US08143648B1

A photodetector containing a 2DEG layer is disclosed.
US08143638B2

An LED package structure includes a carrier substrate, a reflector and an LED chip. The reflector is disposed on the carrier substrate and includes a base, a magnesium fluoride layer and a cerium dioxide layer. The base has an opening to expose a part of the carrier substrate. The magnesium fluoride layer is disposed on the inside wall of the opening and the cerium dioxide layer is disposed on the magnesium fluoride layer. The LED chip is disposed in the opening and located on the carrier substrate.
US08143628B2

A flexible display of the present invention is an active matrix flexible display in which a TFT is provided for each pixel. In the flexible display, an adhesive layer, a protective layer, a gate electrode for the TFT, which is buried in the protective layer, a gate insulating layer for the TFT, source and drain electrodes for the TFT, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode, an organic active layer for the TFT, an organic EL layer including a red (R) emitting layer, a green (G) emitting layer and a blue (B) emitting layer, which are formed on a plurality of the pixel electrodes, a metal electrode, and a sealing layer are formed on a plastic film.
US08143626B2

A method for manufacturing a CMOS image sensor includes: preparing a semiconductor substrate incorporating therein a p-type epitaxial layer by epitaxially growing up an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate; forming a pixel array in one predetermined location of the semiconductor substrate, the pixel array having a plurality of transistors and a photodiode therein, wherein each transistor employs a gate insulator with a thickness ranging from 40 Å to 90 Å; and forming a logic circuit in the other predetermined location of the semiconductor substrate, the logic circuit having at least one transistor, wherein the transistor employs a gate insulator with a thickness ranging from 5 Å to 40 Å.
US08143625B2

There is provided a technique to form a single crystal semiconductor thin film or a substantially single crystal semiconductor thin film. A catalytic element for facilitating crystallization of an amorphous semiconductor thin film is added to the amorphous semiconductor thin film, and a heat treatment is carried out to obtain a crystalline semiconductor thin film. After the crystalline semiconductor thin film is irradiated with ultraviolet light or infrared light, a heat treatment at a temperature of 900 to 1200° C. is carried out in a reducing atmosphere. The surface of the crystalline semiconductor thin film is extremely flattened through this step, defects in crystal grains and crystal grain boundaries disappear, and the single crystal semiconductor thin film or substantially single crystal semiconductor thin film is obtained.
US08143622B2

A display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate and a display medium between the first substrate and the second substrate is provided. The first substrate has a scan line, a data line and an active device electrically connected to the scan line and the data line. The second substrate has a common electrode layer, an insulting layer covering the common electrode layer, a pixel electrode on the insulating layer and a contact structure on the insulating layer. More specifically, the contact structure is electrically connected to the pixel structure and electrically connected to the active device on the first substrate.
US08143610B2

A semiconductor phase-change memory device comprises a data line disposed on a semiconductor substrate and a data storage structure disposed under the data line and having a concave portion extending in a direction along the data line. A data contact structure is configured to contact the data storage structure, and having a lower portion filling the concave portion of the data storage structure and an upper portion surrounding at least a lower portion of the data line. Each of sidewalls of the data storage structure is disposed at substantially the same plane as a corresponding one of sidewalls of the upper portion of the data contact structure.
US08143605B2

A method and system are presented for use in determining one or more parameters of a subject. A region of interest of the subject is irradiated with acoustic tagging radiation, which comprises at least one acoustic tagging beam. At least a portion of the region of interest is irradiated with at least one electromagnetic beam of a predetermined frequency range. Electromagnetic radiation response of the at least portion of the region of interest is detected and measured data indicative thereof is generated. The detected response comprises electromagnetic radiation tagged by the acoustic radiation. This enables processing of the measured data indicative of the detected electromagnetic radiation response to determine at least one parameter of the subject in a region corresponding to the locations in the medium at which the electromagnetic radiation has been tagged by the acoustic radiation, and outputting data indicative of the at least one determined parameter.
US08143599B2

A system and method for imaging biological samples on multiple surfaces of a support structure are disclosed. The support structure may be a flow cell through which a reagent fluid is allowed to flow and interact with the biological samples. Excitation radiation from at least one radiation source may be used to excite the biological samples on multiple surfaces. In this manner, fluorescent emission radiation may be generated from the biological samples and subsequently captured and detected by detection optics and at least one detector. The detected fluorescent emission radiation may then be used to generate image data. This imaging of multiple surfaces may be accomplished either sequentially or simultaneously. In addition, the techniques of the present invention may be used with any type of imaging system. For instance, both epifluorescent and total internal reflection methods may benefit from the techniques of the present invention.
US08143597B1

An efficient and portable method for remote detection of a target mineral material through frequency domain fluorimetry, a detection technique that measures the time lag between absorption and emission of photons, thereby determining the lifetime of said target mineral material. As claimed and disclosed in the present invention, mercury vapor lamps, a common source of industrial facility lighting, emit radiation that overlaps the UV/blue absorption spectrum of many fluorophores and may be used as an efficient and portable excitation source for remote frequency domain fluorimetry.
US08143594B2

A process of preparing a lamella from a substrate includes manufacturing a protection strip on an edge portion of the lamella to be prepared from the substrate, and preparing the lamella, wherein the manufacturing the protection strip includes a first phase of activating a surface area portion of the substrate, and a second phase of electron beam assisted deposition of the protective strip on the activated surface area portion from the gas phase.
US08143592B2

Systems, devices, and methods for filling containers with radioactive materials are described. In certain embodiments, the systems comprise a shielding material that substantially defines a chamber and, preferably, substantially blocks radioactivity, a conduit extending through the shielding material into the chamber, and a securing unit that is disposed in the chamber proximal to the conduit and is adapted to receive a container through the conduit.
US08143586B2

A detector for detecting radiation, the detector comprising: a plurality of elongate scintillator segments arranged in a side by side array; and at least one pair of light sensors optically coupled to ends of each of the elongate scintillator such that they receive light from scintillations produced in the scintillator and generate electrical signals responsive thereto.
US08143584B2

A radon monitor includes a housing defining a housing cavity and having an opening in an exterior wall that is in fluid communication with the housing cavity to allow air to diffuse into and out of the housing cavity. The monitor also includes input and output units and a circuit board that is positioned in the housing cavity and supported by the housing. A passive, non-electrically powered sampling chamber defines a chamber cavity and is coupled to the circuit board. The circuit board defines a plurality of apertures that allow air to diffuse between the housing cavity and the chamber cavity. A detector for detecting radon is supported by the circuit board and positioned in the chamber cavity.
US08143583B2

A positron emission tomography detector module that includes an array of optically isolated crystal elements and photomultiplier tubes that receive light emitted from the array of crystal elements and are arranged to cover the array of crystal elements. The photomultiplier tubes include photomultiplier tubes having two different sizes arranged in various patterns that minimize the number of edges. The axial extent of each detector module is at least three times longer than the other axis of the detector module.
US08143576B2

In some aspects, the present invention embodies both the method and apparatus for converting a pattern of irradiation to a visible image. An embodiment of the present invention provides an array of micro-electro-mechanical sensors with each sensor includes a deflectable micro-cantilever, responsive to absorbed incident radiation and to an applied repulsive electrostatic field. In an aspect, the sensor device also includes a null-sensing circuit coupled to a switch contact on or near the substrate, which senses when the micro-cantilever reaches its null location, by electrical connection with an upper switch contact on the micro-cantilever. Other embodiments are also described.
US08143569B2

A method of tuning an imaging system can include the steps of receiving photons at photo-multiplier units that are part of an array, determining an energy level for each of the photo-multiplier units based on events over a specific photo-multiplier unit and determining a sum energy level for the array of photo-multiplier units based on the events over the specific photo-multiplier unit. The method can also include the step of comparing the energy level for each of the photo-multiplier units with the sum energy level for the array of photo-multiplier units to assist in determining a contribution matrix for the array of photo-multiplier units. The energy level determination steps and the comparison step can be repeated for each photo-multiplier unit in the array to determine the contribution matrix.
US08143567B2

An occupancy sensor is provided with a separable override unit which can selectively override the operation of the occupancy sensor at designated times and for selected time intervals. The occupancy sensor includes a light sensor for actuating the occupancy sensor and a light assembly when the ambient light is below a predetermined level and to deactivate the occupancy sensor when the ambient light is above a threshold level to prevent the light assembly from being actuated when the light level is sufficient to avoid the need for actuating the light assembly. The override unit is removably attached to the occupancy sensor and is provided with a light source, such as an LED. The override unit is coupled to the occupancy sensor to emit light to actuate the light sensor of the occupancy sensor, thereby controlling the operation of the occupancy sensor, such as by preventing the occupancy sensor from being actuated regardless of the light level in the surrounding areas. The occupancy sensor includes a cavity on a top surface for receiving the override unit. The light sensor of the occupancy sensor is positioned in the cavity. The LED on the override unit is on an end that is inserted into the cavity to align with the light sensor. A control unit is operatively connected to one or more override units for selectively controlling the normal operation of the occupancy sensor.
US08143565B2

An adjustable multimode lightfield imaging system. A non-homogeneous filter module is positioned at the aperture plane of the lightfield imaging system and provides the multimode capability. The filter module can be moved relative to the imaging system, thus allowing adjustment of the multimode capability.
US08143554B2

A heating element includes a plurality of folded surfaces which can be resistively heating using electrical current. The heating element can advantageously function both as a heating source and a heat transfer device, as the need for separate fins or other heat dissipation members is eliminated. In some embodiments, the heating element can be included in a fluid heating system. The fluid heating system can include a fluid transfer device configured to deliver a volume or ambient air or other fluid through the heating element. As air moves past the heated folded surface of the heating element, it is heated. Heated air can then be discharged to one or more desired locations.
US08143550B2

The present invention is a device for coating surfaces of metallic work pieces with an electrically conductive material by employing short duration high current packets of pulses in which the work piece forms the cathode and the consumable coating material forms the anode, which are connected to a generator for generating pulses by charging and discharging a bank of capacitors using a MOSFET. The invention is also a device for controlling the on and off time of a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET).
US08143549B2

Welding devices and methods of using the same are provided. The welding device includes a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes a first semi-collar associated with a second semi-collar to form a collar. The collar is adapted to be disposed about a tube to be welded, and associated with an automatic voltage control assembly. The automatic voltage control assembly is mechanically associated with an electrode, and the automatic voltage control maintains the desired angular disposition of the electrode relative to the tube to be welded.
US08143547B2

A clockwise and counterclockwise rotation switching device of a power tool is capable of effectively suppressing chattering or fusing of an elastic end to improve contact durability. An end part of a fixed contact is formed to be an elastic end deformed by contacting a movable contact. A unit base includes a regulation projection which is abutted with the elastic end, which is deformed in contact with the movable contact, so as to regulate the deformation quantity.
US08143545B2

A sliding button mechanism includes a housing, a button, a connecting member, two resilient elements, and a printed circuit board. The housing defines a sliding slot. The button is slidably received in the sliding slot. The connecting member is secured on the button. Two resilient elements are disposed between the housing and the button provides a resilient force to the button. The printed circuit board is secured in the housing and includes at least two contact areas. The connecting member continuously and simultaneously connects to the two contact areas to achieve a continuous adjustment function.
US08143540B2

A multifunctional foot switch is disclosed. The foot switch has two or more actuation elements, arranged such that the operator of the foot switch may select various devices functionally connected to the foot switch merely be repositioning the foot.
US08143536B2

A switch (1) for converting mechanically generated movements into electrical switching signals, consisting of a cover (2) and a carrier plate (3) at a distance from one another and fixedly connected together, a switching element (4) that can be moved to a limited extent relative to the cover (2) and be actuated by one or more pushbuttons (5) facing the carrier plate (3), by means of which the particular adjustment movements of the switching element (4) can be measured and are converted into switching signals, the movement direction of the switching element (4) should be being perceived as the movement direction of an object, in particular a vehicle seat, and the switch (1) can be operated in at least six different movement directions.
US08143534B2

A wiring board has a wiring board main body, a solder resist and solder bumps. The solder resist is formed on a top surface of the wiring board main body, and includes first openings, and second openings that have a diameter larger than that of the first openings. The solder bumps are disposed in the first openings and in the second openings. In addition, top portions of the solder bumps disposed in the first openings have a flat face, while top portions of the solder bumps disposed in the second openings have a non-flat face.
US08143532B2

A through hole is formed in a circuit board that has fibers dispersed in a polymer matrix. Copper is sputtered within the through hole to form a sufficiently conductive layer for electrolytic plating over the sputtered copper layer.
US08143522B2

A cable has at least a first layer of twisted pairs, having a combination of unshielded twisted pairs, and shielded twisted pairs as well as a second layer of twisted pairs, also having a combination of unshielded twisted pairs, and shielded twisted pairs.
US08143520B2

A light switch cover assembly easily mounted over existing wall type light switches. The cover assembly includes a mounting bracket having an opening provided therethrough which is shapely designed and sizably configured for snug attachment of a bracket plate therein. The bracket plate includes an opening to allow the protruding rocker portion of a light switch to pass therethrough. The bracket plate further includes a plurality of apertures defined therethrough for receipt of mounting screws. A face plate is adapted for removable attachment to the mounting bracket in a snap-fit manner. The face plate includes an opening shapely designed and sizably configured to snugly accommodate a rocker plate therein. The face plate further includes an oblong opening providing a thermometer support enclosure within which a thermometer is swivelably secured.
US08143518B2

An electrical box is disclosed, wherein the electrical box includes a lid hingedly attached to a back wall of the electrical box. The lid is adapted to be selectively moved between an open and a closed position, wherein the lid covers at least a portion of an opening into the interior of the electrical box when in the closed position.
US08143517B2

An extra-fine copper alloy twisted wire including a plurality of copper alloy wires with a wire diameter of 0.010 to 0.025 mm twisted together, each of the copper alloy wires including 1 to 3 weight % of silver (Ag) and a balance consisting of a copper and an inevitable impurity, the copper alloy twisted wire further including a tensile strength of not less than 850 MPa, and an electrical conductivity of not less than 85% IACS. The extra-fine copper alloy twisted wire includes a solid insulation with a thickness of not more than 0.07 mm formed on an outer circumference of the extra-fine insulated wire.
US08143515B2

Methods for manufacturing a cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic device are generally disclosed. The method can include sputtering a resistive transparent layer on a transparent conductive oxide layer from an alloy target including zinc from about 5% by weight and about 33% by weight and tin. The method can also include forming a cadmium sulfide layer on the resistive transparent layer, forming a cadmium telluride layer on the cadmium sulfide layer, and forming a back contact layer on the cadmium telluride layer. Cadmium telluride thin film photovoltaic devices are also generally disclosed including a resistive transparent layer having a mixture of zinc oxide and tin oxide having a zinc oxide concentration between about 5% and about 33% by mole fraction.
US08143508B2

Methods and systems are disclosed for providing lyrics with streaming music. A music stream is accessed that includes timing information for a song. Lyrics and other textual information such as song title, song artist, and album title are also accessed. A lyric file may be accessed that includes further timing information. The timing information is used to synchronize the song lyrics and music stream. A user may be permitted access to the synchronized lyrics and music stream by presentation on a display through a digital television set-top box.
US08143491B1

According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB42S09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB42S09, to the plants of soybean XB42S09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB42S09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB42S09 with another soybean plant, using XB42S09 as either the male or the female parent.
US08143490B1

According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB38Z09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB38Z09, to the plants of soybean XB38Z09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB38Z09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB38Z09 with another soybean plant, using XB38Z09 as either the male or the female parent.
US08143489B1

According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB36M09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB36M09, to the plants of soybean XB36M09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB36M09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB36M09 with another soybean plant, using XB36M09 as either the male or the female parent.
US08143481B2

The present application provides Brassica INDEHISCENTI (BIND) sequences.
US08143477B2

The present invention relates to a new plant breeding process. The process improves the agronomic performance of crop plants by using genetic material that is also used in classical breeding. Instead of sexually recombining entire genomes at random, as is done in classical breeding, specific genetic elements are rearranged in vitro and inserted back into individual plant cells. Plants obtained through this new plant breeding process do not contain foreign nucleic acid but only contain nucleic acid from the plant species selected for transformation or plants that are sexually compatible with the selected plant species. Plants developed through this new plant breeding process are provided. In particular, potato plants displaying improved tuber storage and health characteristics are provided.
US08143474B2

Nucleic acid constructs comprising a highly efficient 5′ regulatory region for the expression of heterologous proteins from the plastids of higher plants are provided. Also provided are plant cells and transgenic plants comprising the same.
US08143463B2

A process for the preparation of delmopinol (3-(4-propylheptyl)-4-morpholinethanol) or a derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a solvate thereof, including a hydrate, comprises reacting oxazolidin [2,3-c]morpholine and a Grignard reagent, and optionally converting the delmopinol (or derivative) free base into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The oxazolidin [2,3-c]morpholine and the Grignard reagent are useful as intermediates in the production process.
US08143462B2

Disclosed is a process comprising reacting CF3CCl2CF2CF3 (CFC-318ma) with hydrogen in the presence of a dehalogenation catalyst to produce CF3CCl═CFCF3 (CFC-1317mx). Also disclosed is a process comprising reacting CF3CCl═CFCF3 (CFC-1317mx) with hydrogen in the presence of a dehalogenation catalyst to produce CF3C≡CCF3 (hexafluoro-2-butyne). Hexafluoro-2-butyne can be used to produce CF3CH═CHCF2CF3 (1,1,1,4,4,5,5,5-octafluoro-2-pentene).
US08143460B2

A method comprising applying a controlled flow cavitation apparatus to an alcohol production process in order to increase alcohol yield. A grain-based liquid medium comprising grain and a liquid carrier can be passed through a controlled flow cavitation apparatus at a velocity capable of generating a hydrodynamic cavitation zone where the grain size can be reduced. One or more controlled flow cavitation apparatuses can be applied at various points of an alcohol production process, such as a starch-to-ethanol production process.
US08143453B2

α,β-Unsaturated sulfides, sulfones, sulfoxides and sulfonamides according to Formula I: wherein Ar1, Ar2, X, n, * and R are as defined herein, are prepared by dehydration of β-hydroxy sulfides, sulfones, sulfoxides or sulfonamides.
US08143452B2

The invention relates to salts having alkoxytris(fluoroalkyl)borate anions which on the one hand are used for the synthesis of ionic liquids, but on the other hand can be employed per se as ionic liquid, and to processes for the preparation thereof.
US08143442B2

A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia): which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of i.a. pharmaceutically active compounds.
US08143433B2

The present invention relates to low triphenyl phosphate, high phosphorous content aryl phosphates with high ortho alkylation that are suitable for use as flame retardant compositions, processes for their preparation, and their use as flame retardants.
US08143427B2

It is to provide a method for efficiently producing an aminoacetylpyrrolidinecarbonitrile derivative which is useful as a DPP-IV inhibitor. It is a method for producing an aminoacetylpyrrolidinecarbonitrile derivative represented by the formula (2): (in the formula, A and R1 are as defined in the following), comprising allowing an acid to act on an aminoacetylpyrrolidinecarboxamide derivative represented by the formula (1): (in the formula, A represents CH2, CHF or CF2; and R1 represents a secondary amino group which may be substituted), and then allowing a dehydrating agent to act thereon.
US08143425B2

Novel heterocyclic aromatic compounds are provided that are useful in stimulating endogenous production or release of growth hormone, said compounds having the general structure of formula I wherein R1, R1a, R6, Xa, Xb and Y are as described herein. The compounds provided herein are useful in treating obesity, osteoporosis (improving bone density) and in improving muscle mass and muscle strength.
US08143422B2

The invention is concerned with novel benzimidazole derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1 to R6 are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof. These compounds can be used as medicaments.
US08143417B2

In the preparation of zolmitriptan of formula III the reduction of the diazonium salt to (5)-4-(4-hydrazinobenzyl)-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one of formula IV is performed in a more concentrated mixture and by the effect on an alkali metal disulphite, preferably sodium disulphite. A zolmitriptan toluene solvate, characterized by a toluene content of 9 to 14% by weight according to the gas chromatography determination and by a maximum of the corresponding mass loss at temperatures of about 111° C. in the gravimetric analysis record. A zolmitriptan toluene solvate, showing strong Raman bands at the wave numbers of 1443 and 1354 cm−1, characteristic for the crystal lattice of zolmitriptan with built-in toluene, and further marked bands at 1004 and 786 cm−1, characteristic for toluene.
US08143415B2

A process for making epi-epothilone compounds according to formula A.1, by reacting a compound according formula C with at least one halogenating agent followed by treatment with base, where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R12, R13, Z1 and Z2 in formulae (A.1) and (C) are as defined herein. The epi-epothilone compounds of formula (A.1) can be converted into aziridinyl epothilone compounds, which are useful for the treatment of cancer.
US08143411B2

The present application relates to novel substituted 6-phenylnicotinic acid derivatives, to processes for their preparation, to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, preferably for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cardiovascular disorders, in particular dyslipidaemias, arteriosclerosis and heart failure.
US08143410B2

The present invention relates to drug delivery systems comprising ocular implant, which include organic molecules, capable of modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction in order to regulate, modulate and/or inhibit abnormal cell proliferation, in combination with a polymer, which polymer serves to control, modify, modulate and/or slow the release of the therapeutic component into the environment of the eye in which said composite is placed.
US08143409B2

Rabeprazole sodium in the monohydrate crystalline form, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, the use thereof in therapy, a process for its preparation, and the use thereof for the purification of rabeprazole sodium.
US08143404B2

A compound represented by formula (I), a salt thereof, an N-oxide thereof, a solvate thereof or a prodrug thereof: (wherein each symbol is as defined in the description.) The compounds represented by formula (I) has the antagonistic activity against CCR5, so they are useful in preventing and/or treating CCR5-related diseases, for example, various inflammatory diseases (asthma, nephritis, nephropathy, hepatitis, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis, etc.), immunological diseases (autoimmune diseases, rejection in organ transplantation (rejection of graft of solid organ, rejection of graft of pancreatic islet cells in therapy for diabetes, graft-versus-host disease, etc.), immunosuppression, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, etc.), infectious diseases (infection with human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, infection with RSV, etc.), allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, urticaria, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis, etc.), cardiovascular diseases (arteriosclerosis, ischemic reperfusion injury, etc.), acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock accompanying bacterial infection, diabetes, cancer metastasis and so on.
US08143402B2

Provided are crystalline forms of the compound of formula (I), which is a macrocyclic inhibitor of HCV, processes for the preparation thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these crystalline forms.
US08143386B2

The present invention relates to fusion proteins containing at least two Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. In particular, it relates to bi-fusion proteins which contain two individual M. tuberculosis antigens, tri-fusion proteins which contain three M. tuberculosis antigens, tetra-fusion proteins which contain four M. tuberculosis antigens, and penta-fusion proteins which contain five M. tuberculosis antigens, and methods for their use in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tuberculosis infection.
US08143379B2

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided fully human monoclonal antibodies against human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Nucleotide sequences encoding and amino acid sequences comprising heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the complementarity determining regions (CDRs), specifically from within FR1 and/or CDR1 through CDR3 and/or within FR4, are provided. Further provided are antibodies having similar binding properties and antibodies (or other antagonists) having similar functionality as antibodies disclosed herein.
US08143375B2

The present invention relates to unprotected amino aldehydes and applications for same. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel aziridine aldehydes and processes for preparing these novel compounds. The invention also relates to aziridine-conjugated amino derivatives, and processes for preparing the same. Pentacyclic compounds may be prepared using the aziridine aldehydes of the present invention, and the invention relates to these compounds and the processes by which they are made. The invention also relates to aziridine-conjugated bioactive molecules, such as amino acids and peptides, and processes for preparing such compounds.
US08143370B2

One-part moisture curable sealant compositions and methods of making the same are provided. The composition includes a silane-terminated polythioether component and a catalyst. The silane-terminated polythioether component and catalyst are isolated from moisture to prevent curing. The composition is stable against curing at ambient temperature and under conditions substantially free of moisture. When the composition is applied to a substrate and exposed to moisture, the composition cures to form a sealant. A method of making a sealant composition includes reacting a mercapto-terminated polythioether with a compound having a silane group to form a silane-terminated polythioether. The silane-terminated polythioether is then combined with a catalyst and isolated from moisture to prevent curing. Lastly, the composition is applied to a substrate and exposed to moisture which allows the composition to cure to form a sealant.
US08143364B2

Process for preparing a composition by reacting a polyisocyanate, a monoalkoxy polyoxyalkylene monoamine and water. The composition and its use in making cellular products are claimed as well.
US08143359B2

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an organic silicon compound which has a vinyl group more reactive than those of the conventional organic silicon compounds and can be bonded with another compound.The present organic silicon compound is represented by the following formula (1), wherein R1 is, independently of each other, a vinyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and R3 is, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms.
US08143354B2

The present invention relates to the in situ acid end group functionalization of polymer chains which have been prepared by means of atom transfer radical polymerization, and to the simultaneous removal of transition metals from polymer solutions.
US08143346B2

A fast curable non-isocyanate-based polyurethane- and polyurethane-epoxy network nanocomposite polymeric compositions are derived upon crosslinking a mixture comprising of natural or modified nano-clay [ionic phyllosilicate] with platelet thickness in the scale of A (˜1 nm) and aspect ratio (length/thickness) higher than 10 (nm)] preferably natural or modified montmorillonite with either a monomer(s) or oligomer(s) bearing at least one cyclocarbonate group or a mixture of the latter with an epoxy resin, with a hardener, which is a monomer or oligomer or mixtures therefrom, bearing primary and/or secondary amino groups. The use of the nanoclays reduces the gel time and increases the adhesion of the cured polyurethane and polyurethane/epoxy hybrid and also reduces its water absorption.
US08143343B2

A microphase-separated structure comprising a block copolymer, which contains at least a block chain A consisting of a monomer A as a repeating unit and a block chain B consisting of a monomer B as a repeating unit, and a solvent, wherein the solvent has a temperature zone 1 where the block chain A and the block chain B are soluble and a temperature zone 2 where the block chain A is insoluble but the block chain B is soluble, and a structural period thereof varies by changing temperature between the temperature zone 1 and the temperature zone 2.
US08143342B2

Disclosed is a coating agent including a synthetic resin emulsion (A) wherein an acrylic resin of which the main monomer component is an alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid, and a silicone resin of which the main monomer component is a cyclic siloxane compound are mixed in emulsion particles to set the ratio by weight of the former to the latter into the range of 99/1 to 30/70, and a particulate matter (B) having an average particle diameter of 0.5 to 500 μm and an oil absorption of 60 mL/100 g or less, wherein the particulate matter (B) has a pigment volume concentration of 10 to 90%. When this coating agent is stored or after a paint film is made therefrom, a fall in the water repellent effect thereof is restrained, so that an excellent water repellent performance can stably be exhibited.
US08143340B2

The present invention features polylactic acid composite compositions, more particularly a composite composition. The provided polylactic acid composite composition preferably includes the biomaterial polylactic acid resin and, accordingly, it is capable of effectively reducing carbon dioxide emission. Hence, it goes along with the low-carbon, green growth initiative. Further, with improved mechanical strength and heat resistance, it is usefully applicable to automotive interiors/exteriors, construction interiors, etc.
US08143339B2

Nanocomposite compositions containing a graft polymer and a filler such as nano-sized silica having flame resistant properties are described.
US08143334B1

A press board for use in construction is made of unreduced peanut shells and a polyester resin binder. The preferred formulation has 87-92% by weight peanut shells and 8-13% binder. The method of manufacturing involves curing the formulation in a 100 ton press at temperatures in the range of 29-380° F. for periods of from 5-8 minutes.
US08143329B2

A treated kaolin containing silicone rubber composition consisting essentially of an organopolysiloxane, treated kaolin, a curing agent; and optional additives selected from the group of one or more rheology modifiers, pigments, coloring agents, anti-adhesive agents, plasticizers, adhesion promoters, blowing agents, fire retardants and dessicants which composition is substantially free of reinforcing fillers. These finished kaolin containing silicone rubber compositions are useful in applications such as silicone profile extrusions, wire and cable coatings, glazing, and for construction gaskets.
US08143319B2

A method and apparatus for converting carbonaceous material to a stream of carbon rich gas, comprising heating a slurry feed containing the carbonaceous material in a hydrogasification process using hydrogen and steam, at a temperature and pressure sufficient to generate a methane and carbon monoxide rich stream in which the conversion time in the process is between 5 and 45 seconds. In particular embodiments, the slurry feed containing the carbonaceous material is fed, along with hydrogen, to a kiln type reactor before being fed to the fluidized bed reactor. Apparatus is provided comprising a kiln type reactor, a slurry pump connected to an input of the kiln type reactor, means for connecting a source of hydrogen to an input of the kiln type reactor; a fluidized bed reactor connected to receive output of the kiln type reactor for processing at a fluidizing zone, and a source of steam and a source of hydrogen connected to the fluidized bed reactor below the fluidizing zone. Optionally, a grinder can be provided in the kiln type reactor.
US08143316B2

The present invention provides a method for treating peripheral vascular diseases in a mammalian subject, which comprises administering to the patient in need thereof an effective amount of 11-deoxy-prostaglandin compound.
US08143312B2

