US07875347B2
Disclosed herein is an article comprising an electrical component; and an electrically insulating layer disposed upon the electrical component, wherein the electrically insulating layer comprises a thermosetting polymer and a nanosized filler; wherein the nanosized filler comprises metal oxide and diamond nanoparticles that have an average largest dimension of less than or equal to about 200 nanometers.
US07875346B2
A plate of wood material, wherein wood fibers or wood flakes and synthetic particles or fibers, respectively, are compressed to a plate by a heat compression process, a portion of the wood flakes or fibers is substituted by a milled or fibrillated agglomerate of mixed synthetics of waste material from waste removal and the particle size of wood flakes or fibers on one side and of the milled agglomerate on the other side, is approximately equal.
US07875344B2
Steel-plate-reinforcement resin composition that can provide improvement in both of adhesiveness and handleability in a wide temperature range around room temperature, a steel plate reinforcing sheet using the steel-plate-reinforcement resin composition, and a method of reinforcing the steel plate using the steel plate reinforcing sheet. After the steel-plate-reinforcement resin composition comprising an epoxy resin, an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, a curing agent, and a foaming agent is prepared, the steel-plate-reinforcement resin composition is rolled to form a resin layer 2. Then, a reinforcing layer 1 is laminated on the resin layer 1 to obtain a steel plate reinforcing sheet. After the steel plate reinforcing sheet is adhesively bonded to a steel plate 4, the steel plate reinforcing sheet is foamed and cured, to reinforce the steel plate 4.
US07875330B2
A synthetic resin multilayer structure (1) delimited by a top face (2), borders (3, 5) and a bottom face (4) of surface area substantially identical to that of the top face (2), said structure (1) comprising: a first layer (6) defining said faces (2, 4) and said borders (3, 5), a second layer (7), disposed between said faces (2, 4) and said borders (3, 5), of surface area at least equal to that of said faces (2, 4), characterized in that the second layer (7) forms at least one zigzag-shaped double fold (8, 9).
US07875328B2
The present invention relates to an optical film comprising an aromatic based unit having chain having the hydroxy group containing portion and aromatic moiety; and a styrene-based unit comprising one or more styrene-based derivatives, and has absolute values of in-plane retardation (Rin) and thickness retardation (Rin) of 10 nm or less regardless of stretching, and a polarizing plate and an information technology apparatus including the same.
US07875324B2
A method of laser forward transfer is disclosed. Photon energy is directed through a photon-transparent support and absorbed by a polymer interlayer coated thereon. The energized interlayer causes the transfer of a biological material coated thereon across a gap and onto a receiving substrate.
US07875323B2
In a method of manufacturing a substrate and a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel, a conductive is formed on a base substrate, and a buffer layer is formed on the base substrate having the conductive layer. The buffer layer includes a polymer-like carbon thin film. An alignment layer is formed on the buffer layer. The alignment layer includes a diamond-like carbon thin film containing fluorine. A content of hydrogen in the polymer-like carbon thin film is more than that in the diamond-like carbon thin film.
US07875322B2
Pulsated microwaves are supplied to a wave guide tube from a microwave generation unit through a matching circuit. The microwaves are supplied through an inner conductor to a planar antenna member. The microwaves are radiated from the planar antenna member through a microwave transmission plate into space above a wafer within a chamber. An electromagnetic field is formed in the chamber by pulsated microwaves radiated into the chamber from the planar antenna member through the microwave transmission plate, turning an Ar gas, H2 gas and O2 gas into plasma to form an oxide film on the wafer.
US07875317B2
An insulating-film-forming composition includes: a hydrolysis-condensation product obtained by hydrolyzing and condensing a hydrolyzable-group-containing silane monomer (A) in the presence of a polycarbosilane (B) and a basic catalyst (C); and an organic solvent.
US07875316B2
A method for manufacturing a surface-coated cutting insert that includes an insert body having a substrate of tungsten carbide-based cemented carbide, titanium carbonitride-based cermet or ceramics, a base layer, an intermediate layer and an outermost layer. The base layer and the outermost layer are made of a single layer or two or more layers formed of carbides, nitrides, oxides, or borides of one selected from the group consisting of Group IVa metals, Group Va metals, Group VIa metals, aluminum and silicon, or complex compounds thereof, and the intermediate layer is formed of primarily Al2O3. The outermost layer is removed on part of the insert body surface including the flank face and a flank face-side cutting edge portion of the intersecting edge line region, with the outermost layer being left on part of the rake face inside a boundary with the intersecting edge line region.
US07875305B2
A structure of a film filter includes a plurality of film layers made of a film stack material and a substrate wafer which said film layers are deposited on at a temperature substantially higher than a room temperature and retained to after being cooled to the room temperature. The substrate wafer has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the film stack material so as to generate compressive forces upon the associated film layers, thus resulting in the film filter having a negative temperature drift coefficient.
US07875303B2
A protein system for food products containing a moisture source is provided having a combination of intact proteins, casein, and partially hydrolyzed dairy protein and partially hydrolyzed legume protein in a total amount effective to reduce mixing time and/or shear requirements, and reduce firmness development during processing and storage of the food products to increase shelf life. The reduced firmness is achieved without embittering the food product by using a protein blend delivering a unique balance of partially hydrolyzed and intact proteins, and casein. Methods of making the food products with the protein blends are also covered.
US07875300B2
The invention relates to methods of reducing circulating glucose levels with compositions obtained from botanical sources. More specifically, the invention relates to methods of treating individuals whom wish to reduce their circulating glucose levels, particularly individuals having elevated circulating glucose levels, with an extract product of Aframomum melegueta.
US07875293B2
A biointerface membrane for an implantable device including a nonresorbable solid portion with a plurality of interconnected cavities therein adapted to support tissue ingrowth in vivo, and a bioactive agent incorporated into the biointerface membrane and adapted to modify the tissue response is provided. The bioactive agents can be chosen to induce vascularization and/or prevent barrier cell layer formation in vivo, and are advantageous when used with implantable devices wherein solutes are transported across the device-tissue interface.
US07875289B2
Provided are lipidic particles comprising phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and cholesterol. Also provided are compositions comprising the lipidic particles and having associated therewith therapeutic agents such as peptides, polypeptides or proteins. In these compositions, the therapeutic agents have reduced immunogenicity and/or longer circulating time. These compositions can be used for therapeutic administration of the peptides, polypeptides and/or proteins.
US07875284B2
This disclosure relates to endolumenal medical devices coated with a taxane therapeutic agent in one or more solid form(s) having varying dissolution rates. Particularly preferred coatings comprise amorphous paclitaxel, dihydrate paclitaxel, or combinations thereof that provide durable coatings that release paclitaxel over a desired period of time, which can be on the order of hours, days or weeks. Preferred embodiments relate to medical device coatings of paclitaxel, or paclitaxel analogs or derivatives, having one or more polymorph solid forms that provide a prolonged release of paclitaxel within a body vessel without requiring a polymer carrier or barrier layer to achieve the desired rate of paclitaxel elution.
US07875270B2
A treatment solution used to prevent posterior capsular opacification is applied or introduced into the lens capsular bag before, during, or after cataract surgery. The treatment solution may also be applied to an intraocular lens prior to surgery. The treatment solution comprises an ion transport mechanism interference agent, which either alone or in combination with other treatment agents such as an osmotic stress agent and an agent to establish a suitable pH, selectively induces detachment and/or death of lens epithelial cells such that posterior capsular opacification is prevented. While the ion transport mechanism interference agent is capable of interfering with the cellular mechanisms and cell ion distribution of a broad range of cells, a concentration of agent is selected such that the treatment solution interferes selectively with the cellular mechanisms of lens epithelial cells while leaving other ocular cells substantially unharmed. The treatment solution selectively induces cellular death and/or detachment of lens epithelial cells while other ocular cells and tissue remain substantially unharmed and without lengthy preoperative pre-treatment.
US07875264B2
The present invention provides a self tanning cosmetic containing 0.2-20.0 mass % of dihydroxyacetone and 0.1-10.0 mass % of an inorganic pigment powder whose surface is treated with silica coating followed by a hydrophobing treatment.The present invention provides a cosmetic that has superior storage stability, is free of discoloration and odor generation, and achieves both the decorative effect of the pigment immediately following application and the long term dyeing effect of dihydroxyacetone.
US07875263B1
The present invention is directed to a gel composition which comprises an specific solid alkyl silicone polymers combined with specific liquid esters selected from the group consisting of glyceryl esters, trimethylolpropane esters, and pentaerythritol esters. The invention is also directed to a process for providing emolliency to the skin by applying the compositions of the present invention. Finally, the invention is also directed to application of sun screen actives, hydroxy acids, antioxidants, flavonoids, tocopherol, vitamins and the like to the skin in gelled form.
US07875261B2
The invention provides novel fluorinated resorufin compounds that are of use in a variety of assay formats. Also provided are methods of using the compounds and kits that include a compound of the invention and instructions detailing the use of the compound in one or more assay formats.
US07875257B2
The present invention relates to dispersions of nanostructured carbon in organic solvents containing alkyl amide compounds and/or diamide compounds. The invention also relates to methods of dispersing nanostructured carbon in organic solvents and methods of mobilizing nanostructured carbon. Also disclosed are methods of determining the purity of nanostructured carbon.
US07875255B2
Highly dispersible inorganic compound nanoparticles modified by functional molecules include the functional molecules; a high molecular nitrogen compound having at least two amino groups selected from primary amino groups, secondary amino groups and tertiary amino groups; and inorganic compound nanoparticles bonded to at least one amino group of the at least two amino groups. The high molecular nitrogen compound is modified by the functional molecules, and the inorganic compound nanoparticles are covered with the high molecular nitrogen compound modified by the functional molecules.
US07875254B2
The invention relates to improvements in internal loop reactors. The reactor of the invention is characterized by a plurality of cooling tubes which form the annulus between the riser and the downcomer path of said internal loop reactor. The reactor also provides improvements in hydroformylation reactions using the improved reactor.
US07875253B2
An object of the invention is to provide a decomposing system for polyisocyanate residues that is capable of suppressing reaction of polyisocyanate residues with high temperature and high pressure water to allow smooth start-up of the operation, and a start-up method for the decomposing system for the polyisocyanate residues. The decomposing system is used for hydrolyzing the polyisocyanate residues to polyamine using high temperature and high pressure water, comprising a hydrolyzer, a water feed pipe connected to the hydrolyzer, a residual feed pipe connected to the water feed pipe, a solvent feed line for filling an organic solvent in a solvent filling portion of the residual feed pipe, and a solvent draining line. Upon start-up of the operation, the organic solvent is previously filled in the solvent filling portion via the solvent feed line and the solvent draining line, first, and then, the high temperature and high pressure water is fed from the water feed pipe to the hydrolyzer. Then, the organic solvent is fed from the residual feed pipe to the water feed pipe, first, and then, the polyisocyanate residues are fed thereto.
US07875248B1
A tube reactor having a substantially tubular body portion including a conical section, an entry port, an opposing exit port, and an axis extending between the ports through the body portion. The tubular body portion being rotatable about the axis. At least one reactant can be fed into the tubular body portion and directed toward the conical section. An inner surface of the tubular body portion receives the reactants from the conical section, and processes the reactants. An insert may be positioned within the tubular body portion to further process the reactants along the inner surface. A rotating reservoir having a damper can be coupled to the rotating tubular body portion. The damper receives the processed reactants from the inner surface of the tubular body portion, and guides the processed reactants into the rotating reservoir to minimize turbulence. The rotating reservoir then separates the processed reactants by density.
US07875247B2
An ultraviolet flux multiplying air sterilization chamber comprises inner surfaces having a diffuse reflective behavior. The sterilization chamber includes an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture for air to flow through said chamber and a light source emitting an ultraviolet light. Due to the reflectivity of the inner surfaces of the chamber, a flux of the ultraviolet light is multiplied by reflecting multiple times from the inner surfaces of the chamber. The inlet and outlet apertures are advantageously configured to reduce the amount of light that escapes from the chamber and increase the amount of photons available in the chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, perforated end panels having diffuse, reflective interior surfaces may be provided over at least a portion of the inlet and outlet apertures.
US07875245B2
The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for automatic processing a biological sample on a carrier, perhaps robotically, by applying predetermined amounts of reagents in a predetermined sequence according to a processing protocol, the processing including pre-treatment steps, under the control of an adaptive processing control system using a sample process parameter input that may be independent and an independent process parameter memory that does not interrupt process operation when being used, such that samples may be added or removed without interrupting the processing of other samples. Also included is an image capture function for sample and reagent identification and process monitoring, as well as temperature regulation and environmental control functions.
US07875243B2
A sensor-dispensing instrument is adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid and comprises a body, a cap, a cartridge, a test-sensor receptacle, and a sensor-advancement mechanism. The cap is adapted to move between an open position and a closed position. The cap and body are adapted to correspond with each other to form the closed position. The cartridge contains a plurality of test sensors. The cartridge is located substantially within the cap. The sensor-advancement mechanism is adapted to advance the plurality of test sensors, one at a time, to a position that allows a user to manually remove the test sensor and place the test sensor in the test-sensor receptacle. The sensor-dispensing instrument may also include a lancing device including a lancet.
US07875238B2
The invention pertains to a device for generating aqueous chlorine dioxide solutions when the device is contacted with liquid water. The device comprises an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorite, e.g., sodium chlorite, and a chemical reagent comprising an acid or a material capable of releasing an acid upon exposure to liquid water, e.g., sodium bisulfate. The chlorite and the reagent are either combined as a mixture or are disposed as separate components adhered to the surface of one or more substrates. Upon exposure to liquid water, the chlorite and the reagent produce boundary layers. The chlorite and the reagent are disposed upon, and adhered to, the surface(s) of the substrates in a manner such that upon exposure to liquid water, the chlorite boundary layer comes into contact with the reagent boundary layer to thereby produce an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution.
US07875234B2
A milling process for the preparation of fine-particled polyarylene ether ketone comprises milling a porous polyarylene ether ketone having a BET surface area of more than 1 m2/g.
US07875230B2
A mold assembly (100) formed of a pair of molds (102, 104) and a pair of release plates (118, 120). The molds (102, 104) have holes (126) which extend from outer surfaces into the mold cavities (106). The release plates (118, 120) have pins (122, 124) which pass into the holes (126, 128). When molding is finished, the molds (102, 104) are moved toward the release plates (118, 120). The pins (122, 124) contact the molded article(s) (134) and hold them in position as the molds (102, 104) are withdrawn.
US07875221B2
The method for the continuous production of a composition comprising rubber (20), hydrocarbon resin (22), and solvent (26) provides for the use of a dual-screw extruder (10), for example, a co-rotating dual-screw extruder. Preferably, at least a fraction of the solvent (26) is added at a point of the extruder (10) that is downstream of the initial section, for example, at a distance of at least 4 D from the initial section of the extruder (10).
US07875205B2
A photovoltaic cell has two electrodes and a hole injection layer. A liquid crystal material and a plurality of particles can be disposed between the electrodes.
US07875198B2
A method of deriving etching correction values for the patterns of a photomask and a method of fabricating a photomask are described. The former method includes the following steps. The layout data of the photomask are provided, and local etching correction values of respective patterns are determined from the pattern configurations at respective areas of the photomask. A global etching correction value is determined from a wafer coverage ratio calculated mainly from the layout data. The local etching correction values of the respective patterns are added with the global etching correction value to obtain total etching correction values of the respective patterns. In the method of fabricating a photomask, the layout data are subjected to an etching correction based on the total etching correction values of the respective patterns and then to an optical proximity correction, and the photomask patterns are formed based on the resulting layout data.
US07875191B2
A two part biocide composition containing metal ions and bromine donor for killing microorganisms in a body of water and a method of killing microorganisms in a body of water by placing both metal ions and a bromine in the body of water to allow use of lower concentrations of bromine than if bromine were used alone as a biocide.
US07875188B2
A process in which a suspension comprising dispersed particulate material in an aqueous medium is transferred as a fluid to a deposition area, then allowed to stand and rigidify, and in which rigidification is improved whilst retaining the fluidity of the suspension during transfer, by combining with the suspension during transfer a rigidifying amount of a treatment system which comprises i) a water-soluble synthetic polymer and ii) a water-soluble natural or seminatural polymer. Improved rigidification can be achieved, including dose efficiency especially in regard to the amount of synthetic polymer required. In addition improvements in the clarity of liquor released from the suspension can be achieved.
US07875187B2
Self-assembly of magnetic microparticles in AC magnetic fields. Excitation of the system by an AC magnetic field provides a variety of patterns that can be controlled by adjusting the frequency and the amplitude of the field. At low particle densities the low-frequency magnetic excitation favors cluster phase formation, while high frequency excitation favors chains and netlike structures. For denser configurations, an abrupt transition to the network phase was obtained.
US07875184B2
A process and apparatus which reduces the fines in a liquid discharge stream and/or increases the dryness of a solids discharge stream while under a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid. There is provided a process for separating particles such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate from a liquid in a slurry comprising feeding a slurry comprising solid particles and a liquid into a separation zone maintained at a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid; contacting the slurry in the separation zone with a porous filter; and separating liquid from the particles, wherein the liquid flows through the filter into an outer annulus defined as a space between a wall of the separation device and the filter, said porous filter having a terminal point beyond which the separated liquid does not pass from the outer annulus back through the filter; accumulating no liquid in the outer annulus or accumulating liquid in the outer annulus at a level below the terminal point, and continuously discharging the separated liquid form the outer annulus through a liquid outlet; and decoupling the particles from the separation zone through an outlet at a low pressure below the vapor pressure of the liquid at the liquid temperature within the separation zone, while maintaining a pressure on the particles prior to decoupling at or above the vapor pressure of the liquid within the separation zone.
US07875183B2
There is provided a method of reducing blood free light chain concentration in a subject, the method comprising the step of subjecting the subject's blood to haemodialysis, haemodiafiltration or haemofiltration. There is also provided the use of a dialysis membrane which is a membrane that allows passage of molecules having a molecular weight of up to 45 kDa in presence of whole blood, and has a molecular weight exclusion limit in water of about 200 kDa in the preparation of a haemodialysis unit for conducting haemodialysis, haemodiafiltration or haemofiltration on a subject to reduce blood free light chain concentration in the patient.
