US08299828B2
The present invention provides ABS precision improving means under ADPLL environment or environment close to the ADPLL environment and realizes shortening of process time of the ABS. In a digital frequency comparator in an ABS circuit, a DFF for storing an initial phase difference in a DPE signal output from a DPFD is prepared. Immediately after start of ABS operation, a DPE signal output from the DPFD is recorded as a signal expressing an initial phase difference in an internal circuit of the DPFD into the DFF. After that, the digital frequency comparator performs ABS by using a signal obtained by subtracting the initial phase error recorded in the DFF from an input DPE signal, thereby realizing high-speed and stabilized ABS operation.
US08299820B2
A circuit for actuation of a transistor. One embodiment provides an actuation output for connection to the actuation connection of the transistor. A measurement arrangement is provided for ascertaining a load current flowing through the load path or a voltage across the load path and for providing a measurement signal. An actuation current source having an actuation current output is connected to the actuation output and supplied with the measurement signal and designed to produce an actuation current at the actuation current output. The actuation current is at a current level dependent on the measurement signal.
US08299819B2
The present invention relates to a simple and small-sized circuit configuration (10) for significantly reducing resettling time of a peak or zero current comparator. This circuit configuration (10) provides the comparator input stage with an alternative current path at the comparator input submitted to a large voltage variation able to disturb the DC-settings. This circuit configuration (10) comprises a pair of small transistors (P3, P4) coupled to a differential pair of transistors (N1, N2) of the comparator input stage and having a polarity different from said pair of transistors (P3, P4). The gates of the transistors P3 and P4 share a common terminal connected to said comparator input. The currents and voltages across the comparator are always maintained close to the normal DC-setting values during the voltage transition phase. This circuit configuration (10) can be used in any current comparator for detecting a peak or a zero current, in particular, in DC-DC converters based on a switched operating mode.
US08299816B2
A data processing apparatus includes a reconfigurable circuit capable of reconfigurating partially a circuit configuration: and a reconfiguration controlling unit that controls a reconfiguration of the circuit configuration of the reconfigurable circuit. The reconfiguration controlling unit reconfigurates a plurality of partial circuits, which constitute one pipeline and are reconfigurated simultaneously on the reconfigurable circuit, on the reconfigurable circuit in sequence from a head partial circuit of the pipeline, and starts sequentially the reconfigurated partial circuits from a head.
US08299809B2
An apparatus is provided and includes a thermally isolated device under test to which first and second voltages are sequentially applied, a local heating element to impart first and second temperatures to the device under test substantially simultaneously while the first and second voltages are sequentially applied, respectively and a temperature-sensing unit to measure the temperature of the device under test.
US08299804B2
A nondestructive inspection method of testing insulators using frequency resonance function that can inspect an anomaly of an insulator by vibrating the insulator with a force having the characteristic of white noise, measuring the change in motion of the insulator according to the vibration and calculating the frequency resonance function of the insulator is disclosed.
US08299801B2
The car battery system of the present invention is provided with a battery block 2 that retains a plurality of battery cells 1 in a stacked configuration and has a terminal plane 2A, which is coincident with terminal surfaces 1A established by positive and negative battery cell 1 electrode terminals 13; and with a battery state detection circuit 30 that connects with the electrode terminals 13 of each battery cell 1. The battery system is provided with a circuit board 7 with surface-mounted electronic components 40 that implement the battery state detection circuit 30. The circuit board 7 is a single-sided board with electronic components 40 mounted on only one side, and the circuit board 7 is attached to the battery block 2 opposite the terminal plane 2A with the side having no electronic components 40 facing the battery block 2. The positive and negative electrode terminals 13 of each battery cell 1 are connected with the circuit board 7 for connection to the battery state detection circuit 30.
US08299799B2
The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes an actuator assembly that is responsive to the fault detection signal. The actuator assembly includes a breaker coil configured to generate an actuation force in response to being energized. A circuit interrupter includes four sets of movable contacts configured to be driven into a reset state in response to a reset stimulus, the four sets of movable contacts being configured to be driven into a tripped state in response to the actuation force. A self-test circuit is coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the at least one sensor. The self-test circuit is configured to automatically generate a test signal from time to time during a predetermined portion of an AC power line cycle. The self-test circuit is configured such that the test signal is sensed by the at least one sensor when the at least one sensor is operational, the sensor output signal being a function of the test signal. A monitor circuit is configured to monitor the fault detection circuit or the actuator assembly; the mechanical actuation force is substantially inhibited when the fault detection circuit or at least a portion of the actuator assembly properly respond to the test signal. The monitor circuit generates an end-of-life response if the fault detection circuit or the actuator assembly do not respond to the test signal within a predetermined period of time.
US08299790B2
For imaging a volume segment by means of a magnetic resonance system, of the volume segment is transferred into a dynamic steady state relative to the magnetization by means of the magnetic resonance system. The following steps are repeatedly executed until the volume segment has been completely measured. The slice is excited by means of the magnetic resonance system. MR signals of the slice are read out. The slice is offset in an overlapping manner such that an overlap range is created by the slice before the offset and the slice after the offset, the overlap range being a predetermined percentile of both the slice before the offset and the slice after the offset.
US08299787B2
This invention provides a multicolor phosphorescent organic electroluminescent element having an excellent electric power efficiency, a prolonged service life, an excellent storage stability, and an excellent stability of chromaticity against drive current, and a lighting system using the multicolor phosphorescent organic electroluminescent element. The multicolor phosphorescent organic electroluminescent element contains a plurality of phosphorescent dopants different from each other in luminescence wavelength and particularly exhibits white luminescence. Specifically, the multicolor phosphorescent organic electroluminescent element contains two or more phosphorescent dopants different from each other in luminescence wavelength and comprises two or more luminescent layers, the luminescent dopant being a phosphorescent dopant. The multicolor phosphorescent organic electroluminescent element is characterized in that at least one layer formed of luminescent layer A containing two or more phosphorescent dopants different from each other in luminescence wavelength in the same layer is provided, the content of the luminescent dopant having the highest concentration used in the luminescent layer A is not less than 4% by mass and not more than 20% by mass, and luminescent layer B having a maximum luminescence wavelength of not more than 480 nm is provided at a position near the cathode side as compared with the luminescent layer A.
US08299784B2
A device for transporting a magnetic head, a device for inspecting a magnetic head, and a method for manufacturing a magnetic head are provided. The device for transporting a magnetic head is capable of freely changing a posture of a thin film magnetic head when transporting a row bar-shaped thin film magnetic head. The transporting device for transporting a slender rectangular plate-like, that is, row bar-shaped magnetic head, cut from a wafer is capable of performing vertical installation and horizontal installation. The transporting device for transporting a slender rectangular plate-like, i.e., row bar-shaped magnetic head, is capable of performing the vertical installation and horizontal installation, and changing the posture of the magnetic head from vertical installation into horizontal installation and from horizontal installation into vertical installation when transporting the magnetic head between processes. The transporting device is capable of performing a slantwise installation in a slantwise state between the vertical installation and the horizontal installation. Therefore, with respect to a vertically or horizontally installed tray when transporting the magnetic head between processes, the row bar-shaped thin film magnetic head can be transported easily.
US08299783B2
A circuit to detect a movement of an object has a calibration time period that ends when peak detectors in the circuit stop updating for a predetermined amount of time. A method associated with the circuit is also described.
US08299782B2
As imaging devices are miniaturized, and optical devices are miniaturized, lens moving mechanisms are also miniaturized. Thus, position sensors for them are required to be miniaturized and have high accuracy at low cost. A magnet of a pillar shape and a yoke which move in the X axis direction with respect to a magnetic field detection element are provided, and a shape of a cross section of the yoke which is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the magnet changes along the longitudinal direction.
US08299781B2
A radial position sensor includes a rotating element configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, which subject to displacement. The displacement from a first position to a second position can be represented by polar coordinates, e.g., (ρ, φ), where ρ is a distance and φ is an angle. The sensor also includes a non-rotating emitting element configured to provide a plurality of electromagnetic fields and a non-rotating receiving element configured to receive the plurality of electromagnetic fields. The plurality of electromagnetic fields are electromagnetically coupled to the non-rotating receiving element through the rotating element. The electromagnetic coupling varies in dependence on the radial position of the axis of rotation of the rotating element. The non-rotating receiving element produces an output signal in response to the amount of coupling of the plurality of electromagnetic fields, and so the output signal is an indication of the radial position of the axis of rotation.
US08299776B2
A method and apparatus for measuring an AC voltage. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an AC voltage monitor, including a solid state electrical isolation device, enabled to (i) generate at least a first voltage measurement of an AC power source, (ii) generate a serial data stream frame based on the at least a first voltage measurement, and (iii) transmit the serial data stream frame via the solid state electrical isolation device.
US08299772B2
An example circuit includes a regulator circuit coupled to first and second nodes. A capacitance circuit and a slew rate control circuit are coupled between the first and second nodes. The regulator circuit is coupled to charge a capacitance of the capacitance circuit with a charge current. The slew rate control circuit is coupled to control a change in voltage over change in time between the first and second nodes during a power up mode of the circuit. The slew rate control circuit further includes a switch and a resistor. The slew rate control circuit is coupled to switch the switch in response to a voltage between the first and second nodes. A voltage drop across the resistor is limited to a base-emitter voltage drop of a transistor coupled between the first and second nodes to set the change in voltage over change in time.
US08299765B2
A power supply control device includes a boost type power supply controller boosting an input voltage, a step down power supply controller reducing an output of the boost type power supply controller to output an output voltage, a first control loop including the boost type power supply controller, and a second control loop including the step down power supply controller, wherein the output voltage is controlled by the second control loop during a predetermined period beginning after the power supply control device enters a power-on state, and wherein the output voltage is controlled by the first control loop after the predetermined period passes.
US08299764B2
A controller integrated circuit for a switched mode regulator which converts an input voltage to an output voltage. The controller includes a phase pin, a modulation circuit and a filter. The modulation circuit is configured to regulate the output voltage using the input voltage and output voltage level information. The filter has an input coupled to the phase pin and an output providing the output voltage level information which approximates the output voltage based on phase pin voltage. Various filters are contemplated, including passive and active low pass filters and the like. A regulator using such a controller is disclosed. A method of determining a voltage level of an output voltage includes receiving a phase voltage from a phase pin coupled to the phase node, and filtering the phase voltage to provide an output sense voltage having a voltage level approximating the voltage level of the output voltage.
US08299752B2
An information processing apparatus includes an antenna having a variable Q value, the antenna being used for performing communication with an external apparatus in a noncontact manner by using a carrier of a predetermined frequency and charging a battery in a noncontact manner by using the carrier, an obtaining unit configured to obtain information about charging of the battery, a determining unit configured to determine whether charging of the battery is to be performed or not on the basis of the information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a setting unit configured to selectively set the Q value of the antenna to a first value or a second value in accordance with a determination result generated by the determining unit, the second value being larger than the first value.
US08299745B2
A driving control apparatus for a stepping motor is provided by which the productivity is improved while keeping the driving performance of the motor at a required level. To accomplish this, a driving control apparatus of the present invention drives a stepping motor by switching an excitation current supplied to a coil of a predetermined phase between a first excitation current value, a second excitation current value greater than the first excitation current value, and a third excitation current value still greater than the second excitation current value. In a first mode for generating a first driving force by the stepping motor, the first through third excitation current values are sequentially switched, whereas in a second mode for generating a second driving force smaller than the first driving force, the first and second excitation current values are sequentially switched.
US08299739B2
[Task] A high-speed driving is possible, a utilization of a power supply having a low voltage is possible, and a regeneration is easy to be carried out.[Means to solve the task] A first buck-boost chopper portion is provided on an output side of a battery 10 to boost a voltage across battery 10 during a drive of a motor, a second buck-boost chopper portion is provided on an output side of the first buck-boost chopper portion to boost the voltage from an inverter portion 20 during a regeneration, inverter portion 20 of a 120-degree conduction current source inverter is provided on the output side of the second buck-boost chopper portion, and a motor 38 is provided on an output side of inverter portion 20.
US08299737B2
A motor driving circuit includes a three-phase inverter circuit 8, including three upper-arm switching elements 56a to 56c for driving upper arms of different phases of a three-phase motor 3, and three lower-arm switching elements 56d to 56f for driving lower arms of different phases. At least one of the upper-arm switching elements 56a to 56c and the lower-arm switching elements 56d to 56f is a semiconductor element that performs a diode operation. The diode operation is an operation in which a voltage less than or equal to a threshold voltage of a gate electrode G is applied to the gate electrode G with reference to a potential of a first ohmic electrode S, thereby conducting a current flow from the first ohmic electrode S to a second ohmic electrode D and blocking a current flow from the second ohmic electrode D to the first ohmic electrode S.
US08299735B2
A fan system including a motor with a coil, a storage unit, a driver, and a buffer circuit is provided. The coil module has a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal. The storage unit electrically couples with a voltage source, stores electrical energy when the voltage source is available, and releases the stored electrical energy to carry out a brake operation when the voltage source is unavailable. The driver electrically couples with the first and second connection terminals of the coil module to control a direction of an inductor current passing through the coil module. The buffer circuit electrically couples with the coil module. In the brake operation, the buffer circuit operates to form a transient potential between the first and second connection terminals of the coil module and to consume electrical energy of the inductor current, for gradually stopping the motor in a buffering time period.
US08299728B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a precharge controlling method, including the steps of: providing a voltage generating circuit with an output circuit for outputting a voltage having a necessary level, and a comparator; judging an output voltage from the output circuit in the comparator during a precharge time period, and feeding back an output signal from the comparator to the output circuit; and controlling a precharge voltage until the voltage having the necessary level outputted from the output circuit is reached.
US08299726B2
A battery operated LED lighting apparatus including: a battery outputting a battery voltage; a light emitting diode or array of light emitting diodes; and a power supply including a boost regulating circuit. The power supply being in communication with the battery and the light emitting diodes such that a constant voltage or constant current is supplied to the light emitting diodes as the battery discharges and the battery voltage falls below the output voltage. In a preferred embodiment the power supply further includes a buck regulator to maintain the proper output voltage when the battery voltage is greater than the output voltage.
US08299723B2
An electronic ballast is provided for powering a discharge lamp and suppressing lamp flicker during startup transition. A power converter receives DC input power and converts it into an AC power output. A resonant circuit is coupled with the lamp and also between output terminals of the power converter. A controller controls the power converter with respect to particular modes of operation. The controller in a starting operation sets the output frequency of the power converter to a predetermined start frequency upon lamp startup to make the lamp begin discharging. The controller shifts from the starting operation to steady-state operation by setting the output frequency of the power converter at a predetermined steady-state frequency lower than the start frequency. The predetermined start frequency is set to a frequency identical or close to 1/(an odd whole number) of the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit with the lamp unlit, and also to a frequency identical or close to the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit with the discharge lamp lit. The start frequency is sufficient to make the discharge lamp start discharging, and to raise a temperature of each electrode of the discharge lamp after lamp startup and by an end of the starting operation.
US08299721B2
A lighting control system comprising a plurality of intelligent switches designed to replace a conventional light switch, each of the intelligent switches including a receiver configured to receive communication signals that include rules based instructions for controlling one or more lighting circuits; a circuit interrupter configured to control the amount of current flowing to a lighting circuit; a memory configured to store the rules based instructions; and a processor coupled with the receiver, memory, and circuit interrupter, the processor configured to control the operation of the circuit interrupter based on the rules based instructions stored in memory.
US08299710B2
A lamp and methods of forming are shown. In one example, a dielectric layer is formed over a gap between conductors in a plasma lamp. Electric arcing is reduced or eliminated, thus allowing tighter gaps and/or higher voltages. In one example a glass frit method is used to apply the dielectric layer. A lamp is shown with a barrier layer that prevents tarnish such as tarnish from sulfur exposure. The barrier layer reduces or prevents degradation of the lamp due to conversion of a conductor material to non-conductive tarnish material.
US08299708B2
In an embodiment, a pixel structure has an electrical conductor, a dielectric on the electrical conductor, a plurality of ribs on the dielectric, and a plurality of discrete protrusions protruding from a surface of each of the ribs. The plurality ribs define a plurality of compartments on the dielectric.
US08299700B2
An electron emitting element of the present invention includes an electron acceleration layer provided between an electrode substrate and a thin-film electrode, which electron acceleration layer includes (a) conductive fine particles and (b) insulating fine particles having an average particle diameter greater than that of the conductive fine particles. The electron emitting element satisfies the following relational expression: 0.3x+3.9≦y≦75, where x (nm) is an average particle diameter of the insulating fine particles, and y (nm) is a thickness of the thin-film electrode 3. Such a configuration allows modification of the thickness of the thin-film electrode with respect to the size of the insulating particles, thereby ensuring electrical conduction and allowing sufficient current to flow inside the element. As a result, stable emission of ballistic electrons from the thin-film electrode is possible.
US08299697B2
A high performance fluorescent lamp includes an air-vacuum glass envelope having sealed ends, and a light cavity filled with inert gas and coated with a phosphor layer at an inner wall of said light cavity; two electrodes sealed at each of the sealed ends of the glass envelope; and a narrowing channel integrally formed at one of the sealed ends of the glass envelope at a location communicating with the light cavity of the glass envelope. Therefore, the amalgam is contained within the narrowing channel at a position forming a preset distance between one of the electrodes sealed at the corresponding sealed end and the amalgam.
US08299696B1
A gas discharge device comprising a multiplicity of hollow gas filled Plasma-shells located on a substrate, each Plasma-shell being wholly or partially made of a first luminescent material, an exterior portion of each Plasma-shell containing a second luminescent material. The first luminescent material comprises an inorganic material or a combination of organic and inorganic materials. The second luminescent material comprises an organic material or a combination of organic and inorganic materials. Both the first and second luminescent materials may be the same material(s). The combination of organic and inorganic materials includes mixtures, suspensions, dispersions, layers, and coatings.
US08299688B2
Provided is a piezoelectric material having good piezoelectric properties and a Curie temperature (Tc) of 150° C. or higher, and a piezoelectric device using the piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material includes a sintered body made of a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by the following general formula (1): xBi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3-(1-x)BaTiO3 (1), where x satisfies 0.17≦x≦0.8, in which an average grain size of grains contained in the sintered body is 0.5 μm or larger to 10 μm or smaller, and the sintered body is polycrystalline. In addition, the piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric material and a pair of electrodes disposed in contact with the piezoelectric material, in which the piezoelectric material is the above-mentioned piezoelectric material.
US08299686B2
An actuator with a sensor, including an actuator having a pair of electrodes and an ionic conduction layer present between the pair of electrodes, and a sensor having electrodes and an electromechanical conversion element. When the actuator is deformed, the sensor is also deformed. The relationship between the modulus of elasticity (A) of the actuator and the modulus of elasticity (S) of the sensor satisfies S
US08299678B2
A method for fabricating a small and low-profile surface acoustic wave device which can be formed collectively by a wafer process without causing deterioration in characteristics is provided. The surface acoustic wave device has a piezoelectric substrate 1, an IDT 2 formed on one major surface of the piezoelectric substrate 1 and having at least one comb-shaped electrode, and a protective cover 6 forming a hollow containing space 7 with the one major surface by covering the IDT 2 above the one major surface. The protective cover 6 is provide with a through hole 15 and composed, at least partially, of a photocurable material containing an acid generator which contains fluorine.
US08299672B2
A flux-focused, shaped permanent magnet includes a body of magnetic material having multiple surface contouring to form a reduced flux side with convex surfaces and an increased flux side with concave surfaces. The surfaces develop high and low resistance external flux paths creating focused asymmetric flux fields. A magnetic unit having the shaped permanent magnet and a magnetic flux attracter or two shaped permanent magnets interconnected by two segmented permanent magnets and a kinetic device having a stationary stator ring, a rotor disc rotating within the stator ring and a multiplicity of the magnetic units on the stator ring and the rotor disc, are also provided.
US08299670B2
Disclosed is a device having a rotor that is adapted to be rotated relative to a stator, with hydrostatic bearings being used as radial bearings and as axial bearings of the rotor. A motor is provided as a direct drive, having a ring-shaped part and also a plurality of motor segments which are in magnetic engagement with the ring-shaped part. In order to generate additional bearing load force, additional motor segments having permanent magnets are provided. For reasons of safety, axial support rolls are provided which, when the motor has attained a given bearing load force, are spaced from a running face of the rotor, and which, in a case of too low or an absence of load force, prevent a displacement of the rotor away from the axial bearings.
US08299648B2
An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) designed to switch power inputs between an alternating current mode and a battery mode having a sensor to monitor a load current, and a central processing unit (CPU) to boost a bus voltage of the uninterruptable power supply by increasing a calculated reference voltage to a target reference voltage by a slope. The calculated reference voltage is calculated by the CPU based on a voltage drop value in main capacitors that occurs during a transfer time between the battery mode and the AC mode. The target reference voltage is the voltage across an equivalent circuit of the main capacitors before the voltage drop. The slope is based on a ratio of a voltage drop value across an equivalent circuit of main capacitors and a charging up time to reach the target reference voltage.
US08299643B2
A wind turbine generator, an active damping method thereof, and a windmill tower in which vibrations of the wind turbine generator itself or the windmill tower can be reduced at low cost are provided. The acceleration due to vibrations of a nacelle is detected with an accelerometer attached to the nacelle. In an active damping unit, a pitch angle of windmill blades for generating a thrust on the windmill blades so as to cancel out the vibrations of the nacelle is calculated on the basis of the acceleration, and the pitch angle is output as a blade-pitch-angle command δθ* for damping. On the other hand, in a pitch-angle control unit, a pitch angle of the windmill blades for controlling the output to be a predetermined value is calculated, and the pitch angle is output as a blade-pitch-angle command θ* for output control. The blade-pitch-angle command δθ* for damping is combined with the blade-pitch-angle command θ* for output control using a subtracter. The pitch angle of the windmill blades is controlled on the basis of the resulting blade-pitch-angle command after combining.
US08299639B2
In a starter for starting an internal combustion engine with a first output shaft to which a ring gear is coupled, a motor has a second output shaft to which a movable pinion member is coupled and is operative to, when energized, rotate the second output shaft. A solenoid device includes a solenoid actuator linked to the movable pinion member. The solenoid actuator is configured to, when activated, shift the movable pinion member toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The solenoid device includes a solenoid switch configure to, when activated, energize the motor. The solenoid actuator and the solenoid switch are integrated with each other to provide the solenoid device. A controller module is configured to individually control an activation of the solenoid actuator and an activation of the solenoid switch. The controller module is mounted on the solenoid device.
US08299631B2
Provided is a semiconductor element in which decrease in reliability of wiring is suppressed. A driver IC (10) has a plurality of output bumps (12) arranged in the direction (direction A) along the long sides (11a and 11b). The output bumps include a plurality of source bumps (12a) arranged near the center section of the long side, and a plurality of gate bumps (12b) arranged towards the end portions of the long side. The source bumps are arranged close to the long side (11a), and the gate bumps are arranged closer to the long side (11b) than the source bumps.
US08299628B2
There is provided a method of mounting conductive balls on pads on a substrate. The method includes: (a) placing the substrate having the pads coated with an adhesive over a container for containing the conductive balls therein and whose top surface is open such that the pads faces the top surface of the container; and (b) throwing up the conductive balls in the container by moving the container up and down at a given stroke, thereby allowing the conductive balls to adhere to the adhesive coated on the pads. Step (b) is repeatedly performed.
US08299626B2
A microelectronic package includes a lower unit having a lower unit substrate with conductive features and a top and bottom surface. The lower unit includes one or more lower unit chips overly/ing the top surface of the lower unit substrate that are electrically connected to the conductive features of the lower unit substrate. The microelectronic package also includes an upper unit including an upper unit substrate having conductive features, top and bottom surfaces and a hole extending between such top and bottom surfaces. The upper unit further includes one or more upper unit chips overlying the top surface of the upper unit substrate and electrically connected to the conductive features of the upper unit substrate by connections extending within the hole. The upper unit may include an upper unit encapsulant that covers the connections of the upper unit and the one or more upper unit chips.
US08299625B2
A metal layer is deposited on a planar surface on which top surfaces of underlying metal vias are exposed. The metal layer is patterned to form at least one metal block, which has a horizontal cross-sectional area of a metal line to be formed and at least one overlying metal via to be formed. Each upper portion of underlying metal vias is recessed outside of the area of a metal block located directly above. The upper portion of the at least one metal block is lithographically patterned to form an integrated line and via structure including a metal line having a substantially constant width and at least one overlying metal via having the same substantially constant width and borderlessly aligned to the metal line. An overlying-level dielectric material layer is deposited and planarized so that top surface(s) of the at least one overlying metal via is/are exposed.
US08299623B2
A semiconductor package includes a wiring board and a semiconductor device mounted on the wiring board. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a penetration electrode penetrating the semiconductor substrate. A cavity part is formed in the semiconductor substrate to isolate the penetration electrode from the semiconductor substrate. A connection terminal is provided at a position where the connection terminal does not overlap the penetration electrode in a plan view. The connection terminal electrically connects the semiconductor device to the wiring board.
US08299620B2
A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method for preventing mechanical and thermal damage to the semiconductor chip. A laser beam welds a first connection pad formed on a first external lead to a first electrode formed on the surface of the semiconductor chip. A first connection hole is formed in the first connection pad, and the first connection hole overlaps the first connection electrode. A laser beam irradiates an area including the first connection hole, and the first connection pad in a portion around the first connection hole is melted to form a melting section, that is welded to the first connection electrode to easily form a semiconductor device with more excellent electrical characteristics.
US08299619B2
A semiconductor device has a multilayer interconnection structure, wherein the multilayer interconnection structure comprises at least a first interconnection layer and a second interconnection layer formed over the first interconnection layer, the first interconnection layer comprises a first conductor pattern embedded in a first interlayer insulation film and constituting a part of an interconnection pattern and a second, another interconnection pattern embedded in the first interlayer insulation film, the second interconnection layer comprises a third conductor pattern embedded in a second interlayer insulation film and constituting a part of said interconnection pattern, the third conductor pattern has an extension part in a part thereof so as to extend in a layer identical to the third conductor pattern, the third conductor pattern being electrically connected to the first conductor pattern at a first region of the extension part via a first via plug, the extension part making a contact with the second conductor pattern at a second region further away from, or closer to the third conductor pattern with regard to the first region via a second via-plug of a diameter smaller than the first via-plug, the extension part of the third conductor pattern, the first via-plug and the second via-plug form, together with the second interlayer insulation film, a dual damascene structure.
US08299605B2
Disclosed are embodiments of an improved semiconductor wafer structure having protected clusters of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the back surface and a method of forming the improved semiconductor wafer structure. Also disclosed are embodiments of a semiconductor module with exposed CNTs on the back surface for providing enhanced thermal dissipation in conjunction with a heat sink and a method of forming the semiconductor module using the disclosed semiconductor wafer structure.
US08299602B1
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor package (e.g., a QFP package) including a uniquely configured leadframe sized and configured to maximize the available number of exposed leads in the semiconductor package. More particularly, the semiconductor package of the present invention includes a generally planar die pad or die paddle defining multiple peripheral edge segments. In addition, the semiconductor package includes a plurality of leads. Some of these leads include exposed bottom surface portions which are provided in at least one row or ring which at least partially circumvents the die pad, with other leads including portions which protrude from respective side surfaces of a package body of the semiconductor package. Connected to the top surface of the die pad is at least one semiconductor die which is electrically connected to at least some of the leads. At least portions of the die pad, the leads, and the semiconductor die are encapsulated by the package body, with at least portions of the bottom surfaces of the die paddle and some of the leads being exposed in a common exterior surface of the package body.
US08299601B2
A power semiconductor module includes: a circuit board having a metal base plate, a high thermal conductive insulating layer, and a wiring pattern; power semiconductor elements electrically connected to the wiring pattern; tubular external terminal connection bodies provided to the wiring pattern for external terminals; and a transfer mold resin body encapsulated to expose through-holes in the metal base plate and used to fixedly attach cooling fins to the face of the metal base plate on the other side with attachment members, the face of the metal base plate on the other side, and top portions of the tubular external terminal connection bodies, to form insertion holes for the attachment members communicating with the through-holes and having a larger diameter than the through-holes, and to cover the one side and side faces of the metal base plate and the power semiconductor elements.
US08299599B2
To improve the performance and reliability of semiconductor devices. For the semiconductor chip CP1, power MOSFETs Q1 and Q2 for the switch, a diode DD1 for detecting the heat generation of the power MOSFET Q1, a diode DD2 for detecting the heat generation of the power MOSFET Q2, and plural pad electrodes PD are formed. The power MOSFET Q1 and the diode DD1 are arranged in a first MOSFET region RG1 on the side of a side SD1, and the power MOSFET Q2 and the diode DD2 are arranged in a second MOSFET region RG2 on the side of a side SD2. The diode DD1 is arranged along the side SD1, the diode DD2 is arranged along the side SD2, and all pad electrodes PD other than the pad electrodes PDS1 and PDS2 for the source are arranged along a side SD3 between the diodes DD1 and DD2.
US08299596B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a base substrate having a component side; mounting a base device having a base circuit connector directly on the component side; attaching conformal interconnects, having the same pre-deformation height from the component side, directly on the component side and offset from the base device; and attaching a stack substrate having stack interconnects directly on the conformal interconnects, portions of the stack interconnects covered by the conformal interconnects having different deformation heights from the component side.
US08299587B2
A lead frame package structure for side-by-side disposed chips including a lead frame, at least two chips, and a package material. The lead frame includes a plurality of inner leads; a plurality of outer leads; and at least two chip carrying areas having different horizontal levels. The chips are of different sizes and are respectively disposed on the chip carrying areas. The package material encapsulate the inner leads, the chip carrying areas and the chips, wherein the outer leads exposed out of the package material extend from the inner leads and have different horizontal levels.
US08299586B2
A disclosed semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having an electrode pad on a circuit forming face of the semiconductor chip, an internal connection terminal formed on the electrode pad, a stepped portion formed along an outer edge portion of the circuit forming face of the semiconductor chip, a first insulating layer formed on the circuit forming face of the semiconductor chip to cover at least the stepped portion, a second insulating layer formed on the circuit forming face of the semiconductor chip to cover the first insulating layer, and an interconnection formed on the second insulating layer and electrically connected to the electrode pad via the internal connection terminal.
