US08569380B2

The invention provides small molecule drugs that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water soluble oligomer. A conjugate of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits characteristics that are different from the characteristics of the small molecule drug not attached to the water soluble oligomer.
US08569378B2

The present invention provides a p27 protein inducing agent comprising a compound represented by general formula (11) below or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient: wherein G1, G2, G3 and G8 are each independently selected from —N═ etc., Ring G6 is selected from divalent aryl etc., A is selected from amino etc., G4 is selected from oxygen etc., G5 is selected from oxygen etc., G7 is selected from —CH2— etc., and R2 is selected from C1-6 alkyl etc.
US08569371B2

Provided are crystalline forms of O-desmethylvenlafaxine fumarate, methods for their preparation, and pharmaceutical composition thereof.
US08569370B2

Ophthalmic compositions including compatible solute components and/or polyanionic components are useful in treating eyes, for example, to relieve dry eye syndrome, to protect the eyes against hypertonic insult and/or the adverse effects of cationic species on the ocular surfaces of eyes and/or to facilitate recovery from eye surgery.
US08569369B2

A method for increasing the vasodilative characteristics of amino acids in a human or animal is disclosed. The method includes administering to the human or animal a pharmaceutically effective amount of an amino acid compound consisting essentially of a nitrate or nitrite of an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glycine, Lysine, Methionine, Proline, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Carnitine, Taurine, and Betaine.
US08569368B2

Methods for increasing the bioabsorption of amino acids and for preventing the development of nitrate tolerances in a human or animal are disclosed. The methods include administering to the human or animal a pharmaceutically effective amount of an amino acid compound consisting essentially of a nitrate or nitrite of an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glycine, Lysine, Methionine, Proline, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Carnitine, Taurine, and Betaine.
US08569367B2

Ophthalmic compositions including compatible solute components and/or polyanionic components are useful in treating eyes, for example, to relieve dry eye syndrome, to protect the eyes against hypertonic insult and/or the adverse effects of cationic species on the ocular surfaces of eyes and/or to facilitate recovery from eye surgery.
US08569366B2

Acetyl L-carnitine, or of one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, is useful for the prevention of painful peripheral neuropathy in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes, in which symptoms are pain, paraesthesia or hyperaesthesia. The acetyl L-carnitine is administered orally at a dose of at least 3 grams/day.
US08569364B2

Methods of inhibiting cytochrome P450 2D6 enzymes are provided that can be used for improving the treatment of diseases by preventing degradation of drugs or other molecules by cytochrome P450 2D6. Pharmaceutical compositions are provided that can act as boosters to improve the pharmacokinetics, enhance the bioavailability, and enhance the therapeutic effect of drugs that undergo in vivo degradation by cytochrome P450 2D6 enzymes. The compositions comprise 5-substituted benzofuran compounds having the formula I:
US08569362B2

The present invention relates to a polyketide molecule of the following formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where R1 is a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C7) alkyl group, as well as the method of preparation and use thereof, in particular as an anticancer agent.
US08569358B2

Describe is a method of administering to a subject silymarin, or of the main constituents thereof alone or as a mixture, chosen from silybin (or 2,3-dihydro-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(3, 5,7-trihydroxy-4-oxobenzopyran-2-yl)benzodioxine), isosilybin, silydianin, silychristin, silandrin, silymonin and taxifolin, isolated enantiomers thereof and also salts thereof.
US08569351B2

The invention is directed to compounds having the formula: wherein: Ar, X, R3, and R5-7 are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds have AT1 receptor antagonist activity and neprilysin inhibition activity. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08569337B2

The present invention relates to compounds of tri-cyclic pyrazolopyridine useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions containing such compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08569336B2

This invention relates to compounds of the Formula (I): (Chemical formula should be inserted here as it appears on abstract in paper form) (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which can be useful for the treatment of diseases or conditions mediated by MMPs, ADAMs, TACE, aggrecanase, TNF- or combinations thereof.
US08569334B2

The present application is directed to novel P2X7R antagonists that are indol-3-carboxamide or azaindole-3-carboxamide compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same and their use for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of diseases mediated by P2X7R activity.
US08569326B2

The present invention relates to Rifaximin polymorphic forms, to their use in medicinal preparations and to therapeutic methods using them.
US08569325B2

A method for the prevention of diseases caused by thrombus or embolus. The method is to separately administer 2-acetoxy-5-(α-cyclopropylcarbonyl-2-fluorobenzyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and aspirin, in their pharmacologically effective amounts, to a warm-blooded animal.
US08569324B2

The present invention relates to a radiotherapy enhancer that can reduce the radiation dose and adverse drug reactions when used in combination with a cancer radiotherapy. There is provided a radiotherapy enhancer comprising, as an active ingredient, a pyridine derivative represented by general formula (1): wherein R1, R2, and R4 may be the same or different from one another and represent a hydrogen atom, hydroxy group, or protected hydroxy group, excluding the case where R1, R2, and R4 are all a hydrogen atom, and R3 represents a halogen atom, amino group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, cyano group, nitro group, alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or carbonyl group containing an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms).
US08569319B2

Compounds useful in the treatment of mammalian cancers and especially human cancers according to Formula I are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment employing the compounds disclosed herein are also disclosed.
US08569312B2

In its many embodiments, the present invention provides a novel class of biaryl spiroaminooxazoline analogues as modulators of α2C adrenergic receptor agonists, methods of preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more such compounds, methods of preparing pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more such compounds, and methods of treatment, prevention, inhibition, or amelioration of one or more conditions associated with the α2C adrenergic receptors using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions.
US08569309B2

A 4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin derivative of formula(III) having anti-tumor activity is provided. After the activation of hydroxyl in position C4 of 4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin, tetramethylpyrazine is introduced by transamination to obtain the 4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin derivative which is preferably used to inhibit gastric cancer line BGC-823.
US08569289B2

Fumarate salt of 4-bromophenyl 1,4-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane-4-carboxylate, crystalline forms thereof, methods of preparation thereof, and therapeutic use thereof.
US08569286B2

The present invention provides a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate, and a pharmaceutical composition containing said compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate, useful as a Notch pathway signaling inhibitor for the treatment of cancer.
US08569276B2

The present invention relates, inter alia, to compounds having the general formula: in which R1, R2, R3, R4 and X are as defined by the present specification. In addition to providing the compounds of Formula I, the present invention provides methods wherein the compounds of Formula I are advantageously used, inter alia, to antagonize endogenous progesterone; to induce menses; to treat endometriosis; to treat dysmenorrhea; to treat endocrine hormone-dependent tumors; to treat meningiomas; to treat uterine leiomyomas; to treat uterine fibroids; to inhibit uterine endometrial proliferation; to induce cervical ripening; to induce labor; and for contraception.
US08569270B2

Provided are diphenyl sulfide derivatives which have excellent S1P3 antagonistic activity and are useful as drugs. Intensive studies have been made for the purpose of creating a compound having S1P3 antagonistic activity. As a result of the intensive studies, it has been found that diphenyl sulfide derivatives represented by general formula (1) have excellent S1P3 antagonistic activity. In general formula (1), R1 is a hydrogen atom or the like; R2 is an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or the like; X is a methylene group which may be substituted with one or two fluorine atoms, or the like; Y is a hydrogen atom or the like; and Z is a halogen atom.
US08569267B2

This invention concerns novel substituted tetracyclic tetrahydrofuran derivatives containing a cyclic amine side chain with binding affinities towards dopamine receptors, in particular dopamine D2 receptors, towards serotonin receptors, in particular 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds according to the invention, the use thereof as a medicine, in particular for the prevention and/or treatment of a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders, in particular certain psychotic, cardiovascular and gastrokinetic disorders and processes for their production.The compounds according to the invention can be represented by general Formula (I) and comprises also a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, an N-oxide form thereof or a quaternary ammonium salt thereof, wherein all substituents are defined as in Claim 1.
US08569256B2

The present invention provides compositions and methods for the delivery of therapeutic agents to cells. In particular, these include novel cationic lipids and nucleic acid-lipid particles that provide efficient encapsulation of nucleic acids and efficient delivery of the encapsulated nucleic acid to cells in vivo. The compositions of the present invention are highly potent, thereby allowing effective knock-down of a specific target protein at relatively low doses. In addition, the compositions and methods of the present invention are less toxic and provide a greater therapeutic index compared to compositions and methods previously known in the art.
US08569247B2

The present invention relates to a composition derived from the hydrolysate of plant containing crocin or the derivatives thereof. The composition includes a significant amount of crocetin monoester. The present invention also provides a method to hydrolyze crocin existing in a plant extract, and further relates to the use.
US08569245B2

This invention relates to grassystatins A, B and C, and their isolated or purified forms. The compounds of the invention are useful as aspartic protease, gamma secretase, or metalloprotease inhibitors. Methods of using the compounds and compositions thereof are also disclosed.
US08569242B2

The invention herein related to methods and compositions for treating nervous system disorders. The methods comprise administration of antibodies directed towards peptides that bind to receptors important in disease progression, thus attenuating the disease.
US08569238B2

The activated Factor XI is provided as an antitussive for cough caused by the stimulation at the tracheal bifurcation such as chronic cough. A pharmaceutical composition for prevention, treatment and/or symptom amelioration of cough, comprising a polypeptide chain as an active ingredient and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the polypeptide chain consists of a full length amino acid sequence constituting activated Factor XI (hereinafter also referred to as “FXIa”), the amino acid sequence with one or several amino acids therein being deleted, substituted or added, or a partial sequence of either of the above amino acid sequences, or an amino acid sequence comprising as a part any of the above amino acid sequences.
US08569236B2

A method for treating conditions related to lack of blood supply with a lipid based resuscitation fluid is disclosed. The resuscitation fluid contains a lipid component and an aqueous carrier. The lipid component forms an emulsion with the aqueous carrier. The resuscitation fluid can be used to increase the blood pressure and to carry oxygen to tissues. The resuscitation fluid can also be used for preserving the biological integrity of donor organs for transplantation.
US08569228B2

The embodiments provide Compound KC-8, N-1-[3-(oxycodone-6-enol-carbonyl-methyl-amino) -2,2-dimethyl-propylamine]-arginine-glycine-malonic acid, or acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof. The present disclosure also provides compositions, and their methods of use, where the compositions comprise a prodrug, Compound KC-8, that provides controlled release of oxycodone. Such compositions can optionally provide a trypsin inhibitor that interacts with the enzyme that mediates the controlled release of oxycodone from the prodrug so as to attenuate enzymatic cleavage of the prodrug.
US08569227B2

A protein scaffold based on a consensus sequence of fibronectin type III (FN3) proteins, such as the tenth FN3 repeat from human fibronectin (human Tenascin), including isolated nucleic acids that encode a protein scaffold, vectors, host cells, and methods of making and using thereof, exhibit enhanced thermal and chemical stability while presenting six modifiable loop domains which can be engineered to form a binding partner capable of binding to a target for applications in diagnostic and/or therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.
US08569221B2

A cleaning composition that can discharge the color of blood, menstrual fluids, or other organic stains is provided. In particular, the present invention achieves a balance between control of unwanted liquid spreading by lateral wicking on a stained textile fabric to lessen the size of wet spots and maintaining the cleaning efficacy of the composition by means of specific kinds of thickening agents. The composition includes an oxidizing agent such as peroxides, a cell-lysing agent, a chelating agent, an antioxidant, a thickener, and other optional ingredients that are selectively employed to achieve an aqueous based composition that exhibits good shelf stability and stain removal properties. The thickening agent may include a cellulosic or clay material, starch, gum, fatty acid, fatty alcohol, hydrophilic colloidal particles, polyoxyethylene glycol or polyoxyethylene glycol derivatives including fatty acid esters and ethers, or a combination thereof.
US08569218B2

A gelled cleaning composition is provided that includes a standard temperature and pressure (STP) liquid oil or STP malleable wax present from 0.1 to 9.9 total weight percent. An emulsifier is present from 0.01 to 10 total weight percent, along with an alkylene glycol present from 0.002 to 11 total weight percent. A microemulsion is present in the composition from 0.2 to 15 total weight percent. Water forms a majority of the composition such that the composition is monophasic for at least 4 months storage at 20° Celsius. The composition is well suited for use in a process to remove a lipophilic substance from hands or an inanimate substrate by applying the composition and after allow sufficient time for the substance to be softened or solubilized, removing the composition and at least a portion of the substance. Silicone gaskets, as well as other cured resins and paints are readily removed.
US08569216B2

A Group IV/Group V lubricating composition providing improved antioxidation performance comprises from 5 wt. % to 40 wt. % of a Group V base oil component, such as alkylated naphthalene, at least 30 wt. % of a Group IV base oil component, such as one or more polyalphaolefin base stocks, and from 0.25 wt. % to 1.5 wt. % of a trithiophosphate-containing compound. The trithiophosphate-containing compound is preferably C30H57O7PS3. The lubricating composition includes not greater than 5 wt. % of a Group I, Group II, or Group III base oil component, and, preferably not greater than 10 ppm heavy metal component. The lubricating composition preferably has a kinematic viscosity of from 20 cSt to 1,000 cSt at 40° C. and a viscosity index (VI) of from 130 to 200.
US08569213B2

Invert emulsion drilling fluids that have extended emulsion stability and reduced sag potential can be realized through incorporation of colloidal particles therein. The invert emulsion drilling fluids can be free of organophilic clays. The organophilic clay-free drilling fluids can comprise: an oleaginous fluid continuous phase; an aqueous fluid internal phase; a surfactant; a weighting agent; and a plurality of colloidal particles, the colloidal particles comprising fibrous colloidal particles and at least one other type of colloidal particle; wherein at least a portion of the plurality of colloidal particles interact with the surfactant to form an associative supporting structure that inhibits sag of the weighting agent.
US08569211B2

The invention provides a herbicidal composition containing, as an active ingredient, glycerol fatty acid ester obtained from fatty acid having an even-numbered carbon number of 6-12 and glycerol.
US08569210B2

Oil-in-water fungicidal formulations are prepared having pigment dispersed therein, the pigment being stable within the oil-in-water emulsion as a result of the addition of suitable silicone surfactants and suitable emulsifiers. The formulations can be prepared either as a 2-pack formulation or as a single formulation. In the case of the single formulation polyethylene glycol is also added. In either case, the formulations show a synergistic effect through the addition of the pigment, the resulting formulations having an increased efficacy. Further, the formulations show a synergistic effect when mixed with conventional chemical fungicides, both being added in reduced amounts compared to recommended rates.
US08569208B1

Color change compositions that transition from a first to second color state upon application of an applied stimulus are provided. Also provided are substrates having the compositions on a surface thereof, as well as methods of making and using the compositions.
US08569202B2

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.
US08569201B2

An exhaust gas purifying catalyst includes: rhodium; a zirconium-containing oxide which supports rhodium, and comprises: at least one element selected from the group consisting of calcium, lanthanum, cerium, neodymium and yttrium; and zirconium; and a NOx absorbing material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of magnesium, barium, sodium, potassium and cesium. A degree of dispersion of rhodium is 20% or more after baking at 900° C. in air for three hours. A method for manufacturing the exhaust gas purifying catalyst includes: mixing the zirconium-containing oxide with water, thereby preparing an aqueous liquid of the zirconium-containing oxide; and supporting rhodium on the zirconium-containing oxide by mixing the aqueous liquid of the zirconium-containing oxide with an aqueous solution of a rhodium salt. A pH of a mixed liquid of the aqueous solution of the rhodium salt and the aqueous liquid of the zirconium-containing oxide is adjusted to 7 or more.
US08569197B2

For preparing a reforming catalyst comprising a support, a group VIIIB metal and a group VIIB metal, comprises the following steps in the order a) then b) or b) then a): a step a) impregnating the support with an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid comprising a group VIIIB metal; a step b) impregnating the support with an aqueous solution comprising a group VIIB metal and a sulphur-containing complexing agent in a reducing environment, or a step b) impregnation with an aqueous solution comprising a group VIIB metal, then with a solution comprising a sulphur-containing complexing agent in a reducing environment. The reducing environment is any reducing atmosphere comprising more than 0.1% by weight of a reducing gas or a mixture of reducing gases; or reducing solutions comprising, with respect to the group VIIB metal, in the range 0.1 to 20 equivalents of reducing metals, reducing organic compounds or inorganic reducing compounds.
US08569195B2

The present invention relates to catalyst systems containing solid catalyst components comprising titanium, magnesium, halogen and an internal electron donor compound having at least one ether group and at least one ketone group; organoaluminum compounds and alkyl benzoate derivatives as external electron donors. The present invention also relates to methods of making the catalyst systems, and methods of polymerizing or copolymerizing alpha-olefins using the catalyst systems.
US08569194B2

The present invention relates to a supported catalyst composition for polymerization of olefins comprising at least two catalytic components; and a polymerization process using that catalyst composition; and a method for its preparation.
US08569193B2

Disclosed herein is a method of surface-functionalizing a porous organic-inorganic hybrid material or a organic-inorganic mesoporous material, in which organic substances, inorganic substances, ionic liquids and organic-inorganic hybrid substances are selectively functionalized on the coordinatively unsaturated metal sites of a porous organic-inorganic hybrid material or organic-inorganic mesoporous material, and thus the porous organic-inorganic hybrid material can be used for adsorbents, gas storage devices, sensors, membranes, functional thin films, catalysts, catalytic supports, and the like, and the applications of the surface-functionalized porous organic-inorganic hybrid material prepared using the method to catalytic reactions.
US08569190B2

The waterproof/breathable moisture transfer liner for a snowboard boot includes an inner liner selected from technically advanced fabrics which are carefully selected. A series of layers are provided outside the inner liner including foam material layers, breathable membranes, a supportive mesh or a moldable foam, and an outer shell fabric. The applicability of the liner to alpine, cross country and hiking boots, along with appropriate variations for each application.
US08569189B2

The invention relates to an electronic textile comprising a textile substrate having a substrate electrode, and an electronic component having a component electrode. The component electrode is in electrically conductive contact with the substrate electrode via a coupling layer having a directionally dependent conductance so as to preferentially allow an electrical current to flow between the substrate electrode and the component electrode. As the coupling layer does not have to be patterned to prevent the occurrence of parasitic electrical currents, the electrically conductive contact between the substrate electrode and the component electrode has an improved reliability.
US08569185B2

A method for fabricating an integrated device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a hard mask layer with a limited thickness is formed over a gate electrode layer. A treatment is provided to the hard mask layer to make the hard mask layer more resistant to a wet etch solution. Then, a patterning is provided on the treated hard mask layer and the gate electrode to from a gate structure.
US08569173B2

Disclosed herein are various methods of protecting elevated polysilicon structures during etching processes. In one example, the method includes forming a layer stack above a semiconducting substrate for a memory device, forming a protective mask layer above the layer stack of the memory device and performing at least one etching process to define a gate electrode for a transistor while the protective mask is in position above the layer stack for the memory device.
US08569172B1

A method for forming a non-volatile memory device includes disposing a junction layer comprising a doped silicon-bearing material in electrical contact with a first conductive material, forming a switching layer comprising an undoped amorphous silicon-bearing material upon at least a portion of the junction layer, disposing a layer comprising a non-noble metal material upon at least a portion of the switching layer, disposing an active metal layer comprising a noble metal material upon at least a portion of the layer, and forming a second conductive material in electrical contact with the active metal layer.
US08569170B2

It is an object of the present invention to obtain a transistor with a high ON current including a silicide layer without increasing the number of steps. A semiconductor device comprising the transistor includes a first region in which a thickness is increased from an edge on a channel formation region side and a second region in which a thickness is more uniform than that of the first region. The first and second region are separated by a line which is perpendicular to a horizontal line and passes through a point where a line, which passes through the edge of the silicide layer and forms an angle θ (0°<θ<45°) with the horizontal line, intersects with an interface between the silicide layer and an impurity region, and the thickness of the second region to a thickness of a silicon film is 0.6 or more.
US08569166B2

Methods are provided for processing a substrate for depositing an adhesion layer having a low dielectric constant between two low k dielectric layers. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for processing a substrate including depositing a barrier layer on the substrate, wherein the barrier layer comprises silicon and carbon and has a dielectric constant less than 4, depositing a dielectric initiation layer adjacent the barrier layer, and depositing a first dielectric layer adjacent the dielectric initiation layer, wherein the dielectric layer comprises silicon, oxygen, and carbon and has a dielectric constant of about 3 or less.
US08569162B2

A conductive bump structure is formed on a substrate having a plurality of bonding pads and a first insulating layer thereon. The first insulating layer has a plurality of openings formed therein for exposing the bonding pads and a conductive post is formed on the bonding pads exposed through the openings. Therein, a gap is formed between the conductive post and the wall of the opening such that no contact occurs between the conductive post and the first insulating layer, thereby preventing delamination of the conductive bump structure caused by stresses concentrating on an interface of different materials as in the prior art.
US08569157B2

An improved method of moving a mask to perform a pattern implant of a substrate is disclosed. The mask has a plurality of apertures, and is placed between the ion source and the substrate. After the substrate is exposed to the ion beam, the mask is indexed to a new position relative to the substrate and a subsequent implant step is performed. Through the selection of the aperture size and shape, the index distance and the number of implant steps, a variety of implant patterns may be created. In some embodiments, the implant pattern includes heavily doped horizontal stripes with lighter doped regions between the stripes. In some embodiments, the implant pattern includes a grid of heavily doped regions. In other embodiments, the implant pattern is suitable for use with a bus-bar structure.
US08569154B2

A method includes patterning a photoresist layer on a structure to define an opening and expose a first planar area on a sacrificial substrate layer, etching to the exposed first planar area to form a cavity having a first depth in the structure, removing a portion of the photoresist to increase the size of the opening to define a second planar area on the sacrificial substrate layer, forming a doped portion in the sacrificial substrate layer, and etching the cavity to increase the depth of the cavity to expose a first conductor in the structure and to increase the planar area and depth of a portion of the cavity to expose a second conductor in the structure.
US08569141B2

A method includes forming a polysilicon layer over a substrate, forming a hard mask over the polysilicon layer, and doping a first portion of the hard mask with a dopant to form a doped hard mask region, wherein a second portion of the hard mask is not doped with the dopant. An etching step is performed to etch the first and the second portions of the hard mask, wherein the second portion of the hard mask is removed, and wherein at least a bottom portion of the doped hard mask region is not removed. After the etching step, the bottom portion of the doped hard mask region is removed. Electrical connections are formed to connect to a portion of the polysilicon layer in order to form a resistor.
US08569139B2

An integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing the integrated circuit device is disclosed. The disclosed method provides improved control over a surface proximity and tip depth of an integrated circuit device. In an embodiment, the method achieves improved control by forming a doped region and a lightly doped source and drain (LDD) region in a source and drain region of the device. The doped region is implanted with a dopant type opposite to the LDD region.
US08569128B2

A semiconductor structure includes a first PMOS transistor element having a gate region with a first gate metal associated with a PMOS work function and a first NMOS transistor element having a gate region with a second metal associated with a NMOS work function. The first PMOS transistor element and the first NMOS transistor element form a first CMOS device. The semiconductor structure also includes a second PMOS transistor that is formed in part by concurrent deposition with the first NMOS transistor element of the second metal associated with a NMOS work function to form a second CMOS device with different operating characteristics than the first CMOS device.
US08569127B2

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A substrate having thereon a polysilicon resistor is provided. A dielectric layer is formed over the substrate covering the polysilicon resistor. The dielectric layer is etched to form a contact opening over the polysilicon resistor, with overetching into the polysilicon resistor. A metal silicide layer is formed on the polysilicon resistor in the contact opening. A metal material is filled in the contact opening. A portion of the dielectric layer, the metal material, and a portion of the polysilicon resistor are removed to expose the metal silicide layer. A metal contact is formed over the metal silicide layer.
US08569126B2

A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate in which active regions of a memory cell are defined, a gate electrode formed on a device isolation insulating film to extend in a first direction, a first insulating film formed on the silicon substrate and the gate electrode, a first plug formed to penetrate the first insulating film, to overlap with the gate electrode and the first active region, and to extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a second plug penetrating the first insulating film above the second active region, a second insulating film formed on the first insulating film, and an interconnection buried in the second insulating film, and formed to recede from a side surface of the first plug in the second direction and to cover only part of an upper surface of the first plug.
US08569124B2

A compound semiconductor device includes a substrate; a compound semiconductor layer formed on the substrate; a first insulating film formed on the compound semiconductor layer; a second insulating film formed on the first insulating film; and a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, each being formed on the compound semiconductor layer, wherein the gate electrode is formed of a first opening filled with a first conductive material via at least a gate insulator, and the first opening is formed in the first insulating film and configured to partially expose the compound semiconductor layer, and wherein the source electrode and the drain electrode are formed of a pair of second openings filled with at least a second conductive material, and the second openings are formed in at least the second insulating film and the first insulating film and configured to partially expose the compound semiconductor layer.
US08569113B2

A method for producing a microfluid component includes: Producing a single polymer layer made of at least one plastic or a plastic composite and having a microfluid structure, fitting the polymer layer with at least one semiconductor element, and/or with at least one electronic component, and/or with an optical or optoelectronic component, sealing the microfluid structure.
US08569109B2

A method for attaching a metal surface to a carrier is provided, the method including: depositing a porous layer over at least one of a metal surface and a side of a carrier; and attaching the at least one of a metal surface and a side of a carrier to the porous layer by bringing a material into pores of the porous layer, resulting in the material forming an interconnection between the metal surface and the carrier.
US08569078B2

The present invention provides novel compositions of binding moiety-nanoparticle conjugates, aggregates of these conjugates, and novel methods of using these conjugates, and aggregates. The nanoparticles in these conjugates can be magnetic metal oxides, either monodisperse or polydisperse. Binding moieties can be, e.g., oligonucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides. Oligonucleotide sequences are linked to either non-polymer surface functionalized metal oxides or with functionalized polymers associated with the metal oxides. The novel compositions can be used in assays for detecting target molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, in vitro or as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents to detect target molecules in living organisms.
US08569076B2

A method and system for performing a serological agglutination assay in a liquid sample. The system provides a simple method for creating an in-situ sample/reagent admixture within a sample analysis chamber without the use of any precision fluid-handling components.
US08569061B2

The invention provides media formulations. A complete media formulation of the invention includes, for example, the following components: albumin, an iron carrier, glutamine, a glycosidase or hydrolase, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), a salt or mineral, and essential amino acids at an osmolarity of about 220-330 mOsm/Liter.
US08569059B2

The invention relates to a method of identifying CD4+ CD25+ T cells activated to an antigen in a population of T cells, comprising identifying CD4+ CD25+ T cells which express CD8. The invention also relates to a method of isolating CD4+ CD25+ T cells activated to an antigen comprising isolating CD4+ CD25+ T cells which express CD8. The invention also relates to a method of increasing tolerance to an antigen in a subject comprising administering CD4+ CD25+ T cells which express CD8.
US08569054B2

Disclosed are compositions and methods for increasing the longevity of a cell culture and permitting the increased production of proteins, preferably recombinant proteins, such as antibodies, peptides, enzymes, growth factors, interleukins, interferons, hormones, and vaccines. Cells transfected with an apoptosis-inhibiting gene or vector, such as a triple mutant Bcl-2 gene, can survive longer in culture, resulting in extension of the state and yield of protein biosynthesis. Such transfected cells exhibit maximal cell densities that equal or exceed the maximal density achieved by the parent cell lines. Transfected cells can also be pre-adapted for growth in serum-free medium, greatly decreasing the time required to obtain protein production in serum-free medium. In certain methods, the pre-adapted cells can be used for protein production following transformation under serum-free conditions. The method preferably involves eukaryotic cells, more preferably mammalian cells.
US08569045B2

Provided are a water toxicity detecting apparatus and a method using sulfur particles. The water toxicity detecting apparatus using sulfur particles includes: a reaction container containing microbes, in which externally-supplied sulfur particles and oxygen are reacted to form sulfate ions by the microbes; a water sample inlet through which a water sample is flown into the reaction container; an air inlet through which an air is flown into the reaction container; a first detection unit which detects pH and electrical conductivity of the inflow water sample flown through the water sample inlet; a second detection unit which detects pH and electrical conductivity of the water sample containing the sulfate ions generated in the reaction container; a central processing unit which stores data of the ph and electrical conductivity of the inflow water sample flown through the water sample inlet, adjusts a pumping speed of a pump provided to the water sample inlet and a flow rate of the air, and compares data of the first detection unit with data of the second detection unit to determine presence of toxicity of the water sample; and an outlet through the after-toxicity-test water sample is exhausted from the reaction container.
US08569040B1

The present invention pertains to compositions and methods for more efficiently and effectively growing microalgae suitable for biofuel production. In one aspect, the invention pertains to a composition comprising microalgae and a suitable growth medium. The suitable growth medium comprises a nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt, and a carbonate salt. The concentration of nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt is from about 75 to about 200 μM while the concentration of carbonate salt is from about 1 to about 6 mM.
US08569029B2

The present invention relates to cells producing at least one polypeptide of interest and expressing one or more recombinant nuclease encoding gene(s) thereby producing the nuclease(s), and methods for producing a polypeptide of interest essentially free from contaminating DNA, said method comprising the steps of: (a) cultivating a cell that produces at least one polypeptide of interest and expresses one or more recombinant nuclease encoding gene(s) thereby producing the nuclease(s); and (b) isolating the polypeptide of interest.
US08569028B2

A method for encapsulation of microparticles (e.g., fungal conidia), involving (i) suspending microparticles in an aqueous solution containing at least one sugar to form an aqueous suspension wherein the concentration of said sugar is about 0.1 to 10% w/v, and (ii) spray drying said aqueous suspension with a spray dryer, wherein the inlet temperature of said spray dryer is about 40° C. to about 140° C. and the outlet temperature of said spray dryer is about 20° C. to about 80° C.
US08569018B2

