Patents Issued in December 30, 2010
  • Publication number: 20100325916
    Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Edward Nathaniel Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100325917
    Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper structure having a heel portion and a forefoot portion and a plate attached to a bottom surface of the upper structure. A sole structure is attached to the plate and includes a first portion associated with the heel portion and a second portion associated with the forefoot portion. The first portion includes a wall formation having a continuous structure with a series of peaks disposed proximate to and in contact with the plate and a series of valleys cooperating with the peaks to define a plurality of pockets formed through the wall formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: William J. Cass, Peeramet Simpliphant, Daniel A. Williamson
  • Publication number: 20100325918
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole and a collapsible upper attached to sole. The collapsible upper includes a first portion and a second portion which is below the first portion and extends from the sole to the first portion. Further, the collapsible upper also includes a seam which is positioned above the sole and is not in contact the sole. The seam joins substantially the entire perimeter of the first portion with substantially the perimeter of the second portion. Additionally, when the upper is in a collapsed state, the seam becomes the widest points of the article of footwear and defines the perimeter of the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE USA, Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100325919
    Abstract: Footwear includes a support member having an upper surface attachable to a foot, and two bulbous protuberances, a forward bulbous protuberance and rearward bulbous protuberance. Each of the protuberances has a curved outer contour, and protrudes from a lower surface of the support member on opposite sides of a latitudinal midline thereof, the latitudinal midline being halfway between a calcaneus support portion and a phalanges support portion of the support member. The forward bulbous protuberance is positioned medially offset with respect to a longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Avi Elbaz, Amit Mor
  • Publication number: 20100325920
    Abstract: A rowing shoe (1) of adjustable length has a shell (2) divided into heel- and toe-sections (4, 9) carried by parts (6, 7) of an elongate chassis (5). The chassis-part (7) carrying the toe-section (9) slides on a head (21) of chassis-part 6 which is fixed to the foot-stretcher of the boat. A lever (30) pivoted on the chassis-part (7) projects forwardly from the toe-section (9) and has a slotted projection (29) engaged with one of a series of teeth (31) of the head (21) to restrain sliding of chassis-part (7). Depression of lever (30) releases the restraint by lifting projection (29) clear of the teeth (31), so allowing length-adjustment of the shoe (1) to a size indicated through a window (3) on an extension (24) of a plate (23) carried with the chassis-part (7). Release of the lever (30) allows the projection (29) to engage a tooth (31) and hold the adjusted size, urged by pressure of the rower's foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: John Frayn EWANS
  • Publication number: 20100325921
    Abstract: An environmental-protection shoe sole made of complete recycled shoes is provided, which uses recycled used shoes as a primary constituent of the raw material thereof, which used shoes, after being processed to remove metal accessories mounted inside and outside the shoes, are subjected to shredding pulverization by a shredding pulverization machine and are then subjected to application steam for high temperature heating for deodorization and drying to form tiny pieces of recycled raw material, which can be used as a raw material for making shoe soles. This raw material is further mixed with a base rubber and a suitable amount of curing additives, activation prompting agents, and filling agents to form a moldable shoe sole raw material, which is put into a mold and heated and pressurized for curing and shaping, so as to realize total recycling of complete used shoes for pollution-free manufacturing of shoe soles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: HAN-CHING WU
  • Publication number: 20100325922
    Abstract: A shoe protector as presented herein can be used to protect a shoe from damage caused when performing skateboarding tricks such as an ollie. The shoe protector includes a main body section shaped and sized to cover a portion of a shoe, the main body section having a tab formed in its upper section. The shoe protector also includes a plurality of shoelace holes formed in the tab, the shoelace holes being sized, shaped, and spaced apart to accommodate a shoelace pattern of the shoe, and an outer flap coupled to the main body section. The outer flap covers the shoelace holes, and the outer flap has the same perimeter and outline as an underlying portion of the tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Marcelo F. ESPOSITO, Mark M. TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20100325923
    Abstract: A portable lightweight card houses an electronic circuit that has an audio card enabling a customized audio message to be recorded and selectively played back. An independent power supply in the form of a replaceable battery is positioned in a compartment that can be accessed from exterior of the housing, thereby extending message availability for play back indefinitely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Linda Dial