An object of the present invention is to provide better formulations of a latanoprost ophthalmic solution. The present invention provides a clear ophthalmic solution comprising latanoprost as an active ingredient and benzalkonium chloride as a preservative wherein white turbidity due to a change of formulation is prevented by at least one means selected from the following 1) to 3); 1) adding a surfactant, 2) using benzalkonium chloride represented by the formula of [C6H5CH2N(CH3)2R]Cl (wherein R is alkyl having 12 carbon atoms) as the preservative and 3) adding a nonionic tonicity agent as a tonicity agent.
US08143302B2

The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions that selectively bind cyclooxygenase-2 and comprise a therapeutic and/or diagnostic moiety. Also provided are methods for using the disclosed compositions for diagnosing (i.e., by imaging) a target cell and/or treating a disorder associated with a cyclooxygenase-2 biological activity.
US08143298B2

The invention is directed to compounds of formula I: wherein Ar, r, R3, X, and R5-7 are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of formula I have AT1 receptor antagonist activity and neprilysin inhibition activity. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and a process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08143297B2

The present invention relates to heterocyclic derivatives useful as inhibitors of ion channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.
US08143295B2

The invention provides compositions, pharmaceutical preparations and methods for correcting cellular processing (e.g., folding, trafficking, or post-translational modification) of a mutant-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (e.g., ΔF508 CFTR) that are useful for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). The compositions and pharmaceutical preparations of the invention may comprise one or more aminobenzothiazole-containing compounds, aminoarylthiazole-containing compounds, quinazolinylaminopyrimidinone-containing compounds, bisaminomethylbithiazole-containing compounds, or phenylaminoquino-line-containing compounds of the invention, or an analog or derivative thereof.
US08143294B2

The invention relates to 2-thio-substituted imidazole derivatives of the Formula I, and to methods of use thereof.
US08143291B2

The invention provides well-defined aryl and/or heteroaryl substituted indoles that are useful as sphingosine-1-phosphate agonists or antagonists. As such, the compounds described herein are useful in treating a wide variety of disorders associated with modulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08143290B2

Compounds of formula (I): The present invention relates to novel indazolyl ester or amide derivatives, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives, to processes for preparing such novel derivatives and to the use of such derivatives as medicaments.
US08143289B2

The present invention is directed to novel substituted aminotetrahydropyrans of structural formula I which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved.
US08143285B2

The present invention provides an indolecarboxylic acid derivative having DP receptor antagonistic activity and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the said compound as an active ingredient, and further a therapeutic agent for treating allergic diseases.A compound of the general formula (I): wherein the ring A is an aromatic carbocyclic ring etc.; the ring B is a nitrogen-containing non-aromatic heterocyclic ring etc.; the formula of -X1=X2-X3=X4- is a formula of —C(R1)═C(R2)—C(R3)═C(R4)— etc.; X5 is C(R5) or N; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom etc; R6 is a formula of -Z-R10 etc. wherein Z is alkylene etc., and R10 is carboxy etc.; R7 is optionally substituted alkyloxy etc.; R8 is independently a halogen atom etc.; R9 is independently optionally substituted alkyl etc.; Y is a single bond etc.; n is 0 etc.; q is 0 etc.;a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof.
US08143282B2

The present invention relates to compounds which are inhibitors of histone deacetylase. More particularly, the present invention relates to heterocyclic compounds and methods for their preparation. These compounds may be useful as medicaments for the treatment of proliferative disorders as well as other diseases involving, relating to or associated with enzymes having histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities.
US08143278B2

The present invention provides a compound of formula I: said compound is inhibitor of aldosterone synthase, and/or 11beta-hydroxylase (CYP11B1), and thus can be employed for the treatment of a disorder or disease mediated by aldosterone synthase and/or CYP11B1. Finally, the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition.
US08143274B2

The present invention provides: a compound represented by the following formula (I): [wherein Y1 and Y4 represent a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; either one of Y2 and Y3 represents —NR1R2, and the other represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; X represents an aryl group or a heteroaryl group that may be substituted; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, or a C1-8 alkyl group that may be substituted; and R2 represents a C1-8 alkyl group that is substituted with one or more substituents, —COOR3, —COR4, —COSR5, —CONR6R7, —NR22R23, or —C═NR24R25; or R1 and R2, together with a nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, may form a 4- to 10-membered hetero ring containing at least one nitrogen atom (wherein the hetero ring may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from Group C)], a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutical, a pharmaceutical composition, or the like, which comprises the compound.
US08143264B2

The present invention relates to a xanthine compound derivative which is 3-butyl-8-chloro-1-(3-{5-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-2H-tetrazol-2-yl}propyl)-3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-dione: a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, corresponding pharmaceutical formulations, combinations, preparation methods and methods or uses in treatment of diseases where under-activation of the HM74A receptor contributes to the disease or where activation of the receptor will be beneficial.
US08143261B2

The invention provides certain thiazolopyrimidine compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, processes and intermediates used in their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy.
US08143257B2

The present invention relates to methods, compounds, and compositions for inhibiting angiogenesis. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods, compounds, and compositions for inhibiting VEGF production.
US08143255B2

The present invention relates to pyrimidine compounds that are useful as anti-proliferative agents. More particularly, the present invention relates to heteroalkyl linked and substituted pyrimidine compounds, methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and uses of these compounds in the treatment of proliferative disorders. These compounds may be useful as medicaments for the treatment of a number of proliferative disorders including tumors and cancers as well as other conditions or disorders associated with kinases.
US08143250B2

In view of the great potential the quinazoline class of compounds offer, we started the synthesis and screening of a large number of new chemical entities with novel structural features. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that quinazolines having 3-Ethynyl anilino group at the 4th position and specifically substituted alkoxy groups in the 6 and 7 positions, impart much enhanced and special anti-proliferative properties when compared to other prominent members of the quinazoline class of drugs. Also, surprisingly the compounds of this invention are much less toxic and the safety profile is exceedingly beneficial for therapeutic applications. The novel chemical entities described in this invention are designated by the general structure (I) and have not been synthesized earlier nor investigated for their therapeutic benefits and safety profile. Compound (I) is NRC-2694, when structure (A).
US08143245B2

This invention relates to the use of 10-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-ylmethyl]-10H-phenothiazine as well as its pharmaceutically acceptable salts for the preparation of a drug having the particularity of treating or preventing urinary incontinence, by local and/or oral route.
US08143241B2

The present invention relates to the recognition that inhibition of the base excision repair pathway is selectively lethal in cells which are deficient in HR dependent DNA DSB repair. Methods and means relating to the treatment of cancers which are deficient in HR dependent DNA DSB repair using inhibitors which target base excision repair components, such as PARP, is provided herein.
US08143237B2

Selenopheno triazene analogs, their compositions, tautomeric forms, stereoisomers, polymorphs, hydrates, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and mixtures thereof are useful for the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma and other cancers. The selenopheno triazene analogs have the general formulae (I) or (II): wherein the substituents R1, R2, R3, R6, and R7 are as described in the specification. Other cancers include which may be treated with these compounds include, but are not limited to, malignant melanoma, leukemia, lymphomas (Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins), sarcomas (Ewing's sarcoma), brain tumors, central nervous system (CNS) metastases, gliomas, carcinomas such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer (small cell and non-small cell), colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, Head and Neck cancers and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
US08143230B2

The present disclosure describes short antisense compounds, including such compounds comprising chemically-modified high-affinity monomers 8-16 monomers in length. Certain such short antisense compound are useful for the reduction of target nucleic acids and/or proteins in cells, tissues, and animals with increased potency and improved therapeutic index. Thus, provided herein are short antisense compounds comprising high-affinity nucleotide modifications useful for reducing a target RNA in vivo. Such short antisense compounds are effective at lower doses than previously described antisense compounds, allowing for a reduction in toxicity and cost of treatment. In addition, the described short antisense compounds have greater potential for oral dosing.
US08143228B2

Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cancer or acute ischemia are provided. Also provided are methods of identifying agents capable of preventing the formation of or dissociating the MSF-A-HIF-1alpha protein complex, and methods of determining the prognosis of an individual having cancer by identifying the presence or absence of such a protein complex.
US08143224B2

A purified polypeptide includes an ApoA1 mimetic or fragment thereof that are resistant to oxidation.
US08143217B2

The invention relates to a method to reduce the hypoglycemic events, especially sever hypoglycemic events resulting from insulin treatment, wherein the patient is treated with a Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor (DPP-IV inhibitor) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08143209B2

Laundry detergent and cleaning compositions comprising amphiphilic graft polymers based on water-soluble polyalkylene oxides (A) as a graft base and side chains formed by polymerization of a vinyl ester component (B), said polymers having an average of ≦1 graft site per 50 alkylene oxide units and mean molar masses Mw of from 3000 to 100,000.
US08143208B2

Process of making alkyl-capped alkoxylated esters. More specifically, a process of making alkyl-capped alkoxylated esters that are comprised substantially of triethylene alkoxy ester and substantially free from ethylene glycol monoalkoxy monoester and diethylene glycol monoalkoxy monoester.
US08143202B2

Poly methacrylate copolymers are disclosed which comprising from about 60 to about 96 weight percent of a C12-C16 alkyl methacrylate and from about 40 to about 4 weight percent of a C18-C30 alkyl methacrylate and provide excellent low temperature properties to lubricating oils.
US08143200B2

A lubricating oil formulation is disclosed inhibiting a pour point of about −45° C. or lower and a Brookfield viscosity at −40° C. of about 60,000 cP or less comprising a mixture of a base stock selected from the group consisting of a Group III base stock, a GTL base stock, synthetic and natural waxy hydrocarbon hydroisomerate base stock, and mixtures thereof in combination with HVI-PAO. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the pour point and enhancing the −40° C. Brookfield viscosity performance of a lubricating oil comprising a base stock selected from the group consisting of Group III base stock, GTL base stock, synthetic and natural waxy hydrocarbon hydroisomerate base stock, and mixtures thereof by adding HVI-PAO to such base stock.
US08143196B2

A method and apparatus for manufacturing ceramic microspheres from industrial slag. The microspheres have a particle size of about 38 microns to about 150 microns. The microspheres are used to create a cement slurry having a density of at least about 11 lbs/g. The resultant cement slurry may then be used to treat subterranean wells.
US08143193B2

The novel active compound combinations of cyclic ketoenols of the formula (I) and the active compounds of the formula (II) listed in the description have very good insecticidal and acaricidal properties.
US08143192B2

Methods are provided for increasing the resistance of plants to hypoxic or anoxic conditions. Such methods may be applied to increase the penetrance of plant roots in the growth medium or into soil. The methods according to the invention may include providing plants with a stress tolerance gene. Similar effects can be obtained by applying chemical compounds, including neonicotinoid compounds, to the plants.
US08143191B2

A thermosensitive recording material including a polypropylene film support, a thermosensitive recording layer, a protective layer and a back layer, where the thermosensitive recording layer and the protective layer are disposed on a surface of the polypropylene film support, and the back layer is disposed on another surface of the polypropylene film support, where the back layer is a coated layer of a coating liquid containing a self-crosslinking resin emulsion, which contains a combination of at least one selected from a carbonyl group-containing acrylic resin having a Tg of 16° C. or lower and a copolymer polyester resin having a Tg of 16° C. or lower and a hydrazine derivative having a hydrazine residual group, and a quaternary ammonium polymer antistatic agent.
US08143184B2

The invention is directed to a process for producing an olefin polymerization catalyst wherein a solution of a soluble magnesium complex containing an element of is Group 13 or 14 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC) is contacted with a halogen containing transition metal compound of Group 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC) to obtain a solid catalyst complex comprising as essential components Mg, said element of is Group 13 or 14 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC) and said transition metal compound.
US08143183B2

The present invention provides polymerization catalyst compositions employing novel dinuclear metallocene compounds. Methods for making these new dinuclear metallocene compounds and for using such compounds in catalyst compositions for the polymerization and copolymerization of olefins are also provided.
US08143182B2

The present invention provides a fused ceramic particle, having the following chemical composition, in percentages by weight based on the oxides and for a total of 100%: 50%
US08143178B2

The present invention discloses a blue transparent glass-ceramic material comprising β-quartz solid solution as a predominant crystalline phase and process for making same. The glass-ceramic comprises TiO2 as a nucleating agent, sulphur and at least one metal oxide, advantageously MgO and/or ZnO. The process for making the glass-ceramic material comprises including a metal sulphide, such as ZnS and/or MgS, as a reducing agent in melting the precursor glass of the glass-ceramic material.
US08143176B2

The present invention relates to textile two- or three-dimensional structures formed from fibers and/or ribbons and swellable materials, the fibers and/or ribbons present in the structure and also the swellable materials each being present in such an amount that the fibers and/or ribbons are encased by the swellable materials and the voids in the structure are, in the swollen state, partially or completely filled by materially bound water and the swellable materials used being aqueous emulsions of (co)polymers of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer MON which are applied to the fibers and/or ribbons.
US08143169B2

Methods for providing an integrated circuit using a multi-stage molding process to protect wirebonds. In one embodiment, a method includes attaching a die to a leadframe having a lead finger, attaching a wirebond between the die and the leadfinger, applying a first mold material over at least a portion of the wirebond and the die and the leadfinger to form an assembly, waiting for the first mold material to at least partially cure, and applying a second mold material over the assembly.
US08143158B2

Embodiments of the present invention describe a method and device of preventing delamination of semiconductor layers in a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate with an interlayer dielectric (ILD). A protection layer is deposited on the ILD. Next, a getter layer is formed on the protection layer to remove any native oxides on the protection layer. A capping layer is then deposited on the getter layer to prevent oxidation of the getter layer. Next, a semiconductor layer is formed on the capping layer. An oxide layer is then deposited on the semiconductor layer. Subsequently, a buffered oxide etch solution is used to remove the oxide layer. By removing the native oxides on the protection layer, the getter layer prevents the reaction between the buffered oxide etch solution and the native oxides which may cause delamination of the semiconductor layer and protection layer.
US08143150B2

A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a well impurity region, a lower impurity region and an upper impurity region in a semiconductor substrate. The lower impurity region has a different conductivity type than a conductivity type of the well impurity region, the upper impurity region has a different conductivity type than the conductivity type of the lower impurity region, and the upper impurity region has a same conductivity type as the conductivity type of the well impurity region and has a higher impurity concentration than an impurity concentration of the well impurity region. The semiconductor substrate is etched to form lower semiconductor patterns, upper semiconductor patterns upwardly projecting from predetermined regions of the lower semiconductor patterns. An isolation layer filling the first and second spaces between the lower semiconductor patterns and between the upper semiconductor patterns, respectively is formed.
US08143142B2

A method of fabricating an epi-wafer includes providing a wafer including boron by cutting a single crystal silicon ingot, growing an insulating layer on one surface of the wafer, performing thermal treatment of the wafer, removing the insulating layer formed on one surface of the wafer, mirror-surface-grinding one surface of the wafer, and growing an epitaxial layer on one surface of the wafer and forming a high-density boron layer within the wafer that corresponds to the interface between the wafer and the epitaxial layer.
US08143141B2

A laser processing method is provided, which, when cutting a substrate formed with a multilayer part including a plurality of functional devices, makes it possible to cut the multilayer part with a high precision in particular.In a state where a protective tape 22 is attached to the front face 16a of a multilayer part 16, a substrate 4 is irradiated with laser light L while using its rear face 4b as a laser light entrance surface, so as to form a modified region 7 within the substrate 4 along a line to cut, thereby generating a fracture 24 reaching the front face 4a of the substrate 4 from a front-side end part 7a of the modified region 7. Attaching an expandable tape to the rear face 4b of the substrate 4 and expanding it in the state where such a fracture 24 is generated can cut not only the substrate 4 but also the multilayer part 16 on the line to cut, i.e., interlayer insulating films 17a, 17b, with a favorable precision along the line to cut.
US08143136B2

A method for fabricating a crown-shaped capacitor includes providing a first dielectric layer with a protective pillar formed thereover, including a first conductive layer, a protective layer, and a mask layer. A second conductive layer is formed over a sidewall of the protective pillar. A first capacitance layer and a third conductive layer are formed over the first dielectric layer. A sacrificial layer is formed over the third conductive layer. The sacrificial layer, the third conductive layer, the first capacitance layer, the second conductive layer, and the mask layer above the protective layer are partially removed. The second conductive layer and the third conductive are removed to form a recess adjacent to the first capacitance layer. The protective layer is removed and an opening is formed to expose the first and second conductive layers. A second capacitance layer and a fourth conductive layer are formed in the opening. The sacrificial layer is removed to expose the third conductive layer.
US08143135B2

Trench capacitors and methods of manufacturing the trench capacitors are provided. The trench capacitors are very dense series capacitor structures with independent electrode contacts. In the method, a series of capacitors are formed by forming a plurality of insulator layers and a plurality of electrodes in a trench structure, where each electrode is formed in an alternating manner with each insulator layer. The method further includes planarizing the electrodes to form contact regions for a plurality of capacitors.
US08143133B2

During the fabrication of advanced transistors, significant dopant diffusion may be suppressed by performing a millisecond anneal process after completing the basic transistor configuration, wherein a stress memorization technique may also be obtained by forming a strain-inducing area within a sidewall spacer structure. Due to the corresponding void formation in the spacer structure, a high tensile strain component may be obtained in the adjacent channel region.
US08143128B2

A method forms a first inorganic dielectric layer having a first concentration of defects and a second inorganic dielectric layer in contact with a first layer and having a second lesser concentration of defects.
US08143124B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a charge control trench and an active control trench with a thick oxide bottom includes forming a drift region, a well region extending above the drift region, an active trench extending through the well region and into the drift region, a charge control trench extending deeper into the drift region than the active trench, an oxide film that fills the active trench, the charge control trench and covers a top surface of the substrate, an electrode in the active trench, and source regions. The method also includes etching the oxide film off the top surface of the substrate and inside the active trench to leave a substantially flat layer of thick oxide having a target thickness at the bottom of the active trench.
US08143112B1

Techniques for fabricating metal devices, such as vertical light-emitting diode (VLED) devices, power devices, laser diodes, and vertical cavity surface emitting laser devices, are provided. Devices produced accordingly may benefit from greater yields and enhanced performance over conventional metal devices, such as higher brightness of the light-emitting diode and increased thermal conductivity. Moreover, the invention discloses techniques in the fabrication arts that are applicable to GaN-based electronic devices in cases where there is a high heat dissipation rate of the metal devices that have an original non- (or low) thermally conductive and/or non- (or low) electrically conductive carrier substrate that has been removed.
US08143089B2

A method is described for self-aligning a bottom electrode in a phase change random access memory PCRAM device where a top electrode serves as a mask for self-aligning etching of the bottom electrode. The bottom electrode has a top surface that is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing. The top electrode also has a top surface that is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing. A bottom electrode layer like TiN is formed over a substrate and prior to the formation of a via during subsequent process steps. A first dielectric layer is formed over the bottom electrode layer, and a second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer. A via is formed at a selected section that extends through the first and second dielectric layers.
US08143081B2

A method for dicing an optoelectronic semiconductor wafer has steps of preparing an optoelectronic semiconductor wafer, laser scribing, diamond saw dicing and forming optoelectronic semiconductor dies. A product for dicing an optoelectronic semiconductor wafer has a substrate and an epitaxial layer. The substrate has a first surface, a second surface and two rough surfaces. The rough surfaces are formed by laser scribing the wafer to define multiple guide grooves on the wafer and diamond saw grooving the wafer along the guide grooves. The epitaxial layer is formed epitaxially on the first surface of the substrate.
US08143078B2

Methods are disclosed for monitoring the amount of metal contamination imparted during wafer processing operations such as polishing and cleaning. The methods include subjecting a silicon-on-insulator structure to the semiconductor process, precipitating metal contamination in the structure and delineating the metal contaminants.
US08143075B2

A semiconductor device manufacture method has the steps of: (a) forming a semiconductor device structure in a chip and alignment marks, respectively in a semiconductor wafer; (b) forming a workpiece layer above the semiconductor wafer; (c) exposing the alignment marks; (d) coating an electron beam resist film on the workpiece layer; (e) scanning the alignment marks with an electron beam to obtain plural position information on the alignment marks and obtaining differences between the plural position information; (f) removing abnormal values of position information in accordance with the difference between the plural position information; and (g) performing an electron beam exposure in accordance with plural position information of the alignment marks with the abnormal value being removed. An alignment mark detection precision can be improved in electron beam exposure.
US08143062B2

Compositions for enhancing satiety and weight loss in an individual, assays for assessing a tastant for enhancing satiety and weight loss, and methods of using the composition to suppress appetite and enhance weight loss are provided.
US08143058B2

A human CDR-grafted antibody or the antibody fragment thereof which specifically reacts with the extracellular region of human CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) but does not react with a human blood platelet; a human CDR-grafted antibody or the antibody fragment thereof which specifically reacts with the extracellular region of CCR4 and has a cytotoxic activity against a CCR4-expressing cell; and a medicament, a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent comprising at least one of the antibodies and the antibody fragments thereof as an active ingredient.
US08143057B2

This invention relates to a group of novel chelating agents, novel chelates, biomolecules labeled with said chelates or chelating agents as well as solid supports conjugated with said chelates, chelating agents or labeled biomolecules. Especially the invention relates to novel chelating agents useful in solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides or oligopeptides and the oligonucleotides and oligopeptides so obtained.
US08143051B2

Systems and methods for maintaining the dominance and increasing the biomass production of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system are provided. Exemplary methods include applying an effective amount of ozone to Nannochloropsis growing in an algae cultivation system. A further method may include applying a shock amount of ozone above 10 milligrams/liter or higher in the inlet stream flowing into the algae cultivation system. Various exemplary embodiments may include a system for maintaining dominance and increasing the biomass production of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system. The system may comprise a processor, and a computer readable storage medium having instructions for execution by the processor. The instructions for execution by the processor cause the processor to maintain dominance and increase biomass production of the Nannochloropsis in the algae cultivation system.
US08143047B2

The invention relates to functional polypeptides secreted from Botryospaeria rhodina CBS 274.96.
US08143046B2

The present invention relates to variant phytase enzymes having altered properties.
US08143030B2

Methods, devices, and systems for performing intermittent detection during analytical reactions are provided. Such methods facilitate collection of reaction data from disparate reaction times. Further, such methods are useful for reducing photo-induced damage of one or more reactants in an illuminated analytical reaction at a given reaction time. In preferred embodiments, the reaction mixture is subjected to at least one illuminated and non-illuminated period and allowed to proceed such that the time in which the reaction mixture is illuminated is less than a photo-induced damage threshold period.
US08143021B2

The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08143011B2

This invention relates to isolated peptides derived from MAGE-C2, nucleic acid molecules that encode MAGE-C2 and the isolated peptides derived from MAGE-C2, expression vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules, host cells transformed or transfected with the nucleic acid molecules or the expression vectors, and to tetramers comprising the peptides, HLA molecules, ∃2 microglobulin and a first and second binding partner. This invention also relates to methods for using the peptides, nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors, tetramers and complexes of this invention as well as to cytolytic T cells which recognize the peptides in complex with an HLA molecule.
US08143007B2

The present invention provides oligonucleotides for detection of rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes for identifying clonality of cells, cancer cells, hypermutation in immunoglobulin gene, antibody isotype producing cell and/or assaying B cell repertoire in a sample. The oligonucleotides disclosed in the present invention are very specific to the immunoglobulin genes.
US08143001B2

The invention relates to methods for analysis of nucleic acid methylation status, and fragmentation and/or labeling and/or immobilization of nucleic acids. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for fragmentation and/or labeling and/or immobilization of nucleic acids comprising labeling and/or cleavage and/or immobilization at abasic sites.
US08142990B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide Dermal Micro-organs (DMOs), methods and apparatuses for producing the same. Some embodiments of the invention provide a DMO including a plurality of dermal components, which substantially retain the micro-architecture and three dimensional structure of the dermal tissue from which they are derived, having dimensions selected so as to allow passive diffusion of adequate nutrients and gases to cells of the DMO and diffusion of cellular waste out of the cells so as to minimize cellular toxicity and concomitant death due to insufficient nutrition and accumulation of waste in the DMO. Some embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for harvesting the DMO. An apparatus for harvesting the DMO may include, according to some exemplary embodiments, a support configuration to support a skin-related tissue structure from which the DMO is to be harvested, and a cutting tool able to separate the DMO from the skin-related tissue structure. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08142984B2

Lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition (LPNE) combines attributes of photolithography with the versatility of bottom-up electrochemical synthesis. Photolithography is employed to define the position of a sacrificial nanoband electrode, preferably formed from a metal such as nickel, copper, silver, gold or the like, which is stripped using electrooxidation or a chemical etchant to advantageously recess the nanoband electrode between a substrate surface and the photoresist to form a trench defined by the substrate surface, the photoresist and the nanoband electrode. The trench acts as a “nanoform” to form an incipient nanowire during its electrodeposition. The width of the nanowire is determined by the electrodeposition duration while its height is determined by the height of the nanoband electrode.
US08142974B2

A liquid developer is provided. The liquid developer comprises an insulation liquid, toner particles dispersed in the insulation liquid, a dispersant dissolved in the insulation liquid; and a charge control agent dissolved in the insulation liquid. The charge control agent is represented by the following chemical formula (I): wherein in the chemical formula (I) R1 represents an alkyl group or alkenyl group having a carbon number in the range of 8 to 22, and R2 represents a hydroxyalkyl group. The liquid developer has both superior dispersibility and a charge characteristic of toner particles. Further, an image forming apparatus is also provided.
US08142970B2

A toner having a core with a first latex having a specific glass transition temperature, and further having a shell surrounding the core with a second latex having a specific glass transition temperature and possessing functional groups, and processes for producing the same.
US08142963B2

A before-chucking main surface shape is measured in an actual measurement region of a main surface of a substrate which has been precision-polished and, based on the before-chucking main surface shape of the substrate and a shape of a mask stage (1), an after-chucking main surface shape of the substrate when a photomask (2) manufactured from the substrate is set in an exposure apparatus is obtained through simulation. A selection is made of the substrate in which the after-chucking main surface shape has a flatness of a first threshold value or less in a virtual calculation region thereof. For the selected substrate, a calculation is made of a first approximate curve approximate to a cross-sectional shape along a first direction in a correction region of the after-chucking main surface shape. Correction is performed by calculating an approximate curved surface from the first approximate curve and subtracting the approximate curved surface from the after-chucking main surface shape to calculate an after-correction main surface shape. A selection is made of the substrate in which the after-correction main surface shape has a flatness of a second threshold value or less in the correction region.
US08142962B2

A reflective photomask comprises a photomask substrate, a photomask pattern, formed on an upper surface of the photomask substrate, at least one alignment mark, formed on the upper surface of the photomask substrate, for aligning the reflective photomask with an exposure apparatus, and at least one fiducial mark, formed on a lower surface of the photomask substrate, for determining locations of defects in the photomask pattern.
US08142958B2

An EUV mask comprises a substrate, a reflective multilayer on the substrate, a phase-shifting material disposed above the multilayer in at least one first portion of the substrate, and a masking material disposed above the multilayer in second portions of the substrate and corresponding to mask patterns of an EUV mask. There is also provided a method for repairing an EUV mask including a substrate, a reflective multilayer on the substrate and at least one defect beneath or within the multilayer. The method includes the steps of determining the position of a defect area of the substrate, in which a phase-shift difference of an exposure radiation is caused by the defect, and depositing a phase-shifting material above the multilayer in at least one first portion of the substrate, the first portion at least partially comprising the defect area.
US08142957B2

The invention provides a method for preparing a membrane electrode of a fuel cell, comprising the steps of preparing diffusion layers, and superimposing the diffusion layers on a proton exchange membrane having a catalyst layer on each surface, wherein the method for preparing the proton exchange membrane having a catalyst layer on each surface comprises the steps of: filling a catalyst slurry containing a catalyst and a bonding agent between two polymer films, and pressing the polymer films filled with the catalyst slurry to obtain a catalyst layer; and superimposing the catalyst layer on each surface of a proton exchange membrane. The method of the present invention can control the thickness of the catalyst layers by pressing during preparation thereof, therefore, the catalyst layers have an even thickness and surface.
US08142940B2

A flat fuel cell including: at least two unit cells, a casing provided with supports for each of said unit cells, said supports offering a bearing surface to a periphery of the unit cells, a sealing member interposed between the periphery of each unit cell and the surface of an associated support, and a cover forming a compression element coming into abutment on the periphery of each unit cell opposite the sealing member and cooperating directly with the associated support in order to provide compression of the sealing member.
US08142915B2

A gypsum slurry is described that includes water, a hydraulic component comprising at least 50% calcined gypsum by weight based on the dry weight of the hydraulic component, foam, a defoamer and a polycarboxylate dispersant. In some embodiments of the invention, the defoamer is combined with the dispersant prior to being added to the gypsum slurry. The defoamer and dispersant can be added as a physical mixture, wherein the defoamer is attached onto the dispersant polymer, or a combination thereof. A gypsum building panel is made from the gypsum slurry.
US08142913B2

Polycrystalline monolithic magnesium aluminate spinels are disclosed. The polycrystalline monolithic magnesium aluminate spinels have small grain sizes and may be deposited on substrates as thick one-piece deposits. The polycrystalline monolithic magnesium aluminate spinels may be prepared and deposited by chemical vapor deposition. Articles made with the polycrystalline monolithic magnesium aluminate spinels also are disclosed.
US08142911B2

