Patents Issued in March 22, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180078847
    Abstract: The gaming system and method of the present disclosure provide a Class II bingo game with a player-selectable wild spot feature. Generally, for a play of the Class II bingo game and for each player, the gaming system provides that player a bingo card and enables the player to affirmatively designate up to a designated quantity of spots of the bingo card as wild spots. The wild spots are guaranteed marks. The gaming system then draws bingo numbers until a game-winning pattern is marked on one of the players' bingo cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Gianpaulo Sorreta, Bradford Brown
  • Publication number: 20180078848
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are presented for competitive escape rooms. A first room has a predetermined method to accomplish a task within the first room. A second room has a same predetermined method to accomplish a same task within the second room as in a first room. A hardware controller device determines in which of a first room and a second room a task is completed first by one of a plurality of competing sets of users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: DALLIN HENRIE, ROBERT STRAIN
  • Publication number: 20180078849
    Abstract: Disclosed is a set of a plurality dice useful for playing a spelling game among multiple players and an exemplary method of playing the game. The plurality of dice is assembleable to form a dice block attractive for packaging. Typically, all of the dice are cube shaped and of the same dimensions. Each die of the set has each of its faces labeled with a character set consisting of one or more letters of the alphabet. The manner of play can be varied by altering the total number of individual dice in the dice set used for play, for example from 125 dice to 100 dice, by adding or removing dice specifically color-coded for that purpose. Thus the manner of play can be adjusted to alter the difficulty of play or the total time of play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Craig PYBUS, Mariyam PYBUS
  • Publication number: 20180078850
    Abstract: A compute device can receive a signal associated with a quantity of real-world activity (e.g., exercise) performed by a user. The compute device can define a quantity of virtual activity based, at least in part, on the quantity of real-world activity. The quantity of virtual activity can be different from the quantity of real-world activity. The compute device can send an indication of progress in a virtual world to an output device, for example, such that the user's progress is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Rally Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. KLASSEN, Marc Vincent RAYMOND, Horacio PEREZ, Daniel Lawrence STALEY
  • Publication number: 20180078851
    Abstract: An intelligent hardware interaction method includes: in the process of running a game application, performing, by a first client, data interaction with first intelligent hardware in wireless communication with the first client, wherein the first client logs into the game application with a first user account, and the game application displays information about the first intelligent hardware; and sending, by the first client, to a second client information generated by the data interaction between the first client and the first intelligent hardware, wherein the second client logs into the game application with a second user account having an association relationship with the first user account, wherein the information generated by the data interaction is sent to the second client based on the association relationship, such that the second client shares the information of the first client based on the data interaction with the first intelligent hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Sijin GUO, Zhihui JU, Jianing LV, Tao DENG, Qiuli HUANG
  • Publication number: 20180078852
    Abstract: A portable entertainment system is created from a base unit, a handheld controller, and a remote computing device. The base unit includes a universal docking system to receive the remote computing device and a controller dock to receive the handheld controller. Several electronic systems allow for multimedia inputs and outputs to be obtained through the base unit. The base unit also acts as an access point, thanks to Ethernet and wireless capabilities. The handheld controller has several ergonomic improvements, including finger grooves along a bottom portion and elliptical shaped rests that are better adapted to the natural contours of a person's finger. Improved triggers are also provided; a reverse trigger system allows users to easily slide their fingers along a lower trigger to an adjacent upper trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Franklin Maldonado
  • Publication number: 20180078853
    Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions for conducting a game on a gaming system having 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Barney, Denise Chapman Weston
  • Publication number: 20180078854
    Abstract: The electronic gaming machine (EGM) and methods of the present disclosure improve gaming technology and provide enhanced physical player interaction. In various embodiments, the EGM includes a display device configured to display 3D images to a player without requiring the player to wear 3D glasses, a player eye or head tracker configured to track movement of either the eyes or the head of the player, a player hand position locator configured to determine one or more positions of at least one of the player's hands in front of the display device, and a player tactile feedback provider configured to provide tactile feedback to at least one of the player's hands to provide enhanced physical player interaction in association with one or more plays of a primary or bonus game or other EGM functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus Achmueller, Stefan Keilwert, Thomas Waxman