US08299584B2
A method of aligning substrates, e.g., semiconductor wafers, is provided in which a first substrate can be at least coarsely aligned atop a second substrate. Each substrate can have a pattern thereon, wherein the pattern of the first substrate can be aligned with a window of the first substrate. A return signal can be returned from simultaneously illuminating the patterns of the first and second substrates through the window in the first substrate. The return signal can be compared to at least one stored signal to determine relative misalignment between the first and second substrates. A position of at least one of the first and second substrates can be altered relative to a position of the other of the first and second substrates to address the misalignment.
US08299567B2
Structures of electronic fuses (e-fuse) are provided. An un-programmed e-fuse includes a via of a first conductive material having a bottom and sidewalls with a portion of the sidewalls being covered by a conductive liner and the bottom of the via being formed on top of a dielectric layer, and a first and a second conductive path of a second conductive material formed on top of the dielectric layer with the first and second conductive paths being conductively connected through, and only through, the via at the sidewalls. A programmed e-fuse includes a via; a first conductive path at a first side of the via and being separated from sidewalls of the via by a void; and a second conductive path at a second different side of the via and being in conductive contact with the via through sidewalls of the via.
US08299565B2
Prototype semiconductor structures each including a semiconductor link portion and two adjoined pad portions are formed by lithographic patterning of a semiconductor layer on a dielectric material layer. The sidewalls of the semiconductor link portions are oriented to maximize hole mobility for a first-type semiconductor structures, and to maximize electron mobility for a second-type semiconductor structures. Thinning by oxidation of the semiconductor structures reduces the width of the semiconductor link portions at different rates for different crystallographic orientations. The widths of the semiconductor link portions are predetermined so that the different amount of thinning on the sidewalls of the semiconductor link portions result in target sublithographic dimensions for the resulting semiconductor nanowires after thinning. By compensating for different thinning rates for different crystallographic surfaces, semiconductor nanowires having optimal sublithographic widths may be formed for different crystallographic orientations without excessive thinning or insufficient thinning.
US08299555B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor optoelectronic structure is provided. First, a substrate is provided, and a waveguide is formed therein, and then a plurality of dielectric layers is formed on the waveguide. Next, a contact pad and a passivation layer are provided on the dielectric layers and a patterned mask layer is formed thereon. Last, an etching process is provided by using the patterned mask layer to expose the contact pad and remove a portion of the passivation layer and the dielectric layers to form a transformer.
US08299550B2
When the initial displacement greatly varies among cells in an element, there is a need to reduce a bias voltage to be applied between electrodes. This decreases the sensitivity. An electromechanical transducer of the present invention includes an element having a plurality of cells. Each of the cells includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are provided with a cavity being disposed therebetween. A groove is provided at a position at a predetermined distance from the cavity of the cell on the outermost periphery of the element.
US08299549B2
A layer structure for the electrical contacting of a semiconductor component having integrated circuit elements and integrated connecting lines for the circuit elements, which is suitable in particular for use in a chemically aggressive environment and at high temperatures, i.e., in so-called “harsh environments,” and is simple to implement. This layer structure includes at least one noble metal layer, in which at least one bonding island is formed, the noble metal layer being electrically insulated from the substrate of the semiconductor component by at least one dielectric layer, and having at least one ohmic contact between the noble metal layer and an integrated connecting line. The noble metal layer is applied directly on the ohmic contact layer.
US08299539B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; an IGBT element including a collector region; a FWD element including a cathode region adjacent to the collector region; a base layer on the substrate; multiple trench gate structures including a gate electrode. The base layer is divided by the trench gate structures into multiple first and second regions. Each first region includes an emitter region contacting the gate electrode. Each first region together with the emitter region is electrically coupled with an emitter electrode. The first regions include collector side and cathode side first regions, and the second regions include collector side and cathode side second regions. At least a part of the cathode side second region is electrically coupled with the emitter electrode, and at least a part of the collector side second region has a floating potential.
US08299536B2
A semiconductor device with integrated MIS field-effect transistors includes a first transistor including a first gate electrode having a composition represented by MAx, and a second transistor including a second gate electrode having a composition represented by MAy, in which M includes at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of W, Mo, Ni, Pt, Ta, Pd, Co, and Ti, A includes at least one of silicon and germanium, and 0
US08299533B2
A vertical NPNP structure fabricated using a triple well CMOS process, as well as methods of making the vertical NPNP structure, methods of providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and design structures for a BiCMOS integrated circuit. The vertical NPNP structure may be used to provide on-chip protection to an input/output (I/O) pad from negative-voltage ESD events. A vertical PNPN structure may be also used to protect the same I/O pad from positive-voltage ESD events.
US08299531B1
In a snapback NMOS ESD protection structure, the output voltage presented to an internal circuit for ESD protection is limited by providing for a separate output terminal at a lower voltage than the input terminal. The voltage drop between the two terminals is achieved by connecting the input and output terminals to different parts of a ballast region of the structure and using the saturation resistance of the portion of the ballast region between the terminals to achieve the voltage drop.
US08299530B2
A semiconductor structure and a method of forming the same are provided in which the gate induced drain leakage is controlled by introducing a workfunction tuning species within selected portions of a pFET such that the gate/SD (source/drain) overlap area of the pFET is tailored towards flatband, yet not affecting the workfunction at the device channel region. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate having at least one patterned gate stack located within a pFET device region of the semiconductor substrate. The structure further includes extension regions located within the semiconductor substrate at a footprint of the at least one patterned gate stack. A channel region is also present and is located within the semiconductor substrate beneath the at least one patterned gate stack. The structure further includes a localized workfunction tuning area located within a portion of at least one of the extension regions that is positioned adjacent the channel region as well as within at least a sidewall portion of the at least one gate stack. The localized workfunction tuning area can be formed by ion implantation or annealing.
US08299520B2
According to some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes first and second auxiliary gate electrodes and a semiconductor layer crossing the first and second auxiliary gate electrodes. A primary gate electrode is provided on the semiconductor layer so that the semiconductor layer is between the primary gate electrode and the first and second auxiliary gate electrodes. Moreover, the first and second auxiliary gate electrodes are configured to induce respective first and second field effect type source/drain regions in the semiconductor layer. Related methods are also discussed.
US08299511B2
An image sensor pixel that includes a photoelectric conversion unit supported by a substrate and an insulator adjacent to the substrate. The pixel includes a cascaded light guide that is located within an opening of the insulator and extends above the insulator such that a portion of the cascaded light guide has an air interface. The air interface improves the internal reflection of the cascaded light guide. The cascaded light guide may include a self-aligned color filter having air-gaps between adjacent color filters. These characteristics of the light guide eliminate the need for a microlens. Additionally, an anti-reflection stack is interposed between the substrate and the light guide to reduce backward reflection from the image sensor. Two pixels of having different color filters may have a difference in the thickness of an anti-reflection film within the anti-reflection stack.
US08299502B2
A semiconductor heterostructure (10) includes a crystalline substrate of a first semiconductor material and a mask (11) disposed over a surface of the crystalline substrate. The mask (11) has openings (12) including a plurality of elongated opening sections (13, 14) with a width (w) less than or equal to 900 nm. At least one first section (13) of the elongated opening sections is directed non-parallel relative to at least one second section (14) of the elongated opening sections. The semiconductor heterostructure (10) further includes an overgrowth crystalline layer of a second semiconductor material, filling the openings (12) and covering the mask. A method for manufacturing of such a semiconductor heterostructure is also presented.
US08299492B2
Light-emitting devices are provided, the light-emitting devices include a light-emitting structure layer having a first conductive layer, a light-emitting layer and a second conductive layer sequentially stacked on a first of a substrate, a plurality of seed layer patterns formed apart each other in the first conductive layer; and a plurality of first electrodes formed through the substrate, wherein each of the first electrodes extends from a second side of the substrate to each of the seed layer patterns.
US08299490B2
A nitride-based semiconductor light-emitting device 100 includes: a GaN substrate 10 with an m-plane surface 12; a semiconductor multilayer structure 20 provided on the m-plane surface 12 of the GaN substrate 10; and an electrode 30 provided on the semiconductor multilayer structure 20. The electrode 30 includes an Mg layer 32 and an Ag layer 34 provided on the Mg layer 32. The Mg layer 32 is in contact with a surface of a p-type semiconductor region of the semiconductor multilayer structure 20.
US08299485B2
A multilayer wafer structure containing a silicon layer that contains at least one waveguide, an insulating layer and a layer that is lattice compatible with Group III-V compounds, with the lattice compatible layer in contact with one face of the insulating layer, and the face of the insulating layer opposite the lattice compatible layer is in contact with the silicon layer. The silicon and insulating layers contain either or both of at least one continuous cavity filled with materials such as to constitute a photodetector zone, or at least one continuous cavity filled with materials such as to constitute a light source zone.
US08299481B2
This invention discloses a wafer-scaled light-emitting structure comprising a supportive substrate; an anti-deforming layer; a bonding layer; and a light-emitting stacked layer, wherein the anti-deforming layer reduces or removes the deformation like warp caused by thinning of the substrate.
US08299476B2
There is provided a light emitting diode operating under AC power comprising a substrate; a buffer layer formed on the substrate; and a plurality of light emitting cells formed on the buffer layer to have different sizes and to be electrically isolated from one another, the plurality of light emitting cells being connected in series through metal wires.According to the present invention, light emitting cells formed in an LED have different sizes, and thus have different turn-on voltages when light is emitted under AC power, so that times when the respective light emitting cells start emitting light are different to thereby effectively reduce a flicker phenomenon.
US08299472B2
An imaging device formed as an active pixel array combining a CMOS fabrication process and a nanowire fabrication process. The pixels in the array may include a single or multiple photogates surrounding the nanowire. The photogates control the potential profile in the nanowire, allowing accumulation of photo-generated charges in the nanowire and transfer of the charges for signal readout. Each pixel may also include a readout circuit which may include a reset transistor, a charge transfer switch transistor, source follower amplifier, and pixel select transistor. A nanowire is generally structured as a vertical rod on the bulk semiconductor substrate to receive the light energy impinging onto the tip of the nanowire. The nanowire may be configured to function as either a photodetector or a waveguide configured to guild the light beam to the bulk substrate. In the embodiments herein, with the presence of the nanowire photogate and a substrate photogate, light of different wavelengths can be detected.
US08299464B2
Test circuits located on semiconductor die enable a tester to test a plurality of die/ICs in parallel by inputting both stimulus and response patterns to the plurality of die/ICs. The response patterns from the tester are input to the test circuits along with the output response of the die/IC to be compared. Also disclosed is the use of a response signal encoding scheme whereby the tester transmits response test commands to the test circuits, using a single signal per test circuit, to perform: (1) a compare die/IC output against an expected logic high, (2) a compare die/IC output against an expected logic low, and (3) a mask compare operation. The use of the signal encoding scheme allows functional testing of die and ICs since all response test commands (i.e. 1-3 above) required at each die/IC output can be transmitted to each die/IC output using only a single tester signal connection per die/IC output. In addition to functional testing, scan testing of die and ICs is also possible.
US08299460B2
A pixel structure is disposed on a substrate and includes a gate, a gate insulating layer, a patterned metal-oxide layer, an etching stop layer, a source, and a drain. The gate is disposed on the substrate. The gate insulating layer is disposed on the substrate to cover the gate. The patterned metal-oxide layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer and includes an active layer located above the gate and a pixel electrode. The etching stop layer is disposed on a portion of the active layer. Conductivity of a portion of the patterned metal-oxide layer uncovered by the etching stop layer is greater than conductivity of a portion of the patterned metal-oxide layer covered by the etching stop layer. The source and the drain are electrically connected to a portion of the active layer uncovered by the etching stop layer. The drain is electrically connected to the pixel electrode.
US08299457B2
A sealing filler for an organic light emitting device display includes a siloxane polymer having a surface tension of about 20 dyn/cm or less. The siloxane polymer may be represented by where each of R1 to R10 is independently a non-polar substituent, and n ranges from 20 to 50.
US08299456B2
Disclosed is a light-emitting element having a light-emitting layer which includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer provided in this order on an anode side between the anode and a cathode. The first layer has a hole-transporting property, the second layer has a bipolar property, and the third layer has an electron-transporting property, wherein the first layer contains a first fluorescent compound and a hole-transporting organic compound, the second layer contains a phosphorescent compound and a host material, and the third layer contains a second fluorescent compound and an electron-transporting organic compound. The light-emitting layer is also arranged so that the triplet-excitation energy of both the hole-transporting organic compound and the electron-transporting organic compound are greater than that of the host material. The use of the light-emitting layer with the above-mentioned structure enables production of a light-emitting element with improved luminous efficiency and reduced power consumption.
US08299453B2
A p-type MOSFET of a CMOS structure has a silicon-germanium alloy channel to which a longitudinal compressive stress is applied by embedded epitaxial silicon-germanium alloy source and drain regions comprising a silicon-germanium alloy having a higher concentration of germanium than the channel of the p-type MOSFET. An n-type MOSFET of the CMOS structure has a silicon-germanium alloy channel to which a longitudinal tensile stress is applied by embedded epitaxial silicon source and drain regions comprising silicon. The silicon-germanium alloy channel in the p-type MOSFET provides enhanced hole mobility, while the silicon-germanium alloy channel in the n-type MOSFET provides enhanced electron mobility, thereby providing performance improvement to both the p-type MOSFET and the n-type MOSFET.
US08299447B2
There is provided a rotating irradiation apparatus that can secure as large an access floor as possible, reduce noise during the formation of an access floor, and stably operate with a simple structure. The rotating irradiation apparatus includes an irradiation device 7 that irradiates a charged particle beam, a frame 1 on which the irradiation device is mounted and which rotates the irradiation device so that a patient lying on a treatment table 8 fixed to a stationary floor surface is irradiated with the charged particle beam, a ring 10 that is rotatably held on an inner periphery of the frame, an opening/closing-type floor 20 which is provided inside the ring and of which a portion through which the irradiation device passes is openable and closable, and drive means 28 that reversely rotates the ring in synchronization with the rotation of the irradiation device so as to maintain the opening/closing-type floor horizontal.
US08299424B2
The systems and methods described herein include, among other things, systems capable of being deployed for long periods of time in oceanic, subsurface and atmospheric environments. The systems typically include mass spectrometers to measure low molecular weight gases dissolved in the water and volatile chemicals in air and water, and can move through the ocean, subsurface and atmospheric environment to take samples over a large geographic area. Additionally, these mass spectrometer devices are small and require little power and thereby facilitate the development of sample collection devices that can be placed at a remote location and operated for a substantial period of time from an on-board power supply such as a battery or a fuel cell. Such small and lightweight mass spectrometer devices when combined with low power AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) and other manned and un-manned vehicles, can take samples over substantial distances and for a substantial period of time.
US08299423B2
An ion mobility spectrometer has an inlet for an analyte substance opening into an ionization region that produces ions of the substance. Parallel grid electrodes extend laterally across the ion flow path and apply an electric field to the ions that is switchable between a relatively low magnitude alternating field that varies in magnitude over multiple periods and an asymmetric alternating field of sufficiently high magnitude to cause differential mobility effects. A collector collects the passed ions, and an indication of the nature of the analyte substance is produced from the collected ions passed during both the low and high field intervals. Also disclosed is the application of a substantially alternating field between the electrodes, which field varies between a low value and a higher value over a time exceeding that of the alternating period.
US08299421B2
A sample is ionized by chemical ionization by flowing the sample and a reagent gas into an ion source at a pressure below 0.1 Torr. While maintaining the ion source at a pressure below 0.1 Torr, the reagent gas is ionized in the ion source by electron ionization to produce reagent ions. The sample is reacted with the reagent ions at a pressure below 0.1 Torr to produce product ions of the sample. The product ions are transmitted into an ion trap for mass analysis.
US08299417B2
A variable optical attenuator (VOA), which may include a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, is configured such that a substantial part of an input signal is output on a first waveguide, and a relatively small part of the input signal may be output on a second waveguide due to manufacturing process variations and/or other non-idealities. Such residual or extraneous light may interfere with light in the first waveguide, especially if the VOA is integrated on substrate. Accordingly, consistent with an aspect of the present disclosure, a photodiode may be provided to receive and absorb the residual light, thereby minimizing interference or cross-talk with light in the first waveguide.
US08299409B2
A fuzzy logic-based system and method for controlling the drying of material by a microwave applicator. The system includes power output controller that controls applicator output power; material sensor that detects amount of material in the applicator; and fuzzy logic controller that receives a signal from the material sensor indicating the current amount of material in the applicator and adjusts the microwave output power based on the current amount of material in accordance with fuzzy logic rules by sending a control signal to the power output controller. A membership function divides the expected range for the amount of material into multiple regions, each region having precomputed regional output settings. The regional output settings of the regions that include the current amount of material are used to compute the control signal.
US08299379B2
A portable electronic device includes a main body and a stylus. The main body includes a shell and a reset button received in the shell. A sidewall of the shell defines a through hole. The reset button includes a pressing pole received in the through hole. The pressing pole is concave with respect to an outer surface of the shell. The stylus is operable to be inserted into the through hole to press the button.
US08299375B2
A draft protection device for a laboratory instrument according to the invention encloses a weighing compartment that surrounds a balance pan and includes a rear wall, a front wall, two sidewalls, a top cover with at least one opening, and a floor that is delimited by border edges. The top cover is connected at least to one of the two sidewalls and/or the front wall and/or the rear wall in an arrangement where the top cover and the walls connected thereto are vertically movable together in relation to the balance pan. In addition, the vertically movable wall(s) are vertically moveable past the adjacent border edge(s) of the floor. In any vertical position of the top cover, at least one of the sidewalls is horizontally slidable relative thereto.
US08299370B2
A wiring board includes a first substrate portion including a first feed-through conductor portion in a vertical direction, a second substrate portion provided on the first substrate portion and including a second feed-through conductor portion in a vertical direction of a corresponding part to the first feed-through conductor portion, and a feed-through electrode including the first feed-through conductor portion and the second feed-through conductor portion.
US08299369B2
An apparatus that includes a plurality of metalized planes, one or more dielectric layers separating the plurality of metalized planes; and one or more conductive trenches connecting to at least one of the plurality of metalized planes.
US08299367B2
A notch positioning type soldering structure and a method for preventing a pin deviation can prevent a plurality of pins of an electronic component from being deviated when the pins are soldered onto a printed circuit board by a solder, and each of at least two solder pads includes at least one notch, and the solder pads are installed in an alignment direction on the printed circuit board, such that the notch positioning type soldering structure and the method for preventing a pin deviation can improve the efficiency of manufacturing processes and reduce the manufacturing cost.
US08299365B2
An interconnect structure is provided that has improved electromigration resistance as well as methods of forming such an interconnect structure. The interconnect structure includes an interconnect dielectric material having a dielectric constant of about 4.0 or less. The interconnect dielectric material has at least one opening therein that is filled with a Cu-containing material. The Cu-containing material within the at least one opening has an exposed upper surface that is co-planar with an upper surface of the interconnect dielectric material. The interconnect structure further includes a composite M-MOx cap located at least on the upper surface of the Cu-containing material within the at least one opening. The composite M-MOx cap includes an upper region that is composed of the metal having a higher affinity for oxygen than copper and copper oxide and a lower region that is composed of a non-stoichiometric oxide of said metal. The interconnect structure further includes a dielectric cap located on at least an upper surface of the composite M-MOx cap.
US08299358B2
A panel for mounting to a power outlet or switch comprises a panel holder configured to secure to the power outlet or switch. A slide lock is configured to clip onto the panel holder in a sliding way. A panel case is configured to clip to the slide lock. The panel case is secured to the panel holder through the slide lock.
US08299354B2
Disclosed are fluorescent dye compounds of Formula (I) or (II): where R, R′, m and k are as described herein. The dye compounds are suitable for use in luminescent solar collectors. Methods of making the dye compounds and luminescent solar collectors comprising them are also described.
US08299348B2
Disclosed is a thermoelectric module, including: a first substrate; a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged on a first surface of the first substrate; and a temperature detector disposed on the first surface or a second surface of the first substrate via a thermal transfer member.
US08299346B2
The present invention relates to a musical instrument tuner, e.g. a guitar tuner, featuring tuning as a part of a user session.
US08299345B2
The present invention relates to a musical instrument tuner, e.g. a guitar tuner, featuring different levels of detail for displaying monophonic and polyphonic characteristics of an input signal.
US08299341B2
Solid and hollow cylindrical nanopillars with nanoscale diameters are provided. Also provides is a method of making such nanopillars using electron beam lithography followed by the electroplating.
US08299336B1
A novel maize variety designated PHH4V and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHH4V with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHH4V through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHH4V or a locus conversion of PHH4V with another maize variety.
US08299332B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP28005 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP28005, cells from soybean variety XBP28005, plants of soybean XBP28005, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP28005. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP28005 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP28005, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP28005. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP28005 are further provided.
US08299330B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP19003 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP19003, cells from soybean variety XBP19003, plants of soybean XBP19003, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP19003. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP19003 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP19003, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP19003. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP19003 are further provided.
US08299310B2
Processes for conversion of lignin to products such as phenolic compounds and biofuels prepared from such phenolic compounds are disclosed and described. A process for conversion of a lignin material to bio-fuels can include subjecting the lignin material to a base catalyzed depolymerization reaction to produce a partially depolymerized lignin. The partially depolymerized lignin can then be subjected to a stabilization/partial hydrodeoxygenation reaction to form a partially hydrodeoxygenated product. Following partial hydrodeoxygenation, the partially hydrodeoxygenated product can be reacted in a hydroprocessing step to form a bio-fuel. Each of these reaction steps can be performed in single or multiple steps, depending on the design of the process. The production of an intermediate partially hydrodeoxygenation product and subsequent reaction thereof can significantly reduce or eliminate reactor plugging and catalyst coking. A variety of useful bio-fuels such as fuels, fuel additives, and the like, including gasoline and jet or rocket fuels are describe which can be readily produced from renewable lignin materials in an improved conversion process.
US08299307B2
Provided are alkynyl phenyl derivative compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treating ophthalmic diseases and disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt's Disease, using said compounds and compositions.
US08299304B2
This invention provides alignment materials for liquid crystal display device of vertical alignment mode and methods for the preparation of the same, and more particularly, it provides diaminobenzene derivatives represented by the following formula 1 (shown in description), capable of aligning liquid crystal in uniform and vertical way and remarkably improving clarity and solubility against organic solvents, methods for the preparation of the same and liquid crystal alignment films using the same.
US08299293B2
A method for preparing α-keto acids, especially α-ketomethionine, and/or derivatives thereof, whereby an aldehyde is reacted with thiols to give a corresponding dithioacetal, the dithioacetal formed, is reacted with an electrophile in the presence of a strong base, and the resulting α,α-(dithio)carboxylic acid is solvolyzed with acid-catalysis to release thiol and give the α-keto acid or a derivative thereof. Umpolung of aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes is effected by reaction with thiols.
US08299286B2
A β-diketonate alkoxide metal compound and a source reagent composition are provided. The β-diketonate alkoxide metal compound may include a metal M selected from Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, La, Ce, Ti, Zr, Hf, Pr, V, Nb, Ta, Nd, Cr, W, Pm, Mn, Re, Sm, Fe, Ru, Eu, Co, Rh, Ir, Gd, Ni, Tb, Cu, Dy, Ho, Al, Tl, Er, Sn, Pb, Tm, Bi, Lu, Th, Pd, Pt, Ga, In, Au, Ag, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mo, and Yb. The metal may be complexed to at least one alkoxide ligand and one β-diketonate ligand.
US08299283B2
The present invention provides a contrast agent which ensures 1) high contrast performance, 2) low toxicity, and 3) a simple production process.The present invention provides a contrast agent containing a silsesquioxane represented by General Formula (I), wherein R1, the same or different, is a substituent bonded to Si through a carbon atom, the substituent having, at its terminal, a group represented by General Formula (II), wherein p represents an integer of from 1 to 5; q is the same or different, and represents an integer of from 1 to 5; R2 is the same or different, and represents hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aralkyl group or acyl group, or a group represented by General Formula (III), wherein p, q and R2 are the same as above.
US08299266B2
A process for making aziridinyl epothilone compounds according to formula G, starting from a compound according formula C where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R12, R13, Z1 and Z2 in formulae (G) and (C) are as defined herein. The aziridinyl epothilone compounds of formula (G) are useful for the treatment of cancer.
US08299252B2
It is intended to provide a compound represented by the formula (1): [wherein Ar is an arylene group to be attached selected from the following formula (2): (wherein * represents a binding site to a nitrogen atom and ** represents a binding site to T); T represents —(O)n—R; R represents a C1-C6 alkyl group or the like; n represents 0 or 1; X represents O or the like; R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from a hydrogen atom or C1-C3 alkyl; or R2 and R3 may join together with an urea structure containing the nitrogen atoms to which they bind to form a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle; Y represents CH or N], or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a prodrug thereof and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same.
US08299242B2
Disclosed herein are methods for synthesizing 2,4-pyrimidinediamines as well as intermediates used therein.
US08299241B2
The present invention provides processes and intermediates for the preparation of (R)-8-chloro-1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine and salts thereof which are useful as serotonin-2C (5-HT2C) receptor agonists for the treatment of, for example, obesity.
US08299235B2
The invention is directed to compositions for gene silencing by providing short RNA molecules to cells.
US08299231B2
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded thereby are described, together with the use of those products for making transgenic plants.
US08299230B2
The present invention provides antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies, fusion polypeptides and analogs that preferentially bind cell-associated CA 125/O772P polypeptides relative to shed CA 125/O772P polypeptides. The present invention further provides methods of preventing, managing, treating or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a CA 125/O772P-related disorder. In particular, the present invention provides methods of preventing, managing, treating, or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a cell proliferative disorder, such as cancer, e.g., ovarian cancer. The present invention still further provides methods for diagnosing a CA 125/O772P-related disorder or predisposition to developing such a disorder, as well as methods for identifying antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies, that preferentially bind cell-associated CA 125/O772P polypeptides relative to shed CA 125/O772P polypeptides.
US08299228B2
A method for producing human-like glycoproteins by expressing a Class 2 α-mannosidase having a substrate specificity for Manα1,3 and Manα1,6 glycosidic linkages in a lower eukaryote is disclosed. Hydrolysis of these linkages on oligosaccharides produces substrates for further N-glycan processing in the secretory pathway.
US08299223B2
The invention provides a pseudoglycolipid effective for cancer treatment and the like and a novel synthesis intermediate therefor, as well as a medicament containing the pseudoglycolipid and the like. The inventive compound is represented by the formula (1), or a salt thereof, wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.
US08299218B2
This invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to and neutralize botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) and the epitopes bound by those antibodies. The antibodies and derivatives thereof and/or other antibodies that specifically bind to the neutralizing epitopes provided herein can be used to neutralize botulinum neurotoxin and are therefore also useful in the treatment of botulism.
US08299209B2
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a somastatin analogue in the form of a liquid formulation for parenteral administration are disclosed.
US08299206B2
Improved methods are described for solid-phase synthesis of morpholino oligomers, in which a protected morpholino ring nitrogen is deprotected between coupling steps using a heterocyclic amine salt in a trifluoroethanol-containing solvent, where the salt is a salt of a heterocyclic amine, having a pKa in the range of 1-4 in its protonated form, with an acid selected from a sulfonic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, and hydrochloric acid. Examples are 3-chloropyridinium methanesulfonate (CPM) and 4-cyanopyridinium trifluoroacetate (CYTFA).
US08299203B2
A melt phase process for making a polyester polymer melt phase product by adding an antimony containing catalyst to the melt phase, polycondensing the melt containing said catalyst in the melt phase until the It.V. of the melt reaches at least 0.75 dL/g. Polyester polymer melt phase pellets containing antimony residues and having an It.V. of at least 0.75 dL/g are obtained without solid state polymerization. The polyester polymer pellets containing antimony residues and having an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g obtained without increasing the molecular weight of the melt phase product by solid state polymerization are fed to an extruder, melted to produce a molten polyester polymer, and extruded through a die to form shaped articles. The melt phase products and articles made thereby have low b* color and/or high L* brightness, and the reaction time to make the melt phase products is short.
US08299200B2
A polymeric material, prepared by reacting a mixture comprising a polyorganosiloxane having one or more isocyanate-reactive functional groups, polyisocyanate, and polyol, is provided. The isocyanate-reactive functional groups, typically one or two, are attached to only a single end of the polyorganosiloxane chains. The polymeric material may be used to form coatings on a substrate and to inhibit fouling on surfaces exposed to aqueous conditions.
US08299197B2
A polymer for gap-filling in a semiconductor device, the polymer being prepared by polycondensation of hydrolysates of the compound represented by Formula 1, the compound represented by Formula 2, and one or more compounds represented by Formulae 3 and 4: [RO]3Si—[CH2]n—Si[OR]3 (1) wherein n is from 0 to 2 and each R is independently a C1-C6 alkyl group; [RO]3Si—[CH2]nX (2) wherein X is a C6-C12 aryl group, n is from 0 to 2, and R is a C1-C6 alkyl group; [RO]3Si—R′ (3) wherein R and R′ are independently a C1-C6 alkyl group; and [RO]3Si—H (4) wherein R is a C1-C6 alkyl group.
US08299190B2
A method for producing colored polymer particles, including adding a colorant-containing composition containing a radically polymerizable monomer and a colorant in a supercritical fluid or a subcritical fluid and polymerizing the radically polymerizable monomer, so as to produce colored polymer particles which are insoluble in the supercritical fluid or subcritical fluid, wherein the supercritical fluid or subcritical fluid is a supercritical fluid or subcritical fluid in which at least the radically polymerizable monomer is soluble, but polymer particles resulted from polymerization of the radically polymerizable monomer are insoluble, and wherein the colorant is at least one selected from the group consisting of a pigment, a dye and a polymer dye.