  • Publication number: 20100325924
    Abstract: A gift card package that allows an individual to present a greeting card and a gift to recipient at the same time. Also provided is a greeting card and gift that a recipient will want to collect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Mark V. Aletto, Richard J. Mackey
  • Publication number: 20100325925
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hot air outdoor advertising structure comprising an envelope (1) having at least one substantially flat surface and an opening for hot air supply in its lower part. The envelope (1) is secured to the ground by means at least two fixing ropes (8) and comprise at least one joining rope (7) having ends connected inside to the opposite side walls of the envelope (1), and at least four carrying ropes (6), having upper ends connected from inside to the upper wall of the envelope (1) and lower ends connected with at least one elastic coupler (5) being connected by means of at least four intermediate ropes (4) with a hot air supply device (2, 15, 17). The hot air supply device is preferably a basket (3) suspended to the intermediate ropes (4) and connected to a heating device placed on the ground. A source of light may be preferably installed in the interior of the envelope (1) and/or a projection screen sheet may be attached to the envelope (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Krysztof Maj
  • Publication number: 20100325926
    Abstract: The invention relates to a marking device for identifying and marking an animal that is connected by a non-reversible engagement: a male portion (2) including a rod extending from a holder (10); and a female portion (5) including a cavity for interaction with a rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Hilpert, Emmanuel Lemaire
  • Publication number: 20100325927
    Abstract: A collapsible fabric display system 10 comprises a frame 12 and a fabric membrane 14 adapted for securement to the frame 12, which includes a hollow tubular spine 16 and a pair of opposed fabric spreaders 18, 20 attached to the spine 16—the spreader 18 being located within the spine 16. The spreaders 18, 20 are movable along the spine 16 under urging of a spreader drive mechanism 30 between a retracted condition of the frame 12 in which the spreaders 18, 20 are located proximate one another, and an extended condition of the frame 12 (illustrated) in which the spreaders 18, 20 are remote from one another. The spreaders 18, 20 each comprise a hub mounted on the spine and a plurality of spreader ribs pivotably connected to each hub, made up of a set of internal ribs 22 and a set of external ribs 24. The free ends of the ribs 22, 24 are adapted for connection to the fabric 14 in use and the use of two sets of three ribs 22, 24 give the display 10 an A-frame configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: SUNSMART PRODUCTS (PTY) LTD
    Inventors: Ralph Hilton Thorpe, John Walter Bailey
  • Publication number: 20100325928
    Abstract: Improved labels are disclosed for containers of the type defined at least in part by at least one sidewall having an outer surface. The outer surface has at least one label thereon, the label comprising a first writing surface defined by a plurality of individual writing areas arranged in an array characterized in that adjacent writing areas are at least substantially isolated from each other by an intermediate space, and a second writing surface in the intermediate space. The second writing surface is vertically recessed relative to the first writing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Tom Moulton, Jim Happ, Linda Newman, Venus Happ
  • Publication number: 20100325929
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for assisting rescue personnel attending a residential building having an entry way and residents living therein. The system includes an information kiosk mountable to a wall inside the building. The kiosk has a base portion mountable to the wall and a decorative picture frame mounted to the base portion. The kiosk further includes an information sheet mounted between the picture frame and the base portion, the information sheet containing a plurality of fields for recording information about the residential building and the residence there in. The system also includes a reflective sticker mountable on an outside surface of the building, said reflective sticker having indicia indicating that the kiosk is mounted to a wall inside the building adjacent the entry way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Andre Favron
  • Publication number: 20100325930
    Abstract: An adhesive frame includes a clear flexible sheet member with an optional printed ink layer disposed on a border of a first side of the clear flexible sheet member. A semi-permanent adhesive layer is disposed on a second side of the clear flexible sheet member at the border of the clear flexible sheet member. No adhesive is disposed in the middle of the adhesive frame, either through using a patterned adhesive or through use of a liner. Such adhesive frames allow for quick and easy mounting of visual media on nearly any surface. Media can be quickly removed and replaced from underneath the adhesive frame because of the lack of adhesive in the middle portion of the adhesive frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Reel Life DVD, LLC
    Inventor: Valarie Moody
  • Publication number: 20100325931
