US08158868B2
A wheat variety designated 26R20, the plants and seeds of wheat variety 26R20, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety 26R20 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety 26R20 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety 26R20. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety 26R20 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods.
US08158863B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5214244. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5214244. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5214244 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5214244 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08158862B1
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB44J09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB44J09, to the plants of soybean XB44J09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB44J09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB44J09 with another soybean plant, using XB44J09 as either the male or the female parent.
US08158861B1
The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar 05KL116623 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar 05KL116623 and its progeny, and methods of making 05KL116623.
US08158860B2
The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid PX04914104 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid PX04914104 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another cucumber plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08158841B2
To provide a method for hydrotreating a synthetic hydrocarbon oil, which removes olefins and oxygen-containing compounds by hydrotreatment with the gasification rate restrained and can efficiently convert the synthetic hydrocarbon oil generated by the FT process to a liquid fuel suitable as a fuel for diesel-powered vehicles. A hydrotreating method is disclosed in which a synthetic hydrocarbon oil generated by FT synthesis is hydrotreated using a catalyst in which a definite catalytic metal is allowed to be carried on a support, under definite reaction conditions, with the gasification rate restrained to a definite value or less, thereby removing the olefins and the oxygen-containing compounds.
US08158836B2
The invention is directed to a process for preparing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf), comprising: (i) contacting 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (1230xa) with hydrogen fluoride HF in gas phase in the presence of a fluorination catalyst under conditions sufficient to produce a reaction mixture; (ii) separating the reaction mixture into a first stream comprising HCl, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf) and a second stream comprising HF, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene (1233xf) and 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane (245cb); (iii) recycling at least a part of the second stream at least in part back to step (i).
US08158835B2
Provided is a novel fluorene compound, which is represented by the following general formula (1):
US08158824B2
Process for the production of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide in a urea plant containing a high-pressure synthesis section comprising two reactor sections, a stripper and a condenser, and a recovery section, wherein in the first reactor section a first synthesis solution is formed that is fed to the second reactor section; fresh carbon dioxide is fed to the second reactor section and in the second reactor section a second synthesis solution is formed that is fed to the stripper, wherein the second synthesis solution is stripped with the use of carbon dioxide as stripping gas and the mixed gas stream obtained in the stripper is sent to the condenser together with fresh ammonia and a carbamate stream, whereafter the condensate that is formed in the condenser is fed to the first reactor section and the urea stream that is obtained in the stripper is further purified in the recovery section, wherein the flow of the first synthesis solution from the first reactor section to the second reactor section, the flow of the second synthesis solution from the second reactor section to the stripper, the flow of the mixed gas stream from the stripper to the condenser and of the condensate from the condenser to the first reactor section is a gravity flow.
US08158816B2
The present invention relates to a process for lightening the color of polyol esters by reacting polyols with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the reaction product is worked up without using adsorbents and comprises a treatment with peroxidic compounds and an immediately subsequent steam treatment with subsequent drying.
US08158815B2
A process for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether, dimethyl carbonate and/or methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a mordenite catalyst to produce at least one of acetic acid and methyl acetate in which process the mordenite catalyst is regenerated in-situ by contacting the catalyst with a regenerating gas comprising a molecular oxygen-containing gas and an inert diluent at a total pressure in the range 1 to 100 bar and wherein the partial pressure of the molecular oxygen-containing gas is such that the temperature of the catalyst is maintained within the range 225 to 325° C.
US08158791B2
A compound of the following formula (I) or its pharmaceutically-acceptable salt is provided: [wherein X, Y, Z and W each independently represent a methine group or a nitrogen atom, provided that a case where all of X, Y, Z and W are methine group; A represents —O— or the like, B represents —C(O)— or the like, D represent —(CH2)m2-, —O— or the like, and m2 represents 0 or 1; Q represents a methine group or a nitrogen atom; and R represents a group represented by the following formula (II-1) (wherein R6, R7 and R8 independently represent a lower alkyl group or the like].
US08158786B2
Disclosed herein are compounds that form covalent bonds with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). Also described are irreversible inhibitors of Btk. Methods for the preparation of the compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the compounds. Methods of using the Btk inhibitors are disclosed, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions.
US08158785B2
There are disclosed novel 5-substituted 7-amino-[1,3]thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and n are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, together with processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use in therapy. The compounds of formula (I) are CX3CR1 receptor antagonists and are thereby particularly useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of neurodegenerative disorders, demyelinating disease, cardio- and cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disorders, peripheral artery disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary diseases such as COPD, asthma or pain.
US08158782B2
This invention concerns novel labeling reactants based on azacycloalkanes, wherein a suitable group is linked to the molecule allowing introduction of the said molecules to bioactive molecules in solution or on solid phase.
US08158775B2
The present invention provides a method for removing a 2-cyanoethoxymethyl (CEM) group, which substitutes the 2′-hydroxyl group of each ribose of an oligonucleic acid derivative, with good reproducibility and high efficiency. The present invention further provides a method for producing an oligonucleic acid derivative represented by the following general formula (11), characterized by using a sulfoxide-based solvent or an amide-based solvent or a mixture thereof as a reaction solvent in the step of removing a protecting group, which protects the 2′-hydroxyl group of each ribose of an oligonucleic acid derivative represented by the following general formula (10) by allowing TBAF to act on the oligonucleic acid derivative.
US08158766B2
The present invention relates to a probe for selecting ES cells, which characteristically contains one of DNAs having base sequences depicted in SEQ ID Nos; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, or DNAs having base sequences depicted in SEQ ID Nos; 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 41 and a screening method of ES cell using this probe. Preparation of a probe for selecting ES cells becomes feasible by identifying plural gene with ES cell-specific expressions (ECAT genes) and using the information of the base sequences of these gene groups. Efficient selection of ES cell enables supply of a large amount of ES cell expected to be applicable to regenerative medicine.
US08158763B2
An asparagine-linked α2,3-oligosaccharide having undeca- to hepta-saccharides, an asparagine-linked α2,6-oligosaccharide having undeca- to hepta-saccharides and containing fluorine and an asparagine-linked oligosaccharide derivative containing at least one fucose in N-acetylglucosamine on the nonreducing terminal side of an asparagine-linked oligosaccharide wherein the asparagine has amino group protected with a lipophilic protective group, and a process for producing these compounds.
US08158760B2
The present invention relates to a cell for the production of an antibody molecule such as an antibody useful for various diseases having high antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic activity, a fragment of the antibody and a fusion protein having the Fc region of the antibody or the like, a method for producing an antibody composition using the cell, the antibody composition and use thereof.
US08158756B2
The invention concerns a recombinant CBE gelatin and recombinant gelatins having multimers of the CBE monomer sequence that are of particular use in several applications involving cell attachment such as in cell culture work and applications involving cell cultures of anchor dependent cells and also in a variety of medical applications.
US08158754B2
Disclosed is a kind of multiple modified derivatives of gelatin having not only the structure of formula (I) but also one of structures of formula (II), (III), and (IV) as well, wherein, G refers to gelatin residue, which can be type A, type B or a gelatin obtained from gene recombination; R1 refers to alkylene, or a linkage group with amide; R2 refers to alkyl, or aryl; R3 refers to alkylene; and R4 refers to carboxyl or carboxylate. The multiple modifying ways of gelatin comprise the hydrophobic modification on the amino group of gelatin through amide bond, carboxylation on the amino group of gelatin through amide bond, thiolation on the carboxyl group of gelatin, and thiolation following carboxylation on amino group of gelatin through amide bond. Also disclosed is a crosslinked material made of multiple modified derivatives of gelatin. The multiple modified derivatives of gelatin have flexible chemical structures and many properties. Their crosslinked gelatin material can be used the matrix for cell growth, etc.
US08158753B2
The invention relates to the production of novel proteins exhibiting bonding activity for certain ligands, the so-called anticalins. To this end, the structure of peptides of the lipocalin family is modified by amino acid replacement in their natural ligand binding pocket using generic engineering methods. Alike immunoglobulin, the anticalin thus obtained can be used to identify or bond molecular structures.
US08158748B2
The invention provides hetero-functional compound compounds useful in a variety of adhesive applications. More particularly, the invention provides compounds bearing at least one electron rich olefinic bond and at least one electron poor olefinic bond, wherein the two olefinic bonds are separated by a C3 to about C500 aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic spacer.
US08158746B2
The invention provides an active energy ray curable liquid composition containing a compound having a bonding group represented by a general formula (I), and a liquid cartridge. ([A] in the formula (I) is a cyclic group represented by a general formula (II), [Y] in the formula (II) is a cyclic linking group having a carbonyl group and a site containing an unsaturated carbon bond adjacent to the carbonyl group, and E in the formula (I) is a bonding group having at least one amide bond and at least one of divalent organic groups which may be substituted.
US08158745B2
The present invention relates to compositions having improved rheological properties which are based on polycarbonate having rearrangement structures and cyclic and linear oligomers and also moldings and extrudates composed of these polycarbonate compositions.
US08158735B2
This invention relates to (meth)acrylate-based polymerizable compositions and adhesive systems prepared therefrom, which include a alkylated borohydride or tetraalkyl borane metal or ammonium salt and a polymerizable siloxane. The inventive compositions and adhesive systems are particularly well suited for bonding applications which involve at least one low energy bonding surface, for example, the polyolefins, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
US08158724B2
Curable compositions, such as benzoxazine-based ones, are useful in applications within the aerospace industry, such as for example as a heat curable composition for use as a matrix resin in advanced processes, such as resin transfer molding, vacuum assisted transfer molding and resin film infusion, and their use in such advanced processes form the basis of the present invention.
US08158721B2
This invention relates to processes for the preparation of a dynamically vulcanized alloy comprising at least one isobutylene-containing elastomer and at least one thermoplastic resin. More specifically, the processes produce dynamically vulcanized alloys with unique morphological features which have good impermeability and low temperature flexibility.
US08158717B2
The present invention relates to glycine derivatives as additive for an aqueous polyurethane dispersion. Said glycine derivatives can increase the fluidity of aqueous polyurethane dispersion and therefore is useful for preparation of aqueous polyurethane dispersion with high solid content. Besides, the glycine derivatives are able to significantly decrease the viscosity of aqueous polyurethane dispersion; therefore, the aqueous polyurethane dispersion with high solid content can be stored stably.
US08158714B2
Disclosed herein is a method that includes mixing opacifying agent particles with a thickening agent to form a first mixture; the mixing being conducted at a shear rate of about 10 to about 2,000 sec−1; the first mixture having a viscosity of greater than or equal to about 70 Krebs units; and mixing a polymer latex binder with the first mixture to form a coating composition; the polymer latex binder including a copolymer that comprises phosphorus containing repeat units and an acrylate polymer.
US08158711B2
Aqueous dispersions including at least one thermoplastic resin; at least one dispersing agent; and water; wherein the dispersion has a pH of less than 12 are disclosed along with dispersions including at least one thermoplastic resin; at least one dispersing agent; and water wherein the dispersion has a volume average particle size of less than about 5 μm. Some dispersions include less than about 4 percent by weight of the dispersing agent based on the weight of the thermoplastic resin. Other dispersions include at least one propylene-rich alpha-olefin interpolymer; at least one dispersing agent; and water. Methods of making such dispersions are also described.
US08158704B2
A powder can be produced by immersing microparticles (2) in a first solution (4) which contains coupling molecules (5), and then in a second solution (10) which contains the nanoparticles (12), thereby producing microparticles (2) with nanoparticles (12) attached thereto. The particles form powder particles (14) which allow nanoparticles (12) that are smaller than approximately 5 [mu] to be applied to a component by cold gas spraying.
US08158698B2
The present invention provides a powder coating composition comprising at least one glycidyl-functionalised (meth) acrylic resin, 1 to 30 wt %, the wt % based on the total weight of component A), of at least one hydroxyl-functionalised alkyl acrylate alkyl methacrylate copolymer, and at least one component selected from the group consisting of pigments, fillers, cross-linking agents and/or coating additives different from component B). The powder coating composition of this invention can provide coatings having improved impact resistance, corrosion stability, heat resistance and weather resistance. The powder coating also has good properties including good flow behavior and durability against aggressive substances, such as, inorganic acids.
US08158693B2
A process for preparing a radiation curable solid ink composition wherein a solid pigment and dispersant are added to a molten solid monomer including (a) heating a monomer that is solid at room temperature to a temperature above the monomer melting point to provide a molten solid monomer; (b) adding a curable component, a non-curable component, and a photoinitiator to the molten solid monomer to provide a molten ink base; (c) adding a dispersant to the molten ink base; and (d) a adding a pigment to the molten ink base with stirring to provide a curable pigmented ink composition. Included is a process for preparing a radiation curable solid ink composition wherein a liquid pigment concentrate or a solid pigment concentrate is added to an ink base.
US08158691B2
The present invention relates to an aqueous reinforced rubber dispersion comprising: a) 51 to 90 wt-% of base latex polymer particles; and b) 10 to 49 wt-% of reinforcing latex polymer particles comprising structural units of aromatic vinyl monomers and conjugated diene monomers, the reinforcing latex polymer particles having a single glass transition temperature (Tg) from −25° C. to 28° C. as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), whereby the weight percentages are based on the total weight of polymer particles in the rubber dispersion and the base latex polymer particles have a Tg as measured by DSC that is lower than the Tg of the reinforcing latex particles, to the use of the rubber dispersion for making latex foam, to a method for making latex foam and to an article comprising the latex foam obtained from the rubber dispersion of the present invention.
US08158688B2
Provision of a dispersion liquid of metal oxide fine particles, containing: metal oxide fine particles, and a halogen element, in which an amount of the halogen element is 10 ppm to 900 ppm, and pH of the dispersion liquid is 0 to 4.
US08158684B2
The present invention provides new estrogenic compounds of the general formula in which the substituents have the meanings that are explained in more detail in the description, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The compounds of the invention are useful, for example, in hormone replacement therapies (HRT/ERT) and as contraceptives and estrogenic hormone therapies. Also provided is a process for synthesizing the compounds of the invention.
US08158682B2
This present invention relates to methods for treating or attenuating pain in a patient. Specifically, the invention provides a method for attenuating pain in proximity to the site of an open wound or surgical incision comprising instilling a pharmaceutical composition comprising a capsaicinoid into the wound or incision, allowing the pharmaceutical composition to dwell for a predetermined period of time, and aspirating the wound or incision to remove the pharmaceutical composition. The invention also provides a method for attenuating pain in proximity to a joint comprising intra-articularly injecting a pharmaceutical composition comprising a capsaicinoid into the joint, allowing the pharmaceutical composition to dwell for predetermined period of time, and aspirating the joint to remove the pharmaceutical composition. In certain embodiments of the invention, the capsaicinoid is capsaicin.
US08158679B2
Use of L-carnitine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the preparation of an ophthalmic physiological supplement or medicament in the form of eye-drops, for the treatment of corneal oedema.
US08158677B2
Alterations of certain metabolite concentrations and fluxes that occur in response to viral infection are described. Host cell enzymes in the involved metabolic pathways are selected as targets for intervention; i.e., to restore metabolic flux to disadvantage viral replication, or to further derange metabolic flux resulting in “suicide” of viral-infected cells (but not uninfected cells) in order to limit viral propagation. While any of the enzymes in the relevant metabolic pathway can be selected, pivotal enzymes at key control points in these metabolic pathways are preferred as candidate antiviral drug targets. Inhibitors of these enzymes are used to reverse, or redirect, the effects of the viral infection. Drug candidates are tested for antiviral activity using screening assays in vitro and host cells, as well as in animal models. Animal models are then used to test efficacy of candidate compounds in preventing and treating viral infections. The antiviral activity of enzyme inhibitors is demonstrated.
US08158672B2
The invention encompasses novel compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates, clathrates, enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates, or mixtures of stereoisomers thereof, pharmaceutical compositions of these compounds, and methods of using these compounds and compositions in mammals for treatment or prevention of diseases associated with PDE4.
US08158666B2
A process for making (R)-5-(2-aminoethyl)-1-(6,8-difluorochroman-3-yl)-1,3-dihydroimidazole-2-thione and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and for making intermediates useful in the formation of said compound.
US08158662B2
The invention provides compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with the activity of liver X receptors (LXRs).
US08158661B2
Provided are thiadiazolidine compounds of formula I wherein R1 is an organic group having at least 8 atoms selected from C or O, which is not linked directly to the N through a —C(O)— and comprising at least an aromatic ring, and their pharmaceutical compositions. These compounds are selective GSK-3 inhibitors and have improved bioavailability. They are useful for the treatment of GSK-3 mediated diseases, among others Alzheimer's disease, type II diabetes, depression and brain injury.
US08158660B2
The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: or salt thereof, which are modulators of the glucocorticoid receptor. The compounds and salts of the invention are useful in the treatment of conditions mediated by glucocorticoid receptor activity.
US08158659B2
The invention is directed to compounds having the formula: wherein: Ar, r, R2-3, X, and R5-7 are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds 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 process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08158657B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an antifungal agent which has excellent antifungal effects and is superior in terms of its physical properties, safety and metabolic stability. According to the present invention, there is disclosed a compound represented by the following formula (I), or a salt thereof: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an amino group, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy group or a C1-6 alkoxy C1-6 alkyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, an amino group or a di C1-6 alkylamino group; one of X and Y is a nitrogen atom while the other is a nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom; ring A represents a 5- or 6-member heteroaryl ring or a benzene ring which may have a halogen atom, or 1 or 2 C1-6 alkyl groups; Z represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —NH—, —CH2NH—, —NHCH2—, —CH2S—, or —SCH2—; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, a C6-10 aryl group, a 5- or 6-member heteroaryl group, or 5- or 6-member non-aromatic heterocyclic group which may have 1 or 2 substituents; and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom.
US08158656B2
The present invention relates to 2-indolinone derivatives which are capable of inhibiting protein kinases and histone deacetylases. The compounds of this invention are therefore useful in treating diseases associated with abnormal protein kinase activities or abnormal histone deacetylase activities. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of treating diseases utilizing pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of preparing these compounds are also disclosed.
US08158654B2
Disclosed are compounds of the formula I: wherein R1, R2, V, W, X, Y and Z can be as defined herein. The compounds can be used in the treatment of disorders mediated by the cannabinoid receptors.
US08158651B2
The treatment of acute pain with a sufficient dosage by intranasal administration of fentanyl results in a time to onset of action comparable to intravenous administration and a significantly faster onset of action than nasal titration of fentanyl. The nasal administration of a sufficient amount of fentanyl to obtain pain relief has lower maximum plasma concentrations comparable to intravenous administration and results in lower rates of adverse events like respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting. Compositions fur use in the method are also disclosed.
US08158639B2
Methods of providing neuroprotection are disclosed comprising administering a non-sedative barbiturate compound in an amount sufficient to achieve neuroprotection in a mammalian subject. Preferred compounds are in the family of diphenylbarbituric acid and analogs. Preferred doses for a neuroprotective effect exceed the dosage of a corresponding sedative barbiturate without sedative side-effects such as anesthesia and death.
US08158637B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium 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.
US08158636B2
Compounds and salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof and uses thereof are described. In certain aspects and embodiments, the described compounds or salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof are active on at least one of Fms protein kinase or Kit protein kinase. Also described are methods of use thereof to treat diseases and conditions, including diseases and conditions associated with activity of Fms protein kinases and/or Kit protein kinases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, peri-prosthetic osteolysis, systemic sclerosis, demyelinating disorders, multiple sclerosis, Charcot Marie Tooth syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, myelopreparation for autologous transplantation, transplant rejection, nephritis, nephropathy, type I diabetes, acute pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, gliomas, glioblastomas, neurofibromatosis, osteolytic bone metastases, and giant cell tumors.
US08158633B2
The invention relates to novel phenyl-substituted pyrazolopyrimidines, process for their preparation, and their use for producing medicaments for improving perception, concentration, learning and/or memory.
US08158629B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), activation of nAChRs, and the treatment of disease conditions associated with defective or malfunctioning nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, especially of the brain. Further, this invention relates to novel compounds for example, indoles, 1H-indazoles, 1,2-benzisoxazoles, and 1,2-benzisothiazoles, which act as ligands for the α7 nAChR subtype, methods of preparing such compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and methods of use thereof.
US08158628B2
Sulfonylated tetrahydroazolopyrazine compounds corresponding to the formula I wherein R1, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, R4, R8, R9a, R9b, R10, R11, A, B, W1, W2 and W3 have the meanings defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, a method for the preparation of such compounds, and the use of such compounds for treating or inhibiting various types of pain and/or other conditions mediated at least in part by the bradykinin 1 receptor (B1R).
US08158626B2
Compounds of Formulas Ia and Ib, and including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting lipid kinases including PI3K, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by lipid kinases. Methods of using compounds of Formula Ia and Ib for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08158625B2
Formula I (Ia and Ib) compounds wherein (i) X1 is N and X2 is S, (ii) X1 is CR7 and X2 is S, (iii) X1 is N and X2 is NR2, (iv) X1 is CR7 and X2 is O, or (v) X1 is CR7 and X2 is NR2, including stereoisomers, tautomers, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting the delta isoform of PI3K, and for treating disorders mediated by lipid kinases such as inflammation, immunological, and cancer. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08158624B2
Purine compounds of Formula I, and including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting lipid kinases including p110 alpha and other isoforms of PI3K, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by lipid kinases. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08158623B2
The invention discloses a new use of a class of heptacyclic compounds in the preparation of formulations for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and metabolic syndromes; the present invention also discloses a new class of heptacyclic compounds; the present invention also discloses a process for preparing the heptacyclic compounds and a composition containing the same. The heptacyclic compounds of the present invention can be used to effectively preventing or treating diseases such as diabetes and metabolic syndromes.
US08158614B2
A method for treatment of cervical or vaginal cancer and their associated dysplasia, including the steps of identifying a human cervical or vaginal cancer and/or dysplasia patient, administering an effective amount of an estrogen antagonist therapy to the patient, wherein the amount is effective to reduce cancer and dysplasia symptoms, and observing a reduction of cancer and dysplasia symptoms in the patient.
US08158606B2
It has been discovered that β-L-2′-deoxynucleosides are active against drug-resistant hepatitis B virus with mutations. A method for treating lamivudine resistant HBV (M552V) in a host is provided that includes administering a β-L-2′-deoxynucleoside or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug. In addition, a method for preventing lamivudine resistant HBV (M552V) mutation from occurring in a naïve host is provided that includes administering a β-L-2′-deoxynucleoside or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug. A method for preventing and/or suppressing the emergence of the HBV double mutant (L528M/M552V) in a host is also provided that includes administering a β-L-2′-deoxynucleoside or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug.
US08158594B2
The present invention provides nucleic acids containing transcriptional units that encode CYP1B1 polypeptides or portions thereof, wherein the transcriptional units lack sequences found in the untranslated region (UTR) of naturally occurring forms of the CYP1B1 transcript. The nucleic acids of the invention lack translational repressor elements and thus provide for a system of enhanced translation of the CYP1B1 polypeptide or portions thereof. Also disclosed are methods of administering nucleic acids to a mammal and use in the treatment of proliferative disorders or cancer.
US08158592B2
Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.
US08158585B2
The invention relates to the field of biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology and medicine. More in particular, the invention relates to cross-β structures and the biological role of these cross-β structures. In one embodiment, the invention discloses a method for modulating extracellular protein degradation and/or protein clearance comprising modulating cross-β(beta) structure formation (and/or cross-β structure-mediated activity) of the protein present in the circulation.
US08158582B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the growth rates, alleviating the symptoms, or improving the metabolism of human patients having an endocrine disorder characterized by partial endogenous growth hormone activity or signaling. The invention provides a method comprising administering to a patient suffering from an endocrine disorder characterized by partial endogenous growth hormone activity or signaling an amount of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) effective to improve metabolism in the patient, where the patient receives IGF-1 in a single daily administration. The invention also provides a method comprising administering to a patient suffering from an endocrine disorder characterized by partial endogenous growth hormone activity or signaling an amount of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and an amount of growth hormone (GH) that in combination are effective to improve growth or metabolism in the patient, where the patient receives IGF-1 in a single daily administration and receives GH in a single daily administration, and where the single IGF-1 administration and the single GH administration are administered to the patient substantially contemporaneously each day.
US08158581B2
A fusion protein comprising at least one IGF1 variant component and a fusion component (F), and, optionally, a signal sequence, exhibits improved stability relative to the native IGF1 or IGF2 polypeptide. The fusion component (F) may be a multimerizing component, such as an immunoglobulin domain, in particular, the Fc domain of IgG or a heavy chain of IgG. IGF1 variants were shown to have improved ability to increase muscle mass in a subject suffering from muscle atrophy caused by cachexia, immobilization, aging, chronic disease, cancer, hereditary condition, an atrophy-causing agent, and the like. IGF1 variants are also effective in decreasing blood glucose in a subject suffering from diabetes or hyperglycemia.
US08158579B2
The invention provides fusion proteins comprising an exendin-4 fused to a transferrin (Tf) via a polypeptide linker, as well as corresponding nucleic acid molecules, vectors, host cells, and pharmaceutical compositions. The invention also provides the use of the exendin-4/Tf fusion proteins for treatment of Type II diabetes, obesity, and to reduce body weight.
US08158577B2
Modulation of cartilage homeostasis by active domains of cell binding extracellular matrix molecules
A linear or cyclic peptide and the use of said peptide in medicine and especially in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease associated with inflammatory mediated cartilage destruction. The minimal core sequence of the linear or cyclic peptide is WLEAK (SEQ ID No. 1). Alternatives are WLEAR (SEQ ID NO. 17) and WLDAK (SEQ ID No. 18).
US08158576B2
The present invention relates to viral capsid proteins, as a medicament for the treatment of a pathologic disorder. More particularly, the invention relates to the viral capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and VP3, preferably, the SV40 VP1 or any peptide, fragment, mutant, derivative and mixtures thereof or of virus-like particles (VLP's) comprising the same, as the active ingredient in compositions for the treatment of pathologic disorders, preferably disorders associated with inactivation of cellular proteins involved with quality control processes, particularly, chaperones. The invention further provides methods for the treatment of such disorders and the use of the SV40 capsid proteins for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions.
US08158571B2
A particle (preferably a core-shell encapsulate) comprising a benefit agent (preferably a perfume), said particle being bound to a non-cationic deposition aid which is substantive to polyester, wherein the non-cationic deposition aid is a polymer derivable from dicarboxylic acids and polyols. Preferably the polymer comprises units derived from (poly)ethylene glycol and terephthalate, most preferably selected from the group comprising PET/POET, PEG/POET, PET/PEG and phthalate/glycerol/ethylene glycol polymers. The invention also provides a method for producing improved benefit agent particles which comprises the step of covalently linking or co-polymerising a deposition aid which is substantive to polyester to a particle comprises the benefit agent. The particles find particular utility in laundry treatment compositions comprising (a) anionic and/or nonionic surfactant, or (b) cationic fabric conditioner and further comprising core-shell particles, wherein said particles have, incorporated in the shell a polyester-substantive deposition aid which is a phthalate containing polymer and incorporated in the core a perfume.
US08158564B2
A compound which satisfies requirements for the annealing property and the lubricating property simultaneously and a process for producing the compound are provided. The compound is an alkylacetal compound represented by the following general formula (1) or (2). In the general formulae, R1 and R2 represent hydrocarbon groups, R3 to R8 represent hydrogen atom or hydrocarbon groups, i and j represent integers satisfying the relation that the sum of the integers is 8 to 98, and k represents 0 or 1.
US08158559B2
The present invention relates to a herbicide combination comprising components (A) and (B) where (A) denotes one or more compounds or salts thereof from the group described by the general formula (I): in which R1 is halogen, preferably fluorine or chlorine, R2 is hydrogen and R3 is hydroxyl or R2 and R3 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached are a carbonyl group C═O and R4 is hydrogen or methyl; and (B) denotes one or more herbicides from the group of the pyrimidines consisting of: (B1-1) ancymidol, (B1-2) flurprimidol, (B1-3) pyrimisulfan, (B2-1) bispyribac-sodium, (B2-2) pyribenzoxim, (B2-3) pyriminobac-methyl, (B2-4) pyribambenz-isopropyl, (B2-5) pyribambenz-propyl, (B3-1) pyriftalid, (B3-2) pyrithiobac-sodium, (B4-1) benzfendizone, (B4-2) bromacil, (B4-3) butafenacil, (B4-4) lenacil, (B4-5) terbacil, (B4-6) SYN-523, (B4-7) saflufenacil.
US08158554B2
A high heat-resistant catalyst includes: noble metal particles; first compounds which contact the noble metal particles and suppress movement of the noble metal particles; and second compounds which envelop the noble metal particles and the first compounds, suppress the movement of the noble metal particles, and suppress coagulation of the first compounds following mutual contact of the first compounds. The first compounds support the noble metal particles, and single piece or aggregate of the first compounds supporting the noble metal particles are included in a section partitioned by the second compounds. A coefficient of linear thermal expansion of the second compounds is 1.2×10−5 [K−1] or less.
US08158550B2
The invention relates to a multilayer catalyst for the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons in gaseous phase, comprising a monolithic ceramic or metallic substrate having a solid macroporous structure consisting of one or more structures, on which a first active layer with a crystal-line perovskitic structure is deposited, having general formula AxA′ 1-xByB′ 1-YO3±δ wherein: A is a cation of at least one of the rare earth elements, A′ is a cation of at least one element selected from groups Ia, IIa and VIa of the periodic table of elements, B is a cation of at least one element selected from groups IVb, Vb, VIb, VIIb, or VIII of the periodic table of elements, B′ is a cation of at least one element selected from groups IVb, Vb, VIb, VIIb or VIII of the periodic table of elements Mg2+ or Al3+, x is a number which is such that 0≦x≦1, y is a number which is such that 0≦y≦1, and δ is a number which is such that 0≦δ≦0, 5, a second more external active layer consisting of a dispersion of a noble metal and a possible supporting layer with a large surface area, positioned between said monolithic substrate and said first active layer with a perovskitic structure. The invention also relates to a process for the production of said catalyst and its use for the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons in gaseous phase.