US07875180B2
An apparatus for the biological treatment of saltwater-based domestic wastewater, the apparatus having an inlet for the introduction of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater, an outlet for the removal of treated wastewater, means for monitoring the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater entering or within the apparatus and means for controlling the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater entering or within the apparatus such that fluctuations in the salinity level of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater are reduced and the biological treatment of the saltwater-based domestic wastewater is thereby maintained.
US07875179B2
The invention provides a side stream type membrane bioreactor process which does not cause an excessive fall in the MLSS concentration in a bioreactor, does not require any additional effluent treatment facility for discharging backwash effluent, and can further ensure the stability of the membrane filtration performance of a separation membrane. According to the invention, in a side stream type membrane bioreactor process, a backwash effluent containing foulants that are generated by backwashing a separation membrane is collected in a backwash effluent tank, and subjected to ozone treatment, and the resultant is returned to a bioreactor. By this ozone treatment, the foulants close to the membrane pore size of the separation membrane are made fine or are made into a state be easily taken into activated sludge flocs. Therefore, even when the treated effluent is returned to the bioreactor, the membrane filtration performance of the separation membrane is not deteriorated.
US07875175B2
A method and device for increasing the loading capacity of a chromatography column through dilution of a mobile phase at the head of the column. A strong mobile phase is provided for dissolving a sample. A sample is injected into the strong mobile phase, and subsequently diluted with a weak mobile phase. The resulting sample-containing weak mobile phase is passed through a chromatography column for retention and separation of the components of the sample.
US07875169B2
A leakage indicator is provided for a filter element of a filter press, in which the filter element has at least one membrane that can be impinged by a pressure medium. In order to create a leakage indicator that is constructed in a particularly simple manner, an indicator body is freely movable in a flow chamber. Any change in position of the indicator body, which is caused by inflowing or outflowing pressure medium, can be monitored visually or through the use of sensors.
US07875166B2
The invention relates to a novel and completely synthetic microcrystalline paraffin, said paraffin being obtained in a simple manner and with a high yield by the catalytic hydromerisation of paraffin FT comprising 20 to 105 carbon atoms. Said paraffins can be pasty to solid at room temperature and have a higher percentage of iso-paraffins than n-paraffins. Since they do not contain aromatic compounds they are particularly suitable for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries.
US07875160B2
Device for displacing drops of liquid by electrowetting, and a method for isolating two areas delimited by at least one wall including a step for: placing by electrowetting, in an aperture of said wall, a substance capable of reacting to at least one external stimulus in order to pass from a liquid state to a gel or solid state, forming a closure member.
US07875158B2
A plating apparatus for use in forming a plated film in trenches, via holes, or resist openings that are defined in a surface of a semiconductor wafer, and forming bumps to be electrically connected to electrodes of a package, on a surface of a semiconductor wafer. The plating apparatus has a plating tank for holding a plating solution, a holder for holding a workpiece and bringing a surface to be plated of the workpiece into contact with the plating solution in the plating tank, and a ring-shaped nozzle pipe disposed in the plating tank and having a plurality of plating solution injection nozzles for injecting the plating solution to the surface to be plated of the workpiece held by the holder to supply the plating solution into the plating tank.
US07875149B2
A method, composition, and article are disclosed relating to the formation of a hump seal on an aircraft transparency. The method includes applying to the aircraft transparency an adhesive composition having a Part A and a Part B. Part A includes a plasticizer, a cross-linking agent, and an adhesion promoter. Part B includes a moisture resister and an abrasion resister, with the adhesive composition being substantially sulfide free. In one example, the moisture resister includes polybutadiene. In another example, the adhesion promoter includes an epoxy silane.
US07875142B2
A multi-ply, expanded content wrap label includes a base ply and an upper ply thereon with adhesive applied to the underside of a trailing end of the base ply to form a splice between the base ply and the upper side of the upper ply when the label is applied to a container.
US07875139B2
A method of assembling a pagewidth printhead. The method includes: aligning a multilayered adhesive film an said ink supply manifold such that ink supply holes in the film are aligned with respective ink outlets in the ink supply manifold; bonding a first adhesive layer of the film to a manifold bonding surface; heating a printhead integrated circuit and positioning the heated printhead integrated circuit on an opposite side of the film such that each ink supply hole is aligned with an ink inlet defined in a printhead bonding surface of the printhead integrated circuit; and repeatedly bonding printhead integrated circuits to the film to provide the pagewidth printhead.
US07875132B2
High temperature aluminum alloys that can be used at temperatures from about −420° F. (−251° C.) up to about 650° F. (343° C.) are described herein. These alloys comprise aluminum; scandium; at least one of nickel, iron, chromium, manganese and cobalt; and at least one of zirconium, gadolinium, hafnium, yttrium, niobium and vanadiuim. These alloys comprise an aluminum solid solution matrix and a mixture of various dispersoids. These alloys are substantially free of magnesium.
US07875129B2
A method of assembling aluminum alloy products, such as sheets, strips or tubes, by means of fluxless brazing, where the absence of flux is made possible by using a prior treatment resulting in formation of a conversion layer on the surface of the products. The treatment involves using a solution containing K+ and F− ions and at least one acid in a quantity such that the pH of the solution is less than 3. The inventive method enables effective flux was brazing in industrial conditions, such as a for the production of heat exchangers used in motor vehicles.
US07875126B2
There is provide an apparatus for washing and disinfecting an endoscope having a duct for detecting a water leakage, the duct having an opening to which a fitting is attached. The apparatus comprises a nozzle unit having a nozzle to supply a gas into the duct via the fitting in a case where the nozzle is inserted into the fitting and a base member holding the nozzle member. The apparatus further comprises a gas supplying unit capable of supplying the gas to the nozzle, a shifting unit capable of shifting the base member toward the fitting of the endoscope, and a controlling unit controlling drive of the shifting unit to shift the base toward the fitting and to drive of the gas supplying unit to allow the nozzle to blow the gas from before the nozzle reaches the fitting.
US07875120B2
A method of cleaning an industrial tank using electrical energy and critical fluid comprises the steps of transmitting electrical energy into an industrial tank to a first predetermined temperature, providing a critical fluid with a reactant or catalyst into the tank for diffusion into the contents of the tank at a predetermined pressure, transmitting electrical energy into the tank to heat the contents including the critical fluid to a second predetermined temperature to initiate reaction of a reactant in the critical fluid with a portion of the contents of the tank causing hydrocarbons and contaminants to be released for extraction as a vapor, liquid or dissolved in the critical fluid. A step of pressure cycling may be performed prior to a step of removing the contents of the tank including the hydrocarbons and contaminants. A further step includes separating the hydrocarbons, critical fluid, gases, and contaminants removed from the tank.
US07875118B2
A crystallization method includes the steps of melting a crystallized material in a crucible by heating, and growing a crystal by cooling and coagulating the melted material, wherein said melting step includes introducing a predetermined gas into the melted material.
US07875108B2
An inactivating device for inactivating virus, bacteria, etc. including a humidifying unit for humidifying flowing air, a humidifying water supply unit for supplying the humidifying unit with humidifying water containing active oxygen species achieved by electrolyzing tap water, and a concentration adjusting unit for adjusting the concentration of the active oxygen species in the humidifying water to a predetermined concentration.
US07875101B2
A portable, non-cryogenic, oxygen generation system capable of delivering oxygen gas at purities greater than 98% and flow rates of 15 L/min or more is described. The system consists of two major components. The first component is a high efficiency membrane capable of separating argon and a portion of the nitrogen content from air, yielding an oxygen-enriched permeate flow. This is then fed to the second component, a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit utilizing a commercially available, but specifically formulated zeolite compound to remove the remainder of the nitrogen from the flow. The system is a unique gas separation system that can operate at ambient temperatures, for producing high purity oxygen for various applications (medical, refining, chemical production, enhanced combustion, fuel cells, etc . . . ) and represents a significant advance compared to current technologies.
US07875092B2
Axial flow demisting cyclone for separation of material compositions of gas, liquid and particulate solids comprising an inlet conduit (18) for the material composition and an outlet conduit (19) for the substantially dry and clean gas, and a swirl facilitating device (20) that sets the entering material composition in rotation. The cyclons comprises a mainly cylindrical tube (11) which is provided with slots or perforations (21) to allow parts of the material composition, hereunder liquids and particulate solids to flow out from the cyclone tube (11) and into a substantially closed chamber (22) which is delimited by an inlet plate (24), by an outlet plate (23) ad by a circumferential plate (12). The chamber (22) has a deposition surface (25) which is geodetically the lower, inner surface of the chamber (22) ad which has an inclination relative to the horizontal plane so that particulate solids will not accumulate on the deposition surface but slide to one or more drainage outlets (14) in the deposition surface (25) arranged to convey liquids and particulate solids out from the substantially closed chamber (22) into a drainage pipe the lower end of which is positioned under the liquid surface of the separator liquid compartment.
US07875090B2
Disclosed are a method and a corresponding apparatus for converting a biomass reactant into synthesis gas. The method includes the steps of (1) heating biomass in a first molten liquid bath at a first temperature, wherein the first temperature is at least about 100° C., but less than the decomposition temperature of the biomass, wherein gas comprising water is evaporated and air is pressed from the biomass, thereby yielding dried biomass with minimal air content. (2) Recapturing the moisture evaporated from the biomass in step 1 for use in the process gas. (3) Heating the dried biomass in a second molten liquid bath at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is sufficiently high to cause flash pyrolysis of the dried biomass, thereby yielding product gases, tar, and char. (4) Inserting recaptured steam into the process gas, which may optionally include external natural gas or hydrogen gas or recycled syngas for mixing and reforming with tar and non-condensable gases. (5) Further reacting the product gases, tar, and char with the process gas within a third molten liquid bath at a third temperature which is equal to or greater than the second temperature within the second molten liquid bath, thereby yielding high quality and relatively clean synthesis gas after a relatively long residence time needed for char gasification. A portion of the synthesis gas so formed is combusted to heat the first, second, and third molten liquid baths, unless external natural or hydrogen gas is available for this use.
US07875087B2
The present invention relates generally to capacitor cells and the utilization of separator materials that interact with one or more surfactants in such cells. More specifically, the present invention is related to capacitor cells that include separators that are impregnated with a surfactant or that absorb and/or interact with a surfactant that is included in an electrolyte placed within the capacitor cell.
US07875083B2
The invention concerns a prosthetic element (1) with an outer surface defining an interface to the surrounding bone or fibrous tissue, wherein the prosthetic element (1) is provided with at least one internal anchoring cavity (6) for the growing of tissue and a least one guide means (5) for a cutting tool. The guide means (5) and the anchoring cavities (6) are positioned essentially within the perimeter/circumference of the prosthetic element (1) defined by the outer surface of the prosthetic element (1). The anchoring cavities (6) and the guide means (5) are interconnected and at least one of the anchoring cavities (6) and/or the guide means (5) has an opening in the outer surface for the growing of tissue into the element (1).
US07875076B2
The intervertebral implant is in the form of a three-dimensional structure (10) comprising (a) a top side (1) and an underside (2) which are designed to rest against the end plates of two adjacent vertebras, (b) a left side face (3) and a right side face (4), (c) a front face (5) and a rear face (6), (d) a horizontal center plane situated between the top side (1) and the underside (2), (e) a vertical center plane (8) situated between the left side face (3) and the right side face (8) and (f) a plurality of boreholes (9) passing through the implant structure (10) that are designed to receive longitudinal affixation elements (20), the axes (19) of said elements intersecting the horizontal center plane (7). At least one of the boreholes (9) is designed in a manner that the affixation element (10) received in it can be rigidly connected to the intervertebral implant. Said connection is implemented using a thread or by matching conical surfaces.
US07875066B2
The present disclosure provides an article adapted to produce heat, the article including an outer surface having a skin-facing surface, the outer surface enclosing a heat generator; and a thermal grill disposed on the skin-facing surface. The present disclosure also provides an article for delivering a heating sensation, the article including a skin-facing surface; a plurality of warm portions disposed on the skin-facing surface; and a plurality of cool portions disposed on the skin-facing surface, wherein the warm portions and cool portions are disposed in an alternating pattern.
US07875062B2
A plating system and method include a bone plate with at least a first hole therethrough between an upper surface and a lower surface of the bone plate to receive an anchor for engaging the plate to a bony segment. The system and method also include a retaining member engageable to the bone plate that includes a head with an outer perimeter having a ramped or camming portion that is positionable in contact with the anchor to prevent the anchor backing out of the first hole.
US07875059B2
Spinal support members having varying stiffnesses are disclosed. In one embodiment, an elongated spinal prosthetic includes a pair of curved elongated portions. The portions are formed of materials having different stiffness characteristics such that the stiffness of the prosthetic varies along its length. In another embodiment, an elongated spinal implant includes a pair of threadedly engaged elongated sections. The first section is formed of a first material having a first rigidity. The second section has an inner portion formed of the first material and an outer portion formed of a second material. The second material is less rigid than the first material. In another embodiment, a modular spinal rod is provided. The modular spinal rod includes a pair of connectable rod portions with different stiffness characteristics. In yet another embodiment, a kit for a modular spinal rod includes a plurality of connectable modular rod portions having different stiffness characteristics.
US07875056B2
This invention relates generally to retainers and methods of using retainers. In particular, the invention relates to a suture retainer adapted for application on a subject by use of an introducing device, such as a catheter. The suture retainer comprises two elements, such as wedge-shaped or substantially wedge-shaped elements, that are positioned such that the elements are juxtaposed with respect to each other. In operation the two elements are engaged by a spring which forces the two elements into contact. Additionally, a housing can be provided.
US07875055B2
An active suture that can be used for the delivery of therapeutic fluids to the tissue surrounding a wound is disclosed. The active suture may include a connector designed to join a fluid source, such as a syringe, conventional IV delivery system, or infusion pump to an internal passageway that is embedded within a braided suture. The internal passageway may be comprised of a fine polymeric tube and is capable of conducting and emitting a fluid into at least a portion of the braided suture and surrounding tissue. The invention enables delivery of an efficacious volume of drug bearing solution on the order of milliliters per day, provides a high level of fluid delivery rate control enabling the physician to start or stop drug administration at his/her discretion, and offers a means of providing more than one type of medication that may be selected post-surgically in accord with unexpected patient symptoms that may arise.
US07875054B2
A device for closing wounds such as openings in blood vessels as well as a method of doing so are disclosed. The device employs a fabric wrapped around an expandable frame both of which are inserted into a blood vessel through an introducer sheath. Once inserted, the expandable frame expands thereby expanding the fabric therewith. The fabric is made from a bioabsorbable material and includes a plurality of microhooks extending therefrom. One suitable material is polylactic acid fiber. Upon retraction of the device, the microhooks engage the adventitia surrounding the blood vessel causing the fabric to remain in position sealing the opening even after the expandable member is retracted and removed as well as the introducer sheath As the fabric is made from a bioabsorbable material, the device can remain in place even after hemostasis is reached and eventually dissolve within the body.
US07875048B2
An intra-bronchial device placed and anchored in an air passageway of a patient to collapse a lung portion associated with the air passageway. The device includes a support structure, an obstructing member carried by the support structure that reduces ventilation to the lung portion by preventing air from being inhaled into the lung portion, and at least one anchor carried by the support structure that anchors the obstruction device within the air passageway. The anchor may engage the air passageway wall by piercing or friction, include a stop dimensioned for limiting the piercing of the air passageway wall, and may be releasable from the air passageway for removal of the intra-bronchial device. The anchors may be carried by a peripheral portion of the support structure, or by a central portion of the support structure. The obstructing member may be a one-way valve.
US07875047B2
A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.
US07875045B2
A cornea incision apparatus for incising a cornea in a layered form, comprises; a blade unit having a blade for corneal incision; and a cutter head unit arranged to detachably hold the blade unit in such a manner as to allow oscillation thereof, the cutter head unit including; a cavity formed with a first opening which opens to the outside to allow direct mounting/demounting of the blade unit, and arranged to hold the blade unit in such a manner as to allow oscillation thereof; and a first stopper provided in the first opening, the first stopper being movable between a first position for restricting movement of the blade unit in the first opening and a second position for allowing the movement of the blade unit in the first opening.
US07875044B2
A method of occluding a defect in the wall of a body vessel is provided. An outlet portion of a microcatheter is delivered to the defect, then at least a body portion of a thin film occlusion device is radially expanded from a collapsed orientation to a deployed orientation for engaging the microcatheter and covering at least a portion of the defect. Thereafter, an embolic media is released into the defect from the microcatheter for facilitating thrombosis. The body portion of the occlusion device is substantially porous in the collapsed orientation, but substantially non-porous in the deployed orientation for preventing prolapse of the embolic media into the body vessel.
US07875042B2
A suture anchor loader comprises a housing with a port. A channel extends into the housing from the port, the channel being dimensioned to receive a surgical needle. A suture anchor is preloaded in the channel with a length of suture connected to the suture anchor and stored in the housing. A push rod is slideably positioned in the channel such that the suture anchor is intermediate the push rod and the port. An actuator is operatively connected to push rod to selectively deploy the anchor into the needle.
US07875038B2
A medical retrieval device includes a basket formed of two or more loops. The basket may be used to retrieve material (e.g., a urinary stone) from a body. The basket opens and closes for end-encapsulation of a stone and is strengthened by support members that interconnect the basket loops. A captured stone may be from the basket with the basket still in the body by opening the loops.
US07875036B2
A method and device for treating a female patient's uterine disorder by occluding one or both of the patient's uterine artery. The treatment involves occluding one or both of the patient's uterine arteries with an intravaginal device to form a thrombus within the occluded artery or arteries and administering an agent which will prolong the occlusion of the artery or arteries after removal of the occluding device or initiate or accelerate fibroid cell apoptosis (programmed cell death). The intravaginal device has a pair of pivotally connected occluding members, with at least one of the occluding member having a movable occluding element on a distal shaft section of the occluding member.
