US08431674B2

The invention relates to prepolymers containing alkoxysilane groups based on special, low-viscosity polyester polyols, which exhibit particularly high tensile strength, a process for the production thereof and their use as a binder for adhesives, primers or coatings.
US08431672B2

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an isocyanate group-terminated prepolymer, comprising the following steps (a) to (d): (a) a step of ring-opening polymerizing an alkyleneoxide-containing cyclic compound by using an initiator in the presence of a composite metal cyanide complex catalyst, thereby obtaining a polyol composition containing the catalyst; (b) a step of, without removal of the composite metal cyanide complex catalyst from the polyol composition obtained in the step (a), adding water and performing a heat treatment in a closed system; (c) a step of subjecting the hydrous polyol composition after the step (b) to a dehydration treatment; and (d) a step of adding a polyisocyanate compound to the polyol composition after the step (c) and subjecting to a reaction with the polyol in the polyol composition.
US08431666B2

The present invention generally relates to injectible polyisobutylene polymer compounds. More specifically, the present invention relates to injectible polyisobutylene polymer compounds that are designed for various biological and medical applications. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to injectible functionalized polyisobutylene polymer compounds that are designed for various biological and medical applications. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to injectible cyanoacrylate-functionalized polyisobutylene polymer compounds.
US08431661B2

This invention relates to a process for polymerizing olefins in which the amount of trimethylaluminum in a methylalumoxane solution is adjusted to be from 6 to 25 mole %, prior to use as an activator, where the mole % trimethylaluminum is determined by 1H NMR of the solution prior to combination with any support. This invention also relates to a process for polymerizing olefins in which the amount of an unknown species present in a methylalumoxane solution is adjusted to be from 0.10 to 0.65 integration units prior to use as an activator, where the unknown species is the peak is identified in the 1H NMR spectra of the solution performed prior to combination with any support. Preferably, the methylalumoxane solution is present in a catalyst system also comprising a metallocene transition metal compound.
US08431646B2

The present invention relates to the use of a mixture that is dispersible, redispersible, or soluble in water, or an aqueous composition for protecting substrates from corrosion, wherein the mixture, or the composition, is based on at least one organic polymer that is soluble in water and at least one organosilicon compound. The invention further relates to a mixture that is dispersible, redispersible, or soluble in water, based on at least one organic polymer that is soluble in water and at least one organosilicon compound having at least one Si—O—Si bond and/or at least one Si—Si bond, wherein either the content of the organic polymer soluble in water, based on the sum of the organic polymer soluble in water and of the organosilicon compound, is between about 40 and about 80 wt.-%, or the organosilicon compound is an oligomer mixture of alkyl alkoxy siloxanes, wherein the oligomer mixture contains 50 to 100 wt.-% of alkyl alkoxy siloxanes, and the same have a degree of oligomerization of 2 to 20. The invention further provides a method for the production of mixtures according to the invention and the use thereof.
US08431645B2

The invention relates to composition-gradient copolymers, comprising: repeat units resulting from the polymerization of at least one first monomer M1, the corresponding homopolymer of which exhibits a glass transition temperature Tg1 of less than 20° C., said repeat units representing from 15 to 40% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the copolymer; repeat units resulting from the polymerization of at least one second monomer M2, the corresponding homopolymer of which exhibits a glass transition temperature Tg2 of greater than 20° C., said repeat units representing from 45% to 65% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the copolymer; hydrophilic repeat units resulting from the polymerization of a least one third monomer M3, said repeat units representing from 10 to 25% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the copolymer.
US08431643B2

The packaging industry desires adhesive compositions having a fast set time, such as those setting in less than five seconds from a molten state at conventional packaging operating temperatures to a solid or quasi solid having favorable Dot T-Peel, set time, and/or fiber tear adhesion properties. Polymer based adhesives performing within this window are a favorable alternative to conventional formulated adhesives. The provided adhesive compositions exhibit a favorable balance of properties such as high adhesive strength, wide temperature operating window, and fast set time. Provided are adhesive compositions composed of a polyolefin composition comprising at least about 50 mol % polypropylene, at least one wax and at least one wax modifier.
US08431642B2

Provided are adhesive compositions composed of a polyolefin composition comprising at least about 50 wt. % polypropylene and at least one wax. The polymer compositions have a Dot T-Peel of about 1 Newton or more, a branching index (g′) of 0.95 or less measured at the Mz of the polymer, a molecular weight of 100,000 or less, and the adhesive compositions has a fast set time. The packaging industry desires adhesive compositions having a fast set time, such as those setting in less than five seconds from a molten state at conventional packaging operating temperatures to a solid or quasi solid having favorable Dot T-Peel, set time, and or fiber tear adhesion properties. Polymer based adhesives performing within this window are a favorable alternative to conventional formulated adhesives. The provided adhesive compositions exhibit a favorable balance of properties such as high adhesive strength, wide temperature operating window, and fast set time.
US08431638B2

The present invention relates to mixtures of citric esters of the formula I, in which each of R1, R2 and R3 is an aliphatic C5 or C9 moiety, wherein the average chain length of the aliphatic moieties in the mixture is in the range from greater than 5 to 7, and the average degree of branching of the aliphatic C9 moieties is in the range from 0.9 to 2.2. The present invention also relates to the use of the citric ester mixture as a plasticizer in plastics compositions.
US08431617B2

The use of resveratrol is described fir the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of influenza. Said medicament exerts itself in therapeutic activity through inhibition of viral replication.
US08431615B2

The present invention relates to antiviral therapies and compositions for treating or preventing Hepatitis C infections in patients and relates to other methods disclosed herein. The invention also relates to kits and pharmaceutical packs comprising compositions and dosage forms. The invention also relates to processes for preparing these compositions, dosages, kits, and packs.
US08431613B2

A medicament for promoting memory consolidation, which comprises, as an active ingredient, a non-natural retinoid, preferably a retinoid having a basic skeleton comprising an aromatic ring bound with an aromatic carboxylic acid or tropolone by means of a bridging group, more preferably 4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carbamoyl]benzoic acid or 4-[(3,5-bis-trimethylsilylphenyl)-carboxamido]benzoic acid.
US08431612B2

The present disclosure provides analogs and derivatives of phorbol compounds for the treatment of viral infections, neoplastic diseases, inflammatory reactions, and use as analgesics.
US08431605B2

The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including CF Transmembrane Regulator (“CFTR”), compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators.
US08431604B2

The present invention relates to guanidine compounds of the general formula I corresponding enantiomeric, diastereomeric and/or tautomeric forms thereof as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present compound further relates to the use of guanidine compounds as binding partners for 5-HT5 receptors for the treatment of diseases which are modulated by a 5-HT5 receptor activity, in particular for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders as well as the associated signs, symptoms and dysfunctions.
US08431601B2

This invention relates to topical compositions, such as creams and lotions, that comprise or consist essentially of Telmesteine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as the active ingredient, and methods for their use in treating a variety of dermatological diseases and disorders, including atopic, dermatitis (eczema), allergic contact dermatitis. seborrheic dermatitis, radiation dermatitis, psoriasis, xerosis and atopy.
US08431593B2

Heteroaryl amide derivatives are provided, of the Formula: wherein variables are as described herein. Such compounds are ligands that may be used to modulate specific receptor activity in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of conditions associated with pathological receptor activation in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using such compounds to treat such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for receptor localization studies.
US08431588B2

Compounds of formula I: wherein: R2 is hydrogen or C1-C4alkyl; R3 and R4 are hydrogen, —C(═O)R5, or —C(═O)CHR6—NH2; or R3 is hydrogen and R4 is a monophosphate-, diphosphate-, or triphosphate ester; or R3 is hydrogen, —C(═O)CHR5, or —C(═O)CHR6—NH2 and R4 is each R5 is hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, or C3-C7cycloalkyl; R6 is hydrogen or C1-C6alkyl; R7 is optionally substituted phenyl; naphthyl; or indolyl; R8 and R8′ are hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, benzyl; or R8 and R8′ combined form C3-C7cycloalkyl; R9 is C1-C6alkyl, benzyl, or optionally substituted phenyl; provided that R2, R3 and R4 are not all hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; pharmaceutical formulations with the compounds I; the use of compounds I, including the compounds of formula I wherein R2, R3 and R4 are all hydrogen, as HCV inhibitors.
US08431585B2

The present invention relates to the use of specific EGF-receptor antagonists for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and/or treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and/or prostatic hypertrophy, a method for the treatment or prevention of benign prostatic hyperplasia/prostatic hypertrophy comprising administering an EGF-receptor antagonist of groups (A), (B) or (C), described herein optionally in combination with known compounds for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia/prostatic hypertrophy, as well as associated pharmaceutical compositions.
US08431581B2

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative, salt or prodrug thereof. The present invention further provides a method of treatment or prophylaxis of a viral infection in a subject comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative, salt or prodrug thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula (I) are also provided.
US08431579B2

Provided are compounds represented by the formula: where the structural variables are as defined herein. The compounds function as sodium channel blockers and my be used for promoting hydration of mucosal surfaces.
US08431567B2

The present invention relates to novel oxindole derivatives of general formula (I), in which the substituents R1, R2, A, B and Y are as defined in claim 1, medicinal products containing them and use thereof for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of vasopressin-dependent and/or oxytocin-dependent diseases.
US08431563B2

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that interact with glucokinase regulatory protein. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of treating type 2 diabetes, and other diseases and/or conditions where glucokinase regulatory protein is involved using the compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08431559B2

16α,17α-Epoxy-10β-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one is useful in the treatment of hot flashes by vomeronasal administration.
US08431555B2

The present invention relates to formulations of poorly water soluble pharmaceutical agents of Formula I and II. The present invention also relates to compositions containing compounds of Formula I or II, and glucocorticoids, and methods for reducing side effects from glucocorticoid treatment by co-administration of compounds of Formula I and II. The compositions herein are useful for the treatment of diabetes and obesity related diseases including metabolic syndrome.
US08431551B2

Nutritional compositions, formulations, and intermediates are provided which may be utilized to formulate various sweeteners and other products. The formulations described herein are made from constituents found in soils or fossilized soils.
US08431545B2

The present invention relates to a block copolymer containing an uncharged hydrophilic polymer chain block and a cationic polyamino acid chain block, wherein the hydrophilic polymer chain block is covalently bound to one end of the main chain of the polyamino acid chain block, and the hydrophobic group is covalently bound to the side chains of not less than 10% and not greater than 70% of amino acid repeating units in the polyamino acid chain block. This block copolymer forms a stable aggregate with siRNA, a small-molecule nucleic acid, under a physiological condition.
US08431542B2

The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods and compositions for modulating gene expression in myocytes. Also provided are cells comprising the compositions of the presently disclosed subject matter.
US08431540B2

Lysine mimetic compounds having useful pharmacological activity such as antiarrhythmic activity and desirable bioavailability properties are disclosed.
US08431529B2

The present disclosure provides compound having the general structure A or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: Het-L-P  (A) wherein Het is an aromatic moiety comprising a heterocyclic structure mimicking ATP, P is a docking site derived peptide or a docking site peptide mimetic, and L is a linking moiety, wherein L links the ATP mimetic to the docking site peptide moiety. The compounds having the general structure A can serve as inhibitors of kinases, such as the kinases JNK, Erk and p38.
US08431510B2

A hydrocarbon oil-impregnated composition that comprises a support material having incorporated therein a metal component and impregnated with a hydrocarbon oil. The hydrocarbon oil-impregnated composition is useful in the hydrotreating of hydrocarbon feedstocks, and it is especially useful in applications involving delayed feed introduction whereby the hydrocarbon oil-impregnated composition is first treated with hot hydrogen, and, optionally, a sulfur compound, prior to contacting it with a hydrocarbon feedstock under hydrodesulfurization process conditions.
US08431507B2

A process for regenerating a fixed bed of Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles, of which at least 40 wt % of the catalyst particles have a size of at least 1 mm, in situ in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor tube. The process comprises the steps of: (i) optionally oxidizing the catalyst at a temperature between 200 and 400° C.; (ii) oxidizing the catalyst at a temperature above 580° C. and below 670° C.; and (iii) reducing the catalyst with hydrogen or a hydrogen comprising gas. This process may be preceded by a step in which Fischer-Tropsch product is removed from the catalyst.
US08431503B2

The present invention provides an alkali-free glass having a high strain point, a low viscosity and low devitrification, which is easily subjected to float molding and fusion molding. The glass herein has a strain point of 725° C. or higher, an average thermal expansion coefficient at 50 to 300° C. of 30×10−7 to 40×10−7/° C., a temperature T2 at which a glass viscosity becomes 102 dPa·s of 1,710° C. or lower, a temperature T4 at which a glass viscosity becomes 104 dPa·s of 1,330° C. or lower, a glass surface devitrification temperature (Tc) of 1,330° C. or lower, and a glass internal devitrification temperature (Td) of 1,330° C. or lower.
US08431501B2

The space glasses have a composition, in wt. % based on oxide content, including SiO2, 12-45; B2O3, 0-4; Al2O3, 0-4; TiO2, 0-5; PbO, 50-82; Na2O, 0-4; K2O, 0-8; and at least 0.1 wt. % of a total amount of at least three doping agents selected from CeO2, MoO3, Bi2O3, WO3, Ag2O, SnO2, Sb2O3 and As2O3. Light-weight and space-saving optical systems for outer space applications can be made with these space glasses, which have high UV- and VIS-transmittance and high transmittance stability, because of their high radiation resistance based on their dopant content. A preferred process for making the space glass includes melting the above-stated oxide ingredients in a quartz crucible at 1050° C. to 1200° C. to form a melt and refining the melt at 1230° C. to 1350° C.
US08431498B2

The invention provides a crystallizable glass, a crystallized glass, and manufacturing methods thereof. The crystallizable glass can be crystallized in a short period of time, and can maintain its glass shape and its surface condition during a crystallization process. The crystallized glass has good mechanical strength, an adequate thermal expansion coefficient that allows the crystallized glass to be used as a construction material, less content of alkali-metal oxides, and good chemical durability. The MgO—Al2O3—SiO2-based crystallizable glass and crystallized glass contain, by mass percent, 55.0-65.0% SiO2, 8.0-14.0% Al2O3, 10.0-20.0% MgO, 1.5-6.0% CaO, 1.0-2.2% Li2O, 0.7-3.0% Na2O, 2.5-4.0% K2O, and 1.5-3.0% F.
US08431484B2

A method and apparatus for plating facilitates the plating of a small contact feature of a wafer die while providing a relatively stable plating bath. The method utilizes a supplemental plating structure that is larger than a die contact that is to be plated. The supplemental plating structure may be located on the wafer, and is conductively connected to the die contact. Conductive connection between the die contact and the supplemental plating structure facilitates the plating of the die contact. The supplemental plating structure also can be used to probe test the die prior to singulation.
US08431477B2

A method for joining aligned discrete optical elements by which the optical elements can be joined in the aligned state. A thermal connection having long-term stability can be produced at little expense and with high positioning accuracy. Surface regions to be joined can be provided with at least one thin metallic layer by the method for joining aligned discrete optical elements. The surface regions are subsequently wetted using a liquid solder free of flux in a contactless dosed manner. The solder is applied to the surface regions to be joined via a nozzle using a pressurized gas stream.
US08431470B2

An integrated structure combines field effect transistors and a Schottky diode. Trenches formed into a substrate composition extend along a depth of the substrate composition forming mesas therebetween. Each trench is filled with conductive material separated from the trench walls by dielectric material forming a gate region. Two first conductivity type body regions inside each mesa form wells partly into the depth of the substrate composition. An exposed portion of the substrate composition separates the body regions. Second conductivity type source regions inside each body region are adjacent to and on opposite sides of each well. Schottky barrier metal inside each well forms Schottky junctions at interfaces with exposed vertical sidewalls of the exposed portion of the substrate composition separating the body regions.
US08431457B2

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of trenches using a first mask. The trenches include source pickup trenches located in outside a termination area and between two adjacent active areas. First and second conductive regions separated by an intermediate dielectric region are formed using a second mask. A first electrical contact to the first conductive region and a second electrical contact to the second conductive region are formed using a third mask and forming a source metal region. Contacts to a gate metal region are formed using a fourth mask. A semiconductor device includes a source pickup contact located outside a termination region and outside an active region of the device.
US08431443B2

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to metallic solderability preservation coating on connectors of semiconductor package to prevent oxide. Singulated semiconductor packages can have contaminants, such as oxides, on exposed metal areas of the connectors. Oxidation typically occurs on the exposed metal areas when the semiconductor packages are not stored in appropriate environments. Copper oxides prevent the connectors from soldering well. An anti-tarnish solution of the present invention is used to coat the connectors during sawing, after sawing, or both of a semiconductor array to preserve metallic solderability. The anti-tarnish solution is a metallic solution, which advantageously allows the semiconductor packages to not need be assembled immediately after fabrication.
US08431442B2

A method of manufacturing semiconductor chips includes providing a semiconductor substrate including circuit regions, irradiating the semiconductor substrate with a laser beam onto to form a frangible layer, and polishing the semiconductor substrate to separate the circuit regions of the semiconductor substrate from one another into semiconductor chips. The frangible layer may be removed completely during the polishing of the semiconductor substrate.
US08431434B2

Methods for producing p-doped organic semiconductor material with a fullerene derivative having at least one electron-withdrawing substituent covalently attached thereto, and semiconductor compositions prepared thereby are provided. Also provided are electronic devices, such as transistors, solar-cells, illuminating devices, OLEDs and detectors, comprised of these p-doped organic semiconductor materials.
US08431430B2

A method is provided for fabricating a thin film semiconductor device. The method includes providing a plurality of raw semiconductor materials. The raw semiconductor materials undergo a pre-reacting process to form a homogeneous compound semiconductor target material. The compound semiconductor target material is deposited onto a substrate to form a thin film having a composition substantially the same as a composition of the compound semiconductor target material.
US08431428B2

An optical device wafer processing method including a laser processed groove forming step of applying a laser beam for performing ablation to the front side or back side of a substrate of an optical device wafer along streets, thereby forming a laser processed groove as a break start point on the front side or back side of the substrate along each street, and a wafer dividing step of applying an external force to the optical device wafer after performing the laser processed groove forming step to thereby break the wafer along each laser processed groove, thereby dividing the wafer into individual optical devices. In performing the laser processed groove forming step, an etching gas atmosphere for etching a modified substance produced by applying the laser beam to the substrate is generated, whereby an etching gas in the etching gas atmosphere is converted into a plasma by the application of the laser beam to thereby etch away the modified substance.
US08431427B2

A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module including a laminating step.
US08431426B1

A coating method for liquid crystal alignment film of TFT-LCD including: forming a layer of hydrophobic film on a TFT/CF substrate corresponding to a non-display area, the hydrophobic film separates the TFT/CF substrate into a plurality of rectangular opened areas which are separated from each other, each of the rectangular opened areas corresponds to a display area and its outer frame is formed by the hydrophobic film; and coating of a liquid of a material of an alignment film along a boundary of the rectangular opened area. Accordingly, edge waves caused by spreading of drips of the material of the alignment film can be reduced, so that a precision of printing of the alignment film can be controlled effectively.
US08431422B2

A method for producing a multiplicity of optoelectronic components includes providing a semiconductor body carrier including on a first main area a multiplicity of semiconductor bodies, each provided with a contact structure and having an active layer that generates electromagnetic radiation, in a semiconductor layer sequence, and forming a planar filling structure on the first main area such that the planar filling structure at least partly covers regions of the contact structure and the semiconductor body carrier without covering the semiconductor body.
US08431421B2

A semiconductor chip including a test pattern is provided. The semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate; a through-wafer via in the semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of conductive patterns over the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to each other. The bottom surfaces of the plurality of conductive patterns and a top surface of the through-wafer via are substantially coplanar. The through-wafer via is at least adjacent to the plurality of conductive patterns. The semiconductor chip further includes a plurality of bonding pads on a surface of the semiconductor chip, each being connected to one of the plurality of conductive patterns.
US08431418B2

A method of manufacturing a magnetic tunnel junction device includes a barrier layer forming step of forming a tunnel barrier layer. The barrier layer forming step comprises a step of depositing a first metal layer, an oxygen surfactant layer forming step of forming an oxygen surfactant layer on the first metal layer, a step of deposing a second metal layer above the first oxygen surfactant layer, and an oxidation step of oxidizing the first metal layer and the second metal layer to form a metal oxide layer.
US08431411B2

Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a vitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally comprise ionizing a vitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more vitamin D metabolites in a single assay.
US08431408B2

A handheld diabetes management device for providing enhanced illumination includes a housing with an access port and a light aperture. The housing further includes a coupling member on an inner surface thereof. Furthermore, the device includes a measurement engine housed within the housing and communicating with the access port for analyzing body fluid disposed on a dosing area of a diabetes test element. Also, the device includes a circuit board communicating with the measurement engine. The device further includes a light source mounted to the circuit board and a light pipe coupled to the housing via the coupling member. The light pipe is disposed adjacent the light source to receive light from the light source travelling in a first direction. The light pipe redirects the light along a second direction to be emitted out of the housing through the light aperture toward the dosing area of the diabetes test element.
US08431398B2

Modulators of TRIM-NHL proteins and their use for modulating the proliferation and differentiation potential of stem cells and progenitor cells. Inhibitors of TRIM-NHL proteins, e.g. TRIM32, are useful for stem cell maintenance in vitro and in vivo. Assay methods for identifying TRIM-NHL protein modulators make use of the E3 ligase activity of TRIM32 or its interaction with Argonaute-1.
US08431392B2

Regulatory elements for controlling expression of transgenes in angiogenic tissue are provided. One embodiment provides an isolated nucleic acid having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1, or a fragment thereof that causes expression of a transgene in angiogenic tissue. Vectors containing SEQ ID NO:1 and one or more transgenes are also provided. A preferred vector is an adenovirus vector. The transgene can encode a cytotoxin, pro-apoptotic polypeptide, or a therapeutic polypeptide. SEQ ID NO:1 regulates the expression of the transgene such that the transgene is only expressed in angiogenic tissue including, but not limited to arteries feeding ischemic tissues. Methods of using vectors containing SEQ ID NO:1 are also provided.
US08431383B2

High yield antibiotics producing fungus strain, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The fungus strain is a mutant derived from Glarea lozoyensis, and deposited in CGMCC with the accession number of CGMCC 2933. The preparation method concludes following steps: (a) mixing the culture media of Glarea lozoyensis strain ATCC 20957 with nitrosoguanidine, and obtaining mixture a; (b) mixing lywallzyme with the mixture a, and obtaining protoplasts; (c) regenerating the protoplasts, and obtaining single clones; and (d) culturing the single clones, then obtaining the mutant strain. This fungus strain has stable genetic and producing property, produces little impurities in fermentation, and is suitable to be used in industry.
US08431381B2

The present invention provides novel genes for ATP:citrate lyase.A nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 9 or 10 or a fragment thereof.
US08431380B2

The invention relates to the discovery of novel soluble neutral active Hyaluronidase Glycoproteins (sHASEGP's), methods of manufacture, and their use to facilitate administration of other molecules or to alleviate glycosaminoglycan associated pathologies. Minimally active polypeptide domains of the soluble, neutral active sHASEGP domains are described that include asparagine-linked sugar moieties required for a functional neutral active hyaluronidase domain. Included are modified amino-terminal leader peptides that enhance secretion of sHASEGP. The invention further comprises sialated and pegylated forms of a recombinant sHASEGP to enhance stability and serum pharmacokinetics over naturally occurring slaughterhouse enzymes. Further described are suitable formulations of a substantially purified recombinant sHASEGP glycoprotein derived from a eukaryotic cell that generate the proper glycosylation required for its optimal activity.
US08431377B2

