US08338377B2
In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting bone growth and increasing bone density and strength. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides ALK3 polypeptides, including ALK3-Fc fusion proteins.
US08338374B2
The present invention is directed to stable liquid growth hormone formulations that remain stable after physical agitation, and after exposure to one or more freeze-thaw events. Formulations of the present invention can be stored long term at a variety of temperatures, even frozen. In the present invention, a combination of buffer and stabilizing agents, including a non-ionic surfactant (e.g., polysorbate 20), a polymer stabilizer (e.g., polyethylene glycol), and other optional stabilizers combine to provide unexpected stability to aqueous formulations of a growth hormone (e.g., human growth hormone).
US08338372B2
The present invention provides a deshydroxy vancomycin compound,a method of its preparation and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of the deshydroxy vancomycin and the use of the said composition in the preparation of drugs for the treatment of susceptible bacteria infections. The method includes the following steps: (1) preparing a concentrated vancomycin solution containing the deshydroxy vancomycin by fermentations of Amycolatopsis Orientalis with Deposit No. CGMCCNO.1183; (2) separating and purifing the concentrated vancomycin solution to obtain a refined filtrate of vancomycin hydrochloride containing the deshydroxy vancomycin by column chromatography; and (3) further separating and purifing the refined filtrate to obtain the deshydroxy vancomycin by chromatography. Wherein, separation and purification is processed by column chromatography in a gel chromatography column containing a salt-water mobile phase, separation and purification is processed by chromatography in a macroporous adsorption resin chromatography column containing a buffer-methanol mobile phase.
US08338365B2
This invention relates to methods of inhibiting binding between a cell expressing integrin receptors specific for one or more integrins selected from the group consisting of αIIbβ3, αvβ3, αvβ5, or α5β1, said method comprising contacting the cell with a monomeric disintegrin or monomeric disintegrin domain which comprises a C-terminal sequence non-native to the disintegrin or disintegrin domain, said C-terminal sequence encoding a functional integrin-binding loop.
US08338354B2
A manual spray cleaner for removing dirt and stains from fabrics and carpets comprising a spray bottle having two separate chambers and a single dispensing spray outlet for dispensing controlled amounts of liquids from each of the chambers. One of the chambers has a fabric/carpet cleaning composition therein and the other chamber has an oxidizing composition that enhances the cleanability of the fabric/carpet cleaning composition. The fabric/carpet cleaning composition and the oxidizing composition are simultaneously drawn from their respective chambers and mixed together at the time that they are dispensed from the spray bottle. At least one of the oxidizing composition and the fabric/carpet cleaning composition includes a fabric/carpet protectant. The two compositions are mixed before or after they are sprayed from the bottle. The two compositions can be pressurized with an aerosol propellant or drawn from their respective chambers by a mechanical pump.
US08338352B2
A cleaning composition includes methacrylate, sodium carbonate, and water. The methacrylate, sodium carbonate, and water interact to form a hydrate solid having a growth exponent of less than about 3% when heated. The composition may also include one or more functional ingredients such as surfactants, builders and alkaline sources, but is generally substantially free of phosphorous.
US08338345B2
Water-based metalworking fluid contains: (A) alkanolamine represented by the following formula (1) and/or (B) alkanolamine represented by the following formula (2); and (C) 2-pyridylthio-1-oxide salt. In the formula (1): each R1 represents hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; n represents 2 or 3; and plural R1 may be mutually the same or different on condition that not all R1 represent hydrogen. In the formula (2): R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and Z1 and Z2 each represent an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms.
US08338344B2
The invention relates to the use of polymers which comprise, in copolymerized form, an α-olefin, at least one alkenyl ester and at least one ester of an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid with higher alcohols as an additive for fuel oils and lubricants and especially as a cold flow improver in fuel oils; to the fuel oils and lubricants additized with these polymers; and to additive packages comprising such copolymers. The invention also relates to quaternary and higher copolymers which comprise the abovementioned monomers in copolymerized form.
US08338343B2
The invention relates to a process for an additive composition comprising an amidized or imidized polymer. The invention further relates to a highly grafted, multi-functional lubricant additive useful to improve the viscosity index and dispersancy properties of a lubricating oil composition. The present invention also relates to a method of extending lubricant drain intervals and improving fuel economy and fuel economy durability. The additive composition is prepared by: (A) reacting an olefin copolymer of ethylene and at least one C3 to C23 &agr; -olefin comprising from about 15 to 80 mole percent of ethylene, from about 20 to 85 mole percent of said C3 to C23 &agr; -olefin and from about 0 to 15 wt percent of a polyene, said copolymer having a number average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 500,000, with an olefinic carboxylic acid acylating agent, said process comprising heating said polymer to a molten condition at a temperature in the range of 60° C. to 240° C., grafting, in a first extruder or a first mixing device, said olefinic carboxylic acylating agent onto said copolymer, optionally subsequently reducing the molecular weight of said copolymer at a temperature in the range of 250° C. to 350° C., thereby producing a grafted, reduced molecular weight acylated copolymer having a number average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 80,000 and having at least 0.2-20 molecules of said carboxylic acid acylating agent grafted per 1000 C atoms of said olefin copolymer, and (B) reacting, in a second extruder or a second mixing device, said acylated copolymer made in (A) with a polyamine.
US08338338B2
The present invention relates to the use of alkoxylated amines to enhance the activity of fungicidal formulations comprising fungicidal triazoles. It also relates to formulations comprising one or more fungicidal triazoles and alkoxylated amines. These formulations are useful for the protection of any living or non-living material, such as crops, plants, fruits, seeds, objects made of wood, thatch or the like, biodegradable material and textiles against deterioration due to the action of fungi.
US08338333B1
A method for killing weeds (e.g., kudzu) involving applying to weeds a herbicidally effective amount of a herbicidal composition comprising glyphosate and at least one acetolactate synthase inhibitor (e.g., trifluxosulfuron, pyrithiobac, flumetsulam).
US08338332B1
Herbicide combinations (A)+(B), if appropriate in the presence of safeners, with an effective content of (A) broad-spectrum herbicides from the group (A1) glufosinate (salts) and related compounds (A2) glyphosate (salts) and related compounds such as sulfosate, (A3) imidazolinones such as imazethapyr, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazamox or their salts and (A4) herbicidal azoles from the group of the protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors (PPO inhibitors) and (A5) the hydroxybenzonitriles and (B) herbicides from the group consisting of (B0) one or more structurally different herbicides from the abovementioned group (A), (B1) foliar- and soil-acting herbicides which are effective against monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous harmful plants, (B2) predominantly foliar-acting herbicides which are effective against dicotyledonous harmful plants, (B3) predominantly foliar-acting herbicides which are effective against monocotyledonous harmful plants, and (B4) foliar- and soil-acting herbicides which are effective against predominantly monocotyledonous harmful plants are suitable for controlling harmful plants in cotton which consists of tolerant or resistant mutants or transgenic cotton plants.
US08338331B2
A sheet for thermal transcription including a substrate (2) and a receiving layer (3) formed on the substrate (2) for receiving a dye. The receiving layer (3) contains a graft polymer of at least one monomer out of acrylic monomers and methacrylic monomers and at least one polyester sort. The sheet for thermal transcription assures satisfactory printing density and satisfactory adhesion performance with respect to a laminate film, while preventing image bleeding or fading and assuring stabilized running performance. Thus, it is possible to generate an image of high quality and high resolution.
US08338330B2
A composition for hydrogen storage includes a source of hydrogen atoms, a receptor, and a chemical bridge formed between the source and the receptor. The chemical bridge is formed from a precursor material. The receptor is adapted to receive hydrogen spillover from the source.
US08338326B2
Tungsten carbide catalysts are used in preparation of ethylene glycol by hydrogenating degradation of cellulose. The catalyst includes tungsten carbide as main catalytic active component, added with small amount of one or more transition metals such as nickel, cobalt, iron, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and copper as the second metal, supported on one or more porous complex supports such as active carbon, alumina, silica, titanium dioxide, silicon carbide, zirconium oxide, for conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol. The catalyst realizes high efficiency, high selectivity, and high yield in the conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol at the temperature of 120-300° C., hydrogen pressure of 1-10 MPa, and hydrothermal conditions. Compared to the existing industrial synthetic method of ethylene glycol using ethylene as feedstock, the invention has the advantages of using renewable raw material resources, environment friendly process, and excellent atom economy.
US08338324B2
The present invention relates to the covalent anchorage of non-coordinating anions on mineral supports to prepare activating supports for the polymerisation of ethylene and alpha-olefins and wherein the activating species is provided by a phosphonium-borate or phosphonium alane pair. The invention also discloses the concomitant covalent anchorage of zwitterionic systems containing both the non-coordinating anion and the counter cation parts of the activating supports.
US08338318B2
Antiballistic armor is provided that includes a glass-ceramic component having 50 to 70 weight percent SiO2, 15 to 25 weight percent Al2O3, 0.5 to 5 weight percent ZrO2, 0.1 to 10 weight percent Li2O, 1 to 5 weight percent TiO2. The glass ceramic component has a main crystalline phase that comprises keatite mixed crystal in a compositional range of LiAlSi2O6 to LiAlSi4O10.
US08338309B2
A method for forming a deep trench in a semiconductor device includes: forming a hard mask over a substrate, forming a hard mask pattern over the substrate through etching the hard mask to thereby expose an upper portion of the substrate, forming a first trench through a first etching the exposed substrate using a gas containing bromide and a gas containing chloride and forming a second trench through a second etching the first trench using of a gas containing sulfur and fluorine, wherein a depth of the second trench is deeper than a depth of the first trench.
US08338305B2
The present disclosure provides a method includes forming a multi-fin device. The method includes forming a patterned mask layer on a semiconductor substrate. The patterned mask layer includes a first opening having a first width W1 and a second opening having a second width W2 less than the first width. The patterned mask layer defines a multi-fin device region and an inter-device region, wherein the inter-device region is aligned with the first opening; and the multi-fin device region includes at least one intra-device region being aligned with the second opening. The method further includes forming a material layer on the semiconductor substrate and the patterned mask layer, wherein the material layer substantially fills in the second opening; performing a first etching process self-aligned to remove the material layer within the first opening such that the semiconductor substrate within the first opening is exposed; performing a second etching process to etch the semiconductor substrate within the first opening, forming a first trench in the inter-device region; and thereafter performing a third etching process to remove the material layer in the second opening.
US08338298B2
The present inventors have found that a wafer process of VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) has the following problem, that is, generation of foreign matters due to moisture from a wafer as a result of degassing when a barrier metal film or a first-level metal interconnect layer is formed by sputtering as a preliminary step for the formation of a tungsten plug in a pre-metal step. To overcome the problem, the present invention provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor integrated circuit device including, in a plasma process, in-situ monitoring of moisture in a processing chamber by receiving an electromagnetic wave generated from plasma.
US08338292B2
Contact with a floating body of an FET in SOI may be formed in a portion of one of the two diffusions of the FET, wherein the portion of the diffusion (such as N−, for an NFET) which is “sacrificed” for making the contact is a portion of the diffusion which is not immediately adjacent (or under) the gate. This works well with linked body FETs, wherein the diffusion does not extend all the way to BOX, hence the linked body (such as P−) extends under the diffusion where the contact is being made. An example showing making contact for ground to two NFETs (PG and PD) of a 6T SRAM cell is shown.
US08338290B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: (a) forming an interlayer insulating film on a substrate; (b) forming an interconnect in the interlayer insulating film; (c) applying an organic solution to an upper surface of the interconnect and an upper surface of the interlayer insulating film; (d) after (c), applying a silylating solution to the upper surface of the interconnect and the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film; (e) after (d), heating the substrate; and (f) forming a first liner insulating film at least on the upper surface of the interconnect.
US08338289B2
A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate, a through via provided in a through hole that passes through the semiconductor substrate, insulating layers laminated on the semiconductor substrate, a multi-layered wiring structure having a first wiring pattern and a second wiring pattern, and an external connection terminal provided on an uppermost layer of the multi-layered wiring structure, wherein the through via and the external connection terminal are connected electrically by the second wiring pattern.
US08338287B2
In one embodiment, a preliminary solder layer made of a Sn alloy is formed on a connecting pad of a wiring substrate. A solder bump made of a Sn alloy is formed on an electrode pad of a semiconductor chip. After contacting the preliminary solder layer and the solder bump, the preliminary solder layer and the solder bump are melted by heating to a temperature of their melting points or higher to form a solder connecting part made of a Sn alloy containing Ag and Cu. Only the preliminary solder layer of the preliminary solder layer and the solder bump is composed of a Sn alloy containing Ag.
US08338284B2
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, strain-inducing materials having a reduced dielectric strength or having certain conductivity, such as metal nitride and the like, may be used in the contact level in order to enhance performance of circuit elements, such as field effect transistors. For this purpose, a strain-inducing material may be efficiently encapsulated on the basis of a dielectric layer stack that may be patterned prior to forming the actual interlayer dielectric material in order to mask sidewall surface areas on the basis of spacer elements.
US08338283B1
Systems and methods for applying a thin layer of a liquid to the surface of a wafer with topography formed therein. The systems and methods include spreading a deposit of the liquid into a thin film on a wafer support, lowering the wafer onto the film, removing the wafer with an adhering layer of the film, positioning the wafer over a device wafer with the liquid film disposed between the wafers, curing the thin layer. The thin layer may be a UV adhesive which bonds the wafers upon exposure to UV light.
US08338282B2
A method for encapsulating a micro component positioned on and/or in a substrate, including: depositing at least one sacrificial material covering the micro component, making a cap covering the sacrificial material, removing the sacrificial material via at least one opening formed through the cap and forming a cavity in which the micro component is positioned, depositing, at least on the cap, at least one layer of plugging material that plugs the at least one opening, and performing a localized deposition of at least one portion of mechanically reinforcing material of the cap, covering at least the cap, wherein the mechanically reinforcing material is not subsequently etched.
US08338279B2
A semiconductor substrate having transistor structures and test structures with spacing between the transistor structures smaller than the spacing between the test structures is provided. A first iteratively performed deposition and etch process includes: depositing a first doped epitaxial layer having a first concentration of a dopant over the semiconductor substrate, and etching the first doped epitaxial layer. A second iteratively performed deposition and etch process includes: depositing a second doped epitaxial layer having a second concentration of the dopant higher than the first concentration over the semiconductor substrate, and etching the second doped epitaxial layer. The first concentration results in a first net growth rate over the transistor structures and the second concentration results in a lower, second net growth rate over the test structures than the transistor structures, resulting in reduced pattern loading.
US08338274B2
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, an asymmetric transistor configuration may be obtained on the basis of a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy. To this end, strain relaxation implantation processes may be performed at the drain side according to some illustrative embodiments, while, in other cases, the deposition of the strain-inducing alloy may be performed in an asymmetric manner with respect to the drain side and the source side of the transistor.
US08338269B2
Methods and apparatus for producing semiconductor on insulator structures using directed exfoliation
Methods and apparatus provide for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure, including subjecting a implantation surface of a donor semiconductor wafer to an ion implantation step to create a weakened slice in cross-section defining an exfoliation layer of the donor semiconductor wafer; and subjecting the donor semiconductor wafer to a spatial variation step, either before, during or after the ion implantation step, such that at least one parameter of the weakened slice varies spatially across the weakened slice in at least one of X- and Y- axial directions.
US08338264B2
A shallow isolation trench structure and methods of forming the same wherein the method of formation comprises a layered structure of a buffer film layer over a dielectric layer that is atop a semiconductor substrate. The buffer film layer comprises a material that is oxidation resistant and can be etched selectively to oxide films. The layered structure is patterned with a resist material and etched to form a shallow trench. A thin oxide layer is formed in the trench and the buffer film layer is selectively etched to move the buffer film layer back from the corners of the trench. An isolation material is then used to fill the shallow trench and the buffer film layer is stripped to form an isolation structure. When the structure is etched by subsequent processing step(s), a capped shallow trench isolation structure that covers the shallow trench corners is created.
US08338262B2
A dual wavelength exposure system provides for patterning a resist layer formed on a wafer for forming semiconductor devices, using two exposure operations, one including a first radiation having a first wavelength and the other including a second radiation including a second wavelength. Different or the same lithography tool may be used to generate the first and second radiation. For each die formed on the semiconductor device, a critical portion of the pattern is exposed using a first exposure operation that uses a first radiation with a first wavelength and a non-critical portion of the pattern is exposed using a second exposure operation utilizing the second radiation at a second wavelength. The resist material is chosen to be sensitive to both the first radiation having a first wavelength and the second radiation having the second wavelength.
US08338254B2
A semiconductor device including vertical field effect transistors may comprise a buried insulating film stacked on a semiconductor substrate and spaced apart first and second active regions vertically penetrating the buried insulating film. The active regions and the buried insulating film are covered with an interlayer insulating film. An upper interconnection is disposed in the interlayer insulating film. A gate electrode extends from a part of the upper interconnection into the buried insulating film between the first and second active regions. A protective film pattern is disposed to cover a top surface of the upper interconnection. First and second buried contact electrodes penetrating the interlayer insulating film to be in contact with top surfaces of the first and second active regions are provided. Related manufacturing methods are also described.
US08338250B2
A memory device is described, including a substrate, data storage structures over the substrate, control gates over the data storage structures, and a dielectric layer between the data storage structures and the control gates, wherein each data storage structure includes a lower part and an upper part narrower than the lower part. A process for fabricating the memory device is also described, wherein formation of the data storage structures includes recessing portions of a data storage layer to form respective upper parts of the data storage structures and then dividing the recessed portions of the data storage layer to form respective lower parts of the data storage structures.
US08338245B2
An integrated circuit system that includes: providing a substrate including a first region with a first device and a second device and a second region with a resistance device; configuring the first device, the second device, and the resistance device to include a first spacer and a second spacer; forming a stress inducing layer over the first region and the second region; processing at least a portion of the stress inducing layer formed over the first region to alter the stress within the stress inducing layer; and forming a third spacer adjacent the second spacer of the first device and the second device from the stress inducing layer.
US08338241B2
Provided are a method of manufacturing a normally-off mode high frequency device structure and a method of simultaneously manufacturing a normally-on mode high frequency device structure and a normally-off mode high frequency device structure on a single substrate.
US08338237B2
The invention provides a method for forming thin film transistors including a polycrystalline semiconducting film. The method comprises depositing a first layer of amorphous semiconducting thin film on to a substrate; depositing a second layer of thin film on to the first layer of amorphous semiconducting thin film; patterning the second layer of thin film so that the first layer of amorphous semiconducting thin film is exposed at selected locations; exposing the first and second layers of thin film to a nickel containing compound in either a solution or a vapor phase ; removing the second layer of thin film; and annealing the first layer of amorphous semiconducting thin film at an elevated temperature so the first layer of amorphous semiconducting thin film converts into a polycrystalline semiconducting thin film.
US08338235B2
A package process is provided. The package process includes: disposing a semiconductor substrate on a carrier, wherein the semiconductor substrate has plural contacts at a side facing the carrier; thinning the semiconductor substrate from a back side of the semiconductor substrate and then forming plural through silicon vias in the thinned semiconductor substrate; forming plural first pads on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first pads respectively connected to the through silicon vias; bonding plural chips to the semiconductor substrate, wherein the chips are electrically connected to the corresponding pads; forming a molding compound on the semiconductor substrate to cover the chips and the first pads; separating the semiconductor substrate and the carrier and then forming plural solder balls on the semiconductor substrate; and sawing the molding compound and the semiconductor substrate.
US08338234B2
A method of manufacturing a hybrid integrated circuit device of the present invention includes the steps of preparing a lead frame which constituted by units each having a plurality of leads, and fixing a circuit substrate on each unit of the lead frame by fixing pads which are formed on the surface of the circuit substrate to the leads, where a space between a first pad which is formed at an end edge of the circuit substrate and a second pad which is adjacent to the first pad is set narrower than a space between the pads themselves.
US08338232B2
Preparation methods of forming packaged semiconductor device, specifically for flip-chip vertical power device, are disclosed. In these methods, a vertical semiconductor chip is flip-chip attached to a lead frame and then encapsulated with plastic packing materials. Encapsulated chip is then thinned to a predetermined thickness. Contact terminals connecting the chip with external circuit are formed by etching at least a bottom portion of the lead frame connected.
US08338230B2
A system and method are provided in which a first chip in a stacked multi-chip module configuration is affixed via one or more adhesion layers to a first portion of a partitioned interposer unit. Planar partitions of the interposer are physically bonded via multiple solder “bumps,” which possess high tensile strength but low resistance to horizontal shear force or torque. A second chip is affixed via one or more adhesion layers to the second portion of the partitioned interposer. The chips may thus be separated by horizontally and oppositely shearing or twisting the first and second portions of the partitioned interposer away from one another.
US08338228B2
In order to provide a method of detaching a thin semiconductor circuit (1) from its base (2), wherein the semiconductor circuit (1) is provided with terminals (3) for electrical contacting, in particular with gold contacts, by means of which method thin semiconductor circuits (1) can also be mounted without damage for example directly on a chip card, it is proposed that a layer of soldering tin (6) is applied to a support substrate (4), the support substrate (4) is soldered to the electrical terminals (3) and the base (2) of the semiconductor circuit (1) is removed.
US08338217B2
A method of fabricating a solar cell is provided. A first type semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface is provided. A second type doped diffusion region is formed in parts of the first type semiconductor substrate. The second type doped diffusion region extends within the first type semiconductor substrate from the first surface. An anti-reflection coating (ARC) in contact with second type doped diffusion region is formed over the first surface. A conductive paste including conductive particles and dopant is formed over the ARC. A co-firing process for enabling the conductive paste to penetrate the ARC to form a first contact conductor embedded in the ARC is performed. During the co-firing process, the dopant diffuses into the second type doped diffusion region and a second type heavily doped diffusion region is formed. A second contact conductor is formed on the second surface.
US08338210B2
A method for processing solar cells comprising: providing a vertical furnace to receive an array of mutually spaced circular semiconductor wafers for integrated circuit processing; composing a process chamber loading configuration for solar cell substrates, wherein a size of the solar cell substrates that extends along a first surface to be processed is smaller than a corresponding size of the circular semiconductor wafers, such that multiple arrays of mutually spaced solar cell substrates can be accommodated in the process chamber, loading the solar cell substrates into the process chamber; subjecting the solar cell substrates to a process in the process chamber.
US08338209B2
Fabrication of a photovoltaic cell comprising a thin semiconductor lamina may require additional processing after the semiconductor lamina is bonded to a receiver. To minimize high-temperature steps after bonding, the p−n junction is formed at the back of the cell, at the bonded surface. In some embodiments, the front surface of the semiconductor lamina is not doped or is locally doped using low-temperature methods. The base resistivity of the photovoltaic cell may be reduced, allowing a front surface field to be reduced or omitted.
US08338204B2
The present invention provides a light-emitting element, a method of manufacturing the light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and a method of manufacturing the light-emitting device. A method of manufacturing a light-emitting element includes: forming a first conductive layer of a first conductive type, a light-emitting layer, and a second conductive layer of a second conductive type on at least one first substrate, forming an ohmic layer on the second conductive layer and bonding the at least one first substrate to a second substrate. The second substrate being larger than the first substrate. The method further includes etching portions of the ohmic layer, the second conductive layer, and the light-emitting layer to expose a portion of the first conductive layer.
US08338202B2
In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer are sequentially grown on a growth substrate. Then, an electrode layer is formed on the second conductivity type semiconductor layer. Then, a support body is adhered to the electrode layer by providing at least one adhesive layer therebetween. Finally, at least a part of the growth substrate is removed. In this case, the adhesive layer is removable from the electrode layer.
US08338201B2
A method of manufacturing an organic lighting device, having a form factor substantially equal to or less than 900 square centimeters, without involving a cutting process is provided. The method includes providing one or more first substrates with a size substantially equal to the form factor. Thereafter, the method includes a high throughput first processing of the one or more first substrates and active layer deposition processing on the one or more first substrates. Further, one or more second substrates having a size substantially equal or less than the form factor are provided. Thereafter, a high throughput second processing is performed on the one or more second substrates. Finally, the method includes encapsulating at least one of the one or more first substrates with at least one of the one or more second substrates to form the organic lighting device having the form factor.
US08338188B2
The present invention relates to the identification and use of proteins with clinical relevance to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In particular, the invention provides the identity of marker proteins that specifically react with RA-associated autoantibodies. Also provided are methods, arrays and kits for using these proteins in the diagnosis of RA, and in the selection and/or monitoring of treatment regimens.
US08338184B2
The invention provides enzymatic methods for direct determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples without the need of a separated measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples. The methods utilizes one or two different types of oxidizing agents which selectively oxidize low-molecular weight reducing substances and high-molecular weight (mainly hemoglobin) reducing substances in blood samples, coupled with enzymatic reactions catalyzed by proteases, fructosyl amino acid oxidase. The amount of hydrogen peroxide generated in the reaction is measured for determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples. The invention provides kits for performing the methods of the invention.
US08338181B2
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs particularly useful for altering agronomic characteristics of plants under nitrogen limiting conditions, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes an LNT2 polypeptide.
US08338169B2
A cell/ligand specific marking system, the system being characterized in that it comprises: (a) an endothelial precursor cell (EPC) including a cell marker selected from among the group consisting of the Eph (in particular EphB4 or EphB1), and (b) a protein material of structure L-K, which consists of a ligand (L) specific of the marker and is associated or fused with a binding protein (K), the system being capable of providing a proangiogenetic cell material of structure EPC-Eph-L-K. The invention also concerns the cell material as product capable of stimulating angiogenesis, its preparation method and its therapeutic use, in particular with respect to vascular insufficiencies.
US08338159B2
A novel astrovirus designated chicken astrovirus type 3 has been isolated and characterized. Nucleotide sequences and polypeptide sequences of this astrovirus are provided with uses of the same and the isolated astrovirus in assay kits and vaccines.
US08338154B2
To obtain a mutant protein of an asparagine-linked glycoprotein, which has no N-linked sugar chain under ordinary circumstance, and remains a physiological activity of the glycoprotein before the mutation was introduced, at least one of the amino acids contained in the amino acid sequence motif (I) and/or (II) in the polypeptide of the asparagine-linked glycoprotein is substituted into another amino acid: (I) Asn Xa1 Xa2 (II) Xa3 Val Gly Asn Xa1 Xa2. In amino acid sequence motif (I) and (II), Xa1 represents an amino acid other than Pro, Xa2 represents Thr or Ser and Xa3 represents His or Asp.
US08338152B2
Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-8 desaturases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and using these delta-8 desaturases in plants.
US08338148B2
Provided is a method of producing 1,3-propanediol by culturing a recombinant strain in which the glycerol oxidative pathway had been blocked, and more particularly a method of producing 1,3-propanediol by two-step culture of a recombinant strain in which the oxidative pathway that produces byproducts in the glycerol metabolic pathway had been blocked. When the recombinant strain in which the glycerol oxidative pathway that produces byproducts had been blocked is cultured in two steps, 1,3-propanediol can be produced with improved yield without producing products that result in an increase in purification costs.
US08338143B2
This invention provides methods whereby taxol, baccatin III, and other taxol-like compounds, or taxanes, can be produced in very high yield from all known Taxus species, e.g., brevifolia, canadensis, cuspidata, baccata, globosa, floridana, wallichiana, media and chinensis. Particular modifications of culture conditions (i.e., media composition and operating modes) have been discovered to enhance the yield of various taxanes from cell culture of all species of Taxus. Particularly preferred enhancement agents include silver ion or complex, jasmonic acid (especially the methyl ester), auxin-related growth regulators, and inhibitors of the phenylpropanoid pathway, such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-6-nitrocinnamic acid. These enhancement agents may be used alone or in combination with one another or other yield-enhancing conditions. While the yield of taxanes from plant cell culture of T. chinensis is particularly enhanced by use of one or more of these conditions, yield of taxanes for all Taxus species has been found to benefit from use of these conditions.
US08338140B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for delivery of therapeutic agents to target cells, tissues or organisms. In preferred embodiments, the therapeutic agents are delivered in the form of therapeutic-loaded polymers that may comprise many copies of one or more therapeutic agents. In more preferred embodiments, the polymer may be conjugated to a peptide moiety that contains one or more haptens, such as HSG. The agent-polymer-peptide complex may be delivered to target cells by, for example, a pre-targeting technique utilizing bispecific or multispecific antibodies or fragments, having at least one binding arm that recognizes the hapten and at least a second binding arm that binds specifically to a disease or pathogen associated antigen, such as a tumor associated antigen. Methods for synthesizing and using such therapeutic-loaded polymers and their conjugates are provided.
US08338139B2
A process for production of fermentable sugars from biomass using multi-enzyme multi-step system is provided herein. The process disclosed in the present invention provides high yielded sugars in less time period. The multi-enzyme system disclosed in the present invention converts celluloses, hemicelluloses and/or mixture thereof to fermentable sugar with higher efficiency and better economics than the process known in the prior art. Cellulose and hemicelluloses fractions derived from natural sources such as any lignocellulosic biomass are saccharified in a shortened time with higher conversion rates of intermediates with modified enzymatic compositions/groups of the Multi-enzyme system to enhance the rate thus providing an economical cellulose and hemicellulose saccharification process.
US08338134B2
A method of producing at least one polypeptide from the nuclear genome of Ostreo-coccus sp., the method including introducing at least one recombinant nucleic acid molecule into the nuclear genome of Ostreococcus sp., wherein the recombinant nucleic acid molecule included a first polynucleotide operatively linked to a second polynucleotide, wherein the second polynucleotide encodes at least one polypeptide and wherein the first polynucleotide comprises a promoter sequence allowing expression of the at least one polypeptide in Ostreoccus sp.
US08338119B2
The invention relates to chondroitinase ABC I and uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to recombinant and modified chondroitinase ABC I, their production and their uses. The chondroitinase ABC I enzymes of the invention are useful for a variety of purposes, including degrading and analyzing polysaccharides such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). These GAGs can include chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, unsulfated chondroitin and hyaluronan. The chondroitinase ABC I enzymes can also be used in therapeutic methods such as promoting nerve regeneration, promoting stroke recovery, treating spinal cord injury, treating epithelial disease, treating infections and treating cancer.
US08338115B2
Isolated nucleic acids encoding T2R76 polypeptides, recombinantly expressed T2R76 polypeptides, heterologous expression systems for recombinant expression of T2R76 polypeptides, assay methods employing the same, and methods for altering taste perception via administration of a T2R76 modulator. These T22R76 polypeptides can be expressed alone or co-expressed with another T2R polypeptide, preferably a different human T2R polypeptide.
US08338114B1
Three-dimensional human broncho-epithelial tissue-like assemblies (TLAs) are produced in a rotating wall vessel (RWV) with microcarriers by coculturing mesenchymal bronchial-tracheal cells (BTC) and bronchial epithelium cells (BEC). These TLAs display structural characteristics and express markers of in vivo respiratory epithelia. TLAs are useful for screening compounds active in lung tissues such as antiviral compounds, cystic fibrosis treatments, allergens, and cytotoxic compounds.
