Patents Issued in December 7, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170348567
    Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a face with a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a channel extending across a portion of the sole. The channel may be recessed from adjacent surfaces of the sole and have a depth of recession from the adjacent surfaces of the sole, wherein the channel comprises a center portion extending across a center of the sole, a heel portion extending from a heel end of the center portion toward the heel, and a toe portion extending from a toe end of the center portion toward the toe, wherein the width and the depth of the center portion of the channel are substantially constant, and wherein the depth of the channel is greater at the heel and toe portions than at the center portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua M. Boggs, Eric A. Larson, Andrew G.v. Oldknow, Michael T. Prichard, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Robert M. Boyd
  • Publication number: 20170348568
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion having a first interior cavity portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, a rear portion, a front portion having a face portion, and a second interior cavity portion having an elastic polymer material. The body portion may include a plurality of ports located on the bottom portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Publication number: 20170348569
    Abstract: The present invention is direct to a set of golf clubs comprising long irons, mid-irons and short irons. The invention contemplates the use of titanium or steel for the main body portion and significant tungsten weight members coupled to at least the toe via a mechanical fastener inserted through the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ryan J. A. Ritchie, Marni Ines, Jonathan Hebreo, Michael E. Franz
  • Publication number: 20170348570
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion with a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a back portion, and a front portion. The golf club head may include an interior cavity. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Michael R. Nicolette, Bradley D. Schweigert
  • Publication number: 20170348571
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion with a face portion, a toe portion, a top portion, a sole portion, and a back portion. The golf club head may include an interior cavity. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Michael R. Nicolette, Bradley D. Schweigert
  • Publication number: 20170348572
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion with a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a rear portion, and a front portion having a face portion with a face portion thickness extending between a front surface and a back surface. The body portion may be associated with a body portion volume. The golf club head may also include an interior cavity. The interior cavity may include an elastic polymer material. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Michael R. Nicolette, Bradley D. Schweigert
  • Publication number: 20170348573
    Abstract: The present invention relates to changing three aspects of table tennis rackets. Table tennis racket rubber components of this invention are crossly inserted between racket handle small side board and bottom board. The racket handle is increased from the current three layers to five-layer structure; The material of the racket handle is changed, and the rubber elastic layer is added. The handle of the racket is composed of wood and rubber, forming a flexible racket handle; It adopts rubber (or soft material) safety device to cover the exposed part of the racket bottom board, reduces the friction between the palm and the bottom plate, and enhances comfort; The invention improves the safety, comfort and controllability of racket handle and accelerates the speed, improves the accuracy of table tennis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: JIEBAO ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20170348574
    Abstract: An athletic coaching method and jersey system are provided. The method utilizes jerseys with securing elements attached thereto. Number panels having specific player numbers are secured to the jerseys for use during practice. Scout team players wear the jerseys during practice. Each scout team player has a different number to represent the jersey number of a player on an opposing team in an upcoming game. The method allows coaches to more realistically simulate a game against an opposing team in practice. When the opposing team changes for the next game, each scout team player can continue to wear the same jersey but change the jersey number by switching number panels to represent a different player on the team of the next opponent. Thus, jersey numbers can be changed so that a game can be simulated for any opponent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Trent S. Massey, Lawrence Gustin Smith
  • Publication number: 20170348575
    Abstract: A training bat assembly for improving a user's swing of a baseball bat is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a bat portion and a plug or cap portion, where the plug or cap portion is configured to mate with a distal end of the bat portion. For example, the bat may include a circular opening, and the plug may include a circular rod that is configured to fit within the opening. Alternatively, a cap with a circular opening can be used, where the cap is configured to fit over a distal end of the bat. By mating the plug or cap with the bat, and swinging the bat from a first position to a second position, the plug or cap is propelled from the bat, where the resulting location of the plug or cap can be used to determine the correctness of the user's swing was.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Riley R. Umbrell
  • Publication number: 20170348576
    Abstract: A fluid-filled punching bag assembly includes an inflatable bag and a sensor assembly cooperable with the inflatable bag. The sensor assembly includes an impact sensor that is configured to detect impact with the inflatable bag. A processor communicating with the sensor assembly is programmed to process sensor data from the impact sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Jason Pajonk-Taylor
  • Publication number: 20170348577