US07875028B2
System, device and method for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient through an incision. An ablation device can include a hinge including a cam assembly, a moving arm, a floating jaw, and a lower jaw. Fingers can engage the floating jaw to hold the floating jaw in a first position with respect to the moving arm. Some embodiments of the invention can provide an ablation device including a central support, an upper four-bar linkage coupled to the central support, an upper jaw coupled to the upper linkage, a lower four-bar linkage coupled to the central support, and a lower jaw coupled to the lower linkage. Some embodiments of the invention can provide an ablation device having an upper jaw including a first cannula connection and a lower jaw including a second cannula connection. The system can include a first catheter coupled to the first cannula connection and a second catheter coupled to the second cannula connection. The first and second catheters can be inserted through the incision and can move the upper and lower jaws adjacent the pulmonary veins.
US07875027B2
Embodiments of a handle for use in a surgical tool that uses electricity is disclosed. In one embodiment, the handle is autoclaveable and reusable, and includes connections between an electrical cable (e.g. for providing electrical energy and/or transmitting electrical signals) and an operating end of the tool. An insert member having arms for stripping wire or cable electrically connects the cable and the operating end of the tool, and a set screw may be provided to hold the cable in place. A clip member may also be provided to hold the handle to the rest of the tool. Method for using and assembling handle embodiments are also described.
US07875024B2
Devices and methods for cooling microwave antennas are disclosed herein. The cooling systems can be used with various types of microwave antennas. One variation generally comprises a handle portion with an elongate outer jacket extending from the handle portion. A microwave antenna is positioned within the handle and outer jacket such that cooling fluid pumped into the handle comes into contact directly along a portion of the length, or a majority of the length, or the entire length of the antenna to allow for direct convective cooling. Other variations include cooling sheaths which form defined cooling channels around a portion of the antenna. Yet another variation includes passively-cooled systems which utilize expandable balloons to urge tissue away from the surface of the microwave antenna as well as cooling sheaths which are cooled through endothermic chemical reactions. Furthermore, the microwave antennas themselves can have cooling lumens integrated directly therethrough.
US07875017B2
Structurally supportive material is implanted or injected into cardiac veins as discrete masses at various sites in the cardiac venous system to reinforce the myocardium for the purpose of preventing, moderating, stopping or reversing negative cardiac remodeling due to various adverse cardiac conditions, both acute and chronic, or for the purpose of treating localize anomalies of the heart, or for both purposes. The sites may be arranged in a pattern about one or more chambers of the heart such that the masses cooperatively reduce stress in the chamber wall and reduce chamber size. Some patterns also cause a beneficial global reshaping of the chamber. These changes occur quickly and are sustainable, and have a rapid and sustainable therapeutic effect on cardiac function. Patterns of distribution of discrete masses in the heart for global resizing and reshaping may also be used as is or augmented by supplemental patterns to treat localized conditions such as myocardial infarctions and overt aneurysm of the ventricular wall as typically forms in response to large transmural myocardial infarctions. These techniques may also be used to treat localized conditions that may not yet have progressed to cardiomyopathy.
US07875012B2
There is provided an expandable disposal tape for use in a disposable absorbent article comprising an extensible base layer, the base layer having an attachable portion and an expandable portion. The expandable portion is formed of an extensible web material and further is provided with one or more lines of separation such that the expandable portion can be expanded to form at least one loop. This loop can then be extended by extending the extensible web material.
US07874998B2
The present invention relates to filtration devices and related methods of use. In particular, the present invention relates to implantable filtration devices used, for example, for filtering impurities from a body fluid of a subject.
US07874997B2
A health product for sports use, in particular a joint support includes a main strap (5; 105; 205; 305) destined to surround the part of the body to be supported. The main strap includes: a bottom layer (2) destined to come into contact with the skin of the wearer, an intermediate layer of padding (3), and a top layer (4) destined to face outward. The main strap is obtained by die-punching and moulding along the peripheral edge.
US07874995B2
Muscle cramps can be reduced or avoided by monitoring the concentration of salt in perspiration to indicate the degree of salt depletion. Based on the degree of salt depletion, a sufficient amount of rehydration beverage is consumed to normalize the salt level.
US07874991B2
The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system in which the scan head either includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field subarray beamforming or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. When used with second stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images can be generated.
US07874977B2
A device for treating and reducing stuttering by utilizing auditory feedback. A bone conducting hearing aid apparatus is arranged to be attached to the skull bone of a user with a stuttering problem so that his ear canal is left free. A tactile component in the form of a vibrator mechanically transmits sound information to the inner ears of the user via the skull bone so that both cochleas are stimulated. The cochlea on the opposite side of the skull receives a signal that is further delayed and also has another frequency characteristics compared to the digital received by the nearest cochlea.
US07874967B2
A method of exercising includes steps of providing a rod and weights configured for self-attachment to the rod, assembling at least one weight onto each end of the rod, and securing the weights to the ends by rotating the weights on the rod from a first rotational orientation to an interlocking second rotational orientation. The weights have a hub defining a hole, an undulating outer surface for gripping, and inwardly-extending curved fingers with a slot around the fingers allowing the fingers to flex for frictionally engaging the rod when the weights are rotated on the rod.
US07874941B1
An alignment device for helping a user perform a golf swing comprising a clamp having a first end, a middle portion, and a second end; a pair of pinchers for gripping one's shoulders disposed on the first end of the clamp, the pair of pinchers can move between an open position and a closed position, the pinchers are biased in the closed position caused by a spring disposed in the middle portion of the clamp; and an extension component pivotally attached to the second end of the clamp and extending outwardly from the clamp. The extension component may resemble a golf ball and a golf tee.
US07874935B2
A golf club head with reinforced crown is described herein. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.
US07874926B1
An elevated hand held merry go round provides a hand hold elevated a distance above a playing surface to which a user may grab and rotate through an unobstructed zone between the hand hold and the playing surface. In the preferred embodiment the hand hold may be tilted at an angle relative to the playing surface so the user may pump themselves to maintain the round momentum in a manner somewhat similar to an individual pumping themselves on a swing to maintain themselves swinging. Alternative embodiments lack the tilt may be made in various dimensions to accommodate various numbers of users and may have more than one set of locations for hand holds.
US07874923B2
Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a plurality of touchscreen arranged on a single monolithic structure of a multi-player gaming device. In one embodiment, a gaming device having a base structure and an upper structure arranged to define a layout of gaming stations each with a gaming display includes a substantially transparent monolithic substrate, an electrically conductive coating, and a protective layer. The monolithic substrate may be arranged over the upper structure to cover at least the plurality of gaming displays. The electrically conductive coating may be formed on the monolithic surface over at least the plurality of gaming displays such that conductive coating over each of the gaming displays is electrically isolated from the remainder of the conductive coating. The protective layer may be formed over the conductive coating and monolithic substrate and have a substantially planar surface.
US07874921B2
The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for building online games. In one embodiment, the method may include providing a user interface that facilitates user selection of parts, and placing a set of parts selected by a user in a three-dimensional (3D) world. The method may also include joining parts within the set based on their proximity to each other in the 3D world to form one or more models for a game, and sending a model file for each of these models to a server via a network for use by various users.
US07874920B2
A wagering game system includes a service for conducting a group-wagering game for a group of players under the control of a gaming control system and a plurality of gaming terminals, each gaming terminal connected to the service and being configured to conduct a group-wagering game in combination with the service. The gaming control system is configured to permit a player in the group of players to unilaterally alter a membership of the group of players.
US07874917B2
A method for detecting direction when interfacing with a computer program is provided. The method includes capturing an image presented in front of an image capture device. The image capture device has a capture location in a coordinate space. When a person is captured in the image, the method includes identifying a human head in the image and assigning the human head a head location in the coordinate space. The method also includes identifying an object held by the person in the image and assigning the object an object location in coordinate space. The method further includes identifying a relative position in coordinate space between the head location and the object location when viewed from the capture location. The relative position includes a dimension of depth. The method may be practiced on a computer system, such as one used in the gaming field.
US07874915B2
A wagering game is comprised of a basic game and a progressive award. The progressive award increases based on wager inputs received from players playing at one or more gaming terminals. The actual value of a progressive award is determined by follow-up game play by a player at the gaming terminal. The follow-up game play can include one or more free plays of the basic game. The follow-up game play can also include the opportunity to play a progressive game where a player selects options in the progressive game that are associated with a monetary award. The options are different for different progressive awards that are achieved, such that a higher progressive award yields a higher expected value, which is effected by more favorable player-selectable options in the progressive game.
US07874914B2
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a contract is established for a session comprising two or more plays of at least one gaming device. Information about the game play session, such as outcomes generated at the at least one gaming device, is communicated to a player device. The information is presented to a player via the player device.
US07874913B2
A gaming device with a primary game scheme including one or more symbol generators and a plurality of wheels where each wheel is associated with a different one of the symbol generators. When one or more of the symbol generators generates at least one predetermined symbol, the gaming device activates or spins the wheel associated with that symbol generator. The gaming device provides any awards associated with the activated wheels to a player.
US07874909B2
A method of conducting a video wagering game includes displaying a portion of a symbol array on a display. The symbol array includes an advantageous symbol that is animated before a remaining portion of the symbol array is displayed.
US07874907B2
An electronic bingo game and method for playing the same wherein a random number generator selects bingo balls from a predetermined range that includes regular bingo balls (210) and one or more feature balls (208). As regular bingo balls (210) are selected they are compared to the numbers on a bingo card (206). The card is marked when a match occurs. Eventually, if the spaces marked on the player's card match one or more of the winning patterns, the player receives an award. The selection of a feature ball (208) triggers a game altering function such as terminating the game and comparing the marked spaces on the bingo card to a set of winning patterns, or, alternatively, terminating the game and paying additional winnings for bingo patterns marked on the player's bingo card prior to selection of the Feature Ball (208). Other feature ball functions may also be implemented.
US07874906B2
Systems and methods are provided for operating a gaming system. In one embodiment, an outcome amount associated with a total number of events is determined. For example, a total payout amount associated with a number of instant lottery tickets may be determined. Based on a parameter associated with a player, the outcome amount is allocated among the total number of events. The outcome amount may be allocated, for example, based on a total number of events selected by the player.
US07874901B2
A method of playing a Texas Hold'em-type poker game where each player is individually rewarded by obtaining a five-card combination exceeding a predetermined amount. A system includes a display, game controls and a processor executing program instructions for providing a Hold'em type poker game for one or more players.
US07874898B2
An apparatus for covering an exterior opening in a roof is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hollow conical element defining an inner volume, the conical element having a first opening on a wide end and a second opening on a narrow end. The apparatus further includes a planar element surrounding an outer brim of the first opening, wherein the planar element accepts a fastener for fastening the apparatus to the roof. The apparatus further includes at least one louver covering the second opening and at least one screen located within the inner volume of the conical element, wherein the at least one screen is fastened to an inner surface of the conical element.
US07874890B2
The invention is an improved yo-yo that has a rotatable, outwardly-facing roller on each of its two sides. Each roller has an outwardly-facing opening that is sized and shaped to facilitate a non-slip engagement between a finger and the roller. The opening also provides access to an O-ring that functions to secure the roller to the yo-yo.
US07874882B2
The device comprises at least one flap member (3) having a rear flap portion that runs in a plate plane, and a forward portion, as seen in the direction of motion (F). The forward portion (8) is connected to the object (2) in such manner that the flap portion (17) can be moved in the fluid transverse to the plate plane and between two positions which are on their respective sides of a neutral place (P). Furthermore, the device comprises an actuating means (8, 9) which allows a freely oscillating motion of the flap member (3; 61, 62), and a drive unit (6) for actuating the flap member (3; 61, 62) when the valve of an oscillation amplitude of the flap member (3; 61, 62) is less than a predetermined threshold value.
US07874878B2
A jack is provided that has compensation and crosstalk zones. At least one of the zones employs a lattice network that couples conductors in the zone to reduce the net crosstalk in the plug/jack system. The lattice network has a frequency response slope that is different from the frequency response slope of a first-order coupling or of a series LC circuit coupling. A variety of lattice networks are provided.
US07874876B1
An audio jack connector includes an insulating housing and a plurality of terminals disposed in the insulating housing. The insulating housing defines a plug insertion hole from a front end to a rear end thereof for receiving an audio plug connector and a recess communicating with a rear end of the plug insertion hole. The terminals includes a contact terminal received in the recess and having a base portion received in a bottom of the recess. One end of the base portion is bent upward and extended towards the other end of the base portion to form a first elastic arm. A side edge of the base portion is extended upward and then bent to form a second elastic arm of substantially L shape. A first contact portion and a second contact portion are protruded into the plug insertion hole from free ends of the first elastic arm and the second elastic arm, respectively.
US07874870B1
A coaxial cable connector includes a connection terminal having at least one resilient tongue section for supporting an internal conductor of a coaxial cable, and a metal case for supporting the connection terminal via an insulating member. The resilient tongue section of the connection terminal is able to provide a resilient restoring force in response to a pressing force of the insulating member, whereby the internal conductor of the coaxial cable can be retained between the insulating member and the resilient tongue section to establish electrical connection between the internal conductor of the coaxial cable and the connection terminal.
US07874868B2
A connector with projecting function is electrically connected to a circuit board of an electronic device and includes a casing, a base, a rear cover, a projecting module and an electrical connector. The base has a first port and a second port. The projecting module is provided in the first port. The electrical connector is provided in the second port. The casing and the rear cover are assembled outside the base. When the connector is combined with the electronic device, a plurality of electrical-conductive terminals of the connector is configured to transmit image signals of the electronic device to a circuit board of the connector. Then, a control circuit and an image processing chip of the projecting module can process the image signals to project the processed images onto an external screen.
US07874865B2
An electrical connector includes a housing including a rear end. The housing has a cable bore configured to receive a cable, and the housing has an outer pocket positioned radially outward from, and surrounding portions of, the cable bore. A strain relief element is coupled to the housing. The strain relief element includes an end wall having an opening therein. The strain relief element has a flexible beam extending axially inward from the end wall proximate to the opening that is configured to engage the cable. The strain relief element also has a mounting tab extending axially inward from the end wall that is received in the outer pocket and that engages the housing to secure the strain relief element to the housing.
US07874862B2
A mechanism for electrically connecting a first electronic component to a second electronic component includes an actuating member disposed in the first electronic component including a first connector half and an actuation screw having a head and a threaded end. The actuation screw is located in the first electronic component wherein rotation of the actuation screw urges the actuating member in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the actuation screw thereby engaging the first connector half to a second connector half disposed in the second electronic component.
US07874861B2
For connecting multiple PC boards to form a PCB pane, a PCB connector is disclosed include a bearing strip, which has locating grooves spaced along the length, upright pins disposed in the locating grooves and inserted through respective through holes on connection portions of the PC boards to be connected and studs spaced along the length and disposed beyond the locating grooves, and a holding down strip, which has locating grooves corresponding to the locating grooves of the bearing strip for receiving the connection strips of the PC boards, pin holes respectively press-fitted onto the upright pins and sockets respectively fastened to the studs of the bearing strip.
US07874851B2
An earth connection unit, in which the elastic engagement piece portion of the earth plate for locking the earth plate to the unit case is engaged with the engagement projection formed on the outer side surface of the unit case, and wherein the elastic engagement piece portion formed on the earth plate is covered with the engagement piece cover integrally interconnecting the plurality of opening covers, and is not exposed to the exterior.
US07874841B1
An presentation generator is disclosed for generating presentations for interacting with a user on a personal topic of, e.g., the user's selection, wherein the presentations assist the user in obtaining a greater awareness of his/her motivations and/or behaviors relating to the topic. In one embodiment, the presentation generator generates and presents to the user textual observations, questions, and/or statements for the user's consideration. Such presentations use and/or are consistent with textual descriptions obtained from: (a) the results of one or more personality/motivation test results, and (b) user inputs, e.g., regarding the selected topic together with his/her confidence in the validity of such inputs. The invention organizes the textual descriptions so that outputs to the user can be generated from various personality/motivational perspectives thereby assisting the user in viewing the topic of discussion from different perspectives and thereby becoming more aware of his/her biases, motivations, and/or concerns relating to the topic.
US07874833B2
An upstream runner component defines an upstream channel for flow of molding material. A downstream runner component defines a downstream channel for flow of molding material. A wedge seal is disposed in a converging gap defined surface of the upstream runner component and the downstream runner component. The wedge seal defines a seal channel connecting the upstream channel to the downstream channel. Pressure of molding material acting on an inside surface of the wedge seal defining the seal channel pushes the wedge seal into sealing contact with the surfaces of the upstream runner component and the downstream runner component defining the converging gap.
US07874828B2
A machine for molding containers, comprising a unit for extruding plastic tubes, a blow-molding unit, a mold for containing containers which is formed by two half-molds movable, upon operation of associated first actuator, in a longitudinal direction (X-X) and symmetrically with respect to a fixed axis (Z-Z) perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, the unit formed by the mold and by the associated first actuator being movable, upon operation of second actuator, in a transverse direction (Y-Y) from a first position where it is substantially aligned with the extrusion unit into a second position where it is substantially aligned with the blow-molding unit and vice versa, said first actuator for operating the half-molds in the longitudinal direction comprising at least one motor, the shaft of which has, keyed thereon, a cam for actuating a pair of connecting rods which are arranged in-line and are respectively connected to the first half-mold and to the second half-mold.
US07874820B2
A compressor apparatus (20) has a housing (22) having first (53) and second (58) ports along a flow path. One or more working elements (26; 28) cooperate with the housing (22) to define a compression path between suction (60) and discharge (62) locations along the flow path. An unloading valve (100) has a valve element (102) having a range between a first condition and a second condition, the second condition being unloaded relative to the first condition. Means (120, 160) bias the valve element toward a third condition intermediate the first and second conditions.