US08338113B2
Provided is a method of identifying a trophoblast by detecting in cells of a biological sample, with the proviso that the biological sample does not comprise a placental tissue, expression of a trophoblast marker selected from the group consisting of an annexin IV, a cytokeratin-7, a cytokeratin-8 and a cytokeratin-19; and classifying cells exhibiting expression of the trophoblast marker as trophoblasts. Also provided are methods of detecting a pregnancy in a subject, isolating trophoblasts from biological samples and prenatally diagnosing a conceptus using the identified trophoblasts.
US08338112B1
The invention relates to anti-hedgehog antibodies, their use in the detection of hedgehog expression in tissue, and to the use of such detection in the treatment of cancer.
US08338109B2
This document provides methods and materials related to assessing prostate cancer in mammals. For example, this document provides nucleic acids and polypeptides that can be analyzed to determine whether a male mammal having prostate cancer is susceptible to a good or poor outcome.
US08338102B2
The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancers. In particular, the present invention provides diagnostics and prognostics for colon (including colon adenocarcinoma) cancer patients, wherein the methods related to measuring miR levels can predict poor survival. The invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of tumorigenesis.
US08338098B2
A single nucleotide polymorphic site at position 10793 of the bovine POU1F1 gene is associated with improved longevity and milk product traits. Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules, kits, methods of genotyping and marker assisted bovine breeding methods.
US08338095B2
Methods for detecting influenza virus A and influenza virus B nucleic acids in biological samples by using in vitro amplification and detection are disclosed. Compositions that are target-specific nucleic acid sequences and kits comprising target-specific nucleic acid oligomers for amplifying in vitro influenza virus A or influenza virus B nucleic acid and detecting amplified nucleic acid sequences are disclosed.
US08338094B2
The present invention provides a method for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule. The method involves mixing an RNA template with a composition having a reverse transcriptase, a DNA polymerase and a RT inhibition reducer. The RT inhibition reducer can be Sso7d, Sac7d, Sac7e, Sso7e, AluI methylase, suramin, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxycytosine, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxyadenine, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxythymine or poly(rA)(dT). The mixing forms a mixture that is incubated under conditions sufficient to synthesize a DNA molecule complementary to all or a portion of the RNA template, thereby amplifying the nucleic acid molecule.
US08338087B2
A composition and process for removing photoresist and/or sacrificial anti-reflective coating (SARC) materials from a substrate having such material(s) thereon. The composition includes a base component, such as a quaternary ammonium base in combination with an alkali or alkaline earth base, or alternatively a strong base in combination with an oxidant. The composition may be utilized in aqueous medium, e.g., with chelator, surfactant, and/or co-solvent species, to achieve high-efficiency removal of photoresist and/or SARC materials in the manufacture of integrated circuitry, without adverse effect on metal species on the substrate, such as copper, aluminum and/or cobalt alloys, and without damage to SiOC-based dielectric materials employed in the semiconductor architecture.
US08338073B2
A lithographic printing plate support in which surface unevenness due to surface treatment has been suppressed and a presensitized plate of excellent sensitivity are produced from an aluminum alloy plate containing iron, silicon, titanium and boron by specifying the state in which TiB2 particles are present in the surface layer and the width of the crystal grains, and by having specific indicators relating to the respective concentrations of iron and silicon in the surface layer following graining treatment fall within specific ranges. In a method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support, an aluminum alloy melt having specified alloying ingredients is subjected to a specified casting process to have the amount of the alloying ingredients in solid solution following cold rolling fall within specified ranges.
US08338069B2
The present disclosure provides processes for producing toner particles, and toner particles produced by such processes. The processes of the present disclosure combine melt-mixing and grinding of toner components to produce toner particles, followed by a coalescing treatment which provides toner particles having desirable spherical properties.
US08338067B2
An electrostatic image developer is provided, the electrostatic image developer including: a carrier for an electrostatic image developer, the carrier including a core particle which has a plurality of projections on a surface of the core particle; and electrostatic image developing toners, wherein the electrostatic image developer satisfies following relationships of formulae (1) and (2): 0.5t
US08338062B2
A colored curable composition including at least (A-1) a complex including a compound represented by the following formula (I) and a metal atom or a metal compound, (A-2) a phthalocyanine pigment, (B) a dispersing agent, (C) a polymerizable compound, (D) a photopolymerization initiator, and (E) an organic solvent: wherein R1 to R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and R7 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.
US08338060B2
A method for manufacturing a pellicle for lithography includes steps of providing a pellicle frame having one pair of long sides and one pair of short sides, each of the long sides 11 having a linear shape and each of the short sides 12 including a central portion projecting outwardly, intermediate regions positioned on the opposite sides of the central region and having a re-entrant arcuate shape and end proximity regions each having a linear shape, and adhering a pellicle membrane whose tensile force distribution is adjusted so that a tensile force along the pair of long sides of the pellicle frame is larger than a tensile force along the pair of short sides of the pellicle frame, thereby transforming the one of short sides of the pellicle frame to which the pellicle membrane is adhered to have a linear shape.
US08338053B2
The invention relates to a conductive sintered body capable of being effectively prevented from reduction-induced expansion, as well as to a conductive member for fuel cell, a fuel cell, and a fuel cell apparatus. The conductive sintered body contains a first composite oxide phase (59) based on lanthanum chromite and a second composite oxide phase (55) containing Mg and Ni, and around the second composite oxide phase (55), Ni (57) is deposited. Such a conductive sintered body is used for fuel cell. Further, a conductive member for such a fuel cell is composed of a fuel electrode layer (32) and an oxide electrode layer (34) with a solid electrolyte layer (33) held therebetween; and is used as an interconnector (35) of a fuel cell (30) which is provided with the interconnector (35) connected to the fuel electrode layer (32).
US08338051B2
This invention relates to an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell comprising catalyst metal particles of noble metal-base metal-Ce (cerium) ternary alloy carried on carbon materials, wherein the noble metal is at least one member selected from among Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag and Au, the base metal is at least one member selected from among Ir, Co, Fe, Ni and Mn, and the relative proportion (i.e., the molar proportion) of noble metal:base metal:Ce (cerium) is 20 to 95:5 to 60:0.1 to 3. The electrode catalyst for a fuel cell inhibits deterioration of an electrolyte membrane or an electrolyte in an electrode catalyst layer, improves durability, and, in particular, improves the capacity for power generation in the high current density region.
US08338040B2
A fuel cell system in which excess water vapor or nitrogen gas is prevented from remaining inside the fuel cell in intermittent operation. The fuel cell system includes an estimation unit that estimates a water vapor amount and a nitrogen gas amount at a plurality of predetermined positions inside the electrolyte membrane and the reaction gas flow channel of at least one unit cell of the fuel cell stack; and an operation control unit that compares, during an operation stop of intermittent operation, the water vapor amount and/or the nitrogen gas amount at each of the predetermined positions with a threshold for each of the predetermined positions, and supplies a gas to the reaction gas flow channel and discharges water vapor and nitrogen gas from inside the fuel cell when the water vapor amount and/or the nitrogen gas amount exceeds the threshold at at least one of the positions.
US08338037B2
A method for producing a lithium alkali transition metal oxide for use as a positive electrode material for lithium secondary batteries by a precipitation method. The positive electrode material is a lithium alkali transition metal composite oxide and is prepared by mixing a solid state mixed with alkali and transition metal carbonate and a lithium source. The mixture is thermally treated to obtain a small amount of alkali metal residual in the lithium transition metal composite oxide cathode material.
US08338030B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with excellent discharge cycle characteristics and a charging termination potential ranging from 4.4 to 4.6 V based on lithium, consisting of a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt, in which the positive electrode active material comprises a mixture of a lithium-cobalt composite oxide containing at least both zirconium and magnesium in LiCoO2, and a lithium-manganese-nickel composite oxide having a layered structure and containing at least both manganese and nickel, and the potential of the positive electrode active material ranges from 4.4 to 4.6 V based on lithium, and the non-aqueous electrolyte contains at least one of aromatic compounds selected from the group consisting at least of toluene derivatives, anisole derivatives, biphenyl, cyclohexyl benzene, tert-butyl benzene, tert-amyl benzene, and diphenyl ether.
US08338025B2
The outer surface of a metal electrode 202 of a rechargeable oxide-ion battery (ROB) cell is covered by its own dense electrolyte 204 and interconnection 206, where the dense electrolyte 204 and interconnection 206 hermetically seal the metal electrode away from oxygen-containing environment to prevent direct contact between active metal and oxygen which would lead to self discharge, thus, producing a self-sealed metal electrode of a ROB cell without introducing additional sealing components.
US08338024B2
A sealed storage battery including a container containing an electrochemical stack having alternating positive and negative electrodes on either side of separators impregnated with electrolyte; a current output terminal passing through a wall of the container; and a connector electrically connecting the electrodes of one polarity to the terminal passing through a wall of the container. The connector includes a flat connection welded to the electrodes and an elastic connection fitted without welding to the terminal passing through a wall of the container.
US08338023B2
A positive electrode and a negative electrode are accommodated in a bottomed cylindrical battery case with a separator interposed therebetween, and an opening part of the battery case is sealed by means of a gasket. A body part of the battery case has a thickness in the range between 0.1 and 0.17 mm. The positive electrode is made of a material obtained by adding graphite to manganese dioxide. The density of the graphite in the material of the positive electrode is in the range between 0.12 and 0.23 g/cm3.
US08338021B2
A battery module including a plurality of rechargeable batteries including a case and terminals protruding outside of the case; a first connecting member electrically connecting first terminals of neighboring rechargeable batteries and including a fuse unit configured to disconnect the first terminals of the neighboring rechargeable batteries when an overcurrent is generated; a plurality of second connecting members electrically connecting second terminals of the neighboring rechargeable batteries to terminals of connected rechargeable batteries; and a shorting member configured to generate a short circuit by connecting neighboring second connecting members to each other.
US08338020B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to microporous membranes that include first and second layers. The first layer includes ≦20.0 wt. % polymethylpentene and the second layer includes a compatibilizer. The invention also relates to methods for making such membranes and the use of such membranes as battery separator film.
US08338014B2
A battery cover latch mechanism used to releasably latching a battery cover to a housing, the battery cover latch mechanism includes a button comprising latching part, an assembly portion disposed on the housing, the assembly portion defining a latching groove and a buttonhole for receiving the button therein, a clasp disposed on the battery cover, and configured for releasably latching with the latching part of the button; and a resilient member mounted on the button, the resilient member comprising two latching portions, the latching portions latched in the latching groove. The button is slidably mounted in the buttonhole of the assembly portion such that the latching part of the button releasably latches with the clasp under the resilient member. Also disclosed is a portable electronic device using the latching mechanism.
US08338011B2
A battery temperature control apparatus capable of controlling the temperature of a battery to reach a suitable condition is provided. Thermal capacity determining unit 61, based on the temperature of battery 1 detected by battery temperature detector 2 and a target temperature stored in storage unit 5, determines the thermal capacity necessary for setting the temperature of battery 1 to the target temperature. Temperature regulating ability determining unit 62, based on the temperature of battery 1 detected by battery temperature detector 2 and the temperature of the temperature regulating medium detected by medium temperature detector 4, determines the temperature regulating ability of fan 3. Flow rate controller 63, based on the thermal capacity determined by thermal capacity determining unit 61 and the temperature regulating ability determined by temperature regulating ability determining unit 62, controls the flow rate of the temperature regulating medium sent by the fan. The temperature of battery 1 becomes close to the target temperature due to the temperature regulating medium sent from fan 3.
US08338003B2
An optical element comprising a vacuum-sintered body comprising a plurality of particles each having a two-layer structure comprising a ceramic particle and a coating layer, wherein the ceramic particle comprises LnxAlyO[x+y]×1.5, where Ln represents a rare-earth element, x represents 1≦x≦10, and y represents 1≦y≦5, and has an average particle diameter of 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and wherein the coating layer comprises a ceramic having a lower sintering temperature than a sintering temperature of the ceramic particle.
US08337995B2
Soak-in and strike through on the exposed end grain portions of low density or porous wood substrates including alder, birch, pine, poplar, and soft maple are reduced by applying to the end grain a solvent-borne coating composition containing an (i) alkyd resin having a hydroxyl number less than about 150, (ii) acid catalyst and (iii) cross linker. The resin desirably has a number average molecular weight greater than about 2000, and may have a Gardner coloration less than about 3 or may be a short oil alkyd based on coconut oil. By using a reduced hydroxyl number alkyd resin, a reduced cross linker amount may be employed, thereby reducing formaldehyde evolution in compositions made with methylated amino resin cross linkers such as methylated melamine resins.
US08337987B2
A coated system having a UV-curable coating, a method of forming the coated system, and a UV-curable coating for the coated systems are disclosed. The coated system has exterior durability and includes a film, a reflective ink applied to the film, and a UV-cured coating applied to the film. The film and the reflective ink each include at least one IR reflective pigment and at least one color chelator.
US08337985B2
A coated article comprising a substrate having a plastic surface and adhered thereto an organometallic film in which the metal has f electron orbitals or is niobium is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for applying organometallic films to substrates and the organometallic films themselves.
US08337984B2
To provide a carrier film for a fuel cell production process which is excellent in a recycling property and sufficient handling property in the fuel cell production process. A carrier film for a fuel cell production process, which is made of a fluororesin and has a tensile elastic modulus of at least 1,500 MPa in the machine direction, as measured in accordance with ASTM D882, and a tensile modulus of at least 100 MPa in the machine direction at 150° C., and which preferably has a thickness of from 10 to 300 μm.
US08337978B2
A recording material, containing nonionic surfactants, including: a supporting substrate, a first bottom base coat applied to at least one surface of said substrate, and a second topcoat layer applied over said bottom base coat. The supporting substrate or the bottom base coat includes nonionic surfactants that have HLB values that are inferior to 15. Also disclosed is a method to deink printed waste papers wherein the waste papers contain recording materials, containing nonionic surfactants such as defined herein.
US08337971B2
An impact pad comprising an upper part, a middle part, and a lower part, the said upper part being configured as a single piece with a plurality of protrusions on a under side there of facing the middle part, such that said protrusions are adapted to fit in the grooves provided on the top surface of the middle part, the bottom surface of the middle part being provided with the third part, namely means for fastening impact pads on the main support frame with clamps.
US08337962B2
A resin film including a resin and an organic acid represented by the following formula (1), wherein the ratio of the organic acid to the resin is from 0.1 to 20% by mass: X-L-(R1)n Formula (1).
US08337957B2
The invention relates to a method for depositing a polymer layer containing nanoparticles on a substrate material. The method comprises the steps of providing the substrate material, providing a polymerization material near a surface of the substrate material, conducting a gas flow near the surface of the substrate material, the gas flow comprising a nanomaterial, and depositing the polymer layer at the surface of the substrate material by applying a plasma polymerization process.
US08337955B2
An aqueous coating composition comprising an autoxidisable amide group containing resin having ≧30 wt % of fatty acid residues by weight of autoxidisable amide group containing resin; a Tg in the range of from −40 to +35° C.; ND×AV≦22 mg KOH/g; a Mw in the range of from 2,500 to 20,000 g/mol; a PDi less than 10; an amide group content of at least 10 mmoles/100 g solid; and said composition having: a co-solvent content less that 25 wt %; a N-methylpyrrolidone content <13 wt % by weight of solids; a solids content >38 wt %; and when a film, a telegraphing value of less than 20 gloss units.
US08337951B2
Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of forming a superhydrophobic surface. The method includes: preparing a surface of a substrate of a first material; modifying the surface through an etching process to generate a plurality of nucleation sites in an array; forming, by using glancing angle deposition, a plurality of nano-rods of a second material and each at a respective one of the plurality of nucleation sites in the array; and depositing a conformal coating on the plurality of nano-rods.
US08337947B2
A method for applying a pattern of granular material on a receiving surface includes in sequence the following steps: associating the granular material with a transferring surface together with a liquid aggregating phase and according to a prefiguration of the pattern; facing the transferring surface carrying the granular material and the liquid phase to the receiving surface in a transferring zone; heating at least one portion of the liquid phase in the transferring zone in order to detach the granular material from the transferring surface and applying the granular material on the receiving surface.
US08337946B2
The regionally coated noble metal element used in glass production has an uncoated region for contacting a glass melt and an H2-impervious layer or an H2-impervious and O2-impervious layer on a side opposite from the uncoated region, which has a layer thickness ≧1 mm, is heat-resistant, and is either liquid or solid. This layer is made from at least one glass or glass mixture, an at least partly crystallized glass or a ceramic material. The coated noble metal element can be a Danner channel, a Vello draw head, an A-draw head, a Vello needle, a drawdown needle, a discharge ring or a Danner blowpipe. A process for coating a noble metal element to produce the regionally coated noble metal element is also described.
US08337943B2
Methods for making tin oxide films comprising nano-whiskers comprises providing a solution comprising a tin precursor and a solvent; preparing aerosol droplets of the solution; and applying the aerosol droplets to a heated glass substrate, converting the tin chloride to tin oxide to form a tin oxide film on the glass substrate, wherein the tin oxide film comprises nano-whiskers.
US08337942B2
A method and composition for plating metal contacts on photovoltaic solar cells is described. The cell is immersed in an aqueous bath containing platable metal ions and a solubilizing agent for aluminum or aluminum alloy ions from the back side of the solar cell. The cell is then exposed to light, causing the two sides of the cell to become oppositely charged. The metal ions are plated without requiring an external electrical contact.
US08337940B2
A method for manufacturing a display device of the present invention comprises the steps of forming insulating barriers which surround electrode and project upward from the surface of the electrode, and bringing the whole substrate into contact with water after applying the solution including an acceptor in wet process. According to the present invention, an organic conductive layer can be uniformly formed over a substrate in wet process even if the substrate does not have a smooth surface and has distribution in wettability of the surface.
US08337938B2
A method for the preparation of a regenerated silk fibroin solution comprises the steps of: treating silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between −0.001 and −0.05 at 25° C.; and subsequently degumming the treated silk or silk cocoons; or alternatively, degumming silk or silk cocoons; and subsequently treating the degummed silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between −0.001 and −0.05 at 25° C. The invention also extends to fibroin solution, a fibroin material and an implant useful for cartilage repair.
US08337930B2
Provided is a packaged Oolong-tea beverage which contains an Oolong tea extract having a tannin/Brix ratio of from 200 to 265 (mg/100 mL/wt. %) and has a non-polymer catechin content of from 0.06 to 0.5 wt. %.The packaged Oolong-tea beverage of the present invention contains a high concentration of catechins and at the same time, tastes good without losing the original taste of Oolong tea.
US08337928B2
Taste of a non-nutritive steviol glycoside sweetener is improved by using anisic acid in an amount sufficient to mask the metallic aftertaste of the non-nutritive steviol glycoside sweetener when the sweetener is contained in a beverage, beverage concentrate or syrup, or reduced calorie sweetener.
US08337925B2
The present invention relates to a component configured to be associated with a pipe arranged to supply a pressurized fluid into a beverage in order to admix the fluid to the beverage. The component includes a venturi having a first, upstream region at high pressure and low kinetic energy, and a second, downstream region at low pressure and high kinetic energy for said fluid. In the component, a first plurality of throughholes forms the venturi and puts the first region into communication with the second region, and a second plurality of throughholes is arranged so as to converge towards the second region. The present invention also relates to a device including the component and to a method of admixing a fluid to a beverage.
US08337922B2
A method for packaging crabmeat is provided. In a first embodiment, the method comprises providing a packaging vessel, placing crab meat into the vessel, adjusting the volume of air within the vessel to obtain an air to meat ratio of essentially 20 percent by volume, sealing the packaging vessel, and then pasteurizing the sealed vessel to achieve desired end results.
US08337920B2
Systems and methods for thermal preservation (sterilization) of heterogeneous and multiphase foods and biomaterials in order to achieve their shelf stability at ambient level temperatures. Flowing heterogeneous, multiphase foods and biomaterials are exposed to single or multiple stages of electromagnetic energy under continuous flow conditions within conduits passing through the electromagnetic energy exposure chambers.
US08337919B2
A treated paper product is provided according to the invention. The treated paper product comprises a result of applying a water based emulsion to a paper base sheet to provide an impregnated paper product, and drying the impregnated paper product to a water content of less than about 8 wt. % to provide the treated paper product. The water based emulsion includes a barrier and/or release forming component comprising at least one of stearylated melamine, polyethylene wax, paraffin wax, isoparaffin wax, microcrystalline wax, fluoropolymer wax, silicone wax, alkyl ketene materials, octyl succinic anhydride, Werner chrome complex, natural wax, and mixtures thereof. The water based emulsion can have a solids content of between about 2 wt. % and about 50 wt. % when it is applied to the paper base sheet. Methods for manufacturing and using the treated paper product, and a combination food and treated paper product are provided.
US08337911B2
This invention relates to a novel herbal formulation for the prevention and management of type-2 diabetes mellitus and vascular complications associated with diabetes comprising, preparing of hydromethanolic extract of at least one plant selected form Salacia roxburghii, Salacia oblonga, Garcinia Indica and Lagerstroemia parviflora at 70°-80° C., maintaining ph of the solution between 7-10, separating the active compounds by using TLC, HPLC, HPTLC, subjecting the active compounds to the step of molecular characterization.
US08337910B2
An herbal formulation including Symphytum Officinalis extract and Phytolacca Decandra extract may be combined to treat bone fractures and osseum defects. Specifically, the herbal formulation provides for the regeneration of osseum tissue for treating bone defects such as imperfect osteogenesis, pseudo-arthrosis infected or not, bone union delay of fractures, osteoporosis, osseum tumors, aneurismatic osseum cyst, and myeloma multiple.
US08337894B2
A process of manufacturing a solid cosmetic product, includes the steps of applying to a composition based on powder and fluid binder, introduced into a mould, a sheet of porous material having an average pore diameter ranging from 5 to 180 μm; then passing at least some of the volatile solvent through the sheet; removing the volatile solvent that has passed through the sheet and drying the composition in order to solidify it before depositing it in a packaging. The solid product obtained according to this process and to its uses as a face and/or body makeup product are also described.
US08337886B2
An orally adminsterable pharmaceutical pellet formulation for the treatment of the intestinal tract is disclosed, which comprises a core and an enteric coating, the core including, as a pharmaceutical active compound, aminosalicylic acid or a pharmaceutically tolerable salt or a derivative thereof.
US08337884B2
Transdermal compositions containing low molecular weight drugs which are liquid at room temperatures
A transdermal composition is disclosed which contains a blend of one or more polymers, one or more drugs, at least one of which has a low molecular weight and is liquid at or about room temperatures. The composition is substantially free of water and liquids which have a normal boiling point (a) optionally below processing temperatures and (b) greater than or equal to the temperature of the low molecular weight drugs. The composition does not suffer from the substantial loss of the lower molecular weight drug during production of the transdermal system. A transdermal composition is also disclosed which has one or more drugs, at least one of which has a low molecular weight and is liquid at or about room temperatures, and a polymer matrix including one or more high shear resistant polymers. The high shear resistant polymer(s) reduce the plasticizing effect of the low molecular weight drug, and has sufficient tack and shear for application to a human being.
US08337881B2
A polymerizable antimicrobial formulation for forming a wound closure adhesive comprising cyanoacrylate monomer and diiodomethyl-p-tolylsulfone; and a method for closing the approximated edges of a wound with a polymeric film that substantially inhibits the growth of microorganisms, where the polymeric film is formed by use of the polymerizable antimicrobial formulation.
US08337879B2
The present invention relates to mechanically hemostatic body-absorbable compositions having a putty-like consistency. The compositions preferably comprise a finely powdered, carboxylic acid salt and a liquid block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.
US08337878B2
According to an aspect of the invention, implantable and insertable medical devices are provided that include (a) a substrate, (b) a porous layer comprising interconnected pores disposed over the substrate, (c) at least one first therapeutic agent disposed within and/or beneath the porous layer, (d) a composite layer disposed over the porous layer that includes (i) at least one therapeutic agent eluting region containing at least one second therapeutic agent and at least one matrix material and (ii) at least one bioerodible region containing at least one bioerodible material that extends from the surface of the composite layer to the porous layer.
US08337870B2
An active agent delivery composition is provided that allows topical delivery of active agents including vitamin A and its derivatives. A polyhalogenic vehicle such as methoxyonafluorobutane or ethoxyonafluorobutane serves as a coupler for an active agent and a silicone carrier so as to allow solubilization of active agents not normally miscible in silicones and providing a moisture maintaining composition.
US08337868B2
A stinging cell comprising an exogenous polynucleotide capable of expressing a therapeutic, cosmetic or diagnostic agent in the stinging cell is provided.
US08337856B2
The application concerns methods of treatment using anti-ErbB receptor antibody-maytansinoid conjugates, and articles of manufacture suitable for use in such methods. In particular, the invention concerns ErbB receptor-directed cancer therapies, using anri-ErbB receptor antibody-maytansinoid conjugates.
US08337855B2
The present invention relates to antibodies that bind CD33. More particularly, the invention relates to anti-CD33 antibodies, fragments and homologues of these antibodies, humanized and resurfaced versions of these antibodies, functional equivalents and improved versions of these antibodies, immunoconjugates and compositions comprising these antibodies, and the uses of same in diagnostic, research and therapeutic applications. The invention also relates to a polynucleotide encoding these antibodies, vectors comprising the polynucleotides, host cells transformed with polynucleotides and methods of producing these antibodies.
US08337843B2
The present invention relates to the use of an anti-EpCAM antibody for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The present invention further relates to a method of treating metastatic breast cancer comprising administering said anti-EpCAM antibody.
US08337840B2
The present invention provides humanized, chimeric and human anti-CD19 antibodies, anti-CD19 antibody fusion proteins, and fragments thereof that bind to a human B cell marker. Such antibodies, fusion proteins and fragments thereof are useful for the treatment and diagnosis of various B-cell disorders, including B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases. In more particular embodiments, the humanized anti-CD19 antibodies may comprise one or more framework region amino acid substitutions designed to improve protein stability, antibody binding and/or expression levels. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the substitutions comprise a Ser91Phe substitution in the hA19 VH sequence.
US08337833B2
Methods of causing an improvement in central nervous system function are provided. The methods include administering an aliquot of stem cells to the patient, the cells being derived from blood, e.g., umbilical cord blood. In some cases a growth factor is administered with the cells.
US08337831B2
The invention relates to Salmonella typhi Ty21a comprising core-linked Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 O-specific polysaccharide (O-Ps) and DNA encoding O antigen biosynthesis, said DNA selected from the group consisting of: a) the DNA sequence set out in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2 and species homologs thereof; b) DNA encoding Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 polypeptides encoded by any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, and species homologs thereof; and c) DNA encoding a O antigen biosynthesis gene product that hybridizes under moderately stringent conditions to the DNA of (a) or (b); and related sequences, compositions of matter, vaccines, methods of using, and methods of making.
US08337819B2
The invention is a pharmaceutical composition for the oral hygiene for the treatment of the periodontal illnesses and the Halitosis. It consists of a mixture 0.01 to 5 g of Hydrogen Peroxide; 0.001 to 0.5 g of Eugenol: 0.001 to 0.5 g of Permonochlorophenol; 0.001 to 0.3 g of Camphor; 10 to 40 g of Maltitol; 0.01 to 0.1 g of coloring matter; 0.1 to 1 g of appetizing substance and enough quantity of demineralized water to complete 100 g of oral pharmaceutical preparation.
US08337818B2
A post foaming oral care mousse is provided by the invention. The mousse includes at least a dentifrice composition and a compressed liquid propellant having a boiling point less than −10° C. The liquid propellant is blended into the mousse as an emulsion, and the emulsion is adapted to be dispensed from a container as a gel that foams after a time delay. The mousse has a viscosity of less than 30,000 centipoise when measured prior to the addition of the propellant. Preferably, the mousse expands at least 100 vol % in less than 5 seconds upon exposure to atmospheric pressure.
US08337814B2
The present invention is directed to the treatment of infections and the associated symptoms of sinusitis, rhinitis and related neurological disorders of the cranial cavity and facial tissue. More specifically, the present invention is directed to aerosols that are used to treat infections and the associated symptoms of sinusitis, rhinitis and related neurological disorders of the cranial cavity and facial tissue, compositions from which the aerosols are generated and methods of generating the aerosols. In an aerosol aspect of the present invention, an aerosol for delivery to the sinus cavity of a patient is provided. The aerosol includes at least: a) one or more compounds selected from antibiotics, antifungals, leukotriene antagonists, anti-TNF compounds, antihistamines, steroidal antiinflammatories, mucolytics, estrogen, progesterone and related hormones; and, b) water The compounds are present in the water at a concentration ranging from 0.01 mg/kg to 1000 mg/kg, and the aerosol does not contain a surfactant.
US08337813B2
The present invention relates generally to multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. In particular, the present invention provides a MRI contrast agent configured to manipulate both the longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation times of surrounding water proton spins.
US08337810B2
Oxidants (e.g., N-chlorosuccinimide) can be used to stabilize α-particle emitters (e.g., 211 At) in solution, prior to their subsequent reaction to form α-particle emitter labeled compounds (e.g., a radiolabeled pharmaceutical or a radiolabeled pre-cursor used to prepare it). In particular, the use of an oxidant has been found to maintain the α-particle emitter in a chemical form that facilitates this reaction, which may involve a number of possible mechanisms including electrophilic substitution, nucleophilic substitution, complexation, exchange, or metallic bonding. Compounds labeled with α-particle emitters in this manner have wide-ranging therapeutic applications, particularly in the treatment of cancer.
US08337809B2
Novel phototherapeutic methods and compositions are described herein. Nanoparticle-assembled microcapsules as a new type of delivery vehicle for photosensitive compounds may be synthesized through a two-step assembly process. Charged polymer chains and counterions may be combined with a photosensitive compound to form photosensitive aggregates, and then nanoparticles may be combined with the aggregates to form the microcapsules. The shell may be composed of nanoparticles and/or polymer, and the core interior may contain the photosensitive compound. Formation occurs rapidly (on the order of seconds) and the conditions are very mild (at room temperature, in aqueous solution, and at neutral pH). The microcapsule synthesis is highly suitable as an encapsulation method, particularly for a charged photosensitive molecule like ICG.
US08337808B1
The present invention relates to a method for preparing LTA-type zeolites using tris[2-(isopropylamino)ethyl]amine as a structure directing agent.
US08337794B2
Silicone rubber containing a fumed silica doped with potassium by means of aerosol.
US08337789B2
There are provided processes for extracting aluminum ions from aluminous ores and for preparing alumina. Such processes can be used with various types of aluminous ores such as aluminous ores comprising various types of metals such as Fe, K, Mg, Na, Ca, Mn, Ba, Zn, Li, Sr, V, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cu, Co, Sb, As, B, Sn, Be, Mo, or mixtures thereof.
US08337783B2
A magnetic connector assembly for microfluidic devices comprises a first magnetic connector with at least one orifice extending therethrough and a second magnetic connector. The first and second connectors are configured to magnetically attract each other. In one aspect, the first magnetic connector is configured to sealingly engage a surface of a microfluidic chip with the second magnetic connector disposed on an opposite side of the microfluidic chip. The first magnetic connector is configured to seal with the microfluidic chip about a channel opening in the microfluidic chip and provide flow communication between the channel opening and the orifice in the first magnetic connector. In at least one other aspect, the first magnetic connector and second magnetic connector each have at least one orifice and are configured to change a flow communication therebetween upon a rotation of the first or second magnetic connector with respect to the other magnetic connector.
