US08198673B2
The present invention provides a method of forming asymmetric field-effect-transistors. The method includes forming a gate structure on top of a semiconductor substrate, the gate structure including a gate stack and spacers adjacent to sidewalls of the gate stack, and having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; performing angled ion-implantation from the first side of the gate structure in the substrate, thereby forming an ion-implanted region adjacent to the first side, wherein the gate structure prevents the angled ion-implantation from reaching the substrate adjacent to the second side of the gate structure; and performing epitaxial growth on the substrate at the first and second sides of the gate structure. As a result, epitaxial growth on the ion-implanted region is much slower than a region experiencing no ion-implantation. A source region formed to the second side of the gate structure by the epitaxial growth has a height higher than a drain region formed to the first side of the gate structure by the epitaxial growth. A semiconductor structure formed thereby is also provided.
US08198671B2
A flash memory device comprises a substrate comprising silicon with a silicon dioxide layer thereon. A silicon-oxygen-nitrogen layer is on the silicon dioxide layer, and the silicon-oxygen-nitrogen layer comprises a shaped concentration level profile of oxygen through the thickness of the layer. A blocking dielectric layer is on the silicon-oxygen-nitrogen layer, and a gate electrode is on the blocking dielectric layer. Oxygen ions can be implanted into a silicon nitride layer to form the silicon-oxygen-nitrogen layer.
US08198654B2
A first gate electrode surrounding the periphery of the first gate insulating film, a second gate insulating film surrounding the periphery of the first gate electrode, a first columnar silicon layer surrounding the periphery of the second gate insulating film, a first upper part high concentration semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type formed in the upper part of the first island-shaped silicon layer, a second lower part high concentration semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type formed in the lower part of the first island-shaped silicon layer, a first upper part high concentration semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type formed in the upper part of the first columnar silicon layer, and a second lower part high concentration semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type formed in the lower part of the first columnar silicon layer.
US08198647B2
A light emitting apparatus, includes: a substrate; a semiconductor device including a semiconductor layer formed integrally on a major surface of the substrate; and a light emitting device formed separately from the substrate. The light emitting device is mounted on the major surface of the substrate, electrically connected to the semiconductor device, and thermally connected to the substrate.
US08198637B2
A semiconductor laser includes a nitride semiconductor substrate with a striped raised portion that extends in a resonant cavity length direction, a masking layer, which has been defined on the principal surface of the nitride semiconductor substrate and which has a striped opening in a selected area on the upper surface of the striped raised portion, and a nitride semiconductor multilayer structure, which has been grown on the selected area on the upper surface of the striped raised portion. The nitride semiconductor multilayer structure is thicker than nitride semiconductors on the masking layer, and the nitride semiconductor multilayer structure is broader in width than the striped opening of the masking layer and includes portions that have grown laterally onto the masking layer.
US08198630B2
A TFT is manufactured using at least five photomasks in a conventional liquid crystal display device, and therefore the manufacturing cost is high. By performing the formation of the pixel electrode, the source region and the drain region by using three photomasks in three photolithography steps, a liquid crystal display device prepared with a pixel TFT portion, having a reverse stagger type n-channel TFT, and a storage capacitor can be realized, FIG. 2.
US08198627B2
A semiconductor device includes at least one first type of pad and at least one second type of pad having a different area from the first type of pad. A pad connection unit electrically couples the at least one second type of pad to an integrated circuit of the semiconductor device during a test mode, and disconnects the at least one second type of pad from the integrated circuit during a normal operating mode.
US08198626B2
A reference wafer maintains laser accuracy and calibrates a camera and a laser of a semiconductor equipment. The reference wafer includes a first anti-reflection layer, an adhesive layer, a light absorption layer and a second anti-reflection layer that are stacked over a substrate, a light reflection layer formed over the second anti-reflection layer, and a protection layer formed over the light reflection layer.
US08198622B2
A nanowire according to the present invention includes: a nanowire body made of a first material; and a plurality of semiconductor particle made of a second material and being contained in at least a portion of the interior of the nanowire body.
US08198617B2
A first method locates a component positioned underneath a surface of a target object using a pointing instrument, wherein a position of the component in the target object coordinate system is known. The first method includes calculating an orientation of the aim point axis of the instrument in the instrument coordinate system for the aim point axis of the instrument to be aligned with the component using at least an inverse calibration matrix, the position of the component in the target object coordinate system, and inverse kinematics of the instrument. The first method also includes rotating the aim point axis of the instrument to the calculated orientation. Second and third methods also are described for locating an access panel for accessing the component and/or maintenance zones in which the component resides.
US08198603B2
A sample preparing device has a sample stage that supports a sample and undergoes rotation about a first rotation axis to bring a preselected direction of the sample piece into coincidence with an intersection line between a first plane formed by a surface of the sample piece and a second plane. A manipulator holds sample piece of the sample and undergoes rotation about a second rotation axis independently of the sample stage to rotate the sample piece to a preselected position in the state in which the preselected direction of the sample piece coincides with the intersection line. The manipulator is disposed relative to the sample stage so that an angle between the second rotation axis and the surface of the sample is in the range of 0° to 45°. The second plane corresponds to a plane obtained by rotating around the second rotation axis a line segment which is vertical to the surface of the sample and of which one end corresponds to an intersection between the surface of the sample and the second rotation axis.
US08198601B2
The disclosure relates to a method for producing a multi-beam deflector array device with a plurality of openings for use in a particle-beam exposure apparatus, in particular a projection lithography system, said method starting from a CMOS wafer and comprising the steps of generating at least one pair of parallel trenches on the first side of the wafer blank at the edges of an area where the circuitry layer below is non-functional, the trenches reaching into the layer of bulk material; passivating the sidewalls and bottom of the trenches; depositing a conducting filling material into the trenches, thus creating columns of filling material serving as electrodes; attaching metallic contact means to the top of the electrodes; structuring of an opening between the electrodes, said opening stretching across abovementioned area so that the columns are arranged opposite of each other on the sidewalls of the opening.
US08198600B2
An angle-responsive sensor, comprising: a radiation detector adapted to detect ionizing radiation; at least one collimator arranged to block radiation from reaching the detector in a manner dependent on a relative orientation of a radiation source, the detector and the collimator, the detector and the collimator defining an aim for the sensor; and circuitry coupled to the detector and which generates an output signal which varies as a function of the relative orientation, wherein the detector and the collimator are arranged to have a working volume of at least 10 cm in depth and having an angular width, such that the slope of the signal as a function of angle varies by less than a factor of 2 over the working volume.
US08198596B2
An imaging system comprises: an imaging unit for producing an image within a given field of view; an image defect detector for detecting a defective area from a first image that is produced by the imaging unit without a subject in the given field of view; a size enlarging unit for forming a deemed defective area having an enlarged size consisting of pixels of the first image corresponding to a defective area detected by the image defect detector and at least one of pixels adjacent to these pixels; and an image defect correcting unit for correcting a second image produced by the imaging unit with a subject located within the given view of field according to a deemed defective area formed by the size enlarging unit.
US08198595B2
This invention provides a radiation dosimeter and new method of operation which comprise two types of the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) circuits allowing to amplify the threshold voltage changes due to radiation and provide temperature compensation. The first type dosimeter is a radiation integrated circuit (RADIC) which includes two radiation field-effect transistors (RADFET) and two MOSFETs, integrated into the same substrate. The second type of radiation circuit includes two RADFETs, integrated into the same substrate, and two resistors. The amplification of the threshold voltage change is achieved by using amplification principles of an MOSFET inverter. In both cases, under the ionizing irradiation, the gate of first RADFET is forward biased and the gate of second RADFET is biased off. In the reading mode the amplified differential threshold voltage change is measured. The increased radiation sensitivity allows to measure of the milli-rad doses. The temperature effect and drift is substantially eliminated. These radiation integrated circuits can be used as a personal dosimeter in the nuclear, industrial and medical fields.
US08198594B2
The invention provides a radiation detection device (1) for obtaining an image of a part of a test animal or human using high-energy radiation, comprising a detection chamber, a plurality of pinholes distributed all around the detection chamber over at least one pinhole wall, at least one framing wall having an opening for the high-energy radiation, at least one detector which is designed for detecting high-energy radiation, in which a plurality of image fields are provided on the at least one detector, in each case having one beam path from a part of the detection chamber to at least one detector, in which at least one of the at least one pinhole wall and the at least one framing wall is displaceable in such a manner that at least one of the plurality of image fields can be modified in size and/or direction. This provides the possibility to image an object at several angles, or to image a larger or a different part thereof, so that the entire device can be used in a more flexible manner.The invention also provides a scintillation device and detection method, as well as a multiple image-forming device.
US08198593B2
A radiation conversion device includes a radiation detection device, which detects radiation having passed through a subject, and converts the radiation into radiation image information, and a battery unit for supplying electrical power to at least the radiation detection device. The battery unit is equipped with at least two batteries, and set with a required capacity for capturing at least one radiation image.
US08198585B2
A chromatograph mass spectrometer is provided for obtaining the information pertinent to a structural analysis, with a simple operation, on a compound series including a plurality of compounds whose structures and characters are similar. First, based on the data obtained by a normal LC/MS analysis, a two-dimensional isointensity line graph is created and displayed with a retention time and a mass-to-charge ratio on the two axes and with a signal intensity represented in contour (S1 and S2). When the operator specifies a desired range by a drag operation or the like by a mouse (S3), peaks included in the range specified are extracted and based on the peaks, precursor ions are selected (S4 through S6). Then a schedule is created so that an MS2 analysis is performed for the precursor ions selected in the course of an LC/MS analysis for the sample to be targeted (S7). Analyses are performed while properly performing the precursor ions' selection/dissociation process in accordance with the schedule to collect the MS2 spectrum data (S8).
US08198571B2
A construct for heating, browning, and/or crisping a food item in a microwave oven includes a plurality of compartments, at least one of which is defined at least partially by a microwave energy interactive insulating material that includes a layer of microwave energy interactive material supported on a polymer film, and a second polymer film layer that at least partially defines a plurality of expandable insulating cells that inflate upon exposure to microwave energy.
US08198569B2
A surface structure (1) that is at least partially electrically conductively coated by a conductor coating (11), and which can be connected to an electric power source by at least one electric connecting conductor (2). The connecting conductor (2) electrically contacts the conductor coating (11) at at least one solder point (3), and the conductive coating (11) is thickened at least at one contact zone (4) in the area of the solder point (3) as opposed to other areas (7) of the surface structure (1).
US08198568B2
A device may include a thermo-sensitive, tactile-responsive user interface that may be used in activating and/or deactivating a key lock function to control operation of the user interface.
US08198565B2
A laser-welding apparatus may include a laser source, an incoming laser beam produced by the laser source, and a beam splitter that splits the incoming laser beam to form a leading beam and a trailing beam. A first focusing lens may focus the leading beam and a second focusing lens may focus the trailing beam to form a trailing-beam pattern on a workpiece. The trailing-beam pattern may include a crescent-shape having arms and a tail portion.
US08198541B2
An electronic component built-in wiring board includes: at least a pair of wiring patterns; an insulating layer disposed between the pair of wiring board; an electronic component embedded in the insulating layer; and a metallic body provided at least on or above a main surface of the electronic component in the insulating layer and thermally contacted with the electronic component.
US08198536B2
A cable that provides reduced alien crosstalk between similar twisted pairs in cables that are in close proximity to one another and/or crosstalk between twisted pairs of the cable. In one example, a cable includes first, second and third twisted pairs, a shaped filler including a body portion and a plurality of tines extending outward from the body portion, the plurality of tines defining a plurality of channels in which the twisted pairs are individually disposed, and an outer jacket surrounding the twisted pairs and the shaped filler, wherein the shaped filler is constructed such that the body portion provides a first spacing between the first twisted pair and the second twisted pair, and one of the plurality of tines provides a second spacing between the second twisted pair and the third twisted pair, with the filler configured such that the second spacing is substantially smaller than the first spacing.
US08198535B2
A coaxial cable includes a central conductor made of cylindrical conductive material with conductivity greater than 100% and smaller than 104%, the central conductor having a thickness greater than 0.1 mm and smaller than 0.5 mm; a dielectric layer surrounding the central conductor and made of insulating material; an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric layer and made of conductive material with conductivity greater than 97% and smaller than 105% and a thickness greater than 0.24 mm and smaller than 0.35 mm; and an outer jacket surrounding the outer conductor. This coaxial cable allows stable transmission of signal even at a high frequency.
US08198534B2
An appliance having a cable harness including a ground cable, the ground cable electroconductively connected to an electrically conductive component of the appliance. The cable harness is at least partially accommodated in a cable duct of the appliance. In an exemplary embodiment, a first contact element held on the cable duct and including an integrated first contact element is electroconductively connected to the ground cable of the cable harness, which comes into electrical contact with the electrically conductive component of the household appliance using an assembly movement.
US08198532B2
A media distribution hub including a housing including a first housing member and a second housing member configured for releasable sealing engagement with one another. A sleeve is disposed about the housing, and is configured to lock the first housing member and the second housing member together and to provide a seal about the first and second housing members. A media retaining mat is disposed within the housing. A plurality of fasteners are also included, at least one of the fasteners configured for engagement with the first housing member, and at least one of the fasteners configured for engagement with the second housing member.
US08198529B2
A photovoltaic cell can include a transparent conductive layer including cadmium stannate.
US08198516B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016523. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016523. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016523 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016523 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08198485B2
A method of resolving an important chemical intermediate, 4,5-dimethoxy-1-(methylaminomethyl)-benzocyclobutane, comprises the following steps: reacting its two enantiomers of 4,5-dimethoxy-1-(methylaminomethyl)-benzocyclobutane with di-p-toluoyl-L-tartaric acid (LDTTA) or di-p-toluoyl-D-tartaric acid (DDTTA) in an alcoholic solution or an alcohol in water solution to give the corresponding salts, and then resolving the salts. This method gives high enantiomer excess value, high yield which is more than 80% in total with normal resolution and reverse resolution.
US08198483B2
(1R)-2-[(6-{2-[(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)oxy]ethoxy}hexyl)amino]-1-(2,2-dimethyl-4H-1,3-benzodioxin-6-yl)ethanol and (5R)-3-(6-{2-[(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)oxy]ethoxy}hexyl)-5-(2,2-dimethyl-4H-1,3-benzodioxin-6-yl)-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one are claimed.
US08198478B2
This present invention provides crystallization of α-form crystals preferentially which are metastable crystals without precipitating β-form crystals. This method allows for the precipitation of α-form crystals which are metastable crystals by combining (a) the process of achieving supersaturation by mixing an acidic solution with an aqueous solution containing glutamic acid to attain a pH at the isoelectric point of glutamic acid or lower, and (b) after a certain elapsed time, adding more of the aqueous glutamic acid solution to achieve a second supersaturation.
US08198477B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing acrolein by liquid phase dehydration of glycerol by preparing a mixture of a catalyst suspended in an organic solvent comprising one or more vinyl polymers and glycerol; and then mixing and heating the mixture to between 150° C. and 350° C. to dehydrate the glycerol and form acrolein. The vinyl polymers are selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polystyrene, and mixtures thereof. The polyolefins may be polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, polypentene, or mixtures thereof. The acrolein may be subjected to vapor phase oxidation in the presence of a catalyst, such as a mixed metal oxide, to produce acrylic acid.
US08198476B2
A process for the production of acetic acid by the liquid phase carbonylation of an alcohol and/or a reactive derivative thereof in which there is employed a catalyst comprising a complex of rhodium or iridium with a pincer ligand.
US08198470B2
The present invention provides processes for the preparation of crystalline forms of Tigecycline.
US08198465B2
The invention related to a novel process, novel process steps and novel intermediates useful in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active compounds, especially renin inhibitors, such as Aliskiren. Inter alia, the invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a compound of the formula II, or a salt thereof, and a compound of formula VI or a salt thereof, wherein R3 and R4 as well as Act are as defined in the specification, and processes of manufacturing these. Additionally transformation of compounds (VI) with metallo organic compounds (VII) give rise to the new compounds (VIII) which are direct precursors for the preparation of Aliskiren.
US08198463B2
The present invention provides for a process for preparing racemic methyl 6,6-dimethyl-3-azabicyclo[3,1,0]hexane-2-carboxylate, its corresponding salt: (1R,2S,5S)-methyl 6,6-dimethyl-3-azabicyclo[3,1,0]hexane-2-carboxylate di-p-toluoyl-D-tartaric acid (“D-DTTA”) salt or a (1S,2R,5R)-methyl 6,6-dimethyl-3-azabicyclo[3,1,0]hexane-2-carboxylate di-p-toluoyl-L-tartaric acid salt (“L-DTTA”) in a high enantiomeric excess. This invention also provides for a process for preparing a (1R,2S,5S)-methyl 6,6-dimethyl-3-azabicyclo[3,1,0]hexane-2-carboxylate dibenzoyl-D-tartaric acid (“D-DBTA”) salt or a (1S,2R,5R)-methyl 6,6-dimethyl-3-azabicyclo[3,1,0]hexane-2-carboxylate L-tartaric acid (“L-DBTA”) salt in a high enantiomeric excess. Further, this invention provides a process for preparing intermediates II, IIB, III, IV, IV salt, V, VI, and VII.
US08198459B2
The invention provides a novel process for the regioselective preparation of a compound of formula (I)
US08198457B2
The invention provides novel, substituted 3-arylamino pyridine compounds pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrug compounds thereof, wherein W, R1, R2, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 are as defined in the specification. Such compounds are MEK inhibitors and useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer, restenosis and inflammation. Also disclosed is the use of such compounds in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in mammals, especially humans, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US08198455B2
Process for the preparation of (R)-2-[[[3-methyl-4(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-2-piridyl]methyl]sulfinyl]benzimidazole (Dexlansoprazole) and new intermediates useful in its preparation.
US08198453B2
The present invention is directed to aspartic protease inhibitors represented by the following structural formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aspartic protease inhibitors of Structural Formula (I). Methods of antagonizing one or more aspartic proteases in a subject in need thereof, and methods for treating an aspartic protease mediated disorder in a subject using these aspartic protease inhibitors are also disclosed.
US08198450B2
Compounds of formula I in salt or solvate form, wherein W, Rx, Ry, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 and A have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating diseases mediated by the β2-adrenoreceptor. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and processes for preparing the compounds are also described.
US08198446B2
Crystalline particles of N-(17-cyclopropylmethyl-4,5α-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxy-morphinan-6β-yl)-phthalimide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are disclosed. The crystalline particles have a particle diameter distribution in which a particle diameter (D50) at the point where cumulative frequency of volume distribution cumulatively calculated from particles having a smaller diameter reaches 50% is within a range of 1 to 30 μm, and a particle diameter (D90) at the point where cumulative frequency of volume distribution cumulatively calculated from particles having a smaller diameter reaches 90% is not more than 90 μm, which crystalline particles have a degree of crystallinity of not less than 80%. By the crystalline particles, bioavailability of the active substance may be increased while ensuring storage stability of the compound.
US08198443B2
Process for the manufacture of a compound of the structure (I) with R1=hydrogen, alkyl (C1-C10, linear, cyclic or branched, aliphatic or aromatic), NR′R″ (wherein R′ and R″ are independently selected from H, alkyl [C1-C10, linear, cyclic or branched, aliphatic or aromatic] and R2=CH2R3 wherein R3 is selected from NHR1′″ (with R′″=C(O)H, C(O)CH3, C(O)alkyl, CH2C6H2(OMe)3 or other saponifiable residues), alkyl (C1-C10, linear, cyclic or branched) aromatic residues, heteroaryl residues, substituted aryl residues, e.g. 3,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl) wherein 1 equivalent of an α-formyl-propionitrile salt is reacted with 0.75 to 2 equivalents of an acetamidine salt in the presence of a Lewis acid.
US08198442B2
A new method for the preparation of optionally 2-substituted 1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid compound of Formula 1 is disclosed wherein R1 is H or an optionally substituted carbon moiety.
US08198432B2
This invention describes a first report on the synthesis of certain 124I-labelled photosensitizers related to chlorines and bacteriochlorins with long wavelength absorption in the range of 660-800 nm. In preliminary studies, these compounds show a great potential for tumor detection by positron emission tomography (PET) and treatment by photodynamic therapy (PDT). The development of tumor imaging or improved photodynamic therapy agent(s) itself represent an important step, but a dual function agent (PET imaging and PDT) provides the potential for diagnostic body scan followed by targeted therapy.
US08198429B2
The present invention provides antisense antiviral compounds, compositions, and methods of their use and production, mainly for inhibiting the replication of viruses of the Filoviridae family, including Ebola and Marburg viruses. The compounds, compositions, and methods also relate to the treatment of viral infections in mammals including primates by Ebola and Marburg viruses. The antisense antiviral compounds include phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides (PMOplus) having a nuclease resistant backbone, about 15-40 nucleotide bases, at least two but typically no more than half piperazine-containing intersubunit linkages, and a targeting sequence that is targeted against the AUG start site region of Ebola virus VP35, Ebola virus VP24, Marburg virus VP24, or Marburg virus NP, including combinations and mixtures thereof.
US08198426B2
The present invention features nucleic acid containing one or more adaptive mutations, and HCV replicon enhanced cells. Adaptive mutations are mutations that enhance HCV replicon activity. HCV replicon enhanced cells are cells having an increased ability to maintain an HCV replicon.
US08198425B2
Isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that codes for a mutant mammalian Nav1 protein are disclosed.
US08198424B2
The invention provides a fusion protein comprising a flagellin adjuvant and a Yersinia pestis antigen. Also provided are compositions comprising a flagellin adjuvant and a Yersinia pestis antigen. The invention also discloses methods of making a fusion protein comprising a flagellin adjuvant and a Yersinia pestis antigen. The invention further provides pharmaceutical formulations and methods for inducing an immune response against Yersinia pestis.
US08198419B2
The present invention provides glycorandomaized structures and combinatorial methods for rapidly generating a diverse library of glycorandomized structures, comprising incubating one or more aglycons and a pool of NDP-sugars in the presence of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase may be one that is associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites, or one which is putatively associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites. The glycosyltransferase may show significant flexibility with respect to its NDP-sugar donors and/or its aglycons. NDP-sugar donors may be commercially available, or may be produced by utilizing mutant or wild type nucleotidyltransferases significant flexibility with respect to their substrates.
US08198414B2
Binding members, e.g. human antibody molecules, which bind interleukin-6 (IL-6) and neutralize its biological effects. Use of binding members for IL-6 in medical treatment e.g. for treating inflammatory diseases and tumors associated with IL-6.
US08198412B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide antibodies capable of detecting an active TGF-β generation reaction that is specific to pathogenesis, tissues, or isoforms. The present invention provides antibodies against an LAP fragment (or latent TGF-β) generated as a result of generation of active form of human TGF-β1, human TGF-β2 and human TGF-β3. The antibodies are able to specifically recognize respective cutting edges within protease cleavage sites existing in the region from the amino acid residue glycine at position 51 to the amino acid residue arginine at position 110 of human TGF-β1, and corresponding regions of human TGF-β2 and human TGF-β3.
US08198411B2
Compositions and methods for detecting and treating cancers expressing Mullerian inhibiting substance Type II receptor (MISIIR) are provided.
US08198406B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating angiogenesis. In particular, the present invention relates to Pigment Epithelial-derived Factor (PEDF) fragments for use in modulating angiogenesis and treating angiogenesis mediated disease.
US08198403B2
The present invention includes compositions and methods for the isolation, separation and chelation of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) using a cyclizable peptide.
US08198399B2
A method for drying a material such as a polymer hydrogel which passes through a cohesive phase as it dries is disclosed. The method comprises agitating a composition while removing liquid until the solids content of the composition reaches a level at which the composition enters a cohesive phase, halting agitation, removing liquid from the composition in the absence of agitation, and resuming agitation. Practice of the present invention can eliminate the problems associated with adhesion of a material to itself and to process equipment during the cohesive phase.
US08198393B2
Conducting polythiophene films are produced by the oxidation of bithiophene or terthiophene monomers using phosphomolybdic acid, wherein the reagents are first combined to form a metastable solution, the solution is then cast as a film, and polymerization ultimately initiated by evaporation of the solvent The equivalent formation of polypyrrole via the oxidation of pyrrole using phosphomolybdic acid has been previously demonstrated, but this approach cannot be applied directly to thiophene, which has too high an oxidation potential Bithiophene and terthiophene have lower oxidation potentials, close to that of pyrrole This work suggests the previously demonstrated method is suitable for general application, requiring only the proper matching of monomer and oxidant redox potentials, and the selection of a suitable solvent and starting concentration Smooth, spin-coated polythiophene films having thicknesses of 100 to 200 run and conductivities in the range 0.2 to 0.3 S-cm−1 have been prepared.
US08198392B2
The polymer degassing apparatus includes a barrel-shaped horizontal container 41 having a supply port 42 for supplying a reactant, a discharge port 43 for discharging a reactant, a stirring means 45 for stirring a reactant, and a degassing means for drawing a gas via a degassing port 44 of the horizontal container. The supply port is positioned below the molten liquid level of the reactant. A recovery container 37 that is connected to the degassing port for recovering a volatile substance in the gas and a vacuum pump 36 are provided. The stirring means includes a plurality of stirring rods 46 oriented along the same direction as the axis in the horizontal container and coupling members 47 for coupling the stirring rods along the same direction as the axis, provided that the coupling members are placed at a distance from the virtual rotation center of the stirring means.
US08198389B2
The present invention is generally related to mold release compounds having improved cure times, environmental friendliness and durability that are formed from cycloaliphatic epoxide functionalized polydimethylsiloxane compounds In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to mold release compounds that are formed from cycloaliphatic epoxide functionalized poly(dimethylsiloxane-co-methylhydrosiloxane) compounds.
US08198383B2
A process for the gas-phase polymerization of α-olefins carried out in two interconnected polymerization zones, wherein the growing polymer particles flow through the first of said polymerization zones (riser) under fast fluidization conditions, leave said riser and enter the second of said polymerization zones (downcomer) through which they flow downward in a densified form, the process being characterized in that: (a) the gas mixture present in the riser is totally or partially prevented from entering the downcomer by introducing into the upper part of said downcomer a liquid stream LB having a composition different from the gaseous mixture present in the riser; (b) the ratio R between the flow rate Fp of polymer circulated between said downcomer and said riser and the flow rate LB of said liquid being adjusted in a range from 10 to 50.
US08198380B2
The present invention relates to a composition for a thermosetting silicone resin, the composition including: (A) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane; (B) an alkenyl group-containing epoxy compound; (C) an alkenyl group-containing cyclic siloxane; and (D) a hydrosilylation catalyst, a thermosetting silicone resin composition obtained by reacting the composition and a production method thereof, a photosemiconductor element-encapsulating material including the thermosetting silicone resin composition, and a photosemiconductor device including a photosemiconductor element encapsulated with the resin composition or the photosemiconductor element-encapsulating material.
US08198378B2
The present invention relates to a preparation method of aromatic organosulfur functionalized 1,4-cis polybutadiene comprising: polymerizing 1,3-butadiene or butadiene derivative in the presence of a specific catalyst in a nonpolar solvent to prepare 1,4-cis polybutadiene; and reacting the resultant polybutadiene with an aromatic organosulfur compound. Such prepared aromatic organosulfur functionalized 1,4-cis polybutadiene is without ultrahigh molecular weight region and, thus, has narrow molecular weight distribution.
US08198374B2
A composition for use in forming a multi-block copolymer, said copolymer containing therein two or more segments or blocks differing in chemical or physical properties, a polymerization process using the same, and the resulting polymers, wherein the composition comprises the admixture or reaction product resulting from combining: (A) a first metal complex olefin polymerization catalyst, (B) a second metal complex olefin polymerization catalyst capable of preparing polymers differing in chemical or physical properties from the polymer prepared by catalyst (A) under equivalent polymerization conditions, and (C) a chain shuttling agent.
US08198364B2
There are provided poly(vinyl alcohol) polymers and copolymers containing vinyl alcohol or vinyl acetate and derivatives thereof such as poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) polymers or polyether-grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) polymers. These polymers can contain various functional groups. Such polymers can be use as polymer matrix or solid support for various chemical substrates such as organic substrates and reagents. Cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) polymers and copolymers are also provided. Methods for preparing such polymers as well as several of their uses are also included.
US08198349B2
An exemplary embodiment discloses a polymer system including a shape memory polymer material and a graphene material.
US08198346B2
The present disclosure provides encapsulated pigments, ink-jet inks incorporating such pigments, and methods for manufacturing such pigments. In one embodiment, an encapsulated pigment can comprise a pigment, an encapsulating polymer that encapsulates the pigment, and a viscosity modifying polymer particulate that is cross-linked and which is dispersed within the encapsulating polymer.
US08198342B2
An aluminum chelate latent curing agent includes an aluminum chelate curing agent, and a porous resin that holds the aluminum chelate curing agent and is obtained by subjecting a polyfunctional isocyanate compound to interfacial polymerization while simultaneously subjecting a polyfunctional radical polymerizable compound to radical polymerization in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator. In the aluminum chelate latent curing agent, a silanol compound of the formula (A) is further held in the porous resin. (Ar)mSi(OH)n (A) In the formula, m is 2 or 3, and the sum of m and n is 4. Ar represents an optionally-substituted aryl group.
US08198326B2
Antimicrobial compositions, especially those useful when applied topically, particularly to mucosal tissues (i.e., mucous membranes), including an antiseptic such as halogenated phenols, bisphenols, diphenyl ethers, anilides and derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. The compositions can also include an enhancer component, a surfactant, a hydrophobic component, and/or a hydrophilic component. Such compositions provide effective topical antimicrobial activity and are accordingly useful in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions that are caused, or aggravated by, microorganisms (including viruses).
US08198322B2
The present invention describes the synthesis and biochemical activities of metallo-salen compounds and their derivatives. The Mn(III)-salen and Fe(III)-salen derivatives of the present invention are potential anti-tumor agents, that affect cell viability, induce strong apoptotic activity, cause nuclear condensation, fragmentation, and ultimately death in breast cancer cells MCF-7.
