US08450842B2
A structure includes a circuit substrate including a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate has a region where an electronic component is to be mounted. The second substrate has a side surface connected to a first side surface of the first substrate. The structure further includes a frame on the circuit substrate, enclosing the region in a plane view. The frame crosses the boundary between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08450840B1
Parylene-coated, ultra ruggedized ball grid array electronic components include a substrate with electronic components attached to one surface, and solder balls attached to a second substrate surface through openings formed in the parylene coating.
US08450835B2
One embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor diode device including a first conductivity type region, a second conductivity type region, where the second conductivity type is different from the first conductivity type, an intrinsic region located between the first conductivity type region and the second conductivity type region; a first halo region of the first conductivity type located between the second conductivity type region and the intrinsic region, and optionally a second halo region of the second conductivity type located between the first conductivity type region and the intrinsic region.
US08450833B2
A semiconductor device is formed with sub-resolution features and at least one additional feature having a relatively larger critical dimension using only two masks. An embodiment includes forming a plurality of first mandrels, having a first width, and at least one second mandrel, having a second width greater than the first width, overlying a target layer using a first mask, forming sidewall spacers along the length and width of the first and second mandrels, forming a filler adjacent each sidewall spacer, the filler having the first width, removing the filler adjacent sidewall spacers along the widths of the first and second mandrels using a second mask, removing the sidewall spacers, and etching the target layer between the filler and the first and second mandrels, thereby forming at least two target features with different critical dimensions. Embodiments further include using a third mask to form a semiconductor device having further features with a different critical dimension, but the same pitch, as the sub-resolution features.
US08450830B2
A plurality of sequential electro-deposition, planarization and insulator deposition steps are performed over a patterned thick photoresist film to form a laminated ferromagnetic alloy core for micro-fabricated inductors and transformers. The use of a plurality of contiguous thin laminations within deep patterns on non-removable photoresist film provides sufficient volume of magnetic film in, for example, high frequency applications, and reduces eddy current loss at high frequency.
US08450822B2
Disclosed herein an image sensor chip, including a substrate having at least one via extending through at least one inter layer dielectric (ILD); a first conductive layer over the ILD, wherein the first conductive layer has a first thickness; a second conductive layer over the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer has a second thickness of less than the first thickness; a polymer layer over the second conductive layer, the polymer layer including a cavity; a plurality of cavity components in the cavity; and an optically transparent layer contacting the polymer layer and covering the cavity.
US08450816B2
The invention relates to microelectromechanical components, like microelectromechanical gauges used in measuring e.g. acceleration, angular acceleration, angular velocity, or other physical quantities. The microelectromechanical component, according to the invention, comprises a microelectromechanical chip part, sealed by means of a cover part, and an electronic circuit part, suitably bonded to each other. The aim of the invention is to provide an improved method of manufacturing a microelectromechanical component, and to provide a microelectromechanical component, which is applicable for use particularly in small microelectromechanical sensor solutions.
US08450815B2
A high voltage device includes drift regions formed in a substrate, an isolation layer formed in the substrate to isolate neighboring drift regions, wherein the isolation layer has a depth greater than that of the drift region, a gate electrode formed over the substrate, and source and drain regions formed in the drift regions on both sides of the gate electrode.
US08450810B2
An ON resistance of a bidirectional switch with a trench gate structure composed of two MOS transistors sharing a common drain is reduced. A plurality of trenches is formed in an N type well layer. Then a P type body layer is formed in every other column of the N type well layer interposed between a pair of the trenches. A first N+ type source layer and a second N+ type source layer are formed alternately in each of a plurality of the P type body layers. A first gate electrode is formed in each of a pair of the trenches interposing the first N+ type source layer, and a second gate electrode is formed in each of a pair of the trenches interposing the second N+ type source layer. A portion of the N type well layer interposed between a sidewall on an opposite side of the body layer of the trench in which the first gate electrode is formed and a sidewall on an opposite side of the body layer of the trench in which the second gate electrode is formed makes an N type drain layer serving as an electric field relaxation layer. A cross-sectional area of the N type drain layer makes a path of the ON current.
US08450802B2
Laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor transistor for a radio frequency-power: amplifier comprising a drain finger (25,27) which drain finger is connected to a stack of one or more metal interconnect layers, (123,61,59,125) wherein a metal interconnect layer (123) of said stack is connected to a drain region (25) on the substrate, wherein said stack comprises a field plate (123, 125, 121) adapted to reduce the maximum magnitude of the electric field between the drain and the substrate and overlying the tip of said drain finger.
US08450801B2
A lateral-diffusion metal-oxide-semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having at least a field oxide layer, a gate having a layout pattern of a racetrack shape formed on the substrate, a common source formed in the semiconductor substrate and enclosed by the gate, and a drain surrounding the gate and formed in the semiconductor substrate. The gate covers a portion of the field oxide layer. The common source includes a first doped region having a first conductive type and a plurality of islanding second doped regions having a second conductive type. The drain includes a third doped region having the first conductive type. The third doped region overlaps a portion of the field oxide layer and having an overlapping area between the third doped region and the field oxide layer.
US08450793B2
A controlled-punch-through semiconductor device with a four-layer structure is disclosed which includes layers of different conductivity types, a collector on a collector side, and an emitter on an emitter side which lies opposite the collector side. The semiconductor device can be produced by a method performed in the following order: producing layers on the emitter side of wafer of a first conductivity type; thinning the wafer on a second side; applying particles of the first conductivity type to the wafer on the collector side for forming a first buffer layer having a first peak doping concentration in a first depth, which is higher than doping of the wafer; applying particles of a second conductivity type to the wafer on the second side for forming a collector layer on the collector side; and forming a collector metallization on the second side. At any stage particles of the first conductivity type can be applied to the wafer on the second side for forming a second buffer layer with a second peak doping concentration lower than the first peak doping concentration of the first buffer layer, but higher than the doping of the wafer. A third buffer layer can be arranged between the first depth and the second depth with a doping concentration which is lower than the second peak doping concentration of the second buffer layer. Thermal treatment can be used for forming the first buffer layer, the second buffer layer and/or the collector layer.
US08450792B2
Gate induced drain leakage in a tunnel field effect transistor is reduced while drive current is increased by orienting adjacent semiconductor bodies, based on their respective crystal orientations or axes, to optimize band-to-band tunneling at junctions. Maximizing band-to-band tunneling at a source-channel junction increases drive current, while minimizing band-to-band tunneling at a channel-drain junction decreases GIDL. GIDL can be reduced by an order of magnitude in an embodiment. Power consumption for a given frequency can also be reduced by an order of magnitude.
US08450784B2
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device includes lateral and upper hydrogen blocking patterns disposed to prevent hydrogen from diffusing into the cell array region. Accordingly, hydrogen is effectively prevented from being trapped in a tunnel dielectric, thereby improving the reliability of the semiconductor device. In the method, when a cell array contact plug is formed, a lateral hydrogen blocking pattern and an upper hydrogen blocking pattern are formed at the same time. Thus, an additional process for forming a hydrogen blocking pattern is unnecessary, thereby simplifying a process.
US08450781B2
Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.
US08450780B2
Disclosed is a solid-state image sensor including a photoelectric converter, a charge detector, and a transfer transistor. The photoelectric converter stores a signal charge that is subjected to photoelectric conversion. The charge detector detects the signal charge. The transfer transistor transfers the signal charge from the photoelectric converter to the charge detector. In the solid-state image sensor, the transfer transistor includes a gate insulating film, a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film, a first spacer formed on a sidewall of the gate electrode on a side of the photoelectric converter, and a second spacer formed on another sidewall of the gate electrode on a side of the charge detector. The first spacer is longer than the second spacer.
US08450773B1
A photodetector is disclosed for the detection of infrared light with a long cutoff wavelength in the range of about 4.5-10 microns. The photodetector, which can be formed on a semiconductor substrate as an nBn device, has a light absorbing region which includes InAsSb light-absorbing layers and tensile-strained layers interspersed between the InAsSb light-absorbing layers. The tensile-strained layers can be formed from GaAs, InAs, InGaAs or a combination of these III-V compound semiconductor materials. A barrier layer in the photodetector can be formed from AlAsSb or AlGaAsSb; and a contact layer in the photodetector can be formed from InAs, GaSb or InAsSb. The photodetector is useful as an individual device, or to form a focal plane array.
US08450769B2
An object is to provide a light-emitting device having a structure in which an external connection portion can easily be connected and a method for manufacturing the light-emitting device. A light-emitting device includes a lower support 110, a base insulating film 112 over the lower support 110 which has a through-hole 130, a light-emitting element 127 over the base insulating film 112, and an upper support 122 over the light-emitting element 127. An electrode 131 is provided in the through-hole 130, and the external connection terminal 132 electrically connected to the electrode 131 is provided below the base insulating film 112. The external connection terminal 132 is electrically connected to the external connection portion 133 and functions as a terminal that inputs a signal or a power supply into the light-emitting device. This light-emitting device has a structure in which an external connection portion can easily be connected.
US08450767B2
This disclosure discloses a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device comprises: a substrate; and a first light-emitting unit comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes electrically connected to each other on the substrate. A first light-emitting diode in the first light-emitting unit comprises a first semiconductor layer with a first conductivity-type, a second semiconductor layer with a second conductivity-type, and a light-emitting stack formed between the first and second semiconductor layers. The first light-emitting diode in the first light-emitting unit further comprises a first connecting layer on the first semiconductor layer for electrically connecting to a second light-emitting diode in the first light-emitting unit; a second connecting layer, separated from the first connecting layer, formed on the first semiconductor layer; and a third connecting layer on the second semiconductor layer for electrically connecting to a third light-emitting diode in the first light-emitting unit.
US08450764B2
A light-emitting apparatus has a light-emitting device and a supporting board. The light-emitting device has a pair of n-electrodes with a p-electrode therebetween, on the same plane. The supporting board includes an insulating substrate on which positive and negative electrodes are formed, opposing to the p- and n-electrodes of the light-emitting device, respectively. Bonding members bond the p- and n-electrodes with the positive and negative electrodes, respectively. The positive electrode on the supporting board is formed within the width region of the p-electrode and narrower in width than the width of the p-electrode, in a cross-section along a line extending through the pair of n-electrodes. The negative electrodes oppose to the n-electrodes, respectively, with the same widths, or with that side face of each of the negative electrodes which faces the positive electrode being retracted outwardly from that side face of each of the n-electrodes which faces the p-electrode.
US08450760B2
One or more circuit elements such as silicon diodes, resistors, capacitors, and inductors are disposed between the semiconductor structure of a semiconductor light emitting device and the connection layers used to connect the device to an external structure. In some embodiments, the n-contacts to the semiconductor structure are distributed across multiple vias, which are isolated from the p-contacts by one or more dielectric layers. The circuit elements are formed in the contacts-dielectric layers-connection layers stack.
US08450759B2
A light emitting diode (LED) package structure includes a substrate, at least one enclosure made of a transparent material, an LED, a first package material, and a second package material. The enclosure is disposed on a surface of the substrate, and forms a configuration area for disposing the LED therein. The first package material made of a transparent material is disposed in the configuration area and covers the LED. The second package material containing a fluorescent material covers the enclosure, the LED, and the first package material.
US08450756B2
A formed, multi-dimensional light-emitting diode (LED) array is disclosed. A substrate is bent into a trapezoidal shape having different sections facing in different directions. Each section has one or more mounted LEDs that emit light with an azimuthally non-circular, monotonic angular distribution. A converter material is placed in an optical path of the LEDs to alter characteristics of the light from the LEDs.
US08450748B2
A light emitting device comprises: an LED chip array comprising a plurality of LEDs formed on a single die (monolithic chip array) and at least one discrete LED that is separate from the LED chip array connected in series with the LED chip array. In an AC-drivable device the LED chip array is AC-drivable and two or more discrete LEDs are configured to be AC-drivable. The device can further comprise a package in which the LED chip array and discrete LED(s) are mounted. The discrete LEDs are configured such that positive and negative half wave periods of an AC drive voltage are mapped onto oppositely connected LED such that oppositely connected LED chips are alternately operable on a respective half wave period.
US08450747B2
A light emitting element has a substrate of gallium oxides and a pn-junction formed on the substrate. The substrate is of gallium oxides represented by: (AlXInYGa(1-X-Y))2O3 where 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1 and 0≦x+y≦1. The pn-junction has first conductivity type substrate, and GaN system compound semiconductor thin film of second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type.
US08450742B2
A thin film transistor, a display device, and a manufacturing method thereof. The thin film transistor includes a control electrode, a semiconductor overlapping the control electrode, and an input electrode and an output electrode disposed on or under the semiconductor and opposite to each other. The semiconductor includes a first portion disposed between the input electrode and the output electrode and having a first crystallinity, and a second portion connected with the first portion, which overlaps the input electrode or the output electrode, and having a second crystallinity. The first crystallinity is higher than the second crystallinity.
US08450739B2
An electrooptical device substrate, contains: a first insulating film provided on a substrate; two or more pixels; a first concave portion provided in the first insulating film over the two or more pixels; a second concave portion provided on the bottom surface of the first concave portion; a thin film transistor containing an organic semiconductor layer provided in the second concave portion, a gate insulating film provided on the organic semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode provided on the gate insulating film and being matched to one pixel among the two or more pixels; a scanning line which is provided at an upper side with respect to the gate insulating film and provided in the first concave portion over the two or more pixels; and a data line electrically connected to the thin film transistor.
US08450736B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The TFT array substrate may include a gate line disposed on a substrate and including a gate line and a gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer pattern disposed on the gate electrode, a data line disposed on the oxide semiconductor layer pattern and including a source electrode and a drain electrode of a thin film transistor (TFT) together with the gate electrode, and a data line extending in a direction intersecting the gate line, and etch stop patterns disposed at an area where the TFT is formed between the source/drain electrodes and the oxide semiconductor layer pattern and at an area where the gate line and the data line overlap each other between the gate line and the data line.
US08450734B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor element (1) having an internal circuit (17); and electrode pads (22, 22, . . . ) provided for the semiconductor element (1). The electrode pads (22, 22, . . . ) are electrically connected to the internal circuit (17) via control portions (31) for controlling electrical connection between the electrode pads (22, 22, . . . ) and the internal circuit (17).
US08450722B2
A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cell includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), a top electrode disposed over the MTJ, a bottom electrode disposed below the MTJ, and an induction line disposed to one side of the MTJ. The induction line is configured to induce a perpendicular magnetic field at the MTJ.
US08450721B2
A III-nitride semiconductor device which includes a barrier body between the gate electrode and the gate dielectric thereof.
US08450720B2
A method of fabricating a frontside-illuminated inverted quantum well infrared photodetector may include providing a quantum well wafer having a bulk substrate layer and a quantum material layer, wherein the quantum material layer includes a plurality of alternating quantum well layers and barrier layers epitaxially grown on the bulk substrate layer. The method further includes applying at least one frontside common electrical contact to a frontside of the quantum well wafer, bonding a transparent substrate to the frontside of the quantum well wafer, thinning the bulk substrate layer of the quantum well wafer, and etching the quantum material layer to form quantum well facets that define at least one pyramidal quantum well stack. A backside electrical contact may be applied to the pyramidal quantum well stack. In one embodiment, a plurality of quantum well stacks is bonded to a read-out integrated circuit of a focal plane array.
US08450718B2
A semiconductor light emitting device comprising a semiconductor layer of (AlyGa1-y)xIn1-xP (0
US08450712B2
Disclosed are a resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) based on resistive switching using a resistance-switchable conductive filler and a method for preparing the same. When a resistance-switchable conductive filler prepared by coating a conductive filler with a material whose resistance is changeable is mixed with a dielectric material, the dielectric material is given the resistive switching characteristics without losing its inherent properties. Therefore, various resistance-switchable materials having various properties can be prepared by mixing the resistance-switchable conductive filler with different dielectric materials. The resulting resistance-switchable material shows resistive switching characteristics comparable to those of the existing metal oxide film-based resistance-switchable materials. Accordingly, a ReRAM device having the inherent properties of a dielectric material can be prepared using the resistance-switchable conductive filler.
US08450703B2
The invention provides a method for imaging samples, at least comprising: —staining of a sample with a first marker material and with a second marker material; —utilizing the first marker material in a focusing step for focusing an imaging device with respect to the sample; and —utilizing the second marker material and the imaging device, which has been focused in the focusing step, in an imaging step to acquire an image of the sample. The invention also relates to a system for imaging samples.
US08450692B2
An apparatus and method to increase the sensitivity at the edge of radiation detector blocks is disclosed herein. Reduced sensitivity can result from photons entering a first detector block, escaping, and scattering into an adjacent detector, thereby depositing energy into two detectors blocks. Energy lost into adjacent detector blocks can be compensated with energy detected in the adjacent detector block. This can be done, for example, by processing channels from multiple detector blocks with one Field Programmable Gated Array (FPGA) on one Event Process Module (EPM) board. This can enable summing energy of one detector block with energy from an adjacent detector block when the initial interaction occurs at the edge of the first detector block. This can result in a better estimate of the amount of energy associated with the initial photon being detected.
US08450685B2
In an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) and a method of use thereof, even if plural sets of X-ray image data are obtained at different timings from regions between which a positional deviation occurs, processing for obtaining the correlation is performed precisely. The sets of X-ray image data are obtained from the same region of a sample using the EPMA at different timings and stored in memory along with sets of electron image data based on detection of secondary or backscattered electrons arising from the region. The sets of electron image data obtained at the different timings are compared, and the amount of positional deviation is calculated. An operation for extracting a region common to the regions respectively producing the sets of X-ray image data obtained at the different timings is performed on these sets of X-ray image data based on the calculated amount of positional deviation.
US08450683B2
The method disclosed in this specification includes: acquiring a dark-field image produced by capturing an image of a sample with a scanning transmission electron microscope by detecting electrons scattered at angles between a first angle to the optical axis of the scanning transmission electron microscope and a second angle which is larger than the first angle; acquiring a bright-field image captured simultaneously with the dark-field image by detecting electrons scattered within a third angle which is smaller than the first angle; generating a reverse image by reversing lightness and darkness of the dark-field image; and generating a difference image each of whose pixels has a brightness value equal to the difference between the brightness of the corresponding pixel in the reverse image and the brightness of the corresponding pixel in the bright-field image.
US08450682B2
The tip of an electrically conductive probe 11 is brought into contact with a sample and captures the sample S under atmospheric pressure, a high voltage for electrospray is applied to the probe 11 while a solvent is supplied to the tip of the probe 11 that has captured the sample, and molecules of the sample S at the probe tip are ionized. A miniscule amount of a fine solvent droplet is supplied to the probe tip and slow electrospray is implemented. As a result, the size of the electrically charged droplet can be made extremely small and components within the sample can be analyzed extensively without selectivity. Further, in imaging over an extended period of time, electrospray is possible even in the event that the sample dries.
US08450681B2
Apparatus, methods and systems are provided to inhibit a sightline from a charged particle source to an analyzer and for changing a baseline offset of an output spectrum of an analyzer. A supply of charged particles is directed through a hollow body of a deflector lens that is positioned relative to a charged particle source and an analyzer. A flow path along a preferred flow path through a deflector lens permits passage of the ions from the source to the detector while inhibiting a sightline from the detector to the source in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the deflector lens.
US08450669B2
A projectile body intended to evolve in a fluid, such body equipped with at least two radially deployable control surfaces, such control surfaces being accommodated prior to their deployment in housings made in the body, such that the housings communicate at their intersection point, each housing being blocked by sealing device preventing any fluid from the exterior of the projectile body from passing through the housings when the control surfaces are deployed.
US08450668B2
An optically guided munition and control system has a replacement fuse assembly mounted on the front of a munition body or shell casing. An optical seeker subsystem detects an illuminated target and supplies signals to a processor. The processor develops steering commands sent to a flight control subsystem having a plurality of guidance canards which are actuated by drive motors through gear assemblies. The roll of the munition is established and left/right and up/down steering commands are sent to the canard drive motors based upon the optical seeker subsystem detection of the target illuminator. Range adjustment is based upon bore sight lockdown angle and cross range control is based upon left/right centering error. A code is contained in the optical radiation received from the illuminated target which must be validated by a preset code in the system processor to arm the munition.
US08450666B2
A water boiling device includes a heat tank unit received in a machine body, a high frequency induction heater, and a heat pipe unit. The heat tank unit includes first and second heating tanks in communication with each other. Outside water can flow into the first and second heating tanks. The high frequency induction heater includes a heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils. The heat pipe unit includes first and second heating pipes. An upper section of each heating pipe is received in one of the heating tanks, and a lower section of each heating pipe extends out of the heating tanks and is inserted into the heat pipe induction coil. The first and second heating tanks will heat up to heat the water in the first and second heating tanks when a high frequency current is passed through the heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils.
US08450665B2
An induction heating device according to the present invention includes an infrared ray sensor for detecting infrared rays radiated from a cooking container through a top plate, a light emitting device which is placed near the infrared ray sensor and emits light to the back surface of the top plate, and a heating control unit which controls a high-frequency current through a heating coil for controlling the heating of the cooking container. When the heating control unit has stopped the heating of the cooking container, and a predetermined time elapses at the heating-stopped state, the light emitting device is controlled to stop the light emission therefrom. This can improve durability of the light emitting device, which enables maintaining a function of clearly indicating a position at which the cooking container should be placed and a function of detecting failures in the infrared ray sensor, which are roles of the light emitting device.
US08450664B2
An apparatus for heating a target comprises a radio frequency heating fork having two substantially parallel tines, the substantially parallel tines electrically connected at a loop end of the radio frequency heating fork, and the substantially parallel tines separated at an open end of the radio frequency heating fork, and a feed coupler connection, the feed coupler connection connecting a power source across the substantially parallel tines of the radio frequency heating fork. The application of power across the substantially parallel tines of the radio frequency heating fork results in induction heating near the loop end of the radio frequency heating fork, and dielectric heating near the open end of the radio frequency tuning fork. A target can be positioned relative to the heating fork to select the most efficient heating method. The heating fork can provide near fields at low frequencies for deep heat penetration.
US08450662B2
A sheet heater structured so that heating wire is fixed to air-passing base material by sewing. This structure can provide a sheet heater that has improved durability of heating wire 2 against the load imposed on the seat during sitting, comfortable feeling of sitting in the seat, and high air-passing capability.
US08450657B2
A substrate holder for supporting a substrate in a processing system includes a temperature controlled support base having a first temperature, a substrate support opposing the temperature controlled support base and configured to support the substrate, and one or more heating elements coupled to the substrate support and configured to heat the substrate support to a second temperature above the first temperature. An erosion resistant thermal insulator disposed between the temperature controlled support base and the substrate support, wherein the erosion resistant thermal insulator includes a material composition configured to resist halogen-containing gas corrosion.
US08450653B2
An oven muffle having a receiving space, at least some regions of which are delimited by wall elements, in which at least one of the wall elements is permeable to IR radiation or has a region that is permeable to IR radiation. In the oven muffle, the cooking performance is successfully improved while also providing an easily cleanable interior because a reflecting element that reflects IR radiation is positioned in the region of the outer surface of the wall element on a side oriented away from the receiving space.
US08450650B2
Disclosed is an igniter. In one aspect, the igniter has one or more conductive electrodes made from a conductive plastic and is surrounded by a non-conductive plastic. A conductive sleeve made from conductive plastic can optionally surround the non-conductive plastic. A high voltage signal can be sent from one end of the electrode to the second end where an arc is formed between the second end of the electrode and a second electrode or the conductive sleeve. The arc can ignite combustible material in the vicinity, including potentially the non-conductive sleeve.
US08450644B2
A system and method for providing multi-mode control of an ultrasonic welding system. In one embodiment, the control modes include the energy of the weld, the time of the welding process and the compression displacement of the parts being welded during the welding process. The method includes providing thresholds for each of the modes, and terminating the welding process after the threshold for each mode has been reached, the threshold for more than one mode has been reached or the threshold for one of the modes has been reached. The welding control can be either open-loop or closed-loop, where the open-loop process provides the mode thresholds and once one or more of those thresholds is reached the welding process is terminated. The closed-loop control provides feedback of the weld energy and/or the compression displacement so that the weld power and/or weld pressure can be increased or decreased accordingly.
US08450643B2
A welding or cutting device for welding or cutting electrically conductive work pieces has a pipe that accommodates feed lines, a nozzle for exit of a welding or cutting jet, such as a flame, for example, disposed at an end of the pipe, forming a device tip with its free end, and an inductive sensor device for measuring the distance between the device tip and the work piece. The sensor device has at least one magnetic coil, the windings of which run about a longitudinal device axis. The sensor device is a separate module, which is pushed onto the pipe and/or the nozzle, and releasably connected with the pipe and/or the nozzle.
US08450639B2
The invention relates to a laser machining head (1) with an integrated sensor device for monitoring the focus position, wherein laser machining head (1) has a focusing lens (4) and a downstream protective glass (5) in order to focus a machining beam (9) that strikes focusing lens (4) as a parallel beam into a resultant focal point (11) of focusing lens (4) with downstream protective glass (5), in which focal point a workpiece (12) is arranged. A beam splitter (3), arranged upstream of focusing lens (4) in the beam path, is transmissive for a first portion of a laser beam (8) coupled into laser machining head (1), the machining beam (9), and is reflective for a second portion, a measurement beam (10). In the reflection direction, a mirror (6) is arranged downstream of beam splitter (3) in such a manner that it reflects measuring beam (10) at an angle a to the optical axis of focusing lens (4) onto the latter in order to image it in an image point (17), conjugate with focal point (11), on the receiving surface of sensor (13) that is connected to an evaluation unit (14) for focus position monitoring.
US08450629B2
Method of producing molybdenum-99, comprising accelerating ions by means of an accelerator; directing the ions onto a metal target so as to generate neutrons having an energy of greater than 10 MeV; directing the neutrons through a converter material comprising techentium-99 to produce a mixture comprising molybdenum-99; and, chemically extracting the molybdenum-99 from the mixture.
US08450627B2
This is directed to a dome switch that includes a capacitive sensor. A dome switch can include a dome operative to deform to provide tactile feedback to a user. To provide an electrical instruction to the device, the region underneath the dome can define a free space separating conductive regions forming a capacitor. For example, a tip of the dome, a button placed between the dome and a circuit board, or a user's finger can form a first conductor of a capacitor, and a support structure for the dome can include a terminal forming a second conductor completing the capacitor. When the dome deflects, the distance between the conductors can change and provide a measurable capacitance variation, which the device can detect. To protect the dome switch from damage due to contaminants, the terminal can be integrated within a volume of the circuit board such that it is not exposed to the environment of the dome switch. In one implementation, the terminal may not be exposed to air.
US08450613B2
A suspension board with circuit includes a metal supporting board, an insulating base layer formed on the metal supporting board, a conductive pattern formed on the insulating base layer, an insulating cover layer formed on the insulating base layer so as to cover the conductive pattern, and an insertion portion to be inserted into an E-block. A thickness of the insulating cover layer in the insertion portion is larger than a thickness of the insulating cover layer in a portion other than the insertion portion.
US08450609B2
A signal interface includes a support structure having a pivotally supported cover and side wings. A latching mechanism is provided to secure the cover to the side wings in both stowed and deployed positions.
US08450602B2
A solar cell comprises a substrate that includes a photoelectric conversion function, a first electrode provided on one surface of the substrate, a second electrode provided on other surface of the substrate, and a third electrode provided on the other surface of the substrate with its periphery overlapping the second electrode in the in-plane direction of the substrate for extracting an electric power from the second electrode. The thickness of the second electrode is larger than that of the third electrode, and the difference between the thickness of the second electrode and that of the third electrode is within a range from equal to or more than 10 micrometers to equal to or less than 30 micrometers. Thereby, in the solar cell, an electrode separation (alloy separation) can be effectively prevented.
US08450597B2
System(s) and method(s) are provided for assembling and utilizing parabolic reflectors in a solar concentrator. Parabolic reflectors assembly starts with a low-cost, flat reflective material that is bent into a parabolic or trough shape via a set of support ribs that are affixed in a support beam. The parabolic reflectors are mounted on a support frame in various panels or arrays to form a parabolic solar concentrator. Each parabolic reflector focuses light in a line segment pattern. Light beam pattern focused onto a receiver via the parabolic solar concentrator can be optimized. The receiver is attached to the support frame, opposite the parabolic reflector arrays, and includes a photovoltaic (PV) module and a heat harvesting element that enable dual-mode energy conversion operation. To increase performance of the parabolic solar concentrator, the PV module can be configured to advantageously exploit a light beam pattern optimization regardless irregularities in the pattern.
US08450591B2
Methods for dynamically analyzing input sounds and processing the input sounds to define a new set of output sounds are provided. One method includes receiving a first set of input sounds and a second set of input sounds, where each of the first and second sets of input sounds are processed to identify one of a tone, intensity, or frequency, and a duration. The method defines a node for each identified input sound and a link between the input sounds of the first and second sets of input sounds. The nodes and links from the first and second sets of input sounds create a respective first and second finite state automata. A history value is defined for processing the nodes of the first and second sets of input sounds, and the history value defines a number of previous nodes that will be identical in each of the first and second sets of input sounds before a particular node is shared between the first and second sets of input sounds. Then, the method forms the new set of output sounds from a third finite state automaton that includes nodes from the first and second set of input nodes and nodes that are shared based on meeting the history value.
US08450587B2
A bracing structure for a soundboard for a musical instrument is disclosed, the bracing structure being a unitary sheet structure having a plurality of elongate semi-tubular elements. Each of the elongate semi-tubular elements has a length, a thickness, a width, a height and an interior resonance space. The sheet structure may be formed of two or more layers. The elongate semi-tubular elements function as traditional braces, however, the shape of the elongate semi-tubular elements may be modified to provide a desired tonal quality.
US08450582B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH356005. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH356005, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH356005 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH356005.
US08450579B1
A soybean cultivar designated 10442723 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 10442723, to the plants of soybean cultivar 10442723, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 10442723, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 10442723. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 10442723. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 10442723, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 10442723 with another soybean cultivar.
US08450560B2
According to the present invention, a gene cluster encoding various kinds of prenyl transferase of Hevea brasiliensis is obtained, and the nucleotide sequences of these genes are determined. The prenyl transferases are involved in the biosynthesis of isoprene backbone of natural rubber. Therefore, improvement of productivity of rubber can be expected, by transforming plants by the gene cluster obtained in the present invention.