US08158549B2
A support of metal oxyfluoride or metal halide for a metal-based hydrogenation catalyst useful in hydrogenating fluoroolefins is provided.
US08158530B2
Methods for fabricating a semiconductor device from a semiconductor substrate having a metal-comprising material and a disposable material are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises providing a system for exposing the disposable material to a liquid chemistry and removing oxygen from the system. The disposable material is exposed to the liquid chemistry and is removed from the semiconductor substrate using the liquid chemistry and simultaneously the metal-comprising material is left substantially in tact.
US08158526B2
Apparatus and method for endpoint detection are provided for photomask etching. The apparatus provides a plasma etch chamber with a substrate support member. The substrate support member has at least two optical components disposed therein for use in endpoint detection. Enhanced process monitoring for photomask etching are achieved by the use of various optical measurement techniques for monitoring at different locations of the photomask.
US08158517B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a display device by improving the utilization efficiency of materials and simplifying manufacturing process. Another object of the invention is to provide a technique for forming a pattern such as a wiring having a predetermined shape included in a display device with good controllability. A method for manufacturing a wiring substrate of the invention includes the steps of: forming a first region having a subject material; modifying the surface of the subject material partly to form a second region having a boundary with respect to the first region; continuously discharging a composition containing a conductive material to a part of the first region across the boundary and the second region; solidifying the composition to form a conductive layer; and removing the conductive layer formed in a part of the first region across the boundary.
US08158513B2
A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit system includes: providing a first material; forming a second material over a first side of the first material; and exposing a second side of the first material to an energy source to form an electrical contact at an interface of the first material and the second material.
US08158510B2
A semiconductor device is made by depositing an encapsulant material between first and second plates of a chase mold to form a molded substrate. A first conductive layer is formed over the molded substrate. A resistive layer is formed over the first conductive layer. A first insulating layer is formed over the resistive layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer, resistive layer, first conductive layer, and molded substrate. A second conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer, resistive layer, and first conductive layer. A third insulating layer is formed over the second insulating layer and second conductive layer. A bump is formed over the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer, resistive layer, first insulating layer, and second conductive layer constitute a MIM capacitor. The second conductive layer is wound to exhibit inductive properties.
US08158509B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed which comprises forming a gate structure on a major surface of a semiconductor substrate with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween, forming a first insulating film to cover top and side surfaces of the gate structure and the major surface of the semiconductor substrate, reforming portions of the first insulating film which cover the top surface of the gate structure and the major surface of the semiconductor substrate by an anisotropic plasma process using a gas not containing fluorine, and removing the reformed portions of the first insulating film.
US08158506B2
Methods for localized thinning of wafers used in semiconductor devices and the structures formed from such methods are described. The methods thin localized areas of the backside of the semiconductor wafer to form recesses with a bi-directional channel design that is repeated within the wafer (or die) so that no straight channel line crosses the wafer (or die). The bi-directional pattern design keeps the channels from being aligned with the crystal orientation of the wafer. The recesses are then filled by a solder ball drop process by dropping proper size solder balls into the recesses and then annealing the wafer to reflow the solder balls and flatten them out. The reflow process begins to fill in the recesses from the bottom up, thereby avoiding void formation and the resulting air traps in the reflowed solder material. Other embodiments are also described.
US08158496B2
Provided is a method for preparing a compound semiconductor substrate. The method includes coating a plurality of spherical balls on a substrate, growing a compound semiconductor epitaxial layer on the substrate coated with the spherical balls while allowing voids to be formed under the spherical balls, and cooling the substrate on which the compound semiconductor epitaxial layer is grown so that the substrate and the compound semiconductor epitaxial layer are self-separated along the voids. The spherical ball treatment can reduce dislocation generations. In addition, because the substrate and the compound semiconductor epitaxial layer are separated through the self-separation, there is no need for laser lift-off process.
US08158494B2
A mask used when a semiconductor wafer is diced into individual semiconductor chips by plasma etching is formed as follows. First, a pattern of a liquid-repellent film is formed by printing a liquid-repellent liquid on the area to be etched on the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer. Next, a resin film thicker than the liquid-repellent film is formed in the area not having the liquid-repellent film by supplying a liquid resin to the rear surface on which the liquid-repellent pattern has been formed. Then, the resin film is cured to form the mask covering the area other than the area to be removed by the etching. This method allows the formation of an etching mask without using a high-cost method such as photolithography.
US08158486B2
By locally heating isolation trenches with different annealing conditions, a different magnitude of intrinsic stress may be obtained in different isolation trenches. In some illustrative embodiments, the different anneal temperature may be achieved on the basis of an appropriate mask layer, which may provide a patterned optical response for a lamp-based or laser-based anneal process. Consequently, the intrinsic stress of isolation trenches may be specifically adapted to the requirements of circuit elements, such as N-channel transistors and P-channel transistors.
US08158472B2
A SRAM bit cell and an associated method of producing the SRAM bit cell with improved performance and stability is provided. In one configuration, channel mobility of the transistors within the SRAM bit cell may be adjusted to provide improved stability. In order to adjust the channel mobility, a stress memorization technique may be used, a wide spacer may be used, germanium may be implanted on tensile stress silicon nitride, a compressive liner may be used or silicon germanium may be embedded in one or more of the devices in the cell. In another configuration, the gate capacitance of each device within the SRAM bit cell may be adjusted to achieve high SRAM yield. For instance, a thick gate oxide may be used, phosphorous pre-doping may be used or fluorine pre-doping may be used in one or more of the devices within the cell.
US08158470B2
A thin film transistor substrate and a method of manufacturing the thin film transistor substrate comprises forming a gate line and a data line intersecting each other with a gate insulating layer interposed and defining a pixel area on the substrate, a thin film transistor electrically connected to the gate line and the data line, and a stepped-structure occurring pattern overlapping at least one of the gate line and the data line; forming a passivation layer having a stepped-structure portion formed by the stepped-structure occurring pattern on the substrate; forming a photoresist pattern having a second stepped-structure portion corresponding to the stepped-structure portion on the passivation layer; patterning the passivation layer using the photoresist pattern as a mask; forming a transparent conductive layer on the substrate; and removing the photoresist pattern where the transparent conductive layer is covered by a stripper penetrating through the stepped-structure portion of the photoresist pattern and forming a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor.
US08158468B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device production method, which comprises the steps of: forming a pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer on a planar semiconductor layer; forming a second-conductive-type semiconductor layer in a portion of the planar semiconductor layer underneath the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a gate dielectric film and a gate electrode having a laminated structure of a metal film and an amorphous silicon or polysilicon film, around the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a sidewall-shaped dielectric film on an upper region of a sidewall of the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer and in contact with a top of the gate electrode; forming first and second sidewall-shaped dielectric films on a sidewall of the gate electrode; forming a second-conductive-type semiconductor layer in an upper portion of the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a metal-semiconductor compound on the second-conductive-type semiconductor layer formed in the portion of the planar semiconductor layer underneath the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a metal-semiconductor compound on the second-conductive-type semiconductor layer formed in the upper portion of the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a metal-semiconductor compound on the gate electrode; forming a contact on the second-conductive-type semiconductor layer formed in the portion of the planar semiconductor layer underneath the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; and forming a contact on the second-conductive-type semiconductor layer formed in the upper portion of the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer.
US08158463B2
A process for manufacturing a MOS device includes forming a semiconductor layer having a first type of conductivity; forming an insulated gate structure having an electrode region (25), above the semiconductor layer (23); forming body regions having a second type of conductivity, within the semiconductor layer, laterally and partially underneath the insulated gate structure; forming source regions having the first type of conductivity, within the body regions; and forming a first enrichment region, in a surface portion of the semiconductor layer underneath the insulated gate structure. The first enrichment region has the first type of conductivity and is set at a distance from the body regions. In order to form the first enrichment region, a first enrichment window is defined within the insulated gate structure, and first dopant species of the first type of conductivity are introduced through the first enrichment window and in a way self-aligned thereto.
US08158459B2
(a) A first Sn absorption layer (5) is formed on the principal surface of a first substrate (1), the first Sn absorption layer being made of metal absorbing Sn from AuSn alloy and lowering a relative proportion of Sn in the AuSn alloy. (b) A second Sn absorption layer (17) is formed on the principal surface of a second substrate (11) the second Sn absorption layer being made of metal absorbing Sn from AuSn alloy and lowering a relative proportion of Sn in the AuSn alloy. (c) A solder layer (7) made of AuSn alloy is formed at least on one Sn absorption layer of the first and second Sn absorption layers. (d) The first and second substrates are bonded together by melting the solder layer in a state that the first and second substrates are in contact with each other, with the principal surfaces of the first and second substrates facing each other.
US08158458B2
A power semiconductor module and a method of manufacture thereof includes lead a frame carrying lead having inner and outer lead portions. The outer lead portions, which are connected by soldering to semiconductor chips simultaneously, eliminate the need for using bonding wires. Since no bonding wire is used for connecting the leads and the semiconductor chips, a sufficient current capacity is obtained. The bonding between an insulating circuit board and the semiconductor chips and the bonding between the semiconductor chips and the leads can be made simultaneously in a single step of reflow-soldering. As a result, the mounting time can be shortened and the power semiconductor module can be manufactured more efficiently.
US08158457B2
A rule-based method of optimizing wire bonding jumps is disclosed which minimizes the amount of wire used for wire bonds and/or minimizes a number of power and ground pads on a substrate to support all wired connections.
US08158455B2
First and second synthetic diamond regions are doped with boron. The second synthetic diamond region is doped with boron to a greater degree than the first synthetic diamond region, and in physical contact with the first synthetic diamond region. In a further example embodiment, the first and second synthetic diamond regions form a diamond semiconductor, such as a Schottky diode when attached to at least one metallic lead.
US08158454B2
A method for manufacturing a solar cell module 10 comprises the steps of exposing a part of the metal electrode layer 4 in a pinhole PHii′ which is formed in the resin layer 5 by applying a reverse voltage across the transparent electrode layer 2 and the metal electrode layer 4 in the reverse voltage repair process and removing the part of the metal electrode layer 4 by etching the part of the metal electrode layer 4 using the resin layer 5 as a mask.
US08158453B2
A CMOS active pixel sensor (APS) cell structure having dual workfunction transfer gate device and method of fabrication. The transfer gate device comprises a dielectric layer formed on a substrate and a dual workfunction gate conductor layer formed on the dielectric layer comprising a first conductivity type doped region and an abutting second conductivity type doped region. The transfer gate device defines a channel region where charge accumulated by a photosensing device is transferred to a diffusion region. A silicide structure is formed atop the dual workfunction gate conductor layer for electrically coupling the first and second conductivity type doped regions. In one embodiment, the silicide contact is smaller in area dimension than an area dimension of said dual workfunction gate conductor layer. Presence of the silicide strap prevents the diodic behavior from allowing one or the other side of the gate to float to an indeterminate voltage.
US08158452B2
A backside-illuminated imaging device, which performs imaging by illuminating light from a back side of a semiconductor substrate to generate electric charges in the semiconductor substrate based on the light and reading out the electric charges from a front side of the semiconductor substrate, is provided and includes: a back-side layer including an back-side element on the back side of the semiconductor substrate; a front-side layer including an front-side element on the front side of the semiconductor substrate; a support substrate above the front-side layer; a spacer, one end of which comes in contact with the front-side layer and the other end of which comes in contact with the support substrate, to form a space having a uniform distance between the semiconductor substrate and the support substrate; and an adhesive filled in at least a part of the space between the surface-side element formation layer and the support substrate.
US08158451B2
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device comprising a homojunction or a heterojunction with a controlled dopant (concentration) profile and a method of making the same. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing a junction comprising forming a first semiconductor material comprising a first dopant having a first concentration and thereupon; forming a second semiconductor material comprising a second dopant, having a second concentration thereby forming a junction, and depositing by Atomic Layer Epitaxy or Vapor Phase Doping at least a fraction of a monolayer of a precursor suitable to form the second dopant on the first semiconductor material, prior to forming the second semiconductor material, thereby increasing the second concentration of the second dopant at the junction.
US08158445B2
Methods of forming pattern structures and methods of manufacturing memory devices using the same are provided, the methods of forming pattern structures include forming an etching object layer on a substrate and performing a plasma reactive etching process on the etching object layer using an etching gas including at least ammonia (NH3) gas. The etching object layer includes a magnetic material or a phase change material.
US08158444B2
Methods and compositions are provided that include a multichromophore and/or multichromophore complex for identifying a target biomolecule. A sensor biomolecule, for example, an antibody can be covalently linked to the multichromophore. Additionally, a signaling chromophore can be covalently linked to the multichromophore. The arrangement is such that the signaling chromophore is capable of receiving energy from the multichromophore upon excitation of the multichromophore. Since the sensor biomolecule is capable of interacting with the target biomolecule, the multichromophore and/or multichromophore complex can provide enhanced detection signals for a target biomolecule.
US08158440B2
This invention discloses using SPR technology to simultaneously and quantitatively measure the concentrations of thyroid hormones and related antibodies in a serum sample, which can be used to evaluate thyroid functions and to diagnose thyroid diseases. It also discloses an efficient formula to make a mixed SAM that can greatly enhance the immobilization ability of the metal surface in SPR based techniques, which is good for the immobilization of relevant antibodies and antigens used for the detection of respective thyroid hormones and related antibodies in a serum sample.
US08158439B2
The present invention is to present a sample analyzer which is automated even when measuring a small amount sample and is capable of improving a measurement precision. The sample analyzer S comprises a sample preparation section for preparing a measurement sample; a detector D3 for detecting an analyte contained in the measurement sample; and a controller 100 being configured to 1) control the sample preparation section so as to prepare a first measurement sample of a first dilution ratio, when measuring an ordinary amount sample; and 2) control the sample preparation section so as to prepare a second measurement sample of a second dilution ratio higher than the first dilution ratio, when measuring a small amount sample.
US08158431B2
The objective of the present invention is to provide a remote control method which allows a technician, etc. in a support center to remote-control a clinical specimen processing device, and a remote control system, a status informing device and a control apparatus used for such a method. The remote control method of the present invention, which is a remote control method for remote-controlling the clinical specimen processing device that processes a clinical specimen, is designed so that an image of the clinical specimen processing device is picked up by an image pickup device, and the image picked up by the image pickup device is supplied to a control apparatus located at a remote place from the clinical specimen processing device through a communication network so that the picked-up image is displayed on the control apparatus.
US08158425B2
A cell culture scaffold containing a gel having a network structure comprised of a synthetic polymer such that cultured cells spread in a shorter time and the number of adsorbed cultured cells per unit area is larger than in the case of using a gel having a network structure comprised of polyacrylic acid, while taking advantage of synthetic polymers with low manufacturing cost, easy quality control and no risk of virus infection in cultured cell. Used as the cell culture scaffold is a gel containing a synthetic polymer obtained by polymerization or copolymerization of a monomer having a sulfonic group such as p-styrenesulfonic acid sodium salt (NaSS) and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid sodium salt (NaAMPS).
US08158422B2
Methods and compositions of erythroid cells that produce adult β-hemoglobin, generated by culturing CD31+, CD31+/CD34+ or CD34+ cells from embryonic stem cells under serum-free culture conditions.
US08158420B2
The present invention provides methods for regulating the growth and/or survival of tumor cells and stem cells by modulating the expression or function of ATF5. The present invention also provides methods for promoting or suppressing differentiation of stem/progenitor cells, for producing differentiated cells and for isolating/purifying differentiated cells, including neural cells. Also provided are differentiated cells, cell populations and transgenic animals comprising same and uses of same. The present invention further provides methods for treating nervous tissue degeneration and for identifying an agent for use in treating nervous tissue degeneration. Methods for promoting apoptosis in neoplastic cells and for treating or preventing tumors, and identifying agents for use in treating or preventing tumors are also provided by the present invention. The present invention further provides methods for identifying agents that inhibit ATF5, agents identified by these methods. Also provided are methods for diagnosing tumors, for assessing the efficacy of therapy to treat tumors and for assessing the prognosis of a subject who has a neural tumor. Finally, the present invention provides a kits for use in detecting and treating tumors.
US08158411B2
Provided is a method of separating microorganisms from a sample including contacting the sample containing microorganisms with an inorganic ion exchange material such that the sample reacts with the inorganic ion exchange material, and contacting the reacted sample with a means for capturing microorganisms.
US08158410B2
A microflow apparatus for separating or isolating cells from a bodily fluid or other liquid sample uses a flow path where straight-line flow is interrupted by a pattern of transverse posts. The posts are spaced across the width of a collection region in the flow path, extending between the upper and lower surfaces thereof; they have rectilinear surfaces, have arcuate cross-sections, and are randomly arranged so as to disrupt streamlined flow. Sequestering agents, such as Abs, are attached to all surfaces in the collection region via a hydrophilic coating, preferably a hydrogel containing isocyanate moieties or a PEG or polyglycine of substantial length, and are highly effective in capturing cells or other targeted biomolecules as a result of such streamlined flow disruption.
US08158407B2
Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder, where the pressure/flow loop subsystem is capable of adjusting at least two dynamic conditions in the specimen holder or a diameter of a specimen in the specimen holder. Embodiments of methods can coat a hybrid graft with a confluent monolayer of endothelial cells by immobilizing stem cells on a hybrid hemodialysis access graft or a hybrid femoral artery bypass graft, and placing the hybrid graft in a system embodiment according to the invention under conditions effective to promote the stem cells to form a confluent monolayer on the hybrid graft and in an environment to promote the stem cells to differentiate into endothelial cells.
US08158403B2
A dead cell of a lactic acid bacterium or a culture containing the dead cell of a lactic acid bacterium is added to the dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, milk beverage or the like in an amount of 0.001 wt % or more in dry weight of the dead cell, therefore, it is possible to enhance the growth of a lactic acid bacterium, to shorten the time required for fermentation, and to improve the viability of a lactic acid bacterium during storage over a long period, without affecting the flavor or production cost of the dairy product.
US08158398B2
An optical device provides evanescent radiation, in response to incident radiation, in a detection volume for containing a target component in a medium. The detection volume has at least one in-plane dimension (W1) smaller than a diffraction limit. The diffraction limit is defined by the radiation wavelength and the medium. The evanescent radiation is provided by aperture defining structures having a smallest in plane aperture dimension (W1) smaller than the diffraction limit. The detection volume is provided between the aperture defining structures. The aperture defining structures further define a largest in plane aperture dimension (W2). The largest in plane aperture dimension is larger than the diffraction limit. A source is provided for emitting a beam of radiation having a wavelength incident at the optical device and having a direction of incidence non parallel to an out of plane normal direction, for providing the evanescent radiation in the detection volume, in response to the radiation incident at the optical device. The plane of incidence may be parallel to the largest in plane aperture dimension.
US08158389B2
Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.
US08158385B2
To identify antigens of the 2D7 antibody, the present inventors cloned the 2D7 antigen. The results suggested that the 2D7 antigen is an HLA class I molecule. Based on this finding, the present inventors examined whether the 2D7 antibody has cell death-inducing activity. Nuclei fragmentation was observed when the 2D7 antibody was cross-linked with another antibody, indicating that cell-death was induced. Further, diabodies of the 2D7 antibody were found to have very strong cell death-inducing activities, even without the addition of another antibody. These results indicate that minibodies of an HLA-recognizing antibody can be used as cell death-inducing agents.
US08158383B2
The present invention provides methods of designing and generating polypeptide variants that have altered properties compared to a parent polypeptide. The present invention further provides a computer program product for carrying out the design of a variant polypeptide. The present invention further provides nucleic acids encoding enzyme variants, as well as vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides variant enzymes; methods of producing the variant enzymes; and methods of producing compounds using the enzymes.
US08158382B2
Invention relates to novel and improved UBP1 protease mutants with a substitution at position (754), a deletion of amino-acids at position (1-54) and at least a portion of the amino-acids found at position (55-98) and their coding sequence as well as their applications and heterogonous protein expression system comprising thereof.
US08158381B2
Methods that combine processing and staining of tissue samples such that the processed tissue is stained and ready for histological evaluation prior to embedding and sectioning, and separate staining of the sectioned tissue is not required. The method may be used with chemical and/or mechanical/thermal tissue penetrant enhancers in an automated tissue processing system.
US08158375B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide the method for determining cholesterol in lipoprotein and reagent for determining cholesterol comprising the polymer, and the present invention relates to the reagent for determining cholesterol in lipoproteins such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and the determination method using the polymer comprising the following units as constituents:(iv) a polyethylene glycol segment represented by the general formula [1]: —(CH2CH2O)k— [1] (wherein, k represents an integer of 10 to 250); (v) a monomer unit represented by the general formula [2]: (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or C1-C3 alkyl group); and (vi) a monomer unit represented by the general formula [3]: [wherein, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or C1-C3 alkyl group, and R3 represents a group represented by the general formula [4]: —COOR4 [4] (wherein, R4 represents an alkyl group, a haloalkyl group or a bornyl group), an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aralkyl group or an alkylcarbamoyl group; particularly, in the direct measurement of cholesterols such as HDL, LDL and VLDL contained in the sample, the reagent for determining cholesterol in the presence of said polymer, and the method for determining the concentration of cholesterol in a specific lipoprotein using said reagent for determining cholesterol, and a novel polymer.
US08158374B1
Materials and Methods related to diagnosing a clinical condition in a subject, or determining the subject's predisposition to develop the clinical condition, using a multi-parameter system to measure a plurality of parameters and an algorithm to determine a disease score.
US08158372B2
The present invention relates to agonists of the hTAS2R14 bitter taste receptor and its role in bitter taste transduction. The invention also relates to assays for screening molecules that modulate, e.g. suppress or block hTAS2R14 bitter taste transduction or bitter taste response.
US08158366B2
Disclosed are methods of identifying peptides and compositions that bind to oocytes of animals in a species-specific manner. The methods utilize phage libraries and oocytes isolated from target species and non-target species.
US08158364B2
The present invention concerns the methods and compositions involving nucleic acids with long repeat sequences. In some embodiments of the invention, there are methods for generating such a nucleic acid, and in other methods, there are methods for using such a nucleic acid to screen for candidate therapeutic compounds. Furthermore the present invention relates to methods of screening for Notch inhibitors and other substances that may be used to treat muscle loss and wasting.
US08158358B2
A method for gender identification of eagles includes: providing a DNA of an eagle; performing a probe-based real-time PCR using the DNA as a template, a universal primer pair P2/P8 as a primer pair and a first probe and a second probe as probes, wherein the 5′ ends of the first probe and the second probe are labeled with a first fluorescent dye and a second fluorescent dye, respectively, and the first probe is a sequence with about 15-38 nucleotides in length of SEQ ID No. 1 and the second probe is a sequence with about 15-44 nucleotides in length of SEQ ID No. 2; and analyzing a result of the PCR, wherein if the result is positive for both the first and the second fluorescent dye, the eagle is a female, and if the result is positive for only the first fluorescent dye, the eagle is a male.
US08158356B2
The invention provides methods, materials and kits for analyzing DNA samples from bovine to determine whether the animal is a recessive carrier of a genetic mutation that is associated with tibial hemimelia. DNA-containing samples are analyzed by genetic testing to determine whether or not a deletion mutation is present in one of the alleles that encodes Aristaless-like4 (ALX4) protein, wherein the deletion mutation is associated with tibial hemimelia.
US08158353B2
The present invention concerns a method for the species-specific and quantitative detection of CNS tissue in meat and meat products of the ruminant species bovine, ovine and caprine or porcine by a real-time PCR method, using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) messenger (m)-RNA. The method is very reliable and can be easily conducted even in heat-treated samples.
US08158352B2
The invention concerns methods of screening for a hepatic syndrome occurring in the young adult and associating cholesterol biliary microlithiasis, intrahepatic cholestasis and several mutations of the MDR3 gene. The invention is also directed to methods for the treatment of said syndrome. The hepatic syndrome screening methods comprise detecting, from a nucleic acid sample extracted from peripheral blood mononucleate cells, heterozygous mutations of the MDR3 gene and/or homozygous mutations of the MDR3 gene that do not eliminate the expression of the protein expressed by the MDR3 gene, which has phosphatidylcholine carrier activity, in adult subjects associating cholesterol biliary microlithiasis and intrahepatic cholestasis.
US08158344B2
The present invention provides, in certain aspects, a method of identifying a subject as having an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, comprising detecting in the subject the presence of a nucleotide variant in the interleukin 7 receptor alpha chain gene, whereby the presence of said variant identifies the subject as having an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
US08158342B2
This invention discloses using SPR technology to simultaneously and qualitatively measure the presence of HIV related antibodies in a serum sample for the diagnosis of HIV infection. It also discloses an efficient formula to make a mixed SAM that can greatly enhance the immobilization ability of the metal surface in SPR based techniques, which is good for the immobilization of HIV related antigens used for the diagnosis of HIV infection.
US08158341B2
A method is provided for identifying viral positive biological fluid donations in the fewest number of test cycles. The method comprises providing biological fluid donations and defining an n-dimensional matrix comprising a multiplicity of elements, each element being identified by a matrix notation comprising an index for each dimension of the array. Samples are taken from each fluid donation and mapped to a matrix element with each sample identified by its corresponding element's notation; n aliquots being taken from each sample and subpools formed from the aliquots with each subpool containing an aliquot from all samples mapped to elements in which one of the dimensional indices is fixed. Subpools are tested for viral indication and the dimensional index of each subpool that returns a positive viral indication is determined. The dimensional indices are combined to identify a subset of matrix elements that contain a viral positive sample.
US08158337B2
Disclosed are an optical display device producing uniform light distribution and a method of fabricating such devices. The optical display device has waveguides arranged in vertical and horizontal directions. The waveguide has a conical shape whose cross-section decreases towards the light-projection side thereof. At least one of the size, height, spacing, and refraction index of the waveguide is designed to be different for each section, depending on an incident angle and/or intensity of light inputted from a light source. Therefore, the intensity of projected light can be made uniform over all sections of the optical device.
US08158335B2
The present invention includes a lithography method comprising forming a first patterned insist layer including at least one opening therein over a substrate. A water-soluble polymer layer is formed over the first patterned resist layer and the substrate, whereby a reaction occurs at the interface of the first patterned resist layer and the water-soluble polymer layer. The non-reacted water-soluble polymer layer is removed. Thereafter, a second patterned resist layer is formed over the substrate, wherein at least one portion of the second patterned resist layer is disposed within the at least one opening of the first patterned resist layer or abuts at least one portion of the first patterned resist layer. The substrate is thereafter etched using the first and second patterned resist layers as a mask.
US08158325B2
Overcoating layer compositions that are applied above a photoresist composition including for immersion lithography processing as well as non-immersion imaging.
US08158318B2
A multicolor image forming apparatus which includes a developer image forming unit to form an image using a developer and a transferring unit to transfer the formed developer image to a recording medium, wherein the developer comprises a plurality of dark developers and one or more light developers, wherein the dark developers and the light developers each include a binder resin having a weight average molecular weight from about 50,000 Mw to about 160,000 Mw, and wherein about 50,000 Mw to about 160,000 Mw of the weight average molecular weight of the binder resin of the dark developer is larger than about 50,000 Mw to about 160,000 Mw of the weight average molecular weight of the binder resin of the light developer.
US08158313B2
An image forming apparatus configured (a) to charge uniformly an image bearing member once, (b) to form a latent image including n levels of electric potential on the image bearing member with a single exposure, (c) to adhere a first toner on a portion of the image bearing member which has the lowest electric potential, (d) to decrease the electric potential of a portion of the image bearing member not developed with the first toner by uniformly exposing light at a first wavelength whose transmission factor is lowest for the first toner, (e) to develop using a second toner a portion of the image bearing member which has the second lowest electric potential, (f) to perform a second uniform exposure at a wavelength whose transmission factor is lowest for both the first toner and the second toner, (g) to develop using a third toner a portion of the image bearing member which has the third lowest electric potential, (h) to perform a third uniform exposure at a wavelength whose transmission factor is lowest for each of the first toner, the second toner, and the third toner, and (i) to develop a portion of the image bearing member which has the fourth lowest electric potential.
US08158308B2
The invention provides a negative curable composition comprising a colorant, a photopolymerization initiator, a radical polymerizable monomer, a binder, and a monofunctional thiol compound, wherein the content of the radical polymerizable monomer with respect to the total solid content of the composition is from about 10 mass % to about 50 mass %, and the content of the binder with respect to the total solid content of the composition is about 20 mass % or less; a color filter formed by using the composition; and a method of producing the color filter. The negative curable composition has excellent developability at high sensitivity and enables formation of a fine rectangular pattern even in a low-binder content formulation.
US08158298B2
The amount of moisture discharged from within a fuel cell is increased by a simple construction. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell for generating electrical power after causing an anode to receive a hydrogen-containing anode gas and causing a cathode to receive an oxygen-containing cathode gas; an exhaust gas valve provided downstream of the fuel cell in a gas circulation system that supplies an anode gas to the fuel cell; a regulator that is provided upstream of the fuel cell in the gas circulation system and raises gas pressure in the gas circulation system; and an ECU that opens the exhaust gas valve, with the gas pressure kept raised to a level higher than in normal times by use of the regulator. As a result of this, it is possible to increase the gas flow rate and flow velocity within the fuel cell, and it becomes possible to increase the discharge amount of moisture stagnating within the fuel cell.
US08158296B2
Systems of checking thermal-induced circulation of a coolant in a fuel cell stack are disclosed. The system includes coolant inlet and outlet lines extending from a fuel cell stack. A pump and a radiator are confluently connected to the coolant inlet and coolant outlet lines. In one embodiment, a valve (either check type or automatic type) is provided in the coolant outlet line at the bottom of the fuel cell stack to prevent the flow of cold coolant from the coolant outlet line into the fuel cell stack upon start-up of the fuel cell stack. In another embodiment, a valve (either one-way flow control type or automatic type) is provided in the coolant inlet line at the top of the fuel cell stack. A method of checking thermal-induced circulation of a coolant in a fuel cell stack is also disclosed.