    Abstract: A striking training device is provided, including: a support body, having a seat end and an assembling end which are located along a first direction, the assembling end including an assembling mechanism; a hit mechanism, including a first hit member and at least one second hit member, the first hit member including a first mounting structure, each said second hit member including a second mounting structure, the first mounting structure being detachably assembled with the assembling mechanism positionably, each said second hit member being pivoted to the assembling structure via the second mounting structure so that the second hit member being rotatable laterally relative to the first direction. Both or one of the first hit member and the at least one second hit member are/is optionally assembled with the assembling structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: YI-LIN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20170348578
    Abstract: A portable cocking practice device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first shaft part having a hollow therein and having an opening at one end thereof, which is connected to the hollow; a second shaft part inserted and fixed into the hollow of the first shaft part through the opening of the first shaft part over the entire length or a part of the length thereof; and an rod withdrawing part received inside the second shaft part so as to withdraw a given rod out of the second shaft part by an uncocking operation of a golf swing, thereby improving a user's convenience and portability while increasing similarity to the actual golf swing and enabling a cocking practice according to each golf club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Jai Choon SIN
  • Publication number: 20170348579
    Abstract: A kit of pieces is provided comprising a buckle (1), a pair of braces and at least one elongate guide stick. The buckle comprises a first portion (2), a second portion (3), and a clamp portion (4). The first portion (2) is situated in front of the second portion (3) when the buckle (1) is in use. The clamp portion (4) is configured to clamp a first end of a belt against the second portion (3), and the first portion (2) is configured to clamp a second end of the belt against the second portion (3). Further, the first portion (2) comprises at least one groove (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Kati SCHWENDTKE
  • Publication number: 20170348580
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a system for monitoring a swing is provided that includes (1) a swing measurement device adapted to couple to a swinging object and to output a signal indicative of a characteristic of the swinging object; (2) a wireless transmitter coupled to the swing measurement device and adapted to wirelessly transmit the signal output by the swing measurement device; and (3) a wireless device adapted to receive the wirelessly transmitted signal and to provide information regarding the swinging object based on the received signal. The wireless device is a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA). Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Brian M. Dugan
  • Publication number: 20170348581
    Abstract: A portable putting mat with knobs on the sides to adjust particular sections of the surface. By varying the amount of slope between where the ball is hit and the hole, golfers will be able to practice on a more realistic surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Connor Muckler
  • Publication number: 20170348582
    Abstract: A ball supply apparatus includes: a housing coupled to the upper portion of the column structure, wherein a top portion of housing is partially opened, wherein the housing is divided by a partition into a ball storage portion and a ball discharge portion, wherein a bottom face of the ball storage portion is inclined downward toward the ball discharge portion, wherein a first opening is formed in a bottom of the ball discharge portion, and a second opening is formed in the partition at a lower portion thereof; a rotatable opening/closing plate rotatably coupled to the partition, wherein the rotatable opening/closing plate is configured to rotate to open/close the second opening; and a ball discharge tube rotatably coupled to the ball discharge portion at the first opening, wherein the ball discharge tube ball-communicates with the ball discharge portion via the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Byoung Koo CHO, Chang Suk HAN, Chang Hee CHUN
  • Publication number: 20170348583
    Abstract: The present application provides a wearable technology for enhancing kinesthetic performance. In some variants, a method and system thereof comprises circuitry detecting and responding to a signal of initialization from a human who is wearing a haptic garment by energizing haptic actuators adjacent separate respective body parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jennifer Amy DARMOUR, Robert Oliver Darmour
  • Publication number: 20170348584
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides athletic hand grips and methods of using the same. The hand grips may be provided in pairs and worn on both hands to protect the user's palms, in particular. The hand grips may be worn during various athletic activities, including weight lifting, CrossFit activities, and gymnastics, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Bear KompleX
    Inventors: Jacob A. Rhodes, Adrian N. Richie
  • Publication number: 20170348585
    Abstract: A sport board binding system includes a receiver configured to be secured to a deck of a sport board, a boot, and an intermediate locking member. The receiver defines a channel extending inward from a periphery of the receiver. The boot is configured to be worn by a user and includes an engagement mechanism. The intermediate locking member includes a lower head connected to an upper head by way of a neck with the lower head selectively housed within the channel of the receiver and the upper head selectively housed within the engagement mechanism of the boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Kendall SIERAKOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20170348586