US08299188B2
Method employing a supported metallocene catalyst composition in the production of an isotactic ethylene propylene co-polymer. The composition comprises a metallocene component supported on a particulate silica support having average particle size of 10-40 microns, a pore volume of 1.3-1.6 ml/g, a surface area of 200-400 m2/g. An alkylalumoxane cocatalyst component is incorporated on the support. The isospecific metallocene is characterized by the formula: B(CpRaRb)(FlR′2)MQn (1) or by the formula: B′(Cp′R′aR′b)(Fl′)M′Q′n′ (2) In the formulas Cp and Cp′ are substituted cyclopentadienyl groups, Fl and Fl′ are fluorenyl groups, and B and B′ are structural bridges. R′ are substituents at the 2 and 7 positions, Ra and R′a are substituents distal to the bridge, and Rb and R′b are proximal to the bridge. M and M′ are transition metals, Q′ is a halogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group; and n′ is an integer of from 0-4.
US08299186B2
A curable organopolysiloxane composition comprising: (A) an organopolysiloxane that contains in one molecule at least two alkenyl groups and at least 30 mole % of all silicon-bonded monovalent hydrocarbon groups in the form of aryl groups: (B) an organopolysiloxane that contains in one molecule at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms and at least 15 mole % of all silicon-bonded organic groups in the form of aryl groups; (C) a branched-chain organopolysiloxane that contains alkenyl, aryl, and epoxy-containing organic groups; and (D) a hydrosilylation catalyst. The composition is capable of forming a cured body that has a high index of refraction and strong adhesion to substrates.
US08299182B2
A single-layered acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed of an acrylic pressure-sensitive composition. The acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive composition contains an acrylic polymer (A) and a (meth)acrylic polymer (B) having glass transition temperature (Tg) such that Tg≦45° C. and a mass average molecular weight (Mw) is such that 1500≦Mw≦4000.
US08299171B2
The present invention relates to a spray-polyurethane system which comprises a polyol component (A) and an isocyanate component (B), where the polyol component (A) comprises a1) at least one compound reactive with isocyanate, a2) at least one reactive chain extender having at least two groups reactive toward isocyanates, where at least one group reactive toward isocyanates is a free, primary NH2 group, and also a3) at least one metal catalyst, and a4) if appropriate, further additives, where the spray-polyurethane system comprises no amine catalyst. The present invention moreover relates to a process for production of a backing layer composed of polyurethane for moldings and to the use of this backing layer for production of automobile parts. Inventive backing layers have good mechanical properties, and low emissions, and their demolding time is small when compared with the open assembly time.
US08299168B2
The invention relates to aqueous formulations comprising organic binders having a siloxane content and inorganic nanoparticles, a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof for the preparation of aqueous coating compositions.
US08299165B2
The present invention is directed to pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition comprising: at least one diene-based rubber; and from 1 to 50 phr of a particulate polyamide having a particle size of from 0.1 to 1 micron, wherein the particulate polyamide is substantially spherical and wherein the particulate polyamide has a melting temperature greater than 210° C. as measured by ISO 11357.
US08299154B2
The present invention relates to a non-thermosetting composition made by reacting epichlorohydrin and a primary amine, to the use of that composition for making thermosetting (curable) adhesives suitable for bonding composites, to a method of preparing composites using the thermosetting (curable) adhesives, and to the related composites bonded with the thermosetting (curable) adhesives.
US08299152B2
A tire for vehicle wheels, includes at least one structural element obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including at least one vulcanized rubber in a subdivided form surface treated with at least one oxidizing agent; at least one diene elastomeric polymer, and at least one sulfur-based vulcanizing agent. A surface treatment process of vulcanized rubber and crosslinkable elastomeric composition is obtained with the vulcanized rubber in a subdivided form surface treated with at least one oxidizing agent.
US08299144B2
Disclosed is a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) nanocomposite composition, more particularly a TPO nanocomposite composition including a polypropylene resin, a polyethylene resin, a rubber resin, a nanoclay master batch and a glass bubble master batch. Since the disclosed TPO nanocomposite composition has low specific gravity and superior gloss reducing effect and scratch resistance, it may be usefully applied to light automobile parts, uncoated automobile exterior parts, or the like.
US08299143B2
The invention provides a process for producing a crayon having a desired hardness stably without poor gelation using a benzylidene sorbitol gelling agent together with the use of carbon black as a black pigment. The process comprises: dissolving and dispersing a resin component and carbon black having a pH of not less than 5.0 in an organic solvent, dissolving at least one gelling agent selected from the group consisting of dibenzylidene sorbitol, tribenzylidene sorbitol and derivatives thereof in the resultant under heating to prepare a raw material solution, pouring the raw material solution into a molding container, and cooling and gelling the raw material solution.
US08299138B2
A process for producing a flexible polyurethane foam having a low transmissibility at resonance frequency, of which a rebound resilience can be suppressed, without using a foam stabilizer, is provided.In production of a flexible polyurethane foam; an isocyanate containing TDI as the main component is used as an isocyanate; and a polyol containing from 20 to 50 mass % of a polyol (A) having an oxyethylene group content of from 10 to 20 mass % and having a hydroxyl value of from 15 to 56 mgKOH/g, which is obtained by subjecting propylene oxide to ring opening addition polymerization to an initiator by using a double metal cyanide complex catalyst, and further subjecting ethylene oxide to ring opening addition polymerization by using an alkali metal compound catalyst or a phosphazenium catalyst, is used as a polyol.
US08299137B2
A foam-forming composition is disclosed which includes both cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and a poorly compatible active hydrogen-containing compound having two or more active hydrogens. Also disclosed is a closed-cell polyurethane or polyisocyanurate polymer foam prepared from reaction of effective amounts of the foam-forming composition and a suitable polyisocyanate. Also disclosed is a process for producing a closed-cell polyurethane or polyisocyanurate polymer foam by reacting an effective amount of the foam-forming composition with a suitable polyisocyanate.
US08299135B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a process for processing post-consumer polymer. The polymer is contacted with a control medium having a carrier gas and a reactive vapor. Such a process is useful for processing post-consumer polymers with lower energy and reactants than with liquid reactants, and also promotes decontamination of the recycled polymer during the reaction.
US08299133B2
Process for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into alcohol(s) wherein the hydrocarbons are first converted into syngas, which is converted into alcohols, by converting hydrocarbon feedstock in a steam reformer into stream A′ of carbon oxide(s), hydrogen and water, feeding stream A′ with hydrocarbon and oxygen feedstocks into an auto-thermal reformer to produce stream A, converting stream A in an oxygenate synthesis reactor into stream B containing methanol, ethanol, propanol(s), H2, C1-C3 alkanes, CO, CO2 and water, separating stream B, into stream C containing CO, C1-C3 alkanes, H2 and methanol, stream D containing CO2, recovering stream B containing the ethanol, propanol(s) and water, treating stream C to separate into a stream comprising CO and a stream comprising H2 and C1-C3 alkanes, reintroducing part of stream C with the stream comprising CO into the oxygenate synthesis reactor. At least part of stream D is reintroduced into the steam reformer.
US08299132B2
Process for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into alcohol(s), wherein the hydrocarbons are first converted into syngas, which is subsequently converted into alcohols. The process is carried out by performing the steps of (1) converting a hydrocarbon feedstock, together with an oxygen feedstock, in a auto-thermal reactor (ATR), into a stream A, containing a mixture of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen, (2) converting at least part of stream A, in the presence of a catalyst in a oxygenate synthesis reactor under a temperature between 150 and 400° C. and a pressure of 20 to 200 bar, into an alcohols stream B containing methanol, ethanol, propanol, H2, C1-C3 alkanes, CO, CO2 and water, (3) separating stream B, into a stream C containing the CO, C1-C3 alkanes, H2 and methanol; a stream D containing the CO2; and recovering a stream E containing the ethanol, propanol(s) and water, (4) treating a fraction of stream C in order to separate the fraction into a stream containing CO, and a stream containing H2 and the C1-C3 alkanes, (5) reintroducing at least part of stream C together with the stream containing CO from step 4 into the oxygenate synthesis reactor of step 2, and (6) reintroducing at least part of stream D into the auto-thermal reactor of step (1).
US08299130B2
An aqueous dispersion, having particles of a water-insoluble colorant containing at least one pigment, with the particles being dispersed in a medium containing therein both water and a dispersing agent, wherein the water-insoluble colorant has a crystalline structure, and an average particle diameter of the particles is in the range of from 5 nm to 40 nm, and a monodispersity of the particles is 1.5 or less.
US08299128B2
The present invention relates to the field of polymer chemistry and more particularly to multiblock copolymers and micelles comprising the same.
US08299118B2
A composition comprising from 0.005% to 0.02% bimatoprost by weight and from 100 ppm to 250 ppm benzalkonium chloride, wherein said composition is an aqueous liquid which is formulated for ophthalmic administration is disclosed herein. A method which is useful in treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension related thereto is also disclosed herein.
US08299117B2
GPR120 agonists are provided. These compounds are useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases, including Type II diabetes and diseases associated with poor glycemic control.
US08299116B2
This invention provides CCI-779 cosolvent concentrates which are useful in preparing a parenteral formulation of rapamycin 42-ester with 3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropionic acid (CCI-779) following admixture with a diluent.
US08299110B2
The present invention relates to novel inhibitors of Factors VIIa, IXa, Xa, XIa, in particular Factor VIIa, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these inhibitors, and methods for using these inhibitors for treating or preventing thromboembolic disorders, cancer or rheumatoid arthritis. Processes for preparing these inhibitors are also disclosed.
US08299107B2
The present invention relates to substituted triazole compounds and compositions comprising substituted triazole compounds. The invention further relates to the use of a substituted triazole compound of the invention, or a composition comprising such a compound in the preparation of a medicament for preventing or treating hyperproliferative disorders, such as cancer, in a subject in need thereof.
US08299100B2
Compounds and related compositions and methods as can be used to inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase and can be employed in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases, such compounds of a formula
US08299091B2
The invention relates to the compound N-(2-oxo-2-propoxyethyl)-β-phenyl-D-phenyl-alanyl-N-[(1-amino-6-iso-quinolinyl)methyl]-L-prolinamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound, as well as to the use of the compound for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or for preventing thrombin mediated diseases.
US08299081B2
A method for treating drug-resistant cancer, includes: administering to a patient in need thereof, a compound of formula I, a tautomer of the compound, a salt of the compound, a salt of the tautomer, a mixture thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, the tautomer, the salt of the compound, the salt of the tautomer, or the mixture, wherein the patient is a cancer patient with drug-resistant cancer, wherein the compound of Formula I is as defined in the application.
US08299074B2
The present disclosure relates to compounds of formula (I): which are inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase enzymes, particularly the alpha and gamma kinase sub-types thereof, and their use in therapy, including in pharmaceutical combinations, especially in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory diseases of the lung, such as COPD.
US08299073B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, including all stereoisomers, tautomers and isotopic derivatives thereof, which are inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase enzymes (referred to herein as p38 MAP kinase inhibitors), particularly the alpha and gamma kinase sub-types thereof, and their use in therapy, including in pharmaceutical combinations, especially in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory diseases of the lung, such as COPD.
US08299069B2
Pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine-4-one-2-indolinone compounds, especially 2-(2-oxoindoline-3-ylidene)methyl-5-(2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-yl-propyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrrol[3,2-c]pyridine-4(5H)-one compounds. Their preparation and pharmaceutical composition, and pharmaceutical use as protein kinase inhibitors.
US08299058B2
The use of a compound of formula I, wherein Y is a single bond, C═O, C═S or S(O)m where m is 0, 1 or 2; R′, R2, R3, R4, R8 and Ra are specified organic groups and p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; provided that when p is 2 then q is not 2; p+q is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; or salts or N-oxides thereof or compositions containing them and their using in controlling insects, acarines, nematodes or molluscs. Novel compounds are also provided.
US08299054B2
Novel compounds are provided which are 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors. 11-Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases requiring 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitor therapy. These novel compounds have the structure: enantiomers, diastereomers, solvates, or salts thereof, wherein A, W, X and Z are defined herein.
US08299053B2
The present invention provides cyclic nitro compound, pharmaceutical compositions of cyclic nitro compounds and methods of using cyclic nitro compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent diseases or disorders characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease.
US08299049B2
The present invention relates to an anoikis-inducing agent comprising a Tiarella polyphylla extract, a tiarellic acid compound isolated therefrom or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which is specific to cancer cells expressing a tumor-associated antigen L6 or a homolog thereof. The Tiarella polyphylla extract, the tiarellic acid compound isolated therefrom or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof of the present invention leads to loss of cell adhesion to reduce cancer cell proliferation and exhibits the effect of inducing cell death in cancer cells expressing a tumor-associated antigen L6 or a homolog thereof, thereby being used for preventing and treating cancer diseases due to a tumor-associated antigen L6 or a homolog thereof.
US08299043B2
This document provides methods and materials related to treating glaucoma, ocular hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and renal diseases. For example, this document provides isolated nucleic acid molecules and viral vectors (e.g., lentiviral vectors) containing isolated nucleic acid molecules. Methods for reducing intraocular pressure as well as symptoms and progression of cardiovascular and renal diseases also are provided.
US08299040B2
A method for treating cancer comprising inhibiting transglutaminase activity is provided. Suitable cancer types for which the methods of the present disclosure can be used to treat include, but are not limited to, pancreatic, breast, and ovarian cancers and melanoma. The inhibition of transglutaminase activity may be performed by one or more techniques, including, but not limited to, downregulating transglutaminase expression, inhibiting TG2 translation, or blocking TG2 enzymatic activity, such as with a small molecule inhibitor or intracellular antibody (intrabody).
US08299031B2
Subject of the invention are peptides corresponding to a fragment of amino acids 240-290 of human prostatic acid phosphatase. The invention also relates to nucleic acids, antibodies, medicaments and diagnostics and their use and use of the peptides for the treatment and diagnosis of viral diseases, especially HIV disease.
US08299017B2
The present invention provides materials and methods for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Materials of the invention may include compositions comprising one or more tight junction antagonists and optionally one or more therapeutic agents. Methods of the invention may comprise treating a subject in need thereof with a composition comprising one or more tight junction antagonists and, optionally one or more therapeutic agents.
US08299016B2
This invention provides a method for inhibiting the rejection of transplanted islet cells, comprising administering to the subject a polypeptide comprising all or a portion of the extracellular domain of ILT3, wherein the polypeptide is water soluble. This invention further provides a method of treating diabetes, by inhibiting the rejection of transplanted islet cells through the administration of the polypeptide to the subject.
US08299014B2
A method includes positioning an effective amount of a thermal target material at a treatment site of a patient. The treatment site, that is, the location of the thermal target material, comprises a location adjacent to biological tissue to be treated. The thermal target material includes carbon molecules preferably in a carrier fluid. Regardless of the particular structure of the carbon, the carbon molecules in the material heat very rapidly in response to incident microwave radiation and radiate heat energy. The heat energy radiated from an effective amount of the thermal target material when subjected to an effective quantity of microwave energy causes localized heating around the thermal target material. This localized heating may be applied for therapeutic purposes. However, the microwave radiation necessary to produce therapeutically effective heating is insufficient to cause cellular damage in the biological tissue by direct absorption in the tissue.
US08299009B2
A cleaning composition including a betaine functionalized alkyl polyglucoside, a water conditioning agent, an acid source, a solvent, and water. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition is substantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates. The cleaning composition is capable of removing soils including up to 20% proteins. The cleaning compositions include a biorenewable, environmentally friendly alternative to nonyl phenol ethoxylates and exhibit superior cleaning of food soils.
US08299006B2
The present invention provides a refrigerating machine oil, a compressor oil composition, a hydraulic oil composition, a metalworking oil composition, a heat treating oil composition, a lubricating oil composition for machine tools and a lubricating oil composition which comprise a lubricating oil base oil having % CA of not more than 2, % CP/% CN of not less than 6 and an iodine value of not more than 2.5.
US08299001B1
A process for recovering used industrial and motor lubricating oils. In a first embodiment (for used industrial oils), the used lubricating oil is mixed with clay in a reactor. The mixture is preferably heated to between 105 and 200 degrees Celsius. The temperature should not be too great, to avoid “cracking” the oil (i.e., breaking molecular chains in the oil). After a certain period of time, the mixture is pumped through filters. Cakes of clay and contaminants remain in the filters, while the oil emerges without the contaminants. A second embodiment (for removing ash or soot, very fine carbon particles and other organic compounds from used motor oils) is the same as the first embodiment, except that before the mixture is passed through the filters, a centrifuge is used to remove most of the clay contaminated with soot, so that it will not block the filters.
US08298983B2
A process for producing a composite metal oxide of an acidic metal oxide and a basic metal oxide, wherein the process comprises (a) providing an aqueous solution containing a colloidal particle of the acidic metal oxide and a salt of the basic metal, (b) adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution to a pH at which a part of the basic metal dissolves in the aqueous solution, the remaining of the basic metal precipitates as a hydroxide and has a positive zeta potential, and the colloidal particle of the acidic metal oxide is not dissolved and has a negative surface potential, and then maintaining this pH over a predetermined time to obtain a precursor of the composite metal oxide, and (c) drying and firing the precursor of the composite metal oxide obtained.
US08298982B2
The present invention relates generally to ultradispersed catalyst compositions and methods for preparing such catalysts. In particular, the invention provides catalyst composition of the general formula: BxMyS[(1.1 to 4.6)y+(0.5 to 4)x] where B is a group VIIIB non-noble metal and M is a group VI B metal and 0.05≦y/x≦15.
US08298971B2
The present invention relates to a ceramic powder and special raw material and use thereof. The raw material of the ceramic powder comprises 20-80 mass parts of SiO2, 10-50 mass parts of AlF3 and 0-30 mass parts of regulator. The raw material for preparing the ceramic powder is mixed and crushed, followed by melted into liquid glass at 1200-1400° C., quenched to obtain the ceramic powder. The low temperature co-fired ceramic powder has the following advantages: low sintering temperature (750-850° C.) and controllable sintering shrinkage rate; the dielectric constant of the ceramic block prepared with the ceramic powder is adjustable between 4.5 and 10 (1 MHz), the dielectric loss is less than 0.002, the mechanical strength is high and the preparation process is simple. The ceramic powder may be used for electric devices such as ceramic substrate, resonator, etc. as well as in other microelectronic packaging.
US08298970B2
In one aspect the invention is directed to a machinable glass-ceramic having a high degree of crystallinity (greater than 50 Vol. %), high mechanical strength (MOR>150 MPa) In accordance with the invention, the machinable glass-ceramics described herein consists essentially of, in weight percent, 35-55% SiO2, 6-18% Al2O3, 12-27% MgO, 3-12% F, 5-25% SrO, 0-20% BaO and 1-7% K2O. The machinable glass-ceramics of the invention have a dielectric constant of <8 (typically being in the range of 6-8) at 25° C. and 1 KHz; a loss tangent of <0.002 at 25° C. and 1 MHz; a CTE in the range of 80-120×10−7/° C. in the temperature range of 25-300° C.; a Poisson's ration of approximately 0.25; and a porosity of 0%.
US08298969B2
A composite having a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is a nonwoven layer containing high modulus fibers having a modulus of at least 8 GPa and thermoplastic binder fibers, where at least a portion of the high modulus fibers are connected to the binder fibers, and where the first layer has a solidity of between about 10 and 90%. The second layer is a textile layer selected from the group consisting of a knit layer, a woven layer, bidirectional laminates, and a unidirectional layer. The second layer contains high modulus fibers having a modulus of at least 8 GPa in a thermoplastic matrix.
US08298961B2
A method of forming patterns of a semiconductor device comprises providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a first region wherein first patterns are to be formed and a second region wherein second patterns are to be formed, each of the second patterns having a wider width than the first patterns, forming an etch target layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming first etch patterns over the etch target layer of the first and second regions, forming second etch patterns on both sidewalls of each of the first etch patterns, wherein the second etch pattern formed in the second region has a wider width than the second etch pattern formed in the first region, removing the first etch patterns, forming third etch patterns over the etch target layer of the second region, the third etch pattern overlapping part of the second pattern, and etching the etch target layer using the third etch patterns and the second etch patterns as an etch mask, to form the first and second patterns.
US08298950B2
An exemplary method of etching sacrificial layer includes steps of: providing a substrate formed with a sacrificial layer and defined with a first region and a second region, the sacrificial layer disposed in both the first and second regions; forming a hard mask covering the first region while exposing the second region; performing a first etching process on the sacrificial layer to thin the sacrificial layer while forming a byproduct film overlying the thinned sacrificial layer; performing a second etching process on the byproduct film to remove a portion of the byproduct layer for exposing a portion of the thinned sacrificial layer, while another portion of the byproduct film disposed on sidewalls of the thinned sacrificial layer being remained; and performing a third etching process on the thinned sacrificial layer, to remove the portion of the thinned sacrificial layer exposed in the second etching process.
US08298945B2
A method of manufacturing a substrate for use in electronic packaging having a core, m buildup layers on a first surface of the core and n buildup layers on a second surface of the core, where m≠n is disclosed. The method includes forming (m−n) of the m buildup layers on the first surface, and then forming n pairs of buildup layers, with each one of the pairs including one of the n buildup layers formed on the second surface and one of the remaining n of the m buildup layers formed on the first surface. Each buildup layer includes a dielectric layer and a conductive layer formed thereon. The disclosed method protects the dielectric layer in each of buildup layers from becoming overdesmeared during substrate manufacturing by avoiding repeated desmearing of dielectric materials.
US08298942B2
A method for forming through vias connecting the front surface to the rear surface of a semiconductor substrate, including the steps of: forming openings in the substrate, thermally oxidizing walls of the openings, filling the openings with a sacrificial material, forming electronic components in the substrate, etching the sacrificial material, filling the openings with a metal, and etching the rear surface of the substrate all the way to the bottom of the openings.
US08298937B2
An interconnect structure within a microelectronic structure and a method for fabricating the interconnect structure within the microelectronic structure use a developable bottom anti-reflective coating layer and at least one imageable inter-level dielectric layer located thereupon over a substrate that includes a base dielectric layer and a first conductor layer located and formed embedded within the base dielectric layer. Incident to use of the developable bottom anti-reflective coating layer and the at least one imageable inter-level dielectric layer, an aperture, such as but not limited to a dual damascene aperture, may be formed through the at least one imageable inter-level dielectric layer and the developable anti-reflective coating layer to expose a capping layer located and formed upon the first conductor layer, absent use of a dry plasma etch method when forming the interconnect structure within the microelectronic structure.
US08298935B2
A dual damascene process is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: forming a dielectric layer on a substrate; forming a first patterned mask on the dielectric layer, wherein the first patterned mask comprises an opening; forming a material layer on the dielectric layer and covering the first patterned mask; forming a second patterned mask on the dielectric layer, wherein the second patterned mask comprises a first aperture; forming a second aperture in the second patterned mask, wherein the second aperture and the first aperture comprise a gap therebetween; and utilizing the second patterned mask as etching mask for partially removing the material layer and the dielectric layer through the first aperture and the second aperture.
US08298934B2
The semiconductor structure is provided that has entirely self-aligned metallic contacts. The semiconductor structure includes at least one field effect transistor located on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The at least one field effect transistor includes a gate conductor stack comprising a lower layer of polysilicon and an upper layer of a first metal semiconductor alloy, the gate conductor stack having sidewalls that include at least one spacer. The structure further includes a second metal semiconductor alloy layer located within the semiconductor substrate at a footprint of the at least one spacer. The structure also includes a first metallic contact comprising a metal from Group VIII or IB of the Periodic Table of Elements and at least one of W, B, P, Mo and Re located on, and self-aligned to the first metal semiconductor alloy layer and a second metallic contact comprising a metal from Group VIII or IB of the Periodic Table of Elements and at least one of W, B, P, Mo and Re located on, and self-aligned to the second metal semiconductor alloy layer.
US08298931B2
A method for fabricating a 3-D monolithic memory device in which a via and trench are etched using an amorphous carbon hard mask. The via extends in multiple levels of the device as a multi-level vertical interconnect. The trench extends laterally, such as to provide a word line or bit line for memory cells, or to provide other routing paths. A dual damascene process can be used in which the via is formed first and the trench is formed second, or the trench is formed first and the via is formed second. The technique is particularly suitable for deep via applications, such as for via depths of greater than 1 μm. A dielectric antireflective coating, optionally with a bottom antireflective coating, can be used to etch an amorphous carbon layer to provide the amorphous carbon hard mask.
US08298929B2
Semiconductor structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The structure includes at least one offset crescent shaped solder via formed in contact with an underlying metal pad of a chip. The at least one offset crescent shaped via is offset with respect to at least one of the underlying metal pad and an underlying metal layer in direct electrical contact with an interconnect of the chip which is in electrical contact with the underlying metal layer.
US08298927B2
A method of adjusting a metal gate work function of an NMOS device comprises: depositing a layer of metal nitride film or metal film on a high K dielectric as a metal gate electrode by a physical vapor deposition process; implanting elements such as Tb, Er, Yb or Sr into the metal gate electrode by an ion implantation process; performing a high temperature annealing so that the doped metal ions are driven to and accumulate on the interface between the metal gate electrode and the high K gate dielectric, or form dipoles by an interface reaction on the interface between the high K gate dielectric and SiO2. The method is capable of adjusting the metal gate work function, and is well-compatible with CMOS process.
US08298924B2
By removing an outer spacer of a transistor element, used for the formation of highly complex lateral dopant profiles, prior to the formation of metal silicide, employing a wet chemical etch process, it is possible to position a stressed contact liner layer more closely to the channel region, thereby allowing a highly efficient stress transfer mechanism for creating a corresponding strain in the channel region, without affecting circuit elements in the P-type regions.
US08298922B2
An electrical plug connector comprises a connection module having a plurality of contact elements for establishing an electrical connection to corresponding contact elements of a socket connector, and a terminal module having a plurality of terminal elements, each for connecting a conductor of a cable. The terminal module is adapted to be detachably connected to the connection module in order to establish an electrical connection between each of the terminal elements and a contact element. The connection module comprises a housing into which the terminal module can be inserted, and a strain relief which is connected to the housing and engages over the terminal module, wherein a cable connected to the terminal module is adapted to be fixed to the connection module by means of the strain relief.
US08298921B2
In some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes a fuse having a conductive portion configured to be blown when a current exceeding a rated value flows through the conductive portion, a first monitor wiring configured to monitor blowing of the conductive portion of the fuse, and a second monitor wiring configured to monitor blowing of the conductive portion of the fuse. The first monitor wiring and the second monitor wiring are connected to the conductive portion of the fuse so as to be away from a longitudinal center of the conductive portion.
US08298920B2
A chip forming position specifying method for applying chip IDs indicative of positions on a wafer where semiconductor chips are formed, and thereby specifying their positions. In the chip forming position specifying method, different marks are formed for every chip in a transfer mask (hereinafter called “mark forming mask”) used to form a wiring layer, in addition to normal functional wirings. The positions of the chips on the wafer are respectively specified according to combinations of the marks of a plurality of the mark forming masks, which have been transferred onto the wafer.
US08298908B2
A structure and method for forming isolation and a buried plate for a trench capacitor is disclosed. Embodiments of the structure comprise an epitaxial layer serving as the buried plate, and a bounded deep trench isolation area serving to isolate one or more deep trench structures. Embodiments of the method comprise angular implanting of the deep trench isolation area to form a P region at the base of the deep trench isolation area that serves as an anti-punch through implant.
US08298905B2
A method for forming a functional element includes a first step of forming an insulating layer composed of an insulator phase of a transition metal oxide serving as a metal-to-insulator transition material, the transition metal oxide being mainly composed of vanadium dioxide, and a second step of causing part of the insulating layer to transition to a metallic phase, in which the insulator phase differs from the metallic phase in terms of electrical resistivity and/or light transmittance.
US08298894B2
In a replacement gate approach in sophisticated semiconductor devices, a tantalum nitride etch stop material may be efficiently removed on the basis of a wet chemical etch recipe using ammonium hydroxide. Consequently, a further work function adjusting material may be formed with superior uniformity, while the efficiency of the subsequent adjusting of the work function may also be increased. Thus, superior uniformity, i.e., less pronounced transistor variability, may be accomplished on the basis of a replacement gate approach in which the work function of the gate electrodes of P-channel transistors and N-channel transistors is adjusted after completing the basic transistor configuration.
US08298885B2
In a semiconductor device comprising sophisticated high-k metal gate structures formed in accordance with a replacement gate approach, semiconductor-based resistors may be formed above isolation structures substantially without being influenced by the replacement gate approach. Consequently, enhanced area efficiency may be achieved compared to conventional strategies, in which the resistive structures may have to be provided on the basis of a gate electrode metal, while, nevertheless, a low parasitic capacitance may be accomplished due to providing the resistive structures above the isolation structure.
US08298878B2
The embodiment of the invention provides a manufacturing method for a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) array substrate, the manufacturing method comprises: step 1, depositing a transparent conductive film, a source/drain metal film and a doped semiconductor film on a transparent substrate sequentially, forming patterns of a doped semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode of a thin film transistor, a data line and a pixel electrode by a first patterning process, wherein the doped semiconductor layer remains on the source electrode and the drain electrode; Step 2, depositing a semiconductor film on the whole transparent substrate after Step 1, forming a pattern of a semiconductor layer which includes a channel of the thin film transistor by a second patterning process; Step 3, depositing an insulating film and a gate metal film on the whole transparent substrate after Step 2, forming patterns of a gate line and a gate electrode of the thin film transistor by a third patterning process, wherein the gate electrode is located above the channel of the thin film transistor.
US08298876B2
A method of normalizing strain in semiconductor devices and normalized strain semiconductor devices. The method includes: forming first and second field effect transistors of an integrated circuit; forming a stress layer over the first and second field effect transistors, the stress layer inducing strain in channel regions of the first and second field effect transistors; and selectively thinning the stress layer over at least a portion of the second field effect transistor.
US08298873B2
The method for producing a circuit substrate of the present invention is characterized in that the circuit substrate is produced using as sheet a circuit substrate sheet including an uncured layer a part of which, the part being other than a part at which a circuit chip is disposed, is selectively curable before or after disposal of said circuit chip, wherein the uncured layer has a softness that enables embedding of the circuit chip in the circuit substrate sheet upon pressing the circuit chip that has been disposed on a surface of the uncured layer. According to the method for producing the circuit substrate of the present invention, the circuit chip can be embedded inwards with high accuracy, and the circuit substrate can be produced easily with high accuracy.