The inventive process converts cellulosic biomass into a gel-like state that is readily hydrolyzed by appropriate enzymes. First the biomass is mechanically reduced in size. The biomass is then mixed and kneaded with an aqueous solution of a hydrophilic polymer that acts as a conditioning agent or as a co-solvent. During mixing the cellulose (and hemicellulose) in the biomass swells and becomes hydrated forming a viscous gel-like material. The processed material can then be thinned through the addition of water whereupon hydrolytic enzymes are mixed into the material and rapid hydrolysis into free sugars takes place. Dextrins are effective hydrophilic polymers for conditioning biomass. Polyvinyl alcohol is a particularly effective conditioning agent for use with biomass when converted into a viscous gel by adding borate ions.
US08569013B2

The present disclosure relates to engineered penicillin G acylase (PGA) enzymes having improved properties, polynucleotides encoding such enzymes, compositions including the enzymes, and methods of using the enzymes.
US08569007B2

The present invention includes a method for reducing the appearance of false positive bands in SDS-PAGE analysis of proteolytic digestion, of a sample that comprises an immunoglobulin polypeptide, at pH 8.8.
US08569005B2

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a protein arginine methyltransferase inhibitor is provided. The inhibitor comprises an amino acid peptide joined to a chloroacetamidine warhead.
US08569004B2

The invention relates to a method for improving the heat stability of glucose dehydrogenase (GDH). The invention provides a method for preparing a glucose sensor with soluble flavin-bound GDH by providing a composition comprising soluble flavin-bound GDH at an acidic pH and heat drying the composition onto a glucose sensor.
US08569003B2

The fusion protein comprising (1) a first region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 and (2) a second region comprising an amino acid sequence for a polypeptide containing at least one cysteine residue for binding to other useful compound via the thiol group can be modified by chemical modification, and thus has a high catalytic ability for a luminescence activity and is highly available for general purposes.
US08568999B2

The present invention relates to biomarkers for preeclampsia as well as treatment of this disease. In particular, the invention relates to methods for diagnosis or aiding in the diagnosis of preeclampsia of a pregnant female mammal to detect elevated levels of free haemoglobin, particularly free fetal haemoglobin. This facilitates and makes possible early diagnosis and clinical intervention when a preeclamptic condition is found. In addition, the invention relates to a method to treat female mammals with preeclampsia with the purpose to reverse the pathological conditions associated with this disease.
US08568998B2

The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.
US08568997B2

A system for the detection of molecular associations, the system comprising: i) a first agent, comprising a first interacting group coupled to a first reporter component; ii) a second agent, comprising a second interacting group coupled to a second reporter component; iii) a third agent, comprising a third interacting group; iv) a modulator; and v) a detector; wherein proximity of the first and second reporter components generates a signal capable of detection by the detector; and wherein the modulator modulates the association of the second interacting group with the third interacting group; such that monitoring the signal generated by proximity of the first and second reporter components by the detector constitutes monitoring the association of the first and third agents.
US08568989B2

The invention provides compositions (e.g., peptide compositions) useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Borrelia antigens. The peptide compositions comprise polypeptide sequences comprising variants in the IR6 domain of the Borrelia VlsE protein. The invention also provides devices, methods, and kits comprising such peptide compositions and useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Borrelia antigens and the diagnosis of Lyme disease.
US08568988B2

The present invention relates to a diagnostic method for acute myeloid leukemia, in particular, a method for using CFH or ApoH in patient sera as biochemical diagnostic markers to determine complete remission in acute myeloid leukemia. In accordance with this invention, CFH and ApoH are identified as a novel biochemical marker for understanding the biological mechanism and responsiveness to disease in AML patients after induction chemotherapy, and can be used as a biochemical marker for evaluating the prognosis of disease in patients after induction chemotherapy.
US08568979B2

The invention provides a method of selecting a representational sample of nucleic acid sequences from a complex mixture. The method includes: (a) contacting a complex mixture of nucleic acids under conditions sufficient for hybridization with a population of capture probes complementary to one or more nucleic acids comprising a predetermined portion of the sequence collectively present in the complex mixture to form hybridization complexes of the one or more nucleic acids with the population of probes, the population of capture probes being attached to a solid support, and (b) removing unhybridized nucleic acids to select a representational sample of nucleic acids having a complexity of less than 10% but more than 0.001% of the complex mixture, wherein the representational sample comprises a nucleic acid copy having a proportion of each sequence in the copy relative to all other sequences in the copy substantially the same as the proportions of the sequences in the predetermined portion of one or more nucleic acids within the complex mixture.
US08568978B1

The present invention relates to a technique for the T7 promoter-driven expression of a foreign protein, preferably, a human protein in E. coli having no T7 RNA polymerase. More particularly, the present invention relates to use of a vector including a T7 promoter and an N-terminal HA tag sequence for overexpression of a foreign protein in E. coli having no T7 RNA polymerase, E. coli that includes the vector and is able to overexpress the foreign protein in the absence of T7 RNA polymerase, a method for expressing or producing the foreign protein using the E. coli, and a method for analyzing functions of the foreign protein. Further, the present invention relates to a simple, rapid method for evaluating the expression and cytotoxicity of a human protein in E. coli by using the vector.
US08568977B2

Based on the observation of the cooperation of osteopontin (OPN) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the promotion of the metastatic phenotype, therapies and diagnostic assays are disclosed for the treatment of a tumor that overexpresses OPN, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for example metastatic HCC. In one example, methods of treating a tumor include administration of an agent that reduces cellular invasion resulting from the interaction between a fragment of OPN (OPN-5kD) generated by MMP-9 cleavage and CD44 receptor. Examples of such agents include fragments of OPN-5kD and antibodies specific for OPN-5kD. Therapeutic compositions are also provided that include such agents. Also provided are methods of diagnosing or prognosing a tumor, for example by detecting expression of OPN-5kD peptide or OPN-c mRNA in a biological sample obtained from the subject. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind OPN-5kD.
US08568971B2

The present invention concerns methods and compositions for isolating, enriching, and/or labeling miRNA molecules and for preparing and using arrays or other detection techniques for miRNA analysis. Moreover, the present invention concerns methods and compositions for generating miRNA profiles and employing such profiles for therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic applications.
US08568969B2

Methods for screening molecules that modulate the activity of Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) and their use in treatment of insulin resistance are described. Also described are methods of diagnosing insulin resistance and related conditions by detecting modulation of RBP4 activity.
US08568967B2

A method is provided for diagnosis of the severity of a condition in an eosinophilic inflammatory disease such as nasal polyp and for prediction of the recurrence of the disease.
US08568963B2

A method of manufacturing a mask for depositing a thin film is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes i) providing a raw material substrate for a deposition mask; ii) removing a portion of the raw material substrate to form a pattern, wherein a plurality of openings are defined in the pattern; and iii) irradiating at least a laser beam onto the openings of the pattern at an inclination angle with respect to the raw material substrate such that inclined portions are formed at the side surfaces of each of the openings of the pattern.
US08568959B2

A photomask includes a light transmitting substrate and an absorber layer adjacent thereto. The absorber layer includes a silicide, such as molybdenum silicide, patterned into a plurality of features. The surrounding environment is controlled to prevent undesirable growth by oxidation of the absorber layer when the mask is exposed to light while being used to fabricate integrated circuits. In another aspect, the surrounding environment is controlled to encourage desirable growth by oxidation of the absorber layer when the mask is exposed to light.
US08568957B2

Optical information media having a support substrate and an inorganic nanomaterial data layer are disclosed. The data layer provides enhanced stability and optical performance as compared to conventional data layers.
US08568954B2

A positive photosensitive resin composition according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a polyamic acid or a polyamic acid ester compound including a repeating unit represented by Formula 1 defined in this specification, a photosensitive diazoquinone compound, a silane compound, a phenol compound, and a solvent. The positive photosensitive resin composition can be cured at a low temperature of 260° C. or less, and can have high sensitivity, resolution, residue removal, substrate adherence, and pattern-forming capabilities, and low film shrinkage.
US08568947B2

Disclosed is a green toner for developing a static latent image containing a binder resin and a colorant, and the colorant contains C.I. Solvent Green 5 and colorant compound X represented by Formula (1), and content ratio of C.I. Solvent Green 5 in whole amount of the colorant is 5 to 50% by weight, in the Formula (1), M1 is a metal atom of Group 14, Q is independently a monovalent substituent, m and n are each 0 or 1, at least one of m and n is 1, and A is independently an atomic group forming an aromatic ring which may have a substituent.
US08568943B2

A unitized electrode assembly (9) for use in the fuel cell comprises a first GDL (23), a PEM (28), and a second GDL (12), with electrode catalyst (27, 30) disposed between said PEM and each of said GDLs, said layers (23, 27, 30, 12) being impregnated with a thermoplastic polymer a sufficient distance from each edge of the UEA so as to form a fluid seal (13). The UEA is formed by a process which comprises making a sandwich of some or all of said layers (23, 27, 28, 30 and 33), with thermoplastic polymer film (22, 25, 32, 35) extending inwardly from the edges of said sandwich a sufficient distance to form the seal, said thermoplastic polymer film being disposed between each electrode and the adjacent GDL and/or between each GDL and release film (21, 36) on the top and bottom of the sandwich. The sandwich, compressed by force between a holding fixture (19) and an anvil (40), is heated by ultrasonic vibration so as to cause said thermoplastic polymer to melt and impregnate the layers (23, 27, 30, 12) of the UEA with the film (22 and/or 25; 32 and/or 35).
US08568939B2

A fuel cell includes a membrane-electrode assembly, passageways provided on both sides of the membrane-electrode assembly, and fluid-permeable members provided between the membrane-electrode assembly and the passageways. Thermal resistance of the fluid-permeable member on an anode side is lower than that of the fluid-permeable member on a cathode side. In this case, heat flux at the anode side fluid-permeable member is increased, and heat flux at the cathode side fluid-permeable member is decreased.
US08568928B2

A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a positive electrode (1), a negative electrode (2), and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode has a positive electrode mixture layer containing a positive electrode active material, a binder agent, and a conductive agent. The positive electrode active material in the positive electrode mixture layer contains an olivine-type lithium-containing metal phosphate represented by the general formula LixMPO4, where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Mn, and Fe, and x is 0
US08568927B2

A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode contains a lithium compound and a negative electrode current collector supporting the lithium compound. A log differential intrusion curve obtained when a pore size diameter of the negative electrode is measured by mercury porosimetry has a peak in a pore size diameter range of 0.03 to 0.2 μm and attenuates with a decrease in pore size diameter from an apex of the peak. A specific surface area (excluding a weight of the negative electrode current collector) of pores of the negative electrode found by mercury porosimetry is 6 to 100 m2/g. A ratio of a volume of pores having a pore size diameter of 0.05 μm or less to a total pore volume is 20% or more.
US08568926B2

A non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes an electrode group includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode disposed through a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode comprises a current collector and a porous negative electrode layer formed on the current collector and containing a lithium compound. The porous negative electrode layer has a first peak at a pore diameter of 0.04 to 0.15 μm and a second peak at a pore diameter of 0.8 to 6 μm in the relation between the pore diameter and log differential intrusion obtained in the mercury press-in method.
US08568913B2

A battery module capable of improving low-temperature performance and heat dissipation characteristics. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a heat conducting member. The plurality of battery cells are aligned in one direction. The heat conducting member is interposed between the neighboring battery cells, and has at least one electronic element that generates a change in temperature of the battery cells.
US08568911B2

The liquid electrolyte storage battery includes a battery case consisting of a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall delineating a cavity. The top wall includes an electrolyte injection hole. The battery case also includes a lateral hole formed in a bottom area of the side wall and defining a tank area for a liquid electrolyte solution. The tank area is delineated by the bottom wall, the side wall and a plane parallel to the bottom wall and passing via the lower edge of the lateral hole.
US08568904B2

A housing is provided which includes an aluminum or aluminum alloys substrate, an aluminum layer and a corrosion resistant layer formed on the aluminum or aluminum alloys substrate in that order. The corrosion resistant layer is an Al—O—N layer. Then, La ions is implanted in the Al—O—N layer by ion implantation process. The atomic percentages of N and O in the Al—O—N gradient layer gradually increase from the bottom of the layer near the aluminum or aluminum alloys substrate to the top of the layer away from aluminum or aluminum alloys substrate by physical vapor deposition. The housing has a higher corrosion resistance. A method for making the housing is also provided.
US08568900B2

Methods of forming a metal oxide surface that is enriched with metal oxide in its higher oxidation state are provided. A metal oxide surface that is enriched with metal oxide in its higher oxidation state is also provided.
US08568882B2

A mesostructured material is described, which consists of at least two elementary spherical particles, each one of said particles comprising a mesostructured matrix based on aluminium oxide, said matrix having a pore diameter ranging between 1.5 and 30 nm, and an aluminium oxide content representing more than 46 wt. % of the mass of said matrix, which has amorphous walls of thickness ranging between 1 and 30 nm, said elementary spherical particles having a diameter D greater than 10 μm and less than or equal to 100 μm (10
US08568880B2

Provided is a process for advantageously producing spherical particles of furfuryl alcohol resin without irradiating the reaction system with ultrasonic waves and without using a harmful aldehyde as a starting material. In the process, furfuryl alcohol is subjected to resinification and curing to form spherical fine particles of furfuryl alcohol resin. More specifically, the furfuryl alcohol is subjected to a self-condensation with an acid catalyst having a pKa of less than 1.5 in the presence of a protective colloid and then heated for curing to form spherical particles of furfuryl alcohol resin.
US08568875B2

Copolymers which are composed of at least 4 monomers, including (meth)acrylate compounds containing perfluoroalkyl groups, are suitable for the treatment of fiber materials. The copolymers are usually used here in the form of aqueous dispersions. The fiber materials are in particular fabrics, for example made of polyolefin. Treatment with the copolymers imparts to them oil- and water-repellent properties and also repellent properties toward low molecular weight alcohols.
US08568873B2

Provided are a pressure-sensitive adhesive for polarizing plates which can apply a polarizing plate on a liquid crystal cell with good adhesion and has the characteristic that a liquid crystal display device obtained therefrom is less liable to cause light leakage even under the environment of high temperature and high humidity and which has a removability and a polarizing plate with the above pressure-sensitive adhesive and a production process for the same. The pressure-sensitive adhesive for polarizing plates is prepared by irradiating a pressure-sensitive adhesive material comprising (A) an acrylic base polymer comprising a monomer having a carboxyl group in a monomer composition ratio of 0.5 mass % or less and (B) an active energy beam-curable compound with an active energy beam and it has a storage elastic modulus (G′) of 0.3 MPa or more at 23° C.
US08568872B2

Described are compounds that are capable of forming adlayers, the compounds comprising at least one headgroup A, an optional linker B, a polymer C, a terminal group D and an optional crosslinking group R, wherein the headgroup A is a compound of the following formula wherein X is independently selected from an acidic group, Y is a group derived from a convenient coupling group, Z1, Z3, and Z4 are C or N+ Z2, Z5 and Z6 are C-L1 or N+-L, wherein L1 is H or an electron withdrawing group, L is C1-C6 alkyl, in particular C1-C4 alkyl L2 and L3 are independently selected from H or C1-C6 alkyl, or L2 may form together with L1 or L of Z6 a heterocycle, in particular a positively charged heterocycle, n is 0, or 1, or 2, or 3, m is 0 or 1.
US08568867B2

A solvent cast film comprises a polyimide comprising structural units derived from polymerization of a dianhydride component comprising a dianhydride selected from the group consisting of 3,4′-oxydiphthalic dianhydride, 3,3′-oxydiphthalic dianhydride, 4,4′-oxydiphthalic dianhydride, and combinations thereof, with a diamine component comprising 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone; wherein the polyimide has a glass transition temperature from 190° C. to 400° C.; and wherein the film has a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 60 ppm/° C., a thickness from 0.1 to 250 micrometers, endless than 5% residual solvent by weight.
US08568863B2

A primer-less coating composition for facestock comprises: a binder being a water-dispersible polymer; an ethylenically unsaturated compound which is aqueous-dispersible and miscible with or bonded to said water-dispersible polymer, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated compound is able to form a covalent bond with an ink; and a crosslinker, wherein said crosslinker is suitable for binding the coating to the facestock. The coating composition may be applied to a substrate to form a printable film. A printed film in accordance with the invention may be used in a label, for example for use on a container such as a bottle.
US08568861B2

The present invention relates to a metallic laminate and a manufacturing method of a light emitting diode package using the same. The present invention provides a metallic laminate including: a core layer made of an insulating material; a metal layer disposed on one surface of the core layer; a heat radiating metal layer disposed on the other surface of the core layer; and a protective metal oxide layer disposed along an outer surface of the heat radiating metal layer and made of an oxide of the heat radiating metal layer.
US08568855B2

An improved electrical insulation tape (16) comprising a backing layer (20) and an electrical insulation layer (18) bonded to the backing layer (20) is provided. At least one of the electrical insulation layer (18) and the backing layer (20) includes a plurality of apertures (26) formed therein to improve flow of impregnating resin into the insulation tape (16) during resin impregnation.
US08568851B2

The method of manufacturing an optical information recording medium includes a first resin applying step of applying a first photo-curing resin to one surface of a first substrate, a first resin curing step of laminating a first stamper having an uneven surface on the first photo-curing resin, and irradiating ultraviolet rays via the first stamper to cure the first photo-curing resin, a second resin applying step of applying a second photo-curing resin to the other surface of the first substrate, a second resin curing step of laminating a second stamper having an uneven surface on the second photo-curing resin, and irradiating ultraviolet rays via the first second to cure the second photo-curing resin, a first stamper peeling step of peeling the second stamper from the second photo-curing resin, and a first recording layer laminating step of laminating a first recording layer on an exposed surface of the second photo-curing resin.
US08568850B2

A uniformly premixed sealant is extruded into a packaging form and allowed to pressure equilibrate prior to freezing. Upon warming the sealant begins to cure. The storage of the preformed sealant formulation under cold conditions arrests the activity of cure catalysts and accelerators mixed therethrough. The sealant is readily extruded into a preform shape containing a lightweight filler. A release film is provided to avoid contact with the sealant preformed in a shape during application to a substrate.
US08568845B2

The present invention relates to a heterophasic polymer composition which comprises (i) a matrix comprising a propylene homopolymer and/or a propylene copolymer having an amount of comonomer units of less than 1.0 wt %, and (ii) an elastomeric polypropylene which is dispersed within the matrix and comprises comonomer units derived from ethylene and/or a C4 to C12 alpha-olefin; and wherein the heterophasic polymer composition has an amorphous fraction AM in an amount of 2.0 to 7.5 wt %, and the amorphous fraction AM has an amount of ethylene- and/or C4 to C12 alpha-olefin-derived comonomer units of 20 to 45 wt %.
US08568829B2

A cap platen to securely hold headwear, such as caps, hats, and the like, so that graphics, including custom graphics, can be printed on the cap automatically. The platen has a vise plate to support the bill of a cap and a face plate attached to the vise plate to hold the crown of cap. Arms can be attached to the vise plate or the face plate to apply a biasing force against the sides of the cap pushed the sides of the cap outwardly away from the face plate.
US08568825B2

A sensor for the simultaneous detection of inorganic contaminants, As (III), Hg (II) and Cu (II) in water and having a limit of detection of 0.02 ppb, comprising a conducting support having a layer comprised of a three dimensional silicate network comprised of thiol tail groups immobilized with citrate stabilized gold nanoparticles, wherein the gold nanoparticles have a size in the range of 70 to 100 nm.
US08568816B2

It is intended to provide a candy in which a crystalline candy containing xylitol and a noncrystalline sugar-free candy are combined and, particularly, the crystalline candy and the noncrystalline sugar-free candy are combined side-by-side and the junction part has a continuous, smooth and novel appearance and texture; and a technique for efficiently producing the same. A flowable crystalline candy dough, containing as carbohydrate, 66 to 99% by weight of xylitol and 34 to 1% by weight of another sugar alcohol and a flowable noncrystalline sugar-free candy dough are simultaneously deposited.
US08568814B2

The present invention provides a variety of compounds having a CaSR agonist activity which possesses a superior kokumi-imparting function, and more particularly provides a kokumi-imparting composition, which contains the foregoing compound, and/or another substance having a CaSR agonist activity, in combination. The present invention also provides a kokumi-imparting composition which includes a lanthionine derivative and/or another substance having a CaSR agonist activity.
US08568813B2

A method includes combining ground beef with liquid that contains carbon dioxide. The ground beef and liquid are added to a vessel. The ground beef contains relative light and heavy components. The components that are predominantly lean beef will settle to the bottom of the liquid, and components that are predominantly fat will rise to the surface of the liquid. The separated components having predominantly lean beef can be removed from the liquid as a reduced fat ground beef product. The method can be practiced with any material containing fat, including plants and animals.
US08568812B2

The present invention relates to an improved method of drying the extracted beet chips and means and equipment for carrying out the method, with emphasis especially on the reduction of the emission of organic carbon compounds during the chip drying stage and on the reduction of the primary energy consumption.
US08568809B2

Oil resistant package material and packages prepared therefrom have cyclodextrin incorporated in or adjacent to a film layer of the package to reduce the permeation of oil through the package material, and particularly out of the package. The film layer comprises a polymer that coordinates or bonds with a cyclodextrin compound in an amount sufficient to reduce the permeation of oil through the film layer as compared to a like film layer that does not contain cyclodextrin.
US08568800B2

The invention provides a method for controlling pests or pathogenic organisms in an agricultural structure, the method comprising applying a pesticidal composition to surfaces susceptible to infestation or colonization by the pest or pathogenic organism, wherein the composition includes terpenoids, essential oils, plant extracts, or combinations thereof.
US08568798B2

Provided herein are methods of making cocoa polyphenol preparations, which methods comprises harvesting cocoa polyphenols, for example, procyanidins, from the cell suspension culture. In examples of these methods, the resultant cocoa polyphenol preparation is substantially (or in some cases, completely) free of detectable caffeine and theobromine, and more generally substantially free of xanthine alkaloids. Methods of producing a cell suspension culture of cacao cells are also described, including cell suspension cultures useful for making cocoa polyphenol and, more specifically, procyanidin preparations. Theobroma and Herrania sp cell suspension cultures and cocoa polyphenol preparations made therefrom are also provided, in particular xanthine alkaloid-free (or caffeine- and/or theobromine-free) cocoa polyphenol preparations.
US08568797B2

New fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) inhibitors have been identified which are useful for promoting the retention and/or growth of keratin fibers, such as hair of the scalp, hair of the face (moustache, beard, etc.), eyebrows, eyelashes, and the like. The FGFR1 inhibitors may be formulated in effective amounts in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products.
US08568794B2

Pharmaceutical or dermo-cosmetic compositions for topical and intravaginal application for treatment of human and veterinary affections caused by anaerobic organisms or parasites are provided comprising quassinoids or plant extracts containing these phytochemicals, in effective amounts. Such compositions can be administered topically or intravaginally to patients in need thereof in various pharmaceutical dosage forms.
US08568791B2

The present invention herein provides antibacterial zeolite particles whose ion-exchangeable ions have completely or partially been replaced with silver ions and zinc ions, wherein the ratio (A/B) of the silver ion concentration (A) to the zinc ion concentration (B) in the antibacterial zeolite particles increases in the direction along the depth of each zeolite particle. The antibacterial zeolite particles show excellent discoloration-resistant characteristics, while maintaining their excellent antibacterial activities. Accordingly, the antibacterial zeolite particles can suitably be applied to all sorts of products that are required to have antibacterial properties.
US08568790B2

The present invention relates to medicinal compositions containing a honey having non peroxide antibacterial activity and wherein the composition comprises from about 19% to about 80% water by weight. The use of these compositions in the treatment of eye, respiratory and ear conditions is also disclosed.
US08568787B2

Provided is a method of producing hydroxyalkylcellulose microparticles, the method including generating a pulse shock wave, and supplying a hydroxyalkylcellulose aqueous solution to the pulse shock wave generation region, thereby crushing and drying the hydroxyalkylcellulose aqueous solution. According to the production method, hydroxyalkylcellulose microparticles having a volume-average particle size of at least 0.1 μm but less than 15 μm are obtained. By mixing the hydroxyalkylcellulose microparticles with a principal agent and subjecting the resulting mixture to a tablet compression, a solid preparation having excellent tensile strength and disintegration properties can be obtained.
US08568786B2

A method of controlling a physical characteristic of polymeric nanocarrier-encapsulated protein particles includes altering or selecting a weight percentage of a hydrophobic polymer block in a total amphiphilic diblock copolymer of a primary emulsion of a double emulsion, freeze-thaw technique. The primary emulsion is formed using a freeze-thaw cycle of the amphiphilic diblock copolymer and a protein having a molecular weight of up to or equal to 300,000 Da. Selection of the hydrophobic polymer block percentage alters one or more characteristics of the resulting nanoparticles, such as shape. Thus, as one aspect, a method of producing filamentous polymeric nanocarrier-encapsulated protein (i.e., active enzyme) particles involves forming a primary emulsion using a freeze-thaw cycle of (i) an amphiphilic diblock copolymer, which has a molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 100,000 Da and comprises a conjugate of the hydrophobic polymer block and a hydrophilic polymer block, wherein the amphiphilic diblock copolymer comprises greater than 81% to about 95% by weight of the hydrophobic polymer block; and a protein having a molecular weight of up to or equal to about 300,000 Da. Various compositions comprising such filamentous-shaped nanocarrier particles, and methods of use for diagnosis and therapy are disclosed.
US08568783B2

A powder is hydrophilized by treating surfaces of particles with a hydrolyzable silyl group-containing acid anhydride compound, dispersing the surface treated particles in water, adding a base, and heating the dispersion for thereby hydrolyzing the acid anhydride moiety to open its ring and neutralizing the resultant carboxylic acid with the base. The hydrophilized powder is fully dispersible in aqueous media.
US08568782B2

The object of the invention consists of pharmaceutical formulations containing rifaximin in the shape of microgranules made gastroresistant by an insoluble polymer at pH values between 1.5 and 4.0 and soluble at pH values between 5.0 and 7.5, by their preparation and by their use in the manufacture of medicinal preparations useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and mainly Crohn's disease.
US08568769B2

Porous materials and methods for forming them are disclosed. One method for immobilizing micro-particles and/or nano-particles onto internal pore surfaces and/or external pore surfaces of porous materials includes suspending the micro-particles and/or nano-particles in a liquid adapted to swell, soften, and/or deform either the porous materials and/or the particles, thereby forming a liquid-particle suspension. The method further includes adding the suspension to the porous materials; and removing the liquid, thereby forming the porous materials having the micro-particles and/or nano-particles immobilized on the internal pore surfaces and/or the external pore surfaces.
US08568766B2

This invention provides novel active agents (e.g. peptides, small organic molecules, amino acid pairs, etc.) peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of eye disease and/or other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. In certain embodiment, the peptides resemble a G* amphipathic helix of apolipoprotein J. The agents are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route or via intraocular injection.
US08568764B2

Methods are disclosed for controlling the morphology and the release-rate of active agent from coating layers for medical devices comprising a polymer matrix and one or more active agents. The methods comprise fixing the morphology or phase distribution of the active agent prior to removing solvent from the coating composition. The coating layers can be used for controlled the delivery of an active agent or a combination of active agents.
US08568762B2

The invention relates to an implant for the human or animal body, which on its outer surface comprises at least one calcium salt that is soluble in a polar liquid. The invention also refers to various methods for the preparation of the preceding implant. The calcium ions contained on the surface of the implant provide said surface with four chemically and biologically advantageous properties: hydrophilicity, protection against atmospheric contamination, a pro-coagulant property and a pro-mineralising property.
US08568760B2

Hydrophobic α(1→4)glucopyranose polymers useful for the preparation of implantable or injectable medical articles are described. The hydrophobic α(1→4)glucopyranose polymer includes pendent groups having hydrocarbon groups and terminal amine or hydroxyl groups. Biodegradable matrices can be formed from these polymers, and the matrices can be used for the preparation of implantable and injectable medical devices wherein the matrix is capable of degrading in vivo. Matrices including and capable of releasing a bioactive agent in vivo are also described.
US08568754B2

A preservative and a process for the preparation of a preservative with reduced formaldehyde emission which comprises: a) at least one formal; and b) at least one emission-reducing additive which is selected from urea, urea derivatives, amino acids, guanidine and guanidine derivatives, and wherein the preservative: (i) comprises no iodopropynyl compound; and (ii) no derivative of 1H-benzimidazol-2-carbamic acid.
US08568753B2

A microbicidal delivery system including: a microbicidal composition including a microbicidal compound including a dendrimer including one or more surface groups of formula (IV); a microbicidally active derivative thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; and a carrier, excipient or diluent therefor; and a prophylactic device; the microbicidal composition being carried on a surface of the prophylactic device and being compatible therewith.
US08568749B2

Systems and methods for skin rejuvenation are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a skin rejuvenation system includes a unit dose of a booster product that includes active ingredients of ferulic acid and phloretin; a unit dose of at least one exfoliating product that includes active ingredients of ferulic acid and phloretin in combination with fruit acids or alpha hydroxyacids; and a unit dose of a nano-additive product for enhancing penetration of the active ingredients. A method for skin rejuvenation includes applying topically, to a skin surface to be treated, a booster product including active ingredients of ferulic acid and phloretin; applying topically, to the skin surface, at least one exfoliating product including active ingredients of ferulic acid and phloretin in combination with one of fruit acids or alpha hydroxyacids; and applying topically, to the skin surface, a nano-additive product for enhancing penetration of the active ingredients.
US08568742B2