US08198320B2
The present invention relates to a method for controlling blood glucose level and a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetes mellitus and/or its complications. The present invention further relates to an anti-diabetic formulation for controlling blood glucose level and/or for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetes mellitus and/or its complications.
US08198319B2
A composition and method for treating diabetes and metabolic disorders, and for achieving weight loss in a subject comprising a combination of naturally occurring compounds is provided.
US08198315B2
Disclosed and described herein is a compound having a formula (I) therapeutic methods, medicaments, and compositions related thereto are also disclosed.
US08198314B2
The present invention provides indole derivatives that antagonize prostaglandin D2, and that can be used to treat inflammatory diseases mediated by prostaglandin D2.
US08198312B2
A composition of matter of an anhydride of formula 1 below and an improved two stage reaction process for production of mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6, utilizing the anhydride:
US08198311B2
Novel non-steroidal compounds are provided which are useful in treating diseases associated with modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity including inflammatory and immune diseases, obesity and diabetes having the structure of formula (I), its enantiomers, diastereomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or hydrate, thereof, wherein X is (Ia); or X is (Ib); or X is (Ic); (Id) is heterocycle or heteroaryl; E is —N—, —NR1—, —O—, —S—, —SO2— or —CR2—; F is —N—, —NR1a—, —O—, —S—, —SO2— or —CR2a—; G is N, —NR1b—, —O—, —S—, —SO2— or —CR2b—, provided that the E-F-G containing heterocyclic ring formed does not contain a S—S or S—O bond, and at least one of E, F and G is a heteroatom; J, Ja, M, Ma, Q, Rx, Ry, R1, R1a, R1b, R2, R2a, R2b, and R3 to R21, Z, Za, Zb, and Zc are as defined above.
US08198309B2
Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR9 receptor. Animal testing demonstrates that these compounds are useful for treating inflammation, a hallmark disease for CCR9. The compounds are generally aryl sulfonamide derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR9-mediated diseases, and as controls in assays for the identification of CCR9 antagonists.
US08198308B2
The present invention encompasses compounds of general formula (1) wherein the groups R2 to R4, L, Q and n are defined as in claim 1, which are suitable for the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive or abnormal cell proliferation, and the use thereof for preparing a medicament having the above-mentioned properties.
US08198306B2
Methods of treating, preventing and/or managing cancer as well as and diseases and disorders associated with, or characterized by, undesired angiogenesis are disclosed. Specific methods encompass the administration of an immunomodulatory compound alone or in combination with a second active ingredient. The invention further relates to methods of reducing or avoiding adverse side effects associated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy or immunotherapy which comprise the administration of an immunomodulatory compound. Pharmaceutical compositions, single unit dosage forms, and kits suitable for use in methods of the invention are also disclosed.
US08198301B2
A compound of formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or hydrate thereof, and a method of preparing the same. A method of treating or preventing a physiological disorder caused by abnormal protein tyrosine kinase activity in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I).
US08198287B2
A pyrimidone derivative represented by formula (I) or a salt thereof, or a solvate thereof or a hydrate thereof are disclosed and claimed. Wherein m, n, o, Y, Z, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 R6 and R7 are as described herein. Also disclosed are the salts of compounds of formula (I). The invention relates also to a medicament comprising the said derivative or a salt thereof as an active ingredient which is used for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of a neurodegenerative disease caused by abnormal activity of GSK3β, such as Alzheimer disease.
US08198281B2
The present invention relates to the crystalline forms of 2-allyl-1-[6-(I-hydroxy-1 methylethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-6-{[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl]amino}-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-3-one or a salt thereof, which are useful in the field of treatment of various cancers as a kinase inhibitor, especially as a Weel kinase inhibitor.
US08198280B2
The present invention is related to N-hydroxyamide derivatives of Formula (I) and use thereof in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and fibrosis, including multiple sclerosis, arthritis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver and pulmonary fibrosis.
US08198271B2
A compound having the following formula (1) or a salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 represent hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl or a group having the following formula (2): (R6)n—{circle around (A)}—Z— (2), R3 represents hydroxy, a lower alkoxy, a lower cycloalkyloxy, an aryloxy, carboxy, a lower alkoxycarbonyl, or —NRaRb having the following formula (3): (R7)o—{circle around (B)}— (3), R4 and R5 represent halogen, a lower alkyl, hydroxy, or a lower alkoxy; R6 represents halogen, a lower alkyl, an aryl group, a heterocyclic, a hydroxy, a lower alkoxy, mercapto, a lower alkylthio, a lower alkylcarbonyl, amino, nitro or cyano; R7 represents a lower alkyl, hydroxy or a lower alkoxy; Ra and Rb represent hydrogen or a lower alkyl; the ring A represents a cyclic hydrocarbon or a heterocyclic ring; the ring B represents a heterocyclic ring having one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen; X represents a lower alkylene; Y represents a lower alkylene; Z represents a single bond or a lower alkylene; W1-W2 represents N—CH or C—N and l, m, n and o represent 0, 1, 2, or 3.
US08198270B2
Peptide-based compounds including heteroatom-containing, three-membered rings efficiently and selectively inhibit specific activities of N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolases. The activities of those Ntn having multiple activities can be differentially inhibited by the compounds described. For example, the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome may be selectively inhibited with the inventive compounds. The peptide-based compounds include an epoxide or aziridine, and functionalization at the N-terminus. Among other therapeutic utilities, the peptide-based compounds are expected to display anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of cell proliferation.
US08198265B2
A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment. Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO. Similarly, increasing tryptophan degradation (thereby, decreasing tryptophan concentration and increasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), for example, by increasing IDO concentration or IDO activity, can suppress T cells. Although described particularly with reference to IDO regulation, one can instead manipulate local tryptophan concentrations, and/or modulate the activity of the high affinity tryptophan transporter, and/or administer other tryptophan degrading enzymes. Regulation can be further manipulated using cytokines such as macrophage colony stimulating factor, interferon gamma, alone or in combination with antigen or other cytokines.
US08198264B2
The present invention is directed to a method for the treatment of advanced head and neck cancer, the method including administering, in combination, S-1 and cisplatin and concurrently performing radiation.
US08198259B2
The present invention relates to methods to treat neurological disorders comprising intrathecal injection of an effective amount of a double-stranded (ds) RNA into a subject in need, wherein the dsRNA inhibits the expression of a target gene and to pharmaceutical compositions useful for such treatment.
US08198256B2
The present invention provides a double-stranded RNA which inhibits replication of influenza B viruses by RNA interference, in which the double-stranded RNA comprises an RNA having 19 to 25 nucleotides homologous with a part of an mRNA transcribed from a genomic RNA of the influenza B viruses and an antisense RNA thereof.
US08198250B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions that decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. The compositions of the invention comprise short interfering nucleic acid molecules (siNA) including, but not limited to, siRNA that decrease expression of genes associated with production or drainage of intraocular fluid. The compositions of the invention can be used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of an eye conditions displaying increased IOP such as glaucoma, infection, inflammation, uveitis, and diabetic retinopathy. The methods of the invention comprise the administration to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of one or more siNAs of the invention.
US08198246B1
The invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition of liposome nanoparticles for lodging in a target tissue cell in situ of an animal subject, the nanoparticles comprising at least one thermal triggered phase-transition compound as a targeting drug delivery system for physical cancer therapy.
US08198241B2
The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for increasing perfusion in hypoxic regions of tissues in subjects. Also provided are methods for treating diseases and/or disorders associated with hypoxia in subjects, methods for increasing sensitivity of tumors to radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments, methods for delaying tumor growth in subjects, and methods for inhibiting tumor blood vessel growth in subjects. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed methods involve administering to subjects in need thereof a first composition selected from the group consisting of a nitrosylated hemoglobin and an agent that induces nitrosylation of endogenous hemoglobin in the subject and a second composition comprising a hyperoxic gas. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed methods also include treating a tumor with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, or combinations thereof. Also provided are inhalable gases that can be employed in the presently disclosed methods.
US08198240B2
The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of headache and headache disorders. The methods comprise administration of an oxytocin peptide for the treatment of primary and secondary headaches or trigeminal neuralgia.
US08198239B2
The invention is directed to novel cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “CFS” compositions), including novel sustained-release cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “SR-CFS” compositions), methods of making such novel compositions and uses thereof.
US08198238B2
A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site.
US08198236B2
Oligopeptides which can be used to treat cancer are disclosed. Further disclosed are methods of treating cancer, including breast cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma (MM). These methods include administration of a polypeptide encoded by the Mesd gene, or an oligopeptide comprising a contiguous subsequence of a Mesd polypeptide.
US08198234B2
Methods of suppressing the activation of microglial cells in the Central Nervous System (CNS), methods of ameliorating or treating the neurological effects of cerebral ischemia or cerebral inflammation, and methods of combating specific diseases that affect the CNS by administering a compound that binds to microglial receptors and prevents or reduces microglial activation are described. Also described are methods of screening compounds for the ability to suppress or reduce microglial activation.
US08198232B2
The present invention concerns combination of an amount of a GPR119 agonist with an amount of a dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitor such that the combination provides an effect in lowering a blood glucose level or in increasing a blood GLP-1 level in a subject over that provided by the amount of the GPR119 agonist or the amount of the DPP-IV inhibitor alone and the use of such a combination for treating or preventing diabetes and conditions related thereto or conditions ameliorated by increasing a blood GLP-1 level. The present invention also relates to the use of a G protein-coupled receptor to screen for GLP-1 secretagogues.
US08198231B2
Co-administration of a lysostaphin or other anti-staphylococcal agent which cleaves cross-links of peptidoglycans of staphylococci cell walls such as lysostaphin and an antibiotic effective against staphylococci due to antibiotic activity mediated by cell-wall activity is effective against staphylococcal infection, even staphylococci that may be resistant to one or other of lysostaphin or the cell-wall active antibiotic. Co-administration simultaneously suppresses the generation of antibiotic-resistant mutant strains. Effective cell-wall active antibiotics include β-lactams and glycopeptides.
US08198228B2
A solidification matrix includes a biodegradable aminocarboxylate, sodium carbonate, and water. The biodegradable aminocarboxylate, sodium carbonate, and water interact to form a hydrate solid. The solidification matrix may be used, for example, in a solid detergent composition.
US08198225B2
Provided herein are sulfurized metal alkyl phenate compositions having a low alkyl phenol content. The sulfurized metal alkyl phenate compositions can be prepared by reacting a phenol compound of Formula (I) disclosed herein with an aldehyde to form a phenolic resin of Formula (II) disclosed herein and then by reacting the phenolic resin simultaneously with a metal base and a first sulfurizing agent. The sulfurized metal alkyl phenate compositions and the overbased sulfurized metal alkyl phenate compositions disclosed herein may be used as detergents for formulating lubricating oil compositions. The lubricating oil compositions disclosed herein have a reduced amount of the free phenol compound and a salt thereof.
US08198218B2
Heterocyclic compounds having a relatively flexible backbone are used to create combinatorial libraries that permit screening for lead compounds and selection of drug candidates for a variety of uses in human and veterinary medicine as well as in agriculture. The compounds of the library generally differ in ring size and chirality of substituents on the ring. Also disclosed are methods for providing and screening these libraries, preferably in an automated or computerizable manner, such as by using a computer program to virtually screen the compounds in order to identify those that are predicted to have bioactive conformations that should give rise to desirable biological effects.
US08198216B2
A dry spreadable or broadcast granule having an applied composition comprising an active chemical agent capable of forming a microemulsion upon dilution with water.
US08198202B2
A fluorophosphate glass containing: P5+ in an amount of 20 to 45 cationic %; Al3+ in an amount of 15 to 35 cationic %; Ba2+ in an amount of 20 to 50 cationic %; F− in an amount of 20 to 50 anionic %; and O2− in an amount of 50 to 80 anionic %. A molar ratio of O2−/P5+ is larger than or equal to 3.5. In addition, a molar ratio of Al3+/P5+ is larger than or equal to 0.45. Furthermore, the Abbe number (νd) of the glass is larger than or equal to 66. Finally a refractive index (nd) of the glass satisfies an expression (1): nd≧2.0614−0.0071×νd.
US08198196B1
A field effect transistor (FET) includes a trench extending into a semiconductor region. A conductive electrode is disposed in the trench, and the conductive electrode is insulated from the semiconductor region by a dielectric layer. The conductive electrode includes a conductive liner lining the dielectric layer along opposite sidewalls of the trench. The conductive liner has tapered edges such that a thickness of the conductive liner gradually increases from a top surface of the conductive electrode to a point in lower half of the conductive electrode. The conductive electrode further includes a conductive fill material sandwiched by the conductive liner. The FET further includes a drift region of a first conductivity type in the semiconductor region, and a body region of a second conductivity type extending over the drift region. Source regions of the first conductivity type extend in the body region adjacent the trench.
US08198194B2
Methods of forming p-channel MOSFETs use halo-implant steps that are performed relatively early in the fabrication process. These methods include forming a gate electrode having first sidewall spacers thereon, on a semiconductor substrate, and then forming a sacrificial sidewall spacer layer on the gate electrode. A mask layer then patterned on the gate electrode. The sacrificial sidewall spacer layer is selectively etched to define sacrificial sidewall spacers on the first sidewall spacers, using the patterned mask layer as an etching mask. A PFET halo-implant of dopants is then performed into portions of the semiconductor substrate that extend adjacent the gate electrode, using the sacrificial sidewall spacers as an implant mask. Following this implant step, source and drain region trenches are etched into the semiconductor substrate, on opposite sides of the gate electrode. These source and drain region trenches are then filled by epitaxially growing SiGe source and drain regions therein.
US08198187B2
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device that does not have a defect, such as wire breakage, due to an uplifted portion created at a rewiring pattern in a multilayer wire structure. Before a wiring layer is formed on an insulation layer, the insulation layer is exposed via a mask. The mask has a weak exposure part and a strong exposure part. The mask is positioned such that the weak exposure part corresponds to an arrangement position of a wire line of an underlying wiring layer, and such that the strong exposure part corresponds to an arrangement position of a via part of the underlying wiring layer. The underlying wiring layer is a layer immediately below the insulation layer.
US08198181B1
A switching element that includes a first semiconductor layer, the first semiconductor layer having a first portion and a second portion; a second semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer having a first portion and a second portion; an insulating layer disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; a first metal contact in contact with the first portion of the first semiconductor layer forming a first junction and in contact with the first portion of the second semiconductor layer forming a second junction; a second metal contact in contact with the second portion of the first semiconductor layer forming a third junction and in contact with the second portion of the second semiconductor layer forming a fourth junction, wherein the first junction and the fourth junction are Schottky contacts, and the second junction and the third junction are ohmic contacts.
US08198176B2
The method for producing a semiconductor chip with an adhesive film of the present invention comprises steps of preparing a laminate in which at least a divided semiconductor wafer comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips, obtained by forming a cut which separates the semiconductor wafer into a plurality of semiconductor chips on one side of the semiconductor wafer in a thickness less than that of the semiconductor wafer and by grinding the other side of the semiconductor wafer on which no cut is formed to reach the cut, an adhesive film for a semiconductor and a dicing tape are laminated, the adhesive film for a semiconductor having a thickness in the range of 1 to 15 μm and a tensile elongation at break of less than 5%, and the tensile elongation at break being less than 110% of the elongation at a maximum load; and dividing the adhesive film for a semiconductor by picking up the plurality of semiconductor chips in a laminating direction of the laminate, thereby preparing a semiconductor chip with an adhesive film.
US08198173B2
To improve bonding strength and improve reliability of an SOI substrate in bonding a semiconductor substrate and a base substrate to each other even when an insulating film containing nitrogen is used as a bonding layer, an oxide film is provided on the semiconductor substrate side, a nitrogen-containing layer is provided on the base substrate side, and the oxide film formed on the semiconductor substrate and the nitrogen-containing layer formed over the base substrate are bonded to each other. Further, plasma treatment is performed on at least one of the oxide film and the nitrogen-containing layer before bonding the oxide film formed on the semiconductor substrate and the nitrogen-containing layer formed over the base substrate to each other. Plasma treatment can be performed in a state in which a bias voltage is applied.
US08198169B2
A deep trench is formed to a depth midway into a buried insulator layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A top semiconductor layer is laterally recessed by an isotropic etch that is selective to the buried insulator layer. The deep trench is then etched below a bottom surface of the buried insulator layer. Ion implantation is performed at an angle into the deep trench to dope the sidewalls of the deep trench beneath the buried insulator layer, while the laterally recessed sidewalls of the top semiconductor layer are not implanted with dopant ions. A node dielectric and trench fill materials are deposited into the deep trench. A buried strap has an upper buried strap sidewall that is offset from a lower buried strap sidewall and a deep trench sidewall.
US08198163B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device including forming a plurality of gate structures on a semiconductor substrate, forming a plurality of impurity regions in the semiconductor substrate at sides of the gate structures, forming a dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate having the gate structures, forming contact holes by etching the dielectric layer to expose parts of the impurity regions at sides of the gate structures, directly implanting impurity ions into the exposed parts of the impurity regions via the contact holes by using the gate structures as ion implanting masks, wherein the impurity ions prevent impurities doped in the impurity regions from diffusing to channel regions of the gate structures, and forming conductive plugs in the contact holes.
US08198158B2
A multi-layer thin-film device includes thin film memory and thin film logic. The thin film memory may be programmable resistance memory, such as phase change memory, for example. The thin film logic may be complementary logic.
US08198149B2
A method for fabricating an active device array substrate is provided. A first patterned semiconductor layer, a gate insulator, a first patterned conductive layer and a first dielectric layer is sequentially formed on a substrate. First contact holes exposing the first patterned semiconductor layer are formed in the first dielectric layer and the gate insulator. A second patterned conductive layer and a second patterned semiconductor layer disposed thereon are simultaneously formed on the first dielectric layer. The second conductive layer includes contact conductors and a bottom electrode. The second patterned semiconductor layer includes an active layer. A second dielectric layer having second contact holes is formed on the first dielectric layer, wherein a portion of the second contact holes exposes the active layer. A third patterned conductive layer electrically connected to the active layer through a portion of the second contact holes is formed on the second dielectric layer.
US08198147B2
In a replacement gate approach for forming high-k metal gate electrodes in semiconductor devices, a tapered configuration of the gate openings may be accomplished by using a tensile stressed dielectric material provided laterally adjacent to the gate electrode structure. Consequently, superior deposition conditions may be achieved while the tensile stress component may be efficiently used for the strain engineering in one type of transistor. Furthermore, an additional compressively stressed dielectric material may be applied after providing the replacement gate electrode structures.
US08198144B2
A method of forming a memory device. The method provides a semiconductor substrate having a surface region. A first dielectric layer is formed overlying the surface region of the semiconductor substrate. A bottom wiring structure is formed overlying the first dielectric layer and a second dielectric material is formed overlying the top wiring structure. A bottom metal barrier material is formed to provide a metal-to-metal contact with the bottom wiring structure. The method forms a pillar structure by patterning and etching a material stack including the bottom metal barrier material, a contact material, a switching material, a conductive material, and a top barrier material. The pillar structure maintains a metal-to-metal contact with the bottom wiring structure regardless of the alignment of the pillar structure with the bottom wiring structure during etching. A top wiring structure is formed overlying the pillar structure at an angle to the bottom wiring structure.
US08198135B2
The present invention provides a method for producing integrated circuits which are mechanically flexible and can be provided contiguously on a common flexible carrier substrate. The method includes a step of continuously providing a first flexible substrate which has conductor-line patterns, and a step of mounting the integrated circuits on the first flexible substrate and connecting the integrated circuits to the conductor-line patterns of the first flexible substrate, and a step of covering the circuits mounted on the first flexible substrate with a second flexible substrate, recesses being provided in the first or second flexible substrates in order to make the conductor-line patterns of the first flexible substrate accessible. The step of covering has the sub-step of continuously providing a flexible film with recesses and laminating same onto the flexible integrated circuits mounted on the first flexible substrate, or a sub-step of applying, by a printing technique, a cover on the flexible integrated circuits mounted on the first flexible substrate.
US08198128B2
The invention provides a method for fabricating a nano-array comprising the following steps. A template with a plurality of nano-holes is provided. A polymer is embossed by the template to integrally form a plurality of nano-protrusions thereon, and demolding to reveal the nano-protrusions. The nano-protrusion has a concave or convex top surface.
US08198127B2
A memory cell array including a data line; a capacitor; and a transistor coupled between the data line and the capacitor. At least one of the capacitor and the transistor includes a material with a mutable electrical characteristic. A memory cell array including a first transistor coupled between a first node, a second node, and a third node; and a second transistor coupled between the second node and a fourth node. The first transistor includes a material with a mutable electrical characteristic.
US08198123B2
Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin-film layers of semiconductor material absorber layers on a substrate web. According to the present teachings, a semiconductor layer may be formed in a multi-zone process whereby various layers are deposited sequentially onto a moving substrate web.
US08198121B2
A method of manufacturing a solid-state imaging device. Light-receiving sensor portions each constituting a pixel in the form of a matrix is arranged. The matrix has columns aligned in a vertical direction and rows aligned in a horizontal direction. Charge-transfer portions are formed on either side of the columns of said pixels. Transfer electrodes in said charge-transfer portions are formed to include a first transfer electrode formed of a first electrode layer and a second transfer electrode formed by electrically connecting the first electrode layer and a second electrode layer through a contact. The second transfer electrode being disposed in the vertical direction above the charge-transfer portion in a vicinity of the contact to decrease the width of the charge-transfer portions in the horizontal direction and increase the light receiving sensor portions in the vertical direction.
US08198119B2
A method for fabricating an image sensor is described. A substrate is provided. Multiple photoresist patterns are formed over the substrate, and then a thermal reflow step is performed to convert the photoresist patterns into multiple microlenses arranged in an array. The focal length of the microlens increases from the center of the array toward the edge of the array.
US08198118B2
A mask and method for forming the same including carrying out a photolithographic patterning process the method including providing a substantially light transparent portion; forming a substantially light shielding layer disposed over the substantially light transparent portion; forming at least one barrier layer disposed over the substantially light shielding layer; forming a resist layer disposed over the at least one barrier layer; patterning the resist layer for producing a circuitry pattern; and, carrying out an etching process according to the circuitry pattern to expose a portion of the substantially light transparent portion to form a mask.
US08198109B2
A solid state light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. The bottom electrodes of an array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) are bonded to an array of electrodes formed on a flexible bottom substrate. Conductive traces are formed on the bottom substrate connected to the electrodes. A transparent top substrate is then formed over the bottom substrate. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with many embodiments. In one method, the top substrate contains a conductor pattern that connects to LED electrodes and conductors on the bottom substrate. In another embodiment, a conductor layer is formed on the outer surface of the top substrate and makes contact with the LED electrodes and conductors on the bottom substrate via openings formed in the top substrate.
US08198101B2
A bifunctional polyazamacrocyclic chelating agent of the formula (I): wherein: and the variables A, L, Q, Q1, X, Y, Z, Z1, m, n and r are as defined in the description of the present application. Also described is a complex of the above chelating agent to an ion of a metal ion, such as an ion of 90Y, 111Li or 177Lu; a conjugate of the complex covalently attached to a biological carrier; and a pharmaceutical composition containing the conjugate. A method of therapeutic treatment of a mammal involving administration of the pharmaceutical composition is also described.
US08198100B2
A detection device and a detecting method using the detection device are provided in which a magnetic particle is used as a marker particle, and the ratio of a region with reversed magnetization to the whole area of a free layer of a magnetoresistive effect film is increased by a stray magnetic field generated through a biochemical reaction from the magnetic particle remaining on a surface of the magnetoresistive effect film, so that a large detection signal is obtained and obtained detection data can be stored with stability.
US08198096B2
The present invention relates to a class of luminescent and conductive polymer compositions having chromophores, and particularly solid films of these compositions exhibiting increased luminescent lifetimes, quantum yields and amplified emissions. These desirable properties can be provided through polymers having rigid groups designed to prevent polymer reorganization, aggregation or π-stacking upon solidification. These polymers can also display an unusually high stability with respect to solvent and heat exposures. The invention also relates to a sensor and a method for sensing an analyte through the luminescent and conductive properties of these polymers. Analytes can be sensed by activation of a chromophore at a polymer surface. Analytes include aromatics such as heterocycles, phosphate ester groups and in particular explosives and chemical warfare agents in a gaseous state. The present invention also relates to devices and methods for amplifying emissions by incorporating a polymer having an energy migration pathway and/or providing the polymer as a block co-polymer or as a multi-layer.
US08198090B2
A cartridge is provided that can remove a residual liquid all around the leading end of a pipette, without requiring any new equipment, regardless of the viscosity of the residual liquid. This cartridge includes a plurality of tanks, each of which has an upper opening, and a liquid is introduced into or led out from at least one of the plurality of tanks 110 to 119 with a pipette. The cartridge further includes waste liquid tanks 120 to 122. The waste liquid tanks 120 to 122 each includes a capillary phenomenon generation portion. A residual liquid present at the leading end of the pipette is brought into contact with the capillary phenomenon generation portion of the waste liquid tanks, and the residual liquid is transferred to the capillary phenomenon generation portion through the capillary phenomenon to be removed from the pipette.
US08198083B1
An organotypic slice and a method of preparing an organotypic slice from a central nervous system tissue, wherein the organotypic slice comprises a brain slice obtained from a brain wherein mature synapses have not been established and the organotypic slice is seeded with a population of stem cells; wherein the organotypic slice has enhanced viability as compared to an organotypic slice comprising a similar brain slice not seeded with a population of stem cells.
US08198077B2
The invention relates to vectors for the inducible expression of RNA molecules in eukaryotic, particularly mammalian cells and transgenic animals.
US08198076B2
The present invention provides novel photobioreactors, modules thereof, and methods for use in culturing and harvesting algae and cyanobacteria.
US08198074B2
A reaction device including: a plurality of reaction areas; and a plurality of heating parts configured to be each provided for a respective one of the reaction areas, wherein each of the heating parts includes: a heat source; a scan line for selecting the heating part; a data line that transmits heating amount information used for heating to the heat source; a writer that acquires the heating amount information transmitted from the data line; a holder that stores the heating amount information also after the scan line is turned to a non-selected state; and a heat generation controller that controls heat generation of the heat source based on the heating amount information.
US08198064B2
The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous sphingan solution, in particular PHB-deficient sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof.
US08198062B2
Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils.
US08198061B2
The invention relates to a novel acetylcholinesterase gene (ace-1) responsible for resistance to organophosphorus and/or carbamates in mosquitoes, which is non-homologous to the D. melanogaster acetylcholinesterase gene (ace-2), products of the ace-1 gene (cDNA, protein AchE1) and the applications thereof, particularly for the screening of novel insecticides and the genetic detection of resistance to organophosphorus and/or carbamates in mosquito populations.
US08198054B2
This disclosure relates to the synthesis of the compound of formula (I) according to Scheme A below: in which R1, R2 and R3, which may be identical or different, represent, individually and independently, an alkyl group, characterized by an enzymatic hydrolysis reaction that involves placing the compound of formula (II) in contact with an enzyme that performs a chemoselective hydrolysis of only one of the two ester functions of the compound of formula (II) to obtain the compound of formula (I).
US08198045B2
The invention relates to methods of producing an O-glycosylated soluble therapeutic protein in a prokaryotic microorganism by co-expressing the therapeutic protein and a heterologous glycosyltransferase that transfers a sugar moiety to an amino acid acceptor on the therapeutic protein.
US08198043B2
Provided herein are isolated polypeptides derived from the staphylococcal protein A protein B domain comprising a pair of anti-parallel alpha helices that are capable of binding a target. Also provided are nucleic acid sequences encoding such two helix binders, vectors containing the nucleic acid sequences encoding for two helix binders, and host cells transformed with vectors containing the nucleic acid sequences encoding for the two-helix binders. Also provided are methods of using the two helix binders.
US08198030B2
The invention relates to Glycoprotein VI (GPVI), its isolation, purification, and methods for recombinant production. Especially, the invention relates to the use of GPVI, preferably recombinant GPVI, in the treatment of disorders and pathological events correlated directly or indirectly to blood coagulation disorders such as thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases. The extracellular recombinant protein can also be used for establishing screening assays to find potential inhibitors of the membrane bound GPVI in order to inhibit binding of thrombocytes and platelets, respectively, to collagen. Changes in GPIV can be used to monitor platelet age and exposure to thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases.
US08198028B2
The present invention provides methods for creating an array of features on a surface based on content transferred from a plurality of beads to the surface. Nucleic acid content can be transferred using a method including the steps of (a) providing a surface having one or more primer oligonucleotides attached to the surface; (b) providing a pool of beads, wherein beads in the pool have a plurality of templates attached thereto, the plurality comprising multiple copies of a single nucleic acid template sequence; (c) arraying the beads onto the surface by hybridizing the templates to the primer oligonucleotides; and (d) extending the primers to produce copies of the templates attached to the surface.
US08198008B2
A photosensitive resin composition comprising: (A) a binder polymer; (B) a photopolymerizable compound that has an ethylenically unsaturated bond; and (C1) a compound represented by general formula (1) below, wherein, at least one R represents a C1-10 alkoxy group or a C1-12 alkyl group; the sum of a, b, and c is 1 to 6; and when the sum of a, b, and c is 2 to 6, each R may be the same as or different from one another.
US08198004B2
A resist composition which is stable relative to solvents used in immersion lithography processes and displays excellent sensitivity and resist pattern profile, and a method of forming a resist pattern that uses such a resist composition are provided. The resist composition is in accordance with predetermined parameters, or is a positive resist composition comprising a resin component (A) which contains an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group and displays increased alkali solubility under the action of acid, an acid generator component (B), and an organic solvent (C), wherein the component (A) contains a structural unit (a1) derived from a (meth)acrylate ester containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group, but contains no structural units (a0), including structural units (a0-1) containing an anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid and structural units (a0-2) containing a phenolic hydroxyl group.
