US08309790B2
This invention is in the field of neurology. Specifically, the invention relates to the discovery and characterization of molecular components that play a role in neuronal demyelination or remyelination. In addition, the invention relates to the generation of an animal model that exhibits hypomyelination. The compositions and methods embodied in the present invention are particularly useful for drug screening and/or treatment of demyelination disorders.
US08309789B2
Absorbent article such as a diaper and incontinence guard, in which on the inside of the liquid impervious backsheet (3), i e on the side adjacent the absorbent body, there is arranged a wetness indicator (9) in a certain pattern, which is visible through the backsheet material. The wetness indicator (9) is applied on or adjacent at least one strip (10) having a color or tint different from the rest of the backsheet material (3). The color or tint of the strip (10) can also be an indication of the product type, size absorption capacity or the like of the article. Moreover there can on the strip (10) be printed symbols (11), codes or the like indicating product type or the like.
US08309786B2
Apparatus and associated methods for a wound valve assembly provide an annular space extending radially around a central portion of a valve, which valve acts to substantially relieve pressure build up in a thoracic cavity when applied to a thoracic wound. In an illustrative example, the valve assembly may form an annular space that extends radially in all directions around a check valve. In some examples, gasses and exudates may flow substantially radially and/or parallel to the patient's local body. Various embodiments may advantageously provide open fluid communication for the gasses and exudates escaping from the wound when the valve assembly is partially covered (e.g., body armor, clothing, blankets), or when the patient may be laying down on the side of the body with the wound, for example.
US08309785B2
A disposal device for collecting bags for bodily fluids has a receptacle for receiving at least one collecting bag containing bodily fluid, a comminution unit (2) for comminuting the collecting bag, a fluid collecting basin (5) for receiving the bodily fluid, a particle collecting container (8) for receiving the comminuted collecting bag, and at least one decontamination unit (7) for the decontamination of the collecting bag and the bodily fluid.
US08309775B2
The present invention relates to a method of preparing iodinated aromatic compounds, and more preferably a method of preparing iodinated aromatic compounds comprising a step of iodinating a react ant including an aromatic compound, a di-iodo aromatic compound or water, and iodine (I2) in the presence of a zeolite catalyst and oxygen. The method of the present invention has an advantage that by iodination of a reactant including the aromatic compound, and the di˜ iodo aromatic compound or water in the presence of the zeolite catalyst and oxygen, the temperature of the iodinating reactor can be controlled reliably and constantly, thereby resulting in improved productivity per unit weight of catalyst and inhibition of a side reaction in accordance with suppression of producing impurities. In addition, the productivity of the iodinated aromatic compound, preferably the di-iodo aromatic compound, more preferably a p-di-iodo aromatic compound can be improved, and thus can be widely used in the preparation of a di-iodo aromatic compound such as a p-di-iodo aromatic compound.
US08309768B2
A number of FTY720-derived compounds with antitumor activity are described. These compounds include the compounds of formula I: wherein R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl. methoxy, and hydroxyl; R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methoxy, and hydroxyl; R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl and cyclo-alkyl; and n is independently selected from 0 to 6. The compounds have lower immunosuppressive side effects as a result of not being phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase 2.
US08309762B2
It is an object of this invention to provide a method for efficiently synthesizing monocarboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid, and tricarboxylic acid with the use of unsaturated triacyl glycerol as a starting material and hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. Such method comprises allowing unsaturated triacyl glycerol to react with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a quaternary ammonium polybasic acid hydrogen salt and at least one member selected from the group consisting of tungstic acid, heterotungstic acid, and salts thereof.
US08309751B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing β-ketonitriles of the general formula I in which R1 is, inter alia, C1-C12-alkyl, C2-C12-alkenyl, C2-C12-alkinyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenoxy-C1-C4-alkyl or benzyloxy-C1-C4-alkyl; R2 is, inter alia, hydrogen, C1-C12-alkyl, C2-C12-alkenyl, C2-C12-alkinyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenoxy-C1-C4-alkyl or benzyloxy-C1-C4-alkyl, which comprises reacting a nitrile of the formula II in which R1 has one of the meanings given above with a carboxylic ester of the formula III in which R2 has one of the meanings given above and R3 is C1-C12-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy -C1-C4-alkyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenoxy -C1-C4-alkyl or benzyloxy-C1-C4-alkyl, where the reaction is carried out in the presence of a potassium alkoxide and at least 80% of the nitrile of the formula II are added to the reaction under reaction conditions.
US08309749B2
Processes for preparing aluminoxane comprising: bringing into contact under reaction conditions in an inert atmosphere a liquid containing reaction mixture comprising: (i) a water in oil emulsion comprising water and at least one emulsifier in a first hydrocarbon solvent; and (ii) an organoaluminum compound capable of forming aluminoxane in a second hydrocarbon solvent; provided that the aluminoxane produced by the reaction is present in solution under the reaction conditions. In a preferred embodiment a support carrier for the aluminoxane: (i) is present during the contact step or (ii) is introduced following contact. A polymerization catalyst can be prepared wherein the support carrier is SiO2 and a Group 3 to Group 10 metal containing single site complex is mixed with the aluminoxane. Catalysts suitable for polymerizing an olefin such as ethylene or copolymerizing an olefin with at least one C3 to C20 alpha-olefin can be produced.
US08309747B2
The present invention provides methods of making bridged cyclopentadienyl-indenyl metallocene compounds. Generally, these methods can be conducted without the use of a fine purification process such as distillation, chromatography, and crystallization.
US08309735B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein: A is a radical selected from the group comprising aromatic heterocyclic 5-membered ring systems; Ar is a radical selected from the group comprising optionally substituted 5- and 6-membered aromatic ring systems, whereby the ring system contains 0, 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from the group comprising N, O and S; Z is a linker and Ψ is a radical of formula (II) and their use for the inhibition of integrin.
US08309734B2
This invention relates to novel phenyl amide or pyridyl amide derivatives of the formula wherein A1, A2, B1, B2 and R1 to R11 are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are GPBAR1 agonists and can be used as medicaments for the treatment of diseases such as type II diabetes.
US08309731B2
There is provided an organic electronic device having an anode, a hole injection layer, a photoactive layer, an electron transport layer, and a cathode. At least one of the photoactive layer and the electron transport layer includes a compound having Formula I where: R1 is the same or different and can be phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, naphthylphenyl, triphenylamino, or carbazolylphenyl; and one of the following conditions is met: (i) R2=R3 and is H, phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, naphthylphenyl, arylanthracenyl, phenanthryl, triphenylamino, or carbazolylphenyl; or (ii) R2 is H or phenyl; and R3 is phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, naphthylphenyl, arylanthracenyl, phenanthryl, triphenylamino, and carbazolylphenyl; When both R1 are phenyl, R2 and R3 can be 2-naphthyl, naphthylphenyl, arylanthracenyl, 9-phenanthryl, triphenylamino, or m-carbazolylphenyl.
US08309729B2
Disclosed herein are compounds represented by the structural formula: therapeutic methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.
US08309723B2
Present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of Zopiclone and its enantiomerically enriched isomer (Eszopiclone). 6-(5-Chloropyridin-2-yl)-5-hydroxy-7-oxo-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazine is reacted with 1-chloro-carbonyl-4-methylpiperazine in the presence of alkali earth metal carbonates, hydroxides or oxides in a solvent medium to give Zopiclone. It is reacted with optically active acid in a mixture of water and water miscible organic solvent followed by work up to give Eszopiclone. The present invention also relates to process for the conversion of (R) or (S) Zopiclone to 6-(5-chloropyrid-2-yl)-5-hydroxy-7-oxo-5,6-dihydro-pyrrolo-[3,4-b]-pyrazine of the intermediate which can be converted to racemic Zopiclone.
US08309716B2
This invention relates to methods and intermediates useful for the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds. Specifically novel synthetic methods and intermediates for the synthesis of 3-{(3R,4R)-4-methyl-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-amino}-piperidin-1-yl)-3-oxo-propionitrile and its corresponding citrate salt are disclosed.
US08309708B2
A method for producing crystalline sulphated cellulose II materials with relatively low degree of polymerization from spent liquors of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) hydrolysis of cellulose has been discovered. The method involves: 1) separating the spent liquors from the hydrolysed, acid-insoluble, cellulose I materials by dilution from, for example, a 64% H2SO4 hydrolysis medium to a residual sulphuric acid concentration of 10-50% with 0-40% H2SO4, followed by settling (or centrifuging) and decanting; 2) adding the diluted spent liquors to water or heating the diluted spent liquors at 30-80° C. for ≦48 h; and 3) recovering the recrystallized sulphated cellulose II materials with relatively low degree of polymerization either by filtration and washing or by washing and freeze drying. The method can be used to concurrently produce both crystalline, sulphated cellulose I and the crystalline, sulphated cellulose II materials.
US08309697B2
The invention provides novel TRIM polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules. In addition to isolated, full-length TRIM proteins, the invention further provides isolated TRIM fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-TRIM antibodies. The invention also provides TRIM nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which an TRIM gene has been introduced or disrupted. The present invention also provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of viral infection and/or replication, e.g., HIV infection. The invention further provides methods for identifying a compound capable of treating or preventing viral infection and/or replication, e.g., HIV infection and AIDS. In addition, the invention provides a method for treating a subject having a viral infection and/or replication, e.g., HIV infection using the modulators of the invention.
US08309693B2
The present invention is concerned with epitope regions of a thyrotrophin (TSH) receptor, uses thereof and antibodies thereto.
US08309684B2
Embodiments of this invention include synthetic compounds (NRP analogues) of peptides termed neural regeneration peptides (NRPs). NRP analogues are made by substituting amino acids in the native peptide sequence, modifying amino acids chemically, by replacing amino acids with synthetic moieties, by stabilizing β-turns, acetylation of terminal glycine residues or by cyclization. NRP analogues can be used to treat a variety of conditions involving degeneration of neural cells, and includes treating disorders of the nervous system, including peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neurotoxin-induced neurodegeneration, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
US08309683B2
A process for crystallizing a polyester polymer by introducing a molten polyester polymer, such as a polyethylene terephthalate polymer, into a liquid medium at a liquid medium temperature greater than the Tg of the polyester polymer, such as at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 190° C., and allowing the molten polyester polymer to reside in the liquid medium for a time sufficient to crystallize the polymer under a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid medium. A process flow, underwater cutting process, crystallization in a pipe, and a separator are also described.
US08309682B2
A process is described for recycling superabsorbent polymer fines into a process that includes treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with caustic and a polymerization step for making the superabsorbent polymer gel. The process requires treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with a caustic, followed by mixture with polymerizable monomer solution, and polymerizing the mixture of the superabsorbent polymer fines and monomer to form the aqueous fluid absorbent polymer. In the process, the fines are incorporated into the new polymer gel and become indistinguishable there from. The gel may then be comminuted into a particulate dried and then separated into a portion having a desired minimum particle size in a fines portion having less than the desired size. The particulate may then be coated with a surface crosslinking agent and surface additives and heated for surface conversion.
US08309676B2
New polyols; oligomers, and polymers made from the polyols; and binders made from the new polyols, oligomers, or polymers that can be used in binders, where the binders typically include one or more polyols, and a polyfunctional acid or a polyfunctional nitrile.
US08309675B2
The invention relates to highly acetalized, coarse-grained polyvinyl acetals with a degree of acetalization of >80 mol % and an average grain size of ≧100 μm obtainable by acetalization of partially or fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl esters with a degree of hydrolysis of ≧70 mol % with acetaldehyde, characterized by the fact that the acetalization is started at a temperature T1 of 0° C.≦T1≦+20° C. and is then continued at a temperature T2 of >+40° C., wherein the temperature T2 is held for a time period of 0.05 to 4 hours and the acetalization is performed in a closed reactor.
US08309670B2
The present invention relates to an optical film, comprising a copolymer that comprises (a) a (meth)acrylic monomer, (b) an aromatic vinyl monomer, (c) at least one monomer of an acid anhydride monomer and an unsaturated organic acid monomer, and (d) a vinylcyan monomer, a protection film for a polarizer, a polarizing plate fabricated therefrom, and a display device employing the same.
US08309665B2
A multi-component curable composition which is reactive upon admixing of the components and wherein the composition comprises: A. a first component which comprises: (i) a first amine functional adduct which comprises the reaction product of a stoichiometric excess of a diamine and a compound having an epoxide group and an alpha, beta unsaturated carbonyl group; B. a second component which comprises: (i) at least one compound having an average of more than 2.0 groups per molecule which are reactive with amines.
US08309663B2
Water-entrained compositions comprising colloidal or suspensoidal solutions comprising polyimide pre-polymers/oligomers are described. These compositions are obtained in water by initial dispersion of the resin constituents in water to from colloids or suspensoids. The water-entrained polyimide compositions can be applied to numerous surfaces or more beneficially used for composite fabrication. The coated surfaces or polyimide-pre-polymer impregnated reinforcing materials are subsequently cured and are ideal for providing thermal protection.
US08309658B2
The adhesive composition of the invention comprises a thermoplastic resin, a radical polymerizing compound, a radical polymerization initiator and a radical polymerization regulator. According to the present invention it is possible to provide an adhesive composition, a circuit connecting material, a connection structure for a circuit member and a semiconductor device whereby curing treatment can be carried out with sufficient speed at low temperature, curing treatment can be carried out with a wide process margin, and adequately stable adhesive strength can be obtained.
US08309655B2
A poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane multiblock copolymer is prepared by the reaction of a hydroxy-diterminated poly(arylene ether), a hydroxyaryl-diterminated polysiloxane, and an aromatic diacid chloride. This synthesis overcomes disadvantages of known syntheses of poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane block copolymers. The poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane multiblock copolymer is useful for improving the melt processability of poly(arylene ether) compositions.
US08309652B2
A curable silicone composition comprising: (A) an organopolysiloxane that is represented by the average unit formula: (R13SiO1/2)a(R22SiO2/2)b(R3SiO3/2)c(SiO4/2)d (wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups and epoxy-functional monovalent organic groups, with the proviso that at least 20 mole % of R3 are aryl groups, and a, b, c, and d are numbers that satisfy 0≦a≦0.8, 0≦b≦0.8, 0.2≦c≦0.9, 0≦d<0.8, and a+b+c+d=1), and that has at least two of the aforementioned epoxy-functional monovalent organic groups in each molecule; (B) a compound that has a group capable of reacting with the epoxy group; (C) a cure accelerator; and (D) a thermally conductive filler, has excellent handling characteristics and that cures rapidly to give a cured product that is highly thermally conductive, very flexible, highly adhesive, and very flame retardant.
US08309644B1
A method of treating carbon fibers includes introducing a functional group to a carbon fiber surface, and reacting the functional group with a silane to incorporate a silanol moiety to the carbon fiber surface. The functional group is chosen from amine groups, carboxyl groups, hydroxyl groups, and/or carbonyl groups. Also disclosed herein are a fiber-reinforced resin and a method of making the same.
US08309639B2
The present invention is directed to a golf ball having at least one layer formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, at least 0.05 parts by weight of a free radical initiator, per 100 parts of the base rubber, and at least 0.1 parts by weight of a benzoquinone, per 100 parts of the base rubber. The rubber composition may be present in any one or more of a core layer, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer.
US08309637B2
The present disclosure relates to a composition with improved flame resistance, to articles made from the composition, and to methods that include processing the composition. The composition can include from 15 to 85 percent by weight of a polyetherimide (PEI), from 15 to 85 percent by weight of a polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), a polyetherimide-siloxane copolymer in an amount up to 12 percent by weight, and from 0 to 0.30 percent by weight of a stabilizer.
US08309632B2
The invention provides an epoxy nanocomposite material for dental therapy, which can be applied to direct or indirect clinical restoration, dental core-post system, and dental brace etc. The epoxy nanocomposite filling material provided by the invention can be polymerized with various curing agents to form the polymer with low shrinkage.
US08309623B2
The disclosed is a biodegradable copolymer, an amphiphilic diblock copolymer, composed of a hydrophilic segment and a hydrophobic segment. The hydrophilic segment is an endcapped PEG or derivatives thereof. The hydrophilic segment is a random polymer polymerized of lactone or cyclic C3-C6 molecule and lactic acid/glycolic acid. There is no coupling agent between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, and the biodegradable copolymer is formed by one-pot ring-opening polymerization. The biodegradable copolymer can be dissolved in water to form a thermosensitive material having a phase transfer temperature of 25 to 50° C., thereby being applied to biological activity factor delivery, tissue engineering, cell culture and biological glue.
US08309620B2
Described herein, in the preferred embodiment, is a leonardite-based polyurethane resin binder that may be used, among other applications, as a binder in combination with foundry aggregate, e.g., sand, for molding or casting metal parts. The binders described herein comprise a humic substance, preferably leonardite, combined with a polymerizable isocyanate, a polymerizable polyol, and a polymerization catalyst to make a polyurethane resin binder in situ in a foundry aggregate, such as sand.
US08309612B2
An object of the present invention is to find a novel medicinal use of 2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one or a salt thereof. 2-Phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one or a salt thereof exhibits an excellent inhibitory effect on neovascularization in the choroid and also has a protective effect on retinal pigment epithelial cell damage, and therefore is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for age-related macular degeneration.
US08309606B2
The present invention provides compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating, immuno-allergical diseases, autoimmune diseases, and organ or tissue rejection following transplantation.
US08309605B2
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.
US08309584B2
A novel sulfur containing heteroaryl-pyrazole compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is effective as a cannabinoid CB1 receptor inverse agonist or antagonist, which is useful for preventing or treating obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders. The prevention also provide a method for preparing same, a pharmaceutical composition containing same, and a method for preventing or treating obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders.
US08309581B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be used in the form of pharmaceutical compositions, wherein A, B, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, n, m and p have the significance defined herein.
US08309579B2
The present invention is related to N-hydroxyamide derivatives of Formula (I) and use thereof in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and fibrosis, including multiple sclerosis, arthritis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver and pulmonary fibrosis.
US08309577B2
The disclosure provides compounds of formula I, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds are ligands for the nicotinic α7 receptor and may be useful for the treatment of various disorders of the central nervous system, especially affective and neurodegenerative disorders.
US08309570B2
Central neuropathic pain is treated with an analgesic composition that consists essentially of an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. In one embodiment, the invention includes chronic administration of the (NMDA) receptor antagonist. In another embodiment, the invention is use of an NMDA receptor antagonist or component thereof for the manufacture of a medicament than includes an analgesic component that consists essentially of an NMDA receptor antagonist for the chronic treatment of central neuropathic pain.
US08309569B2
The present invention provides methods of treating diarrhea-associated irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) following rifaximin administration.
US08309565B2
The present invention relates to phosphonate compounds, compositions containing them, processes for obtaining them, and their use for treating a variety of medical disorders, e.g., osteoporosis and other disorders of bone metabolism, cancer, viral infections, and the like.
US08309563B2
he present invention has disclosed a compound of formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof, wherein the substituents are as defined in the description. The invention has also disclosed a method for preparing the compound of formula I, the pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same and their uses in the preparation of an anti-tumor medicament.
US08309561B2
Specific phenylalanine derivatives and analogues thereof have an antagonistic activity to α4 integrin. They are used as therapeutic agents for various diseases concerning α4 integrin.
US08309558B2
The disclosure provides compounds of formula I, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV.
US08309557B2
The invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) and N-oxides, tautomers and agrochemically compatible salts thereof to processes for their preparation, and to their use as herbicides and plant growth regulators, in particular as herbicides for the selected control of harmful plants in useful plant crops.
US08309548B2
Disclosed are compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of Formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, n, Q1, Q2, Q3, Y, and X1-X4 are as defined herein. Compounds of Formula I are useful in the treatment of diseases and/or conditions related to cell proliferation, such as cancer, inflammation, arthritis, angiogenesis, or the like. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the invention and methods of treating the aforementioned conditions using such compounds.
US08309545B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful in the modulation of potassium channel activity in cells, in particular the activity of Kv1.3 channels found in T cells. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds in the treatment or prevention of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and methods for their preparation.
US08309544B2
The present invention relates to spiroindalone compounds useful as HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors to treat anemia and like conditions.
US08309540B2
The present invention relates to macrocyclic compounds of formula (I) that are useful as inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease, their synthesis, and their use for treating or preventing HCV infections. (I)
US08309538B2
A method for cleansing and treating skin exposed to a capsaicin or derivative thereof so as to inhibit capsaicin reactivation includes: providing a subject having exposure to capsaicin, oleoresin capsicum, or other capsaicinoid derivative; cleansing capsaicin, oleoresin capsicum, or other capsaicinoid derivative from skin of the subject with a cleansing composition having: a carrier; a surfactant and/or detergent; a chelating agent; and salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, or ibuprofen; and treating the skin of the subject with a therapeutic composition so as to inhibit reactivation of effects of capsaicin, oleoresin capsicum, or other capsaicinoid derivative exposure, the therapeutic composition having: a carrier; aloe; a thickening agent; and salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, or ibuprofen.
US08309537B2
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases, inter alia, indeterminate colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and ischemic colitis.
US08309532B2
The present invention provides novel molecules, compositions, methods and uses for treating microvascular disorders, eye diseases and respiratory conditions based upon inhibition of the RTP801 gene and/or protein.
US08309531B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases or disorders in a subject (e.g., a mammal, such as a human) including, e.g., diseases or disorders caused by biological agents, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The compositions include a delivery vector (e.g., a viral vector, such as an Ad5 vector) encoding an interferon (e.g., IFN-α), and are provided to the subject by, e.g., intranasal or pulmonary administration.
US08309529B2
Specific CpG oligonucleotide sequences, when given subcutaneously and in particular when administered on a mucous membrane, e.g. intranasally, intravaginally, or rectally, have a profound effect on various human cancer forms as confirmed in vivo, in animal studies, and in vitro, in human PBMCs collected from blood from healthy subjects and from patients suffering from CLL or FL. The compounds are also preferably used in combination with a cancer therapy chosen among radiation treatment, hormone treatment, surgical intervention, chemotherapy, immunological therapies, photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, hyperthermia, cryotherapy, angiogenesis inhibition, or a combination of any of these, and is most preferably an immunological treatment and comprises the administration of an antibody to the patient.
US08309528B2
The present invention relates to the discovery that two pore K+ channel (2PK) gene expression is increased in tumors and tumor cell lines, especially prostate tumor cells. The present invention encompasses methods for disease diagnosis, drug screening and the treatment of cancer.
US08309522B2
Methods and compositions for treating psychiatric diseases and disorders are disclosed. The methods provided generally involve the administration of an NMX peptide, an FNX peptide, or an NMX receptor agonist, or analogs or derivatives thereof, to a subject in order to treat psychiatric diseases and disorders, and conditions associated with psychiatric diseases and disorders.
US08309519B2
Compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis are described herein. Methods for producing and screening compounds and compositions capable of inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis are also described herein. Pharmaceutical compositions are included in the compositions described herein. The compositions described herein are useful in, for example, methods of inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis, including methods of inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis induced by specific angiogenic, permeability and inflammatory factors, such as, for example VEGF, bFGF and thrombin. Methods for treating specific diseases and conditions are also provided herein.
US08309515B2
The present invention relates to micelle-forming poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(ester) block copolymers having reactive groups on the polyester block therein. The biodegradability of these copolymers and their biocompatibilities with a large number of bioactive agents make them suitable as carriers for various bioactive agents. The bioactive agents, such as DNA, RNA, oligonucleotide, protein, peptide, drug and the like, can be coupled to the reactive groups on the polyester block of the copolymer.
US08309509B2
A solid block or unit dosed detergent composition as described which can be utilized in a variety of applications for cleaning surfaces and objects, removing suspending soils, and rinsing easily. The detergent composition, when exposed to an aqueous solution such as water, dissolves quickly and completely to create the use solution.
US08309506B2
The present invention is an auxiliary washing aid comprising a textile substrate coated or otherwise impregnated with a composition comprising elementary silver and/or a silver compound, non-neutralized fatty acid, and hydrogen peroxide.
US08309505B2
Hand dish compositions such as those that are typically provided to the consumer in liquid form are disclosed. The hand dish composition is in the form of a flexible, porous, dissolvable substrate. The substrate may comprise hand care compositions. The article may take any number of suitable shapes.
US08309502B2
Compositions and methods useful for the removal of organic substances from substrates, for example, electronic device substrates such as microelectronic wafers or flat panel displays, are provided. A method is presented which applies a minimum volume of the composition as a coating to the inorganic substrate whereby sufficient heat is added and immediately rinsed with water to achieve complete removal. These compositions and methods are particularly suitable for removing and completely dissolving photoresists of the positive and negative varieties as well as thermoset polymers from electronic devices.
US08309496B2
The present invention provides novel processes for the large scale preparation of arrays of polymer sequences wherein each array includes a plurality of different, positionally distinct polymer sequences having known monomer sequences. The methods of the invention combine high throughput process steps with high resolution photolithographic techniques in the manufacture of polymer arrays.
US08309494B2
The invention provides an iron-based superconducting substance capable of bringing about superconductivity without using any toxic elements. The iron-based superconducting substance includes a composition wherein an FeTe alloy is doped with sulfur in such a way as to satisfy the following formula 1. Fe(Te1-xSx)y where 0
US08309476B2
The present invention relates to concentrated inorganic/organic sols that are readily diluted with water to form coating agents for textile materials. Further, the use of the aqueous formulations, especially for the washproof coating of a textile material.
US08309464B2
The present disclosure generally relates to the manufacture of silicon wafers, and more particularly to edge etching apparatus and methods for etching the edge of a silicon wafer.
US08309458B2
A semiconductor device comprises an electrical contact designed to reduce a contact resistance. The electrical contact has a size that varies according to a length of a region where the contact is to be formed.
US08309453B2
A method of fabricating multilevel interconnects includes providing a substrate having a pixel array area and a logical circuit area, forming a first dielectric layer on the substrate, performing a first metallizing process on the first dielectric layer to form a first patterned metal layer and a second patterned metal layer above the pixel array area and the logical circuit area respectively, forming a second dielectric layer on the first patterned metal layer, the second patterned metal layer, and the first dielectric layer, performing a second metallizing process on the second dielectric layer to form a third patterned metal layer and a fourth patterned metal layer above the pixel array area and the logical circuit area respectively, wherein patterns of the fourth and the second patterned metal layer interlace to completely cover the logical circuit area, and depositing a dielectric layer on the third and the fourth patterned metal layer.
US08309449B2
A semiconductor and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The method for forming the semiconductor device includes forming a buried gate on a semiconductor substrate including an active region, forming an insulating layer on the semiconductor substrate, selectively removing the insulating layer from at least an upper part of the active region, forming a bit line on an upper part between the buried gates formed on the active region, and forming a storage electrode contact that is formed at both sides of the bit line and has an extended lower part, so that prevents short circuiting between the storage electrode contact and the bit line, and improves contact resistance by enlarging a contact area between the storage electrode contact and the active region, so that unique characteristics of the semiconductor device are improved.
US08309448B2
Provided is a method for forming a buried word line in a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a trench by etching a pad layer and a substrate, forming a conductive layer to fill the trench, planarizing the conductive layer until the pad layer is exposed, performing an etch-back process on the planarized conductive layer, and performing an annealing process in an atmosphere of a nitride-based gas after at least one of the forming of the conductive layer, the planarizing of the conductive layer, and the performing of the etch-back process on the planarized conductive layer.
US08309443B2
It is an object to achieve continuous crystal growth without optical interference using a compact laser irradiation apparatus. A megahertz laser beam is split and combined to crystallize a semiconductor film. At this point of time, an optical path difference is provided between the split beams to reduce optical interference. The optical path difference is set to have a length equivalent to the pulse width of the megahertz laser beam or more and less than a length equivalent to the pulse repetition interval; thus, optical interference can be suppressed with a very short optical path difference. Therefore, laser beams can be applied continuously and efficiently without energy deterioration.
US08309440B2
Embodiments described herein provide methods for processing a substrate. One embodiment comprises positioning a substrate in a processing region of a processing chamber, exposing a surface of the substrate disposed in the processing chamber to an oxygen containing gas to form a first oxygen containing layer on the surface, removing at least a portion of the first oxygen containing layer to expose at least a portion of the surface of the substrate, and exposing the surface of the substrate to an oxygen containing gas to form a second oxygen containing layer on the surface.
US08309436B2
A method of producing an epitaxial substrate for a solid-state imaging device, comprising: forming a gettering sink by injecting laser beam to a semiconductor substrate through one surface thereof, condensing the laser beam to an arbitrarily selected portion of the semiconductor substrate, thereby causing multi-photon absorption process to occur in the portion, and forming a gettering sink having a modified crystal structure; and epitaxially growing at least two epitaxial layers on the semiconductor substrate in which the gettering sink is formed.
US08309429B2
A plurality of single crystal semiconductor substrates are arranged and then the plurality of single crystal semiconductor substrates which have been arranged are overlapped with a base substrate, so that the base substrate and the plurality of single crystal semiconductor substrates are bonded to each other. Then, each of the plurality of single crystal semiconductor substrates is separated to form a plurality of single crystal semiconductor layers over the base substrate. Next, in order to reduce crystal defects in the plurality of single crystal semiconductor layers, the plurality of single crystal semiconductor layers are irradiated with a laser beam. The plurality of single crystal semiconductor layers are thinned by being etched before or after irradiation with a laser beam.
US08309427B2
A manufacturing method for a FIN-FET having a floating body is disclosed. The manufacturing method of this invention includes forming openings in a poly crystalline layer; extending the openings downward; forming spacers on sidewalls of the openings; performing an isotropic silicon etching process on bottoms of the openings; performing deposition by using TEOS to form gate oxide.