Described is an immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleic acid molecule (ODN) having the structure according to formula (I) wherein any NMP is a 2′ deoxynucleoside monophosphate or monothiophosphate, selected from the group consisting of deoxyadenosine-, deoxyguanosine-, deoxyinosine-, deoxycytosine-, deoxyuridine-, deoxythymidine-, 2-methyl-deoxyinosine-, 5-methyl-deoxycytosine-, deoxypseudouridine-, deoxyribosepurine-, 2-amino-deoxyribosepurine-, -6-S-deoxyguanine-, 2-dimethyl-deoxyguanosine- or N-isopentenyl-deoxyadenosine-monophosphate or -monothiophosphate, NUC is a 2′ deoxynucleoside, selected from the group consisting of deoxyadenosine-, deoxyguanosine-, deoxyinosine-, deoxycytosine-, deoxyuridine-, deoxythymidine-, 2-methyl-deoxyinosine-, 5-methyl-deoxycytosine-, deoxypseudouridine-, deoxyribosepurine-, 2-amino-deoxyribosepurine-, 6-S-deoxyguanine-, 2-dimethyl-deoxyguanosine- or N-isopentenyl-deoxyadenosine, any X is O or S, a and b are integers from 0 to 100 with the proviso that a+b is between 4 and 150, B and E are common groups for 5′ or 3′ ends of nucleic acid molecules, as well as a pharmaceutical composition containing such ODNs.
US08568741B2

The invention provides for the use of any form of botulinum toxin, or any enzymatically active derivative thereof, to cause temporary paralysis of the muscles of the lips of the mouth to promote smoking cessation.
US08568739B2

Disclosed herein are chimeric TBEV/DEN4 flaviviruses including a first nucleic acid molecule including a 5′ non-coding region (NCR) from a DEN4 virus, a nucleic acid encoding a C protein and non-structural proteins from a DEN4 virus, and a 3′ NCR from a DEN4 virus, wherein nonstructural protein NS4B includes a phenylalanine at amino acid position 112, nonstructural protein NS5 includes an alanine at amino acid position 654 and an alanine at amino acid position 655, and the 3′ NCR includes a deletion of nucleotides 10478-10507. The chimeric construct also includes a second nucleic acid molecule, which is operably linked to the first nucleic acid molecule, encoding a prM protein and an E protein from a TBEV, wherein the E protein includes an amino acid substitution that differs from the wild type TBEV at amino acid position 315 and a tryptophan at amino acid position 240. Also disclosed are methods of eliciting an immune response using the disclosed TBEV/DEN4 chimeric flaviviruses and immunogenic compositions including the disclosed chimeric flaviviruses and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US08568734B2

Fusion proteins comprising CD4 minimal modules that bind to HIV Env polypeptides in a non-CD4 backbone are described. Also described are complexes of these fusion proteins with Env as well as methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention using the polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.
US08568733B2

The present invention is generally directed to HER-2/neu fusion proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding HER-2/neu fusion proteins, viral vectors expressing HER-2/neu fusion proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., vaccines) comprising the HER-2/neu fusion proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules encoding the HER-2/neu fusion proteins. The present invention is also directed to methods of treating or preventing cancer by eliciting or enhancing an immune response to the HER-2/neu protein, including for uses in the treatment of malignancies associated with the HER-2/neu oncogene.
US08568712B2

This disclosure relates to enhancing growth and/or activity of lactobacilli using a prebiotic formulation which includes iso-malto oligosaccharides and α-galactosidase; and to enhancing growth and/or activity of bifidobacteria using a prebiotic formulation which includes iso-malto oligosaccharides and β-glucanase. Other combinations of fibers and enzymes are described below which also stimulate growth and activity of lactobacilli or bifidobacteria. These combinations of enzymes and prebiotics can be taken separately or added to foods, including desserts.
US08568705B2

A method of preparing a multiarm polymer includes reacting a branched polyol with one or more functionalizing reagents to effect substitution of an ionizable functional group or a protected ionizable functional group, Y, to form a mixture comprising (i) unsubstituted branched polyol containing no Y groups; (ii) a monosubstituted polyol comprising one Y group, and (iii) a multisubstituted polyol (e.g., a disubstituted polyol comprising two Y groups); followed by purifying the mixture to separate the monosubstituted polyol from other species Thereafter, a water-soluble and non-peptidic polymer segment is attached to the monosubstituted branched polyol at the site of at least one of the hydroxyl groups. The invention also provides purified monosubstituted branched polyols and multiarm polymers prepared by the method and polyol precursors for use in the method.
US08568701B2

The present invention is related to surfactant-based formulations comprising the polyelectrolytes and blends of such polyelectrolytes with non-cellulosic cationic polysaccharide polymers wherein the surfactant is a phosphate ester. The surfactant-based formulations exhibit improved clarity of the resulting formulations, their improved conditioning of keratin substrates, textile substrates, and hard-surface substrates, their improved deposition of dispersed phase materials onto keratin substrates, textile substrates, and hard-surface substrates, their improved lather performance, and their improved rheology in applications such as personal care and household care products and textile applications.
US08568696B2

A solid state method of encouraging the physical interfacing of an organic component to a substantially crystalline inorganic component, including adding predetermined amounts of a substantially crystalline inorganic precursor and a predetermined amount of an organic precursor to yield an admixture, maintaining the admixture in a substantially liquid-free environment, and impacting the precursors together with sufficient energy to fuse the precursors into hybrid compounds. The so-formed hybrid compounds substantially retain the long range crystalline order characteristics of the substantially crystalline inorganic precursor.
US08568695B2

A composite comprising a silicone compound sorbed onto a porous cross-linked polymer. This composition can be included in an oral care composition and inhibit bacterial adhesion on an oral surface.
US08568691B2

Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for providing neuroprotection to the animal central nervous system against the effects of ischemia, and neurodegeneration. Patients at risk for certain diseases or disorders that are associated with cerebral ischemia may benefit, e.g., those at risk for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Wilson's disease or stroke or those patients having head or spinal cord injury. Patients undergoing certain medical procedures that may result in ischemia may also benefit. Initially, the possibility of ischemia or neurodegeneration is recognized. Intranasal therapeutic agents are administered to the upper third of the nasal cavity to bypass the blood-brain barrier and access the central nervous system directly to avoid unwanted and potentially lethal side effects. Therapeutic agents include those substances that interact with iron and/or copper such as iron chelators and copper chelators. A particular example of such therapeutic agents is the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO). Intranasal administration of DFO provides an effective method for pre-conditioning the brain to protect against cerebral ischemia.
US08568680B2

In one embodiment, a catalyst for ozone oxidation of pollutant components dispersed in a gas is provided. The ozone oxidation catalyst has a porous body formed from a metal body, a ceramic, or polymeric fibers coated with metal. A catalytic noble metal composition is deposited on the surface of the porous body. The catalytic noble metal composition is formed from particles of a noble metal supported by a mesoporous molecular sieve.
US08568674B1

Oxidation catalyst composites for the treatment of exhaust gas emissions, such as the abatement of unburned hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) and the oxidation of NO to NO2 are disclosed The catalyst composites comprise two washcoat layers containing two different compositions of platinum group metals to optimize the NO2 exiting the catalyst composite. The key to improvement in NO oxidation is to have one catalyst layer that contains Pt while being substantially free of Pd. Methods and systems utilizing the catalyst composites are also disclosed.
US08568667B2

A handle pipette including at least one cylinder with an upper end and a lower end, said cylinder having a movable piston, an elongate handle (1), by which the pipette can be manually gripped, said handle having an upper part, and in the upper part of the handle, a sideways extending finger support (7), which finger support (7) is at least partly flexible and/or it can be shaped by the user.
US08568660B2

A disk for storing liquid samples containing cells and for use in counting and observing the cells through an optical microscope includes an upper member formed of a transparent material and having a plurality of liquid inlets arranged radially and adapted to introduce the corresponding liquid samples therethrough, and a plurality of air vents paired with the corresponding liquid inlets; an intermediate member having a plurality of chambers arranged radially and adapted to store the corresponding liquid samples therein, each chamber corresponding to each pair of the liquid inlet and the air vent and communicating with the liquid inlet and with the air vent; and a lower member formed of a transparent material and backing the intermediate member. The optical microscope assumes the form of an incident-light microscope.
US08568635B2

A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional netted structure by (a) extruding molten filaments of a thermoplastic resin downward from a die via a mouthpiece of the die having a plurality of holes such that the filaments drop under the force of gravity in between drawing-down units, (b) drawing down the assembly of extruded filaments at a speed lower than the filament dropping speed by the drawing-down units, and (c) cooling the resultant filaments with a liquid. The drawing-down units are submerged or partly-submerged in a liquid. The distance between the drawing-down units is smaller than the width of an assembly of the extruded filaments. Four surfaces of the assembly of the filaments are contacting the drawing-down units before or after the drawing-down units are submerged.
US08568631B2

A screw control method of an injection molding machine including a barrel into which a resin is inserted, a screw installed to be rotatable inside the barrel, a check ring on a rear side of a screw head, and a controller controlling operations of the screw includes: measuring an amount of resin to be injected and inserting the resin into the barrel until the amount of resin reaches the measured amount of resin; completing the measurement while melting the inserted resin through rotation of the screw; stopping the rotation of the screw after completing the measurement of the resin; after retracting the screw of which the rotation is stopped a pre-set distance, advancing the screw a pre-set distance; and performing injection molding of the melted resin by advancing the screw, where the rotation, advance, and retraction operations of the screw are made according to control signals of the controller.
US08568625B2

Flame retardant aqueous dispersions or suspensions comprising tris(tribromophenoxy)-s-triazine (TTBT) or tetrabromobisphenol A bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether) (TBBPE) or a mixture thereof and one or more nonionic or anionic surface active agent(s) and/or wetting agent(s) used in textile are described. The flame retardants exhibit high compatibility with textile materials and are stable in aqueous solutions.
US08568618B2

A cathode material for fluoride-based conversion electrodes includes a matrix of graphite nanocarbon containing a dispersion of alkali metal ions, fluoride ions and metal nanoparticles with maximum particle sizes of 20 nm. Further there is provides a method for such cathode material that includes heating a metal and an organic compound during a single thermal treatment step until the organic compound is decomposed; and adding an alkali metal fluoride either before or after the thermal treatment step to the organic compound. Finally, there is provided a method of making an alkali metal ion battery, that includes utilizing the aforesaid cathode material for a fluoride-based conversion electrode in the battery.
US08568615B2

A full-color light-emitting material and preparation method thereof are provided. A light-emitting material is following general formula compound (Y1-x-y-zAxByCz)2GeO5, wherein 0
US08568614B2

The present invention relates to a blue phase (BP) liquid crystal composition that shows reduced hysteresis behavior, and to a method of reducing and/or eliminating the hysteresis behavior of a BP liquid crystal composition. Moreover, the present invention relates to a blue phase liquid crystal composition, wherein the hysteresis has been reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a liquid crystal cell comprising a blue phase liquid crystal composition, and to a liquid crystal display comprising a blue phase liquid crystal composition.
US08568613B2

The present invention is directed to stabilized peracid compositions. Stabilizing compositions including a metal salt and a chelating agent are added to compositions including peracids. The results stabilized peracid compositions have increased shelf life and storage stability.
US08568607B2

A process for forming thermoelectric nanoparticles includes the steps of providing a reducing agent, and at least one first metal; mixing the reducing agent and at least one first metal forming a premixed reducing solution; providing a second metal containing compound, and a core material; mixing the second metal containing compound and the core material forming a premixed second metal reaction solution separate from the premixed reducing solution; and mixing and reacting the premixed second metal reaction solution with the premixed reducing solution. A spontaneous alloying occurs about the core material forming thermoelectric composite nanoparticles.
US08568605B2

A method for forming nanometer-sized patterns and pores in a membrane is described. The method comprises incorporating a reactive material onto the membrane, the reactive material being a material capable of lowering an amount of energy required for forming a pore and/or pattern by irradiating the membrane material with an electron beam, thus leading to a faster pore and/or pattern formation.
US08568601B2

A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. The method includes forming a write pole using a mask that includes a hard mask layer deposited over the write pole laminate material, and a thick, physically robust image transfer layer. The image transfer layer can be a material such as AlTiO that can be patterned by a reactive ion etching process, but which also resists deformation during processing. This process allows a write pole and wrap-around trailing shield to be constructed at very narrow track widths without the mask deformation and fencing problems experienced by prior art methods.
US08568597B2

A process is disclosed for purification of silicon source material including trichlorosilane. First, the silicon source material in liquid state with impurities vapor and the other chlorosilane or silane are passing a first high gravity rotating packed bed with porous metal, at a temperature lower than the boiling point of the silicon source material, the impurities vapor and the other chlorosilane or silane are separated from the liquid silicon source material; second, the silicon source material in liquid state is fed to a second high gravity rotating packed bed, oxygen is also fed to the second high gravity rotating packed bed to form impurity-containing siloxane complexes with higher boiling point. Finally distilling to remove the impurity-containing siloxane complexes from the silicon source material.
US08568589B2

Provided are a connection member capable of preventing leakage from a supply side to a permeating side from occurring by a simple means; and a separation membrane module using the connection member. The connection member (20) is used to connect in series a plurality of separation membrane elements equipped with end surface holding members (36) and to install the separation membrane elements in a pressure-resistant vessel (38). The connection member (20) is characterized in that, when the separation membrane elements are connected to each other, the connection member is engaged with respective grooves (36b) of the end surface holding members (36) adjacent to each other.
US08568588B2

The apparatus for osmotic power generation and desalination using a salinity difference includes: a first osmotic membrane reactor having a first salt water position space and a third salt water position space separated by a first forward osmotic membrane; a second osmotic membrane reactor having a second salt water position space and a draw solution position space separated by a second forward osmotic membrane; a high pressure pump connected between the second salt water position space and the third salt water position space; a desalination unit obtaining fresh water by separating a draw solute from a draw solution diluted through a transmission of water in salt water of the second salt water position space by way of the draw solution position space; and a turbine driven by flow force of salt water discharged from the third salt water position space to produce electric energy.
US08568585B2

A water distribution system including a water storage tank, a water treatment unit, a diverter valve, and interconnecting water conduits arranged so that the same water treatment unit can be used to treat water supplied from a fill port to the storage tank during a fill operation, as well as water leaving the storage tank for supply to one or more points of water use during a supply operation. A diverter valve is provided which is movable between a fill position wherein the water treatment unit is in fluid communication with the fill port and not the point of water use device, and a supply position wherein the water treatment unit is in fluid communication with the at least one point of water use device and not the fill port. When the diverter valve is in the fill position, water supplied to the fill port can thus flow through the diverter valve and to the water treatment unit for treatment then to the storage tank for storage. When the diverter valve is in the supply position, the water from the storage tank can be delivered using means for pressurizing water to the same treatment unit for treatment, then through the diverter valve and to the at least one point of water use device.
US08568578B2

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode for an electrochemical measurement apparatus that is less susceptible to influence from interference substances as compared to conventional technology and an electrochemical measurement apparatus using such an electrode. A working electrode 9 (an electrode 1 for an electrochemical measurement apparatus) used in an electrochemical measurement apparatus 3 of the present invention uses an alloy containing iridium and rhenium with such a composition that selectivity for hydrogen peroxide can be obtained.
US08568576B2

Provided is a sputtering target of nonmagnetic-particle-dispersed ferromagnetic material comprising a phase (A) such that nonmagnetic particles are dispersed in a ferromagnetic material formed from a Co—Cr alloy containing 5 at % or more and 20 at % or less of Cr and Co as the remainder thereof, and schistose textures (B) with a short side of 30 to 100 μm and a long side of 50 to 300 μm formed from a Co—Cr alloy phase in the phase (A); wherein each of the foregoing nonmagnetic particles has such a shape and size that the particle is smaller than all hypothetical circles with a radius of 1 μm around an arbitrary point within the nonmagnetic particle, or a shape and size with at least two contact points or intersection points between the respective hypothetical circles and the interface of the ferromagnetic material and the nonmagnetic material.
US08568570B2

A method of fabricating a sheet or a fabric with crystalline TiO2 nano-particles includes providing a polymer material as a support, and then synthesizing the crystalline TiO2 nano-particles with immobilizing them on a surface of the support, followed by forming the fabric or the sheet. The fabric is a textile or a nonwoven fabric. A type of the support is a fiber or a sheet type. The synthesizing of the crystalline TiO2 nano-particles is performed by occurring a sol-gel reaction under a microwave irradiation, wherein a TiO2 precursor, water, an alcohol, and an ionic liquid applied in the sol-gel reaction during the synthesizing.
US08568567B2

The invention relates to a shoe press belt comprising polyurethane polymer prepared of a urethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups and a chain extender, the urethane prepolymer being prepared using 1,4-phenylene-diisocyanate (PPDI) and the chain extender comprising methyl-bis(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline) (MCDEA).
US08568566B2

Apparatus and method for producing absorbent structures with absorbent layers with channel(s) without absorbent material, using a first moving endless surface with specific raised strip(s) and a second moving endless surface with specific mating strip(s).
US08568564B2

A method of improving a strength property of a sheet-formed fibrous material formed from an aqueous slurry of cellulose fiber, including coating at least one face of the material with a coating formulation including a polysaccharide containing at least two carboxylic groups and low molecular weight organic mono-, di- or poly-carboxylic acid in an aqueous carrier, keeping the coated face at a temperature of 50° C. or more for a time sufficient to obtain the desired improvement including drying of the material.
US08568562B2

A method for manufacturing a creped fiber web is provided and includes providing a rotating cylindrical dryer surface, providing a creping adhesive composition or coating package having a pH boosted at least 0.5 pH units relative to its original base formulation pH in the range of from about 4.5 to about 9, for chemically setting a crosslinkable polymer component at least in part before applying the creping adhesive composition to the rotating cylindrical dryer surface to provide an adhesive dryer surface on which a fiber web can be transferred, dried, and creped.
US08568560B2

A method of making a cellulosic absorbent sheet. A cellulosic web is prepared from an aqueous papermaking furnish. The web is fabric-creped. The fabric-creping step forms a creped web with a drawable reticulum having a plurality of interconnected regions of different local basis weights including at least: (i) a plurality of fiber-enriched regions of a relatively high local basis weight, interconnected by way of (ii) a plurality of lower local basis weight linking regions. The drawable reticulum includes a cohesive fiber matrix capable of increasing in void volume upon drawing. The creped web is dried, while substantially preserving the drawable reticulum, to form a dried web, and the dried web is drawn. The drawing step increases the bulk of the dried web.
US08568555B2

A method and apparatus for treating a substrate in a processing system. The processing system includes a process chamber having a pumping system configured to evacuate the process chamber, a substrate holder coupled to the process chamber and configured to support the substrate and heat the substrate, and a process gas delivery system coupled to the process chamber and configured to introduce a process gas to a process space above an upper surface of the substrate. Furthermore, the process chamber includes one or more apparatus surfaces in radiative communication with the upper surface of the substrate and having a low emissivity and/or high reflectivity.
US08568553B2

A method and apparatus for etching photomasks is provided herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a process chamber having a support pedestal adapted for receiving a photomask. An ion-neutral shield is disposed above the pedestal and a deflector plate assembly is provided above the ion-neutral shield. The deflector plate assembly defines a gas flow direction for process gases towards the ion-neutral shield, while the ion-neutral shield is used to establish a desired distribution of ion and neutral species in a plasma for etching the photomask.
US08568549B2

The invention relates to a process and a device for manufacturing a perform (42) for a load path aligned fiber composite structure. The process includes cutting off relatively short fiber band pieces (40, 40′, 40″) from a spread fiber band (14), placing the fiber band pieces (40, 40′, 40″) at a predetermined position and fixing them at this position by means of a binder material (38).
US08568546B2

An ice-compensating cover including: a cover; a float; and a separable fastener interposed between the cover and the float, the separable fastener including a first portion adhesively bonded to the cover, and a second portion adhesively bonded to the float, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion defines a first opening in a center of the at least one of the first portion and the second portion.
US08568543B2

An explosive composition is provided that is comprised of a Heavy ANFO and grain hulls. In one embodiment, the grain hulls are comprised of rice hulls. The grain hulls serve both as an inert bulking additive that reduces the density of the composition and as a sensitizer that reduces the energy needed to reliably detonate the composition. Also provided is a method for manufacturing an explosive composition comprised of Heavy ANFO and grain hulls, such as rice hulls. Additionally, a method of using an explosive comprised of ANFO and grain hulls in a mining operation is disclosed.
US08568542B2

Perchlorate-free flare compositions are disclosed which, when burned, produce yellow smoke and flames. Methods of producing the compositions are also disclosed.
US08568539B2

According to one embodiment, a permanent magnet is provided with a sintered body having a composition represented by R(FepMqCurCo1-p-q-r)zOw (where, R is at least one element selected from rare-earth elements, M is at least one element selected from Ti, Zr and Hf, and p, q, r, z and w are numbers satisfying 0.25≦p≦0.6, 0.005≦q≦0.1, 0.01≦r≦0.1, 4≦z≦9 and 0.005≦w≦0.6 in terms of atomic ratio). The sintered body has therein aggregates of oxides containing the element R dispersed substantially uniformly.
US08568531B2

A seed holder for use in a crystal growth reactor. The seed holder has a drool and a washer of outer diameter substantially the same as the drool inner diameter. A main body is disposed over the washer and drool, forming an enclosure above the washer and drool, the enclosure forming a cavity above the washer and drool.
US08568529B2

Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an HVPE chamber. The chamber may have two separate precursor sources coupled thereto to permit two separate layers to be deposited. For example, a gallium source and a separate aluminum source may be coupled to the processing chamber to permit gallium nitride and aluminum nitride to be separately deposited onto a substrate in the same processing chamber. The nitrogen may be introduced to the processing chamber at a separate location from the gallium and the aluminum and at a lower temperature. The different temperatures causes the gases to mix together, react and deposit on the substrate with little or no deposition on the chamber walls.
US08568504B2

A moisture reducing apparatus is provided that includes a housing configured to receive an air stream and a net disposed outside the housing. In the apparatus, the net is held sufficiently loosely to permit movement of the net such that flow through the net is variable over time to remove moisture with the net and to permit a relatively substantial portion of a gaseous and particulate matter in the air stream to continue to flow through the net and inside the housing to protect filter media from moisture.
US08568500B2

A multi-cyclone dust separator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises at least three dust separation units for separating dust stepwise from relatively larger size. The dust separation units comprise a first dust separation unit primarily separating dust from external air drawn in; a second dust separation unit secondarily separating dust from the air primarily dust-separated by the first dust separation unit; and a third dust separation unit thirdly separating dust from the air secondarily dust-separated by the second dust separation unit. Here, the first to third dust separation units are multi-layered in a serial manner.
US08568491B2

The present invention relates to a cationic 4-aminoindole of general formula (I), addition salts thereof with an acid and solvates thereof: in which: R1 is a linear or branched, saturated C2-C20 alkyl radical, substituted and/or interrupted with a cationic radical. The present invention is also directed towards a process for synthesizing this cationic 4-aminoindole, to the compositions, the uses, the hair dyeing processes and the devices using this cationic 4-aminoindole.
US08568482B2

A height-adjustable implant is designed to be inserted between vertebral bodies and includes a first and a second sleeve part. The second sleeve part carries an external thread and is inserted with a longitudinal section thereof in the first sleeve part in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner. On its longitudinal section projecting from the first sleeve part, the second sleeve part is encompassed by a nut that engages with the external thread. The nut carries a toothed ring. The invention also relates to a tool for handling the implant.
US08568480B2

Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
US08568479B2

Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
US08568477B2

Disclosed is a stentless transluminally implantable heart valve, having a formed in place support. The formed in place support exhibits superior crush resistance when compared to conventional balloon expandable or self expandable stent based valves.
US08568474B2

A system and method for restoring (e.g., replacing) a defective heart valve of a patient. A delivery system is manipulated to percutaneously deliver and implant a stented prosthetic heart valve to a native heart valve. A post-dilatation balloon is percutaneously delivered to the implantation site, and a compliant segment thereof is arranged within a region of the implanted prosthesis. The balloon is inflated such that the compliant segment expands and contacts the prosthesis, expanding a remodeling region of the prosthesis to a remodeled state. With these and related techniques, remodeling of an implanted, stented prosthetic heart valve to better match the native valve shape is possible, providing many benefits such as reducing the risk of paravalvular leaks.
US08568469B1

A stent with a stent locking element and a method of securing a stent on a delivery implement, such as a catheter are disclosed. The locking element can include coupling elements capable of being releasably coupled to one another. The coupling elements may be adapted to inhibit shifting of the stent on the delivery implement. In some embodiments, the releasably coupled elements may secure the stent on the delivery implement.
US08568465B2

In a device (1) for recanalizing a cavity, organ path or vessel (4) which is at least partially occluded by at least one compressible occlusive object, in particular a thrombus or embolus (3), in the body of a human or animal, using at least one compressible and self-expanding stent (10) having a distal (12) and a proximal end (11), the at least one stent (10) is embodied substantially in a bell shape with a widened distal end (12) and a constricted proximal end (11).
US08568462B2

A system for the internal fixation of a fractured bone of an elbow joint of a patient includes at least one bone plate, each bone plate having a plurality of holes and generally configured to fit an anatomical surface of the fractured bone. The at least one plate is adapted to be customized to the shape of a patient's bone. The system also includes a plurality of fasteners including at least one locking fastener for attaching the bone plate to the bone. At least one of the holes is a threaded hole. Guides for plate benders, drills, and/or K-wires can be pre-assembled to the threaded holes, and the locking fastener can lock into any of the threaded holes after the guides are removed.
US08568461B2

Medical devices and related methods for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes disposing at least a portion of a support member into a space between adjacent spinous processes. The support member defines a lumen between a proximal end and a distal end of the support member. An expandable member is inserted through the lumen of the support member such that a distal end portion of the expandable member is disposed outside a distal end of the lumen and a proximal end portion of the expandable member is disposed outside a proximal end of the lumen. The distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the expandable member are then expanded such that each of the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the expandable member has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the support member.
US08568457B2

A growing rod for mounting between attachment mechanisms that are secured to anatomical structures of a patient having scoliosis. The growing rod includes a base rod having an attachment end, an extendable rod that is translatable relative to the base rod along a longitudinal axis and a housing enclosing at least a portion of the extendable rod therein. A magnet is rotatably mounted within the housing and is enclosed by a top magnet cover and a bottom magnet cover. The magnet includes a first pole and a second pole. A gear reduction mechanism is associated with the magnet and the extendable rod. The gear reduction mechanism reduces an output rotation to the extendable rod relative to an input rotation from the magnet.
US08568445B2

Various embodiments of a device are shown and disclosed for closing a vascular access puncture site following percutaneous diagnostic or therapeutic interventional procedures. In one embodiment, the closure device includes a vessel locating member, an anchor and a sealing material. The closure device may be configured to deploy the anchor and the sealing material outside of a hole in a blood vessel to close the hole. The vessel locating member may be used to locate the blood vessel to ensure that the anchor and/or the sealing material are properly placed adjacent to the hole. The closure device may also include a tamper member configured to push or tamp the sealing material against the anchor. The closure device may also include a suture that is used to hold the sealing material and the anchor together adjacent to the hole in the blood vessel.
US08568443B1

A surgical instrument and actuation mechanism comprises an end effector, the end effector including opposing faces, and a positioning slot. The positioning slot includes a linear portion and a radial portion. In accordance with one aspect, the surgical instrument further comprises an actuation mechanism engaged with the positioning slot, wherein the opposing faces of the end effector move in a parallel manner when the actuation mechanism moves within the linear portion of the positioning slot, and wherein the opposing faces of the end effector move in an angular manner when the actuation mechanism moves within the radial portion of the positioning slot.
US08568440B2

The present invention relates to a device and a method for estimating central systolic blood pressure based on oscillometric signals from brachial artery by the use of a pressure cuff.
US08568431B2

A delivery/recovery system to allow an operator to deploy and recover a medical implant, such as an occluder for closing a patent foramen ovale (PFO). In one embodiment, the system includes a delivery mandrel for preventing the occluder from moving in the proximal direction, a delivery wire for securing the occluder to the delivery mandrel and preventing unwanted movement in the distal direction, and a sheath for enveloping the delivery wire, mandrel and occluder. By moving the sheath relative to the occluder in a series of steps, the occluder opens first on a distal side and then on a proximal side, in a manner that holds the occluder in place.
US08568428B2

A suture system includes a tool and a suture assembly. The tool includes a head having a proximal portion housing a needle and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat. The needle is movable through a needle exit port formed in the proximal portion of the head to a cavity formed in the distal end of the head. The suture assembly includes a length of suture connected to a tubular leader. The tubular leader includes an annular wall extending between an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a clasp having a first portion disposed between the interior surface and the exterior surface of the annular wall and a second portion extending out of the annular wall and adapted to secure the suture against the annular wall.
US08568418B2

A rotation sensor system is included with a surgical instrument having an outer tube, an inner rotating member rotatably disposed within the outer tube and a handpiece coupled to proximal ends of the outer tube and the inner rotating member. The rotation sensor system includes a magnetic member provided on the inner rotating member near the proximal end of the inner rotating member, a magnetically permeable member provided on the outer tube near the proximal end of the outer tube, and a sensor provided on the handpiece to sense magnetic flux of the magnetically permeable member adjacent to the sensor. This sensed magnetic flux can be used to determine the rotational position of the inner rotating member relative to the outer. tube. Such information can be used to control the position of the cutting member relative to the cutting window when a surgeon stops rotating the inner rotating member.
US08568413B2

A bone fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a first state in which at least a portion of the body is flexible and a second state in which the body is generally rigid, an actuateable gripper disposed at one or more locations on the elongated body, a hub located on a proximal end of the elongated body, and an actuator operably connected to the gripper(s) to deploy the gripper(s) from a retracted configuration to an expanded configuration. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises inserting a bone fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of an elongate body of the fixation device in a flexible state on one side of the fracture and at least a portion of a hub on another side of the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy at least one gripper of the fixation device to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone. Various hub designs are disclosed that may be used in combination with other fixation device components.
US08568412B2