  • Publication number: 20180078855
    Abstract: An example of an information processing system includes a plurality of game machines, a smartphone, and a server system. Game processing is performed in the game machines, and information based on the game processing is transmitted to the server system. The server system totalizes the information transmitted from the respective game machines, and transmits a totalization result to the smartphone. In the smartphone, the received totalization result is displayed on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Aya KYOGOKU, Kotaro HIROMATSU, Kazuyoshi SENSUI
  • Publication number: 20180078856
    Abstract: The present invention provides a program for a game in which characters operated by an electronic device and other electronic devices are placed in a common game field to play the game, the program causing the electronic device to execute receiving positions of the individual characters in the game field from a server; displaying a radar screen and icons; determining whether or not one of the icons has been touched; obtaining a touch termination position indicating a touched position that is detected just before a touch termination in a case where an icon has been touched and the touch has been terminated; determining whether the touch termination position falls within a predetermined range; and sending a sending request to the server in a case where the touch termination position falls within the predetermined range so that the server will send icon information to at least one of the other electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: CYGAMES, INC.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20180078857
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method of providing a timing game based on a touch. The present invention provides a user with an input indicator guiding a region which a user is to touch, separately from a timing indicator set formed of the plurality of timing indicators guiding touch timing, thereby enabling a user to visually confirm accurate touch timing indicated by the timing indicator set. Further, the present invention provides a fluid input indicator, as well as a touch indicator, thereby providing a new game progress method, which has not been provided in an existing touch-based timing game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Jin Young KIM
  • Publication number: 20180078858
    Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for manipulating an interactive gameplay of a mobile device in real-time based on a state of a physical environment in which the mobile device is located. Embodiments include receiving, from one or more sensor devices of the mobile device during an interactive gameplay of an application on the mobile device, data characteristic of operating conditions of the environment in which the mobile device is located. Once the application determines that data received from the sensors satisfies conditions configured on the application for each type of sensor device, embodiments determine whether to manipulate the interactive gameplay by querying a remote database for one or more gameplay effects corresponding to the data. Once a response identifying at least one gameplay effect associated with the data is received, embodiments manipulate the interactive gameplay based on the identified gameplay effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Nina CHAI, David FEDER, Thomas DEKEYSER, Alif KHALFAN
  • Publication number: 20180078859
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of verifying a computer readable file for use in a gaming machine, comprising reading at least one portion of the computer readable file and compressing the at least one file portion to reduce its file size into a compressed file portion. A compressed computer readable file is assembled using the compressed file portion and is then processed through a verification algorithm to verify that the compressed computer readable file is authorised for use in the gaming machine. A system for verifying a computer readable file for use in a gaming machine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Waruna Manchanayake, Bahee Gnanasundram
  • Publication number: 20180078860
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for performing a game by using an activity count. The method includes receiving a specific internet identifier that is input by a user, from a client (S100), acquiring an activity count of contents corresponding to the internet identifier (S200), converting the activity count to a game point in a specific game (S300), and allocating a specific game point to an account of the user according to an allocation weight condition in unit of a specific time (S400). Accordingly, because the monetary value of the activity count in the reality may be applied to the game point of the online game, a realistic game may be realized as the reality may be linked to the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Hoon Shung LEE
  • Publication number: 20180078861
    Abstract: A game server initiates a competition between two players. Each of the players is playing a single player computer implemented game. The competition lasts for a first period of the time. A game state is determined for each of the players at the start of the competition. Game performance information is provided from the device of each player during the first period of time. The game states and the game performance information is used to determine a relative game metric which is transmitted to the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Markus Borggren
  • Publication number: 20180078862