US08298872B2
Provided is a method of producing a semiconductor device having a structure wherein a semiconductor chip 3 is mounted on a wiring circuit substrate 2 and sealed with a resin. A wiring circuit substrate 2 having a connecting conductor portion that can be connected to an electrode of the chip is formed on a metal support layer 1 in a way such that the substrate can be separated from the metal support layer, the chip 3 is mounted on the wiring circuit substrate 2, a sheet-shaped resin composition T is placed on the chip and heated on the chip to seal the chip, and the metal support layer is separated and divided to obtain individual semiconductor devices.
US08298870B2
In a method for transferring at least one of power and ground signal between a die and a package base of a semiconductor device, a connector is formed there between. The connector, which is disposed above the die attached to the package base, includes a center pad electrically coupled to the die by a plurality of conductive bumps and a finger extending outward from the center pad towards the package base. The finger is electrically coupled to the package base by a conductive pad. A plurality of bond wires are formed to electrically couple the package base and the die. A resistance of a conductive path via the connector is much less than a resistance of a conductive path via any one of the plurality of bond wires to facilitate an efficient transfer of the at least one of power and ground signal.
US08298866B1
A method of forming an electronic component package includes coupling a first surface of an electronic component to a first surface of a first dielectric strip, the electronic component comprising bond pads on the first surface; forming first via apertures through the first dielectric strip to expose the bond pads; and filling the first via apertures with an electrically conductive material to form first vias electrically coupled to the bond pads. The bond pads are directly connected to the corresponding first vias without the use of a solder and without the need to form a solder wetting layer on the bond pads.
US08298864B2
An improved manufacturing method for semiconductor devices is provided. This method can prevent chips and cracks from being generated when the rear face of the semiconductor substrate is polished. The manufacturing method includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having a front face and a rear face. The front face has an inner surface area and a peripheral surface area. Circuit elements are provided in the inner surface area of the semiconductor substrate. The manufacturing method also includes sealing the circuit elements with circuit sealing resin. The manufacturing method also includes providing cured resin in the peripheral surface area of the semiconductor substrate. The manufacturing method also includes polishing the rear face of the semiconductor substrate after the circuit sealing step. The manufacturing method also includes cutting the semiconductor substrate after the substrate polishing step so as to obtain semiconductor devices.
US08298848B2
An integrated circuit may include a region containing a thermoelectric material and be configured to be subjected to a temperature gradient resulting from a flow of an electric current in a part of the integrated circuit during its operation, and an electrically conducting output coupled to the region for delivering the electrical energy produced by thermoelectric material.
US08298840B2
Thin freestanding nitride films are used as a growth substrate to enhance the optical, electrical, mechanical and mobility of nitride based devices and to enable the use of thick transparent conductive oxides. Optoelectronic devices such as LEDs, laser diodes, solar cells, biomedical devices, thermoelectrics, and other optoelectronic devices may be fabricated on the freestanding nitride films. The refractive index of the freestanding nitride films can be controlled via alloy composition. Light guiding or light extraction optical elements may be formed based on freestanding nitride films with or without layers. Dual sided processing is enabled by use of these freestanding nitride films. This enables more efficient output for light emitting devices and more efficient energy conversion for solar cells.
US08298834B2
We describe assay modules (e.g., assay plates, cartridges, multi-well assay plates, reaction vessels, etc.), processes for their preparation, and method of their use for conducting assays. Reagents may be present in free form or supported on solid phases including the surfaces of compartments (e.g., chambers, channels, flow cells, wells, etc.) in the assay modules or the surface of colloids, beads, or other particulate supports. In particular, dry reagents can be incorporated into the compartments of these assay modules and reconstituted prior to their use in accordance with the assay methods. A desiccant material may be used to maintain and stabilize these reagents in a dry state.
US08298824B2
The present invention relates to methods of constructing an integrated artificial immune system that comprises appropriate in vitro cellular and tissue constructs or their equivalents to mimic the tissues of the immune system in mammals. The artificial immune system can be used to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates and other materials in vitro and thus, is useful to accelerate vaccine development and testing drug and chemical interactions with the immune system, coupled with disease models to provide a more complete representation of an immune response.
US08298813B2
The invention pertains to a method for preparing a product for fermentation comprising the steps: i. sterilizing and expanding a substrate to obtain a sterile expanded substrate, ii. cooling and inoculating the sterile expanded substrate by contacting the sterile expanded substrate with a cooling medium and an inoculum to obtain a cooled inoculated substrate. The expansion step can be performed using techniques from the state of the art known as popping or puffing.The method can be performed in standard equipment and is very flexible in its use. Furthermore, the method allows reducing the time and energy necessary to obtain a product for fermentation, such as solid state fermentation.
US08298808B2
A process is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted with an inorganic peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolysis activity. The present perhydrolase catalysts are classified as members of the carbohydrate esterase family 7 (CE-7) based on the conserved structural features. Further, disinfectant formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided.
US08298801B2
The present invention is directed toward the delivery of toxic agents to pathogenic cells, particularly cancer cells. In some embodiments, the toxic agent is a human ribonuclease or similar agent that is toxic to cells.
US08298800B2
The inventors have developed improved polypeptides by substituting or deleting specified amino acids in fungal lipolytic enzymes. More particularly, the polypeptides result in a reduction of dough stickiness when they are added to a dough. The polypeptides may particularly have activity on polar lipids.
US08298799B2
The invention provides hydrolases, polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., an esterase, acylase, lipase, phospholipase (e.g., phosphlipase A, B, C and D activity, patatin activity, lipid acyl hydrolase (LAH) activity) or protease activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant hydrolase activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzyme, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The hydrolase activities of the polypeptides and peptides of the invention include esterase activity, lipase activity (hydrolysis of lipids), acidolysis reactions (to replace an esterified fatty acid with a free fatty acid), transesterification reactions (exchange of fatty acids between triglycerides), ester synthesis, ester interchange reactions, phospholipase activity and protease activity (hydrolysis of peptide bonds). The polypeptides of the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts, including the manufacture of cosmetics and nutraceuticals. In another aspect, the polypeptides of the invention are used to synthesize enantiomerically pure chiral products.
US08298797B2
The present invention relates to Δ9 elongases, which have the ability to convert linoleic acid (LA; 18:2 ω-6) to eicosadienoic acid (EDA; 20:2 ω-6) and/or α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3 ω-3) to eicosatrienoic acid (ETrA; 20:3 ω-3). Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding Δ9 elongases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these Δ9 elongases in oleaginous yeast are disclosed.
US08298795B2
The invention provides recombinant GH61 proteins obtained from Myceliophtora thermophila, and nucleic acids that encode such proteins. The invention also provides protein fractions isolated from M. thermophila supernatant that have GH61 protein activity. These preparations can be used to increase yield of products from reactions in which a cellulose-containing substrate undergoes saccharification by one or more cellulase enzymes, such as endoglucanase, β-glucosidase, or cellobiohydrolase. Combinations of GH61 protein and cellulases can be used to break down cellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars in the production of ethanol.
US08298789B2
The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of rhPTH (1-34) also known as teriparatide by construction of a novel nucleotide, as an NcoI.IXhoI fragment as set forth in SEQ. ID. No.:1 encoding a chimeric fusion protein as set forth in SEQ.ID. No.:2 comprising of a fusion partner consisting of 41 amino acids belonging to Escherichia coli β-galactosidase (LacZ) gene, an endopeptidase cleavage site, rhPTH (1-34) gene fragment, cloning the said nucleotide in an expression vector under the control of T7 promoter, transforming Escherichia coli with the said vector and expressing the chimeric fusion protein in fed batch fermentation. The present invention further discloses a low feed rate lactose induction for optimized expression of rhPTH (1-34) in Escherichia coli. The present invention also discloses an unique, novel two step orthogonal purification process for rhPTH (1-34) comprising of cation exchange chromatography optionally followed by preparative chromatography selected from HIC or RP-HPLC to yield a target protein of ≧99% purity. The present invention discloses a simple, cost-effective, environmentally benign method of producing high purity rhPTH (1-34).
US08298786B2
A method for detecting a bacterial load comprising adding a sample for analysis to an analysis reagent in a sterilized reaction container, thermostatting the reaction container at a temperature of between 25 and 45° C., and verifying the change in colouring of the analysis reagent. The analysis reagent is an aqueous solution comprising amino acids chosen from the group consisting of meat peptones, vegetable peptones, casein hydrolysates, tryptose, tryptones and yeast extract; glucides chosen from monometric or oligomeric glucides metabolisable by micro-organisms; a buffer system suitable for maintaining the pH between 5.5 and 8.5; a redox indicator with potential between −250 and +250 mV and/or a pH indicator with colour change interval between pH 4.0 and pH 9.0; and a water-immiscible organic liquid compound having a lower density than water and suitable for separating the aqueous phase from a gaseous phase existing prior to the analysis or formed during the reaction.
US08298784B2
An in vitro process for the detection and early detection of neurodegenerative diseases, for determination of the severity, and to evaluate the progression of and render a prognoses of neurogenerative diseases, in a patient suffering from a subjectively or objectively detectable cognitive impairment, by determining the concentration of an analyte selected from natriuretic peptides, in particular ANP, and, if necessary, BNP and/or CNP in a biological fluid of the patient, whereby the determination of the analyte is performed directly and/or indirectly as the determination of a relevant co-peptide generated from a mutual propeptide, and is based upon the measured concentration of the determined analyte thus making it possible to form conclusions about a neurodegenerative disease or an early form typical of such a disease or the course of the disease and/or the success of the efforts to relieve or prevent the disease.
US08298778B2
A method and a kit for detecting an antibody to Avibacterium paragallinarum are provided. A method for detecting an antibody to Avibacterium paragallinarum which comprises detecting an antibody induced by an outer-membrane protein of Avibacterium paragallinarum serotype A and/or serotype C by ELISA with a solid phase to which a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence of non-homologous region of said outer-membrane protein or a portion thereof is immobilized, and a detection kit used for said method.
US08298772B2
The invention provides methods for predicting, diagnosing or monitoring acute cardiac disorders, cardiac transplant rejection, or distinguishing acute cardiac disorders from pulmonary disorders, by measuring BNP signal peptide levels in a sample taken from a subject shortly after onset of, or presentation with the disorder or transplant rejection.
US08298764B2
The present invention includes compositions and methods for contacting one or more cells with a random RNA-containing library, treating the contacted cells and with a denaturing agent or digestion with one or more nucleases, and extracting from the cells one or more internalized nucleic acids resistant to the nucleases or denaturants.
US08298757B2
The present invention relates to a method for detecting an avian influenza virus by an immunological assay using an anti-influenza virus antibody being unreactive to human influenza type-A virus subtypes H1, H2 and H3 and a human influenza type-B virus and being reactive to plural subtypes of avian influenza viruses, and an immunochromatographic test tool for use in the method. According to the present invention, an avian influenza virus can be detected specifically, rapidly and in a simple manner, as distinguishing an avian influenza virus from a human influenza virus.
US08298756B2
Methods of isolating motile cells of interest from an animal tissue is provided. Also provided are methods of determining mRNA or protein expression of a gene in motile cells of interest from an animal tissue. Additionally, methods of determining whether a cancer in a tissue of a mammal is likely to metastasize are provided. Methods are also provided for inhibiting metastasis of a cancer in a tissue of a mammal. Further provided are methods of determining resistance of a motile cancer cell population in an animal tissue to a chemotherapeutic agent.
US08298752B2
A method for producing surface convexes or concaves disposes a mask member having light transmitting sections and non-light transmitting sections over and spaced from one side of a photosensitive film including a photosensitive resin composition, and a light diffusing member is disposed on the opposite side of the photosensitive film across the mask member. Light is irradiated from a light source disposed on the opposite side of the mask member across the light diffusing member to subject the photosensitive film to light exposure through the light diffusing member and the light transmitting sections of the mask member. Exposed portions or unexposed portions of the photosensitive film are removed by development to produce convexes or concaves on the photosensitive film in shapes determined by shapes of the exposed portions or unexposed portions. In exposure, conditions such as haze of the light diffusing member are controlled to control the shapes of the exposed portions or unexposed portions.
US08298737B2
A white toner for electrostatic charge image development is disclosed. The white toner for electrostatic charge image development includes a binder resin, a first white pigment, a second white pigment, and a release agent, a specific gravity D1 of the first white pigment satisfying a condition of 3.5
US08298733B2
In an electrophotographic apparatus (e.g., a photocopier or laser printer), an electrophotographic photosensitive member (image-forming part) has a metal substrate roughened on its surface, a metal oxide-containing undercoat layer on the substrate, and an organic photosensitive layer over the undercoat. A coherent light source (e.g., laser) can cause interference fringes that degrade the printed image. Interference fringes are judged (or predicted) as follows: The surface reflectance is measured at intervals over the spectral width of the light source. The measured surface reflectance is corrected, using a mirror-surface conductive substrate as a reference, to obtain a reflectance of the photosensitive member. The reflectance is subjected to a discrete Fourier transformation, which generates a power spectrum, over the spectral width of the light source, from the reflectance as a function of the wavelength. Interference fringes are judged from the maximum peak value in the power spectrum, as compared to a predetermined value.
US08298731B2
The present invention provides a dye-containing negative curable composition including a dye that is soluble in an organic solvent, a photopolymerization initiator, a photopolymerizable compound, and cyclopentanone; a color filter formed from the dye-containing negative curable composition; and a method of producing the color filter.
US08298723B2
A metal separator 1 for a fuel cell according to the invention is a metal separator for a fuel cell manufactured by using a metal substrate 2 with a flat surface, or with concave gas flow paths formed on at least a part of the surface. The metal separator 1 includes an acid-resistant metal film 3 formed over the surface of the metal substrate 2, and containing one or more kinds of non-noble metals selected from the group comprised of Zr, Nb, and Ta, and a conductive alloy film 4 formed over the acid-resistant metal film 3, and containing one or more kinds of noble metals selected from the group comprised of Au and Pt, and one or more kinds of non-noble metals selected from the group comprised of Zr, Nb, and Ta. A method for manufacturing the metal separator for a fuel cell according to the invention includes a step S1 of depositing an acid-resistant metal film, and a step S2 of depositing a conductive alloy film. With this structure, the invention provides the metal separator for a fuel cell with an excellent acid resistance and a low contact resistance, and a manufacturing method thereof.
US08298714B2
A PEM fuel cell includes a first plate having a flow field for directing a first fluid along a surface thereof. A second plate includes a flow field for directing a second fluid along a surface thereof. A seal is disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The seal includes a plate margin defining a header aperture for delivering the first fluid to the first plate. The seal defines a carrier having a first side supported by the flow field of the first plate whereby the first fluid is permitted to flow directly from the first header aperture to the flow field of the first plate. The carrier includes a gasket arranged on a second side. The gasket precludes the first fluid from flowing directly from the header aperture to the flow field of the second plate.
US08298712B2
At the time of start-up of a fuel cell, the anode and the cathode are supplied with a fuel gas containing hydrogen and an oxidant gas (e.g., air) containing oxygen and an impurity gas, respectively, and the output of the fuel cell is restricted (e.g., prohibited). After a difference between the partial pressure of the impurity gas in the anode and the partial pressure of the impurity gas in the cathode becomes less than a predetermined value, the restriction of the output of the fuel cell is lifted, and the output of the fuel cell is controlled according to the requested output.
US08298708B2
A negative electrode mixture layer containing CMC and a hydroxy group-modified PVP. The mass ratio of CMC is greater than that of the hydroxy group-modified PVP. The hydroxy group-modified PVP has low affinity with a solvent for a solvent-system slurry that forms an inorganic particle layer. Adhesion strength is prevented from degrading after forming the inorganic particle layer on the negative electrode mixture layer.
US08298702B2
A spiral electrode rectangular battery has a first electrode plate and second electrode plate, which are the positive and negative electrodes, laminated together with a separator sandwiched in between, rolled into an electrode unit, and housed in an exterior casing. The electrode unit has flat surfaces on opposite sides, and edges on both sides of those flat surfaces are curved with a prescribed radius of curvature to form rounded edge regions. The first and second electrode plates are wound around flat surfaces and rounded edge regions in a continuous fashion, and the end of the outer-most electrode plate is disposed at a rounded edge region. In addition, corner cuts are provided to truncate corner regions formed between the edges at both sides and the end of the outer-most electrode plate.
US08298701B2
An electrochemical device including a housing and a stack of electrochemical cells in the housing. Each electrochemical cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and an electrolyte. The electrochemical device also includes a current collector located between adjacent electrochemical cells, an anode bus operatively connected to the anodes of the electrochemical cells in the stack and a cathode bus operatively connected to the cathodes of the electrochemical cells in the stack. The housing, the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, the separator, the anode bus and the cathode bus are non-metallic.
US08298700B2
A prismatic sealed rechargeable battery includes a substantially prismatic battery case that accommodates an electrode plate assembly and an electrolyte solution. The battery case is formed of metal. On a side face of the battery case, a thin plate is provided which has a plurality of protruding portions formed in parallel at appropriate intervals. The protruding portion and the side face form spaces opened at both ends therebetween. The thin plate is bonded to the side face of the battery case by making flat portions between the protruding portions into surface-contact with the side face, thereby improving cooling capability of the battery.
US08298699B2
A power supply device in which a plurality of power supplying bodies are stacked is provided with a plurality of holes that extend from one end side to the other end side in the stacking direction of the power supply device and through which coolant flows. The power supply device is also provided with a guide portion that leads coolant that has passed through a first hole which is provided in a first region of the power supply device into a second hole which is provided in a second region of the power supply device which radiates heat better than the first region does.
US08298696B1
Battery systems and kits are disclosed and provide improved merchandizing opportunities. Battery systems comprise an adaptor including a recess having one or more walls and a base located in a portion of the adaptor. One or more batteries may be received by the recess. The batteries may include one or more battery contacts and may be sized to a depth substantially equivalent to a depth of the walls of the recess. At least one of the walls may include one or more first electrical contacts corresponding to the battery contacts. A portion of the adaptor may have one or more second electrical contacts corresponding to one or more electrical contacts of a portable electronic device or circuit board. The first electrical contacts are in communication with one or more of the second electrical contacts. These battery systems replace one or more dedicated battery systems associated with a portable electronic device.
US08298688B2
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a magnetic recording layer formed above a substrate, comprising: a first magnetic layer formed from a [Co/Pt]n multilayered film, wherein the first magnetic layer has a face-centered cubic (fcc) (111) crystal structure, the (111) direction being perpendicular to a film surface thereof, and a second magnetic layer comprising a CoCrPt or CoCrPt alloy film formed above the first magnetic layer, wherein the second magnetic layer has a hexagonal close packed (hcp) (00.1) crystal structure, the (00.1) direction being perpendicular to a film surface thereof. According to another embodiment, a system includes a magnetic recording medium as described above, a magnetic head for reading from and/or writing to the magnetic recording medium, a magnetic head slider for supporting the magnetic head, and a control unit coupled to the magnetic head for controlling operation of the magnetic head.
US08298681B2
The invention relates to an extrusion billet having two end sides, characterized in that the surface of at least one end side face has a three-dimensional topography which is composed of a substantially planar end side face from which local elevations protrude.
US08298676B2
An electroconductive material has a support, at least one electroconductive layer on or above the support, and an adhesive layer containing at least two binder resins between the support and the electroconductive layer. Preferably, the electroconductive layer contains PEDOT and PSS, the support is composed of PET, and the adhesive layer contains a polyurethane resin and an acrylic resin.
US08298672B2
An intermediate transfer member, such as a belt, that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, a silane first intermediate layer, and contained on the silane layer a second layer of a self crosslinking acrylic resin; a mixture of a glycoluril resin and an acrylic polyol resin; or a mixture of a glycoluril resin and a self crosslinking acrylic resin.
US08298670B2
Provided is the following electro-conductive member for electrophotography. The electrical resistance of the member hardly increases even by long-term energization, and hence the member is conducive to stable formation of high-quality electrophotographic images. The electro-conductive member for electrophotography, comprises: an electro-conductive mandrel and an electro-conductive layer, wherein said electro-conductive layer contains an A-B-A type triblock copolymer in which an A-block is a polystyrene having a cation exchange group, and a B-block is a polyolefin, and wherein said A-B-A type triblock copolymer forms a microphase-separated structure comprising a matrix phase formed of said B-block, and one phase formed of the A-block and having a structure selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical structure, a bicontinuous structure and a lamellar structure.
US08298669B2
A coated carrier that peeling and wearing of a coating layer are hard to be generated and a method of manufacturing the coated carrier are provided. The coated carrier includes a core particle including a magnetic body, a first resin layer coating the core particle, a resin particle layer including a resin particle fixed to the first resin layer as a single layer, and a second resin layer. The first resin layer includes a first resin having a first reactive group. The resin particle layer is formed of resin particles including a cross-linking resin having a second reactive group which can undergo a cross-linking reaction with the first reactive group. The second resin layer is provided so as to fill gaps between the resin particles.
US08298655B2
An exterior surface covering has a colored outer layer that transmits infrared radiation and an inner layer with a thermochromic pigment that absorbs heat at low temperature and reflects at high temperatures. The outer layer conceals the color change of the thermochromic pigment.
US08298654B2
A tile type flooring in which printing and cutting patterns coincide with each other, and a process for preparing the same. Band pattern portions (32) are respectively formed at neighboring two sides of each of main pattern portions (31) and synchronizing cutting is performed. Thereby, the total width of the band pattern portions (32) of each of tiles is uniformly narrowed. The tile type flooring has an aesthetic external appearance, and the tiles are naturally connected, thus expressing the reality of natural resources and the luxurious appearance. Further, if necessary, the flooring employs a size reinforcing layer (50) and has a transparent layer (20) and a first base layer (40), and a second base layer (60) and a balance layer (70), which are symmetrically stacked on the upper and lower surfaces of the size reinforcing layer (50), thus reducing defects caused by size instability of the flooring.
US08298653B2
A recording medium contains a support, and an antistatic agent-containing layer, and the antistatic agent-containing layer contains a binder resin and tin oxide-coated titanium oxide particles.
US08298652B2
An injection molding die for producing a molded product having an appearance surface, an injection molding method for producing a molded product having an appearance surface, and a resin molded product molded by the injection molding method which is free from occurrence of appearance deficiency such as a flow mark or the like that is a drawback in appearance. A molten thermoplastic resin material is injected into a cavity defined by a molded product's appearance surface forming portion (4a) and a molded product's rear surface forming portion (6a) through one or more direct gates and one or more hot runners to fill the cavity with the molten resin material, thereby performing injection molding.
US08298647B2
Multi-layered cellular metallic glass structures and methods of preparing the same are provided. In one embodiment, the cellular metallic glass structure includes at least one patterned metallic glass sheet and at least one additional sheet. The at least one patterned metallic glass sheet may include multiple sheets connected together to form a group of sheets, and the structure may include a group of sheets sandwiched between two outer sheets. The patterned metallic glass sheets may be patterned by thermoplastically forming two- and/or three-dimensional patterns in the metallic glass sheets. The metallic glass cellular structures are useful in a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to blast protection applications, energy absorption applications, structural support applications, biomedical implant applications, heat exchanger applications, thermal management applications, electrical shielding applications, magnetic shielding applications, and debris and radiation shielding for aerospace and outer space applications.
US08298642B2
A sectional floor mat system of floor mats and edging sections or pieces that are removably engaged with the floor mats. The floor mat system includes at least one mat and sufficient edging to border at least one of the side edges of the at least one mat. In many embodiments, there is sufficient edging to border all side edges of the at least one mat, when multiple mats, if present, and connected together. The edging pieces of the invention, and other variations thereof, when combined with mats, provide a floor covering system that is easy for the user to set-up, disassemble as needed, and inhibit tripping on the edges of mats.
US08298640B2
The present invention relates to a roll made of a succession of single-use absorbing paper sheets separated along at least one side thereof, perpendicular to the unwinding direction of the roll by parallel pre-cuts, the sheets being further separated by cuts extending along at least 80% of the cut side of the sheets, and the cuts and pre-cuts alternating in the roll unwinding direction.
US08298628B2
This invention discloses the method of forming silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon oxide, carbon-doped silicon nitride, carbon-doped silicon oxide and carbon-doped oxynitride films at low deposition temperatures. The silicon containing precursors used for the deposition are monochlorosilane (MCS) and monochloroalkylsilanes. The method is preferably carried out by using plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, and plasma enhanced cyclic chemical vapor deposition.
US08298627B2
The present invention provides a plasma treatment apparatus and a conditioning method capable of performing a conditioning for the whole vacuum chamber. A plasma treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a moving means for moving a substrate holder (2) between a reaction chamber (8) and a transfer chamber (9) lying on the under side thereof. Moreover, it has such structure that the exhaust conductance of the reaction chamber (8) becomes large when the substrate holder (2) lies in the transfer chamber. Upon the conditioning, the substrate holder (2) is moved to the transfer chamber (9) to allow diffusing species to spread widely, thereby effectively performing the conditioning for both reaction chamber (8) and transfer chamber (9) in the vacuum chamber (1).
US08298625B2
RF power is coupled with different phase offsets to different RF connection points on an electrode of a plasma chamber. Preferably, the number of different RF connection points and corresponding phase offsets is at least four, and the positions of the RF connection points are distributed along two orthogonal dimensions of the electrode. Preferably, power to each respective RF connection point is supplied by a respective RF power supply, wherein each power supply synchronizes its phase to a common reference RF oscillator.
US08298622B2
Methods for producing a silica aerogel coating by: producing a wet gel formed by the hydrolysis and polymerization of an alkoxysilane having an ultraviolet-polymerizable unsaturated group; organically modifying the wet gel with an organic-modifying agent to obtain an organically modified silica having a modification ratio of 10-30% based on a total amount of Si—OH in the wet gel; coating a dispersion of the organically modified silica on a substrate to form a layer; and subjecting the layer of the organically modified silica to ultraviolet irradiation and baking, wherein the silica aerogel coating includes the organically modified silica and wherein the silica aerogel coating has a refractive index in the range of 1.05-1.2.
US08298619B2
A topcoat is applied to a surface of a golf ball using a carrier fluid comprising nitrogen gas or nitrogen-enriched air. The carrier fluid typically has air enriched to about 90-99.5% nitrogen. A mixture of carrier fluid and coating material may be sprayed onto the exterior of the golf ball. Nitrogen-enriched air delivery provides a number of benefits over compressed air delivery, such as reduced coating thickness, reduced variance in the coating thickness and average thickness, reduced pooling in dimple center, edge ratio closer to 1.0, faster cure times, reduced viscosity, less material usage, reduced material flow rate, reduced atomization air pressure, and decreased drying time.
US08298618B2
A preparation method of composite blue luminescent thin film of sulfonated poly(p-phenylene) (i.e. poly[2,5-bis(3-sulfonatopropoxy)-1,4-phenylene-alt-1,4-phenylene]) and LDHs (Layered Double Hydroxides) is disclosed. The preparation method comprises the following steps: preparing delaminated LDHs colloidal solution using formamide solvent, preparing sulfonated poly(p-phenylene) aqueous solution, and performing alternate assembling on hydrophilically treated substrate in the two solutions to give the composite thin film of sulfonated poly(p-phenylene)/LDHs multilayer. The preparation method has the advantages of simple preparation process, and film thickness controllable at nanoscale precision, in addition, this method also achieves the immobilization of luminescent polymer via restricted space among LDHs layers and host-guest interaction, effectively improves thermal stability, and reduces fluorescence quenching caused by aggregation.
US08298613B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed for remotely and robotically installing an organic, monolithic, structural and non structural, circumferential and partial radius membranes in conduits, pipelines or passageways. The method of spray lining a pipe, conduit, structure or passageway comprises connecting a liner supply umbilical to an in situ pipe spray liner device, connecting equipment control cables, air supply hose, electrical supply and controls for the two part liner, connecting an air supply to motors, connecting the liner supply hoses to the impingement block, connecting the air supply to one or more air motors powering a servo drive and maintaining the nozzle in the center of the pipe using a remotely controlled rotation table or scissor leg table. This method and apparatus will allow for continuous lining applications of any thickness in one pass, in conduits and passageways employing multi component liquid polymers with rapid mechanical properties formation.
US08298612B2
An apparatus and method are described for deposition of materials such as particulate materials onto a surface. The methods employ the use of shockwaves or compression waves to project the particulate material onto the surface as desired. This allows for the preparation of solid objects or coated surfaces that exhibit, for example, superior density and uniformity.
US08298606B2
The present invention provides materials and methods that can serve as a prosthetic and/or, for tissue engineer applications, as a supporting matrix in the stabilization of the myocardium.
US08298605B2
A process for producing a chocolate or chocolate-like product comprising: (i) dry grinding a mixture of solid components of chocolate or a chocolate-like product; and (ii) homogenizing the ground mixture with fat to form a liquid chocolate or chocolate-like product.
US08298603B2
Highly purified Stevioside and Rebaudioside A were prepared from sweet glycoside extracts obtained from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves. The resulting sweeteners are suitable as non-calorie, non-cariogenic, non-bitter, non-lingering sweeteners, which may be advantageously applied in foods, beverages, and milk products.
US08298598B2
An apparatus used to arrange and display decorative items or candy. A narrow stem comprises a plurality of holes running throughout the stem. A plurality of metal rods are inserted into respective holes in the stem. Each metal rod has is attached to a plastic petal, which also comprises a clip. A piece of candy can be attached to each clip and can be supported by each respective petal. The plurality of metal rods arranged in this manner create a visually appealing arrangement of decorative items or dispenser of candy.
US08298596B2
A particulate composition comprising a plurality of particles comprising lactase and a protective material are provided. The particles have a size that is not perceptible or is minimally perceptible on the human tongue. The particulate composition can be made by a method that comprises the steps of providing a lactase, providing a protective material, and forming a particulate composition comprising a plurality of particles comprising the lactase and the protective material in a size that is not perceptible or barely perceptible on the human tongue. The particulate composition can be used by applying the lactase composition to a food article or by using the lactase composition in the course of consuming the food article.
US08298594B1
A dry powdered animal repellent that does not harm animals or plants. The repellant uses dried and powdered blood meal mixed with chili powder and/or cayenne pepper. The repellant is mixed together in a large moisture resistant container and then sprinkled around or into the soil around plants or into a tunnel opening formed by a rodent. In the first embodiment, designed to repel dogs and cats, the composition contains a 60%/40% (w/w) mixture of blood meal and chili powder (with 10% or less moisture content) with the chili powder being made from peppers with a heat rating of at least 85,000 Scoville units or greater. In the second embodiment, the concentration of blood meal to chili powder is increased to 80%/20% (w/w) respectively, to promote greater plant growth and for greater absorption into worms or grubs living in the soil.