Methods of producing C4 dicarboxylic acids are disclosed. Nucleotide sequences encoding pyruvate carboxylase and uses of such nucleotide sequences in the production of C4 dicarboxylic acids are further disclosed.
US08431376B2

Reconstituted bacterial replication assemblies and methods for their use are provided.
US08431374B2

Methods for producing a biofuel are provided. Also provided are biocatalysts that convert a feedstock to a biofuel.
US08431373B2

Disclosed are recombinant microorganisms for producing organic acids. The recombinant microorganisms express a polypeptide that has the enzymatic activity of an enzyme that is utilized in the pentose phosphate cycle. The recombinant microorganism may include recombinant Actinobacillus succinogenes that has been transformed to express a Zwischenferment (Zwf) gene. The recombinant microorganisms may be useful in fermentation processes for producing organic acids such as succinic acid and lactic acid. Also disclosed are novel plasmids that are useful for transforming microorganisms to produce recombinant microorganisms that express enzymes such as Zwf.
US08431372B2

This invention is directed to methods of obtaining a high quantity of desired acid salt in a form that is relatively easy to recover. Particularly desired as a recovery product is an organic acid. A salt form of the desired organic acid is formed that is relatively high in concentration and that is relatively soluble in an aqueous medium. The method includes a step of fermenting a fermentable carbon source in the fermentation medium in the presence of a magnesium compound containing oxygen.
US08431364B2

Provided are a folyl extract of fermented soybean (EFS) produced by fermenting a culture including a folic acid and soybean extract by using a microorganism, and a composition including the folyl EFS. The folyl EFS has an anti-histamine effect, an anti-allergic effect, a calcium-absorption-promotion effect, a bone-growth-promotion effect, a cell growth promotion effect, a collagen biosynthesis promotion effect, a wrinkle improvement effect, and an UV-induced cell damage inhibition effect. Accordingly, the folyl EFS can be used in a skin external application or cosmetic composition, a health supplement food composition, a feed composition, and a pharmaceutical composition.
US08431363B2

The invention relates to mammalian PAI-I ligands and modulators. In particular, the invention relates to polypeptides, polypeptide compositions and polynucleotides that encode polypeptides that are ligands and/or modulators of PAI-I. The invention also relates to polyligands that are homopolyligands or heteropolyligands that modulate PAI-I activity. The invention also relates to ligands and polyligands localized to a region of a cell. The invention also relates to localization tethers and promoter sequences that can be used to provide spatial control of the PAI-I ligands and polyligands. The invention also relates to inducible gene switches that can be used to provide temporal control of the PAI-I ligands and polyligands. The invention also relates to methods of treating or preventing atherosclerosis. The invention also relates to methods of treating or preventing fibrosis.
US08431362B2

The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08431359B2

This invention features novel proteins that are homologous to the first Kunitz domain (K1) of lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor (LACI), and are capable of inhibiting plasmin and nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The invention also features the use of such proteins in therapeutic, diagnostic, and clinical methods.
US08431350B2

The present invention relates to compositions containing a novel protein and methods of using those compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of immune related diseases involving detection of the PRO52254 polypeptide.
US08431347B2

The invention is directed to a method for isothermal DNA amplification comprising providing to the DNA to be amplified an amplification mix comprising a first primer at least partially complementary to a region of DNA and containing a non-regular base, a second primer at least partially complementary to a region of DNA and containing a non- regular base, a DNA polymerase, an enzyme capable of strand displacement, an enzyme that recognises a non-regular base in double-stranded DNA and causes a nick or excises a base in one DNA strand at or near the non-regular base; and amplifying the DNA substantially without thermal cycling.
US08431339B2

The present invention relates to a method for purifying analyte molecules and in particular to a component of this type in which a separation section is used for separating analyte molecules and other constituents of a sample, and in which provision is made of at least one sample chamber for receiving a sample containing the analyte molecules and at least one collecting chamber for receiving the purified analyte molecules. According to the invention, the microfluidic component has at least one integrated receptor device for detecting the presence and/or the concentration of the purified analyte molecules. In accordance with one advantageous development of the present invention, the separation section is formed by an electrophoretic gel filtration section.
US08431330B2

A surface-treating agent for forming a resist pattern, includes: a compound represented by formula (1) as defined in the specification, wherein the surface-treating agent is used in a step between a formation of a first resist pattern on a first resist film and a formation of a second resist film on the first resist pattern to form a second resist pattern, and a pattern-forming method uses the surface-treating agent.
US08431329B2

Self-aligned spacer multiple patterning method are provided. The methods involve alkaline treatment of photoresist patterns and allow for the formation of high density resist patterns. The methods find particular applicability in semiconductor device manufacture.
US08431324B2

A radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a resin, a radiation-sensitive acid generator, an acid diffusion controller, and a mixed solvent. The radiation-sensitive acid generator includes a compound (I) shown by a following general formula (I). The mixed solvent includes about 50 mass % to about 90 mass % of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, wherein M+ represents a sulfonium cation or an iodonium cation, R represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, Rf represents a fluorine atom or a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n represents an integer from 1 to 10, and m represents an integer from 1 to 4.
US08431323B2

A fluorinated monomer of cyclic acetal structure has formula (1) wherein R is a C1-C20 alkyl group which may be substituted with halogen or separated by oxygen or carbonyl, and Z is a divalent organic group which forms a ring with alkylenoxy and contains a polymerizable unsaturated group. A polymer derived from the fluorinated monomer may be endowed with appropriate water repellency, water sliding property, lipophilicity, acid lability and hydrolyzability and is useful in formulating a protective coating composition and a resist composition.
US08431318B2

The present disclosure provides processes for producing polyester toners by emulsion aggregation where the resulting toner particles have high pigment loadings and desired circularity. The methods include adding a metal, in embodiments a metal compound, at the beginning of coalescence, which speeds the coalescence process and produces toner particles having a desired size and circularity for use in electrophotographic imaging systems.
US08431309B2

Toner particles are provided which may, in embodiments, include a core and a shell formed in situ. The resins utilized to form the core, the shell, or both, may be contacted with a water soluble initiator. The resin, in embodiments present in the shell, cross-links at a temperature near the temperature for coalescence, and may prevent a crystalline resin in the core from migrating to the toner surface.
US08431307B2

The disclosure provides an electrographic toner having a core layer, which includes a binder, a colorant and two or more types of releasing agents, and a shell layer covering the core layer, and a method of preparing the same.
US08431306B2

Embodiments include a toner having a polyester resin derived from diacids and diesters, in combination with at least one diol, in embodiments a cycloaliphatic diol, an optional crystalline resin, an optional colorant, and an optional wax.
US08431303B2

Disclosed is a polyester resin comprising the polycondensation product of (a) at least one diacid, acid ester, or diester; and (b) at least one diol; wherein either (i) at least one diacid, acid ester, or diester comprises a rosin diacid, rosin acid ester, or rosin diester; or (ii) at least one diol comprises a rosin diol. Also disclosed is a toner composition comprising particles which comprise the disclosed polyester resin and an optional colorant.
US08431294B2

Provided is an electrostatic charge image developing toner capable of reproducing color exhibiting high lightness and chroma, and obtaining a wide color reproduction range. Disclosed is the toner possessing a toner particle containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, wherein the colorant possesses a yellowish color nonfluorescent dye exhibiting a peak wavelength of an absorption spectrum being in a wavelength range of 400-480 nm, and a fluorescent dye exhibiting a peak wavelength of an emission spectrum being in a wavelength range of 480-560 nm, wherein the nonfluorescent dye has a content of 2-8 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin, and the fluorescent dye has a content of 0.05-0.2 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the resin, provided that a content ratio of the nonfluorescent dye to the fluorescent dye is 15-150.
US08431290B2

A photomask blank is for use in manufacturing a photomask to be applied with exposure light having a wavelength of 200 nm or less. The photomask blank has a light-transmitting substrate and a light-shielding film formed thereon. The light-shielding film has a light-shielding layer containing a transition metal and silicon and a front-surface antireflection layer formed contiguously on the light-shielding layer and made of a material containing at least one of oxygen and nitrogen. The light-shielding film has a front-surface reflectance of a predetermined value or less for the exposure light and has a property capable of controlling the change width of the front-surface reflectance at the exposure wavelength to be within 2% when the thickness of the front-surface antireflection layer changes in the range of 2 nm. The material of the front-surface antireflection layer having a refractive index n and an extinction coefficient k capable of achieving such property is selected.
US08431287B2

In a solid electrolyte obtained by sintering a powder, high ionic conductivity and remarkably low moisture permeation applicable to a lithium ion secondary battery or a lithium primary battery are realized. A method for producing a solid electrolyte including the steps of preparing a green sheet containing a lithium ion conductive inorganic material powder; and firing the green sheet, wherein in the step of firing the green sheet, at least one surface of the green sheet is covered by a setter having a porosity of not more than 10% by volume, is disclosed.
US08431279B2

Novel mixed alkali metal borohydrides are disclosed which can be used as hydrogen storage materials.
US08431271B2

The invention provides a polyanion-based positive active material which can improve storage stability (especially, high temperature storage stability), charge and discharge cycle performance and the like of a lithium secondary battery, and a lithium secondary battery using the same. The positive active material for a lithium ion secondary battery contains lithium iron cobalt phosphate represented by the general formula: LiyFe(1-x)CoxPO4(0
US08431268B2

The invention relates to a battery, comprising at least one battery cell connecting element (20), which is conductively connected to (a) a connector (28) having a cuboid-like base shape for connecting the same to at least one pole flange on a base (32) of the connector (28), and (b) a welded bracket (30), which is conductively connected to the connector (28), (c) wherein in the installed position of the battery (10) the connector (28) is disposed substantially horizontally, and the welded bracket (30) is disposed substantially vertically, and (d) wherein the connector (28) has a top (34) positioned opposite the base (32) and (c) at least one longitudinal side (36) adjoining the base (32), the welded bracket (30) being connected to the connector (28) on said side. The invention provides that the welded bracket (30) is electrically connected to the connector (28) via at least one contact element (44.1, 44.2) laterally disposed on the welded bracket (30) and leading onto the surface of the connector (28).
US08431265B2

Provided is a battery which can reduce expansion caused by gas emission when stored at high temperature. A secondary battery (1) is constructed such that a flat wound electrode (20) as a power generating element is sandwiched between exterior members (30a, 30b), having adhesion layers (40a, 40b) interposed therebetween. The adhesion layers (40a, 40b) are, for example, two-sided adhesive tapes and have a structure such that adhesive layers are formed on both surfaces of a thin plate-shaped support layer. The support layer is preferably made of polypropylene or polyimide. The adhesion layers (40a, 40b) are composed of maleated polypropylene whose melting point is preferably in a range from 100° C. to 200° C., more preferably, in a range from 140° C. to 180° C.
US08431262B2

A safety valve of the invention including a cleavable groove is provided in a battery case of a sealed battery containing a power generating element inside. The cleavable groove is partly formed with a measuring groove having a width wider than other portions. Even if other portions of the cleavable groove have fairly small groove width, a groove width of the cleavable groove can be obtained and determined the quality by measuring a groove width of the measuring groove. Thereby, a safety valve and a manufacturing method thereof, a sealed battery and a manufacturing method thereof, a vehicle, and a battery mounting device are provided to achieve less variation of valve opening pressure and stable product quality, as well as reliably assure the good quality.
US08431258B2

A perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises a magnetic recording layer that records a signal, an underlayer formed of Ru or Ru compound below the magnetic recording layer, a non-magnetic layer formed of a non-magnetic material below the underlayer to control crystal orientation of the underlayer, a soft magnetic layer provided below the non-magnetic layer, and a substrate on which the magnetic recording layer, the underlayer, the non-magnetic layer, and the soft magnetic layer are formed. The non-magnetic layer comprises a first non-magnetic layer formed above the soft magnetic layer and a second non-magnetic layer formed above the first non-magnetic layer. The first non-magnetic layer is formed of amorphous Ni compound while the second non-magnetic layer is formed of crystalline Ni or crystalline Ni compound.
US08431253B2

A polymer-assisted deposition process for deposition of epitaxial cubic metal nitride films and the like is presented. The process includes solutions of one or more metal precursor and soluble polymers having binding properties for the one or more metal precursor. After a coating operation, the resultant coating is heated at high temperatures under a suitable atmosphere to yield metal nitride films and the like. Such films can be used as templates for the development of high quality cubic GaN based electronic devices.
US08431250B2

An aromatic amine derivative represented by the following formula (1) wherein at least one of Ar1 to Ar4 is a heterocyclic group represented by the following formula (2) wherein X1 is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.
US08431230B2

A cast product for use in high temperature atmosphere comprising a cast body of a heat-resistant alloy comprising of, in mass percent, 0.05 to 0.7% of C, over 0% to up to 2.5% of Si, over 0% to up to 3.0% of Mn, 15 to 50% of Cr, 18 to 70% of Ni, 2 to 4% of Al, 0.005 to 0.4% of rare-earth elements, and 0.5 to 10% of W and/or 0.1 to 5% of Mo, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, and a barrier layer formed at a surface of the cast body to be brought into contact with said high temperature atmosphere, said barrier layer comprising an Al2O3 layer having a thickness of 0.5 μm or more wherein at least 80 area % of the outermost surface thereof is Al2O3, and said cast product having Cr-based particles dispersed at an interface between the Al2O3 layer and the cast body at a higher Cr concentration than that of a matrix of the alloy.
US08431229B2

The invention relates to a coating formulation with improved metal adhesion.
US08431219B2

In view of the above state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical layered body which can prevent the agglomeration of silica particles and form the desired surface roughness on the surface.An optical layered body comprising a light-transmitting substrate and an antiglare layer having a surface roughness on its surface, wherein said antiglare layer is a resin layer containing an organic particle and a nonspherical silica, and a weight ratio of organic particle/nonspherical silica is from 1/10 to 60/10.
US08431218B2

A poly(lactic acid) resin composition is provided, comprising (a) a poly(lactic acid) resin, (b) at least one modifier selected from at least one metal/nonmetal alkoxide, at least one metal/nonmetal alkoxide having at least one functional group capable of reacting with the poly(lactic acid) resin, or a mixture thereof, (c) a first catalyst, and (d) optionally, a second catalyst. A process for preparing a transparent and impact-resistant article from the poly(lactic acid) resin composition of the invention, and articles prepared therefrom are also provided.
US08431217B2

The present teachings describe a core-shell particle dispersed in a layer of a fuser member, thereby improving thermal conductivity of the fuser member. The core-shell particle includes a graphene core surrounded by a shell layer. The shell layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polypentafluorostyrene, polystyrene and polydivinylbenzene. The core-shell particles can be dispersed in an intermediate layer or release layer of a fuser member.
US08431208B2

Multi-layered cellular metallic glass structures and methods of preparing the same are provided. In one embodiment, the cellular metallic glass structure includes at least one patterned metallic glass sheet and at least one additional sheet. The at least one patterned metallic glass sheet may include multiple sheets connected together to form a group of sheets, and the structure may include a group of sheets sandwiched between two outer sheets. The patterned metallic glass sheets may be patterned by thermoplastically forming two- and/or three-dimensional patterns in the metallic glass sheets. The metallic glass cellular structures are useful in a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to blast protection applications, energy absorption applications, structural support applications, biomedical implant applications, heat exchanger applications, thermal management applications, electrical shielding applications, magnetic shielding applications, and debris and radiation shielding for aerospace and outer space applications.
US08431205B2

A multi-ply label includes a first material ply (10), having at least a first and a second material section (110, 120), in which the first material section (110) of the first material ply (10) can be separated from the second material section (120) of the first material ply, and a second material ply (20), having at least a first and a second material section (210, 220), in which the first material section (210) of the second material ply can be separated from the second material section (220) of the second material ply. The first and second material plies (10, 20) are arranged above each other and with respect to each other such that the first material section (210) of the second material ply is separated from the second material section (220) of the second material ply when the first material section (110) of the first material ply (10) is separated from the second material section (120) of the first material ply and the first material section (210) of the second material ply (20) adheres to the first material section (110) of the first material ply (10).
US08431203B2

High temperature bags for use in high temperature processes. Suitable high temperature processes include cooking food products, such as whole muscle meats, and sterilization of medical instruments. The high temperature bags may be comprised of multilayer films comprising materials that can withstand high temperatures and also have other beneficial properties such as, for example, the ability to be readily heat sealed, durability, no adhesion to food products, and good/improved moisture and gas barrier properties. These high temperature bags can preferably withstand temperatures greater than the boiling point of water, i.e., 212° F., more preferably greater than 300° F. and more even more preferably greater than 350° F. Furthermore, the high temperature bags may be used to freeze and ship products and may be placed directly into a high temperature environment, such as an oven or microwave, in order to cook or sterilize a product contained within the bag.
US08431189B2

A composite structure and methods of making and using are provided. The composite structure includes at least one nanofiber having silicon-based material and at least one carbon nanotube associated with the nanofiber. The silicon-based material includes one or more of silicon carbide, silicon oxycarbide, silicon nitride and silicon oxide.
US08431188B2

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for imparting abrasion wear resistant color to “gemstones” by providing an integrated coating consisting of the color imparting agent and the abrasion wear resistant agent. The color imparting agent may provide the perception of color via interference phenomena or via bulk absorption phenomena. Abrasion wear resistance may be provided by integrating any of the materials such as DLC (diamond-like carbon), CVD diamond (CVDD), alumina, polymer-based materials, nitrides and carbonitrides. Abrasion wear resistant properties of DLC or CVDD may be further improved, in addition to improvement of other mechanical properties and inducing hydrophobicity, by incorporating certain elements into the deposited film.
US08431187B2

Disclosed herein is a method of producing a filter medium for treating medium and high temperature exhaust gas using foam coating and a filter medium produced using the method. The filter medium has excellent heat resistance and heat contraction resistance, and exhibits partial dust collection efficiency of 99% or more by weight, total dust collection efficiency of 99.999% or more by weight, and high dust removal efficiency, for all dust particle sizes. Further, the filter media can be efficiently used to treat medium and high temperature exhaust gas because pores having an average pore size of 30 μm or less are uniformly distributed on the surface of the filter media.
US08431186B2

To equip a diesel particle filter with a zeolite-containing coating uniformly over the entire length of the particle filter and with a further zeolite-free coating which is applied, from the entry side of the filter, solely up to a specific length of the filter, it is proposed, first, to apply the zeolite-free coating from the entry side of the filter and only thereafter to apply the zeolite-containing coating over the entire length of the filter from the exit side of the filter. As a result of this sequence of coatings, a better adhesive strength of the coatings than when both coatings are applied from the entry side is ensured.
US08431174B2

Shown is a method of selectively separating milk fat globule membrane fragments and milk fat globules from whey. The method includes the steps of adding to whey an amount of a whey-soluble zinc salt and adjusting the pH of the whey to be less than 6.0. The amount of zinc salt added to the whey is sufficient to cause milk fat globule membrane fragments and milk fat globules contained in the whey to precipitate selectively from the whey.
US08431172B2

A method for the continuous production of cookies having a high content of large inclusions, such as chocolate chips, nuts, and fruit pieces includes extruding a cookie dough containing the inclusions through a die orifice to obtain an extrudate dough rope, and cutting the extrudate dough rope with an ultrasonic cutting blade. The ultrasonic cutting severs the extrudate dough rope into dough pieces which fall onto a moving conveyer into a substantially uniform or regular array for uniform baking. The ultrasonic cutter is controlled to provide a roughened top surface on a dough piece to provide a home baked appearance upon baking, while cutting through the inclusions without substantial displacement of the inclusions which would cause pock marks on the surface of the dough piece, and without substantial dough piece weight variation.
US08431168B2

Provided is an anti-norovirus agent that has high norovirus-inactivating activity and is safe for the human body, and an anti-norovirus composition that contains the anti-norovirus agent and is useful for disinfection and infection control against the norovirus. The anti-norovirus agent includes, as an active ingredient, an extract from a plant of the genus Diospyros containing tannin (hereinafter referred to as a “persimmon extract”), preferably a persimmon extract produced by heating squeezed juice or an extract from the fruit of a plant of the genus Diospyros or treating the squeezed juice or the extract with an alcohol. The anti-norovirus composition contains the anti-norovirus agent and at least one selected from the group consisting of alcohols, surfactants, antimicrobial agents, humectants, and cosmetic fats and oils, and preferably further containing an organic acid, such as citric acid, and/or a salt thereof or vitamin C.
US08431161B2

A microparticle includes an agglomerate of a hydrophilic active substance containing particle, which particle includes an amphiphilic polymer composed of a hydrophobic segment of poly(hydroxy acid) and a hydrophilic segment of polysaccharides or polyethylene glycol, and a hydrophilic active substance. It is characterized by an efficient inclusion of the hydrophilic active substance, and a release of the hydrophilic active substance at an appropriate speed in the human body, and is hence very useful as a DDS pharmaceutical preparation.
US08431153B2

The present invention is about a bioactive composition for the treatment of HIV, particularly by the removal of the most prominent HIV antigen glycoproteins. The present invention further relates to the method for making and using such composition.
US08431149B2

The invention relates generally to an implantable medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent to the body tissue of a patient, and a method for making such a medical device. In particular, the invention pertains to an implantable stent, such as an intravascular stent, having a coating comprising an inorganic or ceramic oxide, metal or inert carbon and a plurality of reservoirs in such material that contain a therapeutic agent.
US08431146B2

A device for inhibiting adhesion of apposing human body tissue layers includes a scaffold having a designated mean pore size, relative density, and degradation half-life. The scaffold may be operably positioned between apposing tissue layers, such as proximate adhesiogenic layers at a wound site, so as to permit remesothelialization of the tissue without formation of fibrous adhesions. The scaffold device of the invention inhibits adhesion formation by promoting contractile cell migration away from the wound site for a predetermined period of time. The invention further relates to device and methods for promoting internal tissue regeneration, and for provision and/or dispensation of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents in vivo.
US08431144B2

The invention provides materials, compositions, methods, and kits for deterring or repelling animals from eating plant materials. The invention relates to the use of particulate matter to deter animals from eating plant materials that are susceptible to grazing by animals. In exemplary embodiments, an adhesive is applied to target plant material and the particulate matter is then applied prior to curing or drying of the adhesive.
US08431143B2

A titanium dioxide composite is provided that can be stably dispersed in an aqueous solvent and easily administered into a living body, such as human, and allows elimination of the drug efficacy of a pharmaceutical compound supported thereon by light irradiation and a dispersion thereof. A composite is used in which a pharmaceutical compound is bound to titanium dioxide having photocatalytic activity through a hydrophilic polymer. The composite is stable in an aqueous solvent and easily administered into a living body, and adverse drug reactions of the pharmaceutical compound can be reduced by administering the composite into the body and irradiating the composite with a light to photoexcite the titanium dioxide to decompose the pharmaceutical compound in a region where the drug efficacy of the pharmaceutical composition is not required.
US08431142B2

Topical sanitizer includes avenanthramides, which is an active component of oats that is beneficial to the skin. The topical sanitizer is used preferably in conjunction with gloves that have an inner coating that includes avenanthramides. By using topical sanitizer that includes avenanthramides before and after wearing gloves, the skin of the person wearing the glove is more exposed to the beneficial avenanthramides all during the workday, not just when wearing gloves. The result is healthier, much softer and more comfortable skin on the hands.
US08431141B2