    Abstract: In one example, a gaming platform may use a variety of protocols to identify video game events for inclusion in a highlight reel. The gaming platform may store a highlight criterion for a video game to mark a highlight event in the video game. The gaming platform may play a video game session of the video game. The gaming platform may identify a video game event in the video game session that matches the highlight criterion. The gaming platform may trigger an application programming interface to mark the video game event as a highlight event for inclusion in a highlight reel presenting highlight events from the video game session. The gaming platform may present the video game session to a player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: John Schleicher
  • Publication number: 20180078863
    Abstract: A game system, comprising: a data processing system configured to execute program instructions allowing a user to engage in digital game play; a physical toy; and a detection device configured to detect a presence of the toy within a detection area of the detection device; wherein the toy comprises two or more identification elements each detectable by the detection device when the identification element is positioned within the detection area, wherein the toy is configured to allow a user to selectively position the toy with a user-selected subset of one or more of said identification elements within the detection area; and wherein the data processing system is configured to control said digital game play responsive to the detected subset of identification elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Jesper Carol NIELSEN, Bjarke PEDERSEN
  • Publication number: 20180078864
    Abstract: A trading card includes a main portion having any character of a plurality of characters represented on at least one surface and an electronic component for contactless communication, which is contained in the main portion. The electronic component includes a storage portion which stores data related to the character represented on the main portion and a circuit which writes data received from an external apparatus through contactless communication into the storage portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Satoshi KAWANABE, Kenko KAWAHARA, Hideaki KAMATA, Norio ASAKURA
  • Publication number: 20180078865
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a water slide system including an at least partly translucent or transparent slide tube which may be circumferentially closed and in which a slide surface that can be wetted with liquid extends in a slide direction. Lighting features that are visible from the interior of the slide tube are arranged on the outside of the slide tube in order to achieve optical effects in the interior of the slide tube. According to an aspect, the lighting features are pixels, for example LEDs, which are arranged in a matrix of at least one screen module. The screen module may be in the shape of a shell that extends on the outside of the slide tube and over a circumferential portion of the slide tube and which can be actuated in order to display movable two-dimensional or stereoscopic images, which may be curved in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Stefan KLARER
  • Publication number: 20180078866
    Abstract: This is a disclosure related to a device that is for the independent use by an infant or toddler for self-soothing and stimulation of the five senses. This device is designed for the natural needs of infants and toddlers; cognitively, psychologically, and physically. It consists of a small stuffed animal with differing traits and features such as ears and tail to create a variety of animals with a pacifier, teething surfaces and a clip attachment to secure to the child to prevent loss. Inherent in this device are a visually attractive soft animal body and face, a pacifier and teething surfaces with numerous textures, sounds and smells to fill the need to meet all the five sense. The integrity of the device is made to meet all safety standards for toys of the CPSC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: M SHARON ROGONE
  • Publication number: 20180078867
    Abstract: An improved toy vehicle is disclosed herein. The toy vehicle includes a plurality of different modules that may be removably coupled to one another to provide a variety of different toy vehicles. The modules include at least a steering module, a gearbox module, and a main body module. The main body module may house any number of elastic members configured to drive a drive axle disposed within the gearbox module. The size and construction of the main body module chosen to be used may dictate how fast and how far the modular toy vehicle is capable of traveling across a support surface. The gearbox module may further include a crank that enables the elastic members to be wound and an actuator that actuates the wound elastic members to drive the toy vehicle. Finally, the steering module may be configured to direct the modular toy vehicle in a desired direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Gustavo Ricardo FERREYRA, Michael FINIZZA, Julian R. PAYNE
  • Publication number: 20180078868
    Abstract: A toy vehicle system includes a toy vehicle, a remote-control transmitter and a control unit. The toy vehicle includes a drive with at least two drive motors and at least two roller elements. The roller elements are mutually independently driven rotationally about respective axes of rotation via the drive motors. The toy vehicle further includes at least one steering mechanism for adjusting the directions of orientation of the axes of rotation relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Input signals of the remote-control are fed into the control unit. The control unit generates output signals that act on the drive and the steering mechanism. In the operating method, the control unit carries out a computational driving simulation and generates therefrom control output signals such that the toy vehicle carries out a vehicle movement according to the computational driving simulation under the action of a virtual operating frictional force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Martin Mueller
