US07759337B2

The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of protein kinase mediated diseases, including inflammation and related conditions. The compounds have a general Formula I wherein B, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are d.efined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, uses of such compounds and compositions for treatment of kinase mediated diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and other inflammation disorders, as well as intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of Formula I.
US07759328B2

The invention relates to a formulation comprising formoterol and budesonide for use in the treatment of respiratory diseases. The composition further contains HFA 227, PVP and PEG, preferably PVP K25 and PEG 1000.
US07759327B2

The present invention relates to methods and compositions which employ low concentrations of combinations of zinc salts and antimicrobial agents in coatings for medical articles. The coatings have an anti-irritant effect and inhibit transmission of infectious disease.
US07759324B2

Provided is a pharmaceutical or dietetic product, which serves for reducing and/or blocking the adhesion of pathogenic substances and organisms to eucaryontic cells, in particular mammal cells. Said preparation contains at least one carbohydrate having an uronic acid unit on one of the ends thereof. 10 to 100% of the present, terminal uronic acid units pertaining to the carbohydrates are provided with a double bond that is especially situated between the C4 and C5 atom.
US07759323B2

The invention provides compositions containing a highly purified antiendotoxin compound and methods of preparing and using such compositions.
US07759322B2

A method and preparation for the stimulation of tear secretion in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the ocular surfaces of the subject a purinergic receptor agonist such as uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), dinucleotides, cytidine 5′-triphosphate (CTP), adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), or their therapeutically useful analogs and derivatives, in an amount effective to stimulate tear fluid secretion and enhance drainage of the lacrimal system. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include: topical administration via a liquid, gel, cream, or as part of a contact lens or selective release membrane; or systemic administration via nasal drops or spray, inhalation by nebulizer or other device, oral form (liquid or pill), injectable, intra-operative instillation or suppository form.
US07759320B2

The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of a gene from the Ebola virus.
US07759318B1

The present invention provides compounds, compositions, and methods for identification of motifs within regulatory regions of genes involved in adipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation. Compounds and compositions are provided for modulating expression of nuclear receptor/transcription factor-regulated genes. Methods for modulating the function of PPAR-γ as well as PPAR-γ-regulated gene promoters, and methods of using oligomeric compounds for diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as obesity and diabetes are also provided.
US07759316B2

The present invention provides a biodegradable article formed from enzyme-synthesized amylose using phosphorylase, wherein the enzyme-synthesized amylose is composed of glucose monomers exclusively bonded by α-1,4-glucosidic likage and has a weight average molecular weight of not less than 100 kDa, preferable not less than 600 kDa. The enzyme-synthesized amylose employed in the present invention has a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of not more than 1.25 and can be chemically modified if desired.The biodegradable article of the present invention can be produced by (a) the enzyme-synthesized amylose and/or its modified one, or a combination of the amylose (a) and another polymer material (b).
US07759314B2

The invention provides, among other aspects, compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of biglycan; diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of collagen VI; disorders associated with an unstable cytoplasmic membrane, due, e.g., to an unstable dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC); and disorders associated with abnormal synapses or neuromuscular junctions, including those resulting from an abnormal MuSK activation or acetylcholine receptor (AChR) aggregation.
US07759313B2

The invention relates to peptide derivatives which function as differentiation-inducing factors. The peptide derivatives are useful for treating cancer, particularly melanoma, for increasing the efficacy of melanoma immunotherapy, and for reducing hematological toxicity of chemotherapy.
US07759308B2

Disclosed are microparticles comprising a somatostatin analogue embedded in a biocompatible pharmacologically acceptable polymer matrix for a long acting release and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such microparticles.
US07759302B2

The invention relates to novel peptides which are biologically active as ligands of blood platelet integrin GPIIbIIIa and the αv integrins, preferably the avβs and αvβ3 integrin, having the formula (I): R1-Arg-X-Asp-Leu-Asp-Ser-Leu-Arg-R2 (I), in which R1 denotes H, acetyl or acyl and R2 denotes -Oh, OR3NH2, NHR3, N(R3)2 R3 denotes atkyl, aralkyl, aryl, Het and X denotes an amino acid of the formula (II), in which A denotes (CH2)n R4 denotes H, alkyl, aralkyl or aryl, and n denotes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, and the amino acid of the formula (II) is bonded to the adjacent Arg via a peptide bond of the α-amino group and to the α-amino group of the adjacent Asp via a peptide bond of the α-carboxyl group.
US07759297B2

The present invention is related to an aqueous cleansing composition especially for keratin fibres such as human hair with shine enhancing effect. Accordingly the subject of the present invention is an aqueous cleansing composition especially for keratin fibres such as human hair comprising at least one anionic surfactant, at least one non-ionic surfactant and at least one amphoteric surfactant at a total concentration of 5 to 50% by weight calculated to total composition, and at least one arylated silicone at a concentration of 0.001 to 2.5% by weight, calculated to total composition.
US07759292B2

The present invention relates to subterranean treatment fluids, and more particularly, the present invention relates to subterranean treatment fluids comprising relative permeability modifiers and methods for using such subterranean treatment fluids in subterranean operations to reduce the production of water from and stimulate hydrocarbon production in a subterranean formation. In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention generally comprise the steps of providing a permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier and contacting a subterranean formation with the permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid. Optionally, the permeability-modifying aqueous treatment fluid may be injected in the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein. In another embodiment, the methods of the present invention further comprise the step of injecting an acidizing treatment into the subterranean formation. In another embodiment, the relative permeability modifier may be provided by appropriate reaction in situ.
US07759290B2

To provide an exhaust gas purifying catalyst capable of exhibiting designed characteristics without incurring a material loss.An exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) of the present invention is characterized in that the catalyst comprises a catalyst support substrate (10) having a plurality of cells to be axially passed through by exhaust gases; a first catalyst portion (11) having a first carrier layer formed on a surface of the cells of the catalyst support substrate and a first catalytic metal loaded on the first carrier layer; and a second catalyst portion (12) having a second carrier layer formed on a surface of the cells of the catalyst support substrate where the first catalyst portion is not formed and a second catalytic metal loaded on the second carrier layer, and that the catalyst support substrate (10) is exposed between the first catalyst portion (11) and the second catalyst portion (12). In the exhaust gas purifying catalyst of the present invention, the catalyst portions are formed as catalytically designed without incurring a material loss, and pressure loss is suppressed from increasing.
US07759286B1

The invention is a system and method for containing a spill of petroleum product. The system includes a combination of ground rubber, beeswax, and ground corn cobs, which is then tossed into an area of a spill, then allowed to remain for a period until a substantial amount of the spilt petrol is adsorbed. Once this period expires, the adsorbed combination can be removed.
US07759282B2

The present invention involves a process and materials for simultaneous desulfurization and water gas shift of a gaseous stream comprising contacting the gas stream with a nickel aluminate catalyst. The nickel aluminate catalyst is preferably selected from the group consisting of Ni2xAl2O2x+3, Ni(2−y)Ni0yAl2O(5−y), Ni(4−y)Ni0yAl2O(7−y), Ni(6−y)Ni0yAl2O(9−y), and intermediates thereof, wherein x≧0.5 and 0.01≦y≦2. Preferably, x is between 1 and 3. More preferably, the nickel containing compound further comprises Ni2xAl2O2x+3−zSz wherein 0≦z≦2x.
US07759277B2

The present invention provides a catalyst having high activity and excellent stability, a process for preparation of the catalyst, a membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cell. The catalyst of the present invention comprises an electronically conductive support and catalyst fine particles. The catalyst fine particles are supported on the support and are represented by the formula (1): PtuRuxGeyTz (1). In the formula, u, x, y and z mean 30 to 60 atm %, 20 to 50 atm %, 0.5 to 20 atm % and 0.5 to 40 atm %, respectively. When the element represented by T is Al, Si, Ni, W, Mo, V or C, the content of the T-element's atoms connected with oxygen bonds is not more than four times as large as that of the T-element's atoms connected with metal bonds on the basis of X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) analysis. When the T-element is Ti, Hf, Sn, Ta, Zr or Nb, the content of the T-element's atoms connected with metal bonds is not more than twice as large as that of the T-element's atoms connected with oxygen bonds on the basis of XPS analysis.
US07759272B2

Provided is a preparation method of a catalyst for ethylene (co)polymerization, comprising the following steps: (1) preparing a magnesium compound solution by contact-reacting a halogenated magnesium compound with a mixed solvent of cyclic ether and at least one alcohol; (2) reacting the resulted magnesium compound solution from the above step (1) with a silicon compound having at least one alkoxy group; (3) preparing a support by adding a titanium compound to the resulted product from the step (2); and (4) reacting thus obtained support with a titanium compound and optionally a monoester compound, resulting in a catalyst. Catalysts prepared according to the present invention have a regulated particle shape, and their particle size can be easily adjusted. Therefore, with such catalyst, it is possible to produce polymers having high bulk density at high production yield.
US07759269B2

A dielectric ceramic composition of the invention comprises: BaTiO3 as a main component, MgO: 0.50 to 3.0 moles, MnO: 0.05 to 0.5 moles, oxide (RE12O3) of element selected from Sm, Eu, and Gd, oxide (RE22O3) of element selected from Tb and Dy, oxide (RE32O3) of element selected from Y, Ho, Er, Yb, Tm and Lu, BaZrO3: 0.20 to 1.0 moles, and oxide of element selected from V, Ta, Mo, Nb, and W: 0.05 to 0.25 moles as subcomponents wherein each subcomponent is calculated as a conversion of an oxide or composite oxide, with respect to 100 moles of the main component, and contents of said RE12O3, RE22O3 and RE32O3 satisfy RE12O3
US07759262B2

Methods to selectively form a dielectric etch stop layer over a patterned metal feature. Embodiments include a transistor incorporating such an etch stop layer over a gate electrode. In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, a metal is selectively formed on the surface of the gate electrode which is then converted to a silicide or germanicide. In other embodiments, the metal selectively formed on the gate electrode surface enables a catalytic growth of a silicon or germanium mesa over the gate electrode. At least a portion of the silicide, germanicide, silicon mesa or germanium mesa is then oxidized, nitridized, or carbonized to form a dielectric etch stop layer over the gate electrode only.
US07759252B2

The present invention is related to a method of two-step backside-etching. First, a substrate with a plurality of hard masks is provided. Next, the back and the edge of the substrate are backside-etched to remove parts of the hard masks on the back and the edge of the substrate. Then, the hard masks and the substrate are patterned in sequence to form a plurality of trenches in the substrate. Finally, before performing a wet bath step, the edge of the substrate is backside-etched to remove needle structures on the edge of the substrate.
US07759251B2

Methods for forming a dual damascene dielectric structure in a porous ultra-low-k (ULK) dielectric material by using gas-cluster ion-beam processing are disclosed. These methods minimize hard-mask layers during dual damascene ULK processing and eliminate hard-masks in the final ULK dual damascene structure. Methods for gas-cluster ion-beam etching, densification, pore sealing and ashing are described that allow simultaneous removal of material and densification of the ULK interfaces. A novel ULK dual damascene structure is disclosed with densified interfaces and no hard-masks.
US07759249B2

A method of using a post-etch treatment system for removing photoresist and etch residue formed during an etching process is described. For example, the etch residue can include halogen containing material. The post-etch treatment system comprises a vacuum chamber, a radical generation system coupled to the vacuum chamber, a radical gas distribution system coupled to the radical generation system and configured to distribute reactive radicals above a substrate, and a high temperature pedestal coupled to the vacuum chamber and configured to support the substrate. The method comprises introducing a NxOy based process gas to the radical generation system.
US07759246B2

A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip (5) having a first terminal (7) on one surface, a second semiconductor chip (1a) which is larger than the first semiconductor chip (5) and on which the first semiconductor chip (5) is stacked and which has a second terminal (3) on one surface, an insulating layer (10) formed on a second semiconductor chip (1a) to cover the first semiconductor chip (5), a plurality of holes (10a) formed in the insulating layer (10) on at least a peripheral area of the first semiconductor chip (5), a via (11a) formed like a film on inner peripheral surfaces and bottom surfaces of the holes (10a) and connected electrically to the second terminal (3) of the second semiconductor chip (1a), a wiring pattern (11b) formed on an upper surface of the insulating layer (10), and an external terminal (14) formed on the wiring pattern (11b).
US07759242B2

A method of fabricating an integrated circuit, including the steps of forming a first mask layer in the form of a hard mask layer including a plurality of first openings and a second mask layer with at least one second opening which at least partially overlaps with one of the first openings, wherein the at least one second opening is generated lithographically; and at least two neighboring first openings are distanced from each other with a center to center pitch smaller than the resolution limit of the lithography used for generating the second opening.
US07759241B2

A plurality of metal interconnects incorporating a Group II element alloy for protecting the metal interconnects and method to form and incorporate the Group II element alloy are described. In one embodiment, a Group II element alloy is used as a seed layer, or a portion thereof, which decreases the line resistance and increases the mechanical strength of a metal interconnect. In another embodiment, a Group II element alloy is used to form a barrier layer, which, in addition to decreasing the line resistance and increasing the mechanical integrity, also increases the chemical integrity of a metal interconnect.
US07759229B2

A charge-free method of forming a nanostructure at low temperatures on a substrate. A substrate that is reactive with one of atomic oxygen and nitrogen is provided. A flux of neutral atoms of least one of oxygen and nitrogen is generated within a laser-sustained-discharge plasma source and a collimated beam of energetic neutral atoms and molecules is directed from the plasma source onto a surface of the substrate to form the nanostructure. The energetic neutral atoms and molecules in the beam have an average kinetic energy in a range from about 1 eV to about 5 eV.
US07759224B2

A technique capable of stably releasing chips from a dicing tape, includes grinding a back surface of a semiconductor wafer, while adhering a pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a circuit forming surface of the semiconductor wafer formed with an integrated circuit, to achieve a predetermined thickness and forcibly oxidizing the back surface of the semiconductor wafer. Then, the pressure sensitive adhesive tape adhered to the circuit forming surface of the semiconductor wafer is released, and a dicing tape is adhered to the back surface of the semiconductor wafer. Further, the semiconductor wafer is divided by dicing it into individual chips, and then the back surface of the chip is pressed by way of the dicing tape, thereby releasing the chips from the dicing tape.
US07759219B2

A method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor device includes the steps of; forming a stripping layer including In on a substrate; forming a nitride semiconductor layer on the stripping layer; causing a decomposition of the stripping layer by increasing a temperature of the stripping layer; irradiating the stripping layer with laser light; and separating the nitride semiconductor layer from the substrate.
US07759218B2

A method for providing improved gettering in a vacuum encapsulated device is described. The method includes forming a plurality of small indentation features in a device cavity formed in a lid wafer. The gettering material is then deposited over the indentation features. The indentation features increase the surface area of the getter material, thereby increasing the volume of gas that the getter material can absorb. This may improve the vacuum maintained within the vacuum cavity over the lifetime of the vacuum encapsulated device.
US07759216B2

A method for forming a trench isolation in a semiconductor device is provided. This is a novel method for rounding the top corners of trench isolations. The method ensures that rounded corner portions with a uniform shape are consistently formed regardless of the pattern densities of active areas. The method increases the reliability of semiconductor integrated circuit devices, without degrading electrical characteristics, and making it easier to achieve high integration and performance in semiconductor integrated circuit devices.
US07759215B2

The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device has the steps of: etching a semiconductor substrate to form an isolation trench by using as a mask a pattern including a first silicon nitride film and having a window; depositing a second silicon nitride film covering an inner surface of the isolation trench; forming a first silicon oxide film burying the isolation trench; etching and removing the first silicon oxide film in an upper region of the isolation trench; etching and removing the exposed second silicon nitride film; chemical-mechanical-polishing the second silicon oxide film; and etching and removing the exposed first silicon nitride film.
US07759214B2

Provided is a semiconductor device and method of making, incorporating a trench having rounded edges. According to an embodiment, a pad oxide layer, nitride layer, and TEOS layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. The TEOS layer, nitride layer, and pad oxide layer are dry-etched using a photosensitive layer pattern as a mask. After removing the photosensitive layer pattern, a trench is formed by dry-etching the substrate using the etched TEOS layer, nitride layer, and pad oxide layer as a mask. A portion of the pad oxide layer is pullback-etched, resulting in a first rounding of the trench. A portion of the etched nitride layer is pullback-etched and a portion of the etched TEOS layer is pullback-etched. The upper corner of the trench of the substrate is dry-etched using the pullback-etched TEOS layer, nitride layer, and pad oxide layer as a mask, resulting in a second rounding of the trench.
US07759213B2

Trenches are formed in a silicon substrate by etching exposed portions of the silicon substrate. After covering areas on which deposition of Si:C containing material is to be prevented, selective epitaxy is performed in a single wafer chamber at a temperature from about 550° C. to about 600° C. employing a limited carrier gas flow, i.e., at a flow rate less than 12 standard liters per minute to deposit Si:C containing regions at a pattern-independent uniform deposition rate. The inventive selective epitaxy process for Si:C deposition provides a relatively high net deposition rate a high quality Si:C crystal in which the carbon atoms are incorporated into substitutional sites as verified by X-ray diffraction.
US07759196B2

A multi-bit non-volatile memory device and methods of operating and fabricating the same may be provided. The memory device may include a channel region formed in a semiconductor substrate, and a source and drain that form a Schottky contact with the channel region. Also, a central gate electrode may be located on a portion of the channel region, and first and second sidewall gate electrodes may be formed on the channel region along the outer sides of the central gate electrode. First and second storage nodes may be formed between the channel region and the sidewall gate electrodes.
US07759186B2

Methods for producing a junction termination extension surrounding the edge of a cathode or anode junction in a semiconductor substrate, where the junction termination extension has a controlled arbitrary lateral doping profile and a controlled arbitrary lateral width, are provided. A photosensitive material is illuminated through a photomask having a pattern of opaque and clear spaces therein, the photomask being separated from the photosensitive material so that the light diffuses before striking the photosensitive material. After processing, the photosensitive material so exposed produces a laterally tapered implant mask. Dopants are introduced into the semiconductor material and follow a shape of the laterally tapered implant mask to create a controlled arbitrary lateral doping profile and a controlled lateral width in the junction termination extension in the semiconductor.
US07759184B2

A transistor advantageously embodied in a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device having a gate located over a channel region recessed into a semiconductor substrate and a method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device includes a source/drain having a lightly doped region located adjacent the channel region and a heavily doped region located adjacent the lightly doped region. The laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device further includes an oppositely doped well located under and within the channel region, and a doped region, located between the heavily doped region and the oppositely doped well, having a doping concentration profile less than a doping concentration profile of the heavily doped region.
US07759180B2

In a manufacturing method of a display substrate according to one or more embodiments, a plurality of thin films are patterned by using a photoresist film pattern having different thicknesses in each area on a substrate as etch masks. The photoresist film pattern may be etch-backed at least twice during the manufacturing process of the display substrate and may be used as the etch mask for patterns having shapes different from each other. Accordingly, the number of processes for manufacturing the mask patterns, which may be formed by a photolithography method in order to pattern the thin films formed on the substrate, may be reduced.
US07759167B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided, involving forming a first flexible film on a rigid carrier substrate, attaching a die to the flexible film, so as to leave contacts on the die exposed, forming a wiring layer to contact the contacts of the die, and releasing the flexible film where the die is attached, from the carrier. An area of the first flexible film where the die is attached can have a lower adhesion to the rigid carrier substrate than other areas, so that releasing can involve cutting the first flexible film to release a part of the area of lower adhesion, and leaving an area of higher adhesion. A combined thickness of the die, the first flexible film and the wiring layer can be less than 150 μm, so that the device is bendable. Devices can be stacked.
US07759159B2

Methods of fabricating integrated circuit memory cells and integrated circuit memory cells are disclosed. An integrated circuit memory cell can be fabricated by forming an ohmic layer on an upper surface of a conductive structure and extending away from the structure along at least a portion of a sidewall of an opening in an insulation layer. An electrode layer is formed on the ohmic layer. A variable resistivity material is formed on the insulation layer and electrically connected to the electrode layer.
US07759154B2

The invention provides an imager having a p-n-p photodiode with an ultrashallow junction depth. A p+ junction layer of the photodiode is doped with indium to decrease transient enhanced diffusion effects, minimize fixed pattern noise and fill factor loss.
US07759152B2

A separated MEMS thermal actuator is disclosed which is largely insensitive to creep in the cantilevered beams of the thermal actuator. In the separated MEMS thermal actuator, a inlaid cantilevered drive beam formed in the same plane, but separated from a passive beam by a small gap. Because the inlaid cantilevered drive beam and the passive beam are not directly coupled, any changes in the quiescent position of the inlaid cantilevered drive beam may not be transmitted to the passive beam, if the magnitude of the changes are less than the size of the gap.
US07759142B1

Embodiments described include straining transistor quantum well (QW) channel regions with metal source/drains, and conformal regrowth source/drains to impart a uni-axial strain in a MOS channel region. Removed portions of a channel layer may be filled with a junction material having a lattice spacing different than that of the channel material to causes a uni-axial strain in the channel, in addition to a bi-axial strain caused in the channel layer by a top barrier layer and a bottom buffer layer of the quantum well.
US07759134B2

A magnetostrictive ligand sensor device (MLSD), system and method are provided having at least one magnetostrictive particle (MSP) to which is bound at least one binding element. The MSP may be dispersed in a sample containing a target ligand such that the target ligand binds thereto. A driver is also provided to emit a varying magnetic field such that the MSP produces a resonance response detectable by a measurement device configured to receive and detect changes in the resonance response that are due to alterations of the binding element. The MLSD and assays find use in identifying and quantitating ligands as well as chemicals and environmental conditions in a sample or patient.
US07759120B2

Apparatus and methods for seeding an implantable medical device, such as a vascular prosthesis, with cells, such as endothelial cells, are described. The invention supports techniques for seeding a luminal surface of the device with axial centrifugation. Cells are introduced in suspension into the lumen of the device. The introduction of the cells may occur after a blood centrifugation product, such as platelet-poor plasma, is applied to the luminal surface. After the cells are introduced, the device is then subjected to centrifugation around a longitudinal axis defined by the lumen. Axial centrifugation causes the cells to concentrate toward and adhere to the luminal surface. Shortly after axial centrifugation, the seeded device can be presented for implantation in a patient. The implantable medical device may be inserted into a protective sleeve prior to seeding the device with cells, and the sleeve may or may not be removed prior to implantation.
US07759101B2

The invention relates to ginsenoside glycosidases which hydrolyzes ginsenosides having higher contents in ginsengs so as to prepare rare ginsenosides with high physioloigical activity. Said ginsenoside glycosidases are derived from microorganism cultures, ginseng plants, almonds, wheat brans, malts and animal livers etc., and are categoried to four types depending on their capability of hydrolyzing the sugar moieties of ginsenosides, namely, ginsenoside glycosidase I, ginsenoside glycosidase II, ginsenoside glycosidase III and ginsenoside-α-rhamnosidase. The invention also relates to the uses of the ginsenoside glycosidases in preparing rare ginsenosides.
US07759095B2

Process for the preparation of phosphatidylserine of formula wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a saturated, mono-unsaturated or polyunsaturated acyl C10-C30, X=OH or OM where M=alkaline or alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium (including the inner salt) including the transphosphatidylation reaction between phosphatidylcholine of the general formula wherein R1 and R2 and X have the above specified meanings, R3=CH2—CH2—NH2 o CH2—CH2—N+(CH3)3 and Serine in D, L or racemic form catalized by the phospholipase D enzyme (PLD), characterized in that said reaction is carried out in a hydroalcoholic medium containing an aliphatic alcohol and in the presence of bivalent metal oxide.
US07759088B2

The present invention relates to a method for the production of a stable biodegradable, high water absorbable γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) hydrogel by directly cross-linking (A) a γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), a γ-polyglutamate, or a mixture thereof, and optionally a polysaccharide containing a carboxylic and/or carboxylate group, an amino acid, or a mixture thereof; and/or (B) a microbial culture broth containing a γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), a γ-polyglutamate, or a mixture thereof, and optionally a polysaccharide containing a carboxylic and/or carboxylate group, an amino acid, or a mixture thereof, with a cross-linker comprising a compound having three or more functional groups or a mixture of a compound having three or more functional groups and a compound having two functional groups, wherein each of the functional groups can react with a carboxylic group (—COOH), carboxylate group (—COO−), aldehyde group (—CHO), hydroxyl (—OH), carbonyl group (—CO), sulfone group (—SO2), amino group (—NH2) or nitro group (—NO2), or a mixture thereof. The present invention further relates to a stable biodegradable, high water absorbable γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) hydrogel and its uses.
US07759087B1

The invention discloses a method of maintaining hepatitis C virus (HCV) growing indefinitely in cell culture. The method includes providing a culture of cells susceptible to infection by HCV; introducing to the cell culture an inoculum containing an infective dose of HCV; contacting the inoculated cell culture with a growth medium containing an excess of uridine and cytidine; and changing spent growth medium with fresh growth medium containing the excess of uridine and cytidine on a predetermined schedule.
US07759086B2

The present invention relates to methods and kits for the diagnosis and confirmation of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) by measuring elastase activity in a patient sample, preferably a PBMC sample. The assays of the invention can also be used to characterize CFS, to determine the disease stage, the disease progression, the efficiency of a therapeutic regime and/or to predict the recurrence of possible attacks. The assays of the invention advantageously allow CFS to be distinguished from other CICIDs like MS or RA.
US07759082B2

The invention is directed to formation and use of electroprocessed fibrin as an extracellular matrix and, together with cells, its use in forming engineered tissue. The engineered tissue can include the synthetic manufacture of specific organs or tissues which may be implanted into a recipient. The electroprocessed fibrin may also be combined with other molecules in order to deliver the molecules to the site of application or implantation of the electroprocessed fibrin. The fibrin or fibrin/cell suspension is electrodeposited onto a substrate to form the tissues and organs.
US07759078B2

A method of diagnosing cancer in a human patient comprising the steps of (i) obtaining a sample containing nucleic acid and/or protein from the patient; and (ii) determining whether the sample contains a level of hNe—Na voltage-gated Na+ channel nucleic acid or protein associated with cancer.A method of treating cancer comprising the step of administering to the patient an agent which selectively prevents the function of hNe—Na voltage-gated Na+ channel.A genetic construct comprising a nucleic acid encoding a molecule capable of preventing the function of hNe—Na voltage-gated Na+ channel expressed in a cell.The methods and compositions are particularly suited to prostate cancer.
US07759077B2

The present invention is an apparatus, system and method for detecting bladder cancer are provided that includes a substrate including one or more sFas binding agents and one or more reagents that indicate the amount of sFas present in the sample.
US07759073B2

The present invention is directed to the detection of target analytes using electronic techniques, particularly AC techniques.
US07759062B2

The present invention relates to systems, methods and kits for low-level detection of nucleic acids, detecting at least two different viral sequences in a single reaction vessel, and increasing the dynamic range of detection of a viral target nucleic acid in a sample. The present invention also relates to T-structure invasive cleavage assays, as well as T-structure related target dependent non-target amplification methods and compositions. The present invention further relates to methods, compositions, devices and systems for consistent nucleic acid dispensing onto surfaces.
US07759058B2

The present invention describes perfumes and perfuming compositions having an anti-microbial activity and containing effective amounts of certain perfuming ingredients which have an anti-microbial activity as evaluated by the Microbial Reduction Test.
US07759045B2

A chemically amplified positive resist composition comprising (A) a salt represented by the formula (I): A+−O3S—R  (I) wherein R represents a 9,10-anthraquinonyl group which may be substituted with at least one group selected from the group consisting of a C1-C4 alkyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group and a hydroxyl group, and the C1-C4 alkyl group and the C1-C4 alkoxy group may be substituted, and A+ represents an organic counter cation, and (B) a resin which contains a structural unit which has an acid-labile group and which itself is insoluble or poorly soluble in an aqueous alkali solution but becomes soluble in an aqueous alkali solution by the action of an acid.
US07759035B2

An object is to provide an electrostatic charge image developing toner and an image forming method using the same capable of maintaining image properties for a long duration, which exhibit not only sufficient transparency and chromaticness, accompanied with high color reproduction and excellent charging characteristic, but also excellent heat resistance, together further with excellent light fastness and sufficient image holding ability. Disclosed is an electrostatic charge image developing toner of the present invention comprising a binder resin for toner particle formation and colorant particles dispersed in the binder resin, wherein the colorant particles comprise a dye and an antioxidant. Further, the electrostatic charge image developing toner wherein a volume-based median particle diameter of the colorant particles is preferably 10-100 nm, and also the dye contained in the colorant particles is preferably an oil-soluble dye or a metal chelate dye.
US07759027B2

A method for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is disclosed which comprises the steps of inputting patterns to be formed on a surface, a subset of the patterns being slightly different variations of each other and selecting a set of characters some of which are complex characters to be used to form the number of patterns, and reducing shot count or total write time by use of a character varying technique. A system for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is also disclosed.
US07759019B2

A cathode includes a diffusion layer, and a porous catalyst layer provided on the diffusion layer. The porous catalyst layer has a thickness not greater than 60 μm, a porosity of 30 to 70% and a pore diameter distribution including a peak in a range of 20 to 200 nm of a pore diameter. A volume of pores having a diameter of 20 to 200 nm is not less than 50% of a pore volume of the porous catalyst layer. The porous catalyst layer contains a supported catalyst comprising 10 to 30% by weight of a fibrous supported catalyst and 70 to 90% by weight of a granular supported catalyst. The fibrous supported catalyst includes a carbon nanofiber having a herringbone structure or a platelet structure. The granular supported catalyst includes a carbon black having 200 to 600 mL/100 g of a dibutyl phthalate (DBP) absorption value.
US07759014B2

A power generation cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and a cathode side metal separator and an anode side metal separator sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. A seal member covers inner surfaces of inlet through holes. The seal member includes a plurality of flow grooves and a plurality of receivers. The flow grooves guide a fuel gas from the inlet through holes to a fuel gas flow field through an inlet buffer. The receivers directly contact an anode.
US07759008B2

Sodium ion batteries are based on sodium based active materials selected among compounds of the general formula AaMb(XY4)cZd, wherein A comprises sodium, M comprises one or more metals, comprising at least one metal which is capable of undergoing oxidation to a higher valence state, Z is OH or halogen, and XY4 represents phosphate or a similar group. The anode of the battery includes a carbon material that is capable of inserting sodium ions. The carbon anode cycles reversibly at a specific capacity greater than 100 mAh/g.
US07759005B2

The disclosure is directed to a bipolar battery that is constructed to improve battery performance by reducing distortions within electrode material of the bipolar battery. The bipolar battery includes multiple battery elements that each includes multiple unit batteries. Each unit battery contains a conductor having a positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer. A collector is positioned between adjacent positive and negative electrode layers of adjacent unit batteries, and an accumulated thickness absorption member is used to separate collectors of adjacent battery elements. The bipolar battery may be used in a motor vehicle, such as an electric car.
US07758998B2

A lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ion, a negative electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ion, a porous film interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte: the porous film being adhered to a surface of at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode; the porous film including a filler and a resin binder; the resin binder content in the porous film being 1.5 to 8 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the filler; and the resin binder including an acrylonitrile unit, an acrylate unit, or a methacrylate unit.
US07758980B2

The invention provides a set gypsum-containing product having increased resistance to permanent deformation and a method for preparing it comprising forming a mixture of a calcium sulfate material, water, and an appropriate amount of one or more enhancing materials chosen from condensed phosphoric acids, each of which comprises 2 or more phosphoric acid units; and salts or ions of condensed phosphates, each of which comprises 2 or more phosphate units. The mixture is then maintained under conditions sufficient for the calcium sulfate material to form a set gypsum material.
US07758979B2