    Abstract: A roller ski adapter system is disclosed. Said roller ski adapter system comprises a ski adapters, a skis, a poles and a brake lines. Said ski adapters comprises a front adapters and a rear adapters. Said poles comprises a shaft, a brake lever assembly, a first end, a second end and a grip. Said brake lever assembly comprises said brake lines, a lever and a cable guide. Said front adapters comprises a squeeze plate assembly, a trucks and a wheels. Said rear adapters comprises a braking system, a rear wheel assembly, a squeeze plate assembly, a trucks and a wheels. Said braking system comprises a braking bar, a brake line, a one or more spring assemblies, a splitter and a brake lines. Said one or more spring assemblies comprises a first end, a second end, a first bracket, a second bracket and a one or more braking bar fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Stanley Kent Davis, JR., Stanley Kent Davis, III
  • Publication number: 20170348587
    Abstract: A packing box for packaging of playing cards has, in an assembled state, a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with six faces including front and rear faces, right and left side faces, and top and bottom faces. The packing box includes cut lines in two locations at a predetermined interval in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped, and a central band in a portion defined by the cut lines provided in the two locations. The right and left side faces of the packing box can be removed along the cut lines such that side edges of the playing cards within the packing box are exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Yasushi SHIGETA
  • Publication number: 20170348588
    Abstract: A game apparatus and game methods of play that provide mental exercises to increase the level of abstract thinking to create 3-D objects from universally accepted 2-D flat patterns. Since we read and write on 2-D surfaces, the shapes we associate most with a 2-D environment are alphanumeric characters. Combining letters and numbers in a 3-D environment creates challenging exercises for visualizing 3-D shapes. The competitive games involve a series of 3-D manipulative modules. Play of the games involves scoring points for creating and/or discerning words made up of letters recognized from the 3-D manipulative modules. The games are for multiple players and can also be implemented electronically and online.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Dan G. DIMITRIU
  • Publication number: 20170348589
    Abstract: A projectile for launching through the air comprises a body and one or more projecting members integral therewith extending outwardly a distance from the body, which can be hollow or solid. The projectile is formed from an elastomeric material capable of being stretched to energize the projectile for launching. The projecting members are positioned a distance apart from one another and include openings disposed therethrough at distal ends for engaging sections of a launching device. The launching device includes a handle with the sections extending outwardly therefrom to accommodate placement of the projectile openings thereagainst for retaining the projectile before and during launch. The projectile is launched from the device by pulling the body away from the launching device to energize the projectile, and then releasing the energized projectile, causing it to be propelled from the launching device into the air and towards a desired target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Lee Ronald Loetz, Ami Nadav Shapiro, Leo Arzoomanian, Lawrence Temple Jones
  • Publication number: 20170348590
    Abstract: A multi-surfaced gear-based mechanical puzzle where the objective is to choose the proper sized gear and position on the surface(s) from available holes to have the gears align and rotate in unison on one or multiple surfaces, flat or curved, from a dictated start point to a dictated finish point. Challenges such as going from “a” point to “c” point directly or additionally through way point “c” are outlined in an accompanying instruction booklet. Additionally, challenges may be presented as using a specific number or specific size of gears, for example, to achieve the objective. In achieving the right combination of gear sizes and positions, the objective of going from one start point to a finish point by turning one gear to cause all other gears in the train to turn in unison can be accomplished. The puzzle and components may be made from wood, plastic, metal or a composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Stuart Patrick Alexander Reece
  • Publication number: 20170348591
    Abstract: A game apparatus may include a plurality of polygonal tiles. Each tile may include a set of indicia positioned adjacent each side of the tile, and each set of indicia may include at least one pip, and at least one non-pip. Each side of a tile may include an identical number of indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Nischal Murthy
  • Publication number: 20170348592
    Abstract: A body device of a gaming system includes a controller communication unit that acquires operation data including at least acceleration data from each of a plurality of controllers including acceleration sensors and a CPU that determines that a swing input has been performed on the basis of the acceleration data, for each of the controllers, and executes gaming processing on the basis of swing input determination. When it is determined that the swing input has been performed for one of the controllers and the other controller is in a swing state, the CPU determines that the swing input has been performed for the other controller at the same time as one controller and executes simultaneous swing gaming processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Wataru TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20170348593
    Abstract: A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. An optional display screen displays short text messages received through wireless communications with the wireless-compatible game console.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Barney, Denise Chapman Weston
  • Publication number: 20170348594
    Abstract: A device, system, and method uses universal serial bus (USB) signals to determine motion data. The method performed by a feedback controller includes receiving an input command from an input controller, the input command corresponding to a command entered by a user, the input controller utilizing a USB connection with the feedback controller. The method includes determining motion data corresponding to the input command, the motion data indicating a sensory action to be performed by a motion platform, the motion platform connected to the feedback controller. The method includes transmitting the motion data from the feedback controller to the motion platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Mirel Tudorel LAZAR
