US08410835B1
Leakage tolerant phase locked loop (PLL) circuit devices and methods of locking phases of output phase signals to a phase of a reference signal using a leakage tolerant PLL circuit device are provided. Embodiments include a PLL circuit device comprising: a primary loop and a secondary correction circuit. The primary loop includes a phase detector, an error controller, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and feedback divider. The secondary correction circuit is configured to generate and provide a secondary error-frequency signal to the error controller. The secondary correction circuit is configured to generate the secondary error-frequency signal in response to detecting a particular edge of a divided VCO output signal. The primary loop is configured to control a frequency adjustment based on at least one of a first error-frequency-increase signal, a first error-frequency-decrease signal, and the secondary error-frequency signal.
US08410834B2
An apparatus and method for clock regeneration with low jitter. The method includes the following steps: (a) using a phase lock loop to generate a first clock that is phase locked to a reference clock; (b) using a binary phase detector for generating a phase error signal by detecting a timing difference between the input signal and a second clock; (c) filtering the phase error signal to generate a first control word and a second control word; (d) performing a phase rotation on the first clock by an amount controlled by the first control word to generate the second clock; (e) filtering the second control word to generate a third control word; (f) sampling the third control word to generate a fourth control word using a third clock; and (g) performing a phase rotation on the first clock by an amount controlled by the fourth control word to generate the third clock. Comparable features for performing these steps are provided in the apparatus.
US08410832B2
A triangular waveform generator includes a square waveform clock circuit and an integrating circuit. The integration circuit receives input from the square waveform clock circuit and generates a triangular waveform output. A feedback circuit is operatively connected to the integrating circuit to reduce the audio band noise content in the triangular waveform output. The feedback circuit acts as a DC balance without significant sacrifice in the linearity of the triangular waveform output.
US08410829B2
A multi-stage drive circuit is to be coupled to a semiconductor switch having a drive terminal, a first terminal and a second terminal, to switch the semiconductor switch on and off. The multi-stage drive circuit includes a first drive circuit, a second drive circuit and a selector circuit. The first drive circuit is to be coupled to provide a first drive signal to the drive terminal of the semiconductor switch and the second drive circuit is to be coupled to provide a second drive signal to the drive terminal of the semiconductor switch. The selector circuit is to be coupled to turn on the first and second drive circuits to provide the first and second drive signals to the drive terminal, respectively. The selector circuit turns on the second drive circuit responsive to a voltage between the first and second terminals of the semiconductor switch falling to a threshold value.
US08410828B2
The invention relates to a driver circuit used to transmit a digital signal from a source device to a destination device. The driver circuit provides a controlled switching time to improve digital signal quality, while reducing electromagnetic interference. In the circuit, a pair of first switches of a first plurality are coupled in parallel between a first current node and respective ones of first and second output terminals. A plurality of pairs of second switches of a second plurality are coupled in parallel between a respective second current node and the first and second output terminals. Timing circuitry applies input signals to the pair of first switches and successive input signals to the pairs of second switches so as to develop a staggered voltage across a load coupled between the first and second output terminals.
US08410826B2
A load drive circuit with a current bidirectional detecting function includes: a current bidirectional switch connected between a first wire and a second wire and through which a first forward current flows in a direction from the first wire to the second wire and a first backward current flows in a direction from the second wire to the first wire; a forward current detecting switch connected to the first wire and into which a second forward current correlated to the first forward current flowing through the current bidirectional switch flows; a backward current detecting switch connected to the second wire and into which a second backward current correlated to the first backward current flowing through the current bidirectional switch flows.
US08410820B2
In a latch circuit having a bistable pair of cross connected transistors of a first polarity and a third transistor of a second polarity, a current signal greater than a bias current is received at a latch circuit port, amplified with the third transistor, and applied to the latch circuit port. This decreases the time in which the latch circuit port receiving the current signal greater than the bias current reaches a steady state voltage.
US08410819B2
Disclosed is a programmable pulse width discriminator circuit operable to receive a set of parameters from a user and indicate when an input signal satisfies conditions set by the user-defined parameters. The input signal is sampled by the pulse width discriminator circuit to detect a desired state of the input signal. The user may set the parameters such that the pulse width discriminator indicates the condition wherein the number of consecutive samples for which the input signal is the desired state is (i) greater than a first threshold value, (ii) less than a second threshold value, or (iii) between the first and second threshold values. In these embodiments, the user sets the first and second threshold values and selects which set of conditions are indicated by the output of the circuit.
US08410815B2
A transistor arrangement includes a switch transistor and a sense transistor. The switch transistor includes a charge storing structure and a control structure. The sense transistor includes a charge storing structure, a control structure and a select structure. The charge storing structure of the switch transistor is electrically connected to the charge storing structure of the sense transistor. The sense transistor is configured such that the select structure and the control structure of the sense transistor may be electrically controlled independently from one another.
US08410814B2
Receiver circuits for differential and single-ended signals are disclosed. In some embodiments, a receiver may include a first amplifier configured to receive a first signal of a differential pair of signals at a first input and a second signal of the differential pair of signals at a second input when operating in differential mode. The receiver may also include a second amplifier coupled to the first amplifier, where the second amplifier is configured to receive a reference signal at a third input and a single-ended signal at the first input when operating in single-ended mode. In some embodiments, several receivers may be used, for example, to process a differential clock signal and one or more single-ended data signals referenced to the clock signal and/or differential data signals referenced to a single-ended clock signal. In some embodiments, the delays of each signal propagating through each respective receiver may be independently adjusted.
US08410813B2
A method and apparatus for A Low Power AC On-Die-Termination (ODT) Circuit using active components reduces receiver power consumption.
US08410805B2
An electric field detection probe includes a cable including an internal conductor line, an insulating layer that coats a surface of the internal conductor line and exposes a tip end of the internal conductor line, an external conductor layer that coats a surface of the insulating layer and exposes the tip end, and an electric field diaphragm wherein the electric field diaphragm is electrically coupled to the external conductor layer, covers the tip end surface of the cable except for an opening.
US08410799B2
A motion sensing device includes a housing defining a chamber that includes a number of sidewalls. A number of movable members are connected to the sidewalls and able to move toward the sidewalls. Each movable member includes a number of conductive grooves opposing the sidewalls and having a resistance layer. A number of conductive spring members are respectively fixed to the sidewalls and each include a free end movably received in one conductive groove. An inertial weight is movably received in a space defined by the movable members. When the motion sensing device is jerked, the inertial weight moves and is able to apply a pushing force to one of the movable members, causing one of the movable members to move and causing two of the free ends in the same conductive groove to move toward each other.
US08410797B2
A capacitive sensing method is provided. The capacitive sensing method includes the step of alternately charging/discharging a capacitive sensing electrode of a capacitive sensor for predetermined times under an active mode and charging/discharging the capacitive sensing electrode during a fixed period under a standby mode while an object is not coupled to the capacitive sensing electrode, in which the capacitive sensing electrode has a first capacitance while the object is not coupled to the capacitive sensing electrode. The capacitive sensing method also includes the step of generating a switch signal while the object is coupled to the capacitive sensing electrode under the standby mode such that the capacitive sensing electrode has a second capacitance larger than the first capacitance and the step of switching the standby mode to the active mode according to the switch signal.
US08410792B2
A resonator arrangement has a conductive, semi-open outer housing, at an interior of which a conductive bar is provided disposed coaxially to the housing. At one end of the bar in a direction of a housing bottom, the bar has a die and, together with a dielectric and the housing bottom, forms a capacitor. The bar is short-circuited to the housing at another end, so that the bar and housing together form an LC oscillator circuit. Also disclosed is a method for analyzing a sample using a resonator arrangement.
US08410790B2
The invention relates to a device for testing transformers, having a static frequency converter (2). The static frequency converter (2) comprises a plurality of outlets (21, 22, 23), which are connected to a filter device (6). The filter device (6) also comprises a plurality of outlets (31, 32, 33), which are connected to a matching transformer (8), and wherein the matching transformer (8) is connected to the transformer (15) intended for testing. The filter device (6) is a filter transformer (11).
US08410789B2
An electric cable is provided having a conductor element, and successively around the conductor element an electrically-insulating layer; a metal screen and an outer protective sheath. The cable has an extruded outer layer surrounding the outer protective sheath, the extruded outer layer being directly in contact with the outer protective sheath, and being obtained from a composition containing more than 50.0 parts by weight of apolar polymer per 100 parts by weight of polymer in the composition, together with an electrically-conductive filler.
US08410785B2
A quadrilateral distance module may be used to detect faults in an electrical power system. A resistive coverage of the quadrilateral distance module may be defined by an adaptive resistance blinder. The adaptive resistance blinder may be adapted to certain power system conditions, such as forward load flow and/or reverse load flow. A forward adaptive resistance blinder may be calculated in parallel with a reverse adaptive resistance blinder. The forward adaptive resistance blinder may use a polarizing quantity adapted for forward load flow conditions, and the reverse adaptive resistance blinder may use a polarizing quantity adapted for reverse load flow conditions. Fault detection may be performed by comparing both the forward and reverse adaptive resistance blinders to power system stimulus and detecting a fault when the stimulus satisfy either blinder.
US08410780B2
This method of adaptive signal averaging is used to enhance the signal to noise ratio of magnetic resonance and other analytical measurements which involve repeatable signals partially or completely obscured by noise in a single measurement at a rate much faster than that observed with conventional signal averaging. This technique expedites the signal averaging process because it filters each individual scan in real time with an adaptive algorithm and then averages them separately to provide an averaged filtered signal with less noise. This technique is particularly useful for any type of continuous wave magnetic resonance experiment or any other noisy measurement where signal averaging is utilized.
US08410770B2
A boost regulator that comprises a capacitor adapted to couple in parallel with a load, a switch coupled to the capacitor and to a diode, a comparator coupled to the load and receiving a reference voltage, and a circuit logic component that receives an output of the comparator and an output of a duty cycle signal generator. An output of the circuit logic component couples to the switch and is capable of activating and de-activating the switch.
US08410768B2
A power supply having an input and an output, includes a power converter coupled between the input and output of the power supply including at least one switch that is controlled by comparing a sensed voltage, the sensed voltage corresponding to a current flowing through the switch, to a reference voltage. A controller, in response to a change detected in a switching frequency of the switch, reduces audible noise generated by the power supply by at least one of: adjusting the reference voltage; adjusting the current sense voltage; or adjusting a resistance used to generate the sensed voltage.
US08410764B2
Circuits and methods for dynamic adjustment of the current limit of a power management unit to avoid unwanted automatic interruption of the power flow have been disclosed. The power management unit is automatically adjusted to the output resistance of a power source (including interconnect resistance). The invention maximizes the time and hence the power transferred from a power management unit to the system (including the battery, in case of battery operated systems). The input current is reduced thus increasing the input voltage in case of a high voltage drop across the internal resistance including interconnections between power source and power management unit.
US08410763B2
A PWM controller for adjusting an output voltage of a buck and boost converter includes a first saw wave generator, which generates a first saw wave in accordance with the level of the output voltage. A first comparator coupled to the first saw wave generator compares the first saw wave with a first reference voltage and generates a first pulse. A peak hold circuit coupled to the first saw wave generator holds a peak value of the first saw wave. A second saw wave generator coupled to the peak hold circuit generates a second saw wave having a lower limit value that is the peak value of the first saw wave. A second comparator coupled to the second saw wave generator compares the second saw wave with the first reference voltage and generates a second pulse.
US08410762B2
The high-side switch has one end connected to the input terminal. The low-side switch has one end connected to other end of the high-side switch and other end connected to a ground terminal. The inductor has one end connected to the other end of the high-side switch and other end connected to the output terminal. The capacitor has one end connected to the other end of the inductor and other end connected to the ground terminal. The high-side switch controlling circuit generates and supplies a high-side switch controlling signal based on a target voltage of the output terminal, the output voltage of the output terminal, and a current flowing through the capacitor, to the high-side switch. The low-side switch controlling circuit generates and supplies a low-side switch controlling signal based on the high-side switch controlling signal and a current flowing through the inductor, to the low-side switch.
US08410760B2
A method and system for controlling temperature in an electric vehicle battery pack which preserves battery pack performance and longevity while maximizing vehicle driving range. A controller prescribes a minimum allowable operating temperature in the battery pack, where the minimum operating temperature increases as battery pack state of charge and remaining useful life decrease. During vehicle driving operations, the minimum allowable temperature is computed, and a thermal management system is used to warm the battery pack only if necessary to raise its temperature above the calculated minimum level. By minimizing use of the thermal management system to warm the battery pack, energy consumption is reduced and vehicle driving range is increased, while not adversely affecting battery pack performance or durability. The same strategy is employed during charging, which reduces the amount of energy consumed from the grid for warming the battery pack.
US08410754B2
A management unit and method for managing electric energy stored in a battery composed of a number of series-connected cells, the management unit having: a main equalizing circuit, which forms the primary of an electric transformer and has a constant alternating-current generator powered by the battery and which feeds alternating current of constant intensity through the main equalizing circuit; and, for each cell of the battery, a secondary equalizing circuit, which forms the secondary of the electric transformer, is connected parallel to the cell, has a one-way electronic device which imposes electric current flow to the cell in one direction only, and is connected to a drive device that can be activated to zero the voltage applied to the cell by the secondary equalizing circuit.
US08410751B2
A device housing a battery (50) includes a receiving coil (51), and a charging pad (10) includes a transmitting coil (11) that magnetically couples with, and supplies charging power to the receiving coil. The device further includes a modulator circuit (61) that changes the impedance of the receiving coil according to internal battery data. The charging pad further includes a detection circuit (17) that detects receiving coil impedance changes to detect the battery data. The modulator circuit has a load circuit (62) connected in parallel with the receiving coil and has a series-connected switching device (64) and impedance modulating capacitor (63), and a control circuit (65) that switches the load circuit switching device ON and OFF according to the battery data. The modulator circuit switches the switching device 64 ON and OFF to transmit battery data to the charging pad.
US08410747B2
Fuel cell components provide fuel cells on a flexible sheet that defines a wall of a flexible plenum. An external support structure limits expansion of the plenum in response to forces exerted by a pressurized reactant. The external support structure may comprise a portion of a housing of a portable device. Cathodes of the fuel cells may be accessible from an outside of the flexible sheet and exposed to ambient air while anodes of the fuel cell are accessible from an inside of the flexible sheet and exposed to a fuel, such as hydrogen gas.
US08410742B2
A method of operating a synchronous motor having a stator that includes a set of electromagnets and a permanent magnet rotor. The synchronous motor is controlled by calculating in a flux controller a measure of a flux magnitude, which is the magnitude of the stator flux of the motor and by calculating in a load angle controller a measure of a load angle. Information about a desired motor torque or a reduced motor torque, which is smaller than the desired motor torque, is input to the load angle controller and the load angle controller calculates the measure of the load angle depending on the input motor torque. The measure of the flux magnitude is combined with the measure of the load angle to obtain commands for controlling electric currents of electromagnets of the stator, thereby directly controlling the stator flux. A flux limit value, which depends on a predetermined maximum value of the stator flux allowed for the motor which depends on a maximum value of an electric voltage, which is used to drive the currents through the stator electromagnets and which depends on the actual rotor speed, is repeatedly calculated. During acceleration of the rotor while the stator flux is smaller than the maximum flux allowed for the motor the measure of the flux magnitude is calculated depending on the output of a predetermined function. The output of the predetermined function depends on the desired motor torque and corresponds to the magnitude of the stator flux.
US08410740B2
An electric power conversion apparatus converts electric power supplied to a motor having a winding set formed of coils corresponding to a plurality of phases. An inverter part has a plurality of FETs forming switching element pairs, each of which corresponds to each phase of the winding set. Pull-up resistors are provided between the coils and a high-potential side of a battery, respectively. A neutral point voltage detection part detects a neutral point voltage of the winding set. A microcomputer detects abnormality based on the neutral point voltage.
US08410737B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a device and method for generating initial operating points for controlling an interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine. The method includes loading an inductance lookup table, first calculating a maximum torque per Ampere (MTPA) trajectory for a first threshold speed based on machine parameters of the IPM machine, second calculating a truncated voltage limit ellipse with monotonically increasing torque for a first speed based on the machine parameters, if the first speed is higher than the first threshold speed, determining an operating trajectory at the first speed based on at least one of the calculated MTPA trajectory and the calculated truncated voltage limit ellipse, and generating an Id,Iq map that maps an Id value and an Iq value to each torque command of a plurality of torque commands for the first speed based on the determined operating trajectory.
US08410736B2
The present invention discloses a controllable rectification comprising an inverter (10), a control panel (20) and a drive panel (30). The inverter (10) may comprise three switch element groups connected in parallel. Each switch element group may comprise at least two switch elements connected in parallel. Each switch element may comprise an upper bridge-arm switch and a lower bridge-arm. The control panel (20) may generate a PWM waveform. The drive panel (30) may generate a drive voltage according to the PWM waveform to drive the upper bridge-arm switch and the lower bridge-arm switch of each switch element to conduct or break respectively, and to make the upper bridge-arms of the same switch element group to conduct or break simultaneously, and to make the lower bridge-arms of the same switch element group to conduct or break simultaneously. The present invention further discloses an electric motor comprising the same.
US08410734B2
In a motor control device, a control calculation unit obtains a phase voltage instruction value. A current detecting unit detects an electric current which flows into the brushless motor. A rotational position detecting unit detects the rotational position of a rotor in the brushless motor. A correction unit corrects the phase voltage instruction value based on the detection results of the current detecting unit and the rotational position detecting unit so that a dependency of a ratio on an electric angle shown by a secondary harmonic component of the ratio concerning the electric angle of the brushless motor. The ratio is a ratio of a q-axis or d-axis component of the electric current, which flows into the brushless motor, to a q-axis or d-axis instruction value. A driving unit drives the brushless motor based on the phase voltage instruction value after the correction by the correction unit.
US08410723B2
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system for producing white light is disclosed. The system comprises sets of LEDs arranged to emit light with different wavelength ranges and associated with different sets of characteristics, and a driving circuit arranged to drive the LEDs. The driving circuit comprises an input for desired light intensity, color rendering index, and color temperature, an input for signals for LED temperature, a model for determining driving currents for said sets of LEDs from said parameters, signals, and characteristics for each of said sets of LEDs; and a current driver for the LEDs. At least one of the sets of LEDs comprises a first subset of LEDs with a first wavelength sub-range and a first set of characteristics, and a second subset of LEDs with a second wavelength sub-range and a second set of characteristics. A lumped wavelength range of the set of LEDs is a range of said first and second wavelength sub-ranges, and the set of characteristics of the set of LEDs is a function of said first and second sets of characteristics. A method for controlling the sets of LEDs is also disclosed.
US08410720B2
In some embodiments, a solid state lighting circuit may include one or more of the following features: (a) a plurality of emitters operably connected to a power supply (b) the power supply operably coupled in series with a current limiting device, where one or more of the emitters is bypassed with a switched circuit, and (c) at least one MOSFET switch operably coupled to the voltage divider circuit.
US08410719B2
An electronic ballast for driving at least one light source may include an input for connecting a supply voltage; an output configured to connect the at least one light source; an oscillator, which is designed to provide an oscillator output signal with a first frequency at its output, the oscillator having a calibration input in order to alter the first frequency; and a microcontroller configured to provide a drive signal with at least one spectral component at a second frequency for the at least one light source, the microcontroller being coupled to the oscillator output and being designed to generate the second frequency as a function of the first frequency; wherein the electronic ballast furthermore includes a drive circuit, which is coupled to the calibration input, the drive circuit being designed to vary the first frequency during running operation of the electronic ballast via the calibration input.
US08410716B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods related to controlling multiple strings of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disclosed. An apparatus may include internal current limiter circuits that are each coupled in series with an associated string of LEDs and are configured to at least partially regulate the current through the associated string of LEDs. The apparatus may also be configured to control external current limiter circuits that are each coupled in series with a corresponding internal current limiter circuit and the string of LEDs associated with the corresponding internal current limiter circuit.
US08410707B2
The present disclosure relates to a duty cycle adjusting circuit of a lighting system and method thereof for sensing light of a first color and a second color emitted by a light emitting device of the first color and a light emitting device of the second color to generate corresponding intensity values. Then a first pulse width correcting value and a second pulse width correcting value can be calculated for adjusting a first duty cycle and a second duty cycle of a driving current to adjust the illuminating intensity of the light emitting devices of the first and the second colors. Through these adjusting steps, the light of the first and the second colors is within a predetermined range of color temperature. Therefore, light source for stable light in color temperature is provided.
US08410703B2
A process, system and procedure of controls of the supply of a vehicle headlamp suitable to supply lighting in high beam function and/or low beam function, comprising the following stages for at least one of the low beam function and high beam functions: determining at least one driving parameter pertinent to the lighting of the vehicle, defining several lighting modes characterized by the value of this at least one parameter, attributing a supply mode of the headlamp to each lighting mode, and storing in memory the supply mode associated with each of the lighting modes.
US08410702B2
Embodiments provide an illumination apparatus including an adapter coupled detachably and electrically to an incandescent lamp socket or a halogen lamp socket, configured to convert alternating power to driving power; and a light emitting device connected detachably and electrically to the adapter, configured to emit light according to the driving power from the adapter.
US08410699B2
A LED lamp which could directly replace an ordinary tungsten, halogen, or electricity-saving light bulb, includes a LED filament, a lamp base, a thermally conductive electric insulator, and a mask. The thermally conductive electric insulator is filled in a cavity of the lamp base, and includes a first portion mechanically contacting the LED filament and an electrode of the lamp base to provide a first thermal channel from the LED filament to the lamp base, and a second portion adhering the mask to the lamp base to provide a second thermal channel from the lamp base to the mask. By using the mask to enlarge the heat dissipation area, a better heat dissipation effect is achieved.
US08410696B2
There are provided a plasma display panel (PDP) wherein a seam area is minimized, so that continuity of screens can be stably ensured, and a method of fabricating the same. In the PDP formed by assembling a plurality of unit PDPs, each of the unit PDPs includes front and rear substrates; a sealant formed on the side surfaces of the front and rear substrates; side electrodes formed on the sealant; and functional layers formed on the rear surface of the rear substrate and the side surfaces of the front and rear substrates.
US08410693B2
A plasma display panel includes a rear plate and a front plate arranged as opposed to the rear plate. The rear plate has a vertical barrier rib and a horizontal barrier rib orthogonal to the vertical barrier rib. The front plate has a first transparent electrode in parallel with the horizontal barrier rib and a plurality of second transparent electrodes in parallel with the vertical barrier rib. The front plate further has a plurality of bus electrodes having the same width and arranged with the same interval. The plurality of bus electrodes includes a first bus electrode electrically connected with the first transparent electrode, and a second bus electrode electrically connected with the plurality of second transparent electrodes. The second bus electrode is formed in a position opposed to the horizontal barrier rib.
US08410685B2
The present invention provides an organic EL panel, an organic EL display, and an organic EL lighting device, which are capable of simultaneously producing a plurality of organic EL panels with a narrow frame region and high reliability, and also provides production methods thereof. The organic electroluminescent panel of the present invention comprises: an element substrate in which an organic electroluminescent element and a terminal region are formed; a sealing member that covers the organic electroluminescent element; a sealing substrate attached to the element substrate with the sealing member interposed therebetween; and a first spacer disposed only in a region between the organic electroluminescent element and the terminal region.
US08410683B2
An organic light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof is provided. The organic light emitting device includes a first pixel that displays a first color, a second pixel that displays a second color, and a third pixel that displays a third color. The first pixel, the second pixel and the third pixel together form one pixel. Each of the first pixel, second pixel, and third pixel includes a pixel electrode having a transflective electrode, an organic emission layer on the pixel electrode that displays the first color, a common electrode on the third color organic emission layer, and a transparent supplementary member between the pixel electrode and the common electrode.
US08410681B2
A light emitting device and method of producing the same is disclosed. The light emitting device includes a transparent thermal conductor layer, a refractory phosphor layer provided on the transparent thermal conductor layer, and a light emitting semiconductor arranged to emit light toward the transparent thermal conductor layer and the refractory phosphor layer.
US08410676B2
The present invention relates to a sheet-shaped heat and light source. The sheet-shaped heat and light source includes a carbon nanotube layer and at least two electrodes. The at least two electrodes are separately disposed on the carbon nanotube layer and electrically connected thereto. Moreover, a method for making the sheet-shaped heat and light source and a method for heating an object adopting the same are also included.
US08410668B2
A crystal oriented ceramic composite body is provided, including a substrate that has a first surface and a second surface, and a {100} oriented ceramic film that is disposed to face the first surface. The {100} oriented ceramic film includes a first sectional surface. The first sectional surface is perpendicular to the first surface, and a 90 degree domain includes a domain wall within a range of ±20 degrees of a normal to the first surface and occupies a surface area of at least ⅓ of the first sectional surface.
US08410667B2
An apparatus for generating electrical energy from a first motion having a low and/or variable frequency. The apparatus including: a first device to which the first motion is transferred; and a second device to which the first motion is transferred from the first device, the second device operating at a second motion having a frequency which is higher and/or more constant that the first motion. Wherein the first device comprises one of a first rotating shaft or first translating mass; the first shaft or first mass includes a tip interacting with the second device to transfer the first motion thereto, the second device comprises a mechanism having an electrical energy generator for converting the second motion to electrical energy; and the electrical energy generator comprises a rotary or linear coil and magnet generator or a piezoelectric generator. The interaction of the tip with the shaft or mass can be contactless.
US08410658B2
An electrostatic energy harvester comprises at least a plurality of variable capacitor layers. In one embodiment, at least two of the variable capacitor layers are directly bonded together. In another embodiment, at least two of the variable capacitor layers are bonded together with at least one moving mass layer. Still in another embodiment, at least two of the variable capacitor layers are located at different heights and are located separately from each other. A method of making such a device is also disclosed.
US08410657B2
A stator core of a rotating electrical machine, in which no compressive load is applied to divided cores each having an arc shape, when the divided cores are secured into a circular form, thereby decreasing the motor loss and improving the motor efficiency. The divided cores are circularly disposed, and the divided cores each having the arc shape in section perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotary axis. In the divided cores, there are provided welded portions each of which is diagonally formed between one corner end of a connecting edge and an opposite corner end of a neighboring connecting edge, thereby providing the welded portion diagonal with respect to the axial direction. The connecting edges are in parallel to the axial direction.
US08410656B2
An electric machine and stator assembly are provided that include a continuous stator portion having stator teeth, and a tooth tip portion including tooth tips corresponding to the stator teeth of the continuous stator portion, respectively. The tooth tip portion is mounted onto the continuous stator portion.
US08410655B2
A stator includes a stator core, which has a plurality of stacked electromagnetic steel sheets, caulking portions configured to fix the plurality of electromagnetic steel sheets to each other, and a plurality of slot portions open toward an inner circumference side and arrayed along a circumferential direction. A number Q (an integer of 1 or greater) of the caulking portions, a number S of the slot portions and a number P of the poles satisfy Q≦S and Q=P×n/2 (where n is an integer of 1 or greater). The stator is preferably part of a motor for a compressor.
US08410641B2
In one embodiment, a signal detector is coupled to an external power source. The signal detector is configured to ascertain whether a predetermined signal was received from the external power source. Control logic is coupled to the signal detector and to the external power source. The control logic is responsive to the signal detector to determine a characteristic of the external power source based on whether the signal detector detected the predetermined signal. The characteristics of the external power supply can be determined based on the frequency, amplitude and duration of a signal received from the power injector. This enables the control logic to determine the power available from an unknown power supply and to configure a device to operate accordingly.
US08410638B2
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system that includes a multiphase AC output configured to be coupled to a load, an inverter having an output coupled to the AC output and a control circuit operatively associated with the inverter and configured to cause the inverter to compensate for a phase imbalance of a load coupled to the AC output while power is being delivered to the load from an AC power source independently of the inverter.
US08410632B2
The present invention discloses a power adapter has a power converter, a power output cable, a first DC power connector and multiple second DC power connectors. The power converter has a casing, a power converting circuit mounted in the casing, and an AC power inlet and DC power outlet electronically connected to the power converting circuit. The power output cable has a DC output and selective connector having two DC power pinholes and multiple selective pinholes surrounding the two DC power pinholes. The first DC power connector has two DC voltage pins and is selectively connected to the DC output and selective connector. Each of the second DC power connectors has a body, a DC plug formed on the body, two DC voltage pins formed on the body and one jumper pin formed on the body and corresponding to the selective pinholes of the power output cable to change voltage of the DC power output from the power converting circuit.
US08410627B2
A vertical axis wind turbine includes a propeller assembly formed from a hub with downwardly and outwardly depending blades. The propeller assembly has a polygonal base with the blades forming the bases of a triangular surface meeting at a common vertex. The hub is mounted on a spindle which is connected to a shaft which is rotatable. A bendable joint is provided between the spindle and the shaft such that the hub and blades appear to face into the wind and spin. A lower end of the rotatable shaft is connected to a means for utilizing the rotation of the shaft. The angle that the blades make to the hub may be changed such that the blade swept area presented to the wind may be regulated to either speed up or slow down rotation. Struts may be provided between the blades such that longer blades may be used.
US08410624B2
A wind energy installation including a wind rotor, a doubly-fed asynchronous generator driven by the wind rotor, a converter, and a controller configured to determine an operating torque for an operating rotation-speed, the operating torque not exceeding a maximum torque. The installation also includes a frequency-adaptive torque limiter having a classifier—for an overfrequency or underfrequency, a torque shifter configured to reduce the maximum torque in the event of frequency discrepancies, and an inhibitor configured to block the torque shift at an underfrequency. The installation further includes a frequency-dependent rotation-speed limiter configured to interact with the classifier such that a lower limit rotation-speed is increased only at an overfrequency and an upper limit rotation-speed is reduced only at an underfrequency. Accordingly, the operating torque can be adapted with respect to the permissible limit values rather than over the entire operating range, thus minimizing yield losses when frequency discrepancies occur.