US08450557B2
Top sheet for absorbent article, process for its production and absorbent article employing the same
The top sheet for an absorbent article has a plurality of fused compressed sections, wherein the fused compressed sections are located on the lowermost side in the thickness direction of the top sheet, and the back side of the top sheet has recesses or low density regions having the lowest density within the top sheet, surrounding the fused compressed sections. The top sheet for an absorbent article having a plurality of fused compressed sections can be produced by a process wherein a top sheet is situated between a member with multiple protrusions and a member with multiple recesses that engage with the multiple protrusions, and the protrusions are pressed into the recesses.
US08450554B2
Provided herein is a system and method for facilitating removal of a drape from a tissue site. One aspect provides a system comprising a drape, and adhesive layer, and a release agent, where the system is adapted to be coupled to a tissue site and released therefrom upon or after exposure to an external stimulus. Another aspect provides a method for application and removal of a drape using less force than required with a conventional drape.
US08450535B2
A process for the selective and direct formation of ethanol from acetic acid comprising contacting a feed stream containing acetic acid and hydrogen in vapor form at an elevated temperature with a hydrogenation catalyst comprising cobalt and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, rhenium, iridium, chromium, copper, tin, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, zinc and iron on a catalyst support.
US08450533B2
A method for the preparation of cyclopropyl carbinols by cyclopropanation of unsaturated alcoholates, utilizing a reagent system selected from (A) magnesium metal and dibromomethane, and (B) dibromomethane and a tertiary Grignard reagent, the reaction being carried out in the presence of an ether solvent.The process is useful, for example, for the preparation of ingredients for the flavor and fragrance industry.
US08450530B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing unsymmetric secondary tert-butylamines by continuous amination in the gas phase, wherein tert-butylamine is converted over hydrogenation catalysts in the presence of an alcohol or aldehyde and hydrogen.
US08450526B2
A redox ammoximation process in which a ketone or aldehyde is reacted with ammonia and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst; wherein the catalyst is an aluminophosphate based redox catalyst having at least two different redox catalytic sites comprising different transition metal atoms.
US08450509B2
The invention relates to a method for synthesizing 9-aminononanoic acid or the esters thereof from natural unsaturated fatty acids, comprising at least one step of metathesis of the natural fatty acid and an oxidation step by oxidative cleaving. Said synthetic method uses widely available renewable starting materials and hence economical.
US08450506B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), where R1 and R2, which may be identical or different, are selected from the group comprising H, CnH2n-1, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbons, or together form an aromatic or aliphatic ring with 5 or 6 atoms; R3 is —CO—CH3, —NHOH, —OH, or —OR6 where R6 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R4 is H, linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 atoms, phenyl, benzyl, —CF3 or CF2CF3, vinyl or allyl; R5, R7, R8 are hydrogen atoms; or R3 and R4, R4 and R5, or R7 and R8 together form a ring, fused to the benzene, aromatic or aliphatic ring with 5 or 6 atoms comprising from 1 to 2 heteroatoms selected independently from the group comprising N, O, and use thereof in the medical field.
US08450504B2
A one pot method of preparing cyclic carbonyl compounds comprising an active pendant pentafluorophenyl ester group is disclosed. The cyclic carbonyl compounds can be polymerized by ring opening methods to form ROP polymers comprising repeat units comprising a side chain pentafluorophenyl ester group. Using a suitable nucleophile, the pendant pentafluorophenyl ester group can be selectively transformed into a variety of other functional groups before or after the ring opening polymerization.
US08450503B2
This invention relates to novel photochromic and electrochromic monomers and polymers based on 1,2-dithienylcyclopentene derivatives and method of using and synthesizing same. The compounds are reversibly interconvertible between different isomeric forms under suitable photochromic or electrochromic conditions. The electrochromic conversion may be catalytic. The application also relates to ultra-high density homopolymers prepared using ring-opening methathesis polymerization (ROMP) where the central ring of the 1,2-bis(3-thienyl)-cyclopentene is incorporated directly into the polymer backbone. The monomer units may be readily functionalized to enable the synthesis of polymers with diverse structural and electronic properties. The compounds have many potential applications including high-density optical information storage systems, photoregulated molecular switches, reversible holographic systems, ophthalmic lenses, actinometry and molecular sensors, photochromic inks, paints and fibers and optoelectronic systems such as optical waveguides, Bragg reflectors and dielectric mirrors.
US08450502B2
Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting angiogenesis, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by Formula 1: (I) wherein R1 through R13 and X are as defined in the specification. Compounds used as an active ingredient in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention bind to QP-C to provide effective prevention of angiogenesis and can be effectively used for prevention and/or treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases or disorders. Further, the active compounds of the present invention inhibit biological functions of QP-C, which consequently leads to inhibition of angiogenic responses without the risk of cellular apoptosis, thus significantly improving safety of the drug.
US08450487B2
Methods are provided for making pharmaceutical-grade cis-2-methylspiro(1,3-oxathiolane-5,3′)quinuclidine and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof by isomerizing racemic 2-methylspiro(1,3-oxathiolane-5,3′)quinuclidine to cis-2-methylspiro(1,3-oxathiolane-5,3′)quinuclidine and subsequent purification of the C-MSOQ by salt formation with inexpensive and commercially available material such as sulfuric acid. Purification methods are disclosed which employ an organic solvent/water system and recrystallization with an organic solvent such as acetone.
US08450481B2
The invention provides compositions comprising protein aggregation inhibitors, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and methods for making and using them, including methods for preventing, reversing, slowing or inhibiting protein aggregation, e.g., for treating diseases that are characterized by protein aggregation—including some degenerative neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease. In one aspect, the compositions of the invention specifically target synuclein, beta-amyloid and/or tau protein aggregates, and the methods of the invention can be used to specifically prevent, reverse, slow or inhibit synuclein, beta-amyloid and/or tau protein aggregation. In alternative embodiments, the compositions and methods of the invention, are used to treat, prevent or ameliorate (including slowing the progression of) degenerative neurological diseases related to or caused by protein aggregation, e.g., synuclein, beta-amyloid and/or tau protein aggregation. In one aspect, compositions and methods of this invention are used to treat, prevent or ameliorate (including slowing the progression of) Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Lewy body disease (LBD) and Multiple system atrophy (MSA).
US08450480B2
The present invention provides chemical entities, compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that are capable of modulating certain protein kinases such as mTor, tyrosine kinases, and/or lipid kinases such as PI3 kinase. For example, the invention provides compounds of Formula: Also provided in the present invention are methods of making such compounds or compositions, and methods of using these compositions to modulate activities of one or more of these kinases, especially for therapeutic applications such as treatment of cancer.
US08450478B2
Disclosed is an ionic liquid which is stable over a wide potential range and exhibits a high ionic conductivity. The ionic liquid comprises a cyclic guanidine salt represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 each is independently an alkyl group or an alkoxyalkyl group, X is a methylene group, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or R3N; R3 is an alkyl group, an alkoxyalkyl group, or an acyl group; l, m, and n each is an integer in the range of 1-6; Y− is a monovalent anion such as (R4SO2)2N−, R4SO3−, R4COO−, BF4−, PF6−, NO3−, (CN)2N−, (CHO)2N−, NCS−, R4OSO3−, R4SO2S−, and a halogen ion. The ionic liquid is useful for a variety of electrolytes, particularly for electrolytes of electrochemical cells.
US08450476B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 17-hydroxy-6β,7β;15β,16β-bismethylene-17α-pregn-4-ene-3-one-21-carboxylic acid γ-lactone of formula (I) as well as to key-intermediates for this process.
US08450474B2
An antisense molecule capable of binding to a selected target site to induce exon skipping in the dystrophin gene, as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 202.
US08450472B2
The claimed invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R61 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.
US08450470B2
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.
US08450468B2
The present invention relates to novel nucleic acid ligands or aptamers that bind to and inhibit the activation of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors. Also disclosed is a novel combination of technologies, i.e., SELEX and laser pulse photolysis for the selection and screening of aptamers that inhibit receptor function and are useful therefore, in the treatment of diseases associated with excessive activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors.
US08450465B1
The present invention, referred to as Surface-Free Affinity Purification (SFAP), relates to a system and method for purifying low abundance peptides, including digested plasma proteins. SFAP combines the components and processes of Surface-Free Isolation, Specific Competitive Elution, Dual Epitope Isolation and Protective Solvents in the purification of low abundance proteins, all of which may be performed in a single column. This column is a constant volume Diafiltration Column equipped with stirring that can be driven by an HPLC. Digested plasma may be injected into the Diafiltration Column by the HPLC. Immunoglobulins, Specific Competitive Elutants, Protective Solvents are injected in a series of injections that result in the purified peptides bound to the surfaces of a very-low volume hydrophobic reversed phase trap from which they can be easily injected into mass spectrometry detection instruments.
US08450463B2
Described herein is an in vitro method for the determination of the formation of endothelins in serious diseases, in particular cardiovascular diseases, inflammations, sepsis and cancer, in whole blood, plasma or serum of a human patient, in which relatively long-lived peptide fragments of the processed primary prepro- or proendothelins are determined which contain neither the actual biologically active endothelin nor its direct precursor big endothelin. In particular, disclosed are antibodies and kits for selectively detecting these fragments.
US08450446B2
Rosin modified phenolic resins are prepared by reacting together resin acid, fatty acid, tri- or higher-functional phenolic compound and aldehyde. The fatty acid may be Monomer (derived from the fatty acid dimerization process). The reaction mixture may optionally include a,l3-olefinically unsaturated carbonyl compounds and/or polyol. The resin may be dissolved in a solvent to form a varnish. The resin may be used as a component of printing inks, e.g., inks for lithographic or gravure printing.
US08450441B2
A polymer containing an N-linked sialo-glycan wherein a sialo-glycan is condensed to a γ-polyglutamic acid using a chemical compound having an amino group on one end and a carboxyl group on another end and represented by the structural formula (I). Formula (I) (In the formula, Z means a hydroxy group or a residue represented by the formula (II), and n represents an integer of 10 or more, with the proviso that any one or more of the Z's is represented by the formula in (II).) Formula (II) (In the formula, X means a hydroxy group or an acetylamino group, Y1 and Y2 mean a hydroxyl group or an N-acetylneuraminic acid residue, L means a hydrocarbon, an m represents 0 or an integer of 1 or 2, with the proviso that Y1 and Y2 are not the same.)
US08450431B2
A bimodal bioabsorbable polymer composition. The composition includes a first amount of a bioabsorbable polymer polymerized so as to have a first molecular weight distribution; a second amount of said bioabsorbable polymer polymerized so as to have a second molecular weight distribution having a weight average molecular weight between about 10,000 to about 50,000 Daltons, the weight average molecular weight ratio of said first molecular weight distribution to said second molecular weight distribution is at least about two to one; wherein a substantially homogeneous blend of said first and second amounts of said bioabsorbable polymer is formed in a ratio of between about 50/50 to about 95/5 weight/weight percent. Also disclosed are a medical device, a method of making a medical device and a method of melt blowing a semi-crystalline polymer blend.
US08450430B2
In one aspect the invention provides a melt process for preparing a functionalized olefin multiblock interpolymer, said process comprising grafting onto the backbone of the olefin multiblock interpolymer at least one compound comprising at least one “amine-reactive” group to form a grafted olefin multiblock interpolymer, and reacting a primary-secondary diamine or an alkanolamine with the grafted olefin multiblock interpolymer, without the isolation of the grafted olefin multiblock interpolymer.
US08450426B2
The present invention relates to a polyethylene composition comprising a polyethylene base resin, which comprises a. an ethylene copolymer as fraction (A), and b. an ethylene homo- or copolymer as fraction (B), with fraction (A) having a lower molecular weight than fraction (B), wherein the polyethylene base resin is obtainable in a polymerisation process in which a single-site catalyst. (SSC) is used in the polymerisation of at least one of fractions (A) and (B), and the base resin has (i) a density of below 940 kg/m3, and (ii) a MFR2 at 190 ° C./2.16 kg of 0.001 to 10 g/10 min, and the composition has (iii) a flexural modulus of from 300 to 820 MPa, and to a process for the production of such a composition, and to a pipe produced from such a composition.
US08450425B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in fluidity, adhesion of the paint film, and repulsion. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which is excellent in durability and low-temperature durability. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising: a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition that contains as a resin component, (a) a specific high melt viscosity ionomer resin being neutralized with at least two metal ions, and (b) a low melt viscosity ionomer resin being neutralized with at least two metal ions, in a ratio of (a) the high melt viscosity ionomer resin/(b) the low melt viscosity ionomer resin being 55 mass % to 99 mass %/45 mass % to 1 mass %, wherein at least one of metal ions neutralizing carboxyl groups of (a) the high melt viscosity ionomer resin and/or (b) the low melt viscosity ionomer resin is a divalent metal ion and a content of the divalent metal ion per 100 g of the resin component is at least 0.020 mole.
US08450422B2
A masterbatch composition comprising, all percent amounts being by weight: A) 10-45% of a homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene; B) 10-30% of a copolymer of propylene with ethylene, containing from 18 to 45% of ethylene; C) 42-60% of a copolymer of propylene with ethylene, containing from 55 to 85% of ethylene; said composition having a MFR L value from 0.01 to 10 g/10 min., a value of the intrinsic viscosity [η]sol of the fraction soluble in xylene at room temperature from 1.5 to 2.5 dl/g and a value of the ratio [η]sol/MFR L equal to or lower than 6.
US08450421B2
Cable layer comprising a propylene polymer composition comprising (a) a polypropylene (A) (b) an elastomeric copolymer (E) comprising units derived from propylene and ethylene and/or C4 to C20 α-olefin and (c) a polar ethylene polymer (C) wherein the cable layer and/or the propylene polymer composition has a gel content of equal or more than 0.20 wt.-%.
US08450417B2
Organosilicon compounds are represented by the following formula: wherein R is a hydrolyzable group, R′ is an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, A is an alkylene having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, X is O or S, Y is —NH— or S, L1 and L2 are C or N, Z and M are —NH—, O or S, R1 to R11 are H, alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy or fluoroalkyl, or amino, m is 1 to 3, and n is 0 to 3. R1 and R2 or R2 and R3 may bonded together. R5 and R6 or R9 and R10 may directly bond together. R4 and R7 or R8 and R11 may form a ring skeleton. Their production processes, pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions, self-adhesive polarizers and LCDs are also disclosed.
US08450416B2
The present invention is directed to a first polypropylene composition comprising a propylene copolymer as matrix phase (A) comprising a homo/random/block copolymer consisting of a) a propylene homopolymer (A1); b) a propylene random copolymer (A2); and c) an ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) (A3) and a polyolefin (B) dispersed in the matrix phase (A), which comprises hydrolysable silicon-containing groups. The present invention is furthermore directed to a second polypropylene composition comprising a matrix phase (A) comprising a propylene homo- or copolymer with an impact strength at +23° C. of at least 40.0 kJ/m2 in a Charpy notched test according to ISO 179-1eA:2000 and a polyolefin (B) dispersed in the matrix phase (A), which comprises hydrolysable silicon-containing groups. The invention is furthermore directed to a production process for the polypropylene compositions and an article made thereof.
US08450413B2
A fast curable non-isocyanate-based polyurethane- and polyurethane-epoxy network nanocomposite polymeric compositions are derived upon crosslinking a mixture comprising of natural or modified nano-clay [ionic phyllosilicate] with platelet thickness in the scale of Å (˜1 nm) and aspect ratio (length/thickness) higher than 10 (nm)] preferably natural or modified montmorillonite with either a monomer(s) or oligomer(s) bearing at least one cyclocarbonate group or a mixture of the latter with an epoxy resin, with a hardener, which is a monomer or oligomer or mixtures therefrom, bearing primary and/or secondary amino groups. The use of the nanoclays reduces the gel time and increases the adhesion of the cured polyurethane and polyurethane/epoxy hybrid and also reduces its water absorption.
US08450406B2
An organic-inorganic hybrid material containing inorganic fine particles and a thermoplastic resin having recurring units of the following formulae (1) and (2): wherein R1 to R4 and R11 to R14 represent hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, —COOR5 or —OCOR5 provided that at least one of R11 to R14 is -L-X; L represents single bond or divalent linking group; X represents a functional group capable of bonding to inorganic fine particles; R5 represents alkyl or aryl; and m and n indicate 0 or 1.
US08450400B2
Provided are a polypropylene resin composition which does not produce very much mold staining at the time of molding, which is excellent in antistatic property, weather resistance and molding processability, which has good balance between high rigidity and high impact resistance, and which can give a molded article excellent in flow mark appearance and weld appearance when being processed into a molded article, and a molded article produced therefrom. The polypropylene resin composition of the present invention contains 98 to 50 parts by weight of a specified polypropylene resin (A), 1 to 25 parts by weight of a specified ethylene-α-olefin copolymer rubber (B), 1 to 25 parts by weight of an inorganic filler (C), 0.02 to 1 part by weight of a hindered amine light stabilizer (D) which satisfies specified requirements (a), (b) and (c), and 0.05 to 1 part by weight of a nonionic antistatic agent (E), provided that the combined amount of the polypropylene resin (A), the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer rubber (B) and the inorganic filler (C) is 100 parts by weight.
US08450396B2
A durable, flexible, impermeable thermoplastic elastomer composition is produced using a dynamic vulcanization process conducted in a high shear mixer at elevated temperature. The composition comprises cured particles of a first halogenated isobutylene-containing elastomer and particles of a second elastomer having at least one functional group capable of reacting with and grafting to a polyamide, the particles of the first and second elastomers dispersed in a continuous thermoplastic polyamide matrix, said process comprising: (1) dispersing a curative in the halogenated elastomer and forming a pre-compounded, preferably pelletized composition; (2) introducing polyamide resin and optional stabilizers into the mixer and shearing and heating to melt the polyamide and form a mixture; (3) introducing a nylon plasticizer to reduce the viscosity of the polyamide mixture to substantially match that of the pre-compounded elastomer under mixing conditions; (4) introducing pellets of the pre-compounded elastomer into the mixer and initiating dynamic vulcanization of the elastomer and polyamide components; (5) introducing the second elastomer and continuing heating and shearing to disperse the second elastomer and substantially complete dynamic vulcanization; and delivering the thermoplastic elastomer composition from the mixer. Such compositions are particularly useful in applications such as tire innerliners and barrier films or layers.
US08450394B2
An ink composition for ink-jet recording includes a pigment; resin particles having a glass transition temperature of 80° C. or higher; at least one water-soluble organic solvent; and water, and a total mass of solid content in the ink composition for ink-jet recording is 10% by mass or more relative to the ink composition for ink-jet recording, and the at least one water-soluble organic solvent includes at least one organic solvent having an SP value of 27.5 or lower, the amount of the at least one organic solvent having an SP value of 27.5 or lower being 70% by mass or more relative to a total amount of the at least one water-soluble organic solvent. An ink-jet recording method is also provided.
US08450393B2
The invention provides an ink composition, which is improved in dispersibility and fastness properties and is excellent in dispersion stability and re-solubility owing to dispersed particles in which a coloring material is included by a crosslinked hydrophobic block segment in a dispersing polymer. The ink composition contains an amphiphilic block polymer compound, in which a coloring material is included, and a medium, wherein the amphiphilic block polymer compound, in which the coloring material is included, forms a dispersed particle having the hydrophobic block segment as an internal core part, and the hydrophobic block segment is crosslinked.
US08450392B2
This invention relates to the field of an electromagnetic (EM) field shielding paint compositions, in particular, those capable of providing substantially non metallic finish. The paint composition finds particular use in attenuating EM signals that may be used to carry data between communication devices, especially mobile phone and wi-fi devices. EM field shielding paints are typically available in jet-black or bright metallic finishes and usually possess limited scratch & abrasion resistance. The paint composition provides a one-pot solution to furnish a composition which has the visual appearance of a domestic type paint i.e. one with a non-metallic finish, with the ability to shield electromagnetic radiation. The composition comprises a supported metallic flake and a pigment, which have been provided in a narrowly defined range to furnish a desirable non-metallic appearance and possess electromagnetic shielding properties.
US08450385B2
Urea-urethane gellant compositions and methods of preparing the urea-urethane gellant compositions. The method includes adding an isocyanate, an alcohol or a diamine, and a solvent to a reaction vessel; stirring the reaction vessel at either ambient or elevated temperature; isolating an intermediate product from the reaction vessel; and converting the intermediate product to the organic gellant. The urea-urethane gellants are prepared in a manner to control the molecular weight and control the formation of dimers and trimers. The gellants may be used in curable gel inks.
US08450384B2
Low density, flame-retardant polyurethane foams are prepared by reaction of a polyisocyanate with a branched organopolysiloxane prepared by reaction of a reactive hydrogen-functional organopolysiloxane with a polyisocyanate followed by reaction with an amine. Water is preferably used as a blowing agent in a one shot process.
US08450381B2
The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.
US08450372B2
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition or crystalline composition with a specific dissolution profile, which comprises suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof as an active ingredient. The present invention provides a process of producing said crystalline composition or pharmaceutical composition. The present invention also provides compositions with a specific particle size distribution.
US08450371B2
The invention features 4-((phenoxyalkyl)thio)-phenoxyacetic acids and analogs, compositions containing them, and methods of using them as PPAR delta modulators to treat or inhibit the progression of, for example, dyslipidemia.
US08450369B1
The present invention is directed to novel diacid derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the diacid derivatives and methods for the treatment of insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and related disorders comprising administering to a subject in need thereof, the compounds of the present invention.
US08450368B2
Inhibitors of microbial heme oxygenase and their use for treatment of microbial infections and bioremediation. The inhibitors of microbial heme oxygenase are useful against a new class of antimicrobial agents to target infections that are persistently difficult to combat with the current spectrum of antimicrobial agents. Screening methods for selecting inhibitors of microbial heme oxygenase.
US08450365B2
The present invention relates to methods for the synthesis of galanthamine, morphine, intermediates, salts and derivatives thereof. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to methods for improving the efficiency and overall yield of said morphine, morphine related derivatives and intermediates thereof. In further embodiments, the invention relates to methods for improving the efficiency and overall yield of galanthamine and intermediates thereof.
US08450364B2
Equol (7-hydroxy-3(4′hydroxyphenyl)-chroman), the major metabolite of the phytoestrogen daidzein, specifically binds and blocks the hormonal action of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in vitro and in vivo. Equol can bind circulating free DHT and sequester it from the androgen receptor, thus altering growth and physiological hormone responses that are regulated by androgens. These data suggest a novel model to explain equol's biological properties. The significance of equol's ability to specifically bind and sequester DHT from the androgen receptor have important ramifications in health and disease and may indicate a broad and important usage for equol in the treatment and prevention of androgen-mediated pathologies. Thus, equol can specifically bind DHT and prevent DHT's biological actions in physiological and pathophysiological processes.
US08450355B2
This invention relates to compounds of the Formula (I)-(IX):, as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester thereof, which can be useful for the treatment of diseases or conditions mediated by MMPs, ADAMs, TACE, aggrecanase, TNF-α combinations thereof.
US08450350B2
Provided herein are triazole FASN inhibitors of the formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable form thereof; wherein the variables RA, X, RB, and RC are defined herein. Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds provided herein as well as methods of their use for the treatment of various disorders such as hyperproliferative disorders, inflammatory disorders, obesity-related disorders and microbial infections.
US08450345B2
Provided are methods of treating or preventing viral infections caused by or associated with a Dengue virus using iminosugars.
US08450343B2
This invention provides novel compounds that are modulators of gamma secretase. The compounds have the formula (I) wherein R2 is a fused bicyclic ring of the formula (II). Also disclosed are methods of modulating gamma secretase activity and methods of treating Alzheimer's disease using the compounds of formula (I).
US08450340B2
Provided herein are compounds according to Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and compositions comprising the same, for use in various methods, including treating cancers such as colon, ovarian, pancreatic, breast, liver, prostate and hematologic cancers:
US08450338B2
Compositions are provided that are useful for the preparation of a medicament. The compositions comprise granules having a layer of sodium picosulphate coated on potassium bicarbonate. Additional granules having a layer of magnesium oxide coated on a core of citric acid are also provided. The two types of granules may be combined to obtain mixtures (preferably homogeneous or substantially homogeneous mixtures) of the two types of granules, which are useful, e.g., as pharmaceutical compositions.
US08450335B2
The present invention provides 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidine compounds useful as kinase inhibitors, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, and methods of using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a compound of formula I-b: wherein each of Ring A, Ring B, W1, W2, Ry, Rv, Rx, m, p, and R1 is described herein.
US08450313B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I wherein R1a to R1e, R2, R3 and R5 are as defined in the description and claims and R4 signifies a bicyclic heteroaryl group or a cyanophenyl group, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds are glucocorticoid receptor antagonists useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, adrenal imbalance or depression.
US08450304B2
The present invention comprises compounds of Formula (I). wherein: R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined in the specification. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I) and methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating a CCR2 mediated syndrome, disorder or disease, for example, type II diabetes, obesity or asthma, by administering the compounds of formula (I).
US08450303B2
Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I) as follows: wherein Y, Z, R1, and s are defined herein.
US08450302B2
The present invention relates to the use of masitinib or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and in particular of masitinib mesylate, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of GIST, to the use of this therapy for the treatment of GIST, and a method of treating mammals, including humans, suffering from GIST by administering to said mammal in need of such treatment an effective dose of masitinib, and in particular masitinib mesylate.
US08450295B2
The present invention provides an ophthalmic composition containing xanthan gum, or xanthan gum and an amino acid, which has a superior corneal epithelial disorder-treating effect and a superior corneal epithelial cell-protecting effect.
US08450294B2
The present invention relates to a shampoo composition comprising a minced polygalactomannan hydrocolloid(s) in combination with a water soluble silicone compound.
US08450284B2
The invention relates to lipopeptide building blocks consisting of a peptide chain comprising a coiled-coil domain, linked covalently to a lipid moiety comprising long alkyl or alkenyl chains, and optionally linked to an antigen; and to helical lipopeptide bundles and synthetic virus-like particles formed by aggregation. The nanometer size and shape of these bundles and particles, their stability under aqueous physiological conditions, their chemical composition, the possibility to incorporate B- and T-cell epitopes, and their production by chemical synthesis, make them highly suitable as vaccine delivery vehicles.
US08450283B2
The present invention provides a cyclic peptide containing RRXR motif. The present invention also provides a composition comprising the said cyclic peptide and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier. The present invention further provides a method for treating cancer.
US08450272B2
The present invention relates to a combination of two or more Somatostatin (SRIF) peptidomimetics (also referred to as Somatostatin- or SRIF-analogs) which have different selectivity for the five human somatostatin receptor subtypes, the use of such combination in the treatment of a disease mediated by activation of somatostatin receptors, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such a combination.
US08450271B2
Disclosed herein are novel peptide amphiphile molecules and compositions composed of a peptide sequence that non-covalently binds the growth factor TGF-β1. Also disclosed are methods of using these peptide amphiphiles to create a gel scaffold in situ that enhances articular cartilage regeneration when used in combination with microfracture. Significant improvement in tissue quality and overall O'Driscoll histological scores were observed in rabbits with full thickness articular cartilage defects treated with the TGF-binding peptide amphiphile. The gel can further serve as a delivery vehicle for recombinant TGF-β1 protein growth factor. Scaffolds that localize and retain chondrogenic growth factors may synergistically enhance cartilage repair when combined with microfracture, by inducing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into chondrogenic differentiation. This invention represents a promising new biomimetic approach to enhance current techniques of articular cartilage regeneration in the clinical setting.
US08450269B2
Use of a growth hormone protein and polynucleotides encoding same comprising an amino-terminal carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin and two carboxy-terminal chorionic gonadotrophin CTPs attached to the growth hormone in methods of inducing growth or weight gain, method of increasing insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels, and methods of reducing the dosing frequency of a growth hormone in a human subject are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the growth hormone and polynucleotides encoding the growth hormone of the invention and methods of using same are also disclosed.
US08450268B2
The present invention provides novel conformationally-defined macrocyclic compounds that have been demonstrated to be selective modulators of the ghrelin receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHS-R1a and subtypes, isoforms and variants thereof). Methods of synthesizing the novel compounds are also described herein. These compounds are useful as agonists of the ghrelin receptor and as medicaments for treatment and prevention of a range of medical conditions including, but not limited to, metabolic and/or endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and obesity-associated disorders, central nervous system disorders, genetic disorders, hyperproliferative disorders and inflammatory disorders.
US08450266B2
There is provided a novel series of analogues of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds, and the use of said compounds as GIP-receptor agonists or antagonists for treatment of GIP-receptor mediated conditions, such as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and obesity.
US08450265B2
The present invention is directed to a novel compound, 3-methyl-cyclohexadec-6-enone, and a method of improving, enhancing or modifying a fragrance formulation through the addition of an olfactory acceptable amount of 3-methyl-cyclohexadec-6-enone.
US08450262B2
[Objective] This invention is to provide a novel copolymer suitably applicable to a detergent composition having an excellent precipitation inhibitory ability and showing a good washing effect even under severe conditions of washing with water used to take Japanese bath. [Solution] A laundry detergent or cleaning composition which comprises a hydrophobic group-containing copolymer characterized by having 1 wt % or more but below 50 wt % of a structural unit (a) derived from at least one kind of monomer (A) selected from ether bond-containing monomers.
US08450237B2
The present invention provides catalysts, reactors, and methods of steam reforming over a catalyst. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods and catalysts of the present invention are also described. For example, a coated catalyst was demonstrated to be highly stable under steam reforming conditions (high temperature and high pressure of steam). Methods of making steam reforming catalysts are also described.
US08450231B2
This invention relates to a method for manufacturing silicon-containing particles characterized by preparing a uniform phase comprising a curable composition that includes a silicon-containing compound having in one molecule one or more reactive functional groups per 50 silicon atoms and an oil that does not participate in curing of the composition, then curing the composition, and causing phase separation from the oil for obtaining the silicon-containing particles; and to silicon-containing particles obtained by the above method. The method provides silicon-containing particles of an extremely small diameter in a simple process without the use of surfactants. And the silicon-containing particles possess excellent dispersibility in oil and a high degree of ceramification by baking.