Novel benzoxazole derivatives are provided to reduce driving voltage of light-emitting elements, and to reduce power consumption of light-emitting elements, light-emitting devices, and electronic devices. A benzoxazole derivative represented by the general formula (G1) is provided. Since the benzoxazole derivative represented by the general formula (G1) has an electron-injecting property, the benzoxazole derivative can be suitably used for light-emitting elements, light-emitting devices, and electronic devices.
US08142910B2

An organic light-emitting device includes a first electrode; a second electrode; an emissive layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a hole injecting layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The hole injecting layer includes a three-component mixture of a metal fluoride, an insulator, and a hole injecting layer forming organic compound. The metal of the metal fluoride is a Group 1 or Group 2 element. The insulator is a compound made up of an element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and B, and an element selected from the group consisting of O, S, Cl, Se, Br and I. The hole injecting layer material provides excellent electrical characteristics, and is suitable for fluorescent and phosphorescent devices of all colors including red, green, blue, and white, and can be used in manufacturing an organic light-emitting device having high efficiency, low voltage, high brightness, and long life span.
US08142908B2

A polymer light emitting material which contains a polymer compound comprising a repeating unit of the following formula (1) or (2) and having a polystyrene-reduced number-average molecular weight of 103 to 108, and which exhibits light emission from the triplet excited state. [wherein Ar1 and Ar2 each independently represent a trivalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a trivalent heterocyclic group. X1 and X2 each independently represent O, S, C(═O), S(═O), SO2, C(R1)(R2), Si(R3)(R4), N(R5), B(R6), P(R7) or P(═O)(R8). X1 and Ar2 bond to adjacent carbon atoms in the aromatic ring of Ar1; and X2 and Ar1 bond to adjacent carbon atoms in the aromatic ring of Ar2]; [wherein Ar3 and Ar4 each independently represent a trivalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a trivalent heterocyclic group. X3 and X4 each independently represent N, B, P, C(R9) or Si(R10). X3 and Ar4 bond to adjacent carbon atoms in the aromatic ring of Ar3; and X4 and Ar3 bond to adjacent carbon atoms in the aromatic ring of Ar4].
US08142907B2

An aluminum alloy brazing sheet having high strength comprising:a core alloy; an Al—Si-based filler alloy cladded on one side or both sides of the core alloy, wherein the core alloy is composed of an aluminum alloy containing 0.3-1.2% (mass %, the same applies the below) Si, 0.05-0.4% Fe, 0.3-1.2% Cu, 0.3-1.8% Mn, 0.05-0.6% Mg, and containing one or more elements selected from the group consisting of 0.02-0.3% Ti, 0.02-0.3% Zr, 0.02-0.3% Cr and 0.02-0.3% V, the balance of Al and unavoidable impurities; and wherein, after the aluminum alloy brazing sheet is subjected to brazing, the core alloy features a metallic structure in which a density of intermetallic compounds having a grain diameter of at least 0.1 μm is at most ten grains per μm2.
US08142901B2

A barrier laminate having an organic layer and an inorganic layer, in which the organic layer contains a polymer having a structural unit of the following formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; R2 represents a hydrocarbon group; X1 represents a single bond or a carbonyl group.
US08142900B2

A laser-weldable polybutylene terephthalate-series resin composition having a high laser weldability, a high welding strength, and a high heat shock resistance is provided.The laser-weldable PBT-series resin composition comprises (A) a polybutylene terephthalate-series resin and (B) a core-shell polymer (e.g., a core-shell polymer having an acrylic rubber as a core thereof), and if necessary (C) a filler or reinforcing agent (e.g., a glass fiber) and a polycarbonate-series resin. In the resin composition, the core-shell polymer (B) may usually have an average particle size of not less than 2 μm.
US08142889B2

The present invention relates generally to a reinforcement composition and a method of reinforcing an asphalt cement concrete composition. The reinforcement composition includes a core and an outer container. The core includes a plurality of fibers, and the outer container includes a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and mixtures thereof.
US08142887B2

A basecoat including a pigment blend of a coarse ground calcium carbonate and a hyperplaty clay having an average aspect ratio of at least about 40:1.
US08142879B2

A V-grooved composite insulation is provided with an adhesive coating and a protective jacketing material bonded to the adhesive. The protective jacketing material extends beyond the perimeter of the grooved insulation board and comprises at least one intact release layer at a location in which the protective jacketing is clear of contact with the bottom surface of the insulation member and a pressure sensitive adhesive between the portion of the protective jacketing material and the at least one release layer. The method also comprises preshaping the grooved insulation board around a pipe by bending the grooved insulation board, removing the release layer of the protective jacketing material, thereby exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive and securing the pressure sensitive adhesive to the protective jacketing to thereby surround the pipe in a vapor free manner. Grooved insulation boards with protective jacketing so constructed are also provided.
US08142875B2

Provided is an epoxy resin composition for fiber-reinforced composite materials, which serves as a matrix resin composition for use in a self-adhesive prepreg for a face sheet of a honeycomb panel. The epoxy resin composition enables to increase self-adhesiveness of the prepreg, while improving workability and appearance quality of the prepreg. The epoxy resin composition is characterized by containing: an epoxy resin (A) which is in a liquid state at room temperature; a thermoplastic resin (B) which dissolves in the epoxy resin (A) at a temperature not less than 90° C.; thermosetting resin particles (C) which do not completely dissolve in the epoxy resin (A) at a temperature less than 90° C. and has a softening point of not less than 120° C.; and a curing agent (D).
US08142872B2

Vehicular upholstery fabric is woven by using chenille yarn and multi-fiber yarn for weft yarns. The weaving interval between chenille yarns is set up less than the apparent thickness of the chenille yarn, which is specified as an observed value of the thickness. The apparent thickness of the multi-fiber yarn is less than one-fifth of the apparent thickness of the chenille yarn. There are tight portions where a great number of warp yarns passes over the chenille yarn, and rough portions, where a small number of warp yarns passes over the chenille yarn that is formed on the surface of fabric. PPT-fibers are used for the pile of the chenille yarn and the warp yarn.
US08142866B2

A display panel has a resin substrate and a printed layer formed on at least a part of the resin substrate through inkjet printing. The printed layer is formed from cured products of UV-curable inks each containing UV-curable monomers which are polymerized and cured by UV irradiation, and the printed layer has at least two such cured products having different pencil hardness values.
US08142851B2

A method for fabricating a drop cloth from a sheet of material such as canvas. The sheet of material is formed from a generally liquid impermeable material and has a front surface and a rear surface. The method includes the steps of: depressing an apertured screen onto the front surface of the sheet of material; applying a liquid onto the front surface of the sheet of material through the apertured screen, resulting in the liquid being dispersed in a plurality of spaced apart formations on the front surface of the sheet of material; separating the apertured screen from the sheet of material; and solidifying the liquid to form a plurality of spaced apart solid formations onto the sheet of material.
US08142850B2

A method of patterning a substrate comprising a plurality of fields, including, inter alia, positioning a first volume of fluid on a first subset of the plurality of fields of the substrate, with the first volume of fluid being subjected to a first evaporation time; positioning a second volume of fluid on a second subset of the plurality of fields of the substrate, differing from the first subset, with the second volume of fluid being subjected to a second evaporation time, differing from the first evaporation time; and patterning the first and second subsets of the plurality of fields, with the first subset of the plurality of fields being patterned prior to the second subset of the plurality of fields being patterned, with a volume associated with the second subset of the plurality of fields being greater than a volume associated with the first subset of the plurality of fields to compensate for the second evaporation time being greater than the first evaporation time.
US08142848B2

A coated cemented carbide insert is particularly useful for wet or dry milling steels at high cutting speeds, milling of hardened steels, and high feed copy milling of tool steels. The insert is formed by a cemented carbide body including WC, NbC and TaC, a W-alloyed Co binder phase, and a coating including an innermost layer of TiCxNyOz, with equiaxed grains, a layer of TiCxNyOz with columnar grains and a layer of α-Al2O3.
US08142844B2

The present invention provides a separating material producable by a) providing a solid substrate, having amino-functional groups coupled to the substrate surface, b) covalently coupling of the amino-functional groups with a thermally labile radical initiator, c) contacting the substrate surface with a solution of polymerizable monomers under conditions, where thermally initiated graft copolymerization of the monomers takes place, to form a structure of adjacent functional polymer chains on the surface of the substrate. The present invention further provides a method for the production of a separating material by a) providing a solid substrate, having aminofunctional groups coupled to the substrate surface, b) covalently coupling of the aminofunctional groups with a thermally labile radical initiator, c) contacting the substrate surface with a solution of polymerizable monomers under conditions, where thermally initiated graft copolymerization of the monomers takes place, to form a structure of adjacent functional polymer chains on the surface of the substrate.
US08142838B2

A method for making a liquid crystal display screen includes the steps of: providing a base comprising a surface; manufacturing a substrate, wherein manufacturing a substrate comprises: placing a carbon nanotube layer on the surface of the base, the carbon nanotube layer comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes substantially aligned along a same direction; applying a fixing layer on a surface of the carbon nanotube layer, thereby obtaining a first substrate; and supplying a liquid crystal layer, wherein the carbon nanotubes of a first substrate are arranged perpendicular to that of a second substrate.
US08142837B2

An electrode mixture paste application method includes: a first step of unwinding a core material (2) wound in a coil shape; a second step of applying an electrode mixture paste (5) to both sides of the core material; a third step of adjusting an application amount of the electrode mixture paste; a fourth step of drying a paste-coated sheet with the electrode mixture paste applied to the both sides thereof; and a fifth step of winding the paste-coated sheet (6) in a coil shape, wherein, in the fifth step, the paste-coated sheet is wound such that each of widthwise edge portions of a mixture-formed portion (9) is prevented from sequentially overlapping itself. This can achieve a stable method for applying an electrode mixture paste in which the deformation of an electrode caused by a dog-bone shape generated at both edge portions of a mixture-formed portion can be avoided.
US08142835B2

The invention relates to a process for producing biomedical articles, in particular, silicone hydrogel contact lenses having durable hydrophilic chitosan coating. The chitosan coating is covalently attached to the medical device by performing a crosslinking reaction between chitosan and the carboxylic groups on the surface of a medical device directly in a sealed package during autoclave. The coated biomedical articles obtainable by the process of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus especially useful in the field of ophthalmic devices.
US08142832B2

According to the invention a novel vegetable protein fractionation procedure is disclosed which includes a straightforward process to obtain β-conglycinin-rich and glycinin-rich isolated protein fractions with unique functional and nutritional properties desired by the food industry. The process is much simplified compared to the art and avoids multiple steps in the usual fractionation of soy protein and uses very small amounts of salts avoiding the necessity of excessive washing and desalting steps. The process yields high amounts of protein fractions with high isoflavone contents and improved functional properties.
US08142829B2

A beverage comprising a first ingredient which comprises a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound in an effective amount to reduce degradation of a second ingredient in the beverage, the second ingredient being monatin, and to reduce a corresponding change in a characteristic of the beverage. In addition, a method of preventing the degradation of monatin in a monatin-containing composition is provided.
US08142824B2

The present invention comprises mixtures of herb extracts which exert synergistic antioxidant effect and comprise the herb licorice and at least one other herb selected from the group consisting of ginger, kudzu, sophora, and thyme. Skin care preparations incorporating such herb extract mixtures, and their methods of preparation and use, are also claimed.
US08142823B2

A nutraceutical substance comprising Adansonia digitata (Baobab), Borojoa patinoi (Borojo), Cyclanthera Pedata (Caigua) and Aframomum melegueta (Grains of Paradise). In some embodiments, the whole fruit of these plants may be used. In other embodiments, roots bark, saps, roots or seeds from these plants may be used. The substance may be dried, powderized, and packaged for use directly, or processed into a pill or digestible capsule form. In other embodiments, the substance may be used as brew, water extract, alcohol extract, or pulp mixture. The substance is intended for ingestion by a human user, and may be useful to promote well-being, provide nutritional value, and aid in preventative health management. Cosmeceutical and hair care formulations employing these ingredients are also disclosed.
US08142819B2

A natural formulation of compounds that would to modulate inflammation is disclosed. The formulation would also inhibit expression of COX-2, inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins selectively in target cells, and inhibit inflammatory response selectively in target cells. The compositions containing at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops. Other embodiments relate to combinations of components, including at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops, tryptanthrin and conjugates thereof, rosemary, an extract or compound derived from rosemary, a triterpene species, or a diterpene lactone or derivatives or conjugates thereof.
US08142807B2

The invention relates to a material for use as bone void filler comprising soluble keratin protein. The material may be in the form of a putty, gel or emulsion. Additional components may be added to the material to improve handling characteristics and bone enhancement capabilities. The material may be formulated to serve as a suitable carrier for demineralized bone matrix. This invention also describes methods for making the material.
US08142802B2

An insecticidal composition of Acephate and Cypermethrin with enhanced synergistic activity. Preferably, the insecticidal composition includes 0.1 to 25% w/w Cypermethrin active ingredient and 0.5 to 75% w/w Acephate active ingredient along with other ingredients to make dry flow, low compact, dust free granules.
US08142798B2

The disclosure relates to a composition added to animal feed used in combination with a vaccine to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccine. Amongst other effects, the composition raises the titer of antibodies to the vaccine.
US08142796B2

The present invention relates to monoparamunity inducers based on paramunizing viruses or viral components of a myxomavirus strain from rabbits with typically generalizing disease, to a method for the production thereof and to the use thereof as medicaments for the regulatory optimization of the paramunizing activities for the prophylaxis and therapy of various dysfunctions in humans and animals.
US08142788B2

The disclosure includes compositions and methods for the production of an immune response against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, or PRRSV. The disclosure is based in part on the use of two or more peptide domains, each with a different sequence, from the PRRSV GP5 protein ectodomain. Compositions and methods comprising polypeptides containing the two or more domains, or nucleic acids encoding them, are described.
US08142780B2

A pharmaceutical composition includes a purified antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The antibody can be a monoclonal antibody having both an antigen-binding portion that binds at least one bacterial antigen and a constant region that does not bind staphylococcal protein A.
US08142779B2

Therapeutic uses of inhibitors of the lymphotoxin pathway to treat tumors, specifically to treat follicular lymphomas.
US08142777B2

The present invention relates generally to a method for the treatment and prophylaxis of inflammatory conditions. The present invention is predicated in part on the identification of cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage being critical for inflammation and, in particular, chronic inflammation. In accordance with the present invention, it is proposed that the reduction in levels of monocyte/macrophage-type cells and/or a reduction in the production of inflammatory and pro-inflammatory mediators by these cells, especially locally, is effective in reducing inflammatory conditions. The present invention further provides animal models useful for screening for reducing levels of monocyte/macrophage-type cells and/or reducing the production of inflammatory and pro-inflammatory mediators of these cells.
US08142770B2

It is intended to provide a drug to be used in gene therapy which specifically targets abnormal cells such as tumor cells and destroys the same for healing. Namely, a drug comprising, as the active ingredient, a proliferative vector which contains a Survivin promoter proliferating depending on the expression of Survivin. This drug may be used in order to treat tumor. In this drug, use may be made of an adenovirus as the vector. In the adenovirus of this drug, an endogenous promoter of an E1A domain may be substituted with a Survivin promoter.
US08142766B1

A gel composition for removal of unwanted human hair from human skin that is comprised of a mixture of a majority portion of sugar and minor portions of lemon juice and water. The portions of sugar and lemon juice are initially heated to an appropriate temperature over a sufficient duration at which time the minor portion of water is added to the mixture. After adding water to the first mixture, the second mixture with water is heated until a composition of gel-like consistency has been produced. The composition is applied by hand or utensil to a part of human skin with unwanted hair and then covered with an absorbent layer of cloth until the unwanted hair has been dissolved by the composition at which time the cloth is removed from the skin with the composition absorbed therein and unwanted hair attached thereon.
US08142762B2

The present invention relates to methods of using GPR101 G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) to screen candidate compounds as modulators of hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived biologically active peptide secretion. Modulators of GPR101 receptor modulate hypothalamic POMC-derived biologically active peptide secretion and are useful in the treatment of POMC-derived biologically active peptide-related disorders. POMC-derived biologically active peptides include, but are not limited to, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), β-melanocyte stimulating hormone (β-MSH) and γ-melanocyte stimulating hormone (γ-MSH). Agonists and partial agonists of GPR101 receptor stimulate hypothalamic α-MSH, β-MSH and γ-MSH secretion and are useful, for example, in the treatment and prevention of obesity and conditions related thereto (including but not limited to Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome), inflammation-associated disorders, and pyrexia. Inverse agonists and antagonists of GPR101 receptor inhibit α-MSH, β-MSH and γ-MSH secretion and are useful, for example, in the treatment and prevention of disorders such as cachexia.
US08142758B2

The present invention provides Hydroxyapatite (HA) incorporating an alpha-emitting radionuclide or an in vivo generator for an alpha-emitting radionuclide. The invention further provides methods for the formation of such HA, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HA and methods of medical treatment of cancerous or noncancerous disease including administering the HA or compositions thereof.
US08142757B2

The present invention is directed to a borosilicate ZSM-48 molecular sieve having a mole ratio of between 40 and 400 of silicon oxide to boron oxide, synthesized using novel structure directing agents. Also disclosed are processes using a borosilicate ZSM-48 as a catalyst for the selective hydroconversion of heavy normal paraffins into lighter normal paraffin products, with minimal formation of isoparaffins.
US08142755B2

The present invention relates to a porous copper sulfide nano/micro hollow sphere and a method for preparing the same. The porous copper sulfide nano/micro hollow sphere of the present invention has plural through holes and a hollow structure so as to increase the reactive area thereof. In particular, the porous copper sulfide nano/micro hollow sphere can be applied in a solar cell to enhance a photoelectric effect.
US08142750B2

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an active material which can form an electrochemical device excellent in discharge capacity. The method of manufacturing an active material in accordance with the present invention comprises a hydrothermal synthesis step of heating a mixture including a lithium compound, a metal compound containing one species selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, and V, a phosphorus compound, and water within a reactor while keeping an internal pressure of the reactor at 0.3 MPa or lower by ventilating the inside of the reactor to the outside, and closing the reactor at a time when the temperature of the mixture reaches 100 to 150° C.; and a firing step of firing the mixture after the hydrothermal synthesis step.
US08142747B2

A system for NOx reduction in combustion gases, especially from diesel engines, incorporates an oxidation catalyst to convert at least a portion of NO to NO2, a particulate filter, a source of reductant such as NH3 and an SCR catalyst. Considerable improvements in NOx conversion are observed.
US08142746B2

The present invention relates to the selective separation of carbon dioxide (“CO2”) from methane (“CH4”) in streams containing both carbon dioxide and methane utilizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (“ZIF”) material. Preferably, the stream to be separated is fed to the present process in a substantially gaseous phase. In preferred embodiments, the current invention is utilized in a process to separate carbon dioxide from natural gas streams preferably for sequestration of at least a portion of the carbon dioxide present in the natural gas.
US08142724B2

A hydrogen sensor mounting structure applicable to a fuel cell vehicle that includes a fuel cell system installed under a floor panel, and a hydrogen sensor located above the fuel cell system is provided. The floor panel includes a floor tunnel portion protruding into a cabin of the vehicle; the fuel cell system is located on an outer side of the floor tunnel portion; and the hydrogen sensor is mounted from an inner side of the cabin of the floor tunnel portion.
US08142695B2

The disclosure pertains to foam of polymers, which can be made by a method for making a polymer foam comprising vacuum or gas-filled compartments by making a solution of 1 to 20% by weight of a polymer in a solvent; adding particles to the a polymer solution; solidifying the polymer wherein the particles are contained by heating, cooling, ageing, or coagulating to obtain a polymer foam or matrix comprising the particles, and obtaining from the polymer matrix the polymer foam containing the compartments; and optionally washing, drying, and/or heating the polymer foam.
US08142690B2

A molding machine includes a fixed mold and a movable mold. The molding machine is a so called micro molding machine which provides less than 150 KN of the mold clamping force for clamping the fixed mold and the movable mold. A positional shift length between both molds is preset at ±20 gm or less. Further, cavities are inserted in base molds of both molds respectively. Furthermore, cores are inserted in the cavities. The position of each cavity is adjustable with respect to each associated base mold. The position of each core is also adjustable with respect to each associated cavity. Moreover, the molding machine can simultaneously mold a plurality of optical components.
US08142678B2

A perovskite type oxide of a single crystal structure or a uniaxial-oriented crystal structure is represented by ABO3. Site A includes Pb as a main component and site B includes a plurality of elements. The perovskite type oxide includes a plurality of crystal phases selected from the group consisting of tetragonal, rhombohedral, orthorhombic, cubic, pseudo-cubic and monoclinic systems and the plurality of crystal phases are oriented in the direction of <100>.
US08142677B2

A piezoelectric ceramic composition excellent in all of the electric property Qmax, heat resisting properties and temperature characteristics of oscillation frequencies is provided. The piezoelectric ceramic composition comprises a phase mainly comprising lead zirconate titanate having a perovskite structure and an Al-containing phase. In the piezoelectric ceramic composition, the main component preferably comprises Mn and Nb, and is preferably represented by a composition formula of Pbα[(Mn1/3Nb2/3)xTiyZrz]O3 (wherein 0.97≦α≦1.01, 0.04≦x≦0.16, 0.48≦y≦0.58, 0.32≦z≦0.41).
US08142663B2

An apparatus and methods for producing purified drinking water are disclosed. A hand pump is used in a closed system to generate pressure sufficient to pass the untreated water through a system of filters and a reverse osmosis membrane. The system preferably includes an ultrafiltration filter. The resulting water is substantially pure, being free of bacteria and having a significant amount of minerals and salts removed to make it safe for drinking. The system can produce enough potable water to supply the daily needs for a small village.
US08142662B2

A dehydrating system is designed to maintain the availability of a plant having the dehydrating system using a water separation membrane by allowing a water separation membrane unit to be replaced while the plant is in operation. The dehydrating system comprises at least two water separation membrane units in use arranged parallel to the direction of flow of a fluid to be processed, is configured so that at least one spare water separation membrane unit can be installed parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid to be processed with respect to the at least two water separation membrane units, having monitoring devices for the product fluid to be taken out, and maintains the properties of the product fluid by operating the spare water separation membrane unit depending on the properties of the product fluid monitored by the monitoring devices.
US08142646B2

The invention relates to a process for the desulfurization of a gasoline fraction with high recovery of olefins and reduced loss of Research Octane Number (RON). A petroleum fraction is contacted with hydrogen and a commercially available hydrodesulfurization catalyst under mild conditions with to remove a first portion of the sulfur present, and is then contacted with an adsorbent for the removal of additional sulfur.
US08142645B2

Hydrocarbons containing polynuclear aromatics, such as cycle oil and pyrolysis fuel oil (PFO), are upgraded using an catalyst complex that selectively cracks the polynuclear aromatic compounds to form higher value mono-aromatic compounds, such as benzene toluene, xylenes and ethyl benzene (i.e., BTX). The catalyst complexes include a catalytic metal center and a plurality of organic ligands. During the hydrocracking procedure, the organic ligand preserves one of the aromatic rings of the polynuclear aromatic compounds while the catalytic metal breaks the other aromatic rings thereby yielding a monoaromatic compound.
US08142642B2

A sensor designed to determine the amount and concentration of analyte in a sample having a volume of less than about 1 μL. The sensor has a working electrode coated with a non-leachable redox mediator. The redox mediator acts as an electron transfer agent between the analyte and the electrode. In addition, a second electron transfer agent, such as art enzyme, can be added to facilitate the electrooxidation or etectroreduction of the analyte. The redox mediator is typically a redox compound bound to a polymer. The preferred redox mediators are air-oxidizable. The amount of analyte can be determined by coulometry. One particular coulometric technique includes the measurement of the current between the working electrode and a counter or reference electrode at two or more times. The charge passed by this current to or from the analyte is correlated with the amount of analyte in the sample. Other electrochemical detection methods, such as arnperometric, voltammetric and potentiometric techniques, can also be used. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecute, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecute is provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08142641B2

A electrochemical sensor comprising a mounting having screen printed array of electrodes located thereon, the array comprising a reference electrode, a counter electrode and a plurality of working electrodes, wherein the working electrodes are each overlaid with an insulating layer of insulating material, the insulating layer having an array of apertures, exposing a respective array of working regions of the working electrodes, and a method of making same by applying screen printing technic, and a method of using same for chlorine determination.
US08142640B2

The chloride concentration in an acid copper plating bath is determined from the chloride oxidation current measured under controlled hydrodynamic conditions at a noble metal electrode using specific voltammetric parameters. The measurement is made directly on the undiluted plating bath so that the chloride measurement is fast and no waste stream is generated.
US08142639B2

A hard gold plating solution and plating method which provides a gold plating solution with high deposition selectivity using a gold plating solution containing gold cyanide, cobalt salt, and hexamethylenetetramine.
US08142636B2

The present invention relates to a method of electrochemically desorbing or adsorbing a cryptate [18F] fluoride complex using a substituent substituted cryptand A. The present invention also relates to an apparatus and a kit for performing this method. A: which can be used for nucleophilic radiofluorination.
US08142631B2

In a particle focusing apparatus and a method for focusing particles, the particle focusing apparatus includes a channel, a fixing member, a fluid feeding portion and a power supply. The channel has first and second ends and extends substantially in a line. The fixing member includes a first fixing portion connected to and fixing the first end, and a second fixing portion connected to and fixing the second end. The fluid feeding portion feeds fluid having particles into the channel. The power supply has first and second terminals. The first terminal passes through the first fixing portion and is electrically connected to an anode of the power supply. The second terminal passes through the second fixing portion and is electrically connected to a cathode of the power supply. Thus, particles fed into the channel may be more easily and efficiently focused to a central region inside the channel.
US08142628B2

A cylinder block plating apparatus preplates or plates a cylinder bore of each cylinder in a cylinder block of a multi-cylinder engine using a process liquid introduced into the cylinder bore in a condition of sealing an end of the cylinder bore when a communication hole is formed at the end of the cylinder bore, the cylinder block plating apparatus includes a sealing jig including a sealing unit including a cylinder bore seal for sealing the end of an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder bore and a communication hole seal for sealing a portion, near a communication hole, opposite to the cylinder inner peripheral surface, and a clamping unit disposed in the sealing unit to be pushed open and adapted to cause the communication hole seal to seal the portion located on the opposite side of the cylinder bore near the communication hole. The sealing is performed by sealing the end of an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder bore, and sealing a portion located on an opposite side of the cylinder bore in a periphery of the communication hole.
US08142624B2

The present invention provides a manufacturing method of normal saline solution and cleansing apparatus for contact lens, more particularly, a cleansing apparatus for contact lens comprising: a lens receiver for accommodating lenses, at least one electrode unit including a negative electrode and a positive electrode which set apart from the negative electrode each other, a power supply for supplying electric current to the negative electrode and the positive electrode, thereby effectively disinfecting and sterilizing viruses and bacteria and to remove foreign substances within the short time and protein on contact lenses in the lens receiver by oxidants generated by electrolysis in the electrode unit.
US08142622B2

A coated article is provided with a low-emissivity (low-E) layer stack for use in a window unit or the like. The layer stack, or coating, may permit the coated article to achieve one or more of a low solar factor (SF) value, a high selectivity (Tvis/SF) value, substantially neutral color at normal and/or off-axis viewing angles, and/or low emissivity. When high selectivity values are achieved, there is provided a high ratio of visible transmission to SF, which is a desirable feature in certain example instances. In certain example embodiments, a sub-oxide layer (e.g., NiCrOx) may be used as a contact layer under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer in order to permit low SF values, high selectivity, and good coloration to be achieved.
US08142620B2

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US08142609B2

A plasma processing apparatus including a mounting table that includes a mounting table body having a temperature adjusted to be a predetermined level, and an electrostatic chuck disposed on an upper portion of the mounting table body, joined thereto with an acrylic adhesive having a thickness of 60 μm or more, to adsorb the substrate thereon. The apparatus further including first and second heat transfer gas diffusion regions formed at a center and a circumferential edge, respectively, of an upper surface of the electrostatic chuck, and first and second heat transfer gas supply units to supply heat transfer gas to the first and second heat transfer gas diffusion regions, respectively. A volume ratio of the second heat transfer gas diffusion region to the first heat transfer gas diffusion region is equal to or less than 0.1
US08142596B1

Auto-applied packing list and upper label methods. A carrier material with an upper label and a lower label removeably adhered thereto is provided. The upper label and lower label are dispensed in sequence onto a label applicator apparatus. The label applicator apparatus applies the upper label and the lower label to a surface simultaneously, whereby after application the underside of the lower label is in contact with the surface and the undersurface of the upper label is in contact with the top side of the lower label.
US08142593B2

A method of transferring a thin film onto a first support, includes supplying a structure comprising a film of which at least one part originates from a solid substrate of a first material and which is solidly connected to a second support having a thermal expansion coefficient that is different from that of the first material and close to that of the first support, forming an embrittled area inside the film that defines the thin film to be transferred, affixing the film that is solidly connected to the second support to the first support, and breaking the film at the embrittled area.
US08142578B2