US07874819B2
A tube is provided for use in a peristaltic pump, with the tube including a cylindrical wall defining a hollow interior and a cylindrical outer surface. The tube further includes a longitudinal centerline axis and a plurality of indicia applied to the cylindrical outer surface, with the indicia including first and second indicium extending transversely to the longitudinal centerline axis. The second indicium is longitudinally spaced from the first indicium by a predetermined distance.
US07874816B2
An end cap assembly for an in-tank fuel pump is configured to close an open end of a pump housing and includes an end cap body and a companion clip. On the bottom side of the end cap body facing the pump housing is a pair of motor brush wells for holding a pair of DC motor brushes. A pair of blind bores are provided to receive corresponding RFI suppression circuits. A pair of pockets are located in between the wells and the bores to allow flexible shunt wires to connect the RFI suppression circuits with the brushes. The clip is adapted for insertion into the bottom of the end cap body wherein a pair of axially-extending legs are guided into and seal the pockets. The captured shunt wires are electrically isolated in the closed pockets and contact with fuel is minimized.
US07874811B2
A suction jet pump with a propulsion jet nozzle, a mixing tube, a suction port and a suction line attached thereto, wherein at least part of the mixing tube is arranged in a pot. The suction jet pump is used to supply fuel in a fuel container or from a fuel container in a swirl pot that is arranged inside the fuel container.
US07874808B2
A variable speed pumping system and an associated method for moving water of an aquatic application. The variable speed pumping system includes a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the water. A variable speed motor is operatively connected to drive the pump. A sensor senses a parameter of the operation performed upon the water. A controller controls speed of the motor in response to the sensed parameter of operation.
US07874803B2
On a gas turbine rotor with internally cooled airfoils (4) of the turbine rotor blades and a mechanical sealing and damping element arranged between opposite side faces (6) of adjacent blade platforms (7), the gap is additionally aerodynamically sealed against the hot gas flow, by cooling air supplied from a cavity (5) of the airfoils via a cooling duct (9) into the gap between the side faces (6).
US07874802B2
A tip turbine engine comprises a fan-turbine rotor assembly that includes one or more turbine ring rotors. Each turbine ring is assembled from a multitude of turbine blade clusters. Assembly of a multitude of turbine blade clusters to a diffuser includes axial installation and radial rotation. The clusters are axially installed, then rotated toward a radial stop in a direction which will maintain each cluster against the radial stop during operation of the fan-turbine rotor assembly. A multitude of turbine rotor ring stages may also be locked together to future increase the rigidity of the turbine.
US07874789B2
A housing is disclosed for a compressor having a duct defining a main gas flow axis and blades that draw a fluid through the duct. The blades impart to the fluid a momentum along a main gas flow direction and a swirl. The housing includes a volute configured to extend substantially circumferentially around and fluidly communicate with the duct (at a first location). The volute may be configured to direct a fluid portion flowing thereinto from the duct to have a velocity with a component in a first circumferential direction generally aligned with the swirl. The housing may also include at least one conduit, such as a pipe, in fluid communication with the first volute. The conduit may be configured to redirect the fluid portion to have a velocity with a first component along the main gas flow axis in a direction opposite the main gas flow direction and a second component in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction.
US07874783B2
An apparatus for processing a work piece in a vacuum environment includes a master process chamber that can be exhausted to a sub-atmospheric air pressure or to be filled with a desirable gas, a transfer chamber configured to receive the work piece from outside of the master process chamber, one or more processing stations inside the master process chamber, a rotation plate configured to receive the work piece and to move the work piece to receive one or more processing operations, and a first transport mechanism configured to transfer the work piece from the transfer chamber on to the rotation plate. The transfer chamber is at least partially enclosed in the master process chamber and can be vacuum sealed off from the master process chamber.
US07874779B2
Fasteners, fastener components and fastener receptacles, including quarter-turn fasteners may use a receptacle body having a non-metal material and one or more fastener engagement structures that together define a non-circular passage in the body. Underneath the fastener engagement structures, one or more support structures extend inwardly under the corresponding fastener engagement structures for supporting the underside of the fastener engagement structures. The support structures can have a concave configuration relative to an axis of the body. Additionally, a support structure can be co-extensive with the corresponding fastener engagement structure.
US07874773B2
A semi-trailer chassis packing system capable of packing four stacked semi-trailer chassis in a secure bundle having dimensions of a standard forty foot intermodal shipping container. The chassis packing system includes a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly, and one or more spacers. The first frame assembly includes a pair of elongate first bolster receiving members, a first primary connecting member, and a first secondary connecting member. First bolster receiving members are joined by first detachable pivoting joints to opposite ends of the first primary connecting member. First bolster receiving members pivot to perpendicular orientation with respect to the first primary connecting member, receiving rear bolsters of two stacked trailers into cavities provided in the first bolster receiving members. Second bolster receiving members are joined by second detachable pivoting joints to opposite ends of the second primary connecting member. Second bolster receiving members pivot to perpendicular orientation with respect to the second primary connecting member, receiving rear bolsters of the other two stacked trailers into cavities provided in the second bolster receiving members. First and second secondary connecting members are attached to first and second bolster receiving members, respectively, opposite the first and second primary connecting members, to form a square frame, at each end of the stack of trailers. Each square frame corner is provided with a conventional corner casting such that the packed bundle is suitable for handing as a standard intermodal container.
US07874768B1
A fluid-tight carrier (10) is disclosed which has main latches (34 and 36). Each main latch has a safety latch (70) which secures the main latches within the latched position until an operator deflects the safety latch (70) away from the slidable catch (42) to permit the main latch to be moved to the unlatched position. This prevents inadvertent opening of the carrier due to impact on the carrier. The carrier can be formed of anti-microbial material, have removable wear strips and includes an ergonomic design.
US07874767B2
The present invention is directed to a geosynthetic wicking fabric for transporting water from beneath pavement structures to reduce or prevent damaged caused by frost heave and thaw. Further, the present invention is directed to a wicking drainage system employing the wicking fabric.
US07874756B2
Kit for applying a fluid onto a surface and method using the kit. The kit includes a fluid having a yield point, a fluid container having at least one opening, and an applicator element having one or more porous areas for applying the fluid to a surface. The applicator element is located on the at least one opening of the container. The at least one porous area of the applicator element is in contact with the fluid. The fluid wets the at least one porous area of the applicator element but does not leak out of it as long as the porous area is not in contact with the surface. A porosity of the at least one porous area of the applicator element is related to the yield point of the fluid or vice versa.
US07874751B2
A mobile device that has a media path for receiving a sheet of print medium and a media drive mechanism for directing the print medium along the media path. An optical sensor in the device is positioned to receive first optical image information via a first optical pathway, and second optical image information via a second optical pathway. The first optical information being from an area of the media path and the second optical information being from an area external to the mobile device.
US07874747B2
An intermediate adapter includes a first terminal operable to be electrically connected to a lens detecting terminal provided on the camera body when the intermediate adapter is attached to the camera body, a second terminal operable to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the interchangeable lens for providing a ground potential when the interchangeable lens is attached to the intermediate adapter, and a first switch interposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switch is operable to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is on, and disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is off. While the intermediate adapter is being attached to the interchangeable lens, the first switch is off to disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.
US07874745B2
A lock mechanism for a sliding object includes a slide arm, a rotating lever, and urging means. When an external pressing force presses the slide arm member in opposition to an urging force imparted by the urging means, the slide arm member is moved along a slide path, thereby causing the rotating lever member to rotate. When the slide arm member is pressed further, the tip of the rotating lever member rides onto and is stopped against the lateral surface of the slide arm member, such that the slide arm member and the rotating lever member remain stopped at the current position even if the pressing force is released.
US07874734B2
To provide a wheel support bearing assembly, in which the sufficient proof strength of an inner race during assemblage onto the vehicle body can be secured without its function being lowered, the wheel support bearing assembly includes an outer member, an inner member, and rows of rolling elements interposed therebetween. The inner member includes an hub axle having a flange and an inner race on an inner race mount, with raceways defined in the hub axle and the inner race. The inner race has a counterbore at its inboard end. The hub axle has a plastically deformed portion which engages an axially oriented surface of the counterbore when radially outwardly crimped and does not protrude outwardly beyond an inboard end face of the inner race. The difference P between the inner race mount and an outer peripheral face of the plastically deformed portion is 0.13 mm or more.
US07874728B2
An X-ray imaging apparatus includes: a mobile system console with an X-ray irradiator and a control circuit; and a portable detector panel with an X-ray detector, an interface electronic circuit, and a power supply battery. The system console includes an accommodating section for accommodating the detector panel at the time of nonuse, and the detector panel includes feeding control device for unexecuting and executing feeding to the electronic circuit from the battery according to the accommodation and non-accommodation in the accommodating section, respectively.
US07874722B2
A watch band construction in which the watch band itself forms at least a part of a watch casing. The watch band includes an integral casing portion that forms at least a part of a casing assembly for the watch. The casing portion of the watch band can then be securely affixed to a mating casing portion using any desired fastening technique.
US07874721B2
To minimize an amount of unmixed fluids remaining inside, the mixing element includes right-handed and left-handed spiral blades (1) having a shape twisted 180 degrees and being alternately and continuously provided in the axial direction to make end parts (1a) of the adjacent spiral blades to orthogonally cross, turbulence generating parts (1c) divided by an extension face (1ca) ad a rising face (1cb) are formed at four portions, which continue toward a front-side side edge (1aL1) and an outer periphery at a part spirally continuing to the back side from the front-side side edge (1aL1) and are surrounded by a front-side end edge (1cL1), an axial-side edge (1cL2) and a front-side edge (1cR1), and an inflow part (1d) formed by notching a portion from an end-part starting edge to a back-side end edge is formed at a back-side side edge opposed to positions of the turbulence generating part (1c).
US07874716B2
An illumination device includes a light-pervious substrate, a solid-state light source and at least one solar cell. The substrate has a bottom surface, a light incident surface adjacent to the bottom surface, and a light emitting surface opposite to the bottom surface. The solid-state light source is arranged on the light incident surface for emitting light into the substrate through the light incident surface. The at least one solar cell is arranged on the bottom surface of the substrate to absorb and convert solar energy into electric energy and supply the electric energy to the solid-state light source.
US07874715B2
A light emitting diode backlight (LED) unit includes: a substrate having a plurality of divided areas; a plurality of LEDs disposed on the substrate; and an LED driver supplying a drive power to the plurality of LEDs disposed in at least two of the plurality of divided areas, wherein at least a part of the plurality of LEDs disposed in one of the plurality of divided areas is electrically connected to each other.
US07874714B2
An optical unit is provided with an integral light condensing section and a light transmitting section. The light condensing section is in a shape of a parabolic body of rotation substantially widening from a proximal end toward a distal end with a concave section opening at a proximal end face to accommodate a light emitting element, a side circumferential face to reflect the light from the light emitting element inward and a distal end face to introduce the light from the light emitting element into the light transmitting section. The light transmitting section is a substantially cylindrical shape of a smaller diameter than the light condensing section, and comprises a proximal end face to introduce the light from the light condensing section, a side circumferential face to reflect the light introduced from the proximal end face inward and a distal end face to emit the light.
US07874712B2
A suspended light fixture includes a housing having first and second members configured to engage one another in a closed position and disengage from one another in an open position. For example, one member can include a cover, and the other member can include a housing body. The housing contains at least one internal component coupled to one of the members. The first member is configured to receive at least one cable. At least one cable gripper is coupled to the first member. Each cable gripper is slidable along a corresponding cable in a first direction and configured to only allow movement of the cable gripper in a second, opposite direction, upon operation of a mechanism. Movement of the cable grippers in the first direction causes corresponding movement of the first member, towards the open position. In the open position, the internal components are accessible for maintenance or another activity.
US07874709B1
The recessed fixture includes a cylindrical housing assembly that encloses a lamp assembly in a watertight enclosure. The lamp assembly includes an attachment base bracket attached to the interior of the housing, and a U-shaped bracket that is rotatably attached to the base bracket. The U-shaped bracket includes attachment means that permit vertical and angular adjustment of the lamp assembly relative to the axial center of the housing. The combination of the pivot points and the ability to rotate the lamp housing about the base bracket provides at least three axes of adjustability to permit variation of the character of light emitted from the fixture. A cover placed over the end of the housing seals a lens to the housing to produce a watertight seal. The cover may include a pattern of ridges and openings to form a baffle to further protect the lens, reduce glare and provide additional directional control of the emitted light. The cylindrical housing fits within a sleeve that is positioned generally flush with the surface in which the fixture is being recessed, allowing the fixture to be accessed for installation and maintenance.
US07874694B2
A digital tool with a light display comprises at least one light display assembly. The light display assembly includes four or more light-emitting elements to cooperate with a light-transmitting element. The light display assembly can be the whole or a part of a handle sleeve. Therefore, by cooperating with a compare unit and a control unit, under the predetermined condition, the light-emitting elements can emit light through the light-emitting area synchronously or alternately.
US07874693B2
An illuminated cap in one embodiment includes a crown having a visor and a nonrigid arc member around a bottom edge of an inner surface of the crown. A light source assembly includes a circuit board, light emitting members connected to the circuit board, a switch connected to the circuit board, and at least one cell on the circuit board. A transparent member on a rear strap of the crown has a groove, with the light emitting members mounted therein. The transparent member is lit when the light emitting members are activated. A translucent member on an outer surface of the transparent member includes openings arranged as a predetermined shape. Emitted light is adapted to pass through the transparent member and to further pass through the openings to show the predetermined shape as a warning to rear incoming vehicles in the night.
US07874684B2
A housing assembly which comprises a primary housing, a secondary housing and a moving mechanism is provided. The primary housing has a first external contour and an opening disposed on the primary housing. The secondary housing has a second external contour. The moving mechanism connects the secondary housing to the primary housing so that the secondary housing can move between the sheltering position and the open position. When the secondary housing is located in the open position, the primary housing can define a space within the secondary housing. When the secondary housing is located in the sheltering position, the secondary housing is adapted to at least partially cover the opening. The first external contour and the second external contour together form a third external contour, which has substantially the same or different contour as the first external contour.
US07874682B2
An apparatus in one example comprises a first component display with a first display area, a second component display with a second display area, and a beamsplitter. The first component display is positioned such that the first display area is viewable through the beamsplitter as a transmitted display area. The second component display is positioned such that the second display area is viewable from the beamsplitter as a reflected display area. The first component display, the second component display, and the beamsplitter are positioned such that the beamsplitter provides a composite image of the transmitted display area and the reflected display area. The reflected display area of the composite image is at least partially offset from the transmitted display area.
US07874680B2
A projector includes: a light source unit which supplies coherent light; a spatial light modulating unit which modulates the coherent light supplied from the light source unit according to an image signal; a projection optical system which projects light modulated by the spatial light modulating unit; and a light shifting unit disposed on an optical path of the projection optical system to shift light in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis.
US07874679B2
Imaging apparatus including image creation means for creating a moving image, means for enlarging the image, and a screen on which the image is displayed in use to a viewer. The image creation means includes a substantially planar image creation screen on which the image is created.
US07874677B2
A stereo projection optical system includes a polarizing beam splitter, a 2-way wheel, a digital micro-mirror device, and a total internal reflection prism. The polarizing beam splitter is configured for emitting two light outputs. The 2-way wheel includes a reflective region and a transmissive region. The reflective region is configured for reflecting the light outputs and the transmissive region is configured for transmitting the light outputs. The digital micro-mirror device is configured for superimposing spatial information on the light outputs. The total internal reflection prism configured for coupling the light outputs of the 2-way wheel into the digital micro-mirror device and transmitting a light output of the digital micro-mirror device. The stereo projection optical systems provide viewers three-dimensional images formed by two alternative polarized light beams whose polarizations are perpendicular to each other utilizing the 2-way wheel.
US07874675B2
A method, system and device for recording image data for a pair of eyes exposes to a series of flashes that includes flashes that vary chromatically is provided. More particularly, one eye is exposed to the series of flashes, and the resulting pupillary reflexes of both eyes are concurrently recorded.
US07874674B2
Methods and apparatus for facilitating determination of centroids of image spots in an image containing an array of image spots generated by an aberrometer, the image comprising a first plurality of pixels each pixel having a corresponding intensity value, the method comprising calculating an average intensity value for a second plurality of pixels in a perimeter around a pixel, the average calculated using a subset of the second plurality exclusive of at least a portion of the pixels in the perimeter.
US07874661B2
An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device is provided. The ink stick comprises a three dimensional ink stick body having an exterior surface. The ink stick includes one or more coded markers formed in the exterior surface from a leading end to a trailing end of the ink stick body parallel to a feed direction of the ink loader, each coded marker including a coded pattern of indicia for being optically read as the coded marker passes a sensor in the feed channel. The coded pattern of indicia may include areas of varying widths and/or varying reflective properties for generating a coded signal pattern indicating variable control/attribute information to a control system of an imaging device.
US07874660B2
In one embodiment a closure for a supply container includes: a spout affixed to the container; a plug configured to plug the spout in a partially inserted position from which the plug may be easily removed from the spout and to plug the spout in a fully inserted position from which the plug may not be easily removed from the spout; an opening in the plug through which material in the container may flow when the plug is inserted into the spout; and a breachable seal sealing the opening.
US07874656B2
An ink-feeding device is provided in which the pressure applied to the ink in the printing head can be adjusted arbitrarily irrespective of the relative positions of the ink container and the printing head. Inside the sub-tank 80, a pressure-adjusting pump 82 is installed for applying a suitable pressure to many nozzles 22Kn of the printing head 22K. This pressure-adjusting pump 82 is placed a little above the bottom face of the sub-tank 80 at a prescribed distance from the bottom face. Thereby the pressure-adjusting pump 82 is immersed in the ink held in the sub-tank 80. A drive unit 83 for driving the pressure-adjusting pump 82 is placed above the sub-tank 80. On the upper wall of the sub-tank 80, an air-vent valve 84 is fixed to bring the inside pressure in the sub-tank 80 to an atmospheric pressure. The inside pressure in the sub-tank 80 is made equal to the atmospheric pressure by opening the air-vent valve 84.