A composition comprising an alloplastic injectable suspension for use as a dermal filler comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent is provided. A method of making a composition comprising an alloplastic injectable suspension for use as a dermal filler comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent, said method comprising admixing a biocompatible and pliable material with a physiologically acceptable suspending agent, is also provided. A method of augmenting soft tissue to provide long-term reduction of a skin defect, said method comprising stimulating collagen beneath the skin defect is further provided. In an embodiment of the method of augmenting soft tissue, the stimulation of collagen production is effected by injecting into the deep reticular dermis and a dermal filler, said dermal filler being an alloplastic injectable suspension and comprising a biocompatible and pliable material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent.
US08431138B2

The present invention provides a method of inducing an immune response against Campylobacter in an avian species, especially a domesticated avian species such as chicken, turkey, duck, goose and quail, by administering, in ovo, live cells of Campylobacter.
US08431125B2

The invention provides antibodies that bind to a plurality of β-chemokines, particularly monocyte chemotactic proteins MCP-1, MCP-2 and MCP-3. The invention also provides cells producing the antibodies, and methods of making and using the same.
US08431124B2

Provided are soluble neutral active Hyaluronidase Glycoproteins (sHASEGP's), methods of manufacture, and their use to facilitate administration of other molecules or to alleviate glycosaminoglycan associated pathologies. Minimally active polypeptide domains of the soluble, neutral active sHASEGP domains are described that include asparagine-linked sugar moieties required for a functional neutral active hyaluronidase domain. Included are modified amino-terminal leader peptides that enhance secretion of sHASEGP. Sialated and pegylated forms of the sHASEGPs also are provided. Methods of treatment by administering sHASEGPs and modified forms thereof also are provided.
US08431123B2

The invention is directed to a treatment of diseases that are accompanied by quantitative and/or qualitative changes of blood extracellular DNA and, more particularly, to a treatment of systemic bacterial, fungal and protozoan infections. The inventive method comprises introducing a treatment agent into a circulating blood system of a patient diagnosed with systemic infection caused by bacteria, fungi or protozoa, wherein said treatment agent destroys extracellular DNA in said blood of said patient and wherein said treatment agent used to destroy said extracellular DNA is a DNase enzyme: said agent being administered in doses and regimens which are sufficient to decrease the average molecular weight of circulating extracellular blood DNA in the blood of said patient; such decrease in the average molecular weight can be measured by gel electrophoresis of extracellular blood DNA fraction from the blood of said patient. A DNase enzyme may be applied in a dose and regimen that provide a DNase DNA hydrolytic activity measured in blood plasma that exceeds 1.5 Kunitz units per 1 ml of blood plasma for more than 12 hours within a period of 24 hours.
US08431120B2

An embodiment of the present invention is a Trichoderma atroviride SC1, CBS no 122089, as a biocontrol agent, i.e. to treat fungal diseases of plants. The second embodiment of the present invention is an agricultural composition comprising the Trichoderma atroviride SC1 as the active principle in an effective amount. The compositions of the present invention may further comprise a second biocontrol agent and/or an additive, an emulsifier, a plant nutrient, a wetting-agent, a plant micro-nutrient or a substratum, wherein said substratum is selected from the group consisting of: a nutrient culture medium, a cereal or a derivative thereof, an amendant, a vegetable or a part thereof, peat, wood or a piece thereof, clay or barks.
US08431119B2

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions that act on the p53 protein or its gene and methods of use for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
US08431117B2

The present invention provides erythrocytes or nucleated erythrocyte precursors from animals or patients with at least one S hemoglobin allele which are capable of selectively localizing in tumor vasculature resulting in vaso-occlusion, hemolysis and heme release. A tumoricidal effect is achieved when these cells are administered in before during or after administration of (i) an agent(s) that interferes with degradation of reactive oxygen species, (ii) impairs glucose uptake and/or (iii) chemotherapy. These cells also carry oncolytic viruses, antitumor proteins, multidrug resistant proteins, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, superantigens, superantigen conjugates and fusion proteins, siRNAs, plasmids and non-protein toxins and attenuated tumoricidal bacterial cells specifically into the tumors and induce a tumoricidal effect.
US08431113B2

The present invention relates to conjugates of biologically active compounds, preferably therapeutically active compounds, with polymeric moieties having low polydispersity, as well as controlled polymerisation processes for producing the conjugates. An initiation for a controlled radical polymerisation process comprises a biologically active, usually therapeutically active, moiety and the monomer includes zwitterionic monomer for instance 2-methacryloyloxyethyl-2′-trimethylammonium ethyl phosphate inner salt. The process allows close control of the molecular weight and polydispersity of the polymeric moiety and the possibility of optimising the delivery characteristics of the active agent.
US08431111B2

The present invention relates to labelled cMet binding peptides suitable for optical imaging in vivo. The peptides are labelled with a benzopyrylium dye suitable for imaging in the red to near-infrared region. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and kits, as well as in vivo imaging methods, especially of use in the detection, staging, diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression or monitoring of treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC).
US08431107B2

A method for preparing ammonium heptamolybdate with the steps of: i) adding a molybdenum-containing organic phase to a liquid-liquid reextraction apparatus or to a desorption apparatus, and ii) directly cold-crystallization ammonium heptamolybdate by cooling the resulting reextraction or desorption solution.
US08431101B2

Disclosed is a method of treating an acid gas stream through a series of process steps to provide an ammonium sulfphate stream. The method involves passing the acid gas stream to an incinerator to oxidize the H2S to SO2 to yield an incinerator flue gas stream. The incinerator flue gas stream is passed to a sulphuric acid unit that produces H2SO4 from the SO2 of the incinerator flue gas stream and to yield an aqueous sulphuric acid stream and a sulphuric acid unit off-gas stream. At least part of the aqueous sulphuric acid stream is passed to an ammonia scrubber wherefrom an aqueous ammonium suphate stream is yielded.
US08431099B2

The invention provides a process for purification of an exhaust gas comprising nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matters from an internal combustion engine comprising the step of contacting the exhaust gas with one or more catalysts on one or more cross corrugated wire mesh sheets (5) being arranged between two or more gas impermeable cross corrugated sheets (4). The exhaust gas is contacted with one or more catalysts being coated in different zones on the one or more cross corrugated wire mesh sheets (5). Particulate matters in the exhaust gas are retained in a zone of the gas impermeable sheets (4), where the zone is porous and optionally coated with an oxidation catalyst. The exhaust gas from the combustion engine can be heated by the purified exhaust gas. The invention further comprises an apparatus for the purification process of an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine.
US08431097B2

A precipitator comprises a counter-current circulation between the reacting substances (8, 6, 7 →12) and a non-miscible and chemically inert organic confinement phase (10→9) to maintain the phase containing the reagent in an emulsion. The walls of the precipitator are hydrophobic to prevent the adhesion of the precipitate. The emulsion is maintained by a mobile stirrer body (2). The precipitate is removed continually by a scavenging flow rate device (16).
US08431095B2

A compact catalytic reactor defines a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately, for an endothermic reaction and for an exothermic reaction respectively, and each containing a removable fluid-permeable catalytic insert to catalyze the reaction. The flow channels have a straight portion extending from one end face of the reactor and a linking portion that communicates between the end of the straight portion and at least one side face of the reactor, wherein the straight portion and the linking portion are defined at least in part by fin structures. The fm structures of the linking portion may be perforated, so that there are perforations aligned with each straight portion, but at the end of the reactor each line of perforations is obstructed. Removal of the obstructions enables the catalytic inserts to be pushed out of the flow channels when they are spent.
US08431093B2

A pipetting aid device includes a support comprising a face, a plurality of light elements mounted in the support forming a two-dimensional array in the plane of the face, and first and second centering structures. The first and second centering structures are mounted to extend from the face of the support. The first centering structure includes a first and second pair of stop walls, wherein a pair of stop walls forms a corner. The second centering structure includes a third and fourth pair of stop walls. The first and third pairs of stop walls form corners of a first positioning zone of a first type of plate. The second and fourth pairs of stop walls form corners of a second positioning zone of a second type of plate. The first centering structure and the second centering structure are positioned outside both the first positioning zone and the second positioning zone.
US08431088B2

The present disclosure relates to a carbon dioxide detector having a borosilicate substrate. It may also have a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution disposed on the borosilicate substrate. The carbon dioxide detector may be part of a carbon dioxide detector system also including an air intake operably connected to the housing to allow air to reach the carbon dioxide detector. The carbon dioxide detector may include a borosilicate substrate and a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution disposed on the borosilicate substrate. This detector may be part of a further system, such as a resuscitation system. The detector may be made by wetting a borosilicate substrate with a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution and drying the indicator solution to immobilize it and form a dried carbon dioxide detector. It may be used to detect the concentration of carbon dioxide in an air sample by exposing the detector to the sample.
US08431084B2

A crystallizer for the evaporative production of phenol-BPA adduct crystals is provided that achieves more uniform crystal growth while suppressing undesired crystal nucleation. The crystallizer includes a cylindrical vessel; a draft tube concentrically disposed within the cylindrical vessel such that an annular space is defined between the vessel and tube; an impeller that circulates liquid in the vessel through the draft tube and the annular space, and a plurality of nozzles mounted around an inner wall of said cylindrical vessel that introduce an evaporative coolant into the vessel. Each of the nozzles includes a discharge end disposed between about 30% and 60% of a radial extent of the annular space, and is located below an upper end of the draft tube a distance of between about 50% to 150% of the diameter of the vessel. Such a nozzle arrangement provides a consistent and uniform concentration of coolant across the surface of the boiling zone that prevents or at least reduces unwanted crystal nucleation.
US08431080B2

A microscale polymer-based apparatus comprises a substrate formed from a first polymer material and at least one active region integrated with the substrate. The at least one active region is patterned from a second polymer material that is modified to perform at least one function within the at least one active region.
US08431077B2

This invention concerns a hydrogen peroxide sterilization device, with injection of hydrogen peroxide vapor, provided with a vaporizer that feeds a sterilization chamber, with a dose that varies in function of the control performed by a computer or control unit. The vaporizer works with a pressure inferior to the atmospheric one and is heated by an electrical resistance heater, or by micro-waves. All the vaporization process is made in vacuum, by heat or ultra-sounds. The filling of the sterilant agent is made drop-by-drop by a capillary tube which transforms the liquid into a pulverized gas. The computer controls the electrical valve following the dosing pump from the pressure and/or temperature information that comes from various pressure and/or temperature sensors, whereby the pressure inside the chamber is maintained during the sterilization process in a constant predefined value, appropriate to use simple cellulose-base paper or paper composed to the packaging of the devices. The invention also refers to the hydrogen peroxide sterilization process that uses the referred device. The present invention is also appropriate to sterilize cork stoppers and stomatology material in chambers of reduced size, or other suitable materials for sterilization in bigger chambers. Based on the invention it is possible to create the REGISTOMETER FOR EVALUATING BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS AND CHEMICAL INDICATORS for laboratory studies of biological death and color change of chemical indicators, with hydrogen peroxide as sterilization agent.
US08431076B2

The present invention relates to a sterilization and disinfection apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a sterilization and disinfection apparatus for surgical equipment.Thus preferred embodiments may have a number of advantages over the prior art which can include: reduced risk of spillage of the sterilization fluid outside the sterilization apparatus; reduced risk of contamination of the equipment after sterilization through inadvertent contact with the equipment by the user; economy of use of the sterilization fluid; improved convenience of transport and storage of sterilized equipment in the sterilization apparatus; automatic override procedure to reduce the risk of overexposure of the equipment to the sterilization fluid if the correct sterilization cycle is not followed; automatic control of contact time of the equipment with the sterilization fluid to avoid over processing and resultant damage; and data logging to provide traceability of the previous sterilization cycles used.
US08431074B2

An injection system (108) includes a sterilization port (130) operable to sterilize a tube set connector (116) inserted therein. The sterilization port (130) may include a single sterilization port opening (132) through which the tube set connector (116), in an unconnected state, may be inserted. The sterilization port (130) may include an ultraviolet light source (158) capable of irradiating the tube set connector (116) with ultraviolet radiation when the tube set connector (116) is disposed within the sterilization port (130). The sterilization port (130) may include a movable member or door (136) capable of closing around the inserted tube set connector (116) and/or a tubing (118) connected to the tube set connector (116) to reduce the amount of ultraviolet light that may escape from the sterilization port (130). A sensor (194) may be included to determine if the tube set connector (116) has been inserted into the sterilization port (130).
US08431069B2

Mold (1) for molding a container (2) obtained from a parison (3) of plastic material/ comprising: two half-molds (4); means (5) for moving said half-molds (4) between a closed position in which said half-molds (4) define a cavity (6) for housing the parison (3) or the molded container (2), and an open position in which said half-molds (4) are moved away from each other to enable the extraction of the molded container (2) from the cavity (6) or the insertion of another parison (3) in said cavity (6); two jaws (7) movable between a configuration' of engagement and a configuration of disengagement with the parison (3) or the container (2) located in said cavity (6), said half-molds (4) defining an inner portion (9) of the mold (1) that is complementarily shaped relative to an outer profile (10) of the jaws (7) in such a way that said jaws (7) are enclosed, at least partially, by said half-molds (4).
US08431056B2

A method for forming a plastic article is provided. An uninterrupted film with a hard-coating layer is provided and transported into a mold. A predetermined area of the film attaches to an inner surface of a cavity of a female mold of the mold. The predetermined area of the film is cut from the uninterrupted film during closing the mold.
US08431053B2

The present disclosure relates to a method for making a carbon nanotube structure. The method includes steps of providing a tubular carbon nanotube array; selecting a carbon nanotube segment having a predetermined width from the tubular carbon nanotube array using a drawing tool; and drawing the carbon nanotube segment along a radial direction of the tubular carbon nanotube array to achieve the carbon nanotube structure.
US08431048B2

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for aligning graphite nanofibers in a thermal interface material to enhance the thermal interface material performance. The method includes preparing the graphite nanofibers in a herringbone configuration, and dispersing the graphite nanofibers in the herringbone configuration into the thermal interface material. The method further includes applying a magnetic field of sufficient intensity to align the graphite nanofibers in the thermal interface material. The system includes the graphite nanofibers configured in a herringbone configuration and a means for dispersing the graphite nanofibers in the herringbone configuration into the thermal interface material. The system further includes a means for applying a magnetic field of sufficient intensity to align the graphite nanofibers in the thermal interface material.
US08431035B2

A plasma processing apparatus for processing a substrate by using a plasma includes a processing chamber for accommodating and processing the substrate therein, a lower electrode for mounting the substrate thereon in the processing chamber, an upper electrode disposed to face the lower electrode in the processing chamber, a radio frequency power supply for supplying a radio frequency power to at least one of the lower and the upper electrode, to thereby generate the plasma between the lower and the upper electrode, and an electrical characteristic control unit for adjusting an impedance of a circuit at the side of an electrode to the plasma for a frequency of at least one radio frequency wave present in the processing chamber such that the circuit does not resonate.
US08431029B2

Provided are a circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes: forming a pad portion and a lead line portion of a metal on an insulating substrate, wherein the lead line portion is connected to the pad portion; forming a conductive layer on the pad portion and the lead line portion, wherein the conductive layer has an upper surface comprising gold; forming an etching mask on the conductive layer so as to expose a portion corresponding to the lead line portion in the conductive layer; etching a portion of the lead line portion exposed by the etching mask and a portion of the conductive layer corresponding to the lead line portion using an etching solution containing an acid; and removing the etching mask.
US08431027B2

A dissolved air flotation system and method for purifying fresh water.
US08431005B1

This invention relates to the separation of lithium from lithium-containing materials, primarily ores such as hectoritic montmorillonite, having about 0.1 to 1.0 percent lithium by weight. The process comprises reducing the particle size of the material to less than about 150 microns; mixing the material with a solid source of sulfates and carbonates at predetermined ratios; granulating the mix with an aqueous solvent in order to obtain granules of 1-10 mm; reacting the granules at temperatures of 950-1100° C.; slurrying the reaction products with an aqueous solution; heating the resulting slurry at about 50° to 100° C. for from about 0.3 to 2 hr; separating the solids and evaporating the solution to separate potassium and sodium salts; separating the liquid portion of the cooled brine, which is treated with sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate with heating to remove interfering alkaline earth metals, cooling and separating the aqueous phase followed by treatment with sufficient alkali carbonate to precipitate the lithium carbonate with filtering of the hot slurry to remove the lithium as solid lithium carbonate.
US08430993B2

A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding a fluid reservoir and an air flow path that is disposed over top of the fluid reservoir. The housing has an inlet opening and a spaced apart outlet opening that both provide communication between the outside environment and the air flow path. A fan is positioned to draw the air out of the air flow path through the outlet opening. A baffle projects into the air flow path at a location between inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to constrict the area of the air flow path thereat. A plurality of spray nozzles are positioned within air flow path between the baffle and the first end of the housing. A pump is configured to draw fluid from the reservoir and deliver it to the plurality of spray nozzles.
US08430989B2

A composition that includes aldimines of Formula (I). The composition can be a two-component polyurethane composition. The composition can have a long open time, but build up an early strength quickly, and in the cured state can have high tensile strength and a high modulus of elasticity. The composition can be odorless or at least low-odor before, during and after curing.
US08430987B2

A method for applying markings to substrate surfaces by means of a transfer method, whereby a transfer layer located on a pre-printed release carrier film is transferred from the film onto the substrate surface, creating an adhesive image which has to be destroyed to be removed. The transfer layer comprises at least one RFD module comprising of an RFD chip and an antenna which is printed onto the release carrier film. Preferably, the RFD module is applied to a covering film sheet that can be removed from the release carrier film during transfer, and can be stuck to the substrate surface in an air-tight and water-tight manner after the transfer.
US08430980B2

A method of hard-facing a steel casting is described in which a hard-facing, which comprises a weld alloy matrix and a hard particulate substance, is attached to the casting by welding. In some embodiments the matrix can be of a similar composition to the casting, and in other embodiments the hard particulates can be rounded and/or substantially spherical, or of a substantially even size. A method is also described for hardening and tempering a steel casting after attaching the hard-facing to the casting by welding. After hard-facing the casting is hardened and tempered by heat treatment. In one embodiment the hard-faced casting is heat treated by heating to a temperature in excess of the austenitising temperature of the steel and then cooled by quenching in an aqueous solution, followed by tempering. In one embodiment the steel casting is tempered at a temperature in the range about 550° C. to about 700° C. prior to hard-facing the casting.
US08430976B2

A high-strength pearlitic steel rail with an excellent combination of wear properties and rolling contact fatigue resistance wherein the steel has 0.88% to 0.95% carbon, 0.75% to 0.92% silicon, 0.80% to 0.95% manganese, 0.05% to 0.14% vanadium, up to 0.008% nitrogen, up to 0.030% phosphorus, 0.008 to 0.030% sulphur, at most 2.5 ppm hydrogen, at most 0.10% chromium, at most 0.010% aluminium, at most 20 ppm oxygen, the remainder being iron and unavoidable impurities.
US08430972B2

A metal surface treatment composition including at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a zirconium compound and a titanium compound, and an organosiloxane, which is a polycondensate of organosilane and has in a molecule thereof of at least two amino groups, in which the Degree of polycondensation of the organosiloxane is at least 40%, the content of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the zirconium compound and the titanium compound is predetermined content, the content of the organosiloxane in the metal surface treatment composition is predetermined content, and the mass ratio of at least one element selected from the group consisting of the zirconium element and the titanium element contained in the zirconium compound and the titanium compound, respectively, to the silicon element contained in the organosiloxane is a predetermined ratio.
US08430970B2

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for preventing corrosion of a plasma-exposed yttria-coated constituent from ambient acidic hydrolysis wherein the plasma-exposed yttria-coated constituent includes a hydrolysable acid precursor is disclosed. The method may include: removing the plasma-exposed yttria-coated constituent from a semiconductor processing assembly; binding the plasma-exposed yttria-coated constituent with flexible moisture wicking material; hydrolyzing the hydrolysable acid precursor with an overwhelming aqueous admixture to form a vitiated acidic compound, wherein the flexible moisture wicking material pulls the vitiated acidic compound away from the plasma-exposed yttria-coated constituent with capillary action; dehydrating the plasma-exposed yttria-coated constituent with additional flexible moisture wicking material to pull a latent amount of the vitiated acidic compound away from the plasma-exposed yttria-coated constituent; and isolating the plasma-exposed yttria-coated constituent from ambient moisture in a moisture obstructing enclosure.
US08430966B2

An apparatus and related process are provided for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material as a thin film on a photovoltaic (PV) module substrate. A receptacle is disposed within a vacuum head chamber and is configured for receipt of a source material. A heated distribution manifold is disposed below the receptacle and includes a plurality of passages defined therethrough. The receptacle is indirectly heated by the distribution manifold to a degree sufficient to sublimate source material within the receptacle. A distribution plate is disposed below the distribution manifold and at a defined distance above a horizontal plane of a substrate conveyed through the apparatus. The distribution plate includes a pattern of holes therethrough that further distribute the sublimated source material passing through the distribution manifold onto the upper surface of the underlying substrate.
US08430956B2

A novel method and composition of high solid content lime slurry composed of a lime material and water that can be used in stabilization applications. The lime slurry compound itself is chemically treated, by means of a cellulosic or other thixotropic agent(s) and sucrose to create a thixotropic flow property controlled system wherein the wetted lime material remains in suspension, does not settle out prior to use even without further mixing and maintains suitable temperatures without excessive heat build. A novel apparatus and method for mixing the novel lime slurry is disclosed to insure the exact proportioning of all ingredients and the proper wetting of the lime material.
US08430955B2

The heat conductivity of a cementitious roadway is improved by adding into the cementitious concentration a powder mixture of a tin alloy or a tin and other powder. Preferably, the alloy is a tin-niobium alloy. Alternatively, a tin powder and a niobium powder are admixed into the composition. Where the powders are used each of the components are present in a 50:50 weight ratio. The powder admixture can also be incorporated into an aqueous latex topcoat for application to a road surface.
US08430952B2

A composition for coating or printing on a substrate, comprising a liquid vehicle and a water soluble branched polyethyleneimine comprising amino groups which have been alkylated or hydroxyalkylated, wherein the branched polyethyleneimine prior to alkylation or hydroxyalkylation comprises a combination of primary, secondary, and tertiary amino groups, and wherein at least 1% of the primary amino groups of the polyethyleneimine polymer are alkylated or hydroxyalkylated with at least one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having at least 4 carbon atoms.
US08430951B2

A system and method for a low cost fluid flow sensor is described. One embodiment includes a fluid flow sensor comprising a first resistance temperature detector configured for generating a flow signal, wherein the flow signal is based on a fluid velocity, and wherein the first resistance temperature detector is configured for a fluid temperature range; a second resistance temperature detector configured for generating a temperature signal, wherein the temperature signal is based on a fluid temperature; and a controller coupled to the first resistance temperature detector and the second resistance temperature detector, the controller configured for receiving the flow signal and the temperature signal, wherein the controller takes a first controller action when the temperature signal is within a temperature signal range substantially representative of the fluid temperature range, and the flow signal is within a flow signal range, wherein the flow signal range is determined based on the temperature signal.
US08430947B2

