a flue gas passing through screening apparatus for separating flue gas from ash particles. The method includes replacing a first screen of the screening apparatus with a second screen that has a plurality of semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces.
Inventors: Mark A. Buzanowski (Richmond), Richard B. Crawford (Richmond), Jake King (Powhatan, Va.), Iain Stuart Hall (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Integrated Global Services Inc. (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Induction of tumor hypoxia for cancer therapy
Patent No. 9,649,316
Methods and compositions for enhancing the ability of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents to kill tumor cells within solid tumors are provided. Local regions of hypoxia are created within a tumor, or within a region containing a tumor, resulting in enhanced activation of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents (e.g. tirapazamine) within the local region. The activated hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents kill tumor cells in the hypoxic region by catalyzing DNA stand breakage within the tumor cells. Because the activity is localized, side effects that typically occur as a result of systemic administration of bioreductive agents are reduced.
Inventors: Ruey-min Lee (Ambler, Penn.), Peck-sun Lin (Richmond)
Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
E-vaping device
Patent No. 9,648,908
An e-vaping device includes a first section capable of containing a liquid material. The first section includes a heater capable of vaporizing the liquid material, and a wick capable of drawing the liquid material to the heater. A male threaded connection with non-standard male threads is on one end of the first section. The e-vaping device also includes a second section with a power supply. The second section includes a female threaded connection on one end, where the female threaded connection includes female threads that mate with the non-standard male threads of the first section.
Inventors: Steve R. Rinehart (Chesterfield, Va.), Barry S. Smith (Hopewell, Va.), Charles Dendy (Richmond)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Virtual reality smoking system
Patent No. 9,648,907
A virtual or augmented reality smoking system is provided herein. A smoker using the system can experience a virtual reality of smoking by puffing on a cigarette shaped article and experiencing the taste or aroma from the article while simultaneously viewing a generated image of a burning cigarette and exhaled and sidestream smoke. Additionally, the room environment may be simulated to give the experience of smoking in a setting of the smoker’s choice (virtual reality) or the image of a burning cigarette and smoke may be superimposed on a live or natural image of the smoker’s environment (augmented reality).
Inventors: Gerd Kobal (Sandy Hook, Va.), Henry Dante (Midlothian, Va.), Rangaraj Sundar (Midlothian, Va.), Peter Lipowicz (Midlothian, Va.), William R. Sweeney (Richmond), Ashok Solanky (Mechanicsville, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Product portion enrobing machines and methods
Patent No. 9,648,904
An apparatus for enrobing a product portion can include at least one polymer spray head adapted to create at least one flow of polymeric fibers to produce at least one polymer enrobing zone and a conveyor system adapted to move at least one product portion from at least one position below at least one polymer enrobing zone and to at least one position above at least one polymer enrobing zone to drop each product portion through one or more polymer enrobing zones a plurality times at different orientations to enrobe each product portion with polymeric fibers.
Inventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll (Chester, Va.), Shannon Maxwell Black (Richmond), Yan Helen Sun (Midlothian, Va.), William J. Burke (Richmond), Robert Smith (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: Altria Client Services (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Oral moist smokeless tobacco products with net-structured gel coating and methods of making
Patent No. 9,648,903
Oral tobacco products having a gel-coating and methods for making are provided. The method includes (a) molding a portion of tobacco material to form a pre-portioned piece of tobacco material, the tobacco material comprising moist smokeless tobacco; (b) contacting the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material with a gel-coating solution to form a gel-coating comprising at least one polymer on an outer surface of the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material to form a gel-coated oral tobacco product, said gel-coating comprising an inner surface disposed around the pre-portioned piece of tobacco material and an outer surface; and (c) forming one ore more of perforations, uncoated areas and holes in the gel-coating of the oral tobacco product to form a gel-coated oral tobacco product.
Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra (Manakin Sabot, Va.), Shengsheng Liu (Richmond), William R. Sweeney (Richmond), Szu-Sung Yang (Midlothian, Va.), Dennis Geib (Richmond)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
May 16, 2017
Slot-coupled CW standing wave accelerating cavity
Patent No. 9,655,227
A slot-coupled CW standing wave multi-cell accelerating cavity. To achieve high efficiency graded beta acceleration, each cell in the multi-cell cavity may include different cell lengths. Alternatively, to achieve high efficiency with acceleration for particles with beta equal to 1, each cell in the multi-cell cavity may include the same cell design. Coupling between the cells is achieved with a plurality of axially aligned kidney-shaped slots on the wall between cells. The slot-coupling method makes the design very compact. The shape of the cell, including the slots and the cone, are optimized to maximize the power efficiency and minimize the peak power density on the surface. The slots are non-resonant, thereby enabling shorter slots and less power loss.
Inventors: Shaoheng Wang (Yorktown, Va.), Robert Rimmer (Yorktown, Va.), Haipeng Wang (Glen Allen)
Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates (Newport News, Va.)
May 16, 2017
System and method for strengthening a sloped structure such as a berm, basin, levee, embankment, or the like
Patent No. 9,649,673
Embodiments of the invention comprise a system for strengthening a sloped structure such as a berm, basin, levee, or embankment. The comprises first and second opposing sides, the second side being adjacent the sloped structure; a bottom side adjoining bottom edges of the first and second sides, thereby forming a cavity within the first, second, and bottom sides; fill material disposed within the cavity; an impermeable membrane encapsulating at least a portion of the fill material; and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed within the fill material.
Inventors: Carlton Dudding (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: AWT IP (Glen Allen, Va.)
May 16, 2017
Wall feed-through device
Patent No. 9,653,858
A connector assembly for transmitting electrical energy through a wall opening, including a horizontal generally-rectangular first connector housing arranged on one side of the wall with a collar portion of the first housing extending through the wall opening. The collar portion contains a plurality of horizontal parallel coplanar first through bores in which are mounted a plurality of electrically conductive spring contacts, respectively. A second connector housing arranged on the other side of the wall opening contains a recess receiving the collar portion, and a plurality of second bores extending collinearly opposite the first bores, respectively. An electrically conductive comb member includes a plurality of integral pin portions that extend from a common spine portion through the second bores and into the first bores for electrical engagement with the spring contacts, respectively, thereby to connect conductors arranged on opposite sides of the wall.
Inventors: Dirk Hanke (Lemgo, Germany), Johann Klippenstein (Oelde, Germany), Peter Stuckmann (Lage, Germany), Peter Walker (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GMBH & Co. KG (Germany)
May 16, 2017
Table for performing medical procedures
Patent No. 9,649,068
The table for performing breast biopsies is characterized by features that enhance patient comfort and facilitate performance of the biopsy. An opening in the table allowing the breast to extend below the table top is formed in a removable insert. An area of the insert includes padding. An alternate insert having a different diameter opening may be selected based on patient breast size. Another insert having an asymmetrical opening may accommodate the patient’s arm when it is desirable to position both the arm and breast of the patient below the table top. The table top is contoured such that symmetrical distal end sections are elevated relative to a central section to support the patient in multiple positions. A removable pad may be placed over the insert. An end portion for padding the hip of the patient is thicker than an end portion for padding the head/neck of the patient.
Inventors: Kenneth F. DeFreitas (Patterson, N.Y.), Ian Shaw (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.), Kathy Pickett (Uncasville, Conn.), Aaron Fand (Bethel, Conn.), Agnes Mercurio (Longpond, Penn.), Linda Volpe (Narragansett, R.I.), Kelly Farmer (Powhatan, Va.), Darrin Manke (North Andover, Mass.), Erin-Anne A. Lemieux (Milford, N.H.), Christopher Paul Loughnane (Nashua, N.H.), Christopher Labak (Brookline, N.H.)
Assignee: Hologic Inc. (Marlborough, Mass.)
May 16, 2017