US07874647B2
A method for driving a liquid droplet ejecting head having plural liquid droplet ejectors that eject liquid droplets from nozzles according to respective voltage changes applied to plural piezoelectric elements electrically connected in a matrix, wherein a switching element being provided with respect to each piezoelectric element and capable of grounding one of a pair of terminals of the piezoelectric element, the method including: inputting, per unit of one column of the piezoelectric elements, a column controlling signal for switching on/off the switching element; inputting, per unit of one row of the piezoelectric elements, a row signal for switching the other of the pair of terminals of the piezoelectric element to a predetermined voltage applied state, a grounded state or an opened state; and ejecting the liquid droplet from the liquid droplet ejector by forming a voltage change between the pair of terminals of the piezoelectric element, is provided.
US07874642B2
A recording apparatus, including: a recording head having an actuator including first and second groups of terminals arranged in a direction; a flexible wiring member connected at one end thereof to the terminals and at the other end thereof to an external signal source and including first and second band-like regions which respectively correspond to the first and second groups of terminals and which extend generally in the direction, the first and second band-like regions respectively including first and second groups of wires disposed thereon and first and second connecting portions at the one end of the flexible wiring member which are respectively connected to the first and second groups of terminals, wherein at least a portion of one of the first and second band-like regions which extends from one of the first and second groups of terminals that is more distant from the other end of the flexible wiring member is disposed so as to overlap (a) the other of the first and second groups of terminals which is nearer to the other end of the flexible wiring member and (b) the other of the first and second band-like regions which extends from the other of the first and second groups of terminals.
US07874641B2
A modular printhead assembly includes a substrate member. A plurality of printhead modules is fastened to the substrate member. Each printhead module includes a layered structure through which at least differently colored inks are fed. The layered structure has at least a lower layer, a middle layer and a top layer, with the lower layer defining a number of channels in fluid communication with respective ink supplies, the middle layer defining a number of openings in fluid communication with the channels, and the top layer defining a number of channels on a bottom side and openings in a top side in fluid communication with the channels. A micro-electromechanical printhead integrated circuit is mounted on the layered structure. The printhead integrated circuit has a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzles arranged on a silicon layer. The silicon layer defines a plurality of ink channels for feeding ink to the nozzles, the openings in the top layer being substantially aligned with the ink channels. An ink supply is arranged on the substrate member and is in fluid communication with the channels in the bottom layer through openings in the substrate member.
US07874635B2
There are provided a method of detecting an ink residual quantity and a printing device which do not make an erroneous determination as to detection on presence/absence of ink without influence of ink mist generated in the middle of using a printing device on calibration of an optical sensor. Therefore, by performing allotment processing based upon ink tank memory element information, calibration of an optical sensor using a reflection portion equipped in the ink tank, in a state where it is determined that the ink is left in the ink tank.
US07874633B2
A printhead IC is provided having an ejection nozzle having a heater for heating printing fluid, and drive circuitry for generating print pulses and maintenance pulses for driving the heater of the ejection nozzle. The maintenance pulses have a series of sub-ejection pulses preceding a de-clog pulse. The print signals are generated to heat the heater to form a first vapor bubble in printing fluid that causes ejection of the printing fluid from the nozzle. The de-clog pulse is generated to have lower power and longer duration than the print pulses so as to heat the heaters to form a second vapor bubble in the printing fluid which does not cause ejection. The sub-ejection pulses are generated to have lower power than the print pulses and shorter duration than the de-clog pulse so as to heat the heater without sufficient energy to nucleate a vapor bubble in the printing fluid.
US07874629B2
A printing apparatus for forming an image on fabric is provided. The printing apparatus includes a plurality of exchangeable fabric holders, a recording head, which is driven according to printable data including image information representing the image to be printed and holder information concerning a type of the fabric holder to be used for forming the image, an obtaining unit to obtain the printable data from external environment, a storage unit with a storage area to store the holder information extracted from the printable data, an examination unit to examine as to whether the holder information for a current printing operation is identical with the holder information for a previous printing operation stored in the storage area, and an indication unit, which indicates a result of the examination obtained by the examination unit to notify a user of necessity of exchanging the fabric holders.
US07874626B2
A hydraulic modulator includes a cylinder for slidably supporting a power piston and changing the volume of a hydraulic chamber communicating with brake calipers according to the sliding of the power piston, and an electric motor for sliding the power piston through a power transmitting mechanism. The cylinder extends parallel to a rotating shaft, and a rotational motion of the electric motor is converted into a linear motion on an axis parallel to the rotating shaft. The power transmitting mechanism is provided by a ball screw mechanism composed of a ball screw nut, balls, and a ball screw shaft for converting the rotational motion of the electric motor into the linear motion of the push slider. The push slider has a head portion coming into spherical contact with the power piston. The hydraulic modulator so configured has a small size, and an improved arrangement of components.
US07874625B2
A bicycle wheel assembly having a number of spokes that extends between a hub and a rim. The wheel assembly includes a drive side that faces a chain and a non-drive side that is laterally spaced from the drive side. The spokes that extend between the hub and the rim on the drive side of the wheel assembly are oriented in a series of radial spokes and one-cross spoke pairs. Preferably, the drive side spokes are oriented in a repeating pattern. The non-drive side spokes are oriented in a repeating pattern wherein each spoke crosses more than one other non-drive side spoke. A wheel having such a spoke lacing pattern is lightweight and robust.
US07874612B2
A vehicle mounted printer station is made up of a printer secured to a support surface tray that includes an adapter capable of attaching the tray and printer to the top of a vehicle seat. The support surface is preferably a rectangular shaped plate with front, back and side edges along with top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface is attached to the adapter, the adapter includes at least one attachment rod for securing the support surface to the vehicle seat. The attachment rods are sized to be received into receptacles provided in the top of a vehicle seat designed for the vehicle headrest.
US07874595B2
The invention provides for a plug-in connector (1) for medium conduits comprising a plug-in part (4) sealingly introducible by a plug shank (6) into the receiving opening (16) of a connector counterpart (2) which is sealingly closable by latching means (18) for preventing the pull out thereof. For this purpose, a locking element (34) is movably connected to the plug-in part (4) in such a way that it locks the latching means (18) in a safety unscrewing-preventing position and releases in the unscrewing position for carrying out an unscrewing movement for freeing from locking.
US07874592B2
A vehicle fender is mounted to a mounting arm through at least one clamp that is mounted on the mounting arm. The clamp and an edge of the fender have complementary teeth and grooves to adjustably mount the fender to the mounting arm. The fender teeth and grooves are formed in a pocket and the pocket extends beneath the fender panel and receives the mounting arm.
US07874588B2
A steering column assembly comprises an upper jacket, a lower jacket extending along a longitudinal axis, and a bushing apparatus disposed therebetween. The upper jacket and the lower jacket include a circular cross section. The bushing apparatus includes a first contact surface, a second contact surface and a third contact surface disposed radially about the longitudinal axis and equally spaced from each other. A compression device is coupled to one of the lower jacket and the upper jacket for applying a compressive force to the first contact surface. The second contact surface and the third contact surface resist the compressive force. The compression device is adjustable to vary a slip resistance between the bushing apparatus and one of the upper jacket and lower jacket.
US07874583B2
An airbag arrangement for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes an inflatable airbag having at least one outflow opening through which gas can flow out of the airbag. The airbag arrangement also includes a stretchable element including a covering structure for adjustably covering a portion of the outflow opening. The covering structure moves relative to the outflow opening when the stretchable element is stretched. The airbag arrangement also includes a fastener for fastening the stretchable element to the airbag so the stretchable element stretches when the airbag inflates and the covering structure moves relative to the outflow opening changing the size of the covered portion of the outflow opening.
US07874580B2
An airbag device for a vehicle, including an airbag package, a receptacle, and a flexible protective covering for the airbag. The flexible protective covering includes at least two flexible, sheet-like protective elements secured to the receptacle. The flexible, sheet-like protective elements are connected to one another via at least one separable tearing line. The flexible, sheet-like protective elements flank the airbag during initial inflation and expansion of the airbag. A flexible guide layer is arranged between the protective covering and the airbag package. The flexible guide layer is permanently connected to a first of the sheet-like protective elements, such that the first sheet-like protective element, together with the guide layer, forms a composite layer flanking the airbag during inflation.
US07874567B2
A bicycle shifting control apparatus controls an electrical power supplied from a power supply to first and second gear shifting devices that are operated by first and second gear shift operating devices, respectively. The bicycle shifting control apparatus includes a first power supply sensor and a controller. The first power supply sensor detects a power level of the power supply. The controller receives a power level signal from the first power supply sensor. The controller performs a stopping operation of the first gear shifting device in response to the first power supply sensor detecting the power level of the power supply being below a first prescribed power level, but the controller transmits a second gear shift signal from the second gear shift operating device to the second gear shifting device to perform a second shifting operation of the second gear shifting device.
US07874565B2
The invention provides a running board bracket which includes an elongate arm formation which has a first end section which extends vertically and which is movingly engagable with a motor vehicle, an opposing second end section which extends horizontally and which is engagable with a running board and an angled formation between the first and second sections which has an attachment which is engagable with the motor vehicle. Also provided is a method for attaching a running board to a motor vehicle by way of a running board bracket of the aforementioned kind which includes the steps of movingly engaging the first section with the motor vehicle, movingly engaging the attachment with the motor vehicle, and engaging the running board with the second section.
US07874564B2
A torque steer reduction system is disclosed. The system includes a damper. The damping effect of the damper is variable. Furthermore, the damping effect may be adjusted through a damping coefficient. High damping coefficients may correspond to stronger damping effects. During periods associated with a greater influence of torque steer, the damper may be configured with a high damping coefficient to counteract torque steer.
US07874563B2
A cart apparatus to facilitate the play of disc golf may include but not be limited to a chassis, at least three wheels rotatably coupled to the chassis, a handle member mounted to the chassis, a floor platform mounted on the chassis and at least one seat member retractably mounted on the floor platform such that the seat member descends through the floor platform with the application of a sufficient weight and the seat member ascends through the floor platform after the removal of the weight. The seat member may consist of a seat mounted on a support. When someone sits on the seat the seat support descends through a hole in floor platform until it hits the ground. The ground then supports the weight of the sitter. When the sitter stands up and gets off the seat, the member ascends through the floor platform back to its starting position, or close thereto. Folding or collapsible embodiments of the cart apparatus allow it to be stored or transported more easily. Alternative embodiments provide baskets, consoles and accessories to enhance the ease, convenience and enjoyment of disc golf.
US07874560B1
A suspended game piece construction game having a game assembly including a suspended ring assembly to which a plurality of game pieces may be attached in a multitude of different orientations and compositions. A base assembly is placed upon a flat surface, and serves as a support for the rest of the game assembly. An elongated linear member is mounted vertically to the top of the base assembly. A ring assembly is placed about the elongated linear member, and is free to move up and down along the elongated linear member. A top assembly is mounted to the top end of the elongated linear tube, and supports the ring assembly at the top of the elongated linear member during gameplay. A plurality of game pieces have features which allow them to be attached to the ring or to each other. During gameplay, players take turns attaching game pieces to the ring assembly, or to other game pieces that have already been attached. Players attempt to attach the pieces so as to avoid causing the ring assembly to fall. A player is eliminated from competition upon causing the ring assembly to fall.
US07874556B2
A printer for sheets of porous media supplied from a stack of such sheets. The printer has a printhead, a sheet pick-up assembly having a conduit connected to a reversible air supply, the conduit having an outlet directed towards a top sheet of the stack for directing an airstream onto the top sheet such that air penetrates the top sheet and generates an air cushion lifting the top sheet from a second sheet, the reversible air supply configured to suck air into the outlet after the top sheet has lifted from the second sheet to hold the top sheet against the outlet and a sheet feed mechanism for displacing the conduit to draw the top sheet away from the stack.
US07874553B2
The present invention provides a sheet stacking apparatus which has a pair of lower discharge rollers which discharges a sheet, a processing tray which stacks the sheet discharged from the pair of lower discharge rollers, a trailing end stopper which aligns the trailing end portion in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray, and pull-in paddles which drop the sheet discharged from the pair of lower discharge rollers on the processing tray and conveys the sheet to abut against the trailing end stopper where the pull-in paddles rotate at a first rotating speed so that the sheet discharged from the pair of lower discharge rollers is dropped on the processing tray and the pull-in paddles rotate at a second rotating speed, slower than the first rotating speed, so that the sheet abuts against the trailing end stopper.
US07874545B2
An intrusion-prevention enclosure of the type comprising a plurality of modular panels, that are mutually associatable in an orderly and predefined manner to provide a barrier structure, a plurality of ground support posts provided with detachable upper retention elements for lateral uprights of the panels, and a plurality of lower collars, which are arrangeable at adjustable heights along the posts and are provided with a peripherally distributed plurality of wings, which can engage detachably open lower ends of the uprights. Each wing forms a lateral supporting surface for the base of the open lower end, which allows tilting of the panel in a preset direction, with the retention elements in the configuration for releasing the panels.
US07874544B2
A lifting device comprises at least two multi-stage masts and a cable mechanism. Each multi-stage mast comprises a first length and a second length that is longer than the first length. Each multi-stage mast further comprises a plurality of stages, such that at least one stage of a mast is vertically movable with respect to at least one other stage. The cable mechanism comprises a spool and at least one cable that is coupled to the spool and arranged with respect to the multi-stage masts so that when each cable is wound onto the spool, each mast simultaneously and in unison changes length in a direction from the first length to the second length, and when each cable is unwound off the spool, each mast changes length simultaneously and in unison in a direction from the second length to the first length.
US07874543B2
A non-slip overlash jig for pulling cable along a support line via a towrope such that when the towrope is slack, the overlash jig does not retreat along the support line thereby slacking the cable. The non-slip overlash jig includes a housing having a roller and a clamping mechanism for engaging the cable. The roller is rotatably mounted to the housing and includes a one-way roller bearing that prevents sliding of the non-slip overlash jig when there is slack in the towrope.
US07874538B2
An adjustable lectern includes a base portion having a tubular upstanding base member and a tubular upstanding tower member that is mounted in a telescoping arrangement with respect to the base member. The base member and the tower member are each respectively formed as rigid tubes or channels by a single, unitary piece of material such as sheet metal. The lectern further includes a work platform that is positioned at an upper end of the tower portion. The work platform is both vertically and horizontally adjustable with respect to the base portion, so that both users who will be standing behind the lectern making a presentation and users who will be sitting behind the adjustable lectern in a wheelchair when making a presentation may be accommodated. Both the work platform and the base member include industry-standard rackmount structure for facilitating integration of electronic components.
US07874537B2
A swivel device includes a motor as a driving source, gears for transmitting a driving force of the motor, a ring member to which the driving force of the motor is transmitted, and a disk member made of a metal sheet to which the driving force of the motor is transmitted via the ring member. This disk member is integrally provided with eight boss portions that are arranged with equal spaces in the swivel direction. The ring member is integrally provided with a groove portion in a circular pattern into which the boss portions are inserted. In addition, the boss portions of the disk member are inserted in the groove portion of the ring member in a slidable manner.
US07874536B2
An angle ceiling bracket, hanger or support which is specially designed for use with sloped ceilings of the type found in attics or the second or third stories of residences or related building structures. The design is such that it has virtually universal application for any type or angle of sloped ceiling so that a new bracket need not be designed for various ceiling work sites. The hanger design is contemplated for use with closet clothes hanger rods and has many other possible uses.
US07874533B1
A mounting bracket for use in mounting an auxiliary device to a vehicle comprises an engagement section, operable to engage a section of the vehicle to limit movement of the bracket relative to the section of the vehicle. The engagement section includes at least two engagement channels having differing directions of extension. Each of the at least two channels includes an engagement surface shaped to at least partially receive therein the section of the vehicle. A plurality of engagement teeth extend from each of the engagement surfaces, the plurality of engagement teeth being operable to engage the section of the vehicle to limit movement of the body relative to the section of the vehicle.
US07874531B1
A big game support device for supporting and posing big game animals on a surface is provided. The big game animals having a first antler and a second antler. The big game support device comprises a clamping mechanism for directly and releasably clamping both the first antler and the second antler and an elevating mechanism for elevating the clamping means above the surface.
US07874528B2
An anti-tipping container support system for supporting a container above a ground surface, the container comprising a substantially horizontal bar running across an outer wall of the container, the system comprising a support portion fixedly attached to the ground surface in a substantially perpendicular relationship to the ground surface, a lifting portion comprising a lever rotatably coupled to the support portion in substantially a T-orientation relative to the support portion, the lever comprising a handle and at least two connecting claws pivotally attached to the lever on opposite sides of the handle and substantially perpendicular to the lever, each connecting claw comprising a groove, such that when a manual downward force is applied to the handle with the bar of the container engaged in the grooves of the connecting claws, the container is lifted and supported off the ground surface.
US07874527B2
A rail fastening apparatus fastens an inner stock rail in a railway slide chair assembly. The apparatus includes a base plate. The base plate has on one face a rail seat region on which the inner stock rail sits when the slide chair assembly is in use. A resilient rail fastening clip restrains the inner stock rail. A locating means locates the rail fastening clip in a first position. A loading means vertically deflects the clip so as to produce a load in a toe portion of the clip. A second locating means holds the rail fastening clip in a second position different from the first position such that the toe portion of the clip sits on a ramp of the loading means in a preload condition in which the clip does not bear on the rail
US07874511B2
The present device provides a breakdown reel that includes a spool barrel, at least one flange and likely two, one disposed at each end of the barrel, and a locking mechanism such that the flange lockingly engages and removeably disengages the barrel. The locking mechanism is divided into two sections, one is conjoined with the barrel and the other is conjoined with the flange. The two sections of the locking mechanism provide the unique the locking and unlocking action.