US08309424B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming low k dielectric regions between electrically conductive lines. A construction may be formed to have a plurality of spaced apart electrically conductive lines, and to have sacrificial material between the electrically conductive lines. The sacrificial material may be removed. Subsequently, electrically insulative material may be deposited over and between the lines. The deposition of the insulative material may occur under conditions in which bread-loafing of the insulative material creates bridges of the insulative material across gas-filled gaps between the lines. The gas-filled gaps may be considered to correspond to low k dielectric regions between the electrically conductive lines. In some embodiments the sacrificial material may be carbon. In some embodiments, the deposited insulative material may be a low k dielectric material, and in other embodiments the deposited insulative material may not be a low k dielectric material.
US08309423B2
A high voltage diode in which the n-type cathode is surrounded by an uncontacted heavily doped n-type ring to reflect injected holes back into the cathode region for recombination or collection is disclosed. The dopant density in the heavily doped n-type ring is preferably 100 to 10,000 times the dopant density in the cathode. The heavily doped n-type region will typically connect to an n-type buried layer under the cathode. The heavily doped n-type ring is optimally positioned at least one hole diffusion length from cathode contacts. The disclosed high voltage diode may be integrated into an integrated circuit without adding process steps.
US08309419B2
A method and apparatus are described for fabricating single metal gate electrodes (35, 36) over a high-k gate dielectric layer (31, 32) that is separately doped in the PMOS and NMOS device areas (96, 97) by forming first capping oxide layer (23) with a first dopant species on a high-k gate dielectric layer (22) in at least the NMOS device area and also forming second capping oxide layer (27) with a second dopant species on a high-k gate dielectric layer (22) in at least the PMOS device area, where the first and second dopant species are diffused into the gate dielectric layer (22) to form a first fixed charge layer (31) in the PMOS device area of the high-k gate dielectric area and a second fixed charge layer (32) in the NMOS device area of the high-k gate dielectric area.
US08309417B2
In a vertical-type memory device and a method of manufacturing the vertical-type memory device, the vertical memory device includes an insulation layer pattern of a linear shape provided on a substrate, pillar-shaped single-crystalline semiconductor patterns provided on both sidewalls of the insulation layer pattern and transistors provided on a sidewall of each of the single-crystalline semiconductor patterns. The transistors are arranged in a vertical direction of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern, and thus the memory device may be highly integrated.
US08309403B2
A method for encapsulating electronic components, including the steps of: forming, in a first surface of a semiconductor wafer, electronic components; forming, on the first surface, an interconnection stack including conductive tracks and vias separated by an insulating material; forming first and second bonding pads on the interconnection stack; thinning down the wafer, except at least on its contour; filling the thinned-down region with a first resin layer; arranging at least one first chip on the first bonding pads and forming solder bumps on the second bonding pads; depositing a second resin layer covering the first chips and partially covering the solder bumps; bonding an adhesive strip on the first resin layer; and scribing the structure into individual chips.
US08309402B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure includes providing a substrate having an upper surface and a bottom surface. First openings are formed in the substrate. An oxidization process is performed to oxidize the substrate having the first openings therein to form an oxide-containing material layer, and the oxide-containing material layer has second openings therein. A conductive material is filled into the second openings to form conductive plugs. A first device layer is formed a first surface of the oxide-containing material layer, and is partially or fully electrically connected to the conductive plugs. A second device layer is formed on a second surface of the oxide-containing material layer, and is partially or fully electrically connected to the conductive plugs.
US08309401B2
A manufacturing method of a non-leaded package structure is provided. An upper surface and a lower surface of a metal base plate are patterned so as to form a plurality of first protruding parts and at least a second protruding part on the upper surface and to form a plurality of first recess patterns on the lower surface corresponding to the first protruding parts. A first solder layer is formed in each of the first recess patterns respectively. A chip is mounted on the second protruding part and electrically connected to the first protruding parts with a plurality of bonding wires. An encapsulant is formed on the upper surface. A back etching process is performed on the lower surface to partially remove the metal base plate until the encapsulant is exposed and a lead group including at least a die pad and a plurality of leads is defined.
US08309387B2
A method of making thermodynamically stable, diffusion-impeded barrier layers within, for example, a photovoltaic cell with a metal-containing electrical contact using exposure to fluorine. Exposing the cadmium telluride surface to fluorine creates a Te-poor barrier layer of cadmium fluoride. Once that barrier layer is formed, the metal-containing electrical contact may be applied or formed. The barrier layer allows tunneling current to occur between the p-type layer and the metal-containing electrical contact establishing a low-resistance, highly uniform, and thermally stable electrical contact.
US08309382B2
Processes are provided herein for the fabrication of MEMS utilizing both a primary metal that is integrated into the final MEMS structure and two or more sacrificial secondary metals that provide structural support for the primary metal component during machining. A first secondary metal is thinly plated around the primary metal and over the entire surface of the substrate without using photolithography. A second secondary metal, is then thickly plated over the deposited first secondary metal without using photolithography. Additionally, techniques are disclosed to increase the deposition rate of the first secondary metal between primary metal features in order to prevent voiding and thus enhance structural support of the primary metal during machining.
US08309379B2
A method for fabricating a flexible display device including the steps of preparing a glass substrate, forming a flexible substrate on the glass substrate, the flexible substrate being formed by forming a semiconductor layer on the glass substrate, forming a first flexible layer on the semiconductor layer, forming an adhesive layer on the first flexible layer, and forming a second flexible layer on the adhesive layer, forming a thin film array on the flexible substrate, forming a display device on the thin film array, and separating the glass substrate from the semiconductor layer of the flexible substrate.
US08309374B2
The present invention generally provides a batch substrate processing system, or cluster tool, for in-situ processing of a film stack used to form regions of a solar cell device. In one configuration, the film stack formed on each of the substrates in the batch contains one or more silicon-containing layers and one or more metal layers that are deposited and further processed within the various chambers contained in the substrate processing system. In one embodiment, a batch of solar cell substrates is simultaneously transferred in a vacuum or inert environment to prevent contamination from affecting the solar cell formation process.
US08309372B2
A method of manufacturing a stacked semiconductor package in which a plurality of semiconductor chips are stacked includes preparing a first semiconductor chip including a first semiconductor device, a first penetration electrode, and a first connection unit electrically connected to the first semiconductor device or the first penetration electrode, attaching the first semiconductor chip to a base substrate with the first connection unit interposed therebetween, forming a first rewiring pattern and a first protection layer on the first semiconductor chip by using a printing method, wherein the first rewiring pattern is electrically connected to the first penetration electrode and the first protection layer partially covers the first rewiring pattern and exposes other portions of the first rewiring pattern, and attaching a second semiconductor chip including a second semiconductor device to the first semiconductor chip to electrically connect the second semiconductor device to the first rewiring pattern.
US08309370B2
A method and apparatus for interrogating a target having a plurality of plasmon resonant particles (PREs) distributed in the target are disclosed. In the method, a field containing the target is illuminated, and one or more spectral emission characteristics of the light-scattering particles in the field are detected. From this data, an image of positions and spectral characteristic values in the field is constructed, allowing PREs with a selected spectral signature to be discriminated from other light-scattering entities, to provide information about the field. Also disclosed are a novel PRE composition for use in practicing the method, and a variety of diagnostic applications of the method.
US08309363B2
An apparatus (10) for evaluating a liquid hydrocarbon to determine the propensity for coke formation comprising an injector (12), a supply of air (14) arranged to supply air to the injector (12) and a supply of liquid hydrocarbon (16) arranged to supply liquid hydrocarbon to the injector (12). The injector (12) is arranged to atomise the liquid hydrocarbon and to supply the air and atomised liquid hydrocarbon into a chamber (18) and the chamber (18) is arranged to supply atomised liquid hydrocarbon and air to a test pipe (20) and a heater (22) is arranged to heat the test pipe (20). The test pipe (20) is pivotably mounted on a frame (28) such that the orientation of the test pipe (20) relative to the frame (28) is variable. The apparatus (10) is able to simulate conditions within a vent pipe of a lubricant system of an aero gas turbine engine.
US08309359B2
Isobaric reagents for labeling analytes are provided. The isobaric reagents have facile design and synthesis that allows for differential labeling of an unlimited number of analyte samples.
US08309357B2
A device adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample using a test sensor. The device comprises a display adapted to display information to a user. The device further comprises at least one user-interface mechanism adapted to allow the user to interact with the device. The device further comprises a body portion including at least one opening formed therein, the at least one opening being of sufficient size to receive the test sensor. The device further comprises a memory adapted to store a plurality of stored analyte concentrations. The device further comprises a processing feature adapted to inhibit the stored analyte concentrations from being displayed on the display.
US08309353B2
It is an object of the present invention to establish a system for reliably differentiating an ES cell into a hepatic cell. The present invention provides a method for inducing the differentiation of an ES cell into a hepatic cell, which comprises, in the presence of an M15 cell, culturing a mammal-derived ES cell in the presence of activin and bFGF, and then culturing the ES cell in the presence of dexamethasone, HGF, and oncostatin M.
US08309348B2
A stable method for producing liquid products such as ethanol, propanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components that contacts CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a highly porous side of an asymmetric membrane under anaerobic conditions and transfers these components into contact with microorganisms contained within bio-pores of the membrane. A liquid contacting side of the membrane utilizes a dense layer to control hydration of the bio-pores with a liquid phase. The gas feed directly contacts the microorganisms in the bio-pores and maximizes their utilization of the syngas. Metabolic products produced by the microorganisms leave the membrane through the side opposite the entering syngas. This method establishes a unitary direction across the membrane for the supply of the primary feed source to the microorganisms and the withdrawal of metabolically produced products. The feed and product flow improves productivity and performance of the microorganism and the membrane.
US08309344B2
The present invention is applied in fields like biological medicine and tissue engineering. A fluid control system in a cell isolation and culture system is used to automatically process sample preparation, circulating tumor cell (CTC) isolation, plate changing and cell culturing. By using the present invention, time and labor are saved; moreover, the present invention has a small size and is easily carried.
US08309330B2
Methods, substrates, and systems for diagnostic sequencing are provided. Small circles of nucleic acids from about 10 bases to about 200 bases can be sequenced, for example using template dependent sequencing by synthesis. The use of small circles of nucleic acids allows for repeated sequencing of the same portions of the nucleic acid, providing for higher accuracy sequence determinations.
US08309316B2
The present invention provides an approach for the simultaneous determination of the activation states of a plurality of proteins in single cells. This approach permits the rapid detection of heterogeneity in a complex cell population based on activation states, and the identification of cellular subsets that exhibit correlated changes in activation within the cell population. Moreover, this approach allows the correlation of cellular activities or properties. In addition, the use of potentiators of cellular activation allows for characterization of such pathways and cell populations.
US08309312B2
The invention concerns multimers developed from recombinant proteins analogues of MHC class I.
US08309311B2
The invention includes methods for detecting the presence of a neoplastic condition by comparing a sample level of a BIF-1 to a reference, wherein a low level of BIF-1 in the sample correlates with the presence of a neoplastic condition. Another method involves determining the risk of relapse, tumor recurrence and/or metastasis by determining a sample level of a Bif-1 to a reference level of Bif-1, wherein low sample levels correlate with a likelihood of relapse, recurrence and/or metastasis. Yet another method includes detecting the presence of a pre-neoplastic condition, such as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. The method involves measuring a level of a Bif-1 in a sample and comparing the level of Bif-1 in the sample to a reference level of Bif-1. High levels of Bif-1 in the sample correlate with the presence of the pre-neoplastic condition.
US08309307B2
The present invention generally relates to spatial and structural genomic analysis compositions, which can be used for the mapping of chromosomes and structural analyses of chromosomal rearrangements, including the entire chromosome, as well as specific portions or regions of interest of the chromosomes. In some embodiments, multiple portions of the genome can be distinguished, for instance, using a first detection entity and a second detection entity different from the first detection entity. The detection entities may be immobilized relative to oligonucleotides, which may be selected to bind to different locations within the chromosome. For instance, the oligonucleotides may be at least substantially complementary to the chromosome, e.g., substantially complementary to a specific location of the chromosome.
US08309301B2
Primers have been isolated that are diagnostic for the detection of the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The primers are based on a new portion of the WSSV genome and may be used in primer directed amplification or nucleic acid hybridization assay methods.
US08309297B2
A method of lithographically patterning a substrate that has photoresist having removal areas and non-removal areas includes first exposing at least the non-removal areas to radiation effective to increase outer surface roughness of the photoresist in the non-removal areas at least post-develop but ineffective to change photoresist solubility in a developer for the photoresist to be cleared from the non-removal areas upon develop with the developer. Second exposing of radiation to the removal areas is conducted to be effective to change photoresist solubility in the developer for the photoresist to be cleared from the removal areas upon develop with the developer. The photoresist is developed with the developer effective to clear photoresist from the removal areas and to leave photoresist in the non-removal areas that has outer surface roughness in the non-removal areas which is greater than that before the first exposing. Other implementations and embodiments are contemplated.
US08309291B2
A polyester for a toner, obtainable by polycondensing an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component containing a (meth)acrylic acid-modified rosin; and a toner containing the polyester for a toner. The polyester for a toner of the present invention is usable as a resin binder for a toner usable in, for example, developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like.
US08309288B2
A color toner is provided which has a dielectric strength equal to or lower than that of a black toner containing carbon black, and which has an improved charging rate and charge stability against changes in the environment.
US08309287B2
A developing roller has a mandrel, an elastic layer and a cover layer as a surface layer. The cover layer includes a silicon oxide film containing a carbon atom chemically bonded to a silicon atom. In the silicon oxide film, the proportion of the total number of the elements of silicon, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen to the number of all detected elements, as detected with a high-frequency glow discharge light-emission surface analysis method, is 90% or more. The silicon oxide film has an abundance ratio of an oxygen atom chemically bonded to a silicon atom to silicon atoms, (O/Si), of 0.65 or more but 1.95 or less and an abundance ratio of a carbon atom chemically bonded to a silicon atom to silicon atoms, (C/Si), of 0.05 or more but 1.65 or less, and has a ratio of the maximum value to the minimum value of the (C/Si) in a thickness direction of the cover layer, of 1.50 to 33.00.
US08309285B2
Disclosed is an electrophotographic imaging member that includes a substrate; a charge generating layer; a charge transport layer; and a protective overcoat layer having a polyol binder; a hole transport material; an acid catalyst; a leveling agent; and no melamine formaldehyde curing agent or cross-linking additive. Also disclosed is a process for forming a photoreceptor that includes providing a substrate; applying to it a charge generating layer, charge transport layer; and protective over coating layer having a polyol binder; a hole transport material; an acid catalyst; a leveling agent; and no melamine formaldehyde curing agent or cross-linking additive. Additionally provided is a method of forming an image with the disclosed electrophotographic imaging member.
US08309281B2
The present invention related to amorphous photosensitive networks. The networks are characterized by good shape memory properties.
US08309280B2
A positive-type photosensitive resin composition includes (A) a polyamide resin that includes a structural unit shown by the following formula (1) and a structural unit shown by the following formula (2), and (B) a photosensitive compound, the polyamide resin (A) having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 5000 to 80,000, and a cured film obtained by curing the positive-type photosensitive resin composition at 250° C. having a tensile modulus of elasticity of 2.0 to 4.0 GPa and a tensile elongation of 10 to 100%. According to the present invention, a positive-type photosensitive resin composition that can be cured at a low temperature and a highly reliable semiconductor device including a cured film of the positive-type photosensitive resin composition can be provided.
US08309279B2
There is provided a pellicle in which the mask-bonding adhesive is formed to have a corner-rounded cross section in a shape akin to a trapezoid whose upper parallel side represents the face of the mask-bonding adhesive layer by which the adhesive layer is attached to the pellicle frame, and whose lower parallel side is not shorter than the upper parallel side, and the base angles of the trapezoid are 90 degrees or smaller but not smaller than 75 degrees, when the lower parallel side is assumed to be the base of the trapezoid.
US08309276B2
The present invention discloses a process for preparing catalyst solution for a membrane-electrode assembly in a fuel cell, which comprises the steps of a) mixing a catalyst solution (Solution A) wherein catalyst particles are dispersed in water and an ion conductive resin solution (Solution B) wherein an ion conductive resin is dissolved in water, low boiling point organic solvent or a mixture thereof, to form a dispersion; b) mixing the dispersion obtained from step a) with functional additive dissolved in high boiling point solvent or a mixture of low boiling point solvent arid water (Solution C) to prepare catalyst ink dispersion; and c) aging the catalyst ink dispersion obtained from step b).
US08309271B2
A tubular fuel cell comprises a cylindrical internal electrode having electrical conductivity, a lamination of a first catalytic layer, an electrolytic layer, and a second catalytic layer laminated in that order on an outer circumferential surface of the internal electrode, and an electrically conductive exterior coil wound around an outer circumferential surface of the second catalytic layer. The tubular fuel cell further comprises an electrically conductive spacer which has an outside diameter greater than that of the exterior coil.
US08309269B2
A fuel cell of the present invention includes a membrane-electrode assembly (10), an anode separator (20), and a cathode separator (30). The membrane-electrode assembly (10) includes: a polymer electrolyte membrane (1); a first anode catalyst layer (2A) and an anode gas diffusion layer (4) sequentially stacked on one of main surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane (1); a second anode catalyst layer (2B) disposed between the polymer electrolyte membrane (1) and the first anode catalyst layer (2A); and a cathode catalyst layer (3) and a cathode gas diffusion layer (5) sequentially stacked on the other main surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane (1). The second anode catalyst layer (2B) contains a catalyst which adsorbs a sulfur compound.
US08309268B2
A sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assembly is disclosed. Encapsulation films, each comprising a backing layer and an adhesive layer, are positioned on the edges of at least one face of each gas diffusion substrate such that the adhesive layers impregnate into each gas diffusion substrate. Methods of forming sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assemblies are also disclosed.
US08309264B2
A bipolar plate (30) for use in a fuel cell stack (10) includes one or more first metal layers (40a) having a tendency to grow an electrically passive layer in the presence of a fuel cell reactant gas and one or more second metal layers (40b) directly adjacent the one or more first metal layers (40a). The second metal layer has a tendency to resist growing any oxide layer in the presence of the fuel cell reactant gas to maintain a threshold electrical conductivity. The second metal layer also has a section for contacting an electrode (12, 14) and providing an electrically conductive path between the electrode (12, 14) and the first metal layer.
US08309247B2
A battery module has a plurality of prismatic batteries (2) stacked in a thickness direction. Two plates (3, 4) are provided between each of the batteries (2), and each of the batteries (2) is compressed by shifting the two plates (3, 4) in directions away from each other. A pair of frame members (10, 20) having opposing surfaces (11, 21) extending along the stacking direction of the batteries (2) are disposed face to face so as to sandwich the batteries (2) in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the batteries. Wedge-shaped spacers (12, 22) inserted between the two plates (3, 4) are provided respectively on the opposing surfaces. By narrowing the gap between the pair of frame members (10, 20), the spacers (12, 22) are allowed to advance inwardly between the two plates (3, 4) so that the two plates are shifted in directions away from each other, whereby the batteries are compressed.
US08309244B2
A high-voltage battery comprising a number of cells (2) that are arranged in rows, a support structure (3), and a cover plate on which high-current connectors (24) for the individual cells and a cell monitoring unit (9) are mounted. In order to reduce production, assembly, and logistics costs, the cover plate (6) is embodied as a multilayer printed board encompassing at least two conducting layers (15, 17). The first conducting layer (15) is mounted on the side of the printed board facing the cells (2) and has a considerable thickness in order to form the high-current connectors (24), while the second conducting layer (17) has a small thickness and forms the connecting lines (20) to the cell monitoring unit (9). The two layers (15, 17) are interconnected at certain points by means of conducting bores (19) that penetrate the printed board.
US08309241B2
A battery system to monitor temperature includes at least one cell with a temperature sensing device proximate the at least one cell. The battery system also includes a flexible member that holds the temperature sensor proximate to the at least one cell.
US08309239B2
A vertical magnetic recording disc (100) includes a base (10), a magnetic recording layer (22), and a medium protection layer (26). The magnetic recording layer (22) is a ferromagnetic layer having a granular structure where a granular portion is formed. The medium protection layer (26) contains nitrogen (N) atoms and carbon (C) atoms with a number ratio (N/C) in a range from 0.050 to 0.150. In a Raman spectrum obtained by exciting the medium protection layer (26) by argon ion laser light of wavelength 514.5 nm, from which a fluorescence is removed, the peak ratio Dh/Gh is in a range from 0.70 to 0.95, when a D peak Dh appearing in the vicinity of 1350 cm−1 is separated from G peak Gh appearing in the vicinity of 1520 cm−1 by the Gauss function.
US08309237B2
Aluminum alloy products comprising an aluminum alloy base and a sulfate-phosphate oxide zone integral therewith are disclosed. Methods of making the same are also disclosed.
US08309231B2
The present invention relates to an acoustical tile that includes a core and a surface treatment. The surface treatment comprises a formaldehyde-free latex binder, the binder including at least one formaldehyde-free biocide. The present invention also provides a process of manufacturing an acoustical tile.
US08309230B2
A multilayer barrier structure includes a plurality of relatively thin nanocomposite layers separated by one or more relatively thick intermediate layers selected from synthetic elastomers or non-elastomeric polymers. The composites exhibit remarkably long breakthrough and lag-times and are useful for packaging or protective apparel.
US08309229B2
The invention discloses specific polyester resins which are obtained by the technique of reacting polyesterpolyol oligomer of specific monomeric composition further with polyvalent carboxylic acid (anhydride) and the like; thermosetting water-borne coating compositions using the polyester resins, and coating film-forming methods using the thermosetting water-borne coating compositions.
US08309227B2
Carbon fibrous aggregator obtained by a chemical vapor phase growing method, which comprises plural granular parts, and plural carbon fibers which are mutually independently extended outwardly from their respective granular parts so that each granular part is associated with two or more of carbon fibers, wherein the carbon fibers show a three dimensional expansion in all; and which show a three dimensional network structure of the carbon fibers at least in a part by a state that at least a part of the plural carbon fibers extended from one granular part is linked with another granular part; wherein mean length of carbon fibers which link two granular parts together is of 3.0-20.0 μm, and wherein a coefficient of variation, CV, ((standard deviation/mean value)×100) which is obtained on a determination of outer diameter distribution of the carbon fibers which constitute the aggregator of carbon fiber is not more than 30%.
US08309226B2
This invention is directed to an article comprising a transparent substrate and an electrically conductive transparent coating deposited on the transparent substrate. This invention is also directed to methods for preparing the electrically conductive transparent coating and depositing the coating on the transparent substrate. This invention is further directed to devices containing such articles. The electrically conductive transparent coating comprises carbon nanotubes filled, coated, or both filled and coated by a non-carbon material.
US08309222B2
The present disclosure describes a coating for a surgical filament including a vinyl lactam polymer and a lactone polymer.
US08309220B2
The invention relates to a coating for a wood board. In accordance with the invention, the coating is formed of at least three layers, which are the first (1) layer formed of a film containing polyolefin and a coupling agent which is reactive with —OH groups of the wood for forming self-adhesive properties, second (2) layer selected from the group signaling layer and decorative layer and third (3) layer formed of a film containing polyolefin and the coupling agent which is re-active with —OH groups of the wood for forming self-adhesive properties, and the second layer is arranged between the first and third layers, and the layers are joined together by means of the coupling agent. Further, the invention relates to a wood board (4) which has been coated by said coating.
US08309215B2
A hydrogenated nitrile rubber-metal laminate having distinguished heat and rubber bulging resistances at elevated temperatures and surface pressures, which comprises a metallic sheet subjected to a hexavalent Cr ions-free chemical conversion treatment, a defatting treatment, a surface-roughening treatment, a primer treatment, or a combination of the treatment, and an adhesive layer and a rubber layer successively laid on one or both surfaces of the metallic sheet, wherein the rubber layer is a vulcanizate of a hydrogenated nitrile rubber compound comprising 100 parts by weight of a hydrogenated nitrile rubber, 50-250 parts by weight of an inorganic filler containing not more than 20% by volume, on the basis of total compound, of a non-reinforcing inorganic filler having an average particle size of not more than 5 μm, 4-20 parts by weight of an organic peroxide, and preferably furthermore 2-10 parts by weight of N,N′-phenylene dimaleimide.
US08309208B2
Disclosed is an optical sheet for use in liquid crystal displays, which is not easily damaged by external impact, thus facilitating handling thereof and decreasing defective rates, resulting in reduced production costs and increased production efficiency. Decreases in the luminance of the optical sheet due to damage can be prevented.
US08309207B2
The disclosed technology provides an adhesive article with repositionability and air egress characteristics. The adhesive article comprises an adhesive layer having a surface comprising a plurality of spaced apart non-adhesive forms. The non-adhesive forms are arranged in a pattern comprising one or more lanes defined by adjacent rows of non-adhesive forms and a pattern of non-adhesive forms disposed in an area adjacent the lanes. The spacing between the non-adhesive forms in the area adjacent the lanes is larger than the spacing between the non-adhesive forms defining the lanes. The non-adhesive forms disposed within the area adjacent the lanes prevents sticking of the article prior to applying pressure. Upon application of pressure, air entrapped within the areas adjacent the lanes flows to the lanes, and the lanes provide the article with air egress.
US08309205B2
A single crystal diamond element having a convex surface is disclosed, the convex surface including a spherical segment for which the maximum peak to valley deviation from a perfect spherical surface is less than about 5 μm. Alternatively or in addition, the RMS deviation from a perfect spherical surface may be less than about 500 nm, or the RMS roughness less than about 30 nm. A single crystal diamond element with a radius of curvature less than about 20 mm is also disclosed. In one aspect a single crystal diamond element having a conical half-angle greater than about 10° is described. The invention also provides a method for forming a rotationally symmetrical surface on a single crystal diamond element, comprising rotating the element about a first axis, applying a laser beam to the element in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, and translating the laser beam in two dimensions in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the beam. If the two-dimensional path follows the arc of a circle a spherical surface may be formed. The invention also provides improving a spherical surface on a single crystal diamond element by pressing a rapidly rotating cup onto a slowly rotating element. The element may be a lens, in particular a solid immersion lens.
US08309201B2
A fabricated nano-structure includes a substrate, a supporting stalk, a node, and at least two spatular plate portions. The supporting stalk has a first end opposite a second end. The first end of the supporting stalk is connected to the substrate. The supporting stalk has a diameter range of about 50 nanometers to about 2 microns. A node is disposed at the second end of the supporting stalk. At least two spatular plate portions are connected to the node. The at least two spatular plate portions have planar geometries and are radially distributed about the node. The at least two spatular plate portions has a ratio of a maximum plate thickness to a maximum plate length of at most about 1:20. The maximum plate length is measured along a line from a boundary of the spatular plate portion to a centroid of the node. The maximum plate length is at least about 100 nanometers. The at least two spatular plate portion adhere to a contact surface using intermolecular forces when the spatular plate portions are in contact with the contact surface.
US08309192B2
A continuous band for producing bags for fruit and vegetable products is formed from a continuous plastic sheet which has been die-cut to produce a series of small holes which are closed using mesh or net fragments fixed along the periphery of the holes by heat-sealing, gluing or any other conventional manner. An area of the continuous sheet intended to contain a handle is provided with a transverse patch of pre-determined hardness in order to reinforce the area used to hold the bag once it has been filled, such that the thickness of the band-forming plastic sheet can be significantly reduced, specifically by a value of the order of 40%, without affecting the performance of the bag in terms of mechanical strength since the area in which the greatest strains are concentrated corresponds exactly to the area containing the handle.
US08309187B2
An optical film 10 of the present invention includes a plurality of optically anisotropic layers 13 which are laminated, wherein the optically anisotropic layer including: a photoalignment layer (A) 11, in which a liquid crystal aligning capability has been generated by means of photoirradiation; and a polymer layer (B) 12, which contains a liquid crystal compound that has a polymerizable group, and which is obtained by polymerization in a state where it has been aligned by the photoalignment layer (A) 11, wherein the photoalignment layer (A) 11 and the polymer layer (B) 12 are bonded by covalent bonding. The plurality of optically anisotropic layers 13 may be an optically anisotropic layer 13 having a function of a one-half wavelength plate, and an optically anisotropic layer 13 having a function of a one-quarter wavelength plate.
US08309182B2
A method for producing a multilayer structure including a first layer and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a first inorganic laminar compound and the second layer comprises a second inorganic laminar compound, comprising applying a first coating slip comprising a first liquid medium and a first material onto a substrate and removing the first liquid medium, and a step of applying a second coating slip comprising a second liquid medium and a second material onto the first layer and removing the second liquid medium, wherein the first coating slip and the second coating slip satisfy a requirement that the ratio of the dry volume of the second inorganic laminar compound to the dry volume of the second material is higher than the ratio of the dry volume of the first inorganic laminar compound to the dry volume of the first material.
US08309180B2
The present invention provides: luster coating film forming method I comprising (1) applying an aqueous luster thermosetting base coating composition (A) to a substrate in two to five stages, in such a manner that the thickness of the base coating composition (A) applied in each of the second and subsequent stages becomes 0.3 to 5 μm when cured; (2) applying a thermosetting clear coating (B) over the uncured or heat-cured coating layer of the base coating composition (A); (3) applying an aqueous luster thermosetting base coating composition (C) over the uncured or heat-cured coating layer of the clear coating composition (B) in two to five stages; (4) applying a thermosetting clear coating composition (D) over the coating layer of uncured or heat-cured coating layer of the base coating composition (C); and (5) heating the four-layer coating comprising the base coating composition (A), clear coating composition (B), base coating composition (C) and clear coating composition (D) to obtain a cured four-layer coating film; and luster coating film forming method II comprising the above steps (1) to (5) and further including the step of applying and curing a thermosetting clear coating composition (E).