A piezoelectric thin film of the present invention includes an aluminum nitride thin film that contains scandium. A content ratio of scandium in the aluminum nitride thin film is 0.5 atom % to 50 atom % on the assumption that a total amount of the number of scandium atoms and the number of aluminum atoms is 100 atom %. According to this arrangement, the piezoelectric thin film of the present invention can improve a piezoelectric response while keeping characteristics of elastic wave propagation speed, Q value, and frequency-temperature coefficient that the aluminum nitride thin film has.
US07758969B2

An optical element includes a supporting material, and a phase difference controlling functional layer provided on the supporting material and including a polymerized liquid crystal material cured to have a predetermined liquid crystal regularity. The phase difference controlling functional layer is formed by curing a photosensitive composition. The photosensitive composition includes at least a polymerizable liquid crystal material, a photopolymerization initiator, a crosslinking agent, an acid generator, and a solvent. The crosslinking agent is an alcohol having at least two alkylol groups thereon and undergoing electrophilic substitution onto an aromatic ring, or an alkoxy compound having at least two alkoxy groups thereon and undergoing electrophilic substitution onto an aromatic ring.
US07758963B2

A coating includes a thin film which is intended to protect a corrodible part against corrosion and, to some extent, against wear and friction. The coating essentially includes a composition containing silicon, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen such that: the atomic hydrogen concentration, measured using the ERDA technique, is 20 ±5 atoms %; the atomic silicon concentration, measured using the Rutherford backscattering (RBS) technique, is between 15 and 28 atoms %; the ratio of the atomic concentrations of nitrogen and carbon (N/C) is greater than 0.9; and the hardness of the material is less than or equal to 2100 daN/mm2.
US07758952B2

The invention relates to a sterilizing packaging material for sterilizable medical devices, which is embodied in the form of a fibrous film containing polyamide fibers, wherein the basis weight of the film is less than 100 g/m2, a mean resistance to a tear propagation is equal to or greater than 1900 mN an a bacterial filtering efficiency BFE is equal or greater than 95%. A sterilizing packaging containing said material is also disclosed.
US07758949B1

An ink transfer system including an ink transfer decal that is transferable to a final substrate, such as a bare metal or pre-painted autobody part, without use of a separate adhesive. The transferred ink decal is capable of withstanding temperature elevations common during automotive paint baking without significant thermal degradation, discoloration, shrinkage or pealing.
US07758945B2

Machine for producing a patterned textile product, comprising a drum with a perforated lateral surface rotated about its axis, a sleeve with holes which is slipped over the drum, and having a ration of the sum of the surface area of the holes to the surface area of its total lateral surface of between 5 and 75% and, preferably, between 7 and 50% and a hole diameter not greater than 1 mm, a device for spraying water jets in the direction of the drum in a direction substantially radial thereto and means for creating a vacuum inside the drum wherein an apertured sheath is slipped over the sleeve and has apertures at least one dimension of which is greater than 2 mm.
US07758943B2

A recording layer including a novel dye for a high density optical recording medium, employing short wavelength laser source with a wavelength not longer than 530 nm for recording high density information and reproduction/playback of the high density information recordings, is provided. The dye incorporated in the recording layer has the following general chemical structural formula (I):
US07758940B2

The present invention provides an optical disk producing sheet 1, obtained by laminating a stamper-receiving layer 11 that is energy rays-curable and whose storage elastic modulus prior to curing is from 103 to 107 Pa, and an adhesive layer 12 whose adhesive strength to polycarbonate is at least 200 mN/25 mm, and whose storage elastic modulus during the curing of the stamper-receiving layer 11 is from 103 to 107 Pa. With the optical disk producing sheet 1, separation that occurs during the production of an optical disk, or during the storage of the finished product, is prevented, and warpage in the resulting optical disk is reduced.
US07758931B2

Such a liquid crystal compound is provided that has stability to heat, light and so forth, has a nematic phase in a wide temperature range, has a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, and suitable elastic constants K33 and K11 (K33: bend elastic constant, K11: splay elastic constant), and has suitable negative dielectric anisotropy and excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds. A liquid crystal composition containing the liquid crystal compound, and a liquid crystal display device containing the liquid crystal composition are also provided.The liquid crystal compound is represented by one of formulas (a) to (d), the liquid crystal composition contains the liquid crystal compound, and the liquid crystal display device contains the liquid crystal composition: wherein Ra and Rb are independently linear alkyl or linear alkoxy, rings A1, A2, B and C are independently trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene, Z11, Z12, Z2 and Z3 are independently a single bond or alkylene, and one of X1 and X2 is fluorine, and the other thereof is chlorine.
US07758927B2

Self-metallizing polyimide films are created by doping polyamic acid solutions with metallic ions and solubilizing agents. Upon creating a film, the film is exposed to coherent light for a specific time and then cured. The resulting film has been found to have a metallic surface layer and a metallic subsurface layer (interlayer). The layer separating the metallic layer has a uniform dispersion of small metal particulates within the polymer. The layer below the interlayer has larger metal particulates uniformly distributed within the polymer. By varying the intensity or time of exposure to the coherent light, three-dimensional control of metal formation within the film is provided.
US07758926B2

An amorphous silicon deposition method includes the step of forming a buffer layer on a transparent substrate; depositing amorphous silicon on the buffer layer by a thickness ranging from about 600 to about 2,000 angstroms; repeatedly irradiating the amorphous silicon layer to completely melt using a laser beam that has a complete melting energy density; and moving the laser beam by a transaction distance for the next laser beam irradiation.
US07758918B2

A method and device for providing a substrate (10) with a coating layer (13) of a polymeric material, comprising the steps: a) a pulverous, polymeric material (2) is suspended (1) in a fluid (3), b) the fluid (3) is pressurised (5), c) the pressurised suspension is ejected (16) onto the substrate (10) to form the coating layer (13), d) the polymeric material is, during any one of steps a)-c), heated (4, 6, 11) to a temperature above its softening temperature.
US07758913B2

New protective coating layers for use in wet etch processes during the production of semiconductor and MEMS devices are provided. The layers include a primer layer, a first protective layer, and an optional second protective layer. The primer layer preferably comprises an organo silane compound in a solvent system. The first protective layer includes thermoplastic copolymers prepared from styrene, acrylonitrile, and optionally other addition-polymerizable monomers such as (meth)acrylate monomers, vinylbenzyl chloride, and diesters of maleic acid or fumaric acid. The second protective layer comprises a highly halogenated polymer such as a chlorinated polymer which may or may not be crosslinked upon heating.
US07758910B2

In a method of measuring the thickness of a coating as it is applied to a substrate, wherein the coating is applied as a thin ribbon from a spray gun, at least one surface profile of the applied coating is obtained along a line intersecting the ribbon during relative movement of the substrate and spray gun. The thickness of the applied coating is computed from the obtained surface profile.
US07758903B2

A composition for modulating cytokines to regulate an inflammatory or immunomodulatory response. The composition can include at least one of rosehips, blueberry, blackberry, elderberry, cranberry, rosemary, clove, feverfew, nettle root, artichoke, reishi mushroom, olive extract, green tea extract, grape seed extract, resveratrol, viniferin, Aframomum melegueta, boswellia serrata extract, boswellia forte, ipriflavone, tocotrienols, evening primrose oil, INM-176, borage oil, krill oil, at least one type of xanthophyll (e.g., astaxanthin), green coffee extract and ferulic acid. Specifically, a composition of the invention can include: rosehips and at least one of blackberry, blueberry, elderberry, and optionally krill oil; or rosehips, resveratrol and at least one of Aframomum melegueta and astaxanthin. Based on the cytokine modulation and cytokine response inhibition of the composition, it can be used to regulate an immunomodulatory and/or inflammatory response, and subsequently treat diseases and/or abnormal conditions associated with inflammatory response, for example, cardiovascular conditions, arthritis, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease.
US07758901B2

The disclosure relates to the discovery that fractionated coconut oil is effective for alleviating existing skin disorders when applied topically to the skin of a person afflicted with such a disorder. The disclosure further relates to the discovery that fractionated coconut oil can be used to prevent or inhibit onset of a skin disorder or to reduce the severity of a skin disorder when administered prophylactically to the skin of a person. A cromolyn compound, a corticosteroid, or both, can be included in the composition.
US07758899B2

A pharmaceutical composition is provided comprised of a physiologically acceptable source of assimilable copper, a source of salicylic acid or a physiologically acceptable derivative thereof, and vitamin C.
US07758897B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing metal complexes containing carbene ligands by reacting metal compounds with ligand precursors II and/or III and to the use of the thus obtained metal complexes as catalysts.
US07758887B2

This invention relates to substantially anhydrous warming, non-toxic and nonirritating lubricating compositions containing polyhydric alcohols and an insulating agent as well as gel and jelly compositions related thereto. The invention also relates to methods of using such compositions for lubrication, administration of active ingredients and for preventing or treating dysmenorrhea.
US07758883B2

An artificial tear film over the surface of an eye having a first layer in direct contact with the ocular surface, an aqueous layer over the first layer, and a layer of a phospholipid over the aqueous layer. The first layer has polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The phospholipid is derived from Amisol® Clear. The artificial tear film is effective in significantly prolonging the tear break up time in patients with dry eye syndrome.
US07758881B2

Drug-delivery systems such as drug-delivery stents having an anti-proliferative agent such as everolimus and an anti-inflammatory agent such as clobetasol are provided. Also disclosed are methods of treating a vascular impairment such as restenosis or vulnerable plaque
US07758874B2

Non-naturally occurring mycobacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are provided. These mycobacteria have a deletion of an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin, and exhibit attenuated virulence in a mammal when compared to the mycobacteria without the deletion. Also provided are non-naturally occurring mycobacteria that have a deletion of a region controlling production of lysine, and mycobacteria comprising two attenuating deletions. Vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are also provided, as are methods of protecting mammals from virulent mycobacteria using the vaccines. Also provided are methods of preparing these vaccines which include the step of deleting an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin or the amino acids leucine and lysine from a mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex. Embodiments of these mycobacteria, vaccines and methods, encompassing mycobacteria comprising a leucine auxotrophy and a pantothenate auxotrophy, are also provided.
US07758869B2

The invention relates to immunogenic compositions and to methods for immunizing animals using the same. The immunogenic composition comprises a lipid formulation most usually in solid form, and at least one immunogenic component. A preferred immunogenic component is a living organism. In a preferred embodiment the composition is formulated for oral administration.
US07758865B2

The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection are further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccines, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.
US07758858B2

Compositions and methods for increasing bone density using antibodies directed to a novel class or family of TGF-β binding proteins are provided. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with a loss of bone density, for example osteoporosis.
US07758857B2

A protocol of activating and administering human blood cells so that bone marrow histology and/or blood cell counts of patients suffering from a plastic anemia approach normal. The protocol includes culturing the blood cells in the presence of a cytokine and an ionophore. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b).
US07758841B2

The present invention is directed to novel processes for the functionalization (derivatization) of carbon nanotubes and, as an extension, to fullerenes and other carbon surfaces. Generally, such processes involve reductive pathways. In some embodiments, carbon nanotubes are reacted with alkali metal and organic halides in anhydrous liquid ammonia. In other embodiments, polymers are grown from carbon nanotube sidewalls by reacting carbon nanotubes with alkali metal and monomer species in anhydrous liquid ammonia.
US07758832B2

A method of decomposing NO2 to NO in an exhaust gas of a lean-bum internal combustion engine comprises the steps of contacting an acidic metal oxide selected from the group consisting of zeolites, tungsten-doped titania, silica-titania, zirconia-titania, and mixtures of any two or more thereof with a gas mixture comprising the exhaust gas, adjusting the composition of the gas mixture, by injecting hydrocarbon therein at a rate that changes over the course of a duty cycle so that, on average over the duty cycle, the C1 hydrocarbon:nitrogen oxides ratio of the gas mixture contacting the acidic metal oxide is from 0.1 to 2.0 and passing the effluent gas directly to atmosphere optionally via first contacting the gas mixture with a hydrocarbon oxidation catalyst.
US07758826B2

Mounted on an upper surface of a container main body are a base of a water level indicator detecting a remaining amount of liquid reducing agent, a base of a densitometer detecting concentration of liquid reducing agent, a heat exchanger surrounding detectors of the water level indicator and the densitometer, and circulating engine coolant for heat exchange between liquid reducing agent and engine coolant, and a suction tube for sucking liquid reducing agent from a position adjacent to the bottom of container main body and between water level indicator and densitometer. A box-shaped protector surrounds the water level indicator, densitometer and suction tube which are located in a region adjacent to a lower portion of the heat exchanger. Heat from the heat exchanger is trapped in the protector to generate convection in that region, thereby unfreezing frozen liquid reducing agent around the water level indicator, densitometer and suction tube.
US07758823B2

A quench exchanger and quench exchanger tube with increased heat transfer area on the process side of the tube are provided. The exchanger provides increased heat transfer efficiency relative to a fixed tube length and at the same time eliminates stagnant and low velocity areas as well as recirculation eddies. The tubes incorporate a fin profile on the process side of the tube with alternating concave and convex surfaces. Additionally, the fins are preferably aligned with the tube center line as opposed to being twisted or spiraled.
US07758822B2

A reactor device includes a reactor including at least one reacting unit supplied with a reactant to cause a reaction, a terminal portion provided at the reacting unit, and an electrically conductive member comprising an electrically conductive material and connected to the terminal portion, a space which extends between the terminal portion and an end face of the reactor, wherein the electrically conductive member is routed to outside the reactor through the space from the terminal portion to the end face of the reactor, and the electrically conductive member is fixed to the reactor at the end face.
US07758816B2

A cytocentrifuge sample chamber includes a sample receiving well to receive and hold a sample to be centrifuged and a sedimentation chamber adjacent a microscope slide upon which cells and/or other sediment material in the sample is to be deposited. A passage, such as a spillway, connects the sample receiving well and the sedimentation chamber, so that sample flows from the sample well under the influence of centrifugal force as centifugation begins into the sedimentation chamber where the sample is forced by centrifugal force against the microscope slide leaving a vacant space at the inner end of the sedimentation chamber. Sedimentation of the sample takes place against the microscope slide. When centrifugation ends, the liquid components of the sample flow back into the vacant space in the sedimentation chamber and can be removed from the vacant space at the inner end of the sedimentation chamber through a removal chamber. This avoids contamination of equipment and users and allows a secondary centrifugation to take place.
US07758806B2

The present invention provides a method sterilizing butyl rubber/styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) articles used in syringes or medical containers, comprising irradiating the butyl rubber/SBR elastomeric copolymer rubber article with gamma irradiation, wherein the SBR elastomeric copolymer comprises about 5% to about 50% of the rubber composition on a basis of total weight of the composition; and then exposing the irradiated rubber composition to a sterilizing gas for a time period sufficient to sterilize the rubber composition. The irradiated, sterilized rubber composition of the present invention is capable of maintaining superior performance standards with respect to sealability, recoverability from stress and elasticity.
US07758796B2

UHMWPE panels of large width may be ram extruded from a slit die in a stable process, by restraining a panel which exits the die below the crystalline melt temperature against movement away from the die by a back pressure device, so as to exert a back pressure between the back pressure device and the die, the back pressure device preferably constructed of a plurality of differentially adjustable elements so as to be able to compensate for changes in processing characteristics over time. Vertically restraining UHMWPE panels as they further cool also greatly improves product characteristics.
US07758791B2

A fine mold comprises a regeneration target film forming a convex part of a formation surface, and a light shielding unit that is configured deeper than a bottom of the formation surface and that regenerates the regeneration target film. A manufacturing cost of a product having a three-dimensional structure can be reduced.
US07758789B2

A temple bar assembly for eyeglasses is provided having several adjustable members wherein all of the joints are formed by utilizing in-mold-assembly techniques to reduce the assembly steps required to form such a temple bar assembly. The temple bar assembly includes at least one of the following adjustment points: temple length, inclination angle and/or hinge attachment all formed using IMA while further resulting in a temple bar that has increased adjustability and utility. Also, the materials selected may include either hard or soft plastics to form either component.
US07758784B2

A method of uniformly dispersing a nano powder throughout a micron powder. Ordinary mixing or agitation does not succeed in attaining uniform dispersal: the nano powder agglomerates into microscopic masses. In one form of the invention, a charge of a micron powder, with fifty weight percent of charge of nanopowder is loaded into a ball mill. The mixture is ball milled for less than two hours, at room temperature in a dry condition, and produces a highly uniform distribution of the nano powder throughout the micron powder.
US07758782B2

A method and device for producing a battery electrode (5) by: pouring a powder mixture quantity (6a) into a cavity (2), laying an electrically conductive diverter (4) on powder mixture (6a), pouring a further quantity (6b) of same powder mixture (6) into same cavity (2), and compressing the two powder mixture quantities (6a, 6b). The device has a filling cavity (2) for powder mixture (6), at least one compression means (1) for compressing powder mixture (6), and support (7) and fixing means (8) for positioning and fixing an electrically conductive diverter (4). The diverter (4) is situated so that partial quantities (6a, 6b) of powder mixture (6) are located above and below diverter (4). The support means (7) and fixing means (8) are situated in such a way that a ratio of the partial quantities (6a, 6b) of powder mixture (6) above and below the diverter (4) remains essentially maintained.
US07758770B2

Novel binders and a compacted salt containing those binders are provided. The binders comprise an aqueous solution or dispersion of sorbitol and an alkali metal phosphate. The binder is contacted with salt crystals heated to elevated temperatures. After binder contact, the coated salt crystals are passed through a compactor where elevated temperatures and pressures cause the salt to melt and then recrystallize as a sheet that can be broken into pieces. The final salt product has the binding agent substantially uniformly dispersed therethrough, resulting in a salt that has high strength and is resistant to mushing. The inventive products are particularly useful as a water softening salt.
US07758768B2

A lubricant oil for a refrigeration machine, lubricant composition and refrigeration machine and system, said refrigeration machine and system being of the type that operates with a refrigerant consisting of at least one component of the HC (hydrocarbon) group, the lubricant oil consisting of an alkylbenzene oil containing at least 80% by weight of alkylbenzene having a molecular weight of 120-288 and having a viscosity between about 3.0 and 7.0 cSt at a temperature of 40° C. and the lubricant composition consisting of said alkylbenzene oil and until about 8% by weight of one or more additives selected from a group consisting of improvers of oxidation resistance and thermal stability, corrosion inhibitors, metal inactivators, lubricity additives, viscosity index improvers, reducers of fluidity and flocculation point, detergents, dispersants, antifoaming agents, antiwear agents and extreme pressure resistant additives.
US07758765B2

Described is a pasty coating agent for textile sun protection articles which comprises finely divided polymeric particles, flame retardants, metal pigments and water with or without further additives. The paste serves to coat sun protection articles such as awnings, roller blinds, tents, shade-providing systems such as sunshades and the like. The sun protection articles thus endowed possess high reflectivity, excellent colour effects and low flammability.
US07758764B2

A method for processing a substrate in a plasma processing chamber is provided. The substrate is disposed above a chuck and surrounded by an edge ring. The edge ring is electrically isolated from the chuck. The method includes providing first RF power to the chuck. The method also includes providing an edge ring RF voltage control arrangement. The edge ring RF voltage control arrangement is coupled to the edge ring to provide second RF power to the edge ring resulting in the edge ring having an edge ring potential. The method further includes generating a plasma within the plasma processing chamber to process the substrate. The substrate is being processed while the edge ring RF voltage control arrangement is configured to cause the edge ring potential to be substantially equal to a DC potential of the substrate while processing the substrate.
US07758762B2

An electron-emitting device comprises a pair of electrodes and an electroconductive film arranged between the electrodes and including an electron-emitting region carrying a graphite film. The graphite film shows, in a Raman spectroscopic analysis using a laser light source with a wavelength of 514.5 nm and a spot diameter of 1 μm, peaks of scattered light, of which 1) a peak (P2) located in the vicinity of 1,580 cm−1 is greater than a peak (P1) located in the vicinity of 1,335 cm−1 or 2) the half-width of a peak (P1) located in the vicinity of 1,335 cm−1 is not greater than 150 cm−1.
US07758755B2

Described herein are compositions and methods useful for the purification of water using dendritic macromolecules. The process involves using dendritic macromolecules (dendrimers) to bind to contaminants, and a filtration step to produce water from which contaminants have been removed or modified. Examples of dendrimers that may be used in the process include cation-binding dendrimers, anion-binding dendrimers, organic compound-binding dendrimers, redox-active dendrimers, biological compound-binding dendrimers, catalytic dendrimers, biocidal dendrimers, viral-binding dendrimers, multi-functional dendrimers, and combinations thereof. The process is readily scalable and provides many options for customization.
US07758752B2

The present invention proposes a composite material which can rapidly and effectively remove algae and transform them into submerged macrophytes. The composite material is a mixture of two functional materials: one can grow into submerged macrophytes, and the other is clays or modified local soil particles which can flocculate algae, inhibit phosphorus release from sediments and act as the carrier of the above-mentioned seeds, earthnuts, buds, and roots of submerged macrophytes. In addition, the present invention proposes a physical-chemical-ecological combined method for improving water quality and enhancing the ecological restoration of eutrophic lakes using the above-mentioned material. By spraying the composite material to the lake surface, the new method can remove algae and turbidity through flocculation and complete the planting process simultaneously so that HABs and eutrophication are effectively controlled.
US07758750B2

A flume for a filter system including at least one filter having a filter bed that is periodically washed with liquid, gas and/or a combination of liquid and gas. The flume includes a chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall, a left sidewall and a right sidewall. The chamber is adapted to receive a liquid, a gas and/or a combination of liquid and gas. Preferably, the flumes includes at least a first inner wall and a second inner wall. Each of the first inner wall and the second inner wall are preferably free of any orifices. The first inner wall is positioned relative to the second inner wall such that an open space is formed between the first inner wall and the second inner wall. The open space creates a first liquid/gas interface upstream of the first inner wall and the second inner wall and a second gas/liquid interface downstream of the first inner wall and the second inner wall when gas and liquid are present in the chamber. The first interface is spaced from the bottom wall of the chamber a distance greater than the second interface.
US07758749B2

A drainage system for a synthetic sports field is disclosed that substantially prevents the leeching of specific contaminants from surface runoff water from entering into water tables or sewer systems associated with the drainage of the synthetic sports field. The drainage system includes a containment system and filtration system located beneath the synthetic sports field for directing rainwater through a series of drains and filters prior to being exposed to either the sewer system or water table. In this way, environmental concerns associated with the drainage of synthetic sports fields is alleviated.
US07758739B2

We describe an ultra-small structure and a method of producing the same. The structures produce visible light of varying frequency, from a single metallic layer. In one example, a row of metallic posts are etched or plated on a substrate according to a particular geometry. When a charged particle beam passed close by the row of posts, the posts and cavities between them cooperate to resonate and produce radiation in the visible spectrum (or even higher). A plurality of such rows of different geometries are formed by either etching or plating from a single metal layer such that the charged particle beam will yield different visible light frequencies (i.e., different colors) using different ones of the rows.
US07758729B1

One embodiment of a method of recycling a plastic material includes heating a plastic material in a treatment chamber in incremental steps through a series of graduated temperature set points wherein each graduated temperature set point corresponds to a vaporization temperature of an individual by-product of said plastic material, and pulling a vacuum of inert gas on the treatment chamber at each temperature set point to selectively remove an individual by-product corresponding to the temperature set point.
US07758724B2

A bulky, water-disintegratable cleaning article is formed of water-disintegratable paper impregnated with 100% to 500% by weight of an aqueous agent. The water-disintegratable paper is a substantially water dispersible fibrous sheet containing a water soluble or swellable binder. The water-disintegratable paper has a great number of protrusions and depressions formed by embossing and has a basis weight of 30 to 150 g/m2. The bulky, water-disintegratable cleaning article has a thickness T1 of 1.0 to 3.0 mm under a load of 0.3 kPa and a thickness T2 of at least 0.9 mm under a load of 1.0 kPa.
US07758721B2

A chip pretreatment process which comprises conveying the feed material through a compression screw device having an atmosphere of saturated steam at a pressure above about 5 psig, decompressing and discharging the compressed material from the screw device into a decompression region, feeding the decompressed material from the decompression region into a fiberizing device, such as a low intensity disc refiner, where at least about 30 percent of the fiber bundles and fibers are axially separated, without substantial fibrillation of the fibers. In a more specific form the invention is directed to a process for producing mechanical pulp, including the steps of fiberizing wood chip feed material in a low intensity disc refiner until at least about 30 percent of the fibers are axially separated with less than about 5 percent fibrillation, and subsequently refining the fiberized material in a high intensity disc refiner until at least about 90 percent of the fibers are fibrillated. In another form the invention combines chip fiberizing with chemical treatments, for improving the pulp property versus energy relationships.
US07758709B2

A gas generant for an inflatable restraint device (for example, an airbag system for a vehicle) is a monolithic compressed solid that has a linear burn rate of greater than or equal to about 1.6 inches per second at a pressure of about 3,000 pounds per square inch. The gas generant can be in the form of an annular disk having a plurality of apertures. The gas generant may be substantially free of binder and may have a low initial surface area which progressively increases during burning. The gas generant provides a gas generation profile that improves restraint of vehicle occupants, including those occupants that are out-of-position. Additionally, the shaped gas generant decreases occupant exposure to toxic effluent combustion products and solid respirable particulates.
US07758706B2

A method for producing a dust core compact includes the steps of forming a compact component by pressure-forming a soft magnetic powder having an average particle diameter Da under a pressure Pa, and forming a compact by pressure-forming a soft magnetic powder having an average particle diameter Db and the compact component under a pressure Pb. Average particle diameters Da and Db of the soft magnetic powders satisfy relationship Da/Db≧2, and pressures Pa and Pb applied during the pressure-forming satisfy relationship Pa/Pb≦½. With this structure, a method for producing a dust core compact exhibiting a high strength and capable of being fabricated even when it has a complex shape, and the dust core compact can be provided.
US07758705B2

A dishwasher and a controlling method thereof are provided. The dishwasher includes a tub, a door, a steam supplying unit, a fan, and a passage. The tub stores dishes. The door opens and closes the tub. The steam supplying unit supplies steam into the tub. The fan blows the steam. The passage forming unit is formed to circulate the steam blown by the fan inside the tub, or to discharge the steam to the outside of the tub.
US07758703B2

Provided are a dishwasher and a method of supplying water in the dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a tub defining a washing chamber; a sump retaining washing water that is supplied to the tub; a steam generating device mounted on a side of the tub and having a steam chamber provided with a heater heating washing water; a first passage through which the washing water is supplied to the steam chamber; a second passage supplying the steam generated by the steam generating device from the steam chamber to the tub; and a third passage that supplies the washing water remained in the steam chamber to the sump after the steam is generated.
US07758680B2

The present invention provides a tractor in which necessity of maintenance of a precleaner can be checked without opening a bonnet every time. In a tractor in which the outside air which is purified through a precleaner is further purified through an air cleaner before the outside air is supplied to an engine, a radiator is arranged in front of the engine, the precleaner is arranged in front of the radiator, and the engine, the radiator and the precleaner are covered with a bonnet, the precleaner is arranged such that the interior of at least a dust collecting/storing portion of the precleaner is viewable from the outside in a see-through manner, and the bonnet includes a viewing portion through which the interior of the dust collecting/storing section is viewable.
US07758677B2

A filtering device has a filter hose that is arranged in a support pipe wherein between the outer side of the filter hose and the inner wall of the support pipe an annular chamber for the flow of the fluid to be purified is formed. Moreover, an adsorber unit for adsorption of residues is arranged in or on the support pipe.
US07758676B2

A control system for particulate filters is provided. The control system for a particulate filter includes a clean filter estimating module that estimates a clean pressure based on a first pressure in the particulate filter within a predetermined period of a regeneration event. A soot prediction module estimates a level of soot in the particulate filter based on a comparison of the first pressure and a second pressure in the particulate filter received after the predetermined period.
US07758669B2

A process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from laterite ores, the process including the steps of: a) beneficiating the ore to separate it into a beneficiated upgraded ore fraction and a coarse, siliceous low grade rejects fraction which is substantially free from fines and clay materials; b) separately processing the upgraded ore fraction for the recovery of nickel and cobalt; and c) subjecting the low grade rejects fraction to a heap leach process with an acid supplemented solution to create a heap leachate for further nickel and cobalt recovery processing.
US07758660B2

Organically complexed nanocatalyst compositions are applied to or mixed with a carbon-containing fuel (e.g., tobacco, coal, briquetted charcoal, biomass, or a liquid hydrocarbon like fuel oils or gasoline) in order to enhance combustion properties of the fuel. Nanocatalyst compositions can be applied to or mixed with a solid fuel substrate in order to reduce the amount of CO, hydrocarbons, and soot produced by the fuel during combustion. In addition, coal can be treated with inventive nanocatalyst compositions to reduce the amount of NOx produced during combustion (e.g., by removing coal nitrogen in a low oxygen pre-combustion zone of a low NOx burner). The nanocatalyst compositions include nanocatalyst particles made using a dispersing agent. At least a portion of the nanoparticles is crystalline with a spacing between crystal planes greater than about 0.28 nm. The nanocatalyst particles can be activated by heating to a temperature greater than about 75° C., more preferably greater than about 150° C. and most preferably greater than about 250° C.
US07758655B2

Methods for coloring socks to match suits, trousers, or shoes involves identifying a dye specification for suit material, trouser material or shoe material. The suit, slacks, or shoe material can be dyed per the dye specification. The dye specification can be transmitted to a sock manufacturing site. The methods continue by dyeing sock material with the dye specification to match the dyed suit material, the dyed shoe material, or dyed trouser material. For the suit materials and trouser materials, the suit or slacks are formed and dye specifications can be placed in a pocket of the resulting garment for future sock ordering. For the shoe embodiment, the dye specification can be placed in the shoes. A pair of socks can be formed from the dyed sock material, and the dyed socks can be connected to the respective manufactured article to form a sock/suit, sock/trouser or sock/shoes unit.
US07758645B2

A modular intervertebral implant or a modular intervertebral disk prosthesis has a middle piece or central section equipped with elements for detachable fixation to one or two apposition plates designed to rest against the base plate or cover plate of an intervertebral body. A modular kit of such modular implants or disks includes n central sections and m apposition plates, where n=2 and m=4 and preferably n=3 and m=6. The surfaces of the apposition plates that face the central section have elements complementary to the elements for detachable fixation on the central section.
US07758643B2

A method of distributing a load to a cartilage defect repair plug is provided. A load is applied to a first articulation layer. The load is distributed to a second layer and the load is transferred in the normal direction to the first density of subchondral bone. The load is distributed to a third layer and the load is transferred in the normal direction to a second density of subchondral bone. The load is then distributed to a fourth layer and the load is transferred in the normal direction to a third density of subchondral bone.
US07758641B2

A prosthetic device and method to restore extraocular muscle function. The device includes a housing; a biasing component disposed in the housing; a proximal connector operatively connected to a proximal end of the biasing component; and a distal connector operatively connected to a distal end of the biasing component, wherein the proximal connector is configured for being secured with respect to an orbital bone and the distal connector adapted to be secured to the paralyzed or absent muscle stump, e.g. on the globe, or to the eyelid.
US07758636B2