US08298589B1
Compositions comprising a nitrite salt, a nitrate salt, and ascorbic acid are provided in several embodiments. Use of said composition in a method of enhancing cardiovascular performance or treating adverse cardiovascular event in a mammal is also provided.
US08298586B2
Disclosed are tissue graft compositions made of materials having different densities, methods of making, and methods of treatment for restoring tissues in a patient.
US08298583B2
The present invention includes a pharmaceutical-based film system which includes various small-scale forms of pharmaceutically active agents, including tetrahydrolipstatin, in a film base. Such forms include nanoparticles, microparticles, and combinations thereof. Methods of producing such film and providing a dosage of the pharmaceutical in a film are also provided.
US08298578B2
A therapeutic device to release a therapeutic agent comprises a porous structure coupled to a container comprising a reservoir. The reservoir comprises a volume sized to release therapeutic amounts of the therapeutic agent for an extended time when coupled to the porous structure and implanted in the patient. The porous structure may comprise a first side coupled to the reservoir and a second side to couple to the patient to release the therapeutic agent. A plurality of interconnecting channels can extend from the first side to the second side so as to connect a first a plurality of openings on the first side with a second plurality of openings on the second side.
US08298576B2
Pharmaceutical compositions of topiramate for once-a-day oral administration are provided. The formulations comprise a sustained-release component and an optional immediate-release component, the compositions of which can be selectively adjusted, respectively, to release the active ingredient along a pre-determined release profile. Method of treating or preventing pathological disorders in mammalian subjects comprising the administration of the novel formulations disclosed herein is also provided.
US08298575B2
The present invention relates to capsules for holding pharmaceutical preparations for powder inhalers with increased drug safety and capsules for pharmaceutical preparations for powder inhalers with improved adaptation to their use in powder inhalers. The capsules consist of water-insoluble hydrophobic synthetic materials which do not significantly affect the pharmaceutical quality of the contents themselves, but which improve the usability of the filled capsules with regard to their function, their longevity, and/or the geographic location of their use, and are advantageous at various stages from manufacture up to utilization.
US08298571B2
A composition and method are provided that are effective for reduction or elimination of the craving foods and other substances for which a patient wishes to reduce consumption or intake. The composition is a paste made of a binder, and non-binder ingredients of mustard, pepper and salt, and optionally a sweetener. The composition of the invention is administered on the tongue as a paste.
US08298562B2
The invention is directed to a device for delivering an active agent formulation for a predetermined administration period. An impermeable reservoir is divided into a water-swellable agent chamber and an active agent formulation chamber. Fluid from the environment is imbibed through a semipermeable plug into the water-swellable agent chamber and the active agent formulation is released through a back-diffusion regulating outlet. Delivery periods of up to 2 years are achieved.
US08298561B2
The present invention is directed to treatment methods for a disease or condition, in a subject in need of such treatment, that provide alternatives to treatment by injection that give, relative to treatment by injection, improved treatment outcomes, 100% treatment compliance, reduced side effects, and rapid establishment and/or termination of substantial steady-state drug delivery. The method typically includes providing continuous delivery of a drug from an implanted osmotic delivery device, wherein substantial steady-state delivery of the drug at therapeutic concentrations is typically achieved within about 7 days or less after implantation of the osmotic delivery device in the subject and the substantial steady-state delivery of the drug from the osmotic delivery device is continuous over a period of at least about 3 months. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus using incretin mimetics.
US08298557B2
It is intended to provide a cleansing cosmetic composition that quickly removes makeup from the skin, is easily applicable onto the skin without dripping from the hand or running on the face during application, and can freshen the skin because of being washed off thoroughly. The present invention provides a cleansing cosmetic composition comprising (1) 1 to 15% by mass of silicone oil, (2) 1 to 15% by mass of volatile hydrocarbon oil, (3) 5 to 20% by mass of dihydric glycol, (4) 5 to 40% by mass of polyoxyethylene glyceryl fatty acid ester, and (5) 15 to 88% by mass of water, wherein the weight ratio between the silicone oil (1) and the volatile hydrocarbon oil (2) ((1)/(2)) falls within the range of 0.3 to 3 and the composition has a viscosity of 100 to 500 mPas at 25° C.
US08298555B2
This invention discloses color cosmetic compositions and methods for anti-aging treatments that utilize plant-based copper antioxidant complexes.
US08298554B2
The present invention relates to, inter alia, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid and to methods of using the same to treat or prevent cardiovascular-related diseases.
US08298552B2
The present invention provides live, attenuated Mycoplasma gallisepticum bacteria that exhibit reduced expression of a protein identified as MGA_0621. In certain embodiments, the attenuated bacteria may additionally exhibit reduced expression of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of pyruvate dehydrogenase, phosphopyruvate hydratase, 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, and ribosomal protein L35, relative to a wild-type M. gallisepticum bacterium. Also provided are vaccines and vaccination methods involving the use of the live, attenuated M. gallisepticum bacteria, and methods for making live attenuated M. gallisepticum bacteria. An exemplary live, attenuated strain of M. gallisepticum is provided, designated MGx+47, which was shown by proteomics analysis to exhibit significantly reduced expression of MGA_0621, and was shown to be safe and effective when administered as a vaccine against M. gallisepticum infection in chickens.
US08298548B2
Provided herein are microalgal skin care compositions and methods of improving the health and appearance of skin. Also provided are methods of using polysaccharides for applications such as topical personal care products, cosmetics, and wrinkle reduction compositions. The invention also provides novel decolorized microalgal compositions useful for improving the health and appearance of skin. The invention also includes insoluble polysaccharide particles for application to human skin.
US08298546B2
In this application is the expression and purification of a recombinant Plasmodium falciparum (3D7) MSP-142. The method of the present invention produces a highly purified protein which retains folding and disulfide bridging of the native molecule. The recombinant MSP-142 is useful as a diagnostic reagent, for use in antibody production, and as a vaccine.
US08298539B2
The invention relates to neutralizing antibodies, and antibody fragments thereof, having high potency in neutralizing hCMV, wherein said antibodies and antibody fragments are specific for one, or a combination of two or more, hCMV gene UL products. The invention also relates to immortalized B cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to, such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of disease.
US08298528B2
The present invention relates in general to orthopedics and to a method for promoting repair of large bone defects, in particular non-union or delayed union fractures. Specifically the invention concerns the use of endothelial progenitor cell preparations for bone repair.
US08298526B2
The invention relates to a composition for improving the syndrome of diabetes and complication thereof. The composition comprises an effective amount of Lactobacillus strain which is at least one selected from the group consisting of: Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-89 strain, Lactobacillus gasseri GMNL-205 strain, Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 strain and a pharmaceutical acceptable vehicle. The Lactobacillus gasseri GMNL-205 strain and Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 strain are novel isolated Lactobacillus strains. In addition, the invention also relates to a novel use of the composition or the Lactobacillus strains for improving the syndrome of diabetes and complication thereof.
US08298522B1
The present invention relates generally to the field of inflammation. More particularly, the present invention relates to reducing release of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced to MUC1 activity. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of modulating (inhibiting or promoting) an inflammatory response wherein modulation of the inflammatory response is desired, comprising administering an effective amount of an agent which inhibits or promotes MUC-1 function to an individual.
US08298517B2
Personal care composition having improved compatibility and providing improved sun protection are obtained by including a liquid silicone resin having greater than 50 mole percent Me3SiO1/2 and PrSiC3/2 units, where Me is methyl and Pr is propyl in the composition. If desired to enable additional compatibility of ingredients comprising the personal care composition, the liquid silicone resin can also contain PhSiO3/2 or Ph2SiO2/2 units, where Ph is phenyl, or a mixture thereof.
US08298516B2
The present invention relates generally to an anti-calculus composition and method for treating subgingival calculus. The anti-calculus composition comprises a pyrophosphate and a tripolyphosphate in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition may also comprise a fluoride providing compound.
US08298495B2
The present invention relates to a high sensitivity localized surface plasmon resonance sensor and to a sensor system using same, the sensor comprising: a first metal layer including a first metal; a second metal layer arranged parallel to the first metal layer and including a second metal; and a conductive cross-linking layer disposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer, and made of a third metal with a corrosion response that is different than that of the first metal and of the second metal.
US08298489B1
An electronic incense assembly includes a first tube, a second tube, a light source, two electrodes, and two wires. The first tube includes a first opaque coating on the outer surface thereof, a first end, and a second end. The first tube defines a first through hole. The second tube includes a second opaque coating on the outer surface thereof and defines a second through hole. The second end of the first tube is sleeved on the second tube. The first through hole communicates with the second through hole. The light source is positioned on the first end and covers the first through hole. The two electrodes are received in the second tube but extend across and out of the second tube. The two wires connect the light source to the two first electrodes.
US08298486B2
Objects of the present invention is to provide a piezoelectric resonator having high frequency stability and a sensing sensor using the piezoelectric resonator.In the present invention, a piezoelectric resonator 1 has: a first oscillation area 105 which is provided in a piezoelectric piece 100 and from which a first oscillation frequency is taken out; a second oscillation area which is provided in an area 105 different from the first oscillation area 106 via an elastic boundary area 107 and from which a second oscillation frequency is taken out; and excitation electrodes 101 to 103 provided on one surface side and another surface side of the oscillation areas 105, 106 across the piezoelectric piece 100, and a frequency difference between the first oscillation frequency and the second oscillation frequency is not less than 0.2% nor greater than 2.2% of these oscillation frequencies.
US08298484B2
The present invention relates to an analyzer (1) which includes a placement part (11) for placing an analysis piece, and a photometric measurer (7) for photometric measurement of the analysis piece (2). In the analyzer (1), the placement part (11) holds the analysis piece (2) in such a way that a row of reagent pad (20) on the analysis piece (1) lie in right-and-left directions (D3, D4). The photometric measurer (7) is farther from a front than the placement part (11). The analysis piece (2) placed on the placement part (11) is conveyed from front toward rear (Direction D1), with the row of reagent pads (20) laid in right-and-left directions (D3, D4), toward the photometric measurer (7).
US08298477B2
A lance holder characterized by a high degree of safety is equipped with a mounting or a pipe fixing, which safely prevents a rotation even of a bent lance pipe in the lance holder. The clamping head has a fixing part and a clamping part which ensure a punctiform fixation by way of displaceable pressure elements, particularly in the form of spheres. At least three such spheres are disposed across the circumference in a distributed manner, and ensure the safe fixation across a large tolerance range with regard to the dimensions of lance pipes. Said large tolerance region is further secured in that sealing sleeves having a larger inside diameter may be used, since the same are no longer deformed in the longitudinal direction in order to provide the seal, but instead are deformed in the radial direction. In summary the high degree of operational safety is also completed by the association of a chip and/or attachment of a nanocoating.
US08298476B2
A system for controlling emissions of gas and dust during transfer of a hot feed material from a movable transfer container to a stationary feed bin of a furnace. The system includes an upper duct section which is associated with the movable transfer container, and a lower duct section associated with the feed bin. The lower duct section is attached to a main collection duct with a dust collection fan. The two duct sections are brought into close proximity with one another when the transfer container is brought into position for discharge to the feed bin, so as to form a continuous gas passage throughout the duct sections.
US08298475B2
A furnace system includes a furnace facility disposed on a conveyer device and having a pre-heating zone, a high temperature heating zone, and two cooling zones, and the conveyer device moves the work piece from the pre-heating zone through the high temperature heating zone and the cooling zones, two heating members disposed in the heating zones for pre-heating and heating the work piece, two piping members coupled between the cooling zones and the heating zones for recycling the waste heat gas, and two blowing devices draw the waste gas from the cooling zones to the heating zones for recycling and economizing the heat energy and for preventing the steel materials from being distorted or twisted.
US08298474B2
The invention relates to a device for loading and unloading a heat treatment furnace and to a corresponding method. Heat treatment furnaces are normally loaded and unloaded by means of a so-called elevator. During unloading, a removed workpiece is usually lowered by means of the elevator into an oil bath, in which it is then removed from the elevator. Oil is then transferred into the furnace chamber via the oil-covered elevator. Such an application of oil is avoided by means of a device comprising a frame rack having a first and a second level, which are disposed parallel above each other, and are connected to each other by means of a plurality of frame braces, wherein the first and the second levels have a plurality of openings and the frame braces have guide means. The device further comprises a plurality of lifting braces that are connected by a lifting mechanism and are supported vertically movably in the guide means, wherein each lifting brace has carriers at a first and a second position, wherein the carriers are aligned on the lifting braces such that they can be moved in the associated levels in or through the openings upon a vertical movement of the lifting braces. The device further comprises a retaining means disposed on a frame brace, which limits the vertical movement of the corresponding lifting brace.
US08298466B1
Medical articles with porous polymeric structures and methods of forming thereof are disclosed. The porous structure can have pores sizes that are nanoporous or greater than nanoporous. The porous structure can be a coating or layer of a medical device such as a stent, stent graft, catheter, or lead for pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Additionally, the body of the medical device can be a porous polymeric structure. The porous structure can be made from bioabsorbable polymers. The porous structures can be formed by contacting a polymer with a supercritical fluid.
US08298463B2
Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.
US08298449B2
This invention provides a dielectric composition comprising a dielectric which is fireable in air at a temperature in the range of about 450° C. to about 550° C. and a conductive oxide selected from the group consisting of antimony-doped tin oxide, tin-doped indium oxide, a transition metal oxide which has mixed valence states or will form mixed valence states after firing in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature in the range of about 450° C. to about 550° C. and normally conducting precious metal oxides such as ruthenium dioxide, wherein the amount of conductive oxide present is from about 0.25 wt % to about 25 wt % of the total weight of dielectric and conductive oxide. This dielectric composition has reduced electrical resistance and is useful in electron field emission devices to eliminate charging of the dielectric in the vicinity of the electron emitter and the effect of static charge induced field emission.
US08298447B2
A conductive paste, a printed circuit board using the conductive paste, and a method of manufacturing the printed circuit board are disclosed. A conductive paste that includes conductive particles, a polymer, and a polymer foam, can reduce the number of printing repetitions, to simplify the manufacturing process, decrease process times, and improve reliability.
US08298444B2
Any of the oligoaniline compounds with a triphenylamine structure represented by the formula (1) exhibits satisfactory light emitting efficiency and brightness performance when used in either an OLED device or a PLED device and is further satisfactory in the solubility in organic solvents so as to be applicable to various coating methods. (each of R1 and R2 independently is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, t-butoxycarbonyl, etc.; each of R3 to R34 independently is a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl, silanol, thiol, carboxyl, a phosphoric group, a phosphoric ester group, ester, thioester, amido, nitro, an optionally substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, etc.; and each of m and n is an integer of 1 or greater provided that they satisfy the relationship m+n ≦20).
US08298442B2
Disclosed herein is a method of increasing the luminescence efficiency of a translucent phosphor ceramic. Other embodiments are methods of manufacturing a phosphor translucent ceramic having increased luminescence. Another embodiment is a light emitting device comprising a phosphor translucent ceramic made by one of these methods.
US08298423B1
A floway system for a building roof includes a substrate for supporting a periphyton culture that removes nutrient pollution from surface water and isolates the building envelope from solar-induced heat. The substrate is seedable to form a floway. a harvester for harvesting periphyton from the substrate. Water desired to be bioremediated is channeled to an inlet of the periphyton culture. A gutter system includes a sector for collecting cleansed water from an outlet of the periphyton culture having a drain for permitting water to be emptied therefrom and a sector for collecting periphyton harvested from the substrate therein. An element is provided for directing material exiting the periphyton culture outlet selectively between the water-collecting sector and the periphyton-collecting sector.
US08298420B2
A drainless reverse osmosis (RO) water purification system provides relatively pure water for on-demand dispensing, while recycling brine to a domestic hot water system. The drainless purification system includes a pre-filter catalyst cartridge for removing chlorine-based contaminants from a tap water supply upstream from an RO membrane. The catalyst is regularly refreshed by a high through-flow of water to a conventional cold water dispense faucet, thereby significantly prolonging the service life of the RO membrane. The RO membrane is incorporated into a multi-cartridge unit adapted for facilitated slide-out removal and replacement as needed. A control valve recycles brine from the RO membrane to the hot water system during pure water production, and recirculates tap water through the RO membrane when a pure water reservoir is substantially filled. The multi-cartridge unit may further include an air filtration system for providing a flow of filtered air.
US08298403B2
A process for dewaxing a waxy component-containing hydrocarbon feedstock comprises contacting the feedstock under dewaxing conditions with a catalyst system comprising ZSM-48 and a molecular sieve of the MTT framework type.
US08298398B2
A micro flow device and a method for generating a fluid with pH gradient are provided. The micro flow device includes a first and second substrates, an ion exchange membrane, and at least an electrode unit. The second substrate having a second flow path is disposed corresponding to the first substrate that has a first flow path. The ion exchange membrane is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate to separate an electrolyte solution inside the first and second flow paths. The electrode unit includes at least two electrodes disposed in the first and second flow paths respectively. When the pair of electrodes is driven to electrolyze the electrolyte solution, the ion exchange membrane retards the mixing of an anode product and a cathode product produced by electrolyzing the electrolyte solution, such that a liquid having pH gradient is generated inside the first and second flow paths.
US08298392B2
The presently-disclosed subject matter provides microfluidic devices comprised of two or more carbon nanotube membranes disposed at predetermined intervals within a microchannel. Further provided are methods of using the same for the electrokinetic separation of one or more molecules of interest from a sample.
US08298389B2
In vitro electrochemical sensor that provide accurate and repeatable analysis of a sample of biological fluid are provided. In some embodiments, the sensors have a measurement zone that has a volume less than the volume of the sample chamber. The measurement zone could have a volume of no more than about 0.2 μL.
US08298388B2
Novel transition metal complexes of iron, cobalt, ruthenium, osmium, and vanadium are described. The transition metal complexes can be used as redox mediators in enzyme-based electrochemical sensors. The transition metal complexes include substituted or unsubstituted (pyridyl)imidazole ligands. Transition metal complexes attached to polymeric backbones are also described.
US08298387B2
A reactive oxygen species measuring device according to the present invention comprises a reactive oxygen species sensor provided with an electrode assembly capable of detecting the presence of reactive oxygen species or the like in terms of an electric current, a power source means for applying a measuring voltage to the reactive oxygen species sensor, and a reactive oxygen species concentration measuring means for measuring a concentration of the reactive oxygen species or the like from the current detected by the reactive oxygen species sensor. According to the present invention, a concentration of reactive oxygen species or the like such as in vivo or in vitro superoxide anion radical (O2−.) can be measured reliably, and the entire device can be formed in a smaller size and always mounted to a living body.
US08298384B2
A method and apparatus for plating parts like lug nuts or other metal parts that have both an easily plated outside surface as well as a recessed cavity. The invention works in combination with a standard multi-station plating process. Also, a method and apparatus for preventing areas of electrode contact on a part from being non-plated. The present invention drains and plates a part containing a cavity by moving the part from a position where the cavity is facing around 45 degrees down to a position where the cavity is facing around 45 degrees up and then back down at various times during the process. The moving is generally initiated when the rack moving along a track above the fluid tanks encounters a roller. The roller causes a depression bar to activate a mechanical mechanism that shifts the position of the part. Other embodiments of the present invention can also rotate the part on an electrode finger as a roller on the track is encountered by the rack to avoid non-plated regions on the part.
US08298381B2
A vacuum process for etching a metal strip running over a backing roll facing a counterelectrode by magnetron sputtering, and a vacuum chamber etching installation implementing the process. A plasma is created in a gas close to the metal strip so as to generate radicals and/or ions that act on the strip, and at least one closed magnetic circuit, the width of which is approximately equal to that of the metal strip, is selected from a series of at least two closed magnetic circuits of different and fixed widths, then the selected magnetic circuit is positioned so as to face the metal strip, and then the etching of the moving metal strip is carried out.
US08298373B2
A process for improving optical properties of high-yield pulp (HYP) for producing paper products with superior brightness. Optical brightening agents (OBAs) can effectively improve the optical properties of high-yield pulp (HYP). The present process involves incorporating the OBAs into the alkaline peroxide bleaching process. By combining peroxide bleaching with an optical brightening agent, one can decrease the bleaching cost to reach the same brightness target. Some key advantages of adding OBA to HYP at the pulp mill over the conventional wet-end addition of OBA include: i) the quenching effect on OBA by the wet-end cationic polymers such as PEI is decreased by fixing OBA on HYP fibers; ii) the negative impact of metal ions in the white water system on the OBA performance is minimized when OBA is pre-adsorbed and fixed on HYP fibers; iii) the photo-yellowing (color reversion) of HYP and HYP-containing paper sheets is decreased when more OBA is on HYP fibers to protect them from harmful UV radiation.
US08298365B2
A sticking method for sticking a support plate onto a substrate in such a way that the support plate can be removed in quickly and easily is provided. The sticking method according to the present invention includes the step of sticking a support plate 3 onto a wafer 2 via a first adhesive layer 4 provided on the wafer 2, a separate film 5 provided on the first adhesive layer 4, and a second adhesive layer 6, provided on the separation film layer 5, which either is higher in rate of dissolution in a solution than the first adhesive layer 4 or dissolves in a solvent different from the solvent in which the first adhesive layer 4 dissolves.
US08298355B2
A soft magnetic alloy that in an FeCo nanocrystal soft magnetic material, exhibits a high saturation magnetic flux density of 1.85 T or more, and that ensures prolonged nozzle life and easy ribbon production; an amorphous alloy ribbon for use in production thereof; and magnetic parts utilizing the soft magnetic alloy. The soft magnetic alloy has the composition of the formula Fe100-x-y-aCoaCuxBy (in the formula, x, y and a each represent atomic % and satisfy the relationships 1
US08298354B2
It is found that alloys including amorphous phase comprising at least a first element selected from the group consisting of Pt and Ru, at least a second element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, Si, Ir, Ru, Pd and Ni, and at least a third element selected from the group consisting of Si, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mo, Co, Al, Zr, Hf, Ni and Ru have excellent machining characteristics, heat-resistant characteristics, corrosion resistance and adhesion resistance. Using the alloys as the molding surface of a die, a heat resistant molding die for forming glass optical device having fine structure for performing high definite functions became possible to manufacture with excellent machining characteristics.
US08298353B2
A transformation toughened, high-strength steel alloy useful in plate steel applications achieves extreme fracture toughness (Cv > 80 ft-lbs corresponding to KId=200 ksi.in ½) at strength levels of 150-180 ksi yield strength, is weldable and formable. The alloy is characterized by dispersed austenite stabilization for transformation toughening to a weldable, bainitic plate steel and is strengthened by precipitation of M2C carbides in combination with copper and nickel. The desired microstructure is a matrix containing a bainite-martensite mix, BCC copper and M2C carbide particles for strengthening with a fine dispersion of optimum stability austenite for transformation toughening. The bainite-martensite mix is formed by air-cooling from solution treatment temperature and subsequent aging at secondary hardening temperatures to precipitate the toughening and strengthening dispersions.
US08298350B2
A chromium-free conversion coating is prepared by the addition of inorganic salts to dispersions of conducting polymers which are then exposed to alloys of aluminum or other metals. Advantageously, the performance of the coating is comparable to that of known Cr (chromium)-based methods for a number of aluminum alloys having particular significance in the manufacture of aircraft.
US08298340B2
An organic thin film deposition device that is compact and high in processing capability is provided. Inside a vacuum chamber, first and second substrate arrangement devices that can be in a horizontal posture and a standing posture are provided; and when in the standing posture, substrates held by the respective substrate arrangement devices and first and second organic vapor discharging devices face each other. When one of the substrate arrangement devices is in the horizontal posture, masks and the substrates are lifted up by alignment pins and transfer pins and are replaced with a substrate not yet film formed, for position adjustment. With one organic thin film deposition device, two substrates can be processed at the same time.
US08298338B2
Provided is a chemical vapor deposition apparatus. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber, a gas introduction unit, and a gas exhaust unit. The reaction chamber includes a susceptor on which a wafer is loaded and a reaction furnace in which the wafer is processed by chemical vapor deposition. The gas introduction unit is disposed at an outer wall of the reaction chamber to supply reaction gas from an outside of the reaction furnace to a center portion of the reaction furnace. The gas exhaust unit is disposed at a center portion of the reaction chamber to discharge the reaction gas to an upper or lower outside of the reaction chamber after the reaction gas is used for a reaction in the reaction furnace. Therefore, the gas density inside the chamber can be kept at a substantially uniform state even when process pressure is increased for growing a high-temperature deposition layer.
US08298336B2
A gas chamber contains upper and lower chamber bodies forming a cavity, a heating chuck for a wafer, a remote gas source, and an exhaust unit. Gas is injected into the cavity through channels in an injector. Each channel has sections that are bent with respect to each other at a sufficient angle to substantially eliminate entering light rays entering the channel from exiting the channel without reflection. The channels have funnel-shaped nozzles at end points proximate to the chuck. The injector also has thermal expansion relief slots and small gaps between the injector and mating surfaces of the chamber and gas source. The temperature of the injector is controlled by a cooling liquid in cooling channels and electrical heaters in receptacles of the injector. The upper chamber body is funnel-shaped and curves downward at an end of the upper chamber body proximate to the chuck.
US08298332B2
Cementitious compositions and methods for making same, in which the cementitious compositions include 35-60 wt. % cementitious reactive powder (also termed Portland cement-based binder), 2-10 wt. % expanded and chemically coated perlite filler, 20-40 wt. % water, entrained air, and optional additives such as water reducing agents, chemical set-accelerators, and chemical set-retarders. In addition, the lightweight cementitious compositions may contain 0-25 wt. % on a wet basis secondary fillers such as expanded clay, shale aggregate, and pumice.
US08298321B2
A river water utilizing flue gas desulfurization system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a pre-treatment facility 13 that removes humic substances in river water 11 to produce makeup water 12; and a desulfurization apparatus 17 that brings sulfur content in flue gas 15 into contact with limestone gypsum slurry 16 in an apparatus body 14. The pre-treatment facility 13 includes a flocculant mixing basin 22 in which a flocculant 21 is added to the river water 11 to flocculate and remove the humic substances contained in the river water 11; and an activated carbon absorption unit 23 in which the humic substances contained in the river water 11 are absorbed and removed by way of activated carbon.
US08298316B2
In a method for producing pig iron using iron ore with a high content of zinc, a blast furnace raw material 2 is produced using iron ore with a high content of zinc which contains 0.01 mass % or more of zinc and 50 mass % or more of iron, pig iron is produced by charging the blast furnace raw material 2 into a blast furnace 1 and, at the same time, zinc-containing dust 4 in a blast furnace discharge gas is recovered, and zinc 6 is recovered from the zinc-containing dust 4 using a reduction furnace 5. A mixed raw material into which the zinc-containing dust 4, a carbonaceous solid reducing material and a slag-making material are mixed is preferably charged on a movable hearth, and the mixed raw material is preferably reduced by supplying heat from an upper portion of the movable hearth so as to recover zinc 6 while producing reduced iron 7.
US08298305B2
A hydrogen manufacturing system for performing offgas flow control includes: a vaporizer (1) for heating a material mixture containing a hydrocarbon material; a reforming reactor (2) for generating hydrogen-containing reformed gas by reforming reactions of the material; a PSA separator (5) for repeating a cycle of adsorption and desorption, where in the adsorption PSA separation is performed with an adsorption tower loaded with an adsorbent to adsorb unnecessary components in the reformed gas and extract hydrogen-enriched gas out of the tower, and in the desorption the offgas containing the unnecessary components from the adsorbent and remaining hydrogen is discharged from the tower; and a buffer tank (6) for holding the offgas before supplying to the vaporizer. The offgas flow supply from the tank (6) to the vaporizer is changed continuously over time when the cycle time is changed according to load change on the separator (5).
US08298302B2
The invention provides a fuel additive compound represented by the general formula (I) wherein n is zero or an integer from 1 to 20 and in each succinic acid moiety one of R1 and R3 is a C3-C80 internal olefin moiety, and the other of R1 and R3 is hydrogen. Additive compositions containing such compounds have low viscosity and are useful in increasing the lubricity of middle distillate fuels.
US08298295B2
A manageability engine of a processor based device and a host theft-deterrence agent of the processor based device, jointly implement a theft-deterrence protocol with a theft-deterrence service, remotely disposed from the processor based device, to deter theft of the processor based device. The host theft-deterrence agent is configured to operate in a processor operated application execution environment of the processor based device, and the manageability engine is configured to operate outside the application execution environment.
US08298294B2
The invention relates to an orthopedic foot device with a connection part for the lower leg, a swivel joint (5) acting as an ankle joint (7) by means of which a foot part (10) is rotatably connected in the direction of dorsiflexion and the direction of plantar flexion to the connection part, with a damping arrangement (17) influencing the rotational movement about the swivel joint (5), with a sensor arrangement for detecting action states of the orthopedic foot part, and with a control unit connected to the sensor arrangement which controls the damping arrangement (17). The object is achieved by the fact that the sensor arrangement has an ankle-angle sensor which measures the angle between the connection part and the foot part (10), an absolute-angle sensor (20) relating to the plumb line and a moments sensor (21) for determining the torque on the ankle joint (7) or a force effecting a torque on the ankle joint (7).
US08298291B2
Methods and apparatus for securing and deploying tissue anchors are described herein. A tissue manipulation assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal end of a tubular member. A reconfigurable launch tube is also pivotably coupled to the tissue manipulation assembly, which may be advanced through a shape-lockable endoscopic device, a conventional endoscope, or directly by itself into a patient. A second tool can be used in combination with the tissue manipulation assembly to engage tissue and manipulate the tissue in conjunction with the tissue manipulation assembly. A deployment assembly is provided for securing engaged tissue via one or more tissue anchors, the deployment assembly also being configured to disengage the anchors endoluminally or laparoscopically by applying thermal energy through at least one suture cutting element disposed along the deployment assembly.