A forceps includes a housing including a shaft. The shaft includes an end effector assembly having a pair of curved jaw members. The jaw members include an electrically conductive surface and a curved blade channel having opposing sidewalls. A cutting blade is configured for translation within the blade channel. Proximal portions of a first sidewall include incident angles of less than five degrees that engage the cutting blade and direct the blade towards a specific point of contact on the opposing sidewall of the curved blade channel.
US08568407B2

An electrosurgical device for directing energy to tissue includes a coaxial feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the inner conductor, and a dielectric material disposed therebetween. An elongated electrically-conductive member is longitudinally disposed at a distal end of the inner conductor; a balun structure is disposed on the outer conductor. An electrically-conductive cylinder is coaxially disposed around a distal portion of the balun structure and a dielectric structure is disposed substantially adjacent to a distal end of the electrically-conductive cylinder and configured to extend to a distal end of the electrically-conductive member. An elongated handle assembly is coaxially disposed around a portion of the outer conductor proximal to the dielectric structure and a shell assembly is disposed at a distal end of the elongated handle assembly. A portion of the shell assembly is configured to extend distally beyond the distal end of the electrically-conductive member.
US08568401B2

A system for monitoring ablation size is provided and includes a power source including a microprocessor for executing at least one control algorithm. A microwave antenna is configured to deliver microwave energy from the power source to tissue to form an ablation zone. An ablation zone control module is in operative communication with memory associated with the power source. The memory includes one or more data look-up tables including one or more electrical parameters associated with the microwave antenna. The one or more electrical parameters corresponding to an ablation zone having a radius. The one or more electrical parameters include a threshold value, wherein when the threshold value is met the power source is adjusted to form an ablation zone of suitable proportion.
US08568398B2

A microwave ablation system includes an antenna assembly configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue and a coolant source operably coupled to the power source and configured to selectively provide fluid to the antenna assembly via a fluid path. The system also includes a controller operably coupled to the power source and a sensor operably coupled to the fluid path and the controller. The sensor is configured to detect fluid flow through the fluid path and the controller is configured to control the energy source based on the detected fluid flow.
US08568397B2

An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly has a first jaw member having a support base and a sealing plate formed from a ferrous material. The end effector assembly also has a second jaw member including a support base, an electrical jaw lead and a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead. The sealing plate includes a first layer formed from a non-stick material and a second layer having a coil formed thereon.
US08568385B2

A method of treating tissue comprises introducing into a hollow organ a support device and, after insertion, arranging the support device into a non-yielding configuration substantially filling the hollow organ and substantially preventing walls of the hollow organ from moving inward in combination with inducing contraction of the hollow organ around the support device to cut off blood flow through at least a portion of the walls of the hollow organ and removing the support device after blood flow has been cut off for a predetermined time. A system to treat tissue comprises a support device which, in a first configuration, is sized and shaped for insertion into a hollow organ and an expansion mechanism for expanding the support device from the first configuration to a second configuration in which the support device substantially fills the hollow organ providing a non-yielding support so that, if the hollow organ is contracted around the support device, blood flow through at least a portion of a wall of the hollow organ is cut off.
US08568376B2

A disposable absorbent device for collecting urine from an individual is disclosed. The disposable absorbent device can include an absorbent body, having a liquid impermeable, garment-side layer, a liquid impermeable, body-side layer, and an absorbent layer disposed between the garment-side layer and the body-side layer. The absorbent body can be adapted for receiving a penis of a wearer between the body-side layer and the absorbent. The disposable absorbent device can also include a pouch adapted for receiving the scrotum of a wearer extending from the body-side layer. The absorbent device can also include a perimeter seal bonding at least a portion of the garment-side layer, the body-side layer and the pouch together. The perimeter seal can extend continuously, proximate the outer perimeters of the body-side layer and the garment-side layer.
US08568374B2

An intrauterine system is disclosed for use in the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding; menorraghia; dysmenorrhoea; endometriosis; uterine fibroids; climacteric complaints; osteoporosis; and urogenital atrophy. The system is formed by a frame defining an interior space for receipt of a deposit of a therapeutically effective dose of a biologically active compound. The frame has an open structure allowing access to a substantial part of an outer surface of the deposit, and the deposit has a rate controlling structure that controls a rate of release of the compound within the uterus. One or more retention elements are provided on the frame for retaining the frame within the uterus of a female mammal.
US08568368B2

A contrast media delivery system having a flow regulator assembly that allows a practitioner to regulate the passage of contrast media into a burette while minimizing turbulence and the formation of microbubbles in the contrast media. The flow regulator assembly can be actuated by twisting a rotatable cap. When the rotatable cap is released, the flow of contrast media from the inlet to the burette is stopped. A diffuser having a contact surface is provided which disperses contrast media as it passes into the burette to ensure that the contrast media flows smoothly and uniformly down the wall of the burette and into the volume of contrast media. A float and seating assembly which provides optimal sealing of the outlet of the burette while also allowing separation of the float from the seat when the burette is being refilled with contrast media.
US08568367B2

An automatic medicament injector having a compartment for a dry medicament component and a compartment for a wet medicament component. The two compartments are separated by a seal structure that converts from a sealing condition to a mixing condition when the device is activated. The seal structure includes a wiper that scrapes the interior walls in the dry component compartment to prevent the dry component from accumulating at the seal/glass interface. A tapered insert funnels the mixed medicament components to an attached needle assembly, but can be removed when the device is filled. A filter is provided between the medicament compartments and the needle assembly. A chamber between the filter and the needle allows for better flow through the filter. An actuation assembly drives the seal structure into the mixing condition and forces the mixed medicament through the needle and into the user.
US08568366B2

A reservoir module for an administering apparatus, the reservoir module including a rotational block which permits the rotational dosing movement in a first rotational direction and blocks the rotational dosing movement in a second rotational direction, wherein the rotational block includes at least one first rotational stopper and at least one second rotational stopper, the first rotational stopper and the second rotational stopper abut against one another in the end position of the dosage setting member, wherein the dosage setting member is moved away from the translational stopper by the permitted rotational dosing movement.
US08568357B2

An infusion system includes a characteristic determining device and an infusion device. The characteristic determining device includes a receptacle for receiving and testing an analyte from the user to determine a concentration of the analyte in the user. The characteristic determining device also includes a communication system for transmitting a communication including data indicative of the determined concentration of the analyte in the user, and the infusion device includes a communication system for receiving the communication from the characteristic determining device. The infusion device further includes a bolus estimator for calculating an estimated amount of fluid to be infused into the body of the user based upon the received data indicative of the determined concentration of the analyte in the user and a target concentration of the analyte in the user, and an indicator to indicate when the estimated amount of fluid to be infused has been calculated.
US08568347B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus for making extracorporeal blood circulation available, in particular a heart-lung machine, comprising a venous connection and an arterial connection, between which a blood reservoir, a blood pump and a bubble detector for the detection of air bubbles are provided, with, downstream of the bubble detector, an arterial line leading to the arterial connection via an arterial clamp and a bypass leading via a bypass clamp back into the blood reservoir which is connected to a pump extracting air from the blood reservoir. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of operating such an apparatus.
US08568346B2

The invention relates to a multi-ports extracorporeal medical device (1) having a selector body (19) which can be linearly displaced within the housing (16) in order to create different flow paths and connection among the ports. The device can for instance be used for reversing the flow in an extracorporeal blood circuit.
US08568336B2

The present invention provides compositions and methods useful in the diagnosis and management of Gastroesophageal Reflux. Specifically, the inventions provide a device and methods of using the device for accurately, quantitatively, and non-invasively diagnosing Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in both patients at risk for GERD and patients demonstrating reflux-like symptoms. In particular, the inventions relate to detecting and analyzing upward esophageal movements in patients, such as human infants, children, and adults.
US08568313B2

A user wearable portable communication device and a method for collecting and transmitting a plurality of physiological parameters to a remote monitoring center are disclosed. The portable communication device includes a provision for enabling the user to establish a video conference, a fall detection module in conjunction with an accelerometer recognizes a placement of the portable communication device, a home automation module for enabling the user to remotely operate multiple electronic devices, an acknowledgment acceptance module for receiving the acknowledgment, a physiological data collecting module communicatively coupled to a fetal doppler module for monitoring and transmitting the physiological parameters associated with a child, multiple preprogrammed contact numbers for enabling the user to establish a communication, a subscriber identity module for enabling the user establish a communication and data transmission between the portable communication device and the remote monitoring center.
US08568312B2

An Electro Diagnostic Functional Assessment Unit (EFA-3) that is designed to wirelessly monitor muscle group activity and to provide treatment for humans and animals. The muscle groups include the body, fascial, cervical, thoracic, upper and lower extremities, lumbosacral, bladder, cardiac, and rectal. In large animals the muscle groups include torso, legs, neck and face. The EFA-3 simultaneously correlates the muscle activity EMG with cardiac activity, nerve activity, heart rate, blood flow and brain activity with range-of-motion, grip and pinch assessment and a functional assessment in humans. The EFA-3 is operated by proprietary software (78) which provides testing protocols by utilizing a set of wireless sensor(s) (14-40) that are interchangeable and rechargeable. The treatment includes ultrasound, heat, cold, massage and electrical stimulation.
US08568309B2

The Cellular GPRS system includes a cellular-based Glucometer (CBG) for blood glucose monitoring, a pedometer for exertion measurement, combined with user-entered dietary or other diabetes-relevant information. Data from all inputs is transmitted over a cellular network, using a GPRS or other wireless link. The data is preferably stored in the device prior to being transmitted wirelessly over the cellular airway to a central computer server. The remote computer server will evaluate the data received and respond with a data packet (making recommendations on further glucose measurement, exercise, diet, insulin requirements or other).
US08568301B2

A connector system includes a plug section, and a receptacle section having a concave portion in an inside of which the plug section can be inserted, wherein the plug section includes a flange portion including a first inclined surface portion which increases in diameter toward an extraction direction, and a second inclined surface portion which decreases in diameter toward the extraction direction on an extraction direction side of the first inclined surface portion, in which an inclination angle with respect to an insertion direction of the second inclined surface portion is larger than an inclination angle with respect to the insertion direction of the first inclined surface portion, and the receptacle section includes a ball which is placed to be projectable/retractable from a side surface portion of the concave portion.
US08568300B2

Hermetically sealed enclosures and constructions are disclosed for use in endoscopic systems, particularly endoscopic systems with electronic imaging and illumination systems in the enclosures. Compound optical windows are also disclosed for use in the systems. The compound optical windows may have separate panes for an imaging system and an illumination system, and contrast-reducing optical boundaries are between panes.
US08568291B2

A method is described for providing sound perception in a hearing impaired patient. An externally generated electrical audio stimulation signal is received in a receiver unit located under the skin of an implanted patient. The electrical audio stimulation signal is delivered to an implanted bone conduction transducer having a planar bone engagement surface mounted to a temporal bone surface of the patient. The electrical audio stimulation signal is transformed into a corresponding mechanical stimulation signal coupled to the temporal bone by the bone engagement surface for delivery by bone conduction through the temporal bone to the cochlear fluid of the patient for perception as sound.
US08568281B2

A rectangular workout bench with removable legs for use directly on the floor or raised on legs 12, 13, 108 has an inflatable flexible air filled plastic material cushion 2 work out area allowing a person to lay on for physical therapy, strength training and balance. The rectangular shape allows spine and neck support while the instability of the air filled cushion 2 allows muscles to activate. Beginners use the workout cushion 2 directly on the floor and advanced workouts are on the elevated bench with accessible footrests.
US08568278B2

Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.
US08568271B2

A method for preventing shift hunting in a powertrain including an engine and a transmission having a variator, a first gearset, and a second gearset is disclosed. The method includes operating the engine at a first substantially constant speed, detecting a shift condition, and operating the engine at a second substantially constant speed as a function of detecting the shift condition. The second speed is different than the first speed.
US08568268B2

A wrap-around braking device for a planetary gear train, having at least one wrap-around element, with first and second cam devices, and is designed to wrap around at least one ring gear of the planetary gear train for braking engagement. A shift fork, which can be moved in the axial direction of the shift fork and which has first and second actuating elements that act oppositely in the axial direction and which is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner in a housing that has at least first and second stops in the axial direction. For braking engagement on the ring gear, which rotates in a first rotational direction, the shift fork can be moved in a first axial direction such that the first actuating element interacts with the first cam device, while the second stop opposite the first actuating element in the axial direction interacts with the second cam device.
US08568257B2

A payload delivery apparatus comprised of a frangible hollow body for delivering a variety of payloads. The body is attached to a base having a threaded section for removable engagement with an arrow shaft. A plurality of equidistant spaced impact stanchions are attached around the perimeter of the body. A cap is fitted to an open end of the hollow body. Each impact stanchion is connected to the hollow body in such a way as to fracture upon impact with a target thus delivering the payload. In an alternate embodiment, a set of aerodynamic linear channels and annular indentions is included in the body so as to aid to fracturing upon impact.
US08568246B2

A variable length golf club shaft is disclosed herein. The variable length golf club shaft includes at least one upper shaft portion having a first diameter and a hollow lower shaft portion having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein the lower shaft portion has at least one notch, and wherein the at least one upper shaft portion has at least one pin that fits within the at least one notch.
US08568245B2

A fixed type constant velocity universal joint prevents heat generation when a high load is applied or during high-speed rotation to improve durability, and suppresses contact resistance between a cage and inner and outer races to improve constant velocity performance. Curvature centers of track grooves of outer and inner joint members have an offset of 0 in an axial direction. Track grooves of the outer joint member and the inner joint member, which are tilted in opposite directions from each other with respect to an axis line, are alternately formed in a circumferential direction. An outer surface of the inner joint member is a spherical surface which is to be brought into sliding contact with an inner spherical surface of the cage. An inner surface of the outer joint member is a cylindrical surface.
US08568225B2

An embedded additional user interface 10 includes a web page display screen 20 and an embedded processor 30, and is incorporated into a gaming machine 40 that in turn includes a gaming screen 50 and a gaming processor 60. Because of security procedures applied for digital signing and certification of user selectable programming elements, the embedded additional user interface 10 employs an interface build application 79 such that the user can select and modify the look and feel of the web page display screen content. The interface build application enables content to be presented on a web page display screen that can track to an individual player. The interface build application also enables a casino user to update current casino promotions for its players in a timely manner, as well as present customized marketing messages, which can even be targeted to individual players. The casino user can customize the look and feel of web page display screen content to make the game player environment more exciting and more conducive to extended player gaming sessions.
US08568209B2

Air-conditioning systems for vehicles include at least one air-distribution duct and at least one air-return duct. The at least one air-distribution duct is in air flow communication with at least one air-conditioning unit and is adapted to extend along a substantial portion of the interior of the vehicle. The at least one air-distribution duct includes at least one opening through which air conditioned by the at least one air-conditioning unit can be discharged to the interior of the vehicle. The at least one air-return duct also has at least one opening though which air from the interior of the vehicle can pass and be discharged from the air-return duct at a discharge location. The at least one air-return duct is adapted to extend to one or more areas of the vehicle interior so that at least one opening in the air-return duct is substantially removed from the discharge location.
US08568201B2

A method and an apparatus for grinding an axial workpiece are capable of removing a turning lead portion of an axial workpiece having an oil seal fit portion on its outer circumferential surface by grinding without any grinding fluid. The apparatus includes a headstock of a lathe for rotatably supporting an axial workpiece about its axis, the workpiece having an oil seal fit portion on its outer circumferential surface, and a slide mount disposed so as to be radially movable with respect to a tool turret of the lathe. The apparatus also includes an air cylinder for moving the slide mount back and forth in alignment with the axis of the headstock, an elastic grinding stone wheel rotatably attached to the slide mount to be movable radially back and forth with respect to the oil seal fit portion by the slide mount being moved, and a brushless motor for rotating the elastic grinding stone wheel.
US08568200B2

An ultra-low temperature magnetic polishing machine includes a housing defining therein a grinding chamber, a door hinged to the housing and controllable to open/close the grinding chamber, a motor mounted inside the housing below the grinding chamber, a magnetic disc set in between the grinding chamber and the motor and rotatable by the motor to cause an alternative magnetic field in the grinding chamber, a freezer having an output pipeline inserted into the grinding chamber and freezing medium deliverable through the output pipeline into the grinding chamber, a container set in the grinding chamber, and magnetically conductive grinding media put in the container.
US08568199B2

Method and apparatus for detecting an accurate polishing endpoint of a substrate based on a change in polishing rate are provided. The method includes: applying a light to the surface of the substrate and receiving a reflected light from the substrate; obtaining a plurality of spectral profiles at predetermined time intervals, each spectral profile indicating reflection intensity at each wavelength of the reflected light; selecting at least one pair of spectral profiles, including a latest spectral profile, from the plurality of spectral profiles obtained; calculating a difference in the reflection intensity at a predetermined wavelength between the spectral profiles selected; determining an amount of change in the reflection intensity from the difference; and determining a polishing endpoint based on the amount of change.
US08568183B2

To provide a process of producing an organic electroluminescence element having a high current efficiency and a long drive life by a wet film formation process. The present invention relates to a process of producing an organic electroluminescence element composition, comprising a filtration step of filtering a solution containing an organic electroluminescence element material and a solvent, wherein the composition is obtained after a time-elapsing step wherein 8 hours or more elapses after the filtration step, and the composition is used for a wet film formation of an organic layer in an organic electroluminescence element.
US08568180B1

A mooring buoy for use in water having a lower portion with a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a bottom surface with a female stacking indent and an upper portion having a radiused outer surface and a male stacking ridge so two such mooring buoys can be stacked and sit atop each other when the mooring buoys rest on a planar surface. Handles can be formed in the lower portion.
US08568179B2

The invention relates to a multidirectional propulsion system for ships, including a mechanical hypocycloid transformer, which comprises a drive system (100) of the mechanical hypocycloid transformer type and which performs two basic functions, namely: generating the oscillating rotational movements of the two concentric shafts (15, 16) in order to move the propeller blades, and rotating integrally about the geometric axis thereof, such that the range of the sweep angle of the swing frames (17, 17′) can be varied gradually between an upper threshold and a lower threshold both when the propulsion system is in operation and stopped. The invention also includes a multidirectional connection system which can change the orientation of the propulsion force of the blades and, consequently, the direction of movement of the ship and which comprises a clutch on each concentric shaft each clutch having two discs. The invention further includes a submerged part, formed by a fish-tail propulsion.
US08568178B2

A marine vessel propulsion apparatus includes an engine, a rotation speed detecting device, a forward-reverse switching mechanism, a shift position detecting device, a liquid supplying device, a flow passage, a physical quantity detecting device, and a controller. The flow passage is arranged such that a liquid is supplied from the liquid supplying device when a crankshaft is rotating in one rotation direction. A physical quantity of the liquid in the flow passage after the forward-reverse switching mechanism has been switched from the forward drive state to the reverse drive state in a state where the crankshaft is rotating is a post-switching physical quantity. The controller executes a reverse rotation prevention control to control at least one of either the engine or the forward-reverse switching mechanism to prevent reverse rotation of the crankshaft in a case where the post-switching physical quantity is less than a predetermined first value.
US08568167B2

An outer sleeve of a coaxial cable connector comprising a tubular body operably attached to a coupling member, a compression portion frangibly connected to the tubular body, wherein the compression portion is configured to break away from the tubular body and displace towards the first end of the tubular body within the tubular body upon an axial compressive force is provided. Moreover, a post configured to receive a prepared end of a coaxial cable, a coupling member, axially rotatable with respect to the post, an outer sleeve engageable with the coupling member, the outer sleeve having a first end and a second end, wherein rotation of the outer sleeve rotates the coupling member, and a compression portion structurally integral with the outer sleeve, wherein the compression portion is configured to break apart from the outer sleeve when axially compressed is further provided. Furthermore, associated methods are also provided.
US08568165B2

An electrical connector includes a locknut having an annular locating flange, a core tube for receiving the copper core, inner dielectric insulator and aluminum foil shield of a coaxial cable and supporting the braided metal wrapper and outer plastic sheath of the coaxial cable, a casing surrounding the core tube and having first and second tubular deformable portions and a vertical rear stop edge, and a barrel mounted on the casing between the first tubular deformable portion and the locknut and having a tapered inner surface portion and movable to compress the first and second tubular deformable portions against the coaxial cable and the core tube and an annular front stop edge for stopping a crimping tool used to crimp the casing.
US08568163B2

The differential pair system includes a push-on high frequency differential interconnect and push-on high frequency differential connector. The system allows for blind mating of the two components, using a keying system for the two electrical conductors to be axially and radially aligned.
US08568156B2

Provided is a novel technology for determining the cause of a faulty insertion of a block body into a plug blade insertion hole, and for solving that problem fundamentally. The externally extending shapes of a ceiling plate and a rotary frame are made circular by using the novel technology as the core technology, to thereby make improvements including the integration of a locking function and a power supply connection function. A selection is made which of a rotary frame (4) or a ceiling plate (22) is used as a reference, and a rotary track is set for the selected reference with the intersection of a longitudinal center line and a lateral center line used as the center of a circle. A new rotary track is provided for the other with the intersection of a lateral center line before rotation and a lateral center line after rotation used as the center of a circle in a state where the longitudinal center line is always aligned with the longitudinal center line of the selected reference. On the basis of that technology, both the rotary frame and ceiling plate are made circular so that power supply can be connected directly with the plug blade through the rotary frame (4), the block body, a substrate, or the like, which have the terminals of receptacle provided on the whole lengths of the rotation tracks thereof.
US08568154B2

A structure for electronically connecting between two devices is provided. The structure includes a mount structure capable of mounting a first device, and a connector maintaining electronic connection with a second device and being movable on the mount structure depending on a connection position with the mounted first device.
US08568148B2

An artificial bone generally includes a substantially continuous outer wall defining an inner cavity, an inner core disposed within at least a portion of the inner cavity, wherein the inner core includes a porous material having stiffness within a range of stiffness properties for mammalian cancellous bone and strength within a range of strength properties for mammalian cancellous bone, and a barrier layer disposed between the outer wall and the inner core to separate the outer wall from the porous material.
US08568146B2

A model or mannequin is provided for use in the field of medicine to teach anatomic body structure and demonstrate surgical procedures and techniques. The teaching model is designed as a life size replica of a female torso. The model is designed to be an anatomically correct replica including a torso portion with a fabric chest wall, symmetrical pectoralis major muscle layers that are secured to the chest wall and symmetrical breast tissue layers that are secured over the pectoralis muscle layers. Currently available breast implants are utilized by the educator to demonstrate the placement of the implants in various pockets. If necessary the breast tissue, and muscle layers can be elevated to reveal the deeper tissue layers.
US08568124B2

Powder spreaders suitable for use with layered manufacturing processes are disclosed in which a strip of flexible material of a width which spans the powder bed is used to spread, level, and, optionally, compact deposited powder to form a layer of the powder bed. The strip surface moves relative to the deposited powder it is spreading as the working portion of the strip, i.e., the portion of the strip that is in contact with the powder, traverses across the powder bed so that it can provide lift to the powder in front of it and, optionally, compaction to the powder below it. The working portion of the strip can be configured to have its leading and trailing surface contours to be different from one another, and, optionally, to have these contours and its bottom edge contour be independently adjustable. Layered manufacturing systems comprising such powder spreaders are also disclosed.
US08568122B2

A control and actuation system is provided for a molding machine for producing expanded-grain cakes. The system includes a control unit, a temperature-regulated heating system, multiple motors operated by the control unit for separately actuating mechanical functions, multiple sensors for providing grain level and mechanism positional data to the control unit, control inputs for programming and otherwise providing input to the control unit, and a display device allowing the control unit to provide operational status information. The control unit regulates the thermal energy input to the mold, the molding cycle frequency, and the size of the grain charge. Several interrupts are used to ensure conformance to the control parameters and to enhance operator safety.
US08568115B2

A hose roller pump includes a stator, a rotor, and a rotor drive. The rotor includes hose rollers whose position is variable in the radial direction via an adjustment apparatus having an adjustment element. The pump includes a brake device, and the radial position of the hose rollers is variable by the interplay of the brake device and the rotor drive.
US08568113B2

Systems and methods including a motor or electromagnets to control the movement of one or more pistons in a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber may include a pump inlet and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the pumping chamber. Surfaces on a piston or pumping chamber may include hydrodynamic bearing surfaces.
US08568106B2

An electrohydrodynamic conduction liquid pumping system having a vessel configured to contain a liquid therein, a single pair or multi-pairs of electrodes disposed in a circularly spaced apart relationship to each other inside the vessel and configured to be oriented in the liquid. A power supply is coupled to the electrodes and configured to generate electric fields in-between each electrode pair to induce a net radial pumping of the liquid. A heat source is provided to produce heat sufficient to boil and vaporize the liquid while non-vaporized liquid moving toward the heat source prevents over-heating of the heat source. A heat sink is configured to have a operating temperature below the vaporization temperature of the liquid so that contact of the vapor with the heat sink will condense the vapor into a liquid to replenish the liquid supply moving toward the heat source.
US08568099B2

Apparatus and methods for monitoring component health in a gearbox of a power generation system. A gearbox has a gear set with relatively-movable components, an armature attached to one of these components, and a magnet attached to another of these components. The armature is subjected to a changing magnetic field from the magnet that generates electrical energy. An electrical device for monitoring component health is inside the gearbox and is powered by the electrical energy received from the armature.
US08568098B2

The present invention provides a pitch drive apparatus of a wind generator and the wind generator constituted not to affect a main shaft or a gear box, and capable of preventing reliability from being deteriorated. The pitch drive apparatus includes a wind turbine blade (6) having a base portion (21) mounted so as to be turnable around an axis center L with respect to a rotor head (4), an electric drive member having an output shaft (19) mounted on the rotor head (4) so as to extend in a direction along the axis center (L), a lever (15) having one end fixed to the output shaft (19) and extending in a direction intersecting with the output shaft (19), and a connecting link (17) disposed so as to extend in a direction intersecting with the output shaft (19). One end of the connecting link (17) is rotatably mounted on a free end of the lever (15) and the other end of the connecting link (17) is rotatably mounted on a drive position P of the wind turbine blade (6).
US08568090B2

A system for removing moisture from a steam/water mixture engaging a stationary component of a steam turbine. The system includes an airfoil located within a flow path of a steam turbine. The airfoil is configured for removing moisture from a steam/water mixture traveling in the flow path. To this end, the airfoil includes a cavity in flow communication with the steam path through at least one inlet and outlet opening, near the leading and trailing edge of the airfoil, respectively. Moisture and steam are extracted from the surface through the inlet openings, the steam and water are separated in the cavity, the separated water flows towards the bottom end, and the dry steam flows through the outlet opening and returns to the steam path. The dry steam blowing out of the trailing edge reduces the size of secondary droplets, and thereby prevents erosion.
US08568084B2

A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing near a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that has a pressure different from the first stage to a step area immediately adjacent to the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.
US08568080B2

The device includes a stacking surface movable in a substantially vertical direction, on which layers of products to be packaged are superposed, and a pair of conveyors substantially superposed to feed the layers of products to the stacking surface. The device also includes a pair of walls substantially parallel, and substantially vertical, between which the layers of products are inserted by the conveyors when they are stacked on the stacking surface. The walls move reciprocally towards and away from each other to take a position of greater reciprocal distance, in which they do not interfere with the products deposited on the stacking surface, and a position of lesser reciprocal distance, in which they interfere with the products inserted therebetween.
US08568076B1

An apparatus for securing and fueling a surface water vessel at a floating receptacle that is towed by a parent ship. The surface water vessel may be a manned or an unmanned surface vehicle, for example. According to the invention, the surface water vessel includes a retractable probe for securing the water vessel to the floating receptacle and also for receiving fuel from the parent ship via the floating receptacle. The floating receptacle has first and second arms pivotally attached to a mounting block, forming a substantially V-shape having an adjustable apex angle.
US08568074B2

A two-part device arranged for threaded assembly comprising a first part having a first threaded section provided on an external generally cylindrical surface and a second part having a second threaded section arranged for threaded engagement with the first threaded section and provided on an internal generally cylindrical surface. A locking opening is provided on the first or second part and a corresponding locking protrusion is provided on the other of the first or second part. When the first and second parts are threaded together by means of the first and second threaded sections, the locking opening and locking protrusion are drawn closer together and upon reaching a threshold the locking protrusion engages with the locking opening. This inhibits the first and second parts from being threadedly disengaged.
US08568068B2

A tool comprising a cutting section on which a multiplicity of blades or cutting edges and flutes are formed; a shank section, which forms a chucking section on a side which faces away from the cutting section, wherein a number of fluid channels which corresponds to the number of flutes is formed in the chucking section in such a manner that the fluid which emerges from axial discharge openings of the chucking section can be fed in a free jet along the shank into in each case one associated flute of the cutting section. Also, a method for supplying the blades of such a tool.
US08568066B2

A drilling machine, in particular a core hole drilling machine, having a mount on which an electromagnet is provided for attachment to a metal part on which a drilling unit is supported in displaceable fashion, wherein the drilling unit has a housing that accommodates an electric motor for driving a tool, is provided. There is provided a controller having at least one switch for switching on and off the electric motor and the electromagnet. The controller includes an operating and supervisory panel that is supported on an end of the housing opposite the tool. The switch for switching on and off the electromagnet and for switching off the electric motor is designed so that in the activated condition of the electric motor any operation of the controller will first cause the electric motor to be switched off before the electromagnet can be switched off.
US08568065B2

A cutting tool has an insert holder for retaining a tangential cutting insert in an insert pocket. The insert pocket has a bottom surface, a rear surface and a base surface. The base surface has three abutment protuberances that extend from the base surface. Each base abutment protuberance has a respective base abutment surface. The three base abutment surfaces abut the cutting insert at three points to provide stable seating of the cutting insert in the insert pocket.
US08568049B2

The invention relates to a mascara brush comprising a carrier portion and a bristle covering of bristles respectively protruding outwardly along their longitudinal bristle axis L from the carrier portion, wherein the bristle covering comprises bristles consisting essentially of a bristle stem and an eyelash retaining organ adjoining thereto, which is configured as a retaining projection which projects over the surface of the bristle stem located, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal bristle axis, proximally-below it, in a direction transverse to the direction of the longitudinal bristle axis, or which is configured as a retaining groove open towards the distal end in the end face of the distal end of a bristle.
US08568047B2