A process for manufacturing a process for manufacturing a part made of a magnesium alloy is disclosed. The process includes a step of forging a block of the alloy followed by a heat treatment. The alloy is a casting alloy based on 85% magnesium, and containing, by weight: 0.2 to 1.3% zinc; 2 to 4.5% neodymium; 0.2 to 7.0% rare-earth metal with an atomic number from 62 to 71; 0.2 to 1% zirconium. The forging is carried out at a temperature above 400° C. In particular the temperature is set between 420 and 430° C. and the forging step comprises a plastic deformation carried out at a slow rate. The process allows one to produce parts such as elements of casing for aeronautical machines, operating at a temperature of around 200° C. and having good aging properties.
US08142577B2

A wire rod which is mainly composed of pearlite and has an area fraction of 5% or less of a non-pearlite structure composed of pro-eutectoid ferrite, degenerate-pearlite or bainite in a section, or has an area fraction of 10% or less of a non-pearlite structure in a portion from the surface to a depth of 100 μm.
US08142576B2

A clutch member and a process for manufacturing the same. In the clutch member, a steel sheet has an initial composition of 0.32 to 0.38% of C, 0.15% or less of Si, 0.3 to 0.5% of Mn, and 0.16 to 0.60% of Cr, by mass; and has an initial uniformly dispersed structure of carbide with an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 1.2 μm; and is subjected to punch and subsequent heat treatment for the main body to have a tensile strength of 1307 to 1633 MPa, hardness of 400 to 500 HV, impact value of 70 J/cm2 or more, and degree of flatness of 0.15% or less which is obtained by a formula of F=d/D where d is camber of the flat portion and D is a diameter of a circumscribed circle of the main body.
US08142565B2

A vitreous silica crucible for pulling single-crystal silicon, which is formed of vitreous silica and has a bottomed cylindrical shape, wherein, in a liquid-level movement range in the inner surface of the crucible, ranging from a position corresponding to the liquid surface level of a silicon melt at the time of stating the pulling of single-crystal silicon to a position corresponding to the liquid surface level of a silicon melt at the time of finishing the pulling of single-crystal silicon, the concentration of an OH group included in the vitreous silica is higher in an erosion thickness portion of the inner surface of the crucible than that in the range lower than the liquid surface level which is positioned below the liquid-level movement range.
US08142562B2

The invention relates to a curable dental retraction composition for reacting gingiva from a prepared tooth structure. The composition comprises an alginate, a di- and/or trivalent ion source, water, a retarder and a filler.
US08142554B2

The invention relates to a method for cleaning filters of a vacuum cleaner having a dirt collecting container, which has a suction inlet and is in flow connection with at least one suction unit via at least one filter and at least one suction extraction line, and at least one external air inlet which opens into the suction extraction line downstream of the filter and can be closed by means of a closing valve. The closing valve has a movable valve body acted upon by a closing spring with a closing force and, in the closed position, additionally by a magnetic holder with a magnetic holding force. In order to clean the filter, at least one closing valve is opened and the side of the filter oriented away from the dirt collecting container is impinged upon by external air. A vacuum cleaner for carrying out the method is also provided.
US08142553B2

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for removing debris from an air cleaner of an internal combustion engine. The method includes receiving a flow of air from a source of air flow associated with an internal combustion engine at a first end portion of a conduit and passing the flow of air towards a second end portion of the conduit. The method also includes passing the flow of air into a scavenging conduit of the air cleaner towards an exhaust end of the scavenging conduit and creating a suction pressure at an end of the scavenging conduit connected to the air cleaner. The suction pressure results in a drawing in of the debris from the air cleaner.
US08142552B2

A system for removing matter from a filtering device is disclosed. The system may have a reactive propellant located downstream of the filtering device. The reactive propellant may be configured to generate an impact wave.
US08142549B2

A method of reducing moisture in a fluorine-containing gas is described. The method may include the steps of providing a purifier material that includes elemental carbon, and flowing the unpurified fluorine-containing gas having an unpurified moisture concentration over or through the carbon-based purifier material. At least a portion of the moisture is captured in the purifier material so that a purified fluorine-containing gas that emerges downstream of the purifier material has a reduced moisture concentration that is about 50% or less of the unpurified moisture concentration.
US08142546B2

An artificial lung includes a housing, a tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle contained in the housing and providing a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes having a gas exchange function, a gas inflow port and a gas outflow port communicating with each other through hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes, and a blood inflow port and a blood outflow port through which blood is distributed. The tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle has a cylindrical overall shape, and a filter member having a bubble-trapping function is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle.
US08142539B2

The invention relates to an arrangement for feeding an anode into a metallurgical smelting reactor (2), such as a flash converter, said arrangement including a feeding funnel (7) made of at least one part for feeding at least one anode (4) at a time into the smelting reactor, said arrangement also including a bending element (5) for bending the anode, so that the essentially completely bent anode (4) is arranged to meet the surface of the melt (8) contained in the smelting reactor in an essentially horizontal position. The invention also relates to a method for feeding an anode into a metallurgical smelting reactor (2).
US08142534B2

In one aspect of the present invention, a filter is provided including a first layer of sheet material having a first base portion, and a plurality of first raised portions extending from the first base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of first openings through the first layer. A second layer of sheet material also has a second base portion and a plurality of second raised portions extending from the second base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of second openings through the sheet material. The second layer of sheet material is positioned adjacent the first layer of sheet material such that the first raised portions extend from the first base portion toward the second layer, and the second raised portions extend from the second base portion toward the first layer. A gas generating system and a vehicle occupant protection system utilizing the filter are also described.
US08142533B2

The invention relates to a filter element consisting of a filter medium (10) which is folded in a zig-zag manner and designed in a concentric shape. End plates (11, 12) are arranged on the end sides of the medium. End plate (12) has a concentric opening as well as a first annular ring (14) and a second annular ring (15), and a sealing groove (16) arranged between the rings. A reinforcement plate (17) is arranged in the area between the filter medium and the rings (14, 15). The end surfaces (18, 19) of the rings (14, 15) are supported by the grooves (20, 21) of a filter element housing, the grooves running radially.
US08142528B2

Methods and systems for gasifier fines recycling system are provided. The system includes a gasifier slag removal system configured to separate first fines from a particulate slag removed from a gasifier by at least one of settling and filtering, a second fines handling system configured to receive second fines from a source other than the gasifier, and an injection system configured to mix the first fines and the second fines and a fuel for injection into the gasifier.
US08142527B2

A process for producing a fuel composition from vegetable and/or animal oil comprises hydrodeoxygenating and hydroisomerizing the oil in a single step. The fuel composition has acceptable lubricity and comprises a mixture of C14 to C18 paraffins having a ratio of iso to normal paraffins of 2 to 8 and less than 5 ppm sulfur.
US08142525B2

This invention describes the preparation of fatty acid esters of glycerol formal either by a triglyceride transesterification process or, alternatively, by an esterification process of fatty acids previously obtained from the hydrolysis of triglycerides (fat splitting), with glycerol formal in the presence of an acid or basic catalyst. Also the invention describes the use of these fatty acid esters of glycerol formal prepared by said process as biofuel. In an embodiment, such biofuel is used in the preparation of other biofuels by its mixture with a product selected from a group formed by: glycerol formal, biodiesel, petrol-derived diesel, and mixtures thereof. The biofuels thus obtained are characterized to allow the complete incorporation of the glycerol obtained in the current biodiesel production process in a biodiesel fuel.
US08142520B2

The present invention concerns dyes of the general formula I where X and Y represent hydrogen, bromine or chlorine, but not simultaneously hydrogen; R represents F, Cl, Br, COOR1 or CF3; R′ represents H or F; R1 represents C1-C6-alkyl; and one of W1 and W2 represents hydroxyl and the other nitro and Y is always ortho to the hydroxyl group; but not compounds in which R represents Cl attached to the phenyl nucleus in a is position ortho to the NH group nor compounds in which W1 represents nitro, W2 represents hydroxyl, Y represents hydrogen, X represents chlorine and R represents bromine attached to the phenyl nucleus in a position meta to the NH group, mixtures with further dyes, and also their preparation and use.
US08142514B2

A porous weave of bioabsorbable filaments having an open mesh configuration is formed into an oblate shape having dimensions greater than the esophageal opening and gastric outlet of a stomach. The resulting prosthesis is deployed in the stomach and is of a size to be retained in the proximate portion thereof for exerting pressure on the upper fundus. The prosthesis limits the amount of food that may be held within the stomach, and exerts pressure on the fundus to create a sensation of being full, resulting in weight loss.
US08142512B2

An instrument for use in a joint replacement procedure comprises a head part which corresponds to the head of an orthopaedic joint component, in which the head part has a bore formed in it, and a connector for connecting the head part to a stem part of the orthopaedic joint component, which is intended for location in the intramedullary cavity of a bone. The connector can be fitted into the bore in the head part in one of a plurality of angular orientations. It comprises a body part and a trigger which can be moved relative to the body part between an unlocked position in which the connector can be moved relative to the head part between different ones of the plurality of angular orientations and a locked position in which the connector is restrained against such movement.
US08142506B2

The present application relates to a prosthesis comprising a flexible portion (1) and at least one less flexible portion (2), which flexible portion comprises a fiber-reinforced hydrogel. In addition to that, the application relates to a prosthesis consisting of a fiber-reinforced hydrogel, which prosthesis is intended to replace cartilaginous materials. The application further relates to the use of the prosthesis and to a method for manufacturing the prosthesis. The application furthermore relates to a method of preparing the flexible portion for a prosthesis. Finally, the application relates to a fiber material apparently intended for use in the prosthesis.
US08142498B2

Disclosed is an injector which comprises an injector housing having a longitudinal axis and an injection probe disposed along the longitudinal axis. The injector further comprises an intraocular lens disposed in the housing. The intraocular lens comprises first and second interconnected viewing elements, and the optical axes of the first and second viewing elements are substantially aligned. The optical axes are substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The injector further comprises a lens carrier which engages one of the viewing elements. The viewing elements are moveable in response to longitudinal movement of the lens carrier relative to the injector housing. The longitudinal movement causes both (i) the optical axes to be displaced relative to each other and (ii) the viewing elements to be disposed substantially on the longitudinal axis of the injector housing.
US08142488B2

A removable stent for placement within a lumen is provided. The stent includes a scaffolding of struts configured to define a substantially cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end. The stent also includes at least one flexible element spirally wound along at least a portion of a respective strut, wherein the element comprises at least one engageable member such that a force applied to the engageable member does not result in purse-stringing.
US08142487B2

A catheter configured to carry one or more stents and having an inflatable balloon for expanding a stent surrounding the balloon. The catheter is characterized in having a positioner for moving the one or more stents relative to the balloon torn a first position in which the stent does not surround the balloon to a second position in which the stent surrounds the balloon. Also disclosed is a method for deploying a stent at a desired location in the vascular system.
US08142483B2

Devices, methods and systems for stabilizing at least a portion of the spinal column are provided. Devices include anchors and coupling members for engaging an elongate member. Systems include an elongate member sized to span a distance between at least two vertebral bodies and being at least partially formed of a flexible material. A number of anchors and coupling members are used to secure the elongate member to each of the vertebral bodies. The anchors can be compressed towards one another and the elongate member secured thereto and/or the elongate member can be tensioned to provide corrective forces to the spine.
US08142481B2

The pedicle screw system may be used for fixation of spinal segments and may be advantageous when minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques are employed. The pedicle screw system includes a tulip assembly comprising of a tulip body, an inner member, and an expansion member. Installation of the pedicle screw system into pedicles of the spine, for example, includes inserting the pedicle screw into a portion of the spine and then coupling the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw. The tulip assembly may be locked onto the pedicle screw before a distraction rod is placed in the tulip assembly. After the rod is placed in the tulip assembly, the tulip body and the inner member can be rotated relative to one another to lock the rod into the tulip assembly. In addition, the relative rotation may also provide additional locking of the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw.
US08142479B2

Spinal implants include an elongated body portion dimensioned and configured for percutaneous introduction into a target interspinous process space, at which interspinous distraction and/or spinal fusion are desired. The body portion can include a threaded outer surface, or alternatively a smooth surface. The body portion can include one or more interior cavities, and can include deployable engagement members adapted and configured to move in tandem between a stowed position retracted within the interior cavity of the body portion and a deployed position extended from the interior cavity of the body for engaging adjacent spinous processes. An internal drive assembly for selectively moving the engagement members from the stowed position to the deployed position can be provided, as can a elements for locking the engagement members in a deployed position.
US08142468B2

A guidewire navigable through body vessels of a human subject for delivery of a catheter or the like is provided. The guidewire includes an expandable segment movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state. If the catheter encounters resistance in a vessel and cannot be advanced further, the medical professional can move the expandable segment to the expanded state in which the expandable segment engages an inner surface of the catheter. The expandable segment locks onto the catheter, which allows the guidewire and catheter to be advanced through the vessel together as a single unit. An inflatable balloon catheter movable along the guidewire requires only a single tube and is sealed by the expandable segment of the guidewire for subsequent inflation.
US08142464B2

A flexible inner member for being rotatably disposed in an angled outer tubular member of a rotary tissue cutting instrument has a flexible region composed of a series of partial circumferential cuts formed through the wall of a tubular body of the inner member. Each cut extends along an arc that defines part of the external circumference of the tubular body. The cuts are uniformly longitudinally spaced in succession along the length of the tubular body corresponding to the flexible region. The cuts are parallel to one another and perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the tubular body. The cuts are grouped in duplicative patterns that repeat along the length of the flexible region, there being at least two successive cuts in each pattern. The cuts of each pattern are rotationally offset in succession in a rotational direction about the central longitudinal axis of the tubular body.
US08142462B2

Instruments and methods for reducing and stabilizing bone fractures are presented. One method provides for cutting a portion of a bone having a fracture to create a cavity, wherein the cavity is substantially axisymmetric, and expanding the volume of the cavity thereby reducing the fracture. The fracture may be further reduced and/or stabilized by adding a material, such as an implant, in-situ curable material and/or in-situ hardenable material.
US08142455B2

A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.
US08142449B2

A device is used for inserting at least one anchor piece into a hollow space of a living being, in order to fix a wall of the hollow space temporarily to a wall of the body by means of the at least one anchor piece. It is proposed that the device has two shaft-like elements which are axially movable relative to one another and by which the at least one anchor piece is held captive at its axially spaced apart opposite ends, and moreover has an actuating mechanism via which the at least one element can be moved in such a way that the anchor piece held by it is released.
US08142447B2

Robotic surgical tools, systems, and methods for preparing for and performing robotic surgery include a memory mounted on the tool. The memory can perform a number of functions when the tool is loaded on the tool manipulator: first, the memory can provide a signal verifying that the tool is compatible with that particular robotic system. Secondly, the tool memory may identify the tool-type to the robotic system so that the robotic system can reconfigure its programming. Thirdly, the memory of the tool may indicate tool-specific information, including measured calibration offsets indicating misalignment of the tool drive system, tool life data, or the like. This information may be stored in a read only memory (ROM), or in a nonvolatile memory which can be written to only a single time. The invention further provides improved engagement structures for coupling robotic surgical tools with manipulator structures.
US08142445B2

A medical device includes an elongate member having a plurality of flexibility features and a basket having a plurality of legs. The elongate member and the basket are formed from a single piece of a material. The flexibility features are formed by removing first portions of the material to increase flexibility of the elongate member. The legs are formed by removing longitudinal portions of the material.
US08142441B2

The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an elongate body that has first and second ends with the first end being located adjacent to the handle assembly and the second end being moveably connected to an implant engagement assembly. The surgical instrument also has a length control mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a drive shaft and a gear assembly. The surgical instrument further has a locking mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a connecting rod and a coupling end. The length control mechanism functions to adjust the overall length of an implant that is held by the implant engagement assembly before being implanted in vivo. The locking mechanism operates to secure the overall length of the implant following final length adjustment and implantation. A surgical method for using the surgical instrument, a method of fabrication and a spinal implant insertion kit is also disclosed.
US08142434B2

A bone plate mounted on a bone. The bone plate has at least one opening for receiving a flush mounted cam. A through-bore passes from a side surface to opposing side surface of the bone plate. The through-bore has a diameter sized to allow insertion of a cable. A portion of the through-bore intersects with a peripheral portion of the opening. A second opening also passes from the side surface to opposing side surface. A cable may be inserted in the second opening, wrapped around the bone and its free end inserted in the through-bore. The cable may be tightened around the bone. The flush mounted cam can be rotated in place. Rotation of the cam results in the cam surface squeezing the cable between concave cam surface and walls of the opening, thereby locking the cable in the tightened state.
US08142433B2

An intramedullary nail and targeting and/or nailing instrument are provided, whereby a connection end of the targeting and/or nailing instrument has an axially parallel protrusion and a connection end of the nail has an axially parallel recess in order to couple the targeting and/or nailing instrument. The coupling system couples the targeting/nailing instrument and nail in their rotational position when they contact axially and whereby a connector is also provided in order to connect the targeting and/or nailing instrument and the nail in an axially fixed but also releasable manner. The connection end of the targeting and/or nailing instrument has an end section that engages approximately in one end of the bore-hole section of the nail and the end section and bore-hole section have a deformable element for a releasable snap connection of the parts with the simultaneous contact of the axially parallel protrusion and the axially parallel recess.
US08142432B2

A medical apparatus for use with an outrigger and at least one fastening pin to reposition first and second portions of a bone of a mammalian body. The apparatus includes a framework and a first fastening assembly for coupling the framework to the outrigger and thus the at least one fastening pin and the first end portion of the bone. The first end portion of an elongate pin is provided with a sharpened tip for penetrating the second portion of the bone. A second fastening assembly couples the second end portion of the elongate pin to the framework. At least one adjustment assembly is carried by at least one of the framework and the first and second fastening assemblies for moving the first end portion of the elongate pin relative to the outrigger so as to reposition the second portion of the bone relative to the first portion of the bone. A method for using the apparatus is provided.
US08142431B2

A sphincterotome having a portion of its drive wire coated with a material selected from poly-p-xylylene, 2-chloro-p-xylylene, 2,4-dichloro-p-xylylene, poly(tetraflouro-p-xylylene), poly(carboxyl-p-xylylene-co-p-xylylene), fluorinated parylene, parylene HT, and any combination thereof. The coating preferably provides an electroinsulated coating on a portion of the drive wire exposed outside the sphincterotome shaft such that a non-electroinsulated portion of the exposed drive wire may be targeted more specifically to tissue desired to be cut.
US08142425B2

A hemostatic surgical blade is described which is formed of five symmetrically disposed layers. A martensitic stainless steel core is provided with oppositely disposed faces which are bonded to hard pure copper thermal transfer layers which, in turn, are supported by buttressing layers of austenitic stainless steel. The blade is heated by a blade heater circuit which is provided as a flexible circuit carrying one or more resistor heaters and associated leads supported by a polyimide substrate. A thermally conductive and electrically insulative adhesive is used to bond the flexible circuit to a blade blank. The system employs a multi-lead cable which is removable from an instrument handle. One blade embodiment involves an elongate stem for accessing body cavities and another embodiment incorporates a controller function within an instrument handle.
US08142423B2

Systems and methods of incising a portion of a material include creating a sub-surface separation in a region of the material, and incising a periphery of the region with a pulsed laser beam to produce an edge of the portion. The edge includes a periodically varying shape to secure the portion to the material when the portion is reintegrated. The system includes a laser producing the pulsed laser beam, a scanner operable in response to a control signal, and a controller coupled to the scanner. The controller produces the control signal. In response to the control signal, the scanner creates a sub-surface separation in the region with the pulsed laser beam and incises the periphery of the region with the pulsed laser beam to produce the edge with the periodically varying shape.
US08142422B2

Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.
US08142411B2

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.
US08142402B2

A multichamber ampoule with a locking and dispensing mechanism to store several substances and to dispense a mixture consisting of several substances, possessing a multiple-plug closure with several plugs to selectively close and open several outlet openings in the multichamber ampoule, and an adapter for mixing the substances and dispensing the mixture, wherein the multiple-plug closure and the adapter are connected to each other in an assembly designed to be removed from the multichamber ampoule.
US08142396B2

There is described in a disposable syringe comprising: a syringe body, substantially comprising a hollow cylinder (1) with a plunger (2) -inserted therein, the plunger being hollow and closed at the end portion which is external to the cylinder, and a first plug (3) inserted in the plunger (2) end portion which is internal to the cylinder; -a needle body (4), substantially comprising a needle (5) having a pre-loaded spring (6) around the head (5′) and a second plug (7) around the head of the needle, said spring determining the permanent introduction of said needle (5, 5′) within said plunger (2) after use.
US08142393B2

A hands-free breast pump that includes a balanced push-pull reciprocating drive system that applies pumping force to a vacuum chamber formed by a breast interface cup during inward and outward pump strokes. The breast pump includes a breast cup that has a resilient bellows structure that partially collapses the volume of the vacuum chamber during the inward stroke and recovers the volume of the vacuum chamber during the outward stroke. The pump mechanism includes a cam drive system that translates rotary electric motor power into reciprocating linear action of an actuator arm that drives the bellows structure. The bellows structure acts like a spring that charges (resists the pump force) during the inward stroke and discharges (assists the pump force) during the outward stroke, and the shape of the cam track is designed to produce a desired operating profile for the pump.
US08142387B2

A tubular vascular transplant (1, 1′, 1″, 1′″) serves for connecting vessels in the human body. The transplant, in particular made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), can preferably be used for an arteriovenous shunt for carrying out a dialysis. The transplant is connected by its first, proximal end to a vessel, for example an artery (2), and by its distal end to another location of the same vessel or to a different vessel, for example a vein (3). The lumen of the transplant (1, 1′, 1″, and 1′″) widens in a steadily conical manner in the region of its distal end and forms a diffuser (8) there. The cone angle (a) of the wall of the diffuser (8) with respect to the central flow direction of the blood in the transplant (1′, 1″, 1′″) is preferably 6° to 7°. In the region of the diffuser (8), preferably at least one, preferably planar, dividing wall (11, 11′, 11a, and 11b) is provided, running in the central flow direction of the blood. This makes it possible to prevent the formation of an intimal hyperplasia and a pseudointima.
US08142377B2

The double pull body brace comprises a one-piece panel which engages around the torso and overlaps at the front. At the overlap, it is attached to itself by means of a hook-and-loop fastener so that a wide range of adjustment is possible. In the back, spaced cord guides are mounted on said panel. Each cord guide carries a plurality of cord guide lobes. An upper cord is engaged around the upper cord guide lobes, and a lower cord is engaged around the lower cord guide lobes. These cords are separately attached to pull tabs. When donned, the user pulls on the pull tabs to separately adjust upper and lower closure tension of the body brace. When in correct adjustment, the pull tabs are attached in place by hook-and-loop fasteners.
US08142375B2

An automated infant massager has a base for supporting the infant and a plurality of first movable massage elements structured to underlie a portion of the infant. At least one motor is employed for effecting reciprocating movement of the first movable massage element. A plurality of second movable massage elements is provided for massaging the arms and legs of the infant. A plurality of third movable elements is provided within a head support for massaging portions of the infant's head, and a plurality of fourth movable massage elements are provided for massaging the infant's shoulders. The infant massager may, in one embodiment, be structured to receive and massage a premature infant, and in another embodiment, may be structured to receive and massage a full-term infant.
US08142372B2

The invention provides a treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) in a patient. At least one pressure applicator is arranged externally around a body segment of the patient. Negative pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, is applied to the body segment of the patient during cardiac systole using the pressure applicator, thereby reducing ventricular afterload in the patient. The negative pressure to the body segment of the patient is removed during cardiac diastole.
US08142370B2

Electro-rheological fluid brake or actuator devices provide controllable resistance with or without inclusion of active torque output in either direction of rotation under manual or computer control. The brake and actuator devices are suitable for use in an orthotic device for a joint, such as the knee or elbow.
US08142364B2

The invention discloses a trabecular stent and methods for treating glaucoma. The stent may incorporate an intraocular pressure sensor comprising a compressible element that is implanted inside an anterior chamber of an eye, wherein at least one external dimension of the element correlates with intraocular pressure. In some embodiments, the sensor may be coupled to the stent. Also disclosed are methods of delivery of the stent and the sensor to the eye.
US08142362B2

An enhanced pressure sensing system and method use an external diaphragm to address issues involved with accurate and prolonged measurement of fluid pressure, such as of blood flowing in a vascular structure. Some external diaphragms include a metallized layer or other highly impermeable layer to furnish a high degree of seal at least near to hermetic grade. As temperature of the intermediary fluid changes, the external diaphragm is able to move in a direction that minimizes differential pressure across the external diaphragm over an operational temperature range thereby reducing pressure change of the intermediary fluid due to change in temperature of the intermediary fluid. Relatively smooth hydrodynamic surfaces can be used as well as a bi-layer construction.
US08142354B1

A surgical access port comprises a wound protector adapted for insertion into a wound in the abdominal wall of a patient. A resilient pad comprising a laminated structure with a plurality of layers of resilient materials is attached to the wound protector. The pad comprises an aperture adapted to receive and seal against a surgeon's arm or surgical instruments and is self-closing in the absence of a surgeon's arm or surgical instrument.
US08142351B2

An endoscope insertion portion includes an imaging unit including a distal end optical member arranged at a distal end portion of the imaging unit and a movable optical member configured to be moved relative to the distal end optical member, an actuator unit arranged in a position relative to the distal end optical member, configured to drive the movable optical member and including a shape memory member configured to deform according to temperature, and a heater unit including a heating member configured to heat the distal end optical member wherein the heater unit is arranged on one side opposite to other side on which the actuator unit is arranged and the heating member is configured to heat the distal end optical member from the one side to the other side, relative to the optical axis of the imaging unit, when viewing in the axial direction of the insertion portion.
US08142338B2

Kit and method for treatment or rehabilitation of medical conditions of the human knee using an apparatus having a substantially rigid support member having two substantially similar sides joined at one end, which forms an apex, and having a third side including two opposing linear surfaces separated by a cavity; an adjustable strap; and a wedged insole.
US08142335B1

To satisfy one or more of the foregoing objectives, embodiments of a spring collar are provided for removably securing a disc weight to the sleeve of a barbell. In one embodiment, the spring collar includes a resilient wire form having a permanent magnet mounted thereto. The spring collar includes a coiled body having a central aperture, and first and second radial arms extending from the coiled body. The first and second radial arms can be moved toward one another to increase the diameter of the central aperture and permit a user to slide the coiled body over the sleeve. The permanent magnet enables a user to removably secure the spring collar to a ferromagnetic surface when the spring collar is not in use.
US08142333B2

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a ropeless jump rope having a pair of handles wherein each handle comprises a housing having a removable rotatable tip at one end to which a flexible elongated member such as a rope, or string is secure to the tip such that an end portion of the flexible elongated member is attached to the tip in a manner substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tip. Each handle further comprises a flexible support member positioned on the tip and the end portion of the flexible elongated member thereby preventing damage to the flexible elongated member during use of the invention.
US08142330B2

When a through speed ratio, which is an overall speed ratio of a variator and a subtransmission mechanism, varies from a larger speed ratio than a mode switch speed ratio to a smaller speed ratio than the mode switch speed ratio, a gear position of the subtransmission mechanism is changed from a first gear position to a second gear position and the speed ratio of the variator is modified to a large speed ratio side. The mode switch speed ratio is set midway between a low speed mode Highest speed ratio and a high speed mode Lowest speed ratio.
US08142315B2

A tensioner assembly with a drive member, a tensioner arm, a shaft, a pivot bushing, a torsion spring and a load balancing element. The tensioner arm has a hub portion, a drive member mount and an arm disposed therebetween. The drive member is coupled to the drive member mount. The shaft is mounted coaxially within the hub portion. The pivot bushing has a frustoconical bearing surface, which engages a corresponding frustoconical surface in the hub portion, and is slidably mounted on the shaft. The torsion spring is received between the shaft and an outer wall of the hub portion and biases the tensioner arm about the shaft in a predetermined rotational direction. The load balancing element is received between and abuts the outer wall and the torsion spring to transmit a radially outwardly directed force generated by the torsion spring to the outer wall at a predetermined location.
US08142311B2

A football having a generally prolate spheroidal shape and opposing first and second ends. The football includes a bladder, a cover and a lacing coupled to the cover. The cover is disposed over the bladder and defines, at least in part, a first set of channels extending generally longitudinally from at or near the first end of the football to at or near the second end of the football. The cover is formed of at least one cover panel. The cover has an outer surface and includes a plurality of outwardly projecting ridges configured to facilitate grasping and throwing of the football. The height of the ridge is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm.
US08142303B2

A golf-swing training device for improving ball-driving distance and accuracy. The training device mounts to a golf club and signals to the golfer when the club head begins decelerating in the direction of the forward motion of a golf swing. Additional energy is available for transfer from the club head to the ball as the club head is transitioning from acceleration to deceleration. This additional energy comes from the change in the direction of the flexing of the club. By using the training device, a golfer may practice timing his swing to contact the ball with the club head just prior to the beginning of deceleration of the club head during the course of a typical swing. Utilization of the additional available energy may result in increased ball-driving distance. Additionally, contacting the ball while the club is in a straight position, during the transition of the direction of flex, promotes a more accurate drive.
US08142301B2