A method of introducing flue gas, from a flue stack in a steam-assisted production facility, into a heat exchanger. The flue gas comprises boiler combustion products selected from at least one of commercial pipeline gas and produced gas. The method begins by cooling a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas in the heat exchanger to produce flue gas water. This flue gas water is then collected and removed as make-up water.
US08430930B2

In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes accessing an intersomatic space and inserting an implant into the intersomatic space. The implant includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue.
US08430926B2

Methods, delivery systems and engaging apparatuses for the placement and treatment of an insufficient or stenotic cardiac valve, such as the mitral valve are disclosed. One such method is based on a two step procedure, where during the first step the engaging apparatus is brought to the valve annulus using a delivery system which permits continued normal blood flow. In some preferred embodiments, this is implemented with a balloon and other preferred embodiments it is implemented using a multi-pronged structure that is collapsible like an umbrella frame. The second step is performed after the engaging apparatus has been integrated into the annular wall by natural processes of tissue healing and remodeling. In the second step the engaging apparatus is tightened leading to tightening of the valve annulus and correction of existing valvular insufficiency. Optionally, an artificial valve may be anchored to the engaging apparatus during the same or subsequent procedure to correct either valvular insufficiency or stenosis.
US08430924B2

The invention is directed to an expandable stent which is longitudinally flexible in both the unexpanded and expanded conditions. The stent includes spiral structures which at least partially unwind upon expansion of the stent to limit stent recoil. Regions of low strain in the stent during expansion are provided by the spiral structures.
US08430905B2

The invention relates to a medical instrument with a shaft, a handle mounted on the proximal end of the shaft, and a tool mounted on the distal end of the shaft and capable of being activated by means of the handle, where the handle and the tool are in active connection by means of at least one activation rod. To make it possible for the tool, in particular as a one-way tool, to be secured simply and rapidly on the activation rod, the invention proposes that the tool should have a tool shaft for securing it to the activation rod and that the tool shaft and the activation rod in order to be secured to one another should have protuberances and/or recesses, which can be engaged, at least partially as a form-locking connection, with corresponding recesses or protuberances of the other respective component.
US08430902B2

Methods and assemblies are described for capturing embolic material in a blood vessel or other body cavity during cardiovascular or valve replacement and repair surgery, wherein access is provided through the apical area of the patient's heart. The distal embolic protection assembly generally comprises a sleeve having a lumen, an actuating member having proximal and distal ends, wherein the actuating member is movably disposed within the lumen, and a filter assembly coupled to the distal end of the actuating member. The filter assembly generally comprises a porous bag having an open proximal end, a collapsible and expandable frame that is coupled to the open proximal end of the porous bag, and at least one support spine disposed at least a part of the longitudinal axis of the porous bag. The porous bag is configured such that it permits blood to perfuse freely through while capturing embolic material and other debris.
US08430901B2

An embolic protection device has a collapsible filter element (105) mounted on a carrier such as a guidewire (101). The filter element (105) collapses into the outer end of a catheter (118) for deployment and retrieval through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element (105) has a collapsible filter body with a proximal inlet end and a distal outlet end. The proximal inlet end has inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. The outlet end has outlet openings which allow through passage of blood but retain embolic material within the filter body. After use, the catheter (118) is movable along the guidewire (101) to engage the proximal end of the filter element and close the inlet openings before sliding over the filter element from the proximal end to the distal end to progressively collapse the filter body on the guidewire (101) for retrieval. The filter element (105) may conveniently be mounted on a tubular sleeve (104) which is slidable and rotatable on the guidewire (101) between spaced-apart stops (106, 120) on the guidewire (101) which allows some manipulation of the guidewire independently of the filter when the filter is in use.
US08430899B2

Devices, systems and methods for treating disorders characterized by low cardiac output. The devices, systems and methods use intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in combination with hypothermia of all or a portion of a human or veterinary patient's body to improve coronary perfusion and cardiac output. To effect the hypothermia, a heat exchange catheter may be positioned in the a patient's vasculature separately from the intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation catheter. Alternatively, a combination Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation/heat exchange catheter may be utilized. Such combination catheter comprises a) a catheter sized for insertion into the aorta, b) a counterpulsation balloon and c) a heat exchanger. A drive/control system receives temperature and electrocardiograph signals and drives the inflation/deflation of the counterpulsation balloon as well as the heating/cooling of the heat exchanger.
US08430895B2

Apparatus is provided for use in a stomach of a subject. The apparatus includes a gastric balloon and an anchor coupled to the gastric balloon. The anchor includes a flexible tube, which, when in a relaxed position, is shaped so as to define a portion that prevents the anchor from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The anchor also includes one or more shape-controlling elements coupled to the portion and configured to control a shape of the portion. Other embodiments are also described.
US08430887B2

Systems and methods for treating bone, such as vertebral compression fractures are disclosed. A method includes controllably applying energy to a bone cement volume outside of a patient's body to selectively accelerate the polymerization rate of the bone fill material volume prior to introduction into a bone. The method further includes sequentially introducing a plurality of cement carrying structures with the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement volume into the bone. A system for use in the method includes at least one elongated cement-carrying structure sized to carry a bone cement volume therein and an energy source operatively coupleable to the cement-carrying structure. The energy source applies energy to the bone cement volume to selectively accelerate a polymerization rate thereof. An elongated injector insertable into the bone has a passageway that removably receives the elongated cement-carrying structure to allow delivery of the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement into the bone.
US08430885B2

Δn apparatus and method for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting two tissue surfaces is provided. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted using a wafer insertion apparatus between the two tissue surfaces to create a column of wafers. A detachable wafer assembly is provided that includes a base wafer initially associated with a track assembly of a wafer insertion apparatus. The base wafer is dislodged from the track assembly so that the base wafer is left within the distraction site as the track assembly is removed. A top cap wafer is provided that is situated at the top of the wafer stack, in which the top cap wafer is larger than the remaining wafers to form a gap surrounding the stack to receive biologic material.
US08430882B2

A system and method are provided for making an access channel through a vertebral body to access a site of neural compression, decompressing it, and repairing the channel to restore vertebral integrity. System elements include an implantable vertebral plate, a guidance device for orienting bone cutting tools and controlling the path of a cutting tool, a bone cutting tool to make a channel in the vertebral body, a tool for opening or partially-resecting the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine, a tool for retrieving a herniated disc, an implantable device with osteogenic material to fill the access channel, and a retention device that lockably-engages the bone plate to retain it in position after insertion. System elements may be included in a surgery to decompress an individual nerve root, the spinal cord, or the cauda equina when compressed, for example, by any of a herniated disc, an osteophyte, a thickened ligament arising from degenerative changes within the spine, a hematoma, or a tumor.
US08430869B2

A laser device, in particular for ophthalmological laser surgery, comprising a laser source (14) for providing laser radiation, controllable scan components (20) for setting a focus position of the laser radiation, measuring components (30) for registering information that is representative of an actual position of the radiation focus, and also a control arrangement (22) controlling the laser source and the scan components. In accordance with the invention, the control arrangement can be set up to bring about the implementation of a test-mode operation of at least some of the scan components with the laser source turned off, in accordance with a predetermined test scan pattern, the test scan pattern representing a plurality of discrete desired focus positions to be traversed in succession, and the control arrangement having been set up to stop, at each of the desired focus positions, the scan movement of the scan components and to ascertain, assigned to each of the desired focus positions, respectively an actual focus position on the basis of the registered information of the measuring components.
US08430867B2

Systems, methods, and connectors are provided that introduce a working gas at certain times into a reduced-pressure dressing into order to break or avoid vacuum locks in the conduits removing fluids. In one instance, a reduced-pressure connector includes a connector body for applying a reduced pressure to the tissue site. The connector body is formed with a venting port, a body conduit, and a receptacle to receive a reduced-pressure delivery conduit. The reduced-pressure connector includes a flexible member coupled to the connector body over the venting port. The flexible member is formed with at least one venting aperture. The flexible member is biased away from the venting port and is configured to collapse and seal the venting port under a reduced pressure greater than a threshold pressure. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.
US08430860B2

A system and method of introducing interface elements for interfacing with laryngeal structures of a subject such as for diagnosis or treatment of a laryngeal impairment is presented. Illustrative embodiments include generating a tunnel in geographical relation to the lateral wing of the cricoid cartilage of the subject and introducing at least one interface element via the tunnel for interfacing with at least one laryngeal structure of the subject.
US08430857B2

A reusable diaper includes forward and rearward waist portions. At least one corner tab may be releasably attachable to the forward and rearward waist portions. The diaper may include at least one pocket configured to receive therein at least a portion of the corner tab. The pocket may be substantially impervious to liquids, such that positioning of the portion of the corner tab in the pocket helps inhibit wicking of liquid through the pocket and into the corner tab. Some embodiments may include first and second sets of interchangeable corner tabs that are releasably attachable to the forward and rearward waist portions. The second set of corner tabs may be sized differently than the first set of corner tabs such that the diaper size is adjustable depending on whether the first or second set of corner tabs are used.
US08430856B2

Absorbent articles comprising a low cold flow construction adhesive suitable for joining at least two absorbent article components together, wherein the adhesive comprises an ethylene-based polyolefin resin and certain crystallization enhancers, and wherein the absorbent articles have an in-bag compression opening force of less than about 0.75N. Also, a method for assembling such articles.
US08430854B2

A device for applying lotion to a user's body has a foam layer. A cover layer is applied to a top surface of the foam layer. A pair of openings formed through the foam layer and the cover layer. A reinforcement layer is applied around each opening.
US08430853B2

Described and illustrated are various insertion instruments, cap, plug, method and kit. In one aspect, a cap for a punctal insertion instrument is shown and described. In a further aspect, a punctum plug insertion system that includes the instrument and the cap is provided. In yet a further aspect, a method of releasing a punctum plug from a plug holder is provided. Additionally, a kit that contains the plug insertion instrument, cap, plugs, and instructions for use is provided.
US08430850B2

The invention relates to an inserter for an infusion set for intermittent or continuous administration of a therapeutical substance, such as e.g. insulin. The inserter comprises means for insertion and retraction of an introducer needle. With an inserter device according to the invention it is possible to introduce an insertion needle when placing a medical device sub- or transcutaneously. The Inserter device comprises a housing (1, 2, 12) which hides the insertion needle (7, 17) before insertion and can hide the insertion needle (7, 17) after insertion and placing of the medical device. The insertion needle (7, 17) moves relative to the housing (1, 2, 12) toward the patients skin surface during insertion and the inserter device comprises a bi-stable elastic element (1, 11) having two equilibrium states.
US08430848B1

A fluid reservoir and administration device for delivering a dosage of a medicament to a patient. The device has a base unit attachable to the skin, a reservoir unit attachable to the base unit, and a cap unit attachable to the reservoir unit. The base unit has a latching member, and a needle. The reservoir unit has a fluid filled cavity, a ratcheting element, a threaded member, and a plunger for forcing the fluid through the needle. The cap unit has ratcheting teeth engagable with the ratcheting member, and a threaded post engagable with the threaded member of the reservoir unit. When the cap unit is rotated, the threaded post is advanced toward the plunger which forces a metered dosage of the fluid through the needle and to the patient. The ratcheting member allows the cap unit to rotate in a single direction, thereby preventing a vacuum in the cavity.
US08430845B2

An embolic protection system and method of treating occluded vessels which reduces the risk of distal embolization during vascular interventions is provided. The embolic protection system includes a guide catheter, a multi-lumen tube having a sealing surface on the distal end and an interventional device. A method of treating a blood vessel includes providing a guide catheter and a multi-lumen elongate member having proximal and distal ends, evacuation and inflation lumens extending therebetween and a sealing surface on the distal end. The elongate member is advanced through the guide catheter into a blood vessel that supplies blood to the heart proximal a lesion. The sealing surface is expanded to engage the endoluminal surface of the blood vessel and stop antegrade flow. An interventional device is advanced through the evacuation lumen to treat the lesion.
US08430833B2

A device and a method for delivering fluids, preferably for delivering medical fluids, such as in the field of dialysis, include at least one pump designed as a displacement pump and at least one control unit that controls the operation of the pump. The pump is actuated by the control unit such that during a suction stroke in a first operating condition the pump takes in a volume exceeding a desired delivery volume for the purpose of discharging a desired delivery volume, and discharges portions of the volume taken in by performing a plurality of partial delivery strokes in the form of partial volumes which are smaller than the volume taken in.
US08430831B2

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for controlling an inflammatory response in a subject. Extracorporeal devices, systems, and methods are provided that alter the functional structure of one or more inflammatory mediators in the peripheral blood of the subject. The device or system is useful in a method for treating an inflammatory disease or condition in the subject.
US08430830B1

A compression garment for treating post operative patients involved in body contouring surgery and including a base structured for removable disposition in an operative position about the torso and other portions of the patient's body. The compression garment is dimensioned, configured and structured to apply appropriate compression to the surgically affected portions of the patient in order to reduce pain, diminish swelling and avoid fluid accumulation, while not impairing the venous and lymphatic circulation of the affected body portion. The base has one or a first and second cover member overlying its internal and external faces and a closure assembly serves to maintain the garment in a variable closed orientation such that appropriate compressive force may be applied to the affected body areas.
US08430827B2

A biopsy device having a stylet, an outer cannula, and a vacuum chamber is disclosed. The stylet includes a lumen with an open proximal end and a tissue receiving opening near a distal end thereof. The outer cannula is slidably disposed over the stylet and has an open distal end with a cutting edge formed thereon. The vacuum chamber is in communication with the lumen of the stylet. Actuation of the outer cannula causes a vacuum to be delivered to the tissue receiving opening through the lumen of the stylet before the outer cannula advances distally.
US08430825B2

A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula includes a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. The inner cannula reciprocates at a rate that is greater than 1000 reciprocations per minute, and variable aspiration may also be provided to the device to control tissue traction and provide fine shaving and debulking.
US08430824B2

A biopsy driver assembly includes a biopsy driver housing. An electrical assembly is coupled to the biopsy driver housing. The electrical assembly includes at least one electrical drive configured for drivably engaging a biopsy probe assembly. A battery is coupled to the biopsy driver housing. A control circuit is coupled to the biopsy driver housing. The control circuit is electrically coupled to the battery and to the electrical assembly. The control circuit has a motion detector, a timer circuit and a battery dwell circuit. The control circuit is configured to conserve the battery by providing electrical power only to the motion detector after a predetermined time following a last detected physical movement of the biopsy driver assembly and to provide electrical power from the battery also to the electrical assembly when a physical movement of the biopsy driver assembly is detected.
US08430816B2

A data processing technique is provided. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes accessing reference deviation maps for a plurality of disease types. The reference deviation maps may include subsets of maps associated with severity levels of respective disease types, and a disease severity score may be associated with each severity level. The method may include selecting patient severity levels for multiple disease types based on the subsets of reference deviation maps. Also, the method may include automatically calculating a combined patient disease severity score based at least in part on the disease severity scores associated with the selected patient severity levels, and may include outputting a report based at least in part on the combined patient disease severity score. Additional methods, systems, and manufactures are also disclosed.
US08430788B2

A flexpin assembly (B) for an epicyclic gear system (A) includes a flexpin (20) that at one end is cantilevered from a carrier end wall (12) and a sleeve (22) that surrounds the flexpin and is cantilevered from the flexpin at the other end of the flexpin. In addition, the assembly has an antifriction bearing (24) for supporting a planet pinion (6) around the sleeve. The flexpin has a base (30) that is configured to be anchored to a carrier wall, a head (32) to which the sleeve is attached, and a shank (34) located between the base and head. The sleeve has a mounting segment (78) that is connected to the head of the flexpin without a weld. Both may have tapered surfaces secured in contact by a plate (66) clamped against the mounting portion with screws (68) that thread into the head, thus enabling the sleeve to be detached from the pin. The head may have a cylindrical surface (72) over which the mounting segment of the sleeve fits with an interference fit exists. The bearing may have rolling elements (106, 108) that surround raceways (86, 88) on the sleeve and a rib ring (94) that confines the rolling elements axially, but can be detached. The flexpin assembly is easily disassembled to facilitate servicing of the gear system.
US08430780B2

A support structure for a differential assembly comprising: a support ring having a peripheral wall extending between a first face and a second face, the support ring having a non-hollow center; a bore in the peripheral wall sized and shaped to receive a pinion shaft; and an aperture in the first face, the second aperture in fluid communication with the first aperture.
US08430771B1

A netting apparatus adapted to display advertising content at a sporting event is disclosed. The netting apparatus comprises a first panel and a second panel. The first panel may comprise an open mesh netting, wherein the open mesh netting is adapted to safely stop a ball without significant obstruction of view through the open mesh netting.
US08430770B2

In a first aspect, a system for monitoring a swing is provided that includes a wireless device adapted to couple to a swinging object and to provide information indicative of a characteristic of the swinging object. The wireless device is a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA). Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08430768B2

The invention provides a colored golf ball comprising a core, a cover having a plurality of dimples formed on its surface, wherein the golf ball is two-piece structure consisting of a core and a cover, and the surface of the ball is coated with a coating comprising a pearlescent pigment. The ball satisfies the following conditions: (i) a color difference ΔE* between the core and the ball of at least 30; (ii) the core has a transparency which is up to 10% in terms of total transmittance and up to 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance; (iii) the core has a lightness L* value, expressed in the L*a*b* color system based on JIS Z8729, of at least 82; (iv) the ball has a lightness L* value of at least 50; (v) the lightness L* value of the ball ≦the lightness L* value of the core; (vi) the cover has a thickness of from 0.1 to 2.1 mm, (vii) the cover has a transparency which is at least 50% in terms of total transmittance and at least 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance; and (viii) the cover has a haze (H), mentioned in JIS K7105 (1981), of up to 98. The two-piece colored golf ball of the invention is a fluorescent ball which nonetheless retains a sense of transparency and has a high-quality feel, in addition to which it has a good weather resistance and is capable of preventing a change in color.
US08430761B2

A golf club with a golf club head having a wear indicator is provided. The wear indicator may be located on the club head face, the hosel, the sole portion or the rear portion of the club head body. Also, multiple wear indicators may be provided on separate portions of the club head. Inserts may be used to provide a wear indicating portion. A coating may be provided to serve as a wear indicator.
US08430757B2

A constant-velocity drive system for an aircraft rotor has a gimbal mechanism and a differential torque-combining mechanism. The gimbal mechanism has gimbals driven in rotation by a rotor mast about a mast axis, the gimbals providing for gimballing relative to the mast about gimbal axes generally perpendicular to the mast axis. The differential torque-combining mechanism is connected to the gimbal mechanism and configured to be driven in rotation about the mast axis by the gimbal mechanism. The differential mechanism is capable of gimballing relative to the mast about the gimbal axes, the differential torque-combining mechanism having an output component attached to a yoke of the rotor for driving the yoke in rotation with the differential torque-combining mechanism.
US08430755B2

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for serving a computer game, comprising: (a) providing two separate storage facilities accessible from a server, the first storage facility comprising fast response searchable memory for storage of recently produced game play data, and the second storage facility comprising a structured database for longer term storage of game play data, the first memory having a data search and data retrieval speed that is substantially faster than the second memory; (b) receiving, at the server, a game play request from a live gaming participant with a desired opponent attribute; (c) in response to the game play request, searching the first memory, based on the attribute, to identify prior game play data corresponding to an appropriate opponent; and (d) presenting a multi-player game environment where the live gaming participant can play against and have two-way interactions with an apparently live opponent.
US08430753B2

A home entertainment system for video games and other applications includes a main unit and handheld controllers. The handheld controllers sense their own motion by detecting illumination emitted by emitters positioned at either side of a display. The controllers can be plugged into expansion units that customize the overall control interface for particular applications including but not limited to legacy video games.
US08430752B2

Methods and apparatus to meter video game play are described. An example apparatus to meter video game play includes a tag to be attached to a video game controller, the tag having a sensor to detect a user interaction with the video game controller. The apparatus also includes a meter to receive information reflecting the user interaction.
US08430751B2

Action information for controlling a series of at least one action performed by a first object is stored. Then the at least one action of the first object is controlled in accordance with the action information. At this time, an action of a second object is controlled in accordance with an operation signal from a predetermined input device operated by a player. Furthermore, while the action of the second object is being controlled, the information about the at least one action of the first object is displayed on a screen.
US08430750B2

A video gaming device includes a processing module, a graphics processing module, and a video gaming object interface module. The processing module interprets a digital image(s) of a player to determine an identity of the player. When the identity of the player is determined, the processing module retrieves a user profile and generates video gaming menu data in accordance with at least one data element of the user profile. The graphics processing module renders a display image based on the video gaming menu. The video gaming object interface module receives a wireless menu selection signal and converts it into a menu selection signal.
US08430743B2

Wagering systems with a payout percentage that exceeds 100% of wagers are presented. The payouts of these wagering systems may include unrestricted credits and/or restricted credits. Players may cash out unrestricted credits at virtually any point, but may be limited in when and/or how they can cash out or play restricted credits. By providing payouts in the form of unrestricted credits and/or restricted credits, players may find their experience with the wagering systems to be more engaging, enjoyable, and longer-lasting. Moreover, the limitations on the use of restricted credits may allow the casino operator to maintain a reasonable profit margin despite the increased duration of play.
US08430737B2

A gaming system and method providing a multi-dimensional symbol wagering game is provided. A player selects a payline, places a wager on the selected payline, and selects a plurality of a plurality of different symbols in a selection order. Symbols are generated and displayed at each of a plurality of symbol display positions. If at least a designated quantity of the symbol display positions associated with the selected payline displays any one of the selected symbols, the gaming system determines a display order of the generated and displayed symbols associated with the selected payline, and determines any awards associated with the selected payline based on a quantity of the symbol display positions associated with the selected payline that display the player selected symbols and a comparison of the selection order with the display order. Any awards are provided to the player. Cascading and rotating symbol features are provided.
US08430733B2

Described are casino games that incorporate a player's physical dexterity into gameplay, thus adding a physical skill component to a game, beyond any mental skill components the underlying games already posses. Similarly to the manner in which a player's knowledge of a game's rules and strategies allows the player to increase their chance of winning traditional casino games, the dexterity, or skill based games allow the player to increase their chance of winning by performing game-oriented physical tasks. Examples of games with this feature are a poker game where a player shoots a game gun at a display device to add cards to their hand in hopes of forming a winning hand, and a three dimensional mahjong game where a player rotates a tile structure to find and removing matching tiles in order to increase their score.
US08430722B2

The invention relates to an apparatus for surface processing or surface treatment by means of dry ice granulate, with a reservoir for receiving a dry ice medium, in particular dry ice pellets, an inlet for the feed of a propellant medium, an outlet for the supply of a mixture of propellant medium and dry ice granulate to a blast gun, and an outflow chamber lying therebetween, there being arranged in the path between the reservoir and the outflow chamber a grinding mechanism, which is formed so as to comminute the dry ice medium to dry ice granulate with a particle size in a prescribed range, and a transport roll (4) being arranged between the grinding mechanism (3) and the outflow chamber (59), the transport roll (4) being operable with a variable speed so as to vary the quantity of the particles of the dry ice granulate per unit time. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method and the use of the method.
US08430720B2

A knife edge enhancing apparatus includes a support having a support surface and knife blade clamping structure mounted to the support and located above the support surface. An object having a knife edge modifying surface which could be abrasive or non-abrasive is mounted to a holder which is freely slidable on the support surface so that the object surface can be manually moved into contact with a knife edge facet. At least one of the clamping structure and the object surface is angularly adjustable to control the angle of contact of the object surface with the knife edge facet.
US08430716B2