US08410620B2
The present invention relates to a primer resin for semiconductor devices which comprises a polyamide resin represented by the following formula (1): (wherein, R1 represents a tetravalent aromatic tetracarboxylic acid residue selected from the group consisting of pyromellitic acid, 3,4,3′,4′-diphenyl ether tetracarboxylic acid, 2,3,6,7-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid and 3,4,3′,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid, R2 represents at least one kind of divalent diamine residue selected from the group consisting of diamino-4,4′-hydroxydiphenylsulfone, 4,4′-diamino-3,3′5,5′-tetraethyldiphenylmethane and 1,3-bis-(aminophenoxy)benzene, and n is a repeating number and represents a positive number of 10 to 1000) and has a lead frame comprising copper or 42 alloy, a semiconductor device having said primer resin layer between a lead frame comprising copper or 42 alloy and a cured product of a sealing resin, and a semiconductor sealing epoxy resin composition containing said primer resin; and said semiconductor device has an extremely improved adhesiveness between said lead frame and a cured product of a sealing resin composition and also is excellent in heat resistance and low moisture absorption.
US08410612B2
Some embodiments include interconnect regions. The regions may contain, along a cross section, a closed-shape interior region having an electrically conductive material therein, a first dielectric material configured as a liner extending entirely around a lateral periphery of the interior region, and at least two dielectric projections joining to the dielectric material liner and being laterally outward of the interior region. The dielectric projections may have an outer dielectric ring surrounding an inner dielectric region. The outer ring may consist of the first dielectric material and the inner dielectric region may be a composition different from a composition of the first dielectric material, and in some embodiments the composition within the inner dielectric region may be gaseous.
US08410610B2
A connecting terminal, a semiconductor package, a wiring board, a connector, and a microcontactor that can achieve a stable contact with a contact target are provided. To achieve the object and to establish an electrical connection to a contact target by making a physical contact with the contact target, there are provided a plurality of conductive terminal-forming members each having a terminal portion, which is extended in a band shape and at least a part of a surface of which forms a curved surface. Each terminal portion is configured so that a part of which is laminated on a part of at least one terminal portion in a thickness direction. All the terminal portions may be laminated at respective tip portions in the thickness direction.
US08410602B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a socket for a semiconductor package, where the socket has a frame with a segmented design, where socket streets are located between the segments. One or more of the streets may include a conduit to enable thermal transfer during operation of the semiconductor package. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08410599B2
A power MOSFET package includes a semiconductor substrate having opposite first and second surfaces, having a first conductivity type, and forming a drain region, a doped region extending downward from the first surface and having a second conductivity type, a source region in the doped region and having the first conductivity type, a gate overlying or buried under the first surface, wherein a gate dielectric layer is between the gate and the semiconductor substrate, a first conducting structure overlying the semiconductor substrate, having a first terminal, and electrically connecting the drain region, a second conducting structure overlying the semiconductor substrate, having a second terminal, and electrically connecting the source region, a third conducting structure overlying the semiconductor substrate, having a third terminal, and electrically connecting the gate, wherein the first, the second, and the third terminals are substantially coplanar, and a protection layer between the semiconductor substrate and the terminals.
US08410592B2
A semiconductor device includes a vertical transistor and an external contact plane. The transistor includes: a first side with a first load electrode and a control electrode, and an opposite second side with a second load electrode. The first side of the transistor faces the external contact plane. A dielectric layer extends from at least one edge side of the transistor as far as the second load terminal. An electrically conductive deposited layer is arranged on the dielectric layer and electrically connects the second load electrode to the second load terminal.
US08410583B2
A security chip is disclosed. The security chip includes: a substrate; an integrated circuit disposed on the substrate, the integrated circuit including circuit elements, circuit interconnect layers connecting the circuit elements together, and interlayer contacts supporting the circuit interconnect layers; a shield to at least partially shield the integrated circuit; and at least one lightwell in the shield and the integrated circuit, wherein each lightwell has a closed shape formed from parts of the circuit interconnect layers and interlayer contacts, wherein no exploitable voltage can be measured on the parts of the circuit interconnect layers and interlayer contacts, and wherein each lightwell forms a path for light to penetrate to the substrate preventing the light from reaching the circuit elements. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.
US08410576B2
An inductor is formed on a wafer by attaching a first core structure to the wafer with a pick and place operation, forming a coil with one or more thick metal layers over the first core structure, and then attaching a second core structure to the first core structure with the pick and place operation after the coil has been formed. In addition, the pick and place operation can also be used to attach one or more integrated circuits to the wafer to form an integrated inductive device.
US08410569B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a first substrate including a light-sensing portion configured to perform photoelectric conversion of incident light and a wiring portion provided on a light-incident side; an optically transparent second substrate provided on a wiring portion side of the first substrate at a certain distance; a through-hole provided in the first substrate; a through-via provided in the through-hole; a front-surface-side electrode connected to the through-via and provided on a front surface of the first substrate; a back-surface-side electrode connected to the through-via and provided on a back surface of the first substrate; and a stopper electrode provided on the front-surface-side electrode and filling a space between the front-surface-side electrode and the second substrate.
US08410563B2
Electrical energy generation apparatuses, in which a solar battery device and a piezoelectric device are combined in a single body by using a plurality of nano wires formed of a semiconductor material having piezoelectric properties.
US08410552B2
Provided is an epitaxial substrate capable of achieving a semiconductor device that has excellent schottky contact characteristics as well as satisfactory device characteristics. On a base substrate, a channel layer formed of a first group III nitride that contains at least Al and Ga and has a composition of Inx1Aly1Gaz1N (x1+y1+z1=1) is formed. On the channel layer, a barrier layer formed of a second group III nitride that contains at least In and Al and has a composition of Inx2Aly2Gaz2N (x2+y2+z2=1) is formed such that an In composition ratio of a near-surface portion is smaller than an In composition ratio of a portion other than the near-surface portion.
US08410551B2
In one embodiment, a transistor fabricated on a semiconductor die includes a first section of transistor segments disposed in a first area of the semiconductor die, and a second section of transistor segments disposed in a second area of the semiconductor die adjacent the first area. Each of the transistor segments in the first and second sections includes a pillar of a semiconductor material that extends in a vertical direction. First and second dielectric regions are disposed on opposite sides of the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. Outer field plates of transistor segments adjoining first and second sections are either separated or partially merged.
US08410544B2
A method of fabricating and a structure of a merged multi-fin finFET. The method includes forming single-crystal silicon fins from the silicon layer of an SOI substrate having a very thin buried oxide layer and merging the end regions of the fins by growing vertical epitaxial silicon from the substrate and horizontal epitaxial silicon from ends of the fins such that vertical epitaxial silicon growth predominates.
US08410540B2
According to one embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes a stacked structure including a memory portion and an electrode having a surface facing the memory portion; and a voltage application portion to apply a voltage to the memory portion to change resistance. The surface includes first and second regions. The first region contains a first nonmetallic element and at least one element of a metallic element, Si, Ga, and As. The second region contains a second nonmetallic element and the at least one element. The second region has a content ratio of the second nonmetallic element higher than that in the first region. A difference in electronegativity between the second nonmetallic element and the at least one element is greater than that between the first nonmetallic element and the at least one element. At least one of the first and second regions has an anisotropic shape.
US08410528B2
Disclosed is a CMOS image sensor, which can minimize a reflectance of light at an interface between a photodiode and an insulating film, thereby enhancing image sensitivity. Such a CMOS image sensor includes a substrate provided with a photodiode consisting of Si, an insulating film consisting of SiO2 and formed on the substrate, a semi-reflection film interposed between the substrate and the insulating film, and metal interconnections, color filters and micro lenses constituting individual unit pixels. The semi-reflection film has a refraction index value between those of the Si photodiode and the SiO2 insulating film.
US08410524B2
Affords Group III nitride semiconductor devices in which the leakage current from the Schottky electrode can be reduced. In a high electron mobility transistor 11, a supporting substrate 13 is composed of AlN, AlGaN, or GaN, specifically. An AlYGa1−YN epitaxial layer 15 has a full-width-at-half maximum of (0002) plane XRD of 150 sec or less. A GaN epitaxial layer 17 is provided between the gallium nitride supporting substrate and the AlYGa1−YN epitaxial layer (0
US08410516B2
A light emitting diode (LED) package includes a substrate, a first LED chip and a second LED chip. The substrate includes first to fourth electrodes, and an interconnection electrode. A mounting area is defined at center of a top surface of the substrate. The first to fourth electrodes are respectively in four corners of the substrate out of the mounting area. The first interconnection electrode is embedded in the substrate to electrically connect the first and the third electrodes. The first LED chip and the second LED chip are arranged in the mounting area. Each LED chip includes an anode pad and a cathode pad. The first to fourth electrodes are respectively connected to the four pads of the first and the second LED chips via a plurality of metal wires, and no metal wire connection is formed between the first and the second LED chips.
US08410515B2
Solid state lighting (“SSL”) devices with improved contacts and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an SSL device includes a first semiconductor material, a second semiconductor material spaced apart from the first semiconductor material, and an active region between the first and second semiconductor materials. The SSL device also includes an insulative material on the first semiconductor material, the insulative material including a plurality of openings having a size of about 1 nm to about 20 μm, and a conductive material having discrete portions in the individual openings.
US08410514B2
Provided are a light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises a package body, an insulating layer on a surface of the package body, first and second electrode layers on the insulating layer, a light emitting diode disposed on the package body and electrically connected to the first and second electrode layers, a resistor layer connected to the first electrode layer, a first element part in a first doping region within the package body, a second element part in a second doping region within the package body, and a third electrode layer connected to the first element part and the second element part.
US08410509B2
A light emitting diode module for a line light source includes a circuit board having a wire pattern formed thereon and a plurality of LED chips directly mounted and disposed in a longitudinal direction on the circuit board and electrically connected to the wire pattern. The module also includes a reflecting wall installed on the circuit board to surround the plurality of LED chips, reflecting light from the LED chips. The module further includes a heat sink plate underlying the circuit board to radiate heat generated from the LED chip.
US08410500B2
Proposed is a light-emitting apparatus 200,300,400, comprising a semiconductor light emitting device 220,320,420 and a transparent ceramic body 230,330,430 comprising a wavelength converting material positioned in light receiving relationship to the semiconductor device. The light-emitting apparatus is characterized in that the side surfaces 233,333,433 of the ceramic body 230,330,430 are at an oblique angle 234,334,434 relative its bottom surface 231,331,431. This is especially advantageous to unlock the wave-guide modes inside the body 230,330,430. Consequently the total flux emitted from the light-emitting apparatus 200,300,400 can be enhanced considerably. Alternatively, the brightness of the top surface 232,332,432 of the ceramic body 230,330,430 can be enhanced considerably.
US08410498B2
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a first cladding layer, a second cladding layer, and an active layer formed between the first and second cladding layers. A diffusion control layer includes an intermediate layer and a first transparent conductive layer provided on the second cladding layer in this order. The semiconductor light emitting device further includes a second transparent conductive layer having an impurity in a concentration lower than an impurity concentration of the diffusion control layer, and a third transparent conductive layer having an impurity in a concentration higher than the impurity concentration of the second transparent conductive layer. The boundary between the intermediate layer and the first transparent conductive layer is a lattice mismatch interface.
US08410497B2
There is provided a semiconductor light emitting device that can easily dissipate heat, improve current spreading efficiency, and reduce defects by blocking dislocations occurring when a semiconductor layer is grown to thereby increase reliability. A semiconductor light emitting device including a substrate, a light emitting structure having an n-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer sequentially laminated, and an n-type electrode and a p-type electrode formed on the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer, respectively, according to an aspect of the invention may include: a metal layer formed in the n-type semiconductor layer and contacting the n-type electrode.
US08410467B2
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory device includes a first wire, a second wire and a nonvolatile memory cell. The first wire is formed to extend in a first direction, and the second wire is formed at height different from height of the first wire and to extend in a second direction. The nonvolatile memory cell is arranged to be held between the first wire and the second wire in a poison where the first wire and the second wire cross. The nonvolatile memory cell includes a nonvolatile storage layer and a current limiting resistance layer connected in series to the nonvolatile storage layer and having resistance of 1 kilo-ohm to 1 mega-ohm.
US08410466B2
A system and method for measuring the physical characteristics of a component where the system includes an electromagnetic radiation source defining a source optical path, the electromagnetic radiation source being operable to cause electromagnetic radiation to propagate along the source optical path, a sensing device defining a sensor optical path, a system support structure, a base structure, an electromagnetic radiation source mounting structure and a sensing device mounting structure, a positioning device including a positioning device stage, wherein the positioning device stage is movably disposed and a retention mount disposed on the positioning device stage, the retention mount being disposed within the sensor optical path such that when a component is retained within the retention mount, the component blocks at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation to generate a silhouette, wherein the sensing device generates data responsive to the silhouette.
US08410465B2
An apparatus for inspecting defects in a circuit pattern is described. The apparatus includes at least one laser unit for radiating a laser beam onto a first end of a circuit pattern formed on a substrate. The apparatus also includes a capacitor sensor disposed opposite a second end of the circuit pattern, which is connected to the first end of the circuit pattern through a via hole, in a non-contact manner. The apparatus also includes a voltage source connected to the capacitor sensor and configured to apply a voltage. The apparatus also includes a measurement unit connected to the capacitor sensor and configured to detect variation in impedance generated in the capacitor sensor.
US08410455B2
An embodiment of the invention is a device for photo-stimulated color emission having at least one plurally doped semiconducting nanoparticle comprising at least one semiconducting material and a plurality of at least one dopant coupled with an irradiation source such that the plurally doped semiconducting nanoparticle emit electromagnetic radiation at two or more wavelengths where the intensities of the emissions depend on the intensity of the irradiation. In an embodiment of the invention, the plurally doped semiconducting nanoparticle can be a doped core/shell nanoparticle where the plurality of dopants can reside in exclusively the core, exclusively the shell, or in both the core and shell.
US08410452B2
The invention relates to an ion source means comprising at least one holding means for holding at least one sample to expose the sample to a mass spectrometer device, wherein the holding means comprises a structured sample support means for supporting the sample and/or a structured sample or sample comprising a structured surface, respectively.
US08410449B2
A family of photodetectors includes at least first and second members. In one embodiment, the family includes members having different pixel sizes. In another, the family includes members having the same pixel size. The detection efficiency of the detectors is optimized to provide a desired energy resolution at one or more energies of interest.
US08410448B2
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus for generating an image of a region of interest. The imaging apparatus comprises a radiation source (2), a detection unit (6) for generating detection data and a moving unit (1, 7, 8) for moving the radiation source (2) and the region of interest relative to each other, while the detection data are generated. The imaging apparatus further comprises an identification unit (13) for identifying in the detection data high density detection data and non-high density detection data. A density weighting unit (14) density weights the detection data, wherein at least a part of the high density detection data has a smaller density weight than the non-high density detection data, and a reconstruction unit (15) reconstructs an image of the region of interest from the weighted detection data.
US08410442B2
A novel detector tube structure (such as for a neutron detection tube) and method of manufacture are described. The novel manufacturing process carries out the electron scrubbing of the detection surface/material after the container enclosure has already been sealed. In this manner, much of the complex manufacturing equipment typically associated with such detection tubes can be eliminated and large numbers of detectors may be manufactured at the same time. The present invention therefore involves a novel detector tube structure and a new method of manufacture for the same.
US08410429B2
An ion cell having an axis includes a sheath of individual electrodes that extends along the axis and defines an internal volume. Adjacent individual electrodes are electrically insulated from each other. The individual electrodes each receive a DC potential and RF voltage. At least some of the individual electrodes have a width that varies in the axial direction such that an electrical effect on an axis potential varies along the axis of the ion cell.
US08410426B2
One embodiment of the invention provides a method of preparing an eluted sample containing salts or buffers from a liquid chromatography device for analysis by a mass spectrometry device. The method includes: continuously providing a non-polar solvent to the mass spectrometry device; receiving the eluted sample from the liquid chromatography device; flowing the eluted sample over a solid phase extraction column; flowing the non-polar solvent over the solid phase extraction column; and presenting non-polar solvent and the eluted sample to the mass spectrometry device.
US08410425B2
A mass spectrometric method according to the Gentle SIMS (G-SIMS) method uses a liquid metal ion source which contains, on the one hand, a first metal with an atomic weight ≧190 U and, on the other hand, another metal with an atomic weight ≦90 U. One of the two types of ions are filtered out alternately from the primary ion beam and directed onto the target as a mass-pure primary ion beam.
US08410411B2
A microwave oven including a hood. The hood adapted to be withdrawn from or inserted into a hood casing. The microwave oven further including an elastic member that applies an elastic force on the hood to facilitate the withdrawal of the hood from the hood casing. The insertion of or withdrawal of the hood from the hood casing provides for a more efficient hood function.
US08410395B2
A method for determining a reference focal position of a focused laser beam passing through an opening in a nozzle body of a laser processing nozzle relative to a workpiece, in which the method includes: simultaneously cutting off a portion of the workpiece using the focused laser beam to form an edge on the workpiece and altering a distance between a focal point of the focused laser beam and the workpiece in a direction of an axis of the laser beam; determining coordinates of the edge formed on the workpiece; based on the determined coordinates, determining a section of the edge that protrudes the furthest from the workpiece; and establishing a reference focal position FL of the laser beam based on the determined coordinates corresponding to the section of the edge that protrudes the furthest from the workpiece.
US08410391B2
A weld current generating apparatus includes a voltage conversion circuit, a control circuit, a switch circuit, and a current output circuit. The voltage conversion circuit receives an AC voltage from an AC voltage input terminal, and converts the AC voltage to a DC voltage. The control circuit receives the DC voltage, wherein the control circuit is capable of setting a weld time, and outputting a control signal for controlling the weld time. The switch circuit receives the control signal, and turns on for the weld time according to the control signal. The current output circuit outputs a continuous weld current when the switch circuit turns on.
US08410388B2
A self-blowout circuit breaker is disclosed which includes contacts for connecting or disconnecting a circuit, a heating volume, a compression volume and an exhaust volume. The compression volume can be connected to the heating volume by at least one first valve, which heating volume is in turn connected to an arc zone. Upon the disconnection of the circuit, while a first arcing contact is being disconnected from an associated second arcing contact, an arc is produced between the two arcing contacts in the arc zone. The compression volume is separated from the exhaust volume by a combined filling and overpressure valve which is formed as at least one plate, and has at least one tab which is formed in the plate.
US08410387B2
An electrical switch for an electric tool with an electric motor including an actuating mechanism which can be adjusted between an initial position and a final position. The switch has a signaling device, which is operatively connected to the actuating mechanism, for generating a signal associated with the adjustment path of the actuating mechanism. The switch has a contact system, with the actuating mechanism having a switching effect on the contact system in one position, whereby the contact system is configured as a spring-action contact system.
US08410382B2
In an operation panel device for an elevator, a switch provided with a switch main body and an operation portion is mounted onto the back surface of a faceplate. A retaining mechanism for retaining the switch main body in a predetermined mounting position is provided between a side surface of the switch main body and the back surface of the faceplate. The retaining mechanism includes an elastic member. The elastic member allows the switch main body to be moved to the mounting position by elastic deformation. Further, when the switch main body is moved to the mounting position, the elastic member is restored to an original state thereof to prevent the switch main body from moving from the mounting position.
US08410369B2
A breakaway mechanism for a charging cable of an electric vehicle charging station includes a retention component and a breakaway component. The retention component is secured to the charging station and the breakaway component is secured to the charging cable. The charging cable passes through the breakaway component and includes charging wires that connect to connectors on the charging station. The breakaway component is adapted to disengage from the retention component at a predetermined pull force thereby causing the charging wires to disconnect from the connectors on the charging station.
US08410368B2
An electrical conductor includes a primary electrical contact, at least one secondary electrical contact, and a connection element. The connection element electrically connects the first and the at least one secondary electrical contacts, and includes at least one plate-like region. Each plate-like region includes at least one deflection component with at least one first and at least one second pivot, wherein the first and second pivots of each deflection means are arranged such that each secondary electrical contact is movable relative to the primary electrical contact in a deflection direction, without creation of a shear force.
US08410367B2
Provided is an electric contact member which reduces, to the utmost, peel-off of a carbon film that is caused at the time of use of the electric contact member having at least an edge to keep stable electric contact over a long period of time. Disclosed is an electric contact member which repeatedly contacts with a device under test at a tip part of the electric contact member in which the tip part has an edge, the electric contact member comprising: a base material; an underlying layer comprising Au, Au alloy, Pd or Pd alloy, which is formed on a surface of the base material of the tip part; an intermediate layer which is formed on a surface of the underlying layer; and a carbon film comprising at least one of a metal and a carbide thereof which is formed on a surface of the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer has a lamination structure comprising: an inner layer comprising Ni or Ni alloy; and an outer layer comprising at least one of Cr, Cr alloy, W and W alloy.
US08410349B2
Photovoltaic wiring arrays and photovoltaic wiring systems suitable for use in rooftop photovoltaic power generation systems are provided. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a photovoltaic roofing wiring array for use with a plurality of photovoltaic roofing elements, the photovoltaic roofing wiring system including: a positive parallel wiring run comprising a main line and one or more connection branches pendant from the main line, each connection branch being terminated in a positive connector; and a negative parallel wiring run comprising a main line and one or more connection branches pendant from the main line, each connection branch being terminated in a negative connector. In some embodiments of the invention, the photovoltaic roofing wiring arrays are substantially prefabricated.
US08410347B2
A music recommendation method and a music recommendation system are provided. The music recommendation method includes: selecting music files according to a theme of the message service and music, a mood of the music, a similarity between content of the message service and content of the music; and recommending selected music files to a user.
US08410344B2
An improved mouthpiece for use with single reed woodwind instruments is provided. The mouthpiece includes a tapered shaped tone chamber that creates shaped-charge dynamics in the tone chamber air column to improve coupling of the air column to the reed. The tapered shape is obtained by varying the width of the tone chamber along the interior surfaces of the side walls from a top surface of the side rails to the bottom surface of the tone chamber. In addition, the width of the bottom surface is varied along a length of the tone chamber from a tip rail to the central bore of the mouthpiece. The transition from the top surfaces of the side rails to the interior surface of the tone chamber side walls is sloped to achieve a venturi effect between the top surfaces and the reed at the region of the tone chamber adjacent the tip rail.
US08410333B2
The present invention concerns methods and means to produce humanized antibodies from transgenic non-human animals. The invention specifically relates to novel immunoglobulin heavy and light chain constructs, recombination and transgenic vectors useful in making transgenic non-human animals expressing humanized antibodies, transgenic animals, and humanized immunoglobulin preparations.
US08410331B2
An absorbent structure comprising a silicone foam having pore walls and a plurality of hydrophilic particles anchored to the pore walls of the foam. Some of the hydrophilic particles have an anchored portion firmly anchored to the pore walls and an exposed portion extending outwardly away from the pore walls upon which the anchored portion is secured.
US08410329B2
A polyethylene production process, comprising contacting ethylene and a polymerization catalyst under suitable reaction conditions to yield a polymerization product stream, separating a light gas stream from the polymerization product stream, wherein the light gas stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, contacting the light gas stream with an absorption solvent system, wherein at least a portion of the ethylene from the light gas stream is absorbed by the absorption solvent system, removing unabsorbed gases of the light gas stream from contact with the absorption solvent system to form a waste gas stream, and recovering ethylene from the absorption solvent system.
US08410327B2
A process for isomerizing a saturated, branched and cyclic hydrocarbon, in which a tertiary carbon atom of the hydrocarbon is converted to a secondary carbon atom in the course of isomerization, by performing the isomerization in the presence of a superacidic ionic liquid comprising an organic cation and an inorganic anion, where the anion is a superacidic aluminum trichloride-Lewis base adduct, and of a copper(II) compound.
US08410326B2
A process for producing hydrocarbons, especially C8 or larger alkenes, from lactones, hydroxy-carboxylic acids, alkene-carboxylic acids, alcohols, or mixtures thereof, or an aqueous solution of lactones, hydroxy-carboxylic acids, alkene-carboxylic acids, alcohols, or mixtures thereof is described. The process includes reacting the starting materials with a first acid catalyst to yield a first product mixture. The first product mixture is then reacted with a second acid catalyst (which can be the same or different from the first acid catalyst) to yield a second product mixture comprising hydrocarbons, for example alkenes having a chain length of C8+. The process is suitable for producing hydrocarbons that can be used in or as liquid transportation fuels.
US08410322B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing dinitrotoluene. The process of the invention for preparing dinitrotoluene from mononitrotoluene, which comprises carrying out a mononitrotoluene nitration reaction using a nitrating mixture comprising nitric acid, sulphuric acid and water resulting in a two-phase medium and separating the organic and aqueous phases of said two-phase medium, is characterized in that the mononitrotoluene nitration is carried out using a nitrating mixture comprising at most 10% by weight of water resulting in a two-phase medium, in that the organic and aqueous phases of said two-phase medium are separated, and in that the aqueous phase derived from the separating operation is recycled, at the end of the mononitrotoluene nitration reaction and before the separation of the organic and aqueous phases, such that the weight ratio of the aqueous phase to the organic phase is at least equal to 1.2.
US08410321B2
A method of producing alcohols, hydrocarbons, or both from biomass, the method including converting biomass into a carboxylic acid; reacting the carboxylic acid with an olefin to produce an ester; and hydrogenolyzing the ester to produce alcohol. The steps of reacting the carboxylic acid with an olefin to produce an ester, and hydrogenolyzing the ester to produce an alcohol, may both be carried out in the same reactor.
US08410320B2
A method for synthesis of secondary alcohols is provided for pharmaceutical secondary alcohol by addition of organoboronic acids with aldehydes in presence of the cobalt ion and bidentate ligands as the catalyst. In addition, an enantioselective synthesis method for secondary alcohols is also herein provided in the present invention. The present invention has advantages in using less expensive cobalt ion and commercially available chiral ligands as the catalyst, wide scope of organoboronic acids and aldehydes compatible with this catalytic reaction and achieving excellent yields and/or enantiomeric excess.
US08410318B2
Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol from terephthalic acid. Terephthalic acid is esterified with (4-methylcyclohexyl)methanol and the terephthalate ester hydrogenated to 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol in a 2-stage process. The (4-methylcyclohexyl)methanol that is formed during the hydrogenation step is recycled to the esterification reaction. Also disclosed is a method for purifying and recovering the 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol product.
US08410316B2
The compound (I) or a salt thereof has an excellent controlling activity against pests. Then the compound (I) or a salt thereof is useful for an active ingredient of a pesticidal composition.
US08410308B2
Disclosed is a process for the production of an oxygen-containing organic compound by oxidizing an organic compound with molecular oxygen in a liquid phase in the presence both of a catalytic nitrogen-containing cyclic compound and a catalyst including a solid superacid and, supported thereon, a transition metal compound, in which the nitrogen-containing cyclic compound contains, as a ring constituent, a skeleton represented by following Formula (1), wherein X represents an —OR group, and wherein R represents hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl-protecting group. The process gives the oxygen-containing organic compound in a high yield and enables easy recovery and reuse of the catalyst.
US08410307B2
A method for producing vinyl acetate in a heterogeneously catalyzed, continuous gas phase process by reacting ethylene with acetic acid and oxygen in a reactor and separating the product gas stream substantially comprising ethylene, vinyl acetate, acetic acid, water, carbon dioxide and inert gases.
US08410303B2
A method is provided for the preparation of an aromatic carboxylic acid aryl ester or an N-aryl aromatic carboxamide. The method comprises contacting an O,O-diaryl thiocarbonate or an O-aryl-N-aryl thiocarbamate with a reactant that regioselectively reacts with sulfur, which contact causes an O-neophyl rearrangement, thereby forming either the aromatic carboxylic acid aryl ester or the N-aryl aromatic carboxamide, respectively.
US08410292B2
Disclosed are englerins and derivatives (I) thereof useful in the treatment of a number of cancers, particularly renal cancer, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and method of treating a patient with the use of these derivatives. The englerins, for example Englerin A and Englerin B, can be isolated from the plant Phyllanthus engleri or produced by synthetic methods. An example of the englerin derivative is 2′-chloroenglerin A, which has the structure (II), wherein double bond ‘a’ is E, Z, or a mixture of E and Z.
US08410291B2
A process for making a hydrogenated product includes providing a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth, distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes MAS, at least some DAS, and at least about 20 wt % water, cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms, and optionally adding an antisolvent to the bottoms, to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a DAS-containing liquid portion and a MAS-containing solid portion that is substantially free of DAS, separating the solid portion from the liquid portion, recovering the solid portion, hydrogenating the second solid portion in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst to produce the hydrogenated product comprising at least one of THF, GBL or BDO, and recovering the hydrogenated product.
US08410288B2
The invention provides polymorphs of Saxagliptin hydrochloride, processes for preparing polymorphs of Saxagliptin hydrochloride, and pharmaceutical compositions of polymorphs of Saxagliptin hydrochloride.
US08410285B2
A process for obtaining 2′-halo-4-methylbiphenyls is described, which comprises reacting 4 halotoluene with a 1,2-dihalobenzene in the presence of elemental metal such as magnesium, lithium or zinc, wherein 0 to 0.9 molar, particularly 0 to 0.2 molar excess of 4-halotoluene in regard to 1,2-dihalobenzene is used, and arised organometal intermediates are quenched by elemental mental halogen. In addition, the coupling of arised 2′-halo-4-methylbiphenyls with 2-(1-propyl)-4-methyl-6-(1′-methylbenzimidazole-2-il)benzimidazole to afford 3′-(2′-halo-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-1,7′-dimethyl-2′-propyl-1H,3′H-[2,5′]bibenzoimidazolyl, which can be further converted to organometallic compound and said organometallic compound is further reacted with formic acid derivative, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, alkylformiate or carbon dioxide to obtain telmisartan, is also described. Further described is use of in line analytics for monitoring the aforementioned reactions, process for preparing a pharmaceutical composition and/or dosage for, or use in preparing a medicament.
US08410281B2
Compound having detrusor muscle-contracting activity and urethral sphincter muscle-relaxing activity
Since a compound represented by formula (I) wherein all of the symbols are the same as defined in the specification, a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, a prodrug thereof, a mixture with a diastereomer thereof in an arbitrary ratio, or a cyclodextrin clathrate thereof have a contracting activity of bladder detrusor and a relaxing activity of urethral sphincter, they can ameliorate bladder contraction dysfunction and/or urethral relaxation dysfunction, and for example, are effective for underactive bladder. Additionally, the compound of the present invention has little risk of side effects on the urinary system, the circulatory system and the digestive system, and exhibits excellent pharmacokinetics, such as oral absorbability etc. Therefore, the compound of the present invention is useful as a superior agent for preventing, treating and/or ameliorating underactive bladder.
