US07893004B2
It is a problem to be solved by the present invention to provide an oxidation catalyst which, in oxidation of a compound, can efficiently effect oxidation using oxygen in the air as an oxygen source and can be used repeatedly.The above-mentioned problem was solved by an activated carbon in which the BET specific surface area S determined by a nitrogen adsorption method and the amount of surface oxygen which will leave in the form of carbon monoxide OCO (% by weight) satisfy formula (I) 4000
US07893002B2
The invention relates to an oxygen conducting membrane includes a dense, mixed-conducting, multi-metallic oxide membrane having one surface which is coated with dispersed particles based on noble metals or magnesium oxide.
US07892993B2
Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
US07892992B2
Readily-fibrillable fibers of PVA polymer, having good chemical resistance, hydrophilicity, weather resistance and water resistance have a flattened cross-sectional profile and have a mean thickness D (μm) that satisfies the following formula (1): 0.4≦D≦5 (1) wherein D=S/L; S indicates the cross-section area (μm2) of the fibers; and L indicates the length (μm) of the major side of the cross section of the fibers. The fibers can be used for making nonwoven fabrics.
US07892985B1
Improved methods for preparing a low-k dielectric material on a substrate using microwave radiation are provided. The use of microwave radiation allows the preparation of low-k films to be accomplished at low temperatures. According to various embodiments, microwave radiation is used to remove porogen from a precursor film and/or to increase the strength of the resulting porous dielectric layer. In a preferred embodiment, methods involve (a) forming a precursor film that contains a porogen and a structure former on a substrate, (b) exposing the precursor film to microwave radiation to remove the porogen from the precursor film to thereby create voids within the dielectric material and form the porous low-k dielectric layer and (c) exposing the dielectric material to microwave radiation in a manner that increases the mechanical strength of the porous low-k dielectric layer.
US07892983B2
Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus, comprising a processing chamber, a holder to hold at least a plurality of product substrates, a heating member, a supplying member to alternately supply at least a first reactant and a second reactant, and a control unit, wherein the control unit executes forming thin films on the substrates by supplying the first reactant, removing a surplus of the first reactant after the first reactant has been adsorbed on the product substrates, subsequently supplying the second reactant, to cause the second reactant to react with the first reactant adsorbed on the substrates, and executes the forming the thin films in a state where a number of the product substrates is insufficient when a number of the product substrates is less than a maximum number of the product substrates which can be held by the holder.
US07892972B2
Methods for forming conductive vias include forming one or more via holes in a substrate. The via holes may be formed with a single mask, with protective layers, bond pads, or other features of the substrate acting as hard masks in the event that a photomask is removed during etching processes. The via holes may be configured to facilitate adhesion of a dielectric coating that includes a low-K dielectric material to the surfaces thereof. A barrier layer may be formed over surfaces of each via hole. A base layer, which may comprise a seed material, may be formed to facilitate the subsequent, selective deposition of conductive material over the surfaces of the via hole. The resulting semiconductor devices, intermediate structures, and assemblies and electronic devices that include the semiconductor devices that result from these methods are also disclosed.
US07892969B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device has forming a first nitride layer over a substrate, forming a first oxide layer on the first nitride layer, forming a second nitride layer on the first oxide layer, forming a photoresist layer over the second nitride layer, forming a opening in the photoresist layer, etching the second nitride layer using the photoresist layer as a mask such that the opening is reached to the first oxide layer, etching the first oxide layer using the second nitride layer as a mask such that the opening is reached to the first nitride layer, etching the first oxide layer such that bottom zone of the opening is increased in diameter, and etching the first nitride layer using the first oxide layer as a mask such that the opening is reached to the substrate thereby to form contact hole reaching to the substrate.
US07892968B2
Methods for via gouging and a related semiconductor structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a via opening in a dielectric material, the via opening aligned with a conductor; forming a protective coating over the dielectric material and in the via opening; performing via gouging; and removing the protective coating over horizontal surfaces of the dielectric material. A semiconductor structure may include a via having an interface with a conductor, the interface including a three-dimensionally shaped region extending into and past a surface of the conductor, wherein an outer edge of the three-dimensionally shaped region is distanced from an outermost surface of the via.
US07892961B2
A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a metal-containing layer on the gate dielectric; and forming a composite layer over the metal-containing layer. The step of forming the composite layer includes forming an un-doped silicon layer substantially free from p-type and n-type impurities; and forming a silicon layer adjoining the un-doped silicon layer. The step of forming the silicon layer comprises in-situ doping a first impurity. (or need to be change to: forming a silicon layer first & then forming un-doped silicon layer) The method further includes performing an annealing to diffuse the first impurity in the silicon layer into the un-doped silicon layer.
US07892949B2
To divide a semiconductor wafer by stealth dicing, a test pad in a cutting region and an alignment target are collectively arranged along one side in a width direction of the cutting region, and a laser beam for forming a modified region is irradiated to a position away in plane from the test pad and the alignment target Am. In this manner, defects in cutting shape in a cutting process of a semiconductor wafer using stealth dicing can be reduced or prevented.
US07892947B2
A workpiece machining method includes attaching a workpiece to a workpiece support with the aid of joining means. The workpiece and the workpiece support are joined to one another by an annular joining means. The composite produced is machined. The machined workpiece is separated from the workpiece support.
US07892943B2
A first dielectric plug is formed in a portion of a trench that extends into a substrate of a memory device so that an upper surface of the first dielectric plug is recessed below an upper surface of the substrate. The first dielectric plug has a layer of a first dielectric material and a layer of a second dielectric material formed on the layer of the first dielectric material. A second dielectric plug of a third dielectric material is formed on the upper surface of the first dielectric plug.
US07892929B2
A method for rounding the corners of a shallow trench isolation is provided. A preferred embodiment comprises filling the trench with a dielectric and recessing the dielectric to expose a portion of the sidewalls of the trench adjacent to the surface of the substrate. The substrate is then annealed in a hydrogen ambient, which rounds the corners of the shallow trench isolation through silicon migration.
US07892925B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided. A hollowed portion is formed over an active region of a semiconductor substrate. The bottom of the hollowed portion is lowered in level than the surface of an isolation region of the substrate. A first mask is formed in the hollowed portion, except on a side region that is adjacent to the boundary between the active region and the isolation region. A trench is formed in the side region of the active region by using the first mask and the isolation region as a mask.
US07892921B2
A graded composition, high dielectric constant gate insulator is formed between a substrate and floating gate in a flash memory cell transistor. The gate insulator is comprised of amorphous germanium or a graded composition of germanium carbide and silicon carbide. If the composition of the gate insulator is closer to silicon carbide near the substrate, the electron barrier for hot electron injection will be lower. If the gate insulator is closer to the silicon carbide near the floating gate, the tunnel barrier can be lower at the floating gate.
US07892920B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which minimizes the line width of a pattern and allows a low temperature oxide film and a thinly formed photoresist film to serve as ion blockers when performing an ion implantation process on the semiconductor substrate.
US07892915B1
A base structure for high performance Silicon Germanium:Carbon (SiGe:C) based heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) with phosophorus atomic layer doping (ALD) is disclosed. The ALD process subjects the base substrate to nitrogen gas (in ambient temperature approximately equal to 500 degrees Celsius) and provides an additional SiGe:C spacer layer. During the ALD process, the percent concentrations of Germanium (Ge) and carbon (C) are substantially matched and phosphorus is a preferred dopant. The improved SiGe:C HBT is less sensitive to process temperature and exposure times, and exhibits lower dopant segregation and sharper base profiles.
US07892913B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises: forming a gate insulator on a substrate, the gate insulator including a high-dielectric film in whole or part; forming a first metal film on the gate insulator; forming a second metal film on the first metal film; and forming a reaction film between the gate insulator and the first metal film by letting the high-dielectric film and the first metal film react with each other through a thermal treatment.
US07892909B2
A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a first silicon-containing layer on the gate dielectric layer, wherein the first silicon-containing layer is substantially free from p-type and n-type impurities; forming a second silicon-containing layer over the first silicon-containing layer, wherein the second silicon-containing layer comprises an impurity; and performing an annealing to diffuse the impurity in the second silicon-containing layer into the first silicon-containing layer.
US07892907B2
Latch-up of CMOS devices (20, 20′) is improved by using a structure (40, 40′, 80) having electrically coupled but floating doped regions (64, 64′; 65, 65′) between the N-channel (44) and P-channel (45) devices. The doped regions (64, 64′; 65, 65′) desirably lie substantially parallel to the source-drain regions (422, 423; 432, 433) of the devices (44, 45) between the Pwell (42) and Nwell (43) regions in which the source-drain regions (422, 423; 432, 433) are located. A first (“N BAR”) doped region (64, 64′) forms a PN junction (512) with the Pwell (42), spaced apart from a source/drain region (423) in the Pwell (42), and a second (“P BAR”) doped region (55, 55′) forms a PN junction (513) with the Nwell (43), spaced apart from a source/drain region (433) in the Nwell (43). A further NP junction (511) lies between the N BAR (64) and P BAR (65) regions. The N BAR (64) and P BAR (65) regions are ohmically coupled, preferably by a low resistance metal conductor (62), and otherwise floating with respect to the device or circuit reference potentials (e.g., Vss, Vdd).
US07892905B2
A process for forming a strained channel region for a MOSFET device via formation of adjacent silicon-germanium source/drain regions, has been developed. The process features either blanket deposition of a silicon-germanium layer, or selective growth of a silicon-germanium layer on exposed portions of a source/drain extension region. A laser anneal procedure results in formation of a silicon-germanium source/drain region via consumption of a bottom portion of the silicon-germanium layer and a top portion of the underlying source/drain region. Optimization of the formation of the silicon-germanium source/drain region via laser annealing can be achieved via a pre-amorphization implantation (PAI) procedure applied to exposed portions of the source/drain region prior to deposition of the silicon-germanium layer. Un-reacted top portions of the silicon-germanium layer are selectively removed after the laser anneal procedure.
US07892889B2
One embodiment of the invention is a semiconductor system (1400) of arrays (1401, 1402, etc.) of packaged devices. Each array includes a sheet-like substrate (1411, 1412, etc.) made of insulating material integral with conductive horizontal lines and vertical vias, and terminals on the surfaces. Semiconductor components, which may include more than one active or passive chips, or chips of different sizes, are attached to the substrate; the electrical connections may include flip-chip, wire bond, or combination techniques. Encapsulation compound (1412, 1422, etc.), which adheres to the substrate, embeds the connected components. Metal posts (1431, 1432, etc.) traverse the encapsulation compound vertically, connecting the substrate vias with pads on the encapsulation surface. The pads are covered with solder bodies used to connect to the next-level device array so that a 3-dimensional system of packaged devices is formed.
US07892883B2
In one or more embodiments, a method comprising applying thermo compression to a package assembly including a lid, a die, and a package substrate to assemble the package assembly is disclosed. The method may include assembling the package assembly without coupling a biasing mechanism to the lid. Heat may be applied to a bond head coupled with a pick and place tool. Heat may be applied to a bond stage coupled to a carrier for holding the package assembly during processing. An adhesive applied to the lid or package substrate may be allowed to at least partially cure. The method may further include, in an oven, reflowing a thermal interface material (TIM) coupled to the lid and the die, curing the TIM, and/or curing the adhesive, without using clips.
US07892880B2
A method of manufacturing a photo-detector array device integrated with a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) monolithically integrated for a laser-radar image signal. A detector array device, a photodiode and control devices for selecting and outputting a laser-radar image signal are simultaneously formed on an InP substrate. In addition, after the photodiode and the control devices are simultaneously formed on the InP substrate, the photodiode and the control devices are electrically separated from each other using a polyamide, whereby a PN junction surface of the photodiode is buried to reduce surface leakage current and improve electrical reliability, and the structure of the control devices can be simplified to improve image signal reception characteristics.
US07892875B2
A method is for manufacturing a microelectromechanical system resonator having a semiconductor device and a microelectromechanical system structure unit formed on a substrate. The method includes: forming a lower electrode of an oxide-nitride-oxide capacitor unit included in the semiconductor device using a first silicon layer; forming, using a second silicon layer, a substructure of the microelectromechanical system structure unit and an upper electrode of the oxide-nitride-oxide capacitor unit included in the semiconductor device; and forming, using a third silicon layer, a superstructure of the microelectromechanical system structure unit and a gate electrode of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor circuit unit included in the semiconductor device.
US07892869B2
A method for manufacturing a light emitting diode (LED) assembly comprises the steps of: preparing a chip carrier comprising a carrier substrate, a P type electrode and an N type electrode, and arranging an LED chip onto the carrier substrate to electrically connect the LED chip with the P type electrode and the N type electrode; packaging the LED chip with a light-transmissible packaging gel and making the P type electrode and the N type electrode exposed to form a molded LED chip cell; preparing an arrangement carrier comprising a arrangement carrier substrate, a P type electrode plate and an N type electrode plate; forming an arrangement recess on the arrangement carrier substrate; and arranging the molded LED chip cell into the arrangement recess to make the P type electrode and the N type electrode electrically connect to the P type electrode plate and the N type electrode plate respectively.
US07892868B2
A LED packaging method includes a procedure of placing a screen plate having stepped holes on a substrate carrying LED chips, a procedure of reversing the screen plate with respect to the substrate, and a procedure of packaging the LED chips with a first packaging adhesive and a second packaging adhesive by means of applying the first packaging adhesive to the small diameter portion of each stepped hole when the first side of the screen plate is attached to the substrate and then applying the second packaging adhesive to the big diameter portion of each stepped hole after the screen plate is reversed.
US07892866B2
The invention provides an end-face-processing jig that allows the formation of a reflectance control film on an end face of a semiconductor laser body while preventing possible degradation due to catastrophic optical damage (COD) of a semiconductor laser, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor laser employing such an end-face-processing jig. A window part of the end-face-processing jig is made of at least one of an oxide and a nitride, and semiconductor laser bars are fixed by the end-face-processing jig so that their end faces are exposed through a window of the window part. In this condition, a reflectance control film is formed on the end faces of the semiconductor laser bars for the manufacture of a semiconductor laser. This prevents a metal from being taken in the reflectance control film, thus preventing the absorption of light caused by a metal taken in the reflectance control film. It is thus possible to form a reflectance control film on the end faces of semiconductor laser bars while preventing possible degradation due to COD of a semiconductor laser.
US07892865B2
In a state of a first semiconductor integrated circuit device on which a first semiconductor integrated circuit board including a first mask ROM and a programmable ROM are mounted, an ultimate program determined by using the programmable ROM is stored in a second ROM of a second semiconductor integrated circuit board which is substantially similar in structure to the first semiconductor integrated circuit board, thereby manufacturing a second semiconductor integrated circuit device as an ultimate product.
US07892864B2
A charged particle beam irradiation method includes setting an observation region on a sample, the sample including an object pattern to be observed, and the observation region including the object pattern, setting an irradiation region on the sample, the irradiation region being to be irradiated with a charged particle beam, the irradiation region including the observation region and being larger than the observation region, setting a non-irradiation region in the irradiation region, the non-irradiation region failing to be irradiated with the charged particle beam, irradiating the irradiation region except the non-irradiation region with the charged particle beam, and irradiating the observation region with a charged particle beam after the irradiating the irradiation region except the non-irradiation region with the charged particle beam.
US07892862B2
Provided are the methods of evaluating thermal treatment. In the methods, a wafer comprising a silicon substrate having an oxygen concentration of approximately equal to or less than 1.0×1018 atoms/cm3 and a silicon epitaxial layer on at least one surface of the substrate is employed.
US07892860B2
A method for forming a semiconductor laser chip is provided that can suppress layer discontinuity and simultaneously reduce fabrication variations in the light radiation angle in the horizontal direction. The method includes a step of forming, on an n-type GaAs substrate, a semiconductor element layer composed of a plurality of semiconductor layers including an etching marker layer, a step of forming, in a contact layer in the semiconductor element layer, a depressed portion having a depth not reaching the etching marker layer, and a step of forming a ridge portion by etching the semiconductor element layer by dry etching while monitoring, with laser light, the etching depth in the bottom region of the depressed portion.
US07892850B2
An apparatus for measuring immature platelets is described that includes (a) a sample preparation unit for preparing an assay sample by adding a reagent to a blood specimen; (b) a detection unit having a semiconductor laser light source for irradiating the assay sample with laser light, and a detector for detecting optical information emitted from particles within the assay sample irradiated by laser light; and (c) a controller for differentiating and counting immature platelets based on the detected optical information. A method for measuring immature platelets is also described.
US07892833B2
Compounds can be used to act as inhibitors of enzymes having histone deacetylase activity for the medical therapy of conditions which predispose a person for the development of a disease, such as but not limited to cancer, inflammatory or metabolic diseases. Such conditions are linked to genetically inherited mutations of crucial genes which predispose a person with this condition to develop the disease phenotype. Thus, such compounds can be used for a suppressive therapeutic approach—the SUPPRESSION THERAPY—in order to inhibit or delay the onset or progression of the genetically predisposed disorder. Furthermore, a clinically used medicament can be manufactured for the SUPPRESSION THERAPY of such inherited predisposing conditions.
US07892832B2
Bacteria are manipulated to create desirable output traits using dominant negative alleles of mismatch repair proteins. Enhanced hypermutation is achieved by combination of mismatch repair deficiency and exogenously applied mutagens. Stable bacteria containing desirable output traits are obtained by restoring mismatch repair activity to the bacteria.
US07892829B2
Disclosed is a method for producing cardiomyocytes in vivo by administering to the heart of an individual a cardiomyocyte producing amount of mesenchymal stem cells. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectable or as a preparation of cells in a matrix which is or becomes solid or semi-solid. The cells can be genetically modified to enhance myocardial differentiation and integration. Also disclosed is a method for replacing cells ex vivo in a heart valve for implantation.
US07892824B2
The present invention provides novel dystrophin mini/micro-genes that retain the essential biological functions of a full-length dystrophin gene. More particularly, the present invention provides to a series of synthetic mini/micro-dystrophin genes capable of restoring neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) to the sarcolemma. A method as well as a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD), and X-linked Dilated Cardiomyopathy (XLDC) are also provided.