A retractable instrument in accordance with the disclosure advantageously has a simple construction and fewer pieces or sub-assemblies than known retractable instruments. The retractable instrument includes a barrel that encloses a tool holder. The tool holder has an extension, and a tool extending from the distal end of the extension. A valve selectively covers the tool to protect the tool from environmental conditions. A biasing element is disposed between the valve and the tool holder, the biasing element biases the valve away from the tool holder. A movable closure assembly retains the valve on the extension and selectively allows the lid to open and close. The closure assembly includes a closure ring and a retention ring connected by one or more closure arms. The retention ring is disposed on the tool holder and the retention ring is prevented from sliding off of the tool holder by a retention stop.
US08568044B2

An ink ribbon cartridge includes: a supply spool which has at one end portion a driving hole, with which a driving shaft of a printer apparatus is engaged; a winding spool which has at one end portion a driving hole, with which the driving shaft of the printer apparatus is engaged; and a cartridge main body which has a supply-side ribbon housing section, a winding-side ribbon housing section, and a thermal head entry opening portion formed between the supply-side and winding-side ribbon housing sections, and in which opening portions for the ribbon are formed on the head entry opening portion sides of the supply-side and winding-side ribbon housing sections, wherein in the cartridge main body, a concave guide portion is formed, and on a bottom face of the concave guide portion, a projection portion, which comes into contact with a guide portion of the printer apparatus side, is formed.
US08568043B2

Disclosed is a coating and developing apparatus including (a) a first liquid process module to sequentially perform a first liquid process by a first chemical liquid, and a second liquid process by the first chemical liquid again; (b) a buffer module to sequentially store the respective substrates which have been subjected to the first liquid process and have not yet been subjected to the second liquid process; and (c) a second liquid process module to sequentially perform a third liquid process by a second chemical liquid. In particular, the third liquid process to be performed on a first substrate of the substrate group is started before the first liquid process performed on a last substrate of the substrate group is ended, in such a manner that right after the first liquid process is performed on the last substrate, the second liquid process is to be performed on the first substrate.
US08568035B2

Retaining cage for balls of a rolling bearing, comprising an annular shoulder (16) extended axially by projecting portions (18) defining between them sockets (15) for the balls, emerging radially on either side of the cage. The cage was made from a metal and the surface of each socket (15) is designed to cooperate with one of the balls and is defined by an imaginary cylinder with an axis oriented radially and cut by the plane axially delimiting the cage on the side opposite the shoulder (16) so as to form an axial opening of the socket, the width of this opening being smaller than the diameter of the said imaginary cylinder.
US08568031B2

A reclosable pouch includes a first side wall and a second side wall joined together to form a bag. The pouch has an open top for receiving and removing items to be stored, such as food or other material. The pouch further includes at least one closure mechanism near the open top of the bag which provides for a reclosable bag. Each closure mechanism comprises a male closure element and a female closure element aligned on the opposing first and second side walls, respectively. The male closure element is asymmetrically deformed in a plurality of intermittent section. Preferably, the closure mechanism is a double zipper with at least one male section including one hook extending from an end thereof to engage the female closure element. The closure mechanism provides a clicking feel and/or sound when the pouch is closed. The closure mechanism is substantially leak-proof when closed.
US08568026B2

A temperature measurement system capable of operating in harsh environments including a temperature sensor having an antenna, diode, and dielectric layer disposed on the object of interest is provided, wherein the antenna includes a buried portion that extends through and is electrically coupled to the object of interest, and an exposed portion disposed upon an outer surface of the dielectric layer and the diode is coupled between the object of interest and the exposed portion of the antenna. The antenna is configured to receive interrogating signals from a transmitter, and to transmit response signals corresponding to the resonant frequency of the temperature sensor and its harmonics, which are indicative of the measured temperature of the object of interest. A receiver detects the response signals and correlates the frequency to a known temperature response of the dielectric material. Methods of making and using the temperature measurement system are also provided.
US08568025B2

A temperature probe for use in oil-filled transformers comprises an optical fiber, a temperature sensitive member, and a protective cylindrical sheath. The optical fiber and the sensitive member are located in the protective sheath, and continuous longitudinal slit is defined along the length of the sheath to allow oil to flow therein. The optical fiber is mounted in and to the sheath using a bonding material and at a distance from the sheath. The sensitive member is adhesively mounted to the optical fiber, within the sheath, and at a distance thereof.
US08568021B2

A method of measuring heat flux received on a selected area from a radiant tube heater includes providing an enclosing wall along side edges of the selected area and the radiant tube heater having a radiant heating tube mounted above the area. A heat flux sensor whose operating temperature can be regulated is used and is placed on a grid formed on the selected area, this grid defining a plurality of side-by-side sensor locations, each corresponding respectively to an area covered by one heat flux sensor. The heat flux received at each sensor location is measured and the sensor is moved sequentially from one sensor location to an adjacent sensor location after each measurement.
US08568019B2

A mixing apparatus is disclosed. The mixing apparatus comprises a mixing device having a constant flow area. The mixing device is configured to create a shearing environment. Several types of mixing apparatus are disclosed. Methods for producing aqueous fuel emulsions with consistently uniform dispersed phase particle sizes using a mixing apparatus are also disclosed.
US08568007B2

A vehicle headlight can include a semiconductor light source and a heat sink to radiate heat developed from the light source. The headlight can include a mounting base board mounting the light source and attached on a radiating base plate of the heat sink. At least one of a bottom surface of the mounting base board and the radiating base plate can include a concave portion in which a depth thereof is deeper than a maximum particle size of an inclusion of a thermal conductive viscous material that spreads in the concave portion. The light source can be located at a prescribed position in an accurate fashion without a positional misalignment while the heat developed from the light source can efficiently radiate via the heat sink. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide headlights including a radiation structure having a high radiating performance and positional accuracy for the light source.
US08567999B2

A lighting apparatus as disclosed herein may include an installation guide plate which may guide the installation of a light source module inside a housing of the lighting apparatus. The guide plate may include an opening shaped to correspond to a shape of the light source module. The light source module may be inserted into the opening to facilitate positioning and installation of the light source module. The guide plate may also be configured to provide electrical insulation between the light source module and the housing.
US08567997B2

A single piece light guide is disclosed herein. The single piece light guide may include a light rod and a lens. The single piece light guide may be formed using injection molding. The light guide may have one or more regions between the light rod and the lens. A housing may be provided for the light guide. The housing may have an opening that physically supports the light rod. Therefore, the light rod may be secured into place, which may prevent misalignment during use. The one or more regions between the light rod and the lens may assist in assembling and holding the light guide in the housing.
US08567995B2

An adjustable keyboard light including a light module that includes an internal light source, a retaining member that retains the light module in an initial closed position, and a release button that releases the light module such that the module can pivot outwardly to one of multiple open positions, the light module having a different orientation at each open position.
US08567993B2

An emergency illumination device includes a housing. The emergency illumination device is arranged to include a light source and a power supply. The emergency illumination device further includes a motion detector to generate a motion signal when motion is detected. The emergency illumination device is arranged to switch on the light source when a motion signal is generated by the motion detector. The housing includes a first outer surface arranged to support the emergency illumination device when positioned on a bearing surface. The motion detector generates a motion detection plane that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the first outer surface.
US08567989B2

A heat sink for a light emitting diode (LED) lamp assembly includes a core region having a lower end, an upper end, a first region configured to receive an electrical connector, a second region configured to receive at least one LED, and a plurality of longitudinal vanes extending outwardly from the core region, and an upper thermal ring intersecting with and supported by the vanes. The heat sink further includes webs formed between adjacent pairs of the longitudinal vanes, the webs collectively defining an auxiliary thermal ring, the auxiliary thermal ring substantially circumferentially surrounding in spaced relation the core region and disposed, as viewed in the longitudinal direction, between the upper thermal ring and the lower rim. Each of the longitudinal vanes defines a respective thermal notch formed on a vane surface facing an adjacent longitudinal vane, the thermal notch being in confronting relationship to a respective air low aperture.
US08567981B2

A laser aiming device incorporated into a battery cap housing, which is in turn secured to such as an existing gun sight and which is in communication with the sights primary power source, such as a battery. The laser aiming device constitutes such as a diode and adjustment mechanism attached to a weapon sight battery source and, by virtue of a circuit closing cap insert, powering itself off the same. As such, the device is capable of being attached to the other side of the battery cap, while running off the single (primary) battery source associated with the cap.
US08567972B2

There is provided a vehicle mirror apparatus including: a mirror provided to a vehicle; a worm gear rotated by driving force from a base end side of the worm gear; a wheel gear engaged with the worm gear, the wheel gear adjusting a mirror-face angle of the mirror by being rotated due to the worm gear rotating; and a radial direction stopper portion that stops radial direction displacement of the worm gear towards the wheel gear radial direction outside by the leading end side of the worm gear making contact with the radial direction stopper portion.
US08567952B2

The apparatus comprises a vest 10 worn by a user 1 and having on its shoulders pivots 12 for an telescoping boom 20. A camera 38 is mounted on a standard mount 32 on a crossmember extending between side members 16 of the boom. A counterweight 28 provides balance to produce quasi-neutral positioning of the boom and camera and thus its ready pivoting by the user. Pistol grips 16, 18 provide for extension of the boom and panning/tilting of the camera. A monitor screen 36 allows the user to view the picture seen by the camera.
US08567944B2

A printing method for producing durable images onto a printable recording medium is disclosed herein. The printing method encompasses providing a printable recording media; applying an ink composition containing a liquid vehicle and a colorant; wherein the print speed of the printing method is 50 fpm or higher. The printable recording media encompasses a base substrate, a first ink-receiving layer containing more than about 80 wt % of one or more particulate inorganic pigments and a second ink-receiving layer, on top of the first ink-receiving layer, including particulate inorganic pigments having an average particle size of about 0.1 to about 2 μm.
US08567941B2

There is provided a transporting device transporting a medium, including: a first member pair which changes a posture of the first member pair between a first posture and a second posture; a second member pair which changes a posture of the second member pair between a third posture and a fourth posture; and a movable member which is movable between a fifth posture and a sixth posture, and which has a first abutting portion and a second abutting portion, wherein, in a process that the movable member moves from the fifth posture to the sixth posture, the first abutting portion makes the first member pair change the posture from the first posture to the second posture, and while the first abutting portion makes the first member pair change the posture, the second abutting portion abuts on one of the second member pair.
US08567932B2

A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. Users orient a housing to deplete the ink in a direction of gravity toward a bottom of the interior. The imaging device has a rotating latch. The latch mates with a top of the supply item to keep in place the supply item. Fluid exit and air venting ports reside on a side of the housing that gets inserted first into a container slot of the imaging device. A space separates the ports so a biasing member can push against the housing to assist in ejecting the supply item upon users activating the latch. The ports are separated a maximum distance to facilitate the ejection, while the exit port remains near a bottom to minimize stranding ink. Further embodiments note arrangements, distances and consumer features, to name a few.
US08567929B1

The present invention provides a semi-automated and automated system for refilling wide format printer ink cartridges. The system includes a computer with memory provided to store information relating to a plurality of ink cartridges, and a user interface in signal communication with the computer and a database comprising respective fill information for a plurality of ink cartridge model numbers. The system comprises a series of ink reservoirs, a fill pump in fluid communication with the ink reservoir and an extraction pump. The system utilizes workstation needles comprising a blunt tip and an ink discharge aperture located along a sidewall proximate a transition between the sidewall and the blunt tip. A control valve can be provided between the fill pump, the extraction pump, and the workstation needle. A second, vent needle can be inserted into a vent port for a dual port cartridge form factor.
US08567924B2

A method for forming an ink jet print head can include attaching a plurality of piezoelectric elements to a diaphragm, dispensing an interstitial layer over the diaphragm, electrically coupling a plurality of conductive elements to the plurality of piezoelectric elements, and curing the interstitial layer. A plurality of electrically isolated conductive particles within the interstitial layer electrically couple the plurality of conductive elements to the plurality of piezoelectric elements. The conductive particles can be evenly distributed throughout the totality of the interstitial layer dielectric, or they can be localized over a top surface of each piezoelectric element and interposed between the plurality of piezoelectric elements and the plurality of conductive elements. The conductive elements can be part of a flex circuit or printed circuit board.
US08567916B2

A liquid supplying mechanism includes a flow channel forming member that has a base having a plate-like shape on which an upstream portion of a plurality of liquid supplying flow channels are formed so as to supply ink to each of a plurality of liquid ejection heads that are assembled to a liquid ejection head unit, and a plurality of connection members in a tubular shape that extend from one side of the of the base so as to form a downstream portion of the flow channels that individually communicate with the upstream portion of the respective liquid supplying flow channels and are disposed such that the distal end of the connection members correspond to the positions of the connection holes that are formed on the respective liquid ejection heads.
US08567915B2

An inkjet recording method includes recording by ejecting liquid droplets of an ink onto a recording medium from an ejection head that ejects, by heat, the liquid droplets of the ink at an ejection amount with respect to one droplet of from 1 ng to 2 ng to thereby attach the liquid droplets of the ink to the recording medium, wherein the ink comprises a pigment having a volume average particle diameter of from 100 nm to 400 nm and has a dynamic contact angle of from 30° to 60°, 50 seconds after dropwise addition of 3 μl of the ink to plain paper.
US08567914B2

The dimensions/shape of ink flow channels in a recording head are designed so that when the inertance of nozzles is represented by Mn, the inertance of the ink supply channels is represented by Ms, the combined resistance obtained by combining the flow channel resistance in the nozzles, the flow channel resistance in pressure chambers, and the flow channel resistance in the supply channels is represented by R, and a unique vibration cycle of the pressure fluctuation arising in the ink within the pressure chambers is represented by Tc, the following Equation (A) holds true. √{square root over (MnMs)}≦RTc  (A)
US08567903B2

A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes a liquid droplet jetting head which jets droplets of two types of liquids; a discharge mechanism which discharges the two types of liquids from the jetting head respectively; a waste liquid recovery device which recovers the two types of liquids discharged by the discharge mechanism, having a waste liquid case, an absorbing body accommodated in the waste liquid case, two liquid intake portions for letting the two types of liquids discharged by the discharge mechanism flow respectively into the waste liquid case, and a waste liquid detection section which detects whether only one or both of the two types of liquids has or have reached a detection position by measuring electric conductivity at the detection position away from the two liquid intake portions in the absorbing body; and a full liquid judging section which judges whether the absorbing body is fully permeated.
US08567898B2

A printing system with a print zone where droplets of ink print onto media, a drive roller configured to translate the media into the print zone and a movable media engagement assembly for vacuum engagement of one side of the media to draw the media away from the print zone.
US08567897B2

A circuit substrate includes a first terminal connected to a storage device, a second terminal to which voltage higher than voltage which is applied to the first terminal is applied, and a third terminal. The third terminal is disposed adjacent to the first terminal and the second terminal and connected to an overvoltage detection section provided in a printer. A convex portion is provided on a substrate surface between the first terminal and the second terminal, and a configuration is made such that a liquid droplet easily spreads from the second terminal to the third terminal rather than the liquid droplet spreading from the second terminal to the first terminal.
US08567894B2

A method for operating a web printing system enables web and roller changes arising from temperature changes to be identified and used to adjust operation of the reflex registration system. The method includes identifying a temperature change for at least one roller in a web printing system, identifying a temperature change for a web moving through the web printing system at one or more locations in the web printing system, modifying web velocity computations for a reflex registration system with reference to the identified temperature change for the at least one roller and the identified temperature change for the web, and operating printheads to eject ink onto the web at positions identified with reference to the modified web velocity computations.
US08567892B2

A printing device for discharging ink from a print head to print an image includes a detection unit configured to detect pixels of at least a high-concentration side of an edge of the image as edge pixels based on image data including plurality of pixels, a halftone processing unit configured to create dot data expressing whether or not dots are formed based on the image data, and a printing unit configured to print the image by combining together dots formed at multiple different timings in a common print region of a print medium. The halftone processing unit is configured to create the dot data so that dots are formed disproportionately towards one of the multiple timings in positions on the print medium where dots corresponding to the edge pixels are formed.
US08567884B2

The invention relates to a synchronization device for moving a first actuating device in synchronization with at least one second actuating device. The first actuating device and the second actuating device are provided on a piece of furniture in the installed state in order to move a movable furniture part. The device includes a synchronization rod for transferring a synchronous motion of the at least two actuating devices, and at least one fastening device, by which the synchronization rod can be detachably connected to at least one of the two actuating devices. At least one detachable locking device is also provided, which prevents the synchronization rod from being connected to the at least one fastening device in the locked state of the locking device, wherein the locking device is in the locking state without prior actuation by a user.
US08567883B2

A rack mechanism includes a sliding rail, a cabinet, three first fixed beams, a guide rail, two rods, and four roller assemblies. The cabinet includes a top portion, which includes a lid defining four holes. The bottom portion slidably connected to the sliding rail. The three first fixed beams parallelly arranged above the top portion. The guide rail is fixed to the first fixed beams. The two rods are arranged under the lid. Each two of the four roller assemblies are respectively connected to the two rods. Each roller assembly includes a shelf and a pulley. One end of the shelf passes through one of the holes to fix the shelf to the rod. The pulley is arranged to the other end of the shelf. The pulley rolls along the guide rails when the bottom portion slides along the sliding rails.
US08567869B2

The shield control device of a longwall shield for carrying out the longwall functions of the longwall shield in the longwall face working in a mine is associated with a distributing device upstream of a group of functional elements. Each of the functional elements of the longwall shield is associated with an exclusive address code word, on the call of which the internal connection between the shield control device and the functional elements depends. The distributing device is arranged in close proximity to the functional elements. The functional elements are valves or sensors.
US08567867B2

A child seat has a seat base with a seating surface, a front edge, and a back end. A back support surface of the child seat is generally inclined relative to the seating surface. A seat bight is formed at the juncture between the seating surface and the back support surface. The seat bight is adjustable between a first bight position spaced a first distance from the front edge of the seat base and a second bight position spaced a second distance from the front edge of the seat base. The second distance is less than the first distance. A seat back insert can be provided that is attachable to the seat base in one or more insert positions defining one or more of the bight positions. The insert can create the back support surface at one or more position relative to the front edge. The seat base can also have a back wall creating the back support surface further from the front edge when the insert is removed.
US08567866B2

A stroller seat pod includes a seat bottom having front, left side, right side, back, top, and underside; seat back having first piece and second piece, first piece and second piece slidably connected to one another; first piece of seat back being hingedly connected to seat bottom such that seat back and seat bottom have first seat position and second seat position, wherein, in first seat position, seat back and seat bottom have open configuration for sitting, and wherein, in second seat position, seat back and seat bottom have a closed configuration for storage; second piece of seat back being connected to first piece of seat back such that first piece of seat back and second piece of seat back have first backrest position and second backrest position, wherein, in first backrest position, first piece of seat back and second piece of seat back are extended relative to one another to increase seat back area for sitting, wherein, in second backrest position, first piece of seat back and the second piece of seat back are retracted relative to one another for storage.
US08567864B2

A chair system according to embodiments of the present invention includes a base comprising a seat for a user and one or more support legs, a back, and a flexible back support element rigidly coupled to the back and to the base, the flexible back support element comprising a flex zone, the flex zone comprising one or more notches, wherein the back is reclinable from an upright position to a reclined position, wherein the one or more notches are configured to narrow as the back reclines from the upright position to the reclined position, and wherein the one or more notches are open in the upright position and closed in the reclined position.
US08567848B2

A modular headboard system is provided. The modular headboard system can be positioned on a vehicle, such as a truck, trailer, rail car, or on a shipping structure such as a shipping pallet. The modular headboard system can also be used in association with a cover system for covering or enclosing cargo during shipping on a vehicle or shipping structure. The modular headboard system comprises a plurality of component members that are assembled to form a headboard. The headboard system comprises a headboard, a pair of wings connected to opposite sides of the headboard and extending at least partially above the headboard, and a headboard extension member disposed at the top of the headboard and connected to the wings. The wings and the headboard extension member can be releasably connected to the headboard for easily assembly and disassembly of the headboard system.
US08567846B1

A vehicle includes a vehicular frame and a utility bed coupled with the vehicular frame. The utility bed includes a bed frame and a seat. The seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The seat back includes an upper back support and a lower back support. The lower back support is movably coupled with the upper back support and is movable between a passenger support position and a stored position.
US08567845B2

A car having: a frame provided with two external vertical posts, which are arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the car, and two internal vertical posts, which are arranged between the two external vertical posts and at a given distance from the external vertical posts; a passenger compartment; a sun roof, which is supported by the frame and can be set in an open position or a closed position with respect to the passenger compartment; a housing for containing the sun roof when the sun roof itself is set in the open position; a movable cover for closing the housing; and a rear window, which is mounted in a sliding manner so as to move between an extracted position, in which the rear window projects from the car body, and a withdrawn position, in which the rear window is housed inside the car body.
US08567841B2

A trunk lid for a motor vehicle includes an inner lining, a rear window, and a structural reinforcement. The structural reinforcement includes an upper portion which defines a rear-window opening and a lower portion which extends the upper portion toward the bottom of the trunk lid. The structural reinforcement is made in a single piece of a polymer material. An outside of the structural reinforcement is completely covered at least by the rear window and an outer covering panel placed beneath the rear window. An inside of the structural reinforcement is completely covered by the inner lining. The structural reinforcement and the inner lining interact to form a first hollow frame, of a first closed section, surrounding the rear-window opening, and to form a second peripheral hollow frame, of a second closed section, that is close to the outer edges of the trunk lid.
US08567840B2

A mosaic panel kit (10) and method (200) is described. The method (200) can include: installing (202) wall panels (12) to an interior surface (14) of an enclosure (16) nose (18) and walls (20); interconnecting (204) each wall panel (12) with an adjacent wall panel; and providing (206) a ceiling panel (40) over cargo (42) to be protected. The kit (10) and method (200) provide a simple and effective way to protect temperature sensitive products and/or cargos, from ambient temperature fluctuations.
US08567836B2

A gripping assembly with gripping members, as part of a grapple attachment, used to grasp and manipulate elongated objects, for example pipe, is described. Due to the gripping action of the gripping members and tilt control capabilities of the grapple attachment, total positive control of the pipe is maintained, even if the gripping assembly picks up pipe off center. The gripping members are used at least in pairs and are mounted on a common main beam structure so that they are separated from each other. The gripping members are interchangeable with other gripping members to permit the grapple attachment to grasp different sized objects, thereby providing modularity to the grapple attachment. In one embodiment, the gripping members include a support member having a main beam structure opening extending laterally therethrough that is configured to receive a main beam structure of the gripping assembly.
US08567834B2

A spreader includes inner and outer locks connectable to the corner castings of a single container and to two containers connectable in twin relation to the spreader. The outer lock is carried in pairs in the ends, respectively, of extendable beams telescopically supported in a main beam. The inner lock is moveable in pairs on the main beam exterior. In each set of associated pairs of inner and outer locks, the pair of inner locks is operable for displacement through a second drive which is separate from a first drive that is operative for displacement of the outer lock through extension or retraction of the extendable beam.
US08567831B2

Door stop assemblies are disclosed, which generally include a door stop that includes a stem portion, a distal side that includes a first magnetic element, and a proximal side. The door stop further includes at least one hinge located between the distal side and proximal side thereof. In addition, the assemblies further include a door stop receiving element that is equipped with a spring and a second magnetic element that is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic element.
US08567819B2

A gas generator assembly for a restraining device includes: a gas generator including, a housing, a cup-shaped diffuser having a gas discharge port and attached to one end of the housing, a cup-shaped gas flow controller assembled with the gas generator, an outer diameter of the diffuser being smaller than that of the housing,a gas flow controller having a bottom surface, a circumferential wall portion and an opening portion, the bottom surface being provided with a communication hole for allowing passage of gas flow, the circumferential wall portion surrounding the gas discharge port, the gas flow controller being attached to form a gap between a peripheral edge of the opening portion and the housing, and gas, discharged from the gas discharge port, colliding the circumferential wall portion, the gas flow being divided into both sides in an axial direction to flow out from the gap and the communication hole.
US08567816B1

A vehicle interior panel for use over an airbag includes a substrate having an airbag door region and a decorative covering disposed over the airbag door region. A tear seam is formed in the decorative covering along a path having an end portion that is non-orthogonal with respect to a hinge side of the airbag door region. The tear seam path may include a central portion that lies along a side of the airbag door region opposite the hinge side, along with end portions that form obtuse included angles with the central portion. In some cases, the end portions diverge from a perimeter of the airbag door region and may generally extend along high deployment stress regions of the covering. Tear seams formed along such a path may reduce airbag inflation energy losses associated with tearing the covering material(s) during airbag deployment.
US08567810B2

A foldable cart (100) comprising a foldable framework with foldable wheel units (140) and flexible containers (130) attachable thereto. The cart may be folded to fit a vehicle's luggage room, and the containers may be used to store products when attached to the framework, and carry them on when the framework is folded. The framework and the wheels may be folded inwardly such as to minimize the volume and the dimensions of the folded cart.
US08567808B2

A modular standing frame is described herein. The modular standing frame has a chair module adapted to raise and lower a user between sitting and standing postures without inducing shear between the user and the seat and seat back of the chair module. The chair module may be selectively coupled to one of a glider module adapted to provide walking-type exercise to a standing user, a workstation module that provides a work surface for a sitting or standing user, and a mobility module that allows the standing frame to be moved about by a user much like a wheel chair.
US08567806B2

The present invention provides a bicycle which comprises a bicycle frame, a pair of wheels, a gear assembly, and a bicycle saddle, the bicycle characterized in that: the bicycle saddle has a base and a main body, the main body being disposed on the base and extending to left and right sides along a longitudinal axis between front and rear ends of the bicycle frame. The rider feels comfortable when riding a bicycle of this invention because the rider's crotch area is not in contact with the saddle nor rubs against it. Moreover, a large area of the rider's buttocks can be in contact with the main body of the bicycle saddle, which makes the rider feel comfortable too.
US08567799B2

A wheeled K-12 Book Carrier Organizer is comprised of a main 4 side container with a plurality of subdivisions or folders connected to a sized base with swirl wheels. Built to the back of the main container is a multiple size handle with stop-brake capability. External to the main container are smaller holders and organizer containers with subdivisions for storing articles of different sizes and shapes. The main container subdivisions have a variety of front frames designs with windows to show information. The handle frame has a front window to display information and accessory hooks in each of the side of the frame to connect accessories to this carrier.
US08567797B2

A wheelbarrow is proposed with a frame (1) formed from at least one hollow body (3), with at least one pivot-mounted wheel on the frame (1), with at least two handle bars (5) with grips (6) for the frame located on the handle bars (5), with at least two supports (7) for the frame on which the wheelbarrow is supported in the rest position, with a load-carrying facility (2) of load-carrying shape located on the frame (1), with a differing cross-section of the hollow body (3) in various sections of the frame (1) and an oval external shape of the hollow body (3) departing from a circular shape for the cross-section of at least one straight section (5) of the frame (1).
US08567796B2

An apparatus for transporting articles between working locations. The apparatus includes wheels mounted towards the bottom of the apparatus for rotation about an axis to provide rolling support for the apparatus and a manually engageable pulling handle. The pulling handle and the ground engaging wheels are arranged to enable a user to manually pull the pulling handle generally rearwardly so as to tilt the apparatus rearwardly to a tilted rolling movement position, thereby enabling the user to roll the apparatus to a desired location by pushing or pulling the pulling handle in a desired direction. The apparatus also includes a frame and at least one or more mount structures adjustably connected to the frame. The apparatus further includes a plurality of containers connected to the mount structures, where at least one of the containers are of a different configuration from another one of the containers.
US08567795B2

A basic frame for a holder for products, includes a first beam, fitted with at least a first support, to support the first beam on a basis, a second beam fitted with at least a second support, to support the second beam on the basis, and with the first beam linked at variable distances by at least a spacer, for the parallel positioning of the beams mainly distanced from each other at least in an unfolded position of the basic frame, as well as an arm stretched out in the direction of the second beam for a third support, linked to the first beam, for the support of the basic frame on the basis at a distance of at least a collapsed state of the basic frame from the first beam.
US08567793B2

A spherical annular seal member 39 includes a spherical annular base member 37 defined by a cylindrical inner surface 33, a partially convex spherical surface 34, and an annular end faces 35 and 36; and an outer layer 38 formed integrally on the partially convex spherical surface 34 of the spherical annular base member 37. The spherical annular base member 37 includes a reinforcing member 5 made from a metal wire net and a heat-resistant material 6 filling meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member 5 and formed integrally with the reinforcing member 5 in mixed form. The outer layer 38 includes a base layer 46 and a sliding layer 40 constituted of a lubricating composition and adherently formed integrally on the base layer 46 at an outer layer intermediate surface 42, the base layer 46 including a reinforcing member 15 made from a metal wire net and compressed and a heat-resistant material 14 filling meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member 15 and closely press bonded to the reinforcing member 15, the base layer 46 being formed integrally with the partially convex spherical surface 34.
US08567784B2

Integrated blackjack hole card readers and chip racks, and novel locking cover assemblies, are disclosed. In one embodiment of the hole card reader and chip rack, a chip rack of standard configuration is provided, and defines a cutout into which the reader can be placed. In another embodiment, the chip rack and reader are molded as a single unit. A removable locking cover is also disclosed which can be used to cover chip racks any time they are not in use.
US08567782B2

This invention relates to a predetermined bonus feature for use in conjunction with a designated underlying game of chance, wherein the individual game card and master game card or master bonus game card include symbols that predetermine and identify which player(s) is eligible to win the bonus prize upon the occurrence of another event. A predetermined winning bonus symbol on a master game card or master bonus game card made known prior to or after conclusion of play of the designated underlying game. Players who have a symbol on their individual game card that matches the predetermined winning bonus symbol know, in advance, that they are eligible to participate to win the bonus prize. The winner(s) of the designated underlying game will win the bonus prize if s/he is able to match a symbol on the individual game card with the winning bonus symbol.
US08567780B2