    Abstract: Handheld weapons using tactile feedback to deliver silent status information are described. One embodiment comprises a handheld weapon comprising: a housing comprising a user contactable region, a tactile element coupled to the user contactable region, and an actuator coupled to the tactile element and capable of outputting a haptic sensation localized to the tactile element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Louis B. Rosenberg
  • Publication number: 20100325932
    Abstract: A trigger safety for a firearm having a frame and slide. The safety includes a safety assembly frame mountable within the firearm frame. The safety also includes at least one actuator operatively attached to the safety assembly frame, the actuator being capable of selectively moving the safety assembly frame between a first position and a second position. The assembly frame also has an abutment surface. In the first position the abutment surface contacts a trigger bar of the firearm preventing movement of the trigger and discharge of the firearm while allowing the slide to be cycled and in the second position the abutment surface is not in contact with the trigger bar and the firearm can be discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH & WESSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: GARY E. ZUKOWSKI, Sean O'Clair, Brett Curry
  • Publication number: 20100325933
    Abstract: A multifunction tool kit for firearm maintenance has a main tool body having one or more facilities for connection of various tool components. The present invention may include a first tool component having an attachment facility adapted to removably connect to one of the facilities for connection of the main tool body. At least one of the opposing ends of the first tool component may terminate in a feature adapted to fit one or more components on a firearm. A feature may be exposed and extend outwards from the opposing sides of the main tool body when the first tool component is connected to the main tool body. The invention may also include additional tool components, such as a thread protector, an alignment gauge having a grease pot with grease cap, a throat erosion gauge, a spacer with pin punch, a stock liner tool, a muzzle wear gauge, and a handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: George Huang
  • Publication number: 20100325934
    Abstract: A gun aiming device includes a base body, an aimer, a first and second rotating adjuster and an elastic blade. The positioning base body has a through hole. The aimer installs in the through hole. A first plane disposes on the aimer's one side. A second plane disposes on a side of the aimer perpendicular to the first plane. The first rotating adjuster penetrates the positioning base body's one side and the first rotating adjuster's distal end abuts against the first plane. The second rotating adjuster penetrates the positioning base body's one side and the second rotating adjuster's distal end abuts against the second plane. The elastic blade disposes in the through hole and the elastic blade's distal end abuts against the aimer. The elastic blade locates on a side corresponding to the first and second rotating adjusters to jointly achieve three-point supporting and positioning of the aimer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: CHIN-CHI LIU
  • Publication number: 20100325935
    Abstract: A fishing tackle for stowage of a fishing line is adapted to be mounted to a fishing rod. The fishing tackle includes a bracket having a holding portion for abutting against the fishing rod, a guide rod having a distal end fastened to the bracket, a spool around which the fishing line is windable and which is rotatably mounted to the guide rod, and a retainer pivotally connected to the bracket. The retainer has a retaining portion for pushing the fishing rod to be firmly urged against the holding portion of the bracket such that the fishing tackle can be mounted to the fishing rod by holding the fishing rod between the holding portion of the bracket and the retaining portion of the retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: DONGSHAN OKEY METAL & PLASTIC PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei-Hsiung Chen
  • Publication number: 20100325936
    Abstract: A lure skirt which comprises a two piece central unit of a first component of a first collar and a raised male hub where the raised male hub has an orifice at its center and a second component of a second collar and a raised female hub where the raised female hub has an orifice at its center and is sized to accept the male hub. Multiple individual strands or multiple block strands are secured to either the first collar or the second collar or both the first and second collars by an adhesive. The male hub is affixed inside said female hub and multiple strands radiate out from the central unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Daryl W. Greene, Van Truong
  • Publication number: 20100325937
    Abstract: A bait assembly for fishing, e.g. leisure fishing, is described. The bait assembly comprises a hook coupled to a rearward end of a line. A bait body is slideably or detachably mounted with respect to the line so that in normal use a flexible section of the line extends into the bait body. The bait body may comprise an artificial lure, or may comprises a skewer onto which dead bait may be mounted. A retaining mechanism is arranged between the bait body and the line to bias the bait body in a forward position on the line relative to the hook. Thus when a pulling force is applied between the bait body and the line which overcomes the biasing action of the retaining mechanism, the bait body is operable to move backwards with respect to the line (e.g. by sliding or breaking free), thereby causing a relative forward translational movement of the hook with respect to the bait body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Webb