US08298290B2
An implantable prosthesis for repairing or augmenting anatomical defects, including an inguinal hernia. The prosthesis includes a repair fabric having a body portion and a support member that may be arranged in or on the repair fabric to help deploy the repair fabric at the surgical site and/or help inhibit folding or buckling of the repair fabric. The support member may substantially surround the body portion to help deploy and/or hold the body portion in a spread out configuration for covering the defect. The support member may include first and second ends that are spaced apart to form an interruption so that a slit or keyhole arrangement may be formed in the repair fabric through the interruption and into an interior region of the body portion to receive a body structure, including a cord structure such as the spermatic cord. A portion of the support member may deviate inwardly toward the body portion to form an indentation that is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a body structure, such as the femoral vessels during an inguinal hernia repair procedure. The indentation may be offset to one side of the prosthesis. The support member and/or the repair fabric may be configured so as to inhibit protrusion of the ends of the support member through the fabric in the vicinity of the interruption. The support member may be formed of a monofilament comprised of a non-resorbable or resorbable material.
US08298289B2
Devices and treatments for various joint conditions include a resilient elongate orthopedic device inserted into a joint space using a suture. The suture is passed through the joint space and used to pull the orthopedic device into the joint space. The suture may be using a percutaneously inserted needle or other type of needle-based delivery instrument. The resilient elongate orthopedic device may be restrained to a reduced profile that permits minimally invasive implantation, but assume an enlarged profile when positioned at an implantation site.
US08298278B2
A stent assembly includes a branch portion and a main body with a proximal main body, a contralateral main body, and a distal main body. The branch portion is in fluid communication with the main body. In the expanded state the branch portion extends at an oblique angle in relation to the longitudinal axis. The main body and the branch portion are at least partially constructed of interconnected struts. A plurality of the struts are connected one to another by a peak. The distal main body has a greater peak width to strut width ratio than does the proximal main body and contralateral main body.
US08298273B2
An external fixator implant screw with an intercalated head, of which one embodiment for lag screw mode has a spherical head, and a partial thread. The spherical head in countersunk bone exerts concentric wide contact on insertion at various angles to surface. Optional canalization of central rod allows guide wire technique and optional mobility of head allows variable shaft length between head and thread. Another embodiment for use in basic implant mode, in a single bone fragment, at right angles to bone surface, has a conical head with limited basal contact on bone, the head being integrated to a solid rod and is fully threaded from head to leading tip. In both embodiments, the load transmission is renewable from outside in case of loosening, without reopening any wound. The implant is made of biocompatible material.
US08298272B2
The present application is directed to self-locking surgical fasteners. The fastener generally includes a shaft section, a head section, and one or more locking members. The locking members may be located within the head section. A first portion of the locking members may extend beyond an outer surface of the head section, and a second portion of the locking members may extend into a hollow interior of the head section. A tool used to insert the fastener into the patient engages a receiver portion of the fastener. As the insertion tool engages the receiver, the tool may contact and exert a force on the locking member such that the first portion of the locking member may be retracted within the head section. Upon disengaging the insertion tool from the receiver, the locking member may return to the position extending outward beyond the outer surface of the head section.
US08298264B2
A method for supporting a spine of a person includes forming a pathway in a spine by removing a plurality of portions of a plurality of vertebrae of the spine with the pathway being configured to receive a supporting structure. The supporting structure is inserted into the pathway and through the plurality of vertebrae.
US08298257B2
Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction.
US08298251B2
A system for anastomosing a first tubular structure to a second tubular structure having an opening formed therein comprises a support device having a plurality of arms forming spaces therebetween and a plurality of piercing members slidably coupled to the arms. The support device piercing members have a retracted state and an extended state to support the first tubular structure thereon for placement within an opening in the second tubular structure to facilitate anastomosing the tubular structures together. The arms can be configured to urge the first tubular structure against the portion of the second tubular structure surrounding the opening to form a seal therebetween. According to one embodiment, a plurality of discrete fasteners are provided to pass through the support device spaces and the first and second tubular structures. In another embodiment, fasteners are integrated into the support device and releasably coupled thereto for delivery to the anastomosis site.
US08298246B2
Tools and methods are provided for removing follicular units from a body surface while improving retention of the follicular units in the removal tool. The removal tool is configured to accommodate a retention member. The retention member may comprise pivotally movable elements which retain the follicular unit in the removal tool. The described tools and methods are especially useful for harvesting follicular units from a body surface in a hair transplantation process.
US08298243B2
A device for removing polyps is provided and includes a tubular member having proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the tubular member includes a first electrode extending thereacross. The first electrode defines at least one opening therein. The polyp removal device further includes a snare portion operably extending from within the distal end of the tubular member and through at least one opening defined in the first electrode. The tubular member is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy between the first electrode and the snare portion. The polyp removal device further includes a handle portion operatively extending from within the proximal end of the tubular member. The snare portion may include a second electrode. The snare portion and the first electrode are configured to grasp and seal a polyp therebetween. The first and second electrodes may be independently activated.
US08298237B2
A patient-specific alignment guide for an orthopedic implant. The alignment guide can include a body having first and second opposing surfaces, the second surface adapted for positioning over a skin surface, and at least one extension extending from the second surface body. The extension has a distal end defining a patient-specific end surface that is mateable in form-fitting manner with a subcutaneous portion of the patient's anatomy, and at least one guiding passage extending between the first surface of the body and the distal end of the extension.
US08298235B2
The present invention includes pin guides and methods for placing pins in adjacent vertebrae. The present invention also includes methods for placing pins in adjacent vertebrae using the pin guides described herein. The present invention also includes an intervertebral implant insertion and alignment instrument, a distraction instrument, an intervertebral implant insertion guide, and methods for inserting an implant into an intervertebral space. Despite existing tools and techniques, present positioning of implants in intervertebral spaces and pins in adjacent vertebrae often depend on a surgeon's skill, experience and technique. Practice of the present invention can aide in the placement of an implant into an intervertebral space and placement of pins in adjacent vertebrae, e.g., midline to the coronal plane spine and/or parallel to vertebral endplates that abut the intervertebral space.
US08298233B2
A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough, and supports an end effector having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly that includes a movable handle and a fixed handle. The fixed handle is adapted to couple to one or more selectively removable grips and the movable handle is configured to impart movement of one or more movable jaw members operably associated with the end effector.
US08298232B2
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly which moves the jaw member relative to one another for manipulating tissue and a knife assembly for cutting tissue disposed between jaw members. The forceps also includes a knife lockout mechanism operatively connected to the drive assembly. Movement of the drive assembly moves the knife lockout mechanism from a first orientation in obstructive relationship with the knife bar to prevent movement thereof to a second position which allows selective, unencumbered movement of the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.
US08298225B2
A detection circuit for return electrode monitoring is disclosed. The detection circuit includes a transformer operatively coupled to a pair of split electrode pads, wherein the transformer is configured to transceive a return electrode sense signal. The detection circuit also includes a first switch coupled to the transformer and a neutrally-referenced second switch, wherein the first switch and the second switch are disposed on a single die. The detection circuit further includes an operational amplifier coupled to the first switch and the neutrally-referenced second switch. The operational amplifier is configured to subtract a noise signal from the return electrode sense signal.
US08298224B2
Control systems and methods for delivery of energy that may include control algorithms that prevent energy delivery if a fault is detected and may provide energy delivery to produce a substantially constant temperature at a delivery site. In some embodiments, the control systems and methods may be used to control the delivery of energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to body tissue, such as lung tissue.
US08298223B2
A method and system are disclosed enabling configuration of a control system for an electrosurgical generator system for creating new surgical applications without changing the underlying software system. The programmable electrosurgical generator system has an RF output stage for outputting at least one RF operating waveform for performing an electrosurgical procedure. The programmable electrosurgical generator system includes an inner loop system to change at least one parameter of the at least one RF operating waveform; an outer loop system to provide at least one operating command to the inner loop system; and a configuration control system that modifies at least one of the inner and outer loop systems based on received data from a sensor module.
US08298211B2
A site marker deployment device includes a housing defining a first portion, an outer cannula at least partially interposed within the first portion and having a proximal end and a distal end defined by an outer cannula aperture, an inner member at least partially interposed within the outer cannula, a first biasing portion, a second biasing portion, wherein the second biasing portion will selectively urge the outer cannula to move proximally relative to the inner member, and a site marker selectively disposed within the outer cannula adjacent the inner member, near the distal end of the outer cannula. The first biasing portion will selectively urge a site marker at least partially within the outer cannula.
US08298204B2
A disposable pull-on type diaper has a separator interposed between an inner surface of an absorbent chassis and the wearer's skin so as to protect the diaper wearer's skin from being soiled with feces. The separator is formed by a piece of sheet extending from a bottom of a crotch region of the diaper toward a front waist region and a rear waist region and fixed to lateral edges of the crotch region. The piece of sheet has a front end and a rear end both extending in a transverse direction of the crotch region. These front end and rear end are free along middle segments thereof as viewed in the transverse direction of the crotch region from an inner surface of an absorbent chassis and inseparably integrated with each other.
US08298198B2
The present invention is directed to a delivery device and method for the sequential delivery of a topical pain relieving composition and an occluding composition. These two compositions are held in a single device that comprises at least two chambers for manual and or pressurized delivery of these compositions to the patient's skin.
US08298193B2
A passive needle safety device for protecting the needle of an injection syringe after medication has been delivered to a patient comprising a body that can hold a syringe, a telescoping guard fitting over the body, and a spring deployed between the guard and body such that the guard is urged in an extend configuration distally relative to the body, the improvement comprising, trigger fingers for holding the guard and body together in an un-extended configuration against the force of the spring, and a plunger rod with a plunger head which pushes against the trigger fingers, the head having an angled surface that provides a lateral component of force to the trigger fingers to displace them from the latched configuration to an unlatched configuration.
US08298192B2
An expandable medical balloon for use in combination with a catheter assembly, the balloon having a torque in a first and second unexpanded state, and to methods of making and using the same.
US08298186B2
Safety catheter introducer 135 (see FIG. 13) comprises catheter 131, needle 136, a safety means including needle protector 138 and actuated by trigger 149, as well as catheter cap 150. The latter is initially detachably retained on hexagonal shank 153 of protector 138 by moderate friction forces, and male luer member 145 is protected from contact with personnel by cap lateral wall 147. After the catheter emplacement, needle withdrawal and needle sharp point protection, operator turns protector 138 through 180 degrees and fixes cap 150 on catheter 131 by thread 152 using protector 138 as a cap holder. In doing so, male luer member 145 occludes the catheter entrance. Thereafter, operator easily detaches the protector from the cap. As a result, catheter 131 remains in patient's vein being closed with cap 150.
US08298185B2
A cannula assembly having a plurality of outwardly-biased flexible fins capable of inward movement such that the fins converge upon insertion of a trocar device. The fins include a slot formed therein, with a corresponding raised feature on the trocar shaft capable of engaging the slots. Inward movement of the trocar within the cannula lumen causes the fins to converge. An additional embodiment utilizes outwardly-biased flexible fins that lock together in a closed position, with corrugated features in the fin inner surface that contact the trocar shaft such that, upon insertion of the trocar, the fins unlock and splay outward.
US08298182B2
The invention concerns a device for washing nasal cavities by a nebulized liquid, that comprises a main body (12), a tank for liquids (14) including at least a nebulization chamber (23), and means of collection and nebulization of the treatment liquid from said nebulization chamber and delivery of the nebulized liquid towards the nasal cavities with the help of a flow of air under pressure generated by a compressor group. The main body (12) has a cavity and the compressor group (18), a piloting electronic circuit (20) and an electric battery system (31) are all on board of a single support housed and retained in the cavity of said main body.
US08298177B2
The present invention is directed to a method of securing a puller member in a control handle for a deflectable catheter. The method comprises preforming an end of the puller member, placing the preformed end in an insert mold, filling the insert mold with thermoplastic material to form a molded member, and positioning the molded member encasing the end of the puller member in a control handle.The method may also include shaping the thermoplastic material into a screw configuration and fastening the molded member to a wall in the control handle. The method may further include joining the end of the puller member with an end of a second puller member, and placing joined ends of the puller members in the insert mold.
US08298172B2
A medical device is provided comprising a transcutaneous device unit and a process unit. The transcutaneous device unit may comprise a transcutaneous device for transporting a fluid through a skin portion of a subject, and a mounting surface adapted for application to the skin of the subject. The process unit may comprise a reservoir adapted to contain a fluid drug, the reservoir comprising an outlet means allowing the transcutaneous device to be arranged in fluid communication with an interior of the reservoir, and an expelling assembly for expelling a fluid drug out of the reservoir and through the skin of the subject via the transcutaneous device. The transcutaneous device unit and the process unit further comprise coupling means allowing the reservoir unit to be secured to the transcutaneous device unit in the situation of use. By this arrangement a two-unit system is provided which can be used in a convenient and cost-effective manner.
US08298162B2
The present invention is a device for the destruction of adipose tissue comprising two or more ultrasound generators positioned on opposing sides of the treatment area each generating a non-focused wave that converge forming a interferential clash zone with the treatment area therein. Ultrasound generators are contained within a handpiece housing. Furthermore the present invention provides an optional housing having a source of vacuum for encompassing a treatment area whereby the treatment area is drawn bell-shaped into the housing whereupon a pair of shock wave generators are energized to produce cavitational areas within the treatment area and a third interferential energized area between the cavitational areas.
US08298160B2
Apparatus for use in deploying medical devices. The apparatus includes a wire having a diameter such that the wire can appropriately be used with either a corresponding over-the-wire configured catheter or a rapid-exchange configured catheter. The wire has a location at which it can be easily fractured, when desired, in order to convert the length of the wire from a length for use in an over-the-wire configuration to a rapid-exchange configuration.
US08298154B2
Several techniques are disclosed for isolating either heart or breath rate data from a photoplethysmograph, which is a time domain signal such as from a pulse oximeter. The techniques involve the use of filtering in the frequency domain, after a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) has been conducted on a given photoplethysmograph also references as a given set of discrete time-domain data. The filtering may be applied to an identified fundamental frequency and one or more harmonics for heart related parameters. The filter may be truncated to the frequency data set and further applied multiple times to improve roll off. After filtering, an Inverse FFT (IFFT) is used to reconstruct the time-domain signal, except with undesirable frequency content eliminated or reduced. Calculation or measurement of parameters is then conducted on this reconstructed time-domain signal.
US08298149B2
A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes an imaging core configured and arranged for inserting into a distal end of a lumen of a catheter. The imaging core includes at least one transducer mounted to a driveshaft and configured and arranged for transforming applied electrical signals to acoustic signals and also for transforming received echo signals to electrical signals. A motor is coupled to the driveshaft between the one or more transducers and the transformer. The motor includes a rotatable magnet and at least two magnetic field windings disposed around at least a portion of the magnet.
US08298146B2
A portable mechanical high-precision device for performing circular or helical scanning of a patient's organ or body surface for tissue diagnosis and/or treatment includes a substantially hollow housing for accommodating the organ therein and a securing unit for securing the housing to the organ or body surface during scanning so that the organ or body surface is substantially fixed relative to the housing. At least one drive unit is attached to the housing and to at least one scan head for allowing unlimited rotation of the scan head relative to the housing.
US08298142B2
Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.
US08298139B2
A minimal incision maximal access system allows for maximum desirable work space exposure within the incision along with maximum access to the operative field utilizing a minimum incision as small as the width of the working tube. Instead of multiple insertions of dilating tubes the design is a streamlined single entry device to avoid repetitive skin surface entry. The system offers the capability to expand to optimum exposure size for the surgery utilizing retractors depending from a bi-hinged frame having internal or external controls to control the angle and separation of the retractors. Interchangeable retractor blades can be attached to the frame. Both retractor blades are independently controlled as to displacement and angle.
US08298132B2
Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient with benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device that is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration and attenuating a pressure change within the bladder by reversibly changing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure change. In one embodiment, the attenuation device is advanced percutaneously into the bladder. In another embodiment, the attenuation device is positioned within the bladder to inhibit a decrease in compliance of the bladder wall as a consequence of the benign hypertrophy of the prostate.
US08298131B2
A system (10) for relaxation, the system (10) comprising: electrodes (15) worn by a user to measure the electrocardiogram (ECG) of the user; a processor (18) to process the ECG to remove noise and analyse the ECG signal in the time and frequency domains, and compute an index of stress (33) from the processed ECG; and a multimedia device (14) to provide real-time biofeedback by communicating the index of stress (33) to the user together with a relaxation video (31) to cause the user to relax.
US08298127B2
A folding method includes feeding a sheet to be folded to a folding unit, folding the sheet repeatedly by the folding unit, thereby creating a folded package, and discharging at least a part of the folded package from the folding unit. While at least a part of the folded package is discharged from the folding unit in the step of discharging, a part of the sheet is held back. The method includes unfolding at least one fold of the folded package. A folding apparatus is provided for carrying out the method.
US08298126B2
The invention relates to a supporting device for the back and head of a human being. Said device comprises a partial area of a back supporting section at the level of the shoulder blade, a central supporting surface in the region of a vertebral column and open areas which are arranged on the both sides of the central supporting surface in such a way that the shoulder blade regions can be lowered beyond the central supporting area. The invention can be used for furniture for the household or workplace.
US08298123B2
An exercise system includes a local system having an exercise apparatus and an associated local computer, where the local computer controls and monitors the operation and use, respectively, of the exercise apparatus. The system further includes a remote system having a remote computer, and a transmission medium including a telephone line that couples the local system to the remote system for data communication between the local system and the remote system. The remote system may receive local system data from the local system concerning the use of the exercise apparatus, and the local system may receive remote system data from the remote system concerning the operation of the exercise apparatus. The local computer preferably controls the operation of the exercise apparatus based upon a modifiable script stored in a read/write memory of the local computer, which can be updated by the remote system. A method for controlling an exercise apparatus includes running a modifiable script on a local computer to control the use and to monitor the operation of an exercise apparatus, and communicating with a remote system to provide the remote system with data concerning the use of the exercise apparatus. The script is stored in read/write memory of the local computer and remote system data received from the remote system may include at least a portion of a new script to be stored in the read/write memory of the local computer.
US08298115B2
A transmission assembly included in a power generation system of a wind turbine, the wind turbine having one or more wind driven rotor blades. The transmission assembly includes a transmission including an input carrier and a gear-train rotatably coupling the input carrier to a transmission output, the input carrier configured to transfer a rotational input from the rotor blades to the gear-train and a removable input bearing cartridge coupled to a periphery of the input carrier, exterior to the gear-train, the removable bearing cartridge in axial alignment with the input carrier.
US08298112B2
A device transmits input member rotation in one direction to output member rotation in one or the opposite direction, and includes input and output gears and a switch mechanism. The switch mechanism includes planetary gear, control, and clutch mechanisms. The planetary gear mechanism includes a sun gear integral with a rotation shaft, an internal gear integral with the output gear, planetary gears between the sun gear and the internal gear, and a carrier. The control mechanism includes a control gear selectively locked and unlocked by an actuator. With the actuator off, the roller clutch is locked, the planetary gears only revolve, and the input and output rotation directions are the same. With the actuator on, the roller clutch is unlocked, the planetary gears only rotate, and input rotation in the forward rotation direction is converted to output in the reverse direction.
US08298110B2
In a gear train (10, 30) for an actuator, in particular of a vehicle seat (2), the gear train comprises a drive (11) that can be rotated about a rotational axis (A), at least one eccentric cam (12, 13) that is driven by the drive (11), a pinion (14, 15) that is driven by the eccentric cam (12, 13), a gear ring (16), which meshes with the pinion (14, 15) and in relation to which the pinion (14, 15) executes a rolling motion that defines a point of rolling contact (W), and a take-off drive (18) that taps the relative rolling motion. At least some sections of the material of the pinion (14, 15) and/or the ring gear (16) in the vicinity of the point of rolling contact (W) are elastically deformable, in order to produce surface contact at the point of rolling contact (W).
US08298098B2
The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next.
US08298096B2
Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a sole portion, wherein the sole portion includes a slot or rail defined therein; and (c) a weight member at least partially located within the slot or rail. The weight member may be mounted at plural positions along the slot or rail (optionally at least partially within a weight cartridge member provided with the club head body). The weight member also may be movably engaged with the weight cartridge member, slot, rail, and/or other portion of the club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making and using such golf clubs and golf club heads also are described.
US08298095B2
The present invention is directed to a number of customized sets of iron-type golf clubs selected from a relatively small number of clubs. The multiple custom-fitted iron sets can be achieved by pivoting these sets off a common 6-iron. In a preferred embodiment, a portfolio of clubs contains seventeen forged iron-type golf clubs, wherein the clubs are a blended collection of oversized cavity back-type clubs, mid-sized clubs, and standard-sized muscle back-type clubs, which can be configured to create at least four custom-fitted iron sets pivoted off a common 6-ion.
US08298088B2
A method and system for operating an online 8-direction battle game using a personal computer (PC) are provided. The system operates the 8-direction battle game through interfacing with a game providing module to provide the 8-direction battle game in an online mode with a PC. The system includes an auto-targeting unit to automatically target an object to perform a battle against a character designated by a user of the PC in the 8-direction battle game, the object being within a predetermined range from a position of the character, and a game controller to automatically control a direction in which the character faces the object based on a distance between the object and the character.
US08298087B1
A recommendation service is provided for recommending computer video game titles to players. The recommendation service offers suggestions for game titles to purchase or rent based on playing usage related parameters for each particular player. A profile is created based on several factors that represents the player's affinity to each factor. Communication and use of player usage data may be strictly conditioned on a player's knowledge and consent.
US08298081B1
In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein utilizes a single display device to display at least one event indicator which conveys information that is otherwise displayed over a plurality of display devices. In one embodiment, the gaming system employs a multiple layered display device, wherein at least one layer of the display device displays the play of the primary game and at least one layer of the display device displays one or more event indicators. Such event indicators indicate information regarding the play of a secondary game displayed on a secondary display device. Such a configuration alleviates the player from having to frequently look up at the secondary display to determine information regarding the play of the secondary game and then look back down to the primary display to view the play of the primary game.
US08298063B2
Some systems, processes, apparatus and articles of manufacture provide for selling lottery entries. In one example, a request is received to purchase a multiplier and a set of play indicia for a lottery game.
US08298056B2
An air return bulkhead for use within refrigerated cargo trailers comprises a pair of substantially coplanar panel members disposed within a vertically oriented plane. A first lower main panel member is fixedly connected to the front wall member of the cargo trailer, and the second upper secondary panel member, in addition to also being connected to the front wall member of the cargo trailer, is also removably connected to the first lower main panel member so as to provide repair or maintenance personnel with easy access to the lower region of the refrigeration unit when, for example, repair or maintenance procedures need to be performed upon the refrigeration unit.
US08298054B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a customizable bio-manufacturing system which includes a manufacturing space having a first air handling system for providing supply air and a second air handling system for handling exhaust air, the supply air system being optionally provided with at least one of filtration, heating, cooling and or humidity control and a plurality of portable modules provided within the manufacturing space. At least one module having an interior capable of being interconnected with another module interior and each module's interior includes one or more components to perform at least one specific task of a biological, chemical, and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing process. At least one module includes an on-board environmental control system for controlling an environment within the module and a connection means for interconnecting the module interior with another module interior. The system also includes a central controller operating to at least perform one or more of operation and information collection for the operation of at least one of the system and one or more modules.
US08298045B2
A technology for remedying a defect in a glass substrate which constitutes a display panel. There is provided a method of remedying a defect in a glass substrate which constitutes a display panel, which method includes performing grinding of glass material, until reaching internal bubble (1b) from surface (1s) of glass substrate (1), with respect to a region where the internal bubble (1b) occurring within the glass substrate (1) is positioned and further also grinding off a glass material position surrounding the internal bubble (1b).
US08298041B2
In a system or method for controlling wafer back-grinding, a chuck table has a surface for supporting a semiconductor wafer during a back-grinding process, one or more holes in the surface, and one or more sensors disposed in the one or more holes for monitoring a parameter during back-grinding. A computer-implemented process control tool is coupled to receive one or mote outputs from the one or more sensors and control the back-grinding process based on the received one or more outputs.
US08298040B2
A process and an apparatus for optimising tyres after vulcanization, in order to improve the dynamic behavior of the tyre itself. The process includes first of all the stages of measuring the curve of the radial force of the tyre, calculating the first harmonic of this radial force and identifying on the tyre a point corresponding to the maximum of the first harmonic. Subsequently, material is removed from the tread over an arc subtending a principal angle positioned either side of the maximum point of the first harmonic. The removal stage is performed by removing discrete circumferential portions of the arc with differentiated depths of removal, increasing from opposite ends of this arc toward the maximum point of the first harmonic.
US08298037B2
A toy eye includes a casing having a transparent top portion, a lens defining a through hole, and a pupil received in through hole of the lens. The lens and the pupil are both made of soft resilient material, and clung to the transparent top portion of the casing. The toy eye also includes a push-pull element for pushing the pupil towards the transparent top portion of the casing or pulling the pupil reversely. The toy eye further includes a light processing element for sensing the change of the outside light intensity and generating a driving signal when the value of the change of the light intensity reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, and a driving element for driving the push-pull element to push or pull the pupil, upon receiving the driving signal from the light processing element.
US08298031B2
The present invention provides an excellent organic EL device with a glass substrate and a sealing glass sheet which are thinned for weight reduction while avoiding lowering the durability and impact resistance of the device. The organic luminescence device is characterized in that sealing is performed at the space between a face of the sealing glass sheet along the outer edge and a face of the device substrate with a low melting point metal.
US08298024B2
A propulsion system 10 for a watercraft, comprises a surface-piercing propeller 12, a propeller drive 14, a shroud unit 16 which surrounds the propeller and a mounting arrangement 18 for mounting the propeller and the shroud unit to a watercraft. The shroud unit comprises an inner shroud 31 and an outer shroud 33 which define leading and trailing ends of the shroud unit and which define an air gap between them in the form of a rearwardly-opening annular recess 34. In use, due to sub-atmospheric pressure conditions created behind the trailing edge of the shroud unit as the watercraft travels through water, air is aspirated into the recess below the waterline, forming a curved sheet of air in the water aft of the shroud unit which decouples water flowing within the shroud from water flow externally thereof, thereby decreasing drag induced by the shroud.
US08298010B2
A connector includes a conductive member having a mating portion that is matable with a mating connector in a first direction. The mating portion includes a first part having a first end and a second part having a second end opposed to the first end in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction so as to form an annular portion. The first end and the second end form an opposed-end portion in which one of the first end and the second end is brought into contact with another of the first end and the second end to receive a force applied to the mating portion in a diagonal direction oblique to the first direction.
US08298003B2
A multi-functional adaptation winder is provided, which includes a wiring part, a transmission connector, a tapping part, at least one adapter and a connecting kit. The transmission connector is connected with an outlet wire at one end of the wiring part. The tapping part is provided with at least one connector which is connected with an outlet wire at the other end of the wiring part. The adapter is plugged into the connector of the tapping part and is provided with at least one attaching hole at an external portion thereof. The connecting kit is provided with at least one attaching segment and a spigot. The spigot is connected with the tapping part, and the attaching segment is matched with the attaching hole.
US08297990B2
A leakage protection outlet includes an upper cover with jacks, an intermediate bracket, a base, a power input end, a power output end, pairs of conductive plug bushes, baffles, a baffle locking mechanism, a reset button including a reset button extension arm, a reset mechanism, and an electromagnetic tripping mechanism. The baffle locking mechanism includes a lock latch, a lock latch keeper, and a reset spring. The reset button is linked to the reset mechanism and is configured to connect the power input and output ends together when pressed. The electromagnetic tripping mechanism is configured to disconnect the power input end from the power output end in response to a leakage current. The pairs of conductive plug bushes correspond to the jacks. The baffles are positioned between the pairs of conductive plug bushes and the jacks. The lock latch rests upon the baffles and the reset button extension arm.
US08297980B2
A calf roping training apparatus incorporating a simulated calf, a support column and a towing structure. The support column has a spin joint and an invert joint. The calf body of the simulated calf is formed by one or more pieces of simulated skin and a simulated head fixed in anatomical form by a body frame. The support column is anchored to the towing structure. The towing structure has a tow member, a pair of long skids, a short skid, and a towing attachment device. The support column base is attached to the short skid which provides for transfer of the weight of the simulated calf to the ground. The support column top is attached to or integrated with the body frame.
US08297973B2
An intraoral device includes a one-piece, flexible, injection molded body made of a single homogeneous material. The body includes upper front and rear flaps, and lower front and rear flaps. Upper edges of the front flaps and lower edges of the lower flaps are sealed by respective upper and lower parts of a patient's mouth to form upper and lower evacuation channels when the body is disposed within the patient's mouth. Evacuation holes in the flaps are in communication with the evacuation channels. A connection section is in communication with the evacuation channels and is configured to extend outside of the patient's mouth to connect with a vacuum source for evacuating fluid from the patient's mouth through the evacuation holes and the evacuation channels.
US08297971B2
A dental tartar detection system (10), especially for detection of subgingival tartar (S), comprises a probe (12) adapted to be displaced along a tooth (T) an illumination system (14) for illuminating with an incident light a region on the tooth (T), a detection system (16) for collecting the light reflected thereat, and an analysis system (34) for providing a signal to an operator of the probe (12) when measurements on the reflected light in one or more predetermined range of wavelengths fall within any predetermined range of values that are characteristic of tartar (S). Typically, the detection of tartar (S) is achieved on the basis of the possible colors that tartar (S) can have such that the aforementioned one or more predetermined range of values cover wavelengths associated with colors of tartar (S).
US08297964B2
Extrusion dies may be cleaned, especially of so-called die drips, by passing a wire over the die orifices in the vicinity of the exit face of the extrusion die. The operation of the extrusion operation is not affected by the passing of the wire through the stream(s) of the extrudate, and so the extrusion operation need not be shut down for the cleaning process. The process is especially useful for cleaning dies through which polymers are extruded.
US08297961B2
A cutter assembly for an extruder includes an elongated extrusion member having an open feed end. The open feed end is attachable in fluid communication with the extruder for supplying a mash to said elongated extrusion member. An extrusion die is supported on a front of the elongated extrusion member. The extrusion die includes an extrusion outlet formed therein. A filling tube is mounted on a rear of the elongated extrusion member and is attachable in fluid communication with the extruder for supplying a filling to the filling tube. A cutter member has a drivable end and a cutter blade with a cutting surface for cutting extrudate to a desired length as the extrudate exits the extrusion die. The cutter member is operably connectable at the drivable end to a drive device of the extruder for reciprocatably sliding the cutting surface of the cutter blade over and away from the outlet of the extrusion die.