  • Publication number: 20170348595
    Abstract: A controller system is disclosed. The controller system contains a controller system housing, at least one user input device located on the controller system housing, and a radio frequency circuitry located at least partially within the controller system housing, wherein activating the at least one user input device causes the controller system to transmit one or more output signals to a portable electronic device using the radio frequency circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Dubinsky, Bob Del Principe
  • Publication number: 20170348596
    Abstract: In order to reduce influences of light from indoor lighting equipment or the like on the accuracy in detecting the position of an operating device, an operating device includes: left and right hold sections to be held by a user, each of which is provided with an operating member at an upper surface thereof; a central section which is a section between the left and right hold sections; and a light emitting surface adapted to emit light to be captured by an information processing apparatus through a camera, the light emitting surface provided at a front surface of the central section. The central section includes a portion which is located over the light emitting surface and is located on a more forward side than the light emitting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Takeshi IGARASHI, Masaho MORITA, Kazuyoshi ENOMOTO, Toshimasa AOKI
  • Publication number: 20170348597
    Abstract: A method for providing a game in which a plurality of missions is presented to a user device each time a certain period has elapsed from a server having a storage unit for storing user information relating to a plurality of users, includes the steps of generating a plurality of different missions for each of the plurality of users based on the user information stored in the storage unit, presenting a list of the generated missions for each of the users on the user device, and presenting an operational element for updating a mission included in the presented list to another mission regardless of the elapse of the period in accordance with the progress of presented missions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Gree, Inc.
    Inventor: Kentaro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20170348598
    Abstract: When a first swing input is determined to have been made in a first movement start-possible state, in which a first object is allowed to start moving, and when the first object is put into the first movement start-possible state within a predetermined time period after the first swing input is determined to have been made, the first object is started to move in a virtual space based on at least the first swing input; and when a second swing input is determined to have been made in a second movement start-possible state, in which a second object is allowed to start moving, and when the second object is put into the second movement start-possible state within a predetermined time period after the second swing input is determined to have been made, the second object is started to move based on at least the second swing input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jun ITO, Shintaro JIKUMARU
  • Publication number: 20170348599
    Abstract: Methods for allowing a user to participate and change outcome of an asynchronous game includes receiving an indication of an attack initiated by a second player on a first player's game base during game play. In response, a first social post is generated to inform friends of the first player of the attack and request assistance to defend the first player's game base. An acceptance to defend the first player's game base is detected from a third player at the first social post. In response, game replay of the attack by the second player is initiated and the third player is enabled to participate in the game replay and defend the game base of the first player. A second social post is generated to inform the first player and the friends of the first player of the third player's contribution in defending the first player's game base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Cameron McNeil, Jordan Maynard
  • Publication number: 20170348600
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable recording medium stores game program code instructions for a game in which a first user and a second user do battle, and when the game program code instructions are executed by a computer, the game program code instructions cause the computer to perform a data storage function of storing a first panel data that includes a plurality of panels associated with the first user to a storage unit; a control function of receiving information regarding a selection by the first user, the selection being for one or more panels indicating characters to be disposed in one or more divisions of a game display screen including a display region formed by the divisions; the data storage function further stores the panel associated with information of motion to the storage unit, and the control function transmits information for displaying the panel as a moving character according to the information of motion associated with the panel when the panel is disposed in a target division.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Hirohiko Atobe
  • Publication number: 20170348601
    Abstract: Techniques described herein enable administrative control features for hosted game applications. A user with appropriate credentials can override an administrator of a game application to control and view all aspects of a game session from a companion application operating on a remote computing device. The techniques disclosed herein enable a remote user with appropriate credentials to control and modify aspects of a game application or a game session. The features can include, but are not limited to, the ability to shape a 3D virtual environment, add players, remove players, modify possessions of players, call players to a beacon, modify attributes of an environment, locate items, and listen to player communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Michelle Lee Dauphiny, Jason Cahill
  • Publication number: 20170348602