US08309171B1
A bright noble metal preparation for firing on ceramic/porcelain surfaces at a minimum temperature of 900° C. The preparation has at least one organic noble metal compound including at least one of an organic gold, platinum, silver, and palladium compound, at least one flux that consists of organometallic compounds including Cr in the form of at least one organic compound, such that a Cr content is 0.01 to 1.0 mole per mole of noble metal, and at least one vehicle. The bright noble metal preparation is rhodium-free and has a noble metal content of 6 to 20 wt. %, based on the preparation.
US08309163B2
A high-throughput method of forming a semiconductor precursor layer by use of a chalcogen-containing vapor is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a precursor material comprising group IB and/or group IIIA particles of any shape. The method may include forming a precursor layer of the precursor material over a surface of a substrate. The method may further include heating the particle precursor material in a substantially oxygen-free chalcogen atmosphere to a processing temperature sufficient to react the particles and to release chalcogen from the chalcogenide particles, wherein the chalcogen assumes a liquid form and acts as a flux to improve intermixing of elements to form a group IB-IIIA-chalcogenide film at a desired stoichiometric ratio. The chalcogen atmosphere may provide a partial pressure greater than or equal to the vapor pressure of liquid chalcogen in the precursor layer at the processing temperature.
US08309159B2
A process for producing coagulated leguminous protein fractions of MW>14, comprising: initial charging of fruit juice; coagulation of the leguminous protein; removal of a leguminous protein fraction whose majority has an MW of from >14 kD to approx. 600 kD; optionally, washing the coagulated leguminous protein fraction thus obtained; and optionally, drying the leguminous protein fraction, and to the use of the leguminous protein fraction as a food, food additive, medicament additive, animal feed, in cosmetics, as industrial protein, and/or as an adhesive.
US08309157B2
A flexible, strip-shaped food product is made by comminuting substantially frozen meat and heating the comminuted meat to at least partially denature the meat proteins and cooling the cooked meat. About 4% by weight to about 45% by weight of wheat flour is admixed with the cooked meat, along with other ingredients, to form a dough. Use of the wheat flour unexpectedly increases tensile strength of the dough and products baked from the dough, and maintains flexibility of the strip-shaped food products over an extended period of time. Cooking of the meat in the presence of salt unexpectedly increases water activity of the pieces, resulting in a product that has a skin and a moist middle, while maintaining tensile strength. The dough is rotary-molded into strip-shaped pieces. The rotary mold may have angled die cups. The strip-shaped dough pieces are then baked and dried.
US08309149B2
A capping method and its cap for hydrogen-reduced water or hydrogen-reduced food production are characterized by fine carbon particles absorbing hydrogen being attached to the cap. After filling and capping the container, the hydrogen will be dissolved into the food. In addition, the fine carbon particles, flavorings, processed and unprocessed food are attached to the cap, and during the heating and sterilizing process, the extraction or cooking can be finished, omitting conventional extraction and heating steps when cooking. This result can be used in all food production fields.
US08309148B2
A cookie cup sandwich cookie having dissimilarly-sized base cakes is continuously produced by applying a layer of filler cream to a lower base cake and applying an upper base cake to the lower base cake so that the outer periphery of the upper base cake surrounds the layer of filler cream. The apparatus for the production of the sandwich cookies includes at least one rotary molder for producing lower base cakes and upper base cakes having different sizes, a filler cream depositor that deposits a layer of filler cream on each of the lower base cakes, and a conveyer system for transporting and at least substantially concentrically aligning the dissimilarly sized lower and upper base cakes.
US08309147B2
A method of screening lipolytic enzymes is used to identify candidates for a baking additive which can improve the properties of a baked product when added to the dough. The screening method involves contacting the enzyme with N-acyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (APE) or N-acyl lyso-phosphatidyl ethanolamine (ALPE), and detecting hydrolysis of an ester bond in the APE or ALPE.
US08309144B2
The use of an effective quantity of a protein hydrolysate from plants belonging to the crucifer family, as whitening and/or depigmenting skin agent, for the preparation of a cosmetic and/or dermatological and/or pharmaceutical composition. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrolysate is obtained from rapeseed proteins. Also the composition may contain the aforementioned hydrolysate in a cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically acceptable excipient chosen between glycerol, propanediol and butylene glycol.
US08309142B1
Compositions comprising from about 0.5 to about 40 percent by weight of black cohosh extract, from about 0.5 to about 20 percent by weight of nonionic surfactant, and from about to 40 about 99 percent by weight of hydroxylated solvent are effective in reducing and preventing eyebrow hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
US08309136B2
Disclosed are in vitro methods for evaluating the in vivo redispersibility of dosage forms of poorly water-soluble active agents. The methods utilize media representative of in vivo human physiological conditions.
US08309125B2
A pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a controlled release component comprising an antihyperglycemic drug in combination with a second component comprising a thiazolidinedione derivative is herein disclosed and described.
US08309122B2
The invention pertains to a method of relieving pain by administering a controlled release pharmaceutical tablet containing oxymorphone which produces a mean minimum blood plasma level 12 to 24 hours after dosing, as well as the tablet producing the sustained pain relief.
US08309120B2
A transdermal therapeutic system for administering lipophilic, poorly water-soluble and/or sparingly skin-permeable pharmaceutical active substances. The active substance is present in a multi-component enhancer system consisting of 4 components and each component of the multi-component enhancer system is selected from a different one of the substance groups: a) terpenes, b) cyclic glucitol ethers, c) medium-chain triglycerides of capric and caprylic acid and/or of linoleic acid; and d) longer-chain alcohols having a chain length of 8 or more carbon atoms.
US08309103B2
The present invention refers to a treatment for mixed infectious diseases in the human reproductive system, wherein an association of compounds containing fluconazole and either tinidazole or secnidazole is used, the same being associated in doses lower to those commonly used therapeutically. The combination has proven to be highly efficacious and shown a good degree of tolerance.
US08309087B2
The present invention concerns the treatment of disorders characterized by the overexpression of ErbB2. More specifically, the invention concerns the treatment of human patients susceptible to or diagnosed with cancer overexpressing ErbB2 with a combination of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a chemotherapeutic agent other than an anthracycline, e.g. doxorubicin or epirubicin. The invention further provides a method of treating cancer in a human patient comprising administering effective amounts of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a cardioprotectant to the patient.
US08309081B2
There is provided a skin treatment composition for oral or topical administration and a method for skin treatment. The composition comprises a chelating agent and at least one protease. The composition helps to remove hemosiderin that causes staining of skin on a bruised area and reduces inflammation and pain.
US08309064B2
Skin care compositions comprising certain phenoxyalkylamines, which are particularly beneficial for skin lightening and achieving evenness of color, especially for face and underarm skin.
US08309058B2
The invention concerns a transition metal coordination complex of general formula (I) {[M(X)]C(H2O)n}p wherein: M represents an element belonging to the lanthanide group; and L represents a decadentate chromophore ligand of general formula (II). R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represent hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl radical. A1, A2, A3 and A4 independently represent a structure of general formula (III). U1, U2 and U3 independently represent C or N, and R5, R6 and R7 independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl or aryl radical. Y represents C, O, S, P or N, and m is an integer representing free valences of Y. R8 represents independently hydrogen, an alkyl or aryl radical. X represents a counter-ion, and n represents hydrating water molecules. p represents monomers. H2O represents the hydrating water molecules. The invention also concerns a method for preparing such a ligand by reaction between a 6-chloromethylpyridine-2-carboxylate ethyl ester and ethylenediamine in organic medium.
US08309055B2
The invention relates to novel 18F-labelled compounds which may be suitable for use as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiotracers, and to processes for preparation of such. The 18F-labelled compounds of the invention comprise a [18F]fluoroalkenyl group.
US08309052B2
Methods for producing devolatilized and/or activated carbon in a reactor or reaction vessel of a heat treatment system from a suitable carbonaceous feedstock by introducing the feedstock into the reactor tangentially at a rotational velocity of at least 90 RPM. The methods include the steps of providing a combination of conveying means and a gas flow having various compositions and creating distinct carbonaceous feedstock material flow patterns and process conditions such that the feedstock is conveyed through the reactor or reaction vessel and heated via combustion, thereby producing activated carbon or other heat-treated carbons while concurrently avoiding adverse reaction conditions. Single and two-stage heat treatment systems may be used to heat a carbon feedstock, to which one or more industrial minerals may be added to co-produce compositions such as lime with the heat-treated carbon.
US08309051B2
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for manufacturing a carbon nanotube heat sink. The apparatus includes a board, and a plurality of first and second carbon nanotubes formed on the board. The first carbon nanotubes and the second nanotubes are grown along a substantially same direction from the board. A height difference exists between a common free end of the first carbon nanotubes and a common free end of the second carbon nanotubes. A method for manufacturing multiple carbon nanotube heat sinks is also provided.
US08309042B2
The disclosure provides a process for recycling ore in the chloride process, without the build-up of silica-containing gangue in the chlorination reactor.
US08309039B2
A valve structure of a fluid delivery and analysis system having an upper substrate, a lower substrate and an intermediate layer with at least one opening and at least one open cavity having a first touch point between the upper substrate and the intermediate layer and a second touch point between the lower substrate and the intermediate layer where the first touch point and the second touch point are offset to create a torque so that when intermediate layer is compressed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate that the torque deforms the intermediate rubber layer in the direction of the opening for better sealing.
US08309038B2
A device for applying a histological section to a slide is described. The histological section is generated by a cutting action performed by a blade of a microtome. The device comprises a positioning device having a component that is rotatably mounted to a bearing and has a receptacle for receiving and holding the slide, wherein the positioning device is designed such that the slide received in the receptacle can be rotated about an axis of rotation of the rotatably mounted component.
US08309025B1
Methods and systems for determining composition and completion of an experiment are provided. One-computer-implemented method for determining composition and completion of an experiment includes determining one or more characteristics of data acquired during the experiment and determining if the experiment is completed based on the one or more characteristics. One system configured to determine composition and completion of an experiment includes a processor configured to determine one or more characteristics of data acquired during the experiment and to determine if the experiment is completed based on the one or more characteristics. Another system configured to perform an experiment includes a measurement subsystem configured to acquire data during the experiment and a processor configured to determine one or more characteristics of the data during the experiment and to determine the composition of the experiment and if the experiment is completed based on the one or more characteristics.
US08309022B2
Methods and systems for reduced temperature radiation sterilization of stents are disclosed.
US08309017B2
An exhaust stream buffering system is described to temper a temperature profile and reduce a particulate load to permit heat recovery and cleaning. The buffering system may reduce the volatile temperature profile to even the temperature spikes, and produce a more even cyclical temperature profile. When used in steel making facilities, the buffered stream may also be augmented by blast furnace gases to provide additional energy for a heat recovery system.
US08309010B2
A process for production of a heat-resistant hollow article made of a polylactic acid containing resin by using a mold which includes a female mold portion having a concavity, a male mold portion having a convexity and a stripper plate having an edge-forming part. The surface of the mold facing the cavity is heated to a temperature corresponding to a crystallization temperature of the polylactic acid containing resin. The male mold portion and the stripper plate are moved away from the female mold portion when a temperature T(° C.) of the resin detected by an infrared temperature sensor is in the range of T=(t+3.5)±1.5 (t(° C.) is the surface temperature of the mold). Gas is introduced between an inner surface of the hollow article and the male mold portion, and the hollow article is taken out of the mold by advancing the stripper plate toward the hollow article.
US08309004B2
The subject of the invention is a method for fabricating a composite laminate part, consisting in coating a steel sheet of which the thickness is less than 0.65 mm, with an adhesive polymer film of which the thickness is at least 0.1 mm, in order to form a composite laminate steel sheet, and then forming this composite laminate sheet by drawing in order to obtain said composite part.
US08308997B2
The invention relates to a fire resistant composition and a method of making fire resistant cellulosic materials comprising the fire resistant composition. More specifically, the invention relates to liquid compositions, including liquid compositions comprising urea and a boron -containing compound for imparting fire resistance to cellulosic products. The boron-containing compound typically comprises boric acids; borates (i.e., boric acid salts); boric oxides (i.e., any compound containing boron and oxygen), and mixtures thereof.
US08308992B2
The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
US08308986B1
A heavily filled bismuth compound composite having a polymer matrix and a bismuth compound therein. The bismuth compound may be bismuth oxide, or other bismuth compounds. The polymer may be any of a very wide range of materials or combinations thereof. Binder, secondary fillers or other third components may be added. By means of use of various bismuth compounds, polymers, and third components, the physical, radiological and electrical properties of the finished products may be tailored to achieve desired properties. In addition, the invention teaches that radiation shielding, insulators, and combined radiation shield/insulators may be fashioned from the composite. A wide range of production methods may be employed, including but not limited to liquid resin casting.
US08308984B2
The present invention provides a method of exfoliating a layered material (e.g., transition metal dichalcogenide) to produce nano-scaled platelets having a thickness smaller than 100 nm, typically smaller than 10 nm. The method comprises (a) dispersing particles of a non-graphite laminar compound in a liquid medium containing therein a surfactant or dispersing agent to obtain a stable suspension or slurry; and (b) exposing the suspension or slurry to ultrasonic waves at an energy level for a sufficient length of time to produce separated nano-scaled platelets. The nano-scaled platelets are candidate reinforcement fillers for polymer nanocomposites.
US08308980B2
A light emitting device is disclosed. The light emitting device may include a light emitting diode (LED) for emitting light and phosphor adjacent to the LED. The phosphor may be excitable by light emitted by the LED and may include a first compound having a host lattice comprising first ions and oxygen. In one embodiment, the host lattice may include silicon, the copper ions may be divalent copper ions and first compound may have an Olivin crystal structure, a β-K2SO4 crystal structure, a trigonal Glaserite (K3Na(SO4)2) or monoclinic Merwinite crystal structure, a tetragonal Ackermanite crystal structure, a tetragonal crystal structure or an orthorhombic crystal structure. In another embodiment, the copper ions do not act as luminescent ions upon excitation with the light emitted by the LED.
US08308977B2
There are provided methods and systems for precisely controlling the surfactant concentration and character of ferroelectric nanoparticles in a ferroelectric liquid crystal dispersion. In an aspect, the invention provides an efficient FTIR technique to characterize the status and measure the distribution of the surfactant in ferroelectric particle dispersion. This allows for establishing a reproducible fabrication process for ferroelectric nanoparticle liquid crystal dispersions. The methods also maintain the nanoparticles ferroelectricity, which is provided by the addition of surfactant during a comminution process. The invention therefore optimizes both the milling time (to achieve small particle size and narrow size distribution) and surfactant concentration (to maintain the ferroelectricity during milling).
US08308968B2
Monolithic high aspect ratio nano-size scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip formed by nanowire growth
A scanning probe where the micromachined pyramid tip is extended by the growth of an epitaxial nanowire from the top portion of the tip is disclosed. A metallic particle, such as gold, may terminate the nanowire to realize an apertureless near-field optical microscope probe.
US08308967B2
The present invention relates to an insulator as an insulating layer in a laminate which can inhibit dusting at the time of use, more particularly an electronic circuit component to which the insulator has been applied, particularly a wireless suspension. The insulator comprises a laminate of one or more insulation unit layers etchable by a wet process, the insulator having been subjected to plasma treatment after wet etching. The insulator exists mainly as an insulating layer in a laminate having a layer construction of first inorganic material layer-insulating layer-second inorganic material layer or a layer construction of inorganic material layer-insulating layer, and at least a part of the inorganic material layer has been removed to expose the insulating layer.
US08308956B1
A method for membrane fluid filtration and remediation is described herein. The method can include flowing a slurry into a scalping shaker and separating a first particulate from the slurry, forming a first effluent. Free oil can be removed from the first effluent using a first weir, forming a cleaned effluent that can be discharged using a second weir. The cleaned effluent can flow through an absorbent material disposed over a circulation tank for removing more free oil from the cleaned effluent, forming a circulation effluent. A sludge can settle from the circulation effluent within the circulation tank, forming a cleaned circulation stream. The cleaned circulation stream can flow through an ultra-filtration membrane which can separate the cleaned circulation stream, forming a clean permeate and a dirty concentrate. The dirty concentrate can flow back to the circulation tank for further processing.
US08308955B2
Embodiments described herein generally relate to the separation of carbon nanotubes by reversible gelation.
US08308954B2
A method of removing a polar solvent from a fluid volume contaminated with at least one polar impurity, such as a free fatty acid, is provided. The method comprises providing a fluid volume that includes at least one polar impurity dissolved in at least one solvent. The fluid volume is contacted with an expanding gas to remove the at least one solvent. The expanding gas may be dissolved into the at least one solvent in the fluid volume to form a gas-expanded solvent. The immiscibility of the polar impurities in the gas-expanded solvent enables separation of the polar impurities from the gas-expanded solvent. After separation of the polar impurities, at least one of the temperature and pressure may be reduced to separate the solvent from the expanding gas such that the clean solvent may be reused.
US08308953B2
The present invention generally relates to a filtration system having one or more apparatuses for filtering gases, liquids, or fluids (e.g., water) to remove particulate matter, and methods of making and using the apparatus. More particularly, embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for applying centrifugal force(s) to push a fluid or gas to be filtered through a porous membrane or filter within the apparatus to separate particulate matter therefrom. The present invention takes advantage of the Coriolis effect within a cylindrical filter radiating out from a rotating central body. The filtration apparatus provides an energy efficient system for microfiltration (or other filtration process) to remove contaminants from gases and fluids, such as waste water.
US08308947B2
The disclosure relates to methods and related systems for monitoring and controlling biological activity in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment systems. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods for controlling airflow in a bioreactor type, activated sludge wastewater treatment system by real-time monitoring of one or more parameters of the wastewater treatment system.
US08308941B2
A lubricant additive dispensing apparatus comprising a base providing a manifold distribution to present lubricant to a series of dispensing chambers. The dispensing chambers are fabricated having a porous sidewall formed in a tubular shape. Additive is stored within a reservoir formed by the tubular shape. A delivery piston is provided proximate and in fluid communication with the manifold. The lubricant applies pressure to the delivery piston. The delivery piston applies pressure to the stored additive. The pressure forces a small volume of additive to pass through the porous sidewall, blending the additive with the flowing lubricant. The reservoir can be formed between an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member. Lubricant can pass through an interior of the inner tubular member, existing a flow discharge port located proximate an end cap assembled to a distal end of the reservoir.
US08308933B2
Provided are a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap, wherein valuable metals are recovered as hydroxides of indium and zinc by using an insoluble electrode as an anode or a cathode and an IZO scrap as the other cathode or anode as the opposite electrode, and performing electrolysis while periodically reversing polarity; and a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap, wherein the hydroxides of indium and zinc obtained by the electrolysis are roasted and valuable metals are recovered as oxides of indium and zinc. Specifically, provided is a method which enables the efficient recovery of indium and zinc from IZO scrap such as a spent indium-zinc oxide (IZO) sputtering target and IZO mill ends arising during the manufacture of such a sputtering target.
US08308932B2
Provided are a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap, wherein indium and zinc are recovered as hydroxides by using an IZO scrap as both an anode and a cathode, and performing electrolysis while periodically reversing polarity; and a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap, wherein the hydroxides of indium and zinc obtained by the electrolysis are roasted and indium and zinc are recovered as oxides. Specifically, provided is a method which enables the efficient recovery of indium and zinc from IZO scrap such as a spent indium-zinc oxide (IZO) sputtering target and IZO mill ends arising during the manufacture of such a sputtering target.
US08308925B2
A gas sensor for measuring NOx concentration in measurement gas based on sensor output depending on an amount of the detected oxygen includes an oxygen concentration control part for controlling oxygen concentration in the measurement gas. The oxygen concentration control part allows a control of oxygen concentration in the measurement gas to set at a designated value even after being mounted on an automobile, so that dependency of the sensor output with respect to oxygen concentration can be quantitatively detected. The sensor output for detecting NOx concentration is corrected by estimating an amount of a change accompanying the sensitivity degradation of the sensor output with respect to NOx concentration on the basis of a difference between oxygen output characteristics of the sensor output of an actually-used sensor and oxygen output characteristics of a sensor in the initial state, and correcting the sensor output in accordance with the amount of the change.
US08308924B2
The present invention discloses an enzyme electrode and its producing method, which comprises: providing a substrate with a carbon surface; forming a gold surface on the carbon surface and thus forming an electrode; covalently bonding a mediator containing an aldehyde group to the electrode; and covalently bonding a glucose oxidase to the electrode.
US08308914B2
An electrolytic ozone cell anode spring fastening board structure includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (1), an anode electrocatalyst layer (2), a diffusion layer (3), frame body and support parts (5). A diffusion layer counterpiece (4) has one side attached to the diffusion layer (3), the other side of the diffusion layer counterpiece (4) equipped with a centered elevated step, which contacts the center of the convex side of a spherical spring board (6). In addition, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (1), frame body and support parts (5), diffusion layer (3), diffusion layer counterpiece (4) and spring board (6) are held together by mechanical fastening means. It prevents a decrease in ozone generation rate in electrolytic ozone cell that can occur from the metal board deformation and thinning of the anode electrocatalyst layer. This will enable the cell to maintain stable fasten strength and good contact of the metal board and anode catalyst in long term operation, achieving stable electrolytic ozone generation rate and cell performance.
US08308913B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for recovering an acrylic acid from a mixture containing acrylic acid, acrylic acid dimer and impurities with high boiling point, including: an acrylic acid recovering device that comprises an acrylic acid distillation unit being present within an acrylic acid dimer pyrolysis tank, and is operated under reduced pressure; a separation column for removing impurities with high boiling point from the mixture which is introduced into the acrylic acid recovering device; and a line for introducing the mixture into the acrylic acid recovering device.
US08308911B2
This invention relates to systems and methods for converting biomass into highly inert carbon. Specifically, some embodiments densify the carbon into anthracite-style carbon aggregations and store it in geologically stable underground deposits. The use of certain embodiments yield a net effect of removing atmospheric carbon via the process of photosynthesis and converting it into hard coal, which can be stored in underground beds that mimic existing coal deposits which are known to be stable for thousands of years.
US08308905B2
The invention relates to a process for increasing bulk of a fiber product, in which process a fiber pulp, and further a fiber product, is formed. In accordance with the invention, in a first step a carbonate compound is added to the fiber pulp as a basic component, and in a second step acid is added as an acidic component, in order to form salt, to provide the formation of small-bubbled gas, and to increase the bulk, and the fiber pulp is dehydrated. The invention also relates to a corresponding fiber product and to the use thereof.
US08308897B2
A plasma processing apparatus for processing an object to be processed using a plasma. The apparatus includes a processing chamber defining a processing cavity for containing an object to be processed and a process gas therein, a microwave radiating antenna having a microwave radiating surface for radiating a microwave in order to excite a plasma in the processing cavity, and a dielectric body provided so as to be opposed to the microwave radiating surface, in which the distance D between the microwave radiating surface and a surface of the dielectric body facing away from the microwave radiating surface, which is represented with the wavelength of the microwave being a distance unit, is determined to be in the range satisfying the inequality 0.7×n/4≦D≦1.3×n/4 (n being a natural number).
US08308894B2
A substrate etching apparatus includes a supporting unit for supporting substrate in a vertical position and an etching solution supply unit disposed above the substrate to supply an etching solution to the top of the substrate such that the etching solution runs down both of faces of the substrate from the top of the substrate.
US08308890B2
A method of applying a durable process mark to a glass article using a laser. A transfer sheet is applied to the glass substrate, the transfer sheet includes a carrier layer with a first adhesive layer, adhered partially to a bottom side of the carrier layer. On the face of the carrier layer there are a first and a second pigment layer. The transfer sheet is lased, forming a durable process mark in the glass article.
US08308884B2
Described are methods of making a paint roller using an adhesive made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using preformed strips or core material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using a composite cover material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 50% calcium carbonate by weight. One or various compounds may be used to form portions of one or multiple components that make up the paint roller, including, for example, the thermoplastic strips, adhesives and/or the backing of a composite cover material. The materials can be assembled in a continuous manufacturing process.
US08308877B2
An amorphous alloy having the general formula of: (ZrxAlyCuzNi1-x-y-z)100-a-bScaYb, wherein x, y, and z are atomic percents, and a and b are atom molar ratios, in which: about 0.45≦x≦about 0.60; about 0.08≦y≦about 0.12; about 0.25≦z≦about 0.35; 0
US08308873B2
A method of processing steel includes carburizing a martensitic stainless steel work piece to produce a carburized case by utilizing in combination, (i) a composition of the martensitic stainless steel work piece, (ii) a preselected carbon concentration in the carburized case, and (iii) a preselected grain size of the martensitic stainless steel work piece such that the carburized case predominately forms carbides of composition M6C, M2C, M23C6 or combinations thereof. The martensitic stainless steel work piece is then heated to substantially solution the metal carbides. The work piece is then quenched at a cooling rate that is sufficient to avoid substantial precipitation of any carbides during cool down to the martensite start temperature, then given a low temperature temper. In so doing, the carburized case hardened martensitic stainless steel will have balanced mechanical, tribological and corrosion resistance properties for high performance bearing and gear components.
US08308869B2
An automated heat exchanger tube cleaning assembly and system are provided. The present system can automatically (without ongoing human intervention) survey the tube sheet of a heat exchanger in three-dimensions, convert and record the survey results as a digital file in three-dimensions, and then, according to sequential parameters input via custom software, automatically coordinate via computer one or more cleaning devices to effect the cleaning of each desired tube of the heat exchanger.
US08308867B2
The invention relates to a CVD reactor having a plurality of rotary tables (2) supported on a rotationally driven susceptor (1) on dynamic gas cushions (3), wherein each gas cushion (3) is formed by an individually controlled gas flow and each gas flow, dependant on a surface temperature measured by a temperature measuring device (4), can be varied by an individual actuator (5). The invention further comprises a carrier (6), carrying the susceptor (1) and rotating with the susceptor (1). A common gas supply line (7) ending in the carrier (6) is key to the invention and provides the actuators (5) arranged on the carrier (6) with the gas that forms the gas flow.
US08308859B1
A solid ink composition comprising an amorphous component, a crystalline material, and optionally, a colorant, which are suitable for ink jet printing, including printing on coated paper substrates, and methods for making the same. In embodiments, the crystalline and amorphous components are synthesized from an esterification reaction of tartaric acid with an alcohol.
US08308849B2
Ultra cleaning of combustion gas to near zero concentration of residual contaminants followed by the capture of CO2 is provided. The high removal efficiency of residual contaminants is accomplished by direct contact cooling and scrubbing of the gas with cold water. The temperature of the combustion gas is reduced to 0-20 degrees Celsius to achieve maximum condensation and gas cleaning effect. The CO2 is captured from the cooled and clean flue gas in a CO2 absorber utilizing an ammoniated solution or slurry in the NH3—CO2—H2O system. The absorber operates at 0-20 degrees Celsius. Regeneration is accomplished by elevating the pressure and temperature of the CO2-rich solution from the absorber. The CO2 vapor pressure is high and a pressurized CO2 stream, with low concentration of NH3 and water vapor is generated. The high pressure CO2 stream is cooled and washed to recover the ammonia and moisture from the gas.
US08308838B2
The invention relates to organic fertilizers that satisfy the standards in both the United States and the European Union to be labeled as organic. The organic fertilizer comprises oilseed extract and/or corn steep liquor in combination with whey and/or other protein supplements, which provide a natural, nitrate free, nitrogen to the fertilizer. Additionally, a method of manufacturing an organic fertilizer comprising heating an oilseed extract, dissolving whey in the heated extract, and filtering the resultant mixture for use domestically and abroad.
US08308833B2
This invention relates to a nonwoven fabric for filters, in which a melt blown nonwoven fabric formed of polybutylene terephthalate or polypropylene terephthalate fibers with an average fiber diameter of 1 to 8 μm and a spunbonded nonwoven fabric formed of polyester-based fibers with an average fiber diameter of 10 to 30 μcm are laminated for integration.
US08308824B2
The present invention relates to an aqueous composition and a method of levelling hair color especially the hair lighter colored or including lightened streaks or bleached streaks or bleached as a whole and after certain period of time contrast-difference in color-between the re-growth and formerly lightened parts is clearly visible. Compositions comprising (1) at least one fatty acid salt, (2) an in-situ formed ammonium or substituted ammonium salt and (3) one or both of (a) cationic or cationizable surfactants and (b) a quaternary ammonium surfactant.
US08308819B2
Various methods for detecting the removal of a processing unit, such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller, form a printed circuit board in a secure printing system, such as a postage metering system are provided. The methods utilize one or more of a real time clock provided internal to the processing unit, a CMOS device provided on the printed circuit board external to the processing unit, and CMOS memory internal to the processing unit to detect the removal of the processing unit and therefore an attack.
US08308818B2
An ankle joint prosthesis comprised of a central core element capable of attachment to an artificial leg, coupled to two side elements capable for attachment to an artificial foot. The medial and lateral side elements envelop the central core element lower region along a common central axis, and are coupled together by a mechanical fastening mechanism and can be rotated relative to the central core element and positively constrained to align in various orientations dependent of a specific grooved profile within each side element pair. The ankle joint orientation is affected by engaging an anterior and/or posterior located mechanical linkage enacting an upward linear movement on a guide pin plunger, thus allowing the side elements to rotate by a torque force from a torsion spring until reaching orientation held in place along a grooved profile. The load bearing elements shall be precision machined from Grade 5 Titanium.
US08308817B2
A liner is arranged for use in prosthetic and orthopedic devices. The liner defines first and second end portions, and inner and outer surfaces. The liner includes an inner layer having a frictional component and forms at least part of the periphery of the inner liner surface. The inner layer defines a plurality of apertures. A porous element is in communication with the inner liner surface and is connected to the inner layer such that the apertures permit a transfer of air from the inner surface to the porous element. A base layer adjoins the porous element and extends between the first and second end portions of the liner.