US07874507B2
A system and method of modulating tape tension during operation of a tape drive data storage system in which a fixed position tape guide utilizes one or more drag elements to exert a control force on a tape medium that affects downstream tape tension. Drag elements that may be used include, but are not necessarily limited to, air ports that delivery positive or negative air pressure to the tape medium, skiving edge elements that are positionable into and out of engagement with the tape medium, and brakes or motors that engage the tape guide (if it is rotatably mounted) to control its rotational torque. A tension control circuit is used to vary the operation of the one or more drag elements. Signal inputs to the control circuit are provided by a tape tension sensor adjacent to or incorporated in the tape guide.
US07874506B2
The present invention relates generally to shredder openings or throats. Specifically, this invention teaches a shredder housing with a top throat to allow material to be disposed of from above the shredder, as well as a side throat to allow for material to be disposed of from the side of the shredder. This is accomplished by placing a guiding member in the throat to assist both the top and side input. In addition, two side throats substantially opposite each other allow for multiple users to simultaneously use the shredder. Finally, the guiding member can serve as a handle to assist in lifting the housing from the base.
US07874499B2
A climate control system for a storage unit. The system includes a reverse cycle chiller; a fluid supply line in fluid communication with an outlet of the fluid side heat exchanger; a fluid return line in fluid communication with an inlet of the fluid side heat exchanger and the fluid supply line; at least one hydronic coil in optional fluid communication with the fluid supply line and the fluid return line, the at least one hydronic coil located in a room to be controlled; a controller in communication with the reverse cycle chiller and the at least one hydronic coil; an ambient temperature sensor in communication with the controller; an ambient humidity sensor in communication with the controller; a room temperature sensor in communication with the controller, the room temperature sensor positioned in the room; and a room humidity sensor in communication with the controller, the room humidity sensor positioned in the room. A method of controlling the climate in a storage unit is also described.
US07874492B2
A system for facilitating memory and application management on a smartcard the system includes a client having a number of applications and a smartcard having specification logic allowing file structures and security and access conditions to be defined using a set of common commands. Each application has a corresponding group of data on the smartcard. An applet instance is created for each application and corresponding group of application data. At the time of instantiation, the specification logic allows an application to specify the file structure and/or to specify security and access conditions for its group of data. An application can utilize passcode and credential management so that a single passcode is used to access the smartcard regardless of whether the application utilizes the common commands to specify a file structure.
US07874485B2
There is described in one embodiment a method for use by an apparatus that can acquire an image. According to a described method, a method can include acquiring an image and can further include evaluating an image. According to a described method, an apparatus can acquire an image, can evaluate an image, and can provide parameters for utilization by the apparatus. In another embodiment, there is described an apparatus comprising a plurality of digitizers. In one example of an embodiment of an apparatus including a plurality of digitizers, the digitizers can be configured to run in parallel. In another example of an embodiment of an apparatus including a plurality of digitizers, the digitizers can be configured to run in series.
US07874484B2
The present invention provides a smart key in which a portable memory card is detachably mounted. The smart key includes a card mounting portion into which a portable memory card having at least one terminal is inserted, a card reader for the portable memory card, and a connector for connecting the smart key to the key box. The card reader comprises an interface to which the terminal or terminals are connected and a control unit for converting data received from the portable memory card into a format readable by an audio system of the vehicle.
US07874479B2
An automated banking machine system operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system is operative to read a financial card bearing account indicia with a card reader. A user is enabled to perform at least one banking operation responsive to account indicia read from the card. Such banking operations may include dispensing cash and accessing financial accounts. While a user operates the system to dispense cash or perform other banking operations, the system may further permit at least one portable wireless device to wirelessly access the system to conduct transactions.
US07874477B2
A carton with a new dispenser that can be opened by a pull tab with this dispenser flap being placed in a corner of the top panel of the carton so that it is adjacent to the tops of the small necks of the bottles for easy opening and removal or for opening and reclosing. The dispenser flap is held in position by resistant tear lines but can be easily removed by an attached pull tab that is loosely connected to the top panel.
US07874474B2
A self-assembly process is disclosed for integrating free standing microcomponents onto a template having a plurality of binding sites, an interconnect network, and trapping structures disposed downstream of the binding sites. The self-assembly is accomplished by flowing a fluid medium containing the microcomponents over the template such that some of the microcomponents are trapped at binding sites. The template may be simultaneously (or subsequently) heated to melt a binder such as a solder spot at each of the binding sites, and then cooled to connect the trapped microcomponents to the interconnect network. In one embodiment, removable blocking elements are disposed upstream of some of the binding sites, for example formed from photoresist. After assembling a first set of microcomponents, the blocking elements are removed, and a second set of microcomponents in a fluid medium are flowed over the template for assembly into the newly unblocked binding sites.
US07874469B2
A nailing depth adjustable device for a nail gun includes: a barrel-extending part mounted slidably on a barrel; an interconnecting part extending from the barrel-extending part and defining a driving surface; a support; and a telescopic adjusting unit mounted movably on the support and including a first part and a second part that is coupled movably to the interconnecting part, that defines a driven surface, and that engages threadedly the first part so as to be rotatable relative to the first part and the interconnecting part and therefore to be movable relative to the first part and the interconnecting part, thereby permitting adjustment of the distance between the driving and driven surfaces.
US07874464B2
A device for containing and dispensing a product includes a piston secured to a base portion and a housing configured to be secured to the base portion, the housing including an open first end for receiving the piston and a second end for dispensing the product. At least one aperture is formed on a portion of the piston to allow air compressed in the device to flow there through.
US07874443B2
A plastic tank for liquids formed as a rectangular-solid or cubic container has four sidewalls, an upper base with a filling socket, a lower base, and an outlet socket, the outlet socket being formed on the lower section of a sidewall for connection to a tapping valve. The upper corner regions between the sidewalls and the upper base of the container and/or the lower corner regions between the sidewalls and the lower base of the container have at least one indentation or projection each.
US07874441B2
A plastic closure includes a plastic closure shell having a base wall with a central opening and a skirt for securing the closure to a container neck finish. A plastic disk includes angularly spaced fingers extending into the central opening of the shell base wall and external beads on the fingers for engaging an inner periphery of the central opening to retain the disk within the shell. The beads have flat undersurfaces and the inner periphery of the central opening has a ledge with a conical surface engaged by the beads. Any doming that occurs in the disk and/or the closure shell base wall increases the surface contact between the finger beads and the opposing surface of the ledge so that removal of the shell from a container neck finish will simultaneously lift and remove the disk from the neck finish without having the beads snap through the central opening in the shell so that the shell is removed while the disk is retained on the neck finish.
US07874436B2
A storage system may include a rack. The rack may include one or more saddle supports sized and configured to support at least a portion of a saddle. The rack may be sized and configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The rack may be sized and configured to move among a plurality of heights. The storage system may include a height adjustment device sized and configured to adjust the height of the rack.
US07874435B2
A pipeline pig support rack apparatus includes a frame having a plurality of supports mounted thereon, each extending upwardly from the frame. Each pipeline pig support includes clamps that are comprised of first and second u-shaped members that are attached with a hinge. A bolted connection opposite the hinge is provided for holding the u-shaped members together in a closed position when securing a pipeline pig. Lifting eyes on the frame are provided for enabling the frame, its pig supports and any contained pipeline pigs to be lifted as a unit. A basket receptacle optionally is provided that receives the frame. The frame and basket receptacle are each independently liftable. The basket receptacle prevents spillage of hazardous materials that might be residing upon the pigs after they have been used to clean a particular pipeline.
US07874422B2
A cigarette box has a V-shaped notch (6) cut in an edge of a top wall thereof, a push-pull wall (8) forming one side wall thereof, and a fin-shaped knob (10) provided on the outer surface of the push-pull wall (8). When the push-pull wall (8) is pulled out of the cigarette box, an upper end thereof is shaped like the letter V forming a rhombic opening (12) in cooperation with the notch (6). On the other hand, when the push-pull wall (8) is pushed into the cigarette box, the upper end thereof coincides with the notch (6), forming an oppositely directed V shape and closing the opening (12).
US07874421B2
A container comprises two or more connected packs at least one for housing a bundle of smoking articles. The container comprises a first pack having a first wall and a second, hinge-lid pack comprising a box part and a lid connected to the box part along a hinge line extending across a back wall of the second pack, wherein a wall of the lid is affixed to the first wall of the first pack.
US07874416B2
An automatic transmission has a park system with a shaft and a parking pawl. The shaft rotates in response to a gear shift lever, and a detent lever positions the parking pawl in response to rotation of the shaft. A detent spring assembly biases the detent lever and has a detent spring, cage, and roller assembly. The cage aligns the roller assembly, while the detent spring is connected to the cage at one end and has a flat reaction surface formed at a second end. A cage notch portion aligns the cage with the detent lever, and the roller assembly into a perpendicular orientation with detent lever teeth. The notch portion engages either a detent tooth or a stationary portion of an internal mode switch (IMS). A shaft inserts into a roller through a side hole in the cage to retain the roller assembly therewithin.
US07874401B2
An exhaust muffler (1) is provided for an at least partly dual-flow exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, especially of a motor vehicle. The exhaust muffler has a housing (2), which encloses an interior space (3), with two exhaust pipes (6), through which exhaust gas can flow in parallel, and which are each led through the interior space (3), and which have a side opening (8) each within the housing (2). A neck body (9) connects the two side openings (8) of the exhaust pipes (6) in a communicating manner to form a Helmholtz resonator with the interior space (3) of the housing (2), which interior space (3) acts as a resonance volume (12). An embodiment, which has an especially compact design and can be manufactured at a low cost, is obtained when the neck body (9) has two plate-shaped longitudinal walls (11), which are in contact each with the two exhaust pipes (6) and which define a neck volume (10), into which the side openings (8) of the exhaust pipes (6) open, and which is open towards the resonance volume (12).
US07874394B2
An industrial truck, in particular counterbalance fork-lift truck, has a front drive axle (2) which has at least one electric drive motor and is fastened together with other components (K) to a vehicle frame (1). A component carrier (T) adjoining the drive axle (2) at the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is rigidly connected to the drive axle (2) and at least one vibration-producing and/or vibration-transmitting component (K) is fastened on the component carrier (T). The drive axle (2) with the component carrier (T) and the components (K) fastened thereon form a preassembled axle assembly, which is elastically mounted on the vehicle frame (1).
US07874389B2
A hybrid drive system for integrated vehicle stability control. Specifically, the hybrid drive system includes a multi-wheeled vehicle, a drop-in electric drive motor, and a master controller. The multi-wheeled vehicle is originally configured for propulsion using an internal combustion engine. That is, the present invention is suitable for powering legacy vehicles. The internal combustion engine capable of driving at least one wheel of the multi-wheeled vehicle. The remaining wheels of the multi-wheeled vehicle are not driven by the internal combustion engine. The drop-in electric drive motor is adapted to independently drive at least one remaining wheel on the multi-wheeled vehicle. The master controller is coupled to the drop-in electric drive motor. The master controller controls speeds of the remaining wheels driven by the electric drive motor to provide propulsion and overall stability management for the multi-wheeled vehicle.
US07874386B2
A hybrid mobile robot includes a base link and a second link. The base link has a drive system and is adapted to function as a traction device and a turret. The second link is attached to the base link at a first joint. The second link has a drive system and is adapted to function as a traction device and to be deployed for manipulation. In another embodiment an invertible robot includes at least one base link and a second link. In another embodiment a mobile robot includes a chassis and a track drive pulley system including a tension and suspension mechanism. In another embodiment a mobile robot includes a wireless communication system.
US07874385B2
A self-moving car (1) for the moving of trailer machines (100), comprising a main chassis (2); wheels (4′, 4″) engaged with the chassis (2); a generating and feeding unit (5) and movable means (20) for coupling the car (1) with a trailer machine (100) to be towed; the car (1) further comprising an apparatus (80) for the articulated connection to the chassis (2) of the movable coupling means (20), comprising a pin (8) hinged to the chassis (2), the pin (8) having a first bottom end (9) connecting to actuating means (11) for the bilateral rotation (beta) of the pin (8), so that to the rotation of the pin (8) there corresponds a proportional variation of tilt of said movable coupling means (20) with respect to the ground plane; and a second top end (10) for the rotating coupling to the movable coupling means (20); the car (1) further comprising independent driving means, so that to a differential rotation of the wheels (4′, 4″) there corresponds a proportional rotation (&ggr;) of the movable coupling means (20) relative to the chassis (2), about a substantially longitudinal axis (C-C) of the pin (8).
US07874383B1
Polycrystalline diamond inserts are disclosed. For example, a polycrystalline diamond insert may comprise a polycrystalline diamond layer affixed to a substrate at an interface. In addition the polycrystalline diamond layer may comprise: an arcuate exterior surface, a first region including a catalyst and a second region from which the catalyst is at least partially removed. Further, the arcuate exterior surface may be defined by a portion of the first region including the catalyst and a portion of the second region from which the catalyst is at least partially removed. In another embodiment, the polycrystalline diamond layer may include a convex exterior surface for contacting a subterranean formation, wherein at least a portion of a catalyst used for forming the polycrystalline diamond layer is removed from a region of the polycrystalline diamond layer. Subterranean drilling tools (e.g., percussive drill bits) including at least one polycrystalline diamond insert are disclosed.
US07874378B2
A vibratory and impact connector for a power tool is provided with a spring, a first drive rod, a drive ring and a second drive rod which are sequentially received in an outer cylinder. The first drive rod is inserted through the spring and extended out of the outer cylinder, the second drive rod is inserted through the drive ring and into the first drive rod, and the drive ring is fixed to the outer cylinder. By such arrangements, driving the second drive rod can rotate the outer cylinder, the first drive rod and the drive ring. Furthermore, by restricting the rotation of the outer cylinder, the drive ring can also be restricted from rotation, and the drive ring and spring can cooperate with a spring to drive the first drive rod to perform axial reciprocation, thus creating an impact operation.
US07874377B1
A motor grader is equipped with a circle drive arrangement including a variable displacement motor capable of operating at a high speed for driving the circle at a high speed, as when the blade is elevated above the ground and the grader is turning around for reversing the operation of the blade, and capable of operating at a high torque for driving the circle to change the angle of operation of the blade relative to the grader frame when the blade is in ground contact.
US07874376B2
A fluted farming disc comprising a plate having a peripheral cutting edge and a central portion, and a plurality of waves extending radially inwardly from the cutting edge and forming a plurality of crests and a plurality of valleys, with the plurality of crests extending radially beyond the plurality of valleys in a manner to define a radially toothed cutting edge.
US07874371B2
A subsurface lubricator facilitates well completion, re-completion and workover while increasing safety and reducing expense. The subsurface lubricator includes a bi-directional packoff tool on its bottom end. Short hydraulic cylinders lubricate the subsurface lubricator into the well until the bi-directional packoff tool is in a top end of a casing of the well. High pressure fluid pumped through a side port of a wellhead of the well lubricates the subsurface lubricator into the well.
US07874367B2
A pump has a housing having a top plate and a bottom plate and a shaft slidingly extending through an aperture in the top plate. A piston is connected to the shaft. The piston separates a volume within the housing into a first stage chamber defined in the housing below the piston and a second stage chamber defined in the housing above the piston. A fluid transfer port in the piston is in fluid communication with the second stage chamber and, through a check valve, with the first stage chamber. Another stage check valve allows one-way flow of fluid from a suction area below the bottom plate into the first stage chamber. A pressure control valve may be provided for selectively allowing fluid to flow out of the first stage chamber.
US07874362B2
Tubewaves are used to transmit an indication of the depth at which a condition is detected in a well. In particular, the depth is calculated based on the difference in arrival time at the surface of a first tubewave which propagates directly upward in the borehole and a second tubewave which initially travels downward and is then reflected upward. The tubewaves may be generated by a canister designed to implode at a certain pressure. The canister is carried downhole by gravity and the fluid being pumped. At a depth at which its pressure tolerance is exceeded, it implodes and generates the tubewaves. An analyzer at the surface detects the tubewaves and generates a pressure versus depth profile of the well. Canisters may be acoustically tagged in order to generate tubewaves having particular frequency and amplitude characteristics. Canisters may also be configured to produce multiple implosions.
US07874361B2
A method for cementing a tubular in a wellbore in a subterranean formation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, comprises connecting a circulating tool to a slip and a top drive; gripping a first tubular with the slip above the surface of the wellbore; sealingly engaging the first tubular with a seal member; fluidly connecting a wiper plug to the circulating tool; connecting the first tubular to a second tubular; and lowering the second tubular into the subterranean formation.
US07874360B2
The present invention relates to improved low-quality particulates and methods of making such improved particulates. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a slurry comprising a treatment fluid and low-quality particulates at least partially coated with an aqueous tackifying composition, wherein the aqueous tackifying composition comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous liquid; introducing the slurry into a subterranean formation; and, depositing the coated, low-quality particulates into the portion of this subterranean formation. A method of improving particulates, comprising at least partially coating low-quality particulates with an aqueous tackifying composition, wherein the aqueous tackifying composition comprises an aqueous tackifier compound and an aqueous liquid.
US07874359B2
A method of performing a pipe conveyed well logging operation is provided that includes providing a pipe conveyed well logging assembly having a pipe string, a memory logging tool and a memory module; deploying the assembly into a wellbore; operating the memory logging tool to perform a logging operation to obtain logging data from the wellbore; and retrieving the obtained logging data prior to withdrawing the pipe string from the wellbore.
US07874351B2
A depth measurement system for determining an absolute depth of a drill string uses a position acquisition device to determine a length value for a joint or stand being added to the drill string. The position acquisition device receives a signal from a target object associated with the added joint. The processed signal can be an optical signal, a radio signal, an acoustic signal, or other suitable signal. Using techniques such as time lapse, Doppler effect or phase shift, the depth measurement system determines a position parameter such as distance or position based on the received signal. Thereafter, the processor determines the absolute depth of the drill string by summing a length of each joint making up the drill string and correcting for the position of the newly added joint.
US07874350B2
An apparatus for generating a heated product stream downhole is provided wherein a fuel rich mixture is reacted downhole by contact with a catalyst to produce a partially reacted product stream, the fuel rich mixture comprising fuel and oxygen. The partially reacted product stream is brought into contact with an oxidant thereby igniting combustion upon contact producing a combustion product stream. The combustion product stream may be cooled by injecting a diluent flow such as water or CO2. The cooled combustion product stream may be injected into oil bearing strata in order to reduce the energy requirements for the production of heavy oil.