US08297952B2
A water inlet unit for an amphibious pump includes a housing having a connecting hole, a first water inlet pipe having a first end connected to the connecting hole and a second end provided with a first water inlet port, a second water inlet pipe having a first end connected to the connecting hole and a second end provided with a second water inlet port, a guide member mounted on the housing and connected to the connecting hole, and a tap detachably locked in the first water inlet port or the second water inlet port. Thus, the water inlet unit has a first water inlet port and a second water inlet port so that the water inlet unit and the amphibious pump are disposed at an upright or transverse state according to the practical space requirement.
US08297943B2
A rotary positive displacement pump employs the higher pressure available at a region within the rotor chamber after the outlet port to augment the force of a biasing spring in a control system. A biasing spring with a lower spring force can thus be employed in the control system, resulting in a pump pressure output characteristic which can more closely match the operating speed varying working fluid requirements for devices supplied by the pump.
US08297938B2
The present invention relates to a system and method of controlling a linear compressor (10), which is capable of fine-tuning the compressor when necessary, throughout the operating period of the compressor, so that said compressor operates at maximum capacity, wherein the piston (1) achieves a maximum displacement amplitude, closely approaching the cylinder head (2) without colliding with it. The system and the method according to the invention are also intended to control the operation of the linear compressor throughout its operating period, also seeking to maximize its performance and to reduce or optimize its power consumption. According to the present invention, the fine-tuning and control of the operation of the linear compressor are carried out by means of the combination of a technique for controlling a compressor without a sensor, and a technique for controlling the compressor with the aid of a sensor.
US08297936B2
A method for controlling movement of a piston in a metering device is described. The method comprises supplying a fluid by actuating the metering device's piston, wherein compression or expansion of the fluid causes corresponding temperature variations. The method further comprises superposing a corrective movement onto the piston movement, with the corrective movement at least partly compensating for at least one of thermal expansion and contraction of the fluid induced by the temperature variations. In one embodiment, the corrective movement imposed onto the piston movement comprises two components: a reduction (74) of the compression jump (73), and a subsequent increase (75) of the piston's forward displacement rate (71) during a period (76) of time (72).
US08297925B2
A turbine blade comprising a pressure wall and a suction wall joined together at leading and trailing edges and having a root portion and a blade tip region, the walls further define a hollow chamber and through which cooling air is directed in use from the root portion to the blade tip region only, characterized in that at least one of the walls defines at least one cooling rib that extends outwardly from the wall into the chamber and at least a portion of the rib tapers between the root portion and a blade tip region.
US08297923B2
A device for utilizing the kinetic energy of flowing water with several pressure surfaces rotating around a common rotor axis. The pressure surfaces can be pivoted around axes arranged parallel to and spaced from the rotor axis, in particular for the production of energy from tidal currents of the sea. The pressure surfaces are attached to the pivot axes in a pendulum-like manner and stop elements for the pressure surfaces are arranged in the radial planes between the pivot axes and the rotor axis. The pivot axes of the pressure surfaces are attached by their ends to support disks radially directed towards the rotor axis. The support disks are located at the ends of the rotor axis. The support disks are embodied in at least a double-walled manner. Alternatively or additionally each pressure surface is embodied at least in a double-walled manner.
US08297918B2
Disclosed herein is a turbine variable position guide vane actuation system. The system includes, a plurality of variable position guide vanes, a plurality of actuators with each actuator in operable communication with one of the plurality of variable position guide vanes, and each of the plurality of actuators having a pin. The system further having at least one structure, movable parallel to an axis of the turbine, having a plurality of slots and each of the plurality of slots is in operable communication with one of the pins.
US08297917B1
A geared architecture with a flex mount for a Fan Drive Gear System defined by a transverse stiffness relationship.
US08297912B2
A fan casing for a gas turbine engine has a fan track radially outward of the fan blades, and the fan track has sufficient strength and stiffness that, if a blade is released, it is broken up and deflected by the fan track rather than passing through to a containment system as in known arrangements. Optionally, a weakened region in the fan track may be provided, so that the leading edge portion of the blade will penetrate the fan track and be contained within the fan casing. This is particularly suitable for fan blades in which the stiffness and compressive strength are significantly higher in the leading edge region than in the remainder of the blade; for example, hollow metal fan blades or composite fan blades having a metal leading edge cap.
US08297897B2
Disclosed is blind rivet including a hollow sleeve, a crimping ring, and a mandrel, received by the hollow sleeve and by the crimping ring. The mandrel includes a head configured to bear against the sleeve, and a shank configured to receive a traction load from a tool. There is a breaking groove which breaks off when the traction load reaches a certain value. The breaking groove including a breaking groove bottom, a first breaking-groove-side extending from the breaking groove bottom toward the shank, a second breaking-groove-side extending from the breaking groove bottom towards the head. A first breaking-groove-side and a central axis of the mandrel define a first angle, and a second breaking-groove-side and the central axis define an angle greater than the first angle. An embrittlement groove is contiguous with the first breaking-groove-side.
US08297896B2
A motor vehicle is provided having at least one holding device, a holding device having a holding apparatus, and a holding apparatus for a guide device having two guides spaced apart from one another, in which the holding apparatus can be situated so it is movable, having one holding unit and one guide element per guide, which are coupled to the holding unit and using the holding unit can be coupled to the guides so it is movable, in order to move the holding unit along the guides, angle compensator or angle compensation means is provided that allows movement of one of the guide elements at least along the guide upon the adjustment of at least one of the other guide elements in relation to the guide.
US08297894B1
An ATV locking device includes a base frame, at least one wheel abutment plate pivotally carried by the base frame, at least one wheel engaging member pivotally carried by the base frame and at least one locking arm pivotally engaging the at least one wheel abutment plate and the at least one wheel engaging member.
US08297886B2
A bolting apparatus and method for inserting a rod into a surface, the bolting apparatus including a base having a foot end and a head end, at least one stabilizing rod extendable from the base head end and having a stabilizing rod end adapted to contact a surface to be drilled, and a mechanism attached to the base between the base foot end and the stabilizing rod end and adapted to grip the rod.
US08297885B2
The present invention provides a method of creating a building structure to be installed on a basin floor wherein the base for erecting the structure would be an element of such a block and this block would be placed on the basin floor in such a way, and would be fixed in position relative to it in such a manner, that this base could be used as a foundation for stationary, large-sized heavy structures and also to ensure the possibility of using the block elements as members of the structure being erected and thus to increase the economic efficiency of the method.
US08297871B2
A plug-in connection (1) is provided for hollow profiled elements (2) of spacer holding frames for insulating glass panes. The plug-in connector (1) has at least one connector part (3, 4) including an essentially U-shaped or box-type cross-section, having lateral walls (15, 16), at least one central wall (14), and, on the connection point (8), a central abutment (18) with a plurality of elastic abutment elements (19, 20), on the edge region of the lateral walls (15, 16). The central abutment includes two mutually oriented individual abutment elements (19, 20) which are arranged on both sides of the connection point (8), each on a lateral wall (15, 16), and have a cushioning effect essentially in the plane of the associated lateral wall (15, 16) thereof. The lateral wall (15, 16) have a recess (26) beneath the abutment element (19, 20).
US08297870B2
An adjustable-length pole (10) for sticks, having an outer tube (12) and an inner tube (11) that can be inserted telescope-like into the outer tube (12) for adjusting the length of the tube, and having a spreading device (15) that is supported at the insertion end of the inner tube (11), the spreading device being able to clamp the inner tube (11) axially in the outer tube (12) and having a spreading element (16) that can be radially pressed apart and that is furnished with an inner cone (27), an interior element (17) that is provided with a reverse-oriented outer cone (22) and that is accommodated in the spreading element (16) so as to be axially movable, and an adjusting screw (18) that is axially oriented and is supported in a rotationally fixed manner on the inner tube (11), the adjusting screw having an operational connection to an internally threaded bore (21) in the interior element (17). So that an adjustable-length tube of this type responds to impact-like axial stresses by continuing to clamp rather than sliding or giving way, provision is made that the inner cone (27) of the spreading element (16) is situated such that it opens in the direction of the inner tube (11), and the spreading element (16) is supported between an inner limit stop (28) on the inner tube (11) and an exterior limit stop (26) on the free end of the adjusting screw (18) so as to be axially movable within narrow limits.
US08297868B2
An electronic pen comprises a retractable cartridge having a nib, a force-actuable device that is actuated by a nib force transmitted axially through the cartridge from the nib, a retraction for retracting the cartridge, a button for actuating the retraction mechanism, and a decoupling mechanism for biasing the button away from coupled engagement with the retraction mechanism and thereby the force-actuable device.
US08297854B2
Fiber optic assemblies including at least one multimode optical fiber that have improved performance are disclosed. In one embodiment, at least one connector is mounted upon and end of at least one multimode optical fiber and the assembly has an insertion loss of about 0.04 dB or less at a reference wavelength of 850 nanometers. Another embodiment is directed to a fiber optic assembly having a plurality of multimode optical fibers attached to a multifiber ferrule. The multifiber ferrule has a pair of guide pin bores having a nominal diameter, wherein the guide pin bores have a tolerance of ±0.0005 millimeters from a nominal diameter for improving performance.
US08297850B2
An optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises (a) a ferrule incorporating a short fiber; (b) a mechanical splice having a holding part and a fixing part, and adapted so that the fixing part mechanically fixes the short fiber extending from the ferrule held by the holding part, and an optical fiber in an optical cable to butt the short fiber; (c) an outer housing having a housing part in which the mechanical splice is located, and a pair of flexible arms located on both sides of the housing part, the pair of arms each being provided with a locking claw at a tip; and (d) a jacket fixture for fixing a cable jacket, the jacket fixture being coupled to the mechanical splice so that the cable jacket is inserted therein.
US08297846B2
In a bearing arrangement for a pivot bearing (7, 7″) of a roll, on which the conveyor belt (8) revolves, bearing receiving regions (11, 12) of lateral bearing carriers (6) are configured such that they enclose the pivot bearings (7, 7″) only partially and do not jut into the orbit of the conveyor belt (8), wherein the pivot bearings (7, 7″) are held in the bearing receiving regions (11, 12) thereof by the revolving conveyor belt (8).
US08297845B2
Disclosed is a sliding bearing for an internal combustion engine which is used as a cylindrical bearing by combining a pair of semi-cylindrical bearings. An axial groove A exists between the circumferential end surface and an opposite circumferential end surface. A circumferential oil groove and the axial groove A communicate with each other, depths of the circumferential oil groove in the communication portion and the axial groove A in the circumferential end surfaces differ from each other, and a groove bottom of the circumferential oil groove is located at a position displaced to a side of the inner circumferential bearing surface from the groove bottom of the axial groove A. A cross-sectional area of the circumferential oil groove in the communication portion is larger than a cross-sectional area of the axial groove A.
US08297836B2
Apparatus for measuring the temperature of a nozzle having fluid material injected from an injection molding machine through a flow channel in a heated manifold that is coupled to a nozzle that is coupled to the cavity of a mold, the apparatus comprising: a heating device comprising a controllably heatable thermally conductive heating element; the heating element of the heating device being mounted on or around the outer surface of the tube of the nozzle at an end point; a temperature monitor comprising a temperature sensor mounted on or around the nozzle at a selected position along the axis of the bore of the nozzle; and, a thermal insulator disposed along the axis of the nozzle separating the end point of the heating element and the temperature sensor.
US08297830B2
A slurry feed system suitable for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) processes in a semiconductor fabrication facility and related method. The slurry feed system includes a valve manifold box having a discharge piping header fluidly connected to at least one CMP station and a first slurry supply train. The first slurry supply train may include a slurry mixing tank, day tank, and at least two slurry feed pumps arranged in series pumping relationship. The first slurry supply train defines a first slurry piping loop. In one embodiment, a second slurry supply train defining a second slurry piping loop is provided. The valve manifold box is operable to supply slurry from either or both of the first and second slurry piping loops to the CMP station.
US08297825B2
A surface light source device from which large planar light with a uniform light intensity distribution can be obtained from spot-like laser light. The surface light source device (100) comprises a laser light source (110) for emitting the laser light, an optical system including one or more reflective diffusion members (120), and an optical waveguide (130) combined with the optical system for converting the reflected and diffused laser light into the planar light and emitting from a principal plane. The reflective diffusion member (120) converts the laser light emitted from the laser light source (110) into linear light having an arcuate radiation pattern.
US08297824B2
To solve an uneven light quantity caused in a case where a light guide plate, in which light from a spot light source such as an LED enters an surface, changes by 90 degrees and exits the light to the outside, is used as a backlight. The light guide plate of the invention includes a light flux unifying region. The light flux unifying region has an incident surface, a first surface, and an exit surface. Light fluxes emitted from a light source enter the incident surface. The first surface is almost perpendicular to the incident surface and the intensity distribution of the light fluxes having entered is unified at the first surface. The exit surface is disposed almost parallel with the incident surface and the unified light fluxes exit from the exit surface. A boundary line between the incident surface and the first surface has a zigzag surface.
US08297821B2
Disclosed herein are a light source module and an electronic device using the same. The light source module is disposed in a housing component of the electronic device and includes a light source and a light guide element having a light-entering surface, a light-departing curved surface and a light-reflecting curved surface. The light-entering surface receives the light from the light source. The normal line directions of the light-departing curved surface are approximately perpendicular to the normal line direction of the light-entering surface. The light is reflected by the light-reflecting curved surface and then leaves the light guide element in the normal line directions of the light-departing curved surface.
US08297811B2
An aircraft lamp includes a housing capable of being attached to a body of an aircraft; a discharge lamp; a reflector which reflects visible light from the discharge lamp; a light transmissive cover which transmits reflected light from the reflector to a front side of the housing; a lamp socket connected electrically to the discharge lamp and an igniter which activates the discharge lamp; and a high-voltage electrical power line that electrically connects the lamp socket with the igniter. The discharge lamp, the reflector, the light transmissive cover, the lamp socket, and the igniter are provided within the housing. A heat insulating air layer is provided between the lamp socket and the igniter. The high-voltage electrical power line is provided so as to pass through the heat insulating air layer.
US08297810B2
A headlamp in an automobile, which is rotatable about a yaw axis when negotiating a bend, has a controller for controlling the rotary movement. In order to improve the illumination of a roadway lying in front of an automobile, the controller may take into account unstable driving situations.
US08297809B2
An apparatus and associated method for operating a portable light assembly. In accordance with some embodiments, a frame providing a bridge and defining a transport region and a deployment region is slidingly connected to a mast. An arm is further connected to the mast by a hinge while a light fixture is connected to the arm. In various embodiments, the light fixture is capable of transitioning from a deployed position where the mast engages the deployment region and a transport position where the mast and light fixture are disposed within the transport region.
US08297805B2
A lighting and/or signaling device comprising at least one optical module equipped with a cooling unit, comprising at least one heat conductor, one end of which is placed spaced from the cooling unit, and is provided with a plurality of deflectors which channel a flow of cold air towards a heat-exchange surface of the cooling unit.
US08297804B2
A recessed light fixture is provided with vertically extending mounting tracks integrally formed in opposed sidewalls of a light fixture housing. The mounting tracks have a continuous front face. The recessed light fixture also has a lamp support bar that extends between the mounting tracks and has at least one spring clip proximal each end thereof. Each at least one spring clip frictionally engages the front face of a corresponding of the mounting tracks, thereby allowing the lamp support bar to be temporarily affixed at a desired vertical orientation along the mounting tracks.
US08297796B2
A lighting device is disclosed which provides for an adjustable beam. The adjustable beam involves the use of a hologram diffuser with areas that have different diffusing properties. The different diffusing areas are selectively positionable in a light beam created by the lighting device to provide for an adjustable beam by providing different diffusions of the light.
US08297793B2
Disclosed is a light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting device comprises a substrate comprising a cavity, a multi-color light emitting unit on a first region of the cavity, and a white light emitting unit on a second region of the cavity.
US08297787B2
Disclosed is an LED light bulb having safe and efficient heat dissipation, while also providing maximum light distribution by providing multiple printed circuit boards arranged in a pyramidal structure, having multiple LEDs. The multiple printed circuit boards are connected by conductor wires contained within a transparent housing, so that the multiple printed circuit boards sit on a base of the LED light bulb. A bottom printed circuit board may also be employed if additional circuitry is desired.
US08297783B2
In a light emitting device and system providing white light with various color temperatures are provided, a light emitting device includes a light emitting element (LED) that is operated by a driving bias and emits first light, and a phosphor layer including a phosphor that partially wavelength-converts first light and emits second light, thereby emitting white light using the first light and the second light, wherein the phosphor has a maximum conversion efficiency at a first level of the driving bias, and the LED has a maximum conversion efficiency at a second level of the driving bias, the first level being different from the first level.
US08297774B2
The present invention relates to a booklight which is free-standing or attaches to a book cover, a bed frame or other supporting object to facilitate the reading of a book. Attached to each arm is at least one light-radiating source which may be housed within a shade. The light-radiating source may be an incandescent, fluorescent or LED bulb, or the like, as is known in the art. The angle and direction of each light-radiating source can be manually and separately adjusted by the user to focus light on different areas of the book simultaneously.
US08297764B2
A reflective sheet includes a first reflective layer and a second reflective layer. The first reflective layer has a first index of refraction, and the second reflective layer has a second index of refraction. The first reflective layer and the second reflective layer are in contact with each other to form a contact interface, and the first index of refraction is different from the second index of refraction so as to make the contact interface be a reflective surface. A top surface of the first reflective layer opposite the contact interface serves as a light incident surface for the reflective sheet, the reflectance of the first reflective layer is larger than the reflectance of the second reflective layer, and the mechanical strength of the second reflective layer is larger than the mechanical strength of the first reflective layer.
US08297762B2
A vehicle outside mirror device according to the present invention is provided with a base 2, a shaft 3, a spring 10, a mirror assembly 4, and a washer 6. An annular line contact portion 50 is provided on an abutment face 35 of the washer 6 that abuts against an abutment face 33 of a mount portion 12 of the mirror assembly 4. As a result, the vehicle outside mirror device according to the present invention can prevent generation of abnormal noise further reliably and a further long period of time by means of the annular line contact portion 50. In addition, an abutment plane 301 of a rotation stop portion is provided at a shaft 3. A linear edge 601 of the rotation stop portion is provided at the washer 6. As a result, according to the vehicle outside mirror device of the present invention, the linear edge 601 of the rotation stop portion of the washer 6 is abutted against the abutment plane 301 of the rotation stop portion of the shaft 3, whereby the washer 6 is fixed to the shaft 3 and then generation of abnormal noise can be prevented further reliably and over a further long period.
US08297761B2
Microstructured articles, such as a retroreflective articles, having a plurality of (e.g. cube-corner) microstructured elements and a seal film layer adhered to portions of the cube-corner elements and/or portions of a (e.g., flexible) body layer. The seal film is a thermoplastic polymeric material comprising reaction products of alkylene in an amount of at least about 50% and reaction products of at least one non-acidic polar monomer.
US08297758B2
A multimedia player for providing two projection images is provided. The multimedia player for displaying two projection images includes: a first projection unit displaying a first projection image; and a second projection unit displaying a second projection image. The first projection unit includes: a first driving unit controlling an operation of the first projection unit and providing an image signal on the first projection image to be displayed; a first light source unit; a first light modulation device outputting the first projection image by modulating light provided from the light source in response to the image signal of the first projection image; and a first projection lens unit magnifying and projecting an image that is output from the first light modulation device. The structure of the first projection unit is the same as that of the second projection unit. The multimedia player further includes a screen sensing unit sensing a color of an area in which an image is to be displayed. The first and second driving units detect a complementary color of a color sensed by the screen sensing unit and increase brightness of a light source corresponding to the complementary color among light sources of the first and second light source units or image data corresponding to the complementary color among image data to be displayed, thereby improving visibility.
US08297757B2
A projector which projects an image onto a projection surface, and displays it thereon, includes: a light source; a light modulator which modulates light from the light source into an image light representing the image; a projection optical system which projects the image light modulated by the light modulator onto the projection surface; a keystone distortion correction section which carries out a keystone distortion correction process for correcting a keystone distortion of the image projected onto the projection surface; a detection section which detects a stop of a movement of the projector; and a control section which, on the stop of the movement of the projector being detected in the detection section, causes the keystone distortion correction section to start the keystone distortion correction process in accordance with a relative positional relationship between the projector after being moved and the projection surface.
US08297754B2
Provided are an apparatus and method of controlling camerawork based on direction rule. A camerawork controlling apparatus includes a direction deciding unit configured to receive dialogs extracted from a scenario, to divide at least one of the received dialogs into sub-elements according to a set of circumstances, and to determine a camerawork based on a direction rule to be applied to each sub-element and each of any remaining non-divided dialogs.
US08297750B2
A 3D viewing glass comprises a frame, two lenses, a flexible printed circuit board, and two reinforcement elements. Each lens has an electrically interlocking element located on the inner side and adjacent to a bridge of the frame. The electrically interlocking element has an electrical adjoining plane electrically connected with the flexible printed circuit board. The electrically interlocking element and the flexible printed circuit board are further connected by the reinforcement element.
US08297748B2
The printed matter seasoning apparatus includes: a table on which a plurality of sheets of printed paper are placed in a stack, ink having been deposited on at least one surface of each sheet of the printed paper; and an air blowing device which blows air toward at least one of end sides of the stack on the table to supply the air simultaneously between the respective sheets in the stack. The air blowing device blows the air at an air flow volume of at least 0.02 m3/(min·m) per sheet of the printed paper and per unit length of the printed paper in a width direction thereof perpendicular to a direction from the air blowing device to the stack on the table.
US08297737B2
An inkjet head includes a main body, a film, a piezoelectric atomizer, a cover and a nozzle plate. The main body includes a cavity receiving a fluid with an opening connecting the cavity. The cover is fastened to a top end of the main body. The film is interposed between the cover and the main body. The nozzle plate includes a plurality of nozzles. The nozzle plate is disposed on a bottom end of the main body. The piezoelectric atomizer is interposed between the cover and the film. The piezoelectric atomizer introduces pressure variations in a static pressure to atomize the fluid.
US08297734B2
First, second, and third ink absorbing bodies are accommodated in a container of a recovery reservoir in this order from the side corresponding to a bottom surface of the container, so that an introduction chamber is defined in the middle of a recovery space. A lid having a shutter plate and a communication hole is located over the third ink absorbing body. The upper side of the introduction chamber is covered by the shutter plate to suppress volatilization of solvent element of waste ink introduced into the introduction chamber. In addition, the communication hole is located in a portion of the upper surface of the third ink absorbing body, so that solvent element of ink absorbed by the third ink absorption body volatilizes.
US08297728B2
A method enables adjustment of a print speed for a phase change ink imaging device with reference to an ink level sensor in a print head reservoir indicating an open loop or a closed loop state. The adjustment may also be made with reference to a measured image density, which may be a rolling solid area coverage average.
US08297727B2
A recording apparatus includes a transport unit that transports a recording medium, a recording unit that performs recording on the recording medium based on record data, a moving unit that moves the recording unit in a direction intersecting a transport direction of the recording medium, a control unit that controls the recording unit, the transport unit and the moving unit, a stop position obtaining unit that calculates a present stop position, which reaches a present recording end position during present deceleration of the recording unit and which reaches a next recording start position during next acceleration of the recording unit, based on present and next record data, a determining unit that determines whether a standby time of the recording unit in a stop state occurs until a transport position.
US08297724B2
A drawer frame includes a fastening device for fastening a front panel to the drawer frame in a releasable and preferably adjustable manner. A fitting part is premounted on the front panel, and a spring-loaded catch part is arranged in the drawer frame. When the fitting part is inserted, the catch part automatically draws the fitting part towards the drawer frame. A locking apparatus is provided for the catch part, and the locking apparatus is in the form of a clamping apparatus.
US08297715B2
A braking system includes first pressure sensors 35, 35 which are provided to braking pipes 41, 41 which constitute first input-side pressure sensors for detecting a liquid pressure on a front-wheel-master-cylinder-25 side and a rear-wheel-master-cylinder-82 side, and second pressure sensors 36, 36 which are provided at positions closer to a stroke-simulator-28 side than second solenoid-operated valves 31, 31 of braking pipes 27,27 which constitute second input-side pressure sensors for detecting a liquid pressure on the stroke-simulator-28 side.
US08297714B2
An electropneumatic brake control device for controlling an air-quantity-boosting valve device which controls a parking brake of a vehicle. A valve unit is provided that has a vent valve for venting a control input of the air-quantity-boosting valve device. The vent valve has three states. In a first state, the control input of the air-quantity-boosting valve device can be vented in a throttled manner by using an aperture. In a second state, the control input of the air-quantity-boosting valve device cannot be vented. In a third state, the control input of the air-quantity-boosting valve device can finally be vented in an unthrottled manner.
US08297712B2
A valve unit for an electro-pneumatic brake control device for controlling a parking brake of a vehicle includes at least one air-quantity-boosting valve device for aerating and venting at least one spring brake cylinder of the parking brake and at least one electrically actuatable control valve for controlling the air-quantity-boosting valve device. To simplify the construction of the brake control device, the air-quantity-boosting valve device and the control valve are integrated in a common integral valve block.
US08297711B2
A circular bicycle rim is provided with a rim body, an annular tire engagement portion and first and second outer peripheral edges. The rim body includes a first annular side wall portion and a second annular side wall portion. The annular tire engagement portion extends between the first and second annular side wall portions to engage a tire thereon. The first and second outer peripheral edges are located between the rim body and the annular tire engagement portion. Each of the first and second outer peripheral edges has an uneven edge surface that repeatedly rises and falls with respect to a radial direction of the bicycle rim.
US08297703B2
A fold-down vehicle seat is provided having a seat part and a foldable backrest. The seat part is mounted so it is pivotable on the vehicle floor via a front rocker and the backrest is mounted so it is pivotable on a seat framework section using a lower end section. In such a vehicle seat, the seat part and the backrest are transferable into a first and a second folded position to enlarge a cargo area of the vehicle adjoining the vehicle seat, the seat part being coupled using a rear rocker to the backrest, and the seat framework section supporting the backrest situated so it is displaceable on the vehicle floor in the vehicle longitudinal direction.In this way, a fold-down driver seat is provided, which has a high degree of user friendliness and is universally adaptable to various cargo space configurations.
US08297699B1
A device for being secured onto a rail of a pier to allow a fisherman to be seated on the device at a height so that he is able to cast easily above the rail, which includes a flat base which rests on the pier floor, a pair of wheels secured to the base to all the device to be rolled into position; an upright vertical post, having a first lower portion extending upward from the base and a second upper portion which telescopes out from the end of the first lower portion to a predetermined height, the upper portion terminating in a flat surface upon which a cushion or other seat can be placed; a handle member secured to the upper flat surface in order to roll the device into position; an arm member extending substantially horizontally outward from the lower section of the vertical post, which is height adjustable on a first end secured to the vertical post, and extends outward to a second portion which telescopes out from the first portion so that the device can be positioned a predetermined distance from the pier railing; a clamp on the distal end of the second portion for securing to a portion of the pier rail so that the device is maintained upright while the fisherman is seated thereupon.
US08297698B2
The mechatronic vehicle safety seat described transforms the geometry of the bottom frame and backrest frame associated with a head restraint when a collision is imminent. On a signal from a pre-crash detection device, or a manual or verbal indication, an energized solenoid instantly releases the forces of torsion springs and triggers the seat bottom and backrest for concurrent movement in sufficient time to mitigate excessive accelerations, loads and moments of forces acting upon seated occupants in response to impact modes. The distorted geometry of the bottom frame and backrest with head restraint enhances the safety performance of the seat belt and reduces the aggressiveness of airbags.
US08297694B2
A child seat assembly has a clamp mechanism configured to connect to a table and a child seat coupled to and supported spaced from the clamp mechanism. The child seat is reconfigurable between a toddler seat configuration and an infant seat configuration relative to the table and the clamp mechanism.
US08297693B2
A reciprocating and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a reciprocating mechanism attached to the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the reciprocating mechanism being configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to reciprocate relative to the base unit along a longitudinal path responsive to a longitudinally-directed force; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism, the actuating unit configured to move the chair between an upright position, an intermediate TV position, and a fully reclined position.
US08297691B2
A roof liner stiffener includes a rail and a first guide member. The rail is configured for attachment to a roof liner of a vehicle and includes a web and a plurality of ribs integral with the web. The first guide member is configured to support a first portion of an electrical wiring harness of a vehicle. The rail and the first guide member are integrally formed from a thermoplastic material as a unitary structure. The first guide member includes a first base and an elongate arm integral with, and extending away from, the first base. The elongate arm of the first guide member is bendable relative to the first base of the first guide member. Roof liner assemblies and vehicles are also provided.
US08297688B2
A rear body structure for a vehicle includes a body cover for covering a vehicle body, a rear grip member attached to a vehicle body frame and configured to be gripped by an occupant of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle, and a rear grip cover attached to and covering the rear grip member. A portion of the body cover overlaps a top surface of the rear grip member. The rear grip member is provided with a body cover positioning section for positioning the body cover thereon. The rear grip cover is arranged above the body cover positioning section of the rear grip member for providing covering thereto. Such vehicle rear body structure provides an improvement in the outward appearance of a rear body structure of a vehicle.
US08297684B1
A vehicle folding armrest assembly having a vehicle door movable within a door frame and having an armrest that is operable between a deployed position and a stowed position. A catch mechanism is movable between an interference position, wherein the catch mechanism supports the armrest in the deployed position against a spring force, and a non-interference position, wherein the catch mechanism is disengaged from the armrest, and the armrest is in the stowed position. An actuator includes a lever that protrudes from the vehicle door. The lever is in abutting contact against the door frame and moves the catch mechanism from the interference position to the non-interference position.
US08297682B2
An adjustment device and a corresponding method for a movable body part of a vehicle, has an actuator for adjusting the movable body part and has a control device for activating the actuator in an operating state. The control device switches from the operating state to an idle state if no adjustment of the movable body part occurs within a defined period of time. A manual adjustment of the movable body part switches the control device back to the operating state from the idle state.