A polishing method can safely detach and lift up a workpiece from a polishing surface without carrying out the operation of making the workpiece overhang the polishing surface. The polishing method includes carrying out processing of a surface to be polished of a workpiece by supplying a liquid to a polishing surface while pressing the surface to be polished of the workpiece held by a holding device against the polishing surface and moving the workpiece and the polishing surface relative to each other, attracting the workpiece after the processing to the holding device while supplying the liquid to the polishing surface at a decreased flow rate, thereby detaching the workpiece from the polishing surface, and lifting up the holding device together with the workpiece on confirmation of detachment of the workpiece from the polishing surface and attachment of the workpiece to the holding device.
US08430715B2

An improved encasement for underwires for use in brassieres that allow for more efficient sewing, better durability, and improved wearer comfort is disclosed.
US08430706B2

A method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescent device having at least two successive light-emitting layers formed between a pair of electrodes using a liquid phase method includes: forming a first light-emitting layer on a base using the liquid phase method and performing an insolubilization process on the first light-emitting layer; and forming a second light-emitting layer on the first light-emitting layer, on which the insolubilization process has been performed, using the liquid phase method. In the insolubilization process, an insoluble layer that is not soluble in a solvent that dissolves the second light-emitting layer is formed on at least an upper surface of the first light-emitting layer.
US08430702B2

In some embodiments, a hydraulic steering actuator may be provided. The actuator may include: a cylinder and piston rod reciprocatingly mounted within the cylinder and extending through the cylinder for movement along a piston rod axis; a pair of spaced-apart cylinder arms extending radially outward of the cylinder and a pivot plate extending between the cylinder arms; a pair of support arms which are pivotable about a tilt axis and are connected to opposite ends of the piston rod to allow arcuate movement of the piston rod about the tilt axis while maintaining the piston rod axis parallel to the tilt rod axis; and a tie bar mount disposed on the cylinder and having an aperture extending therethrough for the receiving a connecting member which connects a tie bar to the tie bar mount, wherein the aperture extends axially in a direction substantially perpendicular to the piston rod axis.
US08430695B2

An electrical connector includes an insulative housing (1) defining a base portion and a tongue portion extending forwardly from the base portion; a plurality of terminals (2) each having a retention portion, a contacting portion extending forwardly from the retention portion and a tail portion; an insulative spacer disposed behind the base portion, and the insulative spacer (3) defining a plurality of positioning holes for the tail portions passing therethrough, respectively; and waterproof material (5) stuffing corresponding seam between the insulative spacer and the base portion.
US08430685B2

A connector assembly includes an insertion member that includes a plurality of contact pads, and a housing that defines an opening at a first end configured to receive the insertion member. The upper inside surface and lower inside surface of the housing define a plurality of slots into which are placed electrical contacts. Each electrical contact includes a cross-member, a first and a second extension member, a resilient member, and a mating extension. The first and second extension members extend from respective ends of the cross-member and are positioned within respective slots of the housing. The resilient member extends from the cross member from a position between the first and the second extension members. A mating extension extends from the other side of the cross-member and through an opening defined in the rear wall of the housing. The resilient member is configured to make electrical contact with a contact pad of the insertion member.
US08430682B2

An electrical connector (100) adapted for electrically connecting an integrated circuit (IC) package comprises an insulative housing (1) and a plurality of contacts (2) received in the insulative housing (1), the contacts (2) each comprises a base portion (21), a pair of arms (22) extending upwardly from the top end of the base portion (21) and a solder portion (23) extending from the bottom end of the base portion (21), the base portion (21) defines a first plane (P1), said pair of arms (22) are located on opposite sides of the first plane (P1) and each comprises a contacting portion (223), the contacting portion (223) and the first plane form an acute angle.
US08430666B1

A low pressure heater control system. In some embodiments a control is in electrical communication with a sensor having a view of a combustion chamber. The control calculates an average sensor value over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods based on a plurality of readings from the sensor. In some embodiments a reference point that may be at least based in part on an average of a plurality of average optical sensor values from earlier brief sampling periods is calculated and compared against the average optical sensor value from a recent brief sampling period to monitor for an abrupt combustion change. In some embodiments a peak-to-peak optical sensor value is also calculated over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods. In some embodiments the type of fuel being combusted is recognized and/or the fuel level approximated based on measured average and/or peak-to-peak optical sensor values.
US08430663B2

The device for satinizing and embossing metallized or surface-treated packaging foils comprises three embossing rolls, all three embossing rolls cooperating with one another and the packaging foil being capable of being passed under pressure between the first and the second and between the first and the third embossing rolls in order to produce a satin-finish and a pattern. The first, driven embossing roll has a tooth array composed of individual teeth that are arranged in a homogenous grid, and the other two embossing rolls each have a surface structure that differs from that of the first embossing roll. At least one of the additional embossing rolls has structural elements that are arranged individually or in groups but not in the same grid as on the first roll, the structural element being composed of individual teeth and being arranged circularly on the embossing roll. Such an arrangement provides an effective breaking of the paper substrate of the foil and thus a surface having improved properties. Such a surface is particularly suitable for shadow embossing and for embossing authentication and identification features.
US08430658B2

A frozen comestible maker suitable for home use includes single or multiple molding cavities for forming frozen comestibles, a heat exchanger for maximizing the heat transfer away from the fluid that is being frozen in the molding cavities, a refrigerant solution with a depressed freezing point in contact with the heat exchangers, a base container to seal the refrigerant solution from the fluid that is being frozen, and a bezel piece to retain spills and aid with handling. The refrigerant solution is captured between the molding cavities and the base container. One or more sticks, a drip cup, and an extraction tool may be provided with the frozen comestible maker for preparing and extracting shaped frozen comestibles, such as ice pops and popsicles, therefrom.
US08430656B2

The present invention provides a 2 stage rotary compressor including a hermetic container (101), an electric motor (110) composed of an stator (111), a rotor (112) and a rotation axis (113), a low pressure compression assembly (120) including a low pressure cylinder (121), a high pressure compression (130) assembly including a high pressure cylinder (131), a middle plate (140) for separating the low pressure cylinder (121) from the high pressure cylinder (131), middle pressure communication holes (161a, 140a) formed in the low pressure cylinder (121) and the middle plate (140) to communicate with each other, and a middle pressure inflow groove (130a) formed in the high pressure cylinder (131) to communicate with the communication holes (161a, 140a) of the low pressure cylinder (121) and the middle plate (140).
US08430654B2

A an infusion tube misfitting detection device for an infusion pump, which can be implemented at a low cost while maintaining safety. When a door unit is to be closed with respect to a pump body in a misloaded state of an infusion tube, a mislead detection inner door is pressed by the infusion tube to operate on a handle lock part provided to a handle. Accordingly, a claw portion of the handle lock part is pushed up, so that the door unit cannot be locked with the pump body 10 by inserting the claw portion into a rectangular through-hole 11c of a base plate. Therefore, the misloaded state can be identified.
US08430651B2

An implantable medical device including a two piece actuator member which comprises a monocrystaline piston and a magnetizable pole. The monocrystalline piston is positioned within a piston channel having a surface having a titanium-oxide layer. The monocrystalline piston is selectively movable within the piston bore to permit intake and output of fluids.
US08430650B2

A swing-type reciprocative compressor is capable of maintaining long durability and preventing propagation of heat to the large end portion of a piston, even under high-compression. In the reciprocative compressor having a swing-type piston mechanism, a piston ring is attached to a piston ring groove to seal between a piston and a cylinder. A ring groove is provided separately from the piston ring groove on the outer circumferential side of the piston and on the crankshaft side of the piston ring groove. A guide ring restricted from moving in a radial direction and shaped like a skirt opening toward the crankshaft side is provided in the ring groove.
US08430645B2

A pump having a housing with an actuator member positioned inside for controlling the flow generated by the pump. A first decrease port is connected to the housing and has a surface area in operable contact with the actuator member. A second decrease port is connected to the housing and has a surface area that is operable contact with the actuator member. A valve is connected to the second decrease port for controlling the flow of fluid to the second decrease port. A suction passage is connected to the housing and drawings fluid to the housing using the actuator member. A discharge passage is connected to the housing so that fluid providing an exit for fluid that has been pressurized by the actuator member.
US08430641B2

A float switch to control at least two pumps has a guide with two normally-closed micro-switches and a float rod slidably mounted thereto allowing reciprocating vertical movement. The float rod has one or more lower cam surfaces cooperating with the micro-switches to sequentially release them from their engaged positions to their normal positions during upward movement of the float rod. A float is slidably mounted to the float rod between upper and lower float stops. The shape of the lower cam surfaces is such that the weight of the float rod is insufficient to allow the float rod to move downwardly against resistance provided either by the first micro-switch or separately by the second micro-switch and the weight of the float rod combined with at least a portion of the weight of the float is sufficient to overcome either such resistance and to move the float rod downwardly.
US08430639B2

A pitch drive apparatus of a wind generator is made with a simple structure, and the wind generator is capable of preventing reliability of the pitch drive apparatus from being deteriorated. The wind generator includes a wind turbine rotor blade having a blade root mounted so as to be turnable around an axis center O with respect to a rotor head, and a pitch drive apparatus for turning and driving the wind turbine rotor blade around the axis center O to change a pitch angle thereof. The pitch drive apparatus has an electric cylinder functioning as a linear actuator.
US08430637B2

An airfoil 11 for attachment to a hub 13 of a windmill 15 or other turbomachine, the airfoil 11 comprises a leading rod 17 and a trailing rod 27, the leading rod 17 and trailing rod 27 preferably are flexible and able to deflect in a direction opposite to that of the direction of rotation, the leading rod 17 having a first end 19 and a second end 21, the first end 19 secured by a leading rod mount 23 of the hub 13 located at a leading mount location 25, the trailing rod 27 has a base end 29 and a tip end 31, the tip end 31 connected with the second end 21 of the leading rod 17, and the base end 29 secured by a trailing rod mount 33 of the hub 13 located at a trailing mount location 35, and fabric sleeve 37 is stretched over the leading rod 17 and the trailing rod 27; the aerodynamic characteristics of each airfoil are configurable by modifying the orientation of the position/alignment of the leading red 17 relative to the trailing rod 27; and the invention including an assembly of airfoils attached to a hub 13, and a method of harnessing energy using the airfoil 11 of the invention.
US08430632B2

A system and method for pitching a rotor blade in a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes collecting in an individual pitch controller for the rotor blade a pitch offset angle relative to a collective pitch angle. The method further includes determining a synchronized pitch offset angle. The method further includes, after an emergency condition occurs, pitching the rotor blade towards the synchronized pitch offset angle.
US08430631B2

A wind turbine blade has at least one lightning receptor, wherein at least part of a surface of the wind turbine blade close to the lightning receptor is covered by a protective layer having electrical and thermal insulating material. Moreover, a method for protecting the surface of a wind turbine blade close to a lightning protector against temperature increase resulting from lightning impact is disclosed. At least part of the surface of the wind turbine blade is covered with a protective layer having electrical and thermal insulating material.
US08430627B2

A gas turbine exhaust strut installed in an exhaust case of a gas turbine is disclosed which includes a trailing portion configured with an inner surface for mounting to an inner annular member of the exhaust case and an outer surface for mounting to an outer annular member of the exhaust case, a block attached to the trailing portion, an angled piece attached to the block and configured with a surface on a pressure side of the strut angled with respect to a surface of the trailing portion on the pressure side of the strut, and a transition piece attached to the block and configured with a surface on the pressure side of the strut for smoothing the transition between the height of the block on the pressure side of the strut and the height of the trailing portion on the pressure side of the strut. A method of refurbishing an exhaust strut installed in an exhaust case of gas turbine while retaining at least a portion of the strut in the exhaust case is also disclosed. An exemplary method includes removing a leading edge portion from a trailing portion of the strut, and attaching a replacement leading edge portion to the trailing portion of the strut.
US08430615B2

An exemplary securing structure includes a base, a fastener, and a spring mounted around the fastener. The base defines a securing hole, and two slots located aside the securing hole and communicating with the securing hole. The fastener includes a head, a bolt extending downwardly from the head, and two blocks extending outwardly from an outer periphery of the bolt corresponding to the slots. The bolt is extendable through the securing hole together with the blocks extending through the slots, respectively. The fastener is then rotatable to a position such that the blocks abuts a bottom side of the base. The spring is resiliently compressed between the head of the fastener and a top side of the base.
US08430609B2

A tool for rotary cutting machining includes a tool body and a replaceable cutting head detachably attachable to the tool body. The cutting head has a coupling portion which is receivable in a space between two axially projecting coupling legs of the tool body. Cylindrical internal gripping surfaces are arranged in said space and designed for engagement with corresponding cylindrical external gripping surfaces of the cutting head. The gripping surfaces of the cutting head and the gripping surfaces of the tool body are dimensioned so as to prevent, by engagement with each other, the cutting head from being displaced in axial direction away from the tool body when the cutting head is attached to the tool body. A tool body and a cutting head included in such a tool are also disclosed.
US08430605B2

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a pneumatic conveyance system including waste airflow electrical power generation. The system is to move material from a first location to a second location and includes routing conduit to provide a pathway through which the material is moved, an airflow source to provide an airflow to facilitate the transportation of the material through the routing conduit, a separator to filter the material from the airflow, and an electrical power generating system to generate power from the airflow prior to discharge. The electrical power generating system includes one or more turbines that rotate based on the airflow passing thereby and one or more associated generators that generate electricity based on rotation of the turbines. The power generating system is located within the routing conduit at any point where the airflow is free of particles that would interfere with the turbines.
US08430600B2

A berm to increase capacity of an existing landfill comprises fill material and a covering portion. The landfill comprises a waste-receiving recess having an outer perimeter, an edge surface peripherally adjacent at least a portion of the outer perimeter, and an existing accumulation of waste within the recess. The fill material has a base, an inner sloped surface adjacent a future accumulation of waste, and an outer sloped surface opposite the inner sloped surface. The fill material comprises contaminated fill material fully encapsulated by an impermeable membrane. The covering portion comprises structural fill material and at least partially covers the fill material. At least a portion of the berm sits on at least a portion of the edge surface of the landfill, and portions of the berm are substantially parallel to corresponding portions of the outer perimeter.
US08430597B2

Disclosed is a reconfigurable obstacle system for a river channel in a river park. Each obstacle assembly includes a plurality of obstacles. Obstacles may include a hollow structural box, a strut channel frame and a plurality of connectors that cooperate to divert water when installed in a river channel. A plurality of connectors pass through the hollow structural box when holding the obstacle in position. The obstacle assemblies can be reconfigured as desired, e.g. increase amplitude of a wave, speed up water flow, change depth, etc.
US08430589B2

An oral hygiene tool comprises a tubular body comprising a main body tube having a first locking means, a brush section having multiple bristles and a first opening, and an end cap having a threaded pole, a turn cap and a second locking means to mate with the first locking means, to provide a lock there between. The main body tube is configured for storing a dentifrice. The tool further includes an internally threaded bob to mate with the threaded pole. The end cap is assembled with the tubular body by locking the first and the second locking means. Turning the turn cap causes the bob to move in a direction along the threaded pole causing the dentifrice to be released from the first opening.
US08430583B2

Provided is a printing device including: a transport unit configured to transport a sheet-shape printing medium; a printing unit configured to print an image on the printing medium transported by the transport unit; a shape detection unit configured to detect the shape of edges of the printing medium; a position detection unit configured to detect the positions of the edges when an image is printed on the printing medium by the printing unit; and a first determination unit configured to determine the attitude of the printing medium based on the shape of the edges detected by the shape detection unit and the positions of the edges detected by the position detection unit,wherein the printing unit controls a printing position based on the attitude of the printing medium determined by the first determination unit and performs printing on the printing medium.
US08430582B2

A camera accessory is equipped with an accessory mount assuming a bayonet structure with first through third tabs set over intervals along a circumference and projecting from inside of the accessory toward the outside. The mount is structured so that insertion of the mount is allowed when the mount is inserted at a correct interlock phase without any of the first through third tabs contacting any of three camera body-side tabs, and that insertion of the mount is disallowed if the accessory mount is positioned at an incorrect interlock phase with at least two tabs contacting at least two of the camera body-side tabs. The first through the third tabs extend along varying lengths along the circumference. When the first tab and either other tab contacts two of the camera body-side tabs at a total of two contact locations, the first tab contacts near the second side end.
US08430573B2

An optical connector housing includes: a housing portion, which is capable of housing an optical connector having an arm retuning to a given posture by an elastic force of the arm, and which includes an exposure opening exposing an end portion of the housed optical connector; a stopper which restricts the optical connector from moving forward in an axial direction of the optical connector at such a position that the end portion of the optical connector projects from the exposure opening; and a push member which pushes the arm forward in the axial direction and which permits the housed optical connector to move backward in the axial direction.
US08430570B2

The invention relates to a method for producing and/or assembling a bearing with a bearing bore, a journal which is located in the bearing bore and at least two bearing shells which at least partially encompass the journal in the bearing bore, there being a number n of tolerance classes. Here the bearing class width C1 for the bearing bore and/or the journal should obey a relation C1=T1=t2=T3= . . . =tn/Tn, and another bearing class width C2 for at least the first of the bearing shells and/or at least one other of the bearing shells should follow the relation C2=t1=T2=t3= . . . =Tn, Ti (with i=1, . . . , n) being tolerance range values of the bearing bore and/or of the journal and ti (with i=1, . . . , n) being tolerance range values of at least one first and/or of at least one other bearing shell and that the bearing bore is assigned to one bearing shell and/or the journal is assigned to the other bearing shell such that there is the same bearing classification with C1=C2 and/or an unlike bearing classification with C1C2, preferably C1>C2. The invention furthermore relates to a bearing.
US08430569B2

A fluid dynamic bearing motor and method are described, wherein motor components, including complex shaped motor components, are molded of plastic. The molding ensures form control and dimensional control thereby accomplishing design requirements, and eliminating or reducing component costs and component machining. The mold can be shaped to form various motor geometries, thereby eliminating the need for multiple component assembly and related assembly costs. In an aspect, a plastic integral motor hub is formed by injection molding. Alternatively, a plastic motor hub is affixed to a metal sleeve. In another aspect, fluid containment structures are molded into the motor component, reducing the number of components as compared with machined metal components. In a further aspect, bearing structures such as grooves are molded into the motor component, thereby eliminating processes such as electrochemical machining. In yet a further aspect, a plastic hub faces a thrustplate, reducing expensive sleeve machining.
US08430568B2

A linear motion device has a first assembly and a second assembly, at least one first rolling surface that extends in a longitudinal direction and provided on the first assembly, the first rolling surface being located opposite a second rolling surface which is provided on the second assembly, a row of rolling elements that circulate endlessly in the first assembly is located between the first and second rolling surfaces, and at least one central longitudinal section of the first rolling surface is designed such that the rolling elements are at least partially relieved of the load. The first rolling surface is provided on a separate first rolling surface part in the form of a profiled element having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape, the first rolling surface part is situated in a central longitudinal section at a distance from a first body of the first assembly, and is supported on the first body on both sides in the longitudinal direction next to the central longitudinal section.
US08430566B2

A side-gusseted bag has two front walls which are joined by a side gusset at a longitudinal side provided with a reclosure. The side gusset is folded-over outwards in the region of the reclosure in such a manner that the side gusset ends at its folded-over section at the associated longitudinal side. The reclosure running in the longitudinal direction is fastened to an inner surface of the side gusset at the folded-over section. A method for manufacturing a side-gusseted bag is also provided.
US08430564B2

Systems and methods for making and using sliding counterbalanced C-arm positioning devices are described. In such systems and methods, each C-arm positioning device includes a C-arm X-ray device, a linear bearing rail, a linear bearing block, and a counterbalance mechanism. Generally, the C-arm is connected to the linear bearing block, which, in turn, is slidably coupled to the bearing rail to allow the bearing block and C-arm to slide up and down on the rail. The counterbalance mechanism can apply a force to the bearing block to counterbalance the weight of the C-arm and the bearing block. Thus, the described C-arm positioning device can allow a user to easily raise or lower the C-arm with relatively little effort. While some implementations of the C-arm positioning device are connected to mobile support structure, other implementations of the C-arm positioning device are mounted to a fixed support structure. Other implementations are also described.
US08430560B2

In a method for detecting the freezing of water within a fuel cell, precise detection can be performed using a phenomenon specific to the time when water starts to freeze to allow a reduction in erroneous activation. Detection at an early stage after the start of freezing is allowed, and hence measures can be taken against an output reduction before the water within the fuel cell completely freezes.
US08430554B2

A lamp clip (LC) includes a support pin (SP) making contact with and supporting an optical sheet such as a diffusion plate (46), and also includes ribs (RB) rising from the outer periphery of the support pin (SP) and reinforcing the support pin (SP).
US08430548B1

An enhanced light fixture containing a volumetric diffuser to control the spatial luminance uniformity and angular spread of light from the light fixture is disclosed. The volumetric diffuser provides increased spatial luminance uniformity and efficient control over the illuminance such that power reductions, reduced cost or reduced size may be achieved. The volumetric diffuser contains one or more regions of volumetric light scattering particles. The spread of illumination of light from a light emitting source can be efficiently controlled by using a thin, low cost, volumetric, diffuser to direct the light in the desired direction. This allows the reduction in number of light sources, a reduction in power requirements, or a more tailored illumination. When the volumetric diffuser is used in combination with a waveguide to extract light, the light is efficiently coupled out of the waveguide in a thin, planar surface. This transmissive diffuser can be coupled to a reflecting element such that the resulting combination is a light reflecting element with a desired light scattering profile.
US08430541B2

A ceiling fan with an illumination mechanism includes a motor, a motor rotary disc, blades, a wire collection case, an annular LED lid and a lampshade. The motor includes a switch control circuit board to control LEDs provided on the annular LED lid. The annular LED lid is connected to the wire collection case. The wire collection case has a wire collection hole at a top thereof. The wires extend out from the switch control circuit board are confined in the LED lid. The wire collection case further has a pair of first pin holes at a bottom thereof. The LEDs are disposed around a lower portion of the LED lid to illuminate downward. The LED lid has two threaded hole at two sides of a bottom thereof. The lampshade has two corresponding holes for connection of screws. The LED lid has at least one pair of second pin holes at the lower portion thereof. The second pin holes correspond in position to the first pin holes of the wire connection case for connection of a pin. Thereby, through the switch control circuit board, the motor and the LEDs are respectively and selectively controlled by a power switch and the brightness of the LEDs is selectively controlled.
US08430532B2

An LED lamp includes a lamp seat and a light assembly. The lamp seat includes a heat-dispersing unit having a plurality of tubular members extending in a horizontal direction and disposed in a side-by-side manner. Each of the tubular members defines a tubular space. The light assembly includes a light module having an LED element. The light module is mounted directly or indirectly on the tubular members of the heat-dispersing unit.
US08430523B1

An asymmetrical optical assembly employs reflecting surfaces and a lens to combine the light from a plurality of LED lamps into an illumination pattern useful in a floodlight or work light. The reflecting surfaces and lens optical element are not symmetrical with respect to a plane bisecting the optical assembly and including the optical axes of the LED light sources. Some light from the LED light sources is redirected from its emitted trajectory into the desired illumination pattern, while a significant portion of the light from the LED light sources is permitted to exit the optical assembly without redirection. Minimizing the number of optical elements employed and the redirection of light enhances the efficiency of the resulting light assembly.
US08430522B2