US08337781B2
The present invention relates to a tissue infiltration device (1) for samples (34) contained in cassettes (5). The tissue infiltration device (1) comprises at least two liquid containers (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15) and a transport apparatus (6). A liquid (12, 14, 16) having a property that can be predetermined can be filled into a liquid container (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15). A plurality of cassettes (5) can be held by a transport device (4). Using the transport apparatus (6), a transport device (4) can be brought to a liquid container (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15) and/or moved away from a liquid container (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15). A sequence of operations (8) can be prescribed in which a transport device (4) runs through the liquid containers (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15) of the tissue infiltration device (1). So that an accelerated or priority processing of a transport device (4) is possible using the tissue infiltration device (1), but without using an additional liquid container (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15) provided only for this purpose, it is provided that at least two transport devices (4) can be brought into a liquid container (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15) above and/or next to one another, wherein said transport devices can have different dwell times in the liquid container (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15).
US08337774B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods useful for the rapid and facile simultaneous detection of malodorous bacterial metabolites in samples of expired breath and other fluids. The invention enables estimation, by simple visual inspection and comparison against standards, of the concentration of polyamines and volatile sulfur compounds in the micromolar to millimolar range.
US08337767B2
An ozone generating apparatus having high reliability in which a glass tube can prevent from being damaged by melting a power feeding brush even if a large amount of short-circuit current flows. In an ozone generating apparatus using silent discharge, an alternating high voltage power is supplied from a power supply to a metal film formed in an inner wall of a glass tube by a power feeding brush comprising a brush shaft made of metal and a large number of metal thin wires fixed to the periphery of the brush shaft, the following equation satisfies. (D2/D1)≧1/{1+(1/20β)}, wherein ‘D1’ indicates an outer diameter of a bundle of metal thin wires, ‘D2’ indicates an outer diameter of the brush shaft and ‘β’ indicates the line density of metal thin wires on a surface of the brush shaft.
US08337764B2
A recess waveguide microwave chemical plant for production of ethene from natural gas and a process for production of ethene using the plant. The plant includes a recess waveguide, a mode transducer and coupling orifice plate, an adjustable short-circuiting plunger, and a chemical reactor; wherein with the recess waveguide as a main body, the mode transducer and coupling orifice plate is at the left side of the recess waveguide, the adjustable short-circuiting plunger is at the right side of the recess waveguide, and the chemical reactor is across the recess waveguide.
US08337762B2
The object of the invention is a porous sheet(s) for treating exhaust gases of combustion engines in open channels. According to the invention at least part of the porous sheet has a covering support having pores over 10 nm and coarse particles over 1.4 μm.
US08337758B2
The present invention relates to an in vitro method modeling and measuring the consistency generated in vivo by a food during the digestion thereof. The method includes the steps of grinding the food to reproduce the mechanical breakdown performed during chewing, mixing under stirring of the ground food with a solution modeling gastric fluid in a reactor vessel coupled with a rheometer for a time corresponding to gastric digestion, and adjustment under stirring of the reaction mixture to model intestinal digestion conditions for a time corresponding to intestinal digestion, wherein the rheometer is provided with a stirrer used to homogenize the mixture and measure the viscosity and/or the viscoelasticity thereof.
US08337755B2
The present invention provides a protocol and apparatus for enriching circulating tumor cells and other rare cells from blood, including debris and other components, from samples with high precision and at high throughput rates. This invention discloses an improved processing system from previously described semi-automated sample processing. The system further reduces operator intervention and hands-on time from prior systems. While this system has general utility in processing diverse materials, the system is configured for sample processing of biological specimens to provide an enriched fraction suitable for detection, enumeration and identification of target cells by appropriate analytical methodologies. The presence and quantities of such target cells in a sample specimen can utilized for screening and detection in disease such as cancer, assessing early stage pre-metastatic cancer, monitoring for disease remission in response to therapy and selection of more effective dose regimens or alternative therapies in case of relapse.
US08337753B2
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step.
US08337752B2
To provide a sterilization method of container-packaged food which has a high effect on mixture food of solid food/soup and a filling system where all processes and devices can be simplified, a pre-seal lid material (PS), that has been cut to a dimension covering the opening of a cup filled with solid food, e.g. a dimension corresponding to the outer circumference of the flange of the cup, is fixed to a cup holder (CH) at a position for covering the cup opening by means of a holding bolt (31a) without being fusion bonded to the cup flange portion (CF), while a ventilation state between the head space of the cup and the air in a sterilization chamber is maintained. Thereafter, steam sterilization to the cup is performed in the sterilization chamber and the cup is transported to a clean box, filled with sterilized soup.
US08337751B2
A systematic decontamination and containment method for decontaminating personnel is disclosed. This method includes providing a plurality of components positionable on a selected location for establishment of a multi-station decontamination and containment facility to decontaminate personnel and to contain contaminants collected during the decontamination process. The components can include a plurality of collapsible frame and roof assemblies, wall and roof covers, a weapons clearing assembly, a weapons storage locker, a hanging bar, a signage assembly, collapsible containment hamper assemblies, a covered dispensing assembly, a shuffle box, a multi-wipe dispensing assembly, and a transportable containment enclosure. The enclosure is shaped and sized to removably retain the system's components for transportation or the like.
US08337745B2
A plastic part is formed with a hollow portion and an integral evacuation channel extending from the hollow portion to a gate at which plastic for the part was injected. During the injection molding process for the part, the channel and portion to be hollowed are filled with molten plastic, and a gas is injected into the portion to be hollowed to force molten material from the portion to be hollowed back through the channel.
US08337742B2
The invention relates to a novel method for electrospinning fibers wherein the fiber-spinning solution is infused with gas bubbles which travel through the electrospinning fluid, causing the bubbles to be coated with electrospinning solution. The coated bubbles, in turn, in response to an applied electrical force, generate jets of the electrospinning fluid that travel away from the bubble surface. The invention further relates to the fibers formed by this bubble-jet process and to products made therefrom.
US08337738B1
A process is described which uses overmolding to create an all plastic waterway within a faucet leading up to an inlet port for a spout. The waterway connector has at least two arms and a central connector and wherein the process includes the steps of: at least partially inserting one end of a tube into a first split mold; inserting at least two pins at least partially into the mold, a first pin inserted into the at least one end of the tube and a second pin inserted essentially normal to the direction of insertion of the first pin; injection overmolding a first geometry onto the one end of said tube and forming a profile for fluid transfer with the second pin and associated mold surfaces, the profile having a terminal lip; at least partially inserting two of the profiles with terminal lips into a second split mold, each of the profiles being a mirror image of the other, onto a core having a mating profile for each lip, the mating profile on said core comprising opposing grooves; and injection overmolding a second geometry about the lips to form a leak-proof upwardly extending connector. The process optionally contains the step of crosslinking the waterway connector.
US08337733B2
A description is given of a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition of a macrolide antibiotic in essentially noncrystalline form, in which the macrolide antibiotic, a water-swellable polymer and a proton donor are blended in an extruder in the presence of water and forced through a die, the ratio by weight of the sum of macrolide antibiotic, water-swellable polymer and proton donor to water being at least 1:1. The macrolide antibiotic is preferably clarithromycin and the water-swellable polymer is preferably chosen from crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose and crosslinked polyacrylic acid.
US08337729B2
An optical disc manufacturing method includes: an injection step of injecting a liquid material into a circular plate-shaped injection space having a center hole portion at a center from an injection hole connected to an inner edge portion in the injection space; a discharge step of discharging air and the liquid material from a discharge hole formed on a straight line passing through the injection hole and a center of the center hole portion in a plane direction of the circular plate and at a position opposite to the injection hole; a curing step of curing the liquid material injected into the injection space; and a takeout step of taking out the cured liquid material from the injection space.
US08337728B2
An optical filter containing at least a clay mineral complex (A). The clay mineral complex (A) comprises a layered clay mineral (B) intercalated with a dye cation (C), and an organic cation (D).
US08337724B2
A method of preparing a composite includes the following steps. A powder blend is sintering while an oxygen partial pressure (pO2) of a gaseous atmosphere surrounding the powder blend is controlled. Before the sintering, a shape is formed from the powder blend. After the forming and before the sintering, binder is removed from the powder blend. The powder blend comprises binder, a mixed electronic/oxygen O2− anionic conducting compound (C1) and a compound (C2) chosen from MgO and BaTiO3. The resultant composite comprises at least 75 vol % of compound (C1), from 0.01 to 25 vol % of compound (C2), and from 0 vol % to 2.5 vol % of compound (C3).
US08337722B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a zinc sulfide based phosphor by firing a zinc sulfide based precursor, comprising at least: a first firing step and a second firing step. Use of the method of the present invention makes it possible to provide a zinc sulfide based phosphor material suitable in the production of an EL device that shows high brightness.
US08337716B2
The sarcosine compounds used as a corrosion inhibitor according to the present invention include sarcosine and salt compounds thereof. The corrosion inhibitor is used in chemical mechanical polishing compositions or post CMP clean agents, which forms a protective film on the surface of a work piece to prevent the work piece from corrosion in chemical mechanical polishing, and thus common residue defect on the surface of a work piece due to the use of a conventional corrosion inhibitor (e.g. benzotriazole (BTA)) can be improved or the surface of a work piece can be protected from corrosion in post-CMP cleaning.
US08337713B2
A method for etching a layer over a substrate in a process chamber, wherein the process chamber including a first electrode and a second electrode and the first electrode is disposed opposite of the second electrode is provided. The method includes placing the substrate on the second electrode and providing an etching gas into the process chamber. The method also includes providing a first radio frequency (RF) signal into the process chamber and modulating the first RF signal. The method further includes providing a second RF signal into the process chamber and modulating the second RF signal.
US08337712B2
A method for forming an etching mask comprises irradiating a focused ion beam onto a surface of a substrate and forming an etching mask used for oblique etching including an ion containing portion in the irradiated region. A method for fabricating a three-dimensional structure comprises preparing a substrate, irradiating a focused ion beam onto a surface of the substrate and forming an etching mask including an ion-containing portion in the irradiated region, and dry-etching the substrate from a diagonal direction using the etching mask and forming a plurality of holes.
US08337700B1
A biological fluid filtration device, system, and method, for filtering a biological fluid, the device comprising a housing having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, with a first fluid flow path defined between the inlet and the first outlet, with a second fluid flow path defined between the inlet and the second outlet, with a first biological fluid filtration media interposed between the inlet and the first outlet and across the first fluid flow path, with a second biological fluid filtration media interposed between the inlet and the second outlet and across the second fluid flow path, the housing essentially lacking a solid partition wall between the first biological fluid filtration media and the second biological fluid filtration media, a first flow restriction may be added downstream of the first biological fluid filtration media, and a second flow restriction may be added downstream of the second biological fluid filtration media, in another embodiment, the device comprises a housing having an inlet an outlet with a flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet, with a biological fluid filtration media interposed between the inlet and the outlet and across the fluid flow path, the device further including a flow restriction downstream of the biological fluid filtration media.
US08337697B2
A bottle comprises a cap, a reservoir having an open top closeable by the cap, and a filter holder that houses a filter, the filter holder being coupled to the cap such that a liquid in the reservoir is filtered by the filter as the liquid is being consumed, and the filter is fluidly decoupled from the reservoir when the cap is disengaged from the reservoir. Preferred filters can be constructed out of high reactivity carbon mixture, activated carbon, iodinated resin, combinations thereof, or any other suitable compositions for filtering water or other liquids, and can be molded into any suitable size and shape. Preferred filter holder can have a top portion and a bottom portion that couple together via a snap fitting, mating threads, or any suitable means, which allow access to the filter, and which have numerous vents that allow liquid to freely flow through the filter.
US08337696B2
A spinning method for making a seamless filter housing 50 with an elliptical bottom 52 and a bottom opening 58 for a drain port. An inlet port 62 is added after fabrication along with any optional sensor ports 64. The seamless filter housing 50 made with this process.
US08337690B2
A method and apparatus are provided for reducing an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of an electrochemically activated liquid. The ORP is reduced by emitting ions from an ion generator into the electrochemically activated liquid, wherein the ions have a charge polarity that is opposite to the ORP of the liquid.
US08337686B2
A water treatment apparatus that includes a cation exchange chamber containing a cation exchange resin and an anion exchange chamber containing an anion exchange resin. A bipolar interface is located between the resin chambers and defines a zone of water disassociation. A cathode communicates with the cation exchange chamber through a cation exchange membrane. An anode communicates with the anion exchange chamber through an anion exchange membrane. Dilution or flushing water flows through cathode and anode chambers and conveys captured ions to a drain or other waste connection. A baffle may be used in some configurations to divide a resin chamber into an exhausted resin region and a regenerated resin region and causes incoming water to flow through the exhausted resin region first. The exhausted resin region is located near its associated electrode, thus improving the electrical efficiency of the cell. In an alternate design, the apparatus includes a cathode/anode chamber, an anode chamber and an auxiliary electrode chamber disposed between the cathode/anode chamber and a cation exchange media chamber. An anion exchange membrane separates the cathode/anode chamber from the auxiliary electrode chamber. The anode chamber, cathode/anode chamber and auxiliary electrode chamber are energized in predetermined sequences to create both service cycles which produce softened water with reduced ionic content and cleaning cycles to de-scale the auxiliary electrode chamber and/or anion exchange membrane located between the cathode/anode chamber and the auxiliary electrode chamber.
US08337681B2
To achieve an improved end block, in which heating by induction eddy currents, which may occur during AC sputtering, for example, is significantly reduced relative to known end blocks, an end block for a magnetron configuration having a rotating target comprises an end block housing having an attachment surface for attaching the end block on a support apparatus, a pivot bearing for rotatable mounting of the rotating target, and at least one current conduction apparatus which conducts current through the end block housing in operation of the end block. The end block housing is implemented so that each current path in the end block housing which encloses the current conduction apparatus has an interruption at least one point.
US08337679B2
The present invention relates to electrolytic cathode assemblies typically used in the refining or winning of metals and to methods of manufacturing and using same. The cathode assembly comprises an electrically conductive hanger bar and a deposition plate attached along an upper end to the hanger bar to define a joint. The cathode assembly further comprises a protective covering having lateral edges and surrounding the hanger bar and a portion of the upper end of the deposition plate so as to substantially enclose the joint and to leave end portions of the hanger bar exposed outside of the lateral edges of the protective covering. Each end of the protective covering includes a corrosion resistant material positioned to form a substantially continuous seal between the protective covering and the hanger bar, thereby to at least hinder fluid flow into the protective covering. Methods of manufacturing and using the electrolytic cathode assemblies are also described.
US08337667B2
A doctoring system is disclosed for cleaning a moving surface in a papermaking machine, and the doctoring system includes a doctor blade and fluid assist system. The doctor blade is coupled to a doctor blade holder, and the doctor blade holder is coupled to a doctor-back. The fluid assist system is for providing a fluid under positive pressure that is higher than atmospheric pressure. The fluid is directed in a direction generally opposite a direction of movement of the moving surface such that fluid of high momentum is provided to impinge on water resident within the moving surface and adjacent a leading edge of the doctor blade during movement of the moving surface.
US08337664B2
A method and apparatus of manufacturing a web which is striped with add-on material, comprising: a first slurry supply which forms a sheet of base web and moves the sheet along a first path; a second slurry supply; and a moving orifice applicator operative so as to repetitively discharge the second slurry upon the moving sheet of base web. The moving orifice applicator includes a chamber box arranged to establish a reservoir of the second slurry across the first path, an endless belt having orifice groups, the endless belt received through the chamber box, and a drive arrangement operative upon the endless belt to continuously move the orifices along an endless-path and repetitively through the chamber box. The orifices communicate with the reservoir to discharge the second slurry as bands of add-on material to the base web. Orifices within the orifice groups can be spaced relative to one another to define bands of add-on material having a relative minimum in thickness or to define spaced apart bands. Orifices may also cooperate with a stationary or moving template to define segmented bands having gaps with complex edges. The web resulting from the method or the apparatus may be used for a smoking article. A smoking article may be constructed from wrapper made with the apparatus or the method.
US08337660B2
A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece includes a reactor chamber, an electrostatic chuck within the chamber having a top surface for supporting a workpiece and having indentations in the top surface that form enclosed gas flow channels whenever covered by a workpiece resting on the top surface. The reactor further includes thermal control apparatus thermally coupled to the electrostatic chuck, an RF plasma bias power generator coupled to apply RF power to the electrostatic chuck, a pressurized gas supply of a thermally conductive gas, a controllable gas valve coupling the pressurized gas supply to the indentations to facilitate filling the channels with the thermally conductive gas for heat transfer between a backside of a workpiece and the electrostatic chuck at a heat transfer rate that is a function of the pressure against the backside of the workpiece of the thermally conductive gas. The reactor further includes an agile workpiece temperature control loop including (a) a temperature probe in the electrostatic chuck, and (b) a backside gas pressure controller coupled to an output of the temperature probe and responsive to a specified desired temperature, the controller governing the gas valve in response to a difference between the output of the temperature probe and the desired temperature.
US08337659B2
A substrate processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a spin chuck (3) that holds a substrate (W) and rotates the same. A process liquid supply system (11, . . . ) is disposed to supply a process liquid to the substrate rotated by the spin chuck. There are disposed a fluid nozzle (12) that supplies to the substrate a drying fluid having a higher volatility than that of the process liquid, and an inert gas nozzle (13) that supplies an inert gas to the substrate. A nozzle moving mechanism (15, 52, . . . ) is disposed that moves the nozzles (12, 13) radially outward relative to a rotational center (Po) of the substrate, while maintaining the inert gas nozzle nearer to the rotational center of the substrate than the fluid nozzle.
US08337655B2
A production method of a multi-layer printed wiring board containing the following steps (1)-(5): (1) a temporary fitting preparatory step including conveying an adhesive sheet from an adhesive sheet roll wherein an adhesive sheet having a prepreg formed on a support film is wound in a roll and placing the adhesive sheet such that a prepreg surface contacts one or both of the surfaces of a circuit board, (2) a temporary fitting step for temporarily fitting the adhesive sheet to the circuit board, including partially adhering the adhesive sheet to the circuit board by heating and pressing a part of the adhesive sheet from the support film side, and cutting the adhesive sheet according to the size of the circuit board with a cutter, (3) a laminating step including heating and pressing the temporarily fitted adhesive sheet under reduced pressure to laminate the adhesive sheet on the circuit board, (4) a thermal curing step including forming an insulating layer by thermally curing the prepreg, and (5) a detaching step including detaching the support film after the thermal curing step, enables continuous production of an insulating layer of a multi-layer printed wiring board with a prepreg and without using a single wafer.
US08337649B2
Disclosed herein is a refinish sheet produced by (1) coating one side of a temporary carrier sheet (A) with at least one aqueous coating material (B) comprising at least one free-radically crosslinkable binder (B1) having a glass transition temperature of −70 to +50° C., an olefinically unsaturated double bond content of 2 to 10 eq/kg, and an acid group content of 0.05 to 15 eq/kg to produce at least one resultant layer (B); and (2) drying but not curing, or only part-curing, the at least one resultant layer (B) to produce at least one dried, uncured or part-cured layer (B). Also disclosed is a method of repairing a surface of a coated substrate using the refinish sheet.
US08337646B2
A method and apparatus are provided for filling vias in a product greensheet and/or repairing vias in a product greensheet. The method and apparatus utilize a transfer greensheet having filled vias in a fixed array, which vias are punched into the product greensheet to either repair or fill the via of the product greensheet. The method and apparatus employ position determining means such as a camera, a punch head and a corresponding punch die and an activating means to activate the punch head to punch the transfer greensheet via to fill the product greensheet via. The transfer greensheet has a fixed array of filled vias and a transfer greensheet station employs a fixed plate having a plurality of vacuum ports positioned in the non-via areas of the transfer greensheet which secures the transfer greensheet during the method. The product greensheet is held by a vacuum plate.
US08337635B2
Beverage preparation device with in-line scale removal system and descaling method using such system
A beverage preparation machine comprises a fluid circuit (2) comprising a water reservoir (4), a water pump (5), a heating means (7), and a beverage producing module (9), which are fluidically connected for circulating water from the reservoir to the beverage producing module. An in-line descaling system (3) is provided in the fluid circuit (2) comprising a dedicated compartment (15) intended for receiving a predetermined dose of a water soluble/dispersible descaling agent (19). The invention also relates to a method for automatically descaling and rinsing the fluid circuit (2).
US08337631B2
A dishwasher includes a main sump that holds the main wash fluid supply, and a separate sump formed in the bottom wall of the tub away from the main sump. The separate sump holds a concentrated wash fluid supply. The separate sump supplies wash fluid for washing periods in which a highly concentrated chemistry mixture is desired.
US08337615B2
A method of making a single-crystalline Si wafer with an approximately polygonal cross section and having a material property that is the same as a zone-pulled Si crystal, and the single-crystalline Si wafer. The method includes pulling at least one bottle neck of a crystal vertically downwards from a rotating hanging melt drop. The rotational speed of the crystal is reduced to between 0 and less than 1 rpm. In a crystal-growth phase, a Si single crystal ingot is pulled vertically downwards with an approximately polygonal cross section. An inductor is used to generate a temperature profile at a growth phase boundary of the crystal that corresponds to the shape of a cross section of the pulled Si single crystal ingot. The growth is ended at a desired pulling length and the Si single crystal ingot is cut into wafers having an approximately polygonal cross section.
US08337614B2
The surface of a gallium nitride single crystal substrate is processed, e.g., comprising steps by planarizing the top side and the bottom side of a gallium nitride original substrate positioned on a support bed; radiating light having wavelengths ranging from 370 to 800 nanometers (nm) onto the planarized gallium nitride original substrate; measuring transmittance of the gallium nitride original substrate; and confirming whether the transmittance is within the range of 65 to 90%. A gallium nitride single crystal substrate obtained through the method of processing the surface has high transmittance ranging from 65 to 90% measured using light having wavelengths of 370 to 800 nm. The thickness ratio (DLa/DLb) of the damage layers on the both sides of the gallium nitride single crystal substrate can be obtained within the range of 0.99 to 1.01.
US08337610B2
A pigment dispersion containing milled particles of near infrared (NIR) absorbing pigment and an anionic surfactant of asymmetric structure as dispersant for the pigment, and a milling method for making the same are disclosed.
US08337604B1
A system for removing unwanted contaminates from gases using a scrubber, which comprises a housing, a reaction chamber having a liquid level, an inlet connected to a source containing gases to be scrubbed with a contamination concentration greater than zero ppb to saturation. A gas exit port connected to the housing is used for evacuating scrubbed gas and a sintered permeable membrane is disposed across the reaction chamber, which provides a reaction zone in the plurality of pores when gases to be scrubbed are introduced to the membrane on a first side while the membrane is immersed in the lean liquid; and a cleaned gas on a second side wherein the clean gas initially has a drop in contamination concentration of at least 99 percent and gradually decreasing to 70 percent as additional gases to be scrubbed are introduced to the plurality of pores without replacing the lean liquid.
US08337602B2
A deodorizing device is provided featuring a collection mouthpiece having an intake port and an internal channel, and a pump unit attachable to the collection mouthpiece and operable to draw malodorous air into the intake port and through the internal channel when the collection mouthpiece is attached to the pump unit. Also provided are a pump unit, a filter cartridge, a mount, and methods of assembling and using the same.
US08337595B2
Disclosed is a process for removing impurities from a product stream comprising trans HFO-1234ze and an HFO-1234 impurity that uses one or more adsorbents that are selective for the HFO-1234 impurity, such that the HFO-1234 impurity is removed from the product stream. One such impurity is HFO-1234zc, which is removed from its mixture with trans HFO-1234ze by action of an adsorbent having pores in the range of from about 5 angstroms to about 10 angstroms.
US08337587B2
A process for the recovery of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture that includes pretreating a gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide, water vapor, and one or more light gases in a pretreating system to form a cooled gas mixture, fractionating the cooled gas mixture to recover a bottoms fraction comprising carbon dioxide and an overheads fraction comprising carbon dioxide and the light gases, passing the overheads fraction over a membrane selective to carbon dioxide to separate a carbon dioxide permeate from a residue gas comprising the light gases, recycling the carbon dioxide permeate to the pretreating system, and recovering at least a portion of the bottoms fraction as a purified carbon dioxide product stream is described.
US08337585B1
A counter flow scrubber column and method for removing volatile organic compounds from a fluid stream using a packed column, a columns with trays and a biodiesel or a biomass and allowing a user to view the status of the cleaned vapor using an executive dashboard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
US08337584B2
The invention relates to a coating for a device for forming glass products, comprising: a first quasicrystalline or approximant or amorphous metallic phase; and a second phase composed of a eutectic alloy having a melting point between 950 and 1150° C. and having a nominal hardness between 30 and 65 HRc; a mould for manufacturing hollow glass products that is provided with this coating; equipment for forming glass in sheets or plates that is provided with this coating; a material constituting this coating; a premixed or prealloyed powder, or a flexible cord or cored-wire that makes it possible to obtain this coating; a thermal spraying process for obtaining this coating.
US08337583B2
Soil amendment/foliar nutrient compositions and methods for their manufacture and use are provided. The compositions are aqueous compositions that include a carbon skeleton energy component (CSE); a macronutrient; a vitamin cofactor; a complexing agent; and at least one of exotic micronutrient component and an ionophore component.
US08337582B2
A compressed air filter adapter for connecting a filter element (12) to a filter connection housing (13) includes a flow duct (21) enclosed by a wall (20) for compressed air, the flow duct (21) at a first end being delimited by a first opening (14), having an inner contour (142) defined by a first edge (141) and an outer contour (143), and at a second end by a second opening (15), having an inner contour (152) defined by a second edge (151) and an outer contour (153). The first opening (14) is provided for connection to a filter connection housing (13) and forms an opening cross-section (16), defined by the inner contour (142) of the first opening (14). The second opening (15) defines an opening on the filter side and forms a second opening cross-section (17), defined by the inner contour (152) of the second opening (15).
US08337579B2
An air cleaner assembly includes an air box and an air filter. The air box includes a body and a lid. The body includes a lower rib member coupled with at least one of a wall and a floor. The lid is movable to a closed position and includes an upper rib member that includes shoulder and arm portions. The air filter element includes a first end and defines outer and first end surfaces. The shoulder and arm portions define respective shoulder and arm surfaces. When the lid is in the closed position, the first end is sandwiched between the upper and lower rib members, the outer surface contacts each of the rest and shoulder surfaces, the first end surface contacts the arm surface, and the air filter element is positioned between and spaced from each of the floor surface and the lid surface.
US08337569B2
Disclosed are polymeric dyes of formula (1a), (1b), or (1c); wherein the substituents and variables are defined in the claims and specification. The dyes are distinguished by their depth of shade and their good fastness properties to washing, such as, for example, fastness to light, shampooing and rubbing.
US08337562B2
An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.
US08337555B2
The implant includes two side walls resting against the vertebral end-plates and an intermediate wall joining the supporting walls. The implant can be deformed for insertion between the vertebrae to be treated to restore the attenuated mobility of the vertebrae, and includes mounting elements mounting on the vertebrae. The side walls have a curved shape, whose convexity is oriented towards the outside of the implant; the intermediate wall has a curved shape, whose convexity is oriented towards the outside of the implant such that it does not form any pronounced angles with the supporting side walls. The supporting side walls and the intermediate wall, have a partially oval shape; and the mounting elements are configured such that the implant can be mounted on the vertebrae.
US08337547B2
The present invention embodies an endovascular graft having an attachment frame connection mechanism that allows placement of the main body component in vasculature in combination with limb components. Various limb component-to-main body component attachment mechanisms are provided which ensure a reliable bond while facilitating a smaller delivery profile.
US08337545B2
A prosthetic valve device, a method for making a valve device, and a method for implanting a valve device into a recipient are provided. The valve device includes at least one flexible member formed at least partially from a woven layer. The woven layer includes a first material and a second material being at least partially woven together. The at least one flexible member is movable between a first position that permits fluid flow in a first direction and a second position that substantially prevents fluid flow in a second direction. The valve has a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration.
US08337529B2
Spinal stabilization mechanisms act to prevent lateral bending, extension, and rotation across adjacent vertebrae. Methods for spinal stabilization includes placing one or more anchors at each vertebral level, positioning one or more sutures around each anchor at each level such that the each suture forms a loop or band around two adjacent anchors, applying tension to the ends of each suture to tighten the suture loop around the anchors and welding overlapping ends of each suture together to form suture bands connecting the anchors and thereby preventing lateral bending, extension, and rotation of the spinal segment. An in-growth component is placed over the anterior portions of the three adjacent vertebrae and the disk space therebetween. An anti-adhesion patch is placed over the in-growth component, anchors and elongate members. The anti-adhesion patch has one or more notches that provide access to at least two of the anchors and a flap extending from between the notches. Another elongate member is around the exposed anchors and over a portion of the anti-adhesion patch. Tension is applied to the elongate member to hold the anti-adhesion patch in place. The flap of the anti-adhesion patch is then folded back over the exposed anchors and elongate member.
US08337528B2
One or more sutures can be used in spinal applications to hold an intradiscal device in place between two vertebrae or repair a defect in the soft tissue of the spine, such as the annulus fibrosis or the dura. Tension can also be applied to the sutures to stabilize a spinal segment having an intradiscal device to prevent or minimize excessive spinal extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation of the spinal segment. Anchors are placed in two adjacent vertebrae and sutures are passed through each anchor. The sutures can be passed through portions of the intradiscal device. Alternatively, the sutures can be passed through a mesh patch which is held against the vertebrae to hold the intradiscal device in place. Tension is applied to the first and second ends of the sutures and the sutures are welded together. The sutures can be welded in a cross-braced arrangement minimize or prevent extension, lateral bending, and rotation of the spinal segment. For example, the sutures can be welded in a diagonal pattern, a horizontal pattern, a vertical pattern or any combination thereof across the adjacent vertebrae.
US08337523B2
A tissue fastener assembly delivers a fastener for deployment. The assembly includes a fastener including a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a flexible connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members. The first member has a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis. The assembly further includes a deployment wire slidingly received within the through channel of the first member that pierces into the tissue and guides the first member through the tissue, a guide structure defining a lumen that receives the fastener and deployment wire and guides the deployment wire and fastener to the tissue, and a fastener configuration structure that orientates the second member in a predetermined position relative to the first member within the lumen for dependable deployment.
US08337515B2
An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a handle assembly and an end effector operatively connected to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and an actuation cable operatively connected to the trigger and extending from the housing in such a manner that an actuation of the trigger imparts axial translation and rotation to the actuation cable. The end effector includes a tool assembly configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of operations. The actuation cable is operatively connected to the tool assembly in such a manner that the actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the axial translation thereof and/or effecting a second operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the rotation thereof.