A measurement setup to determine hitting parameters of a golf club includes a group of reflectors with at least two strip-shaped reflectors with retroreflective surfaces applied to the golf club shaft. The group of reflectors is attached to the club shaft with a detachable, yet tight clamp-connection. At least three retroreflective areas are arranged in a determined geometry at the club shaft and/or at the group of reflectors. At least one first reflective light barrier sends its beam at a right angle to the ideal swing path of the club head near the tee and/or the golf ball at the group of reflectors. During the penetration of the beam the three strip-shaped retroreflective surfaces elicit temporally staggered pulse-shaped signals that the receiver of the first reflective light barrier receives and which it transmits to the data acquisition device. A calibration setup is also provided.
US08142294B2

A power transmitting shaft includes a coupling member, a cylindrical intermediate member, a tube member and an increased diameter portion. The coupling member connects to a counterpart. The cylindrical intermediate member is on a side of one end of the coupling member and has a mechanical strength larger than that of the coupling member. The tube member has one end portion connected to either one of an inner circumferential portion of the intermediate member and an outer circumferential portion of the intermediate member. The increased diameter portion is on one end portion of the intermediate member which is opposed to the one end of the coupling member in an axial direction of the power transmitting shaft. The increased diameter portion is connected with the one end of the coupling member in the axial direction.
US08142293B2

A driveline system for an automotive driveline system includes a transmission device, a differential device, and a universal joint having a drive shaft presenting terminal ends and interconnecting the transmission and differential devices. A yoke is connected to each of the terminal ends of the drive shaft and presents an internal surface and an external surface having generally equal thickness defined therebetween to form a dish of the yoke having a tubular monolithic structure. The yoke portion includes a bottom and a pair of spaced lugs each presenting sloping side walls for reinforcing the lugs as said yoke is rotated around a longitudinal axis.
US08142275B2

A game environment will be described. A specific area is selectable and if a specific symbol (for example, COFFIN symbol) is stopped on the selected specific area in a free game, image effect is made and additional payout amount is provided based on the number of stopped specific symbols and additional amount.
US08142274B2

A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards by activating an award distributor having a plurality of award symbols and at least one selection group activator symbol. The gaming device provides the player with a plurality of activations where an award is associated with each award symbol indicated in each activation. When a selection group activator symbol is indicated, the gaming device displays at least one selection set having a plurality of selections associated with selection awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one selection and provides the associated selection award to the player. The number of available selections in the selection set decreases by one after the player picks a selection. If the selection group activator symbol is subsequently indicated, the player picks from the remaining available selections in the selection set.
US08142266B2

A threshing system for an agricultural harvester including a plurality of threshing elements supported on a rotor at spaced intervals in a generally helical pattern about an outer surface of the rotor, each threshing element including a set of discrete threshing bars including a leading threshing bar proximate the outer surface of the rotor and a succession of threshing bars located progressively farther from the outer surface forming a ramp and defining a wedge shaped opening between the threshing bars and the outer surface, each set of threshing bars extending generally axially along the rotor defining axially extending spaces therebetween sufficiently large for passage of grain therethrough to the wedge shaped opening.
US08142265B2

A motorized air register, air diffuser or vent for HVAC systems in commercial and residential applications comprises a supporting frame abutting a floor, wall or ceiling and a second depending frame for enclosing a damper. The damper is motor driven from a first fully open position to a second fully closed position. The damper can be controlled remotely from a wall consol or in accordance with thermostat logic.
US08142260B2

Apparatus and methods are provided to polish an edge of a substrate. The invention includes a polishing head adapted to retain a backing pad having a selected contour, wherein the polishing head is adapted to press the backing pad against an edge of a substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08142257B2

In a non-circular workpiece grinding machine, a proximity sensor is arranged to face a non-circular portion of a workpiece for sensing a maximum diameter portion of the non-circular portion to detect that the maximum diameter portion is rotating in a detection phase section when the work spindle is rotating in a low speed rotational phase region in which the work spindle is controlled by a numerical controller to rotate at a low speed. Abnormality judging means is provided for judging that an abnormal workpiece rotation is occurring when the maximum diameter portion of the non-circular portion is not detected by the proximity sensor in the state that the work spindle is rotating in the low speed rotational phase region.
US08142246B2

A fuel supply system for a boat, which prevents fuel piping from becoming complicated, includes a vapor separator unit connected to a fuel tank that is mounted on a hull and holds fuel supplied to an engine section, a low-pressure pump arranged to discharge the fuel reserved in the fuel tank into the vapor separator unit, and a mounting hole for a valve, a fuel passage section, and a pipe section (relief path) that return the fuel discharged by the low-pressure pump to the suction opening section side of the low-pressure pump when a tank section is filled with a predetermined amount of fuel. The mounting hole for the valve, the fuel passage section, and the pipe section (relief path) are integral with the vapor separator unit.
US08142240B2

Disclosed herein is a lead pin for a package substrate.The lead pin for the package substrate includes a cylindrical connection pin; and a head part that is formed on one end of the connection pin and has a convex round part formed on the lower end of the head part, having a step part. When the lead pin for the package substrate is mounted on the package substrate, the bulge phenomenon of a solder paste that surrounds the head part and is melted is prevented by a flange part, thereby making it possible to prevent the connection pin from being polluted and to improve a contact defect such as a short defect or the like when coupling a socket.
US08142239B2

A contact terminal which prevents a load from being concentrated on the contact terminal portion thereof when a part is disposed on a substrate, to prevent contact terminals from being short-circuited even if stacked, thereby reducing the overall space requirement. A projection is formed on a terminal base and the movable range of a contact is limited by the projection, whereby the load that is conventionally concentrated on a terminal support part can be distributed by a support part and the projection. Consequently, the durability of the terminal portion can be enhanced, the space for the contact terminal portion is saved, and a short circuit is prevented from occurring due to the contacting between the contact terminals.
US08142238B2

An electrical connector for establishing an electrical contact with a complementary connector, in particular in a high-temperature environment, the electrical connector including: a housing having an essentially cylindrical inner volume with an opening at least at one end; an elongated contact element disposed inside the inner volume to contact the complementary connector when the latter is introduced into the inner volume; and an elongated spring element disposed between a wall of the inner volume and the contact element to resiliently support the elongated contact element. The contact element includes an anchor section clamped between a first and a second part of the housing.
US08142230B2

An earphone assembly includes a plug, a switch element; and a USB connector. The USB connector is rotatably assembled to the switch element and electronically connects the plug. The invention further discloses an electronic device including an earphone assembly and a plug seat. The earphone assembly includes a plug, a switch element, and a USB connector. The USB connector is rotatably assembled to the switch element and electronically connects the plug. The plug seat is assembled in the electronic device for receiving the plug.
US08142227B1

A multifunctional base for energy saving lamps includes a base body defining an inner receiving space and provided with a bottom through hole and a side opening; a circuit board vertically mounted in the receiving space of the base body and having a power conversion circuit provided thereon; and a set of spring conductive strips including at least a first and a second spring conductive strip. The first spring conductive strip has an end electrically connected to the circuit board and another end protruded from the base body via the bottom through hole; and the second spring conductive strip has an end electrically connected to the circuit board and another end protruded from the base body via the side opening. The first and second spring conductive strips act to enable increased contact tightness between the lamp base and a lamp socket.
US08142221B2

A plug assembly includes a body extending between a mating end and a cable end. A sensor assembly is supported by the body that has an integrated circuit component having a first pad and a second pad. The sensor assembly also has a first sensor probe mounted to the first pad and a second sensor probe mounted to the second pad.
US08142220B2

An electronic connector comprises an outer shell having a first side and a second side, an insulative seat body having a first side and a second side, a plurality of terminals extending along the first side of the insulative seat body, and a configuration aid formed on the outer shell. The insulative seat body is disposed within an interior of the outer shell such that the first side of the insulative seat body is oriented toward the first side of the outer shell and the second side of the insulative seat body is oriented toward the second side of the outer shell. The configuration aid is structured to indicate the orientation of the terminals with respect to the first side of the outer shell.
US08142219B1

An electronic device includes a casing, a female connector received in the casing and a holder. The casing has a substrate. The female connector is spaced from an inner surface of the casing. The female connector defines an opening in one end thereof for a male connector inserting therein. The holder is between the substrate of the casing and the other end of the female connector which is away from the opening.
US08142216B1

An electrical connector includes a base having a plurality of terminals received therein and defining a first aperture extending therethough, a cover mounted on the base and having a second aperture corresponding to the first aperture and an actuating device actuating the cover moving along the base in a front-to-back direction. The actuating device includes three separated parts called as a rotating shaft define a position rib, an eccentric wheel and a concentric wheel assembled on the rotating shaft from an up-to-down direction. The eccentric wheel used as a cam has a first slot engaging with the position rib. The concentric wheel received in the second aperture has a second slot engaging with the position rib. The eccentric wheel is received in the second aperture to actuate the cover move along the base.
US08142214B1

A joint structure effective in reducing return loss and insertion loss of signals includes a body, a sleeve, a resilient element, a metallic pipe, a rod, two washers, and a packing. The sleeve is disposed in the body and penetrable by a terminal line. The sleeve has a positioning ring circumferentially in tight contact with the body and receives the resilient element. The circumference of the resilient element is integrally formed as a unitary unit and has longitudinal slashes whose ends are provided with bumps, respectively. A positioning ring is disposed at the other end of the resilient element. The resilient element and the rod are insertable into two ends of the metallic pipe, respectively. The rod has an end for penetrating the washers and packing, and has a positioning ring for enabling engagement and positioning of the washers, the packing, the rod, and the metallic pipe.
US08142213B2

A connector which can avoid lowering of a waterproof performance between a frame and a sub-housing. First and second housings are engaged by rotating a lever mounted on the first housing. The second housing has a second frame and second sub-housings are accommodated in accommodating spaces formed in the second frame. A cam follower is formed on an outer surface of a dual-purpose outer wall that faces the accommodating space out of the second frame. A seal is provided between an outer periphery of the second sub-housing and an inner periphery of the accommodating space. A frame-shaped restricting member is assembled to the second frame and surrounds the second frame to restrict outward displacement of the dual-purpose wall.
US08142207B1

A QSFP receptacle includes a grounding plate in the housing between the first and second contact arrays such that the first and second contact arrays are equidistant from the grounding plate and a noise cancellation member making electrical contact with the grounding contacts of the first and second contact arrays and the grounding plate to provide an electrical connection among the grounding contacts of the first and second contact arrays and the grounding plate.
US08142198B2

A method for developing fine motor skills of the hand, the method having the steps of manufacturing a fine-motor-skills-of-the-hand development workbook system that is made up of more than one workbook, wherein substantially all of the workbook pages are construction paper, and each of the workbooks are respectively made up of distinct printed subject matter and patterns; printing subject matter and patterns on each of the construction-paper pages that are to be inserted into each of the respective workbooks; inserting and binding the pre-printed construction-paper pages into each of the system's respective workbooks; and identifying and visually displaying each of the system's workbooks as having relatively different levels of complexity in the development of fine motor skills of the hand.
US08142197B2

A system and method of rating a cross-country course. The method includes for accurately and consistently measuring a length of a cross-country course and rating a difficultly of the cross-country course.
US08142193B2

A compound angular joint for connecting an abutment to a dental implant in a predefined angle. One compound angular joint includes a basal member connectable to the dental implant, and an apical member connectable to the abutment. The apical member is connected to the basal member forming the predefined angle. Assembling the compound angular joint of the two members allows achieving a strong and stable connection between the basal member and the dental implant, between the apical member and the abutment, and between the basal member and the apical member. The compound angular joint may be used in prostheses to allow optimally exploiting the bone structure of the jaw.
US08142192B2

A method is provided for transferring the position of an angled abutment from a model to an implant installed in the jawbone of a patient. The method can include attaching an attachment member to the first implant replica, attaching an angled abutment to the second implant replica, attaching an abutment holder to the angled abutment, connecting a connecting member to the attachment member, connecting the connecting member to the abutment holder, releasing the attachment member from the first implant replica, and releasing the angled abutment from the second implant replica.
US08142190B2

Set of motor-driven instruments to aid the fixing of dental implants that combines drills (1, 2) and motor-driven osteotomes (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D) of progressive diameters. These have a threaded conical section (9), followed by a threaded cylindrical section (8) and another area (7) to fit the connectors (14, 17) to the surgical motor or a manual extractor.
US08142188B2

The invention relates to a light curing device/base station combination, comprising a heat absorbing element, which is in particular metallic, and which is in thermally conducting connection with a heat source, in particular a light source, and in particular comprising a handle. The base station (12) has for the light curing device (14) a heat dissipating device(27), which lies against the heat absorbing element (24) when the light curing device (14) is accommodated in or on the base station (12).
US08142182B2

A magnetic coupling for an injection molding apparatus, such as a hot half or hot runner, includes a first magnetic part for connection to an actuator, a valve pin plate, or the like and a movable second magnetic part for connection to a valve pin. The first magnetic part and the second magnetic part are coupled by a magnetic force. The first magnetic part can be part of the actuator. The second magnetic part can be part of the valve pin. A valve pin plate can be provided for a plurality of valve pins.
US08142179B2

A stereolithography apparatus that is configured to fabricate a three-dimensional model by forming a cured layer by irradiating an interface of a photocurable resin with light corresponding to sectional data of the three-dimensional model and stacking the cured layers includes a container holding the photocurable resin and having a constraining window configured to constrain the interface of the photocurable resin; a vertical movement table movable in a vertical direction orthogonal to the interface of the photocurable resin; an optical system configured to form the cured layer between the vertical movement table and the constraining window by irradiating the interface of the photocurable resin with light through the constraining window; and a position constraining mechanism configured to substantially flatten the constraining window by applying a force to the constraining window from the outside of the container when the cured layer is formed by the optical system.
US08142177B2

Installation (1) for blow molding hollow bodies, comprising at least one mold carrier (2) to which a removable mold (3) can be connected via fluid connection means (4), at least one pressurized temperature-controlled fluid circuit (5) passing through the carrier and mold, and automatic circuit (5) shutoff means provided in the carrier (2); which circuit (5) has a fluid connection to at least one chamber (8) having a variable volume that depends on an external pressure applied to said chamber (8) by means (9) for generating an auxiliary fluid at a pressure that is adjustable between the pressure of the temperature-controlled fluid and atmospheric pressure, by means of which the pressure of the pressurized temperature-controlled fluid can be reduced in said chamber (8) by decompression.
US08142175B2

A scroll compressor assembly includes a mounting base with a pair of support ribs formed into the mounting base, for structurally strengthening the support provided by the mounting base. The mounting base may either support the scroll compressor housing as a separate component part or may integrally form part of the scroll compressor housing. The mounting base has at least two tracks for rail mounting of the scroll compressor assembly and typically includes holes for fasteners and/or grommets.
US08142172B2

A silencer operative for a compressor or a vacuum pump, in particular for a compressor or a vacuum pump that operate according to the displacement principle, which in either case compresses a current of gas, in particular an air current, such that the silencer includes an entrance for the gas current that leaves the compressor, as well as an exit, the silencer including a branching region having an inflow channel which branches into two channel sections, such that a first channel section is constructed as a main conduit to conduct the gas current further, and a second channel section forms a branch that is closed at its end. The branch has an axial preferential direction oriented parallel to the direction of flow of the gas current in the inflow channel, so that the gas current impinges frontally on the branch that is closed at its end.
US08142164B2

A method for assembling a rotor blade for use with a wind turbine. The method includes providing a blade sidewall at least partially defining a cavity extending from a blade root towards a blade tip of the rotor blade, the blade sidewall having a leading edge and a trailing edge. A structural support assembly is positioned at least partially within the cavity and extends from the blade root towards the blade tip. The structural support assembly includes a root end and an opposing tip end. At least one support member is coupled to the blade sidewall and to the structural support assembly.
US08142163B1

A turbine blade for use in a gas turbine engine, the turbine blade being made from a spar and shell construction in which the spar extends from the root and forms a cavity in which cooling air is supplied to the blade. The shell is held between the tip cap and the platform in grooves. A tension rod extends from the root and through the cavity within the spar to engage with the tip cap and secure the tip cap and the shell in place. A pretension nut is secured to the tension rod on the root end and engages a surface of the root to allow for a tension to be applied to the tension rod. Ceramic rope seals are secured within the grooves between the shell ends and the groove to form a seal. An inner seal is secured within a groove of the spar and engages with a projecting member on the tip cap to form a seal. Heat shields are wrapped around the platforms to provide thermal protection to the platforms.
US08142158B2

A swash plate assembly includes a rotationally stationary swash plate and rotational swash plate which rotates relative to the rotationally stationary swash plate through a bearing system. Each servo control rod is attached to the swash plate assembly to communicate control inputs thereto through a respective servo lug. Each servo lug defines a servo pivot point off an in-line plane inboard of the bearing system. As the servo lugs extend below the rotationally stationary swash plate, a relatively uncomplicated attachment arrangement is facilitated which provides for redundant locking features at a highly inspectable location which simplifies maintenance and increased safety. By locating the servo pivot point just inboard of the bearing system, an exceeding compact load path is defined thereby. The load path is defined from the servo control, to the servo lug, through the rotationally stationary swash plate, bearing system, the rotational swash plate, the rotor pitch control point and into the pitch control rod.
US08142150B2

In one embodiment, an alignment device may be configured to align a first turbine engine casing and a second turbine engine casing. The alignment device may include a fixed portion configured to be fixedly attached to the first turbine engine casing. The alignment device may also include a bridge portion configured to interface with the second turbine engine casing, wherein the bridge portion defines a first range of motion for the fixed portion along a first axis and a second range of motion for the fixed portion along a second axis when the alignment device is engaged with the first turbine engine casing and the second turbine engine casing, and wherein the alignment device is configured to facilitate movement of the first turbine engine casing relative to the second turbine engine casing within the range of motion and the second range of motion.
US08142134B2

A transportable apparatus has a main body in a working position with a bottom end resting on the ground. The bottom end of a frame is pivotally attached to the main body above the bottom end of the main body and the frame is aligned with a side of the main body. An actuator pivots the frame downward about the pivot axis to a transport position where the frame extends substantially horizontally away from the main body. Wheels support the frame and a hitch at a top end of the frame is adapted for connection to a tow vehicle when the frame is in the transport position. When the frame is connected to a tow vehicle, the actuator can be operated to pivot the main body downward about the pivot axis to a lowered transport position where the main body rests on the frame for transport on the wheels.
US08142118B2

The invention refers to a working machine with a machining tool which can be set in a spindle head of a working spindle. A monitoring unit is provided which monitors the shape of the spindle head.
US08142111B2

Provided is a support platform of a non-contact transfer apparatus. The support platform is arranged horizontally and includes first and second members adding a lift force to a first force for lifting peripheral portions of a transferred object, wherein the first force is lower than a second force lifting a central portion of the transferred object.
US08142105B2

A wave-motion reducing structure comprises wave-motion reducing means (30) suitable for being laid on a coastal bed and restraining means (20, 22) suitable for restraining the wave-motion reducing means on the coastal bed. The wave-motion reducing means (30) are arranged so as to be inclined, in use, against the direction of the sea current which strikes them. A wave-motion reducing system comprises a plurality of wave-motion reducing structures arranged in a row lengthwise and in a manner such that the wave-motion reducing means (30) adopt a substantially parallel configuration and oppose the motion of the current.
US08142104B2

A support leg for a dowel sleeve, the dowel sleeve having a hollow open body at a second end spaced from one end of the body connectable to a construction plate. The support leg has a spigot engagable in the body, the exterior of which is engaged by an abutment face. The effective length of the support leg is adjustable by selectively detaching one or more leg member segments, each provided with a disc-like base member.
US08142097B2

A ball joint comprises a ball stud having a stud portion at a middle thereof, a ball portion and a screw portion at opposite sides of the stud portion, and a seat surface portion facing the screw portion between the respective portions, and a bearing member into which the ball portion is slidably fitted so as to universally pivotably-support the ball stud, so that the stud portion is inserted through a mounting member, and a nut is screwed with the screw portion projected from the mounting member, and the seat surface portion abuts and is fastened to the mounting member by fastening the nut to the mounting member. The seat surface portion abutting the mounting member is subjected to a co-rotation preventing process which prevents the ball stud from co-rotating along with the nut when the nut is fastened.
US08142092B1

A tire shiner device used in automatic carwash applications including a dual sectioned conservation reservoir designed to reapply excess shiner fluid to a rotary brush by orienting the reservoir in close proximity to the rotating circumference of the brush allowing the brush to sweep along the surface of the reservoir and thereby continually maintaining a desired level of saturation. The dual-sectioned reservoirs containing the excess fluid for reapplication can each be adjusted manually or optionally spring-loaded to provide a consistent contact between the rotary brush and the reservoir as the brush warps or wears. Additionally, the tire shiner device confines the shiner fluid application to the tire sidewall region using a containment shield to help prevent unwanted application to the car wheels or body.
US08142090B2

A cosmetic product includes a mascara composition and a treatment device, whereby the mascara composition is applied to the eyelashes by softening the mascara composition via heat. The mascara composition is solid at room temperature, however is softened at elevated temperature, so it may be applied to the eyelashes. The treatment device includes an applicator for receiving, heating to soften, and applying the softened mascara composition to the eyelashes. Once the softened mascara composition is applied to the eyelashes, the mascara composition is quickly cooled and thus solidified by the atmosphere. The mascara composition thus applied to the eyelashes provides a firm film covering the eyelashes, which is not softened at body temperature, and thus provides enhanced wearability. A cap detachable to the applicator is provided with a loading mechanism for delivering pieces of the mascara composition one by one to the applicator.
US08142076B2

A tamper-evident retaining device for use with articles of evidence having a base sheet and a secondary sheet connected along conjoined bottoms. A top closure includes a central panel secured along a top of the base sheet, first and second side panels extending from opposite edges of the central panel and pivotally opened in a first position. First and second side flaps extend from the sides of the base sheet such that, upon pre-placement of the evidence article upon the base sheet and subsequent folding up of the secondary sheet to overlay the base sheet, the flaps are inwardly folded to secure, in tamper evident fashion, said sides of said of said secondary sheet to said sides of said base sheet. The side panels are then pivoted inwardly and in overlaying fashion against the central panel in a second position to secure, in tamper evident fashion, the top of the base and secondary sheets.
US08142075B2

A tamper-evident evidence bag including a blank having first and second planar shaped and pivotally connected panels. The bag has an open perimeter edge and is secured to first selected lacing surfaces of the pivotally connected panels and such that an interior of the bag is communicable through an aperture defined between the panels. The first and second panels are folded from an open position, in which they panels are established in a substantially parallel relationship, to a closed position in which opposingly facing surfaces of are adhered against one another and in order to maintain, in tamper-evident fashion, items placed within the bag enclosure. Additional tamper-evident resealing structure is located along at least one facing side of the associated bag material, allowing documentable re-entry of the pre-sealed evidence bag. The tamper-evident resealing structure includes a re-closable and adhesives peel away flap, a reverse face of includes recordable information fields for documenting the particulars of the re-entry and subsequent tamper evident-resealing event.
US08142074B2

A system for holding and aligning a radiation sensing device is described. The system includes a radiation sensing device having a sensor engagement member. The system also includes a holder having a retention member including first and second retention guides connected with opposing ends of a back plate. The first retention guide also includes a complementary holder engagement member configured to mate with the sensor engagement member at a preset position.
US08142067B2

Apparatus which axially stirs solid and/or liquid and/or gaseous substances jointly or individually, characterized by the use of a linear motor or linear servo motor, which enables to select the amplitude, frequency, acceleration, application time of said movement and selection of stirring and rest cycles. The stirring produced by this apparatus can be applied for mixing and/or homogenizing substances and/or extracting the constituent elements of the stirred substances.
US08142066B2

A mixing device for synthetic leather to joint with a solid powder material includes a material mixing unit and a stirring and conveying unit. The material mixing unit includes a mixing body and two feeders. The mixing body is connected with the two feeders and has a mixing chamber therein which is intercommunicated with the two feeders. The stirring and conveying unit is connected with the material mixing unit and has a stirring and conveying chamber therein which is intercommunicated with a solid material container and the mixing chamber. Thereby, a solid powder material, a first material and a second material are respectively disposed in the solid material container and the feeders, and then guided into the mixing chamber to be well mixed for forming a mixture. The mixture is manufactured to form synthetic leather containing the solid powder material.
US08142063B2

Light emitting panel assembly comprises a light emitting panel member and a light source. At least one surface of the panel member has a pattern of light extracting deformities formed by applying the deformities to the panel member and afterward permanently attaching the deformities to the panel member to become part of the assembly.
US08142052B2

A medical light solidifying device includes a housing box, a rotary work table, a lighting source reflection body, and an LED lighting source set. The rotary work table is rotatably located in the housing box for being placed with a target material. The lighting source reflection body includes at least two reflection masks. Each mask has a reflection wall surrounding the rotary work table. Each of the reflection walls of the two reflection masks respectively has at least one reflection surface. The LED lighting source set is located above the rotary work table and the lighting source reflection body, and includes a plurality of LED units for emitting a beam with a specific wavelength for solidifying the target material. Thereby, the dead zone of the LED lighting source set is reduced so that the usage efficiency thereof is increase, and furthermore the target material can be efficiently and uniformly solidified.
US08142051B2

An illumination system according to the principles of the invention may include a first LED and a carrier material. The carrier material may be comprised of plastic, synthetic material, polymer, latex, rubber or other material. The carrier material may also contain a phosphor, fluorescent material, organic fluorescent material, inorganic fluorescent material, impregnated phosphor, phosphor particles, phosphor material, YAG:Ce phosphor, or other material for converting electromagnetic radiation into illumination or visible light.
US08142050B2

A phosphor point source element comprises a substrate and light emitting phosphor particles arranged on the substrate to provide a circular operational track having a tightly packed particle arrangement adjacent to a flat operational surface of an operational track region. The operational track region is rotated while illuminated at a point to provide a high intensity point source. The tightly packed particle arrangement may be achieved by spinning the phosphor particles in a cavity to compress the phosphor on the substrate at the periphery of the cavity, or by other mechanical compression. The tightly packed phosphor arrangement may either be compressed against a forming element that bounds the cavity, or machined, to provide a flat operational surface. An adhesive binding agent that permeates the phosphor particles may be cured to fix the tightly packed arrangement. A window element may support and/or protect the operational surface, in some embodiments.
US08142041B2

A backlight module can comprise: a backlight source, a diffuser plate adjacent the backlight source, and a lenticular film having a convex lenticular feature on a viewing side, wherein the diffuser plate is located between the lenticular film and the backlight source.
US08142040B2

A fixing mechanism of backlight component includes a metal bezel, a socket, a lamp sheathing structure, and an external frame. A fixing hole is formed on the metal bezel. A fixing structure is formed on an end of the socket for inserting into the fixing hole of the metal bezel to electrically connect to a power control circuit board. A groove is formed on the other end of the socket for containing a lamp. The lamp sheathing structure is disposed on the metal bezel for sheathing the lamp so as to fix the lamp with the socket together. The external frame is disposed on the metal bezel and abuts against the lamp sheathing structure to fix the lamp sheathing structure on the metal bezel.
US08142036B2

A device is disclosed having a keypad and an adjacent light guide with at least one light source. At least one reflector is provided, having at least an area thereof adjacent to the light source. At least a portion of the reflector is located either between the light source and the keypad or between the light guide and the keypad.
US08142033B2

A projector includes an interface unit, a control unit, and a projection unit. The interface unit includes a plurality of ports, each of which connects to a corresponding connector to allow the projector to connect to a corresponding signal source. The control unit identifies format of information read from the corresponding signal sources via the interface unit and identifies which port is connected. The projection unit projects a menu image, the menu image comprising a plurality of icons, each associated with a corresponding port and configured for indicating connection states of the corresponding ports.
US08142029B2

A projector displays an image on a projection surface. The projector has a zoom adjusting module and a keystone correcting module. The zoom adjusting module adjusts zoom level of a zoom lens for enlarged projection of image light. The keystone correcting module corrects trapezoidal distortion of the image displayed on the projection surface by means of forming the effective panel image in a revised image formation area, the revised image formation area being part of the image formation area of the panel surface.
US08142024B2

An image display device includes: an optical modulator; and an optical compensation element configured to cancel out phase difference generated within the optical modulator; wherein the optical compensation element is installed in a state in which the brightness of a projected image corresponding to a region having relatively great phase difference within the optical modulator becomes a minimal value, at the minimum driving voltage to be applied to the optical modulator.
US08142017B2

A method for producing an ophthalmic glass (1) intended for an identified wearer of spectacles comprises distribution of an optical power addition between an anterior face (SANT) and a posterior face (SPOST) of said glass. Said distribution of the addition is done in such a way as to modify an optical characteristic as a function of relative amplitudes of eye and head movements of the wearer. Superior comfort of the glass in use is thus obtained. The optical characteristic which is considered may be, in particular, a variation of magnification procured by the glass between far and near vision conditions. An improvement of the invention is to also modify a design of the progressive glass as a function of the amplitudes of the eye and head movements of the wearer, using only a single semifinished glass model of fixed design for each addition value of the anterior face.
US08142008B2

A method for forming an image with an ink-jet recorder provided with an ink-jet head, the method including the following steps in the sequence set forth: ejecting a photo-acid generator solution through the ink-jet head on a recording material, provided that the photo-acid generator solution contains a solvent and a photo-acid generator without containing a photopolymerizable compound; irradiating the ejected photo-acid generator solution on the recording material with actinic radiation rays; ejecting an actinic radiation curable ink containing a colorant through the ink-jet head on the recording material to form an image; and irradiating the image with actinic radiation rays so as to fix the formed image.
US08142007B2