US08197999B2
A method for manufacturing a toner is provided. The method for manufacturing a toner uses a rotary stirring apparatus that includes a circulating section for repeatedly performing circulation in a powder passage having a rotary stirring chamber and a circulation tube to return to the rotary stirring chamber by a rotary stirring section having a rotary disc around which rotary blades are installed and a rotary shaft, and a temperature adjusting section provided at least on a part of the powder passage for adjusting temperatures in the powder passage and of the rotary stirring section to a predetermined temperature, and includes a temperature adjusting step; a fine resin particle adhering step; a spraying step; and a film-forming step. The temperature in the powder passage is adjusted to the predetermined temperature by the temperature adjusting section at the fine resin particle adhering step, the spraying step, and the film-forming step.
US08197996B2
A method and system for patterning a substrate using a dual-tone development process is described. The method and system comprise using a resist material having a polymer backbone with a plurality of protecting groups attached thereto to improve process latitude and critical dimension uniformity for the dual-tone development process.
US08197995B2
A method of manufacturing an array substrate of a transreflective LCD is provided in the invention. In the method, a gate line, a common line and an embossing pattern are formed with a full tone mask, a data line, a source/drain electrode, a reflective plate and a TFT channel region are formed with a first dual tone mask, and a pixel electrode connected with the drain electrode is formed with a second dual tone mask, and thus a horizontal electric field type transreflective LCD can be obtained.
US08197991B2
An exposure mask provides a minute pattern formation which enables the high integration of semiconductor devices by preventing the generation of a scum in a space between a first pattern and a second pattern. The exposure mask includes a first pattern and a second pattern adjacent to the first pattern. A space is formed between the first pattern and the second pattern. The first pattern and the second pattern may each include a square wave shaped edge that is adjacent to the space. The square wave shaped edge includes a plurality of concave portions and convex portions.
US08197989B2
A fuel cell, having improved sealing against leakage, includes a fuel cell component having a cured sealant, wherein the cured sealant includes a telechelic-functional polyisobutylene, an organhydrogenosilane crosslinker, a platinum catalyst and a photoinitiator. The fuel cell component may be a cathode flow field plate, an anode flow field plate, a resin frame, a gas diffusion layer, an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, a membrane electrolyte, a membrane-electrode-assembly frame, and combinations thereof. A method for forming such a fuel cell includes the steps of providing a fuel cell component including a substrate; providing a mold having a cavity; positioning the mold so that the cavity is in fluid communication with the substrate; applying a curable liquid sealant composition into the cavity, wherein the curable sealant composition includes a telechelic-functional polyisobutylene, an organhydrogenosilane crosslinker, a platinum catalyst and a photoinitiator; and curing the composition with actinic radiation.
US08197984B2
A fuel cell stack includes a box-shaped casing and a stack body in the box-shaped casing. The stack body is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells. The casing includes end plates, a plurality of side plates, angle members, and coupling pins. The angle members couple adjacent ends of the side plates. The coupling pins couple the end plates and the side plates.
US08197980B2
A fuel cell is mounted in a mobile unit. The fuel cell may include a stacked assembly composed of a plurality of stacked power generation elements held between a first rigid plate and a second rigid plate. The plurality of stacked power generation elements may be stacked adjacent to one another in a stacked direction and along a central stack axis. The central stack axis may extend through a center of gravity of the fuel cell. A first mount, a second mount, and a third mount may be used to mount the fuel cell to the mobile unit. Each of the first mount, the second mount, and the third mount may be an insulating elastic element that suppresses vibration transferred from the mobile unit to the fuel cell.
US08197977B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, an evaporator, a reformer, and a combustor. A fluid unit including at least the heat exchanger, the evaporator, and the reformer is provided at one end of the fuel cell stack in a stacking direction. The combustor is provided inside the evaporator The combustor has a combustion gas path for discharging a combustion gas produced in the combustor. The reformer is provided at a position in the middle of the combustion gas path.
US08197976B2
A solid oxide fuel cell system including a main plate, an inner cylinder attached to the main plate, an intermediate cylinder attached to the main plate such that the intermediate cylinder contains a cathode air stream, and an outer cylinder attached to the main plate. An exhaust annular gap is formed between the intermediate and outer cylinders such that hot exhaust gases flow through the exhaust annular gap and heat is transferred from the hot exhaust gases to the cathode air stream. The solid oxide fuel cell system may also include a two-stage tail gas combustor.
US08197969B2
A battery capable of improving cycle characteristics and a manufacturing yield is provided. An anode includes: an anode current collector; and an anode active material layer arranged on the anode current collector, in which the anode active material layer includes an anode active material including a plurality of pores, and the rate of change in the amount of mercury intruded into the plurality of pores is distributed so as to have a peak in a diameter range from 80 nm to 1200 nm both inclusive, the amount of mercury intruded being measured by mercury porosimetry.
US08197968B2
A cathode contains: a lithium cobalt composite oxide expressed by LixCoaM1bM2cO2, where M1 denotes the first element; M2 indicates the second element; x, a, b, and c are set to values within ranges of 0.9≦x≦1.1, 0.9≦a≦1, 0.001≦b≦0.05, and 0.001≦c≦0.05; and a+b+c=1; a first sub-component element of at least one kind selected from a group containing Ti, Zr, and Hf, and a second sub-component element of at least one kind selected from a group containing Si, Ge, and Sn. 0.01 mol %≦(content of the first sub-component element)≦10 mol % as a ratio to cobalt in the lithium cobalt composite oxide. 0.01 mol %≦(content of the second sub-component element)≦10 mol % as a ratio to cobalt in the lithium cobalt composite oxide.
US08197966B2
A negative electrode 10 for a nonaqueous secondary battery has an active material layer 12 containing active material particles 12a. The particles 12a are coated at least partially with a metallic material 13 having low capability of lithium compound formation. The active material layer 12 has voids located between the metallic material-coated particles 12a with a void fraction of 15% to 45%. The metallic material 13 on the surface of the particles is preferably present throughout the thickness of the active material layer. The active material particles 12a are preferably of a silicon-based material. The active material layer 12 preferably contains 1% to 3% by weight of an electroconductive carbon material based on the weight of the active material particles 12a.
US08197965B2
This invention provides an anode for a fuel cell which can realize stable output for a long period of time, and a fuel cell using the anode for a fuel cell. The anode for a fuel cell comprises an electrode catalyst layer, the electrode catalyst layer comprising a supported catalyst comprising an electroconductive carrier material and catalyst fine particles supported on the electroconductive carrier material, a proton conductive inorganic oxide, and a proton conductive organic polymer binder, the weight ratio between the supported catalyst (C) and the proton conductive inorganic oxide (SA), WSA/WC, being 0.06 to 0.38, the weight ratio between the proton conductive inorganic oxide (SA) and the proton conductive organic polymer binder (P), WP/WSA, being 0.125 to 0.5.
US08197961B2
A secondary battery according to the invention includes six power generation elements and a case having six mounting spaces in which the power generation elements are disposed, respectively. A positive electrode connecting portion of a positive electrode current collector plate of one of the power generation elements adjacent to each other is connected via a connecting hole in a partition wall to a negative electrode connecting portion of a negative electrode current collector plate of the other power generation element, whereby the secondary battery is provided. The positive electrode connecting portion of the positive electrode current collector is formed so as to bend more easily in an approaching direction B2, which is opposite to a detaching direction B1, than a first positive electrode plate welded portion and a positive electrode plate adjacent distal portion, where bending portions are provided on both sides, do.
US08197959B2
Disclosed is a cartridge-type lithium ion polymer battery pack including: at least two lithium ion polymer batteries in which adjacent electrode tabs are connected to each other so as to form a predetermined series circuit with a desired instrument; and an upper plate and a lower plate disposed at the top and the bottom of the whole lithium ion polymer batteries, respectively, and coupled to each other so that each lithium ion polymer battery is partially covered with them. Multiple layers of the battery packs are laminated and fixed with ease so as to conform to the electric power requirement for a desired instrument.
US08197947B2
Adhesive compositions comprising a first copolymer of butene-1 and propylene; a second copolymer of ethylene and a comonomer selected from butene-1, hexene-1, and octene-1; a polyolefin grafted with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or acid derivative; and an olefin polymer resin, and multilayer structures comprising the adhesive composition.
US08197943B2
A photocrosslinkable composition has polyorganosiloxane P having a viscosity of at least 10 000 mPa·s at 25° C., wherein the polyorganosiloxane P has an acrylated silicone oil as a crosslinking agent, and a photoinitiator, the chemical structure of which comprises a diaryl ketone group.
US08197942B2
There is provided a gas barrier sheet that has high productivity, good gas barrier properties, and anticurling properties. In particular, a gas barrier sheet is provided that, even after a heat cycle test which is performed as a durability test for organic EL displays and the like, can suppress the occurrence of curling and can maintain gas barrier properties. The gas barrier sheet comprises a gas barrier film 3 provided on a base material 2. The gas barrier film 3 is an SiNxOy film, wherein x=0.5 to 1.5 and y=0.25 to 1, has an absorption intensity of IR absorption (830 cm−1 to 840 cm−1), corresponding to an Si—N bond, per unit thickness of 0.5×10−3/nm to 1.8×10−3/nm and has a refractive index of 1.7 to 2.1.
US08197941B2
A coated article is provided that may be used as a vehicle windshield, insulating glass (IG) window unit, or the like. An ion beam is used during at least part of forming an infrared (IR) reflecting layer(s) of such a coated article. Advantageously, this has been found to improve sheet resistance (Rs) properties, solar control properties, and/or durability of the coated article. Other layers may also be ion beam treated in certain example embodiments.
US08197937B2
An intermediate transfer media, such as a belt, that includes a polyaniline grafted to or chemically bonded to a perfluoropolyether phosphoric acid polymer.
US08197934B2
Disclosed are a composition for positive type photoresist and a positive type photoresist film manufactured thereby. The composition comprises an alkali soluble resin, a photosensitive compound, a thermo-curable cross linking agent, a sensitivity enhancer and a solvent. The photoresist film has a supporting film and a photoresist layer formed on the supporting film, wherein the photoresist layer comprises the alkali soluble resin, the photosensitive compound, the thermo-curable cross linking agent and the sensitivity enhancer.
US08197922B2
Flexlock non-textile fabrics use intimately linked elements that are formed from formable, preferably solid phase forgeable materials into generally triangular shapes with hinging connection features along edges of a generally triangular overall shape. These hinging connection portions permit other elements to rotate about axes that intersect at intersections. Buttressing portions are located near these intersections and include cylindrical or conical shapes that abut the buttressing portions of adjacent formed elements. This abutting can occur even when adjacent elements are rotated or twisted out of a common plane. Connection portions include direct formed engagements with knuckles of the other elements. These connection portions and the engaged knuckles can include headed pintles, axles, or oppositely facing conical protrusions, and may be configured to permit the non-textile fabric to bend on itself within its own thickness without undue strain on the connection features.
US08197921B2
A recording apparatus comprises: an intermediate transfer body; a releasing agent supply device that supplies a releasing agent onto the intermediate transfer body; a particle supply device that supplies hydrophilic ink-recipient particles that receive an ink, onto the releasing agent supplied onto the intermediate transfer body; an ink ejection device that ejects the ink onto the ink-recipient particles supplied onto the intermediate transfer body; and a transfer device that transfers the ink-recipient particles that received the ink, onto a recording medium from the intermediate transfer body, the releasing agent comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a silicone oil, a fluorinated oil and an organic compound having a solubility parameter (SP value) of about 11 or less.
US08197920B2
Process for improving the resolution of inkjet printing of polymer films comprising a base polymer according to which a copolymer additive comprising a polymer group A and a polymer group B is blended with the base polymer, group A having a lower surface tension than that of the base polymer and group B being compatible with the base polymer.
US08197916B2
Disclosed is a cellulose ester film which, when used in a polarizing plate, can impart excellent dimensional stability, curling properties and surface properties to the polarizing plate. Also disclosed is a light-scattering-film, a polarizing plate or a liquid crystal display element which is produced by using the cellulose ester film, and therefore has more excellent optical anisotropy, higher surface properties and a smoother surface, causes less curling, and has good surface quality. The cellulose ester film comprises 1 to 50% by mass (inclusive) of microparticles having an average particle diameter of 1 to 400 nm (inclusive) and a compound showing negative birefringence in the direction of drawing, and has a retardation value (R0) defined by the equation (I) of 0 to 5 nm (inclusive) and a retardation value (Rt) defined by the equation (II) of −10 to 20 nm (inclusive), both measured at 23° C. and 55% RH: Equation (I): R0=(nx−ny)×d; and Equation (II): Rt=[(nx+ny)/2×nz]×d.
US08197908B2
Processes for depositing conductive materials on substrates are disclosed which include the steps of combusting a premixed fuel and oxidant to form a stagnation flame against a moving surface which stabilizes the stagnation flame and introducing at least one precursor to the flame to form a conducting material onto the substrate.
US08197907B2
The invention relates to a method for coating a metal strip with a coating containing a solvent and for drying and/or cross-linking said coating. Accordingly, the metal strip is provided with the coating in an inner chamber of a coating device. The coated metal strip is conducted through a drying unit and in an inner chamber of the latter is exposed to a form of energy by at least one radiation source that is cooled by a cooling gas, said form of energy being converted to heat in the coating and/or the metal strip. The cooling gas that is supplied to the radiation source flows through the latter, absorbs the waste heat from said source and is then conducted into the inner chamber of the drying unit, thus saving energy and gas. The invention also relates to an installation that is suitable for carrying out said method.
US08197904B2
Disclosed are Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol F, Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), and Bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE)-free coating compositions for metal substrates including an under-coat composition containing a polyester (co)polymer, and an under-coat cross-linker; and an over-coat composition containing a poly(vinyl chloride) (co)polymer dispersed in a substantially nonaqueous carrier liquid, an over-coat cross-linker, and a functional (meth)acrylic (co)polymer. Also provided is a method of coating a metal substrate using the BPA, BPF, BADGE and BFDGE-free coating system to produce a hardened protective coating useful in fabricating metal storage containers. The coated substrate is particularly useful in fabricating multi-part foodstuffs storage containers with “easy-open” end closures.
US08197899B2
A method for manufacturing a patterned thin-film layer includes the steps of: providing a substrate with a plurality of banks thereon, the plurality of banks defining a plurality of spaces; providing an ink-jet device comprising a plurality of nozzles for depositing ink therefrom; generating a jetting information about ink volume that each of the nozzles deposits into the respective spaces by a random method, the jetting information meeting ink volume deposited into each of the spaces is in a range from about 92.5% to about 107.5% of an average volume of ink in the spaces; making the nozzles to deposit ink into the respective spaces according to the jetting information; and solidifying the ink so as to form a plurality of patterned thin-film layers formed in the spaces.
US08197889B2
A one-dimensional composite structure which comprises at least one nanowire. The nanowire comprises a metal core and a metal oxide sheath.
US08197883B2
A method for making en electro-optic device includes a filling step of ejecting liquid matter containing a solvent and a functional layer-forming material into recesses formed in a substrate to fill the recesses with the liquid matter; and a fixing step of removing a solvent component from the liquid matter to fix the functional layer-forming material in the recesses. In the filling step, the concentration of the functional layer-forming material in the liquid matter filling each recess is changed on the basis of the size of an opening width of the recess.
US08197882B2
A contact angle for a liquid on a substrate is set by a surface treatment process such that defects do not occur in a thin film pattern. In particular, the contact angle is set in a range of 15° to 45°. By doing this, it is possible to provide a device, a conductive thin film wiring device, and a method for forming a thin film pattern in which defects such as disconnections and short circuits can be prevented in a thin film pattern which is formed by an ink jet method.
US08197856B2
A kit for promoting hair growth on areas of the scalp that has been affected by fungal infections. The kit reduces the loss of hair, gradually destroys the cause of the loss of hair, and eventually restores the normal hair growth in the areas of the scalp affected by the fungi. The kit is comprised of a first powdered mixture and three liquid compositions. The elements of the kit are applied to the scalp of an individual experiencing hair loss due to fungi.
US08197855B2
The present invention relates to compositions that may be swallowable, chewable or dissolvable, comprising various vitamins and minerals, and in a specific embodiment comprising vitamin A, beta carotene, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamin E, iron, magnesium and zinc, and methods for using these compositions for nutritional supplementation in subjects undergoing physiologically stressful events, such as, for example and without limitation, pregnancy, lactation or any disease state.
US08197853B2
The process for solubilizing proteinaceous material of the present invention includes subjecting the proteinaceous material to a sufficient amount of a basic solution to obtain a supernatant that has a basic pH and exposing the supernatant to the basic solution for a sufficient length of time and temperature for hydrolysis to occur. The process also includes cooling the mixture of the supernatant and proteinaceous material and optionally acidifying the mixture. This process may also include recovering the solubilized protein from the supernatant for use in various applications. Also provided herein is a composition of solubilized proteins from eggshell membrane obtained using processes of the present invention.
US08197846B2
The present invention provides a sustained-release pharmaceutical composition, characterized in that, there are contained tamsulosin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a carrier for a sustained-release pharmaceutical composition and, when a dissolution test is carried out according to Japanese Pharmacopoeia Dissolution Test Method 2, the tamsulosin release after 7 hours from the start of the dissolution is about 20 to about 85%.
US08197837B2
A biocompatible tissue implant. The tissue implant may be bioabsorbable, consists of a biocompatible polymeric foam. The tissue implant also includes a biocompatible reinforcement member. The polymeric foam and the reinforcement member are soluble in a lyophilizing solvent. The reinforcement may be annealed and/or coated.
US08197835B2
The present invention relates to biomedical foam articles for the wound sector which are formed by spraying a polymeric dispersion onto a wound. The polymeric dispersion being sprayed onto a wound surface forms a three-dimensional body which conforms to the spatial shape of the wound and which, as well as covering the wound surface, ensures a complete and accurately fitted packing of the wound in the depth dimension as well as the other dimensions. The biomedical foam articles of the present invention are particularly useful for treating chronic wounds.
US08197833B2
The invention relates to a liquid concentrate for preserving cosmetic products which comprises a combination of carboxylic acid salts chosen from the salts of benzoic acid, propionic acid, salicylic acid, sorbic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, dehydracetic acid, formic acid or 10-undecylenic acid and alcohols chosen from 2-phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, 1-phenoxypropan-2-ol, 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1,2-propanediol, chlorobutanol or 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol in a solvent, where the active ingredient content is greater than 45% by weight.
US08197830B2
A dissolvable pad for delivery of a solution to a surface includes a water soluble substrate, and a solution retained in or on said water soluble substrate and available for use without activation by water. The water soluble substrate is soluble in water so as to be safely disposable into public water systems by exposing it to water after the solution therein has been desirably employed. Because the solution in the water soluble substrate is available for use without exposing the substrate to water, the substrate may function as an applicator, and, in some embodiments, as a scrubbing substrate as well.
US08197823B2
Aspects of the present inventions discloses a Super-Virulent Variant Strain of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, characterized in that nucleotides 1594th-1680th are deleted in its Nsp2 gene. The present invention also discloses a Vaccine prepared with the Super-Virulent Variant Strain of the Virus for prevention of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome. The present invention may further discloses preparations, assay methods and/or the application of the Vaccine in preparing medicaments to resist Super-Virulent Variant Strain of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus by immunizing pigs.
US08197808B2
The present invention relates to stable concentrated enzymatic compositions suitable for storage under ambient conditions, while maintaining their intended enzymatic activity. The invention further relate to kits comprising concentrated enzymatic compositions, methods for preparing debriding solutions from said concentrated enzymatic compositions and methods of using the diluted debriding solutions.
US08197807B2
The present invention relates to isolated nicotinamide riboside kinase (Nrk) nucleic acid sequences, vectors and cultured cells containing the same, and Nrk polypeptides encoded thereby. Methods for identifying individuals or tumors susceptible to nicotinamide riboside-related prodrug treatment and methods for treating cancer by administering an Nrk nucleic acid sequence or polypeptide in combination with a nicotinamide riboside-related prodrug are also provided. The present invention further provides screening methods for isolating a nicotinamide riboside-related prodrug and identifying a natural source of nicotinamide riboside.
US08197804B2
The invention is directed to methods for treating nervous system injury and disease, in particular traumatic brain injury and degenerative nervous system disease. Such methods utilize novel compositions, including but not limited to trophic factor-secreting extraembryonic cells (herein referred to as TSE cells), including, but not limited to, amnion-derived multipotent progenitor cells (herein referred to as AMP cells) and conditioned media derived therefrom (herein referred to as amnion-derived cellular cytokine solution or ACCS), each alone or in combination with each other and/or other agents.
US08197799B2
This invention relates to hair conditioning formulations comprising at least one aminofunctional polyorganosiloxane. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of these formulations for the treatment of keratin-containing fibers, preferably human hair.
US08197796B2
In accordance with the present invention, a high intensity radiopaque contrast agent is disclosed. The agent may be coated on or incorporated within bulk materials, which may then be subsequently utilized to fabricate a radiopaque medical device. Primary effects through chemistry include higher radiopaque concentrations per unit weight of the radiopaque element or agent. Secondary effects include selective placement of the radiopaque elements which may further enhance the radiopacity of the device with reduced requirements of the radiopaque agent. Such a radiopaque contrast agent may be produced in various forms such as a dendrimer and/or incorporated as the end groups of polymeric chain. In addition one can incorporate biological and/or pharmaceutical agents in combination with the present invention.
US08197789B2
Metallic carbon nanotubes (“CNTs”) may be selectively eliminated and semiconducting CNTs may be prepared using light-irradiation. The light provided by the light-irradiation may have a wavelength of about 180 nm to about 11 μm. Further, the light may have an intensity of about 30 mW/cm2 to about 300 mW/cm2. The light-irradiation may be simple and controllable, and may not require any special instruments except a light source.
US08197784B2
High yields of trichlorosilane are achieved in the reaction of tetrachlorosilane and hydrogen at a temperature in the range of 900° C. to 1300° C. and a pressure above the critical pressure of the reactants.
US08197776B2
A cuvette (10) for an automatic analyzing apparatus according to the invention includes at least two positions (20), for each position pair one separating wall (22) connecting the positions (20), and brackets (24), which are at the outermost positions (20) and which guide the cuvette (10) into a curved shape. In a handling method of a cuvette (10) according to the invention a cuvette (10) is transported from its brackets (24) to an incubator (30) and bent into a curved shape. In the method the cuvette (10) is then loaded into an opening (34) of the incubator (30), in which opening (34) it remains by its own spring back factor, until the cuvette (10) is removed from the opening (34) after the analysis.
US08197772B2
A biochip package body, a method of forming the same, and a biochip package including the biochip package body are provided. The biochip package body includes a mounting package body having a mounting plate. The mounting plate has at least one protruding portion that protrudes therefrom. The protruding portion has a chip mounting portion and a chip protection portion. The chip mounting portion is disposed substantially in the center of the protruding portion. The chip protection portion surrounds the chip mounting portion.
US08197767B2
A disclosed honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit having parallel through holes separated by partition walls and extending in the longitudinal direction, the honeycomb unit including a first SOx-occluding agent, first inorganic particles, and an inorganic binder; and coating layers formed on the partition walls and including a second SOx-occluding agent and second inorganic particles. In the honeycomb structure, the basicity of the honeycomb unit is higher than that of the coating layers.
US08197758B2
The invention relates to compositions and methods useful in the labeling and identification of proteins. The invention provides for highly soluble zwitterionic dye molecules where the dyes and associated side groups are non-titratable and maintain their net zwitterionic character over a broad pH range, for example, between pH 3 and 12. These dye molecules find utility in a variety of applications, including use in the field of proteomics.
US08197757B2
A novel, economical electrical insulation method for the production of ultra-thin insulation layers using a solution coating method. Thin hydrophobic self-assembled bi-functional layers of less than 10 nm thick were deposited by a simple solution method and demonstrated to electrically insulate micro-/nano-devices for in-water detection applications. The insulation layer includes a hydrophobic group which repels water and permits superb insulation properties of the ultra-thin layers. The insulation layer has the additional advantages that it binds to a metal or metal oxide surface and to sensing receptors by covalent bonding using standard silane chemistry.
US08197755B2
A continuous indicator strip having a multiplicity of separate individual sequential test sections along the surface thereof, wherein a plurality of test sections are impregnated with the same indicator enabling the utilization of the strip for sequential repetitive testing of samples, the strip being provided with at least 20 such test sections.
US08197754B2
The invention provides a small-sized automatic analyzer being compact, enabling a large number of analysis items to be carried out, and having a high processing speed. The automatic analyzer is particularly suitably applied to a medical analyzer used for qualitative/quantitative analysis of living body samples, such as urine and blood. A plurality of sample dispensing mechanism s capable of being operated independently of each other are provided to suck a sample from any one of a plurality of sample suction positions and to discharge the sucked sample to any one of a plurality of positions on a reaction disk. The automatic analyzer having a high processing capability can be thus realized without increasing the system size.
US08197752B2
Managing system for emissions environmental pollutants comprising: a measuring device for measuring a flow rate of a fuel supplied to a customer; an unit emission quantity storage device of environmentally influential substance for storing a unit emission quantity of an environmentally influential substance emitted when an unit flow rate of fuel is manufactured or processed; and an emission quantity computing device of environmentally influential substance for calculating, based on the fuel flow rate measured by the measuring device, and the unit emission quantity of the environmentally influential substance stored by the unit emission quantity storage device, an environmental emission quantity of the environmentally influential substance emitted when the fuel supplied to the customer is manufactured or processed.
US08197744B2
A method and apparatus for blow molding an article wherein a parison is positioned between substantially opposed mold closures. The opposed mold closures and at least one other mold closure are advanced, wherein the at least one other mold closure is advanced into abutment with at least one of another of the substantially opposed mold closures, and another of the at least one other mold closure. Thereafter, a gas may be injected within the interior of the parison to form a molded article, the mold closures retracted along their respective axes, and the molded article removed.
US08197742B2
A method is provided for a ablating dilation beads on a balloon with a laser. The laser removes integral dilation beads from the neck regions and/or the tapered regions of a blow molded balloon. Part of the neck portions of the dilation beads may remain on the body of the balloon after the dilation beads have been removed.
US08197741B2
A method for producing a clay thin film, which is formed of clay alone or in combination with an additive and has a structure where oriented clay particles are laminated, the method including paste-making in which clay alone or in combination with an additive are dispersed in a dispersion medium formed of water, an organic solvent, or a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent to prepare clay paste; coating in which a thin film is formed by coating the clay paste on a substrate; planarization in which the thin film is planarized; drying in which water, an organic solvent, or water and an organic solvent are removed from the thin film; and separation in which the thin film is separated from the substrate.
US08197739B2
The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a lavatory dispensing device useful for the delivery of at least one treatment composition, preferably a cleaning composition and/or a sanitizing composition to a sanitary appliance.
US08197732B2
The present invention resides in one aspect in a building material that comprises wood and a composite polymeric material that is combined with the wood in a heterogenous admixture. The composite polymeric material incorporates fibers in a polymeric matrix. The fibers can be chopped, continuous, or combinations thereof. In addition, the fibers can be unidirectionally oriented and/or randomly oriented. Suitable fibers for use in the composite polymeric material are glass, polymers, carbon, combinations thereof, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other fibers known to those skilled in the pertinent art to which the invention pertains can be used without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Suitable polymeric material for the polymeric matrix include thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers, or a combination of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers.
US08197716B2
An electromagnetic-wave suppressing material is provided. The electromagnetic-wave suppressing material includes an ionic liquid and nanometer-order particles mixed with the ionic liquid, where 10 wt % or more of the nanometer-order particles is mixed with respect to 100 wt % of the ionic liquid.
US08197712B2
A light-emitting device is produced using a phosphor composition containing a phosphor host having as a main component a composition represented by a composition formula: aM3N2.bAlN.cSi3N4, where “M” is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn, and “a”, “b”, and “c” are numerical values satisfying 0.2≦a/(a+b)≦0.95, 0.05≦b/(b+c)≦0.8, and 0.4≦c/(c+a)≦0.95. This enables a light-emitting device emitting white light and satisfying both a high color rendering property and a high luminous flux to be provided.
US08197697B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for thickening liquids carrying suspended particles, such as slurry containing minerals, by using a thickening apparatus (1) comprising a tank (2) whereby pulp of higher relative density tends to settle towards the bottom of the tank, forming a bed of thickened pulp (3), and dilute liquid (9) of lower relative density is thereby displaced towards the top of the tank, a feedwell (4), which includes a chamber having means for receiving fed material (5), such as slurry and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the tank and means for distributing the material in the tank, at least one feedpipe (8) for feeding the material (5), at least slurry, into the feedwell, when the feedpipe cross-sectional area for the fed material (5) is constantly varying when the flowrate inside the feedpipe (8) varies.
US08197696B1
Methods are disclosed for the precipitation of magnesium hydroxide in a standalone basis or in conjunction with the precipitation of calcium in different forms from saline streams. Methods are also disclosed for flue gas scrubbing in conjunction with the precipitation methods or in a standalone basis. Among the benefits of the disclosed methods is that their resulted spent saline stream and/or gas can be used, for instance, to feed seawater desalination plants and/or to enhance hydrocarbons recovery.
US08197695B2
An absorbent composition suitable for removing mercury, arsenic or antimony from fluid streams includes 5-50% by weight of a particulate sulphided copper compound, 30-90% by weight of a particulate support material, and the remainder one or more binders, wherein the metal sulphide content of the absorbent, other than copper sulphide, is below 5% by weight.
US08197687B2
A contaminant adsorption filter element is provided that includes a self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports (SAMMS) contained in a filter element having a plurality of pockets such as a fluted filter media. The plurality of pockets are filled with mesoporous material that is functionalized for a target contaminant. A method of making a filter element having mesoporous material filled flutes is also provided.