An expandable medical device includes a plurality of elongated struts, forming a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. A plurality of different beneficial agents can be loaded into different openings within the struts for delivery to the tissue. For treatment of conditions such as restenosis, different beneficial agents are loaded into different openings in the device to address different biological processes involved in restenosis and are delivered at different release kinetics matched to the biological process treated. The different beneficial agents may also be used to address different diseases, such as restenosis and acute myocardial infarction from the same drug delivery device.
US07758634B2

A bifurcated stent includes a first stent section and a second stent section. The first stent section is balloon expandable, has an unexpanded configuration, an expanded configuration, and a tubular wall defining a secondary opening. The secondary stent section is self-expanding and an end of the secondary stent section is engaged to a portion of the tubular wall of the primary stent section defining the secondary opening. The secondary stent section has an unexpanded configuration with a first length and an expanded configuration with a second length where the first length is less than the second length. The secondary stent section is expanded to the expanded configuration after the primary stent section is expanded to the expanded configuration. The secondary stent section forms a portion of the tubular wall of the primary stent section in the unexpanded configuration.
US07758633B2

An implantable, varied-diameter graft is seamlessly flat-woven to provide a seamless, varied-diameter graft. The graft includes a flat-woven tubular portion having opposed first and second tubular ends with a contiguous bulbous woven section therebetween. The bulbous woven section has opposed first and second open ends with the first bulbous end being contiguous with the first tubular end. The second bulbous end is contiguous with the second tubular end. The first tubular end has a first number of warp yarns interlaced with a plurality of fill yarns in a woven pattern to define a first flat-woven tubular diameter. The second end has a second number of warp yarns interlaced with a plurality of fill yarns in a woven pattern to define a second flat-woven tubular diameter. The bulbous section has a third number of warp yarns interlaced with a plurality of fill yarns in a woven pattern to define a third flat-woven tubular diameter. The third number of warp yarns is greater than either of the first or said second number of warp yarns. Further, the third number of warps yarns are engagingly interlaced at the first bulbous end and disengagingly interlaced at second bulbous end to provide a seamless implantable graft having a third diameter being greater than either of said first or said second diameters.
US07758625B2

A delivery system for implantation a self-expanding medical device in a body includes a control handle and a catheter portion. The catheter portion includes an outer restraining member which covers the collapsed, medical device, an inner catheter member having a distal end including a region upon which the medical device is mounted, and an outer sheath removably attached to the control handle. The outer sheath creates a conduit for the catheter portion to prevent the inner catheter member from moving axially when the outer restraining member is retracted. The control handle has a rotatable thumbwheel to actuate a retraction mechanism attached to the proximal end of the outer restraining member which moves the restraining member in a proximal direction to deploy the medical device.
US07758623B2

The present invention encompasses a heat exchange catheter for indirect cooling of internal organs, particularly the heart. The heat exchange catheter is inserted into the esophagus and a cooled fluid is circulated within the catheter, cooling the esophagus, and by conduction, the heart. The heat exchange catheter or the invention may be rapidly deployed in the field and is particularly useful for preventing and reducing tissue damage caused by ischemia.
US07758622B2

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for influencing magnetic particles in a region of action. With the help of an arrangement that has means for generating magnetic fields, a spatially inhomogeneous magnetic field is generated that has at least one zone (301) in which the magnetization of the particles is in a state of non-saturation, whereas it is in a state of saturation in the remaining zone. By displacing the said zone within the region of action, a change in magnetization is produced that can be detected from outside and that gives information on the spatial distribution of the magnetic particles in the region of action. Alternatively, the displacement may also be repeated so frequently that the region of action heats up. To improve the accessibility of the region of action, the said region is situated outside the arrangement having means for generating magnetic fields.
US07758621B2

Methods and apparatus for dermatology treatment are provided which involve the use of continuous wave (CW) radiation, preheating of the treatment volume, precooling, cooling during treatment and post-treatment cooling of the epidermis above the treatment volume, various beam focusing techniques to reduce scattering and/or other techniques for reducing the cost and/or increasing the efficacy of optical radiation for use in hair removal and other dermatological treatments. A number of embodiments are included for achieving the various objectives indicated above.
US07758601B2

For examining tissue samples that were taken from a tissue area with suspicion of tumor it is proposed that the tissue samples be examined shortly afterward for a measurement value typical of tissue alteration. With tissue samples taken spatially-systematically, a measurement value distribution at the sampling site can be ascertained, and an image of the tissue alteration before sampling can be represented. The device for performing the method includes a sampling device (PU), a supply device (TU), a detector (Det), an evaluation unit (CPU), a storage unit (SU) and an output device (AV) that allows an online examination of taken tissue samples (Pr), and with which the three-dimensional image can be represented by, for instance, a distribution at the sampling site of fluorescence achieved by means of systemically applied markers.
US07758588B2

A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining the embolic coil which when pressurized with a fluid expands outwardly to release the coil at the preselected position.
US07758586B2

An apparatus is provided for introducing a catheter through a body opening along an insertion axis. The apparatus includes an arm having an end portion configured to extend into the body opening along the insertion axis, wherein the arm is configured to extend adjacent an external catheter surface. The apparatus also includes a surface extending from the end portion of the arm at an angle to the insertion axis, wherein the surface is configured to extend at least partially within an aperture formed in the catheter.
US07758580B2

Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation device can include a lower jaw assembly including a proximal jaw having a proximal electrode and a distal jaw having a distal electrode, and an upper jaw assembly including an upper jaw having an upper electrode. A proximal actuator can be movable between a first position in which the proximal jaw is open and a second position in which the proximal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw. A distal actuator can be movable between a third position in which the distal jaw is open and a fourth position in which the distal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw.
US07758577B2

Methods and devices are provided for delivering monopolar energy to a treatment area in order to cut and/or coagulate tissue. In one embodiment, the device can include an elongated shaft having a distal end that is mated to a cutting head. The cutting head can include opposed jaws and an active monopolar cutting element coupled to at least one of the jaws and adapted to communicate with an energy source for delivering energy to tissue grasped between the jaws. In an exemplary embodiment, the cutting element is slidably retractable relative to the jaws to cut and/or coagulate tissue engaged therebetween. Exemplary methods for cutting and/or coagulating tissue are also provided.
US07758564B2

A first medical instrument includes a flexible catheter having a distal end which has a substantially bullet-nose shape, which is insertable into a body lumen of a patient, and which has at least one guidewire passageway opening. The first medical instrument also includes a medical guidewire having a working portion extendable beyond the at-least-one guidewire passageway opening. A second medical instrument includes a flexible catheter, a medical guidewire having a working portion extendable beyond the distal end of the catheter, and at least one wire length counter which is operably connectable to the medical guidewire to measure a length of the working portion being extended beyond the distal end of the catheter. A third medical instrument includes a flexible catheter, a medical guidewire, and a force/torque-limiting clutch operatively connectable to the medical guidewire.
US07758562B2

A patient hydration system including an infusion device for administering hydration fluid to a patient, and a hydration fluid measurement device responsive to a source of hydration fluid, a patient urine output measurement device. A controller is responsive to the hydration fluid measurement device and the patient urine output measurement device. The controller operates the infusion device, in response to the patient urine output measurement device and the hydration fluid measurement device, to hydrate the patient based on the patient's urine output. The controller also monitors the operation history of the infusion device thereby providing redundancy in the measurement of the amount of hydration fluid administered to the patient.
US07758557B2

A method to reduce the noise produced by movement of a substrate is disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes applying a noise-reducing coating material at an add-on rate of at least about three grams per square meter to a target region of a first surface of a substrate so as to substantially completely coat the target area, wherein the noise-reducing coating material comprises a polymeric material. Also disclosed is a reduced-noise composite material that can be employed in a disposable personal care device. The reduced-noise composite material can include a substrate layer which defines a first surface having a surface area and a target area, and a noise-reducing layer which substantially completely coats the target region. The noise-reducing layer has a basis weight of at least about three grams per square meter. Also disclosed is a reduced-noise disposable personal care device, which may in particular embodiments be a disposable absorbent article. One embodiment of the disposable absorbent article includes a body-side liner and a garment-side outer cover. The outer cover includes a liquid-impermeable substrate layer comprised of a thermoplastic, polymeric material and which defines a first surface having a surface area and a target area. The outer cover further includes a noise-reducing layer which substantially completely coats the target region, and which has a basis weight of at least about three grams per square meter. The disposable absorbent article further includes an absorbent assembly disposed between the body-side liner and the garment-side outer cover.
US07758545B2

The invention refers to an injection device for the injection of a medical agent, in particular insulin, comprising: a housing, a reception compartment for a vial containing the agent to be injected, advancement mechanics for moving an injection needle that is inserted in the device in a direction of puncturing, and a pressing facility for pressing agent from a vial that is inserted in the reception compartment for the purpose of an injection process. The advancement mechanics, effects, in a first device function for an injection process, a first motion profile of an inserted injection needle, in which a resting phase follows after an advancement motion, during which resting phase the inserted injection needle for an injection process is at rest with respect to the device housing, and effects, in a second device function for obtaining a body fluid sample for diagnostic purposes, a second motion profile of an inserted injection needle, in which a returning motion follows immediately after a puncturing motion.
US07758543B2

This invention falls into the field of devices designed to prevent medical workers after using needles on patients who may be suffering from infective pathologies transmissible via blood. A protective element is composed, at the time of production and shipping, of a first portion and a second portion reciprocally constrained by a connecting element moulded contemporaneously with the said two portions. A pan has been created inside the first portion and first ridges and second ridges have been created in the lower part of the second portion.
US07758539B2

A vacuum pump capable of pumping solid, liquid and gas, or any combination thereof, including a drive (40) and a manually disengageable pumping system connected thereto. The pumping system is composed of a two- or three-chambered canister (1, 18, 21) within which solids, liquids, and gases can be separated from one another. A highly flexible diaphragm (24), attached to the canister and sealed against it circumferentially, facilitates this separation, when reciprocating and pumping. The components of the pumping system are designed to be disposable, and the two- or three-chambered canister provides for a highly efficient pumping system that is significantly smaller in size than those previously known. The pump is particularly useful for medical applications.
US07758536B2

A subcutaneous valve having a body defining a chamber and including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice opening out into the chamber, a shutter member suitable for closing the inlet orifice, at least in part, a resilient return member configured to hold the shutter member against the inlet orifice to regulate the passage of liquid through said inlet orifice, and a rotor housed in the chamber having a cam-forming surface, the resilient return member bearing against the cam-forming surface of the rotor by forming a moving contact with this surface.
US07758532B2

A blood purification device that does not require measurement of a patient's blood concentration performed ahead of time and that allows treatment time to be reduced, thus reducing the burden on the patient, and allows monitoring of problems in the internal elements. The present invention includes: blood purification device main units including a blood pump disposed in an arterial blood circuit, a blood purification device purifying blood, and an ultrafiltration pump for draining water from blood; first measuring means and second measuring means measuring hematocrit values and disposed at the arterial blood circuit and the venous blood circuit respectively; calculating means calculating a ratio for measured hematocrit values and a ratio for a theoretical hematocrit values determined from a predetermined equation and evaluating means evaluating whether the values determined by calculating means are roughly similar.
US07758531B2

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for treating congestive heart failure that restores kidney renal functions by artificial perfusion of at least one kidney. In one aspect, a catheter inserted into the aorta of the patient has an outlet port that supplies the patient's blood obtained from a patient's aorta into an adjoining renal artery of the patient to perfuse the kidney. The catheter comprises a rotor housed inside a portion of the catheter to supply the blood to the kidney at a desired pressure. The restoration of kidney function assists the heart by removing excess fluid, urine and toxin from the patient, and by normalizing the patient's renin-angiotensin system and other neurohormonal substances.
US07758530B2

A system and method for measuring recirculation of blood in a catheter designed for implantation in a human is described. In one variation, the system comprises an artificial circulatory system and an ultrasonic detection device for measuring and comparing the density of a circulated blood simulant with a later introduced bolus saline. The system may be configured to simulate a human heart by providing the flow, pressure and dimensions of a typical human heart. In addition to simulating the circulatory system of a normal human heart, the system may also be configured to simulate particular negative conditions of a patient, such as stenotic condition, which would affect the recirculation measurement.
US07758520B2

A medical device having a segmented construction. In at least some embodiments, a medical device including a plurality of conductive elongated members that are of such a length and are connected together in such a manner to impart a degree of MRI compatibility to the device. In some embodiments, the elongated members can include a series of solid elongate members and tubular elongate members, which construction provides one way to control at least some properties of the device, for example, stiffness, torque transmission, flexibility, shape retention, and the like. In yet some additional embodiments, at least one of the elongated members has a recess into which a protrusion of another elongated member may fit.
US07758519B2

Systems for and methods of assessing lower urinary tract function from urinary flow data via sound analysis and user-provided information regarding the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of frequency, urgency and urge incontinence. Embodiments of the LUTS assessment systems include a computer and a telephone or a digital recording mechanism to capture the sound of one or more urination events, which are stored as audio files in a database. The LUTS assessment systems may include sound analysis software for analyzing the strength and duration of each urination event and may include a web-based software application for viewing the results via the Internet or other network. The database stores information from multiple urination events, and combined with information regarding the lower urinary tract symptoms, serves as an objective tool to assess bladder function and monitor progression of disease or therapy effectiveness.
US07758512B2

Methods and devices are provided for traversing a lumen of a tubular body part, such as the large or small intestine, the colon, the bladder, the stomach, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices utilize electroactive polymers that are selectively actuated to move a device through a lumen.
US07758501B2

A surgical retractor includes a plurality of blade assemblies interconnected by a plurality of racks. One or more of the blade assemblies is movable along a rack to selectively expand the retractor. At least one of the blade assemblies includes a blade that is rotatably connected to the blade assembly and that is rotatable independent of other blades of the retractor.
US07758498B2

A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. First and second positioners associated with the optics subassembly and the outer housing subassembly, respectively, limit the transfer of axial forces from the proximal end of the endoscope to the tubular sheath.
US07758497B2

A sheath device (1) suitable for endoscopic instruments (2) and comprising an elongated tubular member (4) having a proximal end (6), a distal open end (7), and at least one fluid channel (23). A flushing unit (5) is connected to the proximal end (6) of the tubular member (4) and comprises a proximal open end (8) suitable for receiving a first endoscopic instrument (2), a fluid inlet (16) in contact with said fluid channel (23), and a fluid outlet (17). The tubular member and the flushing unit together define a first interior guiding passage (10) for sheathing at least a part of said first endoscopic instrument (2). The connection between the tubular member (4) and the flushing unit (5) allows for axial rotation of the tubular member (4) in relation to the flushing unit (5).
US07758494B2

The symptoms of congenital heart failure are addressed in this surgical procedure for mounting a patch in the ventricle of the heart to reduce ventricular volume. Placement of the patch is facilitated by palpating a beating heart to identify akinetic, although normal appearing, tissue. The patch has an oval configuration facilitating return of the heart to a normal apical shape which enhances muscle fiber efficiency and a normal writhing pumping action. The patch includes a semi-rigid ring, and a circumferential rim to address bleeding. Patch placement is further enhanced by creating a Fontan neck and use of pledged sutures. Intraoperative vascularization and valve replacement is easily accommodated. Increased injection fraction, reduced muscle stress, improved myocardial protection, and ease of accurate patch placement are all achieved with this procedure.
US07758493B2

A gastric constriction device (160) comprises a sheet (131) extending over part of the wall of the stomach (24). Five bands (151) extend around the stomach (24) to fix the sheet (131) in position relative to the stomach (24). The lower two bands (151) extend from the first side (152) of the sheet (131) around the stomach (24) only partially towards the second side (153). These lower two bands (151) are not fixed to the second side (153). This arrangement results in an unconstricted portion of the stomach (161). In this manner, the device (160) restricts expansion of the majority of the stomach wall while facilitating expansion of this unconstricted portion (161). The unconstricted portion (161) is therefore free to expand or bulge outwardly upon ingestion. This expansion may trigger the feeling of satiation due to the presence of the vagal nerves in this portion (161) of the stomach (24).
US07758491B2

An apparatus implantable in a heart ventricle includes a frame configured to engage an inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle and to expand and contract between an expanded state corresponding to a desired end diastolic diameter of the ventricle and a contracted state corresponding to a desired end systolic diameter of the ventricle. A bistable structure is operatively associated with the frame. The bistable structure mechanically assists movement of the ventricle toward both an end systolic diameter during systole and an end diastolic diameter during diastole. The bistable structure may be integrally formed of the frame. A method of implanting the apparatus in a heart ventricle includes surgically accessing a ventricle, inserting the apparatus in the ventricle and attaching the device to a portion of myocardium defining an inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle.
US07758490B2

An apparatus and method for electromagnetic treatment for treatment of molecules, cells, tissues, and organs comprising: configuring at least one waveform according to a mathematical model having at least one waveform parameter, said at least one waveform to be coupled to a target pathway structure; choosing a value of said at least one waveform parameter so that said at least waveform is configured to be detectable in said target pathway structure above background activity in said target pathway structure; generating an electromagnetic signal from said configured at least one waveform; and coupling said electromagnetic signal to said target pathway structure using a coupling device wherein said coupling device is an integral portion of a positioning device.
US07758485B2

The invention is directed to method and system for folding pads. In one aspect, the system includes a conveyor for conveying a series of pads, one after another, to a folding station. A folding apparatus at the folding station folds each pad along said major axis as the pad is conveyed in a forward direction. The folding apparatus includes a hold-down member adapted to contact a center section of each pad extending generally parallel to said major axis as the pad is conveyed forward. The folding apparatus also includes a pair of folders on opposite sides of the hold-down member adapted to contact side sections of the pad on opposite sides of said major axis as the pad is fed forward and as it is held down by the hold-down member to fold the side sections of the pad to positions facing one another. The pads may be used as feminine protection pads.
US07758482B2

An apparatus (21) for assembling a collapsible enclosure assembly (1) onto a container (11), the enclosure assembly (1) being of the type comprising a plurality of collapsible walls (2, 3, 4) and which is adapted to be supported, when erected, on the container (11) so that in situ the enclosure assembly (1) encloses a region above the container (11), the apparatus (21) comprising means to move a collapsed enclosure assembly (1) from a storage position (25) to an assembly position (36), means to move the walls (2, 3, 4) of the collapsed enclosure assembly (1) when in the assembly position (36) relatively apart to expand the enclosure assembly (1) so as to be of generally tubular form, and means to mount the expanded enclosure assembly (1) on a corresponding container (11). A method for assembling a collapsible enclosure assembly (1) onto a container (11) is also provided.
US07758476B2

An inflatable cushion bag for striking includes an outer wall and an inner wall that is positioned inside and longitudinally with the outer wall looped around the inner wall. A first radial wall is joined to each of and connects between the outer wall and the inner wall at a first end and is sealed so that free airflow is blocked at the first end. A second radial wall is joined to each of and connects between the outer wall and the inner wall at a second end and is sealed so that free airflow is blocked at the second end. At least one intermediate radial wall is placed longitudinally between the first radial wall and the second radial wall and transversely between the outer wall and the inner wall. The intermediate radial wall may have a small opening such as a hole with a diameter less than ½ inches or an equivalent so that the opening allows a slow airflow through the intermediate radial wall for inflating or deflating the bag and, when inflated, restricts airflow through the opening to give a shock absorber effect to make the outer wall an added cushion when punched or kicked.
US07758471B2

A way to attach a trampoline enclosure to a trampoline frame is described. This process involving constructing the enclosure with a buttonhole at or near its bottom edge. This buttonhole is designed to receive a spring attachment feature located on the rebounding mat of the trampoline structure. Generally, this spring attachment feature will be the D-ring (or V-ring) that is used to attach the rebounding mat to the springs. The D-ring will pass through the buttonhole and, when connected to a corresponding spring, will securely attach the trampoline enclosure to the trampoline.
US07758464B2

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches.
US07758462B2

A pin retention and assembly system that is used with vehicles, such as, off-road vehicles is provided. The pin retention and assembly system has modular locking pins engaging a collar positionable about a bearing journal of a differential housing. Channels are formed in the bearing journal for receiving the locking pins. The channels aid in maximizing the size of the bearing journal. The locking pins engage the collar to lock the differential housing. In an embodiment, the locking pins and locking apertures in the differential housing are orientated asymmetrically causing the number of locking pins to be independent to the apertures in the side gear.
US07758459B2

Tensioning roller device including a non-rotating part about which there is rotationally mounted a pulley-forming rotating assembly designed to collaborate with a belt or a chain and a rolling bearing positioned between the non-rotating part and the pulley and including a rotating ring, a non-rotating ring and rolling elements, the pulley including a rigid rim including a first part fixed to the rotating ring of the bearing and a second part that can move with respect to the first part under the action of an elastic element, and an expandable sleeve of annular overall shape designed to be in contact with the belt or the chain, the diameter of the expandable sleeve varying according to how hard it is pressed by the second part.
US07758458B2

The present invention provides a gas filling-type ball for sports which has excellent non-slip property and sufficient mechanical strength such as surface abrasion resistance, and which can be particularly suitably used in a field of a material for a ball such as a basketball, American football, or rugby ball. The present invention relates to a ball used for any one of basketball, handball, rugby ball, and American football, comprising a sheet having formed thereon a cover layer including substantially continuous pebbles and hemispherical valleys adjoining the pebbles formed on a surface of a base fabric, in which: a height difference between the pebbles and the valleys is 50 to 1,000 μm, a vertical projected area of each of the adjoining valleys is 3 to 30 mm2, and an average distance between the valleys is 0.5 to 3 mm.
US07758455B2

The present invention relates to a training grip for a tennis racket. The training grip has a series of protrusions and recesses that receive a user's hand and place it in proper position for a particular grip type. The present invention, in one embodiment, includes a universal training grip that allows the grip to be used for more than one grip type. The present invention includes methods, systems and kits that encompass such a tennis training grip.
US07758454B2

A more efficient triangular shape for metal wood clubs or driver clubs is disclosed. This triangular shape allows the clubs to have higher rotational moments of inertia in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and a lower center of gravity.
US07758449B2

The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra. The face may be selectively textured to enhance certain shots that the golfer may perform. This may include providing a plurality of distinct sets of texturing to accommodate a plurality of different shots. The grooves may contain a plurality of portions, including a radiused or angled portion, a portion having substantially parallel walls, a portion having a v-shape, and a curved portion. The grooves may also be characterized by various dimensions, including draft angle, inclusive side wall angle, width, depth, cross-sectional area, spacing, and pitch ratio.
US07758442B2

A golf swing training device is disclosed that includes a substantially planar surface. In use, the surface acts as a guide for the movement of a golfer's shoulders when the golfer executes a substantial portion of a backswing.
US07758440B2

The present invention describes wood-type golf club heads and methods of adjusting these wood-type golf club heads. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a wood-type golf club head having a body with a sole portion, a face portion, and a hollow interior. Furthermore, a crown portion is disposed on the body, and the crown portion has an upper crown and a lower crown. The upper crown is disposed a predetermined height above the lower crown and the lower crown makes up more than half of the crown portion.
US07758432B2

An outer joint part (12) of a constant velocity universal joint (11) in the form of a joint bell (16) with an attached connecting journal (17) and a radial supporting face (18) at the joint bell (16). The outer joint part (12), by threading, can be tensioned relative to a wheel hub (25) slid on to the connecting journal and which is supported either directly or indirectly on the supporting face (18). An annular disc (22) which is made of a low-friction material and is positioned on the supporting face (18) so as to be concentric relative to the connecting journal (17).
US07758426B2

The present invention relates to an on-line game tournament system 1000 and the method for the same which determines participant's competition by tournament and a prize money by winning number. According to the present invention, initial level and credit are bestowed to a participant who settled a participation fee and competitors for the game are determined from the participants (Step S307). Then, the game processes and if the game between the competitors concludes, then the level of the winner is increased by one and a ratio of the credit of a loser is transferred from the loser to a winner. Also, the loser wins the prize money according to the present credit after the transfer and the participation is recorded as unavailable. (Step S314)
US07758425B2

A virtual card system provides a card game which is presented in a three-dimensional representation on monitor screens. The system allows human players to play the card game through the monitor screens. The monitor screen may be touch screens which allow the human players to input commands directly. The card game displayed on the touch screen is adapted for graphical manipulation in response to commands from a human player in real time, for instance to bend a card back at the corner to look on the underside.
US07758423B2

A group bonus round game may be played on a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming units connected together to form a networked gaming system. Each of the gaming units having a light device located thereon, wherein the light device is adapted to display a bonus indicia. The group bonus game includes the generation of a display of bonus indicia on a first subset of the gaming units, and subsequently a second subset of the gaming units, wherein the display of the bonus indicia on the different subsets of gaming units creates an illusion that the bonus indicia are spinning, or revolving through the gaming system before stopping at a specific gaming unit. The group bonus round may additionally utilize music and/or bonus stages to create other bonus round gaming themes, for example a “musical chairs” type group bonus round.
US07758418B2

Embodiments of the invention relate to gaming machines, and more particularly, to a system and method for presenting a game result as an independent event. Systems embodying one or more aspects of the invention enhance the game playing experience by presenting players with a receipt or media that gives players the opportunity to obtain sensory feedback subsequent to playing a first game. This sensory feedback, which is based on information encoded on the receipt and possibly stored on a server for later cross checking, is provided via a winning display machine and may take multiple forms. The winning display machine may, for instance, read the information on the receipt and simply inform the user of the amount or result of the first game. Alternatively or in addition the winning display machine may utilize the information encoded on the receipt to simulate the appearance of additional game play.
US07758417B2

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for receiving an indication of a wager, determining at least one balance of a gaming device having a plurality of balances, the at least one balance being associated with the wager, and determining an outcome of a play of the gaming device based on the at least one balance.
US07758408B2

A system and method for regulating humidity in an enclosed structure, including an outside humidity sensor; an outside temperature sensor; an inside humidity sensor; an inside temperature sensor; a ventilation system; and a computing unit that receives sensor information from the temperature and humidity sensors, compares sensor information from inside and outside the enclosed structure, and utilizes the comparison of sensor information to generate one or more output signals to control the ventilation system. This ensures that supply ventilation (by outdoor air) is activated only when it is beneficial for the drying of the attic and controls the ventilation so that an acceptable moisture level is ensured with a minimal ventilation rate, resulting in a warmer attic and reduced heat loss during the heating season.
US07758402B2

A recessed portion is formed in an area, of a rear surface of a wafer, corresponding to a device formation area is formed by a rough grinding wheel of a rough grinding unit and an annular protruding portion is concurrently formed around the recessed portion. The inner circumferential lateral surface of the recessed portion is next ground by a finishing grinding wheel of a finishing grinding unit and the bottom surface is subsequently ground.
US07758394B2

A sporting system is described, having a sport board that can be attached to a shoe construction using Velcro®.
US07758389B2

A connector assembly configured to connect a plug body into a receiving module of an electrical device is provided. The connector assembly has a cable end and a plug end and a cable channel extending therethrough. The connector assembly includes an inner body having and an outer housing that is coupled to and surrounds at least a portion of the inner body. The outer housing is configured to attach to the electrical device. The connector assembly further includes a plug having the plug body and at least one cable conductor extending through the cable channel and connecting to the plug body. The plug body is held near or within the inner body and is movable from a first position near or within the inner body to a second position engaged with the receiving module.
US07758387B2

An electrical card connector for insertion of a first card and a second card which is wider than the first card, includes an insulative housing defining a front mating port, a card receiving space extending backwardly from the mating port for receiving the first and the second cards, and a plurality of terminals for mating with a first card and a second card wider than the first card. A card restriction mechanism is fixed to the insulative housing and includes a guiding body and an elastic spring located on the guiding body. The guiding body restricts and guides the first card and second cards to be inserted into the receiving space while the cards moving through the mating port.
US07758384B2

An adapter for coupling a pair of implantable neurostimulator lead extension plugs to a connector port of a neurostimulator device includes a connector coupled to a first end of an elongate body and a flexible bifurcation member coupled to a second end of the elongate body, wherein the bifurcation member includes a first branch, to which a first housing, having first and second ports, is coupled, and a second branch, to which a second housing, having first and second ports, is coupled. Openings of the first and second ports of each housing provide for side-by-side insertion of first and second connector terminals of one of the lead extension plugs. Contacts within each port provide for electrical coupling with corresponding contacts of the connector terminals of the plug, and are coupled to corresponding contacts of the adapter connector via conductors extending within the elongate body between the corresponding housing and connector.
US07758383B1

Connector assemblies, combinations and methods for use in wiring/cabling applications are disclosed. Connector assemblies include openings that facilitate interaction between plugs and cables, particularly foil-shielded twisted pair (FTP) cables. Connector assembly sub-components and connector sub-assemblies are also disclosed. Connector assemblies and sub-assemblies include securely coupled or joined sub-components. Sub-components are coupled to one another through the use of deflectable latching members of one sub-component engaging corresponding latching slots of another sub-component. Sub-components and sub-assemblies are also coupled to one another through the use of a cam nut engaged into a cam slot of another sub-component or sub-assembly. Connector assemblies, combinations and methods including a contact capable of engaging an FTP cable, drain wire and metal foil or sheath through the application of a cam nut interaction with a cam member are also disclosed.
US07758380B2

A stacked electrical connector includes an upper mating port, a lower mating port, an insulative separate portion separating the upper and the lower mating ports, and an additional metal shell covering the separate portion. The upper and lower mating ports include first and second metal shells, respectively. The additional metal shell includes a main body shielding a front surface of the separate portion and a pair of side walls extending backwardly from the main body to abut against the opposite walls. At least one side wall includes a lower bending portion attached to the second metal shell in order to form a much larger grounding area for Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) protection.
US07758379B2

The present invention discloses an electrical connector comprising: a housing; a base body having a tongue, whose one surface is disposed with a plurality of first terminal slots and whose other surface is disposed with a plurality of second terminal slots; a first terminal assembly whose each first terminal is disposed with a leg and a contact portion perpendicular to the leg, respectively, with the legs being alternately arranged; and a second terminal assembly whose each second terminal is disposed with a leg and a contact portion perpendicular to the leg and then bending downward, respectively. For the first terminal assembly the legs of every third terminal are offset from the remaining ones. The terminals of one assembly may be e-SATA type and those of the other assembly may be USB type.
US07758375B2

A balanced transmission cable connector includes a balanced transmission cable including a plurality of pair electric wires, each of the pair electric wires including a first signal wire, a second signal wire, and a drain wire; a contact assembly body having an insulative block body where first and second signal contacts and a ground contact are alternately arranged in a row direction, the first and second signal contacts facing each other in a line direction, the block body having a rear surface side where first and second signal wire connecting parts being parts of the first and second signal contacts and a drain wire connecting part and a plate-shaped part being a part of the ground contact project; a first groove part where the first signal wire connecting part is provided; a second groove part where the second signal wire connecting part is provided; a slit and an insulative spacer.
US07758372B2

The invention concerns a connector designed to be fitted to a multi-conductor cable and which comprises at least one socket, a cable grip formed by a portion connected to the socket and a free portion articulated on the connected portion, and assembly means. The assembly means comprise a lever articulated around an articulation axis, held by the socket and distant from the articulation axis of the grip, wherein this lever has a curved end that may exert on the external surface of the free portion of the grip a thrust force which solicits the grip when closing in response to the application, on the lever, of a rotational torque around the articulation axis.
US07758371B2

An electrical cord locking connector joins electrical cords in series and presents a streamlined profile that minimizes interference in restricted spaces through which the cords must be fed to service a job site. The connector joins the ends of successive cords utilizing the outwardly projecting shoulder provided on the female socket of one cord in cooperation with a latch member on the male end of the connecting cord to lock the two cords together.
US07758366B2