An ink composition set including an ink composition. A containing at least a colorant and an interior curable photopolymerization initiator, and an ink composition B containing at least a polymerizable compound, a surface curable photopolymerization initiator and a polymerization accelerator, and an ink-jet recording method using the ink composition set.
US08142003B2

An inkjet printer system includes a print head and a sub tank. The print head is configured to eject ink. The sub tank is provided above the print head and connected to the print head via a head-side supply passage. The sub tank has a first supplying hole and a second supplying hole which are connected to the head-side supply passage. A position of the first supplying hole is higher than a position of the second supplying hole.
US08141988B2

A liquid ejection head includes at least one liquid ejecting substrate for ejecting liquid, a supporting member for supporting the at least one liquid ejecting substrate, the at least one liquid ejecting substrate being fixed to a main surface of the supporting member, and a plurality of liquid supplying members for supplying liquid to the at least one liquid ejecting substrate through the supporting member. A linear expansivity of each of the liquid supplying members is different from a linear expansivity of the supporting member. The plurality of the liquid supplying members are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the supporting member, with each of the liquid supplying members being bonded to a surface that is opposite the main surface of the supporting member.
US08141987B2

An ink jet recording head includes a substrate, having a front surface and a back surface opposite from the front surface, provided above the front surface with an energy generating element for generating energy used for ejecting ink; an ink supply port provided so as to penetrate between the front surface and the back surface of the substrate; a first layer provided on or above the front surface of the substrate; a protection layer which is provided so as to coat a wall of the substrate defining the ink supply port and which continuously extends onto the first layer; and a second layer located above the front surface of the substrate and including a portion provided on the protection layer and another portion provided on the first layer by penetrating through the protection layer.
US08141986B2

A heating element of a fluid ejection device includes an insulative layer, a resistor portion interposed between and spaced apart from a pair of conductive portions, and an upper structure defining a fluid chamber above the resistor portion. The insulative layer defines a shoulder portion adjacent a side edge of the resistor portion, the shoulder portion vertically spaced below a top surface of the resistor portion by a distance of no more than twice a thickness of the resistor portion.
US08141949B2

A computer display viewing support having a display positioning tray, including a vertical unit having a substantially vertical orientation adapted to vary a vertical location of the display tray between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, the vertical unit terminating in horizontal base and a tray pivoting unit supported by the vertical unit and adapted to pivot the display tray from a plurality of pivoting positions between a closed position to an open position.
US08141946B2

A system (1) for adjusting the position of at least one seat component such as head rest (4), back rest (6), seat component (8), leg rest (10), or foot rest (12) of a passenger seat (2) of a vehicle, an aircraft passenger seat in particular, by means of actuators, a seat control (14, 18) being mounted locally on the aircraft passenger seat (2) and being provided with at least one operating element (15) and data being transmissible between the seat controls (14, 18) of a plurality of passenger seats (2), preferably of all passenger seats (2) of the vehicle, including data relating to the position of the seat components and/or data relating to operation of the actuators, and a common control unit (24; 124), characterized in that the seat control (14, 18) and the common control unit (24; 124) each has a data transmission unit (20, 21, 32, 34, 36) for wireless data transmission and an associated common control unit (24; 124).
US08141945B2

A vehicle seat includes a first sensor that is disposed inside a seat back and is capable of detecting a back-side collision of a vehicle when pressed by a body of a sitting passenger, and a second sensor that is capable of detecting the back-side collision of the vehicle based on a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. A head rest is constructed to be moved forwardly based on detection signals when both of the sensors detect the back-side collision of the vehicle.
US08141944B2

An apparatus includes a seat frame having an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The seat frame includes a support member and four elongate members. A first elongate member is of a first pole type, a second elongate member is of a second pole type, and a third and fourth elongate member are of a third pole type defined by a length and a shape. Each of the elongate members are pivotably connected to the support member. When the seat frame is in the expanded configuration, the first and second elongate members have a first end disposed at a front portion of the seat frame and a second end disposed at a back portion of the seat frame; and the third and the fourth elongate member have a first end disposed at the back portion of the frame and a second end disposed at the front portion of the frame.
US08141939B2

A protector includes: a protector main body covering the lower portion of the vehicle body and a fixing plate for fixing the protector main body to the vehicle body. The protector main body has a surface portion and a recessed portion recessed from the surface portion to the vehicle body. The fixing plate has a plurality of the first insertion holes through which the fastening members for securing the protector main body to the vehicle body are passed. The recessed portion has second insertion holes through which fastening members are passed. The fixing plate is disposed in the recessed portion. The plurality of the first insertion holes are formed apart from one another.
US08141938B2

A formed article for a vehicle body structural member includes: a first gradually varying portion that is curved around an axis extending in a width direction of a top wall portion and the width of the top wall portion varies; and a second gradually varying portion in which the width of a leg wall portion varies so as to cancel the variation in the width of the top wall portion in the first gradually varying portion. The shape of a gradually-varying-portion ridge that is a boundary between the first gradually varying portion and the second gradually varying portion is made substantially the same both in a plan view that is viewed along the thickness direction of the top wall portion and in a side view that is viewed along the width direction of the top wall portion.
US08141935B2

A sliding door panel for covering an opening in a trim panel of a sliding door includes a bracket having a first guiding member. The sliding door panel includes is a sliding appliqué having a second guiding member capable of associating with the first guiding member, and wherein the sliding appliqué includes a first end having a protruding configuration extending away from the trim panel.
US08141916B2

The latch includes a ratchet and pawl operable to move between an engaged position to hold a striker and a released position to permit the striker from exiting the latch. In addition, a release lever and a lock lever are pivotally mounted to the opposite surface of the latch housing. A lock link lever connects the release lever to the lock lever, having a first end pivotally mounted to the lock lever and a second end slidably located in a slot on the release lever. Actuating the release lever while the second end of the lock link lever is in its locked position pivots the lock link lever in a first arc and actuating the release lever while the lock link lever is in its unlocked position pivots the lock link lever in a second arc to actuate the pawl into its released position.
US08141913B2

The press fitting for a pipe is provided with a fitting element which comprises a supporting element onto which a pipe to be connected can be pushed. Furthermore, the press fitting comprises a compression sleeve which has on its circumferential surface a compression region corresponding to the region a pressing tool acts on the compression sleeve during the compression thereof. A plastic ring is situated on the outside of the compression sleeve and is secured thereon against movements in the axial direction of the compression sleeve wherein the plastic ring has at least one axial projection which extends right into the compression region of the compression sleeve and which can be destroyed when the pressing tool acts on the compression sleeve and/or is secured so that it can be separated from the plastic ring.
US08141909B2

An umbilical field connect assembly comprising: a first umbilical portion comprising two or more first bundled members chosen from electrical cables, fluid conduits, and optical fibers; a second umbilical portion comprising two or more second bundled members chosen from electrical cables, fluid conduits, and optical fibers; a first housing assembly having a first end coupled to the first umbilical portion and a second end comprising a first coupling plate having a plurality of first couplings chosen from male and female couplings positioned therein, one of the plurality of first couplings being positioned at an end of each of the first bundled members; a second housing assembly having a third end coupled to the second umbilical portion and a fourth end comprising a second coupling plate having a plurality of second couplings chosen from male and female couplings positioned therein, one of the second couplings being positioned at an end of each of the second bundled members. The first housing and the second housing can be positioned so that each of the first couplings join with one of the second couplings to form mated coupling pairs, whereby the first bundled members of the first umbilical portion and the second bundled members of the second umbilical portion can be joined in a manner that effectively provides for a single functioning umbilical assembly.
US08141903B2

There is provided a reinforcing structure for a steering support member, which is made up of a pipe part, and is set across in the vehicle width direction. In this reinforcing structure, a pin part is penetratingly arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction in a location in which a steering bracket of the steering support member is fixed, and the end portions of the pin part are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe part.
US08141901B2

A gas generating system includes a housing having a passage and a forcing member positioned in the passage. A flowable material is positioned in the passage to resist motion of the forcing member. The housing is configured to enable a flow of flowable material out of the housing responsive only to a motion of the forcing member.
US08141898B2

An airbag module with an airbag and a tubular gas generator fastened to a module housing is provided. Said tubular gas generator having gas outlet openings along the periphery thereof and can be fastened to the module housing by means of only a clamping ring that is movable over the tubular gas generator and over a section of the module housing. The clamping ring has in axial direction elongated sections being separated from each other and continuing axial in the opposite direction. The module housing has in its bottom an opening for inserting the tubular gas generator, wherein on the module housing below this opening a support for the tubular gas generator is provided. The clamping ring is designed such that said clamping ring reaches below the support after positioning the tubular gas generator with the elongated section by axial moving in direction of the center of the tubular gas generator.
US08141892B2

A steering lock structure for a vehicle with a saddle includes a steering lock mechanism and left and right frame members. The steering lock mechanism is disposed rearwardly with respect to a head pipe to lock and unlock a rotation of a steering system. The left and right frame members extend in a vehicle rearward direction from the head pipe. The steering lock mechanism is disposed between the left and right frame members. The steering lock mechanism is configured to cause a lock pin to carry out a stroke movement along a vehicle upward and downward direction. The steering lock mechanism is configured to cause the lock pin to be brought into and out of engagement with a top bridge of the steering system which is supported on the head pipe. Thereby, locking and unlocking of the rotation of the steering system are allowed.
US08141891B2

A vehicle suspension friction control apparatus includes a first link having a first end and a second end, and a second link having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first link is mounted to one of a steering knuckle or a lower control arm connected to a lower part of the steering knuckle. The first end of the second link is mounted to the other of the steering knuckle or the lower control arm. A friction control joint connects the second end of the first link and the second end of the second link for controlling friction between the steering knuckle and the lower control arm.
US08141880B2

There is provided a high pressure sealing apparatus including: a top adapter including a packing receiving recess having an inverted V-shaped section; a bottom adapter including a packing supporting wall having an inverted V-shaped section; packing members each having an inverted V-shaped section, and interposed between the top adapter and the bottom adapter; and backup rings each having an inverted V-shaped section, and alternately overlapped with the packing members. The packing members are made of hard synthetic resin. A deformation allowing gap is formed on at least two facing walls of a top wall or a bottom wall of the packing member, and a bottom wall of the top adapter, a top wall and a bottom wall of the backup ring, or a top wall of the bottom adapter to be closed owing to compaction force in an axial direction X.
US08141865B2

A sheet feeding device includes an air separating unit includes a floating air blowing unit and a separating air blowing unit that blow air to leading edges of a bundle of sheets in a paper feeding direction to float and separate upper sheets, and a side air blowing unit that blows air to both side edges of the sheet bundle to separate each of the sheets in the bundle, an air suctioning unit that suctions the air to suction a top sheet thus separated, a sheet feeding unit that feeds the sheet thus suctioned and retained, and a control unit that controls to blow floating air, to blow separating air, to blow side air, and to suction the air all at different operational timings.
US08141860B2

A versatile, foldable and disposable cutting board (1) for preparing food is made of a thin, resiliently flexible sheet of propylene, stainless steel or other cut-resistant material. The board has a triangular section (11) projecting away from the user to form a distal pouring funnel and spout when the board is folded along its middle by grabbing both sides (4) and moving them toward each other. A narrow fence (6) extending upwardly from the periphery of the board converges at the apex (9) of the triangular section. A rigidizing flange (15) extends outwardly from the upper rim of the fence but is interrupted (16) near the apex. The fence is interrupted along an offset portion (20) of the proximal edge (2) in order to provide clearance for the blade and handle of a chopping or mincing instrument.
US08141859B2

An apparatus and method for separating a pin tool from a shoulder tool, after the pin tool and shoulder tool have become welded together during a friction stir welding operation. In one exemplary embodiment a frame is used to support the shoulder tool. A fluid pressure actuating assembly is used for gradually exerting a force on the pin tool while the shoulder tool is held stationary within the frame. The gradually increasing force gradually breaks the weld and separates the pin tool from the shoulder tool without damaging the pin tool.
US08141851B2

A portable lift including a pair of elongate rails adapted for being located underneath corresponding lift points associated with a vehicle to be elevated. A pair of cross members fixedly securing at opposite ends to spaced apart locations associated with the rails and in order to construct a frame. Scissor jacks are associated with end location of the first and second rails. A drive shaft communicates to one or more of the scissor jacks, and responsive to a converted rotary input, actuates the jacks, separately or in unison, thereby causing the rails to vertically displaced for elevating and/or lowering the vehicle.
US08141849B1

A valve body and seal assembly comprises a valve body symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and comprising a circumferential seal retention groove and a frusto-conical valve body impact area for contacting a valve seat. An elastomeric seal is cast-in-place in the circumferential seal retention groove. Each seal comprises first and second seal sections in contact via an intra-seal interface, the interface simultaneously extending radially outward and longitudinally. First seal sections may comprise a first polyurethane having a higher modulus than a second polyurethane of which second seal sections may be comprised. First seal sections are cast and partially cured in a mold which is rotating about the longitudinal axis. Second seal sections are cast after the first seal sections are partially cured, resulting in the intra-seal interface shape described above. Cross-linking between first and second seal sections across the intra-seal interface is thus facilitated.
US08141846B2

An apparatus for a gate valve between chambers includes a valve housing defining a flow path. A male valve portion is rotatable on a fixed axis in the housing. The male valve portion including a first male mating surface positioned at a first angle less than perpendicular to the axis. A female valve portion is fixed in the valve housing for receiving the male portion. The female valve portion including a first female mating surface positioned at a second angle matching the first angle. An o-ring seals the male valve portion to the female valve portion when the male valve portion is rotated into the female valve portion. A polished surface contacts the o-ring when the male valve portion is rotated. When the male valve portion is rotated into the female valve portion the o-ring is compressed thereby sealing the gate valve and closing the flow path.
US08141833B1

A connector for connecting a grille to a door. The connector can include a first plate connected to a second plate at a right angle. A first tubular can extend at a right angle from the first plate for inserting into a door insert frame, such as in a screw boss. The first tubular can have a hole for receiving a fastener and fastening the connector to a door. A second tubular can be disposed proximate an intersection of the first plate and the second plate. The second tubular can have a hole extending at a right angle to the hole of the first tubular for receiving a pin that can be used to connect a grille to the connector.
US08141829B2

A low profile fixture button is provided for adhesive attachment to a substrate in a temporary or substantially permanent manner. The fixture button includes a plurality of preferably four over-center spokes substantially in a common plane and carrying a mounting plate having a pressure sensitive adhesive material thereon. The spokes are carried by an outer backstop rim, and are initially oriented with the mounting plate advanced toward the substrate. In a preferred form, the backstop rim seats within a counterbore formed in the rear side of a larger attachment adapted for low profile mounting onto the substrate. Pressing of the fixture button toward the substrate engages the advanced mounting plate with adhesive thereon with the substrate, and forces the spokes to displace over-center to a retracted position withdrawn substantially into the backstop rim and any associated larger attachment for low profile mounting onto the substrate.
US08141821B1

An aircraft capable of hovering, and having a fuselage in turn having a nose, a tail portion at the opposite end to the nose, and a cabin interposed between the nose and the tail portion; the cabin has a loading opening at the opposite end to the nose, and a first wall movable between a closed position engaging at least one portion of the loading opening, and an open position allowing free access to the portion of the loading opening; and, working from the tail portion towards the nose, the first wall in the open position extends on the opposite side of a first edge of the loading opening with respect to a second edge, opposite the first edge, of the loading opening.
US08141813B2

A helicopter having a rotor, a fuselage, and a transmission connected functionally to the rotor; the helicopter has a supporting body supporting at least the transmission, and connecting means having a first connecting member and at least one second connecting member connected to the supporting body and the fuselage respectively; and the connecting means have elastic means interposed between the first and second connecting member.
US08141810B2

An apparatus is disclosed for winding a paper web from a rotatable drum onto a driven spool which supports a reel. The apparatus includes a frame which includes a base having a first and a second end. A stand extends from the first end of the base for rotatably supporting the drum so that the paper web is guided by the drum. A further stand extends from the second end of the base. A carriage is slidably supported by the base such that sliding of the carriage between the first and second ends of the base is permitted. A moving device extends between the carriage and the further stand for moving the carriage relative to the drum. A reel in position control device is controllably connected to the moving device for selectively moving the carriage towards and away from the drum. The arrangement is such that when the reel supported by the driven spool is mounted on the carriage and the paper web is guided by the drum onto the reel, the paper web is controllably wound onto the core.
US08141805B1

A chopper assembly for a combine includes a rotary chopper element, a chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary chopper element to form a passageway for crop residue and a knife bank adjustably connected to the chopper grate assembly. The knife bank is movable between a first position where the knife bank is fully inserted into the passageway and a second position where the knife bank is full retracted from the passageway. An actuating mechanism is used to move the knife bank between the first position and the second position. A position sensor is used to measure the position of the actuating mechanism and determine the position of the knife bank relative to the passageway.
US08141796B2

An improved nozzle and iodine injector system for use in a COIL are disclosed. The improved nozzle is a two-dimensional, minimum length nozzle with a curved sonic line. The iodine injection system utilizes a series of slender struts for iodine injection into the oxygen stream through a series of small orifices that are located along the base of each strut. The struts are located within the nozzle such that the need for a diluent gas for the iodine is reduced. The use of the nozzle and iodine injection system, particularly when combined with the SOG disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/453,148, have the potential for yielding a highly efficient, high power, optically superior COIL device that is compact, scalable, can operate in space, and has good pressure recovery potential.
US08141794B2

Apparatus and method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface. The apparatus has an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; an outlet port for dispensing an amount of heated fluid; a heating element that heats up fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet.
US08141792B2

A set pressure controller capable of easily controlling the pressure, releasing a load in an environment at a predetermined temperature or higher and allowing for the formation of a compact structure, a valve having the pressure controller, and a fuel cell equipped with the valve having the pressure controller are provided. The pressure controller includes a movable part to be driven by a differential pressure, wherein the pressure controller is attachable to the valve. The pressure controller attached to the valve provides the movable part with a predetermined displacement to control the set pressure.
US08141784B2

An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor electrically coupled to a system bus, a memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor, an encoded information reading (EIR) device, and a wireless communication interface. The EIR device can be selected from the group consisting of a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, and a card reading device. The EIR device can be configured to perform outputting raw message data containing an encoded message and/or outputting decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message. The wireless communication interface can comprise a radio frequency front end configured to perform receiving a first radio signal and/or transmitting a second radio signal. The radio frequency front end can be electrically coupled to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) which can be electrically coupled to the system bus and/or to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) which can be electrically coupled to the system bus. The microprocessor can be configured to execute a base-band encoder software program and/or a base-band decoder software program. The base-band encoder software program can be configured to produce a first encoded bit stream by performing at least one of the following functions: source encoding of a first bit stream, encryption, channel encoding, multiplexing, modulation, frequency spreading, and media access control. The DAC can be configured to output to the radio frequency front end an analog signal corresponding to the first encoded bit stream. The ADC can be configured to output a second encoded bit stream corresponding to an analog signal produced by the radio frequency front end. The base-band decoder software program can be configured to produce a second bit stream corresponding to the second encoded bit stream by performing at least one of the following functions: media access control, frequency de-spreading, de-modulation, de-multiplexing, channel decoding, decryption, and source decoding.
US08141778B2

An identification display device which is provided in a work unit in which a plurality of work locations are arranged in rows, and which displays for identifying a designated location selected from the work locations, the identification display device includes a database which stores address information of the respective work locations; light-display section which is provided respectively on each of the work locations, and which emits a visible light which contains the address information of the work location in which the light-display section is arranged; a photoreceptor which transmits a photoreception signal which contains at least the address information contained in the light from the light-display section, when the light is received; and a confirmation section which receives the photoreception signal from the photoreceptor, and determines whether or not the address information contained in the photoreception signal matches the address information of the designated location obtained from the database.
US08141772B1

A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes a system and method for counting and/or reconciling cash, including currency and/or coin, in a cash drawer or till. The cash drawer may be inserted into a cash handling device and the amount of cash in the drawer may be determined, i.e., using scales to weigh the cash. In some arrangements, the cash may be removed from the cash drawer. In other arrangements, some or all of the cash (i.e., the coin or the currency) may remain in the cash drawer for use in a subsequent shift, workday, etc.
US08141771B2

A packaging carton box structure includes a first sheet and a second sheet, and a pre-tearing portion is disposed on a first side plate of the first sheet. After the first sheet and the second sheet are bent, an object is packaged, and then, after the packaged object is placed on a placement plane, the pre-tearing portion is torn, so as to take out the object along a direction parallel to the placement plane, which is time-saving and labor-saving, and further prevents the object from falling off to result in damages when being taken out.
US08141769B2

In one aspect, a repair method for repairing components comprising a base material with a directed microstructure is provided. The repair is performed in such a way that the repaired location correspondingly has a directed microstructure like the surrounding base material. A solder is applied in the region of a location to be repaired and is soldered to the component via heat exposure, a temperature gradient, i.e., for instance a temperature variation from a higher temperature to a lower temperature, is thereby produced in the region of the location to be repaired.
US08141767B2

A method for making a TEM micro-grid is provided. The method includes the following steps. A carrier, a carbon nanotube structure, and a protector are provided. The carrier defines a first through opening. The protector defines a second through opening. The protector, the carbon nanotube structure and the carrier are stacked such that the carbon nanotube structure is located between the carrier and the protector. The second through opening at least partly overlaps with the first through opening. The carrier and the protector are welded with each other.
US08141766B1

An automatic soldering system includes a conveyance mechanism, a vehicle, a first part assembling mechanism, a first soldering mechanism, a turn-over mechanism, a second part assembling mechanism, a second soldering mechanism, and a control system. The vehicle is conveyed by the conveyor mechanism for carrying a workpiece. The first part assembling mechanism and the first soldering mechanism assemble and solder a first part to the primary workpiece carried by the vehicle. The turn-over mechanism turns the vehicle that is conveyed by the conveyor mechanism and carries the primary workpiece having the first part assembled thereto by a predetermined angle. The second part assembling mechanism and the second soldering mechanism assemble and solder and position a second part to the primary workpiece. The control system is electrically connected to and thus controls the first part and second part assembling mechanisms, the first and second soldering mechanisms, and the turn-over mechanism.
US08141756B2

The crown-type sizer is mounted on a plastic hanger which includes a body and a hook that extends angularly upwards from the mid-point of the body. The sizer is characterized in having a peripheral wall that defines two open bases to allow the sizer to pass over the hook and at least one protruding boss on an inner part of wall to engage itself onto the hanger and thus block the sizer onto said hanger in a stable manner.
US08141748B2

A refrigerator, in which a dispensing unit moves between a received position and a dispensing position and a dispensing button unit moves, in a plane perpendicular to a surface of a door, between a stored position and an extended position. The dispensing button unit is configured to, in the extended position, control dispensing of content through the dispenser outlet in response to application of force to the dispensing button unit. The refrigerator also includes a driving unit that moves the dispensing unit from the received position to the dispensing position in response to user input and moves, in the plane to perpendicular to the surface of the door and simultaneously with moving the dispensing unit, the dispensing button unit from the stored position to the extended position in response to the user input.
US08141744B2

A foam dispenser having a selectively pressurized cartridge that includes a dispenser housing maintaining a motor driving an air compressor with a compressed air conduit extending therefrom. Also maintained within the dispenser is a foam generating head that receives air and liquid conduits that include dispensing valves. A control circuit controls the motor and dispensing valves, and further is interconnected with a hand sensor positioned in association with the dispensing head. In one embodiment of the invention, a disposable and replaceable cartridge of liquid soap or the like is adapted to sealingly and removably receive the compressed air conduit as well as the liquid and air outlet conduits, along with a vent valve and a pressure sensor, the vent valve and pressure sensor communicating with a control circuit. In another embodiment, the various conduits, valves and sensors, as well as the dispensing head, comprise a portion of the cartridge. The control circuit, upon sensing the presence of the user's hands, activates the motor and air compressor to generate a pressure head in the cartridge and the dispensing valves are activated when the pressure sensor determines that a pressure head sufficient for dispensing has been generated. The motor and compressor are turned off at an appropriate time in association with the activation of the dispensing valves. The vent valve is activated at the end of the dispensing cycle.
US08141741B2

A container including a metal sidewall is provided. The metal sidewall includes a first end; a second end; a center portion having a principal width; a first feature positioned between the center portion and the first end, the first feature extending from the sidewall such that the maximum width of the sidewall at the first feature is greater than the principal width; and a second feature positioned between the center portion and the second end, the second feature extending from the sidewall such that the maximum width of the sidewall at the second feature is greater than the principal width. The container further includes a first bead located in the center portion of the sidewall; and a second bead located in the center portion of the sidewall.
US08141738B2

Cryogenic tank insulation system comprising blocks of insulating materials placed, at low temperature, so as to be essentially touching on one face of the structure of said tank, the blocks being placed between said face of the structure and an impervious deformable wall which defines at least one portion of the volume where the cryogenic fluid is stored and is actuated by return means for returning it to the face of the structure, characterized in that a first portion of the blocks is at ambient temperature in contact with the face of the structure and away from the impervious deformable wall, a second portion of the blocks being at ambient temperature, in contact with the impervious deformable wall and away from the face of the structure, the edges of the blocks of the first portion; and those of the second portion being, at ambient temperature, in partial contact and having complementary shapes so as to form an essentially continuous layer of insulating material at low temperature.
US08141732B2

A bottle. The bottle may include a cup with a number of first conical sections, a lid with a number of second conical sections, and a closure positioned on the lid. The upper conical sections mate with the lower conical sections.
US08141730B2

A closure for a multiple component container includes an insert (12), a piston (20) and a cap (10). The insert (12) and the piston (20) define a reservoir and the insert (12) comprises a fixed cylindrical wall (26) and a movable wall (32) connected thereto and movable with respect thereto by the action of gas pressure within the reservoir. The movable wall (32) has a discharge aperture (36) formed therein. The cap (10) comprises a closure plate (14), integral with whose outer edge is a depending skirt (16), by means of which the cap may be secured to a container. The closure plate (14) cooperates with the piston (20) such that movement of the closure plate towards the insert (12) results in movement of the piston also in the same direction. The piston (20) forms a sliding seal with the internal surface of the fixed cylindrical wall (26). A valve member (22) is integral with, the piston (20) and is slidably received in and seals the discharge aperture (36).
US08141726B2

A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The car has a very short draft installation that includes a removable coupler carrier bar, and the main shear plate has a removable draft gear installation cover. The rear draft stop extends longitudinally inboard past the truck center. The couple arrangement includes an AAR Type E shank with an AAR Type F coupler There is a machinery space above the end section shear plate. It is overhung by the slope sheet that is substantially unobstructed by any other primary structure. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted on an angle in this unobstructed machinery space, oriented longitudinally over the draft sill beneath the main drag link of the mechanical transmission, and above the main pivot of the driving input lever of the transmission. The main lever is bifurcated, and straddles the pneumatic cylinder. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.
US08141714B2

Embodiments relate to a vibratory screen separator and methods for using a vibratory screen separator. The vibratory screen separator may have a stationary base, a movable basket, and at least one linear motor for imparting motion to the movable basket, and methods for using the vibratory screen separator. The linear motor may include a stationary component and a moving component, wherein the moving component is coupled to the movable basket, and wherein the stationary component is coupled to the stationary base. The method may include passing a material including solid particles onto the screen, and moving the basket with at least one linear motor having a movable component coupled to the basket and a stationary component coupled to a base.
US08141705B2

In one embodiment, a golf bag assembly is disclosed, comprising: a golf bag body having a top opening and a bottom opening; a collar coupled along an inner surface of the golf bag body adjacent to the top opening, the collar having a plurality of pole receiving collar ends; a cuff coupled along an inner surface of the golf bag body adjacent to the bottom opening; a base member having a plurality of pole receiving base ends, the base member removeably coupled to the cuff; a top support removeably coupled to the collar; and a plurality of connecting poles that extend between the plurality of pole receiving base ends of the base member and the plurality of pole receiving collar ends of the collar thereby retaining the base member against the cuff and providing structural support to the golf bag body.
US08141703B2

Provided is an instrument housing case, which allows an instrument to be readily taken in and out of the instrument. The instrument housing case (10) includes: a main body case (20), which has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and includes an opened upper end surface and opened upper portions of parts of side surfaces; and a cover body (30). The cover body (30) includes: a top plate (31) adapted for an opening portion (26) of the upper end surface of the main body case; and a side plate (33) adapted for an opening portion (28) of the parts of the side surfaces of the main body case (20), the side plate (33) including a lower end portion pivotably fixed to the main body case (20) through a hinge (40). The cover body (30) covers the opening portion (26) of the upper end surface and the opening portion (28) of the parts of the side surfaces of the main body case (20) to thereby allow the opening portions (26, 28) to open and close.
US08141695B2

A conveyor maintenance system and method determines when a conveyor requires cleaning by determining when the conveyor is soiled beyond a predetermined threshold level. The system comprises a detector that collects optical data indicative of the amount of soil on a conveyor, a memory that stores reference data indicative of a clean conveyor, and a controller that compares the optical data indicative of the amount of soil on the conveyor to the reference data and determines whether the conveyor requires cleaning based on the comparison.
US08141692B2