US08158291B2
A system for delivering a supply fluid stream to a fuel cell stack that discharges an unused fluid stream is provided. A fuel supply is adapted to provide a pressurized supply fluid stream. An expander is in fluid communication with the fuel supply and is configured to receive the pressurized supply fluid stream to reduce the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream and to generate mechanical energy in response to reducing the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream. An electric machine is operably coupled to the expander and for selectively converting the mechanical energy generated by the expander into electrical energy. A compressor/blower is capable of being driven by at least one of the mechanical energy and the electrical energy to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the fuel cell stack for recirculating the unused fluid stream back to the fuel cell stack.
US08158288B2
A model uses various operating characteristics of a fuel cell to predict the relative humidity profile that is occurring within the fuel cell as a function of the reaction progress. The model is used to predict the relative humidity profile that will occur in response to changes to one or more of the operating characteristics of the fuel cell. A high frequency resistance of the fuel cell can also be used as a measure that is indicative of the humidity within the fuel cell. The model and/or the high frequency resistance can be used in a closed-loop feedback system to control the operation of the fuel cell to maintain the humidification of the MEA and fuel cells within a desired range to achieve a desired fuel cell performance.
US08158286B2
An energy station includes a generating unit and a separate remotely located dispensing unit. The generating unit includes a housing having an electrolyzer for generating hydrogen and a storage unit for storing hydrogen from the electrolyzer. The dispensing unit includes a housing for dispensing hydrogen from the generating unit. The generating unit is located at a first location and the dispensing unit is located at a second location away from the first location. For example, the generating unit may be located outside the building and the dispensing unit may be located inside a garage. Also disclosed is a generating unit having a fuel cell for supplying electricity to the building and a heat exchanger for supplying heat to the building.
US08158284B2
A lithium ion secondary battery is capable of improving the energy density and power density and excellent in high rate cycle characteristics applicable to hybrid cars, etc. The lithium ion secondary battery including a positive electrode of a lithium transition metal complex oxide, a negative electrode for absorbing/releasing lithium, and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a lithium salt, in which the negative electrode has a negative electrode active material using a non-graphitizing carbon (spacing d(002) of 0.360 nm or more by XRD) and a graphitizing carbon (spacing d(002) of 0.339 nm or more and less than 0.360 nm by XRD) surface-modified at a thickness in a range from 10 nm to 100 nm in admixture, comprising the non-graphitizing carbon and the graphitizing carbon at a ratio in the range of 90 to 50 wt % :10 to 50 wt % and, further, graphitizing carbon having a grain size larger than that of the non-graphitizing carbon is used.
US08158282B2
A method of producing a lithium-ion battery anode comprising: (a) providing an anode active material; (b) intercalating or absorbing a desired amount of lithium into this anode active material to produce a prelithiated anode active material; (c) comminuting the prelithiated anode active material into fine particles with an average size less than 10 μm (preferably sub-micron and more preferably <200 nm); and (d) combining multiple fine particles of prelithiated anode active material with a conductive additive and/or a binder material to form the anode. The battery featuring such an anode exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.
US08158279B2
A battery unit and a lithium secondary battery employing the same are provided. The battery unit includes a positive electrode plate having a positive current collector and a positive active material layer formed on at least one plane of the positive current collector, a positive electrode lead electrically connected with the positive current collector, a negative electrode plate having a negative current collector and a negative active material layer formed on at least one plane of the negative current collector, a negative electrode lead electrically connected with the negative current collector, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, having a width greater than that of each electrode plate, and having different widths of protruding portions which stick out on either side of the electrode plate. Since the design margins of protruding portions of a separator which stick out on either side of each electrode plate are made different from each other, deformation of the separator due to heat applied during heat fusion can be prevented. Accordingly, electrical contact between electrode plates having different polarities can be prevented, thereby improving the stability of a battery.
US08158273B2
The invention relates to an aluminum alloy brazing sheet including: a thin covering material layer, a core material layer, and an Al—Si alloy brazing material layer as an intermediate material interposed between the thin covering material and the core material. The thin covering material and the core material being of aluminum alloys having a solidus temperature higher than a liquidus temperature of the brazing material so that the molten brazing material seeps onto a surface of the thin covering material when the brazing material is molten in a brazing operation. The Al—Si alloy brazing material contains from 0.01 to 0.09% mg, and the aluminum alloy brazing sheet has a total Mg-content of less than 0.06%.
US08158271B2
A panel is disclosed formed of sheet material, the panel having opposite edges and being profiled to include a plurality of formations spaced along the length of the panel and extending between the edges, each formation including a substantially convex section and a substantially concave section which meet at a peak, and wherein each formation meets an adjoining formation at a trough.
US08158269B2
A composite material for an electrical/electronic part, which is used as a material for use in an electrical/electronic part formed by punching process, containing a metal base material of, for example, a copper-type metal material and a substantially one layer of an insulating film provided on at least a part of the metal base material, in which a metal layer formed of Ni or a Ni—Zn alloy is interposed between said metal base material and said insulating film, such that the peel width of said insulating film at the end of the material obtained after said punching process, is less than 10 μm.
US08158267B2
A method for partially metallizing a product comprising a first surface, a first polymer material, and a second surface, a second polymer material, wherein the method comprises the sequential steps of exposing the first and second surfaces to conditions which render the first surface hydrophilic, and the second surface hydrophobic; contacting the first and second surfaces with water or aqueous solution; contacting the first and second surfaces with a solution of a film former in a water-immiscible solvent; evaporating the solvent to allow formation of a film by the film former on the second surface; adherence of a film by the film former on the first surface is prevented by the presence of the water or aqueous solution thereupon; performing a conventional metallization process to deposit a metal layer on the first and second surface; and removing the metallized film from the second surface to render the first surface metallized.
US08158260B2
A fluoropolymer molding method and the resulting molded article are disclosed where the fluoropolymer is composed of fluoropolymer particles each having a multi-layer structure that consists of at least two types of fluoropolymers having different melting points, with at least one inner layer made of a fluoropolymer with a melting point higher than that of the outermost fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer of the at least one inner layer is molded at a temperature higher than the melting point of the lowest melting point of the fluoropolymers that form the outermost layers of the multi-layer-structure fluoropolymer particles, and lower than the melting point of the fluoropolymer having the highest melting point. The resulting articles have excellent chemical liquid resistance and gas impermeability and low linear expansion coefficient.
US08158254B2
The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the fabrication of complex two-dimensional conductive silicide nanostructures, and methods of fabricating the nanostructures. In an embodiment, a conductive silicide includes a plurality of connected and spaced-apart nanobeams linked together at an about 90-degree angle, the plurality of nanobeams forming a two-dimensional nanostructure having a mesh-like appearance. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a two-dimensional conductive silicide includes performing chemical vapor deposition, wherein one or more gas or liquid precursor materials carried by a carrier gas stream react to form a nanostructure having a mesh-like appearance and including a plurality of connected and spaced-apart nanobeams linked together at an about 90-degree angle.
US08158253B2
Fibers (2, 14) having a plurality of colored regions printed on front and rear sides of said fiber are disclosed, wherein the colors are visible only under ultra-violet light. The regions may be in the form of stripes (4, 6, 8, 10 and 12) or may be arranged is a pseudo-random pattern (16, 18, 20, 22, 24). The regions may be differently colored. Such fibers can be incorporated into paper products as a form of counterfeit protection.
US08158236B2
The present invention is generally directed to tapes designed for use in conjunction with lighter-than-air vehicles, platforms or other inflated structures. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to conductive seam cover tape that can be, for example, used to protect and/or cover one or more seams in a lighter-than-air vehicle, platform or other inflated structure. In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a conductive seam cover tape that can be, for example, used to protect and/or cover fabric panels or sections that are used to form lighter-than-air vehicles, platforms or other inflated structures that are in, one instance, designed for deployment at high altitudes.
US08158230B2
A tamper evident composite film is disclosed. The composite film contains a first film layer made from polyester adjacent to a second film layer made from a polyolefin, such as a low density polyethylene. If desired, the composite film can further include a third film layer positioned on the opposite side of the second film layer. The composite film is produced through a coextrusion process. In one embodiment, the composite film can be biaxially stretched prior to use. The composite film is constructed so that the first film layer will delaminate from the second film layer when the composite film is tampered with or otherwise mishandled.
US08158224B2
A housing (100, 300, 600, 700) for storing and protecting items comprises a photoreactive material (106) that selectively and irreversibly changes colors upon exposure to activating radiation (124, 324); and an ultraviolet attenuation coating (102, 702) disposed over the photoreactive material (106). Radiation (124, 324) is selectively applied to the photoreactive material (106) to irreversibly change the color of the photoreactive material (106) and therefore the housing (100, 300, 600, 700). An optional patterned layer (332) may be disposed between the photoreactive material (106) and the selective application of radiation (124, 324), and a background color (108) may be included, to affect the visual presentation of the housing (100, 300, 600, 700).
US08158209B2
Method and apparatus for coating a surface of a work with a thin resin or plastic film suitable for use in imprinting a pattern by impressing a master pattern on a transfer surface of a mold on the coated resin film. A curable resin liquid is coated on a work by the use of an inkjet feed means having a plural number of inkjet nozzle holes in a row or rows on a nozzle assembly, in association with actuators to propel droplets of resin liquid from the respective inkjet nozzle holes in controlled timings while moving the inkjet feed means and the work relative to each other.
US08158203B2
The present invention is directed toward methods of attaching or grafting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to silicon surfaces. In some embodiments, such attaching or grafting occurs via functional groups on either or both of the CNTs and silicon surface. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention include: (1) reacting a silicon surface with a functionalizing agent (such as oligo(phenylene ethynylene)) to form a functionalized silicon surface; (2) dispersing a quantity of CNTs in a solvent to form dispersed CNTs; and (3) reacting the functionalized silicon surface with the dispersed CNTs. The present invention is also directed to the novel compositions produced by such methods.
US08158196B2
A process for forming room temperature water soluble polymer coatings on porous substrates by a solution of a room temperature water soluble polymer, one or more crosslinkers, a solvent for the room temperature water soluble polymer such as water and optionally one or more porogens, or functional agents, stirring the mixture until all the components are dissolved, adding the solution to a porous structure such as a non-woven fabric or a porous membrane and drying the solution on to the substrate as a coating before subjecting the coating to crosslinking. Alternatively, the coating may be partially crosslinked before drying the solution. Porous structures having a room temperature water soluble polymer coating and being capable of convective flow through the pores of the structure and diffusive flow through the coating can be formed.
US08158185B2
The present invention relates to a sprayable oil composition comprising a blend of an oil, an edible solvent selected from the group consisting of triacetin, tripropionin, tributyrin, and ethyl acetate; and a preferably an emulsifier such as a lecithin. Advantageously, the viscosity of the blend can be controlled without interesterification of the solvent with the oil. Furthermore, such oil compositions can be effective sprayable oils such as for pan release applications while being substantially free of alcohols.
US08158184B2
Medium chain triglyceride oils are interesterified with long chain domestic oils in order to form interesterified structured lipids. These structured lipids find special application in combination with phytosterols to provide compositions and methods for enhancing health and nutrition characteristics. The compositions preferably have a structured lipid content of between about 92 and about 96 weight percent and a phytosterol ester content of between about 4 and about 8 weight percent, based on the total weight of the health and nutrition promoting composition.
US08158177B2
This invention provides edible compositions comprising pharmaceutically or nutraceutically active agents in particulate form homogeneously dispersed in a fat matrix, such as chocolate or chocolate compound coating.
US08158173B2
Frozen confection comprising a core and a coating is provided, wherein the coating comprises 17 to 50% (w/w) of saccharides and polysaccharides; 0.017 to 12.5% (w/w) of sweeteners selected from the group consisting of fructose, sucrose, dextrose, artificial sweeteners and any mixture thereof; and 50 to 83% water; wherein the average molecular weight of the saccharides and polysaccharides is between 476 and 9000.
US08158172B2
The use of at least one sulphur-containing amino acid, at a total concentration of about 5 to 75 mg/ml, in particular of about 5 to about 50 mg/l, in particular of about 5 to about 30 mg/l, in particular of about 5 to about 20 mg/l, in free form, for implementing a method for preparing a fermented food product fermented by ferments containing bifidobacteria, the food product has acceptable sensory properties, contains more than about 5×107, in particular more than about 108 bifidobacteria per gram of food product fermented for a shelf lifetime of at least 30 days, in particular a shelf lifetime of at least 35 days, and containing no more than 0.5% of yeast extract or of yeast autolysate.
US08158163B2
An antimicrobial and antiviral barrier composition for topical application to the proximal anterior nares includes an antiseptic solution in combination with cocos nucifera (coconut oil) and one or more citrus oils such as, for example, citrus sinensis (orange oil). Various embodiments may also include one or more of the following additional ingredients: lauric acid; d-limonene; soy oil; emu oil; grapefruit seed extract; glycine soja; simmondsia chimensis (Jojoba); aloe vera; and a preservative, such as sodium benzoate, BHT, benzalkonium chloride, vitamin E.
US08158159B2
A pharmaceutical formulation for treating tinea of feet and hands is disclosed, which is composed of Fructus Gleditsia, Alumen and Borneol. Also disclosed is a cream preparative method of the pharmaceutical formulation, which comprises Fructus Gleditsia is decocted with water, and the decocted liquid is dried under decompression into powder, which is formulated to a cream together with the powders of Alumen and Borneol as well as the respective excipients.
US08158158B2
A biocidal composition is disclosed comprising composite particles, each of said composite particles containing a shell and a core, said core comprising a metal or a metal-containing compound wherein the metal is a moiety selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper, bismuth, silver, zirconium, and combinations thereof said shell comprising a pyrithione adduct comprising the reaction product of pyrithione with a portion of said core metal or metal compound. In one aspect, an anti-fouling composition is disclosed comprising (a) an anti-soft-fouling effective amount of copper pyrithione; and (b) an anti-hard-fouling effective amount of a copper-containing salt, or oxide or hydroxide thereof. The present invention also relates to a method of making an anti-fouling composition comprising particles of copper pyrithione and a copper-containing salt that is effective against hard-fouling and soft-fouling organisms.
US08158152B2
A lyophilization process which comprises dissolving a material in one or more solvents for said material to form a solution; forcing said material at least partially out of solution by combining the solution and a non-solvent for the material, which non-solvent is miscible with the solvent or solvents used and wherein said non-solvent is volatilizable under freeze-drying conditions. In addition, for hydrophobic and/or lipophilic materials, the anti-solvent can be omitted, and the solution of the material in the solvent can be subjected directly to freeze drying. The lyophilizates can then be reconstituted with typical aqueous diluent in the case of hydrophilic materials. Hydrophobic and or lipophilic materials can be initially reconstituted with propylene glycol and/or polyethyleneglycol to form a high concentration solution therein and this is further diluted for use with a diluent of Intralipid, plasma, serum, or even whole blood.
US08158146B2
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising benazepril and amlodipine wherein the benazepril and the amlodipine are in physical contact with one another, and methods for making the same.
US08158140B2
A polymer composite comprising a thermoplastic polyamide polymer compounded with an organo-disulfide additive and a silver-based antimicrobial agent is disclosed. The organo-disulfide additive inhibits undesirable discoloration of the thermoplastic polyamide polymer including one or more silver-based antimicrobial agent. Processes for preparing the composite are also disclosed, including compounding the organo-disulfide additive in a polymeric carrier with the silver-based antimicrobial agent, then with the thermoplastic polyamide polymer, or compounding the organo-disulfide additive with the thermoplastic polyamide polymer before adding the silver-based antimicrobial agent.
US08158137B2
The present invention relates to nanomaterials comprised of metal oxides associated with cationic metals having antibacterial activity. In particular, the present invention relates to nanocrystalline compounds of formula (I): AOx-(L-Men+) i, (I) where AOx represents the metal oxide or metalloid oxide, with x=1 or 2; Me11“1” is a metal ion having antibacterial activity, with n=1 or 2; L is a bifunctional molecule, either organic or organometallic, capable of binding simultaneously with the metal oxide or metalloid oxide and the metal ion Men+; and i represents the number of L-Men+groups bound to a AOx nanoparticle.
US08158121B2
Disclosed is a method for producing cardiomyocytes in vivo by administering to the heart of an individual a cardiomyocyte producing amount of mesenchymal stem cells. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectible or as a preparation of cells in a matrix which is or becomes solid or semi-solid. The cells can be genetically modified to enhance myocardial differentiation and integration. Also disclosed is a method for replacing cells ex vivo in a heart valve for implantation.
US08158120B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods for repairing and/or regenerating cardiac tissue by administering adult bone marrow-derived stem cells to an individual. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectible or as a preparation of cells in a matrix which is or becomes solid or semi-solid. The cells can be genetically modified to enhance myocardial differentiation and integration. Also disclosed is a method for replacing cells ex vivo in a heart valve for implantation.
US08158106B2
Surface coatings including microparticles immobilized in a matrix of polymeric material on a substrate are described. The microparticles can also include an agent which can be useful for various applications, such as medical applications.This invention relates to the field of surface coatings for use in various applications. More particularly, the invention relates to surface coating useful for drug delivery, imaging and other uses of microparticles immobilized via a polymeric matrix.
US08158104B2
A new family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been synthesized designated UZM-7. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. Mmn+Rrp+Al(1-x)ExSiyOz where M is an alkali, alkaline earth, or rare earth metal such as lithium, potassium and barium, R is an organoammonium cation such as the choline or the diethyldimethylammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and compositions and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes.
US08158086B2
A gas treatment apparatus for treating a gas by bringing the gas into contact with a treatment liquid. The gas treatment apparatus includes a gas-liquid contact chamber for a gas-liquid contact of the gas with the treatment liquid, a storage chamber, located over the gas-liquid contact chamber, for storing the treatment liquid, and a treatment liquid supplying unit for supplying the treatment liquid stored in the storage chamber to an inside of the gas-liquid contact chamber with a gravity-drop.
US08158077B2
The present invention provides a composition for detecting an object substance (X). This detection composition contains a gel (Y). The gel (Y) contains a colorable aqueous solution (A) that can be colored upon contact with the object substance (X), and a crosslinked polymer (B). This composition is preferably used to evaluate packaging materials.
US08158074B2
Described here is a system (8; 9; 50) of walls for catalytic beds of reactors (1) for the heterogeneous synthesis of chemical compounds characterized in that it comprises a wall (14) of predetermined thickness in direct contact with a catalytic bed (7) for containing it, said wall having a plurality of portions (17) permeable to gases and a plurality of portions (19; 54; 55) impermeable to gases, said portions (17) permeable to gases each being equipped with a plurality of slits (18; 52, 53; 60; 70) of a size such as to allow the free passage of the synthesis gases through them but not the passage of the catalyst.
US08158069B1
An apparatus is disclosed for hydroprocessing two hydrocarbon streams at two different pressures. A hydrogen stream is compressed and split. A first split compressed stream is further compressed to feed a first hydroprocessing unit that requires higher pressure for operation. A second split compressed stream is fed to a second hydroprocessing unit that requires lower pressure. Recycle hydrogen from the second hydroprocessing unit is recycled back to the compression section.
US08158061B2
A slide stainer assembly is disclosed. The slide stainer includes a slide carrier that is configured to carry one or more laboratory slides and a plurality of slide processing stations for processing the slides. A transport member including a plurality of engagement portions is configured for releasably engaging the slide carrier. A drive mechanism is coupled to the transport member. The drive mechanism is configured to move the transport member in a cyclical path such that, in the course of one cycle, the transport member engages a slide carrier docked in a first station, removes the slide carrier from the first station, docks the slide carrier in a second station and returns to the first station to engage another slide carrier.
US08158055B2
An agitator for agitating a melt includes a heat-resistive container having a blast opening through which cooling air is blown and an exhaust opening for exhausting air having been subjected to heat exchange, and a rotating magnet assembly composed of a permanent magnet housed in the heat-resistive container in a rotatable manner, magnetic lines of force emitted from the permanent magnet penetrating through the heat-resistive container to exit outside, and then penetrating the heat-resistive container again to return to the permanent magnet.
US08158053B2
A process for making a filter suitable for filtering molten metal comprising (i) forming a slurry comprising (a) particles of a refractory material, (b) a binder and (c) a liquid carrier, (ii) coating a disposable former with a slurry, (iii) drying the coated former, (iv) optionally applying one or more additional coats of a refractory material and/or a binder, optionally with liquid carrier, and drying the one or more additional coats, and (v) firing the coated former to produce the filter, wherein the binder is a carbon rich source selected from one or more of the following classes of materials: pitches, tars and organic polymers that degrade to form carbon on pyrolysis.
US08158052B2
A multilayer plastic container comprises a layer of a polypropylene and an intermediate layer directly adjacent the layer of polypropylene wherein at least one of the polypropylene and intermediate layers comprises an adhesive such as maleic anhydride incorporated therein to adhere the layer of polypropylene to the layer of EVOH.
US08158048B2
A mold for forming a resin pattern using nanoimprint lithography according to the present invention comprises a main mold including a fine pattern of a protrusion and a depression intended to be transferred, and a spacer for forming a space between the protrusion of the fine pattern of the main mold and a transferred object during a transfer of the fine pattern, in which the spacer has a vent passage capable of flowing gas therethrough and has an elasticity against a pressing force during the transfer.
US08158047B2
A multi-ply tissue includes a first cellulosic embossed ply having an emboss pattern applied over a portion of its surface and a second cellulosic embossed ply of tissue. The first ply is contact laminated to the second ply so that the primary adhesion between the plies of tissue is the result of contact between cellulosic fibers. The first and second plies contact one another in contact areas, with the contact areas between the first and second plies defining compliant voids. The contact areas between the first ply and the second ply are elongated and/or rounded contact areas. A method of forming a multi-ply tissue involves conveying a base sheet through a nip between an impression roll and a pattern roll to produce an embossed base sheet having a back side possessing projections, applying adhesive to the back side of the embossed base sheet at spaced apart locations, and applying a flat backing sheet to the back side of the embossed base sheet so that the backing sheet adheres to the back side of the embossed base sheet at said spaced apart locations. A method of producing an embossed tissue involves successively conveying a base sheet through a nip between a first impression roll and a pattern roll, and conveying the base sheet through another nip between the pattern roll and a second impression roll, wherein the second impression roll is made of rubber having a lower hardness than the rubber from which the first impression roll is made.
US08158041B2
Extruded, stretched, sintered tubular PTFE materials are produced which are suited for use in the medical field as liners and covers for expandable stents. The PTFE materials have an unusually low REC (Radial Expansion Coefficient) and RER (Radial Expansion Ratio).
US08158039B2
A method for producing an optical film is disclosed. A cellulose ester, a sugar ester prepared by esterification of a sugar compound formed by 1 to 12 of structures selected by a furanose structure and a pyranose structure and an acryl type polymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 5,000 to 30,000 are subjected to melt-casting.
US08158038B2
A halogenated aryl ether oligomer is formed by halogenation of an aryl ether oligomer and is useful as a flame retardant for flammable macromolecular materials. Typically, the halogenated aryl ether oligomer comprises the following repeating monomeric units: wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl, especially C1 to C4 alkyl, Hal is halogen, m is at least 1, n is 0 to 3 and x is at least 2.
US08158037B2
The present invention provides ophthalmic devices comprising at least one photochromic material which is an indeno-fused naphthopyran having a pi-conjugation extending group bonded to the 11-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran, the pi-conjugation extending group having at least one pendent halo-substituted group bonded thereto. The pi-conjugation extending group extends the pi-conjugation system of said indeno-fused naphthopyran. The 13-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran is substantially free of spiro-substituents. The invention further provides photochromic materials of specified structure, photochromic compositions, photochromic articles and optical elements that include the photochromic materials. Other non-limiting embodiments relate to methods of making the ophthalmic devices comprising photochromic materials.
US08158035B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a light diffusing member which has excellent optical transparency and light resistance and has excellent light diffusibility despite of a small amount of filler to be added, and a method for producing the same. The light diffusing member of the present invention is a light diffusing member including a base material and ceramic particles contained in the base material, wherein the ceramic particles have a composition in which the total amount of MgO and Al2O3 is 80% by weight or more and the weight ratio [MgO/Al2O3] of MgO and Al2O3 is 0.05 to 5.
US08158033B2
This invention relates to compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. In particular, this invention relates to molecular precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers including CAIGAS.
US08158032B2
A conductive ink composition comprising organic-stabilized silver nanoparticles and a solvent, and a polyvinyl alcohol derivative resin of Formula (1) wherein R1 is a chemical bond or a divalent hydrocarbon linkage having from about 1 to about 20 carbons; R2 and R3 are independently an alkyl, an aromatic or substituted aromatic group having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; x, y and z represent the proportion of the corresponding repeat units respectively expressed as a weight percent, wherein each repeat unit is randomly distributed along polymer chain, and the sum of x, y and z is about 100 weight percent, and wherein the polyvinyl alcohol derivative resin is present in an amount of from 0.1 to about 5 weight percent of the ink composition.
US08158026B2
There is provided a method for preparing a β-SiAlON phosphor capable of be controlled to show characteristics such as high brightness and desired particle size distribution. The method for preparing a β-SiAlON phosphor represented by Formula: Si(6−x)AlxOyN(6−y):Lnz (wherein, Ln is a rare earth element, and the following requirements are satisfied: 0
US08158015B2
The present disclosure provides a mask and a method of determining etching times for etching the mask. In one embodiment, values for a main etching time and an over-etching time are determined simultaneously based on a desired critical dimension (CD) parameter and a desired phase parameter for the mask.
US08158011B2
A conical structure of cubic Boron Nitride (cBN) is formed on a diamond layered substrate. A method of forming the cBN structure includes steps of (a) forming diamond nuclei on a substrate, (b) growing a layer of diamond film on the substrate, (c) depositing a cBN film on said diamond layer, (d) pre-depositing nanoscale etching masks on the cBN film, and (e) etching the deposited cBN film. In particular, though not exclusively, the cubic Boron Nitride structure has great potential applications in probe analytical and testing techniques including scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and nanoindentation, nanomechanics and nanomachining in progressing microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and nanoelectyromechanical system (NEMS) devices, field electron emission, vacuum microelectronic devices, sensors and different electrode systems including those used in electrochemistry.
US08158007B2
A method for magnetically assisted extraction of a target substance from an aqueous solution containing a plurality components includes mixing a surfactant and functional magnetic particles having affinity for the target substance into the aqueous solution containing the target substance so as to bind the target substance to the functional magnetic particles and form a particle-containing single-phase aqueous surfactant solution. The particle-containing single-phase aqueous surfactant solution is transitioned to a two-phase state, a first particle- and surfactant-containing disperse phase being formed within a surrounding second phase. The first particle- and surfactant-containing disperse phase and the surrounding second phase are separated using a magnetic field. The first particle- and surfactant-containing disperse phase are separated.
US08158002B1
The present invention provides variable pore size filters. The variable pore size filters of the present invention comprise a fabric matrix, having a set pore size, wherein the fabric matrix is coated with a gel that expands and shrinks in response to a trigger. When the gel is expanded, the pore size of the filter is small and filtering is accomplished. When the gel is shrunken, the pore size of the filter is large and cleaning of the filter by a backwash or forward flush of fluid is accomplished.
US08157997B2
A canister filter system includes a base, a canister attachable to the base, and positioned inside the canister a filter element having filter media. A drain engages and forms a seal with the filter element in a closed position. In an open position, the drain allows fluid to be removed from the canister. Because the drain is engaged to and forms a seal with the filter element in the closed position, the drain cannot be closed unless a filter element is present inside the canister. This prevents accidental or intentional use of the filter system without a filter element in place.
US08157996B2
The invention concerns a water treatment device comprising a reactor (1) and means for injecting (2) at least one reagent into said reactor, characterized in that it comprises means for supporting said injection means mobile relative to said reactor (1) between an active position whereby the injecting means (2) are arranged inside said reactor and a retracted position whereby the injecting means (2) are brought outside said reactor.
US08157993B1
In a wastewater treatment plant using methane gas, a by-product of anaerobic sludge digestion, to generate energy in a combustor to run the plant, a system for collecting the gas stream from the plant biological process and feeding the gas stream, containing nitrous oxide emissions, into the combustor. The nitrous oxide is thermally reduced down to nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2).
US08157990B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a sprayer for distributing at least one fluid in a vessel. The sprayer can include a first member having a first surface and a second surface forming at least one aperture there-through. Generally, the at least one aperture is skewed with respect to a substantially vertical axis passing through a center of the first member for distributing the at least one fluid in the vessel.
US08157982B2
Hexavalent chrome is extracted from a film on a workpiece which film contains hexavalent chrome and reduced by contacting the contacting workpiece with a liquid or fine particle reducing agent.
US08157970B2
A method and apparatus for sputter deposition. The method including: providing a sputter target having a back surface and an exposed front surface; providing a source of magnetic field lines, the magnetic field lines extending through the sputter target from the back surface to the exposed front surface of the sputter target; providing one or more pole extenders between magnetic poles of the source of the magnetic field lines and the exposed front surface of the sputter target.
US08157964B2
The invention proposes an installation (10) in which the impregnation and fractionation of the raw material (MP) are conducted at atmospheric pressure, characterized in that it comprises means (18, 20) for transferring the raw material (MP) successively to a first treatment station (PT1) and a second treatment station (PT2), each comprising means (G1, G2) for temporarily combining, at the first station (PT1), the raw material (MP) with a quantity of a first mixture of organic acids and, at the second station (PT2), for temporarily combining the raw material (MP) with a quantity of a second mixture; and means, after impregnation, for at least partially recovering the quantity of second mixture after impregnation and for recycling at least a portion of the second recovered mixture to form at least partially said first impregnation mixture used at the first station (PT1).
US08157957B2
A process for producing a veil comprising glass fibers and cellulose fibers which includes dispersing cellulose fibers and chopped glass fibers into a white water, forming a bed in a forming device by passage of the dispersion over a forming fabric through which the white water is drained off, the fibers being retained on the fabric and the dispersion including, during passage, a cationic white water, and performing a heat treatment step an oven device.
US08157956B2
A bearing cylinder for a screen assembly of a pressurized pulp diffuser, the bearing cylinder including: a plurality of segments of the bearing cylinder wherein the segments are arranged side-by-side to form the bearing cylinder; and each of said segments includes a first region formed of a hard material resistant to damage from sand and rocks, and a second region formed of a soft material that thermally expands and conforms to bearing surfaces opposite to the bearing cylinder.