  • Publication number: 20180078869
    Abstract: A toy vehicle track set according to present invention includes a first track portion, a second track portion, a base to which the first and second track portions are coupled, and a carriage. At least one of the first track portion and the second track portion is repositionable about the base with respect to the other track portion and the carriage is movably coupled to the base. The carriage is positionable proximate to the first track portion, the second track portion, or both the first and second track portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Paul SCHMID
  • Publication number: 20180078870
    Abstract: A transformer toy in a first and untransformed configuration receives a toy vehicle therein. The vehicle entering the first toy triggers the toy to transform into a robot, airplane, or other figure or structure capable of movement. As the toy transforms, it picks up the vehicle and positions it within the cockpit or other command center of the transformed toy such that a driver of the vehicle now appears to be commanding the transformed toy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: MGA Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn Nai-Tong Yu
  • Publication number: 20180078871
    Abstract: A method and system for cognitively controlling a mobile having mobile elements controllable by a mobile stimulation pattern. Sensor data is captured from sensors detecting reactions of a baby in proximity to the mobile to a first mobile stimulation pattern and audio/video data is captured from a video camera recording reactions of the baby in proximity to the mobile. The sensor data and the audio/video data are analyzed to determine the behavior of the baby in response to the first mobile stimulation pattern and the determined behavior is compared with expected behaviors of the baby using a machine learning algorithm to learn the baby's reactions to the first mobile stimulation pattern. A second mobile stimulation pattern is selected based on the learning of the baby's reactions to the first mobile stimulation pattern and the mobile is controlled based on the second mobile stimulation pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Roxana Monge Nunez, Clifford A. Pickover, Maja Vukovic, Edgar A. Zamora Duran
  • Publication number: 20180078872
    Abstract: In an example method, saline water is desalinated, and the desalinated water is directed to an aquifer. As the desalinated water is directed to the aquifer, kinetic energy associated with the desalinated water is converted into electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: William Riley
  • Publication number: 20180078873
    Abstract: The invention relates to a desalination plant for producing potable water. The desalination plant includes a housing unit that comprises a vapor producing chamber positioned within the housing unit, an inlet water pipe for delivering salt water, a fuel line, and a vapor producing wheel that includes an internal heating source, and a condenser unit positioned at the top of the housing unit for converting vapor to potable water. The inlet salt water pipe delivers salt water from a source into the housing unit and over the surface of the vapor producing chamber. The vapor producing chamber is rotatable around a central axis and when heated by the heat source produces vapor that is fed into the condenser. The condenser converts the vapor to potable water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: David Van Curen
  • Publication number: 20180078874
    Abstract: A system for extracting oil from plant material includes a gas moving device propelling a gas stream, the gas stream being a stream of air or gas with or without entrained vapor, solids or droplets of liquid therein. The gas stream is directed through an extraction chamber, which is operable to volatize at least a portion of an oil from a plant material such that the volatilized oil is disposed in the gas stream as an extracted oil. A collection chamber is in communication with the extraction chamber such that the gas stream flows through the collection chamber. The collection chamber has collection solvent operable to collect at least a portion of the extracted oil from the gas stream. A liquid collector is in fluid communication with the collection chamber for collecting at least a portion of the collection solvent and extracted oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: C. Russell Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180078875
    Abstract: A method for controlling fluid flowing through a chromatographic system includes determining a fluidic parameter related to density at a first fluidic location in the chromatographic system; and in response to the determined fluidic parameter, modifying a volumetric flow rate or a pressure at a second fluidic location in the chromatographic system to produce a selected mass flow rate of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Kurt D. Joudrey, Paul Keenan, Richard W. Andrews, Peyton C. Beals, Joshua A. Shreve
  • Publication number: 20180078876
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of purifying a protein of interest from a mixture which comprises the protein of interest and one or more contaminants, said method comprising: a) subjecting the mixture to a first chromatography matrix, wherein the protein of interest binds to the first chromatography matrix; b) contacting the first chromatography matrix with a first wash solution which has a pH of at least 9.0, and does not comprise arginine or an arginine derivative; and c) eluting the protein of interest from the first chromatography matrix into an elution solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Jue Wang, Neil E. Jaffe, Krina Patel
  • Publication number: 20180078877