US07892819B2
Disclosed are devices for amplifying a preselected polynucleotide in a sample by conducting a polynucleotide amplification reaction. The devices are provided with a substrate microfabricated to include a polynucleotide amplification reaction, chamber, having at least one cross-sectional dimension of about 0.1 to 1000 μm. The device also includes at least one port in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, for introducing a sample to the chamber, for venting the chamber when necessary, and, optionally, for removing products or waste material from the device. The reaction chamber may be provided with reagents required for amplification of a preselected polynucleotide. The device also may include means for thermally regulating the contents of the reaction chamber, to amplify a preselected polynucleotide. Preferably, the reaction chamber is fabricated with a high surface to volume ratio, to facilitate thermal regulation.
US07892816B2
The present invention provides a method for detecting probe-target substrate binding. In particular, the present invention provides a method for detecting a surface bound target complex by detecting the redox reaction of a redox transition metal complex that is catalyzed by a redox-catalyst complex.
US07892809B2
The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that parvovirus (including AAV) capsids can be engineered to incorporate small, selective regions from other parvoviruses that confer desirable properties. The inventors have discovered that in some cases as little as a single amino acid insertion or substitution from a first parvovirus (e.g., an AAV) into the capsid structure of another parvovirus (e.g., an AAV) to create a chimeric parvovirus is sufficient to confer one or more of the desirable properties of the first parvovirus to the resulting chimeric parvovirus and/or to confer a property that is not exhibited by the first parvovirus or is present to a lesser extent.
US07892802B2
The present invention provides a fibrinogen-based tissue adhesive which contains an elastase inhibitor.
US07892796B2
Solid support assays using non-standard bases are described. A capture oligonucleotide comprising a molecular recognition sequence is attached to a solid support and hybridized with a target oligonucleotide. In some instances, the molecular recognition sequence includes one or more non-standard bases and hybridizes to a complementary tagging sequence of the target oligonucleotide. In other instances, incorporation of a non-standard base (e.g., via PCR or ligation) is used in the assay.
US07892795B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for rapid, sensitive, and highly specific nucleic acid-based (e.g., DNA based) detection of a BK virus in a sample. In general, the methods involve detecting a target nucleic acid having a target sequence of a conserved region of BK viral genomes. The invention also features compositions, including primers, probes, and kits, for use in the methods of the invention.
US07892782B2
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a phenotypically antibiotic-resistant subpopulation of stationary phase bacteria by treating stationary phase bacteria with high doses of antibacterial agents, the subpopulation thus identified, a process for identifying new antibacterial agents by testing against the antibiotic-resistant subpopulation, the compounds thus identified and their uses, particularly in treating bacterial infections involving dormant bacteria.
US07892781B2
A test agent includes a composite probe having at least one nanoparticle having multiple metal atoms, a directing agent, and an enzyme. The directing agent attaches the probe to a target in a test sample. The test sample and bound probe are then treated with an enzyme substrate. A method of detecting a target in a test sample includes exposing the test sample to the probe, then treating the test sample with an enhancement or development solution to deposit at least one of a fluorophore, a chromogen, or a metal.
US07892780B2
Disclosed is a method for screening an antioxidant using mutant bacteria and chlorophyllide, and an antioxidant screened by the same method. The method provides for screening of an antioxidant by monitoring growth profiles of specific mutant bacteria in filter discs or medium blocks containing chlorophyllide added thereto, and an antioxidant screened by the same method. By monitoring growth profiles of mutant bacteria using mutant bacteria and chlorophyllide, screening of an antioxidant is possible on an industrial scale. In particular, the antioxidant screening method is useful for selective screening of an amphiphilic antioxidant. Therefore, it is possible to screen and commercialize low-toxic and effective antioxidants used in various food and cosmetic additives, as well as therapeutic medicines.
US07892779B2
It is now discovered that human chymase cleaves human SLPI at a specific site and that this cleavage can be used as an indicator of chymase activity. The present invention provides methods of diagnosing a chymase-associated disease or evaluating the efficiency of a treatment of a chymase-associated disease in a human subject by measuring SLPI processing, as well as other related methods and compositions.
US07892778B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for determining γ-secretase activity and for detecting γ-secretase, a subunit protein of γ-secretase, or a γ-secretase-like proteinase. In particular, the present invention relates to processes for the identification of a γ-secretase or of a cDNA which codes for a γ-secretase, a subunit protein of γ-secretase, or a γ-secretase-like proteinase. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to processes for the identification of substances which can inhibit the activity of γ-secretase, or a γ-secretase-like proteinase.
US07892777B2
Methods are provided for ascertaining and measuring RPTP-κ activity in response to insults such as UV irradiation and with respect to administration of a treatment and/or composition. Attenuation of EGFR activity by RPTP-κ affects aspects of photoaging, including damage to the skin, suppression of the immune system, DNA damage, and connective tissue degradation. Intervention with respect to the effects of photoaging can include protection of RPTP-κ from oxidation. The methods can be used for discovery of anti-aging treatments, adjuncts, or other preventative treatments, such as sunscreens.
US07892759B2
Detection of miniscule amounts of an analyte is accomplished via multiple bindings of specific materials on a sensor configured to sense mass. The sensor is prepared by immobilizing an antibody to a surface of the sensor, wherein the antibody is known to bind to the analyte. The prepared sensor is exposed to the analyte. The analyte binds to the antibody. The sensor then is exposed to additional antibody, which binds to the analyte. The sensor then can be sequentially exposed to additional antibodies that are known to bind to previously bound antibodies. Each additional binding further increases the effective mass of accumulated material on the sensor. The total effective mass is greater than the mass of the accumulated analyte, thus providing means for detecting extremely minute amounts of analyte. Applications include detection of pathogens and DNA.
US07892750B1
Elevated levels of cathepsin E (catE) are demonstrated to be diagnostic of intestinal forms of cancer, such as colorectal cancer. Elevated levels of cathepsin E (catE, monomeric forms) are demonstrated to be detectable in the urine of animals having colorectal cancer, and a diagnostic/screening method for identifying and/or detecting colorectal in an animal from a urine sample is provided. Specific tissue immunohistochemcial staining for catE (monomeric forms) in dysplastic tissue is also disclosed, and is shown to correlate with the level of dysplastic lesion severity. Hence, a method for determining and identifying dysplastic lesion severity is provided. Cathepsin E mRNA transcription and expression levels are also demonstrated to be upregulated in dysplastic tissue, relative to non-dysplastic tissue. Hence, a method for transcriptionally profiling an animal to monitor the progression of colorectal disease is provided.
US07892747B2
The present invention describes a method for identifying one or more of a plurality of sequences differing by one or more single base changes, insertions, deletions, or translocations in a plurality of target nucleotide sequences. The method includes a ligation phase, a capture phase, and a detection phase. The ligation phase utilizes a ligation detection reaction between one oligonucleotide probe, which has a target sequence-specific portion and an addressable array-specific portion, and a second oligonucleotide probe, having a target sequence-specific portion and a detectable label. After the ligation phase, the capture phase is carried out by hybridizing the ligated oligonucleotide probes to a solid support with an array of immobilized capture oligonucleotides at least some of which are complementary to the addressable array-specific portion. Following completion of the capture phase, a detection phase is carried out to detect the labels of ligated oligonucleotide probes hybridized to the solid support.
US07892746B2
The present invention describes a method for identifying one or more of a plurality of sequences differing by one or more single base changes, insertions, deletions, or translocations in a plurality of target nucleotide sequences. The method includes a ligation phase, a capture phase, and a detection phase. The ligation phase utilizes a ligation detection reaction between one oligonucleotide probe, which has a target sequence-specific portion and an addressable array-specific portion, and a second oligonucleotide probe, having a target sequence-specific portion and a detectable label. After the ligation phase, the capture phase is carried out by hybridizing the ligated oligonucleotide probes to a solid support with an array of immobilized capture oligonucleotides at least some of which are complementary to the addressable array-specific portion. Following completion of the capture phase, a detection phase is carried out to detect the labels of ligated oligonucleotide probes hybridized to the solid support.
US07892743B2
Provided are methods of determining differences between nucleic acids in a test sample and a reference sample. In certain embodiments the methods are used for detecting and mapping chromosomal or genetic abnormalities associated with various diseases or with predisposition to various diseases, or to detecting the phenomena of large scale copy number variants. In particular, provided are advanced methods of performing array-based comparative hybridization that allow reproducibility between samples and enhanced sensitivity by using the same detectable label for both test sample and reference sample nucleic acids. Invention methods are useful for the detection or diagnosis of particular disease conditions such as cancer, and detecting predisposition to cancer based on detection of chromosomal or genetic abnormalities and gene expression level. Invention methods are also useful for the detection or diagnosis of hereditary genetic disorders or predisposition thereto, especially in prenatal samples. Moreover, invention methods are also useful for the detection or diagnosis of de novo genetic aberrations associated with post-natal developmental abnormalities.
US07892739B2
The invention relates to stretch measurements of nucleic acids and correlating those measurements to the extent of double- and single-stranded content of a nucleic acid of interest, and to compositions, systems, and devices related thereto. In preferred embodiments, one performs the stretch or elasticity measurements under conditions such that one can determine a nucleic acid sequence or the presence of an oligonucleotide in a sample.
US07892730B2
The present invention relates to novel sequences for use in diagnosis and treatment of carcinomas, especially lymphoma carcinomas. In addition, the present invention describes the use of novel compositions for use in screening methods.
US07892729B1
A universal and differential assay kit for the detection of antibodies to swine influenza virus (SIV) in a biological sample comprising SIV non-structural 1 (NS1) protein and SIV nucleoprotein (NP); a universal and differential assay method for detecting antibodies to SIV in a biological sample comprising assaying the biological sample for the presence of an antibody to SIV NS1 protein and an antibody to SIV NP; primers; and fusion proteins.
US07892724B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods for the preservation, storage, and transport of living biological tissues, organs, and populations of isolated cells. In particular, the disclosed compositions and processes permit mammalian cells, tissues, and organs to be harvested from suitable donor animals, stored for prolonged periods, and transported to the site of recipient implantation, all without significant loss of cell viability, biological activity, and/or tissue integrity.
US07892723B2
A method for forming a patterned photoresist is provided, which is applicable to a substrate. The method includes: performing an implantation process over the substrate; next, performing a surface treatment process; then, forming a photoresist layer over the substrate; and thereafter, patterning the photoresist layer.
US07892722B2
A pattern forming method includes (a) a step of forming a resist film on a substrate, (b) a pre-wet step of spreading a pre-wet solution on the resist film and after a fixed time, removing the pre-wet solution, and (c) a step of subjecting the resist film on the substrate to exposure through an immersion liquid.
US07892720B2
To provide a negative photosensitive fluorinated aromatic resin composition having a low relative permittivity, low water absorptivity, high heat resistance and high productivity.A negative photosensitive fluorinated aromatic resin composition comprising the following fluorinated aromatic prepolymer, a photosensitizer and a solvent. Here the fluorinated aromatic prepolymer is a fluorinated aromatic prepolymer which is obtained by subjecting either one or both of a compound (Y-1) having a crosslinkable functional group (A) and a phenolic hydroxyl group, and a compound (Y-2) having a crosslinkable functional group (A) and a fluorinated aromatic ring, to a condensation reaction in the presence of a HF-removing agent, with a fluorinated aromatic compound (B) represented by the following formula (1): (wherein n is an integer of from 0 to 3, each of a and b which are independent of each other, is an integer of from 0 to 3, each of Rf1 and Rf2 is a fluorinated alkyl group having at most 8 carbon atoms, and F in the aromatic ring represents that hydrogen atoms of the aromatic ring are all substituted by fluorine atoms), and a compound (C) having at least 3 phenolic hydroxyl groups, and which has crosslinkable functional groups (A) and ether bonds and has a number average molecular weight of from 1×103 to 5×105.
US07892717B2
The invention provides a toner for electrostatic image development having at least a binder resin and a colorant and having an existence ratio of an IA Group element, from which hydrogen is excluded, measured by XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) in a range of about 0.03 to 1.0 atom % and a total of existence ratios of an IIA Group element, an IIIB Group element and an IVB Group element, from which carbon is excluded, measured by XPS in a range of about 0.05 to 2.0 atom %. The invention further provides an electrostatic image developer having at least a carrier and the toner, and an image forming method including at least developing an electrostatic latent image with a developer containing at least the toner to form a toner image.
US07892715B2
A color toner for electro printing, which comprises from 10 to 50 parts by mass of fine inorganic pigment particles, from 5 to 40 parts by mass of a heat decomposable binder resin having an acid value of at least 5, and from 40 to 85 parts by mass of glass frit, per 100 parts by mass of the total solid content of the toner.
US07892714B2
A toner comprising toner particles, a polymer binder, at least one colorant and clay composites distributed in the polymer binder, wherein the clay composites comprise a polymer modified clay.
US07892708B2
In a mask blank substrate to be chucked by a mask stage of an exposure system, the flatness of a rectangular flatness measurement area excluding an area of 2 mm inward from an outer peripheral end surface on a main surface of the mask blank substrate on its side to be chucked by the mask stage is 0.6 μm or less, and at least three of four corner portions of the flatness measurement area each have a shape that rises toward the outer peripheral side.
US07892691B2
A solid oxide fuel cell component (12) comprises a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells (24) arranged in spaced apart relationship, and in electrical series, on a surface of the porous gas permeable support structure (16). Each solid oxide fuel cell (24) comprises a dense gas tight electrolyte member (28), a porous gas permeable first electrode (26) and a porous gas permeable second electrode (30). Each electrolyte (28) is arranged in contact with a corresponding one of the first electrodes (26), each second electrode (30) is arranged in contact with a corresponding one of the electrolytes (28). Each of the first electrodes (26) is arranged in contact with the surface of the support structure (16). The interconnectors (32), the peripheral seal layer (34) and the electrolytes (28) are arranged to encapsulate all of the first electrodes (26) except for the surfaces of the first electrodes (26) in contact with the surface of the support structure (16) to prevent leakage of reactant from the first electrodes (16).
US07892689B2
A fuel cell-based system includes an electromechanical pressure relief system to prevent an overpressure condition from damaging the anode circuit of a fuel cell stack or creating a hazardous environment. Upon detection of a fuel flow pressure in a fuel path between a fuel source and the fuel cell stack, the pressure relief system isolates the anode circuit from the fuel path, vents the fuel flow, and shuts down the fuel cell system.
US07892680B2
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a case, a nonaqueous electrolyte provided in the case, a positive electrode provided in the case, and a negative electrode provided in the case, the negative electrode comprising a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode layer that is carried on the negative electrode current collector and contains negative electrode active material particles, and the negative electrode current collector comprising an aluminum foil having an average crystal grain size of 50 μm or less or an aluminum alloy foil having an average crystal grain size of 50 μm or less.
US07892678B2
A hydrogen absorbing alloy powder includes an intermetallic compound having an AB5 type crystal structure and containing La for an A site element and Ni for a B site element. The powder contains La by 20 wt % or more and metallic Ni by from 2.0 wt % to 10 wt %, and acicular or grain shape precipitates containing La(OH)3 are deposited on a surface thereof. The powder has an intensity ratio P2/P1 satisfying a relation: P2/P1≧0.02, where P1 is a peak intensity appearing in the vicinity of: diffraction angle 2θ=42.5 deg and showing (111) face of LaNi5 and P2 is a peak intensity appearing in the vicinity of: diffraction angle 2θ=15.8 deg and showing (100) face of La(OH)3 in the X-ray diffractometry using CuKα rays.
US07892672B2
A nonaqueous secondary battery separator is provided that is excellent in heat resistance, shutdown characteristics, membrane resistance and handling property. The present invention is a polyolefin microporous membrane used for a nonaqueous secondary battery separator containing the polyolefin microporous membrane at least one surface of which is coated and integrated with a heat resistant porous layer, characterized in that the membrane has (A) a thickness of 5 to 20 μm, (B) a porosity of 35 to 50%, (C) an air permeability per unit thickness (JIS P8117) of 10 to 30 sec/100 cc·μm and a total air permeability of the membrane (JIS P8117) of 400 sec/100 cc or less, and (D) Y/X of 1×10−3 to 1×10−2 ohm·cm2/(sec/100 cc), wherein the air permeability (JIS P8117) is represented by X sec/100 cc, and the membrane resistance upon impregnating the polyolefin microporous membrane with an electrolytic solution is represented by Y ohm·cm2.
US07892667B2
A battery security device includes a holder, a cover and at least one flexible plate. The holder contains the battery. The cover slips to set on the holder and has at least one raised lump to press the flexible plate. The flexible plate is set between the holder and the cover and has at least one elastic arm. The elastic arm has a stressed portion and at least one contact portion. When the cover slips to set on the holder, the raised lump presses down the stressed portion to increase the pressure of the elastic arm for avoiding power failure caused of the battery be shook. Further the device to fix a battery does not increase the force of setting the cover and not need any other component. To sum up, the device to fix a battery of present invention has low cost and friendly use.
US07892660B2
Ceramic materials with relatively high resistance to wetting by various liquids, such as water, are presented, along with articles made with these materials, methods for making these articles and materials, and methods for protecting articles using coatings made from these materials. One particular embodiment is an article that comprises a coating having a surface connected porosity content of up to about 5 percent by volume. The coating comprises a material that comprises a primary oxide and a secondary oxide, wherein (i) the primary oxide comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of cerium, praseodymium, terbium, and hafnium, and (ii) the secondary oxide comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of the rare earth elements, yttrium, and scandium.
US07892657B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting element which has low driving voltage and can increase lifetime longer than a conventional light emitting element. One feature is to include a plurality of layers which includes a layer containing a light emitting substance between first and second electrodes, in which at least one layer of the plurality of layers contains a carbazole derivative represented by General Formula (1) and a substance having an electron accepting property with respect to the carbazole derivative represented by General Formula (1). By employing this structure, the above object can be achieved.
US07892649B2
An adhesive article comprising a first substrate having thereon an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a cured adhesive composition of a multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane polymer; and the first substrate comprises a polymer film, paper, a metal film, glass, ceramic, or a combination thereof; and wherein the adhesive layer has a microstructured surface that is substantiously continuous, and wherein the microstructured surface forms an array or pattern. The adhesive article is used to make laminated articles that spontaneously wet, and when applied to a substrate, remain removable or repositionable, even after long periods of time. The adhesive composition may be used in transfer adhesive films, and in laminated articles suitable for use in optical applications.