US08157954B2
There are provided a method of recovering a base paper for gypsum board for continuously and efficiently recovering a base paper for gypsum board from a waste material of gypsum board including a gypsum core and the base paper for gypsum board adhering thereto. The method of recovering a base paper for gypsum board includes steps of breaking the waste material of gypsum board, separating a gypsum component and a paper piece of the base paper for gypsum board from the broken waste material of gypsum board, and washing the separated paper piece with water using a rotary drum-type washing device so as to eliminate a gypsum component adhering to the paper piece.
US08157952B2
A plasma processing chamber that enables an amount of attached polymer to be controlled easily with a simple construction. A vessel 11 houses a semiconductor wafer W. A susceptor 12 is disposed in the vessel 11 and is connected to a lower electrode radio frequency power source 20. In a plasma processing chamber 10, RIE and ashing can be carried out on the semiconductor wafer W using plasma produced from processing gases introduced into the vessel 11. A side wall member 45 is disposed in the vessel 11 and exposed to the plasma. A potential of the side wall member 45 is set to either a floating potential or a ground potential in accordance with which of RIE and ashing is carried out.
US08157937B2
A fiber reinforced core panel having a first side and an opposing second side. The core panel contains a series of adjacent low density strips having at least three faces and having a length to width aspect ratio of at least 5:1. The longitudinal axis of the low density strips are substantially parallel and the cross-section of each strip has a major face, a first edge face, and a second edge face. The major face of each strip is disposed within the first or second side of the core panel and the major face of each strip is disposed within an opposite face of the core panel than the major face of the adjacent strips. The core panel also contains a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet which is threaded through the low density strips such that the fibrous reinforcement sheet is disposed between adjacent strips and adjacent to the major faces of the low density strips. The reinforcement sheet forms at least about sixty five percent (65%) of the surface area of the first side of the core panel and at least about sixty five percent (65%) of the surface area of the second side of the core panel.
US08157932B2
An aluminum casting alloy, comprises, in weight percent, about 4-9% Zn; about 1-4% Mg; about 1-2.5% Cu; less than about 0.1% Si; less than about 0.12% Fe; less than about 0.5% Mn; about 0.01-0.05% B; less than about 0.15% Ti; about 0.05-0.2% Zr; about 0.1-0.5% Sc; no more than about 0.05% each miscellaneous element or impurity; no more than about 0.15% total miscellaneous elements or impurities.
US08157922B2
An apparatus for processing an inside of a pipe which performs various works from an inside of a pipe, includes traveling drive units, a working device, rotation support mechanisms, a coupling mechanism, and suspension devices. The traveling drive units are inserted into the inside of the pipe, and the working device is moved in a circumferential direction along the inside of the pipe by the traveling drive units.
US08157921B2
An apparatus for cleaning heat exchanging surfaces includes at least one supply line for a cleaning fluid. The supply line has an end and an extent axis. The supply line is bendable in a first direction transverse to the extent axis and resistant to bending in at least one second direction transverse to the extent axis. At least one fluid distribution device is disposed at the end of the supply line. The supply line may be telescopic. An assembly having a heating installation and an apparatus for cleaning heat exchanging surfaces of the heating installation, and a method for carrying out a relative movement between at least one supply line and a heating installation, are also provided.
US08157918B2
Cigarettes are provided which contain a filtering system and flavorants encapsulated with polyvinyl acetate, wherein deactivation of a sorbent by the flavorant is reduced through the encapsulation of the flavorant within the polyvinyl acetate. A preferred flavorant is menthol. The encapsulated flavorants are prepared by mixing at least one flavorant with polyvinyl acetate and a solvent, such as ethanol, and forming the encapsulated flavorants. Methods of making cigarettes and smoking the articles are also provided.
US08157916B2
An apparatus for forming a thin film includes: a chamber; a susceptor in the chamber; a gas injector over the susceptor, the gas injector having a plurality of injection holes; a shaft connected to the gas injector, the shaft having a flow path connected to the plurality of injection holes; and an evaporation source evaporating source materials and supplying evaporated source materials to the gas injector.
US08157914B1
A compositionally graded material having low defect densities and improved electronic properties is disclosed and described. A compositionally graded inorganic crystalline material can be formed by preparing a crystalline substrate by forming crystallographically oriented pits across an exposed surface of the substrate. A transition region can be deposited on the substrate under substantially epitaxial growth conditions. Single crystal substrates of a wide variety of materials such as diamond, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, etc. can be formed having relatively low defect rates.
US08157913B2
Various single crystals are disclosed including sapphire. The single crystals have desirable geometric properties, including a width not less than about 15 cm and the thickness is not less than about 0.5 cm. The single crystal may also have other features, such as a maximum thickness variation, and as-formed crystals may have a generally symmetrical neck portion, particularly related to the transition from the neck to the main body of the crystal. Methods and for forming such crystals and an apparatus for carrying out the methods are disclosed as well.
US08157910B2
IR reflective cementitious systems comprising one or more IR reflective pigments are provided. The cementitious systems of the invention may be in the form of mixtures which increase the total solar reflectivity (TSR or albedo) and the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of concrete are provided. The cementitious systems are infrared reflective and may be toppings mixed with water for application to existing concrete surfaces, or dry-shake hardeners for application to freshly-placed plastic concrete. The formulations of the invention utilize one or more of cementitious binder(s), graded aggregates, super-plasticizers, one or more pigments selected for improving infrared reflectivity and color composition, and/or optionally other additives, such as dry redispersible polymers or fillers to provide decorative and LEED compliant, highly durable (sustainable) concrete hardscapes and other decorative concrete.
US08157905B2
Composition including an oleophilic base ink composition having dispersed therein particles of an infrared-absorbing material wherein the infrared-absorbing material is selected from reduced indium tin oxide, titanium nitride, zirconium nitride, molybdenum metal, copper chromate, lanthanum hexaboride, neodymium oxide, neodymium chloride, dysprosium oxide and praseodymium oxide.
US08157904B2
An active carbon filter unit for a tank system consists of a housing (13) in which two chambers (31, 32) are formed, carrying an active carbon filling, which form a section of a flow path which at its one end leads via a valve (6) and an air filter (7) into the ambient atmosphere and at its other end leads via a valve (9) and a non-return valve (10) to a connection for producing an underpressure or into the suction region of an internal combustion engine and via a connection (17) into the tank system. The valves (6, 9), the non-return valve (10) and a housing part (27) receiving the electrical connections thereof are part of a uniform control module (15), which is exchangeably inserted into a recess (14) of the housing (13). The control module (15) is equipped with almost all functional elements of a technical nature relating to measurement, control and energy supply which are necessary for an aeration and air removal operation, a flushing operation directed to a regeneration of the active carbon, and a tightness check of the tank system.
US08157900B2
Hydrogen-processing assemblies, components of hydrogen-processing assemblies, and fuel-processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen-processing assemblies. The hydrogen-processing assemblies include a hydrogen-separation assembly positioned within the internal volume of an enclosure in a spaced relation to at least a portion of the internal perimeter of the body of the enclosure.
US08157898B2
A condenser having improved condensation performance is provided. The condenser includes a plurality of cooling pipes, being disposed in a chassis to which the steam is introduced, through the interior of which cooling water used for heat exchange with steam flows; an inner channel that extends in a top-bottom direction and that is surrounded by the plurality of cooling pipes; a plurality of pipe-supporting plates disposed at a distance from one another in a direction in which the plurality of cooling pipes extend to support the plurality of cooling pipes; and a water receiving portion disposed between the plurality of pipe-supporting plates and being inclined downward from one pipe-supporting plate to the other pipe-supporting plate.
US08157890B2
An improved filter assembly (1) is disclosed, particularly for electric cabinets, comprising a filter cloth (5), a conveying sump (7) and a fan (9), equipped with at least one thermal-resistive sensor (11) placed next to at least one hole (13) obtained in the conveying sump (7).
US08157885B2
Metallic titanium is continuously produced in an electric-arc furnace under a vacuum by the metallothermic reduction of titanium tetrachloride by a reducing agent such as magnesium. The nanoparticles of titanium obtained from the reduction are simultaneously melted in a bath of molten titanium formed by the heat of an electric arc between a consumable titanium electrode and the molten titanium. A voltage applied across the electrode and the molten titanium is adjusted so that molten titanium is maintained in a cooled crystallizer during the entire process. The molten titanium solidifies on the top of a dummy bar that is drawn down as additional titanium is produced. Upon completion of each iterative reduction reaction, the vaporized reducing agent chloride is pumped out of the electric-arc furnace into a condenser using a vacuum pump. Then, additional reducing agent and titanium tetrachloride are added into the furnace, and the process is repeated.
US08157882B2
An air filter for filtering air in a refrigerating apparatus is provided, including a housing having a hollow body with at least a front wall, a pair of side walls, and a top and bottom wall. At least one wall includes at least one aperture for the passage of air. The air filter further includes at least one cantilever attaching means for removably securing the housing to the refrigerating apparatus, and a filter element for removable placement within the housing. Air enters the at least one aperture, makes contact with the filter element, and leaves the air filter.
US08157881B1
Collapsible extended surface filter and air cleaner system using collapsible extended surface filter
An air cleaner comprises an enclosing structure having support members spaced a distance from top and bottom walls. A collapsible extended surface pleated media filter has end members and a pleated mechanical media filter. The end members have an outer surface and a thickness that is based on the distance that the support surfaces are spaced from the top and bottom walls to provide an effective seal against air flowing around the collapsible filter. The end members can have a seal structure provided on the outer surface that interacts with the top or bottom wall. The collapsible filter optionally includes flexible support member(s) on or in the pleated mechanical media filter that assist in keeping the pleats open. The pleated mechanical media filter can extend beyond the end member(s) and interact with portions of the frame to provide an effective seal against air flowing around the collapsible filter.
US08157880B2
The invention relates to a filter device (10), especially an air filter for an internal combustion engine, in which a main filter element (22) is arranged in a filter housing (12). The main filter element is flown through by a fluid to be filtered. The main filter element (22) is embodied as a multi-bellows filter having at least two radially nested filter bellows (32, 34). Between the filter bellows (32, 34) a flow space (44) for the fluid is formed communicating with an end face of the main filter element (22), wherein each one of the filter bellows (32, 34) is embodied as a star-shaped filter with filter folds arranged in a star shape. On at least one end face of the main filter element (22) there is a seal (36) between one of the filter bellows (32, 34) and the filter housing (12). The main filter element (22) is forced seal-tightly against the filter housing (12) by a lateral insert (38) insertable into a housing receptacle (66) of the filter housing (12), or the main filter element (22) is seal-tightly forced by means of a locking device (74) against the filter housing (12), or the main filter element (22) is sealed by means of a two-component synthetic seal (36, 96, 98) relative to the filter housing (12,104).
US08157875B2
Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, and methods of making the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including as gasification and combustion fuels.
US08157872B2
A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for coloring a substantially wicking substrate comprising applying to a substantially wicking substrate an ink comprising a first dye and a second dye to define a region of reference; applying a first solvent to the substantially wicking substrate to move the first dye and the second dye within the body of the substantially wicking substrate; moving the two dyes in a defined direction to carry the two dyes outside of the defined region to color an area of the wicking substrate; coloring at least a portion of the substantially wicking substrate by allowing the first solvent to move through a portion of the first dye for a first distance from the defined point of origin of the ink and the second dye a second distance from the defined point of origin of the ink wherein the first distance is sufficiently different from the second distance to recognize a separation between the first dye and the second dye thereby coloring the substantially wicking substrate outside of the defined region on the front surface; shaping a portion of the colored wicking substrate into a form; assembling one or more such colored forms with a support into an assemblage; and affixing the form onto a support for display.
US08157867B2
A trochlear groove implant includes a body having a first side with an articular surface and an opposing second side with a bone apposition surface, the articular surface and the bone apposition surface each extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end of the body. An elongated channel is recessed on the articular surface and longitudinally extends between the opposing ends of the body. An elongated ridge outwardly projects from the bone apposition surface and longitudinally extends between the opposing ends of the body.
US08157865B2
An apparatus and method for stabilizing first and second adjacent bone portions. The apparatus has a spacer configured to be placed between the first and second bone portions and at least one stabilizer configured to be joined: a) to each of the first bone portion and the spacer; and b) to at least one of the first bone portion and spacer by being translated relative to the at least one of the first bone portion and spacer.
US08157861B2
A replica eye includes an eyeball with a light-transmitting area for transmitting light, a resilient film, a driving member, and a transmission mechanism. The resilient film includes a pupil portion and an iris portion surrounding the pupil portion. The pupil portion is in a first color. The iris portion is in a second color other than the first color. The driving member has a shaft. The driving member provides rotating forces to the shaft. The transmission mechanism comprises a rotor fastened on the shaft of the driving member, and a plurality of flexible members in radial arrangement. A first end of each flexible member away from the rotor is fastened on an outer edge of the resilient film. When the driving member rotates the transmission mechanism, centrifugal forces are imparted on the plurality of flexible members, the plurality of flexible members stretches the pupil portion and the iris portion.
US08157857B2
Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include first and second longitudinal connecting members joining a first hoop member to a second hoop member such that the first and second longitudinal connecting members extend across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members.
US08157850B2
An endoluminal graft is wrapped axially upon itself to form a low profile, which facilitates endoluminal delivery. Apparatus and systems for making and using such grafts are also disclosed.
US08157848B2
A system provides early prediction of heart tissue malfunction and electrophysiological pathology by determining anatomical tissue impedance characteristics for use in medical patient monitoring and treatment decision making. At least one repository of data indicates multiple predetermined expected impedance value ranges for corresponding multiple impedance measurements taken at multiple particular different sites of at least one anatomical organ. An impedance measurement processor automatically determines whether multiple measured impedance values taken at multiple particular different sites of an anatomical organ using an invasive catheter are within corresponding multiple predetermined expected impedance value ranges derived from the at least one repository. An output processor automatically communicates data comprising at least one message to a destination. The at least one message includes data indicating whether the multiple measured impedance values taken at the multiple particular different sites of the anatomical organ are within the corresponding multiple predetermined expected impedance value ranges.
US08157847B2
The present invention expands a spinal canal by drilling a cylindrical passage in each pedicle of a vertebra, making a circumferential pedicle cut (osteotomy) through each pedicle from within the passage, separating each pedicle cut by inserting an implant into the passage which distracts the pedicle cut to expand the spinal canal, and securing each pedicle cut, allowing the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded. The implant includes an outer sleeve, an inner bolt, and expandable flanges. The outer sleeve includes an upper portion and a lower portion, with the expandable flanges connected to the lower portion and housed within the upper portion. Rotation of the inner bolt causes the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve to separate, causing the pedicle cut to widen and the expandable flanges to radially extend into and stabilize the widened pedicle cut to effectuate expansion of the spinal canal.
US08157842B2
Vertebral implants sized to be inserted into a patient and positioned in an interspinous space. The implants may include a body and a pair of wings that extend outward beyond a first side of the body. The implants are sized and configured for the body to be positioned in the interspinous space with the wings on opposing lateral sides of one of the spinous processes. The wings may be adjusted to various spaced-apart distances to be positioned on the opposing sides of the spinous process. The implants may further be selectively adjustable between a collapsed orientation and a deployed orientation. The collapsed orientation includes one or both wings aligned with the main body to reduce an overall size of the implant to facilitate insertion into a patient. The extended orientation includes the wings extending outward from the first side of the body and along the lateral sides of the spinous process.
US08157834B2
Rotational couplers for use with surgical devices that are actuated by semi-flexible actuators such as wires and the like. The couplers enable the actuators to apply various actuation motions to actuation features on the surgical device as well as other actuators to apply axial and rotational motions to the surgical device to manipulate the device into various orientations relative to an elongate shaft to which the device is movably attached.
US08157829B2
Devices and methods for performing a transeptal puncture procedure are described. In certain embodiments, the device includes a blunt outer needle, and a second inner needle disposed longitudinally through the lumen of the outer needle, wherein the inner needle is flexible, e.g., has a flexible portion and/or a bend or other non-traumatic conformation at its tip.
US08157824B2
This invention includes a clip having arms which grip living tissue, a press tube serving as a clamping member which is fitted and mounted on the clip to close the arms of the clip, a coupling member which can be inserted into the press tube and engages with the clip, and projections serving as lock portions which hold the arms of the clip in a closed state when the clip engages with the press tube.
US08157821B2
A surgical implant suitable for treatment of a prolapse is provided. The implant comprises a knitted mesh having a density of less than 20 g/m2. The implant is between about 1-10 cm wide and is configured to be implanted in a region of the prolapse. The prolapse can be an urethrocoele prolapse, cystocoele prolapse, vault prolapse, uterine prolapse, enterocoele prolapse, and rectocoele prolapse. The knitted mesh comprises biocompatible monofilaments formed from polypropylene and having a diameter of between about 0.02 mm to 0.15 mm. Openings are formed between the monofilaments. The knitted mesh is configured to be secured in place to treat the prolapse.
US08157820B1
A system and method of attaching a braided sleeve to a junction box so that the braided sleeve completely protects any cable or wire leading from the junction box. To attach the braided sleeve to the junction box, one end of the braided sleeve is engaged with a clamp. A faceplate is provided for the junction box. The clamp is interposed between the faceplate and the junction box, wherein the braided sleeve extends through an opening in the faceplate. The faceplate is mounted to the junction box or to a receptacle within the junction box. The clamp device is too large to pass through the opening in the faceplate. Consequently, the clamp and the end of the braided sleeve become trapped between the faceplate and the junction box. Any wire or cable that leads to the junction box passes through the center of the braided sleeve.
US08157819B2
A flexible piece of barrier material for use in preventing or minimizing adhesions and fibrous attachments following anterior lumbar surgery. In one embodiment, the barrier structure comprises a multiple level device shaped as a generally wider tongue to function as a barrier at or above the L4-5 level, and a generally narrower lower section to function as a barrier at or below the L5-S1 level. The structure also can include a recessed waist section along an edge opposite the tongue to allow for easier placement in the L4-5 area. In another embodiment, a single level barrier for use at or above L4-5 is shaped as a tongue with a tapered outer extension to allow the barrier to extend laterally onto the psoas muscle to provide for identification of the barrier upon reoperation.
US08157817B2
A minimally invasive surgical instrument having an elongate stem extending between a proximal end which in use is located externally of an operating space and a distal end which in use is located within an operating space. At least a portion of the stem is malleable to facilitate manipulation of the stem in the operating space and then to maintain the stem in the manipulated position and/or orientation within the operating space. The instrument has an end effector at the distal end of the stem, the end effector having a proximal main body and distal operating means, such as graspers or cutters. The instrument has at least one joint for independent movement of the end effector main body in at least one direction relative to the distal end of the stem for enhanced degrees of freedom of the instrument.
US08157795B2
A ionizable gas system is provided and includes a surgical accessory and a corona start patient connector. The surgical accessory is adapted to receive electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical energy source and is adapted to receive ionizable gas (e.g., argon gas) from a portable ionizable gas source. The corona start patient connector is operatively connected to the electrosurgical energy source and the surgical accessory. The corona start patient connector includes an electrical interface that is configured to verify if the ionizable gas system is functioning properly prior to use on a patient.
US08157757B2
A special bed and apparatus, having a fixed section and a movable section, supports a person lying face up, and allows self to restrain two regions of self's body, one on the fixed section and another on the movable section, and further allows the person to self induce traction force between the restrained regions.
US08157736B2
A system and method for feature detection in ultrasound images is disclosed. The method estimates speckle distributions in windows on opposing sides of a pixel of an ultrasound image. The divergence is calculated for the pixel between the estimated speckle distributions in the windows. These steps are performed for each pixel in the ultrasound image, and a feature map is generated based on the divergence calculated between the estimated speckle distributions for each pixel.
US08157734B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a transmission and reception unit, a blood flow image generating unit, a Doppler spectrum image generating unit and a scanning sequence setting unit. The transmission and reception unit transmits first and second ultrasonic waves to an object and receive first and second echo signals from the object. The blood flow image generating unit generates a blood flow image from the first echo signals. The Doppler spectrum image generating unit generates a Doppler spectrum image from the second echo signals. The scanning sequence setting unit sets up a scanning sequence with mutual transmission and reception of the first and the second ultrasonic waves. The scanning sequence setting unit alters the scanning sequence into one having a modulated number of ensembles so as to make a frame rate of the blood flow image beyond a predetermined preset value.
US08157731B2
Various methods and apparatuses for measuring a state parameter of an individual using signals based on one or more sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first set of signals is used in a first function to determine how a second set of signals is used in one or more second functions to predict the state parameter. In another embodiment, first and second functions are used where the state parameter or an indicator of the state parameter may be obtained from a relationship between the first function and the second function. The state parameter may, for example, include calories consumed or calories burned by the individual. Various methods for making such apparatuses are also disclosed.
US08157725B1
A surgical method for removing a port element disposed in an incision or perforation in a wall of a hollow internal organ in a trans-organ surgical procedure. A distal end portion of a tubular member is inserted into the internal organ through a natural body opening. A capture member is ejected from the distal end portion of the tubular member and receives the port element.
US08157722B2
Described are surgical implants, tools, systems, and related methods, useful for implantation of surgical implants, such as those used to treat pelvic conditions including incontinence.
US08157721B2
An artificial heart pump system is provided independently with a controlling processor for controlling an operation status of a blood pump so as to perform in a preset condition and with an observing processor for controlling a display unit displaying an operation status and an operation condition of the blood pump. In addition, a memory device is mounted in an outside-the-body type battery pack included in the artificial heart pump system; data such as pump data, event log or the like is stored therein; and data are collected and managed automatically by a battery charger when charging the battery charger for a daily performance. Further, an interface unit of an artificial heart pump is proposed where a user can confirm displayed contents of the controller without exposing the controller externally.
US08157719B1
In one embodiment, there is disclosed a device adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery including a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be fed through a blood vessel, a pump associated with the distal end of the catheter, and a tool associated with the distal end of the catheter. The tool is adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery. Examples of the tools include a tool for excising natural tissue, a tool for excising a natural valve, and anthretomy device, a prosthetic valve delivery system, a balloon catheter, a knife, a stapler, and a screwdriver. The pump is used for maintaining blood flow around the site of the heart surgery while the surgery is taking place without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.
US08157715B2
A fluid supply assembly for a shaft mounted device, such as an oscillating roller, is disclosed having a fluid powered apparatus comprising a shaft comprising a first fluid passageway extending through a portion of the shaft and exiting at an exit point on the shaft wall; a connector arranged on the device having a bore for receiving the shaft comprising a first seal spaced apart from a second seal within the bore along an axis parallel to the shaft, the first seal, second seal, the bore and the shaft wall defining a fluid annular chamber, and a second fluid passageway leading from the fluid annular chamber to the fluid powered apparatus wherein, in use, the exit point on the shaft wall remains between the first and second seals. The fluid supply assembly allows quick release application of fluid powered rotating devices.
US08157713B1
An attachable exercise apparatus comprising a rotating handle assembly, a base, and a suction cup for mounting the apparatus to a flat surface, is herein disclosed. The handle assembly comprises an ergonomic cylindrical shape which spans an “L”-shaped frame. The suction cup comprises a large circular suction cup permanently attached to a bottom surface of the base and provides a lever mechanism to create an internal vacuum which allows the apparatus to be securely removably attached to a flat surface such as a pool wall, a gymnasium wall, a floor surface, and the like. The handle and frame are constructed of a hard, durable material, and the handle comprises a textured or coated slip resistant surface. The flat circular base allows the handle to rotate or be locked in position, while the base and suction cup remain stationary.
US08157707B2
Method enabling an athlete (3) performing a muscular training exercise to determine a setpoint for the rate of displacement of the displaced mass (2), comprising the following steps: 1) determining at least one initial setpoint rate at which said mass has to be displaced; 2) during the athlete's training exercise, measuring a series of acceleration values (a(n)) using a portable accelerometer (30) according to the displacements of said mass; and 3) depending on said series of acceleration values, having said portable accelerometer calculate at least one modified setpoint rate.
US08157685B2
An endless elastomeric belt includes a carcass that includes an elastomeric matrix extending in an endless loop around a circumference of the belt. The matrix has opposite lateral edges defining a width of the matrix, and a carcass cord within the matrix extending in multiple turns around the circumference of the belt. An elongate binder extends around the lateral edges of the matrix generally transverse to the centerline of the body.
US08157683B2
The invention concerns a chain for a chain transmission with chain links coupled by a parallel chain pins, each chain link having at least one link plate, the chain pins forming pivot axes for the link plates at a pitch distance whereby a chain link axis perpendicularly intersects the two pivot axes, said link plates having towards at least one end side of the link plate a cam surface for supporting the link plate on a cylindrical support surfaces of a sprocket wheel with a pitch angle. In accordance with the invention the cam surface ends in a convex curved plane with near the end side an increasing slope angle with the link axis whereby the slope angle increases to at least half of the pitch angle or to at least seven degrees.
US08157680B2
A novel molded archery arrow (100) includes a cylindrical steel shaft (101) with sharpened tip, a plastic ferrule (102) molded over the shaft (101), and cutting blades (103) serving as fletchings. The shaft (101) has a front end with a sharpened tip and a rear end with a stem, the stem having a smaller diameter than the front end of the shaft. The front end of shaft (101) includes indented rings (116) and the stem includes protruding rings (117) that affix shaft (101) to plastic ferrule (102) during the molding process. Since the ferrule (102) of arrow (100) is plastic, arrow (100) slides with little or no friction when launched from metal barrel (206) of a crossbow (200). In the molding process for arrow (100), an open space (115) is created by a tapered pin inserted into an arrow mold opposite the rear end of the stem of shaft (101). The tapered pin engages an indented portion of the stem and holds the shaft (101) in position in the mold while plastic material in liquid form (liquefied at high temperature) is pumped into the mold to form arrow (100). The mold also includes slots for positioning blades (103) so that holes (106) in blades (103) are inside the mold. Hot plastic is pumped into the mold through the tapered pin, coats the front end and stem of shaft (101) to create the ferrule (102) and extends through holes (106) in blades (103) to hold them in place.
US08157675B2
A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the single layer core further comprising an inner core region disposed about the geometric center, an outer core region adjacent the outer surface, and an intermediate core region disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extending radially from about 8 mm to about 18 mm from the geometric center. The single layer core has first, second and third hardnesses disposed within the inner core region, outer core region, intermediate core region, respectively, wherein the third hardness is greater than the first hardness and the second hardness, and a hardness of the outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than a hardness of the geometric center.
US08157670B2
A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head with a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball, a body connected to the face, and a filling material, which may be in the form of an insert, connected to a rear surface of the face. The filling material may fill in a thinned portion of the face, which may form a recess on the rear surface of the face that receives the filling material. The filling material has a density that is lower than the density of the face material. Depending on the size, shape, and location of the filling material, the weight distribution, the moment of inertia, and/or the center of gravity of the face may change.
US08157666B2
A golf downswing guide which prevents medial rotation (rotation towards the center of the body) of the right arm for a right handed golfer during the backswing but more specifically during the downswing.The device consists of a lower and an upper elongated member joined together by an elbow joint which allows pivoting on a single plane. The device attaches to the right arm (for a right handed golfer)A counter acting elongated member is mounted on the upper elongated member. A holding device with an elongated opening is attached to the torso of the golfer. During the backswing but more specifically the downswing, the counter acting elongated member stays inside the elongated opening of the holding device and prevents the counter acting elongated member from moving out of the elongated opening and consequently prevents the tight arm from medially rotating during the downswing.
US08157663B1
A sports head alignment trainer comprised of a pair telescoping tubes mounted to a bridge or frame provided at its opposite ends with hinge elements to which are connected a pair of temple bars or arms. The telescoping tubes are two identical hollow adjustable multi-scopes each comprised of an inner scope and outer scope that can be selectively retracted or extended. The arms are configured to be placed on the user's head and maintain position by wrapping around a person's ears, like ordinary glasses. The telescoping tubes selectively limit the wearer's field of view thereby preventing the wearer from focusing on a target unless proper head alignment is maintained.
US08157658B2
A drive joint, particularly a fixed joint in the form of a counter-track joint, for establishing a connection between two components in the drive train of a motor vehicle. The joint is provided with joint parts such as an inner hub, an outer hub and a ball cage containing torque-transmitting balls as additional joint parts. The outer hub of the drive joint can be destroyed in the case of an accident. The invention also relates to a drive shaft comprising such a drive joint.
US08157657B2
A barrier membrane assembly for sealing a constant velocity joint assembly includes at least one selectively expandable and contractible barrier membrane body. The barrier membrane body has no openings therethrough and may selectively expand and contract in response to operational pressures acting against the barrier membrane body.
US08157648B2
An accounting system for use with at least one gaming machine having one or more games stored thereon is provided. The accounting system includes a memory means operatively connected to the gaming machine, wherein the memory means comprises a set of active game meters for each active game on the gaming machine, and one set of removed game meters accumulating data corresponding to all games removed from the gaming machine. The accounting system also includes an accounting processor for accessing the game meters and using a theoretical win value to determine the overall gaming machine performance.
US08157646B2
In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed herein maintains a progressive award that is associated with a plurality of different progressive award trigger values or progressive award hit values. In such embodiments, the displayed value of the progressive award does not reset to a reset value or reset amount until the displayed value of that progressive award has incremented to each of the plurality of progressive award hit values associated with that progressive award. In these embodiments, the gaming system provides a plurality of displayed incremented values of a progressive award a plurality of times before the displayed value of that progressive award is reset to the reset value. Such a configuration provides that after the gaming system provides a currently displayed value of a progressive award to a player at least a first time, the displayed value of that progressive award continues incrementing from the provided value.
US08157636B2
A game system, and arcade game apparatus and management apparatus constituting the same are disclosed. In the game system, each game apparatus change at the same timing to a second mode in which a jackpot drawing is carried out in a state that a jackpot prize winning probability is high. When the jackpot prize is awarded during the second mode, a winning notice is sent to a management apparatus via communication network. The management apparatus transmits second mode end information to all the game apparatus when the number of game apparatus sending the winning notice reaches a predetermined number. After that, the game apparatus operating in the second mode changes to a first mode in which the jackpot drawing is carried out in a state that the winning probability of the jackpot prize is low.