US08308816B2
Locking systems for prosthetic sockets utilizing integrated vacuum and mechanical coupling are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include a flexible liner shaped to accept a portion of a patient's residual limb, the flexible liner including a liner distal end including at least one surface feature; a plunger pin extending distally from the liner distal end; and a locking mechanism for mounting within a prosthetic limb socket approximate a socket distal end, the locking mechanism including a central opening sized to receive the plunger pin, the locking mechanism releasably engaging the plunger pin when the residual limb and the liner are inserted into the socket, wherein a proximal end of the locking mechanism includes at least one surface feature for releasably and sealingly engaging the at least one surface feature of the distal end of the flexible liner.
US08308809B2
An implant assembly having an articulating surface and an axial cavity arranged to receive an end of a bone, the axial cavity being generally circular in cross section in a plane normal to the axis of the implant, and including a spacing element detachable from the implant. At least a portion of the interior surface of the cavity is roughened and is arranged to abrade bone when the end of the bone is received in the cavity. The spacing element is arranged to prevent the implant from fully seating on the end of the bone such that the implant and the end of the bone are in a predetermined spaced apart arrangement.
US08308799B2
An intraocular lens (IOL) injection device is modularized to enable cleaning of internal components after surgery. The device includes first and second housing modules. These modules collectively define a passageway along which an injector rod moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The first module is further configured to accommodate a lens cartridge module. The cartridge module has disposed therein an IOL, in alignment with the passageway. Thus as the rod moves from the retracted position to the extended position, a front portion of the rod that is substantially surrounded by the first module in the retracted position moves into the cartridge module and displaces the IOL. This causes the front portion of the rod to accumulate on it viscoelastic substances. The first module, though, is configured to detach from the second module, to thereby expose the front portion of the rod in the retracted position for cleaning.
US08308798B2
A heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve has a base stent that is deployed at a treatment site, and a valve component configured to quickly connect to the base stent. The base stent may take the form of a self- or balloon-expandable stent that expands outward against the native valve with or without leaflet excision. The valve component has a non-expandable prosthetic valve and a self- or balloon-expandable coupling stent for attachment to the base stent, thereby fixing the position of the valve component relative to the base stent. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available to valve with a sewing ring and the coupling stent attaches to the sewing ring. The system is particularly suited for rapid deployment of heart valves in a conventional open-heart surgical environment. A catheter-based system and method for deployment is provided.
US08308795B2
An intravascular stent and method for inhibiting restenosis, following vascular injury, is disclosed. The stent has an expandable, linked-filament body and a drug-release coating formed on the stent-body filaments, for contacting the vessel injury site when the stent is placed in-situ in an expanded condition. The coating releases, for a period of at least 4 weeks, a restenosis-inhibiting amount of a monocyclic triene immunosuppressive compound having an alkyl group substituent at carbon position 40 in the compound. The stent, when used to treat a vascular injury, gives good protection against clinical restenosis, even when the extent of vascular injury involves vessel overstretching by more than 30% diameter. Also disclosed is a stent having a drug-release coating composed of (i) 10 and 60 weight percent poly-dl-lactide polymer substrate and (ii) 40-90 weight percent of an anti-restenosis compound, and a polymer undercoat having a thickness of between 1-5 microns.
US08308793B2
A catheter assembly and related methods having a main balloon, a branch balloon arrangement and a stent. The catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch, a side catheter branch arrangement, and a stent. The main catheter branch includes at least a main balloon and a side balloon. The side catheter branch arrangement includes a branch guidewire housing and a sleeve member. At least a portion of the side catheter branch arrangement extends through a proximal open end of the stent and out through a side branch aperture of the stent. The branch guidewire housing defines a side branch lumen configured to advance over a branch vessel guidewire. The sleeve member is sized to receive the branch guidewire housing, wherein the branch guidewire housing is axially movable within the sleeve member. The sleeve member is typically fixed axially relative to the main catheter branch.
US08308792B2
A device upon which a self-expanding stent may be crimped is utilized to safely load the self-expanding stent directly into a transfer tube or a delivery tube. The device comprises a compliant member, an expandable member, an expansion member and a retrieval member.
US08308788B2
An externally-applied heat exchange pad has three layers laminated together, an inner and outer non-conductive layer and a middle conductive layer. A leak in the inner layer causes coolant to contact the middle layer and change impedance, which can be sensed and used as an indication of an impending total leak of the pad.
US08308786B2
A method for cerebral and systemic cooling by circulating a cold liquid through a nasal catheter looped through the patient's nasal cavities and around the nasal septum. The nasal catheter is inserted into the patient's first nostril, advanced through the nasal cavity, around the nasal septum and out of the patient's second nostril. A cold fluid having a temperature between about −20° C. and about 37° C. is flowed though a lumen in the nasal catheter to cool the nasal cavity. The nasal catheter may have one or more flexible balloons mounted on the catheter such that when the catheter is looped around the nasal septum, the balloon(s) are positioned in a portion of the patient's first and second nasal cavities. When a cold liquid is circulated through the catheter lumen, the flexible balloons expand to a contact the inner walls of the nasal cavities and provide direct cooling of the nasal cavities.
US08308785B2
A convective warming blanket has a head portion and a plurality of peripheral sections extending orthogonally from each side of a central section that extends uninterrupted from a proximal end below the head portion to a distal foot end of the blanket. Each peripheral section is separable from its adjacent peripheral section by a frangible or tearable common seal. At least one through passage connects each peripheral section to the central section, so that the peripheral sections are inflated when heated air is input to the blanket. The multiple peripheral sections each are movable relative to the central section, so that different body parts of the patient may be selectively accessed. The head portion of the blanket is formed by two tubular sections that extend from the proximal portion of the blanket to encircle the head of the patient, when the blanket is placed over the patient.
US08308780B2
An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion of the bore to substantially eliminate the possibility of the graft moving in an unselected direction through the bore.
US08308778B2
The longitudinal implant is fastened to bones on either side of a damaged area through a connecting device. Said implant is comprised of a filament or fiber composite material and said connecting device is made of a material harder than said longitudinal implant. The longitudinal implant is preferably made of a carbon filament composite material, wherein the filament are encapsulated in a polymer matrix.
US08308776B2
The disclosed screw assemblies include a screw that attaches onto the bone, a housing member that connects and inter-locks the bone screw to the rod, and one or more locking members that permit immobilization of various components of the assembly relative to one another while still permitting some relative movement. The bone screws and bone screw assemblies described herein permit flexible stabilization of the spine.
US08308771B2
A surgical fastening mechanism for releasably locking an implantable tether includes a housing having a central channel. The housing has an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a side channel extending therebetween. A roller element has a sidewall with an aperture therethrough and the roller is slidably disposed at least partially in the central channel such that the entry and exit apertures are at least partially aligned with the roller aperture. This permits passage of the tether therethrough. Rotation of the roller element in a first direction winds the tether around the roller thereby creating a friction interface between the roller element, the housing and the tether. A locking mechanism is operably connected with either the housing or the roller element and is adapted to prevent rotation of the roller in the central channel and also adapted to prevent release of the tether from the roller.
US08308768B2
A system for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet joint includes a fixation member implantable in a vertebra, an inferior facet articular surface and an inferior strut which may be formed separately from the inferior articular surface. The inferior strut has a first end securable to the fixation member and a second end which may comprise a sphere with a hemispherical surface. An attachment mechanism may include a capture feature shaped to receive the second end of the inferior strut, and the mechanism may provide an adjustable configuration, allowing polyaxial adjustment between the inferior articular surface and the second end. A locking member may be actuated to exert force on the second end to provide a locked configuration. The system may further include a superior facet joint implant with a superior articular surface shaped to articulate with the inferior articular surface.
US08308760B2
A device closes septal openings, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The device includes two anchors and a flexible connector. Tension applied to one or more strings attached to the device causes the device to collapse into a reduced profile form for withdrawal into a delivery catheter, thereby facilitating retrieval of the device after insertion into a septal opening.
US08308758B2
The invention provides a closure device (1) for sealing an incision channel leading through a vessel wall and into the vessel. The closure device (1) comprises a haemostatic material (3), which is contained in the distal end of an elongated insertion assembly (2). The insertion assembly (2), which comprises a stationary part (4) and a retractable part (5) being slidably movable with regard to each other, is adapted to be attached to an introducer (7) being in position in the incision channel, so that the insertion assembly (2) can be slid along the introducer (7) until the distal end of the insertion assembly (2) is in contact with the vessel wall, where the haemostatic material (3) is delivered in the incision channel by a retracting movement of the retractable part (5).
US08308757B2
A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The end effector may be directly manually operated by way of a handle located at the proximal end of the shaft or remotely, for example, via robotic controller. Articulation joints may be provided along the shaft, between the shaft and end effector or handle, or elsewhere. The hydraulic actuation of the present invention permits multiple axis instrument articulation, miniaturization and simplified instrument fabrication.
US08308749B2
The present invention is a catheter device that includes a disruptable guidewire channel. The guidewire channel is configured to provide necessary trackability of the catheter along the guidewire during introduction of the catheter to a treatment site. Once treatment is completed, the guidewire channel can then be disrupted so as to free the guidewire from the catheter in situ. The apparatus of the present invention provides distinct advantages over existing over-the-wire and rapid exchange catheter introduction methods, including the ability to achieve much faster treatment implement exchanges, the ability to rapidly deliver multiple treatment implements in series, and the ability to maintain multiple treatment implements simultaneously at a treatment site using a single guidewire.
US08308747B2
The present invention relates to a puncture device 1 for moving a puncture element 21 in a piercing direction N1 and for piercing a target site with the puncture element 21. The puncture device 1 is for moving a second member 42 retaining the puncture element 21 in the direction N1 and in a direction N2 by the rotational motion of a third member 40 as a first member 41 moves in the directions N1 and N2. The puncture device 1 further comprises a piercing depth adjusting mechanism 6 of adjusting a piercing depth of the puncture element 21 to the target site by regulating a rotation angle of the third member 40.
US08308743B2
The present invention provides a clipping device having a coil sheath inserted into an insertion tube in a back/forth movable way to allow it to be inserted into a body cavity, an operation wire inserted into the coil sheath in a back/forth movable way, and a clip directly connected to a distal end of the operation wire to allow it to clip a living tissue.
US08308728B2
The present invention relates to a system for percutaneously installing a vertebral stabilization system. A first anchor is positionable within a body of a patient through a first percutaneous opening and a second anchor is positionable within a body of a patient through a second percutaneous opening. A stabilization member is positionable within the body of a patient through the first percutaneous opening to engage and connect the first and second anchors.
US08308719B2
A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length.
US08308701B2
The present invention generally relates to methods for deploying intraocular shunts without the use of an optical apparatus that contacts an eye, such as a goniolens. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve inserting into an eye a deployment device configured to hold an intraocular shunt, determining that a distal portion of the device is properly positioned within the eye without use of an optical apparatus that contacts the eye, and deploying the shunt from the device.
US08308695B2
The present invention relates to an injection device, comprising a housing (10) including a container carrier (16) having a medicament container (18) and a needle (22) attached to the medicament container, a needle shield (12), means for initiating a penetration; penetration means for automatic penetration of needle, means for automatically injecting medicament, means for an automatically withdrawing the needle. The invention is characterized in an active triggering withdrawal mechanism capable of allowing the means for automatically withdrawing the needle to be triggered when the injection device starts to be removed from an injection site.
US08308693B2
Bone-penetrating needles for delivering a quantity of fluid to bone marrow of a bone or providing access to remove fluids from a target site is provided. The bone penetrating needles each includes at least one side port disposed at an angle away from the direction of rotation. Some of the bone penetrating needles are operable to attach to a cartridge assembly.
US08308689B2
A drive ram (26) for use with a medical fluid injector may include a central, longitudinal reference axis (24). First and second gripper members (92) may be pivotally interconnected with a plunger engaging end (266) of the drive ram. Each of the first and second gripper members may be pivotable about a common pivot axis (95) that intersects the reference axis. Each of the gripper members may further include a first end (102) that is remote from the common pivot axis. In some embodiments, the first and second gripper members may be pivotable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first ends of the gripper members may be spaced apart by a first distance, while in the second position, they may be spaced apart by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.
US08308687B2
The present invention relates to an injection assistance device (1) for an injection device (3) comprising one body (2), one needle (7), and one piston plunger (26), characterized in that it comprises: a hollow sleeve (4) receiving the body (2), coupling arrangement (10) for moving the piston plunger (26) from an end-of-insertion position to an end of injection position the coupling arrangement being maintained in a passive state until the end-of-insertion position, spacer arrangement (8) to maintain the piston plunger (26) and the body (2) in an initial position, disengaging arrangement (22, 14, 15, 16) linked with the spacer arrangement (8), the spacer arrangement (8) and/or disengaging arrangement (22, 14, 15, 16; 25, 31) being arranged in order not to free the distal displacement of the piston plunger (26) before the one of the body (2).
US08308685B2
A fluid transfer device includes a tube holder, a fluid container, a double ended needle with forward sharpened tip, and rearward sharpened tip. Fluid is withdrawn or injected into a patient from the tip, and into fluid contained.
US08308679B2
A delivery system for delivering fluidic media may include a second housing configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from a first housing portion adapted to be carried by a user. One of the housing portions may support a reservoir for containing fluidic media and a plunger head moveable within the reservoir. A drive device may be supported by the other of the housing portions for coupling with the reservoir upon the housing portions being operatively engaged. A first interactive element may be supported on the first housing portion for interacting with a second interactive element supported on the second housing portion. Circuitry may be configured to detect an interaction between the interactive elements and configured to provide a signal or a change in state in response to the housing portions being operatively engaged and an interaction between the interactive elements being detected.
US08308678B2
A device for delivering a medicated product or the like to a bodily cavity is provided. The device includes a barrel member having a distal end. The barrel member is sized to contain the medicated product. The device includes a plunger sized to extend into the barrel member. A cap is adapted to move between a sealing position, in which the cap is positioned adjacent to the barrel member and seals the distal end of the barrel member, and a dispensing position, in which the cap is moved in a direction away from the barrel member. The cap includes at least one opening sized to allow the medicated product to flow through the cap when the cap is in the dispensing position. A retainer mechanism is provided for retaining the cap on the barrel when the cap is in the dispensing position.
US08308676B2
Control apparatus for an ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece utilizes flow rates and temperature measurements as well as power provided to a handpiece for calculating a matrix of power level duty cycle combination that would not generate sufficient heat to create a burn in eye tissue and either prevent operation of handpiece in the matrix or alert a surgeon of such use.
US08308673B2
Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological site, e.g., a physiological efferent fluid collection site, are provided. Aspects of the invention include fluid removal (e.g., aspiration) devices having a fluid removal element and a flow modulator positioned at a distal end of the fluid removal element. The flow modulator is configured to converge intersecting fluid flow paths into the fluid removal element. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.
US08308667B2
A vibratory massaging device having a spaced plurality of proximity sensors distributed on a massaging surface of the device, and a control circuit operative for controlling vibratory intensities in response to activation of particular ones of the sensors being close to a user's body parts being massaged. The device can be configured as a dildo, including both main and secondary vibrators, the secondary vibrator being within an arm portion that is configured for clitoral stimulation. At least one of the vibrators is automatically driven at increased intensity as penetration increases.
US08308664B2
A handheld device for canceling unintentional muscle movement. The device includes a base comprising a handgrip for a user to hold, a gripping element linked to the base for releasably connecting the handheld device to an object, a sensor that detects movement of the base, a controller linked to the sensor, and at least one actuator that operates under control of the controller to cause movement of the gripping element in a direction that at least partially counteracts the detected movement of the base.
US08308650B2
A system and method for generating baseline data for automated management of cardiovascular pressure is disclosed. Collected device measures are accumulated to record raw physiometry for a patient, wherein the patient is regularly monitored by an implantable medical device, beginning with an initial observation period. Derived device measures are generated to provide derivative physiometry determined at least in part from the collected device measures. A patient status indicator is determined by analyzing the collected and derived device measures to diagnose a pathophysiology indicative of an absence, onset, progression, regression, and status quo in cardiovascular pressure, wherein the collected and derived device measures and the patient status indicator originating from the initial observation period include baseline data.
US08308639B2
An incrementally adjustable wound retractor, which provides access to a body cavity, includes an inner ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, an outer ring having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, and a flexible sleeve disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes first and second circular tubes spaced apart axially with each including a lumen having a rigid, noncompliant split hoop placed therein. The outer ring may be rolled over itself and around the annular axis to retract the sleeve with sufficient force to stretch the incision to the desired diameter. A gel cap seal may be coupled to the outer ring outside of the biological body to seal the opening produced by the wound retractor between the body cavity and outside the body cavity.
US08308624B2
A method of preparing a crimped tow of cellulose acetate filaments comprising the steps of: a) providing cellulose acetate dope b) forming filaments (23) from the dope c) applying at least one additive to the filaments d) crimping the filaments to form a crimped tow wherein the at least one additive is capable of removing a component from cigarette smoke. Preferably, the component is a Hoffmann analyte. The additive may comprise a solution, liquid, emulsion or particulate material or combinations thereof. Preferably, the additive comprises an acidic compound or an alkaline compound. The additive may comprise malic acid, potassium carbonate, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, polyethyleneimine, cyclodextrin, sodium hydroxide, sulphamic acid, sodium sulphamate, polyvinyl acetate and carboxylated acrylate, carbon, silica, zeolite, clay, alumina, metal, molecular sieves or an ion exchange resin. The product tow can be processed on standard equipment to make efficient filter rods from which cigarette filter tips can be made which give significantly increased and selective retention of key smoke constituents.
US08308623B2
An apparatus and method for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element is provided. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material. A rod-forming unit is configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member along the longitudinal axis. A dispensing device is configured to selectively dispense a liquid substance into the filter material, substantially commensurately with the introduction of the plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member, wherein the liquid substance is configured to affect an attribute associated with the objects. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes at least one object and a portion of the liquid substance.
US08308621B2
A multi-spindle machining machine with a tool changing mechanism comprising a base; a carrier including a seat to move in Z axis, a rotary shaft fixed on the seat laterally to drive the seat to rotate in A axis, and a fixing holder coupled to an end portion of the rotary shaft to fix a workpiece; a tool changing mechanism including a mount mounted to the rotary shaft to rotate with the rotary shaft and a monitor fixed on the seat to measure a length of the tool clamped on the driving spindle, and including a plurality of slots to receive the tools respectively; a working head moving above the carrier and the tool changing mechanism in X and Y axes and including a driving spindle mounted on a lower end thereof to rotate axially, and the lower end of the driving spindle allowing to engage and disengage the tool.
US08308618B2
A treadmill for providing walking rehabilitation to a rehabilitee is provided including a base including a belt and a walking rehabilitation device interconnected with the base. The walking rehabilitation device includes a user engagement structure extending at least partially above the belt and being configured to be removably secured relative to one or more locations of a rehabilitee's lower extremities. The walking rehabilitation device further includes a plurality of drive systems coupled to the user engagement structure. The drive systems include at least a first drive system controlling the rehabilitee's motion in a first direction and a second drive system controlling the rehabilitee's motion in a second direction. The treadmill further includes one or more motors coupled to and driving the plurality of drive systems. The motion from the drive systems is transferred to the rehabilitee by the user engagement structure, allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the belt.
US08308613B1
A combination brake pedal and an accelerator pedal assembly allowing the vehicle to be driven with both feet comprising a brake and an accelerator, the accelerator being operatively connected to an engine control lever that moves between an engaged and a disengaged position, when the accelerator is pressed the engine control lever moves to the engaged position to accelerate the vehicle, when the accelerator is not pressed the engine control lever moves to the disengaged position so the vehicle does not accelerate; and an accelerator pedal disengagement device operatively connected to the brake and accelerator for moving the engine control lever to the disengaged position when the brake pedal is pushed, wherein the accelerator pedal disengagement device prevents the accelerator pedal from causing the engine control lever to move to the engaged position when both the accelerator pedal and brake pedal are pressed.
US08308612B2
A drive unit that includes a solenoid device that includes: a solenoid section having a movable portion that abuts on a case to arrive at an initial state when de-energized; a pump section axially sliding in association with a movement of the movable portion by an electromagnetic force of the solenoid section and pumping a hydraulic fluid by reciprocation; and an elastic member biasing the pump section in a direction counter to the electromagnetic force of the solenoid section; and a control unit that controls the solenoid device so that a current applied to the solenoid section is repeatedly increased and decreased between an upper limit value and a lower limit value that is greater than 0.
US08308611B2
A transmission shift control system includes a transmission shift control module that executes an upshift or a closed-throttle downshift, a shift stage determination module, and a clutch control module. The stage determination module determines a stage of the upshift or the closed throttle downshift when a downshift is requested. The clutch control module determines a downshift type based on the stage of the upshift or the closed throttle downshift and selectively executes a downshift before the upshift or the closed throttle downshift is completed.
US08308607B2
A method for automatic restarting a temporarily shut-down internal combustion engine with automatic stop-start in a motor vehicle with manual gear shift on the basis of conditions including the current actuation states of clutch and brake includes determining a current actuation state of a clutch and a wheel brake, and, if the brake has been actuated within a preset period before any actuation of the clutch, starting the engine when the clutch is fully actuated and the brake is released.
US08308603B2
A linear actuator comprising a spindle (5) with a spindle nut (6), where the spindle (5) is driven by an electric motor (2) via a transmission (3,4), comprising a planetary gear (4). The construction is constructed in such a way that the spindle (5) is lead through the transmission (3,4) and is embedded by means of a ball bearing (20) in connection with a rear mounting (10), causing the axial forces to be lead through the transmission (3,4) via the spindle (5) and the ball bearing (20) to the rear mounting (10). This means that the construction is simpler and less voluminous and that the axial forces, moreover, are not transferred to the transmission.
US08308591B2
A resin pulley includes an outer cylindrical portion including an outer circumferential surface on which a belt is to be wound, an inner cylindrical portion, and a plurality of ribs connecting an inner circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion and an outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion, which are formed of a resin material. The ribs are provided so as to be inclined towards a circumferential direction relative to a radial imaginary line as viewed in an axial direction. Radially outer end portions of the ribs are formed such that inclination angles of the respective radially outer end portions relative to the radial imaginary line increase as the ribs extend radially outward, and radially inner end portions of the ribs are formed such that inclination angles of the respective radially inner end portions relative to the radial imaginary line increase as the ribs extend radially inward.
US08308580B2
A golf alignment and posture training device is disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a golf training device for indicating a proper stance, including posture and alignment, of a golfer who is positioned in preparation for hitting a golf ball prior to taking a swing. The device includes a shoulder positioning member for indicating a desired stance of a golfer prior to taking a swing, including a desired position of each of the golfer's shoulders relative to the position and/or the intended trajectory of the ball, and a support structure for positioning the shoulder positioning member in a first position and a second position. In the first position, the desired position of the golfer's shoulders is indicated by contact of the golfer's shoulder area with the shoulder positioning member, and, in the second position, the shoulder positioning member is located away from the first position such that the shoulder positioning member does not interfere with the swing when it is taken.
US08308566B2
A game apparatus capable of performing a game process in accordance with a motion applied to an input device. The game apparatus includes motion direction identifying means, moving direction setting means, correction means, and movement control means. The motion direction identifying means identifies a motion direction of the input device. The moving direction setting means sets a moving direction of a player object in a virtual game world in accordance with the motion direction of the input device. The correction means corrects the moving direction set by the moving direction setting means in accordance with a positional relation between the player object and a target object, which is other than the player object, in the virtual game world. The movement control means causes the player object to move in the virtual game world in accordance with the set moving direction.
US08308565B2
A game device calculates a shift angle A based on a magnitude of a velocity vector S of a moving object MO and inclination information that indicates an inclination of a controller, calculates a direction D of the moving object on a slope based on a direction of the velocity vector S of the moving object and the shift angle A, calculates a first force vector P1 in the direction intersecting at right angles on the slope with the direction D of the moving object on the slope based on the inclination information, calculates a second force vector P2 based on a slope angle of the slope, calculates a resultant force vector PS by combining the first force vector P1 and the second force vector P2, updates the velocity vector S of the moving object based on the resultant force vector PS, and updates a position of the moving object MO based on the updated velocity vector.
US08308564B2
Game data variable in accordance with the state of an input device and usable for game processing is sequentially obtained. Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition for the game processing has been fulfilled based on the game data. Information on an indicated position on a game image, which is calculated from the game data when the predetermined condition has been fulfilled, is obtained. A moving speed of the input device which is calculated from the game data is also obtained. When the obtained moving speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, an object which appears in a virtual game space and is related to the indicated position is processed.
US08308560B2
A network system includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses. Each information processing apparatus arranges an own character and a partner character within a virtual space, and outputs an image of the virtual space on a monitor when a message is transmitted and received from the information processing apparatus of a chatting partner. Furthermore, an index indicating a direction from the own character to the partner character is generated, and it is determined whether or not the partner character is included in a predetermined range defined within the virtual space, and it is determined whether or not a message is being transmitted or received. When the partner character is out of the predetermined range, and the message is being transmitted or received, the index is output to the monitor.
US08308556B2
In some embodiments, a method comprises initiating a plurality of skill-based bonus games across a plurality of wagering game machines; collecting game result data associated with the plurality of skill-based bonus games; during a normalization process for one of the plurality of skill-based bonus games, determining a rate of awarding a secondary economy asset for the skillbased bonus game is not within a range based on the game result data; adjusting parameters of the skill-based bonus game to normalize the rate of awarding the secondary economy asset across the plurality of skill-based bonus games; and deploying the skill-based bonus game with the adjusted parameters across one or more of the wagering game machines.
US08308551B2
A lottery game system and methodology involves, for each play of the game, a player choosing a number of player indicia from a field of the indicia. A subset of the indicia is randomly generated, and the player's indicia is compared to the subset to determine a winning game play. The number of indicia in the subsets is varied between different game plays such that a blend of the winning probabilities for each subset for all of the game plays produces a desired overall winning probability.
US08308545B2
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game. The system includes a display for displaying an array of selectable elements. Each of the selectable elements is associated with an award. The system also includes a player input device for receiving selections from the array of selectable elements. Also included in the gaming system is a feature for returning to the array of selectable elements. The feature includes at least one game-return outcome and at least one game-terminating outcome awarding a first award for the selections. A multiplier changes each time a game-return outcome is achieved.
US08308543B2
A method and/or device is set forth for playing a game. In some embodiments, an inventory of data representing playing cards is arranged in a random but established, serial order. In some embodiments, for each hand of play the player makes a wager and cards are displayed, according to the rules of the game, in order from the inventory to define a winning or losing outcome. In some embodiments, a display, as hands are played, displays the remaining constituency of the inventory and the player, before any hand, can order re-shuffling and re-constitute of the inventory. In some embodiments, re-shuffling may be triggered by a card or hand count or certain pre-defined triggers. Other embodiments are described.
US08308538B2
A player of a card game, such as poker, is presented with opportunities to replace one or more of the cards in his or her hand. The first such replacement may be free, but the player may incur a cost for each subsequent replacement. This cost may be based on how much the player is expected to benefit from the replacement. Facilitating these subsequent replacements may allow the player to improve a poor hand, thus enhancing the player's excitement of playing the card game.
US08308536B2
The present invention relates to a ventilating device for providing a zone (1) of clean air between the ventilating device and a workplace region (2), which ventilating device comprises air supply units (3) adapted to generating laminar air flows intended to constitute said clean air zone. The ventilating device comprises at least three air supply units (3) disposed in a closed pattern and air stop and guide units (4) which prevent or hinder air with bacteria-bearing and other pollutant particles which surrounds the clean air zone (1) from being drawn in between the air supply units and into the clean air zone. The air stop and guide units (4) are also configured to guide parts of the air flows from adjoining air supply units (3) outwards from the centre of the clean air zone instead of towards the air supply units, and other parts of the air flows from adjoining air supply units in towards the centre of the clean air zone instead of towards the air supply units, thereby minimizing the increased downward velocity which occurs when the air flows from mutually adjacent air supply units meet in an uncontrolled manner.
US08308534B1
A plier type of device can quickly and humanely kills wounded fowl. The device may be applied to either side of the temple of the fowl and a quick squeeze may crush the temple and quickly kill the wounded fowl. The device may include a handle end that may be squeezed together to cause a head gripper end to close. The head gripper end may include points, typically cone shaped, that may be pointed toward each other and may approach each other as the head gripper end closes.
US08308532B2
Provided is a durable abrasive article which can conform even to a surface of a complicated shape and has an excellent abrasive power and which does not give any deep flaw to become a problem at a subsequent step and is not broken even when used in sanding the surface of the complicated shape. The abrasive article comprises a flexible resin film, an abrasive grain layer formed on the surface of the resin film, and an extremely flexible resin layer formed on the abrasive grain layer, wherein the flexible resin film has a thickness of 10 to 200 μm, a tensile strength of 30 to 130 MPa and an elongation of 3 to 250%, wherein the abrasive grains of the abrasive grain layer are of P280 to P12, and wherein the extremely flexible resin layer has a 100% M of 1 to 20 MPa, a tensile strength of 20 to 90 MPa and an elongation of 250 to 1000%.
US08308528B2
An improvement in a polishing apparatus for planarizing substrates comprises a tenacious coating of a low-adhesion material to a platen surface. An expendable polishing pad is adhesively attached to the low-adhesion material, and may be removed for periodic replacement at much reduced expenditure of force. Polishing pads joined to low-adhesion materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) by conventional adhesives resist distortion during polishing but are readily removed for replacement.