US07892648B2
A low-k dielectric material with increased cohesive strength for use in electronic structures including interconnect and sensing structures is provided that includes atoms of Si, C, O, and H in which a fraction of the C atoms are bonded as Si—CH3 functional groups, and another fraction of the C atoms are bonded as Si—R—Si, wherein R is phenyl, —[CH2]n— where n is greater than or equal to 1, HC═CH, C═CH2, C≡C or a [S]n linkage, where n is a defined above.
US07892641B2
An embodiment of a sizing composition for glass fibers comprises a starch, a nonionic lubricant, and a silane comprising at least one amine and at least one aryl or arylene group. Embodiments of fiber glass strands comprise at least one glass fiber at least partially coated with a sizing composition of the present invention. Embodiments of fiber glass strands can have tensile strengths that make the fiber glass strands desirable for certain processes, applications, and/or end uses.
US07892634B2
The 3-D relief pattern blank and method of using comprises the steps of using a cutting machine to cut a thin, retroreflective heat reflective sheet in a desired pattern. The thin, retroreflective heat reflective sheet is formed to provide a heat-retroreflective mask. Subsequently, the heat-retroreflective mask is transferred to a preferably smooth surface of a foamed thermoplastic substrate. The assembly of heat-retroreflective mask and foamed thermoplastic is then exposed to a source of visible and/or infrared radiation. The radiation does not have to be coherent and the exposure need not be under automatic guidance or control. Unmasked areas of the foamed thermoplastic absorb radiant heat more rapidly than masked areas, causing the unmasked areas to collapse into a relief of the desired pattern. The resulting relief ranges between approximately an eighth of an inch and one inch in depth.
US07892633B2
Disclosed are composite laminates that can exhibit high strength and/or low dielectric loss and can also be lightweight. The laminates include layers formed of high modulus polyolefin fiber. The fibers can be woven or knit to form a fabric or can be included in a nonwoven fabric that can be one or more layers of the composite structures. The layers including the high modulus polyolefin fibers can include other fibers, such as fiberglass. The composites can also include layers of other materials, for instance layers formed of polyaramids, fiberglass, or carbon fiber wovens or nonwovens. The composites can advantageously be utilized in low loss dielectric applications, such as in forming circuit board substrates, or in applications beneficially combining strength with low weight, such as automobile and boat materials.
US07892631B2
The invention pertains to a lightweight board with two thin-walled top layers and at least one core layer located between the top layers and connected to these, and a process to manufacture this. The process to manufacture the invented lightweight board is characterised by a first process stage in which a groove is made in at least one longitudinal side of the lightweight board, a profile strip is inserted in a second process stage into the groove in the lightweight board and a further profile strip is attached in a third stage on the previously attached profile strip. The process to manufacture another invented lightweight board is characterised by a first process stage in which a groove is made in at least one longitudinal side of the lightweight board, a profile strip is inserted in a second process stage into the groove in the lightweight board, the profile strip projecting over the groove in the lightweight board is removed in a third process stage and a further profile strip is attached to the previously trimmed profile strip in a fourth process stage.
US07892626B2
A substrate with plane patterns formed in a liquid process wherein the plane patterns are formed based on a combination of plane shapes by which a difference in internal pressure of a solution between any two points of the solution is small, the solution being ejected onto the substrate so as to form the plane patterns by the liquid process.
US07892624B2
A molded coarse particle product adapted for use as housewares, furniture or architectural components or the like preferentially made from coarse wood particles, flakes or chips, or any other suitable castable particulate materials such as glass, dried grass, plastic, shell particles or a combination thereof admixed and bonded together with an adhesive binder and lightly pressed into a mold preferably manually, together with a reinforcing means. The resulting surface texture of the cast product has the natural or original characteristics of the preferred particles comprising thereof such that it looks as natural as the said particles when viewed collectively together in plurality, and the quality and degree of roughness being defined by the natural features of said particles.
US07892622B2
The object of the invention is to provide a method which is as simple and economical as possible for manufacturing a tufted product, in particular a tufted top layer of a carpet, having improved nep adhesion properties. For this purpose splittable fibers are used which split on or in the region of the puncture site during tufting.
US07892618B2
An optical media disk is treated with a light-sensitive material that impedes the ability of a optical media player from reading data stored on the disk. This light-sensitive material is a material changes phase upon exposure to one or more wavelengths of light. During the initial phase, the light-sensitive material will render the disk unreadable. After activation, however, the disk becomes readable by conventional optical media players. In this fashion, theft of yet-to-be-activated optical media is deterred.
US07892617B2
Disclosed is a surface covering panel including a first edge with a groove inclusive first coupling means, a second opposite edge with a tongue inclusive second coupling means, the coupling means enabling coupling of two panels, a mechanical locking means integrated into at least one of the coupling means which, when two panels are coupled, is configured to prevent these panels from moving apart, the coupling means being designed for coupling essentially without elastic deformation, wherein at least one part of the surface of at least one of the coupling means includes a repositionable adhesive configured to create bonds between the coupling means that are multiply breakable and re-bondable, wherein a breaking of the bonds on disassembly of the panels results in a chemical click designed to indicate decoupling to a user.
US07892603B2
A regeneration apparatus for an electroless plating solution includes a sensor for measuring the formation rate of phosphorous acid formed in a plating tank in response to a plating treatment, a split device for taking out a plating solution in the plating tank to transfer the plating solution to a first processing tank, a sensor for measuring the concentration of the phosphorous acid contained in the plating solution taken out, an addition device for supplying calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide, an amount of which is required for producing a calcium phosphite from the phosphorous acid contained in the plating solution, to the first processing tank, a separation device for separating and removing the calcium phosphite produced in the first processing tank from the plating solution, and a return pump for transferring the plating solution from which the calcium phosphite has been separated and removed to the plating tank.
US07892599B2
Methods for functionalizing the surface of nanomaterials to improve processing and product manufacturing. These methods are useful for oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, metals, alloys, chalcogenides, and other compositions.
US07892597B2
Methods are provided of producing a heater cable. An electrical conductor is coated with a preceramic resin. At least a portion of the coated electrical conductor is deployed into a operational location. The preceramic resin is pyrolyzed while the portion of the coated electrical conductor is in the operational location to convert the preceramic resin into a ceramic insulator disposed to electrically insulate the electrical conductor from the sheath.
US07892596B2
A process including coating a fuel cell component using a coating solution including nanoparticles.
US07892592B1
A sleeve is positioned over a radially-expandable rod assembly and a stent is positioned over the sleeve. A mandrel is inserted into the rod assembly to thereby press the sleeve against the inner surface of the stent and expand the stent. A coating (such as a solvent, a polymer and/or a therapeutic substance) is then applied to the outer (abluminal) surfaces of the stent, by spraying, for example. The sleeve advantageously prevents the coating material from being applied to inner (luminal) surfaces of the stent and also allows the coating material to be efficiently applied to the abluminal surfaces.
US07892587B2
A coffee product and process are provided which produce a coffee product having elevated levels of 3,7-dimetylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol. In various forms, the coffee product is dry roast and ground coffee or a dry soluble coffee product such as a powder or granule form. The process includes adding 3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol to roast and ground coffee or a soluble coffee to produce an enhanced coffee flavor beverage, or to an extract or solution thereof.
US07892584B2
A method is provided for improving quality of cheese produced from a milk batch. A light beam from an incident light source impinges onto a surface of the milk batch, and light backscatter is optically detected during a coagulation process and correlated to an optimum cutting time for the milk coagulum. Next, light backscattered from a curd and whey mixture derived from the milk batch during a syneresis process is optically detected and correlated to an optimum syneresis endpoint. At least one of the backscattered light data, optical parameters developed from analysis of the backscattered light data, and whey fat dilution are correlated to at least one of a milk protein %, a milk fat %, a milk total solids content, a milk processing temperature, a curd moisture content, a curd moisture change over time, whey fat content, a whey fat loss, and a final curd yield.
US07892583B2
The present invention discloses microbial organisms capable of fermenting malic acid to lactic acid having impaired capability of degrading citric acid. These microbial organisms are for example useful in methods of preferentially degrading malic acid over citric acid in a liquid composition or in methods of inducing malolactic fermentation during wine production. The invention also discloses a concentrate of these microbial organisms and methods of preparing such a concentrate. The present invention furthermore relates to an activation solution useful for incubation of microbial organisms prior to inoculation into a liquid composition, such as wine.
US07892582B2
A composition for oral administration containing capsaicinoids associated with a formulation base acceptable for oral administration, the formulation base comprising an oil and an additive solid or pasty at room temperature which represents 5 to 20 wt. %, preferably 8 to 15 wt. % of the composition.
US07892581B2
Methods and compositions comprising essential oils or components thereof for protecting harvested fruits against decay caused by a specific pathogenic fungus are provided, such as Cinnamon cassia oil for protection of persimmons against Alternaria alternata, strawberries against Botrytis cinerea, or mandarins against Penicillium italicum or Penicillium digitatum.
US07892580B2
A process for producing a stable concentrated dietary supplement containing fucoxanthin as the main active component. The method entails grinding crude freeze-dried flakes of wakame seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) with desirable characteristics into a powder, extracting the active fucoxanthin from the powder with use of an aliphatic or aromatic organic solvent, then filtering and distilling the extract to form a thick syrupy fucoxanthin-containing mass having a solids content of from about 10-99% by wt. The mass is then purified by dissolving it in an organic non-polar solvent having a Polarity Index of <6, wherein the resultant solution is filtered to remove any solid material therefrom and the remaining liquid is then concentrated to a dried mass by removing substantially all of the solvent, which mass is thereafter ground and sifted to obtain a plurality of particles measuring approximately 60-100 mesh in size. The particles contain at least about 10% by weight of fucoxanthin. The particles by themselves, or in admixture with other components well known in the relevant art, thus comprise a supplement which may be constituted in a form selected from, for example, tablets, capsules, powders and granules.
US07892579B2
The invention discloses an extraction method and the apparatus thereof. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: crushing and soaking the raw material, and then extracting, wherein the extracting step is carried out under a 18-33 kHz nonlinear vibration, using water as solvent, under 25-35 MPa pressure and at 0-50° C. temperature, thus obtaining a extract which contains the active components of the raw material. The method according to the invention also provides an apparatus for the nonlinear critical extraction. The applications of the method and apparatus according to the invention allow to extract the Chinese traditional medicines and plants at room temperature, thus not only ensuring the biological activity of the components in the medicines and plants, but achieving the substantial full-composition extraction of the Chinese traditional medicine and plants, as well as overcoming the disadvantages of the extract technology in the prior art which would destroy or partially extract the biological activities of partial components. Therefore, the method and apparatus of the invention can be widely used in the fields such as the Chinese traditional medicines, chemical engineering, food, etc.
US07892572B2
The invention provides a biocompatible material derived from keratin that is useful for many aspects of medical treatment of bone. The keratin material is preferably S-sulfonated and enriched in intermediate filament proteins of high molecular weight. The keratin material may be porous for use as a bone replacement and augmentation product but also provided is the use of dense keratin materials in bone treatment for use as an internal fixation appliance in the treatment of bone fractures and bone regeneration, and a method for preparing the keratin material for use in the preservation, restoration and development of form and function of bone.
US07892567B2
The present invention provides Chlamydia proteins and compositions and methods of use in the treatment/prevention of chlamydial infection in a subject, for eliciting an immune response in a subject and for reducing the likelihood of infertility and reducing the incidence and/or degree of hydrosalpinx due to Chlamydia infection in a subject.
US07892563B2
Compositions and methods for treating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are disclosed herein. Inhibitors of SARS-associated inflammatory cytokines are provided herein for use in treating SARS, including SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection. Inhibitors of TNF are disclosed herein, as is the use of said inhibitors for treating SARS, including SARS-CoV. Methods of identifying and screening for said inhibitors are also provided.
US07892553B2
The present invention pertains to nanoparticles, comprising a metal and/or polymer core, with 7-alpha hydroxylase, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and antibodies, or antibody fragments, specific for low density lipoprotein (LDL), attached to the core. The invention also concerns methods for reducing LDL cholesterol in a human or animal subject by administering nanoparticles of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, both circulating LDL and plasma cholesterol levels are reduced in the subject.
US07892550B2
The invention provides therapeutic anti-c-met antibodies, and compositions comprising and methods of using these antibodies.
US07892549B2
The present invention concerns the treatment of disorders characterized by the overexpression of ErbB2. More specifically, the invention concerns the treatment of human patients susceptible to or diagnosed with cancer overexpressing ErbB2 with a combination of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a chemotherapeutic agent other than an anthracycline, e.g. doxorubicin or epirubicin.
US07892548B2
A novel gene (designated 121P1F1) and its encoded protein are described. While 121P1F1 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, it is aberrantly expressed in multiple cancers including prostate, bladder, kidney, brain, bone, cervical, uterine, ovarian, breast, pancreatic, stomach, colon, rectal, leukocytic, liver and lung cancers. Consequently, 121P1F1 provides a diagnostic and/or therapeutic target for cancers, and the 121P1F1 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein or a fragment thereof used to elicit an immune response.
US07892540B2
The invention features methods of diagnosis by assessing B7-H1 expression in a tissue from a subject that has, or is suspected of having, cancer, methods of treatment with agents that interfere with B7-H1-receptor interaction, methods of selecting candidate subjects likely to benefit from cancer immunotherapy, and methods of inhibiting expression of B7-H1.
US07892537B1
Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) polypeptide variants of the presently-disclosed subject matter have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (−)-cocaine, as compared to wild-type BChE. Pharmaceutical compositions of the presently-disclosed subject matter include a BChE polypeptide variant having an enhanced catalytic efficiency for (−)-cocaine. A method of the presently-disclosed subject matter for treating a cocaine-induced condition includes administering to an individual an effective amount of a BChE polypeptide variant, as disclosed herein, to lower blood cocaine concentration.
US07892528B2
Disclosed are methods for attracting and thereby controlling bedbugs. One volatizes a synthetic pheromone and generates infrared radiation adjacent the location and exposes bedbugs thereto. The pheromone volatizer and/or radiation generator are preferably incorporated into traps, bait stations and monitoring stations.
US07892527B2
An acid-gas absorbing tablet including in relatively sufficient proportions an adsorbent which may be activated carbon or silica gel or a mixture thereof, potassium carbonate, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, and potassium bicarbonate. A method of absorbing acid gases from a confined environment utilizing the above tablet by inserting it into the confined environment.
US07892517B2
Methods for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes involve the derivatization of multi- and single-wall carbon nanotubes, including small diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes, with diazonium species. The method allows the chemical attachment of a variety of organic compounds to the side and ends of carbon nanotubes. These chemically modified nanotubes have applications in polymer composite materials, molecular electronic applications, and sensor devices. The methods of derivatization include electrochemical induced reactions, thermally induced reactions, and photochemically induced reactions. Moreover, when modified with suitable chemical groups, the derivatized nanotubes are chemically compatible with a polymer matrix, allowing transfer of the properties of the nanotubes (such as, mechanical strength or electrical conductivity) to the properties of the composite material as a whole. Furthermore, when modified with suitable chemical groups, the groups can be polymerized to form a polymer that includes carbon nanotubes.
US07892513B2
Affords group III nitride crystal growth methods enabling crystal to be grown in bulk by a liquid-phase technique. One such method of growing group III nitride crystal from solution is provided with: a step of preparing a substrate having a principal face and including at least on its principal-face side a group III nitride seed crystal having the same chemical composition as the group III nitride crystal, and whose average density of threading dislocations along the principal face being 5×106 cm−2 or less; and a step of bringing into contact with the principal face of the substrate a solution in which a nitrogen-containing gas is dissolved into a group III metal-containing solvent, to grow group III nitride crystal onto the principal face.
US07892507B2
The processing of gases, in particular the exhaust gas of an internal combustion/diesel engine, entails catalytically oxidizing the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons contained therein in an oxygen-rich medium, in the presence of a metal oxidation catalyst that includes a silica-containing zirconia support.
US07892506B2
Apparatus for the combustive destruction of noxious substances comprises an annular combustion zone (C14) surrounded by the exit surface of an inwardly fired foraminous burner (C32) and surrounding the exit surface of an outwardly fired foraminous burner (C42), means (C12) for injecting a gas stream containing at least one noxious substance into the combustion zone, and means for supplying fuel gas and oxidant to the foraminous burners to effect combustion at the exit surfaces.
US07892501B2
A germicidal lamp can selectively direct germicidal light emitted within an air transporting and/or conditioning system. The system can include a housing, an emitter electrode configured within the housing, and a collector electrode configured within the housing and located downstream from the emitter electrode. The system can further include a driver electrode that can be removed from the housing through a side portion of the housing. The driver electrode can be insulated with a dielectric material and/or a catalyst. A removable trailing electrode can be configured within the housing and located downstream from the collector electrode. A first voltage source can be electrically coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, and a second voltage source can be electrically coupled to the trailing electrode. The second voltage source can be independently and selectively controllable from the first voltage source.
US07892498B2
A polyester production system employing a vertically elongated esterification reactor. The esterification reactor of the present invention is an improvement over conventional CSTR esterification reactors because, for example, in one embodiment, the reactor requires little or no mechanical agitation. Further, in one embodiment, the positioning of the inlets and outlets of the reactor provides improved operational performance and flexibility over CSTRs of the prior art.
US07892497B2
To provide an organic synthesizer that can conduct a pressure reaction and an atmospheric reaction in one organic synthesizer and can realize attachment of reaction vessels to the organic synthesizer and detachment of the reaction vessels from the organic synthesizer without applying any load to gas supply/discharge pipes. An organic synthesizer comprising a reaction vessel support part (160), which can support two or more reaction vessels, and pressure regulation means (164) for regulating the pressure within the reaction vessel supported by the reaction vessel support part (160) by supplying/discharging gas. Two or more pressure regulation means (164) are provided for each reaction vessel supported by the reaction vessel support part (160). At least one pressure regulation means (164A) in the two or more pressure regulation means (164) is constructed so as to be detachable from and attachable to the other pressure regulation means (164B). The pressure regulation means (164) comprises gas supply/discharge pipes (174a to 174d) and openings (194a to 194d) for supporting the gas supply/discharge pipes (174a to 174d). The gas supply/discharge pipes (174a to 174d) are constructed so that a part near the front end can be flexed in a vertical direction and in a lateral direction and are connected to the supported reaction vessels for gas supply and discharge.