  • Publication number: 20100325938
    Abstract: A bait bag and hook combination is provided for use in fishing. The bait bag and hook combination includes a bag that is fixedly mounted on the hook in such a way that the bag does not hinder the hooks ability to impale game fish. The bag includes an easy-opening and re-closing apparatus for efficient refilling of the bag. In addition, the bag is made up of material that is durable enough to withstand the underwater environment, but is also permeable enough to release the scent of the bait contained inside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Michael A. Gillihan
  • Publication number: 20100325939
    Abstract: A line fastening device (100), capable of irreversibly attaching to a line, without tying any knots. The device comprises of a line enclosure (104) and an elongated member (102). The elongated member (102) provides a structure to which a line (308) may be wrapped around. The line enclosure (104) is comprised of an interior retaining structure (106) and exterior guard (110). The opening of the line enclosure (112) is defined by the space between the interior retaining structure (106) and exterior guard (110). This opening (112) allows a line (308) to pass inside of the line enclosure (104) without access to either ends of the line. When a line (308), that has been wrapped around the line itself and the elongated member (102), is pulled through the line enclosure's opening (104) and past the end of the retaining structure (108), the line (308) will be unable to exit the line enclosure (104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Ryan Christopher Frayne
  • Publication number: 20100325940
    Abstract: A refillable bait station for pest control includes a housing, a bait receptacle operable for insertion into said housing. and a releasable latching mechanism associated with said housing and operable for releasably securing said bait receptacle within said housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Alan E. Pryor, Timothy D. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20100325941
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for pest control; and to the use of said apparatus for pest control. The apparatus comprises a hollow station forming at least one entrance for the pests to be controlled; a pheromone of a pest to be controlled; and a contact pesticide for the pests to be controlled, said contact pesticide being provided inside said hollow station, and the hollow station being designed to prevent the pests from remaining within said hollow station without expenditure of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventor: David G. Bolin
  • Publication number: 20100325942
    Abstract: A biofuel product comprises a slurry of pulverized combustible solid biomass material in a combustible liquid product of vegetable origin. In accordance with the invention, the product of vegetable origin is glycerol, and a mixture ratio between the glycerol and the pulverized solid biomass material is such, that the slurry at least upon heating to around 90° C. has a low viscosity and is pumpable.The glycerol utilized is obtained as a byproduct in the production of biodiesel fuel or soap, fatty acids, fatty alcohols or alkyl esters, and the pulverized combustible solid biomass material preferably is lignin powder, and/or wood powder and/or other pulverized vegetable solid biomass material, such as peat,and/or powder of carbon from vegetable material. The biofuel product may be used as a replacement for heavy fuel oil, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: KATAL I SVERIGE AB
    Inventors: Lars Eriksson, Borje Gevert
  • Publication number: 20100325943
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for hydrotreatment and/or hydroconversion of a feed of bio-renewable origin containing triglyceride and/or fatty acid structures and wherein the fatty chains contain in the range 8 to 25 carbon atoms, said process comprising the following steps: a) hydrotreatment and/or hydroconversion of said bio-renewable feed in an ebullated bed reactor in the presence of a granular catalyst comprising, on an amorphous support, at least one metal or compound of a metal having a hydrodehydrogenating function, to produce a first effluent; b) sending the effluent produced in step a) to a distillation zone from which a gaseous fraction and at least one distillate cut the end point of which is less than 400° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Thierry Chapus, Alain Quignard, Nathalie Dupassieux, Antoine Daudin
  • Publication number: 20100325944
    Abstract: The cetane number of middle distillate fuels may be increased using an additive composition including a polymer that may be a homopolymer or copolymer of olefins, and the like, where the polymer has a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 200,000 to about 5,000,000. The additive composition also includes a free radical initiator component, which may be an alkyl nitrate such as 2-ethylhexylnitrate (2-EHN), and/or a peroxide, such as t-butyl peroxide. In one non-limiting embodiment the amount of polymer in the additive composition is greater than the free radical initiator component. A solvent is also present, which the solvent may include alcohol, an alkyl substituted phenol and/or a heavy aromatic distillate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jianzhong Yang, Michael J. Zetlmeisl, Paul J. Biggerstaff
  • Publication number: 20100325945