US08450224B2
The present invention provides a water-dispersed acrylic PSA composition suitable for forming a PSA sheet. The PSA composition contains 100 parts by weight of an acrylic copolymer with a Tg of −70° C. to −50° C. obtained by polymerization of a monomer starting material containing 60 wt % or more of an alkyl (meth)acrylate with a C8-12 alkyl group and 5 wt % or less of a radical polymerizable monomer with a carboxyl group. When an adhesive sheet is formed therefrom, it exhibits an average SUS adhesive strength of 11 N/20 mm or greater, PP adhesive strength of 8.5 N/20 mm or greater, 80° C. hold time of 1 hour or longer, and gap height of 10 mm or less in a curved surface adhesion test.
US08450222B2
According to some aspects, a method of manufacturing a coated multi-threat fabric, including providing a first fabric layer having a first surface, the first fabric layer having a plurality of high performance fibers, applying a first polymeric material onto the first surface of the first fabric layer, the polymeric material having a melt flow index of between about 0.7 to 1400 g/10 min, a Shore D hardness of between about 36 and 75, and ultimate tensile strength of between about 5 and 75 MPa, spreading the first polymeric material onto the first surface of the first fabric layer so as to form a raw coated fabric having a first coating layer, and heating the raw coated fabric to bond the first coating layer to the first fabric layer, wherein the first polymeric material is selected such that the coated multi-threat fabric is flexible enough to be stored on a roll of a predetermined size. In some aspects, a coated multi-threat fabric includes at least one layer of fabric, each layer having a plurality of high performance fibers, and at least one coating of polymeric material bonded to the at least one layer of fabric, the polymeric material comprising an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer selected to allow the coated multi-threat fabric to be stored on a roll of a predetermined size.
US08450202B1
A fabricated substrate has at least one plurality of posts. The plurality is fabricated such that the two posts are located at a predetermined distance from one another. The substrate is exposed to a fluid matrix containing functionalized carbon nanotubes. The functionalized carbon nanotubes preferentially adhere to the plurality of posts rather than the remainder of the substrate. A connection between posts of the at least one plurality of posts is induced by adhering one end of the functionalized nanotube to one post and a second end of the functionalized carbon nanotube to a second post.
US08450189B2
The present invention relates to a film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface to be formed on the back surface of a semiconductor element flip chip-connected to an adherend, the film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface having a tensile storage elastic modulus at 25° C. after thermal curing within a range of from 10 GPa to 30 GPa, in which the tensile storage elastic modulus at 25° C. after thermal curing of the film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface falls within a range of from 4 times to 20 times the tensile storage elastic modulus at 25° C. before thermal curing thereof.
US08450185B2
A semiconductor structure is bonded directly to a diamond substrate by Van der Waal forces. The diamond substrate is formed by polishing a surface of diamond to a first degree of smoothness; forming a material, such as diamond, BeO, GaN, MgO, or SiO2 or other oxides, over the polished surface to provide an intermediate structure; and re-polishing the material formed on the intermediate structure to a second degree of smoothness smoother than the first degree of smoothness. The diamond is bonded to the semiconductor structure, such as GaN, by providing a structure having bottom surfaces of a semiconductor on an underlying material; forming grooves through the semiconductor and into the underlying material; separating semiconductor along the grooves into a plurality of separate semiconductor structures; removing the separated semiconductor structures from the underlying material; and contacting the bottom surface of at least one of the separated semiconductor structures to the diamond substrate.
US08450179B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device having a first and second bipolar devices of the same dopant type includes: depositing a dielectric layer over a semiconductor layer, depositing a gate conductor layer over the dielectric layer, defining base regions of both bipolar devices, removing the gate conductor layer and dielectric layer in the base regions, depositing a base layer on the gate conductor layer and on the exposed semiconductor layer in the base regions, depositing an insulating layer over the base layer, forming a photoresist layer and defining emitter regions of both bipolar devices, removing the photoresist layer in the emitter regions thereby forming two emitter windows, masking the emitter window of the first bipolar device and exposing the base layer in the base region of the second bipolar device to an additional emitter implant through the associated emitter window.
US08450171B2
To form a semiconductor device, an electrode layer is formed over a semiconductor body. The electrode layer includes an amorphous portion. A liner, e.g., a stress-inducing liner, is deposited over the electrode layer. The electrode layer is annealed to recrystallize the amorphous portion of the electrode layer. The liner can then be removed and an electronic component (e.g., a transistor) that includes a feature (e.g., a gate) formed from the electrode layer can be formed.
US08450162B2
Methods and systems for fabricating an integrated BiFET using two separate growth procedures are disclosed. Performance of the method fabricates the FET portion of the BiFET in a first fabrication environment. Performance of the method fabricates the HBT portion of the BiFET in a second fabrication environment. By separating the fabrication of the FET portion and the HBT portion in two or more separate reactors, the optimum device performance can be achieved for both devices.
US08450160B2
A method of flattening a substrate includes forming a metal layer on an upper surface of a substrate, forming a photoresist layer covering the substrate and the metal layer, radiating light to the photoresist layer, through a lower surface of the substrate opposite to the upper surface, exposing the metal layer by developing the photoresist layer, exposing the upper surface of the substrate by etching the metal layer, etching the exposed upper surface of the substrate, and removing the photoresist layer.
US08450158B2
A seed crystal which includes mixed phase grains including an amorphous silicon region and a crystallite which is a microcrystal that can be regarded as a single crystal is formed on an insulating film by a plasma CVD method under a first condition that enables mixed phase grains having high crystallinity and high uniformity of grain sizes to be formed at a low density, and then a microcrystalline semiconductor film is formed to be stacked on the seed crystal by a plasma CVD method under a second condition that enables the mixed phase grains to grow to fill a space between the mixed phase grains.
US08450156B2
In a method for producing a thyristor, first and second connection regions are formed on or above a substrate; the first connection region is doped with dopant atoms of a first conductivity type and the second connection region is doped with dopant atoms of a second conductivity type; first and second body regions are formed between the connection regions, wherein the first body region is formed between the first connection region and second body region, and the second body region is formed between the first body region and second connection region; the first body region is doped with dopant atoms of the second conductivity type and the second body region is doped with dopant atoms of the first conductivity type, wherein the dopant atoms are in each case introduced into the respective body region using a Vt implantation method; a gate region is formed on or above the body regions.
US08450155B2
The present invention relates to CMOS ultra large scale integrated circuits, and provides a method for introducing channel stress and a field effect transistor fabricated by the same. According to the present invention, a strained dielectric layer is interposed between source/drain regions and a substrate of a field effect transistor, and a strain is induced in a channel by the strained dielectric layer which directly contacts the substrate, so as to improve a carrier mobility of the channel and a performance of the device. The specific effects of the invention include: a tensile strain may be induced in the channel by using the strained dielectric layer having a tensile strain in order to increase an electron mobility of the channel; a compressive strain may be induced in the channel by using the strained dielectric layer having a compressive strain in order to increase a hole mobility of the channel. According to the invention, not only an effectiveness of the introduction of channel stress is ensued, but the device structure of the field effect transistor is also improved fundamentally, so that a capability for suppressing a short channel effect of the device is increased.
US08450153B2
A method for manufacturing a package comprises a first step of forming a metal pattern including a frame and a plurality of leads extending inward from the frame, a second step of molding a resin pattern including a first resin portion which holds the plurality of leads from an inner side thereof, and second resin portions which cover bottom surfaces of peripheral portions, adjacent to portions to be removed, in the plurality of leads while exposing bottom surfaces of the portions to be removed in the plurality of leads, so as to hold the plurality of leads from a lower side thereof, and a third step of cutting the plurality of leads into a plurality of first leads and a plurality of second leads by removing the portions to be removed in the plurality of leads while the resin pattern keeps holding the peripheral portions in the plurality of leads.
US08450151B1
A variety of improved approaches for packaging integrated circuits are described. In one described approach, a multiplicity of dice are mounted on a carrier (e.g., a plastic carrier). Each die has a plurality of wire bonded contact studs secured to its associated I/O pads. An encapsulant is applied over the carrier to cover the dice and at least portions of the contact studs to form an encapsulant carrier structure. After the encapsulant has been applied, a first surface of the encapsulant and the contact studs are ground such that exposed portions of the contact studs are smooth and substantially co-planar with the encapsulant. In some embodiments, a redistribution layer is formed over the encapsulant carrier structure and solder bumps are attached to the redistribution layer. A contact encapsulant layer is applied over the encapsulant carrier structure to provide extra mechanical support for the resulting packages.
US08450150B2
While an adhesive layer is provided over the rear surface of a semiconductor chip in die bonding, a lamination processing (main pressure bonding) is necessary for securing the adhesive state of the adhesive layer after the die bonding process (temporary pressure bonding). In this case, typically the hardening of the adhesive is developed by applying heat while pressing down the rear surface of the chip from above with a pressurization member. It has become clear that various problems exist in the lamination processing of the laminate chips by such a mechanical pressurization method as the chip becomes thinner. That is, the problems include chip damage at a part in an overhang state, a chip position shift caused by bending and non-uniform pressurization, and the like.One invention of the present application is to perform the lamination processing by static gas pressure after laminating and temporarily pressure-bonding the plurality of semiconductor chips over a circuit substrate in the die bonding process of a substrate product.
US08450148B2
A semiconductor device whose semiconductor device components have particularly reliable adhesion to a plastic housing composition surrounding them is intended to be produced by a simplest possible method. An adhesion promoting solution is introduced into the interspace between the front side of the flip-chips and the top side of the substrate and the solvent from the adhesion promoting solution is evaporated with formation of an adhesion promoting coating on the front sides of the semiconductor chips and the top side of the substrate. The semiconductor chip and the top side of the substrate are subsequently embedded into a plastic housing composition.
US08450142B2
An organic thin film transistor comprising: a substrate; a source electrode and a drain electrode defining a channel; a layer of insulating material disposed over the source and drain electrodes; a layer of organic semi-conductive material extending across the channel; a layer of dielectric material; and a gate electrode disposed over the layer of dielectric material.
US08450139B2
A method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device including a forming a semiconductor film by a plasma CVD method. The semiconductor film is an amorphous film of SiGe-based compound or a microcrystalline film of SiGe-based compound. The plasma CVD controls bandgap in thickness direction of the semiconductor film by varying the ON or OFF time of electric power applied to generate a plasma and intermittently supplying the power. The ON time and OFF time of the power fall in a range where the duty ratio ON time/(ON time+OFF time)×100(%) is 10% or more and 50% or less.
US08450138B2
Provided herein are embodiments of a three-dimensional bicontinuous heterostructure, a method of producing same, and the application of this structure. The three-dimensional bicontinuous heterostructure includes two interpenetrating layers which are spatially continuous, include only protrusions or peninsulas, and have no islands. The method of producing the three-dimensional bicontinuous heterostructure includes forming an essentially planar continuous bottom layer of a first material; forming a layer of this first material on top of the bottom layer that is textured to produce protrusions for subsequent interpenetration with a second material, coating this second material onto this structure, and forming a coating with the second material that ensures that only the second material is contacted by subsequent layer. One of the materials includes visible and/or infrared-absorbing semiconducting quantum dot nanoparticles, and one of materials is a hole conductor and the other is an electron conductor.
US08450135B2
A manufacturing method of pixel structure includes: sequentially forming a gate, a gate insulation layer, a semiconductor layer and a conductive layer on a substrate; forming a first patterned photoresist layer including multiple first photoresist blocks and multiple second photoresist blocks on the conductive layer; reducing the thickness of the first patterned photoresist layer until the second photoresist blocks are completely removed; forming a pixel electrode layer and a second photoresist layer on a partial pixel electrode layer; removing a part of the pixel electrode layer exposed by the second photoresist layer, a partial conductive layer and a partial semiconductor layer both under the removed pixel electrode layer to define a first electrode block, a second electrode block and a channel region; removing the remained first patterned photoresist layer and second photoresist layer and forming a protective layer and a common electrode layer on a part of the protective layer.
US08450131B2
An array of sensor devices, each sensor including a set of semiconducting nanotraces having a width less than about 100 nm is provided. Method for fabricating the arrays is disclosed, providing a top-down approach for large arrays with multiple copies of the detection device in a single processing step. Nanodimensional sensing elements with precise dimensions and spacing to avoid the influence of electrodes are provided. The arrays may be used for multiplex detection of chemical and biomolecular species. The regular arrays may be combined with parallel synthesis of anchor probe libraries to provide a multiplex diagnostic device. Applications for gas phase sensing, chemical sensing and solution phase biomolecular sensing are disclosed.
US08450128B2
A method for producing a semiconductor optical device includes the steps of forming a semiconductor region including a ridge structure on a substrate; forming an insulating film on the semiconductor region; forming a non-photosensitive resin region on the insulating film, forming a first mask that defines a scribe area; forming the scribe area by etching using the first mask; after removing the first mask, forming an insulating layer by etching the insulating film, forming an electrode on the ridge structure and the non-photosensitive resin region to produce a substrate product; forming a scribe line on a surface of the semiconductor region in the scribe area of the substrate product; and cutting the product along the scribe line to form a semiconductor laser bar.
US08450125B2
A method of evaluating an epitaxial growing process includes forming a mold layer on each of a plurality of substrates, forming a photoresist pattern on each mold layer, the photoresist pattern having opening portions, a total area of a bottom portion of the opening portions being different for each substrate, patterning each mold layer to expose a surface portion of the substrate to form an evaluation pattern on each substrate, evaluation patterns including opening portions corresponding to the opening portion in the photoresist pattern, determining substrate opening ratios for each substrate based on the opening portions in the evaluation pattern thereon, the substrate opening ratios being different for each substrate, performing a selective epitaxial process on each substrate to form an epitaxial layer, and evaluating characteristics of the epitaxial layer for each substrate to determine an optimal substrate opening ratio.
US08450122B2
Test structures and methods for semiconductor devices, lithography systems, and lithography processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes using a lithography system to expose a layer of photosensitive material of a workpiece to energy through a lithography mask, the lithography mask including a plurality of first test patterns having a first phase shift and at least one plurality of second test patterns having at least one second phase shift. The layer of photosensitive material of the workpiece is developed, and features formed on the layer of photosensitive material from the plurality of first test patterns and the at least one plurality of second test patterns are measured to determine a optimal focus level or optimal dose of the lithography system for exposing the layer of photosensitive material of the workpiece.
US08450121B2
A pixel includes an organic light emitting diode, a first transistor having a source coupled to a first power source, a control gate coupled to a first node, and a drain coupled to a second node, wherein the first transistor includes a floating gate and an insulating layer between the floating gate and the control gate, a second transistor having a source coupled to a data line, a drain coupled to the first node, and a gate coupled to a scan line, a third transistor having a source coupled to the second node, a drain coupled to the organic light emitting diode, and a gate coupled to one of a light emitting control line and the scan line, and a capacitor coupled between the first power source and the first node.
US08450100B2
A collagen peptide with immune-enhancing activity from Cyanea nozakii, and a preparation method thereof are provided. The collagen peptide contains 80-90 wt % of proteins and 10-20 wt % of sugars, and has an average molecular weight of 1,000-3,000 Dalton. Monosaccharide contained in the collagen peptide are mainly glucose, glycine accounts for 16% or above and the sum of proline and hydroxyproline accounts for 18% or above of amino acids contained therein. The collagen peptide is capable of being used for preparation of medicines, health products, and skincare cosmetics having immune-enhancing function.
US08450096B2
The invention relates to Citrobacter phytases derived from Citrobacter amalonaticus, Citrobacter gillenii, and related phytases. The phytases belong to the acid histidine phosphatase family, are acid-stable, and expectedly of a high specific activity. The invention also relates to the corresponding DNA, the recombinant and wild-type production of the phytases, as well as the use thereof, in particular in animal feed.
US08450063B2
The present invention provides for determining relative copy number difference for one or more target nucleic acid sequences between a test sample and a reference sample or reference value derived therefrom. The methods facilitate the detection of copy number differences less than 1.5-fold.
US08450061B2
The technology relates in part to quantification of a minority nucleic acid species from a nucleic acid sample. In some embodiments, methods for determining the amount of fetal nucleic acid (e.g. absolute amount, relative amount) in a maternal sample are provided.
US08450059B2
Provided are quantitative PCR-based compositions and methods for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in a patient sample, such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The methods presented herein involve isolating a patient sample, optionally extracting DNA from the sample, carrying out a quantitative PCR (qPCR) reaction on the sample to generate an amplicon that includes a region of an Aspergillus spp. ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, and detecting the PCR amplicon. The present disclosure also provides primers and primer sets for specifically detecting an Aspergillus spp. fungal pathogen in the presence of human ribosomal DNA (rDNA).
US08450058B2
Provided are a method of detecting a target substance, by which the detection sensitivity in the PALSAR method can be improved and multiple genes can be simultaneously detected, and a kit for detection. The method is a method of detecting a target substance by forming a signal probe polymer with the use of multiple dimer probes or dimer-forming probes and an assist probe, in which each dimer probe is made up of two kinds of dimer-forming probes including a 5′-side region, a central region and a 3′-side region (the central regions of the two kinds of dimer-forming probes are complementary to each other and the 3′-side regions and the 5′-side regions thereof are not complementary to each other), the multiple dimer probes are constituted such that a dimer probe polymer is formed via a self-assembly reaction, and the assist probe is designed so as to have a structure having a region complementary to the 5′-side region of one dimer-forming probe in one dimer probe, a region complementary to the 3′-side region of the other dimer-forming probe, and a target region capable of binding to the target substance.
US08450054B2
A codon optimized and stabilized luciferase gene based upon the sequence of the natural luciferase gene isolated from Luciola cruciata (Japanese firefly) and a novel recombinant DNA characterized by incorporating this new gene coding for a novel luciferase into a vector DNA for improved activities in mammalian cells, are disclosed. This new luciferase exhibits long-wavelength light emission, as well as improved thermostability and higher expression levels in mammalian cell systems, compared to native luciferase. Assays using this new enzyme for measuring various biological metabolic functions are described.
US08450053B2
In this application is described a novel, multiparameter analysis of TCR-coupled signaling and function in resting and activated naive and memory CD4 T cells, revealing a biochemical basis for immunological recall. Results reveal a novel biochemical signature imparted to memory CD4 T cells enabling efficacious responses through increased ZAP-70 expression and reduced accumulation of downstream signaling events.
US08450036B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor containing fluororesin particles in which the cross-section obtained by cutting a surface layer along the thickness direction satisfies the following (1) and (2): 0≦A1≦0.5×A2 (1): 0.7×A3≦A2≦1.2×A3 (2): wherein A1 represents the proportion (%) of the area of the fluororesin particles occupying a region designated as a first region; A2 represents the proportion (%) of the area of the fluororesin particles occupying a region designated as a second region; and A3 represents the proportion (%) of the area of the fluororesin particles occupying the entire cross-section with respect to the entire area of the cross-section.
US08450034B2
Provided is an electrophotographic photoreceptor exhibiting not only excellent durability together with high sensitivity but also excellent image reproduction, which is suitable for an image forming method by which imagewise exposure is performed employing a light source having an emission wavelength peak being in the range of 350-500 nm to form a high density electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, and also provided are an image forming method employing the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and an image forming apparatus thereof. Also disclosed is an electrophotographic photoreceptor possessing a conductive support and provided thereon, a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, wherein the charge generation layer possesses a pyranthrone pigment, and the charge transport layer possesses at least one of compounds represented by Formula (1) or Formula (2) described below:
US08450030B2
Provided is a thin film evaluation method for a transfer mask which is adapted to be applied with ArF excimer laser exposure light and comprises a thin film formed with a pattern on a transparent substrate. The method includes intermittently irradiating pulsed laser light onto the thin film to thereby evaluate the irradiation durability of the thin film.
US08450028B2
A method of recording a volume holographic image is described in which a holographic recording medium containing a photoreactive dye is exposed to a plurality of coherent light sources emitting at a wavelength to which the dye is sensitive, thereby forming an interference fringe pattern therein. The photoreaction occurring in the areas of constructive interference generates a periodic array of photoreacted areas of the dye and unreacted areas of the dye. This generated interference fringe pattern may contain, but does not have to contain any image or other encoded information. Selected areas of the interference fringe pattern are then exposed to actinic radiation in such a manner to partially or fully bleach, remove, or deactivate the photoreactive dye fringe pattern, thereby producing a holographic pattern, shape, or image formed by areas of the interference fringe pattern that were not bleached, removed, or deactivated.
US08450018B2
A system and method for determining when to trigger reconditioning of a fuel cell stack and when to disable the reconditioning of the fuel cell stack. In one embodiment, the stack reconditioning is triggered when a maximum stack power estimation falls below a first predetermined power threshold. The reconditioning of the stack can be disabled so it is not performed when the trigger occurs if the reconditioning process does not raise the maximum power estimation above a second predetermined power threshold or the time from one reconditioning trigger to a next reconditioning trigger is less than a predetermined time threshold, or both.
US08450016B2
A fuel cell system is provided which estimates a water content in a fuel cell based on a predetermined map using an integrated value of electric current generated by the fuel cell (ST4) before power generation is stopped (ST5). When a temperature of the fuel cell has fallen lower than a predetermined value (ST7) after the power generation is stopped (ST5), the fuel cell system determines a dry degree in the fuel cell (ST8) and an anode scavenging period (ST9) based on predetermined maps. Scavenging is performed in an anode in the fuel cell for the anode scavenging period (ST10).
US08450010B2
A sealing assembly of a battery, a method for fabricating the sealing assembly and a lithium ion battery are provided. The sealing assembly may comprise: a ceramic ring having a receiving hole; a metal ring fitted over the ceramic ring; and a core column formed in the receiving hole, which comprises a metal-ceramic composite.
US08450003B2
A portable electronic device includes a housing, a battery cover defining a latching hole, a latching element with an elastic section, and an operating lever. The housing defines a cutout. The battery cover includes a hook projecting therefrom and a latching hole defined therein. The hook is received in the cutout. The latching element includes a prong and an elastic section. The elastic section is secured to the housing. The operating lever forces the prong of the latching element to separate from the latching hole and compresses the elastic section.
US08449997B2
A power source comprised of a metal-air battery pack and a non-metal-air battery pack is provided, wherein thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack is used to heat the non-metal-air battery pack. In one aspect, a thermal energy transfer system is provided that controls the flow of thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack to the non-metal-air battery pack. In another aspect, the flow of thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack to the non-metal-air battery pack is controlled and used to heat the non-metal-air battery pack prior to charging the non-metal-air battery pack.
US08449996B2
A battery pack including a bare cell including an electrode assembly inserted therein, a holder case fixed to one side of the bare cell, a protective circuit board seated on the holder case and including a protection circuit electrically connected to the bare cell to control charging or discharging thereof, a first metal member fixed to the protective circuit board, and a second metal member fixed to the holder case and connected to the first metal member.
US08449989B2
Disclosed is a compound represented by formula 1: wherein each of A, X, Y, Y′ and Y″ has the same meaning as described herein. When used in an organic light emitting device, the compound represented by formula 1 has at least one function selected from the group consisting of hole injection, hole transport, light emitting, electron transport, electron injection, etc., depending on the type of each unit forming the trimer or substituents in each unit. An organic light emitting device is also disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes a first electrode, an organic film having one or more layers and a second electrode, laminated successively, wherein at least one layer of the organic film includes at least one compound represented by formula 1.
US08449988B2
A cold-rolled steel sheet has a chemical composition of C: 0.12% to 0.3%, Si: 0.5% or less, Mn: less than 1.5%, Al: 0.15% or less, N: 0.01% or less, P: 0.02% or less, and S: 0.01% or less, with the remainder including iron and inevitable impurities and has a martensite single-phase structure as its steel microstructure. In a surface region of the steel sheet from the surface to a depth one-tenth the gauge, the number density of n-ary groups of inclusions determined by specific n-th determinations is 120 or less per 100 cm2 of a rolling plane, where the distance in steel sheet rolling direction between outermost surfaces of two outermost particles of the group of inclusions is 100 μm or more. The steel sheet is a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet which has a sufficiently minimized rate of bending fracture starting from inclusions and thereby has excellent bending workability.
US08449985B2
Methods are provided for obtaining soluble or insoluble poly(iptycenylene vinylene) homo- and co-polymers via a soluble precursor polymer. The polymers obtained by the methods can be used in electronic or opto-electronic devices, e.g., chemosensors.
US08449980B2
Composite particles for an electrode comprising LiVOPO4 particles and a metal, wherein the metal is supported on at least a portion of the surface of the LiVOPO4 particles to form a metal coating layer.
US08449978B2
An insulated wire including a conductor, and an insulating film formed by coating and baking an insulating varnish on the conductor directly or via another insulation layer. The insulating varnish includes a phenolic hydroxyl group-containing polyimide resin represented by a chemical formula (1): where X is a tetravalent aromatic group composing an aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride residue, Y1 is a divalent aromatic group including one or more phenolic hydroxyl groups and Y2 is a divalent aromatic group not including a phenolic hydroxyl group A ratio of the number Z1 of phenolic hydroxyl groups included in Y1 of the chemical formula (1) to the number Z2 of an imide group included in the chemical formula (1) is 0.15≦Z1/Z2≦0.85.
US08449977B1
An article has an anti-abrasion layer, comprising a mixture of irregular particles of hard material and round particles essentially free of cutting edges embedded in a matrix material and the use thereof for the production of anti-abrasion surfaces on wood materials, decorative paper, or wood fiber sheets printed with patterns for the production of parquet floors, floor laminates, furniture surfaces or work boards and for the production of wear-resistant surface layers on support materials made from metal, glass, ceramics, plastic concrete or other materials.
US08449976B2
Fibrous structures that exhibit a Geometric Mean Flexural Rigidity (GM Flexural Rigidity or GMFlex) as measured according to the Flexural Rigidity Test Method described herein to Dry Burst (DB) as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method described herein ratio (GMFlex/DB ratio) of less than 0.26 and a Density of less than 0.10 g/cm3 as measured according to the Test Methods described herein are provided.
US08449971B2
Bilayer platelet fillers are employed to compensate for a positive coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of an embedding polymeric material, or even to provide a composite structure having a negative CTE to eliminate or alleviate thermomechanical stress and/or delamination during thermal cycling. A bilayer platelet includes two joined layers having different CTEs. The CTE mismatch induces bending of the bilayer platelets, thereby causing cavities at temperatures lower than the joining temperature at which the bilayers are joined. The decrease in the volume of the polymeric material and the bilayer platelets at low temperatures is compensated by an accompanying increase in the volume of the cavities so that the composite structure has a temperature independent volume, a low net CTE, or even a negative CTE.
US08449965B2
A multilayer optical recording medium including at least multiple information layers each having at least a phase change recording layer capable of recording information by laser irradiation and a reflection layer, wherein each information layer other than the innermost information layer as seen from a side of the laser irradiation has at least a lower protection layer, the phase change recording layer, an upper protection layer, the reflection layer and an optical transmission layer, the upper protection layer and the optical transmission layer in each information layer other than the innermost information layer as seen from the side of the laser irradiation are composed of an Sn oxide-containing material and a thickness of the upper protection layer in each information layer other than the innermost information layer as seen from the side of the laser irradiation is 2 nm to 15 nm is provided.
US08449956B2
Transparent ink-jet recording films, compositions, and methods are disclosed. Such films do not exhibit excessive ink drying times. These films exhibit high maximum optical densities and have low haze values. These films are useful for medical imaging.
US08449952B2
A method and system for coating a vinyl workpiece includes denibbing the workpiece and deionizing the air around the workpiece. The workpiece is roll coated using a roll coating machine, wherein the roll coating machine includes a plurality of engraving rollers. An angular surface of the workpiece is roll coated using a corresponding angularly positioned application roller. The workpiece is coated with an ultraviolet (UV) curable coating using a vacuum coating machine. The UV coating is cured using the vacuum coating machine.
US08449944B2
A process for the production of coated textiles, a textile substrate being coated or impregnated with a solution (I) comprising polyurethane, and the polyurethane then being precipitated in or on the textile substrate, wherein polyurethane dissolved in ionic liquid is used as solution (I).
US08449936B2
A method of providing a range of flavors to an orally-receivable or ingestible product, the method including adding at least one compound, including salts thereof, of the formula: wherein R1 may be H, OH, O(CH2)2OH, OCH2OCH3 or R2 may be selected from a range of 5- and 6-membered heterocyclic rings, and wherein R3 may be H or OH. The compounds give rise to a wide range of flavors, and some are useful as sweetness enhancers, this allowing sweetener content to be reduced while maintaining sweetness. Also disclosed are orally-receivable or ingestible products including the compounds.
US08449932B2
A method for the preparation of a fermented milk product comprising Bifidobacteria and Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria, wherein the Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria improve the growth of the Bifidobacteria during the fermentation.
US08449930B2
The invention relates to a drug or a dermatological composition containing an avocado peptide extract for treating and/or preventing pruritus, in particular gravidic pruritus, pruritus sine materia, pruritus in newborns, and pruritus originating from a drug.
US08449924B2
The present invention provides a process for the preparation of Plectranthus amboinicus extracts using a stirring separation method. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the Plectranthus amboinicus crude extract and/or extract for treating skin disorders, including enhancing the healing of wounds, especially in diabetic patients.
US08449914B2
A controlled release pharmaceutical composition for oral use comprising carvedilol. The composition releases carvedilol after oral administration to a mammal, including a human, in such a manner that a prolonged residence of carvedilol is obtained in the circulatory system compared with the known compositions of carvedilol. Furthermore, a composition according to the present invention makes available to the body a suitable plasma concentration of one or both of the enantiomeric species, namely R(+) and/or S(−) carvedilol for obtaining the desired therapeutic effect.
US08449910B2
Stable pharmaceutical compositions of famotidine and ibuprofen in a single unit dosage form are disclosed herein. The compositions comprise a famotidine core having a reduced or minimal surface area surrounded by a layer of ibuprofen. In some embodiments, the ibuprofen is in direct physical contact with the famotidine.
US08449908B2
The present invention overcomes the problems associated with existing drug delivery systems by delivering cannabinoids transdermally. Preferably, the cannabinoids are delivered via an occlusive body (i.e., a patch) to alleviate harmful side effects and avoid gastrointestinal (first-pass) metabolism of the drug by the patient. A first aspect of the invention provides a method for relieving symptoms associated with illness or associated with the treatment of illness in a mammalian subject, comprising the steps of selecting at least one cannabinoid from the group consisting of cannabinol, cannabidiol, nabilone, levonantradol, (−)-HU-210, (+)-HU-210, 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC-11-oic acid, CP 55,940, and R(+)-WIN 55,212-2, selecting at least one permeation enhancer from the group consisting of propylene glycol monolaurate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, an oleoyl macrogolglyceride, a caprylocaproyl macrogolglyceride, and an oleyl alcohol, and delivering the selected cannabinoid and permeation enhancer transdermally to treat an illness.