US08197685B2
The invention relates to a filter element for a press filter comprising first and second filtering means, each having at least one opening for the passage of a slurry to be filtered, and first and second connecting means for connecting the openings of the first and second filtering means. Each of the first and second connecting means comprises a flange portion and a tubular portion, wherein the flange portion of the first connecting means is fixedly attached to the first filtering means and the flange portion of the second connecting means is fixedly attached to the second filtering means, and wherein the tubular portion of the first connecting means is insertable into the tubular portion of the second connecting means. A securing ring is provided, which is insertable into the tubular portion of the first connecting means and is adapted to exert a radial force on the tubular portion of the first connecting means, pressing the tubular portion of the first connecting means against the tubular portion of the second connecting means.
US08197682B2
The invention is a magnetic fluid processor for conditioning fluids that includes an elongated housing comprising a core enclosed by a magnetic component in combination with an electrical return path. In one embodiment, the processor includes an elongated housing comprising a hollow core for storing an inert gas, said core enclosed by a magnetic component. The processor is electrically coupled to an electrical return path, which alters a magnetic configuration within fluids, thereby separating metals and organic or inorganic materials from fluids, in order to achieve desired fluid composition and properties.
US08197681B2
The invention is directed to a filter system for ornamental ponds and stock tanks that has a housing defining an internal chamber. A number of feet are located on a lower flat surface of the housing, which hold the housing off of the bottom of the pond. A filter slot in the lower surface holds a filter. A pump is inside the internal chamber of the housing and has an inlet inside the internal chamber and an outlet outside the internal chamber of the housing. When the filter system is submerged, the pump draws water in along the bottom of the body of water through the filter. As a result, the debris on the bottom of the body of water is drawn into the filter. Once the debris is drawn into the filter, microbes in the filter are able to break down the debris.
US08197680B2
Sludge dewatering apparatus includes an inflatable membrane to press solids against a screen and thereby separate liquid therefrom, and nozzles to wash the screen of the separated solids.
US08197675B2
A process for removing a contaminant from a hydrocarbon containing a first quantity of the at least one contaminant, including contacting the hydrocarbon with a clay packed in a column, at least a portion of the contaminant bing sorbed by the clay and forming a clay-contaminant adduct; removing the hydrocarbon from the column, the removed hydrocarbon having a second, reduced quantity of the at least one contaminant; heating the clay and the clay-contaminant adduct in the column to regenerate the clay material, the heating being carried out without removing the clay from the column; and re-using the regenerated clay material in further iterations of the process.
US08197671B2
A method of upgrading a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed by removing heteroatom contaminants is disclosed. The method includes contacting the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with an oxidant and an immiscible acid to oxidize the heteroatoms, contacting the oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with caustic and a selectivity promoter, and removing the heteroatom contaminants from the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed. The oxidant may be used in the presence of a catalyst.
US08197670B2
A process is disclosed using a dispersion of supercritical fluid and oil to upgrade a hydrocarbon feedstock such as a heavy oil into an upgraded hydrocarbon product or synthetic crude with highly desirable properties such as low sulfur content, low metals content, lower density (higher API), lower viscosity, lower residuum content, etc. The process utilizes a capillary mixer to form the dispersion. The process does not require external supply of hydrogen nor does it use externally supplied catalysts.
US08197669B2
The present invention is directed to catalytic cracking additives comprising a metals trapping material; and a high activity catalyst. The present invention is directed to processes for the catalytic cracking of feedstock comprising contacting said feedstock under catalytic cracking conditions with a composition comprising a bulk catalyst and a catalytic cracking additive, wherein the catalytic cracking additive comprises a metals trapping material; and a high activity catalyst. The invention is also directed to processes for increasing the performance of a bulk catalyst in the presence of at least one metal comprising contacting a feedstock with a catalytic cracking additive comprising a metals trapping material; and a high activity catalyst.
US08197664B2
Using electric power obtained by marine wind force and a tide, sea water is electrolyzed to produce fresh water, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, caustic soda, chlorine, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen, oxygen or the like, at the same time, unloaded malts, saw dust and the like are fermented to brew ethanol, carbon dioxide generated here is used for photosynthesis to culture vegetables and oxygen generated here is supplied to a fish preserve and an under reef where fish live to culture fishes and also returned to sea water dropped in the concentration of oxygen to suppress the generation of a red tide.
US08197662B1
The present invention provides improved methods and devices for electroplating copper on a wafer. Some implementations of the present invention involve the pre-treatment of the wafer with a solution containing accelerator molecules. Preferably, the bath into which the wafer is subsequently placed for electroplating has a reduced concentration of accelerator molecules. The pre-treatment causes a reduction in roughness of the electroplated copper surface, particularly during the initial phases of copper growth.
US08197660B2
An electro chemical deposition system is described for forming a feature on a semiconductor wafer. The electro chemical deposition is performed by powering electrodes that includes a cathode, an anode and a plurality of electrically independent auxiliary electrodes.
US08197659B2
A method for manufacturing a multilayer printed circuit board including providing a core substrate having a penetrating-hole, forming an electroless plated film on a surface of the substrate and an inner wall surface of the penetrating-hole, electrolytically plating the substrate while moving with respect to the surface of the substrate an insulating member in contact with the surface of the substrate such that an electrolytic plated film is formed on the electroless plated film, an opening space inside the penetrating-hole is filled with an electrolytic material, and a through-hole conductor structure is formed in the penetrating-hole, forming an etching resist having an opening pattern on the electrolytic plated film, and removing an exposed pattern of the electrolytic plated film exposed by the opening pattern and a pattern of the electroless plated film under the exposed pattern such that a conductor circuit is formed on the surface of the substrate.
US08197658B2
In order to solve various problems such as a reduction in a paint resin with the progress of electrodeposition coating treatment and remelting of a coating film or the occurrence of pinholes caused by an increased concentration of an electrolyte as a result of the reduction, upsizing of a hollow electrode with a membrane for electrodeposition coating combined with a barrier membrane (e.g., an ion exchange membrane) and an increase in the number of components should be avoided. In order to realize this, a barrier membrane 20 such as an ion exchange membrane is attached to the exterior surface of an electrode main body 10, which is in a hollow state made of a conductive material and configured so as to allow a liquid to pass through freely between the inside and outside of the electrode serving as a support.
US08197652B2
A sensor for specifying a concentration of a predetermined gas component in a measurement gas on the basis of a current flowing in an electrolyte by decomposition of the predetermined gas component, includes an internal space; a reference gas space; a pumping cell capable of pumping out oxygen in the internal space by applying a predetermined voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode; and a measuring cell including third and fourth electrodes and measuring a current flowing when a voltage is applied between the third electrode and the fourth electrode; wherein the first electrode is formed of porous cermet consisted of a noble metal and an oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte, and the porosity of the first electrode is greater than or equal to 10% and less than or equal to 50%.
US08197646B2
Process for the continuous fractional distillation of mixtures including morpholine (MO), monoaminodiglycol (ADG), ammonia and water obtained by reaction of diethylene glycol (DEG) with ammonia, which includes separating off ammonia at the top of a first distillation column K10, feeding the bottoms from K10 to a second distillation column K20 in which water and organic products are separated off at the top at a temperature at the top in the range from 45 to 198° C. and a pressure in the range from 0.1 to 15 bar, feeding the bottoms from K20 to a third distillation column K30 in which MO and organic products having a boiling point of <140° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the top or at a side offtake and ADG and organic products having a boiling point of >190° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the bottom, feeding the MO including stream which is separated off at the top or at a side offtake of the column K30 to a fourth column K40 in which organic products having a boiling point of ≦128° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the top and MO and organic products having a boiling point of ≧128° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the bottom and the bottoms from K40 are fed to a fifth distillation column K55 in which MO is separated off at the top and organic products having a boiling point of ≧128° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the bottom.
US08197645B2
The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one propylene glycol from a mixture (M) comprising water and said propylene glycol, said process comprising (I) evaporating the mixture in at least two evaporation and/or distillation stages at decreasing operating pressures of the evaporators and/or distillation columns obtaining mixture (M′) and mixture (M″); (II) separating the mixture (M′) obtained in (I) in at least one further distillation step, obtaining a mixture (M-I) comprising at least 70 wt.-% of water and a mixture (M-II) comprising less than 30 wt.-% of water.
US08197642B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an inorganic board lighter in weight and excellent in strength and rigidity, and a method of producing the inorganic board. An inorganic board described in claim 1 for accomplishing the object comprises a hydraulic inorganic material, an inorganic lightweight material, a woody reinforcing material and a calcium silicate hydrate, wherein a ratio of the calcium silicate hydrate to the hydraulic inorganic material is 3-54 parts by mass: 100 parts by mass. Thus, by making an inorganic board, made of a hydraulic inorganic material, an inorganic lightweight material and a woody reinforcing material as main components, further contain a calcium silicate hydrate, an inorganic board which is lightweight and excellent in strength and rigidity can be obtained.
US08197639B2
The system and method reduce the liquid/wood ratio at the top of a vapor phase digester in a continuous digester plant. Chips that are to be cooked in the vapor phase digester are fed as a mixture of chips and liquid at a liquid/wood ratio that exceeds 8:1 in a transfer line to an inverted top separator arranged at the top of the vapor phase digester. The top separator feeds the chips upwardly. More than 50% of the liquid content of the mixture of chips and liquid is withdrawn in the top separator and the remaining liquid is fed out from the top separator to the top of the vapor phase digester. A pile of chips and a liquid volume are established at the top, wherein the pile of chips is disposed above the liquid surface of the liquid volume.
US08197630B2
A laser welding system for sealing or cutting polymeric sheets is described. The system comprises a laser source capable of delivering a laser beam. The laser beam is projected onto a region of the polymeric sheets where the sealing or cutting is to be performed. An optical device is provided to image the sealing or cutting as it is performed. An image analyser asserts the sealing or cutting quality. An integrated control means is provided to control the laser source, the projection of the laser beam, the optical device and the image analyser.
US08197628B2
A method for temporary protection of blank surfaces of a component against corrosion includes a first step wherein a corrosion protection foil is applied to a blank surface to be protected and a second step wherein a self-sealing, semi-solid protection layer is applied in order to at least partly cover the corrosion protection foil. At a later time at least a part of the blank surface can be exposed by pulling off the corrosion protection foil inclusive of the protection layer disposed thereon. The self-sealing protection layer forms a closed film and the corrosion protection foil and/or the protection layer comprise hydrophobically acting components in order to prevent moisture from penetrating to the blank surface to be protected.
US08197616B2
A carbon steel sheet having high formability due to a microscopic and uniform carbide distribution and having a good characteristic of final heat treatment, and a manufacturing method thereof. The carbon steel sheet having excellent formability, includes, in wt %, C at 0.2-0.5%, Mn at 0.1-1.2%, Si at less than or equal to 0.4%, Cr at less than or equal to 0.5%, Al at 0.01-0.1%, S at less than or equal to 0.012%, Ti at less than or equal to 0.5×48/14×[N]% when the condition of B(atomic %)/N(atomic %)>1 is satisfied or by 0.5×48/14×[N]% to 0.03% when the condition of B and N is not satisfied, B at 0.0005-0.0080%, N at less than or equal to 0.006%, Fe, and extra inevitable elements; an average size of carbide is less than or equal to 1 μm; and an average grain size of ferrite is less than or equal to 5 μm.
US08197614B2
The present invention provides a spring steel that has superior hardenability, undergoes less pitting in a corrosive environment, and can achieve higher stress and toughness. More specifically, the present invention provides a high-strength and high-toughness spring steel with improved hardenability and pitting resistance, containing, in mass percent, 0.40 to 0.70% carbon, 0.05 to 0.50% silicon, 0.60 to 1.00% manganese, 1.00 to 2.00% chromium, 0.010 to 0.050% niobium, 0.005 to 0.050% aluminum, 0.0045 to 0.0100% nitrogen, 0.005 to 0.050% titanium, 0.0005 to 0.0060% boron, no more than 0.015% phosphorus and no more than 0.010% sulfur, the remainder being composed of iron and unavoidable impurities, the steel having a tensile strength of at least 1700 MPa in 400° C. tempering after quenching and a Charpy impact value of at least 40 J/cm2 for a 2 mm U-notched test piece of JIS Z 2202 and the parameter Fce being at least 1.70.
US08197612B2
Semiconductor packaging techniques are provided which optimize metallurgical properties of a joint using dissimilar solders. A solder composition for Controlled Collapse Chip Connection processing includes a combination of a tin based lead free solder component designed for a chip and a second solder component designed for a laminate. The total concentration of module Ag after reflow is less than 1.9% by weight. A method of manufacturing a solder component is also provided.
US08197609B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for washing gas turbine engines comprising a manifold comprising one or more tubes; a pumping system for providing pressurized washing liquid to the manifold, the pumping system comprising a pump, and one or more valves; and a control unit for regulating the pumping system according to washing parameters associated to a particular engine.
US08197607B2
A dishwasher is provided having a dishwashing container and a filter system for cleaning dishwashing liquid. The filter system includes a foam volume and the filter system and the dishwashing container are communicated with one another such that at least some of the dishwashing liquid can be discharged from the dishwashing container in association with a washing cycle of the dishwashing machine to the foam volume for passage of the discharged dishwashing liquid through the foam volume. Dishwashing residue contained in the dishwashing liquid is at least partially absorbed or retained by the foam volume such that the fine-grained dirt particles can be filtered out of the dishwashing fluid, a resoiling of the dishwashing fluid or the items to be cleaned can be minimized and the dishwashing result can be improved.
US08197601B2
A vaporizer (300) is formed by connecting block-shaped vaporization modules (310). Each vaporization module has a discharge opening for a liquid source material; a vaporization chamber (370) for vaporizing the liquid source material, which is discharged from the discharge opening, to create a source gas; a liquid material flow path (320) formed so as to penetrate through joint surfaces connected to other vaporization modules; and a spray nozzle communicating with a portion in the middle of the liquid material flow path and leading the liquid source material, which flows in the flow path, to the discharge opening. Each vaporization module is connected at its joint surface to each of the other vaporization modules to cause the liquid material flow paths of all the vaporization modules to communicate with one another. When various flow rates ranging from low to high levels is required, the structure of the evaporator can be easily changed according to such rates without a reduction in evaporation efficiency.
US08197599B2
A gas head that, at low cost, is capable of suppressing any deactivation of radical gas and capable of uniformly introducing a raw material gas on a substrate; and a relevant thin-film manufacturing apparatus are provided. A gas head (13) according to the present invention includes a reactive gas introduction port (30A) for introduction of a reactive gas, a plurality of raw material gas introduction ports (30B) for introduction of a raw material gas, and a dispersion board (32) for dispersing the raw material gas, wherein the plurality of the raw material gas introduction ports (30B) are disposed so as to surround the periphery of the reactive gas introduction port (30A). The reactive gas having been introduced in the reactive gas introduction port (30A) is mixed with the raw material gas having been introduced through a plurality of raw material gas introduction ports (30B) and dispersed by means of the dispersion board (32). Although the plurality of raw material gas introduction ports (30B) are disposed around the reactive gas introduction port (30A), they are not required to be minute holes such as shower holes.
US08197598B2
A method for making iron silicide nano-wires comprises the following steps. Firstly, providing a growing substrate and a growing device, the growing device comprising a heating apparatus and a reacting room. Secondly, placing the growing substrate and a quantity of iron powder into the reacting room. Thirdly, introducing a silicon-containing gas into the reacting room. Finally, heating the reacting room to a temperature of 600˜1200° C.
US08197597B2
The present invention is related to the field of semiconductor processing equipment and methods and provides, in particular, methods and equipment for the sustained, high-volume production of Group III-V compound semiconductor material suitable for fabrication of optic and electronic components, for use as substrates for epitaxial deposition, for wafers and so forth. In preferred embodiments, these methods are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber under conditions sufficient to provide sustained high volume manufacture of the semiconductor material on one or more substrates, with the gaseous Group III precursor continuously provided at a mass flow of 50 g Group III element/hour for at least 48 hours. A system for conducting the method is also provided.
US08197595B2
A method for producing thin silicon rods using a floating zone crystallization process includes supplying high frequency (HF) current to a flat induction coil having a central opening, a plurality of draw openings and a plate with a slot as a current supply of the HF current so as to provide a circumfluent current to the central opening. An upper end of a raw silicon rod is heated by induction using the flat induction coil so as to form a melt pool. A thin silicon rod is drawn upwards through each of the plurality of draw openings in the flat induction coil from the melt pool without drawing a thin silicon rod through the central opening having the circumfluent current.
US08197594B2
Silicon wafers having a density of BMDs with sizes between 20 to 40 nm at positions ≧20 μm below the wafer surface in the range of 5×1011/cm3, and a density of BMDs with sizes of ≧300 nm≦1×107/cm3, exhibit reduced slip dislocation and warpage. The wafers are sliced from a crystal grown under specific conditions and then subjected to both low temperature heat-treatment and high temperature anneal.
US08197592B2
Novel crystal forms of solid solutions of 2,9-dimethyoxyquinacridone and 2,9-dichloroquinacridone. The crystal forms may be formed by a process comprising the steps of: a) heating a mixture of 2,5-di(4-methoxyanilino)terephthalic acid, and 2,5-di(4-chloroanilino)terephthalic acid in polyphorsphoric acid at a temperature less than 1050 C to form a mixture of 2,9-dimethoxyquinacridone and 2,9-dichloroquinacridone; b) combining the mixture of 2,9-dimethoxyquinacridone and 2,9-dichloroquinacridone with water; and c) heating the mixture of 2,9-dimethoxyquinacridone and 2,9-dichloroquinacridone at a temperature not more than 110° C. Another crystal form may be formed by the process of heating a mixture of 2,9-dimethoxyquinacridone and 2,9-dichloroquinacridone in a polar aprotic solvent. These products are may be used for coloring fibers, plastics, paints, coatings, printing inks, color filters, cosmetics, automotive coatings, textiles, fibers, powder coatings, in-mold coatings, laminate films, and the like.
US08197588B2
Suggested is the use of amides and/or polyamides obtainable by condensation of (a) mono- and/or dicarboxylic acids and (b) amines and/or polyamines as auxiliary agents for aqueous asphalt and bitumen compositions.
US08197586B2
Disclosed is a polyfluoroalkylphosphonic acid represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1(CH2CF2)a(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)cP(O)(OH)2, wherein n is an integer of 1 to 6, a is an integer of 1 to 4, b is an integer of 1 to 3, and c is an integer of 1 to 3, or a salt thereof, which is a compound having a perfluoroalkyl group containing 6 or less carbon atoms, which is said to have low bioaccumulation potential, and being usable as an active ingredient of a mold-releasing agent. The polyfluoroalkylphosphonic acid is produced by hydrolyzing a polyfluoroalkylphosphonic acid diester represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1(CH2CF2)a(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)cP(O)(OR)2, wherein R is a C1-C4 alkyl group, n is an integer of 1 to 6, a is an integer of 1 to 4, b is an integer of 1 to 3, and c is an integer of 1 to 3.
US08197576B2
A CO2-facilitated transport membrane of excellent carbon dioxide permeability and CO2/H2 selectivity, which can be applied to a CO2 permeable membrane reactor, is stably provided. The CO2-facilitated transport membrane is formed such that a gel layer 1 obtained by adding cesium carbonate to a polyvinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid copolymer gel membrane is supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2. More preferably, a gel layer supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2 is coated with hydrophilic porous membranes 3 and 4.
US08197573B2
Methods and apparatuses for depositing agents relatively deep within pores of bio-char. Bio-char is first produced in an airtight oven by heating biomass feedstock. The bio-char is then cooled and steam is diffused into the pores of the bio-char. The steam-laden bio-char is immersed in a liquid bath containing soluble agents that are to be deposited in the pores of the bio-char. The liquid bath cools the char to below the condensation temperature of the steam, whereupon the condensing steam generates a partial vacuum within the pores, drawing the liquid into the pores. The bio-char is then removed from the liquid bath and dried so that the liquid within the pores evaporates, leaving behind the soluble agent. Accordingly, the invention yields bio-char that has soluble agent embedded relatively deep within its pores.
US08197569B2
Various high performance, high efficiency filter media are provided that are cost effective and easy to manufacture. In particular, various filter media are provided having at least one layer with a waved configuration that results in an increased surface area, thereby enhancing various properties of the filter media. The filter media can be used to form a variety of filter elements for use in various applications.
US08197567B2
Blow-off incorporating apparatus for evacuating water and dirt from a cooler box of a cooling system
Apparatus for evacuating water and dirt from a cooler box of a cooling system, incorporated with a blow-off for an air screen of the system. The water and dirt will flow through an aperture in a lower region of the cooler box into a smaller box of the apparatus disposed therebelow. A fan operable for generating the air flow through the air screen and the cooler box, also blows a portion of the flow through a blow-off channel to the air screen for blowing debris away from the air screen. The channel and smaller box are cooperatively configured such that the air flow through the channel will generate a partial vacuum condition in the smaller box operable for evacuating the water and the dirt into the channel so as to be carried away with debris from the air screen.
US08197564B2
A method of assembling a synthesis gas (syngas) cooler for a gasification system includes positioning a dip tube within a shell of the syngas cooler. The dip tube is configured to quench the syngas flowing through the shell and/or at least partially channel the syngas through the dip tube. The method also includes coupling an isolation tube to the dip tube such that the isolation tube is substantially concentrically aligned with, and radially outward of, the dip tube. The isolation tube is coupled in flow communication with a purge gas source and is configured to at least partially form a dynamic pressure seal. The method further includes coupling at least one of the isolation tube and the dip tube in fluid communication with a fluid retention chamber. The method also include at least partially filling the fluid retention chamber with fluid, thereby further forming the dynamic pressure seal.
US08197555B2
An air expulsion pump for a prosthetic socket adapted to be worn on a residual limb of an amputee. The pump includes an elastomeric housing which fits snugly in a well defined in the lower end of the socket. The pump is easy to install by simply sliding it into the well. The pump has an upper surface commensurate with the inside surface of the socket in that both surface have the same radius of curvature. The pump includes an elastomeric spring member and two check valves that together with the elastomeric housing exert a continuous vacuum within the prosthetic socket. When donned by the user, the pump provides continuous total contact between the socket and the residual limb of the user as the user ambulates.
US08197549B2
A system and method for prosthesis fitting in joints comprising an artificial condyle and a spacer which cooperates with the condyle to form an artificial joint. The spacer embedded with at least one sensor which is responsive to a force generated between the condyle and the spacer. The artificial joint is adapted to move between a flexed position and an extended position defining a range of motion. The sensor is responsive to the force and generates an output representative of that force. The output is transmitted, either wirelessly or other, to a processor which utilizes an analysis program to display a representation of the forces applied. A practitioner utilizing the displayed analysis may intraoperatively determine the adjustments and balancing required within the artificial joint. The system may also utilize a ligament tension sensor which generates generates data representative of tension on a ligament of the artificial joint, and a joint angle sensor responsive to the range of motion of the artificial joint. The processor may be adapted to store the outputted sensor data to provide the practitioner with statistically relevant historical data.
US08197536B2
A method for treating a diseased body conduit at a bifurcation point is provided. A system having devices mounted thereon is advanced into the bifurcated region of the conduit. The system includes a delivery means, such as a catheter having a shaft with varying torsional properties along its length and a delivery apparatus mounted at its distal end. A distal end of the delivery means can be inserted into the main branch and at least one side branch of a vessel bifurcation. The distal end includes at least two expansion members having expandable devices or prostheses mounted thereon. One device is configured such that one expansion member extends through the length of the scaffold while the other expansion member extends through the side-structure of the scaffold. A second scaffold is mounted on the expansion member extending through the side-structure of the first scaffold. The devices are positioned within the main and side branches of the bifurcation and are expanded.
US08197533B2
A stent-graft comprising an expandable stent and a plurality of graft segments, each graft segment having a first end attached to the stent and a second end not attached to the stent. In one embodiment, the plurality of overlapped graft segments form a continuous conduit wherein each overlap between axially adjacent graft segments comprises a fluid-tight seal when the stent in the radially expanded configuration sandwiches the graft segments against a wall of a body lumen. In another embodiment, there are one or more discontinuities in the plurality of graft segments. The discontinuities may be aligned with branch lumens. The graft segments may be cut perpendicular to the stent-graft axis, or on a bias. A delivery system for and method of deploying the stent-graft are also claimed.
US08197532B2
A method of making a tubular intraluminal graft in the form of a tubular diametrically adjustable stent having a tubular covering of porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene which is less than 0.10 mm thick. The covering may be on the exterior surface of the stent, or on the interior surface of the stent, or both. The covering may be affixed to the stent by an adhesive which is preferably fluorinated ethylene propylene.
US08197523B2
A bone screw having a head portion and an adjoining shaft portion is described. The shaft portion has a front, a mid, and a neck section, where at least two of the sections having complementary features and/or attributes to facilitate positive-locking, but flexible engagement of the bone screw to a bone.
US08197513B2
A spinal implant including an at least one screw disposed within a wedge body is herein provided. The implant can be configured for placement with a facet joint in an intra-facet delivery. Furthermore, the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint in an intra-facet orientation is hereby provided.
US08197505B2
The present invention provides a balloon catheter comprising: a hollow inner shaft disposed within a hollow outer shaft; a balloon attached at its proximal end to said outer shaft and at its distal end to said inner shaft; wherein the inner shaft is constructed such that following radial expansion of the balloon to a first expanded state, said inner shaft is capable of responding to further longitudinal expansion of the balloon to a second expanded state by increasing its length from a resting value, and of responding to subsequent partial deflation back to said first expanded state by reducing its length back to said resting value.
US08197501B2
A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The instrument includes a housing. A plurality of sensors are located in the housing in a spaced apart orientation from each other. A collar is moveably mounted to the housing into a plurality of different collar orientations on the housing. A lever comprising an actuator is moveably coupled to the collar and, with the collar located in any one of the plurality of different collar orientations, the lever is operable to move the actuator relative to one of the plurality of sensors in order to vary a signal produced by that sensor.
US08197497B2
A knot placement device allows a physician to apply a knot for securing two or more suture ends extending from an incision in a vessel or organ of a patient relative to each other in order to seal an opening in the vessel or organ. The knot placement device has a handle and an elongate shaft and a push rod slidably inserted in said shaft. A knot is disposed in the distal end of the shaft. An actuator on the handle may be depressed to distally advance said push rod relative to said shaft and thereby distally advance said knot. The knot may include a knot body having an inner cavity and a plug sized to fit securely within the inner cavity. In use, the plug may be inserted into the inner cavity of the knot body to fixedly hold two or more suture ends between the knot body and the plug.
US08197490B2
A spinal distraction system includes a distraction rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for affixation to a subject's spine at a first location, the distraction rod having a second end containing a recess having a threaded portion disposed therein. The system further includes an adjustable portion configured for affixation relative to the subject's spine at a second location remote from the first location, the adjustable portion comprising a housing containing a magnetic assembly, the magnetic assembly affixed at one end thereof to a lead screw, the lead screw operatively coupled to the threaded portion. A locking pin may secure the lead screw to the magnetic assembly. An o-ring gland disposed on the end of the housing may form a dynamic seal with the distraction rod.
US08197489B2
An orthopaedic surgical device comprises a first sensor component and a second sensor component. Each sensor component includes a paddle set to contact a proximal tibia and a distal femur of a patient. The first sensor component and the second sensor component being movable with respect to one another to extend one paddle set beyond the other paddle set, and each paddle set includes cutouts for the clearance of the patellar tendon to avoid the need to avert the patella during use.
US08197487B2
An alignment system for aligning a reaming guide during insertion into a cavity of a bone is provided. The bone has a resected surface and the cavity defines a cavity axis. The system includes a reaming guide that includes an elongate stem portion having a stem axis, a neck portion extending from the stem portion at an incline with respect to the stem axis, and an alignment instrument. The alignment instrument includes a handle defining a handle axis, the handle being releasably couplable to the reaming guide such that the handle axis is in a predetermined relationship with the stem axis. The alignment instrument further comprises a plane finder slidably coupled to the handle, the plane finder comprising a surface defined by a plane that intersects the axis of the handle at an angle having a predetermined relationship with the angle at which a resection surface of the bone intersects the cavity axis.
US08197480B2
Bioabsorbable coatings for bioabsorbable implantable medical devices having dragging or engagement surfaces. The coatings on a surface of the devices reduce device drag.
US08197479B2
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof, which includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source, enabling them to affect a tissue seal to tissue held therebetween. A drive assembly is included within the housing for moving the jaw members. A movable handle is also included, such that movement of the handle actuates the drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to each other. A knife channel is included within the end effector configured to allow reciprocation of a knife blade within the knife channel. The knife blade includes a proximal edge adapted to engage a proximal edge of the end effector to impede translation of the knife blade when the jaw members are in an open configuration and the knife blade is retracted within the end effector assembly.
US08197477B2
Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue.
US08197476B2
Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue.
US08197470B2
A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus. The method include the following steps: inserting an access tool through a cervix and a cervical canal into the uterus; after inserting the access tool into the uterus, inserting a vapor delivery tool through an access tool lumen; delivering vapor through the vapor delivery tool into the uterus; and condensing the vapor on tissue within the uterus. The system has an access tool, the access tool being adapted to be inserted through a human cervical canal to place an opening of the access tool lumen within a uterus when the access tool is inserted through the cervical canal; and a vapor delivery mechanism, the vapor delivery mechanism having a vapor delivery tool and a vapor source, the vapor delivery tool being adapted to be inserted through the access tool to deliver condensable vapor from the vapor source to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus.
US08197452B2
A vascular access device may include a body and a layer of the body that communicates with a pathogenic environment to discourage adhesion of a pathogen to the layer and thus repress pathogenic activity. A method of repressing pathogenic activity in a vascular access device includes providing the device with a body, and coating the body with a layer that discourages adhesion of a pathogen to the layer.
US08197451B2
Ampoules for dispensing flowable substances and metering systems incorporating the same are described herein. An ampoule for a flowable substance includes an ampoule body comprising an interior space for receiving the flowable substance and an inner circumferential surface having a guide region and a sealing region. A piston may be disposed in the interior space of the ampoule body such that the piston is slidably displaceable along a direction of displacement. The piston includes a one sealing element for forming a seal with the inner circumferential surface in a contact zone on the outer circumference of the sealing element. The sealing element has as first compression state when the contact zone is in the guide region and a second compression state when the contact zone is in the sealing region. A second blocking device prevents movement of the contact zone from the sealing region to the guide region.