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a combination of ethanol and water in an amount of water between 1 and 10 wt. % on the basis of the weight of the ethanol, in gasoline based motor fuel for keeping the internal and external environment of internal combustion engines cleaner then when using gasoline or ethanol-gasoline blends, having the same ethanol-gasoline ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Hans Keuken, Hendrik Cornelis de Jager
  • Publication number: 20100325946
    Abstract: [Problems] To provide a solid fuel which is usable as a substitute fuel for living trees, petroleum and so on. [Means for Solving Problems] A method of producing a solid fuel which comprises the first step of heating beer lees under agitation and the second step of heating and compression-molding the beer lees, which have been agitated in the first step, into the shape of the solid fuel, characterized in that the beer lees are heated while preventing carbonization in the second step. According to this method, it is possible to produce a wood fuel which satisfies the industrial standards, is eco-friendly, has stable qualities and enables easy flame regulation. Since the solid fuel can be obtained merely by agitating, heating and compressing beer lees, the production process can be simplified. Moreover, the evolution of fire sparks or eye-irritative smoke can be avoided. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a sensorily favorable solid fuel releasing a spicy savor of barley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Shinsuke Kuriyama
  • Publication number: 20100325947
    Abstract: The method is for controlling a sodium and sulphur balance of a pulp mill while separating lignin from black liquor. Lignin is precipitated by using an acid followed by filtration. The lignin filter cake thus obtained is re-suspended in acidic liquid and dewatered to form a second cake. The filtrate obtained after dewatering of the second cake is returned for washing and suspension of the first cake. Sodium sulphate-rich ESP (electrostatic precipitator) dust produced in the recovery boiler is used in the washing of the precipitated lignin cake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: LIGNOBOOST AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Ohman, Hans Theliander, Per Tomani, Peter Axegard
  • Publication number: 20100325948
    Abstract: Systems, methods and media for carbonation of fluid in an algae cultivation pond via the use of jets are disclosed. Carbon dioxide is provided to a pressurized fluid. A jet of carbonated fluid is generated from the pressurized fluid and the carbon dioxide. Circulation of the fluid in the algae cultivation pond is initiated via the jet of carbonated fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Mehran Parsheh, Jordan Smith, Stephen Strutner, Guido Radaelli
  • Publication number: 20100325949
    Abstract: A decorative apparatus engageable with a predetermined structure for supporting a vine like plant. The apparatus comprises a support member having a first predetermined shape, and each of a predetermined rigidity and a predetermined strength which are at least sufficient to support such vine like plant. The support member is engageable with and securable to such predetermined structure, such support member is disposed in one of a substantially horizontal plane, an arcuate plane and at a predetermined angular plane. There is at least one elongated member having a predetermined length engageable with and suspended from such support member for allowing such vine like plant to intertwine therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Edward Scott Carlson
  • Publication number: 20100325950
    Abstract: A plant support is assembled from a plurality of interchangeable parts that can be readily assembled together to form a complete plant assembly having a desired size, in either an open or closed configuration, and to readily permit disassembly for storage or reconfiguration of the support, The plant support may be made up of various horizontal and vertical members that are configured to readily attach and detach from one another in order to form supports in various shapes and sizes such as enclosures or trellis-type supports,
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Van M. Kassouni
  • Publication number: 20100325951
    Abstract: Root Orb displays and contains a plant or plants in an Organic Moss
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Renee Molina
    Inventor: Renee L. Molina
  • Publication number: 20100325952
    Abstract: Two designs for rooftop irrigation apparatus are provided. The apparatus employ sub-irrigation and wicking technology to nourish vegetation supported by the apparatus. The apparatus may be placed on outdoor surfaces such as roofs. The first apparatus comprises interlocking modules. The use of sub-irrigation technology enables the modules to sustain a wide variety of plant-life. In addition, the plants may be removed and replaced easily by other plants, including hydroponic plants and vegetables. The second apparatus is a tray that contains an array of wicked protrusions that may hold plant roots and nourish the plants through sub-irrigation. Both apparatus may utilize control systems to control the level of water underneath the vegetation. Excess water may be stored in an auxiliary tank for later use or discharged from the system to decrease apparatus load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: James Luke Young, Andrew Richard Camp
  • Publication number: 20100325953