US08449907B2
Silicone adhesive formulations are provided, in which fentanyl particles are suspended one or more a solvated silicone adhesives. The formulations can be used for manufacturing improved, matrix-type transdermal devices for administering fentanyl.
US08449904B1
A glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic bead is described, with an internal porous scaffold microstructure that is surrounded by an amorphous shield. The shield serves to protect the internal porous microstructure of the shield while increasing the overall strength of the porous microstructure and improve the flowability of the beads either by themselves or in devices such as biologically degradable putty that would be used in bone or soft tissue augmentation or regeneration. The open porosity present inside the bead will allow for enhanced degradability in-vivo as compared to solid particles or spheres and also promote the growth of tissues including but not limited to all types of bone, soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves.
US08449898B2
Disclosed is a fungicidal composition comprising (a) at least one compound selected from the compounds of Formula 1 N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, A, G, W, Z1, X, J, and n are as defined in the disclosure, and (b) at least one additional fungicidal compound. Also disclosed is a method for controlling plant diseases caused by fungal plant pathogens comprising applying to the plant or portion thereof, or to the plant seed, a fungicidally effective amount of the aforesaid composition.Also disclosed is a composition comprising component (a) of aforesaid composition and at least one insecticide.Also disclosed are compounds of Formula 1A, 1B and 1C, wherein R1, R2, A, G, W, Z1, X, J, n, Z3, M and J1 are as defined in the disclosure.
US08449897B2
A refreshment towel with applied solution is an apparatus consisting of a carrying agent, most likely a high quality cotton towel or towelette, that has been saturated with an aqueous solution comprised of various ingredients. The resulting saturated towel can be rubbed on a user's skin such that the aqueous solution that has been absorbed by the towel is transferred. The aqueous solution is compounded specifically to provide cooling, insect repellant, sun protection, freshness, cleansing and other uses. More specifically, the aqueous solution is specially formulated so that desired sensory results take place when the towel comes in contact with the skin.
US08449890B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where R1, R2a, R2b, R3-R6, a, b, Z, and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08449884B2
The invention relates to a chimeric protein comprising at least one clotting factor and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region. The invention relates to a method of treating a hemostatic disorder comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a chimeric protein wherein the chimeric protein comprises at least one clotting factor and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region.
US08449878B2
Naturally occurring lecithins and/or oleic acid stimulate the growth and lactic acid producing activity of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species of probiotic bacteria, and replace polysorbate 80 for those products. They can be used in naturally occurring form, or where they are to be combined with probiotics in a carrier, or they can be treated to yield a stable powdered form of these naturally oily compounds. They can be sold as combined prebiotic/probiotic formulations in the same carrier, or sold as separate dietary supplements, e.g., in capsule or tablet form, to be used with the probiotic formulation as desired.
US08449877B2
The present invention provides a method for purifying bacterial minicells that involves subjecting a sample containing minicells to density gradient centrifugation in a biologically compatible medium. The method optionally includes a preliminary differential centrifugation step and one or more filtration steps. The invention also provides a method for purifying bacterial minicells in which a sample containing minicells is subjected to a condition that induces parent bacterial cells to adopt a filamentous form, followed by filtration of the sample to separate minicells from parent bacterial cells. The inventive methods optionally include one or more steps to remove endotoxin from purified minicell preparations, and/or treatment of purified minicell preparations with an antibiotic. Additionally, the invention provides purified minicell preparations, prepared according to the foregoing methods, and containing fewer than about 1 contaminating parent bacterial cell per 107, 108, 109, 1010, or 1011 minicells.
US08449870B2
The present invention relates to a gelled cosmetic emulsion comprising an oil phase, an aqueous phase and a gelling system which contains at least one non-siloxane based polyamide in a sufficient amount to gel the emulsion. The polyamide can have an tertiary amide, ester, acid, or amine terminal end group. The emulsion is stabilized with an alkylene oxide containing emulsion stabilizer. The polyamide resin is stabilized with a resin stabilizer containing an atom with a certain electronegativity. The emulsions of the present invention are substantially transparent and when colorants are added the color is especially bright and clear. The emulsions are used in lipstick and mascara products as well as other gel and stick products.
US08449859B2
The present invention relates to syntheses of quaternary chalcogenide compounds such as copper zinc tin sulfide in cesium, rubidium, barium and lanthanum containing fluxes. The quaternary chalcogenides are useful as the absorber layer as a p-type semiconductor in a thin film solar cell application.
US08449851B2
According to the present invention, a mercury removing system (A) includes a reaction gas supplier (20) that supplies reaction gas to treatment target gas; de-nitration equipment (2) that reduces nitrogen oxide in the treatment target gas to be removed and oxidizes low water-soluble mercury in the treatment target gas to obtain water-soluble mercury; and desulfurization equipment (7) that removes sulfur oxide and the low water-soluble mercury in the treatment target gas. The mercury removing system further includes an oxidation gas vaporizer (124) that heats an oxidation gas generating liquid to generate oxidation gas and a gas mixer (13) that mixes the oxidation gas with reducing gas to obtain the reaction gas, outside a flue and on the upstream side of the reaction gas supplier (20).
US08449846B2
A system and method for producing natural gas is provided. a gas dynamic laser is powered by a gas, such as carbon dioxide, while the same gas is converted by a catalytic converter heated by the beam of the laser. Other gases can be formed simultaneously in other catalytic converters heated by the laser beam. The resulting converted gases can be used to produce a fuel gas. Excess heat and/or by-products of the process can be used to produce electricity.
US08449845B2
In light of the recent analytical technology demanded of fast and accurate measurement of high purity materials, a zirconium crucible is provided for melting an analytical sample and is capable of inhibiting the inclusion of impurities from the crucible by using a high-purity crucible, improving the durability of high-purity zirconium as an expensive crucible material, and increasing the number of times that the zirconium crucible can be used. With this zirconium crucible used for melting an analytical sample in the pretreatment of the analytical sample, the purity excluding gas components is 3N or higher, and the content of carbon as a gas component is 100 mass ppm or less.
US08449838B2
A microfluidic device for batch processing magnetic bead assays and having one or more microfluidic sample channels, comprising, one or more micromagnets seated in a fixture; and an actuator; wherein a portion of each micromagnet is in releasable operative association with one or more of the microfluidic sample channels, and another portion of each micromagnet is in releasable operative association with the actuator; and methods for using the same.
US08449833B2
The present invention provides a biosensor cartridge (11) comprising a bottom portion (1) with a well (2) adapted to accommodate a liquid sample and a cover portion (3) for closing said well (2). The well (2) has a sensor surface (4). The bottom portion (1) is adapted for allowing light to enter along a first optical path (5), to be reflected at the sensor surface (4) and to exit along a second optical path (6). The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a cartridge (11).
US08449832B2
A test sensor includes a base, a lid and a channel for receiving a fluid sample. The channel includes a reagent. The test sensor also includes a tip portion extending from at least one of the base and lid. The tip portion prevents or inhibits moisture or contaminants from entering the channel and affecting the reagent. The test sensor further includes a detachable area located adjacent the tip portion. The detachable area is formed so as to assist movement of the tip portion or removal of the tip portion from the remainder of the test sensor. The movement or removal of the tip portion exposes the channel for receiving the fluid sample.
US08449826B2
Since known detection devices include detectors of the same number as that of samples, the system configuration is complicated. According to the present invention, therefore, a plurality of electromagnetic-wave-transmission lines with different propagation-delay times and a coupled-transmission line coupling the electromagnetic-wave-transmission lines with each other are provided, and an electromagnetic wave is detected by the same electromagnetic-wave-detection unit. Subsequently, a detection device including at least one electromagnetic-wave detector of a number smaller than that of samples can be provided, which decreases the system complexity.
US08449821B2
A system includes a controller and an apparatus that includes a housing having a volume and an inlet. The inlet can receive a fluid that includes a gas and a liquid. The apparatus also includes a baffle that partitions the volume into a first portion and a second portion. The baffle extends from a base of the housing. The first portion can receive the liquid and separate the liquid into a first part and a second part. The second portion can receive the second part of the liquid from the first portion. The controller regulates an amount of the second part of the liquid in the second portion such that a level of the second part of the liquid is higher than a height that the baffle extends from the base of the housing, thus enabling the use of the extra surge capacity in the vessel.
US08449815B2
There is provided an oil-impregnated sintered bearing which enable to prevent oil leakage from an outer peripheral surface of an bearing body. The oil-impregnated sintered bearing includes a bearing body which is made of a porous sintered alloy containing vacancies and has a bearing hole in which a rotary shaft can be inserted, wherein the vacancies opened on an outer peripheral surface of the bearing body are crushed. The vacancies may be crushed in the state of a green compact, or in the state of a sintered alloy after sintering the green compact. Consequently, the oil leakage from the outer peripheral surface of the bearing can be prevented, and oil pressure in the bearing hole can be preserved.
US08449811B2
A method is for producing calcinated or sintered hollow bodies comprising a spherical surface, to hollow bodies produced using the method, and to the uses thereof. Calcinated or sintered hollow bodies comprising a spherically curved surface, an enlarged, freely accessible surface and/or a structured surface. An organic spherical carrier is coated with a powder which forms the shell of a hollow body, and a binding agent, both contained in suspension. A heat treatment is then carried out, leading to the expulsion of organic constituents and to the sin-tering process. At least one elevation is arranged on the surface of the carrier or embodied thereon, the projection past the surface corresponding at least to the thickness of the shell of the finished sintered hollow body, taking into account the degree of shrinkage of the powder material during the sintering process. The elevation(s) is/are then removed by conversion into the gas phase of the respective material from which they are formed and/or mechanically, during the heat treatment.
US08449808B2
A plastic shell with ink-free pattern and its manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes a step of providing a multilayered film with ink-free pattern, a step of adhering a protective layer of the multilayered film on a surface of a plastic shell body, and a step of performing a laser engraving procedure to present a relief pattern on a surface of the protective layer.
US08449805B2
A reticle comprising isolated pillars is configured for use in imprint lithography. In some embodiments, on a first substrate a pattern of pillars pitch-multiplied in two dimensions is formed in an imprint reticle. The imprint reticle is brought in contact with a transfer layer overlying a series of mask layers, which in turn overlie a second substrate. The pattern in the reticle is transferred to the transfer layer, forming an imprinted pattern. The imprinted pattern is transferred to the second substrate to form densely-spaced holes in the substrate. In other embodiments, a reticle is patterned by e-beam lithography and spacer formations. The resultant pattern of closely-spaced pillars is used to form containers in an active integrated circuit substrate.
US08449803B2
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for surface modification of catheters. The surface modification can be localized to a lumen surface of the catheter. The surface modification to the lumen surface extends radially into the catheter body a predetermined distance to provide a hardened zone having a hardness that is greater than a hardness of an exterior surface of the catheter body.
US08449799B2
A valve gate assembly comprises a piston that is actuable between a forward position and a rear position and has a piston stop surface and a forward pressure surface. A cylinder has a cylinder stop surface that is disposed to contact the piston stop surface when the piston is in the forward position. The cylinder stop surface is radially outward of at least a portion of the forward pressure surface and a shutoff pin is substantially aligned with the axis.
US08449793B2
This invention relates to methods and articles using compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. In particular, this invention relates to molecular precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers including CAIGAS.
US08449790B2
A composition comprised of nanoparticles of lithium ion conducting solid oxide material, wherein the solid oxide material is comprised of lithium ions, and at least one type of metal ion selected from pentavalent metal ions and trivalent lanthanide metal ions. Solution methods useful for synthesizing these solid oxide materials, as well as precursor solutions and components thereof, are also described. The solid oxide materials are incorporated as electrolytes into lithium ion batteries.
US08449782B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a see-through-type integrated solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same. The method comprises forming a first conductive material being apart and strip patterned on a transparent substrate so that the first conductive material comprises a predetermined space for enabling light to directly pass through the transparent substrate, forming a solar cell (semiconductor) layer, obliquely depositing a second conductive material and etching the solar cell layer using the second conductive material layer as a mask.
US08449778B2
A method for treating ballast water with sulfurous acid to kill invasive species and remove oxygen from the ballast water to preserve hulls from rusting.
US08449770B2
A multi-purpose water filter cartridge assembly has two sets of manifold holes formed in a top of a manifold integration board. Each set of manifold holes is composed of an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. The first outlet of the first set of manifold holes communicates with the inlet of the second set of manifold holes. The manifold integration board further has four sets of cartridge connection holes formed in a bottom thereof and each set is composed of a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet. The first and second inlets of two sets of the four sets of cartridge connection holes respectively communicate with the first and second outlets of the first set of manifold holes. The inlets of the two sets of cartridge connection holes respectively communicate with the outlets of the first set of manifold holes. The first and second inlets of the other two sets of cartridge connection holes respectively communicate with the first and second outlets of the second set of manifold holes, and the inlets of the two sets of cartridge connection holes respectively communicate with the outlets of the second set of manifold holes through connection holes inside the manifold integration board. At least one filter cartridge is mounted on a bottom of the manifold integration board. The present invention can conveniently and accurately connect multiple filter cartridges in serial, in parallel or both.
US08449767B2
An oil reservoir having an oil inlet fitting and at least one oil outlet fitting for connecting to a hydraulic system. The reservoir comprising a housing having a lower housing part and a reservoir cover which is connected to the lower housing part and includes an integrated oil filter. An oil filler neck, which can be closed by a cap, is configured on the housing cover. The reservoir housing is equipped with at least one guide element which is attached to at least one inside wall of the reservoir housing and forms a circular guidance track for the oil. This guidance track forces the oil flow in a circular manner, after entering the reservoir and passing through the oil filter but before exiting the oil reservoir, such that any air which may be present is separated from the oil and can exit the oil reservoir via an air outlet.
US08449762B2
A sulfur reduction catalyst useful to reduce the levels of sulfur in a cracked gasoline product comprises a metal vanadate compound. The metal vanadate compound can be supported on a molecular sieve such as a zeolite in which the metal vanadate compound is primarily located on the exterior surface of the pore structure of the zeolite and on the surface of any matrix material used to bind or support the zeolite.
US08449756B2
An undivided electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a housing defining an undivided chamber, the housing having one electrolyte inlet and at least two electrolyte outlets; an anode in the chamber; a cathode in the chamber; and an electrolyte in the chamber, wherein the anode and the cathode are not gas diffusion electrodes. The invention also involves a method of operating an electrochemical cell, and methods for making ferrate(VI).
US08449753B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for plating pretreatment of a cylinder block that includes an electrode performing a plating pretreatment of the cylinder inner wall surface. A gap flow channel communicates with an in-electrode flow channel at a position closest to a seal jig, the gap flow channel being adapted to introduce a treatment liquid to the cylinder inner wall surface, the in-electrode flow channel being adapted to receive the treatment liquid having passed through a communicating hole. The present invention is provided a method for pretreating before plating a cylinder block including disposing an electrode to face the cylinder inner wall surface so as to form a gap flow channel, and introducing a treatment liquid to the gap flow channel thereby flowing through the treatment liquid toward a seal jig and then into an in-electrode flow channel through a communicating hole.
US08449752B2
Methods for fabrication of magnetic write heads, and more specifically to fabrication of magnetic poles and trailing magnetic pole steps. A write pole may first be patterned on a substrate. Then a side gap material may be patterned along sidewall portions of the write pole. Thereafter, a masking layer may be deposited and patterned to expose a portion of the write pole. A trailing magnetic pole step may be formed on the exposed portion of the write pole.
US08449738B2
An apparatus for the removal of gasses from a number of electrolysis cells, including a suction duct for each cell, each suction duct being connected to a central manifold with a gas treatment center and a central suction fan. A flow restriction device is provided in each suction duct. One or more additional ductworks are provided. Each additional ductwork is for one or more suction ducts. Each additional ductwork has a branch for each suction duct, the branch being connected to the suction duct between the electrolysis cell and the flow restriction device, which one or more branches are connected to a booster duct in which an on/off valve is present. One or more booster ducts are connected to a booster manifold connected to the central manifold. A booster fan is provided in the booster manifold. A method for performing an electrolysis process is also disclosed.
US08449736B2
A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
US08449735B2
A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
US08449734B2
A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
US08449731B1
Local plasma density, e.g., the plasma density in the vicinity of the substrate, is increased by providing an ion extractor configured to transfer ions and electrons from a first region of magnetically confined plasma (typically a region of higher density plasma) to a second region of plasma (typically a region of lower density plasma). The second region of plasma is preferably also magnetically shaped or confined and resides between the first region of plasma and the substrate. A positively biased conductive member positioned proximate the second region of plasma serves as an ion extractor. A positive bias of about 50-300 V is applied to the ion extractor causing electrons and subsequently ions to be transferred from the first region of plasma to the vicinity of the substrate, thereby forming higher density plasma. Provided methods and apparatus are used for deposition and resputtering.
US08449725B2
Described are an apparatus and a method for recovering styrene monomer using an auxiliary solvent, more particularly an apparatus and a method for recovering styrene monomer through pyrolysis of waste polystyrene capable of improving recovery ratio of styrene monomer using an auxiliary solvent such as steam, preventing repolymerization of pyrolyzed styrene monomer and effectively preventing production of unwanted high molecular weight materials.
US08449717B2
The method is for influencing the flow from a strainer construction in a continuous digester. In order to avoid clogging of the withdrawal compartment in the strainer construction, an additive that counteracts precipitation processes is added directly to the withdrawal compartment while the cooking fluid is withdrawn from the withdrawal compartment. The addition of chemicals can take place at the same time as the withdrawn cooking fluid is withdrawn from the digester and the strainer construction, or while the withdrawn cooking fluid is fully or partially re-circulated back to the withdrawal compartment.
US08449716B2
Device for separating a substrate from a carrier substrate which is connected to the substrate by an interconnect layer. The device includes a carrier substrate holder with a holding surface for holding the carrier substrate, and a substrate holder which is located opposite the carrier substrate holder with a substrate holding surface which can be located parallel to the holding surface for accommodating the substrate. There are separating means for parallel displacement of the substrate relative to the carrier substrate in the interconnected state of the substrate and carrier substrate.
US08449711B2
The invention consists of a method for manufacturing a vehicle trim panel so that the sheet of thermoplastic foam that forms the central core of the trim is made from a mixture of thermoplastic material, additives and fibre reinforcement, where the fibre reinforcement forms an integral part of the sheet thermoplastic foam.
US08449708B2
A device for the thermal bonding of a flexible covering (13) to a support (12), using a fluidized bed of particles (4), includes an internal zone, called a heating box (10) smaller in size than that of the enclosure (2), which is placed approximately at the center of the latter, the heating box having a gas distributor (6b), a diffusion mesh (7b) and a gas feed system (5b, 9) that are separate and isolated from those of the enclosure, and heating elements (11) designed to be placed in the particle bed. A thermal bonding method suitable for being implemented by this device is also described.
US08449693B2
A paint roller cleaning and drying assembly having a hollow cylindrical body having open top and bottom ends and a hingedly attached cover selectively movable between be closed and open position. A nozzle plenum disposed on an inside body surface substantially parallel to the major axis thereof carries a row of spray nozzles. The nozzle plenum may optionally have an interior cross sectional area that varies along its length to equalize fluid pressure delivered to nozzles disposed along the length thereof. A fluid inlet tube with a hose fitting and valve passes through the wall of the body delivering fluid to the nozzle plenum. Legs support the body in an upright orientation. Notches in the bottom of the legs support the apparatus on the lip of a bucket or pail. A roller support bar has one or more roller cover supports depending downwardly from a lower surface.
US08449681B2
A composition for removing photoresist and bottom anti-reflective coating from a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The composition may comprise a nontoxic solvent, the nontoxic solvent having a flash point above 80 degrees Celsius and being capable of dissolving acrylic polymer and phenolic polymer. The composition may further comprise Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide (TMAH) mixed with the nontoxic solvent.
US08449677B2
The invention relates to the field of methods of depositing a material on a substrate. It relates to a method of depositing, onto a substrate, a material that acts as a thermal barrier and that prior to deposition is in powder form. The powder is introduced into the plasma jet of a first plasma torch and into the plasma jet of at least one second plasma torch, the first plasma torch and at least the second plasma torch being disposed in an enclosure and oriented in such a manner that their plasma jets cross, so as to create a resultant plasma jet in which the powder is vaporized, the substrate being placed on the axis of the resultant plasma jet.
US08449674B2
This invention relates to a system and a method for liquid silicon containment, such as during the casting of high purity silicon used in solar cells or solar modules. The containment apparatus includes a shielding member adapted to prevent breaching molten silicon from contacting structural elements or cooling elements of a casting device, and a volume adapted to hold a quantity of breaching molten silicon with the volume formed by a bottom and one or more sides.
US08449654B2
A built in purifier for a cylinder of essentially nitrogen free gas having a low water content is provided with a molecular sieve 3A adsorbent to adsorb water from the gas, the 3A adsorbent having a particularly low adsorption capacity for nitrogen.
US08449649B2
Systems and methods for initiating startup of PSA assemblies in hydrogen-processing assemblies, which may include a hydrogen-generation assembly and/or a fuel cell stack. The systems and methods include startup procedures that provide for pressurization of the adsorbent beds of the PSA assembly without the need for a stored quantity or other supply of purified hydrogen gas. The systems and methods additionally or alternatively include startup procedures that restrict or even prevent contamination of portions of the PSA assembly, hydrogen storage devices and/or accumulator tanks with an impure gas stream and/or decrease accumulation of the impure gas stream therein. This impure gas stream may be the mixed gas, reformate, or other gas stream that is intended to be purified by the PSA assembly when the PSA assembly is in its hydrogen-purifying operating state.
US08449646B1
Disclosed is a method for preparing low-oxygen titanium powders. The method includes (a) separately placing titanium base powders and calcium in a deoxidation container, (b) deoxidizing the titanium base powders by heating an inner part of the deoxidation container at a temperature of 850° C. to 1050° C. so that the calcium is evaporated to make contact with the titanium base powders, (c) removing calcium oxide from surfaces of titanium powders, which are obtained by deoxidizing the titanium base powders in step (b), by washing the titanium powders, and (d) drying the titanium powders subject to the removing of the calcium oxide in step (c).
US08449643B2
An exhaust gas cleaner which can attain an improvement in the efficiency of particulate filter regeneration and has excellent durability. The exhaust gas cleaner, which purifies an exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine, comprises: a gas channel through which the exhaust gas flows; and a DPF (17) disposed in the gas channel and having many pores. The DPF (17) has an introduction surface (171) which comes into contact with the exhaust gas, the surface (171) having been almost wholly coated with a microporous material (18) having micropores with a smaller pore diameter than the pores. This microporous material (18) comprises a support made of an oxygen-storing/releasing oxide having one or more elements selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal elements, transition metal elements, Group-12 elements, and Group-13 elements and a silver-containing catalyst deposited on the support.
US08449637B2
The invention relates to an oil mist separator of an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one gas-permeable diffusion separation body, through which a crankcase ventilation gas of the internal combustion engine can flow and in which oil mist present in the crankcase ventilation gas can be separated from the gas. The novel oil mist separator is characterized in that in the or each diffusion separation body additionally continuous free gas channels are formed, and that, viewed in the flow direction of the crankcase ventilation gas, behind the gas channels at least one further diffusion separation body, or an impingement separation surface is disposed at a distance from the or each diffusion separation body.
US08449632B2
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a sewage material. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a sewage material in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.
US08449626B2
Described is a method of cleaning a white load in a laundry machine, preferably a professional laundry machine, the method comprises subjecting the load to at least two washing steps and wherein the method comprises the steps of delivering bleach and subsequently a whitening additive.
US08449617B1
A shoulder implant assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a frame member, a cup, and a glenosphere. The frame member can have a central hub and a first arm extending therefrom. The frame member can be configured to selectively and alternatively couple with first shoulder implant components in a traditional shoulder configuration and with second shoulder implant components in a reverse shoulder configuration. The cup can have a concave surface that is configured to articulate with a humeral head component. The cup can be selectively coupled to the frame member in the traditional shoulder configuration. The glenosphere can have an outer articulating surface that is configured to articulate with a second cup. The glenosphere can be selectively coupled to the frame member in the reverse shoulder configuration.
US08449613B2
A spinal implant comprising a hollow body having a leading end, a trailing end and a pair of lateral walls extending from the leading end to the trailing end, the lateral walls including concave, non-threaded inner surfaces defining an internal space of the hollow body. The implant includes an anchoring member insertible between the lateral walls and into the internal space of the hollow body, the anchoring member having bone anchoring projections defining an outer diameter of the anchoring member. When the anchoring member is inserted into the internal space of the hollow body, the concave inner surfaces of the lateral walls substantially conform to the outer diameter of the anchoring member.
US08449608B2
A prosthetic tricuspid remodeling annuloplasty ring having two free ends can be configured to be stiff in the XY plane and relatively flexible along the Z axis. A tricuspid ring can be provided with a substantially elliptical shape in the XY plane, and a saddle shape in the Z direction. Disclosed tricuspid rings can include an inner core, an elastomeric interface, and an outer fabric covering. In some embodiments, the inner core can include a plurality of stacked layers of different materials. In some embodiments, the inner core can be formed of a single material and sized specifically to create a tricuspid ring that has a greater stiffness in the XY plane than along the Z axis.
US08449605B2
An artificial mitral valve is anchored in the left atrium by placing the valve between the annulus of the natural mitral valve and an artificial annulus. The artificial annulus is formed by inserting a tool into the coronary sinus, and adjusting the tool to force the wall of the left atrium to form an annulus above the artificial valve, this locking it in place and forming a hemostatic seal.
US08449602B2
Implantable medical devices having at least one porous layer, and methods for making such devices, and loading such devices with therapeutic agents are described. A mixture or alloy is placed on the surface of a medical device, then one component of the mixture or alloy is generally removed without generally removing the other components of the mixture or alloy to create the pores of the porous layer. The porous layer may be adapted for bonding non-metallic coating, including drug eluting polymeric coatings. A porous layer may have a random pore structure or an oriented or directional grain porous structure. The medical device may be a vascular stent having at least one porous layer adapted to resist stenosis or cellular proliferation.
US08449591B2
A vascular occlusion device deployment system for placing an occlusion device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system employing a pusher having a lumen with an opening at the distal end of the pusher. A vascular occlusion device is connected to the distal end of the pusher by a portion that is removeably disposed within the opening. The portion of the occlusion device is forced out of the opening by an expandable reaction chamber, thereby deploying the occlusion device. The expandable reaction chamber, prior to deployment, has multiple chambers separated by a heat-dissolvable membrane. When the membrane is dissolved, components from the chambers react and expand, leading to deployment.
US08449589B1
A portable thermal therapeutic apparatus, adapted to transfer heat between a creature and the atmosphere by circulating heat transfer fluid within a conduit held in contact with the creature. The apparatus includes a housing with a support structure that is particularly adapted for portable use. A heat pump is disposed within the housing, and operates to transfer heat between a first portion and a manifold. A heat sink is thermally coupled to the first portion, and transfers heat between the first portion and the atmosphere. A pump is disposed within the housing and circulates the fluid through the manifold and the conduit. A power supply is disposed within the housing and drives the pump, thereby causing the fluid to circulate within the manifold and the conduit. The power supply is also provides direct current to the heat pump, thereby causing heat to flow from the manifold to the first portion.
US08449582B2
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of implanting a fusion plate, having at least two primary fastener openings, into a patient is described. According to the inventive method, a throat of the patient is dissected, providing access through the throat dissection to a spinal column of the patient. The fusion plate is inserted into the throat dissection, and the fusion plate is then positioned in an asymmetrical relationship with a sagittal plane of the spinal column. A first primary fastener is inserted through a first primary fastener opening of the fusion plate and into the first vertebra. A second primary fastener is inserted through a second primary fastener opening of the fusion plate and into the second vertebra. A cervical fusion apparatus is also disclosed.
US08449581B2
A bone plate that may be used to maintain relative position of two pieces of fractured bone, for example, a fractured jaw bone. The bone plate has a slot and holes. The holes are surrounded by walls and the slot is also surrounded by walls. The thickness of walls surrounding the slot at their maximum is greater than the thickness of walls surrounding the holes. Often the nature of the fracture may require bending of the plate for implanting it as desired by the surgeon. Because walls of the slot are designed to be strong, the slot is not deformed when the plate is bent.
US08449578B2
The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A multiplanar bone anchor system for a fixation procedure is provided. The system can include a bone fastener. The bone fastener can include a head and a second end adapted to engage an anatomy. The bone fastener can extend along a longitudinal axis. The system can also include a coupling arrangement coupled to the head of the bone fastener so that the bone fastener is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to define a first plane of motion. The system can further include a saddle, which can be coupled to the coupling arrangement. The saddle can be movable relative to at least one of the bone fastener and the coupling arrangement to define a second plane of motion.
US08449572B2
A living body tissue closing device includes an elongated body element, a clip (living body tissue closure) for closing a wound hole which penetrates a living body tissue membrane, and a thread. The body element includes a sheath, and elongated feeding and deformation arrangement. The elongated feeding and deformation arrangement includes a covered tube, a pusher tube, a thread anchoring cap, a guide wire, and a stopper. The clip includes a seal portion for covering the wound hole and a peripheral portion of the wound hole from one side of the living body tissue membrane, a deformation portion deformable between a first form in which the deformation portion can pass through the wound hole and a second form in which the deformation portion cooperates with the seal portion to sandwich the living body tissue membrane therebetween, and a fastener portion for retaining the deformation portion in the second form.
US08449554B2
An intervertebral instrument includes a shaft having distal and proximal ends. The proximal end of the shaft includes an attaching feature connected to handle. The shaft defines a pair tracks disposed along a portion of the surface thereof. The distal end includes a pair of wings. Each track guides instruments and implants along the intervertebral instrument. The implants are configured to receive bone graft or bone enhancers. The distal end of the shaft may include a removably attachable tip configured to engage the implants. The implants and the removably attachable tip form an implantable intervertebral disk. An intervertebral instrument and implant kit is also disclosed. A method of inserting intervertebral implants is also disclosed.