    Abstract: A multiple component transition toy assembly for easing a child user's transition between various locations includes a portable component formed from a plush, stuffed body having an attachment member and a destination component formed from a rigid body having a retaining member. The portable component can be selectively coupled with the destination component because the attachment member is operative to form a releasable attachment with the retaining member. The portable component may be weighted to provide a grounding feeling to a child user. The transition toy assembly may include a wirelessly actuated sensory output device which causes the destination component to acknowledge the presence of the portable component through a sensory output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Laura Hoinsky
  • Publication number: 20170348603
    Abstract: A transforming flower doll may include a doll body. The doll body may include a torso with an interior cavity defined in at least a portion of the torso. A head may be connected to the torso. At least one flower may include a stem. The stem may include a stem distal end opposite the head of the doll body. The stem may further include a stem proximal end opposite the stem distal end. The stem proximal end may extend into the interior cavity of the doll body. A sleeve may be connected to the torso between the head of the doll body and the stem distal end of the at least one flower. The sleeve may be configured to substantially cover the doll body in a flower mode position. The sleeve may also be configured to leave the doll body substantially uncovered in a doll mode position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: John Paul Johnson, Chia Ling Dawn Yang
  • Publication number: 20170348604
    Abstract: An interlocking toy building block includes a first block body and a first magnet positioned therein a first distance from a first outer surface thereof to provide a first predetermined magnetic polarity to the first outer surface. When the first outer surface is brought into close proximity with a second outer surface of a second block body having a second magnet positioned a second distance therein and exhibiting a second predetermined magnetic polarity opposing the first predetermined magnetic polarity, the first outer surface is configured to mate with the second outer surface in an interlocking position. A potential magnetic force Fm between the pair of magnets is determined by the formulation: Fm=Fo e?rd where Fo is the initial force (i.e., no separation distance between magnets), and e?rd is the exponential function of the rate of decay “r” of the magnets and the distance “d” between the magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: HADALI TOYS, LLC
    Inventor: Igor Steven GARCIA
  • Publication number: 20170348605
    Abstract: A building toy and a method of building with it. The toy is designed to be constructed of a rigid and generally non-deformable material such as, but not limited to, wood and particularly hardwood, and is constructed in the fashion of a log-style building toy. The toy utilizes interconnecting notches in its construction, but provides for a variety of specialized pieces which allow for interconnection of parts where there is one notch but not another, as well as the ability to build roofs, floors, and specialty structures such as fireplaces through the use of specialized components. Further, the use of more strongly connecting components allows for stronger structures to be built.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Donohoe
  • Publication number: 20170348606
    Abstract: To entertain viewers more by adopting motions different from the conventional ones, there is provided an eyeglasses toy having an eyeglasses frame comprising a rim member and temple members, eyeball members fixed to the rim member and comprising spherical surface portions which project forwards from the rim member, rotational eyelid members which are provided rotatably so as to cover and expose the spherical surface portions of the eyeball members, biasing members which bias the rotational eyelid members in a direction in which the rotational eyelid members expose the spherical surface portions of the eyeball members, and operating members or strings which rotate the rotational eyelid members in a direction in which the rotational eyelid members cover the spherical surface portions of the eyeball members against biasing forces of the biasing members, wherein the strings have a chin locked portion which is locked on the chin of a wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Shinji Todokoro
  • Publication number: 20170348607
    Abstract: Processes and systems are provided to compress vapors produced in distillation and recover the heat of condensation through mechanical vapor compression and to derive mechanical and electrical energy from a combined heat and power system, while maintaining the plant's original ability to operate. The plant's existing distillation system, steam generation, and electrical demand determine the design basis for the retrofit system that is targeted at an optimized combination of energy usage, energy cost, and environmental impact. Mechanical vapor compression minimizes the total energy usage. Combined heat and power provides a means of converting energy between fuel, electricity, and thermal energy in a manner that best complements plant requirements and energy economics and minimizes inefficiencies and energy losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Lynn Allen CRAWFORD, William Bryan SCHAFER, III
  • Publication number: 20170348608
    Abstract: A system has a first plate heat exchanger at a first pressure to heat a fluid containing dissolved solids to form a heated fluid at a temperature below the boiling point of the fluid. A vaporization chamber is connected to the first plate heat exchanger. The vaporization chamber is at a second pressure below the first pressure. The vaporization chamber receives the heated fluid and produces a gaseous component substantially free of dissolved solids and a solids component. A compressor is connected to the vaporization chamber. The compressor receives the gaseous component and produces a fluidic output. The first plate heat exchanger has plates forming chambers. A manifold arrangement distributes an unprocessed fluid from the vaporization chamber to a first subset of the chambers and distributes the fluidic output from the compressor to a second subset of the chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Effluent Free Desalination Corp.