US08410279B2
The invention relates to substituted pyrrole compounds of Formula (I) which are useful as kinase inhibitors, more specifically useful as checkpoint kinase 1 (chk1) inhibitors, thus useful as cancer therapeutics. The invention also relates to compositions, more specifically pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of using the same to treat various forms of cancer and hyperproliferative disorders, as well as methods of using the compounds for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis or treatment of mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions.
US08410259B2
Compositions and methods comprising recombinant expression vector elements (rEVEs) to enhance the level of expression of recombinant proteins are described. Other compositions and methods for lowering, substantially suppressing, or essentially silencing expression of a recombinant protein are also described.
US08410258B2
Compositions and methods for preventing, treating and detecting leishmaniasis are disclosed. The compositions generally comprise fusion polypeptides comprising multiple Leishmania antigens, in particular, KMP11, SMT, A2 and/or CBP, or immunogenic portions or variants thereof, as well as polynucleotides encoding such fusion polypeptides.
US08410251B2
The present inventors carried out immunization using renal/urinary calculus-derived calcified globules or carotid artery-derived arteriosclerotic plaques, and then obtained antibodies specific to calcified globules (NLO) via screening with NLO. The present inventors demonstrated that the antibodies reacted specifically to arteriosclerotic lesions (calcified lesions) and visualized arteriosclerotic plaques (in particular, calcified lesions) by using fluorescently labeled antibodies. Accordingly, the present inventors completed the present invention.
US08410238B2
Disclosed is a bishydroxyarylsiloxane compound. The bishydroxyarylsiloxane compound has a novel structure in which a particular moiety is introduced between siloxane blocks. Due to this structure, the physical properties of a copolymer of the bishydroxyarylsiloxane compound and a polymer can be tuned. Further disclosed is a method for preparing the bishydroxyarylsiloxane compound.
US08410232B2
Esters of itaconic acid are polymerized in aqueous medium in the presence of seed particles. The seed particles may absorb the monomer and provide for polymerization to a desired particle size. The polymers that are produced may be employed in adhesives, paints, and paper formulations.
US08410231B2
The present invention provides a highly active process for producing an olefin polymer, comprising: the step (I) of preliminarily polymerizing an olefin at 65° C. or lower in the presence of a preliminary polymerization catalyst prepared by bringing the following components (A), (B) and (C) into contact with each other, to produce a preliminary polymerization catalyst component (X); and the step (II) of polymerizing an olefin in the presence of a polymerization catalyst prepared by bringing the preliminary polymerization catalyst component (X) into contact with the following component (D), to produce an olefin polymer; component (A): a metallocene-base complex, component (B): a solid co-catalyst component in which a compound capable of ionizing the metallocene-base complex into an ionic complex is supported on fine particle support, component (C): an organoaluminum compound represented by the general formula R13Al (wherein, R1 is a linear hydrocarbon group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein the R1 can be the same or different), and component (D): an organoaluminum compound represented by the general formula R23Al (wherein, R2 is a branched hydrocarbon group of 3 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein the R2 can be the same or different).
US08410228B2
An emulsion polymerization process using a redox initiator comprising a reductant and an oxidant, wherein monomers are mixed into a carrier liquid, e.g. water, to make a pre-emulsion, which is then supplied to a reactor comprising one or more circulation loops, an outlet, and a circulation pump for circulating a reactor charge within the circulation loop, characterized in that the reductant is added to the pre-emulsion before it is mixed into the reactor charge and the oxidant is mixed into the reactor charge, e.g., via the water-phase feed.
US08410222B2
A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles, comprising polymerization, drying, comminution, classification and recycling of the undersize obtained in the classification, wherein the recycled undersize is coated with a reducing agent and/or inorganic particles.
US08410219B2
Provided is a method for increasing the melt flow of a composition comprising a mixture of high molecular weight carboxylate functionalized ethylene copolymers (Mw between 80,000 and 500,000 Da) with low molecular weight carboxylate functionalized ethylene copolymers (Mw between 2,000 and 30,000 Da), wherein the carboxylic acid groups are at least partially neutralized to form salts containing zinc cations. The method comprises melt mixing the composition with ionomers containing cations other than zinc. Also disclosed are trimodal compositions comprising high molecular weight terpolymers, high molecular weight dipolymers and low molecular weight dipolymers wherein the carboxylic acid groups are at least partially neutralized to salts containing zinc cations and non-zinc cations. The compositions are used in films, multilayer structures and other articles of manufacture.
US08410218B2
The present invention is directed to providing a pressure-sensitive adhesive with good initial tack and good adhesion at low temperature. Generally, the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprises (1) a carboxylic group-containing (meth)acrylic tacky polymer having a weight average molecular weight of less than 800,000 and a glass transition temperature of −100° C. to −30° C., and (2) an amino group-containing (meth)acrylic non-tacky polymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 30,000 to 100,000 and a glass transition temperature of 20° C. to 90° C. The amino group-containing (meth)acrylic non-tacky polymer (2) is present in an amount of no less than 1 parts by mass and less than 20 parts by mass on a basis of 100 parts by mass of said carboxylic group-containing (meth)acrylic tacky polymer (1).
US08410210B2
A fluorine-containing novolac resin represented by the following formula, as well as a fluorine based surfactant and a fluorine based surfactant composition, which include the fluorine-containing novolac resin. In the formula, R represents a fluorinated alkyl-containing substituent, R′ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R″ represents a hydrogen atom or a non-fluorinated substituent, —X— represents any one of following four types of linking groups, —X′ represents any one of three following types of substituents, n represents 0 or an integer of 1 or more, m represents an integer of 1 or more, and n+m is an integer of 2 or more.
US08410191B2
The present invention relates to a thermochromic material for dental impression, capable of reversibly changing color depending on the temperature at which said material is found, a method for its preparation and the use thereof. Said material includes a bicomponent silicone composition in combination with at least a thermochromic pigment.
US08410189B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to methods of sealing a wound or tissue plane or filling a void space, or securing meshes, films or other devices within the body. In certain embodiments, the wound is an ophthalmic, pleural or dural wound, or a hernia repair mesh. Remarkably, disclosed herein is the discovery that the use of certain crosslinkers in combination with polyalkyleneimines at specific concentrations can result in hydrogels with tunable degradation properties.
US08410185B2
A porous polymer, poly-9,9′-spirobifluorene and its derivatives for storage of H2 are prepared through a chemical synthesis method. The porous polymers have high specific surface area and narrow pore size distribution. Hydrogen uptake measurements conducted for these polymers determined a higher hydrogen storage capacity at the ambient temperature over that of the benchmark materials. The method of preparing such polymers, includes oxidatively activating solids by CO2/steam oxidation and supercritical water treatment.
US08410181B2
The present invention relates to omega-3 diglyceride emulsions characterized in that the lipid phase comprises at least about 40 wt.-% of diglycerides. Preferably about 70 wt. -% of the acyl-groups of said diglycerides, are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) groups and/or docosahexaenoic (DHA) groups. The invention further relates to methods of treatment using the omega-3 diglyceride emulsions.
US08410173B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating pulmonary arterial hypertension by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a selective JAK2 inhibitor to a patient in need thereof.
US08410169B2
This invention pertains generally to prostacyclin analogs and methods for their use in promoting vasodilation, inhibiting platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, stimulating thrombolysis, inhibiting cell proliferation (including vascular remodeling), providing cytoprotection, preventing atherogenesis and inducing angiogenesis. Generally, the compounds and methods of the present invention increase the oral bioavailability and circulating concentrations of treprostinil when administered orally. Compounds of the present invention have the following formula:
US08410159B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), methods for their preparation, medicaments comprising these compounds as well their use in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of humans and animals.
US08410154B2
Uric acid in mammalian subjects is reduced and excretion of uric acid is increased by administering a compound of Formula I. The uric acid-lowering effects of the compounds of this invention are used to treat or prevent a variety of conditions including gout, hyperuricemia, elevated levels of uric acid that do not meet the levels customarily justifying a diagnosis of hyperuricemia, renal dysfunction, kidney stones, cardiovascular disease, risk for developing cardiovascular disease, tumor-lysis syndrome, cognitive impairment, early-onset essential hypertension, and Plasmodium falciparum-induced inflammation. In Formula 1, x is 1 or 2: y is O, 1, 2 or 3; and R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, hydroxy, alkoxy having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, fluoro, chloro, bromo, and amino. A is phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three groups selected from the group consisting of halo, alkyl having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, perfluoromethyL alkoxy having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, and perfluoromethoxy; or cycloalkyl having from 3 to 6 ring atoms wherein the cycloalky! is unsubstituted or one one two ring carbons are independently mono-substituted by methyl or ethyl; or a 5 or 6 membered heleraromatic ring having 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms selected from N, S and O and the heteroaromatic ring is covalently bound to the remainder of the compound by a ring carbon.
US08410151B2
The invention relates to novel aminomethyl benzene derivatives, their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Said compounds particularly act as immunomodulating agents.
US08410142B2
The present invention is directed to bipyridyl carboxamide compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US08410140B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods use in pain reduction, including but not limited to, peripheral nerve blocks. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for the administration of perineural dexmedetomidine and ropivacaine in combination for increased antinociception in peripheral nerve blocks. In addition, this invention relates to any use of dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with other agents for the purpose of decreasing inflammation around peripheral nerves, thereby decreasing the potential for peripheral nerve injury. Further, the invention relates to the use of dexmedetomidine to reduce inflammation in the muscle to lessen or prevent muscle damage.
US08410137B2
The subject matter of the invention is compounds corresponding to formula (I), in which: R1 and R2, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, constitute a saturated heterocyclic radical containing from 4 to 7 atoms, which is preferably substituted; one of the two substituents R3 and R6 is a group Y-A-R9; Y is an oxygen atom or an —S(O)n′—, or —OSO2 group; A is an unsubstituted (C1-C4) alkylene group; R9 is an —OR19, —CH3, —NR19R20, —CONR19R20, —NR15COR19, —S(O)nR21, or —NR13SO2R21 group; —R10 is a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C4) alkyl group. The present invention also relates to the methods of preparation and the therapeutic uses of the compounds of formula (I).
US08410123B2
A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these, all for use in the treatment of chemokine mediated diseases and disorders.
US08410121B2
Methods of treating pulmonary hypertension are disclosed. Particular methods comprise the administration of a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor and a prostacyclin. Pharmaceutical formulations are also disclosed.
US08410119B2
The present invention relates to certain fused aryl and heteroaryl derivatives of Formula (I) that are modulators of metabolism. Accordingly, compounds of the present invention are useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of metabolic disorders and complications thereof, such as, diabetes and obesity.
US08410112B2
The present disclosure relates to pyrazine compounds of formula I: wherein L, n, R1, and R2 are as described in the specification. These compounds are useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The disclosure also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the disclosure; methods of treating of various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of the disclosure; processes for preparing the compounds of the disclosure; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of the disclosure; and methods of using the compounds in in vitro applications, such as the study of kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new kinase inhibitors.
US08410108B2
Certain substituted urea derivatives selectively modulate the cardiac sarcomere, for example by potentiating cardiac myosin, and are useful in the treatment of systolic heart failure including congestive heart failure.
US08410105B2
The present invention relates to substituted pyridazinylamine derivatives of the formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof, wherein the substituents are defined as in the description, their preparation process, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and uses of the said compounds as picorna virus inhibitors for prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by picorna viruses.
US08410103B2
The present invention is directed to a substituted 2,3,5,7,11,11a-hexahydro[1,3]oxazolo[3,2 -a]pyrido[1,2-d]pyrazine-5,7-dione useful as an anti-HIV agent, which has the formula: as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compostions thereof, and methods of use thereof.
US08410101B2
Blood and tissue markers of the metabolic status, risk of health complications in Fabry disease patients and as a biomarker to follow the efficacy of treatment in animal models and patients with Fabry disease comprising tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), precursors and metabolites of BH4, and other related co-factors is disclosed herein. The present invention further describes the use of BH4 therapy as a treatment option for Fabry disease to prevent, slow or reverses vascular cardiac and renal manifestations of Fabry disease.
US08410099B2
The present invention is related to novel substituted 1-benzylcinnolin-4(1H)-one derivatives having affinity for cannabinoid CB2 receptors, their preparation and their therapeutic application.
US08410086B2
In various embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing cardiovascular-related diseases in subject in need thereof.
US08410085B2
We have discovered that phospholipids diundecanoyl (C11:0-C11:0) and dilauroyl (C12:0-C12:0) phosphatidylcholine (PC) act as agonists of the LRH-1 receptor. We have also shown that administration of these lipids to diabetic mice reduces blood glucose levels. On the basis of these discoveries, the present invention features compositions that include these lipids and structurally related lipids. Also featured are methods of treating metabolic disorders and inflammatory bowel disease, lowering blood glucose levels, and increasing LRH-1 receptor activity in a subject by administration of these lipids.
US08410071B2
The present disclosure relates to an LNA oligonucleotide consisting of a sequence selected from the group consisting of 5′-(Tx)GxGxcsasasgscsastscscsTxGxT-3′ and 5′-(Gx)TxTxascstsgscscststscsTxTxA-3′, wherein capital letters designate a beta-D-oxy-LNA nucleotide analogue, small letters designate a 2-deoxynucleotide, underline designates either a beta-D-oxy-LNA nucleotide analogue or a 2-deoxynucleotide, subscript “s” designates a phosphorothioate link between neighboring nucleotides/LNA nucleotide analogues, and subscript “x” designates either a phosphorothioate link or a phosphorodiester link between neighboring nucleotides/LNA nucleotide analogues, and wherein the sequence is optionally extended by up to five 2-deoxynucleotide units. The LNA oligonucleotides are useful for modulating the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a), e.g. in the treatment of cancer diseases, inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing apoptosis, preventing cellular proliferation, or treating an angiogenic disease, e.g. diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration (ARMD), psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
US08410064B2
The present invention encompasses classical cannabinoid metabolites and uses thereof.
US08410056B2
This invention relates to anti-cancer compounds and to methods for treating or preventing cancer. In particular, the invention concerns pro-oxidant anti-cancer compounds, such as pro-oxidant forms of vitamin E that selectively interact with complex II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain of cancerous cells, generate reactive oxygen species and induce apoptosis of those cells.
US08410050B2
The present invention relates to administering glial growth factor 2 (GGF2) to a patient in need thereof, to achieve serum levels of GGF2 within a desired therapeutic window determined based on the disease or disorder afflicting the patient. In a particular embodiment, the patient is suffering from a disease or disorder associated with reduced levels of myelination and the GGF2 is administered to promote myelination in the patient.
US08410049B2
Improved methods and kits for treating the long-term complication of diabetes that reduce the risk of the patient developing hypoglycemia during C-peptide therapy. The use of such methods and kits, can also maintain good glycemic control, and avoid excessive weight gain that may otherwise be associated with excessive insulin administration or caloric intake during C-peptide therapy.
US08410047B2
The present invention describes administering a GLP-1 agonist to treat obesity caused by the administration of an obesity-inducing drug.
US08410035B2
A lubricating oil composition for a power transmission system, which is excellent in both of low-temperature viscosity property and shear stability, is provided. The viscosity modifier of a lubricating oil for a power transmission system according to the present invention comprises an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer (B) having the properties: (B1) an ethylene content in the range of 70 to 85% by mol, (B2) an intrinsic viscosity [η] in the range of 0.2 to 1.0 dl/g, (B3) Mw/Mn not more than 2.4, and (B4) a melting point, as measured by DSC, not higher than 60° C., or no melting point observed.
US08410026B2
The present invention relates to novel pyridazine derivatives of formula (I) as active ingredients which have microbiocidal activity, in particular fungicidal activity: wherein R1 is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl; R2 is chloro, fluoro, hydroxy or C1-C2alkoxy; R3 is H, chloro, fluoro, methoxy or C1-C3alkyl; R4 is chloro, fluoro or bromo; and R5 is H, fluoro or methoxy; or an agrochemically usable salt form thereof; with the proviso that when R1 is methyl, R2 is chloro and R3 is H, then R4 or R5 is different from fluoro.
US08410024B2
The present invention relates to the use of new and known maleimide salts for controlling phytopathogenic fungi, and also to methods for controlling phytopathogenic fungi in crop protection, in the household and hygiene sectors and in materials protection, and also to crop protection compositions comprising these maleimide salts.
US08410023B2
Compositions and processes for controlling nematodes are described herein, e.g., nematodes that infest plants or animals. The compounds include oxazoles, oxadiazoles and thiadiazoles.
US08410022B2
A herbicidal composition comprises in aqueous solution a mixture of salts of glyphosate at a total glyphosate a.e. concentration not less than about 360 g/l, wherein (a) said glyphosate is in anionic form accompanied by low molecular weight non-amphiphilic cations in a total molar amount of about 100% to about 120% of the molar amount of said glyphosate; (b) said cations comprise potassium and propylammonium (e.g., isopropylammonium) cations in a mole ratio of about 70:30 to about 90:10; and (c) said potassium and propylammonium cations together constitute about 90 to 100 molar percent of all of said low molecular weight non-amphiphilic cations in the composition.
US08410021B2
The present invention provides a composition comprising synergistic amounts of a compound of the formula (I) wherein X, E, R, A and Z are as defined herein, and at least one fungicidal active compound as defined herein. The compositions of the present invention find use as pesticides.
US08410016B2
A porous structured organic film for storing gaseous a gaseous entity and method for storing gaseous entities in a porous structured organic film, the porous structured organic film including a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein at a macroscopic level the covalent organic framework is a film and contains a plurality of sites accessible to one or more gaseous entity.
US08410008B2
An optical glass that is an oxide glass having a very high refractive index in spite of its low-dispersion property, having excellent glass stability and having less susceptibility to coloring.
US08409999B2
An etchant composition for etching a transparent electrode is provided, the etchant composition includes an inorganic acid, an ammonium (NH4+)-containing compound, a cyclic amine compound, and the remaining amount of water.
US08409994B2
Disclosed are methods and devices for targeting CD of selected transistors in a semiconductor device. Varying CD is done by forming hard mask lines in a hard mask layer that have varying amounts of spacer material associated therewith. Hard mask lines corresponding to selected transistors are either left covered or uncovered by a resist applied over the hard mask layer. Then, spacer material is selectively removed from the hard mask lines to vary the width of hard mask lines and associated side wall spacers. A gate layer is then etched through the spaces in the hard mask lines to form gate lines having varying widths and targeted CD.
US08409990B2
The present invention provides an aqueous CMP slurry composition that includes abrasive particles and from about 0.01% to the limit of solubility in water of a compound according to Formula (I): wherein only one of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is a hydroxyl group (—OH), only one of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is a methoxy group (—OCH3), and the three of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 that are not either a hydroxyl group (—OH) or a methoxy group (—OCH3) are hydrogen atoms (—H).
US08409987B2
Methods of forming low resistivity tungsten films with good uniformity and good adhesion to the underlying layer are provided. The methods involve forming a tungsten nucleation layer using a pulsed nucleation layer process at low temperature and then treating the deposited nucleation layer prior to depositing the bulk tungsten fill. The treatment operation lowers resistivity of the deposited tungsten film. In certain embodiments, the depositing the nucleation layer involves a boron-based chemistry in the absence of hydrogen. Also in certain embodiments, the treatment operations involve exposing the nucleation layer to alternating cycles of a reducing agent and a tungsten-containing precursor. The methods are useful for depositing films in high aspect ratio and/or narrow features. The films exhibit low resistivity at narrow line widths and excellent step coverage.
US08409985B2
The present invention addresses this need by providing methods for depositing low resistivity tungsten films in small features and features having high aspect ratios. The methods involve depositing very thin tungsten nucleation layers by pulsed nucleation layer (PNL) processes and then using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to deposit a tungsten layer to fill the feature. Depositing the tungsten nucleation layer involves exposing the substrate to alternating pulses of a boron-containing reducing agent and a tungsten-containing precursor without using any hydrogen gas, e.g., as a carrier or background gas. Using this process, a conformal tungsten nucleation layer can be deposited to a thickness as small as about 10 Angstroms. The feature may then be wholly or partially filled with tungsten by a hydrogen reduction chemical vapor deposition process. Resistivities of about 14 μΩ-cm for a 500 Angstrom film may be obtained.
US08409973B2
Objects are to reduce the number of steps in a process for separating a substrate and a semiconductor element, to provide a separation apparatus capable of reducing the number of steps, to suppress manufacturing cost by reducing the number of steps in a separation process, and to improve productivity in manufacturing semiconductor elements. A separation apparatus including a frame body, a porous body having a chamfered, rounded corner portion, a suction unit configured to create suction in the porous body and the frame body, and a jig which includes a unit adopted to press down part of an object to be separated and a unit adopted to lift another part of the object to be separated, and also a separation method and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor element by using the separation apparatus, are provided.
US08409969B2
An optical device wafer has a device area where a plurality of optical devices are formed on the front side of a sapphire substrate, and a peripheral marginal area surrounding the device area. The device area projects from the peripheral marginal area. A break start point is formed on the front side of the sapphire substrate by applying a laser beam along the boundary between the device area and the peripheral marginal area. A protective member is attached to the front side of the optical device wafer. The optical device wafer is held on a chuck table of a grinding apparatus so that the protective member comes into contact with a holding surface of the chuck table. The back side of the sapphire substrate is ground to reduce the thickness thereof to a predetermined thickness.
US08409962B2
present invention discloses a manufacturing method for a copper interconnection structure with MIM capacitor. The method firstly makes a copper conductive pattern in a copper interconnection structure and a copper through hole bolt connected with the copper conductive pattern; etch away an insulation layer around the copper through hole bolt and deposit a etch stop layer, so as to expose the top and side surface of the copper through hole bolt and part of the top surface of the copper conductive pattern; deposit a dielectric layer on the obtained structure and fill a protection material in the recession area of the obtained structure; etch a trench for receiving other copper conductive patterns; remove the protection material; plate copper in the recession area, and plate copper in the trench, so as to obtain a copper interconnection structure with MIM capacitor.
US08409960B2
Some embodiments include methods of patterning platinum-containing material. An opening may be formed to extend into an oxide. Platinum-containing material may be formed over and directly against an upper surface of the oxide, and within the opening. The platinum-containing material within the opening may be a plug having a lateral periphery. The lateral periphery of the plug may be directly against the oxide. The platinum-containing material may be subjected to polishing to remove the platinum-containing material from over the upper surface of the oxide. The polishing may delaminate the platinum-containing material from the oxide, and may remove the platinum-containing material from over the oxide with an effective selectivity for the platinum-containing material relative to the oxide of at least about 5:1. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. Some embodiments include integrated circuitry having platinum-containing material within an opening in an oxide and directly against the oxide.
US08409954B2
Ultra-low drain-source resistance power MOSFET. In accordance with an embodiment of the preset invention, a semiconductor device comprises a plurality of trench power MOSFETs. The plurality of trench power MOSFETs is formed in a second epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer is formed adjacent and contiguous to a first epitaxial layer. The first epitaxial layer is formed adjacent and contiguous to a substrate highly doped with red Phosphorous. The novel red Phosphorous doped substrate enables a desirable low drain-source resistance.
US08409951B2
Methods for fabricating control gates in non-volatile storage are disclosed. When forming stacks for floating gate memory cells and transistor control gates, a sacrificial material may be formed at the top of the stacks. After insulation is formed between the stacks, the sacrificial material may be removed to reveal openings. In some embodiments, cutouts are then formed in regions in which control gates of transistors are to be formed. Metal is then formed in the openings, which may include the cutout regions. Therefore, floating gate memory cells having at least partially metal control gates and transistors having at least partially metal control gates may be formed in the same process. A barrier layer may be formed prior to depositing the metal in order to prevent silicidation of polysilicon in the control gates.
US08409946B2
A method of forming a field effect transistor includes forming trench isolation material within a semiconductor substrate and on opposing sides of a semiconductor material channel region along a length of the channel region. The trench isolation material is formed to comprise opposing insulative projections extending toward one another partially under the channel region along the channel length and with semiconductor material being received over the projections. The trench isolation material is etched to expose opposing sides of the semiconductor material along the channel length. The exposed opposing sides of the semiconductor material are etched along the channel length to form a channel fin projecting upwardly relative to the projections. A gate is formed over a top and opposing sides of the fin along the channel length. Other methods and structures are disclosed.
US08409943B2
Semiconductor devices and fabrication methods are provided, in which fully silicided gates are provided. A lanthanide series metal is implanted into the gate electrode layer prior to silicidation and diffuses into the gate dielectric during an activation anneal. This process and resultant structure provides adjustment of the gate electrode work function, thereby tuning the threshold voltage of the resulting transistor.
US08409938B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming a plurality of photoresist patterns over a substrate structure; forming an insulation layer for a spacer over a structure including the photoresist patterns; forming a plurality of spacers on sidewalls of the photoresist patterns by anisotropically etching the insulation layer, and forming a first opening through the insulation layer; and forming second openings in the insulation layer to expose the substrate structure.
US08409932B2
A semiconductor chip is temporarily fixed on a circuit board by having a thermosetting adhesive film in between. A sealing resin film is provided with a mold release film, and a thermosetting sealing resin layer, which is laminated on the mold release film and has a film thickness 0.5 to 2 times the thickness of the semiconductor chip. The sealing resin film is arranged on the semiconductor chip so that the thermosetting sealing resin layer faces the semiconductor chip. Heat is applied to the side of the circuit board, while applying pressure to the sealing resin film from the side of the mold release film by using a rubber head having a rubber hardness of 5-100 to bond the semiconductor chip on the circuit board. After sealing the semiconductor chip with the resin, the mold release film is peeled.
US08409929B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for placing a thermal interface material (TIM) between a die including a backside metallic (BSM) layer including copper (Cu) and a heat spreader having a contact surface including Cu, where the TIM is formed of an alloy including indium (In) and tin (Sn), and bonding the TIM to the die and the heat spreader to form at least one quaternary intermetallic compound (IMC) layer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08409924B2
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to fabricate a metal interconnect. A first metal trace is printed on a die attached to a substrate or a cavity of a heat spreader in a package to electrically connect the first metal trace to a power contact in the substrate. A device is mounted on the first metal trace. The device receives power from the substrate when the package is powered.
US08409913B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having at least one surface provided with a semiconductor element, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes a region of a first conductivity type, the region being formed in a surface layer portion of the semiconductor substrate; a first diffusion region of a second conductivity type, the first diffusion region having a first impurity concentration and being formed in the surface layer portion, and a pn junction being formed between the first diffusion region and the region of the first conductivity type; and a first metal silicide film formed on part of a portion of the surface corresponding to the first diffusion region.
US08409912B2
In one embodiment, active diffusion junctions of a solar cell are formed by diffusing dopants from dopant sources selectively deposited on the back side of a wafer. The dopant sources may be selectively deposited using a printing method, for example. Multiple dopant sources may be employed to form active diffusion regions of varying doping levels. For example, three or four active diffusion regions may be fabricated to optimize the silicon/dielectric, silicon/metal, or both interfaces of a solar cell. The front side of the wafer may be textured prior to forming the dopant sources using a texturing process that minimizes removal of wafer material. Openings to allow metal gridlines to be connected to the active diffusion junctions may be formed using a self-aligned contact opening etch process to minimize the effects of misalignments.
US08409911B2
A method for metallization of solar cells is disclosed. The method includes providing a superstrate, such as a sheet of polymer film, to be used as a transport during metallization of solar cells. The method includes attaching the back sides of the solar cells to the sheet of polymer film. The method also includes forming contact holes through the sheet of polymer film to expose doped regions of the solar cells. The method also includes forming metals in the contact holes to electrically connect to the exposed doped regions of the solar cells. The method further includes electroplating the metals to form metal contacts of the solar cell. Subsequently, the method also includes separating the solar cells from other solar cells that were metallized while supported by the same sheet of polymer film to form strings of solar cells or individual solar cells.
US08409909B2
Image sensors have photodiodes separated by isolations regions formed from p-well or n-well implants. Isolation regions may be formed that are narrow and deep. Isolation regions may be formed in a multi-step process that selectively places implants at desired depths in a substrate. Complementary photoresist patterns may be used. To form an implant near the surface of a substrate, a photoresist pattern with openings over the desired implant area may be used. Subsequent implantation may use a complementary pattern such that ions pass through photoresist before implanting in desired regions of a substrate.
US08409908B2
An apparatus for reducing photodiode thermal gain coefficient includes a bulk semiconductor material having a light-illumination side. The bulk semiconductor material includes a minority charge carrier diffusion length property configured to substantially match a predetermined hole diffusion length value and a thickness configured to substantially match a predetermined photodiode layer thickness. The apparatus also includes a dead layer coupled to the light-illumination side of the bulk semiconductor material, the dead layer having a thickness configured to substantially match a predetermined thickness value and wherein an absolute value of a thermal coefficient of gain due to the minority carrier diffusion length property of the bulk semiconductor material is configured to substantially match an absolute value of a thermal coefficient of gain due to the thickness of the dead layer.
US08409904B2
Protuberances, having vertical and lateral dimensions less than the wavelength range of lights detectable by a photodiode, are formed at an optical interface between two layers having different refractive indices. The protuberances may be formed by employing self-assembling block copolymers that form an array of sublithographic features of a first polymeric block component within a matrix of a second polymeric block component. The pattern of the polymeric block component is transferred into a first optical layer to form an array of nanoscale protuberances. Alternately, conventional lithography may be employed to form protuberances having dimensions less than the wavelength of light. A second optical layer is formed directly on the protuberances of the first optical layer. The interface between the first and second optical layers has a graded refractive index, and provides high transmission of light with little reflection.
US08409901B2
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are small integrated devices or systems that combine electrical and mechanical components. It would be beneficial for such MEMS devices to be integrated with silicon CMOS electronics and packaged in controlled environments and support industry standard mounting interconnections such as solder bump through the provisioning of through-wafer via-based electrical interconnections. However, the fragile nature of the MEMS devices, the requirement for vacuum, hermetic sealing, and stresses placed on metallization membranes are not present in packaging conventional CMOS electronics. Accordingly there is provided a means of reinforcing the through-wafer vias for such integrated MEMS-CMOS circuits by in filling a predetermined portion of the through-wafer electrical vias with low temperature deposited ceramic materials which are deposited at temperatures below 350° C., and potentially to below 250° C., thereby allowing the re-inforcing ceramic to be deposited after fabrication of the CMOS electronics.