In a connector, a fixed member is configured to be fixed to a substrate. An insertion member is arranged separate from the fixed member and configured to be insertable into an insertion part of a mating connector. Pairs of contacts are arranged on side surfaces of the insertion part of the mating connector to connect the fixed member and the insertion member to each other. Each contact includes a first fixed part fixed to the fixed member, a second fixed part fixed to the insertion member, and a contact part to contact with a contact piece of the mating connector. A cross-sectional shape of a portion of each contact between the first fixed part and the second fixed part is such that the insertion member is displaceable relative to the fixed member in an arranging direction of the pair of contacts and a direction perpendicular to the arranging direction.
US07758364B1

An apparatus and associated method for rotary positioning is provided in an apparatus having an outer housing disposed around an inner housing, wherein at least one of the housings is rotatable with respect to the other housing. The rotary positioner also has a utility circuit having a first flexible circuit connected at one end to the outer housing and connected at an opposing end to the inner housing and forming a loop therebetween having a first u-shaped bend pointing in a first rotational direction in a space between the housings, and having a second flexible circuit connected at one end to the outer housing and connected at an opposing end to the inner housing and forming a loop therebetween having a second u-shaped bend pointing in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction in the space between the housings.
US07758361B2

An electrical card connector (100) for mounting on a printed circuit board (PCB), includes an insulating housing (10), a plurality of terminals (13) received in the insulating housing, a metal shield (12) covering the insulating housing for defining a card receiving space, a grounding piece (14) and a conductor (108) electrically connected with the grounding piece and the metal shield. The grounding piece is attached to the insulating housing and has one surface electrically connected with the PCB.
US07758358B1

A track lighting assembly includes a coupler to join tracks which is movable through a plurality of angles. The assembly also comprises an adapter which allows for flush mounting of the track wherein the fixture adapters may be moved along the track despite the flush mounting of the track.
US07758351B2

A system for batch forming a sheet of spring elements in three dimensions is described. A spring element sheet containing spring elements defined in two dimensions is arranged between two mating die press plates. A force is applied to the mating die press plates to form the two-dimensional spring contact elements into three dimensions. Alternatively, configurable die press plates are used to selectively form a two-dimensional spring element sheet into three-dimensional spring contacts.
US07758347B2

The hair color simulation system for simulating a dyed hair color that results from dyeing hair with a mixture of two hair color preparations includes a base screen with a first through fifth layers and an intermediate layer. The first through fifth layers and the intermediate layer are superimposed over one another so as to display a simulated hair color that is produced when the first hair line, the second hair line, the colors of the two hair color preparations and the original hair color are displayed on the layers with respective transparencies and superimposed over each other. The RGB values of the superimposed colors produced by the two hair color preparations and the original hair color are stored in data storage sections. Input sections receive choices of the two hair color preparations and a mixing ratio for the simulation.
US07758344B2

An implant fixture is disclosed. The implant fixture includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis. The elongated body includes a base portion having a non-circular cross section and a receiver adapted to receive a prosthetic. A root portion extends from the base portion away from the receiver. An extension portion extends from the root portion away from the base portion. The extension portion extends primarily along one side of the longitudinal axis. A kit containing a plurality of implant fixtures having different configurations is also disclosed. Further, a method of inserting the implant fixture into a patient is also disclosed. The method uses piezoelectrically generated energy to seat the implant fixture in the patient's bone.
US07758340B2

A heating device provided with a cooling plate and a heating plate is formed in a low height, and floats a substrate above the cooling plate and the heating plate and moves the substrate horizontally between the cooling plate and the heating plate by the pressure of a gas. A heating device 2 includes a cooling plate 3 provided with flotation gas spouting ports 3a, and a heating plate provided with flotation gas spouting ports. The flotation gas spouting ports 3a and 3b are arranged along a wafer moving passage and are formed so as to spout the gas obliquely upward toward a first end of the wafer moving passage on the side of the cooling plate. A pushing member 51 is brought into contact with a back part of a wafer W with respect to a direction in which the wafer W is moved to move the wafer W in a direction toward the heating plate 6 opposite a direction in which the flotation gas is spouted. The pushing member 51 is brought into contact with a back part of a wafer W with respect to a direction in which the wafer W is moved to move the wafer W in a direction toward the cooling plate 3 in which the flotation gas is spouted.
US07758331B2

Supporting device for a plastic profile (2), in particular for a plastic pipe, in a calibration device which has a supporting region (1), in which it supports the plastic profile (2), wherein the contour (3) in the supporting region (1) is adapted to the contour of the plastic profile (2). According to the invention, provision is made in that the contour (3) in the supporting region (1), in particular the radius (4), can be changed.Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for changing a supporting region of a supporting device, in which the position of one or more series-arranged supporting devices with continuously changeable supporting region are changed as a function of a predetermined theoretical diameter such that the predetermined diameter is produced.
US07758328B2

Screw rotation speeds and screw rotating torques are measured at predetermined time intervals during metering and substituted into a previously-assumed function to determine a maximum screw rotating torque at each screw rotation speed. An allowable upper limit of screw rotating torque is set for each screw rotation speed on the basis of the determined maximum screw rotating torque. If a screw rotating torque exceeding the allowable upper limit is detected during metering after the allowable upper limit is set, the screw rotation is stopped or changed.
US07758320B2

A two-stage pump having an internal fluid pathway or cycle for providing cooling to various parts in the pump, such as, an electric motor in the pump, and also for lubricating at least one or a plurality of bearings in the pump. The pump utilized hydrodynamic bearings that are adapted or configured to provide various passageways, channels and the like for using the fluid that is being pumped by the pump as lubrication for at least one or a plurality of bearings in the pump.
US07758317B2

A method for analysis of solvent evaporation patterns includes: continuously evacuating the gas of a single-component or multicomponent solvent evaporated under desired evaporation conditions from an object containing the single-component or multicomponent solvent housed in an airtight container, with evacuation means from the airtight container to an exhaust path connected to an exhaust port of the evacuation means; sampling a gas at predetermined time intervals from a desired point between the airtight container and the outlet of the exhaust path with the continuous evacuation maintained; measuring the solvent gas contained in the sampled gas; and determining an evaporation pattern of the solvent from the object under the desired evaporation conditions, from results of the measurement.
US07758312B2

A main rotor blade assembly includes a tip spar which defines a tip spar non-straight form, an upper blade skin which defines an upper blade skin non-straight form adjacent to the tip spar non-straight form and a lower blade skin which defines a lower blade skin non-straight form adjacent to the tip spar non-straight form.
US07758300B2

The wind generating device employs modules each having two turbines. Each of the turbines employs two rotors, coaxially aligned and arranged one downstream from the other. The arrangement includes a proximal channel with a leading portion having decreasing radius toward the first rotor which acts as a collector and a following portion connecting fluidly the first and second rotor and a distal channel which is separate from the proximal channel and opens into the following portion thereby adding to the airflow to the second rotor. Downstream from the second rotor is a diffuser with radius increasing with distance from the rotor. The device includes mounting modules vertically stacked which allows for yaw responsive to wind. The device further includes mounting the modules on a tower.
US07758298B2

When a turbocompressor is being started and/or accelerated, in particular a compressor in a gas-turbine set, the position (VIGV) of a row of variable inlet guide vanes is varied dynamically; in particular, the row of inlet guide vanes is closed during acceleration.
US07758289B2

To compensate for tolerances and diameter differences during the chucking of a tool shank (15) in a tool holder (1) of the shrink-fit chuck type, a diameter-compensating bush (17) is provided. The diameter-compensating bush (17) has an outer sleeve (19) having a tapered inner circumferential surface (25) and an inner sleeve (21) arranged coaxially therein and having a tapered outer circumferential surface (27). Once the diameter-compensating bush (17) has been put onto the tool shank (15) and the inner sleeve (21) has been drawn into the outer sleeve (19), for example by means of a ring nut (35), for the diameter compensation, the outer sleeve (19) is thermally shrunk in place in the locating section (9) of the tool holder (1). In this way, rotary tools whose tool shank (15) does not have a diameter corresponding to the diameter or the tolerance requirements of the tool holder (1) can be chucked in a tool holder (1), for example, of the shrink-fit chuck type.
US07758288B2

There are provided an expanded hole drilling device, a component for the expanded hole drilling device, and an expanded hole drilling method, capable of expanding the diameter of a previously bored hole to a large diameter without causing decentering. The expanded hole drilling device 10 includes a drill holder 22 that is attached to a drill grasping part 18 in place of a drill 16 and grasps the drill 16, and a centering attachment 24 having a conical tip end part, which is attached to the drill holder 22. The expanded hole drilling method includes a step of arranging a bored workpiece displaceably on a table 14, a step of performing centering by inserting the tip end part of the centering attachment 24 into a bored hole, a step of fixing the centered workpiece on the table 14, and a step of drilling the workpiece to expand the hole by using the drill 16 after the centering attachment 24 has been removed.
US07758285B2

A gooseneck frame is attached to the forward ends of a pair of lift arms which extend forwardly from a vehicle such as a skid steer vehicle with the forward end of the gooseneck frame being secured to the forward end of a silt fence installing machine so that the silt fence installing machine is pulled through the ground in advance of the vehicle. An improved coulter disk includes a cylindrical hub which limits the downward movement of the coulter disc with respect to the ground.
US07758284B2

In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus and related methods for installation in a borehole formed in a face of a mine passage comprises an elongated bolt including a spiral shaft portion for positioning in the borehole. A hardened, stationary resin nut formed in only part of the borehole, preferably spaced from the distal end thereof, receives the spiral shaft portion of the bolt. Consequently, rotation of the spiral shaft portion within the hardened resin nut serves to move the bolt within the borehole, such as for purposes of tensioning.
US07758271B2

A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that readily lock together in a closed position, preventing accidental opening of the ring members and loss of pages. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for pivoting motion that brings the ring members to either an open position or the closed position. The mechanism further comprises a control structure supported by the housing for causing the pivoting motion of the hinge plates. A spring plate is engage able with the control structure for urging the control structure to move toward a position blocking pivoting motion of the hinge plates when the ring members move to the closed position.
US07758267B1

A cosmetic container includes a cap comprising a hinged top cover and a rear opening; a frame comprising a top hole, a slit besides the hole, and a hollow cylinder; a light assembly comprising a lamp disposed in the hole, a battery, and a spring biased switch; and a shell and pomade assembly comprising a shell, a carrier fixedly secured to the shell, a sleeve rotatably secured to the carrier, a pomade secured to the carrier and disposed in the sleeve, and a hollow neck releasably secured to the shell and the cylinder. Prior to projecting the pomade opening the cover will expand the spring to close the switch and electrically connect the switch, the lamp, and the battery together to cause the lamp to emit light.
US07758266B2

There is provided an accessory for a writing implement including a body assembly comprising a barrel and a split plug and defining a passage therethrough adapted to receive a pencil. The barrel is provided with an internally threaded end adapted to be engaged by an outer threaded portion of the split plug which is provided with a pair of opposed slots. The respective threaded portions are relatively tapered whereby threaded engagement of the split plug with the barrel causes the slots to close up such that the pencil is retained thereby. The barrel is provided with a pocket clip.
US07758262B2

An ink ribbon cartridge including a frame, supply shaft supporting members and take-up shaft supporting members is provided. The supply shaft supporting members support a supply shaft, and the take-up shaft supporting members support a take-up shaft. The frame includes a first bearing member, a second bearing member, a front connecting member, which connects front ends of the first and second bearing members together, and a back connecting member connects back ends of the first and second bearing members together. At least one of the front connecting member and the back connecting member has one of a groove or a hole capable of accommodating a portion of an image forming device in which the ink ribbon cartridge may be installed.
US07758256B2

A field-installable optical connector for terminating an optical cable, said connector comprising: (a) a housing having a front and back orientation; (b) a rear body attached to the back of said connector housing; (c) a ferrule assembly disposed in said connector housing, said ferrule assembly comprising at least a ferrule adapted for receiving a fiber of said cable, and a clamping mechanism to the rear of said ferrule, said clamping mechanism comprising at least a platform defining a fiber-receiving channel for receiving said fiber, a first member adjacent to the fiber-receiving channel and having at least one cam surface, and a second member having a second cam surface, said first and second cam surfaces cooperating such that relative movement between said first and second members causes said first member to move toward said fiber-receiving channel; (d) an actuator operatively connected to said second member to cause said second member to move relative said first member upon axial movement of said actuator, said actuator having an exposed portion extending rearward from said rear body, said exposed portion adapted to be inserted within a jacket of said cable to secure said jacket to said exposed portion, wherein said actuator and said ferrule assembly move as one unit once said clamping mechanism is actuated by said actuator to secure said fiber therein; and (e) a resilient member disposed between said ferrule and said rear body to urge said ferrule assembly forward.
US07758254B2

A fiber connector using a hooking structure includes a fiber connector having a socket and a fastening block disposed inside an upper end of the socket; a fiber positioning piece for inserting in the socket of the fiber connector, the fiber positioning piece having a spring plate extending forwardly from an upper end thereof, and a buckling slot disposed on the spring plate, the buckling slot being provided for the fastening block of the fiber connector to be fastened therein; therefore the hooking structure of the fiber connector is implemented by using these components.
US07758253B2

A thrust roller bearing comprises a plurality of cylindrical rollers each having a rolling surface on its side surface and a cage formed of a disk-shaped member having a hole formed in the center and comprising a plurality of pockets penetrating in a thickness direction for housing the rollers. The pocket has a plurality of stopper parts at a wall surface opposed to the rolling surface of said roller, and a plurality of guide parts between said adjacent stopper parts. When it is assumed that the distance between the outer wall surface of said pocket in the diameter direction and the guide part located on the outer side in the diameter direction of the two guide parts is L1 and the distance between the inner wall surface of said pocket in the diameter direction and the guide part located inner side in the diameter direction of the two guide parts is L3, it is satisfied that L1>L3.
US07758251B2

A drawn cup needle roller bearing comprises a drawn cup having flanges formed by a bending process at both ends, rollers arranged along the inner diameter surface of the drawn cup, and a no-metal cored seal incorporated on the inner diameter side of the drawn cup. The drawn cup in which the rollers are incorporated is heat treated and the no-metal cored seal is elastically deformed and incorporated inside the drawn cup past the flange. Here, the roller has a nitrogen-enriched layer on its surface layer, and the nitrogen-enriched layer contains not less than 20% by volume of retained austenite.
US07758250B2

A bicycle hub is provided that comprises a hub axle, a hub body rotatably mounted on the hub axle by a pair of bearings. The bicycle hub also has an inner tubular structure including a pair of inner tubes. One of the inner tubes is fixedly secured relative to a first body end adjacent to a first bearing, while the other inner tube is fixedly secured relative to the second body end adjacent to the second bearing. The inner tubes have inner free end portions that are telescopically arranged so that the inner tubes can be used with several different has that have different axial widths.
US07758244B2

A linear guide unit, in particular a gantry axis, that has an oblong guide support (14), is provided with two essentially parallel guide rails (24, 26) extending in the guide direction (F), but rotated in relation to each other around a rotation axis (V) parallel to the guide direction (F), each of which guide rails (24, 26) has at least one sliding carriage (36, 38) guided on it so that it can slide in the guide direction (F), the sliding carriages (36, 38) being connected to a sliding carriage assembly (36, 38) capable of moving as a unit in the guide direction (F). According to the present invention, the two guide rails (24, 26) rest essentially without moving play against at least two counterpart support surfaces (GF24, GF24L, GF24R, GF26, GF26L, GF26R) of the guide support (14) extending essentially in the guide direction (F), two of the counterpart support surfaces (GF24, GF24L, GF24R, GF26, GF26L, GF26R) enclosing a predetermined angle, preferably of at most 90°, between them.
US07758241B2

A shielding system which can be applied to a radiation therapy system and/or diagnostic system includes a scatter shield configured to absorb scattered radiation from a patient, a source shield to absorb unwanted radiation from the radiation source, and an anti-reflective beam dump configured to absorb radiation that is transmitted through a patient. The radiation therapy and/or diagnostic system includes a radiation source positioned in the source shield, and a patient support positioned in the scatter shield.
US07758237B2

A balance spring-collet assembly for a timepiece movement comprises a collet (1) and a balance spring (3) attached at its inner end to the collet (1). The collet (1) is capable of being mounted onto a shaft (2). The external periphery of the collet (1) defines abutments (10a, 10b, 10c) against which the inner turn of the balance spring (3) may come to rest during a shock before the elastic limit of the inner turn is exceeded. The abutments (10a, 10b, 10c) are situated at respective distances (Ra, Rb, Rc) from the center (O) of the shaft (2) that increase in the direction (D) of the balance spring (3) from the inside to the outside starting at the point (8) of junction between the balance spring (3) and the collet (1).
US07758235B1

Thermal processing of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), having up to approximately 8% or more moisture content, dries and preheats the material to enhance efficient recycling in a hot mix asphalt plant. A combustor and heat exchanger reheat circulating hot oil, which with hot gas, moves through a hollow auger and around the RAP counter to the flow of RAP. Moisture is forced outward from within the particles and is flashed away by the hot exhaust gas. A similar secondary heater heats the RAP to just below asphalt coking temperature before the hot dry RAP is added as an aggregate to the hot mix asphalt plant.
US07758220B1

An in-ground inspection lighting system, particularly an in-ground inspection lighting system for underside of vehicles including an elongated, embedded light transmitting optical fiber in a polymeric mass, remotely energized, and placed into a pre-determined channel formed in a medium such as concrete or asphalt, whereby the embedded embodiment does not protrude from the channel and is essentially flush mounted in the medium. Alternatively, an in-ground inspection lighting system including, an elongated embodiment of linear light emitting diode assemblies embedded in a polymer mass and placed into a pre-determined channel formed in a medium such as concrete or asphalt, whereby the embedded embodiment does not protrude from the channel and is essentially flush mounted in the medium. The linear embodiments to provide a steady, uniform flood of light up to the underside of a vehicle to be inspected.
US07758214B2

An LED lamp includes a heat dissipation apparatus, an LED module, a bulb and a reflector. The heat dissipation apparatus includes a first heat sink, a second heat sink and a heat conductor positioned between the first heat sink and the second heat sink. The LED module includes a plurality of LEDs mounted on the heat conductor. The bulb is seated on the first heat sink and the reflector is seated on the second heat sink. The reflector and the bulb together form a housing for receiving the LED module and the heat conductor therein. Heat pipes are used to thermally connect the heat conductor and the first and second heat sinks.
US07758192B2

A lighting device includes: a light source unit which supplies coherent light; a polarized light splitting unit which reflects first polarized light having first oscillation direction and transmits second polarized light having second oscillation direction substantially orthogonal to the first oscillation direction to split the first polarized light from the second polarized light; a reflection unit which reflects light advancing in a direction other than the lighting direction from the polarized light splitting unit; a partial reflection unit disposed between the polarized light splitting unit and the reflection unit to transmit a part of entering light and reflect the other part of the entering light; and a wavelength plate disposed between the polarized light splitting unit and the partial reflection unit to vary polarization condition of entering light.
US07758182B2

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes a main unit, a first door, and a second door. The main unit includes an image forming mechanism to form an image and a replaceable component to be ordinarily replaced by a user. The first door is arranged at a first part of a front side of the main unit. The first door is openable and closable. The second door is arranged at a second part of the front side of the main unit to vertically divide the front side of the main unit such that the first door and the second door do not overlap in a vertical direction. The second door is difficult to attach and detach to and from the main unit.
US07758180B2

An image forming apparatus, which uses an electrostatic force to hold a recording medium during conveyance, includes a rotary belt, an image forming mechanism, a driving mechanism, a contact member in contact with the rotary belt, a charging mechanism and a controller. The controller may cause the contact member to be held in contact with the rotary belt, may cause the bias voltage to vary so as to reduce the electrostatic force during a time other than the image forming operation by the image forming mechanism, and may cause the driving mechanism to drive the rotary belt when the contact member is held in contact with the rotary belt.
US07758179B2

An inkjet recording apparatus 1 is provided with: a recording head 10 to eject light-hardenable ink onto a recording medium S; a plurality of light sources 12a and 13a configured with semiconductor light emitting elements to radiate light onto the light-hardenable ink; a constant voltage power supply 14 to receive an alternating current and convert into a direct current power having a predetermined voltage; constant current circuits 15a and 15b to convert the direct current power supplied from the constant voltage power supply into a direct current power having a predetermined current value and to supply the direct current power to the light sources; and a control section 16 to control the current value of the direct current power supplied from the constant current circuits, where a plurality of the light sources are connected serially and a plurality of the constant current circuits are provided in accordance with number of blocks 11a and 11b which are configured with a plurality of light sources divided into a predetermined number of the light sources or number of a plurality of the light sources.
US07758178B2

To provide a highly human- and environment-friendly ink fixing method that is excellent in energy efficiency, operability and ink-fixing property and has a simple process, an ink fixing apparatus that is excellent in energy efficiency, operability and ink-fixing property and is a highly human- and environment-friendly, simple and compact apparatus, and a printer that is equipped with the ink fixing apparatus and can provide high-quality images at low cost. The ink fixing apparatus of the present invention includes at least fixing a print ink to a base material using a discharge generated between electrodes under pressure close to atmospheric pressure, wherein the print ink includes at least a non-volatile organic compound bearing a carboxylic group and includes no photopolymerization initiators.
US07758176B2

The image forming apparatus comprises: a recording head which discharges droplets of liquid onto a recording medium; a dissolved gas amount estimating device which estimates an amount of dissolved gas contained in the liquid inside the recording head; and a liquid restoring device which carries out restoration processing of the liquid inside the recording head, if an estimated value of the amount of the dissolved gas estimated by the dissolved gas amount estimating device exceeds a prescribed reference value.
US07758175B2

An ink cartridge that is filled with ink and, used with the ink cartridge loaded into a printer includes a reservoir that reserves the ink, an outlet through which the ink is supplied to the printer with the ink cartridge loaded, at least one ink supply system that includes a channel that leads the ink from the reservoir to the outlet, and a sensor that detects whether the channel is filled with the ink or gas, an ink cartridge terminal that is electrically coupled to the sensor and makes contact with a printer terminal disposed on the printer upon loading of the ink cartridge. A detection region of the channel where detection is carried out by the sensor is previously filled with gas with the ink cartridge yet to be used. Whether or not the use of the ink cartridge is proper is determined based on information from the sensor.
US07758172B2

An ink jet type recording apparatus comprises a connection member which has a passage for leading ink to a recording head from an ink cartridge. In the passage, a valve member having a magnetic body is provided. A rotation member has a permanent magnet and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the rotation member is located in the first position, an attraction that can move the valve member in an opening direction of the passage acts between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member opens the passage. When the rotation member is located in the second position, the attraction that can move the valve member does not act between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member closes the passage.
US07758171B2

A method is disclosed for forming a liquid pattern including forming non-print drops by applying non-print drop forming energy pulses during a unit time period, τ0, and forming print drops by applying print drop forming energy pulses during a large drop time period, τm, wherein the large drop time period is a multiple, m, of the unit time period, τm=mτ0, and m≧2; and a corresponding plurality of drop forming energy pulses sequences are formed so as to form non-print drops and print drops according to the liquid pattern data. The corresponding drop forming energy pulse sequences applied to adjacent drop forming transducers are substantially shifted in time so that the print drops formed in adjacent streams of drops are not aligned along the nozzle array direction.
US07758160B2

A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator, and control logic controls the drive transistor. The drive transistor, control logic and inkjet nozzle covers an area of less than 20,000 μm2.
US07758159B2

The mist spraying apparatus includes: a liquid chamber filled with liquid; a mesh member which is disposed on a liquid ejection side of the liquid chamber, has a net shape, and retains a free surface of the liquid filled in the liquid chamber, the mesh member including an intersection point to form the net shape; and an ultrasonic wave generating device which is disposed at a position opposing the intersection point of the mesh member and emits an ultrasonic wave into the liquid.
US07758156B2

An image forming method using a black ink containing a pigment, a black ink containing a dye, and a reactive color ink capable of unstabilizing the dispersion state of the pigment in the black ink, wherein the method includes one of the steps of, on at least part of a region to which the black ink is to be applied, applying the reactive color ink, the black ink, and the black ink in that order so as to overlap, thereby applying these inks to a recording medium; and applying the black ink, the black ink, and the reactive color ink in that order so as to overlap, thereby applying these inks to a recording medium.
US07758151B2

A wiper device wipes a nozzle surface of a liquid ejection head along a wiping direction. The nozzle surface has a plurality of nozzle openings for ejecting liquid and step. The steps are located outside of the area in which the nozzle openings are provided and extend along the wiping direction. The wiper device includes a wiper member that wipes the nozzle surface along the wiping direction. The wiper member has a first portion corresponding to the steps and a second portion corresponding to the area in which the nozzle openings are arranged. Wiping force for wiping the nozzle surface of the first portion is greater than that of the second portion.
US07758150B2

The present invention provides a capture member for directly capturing ink droplets ejected to an area other then a recording medium, among ink droplets ejected from a printer head for ink jet recording, wherein said member comprises a porous plastic produced by sinter molding of plastic particles, and contains an impregnating agent impregnated therein.
US07758149B2

A printhead maintenance facility with a core that mounts in an inkjet printer for movement relative to an inkjet printhead. The core has a plurality of maintenance station mounting sites, each with engagement formations. The core also has a plurality of maintenance structures for operation with the printhead, the plurality of maintenance structures each being mountable to at least one other of the plurality of maintenance station mounting sites.
US07758145B2

A method of performing periodic maintenance on a printhead in an ink jet printer, includes the steps of: applying electrical power to the ink jet printer at a start time; determining an elapsed time since the start time; comparing the elapsed time with a determinate time period; and performing a printhead maintenance routine, after the elapsed time reaches the determinate time period, and independent of usage of the printhead.
US07758140B2

A printing apparatus uses a liquid jet apparatus including a plurality of nozzles provided to a liquid jet head, an actuator provided corresponding to each of the nozzles, and drive unit that applies a drive signal to the actuator, wherein the drive unit includes drive waveform signal generation unit that generates a drive waveform signal providing a basis of a signal for controlling the actuator, feedback correction unit for feedback-correcting the drive waveform signal generated by the drive waveform signal generation unit, modulator unit for pulse-modulating the corrected drive waveform signal feedback-corrected by the feedback correction unit, a digital power amplifier for power-amplifying the modulated signal, which is pulse-modulated by the modulator unit, and a low-pass filter for smoothing the power-amplified and modulated signal power-amplified by the digital power amplifier and supplying the actuator with the power-amplified and modulated signal as the drive signal, and the feedback correction unit includes a virtual filter having an equivalent frequency characteristic to a frequency characteristic of a filter composed of the low-pass filter and capacitance of the actuator, and operation unit for feedback-correcting the drive waveform signal with a component of the drive waveform signal generated by the drive waveform signal generation unit and passing through the virtual filter.
US07758137B2

A fluid ejection device includes a die having a plurality of nozzles variously configured according to a predetermined intended distribution. The fluid ejection device also includes a controller configured to set a mean drop volume of the die by selectively firing selected nozzles of the die.
US07758133B2

A computer enclosure includes a chassis (10), a side panel (20), and a fastening apparatus. The chassis has an opening (11), and comprises a rear panel (12) in which a hole (123) is defined. The side panel is configured for covering the opening of the chassis. The fastening apparatus secures the side panel to the chassis. The fastening apparatus includes a resilient piece (30). One end of the resilient piece is mounted to inside of the side panel. Another end of the resilient piece defines at least a hook (341) engaging in the hole of the rear panel for clasping the rear panel. The fastening apparatus further includes a latch (40) for urging the hook of the resilient piece to disengage from the hole of the rear panel.
US07758132B2

The present invention relates to a braking hydraulic circuit for linear pressure reduction of a front/rear wheel braking liquid pressure in a vehicle. On a liquid pressure return line formed between wheel cylinders and a master cylinder, a two-system liquid pressure control circuit separately passes liquid pressures to be discharged from the wheel cylinders and then unifies the liquid pressures. The liquid pressure control circuit has normal open type solenoid valves and normal close type solenoid valves. Therefore, at the time of implementation of ABS (Antilock Brake System) or TCS (Traction Control System), linear control of a front/rear wheel braking liquid pressure can be realized. In addition, a difference in pressure intensification gradient according to a difference in generation time between the front and rear wheels can be eliminated.
US07758130B2

A rotational vehicle restraint system includes an anchoring component configured to be attached to a vehicle seat assembly; a rotatable component attached to the anchoring component and configured to rotate relative to the anchoring component about an axis of rotation; and a harness connected to the rotatable component and configured to fit about a passenger. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is configured to restrain a passenger fitted with the harness in both an upright sitting position and a lying down position. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is also optionally configured to enable the passenger fitted with the harness to change from a first lying down position facing forward in the vehicle seat assembly to a second lying down position facing backward in the vehicle seat assembly.
US07758129B2

A pair of seat backs are arranged in a vehicle width direction. A pair of floor brackets attach outer end portions of the seat backs in the vehicle width direction to a floor of the vehicle. A pair of center hinge brackets attach inner end portions of the seat backs in the vehicle width direction to the floor. A pair of connecting portions are provided in the center hinge brackets which are adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction. The seat backs are independently pivotably attached to the floor. The connecting portions are connected with each other.
US07758123B2

A vehicle seat includes: a frame part, which is lockable in its rear region on a rear foot or on the chassis side and is pivoted in a front hinge in a swiveling manner; a seat back pivoted in a seat back pivot on the frame part in a foldable manner; and a seat part for accommodating a user, which is adjustable downward into a lowered position when the seat back is folded forward. The seat part may be interlocked with the frame part in its lowered position, whereby the front lock of the frame part is released. Three positions may be set: a use position for accommodating a user, a functional position, in which the seat back is folded forward, and a storage position, which is adjustable from the functional position by releasing the rear lock of the frame part, interlocking the frame part with the seat part and folding forward about a front rocker.
US07758118B1

A child seat restraint alarm system for use with a shopping cart of the type including a pivoting child seat and a seat belt. The alarm system includes a transmitter sending a transmission to a receiver when a child seat is down and a safety belt is closed. If no transmission is received, the receiver produces an alarm.
US07758111B2

A foldable chair with a supporting backrest unit includes a pair of front legs, a pair of rear legs, a plurality of interconnected frames, a pair of armrest rods, a backrest rod and a seat unit (30). Each of rear leg rods is installed with a round protrusion and the interconnected frames are pivotally joined between each leg rods. Each armrest rod is engaged between the front and rear leg rods so as to enforce the supporting strength of entire structure. The seat unit comprises a seat fabric and a backrest fabric. Further, the backrest unit includes two sleeves and a backrest rod, wherein the first sleeve is engaged through one rear leg rod while the second sleeve is installed on another end of the backrest rod to engage through another rear leg rod.
US07758109B2

A structural joint configuration is used in an automotive body structure in which a transverse roof cross member has a convoluted formed shape that must be connected to the longitudinally extending tubular roof side rail. A two-piece clam shell bracket forms the joint apparatus. A lower piece formed in a shape to mate to and receive the transverse roof cross member is welded to the underside of the tubular roof side rail while projecting a formed receiver to engage the transverse roof cross member. An upper piece clamps over top of the transverse roof cross member and is welded to the top portion of the tubular roof side rail. The joint apparatus can be secured to the transverse roof cross member and to the roof side rail by either welding or by adhesives to provide a reinforcement at the joint between the two structural members.
US07758100B2