US08449553B2
A guide that facilitates the creation of two bone tunnels for use during a “double bundle” cruciate ligament repair. In the case of an anterior cruciate ligament repair the guide facilitates the formation of two tibial tunnels extending between a single aperture on the anterior tibia and two distinct apertures on the tibial plateau. The guide has a single angled throughbore for guiding a drill bit on a predetermined angle relative to the anterior portion of the tibial tunnel. In an alternative embodiment the guide has two independent and non-intersecting bores which allow the simultaneous placement into the tibial tunnel of two separate guide pins to guide the formation of two tibial tunnels on the tibial plateau.
US08449542B2
An implant assembly device for use in inserting a bone fixation implant includes: (a) a handle portion for manipulation by a user and (b) a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the shaft connected to the handle portion. The distal end of the shaft includes a screw engaging portion configured and adapted to engage and rotate a connecting screw. The device also includes (c) an elongated rod extended through the shaft from a proximal end to a distal end thereof The proximal end of the elongated rod is non-movably coupled to the shaft and the distal end of the elongated rod extending distally past of the distal end of the shaft. The elongated rod is configured and dimensioned to simultaneously pass through an interior portion of, and support, an implant insertion handle, the connecting screw and the bone fixation implant.
US08449536B2
Neutral electrodes (used for introducing a high frequency treatment current via a skin section of a human or animal body) that include, in addition to known components, at least one measuring electrode spaced from the main electrode, and at least one measuring current generator that is connected to the main electrode and to the measuring electrode generating a high frequency measuring current, which flows between the measuring electrode and the main electrode. The neutral electrodes thus allow for monitoring of the contact of the neutral electrode with the skin and for monitoring of the high frequency current flow and its spatial distribution. This allows for increased safety during use of the neutral electrode for treatment.
US08449532B2
A device for bridging a neck of an aneurysm, comprises a junction region, one or more radially extending array elements secured to the junction region, each array element having an unfolded shape and a delivery shape; and a cover attached to the junction region, and extending over the delivery shape of the array elements, wherein each array element is attached at one end to the junction region and the array elements are constructed and arranged to unfold the cover when assuming their unfolded shape, and wherein the device further comprises a tip, and each array element is attached at another end to the tip, the tip comprising an opening through which a vaso-occlusive device or occlusion fluid may be delivered.
US08449527B2
A splittable cannula includes a radiopaque marker placed at or near the distal end of the cannula. The radiopaque marker may be a unitary piece, or may consist of several portions. The cannula may include a sheath or catheter body with a grooved score line running along a portion of the sheath body and a radiopaque marker located at a distal end of the body and abutting the body. The radiopaque marker may be located within the lumen of the sheath, may be embedded in the sheath wall, or may be affixed to the external sheath wall. The radiopaque marker may be scored, notched, grooved, or contain apertures longitudinally. The notches, grooves, apertures, and/or score lines in both the sheath or catheter body and the radiopaque marker serve to provide a weakened tear path. An electrode lead may be coupled with the radiopaque marker.
US08449523B2
A disease management system, methods, and devices are shown and described. In one embodiment, the system includes an infusion pump and a remote controller with the ability to be paired to each other. A method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is shown and described herein. In a further embodiment, a method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is provided. In addition, a method of operating a diabetes management system is provided in which the system includes an infusion pump and at least a remote controller.
US08449522B2
A method and apparatus for iontophoretically administering an anesthetic medicament and simultaneously providing electroanesthesia to a patient is provided. The apparatus comprises a generator operable to produce an electrical current comprised of a direct current superimposed with either an alternating current or a pulsed direct current. A conductive mask is configured to cover the anesthetic medicament applied to a treatment area on the skin of the patient, wherein the conductive mask includes an electrical contact connectable to the generator for receiving the electrical current such that the conductive mask functions as an electrode. One or more additional electrodes are applied to the skin of the patient, wherein each of the additional electrodes is connectable to the generator for receiving the electrical current. At least one of the additional electrodes may comprise a conductive applicator for a cosmetic treatment device.
US08449516B2
A stretchable absorbent core (10) includes a stretchable base sheet (20), and a plurality of separate and independent absorbers (30) disposed at least on one side of the base sheet (20). The absorbers (30) are fixed to the base sheet (20) through respective fixing points (33) in such a design that the shape of each absorber is not deformed upon stretch of the base sheet (20). The stretchable absorbent core (10) exhibits stretchability between the fixing points (33). It is preferable that the stretchable absorbent core (10) does not exhibit stretchability at the fixing points (33).
US08449515B2
Provided is a pants-type disposable diaper cover, which can mount an absorptive pad easily and which can hold the mounted absorptive pad snugly without any positional displacement. The pants-type disposable diaper cover has a structure, in which elastically extensible members are arranged between two nonwoven-fabric sheets, and in which a waist opening and a pair of right and left leg openings are formed. A pad-fixing sheet having its front end portion and back end portion fixed is arranged in a diaper cover region corresponding to the mounting portion of the absorptive pad. The diaper cover includes at least elastically extensible waist members arranged around the waist opening, and a plurality of curved elastically extensible members arranged to extend in a front and in a back from the body sides to the crotch side, to cross the arranged portions of the absorptive pad on the crotch side, and then to draw a plurality of loci extending from the crotch side to the body sides.
US08449509B2
A wound treatment appliance is provided for treating all or a portion of a wound. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an impermeable flexible overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the covered portion of the wound. In other embodiments, the impermeable flexible overlay comprises suction assistance means, such as channels, which assist in the application of reduced pressure to the area of the wound and removal of exudate from the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the wound in the area under the flexible overlay. In yet other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of the wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, the appliance may include a suction drain. In other embodiments, the appliance may include a collection chamber to collect and store exudate from the wound. In yet other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an impermeable overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound. Finally, methods are provided for using various embodiments of the wound treatment appliance.
US08449502B2
Fluid supply systems and methods for therapeutic fluid delivery systems, including those used for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems and methods.
US08449499B2
Embodiments disclosed herein generally describe a medication delivery system. The medication delivery system includes a barrel, a plunger assembly, a dosage selection device, and a force producing element. The plunger assembly is disposed within the barrel. The force producing element can force the plunger assembly from the barrel. The user can select one or two or more dosages with a dosage selection device. The user selects the dosage; then the medication delivery system delivers the same dosage repeatedly. Further, with the force producing element, the user need only depress the plunger assembly into the barrel and does not need to extract the plunger assembly. This allows the user to use only one hand with the medication delivery system.
US08449496B2
The present invention is a peritoneal function testing method characterized by using a ratio MTACun/MTACc calculated using MTACun and MTACc as an index for a peritoneal function test, where MTACun is an overall mass transfer-area coefficient for urea nitrogen and MTACc is an overall mass transfer-area coefficient for creatinine. The use of MTACun/c of the present invention in this way enables examination of the future peritoneal function of a patient (a mechanism of deterioration in peritoneal function). To be specific, MTACun and MTACc can be obtained by computing Pyle-Popovich model. In addition, the peritoneal function testing method may further calculate a permeability coefficient for cell pores (LPSC) and an overall permeability coefficient (LPS) from Three-Pore Theory model while obtaining a ratio LPSC/LPS calculated using the LPSC and the LPS, and may use the LPSC/LPS ratio and the MTACun/MTACc ratio as indexes for the peritoneal function test.
US08449479B2
The medical puncturing device (10) includes a housing (12) having a proximal end (18) and a distal end (16) and a skin puncturing assembly (14) within the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier (50) and a skin puncturing element (52). The skin puncturing element is adapted to puncture the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein a distal tip of the skin puncturing element is disposed within the housing, to a puncturing position wherein the distal tip is exposed to puncture the skin of the patient. The carrier is moved from the retracted position to the puncturing position upon radial deformation of the housing. An internal guide (42) may be provided within the housing for guiding the movement of the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position.
US08449477B2
A device and method are provided for tissue handling, while maintaining the in-vivo tissue orientation. The device includes a structure, configured for receiving and holding a tissue specimen, wherein the tissue specimen includes tissue positional references; and device positional references, associated with the structure, for fixing the orientation of the tissue specimen, when held by the device, so as to reflect the tissue specimen positional references.
US08449471B2
A heart monitoring system for a patient includes one or more wireless nodes forming a wireless network; a wearable appliance having a wireless transceiver to communicate with the one or more wireless nodes; and an analyzer to determine vital signs, the analyzer coupled to the wireless transceiver to receive patient data over the wireless network.
US08449470B2
A system for evaluating the cardiovascular system parameters using indicator dilution and non-invasive or minimally invasive detection and calibration methods are disclosed. Intravascular indicators are stimulated, and emissions patterns detected for computation of cardiac output, cardiac index, blood volume and other indicators of cardiovascular health.
US08449469B2
A two-component monitoring device and system for monitoring blood pressure from a patient is disclosed herein. The two-component monitoring device includes a disposable component and a main component. The disposable component features: i) a backing structure having a first aperture; and ii) first and second electrodes, each electrode connected to the backing structure and including an electrical lead and a conductive electrode material, and configured to generate an electrical signal that passes through the electrical lead when the conductive electrode material contacts the patient. The main component includes: i) first and second connectors configured to connect to the first and second electrical leads to receive the first and second electrical signals; and ii) an optical component comprising a light source that generates optical radiation and a photodetector that detects the optical radiation. The optical component inserts into the first aperture of the disposable component. The main component optionally includes an acoustic sensor. The system utilizes a processing device, connected to the monitoring device by a cable which receives and processes a plurality of signals to determine real-time blood-pressure values for the patient.
US08449460B2
A surgical access device, such as a trocar, is described. The trocar includes a first housing member selectively coupled to a second housing member, such as with a latching assembly, and a seal which can be compressed when the housing members are coupled together, the seal for preventing or reducing transverse escape of insufflation gas or other fluid from between the coupled together first and second members.
US08449456B2
Lead screws and nut members screwed to the respective lead screws are provided on a wire operation section for operating wires for operating a bending section in a bending manner, and a driving force generating section, a drive coupling shaft rotationally driven in a spin direction by a driving force from the driving force generating section, and drive couplings are provided on a drive source unit separably coupled to the wire operation section. The lead screws are rotationally driven in a spin direction from the driving force generating section via the drive coupling shaft to move the nut members in the axial direction thereby performing pulling operation of the wires during coupling of the drive source unit and the wire operation section.
US08449448B2
A device for treating fecal incontinence in a subject is provided. The device includes a plug configured for positioning mostly within an anal canal of the subject.
US08449447B2
Using a sling that includes a central portion and at least two arms extending from the central portion, a method of treating anal incontinence may include positioning the central portion posteriorly to the rectum and/or anus of a subject, and extending each arm of the sling to a respective obturator region. Using a sling having the same or similar structure, a method of treating pelvic organ prolapse may include positioning the central portion beneath the ano-rectum of a subject, and extending each arm of the sling to a respective thigh incision near the obturator region.
US08449439B2
A centrifuge for separating blood having a camera observing fluid flow, and a controller controlling the flow. The location of an interface is detected by image processing steps, which may comprise the steps of “spoiling” the image, “diffusing” the image, “edge detection”, “edge linking”, “region-based confirmation”, and “interface calculation”. “Spoiling” reduces the number of pixels to be examined preferentially on orthogonal axis oriented with respect to the expected location of the interface or phase boundary. “Diffusing” smoothes out small oscillations in the interface boundary, making to the location of the interface more distinct. “Edge detection” computes the rate of change in pixel intensity. “Edge linking” connects adjacent maxima. “Region-based confirmation” creates a pseudo image of the regions that qualify as distinct. “Final edge calculation” uses the points where the shade changes in the pseudo image, averages the radial displacement of these points for the interface position.
US08449435B2
Disclosed is An exercise guide apparatus comprising: a sensing unit configured to obtain a heart rate of a subject; a strength determining unit configured to determine a maximal oxygen uptake of the subject; an exercise intensity measurement unit configured to determine a current exercise intensity of the subject based on the heart rate obtained by the sensing unit; and an exercise guide unit configured to estimate a fat oxidation rate of the subject, determine whether or not fat oxidation of the subject occurs, generate guide information according to a result of the determination of the occurrence of fat oxidation, and display the guide information generated, wherein the fat oxidation rate is estimated based on a ratio of fat being oxidized at the current exercise intensity to the maximal oxygen uptake, and wherein the occurrence of fat oxidation is determined by checking whether or not the fat oxidation rate estimated is greater than a threshold.
US08449434B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling an automated friction clutch arranged in a drive train of a motor vehicle between an internal combustion engine and a transmission, and is operated in a travel-controlled manner by means of an actuator controlled by a control unit and transmits a maximum clutch torque while the friction clutch is closed, where an engine's torque provided by the internal combustion engine is reduced when the maximum clutch torque is exceeded and is increased when the maximum clutch torque rises. The engine torque is reduced which corresponds to a reduced transmittable clutch torque when the reduced transmittable clutch torque is detected and is increased to the engine torque corresponding to the maximum transmittable clutch torque after a first time interval expires, where the engine torque is limited by means of a second, longer time interval when a reduced transmittable clutch torque is detected.
US08449432B2
A multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system and a method of changing gear ratios thereof are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system comprises a rotor system comprising one or more rotors and one or more engines. Each engine of the one or more engines is coupled to the rotor system through a multi-ratio transmission. The multi-ratio transmission comprises an output shaft coupled to the rotor system, an input shaft coupled to a respective engine of the one or more engines, a high speed clutch integrated into a high speed gear train, and a low speed clutch integrated into a low speed gear train. The high speed clutch and the low speed clutch are freewheeling clutches without a friction plate and are capable of disconnecting the output shaft and the input shaft in an overrunning condition when the output shaft spins faster than the input shaft.
US08449425B2
One aspect of the invention includes a speed changing device which can be switched from a high-speed low-torque output state to a low-speed high-torque output state. In the high-speed low-torque state, a second stage internal gear rotates together with a first stage carrier. The low-speed high-torque output state is caused as the second stage internal gear is disconnected from the first stage carrier so as to be restricted from rotating. The timing of resetting the speed changing device is shifted relative to the timing of stopping the electric motor by an OFF operation of the switch lever with a delay mechanism, so that the second stage internal gear is engaged with the first stage carrier after the rotation through inertia is stopped, whereby its impact is reduced.
US08449417B2
A prolate spheriodal ball includes first and second ends and first and second mid regions between the first and second ends and the tranverse axis, respectively. The ball is colored with a first color. First and second tips at first and second ends are colored to contrast with the first color. First and second mid regions include colored regions that are colored to contrast with the first color. The peripheries of the contrasting colored regions are continuous around the ball.
US08449411B2
A sports racquet including a handle assembly coupled to and longitudinally extending from a head portion. The handle assembly includes an elongate tubular shaft, a pallet positioned over the shaft, and a plurality of generally planar support members. The pallet is positioned over the shaft and has an outer surface that defines a plurality of longitudinally extending flats. Each of the flats has a length and a width. At least two of the flats define respective elongate recesses. Each of the recesses having a maximum recess width that is less than the width of the respective flat. The support members are positioned within the respective recesses.
US08449405B2
An apparatus can comprise a body with a receptacle, and a multi-density weight. The multi-density weight can comprise a first weight component with a first density, an inner portion and a periphery around the inner portion, and a second weight component with a second density and secured to the inner portion of the first weight component. The body, and the first and second weight components can comprise materials different from each other. The receptacle can have a receptacle base and a receptacle wall. The second weight component can comprise a material having a weld-averse trait with respect to the body. The surface of the body can be proximate to at least one of a hosel region, an upper toe region, a lower toe region, a heel region, a backside region, an upper-half region, or a lower-half region of the body. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US08449396B2
The present disclosure relates to games and applications in general and in particular to computer-implemented online games, such as online role-playing games, playable by more than one person from more than one location. The game engine can search a player's social network to find friends to play with. These social networks can be constructed implicitly by analyzing a player's game play information and other information.
US08449395B2
The game device comprises a detection unit, an acquisition unit, a generation unit and a display unit. The detection unit detects the position of a user in real space. The acquisition unit determines clarity that is correlated with the detected position of the user. The generation unit generates an image that expresses a state of an object placed in virtual space that is drawn with the clarity determined for the object. The display unit displays the image generated by the generation unit on a screen.
US08449394B2
A plug-in architecture for a wagering game network is described. Plug-in modules may provide various functions for services related to wagering games. Such functions may include random number generation, user interface functions, player tracking functions, central determinant functions etc. The plug-ins are dynamically loaded during the run-time of an application or service.
US08449393B2
A game controller with a communications interface, at least one touch sensitive pad having a plurality of touch sensitive elements, and processing circuitry coupled to the communications interface and the at least one touch sensitive pad. The processing circuitry enacts touch pad configuration settings that correlate subsets of the plurality of touch sensitive elements to respective distinct user input locations. The processing circuitry receives touch pad input from the at least one touch sensitive pad. The touch pad input corresponds to a user's touch of at least some of the plurality of touch sensitive elements. The processing circuitry processes the touch pad input to determine user input directions based upon the touch pad configuration settings, and then transmits the touch pad input directions to a game console via the communications interface for use as gaming input.
US08449392B2
A player object is caused to perform a motion in a virtual game world in accordance with information corresponding to a biological signal acquired from a player. Biological signal acquisition means acquires the biological signal from the player. Pulse detection means detects pulse or heartbeat of the player in accordance with the biological signal acquired by the biological signal acquisition means. Player object motion control means causes the player object to discharge a discharge object in the virtual game world when the pulse detection means detects the pulse or the heartbeat.
US08449381B2
A slot machine executes rescue pay when a value Ta of a unit game counter reaches Ta max.
US08449377B2
The present invention provides a gaming machine which is capable of realizing an appropriate balance between players' profits and slot machine providers' profits. When a first number of bets have been selected, a control device executes a first basic unitary game which completes when a first time interval has elapsed after starting the game. When a second number of bets have been selected, the control device executes a second basic unitary game which completes when a second time interval shorter than the first time interval has elapsed after starting the game. On the basis of the fact that the first basic unitary game has been executed, the control device executes a first progressive game in which a first payout rate can be realized. On the basis of the fact that the second basic unitary game has been executed, the control device executes a second progressive game in which a second payout rate higher than the first payout rate can be realized. When a second number of bets have been selected, information relating to the second payout rate is displayed.
US08449372B2
A gaming system projects video images representing a tangible object related to a wagering game, such as roulette, onto a contoured display surface. The contoured display surface has a shape that corresponds to the tangible object, such as a roulette wheel. The contoured display surface may also have at least one moving section that corresponds with movement of the tangible object. A controller in communication with the projector is programmed to cause the projector to project video images that at least partially depict a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The gaming system provides the visual appeal, entertainment value, and dynamic nature of video images while retaining physical features that players typically expect when playing roulette.
US08449370B2
A plurality of readers (antennas ANT1 through ANT3) that are each disposed at each of a plurality of laying positions (betting positions) provided on a game table 2 and are used to read the identification information (RFID) from game media (game chips Pa through Pi) placed at any of the laying positions (betting positions), controller (an antenna controller 4) that performs the process of reading the identification information from the game medium by individually driving and controlling the readers and causing predetermined electromagnetic waves radiated from the readers in the direction passing through the laying position while changing the power level thereof, storage unit (antenna controller) that stores the identification information that has been read as the data of each reader while relating the data to the power level of the electromagnetic wave, and collating unit (antenna controller) that identifies the game medium by using the data of the different readers stored in the storage unit in order to collate the data of the adjoining readers with each other.
US08449367B2
When one player acquires a qualification for playing a scramble bonus game, another player can participate in the scramble bonus game by paying a predetermined amount of participation charge. In addition, in a case where a fellow character could be acquired as a fellow of the player characters, the amount of prize to be paid to the players is increased according to features of that fellow character. Further, items of equipment of the player characters become more gorgeous, as the prizes acquired by the players increase in amount. A damage imparted to an enemy character varies depending on weapons that the player characters use. A prize is awarded when a hit point of the enemy character becomes 0.
US08449363B2
A gaming device includes a poker game where two cards are dealt face-up to at least one player and to a dealer. The gaming device enables the player to place an optional wager based on the initially dealt two card hand. A pay out for the optional wager is determined based on the probability that the final player hand will outrank the final dealer hand. The pay out is inversely proportional to the probability that the player will win. Therefore, if the player has a high probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. Also, if the player has a low probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively large. The gaming device enables the player to place multiple wagers after each of a plurality of community cards are dealt, where the associated pay out changes according to a revised probability of winning.
US08449361B2
The present disclosure describes, among other things, a method that includes receiving, by a first computing device, an identity of an event that has occurred in a sporting competition, the sporting competition comprising a plurality of events. The method includes determining, by a processor of the first computing device, a probability that the event would occur. The method includes determining, by the processor of the first computing device, a number of points based at least in part on the probability that the event would occur. The method includes receiving, by the first computing device, a prediction of an event from a second computing device in communication with the first computing device. The method includes increasing, by the processor of the first computing device, a score of a user of the second computing device by the number of points if the prediction of the event matches the identity of the event.
US08449350B2
A sandblasting apparatus includes a processing chamber, a sandblasting nozzle positioned on a top of the processing chamber, a support mechanism, an elevation mechanism, a worktable, and a cutting mechanism. The support mechanism is positioned in the processing chamber and opposite to the sandblasting nozzle. The support mechanism is used for supporting a template with a cutting pattern. The elevation mechanism is positioned on the bottom of the processing chamber. The worktable is located between the support mechanism and the elevation mechanism and configured for supporting a plate for processing and being opposite to the template. The center of worktable defines a through hole matching with the pattern of the template. The cutting mechanism is fixed on the elevation mechanism and faces the through hole. The elevation mechanism drives the cutting mechanism to move toward or away the worktable.
US08449348B2
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to techniques for edge deleting coatings supported by coated articles while a temporary protective coating is applied thereto. More particularly, a stationary, enlarged, and higher powered aspirator is connected to flexible tubing, which itself has an enlarged diameter, that has a nozzle located proximate to a grinding wheel on an edge deletion unit is provided in connection with an edge deletion table. Advantageously, the edge deletion table and aspirator of certain example embodiments are capable of performing edge deletion and removal of a temporary protective coating substantially simultaneously (e.g., from a common area of interest), during which process the debris produced when edge deletion is performed is controlled and removed from the substrate of interest.
US08449340B1
A personal propulsion apparatus for controllable gliding a rider over a water surface includes a buoyant body unit, a power unit and a thrust assembly with at least two independently pivotable thrust nozzles. An intake unit having receiving and directing portions. A height adjusting arrangement is formed with the directing portion. During motion over the surface of water, the intake unit with the height adjusting arrangement, remains submerged. Upon excessive lifting force being generated the height adjusting arrangement is elevated above the water surface, causing entry of air into the power unit, resulted in decreasing the thrust and lowering the height adjusting arrangement below the water surface into the submerged position, so that the rider assumes the longitudinal motion over the water surface.
US08449328B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoplastic elastomer resin composition and a connector, which can be processed by mold forming and are excellent in the recycling property. The present invention provides a thermoplastic elastomer resin composition including 100 parts by weight of a base resin containing from 60 to 80 wt % of an acid-modified styrene-based elastomer and from 40 to 20 wt % of a modified polyphenylene ether, and from 0 to 20 parts by weight of a hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene; and a connector using the composition.
US08449327B2
A spring contact for a coaxial connector includes a first ring provided with a plurality of spring fingers extending toward a connector end of the first ring and a second ring provided with a plurality of spring fingers extending toward a connector end of the second ring. The first ring and the second ring are nested together. The spring contact may be manufactured, for example, by stamping a pre-form ring from a planar metal sheet and then bending the spring fingers extending radially inward from an inner diameter of the pre-form ring to extend towards a connector end of the resulting spring contact.
US08449326B2
A 75 ohm MCX coaxial cable connector jack includes multipurpose metallic pin cap.
US08449321B2
A power connector including a connector housing having an interior cavity and a mating face. The connector housing is configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The power connector also includes a contact assembly that has anode and cathode contacts that are configured to electrically engage power contacts of a mating connector. The contact assembly also includes anode and cathode terminals that are disposed in the interior cavity. The anode and cathode terminals are electrically coupled to the anode and cathode contacts, respectively, and are configured to be electrically coupled to the circuit board. The power connector also includes a power cable that has substantially flat anode and cathode conductive layers that are surrounded by an insulative jacket. The anode and cathode conductive layers are electrically coupled to the anode and cathode contacts, respectively, and are electrically parallel to the anode and cathode terminals, respectively.
US08449316B2
A press-contacting connection structure of electric wires includes a first cover of a holder, and a second cover of the holder attached to the first holder, and a holder mounting part provided on an electric wire connection target member and configured to be attached to the second cover. The electric wires arranged in parallel with each other are held between the first cover and the second cover so that one side portions of the electric wires extend from one side of the holder and the other side portions of the electric wires extend from the other side of the holder. Ends of the one side portions of the electric wires are folded toward the other side of the holder over the first cover, and are bound by a binding band with the other side portions of the electric wires. A press-contact terminal is inserted into the holder through an opening formed in the second cover when the second cover is attached with the holder mounting part, so that the press-contact terminal is press-contacted to the electric wire accommodated in the holder.
US08449315B2
A linkage device cooperating with a casing, which has a connecting port, is disclosed. The linkage device includes a barrier and a push bar. The barrier is pivotly disposed on the casing and is positioned at a first position or a second position with respect to the connecting port of the casing. When the barrier is at the first position, the barrier covers at least a part of the connecting port; otherwise, when the barrier is at the second position, the barrier does not cover the connecting port. The push bar is slidingly disposed on the casing and abuts against the barrier. When the push bar pushes the barrier, the barrier rotates from the first position to the second position. A programmable control unit using the linkage device is also disclosed. The programmable control unit is assembled with a bottom board. The bottom board pushes the push bar to rotate the barrier from the first position to the second position.
US08449314B1
An electrical connector latching system for latching to and releasing from a receiving connector quickly and conveniently in a small space without damage to the receiving connector from misalignment of the connectors. The latching system has a first connector end and a second connector end, the first end having a pair of slots formed on the sides thereof, each slot having an aperture at the interior end of the slot and a second connector end having a pair of spring-mounted latching arms attached on the sides, each latching arm having a tooth with a lead-in ramp formed in the distal end thereof, the tooth received by the slot and ultimately by the aperture formed in the first connector end as the spring mounted in the pivoting latching arms urges the arms to latch as the two connector ends are manually pushed together. An adapter plate permits retro-fitting of the latching system to a standard connector.
US08449312B2
A connector subassembly is provided that may be utilized for both internal and external applications. The subassembly includes a housing that supports a plurality of wafers with terminals. The housing includes engagement members to secure the housing to either the shield or the guide frame. The engagement members can include an angled portion that allow the housing to form a dovetail joint with the guide frame and/or a multi-faceted portion to engage a fastener.
US08449310B2
A high voltage link apparatus may include a link assembly that includes an insulated bushing portion; a first feed thru junction bushing portion; and a second feed thru junction bushing portion. The insulated bushing portion is electrically isolated from the first feed thru junction bushing portion and the second feed thru junction bushing portion. The first feed thru junction bushing portion is conductively coupled to the second feed thru junction bushing portion. First, second, and third bushing interfaces are provided for conductively coupling to first, second, and third power cables, respectively. Each of the first, second, and third bushing interfaces include link receiving portions configured to receive the link assembly therein. The link assembly is installable in the first, second, and third bushing interfaces in first and second, reversible orientations.
US08449307B2
A socket connector is provided to receive an IC package having an array of conductive balls thereunder. The socket connector includes an insulative housing defining a plurality of receiving holes and a plurality of contacts received in the receiving holes respectively. Each contact includes a bottom plate and at least two contacting beams extending upwardly from the bottom plate and jointly defining a receiving space for the ball of the IC package. At least one contacting beam has a sharp blade facing toward the receiving space so as to engage the ball when the IC package is mounted on the housing.
US08449303B2
A meeting attendee brings into a meeting room a kit which includes a container possessing a supply cylinder on which conventional electrostatic or electret film/paper is wound, a retention cylinder, and, optionally, writing implements. A sheet of the electrostatic film is unwound from the supply roll and is applied to a vertical surface to which it clings by electrostatic attraction. The exposed side of the sheet is written-on by conventional writing tools. Following the meeting, one or more of the sheets is peeled from the surface and retained by being wound up and placed into the retention cylinder. The retention cylinder can then be removed from the meeting room within the container or separately therefrom.
US08449300B2
An presentation generator is disclosed for generating presentations for interacting with a user on a personal topic of, e.g., the user's selection, wherein the presentations assist the user in obtaining a greater awareness of his/her motivations and/or behaviors relating to the topic. In one embodiment, the presentation generator generates and presents to the user textual observations, questions, and/or statements for the user's consideration. Such presentations use and/or are consistent with textual descriptions obtained from: (a) the results of one or more personality/motivation test results, and (b) user inputs, e.g., regarding the selected topic together with his/her confidence in the validity of such inputs. The invention organizes the textual descriptions so that outputs to the user can be generated from various personality/motivational perspectives thereby assisting the user in viewing the topic of discussion from different perspectives and thereby becoming more aware of his/her biases, motivations, and/or concerns relating to the topic.
US08449299B1
A multielement linear array for teaching a person to count comprises a first set of four linearly arranged elements of first and second types A and B, arranged in a first pattern A-B-A-B. In the description herein, the term “linear” is intended to be construed to mean that the elements are arranged sequentially, and therefore are topologically linear, not that the device itself must assume a linear form. A third element C is positioned to follow the first set. A second set of four linearly arranged elements of the first and the second types A and B are arranged in a second pattern B-A-B-A, and are positioned to follow the third element. A fourth element D is positioned to follow the second set. Preferably the elements A, B, C, and D are mutually distinguishable, for example, by at least one of color and shape.
US08449298B2
An alignment device for a weapon that generates a simulation beam and an alignment beam used to align the simulation beam with the weapon's sight. The device can be secured to the weapon during the alignment process, after which it can be removed. The device includes a housing that can be mounted on the weapon so that its optical receiving port intersects both the optical alignment beam generated by the optical transmitter and the sighting axis of the weapon's sight. The optical receiving port includes an optical arrangement for receiving the alignment beam and focusing it on a projection screen located inside the housing. An image of the alignment beam on the projection screen can be viewed through the sight. The alignment beam is parallel to the simulation beam. Thus, by centering the alignment beam in the sight, the alignment beam, and hence the simulation beam, will be properly aligned.