    Abstract: A slurry chamber is fastened to and held in coaxial alignment with a chromatography column by a V-band. One end of the column has an end cap and frit. A slurry of fluid and chromatographic media is placed in the column and chamber. A piston is forced through the chamber and into the column by a hydraulic ram to expel the fluid and form a media bed in the column. The slurry chamber is removed, and a split end cap is fastened to the column. A threaded recess in the split end cap receives a split, threaded collet. The collet is tightened until it pushes against the piston with the same force as the ram, at which point the ram is released and the column removed for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Peter C. Rahn, Romaine R. Maiefski, Tivadar Farkas, Emmet E. Welch
  • Publication number: 20180078878
    Abstract: A system and process for recycling machining waste into a solid/scrap material component and a recyclable machining coolant. The system and process comprise collecting the waste machining waste and mechanically separating the machining waste into a solid/scrap material component and a machining waste liquid component. The machining waste liquid component is decanted to separate oils and solids from the recyclable machining coolant. The machine recyclable machining coolant is then filtered through at least a first filter and preferably a second, finer mesh filter. The recyclable machining coolant is then exposed to UV light to kill bacteria and microorganisms. Lastly, ultrapure water is added to dilute the recyclable machining coolant and form the recycled machining coolant. If desired, a virgin machining coolant can be added to the recycled machining coolant, to replenish any additive(s) stripped during the recycling process, prior to resale of the recycled machining coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Donald Edward BIGOS, II
  • Publication number: 20180078879
    Abstract: A filtration device comprising a media basket, a baseplate, and a canister. The media basket is affixed to the baseplate. The canister has a cavity therein and is detachably coupled with the baseplate to enclose the media basket. The media basket contains a porous filtration material that efficiently removes contaminants from liquid. The device is configured to establish a first siphon to convey liquid from outside the device into the canister cavity through a canister pipe when a liquid level outside the filtration device is higher than the top of the weir in the canister pipe and configured to establish a second siphon to convey liquid from canister cavity through the top of a center riser pipe and out an outlet pipe when the first siphon has been established and the liquid level outside the filtration device is higher than the top of the center riser pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Jeff Mason
  • Publication number: 20180078880
    Abstract: A system and method for recycling gas in a backwash process is provided. The backwash process removes contaminants from a bed of filtration media. The method includes generating a mixed liquid-gas stream from the backwash process, withdrawing the mixed liquid-gas stream from the backwash process, separating the mixed liquid-gas stream into a liquid and a gas, and recycling at least a portion of the separated gas to the backwash process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Stuart J. Munson
  • Publication number: 20180078881
    Abstract: In an injection-molded mesh filter, a mesh member for filtering out a foreign substance from a fluid includes: a plurality of horizontal bars; a plurality of vertical bars perpendicular to the horizontal bars; and a rectangular opening defined by an adjacent pair of horizontal bars and an adjacent pair of vertical bars. The horizontal bars and the vertical bars have a substantially ellipsoidal cross-sectional shape. Also, the opening is formed of smooth side faces of the adjacent pair of horizontal bars and smooth side faces of the adjacent pair of vertical bars and the opening at the upstream side of the fluid flow direction flows the fluid in a smoothly-squeezing manner, and the opening at downstream side of the fluid flow direction flows the fluid in a smoothly-expanding manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Yasuhiro SUZUKI, Shinichiro OKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180078882
    Abstract: A filtering funnel assembly has an outer body having a plurality of panels. A first one of the panels is joinable to a second one of the panels to define a funnel. Each of the plurality of panels including a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edges define a funnel inlet and the bottom edges define a funnel outlet. A liner is nestable within the funnel, the liner has a top portion forming an opening and a bottom portion. A portion of the liner is configured to attach to a portion of the funnel. The liner nested within the outer body enables a fluid to enter the fluid inlet of the funnel and the fluid inlet of the filter liner and to pass through the bottom portion of the filter liner and the fluid outlet of the funnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Theodore Salani, Robert Salani
  • Publication number: 20180078883
    Abstract: A backwash header for a cloth filter includes a body having a length, a diameter, first and second ends, a longitudinal axis, and an exterior surface, the body defining at least one internal cavity. The body includes at least one suction slot sized to allow fluids and solids to enter the internal cavity from outside of the exterior surface. A structure is attached to a portion of the exterior surface of the body around and extending away from the suction slot to form an open-ended chamber defined by the structure and a portion of the exterior surface near the suction slot. The structure allows fluids and solids to enter the open-ended chamber and then the suction slot and cavity from a material being cleaned. Cloth filters and methods of treating water and wastewater using the backwash headers and cloth filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Charles G. Dannemann