A retractable hardtop assembly is provided for a vehicle. A retractable hardtop assembly includes a front section that is connected by a linkage to a vehicle and a rearward portion that is connected by a separate linkage to a decklid of the vehicle. A package shelf/tonneau is secured by a linkage to the back section of the linkage. The package shelf/tonneau is moved from a package/shelf position below the rearward portion of the roof to a tonneau position above the retractable roof when the retractable roof is disposed in the storage compartment. The package shelf/tonneau is moved between the front portion of the roof and rearward portion of the roof during the extension and retraction cycles. The package shelf/tonneau may be rotated 360° as it is moved between the package shelf and tonneau positions.
US07758094B2

The invention is a two part wheeled vehicle that has an upper part that is an aerodynamic shell and a lower part that is a wheel system. This vehicle is constructed to hold the shell at a height above the road that allows significant air flow under the shell, thus causing improved aerodynamic performance. This elevated shell is built to eliminate side door openings to allow uninterrupted protective side structure. Access involves opening the shell to allow entry to a sitting position that is protected by the side structure. Closure restores the aerodynamic properties of the shell. Seats are movable such that a walkway is made clear for motorists to walk to a position ahead of their respective seats. A car roof top can be opened to enable motorists to walk, nearly erect, into the vehicle.
US07758090B2

An elastomeric blocker adapted to be inserted between the adjacent surfaces of a front seat of an automobile and a central console of an automobile to block the gap between the seat and the console and prevent articles from accumulating in the gap. The block has a central slit extending between its top and the bottom aligned longitudinally for the reception of the side seatbelt. A smooth sheet surface coating of fabric or plastic is attached to the section of the elastomer which contacts the central console, so that the blocker slides with the seat as it moves forwardly and rearwardly.
US07758084B2

A fitting (22) for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal between an opening in a chamber wall (10) and a pipe passing through said opening, said fitting (22) comprising: a first portion (31) adapted to extend through the opening in the chamber wall and; a second portion (32) adapted to form a fluid-tight fit with the first portion (31), both the first portion (31) and the second portion (32) being adapted to allow the pipe to pass therethrough; characterized in that the first portion (31) is formed from a material adapted to bond to a fiber reinforced plastics material and that the second portion (32) is formed from an electrofusible polymeric plastics material.
US07758075B2

A supporting structure for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a suspension arm fixing structure provided under the floor of a vehicle body and having a statically sufficient rigidity, the fuel tank being located so as to partially overlap the suspension arm fixing structure in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a supporting member provided under the fuel tank so as to extend in the lateral direction of the vehicle being detachably fastened to the suspension arm fixing structure to bring the fuel tank into pressure contact with the floor of the vehicle body by fixing the fuel tank. The supporting member serves also as a reinforcing member for imparting rigidity to the suspension arm fixing structure so that the suspension arm fixing structure can sufficiently sustain a dynamic load during running of the vehicle.
US07758074B2

A webbing retractor is provided that reduces the amount of webbing that is pulled-out after operation of a pretensioner mechanism. In a webbing retractor 10, a lock pawl 78 is set in a non-meshable state in which it cannot mesh with a lock gear 26. At a time when a pretensioner mechanism 34 operates and a clutch plate 42 rotates in a take-up direction, a lock stopper 86 rotates together with the clutch plate 42 and releases engagement with the lock pawl 78. Therefore, the lock pawl 78 is rotated by a compression coil spring 70 and changed to a meshable state. In this way, immediately after rotational force in a pull-out direction is applied to the lock gear 26 due to load from a vehicle occupant after operation of the pretensioner mechanism 34, the lock pawl 78 meshes with the lock gear 26, and pulling-out of a webbing 20 is impeded. Therefore, an amount of the webbing 20 which is pulled-out can be reduced.
US07758067B2

A knee airbag is described which is located in front of a front seat (S) in the footwell, whereby this footwell is limited on a first side by the vehicle inner structure (F) and on the side lying opposite the first side is limited by a center console (M). When it is completely filled and free from external forces, this knee airbag (10) exhibits a certain maximum width (b) horizontally and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle (f). In order to improve the safety of the vehicle occupants in case of a laterally-offset frontal collision, knee airbag (10) is arranged in the footwell in such a way that its maximum width (b) in inflated state is greater than the separation (a) between vehicle inner structure (F) and center console (M).
US07758063B2

A mobile vehicle or wheelchair having the ability to provide stabilized transport to at least one individual on a variety of surfaces, slopes and/or terrains. The mobile unit or wheelchair of the invention may travel across smooth and very rough surfaces, slopes of varying or different angles and various outdoor terrains (including grassy, rocky, sandy, muddy and/or hilly terrains). In one aspect of the invention, the height of any part of the unit or the overall height of the device may be adjusted preferably to raise or lower the center of gravity. For example, the height of the device may be lowered to provide more stable transportation. In another aspect, the device may be adjusted to increase or decrease the size of the footprint (or any part of the footprint) of the device. For example, the footprint of the device may be enlarged to provide more stable transportation. Preferably, both the height of the device (or any part of the device) and the size of the footprint (or any part of the footprint) may be adjusted preferably to provide more stability.
US07758062B2

A boot-retaining unit of a ski binding secures one end, in particular the toe end, of a ski boot using two boot sole holders pivotable about vertical axes, which engage an end region of the sole periphery or ski boot from the side, front and/or top and interact with a spring arrangement, which biases the boot/sole holder against the boot/sole periphery and allows the ski boot to be disengaged counter to a disengaging resistance. The sole holders are double-armed levers, with the lever arms of the sole holders distal from the sole interacting with pistons which are displaceable in a direction transverse to the ski binding's axis and, by a spring which is clamped between and engages the pistons, are forced against the lever arms which are remote from the sole.
US07758048B1

A question and answer game includes more than one answer choice to each question and each answer choice has a strategic element with a risk/reward tradeoff.
US07758041B2

[Object] To provide a clutch apparatus that can smoothly switch from a clutch engaged state to a clutch non-engaged state, while tooth jump does not occur even with a small-sized clutch apparatus.[Solving Means] A recessed portion 153 is provided in a cam face of a cam 45. A cam shaft 13 is configured to pivot by a predetermined amount as a cam follower 51 is fitted in the recessed portion, and, when the cam initiates to engage the cam follower, it enters a clutch engaged state. A driven side gear 99 is pivoted by a predetermined amount as the cam follower is fitted in the recessed portion and, thereby, a clutch member 93 is rotated by a predetermined amount in a direction in which a toothed portion 94 is spaced apart from a drive side gear 92. In a state where the cam follower is not fitted in the recessed portion, when the clutch member 93 switches its clutch state, at least a portion of a swing locus of the toothed portion 94 of the clutch member 93 maintains a clearance with a gear tooth of the drive side gear 92.
US07758040B2

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feed cassette including: a main container on which sheets are mounted; a sub container slidably attached to the main container; and first slidable portions that are arranged on sidewalls of each of the main container and the sub container, and that are formed in a U-shape.
US07758039B2

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus equipped with a pick-up roller to pick up a sheet. The image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding tray, in which sheets are stacked, and a pick-up roller to pick up sheet from the sheet feeding tray. The pick-up roller includes a pick- up section to pick up the sheet and a feed section to deliver a sheet feeding pressure greater than that of the pick-up section to the sheet, so that a component corresponding to a feed roller can be removed, thereby simplifying the structure of the image forming apparatus and lowering the height of the image forming apparatus.
US07758033B2

A sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention has, above a processing tray, a standby tray for making a sheet stand by. The sheet on the standby tray is dropped and supplied onto the processing tray, so that a sheet feeding path between the standby tray and processing tray can be shortened. In the case where there exists no sheet on the sheet discharge tray when a sheet bundle is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray, one sheet is previously discharged onto the sheet discharge tray. Thus, by discharging the sheet bundle in a state where there is the one sheet on the sheet discharge tray, the sheet vertical alignment in the case where the sheet bundle is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray can be enhanced.
US07758030B2

A plug member (12) inserted into a positioning hole (5) formed in a second block (2) is projected from a first block (1). A plurality of slide portions (61) opposed to each other across the plug member (12) are arranged around the plug member (12) movably in a first radial direction (D1) substantially orthogonal to the opposed direction thereof. A first pressing member (15) and a second pressing member (19) are arranged outside the slide portions (61) diametrically expandably and diametrically contractibly and axially movably. The first pressing member (15) is driven toward a base end by a drive device, whereby the slide portions (61) expand the first pressing member (15) via the second pressing member (19), thereby the slide portions (61) are moved in the first radial direction (D1) with respect to the plug member (12). After the movement, when the second pressing member (19) is blocked from moving toward the base end, the first pressing member (15) strongly presses an inner peripheral surface of the positioning hole (5) in the second radial direction (D2).
US07758023B2

A cargo bracing device includes a base having two side plates for rotatably attaching a reel drum, one or more toothed discs attached to the reel drum and controlled to rotate relative to the base with a stop, an operating arm having two legs rotatably attached to the reel drum, a catch device attached to the operating arm and engaged with the toothed disc, and an anchoring device may detachably anchor the legs of the operating arm to the reel drum, and the legs of the operating arm may be selectively disengaged from the reel drum to prevent the operating arm from being operated by unauthorized persons, and for preventing the cargo from being stolen by the unauthorized persons.
US07758022B1

A carpet stretcher for stretching carpet is provided. The carpet stretcher comprises a gripping portion having a first end and a second end and a pneumatic portion having a first end and a second end. An interchangeable moving head is releasably secured to the first end of the gripping portion with the moving head having a plurality of gripping mechanisms for gripping the carpet. A pneumatic actuator assembly is mounted to the pneumatic portion and securing the first end of the pneumatic portion to the second end of the gripping portion with the pneumatic actuator selectively moving the gripping portion in a general direction away from and toward the pneumatic portion. A compressed air line extends from a compressed air source to the pneumatic actuator assembly. A trigger mechanism selectively introduces compressed air to each of the pneumatic cylinders wherein as the trigger mechanism is actuated, the interchangeable head moves away from the pneumatic portion causing the carpet to be stretched.
US07758017B2

Various exemplary embodiments of a butterfly-type valve that provide a reduction in the unseating torque are disclosed that include a valve body defining a flow passage therein, and a closure disc disposed in the flow passage that has an axis of rotation about which the closure disc rotates between open and closed positions. The valve includes a cylindrical body liner disposed within the valve, which includes a circumferential sealing surface that is engaged by the closure disc to establish a seal when the closure disc is rotated to a closed position. At least one resilient band is at least partially interposed between the valve body and the cylindrical body liner, and at least a portion of the resilient band is tapered to a reduced thickness. The taper reduces the forces associated with the engagement by the closure disc, to thereby reduce the unseating torque required to open the closure disc.
US07758008B2

A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail including a base bottom portion, first inner and outer side portions, upper portions, and second inner and outer side portions, an upper rail movably supported relative to the lower rail and including a base top portion, first inner and outer extending portions, connecting portions, and second inner and outer extending portions, a lock mechanism including a lock portion provided at the first inner side portion, a bracket, and a lock member engageable with and disengageable from the lock portion, a cutout portion formed across the base top portion and the first inner extending portion and into which the lock member is inserted, and through-holes provided at the second inner extending portion and the bracket, respectively, the through-holes into which the lock member is inserted while the lock member is engaging with the lock portion.
US07758007B2

A commercial vehicle seating and operating unit fastened to a support (1) comprises a rotatably supported base plate (2), by means of which the seating and operating unit is supported rotatably about a vertical axis of rotation.The bearing arrangement comprises two cylindrical sleeves, which are disposed one coaxially in the other, a first inner sleeve (19) that is rigidly connected to the commercial vehicle and a second outer sleeve (21) that is rigidly connected to the seating and operating unit, the inner sleeve (19) forming a passage for the penetration of cables, pipes or hosepipes that connect the seating and operating unit to a unit of the vehicle.The bearing arrangement has a limiting device, which limits the rotation of the seating and operating unit about the vertical axis to a preset maximum angle.
US07758004B2

A docking assembly for a self-contained breathing apparatus comprises a seat, a coupler, a pawl, and a spring. The self-contained breathing apparatus generally includes a compressed air tank having a head and a nozzle, the compressed air tank being adapted to deliver breathable air to a user. The seat of the docking assembly is adapted to releasably retain the head of the compressed air tank. The coupler comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth and a handle and is adapted for threaded engagement with the nozzle of the compressed air tank. The pawl is mounted to the seat for pivotal displacement and adapted to engage at least one of the plurality of teeth on the threaded coupler to lock the threaded coupler onto the nozzle. The spring biases the arm into the locked position.
US07758000B2

A monitor includes a base member, a rotatable portion, a monitor body, and a screw. The base member has a mounting end. The rotatable portion is assembled on the mounting end and defines a latching slot and a screw hole communicating with the latching hole. The monitor body has a latching protrusion engaged with the latching slot of the rotatable portion. The screw corresponds to the screw hole for locking the latching protrusion in the latching slot of the rotatable portion.
US07757995B2

A trainline support bracket for connection to a railcar having a yoke and a coupler attached to the railcar and a coupler-uncoupling mechanism housing attached to the coupler having first and second side walls with first and second contoured recess members thereon, and having upper and lower compartments for attaching the trainline support bracket thereto. The trainline support bracket includes a main body connector having an upper connector section and a lower connector section. The upper connector section of the main body connector is for connecting to the coupler-uncoupling mechanism housing of the coupler. The trainline support bracket also includes a lower connecting bracket having a first end and a second end. The lower connector section of the main body connector is for detachably connecting to the first end of the lower connecting bracket; and the second end of the lower connecting bracket is for detachably connecting to a trainline fitting in order to support hose fittings, hoses and a gladhand coupling having a hose connected to the coupling.
US07757989B1

A teaser reel with an audible alarm and line guide provides awareness and protection while trolling for fish. The teaser reel alerts boat personnel that the dredge is being struck by fish and allows quick action to be taken to protect the dredge from damage or loss. The audible alarm consists of a cogwheel affixed to a teaser reel spool with a pivotable pawl positioned contiguous the cogwheel. As the spool turns the pawl strikes each cog in succession to emit a loud, shrill sound. A dredge line guide is also affixed to the teaser reel to prevent damage and injury to boat personnel from inadvertent unwinding of the dredge line into the boat.
US07757985B2

Active protection system for a paper shredder, which includes an upper cover and a shedder plate on the upper cover. The paper shredder plate includes a touch structure, which engagingly interacts with a preferential power supply switch. When closed, the shredder plate prevents contact with the shredding blade. When opened, the shredder plate both initiates shredder normal operation, and prevents feeding of unexpected items into the shredder making accidental contact with the shredding blade. When an unexpected item contacts the safety structure, beneath the paper shredder plate, the protection system switches off the shredder power supply.
US07757983B2

A comminuting apparatus for waster and/or production residues includes a drive device having at least one high-pole three-phase synchronous motor that is operatively connected to a comminuting shaft having at least one shaft bearing arrangement. The motor is connected directly to the comminuting shaft and the comminuting shaft over its working region has comminuting tools that cooperate with a counterpart member for comminuting the material to be processed. The comminuting shaft extends axially into the three-phase synchronous motor and the at least one shaft bearing arrangement of the comminuting shaft is surrounded at least in portion-wise manner by the synchronous motor.
US07757981B2

A switching assembly for a food waste disposer includes a housing containing a switch and first and second magnets. An interlock device has third and fourth magnets. The magnets are arranged so that the switch is actuated when the first and third magnets align and the second and fourth magnets align.
US07757974B2

Method for comminuting and cleaning waste plastic, in particular, mixed plastic (MKS) with the following steps: a compacted material, especially, an agglomerate is produced from film scraps or film remnants comminuted into flakes and/or thick-walled plastic parts chopped up into chips, the compacted material is introduced into a disc or drum refiner and is ground therein in the presence of water, wherein the portion of compacted material of the goods located in the refiner amounts to at least 10 percent by weight, a fine grain fraction is removed from the ground stock exiting from the refiner, the remaining ground stock is washed and either mechanically dewatered and dried, or pulverized again in a further refiner stage in the presence of water, and subsequently dewatered and dried.
US07757972B2

A conversion adapter for connecting a fluid supply assembly to a fluid applicator. The conversion adapter provides a connection between the fluid supply assembly and the fluid applicator. The conversion adapter has a first end and a second end, and a bore between the first end and the second end. The first end has a complementary connecting surface mating with the connecting surface on the fluid supply assembly. The second end has a complementary connector in the bore, and a top and bottom. The complementary connector is selected from complementary grooves or complementary projections, and mates with the connector on the adapter of the fluid applicator.
US07757970B2

This invention relates to pump-action nozzle devices and methods of making the same. The dispenser nozzles of the invention comprises a body which defines an internal chamber having an inlet through which fluid may be drawn into said chamber and an outlet through which fluid present in the chamber may be expelled from the nozzle. The inlet comprises an inlet valve and the outlet comprises an outlet valve. Fluid is dispensed from the dispenser nozzles by pulling the trigger handle of a trigger actuator to resiliently deform or displace a portion of the body of the device that defines the chamber, thereby compressing the chamber and actuating the dispensing of fluid. In preferred embodiments, the outlet comprises an outlet passageway that extends from the chamber to an outlet orifice. One or more spray-modifying features are preferably formed within the outlet passageway.
US07757963B2

The handle of a hand shower accommodates a remote control which is triggered by once-only pressure on a key or another deformable element. The remote control contains a piezoelectric radio switch which is accommodated as a closed-off component in the handle. This switch acts on a receiver which is mounted on a wall connection bend and which is connected to a valve in the wall connection bend. The valve can be switched on and switched off with the aid of the remote control in the handle of the hand shower. In the switched-off state, the shower hose is not under pressure.
US07757951B2

This invention relates to the field of information reading, and more specifically, to an improved information reader in a validator which eliminates the requirement to insert an information source in a particular direction in an information reader.
US07757948B2

An authentication system for authenticating products at point-of-release, the system including housing the products in respective containers having respective unique product identifiers, e.g., numbers or codes, storing in an authentication database data relating to the product identifiers, reading at a trusted location terminal the data from one of the product identifiers, communicating at least some of the data read from the product identifier to the authentication database and comparing data of the product identifier with data of the authentication database so as to authenticate the corresponding product.
US07757947B2

A contents-aware storage bin includes a transportable bin unit adapted for placement within a storage bin rack. An RFID reader unit is in contact with the bin unit. An RFID antenna is connected to the RFID reader unit and is in contact with the bin unit.
US07757935B2

A composite container for refrigerated dough products comprises a body ply helically wrapped about an axis to form a tubular body, opposite edges of the helically wrapped body ply being juxtaposed to form a butt joint therebetween. A label is helically wrapped about and adhered to the tubular body, the label comprising an inner layer adhered to the outer surface of the tubular body and an outer layer adhered to a radially outer surface of the inner layer. The inner layer defines a helically extending line of weakness positioned in alignment with the butt joint of the body ply. The outer layer comprises a removable peel strip that is peelable from the inner layer, the peel strip extending helically along the tubular body straddling the line of weakness and butt joint.
US07757932B2

A method for dispensing solder bumps on a mold plate includes the steps of: relatively moving a fill head comprising an o-ring from a first location to a second location such that the o-ring decompresses as it crosses from the first location to the second location; filling at least one cavity in the mold plate with solder; and then relatively moving the fill head from the second location to a third location such that the o-ring decompresses as it crosses from the second location to the third location. The step of relatively moving the fill head from the first location to the second location includes moving from a higher elevation to a lower elevation. A mold plate to parking location interface includes: a mold plate for holding solder; a fill head with an o-ring for dispensing solder bumps on the mold plate; a parking location for locating the fill head; and a platform between the mold plate and the parking location for relatively moving the fill head from the first location to the second location such that the o-ring decompresses as it passes over the interface.
US07757929B2

Methods of manufacturing optical transceiver modules using lead frame connectors that connect optical sub-assemblies to printed circuit boards are disclosed. The lead frame connector includes an electrically insulating case having a first part separated from a second part, and a plurality of conductors that are electrically isolated one from another by the electrically insulating case. Each of the plurality of conductors can form an electrical contact restrained in a fixed position with respect to the first part and a contact point extending from the second part. The electrical contact is aligned with and soldered to the leads that protrude from the back end of an optical sub-assembly. The contact points can then be connected to electrical pads on a PCB.
US07757917B2

Method and apparatus for providing and anti-sway arrangement for stabilizing a bicycle supported upon a cradle borne upon an elongate arm of a vehicular mountable load carrier. The arrangement includes a cradle borne upon an elongate arm of a vehicular mountable load carrier. The elongate arm is insert-received in a through-hole located in the cradle and the cradle is configured to abuttingly receive a portion of a bicycle frame thereupon. An anti-sway device is included that has a substantially Y-shape with two upper arms straddling the cradle, and the two upper arms are joined together at a lower common leg thereof. Each of the two upper arms have an arm engaging portion having a releasable clasp that is operator transitionable between a clasping configuration in which the anti-sway device is secured to the elongate arm and an open configuration in which the device is installable upon and removable away from the arm in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongate arm and whereby the anti-sway device accommodates installation onto, and removal off of, the elongate arm of the load carrier without disengagement of the cradle from the elongate arm.
US07757905B2

An aerosol spray actuator for a pressurized aerosol canister and in particular trigger or button actuated spray actuators having three main parts to simplify the mechanical moving parts of a spray actuator. An actuator button, an actuator base and finally a nozzle piece being inserted at the very end of a product dispensing passage embodied either in the body or the trigger part. A mechanism for permitting and blocking the actuation of the spray actuator is also provided so that inadvertent operation of the actuator can be prevented.
US07757903B2

A feeder for feeding bulk material into a high pressure conveying line. The feed assembly comprises a rotary feeder that has a material inlet for receiving bulk material from a low pressure source and a material outlet for discharging the bulk material into a higher pressure conveying line which is a source of leakage gas into the rotary feeder. The feeder has venting means to vent leakage gas through the material inlet without such leakage gas contacting the bulk material entering the feeder.
US07757898B2

A disposable dispensing device for storing and dispensing fluids, such as liquids and gels is disclosed. The dispensing device is a scalable packaging solution including an outer protective housing or shell, optionally a fluid reservoir, and an orifice from which the materials are expelled. The dispensing device can also include a dispensing button that activates an internal pumping system via an actuator mechanism that translates a force in a first direction into a force in a second direction. The dispensing device is particularly useful for liquids such as fragrances or colognes, gels, purified water, dry powders, creams, and pharmaceutical products such as eye ear drops or sprays. The device by design has many uses, is highly portable, and can include an outer reusable and decorative case.
US07757891B2

Techniques for dispensing a type of liquid in a specific amount or at a constant flow rate are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a height difference between an inlet and an outlet is maintained by an adjustable tubing assembly. An overflow assembly is provided to divert any overflow of the liquid from entering a reservoir and keep a specific level of the liquid. A valve is provided to the inlet and can be turned off when a sensor detects that there is an overflow of the liquid in the overflow assembly.
US07757889B1

Aluminum pop-top can holes are re-sealed with several embodiments of plugs or tape. The wedge type is shoved into the teardrop can hole, or any other shaped can hole. The foot (shoulder) profile type has a triple sealing surface, whereby the user angles a foot or shoulder of a plug under the can lid. These types can be massive or hollow. The hollow type can have a mini double-acting valve for pumping function. A flexible (plastic) tape and glue version is shown, useful also as a primary sealing means.
US07757888B2

A cup holder includes a base, a cylindrical member, an urging device, a locking device, an unlocking device, a lid member, a reversing device, a non-service position, and a service position. At the non-service position, the cylindrical member descends fully, the lid member closes the cylindrical member's top opposite opening, and the lid member's top decorative surface is exposed. At the service position, the cylindrical member, which the urging device urges upward, ascends fully, and the reversing device reverses the lid member so that the lid member's bottom supporter surface is exposed, thereby supporting a bottom of container, which is inserted into the cylindrical member, with the lid member's bottom supporter surface. The cup holder can not only hold a container with a taller height securely but also prevent the lid member's top decorative surface from being damaged by the inserted container.
US07757885B2

A container comprising at least one receptacle wall defining an opening. A brim is formed about the opening. The brim includes a brim curl in a first configuration. The brim curl is adapted to deform into a second configuration. The container may further comprise a lid removably and sealingly engaged to the receptacle. The lid is adapted to deform the brim curl upon removal of the lid from the receptacle. The lid cannot sealingly engage the deformed brim curl.
US07757881B1

A waste receiving apparatus includes a shower stall wall. A wastebasket has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall attached to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The bottom wall has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A mounting removably receives the wastebasket and attaches the wastebasket to the stall wall.
US07757860B2

The present invention is directed to a multi-product container and container blank. In accordance with the present invention, a single sheet of foldable material is cut and scored to define a container blank. The blank includes a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, opposed side panels and a plurality of corner panels. Also, a top panel is attached to the back panel opposite said bottom panel. A fold over cup panel is attached to the front panel opposite the bottom panel. The cup panel does not include additional panels or tabs opposite the front panel. An optional cup receptacle is formed in the cup panel. As formed, the front panel, back panel opposed side panels and plurality of corner panels are hingedly attached to said bottom panel via unperforated score lines.
US07757856B2

A consumable packaging composition is provided for packaging clear-binders, made of one or several packaging materials, alone or in combination, such as plastics, polymers and extenders, and which melting point is adjusted so that the packaging material melts when in contact with the hot aggregates as methods of using them, are also disclosed. Optionally, and prior to packaging, the clear-binder may be mixed together with one or several color pigments used for production of colored mixes depending on the end-user requirements. In a preferred practice, the size of the packaged clear-binder product containers is adjusted such that, after transport and storage, the packaged material together with the packaging material can be directly incorporated along any of the steps of a production process that uses clear-binders. The packaged clear-binder material permits handling and manipulation to be reduced to the minimum necessary, thus avoiding the need for pre-heating and hot-storage of clear-binders.
US07757855B2

The present invention relates to an improved child resistant sachet construction, suitable for holding a medicinal product, especially a flavored product. The sachet is a three seal sachet, or stick pack, made from a laminate sheet, the sachet having a fin seal along a longitudinal axis and transverse fin seals at each end. The laminate sheet is tough enough to resist tearing unless a notch is provided with which to initiate a tear. A fold line extends across a corner of the sachet and through the fin seal, a notch extending through the sachet in a transverse seal area and perpendicular to the fold line such that when the sachet is folded a cut is revealed that allows the user to initiate a tear across the pack opening up a pouring spout for dispensing the medicinal product. In an alternative aspect of the invention the laminate sheet is provided with an acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer resin on the sheet face which forms the inside of the sachet. This layer provides improved retention of flavor whilst still allowing the sachet to be readily torn once a tear has been initiated.
US07757840B2

An improved conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt for conveying a product to one or more product operations is disclosed. Such conveyor assembly includes a pair of spaced apart side frames that support the conveyor belt and between which the conveyor belt rotates. The side frames are formed from an upstanding member and a inwardly extending horizontal member. Both the frame upstanding member and the frame horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. One or more L-shaped brackets are formed from a generally upstanding member and an inwardly extending member. Both the bracket upstanding member and the bracket horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. The bracket horizontal member slots are configured to overlay the frame elongate horizontal member slots, and the bracket upstanding member slots are configured to overlay the frame upstanding member slots for attaching components to the frames.
US07757838B2

A link of a conveyor chain, connectable to similar links comprising a main base body with two shoulders, which protrude upward from the ends of the transverse sides of the main base body and are parallel to the direction of advancement of the chain. Ends of a pair of first and second shafts are associated with the pair of shoulders, first rollers being rotatably associated with the shafts. Second rollers are associated on the pair of first and second shafts, have a smaller diameter than the first rollers, and are supported in a loading condition by first supporting elements, activatable under load and protruding from the main base body. The link further comprises a slider, supported by at least one pair of second supporting elements, protruding from the main base body and has free ends supported on the base body.
US07757837B2

A stand-alone parts accumulator that can be retrofit as a unitary add-on to an existing production line. The parts accumulator includes: (a) a generally linear conveyor; (b) a rotary table comprising a spiral barrier guide defining a path from an outer region of the table to an inner region of the table; (c) a connector attaching the linear conveyor to the rotary table; (d) a motor connected to rotate the rotary table; (e) an adjustable controller connected to the motor to control rotation of the table. A single bracket can be used to support the conveyor in either a left-hand or a right-hand configuration. The conveyor motor is positioned substantially within the footprint of the conveyor. The conveyor is narrow (between about 2 inches and about 8 inches).
US07757835B2

A bead feeder for serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel connected to rotate about a substantially vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially and outwardly extending bead passageways connected to rotate with the bowl and dimensioned to receive a single line of beads from the bowl. A plurality of discharge openings in the bead supply bowl is spaced around a lower portion thereof with the openings in alignment with the radially and outwardly extending passageways, and each of the passageways has an outer exit end. A stationary blocking ring is directly below the outer exit ends of the passageways for receiving the lowermost bead from the single line of beads in each passageway. A drop-off on the blocking ring allows the lowermost beads to drop away in a downward direction while a stationary bead retainer above the drop-off of the blocking ring retained the bead adjacent the outermost bead.
US07757830B2

A multi-speed drive for a motor cooling fan mounted on a driveshaft has provided a first electromagnetic clutch containing one electromagnet, and first and second armatures. When no current is imposed on the electromagnet, the clutch does not engage and the fan remains stationary with respect to the rotating driveshaft. Depending on the amount of current imposed on the electromagnet, the fan will either rotate at a speed slower than the drive shaft or, when maximum current is imposed, the fan will be rotated at the same speed as the rotating driveshaft.
US07757826B2

A first piston and a second piston coupled to a piston rod are fitted in a cylinder, and an intermediate chamber is formed between the first and second pistons. A compression-side check valve and an extension-side check valve are provided at the first piston and the second piston. An extension-side main valve and a compression-side main valve are disposed in the intermediate chamber. A downstream side of a damping force adjusting valve is connected to the intermediate chamber. Inner pressures of an extension-side backpressure chamber and a compression-side backpressure chamber are adjusted by the damping force adjusting valve, whereby valve opening of the extension-side and compression-side main valves is controlled. Hydraulic fluid of the downstream side of the damping force adjusting valve is first sent into the intermediate chamber, and then is sent to a cylinder upper chamber or a cylinder lower chamber. Due to this arrangement, it is possible to prevent a sudden drastic change in a hydraulic fluid pressure and thereby to generate a stable damping force.
US07757823B2

An electric parking brake including a housing, an actuator, a gear box assembly, a driven gear, a spindle, a screw nut, an equalizer through which the spindle is penetrated and the screw nut is rotatably inserted, brake cables connected to opposite sides of the equalizer, respectively, each brake cable having a first end formed with a coupling piece for the connection of the equalizer and a second end connected to an associated one of wheel brake devices, and an emergency release device including cam units and operating levers and adapted to slacken the brake cables in an emergency release situation, so as to release the parking brake. In the case of any emergency situation, such as electric discharge of a vehicle or failure of the parking brake, the parking brake is released by a simple cable pulling action. Further, the parking brake has the effect of preventing a vehicle driver from being placed in any dangerous situation, because there is no need for the vehicle driver to get underneath the vehicle, and improving the convenience of operation because it can be released from any place where a cable is connected, such as a driver's seat, etc.
US07757819B2

A braking device for a child seat is provided. The braking device comprises a first and second braking rods (20a, 20b), first and second braking pins (30a, 30b) and a braking pedal mechanism (40), the braking device being provided in a connecting tube (11) between two rear wheels (10a, 10b). When the brake pedal mechanism (40) rotates with respect to the connecting tube (11) in a direction, the braking rods (20a, 20b) move outward such that the outer ends (22a, 22b) of the braking rods (20a, 20b) are engaged with the rear wheels (10a, 10b) respectively, thereby completing the locking of the rear wheels (10a, 10b), and when the brake pedal mechanism (40) rotates with respect to the connecting tube (11) in another direction, the braking rods (20a, 20b) move inward such that the outer ends (22a, 22b) of the braking rods (20a, 20b) are disengaged from the rear wheels (10a, 10b) respectively, thereby completing the releasing of the rear wheels (10a, 10b).
US07757818B2