US08449291B2
The present invention relates to a gas combustor, which comprises a storage tank, a connect seat allowing an ignition device and a combustion device to be installed, and a housing. The rear of the connection seat is formed with an accommodation slot in sequence allowing a piezoelectric device of the ignition device and a pressable button member to be installed and positioned, the front of the button member is protruded with a push sheet. Two clamp arms at the front of the connection seat define an insertion slot allowing an insertion tenon fixed at the rear of a mixing tube of the combustion device to be inserted and positioned, such that the mixing tube and the piezoelectric device are in contact. The mixing tube is formed with at least an air inlet hole, and the front and the rear thereof are respectively installed with an ejection nozzle connected to one end of a gas conveying tube and a flame nozzle, and an electric conduction wire of the piezoelectric device is arranged at the periphery of the flame nozzle at intervals. Through pressing the button member, the gas discharge nozzle of the storage tank is enabled to supply combustion gas, and the electric conduction wire at the lateral side of the flame nozzle generates static electric sparks for igniting the mixed combustion gas ejected from the flame nozzle.
US08449285B2
Systems and methods for using stamps to print or mask materials on a substrate service. In one particular embodiment, the systems and methods include a microcontacting stamp that has a plurality of rigid posts each having a resilient pad at its distal end. Each post is fitted within an aperture located in a guide plate such that the post may move longitudinally within the guide plate. The guide plate includes a variety of apertures that typically are aligned with the wells of a microtiter plate. The apertures extend typically through the entire thickness of the guide plate. On one side of the guide plate is a resilient member that extends over one or more of the apertures thereby holding the post in place.
US08449281B2
A device for separating and removing a rigid core when building a tire, including a slide table and positioning means which are provided on a support table of the separation/removal device. The slide table is slidable to convey the tire, whose inner surface is held by the rigid core body and a core holding mechanism, to a central position on the support table. An elevating device is provided on the central axis of the support table, and includes a clamping means to elevate the rigid core body and the tire from which the core holding mechanism is removed, to a position where the rigid core body and the tire do not interfere with the core holding mechanism. A pair of core separation/removal mechanisms are disposed below the center of the support table, capable of elevating movement, and radially contracting and removing each type of the segment groups.
US08449272B2
A sealed compressor has a lower end cap secured to a center shell, and defines a sealed chamber. An electric motor is received within the sealed chamber. The electric motor drives a shaft that drives a compressor pump unit. A lower bearing housing includes a bearing for supporting the shaft, and an oil pump. The oil pump includes a pump housing including one of a slot and a leg, with the bearing housing including the other of a slot and a leg. The leg is received in the slot to position the pump housing within the bearing housing. The oil pump further includes a piston to be driven by the shaft to drive the lubricant from a sump in the sealed chamber upwardly into a passage in the shaft.
US08449271B2
A camshaft assembly may include a shaft and a mechanical vacuum pump. The shaft may define first and second ends and include first and second lobes and first and second bearing support structures distributed between the first and second end. The shaft may define a first vane opening. The mechanical pump may be coupled to the shaft between the first and second ends. The mechanical vacuum pump may include a cover, a housing coupled to the cover to define a cavity therebetween and a vane. The cover may define a cover opening that rotatably receives the shaft. The housing may define a housing opening that rotatably receives the shaft. The vane may be arranged within the cavity and slidably received within the first vane opening such that the vane rotates with the shaft.
US08449264B2
A method for delivering a fluid using a centrifugal pump (11). Machines (1, 6) and/or apparatus (3, 8), which influence the pressure and/or the temperature of the fluid, are disposed upstream of the centrifugal pump (11). At the inlet to the centrifugal pump (11), the fluid is regulated to achieve a specific entry state. According to the invention, the entry state of the fluid is regulated by using the machines (1, 6) or apparatus (3, 8) such that, in the centrifugal pump (11), the fluid only takes on states in which the compressibility factor of the fluid has already reached or exceeded the minimum thereof.
US08449260B2
Composite load-bearing rotating rings suitable for use in fan sections of gas turbine engines, and processes for their fabrication. Such a ring has at least a first portion defining an integral abutment surface adapted to abut and retain hardware of a rotating machine, at least a second portion defining an integral flange adapted to secure the ring to a support structure of the rotating machine, and an insert. Each of the first and second portions and the insert contains a polymer matrix material and a fibrous reinforcement material, and the fibrous reinforcement material within the insert is oriented predominantly in a circumferential direction of the ring for carrying both circumferential and radial loads during rotation of the ring.
US08449257B2
Wind generator comprising a folding mast (1) pivotally mounted about an articulation (5) positioned at a location some way between the lower (Ia) and upper (Ib) ends of the mast, a counterweight (19) is movably connected to the lower part of the mast and the wind generator comprises a control device (V2) adapted to move the counterweight so that the center of gravity (G) of the counterweight is moved toward and away from the articulation along the longitudinal axis (A) of the mast.
US08449256B2
Variable-pitch propeller (1) of the type comprising at least one blade (6a, 6b, 6c) rotatably pivoted (20a, 20b, 20c) to a cylindrical casing of the propeller (3a, 3b, 4), a shaft coupled to an engine and coaxial to that propeller casing, a kinematic system (7, 8a, 8b, 8c, 10a, 10b, 10c, 11), coupled to the shaft, or to the propeller casing, and to above mentioned at least one blade, for regulating the rotary motion of said at least one blade around its own pivot axis to the propeller casing, as well as means (2, 14, 15) for transmitting the rotary motion of the shaft to the propeller casing, the propeller being shaped to provide at least one not null angular range for the free relative rotation of the above mentioned at least one blade (6a, 6b, 6c) around its pivot axis, relatively to the propeller casing (3a, 3b, 4). The propeller also comprises at least one elastic element (18, 18′) countering the relative rotation of said at least one blade relatively to the propeller casing (3a, 3b, 4), or vice versa.
US08449252B2
An embodiment of a ceiling fan assembly has a motor rotatably mounted to a shaft and adapted to be mounted to an extent of a substantially planar support surface. A first set of fan blades are connected to the motor and a second set of fan blades are connected to the shaft a predetermined distance below the extent of the substantially planar support surface, the motor, and the first set of fan blades. A method of circulating air comprises driving the motor to drive the first set of blades in a first rotational direction about the shaft. Simultaneously, responsive to the air flow generated by the rotation of the first set of blades in a first rotational direction, the second set of blades rotates in a second rotational direction about the shaft, opposite the first rotational direction.
US08449251B2
A fan module includes two brackets, a holder, and a fan. Each of the brackets has a first assembling portion. The holder has a U-shape body and an opening, and two of the second assembling portions are respectively disposed at two sides of the U-shape body. The fan is placed into the U-shape body through the opening. The holder is disposed between the brackets, and the first assembling portions of the brackets are assembled to the second assembling portions of the U-shape body. Screws are not required for assembling the fan module of the invention, and therefore material costs of the fan module can be reduced.
US08449250B2
A direction changing flow duct, for example, a compressor inlet duct (34) for a turbocharger compressor cover, wherein the direction of flow is made to change abruptly in a short distance. The direction changing segment is designed to provide a balanced output, optimize air flow, minimize pressure drop, and maintain compressor efficiency. This can be accomplished by providing a bulge (81, 83, 84) extending radially inwards into a first duct segment, outward bulges perpendicular to the inward bulge, for promoting flow attachment along the walls of the duct.
US08449245B2
A vertically mountable shaft and bearing assembly includes a thermally insulated housing that protects the shaft, bearing(s), and lubricant from overheating due to a surrounding process fluid that is above 65° C. This allows a bearing to be located near the shaft's distal end, thereby reducing shaft and bearing size requirements. The housing also serves as a reservoir for bearing lubricant that can be cooled by a lubricant cooling system normally used for processes at much lower temperatures. The lubricant can be circulated by an impeller that is actuated by the shaft or driven separately. The thermal insulation, can include vacuum, air, and/or a thermally insulating material. Additional rolling element and/or journal bearings can be included. Lubricant within the shaft housing can be pressurized, for example by pressurized gas or by filling the lubricant above the surrounding process fluid level. The shaft can operate a process fluid pump impeller.
US08449243B2
A device and method for axially displacing at least one turbine rotor relative to at least one corresponding turbine stator in a multistage axial turbine is disclosed. The turbine shaft is provided with a split design and has a first axially displaceable shaft half, which is connected via a turbine disc to the turbine rotor and via a torque coupling to the second shaft half. By axially displacing the turbine rotor relative to the turbine stator and by controlling this axial displacement, the operation of the turbine is held in its possible optimum of efficiency.
US08449242B2
An industrial robot may include an arm unit equipped with a hand structured to place a workpiece on the hand, a column structured to support the arm unit so as to enable the arm unit to move in a vertical direction, a hinge provided at an intermediate position in the vertical direction structured to section and fold the column into a base column and an upper column, supporting members placed on each of the base column and the upper column, screw support members placed on each of the supporting members, a screw shaft that is screwed into the screw support members, a base column side and an upper column side of the screw shaft being threaded reversely to each other, and a screw shaft turning means for turning the screw shaft. The industrial robot carries out transfer work of the workpiece at a predetermined working space.
US08449232B2
A cylindrical pressure-receiving member 34b is arranged in a space between a ring-shaped clamp sleeve 34a and a frame 31b such that the clamp sleeve 34a is fitted around a shaft 38b being integral with a rotary shaft 39. In an outer peripheral portion 34a2 of the clamp sleeve 34a, an annular groove 34a1 provided continuously over the entire circumference within an axial area of the outer peripheral portion 34a2 fitted into an inner peripheral portion 34b3 of the pressure-receiving member 34b provides a thin-wall portion 34a5. Also, a space surrounded by the annular groove 34a5 and the pressure-receiving member 34b provides a pressure chamber 34d communicating with a fluid control circuit. A predetermined gap 34d2 is provided between an inner peripheral surface 31b4 of the through hole 31b1 of the frame and an outer peripheral surface 34b2 of the pressure-receiving member 34b.
US08449229B2
A method of making a slotted scavenger wherein a rigid sheet is used as a starting material. A slot is formed through the sheet having horizontally angled sidewalls such that an opening of the slot on a first major surface of the sheet is smaller than an opening of the slot in a second major surface of the sheet. Modifications of the method include using a rotating cutting tool for cutting through the sheet to form slots.
US08449228B2
A cutting tool has a cutting insert and a holder. The cutting insert has a cutting portion and an insert shank with a cylindrical portion and a non-cylindrical portion. The holder has a clamping portion which has a clamping sleeve and a cage located therein. The cage includes a load member housing with a load member. The cage has a major abutment wall connected to a minor abutment wall. The clamping sleeve has first and second inner sections defined by points P1 and P2. A point P3 divides the second inner section into first and second portions. The clamping sleeve is rotatable between a secured and a released position of the cutting tool. In the secured position, the non-cylindrical portion abuts the major abutment wall, the cylindrical portion abuts both the minor abutment wall and the load member, and the load member abuts the first portion.
US08449222B2
The invention relates to a system for installing tubular foundation elements having open ends, in particular (mono)piles, in an underwater ground formation, comprising an hydraulic driver, an anvil, and an adaptor for transmitting energy from the anvil to the toe of the foundation element, which adaptor fits inside the tubular foundation element.
US08449221B1
A method for repairing a damaged section of a subsea pipeline has the steps of cutting the damaged section at a first location on the subsea pipeline, cutting the damaged section of the second location on the subsea pipeline, removing the damaged section, affixing a first messenger line assembly to the subsea pipeline at the first location, affixing a second messenger line assembly to the subsea pipeline at a second location, and connecting a jumper line to the first messenger line assembly and to the second messenger line assembly so as to establish a continuous flowway between the first and second locations. Lift frame assemblies are positioned around the subsea pipeline at the first and second locations so as to elevate the subsea pipeline.
US08449219B2
The present invention relates to a water-storing and water-cleaning system. Said system is designed in such a manner that it can be used irrespective of location. It is used, inter alia, in agriculture, in horticulture and in reforestation. Said system comprises a reservoir (2) that is filled with a porous material (3), into which the water is seeped. In order to displace the seepage path, the reservoir (2) contains at least one barrier layer (5) made of a water-impermeable material, that separates the two layers made of the porous material (3) and comprises an outlet (6) for connecting the layers.
US08449214B1
A plaster applicator for corners where walls meet includes a sleeve and a long tube slidably received within the sleeve. A piston is attached to the sleeve by a connector. The piston is concentrically received within the long tube whereby a sliding movement of the sleeve along the long tube provides a sliding movement of the piston within the long tube and vice versa. Further, the piston includes a gasket to prevents mud from leaking behind the piston. An applicator has a hole at an applicator end of the long tube. The hole provides liquid communication between the interior and the exterior of the long tube. A wedge is releasably mounted to the applicator.
US08449213B2
An eyeliner applicator includes a pen tube, a bead, a connecting tube, a first water-absorbed member, a second water-absorbed member, a fixing means, and a retainer ring. The connecting tube has an applicator body, a pushing portion, a passage, an outer surface, and at least an abutting member. The passage comprises an upper section and a lower section. The first water-absorbed member is disposed in the upper section of the passage. The second water-absorbed member is disposed in the lower section of the passage. A density of the first water-absorbed member is greater than a density of the second water-absorbed member. The abutting member is disposed on the outer surface of the connecting tube. The retainer ring detachably clasps the outer surface. The applicator can prevent the water of ink from vaporizing and the water-absorbed members from absorbing much ink.
US08449208B2
Wireless handheld mobile communication device and keyboard therefore having a keyfield including a plurality of depressible keys arranged in rows that are distributed about a vertical centerline (Vc) of the keyboard. Each depressible key has a top engagement surface with an upper inboard portion that is raised relative a lower outboard portion thereof. The top engagement surface of each depressible key is ramped from the lower outboard portion toward the upper inboard portion. Each top engagement surface is generally crest shaped, with the apex of the crest running generally diagonally across the respective key with a remaining surface falling away from the crest toward the upper outboard portion and the lower inboard portion of the key. The top engagement surface of each of the depressible keys terminates at an upper edge thereof in an elevated ridge down from which the balance of the respective top engagement surface slopes.
US08449207B2
A printer device having a detachable thermal head, the thermal head being precisely positioned relative to a platen, whereby the printer device is capable of printing characters or the like, of a stable quality, on printing paper having different thickness'. A head module of the printer an attachment member detachably attached to a main frame; a movable support member movable relative to the attachment member; and a thermal head fixedly supported by the movable support member. The movable support member is connected to the attachment member via a plurality of head springs, and has a head positioning protruding portion configured to engage with a head positioning recess portion of the attachment member. The recess portion is formed as a groove which is generally straight, whereby the movable support member and the thermal head 44 may be straightly displaced relative to the attachment member only in the extending direction of the groove.
US08449204B2
An optical module in a simple configuration is provided which can suppress optical crosstalk due to leakage light without causing characteristics deterioration and reliability decrease of light-emitting elements to thereby obtain appropriate light receiving sensitivity. In an optical module in which a plurality of light-emitting elements 11 and light-receiving elements 12 are mounted on an optical-element mounting substrate 1, a light-absorbing resin 6 to absorb light with a light-emission wavelength of the light-emitting elements 11 is arranged to cover side surfaces of the light-emitting elements 11 and a non-adhesive layer 7 including a material not adhesive to the light-absorbing resin 6 is arranged between the light-absorbing resin 6 and the optical-element mounting substrate 1.
US08449202B2
A connector comprises a housing, a lever and a lock portion. The housing receives terminals. The lever, rotatably attached to the housing, is configured to be rotatable between a first position, where an initial stage of fitting to a counterpart connector is established, and a second position, where the fitting thereof is completed. The lock portion, capable of locking the lever at the second position, is slidably attached to a body portion of the lever, and configured to be slid between a lock position and a lock release position. The lever is provided with a positioning latch-portion configured to latch the lock portion. The positioning latch-portion is provided with a concave latch-portion and a convex latch-portion configured to be elastically displaced to be engaged in or disengaged from the concave latch-portion.
US08449196B2
A rotation-guiding device includes a fixed support and a movable support able to rotate around the fixed support about an axis of rotation, wherein an interface between the fixed and movable supports includes a bearing to guide the movable support in rotation about the fixed support, a flexible dynamic seal providing seal-tightness between the fixed support and the movable support that is mounted between a friction track secured to one of said supports and a mechanical structure secured to the other support, and which includes a metal spring to provide the contact force for the seal between the friction track and the mechanical structure. The dynamic seal may be mounted parallel to the axis of rotation so that the contact force is exerted parallel to the axis of rotation.
US08449193B2
Disclosed is a crankshaft bearing for an internal combustion engine. At the inner periphery of the semicircular thrust bearing, two impact load receiving projections are projected besides the two tabs. Each of at least the two impact load receiving projections is between each of the two tabs and each of the circumferential end surfaces of the semicircular thrust bearing. The two impact load receiving projections are at line-symmetrical positions with each other with respect to the center line of the semicircular thrust bearing. A height of the impact load receiving projection is set at a dimension such that a top portion of the impact load receiving projection is not in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the semi-cylindrical sliding bearing in a static state in which the pair of semi-cylindrical sliding bearings is assembled into the bearing housing of the crankshaft and restrained.
US08449180B2
This invention is to provide a temperature sensor which can measure a precise temperature of a minute region, which can measure a temperature in a wide range from a low temperature to a high temperature, and which has a simple structure. The temperature sensor comprises a two-dimensional electron gas. A resistance of the two-dimensional electron gas is used to measure a temperature. The two-dimensional electron gas may have a heterostructure selected from the group consisting of an AlGaN/GaN system, an AlGaAs/GaAs system, an InAs/GaAs system, an InAs/GaSb/AlSb system, a SiGe/Si system, a SiC/Si system, a CdTe/HgTe/CdTe system, an InGaAs/InAlAs/InP system, and nanocrystalline silicon.
US08449172B2
A mixing device for mixing a first and second material together to create an output mixture. The device includes a first chamber containing the first material coupled to a mixing chamber defined between a rotor and a stator. The rotor is disposed inside the stator and rotates therein about an axis of rotation. The first chamber houses an internal pump configured to pump the first material from the first chamber into the mixing chamber. The pump may be configured to impart a circumferential velocity into the first material before it enters the mixing chamber. At least one of the rotor and stator have a plurality of through-holes through which the second material is provided to the mixing chamber. Optionally, a second chamber is coupled to the mixing chamber. The second chamber may house an internal pump configured to pump the output material from the mixing chamber into the second chamber.
US08449171B2
A method of mixing (10), including: providing a fluid (10) in a well (6) so as to establish an acoustic field gradient; and applying an acoustic signal to cause mixing within a fluid (3).
US08449170B1
An aerator for assisting in the discharge or transport of dry bulk particulate materials in applications in which the aerator must be mounted to a surface of small diameter, such as a duct, hopper, or tank. The aerator unexpectedly performs more efficiently than would be expected from simply reducing the proportions of an otherwise similar aerator designed for larger diameter applications.
US08449165B2
The present invention relates to a backlight module having housing provided with groove structure, wherein the backlight module comprises: a housing, a plurality of LED chips, a thermal conductive layer, a reflector, and a light guide plate. In which, the housing has a groove formed on a housing bottom thereof, and the circuit layer is disposed in the groove through a first thermally conductive insulating layer. In addition, the plurality of LED chips are disposed in the housing and welded on the circuit layer. In the present invention, the circuit layer and the LED chips are disposed in the groove of the housing, therefore, when mass producing the backlight module, it is able to ensure that the position of LED chips would correspond to the circuit layer in the housing, such that each the backlight module manufactured by mass production can be used for providing a stable light source.
US08449153B2
An LED module includes a substrate comprising a base plate and an elastic arm extending from a periphery side of the base plate. The elastic arm includes a horizontal portion parallel to and spaced from the base plate. A receiving space is defined between the horizontal portion of the elastic arm and the base plate. A circuit layer is formed on the base plate. An LED is mounted on the base plate and electrically connects with the circuit layer. The LED comprises a base and at least one electrode extending outwardly from the base. The LED is fixed on the substrate via the at least one electrode slideably received in the receiving space with a downward force applied on the electrode by the horizontal portion of the elastic arm.
US08449150B2
An optical element is disclosed. The optical element includes a single, transparent, rotationally-symmetric lens with a batwing shaped cross-section, extending angularly away from a longitudinal axis. The lens also includes a variety of curved, straight, specular and optionally diffuse portions on its longitudinal and transverse faces, all of which cause a variety of internal and external reflections, refractions, and optionally scattering.
US08449144B2
Disclosed herein are apparatus, method, and system for producing a customizable composite beam from a plurality of solid state light sources. Each light source is associated with individually adjustable fixture components which allow for a variety of lighting needs to be addressed. The composite beam is a collective of the beam projected from each adjustable component/light source combination; each individual beam being of customized shape or standard shape.
US08449141B1
The present invention relates to entertainments systems comprising a light controller connected to at least one moving head light fixture through a communication channel and to moving head light fixtures, where a moving head comprises switching means for switching said moving head between a normal mode of operation and a follow spot mode of operation, said follow spot mode of operation being characterized in that at least said first rotating means or said second rotating means being deactivated. In is thus possible to use the moving head as both an automatic moving head an as a manual moved follow spot. The moving head comprises also position encoding means determining to position of the moving head and other moving heads in the entertainment system thus be controlled based on the position of the first moving head.
US08449126B2
A rear view mirror for a vehicle has certain asymmetrical aerodynamic features that are combined with construction details that render the assembly invertible for use on either side of the vehicle and easier to install than its prior art counterparts.
US08449123B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a screen having a display surface; and a projector that renders an image by scanning light on the display screen, wherein the screen selects, independently in respective regions of the display surface, a light transmission state in which the light is transmitted and a light diffusion state in which the light is diffused, the screen being configured such that the region where address light is irradiated is in the light diffusion state and the region where the address light is not irradiated is in the light transmission state, and the projector scans the address light on the display surface such that an area of the display surface corresponding to an image displayed on the display surface changes to the light diffusion state.
US08449119B2
An apparatus, method, and system for modifying application windows based on projection surface characteristics. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a determination module, an identification module, and a modification module. The determination module determines one or more characteristics of a projection surface including detrimental characteristics. The identification module identifies one or more application windows for displayed within the projected image. The one or more application windows correspond to one or more applications executing on a processor. One or more of the identified application windows are for projection on at least one location of one or more detrimental characteristics. The modification module modifies one or more of a size, a shape, and a position of at least a portion of the one or more identified application windows to avoid the at least one location of the one or more detrimental characteristics.
US08449118B2
Telecommunication devices each having projection apparatuses capable of projecting ambiently displayed images at locations proximate to the telecommunication devices on surfaces that are substantially parallel to planes formed by the telecommunication devices are described herein. The telecommunication devices also have logic configured to provide predistorted images to the projection apparatuses, the predistorted images appearing without distortion when projected by the projection apparatuses on the surfaces in the ambiently displayed images.
US08449100B2
An inkjet recording method of the invention includes at least: applying, onto a recording medium, an ink composition containing at least a pigment, a copolymer containing at least a fluorine atom, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, thereby forming an image; drying the image by removing the water-soluble organic solvent and at least a part of the water from the recording medium; and heat-fixing the image onto the recording medium by bringing a surface of the image into contact with a heating member, and may further include other processes.
US08449096B2
A synergist for pigment in a solid ink having the following formula:
US08449091B2
An ink cartridge is removably mounted to a recording apparatus. The ink cartridge includes a main body and first and second protrusions. A particular end of the second protrusion extends further than a particular end of the first protrusion in the insertion direction. The main body includes an ink chamber, a particular wall having a first end and a second end opposite the first end in a further direction, a communication portion that selectively places an interior of the ink chamber and an exterior of the ink chamber into fluid communication, a holding portion positioned opposite the particular wall, and a bottom wall. A distance from a rear end of the bottom wall to the particular end of the second protrusion in the insertion direction is less than a distance from a rear end of the holding portion to an end of the second protrusion in the insertion direction.
US08449089B2
Provided is a liquid injecting apparatus equipped with a liquid injecting head, which is mounted on a carriage and moved reciprocally in a widthwise direction of a target, and a valve unit, which is mounted on the carriage to be supplied with liquid via a supply passage from a liquid retainer and to supply liquid to the liquid injecting head. The valve unit has a pressure chamber connected to the liquid retainer via the supply passage; a valve, which opens or closes the supply passage to supply liquid to the pressure chamber; and a flexible film member, which is displaced based on a negative pressure generated as liquid in the pressure chamber decreases to thereby operate the valve.
US08449088B2
A method of making a print cartridge comprises providing an ink housing 100 having a top and a base and at least one interior compartment 106, the housing further having a passageway 172, 174 in the base with an entrance in the compartment to allow fluid communication between the interior of the compartment and a print head 160 mounted at the base of the housing. A block of hydrophobic foam material 252 is inserted under compression into the compartment immediately above the passageway entrance. Ink 710, 712 is injected into the foam block through two hollow needles 702, 704 extending downwardly through the block from the top of the housing and terminating at points disposed respectively towards opposite edges 174a, 174b of the passageway entrance. The volume of ink injected by the needles is sufficient to fill the passageway and cover the passageway entrance but insufficient to form a horizontal air seal around the internal periphery of the compartment.
US08449086B2
An inkjet printhead including a drop generator includes: a substrate including a surface; a chamber disposed on the surface of the substrate, the chamber including: an inlet having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being separated from the first edge by an inlet width along an inlet width direction; and a chamber center, wherein the first edge and the second edge of the inlet are disposed on a same side of the chamber center relative to the inlet width direction.
US08449079B2
A fluid ejection device includes a first resistor layer that has at least a first resistor for heating fluid and a second resistor layer that has at least a second resistor for heating fluid. There is an electrically insulating layer formed between the first and second resistor layers. A print cartridge for a printer contains a fluid container and a printhead, at least one nozzle, a first resistor layer that has at least a first resistor for pre-heating or thermally ejecting fluid, a second resistor layer that has at least a second resistor for pre-heating or thermally ejecting fluid, and an electrically insulating layer formed between the first and second resistor layers.
US08449069B2
A liquid-jetting apparatus includes: a liquid-jetting head which has a liquid-jetting surface provided with first and second nozzles and which jets liquids of different types from the first and second nozzles respectively; a cap which is driven between a capping position and a retracted position; a cap driving member which moves in a first direction to drive the cap; first and second gas discharge valves via which bubble is discharged from first and second liquid supply members connected to the liquid-jetting head respectively; first and second valve opening/closing members which open/close the first and second gas discharge valves respectively; first and second gas discharge driving members arranged in the first direction, which move in a second direction intersecting the first direction to drive the first and second valve opening/closing members respectively; and a driving source which moves the first and second gas discharge driving members in the second direction.
US08449068B2
A drop detector has a light-source and a light detector. The light-source is configured to scatter light off two or more substantially currently ejected drops. The light detector is configured to substantially concurrently sense, respectively at two or more different spatial locations, the light scattered off the two or more substantially currently ejected drops.
US08449067B2
A method for operating an inkjet printing device with at least one inkjet printhead having a row of nozzles through which ink can be directed onto the substrate to be printed, which is guided over a cylinder or over a curved guide element. The inkjet printhead or each inkjet printhead is oriented transversely to the transport direction of the substrate, so that the nozzles in the row of the inkjet printhead or of each inkjet printhead are different distances away from the substrate to be printed. To print the substrate, the nozzles in the nozzle row of the inkjet printhead or of each inkjet printhead are actuated in such a way that that the differences in the nozzle to substrate travel time caused by the different distances between the nozzles in each row and the substrate to be printed are equalized or compensated.
US08449064B2
Provided is a fluid ejecting apparatus ejecting a fluid in a set ejection area of a target, including: a transport unit transporting the target; a fluid ejection unit moving in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the target and being capable of ejecting the fluid from a nozzle to the target; a mark detection unit moving in the perpendicular direction together with the fluid ejection unit and being capable of detecting a predetermined mark formed in the target; a before-ejecting distance acquisition unit acquiring a before-ejecting distance; and a control unit controlling the transport unit and the fluid ejection unit based on the acquired before-ejecting distance so that the target is transported by the transport unit and the fluid is ejected from the nozzle to the set ejection area while the fluid ejection unit moves in the perpendicular direction.
US08449053B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head with one nozzle group for ejecting one type liquid and another nozzle group for ejecting two types of liquid, thereby ejecting multiple types of liquid from the nozzle groups. A cap forms a sealing space that is suctioned by a suction pump. Flow-passages supply the liquid from a liquid container toward the liquid ejecting head. Flow-passage pumps in the downstream side of the liquid container in the flow-passages suction the liquid from the liquid container and discharge the liquid toward the downstream side. A choke valve has a valve chamber at the downstream side of the flow-passage pump to allow the liquid to flow therein. A flexible member changes a volume of the valve chamber by flexing. A discharge hole in an inner portion of the valve chamber is opened or closed by the flexing of the flexible member.
US08449045B2
The present invention teaches a novel axle apparatus for a driven bicycle hub that when used in conjunction with contemporary hubs eliminates the need for a user to become involved in any way with the cogset or chain. The axle of the apparatus is comprised of three main sub-assemblies: a non-driven side lever and shaft, a non-driven side hub insert and a driven side freewheel insert. The design of the present invention is such that it may be adapted for use with most of the contemporary hubs/freewheels available. The three sub-assemblies act in concert to form a solid axle in a two stage action. The mating action is such that misalignment of the wheel is impossible.
US08449044B2
A bicycle rim is provided with an annular tire mounting part, an annular spoke mounting part and a pair of side walls. The annular tire mounting part includes an outer bridge. The annular spoke mounting part includes a plurality of spoke openings disposed at predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction of the annular spoke mounting part. The annular spoke mounting part further includes at least one recess disposed in an area between two adjacent ones of the spoke openings. The at least one recess extends less than half of a circumferential distance between the two adjacent ones of the spoke openings. The side walls extend radially from the annular spoke mounting and the outer bridge to define an annular interior space. The outer bridge includes a through hole that at least partially aligns with the at least one recess as viewed in a radial direction of the bicycle rim.
US08449040B2
In one aspect of the invention, an attack tool is disclosed which comprises a wear-resistant base suitable for attachment to a driving mechanism. The wear-resistant base has a shank. A cemented metal carbide segment is bonded to the base and the shank has a wear-resistant surface. The wear-resistant surface has a hardness greater than 60 HRc and/or is work hardened.