  • Publication number: 20180078884
    Abstract: A flow tube connection module and a water purifier including the same are provided. The flow tube connection module includes a housing having a coupling space in which a first flow tube and a second flow tube are connected to each other; a tube connecting member provided in the coupling space and connecting the first flow tube and the second flow tube to each other; an enlarged coupling portion provided in the housing; a coupling body coupled to the enlarged coupling portion to connect a plurality of the housings; and a separation prevention cover or a connection release member assisting the first flow tube in being connected to or separated from the tube connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Won-Il JOO, Sang-Hyeon KANG, Geun-Sang RYU, Ji-Hyeon HWANG
  • Publication number: 20180078885
    Abstract: A modular bracket for mounting a first filter and a second filter thereon is provided. The modular bracket includes a first mount and a second mount adapted to receive the first filter and the second filter thereon respectively. The modular bracket includes a first chamber and a second chamber provided in fluid communication with the first mount and the second mount respectively. Each of the first chamber and the second chamber is adapted to receive a filtered fluid from the first filter and the second filter respectively. The modular bracket also includes a central chamber, provided in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, adapted to receive the filtered fluid from the first chamber and the second chamber. The modular bracket further includes an outlet, provided in fluid communication with the central chamber, adapted to provide an egress of the filtered fluid from the central chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gopinath Baskaran, Ravinder R. Manne, Rajendar Immanuel, Jay S3 Underwood, Aravindhan S. Subbaiah
  • Publication number: 20180078886
    Abstract: The invention relates to whole blood filter media and a process of filtering whole blood samples using a filter medium comprising particles, wherein the blood cells are retained inside the filter, and wherein the plasma or serum is separated from the blood cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Heike Rupp, Steffen Schuetz, Dagmar Winkler
  • Publication number: 20180078887
    Abstract: Disclosed are fibers comprising identification fibers which can be used for tracking and tracing fibers, yarns, fiber bands, and/or articles comprising the fibers through at least part of the supply chain. Each identification fiber exhibits at least one distinct feature. Each group of distinguishable identification fibers can exhibit a taggant cross-section shape, a taggant cross-section size, or combination of the same taggant cross-section shape and same taggant cross-section size. The distinct features and the number of fibers in each group of distinguishable identification fibers can represent at least one supply chain component of the fibers. The distinct features can be detectable in an article comprising the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Andrew Ervin McLeod, Scott Gregory Gaynor, Steven Anthony Wilson, Lydia J. Salyer, Humberto Collazo, Larry Wayne Renfro, Jeremy Kenneth Steach, Brian Douglas Seiler
  • Publication number: 20180078888
    Abstract: A filter element, useful for filtering molten metals and the like, is made from a precursor or template (10) having at least two layers (20). Each layer is assembled from three-dimensional geometric cages (22), joined in fixed relationship to each other: Some embodiments include a peripheral member (26) that encompasses the layer. In such cases, spacer members (28) can span the peripheral members to hold the layers in fixed spaced-apart relationship. In other embodiments, at least some of the cages in adjacent layers can be joined in fixed relationship, providing the spaced-apart relationship. The cages can be built from linear segments of a material joined in a pattern based on the edges of the geometric solid. The template may be formed by an automated technique, such as three-dimensional printing. If manufactured from a polymer, the precursor is coated with a ceramic slurry and calcined to provide the filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Alan GAGE, David Andrew NORRIS, Shannon Frederick FORSYTHE, Joerg KROKER
  • Publication number: 20180078889
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the quality improvement of a gas-permeable object, such as a filter or catalyst, removed from an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine. To attain a cost-effectively realizable method, it is provided according to the invention that, in an automated process, a condition of the object is measured, after which a quality improvement is carried out, after which a condition of the object is measured again. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for the diagnosing and quality improvement of a gas-permeable object, such as a filter or a catalyst, removed from an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: HIRTENBERGER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Hanspeter MAYER
  • Publication number: 20180078890
    Abstract: Provided is an air or gas cleaning blower with a spiral separation chamber. An impeller draws in particulate-pervaded air or gas and imposes a centrifugal force that accelerates the particulate-pervaded air or gas outwards in the chamber. The particulates, because of their heavier mass relative to the air or gas, accumulate against the outer chamber wall. Most of the lighter air or gas is unable to penetrate through the layer of particulates and is trapped in between the particulates about the outer wall and the inner wall of the chamber. The impeller pushes the separated particulates and cleaned air or gas further down the chamber with the particulates ejecting out a first outlet about the outer chamber wall and the cleaned air or gas circulating around the first outlet, moving further down the chamber, and ejecting out a second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Edward Roston, Matthew A. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20180078891