    Abstract: A flowerpot comprises a box body and a spacer. The buckling sheets of the spacer are buckled to the buckling recesses of the box body; and the spacer is placed upon the projection sheets and the wall assembly; a lower space and rear side of the box body below the spacer is formed with a water collecting tank and the space of the upper front side of the box body above the spacer is formed with a planting tank. In use, the hook of the spacer and the hook portion of the box body is attached to one supporting rod of a frame assembly and the two protrusions are placed upon another supporting rod. The water draining opening guides water from an upper flowerpot to a lower flowerpot. The water absorption sheets installed in the spacer can guide water from the water collecting tank to the planting tank automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Hsiao-An Chang
  • Publication number: 20100325954
    Abstract: A gasifier includes a combustion chamber in which a combustible fuel is burned to produce a syngas and a particulated solid residue. A quench chamber having a liquid coolant is disposed downstream of the combustion chamber. A dip tube is disposed coupling the combustion chamber to the quench chamber. The syngas is directed from the combustion chamber to the quench chamber via the dip tube to contact the liquid coolant and produce a cooled syngas. A draft tube is disposed surrounding the dip tube such that an annular passage is formed between the draft tube and the dip tube. An asymmetric or symmetric baffle is disposed proximate to an exit path of the quench chamber. The cooled syngas is directed through the annular passage and impacted against the asymmetric or symmetric baffle so as to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas before the cooled syngas is directed through the exit path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Prashant Tiwari, Gregory Michael Laskowski, Judeth Brannon Corry, Helge Burghard Herwig Klockow, Allyson Joy Jimenez-Huyke, Shailesh Singh Bhaisora, Steven Craig Russell, Karl Hardcastle, Jennifer Lynn Moyer, Scott Reginald Parent, Yulianto Salahuddin Mohsin
  • Publication number: 20100325955
    Abstract: A gasification apparatus is provided which enables gas hydrate pellets to be transported and gasified in the same vessel and enables a gas to be generated by pellet decomposition in a controlled amount. The apparatus is free from bridging. The apparatus includes a heat-in-saluted vessel main body and, disposed therein, a tubular structure which is open at the top and bottom. This tubular structure holds therein gas hydrate pellets obtained by compression-molding a gas hydrate produced by the hydration reaction of a raw-material gas with raw-material water. The tubular structure becomes wider in diameter from the upper opening toward the lower opening. A channel for passing a heat carrier therethrough has been disposed between the lower end of the tubular structure and the inner bottom surface of the vessel main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Shigeru Watanabe, Shinji Imai, Kazuhiko Shinagawa
  • Publication number: 20100325956
    Abstract: A gasifier includes a combustion chamber in which a combustible fuel is burned to produce a syngas and a particulated solid residue. A cooling chamber having a liquid coolant is disposed downstream of the combustion chamber. A dip tube is disposed coupling the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber. The syngas is directed from the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber via the dip tube to contact the liquid coolant and produce a cooled syngas. An asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator is disposed proximate to an exit path of the cooling chamber and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Constantin Dinu, Judeth Brannon Corry, James Michael Storey, Denise Marie Rico, Richard L. Zhao
  • Publication number: 20100325957
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a gasification system component, such as a quench unit or scrubber may retain of pool of a cooling fluid for cooling another fluid. The gasification system component includes a flow damping mechanism designed to dampen flow of the cooling fluid, the other fluid, or both, within the gasification system component. The flow damping mechanism may be disposed in an inner chamber formed between a dip tube and a draft tube or disposed in an outer chamber formed between the walls of the gasification system component and the draft tube. The flow damping mechanism also may be disposed between the inner chamber and the outer chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Helge B. Klockow, James Michael Storey, Aaron John Avagliano, Guoqing Wang, Gary Dwayne Mandrusiak, Karl Hardcastle, Scott Parent, Prashant Tiwari, Gregory Laskowski, Judeth Brannon Corry, Constantin Dinu
  • Publication number: 20100325958
    Abstract: A method for processing pre-combustion syngas includes, in an exemplary embodiment, providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor having a plurality of micro-pores, channeling pre-combustion syngas along a first surface of the membrane contactor, channeling an amine based solvent along a second opposing surface of the membrane contactor, and contacting the solvent with the syngas such that the solvent and the syngas contact at gas-liquid interface areas, defined by the plurality of micro-pores in the membrane contactor, to separate CO2 from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO2 into the solvent to produce a solvent containing CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Jennifer Lynn Molaison
  • Publication number: 20100325959