US08337502B2
A method for preparing a proximal femoral canal of a patient during total hip replacement surgery uses a shaping instrument or broach having a proximal portion with an anterior surface, and a posterior surface, each surface being spaced apart from a medial-lateral plane through the shaping instrument. A handle portion having a proximal portion having a first longitudinal axis is connected to a transition portion having a second longitudinal axis and a distal portion having a third longitudinal axis. Wherein the handle includes a dual offset including a first compound bend between the transition portion and the proximal portion and wherein, when following a direction from the transition portion to the proximal portion, the first compound bend includes a bend in the posterior direction and a bend in the lateral direction, and wherein the first compound bend is less than 90 degrees. No plane extending through the proximal portion is coplanar with a plane extending through both the transition portion and the distal portion.
US08337498B2
A milling tool system for accurately preparing a portion of the tibia preparatory to making femoral resections. The milling too system provides a minimally invasive procedure to provide an aperture within an exposed surface of the tibia, the aperture then being used as a referencing surface to accurately resect the femur. Once the femur resections have been made, the remaining uncut portions of the tibia are exposed and easily accessible for the tibial resections.
US08337491B2
An installation for delivering calories to all or part of human or animal cell tissue via a liquid comprises: a heating unit heating the liquid; an injection unit injecting the liquid into the heating unit; a dispenser for dispensing the heated liquid; and a transporter for transporting the liquid from the heating unit to the dispenser. The installation allows the heated liquid to be dispensed from the dispensing means in a pulsed operation.
US08337490B2
An apparatus for movable weight-compensating suspension of a focusing objective of a laser system comprises a force generation device to generate a counterforce component G which counteracts the weight of the focusing objective, a transmission device which transmits the counterforce component G onto the focusing objective and permits upward/downward compensatory movement of the focusing objective, in such a way that in the case of an upward/downward compensatory movement of the focusing objective, an optical axis (O) of the focusing objective maintains at least its orientation in space, and preferably its position in space.
US08337489B2
An apparatus for cutting a flap in the cornea of an eye (10) exhibits the following: a laser radiation source for generating laser radiation, means for shaping and guiding the laser radiation in relation to the cornea (20) in such a manner that in the cornea an incision (28) arises which enables a folding of the flap (26) upwards from the cornea. In the process the incision (28) is guided in the hinge region (22) of the cornea in such a way that an undercut arises under the hinge region (22). By this means it is ensured that, in particular in the case of an fs LASIK, the intervention into the stroma is effected substantially symmetrically in relation to a central axis of the cornea (20), so that no undesirable deformations of the cornea result post-operatively by reason of the intraocular pressure.
US08337482B2
A system for perfusion management that monitors, maintains, diagnoses, or treats perfusion deficiencies.
US08337481B2
A method is provided for treating swimmer's ear and other types of otitis externa. The method comprises (a) diagnosing an instance of swimmer's ear in a patient; and (b) applying to the meatal tissues of the external ear of the patient, in a single application, a volume of a pharmaceutical composition preferably within the range of about 0.1 ml to about 1.5 ml. The pharmaceutical composition comprises a corticosteroid disposed in a viscous medium, and preferably also includes an antifungal agent. The corticosteroid is preferably betamethasone or a betamethasone derivative, and the concentration of the corticosteroid is preferably within the range of about 0.45 mg to about 0.9 mg per gram of the pharmaceutical composition.
US08337480B2
A method of producing a balloon of a balloon catheter includes the following method steps: providing a balloon body coupled to a proximal sleeve and a distal sleeve by transitional sections extending between the balloon body and the sleeves; creating folds in at least the distal sleeve; and stabilizing at least a distal section of the folds of the distal sleeve.
US08337478B2
A tampon applicator barrel includes a wall forming a tube with a center axis therthrough and with a hollow interior volume. The tube has a first barrel end and a second barrel end opposite the first barrel end to form a length therebetween that corresponds to the length of the center axis. The tube increases in diameter along the length of the tube from a first diameter to a second diameter that forms a main body section, and decreases in diameter along the length of the tube from the second diameter to a third diameter that forms a reverse taper section. The center axis is substantially straight throughout the extant of the tube.
US08337475B2
A corporeal drainage system including a fluid receptacle. The fluid receptacle in one embodiment is disposable and may be manipulated to generate a negative fluid pressure. The fluid receptacle in another embodiment is reusable and includes features to enable the insertion of a disposable bag therein. A pump may be integral to the fluid receptacle, the pump including a pair of unidirectional check valves. A catheter connection system is described, which facilitates connection between a fluid flow conduit and an implanted catheter. Methods of producing active and passive siphon systems are also disclosed.
US08337472B2
A sheath remover device is of elongate tubular form having a sheath capture region at one end and a passage along which a captured sheath may pass from the capture region. A plurality of latching fingers, each with an internally directed latch, are equi-spaced in the capture region. Two further inwardly directed latches are on the cut out regions. The sheath remover is designed so that, a sheath already disposed in the sheath capture region is pushed along the passage away from the sheath capture region when the remover is offered up to and engages the subsequent sheath. The spacing of the latches and is such that the earlier sheath is not released from latches until the latches have securely engaged in the subsequent sheath, thereby providing an indication of secure engagement of the subsequent sheath. The sheath remover may also be used as a cap and/or a cocking rod.
US08337470B2
An apparatus for facilitating fluid flow between an internal body structure and a device external to the body comprises a housing having proximal and distal chambers separated from one another by a wall and fluidly connected to proximal port and distal ports. The wall includes a valve selectively sealing first and second openings thereof and a canopy biased toward a sealing position sealingly surrounding the first opening. The bias of the canopy is set to define a first pressure differential at which the canopy is moved out of the sealing position to permit fluid transfer therepast in a first direction. A duck-bill stem extends through the second opening and includes a lumen extending therethrough with walls of the stem being biased toward a sealing position and configured so that, when a second pressure differential is applied at at least a second level, the first end opens to permit flow therepast.
US08337464B2
Ports for accessing a vessels within a patient include passageways that can guide needles or other access devices directly into the vessels. The ports can be implanted subcutaneously within a patient. Some ports may be used in the creation and use of vascular access buttonholes.
US08337450B2
An apparatus that includes two syringes, or a “double barrel syringe,” includes one syringe that injects or infuses while the other syringe aspirates. In the double barrel syringe, injection and aspiration may be effected by a single action. The double barrel syringe may include a handle with two members. A first member of such a handle includes one arm that pivotally couples to a plunger of a first syringe and another arm that pivotally couples to a barrel of a second syringe. A second member of the handle includes one arm that pivotally couples to a barrel of the first syringe and another arm that pivotally couples to a plunger of the second syringe. Methods for injecting or infusing simultaneously with aspirating are also disclosed.
US08337449B2
A dialysis system includes a dialysis instrument and a disposable cassette. The dialysis instrument includes three pump actuators. The disposable cassette includes three dialysate pump chambers. The three dialysate pump chambers are positioned and arranged to operate with the three dialysate pump actuators of the dialysis instrument.
US08337448B2
A dialysis apparatus includes a housing; a first electrical contact carried by the housing; a hydrogel material located within the housing; a second electrical contact connected to the hydrogel material, the hydrogel material located so as to be contacted by a liquid flowing through the housing; and wherein the hydrogel material expands as the material absorbs the liquid such that the second electrical contact is moved and eventually engage the first electrical contact.
US08337446B2
A housing for a prosthetic valve comprises a first housing portion having a conduit end opening and a valve end opening, a second housing portion having a conduit end opening, a valve end opening and a threaded outer surface adjacent the valve end opening, a first conduit coupled to the conduit end opening of the first housing portion, a second conduit coupled to the conduit end opening of the second housing portion, and a connecting member having a threaded inner surface. The threaded outer surface of the second housing portion is structured to mate with the threaded inner surface of the connecting member to couple the first housing portion to the second housing portion.
US08337441B2
A modular splint system having a base for securing to the limb, with various intervening components for joint positioning, with outriggers for mounting various tensioning devices and secured to the base with reclosable fasteners for precise alignment of forces.
US08337437B2
A system made up of methods and techniques designed to improve the body's postural alignment, joint range, muscle hydration, bone density, and overall musculoskeletal health. The system combines a series of exercises designed to lengthen and strengthen muscles, fascial and myofascial tissue. The system is used in combination with a vibrating roller device, which can also be used with a head cradle. The application of the vibrational motion to the body in combination with the techniques described herein work to stimulate fascial tissue and confer benefits on the user which will improve the overall quality of life.
US08337435B2
A method and apparatus for self-treating internal muscle and trigger points related to pelvic pain in women and men. The apparatus includes a rod having a handle attached to a straight portion at a first end of the rod and a pressure applicator attached to a second end of the rod, where a first curved portion is disposed between the straight portion of the rod and the second end of the rod. In the method of the present invention, a trigger point is located in the patient's pelvic floor, the patient inserts the apparatus either vaginally or rectally to allow contact of the pressure applicator of the apparatus with the pelvic floor, and pressure is applied to the trigger point using the apparatus.
US08337434B2
A plurality of concepts related to HIFU therapy are disclosed, including a technique to spatially track and display the relative positions of a HIFU focal point and an imaging plane from an ultrasound imager, so that a clinician can ensure that the HIFU focus remains in the image plane during HIFU therapy, thereby facilitating image guided HIFU therapy. Also disclosed are a plurality of transvaginal probes that include a HIFU transducer optimized for the treatment of uterine fibroids. In one embodiment, the probe includes a piezoceramic crystal bonded to an aluminum lens, to achieve a HIFU transducer having a focal length of about 4 cm. In another embodiment, the probe includes a generally spoon-shaped transducer including a plurality of individual emitter elements. Still another concept disclosed herein is a method for evaluating a quality of a coupling between a liquid-filled volume encompassing a HIFU transducer and a tissue interface.
US08337429B2
A coil device is provided having a member adapted to extend around and conform to an outer surface of a subject and a conductor adapted to extend only once around a first portion of the subject. The coil device can be positioned about the subject in order to measure a volume of the subject. When placed about the subject in the presence of a relatively homogeneous magnetic field, the conductor can generate a signal indicative of a volume of the first portion of the subject. The coil device may also include two or more conductors separately generating signals indicating volumes of two or more corresponding portions of the subject. In some cases the coil device includes associated authorization data that can limit use of the coil device. Systems and methods incorporating the coil device are also provided.
US08337428B2
A sensor system uses positive closed-loop feedback to provide energy waves into a medium. It comprises a transducer (604), a propagating structure (602), and a transducer (606). A parameter is applied to the propagating structure that affects the medium. A sensor is coupled to a propagation tuned oscillator (416) that forms a positive closed-loop feedback path. The propagation tuned oscillator (416) includes a zero-crossing receiver (200) that generates a pulse upon sensing a transition of an energy wave from the propagating structure (602). The zero-crossing receiver (200) is in the feedback path that maintains the emission of energy waves into the propagating structure (602). The zero-crossing receiver (200) comprises a preamplifier (206), a filter (208), an offset adjustment circuit (210), a comparator (212) and a pulse circuit (218). The transit time, phase, or frequency is measured of the propagating energy waves and correlated to the parameter being measured.
US08337421B2
A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.
US08337419B2
A tissue penetration device and method of using same. The tissue penetration device may optionally include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood. Electric field coils or solenoids may drive the lancet using electromagnetic force. Advancement and retraction of a lancet may be controlled by a feedback loop monitoring the position and velocity of the lancet embodiments of the lancet driver can be configured to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile. Embodiments of the invention include a lancet and method for using a lancet to maintain the patency of the wound tract once the lancet has cut into the skin.
US08337418B2
The present invention is directed to the parenteral procurement of bodily-fluid samples. The present invention is also directed to systems and methods for parenterally procuring bodily-fluid samples with reduced contamination from dermally-residing microbes. In some embodiments, a bodily-fluid withdrawing system is used to withdraw bodily fluid from a patient for incubation in culture media in one or more sample vessels. Prior to withdrawing bodily fluid into the one or more sample vessels for incubation, an initial volume of withdrawn bodily fluid is placed in one or more pre-sample reservoirs and is not used for the incubation in culture media.
US08337413B2
A sensor system is used for measuring, transmitting, processing and displaying a brain parameter. The sensor system has at least one implantable brain parameter sensor with a wireless transmission unit for measuring the brain parameter. At least one receiving unit with an antenna is in wireless signal connection with the latter. At least one data read module is in signal connection with the antenna and a data processing and display device is in turn in signal connection with said data read module. The sensor system also has a head cap or a head hood, on which the receiving unit is fixed to predetermine a relative position relative to the transmitting unit. A sensor system is the result, the use of which remains comfortable for the patient even over a relatively long measuring period.
US08337410B2
Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response.
US08337408B2
This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for remote monitoring of patient cognitive function using implanted cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices and a patient management system. The method comprising: presenting a cognitive test to a patient via a user interface; receiving a result of the cognitive test using the user interface; and using the result of the cognitive test in determining a heart failure condition status.
US08337400B2
An illumination device for use in an endoscope includes a light source, an optical fiber and a wavelength conversion member. The optical fiber guides light to a tip end of an endoscope insertion portion of the endoscope. The wavelength conversion member is provided at an emission end of the optical fiber. The wavelength conversion member configured to be excited by the light source. The illumination device can provide white illumination light obtained by mixing light emitted from the optical fiber and light obtained by exciting the wavelength conversion member by the light emitted from the optical fiber. Also, the illumination device can provide illumination light being different from the white illumination light, by using other excitation light.
US08337398B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of medicine, in particular diagnostics and surgery. By applying endoscopy in the diagnostics and surgery sector, surgical instruments, apparatus or processes are used for examining the interior of living organisms and/or for operative interventions. As such, said invention relates to a medical instrument, in particular a surgical instrument, for use in the endoscopy, comprising a tubular element, work element and an operating element. The operating element advantageously consists of an ergonomic axial grip with an integrated locking mechanism and an instrument shaft cleaning connection.
US08337396B2
An encapsulated medical device system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a selector between a receiving device and a plurality of receiving antennas having their respective directionalities. The system selects and disconnects any receiving antenna subjected to the effect of a magnetic field used to guide a capsule endoscope, and captures information about the inside of a body from the appropriate receiving antenna thus selected. The system prevents an overload current caused by induced voltage from being applied to the receiving device. The system includes the function of preventing the overload current, caused by induced voltage arising from a sudden movement of the capsule endoscope or sudden change in magnetic field gradient, from being applied to a transmission circuit of the capsule endoscope and a receiving device.
US08337394B2
An endoscopic overtube with articulating fingers extending from the distal end. The articulating fingers form an opening that may be expanded by a balloon. When positioned in a puncture site in a tissue wall, the articulating fingers dilate and enlarge the puncture site to allow for the body of the overtube to pass through the puncture site. In various embodiments, the fingers may further comprise cutting elements to assist in the dilation of the puncture site.
US08337387B2
Methods, compositions and kits for determining the developmental potential of one or more embryos or pluripotent cells and/or the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one or more embryos or pluripotent cells are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in identifying embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.
US08337382B2
Radiosurgical techniques and systems treat behavioral disorders (such as depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (“OCD”), addiction, hyperphagia, and the like) by directing radiation from outside the patient toward a target tissue within the patient's brain, typically without imposing surgical trauma. The target will often be included in a neural circuit associated with the behavioral disorder. A cellularly sub-lethal dose of the radiation may be applied and the radiation can mitigate the behavioral disorder, obesity, or the like, by modulating the level of neural activity within the target and in associated tissues. Hypersensitive and/or hyperactive neuronal tissue may be targeted, with the radiation downwardly modulating hyperactive neuronal activity. By down-regulating the activity of a target that normally exerts negative feedback or a limiting effect on a relevant neural circuit, the activity of the circuit may be increased.
US08337371B2
An exercise apparatus comprising two adjustable cuffs configured to encircle a user's extremity on either side of an articulated joint, such as the elbow. Each cuff is provided with a connector ring for conveniently connecting a pull line to a weight machine, suspended free weight, or other resistance generating exercise machine. One or both connector rings may be engaged by the pull line. The two connector rings are interconnected by an adjustable-length isolator strap which limits the range of motion of the user's elbow. By isolating arm movement, the apparatus enables isolated exercise of chest, shoulder, or back muscle groups. As hands are not necessary, the apparatus also enables users having a hand or other lower arm infirmity to continue other upper-body muscle exercises.
US08337364B2
A training support system (S) allows an exerciser to practice training exercises safely and effectively with high motivation. The training support system (S) comprises a display means (4) which conducts display relating to training for the exerciser who uses a training machine (1) for muscle training, and a controller (3). The controller (3) allows dynamic display of reference motion and training motion on the display means (4) and variation of the display on the display means (4) according to the difference between the reference motion and the training motion.
US08337362B2
A control device includes a differential rotation obtaining unit; a direct-coupling control unit that decreases the differential rotation speed by increasing an engagement pressure of the direct-coupling clutch at a normal pressure increase rate determined depending on a traveling state of a vehicle so as to change the direct-coupling clutch from a released state to an engaged state; and a pressure increase control unit that changes to a rapid pressure increase rate larger than the normal pressure increase rate for increasing the engagement pressure by the direct-coupling control unit when the differential rotation speed becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined pressure increase permission threshold in a state that an accelerator opening of the vehicle decreases.
US08337359B2
A hybrid engine and coupling system for use with a vehicle or other load which employs a motor/generator unit connected through controllable couplers to a kinetic energy storage device and to one or more internal combustion engine modules in a programmed manner. Several embodiments provide varying configurations to satisfy various power and packaging design requirements.
US08337356B2
A system and method for altering the axial thrust load path within an automobile transmission eliminates the component end play in the transmission's roller clutch inner race and induces component end play in the transmission's rear sun gear. The resulting configuration moves portions of the axial thrust load path to across the roller clutch inner race and away from at least the transmission's sun gear and the reaction shell splines of the reaction shell. The system may include a kit in which an axially shortened roller clutch inner race and an appropriately sized bearing are provided. Additional kit components may include an axially shortened reaction shell. Alternatively, the roller clutch inner race and/or reaction shell may be shortened manually. A method of altering a preexisting transmission to have a new axial thrust load path is also provided.
US08337355B2
There is provided an eccentric speed reducer that achieves improved output torque without increasing the outer radial dimension of a casing. The strut includes, at the basal portion of a peripheral side surface where the strut is continuous with the base carrier, first curved portions and second curved portions that are in a form of a curved surface having a different radius of curvature. The first curved portions are provided at the supporting hole-facing sides of the strut that are disposed facing the rotation supporting holes. The second curved portions are provided between an outer side located in the strut at an outer position in the radial direction of the casing and on the side facing the inner circumference of the casing, and supporting hole-facing sides. The second curved portions have a larger radius of curvature than the first curved portions.
US08337350B2
A power transmission unit in which an inspection and tuning of an electric motor can be carried out easily. In the power transmission unit, a rotor of the electric motor is arranged between a first shaft of an input side and a second shaft of an output side, and in which the first shaft, the second shaft, and the rotor are integrally connected at least in a rotational direction. The first shaft is connected with the rotor, and the first shaft is also connected with the second shaft.
US08337348B2
In a silent chain, cushion pads are provided in the inner flank regions of at least every second link row. These cushion pads restrict inward flexion of the chain and reduce vibration of the free span regions of the chain. The cushion pads can be individual pads each associated with a link plate, or elongated pads each associated with a row of link plates. In either case, side parts protruding toward the outside of the loop formed by the chain can also restrict outward flexion of the chain.
US08337341B1
An arrow point includes a tip portion, a neck portion, a threaded portion, a front O-ring, and a rear O-ring. The depth of the front O-ring groove and the rear O-ring groove are equal to a dimension that is at least 50% of the thickness of the cross section of front O-ring and rear O-ring. The grooves have a depth of at least 50% of the cross sectional thickness of the O-rings, the grooves contain the O-rings and prevent the O-rings from being pulled out of the grooves. The cross section diameter of the neck portion of the arrow point is less than the inside diameter of the arrow insert. The compression forces on the front O-ring and the rear O-ring that concentrically align the arrow point within the arrow insert also prevent the arrow point from vibrating loose within the arrow insert.
US08337334B2
Golf balls include an exterior cover having a plurality of dimples arranged thereon, wherein from 5 to 95% of the dimples have a non-uniform dimple profile. At least a majority of the dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile on the golf ball body may be arranged in 2-24 repeating dimple clusters on the exterior surface of the ball. In some example structures, the exterior surface of the ball will include from 4-18 repeating dimple clusters, from 4-12 repeating dimple clusters, or even from 6-10 repeating dimple clusters.
US08337332B2
Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber inner core, a thermoplastic first intermediate core layer, a thermoplastic second intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer.
US08337330B2
A golf ball includes a single core formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition, an inner cover disposed about the core, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes an ionomeric material and has a hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater. The outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer, is formed from a castable polyurea or polyurethane, and has a material hardness of about 60 Shore D or less. The outer surface of the core has a trans content of about 12% or less and a hardness of about 71 to 88 Shore C, the geometric center of the core has a trans content of about 10% or less and a hardness of about 70 to 80 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than the geometric center hardness by about 1 to 10 Shore C to define a shallow positive hardness gradient.
US08337328B2
A hybrid wood-type golf club head (20) with a main body (22) and a minor body (24) is disclosed herein. The main body (26) has a front portion (30), a crown portion (25), a partial toe portion (27), a partial heel portion (26), a partial rear portion (28) and a partial sole portion (29). The minor body (24) preferably has a sole wall (31), a partial toe wall (33), a partial heel wall (32) and a partial rear wall (34). The minor body (24) is preferably welded to the main body (22). The minor body (24) preferably has a mass ranging from 80 grams to 130 grams. The minor body (24) is preferably from 55 weight percent to 35 weight percent of the total mass of the wood-type golf club head (20).
US08337320B2
Putters include a putter body having a ball striking face member made of a material having a first hardness characteristic. A cavity is defined in the putter body behind the ball striking face member, and plural openings are defined in the ball striking face member extending rearward with respect to the ball striking face member and into the cavity. A polymeric material at least partially fills the openings and the cavity, wherein the polymeric material has a second hardness characteristic that is softer than the first hardness characteristic. The ball striking face member and the polymeric material exposed in at least some of the openings provide a ball striking surface of the putter. The ball striking surface may include grooves or scorelines to affect the launch angle, spin, and/or roll of the ball during a putt. Methods for making such putter devices also are described.
US08337311B2
A base game may be a conventional video reel-type game. During play of the base game, at least a first progressive jackpot is accumulated by a first percentage of the wagers. A community Bingo game is concurrently initiated for all eligible players (players betting above the minimum bet) when an eligible player achieves a special symbol combination in the base game. The number of virtual Bingo cards dealt to each eligible player is based on the player's average bet. A central controller then random selects Bingo numbers, one at a time, and the first player to fill in a Bingo card wins the bonus game and an award. Only the player that triggered the bonus game is eligible for the first progressive jackpot. At various levels of the game, the players are motivated to bet above the minimum bet to be eligible for the bonus game and increase the player's chances of winning the bonus game.
US08337310B1
The invention utilizes the predicted margin of victory in an event as a metric on which to base an online game in which users attempt to predict the outcome of an upcoming event or set of events. The game also utilizes the aggregate of all the margins set by users participating in the game as a measure of how users participating in the game, as a whole, are predicting the outcome of a pending event. This is achieved by means of a method for enabling users to identify upcoming events within the context of the game and enter values to record their predicted winners and margins for one or more of these upcoming events.
US08337307B2
A game apparatus repeatedly calculates a gravity center position based on load values detected by respective load sensors of a load controller. The game apparatus sequentially reproduces each of measures of a musical piece by reproducing a next measure when the gravity center position moves beyond a reference line. In this case, the game apparatus changes a reproduction sound volume in accordance with the gravity center position and a speed at which the gravity center moves.
US08337306B2
A method for controlling a view of a scene is provided. The method initiates with detecting an initial location of a control object. An initial view of the scene is displayed on a virtual window, the initial view defined by a view-frustum based on a projection of the initial location of the control object through outer edges of the virtual window. Movement of the control object to a new location is detected. An updated view of the scene is displayed on the virtual window, the updated view defined by an updated view-frustum based on a projection of the new location of the control object through the outer edges of the virtual window.
US08337305B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a controller to obtain a user input that was inputted into a first accessory operably coupled with the computing device where the first accessory provides a user interface for user interaction with a video game, determine a language of an intended recipient of the user input based on an identity of the intended recipient, access a multi-lingual library comprising a plurality of words associated with the video game, match the user input to one or more words of the plurality of words of the multi-lingual library to generate a translated message in the determined language of the intended recipient, and provide the translated message to a second accessory for presentation to the intended recipient in real-time. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08337298B2
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes a plurality of different types of progressive awards adapted to be provided to one or more players of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with a progressive hit value, wherein when each progressive award increments to its respective progressive hit value, a triggering event occurs and such progressive award is provided to a player. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with a secondary game, wherein if the secondary game is triggered, a player is provided either a fixed award or one of the progressive awards associated with the secondary game based on a play of the secondary game. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with an outcome of a primary game, such as a designated symbol combination, wherein if the associated primary game outcome is generated, such progressive award is provided to a player.
US08337292B2
A slot machine method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to allow a player to make a side wager on a slot machine game. The side wager is based on a finishing order of the reels of the slot machine, which will stop spinning in a random order instead of the typical left to right order. The player can predict (or be presented with) a predicted order, and the predicted order is compared to an actual stopping order after the reels are spun to determine if the side wager is a winner, and for how much.
US08337277B2
A polishing pad forms a planar surface on glass, semiconductors, dielectric material/metal composites and integrated circuits, as well as a polishing apparatus where it is difficult for the surface of the substrate to be scratched, the state of polishing can be accurately measured optically during polishing, and whether or not the entire surface of the workpiece is uniformly polished can be measured. The polishing pad includes a through hole that connects the polishing surface and the rear surface in such a location as to pass through the center of the wafer during polishing, the end of the through hole closer to the center of the polishing pad is at a distance of no less than 35% of the radius from the center of the polishing pad, the length of the through hole in the direction of the center of the polishing pad is the same as or shorter than the length in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the center of the polishing pad, the length of the through hole in the direction of the center of the polishing pad is no more than 10% of the radius, and the length of the through hole in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the center of the polishing pad is no more than 12.5% of the radius.
US08337261B2
A contact formed by electroforming and extended in a direction roughly perpendicular to a voltage application direction in the electroforming has a contact portion disposed at one end of the contact, which is brought into sliding contact with a conductive member along the voltage application direction in the electroforming.
US08337259B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing (1) having a top wall (11) and a bottom wall (12) opposite to each other, at least one terminal slot located between the top wall and the bottom wall; a corresponding terminal (2) received in the terminal slot, and the terminal (2) having a body portion (20), a connecting portion (22) extending backwardly from the body portion and a contacting portion (29) extending forwardly from the body portion, the contacting portion (29) defining a positioning slot (28); and wherein there is a positioning member (121) located in the terminal slot and extending into the positioning slot.
US08337257B2
A busbar circuit structure has a positive side busbar (30) and a negative side busbar (40) arranged to face each other. Each of the positive side busbar (30) and the negative side busbar (40) has two bolt fastening portions (31, 41) arranged in parallel on a same plane and a coupling portion (32, 42) coupling the bolt fastening portions (31, 41) and extending in a direction intersecting with the same plane. The busbar circuit structure may be mounted to a terminal block housing (20) of a terminal block (10).
US08337249B2
The invention relates to a right-angle connector (20a, 20b), comprising a plurality of contact elements (50a, 50b) which are arranged next to one another and provided at the back of the right-angle connector (20a, 20b) for soldering to conductors of a printed circuit board (4), comprising an upper shielding (22a, 22b) arranged at least on the upper side of the right-angle connector (20a, 20b) and a lower shielding (34a, 34b) arranged on the lower side. The right-angle (20a, 20b) according to the invention is characterized in that the lower shielding (34a, 34b) contains a lower shielding element (36a, 36b) on the connector side, the shielding surface (37a, 37b) of the element being oriented in the connecting direction (28), the lower shielding (34a, 34b) furthermore contains a separate, rear lower shielding element (38a, 38b), and the lower shielding elements (36a, 36b, 38a, 38b) are electrically connected to each other. The method according to the invention for producing the right-angle connector (20a, 20b) uses a laser weld connection for at least the two lower shielding elements (36a, 36b, 38a, 38b). The right-angle connector (20a, 20b) according to the invention allows high-frequency signals to be conducted with high signal quality and high signal integrity. The shielding of the right-angle connector (20a, 20b) according to the invention can be produced in a cost-effective manner with the method according to the invention.
US08337241B2
A front load keystone D-shape connector includes a D-shape connector body having a plurality of conducting terminals located on one side thereof, and a frame shell holding the D-shape connector body therein and mountable in one mounting slot on a keystone wall plate/keystone panel, the frame shell having hooks backwardly extended from a back side thereof and adapted for insertion into one mounting slot on the keystonewall plate/keystone panel from a front side for hooking on a part of the keystone wall plate/keystone panel inside the mounting slot. Thus, the invention enhances the application range and convenience of use of a D-subminiature/digital video interface connector.
US08337230B1
An electrical connector including a housing provided thereon with an opening through which a flat circuit device is inserted into the housing, a plurality of conductive contacts arranged on the housing, and a holding member attached to the housing to be operative to hold the flat circuit device inserted in the housing and then to release the flat circuit device from holding by the holding member, wherein the holding member has a base portion fixed to the housing and a movable arm portion extending from the base portion, and the movable arm portion is provided thereon with an engaging portion operative to be put in engagement with the flat circuit device inserted in the housing so as to hold the same and a releasing portion protruding from the movable arm portion to the outside of the housing and is operative to move for releasing the engaging portion from the engagement with the flat circuit device when the releasing portion is manipulated to be shifted in position.
US08337229B2
A connector having a nut-body continuity element is provided, wherein the nut-body continuity element electrically couples a nut and a connector body, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the nut and the connector body. Furthermore, the nut-body continuity element facilitates grounding through the connector, and renders an electromagnetic shield preventing ingress of unwanted environmental noise.
US08337226B2
A connector is configured to be connected to a connecting object. The connector comprises a housing, an actuator, an upper contact and a lower contact. The actuator has a lift-up portion and is held by the housing so as to be pivotable between an open position and a close position. The upper contact and the lower contact are held by the housing. The connecting object is accommodated between the upper contact and the lower contact when the actuator is located at the open position. When the actuator is pivoted and located at the close position, the lift-up portion forces an end of the upper contact to move so that an opposite end of the upper contact presses the connection object downward. Then, the connection object forces an end of the lower contact to move so that an opposite end of the lower contact presses the connection object upward.
US08337222B2
This invention provides a connector socket and a portable electronic device using the same. The connector socket is disposed at a casing for connecting a connector. The connector socket includes a rotatable element and a biasing element. The rotatable element is pivotally connected to the casing. The biasing element is coupled to the casing and the rotatable element. The rotatable element has a protrudent portion. When the connector is connected to the connector socket, the connector presses the protrudent portion to allow the rotatable element to automatically rotate from a storage position to an open position. When the connector is separated from the connector socket, the rotatable element automatically rotates from the open position to the storage position via the biasing element.