A sheet discharging device, comprising: a housing including a first wall; a discharge section configured to discharge a sheet to an outside of the housing through a slit defined in the first wall; a pressing portion attached to the housing so that the pressing portion presses the sheet discharged through the slit outside the slit; and a moving unit configured to move the pressing portion along the slit.
US08567777B2

A method for feeding sheets through a sheet transport path. Ultrasonic energy is directed toward a sheet in the transport path while an audio receiver detects audio data generated by the ultrasonic source and the mechanisms that transport the sheet. The audio data is processed to determine whether a multifeed or a misfeed condition exists in the transport path.
US08567775B2

A media conveying system for aligning a media sheet in a media path of an image forming apparatus may include a first roll mounted across the media path, a second roll mounted relative to the first roll so as to define a first nip between the first roll and the second roll, and a reference edge positioned along a side of the media path. A drive mechanism is coupled to the second roll for translating the second roll in a first direction such that a media sheet positioned in the nip moves in the first direction towards the reference edge.
US08567774B2

Provided is a means for stably accumulating the bills to be paid out to a customer. A bill press (26) has a dog-leg shape composed of a supporting face (26a) facing bills and an inclined face (26b) inclined in a direction away from the bills above the supporting face (26a), has two sliding pins (30) lined up along a movement direction on a side face thereof, and has a sliding groove (35) at the side of the bill press (26). A bent portion (35a) is provided at one end of the sliding groove (35) on the side of an accumulating tongue piece roller (28). When the bills to be paid out to a customer are accumulated in a bill deposit/withdrawal unit (10), the bill press (26) turns so that the sliding pins (30) on the side of the accumulating tongue piece roller (28) enter the bent portion (35a), and thereby the supporting face (26a) is inclined toward the accumulating tongue piece roller (28).
US08567772B2

An adjustable spring mounting assembly having a first lug with a first elongated opening with a first channel and a second lug with a second elongated opening and a second channel. A mounting pin extends through the first and second elongated openings. First and second spacers received in the first and second channels hold the mounting pin in one of at least two mounting positions.
US08567769B2

Apparatus and process for dissolving gas in a liquid. The process comprises: tangentially introducing a liquid into a chamber having an inner wall with sufficient volume and pressure to develop a vortex in the flowing liquid; orthogonally introducing gas into the flowing liquid through means located at the chamber inner wall for developing gas bubbles within the liquid. The apparatus comprises: a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall, the chamber being oriented in any direction enclosed at both ends and with an entry port to introduce liquid to develop a spiral flow of liquid along the chamber inner wall toward the output end, a porous wall to permit the introduction of gas orthogonally into the stream to develop gas bubbles within the stream, and an exit port to discharge the mixture of gas bubbles and liquid.
US08567768B2

In one embodiment, a direct-contact steam condenser includes: a steam cooling chamber; a inflow part; a plurality of first spray nozzles; and a water reservoir part. The inflow part leads turbine exhaust gas containing steam and non-condensable gas in a substantially horizontal direction into the steam cooling chamber. The plurality of first spray nozzles are disposed in the steam cooling chamber to be connected to a plurality of spray pipes extending along the direction in which the turbine exhaust gas is led in, and spray cooling water to the turbine exhaust gas. The water reservoir part is disposed under the steam cooling chamber to store condensate water that is condensed from the steam by the spraying of the cooling water.
US08567761B2

A system and method for lifting and lowering an object such as a vehicle, comprising: at least two lifting columns; communication means for communication with the at least two lifting columns; position-determining means for carrying out a position determination for each of the at least two lifting columns; selection means for selecting at least one of the lifting columns on the basis of the position determinations; and at least one control unit co-acting with the communication means during use for the purpose of controlling the lifting columns selected with the selection means.
US08567755B2

Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.
US08567753B1

A tunable valve assembly comprises a valve body, an adjustable preload flange centrally coupled to the valve body, and a viscoelastic element; the assembly attenuates valve-generated vibration transmitted to a pump housing. The vibration spectrum is narrowed and its amplitude reduced through hysteresis loss of closing impulse energy. The viscoelastic element comprises a peripheral groove portion coupled to a central reservoir portion via a plurality of fenestration portions. At least a first predetermined assembly resonant frequency is achieved by changing valve assembly compliance (with associated hysteresis loss) through adjustment of annular shear preload applied by the flange to the viscoelastic element reservoir portion. Such preload adjustment effectively maximizes hysteresis loss at the resonant frequency. At least a second predetermined assembly resonant frequency is achieved through choice of a circumferential shear-thickening material within the viscoelastic element groove portion. Assembly resonant frequencies are chosen to approximate pump housing resonant frequencies.
US08567742B2

A protective device for a mounting bracket suitable for installation of solar collectors. The device includes a U-shaped polymeric base member having a substantially rectangular bottom joined to two opposed upwardly-projecting side walls, the bottom having at least one aperture adapted to receive a mounting fastener capable of attaching the base member to a substrate. A substantially rectangular polymeric cover having substantially the same dimensions as the base member bottom is attached to the base member's side walls. The protective device also includes a metallic mounting bracket adapted to receive a mounting strap. The base member and cover define a partial enclosure having at least one opening through which the mounting strap or a portion of the metallic mounting bracket can pass, and which can retain and protect sealant placed over the mounting fastener.
US08567739B2

A connection mechanism is used for rotatably connecting a first object and a second object. The connection mechanism includes a positioning member capable of being inserted in a first fixing hole defined in the first object and the engaging hole defined in the second object for connecting the first object and the second object. The positioning member is slidable in the first fixing hole and in the engaging hole to interchange between a first position and a second position, the positioning member is received in the first fixing hole and the engaging hole to restrict the first object from rotating relative to the second object in the first position, and at least move out of the first fixing hole or the engaging hole to allow the first object to rotate relative to the second object in the second position.
US08567738B1

An IV hanger providing a portable adjustable hanging attachment for conventional intravenous equipment comprises an attachment method, a pulley system, and a hanging bracket. The attachment method comprises a plurality of attachment means for attaching the apparatus to an elevated structure. The attachment method is integrally connected to a pulley system which allows a user to selectively adjust the height of the hanging bracket relative to the frame. The hanging bracket provides a plurality of attachment hooks for support of IV equipment. The apparatus is particularly adapted for veterinary field calls where ground-based support system are prone to damage or disturbance by animal patients.
US08567734B2

A cable rack arm and support system suitable for underground power and communication service is made from a non-metallic polymer that will not rust or corrode. The cable rack arm is adapted for mounting to existing underground stanchions or for stanchions of a more modern design. Each cable rack arm is securely mounted to the stanchion. Each cable rack arm then supports one or more cables in cable rests or saddles molded atop the arm, thus keeping the cables accessibly organized in a manhole, tunnel or vault. Plastic cable ties may be used to secure the cables to the cable rack arms. Nonmetallic pins may also be used to secure the cable rack arms to the stanchions. The stanchions may be made of nonmetallic composite material that includes a fiberglass cross-layered knitted apertured mat for increased strength.
US08567728B2

An in-vehicle device mounting structure includes a plurality of brackets through which the in-vehicle device is mounted to an installation member of a vehicle. Each bracket includes a device mounting portion to be fixed to a surface of the in-vehicle device, a vehicle attachment portion to be fixed to the installation member under the in-vehicle device, a drawn bent portion that is curved to smoothly connect the device mounting portion to the vehicle attachment portion, and a plurality of slits that extend across the drawn bent portion such that the device mounting portion is notched and the slits are arranged in parallel substantially in the front and rear directions of the bracket.
US08567720B2

The invention relates to a section of fuselage for an aircraft, including frames and bays for receiving cabin windows. According the disclosed embodiments, at least some of the frames include at least one frame segment that surrounds at least one bay, the frame segment having two branches that are disposed to the side of the bay. The ends of the branches are attached to each of the ends of the frame segment such as to form a Y.
US08567719B2

A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.
US08567717B2

A landing gear for an aircraft, having mounting means fitted to the fuselage of the aircraft; at least one wheel; and at least one supporting arm having a first end portion connected to the mounting means, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and to which the wheel is suspended. The first end portion of the supporting arm has a seating portion fitted in rotary manner to a pin connected to the mounting means and extending crosswise to the supporting arm; and an electrically controlled actuator is fitted to the seating portion, and is activated selectively to rotate the supporting arm, about the pin, between a first and second operating position defining a stowed in-flight configuration and a lowered landing configuration of the landing gear respectively.
US08567713B2

A multi-plate clutch is provided to couple a drive shaft from a gas turbine engine with a driven shaft of a lift fan. When disengaged the plates of the clutch can be physically separated. Plates of one shaft are coupled to the shaft with individual energy members that return the plates to a disengaged position. The plates of the other shaft can be coupled together with a travel member and/or lug key and energy devices between at least some of the plates.
US08567712B2

The object of the invention is an aircraft nacelle that comprises at least one part, called a door (14), that moves relative to a stationary part (20) and a connecting device that makes it possible to limit the offset between said door and said stationary part in a direction that corresponds to the primary direction of the flow of air outside of the nacelle during flight, whereby said device comprises, on the one hand, an indexer (40) that is connected to the door (14) that comprises an attachment surface (63) and at least one attachment element (66), and, on the other hand, at least one stop (58) that is connected to the stationary part (20) against which said indexer (40) can rest in such a way as to limit its movement in said direction, characterized in that said at least one attachment element (66), oriented in the radial direction, is arranged upstream from the stop (58) in said direction, said at least one stop (58) comprising a surface relative to the door arranged essentially at the attachment surface (63) of the indexer (40).
US08567699B2

A rotary sprinkler includes a sprinkler body including a nozzle, a water-deflection plate supported for rotational movement relative to the sprinkler body, the water-deflection plate having one or more grooves configured to cause the water-deflection plate to rotate when impinged upon by a stream emitted from the nozzle; a first brake arranged to slow rotation of the water-deflection plate at all times; and a second brake arranged to further slow rotation of the water-deflection plate as a function of water pressure exerted on the water-deflection plate.
US08567698B2

An oscillating sprinkler head transmission for alternately driving an output shaft and sprinkler head nozzle to oscillate it with spring bias being provided to prevent the transmission from being placed in an inoperative position, where the sprinkler head is not oscillated.
US08567696B2

A unitary nozzle body is provided for use with an irrigation device, such as a pop-up irrigation device.
US08567693B2

The invention relates to a dispenser for a volatile substance (4), which contains a reservoir (1) and two control elements. The first control element (6) exerts a control function that is dependent on the substance characteristics of the volatile substance (4) and the material characteristics of the constituents of said first control element (6). However, the second control element (7) exerts a control function that is independent of the substance characteristics of the volatile substance (4) and the material characteristics of the constituents of said first control element (6). The first control element (6) is located between the reservoir (1) and the second control element (7) and is permeable to at least one volatile substance (4). The second control element (7) consists of a material that is impermeable to the volatile substance and contains defined material cavities (8). Perfumes, crop protection agents, pheromones and repellents, which can be released in a controlled manner, constitute the volatile substances.
US08567671B2

A method for conducting a transaction is disclosed. The method includes using a first portable electronic device, and directly transmitting a request for payment to a second portable electronic device through a wireless link. Then, the second portable electronic device transmits an approval of the request for payment to the first portable electronic device. One of the first and the second portable electronic devices then sends the request for payment to a payment hub service. The payment hub service then facilitates the transfer of funds from a payer institution to a payee institution to complete the transaction.
US08567656B2

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable in an axial direction and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions is disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention include a cartridge body that movably supports first and second staple drivers. The staple drivers each support a staple thereon and serve to drive the staples into forming contact with the anvil upon actuation by the actuator. The various embodiments of the present invention enable the final formed heights of the staples to be varied so as to apply various clamping forces and pressures to soft tissue captured within the staples. In at least one embodiment, the staples can include crowns formed thereon which can be utilized to adjust or control the clamping force and/or pressure applied by the staples.
US08567653B2

A packaging material handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first pair of traction members configured for cooperatively engaging a chain of pre-inflated pillows from opposite sides thereof and being operable for driving the chain in the flow direction. The device further includes a second pair of traction members configured for cooperatively engaging the chain from opposite sides thereof. The second pair of traction members are spaced apart from the first pair of traction members along a flow direction and are operable for driving the chain in the flow direction. The first and second pairs of traction members are operable for holding the first and second portions of the chain during a breaking operation. The device further includes a breaking member disposed between the first and second pairs of traction members and movable against the chain across the flow direction in the breaking operation to break the chain for detaching the first portion from the second portion.
US08567647B2

A multifunctional sealing device for a valve structured for opening of a discharge conduit by virtue of upstream-directed movement of a sealing body relative to the discharge direction. The distinctive characteristic of the invention is that the sealing body is of a radially flexible arrangement; wherein the discharge conduit is provided with at least one storage seal seat for sealing reception of the sealing body when the valve is in a storage mode, and also at least one utility seal seat for sealing reception of the sealing body when the valve is in a closed utility mode; wherein the at least one utility seal seat is provided upstream of the at least one storage seal seat; and wherein both the storage seal seat and the utility seal seat are structured for sealing against the sealing body during downstream-directed movement of the sealing body.
US08567644B2

A melted depilatory wax dispenser has a container with an opening that stores solid depilatory wax at room temperature. The container is opened, inverted and inserted into a vertically protruding heating element and the opening is placed upon and sealed to an adaptor ring. As the heating element heats the contents of the container, the wax melts and is dispensed through a mouth which leads to a piping system and a valve which in turn leads to a dispensing tube which allows the hot wax to be dispensed in a controlled and easy fashion.
US08567642B2

A fountain beverage dispenser for constituting a beverage by mixture of a beverage syrup and a diluent for the syrup is characterized by use of a highly concentrated beverage syrup supply and at least one diluent and syrup blending station for diluting the highly concentrated syrup with diluent before the diluted syrup is mixed with diluent in the final mixture of syrup and diluent delivered to a dispensing nozzle.
US08567638B2

An openable and closable container includes a container body having a take-out opening, and an opening-closing lid provided on the container body swingably about a swing axis on a base end side of the lid, the lid opening and closing the take-out opening. Plate rubber (an elastic member) is provided between the contain body and the opening-closing lid. A packing member (an elastic sealing body) is attached to the rear surface of the opening-closing lid such that the packing member seals the take-out opening of the upper plate.
US08567634B2

A container for transporting and storing goods with a container base and at least two foldable sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls, which are foldable on top of one another, are linked to the container base through hinges. Hinge bolt receivers include recesses, so that the hinge bolts are movable in the hinge bolt receivers from a lower end position, in which the folded down sidewall contacts the container base far enough into an upper end position, so that a planar placement of two sidewalls on top of one another is facilitated.
US08567633B2

Waste container that is formed of a base part with a container body attached, the body comprising an outer casing and a cover plate with a gap for putting in waste attached to the container body's upper surface. The body comprises at least one curved surface that makes the body take the shape of a vertical cylinder whose surface is meant to be a media surface for commercials. The transparent casing is located outside the surface, and the film that functions as the media surface is located between the curved surface and the casing. A transparent, curved casing can be made to be more curved for changing the media surface, where out of the length of both side edges of the casing at least a part comes out of the slot places formed at the edges of the curved surface, so that the casing can diverge from the curved surface.
US08567621B2

The present invention relates to a closure and a container having the same, wherein the closure can be opened or closed through up/down operation to keep contents pressurized. A closure of the present invention comprises a sealing unit for surrounding a mouth of a container to ensure airtightness; a locking unit having a plurality of locking projections hingedly connected to a lower end of the sealing unit so that the locking projections can be caught by a locking flange-of the container; and a cover unit having a vertically movable annular body for surrounding an outer peripheral surface of the locking unit and including a push projection formed to protrude from an inner peripheral surface of the body and to be positioned below the locking unit, and a support projection formed to protrude at a position above the push projection to support the outer peripheral surface of the locking unit.
US08567620B2

A container includes a storage chamber for the reception of a filler material and a neck which contains a discharge passage for dispensing the filler material. The neck is surrounded by a shock absorbing element that has a first end connected to the neck, a jacket circumferentially spaced about the neck to form an intermediate space and a second end also spaced from the neck. The shock absorbing element ensures that the neck remains intact on an impact.
US08567616B2

A dock with plural side-by-side bays that each stores one treatment head. The dock has plural parallel slots that each communicate with a bay and the dock has a first side open to the bays for movement of the heads into and out of the bays. Each head has a connecting post extending through a slot so each post can slide in its slot for removal of each head from a respective bay. A pole has an end connector for detachable connection to a post, one at a time, while the one treatment head is in a bay, and for sliding the head out of the dock for use.
US08567615B1

A modular stackable shoe organizer kit that includes an interchangeable series of modular stackable shelving units with specific dimensions configurable to store shoes in a tidy and organized capacity.
US08567614B2

A counter display includes a pedestal adapted to be positioned on a support surface and at least one lockable display arm for securely displaying items of merchandise suspended from the display arm. The display arm has an elongate rod for supporting the items of merchandise thereon and a mounting end for mounting the display arm on the pedestal. The rod has a free end opposite the mounting end for loading the items of merchandise on the rod and for removing the items of merchandise from the rod. An end assembly is disposed on the display arm adjacent the free end of the rod and is movable between a locked position for preventing items of merchandise from being removed from the rod and an unlocked position for permitting items of merchandise to be removed from the rod. A lock mechanism releasably locks the end assembly on the display arm. Another lock mechanism releasably locks the display arm on the pedestal. Another lock mechanism locks a removable cover on the pedestal such that the display arm cannot be removed from the pedestal unless the cover is removed from the pedestal.
US08567608B2

A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.
US08567605B2

Problem to be solved by the present invention is to prevent volatilization of an organic solvent while a liquid composition for an organic semiconductor device is stored by placing in a container, and to prevent deterioration in function of an organic compound for forming an organic semiconductor device. Means for solving the problem is a method of storing a liquid composition for an organic semiconductor device comprising the step of storing the liquid composition for an organic semiconductor device containing an organic compound for forming an organic semiconductor device, and an organic solvent, in a container having a container body, a packing covering an opening part of the container body, and a lid, wherein the container body has an inner wall formed of a material which does not chemically act on the organic solvent nor on the organic compound, and a surface of the packing, which covers the opening part and which comes into contact with the opening-periphery part when the packing and the lid are mounted to the container body to form a sealed state, is formed of a material containing a resin having fluorine atom.
US08567603B2

A system for packaging a medical implant may include a sleeve for housing the implant within a cavity in the sleeve, with at least a portion of the cavity conforming to the shape of the implant. A flexible material film may cover and substantially conform to the shape of the sleeve so as to aid in stabilizing the sleeve and implant within an outer package. An insertion instrument for inserting the implant within the body of a patient may also be provided with the system. In some embodiments, the sleeve, with the implant inserted in the cavity of the sleeve, is configured for manipulation by a user without contacting the implant, and the implant is connectable to the insertion instrument while in the sleeve.
US08567601B2

A starter block and a shingle are utilized to form courses that may be positioned in overlapping fashion on a roof to form a roofing covering system. The particular design of the starter block and shingle result in a roofing product that provides increased durability over previous designs. The starter block may be formed with top and bottom surfaces, opposite side surfaces with tapering heights, and a front surface having a greater height than a back surface of the starter block. When the starter block is coupled to a roof deck, a semi-rigid shingle having a generally planar bottom surface may be placed upon the starter block so that a portion of the shingle extends off of the starter block over the back surface thereof and onto the roof deck to facilitate contact between the shingle and the roof deck at a location more proximal to the starter block back surface than if the same back surface had the same height as the front surface. Additionally, the semi-rigid shingle may have an exposed portion and a headlap portion, with the exposed portion extending from a forward shingle edge to the headlap portion and the headlap portion extending from a back shingle edge to the exposed portion. The exposed portion has a central region with a generally uniform thickness moving in the longitudinal direction. Unlike the exposed portion, the headlap portion has a taper in average thickness moving in the longitudinal direction. The taper extends for at least a substantial part of the headlap portion.
US08567597B2

A container for snus is disclosed. It comprises two portions that together define a resealable compartment for holding snus, wherein the two portions are attachable to each other by non-permanent reusable adhesive to close the compartment.
US08567593B2

This invention provides a belt profile and profiled belt that can be easily mounted to and detached from a toothed belt. Specifically, a profile body and a claw section are integrally formed via a connection section. A side edge section of the toothed belt is inserted between the profile body and the claw section from an inner side in the belt width direction. The profile body is arranged on a rear surface side of the toothed belt. The claw section is arranged at the side edge section, on the tooth surface side. The connection section passes outside the side surface of the toothed belt. The profile is mounted on the toothed belt by engaging the claw section with a belt tooth while the profile body and the claw section sandwich the side edge section. The profile is removed from the toothed belt by performing these procedures in reverse order.
US08567570B2

A brake assembly for use with a portable generator includes a frame, a shaft, a brake surface, and an actuator. The frame is designed to be attached to the portable generator. The shaft is supported by the frame, and the brake surface is connected to an end of the shaft. The actuator includes a foot pedal, a cam, and a pivot, where the pivot is coupled to both the foot pedal and the cam and provides for rotation of the foot pedal and the cam about a portion of the frame. The cam of the actuator translates the shaft between a released position and a braked position during operation of the brake assembly.
US08567569B2

An elevator group management system improving operational efficiency in consideration of a situation change that has occurred after a destination floor registration in a hall. An assigned car review mechanism executes assigned car review processing in units of review registration information sets each including at least one piece of provisionally assigned car registration information managed by a registered destination floor hall call management section during a review period. After ending the assigned car review processing, the assigned car review mechanism modifies the contents of the provisionally assigned car registration information in the registered destination floor hall call management section based on the contents of the review registration information set after modification. That is, the assigned car review mechanism newly registers the provisionally assigned car registration information after review and erases the provisionally assigned car registration information before review at the same time.
US08567560B1

A portable work platform comprises a pair of length adjustable platforms, a lock assembly, and a plurality of storage compartments. The platforms comprise a flat surface constructed of a lightweight, durable material. The lock assembly comprises a lock mechanism to secure the platforms in a desired length. The lock mechanism allows a user to selectively extend the length of the platforms and securely lock them in place. The plurality of storage compartments comprises a plurality of recessed openings which are capable of housing small tools.
US08567550B2

Disclosed is a booster assembly for vehicles capable of reducing assembly time of a vehicle. The booster assembly includes a booster including a casing having a front shell and a rear shell sealingly coupled to each other and a hollow tube mounted through the casing, a master cylinder including a flange part coupled to the casing, and a mounting bolt inserted through the flange part and the tube in the casing to fix the booster and the master cylinder to a panel of a vehicle body. The tube has a clip slot formed by cutting a circumferential surface of an end portion thereof. The clip slot is coupled with a clip to firmly secure the mounting bolt to the tube.
US08567548B2

An independent rear wheel drive assembly for three-wheeled motorcycles is provided having a wheel carrier adapted to rotatably support a wheel, and the wheel carrier includes an interior portion. Also provided is a control arm having a first end, a second end, and an interior portion. The first end of the control arm is pivotably coupled to the wheel carrier and the second end is pivotably coupled to a differential housing. A first end of a stabilizer bar is pivotably coupled to the wheel carrier and a second end is pivotably coupled to the differential housing. A first end of the drive shaft assembly is adapted to be coupled to the wheel and a second end is adapted to be coupled to a differential. Moreover, a portion of the drive shaft assembly is disposed within the interior portions of the wheel carrier and the interior portion of the control arm.
US08567545B1

A gauge mounting bracket for a snowmobile that allows hot gas in the engine compartment to circulate and escape through a plurality of side vent openings formed thereon. The mounting bracket allows the user to adjust the angular position of a speedometer or tachometer gauge on the dashboard of a snowmobile to accommodate riders who sit or stand while driving. The mounting bracket includes lower dashboard mounting surface and an upper gauge mounting surface. The lower dashboard mounting surface is flush mounted on the existing dashboard of a snowmobile while the upper gauge mounting surface is tilted upward and aligned 5 to 50 degrees from the dashboard mounting surface. During assembly, the mounting bracket is mounted over an existing or newly created hole in the dashboard that leads to the engine compartment. Heated air created in the compartment travels upward and rearward and then escapes through the vent openings.
US08567540B2

A drive unit for a hybrid electric motor vehicle includes a bevel pinion driveably connected to a power source, a bevel gear meshing with the bevel pinion and aligned with an axis, first and second drive shafts, a differential mechanism including an input secured to the bevel gear for transmitting power between the input and the first and the second drive shafts, an electric motor/generator including a rotor, and a planetary gear set driveably connected to the input and the rotor for transmitting power between the rotor and the input such that a speed of the rotor is greater than a speed of the input.
US08567537B2

In an inverted pendulum type vehicle having a lower frame (22) and an upper frame (21) detachably joined to an upper end of the lower frame, the lower and upper frames each defining a hollow interior, a drive unit (3) is incorporated in the lower frame, and a battery unit (10) is received in the upper frame and configured to supply electric power to the drive unit via an electric unit (11) received in a narrow section intermediate between the upper and lower frames. Thereby, the vehicle may be of a compact and small foot print design. In particular, when this structure is applied to a vehicle using a main wheel having a relatively small width, by matching the upper part of the vehicle to have a corresponding small width, the overall profile of the vehicle may have a highly small width. Furthermore, the total weight of the vehicle can be relatively evenly distributed between the upper and lower parts for easy handling and control.
US08567532B2

A downhole fixed bladed bit comprises a working surface comprising a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working surface and diverging towards a gauge of the bit, at least on blade comprising a cutting element comprising a superhard material bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planer interface, the cutting element being positioned at a positive rake angle, and the superhard material comprising a substantially conical geometry with an apex comprising a curvature.
US08567530B2

A collapsible cutter bit or rock head for use with an underground auger boring machine has an expanded position for cutting rock in front of an underground pipe and a collapsed position for withdrawing the rock head through the underground pipe. The auger boring machine is configured to bore a passage through a body of soil and rock and simultaneously lay the underground pipe in the passage. Forward rotation of the cutter bit causes expansion while collapse of the cutter bit may be driven by reverse rotation of the cutter bit or another mechanism.
US08567519B2

The invention relates to a ground working device comprising a carrier implement, a mast that forms a mast sequence and has a lower mast part, which is linked to the carrier implement, an upper mast part and at least one mast extension piece, whereby for the purpose of increasing the mast length the mast extension piece is removably inserted into the mast sequence between lower mast part and upper mast part and removed from the mast sequence, and, with the mast extension piece removed, the upper mast part can be fixed directly on the lower mast part, a work sledge which is guided in a displaceable manner along the mast, and at least one feed rope for displacing the work sledge, which runs at least in some areas longitudinally of the mast. The ground working device according to the invention is characterized in that a reel for receiving slack rope is provided that develops on the feed rope when the mast extension piece is removed from the mast sequence and the upper mast part is fixed directly on the lower mast part. The invention also relates to a method for operating a ground working device of such type.
US08567502B2

Nanoparticle-treated substrates, such as screens, sand beds or proppant beds, may effectively filter and purify fluids such as waste water or fluids produced from a formation, as well as other liquids. When tiny contaminant particles in a fluid such as waste water flow contact the nanoparticle-treated substrate, the nanoparticles will capture and hold the tiny contaminant particles on the substrate due to the nanoparticles' surface forces, including, but not necessarily limited to van der Waals and electrostatic forces or other associative forces. Coating agents such as alcohols, glycols, polyols, vegetable oil, and mineral oils may help apply the nanoparticles to the surfaces of structures in the filter beds or packs.
US08567501B2

A system and method for selectively stimulating a plurality of producing zones in a wellbore in oil and gas wells. The system includes a plurality of modules connected in a string that may be selectively actuated to stimulate a producing zone. Each module may be adapted to engage a tubing run ball seat. After installation of the string within the wellbore, a ball seat may be run into the well and positioned to selectively engage a desired module. The ball seat may be used to open a sleeve of the module permitting the stimulation of the producing zone. After stimulation of the producing zone, the ball seat may be removed from the wellbore rather than needing to drill out the ball seat. The sleeve may include a profile adapted to engage a shifting tool permitting the selective closure of the sleeve after stimulation of the producing zone.
US08567496B2

A system and method for managing a well site having a subterranean formation. The method comprises determining a first spectral attenuation of a first seismic wave measured from a first location, determining a second spectral attenuation of a second seismic wave measured from a second location, determining a reservoir attenuation anisotropy from a comparison of the first spectral attenuation to the second spectral attenuation, and determining at least one fracture parameter of the subterranean formation from a comparison of the first seismic wave to the second seismic wave.
US08567495B2

A sensor is configured to sense pressure in an isolated or subterranean environment. The sensor is configured to act as a capacitor with a capacitance that varies as a function of pressure. The sensor has a robust design with minimal moving parts, and in which any parts that do move do not communicate electrically through direct electrical conduction (e.g., through conductive leads). Instead, moving parts that participate in the performance of sensor as a capacitor receive and dispense electrical charge only through a dielectric fluid (e.g., a gas or liquid within the sensor). This may reduce hysterysis, lag, and/or friction with respect to pressure-dependent capacitor designs in which wiring is connected directly to moving parts.
US08567492B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a packer for use within a conduit, such as casing, having non-extrusion rings. The non-extrusion ring is comprised of rigid segments, a support ring and an elastic matrix.
US08567488B2

The present invention relates in general to equipment for servicing subterranean wells and in particular to a cementing head that is intended to drop a combination of darts, balls, bombs and canisters in order to activate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, or the like. A cementing head comprises a modular valve apparatus, comprising at least two detatchable parts. This arrangement allows the operator to remove and disassemble the valve apparatus at the wellsite. Thus, repairs and maintenance may be performed at the wellsite and the valve apparatus may be reassembled and reinstalled, obviating the need to transport the equipment to a central facility.
US08567486B1