US08409894B2
A solid state light emitting semiconductor structure and an epitaxy growth method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps: A substrate is provided. A plurality of protrusions separated from each other are formed on the substrate. A buffer layer is formed on the protrusions, and fills or partially fills the gaps between the protrusions. A semiconductor epitaxy stacking layer is formed on the buffer layer, wherein the semiconductor epitaxy stacking layer is constituted by a first type semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second type semiconductor layer in sequence.
US08409890B2
A structure capable of changing the characteristic value of an element after the formation of the element in order to prevent the increase of the manufacturing cost and delay in the delivery of a product. A plurality of diodes is connected in series. Then, a part of the plurality of diodes is short-circuited by a wiring. In specific, a diode and a wiring are connected in parallel, whereby a current flows preferentially into the wiring, so that the diode can be regarded as nonexistent. Then, the wiring is cut at a part of the wiring, thereby having the diode which is connected to the wiring in parallel before the cutting functioning.
US08409885B2
An LED packaging method includes: providing a mold with two isolated receiving spaces and a substrate with a die supporting portion and an electrode portion respectively received in the two receiving spaces; disposing an LED die on the die supporting portion and electrically connecting the LED die to the electrode portion of the substrate by metal wires; injecting a light wavelength converting material into the first receiving space and covering the LED die with the light wavelength converting material; communicating the first receiving space to the second receiving space, injecting a first light transmissive material into the communicated first and second spaces, and covering the light wavelength converting material and the metal wires with the first light transmissive material; and removing the mold to obtain a packaged LED.
US08409882B2
A method and apparatus for determining overlay includes an array of electronic devices having structures formed in a plurality of layers and such that a device on a first end of the array includes an offset from a position of a device on a second end of the array. A measurement device is configured to measure electrical characteristics of the devices in the array to determine a transition position between the electrical characteristics. A comparison device is configured to determine an overlay between the layers based on a device associated with the transition position.
US08409881B2
A semiconductor wafer is fabricated. The wafer has a plurality of dies. The plurality of dies include at least operable dies of a first type and operable dies of a second type different from the first type. The dies of the second type are rendered inoperable, while keeping the dies of the first type operable. The wafer is provided with the operable dies of the first type and the inoperable dies of the second type on it, for testing of the dies of the first type.
US08409870B2
The invention is directed to a matrix material for MALDI mass spectrometry, to a matrix composition for MALDI mass spectrometry, in particular for aerosol MALDI mass spectrometry, to a MALDI mass spectrometry method, in particular an aerosol MALDI mass spectrometry method, to the use of a specific compound as a MALDI matrix material, and to the use of a MALDI matrix composition in a gas phase coating method. The matrix material of the invention comprises a 2-mercapto-4,5-dialkylthiazole according to formula (I), wherein X is chosen from S, O or N, and wherein R1 and R2 are independently chosen from hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, ethoxy, and propoxy, or wherein R1 and R2 are taken together to form an optionally substituted aromatic ring structure, optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms, or a tautomeric form thereof. A matrix composition preferably includes the matrix material and an alcohol. The alcohol can be halogenated. The MALDI MS method comprises contacting the analyte with the matrix material or the matrix composition; ionising at least part of the analyte, and separating the ionised components using a mass spectrometer, e.g. TOF-MS. Preferably, bioaerosols are contacted with the matrix material in the gas phase.
US08409861B2
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for targeted deletion of double-stranded DNA. The compositions include fusion proteins comprising a cleavage domain (or cleavage half-domain) and an engineered zinc finger domain, and polynucleotides encoding same. Methods for targeted deletion include introduction of such fusion proteins, or polynucleotides encoding same, into a cell such that two targeted cleavage events occur. Subsequent cellular repair mechanisms result in deletion of sequences between the two cleavage sites.
US08409860B2
A handheld tool is disclosed which may be used to transfer a plurality of plant tissue explants from a first container to a second container. The handheld tool may include a disposable tip member which couples the plurality of plant tissue explants through use of negative pressure. An automated system which transfers a plurality of plant tissue explants from a first container to a second container is also disclosed. The automated system may include a first presentment system which moves the first container to a region, a second presentment system which moves the second container to the region, and a robot system that transfers the plurality of plant tissue explants from the first container to the second container.
US08409859B2
The invention provides methods for differentiating non-embryonic multipotent stem cells along the pancreatic lineage. The present invention further provides non-embryonic multipotent stem cells and progeny derived therefrom to provide pancreatic cells to a subject.
US08409840B2
The present invention pertains in general to Bromelain and particularly to the different active compounds contained in this complex mixture of proteins. The present invention provides recombinant expressed cysteine proteases, which are found in Bromelain. It has been found that the method for expression of the recombinant proteins is superior to the purification from Bromelain itself.
US08409837B2
A novel crystal structures of human and murine glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5), methods of preparing the crystals, as well as the use of said crystal structures for identifying inhibitors of human and murine glutaminyl cyclase.
US08409823B2
The cultivation of heterotrophic and phototrophic micro-organisms is integrated for the production of bio-oil for biofuels, wherein the overall algal suspension produced is first thickened, with recirculation of the excess water to cultivation containers, and then thermally treated at a high temperature. After cooling, a bio-oil phase is recovered together with a suspension rich in soluble carbohydrates and proteins which forms a nutritional/energy source for heterotrophic micro-organisms.
US08409819B1
The present invention provides methods, assays, and kits for predicting or stratifying the risk of celiac disease (CD) based upon HLA-DQ genotype and/or anti-flagellin antibody levels. Such risk prediction or stratification can provide benefits to family members of CD patients, to a subset of patients who are being evaluated clinically for CD, and to researchers, who can utilize this strategy to establish inclusion criteria for participation in research studies investigating potential preventive interventions.
US08409818B2
The invention provides kits and methods for detecting or monitoring the number of cells in sample. The cell comprises a cell surface associated protein (CSAP) comprising a cytoplasmic (cytosolic) and an extracellular (ecto) domain. The kit comprises: (i) a chromatographic device; and (ii) a CSAP-binding agent. The method comprises: (i) optionally contacting the sample with an agent capable of lysing or permeabilizing CSAP bearing cells; (ii) contacting the sample with a CSAP-binding agent that binds to the cytoplasmic domain of the CSAP; and (iii) directly or indirectly evaluating the level or presence of bound CSAP in the sample.
US08409813B2
The present invention relates generally to the fields of genetics and medicine. More specifically, the present invention relates to improved methods of treating cancers using a TLR3 agonist, by assessing the expression of a TLR3 receptor by cancer cells.
US08409806B2
Disclosed are rare short tandem repeat (STR) alleles within the D10S1248 and D12S391 loci in humans. Provided are representative allelic ladders for each locus, methods and assays using these alleles and kits containing allelic ladders comprising these alleles for accurate genotyping and identification of a wide range of individuals.
US08409794B2
The present invention describes a method for predicting a health-state indicative of the presence of prostate cancer. The method measures the intensities of specific small biochemicals, called metabolites, in a blood sample from a patient with an undetermined health-state, and compares these intensities to the intensities observed in a population of healthy individuals and/or to the intensities previously observed in a population of confirmed prostate cancer-positive individuals. The method enables a practitioner to determine the probability that a screened patient is positive for prostate cancer.
US08409793B2
A method for preparing a sample consisting of biological tissue in a solid matrix includes steps of: contacting the sample with a first compressed fluid stream wherein the matrix is soluble so as to extract the solid matrix, contacting the sample with a second compressed fluid, adapted to impregnate the tissue with an aqueous or water-soluble substance, evacuating the second compressed fluid gradually and in controlled manner, recovering the sample.
US08409789B2
A large mask with random apertures may be formed by forming a smaller mask (also called a cell mask) with a random pattern of transmissive apertures which is then repeatedly replicated to create the large mask. The random pattern may be created by perturbing the aperture locations by a small amount or the apertures may be randomly placed within the cell mask provided certain criteria are met. Alternatively, a large mask with a random pattern of transmissive apertures may be formed without using a cell mask. This large mask may be used to fabricate diffusers and other devices that do not suffer from the interference, diffraction and other optical effects common in devices having structures that are non-randomly patterned.
US08409773B2
A photoconductor that includes, for example, a substrate; an undercoat layer thereover wherein the undercoat layer contains a metal oxide, and a mixture of an epoxy resin and a carboxyl resin; a photogenerating layer; and at least one charge transport layer.
US08409765B2
An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.
US08409757B2
A lithium secondary battery is intended to suppress deterioration upon storage at high temperature of 50° C. or higher without deteriorating the output characteristics at a room temperature. The battery includes a positive electrode capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, a negative electrode capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte contains a compound having a double bond in the molecule and a compound having a plurality of polymerizable functional groups in the molecule, and the electrolyte contains a compound represented by formula (4): (in which Z1 and Z2 each represent any one of an allyl group, a methallyl group, a vinyl group, an acryl group, and a methacryl group).
US08409748B2
A battery and an electronic apparatus are disclosed by which it can be discriminated with a simple configuration whether or not the battery is of a thin type. The battery is configured such that a wall portion for discrimination of a battery characteristic which is swollen in a lengthwise direction and connects to a connector section is formed at a location of one of end faces positioned rather near to an end portion in a widthwise direction of a case of the battery.
US08409744B2
A battery system including: a plurality of subunits each of which has a heatsink and a battery cell and two voltage terminals symmetrically positioned with respect to a centerline of that battery cell, wherein all of the battery cells are arranged so that their voltage terminals are aligned along two rows; a plurality of identical busbar supports equal in number to the plurality of subunits, each having two slots and mounted on a corresponding different one of the subunits with each of the terminals of the battery cell extending up through the two slots; and a plurality of bimetallic busbars, each one supported by a different corresponding subset of the busbar supports and electrically connected directly to either a first or second terminal of each of the battery cells of each of the modules on which those busbar supports are mounted.
US08409743B2
A battery system includes a battery block, a cooling pipe, and a coolant feeding device. The battery block includes a plurality of rectangular batteries that have a width greater than a thickness and are securely arranged in array alignment by a battery holder. The cooling pipe cools the rectangular batteries of the battery block. The coolant feeding device feeds coolant to the cooling pipe. In the battery system, the cooling pipe is arranged on the surface of the battery block in a thermally-coupled state so that the rectangular batteries are cooled by the coolant, which is circulated through the cooling pipe.
US08409738B2
A battery cover latching assembly is provided. The battery cover latching assembly includes a body member defining a battery receiving space, a battery cover being attached to the body member to cover the battery receiving space, and a latching assembly. The battery cover includes a stopping block. The latching assembly includes a button. The button includes a latch block. The button is rotatably mounted to the body member to lock the latch block to the stopping block or release the latch block from the stopping block.
US08409726B2
Provided is a printed circuit board (PCB) with multiple metallic layers and a method of manufacturing the PCB to improve adhesion between a metal film and a polymer film, on which a circuit pattern is formed. The PCB includes: a first metal film; a polymer film formed on one surface of the first metal film; and a second metal film, interposed between the first metal film and the polymer film, having a first surface facing the first metal film and a second surface facing the polymer film, wherein the second surface is rougher than the first surface.
US08409717B2
Example embodiments of this invention relate to a coated article including an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like, for use in an insulating glass (IG) window unit for example. In certain example embodiments, the coating is a single-silver type coating, and includes an overcoat including an uppermost layer of or including silicon nitride and a layer of or including tin oxide immediately under and contacting the silicon nitride based overcoat. In certain example embodiments, the thicknesses of the silicon nitride based overcoat and the tin oxide based layer are balanced (e.g., substantially equal, or equal plus/minus about 10%). It has surprisingly been found that such balancing results in an improvement in thermal cycling performance and improved mechanical durability. In certain example embodiments, the coating may realize surprisingly good substantially neutral film side reflective coloration, and may achieve an improved visible transmission, SHGC ratio and low U-values. Moreover, in certain example embodiments, stress in the overcoat of the coating may be reduced by reducing nitrogen gas flow (N2 ml/kW) and cathode power during a sputter-deposition process, thereby further improving thermal cycling performance.
US08409716B2
The invention in general relates to glass or glass-ceramic products. In order to protect the surface of such products against scratching, a silicon oxynitride coating with special composition is provided.
US08409706B2
The present application provides a process for the preparation of microbeads, including the steps of: patterning a thin film, which has been formed on a substrate, into microbead regions of at least one predetermined shape by photolithography; immobilizing a predetermined substance on the thus-patterned microbead regions; and stripping off, from the substrate, the thus-patterned microbead regions with the substance immobilized thereon.
US08409702B2
Coated cutting tools are disclosed which have a hard coating that includes at least one aluminum titanium nitride layer having a single phase structure of B1 cubic phase and a composition of (AlxTi1-x)N, where x is in the range of about 0.46 to about 0.52 moles. The hard coatings also have a residual stress in the range of from about −0.4 to about −3 GPa as measured by the XRD Sin2 Ψ method, and a crystallographic orientation characterized by an x-ray diffraction (200) to (111) peak intensity ratio in the range of about 1 to about 14. Preferably the aluminum titanium nitride layer has an average crystallite size in the range of about 15 to about 50 nanometers. Methods of making such coated cutting tools are also disclosed.
US08409700B2
A process for producing silicone foam, involves a reaction mixture in which hydrogen is released in a first reaction of compounds with at least one Si—H group in the presence of a basic catalyst. The reaction mixture is crosslinked in a second reaction in the presence of a metal catalyst.
US08409690B2
Nanowires suspended from a substrate surface and methods of making nanowires suspended from a substrate surface are provided. The suspended nanowires are comprised of a variety of materials, including metals and mixtures of metals. Suspended nanowires supply large surface areas for applications such as, for example, energy storage and catalysis. Embodiments of the invention provide three dimensional nanowires attached to a substrate surface and arrays of three dimensional nanowires.
US08409689B2
A laminated shingle and a method of making it is provided in which the rear surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.
US08409679B2
A non-foil packaging laminate for liquid food packaging comprises a core layer of paper or paperboard, outermost liquid tight, heat sealable layers of polyolefin and, applied onto the inner side of the layer of paper or paperboard, an oxygen gas barrier layer formed by liquid film coating of a liquid gas barrier composition and subsequent drying, the liquid composition containing a polymer binder dispersed or dissolved in a liquid medium. The laminate further comprises a layer of a polyolefin-based matrix polymer with inorganic filler particles distributed therein and inorganic particles dispersed also in the gas barrier layer from the liquid gas barrier composition. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the packaging laminate and a packaging container made from the packaging laminate.
US08409677B2
Disclosed is a composition comprising an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester consisting essentially of a dicarboxylic acid component that includes a terephthalic acid component and a linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid component, a glycol component consisting essentially of a linear aliphatic glycol component and 0 to 4 mole percent based on 100 mole percent total glycol component of a dialkylene glycol component and at least one additional component; starch; water; and polyol plasticizer. Also described are shaped articles such as films which exhibit greater than expected tear strength and methods for preparing the films.
US08409670B2
A method of producing a laminate comprising preparing a substrate having curved surfaces; applying a photopolymerizable and curable composition containing a photochromic compound and a phosphorus-containing photopolymerization initiator onto the curved surfaces of the base member; and curing the photopolymerizable and curable composition by the irradiation with an active energy ray having a relative intensity profile of 0 to 5% of wavelength components of not shorter than 200 nm but shorter than 300 nm, 25 to 75% of wavelength components of not shorter than 300 nm but shorter than 400 nm and 25 to 75% of wavelength components of not shorter than 400 nm but not longer than 500 nm while maintaining the substrate at not higher than 100° C. This method makes it possible to form a homogeneous and thin film containing a photochromic compound at a high concentration and having a uniform thickness on the substrate having a curved surface, such as a spectacle lens that is generally available, and to impart photochromic properties while maintaining excellent mechanical and optical properties of the substrate.
US08409668B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing metal cutting tools with outstanding performance in terms of toughness, wear resistance and resistance to coating delamination. According to the method the inserts are subjected to a stream of water mixed with blasting media under method conditions that result in an Almén value between 0.5 and 1.
US08409665B2
A thermally and electrically conductive structure comprises a carbon nanotube (110) having an outer surface (111) and a carbon coating (120) covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the carbon nanotube. The carbon coating may be applied to the carbon nanotube by providing a nitrile-containing polymer, coating the carbon nanotube with the nitrile-containing polymer, and pyrolyzing the nitrile-containing polymer in order to form the carbon coating on the carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube may further be coated with a low contact resistance layer (130) exterior to the carbon coating and a metal layer (140) exterior to the low contact resistance layer.
US08409658B2
In one embodiment, a meta-module having circuitry for two or more modules is formed on a substrate, which is preferably a laminated substrate. The circuitry for the different modules is initially formed on the single meta-module. Each module will have one or more component areas in which the circuitry is formed. A metallic structure is formed on or in the substrate for each component area to be shielded. A single body, such as an overmold body, is then formed over all of the modules on the meta-module. At least a portion of the metallic structure for each component area to be shielded is then exposed through the body by a cutting, drilling, or like operation. Next, an electromagnetic shield material is applied to the exterior surface of the body of each of the component areas to be shielded and in contact with the exposed portion of the metallic structures.
US08409652B2
The present invention relates to a novel method for conching chocolate, whereby a chocolate mass is submitted to a conching method that comprises the following steps: —a dry conching step performed at a temperature of between 50° C. and 70° C., —and subsequent a wet conching step performed at a temperature of between 60° C. and 110° C., more in particular at a temperature between 60° C. and 90° C., wherein the dry conching temperature and the wet conching temperature are comprised within the range(s) defined by the graph of FIG. 13 (see shaded or hatched regions). Most preferably the dry conching step is performed at about 60° C. and the wet conching step at about 60° C. or about 90° C. Advantageously, this adapted conching process conserves and even increases the antioxidant activity of a chocolate, in particular a dark chocolate. Consequently, the present invention further relates to a method of conserving and/or increasing the antioxidant activity of chocolate and to chocolates processed accordingly.
US08409650B2
The present invention relates to an innovative procedure for producing three-dimensional candies, preferably of the type known in the food industry as gummy snacks, which eliminates the stamping of starch beds and the cleaning process of the chilled product, furthermore having control of detail on all sides of the product, as well as a transparency and crystallinity never before achieved with the procedures known and traditionally used in the food industry. Likewise, the invention incorporates a completely novel shaping device consisting of two plates connected by a male-female system and with a plurality of product-shaping cavities that are in contact with all sides of the product to be formed.
US08409649B2
Disclosed are compounds that block off-notes in consumables and methods of blocking off-notes in consumables including off-notes provided by artificial sweeteners including aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K (Acesulfame potassium), sucralose and cyclamate; and including stevioside, swingle extract, glyccerhizin, perillartine, naringin dihydrochalcone, neohesperidine dihydrochalcone, mogroside V, rubusoside, rubus extract, and rebaudioside A.
US08409646B2
A single-use capsule for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained in the capsule by introducing water in the capsule and passing water through the substance using centrifugal forces for producing the food liquid which is centrifuged peripherally in the capsule relatively to a central axis (A) of the capsule. The capsule includes an enclosure containing a predetermined amount of food substance, and a plurality of outlet openings for enabling the food liquid to leave the enclosure under the centrifugal forces exerted in the capsule, with the outlet openings being arranged at a substantially peripheral portion of wall of the capsule.
US08409645B2
A food package for segregating ingredients of a multi-component food product, such as the multiple components of a sandwich, the package comprising an outer container to house a first food component and at least one flexible envelope or barrier film layer that encloses at least one intermediate food component allowing for separation of the intermediate food component during extended periods of storage and prior to opening the product. A method for opening the package comprises applying a pulling force to an externally located protruding end portion of the envelope, such that the envelope peels apart and separates into ruptured layers that are pulled out of the food product and out of the outer container by the continual pulling force from the protruding end portion.
US08409637B2
Compositions and methods of treating migrainous headaches and their associated symptoms are provided. Methods of treating migrainous headaches and their associated symptoms include administering a lipid-based composition containing feverfew extract and ginger extract sublingually to a patient in need thereof. Treatments are effective using low total administered amounts of feverfew and ginger extracts.
US08409635B2
The present invention provides compositions of modified pectin and methods for preparing and using them.
US08409627B2
A wood preservative includes injectable particles comprising one or more sparingly soluble copper salts. The copper-based particles are sufficiently insoluble so as to not be easily removed by leaching but are sufficiently soluble to exhibit toxicity to primary organisms primarily responsible for the decay of the wood. Exemplary particles contain for example copper hydroxide, basic copper carbonate, copper carbonate, basic copper sulfates including particularly tribasic copper sulfate, basic copper nitrates, copper oxychlorides, copper borates, basic copper borates, and mixtures thereof. The particles typically have a size distribution in which at least 50% of particles have a diameter smaller than 0.25 μm, 0.2 μm, or 0.15 μm. At least about 20% and even more than 75% of the weight of the particles may be composed of the substantially crystalline copper salt. Wood or a wood product may be impregnated with copper based particles of the invention.
US08409615B2
Oral dosage forms comprising risedronate or a salt thereof, a chelating agent, and means for effecting delayed release of the risedronate (or salt) immediate release of the oral dosage form to the small intestine of the mammal subject and pharmaceutically effective absorption of the bisphosphonate with or without food or beverages. The present invention substantially alleviates the interaction between the risedronate (or salt) and food or beverages, which interaction results in the active ingredient not being available for absorption. The resulting oral dosage form may thus be taken with or without food. Further, disclosed is delivery of risedronate and the chelating agent to the small intestine, substantially alleviating the upper GI irritation associated with bisphosphonate therapies. These benefits simplify previously complex treatment regimens and can lead to increased patient compliance with bisphosphonate therapies.
US08409608B2
Methods for producing silver-bonded antimicrobial moist wound dressings include adding a silver-containing compound to a 0.1-30% aqueous solution of an alkaline solvent to dissociate silver ions from the silver-containing compound; dissolving CMC in water or an organic solvent to obtain a CMC solution; mixing the silver ion-containing solution with the CMC solution so that the hydrogen ions (H+) of the hydroxyl groups of the CMC are replaced by the silver ions to prepare a silver-CMC compound; dispersing and absorbing the silver-CMC compound in a medium; and drying the medium.
US08409604B2
The present invention relates to immobilized biologically active entities having heparin cofactor II binding activity.
US08409603B2
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a kit is described. The kit includes primed living cells joined to and at least partially within a three-dimensional hydrogel structure and an isolated polypeptide having the carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence of an alpha Connexin, or a conservative variant thereof, wherein the polypeptide does not include the full length alpha Connexin protein.
US08409600B2
Methods for prevention or treatment of capsular contracture following surgical implants and other fibrosis related conditions comprising applying a topical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable keratolytic, a pharmaceutically acceptable protein denaturant, a hydrating agent, and combinations thereof are disclosed.
US08409594B2
The present invention aims to provide solid compositions comprising an oil-in-water emulsion that have sufficient hardness and good feel when used, and can sufficiently exhibit the physiological functions of an electrolyte. A solid composition is obtained by preparing an oil-in-water emulsion by combining a solid oil (A), a liquid oil (B), a surfactant (C), a polyhydric alcohol (D), an electrolyte (E), and water (F).
US08409591B2
The present invention describes the use of lactic acid bacteria, particularly lactic acid producing members of the genus Bacillus, in treating digestive-related immune disorders by downregulating of cytokines and by inhibiting pathogenic or deleterious microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Specific formulations of Bacillus coagulans for various immune disorders are elaborated.
US08409589B2
Forms of GAS25 (streptolysin O) which are not toxic but which still maintain the ability to induce protection against S. pyogenes are useful in vaccine compositions to induce protection against S. pyogenes.
US08409581B2
The present invention relates to the use of mimotopes in the treatment of β-Amyloidoses including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease, whereby said mimotopes are able to induce the in vivo formation of antibodies directed to non truncated Aβ1-40/42, and N-terminally truncated forms AβpE3-40/42, Aβ3-40/42, Aβ11-40/42, AβpE11-40/42 and Aβ14-40/42 without interfering with physiological functions of APP signalling.
US08409573B2
The present invention provides novel anti-CD71 monoclonal antibodies, in particular mouse-human chimeric anti-CD71 monoclonal antibodies, advantageously associated to effector cells for triggering ADCC mechanisms. Anti-CD71 antibodies, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for inhibiting proliferation and/or killing malignant tumour cells, especially metastatic cutaneous and uveal melanoma cells.
US08409570B2
The invention concerns anti-DR5 antibodies with improved properties, compositions comprising such antibodies, methods and means for making such antibodies, and their therapeutic use, in particular in the treatment of cancer.
US08409566B2
The present invention relates to the identification of a novel role of CXCR-4 in cell transformation and aberrant cellular proliferation. In particular, the present invention relates to the altered gene expression of CXCR-4 in a number of primary tumors and cell lines derived from tumors, in addition to, the altered gene expression of ligands for CXCR-4. Further, the present invention relates, in part, to the Applicant's surprising discovery that the inhibition of CXCR-4 gene expression or the inhibition of CXCR-4 activity in transformed cells reverses the transformed phenotype.
US08409565B2
CD48, a surface-marker molecule present in eosinophils, is disclosed herein as a key molecule in allergic conditions, particularly in allergic airway inflammations like asthma, allergy and nasal polyposis. CD48 is thus presented as a target molecule in the treatment of said conditions. In addition, diagnostic methods, and a kit for the diagnosis of allergic inflammatory conditions are described, based on the detection of CD48 expression.
US08409556B2
The present invention is directed towards various topical protective formulations which may be used as an adjunct in preventing the spread of a broad range of sexually transmitted diseases. The product is intended to be used as a topical lotion, cream, emulsion, or the like. The film forming excipients and active ingredients in the following formulations have demonstrated unique skin protective barrier properties with enhanced persistence that inhibits transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
US08409550B2
A skin care product comprising from about 0.001% to about 10% of a retinoid, in combination with 0.0001% to about 50% of at combination of retinoid boosters.
US08409548B2
A method and system that is directed to the local delivery of growth factors to the mammalian CNS to treat CNS disorders associated with neuronal death and/or dysfunction is described.
US08409537B2
Methods for removing an organic contaminant from contaminated boron powder are provided. One method includes providing a contaminated boron powder, the boron powder being comingled with an organic contaminant. The method also includes placing the contaminated boron powder and the organic contaminant comingled therewith onto an inert container. The method includes placing the inert container, the contaminated boron powder, and the organic contaminant comingled therewith, into an enclosed space. A heat source is provided in the enclosed space. The method also includes heating the contaminated boron powder and the organic contaminant comingled therewith to an elevated temperature. The method includes altering the organic contaminant so as to reduce the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder. Another method includes reducing the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder to not more than about 0.1 weight percent of soluble residue.
US08409532B2
An apparatus for holding a test tube in which insulated isothermal polymerase chain reaction is performed includes a heat insulating mount and a heating member. The heat insulating mount has a main body provided with a receiving space for receiving a bottom of the test tube, a lateral channel communicated between the receiving space and an ambient environment, and an upper channel communicated between the receiving space and the ambient environment for insertion of the test tube. The heating member is inserted into the lateral channel for stopping at the bottom of the test tube. The apparatus can minimize the influence caused by the high temperature generated from the heat source on the heat dissipation of the reaction mixture in middle and upper sections of the test tube. The apparatus is suitable for the fluorescent detection of PCR reaction.
US08409530B2
Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and effective technique for storing and dispensing reagent beads. In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for dispensing reagent beads contained in a bead storage device which includes a bead carrier having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reagent beads disposed in the wells; and a cover tape releasably attached to the bead carrier to cover the wells and retain the reagent beads in the wells. The apparatus comprises a channel in which to place the bead storage device with the bead carrier facing a support wall of the channel and the cover tape facing a stripping wall of the channel. The stripping wall includes a stripping gap disposed between a stripping edge and an opposite edge, and a dispense opening provided adjacent the opposite edge on a side of the stripping wall opposite from the stripping edge. The cover tape is insertable through the stripping gap to be pulled against the stripping edge to peel the cover tape from the bead carrier to move the wells of the bead carrier inside the channel toward the dispense opening and expose the wells individually to dispense the reagent beads.
US08409529B2
A protective sheath for prolonged storage of pathology paraffin blocks. The sheath protects the paraffin block against gouging, scratching, denting, rodents, and insects. A pathology slide slides into slots in the protective sheath fixing the slide into position in protective sheath. Fixation points are built on the side of the slide to allow a user or automated system to place and retrieve protective sheath.
US08409527B2
Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analysis (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use.
US08409521B2
A tubular reactor for producing a product mixture in a tubular reactor where the tubular reactor comprises an internal catalytic insert with cup-shaped structures having orifices for forming fluid jets for impinging the fluid on the tube wall. Jet impingement is used to improve heat transfer between the fluid in the tube and the tube wall in a non-adiabatic reactor. The tubular reactor and method may be used for endothermic reactions such as steam methane reforming and for exothermic reactions such as methanation.
US08409520B2
Provided is an ozone concentrator including an ozone generator (3), adsorption/desorption columns (4) in which silica gel (6) cooled with a certain-temperature refrigerant (25) for concentrating ozone generated by the ozone generator (3) is packed, a refrigerating machine (23) for cooling the refrigerant (25), a vacuum pump (20) for enhancing a concentration of the ozone in one of the adsorption/desorption columns (4) by discharging mainly oxygen from the silica gel (6) adsorbing the ozone, a plurality of valves (8) to (13) for air pressure operations, for switching passages of gas that is allowed to flow in or flow out with respect to the adsorption/desorption columns (4), and ozone concentration meters (28, 29) for measuring the concentration of the ozone enhanced by the vacuum pump (20), in which a discharge line of the vacuum pump (20) is connected to another one of the adsorption/desorption columns (4), whereby the ozone is allowed to pass through another one of the adsorption/desorption columns again. Therefore, stable ozone of high concentration can be generated at a satisfactory energy efficiency without any temperature difference between upper and lower positions of adsorption/desorption columns.
US08409518B2
A sulfur tolerant oxidation catalyst with appreciable NO and HC oxidation capabilities has been developed for use in any component of an exhaust aftertreatment system for a lean-burn engine where the oxidation of at least NO is desired. Several non-exclusive examples of such components where the oxidation catalyst may be employed include a DOC and a LNT. The oxidation catalyst may comprise perovskite oxide particles that support palladium particles. The ability of the palladium supported perovskite oxide particles to concurrently oxidize NO and HC's can significantly diminish or altogether eliminate the use of platinum in the exhaust aftertreatment system for at least NO oxidation. The oxidation catalyst, moreover, may exhibit superior thermal durability and better NO and HC oxidation activities than platinum in some instances.