The invention relates to an elevator installation and a method for mounting a drive unit of an elevator installation. The elevator installation comprises a car and a counterweight in a shaft and a drive unit mounted on a crossbeam or the shaft roof. The drive unit has two spaced-apart drive zones. The drive zones are in that case integrally integrated in the drive shaft and directly machined therein.
US07757813B2

The ladder system is disposed between two spaced storage shelves of the types found in crowded warehouses. The ladder is mounted on overhead guide tracks and may be moved longitudinally along the shelves and laterally between the shelves. Locating means are provided for immobilizing the ladder against movement laterally and longitudinally. The locating means includes a pair of spring-loaded casters and rubber pads at the lower end of the ladder and a pair of braking mechanisms overlying and engageable with the guide tracks when subjected to the weight of the user to prevent movement of the ladder at the top thereof either intentionally or unintentionally. Finally, a lateral brake is carried by the ladder which prevents the roller carriage from moving laterally. The brake is applied when the ladder is in use.
US07757809B2

A cover part for a vehicle, especially an underbody cover, has a porous core layer and at least one cover layer on each side, wherein the porous core layer is constructed such that it has acoustic transparency or an acoustically absorbent effect. Here, the porous core layer is made either from a thermoplastic matrix with embedded reinforcement fibers, especially glass fibers, whose melting point temperature is higher than the melting point temperature of the plastic matrix, or from a foam, which is either open-cell or closed-cell and perforated. The acoustically absorbent porous core layer is occupied on one or both sides with one or more acoustically transparent or absorbent covering layers.
US07757808B1

A noise reduction system for a device having a noise generating subsystem includes a Helmholtz resonator and a controller. The Helmholtz resonator is disposed in fluid communication with the noise generating subsystem, and includes an active material responsive to a control signal that adjusts a dimensional characteristic of the Helmholtz resonator in such a manner as to affect a resonance characteristic of the Helmholtz resonator. The controller is responsive to an operational characteristic of either the device or the noise generating subsystem to produce the control signal. In response to the operational characteristic, the control signal serves to affect the resonance characteristic of the Helmholtz resonator in such a manner as to reduce a noise arising from the noise generating subsystem, or create a desirable sound quality alteration.
US07757803B2

A programmable device that interfaces with a motor vehicle. The device is programmed to identify the operator who is gaining access to the motor vehicle. The device is further programmed to associate a maximum allowable speed with each person allowed to operate the motor vehicle. The device incorporates an access and operation means together with a computer that is compatible with the motor vehicle on board computer. The computer includes in it's output a signal that controls the maximum allowable speed that the on board computer will permit the motor vehicle to operate at for the identified operator.
US07757801B2

To provide a rear swing arm installation structure that does not require large tightening force and upsizing and can avoid backlash of a rear swing arm. In a rear swing arm installation structure, a cylindrical spacer into which a pivot shaft is inserted is screwed into the pivot bearing holes of a pair of vehicle body frames. The spacer includes a head section of a large diameter and a screw section having a smaller diameter than the head section. The head section touches an end face of the pivot bearing hole of the vehicle body frame and the tip of the screw section touches an end face of a rear swing arm.
US07757795B2

An axle assembly for a vehicle comprising a stationary spindle and a rotatable axle shaft. An intermediate hub is supported on the spindle. Adjacent inner and outer wheel hubs are supported on the intermediate hub. A differential mechanism interconnects the inner and outer wheel hubs for driving both of the wheel hubs and for permitting relative rotation between the wheel hubs. At least one differential bushing is disposed between the differential mechanism and the intermediate hub. A gear reduction system interconnects the intermediate hub and the axle shaft for providing torque multiplication. A wet disc brake device is coupled between the spindle and the intermediate hub.
US07757791B2

Cutting elements of this invention include an ultra hard body joined with a metallic substrate. The body includes an uppermost layer comprising a plurality of bonded ultra hard crystals and interstitial regions, and that form a body working surface. The uppermost layer includes a thermally stable outer region that is substantially free of a catalyst material. The body includes an intermediate layer joined to the uppermost layer, comprising a plurality of bonded ultra hard crystals, and having a wear resistance less than that of the uppermost layer remaining region. The intermediate material can include a catalyst and other materials. The ultra hard crystals can be diamond, and the volume fraction of crystals in the uppermost layer can be greater than that in the intermediate layer. The body may additionally include a lowermost PCD layer interposed between and attached to the intermediate layer and the substrate.
US07757789B2

A rolling cone bit and a cutting insert for a rolling cone are disclosed. The insert includes an undulating cutting surface including a peak, and blades radiating therefrom. The cutting insert may include an ultrahard layer of diamond or other superabrasive material, wherein the outer cutting surface of the layer includes contours that generally correspond to the contours of the interface surface that is between the ultrahard layer and the substrate so as to reduce residual stresses and lessen the likelihood of spalling or delamination of the ultrahard material. The blades radiate from a central peak and may include a sharper and/or higher leading edge as compared to a trailing edge. Valleys between the blades may differ in depth, and the cutting surface may have an undulating perimeter.
US07757787B2

An expandable drilling apparatus includes a main body comprising a central bore and at least one axial recess configured to receive an arm assembly operable between a retracted position and an extended position, a biasing member to urge the arm assembly into the retracted position, a drive position configured to thrust the arm assembly into the extended position when in communication with drilling fluids in the central bore, a selector piston translatable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the selector piston is thrust into the open position when a pressure of the drilling fluids exceeds an activation value, wherein the drilling fluids are in communication with the drive piston when the selector piston is in the open position, and a selector spring configured to thrust the selector piston into the closed position when the pressure of the drilling fluids falls below a reset value.
US07757777B1

A segmented furrow closing wheel comprises a body member rotatable about a rotation axis. The body member comprises a hub and a plurality of fingers radiating from the hub. Each of the fingers has a root end connected to the hub, and each of the fingers terminate at a radially outermost end with a contact surface for contacting a contact patchy on the ground surface. The contact surface of one of the fingers being spaced from the contact surfaces of the adjacent fingers of the plurality of fingers. The contact surface is blunt in character.
US07757773B2

A latch for interconnecting a first wellbore element and a second wellbore element in a manner such that the first and second elements can be conveyed into a wellbore in tandem and then disconnected from one another includes a first latch head connectable to the first element, a second latch head connectable to the second element, and a lock mechanism connectable between the first and second latch heads, wherein the lock mechanism structurally degrades when exposed to the wellbore environment allowing disconnection of the first latch head and the second latch head.
US07757768B2

A method of injecting a treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a treatment fluid having a viscosity; determining the breakdown pressure of the portion of the subterranean formation; calculating the maximum sustainable flow rate for the treatment fluid; and, injecting the treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation at a flow rate less than or equal to the maximum sustainable flow rate for the treatment fluid. A method of injecting a treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a treatment fluid having a viscosity; determining the breakdown pressure of the portion of the subterranean formation; calculating the maximum allowable treatment fluid viscosity; adjusting the viscosity of the treatment fluid to a viscosity less than or equal to the maximum allowable treatment fluid viscosity; and injecting the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at the selected treatment fluid flow rate.
US07757762B2

Downhole tools for gravel pack completion processes in wellbores comprise a screen, an isolation device comprising a sealing element disposed above the screen, and an artificial lifting device disposed above the isolation device. Upon actuation, the sealing element divides the wellbore into an upper zone and a lower zone so that the screen is disposed in the lower zone and the artificial lifting device is disposed in the upper zone. The two zones are in fluid communication with each other through a longitudinal bore within the downhole tool. In operation, the artificial lifting device of the downhole tool creates a negative pressure so wellbore fluid is transported from the lower zone into the upper zone. Due to this flow of fluid through the downhole tool, gravel disposed within the wellbore becomes sufficiently fluidized to facilitate the screen being inserted into the gravel form the gravel pack completion.
US07757760B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for real-time management of formation fluid sampling down a wellbore using a guarded probe. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide for management of downhole fluid sampling by sensing properties of fluids collected by a downhole-fluid-sampling-device, modeling the fluid sampling process from these sensed properties and using the modeling of the fluid sampling process to manage in real-time the fluid sampling process.
US07757754B2

A wellhead removal tool features a rotary cutter run by a Moyno type progressive cavity pump that is powered by fluid pumped through it. The stator of the motor has a gripping device with a series of collets or slip inserts that have grip features that face outwardly. A support shoulder on the grip assembly cooperates with a j-slot connection to the stator to allow a cone to be moved under the collets to push them into a grip position below or in a selected portion of the wellhead where the grip will not damage the wellhead internal components. Fluid pumped through the downhole motor causes the casing cutter blades to extend and rotate to cut the casing.
US07757752B2

A heat exchanger includes a corrugated plate that has a corrugation; a fluid-flux portion that stores the corrugated plate, and makes a fluid flow; a first structure that constitutes the fluid-flux portion; and a second structure that constitutes the fluid-flux portion, and is provided on a heat source side with respect to the first structure, wherein at least a portion constituting the fluid-flux portion in the second structure has a flat plate shape. The flat plate shape of the portion constituting the fluid-flux portion in the second structure enables easy manufacturing of the heat exchanger. The flat plate shape in the second structure further enables a close contact of the fluid-flux portion to the heat source, resulting in a heat exchange with high efficiency.
US07757744B2

This invention provides a method for changing a match plate in a molding apparatus for a flaskless upper mold and a lower mold, which method allows easy change of the match plate.This invention is comprised of a first step for moving a existing match plate placed in the apparatus to between a cope flask and a drag flask of one set of flasks in the perpendicular position, and for holding a new match plate between a cope flask and a drag flask of another set of flasks in the horizontal position, a second step for rotating the cope flask and the drag flask holding said existing match plate from the perpendicular position to the horizontal position, and for rotating the other cope flask and the drag flask holding the new match plate from the horizontal position to the perpendicular position, and a third step for moving the new match plate from the perpendicular position to the apparatus, and for moving the existing match plate from the horizontal position to the outside of the apparatus.
US07757736B2

The invention relates to a device for repairing a tubeless mounted assembly for a cycle, more particularly for a bicycle, comprising a rim and a tire.According to the invention, the repair device comprises an inner tube, the internal diameter D of which inner tube is greater than the diameter of the rim seats.
US07757730B2

Disclosed is a small volume, liquid dispenser having particular application in the analytical fields. The liquid dispensers can be quickly and reliably filled to a predetermined volume without monitoring liquid flows or volumes or filling times. Various versions of the dispenser and systems utilizing one or more of the dispensers are disclosed.
US07757726B2

A system for reducing the energy and for reducing the time required to refill on board tanks on a vehicle from a high pressure fuel depot refilling line operatively interconnected to the tank wherein the refuel gas itself is circulated within the on board tank to absorb the compression heat of refueling, and the heat thereby absorbed is radiated from the refueling circuit to an external environment such that a close to optimum refill of the tank is achieved without the need for a slow fill, precooling or pressure overfill.
US07757721B2

The present invention relates to a multilayer pipe or hose, in particular a plastic pipe, comprising at least one polyester barrier layer and at least one additional protective layer, the additional protective layer being a polyethylene layer, in particular a HDPE layer, and the barrier layer and the protective layer being are interconnected via at least one adhesion promoter layer.
US07757720B1

Modified-profile metal strips, and annular and spiral metal pipes and other products formed from such strips. The strips comprise a plurality of spaced longitudinal ribs of size and transverse location selected to increase the strength of a given thickness or gauge of the strip and the associated strength of a product formed from the strip.
US07757714B2

A two-stage servo-valve has a first stage in which four flow resistances are arranged in a bridge circuit. At least one of the flow resistances is variable, and two opposite switching points of the bridge circuit are connected to an air inlet and to an air outlet respectively. A differential pressure of variable size and sign is provided between the two other switching points. The servo-valve also has a second stage in which a control piston which can be actuated by the differential pressure is arranged and controls a three-way valve. In order to enable the current position of a process valve driven by the servo-valve to be maintained by the most simple means in the event of a power failure, the switching points which provide the differential pressure are interconnected by a magnetic valve which is closed in the driven state and open in the unconnected state, thus pneumatically interconnecting the switching points.
US07757706B2

A backwater valve assembly includes a valve housing, a valve member and a servicing tool. The valve housing has an internal ledge within its interior on which is positioned a retainer clip oriented in vertical alignment with a riser. The valve member has a first engagement of a two part engagement on one face and a mounting along a peripheral edge which includes transverse pins adapted to engage the retainer clip. The servicing tool includes a second engagement of the two part engagement at a working end of a shaft. The hook engages the hook receiver of the valve member during insertion and removal.
US07757689B2

An inflatable isolating cabin is provided for a patient to be isolated, and especially for a patient to be moved or transported, and the cabin can be formed after being inflated and collapsed into a solid form convenient for storage. It comprises a very tough and soft base, a flexible outer hood, an inflatable supporting structure, and a filtering means. Wherein a part of the periphery of the outer hood is fixedly connected with the base, and the other part is detachably connected with the base; the inflatable supporting structure is provided with at least one inflation inlet hole and after the inflation of the supporting structure, the outer hood is unfolded away from the base to form the cabin to allow a patient to lie therein.
US07757688B2

A medicament dispensing device for dispensing metered dosages of a medicament includes an actuator housing having a longitudinally extending cavity and a container disposed in the cavity and having a cylinder with a first outer diameter. The cylinder is adapted to hold the medicament. The container is reciprocally moveable relative to the actuator housing along a longitudinal axis. An indicating device includes an indicator housing having a tubular portion connected to said container, with the indicating device being reciprocally moveable with the container relative to the actuator housing. The tubular portion has a second outer diameter that is of substantially the same diameter as the first outer diameter. A longitudinally extending side wall has a viewing window formed therein. An indicator is rotatably mounted in the indicator housing, with a surface thereof having indicia visible through the viewing window.
US07757686B2

The combination of a vent assembly with a conduit assembly bounding a flow space into which discharged combustion gases are exhausted. The conduit assembly has a first conduit length in which: a) combustion gases are communicated in a first direction in a first path between the flue outlet and a vent outlet; and b) backflow is communicated in the first path in a direction opposite to the first direction. The conduit assembly has a draft control assembly, with a conduit portion defining a flow passage in which backflow is diverted out of the first path. The draft control assembly further has a flow guide assembly that intercepts and guidingly diverts the backflow into the conduit portion to be exhausted.
US07757678B2

A method of operating an engine having exhaust gas recirculation from an exhaust manifold of the engine to an intake manifold of the engine, the engine in a locomotive or other vehicle car body, the engine further having an intake system turbocharger with an air-cooled intercooler, the method including cooling the exhaust gas recirculation via a first airflow generated by car body motion, cooling compressed engine induction air in the air-cooled intercooler via a second airflow, and cooling the exhaust gas recirculation via the second airflow.
US07757677B2

A pulse attenuator for the EGR line of an internal combustion engine in which a main flow path has a pair of branch flow paths extending from the upstream portion of a venturi. The branch flow paths have a precisely determined length so as to reintroduce pulses back to the main flow path in a way that smoothes the flow. The pulses may be reconnected to the main flow path downstream of the point at which they are extracted or at the same point. The length of the branch passages may be different to provide attenuation of pulses at different engine rpms.
US07757674B2

A V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.
US07757672B2

A by-pass fuel system in which the plumbing of the fuel pump module is configured to ensure by-pass strained (and filtered) fuel remains separate from the reservoir fuel after by-pass such that it is not re-strained before re-entry to the fuel pump. The anti-clogging fuel pump module is plumbed such that the by-pass strained fuel is directed to the fuel pump separately with respect to the reservoir fuel, wherein it never mixes with reservoir fuel except after the reservoir fuel has passed through the strainer. Thus, the by-pass strained fuel only mixes with strained fuel from the strainer before its entry to the fuel pump. Accordingly, only reservoir fuel in the fuel pump module is passed through the strainer, whereby the clogging rate of the strainer is minimized.
US07757665B2

A method of regulating a throttle opening of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle system includes initiating a fuel-cut off operating mode of the engine, monitoring an engine speed during said fuel cut-off operating mode and regulating the throttle opening based on the engine speed during the fuel-cut off mode to maintain a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of the engine above a threshold MAP.
US07757661B2

When an engine rotation speed in an engine for working machine without a governor mechanism is increase-and-decrease-controlled by switching ignition timings at a predetermined rotation speed, the response delay of the engine rotation speed with respect to the throttle opening operation is suppressed. The engine rotation speeds for switching the ignition timings are set to 4000 rpm and 5000 rpm. When the throttle opening is increased, a first ignition timing is advanced stepwise to a second ignition timing at the engine rotation speed of 4000 rpm so as to be switched to a rotation control characteristic C30 for high speed rotation. When the throttle opening is decreased, the second ignition timing is retarded stepwise to the first ignition timing at the engine rotation speed of 5000 rpm so as to be switched to a rotation control characteristic C05 for low speed rotation. The switching timing of the rotation control characteristic is different between at increase and decrease of the throttle opening. The difference can be reduced to a small amount ΔTH.
US07757659B2

A homogeneous charge compression ignition internal combustion engine (HCCI) (1) is able to supply two types of fuels with different octane numbers to each cylinder (3) through fuel supply devices (17, 18). A controller (2) detects via an ion current sensor (21) disposed in each cylinder (3) a combustion timing corresponded state value having a regular correlativity to a combustion timing for each cylinder (3) and then adjusts by using the fuel supply devices (17, 18) a relative proportion of a respective supplied quantity of each fuel to each cylinder (3) according to a deviation between the combustion timing corresponded state value and a desired state value set according to a working state of the HCCI engine 1. Thereby, it is able to efficiently inhibit variations on the combustion timing for each cylinder of the HCCI engine 1 having plural cylinders without involving a complex mechanism.
US07757648B2

A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.
US07757641B1

A harness for an animal, such as a dog, providing command and control of the animal in a manner which evenly distributes pressures across the animal's body to minimize strain and pressure on the animal's head, neck and spine, and which provides both a leash and a handle option for the operator which does not interfere with the animal's movements and is easily graspable. The animal harness has two straps extending around the animal, crossing in the chest area where a chest pad is located and crossing in the back area where a back pad is located. A collapsible handle is located to the rear of the back pad for manual grasping and a leash hook is located on the back pad for the attachment of a leash.
US07757640B2

An electric shock device in use attached to an animal such as a horse or other equine animal to discourage an undesirable behavior such as wind-sucking or cribbing, the device including: an attachment for locating the device on the neck of the animal; an electric charge source operatively connected to the attachment; at least one electrode for applying an electric pulse from the electric device to the animal, the electrode electrically connected to the charge source; and a hinged lever member movable by the performance of the undesirable behavior by the animal. The undesirable behavior alone causing sufficient movement or the type, of movement of the lever member required to activate the electric device leading to the discharge of the electric pulse from the electric device, thereby causing the electric pulse to be generated and delivered through the at least one electrode to the animal.
US07757639B1

A pet leash assembly includes a primary leash with axially opposed looped ends, and a first ring member slidably conjoined to one of the looped ends. Auxiliary leashes including first and second locking members positioned at opposed ends thereof, and a second ring member are removably mated with a top one of the locking members of the auxiliary leashes. The auxiliary leashes are independently removable from the second ring member. A mechanism rotatably anchors the first and second ring members so that the auxiliary leashes remain spaced apart along unique travel paths while the pets cross over an adjoining one of the travel paths.
US07757637B1

A litter box housing for cats having a litter box inside the housing positioned upon a tray. The tray is engaged with a cam arms which are connected to an upper lid of the housing, and the tray rests on a base of the housing when the lid is closed. When the lid is opened, the cam arms lift the tray with the litter box, and lock the tray in an elevated position. The litter box can either be cleaned for waste materials or disposed of in its entirety.
US07757635B2

A method of testing a biological fluid for the presence of an infection. The method includes the steps of introducing a sample of biological fluid and a reagent including light amplifying compound into a reaction chamber, the light amplifying compound reacting with a substance present only in an infected sample to emit light, and immediately measuring the intensity of any light emitted from the sample.
US07757616B2

A plurality of folding tables that pack and store together as a single unit. The plurality includes a primary table. The primary table preferably includes a collapsible washbasin and a rack of shelves for storing provisions near the washbasin. Smaller secondary tables are also provided that set up separately from the primary table. The primary table, the secondary table and the rack of shelves are all collapsible. When these components are in their collapsed configurations, they can be interconnected. This produces a single compact unit for transportation that holds the primary table, the secondary table, the rack of shelves and other complementary objects.
US07757612B2

A convertible workstation is convertible from a generally flat, planar work surface to a computer workstation. A support panel is pivotably mounted within the work surface and holds a support tray configured for holding a portable computer, such as a laptop computer. When closed, the convertible workstation provides a secure environment for storing a computer and a traditional work surface. When opened, the convertible workstation provides an ergonomically configured computer workstation. The convertible workstation may provide computer connections, for instance power, data, and/or other computer connections, both when the workstation is configured as a computer workstation and when configured as a work surface (thus storing the computer within the workstation).
US07757607B1

A remote pyrotechnic ignition system includes a power supply for producing an electrical current in a transmitting induction coil to induce an electrical current in a receiving induction coil for igniting a pyrotechnic device. Thus, a wireless ignition communication section allows pyrotechnic mortars to be reused and substantially reduces set-up time by eliminating the wiring of fireworks normally required for a pyrotechnic production. Optionally, a capacitor is charged by the power source via a charging circuit and discharged via a firing circuit to produce the electric current in the transmitting coil in a pulse. The capacitor provides a two-stage firing safety feature. An electronic control device such as a circuit board may be mounted on the pyrotechnic device for controlling ignition of the pyrotechnic device and is especially useful in controlling ignition sequencing and overall ignition timing of a lift charge and burst charge of the pyrotechnic device.
US07757603B2

A cheese process vat is disclosed. The cheese process vat includes an enclosure and a shaft assembly, preferably a shaft assembly having a shaft and a plurality of agitator panels arranged on the shaft in a planar fashion. The agitator panels are preferably arranged on the shaft such that the shaft assembly is balanced in both weight and agitator panel surface area around the centerline of the shaft.
US07757595B2

Method and apparatus to automatically allocate and schedule weapon systems to threats for maximizing an engagement objective. In one aspect, methods and systems maximize threat killed. In another aspect, methods and systems maximize asset survival against threats. The methods and apparatus considers temporal and resource constraints such that weapons systems are able to engage threats assigned to them.
US07757592B2

Operating a power saw between a pair of parallel guide rails, which engage opposing sides of saw base plate to constrain the motion of the saw to a straight path, allows for precise cuts. A set of two or more fences allows for multiple cutting options. In some embodiments, non-parallel fences coupled to the guide rails allow for precise cuts at more than just a single angle. In some embodiments, two fences may engage opposing sides of the object to be cut simultaneously, holding the object more securely with respect to the guide rails than would a single fence. A possible clamping force holding the two fences against the object allows the miter guide to remain fixed relative to the object so that the user's hand may be freed for another task, such as holding the saw with both hands.
US07757591B2

The disclosure is directed to a cutting tool assembly used for creating grooves in a microreplication tool. The cutting tool assembly includes a mounting structure and multiple diamonds aligned in the mounting structure to a tolerance of less than 10 microns. For example, first and second tool shanks having first and second diamond tips can be positioned in the mounting structure such that a cutting location of the first diamond tip is identical to a cutting location of the second diamond tip. However, the second diamond tip may be a defined distance further away from the mounting structure than the first diamond tip, or the second diamond tip may have a different shape than the first diamond tip. In this manner, the first diamond tip may cut a groove into a work piece and the second diamond tip may cut a sub-feature into the groove to create a multi-featured groove.
US07757586B2

The invention relates to a device (10, 30) which is used to produce a screw connection between a first component (14, 60) and at least one additional component (15, 70), by means of a fixing screw (12) or a fixing groove (50, 55) and a corresponding fixing element (16, 73). Said device (10, 30) comprises a rotationally mounted tool (11, 31), wherein the fixing screw (12) and/or the fixing groove (50, 55) is maintained in a manner that prevents it from rotating and in an axially fixed manner and wherein the head (20) of the fixing screw (12) and/or the fixing groove (50, 55) is maintained at a distance (S) in relation to the first component (14, 60) as long as both components (14, 60; 15, 70) are joined together. According to the invention, at least one energy accumulator (18, 48) is provided between the tool (11, 31) and the first component (14, 60). At least the joining force and the maximum and the total desired clamping force of the prepared screw connection can be predetermined by means of the at least one energy accumulator (18, 48). The invention also relates to a fixing groove (50, 55) for the inventive device and/or the inventive method.
US07757583B1

In one embodiment, there are power floor boards for a motorcycle or other two or three wheeled open vehicle, that is capable of using foot rests, such as an ATV. Each power floorboard has a toe part and a heel part. The two parts move from a first position where they are essentially flat on top and fully retracted, to a second position where the toe pad is angled up with respect to the heel pad, and both the heel and toe pads are fully extended toward a front of the vehicle. The toe pad is on rails and moves forward by a worm gear. The rails are fixed to the vehicles footrest mounts. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the angular motion of the toe pad compared to the relatively linear or flat motion of the heel pad, is achieved by a pivotable connection of the toe pad to the heel pad, and an elongated, relatively S-shaped cam slot with a follower therein for driving the toe pad first to slowly incline, then to faster incline, and then to slowly incline.
US07757572B2

A gas sampling container (15) capable of obtaining, isolating and transporting samples of gas or other fluid under pressure form. The container (15) further exhibits a plurality of simple, reliable, inexpensive, self sealing, valves (2) which allow introduction, flow through and exit of the gas sample. The container (15) is suitable for taking discrete or serial samples from a gas or fluid flow source and is especially suited for use in automated sampling apparatus. These containers are acceptable for shipment of compressed flammable gases under the regulatory structures of many countries.
US07757570B1

A torque sensor for sensing torque in a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft is configured to rotate within a shaft housing. The sensor housing has a first end, a second end, and at least one sensing zone. At least one target zone is disposed on the rotatable shaft and substantially opposes the at least one sensing zone. At least one bearing member is disposed between the sensor housing and the rotatable shaft for limiting relative axial movement and allowing relative rotation between the sensor housing and the rotatable shaft. A first resilient member has a first end in contact with the first end of the sensor housing and a second end in contact with an interior wall of the shaft housing. A second resilient member has a first end in contact with a retaining member and a second end in contact with the second end of the sensor housing.
US07757569B2

A column tube switch module is radially and axially fixed to a column tube and is supported at the same time on a bearing arranged on the steering spindle. A centering device secures a stator radially to the column tube when a force is acting coaxially on the longitudinal axis of the steering spindle. A steering angle sensor is provided whose fixed part is connected to the stator-end bearing while its rotating part is held so as to be capable of being driven by the steering wheel hub.
US07757568B2

A fine channel flowmeter A1 is provided for measuring the amount of a blood sample DS through a channel 10. The flowmeter includes at least two electrode groups 62Aa, 62Ab each including a pair of electrodes 62a, 62b, and a conduction detector 7 for detecting electrical conduction between the paired electrodes 62a, 62b included in each of the electrode groups 62Aa, 62Ab. Each of the electrodes 62a, 62b is exposed in the channel 10 at least partially, and the electrode groups 62Aa, 62Ab are spaced from each other in the flow direction of the channel 10.
US07757563B2

A capacitance manometer comprises: a flexible diaphragm including a first electrode structure; an electrode structure including second and third spaced-apart electrode structures secured relative to the diaphragm so as to establish a capacitance between the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure and a capacitance between the first electrode structure and the third spaced-apart electrode structure, wherein the capacitances between the first electrode structure and each of the second and third electrode structures change with changes in differential pressure placed on opposite sides of the flexible diaphragm; and a thick film dielectric material disposed between the first electrode and each of the second and third spaced-apart electrode structures so as to increase the gain in capacitance of the manometer without decreasing the distance between the first electrode structure and each of the second and third electrode structures and without increasing the stroke of the flexible diaphragm, while preventing the first electrode structure from shorting with either the second or third electrode structure in response to over pressurization conditions.
US07757557B2

An ultrasonic inspection system utilizes a tunable digital filter with 4× interpolation. The system is used for scanning objects to be tested and includes a transmit/receive device to generate a test signal and receive an echo signal. A signal processing circuit processes the echo signal with one or more analog to digital converters for converting an analog version of the echo signal to a digital echo signal in the form of streaming digital data which is stored in a memory. The data is stored at a first data rate and read out at the second, slower data rate. An averaging decimator receives and processes the data from the memory and supplies it to an IIR filter and subsequently to an FIR filter and ultimately to a box car filter to effect processing thereon which increases the perceived resolution of the data by a given factor, preferably by a factor of 4.
US07757535B2

A punching machine is provided with a tool holder for a punching tool and a die having a cutting edge which can be passed by the punching tool in a machining stroke direction and a return stroke direction. The machine includes at least one work support, supported by at least one spring element. The work support is arranged in the region of the die, and the spring force of the spring element is adjustable.
US07757532B2

In the width-direction bending step for the blade member, the blade member is clamped by a pair of rotary press claws 13, 14 from both sides in the thickness direction to be compressed in the thickness direction, whereby the compressed portion is extended in the longitudinal direction of the blade member and the blade member is bent in the width direction. In the thickness-direction bending step for the blade member, a working die portion comprises: a thickness-direction bending shaft 31; and a thickness-direction bending cylinder 32 which is fitted in a turning paired state onto the thickness-direction bending shaft. The thickness-direction bending shaft 31 and the thickness-direction bending cylinder 32 are relatively rotated, whereby the blade member is bent in the thickness direction.
US07757520B2

A steam generator includes a case that forms a predetermined space for storing water, a heater provided within the case, a sealing member for preventing water leakage from the case, and a pressure part to press the sealing member and the heater. The sealing member is also configured to secure and seal the heater such that water is prevented from penetrating or leaking toward a circuit part of the heater. A drum-type washing machine having the steam generator installed therein is also disclosed.
US07757507B2

Air conditioner including a cabinet having room air inlets in at least one of side surfaces and a top surface, and a room air outlet in a front surface, and a front panel in front of the cabinet, thereby cooling/heating a room quickly, and improving thermal efficiency by preventing discharged air from re-entering into the air conditioner, directly.
US07757504B2

An air conditioning controller is provided with a room temperature-humidity combination calculation unit, a temperature-humidity setting value determination unit and a temperature-humidity control unit. The room temperature-humidity combination calculation unit is configured to calculate combinations of room temperature and room humidity corresponding to a target value of a thermal comfort index PMV. The temperature-humidity setting value determination unit is configured to select and determine a combination of the room temperature and humidity that achieves energy saving among the calculated combinations of the room temperature and humidity. The temperature-humidity control unit is configured to separately control the room temperature and humidity so that the room temperature and humidity would measure up respectively to the determined temperature and humidity values.
US07757499B2

A heat transfer system is provided having an air-cooled heat exchanger system. The heat exchanger system has an evaporator, condenser, compressor and a fan for forcing air over a heat exchange surface for effecting heat transfer. A mist generator having at least one nozzle directs a stream of fine mist or atomized liquid coolant into the air. The mist generator is coupled to a supply of liquid coolant. A controller controls the degree of mist or atomized coolant generated by the mist generator. A filter element positioned between the at least one nozzle and the heat exchange surface captures droplets of liquid coolant. The at least one nozzle is spaced apart from the filter element for directing the stream directly into the air surrounding the filter element.
US07757497B1