US08297678B2
A retractable seat for a vehicle includes: a first leg with a proximal end that is rotatably attached to a seat cushion and a distal end that is rotatably attached to a floor; a second leg that is rotatably attached to the seat cushion; and an interlocking member that couples the first leg to the second leg so that the second leg is move in accordance with movement of the first leg. Rotating the first leg with respect to the floor moves the seat cushion from a use position to a retracted position. The rotation of the second leg through the interlocking member, from a position at which a second leg stands upright with respect to the seat cushion to a position which the second leg extends along the seat cushion.
US08297669B2
A ball hopper comprising a frame, a divider, a plurality of elastic members and a seat, wherein the frame further comprises a lower, middle and upper portion and at least one rigid connector joining the lower, middle and upper portion, and wherein the divider separates the frame into a lower compartment and an upper compartment, and wherein the plurality of elastic members are removably secured to the lower portion of the frame. The ball hopper provides a method for collecting, distributing (while a user is standing or sitting) and transporting balls by pressing the ball hopper over an object, such that at least one of the plurality of elastic members allows the object to enter the lower compartment. Further, the ball hopper may be utilized as a seat, such that the divider forces collected balls towards the top of the ball hopper for easy removal from the lower compartment.
US08297668B2
Flanges (68) are provided on outer sides (in an upper-lower direction) of a pair of narrow side walls (66) of a crash box (50). Each of flanges (68) is provided to be connected to the narrow side wall (66) at the central portion thereof, and the both lateral portions thereof (wing-like flanges (70a, 70b)) extend parallel to the narrow side walls (66) and in the opposite directions relative to each other. Therefore, even when an impact load is applied to the crash box (50) in an oblique direction of the vehicle, owing to disposition of the flanges (68) the crush box (50) is suppressed from lateral falling, so that excellent impact-absorbing property is stably obtained. Because the flanges (68) are formed parallel to the narrow side walls (66), the impact absorbing member can be appropriately prevented from the lateral falling resulted from the impact load acting in an oblique direction of the vehicle, and can be compactified in size. As a result, mountability on a vehicle is improved.
US08297666B2
An apparatus for securing a cover over an opening defined in a housing of a portable electronic device includes a pair of latches along opposite edges of the cover. Each latch assembly has a cap affixed to the cover and partially housing a latch that is slideable therein. Each latch is biased by a separate spring into a first position, at which a tab on that latch projects from the cap and engages the housing. An actuator on each latch extends outside the respective cap for engagement by a user to slide the latch into a second position in which the associated tab is retracted from engaging the housing.
US08297662B2
A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove having a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity having a circular radial canted coil spring disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end in sliding engagement with the bore and provided with a circumferential groove for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore.
US08297661B2
A connector is provided for connecting a flexible conduit with a second conduit having a barbed outer surface. The connector accommodates the end of the flexible conduit and the end of the second conduit in a manner which prevents removal of the flexible conduit and the second conduit from the connector. Optionally, the connector has a ring that may be used to apply additional pressure and security to the outer surface of the flexible conduit. additionally, the connector may have a wireless enabled communication and optionally, memory device such as a RFID tag attached or affixed to it.
US08297657B2
A joint for a fluid line of a vehicle for conveying a fluid through a vehicle frame member includes a unitary body having a first end adapted for engagement to a first fluid conduit and a second end adapted for engagement to a second fluid conduit. The body is sized to span between first and second walls of the vehicle frame member. A bore extends axially through the body and fluidly connects the first and second fluid conduits. The joint includes at least one connector configured to engage the vehicle frame member for releasably mounting the joint to the vehicle frame member.
US08297649B2
Inflatable airbag cushions can be formed with one or more inflatable chambers, each having different inflated widths and volumes. For example, an inflatable knee airbag can have a first chamber that is adjacent to the periphery of the airbag and a second chamber that is nested within the first chamber. The two chambers can be fluidly coupled and the second chamber may have a vent formed in it that can release inflation gas out of the airbag. The airbag may have more than one nested chamber. The nested chambers can be defined by one or more internal tethers that can be formed from one or more pieces of material. The airbag can be configured such that it and any internal tethers are produced from a single panel of material.
US08297636B2
The present invention is related to a manpower driven device being able to do particular bi-directional pedaling to provide constant directional output for driving the loading wheel train, wherein its pedaling direction is selected by the rider according to his/her operating statuses of the muscles and joints, or the same directional outputs of different speed ratios is made further through the different driving directional inputs.
US08297635B2
A retractable step construction with a drive means for achieving powered or automatic retraction and deployment in motor vehicles to provide access onto or into the motor vehicle such as an emergency apparatus, for example a fire truck, usable in areas having limited vertical dimensions. This construction includes a housing assembly with guide channels adapted to receive a step assembly movably mounted thereinto controlled by the inclusion of a linkage assembly connected to the drive means and the step for powering deployment and retraction thereof.
US08297626B2
A seal is provided that restricts movement of adjacent parts when in a high pressure environment while allowing relative movement of adjacent parts when in non-high pressure environment.
US08297624B2
A packing is disclosed for hermetically sealing a member. The packing in accordance with the present invention comprises braiding yarns each of which includes a plurality of longitudinally arranged reinforcing fiber yarns and expanded graphite integrally bonded to at least one side of the reinforcing fiber yarns with adhesive, so that the braiding yarns are provided with excellent sealing properties and strong tensile strength and toughness. A plurality of such braiding yarns may be put together to form a core member. The core member may be covered, at the outer periphery thereof, with a braided body of the braiding yarns. A plurality of such braiding yarns as put together may be braided (square-knitted). Alternatively, a plurality of such braiding yarns as put together may be twisted. Thus, packing having a free length may be obtained. The packing thus obtained may be used as cut, at a site, to a predetermined length according to the size of the object member to be sealed. This eliminates production, based on estimations in advance, of a variety of annular packings according to the size of object members to be sealed, as done in molded packing.
US08297618B2
A puzzle is described that enhances the educational and enjoyment aspect of assembling the puzzle by providing a plurality of problem-solution pairs that serve to direct and/or confirm that puzzle pieces are positioned correctly. One half of the problem-solution pairs may be placed on the back of individual puzzle pieces with the other half on intended adjacent pieces or other they may be placed on a base board with the complementary half on the back of the pieces intended to be placed above the corresponding problem-solution pair. The puzzle is so designed that it may be configured as a 2-dimensional puzzle or a 3-dimensional puzzle and may be provided in electronic form if so desired.
US08297617B2
A document carrying apparatus comprises a main body, and a reading guide member which guides a document in such a manner that the document comes into contact with a platen glass. The reading guide member is supported on the main body by two support portions disposed on the front side and rear side. The rear-side support portion energizes the reading guide member with the aid of an energizing member in such a manner that the reading guide member can be displaced in the directions to come close and move away to and from the platen glass, while the front-side support portion supports the reading guide member in such a manner that the reading guide member can be displaced in the directions to come close and move away to and from the platen glass in a space smaller than that formed in the rear-side support portion.
US08297616B2
An assembly includes two nip assemblies spaced apart along a first axis. Each nip assembly includes a driven wheel and an idler roller. The driven wheel rotatably supported about the first axis. The idler cooperates with the driven wheel to engage a sheet. The idler rotatably supported about a second axis. The second axis being selectively moveable relative to the first axis. The selective movement between a first and second orientation occurs while the sheet is moved along the transport path. In the first orientation the second axis extends parallel to the first axis. In the second orientation the second axis extends at an oblique angle to the first axis. The selective movement pivots about a third axis extending through a centerline common to both the driven wheel and the idler. The selective movement of one of the two nip assemblies being independent from the selective movement of the other.
US08297613B2
A packing material for distribution is formed in such a shape that, when the packing material attached in a deck unit fails to be removed, a control unit determines that no sheet is present on a tray based on detection signals from a sheet surface detection sensor and a sheet presence detection sensor. When a user checks the deck unit when the absence of sheets is displayed, the user can notice a failure to remove the packing material, thus preventing damage to a sheet feeding apparatus caused by the failure to remove the packing material for distribution.
US08297608B2
A transport system for conveying sheet material along a feed path. The transport system includes an electro-dynamic propulsion system for moving sheet material, or a stacked collation of sheet material, along a support deck which defines the feed path. More specifically, the electro-dynamic propulsion system includes at least one guideway and a ferromagnetic element disposed internally of the guideway. The guideway includes a magnetic coil to produce a variable magnetic field. By varying the flux density and polarity of the magnetic field the ferromagnetic element may be propelled within the guideway. An abutment member is coupled to the ferromagnetic element, extends through the elongate opening of the support deck and engages an edge of sheet material. A processor is operative to control the electro-dynamic propulsion system and, accordingly, the rate of travel and position of the sheet material along the feed path.
US08297598B2
A simple start diaphragm carburetor includes a carburetor body, a main adjutage, a throttle subassembly, a choke spindle, a linkage subassembly and a start fuel passage. The linkage subassembly includes a first linkage subassembly, a reset element and a second linkage subassembly which cooperates with the first eccentric element to form a linkage. When the first linkage subassembly opens the start fuel passage, the second linkage subassembly drives the main fuel supply channel to be open partially. Rotate the throttle subassembly and the choke spindle is reset by the reset element, thereby closing the start fuel passage. The simple start diaphragm carburetor can increase the probability of the successful start of an engine and keep the engine warmed-up for a long time, and reduce the burden of the user.
US08297588B2
To provide a motor-driven valve with a small number of parts, with excellent assemblage, capable of maintaining a large valve port diameter even downsized, and to prevent deterioration of housing environment due to sound caused by the impact and shortened life that are generated by collisions of closing limit stopper parts. A motor-driven valve according to the present invention comprises: a male screw member rotating in accordance with a rotation of a rotor of an electric motor and engaging with a female screw member fixed to a valve main body; a valve body contacting to and separating from a valve seat in the valve main body by a rotation of the male screw member; two stopper parts rotating in accordance with the rotation of the rotor of the electric motor; an opening limit stopper part mounted to the female screw member, the opening limit stopper part contacting with one of the two stopper parts in a fully-opened state of the motor-driven valve to restrict the rotation of the male screw member in a direction that the motor-driven valve opens; and a closing limit stopper part mounted to the female screw member, the closing limit stopper part contacting with another stopper part in a fully-closed state of the motor-driven valve to restrict the rotation of the male screw member in a direction that the motor-driven valve closes.
US08297587B2
A multifunctional fluid shut-off device including an upstream shut-off element, a flow-rate limiter, and a downstream functional element. The upstream shut-off element presents a body in which at least one valve is disposed, and a downstream end includes an exit port to which the downstream functional element is operatively connected. At least one of the upstream shut-off element and the downstream functional element includes a retention mechanism for the flow-rate limiter. A unit including the downstream functional element is directly connected to the upstream shut-off element containing in its interior the flow-rate limiter.
US08297579B1
A hanger assembly for supporting an electrical box above a drop ceiling having a grid supporting structure. The assembly includes an elongated one-piece bar with a U-shaped cross-section, an end bracket secured at each end of the bar, a center bracket, an anchor bar, and an electrical box. The end brackets include an inner leg for resting on the horizontal ledges of adjacent T-rails and arms for loosely fitting over the top of the T-rails. A fastening arrangement for securing the electrical box to the elongated bar enables mounting the electrical box in two ways. The electrical box can be mounted with its sides square with the bar or with the sides at a 45° angle to the bar. Mounting the electrical box with the sides at a 45° angle provides full access to all knockout apertures in the sidewalls of the electrical box.
US08297578B2
A mount for attaching a projection device to an overhead structure includes a device interface operably attachable to the projection device and a device orientation adjustment structure operably coupled with the device interface. The device orientation adjustment structure has structure defining up to three independent axes for adjustment of projector pitch, roll, and yaw. A single selectively adjustable friction element may be provided to enable projector position to be fixed about for any one or all of the independent axes. A gear adjustment mechanism may be provided to enable fine adjustment of projector position. Moreover, any one or all of the independent axes may pass through the projector device, preferably proximate its center of gravity so that it is self balanced on the mount to ease adjustment.
US08297577B1
A foldable urine collection device which comprises a pair of wire members having first and second opposed ends and having an upwardly disposed urine collection cup intermediate said first and second ends so that the urine collection cup is generally centrally disposed within a toilet bowl for use by a user wherein the first and second ends of the wire frame connect to opposing rims of the toilet bowl so as to secure the device therein. Also shown is an intermediately disposed net having a plurality of flexible fingers disposed so as to capture the collection cup therein in a manner so that a plurality of sizes of collection cups can be captured with the flexible fingers. The flexible fingers secure the cup within the urine collection device.
US08297573B1
A support and attachment assembly configured for attachment to a substrate structure. The assembly includes a rigid body comprising a front surface, a back surface, and a bottom surface. A hinge flange extends from the front surface, a boss member extends from the bottom surface, and a latching member is coupled to the body. The support and attachment assembly is attached to the substrate structure by insertion of the hinge flange into a hinge aperture in the substrate structure. The body is rotated while the hinge flange remains in the hinge aperture to insert the boss member into a boss aperture through the substrate structure and to bring the bottom surface into facing relation with a top surface of the substrate structure. The latching member then contactingly engages the substrate structure to lockingly secure the assembly to the substrate structure.
US08297570B2
An adjustable mount assembly (100) is provided. The adjustable mount assembly (100) comprises a body (205) and an adjustment member (207) coupled to the body (205). The adjustment member (207) includes a threaded member (316) and a tension bar (210) coupled to the threaded member (316). The adjustable mount assembly (100) also includes one or more retaining member receivers (208A, 208B) formed in the body (205). One or more retaining members (206A, 206B) are provided with each of the one or more retaining members (206A, 206B) coupled to the tension bar (210) at a first end (206A′, 206B′) and adapted to engage the retaining member receiver (208A, 208B) at a second end (206A″, 206B″).
US08297568B2
A sucking and holding device includes: a vacuum chuck for vacuum-sucking a substrate; and a suction assisting device for sandwiching the object between it and the vacuum chuck. The suction assisting device includes a substrate-facing surface. The substrate-facing surface seals a through hole provided in the substrate. With this configuration, the sucking and holding device can vacuum-suck and hold the substrate having a through hole. This leads to an accomplishment of a device which can hold various objects without positional displacement.
US08297566B2
The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Each connector includes a body with a first and second end portion. An external socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engaging surface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of another to interconnect the connectors. The internal cavity end portion may be of a material that is less subject to creep, and which may have high stiffness. The socket end portion may be made of a softer material that allows for sufficient deflection to allow for mating but is not as subject to creep as this portion is predominantly in compression.
US08297565B2
A portable support mount designed for attachment to a shooting rail or other surface in order to support a rifle or other object. The portable support mount attaches to and is held level on a surface by means of a spring clamp and a stabilization bar with bumpers made of rubber attached to the ends of the stabilization bar. The spring clamp is fused to a support tube housing a rod that can vary the height of the mount. On top of the rod is a detachable holding member on which a user places the forend of a rifle while aiming and firing it. In addition, the holding member can be removed from the portable support mount, and the rod can attach to a camera, telescope, small video camera, or other device.
US08297564B2
A fluid control system for use with a patient support apparatus is moveable from a first height to a second height. The system includes a lift arm and a substantially upright cylinder. A first end of the lift arm is pivotably coupled to a base member and a second end of the lift arm is coupled to a chair structure. The cylinder assembly has a base portion and an extendable member configured to contact and support the lift arm. The cylinder assembly includes a bypass valve having a first end in fluid contact with an upper reservoir and a second end in fluid contact with a lower reservoir.
US08297555B2
Systems and methods for reducing noise in aircraft fuselages and other structures are described herein. A noise reduction system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an auxetic core, a damping layer, and a constraining layer. A method for manufacturing a structural assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention includes forming a stiffener by positioning a first ply of composite material against a first tool surface, positioning damping material against the first ply, and positioning a second ply of composite material against the damping material to sandwich the damping material between the first and second plies. The method can further include forming a skin by positioning a third ply of composite material against a second tool surface offset from the first tool surface, and attaching the stiffener to the skin by co-curing the first, second and third plies of composite material.
US08297549B2
A rotor for a helicopter, having a drive shaft rotating about a first axis; a hub angularly integral with the drive shaft about the first axis; and at least two blades projecting from the hub, on the opposite side to the first axis, and extending along respective second axes crosswise to the first axis; each blade is movable with respect to the hub and the other blades about a respective fourth axis parallel to the first axis, about the respective second axis, and about a respective third axis crosswise to the first and respective second axis; the rotor also has a number of first dampers for damping vibration associated with at least oscillation of the relative blades about the respective fourth axes; the first dampers are connected to one another and each to a relative blade; and, in a radial direction with respect to the first axis, at least one first damper is located between the first axis and the fourth axis of the relative blade.
US08297542B2
Particulate compositions are described comprising an intimate mixture of a coal and a gasification catalyst in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other higher hydrocarbons are formed. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products.
US08297536B2
To make a change of paint colors during painting work easy and thus quick to perform on a spray gun, the invention proposes a spray gun container having a paint holding area, which is accessible essentially through two main openings, and having at least one additional access to the paint holding area, in which the additional access is reclosable by means of a closure means, whereby said closure means is at least partially arranged in the additional access during the closing of the additional access.
US08297535B1
An apparatus that provides automatic mixing and distribution of granular or liquid fertilizers through an underground or portable sprinkler system, comprising a mixing container connected in-line with the sprinkler system's water delivery line or a regular garden hose connected to a portable or movable sprinkler, is herein disclosed. This mixing container provides a large lower portion which is accessed through a sealed and latched cover portion, through which granular-based lawn care chemicals are added. Incoming water then dissolves and mixes the chemicals, passes through removable filter media and exits the apparatus. This outgoing water is then routed to an underground sprinkler system or a portable hose-based sprinkler. A bottom valve can be opened to drain the apparatus and allow for cleaning. Additionally, the apparatus comprises an integral liquid fertilizer receptacle to automatically mix the incoming water with various liquid lawn care chemicals. Finally, the apparatus provides internal filtration to remove particulate matter therefrom the created fertilizer solution. The apparatus may be utilized at a header supply portion of a sprinkler system, part of an underground system, or connected inline between two garden hoses or a spigot.
US08297531B2
A solvent piston 22 shuttles between first and second positions. In the first position, high pressure air applied to the rear 22a of the solvent piston 22 closes a solvent bore 24 around the solvent piston 22 and prevents passage of solvent into the mix chamber 26. In the second position, high pressure air is applied to the front 22b of the solvent piston 22 causing it to retract slightly thereby uncovering the solvent bore 24, closing off the solvent inlet 28 and allowing a slug of solvent to mix with the purge air 32 and pass from the solvent outlet 30 into the mix chamber 26. The solvent is either self contained in the applicator or plumbed eternally to the gun.
US08297524B2
A damper control system having energy efficient mechanisms. The system may use a heat-to-electric power converter such as a thermopile. Heat may come from a pilot light used for igniting a flame for an appliance. The system may store electric energy in a storage module which could be a sufficiently large capacitor. The system may monitor the position of a damper in a vent or the like and provide start and stop movements of the damper using minimal energy. One way that the system may control electrical energy to a damper motor or another electrical mover of the damper is to use pulse width modulated signals.
US08297520B1
This disclosure relates to storing a secure application directory within a contactless smart card. The contactless smart card include secure memory area for storing software applications and may include a default application directory for listing the software applications stored within the contactless smart card to an external card reader. A second application directory is stored with an access key and a listing of a second set of software applications within the same contactless smart card. The second application directory includes improved application directory entries, where each application directory entry includes an application identifier, a starting memory block byte value, and a size byte value for each of the second set of software applications.
US08297510B1
Mathematical method and algorithms for protecting 2D Barcode symbol from counterfeiting and encoded data from tampering with. The algorithms are based on Digital Signature concept, employ Reed-Solomon Error Correction mechanism built into the 2D Barcodes, and designed for embedded processing. The method is based on symmetrical encryption and makes use of the two independent key-exchange protocols. Encryption/decryption algorithms are built into the standard encoding/decoding schemes and result in almost no additional processing time.
US08297509B2
An image forming apparatus includes a scanning region and a user interface region adjacent to the scanning region. In the user interface, a first illuminated indicator corresponds to a function of the image forming apparatus. A light source is operable to illuminate an object in the scanning region. A first light conveying member is coupled to the illuminated indicator and operable to receive light from the light source.
US08297508B2
A network accessible node that facilitates management of a fleet of portable communication devices (EIR terminal), including portable data terminals and/or barcode readers, by directing performance of software upgrade and/or configuration update actions by one or more members of the fleet of EIR terminals.
US08297507B2
A system and method for obtaining a full image of a bank note being processed. An array of magnetoresistive detectors is employed to obtain multiple line-scan sensings of a bank note as the note passes. A central processing unit obtains the plurality of sensings as magnetic pattern data which is subsequently stored in a database for later processing.
US08297505B2
A product management apparatus includes a tag information receiver that receives first tag information identifying a first wireless tag attached to a first product, and second tag information identifying a second wireless tag attached to a second product, a group determiner that determines whether a sensor related to the received first tag information is present, a group generator that generates group information including the first tag information and the second tag information and if a difference between the time of reception of the first tag information and the time of reception of the second tag information falls within a specific range, a sensor information receiver that retrieves environment information of an environment surrounding the sensor and a product management unit that associates the retrieved environment information with the first tag information and the second tag information, included in the group information.
US08297503B2
A merchandise sales data processing apparatus includes a display device and a first display control unit. The first display control unit displays balance information and an input area simultaneously on the display device. The balance information is information regarding balance of each denomination in an automatic change dispenser which deposits or dispenses money. The balance information is generated by a balance information generating unit. The input area receives, through an input device, the input of change reserves information regarding change reserves that should be prepared in the automatic change dispenser.
US08297502B1
In one embodiment, a graphical user interface includes a conversion option to convert at least a subset of non-negotiable credits earned from one into entity independent funds in accordance with a conversion ratio. The entity independent funds are accepted by a commerce partner as at least partial payment for goods or services provided by the commerce partner. In absence of converting the non-negotiable credits into entity independent funds, the commerce partner does not accept the non-negotiable credits as payment for goods or services. Responsive to a received selection of the conversion option, the computer presents within the graphical user interface a quantity of available entity independent funds for use as payment for the goods or services provided by the commerce partner. The quantity of available entity independent funds results from converting the subset of non-negotiable credits into the quantity of available entity independent funds in accordance with the conversion ratio.
US08297498B2
A payment system includes transaction handler that processes transactions, each characterized by a consumer and a merchant engaging in a sales transaction involving a prepaid program having prepaid cards, such as a gift card, that an issuer provides to consumers. A method for establishing a prepaid program includes the issuer remotely accessing a computer system at the transaction handler. The computer system presenting the issuer with a program information form on which the issuer enters requested data. As each data item is entered, the computer system checks for errors, which are identified to and corrected by the issuer in real time. The issuer submits the data as a request to create a prepaid program, which the transaction handler reviews and responds by approving or rejecting creation of the prepaid program. The transaction handler electronically communicates approval or rejection of the prepaid program to the issuer.
US08297493B2
A mail box flag assembly for use on common mail boxes having a hinged front door in front. The flag assembly mounts on the front of the hinged front mail box door consisting of a detachable flag (that can be customized to provide house numbers, or themed logos). The flag is attached to a rotating arm that rests on a raised slotted bracket when not in use. When in use (indicating mail is contained in the mailbox for delivery by the postal carrier) the arm is rotated on a rod outward (perpendicular to the mail box door) slides downward until it fits into a raised slotted bracket that holds the flag arm in place so a postal carrier can see the extended flag and know that mail is contained in the mail box for delivery.
US08297487B2
A quick-loading soldering apparatus for soldering PCBs comprises a rotatable deck which has a plurality of angularly spaced PCB work sites. While a first PCB work site is angularly positioned for pre-loading and pre-heating PCB components at a pre-loading station, a second PCB work site is angularly positioned for soldering pre-loaded PCB components at a soldering station. Correct rotation of the deck is ensured by a sensor mounted on the deck. If the rotation angle is correct, locator pins provided externally of the deck become actionable by an operator to register the deck prior to the PCB being soldered.
US08297485B2
A stapler has an anvil leg that supports an anvil plate in the front region, a staple magazine which can be swivelled to a limited degree about a transverse pin on a bearing block in the rear region of the anvil leg, and a driver leg which can be swivelled to a limited degree relative to the staple magazine and the anvil leg about the transverse pin. The driver leg supports a driver for guiding the staples through a gap at the front end of the staple magazine. The stapler has at least one guiding element which is arranged between the anvil plate and the bearing block. The guiding element longitudinally extends between the anvil leg and the staple magazine, is fixedly connected to the anvil leg, and is guided in a longitudinally movable manner within a guiding opening in a bottom wall of the staple magazine.
US08297476B2
A grease gun is provided comprises a body having a reservoir connection aperture with an inner portion, an outer portion and a plurality of concentric grooves positioned along the inner portion, a grease reservoir is in communication with the reservoir connection aperture and has a groove in a portion of an outside surface of the grease reservoir, and a retention fastener is received by at least one concentric groove and is in operational engagement with the grease reservoir groove to removably retain the grease reservoir. A method of mounting a barrel to a grease gun is also provided.
US08297467B2
A slow cooker comprising a housing, a container disposed in a hollow body of the housing, a lid, and a sealing ring sealingly engages the lid and the container. The container has a rim disposed with an engaging means. The engaging means comprises a movable member and an upper stationary member. The upper stationary member has an upper surface disposed with a sliding plate. The sliding plate has a limiting end surface atop for limiting movement of the movable member. A space is formed between the limiting end surface and the sliding plate for a tongue of the movable member to pass through. The movable member is disposed on the sliding plate. The tongue of the movable member passes through the space to press onto the lid, and the movable member is secured onto the sliding plate via a snapping means.
US08297466B2
A sewage tank for use with a pump such as a grinder pump to convey sewage. The sewage tank includes a container having an upper portion and a lower tapering portion defining a chamber for containing the pump. The lower tapering portion has a reduced size compared to the upper portion. The upper portion and the lower portion may include a plurality of intersecting vertical ribs and horizontal ribs defining a plurality of recessed pockets. The lower portion of the sewage tank may also include an outwardly-extending flange sufficiently sized so that soil may be backfilled around the bottom of the tank to prevent the tank from floating upward out of the ground due to its buoyancy under high ground water conditions. The sewage tank may also include a stepped flange.
US08297464B2
A carrying case includes a top case shell hinged to a bottom case shell which may be maintained in a closed position by a double throw, triple action latch mechanism comprising a latch body pivotally mounted to the bottom case shell, a latch locking element pivotally mounted to the latch body and a latch release coupled to the latch body. With the case in the closed position, the latch locking element engages a seat formed in the top case shell and clamps the two shells together. After moving the latch release to a release position, the latch body may be pivoted relative to the bottom case shell to permit disengagement of the latch locking mechanism from the top shell allowing the case to be opened.
US08297458B2
A cap includes a cap main body and a gasket, and the gasket includes an inner leg, a bent part, and a flange part. A portion of the gasket connected to an inner circumferential side of the inner leg is positioned lower than a portion of the gasket connected to an outer circumferential side of the inner leg. The top plate of the gasket includes a flange part disposed between the inner leg and the bent part, and the flange part is thinner than a portion of the top plate that is contiguous with the inner circumferential side of the inner leg.
US08297454B2
An adapter coupler for adapting couplings of different design has a first connecting mechanism for the releasable connecting of the adapter coupler to a first coupling, a second connecting mechanism for the releasable connecting of the adapter coupler to a second coupling, and a coupler housing to connect the first connecting mechanism to the second connecting mechanism. With the objective of simplifying the manual manipulation of the adapter coupler, it is configured to be of lightweight construction, wherein the coupler housing is formed from fiber composite material, in particular carbon file composite material, and exhibits a shape adapted to an adapter coupler constructed from metal, and wherein the coupler housing exhibits a sturdy fiber architecture relative to the stress loads it experiences.
US08297448B2
A screen intake apparatus has a concrete platform resting on a water source floor. A screen intake anchors on the platform and forms a half cylinder thereon. A barrier at one end of the platform in divides the flow of water. The screen intake has a half-cylindrical body and half-cylindrical screens. Transition walls in the screen intake divide the body's hollow and the screens' interiors, and at least one flow modifier communicates the interior with the hollow. These flow modifiers also form a half cylinder with the platform. A manifold in the screens receives a supply of air to clear debris. Forming a half-cylinder, the screen intake on the platform can have a much lower profile for the water source than the normal cylindrical screens, which require half of its diameter in clearance above and below.
US08297446B2
An apparatus and method for sorting ammunition casings and adapted to be mounted on a vibrating base. The apparatus includes an input hopper adapted to receive ammunition casings and a sorting track in communication with the input hopper where the sorting tracks has a graduated opening the bottom of the track such that the diameter of the graduated opening increases as the opening extends away from the hopper. The apparatus further includes sorting compartments arranged under the sorting track. Vibration moves the casings from the input hopper to the sorting track, and as the casings move along the sorting track, smaller diameter casings fall through a first opening portion into a first sorting compartment, and larger diameter casings move along the sorting track past the first opening portion and subsequently fall though a second opening portion into a second sorting compartment thereby separating the ammunition into different calibers.
US08297443B2
A convertible box includes a body having a back panel and side panels that define a cavity and an opening. A lid is hingeably connected to the body and disposed to cover the opening when the convertible box is in a closed condition. The lid is arranged to hingeably move relative to the body such that the lid is disposed in abutting relationship with the back panel when the convertible box is in an open condition.
US08297441B2
A method and an apparatus for protecting the surfaces and labels of beverage containers are disclosed. The invention includes a beverage tray having a floor and walls extending from the floor. The beverage tray includes a plurality of dividing sections that divide the beverage tray into beverage sections. Each beverage section may hold a single beverage container. The beverage tray may include a plurality of contact strips positioned within the beverage tray and configured to contact the surface of the beverage container. The contact strips may be placed on the walls of the beverage tray or on the dividing sections of the beverage tray. The contact strips may be applied to existing beverage trays to protect the surfaces and labels of beverage bottles from being damaged by the surface of the beverage trays.
US08297439B2
The present invention relates to a method of packaging and a packaging system for treated stents which minimize the level of exposure of the stents to oxygen, moisture and light. The package comprises two compartments, the compartments being in communication with each other via a breathable membrane.