US08449029B2
An armrest is movable between a stowed position disposed within a recess of a seat back and deployed position extending from the recess. A bracket fixedly secured to the seat back includes a slot having an angled portion connected with a vertical portion, which is connected with an arcuate portion. First and second pins extend laterally from a proximal end of the armrest and are pivotally and slidably coupled to the slot. The first pin travels along the angled portion and the second pin travels along the vertical portion in response to pivotal movement of the armrest, thereby lifting the armrest to prevent interference between the proximal end of the armrest and the seat back. The first pin remains at the transition between the angled portion and the vertical portion and the second pin travels along the arcuate portion in response to further pivotal movement of the armrest.
US08449025B2
Aspects of the invention relate to a roof assembly for a vehicle having a roof opening in its fixed roof. It comprises a stationary part having longitudinal guides positioned on either side of the roof opening. A closure is movable at least between a closed position closing the roof opening and an open position in which the closure is at least partly opening the roof opening. A closure operating mechanism is provided for opening and closing the closure, and is sliding in said longitudinal guides when opening and closing the closure. The longitudinal guides each comprise at least a drain channel and a water drainage member for draining water from said longitudinal drain channel to a water drainage hose. Each water drainage member communicates with the respective drain channel on one end, and connects to the corresponding water drainage hose on its opposite end to form a drain. A sieve member for catching debris but allowing water to run through is provided in the drain upstream of said water drainage member.
US08449024B2
A car frame having a central body, which defines the passenger compartment of the car and is defined by a number of metal parts welded to one another. A monolithic front body is bolted to the central body and is made of composite material fibre using RTM technology. A monolithic floor panel is also connected to the central body and is made of composite material fibre using RTM technology.
US08449022B2
A reinforced vehicle structure includes a vehicle floor, a reinforcement member, an accessory attachment member and a plurality of mounting structures. The vehicle floor has an underbody floor surface facing an underbody of the vehicle and an interior floor surface facing an interior of the vehicle. The reinforcement member is mounted to the underbody floor surface. The accessory attachment member is mounted to the interior floor surface. The plurality of mounting structures is spaced along the reinforcement member and extends through the vehicle floor to couple the accessory attachment member to the reinforcement member.
US08449020B2
The present invention is predicated upon the provision of systems and methods for reinforcement of a structural member. More particularly, the present invention is predicated upon unique carrier configurations and application of reinforcing material thereto. In one configuration, the application of reinforcing material is achieved without the use of fasteners, adhesives, or both, for placement, locating and restrictive movement of the reinforcing material onto the carrier.
US08449013B2
An automotive vehicle including a passenger compartment and an instrument panel is provided. The instrument panel includes a beam disposed at a forward end of the compartment and extending across the width of the compartment. A driver's side instrument panel module is secured to the beam. A passenger's side instrument panel module is also secured to the beam. A defrost module is located adjacent at least one of the driver's side module and said passenger side module and positioned to provide forced air flow over the windshield of the vehicle. A driver's side vent module is disposed between the driver's side module and the sidewall of the compartment. In addition, a passenger side vent module is disposed between the passenger side module and the opposed compartment sidewall.
US08449011B2
A monopod seat structure including first and second sides. A back is pivotally connected to the seat. A vertical support column is disposed below the seat and positioned substantially centrally between the first and second sides of the seat. A side support member includes a top portion operably connected to one of the first and second sides. A bottom portion is operably connected to a transmission hump of a vehicle.
US08449002B2
A closure mechanism for pressure test chambers for testing electronic components, in particular ICs, has a plurality of pivoting jaws. At least some of the pivoting jaws have at least one lifting apparatus which can be advanced to two interacting cavity elements, which surround a cavity, by means of the pivoting jaws. Furthermore, at least some of the pivoting jaws have at least one locking device in order to move spacer elements into an intermediate space between the associated pivoting jaws and the compressed cavity element, as a result of which the tightness of the cavity is maintained even when the lifting apparatuses are retracted.
US08449001B2
A vehicle stowage assembly is provided that includes a compartment having an opening to allow access to the opening and a door proximate the opening. A ferrous member magnets are disposed on the compartment and the door to magnetically couple the magnets to the ferrous member when the door is in the closed position. A crash sensor is provided for detecting an expected vehicle crash event. An electromagnetic coil electromagnetically is coupled to the ferrous member, wherein the coil is electrically energized by current to create a polarity on the ferrous bar to create an increased force closure to the door relative to the housing when an expected vehicle crash is detected. The coil generates an opposite polarity on the ferrous member to open the door in response to a user actuated input.
US08448996B2
A locking mechanism for a casement window assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted on the window assembly, an actuator operably connected to the housing and pivotable about a fulcrum, and a linkage member having a first channel and a second channel. The housing has an elongated opening having opposed ends. The actuator includes an actuator body having a first pin and a second pin located thereon. The linkage member is connected to the actuator such that the first pin is received in the first channel and the second pin is received in the second channel. Pivoting the actuator about the fulcrum causes the first pin to move within the first channel and the second pin to move within the second channel, moving the linkage member along the opening, from one end of the opening to the other end of the opening.
US08448994B2
A latch assembly for connection of conduit, the assembly comprising a female portion and a male portion, wherein each of the female portion and the male portion have a shell and a connection device. The connection device of the female portion includes a connection assembly with a molded-in slot, a release button, and a raised rib or alternatively is a connection opening. The connection device of the male portion includes a cantilevered region with a ramped engagement feature or alternatively is a raised cantilevered release button. When connected the cantilevered region or button deflects to accommodate the female portion until the ramped engagement feature or button engages the molded-in slot or connection opening, thus releasing the deflection. Depressing the release button disengages the latch allowing separation of the assembly.
US08448991B2
Improvements that prevent tampering of images on identification documents for example identity cards, credit cards and the like, and passports. The document includes a full color image of a person, and a second, full, achromatic image of the person formed underneath and spaced from the color image and in congruence therewith using a laser. The second full image is not visible underneath the first full image during normal viewing of the document, and is only visible upon removal of all or a portion of the first full image. As a result, the document and the image have no outwardly apparent visual difference to the document holder or to a would-be counterfeiter. This provides a covert security feature that is not known or seen until the document is attacked by removing the first full image.
US08448987B2
A steering column assembly has an outer jacket extending, an inner jacket is slideably disposed in the outer jacket for telescoping movement relative to the outer jacket, and a sleeve disposed between the inner and outer jackets. The sleeve exerts a predetermined frictional force on the inner jacket opposing the telescoping movement. A filler formed from a liquid thermosetting composition is disposed between the sleeve and the outer jacket for securing the sleeve to the outer jacket. Furthermore, a method of forming the steering column assembly includes disposing the inner jacket into the outer jacket and disposing the sleeve between the inner and outer jackets. The method further includes inserting the liquid thermosetting composition into the outer jacket between the outer jacket and the sleeve and curing the liquid thermosetting composition to form the filler.
US08448986B2
A device for adjusting a steering column includes a body and a cap assembled by a pivot and a connection element enabling the displacement of the body with respect to the cap under the action of a motor-reduction unit mounted on the body. The device is characterized in that the connection element includes at least one arm of which a first end is attached to the cap and a second end is connected to a threaded rod with vertical displacement cooperating in rotation with the drive shaft of a motor-reduction unit so that the arm forms a hinge enabling the reversible angular displacement of the body with respect to the cap.
US08448983B2
An air belt device includes: a seat belt that restrains a seated occupant; an air belt that is provided in a shoulder belt portion of the seat belt and that is deployed when supplied with a gas; a retractor that extractably winds up the seat belt from a side of a shoulder portion of the occupant; an inflator that supplies gas to the air belt; and a flexible hose that is curved when the seat belt is not worn and that communicates the inflator with the end of the air belt that extends into the seat back.
US08448981B2
An object is to be able to more appropriately restrain respective portions of an upper body, including a waist portion, of a passenger by a side airbag at a time of a side collision. At a time of a side collision, a side airbag receives a supply of gas and deploys between a passenger and a vehicle body side portion, and an upper bag portion restrains from a head portion to a shoulder portion, and a lower bag portion restrains a waist portion, and an intermediate portion, that connects a lower edge portion of the upper bag portion and an upper edge portion of the lower bag portion, restrains a chest portion. Load, that is imparted toward a vehicle transverse direction inner side from the upper bag portion to the shoulder portion of the passenger at this time, decreases at a latter stage of restraint of the shoulder portion by the upper bag portion, and therefore, an amount of movement of the shoulder portion toward a vehicle transverse direction inner side is suppressed to an appropriate degree.
US08448969B2
An exercise vehicle is provided with an improved push/pull rod steering system for use in directing vehicle travel and maintaining balance without interfering significantly with vehicle power. The vehicle includes a frame with an attached drive system that includes a drive wheel. The drive system includes arm levers operatively connected to the drive wheel so that counter-reciprocal movement of the arm levers produces rotation of the drive wheel. The steering system includes a guidance wheel rotatively coupled with the frame, a steering crank which is operatively coupled with the guidance wheel, hand levers pivotally attached to the arm levers and push/pull rod assemblies connecting the hand levers to the steering crank. When one hand lever pivots, the steering crank rotates, causing the guidance wheel to turn while simultaneously causing the other hand lever to pivot the opposite direction.
US08448968B1
A vehicle step assembly for mounting on a vehicle adjacent to the body of the vehicle may include an elongated step having opposite ends and a hollow space formed in the step and extending between the ends, and at least one support bracket with a mounting portion configured to mount on the vehicle and a support portion configured to support the elongated step, with the support portion having a support surface on which the elongated step rests. The assembly may also include at least one clamp mounting the step on the at least one support bracket, with the at least one clamp being configured to engage the step at substantially any location along the length of the step between the opposite ends.
US08448964B2
A hinging arrangement for a wheel axle suspension of a vehicle, comprises an attachment eye fixed to a component to be hingedly attached to the vehicle, and a hinge pin, e.g. a hinge bolt, attached to a fixed vehicle component. The hinge pin is extending through the attachment eye, wherein the attachment eye has a bore for the hinge pin which comprises at least one tapering bore portion. The arrangement further comprises at least one resilient ring and a clamping member each provided with a central bore for the hinge pin, wherein, in the mounted state, the resilient ring is received at least partially within said tapering bore portion. The resilient ring is bearing with one side against the tapering surface of said tapering bore portion and said clamping member is forced against the other side of the resilient ring whereby the resilient ring is compressed between the clamping member and the tapering surface of the tapering bore portion.
US08448960B2
There is provided a walker apparatus having a brake, a braking handle, a brake wire, a brake rod, and a brake rod assembly. A gripping member connects to the brake wire. The gripping member includes a plate having a first end, a second end and an aperture near the second end. The plate connects to the brake wire near the first end and the plate slidably receives the brake rod through the aperture near the second end. The gripping member includes a clamp that engages the brake wire via a set screw. The gripping member is spring-biased to remain free of the brake rod in a non-actuated mode. When the braking handle actuates the brake wire, the plate tilts with the first end elevating relative to the second end, thereby causing the plate to engage with and abut the brake rod for thereby actuating the brake rod to brake.
US08448958B2
A collapsible dolly is movable between an extended use position and a compact storage position. The dolly has a right leg and a left leg that form a supportive A-frame when fully extended. Hinges and sliding components are capable of collapsing the dolly into a collapsed position for storage and/or transportation.
US08448943B2
A method and system feeds sheets through a media path in a process direction and moves a laterally movable sheet registration carriage (positioned within the media path) in a lateral direction perpendicular to the process direction. It determines the lateral error of the sheets within the media path before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage, using first sensors positioned within the media path. This allows the sheet registration carriage to be moved to a variable lateral starting position (as opposed to a consistent reset position or centered reset position) before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage based on the error of the sheets as determined by the first sensors. The error can be the amount of lateral error, or simply can be a classification of lateral error (right error, left error, etc.).
US08448935B1
A pickup mechanism includes a main frame, a supporting element mounted to the main frame, and a pickup module positioned in the main frame and including a pickup arm, a transmitting element, a separation element, a pickup element and a barrel element. The separation element includes a separation shaft and a separation roller. The pickup element includes a pickup shaft and a pickup roller. The separation roller and the pickup roller are restricted in the pickup arm. The transmitting element links the separation shaft and the pickup shaft. The pickup arm is pivoted at the separation shaft. The barrel element has a base portion pivotally mounted around the pickup shaft, and a stopping block. When the pickup module swings upward or downward, the barrel element is driven to rotate along with the pickup shaft to make the stopping block against the supporting element or apart from the supporting element.
US08448934B2
A paper pickup structure of a paper feeding device is provided. The paper pickup structure includes a rotating arm, including a connection portion, a base, and a combination member, in which the connection portion and the combination member are located on the base, a first gear, combined with the connection portion to be switched between a forward rotation state and a reverse rotation state, so as to drive the rotating arm to rotate, a limiting member, located on the rotating arm, in which one end of the limiting member is combined with the combination member of the rotating arm, or one end of the limiting member is separated from the combination member through the rotation of the rotating arm, a second gear, located on the base, and a third gear, driven by the second gear to rotate when the rotating arm rotates to a predetermined position.
US08448933B2
A device for processing and for transporting flat mail items such as documents and/or letters inserted into envelopes, samples, cards, etc., includes a transport route, formed by transport rolls (5, 6, 7) of a transport mechanism (3), one end of this route being configured to load a separation unit (9) with mail items (2) for individual processing. The device includes a separation unit (9), which is designed with a drive roll (6), supported rotatably on a horizontal axis of rotation and extending transversely to the transport direction. The drive roll acts frictionally on the bottom surface of the mail item (2) and cooperates with a queuing mechanism (11), which is installed above (6) and offset from the drive roll in the downstream direction to hold back excess mail items.
US08448931B2
In a work pallet positioning and fixing device that positions a work pallet over a base member in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction and fixes it thereto by pressing forces of clamp bolts, the base member is provided with first and second reference members for positioning, and a reference seating surface and, by making bolt head accommodation holes of bolt holes for four fitting bolts fitting flange portions of the reference members partially overlap with protruding engagement portions as seen in plan view, a plurality of tapered engagement surfaces on the external peripheries of the protruding engagement portions being segmented into four sections.
US08448928B2
The invention relates to a device for holding a model support of an abutment model and also to an insert (1) for holding such a model support, with a first area and a second area, wherein the first area comprises a flat surface (6) with a step (4) at the center of which there is an area which has an attachment geometry of an implant and onto which the model support of the abutment model can be mounted, wherein the second area comprises means that permit positioning of the insert, and wherein the insert comprises an optically detectable marking (5). The invention additionally relates to a pot (13) for receiving an insert according to the invention, wherein the pot comprises at least one magnet (18) and at least one recess and/or elevation on the bottom surface. The invention also relates to a scanning device, a scanning method, a method for producing an abutment, a method for producing a tooth replacement part, and a computer-readable medium.
US08448925B2
Devices, systems, and methods employed in wet cleaning semiconductor devices are provided. In particular, systems that can deliver deionized water with the desired concentration of CO2 and methods of generating deionized water with a desired concentration of CO2 for use in wet cleaning of semiconductor devices are provided.
US08448922B2
A safety brake device for a theatre hoist to prevent the uncontrolled release of a load that is suspended above or below people includes an overrunning clutch and a torque disc. The torque disc only rotates with the overrunning clutch when the load is lowered, but must overcome friction forces applied to the surface of the torque disc to do so. The friction forces are constantly applied to the torque disc by maintaining friction material in contact with the torque disc. The friction material is a non-asbestos, non-metallic composite saturated with a lubricant.
US08448917B2
To reduce invasion and adhesion of foreign matters into and onto the gating-member retreat room in the transition from the gate-open state to the gate-close state including retreat and on-shutting-movement of the gating-member. The shutter, being moved in the shuttering movement room, shuts the entrance aperture by making the shutter sealing contact with the stationary seal by such movement of the shutter itself when the gating-member is accommodated in the gating-member retreat room, and, also being moved in the shuttering movement room, shuts the entrance aperture by making the shutter sealing contact with the second gate seal by such movement of the shutter itself when the gating-member, being moved in the shuttering movement room, shuts the exhaust port by making the first gate seal contact with the stationary seal by such movement of the gating-member itself.
US08448914B2
A sensor arrangement for a vehicle window includes a mounting frame having an engagement portion, a sensor housing attachable to the mounting frame, a spring-loaded bracket connected to the sensor housing, and a two-arm lever. The lever is pivotably mounted to the bracket, wherein pivoting of the lever causes the bracket to compress and press the sensor housing against the mounting frame. The second lever arm engages the engagement portion of the mounting frame after the lever is further pivoted to a final assembly position to thereby hold the sensor housing in place against the mounting frame.
US08448907B2
A medical tray having a telescoping leg that selectively telescopes in to be out of the way so as to enable the medical tray to be placed on a flat supporting surface or stored, or that telescopes out to provide a secure and stable support that places the medical tray contents in an elevated position. The telescoping of the telescoping leg is controlled by a one hand operated, dual action release mechanism.
US08448902B2
A high capacity satellite having multiple aspect ratios is configured to have at least two modules. Each module includes a first panel and a third panel facing, in an on-orbit configuration, respectively, toward north and south and having a width in an east-west direction (EW width); and a second and a fourth panel oriented, in the on-orbit configuration, respectively, east and west and having a width in the north-south direction (NS width). Each module has a respective aspect ratio of EW width to NS width, a first module is configured with a first aspect ratio, a second module is configured with a second aspect ratio; and the second aspect ratio is substantially larger than the first aspect ratio. At least one antenna reflector is disposed, during launch, proximate to at least one of the first and third panel of the second module.
US08448896B2
A nacelle includes a downstream structure having an outer structure, a concentric inner structure surrounding a downstream portion and an upstream section having a relatively small diameter and a downstream section having a relatively large diameter, the inner and outer structures define an annular flow channel. The nacelle includes a guiding system for connecting the inner structure and downstream portion or a portion of a suspension mast, the system combines a translation and rotation movement of at least a portion of the inner structure between a working position, where the inner structure is used as a cowling for the turbojet downstream portion, and a maintenance position where the inner structure exposes the turbojet downstream portion and enable movement of the portion of the inner structure along the profile of the upstream section having a relatively small diameter, and the downstream section having a relatively large diameter.
US08448895B2
A gas turbine engine includes a fan section and a low spool that includes a low pressure compressor section. The low pressure compressor section includes eight (8) or less stages. A high spool includes a high pressure compressor section that has between eight to fifteen (8-15) stages. An overall compressor pressure ratio is provided by the combination of the low pressure compressor section and the high pressure compressor. A gear train is defined along an engine centerline axis. The low spool is operable to drive the fan section through the gear train.
US08448880B2
A processing apparatus is provided to process a workpiece. The processing apparatus can have a low-profile nozzle system capable of navigating through spaces in order to process target regions with relatively small clearances. A fluid jet outputted from the nozzle system is used to cut, mill, or otherwise process the target region of the workpiece.
US08448877B1
A vehicle traction mat may include a flexible and unitary body having a central portion. A first and second ramp may be connected to axially opposed first and second ends of the central portion. A tread layer may be positioned on a top surface of the central portion and terminating prior to reaching the first and second ramps. A plurality of first studs may be statically attached to a top surface of the body and protruding upwardly from the central portion such that a top most tip of each of the first studs penetrates out through the tread layer and terminates above the tread layer. A plurality of second studs may be statically attached to the central portion and protruding downwardly therefrom. The body may be selectively rolled and unrolled between cylindrical and planar shapes during non-operating and operating conditions respectively.
US08448871B2
A disclosure discloses tag tape comprising a plurality of RFID tag main bodies, and a first tape and a second tape provided on opposite sides in the tape thickness direction so as to position said plurality of RFID tag main bodies therebetween, wherein: said RFID tag main body comprises a sheet-shaped antenna base, a tag antenna provided on said antenna base that transmits and receives information, and an IC holding body that includes an IC circuit part storing information and a holding member holding said IC circuit part to said antenna base; said second tape comprises an affixing adhesive layer for affixing said plurality of RFID tag main bodies to an object to be affixed, and a separation material layer provided on said affixing side of said affixing adhesive layer and peeled off by a user at the affixing; and an affixing streamlining process for streamlining label affixing without impairing a communication function is executed on at least of said separation material layer and said IC holding body.
US08448870B2
In a method of producing a transponder (1) an integrated circuit (2, 72, 82) is produced. The integrated circuit (2, 72, 82) is produced by applying a photoresist layer (11) on a surface (8) of a semiconductor device (4), generating a patterned mask (14) by lithographically patterning the photoresist layer (11) so that the photoresist layer (11) comprises at least one aperture (12, 13), and filling the aperture (12, 13) with a bump (15, 16, 75, 76) by depositing the bump (15, 16, 75, 76) on the surface (8) utilizing the patterned mask (14). Finally, the integrated circuit (2, 72, 82), with the patterned mask (14), is attached to a substrate (3), which comprises an antenna structure (18). The bump (15, 16, 75, 76) is connected electrically to the antenna structure (18).
US08448869B2
A card comprises a body with a precut microcircuit card, characterized in that a token is also precut in the body of the card, adjacent to the microcircuit card.
US08448868B2
A smart card module and a method for producing a smart card module are provided. The smart card module comprises a semiconductor chip having a contact side with a plurality of contacts, and a base material with at least one metal layer. The contact side of the semiconductor chip faces the base material and the plurality of contacts of the semiconductor chip are electrically connected to the metal layer. The semiconductor chip and at least a portion of the base material are covered with an encapsulation layer.
US08448858B1
A system performs video identification of items involved with transactions, as captured in video data, and compares this item identification information with transaction data obtained from a transaction terminal such as a point-of-sale register to identify situations that are suspicious and may indicate fraudulent activity or operator error. In particular, the system as disclosed herein utilizes unique camera positions, and can use video data from more than one camera, to perform robust detections of fraudulent or suspicious activities associated with transactions in the transaction area. By obtaining video data originating from at least one video camera that monitors a transaction area, the system can automatically (i.e. no human involvement needed) analyze the video data to track items involved in a transaction in the transaction area. Using this information, the system can compare the video analysis of the tracked items to transaction data produced from a transaction terminal to identify suspicious activity. The system can also create, update and maintain object models for items tracked in a transaction area, in part, to assist in identifying suspicious activity.
US08448856B2
A bill processing apparatus is provided that can reduce the frequency of occurrences of removal of a paper medium (dispensed bill) being forgotten. Processing a medium handover port where a paper medium is handed over, and a medium handover port mechanism provided at the medium handover port and successively raising and lowering the paper medium, fed out from inside the machine (the automated teller machine), inside the medium handover port. The medium handover port mechanism notifies a user of the position of the paper medium with a visible action by successively raising and lowering the paper medium inside the medium handover port.
US08448846B2
A device and method records and identifies a medication that is to be introduced into a body by generating an image of the medication. The image of the medication is converted to image data of the medication that comprises a format for comparison with medication identification data stored in a database. Time-stamp data is generated and associated with the image data of the medication. The image data of the medication and associated time-stamp data are stored. The medication is identified by comparing one or more medication-identification parameters stored in the database with the image data of the medication.
US08448844B2
A hermetically sealed paperboard container including a container body component including upper and lower ends, the body component being formed from a blank including a paperboard layer having first and second major sides, a first sealant layer on the first major side, a barrier layer on the second major side, and a second sealant layer on the barrier layer, wherein the blank includes first and second longitudinal ends, the first longitudinal end being skived to a predetermined thickness for a predetermined width, the skived portion being folded over onto the blank and heat-sealed to the first sealant layer to form a folded first longitudinal end, and wherein the body component includes an overlapped seam including the folded first longitudinal end positioned inside the second longitudinal end, a bottom component sealed to the lower end; and a lid component hermetically sealed to the upper end.
US08448830B2
Disclosed is a disposable ampoule opener, comprising a first plastic housing section; and a second plastic housing section that is directly or indirectly coupled to the first plastic housing section, wherein: the first and second plastic housing sections each has a concave inner surface sized and shaped to receive a portion of a glass ampoule but not the entire glass ampoule; the first plastic housing section and the second plastic housing section are capable of coming together to form a plastic housing having a longitudinal housing axis; and the first plastic housing section or the second plastic housing section, or both, are capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal housing axis to enclose a portion of the glass ampoule but are not capable of enclosing the entire glass ampoule.
US08448828B2
A flexible shipping bag, which after use for shipping an item in commerce, can be turned inside out and transformed into a re-usable backpack with an open top. The flexible shipping bag includes sealing flaps configured to enable opening the flexible shipping bag by cutting off a portion of the sealing-flap. The sealing-flaps fold into the flexible shipping bag when the flexible shipping bag is turned inside out revealing backpack flaps each configured to define a draw-string tube-like passage therethrough. The flexible shipping bag includes a drawstring and a tab extending from an inside edge of the shipping bag, preferably near the bottom, and configured to secure the drawstring. The inside of the shipping bag may also include a separate pouch. The top of the pouch may include means to close the pouch.
US08448827B2
An embodiment of a nozzle comprising a nozzle adapter, a nozzle tip, and a plunger is provided. The nozzle adapter comprises an inner and outer surface, the inner surface having a helical groove, and a top end rotatably coupled to the nozzle adapter inner surface. The plunger comprises an outer surface, a top end, and a lower end that mates with the nozzle tip inner surface. At least one projection is along the body outer surface between the top end and the lower end keyed to fit within the helical groove of the nozzle tip, wherein the plunger and the nozzle tip are configured so that rotational motion of the nozzle tip causes axial motion of the plunger relative to the nozzle adapter without appreciable axial motion of the nozzle tip relative to the nozzle adapter.
US08448825B2
The invention relates to a dispensing device (11) for containers (33) containing a compound, comprising a compartment (12) for the container, with a piston rod (13) that can be moved relative to the compartment (12), with an extruding device (16) that comprises a drive wheel (21) for advancing the piston rod (13), a motor (22) for driving the drive wheel (21) as well as a planetary gear (23) that is interposed between the drive wheel (21) and the motor (22) and that has a gear rotational axis (24) and a ring gear (25). The ring gear (25) is provided with multiple recesses that are located along its circumference at intervals from each other. Moreover, the dispensing device (11) has an actuating switch (31) for actuating the motor (22) and a blocking element (36) that can be moved from a blocking position that blocks the ring gear (25) into a releasing position that releases this ring gear (25). A separate unlocking switch (41) is provided for actuating the blocking element (36), and the blocking element (36) can be pivoted around a pivot axis (37) in order to be moved from the blocking position into the releasing position.
US08448821B2
A sanitary collection device for a beverage dispenser that provides an improved and larger collection area as compared to a cylindrical holster; and separation between the dispensing nozzle of the beverage dispenser and collection surfaces of the sanitary collection device such that the dispensing nozzle is prevented from contacting a possibly contaminated surface of the sanitary collection device. The present invention also provides for easy cleaning of the sanitary collection device and its drip cup, since the drip cup can be easily removed without the use of tools to facilitate cleaning and/or replacement.
US08448813B2
An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to the base and the upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration by bending of the membrane along the hinge lines. Each configuration is a stable configuration of the cooler. The collapsible cooler wall includes peripheral portions thereof that nest within each other when the collapsible cooler wall is fully collapsed. The collapsible cooler wall tapers in extending from the upper rim.
US08448807B2
A handle of a detachable grilling pan has: a main body with a downward opening and a window, both disposed on the top side of the main body, a shaft, a “L” shaped hook and a spring. The main body is connected to the grilling pan by a fixing plate. The “L” shaped hook is hinged to the shaft, and the long straight free end of it extends out the window of the handle, and the short straight free end of it extends out the opening of the handle body and toward the grilling pan. The spring presses against the long straight end to make the free end of the short straight end hook the opening of the shell of the grill. When the long straight part of the hook is pressed, the hook rotates around the shaft and the grilling pan can be removed from the grill shell.
US08448802B2
A fuel tank structure including a fuel tank, a fuel filler port device formed in a cylindrical shape and arranged in the fuel tank, and a flame arrester arranged in the fuel filler port device and disposed inside the fuel tank. A fuel bleeding opening is formed in a peripheral wall part of the fuel filler port device and an arrester peripheral wall part. A cylindrical ring disposed so as to urge itself against the peripheral wall part and block the fuel bleeding opening.
US08448798B2
A dispensing closure that comprises a pliable sealing surface that is selectively formed with a dispensing opening or a cleanout. At least a portion of the pliable sealing surface can be formed at a base of a skirt, wherein the skirt engages the dispensing closure with the container. Material of the pliable sealing surface can be bonded with material of a body portion and a flap portion of the dispensing closure during a multi-shot injection molding process. The pliable sealing surface can be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer and the body portion and flap portion can be formed from a polymer material.
US08448795B2
A system and method is provided for pivoting a pilot on a model train, thereby allowing the model train to maneuver around a section of a model train track having a relatively small radius. In one embodiment of the present invention, the model train includes a frame, a shell connected to the frame, at least one truck assembly, at least one pilot and at least one coupler, wherein the coupler includes a coupler assembly and a coupler arm. The pilot is connected to a pilot arm, and the pilot arm, the coupler arm and the truck assembly are pivotally attached to the frame (e.g., via common or different pivots). In another embodiment of the present invention, the model train shell includes an aperture configured to receive a pilot arm. The pilot arm is connected to the pilot, which includes an aperture adapted to receive a coupler arm. The shell aperture is sized to allow the pilot arm to pivot from side to side, and the pilot aperture is sized to allow the coupler arm to pivot from side to side. By allowing the pilot to horizontally pivot, a model train track can be constructed using tighter curves, or curves with smaller radii.
US08448794B1
A suspension closet includes a closet body that is made of a flexible sheet of fabric and has a top end opening. Two opposite side walls of the top opening of the closet body are respectively provided with fastening elements and form opposing cutouts. To assemble the closet, the opposing cutouts of the closet body are fit with a suspension bar first and a frame is disposed in the closet body to be coupled to the fastening elements. A top cover is then set to cover the top end opening of the closet body. In this way, the closet body can be efficiently and effectively suspended on the suspension bar.
US08448792B2
A product dispensing system including a container that defines an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, the container housing a plurality of products within the internal volume, and a push member extending through the opening, the push member being biased into engagement with the products in the container.
US08448791B2
A server assembly includes a server rack, and a bracket configured to mount a server to the server rack. The server rack includes a plurality of first supports located on the server rack. Two brackets are configured to secure the server between two of the plurality of first supports, and each bracket includes a first securing arm and a second securing arm connected to the first securing arm, wherein the first securing arm is secured to the server, and the second securing arm is secured to one of the plurality of first supports.