US08337220B2
In one embodiment, a grounding bracket is provided for apparatus, such as optical network terminals (ONTs), for grounding interior electrical wiring such as coaxial cables that are electrically coupled with fiber optic fed devices. The grounding bracket provides an electrically conductive pathway for the coaxial cable, which pathway carries current safely to a ground wire from the coaxial cable. The grounding bracket carries all of the current from the coaxial cable to the ground wire without relying upon any printed circuit board (PCB) traces of the ONT to carry current to the ground wire.
US08337213B2
A toothbrushing monitoring device for a user includes a sensor coupled with the toothbrush for measuring toothbrushing patterns, a recording device coupled with the sensor, and a comparator. The recording device records data relating to the user's preferred toothbrushing patterns in a first mode, which is used to establish toothbrushing pattern reference data. The comparator compares toothbrushing patterns measured by the sensor and the toothbrushing pattern reference data, which may be output to an output device. In one example, the sensor consists of only an accelerometer.
US08337209B2
A computerized training system and methods are provided for training an individual in self-evaluation and to interact with a partner. The training system and methods comprise an intelligence assessor to identify an intelligence makeup of the individual by scoring a completed intelligence questionnaire. Intelligences include Logic, Emotion and Intuition. An asset assessor assesses the strength of Three Assets of the individual by scoring a completed asset questionnaire. Assets include a Technical, a Psychological, and a Relational asset. A perception assayer identifies a dominant Perceptual Orientation of the individual by cross referencing the intelligence makeup with the viewpoint of the individual. An aggregator collects the profile information of the individual to generate an innate profile report and a self-insight report of the individual. A facilitator aids in exploring the insight report. A synchronizer may synchronize the individual with a partner by forming a dyad between the individual and the partner. A trainer may also train the individual to resolve conflicts with the partner.
US08337202B2
An apparatus for measuring a dental occlusion includes: a position sensor (30) for detecting a position and posture of a lower jaw (12) relative to an upper jaw (11) and; an arithmetic circuit (31) for computing a posture relative to a translation distance in a state of occlusal contact. The computation is derived from the position and posture of the lower jaw (12) relative to the upper jaw (11) detected by the position sensor (30). The apparatus also includes a display monitor (32) for displaying the posture relative to the translation distance computed by the arithmetic circuit (31).
US08337181B2
The claimed invention relates to rotary pumps. The claimed rotary pump comprises: an hollow housing having a side wall and end-face walls; a shaft rotatably positioned in the housing essentially in parallel with the side wall, the distance between the housing side wall and the shaft is variable; deformable rollers that are arranged and adapted to move, when the shaft rotates, between the housing side-wall and the shaft, while moving their deformation being maximal in the region of the minimal distance between the housing side-wall and the shaft; and sealed cavities, each of which cavities being defined by two contiguous rollers, the housing's side wall and end-face walls; the sealed cavities being adapted to communicate with the suction port as their volume increases, and communicate with the delivery port as their volume decreases. The technical result: an enhanced delivery capacity—with simultaneous decrease in dimensions and mass; an improved cost-effectiveness, extended longevity and more simple operation.
US08337172B2
A pressure washer system includes an engine block, a water conduit, a water pump, and a spray gun. The engine block is for a horizontally-shafted internal combustion engine, and has a chamber therein. The chamber is designed to contain oil for cooling and lubricating the internal combustion engine. The water conduit has a garden hose connector on an end thereof, and is fastened to the engine block. As such, heat transfers from the engine block to a flow of water passing through the water conduit during operation of the internal combustion engine. The water pump is coupled to the water conduit, where the flow of water is driven by the water pump. The spray gun is coupled to the water pump, where the flow of water exits the pressure washer system via the spray gun.
US08337171B2
A pump drive system having a pump drive element that is driven by a first or a second drive mechanism. The pump drive element is connectable or connected by a coupling element in a rotationally fixed connection either through a first free-wheel device to the first drive mechanism or through a second free-wheel device to the second drive mechanism.
US08337161B2
A blade root extender for a wind turbine assembled between the blade root and a hub fixed to the wind turbine's nacelle. The extender is made up of a hollow, corrugated cylinder and one or two terminal flanges with holes for some preloaded stud bolts that apply pressure to the blade root extender.
US08337160B2
A high efficiency turbine system which can increase a pressure differential between an upstream location and a downstream location. The turbine system includes a propeller attached to a shaft, which can both be located in a shroud. The shroud includes a projection, such as a brim, which protrudes inward and/or outward from the shroud. The projection includes brim units arranged asymmetrically and/or in repeating patterns to generate various vortex and swirl patterns. The brim units can have a different size, shape, width, and/or height than an adjacent brim unit. The brim units can be arranged in a non-parallel manner and can be rotatable. Furthermore, the brim units can form brim groups which can be arranged asymmetrically and/or in repeating patterns to generate various swirl patterns. The turbine system can also be used in a renewable energy system, which can be used to power electronic devices.
US08337149B1
A gas turbine engine includes a fan section, a gear arrangement configured to drive the fan section, a compressor section and a turbine section. The compressor section includes a low pressure compressor section and a high pressure compressor section. The turbine section is configured to drive compressor section and the gear arrangement. An overall pressure ratio, which is provided by a combination of a pressure ratio across said low pressure compressor section and a pressure ratio across said high pressure compressor section, is greater than about 35. The pressure ratio across the high pressure compressor section is between about 7 and about 15, and a pressure ratio across the fan section is less than or equal to 1.45.
US08337143B2
Actuator in a turbocharger of a vehicle and method for controlling the same is disclosed, in which a position of a vane is followed up in controlling a PWM signal to be applied to a motor according to time for preventing an overcurrent from flowing to the motor connected to the vane of the turbocharger.
US08337140B2
A system for controlling at least two variable-geometry equipments of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The engine includes at least a first core rotating at a first speed and a second core rotating at a second speed. The first equipment includes at least one variable-pitch stator blade of a compressor of the first core and the second equipment includes at least one air bleed valve of a compressor of the second engine core moving between an open position at idle speed and a closed position at high speed. The system includes an actuator which actuates both equipments.
US08337130B2
A T-nut includes a cylindrical shaft section that opens at both ends and includes an internal thread at an inner peripheral surface thereof; a flange that extends outwardly from a first end portion of the shaft section; and a sealing member that seals the first-end-portion-side opening of the shaft section, and is formed of elastomeric resin. The sealing member includes a circular cylindrical portion and a dome-shaped cover, the circular cylindrical portion closely contacting the inner peripheral surface and opening at a first-end-portion side, the cover being formed continuously to an edge of the circular cylindrical portion at a second-end-portion side, a top of the cover facing the second-end-portion side, an outer peripheral surface of the circular cylindrical portion having an externally threaded long-and-narrow protruding portion that seals a space at a root of the internal thread.
US08337127B2
An improved cargo restraint for installation on a preselected track mounted in or on the surface of a vehicle carrying the cargo and the restraint is mounted on a bracket which abuts the cargo to restrain the movement of the cargo and the restraint is slidingly movable on the track and has a locking position on the track wherein the bracket restrains the cargo and the restraint has no relative movement with respect to the track or the bracket or the vehicle so that there is no rattling of the restraint when in the locked position.
US08337120B2
A rock bolt for being grouted in a borehole, —includes an elongate cylindrical massive stem (1) with extensive lengths of stem portions (1s) separated by integrated anchors (2). The anchors are distributed with separations along the length of the stem (1). The anchors (2) are locally anchored relative to their local borehole wall portions for taking up load arising due to rock deformation. The stem portions (1s) are arranged for slipping relative to the grout or the borehole so as for each of the stems (1s) to take up local elongation strain between pairs of locally anchored preceding and consecutive anchors.
US08337117B2
Methods and compositions for improving the strength and longevity of secondary roadways through environmentally sound practices are disclosed herein. A composition for road sealing includes an aqueous emulsion of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer, water, and a resin-modified emulsion, wherein the resin-modified emulsion includes a mixture of pitch and rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water.
US08337111B2
An axial retention assembly for axially retaining a retained member includes a retaining member and a retaining ring. The retaining member has a surface and an annular groove disposed on the surface, where the surface defines a cavity and the annular groove has a groove surface and an edge surface disposed between the surface and the groove surface. The retaining ring has a first portion at least partially disposed in the groove and opposing the groove surface, a second portion at least partially disposed in the cavity and opposing the retained member and the surface of the retaining member, and a recess portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion and opposing the edge surface. The recessed portion of the retaining ring does not contact the edge surface of the retaining member when the retained member exerts a predetermined force on the second portion of the retaining ring.
US08337110B2
Disclosed are replaceable cleaning pads capable of delivering a bleaching agent and a detersive composition to surfaces being cleaned. The pads are constructed to retain bleach separate from detersive ingredients and certain other chemicals prior to use, yet permit rapid delivery of the combined chemicals to the surface being cleaned once the pad is wetted. Most preferably a detersive mixture is melt-anchored to the pad. In one form, the pad is a two layer pad, and in another form, the pad is a three layer pad.
US08337103B2
A device may comprise an upper module cover, a lower module cover, an outer frame, and an actuator having a movable frame. The movable frame may be at least partially disposed intermediate the upper module cover and the lower module cover. A hinge flexure may interconnect the outer frame and the movable frame such that the movable frame is rotatable with respect to the outer frame. The upper module cover and/or the lower module cover may be adapted to limit a movement of the movable frame.
US08337102B2
The present invention relates to a shutter device for camera used for small-sized digital equipment and includes a base forming a light transmission hole to expose a film or charge-coupled device (CCD) to laser beam; an electromagnet mounted on one side of the base; a driving arm which is mounted on one side of the electromagnet on the base so as to pivot on the base; a first shutter and a second shutter to open and close the light transmission hole, which pivots on the part of the base in association with the pivoting of the driving arm; and a magnetic which is installed on the driving arm and has the north magnetic pole and the south magnetic pole at opposite ends of the magnetic or on surfaces opposite to the electromagnet. The driving arm drives the first shutter and the second shutter by pivoting in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction by the attractive force and repulsive force generated between the electromagnet and the magnetic according to the direction of the electric current applied to the electromagnet, the electromagnet includes a bobbin and a coil wound around the bobbin, and each side of the bobbin having opposite poles of magnetic field is disposed adjacent to the north and south pole.
US08337100B2
Disclosed herein is a dome security camera. The camera includes a housing having a circuit part. A hemispherical cover is coupled to the housing. A camera module includes a casing which has a lens mounted on a central portion thereof and coupled to a barrel, a plurality of LEDs, and a sensor. A bracket is provided in the housing and coupled to the casing in such a way that it is rotated and open or closed. The casing has a hemispherical shape, and an annular coupling step is provided on a lower end of the casing. The bracket is a cylindrical member having an opening on an upper end thereof, and includes an enlarged part provided on the upper end of the opening and coupled to the casing, and a cut groove formed by cutting a side surface of the bracket, with a knob inserted into the cut groove.
US08337098B2
When a light guide of a sleeve is inserted into a through-hole, a positioning rib is mounted in the holding recess and the sleeve is positioned in the housing. When a transmitting optical module is mounted in a housing space, a positioning protrusion of the sleeve enters a positioning recess of the transmitting optical module and contacts a stepped surface of the transmitting optical module. Thus, the transmitting optical module and a transmitting sleeve are positioned so as to face each other with high precision, and thereby the light transmission efficiency can be increased.
US08337092B2
A retainer-equipped roller includes a retainer (12) having a pair of ring parts (14) separated in an axis O direction and column parts (15) arranged circumferentially at regular intervals so as to form pockets (22) and connect the pair of ring parts (14), and a plurality of rollers (11) arranged in the pockets. The roller (11) has a chamfered part (13) provided between a roller end face and a roller rolling surface (11t). The column part (15) is positioned on a radial outer side of a pitch circle PCD of the roller (11), and a distance between the circumferentially adjacent column parts (15 and 15) is smaller than a diameter of the roller (11). The pair of ring parts (14) has a pair of projection members (16) projecting such that their tip ends are opposed so as to come close to each other, in circumferentially the same position as the column part (15), and in a position on a radially inner side of the pitch circle PCD of the roller (11). The tip ends of the pair of projection members (16) abut on the chamfered parts (13) provided at both ends of the roller (11) and hold the roller between the pair of ring parts (14).
US08337086B2
A bearing apparatus includes a shaft, a thrust cup including an annular potion and a cylindrical portion, a rotating member including a through hole defined therein, and a lubricating oil. A second gap defined between a lower surface of the rotating member and an upper surface of the annular portion of the thrust cup includes a first region in communication with a capillary seal portion, and a second region positioned radially inward of the first region and having an axial dimension smaller than that of the first region. A lower end portion of the through hole is open at a location radially outwardly away from a boundary between the first and second regions, so that a local circulation of the lubricating oil arises within the first region during rotation of the rotating member.
US08337078B2
The device for protecting a timepiece balance spring (1) from stray magnetic fields includes at least one disc (2) with high magnetic permeability, arranged in a parallel plane to the plane of the balance spring, wherein the disc (2) and the balance spring are mounted coaxially with each other.
US08337070B2
A backlight module comprises a light source circuit board having a plurality of light emitters disposed thereon; a securing component for supporting the light source circuit board rigidly, the securing component comprising a holding portion and an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being utilized for assembling the light source circuit board and the securing component together to form an assembly; and a casing having a receiving slot, the assembly of the light source circuit board and the securing component being detachably disposed in the receiving slot, the holding portion being utilized for a user to grip when moving the securing component, and the holding portion having a locating hole for being fastened in the casing. The backlight module is capable of reducing the risk of scratching optical films and invasion by foreign objects in a replacement process of the light source circuit board, thereby increasing the lifespan of displays.
US08337067B2
A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display which can achieve substantially uniform luminance over the entire display screen includes: a light-guide plate guiding incident light and having a diffusion pattern for emitting light upward, the diffusion pattern being formed on at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the light-guide plate; and a point light source assembly disposed on at least one side portion of the light-guide plate, the point light source assembly including a plurality of point-light-source elements and a support substrate, in which the point-light-source elements are disposed on the support substrate and supply the light to the light-guide plate. An edge portion of one surface of the light-guide plate, which is adjacent to the point light source assembly, includes a first region corresponding to the point-light-source elements and a second region corresponding to a position between the point-light-source elements. The diffusion pattern may be formed in such a manner that the second region has a higher density than the first region.
US08337062B2
An LED lighting unit, and a vehicle lamp using the LED lighting unit can have a favorable light distribution that can be perceived as a single, integrated lighting surface. The LED lighting unit can include a plurality of base boards, a plurality of LED light sources located on each mounting surface of the base boards, a plurality of parabolic reflectors and at least one V-shaped reflector configured to locate between the adjacent parabolic reflectors. Because each of the LED light sources is located substantially at each focus of the parabolic reflectors and the at least one V-shaped reflector, light emitted from the LED light sources can be illuminated as a single, integrated light via their reflectors. Thus, a vehicle lamp using the LED lighting unit can have a favorable light distribution that can be perceived as a single, integrated lighting surface and which can be used for a headlight, a tail lamp, etc.
US08337057B2
According to embodiments of the present invention, a flameless candle is claimed, depicted, and described. The candle has a candle shell, which includes a sidewall (such as a waxen sidewall) surrounding a hollow region. There is an opening through the bottom of the candle shell leading into the hollow region. This flameless candle also has an electronics insert. The insert has a housing. At least one thread (for example, an exterior thread or male thread) is arranged on a lateral portion of the housing. This thread (or threads as used herein) can be rotated in response to a torque force on the electronics insert. The rotation causes the electronics insert to be drawn through the opening and into the hollow region, thereby substantially securing the electronics insert to the candle shell.
US08337052B2
An LED lamp includes an LED and a lens covering thereon. The LED has an optical axis. The lens includes a light incidence surface adjacent to the LED and a light emission surface opposite to the light incidence surface. A first imaginary plane and a second imaginary plane intersect at the optical axis of the LED, the light emission surface of the lens is symmetric about the first and second imaginary planes, respectively. In the first imaginary plane, light emitted from the light emission surface distribute regions which a light emitting angle of the LED lamp ranges from 0° to about 45°. In the second imaginary plane, light emitted from the light emission surface distribute regions which a light emitting angle of the LED lamp ranges from 0° to about 75°.
US08337051B2
A luminaire reflector assembly comprises a top pan having a light socket connected to one of an upper or lower surface of the top pan, the top pan having a plurality of spaced slits about the periphery of the top pan, a lower pan spaced from the top pan, the lower pan connected to the top pan by at least one strut, a plurality of reflective panels extending between the top pan and the lower pan, the plurality of reflective panels bent in a first direction by a punch and an elastomeric die pad, the plurality of reflective panels also bent in a second direction by the punch and elastomeric die pad.
US08337046B2
The present invention relates to a luminous element, and more particularly, to a luminous element for a backlight unit with a plurality of luminous chips mounted on a substrate. The present invention provides a luminous element for a backlight unit, in which luminous chips are arranged on a substrate so that the manufacturing process and cost can be reduced and the size of a substrate is minimized when manufacturing the luminous element, thereby minimizing the size of a backlight unit. Further, the present invention provides a luminous element for a backlight unit, in which luminance uniformity can be increased by optimizing the viewing angle of the luminous element.
US08337045B2
A lighting device which comprises at least a first solid state lighting device; and at least a first patterned diffuser which comprises a plurality of optical features. If the first solid state lighting device is illuminated, at least some of the light emitted by the first solid state lighting device enters the first patterned diffuser and exits the patterned diffuser. In some embodiments, the patterned diffuser emits light in a specific shape (e.g., substantially square, rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal). In some embodiments, optical features are positioned on the first surface of the side of the first patterned diffuser that the emitted light enters. Also, a method of lighting which comprises illuminating one (or more) solid state lighting device which emits light which enters a patterned diffuser which comprises a plurality of optical features, and exits the patterned diffuser.
US08337044B2
An elongated luminaire for illuminating objects in front of the luminaire, comprising a plurality of side emitting LEDs (1) in only one straight array mounted on an elongated base plate (2). The base plate (2) carries two elongated reflectors (3) extending on either side of the array of LEDs (1) and parallel to the array of LEDs (1). Each reflector (3) has a reflecting surface (4) directed towards the array of LEDs (1).
US08337043B2
A light fixture includes a first raceway disposed at a first end of the light fixture, a second raceway disposed at a second end of the light fixture, and a detachable cover that is removably coupled to the first raceway and to the second raceway. A ballast and power input wiring is coupled to the detachable cover, and an elongated lamp electrically coupled to the ballast. The light fixture also includes a power input connector having a socket portion and a plug portion, one of the socket portion and the plug portion coupled to the detachable cover and electrically connected to the power input wiring, and the other of the socket portion and the plug portion connectable to a power supply line to provide electrical power to the light fixture from a power source.
US08337041B2
Surface mounted lighting fixtures having a troffer channel and a frame that extends around the troffer channel. The troffer channel includes a top wall and side walls. To impart a “back” to the fixture, the troffer channel is positioned in the frame so that the upper surface of the lighting fixture is defined by the top wall of the troffer channel and so that the fixture is mounted to a ceiling via the top wall of the troffer channel. The side walls of the troffer channel are preferably angled relative to the top wall to reflect light out of the fixture as desired. Tie brackets, lamp holder brackets, electrical components, and traditional louvers and lensed door components may be supported by the lighting fixture. An installation bracket may be provided to facilitate installation of the lighting fixture. Such brackets may be mounted to the ceiling and used to suspend the fixture to allow the installer to perform the necessary wiring and other preparation work prior to securing the fixture directly to the ceiling via the troffer channel.
US08337040B1
A light emitting assembly for a housing with a perimeter wall and an open bottom side. A water buoyant material is attached to the perimeter wall. A light emitter is mounted to the housing. The light emitter emits a light when power is provided to the light emitter. At least one battery component is mounted to the housing. The at least one battery component is electrically coupled to the light emitter. The at least one battery component is exposed through the bottom side of the housing to allow water to enter the at least one battery component. The at least one battery generates electricity when water enters the bottom side of the housing. The housing is placed in water so that the water acts as an electrolyte for the at least one battery component to provide electricity to the light emitter.
US08337022B2
A rear projection image display apparatus that includes one or more projectors that project an image having a high luminance, a first screen having a fibrous texture and that diffracts light incident from the one or more projectors in accordance with a fiber roughness of the fibrous texture, and a second screen attached to the first screen on a side of the first screen opposite the one or more projectors and that diffuses light incident from the first screen and outputs the diffused light.
US08337021B2
A projection type image display device using, in a projection optical system thereof, a flat mirror, which is easy to design and manufacture, as a projection mirror is provided. The projection optical system is a diagonal projection optical system and includes plural lenses. Among the plural lenses, the one disposed closest to the flat mirror has an effective area, along the vertical direction of an image, through which a light beam passes and which is off an optical axis of the other plurality of lenses, shared by the most lenses so as not to allow light reflected from the projection mirror to return to the projector body. A polarization converter using, for example, a quarter wavelength plate is provided at an output surface of a crossed prism to decrease reflectance differences between differently colored light and to thereby prevent the occurrence of color unevenness.
US08337019B2
A system for testing visual fields comprising a display for presenting a visual stimulus and an eye tracker for tracking movement of at least one of a patient's eyes to determine its position in three dimensions without requiring the patient to wear any tracking equipment. A computer controls the position of the stimulus on the display and causes it to move by an amount that is a function of the tracked three-dimensional position of the patient's eye and a visual field position that is to be tested. Changes to the position of the stimulus and any corresponding tracked eye movement are used to assess the patient's visual field.
US08337004B2
An ink jet recording device comprises a main body equipped with an ink container, an ink supply pump ink, an ink recovery pump, and a control unit. A printing head equipped with a nozzle emits ink supplied from the main body as ink particles. An electrification electrode electrifies the ink particles and a deflection electrode deflects the electrified ink particles. A gutter collects ink particles which are not used for printing. An exhaust circulation path connects the ink container and the gutter. The gutter comprises two members of an ink flow path block in which ink flows and an exhaust flow path block in which exhaust solvent vapor flows.
US08336997B2
A droplet ejection device includes a liquid ejection head, a supply flow path, a supply pump, and a supply flow path pressurizer. The supply flow path supplies the liquid to the head and for which a first depressurization threshold is specified in advance. The supply pump sucks the liquid, pressurizes the sucked liquid and supplies the sucked liquid to the head via the supply flow path, and keeps a pressure of liquid in the supply flow path near to a predetermined supply flow path target pressure. The supply flow path pressurizer pressurizes the pressure of liquid in the supply flow path if the pressure of liquid in the supply flow path falls to less than or equal to the first depressurization threshold.
US08336993B2
A print head includes a nozzle plate, a fixing plate fixed to the nozzle plate, an oscillation sheet, and a security assembly. The fixing plate defines a receiving groove. The oscillation sheet is fixed between the fixing plate and the nozzle plate and covers the receiving groove. The security assembly includes a fixing component, an elastic component, a fixing element, an anti-detachable component, and a pointed tip extending from a distal end of the anti-detachable component. The security assembly is fixed to the fixing plate, the elastic component and the anti-detachable component are received in the receiving groove with the pointed tip pointed towards the oscillation sheet. A first end of the compressed elastic component resists against the fixing component and a second end of the elastic component resists the anti-detachable component.
US08336988B2
A fluid ejecting apparatus which ejects fluid from ejection nozzles provided on an ejection head includes a rotation body which is provided so as to be opposed to a nozzle face on which the ejection nozzles are formed and rotates about an rotation axis parallel with the nozzle face, a fluid reception portion which is provided on the rotation body at a surface opposed to the nozzle face and has a recess at which the fluid is received from the ejection nozzles, and a lid member which closes a lid on the recess by abutting against the fluid reception portion in conjunction with rotation of the rotation body when the rotation body rotates in the direction in which the fluid reception portion is separated from the position opposed to the nozzle face.
US08336982B2
A method of printing a document using a fluid-ejection printing device includes receiving gray scale image data for the document, and identifying at least one area fill feature of the image data. It is determined whether the at least one area fill feature will be printed with a combination of different black inks and is likely to produce a visible image defect if printed in an N-pass bidirectional print mode, where N is an integer. Non-fill regions of the image data are printed using the N-pass bidirectional print mode. The method further includes automatically switching to an M-pass bidirectional print mode for printing the at least one area fill feature when it is determined that the at least one area fill feature will be printed with a combination of different black inks and is likely to produce a visible image defect, where M is an integer greater than N.
US08336981B2
A method of determining a healthy fluid ejection nozzle includes measuring changes in impedance across the nozzle as fluid passes through it. A printhead includes a metal probe that intersects an ink nozzle and an integrated circuit to sense a change in impedance across the nozzle through the metal probe.
US08336980B2
The image recording apparatus includes: a recording head which has at least one row of recording elements arranged at a prescribed arrangement interval in a sub-scanning direction; a scanning device which moves the recording head in a main scanning direction so as to perform recording of a same main scanning line by means of a plurality of scans in the main scanning direction with respect to a recording medium; a conveyance device which conveys the recording head and the recording medium relatively to each other in the sub-scanning direction; a recording control device which controls the recording head to perform recording by using at least two of the recording elements in the recording of the same main scanning line; a recording element selection device which selects a combination of the recording elements to perform recording of the same main scanning line in accordance with a status of each of the recording elements; and a conveyance control device which determines a combination of feed amounts in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the combination of the recording elements selected by the recording element selection device and controls the conveyance device in accordance with the determined combination of feed amounts in the sub-scanning direction.
US08336973B2
A flush-mounted guiding arrangement adjustably mounts furniture parts that are extractably and insertably mounted inside a furniture carcass by means of a pair of extensible guides encompassing one respective guide rail. The sliding rail is longitudinally guided on the guide rail and can be placed in the lateral edge region on the bottom face of the extractable furniture part. An adjusting fixture grips the bottom of the furniture part that is to be mounted and in the forward end area of the sliding rail. The adjusting fixture has a mechanism for adjusting the position of a sliding rail relative to the extractable furniture part in the direction of at least one axis of a Cartesian coordinate system formed by three coordinate axes that run substantially perpendicular to each other.
US08336968B2
A brake apparatus for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a hydraulic brake, which receives a hydraulic force to thereby generate a braking force, and a braking force control unit, which controls the braking force by increasing or decreasing the hydraulic pressure. The two-wheeled vehicle includes an engine disposed between a front wheel and a rear wheel. The engine includes a crankcase disposed downward thereof and a cylinder extending upwardly from a front portion of the crankcase. The braking force control unit is disposed in a space surrounded by the cylinder at a position forward thereof and the crankcase at a position downward thereof, respectively. The brake apparatus for a two-wheeled vehicle is capable of promoting enhanced maneuverability, achieving sufficient durability performance, and improving electric connection performance.
US08336967B2
The present invention provides a method of tapering bristles for toothbrushes and a toothbrush having bristles manufactured using the method. One method disclosed in the present invention includes setting bristles made of polyester in a head insert, and fastening the bristles to the head insert by thermally welding portions of the bristles, protruding from a back surface of the head insert, to the head insert. The method further includes coupling the head insert to a toothbrush body and tapering ends of the bristles by immersing the bristles in a chemical. The bristles can be securely set in the toothbrush body without an anchor. Furthermore, polyester bristles, which could not be set in toothbrushes having variously shaped setting rows due to excessively high stiffness, can be set in these types of toothbrush by the toothbrush manufacturing method of the present invention.
US08336966B2
A support pin component for attachment to a reclining part of a vehicle seat and for insertion into a support receiver of a support frame, and a vehicle seat having a support pin component. The support pin component comprises an attachment region configured for attachment to a reclining part of a vehicle seat, and a pin, preferably having an internal thread, configured for pivotable insertion into a support receiver of a seat frame. The support pin component is a shaped part of sheet steel.
US08336965B2
An aircraft passenger seat configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention utilizes composite materials to achieve significant weight savings relative to conventional seat designs. The seat includes one or more lightweight composite support legs, a lightweight composite seat pan, and a lightweight composite seat back structure. The support legs are coupled to the seat pan, which is in turn coupled to the seat back structure. The support legs utilize composite frame elements that are formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The seat pan includes composite fore and aft cross beams that are also formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The aft cross beam includes a rear flange that serves as a flexible “hinge” for the seat back structure. The seat can leverage producible and relatively inexpensive composite manufacturing techniques such that the seat can be economically produced for use as an economy class seat.
US08336964B2
The present invention relates to a beanbag sofa with a retractable headrest, and more particularly, to a beanbag sofa with a retractable headrest, which is configured to interpose an auxiliary outer cover having a predetermined size and communicating with an outer cover in a predetermined position of the outer cover, so that a filling material filled in the outer cover can be introduced toward an interior of the auxiliary outer cover upon opening the auxiliary outer cover, thereby selectively forming a headrest and armrests as required for a user's convenience.A beanbag sofa with a retractable headrest according to the present invention for achieving the objects comprises an outer cover for defining an external shape of the beanbag sofa, the outer cover having a U-shaped cut portion formed at a position of the outer cover with which the head of a user is in contact when a user sits on the beanbag sofa; an auxiliary outer cover connected to the U-shaped cut portion to be received in the outer cover or protrude; an open/close member formed along the cut portion to receive the auxiliary outer cover in the outer cover or to expose the auxiliary outer cover; and a filling material filled in the outer cover, wherein when the user sits on the beanbag sofa with the auxiliary outer cover exposed by opening the open/close member, the filling material is introduced toward the auxiliary outer cover to form the headrest.
US08336963B1
A removable armrest (RAR) (10) that is placed between a pair of sofa cushions (84). The RAR (10) is comprised of a resilient section (12) and a downward-extending tab (32). The tab (32) is divided by a tab welt (48) into an upper section (50) and a lower section (52). The upper section (50) is inserted into and maintained within a slot (54) that extends into the resilient section (12). The lower section (52) of the tab (32) is pushed downward into the space between two cushions (84) on a sofa (82), thereby positioning and frictionally holding the RAR (10) to provide a comfortable support for a person's arm.
US08336961B2
A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion extending between front and rear ends. The front end is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor for pivoting the seat cushion between a seating position and a kneeling position. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the rear end of the seat cushion and is adapted to be releasably secured to the floor. A drive link is pivotally coupled between the floor and the seat back. The drive link urges the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion as the seat cushion pivots between the seating and kneeling positions thereby maintaining the seat back in a generally vertical orientation.
US08336927B2
A latch is provided for use on a pivotable sash window of a single-hung or double-hung sash window assembly to releasably secure the window to the master frame. The latch comprises a latch-bolt slidably mounted within, and biased relative to a housing. The housing is adapted to be installed into the top rail of the sash window through an opening in the stile and top rail, which has a periphery contoured to match the housing end profile. The latch bolt, while maintaining an aesthetically appealing external appearance, is configured to incorporate a cantilevered member which only becomes visible when biased to an angled position where it maintains engagement of the latch housing with the edge of the top wall of the rail during window deformation resulting from high wind loading. The cantilevered member ensures integrity of the latch installation under high wind load conditions typically experienced during extreme weather phenomena.