US08308525B2
A waterjet system selectively produces fluid jets for water jet cutting or abrasive jets for abrasive-waterjet-cutting. The abrasive materials in the abrasive jet are determined based on the properties of the workpiece. The waterjet system includes an abrasive delivery system that is capable of delivering either a single abrasive or a plurality of abrasives as an abrasive blend, to a cutting head assembly. The cutting head assembly entrains the abrasive into a fluid jet to form an abrasive jet.
US08308522B2
A flying toy comprises a first wing and a second wing attached to and extending from opposite sides of a fuselage. There is a first propulsion unit, having a first motor and a first propeller system rotated by the first motor, mounted with the first wing; and a second propulsion unit, having a second motor and a second propeller system rotated by the second motor, mounted with the second wing. Each propulsion system has main blades and auxiliary blades which interact with each other. Each of two wings can be angled relative to horizontal independently. The toy can operate as a plane or helicopter.
US08308521B2
A lamp electrode includes a sealed tube for generating light when powered by an external power supply and a pair of electrodes formed on the ends of the sealed tube. Solder is filled into the space between each electrode and the sealed tube, and formed on the surface of the exterior surface of the electrodes. A method for forming the lamp electrode includes forming a cylindrically shaped electrode on an end of a sealed tube; maintaining a supply of solder in the liquid state; and dipping the end of the tube on which the electrode is formed into the solder.
US08308512B2
A connector assembly includes contact modules having dielectric bodies holding contacts having mating portions extending from the dielectric body. The connector assembly includes a conductive shield body holding the contact modules in a stacked configuration. The shield body provides shielding around the contact modules and the shield body has a mating end configured to be mated to a mating connector assembly. The mating end has one or more exposed surfaces between corresponding contacts. The shield body extends between selected contact modules. The connector assembly includes a conductive gasket positioned along the mating end of the shield body. The conductive gasket engages the exposed surfaces of the shield body to define a ground path between the conductive shield body and the mating connector assembly.
US08308509B2
A multiple-position modular connector (jack, plug or both) includes a rigid insulating body and a set of spaced-apart coaxial conductors carried by the body. Each coaxial conductor has a mating end at a mating portion of the body providing electrical connection between the inner signal conductor and a corresponding conductor of a mating modular connector. A conductive structure extends between the outer shield conductors of the coaxial conductors and a reference contact at an outer surface of the body to provide a high-frequency ground for the outer shield conductors. In another aspect, a modular connector includes a printed circuit board carried by an insulative body and employing some combination of well-matched conductive paths and filtering circuitry such as common-mode coils or “chokes”. Electrical traces of the printed circuit board may include ground/reference traces interspersed among signal traces to provide shielding and uniform electrical characteristics to the signal traces. Filtering circuitry when present is disposed on the PC board along the signal traces and acts to reduce the level of common-mode signal components reaching the mating contacts from the cable.
US08308501B2
A solid state lighting assembly includes a housing configured to hold a solid state lighting module. The housing has a cavity. A contact is positioned within the cavity. The contact has a wire end and a mating end. The wire end is configured to be coupled to a insertion segment of a wire. The wire extends from the cavity to an exterior of the housing. A strain relief member extends from the exterior of the housing. The strain relief member is configured to engage a portion of the wire upstream from the insertion segment of the wire.
US08308498B2
A modular connector is provided comprising: a connector plug, which may be inserted into an associated socket in a first longitudinal direction; a resilient leg, depending at a first end thereof from the connector plug, and having a depressible part, distal therefrom, depressible towards the connector plug; and a guard cover, configured to prevent access to the depressible part of the resilient leg in its direction of depression, but to permit access to the resilient leg in the longitudinal direction through an access aperture, the access aperture being aligned with the depressible part of the resilient leg on an axis parallel with the longitudinal direction, to allow depression of the resilient leg through the access aperture directly. A corresponding extraction tool and methods, loopback connector, blanking plug, blanking plate and patch panel are also provided.
US08308496B2
There is provided an electrical charger including a base unit and an adaptor unit. The base unit is configured for being coupled to an electronic device. The adaptor unit is configured for being coupled to a power supply. The base unit includes an electrical connector plug. The external surfaces of the base unit and the adaptor unit include co-operating external geometries that provide a visual indication whether the electrical connector plug is disposed, relative to the adaptor unit, in the electrically coupled state or in an electrically uncoupled state.
US08308493B2
A low-profile power adapter is disclosed. In one embodiment, a low profile power adapter is facilitated by improved approaches to construct and assembly of a power adapter plug for the power adapter. According to one aspect, a base for a power adapter plug of a power adapter can include a metal base connected to a blade (or prong) of the power adapter plug. The metal base can provide mechanical support to the blade as well as electrical connectivity to an internal terminal for the power adapter plug. According to another aspect, internal terminals used by a power adapter plug of a power adapter can be flexibly positioned on the power adapter plug, thereby facilitating interconnection with electrical components used by the power adapter.
US08308491B2
A connector assembly includes a connector housing configured to be coupled to a primary circuit board. A connector is held within the connector housing. The connector has a connector circuit board having a mating surface and a cable surface. The mating surface has mating contacts configured to be mated to corresponding mating contacts of a secondary circuit board. The cable surface has cable contacts. Cables extend between a first end and a second end. The first end of each cable is coupled to corresponding cable contacts of the connector circuit board. The second end of each cable is configured to be coupled to a cable contact on the primary circuit board or a second connector assembly on the primary circuit board.
US08308480B2
The invention relates to a method and a kit for producing a dental product. The invention also relates to a device that allows the method according to the invention to be implemented. According to the invention, a thermoplastic material (4) of said kit is selectively heated through the supply of targeted (directed) energy more strongly than an impression tray (1) and/or an impression material (3).
US08308471B2
A mold for imprinting a pattern onto a member to be processed. The mold includes a mold body having a front surface, at which an imprint pattern is formed, and a rear surface opposite from the front surface. A coating layer covers the front surface of the mold body, and a coating layer covers the rear surface of the mold body. An alignment mark as an object to be subjected to optical observation is provided at the front surface of the mold body. The coating layer for covering the rear surface includes (i) a hole for observation of the alignment mark and (ii) a stress adjusting pattern corresponding to a density of the imprint pattern. The hole for observation is formed at the rear surface of the mold body opposite from the alignment mark, and the stress adjusting pattern is formed at the rear surface of the mold body opposite from the imprint pattern.
US08308470B2
A cementitious material delivery system comprising may include a flow divider, a first and second chemical agent, a first and second mixer, and a nozzle. The flow divider may be configured to divide a flow of cementitious material into a first stream and a second stream that is separate from the first stream. The first chemical agent may cure the cementitious material at a first rate when mixed with the cementitious material. A first mixer may be configured to mix the first chemical agent with the first steam of cementitious material to produce a first mixed stream of cementitious material. A second chemical agent may be configured to cure the cementitious material at a second rate when mixed with the cementitious material which is faster than the first rate. A second mixer separate may be configured to mix the second chemical agent with the second steam of cementitious material to produce a second mixed stream of cementitious material. A nozzle may be configured to extrude the first mixed stream of cementitious material and the second mixed stream of cementitious material separate from the first mixed stream of cementitious material.
US08308453B2
A pump chamber (15) is formed between a piezoelectric vibrator (7) and a valve main plate (10). The valve main plate (10) includes an inlet port (13) at its central portion, and an outlet port (14) in its peripheral portion, and the inlet port (13) is made in a smaller diameter than the outlet port (14). On the valve main plate (10) an inflow check valve (11) and an outflow check valve (12) are provided, so that when the inflow check valve (11) and the outflow check valve (12) open and close in response to the vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator (7), a fluid is introduced into and discharged from the pump chamber (15).
US08308450B2
A high pressure fuel pump with parallel cooling fuel flow is disclosed wherein a fuel pump barrel having a substantially cylindrical plunger bore with an annular drain groove is provided. A first fuel path is provided that fluidically couples a fuel supply to an annular cooling ring formed on the outer surface of the barrel. The first fuel path further fluidically couples the annular cooling ring to a storage tank via an exit passage. A second, parallel fuel path is provided that fluidically couples the first fuel path to the drain groove, and further includes a drain passage fluidically coupled to the drain groove and the first fuel path via the storage tank.
US08308448B2
A scroll compressor includes a compressor shell having first and second scroll members. The scroll members each have a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base. The generally spiral wraps of the first and second scroll members interfit to define compression chambers. A shaft causes the second scroll member to orbit relative to the first scroll member. At least one bypass port is formed in a base of one scroll member, and communicates with at least one of the compression chambers. The bypass port communicates with a passage leading to a suction pressure chamber within the compressor shell. A solenoid valve is movable between a reduced capacity position and a full capacity position, and selectively supplies a pressurized fluid to a fluid valve associated with the bypass port, such that movement of the solenoid can control whether the bypass port is open or closed.
US08308443B2
This invention relates generally to a high volume, buoyancy controlled submersible pump assembly designed to sit on the bottom of a body of water or other liquid substance and move a large volume of water or liquid substance. Alternatively, the submersible pump assembly is capable of achieving and maintaining neutral buoyancy or near neutral buoyancy in a particular body of water or liquid substance. The neutrally buoyant version includes the means to maintain the pump assembly at a given depth without requiring it to sit on the bottom of the body of water or other liquid substance. This invention also relates to linear electrofusion for thermoplastic components.
US08308437B2
A wind turbine includes a nacelle mounted atop a tower. Power generating components are housed within the nacelle. A rotor hub is rotationally coupled to the power generating components. A plurality of blades are fixed to the rotor hub. The blades include a root section extending radially outward from the rotor hub and an aerodynamic section extending radially outward from the root section, wherein lift is generated by the blades primarily along the aerodynamic section. Aerodynamic fins extend radially outward from the rotor hub alongside the root sections of the blades and have an aerodynamic shape so as to capture wind and impart rotational torque to the hub from a central impinging wind zone that is coaxial to the rotor hub and the blade root sections.
US08308434B2
A wind turbine generator according to the present invention includes: a rotor head equipped with wind turbine blades to constitute a wind turbine rotor blade; a nacelle that bears a rotation shaft of the rotor head and houses a generator that generates electricity by a rotation of the rotor head; a tower that supports the nacelle; a rotor head cover that covers the rotor head; an outside-air intake that is provided on a distal end part of the rotor head cover and takes in the outside wind; an outside-air delivery communicating parts that delivers the outside air, which has been taken into the rotor head cover from the outside-air intake, to an inside of the nacelle; and cooling air outlets that are provided in a region of the outer surface of the nacelle that experiences a negative pressure due to the outside wind.
US08308430B2
A wind turbine comprising an electrical generator that includes a rotor assembly. A wind rotor that includes a wind rotor hub is directly coupled to the rotor assembly via a simplified connection. The wind rotor and generator rotor assembly are rotatably mounted on a central spindle via a bearing assembly. The wind rotor hub includes an opening having a diameter larger than the outside diameter of the central spindle adjacent the bearing assembly so as to allow access to the bearing assembly from a cavity inside the wind rotor hub. The spindle is attached to a turret supported by a tower. Each of the spindle, turret and tower has an interior cavity that permits personnel to traverse therethrough to the cavity of the wind rotor hub. The wind turbine further includes a frictional braking system for slowing, stopping or keeping stopped the rotation of the wind rotor and rotor assembly.
US08308427B2
A vacuum pump according to the invention includes a cylindrical pump casing for accommodating a rotor, a ring fitting part provided at an inlet area of the pump casing, a C-shaped ring of character C configuration devoid of portion of a ring member, fitted to the ring fitting part, and a protective net for stopping foreign matter, fitted to the inlet area by means of the C-shaped ring. As both ends of the C-shaped ring are formed so that the ends of the C-shaped ring are arranged overlapping each other in a circumferential direction in a state where the C-shaped ring is fitted to the pump casing, the deformation of the protective net for prevention of foreign matters is suppressed when air rushes into a pump casing, and therefore the dropping off of the protective net can be prevented.
US08308423B2
A gas turbine engine system includes a fan and a fan bypass passage downstream of the fan for conveying a bypass airflow from the fan. A nozzle associated with the fan bypass passage includes a plurality of different positions that influence the bypass air flow. One or more sensors near the fan produce a signal representative of a foreign object near the fan. A controller commands the nozzle to move to a desired one of the plurality of different positions in response to the signal from the sensor to change a pressure ratio across the fan to thereby reduce a mechanical stress on the fan.
US08308420B2
A centrifugal compressor is equipped with an impeller having a blade angle distribution that makes it possible to achieve a relatively wide operating range. The blade angle of a shroud side facing a circular plate of a blade is termed a first angle and a blade angle of a hub side disposed at the circular plate is a second. The shroud side is formed in a curved shape having an angle distribution from a front area in a shaft direction toward a centrifugal direction in which the first angle is the local maximum point before a substantially middle portion and the local minimum point after the substantially middle point. The hub side is formed in a curved shape having an angle distribution from the front area in the shaft direction toward the centrifugal direction in which the second angle is the maximum local point before the substantially middle portion.
US08308417B1
A method and system for transporting, loading, and unloading various types of goods can include a motor vehicle having a tractor portion and a rectilinear shaped cargo area portion. The cargo area portion can include three traditional sides and a curtain side. The various parts of the system can include, but are not limited to, the following: a front, first width, solid side of the rectilinear shaped cargo area that is adjacent to a tractor portion. The system can further include a solid side along a first length of the rectilinear shaped cargo area. A first door can be contained with the solid side along the first length. Adjacent to the first door, a side-mount liftgate can be positioned. A rear, second width, solid side of the rectilinear shaped cargo area can contain a second door. The second door can be a rolling type door.
US08308414B2
A medication dispenser provides automation to the steps of locating and acquiring medications to be administered to a patient. The medication dispenser includes an enclosure providing a secure environment for storing medications in multiple sized medication storage bins. The medication storage bins are hung in storage racks located within the enclosure. A robot system is also provided within the enclosure for moving bins between the storage racks and a medication dispensing area. The medication dispensing area includes doors configured to open to define an opening for passing a selected bin through the enclosure. The medication storage bin includes a bulk bin loading drawing for loading medication storage bins into the medication dispensing apparatus.
US08308410B2
A tie-down winch system includes a tie-down winch and a winch bar member. The tie-down winch includes frame, a cylinder member rotatably carried by the frame, a first lock member connected to a second end of the cylinder member, and a second lock member pivotally connected to the frame adjacent the second end of the cylinder member and moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The engaged position is defined as a portion of the second lock member engaging a portion of the first lock member to prevent rotation of the cylinder member, and the disengaged position is defined as the second lock member being spaced apart from the first lock member so that the cylinder member is freely rotatable with respect to the frame.
US08308409B2
A transverse railroad coil car coil restraint apparatus or system which includes a plurality of coil restraints attachable to each trough in a transverse railroad coil car to reduce the sideways shifting of coils positioned in the troughs. In certain embodiments, the coil restraints are attached in each trough and extend across the transverse coil car. In other embodiments, the coil restraints are attached in each trough along the length of the trough. In certain embodiments, when a coil is positioned in the trough, the coil compresses certain of the coil restraints and does not compress other of the coil restraints which prevents the sideways shifting of the coil during movement of the transverse coil car. In other embodiments, when a coil is positioned in the trough, the coil compresses certain of the compression members and does not compress other of the compression members which prevents the sideways shifting of the coil during movement of the transverse coil car.
US08308408B2
A clip for securing a part, having a body portion having a first wall surface and a supporting surface adjacent the first wall surface, a retaining arm connected to the body, the retaining arm comprising a second wall surface opposite the first wall surface, an engaging portion at the distal end of the retaining arm, and an engaging surface on the engaging portion generally opposite the supporting surface. The first and second wall surfaces cooperate to define a groove that is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the part therein. The retaining arm is moveable between an open position wherein the portion of the part may be received in the groove, and a locked position wherein the engaging surface at least partially overhangs the groove and the engaging surface and the supporting surface cooperate so as to retain the portion of the part when received within the groove.
US08308404B2
The present invention relates to a tool holder, such as a reaming head (1), or a milling arbor, provided with a damping means (2) in the form of an elongated body, which is arranged in an end compartment (3) of the tool holder (1), which compartment is of appropriate shape and size, and closed at its end by a body (4) for receiving a reaming head or by a milling element.Tool holder characterized in that the damping means (2) is of the type presenting only radial absorption, and it is provided with at least one elastically deformable means (5), at least close to each end, where said elastically deformable means (5) extend between the envelope of the damping means (2) and the wall of the compartment (3) of the tool holder (1), and are clamped between the wall of the compartment (3) and the damping means (2), and where the ends of the damping means extend in the compartment (3) without stress.The invention is applicable more particularly in the field of accessories for machine tools, with digital control, machining centers, flexible cells and workshops.
US08308393B2
A device for securing a passageway comprising a barrier on a mounting member, the barrier being retained by magnetic attraction between the mounting member and the barrier, the mounting member being pivotably moveable between operative and inoperative positions.
US08308392B2
A friction ball joint and a method for using the friction ball joint are provided. A clam shell is formed from at least two segments and has a mechanical element extending from one of the clam shell segments. A cap that has a mechanical element extending from the rounded portion of the cap is also provided. This cap covers the joined clam shell segments opposite the mechanical element extending from the clam shell. The clam shell surrounds a spring that pushes the cap against the fixed outer clam shell, creating friction that retains the friction ball joint in the desired position. Further embodiments provide a locking assembly and an external spring or clamp. In these embodiments the spring or clamp is placed over the outside of the ball and clam shell. The ball has holes disposed over its surface to receive a locking assembly to hold the ball joint in the selected position.
US08308391B2
A baby stroller for transporting a child has a folding mechanism to facilitate folding for easier stowing and transporting. The folding mechanism, a unique feature of the design, is directed toward compactness, ease of use, reliability, and reduction in manufacturing costs.
US08308390B2
A shower nozzle having a brush for bathing includes a shower nozzle body and a brush head which is driven by a power member disposed in the shower nozzle body. The power member is supplied power by an internal battery or an external power supply. Thereby, when the user takes a bath, the combination of the shower nozzle and the brush is able to supply water for cleaning and has a brushing function, enhancing the cleaning effect.
US08308383B2
A handheld mascara applicator comprising an applicator head, a source of electric current, and a heat generating portion that is effective to heat a quantity of mascara located on the applicator head, from an ambient temperature to a product application temperature, in 25 seconds or less, or that is effective to raise the temperature of the outer surface of the applicator head from an ambient temperature to about 55° C. or more, in 25 seconds or less. Systems for applying various types of mascara compositions are also disclosed.
US08308381B2
The substrate processing system includes a measuring apparatus that measures any of film thickness, a refractive index, an absorption coefficient, and warpage. The system includes an apparatus for performing photolithography on the substrate to form a resist pattern and an etching apparatus that etches a processing film. A control unit includes a first relation between an initial condition and a dimension of the pattern of the processing film and a second relation between a processing condition of the predetermined processing and the dimension of the pattern of the processing film. The control unit estimates a dimension of the pattern of the processing film after the etching treatment from the first relation based on a measurement result and corrects the processing condition of the predetermined processing in the photolithography or the etching from the second relation based on an estimation result of the dimension of the pattern.
US08308378B2
A barrier apparatus of the present invention includes: a support section having an opening portion; a pair of support shaft sections provided around the opening portion; a pair of shielding members having a proximal end portion supported rotatably by the support shaft section, and a distal end movable into and out of the opening portion by the rotation; a pair of engaging sections provided on the pair of shielding members, respectively, each extending from the proximal end portion of the shielding member to a side closer to the center of the opening portion than the support shaft section, and spaced a predetermined distance apart from the distal end of the other shielding member in an optical axis direction of the optical path; and a driving section that engages the pair of engaging sections, and rotates the pair of shielding members by the rotation.
US08308377B2
An optical transceiver module is provided with a delatch device that is configured for pushing and pulling an optical transceiver module into and out of a cage. The delatch device includes an elongated handle having at least one strength member integrally formed therein or secured thereto that provides the handle with a sufficient moment of inertia to prevent the handle from bending or buckling when a force is being applied to the elongated handle to push an optical transceiver module into a cage. The elongated handle allows a module to easily be inserted into a cage by a user without the user having to directly access the front face of the module.
US08308375B2
A device includes a female connector to receive a male network connector of a network conduit, and a first male connector optically communicating with the female connector, where the first male connector includes a first indicator that identifies a first wavelength optical signal. The device also includes a second male connector optically communicating with the female connector, where the second male connector includes a second indicator that identifies a second wavelength optical signal. The device further includes a wavelength splitter to receive an optical signal from the network conduit via the female connector, provide the optical signal to the first male connector when the optical signal corresponds to the first wavelength optical signal, and provide the optical signal to the second male connector when the optical signal corresponds to the second wavelength optical signal.
US08308373B2
An outer tapered member (4) having a conical inner circumferential surface is placed and an inner tapered member (5) having a conical outer circumferential surface in contact with the conical inner circumferential surface is placed in a through hole (31) of a first ring (1). A screw member (6) is screwed a predetermined quantity into the through hole (31) to axially press an axial end face of the inner tapered member (5) toward a second ring (2) with a predetermined force and to press the outer surface of the outer tapered member (4) against the through hole (31) of the first ring (1) with a predetermined force. A weld part (7) in contact with a first ring (1) side end portion of a pin (3) and the first ring (1) is formed to prevent the pin (3) from coming out of the first ring (1) by the weld part (7).
US08308367B2
Bearing arrangement for a shaft rotatable around an axis of rotation comprising a bearing including an inner bearing part for coupling to an end of the shaft and an outer bearing part for coupling to a mounting structure, and a retaining and pivoting element, which is connectable to the inner bearing part or the outer bearing part, wherein the retaining and pivoting element is designed for securing the end of the shaft against movement in a direction in parallel with the axis of rotation (4) in relation to the bearing and for permitting the end of the shaft to be pivoted with respect to the axis of rotation, and an arrangement comprising the bearing arrangement and the shaft, as well as an oscillator comprising said arrangement.
US08308364B2
An auxiliary bearing system for a magnetically supported rotor system according to which the auxiliary bearing system includes at least two mounting pad assemblies having compliantly mounted body members.
US08308363B2
A resealable closure for packages is provided which has a package integrity feature. The closure includes a two-ply material having an inner film layer and an outer film layer, forming a top of container. The outer film layer has a sealing panel completely covering a first panel and a second panel of the inner film layer. The sealing panel is permanently attached to the first panel and is releasably affixed a portion of the inner film layer around the perimeter of the first panel to form an opening in the top when the sealing panel with affixed first panel is peeled back from the top. The sealing panel is resealable against the top to seal the opening when the sealing panel is moved back against the top. The package integrity feature comprises the second panel of the inner layer which separates from the sealing panel to indicate that the container has been previously opened.
US08308361B2
An x-ray scanning imaging apparatus with a rotatably fixed generally O-shaped gantry ring, which is connected on one end of the ring to support structure, such as a mobile cart, ceiling, floor, wall, or patient table, in a cantilevered fashion. The circular gantry housing remains rotatably fixed and carries an x-ray image-scanning device that can be rotated inside the gantry around the object being imaged either continuously or in a step-wise fashion. The ring can be connected rigidly to the support, or can be connected to the support via a ring positioning unit that is able to translate or tilt the gantry relative to the support on one or more axes. Multiple other embodiments exist in which the gantry housing is connected on one end only to the floor, wall, or ceiling. The x-ray device is particularly useful for two-dimensional multi-planar x-ray imaging and/or three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging applications.
US08308359B2
An apparatus including a temperature-sensing circuit. The temperature-sensing circuit can include an amplifier. The amplifier can include a positive input and a negative input. The negative input can be configured to be driven by a temperature-independent signal. A first transistor electrically can be connected to the positive input. The first transistor can be configured to be controlled by a temperature signal. A temperature threshold resistance and a hysteresis resistance can be electrically connected in series to the positive input. A second transistor can be electrically connected in parallel with the hysteresis resistance.
US08308350B2
[Problem] To provide a method that can determine a thermal property of a substrate in a short time and a method that can determine a thermal process condition of an open-loop step.[Solving Means] In accordance with the substrate thermal property determining method of the present invention in a rapid thermal processing apparatus 1 comprising lamps 9 for heating a wafer W and temperature sensors T1 to T7 arranged so as to oppose the lamps 9, temperature data sequentially outputted from the temperature sensors T1 to T7 is obtained, while subjecting the wafer W arranged between the lamps 9 and temperature sensors T1 to T7 to pulsed heating with the lamps 9. Thereafter, the thermal property of the wafer W is determined by using the temperature data.
US08308347B2
In a hydrogen tank, discharge of a hydrogen gas may cause lowering of the temperature to a value at which it is assumed that disconnection has occurred in a thermistor. A temperature detection system for the hydrogen tank estimates the possibility that the temperature of the hydrogen tank is below this temperature value, according to the ambient temperature and the internal pressure. Only when there is no possibility that the temperature is below the value, disconnection is judged to have occurred.
US08308338B2
A light guide plate includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of micro structures. The transparent substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the micro structures are disposed at least on the first surface of the transparent substrate and are separate from each other. Each of the micro structures includes a first coating layer and a second coating layer. The first coating layer is formed on the first surface and includes an adhesive material. The second coating layer is formed on at least a part of the first coating layer and includes a light-diffusing material.
US08308335B2
A light emitting module comprising a light-guide plate, a light source, and a light modulating film is provided. The light-guide plate has a light emitting surface and a light receiving surface. The light source is located at a side corresponding to the light receiving surface. The light modulating film is disposed on the light emitting surface. The light modulating film has a plurality of protruding bars located at a side away from the light emitting surface wherein each protruding bar has a vertex angle from 120° to 178°.
US08308324B2
A high bay light including a mounting plate which may be secured to either a vertically disposed support or a horizontally disposed support. One to four LED light modules are secured to the mounting plate and are mounted thereon in such a way to achieve various lighting patterns.
US08308322B2
A recessed ceiling light fixture with spring biased retainer clips that retract flush or are biased away from the side of the can housing for installation is disclosed. The fixture includes a housing having a side wall, a top wall, and an open bottom. Two rigid retainer clips are mounted diametrically opposed on the housing. Each retainer clip has a mounting tab inside the housing extending into a leg that passes out of the housing, which leg is bent to form an elbow, which elbow extends to a strut passing back into the housing, wherein the mounting tab selectively engages the side wall to limit movement of the spring clip. A bolt and coiled spring create compliance and bias in the spring clip by passing loosely through a slotted opening in the top wall at one end and joining the mounting tab at the other end.
US08308320B2
A light fixture includes multiple LED modules, with each LED module including a substrate on which one or more LED's are disposed. The LED modules can interface with one another in a variety of different configurations such that when adjacent LED modules interface with one another, there is a substantially continuous array of LED's across the LED modules. Electrical connectors or other means for powering the LED modules are disposed such that they do not impact the continuity of light across adjacent LED modules.
US08308305B2
A projector includes: a light source device, a color-separating optical system for separating a light beam irradiated by the light source device into a plurality of color light components, a plurality of optical modulators for modulating each of the separated color light components in accordance with image information, a color-combining optical device for combining optical images modulated by the plurality of optical modulators and a projection optical device for projecting the combined optical images in an enlarged manner. An optical filter that reflects a predetermined spectral component of the light beam and transmits the other spectral component is disposed in an optical path between the light source device and the optical modulators The optical filter is disposed such that a light-irradiation side surface for irradiating the light beam is inclined by a predetermined angle relative to a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the light beam.
US08308303B2
A projector includes: spatial light modulation devices; and a cooling duct configured to flow a cooling air for sequentially cooling the spatial light modulation devices, the cooling duct has a first flow path formed by portions including the light entrance surface of at least one of the spatial light modulation devices for the respective color lights, a second flow path formed by portions including the light exit surface of the corresponding spatial light modulation device, and a junction area where the cooling air flowing through the first flow path and the cooling air flowing through the second flow path join each other, and the junction area is disposed at a downstream position of the cooling air with respect to the spatial light modulation device provided for a predetermined color light whose light amount is the maximum in the respective color lights that enter the light entrance surface.
US08308295B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a multifocal lens having a mostly spherical power region and a progressive optical power region. Embodiments of the present invention provide for the proper alignment and positioning of each of these regions, the amount of optical power provided by each of the regions, the optical design of the progressive optical power region, and the size and shape of each of the regions. The combination of these design parameters allows for an optical design having less unwanted astigmatism and distortion as well as both a wider channel width and a shorter channel length compared to conventional PALs. Embodiments of the present invention may also provide a new, inventive far-intermediate distance zone and may further provide for increased vertical stability of vision within a zone of the lens.
US08308293B2
An aspect of the present invention relates to a polarizing lens comprising a polarizing layer on a substrate, wherein the polarizing layer comprises polarization axes that are at least partly curved.
US08308284B2
A recording apparatus which transports a recording material onto a recording support unit, ejects ink from a recording head to perform recording on the recording material, includes: a hot air generating unit which is provided at a holding member of the recording head on one side of the recording head; and an exhaust unit which is provided at the holding member on the other side of the recording head. Here, the recording apparatus is configured to form a first air stream in which hot air blown out from the hot air generating unit passes between the recording head and the recording support unit so as to reach the exhaust unit when the exhaust unit is in operation.
US08308282B2
An ink jet recording device, comprises: a main body equipped with an ink container which accumulate ink, an ink supply pump which supplies the ink, an ink recovery pump which recovers the ink, and a control unit; a printing head equipped with a nozzle which jets the ink supplied from the main body as ink particles, an electrification electrode which electrifies the ink particles, a deflection electrode which deflects the electrified ink particles, and a gutter which collects ink particles which are not used for printing; and a cable in which an ink supply flow path for supplying the ink from the main body to the printing head, an ink recovery flow path for returning the ink particles collected by the gutter into the ink container, an exhaust circulation path which connects the ink container and the gutter, and various signal lines for connecting the control unit and the printing head, are arranged. The gutter comprises two members of an ink flow path block in which ink flows, and exhaust flow path block in which exhaust solvent vapor flows.