US08197438B2
Medicinal fluid delivery systems and methods for priming the same are disclosed. The systems may be configured to measure an electro-transmissive quality of a medicinal fluid when: medicinal fluid is dispensed into a fluid delivery path, a proximal end of the fluid delivery path is in contact with a first electrode, and the distal end of the fluid delivery path is in contact with a second electrode. Methods for priming medicinal fluid delivery systems may include dispensing a medicinal fluid through a fluid delivery path, sensing an electro-transmissive quality of the medicinal fluid, and determining that the fluid delivery path is full based on the electro-transmissive quality.
US08197436B2
Phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification handpiece having a needle and an electrical system for ultrasonically vibrating said needle along with a power source for providing pulsed electrical power to the handpiece electrical system. Irrigation fluid is provided to the handpiece needle and aspirating fluid is removed from the handpiece needle. A determination of a voltage current phase relationship of the provided electrical power is made and in response thereto a control system varies a power level duty cycle provided to the handpiece electrical system from the power source and/or modify the aspiration flow rate. In addition, a separate input enables manual control of pulse amplitude. The control system provides a pulsed electrical power of less than 20 millisecond pulse duration.
US08197435B2
Methods and devices are provided for targeted administration of a drug to a patient's eye. In one embodiment, the method includes inserting a hollow microneedle into the sclera of the eye at an insertion site and infusing a fluid drug formulation through the inserted microneedle and into the suprachoroidal space of the eye, wherein the infused fluid drug formulation flows within the suprachoroidal space away from the insertion site during the infusion. The fluid drug formulation may flow circumferentially toward the retinochoroidal tissue, macula, and optic nerve in the posterior segment of the eye.
US08197431B2
An acoustic access disconnect detection system is useful for detecting when an access needle has become dislodged or when blood is leaking. The acoustic disconnect detection system includes an acoustic transmitter and one or more acoustic sensors placed upstream of an access site of a patient, the sensors suitable for generating and detecting an acoustic signal that is intended to pass unobstructed through the access site. The acoustic transmitter may be placed on a therapy machine for generating an acoustic signal. The acoustic sensor is mounted downstream of the transmitter, such as on the therapy machine where blood is pumped to or returned from the patient, on the patient, or on the therapy machine where blood is entering the therapy machine. The therapy machine, such as a dialysis machine, may be programmed not to start or continue operation unless the acoustic signal is within certain parameters.
US08197424B2
A guide wire is comprised of a flexible elongate wire body. The wire body has a plurality of protruding portions n the external surface and recessed portions between the adjacent protruding portions. The protruding portions possess a friction coefficient smaller than that of the recessed portions.
US08197415B2
The present invention discloses an apparatus for non-invasive heart monitoring comprising a pulse wave transit time (PWTT) determining device for determining a PWTT at predefined intervals, a first storing means for storing PWTT values resulting of the determining, a blood pressure measuring device for measuring a blood pressure close in time with the determining and a second storing means for storing blood pressure values resulting of the measuring. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a cardiovascular dynamic change calculating device for calculating a relative change of the PWTT values and the blood pressure values as a function of time. The apparatus further comprises an alarm emitting device for emitting an alarm if the blood pressure values are substantially constant as a function of time and the PWTT values decrease as a function of time. A method for non-invasive heart monitoring is also disclosed.
US08197411B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method are disclosed for enabling identification of a type of reference deformable body. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe to which the reference deformable body is attached, a tomographic image constructing unit, and a display unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further includes a storing unit configured to store the relationship between the ID given to the reference deformable body and a type of the reference deformable body, and a type identifying unit configured to specify the type of the reference deformable body corresponding to the inputted ID. A tomographic image can then be constructed based on the type of reference deformable body specified.
US08197407B2
A non-linear response may be measured by transmitting a first pulse at an amplitude and transmit frequency, using an aperture having N elements. A first response is measured at a sub-harmonic frequency based on the transmit frequency. At least second and third pulses are transmitted at the amplitude and transmit frequency. At least second and third responses are measured at the sub-harmonic frequency. The second and third pulses have the same phase with respect to each other and use first and second sub-apertures that have different ones of the N elements. A sum of the elements within the first and second sub-apertures is equal to N. Alternatively, at least two pulses having the same aperture and different amplitudes may be transmitted, and the responses measured at the sub-harmonic frequency. The responses are combined to suppress linear echoes and determine a non-linear response.
US08197402B1
The laryngoscope gaper is a hands free medical device that keeps the patient's mouth open for the introduction of a flexible or rigid endoscope or for the introduction of a tracheal tube. The device includes a mouthpiece with teeth locator, tongue retractor, and laryngoscope guides. The tongue retractor and the mouth piece work to maintain the mouth in an open position during use of the laryngoscope.
US08197396B2
A treatment tool for an endoscope according to the present invention includes: an outer sheath to be inserted into a channel of an endoscope; a forcep sheath which is movably arranged in the outer sheath along an axial direction; a plurality of forcep cups which are attached to a distal end of the forcep sheath, at least one of which is formed with a sharp needle-shaped portion on a distal end, and which cooperate with each other to be openable/closable as a whole; an operation wire which is movably arranged in the forcep sheath along an axial direction, and is connected to the forcep cups, and which opens/closes the forcep cups when moved in its axial direction; a first operation portion which is movably attached along an axial direction of a proximal end of the outer sheath, and is connected to a proximal end of the forcep sheath; and a second operation portion which is movably attached to the first operation portion along an axial direction of the proximal end of the forcep sheath, and is connected to a proximal end of the operation wire.
US08197389B2
An apparatus is disclosed for enabling an operator to exercise comprising a frame having a body, a base and a top. A load is positioned on the frame for providing a resistive force. A press is positioned on the frame for displacement by the operator. A linkage joins the load with the press for displacing the load upon displacement of the press by the operator. An arm extends between a support end and a user end. A support pivot secures the support end of the arm to the top of the frame for pivoting the arm about the frame. A user interface inputs and outputs data. A user pivot securing the user interface to the user end of the arm for pivoting the user interface about the arm.
US08197387B2
A shift lever assembly utilizing a single switch to produce a first signal indicating that a transmission of a vehicle is in a park position and a second signal to authorize removal of a key from an ignition of the vehicle is disclosed. The switch includes a casing supporting a plunger having a first park indication contact and a first key removal contact. The casing includes a second park indication contact and a second key removal contact. The first park indication contact engages the second park indication contact when the plunger is in a rest position and is disengaged from the second park indication contact when the plunger is in a depressed position. The first key removal contact is disengaged from the second key removal contact when the plunger is in the rest position and engages the second key removal contact when the plunger is in the depressed position.
US08197380B2
The invention concerns an automated motor vehicle shift transmission (1) with an input shaft, an output shaft and several selectively engaged gears, the input shaft (W1) being connected to a drive motor (M) via an engine clutch (K) that can be engaged and disengaged. To avoid an interruption of the traction force during a shift process, a controllable friction clutch is provided as a change-under-load clutch (K5) to connect the input shaft (W1) directly to the output shaft (W3, W4) when necessary.The invention also concerns a method for controlling the gearshifts of an automated motor vehicle shift transmission comprising an input shaft, an output shaft and several selectively engaged gears, and in which the input shaft is connected to a drive motor via an engine clutch that can be engaged or disengaged, such that in a shift process between a loaded gear that is engaged and a target gear to be engaged, the engine clutch remains closed during the gear change. To avoid a traction force interruption it is provided that during a shift process between two gears containing at most one direct step (i>=1), before the loaded gear is disengaged a change-under-load clutch, positioned between the input shaft (W1) and the output shaft (W3, W4), is at least partially closed in order to take over the torque transfer, the loaded gear is then disengaged, the target gear is then synchronized and engaged, and finally the change-under-load clutch (K5) is fully opened again.
US08197378B2
A front wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
US08197372B2
A power transmission belt comprising a body comprising an elastomeric material and having tensile members running in a longitudinal direction, the body having a pulley engaging region having a profile; the pulley-engaging region comprising a fibrous nonwoven fabric material; characterized in that the fibers of the nonwoven material comprise acrylic fibers. The acrylic fibers are preferably micro-fibers of less than about 1.5 dpf and having an average diameter of 13.5 microns or less and an average length of about 1 to about 10 mm. The nonwoven material may be commingled with the elastomeric material in the pulley engaging region. Up to about 75% by weight of the fibers of the nonwoven material may comprise non-acrylic fibers such as other synthetic fibers, natural fibers, or cellulosic fibers.
US08197366B2
A ball bat includes a barrel having one or more integral features for selectively stiffening regions of the barrel. The barrel may include an indented region forming a rib projecting inwardly into the barrel. Alternatively, one or more inwardly projecting lips may be formed on adjoining barrel sections that are bonded, welded, or otherwise attached to each other, such that an integral, internal rib is formed in the barrel. The internal rib stiffens the barrel, thus reducing the barrel's BBCOR. One or more integral ribs may be provided at any desired barrel locations for selectively limiting the barrel's performance without appreciably increasing the moment of inertia of the ball bat. In another embodiment, a joint, to which two barrel sections are bonded, welded, or otherwise attached, includes an inwardly projecting member that stiffens the barrel, thus reducing the barrel's BBCOR.
US08197364B2
A volleyball training device includes a telescoping vertical member having a height adjustable between a predetermined minimum and maximum height. The telescoping vertical member has a lower end adapted to be mounted in the ground and an upper end. A horizontal member having a first end and a second end is attached to the upper end of the telescoping vertical member adjacent to the first end thereof. A flexible member having a first end and a second end is connected adjacent to the second end of the horizontal member at a first end thereof. A volleyball holder is coupled to the second end of the flexible member and is adapted to securely hold a volleyball in a manner which allows a user to strike a top portion thereof when the volleyball is positioned within the volleyball holder.
US08197362B1
The Basketball free throw practice guide includes a flag that extends vertically from an assembly that attaches onto a basketball rim. The assembly includes a flag base, support, and main base that inter-connect via a bolt or screw. The main base has a groove that is sealed off via the flag base to enclose the cross-section of the basketball rim therein. The assembly is weighted and self-ballasts when installed upon said basketball rim such that the flag will return to a vertical position upon impact by an object such as a basketball. The flag acts as a guide to teach proper basketball trajectory into the basketball rim.
US08197349B2
In a shock absorbing propeller shaft apparatus for a motor vehicle, a stop ring is fitted to an annular groove provided in an outer periphery of an inner shaft end close to a base end with respect to a portion to which an inner race of a constant velocity joint in the inner shaft end is fitted, a collar main body of a collar is inserted to an outer periphery between a portion to which the inner race of the constant velocity joint in the inner shaft end is fitted and a portion to which the stop ring is fitted, in the outer periphery of the inner shaft end, and a flange portion protruding out in an axial direction from an outer diameter side of one end of the collar main body is attached to cover an outer periphery of the stop ring.
US08197345B2
Methods, systems, and products provide centralized control of gaming applications. A request is received from a destination to store a status of a gaming application associated with a username. A bookmark is received that identifies a logical location in the gaming application. The bookmark is associated to the username and to the gaming application. A request is received for the status of the gaming application associated with the username. A query is made for the bookmark associated with the gaming application and with the username. The bookmark is sent to the destination, such that the destination may resume the gaming application from the bookmark.
US08197342B2
A game system accepts a position designation operation performed for an operation area OA as a first input operation, and performs game calculations. In this game system, a disturbance area DA is set in the operation area OA when a given disturbance condition has been satisfied. A position designation operation performed for the disturbance area DA is not accepted as a first input operation. The disturbance area DA is canceled when a given cancellation condition has been satisfied.
US08197339B2
Video game processing apparatus, a method and a computer program product for processing a video game
Multiple characters in a video game can be displayed in a field so as to be easily distinguished, allowing the video game to proceed smoothly while maintaining realism. When an action content command and an action target character are received, a control section and a graphics processor carry out the control to display a target line for notifying the category of action in an action content specified by the action content command and a character that a player character specifies as the action target. In this way, by viewing an image in which a target line is in turn drawn from the player character to the target character, a player of the video game can quickly and easily recognize an action entity and an action target. This makes it possible to display the multiple characters in a field so as to be easily distinguished, and therefore, the video game can proceed smoothly while maintaining realism.
US08197337B2
A gaming system and method including at least one gaming system progressive award adapted to be provided to any player at one of a plurality of the gaming machines. The gaming system progressive award is associated with a designated quantity of points wherein the first player at one of the gaming devices to accumulate the designated quantity of points is provided the gaming system progressive award. The gaming system and method also includes, for each of a plurality of players, a plurality of personal progressive awards arranged in a personal multi-level progressive configuration. Such personal progressive awards are individual to each specific player and funded by that player's wagers placed at the gaming devices in the gaming system.
US08197336B2
Gaming apparatus (1), e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, casino game or the like. The controller (2) displays a suitable gaming image on a screen (6), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and a player interacts with the EGM 1 through buttons (8) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or deal cards. The apparatus includes award means for awarding a player event points during the course of play, accumulator means for accumulating the awarded event points, and purchasing/selection means for allowing a player to purchase a game event using the accumulated event points. These game events may provide the player with the chance of higher returns or the like, and may include free plays, high return games, a jackpot game and the like.
US08197333B2
The invention relates to a method of game management between a game management center and at least one remote game terminal, comprising a step of request of at least one game ticket, from the game terminal, and a step of presentation of the game ticket, by the game terminal. It furthermore comprises, before the step of presentation, a step of generation, by the game management center, of a win indicator determining whether the game ticket presented is a winner or a loser; and a step of transmission by the game management center and to the game terminal, of a result containing said win indicator. During the presentation step, the game terminal generates at least one representation of the game ticket as a function of the result transmitted and presents said game ticket under this representation.
US08197332B2
A gaming machine enables a common game with a common game bet amount when a common game start condition has been met based on an accumulated value of bet amount information transmitted from each gaming terminal for each unit base game. The gaming machine also enables a common game with a bet amount to which a special bet amount is added, at a specific gaming terminal selected to be a shooter. A gaming terminal having won the common game is awarded a payout corresponding to a common game bet amount, and the specific gaming terminal having been selected to be the shooter is awarded a payout of an amount corresponding to a bet amount where the special bet amount is added to the common game bet amount.
US08197326B2
The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game, such as a Bingo game, in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game-winning pattern of game indicia on one or more game arrays having unique combinations of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game arrays to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. The outcome of the multi-player wagering game may be displayed to the player at the gaming unit, along with an alternate outcome display at two or more alternate outcome display devices at the gaming unit. In one embodiment, an outcome of a Bingo game may be mapped to an outcome of a slot machine having a bonus feature such as a wheel. Outcomes of the Bingo game may then be displayed on the plurality of alternate display devices as outcomes of the slot game and accompanying bonus feature.
US08197324B2
Methods, systems and apparatus are described for producing wagering products and conducting wagering games. In one embodiment, a method for producing a lottery product comprises producing a play slip that includes an indication of at least one event that potentially occurs in a corresponding content (e.g., audio/video content) component of the lottery product. In one embodiment, a unit of the corresponding content is provided to a player along with a play slip.
US08197320B2
A method for providing a poker-related game related broadcast show, comprising selecting players, providing each player with a medal indicative of a gaming position order, positioning the players at respective gaming surfaces according to the order associated with the medal provided at step, playing hands of the poker-related game until at least one player is eliminated, handing over the medal of the at least one eliminated player to a winning player and eliminating prizes in accordance with random selections made by the eliminated at least one eliminated player until only one player remains, the remaining player being identified as the grand winner, allowing the grand winner to bring back into play an eliminated prize for each medal possessed by the grand winner and allowing the grand winner to randomly select a prize.
US08197317B2
The methods and contests feature contest grids for each sub-contest, with the grids having a second row of spaces for entry of multiple estimations on an event or a condition, a third row of spaces for entry of points per estimation, and a first row of spaces that indicates if any estimation matches historical data. Contest points may be partially or completely allocated between sub-contests in sub-contest fields. The user may select a state and county applicable to the contest. Distribution options of uniform, triangular (peaked), increasing or decreasing may be selected for the points per estimation. Applications for the methods and contests include agricultural crop events or conditions.
US08197306B2
The present invention comprises an apparatus for injecting slurry between the wafer and the pad in chemical mechanical polishing of semiconductor wafers comprising a solid crescent shaped injector the concave trailing edge of which is fitted to the size and shape of the leading edge of the polishing head with a gap of up to 1 inch, the bottom surface of which faces the pad and rests on it with a light load, and through which CMP slurry or components thereof are introduced through one or more openings in the top of the injector and travel through a channel or reservoir the length of the device to the bottom where it or they exit multiple openings in the bottom of the injector, are spread into a thin film, and are introduced between the surface of the polishing pad and the wafer along the leading edge of the wafer in quantities such that all or most of the slurry is introduced between the wafer and the polishing pad and a method of use therefor.
US08197304B2
A device for sharpening a tool blade has a pair of spaced guide rails and a bracket for mounting a sharpening stone on the guide rails. A carriage is slidably supported on the guide rails and has a pair of spaced slide plates adjustably supporting a blade angle plate thereon. A clamp mechanism secures the tool blade on the angle plate which is secured in an adjusted position for forming a primary angle on the blade cutting edge by reciprocal movement of the carriage along the guide rails. The angle plate and attached tool blade are readjusted on the carriage for subsequently forming a secondary angle on the cutting edge of the tool blade. Printed indicia adjacent a plurality of adjustment holes formed in the slide plates set the primary and secondary angles of the cutting edge. Mating surfaces on the carriage and guide rails set the amount of material to be removed from the blade during reciprocal movement along an abrasive sharpening material.
US08197301B2
Disclosed herein is a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus. The apparatus comprises a carrier to hold a wafer and being capable of lifting, lowering and rotating, a polishing pad compressed onto the wafer through the lowering of the carrier to polish the wafer, a contact pressure sensor to detect contact pressure between the polishing pad and the wafer when the polishing pad is compressed onto the wafer, a support physical property controller to generate control signals corresponding to the contact pressure detected by the contact pressure sensor, a variable physical property support being adapted to come into close contact with the polishing pad and having physical properties varied in response to the control signals generated by the support physical property controller, and a rotational table to hold the variable physical property table.
US08197297B2
The disclosure discloses a toy building block that can create a cubic article by assembling a unit piece, the unit piece comprising: a plate body made of a flexible material in which an outer profile of the plate body is formed by a pair of upper and lower short sides curved inward and a pair of right and left long sides curved inward; projections provided at a corner portions located on one of diagonal lines of the plate body on a plate face of the plate body at a right angle; and through holes into which the projections can be fitted, the through holes being provided at the corner portions located on the other diagonal line of the plate body.
US08197290B2
A compact electric connector in which a contact has a high contact pressure and a large displacement amount is provided. An electric connector includes a contact spring and an auxiliary spring. The contact spring includes a support portion that is supported by a housing, a contact portion that is projected from the housing to abut on the-other-end contact, and a plurality of flexing portions that are bent so as to be deformed between the support portion and the contact portion when the contact portion is pushed into the housing. The auxiliary spring includes a flexing auxiliary portion that abuts on the contact spring to exert an elastic force in a direction in which deformation of the flexing portion closest to the support portion is obstructed when the contact portion of the contact spring is pushed into the housing.
US08197289B1
Self-locking power connectors and circuit breaker assemblies with self-locking power connecters are presented herein. A self-locking power connector is disclosed for connecting a circuit breaker to an electrically conductive bus bar. The connector includes a cage and a cluster of electrically conductive fingers pivotably mounted to the cage. A lower end portion of each finger is configured to straddle the cluster support of the circuit breaker. Spring members bias the lower end portions of the fingers onto the cluster support. A retaining member is operatively engaged with the cage and one or more of the fingers. The retaining member is designed to inhibit a compressive force applied to the upper end portions of the fingers from overcoming the bias of the spring members and thereby separating the lower end portions of the fingers from the cluster support of the circuit breaker.
US08197288B1
A terminal block assembly for a generator includes a terminal block having a base with a first and second transverse surfaces adjoining one another. Spaced apart protrusions extend from the first and second surfaces to provide spaced apart terminal areas overlapping the first and second surface. The terminal areas are configured to receive a cable lug. A terminal stud is provided in each terminal area and extends from the second surface. The first surface is without terminal studs. A cable lug secured to the terminal stud is arranged in the terminal area.
US08197285B2
A conductive gasket includes a deformable contact region configured to provide compressive contact between the mounting surface of a connector (e.g., a right-angle micro-D connector) and a grounded surface of the substrate (e.g., PCB). A fastener region extends from the deformable contact region and is configured to align with a mounting region of the connector. A keep-out zone is provided adjacent to the deformable contact region and the fastener region and is configured to allow the pins of the connector to pass therethrough.
US08197273B1
A German/French style plug with multiple pin arrangements includes an outer enclosure, an inner housing, a stop plate, a constraint plate, and multiple plugging units. The plugging units are received in the outer enclosure and the inner housing. To move the plugging units, the constraint plate is first displaced to free the plugging units. The plugging units have operation pegs that are operable to have pins of the plugging units projecting out of through holes defined in the outer enclosure or through openings defined in the inner housing. The second plugging unit has a constraint section that is movably received in a constraint slot defined in the inner housing, whereby the movement of the second plugging may cause extension of the inner housing to form a stepped configuration to provide an additional plug structure for different socket specifications.
US08197266B2
The invention relates to a surge protection plug (1) for connector or distributor modules in telecommunications and data fields, comprising a housing and a printed circuit board, wherein at least one surge protection element is disposed on the printed circuit board and the printed circuit board comprises a plug-in region on which electric contact pads are disposed that are electrically connected to the surge protection element, wherein the surge protection element is at least connected to a ground line, wherein the housing (3) is designed in an at least partially electrically conductive manner, wherein the housing (3) is electrically connected at an electrically conductive point to the ground line on the printed circuit board (4) or to a ground connection (23) of the surge protection element (19). The invention further related to a ground bus (2) suitable for this purpose.
US08197265B1
The electrical adaptor contains a casing having a receiving indentation. Two corresponding positioning notches are provided, respectively, along two opposing lateral side walls of the receiving indentation. Inside the receiving indentation, there are two prong holes, each having an electrical contact inside. A first ground piece is tightly embedded into a front notch along a front wall of the receiving indentation. An additional second ground piece is provided along a back wall of the receiving indentation, opposing the first ground piece. When a German- or French-style plug is plugged, its two positioning ribs on the lateral sides are received by the positioning notches, respectively, and its ground pieces in the front and back are received by the ground notches. In the mean time, its prongs are received by the prong holes and contacted by the electrical contacts, respectively.
US08197261B2
A telecommunication connector includes a front holder having a plug port at the front and a press plate at the rear, a rear holder coupled to the rear of the front holder, a support member disposed at the front of the rear holder and extended to the top of the plug port, two rows of terminals installed at the rear holder, a flexible circuit board bent into the electric connecting plate and the extension plate, a curved portion wound across the front of the support member of the rear holder, such that the electric connecting plate is passed through the bottom of the support member and entered into the top of the plug port, and a fixing plate separately bent at rear ends of the electric connecting plate and the extension plate and pushed to the front of the rear holder by the press plate and coupled to the terminals.
US08197256B2
A fiber optics dental post includes a resin body and plural fiber optics center shafts; wherein the resin body includes an outer peripheral face, a receiving irradiation portion, and a bottom; each of the fiber optics center shafts pierces through and is fixed in the resin body, and has a receiving irradiation end and a light-guide irradiation end; each receiving irradiation end placed on the receiving irradiation portion of the resin body is used to receive the light irradiating on the receiving irradiation portion, and each light-guide irradiation end is respectively placed on the outer peripheral face and at the bottom of the resin body, thus the light received by each receiving irradiation end is propagated to the outer peripheral face and the bottom of the resin body through the light-guide irradiation end for irradiation, so as to effectively enhance the adhesion strength of the dental post.
US08197254B2
A set of artificial teeth allows for easy occlusion adjustment without high precision in arrangement. One of a pair of occluding upper and lower artificial molar teeth has convex adjustment surfaces which are formed of a spherical surface, a cylindrical surface or a conical surface on an occlusal surface thereof, and the other of the pair of artificial molar teeth has opposing surfaces which are formed of a flat surface, a spherical surface, a cylindrical surface or a conical surface in point contact or line contact with the adjustment surfaces on an occlusal surface thereof.
US08197245B2
Molding apparatus (1) comprising:a molding station (3) equipped with a machine (4) for molding containers (2) obtained from parisons of plastic material and drive components (5) of said machine (4);an isolation device (6) for the molding machine (4), suitable for defining a controlled-contamination environment (7) for housing the machine (4), said drive components (5) being situated outside said environment (7);at least one service section (19) having one or more points of access (19a) with seal-tight protection to enable adjustment, maintenance or size change operations to be performed inside the controlled-contamination environment (7);molds (11) fixed to said machine (4);tubular bodies (13) disposed partly inside and partly outside said environment (7), said tubular bodies (13) defining tubular cavities suitable for the passage of the drive components (5), in particular of drive members (12) for opening and closing the molds (11).
US08197244B2
A multilayer, flexible planar material for delimiting a matrix supply chamber during the production of fiber-reinforced plastic components made of fiber composite semifinished products includes a multifunction laminate, which has a diaphragm, a textile layer, which is laminated on the diaphragm, and a spacer layer, which is disposed on the textile layer.
US08197240B2
A compressor may include a compressor body defining a compression cylinder, a compressor head coupled to the compressor body, and a valve plate assembly disposed between the compressor head and the compressor body. The valve plate assembly may include a first valve plate formed as a unitary casting and defining a suction chamber exposed to a suction pressure region of the compressor.
US08197235B2
Described herein is an infusion pump with an integrated permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is positioned to provide an attractive force that moves an armature to compress a fluid-filled infusion tube. An electromagnet can be activated to overcome the attractive force of the permanent magnet and move the armature away from the infusion tubing. The force required to overcome the permanent magnet is much less than the force required to compress the tubing. For this reason the infusion pump has very low power consumption since much of the pumping work is provided by the permanent magnet.
US08197231B2
In some arrangements, a pump for moving a fluid has one or more pump chambers and one or more flow control valves with diaphragm actuation regions. Motive fluid can activate the diaphragm actuation regions, and a pattern of fluid flow can be controlled by varying the pressure levels of the motive fluid.
US08197226B2
A bladeless fan assembly for creating an air current includes a nozzle mounted on a base housing a device for creating an air flow. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow. The nozzle defines, and extends about, an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The nozzle also includes a heater for heating the air flow upstream of the mouth.
US08197220B2
An apparatus for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor, includes: a control unit for detecting a current pushed amount of a piston when a TDC is detected as an inflection point of a phase difference between stroke and current, comparing the current pushed amount with a pushed amount reference value, and applying a DC voltage applied to a linear motor based on the comparison result. An AC voltage and a DC voltage are applied to the linear motor to increase the stroke, and when the TDC is detected, the current pushed amount is calculated and compared with the pushed amount reference value, and then, the DC voltage or a DC current applied to the linear motor is varied based on the comparison result, thereby obtaining a maximum compression volume without collision of the piston.
US08197219B2
An apparatus is provided for estimating and/or precluding stick-slip, or other oscillatory or resonant behavior, through use of a virtual transducer, which precludes the need for having sensors located adjacent to a driven element of the system, or adjacent contact surfaces at which the stick-slip relative motion may occur. Parameters measurable at a drive mechanism are utilized for controlling a system in a manner which precludes stick-slip, or other oscillatory or resonant behavior, of a driven element of the system. Relative motion between contacting surfaces in the driven element, prone to stick-slip behavior, is controlled after sufficient force is applied by the drive element to overcome static friction forces between the contacting surfaces and break them free from one another, relative motion between the surfaces is maintained at a high enough relative speed that the surfaces are precluded from contacting one another, so that stick-slip behavior is precluded.
US08197217B2
An axial flow fan is configured to allow leakage flows in regions near rear edges of bent portions formed by bending outer peripheries of blades towards negative pressure surfaces to smoothly flow out to reduce the vortex scale of the leakage flows themselves and to be able to effectively control turbulence of the flows. The axial flow fan includes a bellmouth and blades, with outer peripheries of the blades being bent towards negative pressure surfaces, wherein in regions near rear edges of bent portions that are bent towards the negative pressure surfaces, there are disposed second bent portions formed by bending part of the bent portions further towards the negative pressure surfaces.
US08197216B2
Quick assembly blades for a ceiling fan at least include a blade bracket, a blade and a clamping member. The clamping member is composed of a base plate and a top plate. A rear portion of the base plate has an elastic supporting plate corresponding to a locking plate provided in a rear portion of the top plate, so that the base plate and the top plate can axially move closer to each other to keep a leaning portion of the supporting plate blocked by a locking portion formed inside the locking plate, thus enabling the blade quickly assembled and firmly clamped on the blade bracket by the clamping member.
US08197197B2
A turbine power generation system with thermal response rate matching provided by one or more fluidic thermal switches and a method for mitigating restart pinch during a hot restart. The turbine power generating system includes a stator and a rotor situated within the casing of the stator. Auxiliary heat is provided to the stator casing during shutdown operations from a heat source via one or more fluidic thermal switch which are configured to provide localized heating to portions of the stator casing subject to restart pinch. The fluidic thermal switch includes two solid, thermal conductors having fluid contacting elements spatially separated within an insulated vessel. A highly conductive and capacitive fluid is provided to the insulated vessel when localized heating is needed.
US08197190B2
A lever for rotating about its pivot a turbomachine variable-pitch stator vane: including a first zone for attachment to a lever drive member, a second zone for attachment to the variable-pitch stator vane, and a third zone of elongate shape between the first zone and the second zone is disclosed. A vibration-damping laminate is applied to at least one surface portion of at least one of the zones of the lever. The laminate includes at least one layer of viscoelastic material in contact with the surface portion and a backing layer of rigid material.