A spray cooling system includes a spray delivery device and a cooling liquid delivered to the spray delivery device. The spray delivery device includes one or more inlet apertures and one or more corresponding outlet apertures, at least one pair of inlet aperture and corresponding outlet aperture being positioned relative to each so as to form an asymmetric non-uniform density full-cone spray pattern.
US07757494B2

A device for feeding fuel to a combustion chamber in a turbomachine, the device comprising both an annular fuel feed rail extending around an outer casing of the combustion chamber, and a plurality of injectors fixed to the casing and opening out into the combustion chamber, the injectors being connected to the rail by fuel transport ducts and by support means that are deformable in bending, twisting, and pivoting, allowing the casing to expand thermally in a radial direction relative to the annular rail and providing rigid support for the annular rail.
US07757484B2

An end cap for an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The end cap has a cylindrical housing with an axial direction, a radial direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction, a first open end, and a second closed end opposing the first open end in the axial direction. The end cap also has an integral port member extending from an annular surface of the cylindrical housing. The integral port member has a central axis aligned in the radial direction, and an exterior surface of the integral port member tangentially connects to an exterior surface of the cylindrical housing.
US07757480B2

An air-fuel ratio control apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes: an exhaust gas purifying catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine; fuel cutting means for cutting fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine at the time of deceleration of the internal combustion engine; and catalyst degradation suppressing means for suppressing degradation of the exhaust gas purifying catalyst by prohibiting operation of the fuel cutting means when it is determined that the degradation of the exhaust gas purifying catalyst advances, wherein the catalyst degradation suppressing means sets an operation permitting period, during which the operation of the fuel cutting means is permitted after completion of a fuel quantity increasing operation of the internal combustion engine.
US07757477B2

A nozzle system includes a multitude of circumferentially distributed convergent flaps and seals that circumscribe an engine centerline. A cooling liner body cooperates with a cooling liner panel attached to respective convergent flaps and convergent seals to define an annular cooling airflow passageway which is movable therewith. Each cooling liner panels includes an arcuate cooling liner leading edge with a multiple of openings to distribute cooling airflow over both the inner “cold-side” and outer “hot-side” surfaces thereof. Through this backside cooling, thermal gradients are controlled at the attachment interface between the arcuate cooling liner leading edge and the main cooling liner body.
US07757474B2

A gas turbine has a plurality of combustors in a toroidal arrangement to provide combustion gases to turbine blades, thereby rotating the turbine body. Thermocouples, the number of which is the same as or greater than the number of the combustors, are arranged toroidally at the outlets of the turbine blades and measure the temperatures of the combustion gases at the respective outlets. During the operation of the gas turbine, if an abnormality, such as misfire or fuel injection nozzle obstruction, occurs in one or more of the combustors, the resulting change in gas temperature triggers a signal to stop, and thereby protect the gas turbine. Based on the measured values of the blade pass temperatures of the thermocouples and set threshold temperatures, a fuel supply system may be caused to gradually decrease the fuel supplied to the combustors to bring the gas turbine body to an automatic stop, or it may be cut off instantaneously, thus immediately stopping the gas turbine.
US07757466B2

A unit (100) for packaging articles (1) containing a product for infusion, preferably filter paper coffee pods (1), is of the type comprising at least one operating stacking station (8) for stacking the pods (1) in such a way as to form at least one stack (1a, 1b) of pods (1). The stacking station (8) comprises a device (9) for handling the pods (1) which guides and controls the stack (1a, 1b) of pods (1) as it is fed into a respective bag-like packet (11).
US07757465B2

An apparatus is provided for filling an empty shaft tray with rod-shaped products. The shaft tray has shaft walls which form a plurality of shafts. The apparatus includes a filling hopper having a receiving region for a mass flow composed of the products, and a storage region for products comprising a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a bottom wall. The storage region includes partitions that form a plurality of shafts adjacent to each other, wherein the partitions substantially extend over a full height of the storage region, and wherein the rear wall of the storage region includes openings for passage of the shaft walls of the shaft tray. A delivery element delivers the empty shaft tray into the receiving region of the filling hopper to be filled with the products. A removal element removes a filled shaft tray from the filling hopper.
US07757463B2

The invention relates to a method for wrapping a long or round part, for example a steel part, for instance in the form of a steel strip coil, a steel wire roll or a round steel part such as a roller bearing ring, the steel part being wrapped in a stretch film, in particular a plastic stretch film, in a helical and covering manners. In order to realize a short term wrapping of a long or round part, irrespective of its material properties, and as a reliable transport protection the invention proposes that a strip material which is significantly more resistant than the stretch film and has an ad coating on the side facing—the stretch film is wound over the stretch film likewise in a covering manner.
US07757461B2

In order to package flat objects (1) with the aid of a quasi-endless packaging material web, the packaging material web is placed around a row (4) of the objects (1), in which these objects are conveyed one after the other and in an interspaced manner, whereupon longitudinal seams are made in the packaging material web and transversal seams are made between the objects (1) whereby separating the packaged objects from one another. The invention provides that the row is directly formed on the packaging material web (2) during which the objects are, by acceleration, separated out from a supply stream (3), in which they are fed while overlapping one another, and directly placed upon or pushed onto the packaging material web (2). Forming the row (4) directly on the packaging material web (2) eliminates additional conveying steps thereby shortening the entire required conveyor lines and rendering stabilizing means for stabilizing the objects (1) during conveyance unnecessary.
US07757460B2

A vertical form fill and seal continuous pouch machine includes a forming tube having a cross section area of CA is disclosed. A film tube is continuously formed about the forming tube and fed downward. A horizontal sealing assembly includes at least one pair of opposing sealing bars that make horizontal seals on the film, thereby forming pouches. The horizontal seals are formed in a horizontal sealing zone, and the vertical distance from a lower end of the forming tube to the center of the horizontal sealing zone is a transition distance that is (in inches) preferably no more than 0.5 multiplied by the cross-section area (in sq inches).
US07757451B2

A building block for a ventilated wall includes an elongated center portion flanked by a pair of substantially parallel side walls oriented substantially perpendicularly to the center portion. The center portion has a first vertical wall and a second sloped wall, the second sloped wall extending between a relatively thicker bottom wall of the center portion and a relatively thinner top wall of the center portion. The first wall is co-planar with first edges of the side walls. A stacked arrangement of such blocks, where adjacent blocks are inverted and reversed, establishes front-to-back air passages that do not provide a sight line, and which prevent rain from passing through. A mold assembly for manufacturing the blocks is also disclosed.
US07757447B2

The present invention provides a water management building wrap that may be useable between a frame structure of a building and an exterior building covering. In at least one embodiment, the building wrap comprises a permeable membrane and an extruded polymeric drainage structure secured to the second side of the membrane. In at least one embodiment, the drainage structure includes a plurality of generally vertical members having a first thickness and forming boundaries for generally vertical water drainage channels, and a plurality of generally horizontal members attached to the generally vertical members and having a second thickness less than the first thickness and forming integral joints at intersections of the generally vertical members and the generally horizontal members that provide dimensional stability to maintain the orientation of the generally vertical members and form stable vertical water drainage channels.
US07757443B2

A stair tread support member for releasably supporting generally planar stair tread members including stair tread members made of glass or other transparent material includes a general planar base part adapted to be supported on a stairway stinger. The tread support member includes spaced apart flanges forming a channel shaped slot for receiving and supporting a stair tread member. A cushioning member may be interposed the support flanges and the stair tread member. Removable threaded fasteners are engageable with the second flange for retaining the stair treads secured to the tread support member. An elongated cap fits in a slot in the second flange and covers the fasteners.
US07757435B1

A decorative Christmas tree ornament which functions as a funnel system to aid in the watering of the tree is herein disclosed. The ornament comprises a flip-open lid, thus exposing an interior reservoir. The ornament itself takes the form of a common Christmas icon such as a snowman, an angel, a bell, a gingerbread man, a globe or the like. The bottom of the reservoir is connected to a section of tubing approximately four (4) to five (5) feet long. The tubing is routed along the branch and down the trunk where it empties into a conventional Christmas tree stand supplied with a water basin. The tubing and ornament are held in place with a plurality of clips. Thus, to water the tree, one simply opens the ornament, pours in a quantity of water and walks away. The system is viewed as being particularly useful for trees that are difficult to reach, or for people who have difficulty in bending over, kneeling or crawling under a Christmas tree.
US07757421B1

A gun protection device comprising an elastic muzzle cover shaped to fit selectively over the muzzle and only a portion of the barrel; and a separate cover for the gun firing chamber, including means for shaping itself to provide a selective fit over the firing chamber.
US07757420B1

The difficulties and drawbacks of previous-type systems are overcome by the present invention which includes a locking device for a firing spring housing in a firearm. A main housing is provided including an internal cylindrical portion for receiving a firing spring. A lock rod is received in the main housing, for selectively engaging the firing spring. The lock rod is movable between an engagement position and a disengagement position with the firing spring. A combination disk is provided for engaging the lock rod, to selectively fix the lock rod in one of the engagement position and the disengagement position.
US07757419B2

A holding device for attaching a ceiling sign to a ceiling structure contains a base for attaching the ceiling elements and an adapter part for attaching the ceiling sign, the adapter part can be folded down from the base together with the ceiling sign in order to remove the ceiling elements.
US07757414B2

A revolving tongue for application to footwear provided a central pivot point that rotatably connects to a crossbar of the footwear, the crossbar extending between the lateral openings of the shoe, at upper edges of the shoe quarter portions. The tongue may be rotated, to disclose variations in coloration material and design for the shoes, as applied. A pivot pin or other connector secures the tongue, approximately centrally, to the crossbar, a guide may be provided at the lower or lateral edges of the circular tongue, secured within the shoe, to act as a guide to retain the tongue for its circular motion. In addition, openings may be provided within the upper quarter portions of the shoe, so the tongue coloration can show therethrough, and change, as the tongue is being pivoted for a different setting, and in addition, can also provide for aeration of the foot, at such location.
US07757413B2

A shoe that relates to safety of the participants' when sports shoes with cleats are employed, e.g. golf, football, and soccer. Knee, ankle, & hip injuries are brought about by abrupt leg turns after the foot is planted and the participant's knee continues to move in a separate direction.A principle objective of the present invention is also to enhance the participants' performance. The primary objective, however, is to minimize the frequency and/or seriousness of knee, ankle, and hip injuries brought about by knee and leg turns after the foot is planted on the playing surface. This invention will permit the foot to rotate under magnetic control when enough pressure is exerted by the participant's body.
US07757405B2

A trimmer having a first cutting blade and a second cutting blade. A first drive gear assembly cooperates with the cutting blades so that as the first drive gear assembly rotates around a first axis, the cutting blades are caused to reciprocatingly move in first and second paths to produce a cutting action. A second drive gear assembly has a second drive gear that has teeth in mesh with teeth on the first drive gear assembly. The second drive gear is rotatable around a second axis to cause the first drive gear assembly to be rotated in the first rotational direction. A powered drive assembly rotates the second drive gear around a second axis in the one rotational direction. The teeth on the first drive gear assembly are defined by a first bevel gear. The second gear is a bevel gear in mesh with the first bevel gear.
US07757404B2

A personal trimming system includes a main body having a motor and a part of a driving unit for converting a rotation of the motor into a reciprocating motion; and a head portion having a driven member moving in a reciprocating motion. The head portion is pivotably supported with respect to the main body, and a gap is provided between the main body and the head portion.
US07757393B2

Disclosed are moveable microstructures comprising in-plane capacitive microaccelerometers, with submicro-gravity resolution (<200 ng/√Hz) and very high sensitivity (>17 pF/g). The microstructures are fabricated in thick (>100 μm) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates or silicon substrates using a two-mask fully-dry release process that provides large seismic mass (>10 milli-g), reduced capacitive gaps, and reduced in-plane stiffness. Fabricated devices may be interfaced to a high resolution switched-capacitor CMOS IC that eliminates the need for area-consuming reference capacitors. The measured sensitivity is 83 mV/mg (17 pF/g) and the output noise floor is −91 dBm/Hz at 10 Hz (corresponding to an acceleration resolution of 170 ng/√Hz). The IC consumes 6 mW power and measures 0.65 mm2 core area.
US07757391B2

A method of applying viscous medium on a substrate that is arranged for mounting of components includes providing the substrate arranged for mounting of electronic components thereon and screen printing predetermined amounts of a viscous medium on predetermined positions on the substrate. In addition, the method includes add-on jetting of predetermined additional amounts of viscous medium on predetermined positions on the screen printed substrate. The add-on jetting is non-contact dispensing and the add-on jetting viscous medium is still in viscous form during the add-on jetting.
US07757390B2

A bonding head includes a pressure plate to press a component (e.g., a semiconductor chip) onto a substrate. The pressure plate includes a holding surface configured to hold the component and to allow the component to be pressed uniformly onto the substrate, thus allowing a particularly reliable connection. The bonding head can further include an apparatus configured to vary the curvature of the holding surface of the pressure plate.
US07757388B2

This part supplying and press-fitting apparatus for supplying an annular part to a predetermined position and press-fitting the part into a press-fit hole of a work in a state of being positioned in a circumferential direction includes a grip device for gripping the part; a rotation device for rotating the grip device around a hole axis of the part in a state of having gripped the part; a detection device for detecting the detected portion of the part being rotated by the rotation device; a stop device for stopping the rotation of the grip device when the detected portion is detected; a move device for moving the grip device stopped by the stop device to the predetermined position; and a press-fit head configured to descend to the predetermined position and to press-fit the part into a press-fit hole of the work.
US07757380B2

Methods for improving within wafer and wafer to wafer yields during fabrication of notched trailing shield structures are disclosed. Ta/Rh CMP stop layers are deposited prior to planarization and notch formation to ensure a planar surface for trailing shield structures. These stop layers may be blanket deposited or patterned prior to CMP. Patterned stop layers produce the highest yields.
US07757375B2

Aimed at stably forming sheared surfaces of leads of semiconductor devices, and at raising ratio of formation of plated layers onto the sheared surfaces of the leads, a lead cutter has a die 106, and a cutting punch 110 having a cutting edge at least on the surface facing the die, wherein clearance T between the die 106 and the cutting punch 110 is set within the range from not smaller than 2.3% and smaller than 14.0% of the total thickness of the leads to be cut and plated layers formed on the upper and the lower surfaces thereof.
US07757371B2

A method for making a reference leak includes the steps of: (a) preparing a substrate; (b) forming a patterned catalyst layer on the substrate, the patterned catalyst layer comprising one or more catalyst blocks; (c) forming one or more elongate nano-structures extending from the corresponding catalyst blocks by a chemical vapor deposition method; (d) forming a leak layer of one of a metallic material, a glass material, and a ceramic material on the substrate with the one or more elongate nano-structures partly or completely embedded therein; and (e) removing the one or more elongate nano-structures and the substrate to obtain a reference leak with one or more leak holes defined therein.
US07757369B2

A fluorescent light fixture is suspended by a longitudinally extending trapezoidal pendant bracket/stabilizer. The trapezoidal pendant bracket/stabilizer includes a horizontally extending top brace and a pair of obliquely extending arms extending downward in opposite directions from the top brace in a trapezoidal crossection. Each obliquely extending arm has a flat, horizontally and outwardly extending attachment foot extending longitudinally along a flat top surface of the fluorescent lamp fixture, wherein each attachment foot is attached to the flat top surface of the fluorescent lamp fixture. The horizontally extending top brace is attachable to a ceiling mounted fastener, such as a toggle hanger or other downwardly extending fastener.
US07757357B2

An adjustable bundling device is disclosed that aids in the cinching and un-cinching of one or more items, such as the wrapping of food items in preparation for cooking. A cavity element and a stop element are attached to opposing ends of a length of flexible textured cord. The cord can be pushed through the cavity to form a loop that can hold various items. The loop can be tightened and loosened by sliding the cord within the cavity. The texture of the cord interacts with protrusions in the cavity to lock the cord in place. The cavity acts a type of clench and the end stop prevents the cord from slipping all the way out of the cavity.
US07757356B2

A method of compressing a cotton strand including the steps of providing an uncompressed strand having an original volume, providing a container adapted to collapse about the strand, feeding the strand into the container, compressing the container to remove a first quantity of air, applying a vacuum to the container to remove a second quantity of air, and sealing the container, wherein the strand is compressed by at least about 25% from its original volume.
US07757355B2

An apparatus is provided on a spinning preparation machine for adjusting the carding clearance. A clothed roller has a cylindrical peripheral surface and a cladding facing and spaced therefrom, wherein between the peripheral surface of the roller and a part of the cladding there is a carding region with a carding clearance where carding work is performed and carding heat is generated, heat leading to an alteration across the width of the machine in the contour of at least one of the components lying opposite each other. In order in simple manner to allow a uniform carding clearance under different production and processing conditions, the carding clearance can be made smaller by external energy input to at least one of the components facing each other and/or can be enlarged by throttling the energy input and the energy input.
US07757354B2

In an apparatus at a carding machine having a cylinder, working elements and displaceable holding elements, which determine the carding gap between the cylinder clothing and the working elements, a displacement device actuatable by thermal energy supply is provided for the working elements in order to compensate for changes in the carding gap that arise during operation, and at least one adjusting element cooperates with a fluid. Thermal energy is conveyable to the fluid. In order to keep the carding gap constant or substantially constant in a structurally simple manner, the fluid is expansible by thermal energy supply and the adjusting element is positionally displaceable by expansion and/or contraction of the fluid.
US07757350B2

A hinge structure with position-locking engagement means includes a bracket, which has on its side panel a pivot hole, a recessed positioning hole, and a first arched limiter groove adjacent to the recessed positioning hole and sloping in one direction, a pivot shaft inserted through the pivot hole of the side panel of the bracket and pivotally fastened to a support, a locating plate affixed to the pivot shaft, a ball rotatably mounted in a ball hole on the locating plate and selectively engageable into the recessed positioning hole and arched limiter groove of the side panel, a holding down spring plate affixed to the pivot shaft and having an actuation portion pressed on the ball to force the ball into the recessed positioning hole and first arched limiter groove of the side panel selectively, and spacer affixed to the pivot shaft and defining a gap between the holding down spring plate and the support for accommodating deformation of the actuation portion of the holding down spring plate when the bracket is biased relative to the pivot shaft.
US07757329B2

An oral hygiene device having two side-by-side toothbrushes connected or connectable to the end of a handle, the one or more toothbrushes providing a desirable fit about the teeth and/or gums and/or providing a desirable brushing action. An oral hygiene device hereof may provide for mechanically providing the brushing movements of the professionally recommended manual tooth-brushing method known as the “Bass” or “Modified Bass” technique to thus reduce or eliminate the element of human error associated with the brushing of a user's teeth and gums.
US07757328B2

An oral hygiene device having one or more toothbrushes connected or connectible to the end of a handle, the one or more toothbrushes providing a desirable fit about the teeth and/or gums and/or providing a desirable brushing action. An oral hygiene device hereof may provide for mechanically providing the brushing movements of the professionally recommended manual tooth-brushing method known as the “Bass” or “Modified Bass” technique to thus reduce or eliminate the element of human error associated with the brushing of a user's teeth and gums.
US07757321B2

A system of modular, detachable cushions having surfaces containing hook and/or loop fasteners that fasten to mating loop, open weave or hook surfaces to define adjustable, conformal contoured support surfaces at user contact surfaces and appliances producing fatigue and/or abrasion (e.g. automotive seats, chairs, compartment walls, desks, footwear, helmets, tools etc.). The cushions can include air, elastomer, fabric, fiber, foam, liquid, gel, and/or rubber cushioning materials or combinations thereof arranged in envelopes, pads, cavities or tiered assemblies. The cushions include surfaces fitted with one or more layers of cushioning materials or envelopes of cushioning material and one or more regions of fastener materials that mate with interconnecting fasteners at the contact surface or appliance. The cushions can be selectively arrayed about the contact surface or appliance and may be selectively combined and/or layered and/or overlapped onto each other at user specific locations to tailor the cushioning contour.
US07757317B2

A patient-support apparatus includes receivers for supporting a patient-support deck. The patient-support deck is configured to engage the receivers to support the deck in a cantilevered configuration. The patient-support deck may be secured to the patient-support apparatus by a locking mechanism.
US07761919B2

A method for detecting malicious programs within a computer network includes monitoring at least one first packet of data communicated over the network, analyzing the at least one first packet of data to detect the presence of a malicious program, generating a signature of the at least one first packet of data when a malicious program is detected, monitoring at least one second packet of data communicated over the network and detecting evidence of the malicious program in the at least one second packet of data utilizing the generated signature.
US07761917B1

An apparatus and method for the detection and prevention of intrusions, DOS attacks, and computer worms comprising of: 1) dynamically loading information about vulnerabilities and exposures 2) intercepting application data 3) using information about vulnerabilities and exposures to detect their exploitation 4) taking custom action to stop the exploitation. Invention also includes an apparatus and method for reducing time it takes to capture information about vulnerabilities and exposures for the purpose of detecting their exploitation and stopping it. Invention further includes an apparatus and method to convert information about vulnerabilities and exposures into an intermediate form that optimizes the processing speed of the method and apparatus for stopping intrusions, DOS attacks, and computer worms.
US07761907B2

An image-forming device comprises an identifier-storage unit for storing an identifier in correlation with one of a plurality of feeding units on which at least one sheet used for image-forming processing is loaded, a specification unit for specifying the feeding unit by using the identifier, and a usability-determination unit for determining whether use of the specified feeding unit is permitted, where the image-forming device forms an image by feeding the sheet from the specified feeding unit based on the determination result made by the usability-determination unit.
US07761906B1

A method, involving placing code on a first device, wherein the code is associated with a code position, accessing properties associated with a second device, wherein the second device is detected by the first device, and transferring the code to the second device, if criteria based on a current position and properties of the second device, and the code position are met.
US07761902B2

A method of providing video content includes receiving a channel change data packet from a set-top box device at a subscriber premise via a packet-based video distribution network. The channel change data packet includes data indicating a requested channel and a channel change index value. The method also includes reading the channel change data packet to identify the channel change index value. The channel change index value indicates an available bandwidth at the subscriber premise to receive video content of the requested channel via the packet-based video distribution network. The method also includes allocating an overhead bandwidth to the set-top box device based on the channel change index value.
US07761888B2

A disc-shaped optical data recording medium has a signal recording layer for reading and/or writing data using light, and a 10 μm to 200 μm thick transparent protective layer disposed over the signal recording layer. The optical data recording medium includes a protrusion projecting from a surface of the transparent protective layer on a light-incidence surface side to which light is emitted to the signal recording layer. The protrusion is disposed in an area between a center hole and a clamping area where the optical data recording medium is held when reading and/or writing data in the signal recording layer.
US07761883B2

A software-source monitoring unit monitors a software source that provides software required for using the peripheral device, and stores data pertaining to acquirable software and the software source in a corresponding manner in a memory unit. A peripheral-device monitoring unit monitors connection status of the peripheral device. A software-source selecting unit selects the software source based on the data stored in the memory unit when the peripheral-device monitoring unit detects the connection of the peripheral device. An install executing unit acquires the software from the software source selected by the software-source selecting unit.
US07761880B2

A method for dynamically extending a remote service by client at runtime including: creating a Service Data Object (SDO)-based local service instance by locating a remote service; retrieving latest schema from the remote service in a first format; SDO-based remote service converting the schema to a second format; allowing the SDO-based local service to obtain the second format from the remote service; restoring the schema from the second format to the first format in the SDO-based local service; registering the second format into local Java Virtual Machine (JVM) of the SDO-based local service; and permitting a client to use the latest schema of the remote service via the SDO-based local service.
US07761874B2

Systems and methods of managing processing system performance provide for determining a utilization of a processing system over a time quantum. A trend in the utilization of the processing system is also determined, where the trend can be used to select a performance state for the processing system. In one embodiment, the processing system includes a central processing unit (CPU).
US07761872B1

A method is provided to virtualize a mutually exclusive lock of a shared immutable object. A determination is made whether any threads have locked the immutable shared object. If threads have not locked the immutable shared object, threads of different tasks are allowed to fast lock and unlock the immutable shared object. If a thread requests the lock of an immutable shared object and the object is fast locked by another thread when both threads are from an equivalent task, the lock of the immutable shared object is inflated and the requesting thread is blocked. If a thread requests the lock of an immutable shared object and the object is fast locked by another thread when both threads are from different tasks, the lock of the immutable shared object is virtualized and granted to the requesting thread.
US07761866B2

A radio communication apparatus to be changed in function by software, when downloading software from a download server, first downloads software limited in operation and then configures a software radio section. After the configuration and the operation confirmation have been normally completed, execution-allowing key information is requested and received. Using it, reconfiguration is carried out in part thereby enabling all the operations. Accordingly, it is possible to safely carry out a download and a setting update of software to the radio communication apparatus.
US07761864B2

Methods, apparatus and articles facilitate the loading of a set of new instructions to replace set of existing instructions on a processor based device, for example an automatic data collection device. For example, a new operating system may replace an existing operating system using an executable that disables interrupts and/or exceptions. The new operating system may execute with, or without booting. The set of new instructions may be fragmented to fit the block size of a nonvolatile programmable memory, and/or may be compressed. Validation values such as check sums and/or error correction may be employed.
US07761848B1

A method and computer program product for building a multiple layer object-oriented software application with reusable components. The method includes the steps of creating business classes containing business logic for the software application; reading templates utilizing reusable components from a template solution file; and generating programming code for the software application based on the created business classes and selected template. The multiple layers include a data layer, a data access layer, a business logic layer and a user interface layer with executable logic for each layer placed into a corresponding assembly data structure. Security tokens are required to access the classes and methods in either the business logic assembly or data access assembly. A serializable data assembly includes container classes that are used to pass data between the business logic layer and data access layer when a dataset or data table is not appropriate. A code generator user interface enables an application developer to define a namespace, a deploy directory name, a database type, an application type, a target source code directory, and a plurality of class specifications and search criteria.
US07761839B2

Methods, and a program storage device for executing such methods, for performing model-based optical proximity correction by providing a mask matrix having a region of interest (ROI) and locating a plurality of points of interest within the mask matrix. A first polygon having a number of vertices representative of the located points of interest is computed, followed by determining a spatial relation between its vertices and the ROI. The vertices of the first polygon are then pinned to boundaries of and within the ROI such that a second polygon is formed on the ROI. The process is repeated for all vertices of the first polygon such that the second polygon is collapsed onto the ROI. This collapsed second polygon is then used to correct for optical proximity.
US07761832B2

A method, data processing system and computer program product for optimizing the placement of logic gates of a subcircuit in a physical synthesis flow. A Pyramids utility identifies and selects movable gate(s) for timing-driven optimization. A delay pyramid and a required arrival time (RAT) surface are generated for each net in the selected subcircuit. A slack pyramid for each net is generated from the difference between the RAT surface and delay pyramid of each net. The slack pyramids are grown and tested using test points to generate a worst-case slack region based on a plurality of slack pyramids in the selected subcircuit. The worst-case slack region is mapped on a placement region and a set of coordinates representing the optimal locations of the movable element(s) in the placement region are determined and outputted.
US07761831B2

An integrated power and clock grid which is capable of being placed and routed using ASIC software design tools. The integrated grid comprises three types of grid unit cells having power rails and clock lines. The power rails and clock lines comprise different orientations in the different grid unit cells.
US07761830B1

A method for providing placement based configurations in integrated circuits and integrated circuits having configurable data files for logic blocks based on the location of the blocks therein are disclosed. Location information for at least one logic block in an integrated circuit is identified. A configuration data file for configuring the at least one logic block in the integrated circuit is generated based on the identified location of the at least one logic block.
US07761821B2

A method, system and program product for migrating an integrated circuit (IC) design from a source technology without radical design restrictions (RDR) to a target technology with RDR, are disclosed. The invention implements a minimum layout perturbation approach that addresses the RDR requirements. The invention also solves the problem of inserting dummy shapes where required, and extending the lengths of the critical shapes and/or the dummy shapes to meet ‘edge coverage’ requirements.
US07761807B2

A portable electronic device includes a rendering circuit to visualize large format data files on a narrow display. The large format data files are rendered using either a desktop display mode or a mobile display mode. The desktop display mode renders the data file using data file-specified dimensions and resolutions. The data file is viewable in its entirety by automatic scrolling achieved by moving a cursor near the edge of the display. Data file elements may be edited while in desktop display mode. The mobile display mode renders the elements of the data file as a list with minimal regard for spatial orientation. Navigation in mobile display mode is field-to-field.
US07761800B2

A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user's screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system.
US07761795B2

A system for creating user defined advertisements. The system comprises a computer readable storage medium. The medium comprises a digitized film/video; an attribute database comprising predetermined attributes. Each attribute correlates to at least one scene of the film/video. An advertisement database is provided comprising predetermined advertisements of the film/video. A publication database is provided comprising critiques of the film/video. The medium also comprises selection instructions for the user to select, for viewing, one of the digitized film/video, the selected scene, the predetermined advertisements or the critiques. A machine capable of reading the computer readable storage medium implements the instructions for viewing.
US07761793B1

A method of data compression for compressing a web page with graphics files, text files, JAVA scripts, and HTML files comprises storing the graphics files, the text files, the JAVA scripts, and the HTML files in a temporary directory. The graphics files are sorted into lossless and lossy file groups. The lossy files, the lossless files, the text files, the JAVA scripts, and the HTML files are concatenating and then compressed to yield a compressed web page. The lossy files may be de-featured and transcoded before concatenation. The lossless files may be subsampled or decimated before concatenation to match client display size. Lossy files may be de-featured to match client display size by subsampling and reducing image fidelity. Optimal file concatenation size range is determined to optimally develop compression performance while minimizing latency. The concatenated file size is regulated to the optimal file concatenation size.
US07761781B2

A web browsing method and system capable of easily selecting a hyperlink, and a recording medium thereof. The method includes: dividing a web page into regions based on the table structure of the web page; determining a specific hyperlink from hyperlinks in the web page based on information set in advance according to the user usage pattern; displaying the web page with identification information allocated to each region and the specific hyperlink. If a region is selected based on the identification information, displaying a web page with hyperlinks in the selected region. If a hyperlink is selected based on the web page with the hyperlinks or the specific hyperlink is selected, moving from the displayed the web page to data connected to the selected hyperlink, and at the same time updating the set in advance information.
US07761774B2

The search key and key fields of a CAM in a cache are encoded with a Hamming distance of at least two to increase the speed of the CAM by ensuring each mismatching match line is discharged by at least two transistors in parallel. Where the cache is physically tagged, the search key is a physical address. The page address portion of the physical address is encoded prior to being stored in a TLB. The page offset bits are encoded in parallel with the TLB access, and concatenated with the encoded TLB entry. If a page address addresses a large memory page size, a plurality of corresponding sub-page addresses may be generated, each addressing a smaller page size. These sub-page addresses may be encoded and stored in a micro TLB. The encoded key and key field are tolerant of single-bit soft errors.
US07761768B2

A system, apparatus, method, and article including a decoder having multiple connections defined between multiple check nodes and multiple symbol nodes. The connections between the multiple check nodes and the multiple symbol nodes are reconfigurable to enable the decoder to decode multiple codes. Other embodiments are described and claimed. The system further includes an antenna.
US07761765B2

A method, system, and computer program product for automated root cause identification of a failure of a logic controller have been provided. The method includes receiving logic controller failure information, receiving a logic model of logic code for the logic controller, and mapping the logic controller failure information to the logic model to identify a logic failure model state. The method further includes determining a potential trigger of the failure of the logic controller as a root cause via tracing through at least one path in the logic model to reach the logic failure model state. The method also includes identifying the root cause in the logic code via mapping the root cause from the logic model to the logic code, and outputting the logic code with the identified root cause of the failure of the logic controller.
US07761757B2