US08409515B2
An emission treatment system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is described. The emission treatment system has an HC-SCR catalyst including a non-Pt group metal dispersed in a ceramic matrix configured to receive an exhaust gas flow from an engine. The system also has an oxidation catalyst comprising a Pt group metal configured to receive the exhaust gas flow from the HC-SCR catalyst. The system also has a U-SCR catalyst and a diesel particulate filter, one of the U-SCR catalyst or the DPF configured to receive the exhaust gas flow from the oxidation catalyst and the other one of the U-SCR catalyst or the diesel particulate filter configured to receive the exhaust gas flow from the respective one.
US08409512B2
Methods and apparatuses are described for contacting an oxidizing solution such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition of hydrogen peroxide and at least one additive that catalyzes the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals with an atmospheric effluent containing odorous and/or noxious components. These components are absorbed by the aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition to produce an atmospheric effluent having reduced amounts of the odorous and/or noxious components. Various methods are described for adding the hydrogen peroxide and the decomposition additive.
US08409507B2
An automatic analyzer includes a status table storing the status of each analysis module and reagent information identifying each reagent, the supply of which is exhausted, and allowing tracking of the status of each analysis module, etc. The automatic analyzer determines, based on the status table, whether and how it can continue current analysis, and stores the determination results in its instruction information table. The instruction information table stores analysis-unit or -module operating information and information to be supplied to the user or operator. The analysis-unit operating information includes instructions for the analysis modules to initiate an analysis in a normal manner, finish an analysis in a normal manner, omit a pre-analysis operation, omit a post-analysis operation, or stop sampling, etc. Further, the reagent information and the analysis module status are updated each time a reagent container is replaced by the operator.
US08409494B2
A slag discharge door apparatus for an electric furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes a door which is operated by a door operator to open or close a slag discharge outlet of the electric furnace, and a door support which supports the door in such a way that a portion of a lower end of the door overlaps with the door support, so that slag is inhibited from leaking out of the electric furnace through the slag discharge outlet.
US08409486B2
The invention describes a new synthetic fiber material of polyhydroxyether, as well as a melt-spinning method for its production. The new material can be used, in particular, for stabilization of the reinforcement fibers of high-performance fiber composite materials before they are embedded in the matrix material. During this usage, the polyhydroxyether fiber material dissolves at a temperature above its glass transition temperature entirely in the matrix material, so that the reinforcement fibers can be arranged largely free of kinking. In addition, it forms cross-links with the matrix material to form a homogeneous matrix and thus does not constitute a disruptive third phase in the composite material. The compatibility of the matrix and reinforcement fiber is also improved. It was possible to improve the bending strength of test slabs by 12% as compared to that of reference slabs with polyester filament.
US08409484B2
A ceramic compact having a patterned conductor is obtained by coating the patterned conductor with a slurry and then by hardening the slurry. The slurry is prepared by mixing a thermosetting resin precursor, a ceramic powder, and a medium. In the ceramic compact, an isocyanate- or isothiocyanate-containing gelling agent and a hydroxyl-containing polymer are reacted and hardened to produce a thermosetting resin. The hydroxyl-containing polymer is preferably a butyral resin, an ethylcellulose-based resin, a polyethyleneglycol-based resin, or a polyether-based resin.
US08409482B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a porous member formed by providing a member formed of a fluororesin containing carbon fiber and having a predetermined shape and exposing the member to an oxidizing gas to remove the carbon fiber contained in the member.
US08409471B2
A green phosphor including a compound represented by Formula 1 (Y3-xMx) (Al5-yM′y)O12:Cez and a pigment. The green phosphor having the compound represented by Formula 1 and a pigment has a shorter decay time than conventional phosphors, and thereby confers excellent luminescence characteristics and color purity. A display panel including the green phosphor 1 is also provided herein.
US08409465B1
A deicing salt composition, including: between 95 and 98 wt. % of a formate, between 1 and 3.5 wt. % of a silicate, between 0.05 and 0.5 wt. % of sodium metaaluminate, between 0.1 and 1 wt. % of sodium carbonate, and between 0.05 and 0.5 wt. % of a organophosphate containing a phosphoryl group. The formate is selected from the group consisting of sodium formate, potassium formate, or a mixture thereof. The silicate is selected from the group consisting of sodium disilicate, potassium disilicate, sodium metasilicate, potassium metasilicate, or a mixture thereof. The organophosphate containing the phosphoryl groups is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy ethyl disodium diphosphate, 2-phosphate butane-1, 2,4-tricarboxylic acid tetrasodium, α-hydroxy-phosphorus sodium acetate, or a mixture thereof.
US08409460B2
An amorphous carbon film forming method is performed by using a parallel plate type plasma CVD apparatus in which an upper electrode and a lower electrode are installed within a processing chamber, and the method includes: disposing a substrate on the lower electrode; supplying carbon monoxide and an inert gas into the processing chamber; decomposing the carbon monoxide by applying a high frequency power to at least the upper electrode and generating plasma; and depositing amorphous carbon on the substrate. It is desirable that the upper electrode is a carbon electrode.
US08409446B2
An automatic draining system is provided. The system includes a floating valve having a density less than a first fluid and greater than a second fluid. The floating valve has a floating position that allows the first fluid to pass through a floating valve opening when the floating valve compartment is filed with the first fluid, and a sealing position that prevents the first and second fluids from passing through the floating valve opening when the floating valve compartment is not filled with the first fluid. Also included is a solenoid valve in fluid communication with the floating valve compartment. The solenoid valve has a solenoid opening that is open when the solenoid valve is energized and is closed when the solenoid valve is de-energized. Further included is a filter media downstream of the solenoid valve that filters the first liquid prior to the first fluid exiting the system.
US08409439B1
A high pressure mixer is designed to generate high mixing turbulence within the bottom zone of a liquid holding vessel while simultaneously entraining and transferring liquid from the upper surface down to the vessel bottom. Mixing action is accomplished through the incorporation of two jet nozzles, nested one inside the other, strategically located and powered by pressurized liquid drawn from the vessel being mixed. Surface liquids are entrained using a weir section that is either a fixed or floating component of the mixer assembly. Liquid used for developing outlet velocity in primary jet is drawn from multiple locations including the vessel center zone, the vessel bottom and mixer annulus. Vessel pressure is maintained sufficiently high for a period to create a high concentration of dissolved gas in the slurry during digester operation. After shutting off the mixer pressure is lowered to release dissolved gas resulting in a three region segregation of slurry components.
US08409434B2
Treatment devices for fluid such as water are described. Principally (although not necessarily exclusively) designed for use as chlorinators, the devices may divert water flowing in conduits into the devices for treatment and subsequent return to the flow stream. A return tube of the device may be designed to create vortex action, using a pressure differential to evacuate treated water from the device back into the conduit.
US08409433B2
A device configured for being received within a floor drain is provided. The device includes a basket assembly containing a liquid-soluble treatment material therein. A drain cover defines an opening that receives the basket assembly. A basket assembly lid defines at least one aperture for allowing flow of liquid into the basket assembly, the basket assembly includes a flange for cooperatively engaging a recess defined in the drain cover to thereby engage the lid with the drain cover.
US08409430B2
A purging assembly for a fuel filter housing. The purging assembly comprises a shaft having towards an upper end an upper sealing element, located around the perimeter of the shaft, and having towards a lower end a lower sealing element, located around the perimeter of the shaft. A sensor is integrated with the shaft.
US08409424B2
An electrochemical test strip, an electrochemical test system, and a measurement method using the same are provided. The electrochemical test strip includes an insulating substrate, an electrode system formed on the insulating substrate, and an insulating layer formed on the electrode system. The electrode system includes a set of measurement electrodes, a set of identifying electrodes, and a resistive path having a predetermined resistance value. The set of identifying electrodes is made of metal material, and the resistive path is made of non-metal material. The set of measurement electrodes includes a reference electrode and a working electrode insulated from each other, and the set of identifying electrodes includes a first identifying electrode and a second identifying electrode connected with each other through the resistive path. The insulating layer covers a part of the electrode system, wherein a part of the electrode system not covered by the insulating layer forms a reaction region with a supply port. When a sample is injected into the supply port of the reaction region, the injected sample reaches the set of measurement electrodes and the set of identifying electrodes in sequence.
US08409420B2
The oxalic acid aqueous solution filled in an electrolytic tank is electrolyzed with an electrolyzer to produce carbonic acid gas, while ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic generator is applied to the produced carbonic acid gas bubbles, to form micro bubbles, which is dissolved in said oxalic acid aqueous solution, so as to easily produce carbonic acid gas solution with micro carbonic acid gas bubbles dissolved at a low cost; said carbonic acid gas solution can substitute carbonated spring.
US08409416B2
An electrodeposition tank that pools and enables fluidization and agitation of an electrodeposition paint into which a work is to be immersed, the electrodeposition tank including: a grooved part having a plurality of concave and convex shapes formed along a work-conveying direction on a bottom surface of the electrodeposition tank; an electrodeposition paint supply pipe that circulates and supplies the electrodeposition paint to the electrodeposition tank; a plurality of branch pipes that are arranged on ridges of the grooved part and that branch off the electrodeposition paint supply pipe; and electrodeposition paint discharge nozzles provided oriented upstream in the work-conveying direction at a section of the branch pipes that opposes bottom parts of the grooved part.
US08409407B2
Methods are generally provided for sputtering thin films on individual substrates. Individual substrates can be conveyed into a vacuum chamber to draw a sputtering pressure that is less than about 50 mTorr. Then, the individual substrates can be conveyed into a sputtering chamber and past a planar magnetron continuously sputtering a target by an ionized gas at the sputtering pressure such that a thin film is formed on a surface of the individual substrate. The target is subjected to a high frequency power having a frequency from about 400 kHz to about 4 MHz at power levels of greater than about 1 kW. In one particular embodiment, the method can be generally directed to sputtering thin films on individual substrates defining a surface having a surface area of about 1000 cm2 to about 2500 cm2.
US08409404B2
A multi-ply absorbent towel made from papermaking fiber comprising at least a first ply and a second ply bonded together, the towel having a basis weight of greater than 30 lbs per 3000 ft2 ream (48.8 gsm) and less than 50 lbs per 3000 ft2 ream (81.4 gsm), wherein the plies are selected and adhered together such that the towel typically exhibits (i) a GM TEA, mm-g/mm2 of greater than [0.00125 (GM Tensile, g/3″)−0.75] and (ii) a GM Tensile Modulus, g/in/%, less than [0.0083 (GM Tensile Strength, g/3″)+15.4] {(i) a GM TEA, mm g/mm2, of greater than [0.00952 (GM Tensile, g/cm)−0.75] and (ii) a GM Tensile Modulus, g/cm/%, less than [0.0249 (GM Tensile Strength, g/cm)+6.06}.
US08409400B2
An inductive plasma chamber of the present invention comprises a plurality of discharge tube bridges connected between a discharge tube head and a process chamber. The discharge tube head is disc shaped and a cylindrical gas inlet which a gas is injected is disposed in its center. A susceptor on which a workpiece is placed is disposed inside a process chamber and a flange of upper certain area has an inclined surface which is upward centrally inclined. The discharge tube bridge is provided with at least one ferrite core, and the ferrite core has a winding connected to a power supply source. When a process gas is injected via the gas inlet and a RF power from the power supply source is supplied with a winding, the electromotive force is transmitted inside the discharge tube head, the discharge bridge and the process chamber so that the plasma discharge is occurred in the plasma chamber. The plasma chamber comprises a switching means enabling plasma discharge paths to be alternately formed between the plurality of discharge tube bridges. The switching means switches in a predetermined period to be alternately formed the plasma discharge paths between the plurality of discharge tube bridges. The inductive plasma chamber can obtain high-density plasma while enhancing uniformity as well as enlarging plasma volume.
US08409398B2
A manufacturing method and apparatus for IC fabrication controls the ion angular distribution at the surface of a wafer with electrodes in a wafer support that produce electric fields parallel to the wafer surface without disturbing plasma parameters beyond the wafer surface. The ion angular distribution function (IADF) at the wafer surface is controlled for better feature coverage or etching. Grid structure is built into the substrate holder within the coating at the top of the holder. The grid components are electrically biased to provide electric fields that combine with the sheath field to distribute the ion incidence angles from the plasma sheath onto the wafer. The grid can be dynamically biased or phased to control uniformity of the effects.
US08409394B2
A lamination apparatus has opposed plenums that project pressurized fluids toward a fluid pressure lamination zone. Material sheets to be laminated are advanced through the lamination zone and laminated together due to the pressure exerted by the pressurized fluid.
US08409393B2
In welding a component part (20) to a tank main body (10) of a plastic fuel tank of a laminated structure, an annular upright wall (15) is formed in a tank main body wall so as to define an opening therein. An end surface of a weldable layer of the component part is welded to an outer surface of a weldable layer of the tank main body surrounding the annular upright wall to form a first welded part (31) and to an end surface of the weldable layer of the tank main body exposed at the top surface of the annular upright wall to form a second welded part (32) while the HC barrier layers (12, 24) are kept substantially aligned with each other at the interface between the two parts. Thereby, the required HC permeation blocking property and an adequate welding strength can be achieved at the same time.
US08409381B2
A method and associated system are provided for bonding component parts of a wind turbine blade along a bond line. A barrier is placed within an internal cavity of the blade at a defined bond line width along the length of the bond line. A plurality of spaced apart external access ports are defined along the bond line into the internal cavity. A bond paste is sequentially injected into the plurality of access ports to fill the bond line.
US08409380B2
In one embodiment, a reinforced fiber cement article comprising a fiber cement piece and a reinforcing fixture bonded to a portion of the fiber cement piece for improving the performance, strength and durability of the fiber cement piece. The reinforcing fiber cement article could be used as or in conjunction with a siding plank assembly, which further comprises an interlocking feature that allows the siding plank to be stacked with other siding planks in a manner such that a uniform and deep shadow line is created. The interlocking feature sets the gauge of the exposed plank face and allows for leveling of the plank during installation. The reinforcing fixture could also serve as a thick butt piece or a plastic spline that produces a deep shadow line. A cementitious adhesive is used to bond the reinforcing fixture to the fiber cement piece.
US08409370B2
A treatment solution for insulation coating for grain oriented electrical steel sheet includes at least one member selected from phosphates of Mg, Ca, Ba, Sr, Zn, Al, and Mn, and colloidal silica in a proportion of 0.2 to 10 mol in terms of SiO2 and a titanium chelate compound in a proportion of 0.01 to 4.0 mol in terms of Ti, relative to PO4: 1 mol in the phosphates.
US08409365B2
A gutter cleaning device comprising a nozzle body preferably detachably coupled to a wand in fluid communication with a pressurized water source, the nozzle body having a fluid passage means providing fluid communication to a first nozzle obtusely offset from a coplanar, simultaneously operating, second nozzle wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are offset about 158 degrees.
US08409364B2
The invention relates to a method for removing at least part of at least one layer of a composite coating that is formed of fibers and at least one resin that is present on the surface of the body of a gas cartridge. In said method, at least one liquid nitrogen stream is dispensed at a temperature less than −100 DEG C at a pressure of at least 00 bars upon contact with said coating so as to remove at least part of said coating layer present on the body of the gas cartridge.
US08409359B2
Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus capable of decreasing the frequency of shutdown of the apparatus due to lack of processing liquid in a processing liquid supply unit, as well as efficiently using the processing liquid to improve a yield ratio. The substrate processing apparatus includes a plurality of liquid processing units to conduct liquid processing of substrates a substrate carrying unit to carry the substrates in and out of the liquid processing units, a processing liquid supply unit to supply the liquid processing units with processing liquid, and a level gauge to detect an amount of the processing liquid remaining in the processing liquid reservoir of the processing liquid supply unit. The carry of the substrates in the liquid processing units is suspended when the level gauge detects that the amount of the processing liquid remaining in the processing liquid reservoir is below a predetermined threshold.
US08409357B2
Self-cleaning apparatus and methods are disclosed for handling viscous fluids, such as thick solid-liquid slurries of lignocellulosic biomass and its components, under high pressure, using an array of retractable valves.
US08409354B2
A combinatorial processing chamber and method are provided. In the method a fluid volume flows over a surface of a substrate with differing portions of the fluid volume having different constituent components to concurrently expose segregated regions of the substrate to a mixture of the constituent components that differ from constituent components to which adjacent regions are exposed. Differently processed segregated regions are generated through the multiple flowings.
US08409349B2
A film thickness measurement method for measuring a change in film thickness of 0.3 μm or less in a silicon wafer by FTIR, having an auxiliary film formation step for depositing an auxiliary film for measurement on a surface to be measured for the change in film thickness, an auxiliary film thickness measurement step for measuring the film thickness of the auxiliary film, a measurement step for measuring the film thickness of the auxiliary film after the change in film thickness, and a calculation step for calculating a change in film thickness of a back surface deposit from the result of the measurement step and the result of the auxiliary film thickness measurement step.
US08409343B2
An organic-inorganic hybrid pigment composition is provided comprising an organic pigment, an inorganic pigment, and a fibrous clay. The fibrous clay can be selected from palygorskite, sepiolite, or a combination thereof. The inorganic pigment is selected from rutile pigments, spinel pigments, bismuth vanadate pigments, cerium sulfide pigments, and combinations thereof. The organic pigment is selected from anthraquinone pigments, anthrathrone pigments, anthrapyrimidine pigments, azo pigments, azomethine pigments, quinacridone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, diketopyrrolopyrrol pigments, inanthrone pigments, isoindoline pigments, metal complex pigments, perinone pigments, perylene pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, pyranthrone pigments, pyrazolo-quinazolone pigments, thioindigo pigments, and combinations thereof.
US08409342B2
A pearlescent pigment and a process for enhancing the magnetic properties of a pearlescent pigment. The pearlescent pigment has a layer with regions of γ-Fe2O3 and regions of α-Fe2O3. The magnetic properties of a pearlescent pigment may be enhanced by the steps of: providing a platelet pigment with a layer of Fe2O3, with a magnetic susceptibility less than 0.1×10−5 m3/kg; reducing some or all of the Fe2O3 to Fe3O4; and oxidizing some or all of the Fe3O4 to γ-Fe2O3. The color difference (ΔE*) between the provided pigment and the resultant pigment is not more than about 5.
US08409341B2
Solvent-based ink compositions which can be used for ink jet printing in a variety of applications. In particular, the present embodiments are directed to magnetic inks having desirable ink properties. The ink of the present embodiments comprise magnetic nanoparticles that are coated with various materials to prevent the exposure of the nanoparticles to oxygen, and provides robust prints.
US08409340B1
A bio-based corrosion inhibitor composition includes a corn stillage product, and may be a substantially water insoluble fraction of corn stillage. The corrosion inhibitor composition is useful in protecting metal articles from corrosion.
US08409338B2
The present invention relates to a cooling system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cooling system for removing dust from air being drawn for cooling heat generation components of an electronic product, for improving convenience in maintenance or repair of the electronic product.
US08409332B2
The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.
US08409330B2
A flue gas adsorbent and method for making an adsorbent for mercury capture are disclosed. The adsorbent comprises an admixture of an adsorptive material and an additive that have been physically combined thereby eliminating the need for traditional impregnation. A method for removing mercury from a flue gas stream is also disclosed.
US08409328B2
A substrate transfer device includes an atmosphere introduction unit and an atmosphere exhaust unit provided at a top and a bottom portion of a main body of the device, respectively; and a substrate transfer mechanism provided between the atmosphere introduction unit and the atmosphere exhaust unit. The substrate transfer device further includes a downward flow forming unit provided, adjacent to the atmosphere introduction unit, to allow an atmosphere to be introduced through the atmosphere introduction unit and to downwardly flow through the substrate transfer mechanism and be exhausted through the atmosphere exhaust unit; and a gas ionizing unit for ionizing the atmosphere and a particle collecting unit for collecting particles included in the atmosphere, the gas ionizing unit and the particle collecting unit being sequentially provided in the direction in which the atmosphere downwardly flows, between the downward flow forming unit and the substrate transfer mechanism.
US08409324B1
An air dehydration membrane module is provided with a sweep gas which is taken from the waste gas of a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit. No additional compressor is required, other than the compressor forming part of the PSA unit. In another embodiment, the sweep gas includes the combination of dried product gas, taken from the dehydration membrane module, and a supplemental gas, which may be ambient air, or permeate gas from an air separation membrane, or waste gas from a PSA unit. An air ejector combines the streams, without the use of an additional compression step, and the combined gas is used as a sweep stream for the dehydration module. The invention also includes the method of selecting an optimum point at which the sweep gas is injected into the module.
US08409316B2
A filter cartridge arrangement is provided which includes a media pack comprising Z-filter media, a preform and a housing seal member. Improvements in the preform and seal member are described which include: a single beveled surface of the seal member to facilitate installation; and, an inside region of the seal member having a tip adjacent in inwardly directed lip of the preform, to control flash during molding. A variety of media pack configurations and features are described.
US08409309B2
A hollow body, in particular a camshaft, is provided. The hollow body includes an integrated oil separator unit, a swirl generator being located in a cavity of the hollow body and the hollow body having at least one supply opening in the camshaft case for introducing gas that is charged with oil into the cavity and at least one discharge opening for carrying away separated oil and gas that has been cleaned of oil. The hollow body has an oil separator ring inside the cavity, downstream of the swirl generator when viewed in the flow direction.
US08409308B2
A method for manufacturing a polishing pad that has a high level of optical detection accuracy and is prevented from causing slurry leak from between the polishing region and the light-transmitting region includes preparing a cell-dispersed urethane composition by a mechanical foaming method; placing a light-transmitting region at a predetermined position on a face material or a belt conveyor, continuously discharging the cell-dispersed urethane composition onto a part of the face material or the belt conveyor where the light-transmitting region is not placed; placing another face material or belt conveyor on the discharged cell-dispersed urethane composition; curing the cell-dispersed urethane composition to form a polishing region including a polyurethane foam, so that a polishing sheet is prepared; applying a coating composition containing an aliphatic and/or alicyclic polyisocyanate to one side of the polishing sheet and curing the coating composition to form a water-impermeable film; and cutting the polishing sheet.
US08409307B2
This invention is a process and system for providing hydrogen at a high level of reliability from a gasification system by integrating it with SMR. Carbonaceous feedstock such as petroleum coke or coal or biomass is gasified to co-produce SNG, fuel gas, hydrogen, power and steam in conjunction with hydrogen production through steam methane reforming. Carbon dioxide may also be recovered in this process. The integrated schemes are designed in a way that maximizes the reliability of production of high value products such as hydrogen through gasification and minimizes the impact of high natural gas prices on hydrogen production by SMR.
US08409304B2
Cetane improver for diesel fuels, characterized in that it comprises at least one ester of stearic acid, selected from the esters of linear or branched monoalcohols containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms: a) added in the pure state to a mixture of at least one vegetable or animal oil ester in crude or partially hydrogenated form b) or else included in a mixture of esters of one or more vegetable and/or animal oils, in crude or partially hydrogenated form, the mixtures of saturated or unsaturated esters being such that the ratio by mass of the amount of stearic ester(s) to the total sum of the amounts of unsaturated esters present in the vegetable or animal oil esters varies from 1% to 12%, and the unsaturated fatty acid esters being esters of mono or polyunsaturated acids containing at least 18 carbon atoms with monoalcohols.
US08409302B2
Lighter fluid having a smoky aroma can be prepared by combining liquid smoke with aliphatic petroleum solvent. The smoke-scented lighter fluid imparts a pleasant scent while it is applied to charcoal briquets and ignited.
US08409299B2
The invention relates to a limb stump receiving sleeve (1) comprising an integrated locking device for locking a limb by sealing a distal region of the interior of the stump receiving sleeve in relation to the limb and the surrounding atmosphere, a functional element (3) of the device being integrated into the inner face of the receiving sleeve and a sealing element (5) that extends inwards being reversibly attachable to the functional element in a positive fit, preventing air from flowing in behind said element.
US08409294B2
A cup component of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis comprises a hollow shell wherein the head part of a mating component of the joint can be received. The shell has a flange at its open face extending around at least part of its periphery with at least two major threaded bores extending through the flange. The flange also provides at least one minor threaded bore, wherein the diameter of the minor bore is less than that of the major bores and the pitch of the thread in the minor bore is less than that of the thread in the major bores. The cup component includes at least two fixation screws whose shanks have approximately equal diameters, each of which is threaded on its external surface (i) to engage the thread a respective one of the bores in the shell flange, and (ii) to threadingly engage the bone, and a temporary screw having a self-drilling tip for forming a bore in a bone, and a diameter and a thread which are suitable for threadingly engaging the thread in the minor bore.
US08409292B2
The present invention is directed to a variety of interbody spinal fusion implants for insertion across the surgically corrected height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine. The spinal fusion implants of the present invention have opposed upper and lower portions with openings extending through the implant to provide for bone growth from vertebral body to vertebral body. The upper and lower portions of the spinal fusion implants of the present invention have bone engaging projections to engage the implants to the adjacent vertebral bodies.
US08409279B2
A method for implanting a breast implant into a subject, the method includes: providing a sterile, flexible, elastic biodegradable bag sized to contain the breast implant; providing a sterile breast implant; inserting, using sterile handling, the sterile breast implant into the sterile bag to form a sterile breast implant assembly; closing the bag to fully enclose the implant within the bag; and implanting in a sterile manner the sterile breast implant assembly into the subject. A sterile bag, which may be provided in a kit, preferably for use with the method includes first and second chambers connected by a channel for moving a breast implant from the first chamber through the channel to the second chamber without directly touching the implant. An incision dilator may also be included with the kit or separately provided for use in a preferred embodiment of the method.
US08409265B2
Catheter devices and methods for intravascular heating and/or cooling of human or veterinary patients. The catheter devices generally comprise catheters having inflow and outflow lumens and at least one curvilinear balloon connected to the inflow and outflow lumens such that heat exchange fluid may be circulated through the balloon(s). The catheter is inserted into the vasculature and heated or cooled fluid is circulated through the balloon(s) to heat or cool blood flowing in heat-exchange proximity to the balloon(s), thereby effecting heating or cooling of all or a portion of the patient's body.
US08409264B2
Methods for treating fungal infections of the hand or foot use applications of low level laser energy to the infected area to inhibit fungal growth. A laser device is used to produce one or more low-level laser beams, typically in the range of 400-800 nm emanated at a power of less than 1 watt. The laser light is scanned across the infected area for a predetermined duration. Preferably, the duration is between about 10 and 30 minutes, so that at least 0.5 joules of laser energy is applied. Preferably, about 10 joules of laser energy is applied. The application may be repeated, and is preferably repeated once, about five weeks after the first application. A topical medication, such as an antifungal cream, may be used in conjunction with the laser light to speed up fungal removal.
US08409257B2
In one form, a method for stabilization of a facet joint of the spinal column includes forming a cavity between adjacent bones defining the facet joint and positioning an implant in the cavity between the adjacent bones. In one aspect of this form, the method also includes positioning a bone anchor across the facet joint and engaging the bone anchor with each of the adjacent bones to force the bones toward one another and clamp the implant therebetween. In a further aspect of this form, the implant is a cancellous bone dowel and becomes fractured into a plurality of fragments upon being clamped between the adjacent bones and/or otherwise interacting with the bone anchor. In another form, systems and devices for performing percutaneous facet joint stabilization and/or fusion are provided. However, different forms and applications are also envisioned.
US08409250B2
A system and surgical methods for repairing tears in meniscal tissue using meniscal darts. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a cannulated insertion sheath, a meniscal dart, and a disposable dart driver preloaded with a meniscal dart at its distal end. The insertion sheath is located near a meniscal tear, and sharp prongs on the tip of the sheath are used to secure and position the central fragment of the torn meniscus. The dart driver with a preloaded dart is advanced through the cannulation of the insertion sheath such that the preloaded meniscal dart at the distal end of the driver is inserted through the meniscal tear.
US08409249B2
Systems and methods employ functional instruments to close incisions and wounds using a suture knot in combination with a biocompatible material composition. The systems and methods are well suited for use, for example, at a vascular puncture site following a vascular access procedure.
US08409247B2
A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members one of which is movable with respect to the other. A heat activated drive assembly operably couples to an actuation mechanism that is operably associated with the forceps and configured to supply thermal energy to the heat activated drive assembly. The heat activated drive assembly operably coupled to movable jaw member and configured to impart movement of the movable jaw member when the actuation mechanism is activated.
US08409242B2
A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The device has a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The filter element includes a material having pores, and the material having pores includes cylindrical wires having at least three different diameters arranged in a pattern of graduated diameters.
US08409237B2
Methods for the removal of an embolism protection device use aspiration during the drawing of the embolism protection device into the catheter. Generally, the embolism protection device comprises a three dimensional filtering matrix that provides improved filtering without blocking the flow through the patient's vessel. In some embodiments, the embolism protection device can be actuated between a deployed configuration and a removal configuration with a reduced area across the cross section of the vessel lumen. The embolism protection device in the removal configuration can be drawn within the aspiration catheter. The aspiration catheter can have a distal portion with an expanded compartment with an average diameter at least about 20 percent larger than the average diameter of the shaft of the catheter within about 10 centimeters of the expanded compartment. In a rapid exchange version, the rapid exchange segment can have a length of at least about 10 centimeters.
US08409235B2
A surgical cutting instrument including two coaxially arranged tubular members. The first tubular member has a cutting tip and is co-axially disposed within the second tubular member, which in turn has a cutting window to expose the cutting tip to tissue and bone through the cutting window. Movement of the tubular members with respect to each other debrides soft tissue and thin bone presented to the cutting window. The second (outer) tubular member has one or more features which contribute to reduced clogging of the cutting tip as a whole.
US08409233B1
A surgical tool is used to facilitate the implantation of elements of an electrical stimulation system within a human body, and more particularly facilitates surgical procedures followed to connect an electrode lead extension between an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) and an electrode lead, when the IPG and the electrode lead may not be co-located. In one exemplary embodiment, a removable carrier cover defines an end tunneler portion to facilitate tunneling and a carrier is provided for receiving and holding a portion of a lead, such as a lead connector. Once the tunnel is formed, the removable carrier cover is removed to expose the carrier. The carrier is adapted to carry one or more leads back through the tunnel. In some embodiments of the invention, the tool provides rotational locking and unlocking of the handle relative to the carrier and/or tunneling means.