US08157627B2
An air conditioning system for a passenger compartment of a road vehicle; the air conditioning system has an elongated upper air inlet, which comes out through a top surface of a dashboard of the passenger compartment, close to a windscreen, extends substantially along the whole of the top surface of the dashboard, and is directed towards the passenger compartment to direct airflow tangent to the top surface of the dashboard and over the top surface.
US08157625B2
A method and device are disclosed for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts having an elongated bone extending through a sleeve of meat. The device includes a deboning unit adapted to be associated with a supporting tray for supporting one of the animal parts, a stripper diaphragm on one end of the supporting tray, when associated with the deboning unit, and a movable bone pusher rod and a movable tubular knife on an opposite end of the supporting tray, when associated with the deboning unit. The bone pusher rod and the tubular knife are arranged concentrically about one another. A mechanism is provided for advancing and retracting the bone pusher rod and the tubular knife between first positions, allowing loading of the animal part, and second positions, in which the meat is collected against the stripper diaphragm and the bone is pushed partly through the diaphragm. The mechanism for advancing and retracting is adapted to move the bone pusher rod over one distance and the tubular knife over another distance smaller than the one distance, so as not to extend through the diaphragm. A rotating mechanism can rotate the tubular knife upon engagement with the meat and a cutting anvil for severing the meat from a trailing one of opposite ends of the elongated bone. An engaging member for engaging the bone portion partly protruding through the diaphragm pulls the bone completely through the diaphragm.
US08157623B2
A sausage casing gripping apparatus for use with gathered concertinaed sausage casings and a sausage filling machine. The apparatus includes two gripping elements which are movable relative to each other and which grip the concertinaed sausage casing by a reduction in the intermediate space between the gripping elements and which release the concertinaed sausage casing by an expansion of the intermediate space. The apparatus further includes a drive device for moving at least one of the gripping elements, and at least one lever element for coupling the drive device to at least one gripping element where the gripping element is mounted movably on the lever element.
US08157614B2
A polishing system includes a polishing pad with an aperture that extends through all layers of the polishing pad and a light transmissive film positioned on top of a light-generating or light-guiding element of an optical monitoring system.
US08157608B1
One piece, injection-moldable, functionally polyhedral construction modules. The construction modules are thin-walled, cored out versions of a polyhedron. Each construction module comprises one polyhedron wall portion that is interiorly tangent to each face of at least one set of identical faces of a superimposed polyhedron template. Each polyhedron wall portion forms a complex with its tangent face of its superimposed polyhedron template that is the mirror image of at least half of such complexes. Each polyhedron wall portion is visible in both directions along a predetermined axis. Each polyhedron wall portion comprises an asymmetric aligning means that may include one or more snap-fit connectors. Every polyhedron wall portion is part of a single piece of material. Accordingly, these construction modules may be injection molded as single pieces of material, and, when they are aligned face-to-face, they exhibit the constructive properties of their polyhedron templates.
US08157602B2
An electrical connector assembly includes a spring member having a generally C-shaped body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The C-shaped body is formed by a first hook portion, a second hook portion, and a central section extending between the first hook portion and the second hook portion. Each of the hook portions are adapted to receive a conductor. The spring member is movable between a normal position and a deflected position, wherein in the deflected position, the spring member imparts a clamping force on the first and second conductors. The assembly further includes a wedge member having a leading end and a trailing end. The wedge is positionable within the spring member to drive the spring member from the normal position to the deflected position, wherein the wedge has an initial position and a final position corresponding to the deflected position of the spring member. Relative positions of the wedge member with respect to the spring member in the initial position and the final position vary based on a size of the conductors.
US08157599B2
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing with a tongue plate protruding forwards from a front portion thereof and a plurality of conductive terminals comprising an upper row of conductive terminals and a lower row of conductive terminals which are mounted on upper and lower sides of the tongue plate respectively. The terminals include a butting portion, a soldering portion, and a bending portion connected between the butting portion and the soldering portion. At least one positioning modules is mounted into the accommodating chamber of the insulating housing so that it envelopes a periphery of the bending portions of the plurality of conductive terminals.
US08157593B1
An electronic communications equipment chassis has a panel with an aperture for receiving a connector module having at least one female jack. A plurality of elongate members of conductive material are attached to the panel, project into the aperture and form an EMI shield around the connector module.
US08157587B2
A stabilizing coupling body assembly for a coaxial connector is provided with a coupling body dimensioned to couple at a connector end of the coupling body with a cable end of the connector. A jacket grip of rigid material is retained between the coupling body and a stabilizing body coupled to a cable end of the coupling body. An outer diameter of the jacket grip abuts an annular wedge surface of the stabilizing body. The wedge surface is provided with a taper between a maximum diameter proximate a connector end of the jacket grip and a minimum diameter proximate a cable end of the annular wedge surface. The jacket grip is driven radially inward as the stabilizing body is advanced axially towards the coupling body. Methods of manufacture include forming elements of the coupling body assembly via injection molding.
US08157585B2
An electrical device includes a connector, a circuit board and a connector-securing structure. The connector includes a body and a fixing pin extending from the body for fixing the connector on the circuit board. The circuit board defines a gap corresponding to an outer profile of the connector for receiving the connector. The connector-securing structure is provided for securing the connector in the gap of the circuit board. The connector-securing structure includes a holding portion and a holding slot. The holding portion is perpendicular to and extends from the fixing pin. The holding slot is defined through the circuit board in a position corresponding to the holding portion. The holding slot is engaged with the gap of the circuit board for receiving and holding the holding portion.
US08157580B2
An electrical connector assembly (100), comprises: a housing (1) comprising a first shield part (15), a second shield part (16) assembled with each other; at least one printed circuit board (2) disposed in the housing; a strain relief (5) disposed in the housing and sandwiched by the first shield part and the second shield part; a metallic holder (8) surrounding the housing and binding the first shield part and the second shield part; and a pair of screws (9) respectively assembled to the housing along opposite directions and interlocking the first shield part, the second shield part, the strain relief and the metallic holder together.
US08157577B2
An electrical card connector (100) includes a receiving space (10) for receiving an electrical card, and includes an insulative housing (1) and an ejecting mechanism (4) retained in the insulative housing (1). The ejecting mechanism (4) includes a movable slider (41), a coiled spring (42) urging the slider forwardly and a link rod (43) for controlling the slider to be positioned at a first position or a second position. The slider (41) includes a heart-shape groove (414) for guiding and limiting a movement of the slider (41) and a bulge (417) located at front of the heart-shape groove (414). The bulge (417) defines a second inclined plane (4171), the second inclined plane (4171) faces the heart-shape groove (414) for facilitating inclining movement of the link rod (43).
US08157572B2
The present application provides a modular interconnect apparatus. In one embodiment, the interconnect apparatus includes a frame; and a plurality of coaxial modules connected to the frame, wherein each of the plurality of coaxial modules comprises: a signal contact having a middle portion, a first end and a second end; a first ring shaped ground contact surrounding the first end of the signal contact, wherein the first end of the signal contact is coaxial with the first ring shaped ground contact; a second ring shaped ground contact surrounding the second end of the signal contact, wherein the second end of the signal contact is coaxial with the second ring shaped ground contact; and a housing that houses at least a portion of signal contact and ground contacts.
US08157566B2
An adjustable hierarchical scoring method is disclosed. A hierarchical scoring structure for speech-sound data is generated. Historical data of speech-sound scoring for the speech-sound data is retrieved from a speech-sound practice database while a professional scoring result for the hierarchical scoring structure of the speech-sound data is being collected. A weight-adjusting operation is performed according to the historical data of speech-sound scoring and the professional scoring result to calculate optimum adjusting weights for each layer of the hierarchical scoring structure. Retrieved speech-sound data of a student is scored using a speech-sound scoring system and a weighted average operation is performed to the score of the speech-sound data of the student according to a corresponding adjusting weight, thereby generating the final score of the speech-sound data of the student.
US08157565B2
According to one embodiment, a military training device includes a multiple integrated laser engagement system (MILES) device configured in a piece of apparel. The multiple integrated laser engagement system device includes a light transducing element coupled to an electrical circuit. The light transducing element transmits or receives multiple integrated laser engagement system compliant signals. The light transducing element is attached to an outer surface of the apparel and oriented so that a radiation pattern of the multiple integrated laser engagement system compliant signals is generated outwardly from the apparel during use.
US08157564B2
The present invention discloses a manufacturing method and apparatus of artificial human teeth using dental CT. The method comprises the steps of: removing a damaged part of human teeth; obtaining surface coordinates of the teeth using a dental CT machine located at a dental clinic for a medical checkup; converting the surface coordinates of the actual teeth to CAD/CAM data; manufacturing artificial teeth by cutting metal or ceramic with a three-dimensional N/C machine using the converted data; obtaining shape data of upper or lower actual teeth corresponding to the artificial teeth; changing the shape of the artificial teeth by direct surface processing according to the shape data of the upper or lower teeth; and coating ceramic to the artificial teeth after sintering the processed artificial teeth for a predetermined period.
US08157556B2
A system for controlling the dimensions of an extrudate exiting an extruder and for compensating for the variations in the extrusion rate of the extruder, expansion rate and rate of travel of the extrudate through sizing devices by changing the speed of an extrudate puller device, includes an extruder which extrudes the extrudate; a conveyor system comprising rollers and a series of sizing devices; a puller device for pulling the extrudate through the sizing devices; and a laser proximity measuring device to assist the system in keeping the desired shape of the extrudate. The laser proximity measuring device includes at least one pair of optical non-contact displacement transducers, a real time processor, and an interactive touch screen display unit. The transducers emit a laser beam which provides a laser point on the side of the extrudate.
US08157549B2
A multi-channel fluid conveying apparatus, for delivering a fluid, includes a valve seat, a valve cover, a valve membrane, a plurality of temporary-deposit chambers, and an actuating device. The valve seat includes at least one inlet channel and at least one outlet channel. The valve cover is arranged on the valve seat. The valve membrane is interposed between the valve seat and the valve cover and includes a plurality of valve structures made of the same material with the same thickness, wherein at least one of the valve structures has a rigidity different from those of other valve structures. The plurality of temporary-deposit chambers is interposed between the valve membrane and the valve cover and between the valve membrane and the valve seat. The actuating device is, having a periphery, fixed to the valve cover.
US08157546B2
A fluid transporting device is of a writhing type for transporting a fluid continuously. The fluid transporting device comprises a plurality of push pins arranged along a tube and radially on a concentric arc for squeezing a portion of the tube through which the fluid is fed and having elasticity substantially at right angles, and rollers for pushing those push pins sequentially from the inlet side to the outlet side of the fluid. With this structure, it is possible to provide a thin, small fluid transporting device for continuing a stable flow rate, and a fluid transporter having the fluid transporting device.
US08157542B2
The invention relates to a fuel conveying device for conveying fuel towards an internal combustion engine. The fuel conveying device comprises a housing and a head connected to the housing. Further, a fuel pump is provided, having an electronically commutated brushless motor. The control electronics for the electronically commutated brushless motor of the fuel pump are carried by or arranged within and/or on the head or housing.
US08157541B2
A mounting arrangement for a pedal force servomechanism assembly of a motor vehicle structure. The pedal force servomechanism assembly is provided with integrated screw connection points and can be fastened by screws to any vehicle structure in a particular vehicle application. It also provides that a static axial pressing of the components located within the unit, a hydraulic unit and a motor unit, is ensured. A holding plate is positioned between the opposed surfaces of those assembled units, and is provided both with through-holes for attaching the hydraulic unit to the motor unit, as well as with through-holes for attaching the assembly to the vehicle structure of the particular vehicle application. The holding plate is of resilient design in the axial direction in the clamping region between the hydraulic unit and the motor unit.
US08157540B2
A centrifugal fan assembly has a fan with a number of vanes at a peripheral edge of a rotor, a motor, arranged coaxially to the inside of the rotor, that rotates the fan, and a casing that houses the fan and the motor. The casing has an air inlet in the direction of a rotating shaft of the fan, and an air outlet in a radial direction. A first part of the casing near the air inlet is arranged relatively towards a center of the casing as compared to the other part of the casing. The motor is mounted on the first part.
US08157531B2
A closing assembly for closing the gap remaining between the first and last blade of a blade ring that is inserted into a peripheral groove of turbomachinery is provided. The assembly includes at least two parts each of which can be hooked onto projections that form an undercut in the peripheral groove and includes a securing element, which secures the parts from becoming detached from the peripheral groove. For closing the remaining gap, the securing element is mounted to rotate about its longitudinal axis between the two parts and has a key head and a web. The web can be positioned by rotation is such a way that to fit the parts in the peripheral groove. The parts can be displaced in relation to one another and to secure the parts from being detached from the groove. The web can be placed against at least one lateral face of one of the parts.
US08157530B2
A closing assembly is provided. The closing assembly closes the gap remaining between the first blade and the last blade of a blade ring that is inserted in a peripheral groove of a turbo machinery, the assembly consisting of at least two lateral parts, at least one of which may be hooked onto a projection that forms an undercut in the peripheral groove and at least one securing element, which secures the parts from coming detached from the peripheral groove. To provide a particularly reliable closing assembly, the securing element is configured as a pin, joining the parts of the closing assembly in a non-positive fit.
US08157526B2
Conventionally coated components with film cooling holes are known, comprising a diffuser, extending through the layers into the substrate. According to the invention, the component is embodied such that the whole diffuser is largely arranged in the layer.
US08157518B2
A cooling fan comprises an impeller which includes a plurality of radially extending blades, each of which includes a blade hub, a blade tip and a blade midspan approximately midway between the hub and the tip. In addition, each blade comprises a blade suction surface, and substantially the entire blade suction surface is visible from the forward looking aft direction.
US08157517B2
A diaphragm assembly of a centrifugal compressor includes a return channel wall having a generally ring-like shape; a vane assembly having a plurality of vanes formed integrally with at least one ring-shaped track having a rail structure extending therefrom; and a diaphragm wall having a generally ring-like shape and at least one groove extending around a circumference thereof. The vane assembly is fixedly coupled to the return channel, thereby forming a return channel assembly. The return channel assembly is coupled to the diaphragm wall by sliding the rail structure into the at least one groove of the diaphragm wall.
US08157514B2
A component for a gas turbine engine having an engine axis includes a rotor disk and a plurality of airfoils. The rotor disk comprises a web and a rim. The web has a first outer surface at least partially defining a plurality of holes and a plurality of slots. Each of the plurality of slots extends from a corresponding one of the plurality of holes and forms a first angle with the engine axis at the point of intersection with the corresponding one of the plurality of holes. The rim has a second outer surface also at least partially defining the plurality of slots. Each of the plurality of slots forms a second angle with the engine axis at the second outer surface, the second angle being different from the first angle. Each of the plurality of airfoils extends from the second outer surface.
US08157504B2
A blade tip of a turbine rotor blade for a gas turbine engine, the turbine rotor blade including an airfoil and a root portion for mounting the airfoil along a radial axis to a rotor disk inboard of a turbine shroud, a pressure sidewall and a suction sidewall that join together at a leading edge and a trailing edge, the pressure sidewall and suction sidewall extending from the root portion to the blade tip, and a squealer tip cavity formed at the blade tip, the blade tip comprising: a trailing edge trench originating at the squealer tip cavity, wherein the trailing edge trench generally extends toward the trailing edge of the blade tip.
US08157503B2
In one embodiment a gas turbine engine is disclosed having a heat exchanger at least partially disposed in a bypass duct. In one form the gas turbine engine is a high bypass ratio engine. The heat exchanger may be coupled with a directed energy weapon to provide coolant flow and regulate the temperature of the directed energy weapon. Other devices may also be coupled with the heat exchanger, either as an alternative to in addition to the directed energy weapon.
US08157494B2
When rounding metal sheet sections for forming can bodies by means of a rounding machine, a pre-rounding element is used, whose lower part is deflectable with respect to the upper part by means of an actuating element. Thereby, the joint between the upper and the lower part is executed as a solid body joint whose section modulus in bending during the deflection is different along the joint. Thereby, a uniform impact on the metal sheet may be reached. Furthermore, the separating gap between the upper and the lower part is arranged obliquely, thus reducing the bending of the lower part.
US08157491B2
A deployment system and associated products utilize a magazine for holding and dispensing the products. The products may have any of a number of internal and external trusses that may be in tension and/or compression for rigidifying the product in selected directions. Thus the product may be shaped to fit a predetermined contour. The magazine may be supported on a deployment vehicle for ease of deployment of the product.
US08157486B2
A cutting tool has a cutting insert retained within an insert pocket of an insert holder by a retaining screw. Spaced apart first insert rear abutment surfaces abut spaced apart first pocket rear abutment surfaces, a second insert rear abutment surface abuts a second pocket rear abutment surface, and spaced apart insert lower abutment surfaces abut spaced apart pocket lower abutment surfaces. The cutting insert has a first dimension taken between extremities of the insert side surfaces, a second dimension taken between extremities of the insert upper and lower surfaces, and, a fourth dimension taken between the insert lower abutment surfaces and the insert upper surface. The size ratio between the fourth dimension and the second dimension is in the range of 0.2 to 1, and, preferably, in the range of 0.55 to 0.6. The size ratio between the first dimension and the second dimension is in the range of 1 to 2.
US08157482B2
An anchor system for securing a cable within the ground. The system includes a body having a tapered cap and an internal cylindrical slot provided therethrough. A driving rod having an end with a smaller diameter is provided through the slot so that the driving rod extends from the body of the anchor system. The body is provided with a catch through which a line is secured. The driving rod is utilized to drive the anchor system into the ground. As the driving rod extends from the body, the driving rod bears the brunt of the force associated with the driving action, allowing the anchor system to be constructed of a lightweight, inexpensive material. Once the anchor system has been provided at the desired depth, the driving rod is removed and the strap is pulled to set the anchor into place.
US08157474B2
The invention relates to a road finishing machine having a screed extending transverse to the working direction of the finishing machine. The machine includes a base plate that can be heated using an electrical heater clamped to the base plate. The heater has at least one bar-shaped heating element, wherein the bar-shaped heating element includes a round tube heating element having at least one heating bar fixably supported on individual bolts that can be attached to the base plate and forming heat transfer bridges.
US08157468B2
A pivot connection comprising a substantially cylindrical head (14) to be pivotally located into a socket, at least one first surface on the socket that engages one side of the outer surface of the cylindrical head (14), and second surfaces that engage the ends of the cylindrical head (14) on a side substantially opposite to the at least one first surface to thereby retain the cylindrical head (14) within the socket.
US08157466B2
A cleaning device having a handle, the handle having a cleaning pad assembly capable of pivoting between a cleaning position and a rinsing position. The handle of the cleaning device may further comprise a conduit for directing the flow of a liquid from a liquid input to a liquid output, the liquid output being capable of direction either though the cleaning pad to wet the cleaning pad or at a surface to rinse a surface. The cleaning device may further comprise a valve, the valve being operable to control the flow of water through the handle.
US08157464B2
A disposable fluid applicator having a reservoir with a first membrane and a second membrane. Said reservoir containing a fluid to be dispensed. Said first membrane of the reservoir having perforations and being covered by a permeable and/or absorbent spreader. A removable tab assembly is disposed between said spreader and said first membrane of the reservoir that seals said reservoir. When the tab is pulled from between said spreader and said first membrane of the reservoir the reservoir becomes unsealed allowing the fluid contained inside the reservoir to flow out through an opening in the first membrane into and through the spreader where the fluid can be applied to a desired surface.
US08157463B2
“Extended Bristles” is a application tool that replaces a standard nail polish brush and cap to obtain the complete contents of nail polish by pushing the top plunger cap, which slides over a spring and lower cap and immerses the bristles to the bottom of the bottle. The plunger cap which is attached to the plunger shaft and bristles has a spring located between upper and lower cap around the plunger shaft that retracts when application is completed. The brush is able to extend to the bottom of the bottle when the cap is closed securely or when it is resting unsecured at top of polish bottle. By using the entire contents of the bottle of nail polish the only remaining part is the glass bottle which will not pollute the ground or environment.
US08157452B2
A radial roller bearing for storing shafts in wind turbine transmissions, which has an external bearing ring with an inner runway, an internal bearing ring arranged coaxial thereto provided with an external runway, and a plurality of roller bodies that displace on the runways between the hearing rings held at regular intervals by a bearing cage. To prevent slip, the roller bodies are replaced by hollow rollers that have a greater diameter and a smaller elasticity module than the roller bodies ensuring, when the radial roller bearing is in the load-free state, permanent contact with the bearing rings, a permanent drive of the bearing cage and that the roller bodies have kinematic rotation. The hollow rollers have a higher bending strength, and their internal cover surface has a maximum surface roughness of Rz≦25 μm preventing localized peaks of tension, without any disaggregation in the axial direction.
US08157450B2
A bearing is disclosed. The bearing has an inner ring concentrically disposed with an outer ring with rotational elements therebetween adapted for allowing rotational movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring. The outer ring has a crowned outer surface. A waveform expansion sleeve is disposed about the outer ring. The waveform expansion sleeve has a cylindrical outer surface dimensioned to be received in a bore of a bearing housing and an inner surface with a profile matching the outer ring outer surface. The waveform expansion sleeve has an undulating radial cross-section sufficient to exert radial pressure at its inner surface against the outer ring outer surface when mounted in the bore of the bearing housing to sufficiently secure the bearing in the housing. The expansion sleeve inner surface forms a seal with the outer ring outer surface when the bearing is installed in the bearing housing.
US08157441B2
To provide a temperature sensor probe that can take stable measurements, and a manufacturing method thereof. The temperature sensor probe related to the present invention is a temperature sensor probe for measuring temperature using a fluorescent substance that changes fluorescent characteristics depending on temperature. Then, a powdered fluorescent substance, a guide wave route member that propagates excitation light, which is irradiated on the fluorescent substance, and fluorescent light, which is produced by the fluorescent substance, are provided. Further, the particle size of the powdered fluorescent substance is confined to the range of 60 to 100 μm.
US08157432B2
A drinking water distribution reservoir has a new draft tube mixing arrangement. An intermediate opening in the draft tube enables water to flow between the central passage of the draft tube and an intermediate portion of the tank. Directional walls can be provided on the intermediate opening to help direct flow, and a check valve can be used to prevent flow from the intermediate section of the tank into the draft tube or prevent flow from the draft tube into the intermediate section of the tank. A venturi portion can also be provided on the draft tube to help draw water from the intermediate portion of the tank into the draft tube.
US08157428B2
A reticle illumination system. The novel system includes a fluid material adapted to absorb incident energy and emit fluorescent light to illuminate a target surface, and a first light source for providing the incident energy to pump the fluid material. In an illustrative embodiment, the target surface is a prism surface upon which a reticle is disposed, and the fluid material is a cement or epoxy doped with a fluorescent dye or a suspension of nanodots. The fluorescent cement is applied to the target surface behind the reticle and has an index of refraction matching that of the prism. The system may also include one or more additional light sources that transmit light into the cement and illuminate the reticle either directly or by pumping the fluorescent cement.
US08157411B2
An illuminating device includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes, a plurality of first light-reflecting parts, and a plurality of second light-reflecting parts. Each of the plurality of first light-reflecting parts has a first light reflecting surface surrounding one of the light-emitting diodes. Each of the plurality of second light-reflecting parts has a second light reflecting surface surrounding one of the light-emitting diodes. The shape of the first light reflecting surface is different from that of the second light reflecting surface.
US08157408B2
A lighting apparatus includes a housing, a light source disposed in the housing and at least one adjustable assembly. The adjustable assembly disposed at an end of the housing includes a connection element fixed to the end, a cap capping the connection element, at least one electrical terminal electrically connected to the light source and a detachable fixing element. The cap includes a side wall, an end wall and an opening disposed at the side wall. The side wall is disposed at the end wall to which the opening is opposite. The connection element passes through the opening. The electrical terminal disposed at the end wall extends outside the cap. The detachable fixing element passes through the side wall to detachably fix the cap to the connection element. When the detachable fixing element is detached, the housing and the connection element are adapted to be rotated relative to the cap.
US08157406B2
An LED lamp assembly includes a pole-shaped major lamp, an auxiliary lamp fixed on a top of the major lamp and a rechargeable battery mounted in the auxiliary lamp. The auxiliary lamp includes a lamp shell, a plurality of LED components accommodated in the lamp shell and a solar panel mounted thereon. A plurality of light-outputting windows are defined in a sidewall of the lamp shell. The rechargeable battery is charged by the solar panel. The major lamp is powered by electrical power from a power plant. The LED components of the auxiliary lamp are powered by the rechargeable battery to generate light radiating outside of the lamp shell through the light-outputting windows.
US08157400B2
A light emitting module (12) is provided with a circuit board (20), a plurality of LED chips (21) mounted on a surface of the circuit board (20), and a plurality of lenses (30) covering the LED chips (21). The circuit board (20) is provided with a plurality of portions defining gate holes (27), which penetrate the circuit board from a front surface to a rear surface, and a runner (26), which is formed to pass on the portions defining the gate holes (27) on the rear surface side of the circuit board (20). The plurality of lenses (30) are formed on the front surface of the circuit board (20) by injection-molding a resin for the lens through the runner (26) and the portions defining the gate holes (27). Connecting sections (31) each integrated with corresponding one of the lenses (30) are formed in the portions defining the gate holes (27), and a supporting section (32) integrated with the connecting sections (31) is formed in the runner (26). At this time, a height of the supporting section (32) formed in the runner (26) is set at a height of the rear surface of the circuit board (20) or lower. Thus, mechanical stability of a cover member and the like arranged corresponding to a solid-state light emitting element is improved.
US08157395B2
The object of this invention is to provide a folding outer mirror, in which the cost reduction, the prevention of large sizes and heavy weights, and higher stiffness of the stopper mechanism can be obtained. The folding outer mirror includes a mirror base extending outside from a side surface of vehicle body, a mirror assembly attached rotatably to the mirror base, and a stopper mechanism for stopping the mirror assembly at a predetermined position. The stopper mechanism is provided with a base-side engaging surface formed in the mirror base, and a body-side engaging surface formed in the mirror assembly and being in plane contact with the base-side engaging surface at a predetermined position. The base-side engaging surface and the body-side engaging surface are formed such that a raising angle relative to a rotating direction of the mirror assembly becomes a sharp angle.
US08157393B2
A mirror assembly for a motor vehicle includes a base that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A housing is fixedly secured to the base. The housing defines an opening. A mirror is operatively secured to the housing at the opening. The mirror defines a main viewing portion and a spotting mirror portion wherein the main viewing portion and the spotting mirror portion are fabricated from a unitary structure. The mirror is a reflective element and defines a main viewing portion of one curvature and a spotting mirror portion for viewing the blind spot which is defined by having a radius of curvature less than the main viewing portion. Both viewing portions of the mirror are integral to one unitary structure that is fabricated from sheet metal such as steel, stainless steel, or aluminum that may optionally be chrome plated, polished, or anodized.
US08157387B2
A projector that includes a laser beam source that outputs a laser beam that is modulated based on an image signal and a screen on which the light beam is projected. The projector also includes a scanning unit that scans the laser beam within a predetermined surface and a scan monitoring unit that monitors scanning of the scanning unit and outputs a result of the monitoring. The projector further includes a beam light supply stopping unit that controls the laser beam source so as to stop output of the laser beam based on the result of monitoring output by the scan monitoring unit.
US08157382B2
An image display system that includes: a projector; and a screen device that displays a projection image being a projection result from the projector. In the image display system, the screen device includes a plurality of light diffusion units each having characteristics of light transmission and characteristics of light diffusion, and among the plurality of light diffusion units, the projection image is diffused by a second light diffusion unit after passing through a first light diffusion unit.
US08157378B2
An ophthalmic apparatus adapted to project a waist of a beam of the light, such that a portion of the confocal region of the waist is projected onto the cornea. The source can be at least partially coherent and/or monochromatic. The source may be a laser or a laser diode. The beam can be a Gaussian beam, or a non-Gaussian beam. The apparatus can comprise a wavefront aberrometer, an axial eye length measuring apparatus or a refractometer.
US08157375B2
The present invention is directed to an eyeglass device that has manually variable prisms to correct strabismus; that is, double vision. The variable prism eyeglasses consist of an eyeglass frame that holds two primary rings in position and provides baseline reference points for alignment. Prism lenses and corrective lenses fit inside the primary rings and allow the two prism lenses of each primary ring to rotate independently and to hold the corrective lens fixed in place relative to the primary rings. Detent channels on the upper surface and lower surface of the primary rings are the means by which the prisms are adjusted. Each prism lens is moved and positioned via a prism lens pin located in the base of each prism lens. The prism lens pins fit into the detents in the detent channels of the primary ring. The detent selected determines the amount of corrective power the prisms will produce.
US08157373B2
This invention provides for an ophthalmic lens with at least one portion of the lens including multiple voxels of polymerized crosslinkable material. In addition, the present invention provides for apparatus for generating an ophthalmic lens with at least one portion including multiple voxels of polymerized crosslinkable material. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic Lens includes a surface with one or both of a raised area and a depressed area.
US08157372B1
A method for assembling a rimless spectacle has acts of forming multiple circular through holes in a lens of the rimless spectacle, forming two cavities respectively at two ends of a diameter of each through hole to form a non-circular connecting hole in the lens with a forming tool and assembling multiple connecting elements to the lens. Each connecting element has a plug securely connected to and held in one of the connecting holes in the lens. The plug has a non-circular cross section corresponding to the shape of the corresponding connecting hole and is slightly bigger than the corresponding connecting hole. In the assembling the connecting elements to the lens, the plug on each connecting element is forced to pressed into and be securely held in the corresponding connecting hole.
US08157367B2
A recording apparatus includes a moving unit that can be moved in predetermined directions including a transport direction of a recording medium, a first recording processing unit that is mounted on the moving unit and performs a first recording process in which a first process solution is used for the recording medium, a second recording processing unit that is mounted on the moving unit together with the first recording processing unit and performs a second recording process, in which a second process solution that is different from the first process solution is used, for a recording processing area of the recording medium for which the first recording process is performed by the first recording processing unit, and a control unit that controls the moving unit, the first recording processing unit, and the second recording processing unit.