A heat transfer system includes a primary evaporator, a condenser to the primary evaporator by a liquid line and a vapor line, a secondary evaporator connected to the primary evaporator through a sweepage line, and a reservoir system. The reservoir system includes a reservoir, a first flow directional device that restricts fluid from flowing into the reservoir from the primary evaporator, and a second flow directional device that restricts fluid from flowing out of the reservoir through at least one output of the reservoir.
US08567484B2

An exemplary heat dissipation device includes a heat sink and a fixing frame. The heat sink defines receiving depressions at an outer peripheral surface thereof. The fixing frame includes a peripheral side plate encircling the heat sink, fixing legs extending downwards from the side plate, and an elastic member disposed on the side plate. Protruding members extend inwardly from the fixing legs. The heat sink is rotatably received in the fixing frame. When the heat sink is in an unlocked state, the protruding members align with the receiving depressions, respectively. When the heat sink is rotated to a locked state, the protruding members abut a bottom of the heat sink thereby limiting axial movement of the heat sink relative to the fixing frame and the elastic member is received in a corresponding receiving depression and limit rotation of the heat sink in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
US08567482B2

An energy storage device that stores hot and/or cold energy includes an evaporating part and a condensing part. According to one aspect, the evaporating part includes a heat tube in a U shape or a thimble shape and further includes one or more power cycle tubes. A working substance within the evaporating part evaporates after absorbing heat and condenses in the condensing part after releasing heat.
US08567471B1

A Tire Working Apparatus and Method of Use for facilitating the mounting of a tractor tire onto a wheel while the wheel is in a vertical or mounted positioned. The tire working apparatus includes a tire iron for selectively working a bead of a tire adjacent to a rim flange of a wheel, a rotating member selectively receiving said tire iron, and a ratchet wrench. The rotating member further comprises a main cylindrical wall, which includes a lateral aperture positioned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said rotating member and selectively receives the tire iron. The rotating member generally has a socket positioned at one end for receiving the square drive of the ratchet wrench.
US08567463B2

A pneumatic tire of the semi-hollow type includes a casing having an uninflated inner volume and including an inner wall provided with a retaining bead and a convex outer wall forming the tread of the tire, the inner wall and the outer wall of the tire being connected by two annular borders. The inner wall of the tire is concave so as to surmount a convex outer wall of the peripheral seat of a rim of a wheel, this outer wall being provided with a peripheral slot adapted to accommodate the retaining bead of the tire.
US08567451B2

A kit, apparatus, and method for sealing a junction between a manhole and a pipe within a sewer system are provided. In a first embodiment, the end of a pipe adjacent a manhole is sealed by the use of a pipe liner and a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material. In a second embodiment, a majority of the area surrounding a junction of a pipe and a manhole is sealed by the use of a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material including a flange portion, a pipe liner, and a manhole liner.
US08567449B2

Embodiments of the present invention include a system for locating and restoring service lines during pipeline restoration. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the system includes a movable chart, a plug with a marking magnet, and an attachment part. In some embodiments of the present invention, the movable cart is deployed along the inside of a pipeline. In some embodiments, the attachment part is movably coupled to the movable cart. The attachment part is configured to install a plug into the service line at a location where the service line intersects the pipeline, according to some embodiments. In other embodiments, the attachment part is configured to mark the location of the plug in the service line and remove the plug from the service line to restore a fluid connection between the service line and the pipeline.
US08567438B2

A quick coupling includes a first element and a second element which may be separably coupled. The first element includes a connector for connecting to a user interface, an external sleeve having helicoidal grooves and seats, and a first valved coupling for a first pressure line. The second element includes a hooking ring nut, a plurality of internal pins, a compression spring, a second valved coupling for a second pressure line, and a connector. The second element further comprises a safety ring nut and a plurality of safety pins provided along a circumference of the safety ring nut, the safety pins being configured to axially slide with the safety ring nut. The safety pins are configured to be pushed by the hooking ring nut and the compression spring into the seats of the external sleeve.
US08567433B2

A pressure regulator includes a housing assembly defining a fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end; a plunger having a tubular plunger body supported within the housing assembly for linear movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to fluid pressure at the outlet end. A sleeve is supported within the housing assembly and is engageable with the tubular plunger body, and an actuator collar is supported externally of the housing assembly and operatively attached to the sleeve such that rotation of the actuator collar in one direction from an open position to a closed position produces linear movement of the tubular plunger body, independent of the pressure at the outlet end, into engagement with the valve seat to thereby shut off the flow path within the regulator.
US08567425B2

The specification generally discloses systems and methods for mixing and delivering fluids in microfluidic systems. The fluids can contain, in some embodiments reagents that can participate in one or more chemical or biological reactions. Some embodiments relate to systems and methods employing one or more vent valves to controllably flow and/or mix portions of fluid within the microfluidic system. Advantageously, fluid control such as a sequence of fluid flow and/or a change in flow rate, can be achieved by opening and closing one or more vent valves and by applying a single source of fluid flow (e.g., a vacuum) operated at a substantially constant pressure. This can simplify the operation and use of the device by an intended user.
US08567417B2

An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus including: a cleaning tank for storing a cleaning liquid; an object-to-be-processed holder for insertion into the cleaning tank, the holder holding an object to be processed and immersing the object into the cleaning liquid; a vibrator disposed on a bottom part of the cleaning tank; and an ultrasonic oscillator configured to make the vibrator ultrasonically vibrate. In the cleaning tank, a lateral holding member configured to hold the object is disposed. The holder is configured to be laterally moved by a driving apparatus. The control device is configured to control the driving apparatus such that the holder is laterally moved after the object has been held by the lateral holding member, and the control device is configured to control the ultrasonic oscillator such that the vibrator is made to ultrasonically vibrate so that the ultrasonic vibration from the vibrator is propagated to the object.
US08567411B2

A system for self-assembly of cigarettes includes a stuffing device (50) and a tobacco package (1). The tobacco package (1) has a first end side (2) and a second end side (3), and comprises on both end sides (2, 3) a cover that protrudes for the distance. The tobacco package (1) is filled with tobacco (6). The stuffing device (50) comprises a pressing chamber (54) having a longitudinal direction, into which the tobacco (6) can be filled via a longitudinal filling opening (56), the tobacco being able to be formed into a tobacco strand by means of a pressing bar (58) that can be moved laterally to the longitudinal direction of the pressing chamber (54), and a pushing device (62) that can be transferred from the pressing chamber (54) into a cigarette paper wrap disposed in front of the pressing chamber (54) by means of a sliding device (62) that can be moved in a longitudinal direction of the pressing chamber (54). The tobacco package (1) is inserted with its second end side (3) in front such that the second end side (3) of the tobacco package (1) is disposed above the filling opening (56) of the pressing chamber (54).
US08567406B2

An oral apparatus and a method capable of alleviating or curing snore and obstructive sleep apnea by applying a negative pressure through a mini oral interface to the oral cavity are provided. The mini oral interface creates a secure connection to mouth and prevents disengaging from patient's mouth during sleeping. The negative pressure pulls the tongue toward upper palate and also pulls the soft palate forward. By moving the tongue and the soft tissue in a forward direction, the patency of the upper airway near the pharynx is maintained to prevent sleep-disordered breathing. The negative pressure will pull the lips inward to close the mouth preventing air from entering the oral cavity from atmosphere. The negative pressure will also pull the soft palate into contact with the rear surface of the tongue to create a seal that prevents the air from entering the oral cavity through the nasal airway.
US08567405B2

This invention relates to a fixation device and a method for immobilizing a head of a patient relative a treatment unit or medical device during treatment of the head. The fixation device is provided with an interface unit adapted to be fixated in relation to an adaptor unit for connection to the treatment unit, or to a frame for connection to the medical device. Furthermore, the fixation device is provided with a bite-block for being inserted into a mouth of a patient and a positioning arrangement movably connecting the bite-block to the interface unit. The positioning arrangement is adapted to be fixated by means of an adhesive for fixation of the bite-block such that the head of a patient can be immobilized relative said adaptor unit or frame.
US08567398B2

A pressure generating system and method for generating a flow of fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The system includes a pressure generator and a valve that controls the pressure/flow of gas delivered to the patient. The system monitors energy provided to the valve, a characteristics associated with movement of the valve, a position of the valve, or any combination thereof. In addition, the controller controls an operating speed of the pressure generator such that the valve operates over a majority of the range of positions during use of the pressure support system.
US08567397B2

Methods relating to the power management of positive airway pressure apparatus using a battery are disclosed herein. The methods, in various aspects, are adapted to prolong the delivery of a positive airway pressurized therapy when the positive airway pressure apparatus is operated under battery power.
US08567384B2

The invention is directed to a method for slicing an ingot in the form of a wafer by winding a wire around a plurality of grooved rollers and pressing the wire against the ingot while making the wire travel and supplying slicing slurry to the grooved rollers, in which when the ingot is sliced, an amount of displacement of the ingot changing in an axial direction is measured and an amount of axial displacement of the grooved rollers is controlled so as to correspond to the measured amount of axial displacement of the ingot, and thereby, the ingot is sliced while controlling a relative position of the wire relative to an entire length of the ingot changing in the axial direction. As a result, a slicing method and a wire saw apparatus are provided that can perform slicing in such a way that a Bow or a Warp in a wafer obtained by slicing can be reduced, for example, by controlling a slicing path built into an ingot so that, in particular, the slicing path becomes flattened.
US08567379B2

A firing linkage mechanism for submachine gun includes a link biasable forwardly following a forward displacement of a firing pin and an air plug upon striking of a hammer against the firing pin and forcible to return the firing pin and the air plug after the striking action of the hammer, and a stop rod for engaging the link to hold the link, the firing pin and the air plug in position and to stop the link from returning the firing pin and the air plug after the striking action of the hammer and movable by a counterweight set to release the link for stopping a compressed gas from flowing out of a magazine into a bolt when the counterweight set is moved along oblique sliding rail portions of sliding rails in the submachine gun.
US08567376B2

A projectile launcher includes an acceleration rail with an accelerator mounted on opposite sides of the rail. Each accelerator includes an elastomeric energy generator having an end that is held stationary, while another end is connected to a string. This string then passes over a series of pulleys and crosses over the rail into the other accelerator. Thus, both accelerators act on the same string. In operation, as the string is pulled back and engaged with the projectile on the acceleration rail, the elastomeric drives are stretched. Also, each series of pulleys effectively causes a velocity multiplication that enhances the momentum of the projectile when it is launched.
US08567372B2

An ignition system (10) comprises a spark plug (12) having a first end (14) defining a spark gap (16) between a first electrode (18) and a second electrode (20). A transformer (46) comprises a primary winding 44 and a secondary winding (50) also forms part of the system. The secondary winding is connected in a secondary circuit to the first electrode 18 and the secondary winding has a resistance of less than 1KΩ and an inductance of less than 0.25 H. A drive circuit (26) is connected to the primary winding.
US08567371B2

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for automatically adjusting a speed of an engine in response to the loading on the engine. In particular, an automatic idle system and method can comprise a governor linkage with a first end for connection to the rotatable shaft of an engine governor and a second end for connection to a throttle control of the engine, and an actuator connected to the second end of the governor linkage. The actuator can be movable in response to a load on the engine to move the governor linkage from a base position to an adjusted position. In this arrangement, when the engine is in a low-load state, the governor linkage can be moved toward a throttle-closed position.
US08567370B2

Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust emissions by adjusting a fuel injection into an engine cylinder from a plurality of fuel injectors based on the fuel type of the injected fuel and further based on the soot load of the engine. Soot generated from direct fuel injection is reduced by decreasing an amount of direct injection into a cylinder as the engine soot load increases.
US08567368B2

To achieve further reduction in size and weight of a cylinder head in a four-cycle engine having a connection surface formed on the cylinder head to connect a head cover set so as to follow along a plane that is inclined so as to be spaced further away from a cylinder block toward a first side wall. A camshaft holder is integrally formed on a cylinder head so as to protrude from a connection surface as viewed from an axial direction of a camshaft. An intake port is disposed in the first side wall such that an upstream end thereof is disposed at the same position as part of the bearing portion in a direction along an axis of a cylinder bore. An exhaust valve has a stem end disposed at a position protruding from the connection surface as viewed in a direction along the axial direction of a camshaft.
US08567367B2

This disclosure provides crankshaft damper and tone wheel assembly having a low noise characteristic. The crankshaft damper and tone wheel assembly can provides both damping of vibrations excited in a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and an indication of the rotational speed or position of the crankshaft. The crankshaft damper including a hub portion and a ring-shaped portion connected to the hub portion by plural spokes, and the ring-shaped portion has an inner circumference that surrounds an area including the hub portion and the plural spokes. The tone wheel includes an annular-shaped portion connected to the crankshaft damper and having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, plural teeth arranged at an equal pitch along the outer diameter, and a same rotational axis as the crankshaft damper. To reduce transmitting noise of vibrations excited in the crankshaft, the annular-shaped portion does not overlap a substantial amount of the area defined by the inner circumference of the ring-shaped portion when viewed along a direction of the rotational axis.
US08567364B2

A starter for an engine is equipped with a planetary gear speed reducer, a restraining mechanism, and a shock absorber which is made up of a rotary disc, a stationary disc, a case, and a load applying mechanism. The load applying mechanism applies a load to the stationary and rotary discs to develop a given degree of friction therebetween. When an excessive torque acts on the rotary disc through the internal gear, the shock absorber induces the rotary disc to rotate against the given degree of friction to absorb the torque to eliminate a physical impact to be exerted on the planetary gear speed reducer. The restraining mechanism restrains the load applying mechanism from moving in a radius direction of the internal thread to avoid undesirable engagement of the load applying mechanism with the internal thread, thereby ensuring the stability in applying the load to the stationary and rotary discs.
US08567363B1

A motorcycle engine rocker arm stand having a pair of rocker arm assemblies spaced a distance “D” from each other effective to increase the “rocker arm ratio” and therefore the horsepower output of the engine. Each rocker arm assembly includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion oriented along an axis disposed at an acute angle to the axis of the first arm portion. Each rocker arm further includes a roller contact for engagement with the intake valve stem of the engine and an axially adjustable contact member for engagement with the engine's push rod. The axially adjustable contact member axis is disposed at a second acute angle with respect to the axis of the first arm portion.
US08567361B2

A valve drive for an internal combustion engine, wherein in order to activate gas exchange valves at least one camshaft having at least one sliding cam which can be displaced axially on the camshaft is provided, wherein the respective sliding cam has a sliding block section with a plurality of grooves which are formed on an outer lateral face and are positioned one behind the other on the circumference, wherein in order to bring about displacement of the respective sliding cam an actuator is provided with a first pin for displacement in the two directions about a first axial segment and a second pin for displacement in the two directions about a second axial segment. The sliding block section is manufactured in certain sections from a material with a relatively high electrical conductivity and in certain sections from a material with a relatively low electrical conductivity.
US08567360B2

A control valve for a device for the variable adjustment of the valve timing of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine. The control valve has a substantially hollow-cylindrical valve box, a control piston and a securing ring. The valve box is arranged in a receptacle inside the device, the securing ring projects over the valve box in the radial direction and the control piston is arranged so as to be axially displaceable inside the valve box.
US08567358B2

This is mainly a one-cylinder environmental friendly two stroke engine with a lubrication and a gas control mechanism similar to a four stroke engine. An additional rotation inside of a cylinder of a piston making a stroke motion is utilized for a better gas control mechanism. Control edges on the rotating piston open and close ports in the cylinder in the right sequence, most importantly the exhaust port will be closed prior to the opening of the transfer port. The piston with the rigidly connected L-shaped piston rod rotate around the axis of symmetry of the piston by a rotating spherical bearing rigidly, but eccentrically connected to a rotating shaft. A certain angle between the shaft and the axis of rotation of the piston creates also a stroke motion. An oil-ring around the piston rod works in the same way as by a four stroke engine.
US08567356B2

A method for controlling at least one fan (13) for the regulation of the cooling demand of at least two cooling elements (12) included in a drill rig (1), the cooling demand of each one of the cooling elements (12) being determined, that the determined cooling demands are weighted together and that the fan (13) is controlled based on the weighting together. The method is characterized in that at least one of the cooling elements is equipped with a safety thermostat (21), which, if required, prevents overcooling that the fluid is not allowed to circulate in the cooling elements. The invention also relates to a drill rig for the execution of the above-mentioned method.
US08567351B2

A steam generator and a laundry machine equipped with the same are disclosed, the steam generator according to the present invention includes a case (100) for storing water for generating steam therein; an inlet (111) provided within the case (100) for drawing water there trough; an outlet (112) provided within the case (100) for discharging steam there trough; and a water-inlet-proof-partition-wall (800) for preventing the water drawn through the inlet (111) from being discharged through the outlet (112). An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem is to provide a steam generator which can prevent water from being discharged through an outlet (112) and supplied into a drum.
US08567350B2

A dog boot is provided comprising a generally vertical and cylindrical elongated tubular legging portion ending in and connected to a toe-box portion both of which are attached within a generally horizontal non-slide sole portion. The legging portion extends upwardly from the toe-box portion and defines an offset longitudinal slit providing adjacent, opposite, overlapping flap portions that are equipped with loop and hook fastening material allowing for ease of insertion and extraction of the dog's leg and paw. The generally tubular legging portion has two adjustable fastening straps for cinching the legging portion securely at two separate points around the dog's leg. Within the non-slide portion is a removable sole insert shaped to receive the pads of the dog's paw wherein the removable sole insert works as a shock absorber for the dog and adds comfort and stability during wear.
US08567348B2

A manual litter box provides various advantages over the prior art. In particular, in one embodiment, the manual litter box is configured to use a disposable cartridge which may include a litter compartment and a waste compartment. In another embodiment, the cartridge may be non-compartmentalized. The cartridge may be disposable, thus eliminating the need for the user to clean the litter tray and handle heavy litter containers. In other embodiments, the system includes a rake assembly configured with a manual shuttle chassis drive assembly that is protected from contamination. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the manual litter box is configured to be used with all types of litter including crystal type litter.
US08567347B2

A thermodynamic pet cooling station that uses conductive properties to transfer cold temperatures from a cooling element contained within an insulated base to the surface of a platform tile, creating an efficiently cooled area where an animal my rest when he/she is subjected to dangerously hot weather. The pet cooling station is thermodynamically cooled using three integral components: a molded insulated base, structural platform tiles made from a conductive metal comprised of a planar surface with temperature-transfer cases affixed to their underside, and cooling pods, that can be pre-frozen and are reusable, containing a non-toxic liquid that is housed in either a similar conductive metal or a durable membrane that will hold its shape and efficiently transfer the frozen temperature to the temperature-transfer cases allowing thermodynamics to follow the specific pathway of interconnected metal and move the cold temperature up and across the structural platform planar surface in an efficient manner. Once the frozen cooling pods are inserted into the temperature-transfer cases, and the structural tiles are lowered into the insulated base, the unit creates several hours of an efficiently cooled surface for the animal to enjoy without any human intervention.
US08567344B2

The invention provides a milking device having at least one teat cup connectable to a teat of a dairy animal, and a method of controlling the milking device. A measuring sensor measures the amount of milk secreted. Data regarding the dairy animal are collected in a control unit. The method includes the steps of: providing a milking frequency determined in a first manner at a first lactation phase and a milking frequency determined in a second, different manner at a later, second lactation phase, for example, the stimulation phase and the stable phase, respectively, wherein the first manner results in a higher milking frequency than the second manner in the same circumstances; identifying a dairy animal and determining the associated milking frequency; milking the dairy animal dependent on the milking frequency; determining the milk production; and switching from the first to the second lactation phase, dependent on the milk production.
US08567343B2

For the milking of animals, in particular cows, in a milking installation comprising a plurality of milking places, a method and a device are proposed wherein the milk yields extracted during a milking session at some milking places or the characteristics corresponding to the milk yields are determined and evaluated and in particular compared with prognoses as to milk yield or characteristics. These measures allow on the one hand that sufficiently accurate data are provided for herd management while on the other hand the investment cost for a milking installation are reduced.
US08567335B2

A ship s fender system and method of deployment and retrieval comprising a group of fenders (12) linked together to lie on the surface of the water adjacent a ship s hull (11) with hauling lines (14) connected by davits (15) to winches to lower and raise the fenders. Each hauling line (14) is connected to its respective fender by a two-part ball and tape connector so that connection and release of the hauling lines (14) is carried out automatically and remotely thus avoiding the need for the conventional hazardous procedure whereby the lines are connected and disconnected manually by a crew in a boat. The system may be used to deploy and retrieve other floatable objects such as working platforms or submersible vehicles.
US08567324B1

The embodiments describe various pallets and methods for constructing such pallets. An exemplary pallet may include a composite board having a foam core and a facer material coupled therewith. The composite board may define a roughly flat top surface that is configured to support one or more goods or other objects placed thereon. A plurality of composite blocks having a foam core and a facer material coupled therewith may be coupled with a bottom surface of the composite board to support the composite board above the ground. The plurality of composite blocks may also be arranged with respect to the bottom surface to allow forks of a fork lift to be positioned under the bottom surface of the composite board so that the pallet may be lifted and/or transported via the forklift.
US08567320B2

A resilient pad having a base with two side arms and two side lips for resiliently holding the base on a pedestal wear plate, the pad being configured with dome shaped portions disposed substantially perpendicular to the direction of the pad and being spaced apart from each other, where the pad, when installed with a pedestal wear plate serves to improve the force load handling and preferably re-distributes the load bearing surface from the edges and center of the adapter to the flat load bearing surface of the adapter, thus eliminating load on areas that have no support. Because the spring arms do not depend on bending of the base for their resiliency, the pad of the invention provides improved service stress capabilities and allows for longer life of the wear plate.
US08567310B2

An electric hand-held binding apparatus according to embodiments including a wire feeding device configured to convey the binding wire. The binding apparatus further includes a twisting device including a twisting shaft, a fork disposed on an end of the twisting shaft, a twisting shaft spur gear disposed on the shaft, and a twisting shaft bevel gear. The twisting device is configured to wrap an object with the binding wire. The binding apparatus further includes a cutoff device configured to cut the binding wires. In the binding apparatus, the twisting shaft spur gear includes a groove on a surface in contact with the twisting shaft bevel gear, and the twisting shaft bevel gear includes a pillar configured to slide in the groove so that a rotation of the driving wire-feeding wheel shaft is desynchronized relative to a rotation of the twisting shaft.
US08567307B2

There is provided a system for continuously producing edible products filled with liquid material at the center, having a high liquid material filling factor without leakage of liquid material. The system for continuously producing edible products filled with liquid material at the center is characterized in that atmospheric air is sucked in extrusion of an edible product rope.
US08567294B2

A sandwich holder and knife guide for cutting a sandwich while maintaining the ingredients in place includes a base, a pair of upwardly extending parallel walls with an aligned slit in each of the walls for guiding a knife through a sandwich, a transparent dome with a slit aligned with the slits in the walls, a knife, a support frame, a pair of tapes disposed on opposite sides of the slits and each of the tapes extending across the support frame in a parallel relationship with the slits and one end of each of the tapes is coiled upon a retractable coil for maintaining the tapes under tension so that the tapes when extended and placed on top of the sandwich retain the sandwich and its fillings in place when the sandwich is cut.
US08567292B1

A tool for loosening and/or unscrewing a screw in an object. The tool includes a frame dimensioned and configured to receive (or be mounted on) an object having at least one screw removably embedded therein.
US08567291B2

A retrofit system for tethering a hand tool includes a tool collar having a collar body, a first body end, a second body end, a skirt at the second body end having an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the collar body, and a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, and a tethering tab having a first tab opening and a second tab opening transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tethering tab. The tool collar is made of a material having a Shore A hardness in the range of about 20 to about 50. The second tab opening of the tethering tab being spaced from the first tab opening and the first tab opening having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the first tool portion providing for free rotation of the tethering tab around the first tool portion.
US08567287B2

The present invention relates to the field of open-ended wrenches, and more specifically to a dual pawl assembly which can be used within an open-ended ratchet wrench to facilitate a bi-directional ratcheting motion.
US08567282B2

A throttle grip apparatus is provided with a throttle grip (1) rotatably mounted on a leading end of a handlebar (H) of a vehicle, a magnet (6) which is integrally rotatable with the throttle grip (1), a detector (13) for detecting variations of a magnetic field of the magnet (6) in a non-contact manner so as to detect a rotation angle of the throttle grip (1), and a frictional device (9, 10) for generating a resistance force during a rotation of the throttle grip (1). The resistance force is variable.
US08567281B2

A rotating device includes a communication unit including a transmitting portion having a first ring-shaped coil, a first ring-shaped magnetic body covering the first ring-shaped coil and a first terminal connected to the first ring-shaped coil, and a receiving portion having a second ring-shaped coil, a second ring-shaped magnetic body covering the second ring-shaped coil and a second terminal connected to the second ring-shaped coil, and a bearing connecting a hollow fixed portion to a hollow rotating portion.
US08567280B2

A roller transmission and gearing mechanism with a driving body, one or more rollers, and a driven body coupled to the driven body via the rollers. The bodies define at least one pair of respective roller guide tracks thereon. The guide tracks start and terminate at respective pairs of limit surfaces. The rollers contact the guide tracks along rolling curves, and distances between points of the rolling curve on the driving body and the respective rolling curve on the driven body are different such that: for all contacting point-pairs on the rolling curves, the respective tangential planes are parallel to each other; the velocities of the contacting pairs of points are identical but have opposite signs; in the contacting points, the action lines of forces intersect the central axes of the rollers; and the lengths of the rolling curves of the driving and driven bodies are equal.
US08567272B2

A step actuator includes a housing, a stator in the housing, a rotor including a magnet provided radially inward of the stator and a nut member inserted into the magnet and protruding through one side of the housing, a bearing rotatably supporting the nut member, a screw member coupled with the nut member to linearly move as the rotor rotates, and a mounting member supported on one side of the housing to support the screw member in such a manner that the screw member is linearly movable. The nut member includes an end portion passing through the bearing and a coupling portion extending from the end portion to couple with the bearing.
US08567270B1

A transmission includes an input coupled to reciprocate a lug along a stroke path. The lug is coupled between a shuttle and a persuader, the shuttle is coupled to drive an output in response to reciprocation of the shuttle along a drive path, and the persuader is coupled between the lug and the shuttle and is operable to change the stroke path between an inoperative direction relative to the drive path isolating the shuttle from the forcible reciprocation of the lug and an operative direction relative to the drive path transferring the forcible reciprocation of the lug along the stroke path to the shuttle imparting reciprocation to the shuttle along the drive path. Forcible reciprocation of the lug is transferred to the shuttle along an infinitely variable gearing range between the inoperative and operative directions of the stroke path of the lug relative to the drive path of the shuttle.
US08567269B1

An apparatus and method for mounting a sensor with strict orientation and insertion depth requirements in a process vessel or pipe section. The apparatus includes a lock block having a socket for receiving a plug disposed around a sensor inserted through an inner bore of the lock block. Reception of the plug in the socket controls insertion depth of the sensor in the process vessel. The lock block also includes a cam bore for receiving a cam used to rotationally orient the sensor and the attached plug. The cam is locked into position within the cam bore of the lock block by inserting a retaining pin through a retaining pin bore in the cam. During insertion and removal of the sensor through the sensor mounting apparatus, process isolation is maintained by an integral seal mechanism of the lock block and an internal isolation valve that fits within the lock block.
US08567264B2

The submarine phenomenon can be prevented and the accuracy of a passenger's weight measurement is improved. A vehicle seat includes a pair of fixed lower rails fixed on the floor of a passenger compartment, a pair of movable upper rails that are engaged with the fixed lower rails so as to be slidable in a front-and-rear direction with respect to each of the fixed lower rails, a sub frame which is disposed at an upper side of the movable upper rails, load sensors and that lie between the sub frame and the movable upper rails, brackets and which are disposed so as to erect them on each of the movable upper rails, and a submarine pipe 11 which is crossed between the brackets. The submarine pipe is disposed to be slidable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right bracket.
US08567256B2

A piezoresistive sensor chip element of a pressure sensor has lower face with an outer edge, an adhesion area and a non-adhesion area. The chip has a closed chip cavity for measuring the pressure of a medium flowing around the chip. The upper face of a substrate is fastened only at the adhesion area of the chip. The non-adhesion area extends at least over a circular area arranged centrally on the lower face and covers a third of the lower face's total area and extends over at least one connection area from the circular area to the edge of the lower face. The pressure in the pressure medium can spread through the connection area into a space under the non-adhesion area on the element lower face. The substrate has a recess located centrally under the sensor chip element.
US08567252B2

An automatic sonic/ultrasonic data acquisition device that is constructed and arranged to be moved across the surface of a concrete structure, to collect data from the structure. There is a frame, a number of wheels carried by the frame, one or more sensors carried by a wheel and constructed and arranged to contact the structure as the wheels roll along a surface of the structure, and an energy source for initiating compressional and/or shear waves in the structure that are sensed by the sensors. The wheels rotate properly timed and in unison so that the pressure transducers are in contact with the surface when the sound waves are initiated.
US08567237B2

A combustion pressure sensor (1) includes a housing (2) having an axial hole (23), a flexible member (8) fixed at one end to the housing (2) and being displaceable along the direction of axis (CL1), a pressure transmission body (3) whose outer circumferential surface is fixed to the other end of the flexible member (8), and a sensor element (42) fixed to the housing (2) and outputting a signal on the basis of a pressure applied thereto from the pressure transmission body (3). The housing (2) includes a main body portion (21) having a screw portion (24), and a cap member (22) having a press contact portion (26) which is pressed against the internal combustion engine when the screw portion (24) is screwed into the mounting hole of an internal combustion engine. The one end of the flexible member (8) is fixed to the main body portion (21).
US08567236B2