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a product gas are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one separation bed to separate adsorbable components from a gas source, a valving means to selectively direct gas from the gas source to the at least one separation bed, at least one sensing device associated with the at least one separation bed to sense the progress of an adsorption zone within the separation bed, and a controller. The controller includes logic to read the output of the at least one sensing device and control the gas separation process based on the progress of the adsorption zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph B. Richey, II, William J. Daniels
  • Publication number: 20180078892
    Abstract: Wet-type carbon dioxide capturing equipment includes a CO2 absorption tower where CO2 of an exhaust gas reacts with an absorbent, a CO2 stripping tower where CO2 is separated from a rich solution absorbed the CO2 in the CO2 absorption tower, a reboiler for supplying thermal energy to the CO2 stripping tower to separate the CO2 from the rich solution in the CO2 stripping tower, a first heat exchanger for heating the rich solution by exchanging heat between a lean solution having the CO2 separated therefrom in the CO2 stripping tower and the rich solution, a mechanical vapor recompressor (MVR) for compressing a CO2 gas separated in the CO2 stripping tower, and a second heat exchanger for separating a portion of CO2 from the rich solution by heating the rich solution by exchanging heat between the CO2 gas compressed in the MVR and the rich solution passing through the first heat exchanger, in which the rich solution having CO2 that is not separated in the second heat exchanger is input to the CO2 stripping tower
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: KEPCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Young Ill LEE, Tea Young LIM, Seong Pill CHO, Eun Kyu CHOI, Sung Mun YOON
  • Publication number: 20180078893
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbing liquid for separating and capturing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide-containing gas, the absorbing liquid containing: at least one alkanolamine represented by formula (1) wherein R1 represents hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl, R2 and R3 are identical or different and each represent hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl, R1, R2, and R3 are not all hydrogen, and n is 1 or 2; a low-molecular-weight diol compound and/or glycerin; and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Firoz Alam CHOWDHURY, Tsuguhiro KATO, Yoichi MATSUZAKI, Masami ONODA
  • Publication number: 20180078894
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of separating one or more components from a feed composition, methods of desorbing one or more components from an absorbent fluid, as well as systems and apparatus that can carry out the methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of separating one or more components from a feed composition including contacting at least some of a first component of a feed composition including the first component with an absorbent fluid, to provide a contacted composition and a used absorbent fluid including at least some of the first component contacted with the absorbent fluid. In some embodiments the absorbent fluid can be an organosilicon fluid including an organosilicon including at least one of a hydroxy group, an ether group, an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, an acrylamide group, a methacrylamide group, and a polyether group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Dongchan Ahn, Aaron J. Greiner, James S. Hrabal, Alexandra N. Lichtor
  • Publication number: 20180078895
    Abstract: Ancillary embodiments and modifications to a homogenizer unit (“PPH”), and methods of use directed to purification of biogas or other raw methane streams. The apparatus includes a homogenizer body, one or more stream inlets (for the raw methane), one or more chilled water inlets, a mixing zone where the water stream is commingled with the raw methane stream, and a venturi immediately downstream from the mixing zone such that the commingled streams are pulled into the venturi resulting in homogenization. The PPH components are insulated to maintain the chilled water of the various streams at a cooled, below ambient temperature, increasing dissolution of the contaminant gases into the chilled water, and producing a purified methane stream including little or no H2S and CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: John R. Pease, John F. Blatnick
  • Publication number: 20180078896
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device and a process for extracting water from the environment. The device comprises a means for capturing water from the environment by means of a liquid desiccant, an extraction chamber, a first duct through which liquid desiccant with water flows from the capture means to the extraction chamber, a second duct through which liquid desiccant flows from the extraction chamber to the capture means, a reservoir for depositing extracted water, a third duct through which water flows from the extraction chamber to the reservoir, a vacuum generator whose suction point and discharge point are operationally connected to the reservoir in order to suction the gas present in the reservoir and transfer gas into the reservoir, and a control device that controls the vacuum generator. The operation of the vacuum generator creates a pressure and temperature gradient that leads to evaporation of the water in the extraction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: FRANCISCO JAVIER VELASCO VALCKE