US08197182B2
An opposed flow high pressure-low pressure steam turbine balances thrust of the high pressure steam turbine with the thrust of the low pressure steam turbine allowing a reduction in size of thrust bearings. Higher stage reactions in both turbines may be incorporated since they are offset with the opposed flow, allowing a higher steam path efficiency. Opposed flow may be established through a cross-over pipe or utilizing a double high pressure shell.
US08197177B2
Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
US08197172B2
A highly efficient Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) that allows an overhead hoist transport vehicle to load and unload Work-In-Process (WIP) parts directly to/from one or more WIP storage units included in the system. The AMHS includes an overhead hoist transport subsystem and at least one vertical carousel stocker having a plurality of storage bins. The overhead hoist transport subsystem includes an overhead hoist transport vehicle traveling along a suspended track defining a predetermined route, which runs adjacent to the carousel stocker, thereby allowing the overhead hoist transport vehicle to access a WIP part directly from one of the storage bins. At least one of the storage bins includes a movable shelf operative to move laterally from a first position along the carousel path to a second position near the overhead hoist transport vehicle. The storage unit is at least partially open to allow the movable shelf to move to the second position, thereby allowing the overhead hoist to access a material unit directly from the movable shelf for subsequent transport along the track between various locations within a product manufacturing facility.
US08197170B2
An anti-cross threading screw (1) includes a first threaded portion (4) including a first thread (5) having a first outer diameter (6) and a first pitch (9) and a second threaded portion (12) having a second thread (13) having second outer diameter (18) and a second pitch (21). The second threaded portion (12) is designed as an anti-cross threading portion. The second thread (13) has enlarged an thread crest (15). The second outer diameter (18) of the second thread (13) is smaller than the first diameter (6) of the first thread (5). The first pitch (9) of the first thread (5) is different than the second pitch (21) of the second thread (13).
US08197168B2
A captive screw includes a screw member and a tubular elastic member. The screw member includes a threaded post and a screw head positioned at an end of the threaded post. The tubular elastic member is sleeved on the threaded post and is tightly fitted with the threaded post. The tubular elastic member further includes a fold formed on the outer surface and spirally extending from one end of the tubular elastic member to the other.
US08197166B2
A tie down assembly including a cup, a cross-shaped crossbar that is fastened removably to and positioned within a recess of the cup, and a disc-shaped plate that is fastened removably to the cup and/or the crossbar. The crossbar is fastened to the cup by a plurality of fasteners, while the plate is fastened to the cup and/or the crossbar by at least one fastener. The cup is installed within a hole formed within a first surface of a structure, and the plate is positioned against an opposite surface of the structure. When the plate is attached, a compressive load is introduced and squeezes the first and second surfaces of the structure together, such that most of the load is borne down the center of the fastener attaching the plate.
US08197152B2
A liquid dispenser includes a hollow shank, a dispensing head longitudinally mounted to a first end of the hollow shank, a control device longitudinally mounted to a second end of the hollow shank and a sheath detachably mounted to the first end of the hollow shank for protecting the dispensing head after use. A passage is defined in one end of the hollow shank for communicating with an inner periphery of the hollow shank and the dispensing head such that the liquid contained in the hollow shank can flow into the dispensing head. The control device is provided to selectively close/open the passage for controlling the output quantity of the liquid dispenser.
US08197146B2
At least on a surface of a rolling element of a rolling bearing, innumerable minute concave recesses are randomly formed. An area percentage of the recesses on the surface having the recesses formed thereon is in a range from 5 to 20%, and a surface roughness parameter Rymax of the surface having the recesses formed thereon is in a range of 0.4 to 1.0.
US08197145B2
A revolving joint comprising at least one anti-friction bearing and an electromotive drive unit. The anti-friction bearing is in contact with at least one row of rolling bodies arranged in a row rotating the joint around the rotational axis of the anti-friction bearing. The rolling bodies are in contact with at least one race that can be driven to rotate by the drive unit.
US08197140B2
A preload biased structure of a linear rail includes a rail and a sliding block disposed on the rail. The sliding block includes a sliding base, a supporting element, two connecting pieces and two locking pieces. The sliding element is provided with a connecting space. The front and rear end of the sliding base each is provided with abutting pieces. The abutting piece extends to form a biased block toward the connecting space. The biased block extends to form a biased slope. In assembling, the biased slope guides the supporting element to be inserted in the connecting space. The biased block provides a preloading force, whereby the supporting element can be fixed in the sliding base in advance. The locking pieces lock the two connecting pieces on both ends of the sliding base, so that the supporting element and the two connecting pieces can be assembled on the sliding base.
US08197137B2
An X-ray imaging apparatus suppresses X-ray irradiation outside an X-ray detection unit. An X-ray imaging apparatus according to this invention includes an X-ray irradiation unit which irradiates an object with X-rays, an X-ray detection unit movably provided with an imaging unit, a first irradiation field prediction unit which calculates an irradiation field by using the relative positional relationship between generation unit and imaging unit and aperture value of a collimator, a second irradiation field prediction unit which calculates an irradiation field based on the dose of X-rays generated by the generation unit and the X-ray dose distribution detected by the imaging unit, and a predicted irradiation field decision unit which decides, as a predicted irradiation field, a region including one or both of irradiation fields respectively calculated by the first and second irradiation field prediction units.
US08197136B2
A tomography apparatus has an annular channel and at least one ventilation element for the purpose of drawing off an air current flowing through the annular channel. The ventilation element contains an intake window that is located in the annular channel for the purpose of drawing off at least a portion of the air current. In order to obtain an even flow profile at an output window of the ventilation element, the intake window has a greater effective intake cross-section at both sides than at the middle. By such evening the flow profile at the output window, turbulence and air current interruptions of the air can be generally avoided, such that when operating the tomography apparatus, disrupting acoustic emissions may be reduced, or a higher air flow and thereby a greater cooling effect may be obtained.
US08197131B2
Until the accuracy in calculation of an estimated oil temperature value which is calculated by means of a heat dissipation amount map reaches a predetermined level, an ECU determines, when a transmission oil temperature well exceeds a predetermined temperature after the engine start, whether or not an oil temperature sensor fails. When it is determined that the oil temperature sensor is normal, the ECU uses the detected oil temperature value to learn about the heat dissipation map. When the accuracy in calculation of the estimated oil temperature value reaches the predetermined level through the learning about the heat dissipation amount map, the ECU determines whether or not the oil temperature sensor fails based on the divergence of the detected oil temperature value relative to the estimated oil temperature value.
US08197129B2
A method for determining parameters of a component using thermography, where at least one component is heated by a hot gas, is provided. Also provided is a device for determining component parameters using thermography, including a device for heating at least one component and a temperature sensor for detecting at least one temperature value of the component, wherein the device for heating the component is a hot gas emission device for the emission of a modulated, mostly pulsed, hot gas.
US08197123B2
Temperature detection circuitry is selectively coupled to a thermistor and one of two sources representing the impedance at respective ends of the expected range of temperature to which the thermistor is to be exposed. The offset of an amplifier and a scale factor to account for gain set of the amplifier are determined in an automatic calibration process while coupled to the source(s), and thereafter temperature readings are taken from the thermistor. During the calibration process, if the gain or scale factor are outside of expected ranges, a failure is determined and an alarm given and/or a heater is disabled.
US08197120B2
The invention is concerned with testing of inhalers used for medicament delivery. Such devices are often intended to be first shaken by a user to prepare them, and then fired by operation of some mechanical mechanism. In order to automate testing, the invention provides a shake device having a carriage 14 for receiving and releasably mounting one or more inhalers. The carriage is mounted upon a guideway for linear movement upon it. A linear motor 26 is operatively coupled to the carriage to reciprocally drive it to shake the mounted inhaler(s). A system embodying the invention may further comprise a fire device having a movable firing member 54, 56 for engaging with an inhaler mounted in the carriage and actuating its firing mechanism.
US08197114B2
A chassis for an illuminating unit, and an illuminating unit, a display device and a television receiver incorporating the chassis are provided, in which optical sheets are supported in a state where their own weight and an external force are not concentrated at a certain portion thereof, preventing occurrence of wrinkles or deformed portions and falling-off of the optical sheets. A backlight chassis includes stand walls on the sides thereof on which optical sheets are to be placed, and locking pieces protruding from the stand wall on at least one of the sides, the side being a lower side in a normal state in use, and the locking pieces being arranged to lock a lower side of the optical sheets.
US08197112B2
A backlight assembly includes: a light guide plate having a light entering surface, a light facing surface that is substantially parallel to the light entering surface, a light emitting surface connecting first edges of the light entering surface and the light facing surface, and a bottom surface connecting second edges of the light entering surface and the light facing surface. A light source unit provides light to the light entering surface. At least one color sensor is disposed to receive light from the light guide plate, and at least one light amplifying member is disposed between the light guide plate and the color sensor to collect and concentrate the light from the light guide plate on the color sensor.
US08197111B2
A light emitting device includes an excitation light source that emits excitation light, a wavelength conversion member, a light guide, and a light guide distal end member. The wavelength conversion member absorbs the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source, converts its wavelength, and releases light of a predetermined wavelength band. The light guide in which the center part (core) of its cross section has a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of the peripheral portion (cladding) guides the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source to the wavelength conversion member. The light guide distal end member supports a distal end of the light guide on the wavelength conversion member side. The light guide distal end member is formed from a material that reflects the excitation light and/or the light that has undergone wavelength conversion.
US08197108B2
A bumper arrangement in or for a vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a bumper, comprising at least one headlamp housing disposed at least partially in the bumper, that includes, but is not limited to a device for positioning the headlamp housing relative to the bumper, having a first receiving means, at which the bumper is attached, a first engagement means, which is firmly connected to the first receiving means, and the first engagement means is displaceably in engagement with the headlamp housing along an x axis, wherein the first engagement means has a fixed distance to the first receiving means along the z axis substantially perpendicularly to the x axis.
US08197102B2
LEDs are mounted onto a flat, thermally conductive, substrate, which is folded to form a light recycling cavity. A planar substrate is first coated with a metal layer, which is patterned to electrically connect the LEDs and to form bonding pads for wirebonds to connect the LEDs to external circuitry. The LEDs are mounted on the substrate. The substrate is then scribed on the backside to form the folds. The LED dies are then attached onto the metal islands (pads) defined on the substrate and wirebonds are used to connect the top side of the LED to adjacent patterned metal islands (pads) on the substrate. The substrate is then folded into a light recycling cavity where the LEDs are facing the inside of the cavity.
US08197098B2
An LED recessed lighting apparatus has a housing mountable in a recess located behind a recess opening in an architectural structure. A non-vented trim is securable in place over the recess opening. A lens that allows light from the LED to pass through the trim has a fluid-tight internal cavity containing at least the light-emitting portion of the LED. At least a major portion of the heat generated by the LED is carried directly from the LED to the outside surface of said trim by way of a thermal path that includes a first heat sink located substantially immediately adjacent and intimately thermally conductively coupled to the LED, at least one second heatsink supported by and substantially directly thermally conductively coupled to, the inside of the trim, and at least one heat pipe thermally connecting the first heat sink to the second heat sink.
US08197083B2
A portable, battery-operated flashlight having improved pivoting, switching and focusing features is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the flashlight takes the form of an attachment to a head gear for hands free use. In another aspect of the invention, the flashlight takes the form of a head lamp held in place on an user's head by an elastic band. The pivot connection between the body and the base, as well as the serrations on an exterior surface of the body, allows a user to adjust any angular direction of the light as desired. In another aspect of the invention, the flashlight takes the form of a long-handled flashlight having improved switching and focusing capabilities, such that axial movement of the switching assembly turns the flashlight “on” or “off,” as well as causing a position of the lamp to vary in order to focus or defocus the light.
US08197081B2
A backlight assembly includes a light guide plate, a light source assembly disposed adjacent to at least one side of the light guide plate and supplies light to the light guide plate, a container receiving the light guide plate and the light source assembly and including a bottom portion and a first sidewall extended from edges of the bottom portion to form a receiving space, and a coupling member disposed inside the receiving space of the container, and overlapping an upper surface of the light source assembly. The light source assembly is disposed adjacent to the first sidewall, the bottom portion, the coupling member and the light guide plate. The insertion direction of the coupling member is substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion of the container.
US08197074B2
A flexible abrasion resistant water shedding omnidirectionally reflective rope has a central low-density polymeric closed cell foam core comprising EPDM, Neoprene, SBR, NBR, EVA, PVC, PVC/NBR foam surrounded by cylindrically braided sleeve of reflective strips composed of narrow width reflective strips that comprise a woven or knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet sewn thereon and covered with abrasion resistant water shedding coating. The flexible retroreflective sheet is formed by thermally bonding corner cube, microsphere retroreflectors, or wide angle exposed retroreflective lenses to a flexible polymeric sheet. Due to its low-density foam core construction, the reflective rope floats on water and sheds water from the surface preserving omnidirectional reflectivity. The rope reflects light omnidirectionally over a large angle of acceptance and provides accurate illumination of the rope floating in water, location of a rope wound buoy and the like when used during dusk, fog or nighttime hours.
US08197062B1
A variable focus lens system for eyeglasses is disclosed. The system consists of superimposed first and second thin lenses, simulating Alvarez lenses, with one side of each lens divided into Fresnel zones and zone boundaries. The second lens element is slidable for focus adjustment. The Fresnel zone boundary surfaces are made parallel to the user's optical line of sight to reduce visual obstructions, and the zone boundaries may be restricted to areas near the lens periphery to further reduce visual obstructions. The Fresnel zone boundaries may follow paths which enable equal, constant step size for the boundaries along their lengths. An opaque light absorbing coating may be applied to the zone boundaries to reduce light scattering. A fixed prescription lens, having the user's distance and astigmatism corrections, is superimposed on the first and second lens elements. In a second embodiment, a lens element may have at least one additional Fresnel lens component mated and bonded to it, forming a composite lens element. A composite lens element may have internal antireflection layers between the mated lenses, to further reduce internal reflections. The outer smooth sides of a lens element or composite lens element may have antireflection coating applied.
US08197054B2
To provide a method for fixing an image, wherein the image has a high fastness even immediately after being recorded, and is free from inconveniences such as thermal influence or unfavorable curing inherent to the conventional fixing device, as well as safety problems. To achieve such an object, in a method for fixing an image recorded on a recording medium with a recording material containing a component curable by a plasma processing, the image is fixed on the recording medium by the plasma processing at a normal pressure.
US08197049B2
The present invention provides an inkjet recording ink containing at least a pigment dispersion liquid A containing at least a first carbon black, a dispersant, and water, and a self-dispersible pigment dispersion liquid B which contains a second carbon black having a surface functional group, wherein a mass ratio (Ac:Bc) of the amount of the first carbon black (Ac) in the pigment dispersion liquid A to the amount of the second carbon black (Bc) having a surface functional group in the self-dispersible pigment dispersion liquid B is 98:2 to 50:50.
US08197040B2
A liquid supply device includes: a supply pump which is provided in a liquid supply passage; a first unidirectional valve which is provided on an upstream side of the supply pump; a second unidirectional valve which is provided on a downstream side of the supply pump; a first member; a second member; and a flexible member. The supply pump and the first and second unidirectional valves are formed such that the flexible member is interposed between the first and second members and held by locking a locking unit in the state where the flexible member is interposed between the first and second members.
US08197033B2
The present invention relates to a curable resin composition comprising a cyclic aliphatic multifunctional epoxy resin, a cyclic aliphatic difunctional epoxy resin having formula B in the specification, and, optionally, a photoinitiator, a process for manufacturing an ink jet printhead comprising a polymeric material layer defining ink passage ways formed by curing said curable resin composition, and ink-jet print head comprising a polymeric material layer defining ink passage ways formed by curing said curable resin composition.
US08197032B2
A thermal inkjet printhead that includes a substrate, a chamber layer stacked on the substrate, an ink chamber formed in the chamber layer, a heater to heat ink filled in the ink chamber to generate bubbles, and a nozzle layer stacked on the chamber layer, and including a nozzle formed in the nozzle layer, wherein a ratio of the volume of ink ejected through the nozzle with respect to the sum of the volumes of the ink chamber and the nozzle is in the range of approximately 40 to 60%.
US08197031B2
A fluid dispensing subassembly has a diaphragm arranged to be operated on by a transducer, a body pressure chamber arranged to be operated on by the diaphragm, and an adhesive attachment layer arranged between the diaphragm and the body pressure chamber. A fluid dispensing subassembly has a body pressure chamber formed of either a single plate or set of plates, a diaphragm arranged to operate on the body pressure chamber, and an adhesive layer arranged between the body pressure chamber and the diaphragm. A method of manufacturing a fluid dispensing subassembly includes forming a body pressure chamber from a body plate or a set of plates including a body plate, and adhesively bonding a diaphragm plate to at least the body plate of the fluid dispensing subassembly.
US08197026B2
An inkjet recording apparatus is provided. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head including a nozzle formation surface, the nozzle formation surface including a plurality of nozzles formed thereon for discharging ink to record an image on a recording medium conveyed to a position opposing the nozzle formation surface; a wiper blade configured to contact the nozzle formation surface to wipe the nozzle formation surface; and an introducing portion formed on a side surface of the recording head intersecting the nozzle formation surface, the introducing portion configured to introduce ink attached to the wiper blade or the nozzle formation surface to the side surface to hold the introduced ink at the side surface.
US08197025B2
A correction value setting method includes: generating, based on a first correction value that has been set in advance and is used in correcting a density of an image to be printed on a first medium, a second correction value that has a larger correction amount than the first correction value and a third correction value that has a smaller correction amount than the first correction value; printing respectively a first pattern to which the first correction value is applied, a second pattern to which the second correction value is applied, and a third pattern to which the third correction value is applied, on a second medium that differs in type from the first medium, by ejecting liquid from a head including a plurality of nozzles that eject liquid; and setting, based on the first pattern, the second pattern, and the third pattern that have been printed on the second medium, one of the first correction value, the second correction value, and the third correction value, as a correction value used in correcting a density of an image to be printed on the second medium.
US08197021B2
A recording head includes electrothermal transducers associated with temperature sensing elements. A method for driving the recording head includes supplying driving energy to the electrothermal transducer, and evaluating a temperature change in a temperature fall interval, occurring after supplying of driving energy to the electrothermal transducer, based on temperature information acquired from the temperature sensing element. The method further includes changing a setting value of the driving energy supplied to the electrothermal transducer, determining an energy value for driving the electrothermal transducer based on the evaluated temperature change and an energy value supplied to the electrothermal conversion element, and recording data on a recording medium by driving the electrothermal transducer according to the determined energy value.
US08197015B2
A cargo carrying vehicle has a towing unit and a storage unit defining a cargo space. The towing unit is operable to: a) advance the storage unit; and b) generate electrical power for operating at least one component on the vehicle. An input is provided for external power to be supplied to at least one of: a) charge; and b) operate the at least one component. A safety system has first and second states. With the safety system in the first state, with no external power supplied to the external power input, the towing unit can be operated to advance the storage unit. With the safety system in the second state, with external power supplied to the eternal power input, the towing unit cannot be operated to advance the storage unit.
US08197013B2
In a brake system for a railway vehicle, actuation of the respective inlet, (4,6), exhaust (5,7) and a link valve (9) is controlled by an electronic control unit (20). The electronic control unit (20) has a counter for counting the number of valve operations performed by each respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valve, wherein the electronic control unit (20), in use, determines which of the respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valves are to be actuated to brake the railway vehicle. The determination is made at least in part in dependence on the number of valve operations performed by the respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valves.
US08197000B1
A chair assembly that contains both an auxiliary leg and at least one rear pocket that extend from the rear of the backrest. The chair assembly has a seat and a leg framework that supports the seat at a predetermined elevation. A backrest is provided that is adjustable between a generally vertical position and a generally horizontal position. At least a first pocket extends outwardly from the rear surface of the backrest. The auxiliary leg is connected to the rear of the backrest above the first pocket. The auxiliary leg can be folded against the backrest or rotated to a position where it extends away from the backrest. When in its folded position, the auxiliary leg extends around the periphery of the first pocket. In this manner, the auxiliary leg and the first pocket do not physically interfere with each other.
US08196996B1
A vehicle drag reducer. Implementations may include an upper portion attached or integrated within a top of a vehicle and having four air ducts configured to receive air from a front end of the top of the vehicle and transmit it towards a rear end of the top of the vehicle; and two back portions located at a back of the vehicle each including two air ducts and six exit ports, each back portion being configured to receive air from two of the four air ducts of the upper portion and exit the air from the back portion through the six exit ports. The upper portion may include one of a U joint, a Z joint, and an L joint connecting the upper portion to the vehicle. The back portion may include one of a U joint and a Z joint. Methods of reducing vehicle drag are disclosed.
US08196990B2
A vehicle includes a body structure and a rear vehicular seat assembly that includes a seat back and a cover panel. The seat back is movably coupled with the body structure and is movable between upright and cargo support positions. The cover panel is associated with the seat back and includes a flap, a base portion, and a perforated living hinge. The base portion is fixedly coupled with the body structure. The perforated living hinge includes a plurality of arms. Each arm of the plurality of arms extends between the flap and the base portion to facilitate pivoting of the flap with respect to the base portion about a hinge axis between stowed and bridging positions. The plurality of arms are spaced from each other and cooperate to at least partially define a plurality of perforations. At least one of the perforations is intersected by the hinge axis.
US08196977B2
A door handle structure found on the outside of a vehicle may include a door handle including a handle base member installed to the inside of a door panel and a handle grip member coupled to the outside of the door panel, wherein a portion of the handle grip member is pivotally coupled to the handle base member, and a lighting device installed to the door panel, having at least a light emitting diode (LED) lamp which is installed at the handle base member and configured to emit a light source through a recess formed on the door panel, and a band member configured to receive the light source through the recess from the LED lamp and emit the light source towards the outside of the vehicle.
US08196966B2
A laminate 40 for a tamper-resistant identity document, the laminate comprising: a carrier film (10, FIG. 1) having a first adhesive layer 11 on a surface thereof, the first adhesive layer 11 comprising one or more visible registration features 13; and a cover film (20, FIG. 2b) having a first surface (20a, FIG. 2b) removably bonded to the first adhesive layer 11 and a second surface (20b, FIG. 2b) having a printed security feature 41, 42, 43 and a second adhesive layer (32, FIG. 3b) thereon. The cover film may have a thickness of no greater than 12 microns. The printed security feature may be in predetermined registration with the one or more visible registration features of the first adhesive layer.
US08196964B2
A sticky note pad includes at least two stacks of sticky note sheets. Each sticky note sheet has a note-writing region, an index tab region projecting from a right lateral edge thereof, and a removable pressure sensitive adhesive layer provided on a bottom face thereof in proximity to a left lateral edge thereof. The index tab regions of the sticky note sheets of one of the stacks are staggered with respect to the index tab regions of the sticky note sheets of the other stack in a top-to-bottom direction, and are aligned to the same in a direction parallel to the lateral edges of the sticky note sheets. A glue layer binds the left lateral edges of the sticky note sheets of all the stacks. A partition sheet is adhered to the bottom face of a lowermost sticky note sheet of an upper stack.
US08196963B2
A fuel tank trailer includes a fuel tank defining a first containment region, a trailer having a bed supporting the fuel tank, and a secondary containment wall surrounding the fuel tank on the trailer providing an open second containment region for collection of any fuel leaking from the first containment region of the fuel tank and that is open for visual inspection to detect leakage of the fuel from the first containment region of the tank. The height of the secondary containment wall is sufficiently high to contain substantially an entire content of the fuel tank within a third combined containment region defined by the first and second containment regions and sufficiently low so as to permit visual inspection of the fuel tank.
US08196961B2
A linear pretensioner device for motor vehicle belt restraint systems. In one embodiment, the linear pretensioner is formed by a pair of stamped sheet metal housing components joined along a plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the internal piston bore. After the sheet metal housing half members are formed, assembly proceeds by loading the elements of a cable assembly into one of the housing half members, placing the second housing half member over the first and fastening them together by spot welds or other fastening processes. Alternate embodiments include a one-piece housing component deformed to form the housing, and a variety of means for connecting together the housing members or sections. The invention is also related to methods of assembling various designs of pretensioners.
US08196958B2
A frame member for a frame assembly of a vehicle includes a first outer steel layer, a second outer steel layer and an aluminum core layer between the first outer steel layer and the second outer steel layer. The first outer steel layer, the second outer steel layer and the aluminum core layer are metallurgically bonded together.
US08196956B1
A pressure vessel for a gas generating system is provided. The vessel is formed from a material and has a first portion and a second portion. A property of the material along the first portion has a value within a first range, and the same property of the material along the second portion has a value within a second range different from the first range.
US08196942B2
A corner assembly includes a suspension module and a wheel assembly. In order to compensate for tolerance stack up in relation to a specified height of the corner assembly, the attachment between a damper of the suspension module and a knuckle of the wheel assembly is adjusted. The amount of adjustment is determined by measuring the assembled length of the suspension module, comparing the measured length to a standard length and determining an amount of adjustment necessary.
US08196932B2
To prevent damage and malfunction, a sealing device for a universal joint has a metal ring (11) fitted on the outer peripheral surface of a shaft portion (111) of a cruciform spider (110) of the universal joint, and inner seal lips (12, 13) and an outer seal lip (14) made of a rubber-like elastic material and provided integrally with the metal ring (11), the inner seal lips (12, 13) slidably contact with the inner peripheral surface of an end of an outer ring (121) of a bearing (120) relatively rotatably supporting the shaft portion (111), the outer seal lip (14) slidably contact with a rising surface (112a) of a boss portion (112) of the cruciform spider (110), and the rising surface (112a) is a surface rising, outside the position where the metal ring (11) is fitted, in an outward radial direction from the shaft portion (111).
US08196931B2
A gap molding and associated methods reduce accumulation of undesirable material in a gap. A gap molding comprises a top portion configured to at least partially bridge a gap, and a retention portion configured to frictionally engage with at least one side of the gap. The gap molding may be configured with a taper in order to smoothly transition from the surfaces on either side of the gap. The gap molding may comprise silicone or other suitable material. The gap molding may desirably be placed between appliances, countertops, and/or the like in order to provide improved aesthetics and/or reduce accumulation of food waste and other debris.
US08196925B2
A sheet transport system and method including a first drive module including a frame. A first drive wheel is rotatably disposed on the frame. A first drive motor is operably connected to the first drive wheel and disposed on the frame. The first drive module is pivotally secured to a structure. A first idler wheel corresponds to the first drive wheel. An actuator is operably engagable with the first drive module. The actuator is configured to move the first drive module to cause the first drive wheel to move between an open position and a closed position. The first drive wheel is configured to propel a sheet in the closed position and to not propel a sheet in the open position.
US08196922B2
There is provided a sheet finishing apparatus according to an embodiment that includes an external wall with a discharge port of sheets, a movable tray on which the sheets discharged from the discharge port are stacked and which moves up and down along the external wall according to the number of stacked sheets, and a lubricant supply unit which moves up and down together with the movable tray and applies a lubricant to the external wall.
US08196912B2
A cold formed railcar spring including a spring pad formed from a perform of thermoplastic polyester elastomer having a durometer hardness ranging between about 40 and about 45 on the Shore D scale and sandwiched between a pair of metal plates. Each metal plate has a generally centralized bore extending therethrough and includes a plurality of radially spaced mechanical fasteners formed as an integral part of each plate. Each fastener has first and second generally parallel surfaces and a barb extending from a side of the fastener such that, upon axial compression of the preform, the fastener is pressed axially inward of one end of the perform such that the barb on the fastener mechanically interlocks with the spring pad whereby securing the plate to the spring pad.
US08196909B2
Improvements in tubes, which increase the heat exchange capacity of tubular heat exchangers using the tubes, are described. These improvements involve the use of one or more external surface enhancements, optionally combined with an internal enhancement and/or differing tube geometries. These improvements apply, for example, to internal condensers, including those in which the tube bundles are oriented vertically, in vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses such as distillation columns.
US08196907B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides an air conditioning system (ACS) for conditioning the airstream entering an air-consuming machine, such as, but not limiting of, a gas turbine. Conditioning may be considered a process that adjusts at least one physical property of the airstream. The physical property may comprise: a wet-bulb temperature, a dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, density, or the like. In an embodiment of the present invention, the major components of the ACS may be located in a single structure, which may be considered a module. Depending on the application of the ACS, multiple modules may be physically and/or operationally integrated on the air-consuming machine. An alternate embodiment of the ACS may comprise a module having multiples stages. Here, each stage may operate independently other stages. Furthermore, each stage may use a separate fluid from other stages.
US08196905B2
A milk frothing apparatus comprising a drive unit which drives a shaft. An elongate, flexible, bent frothing element that has an adjustable shape which preferably adjusts to the surface of the liquid to be frothed during operation is connected to the shaft. In a particular embodiment, the frothing element is designed as a flexible helical coil. In addition, another frothing element can be provided at the lower end of the shaft.
US08196901B2
An engine conversion kit for converting an engine that combusts gasoline to an engine that combusts a fuel other than gasoline, such as E85 which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline includes a carburetor having a vent passageway that defines a vent size, and an automatic choke system. The kit includes a second carburetor including a primer passageway and a second vent passageway having a second vent size that is smaller than the vent size. The second carburetor is adapted to attach to the engine and replace the carburetor. A primer bulb is configured to connect to the engine and is operable to force air into the primer passageway.
US08196900B2
A zero fleet winch with guides that move while a cable is wound on a drum. The guides hold the cable always at 90 degrees to the drum. A tensioning turnaround sheave keeps the cable tight.
US08196895B2
The present invention relates to an actuation device (5) for shifting an actuation member (4) between two end positions, in particular for controlling a gas flow in an internal combustion engine, with an armature (13) which is mounted in a stator (14) such that it can move between two end positions in a pivoting manner about a pivot axis (7) and which is connected or can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the actuation member (4), with at least one electromagnet (10), which is arranged on or in the stator (14), for generating electromagnetic attractive forces, with at least one first stator-side bearing face (18), against which a first contact face (20) of the armature (13) bears when the armature (13) is in the first end position, and with at least one second stator-side bearing face (19), against which a second contact face (21) of the armature (13) bears when the armature (13) is in the second end position.Increased reliability can be achieved for the operation of the actuation device (5) by a sensor system (12) for measuring at least one parameter of a magnetic field, which is produced by the at least one electromagnet (10) during operation of the actuation device (5), which parameter is dependent on the armature movement and/or armature position.