A holster and shade used to protect a light stick as well as act as a support therefor. The holster comprises a hollow tubular sheath dimensioned to protect the entire length of the light stick placed therein when in a stored position. When illumination is desired, the light stick is extracted from the holster sheath, reversed, and inserted into the holster, which then supports the light stick with a lens thereof exposed for providing the required illumination.
US08430521B2

Disclosed herein is a pool light assembly having structure for providing cooling to pools having illumination elements. The light assembly includes a sub-assembly having one or more light elements, preferably high output LED elements. Additionally, the light assembly has a water channel. The LED sub-assembly is located proximate the water channel. In the several embodiments shown, the structure of a typical light assembly has been modified such that the distance between the LED sub-assembly and the water channel is minimized.
US08430520B2

In a lamp clip 30, a locking portion 32 locked from the rear side to the hole edge of a locking hole 41 formed in a chassis 22 through an insertion hole 43 formed in an optical sheet 27 is provided. In the chassis 22, a through-hole 42 having a hole area larger than that of the locking hole 41 is provided continuously from the locking hole 41. The locking portion 32 is allowed to move between a fixed position where the locking portion 32 is located in the locking hole 41 and an attaching and detaching position where the locking portion 32 is located in the through-hole 42. The insertion hole 43 of the optical sheet 27 has a hole area larger than that of the locking hole 41. The optical sheet 27 is allowed to slide from an initial position where the insertion hole 43 communicates with the through-hole 42 in a direction along a moving direction of the locking portion 32.
US08430512B2

An image projection device for displaying an image onto a remote surface. The image projection device employs a scanner to project image beams of visible light and tracer beams of light onto a remote surface to form a display of the image. The device also employs a light detector to sense at least the reflections of light from the tracer beam pulses incident on the remote surface. The device employs the sensed tracer beam light pulses to predict the trajectory of subsequent image beam light pulses and tracer beam light pulses that form a display of the image on the remote surface in a pseudo random pattern. The trajectory of the projected image beam light pulses can be predicted so that the image is displayed from a point of view that can be selected by, or automatically adjusted for, a viewer of the displayed image.
US08430511B2

The present invention provides a kit of contact lenses, comprising two or more contact lenses having a known higher order aberration for each given lens power. By way of example, the higher order aberration may comprise a spherical aberration, a coma aberration, or a trefoil aberration. A practitioner selects a lens from the kit and applies the lens to a patient's eye and measures a residual higher order aberration of the lens-eye system. In cases where the residual higher order aberration exceeds a predetermined magnitude, the practitioner selects a second lens from the kit, applies the second lens to the patient's eye and measures the residual higher order aberration of the lens-eye system.
US08430497B2

An ink jet recording method includes ejecting at least two color ink compositions onto a recording medium so as to be deposited one on another. When one ink composition is deposited to form a first image and then another ink composition is deposited to form a second image on the first image, the ink composition forming the second image has a higher yield value than the ink composition forming the first image.
US08430496B2

An ink contains a plurality of pigments and a plurality of polymers. The plurality of pigments include C.I. pigment yellow 4 and C.I. pigment yellow 128. The plurality of polymers include a polymer A and a polymer B. The C.I. pigment yellow 74 is dispersed by the polymer A. The C.I. pigment yellow 128 is dispersed by the polymer B. A hydrogen bond parameter YA of a unit having the smallest hydrogen bond parameter of the constitutional units of the polymer A and a hydrogen bond parameter YB of a unit having the smallest hydrogen bond parameter of the constitutional units of the polymer B satisfy the relationship of YA
US08430495B2

An ink jet recording method for recording an image having metallic gloss on a textile product using an ink jet recording apparatus includes forming a base layer by letting droplets of a first ink composition containing a first thermoplastic resin adhere on the textile product; and forming a metallic gloss layer by letting droplets of a second ink composition containing a metallic pigment and a second thermoplastic resin adhere on the base layer. The glass transition temperature of the first thermoplastic resin is not higher than that of the second thermoplastic resin. The formation of the base layer is performed at a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of the first thermoplastic resin.
US08430493B2

The present invention provides an inkjet ink composition including: self-dispersing polymer particles, each of the self-dispersing polymer particles including a structural unit derived from a hydrophilic monomer and a structural unit derived from a hydrophobic monomer; colloidal silica; and colorant particles, the inkjet ink composition having excellent dischargeability and suppressing the deterioration of the liquid repellency of an inkjet head member.
US08430488B2

An automatic vacuum ink container and its ink supply valve device and vacuum piston device. The ink container comprises a container cylinder, an ink supply valve mounted at one end of the container cylinder for opening and closing the passage of the ink, and a vacuum piston, mounted at the other end of the container cylinder and provided with more than one exhaust hole, for exhausting air when packaging ink and for pushing ink toward the ink supply valve when supplying ink. The ink supply valve comprises a valve lid and a valve sleeve; the valve lid can be pushed by ink to move forward to form a space for dispensing ink; two sloping sealing faces are provided respectively around the top of the valve sleeve and on the inner wall of the top of the valve lid. The exhaust pores are set through the vacuum piston longitudinally.
US08430462B2

A server rack includes a main body, a pair of rails, and a pair of air guiding members. The main body includes two opposite sidewalls, each of which include a first flange defining a number of first through holes and define an air hole. The rails define a channel communicating with the air holes in the main body. Each air guiding member covers the corresponding air hole and includes a second flange that contacts corresponding first flange and defines a number of second through holes. A portion of the second though holes in each second flange and the corresponding first through holes are inserted by fasteners and the other second through holes and the corresponding first through holes without the fasteners inserted are reserved for directing cooling air to the channel via the air guiding members and the air holes.
US08430461B1

An article of furniture, such as a night stand, is configured with firearm access features. A drawer of the article of furniture may include a mount for holding a firearm in the drawer. The mount may be configured to move a firearm from a horizontal storage position to a vertical position when the drawer is opened. The drawer may include a firearm locator feature comprising an arm-locating cut-out in a side of the drawer. The drawer may also include an access feature for selectively maintaining the drawer in a closed position and ejecting the drawer to an extended position, such as upon release of a catch which permits a spring to bias the drawer outwardly. The access features secure the firearm and at the same time permit expedited access to the firearm, including in the dark.
US08430456B2

A stroller seat assembly has a seat bottom with a forward end and a rear end. A calf support is pivotally connected to the seat bottom adjacent the forward end and is pivotable between a lowered position and a raised position. A lock mechanism can, in a locked arrangement, retain the calf support in a selected one of the raised and lowered positions. A release actuator is actuable between a locked position associated with the locked arrangement and a released position that reconfigures the lock mechanism to a released arrangement. The release actuator is gripped and released by one hand of a user whereby the calf support is selectively pivotable toward either of the raised and lowered positions by the same hand.
US08430455B2

A device for maintaining a hinge of a seat in an unlocked position, that includes a locking mechanism that can be declutched by rotation of an axis of the hinge, and a cam connected to a back of the seat and having a profile adapted to act on a forced-rotation driving mechanism of the hinge axis from a first inclination angle of the back of the seat towards the front, and to stop acting on the driving mechanism from a second inclination angle towards the front.
US08430452B2

A car seat is configured to rest on a vehicle seat and to support a child. The car seat has a shell with a front side, a rear side, a seat back end, a seat bottom end, and a seating surface with a seat back portion and a seat bottom portion. A first contact surface is defined on a part of the car seat facing generally opposite the seat bottom portion. Adapter bodies are carried on the car seat. Each adapter body defines a second contact surface and is movable between a stowed position in which the first contact surface is exposed and positioned to rest on the vehicle seat with the seating surface at a first incline and a deployed position in which second contact surfaces are exposed and positioned to rest on the vehicle seat with the seating surface at a second incline different than the first incline.
US08430451B1

A child's car seat with an integral heating apparatus is herein disclosed, comprising a flexible electric heating pad layer immediately below back and seat portions of the car seat. The heating pad is connected to a rechargeable battery located therewithin a base portion of the car seat. A remote control unit provides settings of “OFF”, “LOW”, “MED”, and “HIGH” and would allow the apparatus to be controlled from the front seat while the vehicle is in motion. At the “HIGH” setting, the maximum temperature obtainable would be limited to an appropriate temperature to prevent overheating of the child.
US08430442B2

A tractor is disclosed as a four-wheel drive vehicle with a movable seat back, with a seat height adjustment and with a varying load capability. The tractor also has a speed control device.
US08430441B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a removable bed liner. In one embodiment, the bed liner is comprised of a flexible material, such as polyethylene, nylon, or canvas. These embodiments may be used as a supplement to a rigid bed liner. Side curtains prevent loose material from spilling over the edge of the truck tailgate.
US08430440B1

A storage assembly for use in conjunction with an interior vehicle console includes a housing, a storage compartment, and a cover. The cover is movable between an open position and a closed position along a rotational axis of movement and also movable along a vertical axis of movement from the open position to a stowed position where the cover is concealed, allowing full access to the storage compartment. The movement of the door along the rotational axis of movement occurs substantially outside of the console. The movement of the door further actuates an ambient light feature and is dampened along the rotational axis of movement and the vertical axis of movement. The storage assembly further comprises latching mechanisms which are used to retain the door in the closed position as well as the stowed position.
US08430431B2

A coupler and plug system for air line uses which identifies properly mating components by the colors of the components. The coupler of the system includes a sleeve which is made in a chosen color. The plug of the system is made in the same color as the sleeve of the coupler. The plug and coupler sleeve may be anodized aluminum dyed in the same color. By choosing a plug which is of a matching color to the sleeve of a coupler, the user will choose a plug which properly mates with the coupler.
US08430429B2

The invention relates to a hose connection for a fuel dispensing unit. The hose connection comprises a pipe for transporting fuel from a fuel reservoir, a hose for transporting fuel to a motor vehicle, an intermediate member adapted to connect said hose with said pipe, and a locking device fixed to said fuel dispensing unit adapted to interlock said pipe and said intermediate member. The hose connection is secured in relation to said fuel dispensing unit. The invention also relates to a fuel dispensing unit comprising such hose connection.
US08430413B2

A vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle, has a structure with which an increase in the weight of a strut damper can be suppressed. A strut damper axis is disposed to be along an imaginary line formed by imaginarily interconnecting an intersection at which a vertical line passing through a grounding point of a wheel intersects an extension line of a lower arm and a connection point at which the strut damper is connected to a vehicle body. A reaction force from a road surface is input to the strut damper substantially along the strut damper axis. Since no bending force is exerted on the strut damper, the strut damper can be made smaller in size, and the strut damper can be made lighter in weight.
US08430411B2

A selectively configurable trolley for transporting articles across a given terrain includes a housing having a top platform and sides that at least partially define an enclosure for mounting internal operating components therein. One or more roller bearings are disposed within the housing and all configured to rotatingly support a drive belt. A handle is attached to the housing for pushing or pulling the trolley and a guide roller is disposed at a proximal end of the housing and is angled relative to the roller bearings to facilitate rotation of the belt therearound.
US08430406B2

A card game includes a card exchange feature. In a poker variation, a dealer is dealt an initial hand and a player is dealt an initial hand. The player is permitted to elect to exchange none, one or more or all of the cards in their hand with cards from the dealer's hand. Elected cards are then exchanged with the dealer's hand and a final player and a final dealer hand are formed from the original hands as modified by any exchanged cards. The rank of the player's final hand is then compared to the rank of the dealer's final hand and the player's hand is declared to be the winner if it outranks the dealer's hand.
US08430379B2

An apparatus for dispensing fog by means of continually discharging water particles for humidification, sanitation, and dust suppression. The apparatus provides the user a device that utilizes pressurized gases for the de-correlation of water to generate and dispense water particles. The present invention makes use of a uniquely structured nozzle to dispense water particles that will not be attracted to one another.
US08430378B2

In one embodiment of the invention, a valve apparatus is provided to proportionally control fluid flow. The valve apparatus includes a housing having a valve body with an inlet port having a valve seat and an outlet port; a valve assembly including an armature, a movable fluid control member, and at least one spring biasing the valve assembly into a closed position, a diaphragm in contact with the valve seat of the inlet port when the valve is in the closed position, and a poppet plate backing the diaphragm, in contact with the fluid control member and extending beyond the valve seat on the inlet port. The valve apparatus also has a solenoid assembly including an electromagnetic coil and a pole piece, the solenoid moves the armature when energized to allow fluid to flow through the valve apparatus.
US08430374B2

The invention relates to a ceiling formwork (1) having formwork panels (2) comprising rectangular edge webs (3) horizontally disposed in the usage position, and supporting means, such as carriers (15) and/or supports (17) for said formwork panels (2), and a holding element (4) gripping the edge webs (3) of adjacent formwork panels (2) in the corner region, said element comprising centering protrusions (5) for the edge webs (3) of said formwork panels (2) and intersecting openings (6) that are open toward the top, extending horizontally between the centering protrusions (5) in the usage position, which are limited by lateral centering surfaces (7) of the centering protrusions (5). These lateral limitations or centering surfaces (7) of the openings (6) approximate each other from the top to the bottom at least up to a distance from each other that corresponds to the total thickness of two edge webs (3) of in each case two formwork panels (2) in contact with each other in the usage position, wherein a groove-like intermediate space (12) may be provided beneath this closest approximation of the centering surfaces (7) as a continuation of the centering surfaces (7) in order to positively encompass the edges of the edge webs (3) of the formwork panels (2).
US08430371B2

A quick release hook and loop device is used to attach an object to a base surface, such as a wall. It is comprised of first and second quick release sections and a strap. The quick release sections each have a nonstick side. The quick release sections are attached to each other at their nonstick sides by threading a strap through openings within the quick release sections. The other sides of the quick release sections are provided with hook or loop fastener surfaces. The device may be used to attach an object to a surface by way of hook and loop fastener bonds. The hook and loop fastener bonds may be effectively broken by removing the strap from the quick release sections.
US08430370B2

A display panel mounting assembly includes a dome-shaped lower bearing member on a support member, an upper bearing member, and a carrier member attached to the display panel and held between the upper and lower bearing members. The lower bearing member has a central bore and a pair of stops projecting from opposite sides of the bore. The carrier member has a opening which receives the stops. A stop post projects from the support member adjacent the bearing member. An aperture which receives the post is formed in the carrier spaced apart from the opening. The opening and the tabs cooperating to control pivoting of the carrier member with respect to the support member in one degree of freedom. The aperture and the post cooperate to control pivoting of the carrier member in a second degree of freedom.
US08430368B2

A wall mounting bath accessory assembly contains a fixing member including a contacting fence with a recess and two engaging portions, and the engaging portion including a shoulder arranged on an upper end thereof; a retaining member including a body, an first hook, and two second hooks; the first hooks being inserted through an upper end of the fixing member to retain with the recess so as to limit the retaining member; the second hook including a hooking segment to retain with the first hook and the recess, and when a lower end of the retaining member is pushed inward, the engaging portions of the fixing member abutting against the retaining member to cause a resilient deformation so that the retaining member retains with the engaging portions, and a top end of the anchor being stopped by the shoulder so that an upward displacement of the retaining member is limited.
US08430348B2

A garbage disposer includes a casing, a garbage cup (103), a stirrer, an electrical heater (110), a deodorizing box (111) and a blower (113). An impeller (3) is arranged in the chamber surrounded by the mounting board (1) of the blower and the blower casing (2). An electromotor (4) is arranged at the other side of the mounting board. The output shaft of the electromotor drives the impeller (3) through the mounting board (1). The inlet (96) of the blower is provided on the blower casing in the axis direction of the impeller. The outlet (97) of the blower is provided on the circumference of the blower casing. The mounting board (1) includes a board body (81) and a mounding portion (82) formed integrally. The board body (81) and the mounding portion (82) are perpendicular to each other. Several recesses (85) are formed by punch on the outside of the right angle (83) formed by the board body (81) and the mounding portion (82). Then the stability of the blower can be improved and the vibration and the noises can be reduced.
US08430330B1

An apparatus for reducing a first document image and a second document image in a size and producing output images on a single sheet, the apparatus including: a creating unit configured to create a code containing information with a higher security level selected from first information contained in a code of the first document image and second information contained in a code of the second document image; and a unit configured to add the code created by the creating unit to the output image.
US08430325B2

In some implementations, a method includes interfacing a mobile device including a GUI. User credentials used to execute transactions with contactless devices are securely stored and associated with one or more enterprises. The secure memory includes master credentials and a master security framework that enables enterprises to store or update user credentials and associated security frameworks. Displays associated with the user credentials are dynamically generated and presented through the GUI of the mobile device. Wireless transactions are executed with contactless devices using the selectable user credentials.
US08430319B2

An imaging reader has a two-dimensional array of image sensors for capturing return light from a two-dimensional symbol over a field of view as pixel data to be stored in internal random access memory (RAM) of a controller even though the internal RAM has less storage bytes than the number of sensors. The controller determines a size and a location of the symbol in the field of view, maps and subdivides the symbol into a plurality of image capture zones based on the symbol size and location, sequentially captures the return light from each zone, sequentially stores the pixel data from each zone into the internal RAM, sequentially digitizes the stored pixel data from each zone as digitized data, and decodes the digitized data from all the zones.
US08430315B2

Systems and methods for encoding and decoding data is disclosed. The system may receive data, and may create a field of marks corresponding to the data, along with one or more identifiers corresponding to positions within the field of marks. A decoding system may receive the field of marks, and may decode the marks into data based at least in part on the one or more identifiers.
US08430310B1

Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for identifying a user associated with a wearable electronic device. First, a directed electromagnetic radiation comprising an identifier associated with a user of the wearable electronic device is transmitted to a first target device. In response, a challenge signal is received requesting a verification response verifying the authenticity of the identifier. The wearable electronic device than detects a predefined user input, and responsive to receiving the challenge signal and detecting the predefined user input, transmits a challenge response corresponding to the predefined user input to a second target device. The first and second target devices may be the same device. The predefined user input may be comprise one or more sensed head movements and/or detected user input operations.
US08430307B2

An automated banking machine system operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system is operative to read a financial card bearing account indicia with a card reader. A user is able to perform at least one banking operation responsive to account indicia read by the card reader from the card. The banking operations include dispensing cash and accessing financial accounts. A user is also able to perform at least one banking operation responsive to financial account data received by the automated banking machine from a mobile phone.
US08430299B2

A method and system for providing information about recorded media content having a beginning and end time. A progress bar including a first portion is displayed on a display device. The first portion graphically represents the duration of the recorded media content and has a first color. The progress bar also includes a second portion having a second color. The second portion graphically represents a section of the recorded media content that is viewed during a viewing session. The second color is distinct from the first color.
US08430294B2

A flux composition is provided, comprising, as initial components: a carboxylic acid; and, an amine fluxing agent represented by formula I: Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the flux composition.
US08430292B2

A surgical fastening apparatus including a fastener receiving frame including a plurality of spaced apart openings formed therein and a fastener supporting member containing a plurality of surgical fasteners extending therefrom. The surgical fasteners are engagable with the plurality of openings to mate with the fastener receiving frame to fasten tissue therebetween. The fasteners are engageable with the openings in a plurality of positions dependent on a tissue thickness between the fastener receiving frame and the fastener supporting member.
US08430285B2

Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and apparatus for supporting a firearm from a person can be provided. For example, in one embodiment, a sling system for an object, such as a firearm or weapon, can be provided. The sling system can include a sling operable to mount an object to a portion of a person's body, wherein the sling comprises at least one adjustment loop. The sling system can also include an adjuster mounted to a portion of the at least one adjustment loop. Furthermore, the sling system can include a quick tab adjuster operable to change the size of the at least one adjustment loop, wherein the length of the sling can be changed when the sling is mounted to a portion of a person's body.
US08430279B2

A bottle accessory for application with a cap to the neck of a bottle, includes: a housing dimensioned so as to be fixedly received within the bottle neck; and a connector disc attached to the upper end of the housing and receivable within the cap to serve as an inner liner thereof when the cap is applied to the neck of the bottle. The housing and connector disc are constructed to enable the housing to be attached with the cap to the bottle neck and, once so attached, to enable the connector disc to be released from the housing, such that when the cap is removed, the connector disc will remain as a liner within the cap, while the housing will remain attached to the bottle neck. The invention is particularly useful in a retractable spout assembly wherein the housing houses a retractable spout.
US08430276B2

A cartridge for a flowable material, e.g. caulking compounds, sealants and adhesives, includes a tubular container, an end plate disposed at a first end to a tubular container, a nozzle extending from the end plate, a plunger received in the tubular container, and a barb extending inwardly from the tubular container. The end plate includes an opening. The nozzle is in communication with the opening. The barb is configured to limit movement of the plunger in a first axial direction. A method for packaging a flowable material includes introducing flowable material into a tubular container, inserting a plunger into the container, and deforming the tubular container at a location axially spaced from an end of the container at a location axially spaced from an end of the container to create a mechanical stop.
US08430274B2

The present invention provides a foam dispensing assembly comprising a liquid piston pump, comprising a liquid cylinder and a liquid piston delimiting a liquid pump chamber, and a liquid inlet and outlet, an air piston pump comprising an air cylinder and an air piston delimiting an air pump chamber, and an air inlet and outlet, a common actuation button for actuation of said liquid pump and said air pump, a dispensing channel for mixing and dispensing liquid and air pumped by said liquid and air pump, respectively, and a securing collar for attachment of said dispensing assembly to a container. The invention is characterized in that said air cylinder is formed by a cylindrical skirt of said actuation button, and said air piston is at least partially formed by a cylindrical extension of said securing collar and in that said air chamber at least partially surrounds said liquid chamber.
US08430270B2

A glue dispenser includes an injector, a controller, a gas conduit and a dispensing head. The injector includes a glue conduit and a heat sink assemble. The controller controls a gas volume input to the glue conduit. The gas conduit is connected with the controller and the injector. The dispensing head is connected with the glue conduit for dispensing glue. The heat sink assemble defines a through hole connecting the gas conduit and the glue conduit. The glue dispenser maintains the glue conduit at a stable temperature.
US08430269B2

The tablet cassette includes a division block installed to be rotated by a drive motor to discharge tablets introduced from above through transfer passages indented in an outer circumferential surface thereof. Each of the transfer passage includes a separation recess for downward transfer of the tablets, a lower end of which is blocked by a prop, and a supply recess along which the tablets having passed through the separation recess are moved on the outer circumferential surface of the division block to thereby be discharged downward via rotation of the division block. The tablet cassette further includes a bottom ring provided around a lower end of the division block to transfer the tablets located in the separation recess into the supply recess via rotation of the division block.
US08430268B2

A lid for securing to the brim of a container, the lid including a container closure having a disk shaped member with a periphery for mating with the brim of the container. The periphery includes annular inner and outer side walls with at least one annular rib disposed on each of the inner and outer side walls. The ribs of the annular walls form a gripping area to secure the lid to the container for preventing leaks and accidental spillage. A top wall interconnects the inner and outer side walls and includes visual cues for viewing the brim of the container when the lid is affixed to the brim. The lid additionally includes a pronounced wedge shaped sipping spout projecting upwards from the container closure. The container closure includes a circular indented channel for stacking one lid covered cup over another with additional stability provided by the sipping spout.
US08430260B2