US07874345B2
An apparatus serves for the continuous surface cleaning of rotationally movable casting rolls (2, 3) of a strip-casting machine. A plurality of laser beam units (25) are arranged on the circumference of the respective casting roll (2, 3), which laser beam units (25) are arranged next to one another, are distributed over the casting-roll length and by means of which the casting-roll surface (2a, 3a) can be acted upon with one or more laser beams over the entire casting-roll length. Additional cleaning units (30, 31, 35, 45) for the mechanical cleaning of the casting-roll surface are advantageously connected ahead of and/or behind the laser beam units (25). This makes gap-free and regular surface cleaning of the casting rolls possible.
US07874343B2
A spring motor having a pot shaped housing in which a flat spiral spring is housed. The flat spiral spring is connected at one outer end to the pot-shaped housing while the inner end is coupled to a shaft or axle. To prevent radial vibrations of individual spring layers when the spring motor is wound or unwound, a damping plate is housed in the pot-shaped housing and held in pressed engagement with a side edge of the flat spiral spring. This spring motor can be combined with the wind-up shaft of roller-blind arrangements for motor vehicles, including fixed roller blinds, storage-area covers, or separating screens.
US07874342B2
A door system (20) having a door (21) movable between a closed position and an open position, a plurality of panels (40-43; 140-143; 240-243), a facer (45; 145; 245) generally defining the configuration of the panels, hinges (50; 150; 250) joining adjacent of the panels for articulation in moving between the closed position and the open position, a reinforcing member (65; 165; 265) associated with the facer extending substantially the longitudinal length of at least one of the panels, a roller assembly (80; 180; 280) mounted on the reinforcing member, and a track system (31, 32; 131, 132; 231, 232) operatively interrelated with the roller assembly, whereby forces imparted to the facer are transferred to the track system through the reinforcing member and the roller assembly.
US07874336B2
A label application assembly for labeling machines in general, comprising, downstream of a label feeder, a plate for picking up the labels, which is connected to means for transfer onto the product to be labeled, safety means being provided which are interposed between the pick-up plate and the transfer means and are adapted to intervene when the pick-up plate interacts with obstacles interposed in the region where the pick-up plate moves.
US07874329B2
Disclosed is a low noise pneumatic tire in which a plurality of noise absorbing members of a porous material are attached to the tire inner peripheral surface with intervals in the tire circumferential direction. The number of the noise absorbing members is from 5 to 50. The total length obtained by integrating the lengths of the noise absorbing members in the tire circumferential direction is not less than 75% of the tire maximum inner peripheral length. The distance between each adjacent two of the noise absorbing members is equal to or more than the maximum thickness of the noise absorbing members at the end portions thereof in the tire circumferential direction, while being not more than 15% of the tire maximum inner peripheral length.
US07874327B2
In a tree handling device, where the tree is fed longitudinally through at least three drive wheels driven by a fixed-displacement hydraulic pump, feeding commences with all drive wheels simultaneously propelling the tree longitudinally through the knife arms and frame. During feeding, once the approximate maximum feeding speed of the drive wheels is achieved, one of the drive wheels is shifted to a free-wheeling condition, allowing the maximum feed speed to increase.
US07874319B2
The invention relates to a tube (1) for guiding gas and/or liquid, particularly on an internal combustion engine, comprising a supporting body (2) and a skin (3). The supporting body (2) consists of a relatively stiff first plastic and has a number o recesses (6), which pass through the supporting body (2) and are arranged in such a manner that the supporting body (2) is flexible in a longitudinal section provided with the recesses (6) and resists pressure forces. The skin (3) consists of a relatively supple second plastic and is placed on the supporting body (2) in such a manner as to close the recesses (6) in a tight manner and transfers pressure forces acting thereupon to the supporting body (2).
US07874311B1
A locking device for water valves having an actuation mechanism that couples to the water valve nut to secure the water valve. The actuation mechanism is contained within a container to limit access. The actuation mechanism is activated by a member that can be positioned in engagement with the actuation mechanism or out of engagement with the actuation mechanism. When position out of engagement with the actuation mechanism, the member can be secured to inhibit unauthorized access to the water valve nut.
US07874308B2
A valve/seal assembly that is adapted for use in a variety of applications, such as for example, medical, consumer beverage, pharmaceutical containers, automobile, household appliance and marine. The valve includes, a valve housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion and a generally spherical valve member. The upper and lower body portions of the housing define an internal chamber for accommodating the valve member and a central axis for the valve. The generally spherical valve member is seated within the internal chamber of the valve housing and has an axial bore extending therethrough. The valve member is mounted for movement between an open position; wherein the axial bore of the valve member is axially aligned with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing, and a closed position; wherein the axial bore of the valve member is out of alignment with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing. The valve assembly further includes a camming mechanism that is operatively associated with the valve housing and the valve member for moving the valve member between the open position and the closed position.
US07874304B2
A shelter of the type having collapsed and expanded configurations. In one of several example embodiments, the expanded configuration includes a tunnel-shaped portion forming a pair of opposing side walls and a roof section. The roof section has a peak positioned above the side walls and the tunnel-shaped portion may include opposing ends with a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, each opening capable of accommodating an end wall. A first sheet is foldable along at least first and second crease lines to define the walls and roof section, the walls having an upper separation distance between the first and second crease lines when the shelter is expanded. The first sheet is segmented into panels with pairs of adjoining panels forming pleats each having a vertex extending from a crease line to an adjoining footing flap, the walls having a lower separation distance between footing flaps on different walls when the shelter is expanded. The lower separation distance is greater than the upper separation distance resulting in at least one of the walls being canted with respect to a vertical orientation.
US07874298B2
A unit for decorating nails comprises a container 2 of nail varnish, a lid 4 for the container incorporating means for applying the nail varnish, at least one ink pad 8, and at least one stamp 6 being a decoration design for applying ink from the ink pad to a nail. The stamp is provided on an external surface of the lid.
US07874295B2
A shredded tobacco material feeder of a cigarette manufacturing apparatus has a reservoir (2) of shredded tobacco material; a first separation chamber (20) and a second separation path (28) for dividing the shredded tobacco material into normal particles and separation material having larger particle sizes than the normal particles in a process when the shredded tobacco material is fed from the reservoir (2) toward a tobacco band of the apparatus; a sieve conveyor (34) for receiving and transferring the separation material discharged from the second separation path (28), and separating the separation material into large particles having large particle sizes and medium particles having smaller particle sizes than the large particles; and a cyclone (48) for receiving the medium particles from the sieve conveyor (34), the cyclone (48) separating returnable components corresponding to the normal particles from the medium particles, and returning the returnable components to the reservoir (2).
US07874294B2
A device for preventing bruxism comprises a carrier (1) intended for receiving in a mouth of a user. The carrier (1) comprises at least a part (2,3) of an electronic biofeedback system. According to the invention the carrier comprises a jaw-shaped body which is adapted to lie only on an outer side against at least a part of a jaw of the user.
US07874283B2
A fuel delivery device including a fuel injector adapter and a side-port fuel injector. The fuel injector adapter includes a body portion with first and second connector portions extending therefrom. An injector port is formed in the body portion and configured to receive a side-port injector, wherein the injector port includes a plurality of concentric bores and at least one annular region adapted for receiving a fuel flow associated with the injector. A first passageway is formed in the first connector portion and extends along a first longitudinal axis and intersects the port. A second passageway is formed in the second connector portion and extends along a second longitudinal axis. The second passageway is in fluid communication with the annular region.
US07874282B2
A coupling device (30) for hydraulically coupling a fuel injector (20) to a fuel rail (18) of a combustion engine (22) has a fuel injector cup (38) being designed to engage a fuel inlet portion (26) of the fuel injector (20), and a tube (32) with a first end (34a) and a second end (34b), the first end (34a) being coupable to the fuel rail (18) and the second end (34b) being coupled to the fuel injector cup (38).
US07874280B2
An HCCI engine provides a negative overlap period in an operation during HCCI combustion. During the negative overlap period, an intake valve and an exhaust valve are both closed when a piston is in the vicinity of the top dead center in an exhaust stroke, so that burned gas remains inside a combustion chamber. The engine is provided with a throttle, a fuel valve and an ECU. The ECU controls the throttle during a switching period in which SI combustion is switched to the HCCI combustion so that the opening degree of the throttle increases to the opening degree at the time of steady HCCI operation from the opening degree at the time of steady SI operation, and at the same time, controls the fuel valve such that the amount of fuel supplied to the intake passage becomes greater than the amount at the time of the steady SI operation.
US07874278B2
An internal combustion engine wherein the top wall surface of the intake air inflow passage part of the intake port is formed by a first top wall surface and a second top wall surface lower than the first top wall surface and wherein a lower layer flow passage and an upper layer flow passage are formed at the height position of the second top wall surface as a boundary. When the intake valve opens, a lower layer flow flowing through the inside of the lower layer flow passage passes through the intake valve opening region, flows to the circumferential direction of the combustion chamber, and generates a swirl, while an upper layer flow flowing through the inside of the upper layer flow passage passes through the helical part and flows into the combustion chamber.
US07874267B2
The present invention has objectives of providing a low-cost, easy-to-handle individual isolation animal breeding unit and a system for using the same, significantly reducing costs of facilities and maintenance for animal experiments and saving on labor, and providing a new animal transportation form. For achieving the objectives, the present invention provides a system for maintaining an animal breeding environment, comprising A) an animal breeding unit capable of comprising an internal tray having a sufficient space for breeding an animal of interest, comprising an external tray capable of accommodating the internal tray, and capable of keeping a predetermined cleanliness degree; B) a method for providing the internal tray having the predetermined cleanliness degree; C) an internal tray exchange unit capable of accommodating the animal breeding unit and exchanging the internal tray while keeping the predetermined cleanliness degree; and D) a method for recovering the exchanged internal tray.
US07874256B2
A halogen free fire resistant RF transparent polymer pallet has attenuated electrical resistance. A pallet body has a fire resistant layer and a substrate supporting the fire resistant layer. The fire resistant layer includes fire retardant materials, such as Al(OH)3, Mg(OH)2, intercalated graphite, zinc borate, and antimony oxide. The substrate is substantially free of the fire retardant materials to reduce the density and the electrical resistance of the pallet body. The fire resistant layer is substantially thinner than the substrate to lower RF distortion effects on RF transponder communications from additives and the conductive materials within an RF tracking system.
US07874254B2
A device for the secondary suspension of a body of a rail vehicle, the device comprising a spring element which is between the body and a bogie and to ensure at least one raised transport level for the body during the journey of the rail vehicle. The spring element can be compressed by a traction cylinder when the rail vehicle is stationary, in order to adjust a sunken platform level for the body, which is arranged below the raised driving level. The traction cylinder is provided with means for mechanically decoupling the advancing movement of the body from a pressure reduction in the pressure chamber of the traction cylinder.
US07874252B2
An underwater grenade and a method for using an underwater grenade. A depth activated, hand emplaced ordnance utilizing safe and arm technology to address underwater threats (such as enemy swimmers) while providing a safe interface with personnel. The grenade is armed after a sequence of events have occurred including reaching a desired depth and a desired passage of time. Failure of any of the events to occur will cause the grenade to be rendered safe.
US07874246B2
A food product alignment device for a conveyor includes a plurality of upright pins that act in pin pairs to align respective food products that approach the pin pairs on a moving conveyor. Particularly for round food products or food product stacks, a misaligned round food product will slightly pivot on the moving conveyor when contacting a first pin to be evenly positioned between the two pins of the respective pin pair. The pins are retractable to a position beneath the conveyor after the food products are aligned to allow the aligned food products to continue proceeding on the conveyor.
US07874237B2
A technique for launching a missile that avoids some of the costs and disadvantages for doing so in the prior art. In particular, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention uses an electromagnetic catapult to throw the missile clear of the launch platform—with sufficient velocity to attain aerodynamic flight—before the missile's engine is ignited.
US07874235B2
The right handed hunter uses a special safety tool having a pistol grip handle firmly gripped by the hunter's left hand and having a slot formed in a forward portion of the safety tool for receiving a knife blade with its cutting blade up during dressing of the game. With the right hand of the hunter gripping the knife handle and holding the knife blade within the slot, he pushing the safety tool forward with his left hand while pushing the knife forward with his right hand to form an elongated cut in the game. This arrangement ensures that both hands are safely kept well away from the cutting edge of the knife blade while forming the elongated cut. The slot is a deep one, formed in the forward portion of the safety tool, enabling the tool to receive types of widely used knife blades of any shape.
US07874233B1
A power input end and a power output end are provided. The tool has an interior bore along its entire length. The tool has an exterior surface with a hexagonal cross sectional configuration along its length from the power input end. The tool has a surface with a square cross sectional configuration from the power output end.
US07874222B2
A power take-off assembly for a work vehicle including an improved power take-off shaft for installation and removal. The power take off shaft is extended and a cut out section on the first end of the shaft is provided to engage an extended portion of a spring loaded mechanism. Once the cut out section securely fits over the extended portion, the spring loaded mechanism is prevented from axially moving in a rightward direction, thus enabling the spring to hold the gear collar in place to engage the high speed gear. The PTO stub shaft has an extended end with protruding shoulders which serve to capture the snap ring between the stub shaft and the output shaft so that when the stub is moved axially the shoulders will pull the snap ring into the groove on the output shaft which securely fastens the stub shaft. A cut-out section on the front end surface of the output shaft is also provided to allow clearance for the tool to squeeze the snap ring tabs during installation and removal.
US07874216B2
There is disclosed a method and apparatus for mounting a leadless semiconductor chip on a header. The semiconductor chip has contacts on a surface and the chip is of a specified geometric shape. The header has a contact surface for receiving the chip with the contact surface of the header containing header contact pins, which pins have to contact the contacts on the semiconductor chip. The header has a guide pin extending from the contact surface and there is a guide plate which has an aperture adapted to be placed over the guide pin, the guide plate further has a chip accommodating aperture of the same geometric shape as the chip. The guide plate, when placed over the guide pin enables the chip to be placed in the chip accommodating aperture so that the contacts of the header pin are properly and accurately aligned with respect to the contacts on the semiconductor chip.
US07874214B2
A vibration state detecting method at a machining stage of a work and/or tool, includes the steps of mounting the work and/or tool on a predetermined rotational device and measuring a deviation size and/or deviation average speed corresponding to each rotational number of the work and/or tool; presetting the deviation size and/or the deviation average speed measured by using the rotational device, a vibration amplitude and/or vibration average speed when each machine tool having a work and/or tool mounted thereon is rotated, with a common unbalance amount and at a rotational speed, and proportional fixed number of both thereof; and calculating a vibration amplitude and/or vibration average speed corresponding to each number of rotations when the work and/or tool is mounted on each machine tool by using a measurement value of the deviation size and/or deviation average speed of using rotational device, and the proportional fixed number.
US07874213B2
An ultrasonic test apparatus includes a container containing de-ionized water, a pressing member, a supporting member, and a fixing member. The limiting member, the loading member, and the cover member are disposed in the de-ionized water. The fixing member tightly fixes the pressing member and the supporting member together for mounting at least part of integrated circuits to be detected between the pressing member and the supporting member.
US07874211B2
An object of the present invention is that any of mass load, viscous load and viscoelasticity load is measured separately from other load whereby properties of the substance to be measured are able to be measured correctly.The characteristic feature of the present invention is that, in a method where property of a substance contacting to a quartz oscillator equipped with electrodes on both sides of a quartz plate is measured on the basis of the changes in frequency of the above quartz oscillator, the property of the above substance is measured using at least two frequencies among the n-th overtone mode frequency (n=1, 3, 5, . . . (n=2k+1)) of quartz oscillator when voltage is applied between the above electrodes and using frequencies F1, F2 (F1
US07874200B2
An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: detecting a vibration corresponding to a first radial resonance mode by using a band-pass filter, from vibrations sensed by an in-cylinder pressure sensor provided at an upper central portion of the cylinder; calculating knock intensity N based on a result of comparison between the detected waveform and a knock waveform model prepared in advance as a vibration waveform when knocking occurs; determining that knocking occurred when the knock intensity N is larger than a predetermined reference value; and determining that knocking has not occurred when the knock intensity N is not larger than the predetermined reference value.
US07874192B2
The present invention discloses an arrangement for cooling a roll (5). The arrangement comprises a housing (2) to be secured to the roll (5), a hollow shaft (8) mounted for rotational movement within the housing (2) and a cooling medium line to convey cooling medium into the roll (5) via the interior of the shaft(8). The cooling medium line comprising an inlet communicating with an elbow portion, a first length (27) of the elbow portion (20) extending from the inlet substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and a second length (26) of the elbow portion extending from the first length in the direction of the axis of the shaft (8), the axes of the first and second lengths being in substantially the same plane.
US07874185B2
A system for stacking a laundry treatment machine provided with a bottom panel of predetermined three-dimensional configuration onto a pedestal or the like provided with a support surface of a complementary three-dimensional configuration. The bottom panel is preferably made of sheet metal of a predetermined thickness or gauge, and the support surface is made of a sheet metal of lesser thickness or gauge.
US07874184B2
A knit protective sleeve and method of construction thereof provides a continuous and seamless sleeve wall knit from one or more yarns extending between opposite open ends of the sleeve. At least one heat vent opening is integrally knit within the wall between the ends.
US07874182B1
A crochet hook with one or more elevation changes associated with the exterior surface of its elongated shaft that provide ergonomic benefit on the grip area of the shaft typically held by a person crocheting, to allow crocheting with enhanced comfort, faster crocheting, and/or crocheting for longer periods of time with less risk of hands becoming tired, numb, or aching from the repetitive motion inherent in crocheting activity. The hook's shaft may also have different cross-sectional configurations that provide ergonomic benefit, such as that of a triangle with softened edges, instead of the traditional circular shape still most commonly used. The elevation changes typically extend longitudinally along the crochet hook shaft a minimum of approximately two-and-one-half to three inches, and are not usually positioned on the hook associated with the crochet hook's shaft, or within approximately one to one-and-one-eighth inches thereof.