An apparatus for setting a test mode in a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a test mode control block that generates a coding control signal according to whether or not a control fuse is cut, and a test mode coding block that sets default values of a multi-bit test code in response to the coding control signal.
US07761752B2

A facsimile machine receives image data from a facsimile machine of another end. A Random Access Memory (RAM) stores a measured average value and fluctuation of an Eye Quality Monitor (EQM) value of the image data, and a number of error lines of the image data as an EQM data table. In past facsimile communication, a main control unit receives a training signal from the facsimile machine of the other end, and executes a training process. The main control unit measures an average value and fluctuation of an EQM value of the training signal, and compares the measured average value and the fluctuation of the EQM value with the average value and the fluctuation of the EQM value stored in the EQM data table. When there is no match, the main control unit executes the training process again.
US07761749B2

An apparatus and method for reducing false triggering of a signal due to an electrostatic discharge event are disclosed. The method includes detecting a high voltage on a signal received at an input of a delay circuit and delaying the signal between the input of the delay circuit and an output of the delay circuit for a predetermined amount of time. If a low voltage is detected on the signal after the predetermined amount of time, the high voltage is prevented from propagating to the output of the delay circuit.
US07761746B1

In general, the invention facilitates diagnosing fault conditions, such as flapping, by permitting users to request information for specific components in a network device such as a router. The invention also facilitates the diagnosis of other fault conditions, including, but not limited to, excessive numbers of dropped packets, hard drive crashes, high temperature readings, and inactive interface cards. A user may obtain a targeted log containing information relating to selected fault conditions or other network device events, rather than a system log containing information relating to all network device events, some of which may not be of interest to the user. The targeted log may be parsed and analyzed with greater ease than the system log.
US07761743B2

Methods and systems for facilitating fault tolerance in a non-hot-standby configuration of a network routing system are provided. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for replacing an active processing engine with a non-hot-standby processing engine. Multiple processing engines within a network routing system are configured. The processing engines include an active processing engine having one or more software contexts, representative of a set of objects implementing a virtual router, for example, and a non-hot-standby processing engine having no pre-created software contexts corresponding to the one or more software contexts. Responsive to determining a fault associated with the active processing engine, the active processing engine is dynamically replaced with the non-hot-standby processing engine by creating replacement software contexts within the non-hot-standby processing engine corresponding to the one or more software contexts.
US07761740B2

Systems and/or methods that provide for the accuracy of address translations in a memory system that decouples the system address from the physical address. Address-modifying transactions are recorded in a non-volatile write buffer to couple the last-in-time translation physical address/location with the current translated physical location/address. In addition, integrity check protection may be applied to the translation and to the written data to limit the amount of data that may be lost in the event of a failure/error occurring during the write operation. Transaction recording and integrity check protection allows for recovery of write operations that may not have fully completed due to the failure/error.
US07761733B2

An image-processing system having an image processor which performs image input or output processing, and a management communication apparatus connected to the image processor and connected via a communication line to a management center, the image processing system having: a retaining unit, provided in a nontarget apparatus which is not subjected to firmware rewriting, that retains firmware-identifying information for identifying a firmware program used before rewriting in a target apparatus which is subjected to firmware rewriting; and a controller that, in the event of failure of the firmware rewriting in the target apparatus, obtains from the management center the firmware program identified by the firmware-identifying information retained in the retaining unit and performs firmware rewriting in the target apparatus using the obtained firmware program.
US07761728B2

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for resetting an inter-integrated circuit data line with a clock line. A hang module detects that a data line that carries data between an I2C bus master and an I2C bus slave is hung, wherein the I2C bus master and I2C bus slave communicate over the data line and a clock line that carries a clock signal. The clock module increases a clock line frequency to a specified frequency in response to the detected data line hang. The pulse generation module transmits specified clock pulses from the I2C bus master to the I2C bus slave over the clock line at the specified increased frequency in response to the detected data line hang. A frequency detector module detects clock pulses at the specified increased frequency. A timer module detects the specified clock pulses at the specified increased frequency. A reset module resets the I2C bus slave in response detecting the specified clock pulses.
US07761727B2

A micro-controller includes a USB control unit, an MC unit having an operation mode and a stop mode and an oscillating circuit, which is commonly used by the USB control unit and the MC unit. The USB control unit includes a watching circuit for watching a condition of a first data and a second data, which is complement data of the first data. The operation of the oscillating circuit is controlled in response to an operation control signal, which is generated by a watching result, and an oscillation control signal whose voltage level is changed in response to the mode of the MC unit.
US07761710B2

A system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, a peer-to-peer wireless network is advertised utilizing a granting node. Further, a requesting node is provided for connecting to the peer-to-peer wireless network. Thereafter, such requesting node is redirected to a portal. To this end, a software application is capable of being downloaded to the requesting node via the peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing the portal.
US07761706B2

A method is disclosed for controlling access by use of an operating system service to content that is to be protected from unauthorised access. The method includes the steps of, for an operating system service which can enable unauthorised access to protected content, modifying the operation of said operating system service to restrict or deny access to the protected content.
US07761703B2

A method and system for handling digital certificate status checks are provided. Digital certificate status request data transmitted from a client system is received at a proxy system. The proxy system generates query data for the digital certificate status in response to receiving the digital certificate status request data. The query data is transmitted to a status provider system, and status data from the status provider system in response to the query data is received at the proxy system. Digital certificate status data based on the status data received is generated by the proxy system and transmitted to the client system.
US07761699B2

When there is an access passing between unit disk controllers, the band of a mutual connecting network must be very large in order to exhibit the performance sufficiently, so that the cost is increased. In the present invention, the access number of a logical volume is monitored, the change of an access path is suggested to an upper class device, and the logical volume is moved or copied to each unit disk controller, so that the mutual connecting network is used mainly for copy of the logical volume, thereby reducing the necessary band.
US07761698B2

A method for replacement of an automation technology field device F1 connected with a fieldbus FB and having at least a first function block FB1 communicating via the fieldbus FB, via a communication relationship KR, with a second function block FB2 in a further field device F2 connected with the fieldbus FB Configuration data CD of the field device F1 are transmitted into a memory unit MU connected with the fieldbus FB and subsequently transmitted into a replacement field device F1′. Following installation of a selector function block SFB into the communication relationship KR between the first function FB1 and the second function block FB2 and connecting of the selector function block SFB with function block FB1′ of the replacement field device F1′ corresponding to the function block FB1, the selector function block SFB is switched so that the function block FB1′ communicates with the second function block FB2. This provides for simple device replacement in a fieldbus system.
US07761696B1

Methods and apparatus to quiesce and/or de-quiesce links (such as point-to-point link) in a multi-processor system are described. In one embodiment, one or more bits are modified to indicate the status of quiesce/dequiesce processes.
US07761688B1

An in-order issue in-order completion micro-controller comprises a pipeline core comprising in succession a fetch address stage, a program access stage, a decode stage, a first execution stage, a second execution stage, a memory access stage, and a write back stage. The various stages are provided a thread ID such that alternating stages use a first thread ID, and the other stages use a second thread ID. Each stage which requires access to thread ID specific context information uses the thread ID to specify this context information.
US07761681B2

A storage adapter for use in a data storage subsystem includes a controlling processor, a volatile memory, and a nonvolatile memory “dump device.” The storage adapter also includes a battery that can be used to provide sufficient power to the storage adapter to allow data from the volatile memory to be written to the nonvolatile memory of the storage adapter under the control of the processor in the event of an interruption or failure in the main power supply to the storage adapter, i.e. to preserve data stored in the volatile memory in that event. The processor uses the current state of charge of the battery to determine the amount of data that can be “dumped” to the nonvolatile dump device before the battery is depleted.
US07761678B1

A method and apparatus for of storing data comprising monitoring a plurality of storage units within a mass storage area and detecting when a storage unit within the mass storage area is overloaded. The method further comprising randomly distributing the data on the overloaded storage unit to the other storage units within the mass storage area.
US07761673B2

A method for compiler assisted victim cache bypassing including: identifying a cache line as a candidate for victim cache bypassing; conveying a bypassing-the-victim-cache information to a hardware; and checking a state of the cache line to determine a modified state of the cache line, wherein the cache line is identified for cache bypassing if the cache line that has no reuse within a loop or loop nest and there is no immediate loop reuse or there is a substantial across loop reuse distance so that it will be replaced from both main and victim cache before being reused.
US07761670B2

A multiple computer environment is disclosed in which an application program executes simultaneously on a plurality of computers (M1, M2, . . . Mn) interconnected by a communications network (53) and in which the local memory of each computer is maintained substantially the same by updating in due course. A lock mechanism is provided to permit exclusive access to an asset, object, or structure (ie memory location) by acquisition and release of the lock. In particular, before a new lock can be acquired by any other computer on a memory location previously locked by one computer, any re-written content(s) for the previously locked memory location are transmitted to all the other computers and their corresponding memory locations (before the in due course updating). Thus when the new lock is acquired all the corresponding memory locations of all computers have been updated.
US07761667B2

A mechanism is provided that identifies instructions that access storage and may be candidates for catch prefetching. The mechanism augments these instructions so that any given instance of the instruction operates in one of four modes, namely normal, unexecuted, data gathering, and validation. In the normal mode, the instruction merely performs the function specified in the software runtime environment. An instruction in unexecuted mode, upon the next execution, is placed in data gathering mode. When an instruction in the data gathering mode is encountered, the mechanism of the present invention collects data to discover potential fixed storage access patterns. When an instruction is in validation mode, the mechanism of the present invention validates the presumed fixed storage access patterns.
US07761665B2

The present invention provides a data processing apparatus and method for handling cache accesses. The data processing apparatus comprises a processing unit operable to issue a series of access requests, each access request having associated therewith an address of a data value to be accessed. Further, the data processing apparatus has an n-way set associative cache memory operable to store data values for access by the processing unit, each way of the cache memory comprising a plurality of cache lines, and each cache line being operable to store a plurality of data values. The cache memory further comprises for each way a TAG storage for storing, for each cache line of that way, a corresponding TAG value. The cache memory is operable, when the processing unit is issuing access requests specifying data values held sequentially in a cache line of a current way of the cache memory, to perform a speculative lookup in at least one TAG storage to determine whether the TAG value associated with the next cache line in one way associated with the at least one TAG storage equals an expected tag value. If that TAG value does equal the expected tag value, and following an access request identifying a last data value in the cache line of the current way, a further access request is issued identifying the next cache line, then the cache memory is operable, without further reference to any TAG storage of the cache memory, to access from that next cache line of the one way the data value the subject of the further access request. This provides significant power savings when handling accesses to a cache memory.
US07761661B2

A virtually indexed, physically-tagged cache is combined with one or more virtually-tagged fill-buffers.
US07761656B2

A DRAM controller may be configured to re-order read/write requests to maximize the number of page hits and minimize the number of page conflicts and page misses. A three-level prediction algorithm may be performed to obtain auto-precharge prediction for each read/write request, without having to track every individual page. Instead, the DRAM controller may track the history of page activity for each bank of DRAM, and make a prediction to first order based history that is not bank based. The memory requests may be stored in a queue, a specified number at a time, and used to determine whether a page should be closed or left open following access to that page. If no future requests in the queue are to the given bank containing the page, recent bank history for that bank may be used to obtain a prediction whether the page should be closed or left open. If the page is not closed as a result of the determination and/or prediction, it may be left open and closed after it has remained idle a specified length of time following the last access to the page.
US07761655B2

Provided is a storage system capable of inhibiting the deterioration of its write performance. This storage system includes a flash memory, a cache memory, and a controller for controlling the reading, writing and deletion of data of the flash memory and the reading and writing of data of the cache memory, and detecting the generation of a defective block in the flash memory. When the controller detects the generation of a defective block in the flash memory, it migrates prescribed data stored in the flash memory to the cache memory and, even upon receiving from the host computer a command for updating the migrated data, disables the writing of data in the flash memory based on the command.
US07761642B2

An embodiment of the present invention is disclosed to include a communication system configured to conform to SATA standard and causing communication between one or more hosts and a SATA device. The communication system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a multi-port bridge device having a command status manager (CSM) responsive to commands and status from one or more hosts and a data manager (DM) responsive to data from one or more hosts for buffering data substantially separately from that of commands and status.
US07761641B2

A portable computer adapted for electrical connection to a docking station having multiple power modes of operation is described. The portable computer has one or more CPU chips which have at least two power modes of operation, a low power mode and a high power mode. When the portable computer is operated as a stand-alone computer, it operates in the low power mode. When the portable computer is operated while electrically connected to the docking station, it operates in a high power mode. The docking station has greater cooling capacity than the portable computer alone to provide enhanced cooling of the high power mode of operation.
US07761639B2

A slot interface access device including a slot management module; a slot control module; and a physical slot to management slot contrast table, the slot management module, the slot control module, and the physical slot to management slot contrast table being provided between an input and output control module and a slot interface lower than the input and output control module. The input and output control module accesses the slot interface using virtual slot identification information. The slot management module converts the virtual slot identification information into physical slot identification information while referring to the physical slot to management slot contrast table, and accesses the slot control module corresponding to the physical slot identification information, thereby realizing a physical access of the input and output control module to the slot interface. The slot interface access device is higher in CPU capability than other devices each including the slot interface.
US07761634B2

A method for exchanging data in messages between at least two stations connected via a bus system. The messages contain the data being transmitted by the stations over the bus system, and the messages are controlled over time by a first station in such a manner that the first station repeatedly transmits a reference message containing time information of the first station over the bus system at least one specifiable time interval. The time interval is subdivided as a basic cycle into time windows of specifiable length, and the messages are transmitted in the time windows. When data is exchanged, a pause period of variable duration is provided at the end of at least one basic cycle, by which a time change of the beginning of the basic cycle is corrected by adaptation of the duration of the pause period.
US07761630B2

A data-processing system and method are disclosed, which generally includes a plurality of components connected to a bus within a data-processing apparatus utilizing one or more input/output interfaces (e.g., IOCTL) in communication with the bus. A dynamic interface is implemented, which includes a plurality of interface modules that permits varying data-processing applications to scan, identify and interface with the plurality of components utilizing the input/output interface, thereby increasing data-processing application development efficiency relative to one or more components within the data-processing system.
US07761629B2

Provided is a method for using host and storage controller port information to configure paths between a host and storage controller. Information is gathered on ports on at least one host, ports on at least one storage controller managing access to storage volumes, and at least one fabric over which the at least one host and storage controller ports connect. For at least one host port and storage controller port, information is gathered on a connection metric related to a number of paths in which the port is configured and a traffic metric indicating Input/Output (I/O) traffic at the port. A determination is made of available ports for one host and storage controller that are available to provide paths between one host and storage controller. The connection and traffic metrics for the available host ports are processed to select at least one host port. The connection and traffic metrics for the available storage controller ports are processed to select at least one storage controller port. The at least one selected host and storage controller port pair are configured to provide at least one path enabling the host to communicate with the selected storage controller port to access at least one storage volume managed by the selected storage controller.
US07761626B2

An apparatus includes a printed circuit board with a plurality of printed circuit board traces, a memory controller mounted on the printed circuit board coupled to one or more of the plurality of printed circuit board traces, a plurality of non-volatile type of memory integrated circuits coupled to the printed circuit board, and a plurality of support integrated circuits coupled between the memory controller and the plurality of non-volatile type of memory integrated circuits.
US07761614B2

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus is detachably connected to a host apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a file management information generation module. The file management information generation module generates file management information based on which a host apparatus recognizes each of content data items as a file stored in a storage medium, the file management information being indicative of a plurality of starting storage locations on the storage medium corresponding to starting data blocks of the content data items, and a plurality of shared storage locations on the storage medium, which are shared by the content data items and correspond to second and following data blocks of each of the content data items.
US07761609B1

A system for socket-level packet scheduling over connectionless network protocols includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory contains program instructions executable by the processor to implement an operating system including a packet scheduler for scheduling data transmissions via a connectionless network protocol. In response to a request from an application specifying one or more desired performance metrics for a data transfer via the connectionless network protocol, the packet scheduler is configured to schedule the data transfer in accordance with the one or more desired performance metrics.
US07761608B2

A system with a host bus adapter (“HBA”) having a TCP/IP offload engine is provided. The HBA includes logic for concurrently processing markers, data integrity fields (“DIFs”) and digests by using plural counters that count words in a data stream and individual routing bits are set for markers, DIFs and digests based on the plural counter values. When a counter reaches a certain threshold value, then locator bits are set for a field and the locator bits are forwarded with the data stream. A marker counter is incremented when each word in a data stream passes by the marker counter and markers can be inserted at a programmed interval. For DIF calculation an offset of a first byte in a DMA transfer and partial cyclic redundancy code value is seeded into a DIF location counter, which is incremented for each byte of data that passes by the DIF location counter.
US07761603B2

An information browser system and method enables sending of information requests to remote information sources and receiving of requested information from the remote sources on a wireless communication device. Information in any of a plurality of formats, including WML, HTML and WMLScript, is converted into a format in which the information can be displayed or otherwise further processed by the device. Information browsing functions may also be integrated with other communication functions on a mobile communication device.
US07761599B2

An associative memory 4 for primary searching operation of an associative memory 23 supplies a valid state to a primary match line 13 corresponding to storage data coincident with search data 10 taking mask information into account, and supplies a value obtained from a result of a logical sum operation (an OR operation), with a valid state for the storage data as true, of all said coincident storage data to a counting means 25 as intermediate data 15. The counting means 25 supplies a result of an operation to the intermediate data 15 for counting the number of bits in an invalid state for the storage data to an associative memory 3 for secondary searching operations as secondary search data 19. Among secondary storage data obtained by carrying out said operation to said storage data, the associative memory 3 for secondary searching operation supplies a result of carrying out the searching operation of the secondary search data 19 to a secondary match line 21. The invalidation means 22 changes a secondary match line 21 corresponding to a primary match line 13 in an invalid state into an invalid state to supply to an external source as a match line 11.
US07761595B1

A communication system is provided. The system comprises a registry service that allocates internet protocol addresses and stores names associated with allocated internet protocol addresses. The system also comprises a virtual router service, residing on a host computer, that routes an internet protocol packet to a server application executing on the host computer. The system also comprises a script that requests a specific internet protocol address for the server application from the registry service and provides a name of the server application to the registry service, the registry service associating the name with the internet protocol address. The script also provides the specific internet protocol address linked with the server application to the virtual router service.
US07761591B2

Client-specified methods, systems and computer program product with multi-protocol access for data input requests designed around a client's business application. It does this by interfacing IVR/telephony programming of multiple communication device protocols to separate data source input protocol programming, including remoting programming. Data input is by selected IVR/telephony responses designed around the needs of the individual client through selection process within a variety of configuration templates. The templates are designed to interface with the business applications through programming procedures for data entry specific to each application's protocol. The advantage, templates reduce user/client's interface with the business applications resulting in minimal time and knowledge of each applications data requirements, and limits each user's access to the system to specific data input. System response for data output is limited to the requested input for error reduction.
US07761587B2

Provided are an apparatus and method for transmitting a packet on Internet Protocol (IP) offload. The apparatus includes: an IP header creating unit for creating an IP header; an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) request header creating unit for creating an ARP request header; an ARP response header creating unit for creating an ARP response header; a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) header and data creating unit for creating data and a TCP header; a Media Access Control (MAC) header creating unit for creating an MAC header; a main control unit (MCU) for controlling header creation to transmit a packet; and a cache memory.
US07761581B2

Detecting Internet web navigation and web browsing idle conditions using cookies during navigating and browsing sessions, is accomplished by receiving in a local computer, from a server, a cookie that has a policy that causes the cookie to have either an active or an expired status, based on the presence of web content provided by the server or detection that either the user is idle or the user is away from the computer. A signal from the user of the computer activates the policy in the cookie, causing the cookie to have a status of either active or expired. When a signal is received from the server requesting the status of the cookie, the computer determines whether the status of the cookie is active or expired. When the status is active, the server continues to provide content to the computer and when the status is expired, the server stops sending content.
US07761579B2

In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary method includes establishing a secure packet-switched connection for exchanging predefined signaling messages between network elements associated with distinct network domains, determining and implementing at least one media exchange technology for transporting media between the network domains, exchanging signaling and media border processing information between the network domains, exchanging access device information between the network domains, determining and implementing at least one service policy associated with the network domains, and providing a packet-switched network-to-network interconnection interface configured for peering at least one session between the network domains based on the predefined signaling messages, media exchange technology, signaling media border processing information, access device information, and service policy.
US07761574B2

A novel system, method and computer program product for storing and enabling access to certain digital media files of pre-determined formats stored in a centralized media storage device. The system stores digital audio and video media files in a centralized fashion and enables access to one or more independent users via individual workstations. The method includes creating a directory structure on the storage means for hierarchically organizing the digital media and other data files; generating in the directory structure a User Directory that corresponds to each independent user that is capable of accessing said media files, and through which an independent user can store actual digital media files; enabling capturing and rendering of media files of a predetermined format into said directory structure, the media files adapted to be stored in one or more single sub-directory levels below an isolated root level of the directory structure; and, automatically creating for each subdirectory of the isolated route level directory structure, a corresponding link to the actual sub-directory location for one or more individual independent users, and placing the links inside each corresponding User Directory. In this manner, via said links, a user is permitted indirect access to all actual digital media files that are stored in the directory on said storage means, while preventing direct access to the actual digital media files.
US07761568B1

Embodiments of the data transmission management system are directed to a system which confirms transmission requests from users and identifies the user's geographical region. Embodiments of the data transmission management system comprise a storage member, a confirmation system and a re-direct system, wherein the confirmation system confirms a user's request for data and identifies the user's geographical region, and wherein the re-direct system selects and transmits suitable data for that region. The data transmission management system further operates in conjunction with an animated module utilized to ascertain payment data, wherein the animated module visually depicts the desired information from the user.
US07761561B2

A sensor node may be used for another purpose for a moment and may also be replaced. By configuring, for a sensor node, a logic node which is provided with the physical node use information indicating whether or not the sensor node is in use and the logical node use information indicating whether or not the sensor node is provided as a logic node, a sensor node to be replaced may be specified based on the replacement request of the sensor node, a sensor node is selected which is configured as logic node providing the physical node use information indicating that the sensor node is not used and the logic node use information indicating that the sensor node is provided as the logic node, thus selected sensor node is identified as the replacing sensor node to achieve the replacement from the replaced sensor node to the replacing sensor node.
US07761560B2

A method of content-related processing of a data flow compares the data flow with a list of known data flows, and determines whether the data flow is recognized as a known data flow. When the data flow is recognized as a known data flow, the data flow is processed as specified in the list. When the data flow is not recognized as a known data flow, successively analyzing the data flow until a content type of the data flow is sufficiently recognized in order to decide how to process the data flow.
US07761559B2

A system and method for remotely loading artifacts is disclosed. The system and method involves monitoring application installation events on a computing device. In response to detecting an application installation event, the application installation event is intercepted. The application associated with the application installation event is searched for artifacts, and any artifacts found within the application are stored in a centralized location. The artifacts are further indexed according to a target namespace. In one embodiment, the system and method further involved receiving a query from a client to locate an artifact, locating the artifact from previously extracted artifacts and returning the artifact as URL address.
US07761558B1

IP address-user number estimates may be determined by accepting IP address usage information associating various IP addresses with various client identifiers, and generating an estimate of a number of users for at least one of the IP addresses using the IP address usage information. If the client identifiers include cookies, the estimate of a number of users for at least one of the IP address might be generated, in part, by determining a number of cookies for the at least one IP address for a given period of time, and multiplying the first ratio by a second, predetermined, ratio of a number of users per cookie for the given time period. If the client identifiers are user-agent parameters and/or browser parameters (e.g., screen setting information, time zone, history length, whether or not Java enabled, number of plug-ins, mime types, etc.), the estimate of a number of users per IP address might be generated, in part, by determining a ratio of unique sets of user agent and/or browser parameters for an IP address.
US07761556B2

A large-scale enterprise system is described that includes a flexible and scalable performance monitoring software. The system comprises a plurality of enterprise software applications having one or more collector components that collect performance data from the enterprise software applications. A performance manager receives the performance data from the collector components and aggregates the performance data within a hierarchical data structure. A performance manager interface receives the performance data from performance manager and formats the data for communication to a performance monitoring tool for presentment to a user.
US07761553B2

An access node connected to end-users, routers, and a DHCP-server. The end-user defines desired services provided via the routers. A purpose is to automatically provide simultaneous access to services via two or more of the routers, although the end-user simultaneously handles only one router. The connections are secure. The end-user requests one of the services. The access node identifies the end-user and sends a corresponding request to the DHCP-server, which dynamically allocates addresses to the end-user and to all the routers for the desired services. The access node snoops the addresses in a DHCP option message from the DHCP-server, resolves the router addresses, stores IP router addresses and IP MAC addresses in a memory and sets MAC addresses in MAC filters. An option reply with one router is sent to the end-user, which after request for one service, reaches all the services stored in the memory.
US07761548B2

A method and system for providing efficient and flexible techniques for modeling technical and economic benefits of consolidating information technology (IT) systems, hardware, software, network, and other infrastructure are described. The system includes a data processing system configured to receive data from a user. The system also includes an input collection system communicatively coupled to the data processing system, with the input collection system designed to organize, convert, and sort the data to generate baseline server information. In addition, the system includes an optimization system communicatively coupled to the data processing system, with the optimization system designed to generate one or more server consolidation models based on the baseline server information. Further, based on the generated one or more server consolidation models, a recommendation can be generated.
US07761546B2

A method, system and apparatus for load balancing workloads in a cluster according to an iterative greatest common divisor approach to weight normalization. A load balancing method can include computing a greatest common divisor for a set of current normalized values for raw weights corresponding to endpoints in a cluster. Each of the current normalized values can be reduced by a factor proportionate to the greatest common divisor. The reduction can produce new normalized values for the raw weights corresponding to the endpoints in the cluster. The computing and reducing steps can be repeated for the new normalized values until the new normalized values are sufficiently low. Finally, workloads can be assigned to the endpoints in the cluster according to the new normalized values which are sufficiently low.
US07761530B2

A change management system for managing configurable devices such as computer systems uses a set of rules for validating change requests, linking change requests, and determining inconsistencies within various configuration states. Analysis and validation may happen at the time the change request is created with respect to the current environment, as well as analysis and validation with respect to other pending requests and proposals, and historical actual states. The maintenance of accurate and consistent state and change information may enable various automated tools to analyze and manipulate change requests, including analysis of future desired states, historical actual states, pending change requests, and current state. The change request may be processed through an approval cycle all the while being incorporated into a scheduling system that may be used to detect inconsistent, illogical or harmful configurations in potential future configurations.
US07761525B2

A system, method, and program product is provided that receives, at a recipient's computer system, an email message from a sender's computer system with the email message including a time offset value in a metadata area of the email message. The time offset indicates an offset between the time zone that is used at the sender's computer system and a base time zone. A total time offset value is computed based on the received time offset value and the time zone used that is used at the recipient's computer system. Time notations that have been included in a body area of the email message are converted to the second time zone by applying the computed total time offset value to the time notations. The converted time notations are displayed, along with the body area of the email message, on a display device.
US07761512B2

A message exchange method can realize a chat easily in an interface with users who are on-line using a chat window. First status information of a receiving client that will receive a message is confirmed. Then, when the receiving client is connected to a message server, a sender is asked whether chat should be carried out. A chat window is displayed in accordance with a chat instruction received from the sender, and then, the message is stored in a message log, displayed on the chat window and sent to the receiving client.
US07761511B2

A system and a method are provided for optimal Short Message System (SMS) encoding in a wireless communications device having SMS capabilities. The system includes an optimizing subsystem and an encoding subsystem. The optimizing subsystem accepts an SMS message, identification of available encoding formats, and information regarding wireless device resource encoding requirements, such as memory usage, for the available encoding formats. The optimizing subsystem evaluates the characters in the SMS message to identify which of the available encoding formats are usable for encoding the characters, determines a memory usage requirement, and selects, as the optimal encoding format, the usable encoding format having the lowest memory usage. The optimizing subsystem supplies an optimizing signal identifying the optimal encoding format. The encoding subsystem accepts the SMS message and the optimizing signal, and encodes the message in the optimal encoding format. The encoding subsystem supplies the encoded SMS message to a wireless device memory circuit. The memory circuit supplies the stored SMS message for presentation on a user display or transmission by a transceiver.
US07761510B2

A conference system includes a terminal that displays a document presented by a presenter in a conference and that is capable of receiving writing inputs from a participant for enabling exchange of opinions, and a document storage unit that stores the document used in the conference and the written information. The document storage unit stores image data of respective pages of the document, shared overwrite data for each page including shared written information written by the presenter or participants, and personal overwrite data for each participant provided for each page and including personal memo information written by the participant. The terminal includes a read unit that selectively reads out from the document storage unit, concerning each page, the image data of the presented document, the shared overwrite data, and a participant's personal overwrite data, and a display controller that overlaps the read-out data and displays the overlapped data on a display.
US07761501B1

The invention is directed to techniques for providing data distribution that supports auditing. Accordingly, a data communications device receives data from a data provider, the data containing label information. The data communications device filters the data based on the label information contained in the data. Next, the data communications device associates token information with the data whereby the token information enables later audits of transmission of the data traveling through the data communications device. Finally, the data communications device transmits the data and the token information toward a data receiver. Filtering of the data results in certain data being removed and/or directed to a specific data receiver based on labels within the data. The data communications device also inserts a signature into the token in order to identify the data communications device transmitting the data in a manner that cannot be forged.
US07761478B2

A computer-implemented solution for managing a semantic business model is provided. In particular, one or more business area models for a business entity are obtained and transformed into intermediate model(s). Each intermediate model is represented using a substantially similar meta-modeling language. Subsequently, the semantic business model is generated by merging the set of intermediate models. In this manner, the semantic business model can be generated in a manner that reduces the overall burden on a user. The semantic business model can be provided for display to the user and/or use in performing qualitative analysis on various aspects of the business entity.
US07761459B1

The present invention provides a fast and efficient way of processing structured data by utilizing an intermediate file to store the structural information. The structured data may be processed into a Binary mask Format (BMF) file which may serve as a starting point for post-processing. A tree structure built on top of the BMF file may be constructed very quickly, and also takes up less space than a DOM tree. Additionally, BMF records may reside entirely in the memory and contain structural information, allowing SAX-like sequential data access.
US07761455B2

Various approaches are disclosed for loading data from a vertical database table into a horizontal database table. In one embodiment, a number of rows in a vertical database table and a number of columns in a horizontal database table are determined. Entries in a first column of the vertical table contain object identifiers, entries in a second column contain attribute names corresponding to the object identifiers, and entries in a third column contain attribute values corresponding to the attribute names. The horizontal table includes a column for the object identifiers and respective attribute columns for the attributes names. One of a plurality of methods is selected and used for reading data from the vertical database table and writing data to the horizontal database table based in part on the number of rows in the vertical database table and the number of columns in the horizontal database table.
US07761454B2

A conversational recommender system retrieves k cases (3) and generates a structure for user feedback (4). The structure includes a list of critique units for each of which the user can specify a value range. It also generates compound critiques, each being a combination of features and value ranges presented together. An explanation of a compound critique can be generated in response to a user request. The system determines (7), from one cycle of a session to the next, if a preference has been carried. If so, a re-focus function implementing diversity is used for retrieval in the next cycle. If not, a refine function implementary similarity-based retrieval is used for the next cycle of the session.
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