An apparatus for capturing images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents includes a base unit including an input slot for receiving a document to be processed. A transport stage located within the base unit receives the document from the input slot. The transport stage includes a document track, a processing device located along the document track, and a one-way gate located along the document track after the processing device. The document track includes a second, return path extending from a location at the one-way gate to a location before the processing device. A bi-directional drive mechanism receives the document as the document passes through the one-way gate in the forward direction. The bi-directional drive mechanism then reverses direction to drive the document in the reverse direction. The one-way gate is arranged to divert the document traveling in the reverse direction into the second, return path and re-introduce the document to the processing device with the document now in a reverse orientation.
US08141688B2

A disk brake for a vehicle, includes: an electric motor which has a motor shaft provided with an armature and which is attached to a caliper body so as to exhibit a power for urging a friction pad toward a disk rotor; and a Hall IC for detecting a rotational angle of the electric motor. The Hall IC is disposed within the electric motor so as to be located on an outer side of a pulser mounted on the motor shaft, and is retained by a motor case of the electric motor and a sensor cover made of a synthetic resin and detachably attached to the motor case. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of parts by eliminating a special sealing measure.
US08141685B2

In an elevator apparatus, an actuator for generating a vibration-damping force against the lateral vibration of a car is provided in parallel to elastic member for preventing the lateral vibration of the car. The actuator is controlled by a vibration-damping control unit. The vibration-damping control unit estimates a natural frequency of the lateral vibration of the car, determines a gain value on the basis of the estimated natural frequency and a rigidity value of the elastic member, and drives the actuator in accordance with an instruction signal obtained by multiplication of the determined gain value.
US08141672B2

A canister layout structure in a motorcycle includes a swing arm vertically swingably supported to a rear portion of a body frame and supporting a wheel, a canister located below the swing arm for trapping an evaporative fuel evaporated in a fuel tank, and a center stand pivotably supported to a lower portion of the body frame for making the body frame stand on a road surface when parking. The center stand is retractable to keep a horizontal position substantially parallel to a road surface during running. The canister is located above the center stand in its retracted condition.
US08141667B2

A hybrid dinghy pusher for pushing motorhomes is provided. A hybrid vehicle can be connected to a motorhome by a tow bar for towing the hybrid vehicle. When being towed behind a motorhome, the hybrid vehicle can be switched into hybrid dinghy pusher mode. In this mode, during acceleration of the motorhome, the electrical batteries and motors of the hybrid vehicle can provide a propulsive force through the tow bar to the motorhome, which assists the motorhome in accelerating and improves fuel efficiency. Additionally, the dinghy motors can act as generators when appropriate, creating energy which can be stored in batteries for later use during acceleration. The resistance created by the hybrid vehicle can also provide an additional braking force to the motorhome via the tow bar.
US08141662B2

What is claimed is a downhole lubrication system comprising a drill string component comprising an outer diameter and an inner bore. A reservoir may be disposed intermediate the outer diameter and inner bore. A piston may be disposed at least partially within the reservoir. At least one channel may extend from the reservoir to a bearing surface. As drilling fluid is passed through the inner bore, the piston may be pressurized, urging lubricant toward the bearing surface via the at least one channel.
US08141656B1

One aspect of the instant disclosure relates to a subterranean drilling assembly comprising a subterranean drill bit and a sub apparatus coupled to the drill bit. Further, the sub apparatus may include at least one cooling system configured to cool at least a portion of the drill bit. For example, the sub apparatus may include at least one cooling system comprising a plurality of refrigeration coils or at least one thermoelectric device. In another embodiment a subterranean drill bit may include at least one cooling system positioned at least partially within the subterranean drill bit. Also, a sub apparatus or subterranean drill bit may be configured to cool drilling fluid communicated through at least one bore of a subterranean drill bit and avoiding cooling drilling fluid communicated through at least another bore of the subterranean drill bit. Methods of operating a subterranean drill bit are disclosed.
US08141651B1

A thatch rake comprising a handle, a body assembly comprising two side plates, a belt drive system comprising first and second rotating pulley wheels, a motor, a flexible thatching assembly comprising two thatching rods, and a guide arm situated in between the two side plates. Each thatching rod is situated between a side plate and the guide arm. A universal joint is located between each side plate and a thatching rod and between each thatching rod and the guide arm. Each thatching rod comprises a plurality of outwardly extending tines. The guide arm has two ends and is pivotally attached to the body assembly on one end and attached to a center wheel on the other end.
US08141638B2

A method and apparatus for fracturing a formation containing a wellbore comprising the steps of (a) injecting a gel into the wellbore; (b) permitting the gel to increase in viscosity and (c) fracturing the formation in the vicinity of the gel.
US08141634B2

Apparatus and methods for selectively releasing a first wellbore component to a second wellbore component using a disconnect device. The method includes coupling a disconnect device to a workstring and a downhole tool; performing a downhole operation using the downhole tool, and selectively releasing an upper portion of the disconnect device from a lower portion of the disconnect device, thereby releasing the downhole tool from the workstring. The method may also include reconnecting the upper portion of the disconnect device to the lower portion of the disconnect device. The disconnect device is capable of transferring torque to the wellbore component.
US08141633B2

In one general implementation, a method for identifying fluids in a wellbore includes generating light in a visible spectrum from a light source in a production wellbore; generating light in an ultraviolet spectrum from the light source in the production wellbore; receiving a first fluid in the production wellbore from a subterranean zone; receiving a second fluid in the production wellbore from the subterranean zone; capturing at least one image of a combined flow of the first fluid and the second fluid in at least one of the visible spectrum and the ultraviolet spectrum with an optical receiver in the production wellbore; and distinguishing, at least in part through the image, the first fluid from the second fluid in either or both the visible and ultraviolet spectrums.
US08141621B2

An apparatus and method for cooling electronic components housed in a computer rack while performing maintenance operations is provided. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a heat exchange assembly disposed within an outlet door cover of the computer rack, having one or more perforations. One or more air moving device(s) are also disposed on the outlet door and activated by an activator when the door is opened such that the devices when activated force hot air into the heat exchanger. Cool air is then exhausted through a planar containment plate having a plurality of edges. The plate is secured to top of the outlet door along one of its edges.
US08141609B2

A welding machine having a frame that includes end supports spanned by a top beam with a truncated V-shaped cross-section. A vacuum track assembly disposed vertically beneath the top beam retains fabrics to be welded on a perforated surface using suction. A welding head travels along the top beam and applies heat and pressure to the surface to weld the fabrics together. The top beam and vacuum track assembly are extendable by including additional unit segments from which the beam and assembly are constructed.
US08141605B2

A device for preventing slipping of a vehicle is disclosed, which improves a vehicle slipping prevention device in which a plurality of spikes connected with a connection member are inserted into a gap between double wheels disposed at a rear side of a large size vehicle at regular intervals for preventing slipping. In the present invention, a structure contacting with a tire surface along with a spike is newly improved, and a structure of an engaging member used for maintaining the tensional force of a plurality of spikes connected by means of a connection member is newly improved. It is possible to achieve a fast and simple engaging and disengaging work and to keep a substantial tensional force so that a vehicle slipping prevention device is not disengaged even during a long time drive of a vehicle.
US08141603B2

A guide arm for a gang sawmill is provided adjacent to an inlet of a gang saw and is movable about a pivot pin depending on the actual curvature of a cant to adjust (continuously or fixed) the position of an incoming cant to maximize the yield of usable boards produced by the gang saw by moving the cant relative to the saw as a conveyor feeds the cant through the gang saw.
US08141601B2

A medical liquid transfer system includes a pump configured to transfer liquid between at least two containers. A detachable connector is detachably secured to the pump. The detachable connector has at least one pump passage to transmit pumping pressure from the pump to at least one of the containers. The detachable connector can include one or more liquid impermeable and gas permeable membranes to ensure the liquid is retained in the detachable connector. After the fluid is transferred the detachable connector is removed and replaced by a new one in order to prevent contamination of the pump. An interlock mechanism is used to prevent premature removal of the detachable connector and/or the container being filled.
US08141600B2

A paint dispenser for dispensing paint components such as colorants and possibly base into 5 gallon and 1 gallon containers is disclosed. The paint dispenser includes a cabinet for accommodating a plurality of colorant and optionally base canisters in communication with a common dispense outlet. The canisters may be connected to individual pumps which, in turn, are connected to a dispense outlet. A container shelf unit is disposed in front of the cabinet and below the dispense outlet. The shelf unit includes a base including a plurality of rollers particularly suitable for supporting and moving 5 gallon pails of paint. The base is disposed below the dispense outlet a first vertical distance sufficient to permit the 5 gallon cylindrical containers to be disposed on top of the rollers and below the dispense outlet without engaging the dispense outlet. The shelf unit further a pivoting shelf being pivotally connected to the cabinet above the base. The pivoting shelf pivots between a first vertical position where the shelf is flat against the vertical cabinet thereby enabling a 1 gallon pail to be disposed on top of the rollers and below the dispense outlet.
US08141593B2

The system includes, in addition to the sleeve (11), a tubular core (12) for keeping in a stretched condition the sleeve, adapted to receive inside it the elongate member, and a film (13) with a low coefficient of friction placed between the sleeve (11) and the core (12) to enable the core to slide relative to the sleeve. The film (13) extends at least from a first end (15) of the sleeve to a first end (17) of the core (12) opposite the first end (15) of the sleeve, makes a half-turn at the first end (17) of the core (12) and then extends inside the core as far as its second end (18) at which it makes a half-turn and then extends outside the core (12) as far as the sleeve (11) to which it is fixed externally.
US08141591B2

A plug assembly 10 includes a housing 14 and one or more covers 16 coupled to the housing. The plug assembly 10 includes at least one mounting plate 12a, 12b positioned between the housing 14 and the cover 16 for movement relative thereto between an extended position and a retracted position. The plug assembly 10 includes an actuator 17 engageble with the mounting plates 12a, 12b for moving the mounting plates between the extended position and the retracted position in response to a command issued from a controller 62. During operation, the plug assembly 10 is positioned in a conduit 18 and the mounting plates 12a, 12b are moved to the extended position thereby releasably securing the plug assembly at a desired location in the conduit.
US08141587B2

A check valve is provided comprising a conduit for conveying a fluid, the conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the conduit having a first region adjacent the outlet (13) comprising a flexible wall, two opposing sides of the flexible wall converging towards each other to form a closed geometry when the pressure of the fluid upstream of the inlet and the pressure of the fluid downstream of the outlet are substantially equal, the closed geometry comprising each of the opposing sides (23, 24) being arcuate in cross-section and lying against each other in a substantially sealing relationship (21, 22). Preferably, two connecting regions of the wall connecting the two opposing sides (15, 16) are biased towards each other by a biasing means. Preferably, the biasing means comprises one or more flexible ring members (25) encircling the flexible wall attached at points (25A and 25B). Preferably, the conduit takes the form of a duck beak valve (20). The figure shows an end view onto the check valve outlet.
US08141579B2

A valve including a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port, a valve stem, a valve seat, an opening control chamber for the valve stem, which chamber, by being fed with fluid, urges the valve stem to move towards the open position of the valve, a return spring of opposing effect, and a piston suitable for sliding in the body so as to urge contact to be established between the valve stem and the seat. The valve seat is formed on the piston, which piston is provided with a bore in which the valve stem is in its closure movement, the fluid flows out via a constriction from a damping chamber.
US08141570B2

A vibration device separates foreign particles from a semiconductor device, and a suction interface of a suction device covers an opening portion of the semiconductor device. A space connected with a vacuum passage and a communication passage is formed between the semiconductor device and the suction interface. The suction device suctions the space, and fresh air is introduced into the space through the communication passage. As a result, a current of air is generated from the communication passage to the vacuum passage, and foreign particles are suctioned and removed from the space.
US08141564B2

A lightweight, portable article for precise application of makeup is placed upon a user's eyelid skin, preferably the bottom eyelid skin, adjacent to the eyelashes. With this placement, a user can readily apply mascara and/or eyeliner without contacting the delicate eyelid skin. The article has a handle portion and an arcuate top portion. The arcuate top portion includes an applicator rim with rounded lateral edges and an arced central section, both of which are covered with the rubber guard. The rubber guard contiguously traverses the entire surface area of the applicator rim, resulting in a device yielding a high degree of safety. The article is formed of a smooth polymeric or metal material. It is compact, easily cleaned and enables application of mascara in a safe, hygienic manner.
US08141562B2

A container system for a cosmetic product and/or a cosmetic product applicator may include at least one base including a receptacle having an opening. The receptacle may be configured to contain a cosmetic product and/or an applicator for applying a cosmetic product. The system may also include a device including a cover configured to close the opening, and a tab hingedly associated with the cover. The tab may include a connecting portion configured to removably connect the tab to the base.
US08141556B2

The present invention is directed to an interconnect for an implantable medical device. The interconnect includes a pad and a first layer introduced over the pad. At least one of the pad or the first layer comprise a negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) material.
US08141548B2

A vibration dampener including an elastomeric body having a top and bottom surface and a vibration transfer plate provided on the top surface of the elastomeric body. The bottom surface of the elastomeric body can be provided with a mounting base and is for being mounted to an object to be vibration controlled.
US08141538B2

An intake ducting device for a car engine comprising at least a round sheet main body having on its outer edge a circular ring, the circular ring can be fixed in the inner surface of an intake tube and is provided inside of it with a plurality of airflow disturbing holes, the airflow disturbing holes are arrayed at least in two layers from the inner side to the center of the circular ring and are in the form of grids, each airflow disturbing hole has at least an airflow deflector having an tilting angle relative to the axis of the intake tube, when airflow from the car intake tube passes the main body, by the function of the airflow disturbing holes and the airflow deflectors respectively in the airflow disturbing holes, the airflow can be separated against concentration, thereby the intake tube can take in air uniformly.
US08141533B2

A control apparatus includes a detection unit that detects a stop request to an engine, a throttle closing control unit that, when the stop request is detected, adjusts an opening amount of a throttle valve to an engine-stop throttle valve opening amount smaller than a current opening amount an engine stop detection unit that detects a stop of the engine, an engine-stop exhaust valve control unit that adjusts an opening/closing characteristic of an exhaust valve of a cylinder that will be placed initially in an intake stroke when the engine is restarted so that, when the opening amount of the throttle valve is adjusted to the engine-stop throttle valve opening amount and a stop of the engine is detected, the exhaust valve has an engine-stop exhaust valve opening/closing characteristic by which a closing timing of the exhaust valve is more delayed than a current closing timing of the exhaust valve.
US08141532B2

A peripheral wall extending portion is formed in such a manner that a front end side of a cylindrical hole of a metal shell projects forward in an axis O direction, and the peripheral wall extending portion comprising: a projecting portion formed into a projecting shape, and a connecting portion which connects between the projecting portions. A fuel injected from an injection orifice of an injector strikes against the projecting portion and is unlikely to directly reach to a spark discharge gap formed between a noble metal tip and a front end portion of a ground electrode. The fuel that strikes against the projecting portions without striking against the projecting portion is separated into a droplet-like incompletely vaporized fuel that adheres to the projecting portions and a vaporized fuel being reflected to a perimeter of the spark discharge gap.
US08141528B2

The invention relates to an actuating device for two parallel rotating camshafts. The aim of the invention is to optimize the installation space required for such a device. For this purpose, both camshafts (3, 4) consist of two shafts that rotate concentrically one inside the other and that can be rotated in relation to each other. On one end of the camshafts (3, 4), one of the two shafts (3′, 3″; 4′, 4″) is driven by the crankshaft (1) via a single, directly acting force-transmitting element (2). A phase adjuster (5) is provided on the other end of the camshafts (3, 4) and allows the simultaneous adjustment of both shafts (3″, 4″; 3′, 4′) in relation to each other by means of a force-transmitting element (6) acting on the phase adjuster (5). Said force-transmitting element connects a region of a camshaft (3, 4) that is firmly connected to an inner or outer shaft (3″, 4″; 3′, 4′) to an inner or outer shaft (3″, 4″; 3′, 4′), to be adjusted accordingly, of the other camshaft (4, 3) in a force-transmitting manner.
US08141525B2

In a V-type engine in which first and second banks arranged in a V-shape are provided continuously to a crankcase, and in which a carburetor is placed at a valley between the first and second banks, the carburetor is placed spaced from the first and second banks. Further, the carburetor is connected to intake ports of the first and second banks via first and second intake pipes, respectively, and first and second heat shield plates each made of synthetic resin are attached to side faces of the respective first and second banks, the side faces facing the carburetor, each of the first and second heat shield plates covering a corresponding one of the side faces and defining a cooling air passage between the heat shield plate and the side face. Accordingly, it is possible to surely prevent heat from the banks from affecting the carburetor in order to prevent percolation in the carburetor even in the case where the engine stops its operation in a high-temperature state.
US08141519B2

An animal enclosure is provided which is particularly adapted for cat. The animal enclosure includes a housing having a base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the perimeter of the base, a hollow interior space surrounded by the sidewall, an access opening in the sidewall to permit an animal to enter and leave the hollow interior space. A frame is attached to an interior surface of said sidewall, and a corrugated bundle is removably retained by the frame. The animal enclosure is collapsible and is capable of being shipped and stored in a compact configuration but which is capable of being erected on site to create an animal enclosure.
US08141513B2

A substrate holding apparatus can meet the request for a smaller-sized compact apparatus while ensuring a sufficient immersion depth of a substrate in a processing liquid. The substrate holding apparatus includes: a substrate holder for supporting a substrate (W) by bringing a peripheral portion of a surface of the substrate (W) into contact with a first sealing member; and a substrate pressing section for lowering relative to the substrate holder so as to press the substrate (W) held by the substrate holder downward, thereby bringing a first sealing member into pressure contact with the substrate (W). The substrate pressing section is provided with a second ring-shaped sealing member which makes pressure contact with an upper surface of a ring-shaped holding section of the substrate holder, thereby sealing the peripheral region of the substrate pressing section.
US08141506B2

A method of controlling the feeding of the backing material moving through a tufting machine in order to produce tufted articles such as carpets having a woven look or appearance. The backing material is indexed forwardly along its path of travel through the tufting machine by at least the stitch length for each stitch in a stitch cycle of the programmed pattern. At a desired point in the stitch cycle, the backing material can be indexed forwardly by a greater distance approximately equal to the program stitch length and a calculated jump distance to achieve a desired pattern effect.
US08141488B2

An apparatus and a method for changing printing plates in sheet-fed rotary printing presses include a plurality of printing units and plate cylinders being coupled to one another mechanically in the printing units during a printing operation. At the beginning of a plate change, the plate cylinders are coupled to one another mechanically and are driven jointly by a main drive motor. After an old printing plate has been conveyed out, each plate cylinder is decoupled from the common mechanical connection and is driven by a separate drive motor.
US08141485B2

A printing system is provided with a first printing machine that includes at least one printing unit and a first folding funnel which is located at an exit of the printing unit. A second printing machine, with a second printing unit and a drier, together with a folding funnel at its exit, is also part of the printing system. The first and second folding funnels differ from each other in the number of formers that are placed next to each other in a machine plane, or vary in an effective width of one or more folders. A web, or a partial web, which is printed by the second printing unit, and which is guided through the drier, can be guided either to the second folding funnel structure, or can be guided to the first folding funnel structure, which differs from the second funnel structure in at least one of numbers and width.
US08141483B2

The present disclosure relates to the device and the method for printing an alignment film. The printing plate comprises: a resin plate; a plurality of pixel array embossing pattern formed on the resin plate, for printing the alignment film to a pixel array formed on the glass substrate of the liquid crystal display device; a plurality of dummy embossing pattern formed on the resin plate at which the pixel array embossing patterns are not formed as seeing in the rotating direction of the printing roller; and a grooved pattern formed on the resin plate between the pixel array embossing patterns and between the dummy embossing patterns.
US08141472B1

A window cover for a military vehicle which includes armored plates angled away from an underlying vehicle window with reflectors, one of the reflectors being pivotable. The window cover allows an occupant of the vehicle to view outside the vehicle window as light is reflected off a viewing reflector to a stationary reflector and toward an occupant of the vehicle. A filter is placed between the viewing and stationary reflectors to filter out a portion of light reflected. The filter may also provide a collimation function.
US08141470B1

A structure or vehicle protection method including a removable frame on the structure or vehicle, and a net within the frame and spaced from the structure or vehicle and having a mesh size designed to disarm an incoming threat.
US08141468B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a structural body, one or more attachment couplers, and an adjustable store coupler. The structural body comprises a cylindrical portion and one or more end portions coupled to the cylindrical portion. The attachment couplers are configured to be coupled to a bomb rack of an aircraft. The adjustable store coupler has attachment points arranged in a substantially linear manner. The attachment points are configured to couple one or more store systems to the adjustable store coupler.
US08141463B2

A hand tool for adjusting torsion includes a cap. A spindle assembly is fixed to the cap. A tubular adjusting seat is sleeved on the spindle assembly. The adjusting seat has a sliding groove axially spirally defined in an outer periphery thereof. At least one ball is slidably received in the sliding groove and being movable along the sliding groove. A first handle is sleeved on the adjusting seat. The first handle has a torsion spring received therein, a first teethed seat connected to the torsion spring, and a second teethed seat engaged with the first teethed seat. A sliding sleeve is sleeved on the first handle. The sliding sleeve has at least one reset slot annularly defined in an inner periphery thereof for corresponding to the at least one fixing hole. A second handle is abutted against the second teethed seat. A driving rod assembly is fixed to the second handle.
US08141457B2

A power transmission switching mechanism for office machine is provided. The power transmission switching mechanism has simple structure and enables the office machine to commonly use a motor to execute scanning and printing works. The power transmission switching mechanism includes a rotary shaft, a drive gear mounted on the rotary shaft, an actuator reciprocally movable on the rotary shaft and a driving gear for transmitting power of a motor to the drive gear. The drive gear has a spline. The actuator can be selectively moved forward or backward to make the spline disengaged from a first gear mounted on the rotary shaft or engaged with the first gear. When the spline is disengaged from the first gear, the power of the motor is transmitted to a scanning module. When the spline is engaged with the first gear, the power of the motor is transmitted to the rotary shaft for printing work.
US08141453B2

When a steering column contracts in order to absorb shock, interference between a column cover and a lock apparatus is suppressed, and a shock-absorbing stroke of the steering column is obtained. When a steering column contracts in order to absorb shock as a result of an input load equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a column cover that covers a rear end side of steering column, performs a stroke, together with a movable side region, relative to an outer tube (a fixed side region) of steering column, to which is fixed a lock apparatus. At this time, a side wall portion of column cover, which is positioned further to a vehicle rear than lock apparatus, enters between lock apparatus and outer tube of steering column, thereby suppressing interference between column cover and lock apparatus.
US08141450B2

The invention relates to a toothed wheel (1) comprising a toothed rim (2) and a toothed wheel hub (3) provided with an axial toothed wheel hub channel (19) equipped with at least one opening (20, 21) and connecting elements (11, 12, 13) for connecting the toothed wheel hub (3) and the toothed rim (2) in the radial direction and which are disposed at a distance at least in the direction of the circumference.
US08141449B2

The invention relates to a drive unit comprising an internal combustion engine and a gearbox for motor vehicles, wherein for transmitting a torque to the transmission a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine is connected to a transmission-side element via a carrier plate. According to the invention, the carrier plate is designed in at least two parts with separate plate sections.
US08141436B2

A flow meter to be used in a hole drilled in the bedrock for measuring stream flows in bedrock fractures which are transversal to the hole. The flow meter comprises an elongated body having a cross section which is substantially smaller than the diameter of the hole; separating members placed at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the body for separating the examined section from the other parts of the hole in a substantially pressure-tight manner; dividing members for dividing the examined section into two sectors in the longitudinal direction of the hole; and a flow channel extending through the body and equipped with a flow sensor for measuring the direction and rate of the flow between the sectors. In accordance with the invention, the dividing members are formed of thin and elastic sealing strips, which have been fixed to the body and, being substantially perpendicular to the surface of the body, arranged to surround and delimit the sectors.
US08141427B2

An apparatus for sensing a target substance includes a substrate, an elongated electroactive cantilever, a functional layer and an electrical sensor. The elongated electroactive cantilever includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The elongated electroactive cantilever includes an electroactive member extending outwardly from the substrate. The functional layer is applied to the first surface and includes a material that reacts with the target substance so that when the functional layer is in the presence of the target substance, the functional layer will cause a change in an electrical property of the electroactive cantilever. The electrical sensor is coupled to the electroactive cantilever and is configured to sense the electrical property of the electroactive cantilever.
US08141426B2

A displacement measurement apparatus for a microstructure according to the present invention measures a displacement of the microstructure having a fixed portion electrode including a first electrode and a second electrode and a movable portion electrode located oppositely to the fixed portion electrode. A bias generating circuit applies a bias signal to between the first electrode and the movable portion electrode so that influence of a noise signal on a detection signal picked up from between the second electrode and the movable portion electrode may be reduced. A C/V converting circuit converts a capacitance change that is picked up from between the second electrode and the movable portion electrode into a voltage. A detecting circuit detects a displacement of the movable portion electrode based on the voltage.
US08141412B2

A method of detecting the dryness of wet steam of a once-through steam injection boiler, comprises: first, by detecting and/or calculating, obtaining volume flow of wet steam, corresponding volume flow of saturated liquid, and corresponding volume flow of saturated vapour; and then obtaining the dryness of wet steam of the once-through steam injection boiler, X, according to the following relationship equation: X = ; wherein are the volume flow of wet steam, the corresponding volume flow of saturated liquid, and the corresponding volume flow of saturated vapour respectively. A detecting apparatus for detecting dryness of wet steam of a once-through steam injection boiler, specifically comprises: a data detecting module 1, a data processing module 2, and a data displaying module 3, wherein the data processing module 2 connects the data detecting module 1 and the data displaying module 3.
US08141406B2

Can shells are produced with tooling installed on a single action mechanical press, and the tooling includes an upper retainer supporting a blank and draw die enclosing an outer pressure sleeve and an inner pressure sleeve surrounding a die center punch, all having air actuated pistons. The die center piston has an air reservoir connected by air passages which form air springs for the inner pressure sleeve, and the outer pressure sleeve receives the same controllable air as the reservoir or low pressure plant air supply. The inner pressure sleeve has a projecting nose portion which initiates the drawing of a cup and has contoured surfaces which mate with corresponding surfaces on a die core ring to form and clamp the chuckwall of the shell during downstroke of the press. A lower panel punch forms the center panel, panel wall and countersink of the shell during upstroke of the press.
US08141402B2

There is provided a pretension loading method for a power transmission chain, in which a chain with an endless loop shape having a plurality of laminated link plates bendably connected to each other by pin members is wound around a plurality of rollers and the chain is endlessly rotated while a load is loaded on the chain so as to load pretension on the chain, the method including the steps of: (a) maintaining the chain in a substantial tension state without a slack by controlling tension of at least one of the plurality of rollers while endlessly rotating the chain; (b) measuring a length of the chain in the tension state; (c) stretching the chain to a target length by controlling a displacement of the at least one of the rollers; (d) maintaining the chain in a substantial tension state without a slack by controlling tension of the at least one of the rollers; and (e) measuring the length of the chain in the tension state. At this time, the steps (c) to (e) are repeated until a difference between the target length and the length of the chain which is measured in the step (e) is less than a predetermined value.
US08141400B2

A keypad lockset adapted for deadbolt as well as lever locks, and having as a first embodiment an exterior gear train, an interior gear train, and an electronically controlled clutch for coupling the gear trains when engaged and for uncoupling the gear trains when the clutch is disengaged, so that when the clutch is engaged rotation of an external thumb turn will permit the door latch to be withdrawn and thus to permit opening of the door, and a mechanical override mechanism that can be operated in case of electrical failure, and in which clutch mechanism and the override mechanism both operate through the single, standard 2 and ⅛ inch door preparation hole, or alternatively as a second embodiment, a keypad lockset in which two four-bar mechanical linkages are used in place of gears as means to actuate the clutch, and alternatively to provide for a pass-through override function.
US08141398B2

A side lock apparatus includes: a housing which is fixed to a lid; a disc-shaped rotor which is supported on the housing; and rods which are linked with the rotor, wherein: the housing includes: a bearing portion for the rotor which is provided in such a manner as to extend vertically along the short upper portion of the lid; a first wall; a second wall; and a cylindrical portion which is brought into sliding contact with a disc-shaped outer circumferential surface of the rotor to support the rotor; the rotor is supported on the bearing portion in such a manner that the disc shape thereof becomes horizontal relative to a wall thickness direction of the short upper portion of the lid; and the rods are supported between the first wall and the second wall in such a manner as to slide in an opposite direction.
US08141386B2

A method for fabricating a glass substrate containing SiO2 as a main ingredient thereof for an information recording medium which ensures removal of abrasive or foreign mater adhered to the glass substrate without complicating a cleaning step, involves, after a polishing step, keeping the surface of the glass substrate in contact with a liquid having a Si element elution in a range from 100 to 10 000 ppb/mm2 before a scrub-cleaning step.
US08141380B2