US07874181B1
A knitting needle with one or more elevation changes that provide ergonomic benefit on the portions of its shaft typically held by knitters during stitch/loop creation, to allow knitting with enhanced comfort, faster knitting, and/or knitting for longer periods of time with less risk of hands becoming prematurely tired, numb, or aching from the repetitive motion inherent in knitting activity. The needle may also have different cross-sectional configurations that provide additional ergonomic benefit, in place of the traditional circular shape still most commonly used. The elevation changes are not positioned on the pointed tip of the needle, or within approximately one-and-one-half to two inches thereof, and are not so configured or pronounced as to interfere with the easy movement of stitches along the needle's shaft. A tube or post may further be added to the end cap on the non-pointed end of a single-point needle for convenient point protector mounting.
US07874180B2
The specification describes the production of optical fibers and optical fiber preforms using Chemical Powder Deposition (CPD). In this process a slurry of silica powders and dopant powders in a liquid carrier is prepared and the inside surface of a silica glass starter tube is coated with the slurry, then dried. The coating is then consolidated and the tube collapsed as in the conventional MCVD process. Multiple coatings, and coatings with varying compositions, can be used to produce any desired profile. In an alternative embodiment, doped silica glass of the desired final composition is prepared, and then pulverized to form the powder for the slurry. In both embodiments, the use of powders of known composition in the slurry allows direct control over the final glass composition, as compared with conventional processes in which the composition in the final glass is indirectly controlled by control of the thermodynamics of a vapor phase reaction.
US07874165B2
An apparatus is provided including a generator, at least two rotor blades coupled to the generator, a pylon, and electrical equipment configured to receive electrical power generated by the generator and located within an internal space of the pylon. The apparatus further includes a dehumidification device adjacent the electrical equipment, the dehumidification device having a first element, a heat transfer element coupled to the first element and configured to remove heat from the first element, and a second element coupled to the heat transfer element and to a wall of the pylon. The second element is configured to receive the heat removed from the first element. The apparatus may include a deflecting structure configured to deflect cooled air toward the second element for extracting the heat received by the second element.
US07874161B2
A system and method are provided for effectively removing ice that may have formed on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes and/or preventing, or at least inhibiting, reformation of ice on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes after the ice has been removed. A determination is made as to whether flow through the compressor is below a predetermined flow value. If the flow through the compressor is below the predetermined flow value, then the inlet guide vanes are repeatedly moved between at least two predetermined positions to remove ice and/or prevent, or at least inhibit, reformation of ice on the inlet guide vanes.
US07874156B2
A method for heating a fluid in a turbine engine is provided. The method includes channeling an exhaust flow through an exhaust duct of the turbine engine and coupling a panel to the exhaust duct. The panel includes a first wall and an opposite second wall that is spaced a distance from the first wall such that at least one passageway is defined within the panel. The fluid is supplied to the at least one passageway through an inlet defined at a first end of the passageway, such that heat is transferred from the exhaust flow to the fluid flowing through the panel. The fluid is injected into the turbine engine.
US07874151B2
A dual mode control system for a hydraulic circuit (200) having a variable displacement pump (216) includes at least two actuators, each controlled by a respective valve. The valves are connected in series with a pressure sensor (250) measuring a pressure of fluid between the first valve (224) and the second valve (234) and relaying a signal to the electronic controller (202). The electronic controller (202) operates in a first mode, varying the displacement of the pump (216) based on a command signal operating at least one of the valves, and operates in a standby mode, varying the displacement of the pump (216) based on the signal from the sensor, when both valves are in their respective neutral positions.
US07874137B2
An anti-ice formation device for a gas turbine engine is configured to be mounted within an inlet duct of the engine, and adjacent the gas turbine engine compressor inlet. The device is configured to selectively receive a flow of compressed air that is discharged from the compressor. Because the compressed air is relatively hot, the anti-ice formation device temperature increases to a temperature sufficient to prevent ice accumulation and formation in the engine inlet duct. The anti-ice formation device is also configured such that heat is not transferred to the compressor inlet housing. As a result, the anti-ice formation device does not cause impeller clearance variations, which would adversely affect engine performance.
US07874128B2
A testing unit and a method of testing a sterilization packaging unit for microbial contamination of sterilized objects after they have been sterilized are disclosed. The testing unit includes a dry matrix for accommodating a nutrient medium and a receptacle containing a liquid. By applying the liquid onto the matrix, the matrix is provided with a nutrient medium. In the method, the testing unit is inserted into the sterilization packaging unit which is sterilized and stored. At a desired point in time, the receptacle is opened in order to produce the nutrient medium in the matrix. After a possible multiplication of microbes on the matrix, an observation of microbes takes place. The invention also relates to a sterilization packaging unit which has a rigid outer casing and is suitable for the application of the method.
US07874122B2
Methods are provided for creating footings for structures proximate a wall face of a segmental retaining wall using a device that includes a sleeve and a reinforcing member having a base. The methods can include placing the device on a layer of backfill material behind the wall face so that the sleeve is located adjacent the wall face and the base of the reinforcing member extends away from the wall face, covering the base of the reinforcing member with at least one other layer of the backfill material, placing a bottom portion of the structure in the sleeve, and filling the sleeve with an anchoring material.
US07874121B1
A weatherproofing system for installing windows and doors is described and has a front seal and a real seal. The seals include clear, pressure-activated adhesives and seal against attaching hardware. The rear seal has a is self-setting foam web and molds to the flange of the window unit. When installed, the foam is compressed between the inner window frame and rough opening and between the window flange and the wall surface adjacent the rough opening. The system extends beyond the flange of the window unit and receives the weatherproofing membrane thereover. The weatherproofing system acts as a sealed bridge between the membrane and the window unit precluding entry of air and water. Both the foam and the adhesive have fire retardants in the formulation thereof. The rear seal is provided in a tape form with a self-skinned foam layer and a sheet form with polymeric covering web.
US07874117B1
A standing seam formed by overlapping male and female sidelaps, the male sidelap forming a male locking tab and the a female sidelap forming a female first cavity, a female second cavity and a female third cavity, the sidelaps hook and rolled and interconnected so that a female first portion and a male first portion are substantially parallel, a female second portion and male second portion are substantially parallel, and a female third portion and male locking tab are substantially parallel, the junction of the male first and second portions is disposed in the female first cavity, the junction of the male second and third portions is disposed in the female second cavity, and the male locking tab is disposed in the female third cavity, the female third portion and male locking tab extending toward the female and male first portions.
US07874116B2
A clip for attaching the end of a grid tee to a wall angle. The clip, in various forms, is arranged to frictionally lock between the hem of the horizontal leg of the wall angle and the vertical leg. The clip, typically, has a pair of opposed open hems forming channels in which the flange of the tee end is received to join the tee to the clip. The clip can be elongated horizontally to accommodate movement of the grid during seismic activity. The clip can be used to trim the edges of a ceiling island and can be made to accommodate angular intersections of the grid with a wall or island edge.
US07874114B2
A radiant heat barrier may be installed under a wide variety of roofs between the roof supports. In one configuration, the radiant heat barrier is provided in the form of a plurality of boards that are each erectable into a barrier tray having at least one high-reflectivity, low-emissivity surface. The surface reflects a large percentage of the radiation energy back in the direction from where the radiation originated. Each board includes features that allow the board to be formed into different-sized trays. In one configuration, the trays may be configured to fit between the rafters of typical residential construction. The trays include tabs that allow the tray to be mounted to the supports.
US07874113B2
The present invention is an anchoring biscuit device for joining three boards. It includes, (a) an at least partially flat horizontal top element having an imaginary center line, having opposite side walls, and having a top view footprint adapted to be inserted into grooves of adjacent boards; (b) at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element and extending downwardly therefrom for a predetermined length for joinder of two adjacent boards which contain said grooves for receiving portions of said top into said grooves; and, (c) at least one compressive element located on aid device, with at least a portion of said at least one compressive element, from a top view footprint, being located away from said imaginary center line and way from said vertical support member, wherein said compressive element is adapted to at least partially collapse under predetermined compressive force.
US07874103B2
A gate assembly is provided for positioning in an opening through which selective entry is required. The gate assembly includes barrier means mountable directly or indirectly to one or more surrounding surfaces defining the opening. Hinge means are provided to allow the barrier means to be movable relative to the surrounding surfaces in use between a closed position, wherein the opening is closed, to an open position, wherein the opening is open. The hinge means include a hinge pin movably mounted in a channel or recess. The channel or recess receiving the hinge pin in use has a taper which narrows from an opening of said channel or recess through which said hinge pin is located in use towards a base or opposite end of said recess or channel.
US07874095B2
A fishing lure has a body having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom. A hook is secured by a shank to the rear end of the body. A slot extends through the body from the top to the bottom. The slot at the top of the body is enlarged toward the front end and the slot at the bottom of the body is enlarged toward the rear end. A fishing line, is extended through the slot from the top to the bottom and secured to the shank of the hook. The body assumes a substantially linear orientation when the body is pulled forward by the line, such as when casting or trolling. The body enlarged slot results in the body pitching, such as to imitate a swimming motion during jigging.
US07874094B2
A fishing lure and spinner blade designed in a helical form that rotates in a free form fashion or in an inline application. The “Tornado or Funnel” appearance of the blade as it spins through the water can be regulated by the speed of the retrieval, size of the blades and number of rotations on the spinner blade, which give a consistent spinning experience at any retrieval speed and level. The blades are affixed through split rings and swivels on varying spinner bait wire forms and spin effortlessly at high very slow to high retrieval rates and upon natural free falling through the water. The inline technology uses the tornado design to employ a dependable and effortless spinning motion around the axis of the wire form, and a streamlined spinner that doesn't need to have the blades set by applying force to the lure before spinning commences.
US07874090B2
At least two upright subassemblies, each with a base, radial positioning members; an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member slidably received in the outer tubular member; a plunger for selective engagement with aperture(s) in the outer tubular member, upper and lower horizontal bars secured to the radial positioning members, and a flexible display secured to each set of upper and lower horizontal bars, the radial positioning members for selective positioning between selected convex, concave, in-line and right angle positions.
US07874088B2
A tray-tag that can be mounted on a tray and display information about items on the tray is provided. A tray-tag of the present invention includes a face plate having front and back surfaces. The front surface of the face plate is adapted to have indicia thereon that display information about the items on the tray. The tray-tag also includes a mounting assembly capable of selectively and securely coupling the tray-tag to a tray. The mounting assembly includes an engagement flap and first and second support tabs. The engagement flap and the support tabs securely couple the tray-tag to the tray. The engagement flap extends over a rim of the tray, while the support tabs extend underneath the rim to couple the tray-tag to the tray. Additionally, the support tabs maintain the face plate in a generally vertical orientation.
US07874086B2
A locking assembly for retaining a wear member to excavating equipment has a locking element that is received into an opening in the assembly and is movable about a pivot axis in the opening between a hold position and a release position. The locking element has an outer edge that is generally opposite the pivot axis that opposes a base surface of the opening when the locking element is in the hold position. The outer edge is configured to pull away from the base surface when the locking element is rotated from the hold position toward the release position.
US07874081B2
A method of filling a drying system 24 with product comprises providing a washing unit 22, and a drier or driers 26a, 26b arranged such that one at a time the driers 26a, 26b receive product 48 discharged from the output of the washing unit 22. The washing unit 22 is configured to receive product 48 which is continuously weighed 104 as it is delivered to the washing unit. The product is washed in the washing unit 22 by being passed through the washing unit at a substantially constant speed, allowing the arrival time at the drier 26a, 26b to be predicted. The weight of product loaded into the drier is regulated by controlling the flow of product into the drier.
US07874079B2
The present invention relates to an ophthalmic holding mechanism for holding an eyeglass frame. The holding mechanism includes a base, a clamping mechanism configured for releasably securing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, and an actuator operatively associated with the clamping mechanism for causing linear and rotational movement thereof. The clamping mechanism is moveably coupled to the base for linear and rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the base, wherein the clamping mechanism is rotatable about first and second spaced pivot points. The present invention also relates to a method of tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame.
US07874074B1
A tool for assisting a worker in removing a windshield includes a cylindrical housing having an L-shaped blade depending from a lower end thereof. The housing includes a butane-fueled heating assembly that heats the blade to a predetermined temperature so that the blade easily penetrates the adhesive surrounding a vehicle windshield. A handle is tethered to the housing with a cable that allows a worker to easily lift the windshield once the adhesive has been completely separated.
US07874070B2
An injection valve has a nozzle body, a valve needle positioned in the nozzle body, an actuator for actuating the valve needle, and an orifice plate fixed at an end of the nozzle body. The orifice plate has a valve seat for cooperating with the valve needle and an orifice for injecting a fluid. The orifice plate is provided with a projection having a convex-curved surface on an orifice outlet side of the orifice plate. A flat surface portion is formed in the area of the convex-curved surface, and the outlet of the orifice is located in the flat surface portion.
US07874069B2
A gasket for preventing high-temperature fluid of an internal combustion engine from leaking is located between an adjacent pair of components of the engine. The gasket includes a gasket plate made of an electrically insulating material. The gasket plate has a hole. An annular sealing member is made of a material having a higher heat resistance than the gasket plate. The annular sealing member covers part of the gasket plate that defines the hole. Therefore, the gasket is capable of, for an extended period, preventing metal components in an internal combustion engine from directly contacting each other.
US07874065B2
A process for making a multi-layered circuit board having electrical current traces includes providing a substrate having a 1st layer of conductive material to form a ground plane, plurality of metallic 1st traces on a 2nd side of the substrate having widths of approximately 25 microns or less, developing 1st ribs of photoresist forming 1st walls rising above upper surface of an adjacent seed layer trace, depositing 1st conductive signal traces having a thickness exceeding 25 microns into channels and over seed layer traces and stripping the ribs to leave 1st conductive traces having a height-to-transverse ratio exceeding 1.
US07874064B2
A device for fixing and positioning in tubes and its use in tubular reactors.
US07874061B2
A yoke is produced by rolling up Zn—Al—Mg platinized steel plate of corrosion-resistance treatment where both ends thereof are tightly mated. On the outer peripheral surface of the yoke, plural linear grooves extending in the axis direction of the yoke are formed at a constant interval in the rolling step. Because the steel plate of corrosion-resistance treatment is prepared before initiating the rolling step, it is not necessary to perform coating and electroplating after making a cylindrical shaped yoke, namely, not necessary to perform any coating and electroplating after making the yoke, and the grooves are not filled with reaction products. This increases the radiation capability of the yoke because of increase of the entire surface area of the yoke. The Zn—Al—Mg platinized steel has a silver color and hardly absorbs radiant heat from an engine of a vehicle, and suppresses the increasing of the yoke temperature.
US07874051B2
An extractor tool for an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed. Some system embodiments comprise a bracket configured to couple to a spoolpiece of an ultrasonic flow meter and a tube inserted through and coupled to the bracket. The tube is configured to seal to the spoolpiece and permit a transducer to be selectively installed and removed therethrough.
US07874043B2
Furniture hinge with damping and/or braking device in alternative to those already existing and capable of guaranteeing an improved efficiency during the closing and/or opening operation of doors, or other furniture parts, without any variations to the overall dimensions of standard hinges. The improved efficiency of the hinge is obtained by increasing the friction surfaces with a viscous medium present in suitable areas of the hinge and/or by allowing regulation of the trend of the angular velocities of one or more circular shaped elements, for example a disc, which act as braking elements in contact with the viscous medium.
US07874039B2
The present invention discloses a dust tank is arranged in the lower side of the machine frame. A dust bag is sleeved by the dust tank. The top side of the dust tank is connected to a filter tank. The filter tank has an air inlet pipe at the bottom side thereof, a filter thereinside, and an air outlet at the top side thereof. The air outlet is connected to a closed chamber arranged at the other side of the machine frame via the air suction pipe. A suction blower is arranged inside the closed chamber. A motor drives the suction blower to operate and suck air to flow through the air suction pipe and go out from through-holes on the top of the closed chamber.
US07874033B2
A universal support pillow usable by both back and side sleepers includes a first chamber having multiple filled compartments that define a first side of the pillow and a second filled chamber that defines a second side of the pillow. The multiple compartments of the first chamber are designed particularly to receive a head of a back sleeper, and the second chamber is designed to receive a head of a side sleeper. The universal support pillow, in one version, includes a closable opening that is disposed between the two chambers for receiving a pillow insert to provide user-customized thickness and firmness characteristics of the universal support pillow. Multiple types of pillow inserts having different thickness and/or firmness characteristics may be provided, wherein a user is able to select one of the pillow inserts based on the user's sleep pillow preferences.
US07874030B2
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a cradle transferring device, which moves and withdraws a cradle to and from an examination table of an MRI apparatus in a PET-MRI hybrid system. The cradle transferring device includes: a cradle, on which a subject lies; a shuttle table supporting the cradle and moving and withdrawing the cradle to and from the examination table of the MRI apparatus; and a cradle receiving member provided on the examination table of the MRI apparatus. The shuttle table is provided with a transfer member for holding and transferring the cradle and a transfer member driving means for reciprocating the transfer member along the shuttle table. The cradle transferring device is further provided with a cradle locking means, which locks the cradle to the examination table after the cradle is moved to the examination table. The cradle transferring device moves the cradle to the examination table of the MRI apparatus and accurately withdraws the cradle from the examination table of the MRI apparatus after the examination in the MRI apparatus.
US07874018B2
Elastically deformable sheet (18) is bonded, under heat and pressure to a knitted fabric (16). Both the sheet and the knitted fabric (16) are elastically extendable. The sheet is then heat and pressure bonded to a pair of trousers (12) with the clothing of the trousers being extendable. The fibers of the knit (16) allow the clothing of the trousers to extend with the greater elasticity of the sheet (18) subsequently returning the fibers (16) and the clothing to the original shape.