US08409228B2
Tissue management methods can include inserting a clamping device into a vessel and clamping a vessel wall via the clamping device. Tissue can be dilated about the clamping device and an anastomotic device provided to the vessel.
US08409226B2
A transluminal approach through a natural body cavity to repair a ventral hernia is provided. In a transgastric approach, the abdominal cavity is accessed via an incision through a wall of the digestive tract. A system for the deployment of tissue anchors to anchor a tissue reinforcing mesh to repair the ventral hernia is provided. Particular tissue anchors are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the tissue anchors include a shaft and a head reconfigurably coupled to the shaft permitting the head and shaft to be in a substantially parallel loaded configuration and in a substantially transverse deployed configuration. In addition, tissue anchors may include biodegradable and non-biodegradable components, with the non-biodegradable component defining spaces for soft tissue ingrowth upon degradation of the biodegradable component.
US08409224B2
A graft tube is percutaneously placed inside the lumen of a vessel and attached to the lumen wall by loops of suture material. The plurality of short sutures are made in the shape of a loop with a sharp and a blunt end then forced into a plurality of first tunnels located in sections of circular cuffs that are attached to graft tube ends. The short sutures are pushed out the first tunnel by push rods and curve back to their original shape through the adjacent lumen wall and into a plurality of second tunnels where the short sutures are lodged.
US08409220B2
An endoscopic surgical instrument includes a flexible tube, a grasping and fastening end effector coupled to the distal end of the tube, and a manual actuator coupled to the proximal end of the tube. The manual actuator is coupled to the end effector by a plurality of flexible cables which extend through the tube. The tube contains a lumen for receiving a manipulable endoscope and the end effector includes a passage for the distal end of the endoscope. The end effector has a store for a plurality of male fastener parts, a store for a plurality of female fastener parts, a rotatable grasper, a rotatable fastener head for aligning a female fastener part and a male fastener part with tissues therebetween, and a firing member for pressing a male fastener part through tissues grasped by the grasper and into a female fastener part. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the overall diameters of the flexible tube and the end effector (when rotated to the open position) do not exceed approximately 20 mm so that the instrument may be delivered transorally to the fundus of the stomach. The manual actuator is provided with a lock-out feature which prevents firing male fastener parts before the fastener head is closed. The instrument is advantageously utilized in a fundoplication procedure.
US08409214B2
In various embodiments of the invention, an electro-vacuum pump can be used either as a stand alone unit to create, monitor and control a vacuum or to maintain, assist or as a back up for a hand operated pump in a variety of surgical procedures. The vacuum pump is controlled by a processor and is automatically activated when the vacuum is below a pre-selected parameter or a parameter selected on the fly by the surgeon. Visual or audio feedback is used to allow the surgeon increased control of the vacuum device while carrying out the surgical procedure.
US08409213B2
An insertion instrument for inserting an implant in an intervertebral space is provided. The instrument includes an elongate shaft having proximate and distal ends with a longitudinal axis therebetween. On the distal end of the elongate shaft is a gripping device capable of shifting from a holding configuration for securing a portion of the implant relative the distal end and a releasing configuration to permit removal of the implant portion from the elongate shaft. The instrument also includes an actuating mechanism coupled between the gripping device and the handle that is operable to configure the gripping device in the holding configuration upon an initial actuation thereof and the releasing configuration upon a subsequent actuation thereof. An actuator may be resiliently coupled to the gripping device or other moveable components in order to limit the force applied by the actuator to a preset amount.
US08409209B2
An osteotomy implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped osteotomy opening in a bone, the implant comprising a body for disposition within the wedge-shaped osteotomy opening in the bone and supporting the bone while healing occurs; at least one key formed integral with the body for stabilizing the body relative to the adjacent bone while healing occurs; and at least one fenestration extending through the body for permitting bone growth through the implant.
US08409204B2
This method comprises the use of a repair equipment including a humeral rod (2) intended to be placed in the medullary cavity of the humerus, comprising at least one hole (6) for receiving a thread (11) for repositioning the tuberosities (101, 102) and for maintaining the latter with respect to the rest of the bone. Said hole (6) is formed in the metaphyseal portion of the humeral rod (2), in the anteroposterior direction thereof; and the repair equipment further comprises a so-called “guying” subassembly (3), to maintain the tuberosities (101, 102) when they re-installed, two second so-called “traction” subassemblies (4), for pulling of the tuberosities (101, 102) one toward the other, and two so-called third “pressing” subassemblies (5), for tackling the tuberosities (101, 102); each of these sub-assemblies comprises a needle and thread (11) connected to this needle, this thread (11) forming a loop.
US08409194B1
A spinal surgical system comprising a plurality of surgical components for cooperating with a electrosurgical handpiece comprising an elongated tubular member housing an electrode, with the tubular member configured to fit within and be extended down a standard sized cannula in a MIS procedure. The system components comprise one or more cannulas, straight or beveled; one or more guide wires, with and without pointed ends for piercing tissue; a tapered dilator; a trephine; and one or more depth control stops for mounting on the cannula for monitoring its depth. The system is especially useful for performing a discectomy.
US08409192B2
Some embodiments of a medical instrument can be configured to reduce the formation of coagulum by delivering a negative charge bias to conductive surfaces that interface with blood or bodily tissue during a medical procedure. The application of the negative charge at the instrument-blood interface can reduce the fibrinogen deposition and the formation of coagulum because fibrinogen molecules in general are negatively charged at neutral pH levels. In addition, some embodiments of the instrument may be configured to irrigate the instrument-blood interface with RGD/ClfA peptides, a bicarbonate solution (or other high pH solution), or both to further repel the fibrinogen and thereby inhibit the formation of coagulum. Accordingly, some embodiments of the medical instrument can substantially reduce the risks of thromboembolism during particular medical procedures.
US08409191B2
Catheters and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible integrated catheter body having proximal and distal shaft portions and at least one operative element carried by the distal shaft portion. The distal shaft portion has a proximal section configured to be internally actuated (e.g., using a steering mechanism or pre-shaping the proximal section) to form a simple curve with an apex that can be inserted into the vessel ostium, an intermediate section pre-shaped to form a curve that bends opposite the simple curve, and a distal section configured to be placed into a non-radial relationship (tangential or oblique) with the vessel ostium when the apex of the simple curve is inserted into the vessel ostium. By this arrangement, the operative element is configured to be placed firmly in contact with tissue at a predefined radial location relative to the vessel ostium when the apex of the simple curve is inserted into the vessel ostium.
US08409184B2
The resorbable cryoprobe device and process is a novel approach for treating localized disease allowing for the precise combined application of freezing temperatures and cytotoxic or cryosensitizing agents within a self-contained matrix/package for optimized tissue destruction. The cryopellet is comprised of a list of components including a source of cryogen to produce the sub-zero temperatures, a porous matrix to contain the cytotoxic agent, cytotoxic agent, and a delivery packet. Data presented herein demonstrates the efficacy of this approach in destroying cancerous tissue. For example, the application of freezing temperatures to −10° C. results in approximately 15% cell death, while exposure to cytotoxic agents such as TRAIL produces minimal cell death. The utilization of the cryopellet approach results in a synergistic effect yielding complete cell death at the same temperature. The innovation behind the resorbable probe application includes the strategic combination of agents to activate intrinsic or extrinsic cell death responses (including apoptosis and necrosis), unique packaging of the cryogen and cytotoxic agent, and a unique delivery system. The resorbable cryoprobe technology will assist directly in the treatment of cancer, as well as will likely lead to broader application for disease treatment.
US08409180B2
Patterned laser treatment of the retina is provided. A visible alignment pattern having at least two separated spots is projected onto the retina. By triggering a laser subsystem, doses of laser energy are automatically provided to at least two treatment locations coincident with the alignment spots. All of the doses of laser energy may be delivered in less than about 1 second, which is a typical eye fixation time. A scanner can be used to sequentially move an alignment beam from spot to spot on the retina and to move a treatment laser beam from location to location on the retina.
US08409163B2
A reusable diaper includes a forward waist portion, a rearward waist portion, and a crotch portion between the forward waist portion and the rearward waist portion. The diaper also includes first and second liquid-absorbent flaps. Each flap may have a fixed end portion coupled to the diaper and a free end portion opposite the fixed end portion, which is not coupled to the reusable diaper. The first and second liquid-absorbent flaps may be positionable in an overlapping manner along the crotch portion with one of the first and second liquid-absorbent flaps overlapped by the other one of said first and second liquid-absorbent flaps and slidable relative to each other when overlapped. In some embodiments, the first and second liquid-absorbent flaps may each include an at least partially hollow interior and an opening for allowing airflow into the hollow interior to facilitate drying.
US08409161B2
A remote sensing catheter system including an injection catheter and a collection catheter. In one method of use, an external sensor of the system determines the timing of operation of the collection catheter. In another method of use, a sensor determines the volume of medium in the injection.
US08409160B2
Systems, devices, and methods for treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced pressure are presented. In one instance, a reduced-pressure treatment device to treat a tissue site with reduced pressure may include a pump control unit fluidly separate from a collection unit. Pump energy may be provided by the pump control unit to deflect one or more diaphragms within the collection unit to create reduced pressure. Other systems, devices, and methods are presented.
US08409158B2
An ostomy device that comprises an adhesive wafer for attaching to the skin around the stoma. The wafer comprises an adhesive layer having a proximal adhesive side and a distal side, where the distal side is covered with a backing layer. The wafer comprises a central portion and a peripheral portion, and it comprises a proximal section located on the proximal side of the central portion and a distal section visually arranged on the distal side of peripheral portion, wherein the distal section changes colour when the proximal section is exposed to fluid.
US08409149B2
In an elongated casing, an active agent container connected to an injection needle can be shifted axially by a spring force. Auto-injectors which are sold or distributed filled and with the springs tensed have to be provided with a needle protecting cap to ensure the sterility of the injection needle. When such a needle protecting cap is removed as preparation for using the auto-injector, a tensile force can be exerted on the active agent container. Therefore, the active agent container comprising the injection needle must be prevented from being undesirably pulled forwards. At least one latching tongue prevents the active agent container from being prematurely shifted with respect to the casing, by abutting a flange arranged on a sliding sleeve which accommodates the active agent container. When the auto-injector is placed onto a person's skin, a needle protecting tube is shifted into the casing, forcing the latching tongue away from the flange and, thus, freeing the travel path for needle movement.
US08409145B2
An insertion device for inserting an infusion device at least partially into skin for subcutaneous infusion can comprise a sleeve having a lower surface that is configured to engage the skin, a shuttle or carriage to carry the infusion device between a retracted position and an advanced position; at least a first biasing member to urge the shuttle or carriage toward the advanced position, and an actuator to cause the first biasing member to urge the carriage from the retracted position to the advanced position. In some embodiments, the insertion device can further comprise a hub and at least a second biasing member to urge the hub away from the shuttle or carriage. In some embodiments, the insertion device can further comprise a needle attached to the hub. Methods for inserting an infusion device and various other features that can be comprised by an insertion device are also disclosed.
US08409142B2
Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device having a cap device that mates with a pump housing to retain a medicine cartridge therein. In addition to retaining the medicine cartridge in the pump housing, the cap device may perform a number of preparatory functions or safety functions. In addition or in the alternative, some embodiments of the pump device may include a drive system that advances a piston rod to dispense medicine to the patient in a safe and energy efficient manner.
US08409132B2
Systems and methods are described for implementing or deploying therapeutic administration systems for obtaining a flow-change-indicative measurement and signaling a decision whether to administer one or more clot-reducing agents at least partly based on the flow-change-indicative measurement.
US08409130B2
The present invention provides a system and method for controlling resuscitation in a patient. In at least one embodiment, the invention includes a fluid rate measurer, a controller electrically coupled to the fluid rate measurer, and a pump. The controller is adapted to receive signals from a physiological monitor and controls the pump.
US08409128B2
The present invention relates to a device for circulating a body fluid in a body of a living organism, especially to support the heart and/or circulation of the living organism, comprising a catheter device which has at least one inlet portion to take up the body fluid at at least one first location within the body of the living organism, at least one outlet portion some distance from the at least one inlet portion to discharge the body fluid at at least one second location some distance from the at least one first location within the body of the living organism and a pump device for directed transport of the body fluid between the at least one inlet portion and the at least one outlet portion of the catheter device; and a valve arrangement coupled to the catheter device for controlled uptake of the body fluid as a function of operation of the pump device at the at least one inlet portion of the catheter device and controlled discharge of the body fluid at the at least one outlet portion of the catheter device.
US08409119B2
A walking assistance device including a pelvic frame (10) extending from a lower back to each lateral side of a user, and a belly belt (20) for securing the pelvic frame in position. A power generator (30) is attached to each lateral side of the pelvic frame. A power transmitting arm (40) can be attached to an output member (33) of the power generator simply by hooking an upper part of a base end (41) of the power transmitting arm onto an upper groove (38) of the output member, and pushing a latch member or a slider (46) provided in a lower part of the base end onto a lower groove (39) of the output member. The user wearing the pelvic frame (10) can easily attach the power transmitting arm (40) to the output end of the power generator (30) by easily using a single hand without requiring help.
US08409117B2
A wearable device (10) to assist with the movement of limbs (50, 51) connected at a joint (52), the device (50) comprising: a linear motion generating unit (20) to generate linear motion, the unit (20) having distal end portions operatively connected to the limbs (50, 51), whereby the linear motion generated by the unit (20) causes the limbs (50, 51) to move and pivot about the joint (52); a force measuring unit (30) to measure a change of force applied to the limbs or linear motion generating unit (20); and a displacement measuring unit (40) to measure the displacement of the linear motion generating unit (20) when linear motion is generated; wherein a predetermined distance of linear motion having a predetermined velocity is generated by the linear motion generating unit (20) to assist with the movement of the limbs (50, 51) based on the change of force measured by the force measuring unit (30) or the displacement measured by the displacement measuring unit (40).
US08409116B2
The subject invention involves a device and method for treating patients with a movement disorder experiencing a sudden change in regularity of gait or akinesia, and comprising a device that detects the sudden change in regularity of gait or temporary akinesia and automatically issues a cue signal that restarts the movement.
US08409111B2
A localizing wire comprises an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. The localizing wire has an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. The localizing wire can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer.
US08409110B2
A rectal thermal monitor for transrectal prostate temperature measurement includes a handle arranged in a proximal end portion of the monitor for gripping by a user, an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and a probe portion arranged on a distal end portion of the shaft. The probe portion is arranged at a position opposite the handle portion, and is shaped to facilitate insertion through an anal sphincter and into a rectum of a patient. A temperature sensing element is arranged within the distal probe portion and is adapted and configured to sense a temperature of the prostate of the patient through the rectum wall of the patient. The probe portion can include one or more compliant materials and/or be shaped so as to compress during insertion through the anal sphincter of the patient.
US08409109B2
A reusable temperature sensing probe assembly comprises a temperature sensor strip extending from one end of a handle. The temperature sensor strip carries at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature within a body cavity of a person, such as the rectum. The handle/temperature sensor strip is reversibly positionable within a unitary balloon/sleeve assembly comprised of a balloon portion and a sleeve portion. The balloon portion is comprised of a first interior space configured to hold the temperature sensor stip and a second interior space separate from the first interior space that is configured for inflation. An inflation tube has one portion sealed within the second interior space of the balloon portion and a second portion which extends through the sleeve portion for connection to a fluid source.
US08409105B2
A device for non-invasive measurement of blood pressure includes a blood pressure cuff, a plethysmographic electrode for acquiring an impedance plethysmogram distal to the cuff and a processing device to inflate and deflate the cuff, generate the impedance plethysmogram and to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. It is determined when the cuff is completely occluding the extremity, e.g., by detecting pulses at a second, partially occluded cuff or by a photoplethysmogram attached to the big toe. The device can be used to measure systolic or diastolic blood pressure or both. It can also be used to take ankle-brachial measurements. An autocorrelation technique can be used to correct noise.
US08409098B2
A cardiac imaging system including an imaging module including an ultrasound emitter and one or more position markers. A tracking and control system may include a position sensing system for sensing a location and orientation of the position marker relative to a predetermined reference. The tracking and control system may be operable with the imaging module to produce at least a three dimensional image of a patient's anatomy. A method of cardiac imaging may include operatively attaching one or more position markers to an imaging module including an ultrasound emitter. The method may further include sensing a location and orientation of the position marker relative to a predetermined reference, and producing at least a three dimensional image of a patient's anatomy by evaluating one or more images obtained by the imaging module and aligning the image(s) obtained by the imaging module relative to the location and orientation of the position marker.
US08409095B1
A medical device includes a control interface for operating the medical device in a hands-free mode. To control the medical device in a hands-free mode, the control interface includes multiple proximity sensors, each sensor associated with a level of adjustment. For example, a sensor located on a top portion of the medical device is used to increase the level of adjustment. And similarly, a sensor located on a bottom portion of the medical device is used to decrease the level of adjustment. The magnitude of the level of adjustment applied to a parameter of the medical device is controlled based at least in part on the length of time an object remains in proximity to a respective sensor. In one embodiment, the longer the object is held over a respective sensor the more adjustment the control interface will make to the parameter.
US08409090B2
A retractor for manipulating an object includes a body having proximal and distal ends and a retraction device with a head connected to the distal end of the body, a connector movably disposed in the body, and flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape. The needles are connected to the connector and each have a distal tip. The memory shape of the needles include a portion with an arcuate shape biasing the needles in a memory direction out and away from the head and toward the body to position the distal tip of each of the needles closer to the body when the needles are fully extended out of the head than when the needles are only partially extended out of the head. An actuation device is connected to the proximal end of the body and operatively connected to the connector through the body, the actuation device, upon actuation thereof, moves the connector to selectively extend the needles out of the head in different directions and withdraw the needles into the head.
US08409078B2
An endoscope includes: an insert portion having a bending portion for bending operation and a flexible soft portion connected to the proximal end of the bending portion; an inflatable/deflatable balloon attached on the proximal side from the bending portion; and a supplying/sucking opening provided in the outer surface of a ring that connects the bending portion to the soft portion, the supplying/sucking opening supplying and sucking fluid to and from the balloon.
US08409077B2
A capsule endoscope can prevent any fall of the efficiency of observation by reducing the substance or substances adhering to the outer surface of the front end cover such as food residue and mucus. The capsule endoscope includes a dome-shaped front end cover provided on the outer surface with photocatalytic coating, an image pickup means arranged in the front end cover to pick up images of the inside of an object of examination into which the endoscope is introduced and acquire image information on the inside of the object of examination and a lighting section arranged around the image pickup means within the dome-shaped front end cover.
US08409069B1
A brachytherapy appliance and method utilizing a body portion or element removably positionable within a cavity of a living body, such as an oral cavity, the body portion having a shape at least generally conforming to a surface within the cavity in proximity to a cancer or diseased tissue so as to be retainable in intimate relation with the surface, and at least one conduit in connection with the body portion and extending to a predetermined location adjacent to the cancer when the body portion is retained in the cavity, the at least one conduit being adapted for cooperatively receiving a radiation emitting element or media for positioning the radiation emitting element or media at the predetermined location adjacent to the cancer for irradiating the cancer, and at least one radiation shield in association with the body portion adapted for shielding adjacent tissue and/or organs from radiation emitted by the radiation emitting element or media.
US08409064B2
This is a method and device for making a packaging box from two blanks (2, 3), wherein blanks are taken simultaneously from two adjacent stacks (25, 26) and placed on two parallel tracks (29, 30), the blanks are transferred flat until butted longitudinally to an assembly station, the first blank is glued on its way to the longitudinal abutment position, the first and second blanks are butted laterally into their respective positions to give them an exact lateral reference position, they are grasped, and transferred laterally, and the second blank is placed on the first blank which is thus indexed, escaping the drivers (61) of the first track (29) when the second blank is placed against the fast blank, but clamped by vertical pressure. The second blank is then applied to the first blank to glue them together in their respective defined longitudinal positions, and the resulting set of blanks is then transferred to an erecting station where the box is erected by rolling the blanks around a core.
US08409062B2
A machine tool has, on a machine bed, two stands which can be moved in the horizontal x- and z-direction, on which y-slides carrying tool spindles can be vertically moved. Arranged on one of the stands directly above a bridge projecting over its upper side is at least one tool magazine, with which a tool changer is associated for each stand. The drives for the y-slides are attached below the upper side of the stands to the stands.
US08409058B2
An exercise device for performing a variety of movement patterns is provided, having upper right and left leg links pivotally mounted to lower right and left leg links respectively. The upper leg links are pivotally coupled to the frame. A foot support is provided on the distal end of the lower leg links. The device includes first and second transfer systems for coordinating movement of the right and left sets of upper and lower leg links. The first transfer system is movably coupled to the frame and includes a first transfer member coupled to the first upper leg link, a second transfer member coupled to the second upper leg link, and a pivot bar pivotally mounted to the frame between a first end and a second end thereof with the first end coupled to the first transfer member and the second end coupled to the second transfer member.
US08409057B2
A system and method for providing visual feedback to a user of an exercise machine for gauging fitness progress of the user. The system provides a user of an exercise machine with a virtual competition in which the user competes against virtual competitors based on his past performances or those of other users, either as an individual or as a member of a team. The team may also be part of a league. For an individual competing against his own past performance(s), the system may raise the level of performance required to win the virtual competition, and may also lower the level of performance required if the user is not performing well on a particular day. For an individual competing against others in either real-time or against designated results, either as part of a team or a league, the system may reduce the isolation, disconnection, and tedium often experienced by users of cardiovascular exercise equipment and provide a social outlet. The system attempts to keep the user engaged and motivated to achieve desired fitness goals by providing real-time performance data and historical performance data displayed in a graphical manner coupled with the entertainment and excitement of competition and social interaction.
US08409053B2
A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine, a transmission with an input member driven by the engine, and an output member. An electric motor is operable to drive the input member. The transmission has an electrically-actuated one-way clutch with a neutral mode in which the clutch freewheels in both directions of rotation, and a locked mode in which the clutch is locked in one direction of rotation. The transmission also has a hydraulically-actuated dual-piston clutch with a spring that biases the dual-piston clutch to an engaged state. The one-way clutch is in the neutral mode and the spring biases the dual-piston clutch to the engaged state prior to a key start of the engine. The one-way clutch is actuated to the locked state following ignition of the engine after a key start, and remains in the locked state during an autostop of the engine.
US08409041B2
A hybrid transmission is provided, including a transmission housing with an input cover attached to a main housing portion, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir in fluid communication with and attached to the transmission housing. The transmission also includes an input shaft in driving communication with an engine. A pump cover is attached to the input housing to define a pump pocket therebetween. A torque transmitting assembly is secured to the pump cover. The torque transmitting assembly includes a piston housing member that is coaxial with and longitudinally spaced from the pump cover to define an inlet passage therebetween. The inlet passage is configured to communicate the hydraulic fluid reservoir with the transmission housing, and is oriented at least partially radially adjacent to the pump pocket. A gasket member is disposed between the pump cover and piston housing member, and configured for fluidly sealing the same.
US08409035B1
The field game is played using the following game components: a first and second set of game balls, first and second sets of shorter game towers, first and second taller game towers and first and second ball-striking mallets, with such first and second game components bearing separate indicia for identifying them as the components of first and second teams, respectively. Boundaries for game play on a playing surface are established by using spaced apart markers and spaced apart taller game towers. The remaining game components are then disposed within those boundaries and play is begun by teams taking alternative turns at striking their own balls, while attempting to contact the balls of the opposing team or the towers of the opposing team, to knock those towers over.
US08409027B1
A system and method for a player to play golf includes a member having a surface. A colored area is disposed on the surface of the member, the colored area is yellow which when stared at will produce a violet afterimage. Prior to hitting a golf ball, the player stares at the colored area for a few seconds, closes his/her eyes and sees the violet afterimage, then opens his/her eyes. The player then hits the golf ball.
US08409014B2
A gaming system for playing a wagering game and a community event includes a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine. The first gaming machine determines a randomly selected community-event outcome for the community event, and sends information related to the outcome to at least one other gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The second gaming machine receives the information from the first gaming machine and plays the community event.
US08409012B2
A gaming machine of the present invention collectively performs determination of a game result, sequentially in relation to a series of crap games until a game result other than a draw is to occur. Then, of game results of the series of crap games thus determined sequentially through collectively performed determination of game results, the gaming machine skips at least partially one or more game results each indicating a draw, and sequentially outputting remaining one or more game results to the slot machines 10.
US08409003B2
A first control unit includes a first operation data generation section for generating first operation data in accordance with a motion of a first control unit body included in the first control unit. A second control unit includes a second operation data generation section for generating second operation data in accordance with a direction input operation performed by a player. Further, one of the first control unit and the second control unit includes a transmission section for transmitting the first operation data and the second operation data to a computer at a predetermined timing.
US08409000B1
Configuration of advertisements in a streaming video segment from a serving node is based on a result of an interactive game process executing on a client device. A configuration of advertisements in the streaming video is determined based on the game result. The configuration may include which advertisements are selected to play during ad slots to be included in the video segment, or a number of ad slots to be provided in the video segment. The serving node may configure the video segment with the advertisements selected based on the game result in the determined number of ad slots so that the selected advertisements are played during the ad slots when the video segment is streamed to the client device. If the video segment is configured with no ad slots based on the game result, then the video segment may be streamed to the client device without advertisements.
US08408998B2
An embodiment of a gaming machine has a primary game display operable to display the outcome of a game, and a secondary display overlaying the primary game display. The secondary display may have a stand alone transmissive LCD display and at least one backlight assembly, the backlight assembly spaced apart from the transmissive LCD display and located between the transmissive LCD display and the primary game display. With the backlight assembly spaced apart from the transmissive LCD display, the backlight assembly may be removed from or inserted into the gaming machine. This permits different games to be installed in the gaming machine during manufacture or as a retrofit.
US08408997B2
Changing a game progress by the operation of a player. A plurality of frame images are sequentially formed and displayed. The frame images are displayed by switching the frame images from a frame buffer. When the frame images are individually formed, the formation time periods of the plurality of frame images are predicted. The game progress made by the frame images is determined in dependence upon the predicted formation time periods of the frame images.
US08408996B2
A gaming system which maintains a count of the consecutive plays of a game. The system produces a same player stimuli for a designated quantity of the consecutive plays, and the system produces a different player stimuli for one or more of the plays which occur after the designated quantity is reached.
US08408980B2
A vehicular air conditioning apparatus includes a casing constituted by respective air passages. The casing has a vent opening and a defroster opening at an upper portion thereof. The vent opening is disposed on a forward side of a vehicle with respect to the defroster opening. A pair of defroster ducts extend in lateral directions respectively from side portions of the defroster opening, and center vent ducts are disposed in a straight line fashion from the vent opening and oriented rearwardly of the vehicle between the pair of the defroster ducts. The center vent ducts open only in the vehicle compartment. In a bi-level mode, a third front passage on the downstream side of the evaporator extends upwardly in a straight line fashion.
US08408976B2
A surface device includes a rigid holder (11), an elastically compressible interface (12) connected to the rigid holder, a flexible pad (13) adapted to be applied onto the surface to be machined (30) and a flexible belt (14) applied against and partially covering the side surface (18) of the interface (12), an annular portion (21) of the side surface (18) of the interface (12) being free between the belt (14) and the holder (11).
US08408960B2
A method of fabricating an organic light emitting diode using phase separation. The method includes preparing a transparent substrate. A first light path control layer is formed on the transparent substrate. The first light path control layer includes a mixture of a first medium and a second medium having a lower refractive index than the first medium using the phase separation. An anode, an organic emission layer, and a cathode are sequentially stacked on the first light path control layer. In this method, an OLED with improved light extraction efficiency can be fabricated using a simple and inexpensive process.
US08408959B2
Various embodiments and aspects of the disclosed application relates to a rescue device that can be used to assist in rescue of a person or other entity from a body of water. The rescue device comprises a floatation mechanism, a delivery mechanism, and a retrieval mechanism. The rescue device comprises a length of rope having a looped end of rope on which are located one or more floatation component(s), a weight to facilitate delivery of the components comprising the delivery device, and the length of rope facilitates retrieval of the rescue device.
US08408957B2
Technology is disclosed for tsunami survival shelters. In various embodiments, a tsunami survival shelter comprises a vertical support column designed to withstand forces exerted by anticipated tsunamis and accompanying debris field; a buoyant inflatable survival life raft removably attached near a top portion of the vertical support column and capable of floating free from the vertical support column, and thereby protecting the occupants in the event of failure or overtopping of the support column; and adornments and coloring to allow the vertical support column and survival raft to blend with their surroundings by imitating trees indigenous to the area.
US08408956B1
A payload delivery unit for protecting and delivering a payload submerged in a submersion medium includes an unmanned buoy, a drop weight member, and a retention system. The buoy includes a container. The container includes a pressure-resistant shell defining a sealed containment chamber. The drop weight member is mounted on the shell and has a negative buoyancy with respect to the submersion medium. The retention system is operative to retain the drop weight member on the buoy and selectively release the drop weight member from the buoy.
US08408954B2
A watercraft for transportation and exercise including a boat having an opening therein for permitting a person to be partially below the waterline and partially above the waterline. A sub-frame is operatively attached to the boat, the sub-frame having a lower position and an upper position. A propulsion device is operatively attached to the sub-frame for propelling the watercraft forwardly in response to movement of the person's feet, the propulsion device having a foot contact portion. The foot contact portion of the propulsion device being disposed a predetermined distance from the waterline when using the propulsion device in the transportation mode, the foot contact portion of the propulsion device being disposed in the water and a substantial distance below the predetermined distance when the propulsion device is being used in an exercise mode.
US08408950B2
An assembly of a female connector, including: a housing including a casing having an opening formed in front of the casing so that a male connector is inserted in the opening, an internal body that includes one or more terminal-accommodating holes formed in the internal body and protrudes from a rear side of the casing towards a front of the housing, and a plurality of first combining portions that extend from the internal body to the front of the housing, each of the plurality of first combining portions including an extension groove formed in one side of each first combining portion so as to communicate with the one or more terminal-accommodating holes.