A method and apparatus is provided for measuring the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of a material, such as a perforated film packaging material. The method and apparatus can use a fiber optic oxygen sensor that does not consume oxygen and does do not require any flowing gas during measurement of the OTR.
US08567231B2

A gas sensor includes an inner electrode formed on an inner surface of a base body. The inner electrode has an inner sensing portion formed in a gas contact inner region such that the inner sensing portion is located on the whole of a heat-facing area of the gas contact inner region facing a heating portion in a radial direction of the base body, a terminal contact portion formed in a rear end region such that the terminal contact portion is located in at least a part of the rear end region in a circumferential direction of the base body and a lead portion formed only on a part of the inner surface of the base body in the circumferential direction of the base body so as to connect the inner sensing portion and the terminal contact portion to each other.
US08567228B2

A tool system is provided that has a stamp or punch adapter including eccentrically positioned stamp receptacles. This system permits a simple exchange of tool inserts in the stamp adapter. These tool inserts are also usable in another tool system. The system also permits combining the stamp adapter with a stamp shaft, which can also be used in another tool system. These features permit stamping (and punching) with minimal tooling and retooling efforts.
US08567224B2

A reinforced wall in a drawn metal workpiece is formed by folding an annular wall back on itself in a punch-driven operation.
US08567217B2

A method for manufacturing an optical fiber preform includes a process A of applying flame polishing to a center glass rod, a process B of determining a ratio ra/rb, which is a ratio of a radius ra of the center glass rod expressed in millimeters with respect to a radius rb of a target optical fiber preform expressed in millimeters, based on a refractive index profile of a target optical fiber preform, and a process C of determining an amount of fine glass particles to be deposited on the center glass rod so that a ratio ra/rb/c falls within a range from 0.002 to 0.01, where “c” is a maximum value of hydroxyl group concentration expressed in ppm in the vicinity of a boundary between the center glass rod and an outer layer, which is formed by depositing fine glass particles on the center rod and by being vitrified.
US08567213B2

Ethane is separated from a carbon dioxide-containing feed gas in a demethanizer that receives a rich subcooled reflux stream at very low temperature. Freezing of carbon dioxide is prevented by feeding a temperature-controlled vapor portion of the feed gas to the column, wherein the temperature of the vapor portion is adjusted by routing a portion of the expander discharge through a heat exchanger in response to the tray temperature in the demethanizer. Thus, high separation efficiency is achieved at reduced, or even eliminated carbon dioxide freezing.
US08567209B2

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a body defining a storage space; a door selectively shielding the storage space; a container connecting part disposed in the storage space or the door; a water supply container separably coupled to the container connecting part, the water supply container including an opening for injecting water; an ice making device for making ice using the water supplied from the water supply container; a water supply passage fluidly connecting the water supply container to the ice making device, the water supply passage extending in an inside direction of the water supply container; and a pump connected to the water supply passage to supply the water within the water supply container into the ice making device. According to the refrigerator, installation cost is reduced, and quality and reliability are improved.
US08567206B2

A vehicle air conditioning system includes a controller that initially controls operation of a compressor to switch between inactive and active states in response to detecting that an operating condition is equal to or surpasses a first operation threshold. The controller determines a first time delay occurring between initiating the switch from one of the inactive and active states to the other of the compressor, and an actual change in the operating condition. The controller subsequently defines a first limit that is offset from the first operation threshold such that the controller controls the operation of the compressor to subsequently switch from the one of inactive and active states to the other in response to detecting that the operating condition is equal to or surpasses the first limit.
US08567200B2

Production of concentrated CO2 and electricity from a hydrocarbon feedstock by introducing an air feed stream and a methane fuel feed stream to an autothermal reactor (ATR) to produce synthesis gas, withdrawing a synthesis gas stream from the ATR and heat exchanging with a water stream to produce steam and heat exchanging the synthesis gas stream with a process stream to produce superheated steam. If necessary, steam is introduced to the synthesis gas stream before passing to a shift converter where synthesis gas reacts with steam to generate additional CO2 and H2. A shift converted gas stream is withdrawn from the shift converter and heat exchanged with a process stream to produce superheated steam. The shift converted gas stream is passed to a CO2 separation unit to separate a concentrated CO2 stream from a H2 stream, and the H2 stream is combusted in a gas turbine to produce electricity.
US08567197B2

An apparatus for attenuating acoustic oscillations of a gas flow contained in part by a combustor wall of a gas turbine engine combustor, wherein the combustor includes at least one air/fuel mixer, includes at least one resonating tube with a closed end and an open end and a single cavity between the ends. The tube is located on the combustor wall downstream of the air/fuel mixer.
US08567194B2

A floating support that can be joined with a floating platform while the floating platform is at a deployment location is disclosed. The support provides functionality to the floating platform in order to change, augment, upgrade, or diversify the platform's overall capability. In some embodiments, the present invention eases the serviceability of the platform by enabling a first support that has diminished capability to be readily replaced by a second support having superior capability—without removing the floating platform from its deployment location. In some embodiments, the present invention enables platform operation that is analogous to “plug and play” electronics systems. Further, in some embodiments, hydrodynamic performance of the floating platform can be changed with the addition or removal of one or more floating supports.
US08567177B1

A system including a gas turbine engine having a compressor portion, a combustion portion and an exhaust portion is disclosed. The system includes a first regulating nozzle for injecting water into the compressor portion, a second regulating nozzle for injecting water into the combustion portion, a third regulating nozzle for injecting water into the exhaust portion, and a condenser apparatus for extracting water from flue gases in the exhaust portion. The system further includes a pump for pumping water from the condenser apparatus to the first, second and third regulating nozzles, wherein said nozzles inject water supplied solely from the condenser apparatus, and a processor communicatively coupled to said regulating nozzles, wherein the processor is configured for transmitting control signals to the first, second and third regulating nozzles, and wherein the control signals are configured to command said regulating nozzles to inject predefined amounts of water.
US08567165B2

A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
US08567161B2

The present invention is directed to wetting agent compositions and methods for making and using the wetting agent compositions. The compositions of the invention include a sheeting agent, a defoaming agent, and an association disruption agent. The wetting agent compositions of the present invention result in a faster draining/drying time on most substrates compared to conventional wetting agents. The wetting agent compositions of the present invention are especially suitable for use on plastic substrates.
US08567156B2

A paper sheet processing system has a paper sheet processing apparatus and a paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus. The paper sheet processing apparatus sends category information of a bundle of 100 paper sheets to the paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus when discharging the bundle of 100 paper sheets. The paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus classifies and accumulates the bundle of 100 paper sheets based on the category information when receiving the bundle of 100 paper sheets. The paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus bands ten bundles of 100 paper sheets as a bundle of 1000 paper sheets. Since the paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus receives the bundle of 100 paper sheets of different category from the paper sheet processing apparatus and accumulates the bundle of 100 paper sheets for every category to form the bundle of 1000 paper sheets, the usage rate of the paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus becomes high.
US08567152B2

A cushion material fastening structure includes: an interior trim part, made of synthetic resin, that is provided with an opening and an elastic deformation portion at least part of which projects inward in the opening; and a cushion material, having a sheet shape, that is caught by the elastic deformation portion by being plunged into the opening while elastically deforming the elastic deformation portion, whereby the cushion material is fastened to the interior trim part.
US08567139B2

A building wall or roof is formed of tubular structural members arranged in parallel, planar, spaced-apart relation. Saddle-shaped structural members having strengthening portions are respectively mounted on the tubular members with a clearance space, and thermal and/or acoustical insulation is interposed in the clearance space between the strengthening portions and the tubular members. As compared to conventional tubular log structures, the resulting wall or roof is resistant to horizontal forces generated by the wind or earthquakes and is faster and easier to construct and, furthermore, considerably better performing in terms of thermal and acoustic insulation without having to increase its thickness on an otherwise proportionate basis.
US08567136B2

A rail mounting system is provided for mounting and supporting skylights and/or other structures to rib elevations of a metal panel roofing system. The rail mounting system includes first and second side rails which can be mounted to the rib elevations of the metal panel roof. Each side rail includes a riser, an upper flange extending from the riser, and a bottom shoulder structure extending from the riser. The bottom shoulder structure can be mounted to a rib elevation of the roofing system. The upper flange provides a top bearing surface for supporting one side of a skylight, or run of skylights, or other structures, which are supported from the roof by the rail mounting system. The rib elevations to which the side rails are mounted provide structural support for the skylight or skylights supported thereon for substantially the entire length of the skylight or skylights or other supported structure.
US08567135B2

A grain storage pit includes an open-top chamber configured to be substantially flush-mounted in a surface and a grain-receiving grate that covers at least a portion of the open-top chamber so that grain may be poured into the open-top chamber through the grate from a truck positioned over the pit. The grain storage pit may also include one or more unloading ports for facilitating removal of grain from the pit.
US08567110B2

The presently disclosed subject matter describes a new sealing process of a specific type of photovoltaic cells named dye-sensitized solar cells. Currently, the sealing of these cells is made by means of a polymer, which connects the two electrode substrates made of glass, isolating the cell's inner content from the outside. The glass-based sealing method has the advantage of enhancing the cell's lifetime. However, glass sealing should not lead to the heating of the whole cell, which may cause its degradation. The process here unveiled employs a string of a glass precursor, a powder or a paste, that bounds the cell's entire external perimeter. The glass precursor string is then heated to its melting point with a laser beam, allowing the two substrates of the cell to stick together.
US08567105B1

The weapon interface mounting device is designed to permit a secure interface between a Mil-Std 1913 or similar rail and a compatible component such as an optical device, bipod, or light source. It can be easily installed, requires no adjustment by the user, and will mate securely to rails that are out of specification or poorly manufactured. The weapon interface mounting device utilizes a constant force system that applies adequate pressure to positively secure any accessory or device despite being subject to rough treatment such as recoil shock from a host weapon. Unlike prior art devices, the weapon interface mounting device insures repeatability by utilizing a mechanical index system.
US08567100B1

A hub is formed with a lower extent having a first diameter, an intermediate extent having a second diameter, and a circular upper extent having a third diameter. A circular disk has an upper surface with indicia, a lower surface with an attachment component, and a hole with a diameter essentially equal to the second diameter for being received by the hub. A pointer has a first free end and a first securement ring having an interior diameter essentially equal to the third diameter and an exterior diameter essentially equal to the second diameter. The first securement ring is in sliding contact with the intermediate extent of the hub.
US08567092B2

A ventilation sole for footwear, in which an air inlet-outlet is formed in a side of the ventilation sole, vents are formed in an upper portion of the ventilation sole, the vents communicating with the air inlet-outlet, and a device for opening and closing an air inlet-outlet, which is coupled with the air inlet-outlet, supplies ambient air into the footwear. The device for opening and closing an air inlet-outlet is adapted to be opened or closed by a locking or unlocking action when turned, and is disposed in the air inlet-outlet such that it is exposed to the outside. Since the device is opened and closed by the turning action of the button cap, the user can conveniently open or close the air inlet-outlet.
US08567089B2

Disclosed are an evaporator, an evaporation method, and a substrate processing apparatus, which can increase the concentration of generated vapor of an organic solvent and efficiently heat the organic solvent. The evaporator includes a fluid tube, a liquid organic solvent supply device for supplying the organic solvent liquid to one end of the fluid tube, and heating units for heating the fluid tube. The fluid tube has a cross section that increases from the one end to the other end. When the organic solvent liquid supplied to one end of the fluid tube is heated, the organic solvent vapor is discharged from the other end of the fluid tube. The substrate processing apparatus includes the above-described evaporator.
US08567084B2

A coordinate measuring machine includes a probe having a measurement unit, a movement mechanism for moving the probe and a host computer for controlling the movement mechanism. The host computer includes: a compensation-amount calculating unit for calculating a compensation amount for compensating an error in the position of the measurement unit caused by the movement of the probe; and a compensator for compensating the error in the position of the measurement unit based on the compensation amount calculated by the compensation-amount calculating unit. The compensation-amount calculating unit calculates a translation-compensation amount for compensating a translation error of the probe and a rotation-compensation amount for compensating a rotation error of the probe based on a rotation frequency of the movement of the probe.
US08567072B2

A safety scalpel incorporating a handle similar in thickness, length, weight, balance, shape and feel to the conventional metal handle preferred by most surgeons, and a disposable cartridge assembly that is easily mounted and released from the scalpel handle. The handle comprises a first end and a second end. The cartridge assembly comprises a blade guard/shield that can be slideably mounted onto the second end of the handle, a blade holder/slider that can be disposed within the blade guard, and a blade that can be attached to the blade holder. The safety scalpel incorporates a locking system that prevents the cartridge assembly from sliding off or wobbling on the handle during use.
US08567065B2

A method of augmenting a ring including the steps of: receiving the ring having markings on the inner surface thereof, creating a setting having a size and position defined by at least one of the markings, and placing a gemstone in the setting. The locations of the markings are determined by considering various factors, including the inner shank circumference, the number of gemstone sizes, and the number of non-marking areas.
US08567063B2

It is an object of the present invention to enhance the orifice design freedom and easy machine ability in a fuel injection valve in which orifices are formed by press-working.In a machining method for forming an orifice in a fuel injection valve by operating a punch 43 in an axial direction inclined relative to a normal direction perpendicular to a tangent plane of a curved surface portion 30 or relative to a perpendicular direction perpendicular to a slant surface of a slant surface portion, the machining method comprises a first step of operating the punch 43 along an axis 57j pre-shifted in parallel from an orifice axis 57i and pressing an orifice plate 15′ to form a recess 577a, a second step, after the first step, of shifting an axis of the punch 43 to the position of the orifice axis 57i and forming a recess in a bottom 577as of the recess 577a formed in the first step, the recess formed in the second step being deeper than the recess 577, and a third step of forming an orifice in a bottom of the orifice formed in the second step.
US08567062B2

A method of assembling an electromagnetic gas valve having a first body, a second body, a unit comprising a valve disc and stem assembly coupled to a moveable insulating structure having a projecting member, an electromagnet assembly comprising a magnet fixed within the second body and a coil wound on a moving part with a cavity adapted to receive the projecting member, the first body having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a through hole disposed between the gas inlet and outlet. In one implementation the insulating structure is coupled to the electromagnetic assembly by introducing a fluid under pressure into the gas outlet or gas inlet to act upon the unit to cause the projecting member to move in a direction towards the inside of the second body and into the cavity of the moving part of the electromagnet assembly.
US08567052B2

A method of manufacturing a through electrode-attached glass substrate includes: forming an effective unit cell by drilling a plurality of through holes in a unit cell with a minimum area acquired by cutting out and dividing plate-shaped glass being configured as the unit cell and distributing dummy unit cells in which the through hole is not formed in an area in which the effective unit cell is formed; inserting electrode members into the through holes; welding the plate-shaped glass and the electrode members by heating the plate-shaped glass at a temperature that is higher than a softening point thereof; and grinding both sides of the plate-shaped glass together with the electrode members so as to expose a plurality of the electrode members to both sides of the plate-shaped glass and configure the plurality of the electrode members as a plurality of through electrodes that are electrically separated from each other.
US08567051B2

A process for the vertical interconnection of 3D electronic modules (100), a module comprising a stack of K electronic wafer levels (19) electrically connected together by conductors lying along the direction of the stack that is perpendicular to the plane of a wafer.
US08567045B2

As track densities increase, it becomes increasingly important, while writing in a given track, not to inadvertently write data in adjoining tracks. This problem has been overcome by limiting the width of material in the ABS plane to what it is at the write gap. The part of the lower pole that is wider than this is recessed back away from the ABS, thereby greatly reducing its magnetic influence on adjacent tracks. Four different embodiments of write heads that incorporate this notion are described together with a description of a general process for their manufacture.
US08567042B2

A submersible well pump motor has features to prevent the carrier bearing from sliding axially along the stator due to thermal growth of the rotor. The rotor has a shaft and rotor sections spaced apart from each other. Carrier bearings are located between the rotor sections, each having an anti-rotation member that frictionally engages the inner diameter of the stator to prevent spinning of the carrier bearing. A deflectable thrust washer may be located between ends of the carrier bearing and the rotor sections. The thrust washer reduces in thickness in response to an axial thermal growth force due to axial thermal growth movement of the rotor sections and shaft. The thermal growth force is less than an amount of dislodging force required to cause the anti-rotation member to axially move relative to the stator. Rather than deflectable thrust washers, sacrificial thrust washers that dissolve prior to normal operation may be used.
US08567031B1

A stack of disk-like articles or can ends are transferred in an elongated tubular paper bag supported between opposing shoes, and the bag is removed from the stack by pulling the bag longitudinally or upwardly after a slitting knife blade moves or pivots from a retracted position to an extended position to pierce the bag and to slit the bag progressively and longitudinally. A stream or jet of air is directed against the end or top article in the stack to prevent the articles from moving with the bag or being flipped over in response to pulling the bag from the stack. Preferably, the air jet is directed from an air supply tube attached to the knife blade for movement with the blade between the retracted position and the extended position. The knife blade is shaped like a hawk beak and has a pointed tip and an arcuate knife edge.
US08567028B2

An injector sleeve removal device including a tapered portion and a ridge. The a tapered portion having a first diameter and a second diameter. The first diameter is relatively smaller than an opening of an injector sleeve and the second diameter is relatively greater than the opening. The ridge is disposed helically about the tapered portion. The ridge is configured to cut into an inner surface of the injector sleeve and draw the tapered portion into the injector sleeve in response to rotation of the sleeve removal device.
US08567018B2

A linkable loop rope system that includes at least two loop rope assemblies fastened together by a coupling mechanism operable to releaseably couple the rope assemblies for use in securing large and/or irregular shaped objects on a transport vehicle or a tarp or cover on such objects during transport.
US08566998B2

A device comprising an absorbent structure and one or more resilient contact elements integrated into the absorbent structure is disclosed. The absorbent structure is preferably a sponge or foam structure and the resilient contact elements are squeegees, nodules, or combinations thereof. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the resilient contact elements include anchor features that are embedded within the absorbent stricture.
US08566997B2

The mop has a hollow pole (1) the center of which has a piston (3) which is activated from the outside with a movable grip (6), so that said piston (3) may reduce the elevation of a pressure chamber (4) established in the lower area of the pole (1), which communicates directly with a push cylinder (10) with a larger diameter, which reinforces said pole at the bottom and in the center of which works a push plunger (13) which supports the head (24) the mop cloth (25), also actuating said push plunger (13) on a pair of side cams (16) which when resting adjust on the exterior to the push cylinder (12) but that in the initial downward movement phase of the plunger (13) they tilt outward locking into a perimeter tab (18) of the wringer opening (19) also part of the opening of the bucket that holds the water, so that the tendency of the pole (1) reversing during the wringing phase is eliminated by locking said pole (1) to the wringer (19) using the mentioned tab (18) of the latter. The manual effort needed to wring the mop cloth (25) is therefore drastically reduced.
US08566993B1

A variable speed tooth polishing system including a tooth polisher with multiple polishing head capability, in order to provide therapeutic treatment to gums and guard against undesired exposure to potentially hazardous fluids present during routine dental cleansing and polishing, such as polishing paste, tooth paste, blood, and salivary excretions. A splatter guard comprising a plurality of serrations are cut through a wall of the splatter guard, wherein each of the serrations starting at an open end of the splatter guard and continuing into a length of said splatter guard forming a series of flexible splatter guard fingers about the open end of the splatter guard. The splatter guard is affixed to a polishing end of a prophy angle encompassing a polisher, wherein the splatter guard is provided to entrap any loose material resulting from a polishing process within the splatter guard.
US08566991B2

A method for manufacturing a waterproof and vapor-permeable shoe, including preparing a semi-manufactured component of an upper for a shoe, to be arranged spread out on one or two flat surfaces, arranging on the inner part of the semi-manufactured component of an upper a waterproof and vapor-permeable membrane, then preparing an adhesive bonding between the semi-manufactured component of an upper and the membrane so as to not inhibit the vapor-permeability of the assembly. Flat shapes, suitable of shaping complementarily with respect to different thicknesses of stitched seams and of superimposed parts are prepared, and the membrane is coupled to the semi-manufactured component of an upper, with the outer part arranged resting on the shape. The upper is finished associated with an insole, and a sole.
US08566984B2

Apparatus for supporting a user in a resting position characterized in that it includes a processor programmed to cause a foot support to be in a feet-engaging position, engaging the bottom surface of the user's feet, when a tiltable frame assembly is in a resting position, and to maintain the feet-engaging position while the tiltable frame assembly is moving towards a vertical position, to thereby prevent sliding of the user's body when the tiltable frame assembly is tilted.
US08566983B2

An improved bed covering comprising a generally rectangular cover piece and an elastic member attached to the bottom side of the cover piece near the bottom of the bed. The member comprising an adjusting means and having sufficient length to extend under a mattress such that the member is not visible while the covering is positioned on the bed.
US08566980B2

Provided is a folding bed including a cabinet unit and a head part pivotable in relation to the cabinet unit, wherein the head part, in an unused position, is positioned in an approximately vertical orientation in the cabinet unit and in a usage position in an approximately horizontal orientation at least in sections in front of the cabinet unit. The head part can be pivoted from the unused position into the usage position and back. In order to further reduce the space required for the folding bed, the cabinet unit and head part are connected together via a control lever that is held pivotable about a pivot axis on the cabinet unit and a pivot axis on the head part. The control lever is designed such that on movement of the head part from the unused position into the usage position and back, it is pivoted against the cabinet unit.
US08566975B1

A faucet control structure includes an outlet head, a switch rod and a valve body. The outlet head is provided therein with a through-hole, a downward outlet end and an inlet chamber. The outlet end and the inlet chamber are separated by the through-hole. One end of the switch rod is enlarged to form a pulling head, and the other end is provided with a restricting groove. The valve body has a partitioning plate whose front surface is provided with two clamping claws. An inverted U-shaped flexible piece is integrally formed atop the valve body. Both sides of the flexible piece are provided with a bending section respectively. The bending sections provide a force for supporting the valve body when the valve body is compressed by an external force, and provide a restoring force to the valve body after the external force is removed.
US08566971B2

A toilet has an electronic flush assembly operable in either a short or long flush sequence selectable by a user. The long flush sequence includes a pre-rinse cycle and a rinse cycle in which the a supply valve and a flush valve are both opened and closed twice, once each first during the pre-rinse cycle and again during a subsequent rinse cycle. The rim supply valve and the flush valve are opened during the pre-rinse and rinse cycles but are closed at the start and end of each cycle. An electronic control controls operation of the valves as well as water supply control components. Level sensors can also be included to provide feedback to the controller, for example, to prevent overflow conditions.
US08566963B2

An outerwear garment that incorporates a sealable, concealed pocket sewn inside of the pouch pocket of an outer garment that features such a pouch pocket. The device consists of an outerwear garment that has a pouch pocket located at the front, center of the garment on the lower portion of the garment. The concealed pocket is sewn into the garment, inside the pouch pocket, and incorporates a concealed pocket sealing mechanism for closure. The concealed pocket located inside the pouch pocket allows an individual to store his or her personal items in a secure location while still retaining the pouch pocket for the purpose of providing the individual with a place to easily insert his or her hands or other items of lesser importance. The design of the exterior pouch pocket conceals bulky items stored within the concealed interior pocket from detection by an onlooker.
US08566962B2

Eye-shield condensation preventing system comprising an eye shield adapted for protecting a user's eyes and adapted for defining at least a partially enclosed space between the user's eyes and the eye shield, a power source, a pulse-width modulator preferably comprised of a microcomputer, switching means, preferably comprised of a MOSFET device, that is responsive to the pulse-width modulator, a preferably indium-tin-oxide (ITO) heating element on the eye shield, and a circuit interconnecting the power source, the pulse-width modulator, the switching means and the heating element for controlling heating of the eye shield. In one embodiment the eye shield is divided into a plurality of heating regions. A current adjustment means, sensors, and optionally user-selectable profiles are employed to allow heating adjustment or automated anti-fog capability and variable condition adaptability of the invention.
US08572761B2

A method for selectively controlling access to electronic media disposed on a media storage device according to one embodiment is described. The method comprises creating a first list comprising a plurality of process identification values. Each of the plurality of process identification values of the first list is associated with a software application that is accessing the media disposed upon the media storage device. The method further includes creating a second list comprising a second plurality of process identification values. Each of the second plurality of process identification values is associated with a software application that is storing data. The method further includes determining that a particular software application is creating an unauthorized copy of the media disposed upon the media storage device. The method further includes preventing the particular software application from storing a usable copy of said electronic media.
US08572758B1

A system and method is disclosed for implementing a data loss prevention (DLP) system configured to protect sensitive data in conjunction with corresponding content indexing (CI) metadata. In response to detecting a data loss risk, such as to data at rest (e.g., stored on a file system) and/or to data in motion (e.g., data being transmitted across a network) the system may perform any number of data loss prevention actions, including sequestering the data. The system may utilize an interface to a content indexing system in order to discover CI metadata associated with the data and sequester the CI metadata associated with the data. One or more common sequestration rules may be applied to the sequestration of the data and of the metadata. For example, the data and metadata may be encrypted using the same key and/or sequestered in the same location.
US08572757B1

Seamless, secure, private, collaborative file synchronization across trust boundaries, typically as a companion to a store and sync file service. Information needed to recover a file is stored within the file itself, without giving away secret data. User specific personal keys are preferably only stored on the users' device(s). A unique ID is also created for each protected file; a password is generated that depends on (a) a key value that can either be (i) the user's personal key in the case of a file that is to be private or (ii) a shared key in the case of a file that is to be shared with other users, and (b) the unique file ID. The password is then encrypted using a recovery key and also stored in the file itself. The file is secured using a format that supports password-based content encryption.
US08572748B2

A computer-implemented method and apparatus, adapted to receive a computer program, and dynamically analyze the computer program to determine flow of untrusted data with respect to a computer resource associated with the computer program. Based on the flow of untrusted data, the method and apparatus determine an abstraction of the computerized resource, and performing static analysis of the computer program with respect to the abstraction, wherein the static analysis is for identifying whether the computer program is susceptible to one or more possible security vulnerabilities.
US08572745B2

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for selecting a wireless network based on security information. In use, a plurality of wireless networks is identified. Further, security information associated with each of the wireless networks is collected, such that one of the wireless networks is selected based on the security information.
US08572730B1

A computer-implemented method for revoking digital signatures may include (1) identifying an executable file signed with a digital signature, (2) determining that the executable file is subject to a revocation check used to determine whether the digital signature has been revoked, (3) classifying the executable file based on at least one attribute of the executable file, (4) determining, based on the classification of the executable file, that the executable file is a member of a revocation group, wherein a status identifier associated with the revocation group indicates whether any member of the revocation group has a digital signature revocation, (5) determining, based on the status identifier associated with the revocation group, that the digital signature of the executable file has potentially been revoked, and then (6) performing the revocation check on the executable file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08572725B2

An approach is provided by detecting password entries by a user of a system with each of the password entries corresponding to a password entered when invoking a password enabled application on the system. A password strength is calculated corresponding to each of the detected password entries. A strongest password is identified based on the password strength calculations. A device lock request is received from the user of the system, with the device lock request being received at a user interface, such as a GUI control. The system is set into a locked state. The locked state prevents data stored on the information handling system from being accessed while the information handling system is in the locked state. The system is subsequently unlocked by entry of the identified strongest password by the user.
US08572724B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus may store a plurality of token-based rules. A token-based rule facilitates access to a resource. The apparatus may further store a plurality of tokens. The apparatus may receive a first token indicating that access to the resource has been requested and determine at least one token-based rule based at least in part upon the first token. The at least one token-based rule may condition access to the resource upon a second token. The second token may indicate that the resource is associated with a virtual private network of the link layer of the open systems interconnection model. The apparatus may determine that the plurality of tokens includes the second token associated with the at least one token-based rule and generate a session token based at least in part upon the first token and the second token.
US08572717B2

A network security appliance supports definition of a security policy to control access to a network. The security policy is defined by match criteria including a layer seven network application, a static port list of layer four ports for a transport-layer protocol, and actions to be applied to packet flows that match the match criteria. A rules engine dynamically identifies a type of layer seven network application associated with the received packet flow based on inspection of application-layer data within payloads of packets of the packet flow without basing the identification solely on a layer four port specified by headers within the packets. The rules engine is configured to apply the security policy to determine whether the packet flow matches the static port lists specified by the match criteria. The network security appliance applies the actions specified by the security policy to the packet flow.
US08572708B2

A method that provides efficient integration of infrastructure for federated single sign on (e.g. Liberty ID-FP framework) and generic bootstrapping architecture (e.g. 3GPP GAA/GBA architecture) uses an integrated proxy server (IAP). The IAP is inserted in the path between a user and a service provider (SP). The IAP differentiates type of access and determines corresponding operative state to act as a liberty enabled server or as a GAA/GBA network application function. A Bootstrapping, Identity, Authentication and Session Management arrangement (BIAS) leverages on 3GPP GAA/GBA infrastructure to provide an integrated system for handling Liberty Federated SSO and 3GPP GAA/GBA bootstrapping procedures at the same time. This method and arrangement provides improved use of infrastructure elements and performance for authenticated service access.
US08572701B2

A first server device is configured to receive an authentication request from a second server device; add the authentication request to a queue associated with a user; and provide a representation of the queue to a mobile device of the user. The representation of the queue includes an entry for the authentication request. The first server device is further configured to receive, from the mobile device, authentication information, provided by the user, for the authentication request; determine that authentication, of the user, for the authentication request is successful based on the authentication information; generate an authentication response that indicates that the authentication, of the user, for the authentication request is successful; and transmit, by the first server device, the authentication response to the second server device.
US08572687B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus may receive a first token indicating that access to the resource has been requested. The apparatus may determine at least one token-based rule based at least in part upon the first token, and determine that a plurality of tokens includes a second token associated with the at least one token-based rule. The apparatus may then generate a session token based at least in part upon the first token and the second token in response to the determination that the plurality of tokens includes the second token. The apparatus may terminate the session token based on a received third token.
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