US08157363B2
An ink remaining amount detection module, mountable to an ink container, for detection of an ink remaining amount in an ink container for ink jet recording, the ink remaining amount detection module, includes a support substrate; at least one detection electrode provided on one side of the support substrate; and readable and writable non-volatile information storing means provided on the one side of the support substrate; and information transmitting means, provided on the support substrate, for transmitting, to an outside, information relating to an ink remaining amount which is provided depending on whether the detection electrode is contacted to ink, and for receiving, from an outside, information to be written in the information storing element.
US08157357B2
The present invention provides a higher density, higher resolution, higher durability and lower cost circuit substrate. In a circuit substrate in which a circuit including: a plurality of heat generating elements in which a pair of electrodes opposing each other to form a predetermined gap is provided on a resistor 16 and a portion where a resistor layer is positioned between the electrodes is taken as a resistor portion; and first and second wiring layers 12 and 15 for energizing the pair of electrodes of each heat generating element; is mounted on a substrate 10, the substrate is formed of Si, the first wiring layer is formed of a metal material containing at least Si, the first wiring layer is electrically connected to the substrate, the second wiring layer is provided on the first wiring layer through a metal film 14 for preventing Si from diffusing and a resistor is provided over the second wiring layer.
US08157354B2
A head chip has an actuator plate having a plurality of grooves, a drive electrode formed on each of the side walls of the grooves, and a cover plate which has an introduction aperture. A nozzle plate is fixed to an end surface of the actuator plate through an adhesive and has a plurality of nozzles which communicate with respective ones of the grooves. A number of escape holes are formed between the nozzle plate and the actuator plate, corresponding in number to the number of nozzles, and each escape hole has a contour which surrounds a periphery of each nozzle with the contour being spaced apart from a contour of each nozzle by at least a given distance so that the adhesive remaining at the time of fixing the nozzle plate is accumulated in the escape holes.
US08157353B2
A liquid ejection recording head includes a recording element substrate including a plurality of energy generating elements for generating energy for ejecting liquid, and a flow passage-forming member, connected to the recording element substrate, comprising a plurality of ejection outlets corresponding to the plurality of energy generating elements and plurality of flow passages communicating with the ejection outlets. The flow passage-forming member includes a hole array having holes arranged so as to surround the flow passages and a communication passage, for establishing communication between adjacent holes, at a position close to the recording element substrate.
US08157348B2
A page wide array printer comprises a print head bar which carries an array of print nozzles, and which is static during a printing operation. A carriage has print head service elements. The print head bar is movable perpendicularly to the plane of the print medium beneath the print head, between a lowered print position and a raised service position. The carriage is moveable along the print head to perform a service operation when the print head is in the raised position.
US08157345B2
An image recording apparatus includes: an image reading device which reads a test chart including a density pattern output by a test chart output device; a reading position information acquisition device which acquires reading position information for the density pattern, according to an image of the test chart; a density information acquisition device which acquires reading density information for the density pattern corresponding to the reading position information; a recording defect information acquisition device which acquires recording defect information indicating a recording element having a recording defect; a density non-uniformity correction value calculation device which calculates density non-uniformity correction values for recording elements; a density non-uniformity correction device which performs non-uniformity correction of image data, according to the density non-uniformity correction values; and an image output device which outputs the image data that has been subjected to the non-uniformity correction.
US08157344B2
An ink cartridge-attaching device includes a cartridge attachment section to which cartridges each storing an ink are attachable. Optical sensors are provided on the cartridge attachment section, which detect the cartridges attached to the cartridge attachment section, and each of which has light-emitting portion and light-receiving portion. The device further includes a controller which controls the optical sensors to obtain, based on signals from the optical sensors, information about the cartridges. The optical sensors are disposed such that the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the optical sensors are arranged alternately in a row. Light emitted from the light-emitting portion included in a certain optical sensor among the optical sensors is received by the light-receiving portion included in the certain optical sensor and received by another light-receiving portion adjacent to the light-emitting portion and included in another optical sensor, among the optical sensors, adjacent to the certain optical sensor.
US08157334B2
A brake system of a vehicle with a regenerative braking function, such as a hybrid electric vehicle. A regenerative braking hydraulic pressure line connects a master cylinder with a wheel cylinder. A regenerative control valve opens and closes the regenerative braking hydraulic pressure line. A proportional control valve is disposed in the regenerative braking hydraulic pressure line. The proportional control valve includes a spool, and output characteristics of the proportional control valve vary in response to an amount of pressure applied to the spool. A spool operator changes the amount of pressure applied to the spool.
US08157332B2
The control device adapted to a vehicle brake apparatus includes a vacuum obtaining portion, a master cylinder pressure obtaining portion and a boosting control portion for executing a boosting control which controls supplying of a boosting pressure established by driving the hydraulic pressure pump and controlling the pressure differential control valve so that the boosting pressure agrees to a target boosting pressure obtained with a target boosting gain smaller than a basic boosting gain which indicates a servo-ratio of the vacuum booster up to the time, when the master cylinder pressure becomes equal to or more than a boosting limit pressure which is a master cylinder pressure corresponding to a boosting limit of the vacuum booster at the vacuum obtained by the vacuum pressure obtaining portion, in addition to the master cylinder pressure established in response to the operation of the brake operation member.
US08157325B2
A chair having a seat and a back rest comprises a fluid-containing cushion in the back rest that provides passive automatically adjustable support for the user's lumbar region. The cushion can comprise one or more fluid-containing chambers encompassing the areas of the user's upper back and lumbar regions. As the user leans backs, fluid is forced from the regions adjacent the upper back down to the lumbar region to provide enhanced lumbar support to the user.
US08157323B2
A seat occupancy detection unit (10) has at least one sensor (12) which has a reed switch (14) and a magnet (22) movable relative thereto in a switching direction (z). The seat occupancy detection unit (10) can be inserted in the seat padding of a vehicle seat, It is used to produce a warning signal for the wearing of a seat belt.
US08157321B2
A variety of cushion presenters may be provided in seats such as motorcycle. These cushion presenters are filled with air to envelop and support the hips of a rider. The cushion presenters may further be used to provide sacrum, support. Additional cushion presenters may be used in the buttock region to relieve tail burn. A linkage may further be provided to provide a actuated backrest.
US08157305B2
A force sensor is disposed on a base portion, a finger base on which a pair of fingers are opposed to each other is disposed on a measuring unit of the force sensor, a finger driving mechanism base is disposed on the base portion so as to not contact the force sensor, the finger base or the fingers, and finger driving mechanisms are disposed on the finger driving mechanism base so finger opening and closing driving force vectorsface each other within a plane on which the pair of the opposed fingers are moved to open or close so as to cancel each other, such that the fingers are driven so the resultant force is virtually zero. An actuator, is installed at a place other than the base portion, the force sensor, the finger base, or the fingers and the finger driving mechanism base, and drives the finger driving mechanism.
US08157304B2
There is disclosed a lifting sling system for connecting various loads to a lifting hook (1), comprising a small number of combinable lifting sling units (10, 20), each consisting of a number of pre-assembled parts (11, 12, 13; 21, 22, 23). These units include at least one dual lifting sling unit (20) and possibly no more than two single lifting sling units (10). The units can be combined in a small number of predetermined combinations in accordance with information provided on an information carrier (32) which is permanently attached to the lifting sling system.
US08157300B2
The invention is a decklid latch with a SMA actuator. The actuator includes a latch plate with a ratchet rotatably mounted to the latch plate and is pivotal between a released position and an engaged position operable to retain a striker. A pawl is rotatably mounted to the latch plate and is pivotal between a an engaged position operable to retain the ratchet, and a release position operable to allow the ratchet to pivot. An selectively-contractible wire is connected to the pawl by a lost motion connection and is operable to move the pawl to the release position when contracted to actuate the latch. Portions of the selectively contractible wire have been annealed to reduce brittleness. Multiple material crimps are used to further reduce strain on the selectively contractible wire.
US08157295B2
A pipe coupling connects two fluid system components, such as two pipes, so that fluid can flow therethrough. The coupling is a ball and socket type articulating joint that is configured to allow one or both of the connected pipes to move relative to one another without compromising the integrity of the fluid system. The pipe coupling includes a sealing compartment in which packing material is disposed. The packing material can limit or prevent the development of leak between the components of the pipe coupling. The pipe coupling includes an injector port that can be used to inject additional packing material into the sealing compartment to repair any developed leaks.
US08157289B2
The invention relates to a hinge for an airbag cover, having a planar textile element as a hinge between the cover of the airbag and an adjacent airbag cover region, for example in the interior of a motor vehicle, and to a region of the planar textile element which faces a carrier of the airbag cover and is embedded in a matrix which is connected to the cover, and a region of the planar textile element which is not embedded in the matrix.
US08157279B2
A trailing or tow cycle having a tubular frame member, at least two wheels in parallel alignment, a seat member, an independent propulsion system and a journaled connection to a front cycle to provide a stable cycling system for individuals with special needs.
US08157274B2
A twistable connecting structure for linking two wheeled assemblies (such as foot platforms) of a personal transportation device. This connecting structure has flexible elongated members linking the wheeled assemblies, and rigid support members bridging the gap between the elongated members. This configuration enables the connecting structure to twist without bending.
US08157273B2
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an adjustable stroller, comprising: a central axle, which is an axle attached to the chassis of the adjustable stroller such that the axis of the central axle is disposed substantially vertically; a pedestal, attached in the center thereof to the central axle such that the edges thereof are substantially at the same elevation; two side axles, each being an axle attached to an opposite side of the pedestal such that the axis thereof is disposed vertically; and two baby seats, each attached to one of the side axles; thereby allowing arranging the seats in a manner selected from a group comprising: side by side, and in tandem mode. Preferably, each of the axles further comprises a securing mechanism, for securing the outer cylinder of the axle in a desired manner with regard to the inner cylinder thereof.
US08157272B2
A shopping cart with child carrying apparatus suitable for storage and conveyance of a conventional capacity of food or other products can also transport and entertain at least one child. The shopping cart has at least one storage basket, as well as a child carrier coupled forward and external of the basket. The child carrier simulates a vehicle to provide a relatively easier shopping experience for the guardian and a more enjoyable shopping experience for the child. The child carrying apparatus includes a doorway having a B-pillar restraint region that restrains the child occupant from leaning out from the child carrying apparatus, while simultaneously providing a substantially unobstructed view sideways from the child carrying apparatus.
US08157268B2
The present invention relates to a piston ring (10), particularly a compression ring, for an internal combustion engine, comprising a ring-shaped body (11) having a ring joint (13) formed by butt ends (14a, 14b), the ring-shaped body (11) further having a ring contact face (12) along its perimeter, for contacting a cylinder wall in operation. According to the invention, the ring contact face (12) has a barrel-shaped profile, the barrel-shaped profile having in any of its cross-sections an area of maximum curvature, whose radius of curvature increases in the direction of the butt ends (14a, 14b).
US08157266B2
A seal assembly for a regenerative heat exchanger can include a sealing member with a mounting base and a flexible contact portion having a contact edge that resiliently contacts a sector plate of the heat exchanger housing when the seal assembly is mounted to the heat exchanger. The seal assembly can also include a curvilinear support with a mounting section and a curved extended portion attached to the mounting section and having a predetermined curvature that gradually contacts the flexible contact portion as flexion of the flexible contact portion is increased, thereby gradually moving a flex point of the flexible contact portion toward the contact edge of the curvilinear support and gradually increasing a spring constant of the unsupported end of the flexible contact portion to resist further flexion of the flexible contact portion.
US08157258B2
A torque limiting roller includes a shaft, a frictional unit, a roller assembly, a fixing unit and an elastic unit. The shaft includes a first end and a second end. The frictional unit is mounted on the first end of the shaft. The roller assembly is rotatably mounted on the shaft and includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the roller assembly is in frictional contact with the frictional unit. The fixing unit is mounted on the second end of the shaft. The elastic unit is mounted on the shaft, disposed between the fixing unit and the roller assembly, and contacts with the second end of the roller assembly and the fixing unit to provide a normal force between the roller assembly and the frictional unit and thus to provide limiting torque. A medium separating mechanism using the torque limiting roller is also disclosed.
US08157255B2
The inserter including a storing unit, a sheet-feeding unit; a conveyance unit; and a controller that determines for every sheet a conveying speed of the sheet to be discharged to the downstream side device by the conveyance unit, in which the controller determines: the conveying speed of the sheet, which was discharged from the image forming apparatus, when the sheet is discharged to the downstream side device by the conveyance unit, based on the conveying speed when the inserter receives the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus; and a conveying speed of the insert-sheet, which was fed by the sheet-feeding unit, when the insert-sheet is discharged to the downstream side device by the conveyance unit, based on a conveying speed of one of a preceding sheet and a succeeding sheet, when one of the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet is discharged to the downstream side device.
US08157244B2
A line retrieval system comprises a retrieval device having a radially magnetized magnet adapted to be magnetically coupled to an object disposed on an opposite side of a structure for drawing the object in a desired direction relative to the structure.
US08157240B2
A quakeproof plinth is adapted to make a showpiece mount vertically go down without a tilt so as to cushion and shelter a showpiece seated thereon from impact force exerted on the entire showpiece. A plinth (100) of the present invention is comprised of a showpiece mount (110), a supporting member (120) capable of supporting the showpiece mount so as to move the same upward and downward, basement shock absorbers (130) enabling the showpiece mount to be shock-absorbingly bumped down thereon, a vibration detector (140), and an actuating device (150) activated to move the showpiece mount downward in response to a detection signal produced from the vibration detector.
US08157237B2
A display screen turning apparatus includes a base portion for placing a display screen portion thereon, a driving source and a transmission gear portion arranged inside the base portion, a display screen support member provided with an engaging member and supporting the display screen portion rotatably in a horizontal plane and rotatably with respect to a vertical plane and a rack plate arranged on the base portion and including a rack gear meshed with the transmission gear portion in a horizontal direction. The display screen support member is rotated in an anteroposterior direction with respect to the vertical plane by a prescribed angle with rotation of the engaging member of the display screen support member engaged with the rack plate following reciprocation of the rack plate in the horizontal plane with normal and reverse rotation of the driving source.
US08157234B2
A habitat mount for a wall mounted taxidermy mannequin includes a habitat piece having a three dimensional first side with the appearance of one or more natural elements and an opposing generally planar second side. A tab extends outwardly from and generally parallel to a plane defined by the second side of the habitat piece. The tab is sized and shaped to mount directly to a rear side of the wall mounted taxidermy mannequin.
US08157228B2
A tool for positioning molding, such as crown molding, during installation, has a base member adapted to be releasably hung on a wall near the ceiling. A retaining member is vertically slidably mounted on the base member and has an upper end portion disposed at an acute angle to hold a piece of molding at a desired attitude between the retaining member and the wall. The retaining member is slid and locked in vertically and locked in position to hold the molding in place while it is fastened to the wall, after which the tool is removed from the wall.
US08157226B2
Described herein is a mounting plate having a plurality of exterior edges. Each edge of the mounting plate has a mounting interface. Between each of the exterior edges is a flattened corner. Each of the planar corners has a pole mount disposed therein. The mounting plate also has a plurality of interior projections, each of the plurality of interior projections being disposed on an inner side of each of the planar corners. At least one of the plurality of interior projections has a stand mount disposed therein and at least a second one of the plurality of interior projections has an umbrella mount disposed therein.
US08157221B2
A switch point (20) is alternatively raised and lowered. An upper comb structure (22) has a switch point (20) on its upper surface and teeth (23) on a lower surface. A lower comb structure (24) has compatible teeth (25) on its upper surface. The upper comb (22) moves only vertically. The lower comb structure (24) moves only horizontally. The combs may assume a raised configuration wherein the upper comb teeth (23) are supported on the lower comb teeth (25), or alternatively, a lowered configuration wherein the upper and lower comb teeth are nested. The comb structures (22, 24) have either laterally or longitudinally disposed teeth, and may be either linear or curvilinear with respect to a longitudinal axis. The combs and switch point are enveloped within containment walls (36) and end plates (38) so as to be a largely sealed unit.
US08157216B2
A fairing includes three sections: an aft section, a middle section, and a nose section. The aft section includes a first surface having a generally constant conic angle (i.e., a “boat-tail angle”) with respect to the longitudinal axis such that the aft section tapers to a first end configured to attach to a generally cylindrical body. The middle section, which intersects and is axially aligned with the aft section, has a second surface characterized by a constant elliptical cross-section along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The nose section intersects and is axially aligned with the middle section. The nose section is further defined by four generally concave trianguloid surfaces, each extending from the middle section to a common apex intersecting the longitudinal axis, wherein each adjacent pair of trianguloid surfaces intersects at an edge (e.g., an incurvate edge). The four trianguloid surfaces are asymmetrically disposed with respect to rotational symmetry about the longitudinal axis, and the edges have a sharpness that varies from the common apex to the middle section.
US08157208B2
A landing flap drive system, in one example, includes a first drive motor for operating a landing flap. In this arrangement, the landing flap drive system is integrated in a track of the landing flap such that final assembly and integration of the system are facilitated to a significant extent.
US08157200B2
A method for rewinding a web material is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a conveyor belt having opposed first and second surfaces; b) providing a pressure assist device proximate to the second surface of the conveyor belt; c) disposing the web material on the first surface of the conveyor belt; d) providing at least one winding spindle having a speed profile proximate to the web material disposed upon the first surface of the conveyor belt; e) adjusting a position of at least one of the conveyor belt and the pressure assist device relative to the winding spindle to provide a compressive force to the surface of the winding spindle by the conveyor belt; f) adjusting a speed of the at least one winding spindle according to the speed profile; and, g) transferring the web material to the at least one winding spindle from the conveyor belt.
US08157196B2
A grinding device of vertical grinder, comprising a driving device (1); a vertical grinding barrel (2) which is driven by the driving device; a grinding roller (3); and a pressure applying device (4) acting on the grinding roller (3); a running-in surface is composed of the roller surface of the grinding roller and the grinding surface (6) of the inner lining of the vertical grinding barrel, and the angular separation between the grinding surface (6) of the inner lining of the vertical grinding barrel and the vertical line is 40 degrees to −5 degrees. The device is also provided with a material-shaving device (9).
US08157193B2
A waterless method of processing coal to remove impurities therefrom includes drying a batch of coal to remove moisture therefrom, pulverizing the coal into individual coal particles to liberate impurity particles from the coal and without substantially reducing the size of the impurity particles, and separating the impurity particles and pulverized coal particles into respective product streams via air classification. The dryer includes a plurality of rotating paddles, and an air stream forces the coal through the plurality of rotating paddles to pulverize the coal into individual particles and liberate the impurities.
US08157191B1
A drywall mud spray nozzle includes a main inlet, a main outlet, a main bore extending between the main inlet and main outlet, a plurality of air injector bores having inlets adjacent the main inlet, outlets in the main bore, and outlets adjacent the main outlet, and a nozzle cap having a bore receiving outflow from the main outlet and air injector outlets and a nozzle tip through which the outflow sprays.
US08157185B2
A system and method for non-invasively attaching components to railroad track rails. More specifically, a connector is provided that can quickly and effectively electrically connect one or more signal lines with a surface of the track rail. In one embodiment, the non-invasive connector utilizes a spring clamp to form an electrical connection with a flange portion of the track rail. First and second opposing members of the spring clamp include teeth that mar the surface of the flange to form an electrical connection between the track rail and the spring clamp when the flange is forced between these opposing members. A signal line is electrically connected to the spring clamp.
US08157177B1
Embodiments of an indicia reading system comprise a terminal and a cradle that communicate via wireless technology and are configured to charge a battery in the terminal using power supplied by a host device when the terminal is operated in a presentation mode.
US08157174B2
A digital image capture and processing system including a housing having an imaging window, and an image formation and detection subsystem, disposed in the housing, having an area-type image detection array supporting a single snap-shot mode of image acquisition and a periodic snap-shot mode of image acquisition during object illumination and imaging operations. The system also includes an illumination subsystem, with an illumination array, for producing a field of illumination within the FOV, and illuminating the object detected in the FOV, so that the illumination reflects off the object and is transmitted back through the light transmission aperture and onto the image detection array to form the 2D digital image of the object. By virtue of its single and periodic snap-shot modes of operation, the digital image capture and processing system of the present invention has the capacity to support pass-through as well as presentation type methods of digital image capture and processing at demanding POS environments without the use of traditional video modes of image acquisition.
US08157173B2
A method of tagged bar code data interchange includes creating electronic and/or printed documents with tagged bar coded information, capturing and decoding the tagged bar coded information, caching the tagged bar coded information, parsing the bar coded data tags, stripping the data tags, and inputting/storing the bar coded information. Business can be conducted on-line using e-mail transmissions of video displayed tagged bar coded information. Such tagged bar coded information can be stored and/or input into style sheets that are in common or company-specific formats. Further, companies can receive consumer information in a format that is easily accessible by any portion, affiliate, subsidiary, or related entity of the company, no matter what software system is running.
US08157170B2
Aimed is easy locating of a card placed on a touch panel, when identifying card type by sliding a touch pen, etc. along card slits. When a reference slit determining unit (404) of a card identification device (401) determines that a locus input from a touch panel unit (402) matches a reference slit, a slit region display control unit (405) displays longest slit regions images in which value slits are to be included on an image display unit (403). When a value slit determining unit (406) determines that a locus input thereafter matches any value slit, an input-finished slit display control unit (409) displays the image of the identified value slit on the image display unit (403), overlaying it on the longest slit region. When all value slits are identified, a card identifying unit (407) identifies the card type based on types of the identified value slits, and outputs it.
US08157164B1
An institution system may approve a user for a financial card. The institution system may notify the user that an application for the financial card has been approved and may advise the user to go to an automated teller machine (ATM) to obtain the financial card. The ATM may generate a financial card and issue the financial card to the user. The financial card generated and issued by the ATM may be a newly issued card for the user, a card customized by the user, or a replacement card issued for the user.
US08157161B2
A method and device exchanging contact information on an electronic device. Contact information is obtained from a contact by scanning a barcode using an electronic device and decoding the barcode to recover the contact information encoded therein. The contact information may be used to reciprocate by sending user contact data in a message addressed to an electronic address obtained from the contact information. The user contact data may be encoded in a second barcode displayed on the electronic device.
US08157158B2
A solder joint comprising a solder capture pad on a substrate having a circuit; and a lead containing or a lead free solder selected from the group comprising Sn—Ag—Cu solder, Sn—Cu solder and Sn—Ag solder adhered to the solder capture pad; the solder selected from the group comprising between 0.1 and 6.0 per cent by weight Zn. A solder joint, comprising a solder capture pad on a substrate having a circuit; and a Sn—Cu lead free solder adhered to the solder capture pad, the solder comprising between 0.1 and 6.0% by weight Zn. Formation of voids at an interface between the solder and the solder capture pad is suppressed. A method for forming solder joints using the solders.
US08157157B2
A solder ball loading method capable of securely loading solder balls on connection pads includes applying flux on each connection pad group of a printed wiring board flux is not applied to a contact portion between a spacer and the printed wiring board to keep the flux from attaching to the spacer. Because the flux is not attached to the spacer, when the mask is detached from the printed wiring board, the printed wiring board need not be inverted, and damage to the solder resist layer 70 is minimized. Further, the heights of the solder balls and the upper surface of the mask are made equal by using the spacer, making it possible to securely load the solder balls on the electrode pads, one solder ball for each connection pad, and to reduce a probability that solder balls are not loaded or that a plurality of the solder balls are loaded onto a single connection pad.
US08157156B2
A method of manufacturing a friction stir tool that has an axis of rotation and a welding tip that is made of powdered metal material.
US08157155B2
A system for automated assembly and welding is disclosed. The system includes a pallet for receiving incoming workpieces; a workpiece holder having a plurality of electromagnets; a handling robot configured to transport incoming workpieces from the pallet to the workpiece holder; and a controller in communication with the workpiece holder and the handling robot. The controller is configured to determine an orientation of a workpiece positioned on the workpiece holder, and to selectively adjust an activation state of one or more electromagnets of the workpiece holder based upon the orientation of the workpiece. A method of assembling and welding workpieces is also disclosed.
US08157154B2
A friction stir tool is provided to perform friction stir riveting using a partially consumable pin, wherein the pin includes a cutting edge on a bottom surface thereof, wherein the tool is rotated at a first speed to enable cutting by the pin into a first material that is overlapping a second material, wherein after the pin has cut to a sufficient depth, the rotational speed of the tool is increased to thereby enable plasticization of the consumable pin, the first material, and the second material, wherein the tool is then rapidly decelerated until stopped, enabling diffusion bonding between the pin, the first material and the second material.
US08157152B2
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
US08157149B2
A mechanism is provided for crimping and releasing a suture securing a strip of buttress material to an end effector. The mechanism includes a retention member movably mounted within the end effector. The retention member is movable from a first position crimping the suture to the end effector to a second position releasing the suture from the end effector. The mechanism additionally includes a follower member, engageable with the retention member, and movable in response to actuation of a surgical instrument to move the retention member between the first and second positions. A lock mechanism is also provided to secure the retention member in the first position. The follower member operates to disengage the lock mechanism.
US08157141B2
A system for detecting and registering serrated bags includes a web including a plurality of bags connected in an end-to-end arrangement, each bag including a first and second side, a first and second longitudinal end, a transverse seal, a serration disposed transversely across the bag, and a tab integrally connected to the bag at a portion of but less than the entire extent of the tab; a device for projecting a stream of air on each bag as the web passes a predetermined location; and a first and a second pair of nip rolls, each disposed downstream of the device, and adapted to accommodate the web, and to drive at different speeds such that a lead bag is separated from the web.
US08157140B2
A wallet having at least two surfaces defining an internal compartment, a zipper movably connecting one of the at least two surfaces to another of the at least two surfaces, the zipper being movable between a first position and a second position such that, when the zipper is in the first position, the wallet will be closed and will hang, and when the zipper is in the second position, the wallet will be open and the zipper will be in a position rotated by an angular amount from its hanging position such that the zipper will be in a substantially horizontal position.
US08157133B2
An inverted dispenser for a squeezable bottle is provided. The dispenser includes an outer portion having a frusto-conical body with a cavity extending therethrough. A lip extends circumferentially around the frusto-conical body. The dispenser also includes an inner portion having a cylindrical faceplate that includes a spout extending axially from a center of the faceplate. The inner portion is positioned within the outer portion such that the inner portion faceplate is positioned within the outer portion lip. The inner portion is further positioned such that the spout is in fluid communication with the cavity extending through the outer portion. In one embodiment, the inverted dispenser is formed with the outer portion and the inner portion molded as a single piece.
US08157129B2
A volumetric feeder made of a plurality of independent feeder elements 20a, 20b. Each of the feeder elements is provided with a stationary portion 21 and a movable volumetric measure 22 that moves back and forth in the stationary portion 21. Each movable volumetric measure is provided with a measure portion 23 for accommodating a predetermined volume of powdery or granular material. The movable volumetric measure in the feeder elements are capable of moving independently of one another between a charging position at which the measure portions 23 coincide with charging apertures 24 of the stationary portion 21, and a discharging position at which the measure portions 23 coincide with discharging apertures 26 of the stationary portion 21.
US08157126B2
The present invention discloses a probe cover dispenser, which comprises a base having a probe cover basin; a probe cover cartridge receiving probe covers; a gravitational member applying gravity to the probe covers; and a feeder assembly arranged between the base and the probe cover cartridge. The gravitational member makes a probe cover fall from the probe cover cartridge onto the base, and a feeder pushes the gravitationally released probe cover to the probe cover basin. Then, the user inserts a probe of an infrared thermometer into the probe cover inside the probe cover basin to sleeve the probe with the probe cover. Via the present invention, the user can fit a probe cover onto a probe without using his hands. Thus, the present invention can effectively reduce the pollution of probe covers and the infection of testees.
US08157120B2
An improved cup structure includes a cup body having an inner cup and an outer cup, with a space disposed between the inner cup and the outer cup. In the cup body, bottoms of the inner and outer cups are connected by an extension rod having an ornament; one end of the extension rod is adhered to an outer bottom of the inner cup and placed in the outer cup with the inner cup. Edges of the inner and outer cup are melted together, and glue is filled from an aperture at the bottom at the outer cup to secure the other end of the extension rod and the ornament within the space.
US08157117B2
A tank for receiving a drink to be dispensed, the tank is rectangular in shape and opens upwardly, a discharge valve is located at the lower, front end of the tank, and a cover fits over the open end of the tank. Detents are formed at the upper end of the walls of the tank. A manually operable locking mechanism secures the cover in fixed position atop the tank. The locking mechanism comprises a vertical shaft or axle that extends through the central part of the cover. A knob is secured to the upper end of the shaft, and a cam is secured to the lower end of the shaft. A plurality of elongated rods pass through diametrically opposed slots in a housing secured to the underside, or interior, of the cover. One end of each rod has a contact surface which is urged against the perimeter of the cam, while the opposite end of the is a locking surface. When the knob is rotated in one direction, the locking surfaces of the rods are forced into the detents to lock the cover in fixed position. When the cam is rotated in the opposite direction, compression springs retract the rods from the apertures, to allow the removal of the cover from the open end of the tank.
US08157116B2
To provide an electrical junction box having a new structure that can decrease the size of the electrical junction box and can provide a drain hole in a bottom wall to prevent water from entering the drain hole from the outside. A bottom wall 24 of a lower cover 20 is provided on an outer surface with a bracket fitting section 28. A separated bracket 14 is attached to the bracket fitting section 28. A relay box 10 is attached through the bracket 14 to a motor vehicle. Drainage holes 42a and 42b formed in the bottom wall 24 of the lower cover 20 are covered by at least one of the bracket fitting section 28 and the bracket 14.
US08157114B2
An adjustable container is disclosed, wherein a plunger assembly disposed the container body cooperates with a support formed on an interior of the body to force the contents of the container upwardly towards a top thereof and to militate against the downward movement of said plunger assembly.
US08157111B2
A hanger for suspending at least one object for a support includes a base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a cap extending from the top surface of the base. Further, the cap is slideably and removably positioned within the at least one slot and the cap mutually engages the at least two legs to suspend the at least one object secured to the base.
US08157109B2
An apparatus and method for organizing, storing, and/or filing items, with a primary receptacle that is mountable to a wall and supports additional receptacles via attachment to and suspension from a hook that is pivotally attached to a bottom of the primary receptacle.