US08408947B2
An electrical connector assembly includes a casing (40, 50) formed by a base body (10) and a complementary body (20, 30), which are mutually coupled by releasable fixing devices. The base body (10) has channels (12) and at least one first channel part (12a), and openings (11) in communication with the channels (12) and the first channel part (12a). The complementary body (20, 30) has a second channel part (12b) complementing the first channel part (12a) to together form another channel when the base body (10) and complementary body (20, 30) are mutually coupled. Terminals (7a) connected to conductor wires (8a) are inserted in the channels (12; 12a, 12b). Contact tabs (9a) of an electrical device (60, 70) are connected with the terminals (7a) when said contact tabs (9a) are inserted in the openings (11) of the casing (40, 50).
US08408944B1
A high voltage connector system includes a first header for connection to a first electronic device, a first connector that connects to the first header, a second header that connects to a second electronic device, a second connector that connects to the second header, and a plurality of wires connecting the first connector and the second connector. The first header includes a first plurality of header terminals that are electrically connected together such that a high voltage electric current is divided into a plurality of sub-currents. The second header has a second plurality of header terminals that are electrically connected together such that the plurality of sub-currents are joined together to reform the first high voltage electric current.
US08408937B2
A lighting connector which includes an upper housing having plural connector pins, and one or more interlocking grooves; a lower housing, the lower housing having a plurality of connector pin guide holes, and one or more interlocking tongue portions; a power supply plug; and a flexible connector electrically connecting an inner side of the lower housing with an inner side of the power supply plug, the lower housing being connectable with the upper housing to form the lighting connector by coupling at least one of the one or more interlocking grooves with at least one of the one or more interlocking tongue portions, and by coupling at least one of the plural connector pins with at least one of the connector pin guide holes.
US08408936B2
A lighting connector which includes (a) an upper housing having plural connector pins, and one or more interlocking grooves; and (b) a lower housing, the lower housing having a plurality of connector pin guide holes, and one or more interlocking tongue portions. The lower housing is connectable with the upper housing to form the lighting connector by coupling at least one of the one or more interlocking grooves with at least one of the one or more interlocking tongue portions, and by coupling at least one of the plural connector pins with at least one of the connector pin guide holes.
US08408935B2
A multi-way connector connects a plurality of lighting apparatuses together, wherein connector comprises a plurality of lighting connectors, each lighting connector comprising an upper housing having plural connector pins, and one or more interlocking grooves; and a lower housing which has a plurality of connector pin guide holes, and one or more interlocking tongue portions, the lower housing being connectable with the upper housing to form each lighting connector by coupling at least one of the interlocking grooves with at least one of the interlocking tongue portions, and by coupling at least one of the plural connector pins with at least one of the connector pin guide holes; a multi-way connecting portion configured to permit power and/or signals to pass between and among the plurality of lighting connectors; and plural flexible connectors electrically connecting each lower housing with the multi-way connecting portion.
US08408933B2
An attachment ring is provided for attaching a shield of an electrical cable to a backshell. The attachment ring includes an annular body including a shape memory material that is heat recoverable. The body is configured to extend at least partially around the shield and a fitting of the backshell to hold the shield on the fitting in contact with the fitting. The body includes a single segment having a first end that includes a first connection member, and a second end that opposes the first end. The second end has a second connection member that is configured to be interlocked with the first connection member of the first end to connect the first and second ends together such that the single segment of the body defines a continuous ring.
US08408932B2
A connector of a cable (e.g., a 30-pin connector) can be used to facilitate various security-related and other functionalities. For example, a connector can include security locking mechanisms for engaging or locking the connector to a portable electronic device. A connector can additionally support the transmission of security signals, data signals, power, and/or the like. An unlocking tool can be used to disengage a connector locked to the portable electronic device. More specifically, the unlocking tool can be applied to a connector and cause the locking mechanisms of the connector to release such that the connector can be freely disconnected from a connected portable electronic device.
US08408928B2
A connector is used to transmit a signal from a flexible board to an external device. The connector includes an actuator, a supporter, contact terminals, and an outer cover. The actuator includes a body having a slit opened to a front surface and extended in a longitudinal direction of the slit, and a pivot positioned at opposing longitudinal ends of the body. The slit receives the flexible board inserted from the front surface direction. The actuator is rotated with reference to the pivot. The supporter extends in the longitudinal direction and is adjacent to the front surface of the actuator. The contact terminals extend through the supporter and the body, and protrude into the slit. The actuator receives the flexible board when at a first position, and each contact terminal makes contact with the flexible board when the actuator is at a second position different from the first position.
US08408921B2
A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), a connector, a rigid PCB, and a fastening device. The rigid PCB includes a loading surface, a bottom surface opposite to the loading surface, and two pins protruding from the bottom surface. The loading surface contacts the FPCB. The FPCB is electrically connected to the rigid PCB through the connector. The fastening device includes a pressing plate, two fastening bars and two connecting arms. The pressing plate includes a pressing surface contacting the FPCB. The fastening bars are parallel to the pressing surface. Each fastening bar includes a hook grappling with a corresponding pin. Each hook includes a resisting surface resisting on the bottom surface. Each connecting arm connects the pressing plate and a corresponding fastening bar.
US08408919B2
A simulation device is disclosed for practicing manipulations of at least one elongated medical instrument, comprising a housing presenting at least one instrument input and enclosing a first motion sensor for tracking the motions of a first elongated medical instrument inserted therein. The housing encloses a bifurcating device having one input connected to the instrument input as well as at least a first and a second outputs. The bifurcating device further comprises a deflecting mechanism for guiding the first and a second elongated medical instruments from its input, respectively, through the first and second outputs, the first output being connected to the first motion sensor while the second output is connected to a second motion sensor for tracking the motions of the second elongated medical instrument. Thus, the operator's feelings are very close from those of a real medical intervention, the respective behaviour of the instruments being substantially identical.
US08408915B2
Computer-implemented method for improving cognition. Multiple first and second stimulus elements are provided, where some of the second elements correspond to the first elements. A sequence of first stimulus elements is presented, each element presented for a duration separated by an interval. After a specified delay period, equal to the duration plus the interval, times a non-integer factor N, a sequence of groups of second elements is presented concurrently with the sequence of first elements, where each group includes a matching second element that matches a corresponding first element presented earlier by the specified delay period, i.e., presented N first elements back. For each presented group, the participant indicates the matching second element, or a second element in the group that doesn't match. The delay period is modified based on whether the participant responded correctly. The presenting, presenting, requiring, determining, and modifying are repeated in an iterative manner.
US08408910B2
An activity device including an activity sensor for generating an activity interaction signal responsive to a sustained large-muscle physical activity of a user operating the activity device; a controller, coupled to the activity monitor, generating a virtual environment supporting a virtual user frame-of-reference in the virtual environment, the controller generating a set of virtual education elements in the environment and a goal for the set virtual representation with respect to the virtual education elements wherein the controller is responsive to the activity interaction signal to produce an affected interaction of the virtual representation with the virtual education elements with the controller measuring a conformation of the goal by the affected interaction; and a feedback system, coupled to the controller, for presenting the virtual environment with the frame-of-reference in relation to the virtual education elements for providing the user with feedback.
US08408909B1
A non-pyrotechnic cueing device for use in non-lethal gunfire activities. The cueing device includes a fluid container for containing a fluid, and a fluid discharge assembly in communication with the fluid container. The fluid discharge assembly is adapted to force the fluid from the fluid container through an opening of the fluid container upon activation. A trigger having an engaged position with respect to the fluid discharge assembly and a disengaged position with respect to the fluid discharge assembly is adapted to activate the fluid discharge assembly upon movement to the disengaged position. A thermally responsive non-pyrotechnic trigger actuator is coupled to the trigger and is adapted to selectively move the trigger to the disengaged position.
US08408908B1
Embodiments include a non-pyrotechnic detonation simulator. The simulator includes a substrate, a plurality of capacitors fixed with respect to the substrate, a voltage source, and a controller. The controller is electrically coupled to the capacitors and is adapted to selectively direct a burst voltage from the voltage source to one or more of the capacitors to cause the one or more of the plurality of capacitors to burst.
US08408905B2
A dental implant capable of reliably preventing elution of metal when the dental implant is applied within an oral cavity and capable of reliably preventing the occurrence of mismatching (bumpy occlusion or the like) when the dental implant is fixed in place. The dental implant includes an abutment comprising a titanium member composed of a sintered body made from titanium or titanium alloy, and a ceramic member composed of a sintered body made from oxide-based ceramic. One of the titanium member and the ceramic member has a recess and the other of the titanium member and the ceramic member has a protrusion inserted into the recess. The shape of the protrusion conforms to the recess.
US08408892B2
A fluidic channel system is provided. The fluidic channel system includes a light projection apparatus, a fluidic channel, and a rail. The light projection apparatus provides light. A photocurable fluid, which is selectively cured by the light, flows inside the fluidic channel. A fine structure which is to be formed by curing the photocurable fluid moves along the rail.
US08408890B2
[PROBLEM]To provide a method of molding a composite molded article enabling compression molding without requiring a large sized injection molding machine and a mold system used for that.[MEANS FOR SOLUTION]A method of molding a composite molded article using a first mold member 13 to mold a primary molded article 29 by primary molding, switching a movable mold member holding the primary molded article 29 with a movable mold member 14 positioned with a second mold member 15, then using a second mold member 15 in which the primary molded article 29 is inserted to mold a secondary molded article 30 by secondary molding, wherein the primary molding and the secondary molding are executed by non-continuous different steps at points of time different from each other.
US08408888B2
A compression mechanism is provided with a first relief port opening only to a first compression chamber, a second relief port opening only to a second compression chamber, and a third relief port which can open to both of the first compression chamber and the second compression chamber.
US08408887B2
A peristaltic pump having a plurality of pressors which compress a tube portion according to an orderly sequence. The pump is capable of determining a fluid flow inside the tube portion. The pressors are balancing or tilting pressors pivoted around a mutual axis and operated by corresponding motion means, which push the pressors against a plane or reaction element, contrasting the pressure of the same pressors on the tube containing the fluid to be pumped.
US08408884B2
A fan includes an airflow guiding structure, an impeller and a guiding ring. The outer radius of the airflow guiding structure increases gradually from the top of the airflow guiding structure to the bottom of the airflow guiding structure. The airflow guiding structure includes a plurality of fins and a first space for accommodating a circuit device. The impeller is disposed on the airflow guiding structure and has a hub and several blades. The guiding ring connects to the airflow guiding structure via at least one connecting element. A predetermined distance is arranged between the inner surface of the guiding ring and the outer edges of the blades. An inlet is formed at the top of the guiding ring, and an outlet is formed between the bottom of the guiding ring and the outer surface of a sidewall of the airflow guiding structure. When the impeller rotates, the airflow enters the fan from the inlet and flows along the outer surface of the sidewall of the airflow guiding structure, then the airflow exits the fan through the outlet. The direction of the airflow passing through the outlet is different from the direction of the airflow passing through the inlet.
US08408865B2
A blower apparatus comprises a box-like main frame provided with a main-frame inlet port and a main-frame outlet port in positions confronting each other, and a plurality of centrifugal blower units for suctioning through a blower inlet port air taken inside of the main frame from the main-frame inlet port and discharging the air from a blower air outlet toward the main-frame outlet port. The main frame is provided with a maintenance opening in one of the surfaces other than the surfaces having the main-frame inlet port and the main-frame outlet port for the purpose of checking the inside of the main frame, and the plurality of centrifugal blower units are disposed one another in a direction toward the maintenance opening so that a difference in discharging spatial distances from the blower air outlets of the adjoining centrifugal blower units to the main-frame outlet port is equal to or greater than an outer diameter of an impeller of the centrifugal blower unit located nearest to the maintenance opening.
US08408862B1
The hydraulic cylinder and line guard of the claimed invention substantially surrounds and protects both a hydraulic cylinder and portions of a hydraulic line. The guard also significantly reduces the visual appearance of the hydraulic lines. While maintaining the flexibility of the hydraulic lines at pivot points, the guard inhibits movement of the line near the cylinder thereby reducing wear on the line. The claimed invention also achieves the important objective of providing an aesthetically pleasing and easily replaceable guard for hydraulic cylinders and lines. The improved guard is achieved by utilizing a resilient guard to cover both the cylinder and the line. The guard may be formed from a single stretchable resilient tube that is deformed to enclose both the line and the cylinder, wherein a cross-section of the guard is defined primarily by combined cross sections of the cylinder adjacent to the line. The guard may also be formed from multiple interconnected resilient segments that combine to substantially enclose a hydraulic line and cylinder. The guard may further have a raised wear surface arranged in an ornamental and/or functional pattern.
US08408854B2
A connection insert includes a central adhesive supply channel and outlets which are perpendicular to the channel. The connection insert consists of a plurality of parts, and comprises an inner part provided with the adhesive supply channel and an outer sleeve that can be at least partially inserted into a borehole of a component.
US08408841B2
Provided is a novel flow control system that includes multiple modifier columns for positioning across a waterway. Bottom ends of the columns are attached to a bottom track extension, for example, at the bottom of the waterway. The columns are sufficiently light so that the buoyancy force pushes their top ends towards the surface forming a “curtain-like” structure that provides resistance to the water flow. Spacing between the columns and other characteristics may be used to adjust this resistance. The columns may be repositioned along the track to change the spacing and/or to form an open pass. The columns are sufficiently robust and may swivel with respect to their bottom support such that their upper portions contact passing vessels. The system may be used to control flow through energy extracting devices or be a part of flood control systems.
US08408837B2
Collets for coupling rotary actuators to valves are disclosed. An example collet includes a first plurality of flexible members configured to be coupled to an elongated member and each having a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The first inner surface and the first outer surface define a first cross-sectional shape. The example collet further includes a second plurality of flexible members configured to be coupled to the elongated member and each having a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second inner surface and the second outer surface define a second cross-sectional shape that is different from the first cross-sectional shape of the first plurality of flexible members. The first and the second outer surfaces are to engage a third inner surface of an opening of a lever that is configured to cause the first and the second plurality of flexible members to be displaced toward an axis of the elongated member to cause the first and the second inner surfaces to engage one or more surfaces of the rectangular shaft.
US08408828B2
An image recording apparatus wherein the controller is configured to adjust a distance between a first recording medium and a second recording medium fed subsequently to the first recording medium in a medium feeding direction on the basis of a length L1 of a trailing-end marginal area of the first recording medium, a length L2 of a leading-end marginal area of the second recording medium, and a length L0 of a feeding-path recording area on a medium feeding path in the medium feeding direction such that the first recording medium and the second recording medium are not overlapped with each other in the feeding-path recording area and such that respective image recorded areas of the first recording medium and the second recording medium are not disposed on the feeding-path recording area at the same time.
US08408818B2
A protection sleeve includes a heat shrinkable tube and an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube. The heat shrinkable tube, the adhesive tube, and the reinforcing rod are adhered together in a section spanning across a lengthwise section of the heat shrinkable tube. A protection sleeve manufacturing apparatus includes a jig for securing protection sleeves and a heating device. The jig is contrived to hold a plurality of protection sleeves (each including a heat shrinkable tube, an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube) in a parallel arrangement with spaces in-between. The heating device includes a plurality of hot air vents, means for setting a first distance between the jig and the hot air vents, and means for setting the jig and the hot air vents to a second distance that is closer than the first distance.
US08408815B2
An optical fiber connector and adapter according to the present invention are provided. At least one indentation is formed on the connector and a protrusion mating with the indentation is formed within the adapter thereby physically limiting the insertion of a connector into a particular adapter.
US08408809B2
An exemplary optical fiber connector includes a housing, and two lenses. The housing defines two blind holes each configured for receiving an optical fiber. The two lenses are formed on the housing and each of the lenses is aligned with a corresponding blind hole. Each of the blind holes includes a first cylindrical hole portion, a tapered hole portion and a second cylindrical hole portion facing a corresponding lens, and a diameter of the tapered hole portion gradually decreases from the first cylindrical hole portion towards the second cylindrical hole portion.
US08408798B2
Disclosed herein is a spindle motor having a fluid dynamic bearing as an oil gap formed between a rotator and a stator, wherein the stator includes a sleeve having a protruding part extending in a circumferential direction formed on the upper part thereof, the rotator includes a hub including an oil interface forming member positioned under the protruding part of the sleeve and coupled to the lower end thereof, and an oil interface of the oil gap is formed between the upper part of the oil interface forming member and the lower part of the protruding part of the sleeve.
US08408797B2
A method of manufacturing a bearing device component is provided. The bearing device includes a shaft and a sleeve that surrounds the shaft, and at least either one of the shaft and the sleeve is referred to as a work. The method includes: a process of forming a coating of an anti-sticking-lube polymer on the work; a process of applying a photoluminescence material to a range overlapping a range where the coating of the anti-sticking-lube polymer is formed; and a condition detecting process of causing the photoluminescence material to emit light by causing the work to be irradiated with excitation light that excites the photoluminescence material, and detecting an applied condition of the photoluminescence material based on the light emission of the photoluminescence material, thereby detecting a condition of the coating of the anti-sticking-lube polymer.
US08408796B1
A distortable rolling element retainer belt and a linear motion guide apparatus include a flat belt with holes defined therein and a separating portion is located between the adjacent holes. An upper spacer and a lower spacer are connected to each separating portion and a recess is defined between each separating portion and the upper spacer as well as between each separating portion and the lower spacer. The two recesses are located at different sides of the upper and the lower spacers so that the spacers on the rolling element retainer belt can be distorted to overcome the resistance from bending when the rolling elements traveling in a circulating passage which is not perpendicular to the surface of the rolling element retainer belt.
US08408793B2
A flexible container for containing a quantity of pourable product is disclosed herein. The flexible container includes a bag having a first closed end and a second closed end and a wall extending between the first closed end and the second closed end to define a closed cavity. The flexible container also includes a plurality of tearable score lines in the bag spaced from one another to define a plurality of differently configured intended openings in the bag.
US08408792B2
A resealable closure for a container in which package integrity is indicated by a structure which breaks and/or produces an audible sound when the resealable closure is opened for a first time. The package integrity feature, in one form includes at least one strip initially affixed to two portions which comprise the resealable closure so that upon opening the resealable closure for a first time, at least one of the strips breaks, thereby producing the audible sound. The strips may include a weakened portion such as a narrowing. Integrity of the package is indicated by an intact strip viewable upon opening the resealable closure and conversely, a broken or non-intact strip would indicate that the resealable closure has been previously opened. Package integrity may also be shown by a movable second panel or movable die cut tab portions.
US08408790B2
Apparatus is disclosed for packaging a beverage component of a prepared meal having a hot food component. The meal is of the type that is purchased on a take-away or delivery basis for consumption, after transport to a dining destination and before the food component gets cold. This apparatus comprises: a pouch which defines an opening for receiving said beverage; and a spigot connected to said pouch for dispensing said beverage therefrom. The apparatus can also include means for sealing said opening to define a container and for releasing gas from said container such that, in normal use, said container remains sealed during said transport and such that, in normal use with a carbonated beverage, the carbonated beverage does not go flat before the food component gets cold. The sealing means can comprise a press-to-seal closure for sealing said opening and a labyrinth channel to vent said container.
US08408788B2
An X-ray image diagnostic apparatus has an X-ray irradiating unit, a receiving unit, a supporting unit, a registering unit, a calculating unit and a presenting unit. The X-ray irradiating unit irradiates an X-ray. The receiving unit receives the X-ray. The supporting unit supports the X-ray irradiating unit and the receiving unit to be opposed to each other, and the supporting unit is movable in a room. The registering unit registers in advance a target position after movement of the supporting unit. The calculating unit calculates a track of the supporting unit from a present position to the registered target position. The presenting unit presents the track until the supporting unit moves to reach the register target position. For example, the registering unit registers a target position coordinate and a target vertical axis rotation angle of the supporting unit as the target position.
US08408786B2
In one aspect, the present invention provides techniques and apparatus for optical characterization of photonic devices and/or circuits. By way of example, the techniques can be used to identify damaged devices in photonic integrated circuits. In some embodiments, thermal imaging is employed as a diagnostic tool for characterizing the devices/circuits under investigation. For example, in one embodiment, integrated cascaded semiconductor amplifiers can be characterized using amplified spontaneous emission from one amplifier as a thermal modulation input to another amplifier. A thermoreflectance image of the second amplifier can reveal flaws, if present. Further, in some embodiments, thermal imaging in conjunction with a total energy model can be employed to characterize the elements of photonic circuits optically and/or to map the optical power distribution throughout the circuits.
US08408781B2
A method of preparing a concrete composition includes utilizing a controller to control a process including circulating process water in a process water supply loop for a predetermined period while monitoring and controlling the temperature and flow rate of the process water, circulating aqueous-based air entrainment solution in an aqueous-based air entrainment solution supply loop for the predetermined period and controlling the flow rate of the aqueous-based air entrainment solution and after the predetermined period of time in which the flow of process water and aqueous-based air entrainment solution have stabilized, simultaneously actuating valves to divert and mix the process water, the aqueous-based air entrainment solution and compressed air to produce an air-entrained foam and mixing the foam with a concrete composition.
US08408780B2
An electronic device such as a portable computer may have a housing with a rectangular recess in which layers of display structures such as a light guide panel layer and other light guide structures are directly mounted without intervening chassis members. Mating alignment features in the housing and display structures may be used to align the display structures relative to the housing. A display may be formed from glass layers such as a color filter glass layer and a thin-film transistor glass layer. Backlight for the display may be generated by an array of light-emitting diodes. The light guide panel may direct light from the light-emitting diodes through the glass layers. A clamp may be used to hold the light-emitting diodes and light guide structures in place in the recess. An undercut in the housing may also hold the light guide structures in place.
US08408774B2
A light reflector comprising a resin film having a reflection angle peak ratio [i.e. (reflection peak value when a light ray is applied at an angle of 45° to the perpendicular line of the reflection surface)/(reflection peak value when a light ray is applied at an angle of 15° to the perpendicular line of the reflection surface)] of from 1.3 to 10, and a specular reflectance [i.e. (reflectance)−(diffuse reflectance)] of from 1.4% to 10%. This light reflector can prevent generation of a bright line even when it is used in an illumination device having a plurality of light sources.
US08408767B2
A lighting system for an automotive vehicle has a housing adapted for mounting to the vehicle with a generally outward facing backplate and at least one socket for an incandescent light source. A transparent lens cover is attached to the housing and forms an internal chamber between the lens cover and the housing. A staircase circulator on the housing comprises a plurality of steps and risers rising from the backplate toward the lens cover along a path that is spaced from the socket, wherein the path is generally along a natural convection flowpath of air within the chamber.
US08408762B2
A post for a combined light fitting includes a hollow post body composed of at least two post walls, a connector is installed in at least one end of the post body, the connector is provided with a screw connecting hole for connection with outside. All the post walls constituting the post are made of one piece of fiber plate, and on the surface of the fiber plate, at least one V-shaped groove extending along the direction of its height is formed, the V-shaped groove divides the fiber plate into several post walls, and the respective post wall is turned over inward along the V-shaped groove to form the hollow post. In addition, on the upper side and lower side of the fiber plate, positioning grooves are set along the direction of its width, the positioning grooves are perpendicular to the V-shaped groove, a connector is embedded in each of the two ends of the hollow post composed of various post walls after tuned over, and the base of the connector is embedded in the positioning groove for defining the position of the connector.
US08408756B2
A light includes a housing part and a translucent cover connected to the housing part, in a pressure-tight manner, by a screw-on ring. A flame-extinguishing gap is formed between the housing part and the cover. The flame-extinguishing gap is formed directly between a surface of the cover, and a surface of the housing part, and the screw-on ring covers the flame-extinguishing gap at the gap end pointing to the outer side of the light.
US08408748B2
An LED lamp that can take the place of incandescent lamps. An elevated light source is positioned above a screw-type base. A first plurality of LEDs is connected in a series on one side of a flat substrate and a second plurality of LEDs, equal in number to the first, is connected in series on an opposite side of the substrate. Each LED of the first and second plurality of LEDs is mounted proximate a heat sink and a drive circuit is provided for the LEDs, with the drive circuit being located proximate and electrically connected to the screw base.
US08408743B1
An LED module includes a light bar and a fixing device. The light bar includes a supporting plate and a circuit board mounted on the supporting plate. The circuit board has a plurality of light emitting diodes thereon. The supporting plate includes a first tongue and a second tongue respectively extending from two opposite ends thereof. The fixing device includes a substrate to support the light bar, a fastening piece and a tenon fixing respectively the two ends of the light bar on the substrate. The fastening piece includes a seat fixed on the substrate and a locking arm connecting to the seat. The first tongue of the light bar is embedded in the tenon, and the second tongue of the light bar is received in a space defined between the seat and the locking arm.
US08408739B2
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture for achieving a desired illumination pattern includes a panel and one or more LEDs attached to a surface of the panel. One or more of the LEDs may be mounted at an angle to the surface.
US08408737B2
A light emitting diode (LED) sign lighter is positioned to illuminate a sign. One or more LED modules on the LED sign lighter are directed toward different portions of the sign. Each LED module is configured with a reflector or over-optic to control the angle of the light emitted toward the sign. Each LED module includes an array of LEDs. The configuration of each LED module within the LED sign lighter helps to reduce the build-up of environmental contaminants on the LED module. The center section of the LED sign lighter includes a compartment for housing electrical components to power the LED modules. Heat sink fins are oriented along the back side of the LED sign lighter to provide thermal efficiency for the LED modules.
US08408734B2
A structure of lighting device includes a hood, a heat dissipater, at least one substrate board, and a fastener. The hood forms a receiving space, at least one fitting slot, and at least one heat dissipation opening. The fitting slot is located inside the receiving space. The heat dissipation opening is defined in a circumferential surface of the hood. The heat dissipater is received in the receiving space. The heat dissipater forms at least one guide section. The guide section opposes the fitting slot and is received in the fitting slot. The substrate board is electrically connected to at least one light-emitting diode. The substrate board is coupled to the heat dissipater. The heat dissipation opening allows for air circulation for removing heat generated by light-emitting diodes. Further, the heat dissipation opening is formed to have a width W less than 3 mm, and the heat dissipater is arranged to be spaced from a circumferential surface of the hood by a distance greater than 6 mm.
US08408733B2
An illuminating device may be used, for example, as a portable illuminator, book light and travel light. The illuminating device may include a head, a pair of rails and a base. The illuminating device may be manipulated into numerous positions including extended and retracted positions such that the light source may be positioned in a variety of positions relative to the base which may include a clip for securing structure the illuminating device to a variety of structures including books, magazines, tables, e-readers and bags, to name a few.
US08408730B2
An article forming pet gear (such as a pet coat, jacket, shirt or sweater) having a plurality of interchangeable attachments appointed to modify the article's look, feel and function. The article comprises a proximal end, distal end and a central section appointed to receive the interchangeable attachment. The interchangeable attachment includes a top wall having a show surface and a back wall having a securing member adapted to engage with the article for removably attaching the interchangeable attachment to the article. The interchangeable attachments have a plethora of designs and may include LED, fiber optic and/or reflective properties to provide aesthetic appeal, the ability to design one's own accessory, enhanced visibility, and/or increased safety of the pet during nighttime or dusk hours. They may also be treated with insect repellent, fragrance enhancers, and/or water repellant agents.
US08408724B2
A light source module includes a module substrate, a metal conductor, a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements, a white diffuse reflection layer, and translucent sealing members. The metal conductor is provided in a predetermined pattern on a front surface of the module substrate. The semiconductor light emitting elements are electrically connected to the metal conductor and mounted on the front surface of the module substrate. The white diffuse reflection layer includes a plurality of holes in which the semiconductor light emitting elements are located, is thinner than the semiconductor light emitting elements, and is laminated to the front surface of the module substrate. The translucent sealing members bury the semiconductor light emitting elements, project below the diffuse reflection layer, and are mixed with a phosphor.
US08408720B2
A projector divides and projects a single image onto two different projection surfaces and performs virtual user interface through one projection surface. The projector projects a VUI screen image on a desk and projects a main projected screen image on a wall. The projector includes a light receiving element, which is installed at a position that receives light emitted to the desk (the projection surface of the VUI screen image) and reflected (or scattered) by an object in the vicinity of the desk. The projector calculates a position of the object based on a light detection timing of the light-receiving element and a scanning position of light at each time and changes a projected image based on the calculated position. The projector displays a designated region of the VUI screen image to be brightened.
US08408704B2
A fundus oculi observation device capable of defining which part in the result of analysis of the layer thickness of a fundus oculi is a part obtained by analyzing a vascular region is provided. A fundus oculi observation device 1 forms a plurality of tomographic images G1-Gm of a fundus oculi Ef. A layer thickness distribution calculator 231 calculates layer thickness distribution of the fundus oculi Ef in a cross section of a tomographic image G based on the tomographic images G1-Gm. A vascular region specifying part 234 specifies a vascular region in the tomographic image G. A controller 210 controls a display 240A to display layer thickness distribution information representing the layer thickness distribution and to also display vascular position information representing the position of the vascular region on the layer thickness distribution information.
US08408702B2
A macular health measurement and storage system comprises a plurality of macular-pigment measurement machine for measuring macular pigment density in humans, a plurality of computers each of which is associated with a corresponding one the macular-pigment measuring machines, and a central host. The plurality of macular-pigment measurement machines include a device for receiving macular pigment data from a patient, at least one data transfer port, and at least one processor that enables the transfer of the macular pigment data from the transfer port. The plurality of computers include a first port coupled to the data transfer port of the corresponding macular-pigment measurement machine for receiving the macular pigment data. Each of the computers includes a second port for transferring patient data. The central host is coupled to the second ports on each of the plurality of computers. The central host includes a storage device for storing the patient data.
US08408689B2
Apparatuses and methods for forming images on substrates in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses includes a first marking station for applying a first ink having a first color to a substrate; a first partial-curing station downstream from the first marking station including a first radiant energy source for irradiating the first ink on the substrate with first radiation to partially-cure the first ink; a second marking station downstream from the first partial-curing station for applying a second ink having a second color to the substrate; a second partial-curing station downstream from the second marking station including a second radiant energy source for irradiating the first ink and the second ink on the substrate with second radiation to further partially-cure the first ink and to partially-cure the second ink; a leveling device formed by a first member and a second member, the first member and second member being configured to apply pressure to the partially-cured first ink and second ink when the substrate is received at a nip to level the first ink and second ink on the surface of the substrate; and a post-leveling curing device for irradiating the as-leveled first ink and second ink on the surface of the substrate to substantially-fully cure the first ink and the second ink.