    Abstract: A safety system for safeguarding a moving, guided motion element against unwanted collisions with an object located on a motion path in the direction of motion of the motion element is proposed, which safety system comprises an object-detection device for detecting an object in an area of the motion element. The object-detection device can be blocked with respect to object detection by a motion of the motion element, and has an electronic unit with which the motion of the motion element can be controlled and which is configured to assign a blocked state to the object-detection device when the motion element approaches, in which blocked state an object or motion element does not trigger a safety mode, wherein shut-off mechanism are provided which, when a shut-off signal coming from the motion element is detected, transfer at least part of the object-detection device into the blocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Cedes AG
    Inventors: Beat DE COI, Christian Signer, Markus Menzi, René Hug
  • Publication number: 20100325960
    Abstract: A first door corresponds to a first section of a vehicle and can open/close a first access to the first section. At least one barrier corresponds to a second door of the vehicle, where the second door corresponds to a second section and the at least one barrier can open/close a second access to the second section. The first section is connected to the second section to allow air to pass therebetween. A coupling between the first door and the at least one barrier operates the at least one barrier to open the corresponding second access in response to the first door being opened and operates the at least one barrier to close the corresponding second access in response to the first door being closed. The corresponding second access allows air to exit the first section and the second section as the first door is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: John Arthur McEwan
  • Publication number: 20100325961
    Abstract: An opening/closing mechanism for a cover of an imaging device includes a cover that is moved between a closed position and an inclined position in such a manner that the cover is inclined with respect to an outer housing of an imaging device, is moved in a straight line with respect to the outer housing, and has a pressing operation portion and an portion to be locked, a slide base that supports the cover slidably between the inclined position and the open position, and has a locking portion which is engaged with the portion to be locked to lock the cover at the open position, and a tilting base that supports the slide base tiltably between an initial position and a tilted position. When the cover is placed at the closed position, the slide base is placed at the initial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kusatsugu
  • Publication number: 20100325962
    Abstract: A carrier for connection of a window pane to a window lift of a motor vehicle comprises guiding claws spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of a guide rail of the window lift for guiding the carrier on the guide rail. The carrier includes a window pane holder for connecting the window pane with the carrier and an adjusting device for adjusting the position and/or orientation of the window pane with respect to the guide rail. To ensure an exact bearing of the window pane on an associated sealing contour on a motor vehicle body with simple constructive means, little mounting effort and few components, at least one guiding claw is adjustable in a direction vertical to the longitudinal extension of the guide rail or in longitudinal extension of the guide rail and vertical to the longitudinal extension of the guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus Hampel, Juergen Knorr, Erik Langmann, Michael Rattei
  • Publication number: 20100325963
    Abstract: A café door with a beam and a panel where the beam contains an oscillator and the beam is secured to the door panel and supported by a vertical surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Mueller Door Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Miller, Duer Miller
  • Publication number: 20100325964
    Abstract: A window operator mountable on the frame of window having a hinged movable sash including a drive assembly for positioning the movable sash and a separately installable drive shaft for operating the drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a drive chain coupled to the movable sash of the window that extends and retracts to position the movable sash. The drive assembly can be mounted to the frame first without the drive shaft. After the window is installed, the drive shaft can be then inserted into the drive assembly and used to extend and retract the drive chain and move the movable sash. The window operator includes a drive shaft retention assembly for receiving and retaining the drive shaft once the drive shaft is inserted into the drive assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Scot Berkley
  • Publication number: 20100325965
    Abstract: The present invention relates to drive assemblies, and particularly to drive belt and drive chain assemblies for operation of doors, gates or barriers. The invention provides a connection for a flexible toothed belt or similar, including a body having an internal recess with a shaping complementary to that of the toothed belt, configured to allow an end portion of the belt to be engaged therein in a direction transverse to the belt longitudinal direction, so to retain the belt against disengagement in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Ray Hawkins, Toan Dang