US08157104B2
A portable fixture for supporting a vacuum filtration device includes a cradle portion and a clamping portion. The cradle portion supports the vacuum filtration device. The clamping portion removeably attaches the portable fixture to a support in order to secure and support the filtration device above a workspace. The portable fixture may also provide a vacuum to the filtration device. To that end, the portable fixture may have a vacuum inlet port which may be connected to a vacuum source and a vacuum outlet port that is fluidly connected to the vacuum inlet port.
US08157102B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing sheet material, in particular papers of value such as bank notes, checks, etc. The present invention starts out from the consideration that the validity of a successful check of sheet material is still present unchanged after an operating disturbance. The result of a check of sheet material which was performed successfully before a disturbance is therefore retained when a disturbance is present or after the disturbance has been eliminated.
US08157091B2
A paint brush protective cover for a paint brush includes a jacket which provides for wet media storage and safe transportation.
US08157073B2
A separable clutch for a motor vehicle has a clutch plate including a moveably mounted release unit. The clutch is pressure-medium actuated and includes an actuating piston acting on the release unit to engage and disengage the clutch, and a pressure chamber which is delimited at one side by at least one part of the actuating piston and at the other side by at least one part of a clamping piston. At least the actuating piston, the pressure chamber and the clamping piston are resiliently supported in a defined position against the release unit by spring force. The spring force is smaller than a limit force required for actuating the release unit. A pressure change in the pressure chamber, brought about by a clutch actuation causes the clamping piston to actuate a clamping device such that the clamping piston is fixed before the actuating piston actuates the release unit.
US08157070B2
A marine reduction and reverse gear unit having an output shaft disposed at an acute (or obtuse) angle with respect to an input shaft 7 comprises: a drive gear 15 for transmitting torque from the input shaft 7; first and second driven gears 30, 31 engaged with the drive gear and disposed on the right and left sides thereof to sandwich the drive gear between the first and second driven gears; a reverse gear 16 connected to the drive gear 15 via a reverse hydraulic clutch 16; a first forward speed gear 33 connected to the first driven gear 30 via a hydraulic clutch; a second forward speed gear connected to the second driven gear 31 via a hydraulic clutch; and an output gear 26 fixed on the output shaft and engaged directly with one of the reverse gear 16, first forward speed gear 33 and second forward speed gear 36, or engaged therewith via idle gears to thereby receive the transmitted torque. This marine reduction and reverse gear unit provides a stable boat speed and enhanced acceleration performance by increasing the number of engine revolutions when wakeboarding.
US08157066B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an impact absorbing member capable of reinforcing a desired reinforcement object portion. The impact absorbing member includes a long impact absorbing body which absorbs energy at the time of a collision by being deformed itself and a mounting member which is disposed at a reinforcement object portion of the impact absorbing body so that it is deformed along deformation of the reinforcement object portion at the time of the collision and mounted to a mounting object member. When the reinforcement object portion is deformed at the time of the collision, the mounting member is deformed along deformation of the reinforcement object portion. Due to that deformation, the mounting member can reinforce the reinforcement object portion.
US08157063B2
A brake pad assembly (10) comprising a molded material (26) affixed to a backing plate (12) having opposed faces (14, 16), one or more non-circular extrusion openings (24, 38) through its thickness, and tab-like extensions (22) or other integral attachment for incorporating the assembly (10) by location and support into a vehicle brake system. The molded material (26) extends over both opposed faces (14, 16) of the backing plate (12) by being extruded through the extrusion openings (24, 38) to provide a unitary structure wherein molded material (26) at one side of the backing plate (12) functions as a friction-generating pad material (28) and the portion of the molded material (26) at the opposite side of the backing plate (12) functions as the assembly shim-like noise attenuating element (32) due to vibration damping properties. The number, configuration, and placement of the extrusion openings (24, 36) through the thickness of the backing plate (12) is varied to alter the noise attenuating properties of the assembly (10), further reducing the tendency for modal locking of brake components.
US08157055B2
A ladder accessory or caddy that is connectible or removably mountable to the upper ends or rails of a ladder is adapted to position the ladder relative to a work structure and the ground and comprises an elongated rectangular shaped housing member and a resilient cushion member connected to the housing member. The housing has top and bottom walls, a pair of sidewalls, a forward and rearward end walls, and an interior wall. The walls cooperate to form a socket having an opening on the bottom, for receiving and closely fitting about the upper end portion of the ladder. The forward or cushioned end of the caddy is curvilinear and forms a “bull nose” for greater work surface contact area for stabilization. Also means for securing the caddy in position such as a biased latch may be provided to fix the caddy to the ladder while in use.
US08157054B1
The aquatic ladder was designed for ease of use, rather than ease of storage. It has wide, deep treads, arranged like a staircase, with side and upper railings which make it easy to enter or exit the water, even by elderly people, tired individuals, those carrying aquatic equipment, such as SCUBA gear or water skis, and, even, by pets. In the preferred embodiment, the aquatic ladder includes upper railings which each have an inverted “U” shape, and the distal end of those railings have hinged brackets for mounting the aquatic ladder to an object to be boarded. In an alternative embodiment, the aquatic ladder is mounted on a sliding rail, such that it can be raised, vertically, from the water, when it is not being used. The vertical portions of the ladder are short, relative to the overall height of the ladder whereby less material is used to manufacture the ladder, while making its shipment and storage easier. The ladder is preferably made from aluminum, although it can be made of other materials, such as steel (e.g., stainless or galvanized), fiberglass, plastic, or other composites.
US08157051B2
This method includes the placing of the first porous layer (1) onto one part of a wall of a mold cavity having the shape desired by the soundproofing component, the first layer (1) not occupying the entire cavity, and the injection of a foaming polymer composition into the cavity of the mold to form the second open-cell porous layer (3). The two steps of placing the practically airtight intermediate layer (2) onto the first porous layer (1) and of injecting a polymer composition in order to form the second porous layer (3) are carried out simultaneously in a single step of injecting the foaming polymer composition.
US08157050B2
A jet engine, including a wall surrounding a first gas flow ejected from a downstream end of the wall along a longitudinal axis, a second flow of gas running outside the wall in a direction of ejection of the first gas flow, at least one duct arranged on the periphery of the downstream end of the wall which is desired to eject a gas flow for interacting with one and/or the other gas flow, the at least one duct including a terminal section provided at the free end thereof with an outlet opening through which the fluid is ejected. The terminal section successively includes a first section of straight duct aligned along a median axis and a second duct section forming a bend relative to the straight section, the second portion having a free end provided with the outlet opening and sufficiently close to the median axis of the first section to give the terminal section a reduced restriction in a direction of formation of the bend.
US08157049B1
In some embodiments, a tetrahedral subwoofer enclosure includes a substantially triangular first face, second face, third face, and fourth face, a first corner at an intersection of the first, second and third faces, a second corner at an intersection of the first, second and fourth faces, a third corner at an intersection of the first, third and fourth faces, a fourth corner at an intersection of the second, third and fourth faces, wherein an angle between the first corner and a midpoint between the third corner and the fourth corner, having the second corner as its vertex, is substantially ninety degrees, wherein an angle between the third corner and the fourth corner, having the second corner as its vertex, is substantially ninety degrees, and a subwoofer driver attached to the third face, having a free air resonant frequency less than one hundred Hertz.
US08157048B2
An acoustically resistive protective cover assembly for an opening in a casing is provided, the casing separates an enclosed space from the ambient space and has an exposed face oriented toward the ambient space and an internal face oriented toward the internal space. The cover assembly comprises an acoustically resistive porous material disposed upon the exposed face of the case and an acoustically resistive water repellant material disposed upon the internal face of the case.
US08157044B2
An all-terrain vehicle including a frame having longitudinally-spaced ends defining a first longitudinal axis, and an engine supported by the frame. The engine includes a crankshaft defining a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis.
US08157038B2
Improved cooling capacity for a V-belt continuously variable transmission that is compatible with miniaturization of a vehicle body cover is provided in a saddle-ride type vehicle. A concave-shaped space recessed downward is compartmented forward of a seat by a vehicle body cover. An engine unit is supported by the vehicle body frame below the concave-shaped space. The engine unit includes a transmission case formed with a belt chamber in which a V-belt continuously variable transmission is accommodated. An intake duct defines an air passage communicated to the belt chamber. The intake duct is arranged between the transmission case and a leg shield.
US08157030B2
An arrangement and a method are disclosed for driving and steering an engine driven vehicle of the type m which left and right hand wheels 120L, 120R are respectively driven from the engine through left and right hand transmissions 122L, 122R and a steering effect is exerted by changing the ratio of one transmission relative to the other. According to the invention a follower is operatively coupled to at least one of the transmissions and is movable circumferentially about an axis by means of a driver actuable steering control to change the relative speeds of the two driven wheels and radially with respect to the axis by means of a driver actuable speed control to increase/decrease the speeds of the two driven wheels in unison.
US08157028B2
A masonry drill bit includes a cutting insert which is substantially roof-shaped in sideview and has on each side of its “roof” one lip. Each lip includes a leading cutting surface and a trailing free surface, wherein the mutually abutting free surfaces at the roof ridge define a chisel edge. Each free surface is concave in a sub-zone adjacent to the chisel edge in a manner that the radially outer ends of the chisel edge axially protrude at the end face of the insert relative to the in-between center of the chisel edge. Each lip includes at least one recess and to that extent deviates from the substantially roof-shaped geometry.
US08157019B2
Disclosed herein is a downhole tubular sealing system. The system includes, a tubular runnable in a downhole wellbore, a swellable seal disposed at the tubular that is sealable with the downhole wellbore when swelled, and at least one releasable member in operable communication with the tubular and the swellable seal. The at least one releasable member configured to longitudinally fix the swellable seal to the tubular when nonreleased and to longitudinally disengage the swellable seal from the tubular when released.
US08157017B2
A chemical injection system for controlling injection of an injection fluid from an injection fluid supply at a surface location into a production tubing assembly having an upper flow path, a first flow zone, and a second flow zone. The chemical injection system comprises a first fluid injection line configured to inject the injection fluid into the first flow zone and a second fluid injection line configured to inject the injection fluid into the second flow zone. A main fluid supply line is configured to fluidly connect both the first fluid injection line and the second fluid injection line to the injection fluid supply.
US08157000B2
A heat exchanger core incorporating diffusion bonded plates and heat exchangers incorporating such core are disclosed. The heat exchanger core comprises first and second groups of interleaved plates which are arranged respectively to carry first and second heat exchange fluids, and each of the plates in each group is formed in one of its faces with thirty or more platelets, each of which is composed of a group of parallel channels. Ports extend through the first and second groups of plates for conveying the first and second heat exchange fluids to and from the platelets, and distribution channels connect opposite ends of each platelet in each of the plates to associated ones of the ports. The distribution channels that are associated with each of the platelets in the plates of the first group are disposed in intersecting relationship with the distribution channels that are associated with respective ones of the platelets in the plates of the second group whereby each one of the platelets in the plates of the first group is located in heat exchange juxtaposition with a respective one of the platelets in the plates of the second group.
US08156999B2
This invention relates to an air conditioner having an air inlet at its upper portion. The heat exchanger (4) includes multiple plate fins (1) arranged in parallel so that air flows therebetween, and heat transfer tubes (2) perpendicularly inserted into the plate fins (1) and arranged perpendicularly to the air flow direction through which working fluid passes. The heat exchanger (4) includes a lower front heat exchanger (4a), an upper front heat exchanger (4b), and a rear heat exchanger (4c) separately produced and arranged to surround the circulating fan (5). The air pressure loss of the lower front heat exchanger (4a) is set to be smaller than the air pressure losses of the other heat exchangers.
US08156997B1
A device and method are disclosed for producing heated and/or cooled compressed air. The device may include a conventional air compressor, one or more filter stages to dry and purify the compressed air, a heat exchanger assembly including a heat exchanger enclosure with a heat exchange coil surrounded by ice or hot water for cooling or heating the compressed air, and an air distribution manifold to supply the temperature-controlled and filtered air to users. In a preferred embodiment, ice is used to cool the compressed air, and the cooled compressed air is supplied to protective gear worn by athletes to cool the athletes during rest periods.
US08156993B2
A roll screen control member is revealed. The roll screen control member consists of a sprocket wheel, a chain protection cover, a sprocket support, a cover spring, a splined bush and a central pin. The splined bush is mounted with a roll screen tube while the central pin includes a central pin head with a plurality of cutting surfaces. After the central pin being locked into the sprocket support, each cutting surface of the central pin is corresponding to each cutting surface on the sprocket support. When a chain is pulled, due to the precise locking between the central pin and the sprocket support, splined bush is moved along with the cover spring so as to drive the roll screen tube to rotate along with the movement and further control extension or retraction of the roll screen.
US08156989B2
A compact handheld adhesive applicator is provided with a housing assembly and a cartridge assembly removably connected to the housing assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a primary spool for mounting an adhesive segment roll and a secondary spool for automatically winding a spent portion of the adhesive segment roll. A gear arrangement allows for numerous adhesive segments to be applied consecutively in a glide-type application or for a single adhesive segment to be accurately applied using a manual advance feature.
US08156986B2
The invention can efficiently provide a carcass member constituting a carcass layer of a radial tire, particularly, a carcass member a direction of a cord of which constitutes an angle of substantially 90° relative to a tire circumferential direction, and can easily adjust a length in accordance with a size, one piece of a cord (C) is continuously passed through a rubber coating die (14) to coat rubber on the cord, the rubber coated cord (C1) is shaped such that a sectional outer shape thereof constitutes an elliptical shape, the rubber coated cord (C1) is wound around an aligning drum (30) while adjusting a direction of the elliptical shape by way of an aligning guide (20) to bond without producing a gap to form a cylinder-like member (A1), thereafter, the cylinder-like member (A1) is cut in a direction in parallel with the drum axis center to constitute a sheet-like shape.
US08156980B2
A pneumatic tire for use with telescopic material handlers includes a first concentrically continuous sidewall protector rib projecting axially outward from the sidewall and located above a midpoint of the sidewall. A second non-continuous sidewall protector rib is located concentrically outward of the first sidewall protector rib. The tire is a relatively low aspect ratio tire having a relatively flat sidewall profile. This provides a tire having the advantage of added sidewall protection without increasing the overall width of the inflated tire.
US08156979B2
The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire which contains a built-in zoned puncture sealant layer. The zoned puncture sealant layer is comprised of organoperoxide depolymerized butyl rubber zones comprised of a central primary zone and lateral zones joined together to form a unitary sealant layer. The sealant of the lateral zones of the sealant layer is of a higher storage modulus (G′) than the sealant of the central zone.
US08156966B2
There is disclosed an animal-resistant tubing system. The animal resistant tubing system may include a flexible tube disposed within a coil shield, the coil shield having an uncompressed length longer than a length of the flexible tube. The coil shield may have an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the flexible tube. The entire length of the coil shield may be free to move radially, axially and rotationally about the flexible tube except that the first and second fittings may prevent the coil shield from moving axially beyond the ends of the flexible tube, such that the length of the coil shield is compressed between the first fitting and the second fitting.
US08156965B2
A modular arrangement is proposed with modules (10-25) added in a row direction, these being constructed at least partially as valve modules (16-21, 23, 24), wherein one module is constructed as a control module (10) and is connected to the other modules (11-25) by control and/or sensor lines (30) running transversely through these modules. Voltage supply lines (36, 37) powered by a voltage source (33) run transversely through the modules (10-25). At least one module is constructed as a safety module (12) and has a switching arrangement (38) for interrupting the voltage supply lines (36) to the modules (13-21) powered via the safety module (12) in the activated state. Safety-related control and/or diagnostic electronics are provided for activating the switching arrangement (38).
US08156962B2
A microvalve device for controlling fluid flow includes a body defining a chamber having first and second ends. The first end is in communication with a source of command pressure. The second end in communication with a source of load pressure. A micromachined spool valve is disposed in the chamber between the first and second ends for sliding movement by differential pressure across the spool between a first position in which allows fluid flow between the source of load pressure and a source of supply pressure and a second position which allows fluid flow between the source of load pressure and a pressure vent. The spool valve has a closed position intermediate the first position and the second position which restricts fluid flow between the source of load pressure and both the source of supply pressure and the pressure vent. The spool valve is moveably connected to the body.
US08156957B2
A system, including a closed chamber (20) having a gas inlet (22) and a gas outlet (24) is shown and described. An inert gas supply under positive pressure is connected to the gas inlet, and a bubbler is connected to the gas outlet. The bubbler includes a compartment that is partially filled with liquid so as to define a head space, an inlet operatively connected to the gas outlet, a vent, and a vacuum line in fluid communication with the head space so that the head space has a negative pressure.
US08156952B2
A tent frame is disclosed including at least three support legs. The at least three support legs may have a connected end and a free end and may include a collapsible truss with at least two compression members, a hinge situated between the compression members, and a tension member extending from a first point near the free end to a second point near the connected end. The at least three support legs may be joined at their respective connected ends. A tent is also disclosed including a collapsible frame and a shell adapted to cover the frame, the shell having at least one window opening and at least one window curtain covering the at least one window opening, the at least one window curtain being adapted to slidably open and close. A method of setting up a tent is also described.
US08156949B2
A cosmetic storage and application device is provided. Such device includes a housing member having a plurality of compartments. Such housing member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size. Such device further includes an access mechanism for each of such plurality of compartments. Such device further includes a plurality of predetermined cosmetics, each one of such plurality of predetermined cosmetics being housed within a predetermined compartment. Such device also includes a plurality of predetermined cosmetic applicators, each one of such plurality of predetermined cosmetic applicators being housed within a predetermined corresponding cosmetic compartment.
US08156948B2
A device such as a compact or product container includes a plurality of stacked sections or housings, which are pivotable with respect to each other. The sections are substantially aligned with each other when the device is in a closed position, and when pivoted with respect to each other, the device is opened to allow access to compartments or reservoirs of the different sections. According to an example, a lower housing or section can include a product application device to facilitate the application of the product contained in an upper section or housing. The product application device is held in the lower housing such that the hair of the product application device is not damaged by the pivoting of the plurality of stacked sections.
US08156939B1
In therapeutic apparatus, the combination comprising an adjustable cradle pressure exerting therapeutic cushion, a flexible sheath housing a cushion, an elongated support operatively connected to a sheath for maneuvering a sheath and cushion into selected position or positions for transmitting pressure between a person and a surface onto which a person's body weight is imposed via a cushion and sheath.
US08156935B2
A respiratory tube assembly includes a three-way connector having first to third connecting sections, a container defining a receiving chamber and having a container surrounding wall and a projection projecting into the receiving chamber, a cover connected to the third connecting section and including a tubular recess, a recess bottom wall having a water-discharge opening, and an outer surrounding wall engaged detachably to the container surrounding wall, a valve head disposed movably within the tubular recess, and a valve rod extending into the receiving chamber. The valve head abuts against the third connecting section when the valve rod abuts against the projection so that the tubular recess communicates fluidly with the receiving chamber through the water-discharge opening. An inner tubular unit extends through the first and second connecting sections.
US08156931B2
A vent cap for a direct vent system. The cap may include a base plate and a semicircular outer housing secured to the base plate. A divider is coupled within the outer housing, with the divider forming in exhaust region and an inlet region. A heat shield is positioned within the semicircular outer housing in the outlet region. A direct vent pipe coupling is provided in the base plate and includes a first pipe having an outlet coupled to the divider.
US08156920B2
Procedure for the transition of an internal combustion engine, particularly a gasoline engine with direct gasoline injection and with a partially variable valve-train assembly, from an initial mode of operation into a target mode of operation, whereby the initial mode of operation and the target mode of operation are either a mode of operation with an externally-supplied ignition or one with self-ignition.The procedure comprises the procedural steps: Adaptation of the operating parameters of the initial mode of operation to the required values for the target mode of operation in a map-based pilot control phase Changeover of the mode of operation after the map-based pilot control phase Closed-loop control of the operating parameters after the changeover.
US08156919B2
Embodiments of rotary vane engines include rotors that rotate about an axis of rotation. The rotors can be moved in directions substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation to vary expansion and/or compression ratios of the rotary vane engines. The ability to vary the expansion and/or compression ratios can facilitate optimization of the performance of the rotary vane engines as operating conditions vary.
US08156912B2
Disclosed herein is a vehicle including a variable intake pipe length device capable of adjusting the length of an intake pipe according to the condition of an engine, the intake pipe being provided in an intake passage for inducing air from an air cleaner box to an intake port of the engine, the intake pipe including a fixed funnel and a movable funnel movable relative to the fixed funnel by a driving force of an actuator, wherein the actuator is located inside of an envelope formed by the contour of the intake pipe.
US08156901B2
A pet restraint system includes a collar having first and second ends and a fastener to selectively secure the first and second collar ends about a pet. A radio transmitter is coupled to the collar that emits a signal at a predetermined frequency. The system includes a handheld unit separated from the collar that includes a radio receiver configured to receive a radio signal, a GPS receiver for receiving signals from global positioning satellites, a signal indicator, and a CPU in data communication with the radio receiver, GPS receiver, and signal indicator. The CPU includes programming for evaluating a relative strength of signals received by the radio receiver and for outputting the relative strength to the signal indicator indicative of a position of the signal transmitter relative to the handheld unit. The CPU also includes programming for evaluating GPS signals and determining a global position of the handheld unit.
US08156877B1
A sewing template and associated method to aid in the production of components for a quilt are provided. The sewing template may include a needle position indicator and a center guide line passing through the needle position indicator. The sewing template may be constructed from a material that is operable to cling to a work surface, such as an acrylic sewing table. The sewing template may include color-coded regions to assist a quilter in producing components with various patterns. The sewing template may further include features to assist in initially aligning the template with a sewing machine and/or a sewing work surface.
US08156876B2
Systems and methods of integrating plasma waste processing are described. An integreted energy generation system provided with a fossil fuel power plant system having a combustion chamber and a plasma waste processing system having an output. The integrated energy generation system also including an integrator for combining the output of thermal energy from the plasma waste processing system with the combustion chamber of the fossil fuel power plant.
US08156873B1
A recreational apparatus is provided having an elevated rail system with a carrier suspended therefrom. The carrier has a frame that is slidably coupled to the rail system by a coupling assembly. The carrier includes a pedal assembly coupled to a wheel assembly. The wheel assembly is configured such that when the pedal assembly is engaged the wheel assembly will cause the coupling assembly to advance along the elongate pathway defined by the elevated rail system.
US08156865B2
A method for operating a printing machine in a print operating mode and another operating mode, for example a maintenance mode. In the print operating mode, bringing a vibrating roller periodically into contact with a first roller of an inking unit, driving the first roller rotationally by a first motor, driving a second roller of the inking unit rotationally by a second motor, transmitting no torque from the first motor to the second roller through a clutch therebetween, and activating the first motor by a control device causing the first roller to rotate at a rotational speed in a constant ratio to a rotational speed of the second roller. In the other operating mode, driving the first and second rollers rotationally by the first motor and transmitting torque from the first motor to the second roller through the clutch. A printing machine for carrying out the method Is also provided.
US08156861B1
A collapsible food holding system for holding and supporting food during preparation, cleaning or cooking. The collapsible food holding system has an inner frame assembly, and an outer frame assembly pivotably connected to the inner frame assembly via a hinge. The inner frame assembly has an enclosed configuration, and the outer frame assembly has a substantially U-shaped configuration with a tool end located at each free end thereof. The inner and outer frame assemblies each have a hinge pivotably engagable with each other. The tool ends are adapted to retain a food item on the outer frame assembly or between the inner and outer frame assemblies. The outer frame assembly is sized to receive the inner frame assembly in its interior when the inner frame assembly is pivoted about the hinge.
US08156856B2
A hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder having a shaft hole, a piston inserted into the shaft hole so as to have clearance with respect to an inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole, and seal members arranged in annular grooves formed in an inner circumference of the shaft hole to seal an annular gap between the inner circumference of the shaft hole and the piston, wherein in the hydraulic cylinder in which cavitation could occur in a portion of the clearance accompanying motion of the piston, an expansion part obtained by expanding a portion of a sidewall surface of the annular grooves on an inner circumferential edge side outward from an arrangement area of the seal members is provided to make a distance from a location where cavitation occurs to the seal members longer by a space formed by the expansion part.
US08156849B2
A work head adapted to support at least one elongate work piece, said work head having a first drive shaft capable of rotation about a central axis, said work pieces being supported from the work head at a position spaced radially from the central axis such that the axis of each work piece is in the same plane as the central axis, the work pieces supported from the work head to be capable of rotation about their central axes, the drive shaft adapted to be caused to rotate by a first drive, the work pieces adapted to be caused to rotate by a second drive.
US08156846B2
An extension rod includes a body having an axial passage and a restriction hole and a positioning hole are respectively defined radially in the body and communicate with the axial passage. A shaft of a control member is rotatably inserted into the positioning hole and includes a recess defined in radially which is located within the axial passage. An operation rod is axially movably inserted into the axial passage and a spring is biased between the operation rod and an end piece which seals the axial passage. The operation rod is engaged with the recess and includes first and second dents in different depths. When rotating the shaft, the first and second dents are movable to receive a bead in the restriction hole such that the bead is control to protrude out from the restriction hole to position or release a socket mounted to the body.
US08156841B2
A manipulation lever connection structure for a vehicle eliminates a striking sound without losing an adjusting function of an adjustment nut. The manipulation lever connection structure for a vehicle includes an arm for operating a driving changeover device and for connecting a wire which extends from a manipulation lever to the arm. An adjustment bolt is mounted on a distal end of the wire with a joint slidably mounted on the adjustment bolt on an axis thereof. An adjustment nut for supporting the joint is fastened to the adjustment bolt. A pair of side plate portions, respectively, forming elongated holes which allow the joint to pass therethrough is mounted on the arm. The adjustment nut is inserted between the pair of side plate portions with a buffer cover being mounted on the adjustment nut with a clearance formed between the adjustment nut and the respective side plate portions.
US08156836B2
A gearbox for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to two coaxial input shafts carrying gearwheels, and three layshafts selectively drivable by the input shafts. Each gearwheel of the input shafts meshes with at least one gearwheel of the two layshafts. The three layshafts carry three pinions meshing with a same output gearwheel, and the third layshaft further carries a reverse gearwheel meshing with a gearwheel of the first layshaft.
US08156827B2
An external force detection device includes a weight portion, a supporting portion, and a beam portion provided in an SOI substrate which includes an upper layer and a lower layer that are capable of being etched with a first etching gas and sandwich an intermediate layer that is capable of being etched with a second etching gas. The weight portion is displaced in accordance with an external force to cause the beam portion to deform. The upper layer in a gap portion between the weight portion and the supporting portion is etched. The lower layer in the gap portion and the lower layer below the beam portion are etched. The intermediate layer in the gap portion is then etched. The groove formed by etching the upper layer has a multidirectional two-dimensional shape.
US08156825B2
One aspect of the inventive technology may be generally described as a method for determining test object deformation response that comprises the steps of moving a deformation force deliverer 1 to deliver deformation force 24 to a test object 3; adjusting a deformation force deliverer affecting input so as to meet at least one constraint while performing the step of moving the deformation force deliverer 1; deforming the test object 3 with the deformation force 24; and determining test object response to the deformation force. Corollary apparatus, in addition to other inventive apparatus and method aspects relating variously to test object deformation response determination are part of the inventive technology. Such aspects may relate to the use of a linear actuator 15 in a test object deformation and to identity of motion of a deformation force deliverer 3 and a force deliverer drive component 75, as herein described.
US08156824B2
An orthopedic simulator is provided with a mechanism with a plurality of sub-mechanisms that generate relative motions between the portions of orthopedic devices, such as spinal disc implants. The sub-mechanisms are configured to be nested so as to place the sub-mechanism with the highest required performance closest to the specimen.
US08156822B2
Methods of evaluating a fluid condition may include stroking a valve member and measuring a force acting on the valve member during the stroke. Methods of evaluating a fluid condition may include measuring a force acting on a valve member in the presence of fluid flow over a period of time and evaluating at least one of the frequency of changes in the measured force over the period of time and the magnitude of the changes in the measured force over the period of time to identify the presence of an anomaly in a fluid flow and, optionally, its estimated location. Methods of evaluating a valve condition may include directing a fluid flow through a valve while stroking a valve member, measuring a force acting on the valve member during the stroke, and comparing the measured force to a reference force. Valve assemblies and related systems are also disclosed.
US08156821B2
An apparatus for testing the break-through strength of a tissue product is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a dose addition assembly having an opening and a sample holder. The sample holder comprises a lower platen and an upper platen disposed in a fact to face relationship and each having coextensive openings disposed therein. The opening of the dose addition assembly is disposed proximate to one of the openings disposed within the upper and lower platens. A substance is disposed within the dose addition assembly and is capable of being expectorated from the opening of the dose addition assembly through one of the openings disposed within the upper and lower platens onto a tissue product disposed between the upper and lower platens and within the openings disposed within the upper and lower platens.
US08156818B2
A bourdon tube pressure gauge includes a joint which is made of resin and attached to a pressure container, and a bourdon tube which is made of metal and provided with a base end part fixed to the joint. The joint is formed with a fixing hole to which the base end part of the bourdon tube is inserted and adhesively fixed, and a side face of the fixing hole is formed with a recessed part which is recessed in a flattened direction of the base end part of the bourdon tube that is inserted into the fixing hole. Further, the recessed part is formed toward a depth side of the fixing hole and at least a part of the recessed part which is formed on an inner side of the fixing hole is formed wider in the flattened direction than an opening part of the fixing hole which is an insertion port of the bourdon tube.
US08156817B2
Provided is a pressure detection device capable of easy installation and removal of a sensor in/from a diaphragm, measurement of a pressure in a wide rage, and manufacture at a low cost while reducing a size. A sensor part (A) has: a magnet (12) being applied with a load produced by pressing of a diaphragm (8); and a magnet cap (11) covering the magnet (12). The diaphragm (8) has an intra-diaphragm magnetic body (9) buried therein. The intra-diaphragm magnetic body (9) has a protrusion part protruding from the diaphragm (8) so as to be in contact with the magnet (12). The magnet cap (11) has an opening part enabling the protrusion part of the intra-diaphragm magnetic body (9) and the magnet (12) to be joined together.