US08408683B2
A method for mounting a piezoelectric transducer layer to a diaphragm layer exposes an electrode for each piezoelectric transducer after thermoset polymer filling the interstitial space between the piezoelectric transducers has been cured. The method includes bonding a polymer layer to a diaphragm layer having a plurality of openings, bonding piezoelectric transducers to the diaphragm layer, filling areas between the piezoelectric transducers on the diaphragm layer with thermoset polymer, and removing the thermoset polymer from the piezoelectric transducers with a laser to expose a metal electrode on each piezoelectric transducer.
US08408675B2
The head unit includes: a recording head; and a sub-carriage to which the recording head is fixed in a state where spacers are interposed therebetween, wherein each spacer has a spacer main body portion having a base surface which comes into contact with the sub-carriage, and back end-side protrusion portions, reference plane protrusion portions, and leading end-side protrusion portions, which are convex portions that rise from the spacer main body portion to direct toward the flange portion side, to which the spacer is fixed, from the sub-carriage side and which are respectively formed toward a leading end portion of the flange portion in relation to a direction of the nozzle row, at both end portions in a width direction perpendicular to the nozzle row of the recording head, each reference plane protrusion portion has a surface that becomes a reference plane which comes into contact with the flange portion.
US08408674B1
This invention provides an inkjet print engine in combination with a conventional lithographic printing press so as to allow variable information to be applied to the fed sheets. Such information can include, but is not limited to, address information for mailing and/or special messages to the recipient. The system and method locates an inkjet printing head (single-color or multi-color) with respect to one of a number of locations along the print path. More particularly, the inkjet head can be located on a transverse carriage with movement is controlled by a conventional print head controller. The controller also addresses the formation of print at the head in conjunction with the movement of the carriage and also with respect to the movement of the sheet through the printing press. The locations at which the inkjet assembly can be located include the upstream or downstream blanket or plate rollers, the sheet in the region of the impression roller, the infeed region or the outfeed region.
US08408656B2
A harness system for a child seat has a shoulder strap, a chest clip, and a harness cover. The harness cover has an upper section coupled to the shoulder strap and positioned above the chest clip and a lower section coupled to the shoulder strap and positioned below the chest clip.
US08408655B2
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seatback and a seat base extending forward from a lower end of the seatback. The seat base is formed of a first foam member extending laterally across the seat base to absorb loads and a second foam member formed over the first member to form a seating surface of the seat base. The first foam member is formed of complementary portions that mate together to form the first foam member.
US08408649B2
A walk-in seat is provided, which has decreased number of components, and has a vacant space formed below a seat cushion so that the walk-in seat may be used even for a different-level seat track. The walk-in seat has a first control lever 171 for unlocking a first locking mechanism 100; a second control lever 181 for unlocking a second locking mechanism 100′; a memory mechanism 300 holding the first control lever 171 such that when a first upper rail 5 is located between a middle position and a foremost position with a seatback being tilted most forward, the first locking mechanism 100 is unlocked; first cable means FC operating such that when the seatback of a seat is tilted to a most forward position, the means FC drives the first control lever 171 to unlock the first locking mechanism 100; and second cable means SC transmitting operation of the first control lever 171 to the second control lever 181.
US08408641B2
The invention relates to a passively air-conditioned motor vehicle seat comprising a breathable seat cover and comprising a seat body which has ventilation channels extending in the thickness direction, which in each case have at least one element for preventing the return flow of air. For simplifying the production the at least one element for preventing the return flow of air consists of the same material as the seat body.
US08408640B1
A portable table and seating combination is disclosed. The combination includes at least a first portion of a hinge attached to a tabletop portion. The tabletop portion includes at least a top surface, and a plurality of edge portions extending from the top surface. The top surface in combination with the plurality of edge portions forms a seating confinement compartment. The combination further includes at least a retractable leg support attached to the tabletop portion. The retractable leg support resides adjacent the seating confinement compartment, and in an extended position the retractable leg support, supports the tabletop portion at a predetermined distance above a surface. The combination also includes at least a seating portion configured for confinement within the seating confinement compartment. In a first embodiment, the seating portion is an integrated seating portion. In an alternate embodiment, the seating portion is a freestanding seating portion.
US08408634B2
A pneumatic system has a compressor (8), a pneumatic reservoir (20) for a gaseous pressure transmission medium, at least one valve device (12) and at least one pneumatically actuable actuator (4). To provide satisfactory functioning even under extreme temperatures, and to provide a simple cost effective construction, the pneumatic reservoir (20) to which the compressor (8) is connected has a variable volume.
US08408633B2
A seal structure comprises: a body side weather strip 10 that includes a die molded part 101 made of a solid material, and makes elastic contact with an under surface of a storage lid 3; a storage lid side weather strip 20 that includes a die molded part 201 that makes elastic contact with the die molded part 101 from above; and a roof side weather strip 30 that includes a die molded part 301 that makes elastic contact with a front upper surface of the storage lid 3 and the die molded part 101 from above. The die molded part 201 further includes a hollow seal part 41 made of a sponge material, which extends downward and makes elastic contact with the die molded part 101.
US08408627B2
A rail cap assembly comprises a rail cap having a first and second opposed ends separated by a length, wherein the rail cap has a top and first and second sidewalls that together form an inner surface extending from the first end to the second end. Openings are spaced along the length of the rail cap. A lighting system is at least partially disposed within the inner surface and comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Each lighting element is secured within a respective opening. The lighting elements are electrically interconnected through connective wiring. The rail cap assembly may be installed one at least one bedrail of a pickup truck.
US08408625B1
A resilient seal used in an RV having a slide out room defining an interior space. The RV having a first sidewall having an exterior side, the first sidewall defining an opening through which the slide out room is shifted between extended and retracted positions. The slide out room including a second sidewall spaced from the first sidewall and an end wall defining the interior space. The end wall has a peripheral flange that overlaps the first sidewall when the slide out room is in its closed position. The seal of the present invention includes a single piece integrally connected corner piece having substantially perpendicular legs meeting at a fused mitered watertight corner. The corner piece prevents entry of water where seals supporting the corner piece meet particularly when the slide out room is retracted.
US08408621B2
A grip body (1) of an assist grip includes hinge bodies (21, 31) provided in hinge cavities (11, 12) on bases provided at opposite left and right ends, and the hinge bodies (21, 31) are pivotally connected to the hinge cavities (11, 12) at opposite sides via pivot shafts. A mounting clip (5) having spring resiliency is inserted into a rectangular opening (27, 37) provided substantially at the center of the hinge body (21, 31), and a cover (4) is assembled by inserting a clip support portion (42) into the inside of resilient legs at both sides of the mounting clip (5) so as to cover the front of the hinge body (21, 31). Between the cover (4) and the hinge body (21, 31), a guide groove (21c, 31c) and a guide rib (44) are provided so as to be fitted together and slidingly contact along a push-in direction of a part where the hinge member and the cover slidingly contact when the cover (4) is pushed.
US08408613B1
An energy absorber for an automotive bumper assembly having an impact beam includes a first component positioned adjacent the impact beam. The energy absorber also includes a second component positioned such that the first component is disposed substantially between the second component and the impact beam. The energy absorber additionally includes a locking feature configured to join the first component and the second component. A vehicle having a bumper assembly with such an energy absorber is also disclosed.
US08408611B2
A vehicle door handle device whereby a door is kept in a locked state by a locking device even if excessive external force is applied to an operation handle. A vehicle door handle device includes a handle base with which an operation handle and a cable are integrated. The handle base has a first portion including a securing part fixed to a door panel, and a second portion including a handle attachment part and a cable fixing part. The handle base further has a weak part between the first portion and the second portion, the weak part being designed to have lower rupture strength than these portions.
US08408605B2
A threaded union includes a threaded union nut configured to couple abutting ends of a threaded nipple on a distal end of a first joint and a shouldered nipple on a distal end of a second joint and a lower wedge and an upper wedge positioned within an offset distance formed between a lower surface of the union nut and an upper surface of an enlarged section of the shouldered nipple.
US08408602B2
Labels that are conducive to the detection of bar-codes and other indicia having varying spectral emissivity values are provided. The labels include a substrate, a background layer, a thermally conductive layer and an adhesive layer. The background layer is preferably similar in visual appearance to the indicium that the label is to receive. Meanwhile, the thermally conductive layer is made from a material with high thermal conductivity that is used to substantially equalize the temperature across the label surface, thereby enabling a faster and cheaper detection of transitions of differential emissivity on the indicium surface. The adhesive layer is used for attaching the label to a document or other product.
US08408601B1
A magnetic tire guard for picking up metal objects before they come in contact with a tire of a vehicle featuring a flap. A curved indentation is disposed at the intersection of the first side edge and the top edge of the flap. A plurality of mounting holes is disposed in the flap along the curved indentation, allowing for attachment of the flap to a wheel well of a vehicle. A magnet is disposed at the bottom edge of the flap. The magnet functions to attract metal objects. The magnet is attached to the flap via a magnet attachment means.
US08408595B2
An airbag comprises a pair of fabric layers and a thermoplastic covering on the fabric layers applied by extruding the covering onto a surface of each of the fabric layers. The covering is configured to seal the airbag when heated such that no stitched seam is used to seal the airbag. A primer may be applied between a fabric layer surface and covering to aid in adhesion of the covering to the fabric layer. The airbag can also include internal seams formed by the heat sealed, thermoplastic covering composition.
US08408591B2
An inflatable curtain airbag can be used to cushion an occupant during a vehicle collision as well as retaining the occupant within the vehicle during a rollover event. Curtain airbags that do not extend to the vehicle's waist line may allow the occupant to fit between the bottom of the curtain airbag and the waistline, and thereby be ejected from the vehicle. This risk is increased with vehicles that do not have vertical pillars between the doors and windows of the vehicle. Increasing an inflation gas volume capacity of a lower portion of the airbag, may mitigate the risk of occupant ejection, if the increased volume portion of the curtain overlaps the vehicle pillars. The lower portion of the curtain airbag may have a first chamber and a separate second chamber.
US08408571B2
A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having an upper stepping surface, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm also has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The first and second arms can be generally planar linkages.
US08408569B2
A strut assembly includes an upper mount assembly, a shock absorber and a knuckle. The upper mount assembly is attached to a piston rod which is a part of the shock absorber. The knuckle is attached to an outer tube of the shock absorber which can be a reserve tube of a dual-tube shock absorber or a pressure tube of a single tube shock absorber. A reinforcement member increases the strength of the outer tube in the area that interfaces with the knuckle.
US08408563B1
A sulky includes a frame having a cross-member and a pair of shafts spaced from each other and extending from the cross-member forwardly along an axis. A first wheel support and a second wheel support each rotatably extend downwardly from the frame and each engage wheels, respectively. Each of the first and second wheel supports includes an adjustment feature defining a plurality of adjustment positions. The wheels are engaged with the first and second wheel supports, respectively, and are independently adjustable relative to the first and second wheel supports, respectively, to any of the adjustment positions. The plurality of adjustment positions of the first and second wheel supports are located along lines generally extending rearwardly along the axis and upwardly relative to the axis.
US08408562B1
A golf bag cart includes a body for engaging a golf bag. The body has a first longitudinal end and an opposite second longitudinal end. A first pair of wheels is rotatable about a first axis of rotation at or adjacent the second longitudinal end, a second pair of wheels rotatable about a second axis of rotation which is pivotable relative to the body between a folded position and an outstretched position. When the second axis of rotation is in the outstretched position, the first and second wheel pairs support the body in a slanted orientation. When the second axis of rotation is in the folded position, the first and second wheel pairs support the body in a generally horizontal orientation. When the second axis of rotation moves from the outstretched position to the folded position, the second axis of rotation moves away from the first axis of rotation.
US08408549B2
A gaming dice for a game, such as a board game or a card game, said gaming dice comprising a body part comprising a number of sides, wherein at least one or more of those sides is/are provided with coupling studs. Hereby it is possible to mount indicia-carrying elements that have a bottom side on which complementary coupling means are provided and a top side which is opposite relative to the bottom side and is provided with indicia.
US08408548B2
A BOGGLE brand word game apparatus having a plurality of dice enclosed in an interior chamber formed in upper and lower container shells. A dice collector, a lens and a ring shaped collar are connected to the upper container shell, and a ring shaped cam, a dice platform and an alignment plate are mounted to the lower container shell. The collar includes a flange extending from an inner surface, and the cam includes a flange extending from an outer surface. The cam, when fastened to the lower container shell, captures the platform. Rotation of the upper container shell in a first direction, when the lower container shell is held stationary, causes the cam to move the platform to enlarge the dice chamber.
US08408543B2
A banknote store includes a banknote storage roller, two banknote conveyor belts and two collection sprockets of said belts, each belt being wound on one side to the storage roller and on the other to one of the collection sprockets, the two belts being arranged to come into contact with the banknotes respectively on opposite faces, a handling device being present to move the roller, the sprockets and the belts so as to alternatively realize the storage of the banknotes on the roller or their release from the store. The collection sprockets are mounted on a same shaft.
US08408540B2
A sheet ejection device including: a sheet stacking section; a sheet trailing edge hitting section; a pair of sheet holding members for holding a sheet or plural sheets placed one on top of another at a sheet holding position, and moving the same to the sheet stacking position; and a friction member that is provided on one of the sheet holding members and that comes in contact with the topmost sheet of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking section; wherein, when the sheet holding members reach the sheet stacking position, one of the sheet holding members is moved upstream in the sheet ejecting direction, whereby the trailing edge of the held sheet is made to hit against the sheet trailing edge hitting section, and the friction member comes in contact with the topmost sheet, and then the topmost sheet is biased toward the sheet trailing edge hitting section.
US08408539B2
A media sheet transport including a belt for supporting the media thereon. The belt is operably connected to a drive mechanism for moving the belt in a process direction past an image marking unit. The belt has a plurality of openings therein. A vacuum plenum has a surface disposed below the belt and is operably connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum plenum is adapted to applying a negative pressure to the media for holding the media to the belt. An electrostatic hold down apparatus includes a first tacking roller spaced in a cross-process direction from a second tacking roller. The first and second tacking rollers are engagable with the belt. The first tacking roller is disposed to engage the inboard edge of the media, and the second tacking roller is disposed to engage the outboard edge of the media. The first and second tacking rollers impart an electrostatic charge to the edges of the media for electrostatically securing the inboard and outboard edges of the media to the belt.
US08408533B2
A sheet feeder attracts a topmost sheet on a sheet conveyor belt as a conveying member and conveys the sheet toward an image forming unit in a subsequent step. The sheet feeder includes a vane rotation direction control unit that serves as a suction direction control unit controlling a direction in which a suction blower as an air suction unit sucks air to be reversed as a positive pressure generating unit that generates a positive pressure in a sheet suction unit. The vane rotation direction control unit controls the direction in which the suction blower sucks air to be reversed immediately after a feeding operation ends to generate the positive pressure in the sheet suction unit.
US08408532B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, a sheet feeding unit, a belt pressing member, and a moving unit. The sheet feeding unit includes an endless, dielectric belt to contact and attract the uppermost sheet to a surface thereof and feed in a sheet feeding direction, and an electric potential pattern forming unit to form an electric potential pattern on a surface of the dielectric belt. The moving unit moves the belt pressing member between a sheet attracting position and a sheet feeding position. The dielectric belt attracts the uppermost sheet at the sheet attracting position, the moving unit moves the belt pressing member to the sheet feeding position, and an entire flat portion of the dielectric belt feeds the uppermost sheet in the sheet feeding direction while carrying the uppermost sheet thereon as the dielectric belt rotates.
US08408529B2
The problem of firmly gripping a cylindrical component over a range of permitted diameters is solved by providing a protrusion on the surface of a cantilevered seat, the seat being substantially complementarily curved to accommodate the cylindrical component. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a clamp for holding a cylindrical component is provided comprising at least one curved seat having at least one protrusion, the curved seat being cantilevered by a first end. The protrusion is configured to contact the cylindrical component under load such that a concentrated load is exerted on the curved seat between a first end and a second end causing the curved seat to be elastically deflected.
US08408523B2
A baluster with beveled end having, near one or both ends of the baluster, the perimeter of the baluster proceed increasingly more inward as such end of the baluster is approached. There is some indentation at all points along the perimeter, although such indentation need not necessarily be uniform.
US08408516B2
Provided is a fluid pressure control device that includes an actuator and a body configured to house the actuator. The body has an opening arranged to receive pressurized fluid. The fluid pressure control device additionally includes a pressure sensor incorporated into the body relative to the opening to sense fluid pressure and to generate an electrical signal indicative of the sensed pressure. Furthermore, the fluid pressure control device includes an integrated circuit incorporated into the body, and operatively connected to the pressure sensor. The integrated circuit includes a transceiver configured to communicate with an external device by transmitting the electrical signal indicative of the sensed fluid pressure to the external device and receiving a control signal from the external device. The integrated circuit additionally includes a driver configured to power the actuator in response to the control signal.
US08408515B2
A pressure-reducing valve is provided in which a diaphragm rod connected to a valve body of a valve mechanism is connected to a central part of a diaphragm having its peripheral edge part clamped between a body and a diaphragm cover, wherein the diaphragm (28) is formed from a disk-shaped rubber sheet for which the sheet thickness of at least its peripheral edge part is uniform in the natural state, and in a state in which the diaphragm cover (17) is fixed to the body (16) so that the peripheral edge part of the diaphragm (28) is compressively held between a collar portion (17b) of the diaphragm cover (17) and a clamping face (91) of the body (16), a portion having, of the gap between the collar portion (17b) and the clamping face (91), a minimum gap is positioned further inward in the radial direction of the diaphragm (28) than a portion having a maximum gap. This enables the sealing properties and the pull-out resistance for the diaphragm to be guaranteed while achieving a reduction in weight and a reduction in cost.
US08408506B2
A mounting apparatus includes a supporting bracket, a locking member, and a holding mechanism. The supporting bracket is fixed to a slide rail and includes two inserting pins extending through the two corresponding through holes of a rack post. The locking member is slidably mounted to the supporting bracket. When the locking member slides to abut against a front surface of the rack post, the slide rail is prevented from moving backwards to make the inserting pins disengage from the through holes. When the locking member slides to space away from the rack post, the slide rail is enable to move backwards to make the inserting pins disengage from the through holes. The holding mechanism abuts against the locking member to prevent the locking member from sliding. The holding mechanism is operable to move away from the locking member.
US08408503B2
A stage apparatus enables easy position alignment at a real installation site. Mounts 25 having sub base plates 21 arranged thereon are provided on carriages 25 and thereby constitute sub mounting tables 20a to 20d; and the mounts 25 are fixed to a main mounting table 10 having a main base plate 11. The positions of main base plate 11 and sub base plates 21 are aligned with each other by adjustment mechanisms 30 provided on the sub mounting tables 20a to 20d. As main positioning members 16 and sub positioning members 241, 242 are arranged on the main mounting table 10 and sub mounting tables 20a to 20d, separation can be performed so that a state of position alignment is restorable. Accordingly, position alignment is easy when assembling after transportation.
US08408497B2
Launch vehicles with fixed and deployable deceleration surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a launch vehicle that has a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, and is elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends. The vehicle carries an exposed outwardly facing surface having a first region positioned or positionable to have a first cross-sectional area generally normal to the vehicle axis toward the first end of the vehicle, and a second region positioned or positionable to have a second cross-sectional area generally normal to the vehicle axis toward the second end of the vehicle. The first cross-sectional area is less than the second cross-sectional area. The system can further include a propulsion system carried by the launch vehicle and having at least one nozzle positioned toward the first end of the vehicle to launch the launch vehicle. In a further particular embodiment, the exposed surface can include a deployable flare surface that is positioned toward the forward section of the vehicle and is stowed during an ascent phase of the vehicle. During descent, the deployable flare surface can pivot outwardly to slow the vehicle down for a tail-down landing. Systems is accordance with other embodiments include launch vehicles with fuel tanks shaped to control the motion of the center of gravity of fuel in the tanks as the fuel level in the tank changes.
US08408493B2
A stringer having a stringer end trim that reduces pull-off forces in a stringer connection structure, including a stringer body; a stringer free edge provided on said stringer body; and a stringer end trim having at least one curvature provided in the stringer free edge forming the stringer connection structure.
US08408482B2
A sprinkler pressure regulator module has a compact arrangement with a shiftable member having an upper cavity for receiving water flow debris, and a portion of a bypass valve may reciprocate therein. The module includes a stator plate directing water into a drive mechanism, such as a turbine drive mechanism. The shiftable member receives fluid flow from a radially outboard direction and is sealed with a cup portion receiving the shiftable member to define a cup cavity. A module exterior surface is separated from a sprinkler housing to define a vent cavity. A pressure release vent communicates with the cup cavity, a vent channel between the cup portion and the exterior surface, the vent cavity, and the exterior environment. The vent cavity and cup portion provide receptacles for debris deposit. Ribs around an opening of the vent channel with the vent cavity generally prevent debris from entering the vent channel.
US08408477B2
A system for fastening a rail having a rail foot, a web positioned thereon, and a rail head, includes a tensioning clamp with a carrying plate. The carrying plate has a central portion for bracing the tensioning clamp on the carrying plate, at least one torsion portion branching off from the central portion in the lateral direction and a holding arm connected to the torsion portion via a curved transition portion. The holding arm extends, starting from the transition portion, counter to the torsion portion and exerts via the free end of its end portion a resilient holding-down force on the rail foot of the rail to be fastened. The length of the torsion portion and the course of the transition portion is adapted to each other in such a way that at least the transition portion is guided without supports laterally past a region of the carrying plate that is associated with the central portion of the tensioning clamp. The end portion of the holding arm is angled away from the torsion portion in such a way that it points in the direction of the web of the rail to be fastened.
US08408469B2
A laser scanning system for generating a laser scanning pattern in a scanning field, while amplifying the scan-angle multiplication factor of rotating mirrors employed therein. The laser scanning system employs rotatable laser scanning assembly having an axis of rotation and first and second rotating mirrors with normal vectors that are coplanar with each other and said rotational axis, and which form an acute angle substantially less than 90 degrees so as to provide a laser scanning assembly with a scan angle multiplication factor that is greater than 2.0. A cluster of stationary mirrors mounted about the first and second rotating mirrors, for sweeping a laser beam off the cluster of stationary mirrors after a laser beam has been reflected off the first rotating mirror, then reflected off the second rotating mirror, and then directed outwardly towards an array of pattern mirrors, so as to generate a resultant laser scanning pattern within the scanning field.
US08408464B2
An adaptive strobe illumination control process for use in a digital image capture and processing system. In general, the process involves: (i) illuminating an object in the field of view (FOV) with several different pulses of strobe (i.e. stroboscopic) illumination over a pair of consecutive video image frames; (ii) detecting digital images of the illuminated object over these consecutive image frames; and (iii) decode processing the digital images in an effort to read a code symbol graphically encoded therein. In a first illustrative embodiment, upon failure to read a code symbol graphically encoded in one of the first and second images, these digital images are analyzed in real-time, and based on the results of this real-time image analysis, the exposure time (i.e. photonic integration time interval) is automatically adjusted during subsequent image frames (i.e. image acquisition cycles) according to the principles of the present disclosure. In a second illustrative embodiment, upon failure to read a code symbol graphically encoded in one of the first and second images, these digital images are analyzed in real-time, and based on the results of this real-time image analysis, the energy level of the strobe illumination is automatically adjusted during subsequent image frames (i.e. image acquisition cycles) according to the principles of the present disclosure.
US08408458B2
A receiving and dispensing unit and a self-checkout system of an embodiment includes a coin receiving and dispensing device which holds received coins in accordance with the denomination and dispenses the held coins, and a bill receiving and dispensing device which holds received bills in accordance with the denomination and dispenses the held bills. The bill receiving and dispensing device is arranged to overlap the coin receiving and dispensing device in the height direction of the coin receiving and dispensing device.
US08408457B2
In accordance with the teachings described herein, retail advertising systems and methods are provided for coordinating an advertising message with a product display. An advertising media device may be used for broadcasting recorded advertising messages about products in a retail environment. A product display may be used that is associated with a product on sale in the retail environment and that includes an associated wireless identification tag. A wireless identification system may be used that includes at least one antenna in the retail environment and that is configured to detect the wireless identification tag in the retail environment. An advertisement coordination system may be used that determines from the wireless identification system that the product display is located in the retail environment and in response causes the advertising media device to broadcast an advertising message related to the product display.
US08408455B1
Aspects of the invention include systems and methods of using an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to access a rewards account. The customer may access the ATM using a card or other device. Account information associated with the customer, including a rewards account, may be retrieved by the ATM. Through the ATM, the customer may perform actions upon the rewards account. The actions may include, but are not limited to, a balance inquiry, a withdrawal and/or redemption, an account transfer, and preferences. Subsequent to, or coincident with, a withdrawal/redemption or account transfer, the rewards account may be debited an appropriate amount to equate to the amount of the withdrawal/redemption or account transfer. Following the completion of the customer's transaction, a receipt may be dispensed from the ATM. The receipt may include the rewards account balance.
US08408435B2
The present invention concerns a small and neat harness (1) of light weight, which may be carried by the child as a garment, and which gives the child ample freedom of movement when it walks on its own, yet support while being carried. The harness may swiftly be coupled to and from a carrying strap (14) in order to carry the child, or for example to a pram or chair as a safety harness. The harness (1) may in addition be used as a walking or safety harness when the child wants to walk by itself.
US08408427B2
In one or more embodiments a single dose nasal spray pump includes a reservoir configured for holding a single dose of material to be dispensed, the reservoir extending between a closed end and an open end; a cap to be configured to be disposed over the open end of the reservoir, the cap including an aperture; a stem extending between an outlet end and a lower end, the stem having a conduit extending from the outlet end of the stem to a conduit inlet at or adjacent the lower end of the stem; and a piston disposed about the stem and configured for movement between a first position wherein the piston seals or substantially seals the conduit inlet and a second position wherein the piston is remote from the conduit inlet; wherein the stem is configured for movement from a first stem position wherein the piston is disposed in the reservoir in the first piston position and a second stem position wherein the stem is moved toward the closed end of the reservoir such that the piston is moved into the second piston position.
US08408422B2
A device for fastening a dispensing pump on a bottle containing a product, a sleeve fastening the pump and fastening on the bottle, a dressing hoop intended to be mounted by axial sliding around a peripheral seating of the sleeve, the peripheral seating having axial splines and the internal wall of the hoop having axial ribs which are arranged to be placed in the splines during the mounting of the hoop around the seating.
US08408421B2
A dispenser using a stopcock valve has a first and second chamber. The first chamber has a flow material and is pressurized with air. The first chamber is connected to a stopcock valve that holds a second chamber which has a pressure sensor when the stopcock valve is rotated to the proper orientation. The stopcock valve is then rotated to a dispensing position where the flow material is dispensed under pressure to an outlet. By using the air pressure sensor and by taking into consideration the volume of the second chamber, the amount of flow of material can be dosed out consistently.
US08408412B2
Disclosed herein is a folding container which stores various kinds of cargo and is transported. A container body of the folding container includes a top plate, a bottom plate, left and right side plates, and front and rear end plates. Each side plate includes upper and lower plate bodies which are connected to each other and to the top and bottom plates by spring hinges. A rotating shaft is provided in the container body, and a belt connected to the rotating shaft is connected to the left and right side plates at positions adjacent to the junctions between the upper and lower plate bodies. The left and right side plates are pulled inwards and folded by rotating the rotating shaft and winding the belt around the rotating shaft. Therefore, the operation of folding or unfolding the container body can be facilitated, and safety can be ensured during the operation.
US08408408B1
Nipple assemblies including nipples which attach to a threaded nipple adapter which can be attached to feeding containers with threaded spouts are disclosed. Mounting tools are also disclosed, to aid in attaching the elastic nipples to the adapters.
US08408404B2
A shelving system may comprise a pair of support brackets and a shelf platform supportable by the brackets. The platform includes a supporting portion, a rear flange on the supporting portion, and a front flange on the supporting portion. The shelf platform may be configured to be supported by the support brackets when a portion of the brackets extend upwardly from the platform and when a portion of the brackets extend downwardly from the platform. Optionally, a work platform is pivotable between usage and storage positions, and the brackets are pivotable between a deployed position supporting the platform in the usage position and a storage position allowing the platform to move to the storage position. Optionally, a mounting rail and at least one hook removably mountable on the rail may be provided. The hook may have a stabilizer tab that stabilizes the hook with respect to the rail.
US08408400B2
According to one embodiment, a limpness detecting device includes a transmitting unit to irradiate an acoustic wave towards a conveyed sheet to excite a Lamb wave, a first receiving unit to detect a leaky wave of the Lamb wave emitted from a front surface of the sheet, a second receiving unit to detect a leaky wave of the Lamb wave emitted from a back surface of the sheet, a comparison data calculating unit to calculate comparison data based on the signal detected by the first receiving unit and the signal detected by the second receiving unit, and an intactness judgment unit to compare the comparison data calculated by the comparison data calculating unit with a preset standard value and judge whether the sheet is an intact bill or not, based on a result of the comparison.
US08408392B2
The carton of this invention is capable of carrying the plurality of containers stacked upon their ends in two tiers with a unique dispenser that permits the dispensing of containers on their sides. The dispenser is formed in a top side wall and extends into the end wall with most of the end wall being torn open but leaving a portion near the bottom side wall to prevent the bottom layer of containers from rolling out. Angled projections in the dispensing end of the carton near the top panel and bottom panel prevent the top layer of containers from rolling out. A divider may be inserted between the two tiers of containers to facilitate loading the carton and preventing the containers from accidentally rolling out when the dispenser is open.
US08408390B2
A smoking accessory. The accessory includes a base having an upper surface with two openings. A first of the openings providing access to a pipe receptacle extending into the base from the first opening. A second of the openings providing access to a tobacco receptacle extending into the base from the second opening. The accessory includes a lid pivotally connected to the base by a hinge located above the upper surface of the base for selective movement in directions toward and away from the smoking pipe receptacle and the tobacco receptacle between an open position and a closed position.
US08408377B2
A reload conveyor is disclosed in the present disclosure. Such a reload conveyor includes a conveyor frame 14 and a material receiving mechanism 18. The conveyor frame 14 is configured to articulate to assume a transport configuration and a material transfer configuration wherein the overall length of the reload conveyor in the transport configuration can be substantially shorter than in the transfer configuration. The material receiving mechanism can be configured and arranged to assume a transfer configuration and a transport configuration wherein the width of the material receiving mechanism is substantially less in the transport configuration than in the transfer configuration.