US07892492B2
The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for studying dissolution of a compact sample. The compact sample is typically a pharmaceutical drug sample. A flow-through apparatus includes a frame defining a flow-through channel, a removable insert having a drug sample, the insert positioned within the frame such that a fluid interacts with the sample when the fluid passes through the flow channel. The frame has an opening on the top side to allow a glass plate, typically a microscope cover slip to be positioned within the frame and allow viewing of the fluid flow and interaction with the drug sample. The hydrodynamics of the fluid flow are either known or computed. Thus, dissolution can be studied and observed in view of hydrodynamic characteristics. Typically, only a small amount of sample is necessary for a study. The flow-through apparatus is designed to fit on a microscopy stage and allow visual observation of the fluid/sample interaction.
US07892489B2
A micro structure includes a silicon substrate, an adhesion layer on the silicon substrate, a bias layer on the adhesion layer, and structure layers on the adhesion layer. The two or more structure layers comprise different material compositions and a plurality of holes through at least two of the structure layers. Widths of the plurality of holes are in the range of 0.5-500 nm.
US07892484B2
The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for neutralizing bioagents, wherein bioagents comprise biowarfare agents, biohazardous agents, biological agents and/or infectious agents. The methods comprise exposing the bioagent to an organic semiconductor and exposing the bioagent and organic semiconductor to a source of energy. Although any source of energy is contemplated, in some embodiments the energy comprises visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, microwave, laser radiation, pulsed corona discharge or electron beam radiation. Exemplary organic semiconductors include DAT and DALM. In certain embodiments, the organic semiconductor may be attached to one or more binding moieties, such as an antibody, antibody fragment, or nucleic acid ligand. Preferably, the binding moiety has a binding affinity for one or more bioagents to be neutralized. Other embodiments concern an apparatus comprising an organic semiconductor and an energy source. In preferred embodiments, the methods, compositions and apparatus are used for neutralizing anthrax spores.
US07892483B2
Process for the sterilization of a steroid, in which the steroid is heat treated in the form of a wet mass comprising the steroid, water and an excipient.
US07892479B2
Methods of forming a shaped article having a matrix that contains sintered fly ash are disclosed that include forming a fly ash dough that includes fly ash and water. In one form a superplasticiser is added in the dough. A green article is formed in a desired shape from the fly ash dough that is subsequently fired so that the shaped article is hardened by sintering its fly ash matrix. In one form, the green article is cured under conditions of moderate heating and high humidity. A building element having a matrix of sintered fly ash is also disclosed.
US07892475B2
It has been discovered that the properties of sheet or film materials of broad molecular weight distribution ethylene/propylene rubber impact-modified heterophasic copolymer (ICP) can be improved by blending the ICP with a second polyolefin. The second polyolefin may be a syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP), a random copolymer (RCP) of propylene and comonomer (e.g. ethylene and/or butene) made using a Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalyst, medium density polyethylene (MDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), or low crystalline copolymer of propylene/α-olefin. Improvements include, but are not necessarily limited to, reduced motor amps, lower secant modulus, increased dart drop strength, increased gloss, reduced haze, increased elongation to yield, elimination of stress whitening, improved puncture resistance, and decreased seal initiation temperature. This sheet of film materials may be co-extruded with other resins or laminated with other materials after extrusion.
US07892473B2
A pill delivery and packing apparatus having a feeder tube for delivering pills is provided. The feeder tube has a helical delivery chute that extends between an inlet side and an exit side of the tube. The delivery chute has a helical inner contour and a rectangular cross section that corresponds to the shape of the pills. The helical delivery chute is configured such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, whereby such rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute. Independently extendable pins are used to alternately block and open the delivery chute, thus providing an escapement mechanism for dispensing pills. The tube also has an outer surface defining a helical outer contour that guides a rotatable tray on which pills are disposed. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.
US07892472B2
A moisture resistant gypsum-based product, e.g., a gypsum board, is made by adding a small amount of a siloxane to the aqueous slurry used to make the gypsum-based product along with a small amount of a dead burned magnesium oxide catalyst to enhance the curing of the siloxane. In the preferred embodiment, the siloxane is formed into an aqueous emulsion in situ with no chemical emulsifier.
US07892469B2
An intravascular catheter system for properly implanting a stent in a body lumen generally comprising a catheter having an elongated shaft with an inflatable balloon formed of compliant material and a stent mounted on the working length of the balloon. The balloon material is compliant within the working range of the balloon to provide substantial radial expansion. The wingless radially expansive balloon expands in a uniform manner, thereby producing uniform expansion and implantation of the stent. Another embodiment is directed to a balloon catheter, having a semi-compliant balloon or a noncompliant balloon formed at least in part of a block copolymer.
US07892468B2
A slit yarn wherein both side parts of the slit yarn are folded one or more times, and the folded width is substantially uniform along the direction of length of the yarn. In this slit yarn, when the width is measured at 20 or more points at intervals of 0.5 m, and the fluctuation coefficient X shown in the following Equation (1) is calculated on the basis of the average value W(avg) and the standard deviation W(σ), this X is (for example) approximately 4% or less. Furthermore, in the slit yarn of the present invention, the abovementioned folded parts are ordinarily shape-set. X(%)=W(σ)/W(avg)×100 (1)
US07892465B2
A movable mold and a slide mold are employed. There is also employed a deposition apparatus which is equipped with a deposition element such as a target electrode in the inside of a depositing chamber. A body portion and a cover member are primarily molded by the movable mold and the slide mold. The molds are opened while the body portion being left in the movable mold and while cover member being left in slide mold. The body portion left in the movable mold is deposited in the molds with its inner surface being covered with the depositing chamber. Next, the slide mold is driven so that the cover member may be registered with the deposited body portion. Then, a secondary molding resin is injected to integrate the body portion and the cover member.
US07892464B2
In the sector relating to the technology of compaction by means of vacuum vibro-compression for manufacturing slabs or blocks, the organic binder resin consists of an aqueous dispersion of acrylic prepolymer in water and a filler part consists of a hydraulic binder in an amount sufficient to fix wholly or partly the water present in the initial mix; after the vibro-compression step the rough-formed article is subjected to a hardening and curing step in conditions such as to prevent the evaporation of the mix water and subsequently to a heating step so as to obtain crosslinking of the acrylic polymer. If the acrylic binder alone is used, an article with a high degree of porosity is obtained.
US07892456B2
Disclosed is a non-photosensitive black electrode composition and a plasma display panel having a black electrode formed using the composition. The black electrode for the plasma display panel includes the non-photosensitive composition, thus yellowing does not occur on electrodes but conductivity to a transparent electrode layer is desirably assured even though typical conductive powder and various types of black pigments are used. It is possible to conduct patterning using a photolithography process due to the simultaneous development of black and bus electrodes, which can act as electrodes due to simultaneous sintering. Since it is non-photosensitive, it is possible to use various types of black pigments, thus the material cost is reduced.
US07892449B2
A main object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display using a ferroelectric liquid crystal, with the ferroelectric liquid crystal in the mono-stability state and the excellent alignment stability. To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a liquid crystal display comprising: a reactive liquid crystal side substrate having a first substrate, an electrode layer formed on the first substrate, a first alignment layer formed on the electrode layer, and a reactive liquid crystal layer with a reactive liquid crystal fixed and formed on the first alignment layer; and a counter substrate having a second substrate, an electrode layer formed on the second substrate, and a second alignment layer formed on the electrode layer, wherein the reactive liquid crystal layer of the reactive liquid crystal side substrate and the second alignment layer of the counter substrate are disposed to face each other such that a liquid crystal layer including a ferroelectric liquid crystal and a polymerized product of a polymerizable monomer is sandwiched between the reactive liquid crystal side substrate and the counter substrate.
US07892438B2
Apparatus (10) for removing sludge from a liquid reservoir, the apparatus (10) comprising buoyant float means (12), a sludge pump (24) mounted via a support arm (17) and the apparatus (10) having an upper profile so as to allow it in use to operate beneath a membrane covering at least part of the reservoir. The support arm (17) may be oscillated to move the pump in a substantially vertical plane. The buoyancy of the float means (12) may be adjusted to vary the position of floating of the apparatus (10) in the liquid.
US07892424B2
An apparatus and method for treating sewage The apparatus receives sewage at a receiving compartment and separates solids from liquids at the receiving compartment. The solids can be extracted from the receiving compartment by an auger. The liquid sewage flows through a series of treatment compartment containing rotating biological contactor discs for treatment by these rotating biological contactor discs. The rotating biological contactor discs are secured to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft and the auger are powered by a quasi-submerged turbine displaced by a flow of air.
US07892423B2
A dialysis system includes a first fluid heater, a second fluid heater, and a logic implementer configured to synchronize the duty cycles of the first and second heaters so that (i) power is not supplied to the first heater when power is supplied to the second heater and (ii) power is not supplied to the second heater when power is supplied to the first heater.
US07892422B2
A pressurized wastewater effluent chlorination system including a treatment tank defining a contact chamber and an aeration chamber. The treatment tank receives wastewater effluent. The system includes a pressure vessel within a liquid chlorine storage container positioned in or near the treatment tank. Preferably, the pressure vessel is a floating vessel having a check valve at its bottom, enabling the vessel to fill with a predetermined amount or measured charge of chlorine depending on the position of a float on the vessel. In response to a timer control or float switch, a valve operates to communicate air pressure from a compressor to the vessel to displace the measured charge of liquid chlorine into the wastewater effluent in the contact chamber. Effluent flow and air discharge into the contact chamber enhances mixing of the chlorine and the effluent.
US07892408B2
A cathodic gas diffusion electrode for the electrochemical production of aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions. The cathodic gas diffusion electrode comprises an electrically conductive gas diffusion substrate and a cathodic electrocatalyst layer supported on the gas diffusion substrate. A novel cathodic electrocatalyst layer comprises a cathodic electrocatalyst, a substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compound, a fluorocarbon polymer hydrophobic agent and binder, and a perfluoronated sulphonic acid polymer. An electrochemical cell using the novel cathodic electrocatalyst layer has been shown to produce an aqueous solution having between 8 and 14 weight percent hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, such electrochemical cells have shown stable production of hydrogen peroxide solutions over 1000 hours of operation including numerous system shutdowns.
US07892398B2
The invention relates to an aqueous dispersion of cellulose-reactive sizing agent containing an acid anhydride, an anionic polyelectrolyte and a nitrogen-containing organic compound which is an amine or quaternary ammonium thereof having a molecular weight less than 180 and/or having one or more hydroxyl groups. The invention further relates to a process for the production of paper which comprises adding the aqueous dispersion of cellulose-reactive sizing agent to an aqueous cellulosic suspension.
US07892393B2
The invention concerns a sealing liquid comprising water and a penetration agent for sealing of mail pieces, the use of said sealing liquid as well as sealing devices and franking machines containing such a sealing liquid.
US07892389B2
A reinforced fabric that includes a first fiber group and a thread. The first fiber group includes a plurality of fiber sets positioned substantially parallel to one another. Each of the fiber sets includes a plurality of fibers. The thread is formed of at least one strand of material. The thread has an outer surface that is formed of a material having a melting point that is less than the melting point of the fibers in the fiber sets. The thread is stitched about the fiber sets to at least partially maintain a position of the fiber sets relative to one another. The thread forms a plurality of heat created permanent closed loop structures in the reinforced fabric. At least one of the loop structures encircles at least one fiber set. At least one of the fibers in the fibers sets is not strongly bonded to the thread that encircles the fiber set.
US07892388B2
Disclosed is a photocurable resin composition which is highly sensitive to ultraviolet light or visible light having a long wavelength, in particular a photocurable resin composition which is useful as a sealing agent. Specifically disclosed is a photocurable resin composition containing a component (a) which is composed of an anthraquinone derivative represented by the formula (I) below, and a component (b) which is composed of a compound having a (meth)acryloyl group in the molecule. The photocurable resin composition is characterized in that a part or the entire of the component (b) further contains an oxiranyl group in the molecule, and the component (a) content is 0.01-10% by mass relative to the component (b) content. [chemical formula 1] (I) (In the formula (I), X represents a phenyl group, an alkyl group having 1-8 carbon atoms, an alcoholic form of the phenyl group or the alkyl group, or a derivative of the alcoholic form.)
US07892362B2
A detergent composition comprising an esterified substituted benzene sulfonate, a hydrogen peroxide source, a soil suspending polymer, and an organic catalyst.
US07892361B2
An in-chamber member to use in the chamber of a plasma processing vessel has a coating film formed by a coating agent. The in-chamber member having deposits formed on the coating film is separated from the chamber and is immersed into a peeling solvent, e.g., acetone. Since the coating agent is made of a resist formed of a main component of, e.g., cyclized rubber-bisazide and a photosensitive component, the deposits can be separated from the in-chamber member together with the coating film being separated.
US07892357B2
A baffle plate assembly for distributing gas flows into an adjacent process chamber containing a semiconductor wafer to be processed includes a planar gas distribution portion having a plurality of apertures therein; a flange surrounding the gas distribution portion; and an impingement device centrally attached to the gas distribution portion, wherein the device includes a cap and a stem, the stem being in thermal contact with the gas distribution portion. Also disclosed herein are plasma reactors employing the baffle plate assembly and methods for reducing recombination of species in a plasma.
US07892345B2
The invention accordingly relates to a method for preparing transparent C.I. Pigment Violet 23 by salt kneading a Pigment Violet 23-crude in the presence of a crystalline salt and an organic liquid. Said method is characterized in that the organic liquid is propylene carbonate.
US07892342B2
A white, substantially non-iron containing dental material formed from Portland cement. The material may be a dental cement, dental restorative or the like.
US07892339B2
An IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye of formula (I): wherein M is Ga(A1); A1 is selected from the group consisting of: OH and halogen; and W is a sulfonic acid group or salts thereof.
US07892338B2
The invention discloses a method for marking and authenticating a security article, such as a banknote, a document, a ticket, a foil, a thread, a label, a card, or a commercial good, so as to provide for an easy authentication of said article by a machine, such as a currency acceptor, a ticket validator, or a hand-held authentication device. According to the disclosed method, the security article carries a marking in the form of a user-defined design, wherein said marking comprises dyes or pigments belonging to an extended, or hyperchromic color space which is not reproducible by commercially available, 4-color desktop reproduction equipment. The authentication of said marking includes the mathematical transformation of the crude spectral information to statistically independent hyper-color coordinates, and the comparison of selected hyper-color coordinates with corresponding reference values.
US07892337B2
A service head for use in connection with a medical procedure in an enclosure such as an operating room. In one aspect, a service head comprises a filter adapted to be punctured by a timing pin in connection with the determination and/or communication of filter life. In another aspect, a service head comprises and RFID tag and RFID reader in connection with the determination and/or communication of filter life. In another aspect, a service head comprises wireless communication components for communicating with a surgical assembly such as an ultrasonic surgical device, electrocautery device, insufflator, laser surgical instrument, camera, surgical light source or endoscopic device.
US07892334B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a package of a volatile substance, which comprises a bag having a volatile substance with an antibacterial action enclosed therein, and a case having the bag enclosed therein, wherein the case is allowed to have a size and shape complying with the amount of a volatile substance having permeated the bag so that the shape of the case can be adapted to the volumes and shapes of various air conditioners, while the volatile substance can be volatilized at a predetermined rate. The package of a volatile substance according to the invention comprises a source generating the volatile substance, and a case which has the volatile-substance source enclosed therein and which has a wall at least a part of which is made of a gas-permeable resin, wherein the case is characterized in that a value expressed by the formula X×Z/Y is 200000 to 1500000 wherein X represents the surface area (mm2) of the wall; Y represents the thickness (mm) of the wall; and Z represents the vaporization amount (mg/day) of the volatile substance volatilized by the volatile-substance source per day in an atmosphere at 30° C.
US07892333B2
The purpose of the invention is a treatment device fitting in a filter, particularly a particle filter (1) or a combined filter of a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning installation for a vehicle cabin, to prevent the development of microorganisms on the surfaces of such an installation. This device is composed mainly of a permeable container (6) for a volatile treatment agent, and comprises means for attachment of the container (6) to the filter (1) between the folds of the filter structure (3) making up the filter, so that the container (6) can be installed on any filter (1) in an existing installation to prevent the development of microorganisms on the surfaces of such an installation.
US07892330B2
The image forming apparatus includes: a head which ejects droplets of liquid in accordance with an image signal; a sub tank which is integrated with the head; a liquid holding chamber which is arranged in the sub tank and has an intake port and an outflow port, the liquid being supplied to the liquid holding chamber through the intake port and supplied to the head through the outflow port; an air connection channel which is arranged in the sub tank and has a suction port through which air is sucked; a dividing plate which is provided in the sub tank and divides the liquid holding chamber from the air connection channel; a gas/liquid separating member which is disposed in a portion of the dividing plate and allows only air to pass between the liquid holding chamber and the air connection channel; a supply connection device which is capable of connecting with the intake port and the suction port; a liquid holding tank which is connected to the supply connection device and capable of communicating with the liquid holding chamber through the intake port; a suction device which is connected to the supply connection device and capable of communicating with the air connection channel through the suction port; and a judgment device which judges whether or not replacement of the gas/liquid separating member is required in accordance with a state of contact between the gas/liquid separating member and a surface of the liquid in the liquid holding chamber.
US07892323B2
The management of hydrogen in hydrogen-containing streams associated with petrochemical process units wherein the hydrogen-containing stream is subjected rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption to increase the concentration of hydrogen therein.