The purpose present invention is to provide an air refrigerant type cooling apparatus provided with an internal air cooling mechanism with high reliability and efficiency. Another object of the present invention is to provide an air refrigerant cooling/heating system with a simplified configuration using the air refrigerant type cooling apparatus. To accomplish the purpose, a heat radiating means is provided in a motor of an air refrigerant type cooling apparatus having a compressor, the motor and an expansion turbine in the present invention. Also, a pressure difference is positively generated between the inside and outside of the motor. By these means, when the motor is driven, the heat from the stator main body is exhausted to the outside of the motor through the heat radiating means and the heat from the coil end portions is exhausted through the cooling air exhausted from the inside to the outside of the motor. Further, a guide plate is located adjacent to the cooling air inlet in the motor, so that the intake cooling air is efficiently guided to the stator coil end portions. By this means, the heat generated from the coil end portions is efficiently exhausted from the inside to the outside of the motor. According to these configurations, an air refrigerant cooling apparatus can be realized. Moreover, by installing the air refrigerant cooling apparatus to a cooling/heating system, an air refrigerant cooling/heating system having simple configuration and very high reliability can be provided.
US08141378B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a showcase wherein an insulating wall and a top plate of a machine room covering a lower surface of the insulating wall can be stably held and the strength of the entire showcase can be improved. In the showcase, a display room is provided over the insulating wall; a machine room is provided under the insulating wall; a compressor, a condenser and the like of a cooling unit are disposed in the machine room; a cooling room is provided in the insulating wall; and an evaporator and a cooling fan of the cooling unit are disposed in the cooling room so that cold air heat-exchanged with the evaporator is circulated in the display room by the cooling fan, and the showcase further comprises a top plate of the machine room to cover the lower surface of the insulating wall, and the top plate is mounted on and fixed to a pipe plate of the condenser to hold the insulating wall.
US08141376B2

An air conditioning system including an outdoor heat-exchanging unit, at least one indoor heat-exchanging unit, a gaseous refrigerant line connected between the outdoor heat-exchanging unit and the indoor heat-exchanging unit, to allow a refrigerant in a gaseous state to flow between the outdoor heat-exchanging unit and the indoor heat-exchanging unit, and a pressure compensation device for increasing a pressure of the gaseous refrigerant flowing through the gaseous refrigerant line. The pressure compensation device is located along the gaseous refrigerant line at a position closer to the indoor heat-exchanging unit than to the outdoor heat-exchanging unit. A pressure compensation device for use in an air conditioning system is also provided.
US08141373B2

Adaptive intelligent circulation control methods and systems are used to help increase the comfort and/or reduce energy usage and equipment wear. In one illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is adjusted based on one or more environmental conditions inside or outside the building structure. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time may be adjusted based on the current time of day, current time of year, and/or the current schedule period. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is randomized over time. The start time, end time, and/or length of a circulation and/or ventilation cycle may be randomly set.
US08141371B1

An assembled annular combustion chamber comprises an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall made of ceramic matrix composite material together with a chamber end wall connected to the inner and outer walls and provided with orifices for receiving injectors. Elastically-deformable link parts connect the inner wall and the outer wall of the chamber to inner and outer casings that are made of metal. The assembly formed by the inner wall, the outer wall, and the combustion chamber end wall is subdivided circumferentially into adjacent chamber sectors, each sector being made as a single piece of ceramic composite material and comprising an inner wall sector, an outer wall sector, and a chamber end wall sector. The link parts connect the inner metal casing and the outer metal casing respectively to each inner wall sector of the combustion chamber and to each outer wall sector of the chamber. The chamber end wall sectors are in contact with a one-piece ring to which they are connected.
US08141370B2

Methods and apparatus for a mounting assembly for a liner of a gas turbine engine combustor are provided. The combustor includes a combustor liner and a radially outer annular flow sleeve. The mounting assembly includes an inner ring surrounding a radially outer surface of the liner and including a plurality of axially extending fingers. The mounting assembly also includes a radially outer ring coupled to the inner ring through a plurality of spacers that extend radially from a radially outer surface of the inner ring to the outer ring.
US08141367B2

A method for assembling a fuel supply system for use with a power generation system. The method includes coupling a fuel heater to a fuel source for heating a fuel. A first heating assembly is coupled to the fuel heater for heating a first flow of water channeled to the fuel heater. A heat recovery steam generator assembly is coupled to the fuel heater for channeling a second flow of heated water to the fuel heater. A valve assembly is coupled between the first heating assembly, the heat recovery steam generator assembly, and the fuel heater to enable a flow of heated water from the first heating assembly and the heat recovery steam generator assembly to be selectively channeled to the fuel heater.
US08141366B2

A nozzle section of a gas turbine engine includes a regulator system in fluid communication with a secondary flow duct and a tertiary flow duct to selectively regulate communication of secondary airflow into the tertiary flow duct.
US08141359B2

A method of operating an internal combustion engine having an intake, an exhaust, and a turbocharger including a turbine and a compressor, the compressor coupled to the intake and the turbine coupled to the exhaust, the engine further having an exhaust gas recirculation system coupled to the exhaust upstream of the turbine and coupled to the intake downstream of the compressor, the method including transferring heat via a heat exchanger from the exhaust gas recirculation system to downstream of the turbine.
US08141354B2

A hydraulic torque converter including a stator, a stator shaft, a one-way clutch including blocking elements and being connected to the stator shaft, a stator hub connecting the stator to the one-way clutch, and axial bearings supporting the stator hub, an axial length of the blocking elements being larger than an axial length between the bearings. Embodiments with blocking elements in a pump hub with an inner race with a radius similar to the stator shaft and with adjacent blocking elements are also disclosed.
US08141351B2

A pre-catalyst device configured to be disposed upstream of a main aftertreatment device of an engine exhaust system. An oxidizing material is disposed on an inlet face of the pre-catalyst device, where the oxidizing material is configured to oxidize engine exhaust before the engine exhaust reaches the main aftertreatment device of the engine exhaust system.
US08141349B2

An exhaust emission control device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of supplying a just enough amount of reducing agent to the NOx catalyst even when a catalyst is provided on an upstream side of the NOx catalyst. A catalyst and a NOx catalyst are disposed at respective upstream and downstream locations in an exhaust system, for purifying NOx and for trapping NOx under an oxidizing atmosphere and reducing the NOx under a reducing atmosphere, respectively. An air-fuel sensor is disposed between the catalyst and the NOx catalyst. A reducing agent is supplied to an upstream side of the catalyst, to control exhaust gases such that the gases form the reducing atmosphere. To determine time of termination of NOx reduction control, an amount of reducing agent supplied to the NOx catalyst is calculated, and calculation of the amount of reducing agent is started when the air-fuel ratio has converged within a vicinity of a target air-fuel ratio.
US08141347B2

A catalyst supported on a substrate includes a heater embedded in a sub-region of the substrate to heat a local region of the catalyst. The amount of ammonia stored on the catalyst may be determined and controlled through conductivity measurements in the the locally heated portion of the system described.
US08141346B2

A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a reductant delivery and storage system in an emission control system, comprising of correlating a change in a monitored operating condition with a refill event to determine whether a reductant-diluting substance has been added to the reductant storage system; and limiting vehicle operation based on the correlation.
US08141332B2

A chopping assembly for a harvesting implement having a blade assembly, a housing, and a guide. The blade assembly is disposed within the housing and the guide directs cornstalks toward an input port on the housing. The blade assembly not only cuts the cornstalk from its root but also chops the stalk into stover. A fluid dynamic force is created by the blade assembly to direct the stover with the aid of the housing to an output port.
US08141331B2

A divider support apparatus with integral adjustable torsional preload mechanism for connecting a divider to a header frame. The mechanism includes a first element for carrying the divider and a second element configured for connection to the frame, and at least one resilient biasing element disposed between the first element and the second element and biasable by generation of a torsional loading condition between the first and second elements for applying a preload force therebetween. A preload adjusting mechanism in connection with at least one of the first element and the second element is operable for selectably adjusting the biasing of the at least one resilient biasing element in a manner for adjusting the preload force. The preload mechanism is also operable for damping vibrations emanating from the divider.
US08141323B2

An apparatus and method for increasing storage capacity of granular material storage structures. The apparatus includes a curtain assembly supportable from the roof structure of the granular material storage structure and above the sidewalls thereby defining a second volume within which the granular material may be filled which is above the first volume defined by the interior volume of the sidewalls and the volume defined by the angle of repose of the granular material.
US08141309B2

An energy absorptive impalement protection system is utilized in preventing impalement and minimizing injuries due to impact with the end of a concrete reinforcing bar or other similar type of bar. The energy absorptive impalement protection system is comprised of a protective cover apparatus that has a simplified construction comprised of a base that is removably attached to an end of a reinforcing rod, a metal band on the base that surrounds the rod end and reinforces the base against side-to-side movement relative to the rod in response to an impact force, a metal impact plate on the base that absorbs and distributes the force of impact, and a resilient, compressible and stretchable cover on the base that together with the base encloses the band and cover in the apparatus and also absorbs some of the force of impact.
US08141308B2

A prefabricated corner post (10) and associated method for attachment to an external corner (106) on a building (100). An angled body (12) has adjacent panels (14, 16) that form an inner corner (18) having inner flat surfaces (20, 22) adapted to closely engage the building corner (106), and an outer corner (24) forming an outer flat surface (26) that extends to side edges (28, 30). A nailing flange (32, 34) extends from the inner flat surface of each panel beyond a respective side edge of the outer surface. A trim piece (36) closely conforms to and is slidable vertically along the outer surface between an installation position (38) and a final position (40). Each panel of the body has a through hole (42) from the outer to the inner surface at the final position of the trim piece. In the installation position of the trim piece the through holes are exposed for receiving screws to secure the body directly to the building walls, and thereafter the trim piece can be slid to the final position to cover the holes and screws.
US08141307B2

The present application includes disclosure of various embodiments of composite construction beams and beam systems. In at least one exemplary embodiment of a composite construction beam of the present disclosure, the beam comprises an elongated shell having a length, a first relative end, and an interior volume, wherein the elongated shell defines a first aperture. An exemplary construction beam further comprises a first conduit within the interior volume of the elongated shell, the first conduit extending along a longitudinal direction of the beam and curving upward from the first relative end, and a second conduit within the interior volume of the elongated shell, the second conduit extending along at least a portion of the length of the elongated shell, wherein the first conduit and the second conduit are in communication with one another. In at least one embodiment, a construction beam of the present disclosure comprises a first flange positioned upon the elongated shell relative to the first aperture.
US08141300B2

A method for calibrating a powered actuator for use in a vehicle is provided, with regard to an end position of an actuating element which is easy to achieve and conserves easily damaged mechanical components of the actuator made from plastic, rubber or similar. According to an example embodiement, in a calibrating step, the actuator is operated with recording and analysis of an actuation speed measured parameter such that the actuating element is moved in the direction of the end position and reaching the end position is recognized when the value of the actuation speed measured parameter reaches or drops below a given threshold. A temperature parameter characterizing the temperature of the actuator is evaluated before or during the calibration process. The calibration step is then only carried out if the value of the temperature parameter does not exceed an upper temperature limit. An actuator suitable for carrying out said method is also disclosed.
US08141292B1

Plant eradication using by inflicting upon a plant root (R) unnatural hot wound mechanical and thermal trauma delivered from a hot stab knife (V) which produces a stab gash (K) sufficiently deep to traverse plant cortex (C) and penetrate to plant xylem (X), simultaneous with or followed by heating the damaged area to a temperature of higher than 70 C, preferably 200 C for a sufficient time to cause cellular damage to the plant root. The root and hot stab knife may be shrouded to increase the temperature adjacent the stab gash. Preferably, the stab knife is formed to be sufficiently acuate and flat so as to allow a surface/volume ratio for the stab knife to be at least twice that of a cone of similar size and extent. Unhealable damage results, believed to caused by role conversion of organisms in the rhizosphere from sybiosis to antagonism.
US08141287B2

A lightweight and low cost semi-automatic rifle includes an upper receiver, a lower receiver, and a forend fabricated from injection-molded polymers. The rifle permits firing .22 LR or similar low-power ammunition from an AR-15 style frame, operates on the blowback principle, and provides a fully functional bolt catch and extractor/ejector/deflector.
US08141284B2

A stereopsis LED aqua-lamp photo frame assembly includes a base inside which an impedance heating type resistor that generates heat and an LED component that emits light are mounted. The base supports an aqua-lamp photo frame that has front and rear surfaces respectively forming front-side and rear-side recessed chambers. One of the recessed chambers receives and holds therein a photo or a picture. The aqua-lamp photo frame forms therein a flow channel at a portion thereof corresponding to the two recessed chambers, whereby the heat generated by the resistor causes a low boiling point flowable medium contained in the aqua-lamp photo frame to flow and with the brilliant lighting provided by the LED component, spangles contained in the flowable medium can entrain the flowing medium to pass through the flow channel, serving as embellishment of the photo or picture, thereby enhancing a stereopsis effect of the photo frame.
US08141282B2

A filing device having retractable tabs is disclosed. The tabs are movable between a retracted position and an extended position, such as to selectively position tabs that are extended along an edge of a folder or divider.
US08141278B2

The present invention discloses a steam iron which includes an iron body, a steam generation device disposed in the iron body, and an operation sensing device electrically connected to steam generation device. Compared with the existing technologies, in the present invention, an additional operation sensing device is electrically connected to the steam generation device. When the user operates the steam iron, the operation sensing device can transmits operating signals to the steam generation device which thus starts to work. When the iron is not operated, the steam generation device doesn't work because no operating signal is transmitted to the operation sensing device, thereby reducing energy and enhancing safety.
US08141276B2

The invention relates to all forms of footwear and orthotics, as well as any other products benefiting from increased flexibility, better resistance to shock and shear forces, and stable support. More specifically, the invention incorporates a unitary integral component with at least one internal (or mostly internal) sipe, including slits or channels or grooves and any other shape, including geometrically regular or non-regular, such as anthropomorphic shapes, into a large variety of products using materials known in the art or their current or future equivalent. Still more specifically, the internal sipe component provides improved flexibility to products utilizing them, as well as improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, while also improving stability of support, and therefore the siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes flexibility, cushioning, or stability.
US08141270B2

Methods and apparatus for determining flow rate of air or other gas through a conduit independently of conduit cross sectional area include providing apparatus for and measuring temperature of the air or other gas at a first position along the conduit; providing apparatus for and heating the air or other gas in the conduit of the location downstream from the first position by application of a known power level to the air or other gas in the conduit; providing apparatus for and measuring air or other gas temperature at a second position downstream of the heating position along the conduit; providing apparatus for and subtracting air or other gas temperature at the second position from air or other gas temperature at the first position to obtain a temperature difference and thereafter providing apparatus for and dividing power applied to heat the air or other gas by the product of the temperature difference and the specific heat of the air or other gas.
US08141264B2

A length reference bar system and method that compensates for thermal expansion and allows for testing whether an instrument is working properly using only an inferometer. The length reference bar system has a bar portion with end caps for target positions on either end of the bar portion that extend inward toward each other such that, if a length of the bar portion changes due to a temperature change, a length of the end caps also changes but in an opposite direction to counteract the bar portion length change. As such, any target positions mounted on the end caps remain at a constant distance from each other regardless of the temperature thereby canceling out the effect of thermal expansion. The end caps also provide multiple target positioning capability so that any targets mounted thereon may be positioned in various configurations to provide a user with increased versatility for applications such as checking calibration.
US08141258B1

A safety neck razor to be used on the back of a person's neck includes a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface being generally flat and having an opening adapted to releasably secure a razor blade therein. Right and left side contoured edges extend upwardly from the bottom surface and an undulating protuberance extends upwardly from the center of the top surface. The protuberance has a right and a left side with a first well formed between the right side of the protuberance and the right side contoured edge and a second well formed between the left side of the protuberance and the left side contoured edge. The protuberance fits between the fingers of a person's hand and is gripped by the person's fingers so that the fingers rest completely within a respective well.
US08141251B2

Method for manufacturing a filling material, characterised in that it consists at least in providing cylindrical foam springs (14) between two support layers (2,9) and in fixing them to the latter, for example by gluing the crosscut ends (15) to the support layers (2,9), after which the thus obtained double-coated layer (16) is cut, through the support layers (2,9), in two single-coated layers which each mainly consist of a single support layer (2, 9) with shorter foam springs (14) connected thereto.
US08141239B2

A system for changing sleeves that can be pushed onto ink transfer roller cores of a printing machine includes at least one magazine, at least one travel device, and a drive. The magazine includes at least one sleeve mounting device that is movable relative to a frame of the magazine. The travel device is connectable to the magazine so that the magazine is movable in the vertical and/or horizontal direction. The drive, which is a component of the travel device, provides a drive force or drive torque to move the sleeve mounting device relative to the frame of the magazine.
US08141236B2

An apparatus for removal of retentive mechanisms retaining a cover of a component device. The apparatus includes a structure. The apparatus also includes a component device positioner coupled to the structure. The apparatus additionally includes a plurality of retentive mechanism removers coupled with the structure. Each of the plurality of retentive mechanism removers are configured for interoperability with each retention mechanism retaining a cover of a component device having a plurality of retention mechanisms disposed therein. The apparatus further includes a drive mechanism that is coupled with the structure. The drive mechanism is for rotation of each of the plurality of retentive mechanism removers, causing removal of each retention mechanism retaining the cover of the component device.
US08141231B2

An electric motor is described in which a first magnet wire forms a first pole of the coil, is disposed across two terminals of a fuse, and terminates at a first end on a power switch. The portion of the first magnet wire between the terminals of the fuse is severed such that all current of the motor must travel through the conductor of the fuse. The second end of the first magnet wire terminates at dual tang terminal disposed on the brush housing.
US08141224B2

The present invention provides a patch panel labelling system for mounting to a telecommunications rack. The system comprises a connector module mounted to the rack and having a front face with a plurality of connectors. A labelling plate is mounted to the module for movement about a first pivot axis between a first position where the plate is substantially parallel to the front face of the module and a second position where the plate is pivoted away from the front face for providing access to the connectors. The plate can be further pivoted about a second pivot axis to selectively hide or reveal the labels provided thereon for identifying the connectors. The plate can be also be slid underneath the module for storage.
US08141223B2

A cell manufacturing method in which a main operator, who carries out main operations that include a plurality of steps in which parts are attached to a workpiece, is moved along with the workpiece so as to transit a plurality of stations at which auxiliary steps related to the main operations are carried out. A main car is provided on which the workpiece is mounted and on which the main operator rides. A main operation platform apparatus is also provided that has a main operation platform for carrying out the main operations so as to be movable are used, and then when carrying out at least a portion of the main operations in the main car, the main car and the main operation platform are moved in synchrony. Furthermore, a subsidiary car is provided to travel together with the main car so as to be able to transfer parts and/or jigs.
US08141215B2

A connection pipe 40A is fit in an introduction pipe 34A. A guide groove 342 extends on the side of the introduction pipe 34A in the Z-axis direction. A guide screw 41 is screwed on the peripheral face of the connection pipe 40A to penetrate through a peripheral wall of the connection pipe 40A. A distal end of the guide screw 41 enters the guide groove 342. The distal end of the guide screw 41 is movable in the Z-axis direction in the guide groove 342. The connection pipe 40A is movable relative to the introduction pipe 34A in the Z-axis direction within the range of the length of the guide groove 342. The connection pipe 40A and the guide pipes 31A are moved in the Z-axis direction with an air cylinder 43. Accordingly, when fiber bundles are arranged using a plurality of guide pipes, the guide pipe is prevented from being caught by a fiber bundle drawn out of another guide pipe.
US08141207B2

A two-axis hinge device includes a first-rotation-axis defining unit which defines a first rotation axis; a rotating arm fixed to a first housing, the rotating arm being provided on the first-rotation-axis defining unit such that the rotating arm is rotatable around the first rotation axis; a second-rotation-axis defining unit fixed to a second housing, the second-rotation-axis defining unit having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining a second rotation axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis, the first-rotation-axis defining unit being fixed to and supported by the second-rotation-axis defining unit; and a hole-communicating connector fixed to the second-rotation-axis defining unit, the hole-communicating connector having a substantially cylindrical shape and being provided with a hole which communicates with a hole in the second-rotation-axis defining unit.
US08141202B2

A vacuum cleaner housing member having a rigid frame, a grate and a flexible cover. The rigid frame has an outer perimeter and an opening therethrough. The grate is mounted in the opening and has an inner surface, an outer surface, one or more air passages extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, and an outer perimeter wall defining the peripheral edge of the grate. The flexible cover extends over at least one of the one or more air passages and is positioned over at least a portion of the outer surface, extends around at least a portion of the outer perimeter wall, and is positioned over at least a portion of the inner surface. A vacuum cleaner including the housing members similar to the foregoing member is also provided.
US08141195B2

The siwak tooth cleaning instrument provides a carrying, protecting and application instrument for a siwak stick, to be applied to the user's teeth for cleaning thereof. In some embodiments, the siwak tooth cleaning instrument includes a tubular housing with a siwak that may be selectively and adjustably raised and lowered to extend the siwak from the housing for cleaning one's teeth, and retracted within the housing for storage and transport, similar to a lipstick. In other embodiments, the siwak tooth cleaning instrument has tooth cleaning cartridges including a siwak that releasably engage the head portion of an elongated handle. A cover may be pivotally attached to the handle for covering the handle and attached cartridge, or a storage tube with replacement cartridges may be pivotally attached to the handle.
US08141193B1

Methods and apparatus for cleaning according to various aspects of the present invention include a cleaner and a lighting system. The cleaner, such as a handheld cleaner like a brush or lint roller, cleans the item or area to be cleaned. The lighting system illuminates the area or item to be cleaned. In one embodiment, the lighting system generates ultraviolet light to illuminate debris having phosphor materials.
US08141189B2

A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.
US08141177B1

A carrier or support system for a wall mounted toilet for adequately supporting the weight of a user. A first support assembly has a faceplate, spaced-apart pedestals, two washer plates, a fitting member, a coupling, a first fastener for allowing vertical movement between the pedestals and the faceplate, a second fastener for allowing vertical movement between the fitting member and the faceplate, and a first threaded stud arrangement for mounting the toilet to the wall. A second support assembly has a support member, a second threaded stud arrangement, and an anchor foot for supporting the fitting member on the floor. A third support assembly has a frame and a third threaded stud arrangement mounted to the frame for supporting the frame on the floor. The second and/or third support assemblies may be used with the first support assembly for providing adequate support for bariatric or obese users.
US08141176B2

Provided is pants having a body-shaping function including; an elastic fabric included in the pants, and having a boundary that is partially fixed on the pants to elastically support hips of a wearer; and a hip-up band fixed on the elastic fabric to push the hips up so as to make contours of the hips more voluminous or compression bands on lower side portions of the elastic fabric in order to compress thighs of the wearer so as to make the thighs look thin, or a pair of pads having predetermined thicknesses and disposed on the elastic fabric to make the hips of the wearer look more attractive. Therefore, since the elastic fabric is integrally fixed in the pants for shaping the hips, the conventional girdle is not required. In addition, since the girdle in the pants only compresses the hips, it does not affect blood circulation around the belly, and is easily wearable. Also, the contours of the hips look more attractive due to the pads.
US08141174B2

A safety vest is sized to be worn by a human, wherein the vest has a front and back and left and right sides each having a shoulder portion. An EL strip is provided on each side of the vest extending from the bottom of the vest upwards toward the shoulder portion. A power source is supported by the vest and connected to the EL lamp strips to supply electrical energy to the strips so that they emit EL light, wherein the EL light emitted by the EL strip is a safety yellow color, and wherein other portions of the vest are a safety orange color. Further safety articles of clothing and devices are also described, including a power pack unit.
US08141172B2

A medical gown (100) is configured for quick donning and removal. A neck closure includes an insertion strap (109) and a fastening strap (110). The insertion strap (109) can be preconfigured with at least a portion thereof inserted into a fastening head (111) of the fastening strap (110). A wearer (700) passes the head through a neck opening (105) and cinches the neck closure by pulling the insertion strap (109) through the fastening head (111). A coupling tab (108), where provided, can then be wrapped about the wearer's torso and adhesively affixed to the medical gown (100). The medical gown (100) can be made from a non-woven material that is configured to be easily tearable by the wearer (700). Accordingly, the wearer (700) can remove the medical gown (100) by tearing the non-woven material.
US08146168B2

An activation restriction confirmation processing unit concatenates the basic portion of the name of an activation-restricted program and constituent information indicating a destination, specifies the activation-restricted program that is to be an expansion program of a basic program, and determines whether this activation-restricted program is included in a group of expansion programs. If it is included, the activation-restricted program is loaded. If loading succeeds, then signature data included in this program is read out. The signature data is decrypted using a public key, and confirmation information obtained by decryption is checked against information that is the result of concatenating the identification information of the expansion program and the constituent information indicating the destination. If there is a match, then this activation-restricted program is installed. If there is a non-match, then processing is suspended.
US08146166B2

A DRM disk such as a Blu-ray stores content in a high resolution version for playing by a disk player. The disk also stores the same content in a lower resolution version for playing by a secondary device such as a Playstation Portable (PSP). The disk can be engaged with the disk player and the lower resolution format transferred to the secondary player through a mechanism such as a removable medium (e.g., a Sony Memory Stick®) or a USB connection or other means in accordance with DRM restrictions on the disk.
US08146165B2

An approach is provided for de-personalizing data. A request is received from an application for retrieval of data. An end user associated with the request is authenticated. A determination is made whether to mask the data based on the request and the authentication. In response to the determination, a masking algorithm is selected to apply to the data and to output mask data.
US08146164B2

A trusted apparatus including an input filter, security mode indicator working with a proxy node thwart the possibility of spyware being able to observe user input when a security mode signal indicates security mode asserted. The trusted apparatus may further include any combination of the user input device, the proxy node, and a router. A personal computing device may include the trusted apparatus. The proxy node may include the router. The proxy node operates to create an authentic response based upon the authentic input from the input filter, and may be operated to create revenue, which is also a product of these processes.
US08146160B2

A method and system allows for the deployment of security policies into the higher layers of the OSI model. Specifically, it allows for the establishment of security policies at layer 4 and higher, by monitoring authentication flows and using these flows as the basis for establishing security policies which then can be used as a basis for assessing the operation of the network.
US08146158B2

An extensible activation exploit scanner may have a modular structure, such that capabilities of the activation exploit scanner may be updated easily. The extensible activation exploit scanner may include an exploit data file, at least one detection module, at least one response module, and a base scanner. The exploit data file may have a number of entries, each of which may include information about a respective activation exploit or a respective class of activation exploit, as well as information about a detection module and a response module. The activation exploit scanner may read an entry of the exploit data file, may execute a detection module, corresponding to the entry, to detect a respective activation exploit or class of activation exploit, and may execute a response module, corresponding to the entry, to perform an action when the respective activation exploit or the class of activation exploit is detected.
US08146152B2

An image processing apparatus capable of reducing the number of processing flows and also reduce time and effort required by a user in searching a desired processing flow. The image processing apparatus including an authentication unit adapted to execute user authentication, and an execution unit adapted to execute processing on image data with a plurality of processes as a sequential processing flow while cooperating a plurality of different functions with one another. Setting data personalized for a user authenticated by the authentication unit is obtained, and the plurality of processes is registered as a sequential processing flow. The processing flow is executed with a part of the processing flow replaced by processing personalized for the user set in the setting data, upon executing the registered processing flow.
US08146143B1

In some embodiments, techniques for information security include receiving information related to an authentication credential, wherein the information is related to a failed authentication attempt; determining whether the authentication credential is related to a valid account; and performing a security measure related to the valid account, if it is determined that the authentication credential is related to the valid account.In some embodiments, techniques for information security include Determining that an authentication attempt has failed, applying a privacy-performing transformation such as a cryptographic hash or encryption to an authentication credential, and distributing the privacy-preserved credential.In some embodiments, techniques for information security include receiving and redistributing a privacy-preserved authentication credential.
US08146137B2

In embodiments of the present invention, improved capabilities are described for a method presenting a client, providing client information and requesting an IP address from a DHCP server, where the DHCP server may formulate a first IP assignment and a first multiple DHCP options. A policy management facility may be associated with the interception of the first IP assignment and the first multiple DHCP options, which may result in the first IP assignment and the first multiple DHCP options not being sent to the client. The method may send client information to the policy management facility. The policy management facility may formulate a second multiple DHCP options and may send it to the DHCP server. The DHCP server may change first IP assignment and first multiple DHCP option to a second IP assignment and the second multiple DHCP options. The second IP assignment and the second multiple DHCP options may then be forwarded to the client.
US08146134B2

Securing large networks having heterogeneous computing resources including provision of multiple services both to clients within and outside of the network, multiple sites, security zones, and other characteristics is provided using access control functionality implemented at hosts within the network. The access control functionality includes respective access control policies for indicating to each host from which other computers it can accept connections. Content of the access control policies can be determined based on application data flow needs, and can draw information from databases including DNS and security zone information for hosts to which the access control policies will be applied. Access control policies can be formatted automatically for different host with different characteristics from the same base logical rule set. Other aspects include using more permissive and/or access control rules provided on network equipment to block known bad data, while providing host-based access control focused on application data flow.
US08146133B2

The invention relates to a P2P traffic management apparatus and method. A P2P flow agent monitors an executed application program to extract a P2P application program, adds application identifiers to packets generated by the application program according to a set policy, and transmits the packets. In this case, a P2P security gateway monitors the inflowing packets from the P2P flow agent to extract packets having the application identifiers, uses the extracted application identifiers to inquire and acquire a related policy, and controls the packets according to the acquired policy.
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