US08336924B2
Coupling device is provided having a male tubular end fitting; a connection mechanism to be mounted around the male end fitting by being coupled to a female end fitting and including a coupling end to be housed in a groove of the female end fitting; and a locking member for locking this connection mechanism that is to be mounted around the male end fitting in order reversibly to bring the coupling end into a locked position in the groove. The connection mechanism includes a radially internal bearing zone to be mounted against the male end fitting and ending in the coupling end, which includes tabs that are elastically deformable in the radial direction extending the bearing zone, each tab being able to be jammed in the locking position by flexing against the groove and against one of the guide and locking-aid ramps of the male end fitting.
US08336923B2
A dryer duct elbow for attachment between a dryer vent and flexible ducting, or between flexible ducting and a wall vent, may include a first larger end, containing threading and a groove containing an O-ring, and a second tapered end, having circumferential threading and a groove containing an O-ring. Either end is capable of rotational sealing engagement with the flexible ducting, or with frictional engagement with the dryer or wall vents. The dryer duct elbow is formed of two halves which are connected together at the edges to form one elbow.
US08336921B2
A rotary joint of the present invention maintains cryogenic temperature of a supplying refrigerant flowing through a fluid passage, and makes available to lubricate a seal face by the supplying refrigerant as well as to minimize a running cost for the refrigerant.
US08336917B2
Current medication labels are very difficult for people with disabilities, language barriers, functional impairments, or illiteracy to read, potentially increasing the risk for accidental medication overdoses and/or poor compliance with medication administration and adherence. By having a color coded sticker system with an enclosed full body guide in the form of a poster, and a home health medication record card, these stickers are placed on each medication bottle as a symbol for what the medication is used for. The stickers are color coded in order to distinguish the time the medication is to be administered. Home health agencies may use the poster and stickers as they educate their patients about the medications they take.
US08336908B1
An automotive air bag system for a vehicle includes an instrument panel substrate comprised a first moldable thermoplastic characterized by a first melting temperature. The instrument panel substrate has a substantially smooth outer surface for facing a passenger compartment of the vehicle. A chute is comprised a second moldable thermoplastic characterized by a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature. The chute includes an in-mold tear seam and a hinge for an air bag deployment door and a passageway for guiding an inflating air bag to the deployment door. The chute is attached to an inner surface of the instrument panel substrate by insert molding in which injection of the first moldable thermoplastic causes a partial melting of the second moldable thermoplastic.
US08336901B2
An intercommunicating gangway in that two successive road modules (5, 6) are connected by a detachable coupling with a minimum inter-module distance at least in the in-line configuration such that the opposite facing surfaces (3, 4) are each provided with a communicating door (8, 9) which can only be opened in when the two road modules are arranged in an in-line configuration and the vehicle is stopped. The intercommunicating gangway is suitable for use in the urban passenger transport field.
US08336899B2
An improved fork (1) for sport motorcycles, comprising a support group (2) suitable to be connected with the frame of the motorcycle, a pair of shock absorber arms (3, 4), which vary the position of the frame of the motorcycle in respect of the front wheel of the motorcycle itself as a result of the application of a load, each of which connected with the support group (2) and including an outer sheath (5) and a stem of force (6) slidingly and telescopically coupled one with each other, guide and support means (7), interposed between the outer sheath (5) and the stem of force (6) of the shock absorber arms (3, 4), which minimize friction between the stem of force (6) and the outer sheath (5).
US08336892B2
A brake assembly for a skate of the type having parallel rails connected to the bottom of a boot. The skate brake bracket for mounting outside the rails and a brake wheel mounted to the skate brake bracket. The tension of the brake wheel may be adjusted.
US08336889B2
The invention relates to a metallic flat gasket (1) with at least one gasket layer (2), in which at least one through opening (3) is present, which is surrounded by a sealing area (4), in which at least one elastically deformable element (5) surrounding the through opening (3) is arranged, and an optional, at least one functional area (6) with at least one elastically deformable sealing or supporting element (7), which does not separately surround a single through-opening, where outside of the at least one sealing area (4) and the optional at least one functional area (6) on at least one of the surfaces (21, 22) of at least one of the gasket layers (2) an area is surface structured in such a way that the gasket layer (2) in this area has a thickness that is larger than the original thickness of the gasket layer (2). The surface structured area (8) covers the at least one surface (21, 22) outside of the sealing (4) and the functional area (6) at least in regions and the surface structure is formed by alternating depressions (9) and protrusions (10) which run on at least one cohort of essentially parallel, straight virtual lines extending over the total area of the structured area (8).
US08336886B2
A seal assembly for sealing a space between a rotating shaft and a housing. In this regard, the seal assembly includes a rotating component connected to the shaft, and a stationary component connected to the housing. A first seal is connected to the rotating component and a second seal is connected to the stationary component. The first seal includes at least one dispersion member that generates a fluid disturbance in a region adjacent the space during rotation of the rotating component and a discontinuity that provide a pathway for a contaminant to exit the space.
US08336876B2
A repositionable side guide assembly with vertically repositionable side guides for use with a friction sheet feeding machine.
US08336871B2
A paper feeding mechanism mounted to a shell includes a pickup mechanism, a transporting mechanism, a separation mechanism and a one-way clutch mechanism. The pickup mechanism includes a pickup motor having a rotating roller, a pickup roller and a pickup wheel. The transporting mechanism includes a transporting motor, a transporting roller, a transporting wheel and a transporting gear. The separation mechanism includes a separation roller, a separation gear and a separation wheel. The one-way clutch mechanism includes a one-way axle, a wiggling arm, a restoration elastic element fastened between the wiggling arm and the shell, and a releasing gear. The one-way axle passes through one end of the wiggling arm. The rotating roller of the pickup motor passes through the one-way axle. The releasing gear mounted to the other end of the wiggling arm is engaged with the transporting gear and the separation gear.
US08336870B2
According to one embodiment, a separation and extraction apparatus includes an extraction unit, separation unit, air supply mechanism, detector, and controller. The extraction unit extracts and conveys one or more paper sheets from a stack of paper sheets. The separation unit separates one paper sheet from the other paper sheet(s) of the one or more paper sheets. The air supply mechanism supplies air toward a side surface of the stack. The detector detects a bundle state of the stack, which is related to a contact state between the paper sheets. The controller sets an extraction condition depending on the bundle state, which includes drive conditions for the extraction unit, separation unit, and air supply mechanism.
US08336867B1
A device for holding a workpiece, the device comprising, in one form, a base and a jaw member, wherein the jaw member includes a detachable jaw plate. The jaw member can further include a lock assembly which can attach or affix the jaw plate to the jaw member. In at least one embodiment, the lock assembly can include a cam, or lock, configured to pull the jaw plate toward the jaw member and/or secure the jaw plate against the jaw member. In certain embodiments, the lock assembly can include a slide which can be moved by an actuator such that the slide can engage the jaw plate and move the jaw plate into position. In at least one such embodiment, the slide can pull the jaw plate against the jaw member and, in addition, pull the jaw plate downwardly against a workpiece support surface.
US08336864B2
A canted coil spring includes a first section having a plurality of first canted coils generally canted at an acute first angle relative to a first direction of a centerline extending through the first canted coils, and at least a second section coupled to the first section and having a plurality of second canted coils generally canted at an acute second angle relative to a second direction of the centerline extending through the second canted coils. The second direction is opposite to the first direction when the centerline is in a linear configuration. A method of manufacturing the canted coil includes fabricating a first wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of first coils, and fabricating at least a second wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of second coils. The first wire section is coupled to the second wire section.
US08336859B2
A strap-tensioning apparatus includes a frame, a handle connected to the frame, a reel supported on the frame, two ratchets secured to the reel, a first detent supported on the handle and biased to engage with the ratchets, and a second detent supported on the frame and biased to engage with the ratchets. The frame includes two walls each including a recess. The handle includes two walls each including a lobe. The first detent includes a chamfered tip. The ratchets can slide on the chamfered tip of the first detent to allow a strap to be reeled out when the chamfered tip of the first detent is in the recesses of the frame. The second detent is disengaged from the ratchets by the lobes of the handle when the chamfered tip of the first detent is in the recesses of the walls of the frame.
US08336856B2
The presently disclosed embodiment can be characterized as a threadless quick connect coupling release tool having a main body portion fixedly attached to a handle portion, and a head portion having two engagement projection fingers, the head portion being removably attached to the main body portion. An inlet port is coupled to the head portion.
US08336852B1
A cartridge valve and valve manifold assembly having a valve manifold with at least one valve receptacle for threadlessly receiving and seating a cartridge valve. A threadless valve nose engages the cartridge valve with the manifold to provide an increased diameter central orifice for improved fluid flow.
US08336828B2
An apparatus comprises a platform configured to move in a streamwise direction, an actuation unit associated with a control surface of the platform, a fluid source configured to supply an airflow to the actuation unit, and a control unit for moving an air jet across the control surface. The actuation unit is configured to form a traversing air jet pointing in the streamwise direction.
US08336822B2
An aircraft insulation apparatus is disclosed having a variable thermal insulating member adjacent the inner fuselage wall and adjacent an aircraft heat source. The variable thermal insulating member is operable to provide variable thermal insulation between the heat source and the exterior of the inner fuselage wall by being changeable between a first state and a second state, the first state providing a first level of thermal insulation and the second state providing a second level of thermal insulation.
US08336817B2
In a vehicle, having a fixed supporting structure and a load movable relative thereto, a jam tolerant actuating system, a method for controlling this system including: Locating a physical coupling/decoupling mechanism between the load and an actuator assembly as close a practicable to the load; constructing the coupling/uncoupling mechanism to be reversible, and hence testable; and controlling the connection/disconnection via decision making electronics which will detect any system failure by monitoring, at a minimum: actuator main motor load and speed, and actuator output load. Also set forth are specific embodiments of pivotable rotary geared actuators as well as linear ball screw type actuators embodying the coupling/uncoupling mechanisms of this invention.
US08336811B2
An aircraft includes a reference system including a longitudinal X axis, a vertical Z axis perpendicular to the X axis, and a lateral Y axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the X and Z axes, a fuselage, a wing affixed to an upper central part of the fuselage, a set of rear airfoils situated behind the wing, and propulsion engines mounted on the wing, where the wing, the set of rear airfoils and the propulsion engines are parts of an aero-propulsive unit forming a structure independent of the fuselage, and where the aero-propulsive unit is connected to the fuselage by a six degrees of freedom connection system using arms with lengths modified to control a position of the aero-propulsive unit relative to the fuselage along the X, Y and Z axes and in rotation about the X, Y and Z axes, during flight.
US08336808B2
An aircraft features a nose mounted propeller on a fuselage having a typical helicopter rotor assembly. By reducing the amount of forward thrust needed from the main rotor, the propeller allows greater forward speeds as the angle of attack on the rotor's blades can be kept low to avoid the stalling and violent vibration experienced by conventional helicopters at relatively high speeds. By reducing the maximum angle of attack experienced by the main rotor during its rotation during forward cruising from that of a conventional helicopter but still using the main rotor to generate lift, the addition of wings extending from both sides of the fuselage can be avoided. The aircraft may be flown in a forward direction in a generally horizontal orientation, as the nose does not have to be pitched downward to create thrust from the main rotor.
US08336789B2
A spraying device includes a control handle, a first hollow barrel, a second hollow barrel, a driving unit, a spraying tube, and a liquid ejection tube. With the driving unit that is driven by high pressure air to rotate received inside the second hollow barrel, when the control handle is operated to supply high pressure air to drive the driving unit to rotate in high speed, the spraying tube is caused to rotate with a high speed, making high pressure rotating air ejected from the spraying tube inducing repeated and rotating impacts on a surface to be cleaned to thereby improve the effect of dust removal. Further, the liquid ejection tube is located within the spraying tube and ejects a stream of water (or cleaning agent), which is mixed with the high pressure air to generate a high speed rotating impact to also realize surface rinsing of an object.
US08336788B2
A rotary sprinkler includes a housing supporting a nozzle and a nozzle tube, the nozzle tube located axially adjacent an orifice of the nozzle with an axial gap therebetween. A water-deflection plate assembly is carried by the nozzle tube for rotation relative to the nozzle tube. The housing is formed with an exterior substantially annular funnel surrounding the nozzle and forming a collection trough for collection of excess water, and the housing formed with one or more apertures directing excess water in the collection trough to an internal area surrounding the orifice to be aspirated through the gap into a stream of water emitted from the nozzle orifice and through the nozzle tube such that the excess water is distributed by the water-deflection plate along with water emitted from the nozzle orifice.
US08336786B2
A wireless communication device includes a wireless IC device, a dielectric substrate, and a metal plate. A radiation conductor coupled to the wireless IC device is provided on the front surface of the dielectric substrate, and a ground conductor connected to the radiation conductor through an interlayer connection conductor is provided on a back surface. The dielectric substrate is fixed to the metal plate via an insulating adhesive, and is crimped by a conductive member. The front and back surfaces of the metal plate are electrically connected to each other by the conductive member, and when a high-frequency signal is supplied from the wireless IC device, a high-frequency signal current on the front surface side of the metal plate is conducted to the back surface side of the metal plate through a surface boundary portion between the conductive member and the metal plate, and radiated as a high-frequency signal.
US08336784B2
In accordance with some embodiments, a method includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) card having a first size and carried as part of a surrounding card having a second size larger than the first size, the IC card including an IC, the IC card having a perimeter defining the IC card within the surrounding card; and printing a payment card account number within the perimeter. In accordance with some embodiments, an identification token includes a carrier having a body; a card including an RFID integrated circuit and information printed within a perimeter of the card; a bridge joining the card to the carrier; an antenna; and an electrically conductive connection running along the bridge, the electrically conductive connection coupling the RFID IC to the antenna. In accordance with some embodiments, a method includes providing a carrier having a body; providing a card including an RFID integrated circuit and a perimeter; providing a bridge joining the card to the carrier; providing an antenna and an electrically conductive connection running along the bridge, the electrically conductive connection coupling the RFID IC to the antenna; and printing information within the perimeter. In accordance with some embodiments, a method includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) card attached to a surrounding card, the IC card including an IC, the IC card having a perimeter defining the IC card within the surrounding card; and printing information within the perimeter.
US08336782B2
A combination stored value card holder has a card backer having a planar shape. A primary stored value card container includes a sealed package having a front sheet and a rear sheet. The front sheet is laminated to the rear sheet. A stored value card is retained between the front sheet and the rear sheet of the sealed package. The sealed package is attached to the backer. A secondary stored value card container for the stored value card can be included and the secondary stored value card container can be attached to the backer. An account identifier is disposed on the stored value card. A card window is formed on the rear sheet of the sealed package, and the card window opening exposes the account identifier.
US08336781B2
An information processing apparatus includes a hand scanner including a head section having a reading section configured to read a mark affixed to a commodity and a handle having width formed smaller than that of the head section, a fixing device including a holding section having, from a part of the periphery to the center thereof, an opening formed wider than the width of the handle and movable sections provided to be opposed to each other in the opening, arranged to have width therebetween smaller than the width of the handle, and configured to move until the width therebetween increases to width same as or larger than the width of the handle when the handle is inserted through the opening, and control unit configured to enable the reading section to read the commodity according to movement of the movable sections.
US08336774B2
Methods and apparatus related to enabling a shopper to utilize a mobile electronic device to check-in to a physical store while at the store. A shopper may utilize the mobile electronic device to read a check-in code at a location proximal to an entrance of a physical store. A substantially instantaneous pecuniary reward may be provided to the shopper upon reading of the check-in code and the shopper may be notified of such reward via the mobile electronic device.
US08336769B2
A banking system includes automated banking machines that operate responsive to data read from data bearing records. Transactions may also be carried out through communication with local and remote service providers. An automated banking machine is operative to conduct transactions including cash dispensing for users, responsive to data read from user cards and communication with a transaction host. The machine is also operative to provide output signals which drive external displays. A machine processor is operative to cause the machine to receive visual and/or audio content from content sources and to store data corresponding to the content. The content is then output through the external displays.
US08336763B2
There is disclosed a transaction processing server (300), comprising: means (304) for receiving a request (224) to initiate a transaction, the request including user identification data (220) and monetary value authorization data; validating means (302) for validating the monetary value authorization data; processing means (302) for processing the monetary value authorization data to select monetary value data (210) corresponding to the monetary value authorization data; storing means (306) for storing data representing an association between the user identification data (220) and the monetary value data (210); and output means (302) for outputting a monetary value identifier (228) associated with the monetary value data (210). The invention finds particular application in the field of transferring monetary value from a sender to a recipient.
US08336762B1
At least one datum is received from a point of sale terminal indicating an event that has occurred with respect to the terminal. A usage statistic is calculated for a specified period of time based on at least (1) a predetermined value relating to the event, and (2) at least one of (a) a number of transactions processed by the terminal in the specified period and (b) an amount of time that the terminal was in a sleep mode.
US08336760B2
A parcel box for receiving and keeping parcels in a theftproof manner has a box having a drawer which can be pulled out and pushed in, and a prevention mechanism that prevents unauthorized removal of parcel. The prevention mechanism has a placing portion on which the parcel is placed, a blocking mechanism that blocks pulling out of the drawer from the box when parcel is placed on the placing portion, and an unblocking mechanism that unblocks the parcel box drawer. The placing portion has two platforms, each having a first end and a second end situated opposite each other. The two platforms are facing each other or are placed in adjacent relation to each other, with the ends of the platforms directed to opposite sides. Each platform is pivotable about a pivot axle fixed in the drawer.
US08336757B2
A bonding apparatus for conducting bonding on substrates comprises a first substrate holding device for clamping a first substrate during bonding and a second substrate holding device for clamping a second substrate during bonding. Each substrate holding device is operative to move sequentially between its respective onloading position for receiving substrates, bonding position whereat substrates are bonded and offloading position whereat bonded substrates are removed from the substrate holding device. A first actuator is operative to drive the first substrate holding device along a first feeding path from its onloading position to its bonding position and from its offloading position to its onloading position along a first return path. A second actuator is operative to drive the second substrate holding device along a second feeding path from its onloading position to its bonding position and from its offloading position to its onloading position along a second return path.
US08336755B2
A weld enclosure and welding apparatus including a weld enclosure. Also a method of welding. The apparatus has first and second opposed tooling faces adapted to receive and hold respective first and second weld elements. The weld enclosure comprises a housing that allows relative movement between the weld elements and a change in a physical dimension of at least one of the weld elements. The weld enclosure also comprises locating means for locating the housing relative to the welding apparatus and includes heating means.
US08336752B2
There is provided a surgical instrument including a handle having an elongated tubular member extending distally from the handle and one or more end effectors mounted on the distal end of the elongate tubular member. A driver is movably mounted within the handle and elongate tubular member in order to operate the end effectors. The surgical instrument includes an energy storage mechanism for storing and providing energy to move the driver and thereby actuate the surgical instrument. Various actuation mechanisms are disclosed which are operable on the energy storage mechanism to control the rate of release of the energy stored in the energy storage mechanism.
US08336744B2
The flow limiting bottle cap secures to a container having a threaded neck and allows a user to select an open or a closed position without removing the cap from a container. Additionally fluid from within a container, when poured, forms multiple separate streams in laminar flow. The cap provides a pattern of conically shaped holes for passing of fluid. Each hole has edge conditions for adjusting the flow relative to pouring. The cap opens by raising an upper portion and closes by lowering the upper portion or by rotating the upper portion to expose the holes and closing by rotating oppositely to block the holes. Knurling upon the perimeter of the upper portion aids the user. An internal seal also excludes atmospheric communication to reduce spoilage of fluids within a container.
US08336741B2
An ice dispenser includes an ice storage bin with a drive shaft aperture and an ice dispensing aperture; an ice dispensing chute connected to the storage bin in proximity to the ice dispensing aperture; a paddlewheel inside the storage bin; and a drive mechanism, including a drive shaft passing through tile drive shaft aperture, for rotation of the paddlewheel. The drive shaft is connected to tile paddlewheel in such a fashion that the paddlewheel is prevented from disengaging from the drive shaft during normal operation of the ice dispensing apparatus, but the drive shaft can be disengaged from the paddlewheel in order to be able to remove the drive mechanism from the ice dispenser without accessing the ice storage bin.
US08336727B2
A container for substances comprises an upper wall, which functions as a lid, with a central zone on which a closed line of weakening defines a stopper, in the shape of a tongue, which normally closes a relative aperture for the substance to pass through; a lever, associated with the tongue, which can be driven so as to remove the stopper, at least partly, from the upper wall, detaching it along the line of weakening and thus freeing the aperture; and a connection element of the flexible type which is connected both to the stopper and also to the upper wall. The lever has a first end pivoted in correspondence with a peripheral rib, a second end, which functions as a gripper element, disposed in substantial correspondence with the central zone, and an intermediate zone between the two ends, wherein the lever is connected to the stopper.
US08336713B2
A packaging container (10; 100) for transporting and displaying a plurality of individually packaged products (25; 25′) is formed from a blank and comprises at least a base (14; 14′) and side walls (20, 22; 20′, 22′). Tabs (60; 102, 104) are provided along opposing side walls and project into the interior volume for contact with products (25; 25′) to hold them in an upright or display position. Each tab (60; 102, 104) comprises a portion of the side wall which is bent inwardly out of the plane of the side wall about a fold line (62; 62′) leaving an aperture in the side wall. Prior to bending, each tab is surrounded about its free edge(s) by a cut-out (63, FIG. 4) such that the surface area of the tab is less than the surface area of the aperture.
US08336712B2
Provided are systems, devices, dispensers, clips, and methods of using the same, for dispensing bandages comprising: a dispenser body defining an interior compartment and comprising a front wall with an exposed upper edge; a bandage pack disposed in the interior compartment; and a removable retaining clip adapted to reversibly interlock with the exposed upper edge of the front wall to retain a bandage pack in the dispenser body.
US08336711B2
A rolled object whose core juts from the respective end portions is housed. End face wall components which support the core so as to horizontally suspend the rolled object and side wall components which connect the end face wall components with each other and cause the end face components to be provided on the respective sides of the rolled object in horizontal directions are provided. Each of the side wall components has a vertically-provided planar wall portion and a jutting portion which is formed horizontally across the wall portion at a vertical central portion of the wall portion and juts to be able to surface-contact a circumferential surface of the rolled object.
US08336708B2
Systems and containers for organizing and carrying tools and tool sets are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed to systems and containers for efficiently organizing tools for specific work tasks, such as gunsmith tools, etc. In one embodiment, a container for carrying and organizing tools includes a housing having a base portion and a lid portion. The lid portion can be pivotally attached to the base portion. The container can also include a plurality of recesses disposed in an internal portion of the container in a recess pattern. The recesses can be configured to releasably retain the tools in the housing. The container also includes an insertable tool position guide having a plurality of images in an image pattern, wherein the image pattern can correspond to the recess pattern. In addition to tool positional information, the tool position guide can also communicate tool identification information.
US08336705B2
The present invention provides causing a plurality of filling chambers to be opened and mixing agents inside the filling chambers using user's general operation between taking out a packed multi-chamber container and mounting the container on a device. The user's general operation includes operations for taking out a packed multi-chamber container and removing the package, for unfolding the multi-chamber container typically folded in two, for mounting i.e. hanging the unfolded multi-chamber container on the device, and the like.
US08336703B2
A unit (1) for separating opening devices (2) supplied in the form of a row (7) and to be applied singly to respective sealed packages (3) of pourable food products, the unit having a separating assembly (10), in turn having a first and a second jaw (40, 41) movable along a path (P) and defining a seat (42), which is movable between an open configuration, in which it receives an opening device (2) from the row (7) at a first station (I) along the path (P), and a closed configuration, in which it moves the opening device (2) singly along the path (P) to detach it from the rest of the row (7); the unit (1) also has elastic means (43) for loading at least the first jaw (40) towards the second jaw (41); a conveyor (13) for conveying the opening devices (2), and which is separate from the separating assembly (10); and at least a first cam (61) activated by the conveyor (13) and cooperating cyclically with a cam follower (38), integral with the first jaw (40), to move the first jaw (40), in opposition to the elastic means (43), away from the second jaw (41) and move the seat (42) into the open configuration.
US08336700B2
An apparatus for transporting a plurality of containers through a plurality of work stations including at least two conveyor assemblies, each conveyor assembly being adapted to sequentially convey at least one group of containers therealong in a row from one work station to another. The apparatus further includes a plurality of holder assemblies for holding the containers, some of the holder assemblies being associated with one of the conveyor assemblies and some of the holder assemblies being associated with the other conveyor assembly. The holder assemblies are located on the respective conveyor assemblies such that the plurality of containers are positioned adjacent to each other as they move through the plurality of work stations. A computer control system is programmable to control the coordinated operation of the conveyor assemblies so as to move such conveyor assemblies at different cycles of movement as the containers move through the work stations.
US08336697B2
A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.
US08336686B2
A mount for supporting a vibration damper in a vehicle has a cap provided with an anti-twist surface and configured to extend through a recessed support surface of the vehicle. The mount is provided with a retainer operable to couple the anti-twist surface to the support surface so as to suspend the vibration damper on the vehicle before and independently from fastening the vibration damper to the vehicle.
US08336681B2
A brake caliper for a disk brake system of a motor vehicle, has a caliper body which is cast from a light metal alloy or from light metal, with a skeleton structure arranged inside the caliper body. The material of the skeleton structure has a higher modulus of elasticity than the material of the caliper body. The skeleton structure is cast into the caliper body so that the caliper body encases the skeleton structure.
US08336680B2
A bicycle brake device includes first and second brake arms. The first brake arm includes a first brake arm mounting portion for mounting the first brake arm to a bicycle frame member, a first brake pad mounting portion, and a first control interface portion. Similarly, the second brake arm includes a second brake arm mounting portion for mounting the second brake arm to the bicycle frame member, a second brake pad mounting portion, and a second control interface portion. A biasing member is operatively coupled to the first brake arm so that the first brake pad mounting portion is biased in a selected direction. A bias communicating member is operatively coupled between the first brake arm and the second brake arm to communicate biasing force from the biasing member to the second brake arm.
US08336677B2
In a safety system for an elevator, slip detection means detects a slip between a drive sheave and a main rope. A safety gear is mounted to a car, the safety gear being electrically operated by an actuator to cause the car to make an emergency stop regardless of whether a running direction of the car is upward or downward. A safety gear controller cuts power supply to a hoisting machine motor and causes the safety gear to make a braking operation upon detection of the slip between the drive sheave and the main rope by the slip detection means.
US08336665B1
A concealment apparatus for ignition interlock devices includes a container that has a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall separating the top and the bottom. The at least one sidewall includes a screen opening for viewing at least a screen of an ignition interlock device. The container can resemble a beverage container, such as a mug, a tumbler, a can, a sports bottle, or a thermos. An ignition interlock concealment system includes a concealment apparatus and an ignition interlock device contained therein.
US08336657B2
A hybrid-electric vehicle has an engine compartment defined by a transverse rail extending generally parallel to a lateral axis of the vehicle, first and second side rails extending forwardly from the transverse rail, and a hood extending over the engine compartment. A hybrid-electric transmission is located in the engine compartment and an inverter system controller module (ISCM) is supported on an equipment shelf extending between the hybrid electric transmission and the hood. The equipment shelf includes an inclined portion attached to the transverse rail and extending upwardly and forwardly at an oblique angle; a generally horizontal tray projecting forwardly from the inclined portion above the hybrid electric transmission; and a lateral brace extending from a forward end of the tray laterally to the first side rail. The junction between the inclined portion and the tray forms a deformation trigger that absorbs crash loads.
US08336656B2
An engine controller structure for a vehicle, can include a duct cover having a box-like portion on a vehicle body front side thereof. The box-like portion can include an opening formed therein, and can be configured to have an intake duct of an engine connected thereto. The duct cover can be configured to be positioned sidewardly of an engine. An engine control unit can be disposed on the inside of the duct cover. The opening, configured to be connected to the intake duct, can be configured such that the intake duct is connected to an air cleaner box attached to a vehicle body rear side of the engine. The intake duct can shaped so as to be extended to a vehicle body front side from the air cleaner box.
US08336655B2
An electrical axle assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a first electric machine, which is rotationally fixed to a first input shaft, and a second electric machine, which is rotationally fixed to a second input shaft. The first input shaft and the second input shaft are arranged coaxially along an input axle. The axle assembly further comprises a first output shaft, which can be connected to a first driving wheel, and a second output shaft, which can be connected to a second driving wheel. The first output shaft and the second output shaft are arranged coaxially along an output axle. Further, they are connected to the associated input shaft via at least one transmission stage, in such a way that the driving wheels can be driven independently of one another by the electric machines. At least one of the shafts here has a bearing journal, which is radially supported in an axial bore of a shaft coaxial therewith.
US08336654B1
A power device for a pallet truck comprising a main housing comprising friction wheels disposed on sides of the main housing, wherein the main housing is attached to the pallet truck so that the friction wheels contact front wheels of the pallet truck; a motor housing comprising a motor operatively connected to the friction wheels and to a power source, wherein the motor is for rotating the friction wheels; a power switch for turning on and off the device operatively connected to the motor; wherein rotation of the friction wheels translates into movement of the front wheels of the pallet truck, wherein lack of rotation of the friction wheel translates into reduction of rotation of the front wheels of the pallet truck.
US08336640B2
The invention is based on a hand-held power tool, in particular a cordless screwdriver, having a drivable output shaft, a supporting element, and a roller bearing unit that is provided to transmit a supporting force of the output shaft to the supporting element. According to the invention, the output shaft and/or the supporting element constitutes at least one roller element running surface of the roller bearing unit.
US08336636B2
A water and inert gas fire suppression system (10), and method for extinguishing a fire in a protected space are provided with a simple and inexpensive freeze protection mechanism. To prevent the water, or other liquid fire extinguishing agent, entrained in the inert gas flow from freezing during transport through the inert gas distribution network (15, 15a, 15b, 17, 19) a secondary liquid is introduced into the inert gas flow and then removed from the inert gas flow upstream of the discharge of the two-phase water and inert gas flow into the space being protected. The inert gas is heated by means of the thermal inertia (TI) of the secondary liquid, which may be excess amount of water or an amount of another liquid having a thermal inertia (TI) at least equal to that of water.
US08336634B2
Disclosed herein are sealing assemblies which include a mandrel; an inner element formed around the mandrel; an outer element formed around the inner element; and a plurality of slats arranged between the inner and outer elements. The slats have a friction-reducing agent on the surface of the slats. Also disclosed herein are methods for zonal isolation within a wellbore. The methods include providing a mandrel; providing an inner element formed around the mandrel; providing an outer element formed around the inner element; providing a plurality of slats arranged between the inner and outer elements; and axially compressing the inner element and the outer element to radially expand the inner element and outer element. The slats have a friction-reducing agent on their surface.
US08336625B2
A fracturing/gravel packing tool with variable direction and exposure exit ports. A system for delivering an erosive flow into a subterranean well includes a port displacing in the well while the erosive flow passes through the port. Various displacement devices may be used in the system to displace the port.
US08336624B2
A process for fracturing a subterraneous formation in the production of an oil well is described. The process steps include injecting an initial charge of a mixture, the mixture being formed from at least a water-insoluble adsorbent and at least one well treatment agent, into a well bore formed in the subterraneous formation so as to form a downhole matrix within the formation; injecting a solution comprised of an additional amount of the well treatment agent into the formation after the initial charge of the at least one well treatment agent has been substantially depleted; and then pressurizing the well bore for a time and under conditions sufficient to reactivate the downhole matrix in the formation, so that the treatment agent activity of the matrix is increased relative to the treatment agent activity of the matrix just prior to injecting the solution.