    Inventor: Michael John Lord
  • Publication number: 20170348609
    Abstract: A fluid contact tray (10) for a fractionation column (1), in particular a vapor-liquid contact tray suitable for the use in an offshore fractionation column, comprises: •a tray deck (12) comprising an active mass transfer surface (20) suitable for contacting two fluids (l, g) of different densities, wherein the active mass transfer surface (20) comprises one or more orifices (18) for the passage of a fluid/gas (g), and wherein at least two at least partially radially extending separation walls (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) and/or at least one separation weir (42) are arranged on the active mass transfer surface (20), which divides the active mass transfer surface (20) into at least two sections (24-1, 24-2, 24-3, 24-4), •an annular channel (26) suitable for collecting fluids/liquids (l), which is arranged at the peripheral area of the active mass transfer surface (20) and at least partially embraces the mass transfer surface (20), •a central downcomer (34) for collecting and discharging a fluid/liquid (l) from the
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Sulzer Chemtech Ag
    Inventors: Stephen Shields, Senthil Krishnamoorthy, Markus Duss
  • Publication number: 20170348610
    Abstract: A distribution chamber disclosed discharges a fraction which have been fractionally distilled in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The distribution chamber is removably connected to a distillation head such that between each fraction, the distribution head can be switched with another. Each such distribution head has a vertically extending drain and/or discharge port, or plurality thereof, to distribute a discharged fraction into a single flask, such port being at an acute angle to an intake port. In this manner, the discharge/drain port(s) can be vertically oriented and at a bottom side of the distribution chamber when the intake port is connected to the distillation head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Elliot Kremerman
  • Publication number: 20170348611
    Abstract: A distiller including an evaporator having at least one evaporation surface for evaporating liquid into vapor. At least one movable liquid applicator assembly has a wiper applicator which can move over the at least one evaporation surface, for wiping and applying a thin even film of the liquid on the at least one evaporation surface for evaporation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Publication number: 20170348612
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a seawater desalination system which improves energy efficiency by applying a heated cooling water discharged from a nuclear power plant and high-temperature steam generated in a nuclear reactor to seawater desalination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Chang Kun LEE, Hiehil LEE
  • Publication number: 20170348613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fractionating a feedstock into two or more fractions enriched with different components, and more particularly to a method for fractionating a feedstock into two or more fractions by a chromatographic sequential simulated moving bed (SMB) system, wherein the SMB system comprises a separation loop comprising at least 2 compartments; and wherein the method comprises a separation cycle comprising at least one feeding step, at least one circulating step and at least one eluting step; wherein the dissolved substances in the feedstock form a separation profile as they progress through the separation loop; and the separation profile is progressed more than once or less than once through the separation loop in each separation cycle; and wherein at least two flow paths are present in the separation loop during each feeding step of the separation cycle; and at least one of said flow paths is an active flow path and at least one of said flow paths is an inactive flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jyrki Airaksinen, Kari Laiho
  • Publication number: 20170348614
    Abstract: A molded body includes a shape memory material. The molded body has a three-dimensional surface structure which, in a permanent shape, at least in part has a superhydrophobic surface and/or a hydrophobic surface, on which water droplet contact angles of 120° to 150° are found.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Claudia Zeiger, Hendrik Hoelscher, Matthias Worgull, Maryna Kavalenka
  • Publication number: 20170348615
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing the energy needed to process stillage in an ethanol refining operation. The method involves adding to stillage an effective amount of at least one processing aid. The flocculant induces the separation of insoluble material that would otherwise remain suspended in water but which impose a high shear energy cost on the refining processes. This allows for the removal of insoluble material that would otherwise be overlooked but which increase energy costs. This allows for more efficient and effective separation and recovery of insoluble fractions of the concentrated thin stillage that would otherwise be overlooked and lost in the process. Loss of these valued fractions as a result of traditional processing techniques and those requiring extensive additional energy input results in the loss of high value co-products to low revenue process streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Nalco Company
    Inventors: John H. Collins, David W. Scheimann, Jason S. Van't Hul, Philip M. Eastin
  • Publication number: 20170348616
    Abstract: Provided is a device which is capable of ongoing measurement of variable foaming tendencies in a fluid system and provide a signal to regulate the feed rate of defoamer accordingly to maintain foaming at an acceptable target level. The regulation of feed can be accomplished automatically or manually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Kisty