US07892315B2
Disclosed are a solid-solution powder, a method for preparing the solid-solution powder, a cermet powder including the solid-solution powder, a method for preparing the cermet powder, a cermet using the cermet powder and a method to prepare the cermet. According to the present invention, the problem of low toughness due to high hardness that conventional cermets (especially TiC or Ti(CN) based cermet) have is resolved because a complete solid-solution phase without core/rim structure is provided to the cermets as a microstructure thereof, and in which further increased the hardness as well as the toughness, thereby substantially and considerably increasing general mechanical properties of materials using the cermet, and thus substituting WC—Co hard material and allowing manufacturing of cutting tools with high hardness and toughness.
US07892314B2
The present invention provides powder metal compositions and methods of making and using the same. Powder metal compositions according to the invention include base metal particles, a lubricant that transforms from a solid phase material to a viscous, liquid phase material during pressing, and a micronized deformable solid material. The micronized deformable solid material fills at least a portion of the void space between the base metal particles during pressing, which allows at least a portion of the lubricant to migrate as a viscous liquid phase material to the interface between the surface of the green compact and the wall of the mold cavity to provide lubrication that reduces the ejection force necessary to remove the green compact from the mold cavity.
US07892311B2
The present invention relates to the use of ulvans, in particular extracted from green algae of the genus Ulva or Enteromorpha, or of ulvan-derived oligosaccharides, as elicitors of mechanisms for nitrogen absorption and protein synthesis.It also relates to a fertilizing product containing ulvans and to the use thereof in a plant treatment method.
US07892310B2
A method of treating bio waste including the steps of (1) fermenting substantially raw biowaste in a pathogen reduction stage under anaerobic conditions for a predetermined period at a temperature in the mesophillic temperature range and (2) subsequently separating the solid and liquid phases to produce a fermented cake and fermented liquor. The fermented cake has at least 15% solids on dry basis and contains over 500 mg/L ammonia, over 1,000 mg/L total Volatile Fatty Acids (tVFA) and Escherichia coli less than 100,000 cfu per g dry solids. The fermented liquor contains over 10,000 mg/L COD, over 500 mg/L ammonia, over 1,000 mg/L tVFA and less than 5,000 mg/L of suspended solids.
US07892305B2
Object of the present invention is to provide a dust collecting device (100) for a vacuum cleaner of which dust collecting performance is improved. For this, the dust collecting device (100) includes a primary cyclone unit (110) having two parallel primary cyclones (111,112) for separating dust form air introduced therein by a cyclone principle, and a secondary cyclone (120) unit at a downstream of the primary cyclones (111,112) for cleaning the air again by the cyclone principle.
US07892299B2
Nanoparticle catalysts are manufactured by first preparing a solution of a solvent and a plurality of complexed catalyst atoms. Each of the complexed catalyst atoms has at least three organic ligands. The complexed catalyst atoms are reduced to form a plurality of nanoparticles. During formation of the nanoparticles, the organic ligands provide spacing between the catalyst atoms via steric hindrances and/or provide interactions with a support material. The spacing and interactions with the support material allow formation of small, stable, and uniform nanoparticles. The supported nanoparticle catalyst is then incorporated into a fuel cell electrode.
US07892291B2
An implant for deployment in select locations or select tissue for regeneration of tissue is disclosed. The implant includes collagen and or other bio-resorbable materials, where the implant may also be used for therapy delivery. Additionally, the implant may include, or have blended in, an additive, such as an osteoinductive factor, for example biocompatible ceramics and glass.
US07892290B2
An intramedullary implant for mounting within an intramedullary canal of a bone is disclosed. The intramedullary implant includes a lower stem portion, an upper stem portion, and a modular sleeve body. The modular sleeve body is connected to one of the lower stem portion or the upper stem portion. The sleeve body includes an inner portion that covers at least a segment of the upper stem portion and has one or more longitudinally extending bone engagement members for engagement with the bone.
US07892287B2
A augmented glenoid implant assembly for use in performing shoulder arthroplasty is provided. The augmented glenoid implant assembly is used for cooperation with the glenoid fossa of a scapula. The implant assembly includes a first component for attachment to the scapula. The first component defines a support surface for cooperation with the glenoid fossa, a second surface positioned adjacent a buttress formed in the glenoid fossa and an assembly surface. The implant assembly also includes a second component removably secured to the first component. The second component includes an assembly face of the second component. The assembly surface of the second component is in close approximation to the assembly surface of the first component. The second component further includes an articulating surface opposed to the assembly surface.
US07892285B2
A vertebral disc replacement includes superior and inferior end plates separated by a leaf spring. The leaf spring includes two opposed legs that extend from a floating intermediate portion of the leaf spring to the superior end plate and two opposed legs that extend from the floating intermediate portion to the inferior end plate. The disc replacement device is compact and provides freedom of movement along three axes, translational along the caudal/cranial axis, lateral bending and flexion/extension.
US07892276B2
A valve for use in a body lumen, where the valve includes a valve leaflet with delayed leaflet deployment relative an in vivo implant time. The valve includes a valve frame, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame. The valve leaflet includes a commissure that can reversibly seal for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve, and a biodegradable adhesive between the valve leaflet and the valve frame to hold at least the commissure of the valve leaflet in a static relationship relative the valve frame for a predetermined time once implanted in vivo.
US07892273B2
Apparatus and methods for delivering prosthetic segments to a body lumen, utilize a device having an elongated flexible member including proximal and distal ends, a plurality of prosthetic segments releasably arranged axially along the elongated flexible member near the distal end and an outer sheath slidably disposed over at least a portion of the prosthetic segments. The apparatus further includes a separator disposed on the outer sheath and adapted to engage the prosthetic segments. The separator is also adapted to be retracted proximally over the prosthetic segments and advanced distally to separate a proximal group of the prosthetic segments from a distal group of the prosthetic segments which are to be deployed in the body lumen.
US07892261B2
To change a spatial relationship between two or more bones in a patient's body, a wedge member is moved into a joint between the bones. As the wedge member enters the joint, pivotal movement occurs between the bones to change the orientation of the bones relative to each other. The wedge member may have a circular cross sectional configuration and be moved into the joint by rotating the wedge member about an axis which extends between a thin leading edge portion and a thick trailing edge portion of the wedge member. Alternatively, the wedge member may have a cam-shaped configuration and be rotated through less than a revolution to apply force against the bones. The wedge member may have a porous construction which enables bone to grow through the wedge member and immobilize the joint. The wedge member may be coated with and/or contain bone growth promoting material. The wedge member may be connected to only one of the bones or may be connected to two adjacent bones. If the wedge member is connected to only one bone, the joint may be capable of being flexed after the wedge member is inserted into the joint.
US07892259B2
A bone anchoring device includes a receiving part for receiving a rod, the receiving part having a first bore coaxial with a longitudinal axis and a second bore. The bone anchoring device also includes an anchoring element having a first end for insertion into the bone and a second end positionable within a second bore, the second end having a spherically shaped surface portion. The bone anchoring device further has a locking device provided to the second bore of the receiving part The locking device protrudes from an inner wall of the second bore and engages with a recessed surface portion of the second end of the anchoring element, such that the anchoring element is pivotable relative to the receiving part around a single axis of rotation. The locking device may comprise pins inserted into through holes formed in the receiving part, which engage with the recessed surface portion of the second end.
US07892257B2
An assembly and method thereof comprising a screw head comprising an expandable bulbous end; a fixator component configured for receiving the bulbous end of the screw head; a load sharing mechanism positioned in between the bulbous end of the screw head and the bone fixator component, wherein the load sharing mechanism provides tensile resistance to the screw head; a pin mounted in the screw head; and a blocker adapted to engage the screw head. The screw head comprises a slot configured for receiving a longitudinal member. The load sharing mechanism may comprise any of a wave washer, a collapsible hollow washer, a coiled spring, and a flexible washer. Furthermore, the load sharing mechanism may comprise a washer having an outer surface with a plurality of cutout portions configured therein.
US07892256B2
A suture tape construct is made of braided high strength surgical suture material. A length of round braided suture extends along the entire length of the suture tape. A middle portion of the suture tape features a flat braid added to the round braided suture. The suture is incorporated centrally into the flat braid, providing a backbone to the construct. Transition sections at either end of the flat braid are tapered to allow the suture tape to pass easily through openings during surgical procedures. The suture tape is a braided construction of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber blended with fibers of one or more long chain synthetic polymers, preferably polyester. The suture tape is indicated for high demand orthopedic repairs such as arthroscopic reconstruction for acromioclavicular joint separation, for example. The broad footprint of the suture tape is appropriate for repairs in degenerative cuff tissue where tissue pull-through may be a concern.
US07892249B2
A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
US07892246B2
The subject invention provides devices and methods for closing and sealing an opening in a conduit. The subject devices consist of an implantable flexible member adapted to conform to and seal with an inner surface of a conduit and further adapted to utilize the internal conduit pressure exerted thereon to form a substantially fluid-tight seal with the inner surface of the conduit whereby substances are prevented from leaking from the opening under normal physiological conditions. In the subject methods, a subject device is provided and positioned inside a conduit, operatively aligned over an opening to be sealed. The device is conformed to and sealed with an inner surface of the conduit and a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed between the device and the inner surface of the conduit utilizing the internal conduit pressure whereby substances within the conduit are prevented from leaking from the opening under normal physiological conditions.
US07892244B2
A surgical clip assembly which includes a pair of generally linear compression elements for securing tissue between them and for applying to the secured tissue a compression force. The clip assembly has an initial, open position in which the linear compression elements may be positioned about tissue to be secured between them. The assembly also has a final, closed position where the compression elements are substantially parallel to each other, applying a compressive force to the secured tissue. The clip assembly also includes a force means disposed between the pair of compression elements and operative to transmit operational forces between them.
US07892242B2
A medical instrument captures and removes very large intraocular foreign bodies. The foreign bodies may have an irregular shape, a low coefficient of friction, and be made of non-magnetic materials. A fixed position hollow rod is mounted to a leading end of an elongate base and a lid is mounted to the distal end of the hollow rod. A control rod is slideably received within the hollow rod and a control knob slideably mounted on the elongate base is connected to the control rod to control extension and retraction of the control rod. A silicone basket depends from a rim formed at the distal end of the control rod. A silicone wire interconnects the hollow rod and a bottom of the basket so that the basket is drawn parallel to the control rod when the control rod is extended. The lid covers the basket when the control rod is retracted.
US07892239B2
A spinal spacer system includes a handle member, an extension member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the extension member is coupled to the handle member. Additionally, a coupling device configured to selectively couple a spacer to the second end of the extension member is disposed on the extension member including an angular fixation member configured to fix the spacer in an angular position relative to the handle member. The spinal spacer system also includes an actuator configured to selectively actuate the coupling device and the angular fixation member. The spacer of the present exemplary spinal spacer system includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a rotatably coupleable engagement member disposed on the proximal end of the spacer. According to one exemplary embodiment, the coupling device includes a single protruding member extending from the second end of the extension member.
US07892238B2
Systems, devices, and methods suitable for use with procedures performed at least partially percutaneously are provided. In some procedures, two or more access devices for providing access to adjacent surgical locations within a patient are used. Certain embodiments of the access device comprise an elongate body having a distal end with one or more cutouts. The cutouts on adjacent access devices are generally aligned with each other to permit passage of a portion of a fixation element from one access device to the other access device. A fastener with an elongated removable head may be delivered to the surgical site through the access device. After a distal end of the fastener is secured to the surgical site, a portion of the elongated housing is detached from the remainder of the fastener and removed from the patient.
US07892237B1
A surgical access device includes a tubular housing having two ends. Each end of the tubular housing has an opening there-through. A malleable bulbous exterior region is present along a portion of the tubular housing. The malleable bulbous exterior region is sufficiently adaptable to be compression fit within a bone tunnel. A flanged opening is provided at one of the ends of the tubular housing. A seal may be provided integral with the flanged opening.
US07892234B2
An intramedullary nail having a distal end is introducible into a medullary space. A medullary nail segment which is oriented towards the distal end and has a diameter D, a proximal end, at least two cross holes having a borehole axis and a central line formed by a line connecting centers of gravity of the axially successive transversal surfaces orthogonal with respect to the intramedullary nail, without taking into account the cross holes. The borehole axis of at least one cross-hole is shifted at a gap d1>0 with respect to the central line.
US07892228B2
A dual mode lesion formation apparatus and associated methods. A dual mode lesion formation apparatus may include a probe component having an energy transmission element carried on a shaft, a clamp component mountable on the clamp member and including a temperature sensor, a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The first electrical connector is operably connected to a probe component energy transmission element. The second electrical connector is operably connected to a probe component energy transmission element and to a clamp component temperature sensor.
US07892227B2
Systems and methods for treating a tissue of an eye with a laser beam include at least one processor that determines angles between a curved surface and a laser beam, controlling an ablative treatment in response to the angles. Angles between a surface of a cornea and a laser beam may be mapped over a treatment area. A mapped area may include an apex of a cornea displaced from a center of a pupil of an eye. Ablation properties may be determined locally in response to the incident angle of a laser beam with respect to a local slope of a tissue surface. The treatment area may be ablated using local ablation properties to form a desired surface shape.
US07892224B2
A method for determining and representing possible entry and/or target areas for positioning catheters in an area on the basis of functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data of the area, includes: indicating at least one entry area of the catheter or at least one target area of the catheter; determining at least one target area of the catheter based on the at least one indicated entry area of the catheter and taking into consideration specified catheter positioning guidelines and the functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data of the area, or at least one entry area of the catheter based on the at least one indicated target area of the catheter and taking into consideration specified catheter positioning guidelines and the functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data of the area; and representing the functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data with the at least one indicated entry area and the at least one determined target area, or representing the functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data with the at least one indicated target area and the at least one determined entry area.
US07892216B2
An infusion set comprises a base member (60), an introducer cap (64), and an infusion cap (54). The base member (60) preferably comprises a soft cannula (52) extending from a lower side (118) of the base member (60), and a port (62) on an upper side (92) thereof. The port (62) is configured to be in fluid communication with the cannula (52). The port (62) also comprises a septum (130) adapted to seal the port (62) against unwanted fluid flow. The introducer cap (64) is adapted to be mounted to the base member (60) and has a needle (66) adapted to extend through the septum (130) and said soft cannula (52) in an assembled position. The infusion cap (54) comprises a lumen (160) adapted to receive an elongate flexible tube (162). The infusion cap (54) also comprises a hard cannula (170) adapted to be inserted through the septum (130) and to place said soft cannula (52) in fluid communication with said lumen (160).
US07892215B2
An insert for joining sheaths for use in a medical device is described. The insert has a first end including a first operative coupling and a second end including a second operative coupling. The first operative coupling is for engaging a first tube at its distal end, and the second operative coupling is for engaging a second tube at its proximal end. The insert also includes a first passageway extending through the insert from the second end to an exit port disposed between the first operative coupling and the second operative coupling. This disclosure also provides a catheter including such an insert, and a method of assembling a catheter.
US07892211B2
The disposable unit dose pharmaceutical delivery system may be used by trained medical personnel for intradermal or subcutaneous injections in applications currently being serviced by conventional pre-filled syringes. The delivery system may also be used by personnel with little or no medical training for mass immunizations in underdeveloped parts of the world, insulin injections, and/or emergency epinephrine injections. The delivery system includes an envelope with a tear-away section and a dispensing section. When the tear-away section has been removed, a needle is exposed and is ready for insertion in the patient. The dispensing portion is squeezed between the thumb and forefinger to inject the pharmaceutical into the patient. The exterior surface of the envelope may be used for advertising by a pharmaceutical producer, a supplier or otherwise.
US07892210B2
An improved apparatus, method and system are provided for medical liquid administration, including in particular liquid medication and/or flush solution infusions. The inventive apparatus includes a barrel, a plunger slidably disposed within the barrel and extending from a distal end thereof, and at least one medical liquid delivery line having a proximal end fixedly positioned relative to the barrel, wherein the medical delivery line is fluidly interconnectable proximal to the plunger and extends along at least a portion of the barrel and in a direction distally away from the distal end thereof. To accommodate the administration of both a liquid medication and flush solution, two coincidentally-positioned medical liquid delivery lines may be included, each of which may extend through the plunger to the valve. The valve may be positionable to accommodate the selective administration of a desired medical liquid through an interconnected catheter interconnection line.
US07892201B1
The present invention provides improved methods for forming and mounting a sleeve on a catheter shaft in order to form a distensible balloon catheter. The balloon is formed from a distensible sleeve that is treated to render one or both of its ends essentially non-distensible. The balloon is mounted on the catheter shaft by the non-distensible ends, without compromising the distensible operative portion of the balloon. The balloon may also be mounted using non-distensible tape or similar means to achieve a similar result.
US07892196B2
A continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) device adapted to be worn on a portion of the body of a patient. The CRRT device is worn by the patient and operates on rechargeable batteries for more than 5 hours. Dialysate is used to remove impurities from the blood. The dialysate is recycled and refreshed by a filter section. Less than one liter of dialysate is required to circulate through the wearable CRRT device.
US07892194B2
A dynamic hand splint includes as elements thereof: a forearm support section and a hand support section that are configured to be releasably attached to a forearm; and one or more finger tensioners that are releasably attached to the hand support section and that are configured to be releasably attached to a respective finger such that, when the finger is flexed from an extended position toward a flexed position, the finger is urged by the finger tensioner toward an extended position. A method includes: attaching a forearm support section and a hand support section to a forearm; attaching finger tensioners to the hand support section; and attaching each of the finger tensioners to a respective finger such that, when the finger is flexed from an extended position toward a flexed position, the finger is urged by the finger tensioner toward an extended position.
US07892188B2
Methods, apparatus and systems for characterizing changes in at least one physical property of soft tissue. A series of acoustic pulses is generated and directed into the soft tissue such that at least one of the pulses is of sufficiently high intensity to induce physical displacement of the tissue. Waves reflected off the tissue, or a flexible member that moves with the tissue, are received and measured to estimate at least one characteristic of the physical displacement induced thereby. Repetition of the generating, receiving and estimating steps provides characterization of the at least one physical property over time. Methods, apparatus and systems for characterizing at least one physical property of blood, by generating a series of acoustic pulses and directing the series of pulses into the blood such that at least one of the pulses is of sufficiently high intensity to induce physical displacement of the blood. Acoustic pulses and/or optical waves reflected from the blood, or a flexible member in contact with the blood that moves with the blood, are received and measured to estimate at least one characteristic of the physical displacement induced thereby.