A closure 10 is provided for retaining fluid pressure within a vessel, and comprises a hub 12 having an access opening to the vessel, with the hub having a circumferential stop 17 and one or more recesses 50 each extending radially outward from an adjacent inner surface 26 of the hub. A door 22 is positioned between the stop surface and the vessel, and a latch member 30 brings the door into sealing engagement with the stop member. One or more lugs 24 each extend radially outward from an exterior surface of the door, which may be tilted from a closed position to an open position then back to the closed position by a pair of cables extending from the door to outside the hub.
US08430259B2

A closure with a flexible diaphragm that equalizes the internal pressure of a container to the external pressure. The closure may include an inner member having a generally cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall may include internal threads capable of engaging with external threads of the container. The closure may also include an outer member including a generally circular cap body and an annular ring extending downward from the edges of the cap body. The annular ring shrouds at least a portion of the cylindrical wall. A flexible diaphragm may be operatively attached to the top of the cylindrical wall and spaced apart from the cap body. The flexible diaphragm deflects in response to the internal pressure of the container.
US08430257B2

A vessel includes a cylindrical section coaxially disposed about a central axis of the vessel. The cylindrical section includes an inside vessel surface, an outside vessel surface opposing the inside vessel surface, an upper end region circumscribing a vessel opening, and a lower end region axially spaced from the upper end region. A bottom section is disposed at the lower end region. A flange is coaxially disposed about the central axis and extends radially outward from the outside vessel surface at the upper end region. The flange includes a bottom surface facing generally toward the lower end region and perpendicular to the inside vessel surface. A ring may be coaxially disposed about the central axis and provide the bottom surface. An annular shoulder may protrude from the outside vessel surface, and may be spaced from or integrally adjoined to the flange.
US08430250B2

A friction lock adaptable spacer configured to provide suitable separation between two or more objects. The spacer may be used during the storage, transport, display, and/or use of the objects to separate them and protect them from their surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the spacer is designed to maintain a suitable separation between two or more beverage containers. The spacer has a single piece construction, which reduces assembly and disassembly labor, and also reduces materials required for construction and disposal. The spacer may be constructed from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard.
US08430249B2

Multiple shafts are aligned along a frame and configured to rotate in a direction causing paper products to move along a separation screen. The shafts are configured with a shape and spacing so that substantially rigid pieces of the paper products move along the screen while non-rigid pieces of the paper products slide down between adjacent shafts. In one embodiment, the screen includes at least one vacuum shaft that has a first set of air input holes configured to suck air and retain the non-rigid paper products. A second set of air output holes are configured to blow out air to dislodge the paper products retained by the input holes.
US08430245B2

A device and method for tape and reel packaging of small electronic components providing positioning mechanisms to allow one or more components to be placed in a desired orientation and alignment within a tape carrier pocket. The device is an insert fitting within the carrier pocket including positioning mechanisms such as protruding shapes, protruding ridges, and/or frame work, or the like, which engage with inner surfaces, outer surfaces, or perimeters, or a combination, of the component to be packaged. A method for tape and reel packaging including further delineation of regions within a tape carrier pocket for disposition of electronic components is also disclosed.
US08430244B2

The present invention relates to adhesive-based battery isolation systems and methods of use. Embodiments of the present invention include utilizing one or more adhesive members to electrically isolate a used battery or electrical storage device such that it may be positioned back within an open package for storage without exposure to moisture. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electrical storage and isolation system including an electrical storage device, a storage compartment, and at least one adhesive member. The storage compartment may be any form of storage compartment with a releasable opening such as conventional retail plastic package or a flexible retort type package. The system may include one or more adhesive members for use in electrically isolating an electrical storage device.
US08430214B2

A braking system allows for smooth and accurate stopping of a camera dolly operating on tracks. A pair of caliper brake modules attached to the dolly frame are sized so that they fit over and at least partially surrounds the track. When the caliper brakes are activated, brake pads are moved towards the surrounded track squeezing it and providing a significant braking force. This permits the dolly to be smoothly brought to a stop with no possibility of the dolly wheel locking and skidding. The braking system can be temporarily attached to the dolly by a removable fastener system, or it can be permanently built into the dolly. A master hydraulic cylinder with a conveniently placed actuating lever is connected to the brake caliper modules by hydraulic lines so that slave hydraulic cylinders can apply the brakes in response to the actuating lever.
US08430210B2

An elevator system which utilizes four or more independently moving cabs in each elevator shaft. The lower cabs are connected to four spatially separated counterweights at four different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may be connected to one or two counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two tracks, each track on one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.
US08430207B2

Herein is disclosed a preassembled and pretorqued friction brake comprising at least a pressure plate, a ratchet ring, a friction ring, and a backing plate. Further disclosed is a centrifugally-operated safety device comprising the preassembled and pretorqued friction brake, and methods of making.
US08430206B2

Herein are disclosed fall-protection safety devices comprising a load-bearing housing comprised of a composite polymeric material, and also comprising a load-bearing anchorage plate connected to the load-bearing housing by at least one load-bearing connector.
US08430204B1

A rescue harness used to extricate a body from a hazardous position. The harness is quickly and easily donned by a rescuer or wearer and can be stored between a jacket and liner. The apparatus comprises two linked arm loops that are wrapped around the wearer's shoulders. Alternatively, an additional loop comprises a lower torso strap that wraps around the wearer's lower torso and is connected to the upper torso harness with a carabiner. Two smaller continuous loops linked to the arm loops allow the potential rescuer to easily grasp the harness with gloved hands or attach a lifting cable.
US08430195B2

A tractor comprising a hood having a radiator grille, at least one front light assembly and a support designed to keep the front light assembly detached from the grille.
US08430188B2

The invention relates to track systems (14, 14′) that may be used to convert steerable, all-wheel drive construction equipment to steerable, multi-track construction vehicles (10). A preferred embodiment of the track system (14, 14′) includes a frame (60, 182) having a reinforcing enclosure (150, 230), a plurality of track engaging rollers (82-86, 202-206), a sprocket (102, 214), and an endless track (76, 198) operatively connected to the frame (60, 182). Tension on the endless track (76, 198) is maintained with two tensioning members (170, 244) operatively connected to the forwardmost roller (82, 202). The track system (14, 14′) preferably includes a limiting apparatus (300) that is configured to restrict the rotational movement “r” of the frame (60, 182) relative to a vehicle axle (16) to which it is attached. The limiting apparatus (300) has a first component (40), which is associated with the vehicle axle (16), is configured and arranged to interact with a second component (262), which is associated with the frame of the track system (14, 14′). Preferably, the limiting apparatus (300) is adjustable such that the range of rotational movement “r” can be varied.
US08430184B2

A valve body has a channel extending along an axis and an inlet port open to the channel. A sleeve, received about the valve body, overlies the inlet port and is rotatable about the axis relative the body. A nozzle projects radially outward from the sleeve. The nozzle is rotatable with the sleeve into a range of positions in which the nozzle communicates with the inlet port through the sleeve.
US08430173B2

A well tool can include a flow path, and a flow blocking device which selectively prevents flow through the flow path. The device can include an anhydrous boron compound. A method of constructing a downhole well tool can include forming a structure of a solid mass comprising an anhydrous boron compound, and incorporating the structure into the well tool.
US08430159B2

A method of radially expanding a tubular element in a wellbore formed in an earth formation comprises arranging the tubular element in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, whereby an annulus is defined between said expanded and remaining tubular sections, and axially extending the expanded tubular section by moving the remaining tubular section downward relative to the expanded tubular section so that said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. A diameter of the expanded tubular section is controlled by controlling a fluid pressure in the annulus.
US08430154B2

A heat transfer tube includes a container, a cavity within the container, and a heat transfer medium located within the cavity. The heat transfer medium consists essentially of a solid-gas suspension of a gas and a substantially homogeneous nanoparticle powder located within the cavity. The cavity is in a partial vacuum state. The nanoparticle powder comprises Ca(OH)2, LiH, ZrH2, or Mg(OH)2 in a solid state and is capable of substantially freely emitted and reabsorbing the gas as a function of temperature.
US08430152B2

An exemplary heat dissipation device includes a round heat sink and a fixing frame. The heat sink defines receiving depressions at an outer peripheral surface thereof. The fixing frame includes a peripheral side plate disposed around the heat sink and fixing legs corresponding to the receiving depressions of the heat sink extending downwardly from the side plate. The fixing frame includes blocks extending inwardly from an inner surface of the side plate and protruding members extending inwardly from the fixing legs. The heat sink is rotatably received in the fixing frame with a top of the heat sink abutting the blocks. When the heat sink is in an unlocked state, the protruding members align with the receiving depressions, respectively. When the heat sink is rotated to a locked state, the protruding members abut a bottom of the heat sink.
US08430147B2

A device and method are disclosed for forming air filled cushions. The device includes a drive mechanism to move inflatable tubing through the apparatus, and an injector, optionally including an outlet, located continuously within, or within a portion of, the tubing. This arrangement can permit the formation of air filled cushions in a continuous stream. Also disclosed is a roll of plastic tubing that is sealed transversely at a succession of intervals, with each pair of seals stopping just short of a longitudinal center line of the tubing. Such tubing might be used in conjunction with the apparatus, the central gap between the seals allowing passage of the injector.
US08430139B2

An agricultural liquid material application system broadly includes an agricultural applicator and a fluid-transferring connection assembly. The connection assembly includes complemental fluid connectors associated with a liquid material source and the applicator. The connection assembly includes a valve operably coupled to a corresponding one of the fluid connectors so as to be automatically shifted out of a closed position when the connectors are in sealing engagement with one another and the connection assembly is in a fluid transfer configuration.
US08430134B2

A universal adapter device facilitates transfer of liquid from a neck of a liquid dispenser to a receiving container. The device includes a hollow body. The hollow body includes a flexible liquid inlet with an inwardly sloping flexible collar, a liquid outlet, and a one-way valve for allowing air into the hollow body when a pressure within the hollow body is less than ambient pressure.
US08430133B2

An enclosure is filled with a filling gas according to the disclosed method. An enclosure is provided having an interior, a width, a height, a thickness, and fluid filling and exit holes fluidly communicating with the interior. Filling of the enclosure is commenced by directing a flow of the filling gas at a filling flow rate into the fluid filling hole. An oxygen concentration of gas exiting the fluid exit hole is sensed. The filling of the enclosure is stopped when the sensed oxygen concentration reaches a threshold concentration, wherein the threshold oxygen concentration and/or the filling flow rate are selected by a Decision Support Tool based upon the width, height, and/or the thickness.
US08430119B2

A water valve for an animal waterer which can be assembled, disassembled and repaired without the use of tools. The float arm pivots upon the valve body about an integral trunnion bar to permit selective engagement of the valve seal with the valve seat. A cover member overlies the valve body and retains the float arm to the valve body.
US08430118B2

An automatic flush device is provided that is mounted in a water tank. The automatic flush device includes an inlet control module, a lever module for discharging water and a tank module. The inlet control module includes an inlet element linked to the inlet tube and a solenoid valve set at the inlet element. The lever module for discharging water has a cup connected with the solenoid valve by a filling tube. An electronic sensing controller controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve to fill water into the cup. When the cup is full of water, the lever unbalances and slants to control the flushing of the water tank. Therefore, it is easy to control water current while requiring minimal power, thereby saving electric energy.
US08430117B2

A combination float control module and fluid flow control valve for use in high pressure, high flow rate refueling systems.
US08430113B2

A valve has a valve body provided on its inner peripheral surface with a seat ring, a stem arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of a flow passage defined in the valve body, and a valve element rotatably supported through a bush attached to the stem, and opens or closes the flow passage by pressing or separating the valve element against or from the seat ring in the valve body in accordance with the rotation of the valve element. The valve body is molded after the valve element, the seat ring, the stem, and the bush are placed in predetermined positions in a mold.
US08430112B2

The invention can provide or facilitate systems and methods for feeding a slurry and, in particular, to systems and methods for treating wastewater streams with a slurry having periodic flushing of conduits.
US08430102B2

A oral device for use in radiotherapy is disclosed. The device is a two piece adjustable mouthpiece for use during radiotherapy of the head and neck. The device provides immobilization of the tongue for accurate reproducible administration of radiation therapy. The device fits within the oral cavity of a patient and is maintained in position by a bite-member that fits over the maxillary teeth of the patient. The adjustable feature of the device allows the device to fit the mouth to accommodate differences in mouth cavities and bite profile.
US08430083B2

A mixing apparatus adapted for mixing the flow of intake air and exhaust gas in a mixing chamber of a combustion engine including a housing having a bore formed therethrough extending between a first open end and a second open end. The housing includes a plurality of apertures formed in a side wall thereof adjacent the first open end. A retention member is formed in the side wall adjacent the second open end and is adapted to secure the mixing apparatus within the mixing chamber. The mixing apparatus includes a flow deflector disposed in the bore of the housing. The flow deflector includes a plurality of curved deflector surfaces formed therein which correspond in number to and are aligned with the plurality of apertures. An end cap is secured to the housing at the first open end thereof for closing the bore at the first open end.
US08430082B2

In order to determine the quality of fuel in an auto-igniting internal combustion engine, a defined fuel amount is injected at defined crank shaft angles during a deceleration fuel shut-off phase of the internal combustion engine. The thereby created crankshaft torque contribution is detected and an absolute or relative measure is determined for the fuel quality thereof.
US08430078B2

A fuel injection valve is characterized in that a multi-fan stream nozzle is shaped, downstream from a fixed valve seat that is provided on the inner wall of a valve sleeve, directly into the valve sleeve itself. The multi-fan stream nozzle is integrated directly in the region of a bulge formed at the downstream end of the valve sleeve. The multi-fan stream nozzle, serving as an atomization device, possesses a plurality of slit-shaped spray openings, so that from the sheets of liquid emerging from the spray openings, sheet packets are formed in which individual sheets of liquid extend divergently from one another. Introduction of the spray openings into the deep-drawn valve sleeve is effected using ultrashort-pulse laser technology. The fuel injection valve is suitable in particular for use in fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing spark-ignited internal combustion engines.
US08430077B2

In a method for producing a piston for an internal combustion engine, at least the region of the upper annular groove is at least partially recessed, an adhesion promoter layer containing aluminum is then applied, a wear-resistant layer is thermally sprayed onto said adhesion promoter layer and at least the upper annular groove is at least partially formed in said layers. The invention also relates to a piston for an internal combustion engine that comprises a base material, an adhesion promoter layer that contains aluminum and is applied to at least some regions of said material and a wear-resistant layer that is thermally sprayed onto said adhesion promoter layer. At least the upper annular groove is at lest partially formed in said layers.
US08430069B2

An integrated hybrid heat exchanger with a multi-sectional structure, may include a first radiator and a second radiator, and/or at least a coolant bypass member disposed between the first and second radiators, the coolant bypass member connecting one end portion of the first radiator and the other end portion of the second radiator so as to fluid-communicate between the first radiator and the second radiator.
US08430065B2

Bail apparatus (1) includes an overhead support member (3) which is suspended from an overhead support framework (14) by a linkage mechanism (11) from an operating member (12), so that the bail apparatus is operable in a lower operative state for separating animals and an upper release state for releasing the animals from a milking parlor (2). A plurality of bail elements (8) are mounted at spaced apart locations along the overhead support member (3), and each bail element includes a partition element (22) which extends substantially transversely of the overhead support member (3) at an angle α of approximately 78.5°. A coupling bracket (17) couples each bail element (8) to the overhead support member (3). A mounting plate member (18) extending downwardly from the coupling bracket (17) is bent along a bend axis (50) which defines first and second forward abutment faces (51,52) and first and second rearward abutment faces (55,56) for facilitating engagement of the corresponding partition element (22) in a selected one of first and second selectable orientations with the partition element (22) extending in respective different directions from the overhead support member (3) at the respective angles α, α′ of 78.5°.
US08430064B2

Described is an animal containment/repellant system for, among other things, containing an animal within a containment area and simultaneously repelling the animal from a restricted area. More specifically, the animal containment/repellant system includes multiple signal transmitting antennas that simultaneously define multiple cooperating containment areas, restricted areas, or combination of containment and restricted areas.
US08430062B2

Present invention disclosed and claimed an easy to assemble exercise and play tower for animals, where a plurality of support plates are place in between a top and bottom plate, set up by a 3-post structure; an outer shield will be used to wrap up the skeletal structure and zipped snug in place by a vertical zipper and a horizontal zipper on top. At least some portion of the outer shield contains mesh type structure, to provide good ventilation.
US08430061B2

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for processing a very large number of fish eggs for gene injection and so on with a superior performance. An egg case has an egg-arranging plate and a cover plate. The fish eggs are dropped into concave portions of the egg-arranging plate, when the cover plate opens the concave portions. The cover plates closes the concave portions after fish eggs are accommodated in the concave portions.The egg case is fixed on a table of an egg-arranging apparatus. water is supplied on the egg-arranging plate in the egg plate. A scanning nozzle sprays water on upper surface of the egg-arranging plate. After closing the concave portions with the cover plate, the egg case is inclined for dropping fish eggs remaining on the cover plate.
US08430055B2

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for coating a medical device. In one embodiment, the method for preparing a substantially uniform coated medical device includes (1) preparing a coating solution comprising a solvent, a therapeutic agent, and an additive; (2) loading a metering dispenser with the coating solution; (3) rotating the medical device about the longitudinal axis of the device and/or moving the medical device along the longitudinal or transverse axis of the device; (4) dispensing the coating solution from the metering dispenser onto a surface of the medical device and flowing the coating solution on the surface of the medical device while the medical device is rotating and/or linearly moving; and (5) evaporating the solvent, forming a substantially uniform coating layer on the medical device.
US08430054B1

A portable fingerprint development system having a container and a base plate. The container includes a plurality of joined walls that present an opening and a rim surrounding the opening. The base plate has opposed first and second surfaces. The first surface mounts a heater that is operable to heat a fingerprint development material. The base plate is moveable between a transport position, in which the first surface is adjacent the container's rim and the heater is positioned within the container, and an operation position, in which the second surface is adjacent the container's rim to enclose an interior volume defined by the container's walls and the base plate. Preferably, an exhaust system is mounted on the first surface of the base plate for removing and/or filtering fumes within the container.
US08430053B2

A color-changing emulsion for use in a freeze indicator can employ a dispersion medium, for example, an aqueous liquid, a first reactant phase and a second reactant phase, which two reactant phases can both be dispersed in the dispersion medium. The first reactant phase includes a hydrophobic liquid and a first reactant, for example, a color precursor such as a leuco dye. The second reactant phase can include a hydrophobic liquid, and includes, or can be, a second reactant, for example, a color developer such as a leuco dye developer. The first and second reactant phases can be essentially unmixed, and can be co-reactable to provide a color change. In response to a freezing temperature, the color-changing emulsion can coagulate and change color irreversibly. An intense color change can be obtained by using, for example, a suitable leuco dye precursor and developer.
US08430050B2

The disclosure provides a system and method for locking and unlocking an extendable column to a deck. A deck-to-column connection assembly includes a pawl and shim used in a sequential de-ballasting and ballasting of the column to the deck that can easily lock and unlock the column with the deck. Generally, the locking method includes ballasting the column to insert a pawl between the column and the deck, de-ballasting the column to raise the column relative to the deck and create a vertical gap between the column and the deck, inserting a shim to fill the gap and secure the pawl in a deployed position, and further de-ballasting the column to raise the deck connected to the column. Generally, the unlocking method lowering the deck to float on water, de-ballasting the column to remove compressive stress on the shim, removing the shim, ballasting the column, and retracting the pawl.
US08430048B2

An apparatus designed to be mounted on a surface of a watercraft and including a line guard adapted to provide protection against damage to the painted surface and cosmetic trim of the watercraft from lines, such as one used for anchoring. The apparatus is designed in one embodiment to accept a line-holding member such as a cleat, clamp or the like.
US08430047B1

An apparatus that attaches to a small boat designed to stabilize a first end of the boat against the wind while a trolling motor stabilizes a second end is herein disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a clamp that attaches it to the side of the hull and a moveable shaft that holds a large piece of plastic which is partially submerged under the water. The apparatus is positioned such that it is perpendicular to the direction in which the wind is blowing. As such, as wind pushes against the side of the boat, resistance will be offered by the device as the wind must push it against the water as well. It can be quickly raised and lowered as required by the needs of the boat occupants. These features provide in effect, an “anchor” which stabilizes the boat against the wind.
US08430041B2

Table designed to be set up in a passenger railway vehicle and positioned between at least two seats facing each other, the said table comprising at least two folding trays, each tray facing a seat and comprising a first portion hinged to a second portion at an edge characterised in that it comprises a fixed housing positioned above the plane defined by the trays when they are in a horizontal unfolded position, the said fixed housing being capable of receiving the trays when they are in a vertical folded back position in which the first and second portion are arranged vertically against each other, the second portion being hinged to the fixed housing at an edge opposite the edge cooperating with the first portion of the tray.
US08430023B2

An aerator for fluids, such as wine, includes an upper bowl portion with a set of openings in the base, a restrictor plate with, in the preferred embodiment, three sets of apertures. Each of the restrictor plate aperture sets can be aligned with the bowl openings to provide three different flow rates. A collar portion selects the aperture set to be aligned and includes vents to permit air into a central flow path wherein the wine is aerated as it flows through the collar portion.
US08430020B2

A piston allowing a lubrication layer of a resin coating with a low friction coefficient to be tightly adhered to a skirt portion of a piston for an internal combustion engine, with low friction, superior wear resistance, and superior anti-seizing properties and that can reduce wear of a cylinder inner wall even if the lubrication layer is peeled off or abraded, is provided. Metal or ceramic fine particles having an average particle diameter of 20 μm to 400 μm are injected with compressed air or compressed nitrogen as a mixture fluid onto the skirt portion of the piston, made of an aluminum alloy and produced by a method such as casting or forging, at an injection speed of 80 m/s or more or an injection pressure of 0.2 MPa or more to be collided with the skirt portion, thereby uniformly making a microstructure of a piston base material fine-grained in a depth range of 1 μm to 15 μm from a surface of the skirt portion and forming a modified layer with an activated surface. A lubrication layer is formed on the modified layer, for example, by applying a resin with a low friction coefficient, while a surface of the modified layer is being activated.
US08430019B2

Adjusting device which has a main cylinder (2) and a spring cylinder (3) arranged separately therefrom, wherein, during a pressure drop, the spring force acts hydraulically on the main cylinder (2). In order to design such an adjusting device more effectively, the effective spring piston area is variable.
US08430015B2

A buffer tube for a firearm, which is not an M16-type firearm, the buffer tube including a recoil mitigation tube, a recoil piston reciprocatingly mounted inside the recoil mitigation tube, and a recoil absorbing mechanism disposed in the recoil mitigation tube and engaging the recoil piston.
US08430008B2

A studio tool for working stock includes an upper housing, a lower housing, a viewfinder, a viewfinder cover, an alignment tool, and a pressure column. The upper housing and the lower housing are slidably connected so as to at least partially contain the alignment tool and pressure column. A main spring and lower springs may be used to bias the column blade.
US08430006B2

Tomatoes or other articles are placed over moving cutter blades (20) in article openings of an article locator of an article slicer (10). Article pushers (24) move downwardly and have downwardly extending pusher fins for pushing the tomatoes through the cutter blades. The article pushers are carried by a movable support plate (78) between retracted positions behind the cutter blades and extended positions over the cutter blades. A pick and placer (76) is carried by the same movable support plate (78) and moves simultaneously in the same lateral directions as the article pushers, between positions over the oncoming line of tomatoes on an entrance conveyor (64) and over the cutter blades.
US08430003B1