US08336623B2
Embodiments include methods for recovering petroleum products from a formation containing heavy crude oil. In one embodiment, a method includes positioning a steam generator within the petroleum-bearing formation, flowing a fuel source and an oxidizing agent into the steam generator, generating and releasing steam from the steam generator to heat the heavy crude oil, flowing a catalytic material containing a nanocatalyst into the petroleum-bearing formation, and exposing the catalytic material to the heavy crude oil. The method further provides forming lighter oil products from the heavy crude oil within the petroleum-bearing formation and extracting the lighter oil products from the petroleum-bearing formation. In some examples, the fuel source contains methane, syngas, or hydrogen gas, and the oxidizing agent contains oxygen gas, air, or oxygen enriched air. The nanocatalyst may contain cobalt, iron, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, tungsten, titanium, alloys thereof, or combinations thereof.
US08336622B2
An apparatus comprising a fluid communication device configured to extend from a drill string and establish fluid communication with a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore in which the drill string is positioned, wherein the drill string comprises a passage configured to conduct drilling mud and an opening extending through an outer surface thereof and into a cavity. A sample chamber is coupled within the cavity and is in selectable fluid communication with the formation via the fluid communication device.
US08336607B2
The invention concerns an electric power supply device (10) for a motor vehicle, which is mounted in the motor vehicle and is designed to connect at least one electrical machine (12) capable of operating as an electric engine and/or an electric generator, to a battery (16) of the vehicle, comprising a single housing (32) including cooling means and having a lower part (34) forming a box for receiving at least one electric power storage unit (20).
US08336598B1
A safety device for a roller blind comprises: a housing, a cover and a locking member, a drive mechanism and an elastic member that are disposed between the cover and the housing. The locking member is disposed between the drive mechanism and the housing, so that when an excessively big pulling force is applied to the bead chain, the bead chain and the drive mechanism will be automatically disengaged from the driven mechanism. Hence, the security of the safety device for the roller blind is considerably improved.
US08336593B2
There is provided a pneumatic tire capable of improving high-speed durability and noise characteristics.The pneumatic tire has a belt-reinforcing structure 10 radially outwardly of belt plies 8 and 9, the belt-reinforcing structure 10 having organic fiber cords n spirally wound in the circumferential direction T of the tire. The belt-reinforcing structure 10 has an end reinforcement layer 10B disposed radially outwardly of each end region BE of the belt plies 8 and 9. The end reinforcement layer 10B has a two-layer structure in which its organic fiber cord nb formed of a hybrid cord is spirally wound from the axially inner side of the tire toward the axially outer side of the tire, is turned in an opposite direction at an edge 10e of the belt-reinforcing structure and is spirally wound from the axially outer side of the tire toward the axially inner side of the tire, and in which the opposite edges of the organic fiber cord nb are away inwardly in the axial direction of the tire from the edge 10e of the belt-reinforcing structure.
US08336584B2
A kitchen storage bag filling device including a resilient sheet of water-resistant material having an interior portion and an exterior portion, separated by a pre-scored arc. A user grips and squeezes the interior portion of the sheet to bend the sheet along the pre-scored arc, thereby creating a free-standing funnel-like structure. The interior portion is inserted into a plastic bag and the plastic bag is held open to increase the ease of filling the bag with liquid or solid material.
US08336582B2
In one embodiment there is provided a method for preparing a hair dye mixture. The method includes a scale and control system in communication with each other. The control system provides for a memory and a display, wherein the memory contains a formula defining instructions for blending a hair dye mixture. The method displays the instructions on the display. The stylist may then view the display of instructions and then adds to a receptacle on the scale, colorant(s) and dye blending material(s) in accordance with the instructions by using hair color manufacturers' standardized packaging, such that non-standardized or specialized packaging of colorants and/or dye blending materials are not required.
US08336579B2
An emergency disconnection system for a fluid loading arm includes two valves, a collar which when closed secures the valves together and which when opened allows the valves to disconnect from each other, and an actuator which includes a single rod which is movable axially over a length of travel. A first jack moves the rod over a first portion of its travel to close the two valves and a second jack moves the rod over a remaining portion of its travel to open the collar. The first and second jacks are independently controllable and positioned substantially coaxially relative to each other.
US08336577B2
A pressurized gas containing system has a cowling and mounting ring which supports a valve and regulator on a cylinder containing gas under pressure.
US08336571B2
A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly comprises a housing having an inlet, a first outlet, and a passageway extending therebetween, the passageway having a first inner diameter at the inlet and a second inner diameter at the first outlet, a first poppet valve disposed in, and adapted to selectively seal, the inlet, a second poppet valve disposed in, and adapted to selectively seal, the first outlet, the second poppet valve coupled to the first poppet valve, and a biasing member coupled to the second poppet valve, the biasing member adapted to exert a force sealing the second poppet valve.
US08336567B2
An operation system for umbrellas includes a multiple-section shaft with a top cap connected to a top thereof and the top cap has a first extension which includes a flexible part formed thereto. A protrusion extends from a distal end of the flexible part. A runner is movably mounted to the shaft and the first extension. The runner has a second extension which has a positioning hole so as to receive the protrusion to stop the runner from moving downward. A hollow sleeve is movably mounted to the second extension and drives the runner to move along the shaft. The sleeve has a compressing member to compress the protrusion inward to disengage the protrusion from the positioning hole when folding the umbrella.
US08336554B1
A device to hold one's foot in a neutral position while sitting in order to aid in healing includes a large plastic panel with a set of parallel plastic strips extending upward. These strips are adjustable upon the surface of the board using a series of small holes and corresponding pins. The strips are thus aligned to match the width of one's foot being held in a shoe. When aligned upon the floor, the foot, in a normal shoe without the use of a brace, is held in a neutral position which helps prevent contracture of the leg and foot muscles thus promoting faster healing after surgery. Additionally, the current device does not provide for pinching or twisting as commonly occurs with conventional prosthetic braces.
US08336544B2
A volume flow controller (1) for controlling the flow of a gas mixture of variable proportions through a conduit (3) has a valve means (5) for regulating the flow of gas through the conduit, a drive means (9) for driving the valve means, a volumetric flow meter (7), such as a Pelton wheel, for measuring the flow of gas through the conduit, which provides a feedback signal (29) for comparison with a setpoint signal (17) in an amplifier (15) which generates an adjustment signal (11) which is fed to the drive means. The setpoint signal is generated by a setpoint signal generating means (19), which comprises a potentiometer (21) for inputting a value corresponding to a desired flow rate and a slowdown circuit (23) consisting of a resistor (25) and a capacitor (27) for delaying the change in the setpoint from the previous setpoint to the desired setpoint for a period of time sufficient to compensate for the delay in response inherent in the volumetric flow meter, thus providing smooth and stable control of the gas flow. Preferably, the potentiometer is a digital potentiometer (403), which voltage is variable by independent manipulation of rotary encoders (417).
US08336543B2
A filter cartridge 12 that includes a sorbent filter material 42, an end-of-service-life (ESLI) indicator 40, a housing, and a housing cover 24. The housing 22 has a sidewall 26 that has a window pane that allows the ESLI 40 to be viewed through it. The cover 24 is secured to a first perimeter 28 of the housing sidewall 26 and has an air throughput surface 32 and an opaque extension 36. The opaque extension 36 is positioned on the cover 24 such that the extension is juxtapositioned against an outer surface of the housing sidewall 26. The cover extension 36 also has a window pane located in it so that the ESLI 40 may be viewed through it too. The provision of an opaque extension 36 on the cover 24 and a window 38 in the extension 36 allows the ESLI 40 to be appropriately masked such that the sensor registration position is consistently achieved during manufacture of the filter cartridge 12.
US08336538B2
A solar cell collector unit that materially contributes to a more efficient use and conservation of green energy includes a first metal sheet having alternating corrugated crest and valley portions on an upper surface and alternating open channels on an under surface and having a first dimension with a first peripheral edge about its entire perimeter. A second substantially flat metal sheet having a second dimension with a second peripheral edge about its entire perimeter and less than the first dimension. The first and second metal sheets overlie one another with flattened copper tubing disposed within the open channels and sandwiched there between, while crimping and folding the first peripheral edge over the second peripheral edge to form nested protuberances about its perimeter to provide stiffness and rigidity there about and forming a low cost single solar cell unit. Then deformation along the valley portions and a portion of the second metal sheet forms plural pin-less rivets thereon to provide additional stiffness and rigidity.
US08336537B1
A center burn technology for a stove or dryer for the burning of solid, loose or compressed fuels, or mixtures of fuels. The stove uses a center burn draft and combustion through the combustion material. The preferred embodiment of this stove consists of at least two bins, an outer exhaust bin and inner combustion bin. A vertically placed air core combustion tube is resting within a stabilizing support collar at the top and at the bottom the tube rests inside of a tapered apparatus. The smaller opening at the bottom of the tapered apparatus provides return gas venting and easy ash drop system to ash bin or pan below. Exhaust drafts through vents between said bins at the upper portion of the inner combustion bin. The stove provides a long efficient burn with a steady combustion temperature. The stove does not require the use of electricity.
US08336530B2
A pitching device includes a case in which a shaft, a press board, a strike board, an activation unit and a slide are received. The press board and the strike board are located on two ends of the shaft, and a driving spring is mounted to the shaft so as to rotate the shaft. The strike board has a support member for receiving a ball and the activation unit controls the operation of the strike board. The balls are put in the slide. A release member is located between the slide and the support member to control entry of the ball into the support member. By continuously pressing the press board, the torsion force of the driving spring is stored. When the pedal unit is operated to release the activation unit, the strike board rotates by the torsion spring to through the ball in the support member.
US08336523B2
In a motor vehicle having an emergency running device, there is the problem that, in the event of certain fault symptoms occurring, an emergency running function is initiated and the torque of the engine is in the process limited to an unsuitable low value. In the worst case, this can lead to insufficient acceleration, for example during an overtaking maneuver, and to an accident occurring. It is therefore proposed that the determination of an optimized emergency running function be defined as a function both of the present driving state of the motor vehicle and also of the type of fault symptom depending on which the risk and the level of danger are graded into classes and an optimized emergency running function is then determined and initiated. Thus, sufficient torque and rotational speed can be provided for reliable vehicle control even in an unfavorable traffic situation without damaging the endangered components.
US08336522B2
An engine revolution speed control system for a construction machine is disclosed. The engine revolution speed control system includes an input unit that sets an engine revolution speed by a user, outputs a setting process as a set signal, and determines whether or not an engine is driven at a set engine revolution speed; a control unit that receives the set signal and stores the set engine revolution speed, receives the set signal and an ON/OFF signal to output an output signal corresponding to the received set signal and the ON/OFF signal, and controls operation of the engine at the set engine revolution speed in accordance with the ON/OFF signal; and a display that receives the output signal to visually output the setting process or whether or not the engine is driven at the set engine revolution speed.
US08336514B2
A plasma generating device for an internal combustion engine sets the generating-atmosphere pressure for generating plasma to the intake pressure, thereby achieving a reduction in the size, weight, and energy consumption of the plasma generating device and an improvement in combustibility. An internal combustion engine includes a throttle valve arranged in an intake passage having an intake opening that opens to a combustion chamber. An intake valve opens and closes the intake opening. A plasma generating device includes a plasma generator having a generating chamber for converting intake air into a plasma state to generate plasma. The plasma generating device supplies plasma to a downstream passage of the intake passage between the throttle valve and the intake valve. A gas control valve operates in conjunction with the throttle valve, and is arranged in an introduction passage between a clean chamber of the air cleaner chamber and a generating chamber.
US08336509B2
A flap control apparatus of a vehicle and a control method thereof are disclosed. The flap control apparatus can control flaps, disposed at the front side of the vehicle to adjust inflow of air into a radiator, and can perform a fail-safe operation by releasing a corresponding flap from a locked state so that the corresponding flap can be opened by drive wind pressure upon occurrence of a malfunction making the flaps substantially non-operative, thereby preventing the engine from overheating.
US08336508B2
A system for use with a combustion engine having an air intake, sensors and an engine control module, comprising a hydrogen cell capable of turning water into hydrogen and oxygen gases and a controller electrically connected to the sensors, the engine control module and the hydrogen cell, wherein the controller is programmed to ratiometrically skew one or more signal inputs to the engine control module to control the engine in response to predetermined signal levels, wherein the controller is programmed to activate the hydrogen cell in response to predetermined signal levels, wherein the hydrogen cell is fluidly connected to the engine through the air intake, and wherein the controller is programmed to cause the engine control module to reduce the rate of fuel flow to the engine and to activate the hydrogen cell simultaneously.
US08336499B2
An aquaculture net forming an open basket has a front wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, a back wall, and a bottom. The front wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom all preferably have the form of a rectangle. At least part of the left side wall is foldable or has been folded over a diagonal of the at least part of the left side wall and at least part of the right side wall is foldable or has been folded over a diagonal of the at least part of the right side wall, in order to facilitate transport of the aquaculture net.
US08336487B2
The invention includes inserting an object to be processed into a processing vessel, which can be maintained vacuum, and making the processing vessel vacuum; performing a sequence of forming a ZrO2 film on a substrate by alternately supplying zirconium source and an oxidizer into the processing vessel for a plurality of times and a sequence of forming SiO2 film on the substrate by alternately supplying silicon source and an oxidizer into the processing vessel for one or more times, wherein the number of times of performing each of the sequences is adjusted such that Si concentration of the films is from about 1 atm % to about 4 atm %; and forming a zirconia-based film having a predetermined thickness by performing the film forming sequences for one or more cycles, wherein one cycle indicates that each of the ZrO2 film forming sequences and the SiO2 film forming sequences are repeated for the adjusted number of times of performances.
US08336484B2
A gluing mechanism comprising a platform, a plurality of turn tables set on the platform for workpieces, a motor for driving the turn tables and a gluing device firmly set up on the platform. The gluing device comprises a forward assembly, an elevator, a panning assembly and a plurality of glue applicators. The forward assembly is set on the platform and moves along a shorter side of the platform. The elevator is set on the forward assembly and moves relative to the platform vertically. The panning assembly is set on the elevator and moves along a longer side of the platform. The glue applicators are installed on the panning assembly. The motor drives the turn tables simultaneously. The gluing mechanism of the present invention has benefits of simple structure, a high working efficiency and proceeds a precise rotary gluing process to workpieces. Therefore, an excellent gluing quality can be realized.
US08336483B2
A system for glazing a sash is disclosed. The system comprises at least two position assemblies, a back bedding glazing compound applicator assembly, and a stabilizer assembly. The position assemblies each include a position member defining a distal end and a housing. Each position member is selectively slidable between a stored position and an extended position; wherein the distal end of the positioner member is extend outwardly from the housing and contacts a glazing leg of the sash when the positioner member is moved into the extended position. The back bedding glazing compound applicator assembly is configured to move from a stored position to a dispensing position, wherein the back bedding glazing compound applicator assembly includes a nozzle head that is configured to fit within a gap defined between an interior surface of the sash and an outer edge of a viewing element disposed within an opening of the sash when the back bedding glazing compound applicator assembly is in the dispensing position and wherein the back bedding glazing compound applicator assembly is fluidly connected to a back bedding glazing compound supply source. The stabilizer assembly is configured to retain the viewing element in a fixed position with respect to the sash while back bedding glazing compound is being dispensed by nozzle head.
US08336474B2
A method of manufacturing wrinkle-free garment seams and garments made therefrom comprises (a) placing a bonding element comprising a thermal adhesive between garment components; (b) stitching along a seam line; and (c) applying heat and/or pressure to cause the adhesive to melt and flow along the seam to bond at least one garment component. The thermal adhesive has a melting point of higher than about 150° C., preferably in the range about 160° C. to about 190° C. Alternatively, a bonding element comprising any adhesive material and having a substantially U shape is used to make various seams, such as a yoke seam, a shoulder seam, a side seam, a pocket seam, a hem button stay seam, a sleeve seam, a collar seam, etc. Wrinkle free garments, such as shirts, pants, blouses, skirts, etc., incorporating the seams are produced.
US08336466B2
Enhanced pallets including a plurality of hollow blocks and a plurality of hollow cross members are provided. The pallets may be aluminum extruded pallets. The blocks and cross members are welded together to form a pallet. The blocks and cross members may have internal wall structures which, form one or more crush cells or crush zones. The crush cells or crush zones deform in a controlled manner on impact to reduce impact damage to the pallets. The pallets have a high load strength supporting capability and allow the pallets to withstand repeated or severe impacts while remaining functional.
US08336465B2
A wind turbine hub transportation device is provided. The transportation device includes a hub receiving surface for receiving a wind turbine hub, a first beam, a second beam, and a center part connecting the first beam and the second beam. The first and second beam each have at least one first beam connector adapted for connecting the respective beam with a first lifter for lifting the transportation device. The center part includes a center connector adapted for making a connection to a second lifter for lifting the transportation device.
US08336458B2
A projectile in which the metallic base body itself is used as a ground wire and only the signal line is passed through the inside of the base body so that it is insulated by a suitable bore of the base body. The signal line is insulated from the ground wire by a coating of an electrically insulating material applied to the base body, before the signal line is introduced into the bore. The two ends of the signal line are provided with connecting contacts, which preferably can be screwed at least partially into the base body and are mounted in such a way that they are insulated from the base body. To allow contacting of the ground wire, which is formed by the base body itself, the front end and the rear end of the base body are provided with coating-free blind bores.
US08336456B2
A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described.
US08336454B2
When a roller is moved to an opening of a case by a pressing action to the roller, a cover member on a stamp face rotates such that the stamp face is exposed at the opening. Such a mechanism allows a working state and an off-duty state of a roller stamp to be easily switched between. Also, the cover member covers the opening side of the stamp face before the roller is squeezed out. Such a configuration prevents the stamp face from being accidentally exposed while the roller stamp is not in use.
US08336445B2
Disclosed is a pumping system comprising a pump having a rigid outer casing defining an interior space and a tube structure in the interior space, the tube structure being flexible and substantially inelastic. The interior of the tube structure defines a pumping chamber for receiving pumped fluid. The tube structure is movable between laterally expanded and collapsed conditions thereby providing discharge and intake strokes. The pumping chamber receives pumped fluid to cause the tube structure to move towards the expanded condition and undergo an intake stroke. The pumping chamber—undergoes a discharge stroke upon collapsing of the tube structure. The pumping system also comprises a delivery means and a supplying means for delivering pumped fluid to the pumping chamber and for supplying actuating fluid to an actuating region around the tube structure in timed sequence to cause the tube structure to undergo discharge and intake strokes.
US08336444B2
A pressure-receiving face plate 29 is mounted on one end face of a piston 12, and a support member 26 is raised on the end face of the piston 12. Disposed on the support member 26 with an allowance are, from the pressure-receiving faceplate 29 respectively, a disk spring 27, a plate 25, and a plunger 28. A flange 26a prevents these members from slipping off the support member 26. When the piston 12 approaches a stroke end, the plunger 28 is inserted in an oil passage 20b and applies a cushioning effect to the piston 12. In addition, a gap between the pressure-receiving faceplate 29 and the plate 25 brought into contact with a cylinder bottom 17 becomes narrow, and produces a squeeze effect such that oil escapes from the narrow gap. This makes it possible to provide a hydraulic cylinder that produces a sufficient impact force at the stroke end of the piston and also reduces noise emitted by the impact force, without increasing a length of the hydraulic cylinder.
US08336440B2
A blast energy mitigation structure may employ a V-shaped hull to decrease the pressure wave imparted to a vehicle during a blast event, and/or an energy absorbing structure to absorb a portion of the blast force, thereby minimizing the forces and accelerations experienced by passengers in the vehicle and consequently reducing their injuries and increasing their survivability during a blast event. An exemplary blast energy mitigation structure may have a V-shaped hull and an energy absorbing structure incorporated into the chassis of a vehicle such as a Tactical Wheeled Vehicle, the energy absorbing structure comprising a truss-like structure including I-beams.
US08336437B2
A perforating gun assembly for use in a wellbore. The perforating gun assembly includes a carrier gun body and a charge holder disposed within the carrier gun body. A plurality of shaped charges are supported within the carrier gun body. A secondary pressure generator is operably associated with at least one of the shaped charges. The secondary pressure generator optimizes the wellbore pressure regime immediately after detonation of the shaped charges by controlling the dynamic underbalance created by the empty gun chambers to prevent excessive dynamic underbalance which may detrimentally effect the perforating operation.
US08336431B2
A method for trimming multiple edges of a print product over the course of several processing steps of a processing cycle using a trimming apparatus is disclosed. The method includes the processing steps of feeding the print product from a stacking device to a trimming device using a feeding device, pressing the print product onto a trimming table using a pressing die, trimming the print product positioned on the trimming table using knives associated with the trimming device, releasing the pressing die from the trimming table, and removing the trimmed print product from the trimming table. The pressing die and the knives are driven by separate drives that are controlled by a control unit. The steps of feeding, pressing down, and releasing are time-variable, while the step of trimming includes a respectively time-constant knife movement for trimming the print product.
US08336429B2
A test kit for unevenly worn sheave grooves, a tool for regrooving sheave grooves that are found to be unevenly worn, and a method for testing for and maintaining the sheave grooves utilizing the test kit and tool. The test kit includes magnetic standards which adhere to a sheave beneath the portion of the sheave touched by the ropes, facilitating testing without having to unrope the sheave. Unevenly worn sheave grooves are visually ascertained by holding a straightedge adjacent to the magnetic standards. The regrooving tool includes a shank that can be received by a stand set up next to the sheave, a body attached to the shank, and an interchangeable cutting insert received by the body that is inserted in the sheave groove. When the sheave is rotated, the sheave groove is ground by the cutting insert, with each groove being ground sequentially until all grooves are again uniform.
US08336422B2
A damping system for a shift cable is disclosed, in which vibrations and noises that are generated by a transmission and transmitted into the interior of a vehicle through a shift cable are considerably reduced across a damper, that is positioned in a bottleneck section of a socket housing and contacts with bottleneck section, such that it is possible to effectively exclude vibrations and noises transmitted into the interior of a vehicle. Further, the present invention is advantageous in terms of the cost and weight, because a rubber damper is used instead of a mass damper, and it is possible to reduce vibrations and noises without increasing force for operating a shift lever and maximally prevent the function of reducing vibrations and noises from being deteriorated by frictional wear.
US08336421B2
A platform actuator includes a substrate, a first, a second, and a third spherical input slider-crank mechanism, wherein each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider crank mechanism is coupled by a first end to said substrate, and a platform is coupled to a second end of each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider-cranks. According to one exemplary embodiment, each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider-crank mechanisms are configured to convert in-plane motion to out-of-plane motion.
US08336411B2
A transmission includes an input member, an output transfer gear, first and second shaft or transmission input members, first and second counter shaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
US08336406B2
A conduit interrogation tool is provided that includes a pair of spaced apart contact elements that deform as the tool moves in the conduit. A deformation control member positioned proximate the contact element reduces or limits deformation of the contact element to a desired extent.
US08336397B2
For testing metered-dose-ejection devices, whether the ejected dose accords with a rated dose, the device (1) is sealingly applied (26) to a test compartment (24) and upon machine manipulation on the device (M, 5) a dose is ejected into the test compartment (24). Pressure difference established by such injection and with respect to a pre-established reference pressure (30) in the test compartment (24) is monitored by a pressure sensor (32). The output signal (o) of this sensor (32) is indicative of the extent of the addressed dose.
US08336394B2
A device (10) for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a pipe, especially for a transaction between a hydrocarbon supplier and a hydrocarbon purchaser is provided. The device (10) has a cylindrical body (11) to be interposed between two sections of the pipe. Ultrasound-beam transducers (15) are mounted on the main body (11) and intended to measure at least a rate of movement of the fluid stream as this flows through the device (10). At least one converter converts the signals emitted by the transducers into a flow rate signal. The transducers (15) are mounted and uniformly distributed on two coaxial parallel rings (12, 13). The transducers (15) of a first ring (12) are angularly offset relative to the transducers of the second ring (13).
US08336388B2
A method for monitoring a leg of an oilfield platform, the platform having a plurality of legs, each leg with a plurality of chords, each chord with a corresponding rack, the platform including a rack-and-pinion leg jacking system with a motor and gear system with pinions for jacking the legs up. The method, in certain aspects, including providing a load monitor with a strain sensing apparatus on a selected pinion of each rack-and-pinion system, providing a rack path differential monitoring system for monitoring rotation of the selected pinions to provide an indication of a linear displacement of the selected pinions for comparison to indicate rack path differential for racks of the legs of the platform.
US08336381B2
A sensor includes a movably supported movable element and an opposing member, and sensor detects a relative positional relationship between the movable element and the opposing member which are provided with a spacing therebetween. The opposing member has an impurity-doped portion which is provided at either an opposing portion, which is opposed to the movable element, or an adjoining portion, which adjoins the opposing portion. At least a part of the impurity-doped portion is formed on an opposite surface (that is, opposite to a surface that faces the movable element), from which opposite surface an electrical wiring is led out.
US08336379B2
For compensating unbalance of vehicle wheels, adhesive weight elements (8) are positioned and pressed onto a determined compensation surface (17) on a wheel (7) using a balancing head (1) and a program-controlled handling device (9). The adhesive weight elements (8) in the form of an endless weight strand (5) are fed by a feed device (2) arranged on the balancing head (1) to a following roll-on roller (3) that presses the beginning of the endless weight strand (5) onto the beginning of the compensation surface (17) and thereafter rolls along thereon. A length cut-off device (4) is provided in or before the roll-on roller (3) and cuts-off the endless weight strand (5) of the adhesive weight elements (8) in a determined length.
US08336377B2
Leakage past the sliding dam structure in an adjustable measuring spoon or scoop is stopped by extending an edge-mounted seal into the space between the dam structure and the side flange of the slider to which the dam structure is attached, or by providing thin, flexible curved edges to the dam structure to increase the area of sealing contact with the inside walls of the bowl in which the dam structure slides. Increased surface contact is provided due to the angle that the dam edges make with the inner bowl surface areas.
US08336369B2
A leak detection method for an air bed having an air chamber comprises adjusting the air chamber to a predetermined pressure level, sensing a first pressure value of the air chamber after a first time interval, sensing a second pressure value of the air chamber after a second time interval, determining a pressure change in the air chamber, detecting whether the air chamber is leaking by comparing the pressure change with a second pressure value, and displaying a leak detection indicator. In one embodiment, the second pressure value is a pressure change in a second air chamber. In another embodiment, the second pressure value is an expected pressure change of the air chamber that is calculated based upon changes in ambient temperature and barometric pressure.
US08336366B2
A trans-configurable modular chromatograph assembly is provided with a core unit, at least one column module, and at least one detector module. The core unit includes a controller module having a first computer processing unit, an analogue to digital signal converter, and a thermally insulated enclosure. The enclosure includes a first heater member positioned to heat the thermally insulated first enclosure housing, a first analytes stream inlet, and a first analyte stream conduit. A temperature controller is programmed to maintain the thermally insulated first enclosure at a uniform temperature throughout an analysis. The at least one column module includes a computer processor, means for releasably securing the core unit to a column module, a capillary column, a capillary column heater member, and means for sensing and controlling the temperature of the capillary column. The capillary column has an analyte outlet member in fluid communication with at least one detector module. The at least one detector module has a computer processing unit, and an analogue to digital signal converter, means for releasably securing said core unit to the detector module. The detector module includes detector member within a thermally insulated enclosure.
US08336365B2
Disclosed is a method and an NDT/NDI calibration process that automatically detects erroneous TOF readings by providing a predetermined time acceptance window. During the calibration process, TOF readings acquired by a UT device are validated to determine whether the TOF reading for the thin test block falls within the range of the predetermined time acceptance window. If the TOF reading for the thin block (T2) falls out of the predetermined time acceptance window, the operator is alerted of an error and to repeat the TOF test for the thin block.
US08336362B2
The invention relates to a pair of pressing jaws for hydraulic or electric pressing tools for pressing fittings onto pipes or for the press connection of electric cables, two pressing jaws connected to one another in an articulated manner forming a pair of pressing jaws, the pressing jaws being biased into their open position by a tension spring which spans a free space between the two pressing jaws, and in each case one end of the tension spring being accommodated in an accommodating opening which opens out into a narrow peripheral side of the pressing jaw, this narrow peripheral side being directed toward the free space, and, in order to secure the tension spring, a tension-spring end engaging around a pin-like securing part, which securing part is disposed at that end of the accommodating opening which is directed away from the free space. In order to secure the tension spring in a functionally advantageous manner, it is provided that the securing part is formed as an integral crosspiece of the pressing jaw.
US08336359B2
A method for selectively forming at least one region of a gasket sheet metal layer made of a spring steel, wherein, for the purposes of facilitating the forming process, the region of the sheet metal layer that is to be formed is heated up inductively for reducing the hardness thereof and the electromagnetic alternating field serving for the inductive heating process is concentrated onto the region that is to be formed, wherein the application time of the electromagnetic alternating field on each part of said region of the sheet metal layer that is to be formed amounts to at most approximately 2 seconds.
US08336357B2
A roller dice device includes a pair of rolling rollers respectively including circumferential rolling grooves formed at outer circumferential surfaces thereof, a supporting portion rotatably supporting the pair of rolling rollers respectively around roller axes extending in parallel with each other, a spaced portion configured by a rolling portion, through which a rolling material moves, and formed by the circumferential rolling grooves facing each other, and a restricting portion formed at the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of the rolling rollers and restricting displacement of the pair of rolling rollers relative to each other in the axial direction of the roller axes.
US08336356B2
An apparatus and process for reducing variations in the profile of a sheet metal stock are shown and described. The process includes the use of two passes, each comprising two smoothing surfaces. The smoothing surfaces of each pass are mateable to define a profile between the smoothing surfaces. The profile defined between the smoothing surfaces of the first pass is substantially the inverse of the profile defined between the smoothing surfaces of the second pass. As a sheet metal is processed between the first and second passes, it is formed with the first profile and the second profile thereby reducing variations in the profile of the sheet metal.
US08336344B2
A device is configured to be adjusted between open and closed conditions, and to securely engage a security slot of a portable computer when in the closed condition. The device defines an internal cavity that is configured to receive a portion of a cable-like computer lock when the device is in the closed condition. The device is further configured to extend the computer lock away from the housing of the portable computer. The device prevents the computer lock from obstructing access to surface features on the computer proximate to the security slot.
US08336339B2
A drum type washing machine is provided. The drum type washing machine may include a cabinet, a tub fixed to an inner side of the cabinet, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub, and a driving motor positioned at a rear side of the drum for generating a driving force that rotates the drum. The washing machine may also include a supporting plate to rotatably support a rotational shaft extending between the motor and the drum, and a plurality of supporters connected between the supporting plate and the cabinet. Such an arrangement may increase washing capacity by increasing a diameter of the drum without increasing an external size of the cabinet.