US07892183B2
A body fluid sampling system is provided for use on a tissue site. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cartridge; a penetrating member driver; a plurality of penetrating members arranged in a radial configuration on the cartridge wherein sharpened distal tips of the penetrating members point radially outward; wherein an active one of the penetrating members may be operatively coupled to the penetrating member driver, the penetrating member driver moving the active one along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stopping in the tissue site, and withdrawing out of the tissue site; and a plurality of analyte detecting members, wherein at least one of the analyte detecting members is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the active one of the penetrating members, wherein the detecting members are not pierced by the active one of the penetrating members.
US07892175B2
Within the tip portion of a cylindrical shaped sheath a capacitive ultrasonic transducer which is an array type two-dimensionally arrayed on the outer surface of the cylindrical face is disposed. Capacitive ultrasonic transducer units employ m capacitive ultrasonic transducer elements arrayed in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical face as a division unit, thereby providing an arrangement wherein the respective capacitive ultrasonic transducer units are readily disposed in the circumferential direction, whereby radial scanning or the like can be performed within a body cavity.
US07892174B2
A surgical access system includes retractor for creating an access path between an incision site and a surgical site. The retractor includes a frame having a base member and a pair of generally curved rails extending therefrom. A tubular member is coupled to the frame and includes first and second blade portions that are capable of relative movement with respect to each other by movement on the curved rails. A method of inserting the retractor into a patient includes inserting a guide rod over a guide wire, locating an obturator in the retractor, inserting the obturator and retractor over the guide rod, and removing both the guide rod and obturator to leave the retractor in the body to provide the access path.
US07892173B2
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US07892172B2
A wound retractor for retracting a surgical incision includes an inner ring, an outer ring and a distensible sleeve coupled to the inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes at least a pair of circular tubes coupled to each other. At least one of the circular tubes includes a lumen and a split that forms open ends. A noncompliant tubular hoop having a split therein is positioned in the lumen. The tubular hoop is oriented with its open ends positioned away from the split of the circular tubes. A core is positioned in the lumen of the tubular hoop. The core has a first end and a second end and is oriented with the ends positioned away from the split in the tubular hoop. The circular tubes may be parallel or may form a helical pattern similar to a Mobius strip.
US07892170B2
A surgical access system includes a tubular member defining a longitudinal axis and having an axial lumen. The tubular member includes a braided material adapted to expand from a first initial condition having a first cross-sectional dimension to a second expanded condition having a second-cross sectional dimension greater than the first cross-sectional dimension. The tubular member defines an oblique end surface. An access housing is mounted to the tubular member. The access housing is dimensioned for engagement by the user. A process for manufacturing a surgical access device is also disclosed.
US07892168B2
There is provided a confocal endoscope system which is provided with an electronic endoscope having a confocal optical unit configured to emit illumination light toward an object and to obtain only light from a certain point of the object, and a processor to which the light obtained by the confocal optical unit is inputted. The processor is provided with an image processing unit that generates image data representing an image of the object based on the light transmitted from the confocal optical unit, and a measuring information superimposing unit that generates composite image data representing a composite image generated by superimposing measuring information for measuring the object on the image generated by the image processing unit. The measuring information superimposing unit determines a display condition of the measuring information on the composite image in accordance with an imaging area of the confocal optical unit.
US07892162B1
Devices and methods are disclosed for implanting, positioning, removing and replacing devices that penetrate an artery.
US07892161B2
A sheet folding unit, including: a first folding roller configured to rotate around a first axis; a second folding roller configured to rotate around a second axis which is in parallel with the first axis and biased to the first folding roller separably to a separating direction to make a nip together with the first folding roller therebetween; a blade configured to push a surface of a sheet into the nip; and a roller cover configured to move together with the second folding roller in the separating direction to prevent the second folding roller contacting the sheet when the blade unit starts contacting the sheet.
US07892158B2
A pushup apparatus having a centered T-Tube, right and left Slide Tube, a medial and lateral Stop Ring located on each Slide Tube. The T-Tube will contain a hole/knotch on both the right and left side that will receive the Locking Pin Assembly from the corresponding right and left Slide Tube. The T-Tube and Slide Tubes will insert into a Foot and the Foot will be finished with a Foot Grip. The right side Slide Tube has a Handle, Handle Cap, Handle Grip assembly that moves freely and independent along the linear path of the right side Slide Tube between its respective medial and lateral Stop Rings. The left side Slide Tube has a Handle, Handle Cap, Handle Grip assembly that moves freely and independent along the linear path of the left side Slide Tube between its respective medial and lateral Stop Rings. The free independent motion will be achieved by use of Linear Bearing Assemblies. The Linear Bearing Assembly is affixed within the Handle, Handle Cap, Handle Grip assembly. The free and independent movement forces the user to create the symmetry during the movement of the exercise, thus engaging the stabilizer muscles of the bodies trunk. The right and left Slide Tube will have a Locking Pin Assembly at their medial ends that will connect to holes/knotches in the T-Tube.
US07892157B2
A technique for exercise and strength training is disclosed. The technique involves a device that can be affixed to a support point which can allow the user to exercise using body weight. In one embodiment, the stability of the device can be adjusted by varying the position of a stability member.
US07892146B2
A rocking type exercising apparatus includes a movable unit on which a user rides, a driving unit for causing the movable unit to perform a rocking motion, and a rocking motion changing unit for changing the rocking motion of the movable unit driven to rock by the driving unit. The rocking type exercising apparatus also includes a display unit, responsive to the change in the rocking motion caused by the rocking motion changing unit, for displaying loads to be applied to a plurality of body regions of the user.
US07892144B2
A method for operating a motor vehicle drivetrain with at least an automatic transmission and a drive motor. The automatic transmission includes at least five shifting elements to transmit torque and/or power. In each forward and reverse gear a maximum of two shifting elements are disengaged while the remaining shifting elements are engaged. Two consecutive gearshifts are carried out through selection of the five shifting elements. During a first gearshift, implemented as a multiple gearshift, a subsequent second gearshift, implemented as either a single or multiple gearshift, is prepared. During the first gearshift, a first shifting element is disengaged, a second shifting element is engaged, a third shifting element is prepared for disengagement in a subsequent second gearshift and a fourth shifting element is prepared for engagement. Further, during the first gearshift and the subsequent second gearshift, a fifth shifting element is retained in at least a substantially engaged state.
US07892138B2
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting devices, four fixed interconnections and a grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members, and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and with the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07892133B2
The present invention includes novel apparatus and methods for engaging and disengaging a locking differential. In an embodiment, an assembly for use with a locking differential is provided. The assembly includes an actuator, a housing, a shaft, a pair of biasing members, a side gear, and a locking pin. The actuator is arranged to move the assembly from a first position to a second position. The housing is coupled to the actuator. The first biasing member biases the housing, and the second biasing member biases the housing and shaft. The side gear includes an aperture for engaging the locking pin. The locking pin is coupled to the shaft such that the biasing of the shaft determines whether the locking pin is biased into engagement with the aperture or out of engagement with the aperture.
US07892132B2
This invention relates to a transmission system for transmitting a driving force from a driving unit D to a driven unit F, a transmission adjustment system for adjusting the transmission system to obtain a continuous shift ratio, a guide cone system for maintaining a concentric circle of a rotation radius when a transmission element such as a chain is rotated, a guide cone/transmission adjustment system and a continuously variable transmission system which are made by combination of the above systems. The transmission system includes the transmission element with a tooth portion for transmitting the driving force from the driving unit D to the driven unit F. A transmission adjustment method in the transmission adjustment system is varied depending upon rotation or stop of a carrier. The guide cone system includes a guide cone having a portion of which comes in contact with the transmission element is formed in a shape of a cone having a constant slope. A coupling method of the above systems and an input/output method are selected in the continuously variable transmission system. With the above construction, this invention can be applied without being restricted to the output capacity of the engine, have a simple construction, and transmit a rotation force to an output shaft from an input shaft with high efficiency to reduce energy. Particularly, this invention is widely applied to an industrial machinery as well as a transportation machinery.
US07892121B2
In a motorcycle having a V-belt type continuously variable transmission, a resin washer made of a nylon resin is interposed between a boss fixed to a moving sheave half of a secondary sheave and a spring bearing member. The boss contacts the spring bearing member through the resin washer, whereby the moving sheave half is restricted to a Top position, in which a spacing between it and a stationary sheave half becomes maximum. In this manner, the maximum speed is not changed by exchange of the V-belt, the V-belt does not slip or become considerably abraded or deteriorated, and noise generation is suppressed.
US07892110B2
A training apparatus for temporarily increasing the weight of a golf club head has a body member having a perimeter profile which may at least partially mimic that of the golf club head and has a substantially flat surface for positioning adjacent the striking face of the golf club head. When fixed to the head of a golf club, the training apparatus increases the weight of the club and redistributes the center of gravity closer to the club head, allowing the golfer to benefit more from warm-up swings prior to actual play. The training apparatus may be formed of metal and contains a cutout or cavity in which a magnetic material resides to enable temporary attachment to the club head. In various other embodiments, the body member of the training apparatus may be substantially formed from either all metal or all magnetic material. In still other embodiments, a kit contains a golf club, the training apparatus, and a mechanism for removably attaching the training apparatus to or from the head of the golf club, such mechanism may be a magnet disposed in either the golf club head or the training apparatus. The size, profile and weight of the training apparatus may be modified to accommodate use with either right-handed, left-handed, women's and juniors golf clubs.
US07892107B2
A golf club comprising a grip, a shaft having a first end and a second end, with the first end of the shaft having the grip disposed upon it, a shaft cap disposed at the second end of the shaft, and a head having a face portion and a hosel portion with the second end of the shaft having the shaft cap disposed on the shaft coupled to the head.
US07892097B2
A gaming system includes a communication network, a portable data storage device having information associated with a player stored therein and a plurality of gaming units communicatively coupled to the communication network. Each of the gaming units includes an interface for reading and for storing information within the portable data storage device. The gaming system also includes a network computer communicatively coupled to the communication network and the plurality of gaming units. The network computer is programmed to enable the player to play a group of the plurality of gaming units in a particular sequence based on the information associated with the player stored within the portable data storage device.
US07892092B2
Systems and methods for awarding bonuses associated with gaming machines are disclosed. A bonus system host generates and transmits bonus event information to a gaming machine for display. The bonus system can be associated with a player tracking network including a remote player tracking host and a player tracking device at a gaming machine, which can include a controller and display. Alternatively, no player tracking device exists at the gaming machine, and bonus information is sent to a display on the gaming machine itself. A bonus can be awarded independent of the outcome of play on the gaming machine, and can be a themed bonus. Bonus event results for a specific player can be carried over to a following instance of a game played by that specific player. One form of bonus can be improved pay tables, with odds calculated as a function of player play within the bonus system.
US07892087B1
A gaming system includes a game server and a client server. The client server requests random numeric outcomes from the game server and supplies various state and game information. The game server generates one or more random numeric outcomes. The game server communicates the random numeric outcomes to the client server to be used in making a win determination. For purposes of future authentication, the game server stores a digitally-signed file that includes the random numeric outcomes and the state and game information.
US07892081B2
A gaming device having wild indicator symbols associated with symbols displayed within a display device on a set of reels. The wild indicator symbols may also be associated with a card or plurality of cards within a display device. A processor determines whether the wild indicators will be associated with the symbols or cards and also determines if the wild indicators will be activated. If the wild indicators are activated, the processor transforms those symbols or cards associated with the wild indicators into wild symbols or wild cards.
US07892077B2
Ridge strip apparatus. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US07892074B2
A surface modifying apparatus, system, article, and method are disclosed for modifying a surface by surface modification, whereby inserts of surface modifying elements are quickly and easily replaceable on a carrier assembly therefor without being damaged during use.
US07892071B2
A method of reducing the surface roughness of articulating surfaces of orthopaedic implants is provided. The method includes the steps of providing an abrasive particle providing a chemical including at least one of an oxidant, a corrosion inhibitor, a complexing agent and a surfactant, combining the chemical with the abrasive particle to form a slurry, and polishing the implant with the slurry.
US07892065B2
The system comprises a plurality of modular blocks (10, 14) of nonmagnetic material, to be assembled to create compositions imitating, for example, a building, a doll, an animal, a vehicle or any other fancying assembly; a framework for connecting the blocks, comprises a plurality of magnetic frame members (11, 12) removably disposable into corresponding seatings (13, 17) in each modular block (10, 14), or between adjacent blocks of the composition. The modular blocks (11, 12) and the magnetic frame members of framework have shoulder surfaces (18, 19) mutually engageable in the assembled condition of the assembly.
US07892056B2
A water cooling apparatus in a power transmission system of a boat propulsion system includes a transmission unit that changes the speed of an output from an engine and then transmits the output to a propeller shaft. The transmission unit includes a cylindrical transmission case with an axis extending vertically, a transmission device housed in the transmission case and arranged to change the speed of an input, and a cooling water passage formed in the transmission case for flowing cooling water. In the plan sectional view of the transmission unit, the cooling water passage is formed in at least one of a side portion or a rear portion of the transmission case. As a result, strain on a rear portion of a hull that supports a boat propulsion unit is prevented and minimized, while a transmission unit is sufficiently cooled with cooling water.
US07892055B2
A motor including an intake-side conduit member disposed outside a casing that makes a connection between a cooling water intake section of a water pump and an intake hole, and a cooling water relay section provided outside the casing. The cooling water relay section communicates with a cooling water supply passage in the casing. A discharge-side conduit member that is disposed outside the casing connects the cooling water relay section to a cooling water discharge section of the water pump. Additionally, the other end of a transmission cooling conduit member that is branched from the cooling water relay section is connected to a water jacket of the transmission. The conduit members are preferably flexible hose members, for example. Accordingly, this unique construction improves a cooling water piping layout around a water pump, a discharge performance of the water pump, and an assembly workability of a motor.
US07892049B1
An electrical connector assembly having a wiring harness terminal includes a body and a protrusion. The protrusion extends from the body, and is configured to mate with the wiring harness terminal. The protrusion comprises six sides. Four of the sides have a first length, and two of the sides having a second length that is different from the first length.
US07892048B2
An electrical connector (1), connected with a cable (5), comprises an insulative housing (2) having a plurality of cavities, a plurality of terminals (3) received in the cavities, and a latching member (4) attached to the housing. The latching member has a base plate (40) and a plurality of silos (44) extending from the base plate. A diameter of a channel (48) in each of the silos is slightly larger than a diameter of a corresponding wire (50) of the cable. During assembly of the connector and the cable, the wires of the cable extend through the channels of the latching member prior to connection of the terminals and the wires.
US07892046B2
A telecommunications module (10) has contacts (12, 14, 16) for connecting wires therewith, the contacts (12, 14, 16) being arranged in a number of substantially parallel rows, which is three or a multiple of three, at least one row of contacts (12, 14, 16) which is assigned to transmit a specific signal, such as a POTS, a line or a DSLAM signal, being assigned to transmit a different signal than any adjacent row of contacts within each multiple of three rows.
US07892034B2
A smart card connector adapted to receive and place a smart card in a reading position is disclosed. The smart card connector comprises a contact support; a plurality of reading contacts attached to the contact support at a terminating end thereof, each of the reading contacts comprising a contact bulge for contacting a contact pad of the smart card and at least one control bulge for pivoting the contact bulge into contact with the contact pad of the smart card; a sliding element slidably mounted in the contact support so as to be movable between an initial position and an end position, the sliding element comprising a contact actuating member that engages the at least one control bulge as the sliding element moves toward the end position and presses the contact bulge against the contact pad of the smart card as the smart card reaches its reading position.
US07892031B1
A lamp assembly includes a light source, a contact base, a center contact and an outer contact. The contact base extends from a lower end to an upper end along a center axis. The upper end is interconnected with the light source and the lower end is configured to be received in a socket to mate the contact base with the socket. The center contact is disposed proximate the lower end of the contact base and is electronically coupled with the light source. The outer contact includes a ring body and an elongated contact tine. The ring body encircles the center contact proximate the lower end of the contact base. The center contact and the outer contact are mechanically and electrically coupled with the socket and electrically join the light source with an electric ground reference.
US07892022B2
A jumper connector for connecting lighting components to one another includes a connector body having a mating surface configured to engage more than one lighting component, where the connector body is configured to be secured to a substrate by a fastener. The jumper connector also includes a conductor held by the body, wherein the conductor is configured to be electrically connected to more than one lighting component during the same manufacturing step in which the connector body is secured to the substrate.
US07892019B2
A SAS panel mount cable assembly for providing access of target hard-drive resources to an initiator-host includes an initiator-side connector, two target-side connectors, and a wire-harness. Each of the two target-side connectors includes a power-link portion, a signal-link portion, an interface separating the power-link portion and the signal-link portion, and a plurality of LEDs for indicating activity and fault-detection. A plurality of power-wires electrically connects the wire-harness to the power-link portions of the two target-side connectors, and two signal-link cables connect the initiator-side connector to the signal-link portions of the two target-side connectors.
US07892017B2
A biomedical electrode connector for coupling with a biomedical electrode of the type including an electrode base and a male terminal projecting from the electrode base is provided.
US07892013B1
A transceiver assembly includes a receptacle guide frame configured to be mounted to a host circuit board, where the receptacle guide frame has a front being open to an interior space, and where the receptacle guide frame is configured to receive a pluggable module through the front. A receptacle connector is received within the interior space of the receptacle guide frame at a rear of the receptacle guide frame. The receptacle connector includes contacts having contact tails configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The contacts have retention sections positioned at a predetermined location relative to the contact tails, and the contacts have mating sections configured for mating with a mating connector. A housing holds the contacts and has a front and a rear with a cavity at the front being configured to receive the mating connector. The housing has a shelf at the rear. A stuffer bar is separately provided from the housing and securely coupled to the rear of the housing. The stuffer bar is received within the retention sections of the contacts and engages the contacts to hold the contacts against the shelf such that the contact tails are aligned with one another.
US07892006B2
A connector includes an insulative housing having a pair of side walls with a central slot formed therebetween, a set of terminals including first terminals and second terminals and an ejector. Each side wall has a set of passageways. Each first terminal has a first contacting portion protruding into the central slot, a first tail portion mounted on a PCB, and a first connecting portion. The first connecting portions and the first tail portions are arranged in two rows.