US08196892B2
A valve includes a body, a cage, a plug, a stem, a stop ring, and a pilot plug. The cage includes at least one cage port there through allowing fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The plug is movable linearly within the cage to allow fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet when the valve is open. The pilot plug is adapted to transfer downward force from the stem to the plug by contacting the stop ring of the plug and thereby urging the plug downward through the cage when the stem moves linearly downward to adjust the valve from the closed position to the open position. In an alternative embodiment, the stem includes a collar adapted to contact the plug and adjust the valve from the closed position to an open position.
US08196883B2
An adjustable arm supports a device housing with respect to a base and allows the position of the device housing to be adjusted as desired. The adjustable arm has rigid segments joined by pivot joints, with passages therethrough to allow wires to be strung through the arm segments and joints so as to be shielded by the arm. At least one joint is a dual-pivot joint having two joint elements that rotate with respect to each other about a joint pivot axis, each joint element in turn being pivotably attached to an adjacent arm segment.
US08196880B2
A support stand includes a stand neck and a stand base. The stand neck includes a base part that is formed at a lower end portion of the stand neck and a plurality of hook tabs that is formed on a side face of the base part and extends downward relative to a top face of the base part. Each of the hook tabs has an engagement prong. The stand base includes a receiving portion that receives the base part of the stand neck within the receiving portion and a plurality of engagement tabs that is formed on a side face of the receiving portion and extends downward relative to a top face of the stand base. Each of the engagement prongs of the hook tabs of the stand neck is engaged from below with respective one of the engagement tabs of the stand base.
US08196878B1
A multiuse platform and system having a flexible shape-retaining shaft for engaging, holding and pointing devices (e.g., imaging devices like cameras or video recorders). It includes a respositionable mounting system having a flexible assembly having a first end and a second end, the assembly adapted to be repetitively positioned into a plurality of orientations by moving the assembly into a first particular orientation wherein the assembly retains the particular orientation until the assembly is moved into a second particular orientation; and a first mounting head, coupled to the first end, for engaging a first mating structure.
US08196856B2
A method is disclosed for suppressing vibration in an aircraft having at least one pair of multiple-blade rotors. The first step of the method is to install in the aircraft at least one pair of vibration suppression devices to form a system, the devices of each system being mounted on opposing sides of the aircraft. Then, during operation of the aircraft, the next step is to rotate the at least one pair of rotors in a manner that causes the blades one of each pair of rotors to be out of phase from the other of each pair of rotors. The final step is to use the system to suppress vibrations caused by the out-of-phase rotation of the rotors.
US08196853B2
A suspension apparatus for suspending instrumentation from an airborne platform may include a generally longitudinal boom having a payload end and a tail end. Yaw and pitch stabilizers may be disposed at the tail end of the boom. A mast that may be selectively translatable on the boom may connect the boom to a tether line of the airborne platform. The payload may be attached to the payload end of the boom. The mast may be positioned axially along the boom at the center of gravity of the combination of the payload, boom, pitch stabilizer, and yaw stabilizer.
US08196849B1
The invention relates to the grinding method with simultaneous homogenization of powder-like materials with liquid components in construction engineering, chemical and other industries.The roller breaker-homogenizer comprises a cone-shaped backing roll and not less than three driven rolls and driven rolls, the large bases of which face reverse directions. The rolls are arranged in the case with a replaceable cup vertically at the same level so that the driven rolls are located epicyclically relative to the backing roll and mounted in cantilever fashion in the case cover rotation bearing assemblies, and the backing roll is connected axially with a drive shaft via a spring coupling. An appliance used to regulate the spring coupling pressing force is mounted between the drive and spring coupling. The case cover has an opening for loading basic process materials above the upper end surface of the backing roll, and an anchor-type mixer is fixed on the lower end surface of the backing roll.
US08196846B2
Disclosed are manifold assemblies for use in automated sprayers. The manifold assemblies provide passageways for cleaning fluid, venting air if venting is needed, and drainage fluid. They also provide a mount for a motor and a pump chamber. There are also check valves retained in the manifold assemblies to ensure that the flows are in the proper direction.
US08196839B2
There is provided in one embodiment an optical reader having an image sensor array. In one embodiment, the image sensor array can include a first subset of pixels and a second subset of pixels. The first subset of pixels can be devoid of light polarizing filter elements, and the second subset of pixels can be light polarizing pixels including light polarizing filter elements. An optical reader can be configured to selectively read out image data from an image sensor array's light polarizing pixels.
US08196838B2
The present invention relates to a bar code reading device for reading 1D or 2D bar code symbols. The bar code reading device, in one embodiment, can receive a command to disable symbology reading. In another embodiment, a bar code reading device can have a timercount and an image memory. In one embodiment, a bar code reading device can be configured to read bar code symbols of more than one bar code symbology.
US08196833B2
A management system utilizes compact, reliable, adaptable, and cost effective article identifying synthetic barcode modules, which obviate printed barcodes. The modules are programmable, detect the presence of a conventional laser barcode scanner and communicate information optically in a form readable by a detected conventional laser barcode scanner. The system is compatible with network communication, allowing real-time monitoring and updating. Additionally, the system optionally includes radio frequency identification capability. An exemplary synthetic barcode module employs a single LED as a photodiode to sense the presence of a barcode scanner and as a light source to emit light that emulates light reflected from a scanned barcode. The LED enables bidirectional half-duplex optical communication.
US08196827B1
Rolls of pre-printed case labels are distributed at a harvest for labeling cases of produce. The labels on each roll include sequential codes that each span a unique range. Part or all of each roll's range can be associated with harvest data, including picker and block identifications. The association can be made by placing a label from each roll on a harvest form bearing harvest data, or by entering harvest data into an electronic device and using the device to read a unique code from a label. Pickers then harvest produce, fill cases, and label the cases from their rolls. The association of ranges to pickers allows a subsequently read unique code from a filled case to be properly credited to the correct picker. The association of ranges to blocks allows subsequently obtained quality information to be correlated to specific blocks.
US08196825B2
Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for tracking a medical device. Systems configured for such tracking may include the capability to either or both detect tampering with the medical device and to effectively expose the medical device to sterilization substances while the medical device is captured by a mechanism including an identifying characteristic.
US08196814B2
Producing print streams for efficiently generating properly formatted and ordered paper cash letters comprises print stream file that includes electronic form definitions for each cash letter document. The cash letter documents can include a cover page, one or more bundles of substitute checks, a bundle summary for each substitute check bundle, and/or a cash letter bundle summary. Information from an electronic image cash letter file can be input in data fields of the electronic form definitions. Printing the information in the print stream file results in a properly formatted and ordered paper cash letter including substitute checks and audit data. Each substitute check can include all of the MICR data provided on a corresponding, original paper check. The audit data includes the cover page, bundle summary(ies), and/or cash letter bundle summary, which can each detail the documents printed concurrently therewith.
US08196813B2
This document discusses, among other things, a system and method of allowing access to a value holding account. In various example embodiments, the value holding account is associated with a first account code that allows access to the value holding account. Some example embodiments include receiving a request for a second account code that is based on the first account code, and providing the second account code based on receiving the request for the second account code. The first account code may to allow access to the value holding account for a first determinable period and the second account code may allow access to the value holding account for a second determinable period that is different from the first determinable period.
US08196810B2
A system which allows healthcare providers to monitor hand hygiene compliance includes a data reader adapted to be worn by a healthcare provider. The system includes a portal trigger disposed at each door portal of a patient room which activates the reader to record an entrance event when the provider enters the patient room. The system includes a dispenser trigger disposed at each cleaning dispenser having cleanser in or at the entrance of each patient room which activates the reader to record a dispensing event when the provider causes the dispenser to dispense cleanser, the reader having a display which displays a number of dispensing events and a number of entrance events. A method which allows healthcare providers to monitor hand hygiene compliance. A system which allows a person to monitor hand hygiene compliance. A method for allowing a person to monitor hand hygiene compliance.
US08196805B2
Cartons include liquid-tight vessels that line the interior volumes of the cartons. The cartons may have selected sections reinforced by one or more reinforcing blanks.
US08196797B2
An ultrasonic welding tool fabricated of powder metal material includes a body and a welding tip extending axially from the body to a working end. The powder metal material can be ferrous-based and admixed with additives, such as alumina, carbide, ferro-molybdenum, ferro-nickel, chrome or tribaloy. An exposed surface of the welding tip can comprise Fe3O4 oxides. The tool is compacted to the desired shape and sintered. The body can include a different second material compacted separately from the welding tip and then joined to the tip and sintered.
US08196793B2
There are provided an optical fiber cutting method and a cutting apparatus which can easily cut a coated optical fiber without a step of removing a coating from the optical fiber. It includes a clamp which holds the coated optical fiber, having a glass fiber and the coating, on both sides of a portion-to-be-cut, a disk-shaped blade member which moves at the portion-to-be-cut in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the optical fiber to cut the coating and to provide a slit into the glass fiber, and a support which presses, with a predetermined pressing force, the portion-to-be-cut from an opposite side of the blade member with respect to the portion-to-be-cut when cutting the coating and providing the slit into the glass fiber. A head of the support is formed with a groove along a sliding direction of the blade member.
US08196791B2
A cylinder back plate includes a frame member 11 and a cylinder clamp 12 connected to the frame member 11 by means of a pivot 13. The cylinder clamp 12 comprises a band of rigid or semi-rigid material. The cylinder clamp 12 has a retaining position with respect to the frame member 11, wherein the cylinder clamp extends substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the frame member. The frame member 11 lies parallel to a back plate of the harness or is constituted by the back plate of the harness. Thus, when the cylinder clamp 12 is in the retaining position a cylinder can be retained securely to the frame member and sliding of the cylinder relative to the frame member or back plate can be prevented. When it is desired to attach a new cylinder to the harness, the cylinder clamp 12 can be pivoted into a loading position.
US08196781B2
A disposable concentrate pump for use with a liquid reservoir, with the actuating solenoid mounted in the dispenser. The pump has a body with flexible walls, a top-cap, a seal-base and a nozzle, with a seal-rod extending from the top-cap to the nozzle, stretching the flexible walls of the body and creating a net restoring force on the seal-base. A seal-head on the seal-rod seals a central opening in the seal-head when pressed against a side of the seal-head by the net restoring force. Reciprocally moving the seal-head parallel to an axis of the pump body operates the pump.
US08196775B1
The present invention is directed toward a glove catch apparatus configured for connection to an existing glove dispenser. The glove catch apparatus comprises a frame, and access opening configured to permit access to a dispensing hole of the existing glove dispenser, and a well configured to catch dropped gloves dispensed from the glove dispenser. In addition, a glove dispenser, mountable to a wall, is disclosed. The glove dispenser comprises a well configured to catch dropped gloves dispensed from the glove dispenser.
US08196772B2
The invention comprises a disposable beverage cup that comprises a ledge between the cup's rim and the grasping portion of the cup that is commonly held in the user's hand. The ledge, which comprises a curb, a horizontal plane, and one or more indentations, acts as a barrier between the user's hand and other objects, preventing a lid that has been press fit onto the cup's rim from being dislodged. In order to remove the lid, the user must insert a finger and/or thumb into the indentation(s) and press upward on the lid. The cup has a contour between the ledge and the grasping portion with ergonomic features to increase the user's comfort in handling the cup.
US08196767B2
A can end having a small diameter center panel and an opening of particular aspect ratio to improve the pourability and drinkability characteristics of the opening, compared to can ends having conventional openings.
US08196739B2
A suture package assembly is provided and includes a suture tray having a loading unit mounted thereon for supplying a surgical needle-suture assembly to a surgical instrument. A suture package cover is provided to protect the surgical needle-suture assembly prior to use. The suture package cover includes a disc engagable with the suture tray to protect the suture retained in the suture tray and an elongate flap configured to overlie the loading unit to protect the surgical needle contained therein. The elongate flap is bendable relative to the disk along a primary fold line and includes a nose portion removably engagable with the disk.
US08196733B2
The invention relates to a method for product changeover in a filling plant and to a bugger system for carrying out the method. A first product is passed through a primary buffer and then a second product is initially buffer-stored in a secondary buffer, and so a clear separation of the products is achieved and a product changeover can be carried out in upstream and downstream production machines without production coming to a standstill.
US08196724B2
A selectable one-way clutch includes a strut plate co-annular to a slide plate and a notch plate. The selectable one-way clutch is configured to transfer torque between a strut plate and a notch plate in a first direction when a displacement actuator moves a pin and a slide plate to a first position. The selectable one-way clutch is configured to disengage the strut plate from the notch plate when the displacement actuator moves the pin and the slide plate to the second position.
US08196723B1
Disclosed is an apparatus for providing a pneumatic damper for use with incompressible media herein described. The invention is useful as the pneumatic damper provides a range of effectively being decoupled from a system. Also disclosed is an apparatus for providing in-line, three-state, dual flow metering, high pressure relief, for use in a system utilizing compressible or incompressible media, which includes a centrally disposed magnetically homed ball with opposing axially aligned ball mating valve seats, with a high pressure relief spring deployed to control the pressure necessary to trigger high pressure relief.
US08196720B2
The disclosed apparatus relates to a liquid cooled brake apparatus comprising: a housing, a brake cooling pump mounted to said housing, a braking force actuator mounted to said housing, said actuator being driven by a first driven member; and a braking force applicator in operable communication with said braking force actuator and a brake rotor, the rotor rotationally fixed to said first or a second driven member. The disclosed method relates to a method of retarding a driven member comprising: driving a braking force actuator with a first driven member, actuating a braking force applicator; and retarding the rotation of a rotor rotationally fixed to said first or a second driven member.
US08196717B2
A drum brake has a pair of brake shoes (40) moveable radially outwardly into contact with an associated brake drum to provide a handbrake function by a cross strut (100) which acts between the brake shoes or between pivoting brake operating levers (14) which actuate the brake shoes. A handbrake lever (18) is pivoted on one brake shoe or brake operating lever (14) and contacts one end of the strut to displace the other brake shoe or brake operating lever towards the drum to apply the associated shoe against the drum and by reaction through the strut to also force the other brake shoe or brake operating lever toward the drum to apply the other shoe against the drum. The strut (100) is in two parts (101,102), one part being connected for movement with each respective brake shoe or operating lever, the strut parts having inter-engageable formations in the form of teeth (103,104) which when engaged allow the strut (100) to transmit axial force between the shoes or operating levers. Bias means (105,106) are provided for biasing the strut parts apart to disengage the inter-engageable formations to disable the strut, the inter-engageable formations (103,104) being engaged when the handbrake lever (18) is operated to connect the strut parts (101,102) to allow the brake to be applied and being disengaged when the handbrake lever is released so that the strut parts can disengage and move apart with the brake shoes or brake operating levers to adjust the effective length of the strut as the brake shoes wear.
US08196708B2
A lubricant circulation system (10) includes a lubricant supply cup (1) containing a lubricant (6) and having an oil return hole (13) connected to an oil return pipe (16) of a rotary equipment (5). A pump seat (2) is coupled to the lubricant supply cup (1) and includes a pump chamber (253) and a pump outlet (254) connected to an oil supply pipe (256) of the rotary equipment (5). The lubricant (6) in the lubricant supply cup (1) flows into the pump chamber (253). A pump body (3) is coupled to the pump seat (2) and includes a pressure chamber (34) having a pressure inlet (341) and a pressure outlet (342) with a pressure relief valve (35). By introducing a pressurized fluid (7) from the pressure inlet (341) into the pressure chamber (34), a piston rod (27) in the pump chamber (253) reciprocally moves to allow the lubricant (6) in the pump chamber (253) to be successively supplied to the rotary equipment (5). A cooling device (4) is provided on the lubricant supply cup (1) for cooling the lubricant (6) before it enters the rotary equipment (5).
US08196706B2
A device for the application of lubricant onto the running surface of rails for rail vehicles includes at least one dispensing nozzle for issuing out a lubricant, and an air nozzle provided above the dispensing nozzle and aligned to blow out air in a direction of an upper edge of the dispensing nozzle and a railhead. The dispensing nozzle extends upwardly on an outer railhead surface which is distal to a contact surface for a rim of a running wheel of the rail vehicle.
US08196690B2
An industrial truck (1) has a compartment for an energy supply unit (5) having a lateral opening (6). A retaining apparatus (15) is provided for fixing the energy supply unit (5) in position in the lateral direction and a contacting apparatus (20) is provided for the electrical connection of the energy supply unit (5) with the industrial truck. The retaining apparatus (15) can pivot between a retaining position and a removal position, and a vehicle-side coupling element (20b) of the contacting apparatus (20) is located on the retaining apparatus (15). In the retaining position of the retaining apparatus (15), the vehicle-side coupling element (20b) is above the energy supply unit (5) and in the removal position the retaining apparatus (15) with the vehicle-side coupling element (20b) is outside the range of motion of the energy supply unit (5).
US08196686B2
A hybrid input differential engine system comprising a planetary gear set. Preferably, an ICE is connected to the planet gear carrier, the output shaft is connected to the ring gear, and the sun gear is connected to a supercharger/expander and an electric or hydraulic motor/generator. As engine torque increases, the supercharger speeds up, increasing torque still further, enabling a small displacement engine to have very high torque at low RPM. In cruise conditions, the sun gear direction is reversed by the motor/generator, causing the supercharger to act as an expander for efficiently throttling the engine. The motor/generator modulates the speed/torque relationships between the engine and the supercharger/expander. A second motor/generator may be used on the output shaft. The electric machines and electric storage may be downsized because less electrical power is needed for the operation of the system.
US08196685B2
An outboard electric drive attachable to a vehicle having a hitch attachable to a passenger vehicle; a momentum switch capable of detecting acceleration and deceleration; a swing arm; an electric motor; a wheel secured to the swing arm and coupled to the electric motor; an electric storage battery; and a motor controller electrically cabled to the electric motor, storage battery, and momentum switch such that the outboard electric drive applies force in the direction of vehicle travel when the momentum switch senses acceleration and applies force in the direction opposite the direction of vehicle travel when the momentum switch senses deceleration and recharges the battery. The drive can be operated in manual mode using a switch to enable the application constant force. A swing arm raising and lowering system can be provided to raise the apparatus when not in use or when the vehicle is operating in reverse.
US08196683B2
A drill bit includes a plurality of continuous segments impregnated with diamond that are each mounted to form a corresponding blade. The regions between the blades define a plurality of fluid passages on the bit face. The blades extend radially outwardly to the gage. The continuous segments may be either straight or spiral in design. Furthermore, the design of the segments supports varying one or more of: diamond content, width, back rake angle and/or relief angle along a length of the segment.
US08196682B2
A roller cone bit is provided that includes a wear resistant coating applied to a bearing shaft, which is attached to a roller cone. The wear resistant coating can be a tungsten/tungsten carbide composite applied by chemical vapor deposition.
US08196676B2
A recoilless hammer comprising a moil supported for reciprocal movement along a hammer axis of a housing, a piston moveable within the chamber of an elongate tube extending from the rear of the housing such that it may strike the moil. In a rest position the piston is held forward against the moil by a low pressure air supply delivered from the aft end of the chamber, and the piston is retracted to a charged position at the aft end of the chamber by delivery of high pressure air to act on the fore portion of the piston. Upon actuation of a trigger mechanism, air is vented from the fore end of the chamber to atmosphere causing a pressure unbalance of low magnitude across the piston, such that it accelerates towards and strikes the moil. The chamber is of a length to enable a high energy blow with minimal piston acceleration recoil when the hammer is manually held and operated.
US08196675B2
An impact hammer with pre-pressing damping and buffering effect includes a handle, outer barrel, air inlet, internal slide, actuating cylinder, air flow switching module and air inlet coupling portion. A front damper is assembled between the front end of the internal slide and the front end wall of the holding space and is characterized by a two-section pre-pressing rear damper assembled between the rear end of the internal slide and the rear end wall of the holding space. The two-section pre-pressing rear damper includes superposed upper and lower elastic buffers. At least the lower elastic buffer is pressed by a pre-pressing member to the preset degree. When the impact hammer yields recoil force under the impaction of the piston, the pre-pressing rear damper is employed to realize stronger buffering effect, so that the impact force is not much affected, thereby improving the impact efficiency and yielding excellent buffering effect.
US08196670B2
A stop collar or like device is formed in one piece to have a portion for a tool to be attached. Movement of the tool allows the collar to be drawn tightly into engagement onto a pipe or other tubular member. A bow centraliser has alternate bows longitudinally offset to reduce initial insertion force. The centraliser may be formed to have end bands of the type used in the stop collar.
US08196668B2
A technique that is usable with a well includes running screen assemblies into the well on a base pipe. Each screen assembly is associated with a different zone of the well to be gravel packed. During gravel packing of the well, the screen assemblies may be selectively configured to contain pressure without running a tool inside the base pipe to form a fluid seal.
US08196665B2
A method and apparatus are described for containing an oil spill caused by a subsea blowout, (i.e., a source of pollution located on a floor of an ocean, (e.g., a defective blowout preventer (BOP) that caused the oil spill)). A cylindrical containment assembly may be positioned such that a wall of the cylindrical containment assembly circumvents a portion of a floor of an ocean where the subsea blowout occurred. At least one mud flap may be configured to selectively protrude from the wall or retract into the wall when activated to control the depth that the cylindrical containment assembly sinks to below the ocean floor. A valve assembly may be positioned on the top perimeter of the wall. The top perimeter of the wall may have the same diameter as the outer perimeter of the valve assembly.
US08196664B2
An actuating mechanism for use in a tool such as a plug used in oil and gas wells. The mechanism being operable under pressure in the well bore to set the plug in a first natural closed state for a pressure under a predetermined pressure range; a second closed state wherein the plug is locked closed regardless of the pressure; and a third open state by increasing the pressure to the predetermined pressure range and holding the pressure in the range for a predetermined time. Electronic and mechanical, dual piston, actuating mechanisms are described as is a method of controlling fluid flow in a well bore using the plug and performing a pressure test against the plug.
US08196656B2
A position sensor for well tools. A position sensor includes an indicator portion including a carrier supporting a resistive element and at least one contact, and a support device for supporting the carrier. Another position sensor includes an indicator portion including a slider for displacing at least one contact relative to a resistive element, the slider being displaceable between first and second limits, and an end load mechanism including a biasing device which exerts a biasing force on the slider as the slider approaches at least the first limit. Another position sensor includes an indicator portion including a resistive element and at least one contact which contacts and displaces across the resistive element, a change in position of the contact relative to the resistive element being indicated by a resistance change as the contact displaces across the resistive element.
US08196651B2
Well bore fluid redistribution apparatuses which can be inserted into a well bore to isolate fluids produced in well bores from different geologic sections on either side of the apparatuses. Operation of the well bore fluid redistribution apparatuses can redistribute fluids produced in well bores between different geologic sections to reduce surface discharge of fluids.
US08196647B2
A method and equipment for distribution of two fluids into and out of channels in a multi-channel monolithic structure (monolith) where the channel openings are spread over an entire cross-sectional area of the monolithic structure. The equipment consists of a manifold head, a monolith unit or a monolith stack, a row of monolith units or monolith stacks, or a monolith block. In addition a method and a reactor for mass and/or heat transfer between two fluids transfers the two fluids using one or more of the manifold heads and monolith units, the monolith stack, the row of monolith units or monolith stacks, or the monolith block.
US08196645B2
A heat sink adapter for cooling an electronic component includes a lower plate, an upper plate, an upper fin set and a lower fin set respectively fixed on the upper plate and the lower plate, and a plurality of heat pipes sandwiched between the upper plate and the lower plate. The lower plate includes a panel contacting the heat pipes, two sidewalls extending upwardly from the panel and separated from the heat pipes, and two flanges extending oppositely from the two sidewalls and soldered on the upper plate. The heat pipes are S-shaped and juxtaposed and directly contact with each other from beginning to end.
US08196643B2
A ring heat dissipating device is mainly assembled by a ring body, a bottom plate arranged inside the ring body, and a plurality of heat dissipating fins arranged outside the ring body. The bottom plate is punched by a mold so that the bottom plate is fixed to a predetermined position inside the ring body. The heat dissipating fins are inserted into slots on an outer surface of the ring body. After trenches between the slots are punched and deformed, the heat dissipating fins are tightly riveted by the deformed trenches.
US08196640B1
A core-in-a-core casting method and hybrid core (40) for use in the method. An inner core (42) formed of process-inert particles disposed in a binder material is used as a mold for casting an outer core ((44) formed of particles that will sinter during a subsequent firing step. The inner core provides mechanical support for the outer core during the firing step, and during which the inner core devolves into compacted but unbonded particles that can be removed conveniently from the outer core following the firing step to reveal the fired hollow outer core (44).
US08196635B2
According to the invention, a suspended blade (55) is provided as a seal which is active between the plates (1a, 2a), said blade comprising a suspension (52) which can be displaced along the upper edge of the first of the two plates (1a), the distance of the suspension from each plane being changeable. The front side of the first plate (1a) lies in said suspension and the blade (55) is provided, at least on one side, with a reversible yielding sealing compound.
US08196634B1
The present invention is a device for dispensing rolls of protective adhesive film having different widths. In one embodiment, the device comprises a central support assembly comprising first and second elongated members having a first longitudinal axis and a second longitudinal axis, respectively. The first longitudinal axis of the first elongated member is off-set from the second longitudinal axis of the second elongated member. The central support assembly further comprises first and second extension members each having a first portion telescopically engaged with the first and second elongated members, respectively, and a second portion. The device further comprises a right support assembly engaged with the second portion of the first extension member and comprising a film mounting roller adapted to support the first end portion of the roll of film. The device further comprises a left support assembly engaged with the second portion of the second extension member and comprising a film mounting roller adapted to support the second end portion of the roll of film. The device further comprises a handle engaged with the central support assembly. In use, the first and second extension members may be extended or retracted from the first and second elongated members, respectively, to accommodate film roll widths of 24 inches, 30 inches, 36 inches or 48 inches. At any film width, the handle is centered between the right and left support assembly.
US08196632B2
There is provided a mounting apparatus capable of forming dicing tapes in the process of feeding-out a strip material, and sticking the dicing tape to a ring frame to fix a semiconductor wafer.The mounting apparatus 10 sticks the dicing tape to the ring frame RF to fix the semiconductor wafer to the ring frame in a state that the ring frame RF and the semiconductor wafer W are disposed on a table 11. The mounting apparatus 10 includes a pre-cut means 13 for forming a cut L in a state of half cut in a film FL of a strip material A to form a dicing tape T in the process of feeding out the strip material A and a sticking means 34 for peeling off the dicing tape from a base sheet S to stick the dicing tape to the ring frame RF.
US08196631B2
A SMC lamination line is disclosed that has an upper carrier film and a lower carrier film with oriented chopped fibers being deposited between the carrier films. Resin paste or adhesive is provided to retain oriented fibers on the lower carrier film. A guide roller guides the carrier film in close proximity to an in-feed conveyor that feeds oriented chopped fiber unto the lower carrier film. The guide roller is preferably less than the diameter of the end roller of the feed conveyor. The guide roller is also preferably within the arc of movement of the ends of the oriented chopped fibers to ensure a smooth and non-disruptive transfer of the oriented chopped fibers to the lower carrier film.
US08196628B2
A system for dissipating sound shock waves within a vehicle tire includes a wheel upon which a tire is mounted to create an internal air chamber defined by the wheel and the tire. A flow-resistant barrier is coupled to the wheel or the tire and defines an air cavity within the internal air chamber. The barrier comprises a material that provides an acoustical resistance to sound shock waves passing therethrough. The air cavity defined by the barrier has a volume such that air within the cavity offers relatively small impedance to the passage of shock waves through the barrier and into the air cavity. The barrier also can produce frictional heat when displaced by a shock wave, thereby converting energy of the shock wave to heat to reduce noise associated therewith.
US08196612B2
A rigid fastener, for securing to one another adjacent portions of a cover member made of resiliently deformable material, has an end portion with an outward end section of relatively small outside diameter and an axially adjacent inward section of relatively large outside diameter. The end portion of the fastener is engagable in either of two positions in a corresponding recess formed into at least one of the adjacent portions of the cover piece, affording a high level of holding power in its fully inserted position and affording a low level of holding power in a partially inserted position.
US08196604B1
A deployable automated vent cover device includes a vent cover and a telescopic pole. The vent cover includes a vent base, a first vent door, a second vent door and a release mechanism. The release mechanism includes a solenoid, a pivot release, a first latch device and a second latch device. The vent base preferably includes a base plate with two openings, and a vent seal. The first and second vent doors are pivotal attached to the base plate. The first latch device is retained on the base plate and the second latch device is retained on the base plate. The first and second latch devices retain the first and second vent doors in a closed orientation. The pivot release is pivotally connected to the solenoid and to the first and second latch devices. The solenoid is actuated to open the first and second vent doors through the pivot release.
US08196601B2
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a thermal flow sensor having a first capillary tube coupled to a mass flow controller main flow line across a mass flow controller bypass. A first pair of sensing elements is coupled to the first capillary tube. The thermal sensor also comprise a second capillary tube having a substantially similar cross-sectional area to the first capillary tube, a first end thermally coupled to one of a mass flow controller base and the first tube proximal the first tube inlet port, and a second end thermally coupled to one of the mass flow controller base and the first tube proximal the outlet port. The second tube is not adapted to receive and eject a fluid flow. A second pair of sensing elements is coupled to the second tube.
US08196599B2
An improved saddle tee for branching a conduit from a main line is disclosed. The saddle tee includes a base unit that defines an opening for receiving a tap and interlocking jaws for securing the base unit to a main line. The tap may include a shaped portion for receiving a tool interface to rotate the tap to drive the tap into the main line. The tool interface could be secured to a power tool to enable rapid driving of the saddle tee into the main line. The saddle tee may also include offset arcuate interlocking jaws to enable the jaws to interlock around the main line with ease. Optional interface surfaces on the tap and base unit enable the tap and base unit to interlock to limit rotation of the tap relative to the base unit when the tap is fully inserted into the base unit.