US08448789B2
Apparatus for washing and dewatering pump comprising a pair of rotatable press rolls with permeable outer surfaces, a casing comprising a vat in which the rolls are installed, and a feed for feeding the pulp to the gap formed between the vat and the press roll is disclosed. The vat includes a first side vat segment partially enclosing the first press roll and a second side vat segment partially enclosing the second press roll and casing members for each of the vat segments, the first casing member being pivotable about an axis of rotation and between closed and open positions, pulp distribution devices for distributing pulp onto the press rolls, at least one of the pulp distribution devices being mounted on the casing member whereby it is moved away from the press roll together with the casing member when it is opened.
US08448788B2
A bowl assembly 1 includes a first bowl 2, a second bowl 3, and a third bowl 4. The first bowl 2 has the largest inner diameter of the three. The second bowl 3 has an outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the first bowl 2. The third bowl 4 has an outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the second bowl 3. Each bowl has at least one frictional detent mechanism to engage the adjacently placed bowl.
US08448783B2
A packet for smoke articles has an external enclosure (2) including a containing body (3) and a closing body (4) that is rotatable around a hinge (35) obtained on an external wall of said packet (1). The packet (1) includes closing elements (50) associated with main wall means (22, 23, 24) of the internal enclosure (2) for closing a base portion (6) and a top portion (7) of the packet (1). The external enclosure (2) further includes a secondary base wall (31) and a secondary top wall (11) connected to the main wall means (22, 23, 24) and arranged for abutting on and supporting said closing elements (50).
US08448774B2
An apparatus for forming piece goods batches, comprising a first transport device which transports the piece goods along a predefined transport path at a first transport speed, a second transport device which transports the piece goods along the predefined transport path at a second transport speed and which is arranged downstream of the first transport device along the transport path, and an assembling device which is arranged downstream of the second transport device along the transport path and forms batches from a plurality of piece goods. The apparatus may further comprise a buffer device which transports the piece goods along a variable buffer section and which is arranged between the first transport device and the second transport device, wherein the first transport speed and the second transport speed differ at least at times and the buffer device at least at times receives the piece goods streams brought about as a result of different speeds.
US08448773B2
The invention relates to apparatus for use in the handling of banknotes, tickets and/or vouchers. The apparatus allows the same to be inserted into the apparatus through an aperture and to then be fed to storage or a printing apparatus. The apparatus allows the dispensing of bills, tickets or vouchers and the same are dispensed through the same aperture thereby reducing the size of the apparatus as only one aperture and feed means is required for inserting and dispensing which is in contrast to known apparatus which have an aperture for inserting and a separate aperture via which the banknotes, tickets or vouchers are dispensed.
US08448766B2
A coupling having at least two concentric rings, each having a circumferential surface and a recess, and at least two roller elements. The roller elements are each disposed in a channel formed by the circumferential surface of one of the rings and the recess of another of the rings. In some example embodiments of the invention, the coupling includes a coupling member with a bearing surface, at least one of the rings includes a split and the split ring is urged against the bearing surface when there is relative rotation between the rings. The coupling member is, for example, a shaft or a gear.
US08448760B1
A buffering, energy absorbing, system has tapered grooves within either the inner surface of a cylindrical main body or along the sides of a piston head to allow fluid flow, where the tapered grooves increasingly or decreasingly restrict the flow of fluid between the inside of the main body and an accumulator.
US08448753B2
A disk brake caliper (4) which is provided with a disc (2) integral with a hub of a wheel and is rotatable about a central rotation axis (3); the caliper (4) presents: a hub-wheel supporting element (7a) and a wheel-side supporting element (7b), which are reciprocally counterpoised on the opposite sides of the disc (2); at least one connection bridge (8) which straddles the disc (2) and forms a single part with the supporting elements (7) for rigidly connecting the two supporting elements (7) themselves together; a plurality of pistons (6), each of which is accommodated in a corresponding supporting element (7) and presses a pad (5) against a side surface of the disc (2); and a cooling circuit (9), which makes a flow of cooling air circulate through supporting elements (7) and comprises a plurality of cooking pipes (10) obtained through the supporting elements (7) themselves.
US08448741B2
A vehicle is disclosed having a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system includes a steering input and a feedback to the steering input. In another aspect of the disclosure, an adjustable gain is provided between steering inputs to the system and the steering output from the system.
US08448735B2
An operator cab for a work vehicle is releasably mounted to a frame of the vehicle via a cab support pin and a flexible mount during vehicle work operations and rotationally attached via the cab support pin for servicing working parts of the work vehicle. A locking cylinder having an end pivotally connected to the cab allows movement of the pivotal connection relative to the cylinder, i.e., allows the cab to move relative to the frame as the flexible mount allows, during work operations. When the cylinder lifts the cab for servicing, movement of the pivotal connection relative to the cylinder is restricted.
US08448719B2
The present invention includes a section (102) for generating a plurality of contributing random numbers using a random number, a section (110) for generating a plurality of contributing data using a plurality of contributing random numbers, a section (103) for selecting a number designating contributing data, a section (104) for generating a commitment of the number, a section (126) for saving a contributing random number of the number and disclosure information of the commitment, a section (125) for sending the plurality of contributing data and the commitment, section (134) for generating auxiliary data using a contributing data set and the contributing random number, wherein the auxiliary data and the disclosure information of the commitment are sent from the section (125), and a section (139) for generating a shared key using the contributing data set, the disclosure information of the commitment, the auxiliary data, and the contributing random number.
US08448717B2
An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit, a press wheel cylinder configured to vary contact force between a press wheel and a soil surface, a closing disk cylinder configured to vary contact force between a closing disk and the soil surface, a residue manager cylinder configured to vary contact force between a residue manager and the soil surface, or a combination thereof. The agricultural implement system also includes an electronic control unit configured to automatically regulate a pressure within the cylinders, and a manual backup system configured to facilitate manual pressure adjustment of the cylinders.
US08448715B2
A fire suppression apparatus adapted for connection to a water supply for a faucet has one or more spray nozzles (26), at least one valve (20) operable into an open position to fluidly couple the one or more spray nozzles (26) to a water supply for a faucet (4), a fire sensor (28), and a controller (21) connected to the fire sensor (28), and upon sensing a fire, the fire sensor (28) is adapted to trigger the controller (21) to operate the at least one valve (20) into the open position.
US08448699B2
A technique enables independent lifting of fluids in a well. The technique utilizes an electric submersible pumping system which is disposed in a wellbore and encapsulated by an encapsulating structure. The encapsulating structure has an opening through which well fluid is drawn to an intake of the electric submersible pumping system. A dual path structure is positioned in cooperation with the electric submersible pumping system and the encapsulating structure to create independent flow paths for flow of a gas component and a remaining liquid component of the well fluid. The independent flow paths also are arranged to prevent contact between the well fluid components and a surrounding wellbore wall.
US08448693B2
A sealed thermal interface component minimizes or eliminates the exudation of fluids, such as silicone oils, while preserving the excellent thermal conductivity of silicon-based thermal pad materials and enhancing the conformability of the component. In an example embodiment, one or more thermal pads are formed of conformable thermal management material that may exude fluid under elevated temperatures or over time. Film encapsulates the thermal pad or pads, forming a sealed and partially evacuated thermal interface component. In one embodiment of the invention, the thermal pad or pads are formed of an elastomeric silicon-based thermally conductive material and the film is made of polyurethane.
US08448692B2
A mold and method for gravity casting may integrally cast a turbine housing having a twin scroll unit and a bypass unit and an exhaust manifold having a plurality of exhaust runner units. A turbine housing-side riser may be formed based on the end portion of the twin scroll unit within a first mold and a second mold in the state where the cavity of the turbine housing is formed so that the end portion of the twin scroll unit which is the outlet of the turbine housing is upward disposed.
US08448687B2
Wire supports for use with a movable partition system comprise a cantilever member configured for connection to a panel of a movable partition. A wire-supporting member through which wire may be inserted is rotatably connected to the cantilever member. Movable partition systems comprise a movable partition comprising at least two sheets of panels extending at least substantially parallel to one another and laterally distanced from one another to define an interior space between the at least two sheets of panels. At least one wire support disposed in the interior space between a proximal end and a distal end of the at least two movable partitions comprises a cantilever member secured to at least one panel of one of the movable partitions and a wire-supporting member rotatably connected to the cantilever member at least partially supporting at least one wire inserted through the wire-supporting member.
US08448679B2
A water treatment device for filling at least one bottle with treated tap water includes a housing unit having a reservoir, and at least one valve arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir, the valve having a water inlet/air exit port arranged adjacent to the housing unit, and a water exit/air inlet port arranged opposite the water inlet/air exit port, whereby when the valve is actuated to its open condition, water flows through the valve and into the bottle, and air entrapped in the bottle flows through the valve and into the surrounding environment. When the valve is in its closed condition, air and water do not flow through the valve.
US08448677B2
A refilling apparatus for a refillable container and associated methodology is described and wherein the apparatus includes a refillable dispensing container; a source of pressurized propellant for delivery to the refillable dispensing container; a valve coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the source of pressurized propellant; a source of a liquid to be dispensed by the refillable container and which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the valve, and a pressurized vessel positioned downstream relative to both the sources of the liquid to be dispensed, and the pressurized propellant, as well as the valve, and which encloses a volume of the liquid to be dispensed to refill a depleted refillable dispensing container when the refillable dispensing container engages the valve.
US08448672B2
A weaving machine for weaving a strong fabric on a surface of a linear light-emitting module is provided. The weaving machine includes a warp let-off mechanism, a drop wire, a plurality of heald frames, a picking mechanism, a beating-up mechanism, and a take-up mechanism. The warp let-off mechanism provides and transmits a plurality of warps and the linear light-emitting module. The heald eye of each heald frame allows the warps and the linear light-emitting module to pass through. The heald frames are located between the warp let-off mechanism and the beating-up mechanism. The take-up mechanism is suitable for adjusting and controlling latitude density of the strong fabric, wherein the take-up mechanism has a set of grooves corresponding to the linear light-emitting module.
US08448667B2
A multi-function faucet wand configured to be removably supported by the delivery spout of a faucet. The faucet wand includes a mode control movable in response to user input from between a first position for directing water in an aerate mode, and a second position for directing water in a spray mode. A flow control is movable in response to user input from between a first position for providing a low flow rate of water, and a second position for providing a high flow rate of water.
US08448665B1
An illustrative embodiment of a fuel overflow alarm system includes a fuel tank, a pressure-sensing tube provided in fluid communication with the fuel tank, a pressure sensor provided in fluid communication with the pressure-sensing tube, a microcontroller interfacing with the pressure sensor and a fuel gauge connected to the microcontroller.
US08448661B2
An exemplary inflatable leak diverter for collecting falling fluids. The invention may comprise one or more flexible, inflatable, generally tubular, circumferential inflation chambers of substantially identical dimensions superimposed upon each other and fixedly joined along their line of juncture, if applicable; a fluid-collecting well portion of the same general plane shape encompassed within the inner contours of multiple chambers; and drain located approximately in the center of the fluid-collecting well portion.
US08448659B2
A check valve assembly for well stimulation operations. The check valve assembly includes a valve body having an axially extending passageway including an inlet and a valve body seat. The valve body has a discharge port extending laterally from the passageway. A valve cap slidably engages with the valve body and has an opening with a valve cap seat. A piston is disposed within the passageway. In a closed position, a first sealing surface of the piston engages the valve body seat to prevent fluid communication between the inlet and the discharge port. In an open position, a second sealing surface of the piston engages the valve cap seat allowing fluid communication between the inlet and the discharge port. A spring disposed within the passageway between the piston and the valve cap biases the piston toward the closed position.
US08448656B2
The present invention provides a roof connecting mechanism of a foldable tent wherein a connecting hub is pivotally connected to roof strut rods so that the roof strut rods are movable in a compact manner relative to the connecting hub. The connecting hub includes pivoting cabinets in radial arrangement for pivoting the ends of each roof strut rod which has sufficient space to accommodate the ends of the roof strut rods when the tent is both in an open and folded configuration. The connecting hub also includes a stopper to limit the movement of the roof strut rods when in the open configuration. Such construction allows for a simple and compact opening and folding of the tent.
US08448655B2
An ultrasonic cleaning device is provided which can easily cope with an increase in a diameter of a cleaning surface of an object to be cleaned. An ultrasonic cleaning device according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic transducer 13 for providing ultrasonic energy to a propagation liquid 15, an ultrasonic propagation tube 12 for flowing the propagation liquid provided with the ultrasonic energy by the ultrasonic transducer, a holding mechanism disposed below the ultrasonic propagation tube for holding an object to be cleaned 21, and a cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid to a cleaning surface of the object to be cleaned held by the holding mechanism, and the ultrasonic propagation tube 12 is disposed so that a side surface thereof may contact a liquid film 19 of the cleaning liquid formed on the cleaning surface by supplying the cleaning liquid to the cleaning surface by the cleaning liquid supply mechanism.
US08448650B2
An applicator is provided for applying a composition to a user's eyelashes. The applicator includes an applicator element having a large section, a medium section, and a small section, which are adapted to cover the outer, middle, and inner portions of a user's eyelashes, respectively, with a composition (e.g., mascara). The three sections of the applicator element include bristles sized and spaced in such a way as to facilitate even application of the composition without clumping.
US08448645B2
Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye.
US08448642B2
A measurement gas vessel (3) for the measurement of the concentration of gas components of a stream of breath from a patient has a thin-walled inner part (11) which has two opposite facing walls limiting the breath stream. The walls are transparent to infrared light. An outer part (10) which in the central region (7) has two recesses on opposite sides which, with the walls (16) of the inner part (11), each form a window (9). A region of the inner part (11) outside the windows (9) is thermally connected to the outer part (10), and the outer part (10) surrounds the inner part (11).
US08448638B2
An anesthetic vaporizer is disclosed herein which comprises a fresh gas inlet, a mixed gas outlet, a first gas branch circuit, a second gas branch circuit and a vaporizing chamber. The vaporizing chamber has a reservoir for containing an anesthetic agent. The first gas branch circuit connects the fresh gas inlet and the mixed gas outlet. The second gas branch circuit comprises a first pneumatic circuit, a pressure compensation unit, a second pneumatic circuit, a wick unit and a third pneumatic circuit. The pressure compensation unit has a curved, continuous and sealed vent slot. The wick unit has an immersion portion which is directly contacted with the anesthetic agent in the reservoir. The fresh gas inlet, the first pneumatic circuit, the vent slot, the second pneumatic circuit, the wick unit, the third pneumatic circuit and the mixed gas outlet are sequentially connected with one another. The pressure compensation unit is provided in the reservoir and has a heat conductor which is directly contacted with the anesthetic agent to transfer heat. The vent slot is formed in the heat conductor. The anesthetic vaporizer according to the invention can stabilize the concentration of the anesthetic vapor in the outputted mixed gas.
US08448637B2
A nebulizer and a method of breathing using the nebulizer is described. The nebulizer and breathing techniques are capable of delivering medicament into the sinus cavity of a user.
US08448633B2
A bow string vibration and noise damper includes an aperture and a body portion. The string vibration and noise damper is configured to be mounted on the bowstring. In this way, a closed loop is created by inserting at least a portion of the body portion through the aperture. The closed loop encircles a portion of the bowstring thereby attaching the string vibration and noise damper to the bowstring.
US08448630B1
In some embodiments, an archery bow is configurable between a first draw orientation and a second draw orientation. The bow comprises a limb and a limb support. The limb defines an unsupported length in either orientation, wherein the unsupported length of the limb is less in the second draw orientation than in the first draw orientation.
US08448629B2
A fuel vapor processing apparatus includes a device that can restrict or prevent flow of gas from a vapor passage into a canister during recovering of fuel vapor from the canister into a fuel tank.
US08448624B2
A direct injection internal combustion engine employs a spray guided combustion method, wherein a fuel spray injected from a fuel injection valve is collected at an electrode section of a spark plug so that satisfactorily high combustion performance may be achieved even with a small amount of injected fuel. The engine includes spray control posts 30 arranged on both sides of the spark plug 5, for guiding the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve 4 to be directed toward the electrode section 10 of the spark plug 5.
US08448623B2
An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase unit forming a crank chamber, a cylinder having a cylinder bore and a projecting portion extending toward the crankcase unit so as to be coupled thereto, a piston that reciprocates in the cylinder bore of the cylinder provided with the projecting portion. The crankcase unit has a wall section and a space is formed between the projecting portion of the cylinder and the wall section of the crankcase unit when the crank case unit and cylinder having the projecting portion is coupled, and the space formed between the projecting portion of the cylinder and the wall section of the crankcase unit and an outside space of the crank chamber are communicated by a communicating groove which is provided to at least either one of the cylinder and the crankcase unit.
US08448617B2
An engine assembly may include a camshaft rotationally supported on an engine structure. The camshaft may include a first shaft, a second shaft located in and rotatable relative to the first shaft and a partial cam lobe located on the first shaft. The partial cam lobe may include a peak region and may define a partial bore. A radial distance defined by the partial bore between first and second circumferential ends of the partial bore may be greater than or equal to a radial width of the first shaft. The partial cam lobe may define a recess extending in a radial direction through the partial bore and into the partial cam lobe. The camshaft may include a sleeve located within a radial passage defined by the second shaft and the recess in the partial cam lobe and radially locating the partial cam lobe relative to the second shaft.
US08448604B2
A flow control device is provided for regulating the flow of fluid from a container. An exemplary control mechanism includes an inner cap member, an overcap member, and a ball captured therebetween. The overcap member is adapted for axial translation relative to the inner cap member, thereby facilitating one-handed manipulation. Adapters may be provided to facilitate mounting of the disclosed flow control device relative to containers of differing geometry. A releasable locking mechanism may be provided to prevent the flow control device from becoming inadvertently operational.
US08448600B2
A substrate processing apparatus is disclosed equipped with a transfer mechanism that transfers a substrate processed at a processing block to a carrier so that the increase of the number of transfer process is suppressed, improving the processing efficiency. The substrate processing apparatus is configured in such a way that, when a second-transfer module houses at least one substrate and a carrier that can house the at least one substrate is not placed in a carrier-placement unit, the at least one substrate is transferred to a buffer module. When the second transfer module houses at least one substrate and the carrier that can house the at least one substrate is placed in the carrier-placement unit, the at least one substrate is transferred to the carrier, regardless of whether or not a substrate is being transferred from the buffer module to the carrier.
US08448598B2
A coating device includes a case, a reaction module, and a cover. The case defines a reaction cavity. Receiving plates are positioned on an inner surface of the reaction cavity. The reaction module is received in the reaction cavity and capable of being rotated in the reaction cavity. The reaction module includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing includes electric magnets and waveguides. The electric magnets are positioned around the outer housing. Waveguide channels are defined in the outer housing. Each waveguide is partially received in a corresponding waveguide channel. The inner housing is received in the outer housing. A first receiving chamber is defined between the inner and outer housings. A second receiving chamber is defined in the inner housing. The first receiving chamber communicates with the second receiving chamber and the reaction cavity. The cover covers the opening end.
US08448592B2
Methods and devices are provided for rescuing and recovering underwater vehicles. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a modular rescue device configured to attach to an underwater vehicle, such as with a tow line. The rescue device can include one or more emergency mechanisms that can be automatically and/or manually activated to aid in detecting the location of the underwater vehicle in the event of an emergency. One exemplary emergency mechanism includes a buoyancy mechanism, e.g., an expandable lift bag, configured to be inflated with a fluid to add buoyancy force to the system to pull the underwater vehicle toward a water surface. Another exemplary emergency mechanism includes a signaling mechanism configured to signal the underwater vehicle's location.
US08448588B1
A force sensing device is adapted for sensing thread tension in a long-arm or mid-arm sewing machine. The force sensing device comprises the sewing machine mechanically coupled to a force sensor disk. A user can rotate a tension adjuster knob to increase or decrease thread tension as necessary. The force sensor disk comprises a variable resister that is electrically coupled to a force sensor disk cable; the force sensor disk cable is electrically coupled to a measurement resistor RM, a load resistor RL, a battery and a power switch. As the tension on the force sensor disk increases, the resistance on force sensor disk decreases and voltage across measurement sensor RM increases. A digital readout meter measures the voltage proportional to the tension on the force sensor disk. A voltage relative to tension is displayed on a display screen and can be viewed by the user who can increase or decrease the tension as necessary.
US08448586B2
A planting unit for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface and a trailing seed boot, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface. The disc has a mounting frame for mounting the disc to a linkage assembly that is, in turn, coupled to a toolbar mount. The seed boot is also attached to the mounting frame. This common attachment provides a relatively short and compact device without sacrificing fertilizer and seed stratification.
US08448585B2
A seed delivery device including a frame defining at least one seed chamber. The frame includes a sidewall and an air permeable floor. Seed can be received and deposited on the air permeable floor through an input port. An air input channel is utilized to introduce an air stream into the seed chamber and direct it through the air permeable floor such that seed is lifted from the air permeable floor to an outlet port. An air bypass channel is configured to separate the air stream into a first stream that is directed through the air permeable floor and a second stream that is directed through the bypass channel and recombined with the first stream, at a point prior to the output port, to prevent excess accumulation of seed in the seed chamber.
US08448579B2
An article transport facility in which electricity can be supplied properly from an electricity supply line to a power receiving portion even in a curved portion of a predetermined travel path without providing the power receiving portion to a connecting shaft. An article transport vehicle includes a travel portion having a guide wheel and a travel wheel that contacts the travel rail and is driven. The travel portion is connected to the vehicle main body by a connecting shaft. The power receiving portion is supported by the vehicle main body such that the power receiving portion can be moved in the lateral direction of the article transport vehicle. The article transport vehicle includes means for moving the power receiving portion outwardly of the curved portion of the article transport vehicle in association with the rotation of the connecting shaft when the travel portion rotates while traveling in the curved portion.
US08448576B2
A tamping machine designed especially for tamping switch sections comprises two inner and two outer tamping units (13, 24). Each outer tamping unit (24) is designed to be pivotable about a pivot axis (26), extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine, relative to a guide block (25) connected for displacement to transverse guides (12) and to a transverse displacement drive (14), and is connected to a pivot drive (27). Thus, tamping tools (18) of the outer tamping unit (24) can be positioned at a maximum distance from a machine center (23) for extensive tamping of a branch rail.
US08448575B2
An improved 9 mm cartridge is provided and includes a 9 mm bullet, wherein the 9mm bullet weights at least 90 grains and is configured for operation with a 9 mm firearm, a 0.45 caliber Win Mag cartridge case having a case bottom portion communicated with a case top portion via a case middle portion, wherein the case bottom portion, the case middle portion and the case top portion define a case cavity and wherein the case top portion includes a top opening communicated with the case cavity, the top opening sized to interact with the 9 mm bullet. The improved 9 mm cartridge also includes a propellant for propelling the 9 mm bullet to a velocity of at least 1600 feet per second.
US08448569B2
The present invention is directed to a system for treating milk and colostrum. The system includes a circulation pump and piping system, a heat exchanger for adjusting and/or maintaining milk temperature, and an ultraviolet light treatment device that treats the milk.
US08448563B2
A fluid-powered actuator comprises a cylindrical body having a base proximate one extremity and a head proximate another extremity, a piston-rod assembly and a sensor module made of a removable cover and a position sensor. The piston-rod assembly is slidably mounted inside the cylindrical body. The base is provided with an opening adapted to accommodate the sensor therethrough. In operation, the cover seals the opening. The position sensor is mounted to an internal face of the cover so that the position sensor is operatively located inside the cylindrical body when the cover is in place. The position sensor is operative to measure a position of the piston-rod assembly. A sensor module adapted to sealably close the opening in the base comprises the position sensor mounted to an internal face of a cover structure. In operation, the position sensor is operatively located inside the actuator when the cover structure closes the opening.
US08448557B2
A firing mechanism security apparatus prevents runaway machine gun fire by first sensing rounds being fired and sensing that the trigger mechanism is not instructing the weapon to fire. A mechanical actuator may block a path of the ammunition between the ammunition storage box and the machine gun or blocks spent ammunition from being ejected. Without engaging the trigger mechanism directly, a stopper signaled by a controller or motor may move from a first position to a second position and thereby be interposed between rounds of ammunition adjacent the ammunition storage box or between the ammunition feeder and the machine gun. The ammunition feeder may, alternatively, include a mechanical actuator that receives a signal from a motor or controller, the actuator capable of blocking the feeder's advancement of ammunition. Additionally, the gun may be elevated as a safety precaution.
US08448556B2
The present invention relates in general to a recoilless weapon (1) and, in particular to a new high- and low pressure system for recoilless weapons (1). The invention provides a recoilless weapon (1) comprising a launch tube (2) open at muzzle (3) and breech (4) ends thereof, a projectile (5) and a counter mass (6) residing in said recoilless weapon (1), the recoilless weapon (1) further comprises a high pressure part (7) containing a propellant charge (8) for propelling the projectile (5) and the counter mass (6) out of the launch system (1), a low pressure part (9) containing the counter mass (6), a blocking element (16) in the rear part of the launch tube (2) and gas-openings (10) between the high pressure part (7) and the low pressure part (9) The invention is characterized in that the projectile (5) is positioned in a first start position, where the projectile (5) is blocking the gas-openings (10) and where the projectile (5), upon ignition of the propellant charge (8), moves to further positions (12′) in the launch tube (2), where the gas-openings, successively, are unblocked by the projectile (5).
US08448555B2
A method, comprises providing a braid unit having a body braid section, at least two first arms at a first end of the body braid section, and at least two second arms at a second end of the body braid section. Each first arm is passed in through the second end and out through the first end of the body braid section. Each second arm is passed in through the first end and out through the second end of the body braid section. The first and second arms are pulled past each other after passing through the body braid section, so as to gather the body braid section into a ring.
US08448553B2
A cutting tool for cutting sheets of materials, such as, for example, sheets of building materials. The cutting tool includes a base defining a support surface. The base includes a slot extending through the support surface along at least a portion of the base. The cutting tool further includes a handle having a proximate end pivotally engaged with respect to the base. The handle is pivotally movable with respect to the base between an open position and a closed position. The cutting tool further includes a blade integrated or positioned with respect to the proximate end of the handle. The blade includes a plurality of generally flat cutting surfaces arranged in a polygonal profile. When the handle is in the closed position, the slot receives at least a portion of the blade.
US08448551B2
A dual lock brake lathe chuck comprises of at least one primary drive gear with keyhole along with at least one secondary drive gear with keyhole. The keyhole is rotated through the side of the chuck whereas the secondary keyhole is rotated through the back of the chuck. Rotation of either the primary keyhole or the secondary keyhole extends a plurality of jaws to secure a brake rotor on a brake lathe. The secondary keyhole positioned on the back of the chuck allows easier access of the keyhole when a brake rotor is attached to the chuck allowing the user to ensure that the brake rotor is securely tightened onto the brake lathe chuck.
US08448542B2
A front-and-rear-wheel-drive vehicle includes first and second electric drive motors which drive front and rear wheels, the second electric drive motor has a maximum torque greater than that of the first electric drive motor, a first speed reducer which reduces rotation of the first electric drive motor, a second speed reducer which reduces rotation of the second electric drive motor at a speed reduction ratio smaller than that of the first speed reducer, the speed reduction ratios of the first and second speed reducers are set in a manner that a maximum rate of rotation of one of the front and rear wheels corresponding to that of the second electric drive motor is greater than a maximum rate of rotation of the other wheel corresponding to that of the first electric drive motor.
US08448512B2
A sensor system is provided having a base plate, a sensor module, a damping element and a support frame, the base plate having a main plane of extension and a recess that is perpendicular to the main plane of extension; the support frame being fastened in the recess; the damping element being situated between the support frame and the recess; and the sensor module further being pressed into the support frame in a form-locking and a force-locking manner.
US08448505B2
A test bench encompasses a load device and a blower device for cooling the load device. With the help of one or more temperature sensors, it is possible to identify the temperature in or on the load device and to adjust the speed of a blower motor of the blower device accordingly. For instance, provision is made for changing the blower speed in a predetermined range linearly with the temperature change in the load device. In the event that one of the temperature sensors determines that a predetermined limit value is exceeded, the blower is set to maximum speed. In response to the exceeding of a further, higher temperature limit value, the load device is turned off.
US08448499B2
The present invention is directed to a cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular a blood sample, comprising a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid; and a cover being attachable on said cartridge body; wherein said cover covers at least partially said at least one measurement cavity and forms a retaining element for retaining said probe element in a predetermined position within said at least one measurement cavity. The invention is directed to a measurement system and a method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid.
US08448498B1
The present invention is a hermetic seal leak detection apparatus, which can be used to test for hermetic seal leaks in instruments and containers. A vacuum tight chamber is created around the unit being tested to minimize gas space outside of the hermetic seal. A vacuum inducing device is then used to increase the gas chamber volume inside the device, so that a slight vacuum is pulled on the unit being tested. The pressure in the unit being tested will stabilize. If the stabilized pressure reads close to a known good seal calibration, there is not a leak in the seal. If the stabilized pressure reads closer to a known bad seal calibration value, there is a leak in the seal. The speed of the plunger can be varied and by evaluating the resulting pressure change rates and final values, the leak rate/size can be accurately calculated.
US08448490B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for creation of discrete corrosion defects with a wide range of diameter to depth aspect ratios for painted test standards. Also provided are methods for use of those test standards to characterize the corrosion under paint detection threshold, statistical reliability, and accuracy of NDI and/or NDT techniques including but not limited to flash thermography, ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, microwave testing, shearography, and infrared testing.
US08448483B2
A securement apparatus for a vehicle storage compartment includes a closure panel and a body portion. The securement apparatus includes a base portion, a handle, a tumbler and a lock. The base portion is configured to couple to the closure panel. The handle is pivotally coupled to the base portion to move between latched and unlatched positions, and includes a latch that is configured to engage the body portion while the handle is in the latched position. The tumbler is moveably disposed with respect to the base portion between locked and unlocked positions, and is configured to restrict movement of the handle from the latched position to the unlatched position while the tumbler is in the locked position. The lock is configured to move the tumbler between the locked and unlocked positions.
US08448482B2
A door hook for a door assembly of a household appliance, wherein the household appliance includes a housing having an opening for accessing an interior of the housing, a tub disposed inside the housing, the tub having a rotating drum therein for receiving laundry through the opening, the door assembly having a see-through portion for viewing into the tub, the door assembly being pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between an open position for accessing the opening of the housing and a closed position for closing the opening of the housing, the door hook including a base plate having a front face and a rear face, a striker extending from the front face of the base plate, and a locating feature extending from the rear face of the base plate.