US07892003B2
An electrical tool includes a main housing, an operative portion integrally connected to, and forming part of, the main housing, and a plug integrally connected to, and forming part of, the main housing. The plug comprising a base or main body, a plug connecting interface and first and second spades extending from the plug connecting interface. The first and second spades are in a standard configuration.
US07892002B2
An electrical connector for electrically connecting with a flexible circuit board includes an insulative housing (1) defining a mating space with a bottom surface, a plurality of contact terminals (2) assembled in the housing each including a contact engaging arm (23) extending from the bottom surface into the mating space (103), an actuator (3) pivotally assembled on the housing and capable of rotating between a first position in which the mating space (103) is accessible and a second position in which the actuator (3) is substantially covering the mating space, and at least one grounding device (4) which is attached to the housing and comprises at least one grounding finger (44) extending from the bottom surface into the mating space and a cantilevered tab (43) disposed above the bottom surface.
US07891992B2
A press-fit contact including a contact body with a square cross section and including a connecting region, a press-in region, and a tip region. Two legs are integrally formed within the contact body. The two legs originate at the connecting region and extend to the tip region where free ends of the two legs converge toward one another. The two legs are separated by a defined air gap in a longitude direction within the press-in region. The sum of the cross sections of the two legs substantially corresponds to the square cross section of the contact.
US07891981B1
A system for maintaining a printed circuit board in an enclosure includes at least one interposer. The circuit board and housing are coupled to one or more interposers. The interposer(s) fixedly couples to both the circuit board and the enclosure, and allows the circuit board and enclosure to maintain alignment during thermal heat expansion along a desired axis, such as between the center of the board and housing.
US07891975B2
Heat treatment apparatus and a method of manufacturing a substrate are provided, in which drop of particles produced by a rubbing action between a support strip and a support member can be prevented. Heat treatment apparatus 10 has a reactor 40 for treating a substrate, and a support tool 30 for supporting the substrate 54 in the reactor 40. The support tool 30 has a support part 57 to be contacted to the substrate 54, and a support strip 67 for supporting the support part 57. A back of the support part 57 has a convex portion or a concave portion, and the back of the support part 54 is configured to be not contacted to an edge of the support strip 67, and contacted to a top of the support strip 67 at inner than the edge of the support strip 67.
US07891974B2
The present invention relates to a portable apparatus for warming biocompatible fluids for use in the treatment of injured patients and a method of heating a biocompatible fluid to treat a patient experiencing hypothermia. The present invention may be used to warm intravenous fluids for trauma resuscitation or to warm air from a ventilator circuit. The portable nature of the present invention makes it highly suitable for field applications, such as a forward surgical hospital near a combat zone.
US07891971B2
Combustion head and method for combusting liquid and/or gaseous fuel having a flame front distanced downstream from the combustion head, in which fuel is discharged in a downstream direction radially outward at an angle at the end of the combustion head located downstream toward at least several guide devices and into a combustion chamber.
US07891965B2
A mold for molding a product in a cavity formed by closing the mold is provided. The mold includes a first half; a second half; and a plurality of aligning members which contact respective outer circumferential surfaces of a first die of the first half and a second die of the second half, at least in three directions, when the mold is closed. At least one of the aligning members is moved toward the outer circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die, and then each of the aligning members sandwiches the first die and the second die, which enables a center axis alignment between the first die and the second die.
US07891964B2
A pump system comprising a delivery assembly configured to feed a solid material under operational power of a first drive motor, and a screw pump comprising a housing that at least partially defines a barrel of the screw pump, an extrusion tip secured to the housing at a first end of the barrel, a liquefier secured to the housing and intersecting with the barrel, and an impeller extending at least partially through the barrel. The liquefier is configured to receive the solid material fed from the delivery assembly, to at least partially melt the received solid material, and to direct the at least partially melted material to the barrel, and the impeller is configured to drive the at least partially melted material that is directed to the barrel toward the extrusion tip under operational power of a second drive motor.
US07891960B2
A pump for efficiently producing gas in wells having some liquids. The pump may be driven by a walking beam or horsehead pump. The pump of the invention produces gases and liquids separately. Gases may be produced up the annulus between the casing and hollow sucker rods. A plunger seals the opening in the cage during downstroke. Gases and liquids are trapped in the cage above an inner barrel. Liquids are forced up the hollow sucker rod where they are retained by a one-way valve. On the upstroke, the one-way valve seats and gases are forced out of the cage and up the annulus. Gases are, therefore, produced up the annulus and liquids are produced up the drill string. In another embodiment, liquids are retained in a trap and are produced up hollow sucker rods, while gases are produced up the annulus between the hollow sucker rods and the casing.
US07891954B2
A method for conveying material by applying a pressure difference in a conveying conduit (4), in which method the material is fed into the conveying conduit (4) and in the conveying conduit further into a separating device (5), where the material being conveyed is separated from conveying air, in which method a negative pressure is created in the conveying conduit (4) by means of an ejector apparatus (6), whose suction side is connected to the separating device (5), said ejector apparatus being operated using an operating medium consisting of a liquid mist, especially an aqueous liquid mist, said medium being sprayed through at least one spraying nozzle (122) into an ejector tube (128) directed into a separating element (38). In the method, the generation of the negative pressure to be produced is intensified according to need by limiting the flow of gases, such as air, into the ejector tube (128) from the direction opposite to the spraying direction of its operating medium, i.e. from the outlet end (129) of the ejector tube. The invention also relates to an apparatus and an ejector device.
US07891952B2
A method for fabricating a rotor assembly for a turbine, the turbine including a central rotational axis is provided. The method includes forging a first rotor component from a first material, separately forging a second rotor component from a second material, and coupling the second rotor component to the first rotor component at a location radially inward of the first rotor component. The second rotor component is coupled to the first rotor component in at least one axial-circumferential plane that is at least one of substantially parallel and obliquely oriented with respect to the central rotational axis.
US07891936B2
A substrate aligner providing minimal substrate transporter extend and retract motions to quickly align substrate without back side damage while increasing the throughput of substrate processing. In one embodiment, the aligner having an inverted chuck connected to a frame with a substrate transfer system capable of transferring substrate from chuck to transporter without rotationally repositioning substrate. The inverted chuck eliminates aligner obstruction of substrate fiducials and along with the transfer system, allows transporter to remain within the frame during alignment. In another embodiment, the aligner has a rotatable sensor head connected to a frame and a substrate support with transparent rest pads for supporting the substrate during alignment so transporter can remain within the frame during alignment. Substrate alignment is performed independent of fiducial placement on support pads. In other embodiments the substrate support employs a buffer system for buffering substrate inside the apparatus allowing for fast swapping of substrates.
US07891926B2
A fastener having a shank with a moveable portion that improves insertion of the fastener into an aperture, as well as improves the retention of the fastener within the aperture and the resistance of the fastener to extraction.
US07891923B2
A metal wire is configured to provide a diagonal interconnecting part extending tangentially between first and second coils which are sized to fit around respective screw action connectors. First and second wire end portions extend tangentially from the respective first and second coils across and beyond the diagonal interconnecting part to provide first and second finger grip limbs. The first limb extends across the interconnecting part adjacent the first coil and the second limb extends across the interconnecting part adjacent the second coil so that end regions of the limbs are spaced apart and at opposite sides of the interconnecting part and are capable of being pressed towards each other in a direction transverse to the interconnecting part by the fingers of one hand in order to loosen the respective coils to enable their location over, or removal from, the respective screw action connectors.
US07891922B2
A vibration isolator for container, and the like, and a method of using the same which are applicable to general containers, and allow the loaded articles to be protected against vibration at the time of transportation, and the like, with the cost being held to a minimum. It is a vibration isolator (10) for container (C), and the like, which provides vibration isolation for cargo protection, being interposed beneath a transport container (C), a merchandise transport pallet, or the like, wherein shock absorbing members (50) are interposed between a base frame (20) and a load carrying frame (30); and at least at the four corners of the base frame (20), a latch receiving structure (25) of a twist lock (40) is disposed, and in the corresponding place in the load carrying frame (30), a twist lock (40) is disposed.
US07891917B2
Apparatus and method are provided for automatically drilling work pieces, including drilling of rivet holes in standard and heavy-duty brake shoe linings for the truck, bus, overhead crane, wheel drum and heavy machinery industries. Apparatus and method are customizable to accommodate various sizes of work pieces, and programmable for drilling of multiple holes and handling of multiple work pieces, as required by manufacturers.
US07891914B2
A geotextile tube is provided. The geotextile tube includes a first sheet and second sheet that both have first portions with a first weave pattern and second portions with a second weave pattern. The first portion of the first sheet covers a larger surface area than the second portion of the first sheet. Likewise, the first portion of the second sheet covers a larger surface area than the second portion of the second sheet. A seam contacts and attaches the second portion of the first sheet to the second portion of the second sheet.
US07891894B2
A printer in which when an optical disk is inserted into a conveyance path in a printer body, an inlet cover is moved to a position where the inlet cover opens an inlet in a cover provided on the printer body. This causes a cutter button that operates a cutter for a tape-like printing medium to be locked by the inlet cover. Thus, when the optical disk is printed, the cutter is rendered inoperable. Accordingly, the printer can prevent a trouble such as inadvertently operates the cutter, thereby damaging the disk or the cutter itself.
US07891888B2
The camera slider system supports a camera for longitudinal sliding or rolling movement along a pair of elongate support members which are parallel and spaced apart from one another. The camera mount supporting the camera thereon is supported by a pair of link members pivotally coupled between opposing ends of the camera mount and a carriage assembly which is movable along the rails. The orientation of the camera relative to the elongate supports is readily adjustable by adjusting the pivotal link members while the camera remains supported in a very stable configuration. Rollers or bearings ensure a smooth movement of the camera along the elongate support members so that there are no undesired jerking movements in the resulting captured image.
US07891887B1
A camera stand of the present invention is composed of a deck for controlling a shooting angle of a camera. The deck is provided on one foot tube of a camera tripod and when a user rotates that foot tube, a slid-proof rod can drive a slid-proof sleeve, which is assembled with the slid-proof rod as one unit, to abut a ball below the deck for positioning. When the foot tube is loosened by rotating reversely, the slid-proof sleeve can escape from the ball, such that the deck can move freely to adjust the shooting angle of the camera.
US07891883B2
A fiber optic connector including a ferrule surrounding an optical fiber and a hub engaging the ferrule. The hub includes a front portion having first and second opposing surfaces and first and second tapered regions extending from the first and second opposing surfaces to a front face. A housing includes an anti-rotation seat configured to engage the first and second opposing surfaces, the anti-rotation seat including parallel first and second contact lines positioned at a front of the anti-rotation seat. A spring within a chamber of the housing biases the ferrule through a bore in the front of the housing. The first tapered region of the hub engages the first contact line and the second tapered region engages the second contact line when the hub and ferrule are in a first rotational position so that the optical fiber is maintained at a known orientation with respect to the connector.
US07891879B2
A wheel hub of a wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member and an inner member. The inner member includes a wheel hub and an inner ring. The wheel hub has a wheel mounting flange, a shaft portion, an inner raceway surface, a cylindrical portion, a shoulder portion, and a through bore. The inner ring is press-fit onto the cylindrical portion abutting against the shoulder portion. Double row rolling elements are contained between the inner and outer raceway surfaces of the inner member and the outer member. Fiber flow near the inner circumference of the material forming the wheel hub from the shoulder to the open end surface of the wheel hub is in a condition substantially parallel to the axis of the wheel hub.
US07891877B2
A circular arc slide apparatus that achieves improved precision and a reduction in costs is provided. The circular arc slide apparatus comprises a lower plate, an upper plate, and a circular arc track provided between the lower plate and upper plate. Guide rail portions are provided in an upper surface of the lower plate and a lower surface of the upper plate, and circular arc curve-shaped guide grooves that constitute the circular arc track are provided in opposing planar surfaces of the guide rail portions. The guide groove cross-section describes a circular arc-shape, and a plurality of balls are rollably fitted between the opposing guide grooves in a preloading state. The lower plate and upper plate are integrally machined from a plate-like material and formed in a shape comprising the guide rail portions and guide grooves, and the inner surface of each guide groove is configured as a machined face produced by an end mill. The depth of each guide groove is set to a dimension machinable by a tip semicircular cutting blade portion of an end mill, the rotation axis of which is diagonally set that is no more than 0.146 times the diameter of the balls.
US07891872B2
A safety housing (1) for an X-ray apparatus, comprises a working chamber (2) which can accommodate X-ray apparatus protection elements (3a-3c, 5a, 5b; 21), in particular lead-containing walls and/or lead glass panes, which are impermeable to X-rays and which surround the working chamber (2) and at least one door (6a, 6b) for opening and closing an access (4) to the working chamber (2) of the safety housing (1), wherein the door (6a, 6b) has at least one door protection element (5a, 5b; 21), in particular a lead glass pane, which is impermeable to X-ray radiation, wherein the at least one door protection element (5a, 5b; 21) can completely cover the access to the working chamber (2), and wherein the door (6a, 6b) can be pivoted about an axis S relative to a main frame (9) of the safety housing (1). At least one door protection element (5a-5b) of the door (6a, 6b) is formed on one sliding door (10a, 10b), the sliding door (10a, 10b) being disposed on a casement (7a, 7b) of the door (6a, 6b) such that it can be displaced in a direction V, and the casement (7a, 7b) of the door (6a, 6b) can be pivoted about the axis S relative to the main frame (9). The amount of space that is required in front of the access to the working chamber is thereby reduced.
US07891871B2
The invention relates to intraoral radiological dental image sensors, i.e. sensors placed in the mouth of a patient, an X-ray source being located outside the cheek of the patient in order to emit X-rays in the direction of the sensor. According to the invention, the image sensor is attached to a first end of a short electrical cable (22) of around 5 to 20 cm, a second end of which leaves the patient's mouth when the sensor is in the mouth, the second end carrying a light source (24) comprising light-emitting diodes that can be digitally modulated as a function of information coming from the sensor, the electrical cable being able to transmit an electrical control signal from the sensor to the diode for modulating the latter.
US07891870B2
A temperature sensor element 10 has a reduced thermal conduction path from a measurement object to a sensitive end portion 22 of a thermocouple 21 and a high-dense insulating ceramic base body 20. Since the temperature sensor element 10 has excellent thermal conductivity from the measurement object to the sensitive end portion 22 of the thermocouple 21, it is also excellent in responsiveness at the time of temperature detection. Further, corrosion and material deterioration of the thermocouple 21 is unlikely to occur because the thermocouple 21 does not directly contact the measurement object (exhaust gas). As a result, the temperature sensor element 10 exhibits excellent durability. Therefore, the temperature sensor element 10 exhibits a good responsiveness at the time of temperature detection as well as excellent durability.
US07891869B2
A temperature sensor circuit comprises a first monitor voltage generation circuit that generates a first monitor voltage with a characteristic that changes with respect to temperature; a second monitor voltage generation circuit that generates a second monitor voltage with a characteristic that changes by a variation amount different from the first monitor voltage with respect to the temperature; and a differential amplifier circuit, to which the first and second monitor voltages are inputted and that outputs the result of comparing the two voltages. Further, the differential amplifier circuit of the temperature sensor circuit is capable of switching to a first connection state, which outputs the comparison result, and to a second connection state, which outputs an offset monitor voltage that is rendered by adding the offset voltage of the differential amplifier circuit to the first or second monitor voltage or subtracting the offset voltage therefrom.
US07891854B2
In a backlight device, among a plurality of light emitting diodes, light amounts thereof are measured in advance, and they are classified as any one of two or more light amount ranks according to the measurement results. In each of an upper region and a lower region of the light emitting diodes that are set on an upper side and lower side of a light guide plate, respectively, the light emitting diodes that are classified as having the same light amount rank are disposed.
US07891830B2
There is explained a back light unit and a liquid crystal display using the same for improving brightness characteristic and difference of the color sense of a liquid crystal display having a direct-below-type back light. The back light unit and the liquid crystal display using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a back light unit having a lamp housing, a plurality of lamps respectively having a first electrode and a second electrode and arranged in the lamp housing so that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed in one side of the lamp housing, a diffusion plate disposed on the lamp housing, and an optical sheet disposed on the diffusion plate; and a liquid crystal panel disposed on the back light unit having a plurality of liquid crystal cells arranged in a matrix form to thereby increase the brightness and minimize right/left difference of the color sense and improve picture quality.
US07891828B2
An electronic device includes a housing and a touch sensor mounted in the housing. The touch sensor further includes a translucent panel provided in a part of the housing, a printed circuit board which senses a touch on the translucent panel by a user, a light source mounted to the printed circuit board, which irradiates light towards the translucent panel, and a diffusion sheet provided between the translucent panel and the light source, which diffuses the light irradiated from the light source. The diffusion sheet further includes a first region formed transparent to directly transmit the light, and a second region frosted to diffuse the light towards an outer peripheral portion of the translucent panel. The second region is provided at a position corresponding to the light source, and the first region is provided to surround the second region.
US07891826B2
A projector includes: an image creation unit that projects image information upon a screen, comprising a plurality of picture elements that create an image pattern corresponding to the image information; and an illumination unit in which light emitting members are disposed upon a vertical plane with respect to an optical axis which passes through a center of the image creation unit, at equal distances from the optical axis and moreover in different locations.
US07891819B2
A light source disposed in a projector is cooled by use of a coolant. A cooling unit is disposed in a region that is spatially separated from at least an optical unit and an electrical circuit unit. In addition, piping between the cooling unit and a cooling member is separated from wiring from the electrical circuit unit.
US07891818B2
A projection system that includes a singe light modulation device and a plurality of light sources of different wavelengths. Each wavelength of light is incident on the light modulation device at a spatially distinct location and a temporally distinct time. The use of a scanning mirror allows the projection system to sequentially form, in full-color, each of the columns or rows of an image. The projection system is characterized by the reduction of color separation or the rainbow effect due to the rendering of each column or row in full color.