US08308271B2
A 3D inkjet printer includes an inkjet head and a medium holder configured to hold a medium having a three-dimensional shape. A Y-axial driving mechanism is capable of moving the inkjet head along a Y-axial. A Z-axial supporting mechanism supports the medium holder so as to be movable along a Z-axial direction. An X-axial driving mechanism is capable of moving the Z-axial supporting mechanism along an X-axial direction. A Z-axial driving mechanism is capable of moving the medium holder along the Z-axial direction. The medium holder includes an A-axial driving mechanism capable of swinging the medium along an A-axial direction. The A-axial direction is a rotational direction about a shaft disposed along the Y-axial direction. A B-axial driving mechanism is capable of rotating the medium along a B-axial direction. The B-axial direction is a rotational direction about a shaft disposed perpendicular to the Y-axial direction.
US08308269B2
A print head assembly includes a print head and a print head cover disposed around the print head. The print head cover includes a face and a print opening disposed in the face. The print opening disposed adjacent an ejection point of the print head. A perforated area is disposed on the face.
US08308266B2
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting module and a measurement section. The liquid ejecting module includes a pressure chamber that has a piezoelectric element and an ejecting nozzle, and a supply passage that supplies liquid into the pressure chamber, and the liquid ejecting module configured to eject, from the ejecting nozzles, liquid which is supplied to the pressure chamber through the supply passage. The measurement section measures an admittance or a phase difference between a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element and a current through the liquid ejecting module when the voltage is applied.
US08308262B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion to form an image on a sheet using an erasable ink, a sheet supply tray to load the sheet on which the image was formed using the erasable ink, a mark detecting portion to detect a mark indicating that the image formed on the sheet conveyed from the sheet supply tray includes a confidential information, and an overwriting portion to overwrite so as not to make recognizable the image of at least an area including the confidential information out of the image formed on the sheet, in case that the mark is detected by the mark detecting portion.
US08308258B2
A liquid droplet jetting apparatus which jets liquid droplets includes: a liquid droplet jetting head which has a nozzle for jetting the liquid droplets; and a jetting controller which controls the liquid droplet jetting head to jet the liquid droplets from the nozzles by supplying the liquid droplet jetting head with a driving signal having a predetermined drive waveform in each of continuing driving periods, and which includes: a driving waveform selecting section which selects, with respect to each of the continuing driving periods, a driving waveform from a plurality of driving waveforms each having a wavelength which is same as a length of one driving period; and a driving waveform shifting section which shifts the driving waveform selected by the driving waveform selecting section.
US08308255B2
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of controllers that controls nozzle groups for forming an image on an image forming medium based on image data; a plurality of distribution processing units that are connected to a portion of the controllers to transmit to the controllers image data for controlling the nozzle groups allocated to the controllers; and a transmitting processing unit that transmits the image data to the distribution processing unit. Upper and lower level distribution processing units from the first distribution processing unit at the uppermost level to the second distribution processing unit at the lowermost level are communicatably connected to each other. The first distribution processing unit is communicatably connected to the transmitting processing unit.
US08308251B2
An elastic force adjustment device for slide assembly includes a fixing member, a movable member, an adjustment member and at least one elastic member. The fixing member includes a threaded rod and a longitudinal body. A longitudinal guiding portion is located between two ends of the longitudinal body. The adjustment frame has a mounting portion connected to the threaded rod. The adjustment member contacts the adjustment frame and has a threaded portion threadedly connected to the threaded rod. The at least one elastic member has two ends which are respectively connected to the movable member and the adjustment frame. A force of the at least one elastic member or the position of the movable member is adjusted by rotating the adjustment member on the threaded rod.
US08308243B2
An accessory for a chair having two or more front legs, for use in cooperation with at least one of the front legs of the chair and for providing a good platform for a person's foot or feet while sitting in the chair working on motor skills, the accessory comprising one or more board items comprising one or more board-like items, including planks, of various thicknesses having on or in each item at least one restraining device having one or more chair-leg contacting surfaces that will prevent a child, while sitting in the chair, from moving the board-like item out of its functional place with his feet. The chair accessory is used with a chair including a child's chair to provide a foot rest when the chair occupant's legs are too short to allow the occupant's feet to reach the floor to provide stability necessary to permit more advanced fine motor development.
US08308233B1
A bicycle passenger seat may include a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to an existing pole of an operator seat pole of an existing bicycle. A support frame may be pivotally attached to the mounting bracket and adapted to be selectively coupled to an axle of the rear wheel of the existing bicycle. A stud bolt is removably connected to the support frame. Passenger handles are removably attached to axially opposed ends of the stud bolt. A passenger seat may further be coupled to a posterior end of the support frame. The horizontal length of the support frame may be selectively adjustable along an x-axis while the vertical length may be selectively adjustable along a y-axis. In this manner, the combined weight of the operator and passenger is more evenly distributed so that a center of mass is forwardly spaced from the rear wheel of the bicycle.
US08308227B2
A side part structure of a vehicle body capable of reliably dispersing a collision load applied from the side of a vehicle is disclosed. A bulkhead arranged in a rocker has an outer bulkhead joined to an outer rocker and an inner bulkhead joined to an inner rocker. Facing walls of the outer bulkhead and the inner bulkhead are provided with proximity portions which are engageable with each other, which allow a collision load at a side collision to be reliably transmitted from the outer rocker to the inner rocker via the proximity portions formed on the mutually facing walls, thereby reliably dispersing the collision load from the side of the vehicle.
US08308221B2
A roller assembly for a sliding vehicle closure includes a bracket secured to an associated sliding vehicle closure and a ball-type roller secured to the bracket at a location spaced apart from the associated sliding vehicle closure. The ball-type roller is fixed in position relative to the associated sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof.
US08308220B2
A sliding guide rail for a convertible vehicle may include a front rail, a middle rail into which the front rail slides to enter, a rear rail into which the middle rail slides to enter, a wire screw for supplying the sliding power to the front rail, a rolling member for facilitating the sliding movement, and locking means for locking the front rail to the middle rail and the middle rail to the rear rail, thus providing a sliding mechanism by a single driving device.
US08308218B2
A tonneau cover system for use in conjunction with a storage bed having an upwardly directed opening. The tonneau cover system includes a frame portion and a cover portion. The frame portion includes a first mounting track, a second mounting track, a first frame member, a second frame member a first hinge mechanism and a second hinge mechanism. The first frame member has a first end and a second end. The second frame member has a first end and a second end. The first hinge mechanism operably attaches the first ends of the first frame member and the second frame member to the first mounting track. The second hinge mechanism operably attaches the second ends of the first frame member and the second frame member to the second mounting track. The cover portion extends over the frame portion.
US08308217B2
An automobile sun visor with an electromechanical sun shade device preferably comprising an elongated housing with a generally tear-shaped profile that is adapted for pivotally-adjustable installation at essentially any location proximate the interior roof of a vehicle and that attractively accommodates all necessary elements of the device therewithin, a scissor-type extension mechanism with interdependent, multi-stage frame support layers that evenly and supportively extend and adjust to a plurality of lengths, a two-layer screening system that surrounds the extension mechanism on all sides via a releasable connector, and that is adapted for preferential variation of interior versus exterior display during deployment, and a motorized control system with guide elements.
US08308215B2
A lower structure of a vehicle body rear part, when receiving a load from a rear side of the vehicle, prevents deformation of a spare tire housing toward a front side of the vehicle and displacement of the front end of a spare tire toward the front side of the vehicle, and also facilitates the tipping up of a rear portion of the spare tire. In particular, a lower structure of a vehicle body rear part 1 has a spare tire housing 3 formed in a rear floor 2 of the vehicle body rear part 1; a rear cross member 5 which joins paired side frames 4 arranged respectively on a left side and a right side in a vehicle width direction, and which is provided at a location frontward of the spare tire housing 3; and a hook reinforcement 6 for a tow hook 14, extending in a vehicle front and rear direction and arranged at a center, in the vehicle width direction, of a bottom surface of the spare tire housing 3, wherein a front end of the hook reinforcement 6 is attached to the rear cross member 5, the hook reinforcement 6 forms a closed cross section in cooperation with the rear floor 2 and is formed such that the closed cross section is larger on a rear side than on a front side, and the hook reinforcement 6 is divided into a reinforcement front portion 6b and a reinforcement rear portion 6c (FIG. 2).
US08308208B1
Kitchen tongs have two arms, each having a hinge end with a handle portion and a grasping end. A spring at pivotally joined hinge ends biases the grasping ends away from each other in open position. A support member on each arm intermediate the handle portion and the grasping end is located such that the weight between the hinge end and the support member is greater than the weight between the grasping end and the support member. The support members extend from the arms sufficiently to cause the grasping ends to be elevated above a horizontal planar support surface when the hinge ends and the support members are resting on the support surface so that the tongs may rest upon a planar support surface without contaminating the support surface or the grasping ends. A sliding element moves between two magnets for locking and unlocking tongs with one hand.
US08308206B2
The invention relates to a rear crash element for the rear bumper of a motor vehicle in the area of the number plate recess, having an impact element seated on the crossbeam of the motor vehicle, behind which, with respect to the driving direction of the motor vehicle, a shock absorbing element is arranged. The shock absorbing element is arranged behind the bumper cladding and is covered by a plastic covering, such as a horn cladding or the like. Because the impact element is a plastic part with a large surface area which fills out approximately the entire height of the number plate recess and borders the bumper cladding, preferably over a gap, and the shock absorbing element is seated from the outside on the front side of the bumper cladding flush to the impact element, a breakthrough for the impact element on the bumper cladding is not a consideration, and the impact surface of the impact element to the crossbeam and to the bumper cladding is enlarged such that the energy applied to the bumper is better absorbed.
US08308202B2
A separation prevention device for a pipe joint has disengagement prevention members and a press member. The disengagement prevention members are disposed at a plurality of locations in a circumferential direction of the pipe, on an inner peripheral surface of an engaging tool or of a receiving opening itself and which are formed with claws. The press member presses the disengagement prevention member radially inward of the pipe and which engages the claw with the outer peripheral surface of an inserting opening. The claw of the disengagement prevention member and the claw of the disengagement prevention member which is adjacent to the former disengagement prevention member in the circumferential direction of the pipe are arranged so as to overlap on each other in the axial direction of the pipe in a state where the claws are engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the inserting opening.
US08308200B1
A double hose having a hose contained within a hose. First and second hose assemblies to be joined together so each have an outer hose and an inner hose. Ends coupler parts of the inner hoses are maintained in a concentric relationship within coupler parts on the ends of the outer hoses. The coupler parts are joinable to each other. One of the ends of the inner hoses extends beyond its corresponding coupler part to form a male and is received in the end of the other inner hose within the other coupler part. As such, when the flanges on the outer coupler parts of the outer hoses are joined together the inner hoses are joined to form a fluid tight seal.
US08308196B2
A label sheet, includes: a label base material; a release liner; an adhesive layer which is formed between the label base material and the release liner; and wires that are disposed between the label base material and the release liner so as to be respectively placed on lines coupling at least one of two pairs of opposed sides of the label base material in a manner that both ends of each of the wires respectively locate at positions away from the corresponding sides coupled by each of the lines by 0.2 mm or more.
US08308184B2
A towing hook mounting member includes: a plate shaped portion having an attachment means for removably attaching a tow hook to a vehicle. The towing hook mounting member is adapted to be fixedly mounted to a bumper wall of a bumper reinforcement and a supporting wall of a vehicle attachment supporting the bumper reinforcement in a manner that the plate shaped portion, the bumper wall and the supporting wall overlap one another.
US08308183B1
A ball mount storage device for attachment to a vehicle supporting member. The ball mount storage device for storing a ball mount that engages a vehicle hitch. The ball mount includes a metallic tubular stem connected to a ball retaining portion that carries a ball for towing a trailer. The ball mount storage device includes a mounting bracket for attachment to a vehicle. A ball mount stem receiving pin extends from the bracket and is engageable with apertures carried in the stem of the ball mount. The stem is also provided with an aperture for receiving a ball mount lock. A stem stop wall is attached to the mounting bracket in predetermined position to prevent rotation of the ball mount about the ball mount stem receiving pin. A magnetic means is carried on the stem stop wall to magnetically maintain the ball mount in firm engagement with the stem stop wall until the ball mount is manually removed. A configuration of the ball mount storage device with two mounting brackets is also provided.
US08308179B2
A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frame supported on the front and rear wheels. The frame includes a hollow frame member having a wall with an opening, and a flexible bladder positioned in the hollow frame member. A stiffening member is positioned along at least a portion of the bladder to facilitate insertion of the bladder through the opening and into the frame member. The bicycle further includes a collar coupled to the open end of the bladder with at least a portion of the collar being positioned on an outer surface of the frame member. The bladder includes a first portion adjacent the open end and generally aligned with a first axis and a second portion distal to the open end and generally aligned with a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis.
US08308174B2
A steering device for adjusting a wheel steering angle of a wheel of a motor vehicle is disclosed, which steering device has just one central wheel guide member for changing the wheel steering angle of the wheel and not a plurality of wheel guide members. The length of the wheel guide member can be adjusted, wherein a change in length of the central wheel guide member brings about a change in the wheel steering angle of the wheel.
US08308167B2
A locking tool or device that permits rapid installation and removal of a removable component from a component that is fixed to a housing or equipment. The interchangeable, and hence removable, components may be held in place by individual holders that provide secure axial locking means and quick radial removal means requiring no axial space for the removal of such components from the main base tool.
US08308166B2
A single loop net includes a loop member, triangular holders, side straight edge portions, two propping poles, two holding straps, a first opening, a catching net, net deploying straps, and a second opening. The triangular holders are for holding two neighboring straight portions. The side straight edge portions are fixed to one of the side straight portions. Each of the propping poles extends from two side straight portions of the loop member. Each of the holding straps extends from a lower portion of the loop member. The first opening is enclosed and defined by the triangular holders and the side straight edge portions. The catching net covers the first opening and configured to catch balls flying into the first opening from a frontal direction. The second opening is disposed in a bottom one of the side straight edge portions. The second opening is disposed so as to return balls.
US08308165B2
A card game includes a deck of cards used, for example, to play craps, poker, or any combination thereof.
US08308163B2
A table game system comprises cards and a card shooter apparatus. The cards include code elements that are arrayed as an ultraviolet-ray reaction code indicating at least the number of a card. The card shooter apparatus includes a card housing for containing cards, a card guide unit that guides cards pulled out one by one from the card housing, and one or more black light sensors that read the ultraviolet-ray reaction code from a card guided by the card guide unit.
US08308155B2
A retard roller and a retard roller module are provided. The retard roller is used in an automatic document feeder for providing a frictional force to separate plural documents from each other. Unidirectional rotation of the retard roller is permitted. Due to the unidirectional rotation, the contact surface of the retard roller can be switched. During the sheet-feeding process, the document is contacted with a specified contact surface. By rotating the retard roller, the document is contacted with another contact surface.
US08308152B2
A method and system of making a book formed of a plurality of booklets having a plurality of sheets including receiving a paper value from an input device which corresponds to a sheet thickness. A maximum number of sheets per booklet based on the paper value is determined. The minimum number of sheets which will contain all pages of the book pages and the least number of booklets required responsive to the maximum number of sheets required are determined. The number of sheets in each booklet is determined and is stored. The sheets are distributed among the number of booklets. The creep for each sheet based on the paper value is determined. An image transfer device is controlled responsive to the determination of the creep.
US08308147B2
A vibration damper with improved durability achieved by preventing stress concentration in a partition wall portion to avoid an excessive increase in strain in that portion. An intermediate cylinder member (20) is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical member (16), and a rubber elastic body (22) is arranged between a mounting member (18) and the intermediate cylinder member (20) to elastically connect them. A first and a second hollow cavities are formed in those regions of the rubber elastic body (22) which correspond to regions in the inner peripheral side of a small diameter portion (20B) of the intermediate cylinder member (20). Partition wall portion (22D) for partitioning the hollow cavities from each other are formed in regions of the rubber elastic body (22) between the first and second hollow cavities. The partition wall portion (22D) of the rubber elastic body (22) has both ends (23) fitted into a pair of openings (44, 46) of the intermediate cylinder member (20) so as to project from the openings (44, 46) toward the outer cylinder member (16).
US08308145B2
An apparatus for delivering humidified air to a surrounding space and having a housing defining a space within which incoming air is treated, a receptacle for a supply of fluid, and an outlet. A plurality of operating components are supported by the housing, including a nebulizer that causes fluid in the receptacle to become entrained in incoming air. The treated air flows through the housing outlet to the surrounding space. The nebulizer operable by at least one electronic component that generates heat as the nebulizer is operated. The apparatus further has a heat sink assembly on the housing in heat exchange relationship with the at least one electronic heat generating component. The heat sink assembly is: a) cooled by air moving through the housing space; and b) not directly exposed to fluid in the receptacle.
US08308140B2
A coupling for an end of polymer jacketed high tensile wire fencing formed by a plate having first and second edges, a slot passing through the plate perpendicular to the first and second edges, having upper and lower ends spaced from the edges, a fold in the fencing defining a bight joining a shorter portion to a longer portion of the fencing, the fold penetrating the slot, and a pin of a length greater than the distance between the upper and lower ends of the slot, the pin having an end inserted into the bight in the fold of the fencing to retain the fold of the fencing in the slot, the pin being vertically removable from the bight to quickly release the fencing from the coupling.
US08308134B2
A mobile jack is provided for a vehicle the where the mobile jack includes a movable base with a plurality of rollers adapted for moving the jack upon a generally horizontal support surface and positioning the jack under a load. The mobile jack may lift loads using a scissor assembly lying in a vertical plane where the scissor assembly connected between the movable base and an upper platform. Additionally, the mobile jack may include at least one hydraulic cylinder for actuating the scissor assembly. The mobile jack may include a safety lock for locking the upper platform in a lifted position where the lock is movable between at least one locked and unlocked position. When the upper platform is in the lifted position, the lock automatically moves to the locked position so that it cooperates with the scissor assembly to prevent the scissor assembly from lowering independent of the cylinders.
US08308133B1
A valve for a fuel cell system includes a main body having a passage through which a fluid is permitted to flow. A sliding member is disposed in the main body and configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The sliding member has an orifice formed therein. At least one biased plug is disposed within the main body adjacent the sliding member. The biased plug abuts an outer surface of the sliding member and permits fluid flow through the orifice of the sliding member when the sliding member is in the open position. The biased plug seals the orifice of the sliding member and militates against a formation of ice in the orifice when the sliding member is in the closed position.
US08308128B2
A leaf clamp for installation on tubing to control the flow of fluid therethrough, the leaf clamp comprising opposing rectilinear frameworks between which the tubing is threaded. A flexible leaf interconnects the opposing frameworks and extends generally parallel above the tubing positioned between the rectilinear frameworks. A snap-lever, generally L-shaped, is pivotally connected between the upper portions of the frameworks such that the shorter leg of the L-shaped lever is aligned with and engages the leaf member to urge it downwardly into engagement with the tubing as the longer leg of the L-shaped snap-lever is pivoted from a generally transverse “open” position to a generally parallel “closed” position.
US08308126B2
The invention relates to a perimetral slab formwork system applicable for configuring a cantilever on a base grid formwork, configured by primary beams between which formwork panels are housed. In one possible solution, it incorporates perimetral beams provided with connectors for coupling on props and a straining piece which is vertically placed between outer and inner perimetral formwork panels supported by the perimetral beams to aid in lowering a formwork stripping tool connected to the outer panels. In another solution for smaller cantilevers, it has second perimetral beams having a matching configuration with the primary beams extending with regard to the base formwork combined with perimetral clamps fitting in one of their ends provided with a connector for a prop and housing for railings.
US08308124B2
A bicycle seat adjustable device includes an outer tube and an inner tube inserted into the outer tube. A piston seat and a clamp unit are connected to the inner tube. A valve unit extends through the piston seat and is located in the inner tube. The valve unit includes a rod extending through the piston seat and reaches the bottom end of the outer tube. A control unit has a control unit connected to the bottom end of the outer tube and an action unit is located outside of the outer tube. The control unit has a push member connected with the rod. The action unit has a cable extending through the outer tube and connected to the push member. A switch is connected to the cable. The push member is indirectly moved to move the rod to control the hydraulic path in the piston seat by pulling the cable.
US08308116B2
A hanger assembly has a rail having a front portion, a back portion, and a rail opening therethrough. The rail opening has a shape having a larger diameter at the back portion and a smaller diameter at the front portion. A plug conforms to the shape of the opening, has a plug opening therein and a lip disposed upon an internal surface thereof. The lip engages a hook having an extension for insertion into the plug opening and engaging the lip within the plug.
US08308115B2
There is provided an in-vehicle holder support device to which an in-vehicle holder unit can be easily attached, with an improved rigidity thereof in an attached condition. In the in-vehicle holder support device, there is provided, in a base portion 12, a sloping surface 12c which slopes toward a side of a right seat frame cover 4 that is an object for attachment. An attaching portion 6 is allowed to slide via the sloping surface 12c and is guided to a gap G to be fitted thereinto. Besides, own weight of a pocket 2 can be certainly received by an opposed surface 14b that is formed flat in a holding portion 14. Thus, the pocket 2 can be easily attached to the in-vehicle holder support device and further rigidity of the in-vehicle holder support device 3 can be improved with the pocket 2 attached thereto.
US08308112B2
An aircraft includes a surface over which an airflow passes. A plasma actuator is configured to generate a plasma above the surface, the plasma coupling a directed momentum into the air surrounding the surface to reduce separation of the airflow from the surface. A method of reducing separation of an airflow from a surface of an aircraft includes generating a plasma in air surrounding the surface at a position where the airflow would separate from the surface in the absence of the plasma.
US08308107B2
An air cargo loading system also includes a controller, a main control panel and a plurality of PDUs (PDUs), at least the controller and the PDUs being connected by a wired network. Each PDU has a motor, at least one driver roller element coupled to said motor, a light source, a light detector, and a processor. The light detector of each PDU is configured to receive and process an incoming coded light signal from a wireless remote control handset. The PDU's processor determines whether the received coded light signal is a valid command signal and, if so, provides a command information signal to the controller via the wired network. The controller decodes the command information signal and, in view of its knowledge of container locations, various switch settings and other status information, the controller then sends the appropriate control signals to turn on the required PDUs in response thereto. Because wireless remote handsets are used to communicate with the controller, the air cargo system may either be wholly devoid of local control panels or, have only a very small number of local control panels.
US08308105B2
An aircraft engine mounting structure comprising a pylon box having an upper surface and at least one attachment element configured to be attached to a front spar of an aircraft wing box, the front spar having a lower surface, the attachment element being configured to attach the rear face of the pylon box to the front spar such that at least a portion of the upper surface of the pylon box lies above the lower surface of the front spar.
US08308103B2
An insulating mat for the sound insulation of an aircraft fuselage structure that is composed of frames and stringers extending transverse to the frames, to a fastener means for fastening an insulating mat on an aircraft fuselage structure such that acoustic bridges are prevented. An insulating kit is also provided that comprises at least one insulating mat as well as at least one fastener. The insulating mat features a plurality of fastening clips that are fixed on a first surface of the insulating mat and laterally protrude over the border of the insulating mat.
US08308102B2
A roll shaft structure is provided for fixing a first roll or a second roll. The roll shaft structure includes a shaft body, a first ring and a second ring. The diameter of the shaft body is equal to the inner diameter of the first roll. The diameter of each of the first ring and the second ring is equal to the inner diameter of the second roll. When the shaft body penetrates through the first roll, the shaft body is contacted with the inner wall of the first roll, so that the first roll is fixed on the roll shaft structure. Whereas, when the shaft body penetrates through the second roll, the first ring and the second ring that are fixed on the shaft body are contacted with the inner wall of the second roll, so that the second roll is fixed on the roll shaft structure.
US08308095B2
A system 100 and method for clearing a crushing device 1 of tramp material is disclosed. The system comprises at least one dual-acting cylinder 70 which serves to both maintain a constant crushing force between a head 500 and bowl 400, and also provide a clearing stroke to facilitate passage of said tramp material. The body of the at least one dual-acting cylinder 70 is mounted securely to a main frame 300 in a self-centering, self-seating arrangement by cylinder mount 40. The piston rod 30 of the at least one dual-acting cylinder 70 is directly or indirectly mounted securely to an adjustment ring 200 in a self-centering, self-seating arrangement. The piston rod 30 comprises a first securing member 10 and a second securing member 20. A mounting portion 202 associated with the adjustment ring 200 is captured between the first 10 and second 20 securing members of the piston rod 30.
US08308092B2
A multiple tool attachment system is adapted to be attached to demolition equipment. The system includes a universal body attached to the demolition equipment. A series of tools is independently attachable to the universal body. The universal body includes a guide slot extending longitudinally along the universal body. Each tool generally includes a pair of pivotable jaws adapted to be pivotably attached to the universal body with at least one linkage extending from the universal body and attachable to each jaw of the tool. A slide member is received within the guide slot, with each linkage attached to the slide member, and a piston cylinder arrangement is attached to the universal body and coupled to the slide member for moving the slide member and the jaws. The multiple tool attachment system is provided with quick change features and is designed to optimize the cutting characteristics throughout the movement cycle. A tool set such as a grapple may be centrally supported by bridge housings thereby minimizing the stresses across the main pivot pin. Additionally, a tool set such as a grapple may have tine surfaces with wear plates welded directly thereto to minimize wear.
US08308091B2
A food grater having an improved cutting surface in which cutting teeth are configured with cutting edges that are inclined in alternating directions. In various embodiments, the cutting surface is incorporated into a hand-held, box, pyramid, or other grater.
US08308090B2
A grinder includes a generally vertical, rotatable shaft having at least one set of cutter blades driven thereby and a fan assembly mounted on the shaft below the cutter blades in position to receive output therefrom. The fan assembly includes a fan disc secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith. Fan blades are secured to the fan disc in a generally radial orientation. Each fan blade includes a bottom flange secured to a top surface of the fan disc, a web extending upwardly from the bottom flange and a top flange extending outwardly from the web in a direction of rotation of the fan disc. The fan blades are preferably moveably mounted to the fan disc such that the angle of the fan blades relative to a true radial orientation can be adjusted.
US08308086B2
A system, in one embodiment, includes a spray gun having a body, a receptacle disposed in the body, and a valve cartridge. The valve cartridge includes a biasing member, a valve seat, a seal, and a valve member disposed through the seal and biased toward the valve seat via the biasing member. The valve member is movable between an open position and a closed position in a direction generally crosswise to a spray exit.
US08308085B2
The present invention provides a showerhead that allows a bather to switch among at least three different water delivery functions. In the first function, the showerhead delivers a concentrated fluttering spray at a rate not to exceed 1.5 GPM (5.75 GPM). In the second function, the showerhead delivers a combined spray pattern, wherein the fluttering spray and a radially dispersed precision spray are simultaneously delivered to the bather at a rate not to exceed 2.0 GPM (7.57 L/min) for the combined water flow. In the third function, the showerhead delivers the precision spray pattern at a rate not to exceed 2.0 L/min (7.57 GPM). The combination spray pattern is effected without compromising either the desirable massaging and cleaning effect of water delivery or the inherent water conservation benefits. In addition, the showerhead of the present invention provides an automatic return feature for return of the showerhead to the first function when water pressure to the showerhead falls below a predetermined bottom threshold.
US08308083B2
An air spray gun for paint has a tubular body, having an integral screw thread receiving a threaded collar. This secures an air cap against the end of the tube. The air cap has four horns, formed with obliquely inwards directed bores, for patterning the spray, by impinging on it from opposite sides in a manner analogous to that of known air caps having two horns. Behind the air cap in the tube is an air distributor for distributing air to either or both of the pairs of air horns as required to patterning of the paint spray. Paint flow is controlled by a needle withdrawable from a paint nozzle. The needle is in two parts, a front interchangeable part and a rear part connected to the trigger.
US08308081B1
Methods of cleaning a swimming pool using a swimming pool cleaning head. A first method may include intermittently raising a nozzle head under water and ejecting a stream of water under water, incrementally rotating the nozzle head in a clockwise direction, retracting the nozzle head, sliding a cam reverser, and reversing the direction of rotation of the nozzle head with the cam reverser to counterclockwise. A second method may include rotating a stem by sliding at least one pin coupled to the stem through at least one channel in a cam, the stem configured to release a stream of water under water in a swimming pool. The method may further include reversing the direction of rotation of the stem by sliding a slidable section of the cam with the at least one pin.
US08308075B2
To mix immiscible materials at low pressure, the materials are applied from separate inputs of a fixture to separate channels where they are permitted to flow to and spread over surfaces or edges at selected thicknesses. On the surfaces or edges the materials are each subject to flowing air that forms small particles or drops even though the materials may be viscous. The particles or drops are mixed together and may be applied to a combustion device or spray device or any other device utilizing the mixture.
US08308070B2
An illuminating device for a system for automatically acquiring optically encoded information includes at least one illuminating element, the at least one illuminating element including at least one linear light source extending along a first direction, at least one reflecting optical element associated with the at least one linear light source and suitable for reflecting a light beam emitted by the at least one light source, the optical element having at least one first focus, the linear light source being arranged within an area surrounding the first focus, the illuminating device further includes rotating means suitable for rotating the at least one reflecting optical element with respect to the at least one first focus, with a rotation center arranged within a further area surrounding the at least one first focus.
US08308061B2
Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide a method of participating in prepaid programs through retail systems without the need to first upgrade their POS capabilities to participate, and allow for a merchant (retailer) to participate in proof of concept programs to determine if prepaid is a viable solution for their retail business model.