A compact folding hand tool system wherein the storage of replaceable tool driver bits in a multi-chambered tool bit cartridge and/or extended tools are contained within the confines of the tool handle in high density organized multiple rows along stepped planes defined by an X, Y and Z axis. The storage of driver bits and/or extended tools does not exceed beyond the physical width, height and length or contour design of the tool handle and can be accessed from one or two sides of the tool handle. The use of compact multi-chambered tool bit fixed or pivoting cartridge and/or pivoting extended tools equipped with multiple locations including a home position with semi secure positioning features or positive locking position features. Folding hand tool driver(s) either equipped with a singular or multiple locations including a home position with semi secure positioning features or positive locking position features. This system allows for a greater number of tools to be grouped together within the tool handle and minimize the need for additional tool containers such as tool boxes or pouches.
US08430002B2

A fastening apparatus includes a fixed body with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end defines a groove for receiving a pin, and a movable body having a coupling end and a receiving end, the coupling end coupled to the second end of the fixed body. The fastening apparatus further includes a socket disposed on the receiving end of the movable body, the socket capable of receiving a fastener, wherein an edge of the socket defines an aperture to align with a pin. The fastening apparatus further includes a plunging member disposed with in the movable body, the plunging member coupled to the fixed body, wherein the plunging member is utilized to apply pressure to the fastener.
US08429984B2

The present invention relates to a flow rate sensor 52 which causes a gas 80 included in a liquid 81 to travel in a piping 56, and which measures a flow speed of a sample by detecting the gas 80. The flow rate sensor 52 is configured to maintain a contact area of the gas with respect to the piping 56 at constant or at substantially constant.
US08429983B2

A device for measuring the physical characteristics of a flow within a pipe is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a hollow ring having an outer wall fixably attached to a meter flange that is inserted between two sections of pipe, and an inner wall on which a sensor is mounted to facilitate accurate flow measurements.
US08429979B2

The present invention is adapted to prevent a diaphragm from being deformed by a thermal stress caused by thermal expansion coefficients of a sensor main unit and a fixing member and includes a sensor main unit to which a fixed electrode is fixed, a diaphragm structure that forms a sealed space between the diaphragm structure and the sensor main unit and a fixing member that is jointed to the diaphragm structure in a manner of surrounding a pressure receiving part of the diaphragm structure so as to lead a fluid to the pressure receiving part, wherein the diaphragm structure includes a flat plane diaphragm main unit and first and second ring members each having a known thermal expansion coefficient that are respectively provided on both sides of a circumference of the diaphragm main unit.
US08429977B2

A very robust sensor element for an absolute-pressure measurement is described, which is suitable for high temperatures and able to be miniaturized to a large extent. The micromechanical pressure-sensor element includes a sensor diaphragm having a rear-side pressure connection and at least one dielectrically insulated piezo resistor for signal acquisition. Furthermore, the pressure-sensor element has a front-side reference volume, which is sealed by a cap structure spanning the sensor diaphragm. The cap structure is realized as thin-film structure.
US08429976B2

An improved manufacturing process for resonator-based pressure transducers is described. The process is a batch process in which several resonators are shaped simultaneously, using an etching process such as plasma etching. The end pieces are also shaped, if required, for several transducers. The end pieces and resonators are sandwiched together prior to separating the individual transducer units. The individual transducer units are then separated using a cutting process. The described process can be used to manufacture pressure transducers having a substantially smaller size, for example 5-6 mm outer dimensions and 2-3 mm resonators. The outer shape of the transducers can be a non-circular cylindrical shape such as that of a right square prism or an octagonal prism.
US08429972B2

There is provided an ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of efficiently generating an image both by using a transmission ultrasonic wave with a wide angle of beam spread and by using a transmission ultrasonic wave with a narrow angle of beam spread. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes: a transmission control part controlling transmission timings of a plurality of first piezoelectric elements so as to make a synthesized wave of ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plural first piezoelectric elements match an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a predetermined virtual transmission point; a signal detecting circuit detecting an electric signal corresponding to an ultrasonic echo transmitted from the plural first piezoelectric elements, reflected by an inspection target, and received by a plurality of second piezoelectric elements; and a generating part generating an image corresponding to the inspection target based on the electric signal.
US08429971B2

A micromechanical acceleration sensor includes a substrate, an elastic diaphragm which extends parallel to the substrate plane and which is partially connected to the substrate, and which has a surface region which may be deflected perpendicular to the substrate plane, and a seismic mass whose center of gravity is situated outside the plane of the elastic diaphragm. The seismic mass extends at a distance over substrate regions which are situated outside the region of the elastic diaphragm and which include a system composed of multiple electrodes, each of which together with oppositely situated regions of the seismic mass forms a capacitor in a circuit. In its central region the seismic mass is attached to the elastic diaphragm in the surface region of the elastic diaphragm which may be deflected perpendicular to the substrate plane.
US08429963B2

Method for assessment of friction properties of fibers or substrate. The method is useful for assessing the degree of damage of hair fibers, for demonstrating the efficacy of a composition for minimizing the friction properties of fibers or substrate and/or for supporting advertising claims.
US08429957B2

A system and/or method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in vehicle exhaust, and more particularly to a non-contact, sampling system and method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in exhaust emissions of commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicles that emit exhaust at an elevated level, under actual operating conditions.
US08429953B2

Disclosed is a method of investigating the conformation of biomolecules or changes in the conformation of biomolecules as a result of an interaction, in which biomolecules from a sample of biomolecules are adhered discretely to the sensing surface of an acoustic wave sensor operating in a liquid, and a conformation parameter which is related to the conformation of the biomolecules from the said sample which are adhered discretely to the sensing surface, but substantially independent of the resulting change in mass loading of the sensing surface, is calculated from the resulting change in the output signals of the acoustic wave sensor. The conformation parameter may the acoustic ratio or a parameter which is directly related to the acoustic ratio. There is also disclosed a method of investigating changes in the conformation of biomolecules which are adhered discretely to the sensing surface of an acoustic wave sensor operating in a liquid, in response to an interaction with an agent, by calculating a conformation parameter which is related to the change in conformation of biomolecules adhered discretely to the sensing surface as a result of an interaction with the agent, but which is substantially independent of any resulting change in mass loading of the sensing surface.
US08429952B1

A probe with antifouling components. The probe includes a sensor for measuring attributes of a fluid such as liquid or gas. The probe includes antifouling components to prevent or inhibit fouling. The antifouling components include material components, antifoulant components such as biocide, scaling inhibitors, etc., and wiper/shutter components that are arranged to collectively prevent or inhibit fouling of the probe or of the sensor included in the probe.
US08429951B2

A diagnostic system and a diagnostic method for a valve, particularly a closing valve or a control valve, which is actuatable by a drive and is installed in a pipeline. Using a sensor, the pressures in the inlet side of the pipeline are detected and compared with a first reference value in an evaluation device while the valve is closed. The solid-borne sound level is measured using a sensor, and compared with a second reference value in the evaluation device. A signal for displaying leakage exceeding the allowable amount is output if the sound level exceeds the second reference value and if the pressure in the inlet side is smaller than or equal to the first reference value. A characteristic curve field is used to determine the first reference value of the pressure, the parameters thereof being the Kv value and the leakage class of the valve.
US08429946B2

A press-working apparatus capable of forming a clear character line. The press-working apparatus forms a product having a character line. The press-working apparatus comprises an upper die and a lower die arranged across a steel sheet, an upper die mechanism for moving the upper die toward and away from the lower die, a first holder and a second holder for clamping the steel sheet and applying an unwrinkling force to the same, and a control unit for controlling the upper die mechanism and the first holder. The upper die is divided on the character line of the product into a first upper die and a second upper die. The control unit makes the unwrinkling force by the first holder stronger than that by the second holder, so that the steel sheet is press-worked by the second upper die and then by the first upper die.
US08429944B2

A wire support and a method of making is disclosed for supporting an object from a base surface. The wire support comprises a plurality of wires with each of the wires having a lower section, an intermediate section and an upper section. The plurality of wires are twisted along the intermediate sections for providing an upright support. The lower sections of the plurality of wires extend outwardly from the upright support for insertion into the base surface to mount the wire support. The upper section of the plurality of wires extends outwardly from the upright support for engaging with the object to support the object relative to the base surface.
US08429936B2

Methods of drawing glass sheet via a downdraw process are provided. In certain aspects, the methods utilize rapid cooling below the root (70) of the forming apparatus (10). Such rapid cooling can, for example, facilitate the use of glass having a liquidus viscosity less than about 100,000 poise. In other aspects, the methods utilize slow cooling between the viscosities of 1011 poises and 1014 poises. Such slow cooling can facilitate the production of glass substrates which exhibit low levels of compaction. In further aspects, substrates are removed from the glass sheet at elevated temperatures which can facilitate increases in the production rates of downdraw machines. In still further aspects, rapid cooling below the root, slow cooling between the viscosities of 1011 poises and 1014 poises, and/or substrate removal at elevated temperatures are combined. Such combinations can facilitate economically effective utilization of downdraw equipment.
US08429927B2

A refrigerator is disclosed which enables the user to easily take ice out of an ice maker without causing a variation in the capacity of the refrigerator or a limitation on the position of a freezing compartment. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body which includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment which is arranged in the refrigerating compartment, to make ice, a heat exchanger which generates cold air for freezing food stored in the freezing compartment, and a cold air guiding device which guides the cold air generated by the heat exchanger to the ice making compartment, to enable the ice making compartment to make ice.
US08429922B2

A process and apparatus for improving the cooling of the attic of a building by increasing the air flow therethrough includes the use of an air diverter attached to an A/C condenser unit casing partially around the exhaust fan opening in the casing for directing air from the exhaust fan into an air stream through open space towards a building soffit. A separate air hood mounted to the building soffit captures the air stream and directs it through the soffit into the attic.
US08429921B2

An apparatus and methodology are provided for advantageously increasing heat transfer between the evaporator/oil separator (“accumulator”) and condenser of a refrigerant recovery/recycling system, to increase the efficiency of the system and to simplify the system. Embodiments include a refrigerant recovery/recycling device comprising a compressor having a suction inlet and a discharge outlet; an accumulator fluidly connected to a refrigerant source and to the compressor suction inlet; a recovery tank fluidly connected to the compressor discharge outlet; and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the recovery tank to the accumulator, for raising the temperature of the accumulator and lowering the temperature of the recovery tank.
US08429916B2

A combustor for a turbine engine is provided. The combustor includes a first liner and a second liner forming a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is configured to receive an air-fuel mixture for combustion therein and having a longitudinal axis that defines axial and radial directions. The first liner is a first dual walled liner having a first hot wall facing the combustion chamber and a first cold wall that forms a first liner cavity with the first hot wall, the first liner cavity having first and second ends. A first liner seal is configured to seal the second end of the first liner cavity and to accommodate relative movement of the first hot wall and first cold wall generally in the axial and radial directions.
US08429902B2

A secondary air supply system includes a secondary air supply device that supplies secondary air to the upstream side of an exhaust emission control device installed in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, and an ECU that estimates the secondary air temperature, and estimates the exhaust gas temperature after supply of secondary air, based on the result of estimation. The ECU starts or inhibits supply of secondary air by the secondary air supply device, depending on the result of estimation of the exhaust gas temperature. It is thus possible to prevent discharge of unburned fuel components, by estimating the exhaust gas temperature after supply of secondary air in view of the secondary air temperature.
US08429888B2

A steel cord (30) with a high elongation at break of at least 5% comprises n strands (20), each of said strands (20) has m filaments (10) twisted together, n ranges from 2 to 7. m ranges from 2 to 9. The strands and the filaments are twisted in a same direction. The lay length of the cord is Lc and the lay length of said strand is Ls. The ratio of Ls to Lc (Ls/Lc) ranges from 0.25 to 1. Lc ranges from 16 mm to 26 mm. The strands are helically preformed. The E-modulus of the cord is more than 150000 N/mm2. The helical preforming of the strands allows to obtain a high elongation at break and a high E-modulus despite its long lay length Lc.
US08429883B1

A lifting girdle apparatus for enhancing the performance of a harness racing horse includes a lifting girdle affixed to a harness and sulky at two points on each side of the horse with a clip that attaches to the harness, behind approximately the front quarter of the horse, and with a securing strap that runs vertically towards and around the shaft of the sulky. The securing strap is preferably made to be adjustable, for example by constructing the securing strap as a belt and utilizing a belt buckle. The ability to adjust the distance between the attachment clips and the lifting girdle allows for a trainer to configure the lifting girdle device apparatus for different sized horses for producing an optimum setting for horses of almost any size.
US08429856B1

A double-hung window having a uniform interior wood appearance is disclosed. The window has a head jamb and side jambs. The window has an upper and lower sash, each having a wood frame. The upper and lower sashes are held in the window by the side jambs. Lock-pins are extendable from each side of the lower sash. A concealed jamb liner cover for selective engagement with each upper side jamb is provided which has an exposed wood surface and a channel for receiving the lock-pin of the lower sash. An upper sash lock housing attached to an upper portion of the wood frame of the upper sash, is provided which holds an upper sash lock-pin for each side of the upper sash. A wooden interior upper parting stop connected to the head jamb conceals the upper sash lock housing when the window is closed.
US08429855B2

The invention concerns the field of window seals to be encased in a frame, in general a motor vehicle door frame. The seal is intended to be in contact with part of the perimeter of a window and comprises a guide slot strip consisting of two upward segments and an upper segment, and a sealing strip extending between a low part of one of said upward segments and a high part of the other of said upward segments. The sealing strip is molded in a single piece and comprises an upward curved part, and is attached at least at its upper end to one of the upward segments of the guide slot strip.
US08429854B1

A hurricane storm resistant door assembly with a door having a frame; closed cell foam disposed within the frame; a front skin of a first fiber reinforced polymer substrate; a back skin, a top coat that covers the first and second fiber reinforced polymer substrates; at least one port door fixedly formed and secured in the foam; an opening in the port door; a double welded impact resistant grill over the opening with a leg extending from and intersecting center grid; a foot secured to each leg; a fastening hole centrally formed in each foot; a plurality of securing rings encircling a center grid member and two support barrier connections; a connection hole per foot disposed through the door, penetrating the skin and foam for fastening the double weld impact resistant grill to the door enabling the hurricane storm resistant door assembly to sustain 37 mph flying projectiles.
US08429850B2

Method and device for growing a plant. In particular, a device intended for accommodating the quick-growing stem of tomato, cucumber and sweet pepper plants. It is proposed to wind up the stem from the bottom in such a manner that the plant continuously extends in the cultivation space at the same height. Winding up of the stem in a simple manner is possible, as a result of which the latter extends about the winding point in a coiled manner. The end of the stem is arranged in a substrate carrier, such as a gutter, which also rotates. According to another variant, the stem is pressed into substrate material during winding up, resulting in the plant forming roots, so that the part of the stem which is already developed can be cut off.
US08429847B2

A deep diving fishing lure having a forwardly-extending diving lip is provided with a fore-and-aft pivotable lure positioning arm mounted to the diving lip. The lure positioning arm, when locked in aft position, maintains the lure in a diving position when pulled through a body of water but negates the lure's tendency to dive when released from the aft position.
US08429846B2

Embodiments of systems and methods for improved cleaning of a firearm barrel are provided. Generally, a system according to the present invention includes a cleaning head having a cleaning implement coupled to a shank, which provides at least one radial engagement surface and at least one longitudinal engagement surface. The system may further include a cleaning rod adapted to engage the cleaning head in an at least partially overlapping or surrounding engagement. A method according to the present invention includes the steps of inserting a cleaning head into the breech end of a firearm barrel, engaging the head with a cleaning rod, pushing the head through the barrel and retracting the cleaning rod from the barrel, wherein during the retracting step, the head is disengaged from the rod.
US08429845B1

A modular integrated rail system for a firearm includes a dampening device for absorbing shock waves and dissipating harmonic vibration generated by a firearm. The modular integrated rail system includes an upper hand guard, a clamping assembly configured to releasably clamp the hand guard to the firearm, and a dampening structure disposed within a cavity formed in the hand guard. The cavity has opposing fixed end walls, and the dampening structure is captivated between the opposing fixed end walls of the cavity.
US08429836B1

A collapsible athletic shoe featuring an athletic shoe having a foot portion with an inner cavity, the foot portion can move between an extended position and a collapsed position; a first strap extending out of a first side of the sole area of the athletic shoe and a second strap extending out of a second side of the sole area of the athletic shoe, wherein the first and second straps function to secure the foot portion of the athletic shoe in the collapsed position, the first and second straps can be temporarily secured together via a first attachment means; and a heel strap disposed on the heel portion of the shoe, the heel strap functions to further secure the foot portion of the athletic shoe in the collapsed position.
US08429834B2

In a gas wiping apparatus which blows gas through a wiping nozzle onto front and rear surfaces of a steel plate going out from a molten metal coating pot and running upward and which thereby controls a deposit mass, the wiping nozzle is separated into upper and lower lips, blocking faces partially closing a gas supply channel are formed in the upper and lower lips at vertically different positions on the opposite sides from each other in a gas outlet width direction, and the upper and lower lips are provided in such a manner as to be movable in a width direction of the steel plate.
US08429833B2

A restriction sensor system for identifying the existence of blockages in exhaust conduits of clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may be used as a retrofit system that is capable of being installed on existing clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may include a fitting configured to be coupled to an exhaust conduit of a clothes dryer and a blockage indicator housing positioned remote from a clothes dryer. The pressure sensing device may be capable of determining changes in air pressure in the exhaust conduit. Once the air pressure present in the exhaust conduit exceeds a threshold air pressure, the pressure sensing device may send a signal to an indicator to generate an alarm, which may be a visual alarm or audible alarm, or both.
US08429832B2

A process and a device for utilization of waste heat from a high-temperature hood in the dryer section of a paper machine. The waste heat from the high-temperature hood is applied to the waste steam and the condensate, respectively, from a steam system by means of a heat exchanger, thus improving utilization of the energy contained in the exhaust air from a high temperature hood.
US08429830B2

Disclosed herein is a tape measure with a self-regulating speed control mechanism. In the present invention, when a bobbin rotates, a rubber roller rotatably provided on a movable mounting plate alternately comes into contact with an inner surface of a support ring and a rubber acceleration prevention member provided on the inner surface of the support ring, so that the speed of the bobbin can be smoothly and reliably reduced.
US08429824B2

Insulated panels and methods of forming insulated panels are provided. According to the method, mold bulkhead and a sealing strip including a first anchor extension, a second anchor extension, and a panel cap are provided. The method also includes removably attaching the exterior face of the sealing strip to the interior mold surface on at least one of the plurality of mold sides, wherein the first anchor extension and the second anchor extension project into the interior mold volume, and wherein the sealing strip defines a sealed insulation zone. A curable building material is introduced into the interior mold volume to form a first slab. The first slab at least partially surrounds the first anchor extension. The method also includes inserting an insulation material layer into the interior mold volume, wherein the insulation material layer is at least partially within the sealed insulation zone. A curable building material is introduced into the interior mold volume adjacent to the insulation material layer to form a second slab. The second slab at least partially surrounds the second anchor extension. The method also includes the step of allowing the curable building material to cure to provide a cured insulated panel, wherein the panel cap defines at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of intermediate faces.
US08429822B2

A method for producing a fabricated vehicle wheel comprising the steps of: (a) providing a rim blank; (b) providing a first tooling fixture for subjecting the rim blank to a preforming operation wherein the cylindrical shape is reshaped to produce a rim preform; (c) providing a second tooling fixture defining a sealed internal chamber and having a tooling member having a predetermined inner surface contour, the sealed internal chamber in fluid communication with a source of high pressurize hydraulic fluid; (d) positioning the rim preform in the internal chamber with an outer surface thereof adjacent the inner surface contour of the tooling member; (e) supplying the high pressure hydraulic fluid to the internal chamber whereby the rim preform is pressed against the adjacent inner surface contour of the tooling member so as to produce a wheel rim having a contour which matches that of the inner surface contour of the tooling member; (f) removing the wheel rim from the second tooling fixture; and (g) securing the wheel rim to a wheel disc to produce the fabricated vehicle wheel.
US08429814B2

An electronic multi-component package is assembled by placing multiple electronic components within multiple openings of a package substrate, then depositing and curing adhesive filler in gaps between the components and the inner peripheries of the openings. Circuit features, including conductive interconnects, are formed by thin-film photolithography over both front and back surfaces of the package substrate. Preformed conductive vias through the package substrate provide electrical connection between circuit features on opposite substrate surfaces. Additional electronic components may be attached to conductive lands on at least one side of the package. The circuit features also include contact pads for external package connections, such as in a ball-grid-array or equivalent structure.
US08429808B2

A method for fabricating electrostatic transducers and arrays electrically separates the substrate segments of the transducer elements from each other using a technique involving two cutting steps, in which the first step forms a patterned opening in the substrate to make a partial separation of substrate segments, and the second step completes the separation after the substrate segments have been secured to prevent instability of the substrate segments upon completion of the second step. The securing of the substrate segments may be accomplished by filling a nonconductive material in the partial separation or securing the transducer array on a support substrate. When the substrate is conductive, the separated substrate segments serve as separate bottom electrodes that can be individually addressed. The method is especially useful for fabricating ID transducer arrays.
US08429802B2

A keyless arbor device for securing a tool, such as a drill bit, to a driver. At least one drive key is pivotally combined with the arbor. A threaded member and an outer sleeve are combined with an arbor. Rotation of the outer sleeve in a first direction causes the threaded member to move in a first direction and rotation of the outer sleeve in a second direction causes the threaded member to move in a second direction. The drive key is positioned so that as the threaded member is moved in its second direction, the threaded member makes contact with the drive key which forces the drive key to pivot from its first position to its second position thereby engaging the shank of the tool to secure the tool with the arbor.
US08429783B2

An oral care implement comprises a head with a plurality of cleaning elements, and a light source incorporated into or adjacent the head. The light source is incorporated prior to the attachment of the cleaning elements. For ease of manufacturing and a cost-effective assembly. The cleaning elements are preferably preformed and attached to the head after the incorporation of the light source so that the provision of the light source does not require any post-processing that might impair the integrity of the head or cleaning elements.
US08429776B2

A fire-retardant mattress having at least one sleeping side is disclosed that has an inner support compartment with a generally parallelepiped shape with a top side opposite the sleeping side and a fire-containing compartment covering the top side of the inner support compartment and located between the sleeping side and the inner support compartment. The fire-containing compartment includes a first fire-resistant layer consisting essentially of natural fibers, the first fire-resistant layer being in direct contact with the top side of the inner support compartment, a second fire-resistant layer consisting essentially of natural fibers, the second fire-resistant layer located separate from the first self supporting layer of fire-resistant material, and a plurality of combustible cushioning layers positioned between the first and second fire-resistant layers. The first and second fire-resistant layers form a compartment around the plurality of combustible cushioning layers to delay combustion of the fire-retardant mattress from fully catching fire.
US08429763B2

Compressible and storable items of apparel are disclosed. In one embodiment, an item of apparel has a generally circular channel substantially centered on a panel. A flexible, elongate member or drawstring extends through the channel and protrudes from an opening in it. The item of apparel can be compressed by folding toward the area defined by the channel and pulling the drawstring, causing the area defined by the channel to be drawn up and around the folded item of apparel, thereby compressing and encapsulating it. The item of apparel may be, for example, a sweatshirt or jacket, in which case the generally circular channel may be disposed on a rear panel of the torso portion.
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