US07891805B2
An image forming device, includes a recording head configured to jet a liquid drop of recording liquid to a recording medium so that an image is formed; and a conveyance belt adhering the recording medium by an electrostatic force. The recording medium adhered to the conveyance belt by the electrostatic force is not separated from the conveyance belt at an angle formed by a flat surface of the conveyance belt facing the recording head and a tilt surface of the conveyance belt tilting downward at a downstream side of the recording head.
US07891800B2
A printer having a sheet feed system for feeding an image receiving sheet to a print station, and a sheet treatment system for subjecting the paper to an anti-cockle treatment including a humidity sensor arranged to detect the degree of humidity of ambient air, and a control system adapted to control the sheet treatment system in response to the detected degree of humidity.
US07891791B2
A refillable ink cartridge that has a pagewidth printhead supported on a moulding assembly that defines the ink reservoirs. The printhead has a series of holes etched on a back surface thereof for the supply of ink to a front surface of the printhead for ejection. The moulding assembly has an elongate top moulding piece and an elongate bottom moulding piece that together define a plurality of elongate ink reservoirs. The bottom moulding piece having apertures for supplying ink to the series of holes on the back surface of the pagewidth printhead. Each of the ink reservoirs are in fluid communication with at least one of the apertures but each of the apertures are in fluid communication with only one of the ink reservoirs. Each of the ink reservoirs are in fluid communication with a respective refill port and corresponding air vent.
US07891790B2
The invention provides a disposable ink cartridge to be installed in an existing all-in-one printhead-ink cartridge to form an assembled segregated printhead-ink cartridge for use in a printer. The all-in-one printhead-ink cartridge has a printhead with a printhead chamber from which any cover and ink-absorbent materials have been removed. The disposable ink cartridge includes an ink cartridge body, an assembly-securement member and a cartridge seal holder. The ink cartridge body further includes a cartridge housing, a cartridge cover, at least one air vent cover, at least one ink-storing foam, at least one ink-filtering foam, at least one sealing member, which are integrated into one indivisible entity fitting into the chamber of the printhead. When the disposable cartridge runs out of ink, what is needed is just to replace the ink cartridge body without replacing the printhead and the assembly-securement member, thus making the originally disposable printhead repeatedly usable.
US07891783B2
Provided is a liquid jet head including: a flow path forming substrate having formed therein a row of pressure generating chambers, each of which is communicated with a nozzle opening; a piezoelectric element which is provided in each of the pressure generating chambers via a vibration plate formed of a plurality of layers; and a bonding substrate which is bonded to a piezoelectric element forming side of the flow path forming substrate, in which: a groove is formed in a region of the vibration plate surrounding the piezoelectric element so as to extend to an interface of the plurality of layers or extend over the interface; and an insulator formed of an inorganic insulating material is formed in the groove.
US07891782B2
A liquid injecting head includes a flow path forming substrate in which a pressure generating chamber communicated with a nozzle opening that injects liquid is formed, a pressure generating element that is formed so as to apply pressure to the pressure generating chamber for injecting the liquid, a lead electrode that is connected to the pressure generating element, a wiring substrate having flexibility that is connected to the lead electrode, and a support member that is bonded to the wiring substrate. A fixing opening formed by perforating the wiring substrate in the thickness direction is disposed, and the wiring substrate and the support member are bonded together through an adhesive agent disposed inside the fixing opening.
US07891775B2
An inkjet drop ejection apparatus comprises an array of ink ejection nozzles; a chamber corresponding to each ink ejection nozzle and for storing ink; and a plurality of actuators provided on top of each chamber, the actuators radially extending out from a common center and defining an ink ejection port at the common center. Each actuator is comprised of first material of surrounding a conductive core of a second material. Each actuator is adapted to bend inward with respect to the chamber when heated.
US07891768B2
A printhead assembly which includes an ink supply arrangement having a profile member defining a semi-open cross-section with peripheral, structured side walls having free, opposing, lengthwise running edges delineating a gap extending along the entire length of the profile member, said profile member defining three internal webs that stand out from a base wall section of the peripheral wall into the interior of said member so as to define together with the side wall sections ink supply channels which are open towards the gap. The assembly also includes a plurality of printhead segment carriers operatively fast with the ink supply arrangement so that the ink supply channels are arranged in fluid communication with a printhead operatively supported on said segments. Also included is a shield plate supported by the profile member, said plate for protecting the printhead during printing.
US07891764B2
A printhead assembly is provided for a printer system. The printhead assembly includes an elongate substrate defining a channel and spaced apart sets of ink supply holes. An ink distribution arrangement is located within the channel and is configured to distribute ink to the sets of ink supply holes. A first plate is in engagement with the substrate to hold the ink distribution arrangement within the channel. A power supply arrangement is also located within the channel. A second plate is in engagement with the substrate so that the power supply arrangement is sandwiched between the plates and held within the channel.
US07891753B2
The present invention provides an inkjet recording apparatus, which performs high resolution image recording by inhibiting propagation of heat from a light-radiation device to a recording medium, is provided with a recording medium conveyance device to convey a recording medium in a conveyance direction; a recording head 10 to emit ink from a nozzle towards the recording medium; a first supporting member 5 to convey the recording medium so that the recording medium faces the recording head; a light radiation device 16 to radiate an activation energy ray towards the in emitted from the recording head; and a second support member 7 to convey the recording medium in a conveyance direction so that the recording medium faces the light radiation device; wherein between the first supporting member 5 and the second supporting member 7, in a recording medium conveyance direction, there are disposed a guide section 6 having a cooling device.
US07891752B2
An Inkjet apparatus is provided. An Inkjet apparatus includes a piezoelectric inkjet print head, a plurality of driving unit, a detection unit and a control unit. The piezoelectric inkjet print head comprises a plurality of nozzles, wherein each the nozzle outputs an ink drop according to a driving voltage. The driving unit generates the driving voltage according to a control signal. The detection unit detects a state of the ink drop corresponding to the nozzle to generate a detection signal. The control unit generates the control signal to control the driving voltage according to the detection signal.
US07891748B2
Provided is a print engine controller for an inkjet printhead with a plurality of nozzle arrangements operatively actuated by thermal actuators. The controller has controller circuitry with an open actuator test circuit to test each respective actuator. The controller circuitry includes an open actuator test input, a column enable input and a row enable input, as well as a drive transistor operatively linking said thermal actuator to a power supply. The circuitry also includes a bleed transistor arranged in parallel with the thermal actuator, and a sense transistor operatively linking an output of the drive transistor and inputs of the thermal actuator and bleed transistor to a sensing node. The controller circuitry is configured so that when only the column enable and row enable inputs are activated the bleed and sense transistors are deactivated and the drive transistor is activated to link the thermal actuator to the power supply.
US07891739B2
An apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back that provides a high degree of support and adjustability such that it can be used with wheelchairs that originate from a wide variety of different manufacturers. In order to provide this custom fit, the present invention provide for depth adjustability, height adjustability and angle adjustability of a wheelchair back. The present invention also provides the convenience of a quick-release wheelchair back so that the wheelchair occupant can easily remove the back of the wheelchair from the canes so that the wheelchair can be collapsed and stored. The present mounting system also provides a two point mounting system that is reliable yet simple to use.
US07891730B2
A drive unit for at least two movable parts of a vehicle, in particular closures for selectively opening and closing at least one roof opening in a roof assembly, includes an electric motor having a rotor shaft and transmission assembly. The transmission assembly includes at least two output shafts and a switch mechanism including a locking member in order to selectively allow one output shaft to be driven by the electric motor and to lock the other output shaft. The transmission assembly includes a first transmission included in a housing of the electric motor and acting between the rotor shaft and a drive shaft. A second transmission is housed in a gearbox separate from the housing of the electric motor and mounted thereto with the drive shaft in engagement with the second transmission.
US07891729B2
Providing a cover storage member 30, which constitutes the rear end of the roof of a vehicle, and a guiding means 40 for transferring the cover storage member 30 between the position at the rear end of the roof and the position inside the vehicle. The cover storage member 30 shall be equipped with a winding means for winding up the cover member. The guiding means 40 shall be equipped with rails 41 installed between the position at the rear end of the roof and the position inside the vehicle, and a transferring means for moving the cover storage member 30.
US07891728B2
A motor vehicle, especially a cabriolet vehicle, with a motor vehicle chassis is provided to whose underbody area at least two reinforcing struts are allocated, each of which trends from a chassis attachment with a component in the direction of a vertical longitudinal mid-plane. A connection support is provided free under the underbody and with a distance to it, at which support two of these struts are held in close distance to each other with respect to the vehicle transverse direction, as well as two further struts, which from there extend away, in each case, with a component in the direction of the vertical longitudinal mid-plane, wherein the connection support is angled about at least one axis extending transverse to the vehicle between the mountings for the two struts and the mountings for the two further struts.
US07891727B2
A configuration is provided for the handling and/or processing of a vehicle cowling part together with an add-on part. The parts are coordinated with each other prior to the handling and/or processing and temporarily fixed at a distance from each other by a fastening device and then can be handled and/or processed together, and after the handling and/or processing they are fixed onto each other in the final position. For quick and easy temporary fixation and final fixation, in which no additional securing aids are required, it is proposed that the fastening device is configured as a snap connection with a temporary fixation and a final fixation and makes a single piece with the vehicle cowling part and/or the add-on part.
US07891723B2
A motor vehicle is provided with a convertible body. The motor vehicle comprises a body provided with seats and a convertible roof, consisting of a front section adjacent to a windscreen frame and a rear section, which is pivotally connected to the rear part of the vehicle. The two sections are hingedly connected to each other and are constructed so that they are capable of rotating relative to each other and to the body from the initial position to the end position and are enabled to be placed in the body rear part. When the convertible roof is placed in the vehicle rear part, the front section thereof occupies substantially a vertical position directly behind the seats and the rear section occupies substantially a horizontal position in the rear part of the vehicle. The front roof section where it is joined to the windscreen frame is shaped to the body bottom shape behind the seats. The front roof section's embodiment allows it to partially overlap the rear section such that at least one part of the front section overlapping the rear section is made of a transparent material.
US07891722B2
The sunblocking device has an elongated blocking member having a portion that is folded back and attached to the elongated member to form an elongated opening. Extending through the opening is a strap that is preferably elastic that fits around a vehicle visor to secure the device to the visor.
US07891713B2
A pipe clamp includes two clamping members which are hinged together at one end and releasably secured together at the other end. The clamping members each comprising an arcuate, radially inner portion which extends in the longitudinal direction of the clamping member and which in profile comprises a bottom portion and two lips which each extend radially inwardly from a corresponding side of the bottom portion. Each lip includes a main portion which extends circumferentially along the inner portion, and at least one lip of at least one clamping member comprises an arcuate circle sector portion which extends between the main portion and an end of the clamping member. In addition, the main portion comprises a lip radius and the circle sector portion comprises a circle sector radius that is larger than the lip radius.
US07891709B2
A sealing member of an exhaust pipe of a dryer prevents vibration of the exhaust pipe secured to an opening in a sheet of glass or a wall from transmission, and prevents exhaust gas from leaking from connection portions of a plurality of exhaust pipes.
US07891707B2
The steering hanger beam extending in a width direction of a vehicle and connected to left and right vehicle-body members, is provided with: a main member which supports a steering device; a pair of front and rear transverse beam portions connected to the main member in the width direction of the vehicle so as to be offset from an axis of the main member to front and rear; and an opening which is formed between the pair of front and rear transverse beam portions so as to penetrate in substantially a vertical direction.
US07891706B2
A single-part or multi-part stiffening device for increasing the torsional stiffness of a motor vehicle embodied as a cabriolet, has at least one stiffening element which is connected at one side to a rear side of a rollover protection device and at the other side to a base of a covering shelf of the motor vehicle.
US07891705B2
A tension cushion air bag includes an outer chamber configured to receive a gas such that the outer chamber has an inflated volume. The outer chamber includes a front panel and a rear panel. The tension cushion air bag also includes an inner chamber formed at least in part by the front panel of the outer chamber and at least in part by a front panel patch mounted to the front panel. The inner chamber includes a non-inflated volume which is formed as a result of the inflated volume of the outer chamber.
US07891687B2
A bicycle is provided including a tubular frame having interconnected tubes defining hollow passageways. A curvilinear hollow handlebar is operatively coupled to the frame. The handlebar includes at least one aperture and an opening providing access to the passageways in the frame. A control lever is operatively mounted to the handlebar for controlling a component of the bicycle. A control cable has a first end fixedly secured to the control lever and a second end adapted to be secured to the component of the bicycle for actuation thereof. The control cable extends through the aperture into the handlebar and through the opening of the handlebar into the passageways of the frame between the first and second ends to conceal the control cable within the frame and the handlebar.
US07891683B2
A torsion-beam rear axle of a vehicle, more preferably motor vehicle, is provided with two rigid trailing arms, which with their one end are each mounted on a vehicle body in a manner capable of being swiveled and at the other end of which a wheel carrier is each attached for the rotatable mounting of a vehicle wheel about its wheel center axis, as well as with a torsionally soft cross-tie connecting the two trailing arms with each other. Each wheel carrier, by means of at least three elastic wheel carrier bearings is fixed to the trailing arm when viewed in forward driving direction of the vehicle, at least two wheel carrier bearings are arranged behind the wheel center axis, and at least one wheel carrier bearing is arranged in front of the wheel center axis in such a manner that through the two wheel carrier bearings arranged behind the wheel center axis to define a swivel axis for the swiveling of the wheel carrier relative to the trailing arm.
US07891682B2
A motor vehicle has a rear axle cross member, from which two diagonal struts project forward in a V-shape, which diagonal struts are connected with their front end in each case to a vehicle longitudinal member. Here, it is important that an annular, closed stiffening structure is provided behind the rear axle cross member as viewed in the direction of travel. The stiffening structure is supported with its front end on the rear axle cross member and with its rear end, via struts which project rearward in a V-shape, on rear vehicle longitudinal members.
US07891681B2
A steering clamper designed for use on a vehicle handlebar connected to a part rotatable about a steering axle coinciding with the center of a steering column. The steering damper comprises an outer housing enclosing a damping-medium-filled main chamber divided into two chambers by a demarcating wing rotatable about a first wing end. The outer face of the wing end rotates in a cutout in the housing. The first wing end is fixed to a first end of a lever which rotates relative to said outer housing. The lever connects, the steering damper rotating with the steering device to the vehicle frame. In the outer housing there is a cavity, the center line of which coincides with the steering axle, designed to accommodate a fastening element which joins the steering damper to the part rotatable about the steering axle.
US07891680B2
A flexible riding board may include a front fork assembly for pivotal rotation about a front axis, the front fork assembly including a single front wheel mounted for rolling rotation about a front axle offset from the front axis; a rear fork assembly for pivotal rotation about a rear axis including a single rear wheel mounted for rolling rotation about a rear axle offset from the rear axis; and a flexible, one piece molded plastic platform having a neutral plane and supported by the front fork assembly with the front axis at a first acute angle to the neutral plane and supported by the rear fork assembly with the rear axis at a second acute angle to the neutral plane, the platform twistable by a rider to pivot the rear wheel about the rear axis so that the riding board is propelled in a forward direction, wherein the front fork assembly is pivotable about the front axis by the rider to steer the riding board.
US07891675B2
Apparatus for transporting products including a body having ground wheels (22, 122) and support structure (30, 130) for one or more crates or other containers holding products to be carried by the apparatus. At least one ground engageable member (40, 140) fixed to said support structure forms an assembly with the support structure that is mounted to the body for relative movement between a retracted position in which the apparatus is freely moveable on a ground surface by means of the ground wheels and a relatively downwardly extended position in which the ground engageable member engages an underlying ground surface at a predetermined location to stabilize the apparatus against movement from that location on the ground wheels. Releasable latching means (60, 190, 192) is provided to latch the ground engageable member in the retracted position, and there is at least one transverse opening (59, 159) in the ground engageable member to receive a fork or forks of a lifting device, for lifting the apparatus with the ground engageable member resting on the fork(s), whereby to facilitate transport of the apparatus and/or release and engagement of the latching means.
US07891667B2
A fishing apparatus for simulating the catching of fish is taught herein. A preferred embodiment comprises a horizontal fish support, one or more fish-shaped members releasably mounted on the fish support, each fish-shaped member having a tapered mouth extending in front of the fish's mouth and a line slot that terminates in a patch of hook and loop material. A cast plug will carry a mating patch of the same material so that when the plug is drawn toward the user through the guide slot, the plug will engage the fish-shaped member, thereby pulling it away from the fish support in a manner simulating the catching of fish in actual water.
US07891662B2
An information writing apparatus includes: a transport unit that transports a sheet having a wireless IC element; and a transmitting and receiving unit that transmits and receives signals to/from the wireless IC element in a sheet transported by the transport unit, the transport unit including a first belt made of nonmetal and a second belt made of nonmetal placed facing and contacting the first belt, the sheet being transported, caught between the first belt and the second belt.
US07891657B2
A sheet feeder includes a sheet tray, a feed roller, a separating pad, a feed motor, a conveying roller pair, and a deformation prevention member. The feed roller picks up and feeds first and second sheets from the sheet tray. The separating pad separates the first sheet from the second sheet together with the feed roller. The deformation prevention member is provided to prevent deformation of a head of the second sheet caused by the feed roller and the separating pad nipping the second sheet.
US07891656B1
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet releasing mechanism, a casing, a sheet feeding channel, a sheet pick-up module and a driving shaft. The sheet releasing mechanism includes a control lever and a base. The control lever includes a protruding part. The base includes a first restriction groove and a second restriction groove. When the protruding part is accommodated within the first restriction groove, the sheet releasing mechanism is in a sheet-holding status. When the protruding part is accommodated within the second restriction groove, the sheet releasing mechanism is in a sheet-releasing status.
US07891655B2
A method for moving a first combination of media from a media stack including one or more combinations of media. The first combination of media is an uppermost combination of media in the media stack. The method includes gripping the first combination of media and bending along a first axis by moving a first portion away from the media stack. The first combination of media is bent along a second axis by moving a flexing member while in contact with a second portion of the first combination of media, wherein the second axis is not parallel to the first axis. The first combination of media is repeatedly bent along the second axis while pausing movement of the first combination of media between the first bending along the second axis and the second bending along the second axis.