US08336331B2
Provided is a refrigerator. More functions can be added to a refrigerator door by coupling a home bar and a dispenser. Also, since the dispenser is disposed so that it is shielded from the outside, contamination of the dispenser can be prevented.
US08336330B2
A refrigerator with an ice making device. The refrigerator includes a body defined with a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and an ice making compartment, the ice making compartment arranged in the refrigerating compartment while being thermally insulated from the refrigerating compartment, a first evaporator arranged in the refrigerating compartment, a second evaporator arranged in the freezing compartment, a refrigerating duct for circulating cold air from the first evaporator to the refrigerating compartment, a freezing duct for circulating cold air from the second evaporator to the freezing compartment, and an ice making flow passage for communicating the second evaporator and the ice making compartment. The second evaporator, ice making compartment, and ice making flow passage form a closed circuit such that the cold air in the ice making compartment does not enter the refrigerating compartment.
US08336328B2
The air cycle refrigerating/cooling system compresses air that has flown in with a compressor (6) in a turbine unit (5) and adiabatically expands the air with an expansion turbine (7) in a turbine unit (5). In the turbine unit (5), a compressor rotor (6a) of the compressor (6) and a turbine rotor (7a) of the expansion turbine (7) are attached to the same main shaft (13), the main shaft (13) is supported by bearings (15) and (16) so as to be freely rotatable, and part or the entirety of the thrust force applied to this main shaft (13) is supported by an electromagnet (17).
US08336322B2
A distributed refrigeration appliance system in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling including multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit. The refrigeration system can also have more than one refrigeration machine providing cooling to the secondary refrigeration loop.
US08336321B2
A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit. The refrigeration system can also have more than one refrigeration machine providing cooling to the secondary refrigeration loop.
US08336319B2
A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), and a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel, and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series.
US08336318B2
A cryopump is provided with: a refrigerator that generates a cold state by a heat cycle in which an operating gas inhaled inside is expanded and discharged; a heat shield thermally connected to the refrigerator so as to be cooled to a target temperature; and a control unit that determines a command value for a heat cycle frequency such that a temperature of the heat shield follows the target temperature, and provides the command value to the refrigerator. The control unit estimates whether the refrigerator outputs a refrigerating capacity corresponding to the command value for the frequency based on a flow rate of the operating gas.
US08336311B2
A low-pressure-vapor-recovery turbine generator that effectively recovers low-pressure steam emitted from a high-pressure-side steam turbine to generate electric power is provided. A low-pressure-vapor-recovery turbine that recovers low-pressure steam emitted from a high-pressure-side steam turbine and is rotationally driven, a generator that generates electric power with a rotational output of the low-pressure-vapor-recovery turbine, and a condenser that condenses into liquid exhaust steam from the low-pressure-vapor-recovery turbine are provided. The low-pressure-vapor-recovery turbine, generator, and condenser are installed in a portable outer casing that can be transported.
US08336309B2
A turbocharger wastegate valve assembly comprises a first bypass port communicating with a first portion of an exhaust inlet and a first valve member adapted for engaging and sealing a first valve seat surrounding the first bypass port. The valve assembly further comprises a second bypass port communicating with a second portion of an exhaust inlet and a second valve member adapted for engaging and sealing a second valve seat surrounding the second port. A shaft supports each valve member for rotation about a shaft axis to lift both the first and second valve members from sealing engagement with the first and second valve seats respectively. The first valve seat is inclined relative to the second valve seat and the shaft has freedom of movement in the axial direction.
US08336300B2
A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine cylinder air-fuel is adjusted to allow soot to oxidize at an upstream particulate filter while exhaust gases are efficiently processed in a downstream catalyst.
US08336298B2
In an addition-amount controller for an exhaust gas purifying agent to be used for an exhaust emission control system of an engine, one mode is executed based on satisfaction of an execution condition for each mode, from among a plurality of control modes. The control modes includes a purification control mode in which an addition amount of NH3 or an additive serving as a generating source of the NH3 is determined according to a predetermined parameter associated with an amount of NOx in the exhaust gas, and a storage control mode in which the addition amount is set to be larger than that in the purification control mode. When a load on an output shaft of the engine is higher than an allowable level, the execution condition of the storage control mode is determined to be satisfied.
US08336287B1
A solid rocket motor includes a combustion chamber bounded by an outer casing, a propellant grain within the combustion chamber, and an igniter within the outer casing for igniting the propellant grain. A nozzle is coupled to the combustion chamber for releasing hot gasses evolved from burning the propellant grain to provide thrust for propelling the solid rocket motor. The propellant grain is a self-extinguishing propellant grain that includes at least one fuel, at least one oxidizing agent, at least one binder, and at least one surfactant that imparts the self-extinguishing property. The propellant grain provides a burning rate as a function of pressure that includes a negative pressure dependence portion, wherein the burning rate in the negative pressure dependence portion decreases with increasing pressure until a cutoff pressure is reached which results in extinguishment of the propellant grain.
US08336273B2
A wall mounted panel system wherein panels are permitted three directions of expansion and contraction since each of panel is affixed to the wall at a single point. For example, the system includes a first and second panel adjacent to one another. An upper bracket and a lower bracket are affixed to the back of each panel, wherein the upper brackets are affixed to the wall and wherein the lower bracket of the first panel is movably engaged with the upper bracket of the second panel. The panels do not communicate with any sealing members, thereby allowing for air to flow freely behind the panels for providing a means of removing moisture from behind the panels. A brace member in communication with the interior surface of each panel has an upper end affixed to the upper bracket and a lower end affixed to the lower bracket.
US08336259B2
A vehicle door opening/closing apparatus includes a drum unit disposed on the side of one face of an inner panel constituting a vehicle door and including a take-up drum capable of taking up a length of cable disposed between the vehicle and the vehicle door, a drive unit disposed on the side of the other face of the inner panel and configured to drive the take-up drum, a power transmission mechanism configured for transmitting a rotational drive force of the drive unit to the take-up drum, with allowing engagement and disengagement between take-up drum and the drive unit, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the drive unit to the drum unit, with the inner panel being clamped there between.
US08336249B2
A fishing casting device (10) for mounting onto a fishing rod (12), the casting device comprising a mount (20) and a catch (30) connected to the mount (20), wherein the fishing line (15) is releasably held by the catch (30). The device (10) also includes a release mechanism (40) adapted to release the fishing line (15) from the catch (30) during a casting action when a predetermined casting force is reached.
US08336247B2
A clamping system for mounting accessory devices onto a rail type mount such as a Picatinny-rail is characterized in that the clamping system comprises at least one body which is passed through by a cross bolt or a cross screw and wherein the cross bolt or cross screw have a stop bar which engages in a cross slot when mounted to the rail of the rail type mount.
US08336246B1
A rail mounting mechanism for coupling an auxiliary device to a weapon has a cam and a jaw and rotation of the cam causes the jaw to come into contact with a surface of a mounting rail to squeeze the rail in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of rotation of the cam.
US08336240B2
A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The assembly includes a base band element with a body extending from a first end to a second end containing an RFID module. The assembly includes a sizing band element for sizing the assembly to a particular wrist size. The band assembly includes an interlocking fastener that slidably couples the base band element to the sizing band element so as to define a one-piece band with a desired length/size. The interlocking fastener includes a first portion provided on the second end of the base band element body and a second portion on an end of the sizing band element body. The fastener may be a tongue and groove mechanism, with the first portion being a tongue member extending from the base band body and with the second portion being a groove in the end of the sizing band body.
US08336212B2
A razor blade unit having a frame and blades movably mounted in the frame, each blade being elastically biased toward a rest position where the upper face of each blade bears against upper stop portions of the frame, the upper face of each blade being parallel to the corresponding upper stop portions.
US08336201B2
A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board having a flow preventing dam, including: applying a dry film resist on a base substrate having a solder pad, and then primarily exposing the dry film resist to light; secondarily exposing the primarily exposed dry film resist formed on a peripheral area of the base substrate to light, thus forming a flow preventing dam; removing the unexposed dry film resist to expose the solder pad, thus forming an opening; printing the opening with a solder paste, and then forming a solder bump through a reflow process; and removing the primarily exposed dry film resist.
US08336199B2
A tool according to one embodiment includes an actuating mechanism including a cam plate; at least one gripper member operatively coupled to the cam plate; and a carriage for supporting the at least one gripper member, wherein the at least one gripper member is actuatable by the cam plate, wherein rotation of the cam plate causes the at least one gripper member to move between a first position and a second position, wherein when the at least one gripper member is in the first position, the tool is able to accept a processor for holding thereof, and wherein when the at least one gripper member is in the second position, the tool securely holds the processor therein. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
US08336198B2
An automatic feeding and crimping device of an applicator in a terminal making machine for flexible printed circuits, flat cables and cable terminals allows easy adjustment of a feed number of terminals and serves to automatically feed the terminals for the applicator to crimp the terminals with a flexible printed circuit, a flat cable or other cable terminals, thereby providing industrial benefits related to fast and precise terminal processing and flexible feed pitches.
US08336196B2
A connector assembling jig is used for a housing (20) that includes a main body (22) with terminal accommodating portions (21) and locking pieces (23) for locking terminal fittings (10) in the terminal accommodating portions (21) and in which each locking piece (23) projects from the main body (22) in an insufficient inserted state of the corresponding terminal fitting (10), and can detect insufficient insertion of the terminal fitting (10) when the terminal fitting (10) is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion (21). The connector assembling jig has a holder (30) including an accommodating recess (34) for the housing (20) and a detection arm (32) which is set to an insufficient insertion detecting posture when any locking piece (23) projects, and the accommodating recess (34) is formed with a positioning groove (68) for receiving a positioning rib (24) of the housing (20).
US08336194B2
A method of fabricating a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) reader is disclosed. A TMR structure comprising at least one ferromagnetic layer and at least one nonmagnetic insulating layer is provided. A first thermal annealing process on the TMR structure is performed. A reader pattern definition process performed on the TMR structure to obtain a patterned TMR reader. A second thermal annealing process is performed on the patterned TMR reader.
US08336190B2
A method for calibrating a test instrument and a set of leads having proximal ends coupled with the test instrument is described. The method includes shorting the distal ends of the set of leads during calibration and zeroing the test instrument during the shorting. The shorting includes coupling an electrical conductor with at least two of the distal ends.
US08336187B2
A fuel insertion tube tool for installing a fuel tube on a barb. The tool has first and second arms that are pivotably attached through an arm pivot axis. Each arm has a grip to engage the fuel tube. A tab extends from the first arm and is pivotably attached to a proximal end of a bar with a pivot pin that defines a bar axis. The bar axis and the arm axis are perpendicular to each other. A hook is disposed at a distal end of the bar for engagement with an attachment site. The tab functions as a fulcrum to reduce the amount of force required to install the fuel tube on the barb. The bar has weight reducing holes and the grips have straight knurls for frictional engagement with the fuel tube.
US08336185B2
The invention provides a rotary wing aircraft helicopter vehicle rod end and method of making a rod end. The rotary wing aircraft rod end includes a nonelastomeric inner member having an outer bonding surface segment and an axial bore with a center bore axis, a nonelastomeric outer member having an inner bonding surface segment and an axial bore center bore axis, and molded in place alternating elastomeric shims and nonelastomeric shims connecting the nonelastomeric inner member to the nonelastomeric outer member. The rod end includes a first inner elastomeric shim bonded to the nonelastomeric inner member outer bonding surface segment and to a first inner nonelastomeric shim and a second outer elastomeric shim bonded to the nonelastomeric outer member inner bonding surface segment and to a second outer nonelastomeric shim. The nonelastomeric inner member has a molded misalignment rotary wing aircraft rod end orientation with the outer nonelastomeric outer member.
US08336182B2
A device for holding a bit for a tool, the bit to be disassembled and/or re-assembled when held, includes a housing to be secured to a stationary base and a clamping mechanism for releasably clamping the bit to the housing so that it may be disassembled and/or re-assembled, the clamping mechanism including a recess provided in the housing, a movable gripping element arranged inside the recess and having a first gripping area for engaging the bit part, and a stationary gripping element, the gripping element having a second gripping area for engaging a bit part, wherein the movable gripping element is configured to be moved between an open position wherein the stationary gripping element and the movable gripping element are spaced to allow to receive or to remove the bit part and a clamping position wherein the bit part is clamped between first and second gripping areas of the gripping elements.
US08336171B2
A quick release apparatus for rapid disconnection of a worker's waist belt from a self-contained breathing apparatus support frame. The apparatus includes a frame-connecting lumbar support pad that attaches to the interior side of the SCBA unit lower lumbar support plate and includes a front side and a rear side. The apparatus further includes a belt-capturing element disposed on the front side of the lumbar support pad and at least one frame connector disposed on the rear side. A rapid release member is slidably inserted through a portion of either one or both of the lumbar support pad or the belt-capturing member, such that pulling the rapid release member away from the lower lumbar support pad effects a rapid release of said apparatus from the SCBA support frame.
US08336170B2
Systems and methods for removing linters from ginned cottonseeds are provided. The systems and methods involve rotating the cottonseeds in a rotatable drum having a plurality of longitudinal brushes. The centrifugal force created by the rotation of the drum and the plurality of longitudinal brushes urge the cottonseeds against an interior surface of the drum that is lined with a flexible abrasive member. In this way, work is performed that removes the linters from the cottonseeds. The linters are removed using reduced pressure and the processed seeds are removed. Other systems and methods are disclosed.
US08336168B2
A hinge mechanism includes a fixing member, a rotary member, a rotary member, an adjusting member and a support member, all of which are interconnected. The rotary member is capable of being positioned in a preset manner to form an acute angle relative to the fixing member, the adjusting member is capable of being positioned in a preset manner to form an acute angle relative to the rotary member; and the support member is capable of being positioned in a preset manner to form an obtuse angle relative to the adjusting member. An electronic device using the hinge mechanism is also provided.
US08336165B2
An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body having a dust collection container disposed therein, a base unit and a carriage configured to move the base unit on the surface. A tilting joint is disposed between the base unit and the upper body. The tilting joint is operable to provide tilting of the upper body relative to the base unit about a horizontal axis from a vertical parked position to an inclined tilted operating position. A swivel joint is disposed between the base unit and the upper body. The swivel joint is operable to provide a change in a direction of travel of the base unit by twisting the upper body. A rotation-locking device is configured to lock the upper body against rotation when the vacuum cleaner is in the parked position.
US08336162B2
A floor care appliance has a body including a control assembly and a nozzle assembly, a rotary agitator carried on the nozzle assembly and a dirt collection vessel carried on the body. In addition a suction generator is carried on the body. The suction generator includes a fan and a drive motor. A belt operably connects the drive motor to the rotary agitator. An agitator drive interrupt mechanism includes an idler pulley support and first and second idler pulleys carried on the idler pulley support. The idler pulley support is displaceable between a first position wherein the idler pulleys tension the belt to provide drive to the rotary agitator and a second position wherein the idler pulleys de-tension the belt and interrupt drive to the rotary agitator.
US08336161B1
The air wiping device includes a housing having an internal elongated tubular passage through which the elongated product extends and including opposite one and other ends with the housing tubular passage having an inlet end and an outlet end for respectively receiving and passing the elongated product; a first set of nozzles mounted at the one end of the housing for communicating a compressed gas stream to the internal elongated tubular passage and second set of nozzles mounted at the other end of the housing for communicating a compressed gas to the internal elongated tubular passage. A ceramic insert is disposed in the internal tubular passage of the housing and through which the elongated product passes. The ceramic insert includes a tapered input through which the elongated product is received and an output through which the elongated product passes from the housing. The first and second sets of nozzles are mounted for directing the respective gas streams in a direction having a compressed gas stream component toward each other for discharge transversely from the housing.
US08336155B2
A replacement head for an electromagnetic toothbrush drive includes a mechanical linkage assembly for converting linear drive motion into rotational movement of the brush head. The mechanical linkage assembly includes a fixed shaft and a lever arm that extend between a movable bottom member and a fixed top member, and a link member rotatably connected to the top member and the brush head. The lever arm pivots about a fulcrum formed in the top member, and engages the link member. When the bottom member oscillates as a results of the actuation of the electromagnet in the drive unit, the lever arm pivots about the fulcrum and drives the link member to rotate in an arc shaped pattern. The rotation of the link member consequently rotates the brush head.
US08336150B2
Provided is a treatment tool including: an elongated member which is formed of a flexible material and includes first and second terminals; a first body portion which is fixed to the first terminal so as to function in a target; a handle portion which is provided in the second terminal and is provided with a rotating holding portion holding the elongated member so as to be rotatable about the axis of the elongated member; and a second body portion which is attached to the handle portion so as to function in a target and is rotated relative to the elongated member when rotating the handle member relative to the elongated member. The treatment tool is capable of performing a cleaning treatment or the like while curtailing extraneous matter from being scattered in the vicinity thereof and reducing contamination thereof.
US08336148B2
A system and method for processing a wafer includes a charge neutralization system. The wafer processing system includes a wafer measuring device that can measure characteristics of a surface of the semiconductor wafer. One or more wafer processing stations perform a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) process on the wafer surface. A desica cleaning station can clean and dry the semiconductor wafer. The wafer processing system further includes a charge neutralizing device that can alter a surface charge of the wafer surface.
US08336140B2
A support apparatus (10) for use in supporting a person, particularly a bariatric patient. The apparatus (10) is selectively convertible between a seat configuration for supporting the person in a substantially seated position and a table configuration for supporting the person in a substantially prostrate position. The apparatus (10) is both vertically and angularly adjustable in either configuration. The apparatus (10) includes enhanced lateral support provided by telescoping support cylinders (74,76), and substantially automatically retracting foot support portions (50).
US08336138B2
A patient care equipment support system includes an arm having a first arm portion and a second arm portion that telescopically extends and retracts relative to the first arm portion along a substantially horizontal axis. The first arm portion includes a first end of the arm that is supported for pivoting movement about a substantially vertical first axis. The second arm portion includes a second end of the arm. A column is situated beneath the second end of the arm. The column includes a first column portion and a second column portion that telescopically extends and retracts relative to the first column portion along a substantially vertical second axis.
US08336137B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a bedsheet comprising a non-fitted portion and a fitted portion for securing the bedsheet onto one end of a mattress, and a method for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, a semi-fitted bedsheet comprises a seamless fitted portion, a non-fitted portion, and a securing means incorporated along an edge of the fitted portion. In another embodiment, a semi-fitted bedsheet further comprises a position indicator for identifying a proper positioning of the bedsheet on a mattress.
US08336134B2
A patient support may, among other things, support a person in a laying-down or a seated position. A mobile lift may assist a person with the process of moving from a seated or laying-down position to a standing position, or moving from one type of patient support to another (e.g. from a bed to a wheelchair or vice versa). A docking apparatus may secure the position of the mobile lift relative to the patient support. The docking apparatus may include an electrical connection between the mobile lift and the patient support. The docking apparatus may permit control of the mobile lift by the patient support, and/or permit control of the patient support by the mobile lift.
US08336130B1
A toilet device that can be raised or lowered comprising a generally flat base atop a floor; a toilet bowl disposed above the base via a hydraulic lift cylinder, wherein the hydraulic lift cylinder can move the toilet bowl between an up position where the toilet bowl is raised upwardly away from the floor and a down position wherein the toilet bowl is lowered toward the floor; one or more telescopic support rods for supporting the toilet bowl above the base; a waste pipe fluidly connecting the toilet bowl to a waste line of the plumbing system; and a control device operatively connected to the hydraulic lift cylinder for causing the hydraulic lift cylinder to move the toilet bowl to the up position or the down position.
US08336124B2
An upper body protective garment having a lower portion including flexibly interconnected protective abdominal and lower back members, an upper portion including protective thoracic and upper back members with a neck hole defined therebetween, a flexible front connection allowing at least limited movement of a bottom end of the thoracic member with respect to the abdominal member, and a flexible rear connection between the lower back member and the upper back member provided by a protective spinal member including flexibly interconnected rigid members for overlaying a spine of the wearer, the front and rear connections allowing the upper portion to remain at least substantially fixed with respect to shoulders of the wearer and the lower portion to remain at least substantially fixed with respect to a waist of the wearer while the shoulders and waist are moved relative to one another.
US08341759B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that non-intrusively detects counterfeit components in a target computer system. During operation, the system collects target electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals generated by the target computer system using one or more antennas positioned in close proximity to the target computer system. The system then generates a target EMI fingerprint for the target computer system from the target EMI signals. Next, the system compares the target EMI fingerprint against a reference EMI fingerprint to determine whether the target computer system contains a counterfeit component.
US08341752B2
An audio and/or video media content providing device includes a controller, such as a server, that is responsive to RFID tag based information obtained from a remote RFID enabled media object. The controller is operative to facilitate access to media content associated with a stored periodically changing media content list. For example, a content registry database may be periodically updated through a suitable user interface to change a link between content identification information read from a remote RFID enabled media object, with media application information so that the same RFID tag may allow the downloading of different media. The link between the content ID and the media ID may be dynamically changed through the controller. This may be advantageous, to provide for example, a Top 10 song card or other RFID enabled object that stays the same but can be used to securely download different media over time.
US08341747B2
A method of operating a virtual machine includes determining a virtual machine signature, receiving an execution request from an application, and determining an application signature based on the request. The method further includes validating the application signature to the virtual machine signature and executing the application based on the validation.
US08341746B2
A method and apparatus for determining the identity of suspected malware on a client device. Information pertaining to the malware is sent from the client device to a server. The server determines a first required information set, and sends a request to the client device for the required information set. The client device compares the required information set with information stored at the client device, and returns the results of the comparison to the server. The server uses the results of the comparison to attempt to determine an identity of the malware. If the results of the comparison indicate that the suspected malware is one of a plurality of types of malware, a new required information set is determined, which is sent back to the client device, and the process repeated. Otherwise the identity of the suspected malware is determined, or it is determined that the suspected malware is unknown to the server.
US08341740B2
Malware detection systems are presented in which a list is constructed of enterprise hosts to or from which each given enterprise network host sends or receives packets within a current measurement period and statistics are accumulated based on two or more measurement period lists, with a count value being derived from the statistics to indicate the number of other hosts to or from which each monitored host sent or received packets, and one or more monitored hosts may be identified as suspected of being infected with slow and/or distributed scanning malware for which the count value exceeds a threshold value.
US08341734B1
A document handling device receives a user request to perform a task on document data. The document data is associated with an electronic document to be converted by the document-handling device into a non-digital form (e.g., paper), or with a physical document received by the document-handling device in a non-digital form. The document handling device or a server determines whether the requested task violates a data loss prevention policy, and records, in an audit trail, information identifying the requested task and the digital data, and an indication of whether the requested task violates the data loss prevention policy.
US08341726B2
A system and method for controlling the propagation of an email message includes defining at least a first email recipient and a second email recipient of the email message. A first email propagation policy associated with at least the first email recipient is defined, and a second email propagation policy associated with at least the second email recipient is defined. The email message is sent to the first email recipient and to the second email recipient.
US08341719B2
Data packets are transmitted in a secure manner from an external network to a secure network. The secure network and the external network are interconnected via a firewall comprising a first interface with the external network and a second interface with the secure network. The firewall provides, over the second interface, a plurality of virtual interfaces. An association between items of specific information of the firewall and said virtual interfaces is stored in the firewall and in the secure network. It is determined whether to authorize the transmission of a packet received from the external network to the secure network on the basis of predefined security criteria. If the received packet is authorized, an item of specific information is selected to be transmitted to the secure network with the authorized packet. A virtual interface is then determined as a function of the item of specific information selected on the basis of the association. The authorized packet is then transmitted via the determined virtual interface. Thus, on reception of the packet in the secure network, the item of specific information can be deduced from the virtual interface through which the packet is received, on the basis of the association.
US08341717B1
A dynamic network policies system based on device classification is provided. The system comprises a computer system, a configuration database, and a dynamic network policies application based on device classification that receives a message from a virtual local area network access component containing a device identity certificate. The application parses the device identity certificate to discover a device classification, references the configuration database to determine a network policy associated with the device classification, and associates the network policy with a virtual local area network definition. The application also sends a reply containing the virtual local area network definition to the virtual local area network access component in response to the request, wherein access to network services is made available by association with a virtual local area network, and wherein association with a virtual local network is specific to the device classification and the network policy.
US08341716B2
The information processing device includes, a communication portion that communicates with a certification device which performs certification of whether or not a user has usage permission, a reception portion that receives input identification information for identifying the user, a storage portion that stores previously registered identification information, a certification portion that performs user certification, when the reception portion receives the input identification information and the communication portion requests certification of a user by sending the identification information to the certification device, based on result information, when result information is obtained from the certification device indicating a certification result, and based on whether or not the identification information is stored in the storage portion, when the result information is not obtained, and a registration portion that registers the certified identification information in the storage portion, when certification that a user has usage permission is obtained based on the result information.
US08341710B2
A first device receives, from a second device, a first request to set up an account, where the first request includes a shared key and information associated with the second device, where the shared key is calculated based on a private key, of a private key/public key pair, and information regarding an identity selection, from user identity information, associated with a user of the second device; and store the shared key in a memory. The first device receives, from the second device, a second request to log in to the account, where the second request includes a first webtoken and information associated with the second device, where the first webtoken is calculated based on the shared key and a first time interval; retrieves the shared key; generates a second webtoken based on the shared key and a second time interval; performs an authentication operation by comparing the first webtoken and the second webtoken; and permits the second device to access the account when the first webtoken matches the second webtoken.
US08341702B2
Methods for authenticating and authorizing a mobile device using tunneled extensible authentication protocol are provided. The methods include evaluating an inner user identifier against a policy engine to determine a home AAA server to route an access request for inner user authentication. Instead of having a static route configured based on an outer identifier/roaming identity, the policy engine can have multiple rules and actions for routing the request. The evaluation can be based on the conditions of the inner user identifier and or other AAA attributes received in the request. The request is transmitted within a secure communication tunnel. There are several embodiments of evaluating an inner user identifier against a policy engine.
US08341701B2
The conventional data transmitting/receiving system has problems: that a correct measurement cannot be performed because a measurement result is an addition of a verification processing time and a transmission time; that an authentication processing which is necessary for a transmission time measurement processing needs to be separately required; and that an unnecessary key exchange processing is executed.The transmission apparatus (a) shares authentication information with a request source which requests for transmission of content data, (b) transmits, to the request source, a measurement request generated using the authentication information, (c) receives, from the request source, a measurement response generated using the authentication information by the request source, as a response to the measurement request, (d) measures the period of time from the transmission of the measurement request to the reception of the measurement response, as a round trip time, (e) transmits, to the request source, a measurement preparation request for a preparation which is necessary for generating the measurement response, before the transmission of the measurement request, and (f) determines that the request source is an eligible device as the transmission destination of the content data, after the measurement of the round trip time, in the case where it is confirmed that the round trip time is less than or equal to a reference value, the measurement response is verified as a correct response, and the measurement request is verified as a correct request by the request source.
US08341687B2
Described are methods and apparatus for enhancing an information resource, such as a Web page, simultaneously residing in memory on a number of remote receivers. A content creator, (e.g., a program producer, broadcaster, affiliate, cable company or satellite provider), embeds a trigger in a data service channel of a broadcast signal. The trigger includes a resource identifier unique to the information resource and a script capable of modifying the information resource. The script might be a script or a segment of a script written in a conventional scripting language. Each receiver that includes the targeted information resource monitors the data service channel of the broadcast video signal for script-bearing triggers directed to that resource. If a receiver receives a script-bearing trigger directed to the resident resource, the receiver executes the script contained within the trigger to alter the resource and/or the displayed video defined by the resource.
US08341686B2
Presented here is a method of operating video services receivers in a network that includes a controller device and at least one member device. Also presented is a controller device that facilitates the method. The method obtains network configuration data at a first video services receiver, where the network configuration data is utilized by the first video services receiver to support data communication with the controller device and the at least one member device. The method continues by establishing a data communication link between the first video services receiver and the controller device, and uploading the network configuration data from the first video services receiver to the controller device via the data communication link. The controller device can thereafter be used to download the network configuration data to a second video services receiver.
US08341683B2
Methods for integrating an authored DVD system and a WWW web browser are described. Universal Resource Locator (URL) information corresponding to sites accessible by the browser is stored in fields within the DVD data. When a user actuates a DVD element that has a corresponding URL, the web browser displays information from that site. When the user actuates an HTML menu or other browser-implemented feature, the DVD system accesses a portion of the DVD data specified in the menu. This arrangement provides for two-way communication, i.e., HTML in the browser is able to control DVD content and vice-versa. Having the WWW information embedded in the DVD brings a number of benefits, the foremost of which is the ability to write a “one size fits all” template web page that can interrogate the DVD for URL information and present WWW content corresponding to the URL synchronized with the DVD information.
US08341681B2
A method includes receiving, at a first server, data from a set-top box device including login information for a user to establish a first session with a multimedia distribution system. The method includes determining at the first server that the user belongs to at least one presence group when the login information is verified. The method includes identifying one or more on-line members that are members of the at least one presence group and have established sessions with the multimedia distribution system. The method also includes sending information from the first server to the set-top box device, the information corresponding to session activity of each of the one or more on-line members. The information includes video content selected by a user of a particular set-top box corresponding to one of the one or more on-line members, where the video content is concurrently sent to the particular set-top box device.
US08341672B2
Disclosed are a method, apparatus, system, and computer readable media containing instructions for preparing and displaying a plurality of audio-visual signals in a digital video distribution system (e.g., IPTV), which enables fast channel switching between channels. The system includes a server which sends a plurality of audio-visual signals coded in a base layer and enhancement layer format to an endpoint. The endpoint receives and decodes the base layer of a first channel, at least one second base layer of a second channel, and at least one enhancement layer of the first channel, and displays them on a video display.
US08341670B2
A method and a system for providing application service are disclosed. The method of providing application service in a digital data broadcasting system coupled to at least one broadcasting terminal through a network includes generating a preview contents by using first data combined with an application for data broadcasting service, wherein the preview contents has second data provided when a user requests the application service, and transmitting the generated preview contents to the broadcasting terminal. Here, the broadcasting terminal outputs the preview contents before data broadcasting standby time. Accordingly, useful information may be provided to the user before the application is executed.
US08341664B2
A method and system for providing selective advertising on a television channel is accomplished by downloading appropriate advertisements from an advertising server to a subscriber's set top box over an out-of-band channel. The set top box monitors for events. When an event occurs, the set top box signals the head-end to download ads to the set top box. The ads may be selected using demographic or common channel preference pattern information associated with the set top box.
US08341654B2
A control unit makes the slot control mechanism execute an failure recovery operation to repeat the insertion operation and the ejection operation alternately for a predetermined amount at a first point of time when the below fact is found, if it is found that there is an error in insertion operation or ejection operation of a slot control mechanism. Afterwards, the control unit makes the slot control mechanism execute an restoration operation for a predetermined amount after a second point of time when the below fact is found, if it is found that the slot control mechanism has returned to normal, thereby making the slot control mechanism return to the state at the first point of time. Then, the control unit makes the slot control mechanism execute the insertion operation or the ejection operation again. With this arrangement, it is possible to ensure reliable insertion operation or ejection operation.