US08156816B2
A pressure sensor includes a sense element port, a support ring and a plurality of interference fit slits to provide a flexible interference fit between the sense element port and the support ring to form a substantially flush lap joint. The sensor also includes an electronics board inside the support ring and attached to planar mounting tabs which provide a stable mounting. Gel flow barriers protect electronics board features from unwanted non-conductive gel. Double-ended symmetrical, tapered contact springs provide manufacturing cost savings and contribute to improved alignment of an interface connector of the sensor.
US08156814B2
A surface acoustic wave sensor detects a mass load on a resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter on the basis of a change in frequency and includes an IDT electrode arranged on a piezoelectric substrate to excite surface waves, an insulating film arranged so as to cover the IDT electrode, and a reaction film which is disposed on the insulating film and which reacts with a target substance to be detected or a binding substance that binds to a target substance to be detected. The reaction film is composed of a metal or a metal oxide.
US08156803B2
A float-type oil-level detection apparatus is provided for detecting the surface of engine oil. A housing (81) for housing a float (82) has a through-hole (136) in the sidewall of the side opposite from the sidewall that faces the movement of the oil dipper (69).
US08156794B2
An indenter is pressed onto a test piece; a displacement of the indenter is detected; and a testing force applied to the test piece through the indenter is detected. FFT analysis is performed on a displacement detection signal detected in a non-load state to detect a frequency band of noise. Filter characteristics are calculated based on the detected frequency band, and filtering is performed on the displacement detection signal based on the filter characteristics. Physical properties of the test piece are evaluated based upon the displacement detection signal after the filtering and the testing force.
US08156792B2
A method for ascertaining and/or monitoring a process variable, wherein a time-limited, exciting signal, which is described by at least one desired quantity, or by a desired signal form, is applied to a first piezoelectric element, or to a first polarized zone of a piezoelectric element. The response signal, which is described by at least one actual quantity, or actual signal form, corresponding, respectively, to the desired quantity, or desired signal form, is registered by a second piezoelectric element, or by a second polarized zone of the piezoelectric element, wherein the actual quantity, or the actual signal form, of the response signal and the desired quantity, or the designed signal form, of the response signal are compared with one another. On the basis of the ultrasonic measuring signal, which is describable by the defined desired quantity, or the defined, desired signal form, the process variable is ascertained via a sound-entrainment method or via an echo method.
US08156790B2
The present invention provides a sensor capable of maintaining an electrical connection between the lead frame and an electrode terminal section of the detection element even when an inadequate external force is applied to a lead frame and a sensor production method capable of preventing the lead frame from buckling and being deformed into an inadequate shape. The lead frame (second lead frame) can inhibit movement of a second frame main body section axially toward a rear end side through engagement of a third locking surface of a second locking section with a second locking groove and can inhibit the second frame main body section from going apart from an inner surface of an insertion hole through engagement of a fourth locking surface of the second frame locking section, which faces an element engagement section side. Namely, even when an external force is applied to the lead frame, movement of the lead frame main body section (second lead frame main body section) can be inhibited and a variation in the relative positions of the lead frame and the detection element can be prevented.
US08156785B1
A method and apparatus for determining a value that correlates to available traction that is a lightweight, hand-held, portable apparatus that may include a pad of material, a translating assembly, a load assembly, a first device to move the pad and a second device that measures a peak amount of break-away torque. The load assembly facilitates application of a calibrated load to the pad as a result of but regardless of a force applied to the apparatus.
US08156782B2
A test adapter for the saturated vapor calibration of gas-measuring devices. The test adapter (2) has, in an adapter housing (15), a peripheral edge (7) for receiving a gas-measuring device and has a depression (10) for receiving the sample liquid in the area of the gas-sensitive surface of the gas-measuring device.
US08156779B2
In an apparatus for producing a spark plug, approach driving conditions are calculated on the basis of a specified thrust feeding amount so that, while a temporal overlap occurs between a time period of feed-driving toward a rolling position P2 of a workpiece supporting portion (11) and an approach driving time period, in a circumferential direction of a workpiece W, a positional relationship between the starting position of the threaded portion which is rolling-formed, and the joining position of the ground electrode to the tip end face of the workpiece W is constant. The operation of an approach driving portion is controlled on the basis of the calculated approach driving conditions.
US08156777B1
The invention relates to a lock and key combination including a cylinder lock with a rotatable key plug having a key slot for receiving a flat key blade (100) on a key, and at least two side locking tumblers (201a, 201b; 301, 302; 401, 402) which are guided in associated chambers in the key plug and have transverse fingers (211a, 211b: 311, 312; 411, 412a, 412b) projecting into the key slot. There is a code pattern (110) in a side recess (115, 118) of the key blade comprising at least two separate code surfaces formed on at least one side surface (101) of the key, including a primary code surface (131-135; 141′; 151) located in an external portion of the side recess and adjoining said one side surface (101), and a secondary code surface (141-145; 142′152) being defined in a groove forming a deeper portion of the side recess. The primary and secondary code surfaces engage with first and second fingers (211b, 311, 411 and 211a, 312, 412a) on associated side locking tumblers. Master key systems can be designed by using such locks and keys.
US08156769B2
An automatic washing machine includes a wash basin having a plurality of apertures and an annular liquid reservoir formed at an upper portion of the basin. A plurality of flow channels are arranged around the exterior surface of the wash basin. The plurality of flow channels includes upward flow channels, configured for directing wash liquid extracted from the wash basin into the reservoir under centrifugal force generated in a spin cycle. The plurality of flow channels also includes downward flow channels configured for directing wash liquid from the reservoir to a central drain following the spin cycle. The arrangement avoids the need for an outer wash tub, and at the same time provides stabilization to the wash basin during high speed spins. In another aspect, the wash basin may include wash action ramps provided on a bottom surface of the wash basin and at an upper sidewall of the wash basin. The wash action ramps, in conjunction with a sequence of wash basin acceleration and deceleration cycles, induce an effective wash action, and circulation of the wash load, in lieu of a conventional central agitator. In yet another aspect, a drive system of the washing machine comprises a drive shaft that doubles as a drain pipe for draining wash liquid from the wash basin.
US08156767B2
An apparatus and a method are provided for forming a tubular-shaped knitted covering for a paint roller, or the like, having a pile extending from an outer surface of the covering, through use of a dial needle knitting arrangement. A cylinder needle knitting arrangement may be utilized in conjunction with the dial needle knitting arrangement for forming a tubular-shaped knitted covering for a paint roller having a pile formed from a combination of sliver and yarn fibers in successive courses of the tubular-shaped knitted covering.
US08156762B2
Described herein are methods for making microfluidic devices comprising glass or glass-containing materials, wherein the methods have decreased cost and/or improved dimensional properties over similar formed glass articles produced using current techniques.
US08156757B2
A high efficiency, low maintenance single stage or multi-stage centrifugal compressor assembly for large cooling installations. The assembly is highly efficient by virtue of a variable frequency drive (VFD) that drives a permanent magnet motor and matches compressor speed with compressor load, a direct drive impeller that eliminates gearing losses, and magnetic bearings that reduce frictional losses. The back-emf produced by the motor provides an intermediate power source for the magnetic bearings in the event of a loss of electrical power. A cooling system provides direct cooling of the rotor with gas refrigerant, and cooling of the stator with liquid refrigerant. Modular construction allows the compressor to be retrofit with upgrades. An inlet guide vane system operates without need for oil lubrication. The use of light metal castings and elimination of gearing reduces the weight to one-third or less of comparably powered conventional units.
US08156755B2
The invention relates to a refrigerator for storing vials containing a (bio)pharmaceutical substance, in particular vaccines for animals, comprising a cabinet having an internal space for accommodating the vials arranged in columns, a cooling element for cooling the internal space and at least one door or dispenser for removing vials from the internal space. A plurality of guides located inside the space and adapted to slidingly accommodate columns of the vials. The invention further relates to a cartridge suitable for use in the said refrigerator.
US08156747B2
A supply method without cooling medium for an air conditioner comprises the steps of removing moisture, separating cold air from hot air and supplying. Under the condition of no cooling medium, the above-mentioned steps separate the moisture from the compressed air, separate the cold air from the hot air and supply the cold air and the hot air. The system using the supply method without cooling medium for an air conditioner comprises at least one air dryer having an air-moisture separation chamber for separating air from moisture and at least one separator having a separation chamber for separating cold air from hot air. The separator is connected to a pipeline to supply the cold air and the hot air. Thereby, the environment will not be destroyed, and the cold and hot air are supplied separately, which allows the user to use the cold or hot air according to his/her requirement.
US08156725B2
A compressed air energy storage system and method of capturing CO2 during compressed air energy storage the system and method including a gas inlet pipe, at least one air compressor stage attached to the gas inlet pipe and adapted for compression of a gas, a heat transfer system to cool the gas during or after compression, the heat being recycled throughout the system, at least one absorption bed for separating CO2 from the compressed gas attached to the heat transfer system, at least one compressed gas reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, the reservoir attached at its inlet to the absorption bed, at least one preheater stage attached to the outlet of the compressed gas reservoir for heating a compressed gas after storage in the compressed gas reservoir, and at least one gas expander attached to the preheater stage and adapted for the expansion of the compressed gas.
US08156721B1
A transport indexing chain for a food-packaging machine is made of two different materials in order to provide the most optimal result of a drive chain that resists wear and tear and thus reduces elongation of the chain over time, and which also provides a drive indexing chain that resists bacterial infection. In order to satisfy the first objective of providing a chain that resists wear and elongation of the drive chain, the parts thereof that remain exposed to greasing or lubrication, and thus are resistant to rusting, are made of the same prior-art material of nickel-plated carbon steel. These parts are: The bushings, the rollers, and the pivot rods or pins. The remaining parts, namely the links or side plates and the clamping attachments, are made of stainless steel, whereby prevention of bacterial infection is substantially achieved without increased wear.
US08156719B2
A packaging apparatus for real-time alignment of packaging surfaces can include two or more sensors for detecting the positioning of carton surfaces and a servo system. The servo system can include a servo motor and a controller. The servo system records the positioning of the carton surfaces and calculates a difference in position. The controller compares the calculated value with a predetermined value and if necessary, the servo motor turns a correction wheel to align the carton surfaces.
US08156714B2
A beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles with a beverage bottle treatment machine and a beverage bottle treatment machine in a beverage bottling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.”The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US08156702B2
Disclosed herein is a waterproof ceiling. The waterproof ceiling includes a hanger unit secured at an upper end thereof to an existing ceiling to support a load on a lower end. A carrying channel is connected to the lower end of the hanger unit so as to be at right angles with the hanger unit. A drain module bar is connected and secured to a predetermined portion on the carrying channel and forms a predetermined angle with the ground to create a flow passage for leaked water. A waterproof panel is fitted to each of both sides of the drain module bar, thus closing a space between drain module bars. A water collecting pipe is provided horizontally on an end of the drain module bar, thus collecting the leaked water and discharging the water to the outside.
US08156696B2
Isolation flooring systems, vibrational damping devices, and methods for their use are disclosed. The present invention has the advantage of having a minimum of moving parts, and being extraordinarily easy to install and inspect. In preferred embodiments, the invention is drawn to methods of isolating sensitive objects from the full extent of seismic vibrations.
US08156695B2
Provided herein are methods, devices and systems comprising an anchor post that has a shaft, at least one stabilizing element attached to the anchor post configured to resist movement of the anchor post, and at least one alignment element.
US08156694B2
A method and device for supporting a structure above a fixed surface. The device can include a support pedestal whose height is adjustable through a range of heights without a substantial gap in the obtainable heights. In one embodiment, the support pedestal can include a base member, a support member and a coupling member operatively connecting the base member and the support member. The coupling member can include first and second cylindrical walls, whereby an outer wall of the coupling member bears directly on an outer wall of the base member. Locking members can be utilized to operatively attach the coupling member to at least one of the base member or the support member. The locking members can function to increase the structural stability of support pedestal.
US08156692B2
An endwall overhang is provided for a building which may include a wall and a roof frame. The wall may have an inside facing inward to the structure and an outside facing outward from the structure, each of the inside and the outside having an upper region, and the roof frame may include a plurality of roof members. The building may also include at least one support member on the upper region of the outside of the wall, protruding outward from the structure. The building may further include an overhang assembly with at least one roof piece, a trim piece and a lengthwise member, the lengthwise member having at least two orthogonal surfaces. The roof and trim pieces may be coupled with the surfaces of the lengthwise member. The overhang assembly may be coupled with the structure by coupling the roof piece with the support member.
US08156687B2
The present invention relates to a method of evaluating multiple plant individuals or plant lines for deep rooting property under the same culture medium moisture conditions. A method of the present invention is a method of evaluating multiple plant individuals for deep rooting property under the same culture medium moisture conditions, by planting multiple plant individuals together in a sufficiently deep culture vessel and lowering the culture medium moisture content gradually. The present invention also provides a method for evaluating plants for deep rooting property, wherein a culture vessel is installed in a water tank so that the culture medium moisture content can be readily adjusted, and thus management of cultivation conditions is facile and efficient. It is possible to select a plant which can grow in dry and low-groundwater level environment efficiently, by using the method of the present invention. Thus, the method of the present invention can find application in breeding a crop suitable for dry land cultivation and trees usable in desert greening.
US08156682B2
A frog lure device imitating life-like swimming action. The device has a diving “collar” disposed around an upper region of the lure body which causes the lure body to dive. Concurrent with the diving action, the lure has a kicking action such when given a single pull followed by a rest, the frog lure responds by diving from a surface region of the water to a depth beneath the surface region, straightening its legs as it moves forward and as the lure comes to rest, the legs retract. The collar forms a trail of bubbles and a vortex behind it. The pair of legs has a suitable length to not become trapped in the vortex, such that the legs straighten out to cause a kicking action and also provide stability to the lure as it accelerates through the water. The frog lure device can also be crawled across surface vegetation.
US08156679B1
An accessory module is installed between a weapon accessory (optical sighting device) and its corresponding mounting interface. The accessory module includes a body having a lower surface which is configured and arranged to mate with the corresponding upper surface of the mounting interface and an upper surface that includes a seat that is configured and arranged to conform to and receive the outer surface of the weapon accessory. The accessory module includes electronic accessories, such as for example, a flashlight configured to emit visible white light, colored light and/or infrared light. Further, the accessory module may include laser devices therein such as a laser sight, an infrared laser for night vision targeting, or a laser range finder device. The accessory module may also be configured to include a taser and/or a compact video camera.
US08156671B2
A photoluminescent member is provided for an exit device. The photoluminescent member comprises a housing member for mounting to the exterior surface of the exit device. The housing member includes a photoluminescent portion for being energized by exposure to an ambient light source and operable to automatically emit visible light photoluminescently for a substantial period of time in low ambient light or dark conditions and without being energized by an electrical current so that the photoluminescent portion provides illumination to identify the exit device in the low ambient light or dark conditions for providing a visual cue directing a person to a location of the exit device.
US08156669B2
The invention relates to a hot air outdoor advertising structure comprising an envelope (1) having at least one substantially flat surface and an opening for hot air supply in its lower part. The envelope (1) is secured to the ground by means at least two fixing ropes (8) and comprise at least one joining rope (7) having ends connected inside to the opposite side walls of the envelope (1), and at least four carrying ropes (6), having upper ends connected from inside to the upper wall of the envelope (1) and lower ends connected with at least one elastic coupler (5) being connected by means of at least four intermediate ropes (4) with a hot air supply device (2, 15, 17). The hot air supply device is preferably a basket (3) suspended to the intermediate ropes (4) and connected to a heating device placed on the ground. A source of light may be preferably installed in the interior of the envelope (1) and/or a projection screen sheet may be attached to the envelope (1). The invention encompasses the features of a hot air balloon and large scale advertisement.
US08156663B2
A shoe outsole and method of manufacture wherein the outsole, or various components thereof such as various inserts and/or additional layers associated with a particular outsole, are formed using various scrap materials generated during the shoe manufacturing process such as leather, leather dust, jute, and other fibrous material, the scrap materials being used as a filler material and being mixed with various elastomeric materials to form the shoe outsole and various components thereof. The outsole can be formed as a substantially one-piece unit, or it can be formed as a base sole layer having one or more additional layers associated therewith including inserts associated with the forefoot and heel regions of the outsole.
US08156659B2
Disclosed is a filter cleaning apparatus and a ductless dryer adopting the same, the dryer having a main body, a drum rotatably mounted at the main body, a hot air supplying unit supplying hot air into the drum, a heat exchanger condensing and removing moisture contained in air exhausted from the drum, a circulation duct conducing the air exhausted from the drum to the heat exchanger, a filter installed in the circulation duct and filtering foreign substances contained in the air discharged from the drum, and a filter cleaning apparatus removing the foreign substances caught by the filter, thereby enhancing a user's convenience and reducing indoor air contamination which may occur in the course of removing the foreign substances.
US08156653B2
A surgical scalpel is presented which combines the attributes of cost-effectiveness in design and safety of single use scalpel devices and the ability to be autoclavable so as to promote the device as a multiple use device as well. The design of the device is such as to afford medical personnel the feel, weight and balance of the original metal unguarded scalpel, while maintaining safety through the shielding of the blade during non-use and the ability to dispose of the blade in a safe controlled manner. The user is able to remove the blade through the biasing action of a living hinge and have it securely attached to the shield of the device for later discharge into a sharps container, all without having to place ones hands near the unguarded sharp. The device to designed to use existing styles of blades without needing costly inventories of specially created blades.
US08156650B2
A selective surface treatment method using a block copolymer, a black matrix and a method of manufacturing the same, and a nozzle plate and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. According to the method of manufacturing a nozzle plate, a block copolymer layer including an ink-phobic polymer block and an ink-philic polymer block may be formed on a stamp, a substrate having nozzles formed therein and an ink-philic coating film formed on an outer surface of the substrate and inner walls of the nozzles may be prepared, and the block copolymer layer formed on the stamp may be transferred onto an upper surface of the ink-philic coating film formed on the outer surface of the substrate.
US08156644B2
An electrically continuous, grounded conformal EMI protective shield and methods for applying same directly to the surfaces of a printed circuit board. The EMI shield adheres and conforms to the surface of the components and printed wiring board. The shield takes the shape of the covered surfaces while adding little to the dimensions of the surfaces. The EMI shield includes low viscosity, high adherence conductive and dielectric coatings each of which can be applied in one or more layers. The dielectric coating is initially applied to selected locations of the printed circuit board so as to be interposed between the conductive coating and the printed circuit board, preventing the conductive coating from electrically contacting selected components and printed wiring board regions. A high viscosity, non-electrically-conductive filler material is applied to printed circuit board regions that have surfaces that are cavitatious and/or which have a highly variable slope.
US08156643B2
A method of electrically interconnecting a semiconductor chip to another electronic device including providing a carrier including contact pins and a chip attached to the carrier, the chip having a copper contact pad that faces away from the carrier, extending a copper electrical connector between the contact pins and the contact pad, and diffusion soldering the copper electrical connector to the active area with a solder material including tin to form a solder connection including a contiguous bronze coating disposed between and in direct contact with both the copper electrical connector and the contact pad.
US08156642B2
A component mounting method in which a component can be mounted with high mounting accuracy even onto a board that is long in a transportation direction in a component mounter, includes: calculating a first amount of correction for a component mounting position by recognizing positions of board marks in the first mounting area; mounting the component at the component mounting position which is being corrected based on the amount of correction calculated in the calculating a first amount of correction; calculating a second amount of correction for a component mounting position by recognizing positions of board marks in the second mounting area; and mounting the component at the component mounting position which is being corrected based on the amount of correction calculated in the calculating a second amount of correction.
US08156641B2
Exemplary embodiments provide interconnects and methods for interconnecting an electrical device array with a flexible circuit by filling a chemically-etched or laser-ablated integral stencil with conductive materials.
US08156635B2
Disclosed herein is a carrier for manufacturing a substrate, including: an insulation layer including a first metal layer formed on one side or both sides thereof; a second metal layer formed on one side of the first metal layer; and a third metal layer formed on one side of the second metal layer, wherein the second metal layer has a lower melting point than the first metal layer or the third metal layer. The carrier is advantageous in that a build up layer can be separated from a carrier by heating, so that a routing process is not required, with the result that the size of a substrate does not change when the build up layer is separated from the carrier, thereby reusing the carrier and maintaining the compatibility between the substrate and manufacturing facilities.
US08156630B2
A method for joining members capable of firmly joining a first member made of a tubular member, such as, e.g., a pipe, to a second member is provided. The following items are prepared: a tubular first member 1 having a polygonal cross-section and a hollow portion 3, a second member 5 having an insertion hole 6 with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the first member 1, and a split die 11 circumferentially split into multiple segments at positions corresponding to flat wall portions 1a of the first member 1. Then, the first member 1 is inserted into the insertion hole 6 of the second member 5, and the split die 11 is disposed in the hollow portion 3 of the first member 1. Next, each segment 11a of the split die 11 is moved radially outward of the first member 1 toward each corner 1b of the first member. As a result, an insertion portion 2a of the first member 1 inserted in the insertion hole 6 and both sections 2b and 2b axially adjacent to the insertion portions 2a are expanded to join the first member 1 and the second member 5.
US08156629B2
An apparatus and method for coupling utilities is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for coupling utilities comprises a lower plate supported by a box, the plate having an aperture, at least one preloaded spring, at least one utility connection component, and a primary alignment pin projecting from a first surface of the plate; and an upper plate having a secondary alignment pin shorter than the primary alignment pin projecting from a first surface of the upper plate, an aperture and at least one utility connection component. The upper plate can move toward the lower plate with the first surfaces of the plates facing one another so that the primary alignment pin passes through the aperture in the upper plate and the secondary alignment pin passes through the aperture in the lower plate, the at least one preloaded spring is compressed, and the plates engage, coupling the utility connection components.
US08156627B2
Methods for manufacturing a front portion of a bottled water dispenser are provided. The methods include forming a top panel and a bottom panel from sheet metal, such that the top and bottom panels exhibit an exterior surface that is convex. The top and bottom panels are formed by bending a left and right side portion thereof inwards, in order to create the convex exterior surface of the top and bottom panels. The methods further include forming a middle panel from sheet metal, such that an exterior surface of the middle panel is concave. The middle panel is formed by applying a draw force to the center portion of the middle panel to create the concave exterior surface—and bending the left and right side portions of the middle panel inward. The bottom, middle, and top panels may then be connected to each other.
US08156623B1
Methods and apparatus for removing condensed metal from the surfaces of metal processing chambers, such as, vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnaces having, for example, condensed Mg or Ti, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide a robotic arm end positioned in the furnace having a nozzle operatively connected to a source of dry ice. The robotic arm end directs a stream of dry ice particles against the surface of the furnace to displace condensed metal. The displaced metal is collected for reuse or disposal. Aspects of the invention provide a safe and automated process for cleaning process chambers and recovering metal that can typically be dangerous when performed by conventional methods.
US08156622B2
A method of fabricating an electronic component is provided. The method includes placing a plurality of electrodes in a stack. Spacing between adjacent electrodes in the stack is determined by one or more removable spacers. The method further includes bonding adjacent electrodes together to fix the spacing and removing the spacers from between the adjacent electrodes.
US08156620B2
A method of producing an ultrasonic probe may include superimposing an ultrasonic wave receiving organic piezoelectric element layer made of an organic material on an ultrasonic wave transmitting inorganic piezoelectric element layer made of an inorganic material, and polarizing the ultrasonic wave receiving organic piezoelectric element layer and the ultrasonic wave transmitting inorganic piezoelectric element layer on a condition that the ultrasonic wave receiving organic piezoelectric element layer is superimposed on the ultrasonic wave transmitting inorganic piezoelectric element layer.
US08156616B2
A safe pacifier clip including a base sheet, a pulling member, a latching member, a clamping member and a tying tool. A connecting sheet is longitudinally connected between two protruding sheet columns and the height of the connecting sheet is lower than that of the sheet columns, a first flange is installed on the top end of the connecting sheet; a second flange provided on the top end of the latching member is installed in the connecting sheet and is provided adjacent to the inner surface of the first flange; an opening at the bottom end of the cap-shaped clamping member is provided to the first and the second flanges that are in a stacking status, and arc-shaped clamping sheets provided at the front and the rear ends of the clamping member clamp the two flanges.
US08156610B2
A writing assist device includes a hand-receiving body having an exterior surface with a convex contour for ergonomically receiving the palm and/or fingers of the hand of a user from underneath and a base adapted to easily move by pushing or pulling on a writing surface to allow writing by the user. The body includes an inclined channel for receiving a writing instrument, such as a pen or pencil, and a securing element to releasably secure the writing instrument at an inclined angle in the channel. The channel is disposed on the body such that the thumb and index finger of the user lie on opposite sides of the channel during writing in manner that generally resembles the natural gripping of a pen or pencil between the thumb and index finger of an able-bodied person to impart a more natural feeling of writing control. A removable, stretchable cover can be placed on the exterior surface of the body for the comfort of the user before the user places his/her hand on the device.
US08156608B2
An apparatus is provided, which includes a mobile body configured to travel over a surface, a source of a liquid, a liquid dispenser and a flow path from the liquid source to the liquid dispenser. A functional generator is coupled in the flow path, which comprises an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane and which electrochemically activates the liquid from the liquid source which is passed through the functional generator.
US08156602B2
A device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The device may be a toothbrush that generates chemical agents in a user's mouth by applying an electrical potential to an electrolyte such as saliva and/or a dentifrice located therein. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The toothbrush may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The toothbrush may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.
US08156595B2
A manually operated ramp assembly includes a ramp platform and a drive assembly. The ramp platform is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and the drive assembly is coupled to and affords movement of the ramp platform. A shaft extends away from the drive assembly and defines a shaft axis. The shaft is coupled to the drive assembly to cause movement of the ramp platform between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. A handle is disposed at a distal end of the shaft for manual rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. A biasing member biases the ramp platform toward the stowed position.
US08156590B2
A controlling method of a laundry machine is disclosed. The controlling method includes supplying wash water into a tub up to a predetermined water level, and controlling On/Off of a steam heater and a tub heater until a temperature inside the tub or a drum reaches a predetermined temperature at the predetermined water level. By using both the tub heater and steam heater in conjunction with a controlling of a water supply valve in order to acquire the predetermined water level and predetermined tub temperature, the controlling method is advantageous to improve energy efficiency of the laundry machine.
US08156584B1
A bed skirt support (10) is disclosed comprising a relatively flat, central portion or decking (14) having at least on side support section (16, 18, 20) removably or fixedly attached thereto.
US08156581B2
An apparatus for lifting and moving a person comprises a mobile base assembly and a lift assembly moveably mounted on the base assembly permitting the lift assembly to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the base assembly. The lift assembly includes a frame member moveably engaging the base assembly. A first support arm of a butterfly seat is rotatably attached to the frame member for rotation about an upwardly extending axis. A second support arm of the butterfly seat is rotatably attached to the frame member laterally spaced from the first support arm for rotation about an upwardly extending axis. The first and second support arms include weight bearing platforms adjacent the free distal ends of the support arms. The first and second support arms are movable between a first position where the weight bearing platforms are close enough for supporting a person and a second position where the first support arm and the second support arm are spaced sufficiently from each other to receive a person between the weight bearing platforms. A powered lift is provided for moving the lift assembly upwardly and downwardly relative to the base assembly.
US08156580B1
A sink, basin, tub or shower fixture with a cutout of such sink, basin, tub or shower located at a point on the fixture behind which the fittings and connections for the faucets and other attachments that are attached to the fixture can be found. This cutout is normally occupied by a removable segment of the fixture and joined to the fixture in a watertight manner. Thus anyone examining or replacing the faucets or attachments will readily be able to reach the nuts and bolts securing the faucets to the fixture and not have to work from under the fixture or within the confines of an enclosing cabinet.
US08156575B2
Headwear wearable by a user is provided having rearview mirrors mounted thereon or incorporated therein via robust mounting structures or mechanisms. The rearview mirrors can be attached to the headwear such that the mirrors are movable between a stowed or collapsed configuration in which the mirror is at least partially hidden from the user's view and a deployed configuration in which a viewing surface of the mirror is positioned to provide a rear view image to the user. The headwear may be goggles, helmets or other structures wearable on the head of a user. Rearview mirrors mountable to headwear are also provided.
US08156570B1
The lack of air flow under body armor, helmets, and thick garments can lead to excessive moisture build up and discomfort on the wearers body due to lack of heat removal and effective evaporation of sweat. By incorporating wick covered heat pipes or thermal conductors with air flow channels in the apparel contact area between the garments, helmets, and body armor the effectiveness air flow cooling and evaporation of sweat can be restored. Humidity or temperature auto-actuated bi-material valves are used to control this air-moisture-heat flow to achieve a controlled comfortable humidity-temperature environment and avoid excessive cooling. Supplementary air pumps, filters, dehydrators, fluid pumps, heating fluids, and cooling fluids may be incorporated to enhance the effectiveness. Biocides and hydrophilic materials are also incorporated on the wick coverings to avoid biological growth and maintain performance to achieve a healthy environment for the wearer.
US08161558B2
Method and arrangements are provided for use in managing a network having one more user computing entities and one or more administrative computing entities. One method includes monitoring network traffic from a user computing entity; detecting a client request sent from the user computing entity, and scanning the user computing entity for vulnerabilities.
US08161555B2
Disclosed is a method and system for identifying a controller of a first computer transmitting a network attack to an attacked computer. To identify an attacker implementing the attack on the attacked computer, the present invention traces the attack back to the controller one hop at a time. The invention examines traces of the attacked computer to identify the first computer. Traffic transmitted to the first computer is redirected through a monitoring complex before being transmitted to the first computer. The controller is then detected from traffic monitoring by the monitoring complex.
US08161554B2
An intrusion detection system for a computer network includes a knowledge database that contains a baseline of normal host behavior, and a correlation engine that monitors network activity with reference to the knowledge database. The correlation engine accumulating information about anomalous events occurring on the network and then periodically correlating the anomalous events. The correlation engine generates a worm outbreak alarm when a certain number of hosts exhibit a role-reversal behavior. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