US08308059B2
A system, method and credit card configured to display a current card balance on the credit card. The credit card receives a balance request from a button on the card. After retrieving the current card balance encoded on the credit card, the card displays the current card balance. Remote terminals may be configured to support the real-time display of a balance on a credit card by writing the current balance to the card after a payment transaction has occurred.
US08308050B1
An ultrasonic solar substrate bonding system is provided. The system includes a bond head assembly including a bonding tool for bonding a ribbon material to a plurality of solar substrates. The system also includes a ribbon feeding system successively supplying portions of a continuous length of the ribbon material to the bonding tool such that the bonding tool forms ultrasonic bonds between the portions of the continuous length of the ribbon material and a plurality of solar substrates.
US08308030B2
An assembly for a bottle which includes a neck with a vertical axis, which neck has a shoulder. The assembly includes a ring which is capable of being engaged around the neck and which includes profiles for retention on the neck which are capable of co-operating with the shoulder. The assembly further includes a fixed insert which is capable of being fitted to the bottle and which delimits a housing for receiving the ring. Opposing surfaces of the ring and the housing include complementary protruding and recessed fastening profiles for resilient engagement of the complementary profiles, at least two successive profiles on the ring or the housing allowing the ring to be fastened in at least two positions which are axially offset relative to the housing.
US08308029B2
A dispenser has a reservoir to hold a fluid, in at least one embodiment a viscous cosmetic, with a pump and a set of groove protrusions attached integrally. The dispenser fits within an outer casing that houses the reservoir and has a set of grooved passages with a flat upper section, a flat lower section, and a slope in between which seat the set of groove protrusions. The dispenser is raised and lowered within the outer casing with a hollow rotating body that has a set of straight grooves that simultaneously seat the set of groove protrusions so that when the hollow rotating body is twisted on top of the outer casing, the dispenser can move up or down. The hollow rotating body also has a notch to seat a button and nozzle actuating top when the dispenser is rotated to its lowest position. When the button and nozzle are depressed, fluid is dispensed through the nozzle. More or less fluid is dispensed depending on how high the dispenser is raised with respect to the outer casing.
US08308027B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide dispensers, and particularly automatic dispensers, and even more particularly, automatic soap dispensers for dispensing a foamed soap or another cleaning or antibacterial substance to a user's hands. The dispensers provide an internal working system that allows soap or foam to be dispensed from an inverted bottle via movement of an actuator.
US08308019B2
A joint assembly and a tub assembly for a battery bath. The joint assembly has a seal that extends between a first flange of a first section and a second flange of a second section. The seal sealing a gap defined between the first and second flanges.
US08308018B2
Structures, methods, and systems associated with a stackable and collapsible container are provided. One structure includes a stackable and collapsible container having at least four non-collapsible, load bearing vertical support members attached to vertical walls of the container and capable of supporting the weight of other containers. A top surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. A bottom surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. The top and the bottom surfaces of the container can be fixedly positioned in a number of collapsed states.
US08308017B2
A pressure vessel is provided including a liner forming a cavity and having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a composite wrap including a plurality of composite layers disposed adjacent to the outer surface. The composite wrap has a desired strain modulus gradient across a thickness of the composite wrap. Also provided is a method for producing the pressure vessel.
US08308015B2
The present invention provides a collapsible container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse that has a collapsible body, tracks attached to opposite sides of the collapsible body, and a plurality of support members extending between the tracks. Sliders are located at the ends of flexible supports, the sliders being slidable in the tracks to move the support members. The support members support dunnage for supporting products for storage or shipment.
US08308012B2
A fastening clip includes a main body defining a through hole, a flange radially extending from the main body, a first clipping member hinged on the main body, a latching mechanism extending from the clipping member and including a first latching portion, and a second clipping member hinged on the main body and including a second latching portion. The clip has a first position, in which the first and second clipping members can extend out of the main body, and a second position, in which the first and second clipping members are received in the main body.
US08308011B2
A yoke type quick opening closure is provided. A torque bolt shares loads of the yoke with a drawbolt, and a separate safety bolt is provided. A common wrench interface feature is also provided.
US08308006B2
A hot-fill container may have a shoulder portion, body portion, bottom portion, and numerous strengthening grooves and a thin-walled, flexible, bag-like, collapsible portion in the body portion. The collapsible portion may be located between the strengthening ribs. The container structure may also employ one or more vacuum panels in the body portion that may lie between the collapsible portion and the bottom portion. The vacuum panels and the collapsible body portion may move toward a central vertical axis when the container is subjected to an internal vacuum pressure. Strengthening grooves may border the collapsible body portion, which may be circular in pre-vacuum cross-section but polygonal in post-vacuum cross-section. Part of the collapsible portion may be concave inward toward a central vertical axis of the container while part of the collapsible portion may move away from the central vertical axis. Vertical columns may support the collapsible portion.
US08308003B2
A seal for a container for comestibles, especially potable liquids, and in particular for use for sealing polyester containers such as bottles, which is suitable for passage through a PET recycling process, comprises a metal foil layer, a foam layer and a plastics film layer as well as a heat sealable layer below the foil. The foam is selected for its density and thickness so is to confer upon the seal a high buoyancy. The adhesion a between the foam and the foil is increased compared to currently available products, in order to prevent de-lamination between the foil and the foam during the recycling process.
US08308002B2
A finish for a plastic container and a preform adapted to be molded into the plastic container. The finish and the preform include an upper portion having a mouth defining an opening into the container. At least one groove is defined around a radial sidewall of the upper portion. The groove slopes gradually downward along the radial sidewall to a terminal end having a first groove depth at a groove entrance and a second groove depth after a predetermined amount of groove travel. The second groove depth being greater than the first groove depth.
US08307984B1
A packaging container including a packaging insert suspending an article within an exterior box. The packaging insert is formed as a top portion overlying a bottom portion, each including a pair of side panels and a pair of end panels, corresponding top and bottom side panels being affixed together face-to-face such as with adhesive at manufacturing time, and corresponding top and bottom end panels being affixed together face-to-face at packaging time. The bottom end panels include bottom end panel extensions which trap the top end panels against the bottom end panels, and which include lock tabs engaging the bottom panel. The mated side panels are angled e.g. downward and the mated end panels are angled e.g. upward, to provide stand-off within an exterior box, protecting the packaged article. The top and/or bottom panels include break control means such as slotted holes, which control where each panel breaks when stressed around the packaged article by closure of the packaging insert. The article is further protected by angled regions formed as the panels break around the thickness of the article while the side and end panels are affixed face-to-face.
US08307983B2
A non-reclosable package for products which are prejudicial to health, such as pharmaceutical products. The package comprises a first packaging material element and a second packaging material element. The two packaging material elements are arranged on top of each other. The package has at least one first surface section, at the margin or margins of which the two packaging material elements are releasably connected with each other. At least one cavity, which is enclosed on all sides and receives the product to be packaged, is formed between the two packaging material elements. The package has at least one second surface section lying outside or adjoining the first surface section, and at the margin or margins of which the two packaging material elements are releasably connected with each other. At least one of the two packaging material elements has at least one structure extending within the second surface section and enables the packaging material element(s) to be torn.
US08307982B1
A cake container having a base (14) and a transparent cover (16) lying over the base, both being constructed of heat-formed plastic sheets, with peripheries of the base and cover securely latched together in a way that avoids sudden movement during unlatching. The base has a largely vertical peripheral wall (24) forming a plurality of dimples (26), and the cover has a lower peripheral wall (30) with a plurality of dimple-receiving regions (32). Each dimple-receiving region includes a chimney (52) that receives a dimple until the dimple lies at the top portion (60) of the chimney. The cover then can be turned so the dimple enters a dimple-receiving cavity (54) that prevents the cover from moving up off the base until the cover is turned back. The cover has a plurality of vertical ribs (172, 173, 174) forming wide panels (182) and forming narrow panels (180) between the wide panels. Stickers (124) adhere to peripheries of the cover and base to show the customer that there has been no tampering.
US08307981B1
An insertable electrode insert and electrode container for a plurality of welding electrodes is described. The insert is positioned within the electrode container and is removed with the assistance of an apertured handle.
US08307967B2
A mechanical, electrical and telecommunication system to electrically connect a vehicle to an electricity source to transfer energy to the vehicle is presented. In one rendition the system has a stationary portion on the road or infrastructure side, and a moving member on the vehicle. The system is designed to tolerate misalignments of a parked vehicle with respect to the parking stall. The infrastructure or road side component of the system being mechanically static is designed rugged and therefore is widely deployable. The system along with moving member is fail-safe and poses no threat to humans, the vehicle being charged or the vehicles sharing the road. An important component of the system is a pair of rigid, insulating strips with a series of conductors on each of them, placed at approximately right angles to each other. One of the strips is mounted on the infrastructure or road side and the other on the vehicle. The two strips cover the lateral and longitudinal misalignment of the parked vehicle. As long as the two strips have an overlap, the connection can be made by the conductors in the overlap region. The system is designed to operate only in the active presence and active desire of a vehicle to connect to the infrastructure or road side stationary part.
US08307960B2
A brake actuator for an electrical parking brake comprises an electric motor and a planetary gear set. The axes on which the planet wheels are carried on the planet carrier are joined substance-to-substance to the planet carrier, i.e. formed in one piece with it or for instance mounted on its surface by means of atomic or molecular forces. Recesses on the axes can receive a lubricant. Spacers between the planet carrier and planet wheels can reduce the contact surface in the axial direction.
US08307942B2
A flat earplug and flat earplug package assembly is provided and a method of forming a flat earplug. The flat earplug includes a flat, rectangular foam sheet having a first surface and second surface, and adapted to be rolled up upon itself to form a coiled earplug for insertion into a user's ear. An inner coil is compressed to form a rigid coil when rolled up upon itself and an outer coil expands after the coiled earplug is inserted into the user's ear. The flat earplug package assembly includes a tray container for retaining the foam sheet therein and a wrapping for enclosing the flat earplug and tray container therein.
US08307939B2
Disclosed is a steering gear for a power steering system of a vehicle, comprising a component that is mounted axially displaceably in a housing of the steering gear, a tie rod fixed in an articulated manner on at least one axial end of the component by way of a joint, wherein a rotational center of the joint is disposed on a radially directed adapter part laterally offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the axially displaceable component, and the adapter part is fixed to the axially displaceable component by way of a shaft-hub connection, which is fastened on the axial end of the axially displaceable component using a nut on an external thread so as to provide a steering gear that has a high-strength, play-free connection between the axially displaceable component thereof and the adapter part, and which is easy to produce, the shaft-hub connection being formed by a play-free, conical serrated connection.
US08307935B2
In a vehicle pop-up hood apparatus in which a rod is extended and a hood is pushed up by the operation of an actuator at a time of collision with a collision body, collision energy is absorbed with high efficiency when a collision load of a predetermined value or greater is input to an area near a hood pushed up position.Actuator (18) operates such that rod (20) moves in an axial direction toward a hood upper side, pushes up a rear edge side of hood rocker (12) and holds it at that position and, in that state, when a collision load of a predetermined value or greater acts from a hood upper side to near the pushed up position of the hood, push portion (54) slides along pushed up surface (38) of hinge arm (30) towards a vehicle rear side, and rod (20) is made to bend in conjunction therewith.
US08307930B2
An energy storage module (30, 32) for an electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle (12). Multiple low-voltage storage batteries (36) disposed on a tray (60) and connected in parallel circuit relationship form a low-voltage battery bank. A DC-to-DC converter (42) has an input connected to the low-voltage battery bank and an output connected to a high-voltage energy storage bank (34). An AC-to-DC converter (40) is connected to the low-voltage battery bank for charging the low-voltage battery bank from a source of AC electricity (45).
US08307929B2
First and second motors have structures different from each other. A control device estimates a first magnet temperature of the first motor and a second magnet temperature of the second motor and controls a drive unit based on the first and second magnet temperatures. The control device estimates the first magnet temperature using a first parameter (the temperature of cooling oil of the first and second motors) and estimates the second magnet temperature using the temperature of the stator of the second motor. Since an appropriate parameter is selected from among a plurality of parameters concerning the state of the first and second motors, the first and second magnet temperatures can be estimated more accurately.
US08307928B2
A method and system for limiting motor performance in a hybrid electric vehicle system. During a condition in a primary drivetrain, the method limits performance of an electric motor used in an auxiliary drivetrain to control energy consumed from a battery in the auxiliary drivetrain. A calculation or measurement is made to determine available battery energy remaining in the battery after the condition. The performance of the electric motor is then limited based on the available battery energy.
US08307926B2
There is provided a hybrid vehicle capable of attaining excellent acceleration response and reducing pumping loss. When an engine combustion stop demand is issued, the engine is associatively rotated by carrying out a fuel cut-off operation and controlling the speed of a generator to control the engine in such a way that the speed of the engine becomes a predetermined speed NE1. During the associative rotation, intake and exhaust valves are held at their fully closed positions.
US08307922B2
A system and method are described for powering an aircraft using radio frequency (“RF”) signals. For example, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: positioning an antenna array beneath or on the road surface of a roadway, the antenna array configured to transmit RF signals responsive to RF processing logic and/or circuitry; coupling a rectenna array to an aircraft, the rectenna array configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the antenna array and to generate power from the RF signals; providing feedback signals from the aircraft to the RF processing logic and/or circuitry, the feedback signals including channel state information (CSI) defining a current state of the channels between the antenna array and the rectenna array, the RF processing logic and/or circuitry using the channel state information to adjust the RF signal transmissions from the antenna array to improve the efficiency of the power generated by the rectenna array; and using the power generated by the rectenna array to power the aircraft.
US08307918B2
Disclosed are hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus, subterranean hydrocarbon recovery drilling methods, and subterranean hydrocarbon recovery methods. In one embodiment, a hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus includes an elongated assembly within which a rotatable drill rod is received. The assembly comprises a longitudinal axis, a drill rod entrance end, and a drill rod exit end. The assembly comprises a tailcuttings diverter pipe proximate the drill rod exit end, with the tailcuttings diverter pipe defining an initial fluid flow path of the tailcuttings from the longitudinal axis which is acute from the longitudinal axis. Other apparatus and method aspects are contemplated.
US08307914B2
Drill bits and methods of drilling curved boreholes comprising a drill bit including a bit body and one or more cutting blades positioned within the bit body, the one or more blades individually actuatable to a plurality of cut depths. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for drilling a curved borehole. The method includes: providing a drill string including a drill bit including a bit body and one or more blades positioned within the bit body, the one or more blades individually actuatable to a plurality of cut depths; rotating the drill string; and selectively actuating the one or more blades to a plurality of cut depths; thereby drilling a curved borehole.
US08307910B2
A drive apparatus for a reciprocating tool, including a housing, a rotatable drive shaft assembly located in the housing, an elongated spindle located in the housing for reciprocating motion, a front bushing in the housing for supporting the front end portion of the spindle, and a wobble drive mechanism. The wobble drive mechanism preferably includes a wobble drive shaft connected to the drive shaft assembly and an elongated arm having a lengthwise axis extending upwardly from the wobble drive shaft and including an upper interface for reciprocating the spindle generally in its lengthwise direction during alternating cutting and return strokes. The upper interface connects the arm to the spindle in a manner that prevents translational movement of the spindle relative to the arm in the direction of the arm lengthwise axis, but permits rotational movement thereof in three orthogonal axes.
US08307898B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for cementing a liner in place in an open borehole using a tubular member having at least one obstruction in the tubular member to pass the cement into the liner and through the liner into an annular space surrounding the liner to position the liner in the open borehole.
US08307888B1
A method and apparatus for removing a string of casing from a well bore. The method and apparatus include a plurality of drill bits substantially aligned with each other for drilling a plurality of holes in the string of casing. The plurality of holes can be used to lift the string in casing from the well bore via a series of incremental casing sections.
US08307887B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.
US08307883B2
The present invention relates to a mold powder supply apparatus using the waste heat of a tundish, which can collect waste heat from molten steel in the tundish, and preheat and dry mold powder. The mold powder supply apparatus using the waste heat of a tundish according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a powder hopper that is mounted to a frame close to a tundish to absorb heat radiated from the top of the tundish, through one side; an agitator that agitates mold powder filled in the powder hopper; and a supply pipe that is connected to the bottom of the powder hopper to supply the powder hopper into a mold.
US08307877B1
A two-sided fire door system includes a horizontal head track having a first end and a second end; a first door including a plurality of interconnected panels suspended vertically from the head track by trolleys arranged for horizontal movement between the first end and a point remote from the first end; a second door including a plurality of interconnected panels suspended vertically from the head track by trolleys arranged for horizontal movement between the second end and a point remote from the second end; and an endless chain in an elongate loop having a first end looped around a drive sprocket and parallel first and second runs fixed to respective first and second lead trolleys. A drive motor rotates the drive sprocket in opposite rotational directions to open and close the doors, the motor being blocked against rotation when the motor is not operating. A suspended weight closes the doors automatically by means of a cable attached to one of the lead trolleys when the blocking is released.
US08307875B2
A sectional gate with an escape door includes a plurality of vertically displaceable gate sections, which are foldably connected to one another along their horizontally extending longitudinal edges. The escape door is inserted into the sectional gate and is constructed from door sections, which are foldably connected to one another. A device for opening and closing the escape door and a locking mechanism are non-positively engaged in at least one of the gate sections. The device for opening and closing the escape door are non-positively connected with one or more sliding bolts, which extend in vertical and horizontal directions to the locking mechanism, which engages in at least one of the gate sections. The sliding bolts that extend in the vertical direction are sub-divided into a plurality of sliding bolt sections and connected to one another in an articulated manner in the fold region of two door sections, and are non-positively connected at a bottom end to the sliding bolts that extend in the horizontal direction, with the movement of the sliding bolts or of the locking mechanism, or both, being able to be arrested.
US08307874B1
Methods and machines for changing tires on a wheel rim are disclosed. The machine includes a drive shaft having a drive axis that can positioned at different angles for convenience of the machine operator to mount a variety of differently-sized wheel rims to the drive shaft without undue lifting and handling of the wheel rims.
US08307873B2
The invention discloses a device for cutting through an adhesive bead of a vehicle pane, in particular a windshield, having a motor-driven winding-up device that comprises a coil for winding up a cutting wire in a working direction for cutting through the adhesive bead, the winding-up device being provided with a strain relief for the cutting wire which allows the cutting wire to be withdrawn from the winding-up device in a sense opposite to the working direction.
US08307860B2
Disclosed is a device for evenly filling or emptying at least one dosing chamber with a product. The device includes a dosing chamber disposed in a dosing disk, the product being dispensed into or emptied from the dosing chamber. A pressure generator impinges the dosing chamber with a predetermined pressure in order fill or empty the dosing chamber. A filter is disposed movably relative to the dosing chamber to assures that once the product has been dispensed, the product can be brought downward into the container to be filled. The filling of the container can be reinforcing by blown air or by transfer dies. The dosing chamber communicates, via the filter means, with the pressure generator. By application of an underpressure, the product to be dosed is dispensed into the dosing chamber. For cleaning the filter means, on the other hand, an overpressure pulse is applied, which improves product dispensing precision.
US08307859B2
Preferred processes are provided for unloading a particulate substance from a container using a cover system comprising a cover and a wand extending through the cover. The processes can include installing the cover system on the container so that the cover mates with the container and the wand extends into the particulate substance, connecting a pipe or a hose to the wand, and drawing the particulate substance through the wand and the pipe or hose.
US08307857B2
An insulation assembly for use with an APU having an exhaust muffler is disclosed herein. The insulation assembly includes, but is not limited to, a first insulating member that is configured for placement on a top portion of the exhaust muffler and a second insulating member attached to the first insulating member and configured for placement on a bottom portion of the exhaust muffler. The second insulating member is less resistant to heat transfer than the first insulating member.
US08307856B2
A pipe plug includes two or more pivotally connected plugging heads that work in combination to double block and bleed a pipe. At least one of the plugging heads has an expandable sealing element that is in communication with an inflation source. The sealing element may be an inflatable sealing element or a compression packer sealing element. A passageway—sections of which may pass through the pivotal connection and into the plugging head—carries the inflation medium from the source to the sealing element. A bleed port passageway is also provided that passes through the plugging head. The leading plugging head may include a cleaning element for sweeping away debris ahead of the plug. The plugging heads may also include a skid plate that slideably engages the interior surface of the pipe to properly orient the plugging heads within the pipe.
US08307853B2
A valve comprises an inlet portion configured to couple to a source of a fluid, and a body portion in fluidic communication with the inlet portion. The body portion defines a modulated flow path and a constant flow path adjacent to the modulated flow path.
US08307844B2
A tank for transporting liquids is equipped with a variable volume system. The system provides for the ability to define a variable maximum fluid volume capacity of the tank. The tank is mounted to a vehicle for transport. In one embodiment, the tank is a water tank for use in dispensing water in a working area in order to control dust.
US08307843B2
Temperature-controlled pressure regulators are described. An example temperature-controlled pressure regulator described herein includes a regulator body having an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet via a first passageway. A heat block is disposed within the regulator body and receives at least a portion of the first passageway. The heat block is to provide heat to the process fluid as the process fluid flows through the heat block via the first passageway, which separates the process fluid from the heat block.
US08307838B1
A self-operating windshield wiping apparatus for cleaning a window includes a portable housing having a cavity, and a curvilinear guide track formed in an outermost wall thereof. A suction cup is eccentrically positioned within the cavity and partially extends outwardly from the open bottom end for removably securing the portable housing to a support surface. A handle is rotatably mated to the portable housing and reciprocated along the curvilinear guide track, a rotating cam situated within the portable housing and mated to the handle, and a motor communicatively mated to the rotating cam. Such a motor causes the rotating cam to rotate along a circular travel path within the cavity. A wiper blade section is coupled to a distal end of the handle and simultaneously reciprocated with the handle along a first arcuate path as the rotating cam is revolved along the circular travel path.
US08307835B2
Three or more hairstyling clasps can be used to create a hairstyle effect on a person's hair. Each clasp has first and second generally strip-like portions. A lock of the hair is twisted and positioned between the first and second portions of a first clasp, and the clasp is closed to secure the first lock. A second lock of hair can be similarly twisted and positioned between the first and second portions of a second clasp and the clasp closed to secure the second lock. The two clasps are then fastened together by fastening a portion of the outside surface of the first portion of the first clasp to a portion of the outside surface of the second portion of the second clasp. Additional locks of hair can be twisted and secured within additional clasps in the same manner, and the additional clasps can be fastened to the other clasps in a daisy-chain-like manner.
US08307831B2
A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea includes a body implantable in a soft palate, and a fastening element at a proximal end of the body for connecting the body with a hard palate. In one embodiment, the body is curved and has a convex top surface and a concave bottom surface. The curved body is adapted to support and/or change the shape of the soft palate for minimizing the likelihood of airway obstructions during sleep. The fastening element, secureable to the hard palate, includes at least one barb adapted to engage the hard palate for anchoring the body to the hard palate. In one embodiment, the body has a surface adapted to promote tissue in-growth. The implant body may be made of materials including nitinol, stainless steel, biocompatible polymers, temperature-sensitive materials, and shape memory materials.
US08307829B2
A respiratory access assembly includes a movable manifold and a closed suction catheter assembly with a shuttle movable by actuator between the manifold and the closed suction catheter assembly. The assembly includes a flap positioned adjacent the shuttle and the closed suction catheter assembly which is moveable between an open position which permits passage of a suction catheter therethrough and a closed position, which prevents a passage of a suction catheter. The respiratory access assembly permits operable communication with the artificial airway to permit suctioning when in an un-locked position, and prevents the entrance of a suction catheter when in the locked position. A method for using a respiratory access assembly.
US08307827B2
A system and method for automated inspiratory muscle strength exercise includes software for setting a mechanical ventilator for a pressure regulated breath with an initial pressure target that is at the highest pressure setting a patient can tolerate and increasing the pressure target as tolerated.
US08307819B2
The present invention relates to a solar element with solar cell carrier, frame and temperature control device, in which, in order to be simply producible, the temperature control device is an integral part of the frame. The invention relates furthermore to a method for the production of such solar element as well as the use of same.
US08307812B2
A vaporized-fuel processing device for an engine stabilizes the idling operation wherein vaporized fuel within a fuel reservoir is adsorbed to an adsorbing member of a canister. While the engine is in operation, air is sucked from an air inlet into the canister with the intake-air negative pressure produced in an intake-air passage. This air separates the vaporized fuel adsorbed to the adsorbing member of the canister. Purge gas resulting from mixing the vaporized fuel into the air is sucked from a purge-gas sucking port into the intake-air passage. A throttle valve is arranged in a throttle intake-air passage of a throttle body. An intake-air pipe is disposed intake-upstream of the throttle body and is communicated with the throttle intake-air passage. The intake-air pipe has a peripheral wall to which a purge-gas sucking pipe is detachably attached. The purge-gas sucking port is provided within the purge-gas sucking pipe.
US08307806B2
A device for actuating the decompression engine brake in an internal combustion engine provided with hydraulic tappets is described, characterized by: an additional rocker arm (9) for each cylinder, pivoting about an axis (4) common to the rocker arms of the exhaust valves, and suitable to engage with a corresponding additional cam (10) arranged on the cam axis (7) of the cylinders; an actuator system for said additional rocker arm (9), for each cylinder. In the actuator system of said additional rocker arm (9) there is a piston (15) hinged to an end of said rocker arm, said piston (15) being in its turn moved hydraulically or by a mechanical system comprising an additional arm (12) controlled by eccentric cams (13).
US08307802B2
A mass balance unit having a mass balance housing in which a mass balance shaft is rotatably journaled and a unit housing in which a drive shaft of a secondary unit is rotatably journaled. The mass balance housing is made in one piece and has a bearing section which completely surrounds a bearing opening in which the mass balance shaft is rotatably journaled. The unit housing is also made in one piece with a base section, a wall section and a bearing section. The bearing section of the unit housing completely surrounds a bearing opening in which the drive shaft is rotatably journaled. The drive shaft is operably connected to the balance shaft drivewise. The base section of the unit housing is releasably fastened to a lower side of the mass balance housing while its wall section is adjacent an end face of the mass balance housing.
US08307794B2
In an internal combustion engine valve drive switching device with a switching unit, the switching unit includes an implementation unit for implementing a first switching process based on at least one signal and thereafter, to implement a second switching process independently of an electronic evaluation.
US08307788B2
An inflatable device for shifting an animal's position in a chute, and specifically a bull in a bull riding event. The wedge includes an inflatable bladder with an opening to receive the inflatant from an inflatant source and one or more communicating passages transporting the inflatant to and from the inflatable bladder wherein inflation and deflation of the inflatable bladder controls the position of the animal in a chute.
US08307784B2
An injection method for injecting a substance into eggs, and an injection head for implementing said method. The method generally includes piercing the shell and at least the shell membrane of an egg by moving a needle, and then injecting the treatment substance via said needle, said piercing step comprising a first movement of the needle to pierce the shell with a first penetration force and then a second movement of the needle to pierce at least the shell membrane with a second penetration force lower than the first penetration force.
US08307783B2
Vacuum treatment installation particularly for plasma coating workpieces, has an arrangement for boosting and/or igniting a glow discharge plasma for the treatment of workpieces, and at least one hollow body of electrically conductive material, the hollow body including a hollow space and at least one entrance opening through which charge carriers flow in order to make possible ignition and operation of a plasma or to boost an existing plasma. The hollow body is electrically connected to workpieces so that the hollow body is essentially at workpiece potential. The hollow space is formed such that when an electric signal is applied to the hollow body, at least in a certain pressure and voltage range, geometric conditions for the ignition of a discharge in the interior of the hollow body are satisfied, and the at least one hollow body is not a workpiece carrier.
US08307782B2
A deposition apparatus includes: a first electrode for placing a processing object; a second electrode for generating plasma with the first electrode, the second electrode being opposed to the first electrode; and a cooling part for cooling the processing object, wherein between the processing object and the cooling part, as compared with a thermal resistance between a central part of the processing object and the cooling part, a thermal resistance between a peripheral part peripheral to the central part and the cooling part is small.
US08307775B2
An impact detector includes a circular weight, a case containing the weight, in which a transition path for the weight is formed, a planar elastic member extending in the case with a first end oriented in a direction in which the weight move upon an impact in a first direction, a fixing member fixing the planar member to the case. The planar elastic member includes a folded portion disposed on a second end of the planar elastic member, and a first arm and a second arm both extending from the folded portion. An end portion of the first arm holds the weight at an initial position, and the first arm deforms to release the weight upon the impact in the first direction. The fixing member includes a sandwiching portion sandwiching the folded portion and a contact portion in contact with both the first arm and the second arm.
US08307767B2
An initiator includes a detonation port and a reactive panel coupled with the detonation port. The reactive panel includes an inner panel, an outer panel, and an explosive sheet disposed between the inner panel and the outer panel and operatively associated with a venting device. A system for venting a container includes a venting device and an initiator coupled with the venting device. The initiator includes a detonation port and a reactive panel coupled with the detonation port. The reactive panel includes an inner panel, an outer panel, and an explosive sheet disposed between the inner panel and the outer panel and operatively associated with the venting device. A method of venting a container includes providing a venting system operatively associated with a container, detonating an explosive sheet of the venting system, and venting the container as a result of detonating the explosive sheet.
US08307766B2
A projectile includes a cartridge and a hollow bullet. A propellant fills the cartridge and the hollow bullet to increase the velocity of the bullet when fired. The hollow bullet has a flattened leading end and an annular ring is secured to the flattened leading end in the center of the flat region. The flattened leading end and the annular ring move a center of pressure forwardly so that a center of pressure is forward of a center of gravity of the bullet when the bullet is in flight. In a second embodiment, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slits is formed in a trailing end of the hollow bullet, creating a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart fins that flare radially outwardly upon impact with a soft target.