US08196597B2
In one aspect of the present invention, it is contemplated that a valve includes a passage. A first sealing element is biased to restrict flow of a fluid in a first direction through the passage when an upstream volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the first direction is less than a first predetermined threshold. A second sealing element is biased to unrestrict flow of the fluid to a baseline unrestricted flow rate in a second direction through the passage when an upstream volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the second direction is less than a second predetermined threshold.
US08196596B2
A method for tracking a pollution source in process water is presented. Firstly, variation curves of drain water drained from different rinsing tanks are respectively obtained, and a water quality concentration of the drain water drained to a buffer tank is detected, so as to output a water quality variation curve. Then, an analytical comparison is performed on each drain water amount variation curve and the water quality variation curve within a same time interval, so as to output an analytical result of each flow of drain water in a range exceeding a predetermined water quality standard. In this manner, the drain water that exceeds the predetermined water quality standard can be tracked in real-time according to the analytical result, thereby quickly improving the process for discharging the drain water.
US08196592B2
A hair brush for hot curling includes a body, a closing cap, a connection member and a brush part. The body made of ceramic coated aluminum includes holes through which a steel teeth of the brush part protrudes. The closing cap engages with the body formed by assembling segmented portions. The connection member for connecting the segmented portions of the body includes a body part and an insertion groove to which the body is inserted. The brush part includes a handle part and a fastening part, a first end of which is connected to the handle part and a second end is engaged with one end of the assembled body. An iron core is formed by twisting two or more wires, one end of which is securely engaged within the fastening part, a plurality of the steel teeth being formed on the iron core in a circumferential direction thereof.
US08196588B1
This invention generally relates to a product and method to restrain movement, and more particularly to a product and method to releasably restrain the movement of a part of the human body, such as an arm or a leg. In one embodiment of the invention, a first piece is releasably positioned at a part of the body the movement of which is desired to be restrained and a second piece is positioned at the desired location of restraint. The first piece and the second piece are adapted to be releasably connected to each other, such as by magnetic forces, the attractive magnetic forces of two or more magnets, or by mechanical forces such as by a snap, button, buckle, pin, hook and loop fastener or other device.
US08196587B2
A one-piece molded bruxism treatment device which in upright orientation has top and bottom parts, including: an elongated band having a generally U-shape defining a closed front end part and legs extending rearward and adapted to be positioned around the outer surfaces of a person's upper gums and teeth, and two generally planar resiliently deformable bite pads oriented generally horizontally, each extending from one of the feet of the band medially toward the other.
US08196580B2
Apparatus (10) is provided, including a housing (26) configured to be implanted in a trachea (20) of a patient and a propeller (22), coupled to the housing. The propeller is configured to generate a positive pressure in the trachea while the propeller is in the trachea. Other embodiments are also described.
US08196568B2
Methods and systems are provided for managing exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine are described. In one example system, hydrocarbons in engine exhaust gases may be stored during an engine cold start and later released into an intake manifold of the engine. The methods and systems may reduce engine hydrocarbon emissions.
US08196565B2
A fluid injector assembly has a fluid injector (14) with a fluid inlet portion (16), a fluid injector cup (18) with an inner surface (30), an outer surface (28) and a heating device (32). The fluid inlet portion (16) of the fluid injector (14) has a sealing ring (26) being arranged and designed to sealingly engage the inner surface (30) of the fluid injector cup (18). The fluid injector cup (18) is designed to couple the heating device (32) thermally to the sealing ring (26) of the inlet portion (16) and to couple the fluid inlet portion (16) mechanically.
US08196564B2
In a method for determining a controlled variable of pressure control of a high-pressure accumulator of an injection system, a setpoint pressure gradient value is determined in the high-pressure accumulator as a function of the maximum possible actual pressure gradient value.
US08196557B2
A plasma jet ignition plug including an insulator having an axial hole extending therethrough in the direction of an axis CL1, a center electrode inserted into the axial hole, and a ground electrode disposed frontward of the front end of the insulator. The insulator has a cavity defined by the wall surface of the axial hole and the front end surface of the center electrode and opens frontward. The ground electrode has a through hole for establishing communication between the cavity and an ambient atmosphere. A front end portion of the center electrode is formed into a taper portion whose diameter reduces frontward in the direction of the axis CL1. The outside diameter of a front end of the taper portion is smaller than the diameter of the through hole. The cavity has a substantially constant diameter with respect to the direction of the axis CL1.
US08196556B2
A DHLA including a hydraulic lash adjustment mechanism disposed within a plunger slidably disposed within a pin housing that is slidably disposed within an axial bore in an adjuster body. A lash ring disposed in a groove near the outer end of the DHLA body includes a portion extending into the bore to limit travel of the pin housing and thereby set the internal mechanical lash in the DHLA. The lash ring has a thickness selected to provided a predetermined amount of mechanical lash in the assembled lifter, which thickness varies from assembly to assembly to compensate for manufacturing variation in the components. A biasing means such as a wave ring, a Belleville washer or a beveled retaining ring is also installed in the annular groove to urge the lash ring against the lower surface of the groove under all DHLA operating conditions.
US08196554B2
Mounting port, provided adjacent to a cooling water passageway, has a hole opening from the passageway for mounting an anode metal in the passageway. Lid member, which closes the outer end of the hole, has a head portion formed at its outer end and an externally threaded portion engageable with an internally threaded portion of the hole with a sealing member sandwiched therebetween. The lid member having the anode metal fixed thereto is inserted in and attached to the port with the threaded portions engaging with each other with a sealing tape sandwiched therebetween. Space is defined between an outer end portion of the port and an outer end portion of the lid member between the head portion and the externally threaded portion so that part of the sealing member protruding from between the threaded portions can be received in the space.
US08196553B2
A cooling system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having a rotating member and using coolant in a liquid cooling system, is provided that comprises a radiator for dissipating the heat from the coolant, an electric pump for pumping the coolant through the cooling system, a mechanical pump operatively connected to the rotating member for pumping coolant through the cooling system, and a clutch for disengaging the second pump for minimizing the parasitic loss of the system and improving total fuel economy of the vehicle.
US08196548B2
A method and a compartment within an incubator, capable of allowing chicks to feed during the hatching process without reducing hatchability or livability. Thanks to immediate post hatch nutrition, the development during the chicks first days is significantly improved, resulting in a significant improvement in their weight as well.Furthermore, the accessibility of feed for the chicks is enabled and improved immediately after their hatching thanks to suitable lighting and the use of feeding troughs with transparent walls.
US08196546B1
Methods and apparatus provide for: a first source of plasma, wherein the plasma includes a first species of ions; a second source of plasma, wherein the plasma includes a second species of ions; selection of the plasma from the first and second sources; and acceleration the first species of ions or the second species of ions toward a semiconductor wafer.
US08196538B2
This invention relates to a mooring aid for use at marine installations, such as jetties and the like, wherein the mooring aid comprises a support (2), a member (18) which is mounted to the support (2) and to which a mooring rope can be detachably secured, wherein the member (18) is moveable reciprocally between a retracted position which corresponds to a storage position for the rope secured thereto and an extended position which renders a rope secured thereto accessible to a user. Wherein the mooring aid preferably further comprises biasing means (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) for urging the member (18) from its external position to its retracted position, wherein the biasing means may be housed in the support (2).
US08196532B2
A combustor 110 combust a fluidized bed of fossil fuel 114, 114′ to heat a working fluid 102 and generate flue gas 104. An air preheater 144 has first and second gas passageways 144a, 144b for respectively directing the generated flue gas 150 and another gas 250 with captured CO2 generated by combustion outside of the combustor 110. When operated in a non-CO2 capture, the air preheater 144 receives the flue gas 150, but not the other gas 250, and the first gas passageway 144a directs the flue gas 150 so as to preheat the air 188. However, when operated in the CO2 capture mode, the air preheater 144 receives the flue gas 150 and the other gas 250, and the second gas passageway 144b also directs the other gas 250 so as to preheat the air 188′. In either mode, the preheated air 188, 188′ is applied by the combustor 110 to fluidize a bed of fossil fuel 114, 114′.
US08196523B2
A railroad tanker car 10 with a fluid cargo tank 11 and a manway assembly 12 is disclosed. The manway assembly 12 includes a nozzle 17 having a nozzle sealing surface 24 and a cover 18 having a cover sealing surface 33. An attachment device 19 supplies a closing force to bias the cover 18 toward the nozzle 17. A fluid seal 51 prevents egress of fluids from and ingress of contaminants into the tank 11. The seal 51 includes a cover seal member 54, a nozzle seal member 55, and an expander 56 that forces the members 54 and 55 against their respective cover and nozzle sealing surfaces. The fluid seal 51 also includes a compression limiting carrier 52 with integral locating tabs 53 that locates the seal 51 and controls the compression of the elastomeric components of the seal 51.
US08196521B2
A power module for a locomotive is disclosed. The power module may have a frame including a plurality of lifting elements. The plurality of lifting elements may include at least one fork lifting element and at least one frame lifting eye. The power module may further have a generator set supported by the frame.
US08196518B2
A passenger locomotive is retrofitted with a hybrid energy head end power (HEP) system to generate head end power that is substantially continuously provided to a passenger railcar while the locomotive, which is operable in a motoring mode and a dynamic braking mode, is in use. The locomotive has a primary power source that provides primary electrical energy to a traction bus to power a traction motor when in the motoring mode. The traction motor generates excess electrical energy when in the dynamic braking mode. The HEP energy storage system generates head end power that is suitable for non-motoring use by a passenger railcar by converting the stored excess electrical energy and primary electrical energy into the head end power and providing the head end power to the HEP bus substantially continuously while the passenger locomotive is in use.
US08196506B2
A pump includes a piston block defining piston bores, and pistons disposed in the piston bores. A swash device defines a swash bore about a swash central axis (CSW) and a swash rotation axis (CR). A pivotal connection pivotally connects each of the pistons to the swash device for rotation about a connection pivot point during relative movement between the swash device and the piston. The connection pivot points are aligned in a plane (P). A shaft supported by the housing passes through the swash bore and defines a shaft central axis (CSH). A hinge assembly pivotally supports the swash device about a hinge axis (CHI) disposed on the opposite side of the plane (P) from the piston block. The swash rotation axis (CR) of the swash device is offset from the plane (P) away from the hinge axis (CHI) and is radially offset from the swash center axis in a direction toward the hinge axis (CHI).
US08196485B2
In twin clutch device used in an engine transmission, there are coaxially and adjacently arranged a first disk clutch and a second disk clutch of a hydraulic pressure type that displace a pressing member in an axial direction with externally supplied hydraulic pressure to exert a predetermined engagement force, and the first disk clutch and the second disk clutch respectively have: an engagement side hydraulic chamber that gives the pressing member a pressing force towards a clutch engagement side; and a pressure compensation hydraulic chamber that gives the pressing member a pressing force toward a clutch disengagement side to compensate a pressure of a returning action thereof. Furthermore in this twin clutch device there are provided: a first actuator that controls hydraulic pressure supply to the engagement side hydraulic pressure chamber of the first disk clutch, and a second actuator that controls hydraulic pressure supply to the engagement side hydraulic chamber of the second disk clutch; and a hydraulic pressure cut-off device that brings the first disk clutch and the second disk clutch into a disengagement state.
US08196480B1
An on-stream sample collection and conditioning system, which is easier to construct, implement, maintain, and is more cost efficient then existing systems. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a modular system adaptable to a variety of diverse sample conditioning requirements. The system provides a docking surface specifically designed to receive modular conditioning or sampling components or the like in order to readily engage a system of passages to provide fluid flow between the mounted components.
US08196476B2
There is disclosed a flat planar pressure transducer which comprises a planar insulative substrate of a rectangular configuration. Disposed on the substrate is an array of conductive areas which extend from a contact terminal area of said substrate to an end of the substrate. There is a leadless sensor module positioned at said contact terminal area, with the contacts of said leadless sensor contacting contact terminals of said contact terminal area. The leadless sensor is enclosed by an enclosure which is coupled to the substrate and surrounds the sensor. The enclosure has a screen positioned on the top surface to prevent particles from entering or damaging the leadless sensor. The above-noted structure forms a very flat, compact pressure transducer which can be utilized in lieu of flex circuit type devices and provides greater mechanical stability as well as a more accurate output.
US08196475B2
Described herein is a method for integrating MEMS with submicron semiconductor electrical circuits such as CMOS to provide more complex signal processing, on-chip calibration and integration with RF technologies. A MEMS sensor is provided having an upper layer, an insulating layer into which a cavity has been formed and a handle layer. The upper layer acts as both the substrate of the semiconductor electrical circuit and as the active MEMS element. The remainder of the circuitry is fabricated either in or on the upper layer. In a preferred method of the present invention a first wafer assembly and a second wafer assembly are fabricated such that a MEMS sensor and the substrate of at least one semiconductive electrical circuit is formed.
US08196474B2
A simple to implement contacting variant makes it possible to create a reliable electrical connection between the sensor element and the evaluation electronics of a pressure sensor, including at least one media-resistant sensor element, evaluation electronics in the form of at least one additional component connected electrically to the sensor element, and a multipart housing, the sensor element being situated in a first housing area having at least one pressure connection, and the evaluation electronics being situated in a second sealed housing area which is separated from the first housing area by a separating wall. The electrical connection between the sensor element and the evaluation electronics is implemented in the form of media-resistant bonding wires which are guided from the first into the second housing area through the bonded joint area between the separating wall and an additional housing part.
US08196471B2
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe for producing a real-time three dimensional live action image (a four dimensional image), which has a long lifetime, and an improved image quality, can prevent malfunction. The ultrasonic probe for producing a four dimensional image includes power transmission means for transmission of power from an upright motor to a module (2) having acoustic elements for swinging the module, the power transmission means includes a first link (20) having a horizontal portion (22) directly connected to a motor shaft, and a sloped portion projected upward from one side end of the horizontal portion at an angle in conformity with a locus of a swing action of the module, and a second link (21) comprising a horizontal (29) having an interlocking connected thereto and a pair of parallel portion (30) and (31) projected upwardly from opposite ends of the horizontal portion, such that the second link is interlocked along the first link in a state of being interposed between the first link and the module, wherein the interlocking shaft (28) is connected with an inclined portion of the first link by a shaft and the pair of parallel portions is mounting to a lower side of the module in a horizontal direction with a shaft.
US08196468B2
A vibration sensor includes a base, a conducting ring, a number of cantilevers, a number of resistors, a number of helical springs, and a number of pairs of first and second pins. One end of each cantilever is connected to the base; the other end of each cantilever defines a guiding cutout. The resistors are correspondingly inserted in the guiding cutout. The helical springs are correspondingly deposited between the conducting ring and the holding block. The conducting ring slides in the guiding cutout due to a vibration and contacts with the resistor. The first and second pins formed in the base for correspondingly connecting to a pair of resistors in each cantilever. The vibration sensor senses the direction of the vibration by detecting a resistance that changes with a position of the conducting ring.
US08196463B2
An apparatus for indicating a volume of liquid flow, comprising a liquid sensor for sensing the presence of a liquid, a timer activated when the liquid sensor indicates the presence of a liquid, a calculator to calculate the volume of liquid flow dependent upon the time for which the timer is activated, and an indicator to provide an indication of the volume of fluid calculated by the calculation means.
US08196455B2
A sensor element carrier for use in a mass-sensitive chemical sensor instrument comprises a base component and a lid component, the base component being adapted to receive, in use, a sensor, the signal generated by which depends on the mass of material adsorbed at a sensing surface thereof, the base component or the lid component having formed therein, in a recessed area, at least one channel for the ingress of sample fluid, the recessed area forming, in use and in conjunction with the sensing surface of the sensor, a sample chamber, the sensor being held, in use, between the base component and the lid component and the approach of the base component and lid component being limited on assembly of the sensor element by means of substantially rigid portions of each which come into abutment, thereby limiting the minimum height of the sample chamber for a given set of sensor, base and lid components.
US08196451B2
There is provided a technique that can increase sensitivity of a resonator. A ratio Rb/Ra between an inner diameter Rb and an outer diameter Ra of the resonator 20 is appropriately selected, and thus there may be a fixed point where an r component (U(Ra) or U(Rb)) of displacement in a radial direction and an r component (V(Ra) or V(Rb)) of displacement in a tangential direction are 0 on an outer diameter portion or an inner diameter portion of the resonator 20. In this case, the resonator 20 is supported by a holding member 22 constituted by a single-span beam set so that a boundary condition on a side of the resonator 20 is pinned and a boundary condition on a side of an anchor that supports the resonator 20 is clamped at the fixed point, and this prevents vibration energy of the resonator 20 from being lost through the holding member 22, avoids a state to disturb a vibration mode, and achieves a sensor having high sensitivity.
US08196448B2
A hydrogen sensor assembly is disclosed. The hydrogen sensor assembly includes a sensing element within a sensor housing. The sensor housing includes an opening to facilitate a fluid communication between the sensing element and an exhaust stream of a fuel cell. A substantially water-vapor-impermeable membrane is disposed within the opening between the sensing element and the exhaust stream to militate against water vapor from the exhaust stream entering the sensor housing. The sensor housing may include a second opening to facilitate a fluid communication between the sensing element and an external environment to evacuate water vapor generated by the sensing element.
US08196444B2
A bending device for two working rolls of a rolling stand. Guide blocks provided in lateral roll housings for guiding two pressure-transmission bodies vertically adjustably with respect to each other and, on which the working rolls are supported via chocks. Bending cylinders are arranged in pairs between the pressure-transmission bodies at each end of the rolls. Each cylinder has a piston rod acting on one pressure-transmission body and a cylinder at the respective other pressure-transmission body. Each pressure-transmission body is supported on a respective guide block in a sliding manner. So that loads acting on the pressure-transmission bodies can be introduced into the guide block free of edge pressure, the pressure-transmission bodies are supported on the respective guide blocks in a sliding manner by self-adjusting wearing plates which include surfaces that enable both sliding and pivoting of the bodies with respect to the guide blocks.
US08196441B2
An apparatus and method for operating a dispensing system as a non-bulk dispensing system or a bulk dispensing system in a household cleaning appliance.
US08196433B2
There is provided an apparatus and method for making a glass preform with nanofiber reinforcement. The apparatus comprises a container for melting one or more glass components in a mixture comprising the glass components and one or more nanofibers. The container has an opening that allows escape of any gas released from the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more heating elements for heating the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more electric field devices, positioned exterior to the glass components, that create an electric field in a volume of the mixture in order to orient the nanofibers within the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container.
US08196431B2
Methods for controlling thickness variations across the width of a glass ribbon (104) are provided. The methods employ a set of thermal elements (106) for locally controlling the temperature of the ribbon (104). The operating values for the thermal elements (106) are selected using an iterative procedure in which thickness variations measured during a given iteration are employed in a mathematical procedure which selects the operating values for the next iteration. In practice, the method can bring thickness variations of glass sheets within commercial specifications in just a few iterations, e.g., 2-4 iterations.
US08196427B2
An apparatus for storing food therein and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. Space utilization efficiency can be enhanced by configuring a single-body duct diverging to different storage rooms. The present invention includes a first storage room and a second storage room to store food, and a duct unit includes a first duct to guide cold air into the first storage room, and a second duct to guide cold air into the second storage room. A scroll from which the first duct and the second duct diverge is located between the first and second ducts.
US08196422B2
The present invention is directed at a solar powered heat exchange system preferably used to drive a water collection device, which condenses water vapor in atmospheric air to water. The device comprises means for drawing the atmospheric air into the device; means for condensing the moisture vapor in the atmospheric air into water; and means for collecting the water.
US08196413B2
Contemplated plants integrate regeneration of a freeze point depressant with LNG regasification and a power cycle. Most preferably, the plant is a combined cycle plant in which heat for reboiling the regenerator is provided by the steam cycle, and in which LNG refrigeration content is used to condense steam from the regenerator and to further subcool intake air for a combustion turbine.
US08196409B2
A fuel supply arrangement for a gas turbine burner is provided. The fuel distribution arrangement includes a rear section external to the burner located between a turbine wall and a fuel distribution system interface directing fuel into fuel supply circuits. The fuel distribution system interface has four fuel connections. An intermediate section is located between the turbine wall and the backside wall of a distribution chamber; and a front section in front of the second section located between said backside wall of the distribution chamber and a burner central backside block. The fuel distribution arrangement includes pipes for gaseous fuel, liquid fuel, as well as pilot gas, and liquid pilot fuel. In the rear section the pipes for gaseous fuel and for liquid fuel are arranged concentrically, and in at least one portion of the intermediate section the pipe for gaseous fuel is arranged non-concentrically with the liquid fuel pipe.
US08196392B2
An exhaust system for use with a combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust system may have an exhaust passage configured to receive a flow of exhaust from the combustion engine, a particulate filter located within the exhaust passage, and a heating device located to selectively warm the flow of exhaust passing through the particulate filter. The exhaust system may also have a controller in communication with the combustion engine and the heating device. The controller may be configured to continuously determine an amount of particulate matter within the particulate filter, continuously determine a desired regeneration temperature based on the amount of particulate matter, and continuously determine an error value as a function of the desired regeneration temperature and an actual regeneration temperature. The controller may be further configured to determine an amount of particulate matter within the particulate filter, and adjust an amount of warming provided by the heating device based on the error value.
US08196390B2
Methods and devices to monitor an exhaust gas after-treatment system of an internal combustion engine with a motor block and an exhaust gas duct. The engine has at least one catalytic converter, upstream from which a reagent substance necessary for the NOx reduction in the catalytic converter is introduced by means of an introduction device. The reduction agent rate is increased to such an extent at defined reference operating points until an ammonia breach is detected in direction of flow behind the catalytic converter by means of an ammonia sensitive sensor in the exhaust gas duct.
US08196389B2
A control method for an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gases post-processing system and a system for recirculating the exhaust gases towards the intake, wherein the engine can be switched from a regeneration operation mode with throttling to a nominal mode without throttling. At the end of the engine operation in the regeneration mode, the engine is temporarily operated in an intermediate mode with partial throttling for limiting the contrast of the intake noise.
US08196384B2
A chain link for an energy drag chain that guides conduits, tubes or the like between a stationary point of connection and a mobile point of connection. The chain link includes a cross piece and two spaced-apart link plates. The cross piece is connected to at least one link plate in an articulated manner and the connection between the cross piece and link plate can be a multi-axis connection.
US08196369B2
A building integrated thermal electric hybrid roofing system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of metal battens having a longitudinal channel mounted horizontally onto a plurality of wooden battens, a thermal tubing containing liquid mounted on the longitudinal channels, a plurality of solar electric roof tiles mounted on the plurality of metal battens and connected in series to form a string, an inverter connected to each of the strings, a heat exchanger connected to the thermal tubing, and a pump connected between the thermal tubing and the heat exchanger. The plurality of solar electric roof tiles generates DC electricity from solar energy and the inverter converts the DC electricity to AC electricity to feed to a utility grid. The plurality of metal battens collects the solar energy and converts into thermal energy through running the liquid which is extracted to the heat exchanger resulting in producing domestic hot water.
US08196359B1
A wind turbine system for safe and reliable installation in a building. The Wind Turbine System generally includes of a tower pole having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the tower pole includes a wind turbine which extends through the roof through a hole. The lower end of the tower pole includes a tower base which is installed underground in the base of a building. The tower base may be anchored in the ground with a concrete footing. The tower pole is connected to a building support member by a clamp member. An anti-vibration ring surrounds the tower pole at its interface with the building support member to dampen vibrations. A tower-roof seal surrounds the interface between tower pole and roof at the hole. In this manner, wind power can be provided to a building without the use of guyed wires and without damaging the structure of the building.
US08196356B2
The invention concerns a window assembly in a vehicle having a window pane that is fixed in a window frame that is also used for movable windows, and a method for mounting the fixed window pane in the window assembly. The method may include: mounting a window mounting assembly to a vehicle structure adjacent to the window opening; sliding the window pane into run channels of the vehicle window frame; mounting a lower edge of the window pane onto a peripheral support surface of a window support cam of the window mounting assembly; rotating a cam lobe of the window support cam into contact with the lower edge of the window pane until the window pane slides upward into a fully closed position; and locking the window support cam, against rotation allowing the window pane to lower, as the window pane is lifted into the fully closed position.
US08196342B2
A termite control bait container includes an upper end portion opposite a lower end portion. The bait container includes a chamber containing a termite bait. The lower end portion includes an air-trapping pocket below at least a portion of the bait to reduce intrusion of water through the lower end portion when installed in a selected orientation at least partially below ground.
US08196333B2
A rail mountable diopter rear sight has a housing, a drum arm pivotably connected to the housing, a sight drum rotatably engaged with the drum arm, and elevation adjustment screw connected to the drum arm and the sight drum. The sight drum rotates on a common axis with the elevation adjustment screw. The sight drum threadedly engages a threaded portion of the elevation adjustment screw.
US08196332B2
A U-shaped mounting bracket is affixed around a rear iron sight housing. The mounting bracket includes a first and second bracket side that perpendicularly extend from the top bracket side. The first and second bracket sides are secured to the rear iron sight housing of a firearm by a hinge pin driven into the hinge pin holes in the mounting bracket and the rear iron sight housing. Bracket sides extend the top bracket side above the rear sight iron. Fasteners brace the bracket sides securely against the external surface of the rear iron sight housing. The top bracket side can receive a scope rail or the forward mount may have an integrated rail unit. The top bracket side has leveling set to align the attached scope or other sighting device with the axis on the bore of the firearm.
US08196330B2
A planar triangular patch for cleaning firearm bores. The patch has similarly sized notches placed centrally along the edges of the patch, permitting a uniform level of pleating as the patch is inserted into a firearm bore and wraps around a jag. The patch is made of a material design to clean and preserve the interior of a firearm bore and applies uniform pressure against the bore as it presents the face of its longest radius to the bore interior, cleaning the entire bore simultaneously.
US08196328B2
A compact and foldable survival tool includes a firearm including a trigger and safety lever with many unique features including a compact and folding survival tool with an easy-to-manufacture top strap, a rack and pinion hammer actuator, dual lasers for distress signaling and target and ranging sighting, reconfigurable multiple tools, contained child-safety lock system, folding trigger with safety lever, cam hammer lock, floating firing pin, and cylinder pin assembly positive cylinder lock, for example.
US08196324B2
A layered assembly includes a first adhesive layer and a protective top layer affixed permanently on all sides to the first adhesive layer. The assembly also includes a first image layer onserted between the first adhesive layer and the protective top layer, wherein the protective top layer is provided over the first image layer and at least a portion of the protective top layer can be removed to reveal the first image layer.
US08196323B2
A wristband assembly comprising a wristband strap, an adhesive positioned on the strap, and a liner assembly. The liner assembly includes a liner having a releasable portion in releasable contact with the adhesive, and an affixed portion secured to the wristband strap (e.g., by a bonding agent spaced from the adhesive). The releasable portion is spaced from the affixed portion. Preferably, the liner assembly further includes a release layer (e.g., comprising silicone) on the releasable portion and not on the affixed portion. In one embodiment, the release layer includes an edge between the releasable portion and the affixed portion, and bonding agent is spaced from the edge. In another embodiment, the liner includes a perforated portion between the affixed portion and the releasable portion (e.g., substantially at an edge between the releasable portion and the affixed portion).
US08196321B2
An article of footwear with a shape correcting member is disclosed. The shape correcting member includes an inner surface associated with a portion of a foot and an outer surface disposed opposite of the inner surface. The inner surface is pre-shaped to fit the contours of a portion of the foot and the outer surface is substantially non-protruding. With this arrangement, the outer surface may facilitate accurate kicking.
US08196320B2
An article of footwear can receive a bootie. The article can include an upper to receive the bootie. Ball control elements may be provided on the bootie and the ball control elements can extend through the upper. The ball control elements can be configured to aid kicking or to interact with various surfaces. The upper can receive different booties having different ball control elements.
US08196317B2
Flat knitting allows production of textile structures (e.g., for use in footwear uppers) of a final desired shape such that textile cutting steps can be avoided. Flat knitted elements also can be formed directly in desired three dimensional shapes, which can help avoid the need to use additional support structures (e.g., in footwear construction). By selectively placing multiple different yarns and/or stitch patterns at multiple different locations in the overall structure during the knitting process, flat knitted products may have multiple different physical properties (e.g., different stretchability, different moisture management capabilities, etc.) at multiple different locations or zones within a single, unitary construction (e.g., different properties at different zones or locations within a single footwear structure). Additionally, flat knitting can be used to produce pockets, tunnels, or other layered structures in the final product.
US08196312B2
A technology can efficiently dry the high-boiling point solvent contained in the object and achieve the space-saving and energy-saving of a drying apparatus. A drying method for drying an object containing a first solvent while conveying the object into a chamber (38), comprises: a first drying step of drying the object up to a drying point in the prestage of the chamber (38); and a second drying step of forming a vapor atmosphere of a second solvent having a lower boiling point than the first solvent in the chamber (38) and drying the object such that the temperature of the object in an inlet port of the chamber (38) is made to be lower by a predetermined temperature difference than the temperature of the vapor atmosphere.
US08196309B2
A method and apparatus for measuring distance on a loose surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame and a wheel operatively coupled to the frame. The wheel rotates relative to the frame. Further, the wheel includes a hub for operatively coupling the wheel with the frame. The hub rotates relative to the frame in response to one of pushing and pulling of the frame. To increase traction between the wheel and the loose surface, a plurality of spikes is provided on a peripheral surface of the wheel, projecting outwardly away from the hub. As the peripheral surface rolls on the surface, the distance traversed by the wheel is measured by calculating the number of rotations made by the wheel. A counter is operatively coupled to the wheel for tracking the number of rotations made by the wheel as the peripheral surface of the wheel rolls on the loose surface.