US08307760B2
A device for roasting fowl includes a base pan shaped to have a first supporting surface and a second supporting surface; an insert extending vertically from the first support surface of the base pan for mounting the fowl; wherein the first supporting surface of the base pan rests in a cooking apparatus to allow for roasting of the fowl in a vertical manner, and the second supporting surface of the base pan rests in the cooking apparatus to allow for roasting of the fowl in a horizontal manner.
US08307754B2
The invention relates to a coffee machine for brewing a hot drink, in particular, a coffee drink, by means of a portion capsule with a capsule lid and a capsule base, comprising a pressurized water device, a portion capsule holder and a controller. The portion capsule holder is provided with two relatively-displaceable puncture means, which pierce the capsule lid and the capsule base on or after insertion of the portion capsule in the portion capsule holder, such that hot water can enter the portion capsule through the capsule lid and the drink escapes through the capsule base from the portion capsule. The controller is provided for the provision of three differing pressures for the pressurized water, for example, for brewing espresso, white coffee and filter coffee. The capsule base of the portion capsule can comprise a pre-weakened spot.
US08307740B2
A cutter unit for a rotary shaver includes a series of cutters arranged in at least two rings around a central axis of a cutter unit. The rings are formed by forming two cutter discs, each with a plurality of cutters, and by nesting the discs, one into the other, in such way that their combined cutters form the at least two rings.
US08307735B2
A bicycle stem includes a steerer tube base including a pivotal end having a pivotal hole and two blocking devices provided in the pivotal end and slightly protruding from an inner side of the pivotal hole. A clamp arm includes a coupled end pivotally coupled to the pivotal end. A lock unit includes two lock sleeves, an engaged bolt disposed in the pivotal hole of the pivotal end and a blocking element for preventing the engaged bolt from detaching from the pivotal end. The lock unit is operable between a first position and a second position. In the first position of the lock unit, the clamp arm is fixed and can not pivot with respect to the steerer tube base, and in the second position of the lock unit, the clamp arm is able to pivot with respect to the steerer tube base.
US08307734B2
A connection end portion of a inner member is provided with engagement projections and a connection end portion of a stay is formed with reception grooves that are capable of axially receiving the engagement projections. When operation cable is axially inserted into a cylindrical support, the engagement projections are axially received in insertion grooves and are retained in terminal end positions thereof that are bent in a circumferential direction. When the stay is axially inserted into the cylindrical support in this condition, the engagement projections are axially received in the reception grooves and move to terminal end positions thereof that are bent in an opposite circumferential direction. As a result, the operation cable is positioned in an axial connection condition in which the operation cable is suspended in the stay.
US08307730B2
To provide a transmission device in which assembly of a shift spindle is improved. In the transmission device, a groove is formed on a shift spindle into an annular shape along the peripheral portion of the shift spindle. A positioning pin is mounted so as to be inserted through a through hole of a rear cover from the outside. The distal end of the positioning pin projecting inwardly of the rear cover is locked with the groove. A rib with which a spindle plate can come into abutment is formed on the inner side of the rear cover. The groove is arranged on the extension of the through hole in a state in which the spindle plate comes into abutment with the rib.
US08307727B2
Provided is a reciprocating rotary power transforming apparatus that can simplify its structure, reduce loss of friction energy occurring from motion transformation, and perform transformation between a reciprocating rotary motion and a uni-directional rotary motion. The reciprocating rotary power transforming apparatus includes a reciprocating rotary axis performing a reciprocating rotary motion, a uni-directional rotary axis performing a unidirectional rotary motion, a housing being disposed so that the reciprocating rotary axis and the uni-directional rotary axis may be orthogonal to each other on the same plane and being supported to un-restrict its rotation, and a motion transforming unit being connected to the reciprocating rotary axis and being constructed to perform transformation between the reciprocating rotary motion and the uni-directional rotary motion by a conical rotary motion and a twisting motion when power is transferred to the reciprocating rotary axis or to the uni-directional rotary axis.
US08307724B1
The improved analyte collection device is adjustable between two separate and distinct configurations. The first configuration enhances analyte collection by precluding undesired gas flow from around the sampling device. The second configuration enhances analyte collection by extending and focusing gas flow into the sampling device. Additionally, the current invention provides methods for collecting analyte from the surface of objects or the atmosphere.
US08307718B2
In a method for measuring a distance from a base area (5) to a cross section, with a predefined diameter (A), of a tapering area (1.1) of a body (1), which tapering area forms an elevation or depression and has a circular cross-sectional form, a measuring body (3) with a diameter (A) is arranged on the base area (5). The arrangement is effected in such a manner that a distance in the form of a gap (6, X) is formed between the cross-sectional area, with the diameter (A), of the body (1) and the measuring body (3). A fluid medium is pressed through the gap (6, X) and the pressure and/or the flow rate of the fluid medium is/are measured. The distance value is determined in an evaluation device (9) on the basis of the measured pressure and/or the flow rate.
US08307708B2
An RFID based thermal bubble type accelerometer includes a flexible substrate, an embedded system on chip (SOC) unit, an RFID antenna formed on the substrate and coupled to a modulation/demodulation module in the SOC unit, a cavity formed on the flexible substrate, and a plurality of sensing assemblies, including a heater and two temperature-sensing elements, disposed along the x-axis direction and suspended over the cavity. The two temperature-sensing elements, serially connected, are separately disposed at two opposite sides and at substantially equal distances from the heater. Two sets of sensing assemblies can be connected in differential Wheatstone bridge. The series-connecting points of the sensing assemblies are coupled to the SOC unit such that an x-axis acceleration can be obtained by a voltage difference between the connecting points. The x-axis acceleration can be sent by the RFID antenna to a reader after it is modulated and encoded by the modulation/demodulation module.
US08307702B2
Disclosed is automatic visual inspection equipment of a tire in which eccentricity of a rim-assembled tire is prevented by preventing the tire from being deformed by the load of an upperrim. An upper rim is previously pulled up to the side of a main shaft by an upper rim pull-up mechanism, which is fixed to the side of a main shaft. The lower rim is elevated up to the upper rim to fix the upper rim to the tire, and the rim-assembled tire is fixed to the main shaft. Only the upper rim pull-up mechanism is lowered and visual inspection of the tire is performed by rotating the main shaft. A positioning means is provided and includes a positioning pin and a positioning hole provided between the upper surface of an upper rim connector and the lower end surface of the upper rim fixing portion of the main shaft.
US08307700B2
A sensor for sensing the position of a reciprocating free piston in a free piston Stirling machine. The sensor has a disk mounted to an end face of the power piston coaxially with its cylinder and reciprocating with the piston The disk includes a rim around its outer perimeter formed of an electrically conductive material A coil is wound coaxially with the cylinder, spaced outwardly from the outer perimeter of the disk and mounted in fixed position relative to the pressure vessel, preferably on the exterior of the pressure vessel wall.
US08307699B2
An exhaust passage (15) of an internal-combustion engine (10) includes a selective reduction NOx catalyst (34) and an after-catalyst NOx sensor (50) for detecting a NOx concentration Cr at the downstream thereof. Reducing agent is selectively added from an addition valve (40) to the NOx catalyst. A NOx concentration Ce at the upstream side of the NOx catalyst is detected or estimated. NOx concentrations Cr and Ce before and after the NOx catalyst, which were detected or estimated during the stoppage of an addition of the reducing agent, are compared to each other to thereby determine an abnormality of the after-catalyst NOx sensor (50). An abnormality diagnosis is executed while the addition of reducing agent is being stopped to remove an influence by the NOx catalyst.
US08307697B2
A method for estimating the viscosity of a liquid in an aspirating or dispensing probe, includes: measuring a reference pressure which is the pressure inside a metering tip when no dispense or aspirate is occurring (Pref); dispensing or aspirating a liquid having a volume of air between the liquid and the pumping mechanism of the probe; stopping the aspirate or dispense; measuring the pressure (Pstop) inside the tip at a time (t) which is the time when the aspirate or dispense is stopped; measuring the pressure (Pstop′) inside the tip at a time (t′) after t; and estimating viscosity as a function of Pref, Pstop, and Pstop′. In a preferred embodiment, the method is carried out on a diagnostic analyzer.
US08307696B2
The present invention concerns an isothermal reactor (1) comprising a pressure vessel (2) closed at the opposite ends by respective bottoms (3, 4), a reaction zone (9) in said pressure vessel (2) in which at least one catalytic basket (10) is positioned, and at least one heat exchange unit (13) embedded in said at least one catalytic basket (10), each heat exchange unit (13) comprising a plurality of heat exchangers (14) each having an inner chamber intended to be crossed by an operating heat exchange fluid, the reactor being characterized in that it comprises means (17, 18) for picking up samples of operating heat exchange fluid from groups (16) of pre-established exchangers in each heat exchange unit (13), so as to ascertain the possible existence of damaged exchangers (14) in said groups (16) of exchangers through analysis of respective samples of operating heat exchange fluid. The invention also concerns a method for detecting the existence of damaged heat exchangers in an isothermal reactor of the aforementioned type.
US08307693B2
An injector system for use in injecting a fluid into a patient includes a communication system adapted to receive data from at least a first sensor that measures a value first variable. The communication system is also adapted to receive data from a calibrated sensor that measures a value the first variable. The injector system further includes a calibration system adapted to calibrate output from the first sensor in response to output from the calibrated sensor. An injector for use in injecting a fluid into a patient, includes a first sensor that measures a value first variable, a communication port adapted to receive data from a calibrated sensor that measures the value the first variable, and a controller adapted to compare data from the calibrated sensor with data from the first sensor and to calibrate output from the first sensor. The devices, systems and methods of the present invention are applicable to systems other than injection systems. For example, a method for calibrating a system (for example, an injector system) includes: placing a calibrated sensor in communication with the system; making a measurement of the value of at least a first variable with the calibrated sensor; transmitting the measured value from the calibrated sensor to the system via a data communication system in operative connection between the calibrated sensor and the system; making a measurement of the value of the first variable with a sensor of the system at approximately the same time as the measurement made with the calibrated sensor; comparing the value of the first variable measured with the calibrated sensor with the value of the first variable measured with the system sensor; and calibrating the output of the system sensor at least in part based upon the comparison.
US08307683B2
An apparatus for manufacturing a coil spring. In the apparatus, a body is provided and a pair of machining units are disposed on the body to oppose each other at one end thereof. In each of the machining units, a mandrel is disposed in an upper central part of the body. The mandrel is rotatably configured to wind a coil spring material around an outer circumference thereof. A first motor is disposed at the other end of the machining unit to provide a driving force for rotating the mandrel. Also, a guide roller part is disposed movable along a length direction of the mandrel to guide the coil spring material to be wound around the mandrel. Two coil spring materials produced from a furnace are wound around the mandrels, respectively to produce two coil springs through one process.
US08307675B2
A locking device for box-shaped containers (20) having a base and a separable cover each provided with an ear-like extension (20c; 20d) with openings, wherein in the lockable position the openings are in register one with respect to the other. The device comprises a block-shaped housing (10) with a key-operated mechanism (30) comprising a rotor. A slidable locking element is coupled to the rotor so that upon rotation of the rotor by 180° in one or the opposite directions by turning the key, a locking element slides over a certain distance in one or the opposite directions. A cavity is formed in the housing configured to accommodate therein both ear-like extensions (20c; 20d). For locking the container, the locking element is driven in the direction of and across the cavity and openings.
US08307671B2
A modified purifier process, includes supplying a first stream of a feed gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in a mol ratio of about 2:1, and also containing methane and argon, then cryogenically separating the feed gas into the following: f) a second stream of synthesis gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in a mol ratio of about 3:1, g) waste gas containing principally nitrogen, and also containing some hydrogen and all of the methane supplied in the first stream, and splitting the waste gas into: h) a third stream of hydrogen/nitrogen gas i) a fourth stream of high concentrated nitrogen j) a fifth stream of methane rich gas, to be used as fuel. The combined second and third streams typically are passed to an ammonia synthesis process.
US08307661B2
A small gas turbine engine for use in an UAV such as a cruise missile, the gas turbine having a combustor forming a primary burn zone and a secondary burn zone, and in which fuel is injected into both the primary and the secondary burn zones by either a rotary cup injector or a plurality of fuel injector nozzles. The secondary burn zone with separate fuel injection allows for the diameter of the engine to be reduced in size but still allow for adequate power and efficiency to be reached for powering the vehicle. Air flow from the compressor is used to cool the combustor walls before being injected into the combustor, and to pass through and cool the guide nozzles and a main bearing located near the hot section of the combustor prior to being introduced into the combustor.
US08307655B2
An air cooling hood offset from an exterior of the transition piece to define an air cooling passage between the air cooling hood and the exterior of the transition piece, wherein the air cooling hood comprises a plurality of air outlets disposed along the exterior of the transition piece, and the plurality of air outlets is configured to expel an airflow from the air cooling passage away from the exterior of the transition piece.
US08307649B2
Arrangement of a two stage turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine including an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, including a low-pressure turbocharger, a high-pressure turbocharger and a bypass duct in flow communication with an outlet of the low-pressure compressor, an inlet of the high-pressure compressor, an outlet of the high-pressure compressor and an inlet of the intake manifold. The bypass duct includes a first bypass valve for opening and closing the bypass duct. The first bypass valve and the high-pressure compressor are accommodated within a common housing.
US08307640B1
The present invention, called a sludge rotary motor, pertains to an apparatus for generating power which generally comprises a wheel assembly including a wheel, an axle, a ring gear, and a plurality of paddles extending outwardly from the wheel. A housing is provided to deliver a liquid-based material from a storage tank to the paddles, and the housing includes an arcuate portion and an inlet portion. The arcuate portion is positioned around an arcuate segment of the wheel and includes a substantially tubular curved inner surface, and the paddles pass through the arcuate portion. A liquid-based material is stored in an elevated storage tank to increase the weight of the liquid and delivered to the arcuate portion of the housing, thereby forcing the paddles downward and rotating the wheel assembly, which in turn can be used to drive a generator.
US08307629B2
An exhaust emission purification system and a related method of control, wherein an exhaust throttle valve is opened if an engine load reaches at least a predetermined first judgment value during execution of forced regeneration control, and generating an alarm of failure of the exhaust throttle valve if the engine load reaches at least a second judgment value which is larger than the predetermined first judgment value.
US08307625B2
Disclosed are a cellulose-based filament for a tire cord, a bundle including the same, a twisted yarn including the same, and a tire cord including the same. The cellulose-based filament is suitable for use in a tire cord has advantages in that strength deterioration due to twisting is remarkably low and elongation is improved, and thus the fatigue resistance is good.
US08307620B1
A crop header has generally horizontal flail disks mounted for driven rotation about generally upright axes. A pair of conditioner rolls is mounted in a discharge opening. A crop converging system includes two over-shot auger elements defined by a common auger shaft with an auger flight carried thereon arranged generally longitudinal of the cutter bar so as to carry the cut crop longitudinally of the cutter bar to the entrance opening. Each auger element is arranged with a forwardmost tangent to the auger flight located behind the axes of the rotary disks and with an outer end thereof spaced outwardly of the respective end of the entrance mouth. The common auger shaft is driven by a common rotary drive with the bottom roll of the conditioner rolls. The augers terminate inwardly of the outer end of the cutter bar to locate the drive inboard of the end plates.
US08307616B2
A system and method for filling a collapsible container are provided. Such a collapsible container may be made of a relatively rigid portion and a collapsible portion, with the collapsible portion having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. An obstruction maintains the collapsible portion in the collapsed condition while the container is filled with contents. The obstruction may remain in place until the container is capped and sealed with the contents stored inside the container.
US08307615B2
A quick-change tooling system includes a plurality of pickers each configured to pick specific items, and a plurality of magazines each configured to hold a stack of the items. A pick and place machine includes a carriage for moving the pickers between a picking location adjacent the magazine and a placing location. The carriage includes a quick-release clamp assembly that allows pickers for different items to be changed quickly and without the use of tools. The magazines and product support plates upon which items are also configured to be changed without the use of tools.
US08307610B2
An insulative metallic channel for supporting a construction assembly and resisting heat transfer includes an elongated web and at least one flange. The flange includes two ridges along the length of the flange and an inwardly-bent portion of the flange between the two ridges. The inwardly-bent portion extends between the two ridges approximately the entire width of the flange. An insulative material substantially fills the inwardly-bent portion of the flange.
US08307605B2
A new and useful Dome Kit, dome shaped structural system and method of assembling a dome shaped structural system is provided. The Dome Kit and method are used to form a dome shaped structural system comprising a compression ring, a lower ring that is larger than the compression ring and spaced below the compression ring, and a plurality of ribs connected with the compression ring. The lower ring, the compression ring, lower ring and connected ribs form a dome shaped structural system; i.e. a structural system with a dome shaped appearance. New and useful structure is provided for coupling the ribs to the compression ring and to the lower ring. Such structure is particularly useful when the ribs are formed of metal (e.g. steel).
US08307604B2
An underground utility vault replacement method and system which create an inner structural envelope is shown to protect workers and equipment. It restores structural integrity and safety to the area within a decaying underground vault, without major disruptions above and/or below the ground. The system includes a plurality of structural walls, ceiling panels and structural beams and floor track. All structural elements are sized in width/height/thickness and methodically inserted through the existing manhole and maneuvered in place. Wall panels are attached to the floor by way of a secure track. Wall and ceiling panels are connected by way of a tongue and groove connection and an adhesive.
US08307603B1
Methods and tooling for constructing a stair unit are provided. The methods incorporate tooling and tables to create templates (two for each tread) that, when laid along a series of hypotenuse marks on the stringer from the table, will dictate the geometry, cutting, and fitting to the treads, without using a framing square. Brackets are used to conjoin the stringer, tread material, and tread framing so that the tread width is not limited by the lack of strength of the tread material. The methods then incorporate the bracket in a tread module to provide further convenience and sequencing options for the assembly of the stair unit. An alternate method combines aspects of the template and the bracket to hold continuous support for the tread, accomplishing a cut stringer look. The result is less time and material expense with better strength, fit and finish.
US08307602B2
An energy saving grate installed outside a building or structure in warm weather that reduces heating due to infrared radiation (IR) from sunlight. For a window application the grate acts as a sunshade to block or diffuse the IR and ultraviolet (UV) portions of sunlight while passing visible light. The grate cell size, depth, cell surface characteristics, and mounting details near the sash determine system performance of sunlight control, of the view through the grate, and of the exterior appearance. The grate is removable for cool weather. The grate system can cool various surfaces and requires no operating adjustments. It can be applied near most windows (including skylights) on all sides of a building where impinging sunlight causes unwanted heating. Compared to external solar thin mesh screens the grate system can provide more open area for a given performance in reduced IR heating.
US08307594B2
Disclosed are a toilet flapper and associated methods. In one representative embodiment, a flapper is provided having an upper side and a sealing side, the sealing side including a sealing surface. A dome protrudes from the sealing side at a middle of the sealing surface. Also, an opening of the dome is positioned in the upper side of the flapper. A float is employed with the flapper.
US08307583B2
A truss assembly including truss hold-down connectors for attaching metal trusses to a bearing member. One embodiment of the truss hold-down connector has a vertical connector web that has a bottom attachment leg protruding therefrom for attachment to a bearing member and first and second attachment tab portions for attachment to the flanges of a vertically extending truss web. Stiffeners may be embossed into the vertical connector web to provide the connector with additional strength. The first and second attachment tabs may be configured to enable pairs of identical connectors to be attached to vertically extending truss webs that have one or more diagonally extending truss webs attached thereto.
US08307579B2
An arm support for use with an elongated object such as a fishing rod is disclosed herein. The arm support device includes an arm cradle that mounts above the handle of the elongated object. The arm cradle can be pivoted relative to the handle about a pivot axis that is offset to either the left or right side of the handle.
US08307577B2
A cover for a weapon. The cover comprises a cover body having an open first end and an open second end. The open second end fits around a front end of the weapon's body where a barrel slides into the body of the weapon and the open first end fits around a back end of the weapon leaving the barrel exposed. A top surface of the cover body includes a top opening and an upper flap affixed to the cover body covering the top opening. The cover body also has a first and second lateral side and a belt feed opening on one of the lateral sides of the cover body.
US08307576B1
A firearm support apparatus has a table element having legs for supporting the table element in a generally horizontal configuration, a forward cradle assembly mounted on a forward portion of the table element, and a rearward cradle assembly mounted on a rearward portion of the table element. The forward cradle assembly may comprise a mounting post, an adjustment plate mounted on the mounting collar and extending laterally therefrom, and a pair of adjustment collars mounted on the adjustment plate laterally spaced from one another. A lateral adjustment rod has ends engaged with the adjustment collars, and an externally threaded median portion threadedly engaged with an adjustment slide. A forward cradle is mounted on an adjustment slide for adjustable mounting a forward part of the rifle.
US08307569B2
Articles of footwear are disclosed. In one embodiment, an article of footwear comprises a sole having a forefoot portion and a heel portion. The sole comprises a midsole, an intermediate sole, and a ground contacting surface. At least a portion of the intermediate sole extends from the midsole such that a forefoot bulge substantially covers the forefoot portion of the ground contacting surface and a heel bulge substantially covers the heel portion of the ground contacting surface.
US08307567B2
A laundry machine includes a cabinet and a partition wall dividing an inner space of the cabinet into a first space for main laundry treatment and a second space for auxiliary laundry treatment. An air supply unit is provided outside of the second space and supplies a downward airflow into the second space.
US08307565B2
A post sleeve installation device is used to install post sleeves at selected positions and orientations to support the fence posts of a fence. Data, such as relative spacing, orientation, and elevation of the post sleeves is collected for off-site manufacture of fence panels. A consumer views a rendering of the fence and selects a fence design on a web site or at a retail location. A manufacturer obtains the collected data and the consumer-selected design, and fabricates the fence panels accordingly. The panels are then transported to the fence location and installed on the fence posts. Additionally, a repository is provided, to which the data is transmitted for retention, and from which the data can be retrieved for manufacture of replacement fence panels.
US08307563B2
Device and method for precisely aligning at least one wire in a plane projecting from a surface on which an end of the wire is anchored. The wire in taut position is held by a fastener rigidly connected to an inclinometer capable of measuring an inclination of the wire. The inclinometer is connected to a mobile member of a structure by a joint having elements articulated with respect to each other in order to allow a relative angular displacement of the elements. The mobile member is movable with respect to the surface in order to allow a positioning of the wire in the plane according to the inclination of the wire measured by the inclinometer free to turn freely according to an axis of the wire. The device is adaptable for aligning two wires forming a precise reference plane.
US08307552B1
A shaving accessory for use with a blade razor of the type having a shaving head and an elongate handle. The accessory includes a slotted cylindrical heat-retaining mass which is adjustably attachable to the handle of the razor by means of a spring arm and clip so that the mass can be brought into an active position proximate to the shaving head where it will contact the skin during the shaving process.
US08307551B2
A method for producing an at least partially surface-densified metallic toothed element comprising a densified sintering material, in order to improve a strength profile, a preform of the toothed element being produced with a locally selective oversize relative to a final size of the toothed element and being rolled to the final size by means of at least one rolling die, the toothed element being densified in locally varied manner at least in the region of at least one flank and/or one root of a tooth of the toothed element to produce a densified outer layer.
US08307548B2
A method of making a printed circuit board panel, a printed circuit board panel made according to the method, and a system incorporating a printed circuit board provided onto the panel. The printed circuit board panel has a panel top edge, a panel bottom edge parallel to the panel top edge, and two parallel panel side edges, and further includes a first set of fiber bundles extending at the predetermined angle with respect to the panel side edges, and a second set of fiber bundles extending at the predetermined angle with respect to the panel top edge.
US08307547B1
A method of manufacturing a circuit board (PCB) with light emitting diodes includes a channel through the PCB to define first and second sides diametrically opposed from each other, a plurality of first legs from the first side towards the second side, and a plurality of second legs from the second side towards the first side, and alternating across the PCB from the first side to the second side the plurality of legs. The channel thus runs along top and bottom edges defined between a pair of adjacent first and second legs. Bridges are provided along the channel physically connecting the first side to the second legs, and/or connecting the second side to the first legs, and/or connecting between the first and second legs. Lastly, LEDs are populated along the sides and legs.
US08307539B1
A method for modeling devices in a wafer comprises the step of providing the wafer comprising a first plurality of devices having a track width and a first stripe height, a second plurality of devices having the track width and a second stripe height, and a third plurality of devices having the track width and a third stripe height. The method further comprises the steps of measuring resistance values for the first, second and third plurality of devices to obtain a data set correlating a stripe height and a resistance value for each of the first, second and third plurality of devices, and estimating a linear relationship between resistance and inverse stripe height for the first, second and third plurality of devices based on the data set.
US08307530B1
A system for introducing a geothermal system having a geothermal line and a releasable grout line into a bore in the earth is described. The grout line is withdrawn at a point where it is desired to introduce grout into the bore in the earth.
US08307523B2
Spring cushions 10 having slow-acting pocketed spring cores 12 characterized by the individual springs of the cores 12 being pocketed within semi-impermeable fabric material and a method of making such pocketed spring cores 12.
US08307522B2
A machine tool and pallet standby station using a crane for changing a pallet between a table or pallet mounting table (27) of the machine tool and the pallet standby station are provided. The table (27) includes a plurality of guide pins (31) having tapered front ends, a plurality of elevatable lift pins (35) having spherical front ends, and a plurality of taper cones (37) having tapered outer peripheral surfaces. On the other hand, the pallet (P) includes at least two brackets (39) attached so as to project in the side directions from the two side surfaces of the pallet, and each bracket is formed with a guide hole (41) into which a guide pin (31) is inserted for rough positioning of the pallet. Further, the bottom of the pallet (P) is formed with a plurality of locate holes (45) having tapered inner peripheral surfaces and engaging with the spherical front ends of the lift pins for precision positioning of the pallet and a plurality of taper holes (47) having shapes complementary with the taper cones (37) and engaging with the taper cones for final positioning of the pallet.
US08307520B2
The present invention relates to a shaftless hinge comprising two hinge plates where shaft bushes are disposed on confronting sides of the two hinge plates; each of the shaft bushes on one of the hinge plates is disposed with an extension section at one end thereof; the extension section inserts into and pivotally articulated with one of the shaft bushes of an other one of the hinge plates respectively. The present invention also relates to a manufacturing method of the shaftless hinge, comprising the following steps: (1) Form blanks of two hinge plates on a flat strip material by punching, where shaft bush sections with projections are formed on one of them and shaft bush sections are formed on an other one; (2) Curl the shaft bush sections of one hinge plate first to form shaft bushes with extension sections and the extension sections are formed from the projections in Step (1); fold the two hinge plates towards each other so that the substantially cylindrical extension sections of the curled shaft bushes are positioned towards the shaft bush sections on the other hinge plate; (3) Curl the shaft bush sections of the other hinge plate so that shaft bushes are formed; the shaft bushes enclose the extension sections in Step (2). The present invention has simple and reasonable structure and is safe and reliable to use. The manufacturing process of the present invention is simple with high processing accuracy and low costs.
US08307519B2
A casket having provision for displaying a photograph, the photograph having a pair of opposite side edges, comprises a casket shell adapted to receive the remains of a deceased and having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, and a bottom wall, a casket cap closable on the casket shell, the cap including a dish assembly mounted to an underside thereof, the dish assembly including a cap panel, the cap panel including at least one pair of opposed retention members sized and configured to receive and retain the pair of opposite side edges of the photograph for display of the photograph when the cap is in an open position.
US08307516B2
An assist handle assembly for a vehicle includes a body and at least a first hinge assembly rotatably coupled to the body. A primary spring interconnects the body and the first hinge assembly and biases the body from an open position into a stowed position. A secondary spring interconnects the body and the first hinge assembly, and biases against the primary spring when the body is between the open position and an intermediate position to resist rotation of the body into the stowed position, and biases with the primary spring when the body is between the intermediate position and the stowed position to assist rotation of the body into the stowed position.
US08307511B2
A swivel-hinge assembly includes a main plate, a knuckle on the main plate, a first pivot shaft rotatably engaged in the knuckle, at least one end of the first pivot shaft exposed out of the knuckle and a peg positioned on the end of the first pivot shaft exposed out of the knuckle. The peg includes a limiting portion protruding out of the first pivot shaft and abutting an edge of the knuckle, wherein when the first pivot shaft is rotated and reaches a predetermined position the limiting portion of the peg abuts the main plate thereby preventing further rotation of the first pivot shaft.
US08307508B2
A hinge assembly for pivotably coupling a cover section and a body section comprise a first coupling element, a second coupling element including a first latching block and a second latching block spaced from the first latching block, the first latching block and the second latching block being configured for latching with the cover section, and an elastic element. One end of an elastic element is fixed to the first coupling element, another end of the elastic element is fixed to the second coupling element.
US08307507B2
A hinge assembly includes a shaft, a first bracket, a second bracket, a spacer, and a restricting member. The spacer includes a main body and a resilient area protruding from the main body. The resilient area includes a top portion and a base portion connecting the top portion with the main body. The restricting member and the second bracket are arranged at opposite sides of the spacer. The restricting member forms a protrusion resisting the top portion of the resilient area. The spacer is fixed with the second bracket, and the second bracket includes a receiving portion corresponding to the resilient area. The base portion is located in the projection of the receiving portion projected at the spacer, situated parallel to the axis of the shaft.
US08307490B2
A preferred embodiment of a caulk tool comprises a body member having a raised handle and two working heads. The first working head is adapted for the application of caulk and is connected to the first descending end of the raised handle. The first working head preferably comprises a triangular member formed of soft plastic material. The triangular member is rotatable, having three tips of varying size. The second working head is adapted for the removal of old caulk and is connected to the second descending end of the raised handle axially opposed to the first working head. The second working head preferably comprises a metallic head having two tips suited to remove old caulk. In a preferred embodiment, a third working head in the form of a flat scraper is positioned adjacent to said second working head.
